REPUBLICAN REDEFINED

James Jay Lee Enviro-Nut Straps Bomb to Chest Takes Hostages at Discovery Channel

T. CHRISTOPHER — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:44:38 +0000

The focus of the news world has been on Silver Springs, Maryland today where a gunman with a bomb strapped to his chest has taken hostages at the Discovery Channel Headquarters. As the story has unfolded, more has been learned about the gunman. Authorities are now reporting that the gunman is James Jay Lee – an environmental activist – who appears to have quite an agenda.

From Michelle Malkin…

WUSA 9, a local TV affiliate, in DC is pointing to this website called “Save the Planet Protest” as the site of the alleged gunman’s unconfirmed demands.

Michelle Malkin was way ahead of this and knew that the site would go down, so she has the entire manifesto posted on her site.

Here’s it is…

The Discovery Channel MUST broadcast to the world their commitment to save the planet and to do the following IMMEDIATELY:

1. The Discovery Channel and it’s affiliate channels MUST have daily television programs at prime time slots based on Daniel Quinn’s “My Ishmael” pages 207-212 where solutions to save the planet would be done in the same way as the Industrial Revolution was done, by people building on each other’s inventive ideas. Focus must be given on how people can live WITHOUT giving birth to more filthy human children since those new additions continue pollution and are pollution. A game show format contest would be in order. Perhaps also forums of leading scientists who understand and agree with the Malthus-Darwin science and the problem of human overpopulation. Do both. Do all until something WORKS and the natural world starts improving and human civilization building STOPS and is reversed! MAKE IT INTERESTING SO PEOPLE WATCH AND APPLY SOLUTIONS!!!!

2. All programs on Discovery Health-TLC must stop encouraging the birth of any more parasitic human infants and the false heroics behind those actions. In those programs’ places, programs encouraging human sterilization and infertility must be pushed. All former pro-birth programs must now push in the direction of stopping human birth, not encouraging it.

3. All programs promoting War and the technology behind those must cease. There is no sense in advertising weapons of mass-destruction anymore. Instead, talk about ways to disassemble civilization and concentrate the message in finding SOLUTIONS to solving global military mechanized conflict. Again, solutions solutions instead of just repeating the same old wars with newer weapons. Also, keep out the fraudulent peace movements. They are liars and fakes and had no real intention of ending the wars. ALL OF THEM ARE FAKE! On one hand, they claim they want the wars to end, on the other, they are demanding the human population increase. World War II had 2 Billion humans and after that war, the people decided that tripling the population would assure peace. WTF??? STUPIDITY! MORE HUMANS EQUALS MORE WAR!

4. Civilization must be exposed for the filth it is. That, and all its disgusting religious-cultural roots and greed. Broadcast this message until the pollution in the planet is reversed and the human population goes down! This is your obligation. If you think it isn’t, then get hell off the planet! Breathe Oil! It is the moral obligation of everyone living otherwise what good are they??

5. Immigration: Programs must be developed to find solutions to stopping ALL immigration pollution and the anchor baby filth that follows that. Find solutions to stopping it. Call for people in the world to develop solutions to stop it completely and permanently. Find solutions FOR these countries so they stop sending their breeding populations to the US and the world to seek jobs and therefore breed more unwanted pollution babies. FIND SOLUTIONS FOR THEM TO STOP THEIR HUMAN GROWTH AND THE EXPORTATION OF THAT DISGUSTING FILTH! (The first world is feeding the population growth of the Third World and those human families are going to where the food is! They must stop procreating new humans looking for nonexistant jobs!)

6. Find solutions for Global Warming, Automotive pollution, International Trade, factory pollution, and the whole blasted human economy. Find ways so that people don’t build more housing pollution which destroys the environment to make way for more human filth! Find solutions so that people stop breeding as well as stopping using Oil in order to REVERSE Global warming and the destruction of the planet!

7. Develop shows that mention the Malthusian sciences about how food production leads to the overpopulation of the Human race. Talk about Evolution. Talk about Malthus and Darwin until it sinks into the stupid people’s brains until they get it!!

8. Saving the Planet means saving what’s left of the non-human Wildlife by decreasing the Human population. That means stopping the human race from breeding any more disgusting human babies! You’re the media, you can reach enough people. It’s your resposibility because you reach so many minds!!!

9. Develop shows that will correct and dismantle the dangerous US world economy. Find solutions for their disasterous Ponzi-Casino economy before they take the world to another nuclear war.

10. Stop all shows glorifying human birthing on all your channels and on TLC. Stop Future Weapons shows or replace the dialogue condemning the people behind these developments so that the shows become exposes rather than advertisements of Arms sales and development!

11. You’re also going to find solutions for unemployment and housing. All these unemployed people makes me think the US is headed toward more war.

Humans are the most destructive, filthy, pollutive creatures around and are wrecking what’s left of the planet with their false morals and breeding culture.

For every human born, ACRES of wildlife forests must be turned into farmland in order to feed that new addition over the course of 60 to 100 YEARS of that new human’s lifespan! THIS IS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE FOREST CREATURES!!!! All human procreation and farming must cease!

It is the responsiblity of everyone to preserve the planet they live on by not breeding any more children who will continue their filthy practices. Children represent FUTURE catastrophic pollution whereas their parents are current pollution. NO MORE BABIES! Population growth is a real crisis. Even one child born in the US will use 30 to a thousand times more resources than a Third World child. It’s like a couple are having 30 babies even though it’s just one! If the US goes in this direction maybe other countries will too!

Also, war must be halted. Not because it’s morally wrong, but because of the catastrophic environmental damage modern weapons cause to other creatures. FIND SOLUTIONS JUST LIKE THE BOOK SAYS! Humans are supposed to be inventive. INVENT, DAMN YOU!!

The world needs TV shows that DEVELOP solutions to the problems that humans are causing, not stupify the people into destroying the world. Not encouraging them to breed more environmentally harmful humans.

Saving the environment and the remaning species diversity of the planet is now your mindset. Nothing is more important than saving them. The Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Elephants, Froggies, Turtles, Apes, Raccoons, Beetles, Ants, Sharks, Bears, and, of course, the Squirrels.

The humans? The planet does not need humans.

You MUST KNOW the human population is behind all the pollution and problems in the world, and YET you encourage the exact opposite instead of discouraging human growth and procreation. Surely you MUST ALREADY KNOW this!

I want Discovery Communications to broadcast on their channels to the world their new program lineup and I want proof they are doing so. I want the new shows started by asking the public for inventive solution ideas to save the planet and the remaining wildlife on it.

These are the demands and sayings of Lee.

More on this Nutjob

Fire Andrea Mitchell has a link to his group – Save the Planet Protest’s MySpace page

Mediaite has the results of a “Who is” search…

An unconfirmed photo of the gunman from Left Coast Rebel via Fox’s Ryan Bernat

More at Memeorandum…

UPDATE: 4:48 – Gunman is in custody/ has been shot. ”Other devices” still being checked out. Last three hostages are all safe. Police would not confirm the gunman’s condition or whether he had been removed from the building.

President Obama’s Address to the Nation – Who Was I Supposed to Thank Again?

T. CHRISTOPHER — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:15:08 +0000

President Obama addressed the Nation last evening from the Oval Office signalling and end to “combat operations” in Iraq. In a relatively brief speech, the Commander-in-Chief offered up a boring and mundane accounting of our nation’s efforts there. While rather lacking in substance; or form; or enthusiasm; the President did manage to remind the American People that end to combat operations fulfilled a campaign promise and that the cost of the War grew budget deficits and distracted from the War on Terror ala Afghanistan. What he failed to mention was that keeping a campaign promise was only note-worthy because he has broken so many; that the budget deficits paled in comparison to that which he and his Congress have wracked up; and that he has spent months tippy-toeing around what to do in Afghanistan and is only now formulating a real plan.

As is the case with any speech in today’s 24-hour news cycle, fact-checkers were abound after the speech concluded. The AP was among the first to get to work. As I noted, there wasn’t much in this speech, so the fact-checking fiasco was rather limited this go-round. That said, I did find one morsel of political word twisting that amused me.

So now that “combat operations” have come to an end – all Americans are out of Iraq right? Welllllll… Not exactly….

OBAMA:“Tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended.”

THE FACTS: Peril remains for the tens of thousands of U.S. troops still in Iraq, who are likely if not certain to engage violent foes. Counterterrorism is chief among their continuing missions, pitting them against a lethal enemy. Several thousand special operations forces, including Army Green Berets and Navy SEALs, will continue to hunt and attempt to kill al-Qaida and other terrorist fighters — working closely with Iraqi forces. Obama said, “Of course, violence will not end with our combat mission,” while stopping short of a full accounting of the hazards ahead for U.S. troops.

——————

This is why speech’s like this amuse me. Obviously, I understand the need to have a symbolic end to things such as this. I mean, as the President said, wars cannot go on forever. I get that, but if you feel the need for such a speech to mark such an occasion, wouldn’t it be more prudent to frame the discussion in a manner that is more fitting with the reality on the ground? Isn’t this speech another GW “Mission Accomplished” in the making? What is going to happen two months from now when God forbid 50 or 100 or 1000 more American troops lose their lives there? Just because “combat operations have ceased, it doesn’t mean that the threat of violence of the element of danger have been removed. On a more practical level, will soldiers still receive combat pay?

You can read the Full transcript of the speech here… via Michelle Malkin if you missed it and are still looking for a clearer picture of things, but I have to tell you that I sincerely doubt that you will find it. The speech offered no real answers – for Iraq or even for Afghanistan for that matter. This speech was nothing more than an attempt by this self-loving President to pat himself on the back and tell the world that the dark stain of the Bush administration is finally being wiped out – that is until the next time he needs a cop-out… because then it will be back to Bush.

President Obama did extend a “warm and fuzzy” thank you to his predecessor, George W. Bush, for formulating the plan that led to success in Iraq – even though then Senator Obama was one of the most outspoken opponents of said plan.

Photo via Weasel Zippers

“I am mindful that the Iraq War has been a contentious issue at home. Here, too, it is time to turn the page. This afternoon, I spoke to former President George W. Bush. It’s well known that he and I disagreed about the war from its outset. Yet no one could doubt President Bush’s support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security. As I have said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it. And all of us are united in appreciation for our servicemen and women, and our hope for Iraq’s future.”

WAIT…. That was his thank you?

After railing against the surge – which anyone with even an ounce of intelligence of credibility admits is the ONLY reason that the situation in Iraq didn’t turn down the road to screwdville – this President could only offer up a “President Bush supported the troops, loved his country, and was committed to its security” thank you? That’s like praising a crazy homicidal ex-girlfriend by saying “Man she loved to cook – she polished her knives and defended her kitchen.”

I have spent months trying to find some sense of understanding regarding what truly makes this man go. I thought for a while it was a supreme arrogance and an over-confident naiveté in regards to his own abilities and ideas. Having seen those attributes on display again and again, I was inclined to assume that was the beginning and the end of the story, but it really didn’t sum up the root of the man for me. I think I’ve finally come up with the missing piece to this puzzle. This guy is incapable of doing two things – admitting when he’s wrong and offering praise when someone else is right.

I knew this guy was misguided in his take on matters Left and Right but who knew he could have such a problem with Right and Wrong? Now, I understand that this is hardly a revelation. “Supreme arrogance and a over-confident naiveté in regards to his own abilities and ideas” lends itself to alternate take on reality. I get that, but this guy must have grown up in a universe so out of touch with reality that he never actually had to grasp the concepts of Right and Wrong.

Did his mother and grandmother simply explain away his shortcomings and missteps by telling him that he didn’t stray off course – it was in fact, someone else changing the course forcing him to go astray? Did they tell him that 2+2 = 4, but that 2+2 can also equal 5 if the kid he disagreed with answered 4 before he could muster the words from his brilliant mouth?

Needless to say, I am simply at a loss. The Leader of the Free World either believes that each and every one of us as Americans is too stupid to remember that he opposed this war and the strategy that led to success in it, or he truly lives in an alternate universe where he somehow believes he was right all along. Maybe 2+2 really does equal 5. I can’t for the life of me figure out how 2+0+0+8 = Obama, so I guess I’m lousy at math anyways…

Rachel Maddow Less Than Pleased With Obama’s Speech

T. CHRISTOPHER — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:19:12 +0000

Last night, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow went “disgruntled mail carrier” slash Ape-”Feces” in a discussion about President Obama’s Address to the Nation with Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann. Let’s just say, she wasn’t clapping when the teleprompter scrolled its last line…

Video Via Mediaite and Breitbart TV:

The Gateway Pundit reacting to that clip…

Chris Matthews was upset about the 100,000 deaths in Iraq (not one-million)… who were killed by terrorists. Funny, you never heard him whine about the500,000 dead Iraqi babies that Madeleine Albright confessed were lost during the Clinton years.

And, Rachel Maddow continued to make no sense. She’s still upset that America won this war, liberated 25,000,000 people and set up a democracy in Iraq despite the best efforts of the democratic-media complex.

What a sad and unhinged display.

This clip’s a little easier to navigate. Right about the 1:20 mark is where it really gets entertaining / absolutely mindnumbing actually – seriously… if you hit the 1:40 mark and your brain doesn’t explode, you’re gifted.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Olbermann asks, “Was this an Economic Speech entitled “Iraq”?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The short of it is this folks… Rachel Maddow is a nutjob. I know… I know. Newsflash right? Nightly, she takes sucking to a whole new and unprecedented level. The only thing saving her from going down in history as the worst member of the MSM in a long line of talentless hacks (Dan Rather, Chris Matthews, etc) is her woefully laughable lack of viewers. Both she and her network are a disgrace to an already disgraceful MSM and I applaud the millions of Americans who find better things to do than watch her program every evening – yes even those who spend said time playing video games or rolling loose change.

Krauthammer: Obama’s Speech Was “Flat and Odd”

T. CHRISTOPHER — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:47:47 +0000

Charles Krauthammer lays into President Obama in his reaction to the Oval Office Address last evening. What makes this all the more impressive is that he offered the first reaction there on the set of Fox News and had only moments to prepare his remarks. There is no one – and I mean NO ONE – in the industry better at on-the-fly analysis than this guy – save for maybe Mark Levin who provided real time live commentary of the speech lat night. Have a look.

Via Gateway Pundit

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Not that Krauthammer needed any help, but I do believe that the Lonely Conservative hit the nail on the head.

President Obama delivered his Iraq address this evening, and I kept thinking “If only he sounded like he cares.” His tone was flat, it sounded like it was just something he was trying to get through. The other day he dismissed Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” rally. While sometimes I wonder about Glenn Beck, I don’t question his love of country or his love of our troops. I wish our president left me with the same impression. I wish he was someone about whom I could say “I don’t agree with his policies, but I am confident that he loves this country and those that defend it.” Unfortunately, I just don’t get that feeling from this guy.

Palin Backed Miller Defeats Murkowski in Alaska GOP Primary

T. CHRISTOPHER — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:35:26 +0000

Sarah Palin-backed conservative candidate Joe Miller officially defeated Senator Lisa Murkowski last night in the Alaskan Republican Primary as the sitting senator conceded the election as absentee ballots failed to close the gap between her and Miller. The win for Miller is being seen by many as a huge victory for a variety of camps and most notably those lumped in with Anti-establishment Republicans and Tea Party Enthusiasts. The win was also a major coup for Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin who endorsed Miller and has now sent two Murkowski’s packing – a point not lost on Another Black Conservative.

The Murkowski family must be making Sarah Palin voodoo dolls about now. Palin bumped off Lisa Murkowski’s father to grab the governorship and now Palin has turbo charged Joe Miller’s campaign to victory. Should Palin make a run for the presidency, she will have to do it without any help from Alaska’s GOP.

The Miller victory met equal praise by much of the conservative blogging universe. Sista Toldjah says, “Victory how sweet it is. The Left Coast Rebel proclaimed RINO out! and The Other McCain proclaimed “Its Miller Time” – it should be noted that this may at least in part be because he’s in Alaska celebrating.

(March 26, 2010 - Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America)

News of a Murkowski concession was spread by Big Government last evening… the site also shared knowledge that the ousted senator may be making a third party run at it…

Sources in Alaska confirm that her campaign is in talks with the Libertarian Party in Alaska. Big Government originally broke the story that the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party voted to deny her their ballot slot. Big Government, however, has learned that some members of the Libertarian Party are discussing “options” with Sen. Murkowski. (Tells you everything you need to know about the Libertarian Party.)

Sour grapes or a new trend?

Red State Erick Erickson

Murkowski did not endorse Joe Miller. This is getting to be a trend among beaten Republicans that they don’t endorse their more conservative challengers. See e.g. Bill McCollum.

Sources in Alaska confirm Murkowski is in talks with the Libertarians, though the LIbertarians are saying she won’t get on the ballot for them.

While I don’t as a general rule support turning a defeat in a primary into a run at a third party nomination, I can’t say that I am totally peeved by the trend of abstaining from endorsing your opponent on election night. I fully understand that its common practice and may simply be the noble and honorable thing to do, but if I spent a full election cycle telling my supporters what a crook, phony, fraud, parasite, RINO, liberal, establishment puppet, moronic, nincompoop…. I doubt I’d be jumping on that bandwagon the moment I conceded either. That said, I am kind of an ass like that.

Palin’s Speaking Demands Revealed – Capitalism at Work?

T. CHRISTOPHER — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:59:46 +0000

(April 13, 2010 - Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images North America)

Do you remember the charming little story of a couple of college students digging through the trash to find the appearance demands contract for Former Governor Sarah Palin? Remember it was supposedly a phony and an attempt by two co-eds to “silence her”? We on the same page now? Well it appears that the contract was real (and yes at least two people should be fired for casually disposing of it) and a California judge has ordered its release under a Freedom of Information Act request.

(May 4, 2010 - Photo by PacificCoastNews.com)

Before you take a look at the contract or scroll down for a summary provided below… I want to make two things clear. First. Sarah Palin is a private citizen; she is not an elected official; she is a businesswoman and accordingly has every right to benefit from the demands on her time. She is beloved and she brings a crowd to any event she attends and is thus worth every penny that anyone is willing to pay her for her time. Second. This is the United States of America where we purport to believe in Free Market ideals like supply and demand. There is but one Sarah Palin in the political universe and the demand is high. This is capitalism at work folks.

I guess I should have said that I needed to make three points because inevitably two never cut it. I have voiced my opinion (here and here if you need an example) in the past about Gov Palin’s appearance fees, demands, etc. I have no problem with her asking for them, receiving them, or even others paying them. That said, she cannot be afforded the right of two bites at the apple. If she is going to receive benefits such as these for gracing audiences with her presence, she should not be afforded saintly or occasionally martyrdom status for showing up places. She simply cannot have it both ways. I don’t want to hear the “Oh she’s so courageous for making an appearance” or “she’s such a great person to do this” nonsense – the chick’s making loot in the process. Who the hell wouldn’t hop on a private jet, stay in five-star hotels, eat snazzy food, take home six figures, and be fawned over by thousands of adoring fans – regardless of a little negative brush-back?

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Here’s a quick breakdown of some of her “requests” from Think Progress – and yes I know what that is – no one else on the Right would dare talk about this…

(June 2, 2009 - Photo by Photo Agency) - Ow Wait that was BRAD PITT

Many doubted the authenticity of the contract, and Palin blasted the students for digging it up, accusing them of trying to “silence” her. But on Friday, a California judgeordered the release of the full contract under a freedom of information law, proving the partial copy is indeed authentic. The full contract confirms her “diva” demands, and provides new details, from her $75,000 price tag to other extravagances she requires:

– Jet: Not just any private plane will suffice: “The private aircraft MUST BE a Lear 60 or larger (as defined by interior cabin space) for West Coast Events; or, a Hawker 800 or Larger,” for East Coast events. But even if organizers arrange for a private jet, if Palin “changes her mind and opts to fly via commercial flights for US events, the Customer must be prepared to cover the cost of first class round trip airfare for two, and full, unrestricted round trip coach for two.”

– Visiting with heads of state: For international appearances, Palin “reserves the right to visit privately with the host government’s Head of State,” as well as “accept the invitation of [the] host government to overnight at an official residence.”

– Stage: The contract has very specific instructions about how the stage and lectern should be arranged. Lighting should be “comfortable, but at an appropriate production level for the Speaker,” and the lecterns should be made of wood — “no Plexiglass or thin lecterns.”

The contract also makes numerous demands to limit the public’s and the media’s access to Palin:

– Questions: All audience questions must be pre-approved, and can only be asked by a moderator or “designated representative,” who must be approved by Palin’s party.

- Hotels: All hotels have to be “deluxe” and pre-approved by her representatives, with the room booked under an “alias.” Even non-overnight stays require hotel rooms, including a “holding suite” and “one or two single rooms.”

– Media: “All requests for press or media coverage” of the event must be submitted far in advance for approval. “If media coverage is approved,” Palin’s Representatives need a complete list of “media outlets expected to attend” 10 days in advance.

– Recording: The media are only permitted to record the first three minutes of Palin’s speech, and then just for B-roll (no audio, video only). Recording of any other kind is strictly prohibited, unless authorized by Palin, and all personal recording devices, including cell phones, have to be turned off “at all events in which Speaker is present.” Only a campus photographer is permitted document to entire speech, and then only approved photos can be published.

– Autographs and photo ops: “Unless agreed to” early on, organizers “shall not permit or assist in the request for autographs while the speaker is on site.” Photo opportunities have to be pre-approved, and photos are for personal use only and can’t be re-printed. The contract provides very specific instructions, including a diagram, of how the photo opportunity should be conducted.

– Face-time: Paying the $75,000 for Palin’s visit won’t buy you access to the half-term governor. Palin, her “traveling party, and the plane crew will be the only passengers onboard the private jet.” And “[o]nly representatives of the Speaker or WSB are to meet the speaker at the arriving/departing airports.”

– Promotional material: All advertising, press releases, and promotional materials, such as flyers and posters, must be pre-approved, as must be sponsoring organizations.

– Receptions: A full list of all those attending (”including name, title, and affiliation”) must be provided in advance.

Just an Everyday Gal like You and Me!!!

(March 10, 2008 - Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images Europe) - Shoot - That was the Jonas Brothers

Gallop Poll Shows 10 Point Lead on Generic Ballot for GOP

T. CHRISTOPHER — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:17:57 +0000

According to a new poll conducted by Gallop, among registered voters, Republicans now have a commanding 10% lead on Democrats in a generic ballot as we head toward November’s midterm elections. While “generic polls” tend to tell us little to nothing about actual races across the nation, they do tell a relatively powerful story about how public sentiment has shifted from favoring “Hope and Change” to once again hoping for another round of change. As they say, All Politics Are Local… Vermont’s not ousting its Representatives because this poll shows Republicans trending well. That said, the race for the hearts and minds of independent voters appears to have turned significantly for those on the Right.

Bigger gap than 1994??? Very interesting…

Perhaps the most dangerous numbers of all for Democrats…

More Reaction to these new numbers via Memeorandum…

FiveThirtyEight, Ballot Box, Politics Daily, Outside the Beltway, Hot Air, National Review, RedState, TPMDC, The Hill, Matthew Yglesias, Top of the Ticket, The Sundries Shack, Gawker, Freedom’s Lighthouse, Balloon Juice, Firedoglake, Questions and Observations, NewsBusters.org, The Swamp, The Daily Caller, Taylor Marsh, Doug Ross, Power Line, Weekly Standard, The Agonist

CBO Says Eight Years Of Iraq War Cheaper Than Stimulus

T. CHRISTOPHER — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:06:10 +0000


Fox News and NY Post graphs respectively…

Say what you want about the Iraq War – how it began, how efficiently it was managed, nation-building in the aftermath, prospects for the future of Iraq, ouster of a malicious dictator, etc…. eight years of it have now proven less costly than President Obama and a Liberal Democrat Congress’s stimulus? That’s what the CBO is reporting.


Fox News:
According to CBO numbers in its Budget and Economic Outlook published this month, the cost of Operation Iraqi Freedom was $709 billion for military and related activities, including training of Iraqi forces and diplomatic operations.
The projected cost of the stimulus, which passed in February 2009, and is expected to have a shelf life of two years, was $862 billion. The U.S. deficit for fiscal year 2010 is expected to be $1.3 trillion, according to CBO. That compares to a 2007 deficit of $160.7 billion and a 2008 deficit of $458.6 billion, according to data provided by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. In 2007 and 2008, the deficit as a percentage of gross domestic product was 1.2 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively.

Write Your Own Caption Monday

T. CHRISTOPHER — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:30:08 +0000

This picture of the President and the First Lady touring New Orleans has gone viral today, and I couldn’t help but get in on the action and have some fun with it. So, take a shot and send me your best caption. While its a little long winded, I kinda liked this one...

“Before his speech at Xavier University, Barry and Michelle visit the Columbia Pac Development to view newly built homes rebuilt below sea level and will flood again someday, and will again be rebuilt with your federal tax money. Makes ya proud don’t it?”

The WyBlog offered up a few to get you going.

A Village in Kenya Is Missing Its Idiot.

Personally, I think he’s going in for a layup.

Attention Peasants: The Great Hussein-ini will now pass this umbrella handle through the metal bar.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

The Round Peg does not fit in the Square Hole.

A few more I’ve been kicking around…

“Is it Even Raining?”

“Respect My Author-i-tie”

“See… Its because I’m left handed…”

“This must be one of those Republican umbrellas”

“Yeah… And Kanye’s the Jackass!”

“Don’t You Get Me Wet Barack!!”

“If one Drop Hits Me….!!!”

“When it Rains it Pours!”

“I’m Melting… I’m Melting!”

“So Water Does Work on This One”

“The hardest part is getting in the front door.”

“I knew I should have drank my brilliant juice this morning”

“Side effect of Gulf seafood – stupidity?”

“Bad Economy Ha! More Like Bad Umbrella!”

“Who said I can’t Handle the Simple Tasks?”

“One Fish Two Fish Red Fish… Shit!!”

“Too Many Hurricanes?”

“Singing in the rain, just singing in the …..*#($!”

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If you really wanna have some fun with this… imagine what the captions would have been if this was President Bush rather than Bammy… Maybe something like this…

“Uhh?? Duh!”

“Really W? Really?”

“Come on George… Honey – Its bad luck to open an umbrella inside?”

“No One Told Me It Rained So Much Here.”

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Some Great Ones from Free Republic

The man who has taken control of our economy, the car companies, two wars and your health, ladies and gentlemen.

But we came in this way. I don’t understand.

im going to the mothership, wanna come…

Whitey set me up..vast umbrella conspiracy

“Look Moosechelle, I’m gonna need to cut this thing in half to get through the gate! Unprecedented!”

Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down….

Hurry Barrack i Gotta Peeee

where’s the teleprompter to tell me how to get this thing down??

“Damn racist umbrella”

“Oh this is just great – now he’s going to name an umbrella czar!”

We will NEVER get through here…we need to find another way!

“This bar is . . . uh, unexpected! The umbrella won’t fit under it, over it, or through it.”

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I Think We Have a New Front-Runner…

“…ella ella, ay ay ay!!!!!!!”

A Song/Poem From “Leni”

Just let Barack be your umbrella
On a rainy, rainy day
And if your sweetie’s broke, just ask her
When his stash will come her way

When getting work looks cold and gray
Don’t palpitate or fret
He’ll write your glowing resume
For that census job you’ll get

(instrumental break)

Just let Barack be your umbrella
On a rainy, rainy day
His smile will bring the sunshine
After he’s ruined your IRA

(instrumental break)

So let Barack be your umbrella
On a rainy, rainy, day
On a rainy, rainy day
His smile will bring the sunshine
…..as they’re coming to take you away…away…away…..

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Another song… this one from “mnehring“

Spend-dloo-Spend-Spend-Spend
Spend-dloo-Spend-Spend-Spend-Spend
Spend-dloo-Spend-Spend-Spend-Spend
Spend-dloo-Spend-Spend-Spend-Spend…

I’m spending in the rain
Just spending in the rain
What a glorious feelin’
I’m progressive again
I’m taxing at stocks
So dark up above
The sun’s in my heart
And I’m ready for tarp
Let the stormy stocks chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I’ve a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a progressive refrain
Just spendin’,
Spendin’ in the rain

Taxin’ in the rain
Tax-ah Tax-ah Tax-ah
Tax-ah Tax-ah Tax-ah
I’m progressive again!
I’m spendin’ and Taxin’ in the rain!

I’m Taxin’ and spendin’ in the rain…
[ADDITIONAL VERSE]
Why am I smiling
And why do I spend?
Why does November
Seem funny as spring?
Why do I get up
Each morning and start?
Progressive and head up
With joy in my heart
Why is each new task
A trifle to do?
Because I am living
A life funded by you.

Palin-Beck 2012 Presidential Ticket?

T. CHRISTOPHER — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:01:18 +0000

(August 27, 2010 - Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images North America)

With the success of Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” rally, many have begun to speculate about whether he may have greater ambitions reaching beyond the role of political pundit / television and radio personality. Beck enthusiastically said no on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace, but that hasn’t stopped the political world from kicking the idea around for him.

It should come as a surprise to no one, but the Beck for President 2012 campaign has already selected a running mate as well – Former Governor Sarah Palin. After all, she did share the stage with Beck this weekend and she is the biggest draw in town.

In all seriousness, Beck’s not running for President anytime soon; and just to set the record straight… neither is Rush or Sean Hannity. Their power is in the appeal of their message and that message loses all appeal when it is taken too literally. Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity derive their mass appeal from their ability to take the conversation to the edge of the absurd. They get to talk about theory and ideology, but are never forced to face the reality of putting their thoughts into action. A run at public office would turn that reality on its head, and the end result would likely be a candidate dissimilar to anything anyone expected.

But that doesn’t rule out the most famous former governor of her generation. Gov Palin is an intriguing candidate – yes, even I – the Anti-Palin – can admit that. Just look at the crowds she draws. Look at the media frenzy she creates when she utters even a simple word. That said, drawing a crowd doesn’t necessarily garner votes in November, so the story may truly end with Palin remaining the King-Maker of the conservative community. We shall see.

While I am not ready to lay down my political prognosticating life by choosing a GOP 2012 ticket at such an early date, many are already asking the question of who will oppose Obama-Biden just over two years from now. A 60 Minutes / Vanity Fair Poll tackles the question of whether America is ready to make that call. In fairness, this is a 60 Minutes / Vanity Fair Poll – so do with it what you will.

What does the nation think of a Palin ticket?

The Hill:

Almost three out of five Americans believe former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) would not be an effective president, a new poll found Monday.

Fifty-nine percent of U.S. adults said they don’t think Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate and potential 2012 candidate, would be an effective president of the United States.

Twenty-six percent of adults, by contrast, said they believe Palin would be effective, according to a “60 Minutes”/Vanity Fair poll conducted earlier this August.

——–

Not the best of news if you have your hopes set on a Palin/_________?? ticket for 2012, but its not all bad news I suppose…

Ben Smith has a unique take on Gov Palin. He compares her popularity to that of Jon Stewart

In any case, however, it’s possible to adore and follow a political leader without wanting him or her to be President of the United States, or even thinking he or she is qualified. The most frequently drawn parallel with Palin is Jesse Jackson — popular and respected on much of the left for a time, at least, seen as presidential by smaller numbers.

But the Daily Show’s Jon Stewart may be a better example. He gives the left a bit of what Palin gives the right — acid straight talk on the bogeyman of the moment. I’m sure he polls pretty well among Democrats. But I doubt he’d be widely rated an effective president.

But then, he’s not thinking about running.

———-

Her Favorability Numbers aren’t really helping her cause either. To win in a general election, these numbers are going to have to steadily improve. You can’t win a nomination let alone a nation-wide general election when just over one out of three people like you.

Outside the Beltway - 52.7% unfavorable versus 36.4% favorability

Perhaps more striking than the 52.7% unfavorability number (which I have to say surprised me) is the breakdown by political affiliation. From GOP 12

All adults: 59% no; 26% yes…. for -33% no.

Republicans: 47% yes; 40% no…. for +7% yes.

Democrats: 75% no; 12% yes…. for -63% no.

Independents: 63% no; 21% yes…. for -42% no.

Moderates: 70% no; 19% yes…. for -49% no.

Conservatives: 41% yes; 40% no…. for +1% yes.

Conservatives have a lower rating than Republicans??? I could have never seen that one coming. You’d think by the way “conservatives” come after me anytime I say anything even remotely Anti-Palin that she had a 100% approval rating. Who knew?

Photo Via Legal Insurrection