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Saturday, July 12, 2008

Top News from the Western Carolinas for 7/12/08

Here are some of the top news stories in the Upstate, foothills, Piedmont, and mountains of North and South Carolina:

The North Carolina Senate unanimously approved the new gun control bill that requires those committed as inpatients to mental facilities be listed in a national database that prevents them from buying guns. This was after a GOP-led amendment was approved that excluded those committed as outpatients, according to the News & Observer.

The News and Observer also reports that 3 N.C. teachers have been arrested in a sex sting operation.

The Asheville Citizen-Times also reports that a Henderson County, NC teacher faces multiple sex charges.

WBTV in Charlotte reports news on the 3 suspects charged with the murder of a N.C. dentist in a drugs-for-sex scandal.

The Watauga Democrat is reporting breaking news that a major cocaine bust in Boone, NC has brought on the involvement of ICE.

WLOS-TV in Asheville says that 5 Cleveland County men have been arrested in a prescription forgery sting.

The Gaffney Ledger reports that an environmentalist group is attempting to block the building of a new nuclear power plant in Cherokee County, South Carolina.

The Clinton Chronicle announces a joint luncheon on July 24 for Laurens and Greenwood Counties in South Carolina to discuss local educational issues.

WSPA-TV News Channel 7 says that 3 high speed chases have occurred within Anderson County, SC in one day alone, the third of which has ended in death.

WYFF-TV Channel 4 reports the bizarre story of a man who got his nose bitten off during a fight at a Burger King drive-through in South Carolina.

What If Jackson's Off-Mic Remarks Were Planned?

Did Jessie Jackson sacrifice himself in order to help Barack Obama's campaign? What if Jackson's off-the-microphone remarks were planned? What if he wanted everyone to think he despises Obama so much that he wishes to 'take him off at the nuts'?

Remember that one of the central staples of the Hillary Clinton campaign was to scare white people away from Obama. Bill was usually the 'bad cop' in this ploy as he stated again and again that Barack never does well with key Caucasian groups he needs to win and that he does well only in those states with large African-American populations.

The express intent of this political strategy is to create fear in the minds of Caucasian voters, particularly white women.

But the thing is, the one nationally-known Black figure that Caucasians fear and detest outside of Al Sharpton is Jessie Jackson. And if Jackson of all people hints that he despises Obama because Obama isn't 'talking the talk' Black folk like to hear, then what better way to scare white people, not away from Obama but toward Obama?

If Caucasians are led to believe that Obama is unacceptable to people like Jackson, then perhaps some of them would not be so reluctant to support him.

Make no mistake, people like Al Sharpton, Spike Lee, and Jessie Jackson would LOVE for a Black Man to be President, despite any personal jealousy they may have.

The issue, however, is not race primarily. The issue is the type of 'hope' and 'change' Obama would usher in--a total revamping of the nature of this country from top to bottom. This has been the goal of Leftists all along, and a bad case of personal jealousy is not going to prevent them from doing anything possible to secure a victory.

And thus, don't count out the possibility that Jackson planned the whole thing.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Second Amendment News Roundup for 7/11/08

Focusing on guns, politics, and news of interest, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Armed and Safe says 'to hell with it' concerning the ATF's contention that attaching a handle to a pistol without filling out tons of paperwork is enough to land you in prison for 10 years. I agree. The jackbooted thugs still plot against the Constitutional liberties of the citizens.

Dark Blog comments on my post today concerning North Carolina's new legislation mandating that those committed to mental facilities have their names added to a national database of 'crazies' who can never buy guns.

David Codrea weighs in on the subject with a post entitled, 'North Carolina Rats Out to Feds.' David also nails it by pointing to a post that shows the antis actually believe ALL of our rights are 'collective' if they were to be honest.

JR at A Keyboard and a .45 has an interesting snippet entitled, 'A Pistol in the Park.'

Squeaky posts this item on 'the rifle case win.'

Breda provides some much-needed Friday afternoon humor. Thanks, Breda!

Mark Steyn provides a link to the transcripts of his appearance on the Hugh Hewitt show. And by the way, Steyn is also appearing with Rush Limbaugh as we speak.

The American Thinker points to some key signs of new life for the John McCain campaign.

John Lott documents at least a partial list of all of Barack Obama's 'regrets.' There is one regret about which I have absolutely no doubt, however...and that is the regret of the American people if they put Barack Obama in the White House.

Dr. Lott also wonders what else in on that infamous Fox News tape of Jessie Jackson's rant against Barack Obama, of which only a small portion was broadcast.

Sebastian provides a thorough analysis of 'the suicide angle' as the next tactic the antis will use to try to take away gun rights.

Muslims Against Sharia Slam Flight 93 Memorial

A group of moderate Muslims called 'Muslims Against Sharia' is bringing out the heavy artillery to blast those who are planning the United Flight 93 Memorial in Pennsylvania.

Incensed by the fact that Islamic symbols are being used in the memorial, Muslims Against Sharia says that a group of extremists have hijacked the building process in order to pay homage to terrorists.

And what is the basis for these claims? The Islamic symbols are being used in spite of the fact that there were NO Muslims on United Flight 93 except for the Jihadist terrorists who hijacked and were responsible for bringing down the plane.

Thus, why would Islamic symbols be a part of that memorial unless the group pushing for their inclusion were attempting to pay homage to the terrorists who died as a result of their own detestable activity?

Muslims Against Sharia is at the forefront of the fight to keep the Islamic symbols OUT of the Flight 93 Memorial. A special event has been organized at the memorial site to protest the inclusion of Muslim symbols.

The innocent victims who died in that crash deserve better. Why would ANYONE want to glorify their murderers?

In addition, moderate Muslims want no part of a memorial that glorifies those within Islam who murder, maim, and butcher.

The protest event will take place on August 2, 2008, in Somerset, Pennsylvania.

For complete information, click HERE for the Muslims Against Sharia website, and click HERE for news about a petition to stop the hijacking of the memorial.

Gun Control in North Carolina: the National Database

The Democrat-controlled North Carolina state senate overwhelmingly passed legislation requiring that anyone in the state who by law has been committed to a mental health facility will have their name entered into a national database to prevent them from buying a firearm.

As many predicted when a national bill was introduced in the Congress that had the backing of not only the NRA but self-avowed gun-grabbers such as Carolyn McCarthy, John Conyers, Charles Rangel, Nancy Pelosi, Ted Kennedy, Harry Reid, Dianne Feinstein, and Barbara Boxer, the bill is, indeed, leading to wholesale banning of firearms ownership for life based upon a person's medical diagnosis.

North Carolina is proof positive that the so-called 'nay-sayers' and 'NRA bashers' such as the GOA and the JPFO were 100% correct on this issue.

I maintained all along that despite my general and longtime support for the NRA, they got this one DEAD WRONG.

Thus, in North Carolina, if you ever go to the doctor with depression so severe that you have suicidal thoughts and have to be placed in a mental facility, you are banned from owning firearms for life. If you are a U.S. war veteran who served your country and because of post-traumatic stress syndrome your depression and anxiety are so overwhelming that you have to be hospitalized due to your fleeting desire to die, sorry, bud, but you will never be able to own a firearm again. The 'fleeting desire to die' is referred to in medical circles as passive suicidal-homicidal ideation.

And not only that, but your name will be entered into the dreaded national database where you will automatically recognized as 'too nutty to own a gun.'

It is a big mistake to assume upon reading the legislation that 'they are not talking about average citizens but about certified nutcases.' All it takes for an average citizen to be considered a danger to themselves or others is for a doctor to diagnose severe depression, which always involves thoughts of suicide, or bipolar disorder with suicidal ideation (and, by the way, in medical lingo there is no such thing as 'suicidal ideation' apart from 'homicidal ideation'...the two are described as one thing, i.e., 'suicidal-homicidal ideation').

The most severely-afflicted of these patients are then forcibly committed to hospitalization if they do not commit themselves voluntarily.

And this is why legislation such as the bill in North Carolina is a danger to the rights of citizens.

In addition, there may be HIPPA (Health Information Portability and Privacy Act) violations involved. Ever since the 1998 Congress passed privacy legislation protecting citizens' medical history, the medical community has understood that these matters are extremely private or else the offending parties could not only be sued by individual citizens but hauled to court by the U.S. Government and heavily fined.

Mental health issues have always been understood to contain inherent privacy safeguards due to the sensitivity of such diagnoses. But now the names of these poor souls will be entered into a national database, along with their complete mental health history.

In the name of preventing these persons from exercising their Constitutional rights, their privacy will be thrown under the bus.

And what about the Heller decision? It did absolutely nothing to prevent these types of government violations of citizens' rights.

The mental health advocacy groups should be up in arms over this one, but where are they?

For complete information about the North Carolina bill, click HERE

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Second Amendment News Roundup for 7/10/08

Focusing on guns, politics, and news of interest, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Pamela Geller at Atlas Shrugs reports that former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, has warned that an Obama Presidency poses a grave danger to the country in terms of our policies toward Iran and the Middle East. Geller also exposes the fact that Obama's website has contained a lament that President Bush has not been assassinated! The statement has been on Obama's website since November of 2007.

Say Uncle has news about Commissar Nancy Pelosi's latest desire to impose restrictions on House Democrats concerning their use of the Internet.

Snow Flakes in Hell shows us some pants-shittin' hysterics on the part of the New England Journal of Medicine concerning the Heller decision.

The War on Guns posts a VERY interesting exchange between Len Savage and the ATF, entitled, ''Duct Tape, Plastic Ties, and Chains.'

Armed and Safe reports that gun owners in Massachusetts are fighting back in a state that has some of the most restrictive anti-gun laws in the nation. And by the way, Armed and Safe has been chosen as the 'Blog of the Week' by David Codrea. Congrats!

A Keyboard and a .45 has news about the hypocrisy of the Violence Policy Center.

Alphecca comments on Jessie Jackson's statement yesterday that he wishes to lop Barack Obama off at the nuts. Could this be called 'Castration Anxiety on the Campaign Trail?'

Gateway Pundit provides several videos of the now-infamous 'Obamanuts' debacle.

Gateway also has pictures showing Iran's long-range missiles, which they supposedly did not have. Apparently Iran is on the move, which bodes ill for Israel and the West.

XRLQ points to some morons in the news. I mean, who would try to clean a loaded gun?!

Mike McCarville will debate a Democrat this coming Sunday on the TV show 'The Verdict.'

B. Rock-O-Bama Wants to Play in Outdoor Stadium

From the political grapevine came word this week that Barack Obama wants to move his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention to an outdoor venue--such as the stadium where the Denver Broncos play football.

This is a most interesting turn of events.

Delegates and their families at the DNC will fill up a 20,000-seat indoor facility. But this is insufficient for B. Rock-O-Bama's delusions of grandeur. He wants a football stadium that can seat 80,000 in order to further solidify his Hollywood rock-star status with a certain block of the electorate to whom we can refer as 'block' heads.

Advisers to the B. Rock-O-Bama are not so warm to the idea. Neither is the Secret Service.

But what do safety and security matter when you have an image to maintain? Plus, we would not want to miss the screaming females of the mainstream media who have already shown us the extent of their interest in Obama by going 'goo goo gaa gaa' over his tight jeans.

This show should be better than the Beatles' appearance on Ed Sullivan back in the early 60s.

The 'choreographed spontaneity' of Obama before screaming throngs in a football stadium, most of whom will have been bussed or flown in and were never part of the Convention, makes for 'exciting television.'

And isn't this what it's all about?

He may even wear his jeans just for the female reporters of the MSM.

I can just hear them now. 'WOW! Was that a banana stuffed down in his jeans or do you think he was really glad to see me??!!'

'Damn! He's every woman's dream! A sexy black man in the White House! All that POWER!'

'Oh Lawd! I'll give up my job at CNN and become a groupie!'

I wonder how many illegal aliens, environmentalist wackos, Code Pink Commies, and anti-war activists the Democrats will have to bus in to fill up that stadium? And how will they pay for it since the DNC is in deep financial trouble?

Perhaps they are counting on multi-million-dollar contributions from their buddies in North Korea, Commie China, Cuba, and Iran to come through and save the day.

Wow, what a bright future we have in the good ole U.S.A. It sort of gives the words 'hope' and 'change' a nightmarish connotation.

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

This Lovely Woman Needs Some Support

The lovely Pamela Geller at Atlas Shrugs needs the support of bloggers and readers who believe in the magnificent work she does in fighting the Jihad.

Geller has been chosen as an official blogger for the Republican National Convention--a distinct honor. But she will need to pay her own way since she is not a mainstream media reporter bankrolled by a large MSM organization.

Atlas Shrugs is also in the midst of its periodic fund drive. So, go take a look and then make a contribution.

A host of characters of ill repute, including terrorists, ,Jihadists, and even some in the MSM and the Democratic Party, have attempted at various times to silence Geller. Yet they have all consistently failed, and Atlas Shrugs lives on as a beacon of truth.

Congratulations, Pamela on being chosen as an official blogger for the GOP Convention. And I hope you will raise the necessary funds to make the trip.

Jackson's Problem With 'Obamanuts'

By now I am sure most of you have heard that Jessie Jackson, in what he thought was an off-the-microphone comment on Fox News, stated that he would like to cut off Barack Obama's nuts.

But Jackson has a problem. Obama doesn't have any.

Anyone as wishy-washy as Obama on the issues is lacking the...ahem...'balls' to clearly state what he stands for--unless he isn't running for office.

Apparently Jackson was perturbed by Obama's unwillingness to address issues that most Blacks are concerned about, and in an unguarded moment of anger made the remark when he thought his microphone was off.

Jackson later apologized...

Second Amendment News Roundup for 7/9/08

Focusing on guns, politics, and news of interest, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

The Volokh Conspiracy takes a second look at the effects of the D.C. gun ban.

The Buckeye Firearms Association has great news today. A pro-gun journalist has started a pro-gun publishing company. Buckeye has also posted a book review of 400 Years of Gun Control--Why It Isn't Working.

The NRA has good news. The Florida AG is taking complaints of rights violations under the new gun law.

Michelle Malkin reports that Commisar Nancy Pelosi's bitter words on energy are coming back to haunt her. In adddition, Malkin says that Barack 'I Am Hollywood's Big Man on Campus' Obama has admitted he made a mistake with the 'Access Hollywood' appearance.

Mark Steyn, the reporter/commentator who got hauled into Court by Canada's gestapo free speech police will be appearing on Rush Limbaugh's radio show on Friday. He makes another national radio appearance tomorrow...click on the link above to read all about it.

David Codrea at War on Guns says that apparently some airlines are looking into a device to be worn llike a collar that will shock passengers if they 'get out of line.' WOW!

The Bitch Girls report the sad news that John Templeton has died. Templeton established the prestigious Templeton Foundation. If you don't know about him or his foundation, you need to. Read all about it at The Bitch Girls.

Snow Flakes in Hell posts some good news about the NRA post-Heller.

Gateway Pundit has ample evidence to prove that Barack 'I Am Good at ACTING Like I Have a Brain' Obama has no idea what he's talking about. The man is clueless. There's video too!

Roberta X provides interesting commentary on several items 'in the news.'

Ahab has posted a download of last night's podcast interview that he and Squeaky conducted with Michael Bane.

Mike McCarville points to an Oklahoma Democrat who is thankful that gas prices are sky high. Why am I not surprised? She claims it helps the state's economy. Actually, it helps local, state, and federal governments with all the extra tax revenue they collect.

Third Power at Days of our Trailers wants to know where's the outrage over a circuit court's decision to defy a direct order from the United States Supreme Court.

And now a couple of links from 'REZKORAMA'--the site the monitors all of the latest Barack Obama scandals. Red Ink Texas says that the Obama mob is flexing its muscle. And Another Pundit has done some digging into Obama's past and discovered that he is awash in Communist influences within his own family of origin.

The Tipping Point May Be Closer Than You Think

All it would take for America to lose its hard-fought liberties as embodied in the Bill of Rights as applied to ALL citizens is two terms of Barack Obama along with a Democrat majority in Congress.

In less than 8 years the U.S. would become like Canada, Great Britain, and other so-called 'free countries' in the West that have disarmed their citizens and thrown people in jail for speaking their minds...unless their speech is approved by the 'pc speech and thought police.'

Canada even has the Nazi-like silencing of free speech down to an art through so-called 'human rights tribunals' that really have nothing to do with protecting human rights but persecuting and prosecuting citizens who speak an unpopular message that 'offends' certain minority sectors of society.

This is the ugly, hidden truth of modern-day liberalism. In the name of supposedly 'being open and accepting of all' liberals would dismantle the rights of citizens to say anything at all that anyone, anywhere would find offensive--that is, if the offended parties happen to be Muslim, gay, Leftist, or environmentalist extremist.

But the rest of us can simply go to hell.

Hence, Nancy Pelosi wants to bring back 'the fairness doctrine' so that she can be unfair to conservatives in the name of fairness.

With a majority in both houses of Congress, and with Barack Obama in the White House, you can rest assured that the Democrats will not stop until Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and others are forced off the air. The politically correct movement will have a field day with such lunacy as equating those who believe the global warming theory is faulty science with 'Holocaust deniers.'

And don't forget the gun issue. No matter what the Supreme Court decided on Heller, two terms of Obama with a Democratic Congress will not only change the makeup of the Court but insure that gun bans are brought back full force.

My friends, this is why we may be nearing 'the tipping point.' Those who believe in the Bill of Rights for each individual citizen must get ready. If the potential scenario I have portrayed becomes reality, then it will be time to invoke Jefferson's reset button.

It's later than you think.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Second Amendment News Roundup for 7/8/08

Focusing on guns, politics, and news of interest, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

The War on Guns has the MUST-read of the day--a piece written by Mike Vanderboegh as he ruminates on various aspects of the Heller decision. David also has news out of Idaho including a brief word concerning Ryan Horsley.

Roberta X has an announcement about July's Indy Blog Meet.

Armed and Safe reports that Chicago politicians speak out of both sides of their mouths on the Second Amendment. Sort of reminds me of Barack 'I was against the 2nd Amendment before I was for it' Obama.

Alphecca has news concerning D.C. Mayor Fenty's attempt to do an end=run around the Supreme Court decision to strike down his gun ban, and he also reports that quite a few sharp words have been written in response to the latest antics of The Bastard.

Mike McCarville reports that Oklahoma Governor Henry and the President of the University of Oklahoma are trying to get Barack Obama to make a major visit to the state, which is heavily in favor of McCain.

JR at A Keyboard and a .45 announces the winners of the Blackwater weekend with Todd Jarrett, and yes, JR is one of them...congrats to all the other winners as well. JR also has this story on a surge in concealed handgun licenses.

Michelle Malkin has the scoop on the story that Barack 'DAMN I Should Have Been a Movie Star' Obama and his family are appearing on 'Access Hollywood.'

Gun Law News announces major news that another Lautenberg challenge is underway.

Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership has posted a rebuttal to those Jewish organizations that don't believe Jews should have the right to self-defense.

John Lott reports that for the first time in U.S. History, approval of Congress has dipped to single-digits--only 9% of Americans approve. Now, since voters fired the GOP Congress in 2006 even though approval numbers were significantly higher than at present, I will fully expect voters to boot Democrats out in the upcoming election. But hey, who said voters were rational? Do they even KNOW the Democrats control both houses of Congress?

Breda says she is 'proud but not out,' and shows off a neat 'guns save lives' button.

Squeaky announces that her weekly podcast with Ahab tonight at 11 P.M ET will feature an interview with Michael Bane.

Say Uncle has a great read today entitled, 'The Chicken Little World Liberals Have Brought Us.'

Gateway Pundit highlights Obama's numerous flip-flops, particularly on Iraq.

Blogonomicon provides very good reading on his recent trip to the Alamo.

Born Again Redneck gives us the news on John McCain's economic plan, and it looks good!

Cap'n Bob and the Damsel have this interesting item on the Remington 870 Security Shotgun. Go take a look.

Top News From the Western Carolinas for 7/8/08

Here are the top news stories from the Upstate, Piedmont, mountains, and foothills of North and South Carolina:

Fox Carolina reports that bond has been set for Amanda Smith, the mother who made national news for allegedly killing her 7-year-old son after telling police that a car hijacker smothered the boy.

WBTV has released updated information on the funeral of former U.S. Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina, which will be tomorrow rather than today as previously reported.

The Watauga Democrat has important information on one of the most popular mountain destinations in North Carolina's 'high country'--Grandfather Mountain. The newspaper also announces the annual farm tour in the high country which highlights the area's specialty, organic, and commercial agricultural industry.

The Gaffney Ledger reports that a prison escapee from the Cherokee County town of Blacksburg, SC has been apprehended by police.

The Ledger also announces that nationally known South Gospel music artists The Hoppers will appear in two major concerts at Limestone College in Gaffney.

Barack Obama had been scheduled for an appearance on Monday in Charlotte, but the event had to be postponed due to a forced landing of his aircraft.

GoUpstate reports that the town of Greer, SC has a new doggie park called 'Six Wags of Greer K-9 Fun Park,' and apparently the idea is catching on quickly as dog lovers travel from miles around to bring their beloved pets to the park.

Severe Water Shortages in the Southeast

The northwestern South Carolina town of Clemson, home of the famous ACC football team The Clemson Tigers, became the first municipality in South Carolina to enact a mandatory water restriction policy at its town council meeting last evening.

Clemson police will begin writing $50 fines for infringements such as watering the lawn, washing the car, hosing off sidewalks and driveways, and watering plants, flowers, and shrubs.

The mandatory restrictions were implemented as a result of the U.S. Weather Service's designation of 5 upstate South Carolina counties as under extreme drought conditions.

At the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, for example, rainfall totals for the year thus far are down by 10 inches.

Lakes, rivers, streams, and reservoirs in the area are not only feeling the brunt of the drought, but they are showing it. Clemson, for example, is a lake town, and each day residents can see with their own eyes how severe the drought has become by simply looking at lake levels.

The U.S. Weather Service reports that the only thing to provide longterm relief for the Southeast at this point is a mild tropical system stemming from a hurricane or tropical storm.

While the area has experienced rain on a daily basis since last Thursday from afternoon and evening thunderstorms, these storms have not provided sufficient rainfall to make a dint in the drought.

Monday, July 07, 2008

Second Amendment News Roundup for 7/7/08

Focusing on guns, politics, and news of interest, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Armed and Safe has a major announcement about the pro-Second Amendment Rally in Chicago this week. He also alerts us to the new motto of the gun grabbers.

JR at A Keyboard and a .45 has news concerning concealed carry on college campuses in Texas.

Alphecca scopes out two idiots who comment on the Heller decision.

Mike McCarville reports that gun shop owners in the OKC area have made a political endorsement.

John Lott says that Students for Concealed Carry are planning their very first national convention. Lott also reports that Barack 'I Have Four Different Opinions on Every Issue' Obama has moved to the right on abortion, in spite of the fact that in Illinois he supported in infanticide. It seems Barack is gaining a reputation for saying anything to get elected.

Speaking of abortion, Gateway Pundit reports that evangelical Christians are going after Barack Obama's hideous record on abortion. Good. It's time people in the churches knew the truth about the baby-killer. In addition, Gateway has THIS SHOCKER that Nancy Pelosi was sending messages to terrorists while undermining the Colombian government!

Gunservatively has an update on the Flight 93 memorial debacle in Pennsylvania.

Snow Flakes in Hell points to a piece entitled, 'Six Views of the Second Amendment.'

Nicki at The Liberty Zone provides good reading on foot-dragging in D.C.

Say Uncle has a new revelation about Obama's position on gun control.

Brigid at Home on the Range has some neat gun porn today.

Poll Shocker! It's Not What You Think

Making no attempt to hide whatsoever that it is solidly 'in the tank' for Obama, the mainstream media has rolled out a plethora of polls of late, supposedly showing that Barack Obama has opened a significant lead over John McCain, one poll even showing a double-digit bombshell.

But wait.

As usual, there is something they are not telling you.

The latest CNN poll has some shocking numbers, but they are not what you might think. The polls showing Obama opening a significant lead over McCain are skewed because they fail to take into consideration one big factor--deep Democratic discontent over the fact that Hillary is not the nominee.

CNN shows that only 54% of Hillary supporters are backing Barack Obama for President. In short, that is not good. That means that a whopping 46% of Democrats who supported Hillary Clinton are not throwing their support behind Barack Obama.

This could spell big problems of a gargantuan nature for the Obama campaign in the general election.

Fully one-third of Hillary supporters now say they will stay home on election day rather than vote for Barack Obama, a number that is up over one month ago.

The poll conducted by CNN shows a definite trend among the Democrats that holds no good news for Obama. Instead of the Party healing its rift and 'coming together,' it appears there is growing discontent that Obama has earned for himself a 'say anything' candidate moniker.

Early in June only 35% of Democrats said they preferred Hillary over Obama. Since that time, that number has risen to 46%--almost half of the Democrats polled.

These figures show that Obama is on shaky ground within his own Party, regardless of what some of the national polls say about a head-to-head matchup with McCain.

With McCain getting some of the disgruntled Hillary supporters, and with the other part of the 46% staying home, it would appear that not only is Obama's halo tarnished and falling away, but he is growing a set of horns.

For more information about this poll and further commentary, click HERE. (Hat tip to Rezkorama).

You Won't See THIS in the Headlines!

So it turns out Saddam Hussein had tons of uranium or 'yellow cake' which can be used to develop nuclear weapons.

Iraq sold 550 metric tons of the uranium to a Canadian company, and the U.S. government secretly conducted an operation to remove the yellow cake and deposit it in Canada.

But you will never hear or see this in a headline in the mainstream media.

This is despite the fact that Iraq supposedly had no 'weapons of mass destruction' or any of the materials from which to make them. And we all know that the story that Iraq had worked out a deal to buy yellow cake was supposedly 'fabricated' in order to give President Bush an 'excuse' to invade Iraq.

We have been told repeatedly that there was no yellow cake, that Saddam had long ago abandoned his plans to develop nuclear weapons after the Gulf War, and that any suggestion that Iraq had engaged in covert activity to procure yellow cake was a lie.

Well, that 'lie' is now sitting up in a Canadian harbor--all 550 metric tons of it--awaiting shipment to the company that bought the material in order to enhance Canada's development of nuclear energy.

Oh, and by the way, Canada is one of the countries that claimed the yellow cake in Iraq did not exist.

It seems that President Bush has proved his detractors to be the liars.

Read the rest of story HERE. (Hat tip to Traction Control).




So Long, Senator Helms

When I was coming of age in politics back in the early 70s while working with William F. Buckley Jr.'s 'Young Americans for Freedom,' Jessie Helms of North Carolina was quickly becoming an icon in Southern conservative politics.

For years Helms had provided conservative commentary on television through Raleigh's WRAL-TV and on the statewide farmer's network.

And thus, by the time he ran for the Senate in 1972 he was a household name throughout North Carolina. His victory that year would be the first is a series of consecutive Senate races that Helms won. He retired from the Senate in 2002 having never lost an election.

As with William F. Buckley and Young Americans for Freedom, Helms was instrumental in getting Ronald Reagan elected to the White House in 1980 and again in 1984. And like Reagan, Helms was famous for tagging his opponents with the dreaded 'L' world, and once you were tagged as a 'Liberal' you were sunk.

Of course, the Democrats at the time gave Reagan and Helms plenty of good reason to regard their opponents with such contempt. This was the era of George McGovern, Jimmy Carter, Walter Mondale, and local Democrats such as Jim Hunt.

Once Helms labeled his 1984 Senatorial opponent Jim Hunt as a 'Mondale liberal,' the race was all over.

Helms achieved the status of being known as 'Senator No' in the Senate due to his fierce opposition to government spending and new federal programs. He often single-handedly blocked legislation in the face of a Democrat steam-roller and at times even flew in the face of some of his Republican colleagues...even President Reagan himself.

This kind of steadfast, principled leadership on governmental restraint is sorely lacking in both Parties on Capitol Hill today.

It should also not be forgotten that Helms was a fierce advocate for building up the nation's defense after four years under Jimmy Carter during which our military suffered from a shocking lack of attention and funding.

Though many would dispute or ignore Helm's impact on politics, there is no doubt that he was the most powerful Southern Senator and at one time one of the most powerful men in government, under Ronald Reagan. His leadership helped usher in a 25 year era of conservative politics which stemmed the tide of the creeping crawl of statism.

Senator Jessie Helms of Monroe, North Carolina, died this week at the age of 86. A lifelong Baptist, Helms was a member of the prestigious Hayes-Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh. It is there that his funeral will be held today.

I fear that we shall not see his kind ever again. So long, Senator Helms...

For more information on Senator Jessie Helms, click on the links below:

Senator Dole Remembers Helms as Genteel, Generous

Defiant Helms Drove the South's GOP

Sunday, July 06, 2008

McCain's Gamble

John McCain undertook a major shakeup of his campaign staff this week that many believe was long overdue. Since becoming the Republican standard-bearer McCain has raised a significant amount of money that is sorely needed, but his campaign seemed to lack focus.

That should change now that seasoned veterans are in charge.

But it is always a gamble to shift personnel in a campaign.

In order to connect with the voters at the two benchmarks at which McCain is strongest, he will have to begin to focus squarely on his maturity and experience in the realm of defence, the War on Terror, and U.S. foreign policy. And he will need to zero-in on economic issues that impact Americans in their wallets, such as U.S. energy policy, the problem of ethanol driving up food prices, and bringing relief to the consumer at the gasoline pump.

McCain has already laid out a detailed plan for economic expansion and growth that focuses on extending the Bush tax cuts, providing relief to businesses by lowering their top tax rate from 35% to 25%, and by proposing a temporary moratorium on the federal gas tax.

A major hallmark of the McCain energy plan is to prepare for the future with alternatives but provide relief in the short term by drilling for more oil right here at home.

This is a sound policy, given that the country is not yet ready to sustain an economy based upon alternative fuels alone.

McCain's proposal for awarding a $300-million-dollar prize to an American entrepreneur who develops new technology to 'leap over' hybrid technology and develop an effective, viable all-electric vehicle is an interesting one.

The question is, just how prudent is this particular proposal when there are a few entrepreneurs who are working on new gasoline engines that will get 300-400 miles per gallon by doing nothing more than creating features that make the engines super-efficient?

It would seem that both of these proposals have merit, and thus, why should the government reward one and not the other?

McCain must begin to differentiate his energy proposals from those of Barack Obama, which the mainstream media has designated as 'similar to McCain's.' Nothing could be further from the truth.

Obama is against drilling here at home. He is against building more refineries or expanding refinery capacity. He is against nuclear energy, the cleanest form of energy available on earth. He is against expanding wind-based power. He is against curbing the production of ethanol which has wreaked havoc on the entire world economy, taking food out of the mouths of the hungry in impoverished nations.

McCain's proposals are diametrically opposite, yet you will never hear this from the talking heads on network TV.

McCain should make it clear that Obama's proposals are so similar to Jimmy Carter's in 1976-- proposals that led to long gas lines, skyrocketing gas prices, runaway inflation, and interest rates of 24%--that an Obama Presidency would be tantamount to Jimmy Carter's second term.

And as for the other benchmark issue, McCain's strength on defense, foreign policy, and the War on Terror, should be a no-brainer for his campaign. Obama is highly vulnerable here, and that is an understatement. His frightening lack of experience on the world stage and his entirely naive views of the world should give pause to any thinking American.

McCain should exploit these vulnerabilities every chance he gets.

If McCain's new campaign team is worth its salt, we should see these changes implemented at once. It is a gamble worth taking but not without solid principle to undergird and lessen the risks.

Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself, Duke!