The Discrediting of America: Political Adversaries

While President Obama is the face of the Progressive advancement running roughshod over America, there is a well funded massive machine of operatives implementing widespread attacks on those, organizations, corporations and individuals, who stand against their policies. With a basis found in the pages of Saul Alinsky's Rules For Radicals, aiming to demonize, ridicule and discredit all in opposition, there are no lines that cannot be crossed as the ends justify the means. The tentacles of these ongoing operations extend beyond your wildest imagination. Therefore, BAHL Revere will engage a series of posts alerting our readership of instances in this regard titled The Discrediting of America.

Ronald Reagan once said about the left, "Well, the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so."  This cast of characters is not your parents Democrats. And while these elite progressives do think they know what is best for you, or rather isn't so, they are quite sinister and are from honest brokers seeking the best decisions for America.

When this group identifies individuals who pose what they deem as a serious political threat to their objectives, the long knives are unleashed.  Sadly, due to the progressivism in both parties, the attacks come from both sides of the aisle.

During the recent presidential campaign, Mitt Romney was falsely accused, by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid no less, of failing to pay his taxes to Uncle Sam.  In addition, as reported by The Blaze, a pro-Obama Super PAC Priorities USA on Tuesday released an ad accusing Mitt Romney of being somehow responsible for the death of the wife of Joe Soptic, a former GST Steel employee and a known Obama campaign operative.

Previously, we have chronicled the vicous attacks that came down upon Michele Bachmann (R:MN), who dared to question, upon accurately noting an infiltration of our government by the Muslim Brotherhood, the vetting process of those who work within and closely with our government.  You were left wondering who the enemy actually is.

In the hearings to confirm former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel as Defense secretary, freshman GOP Congressman Ted Cruz took it to Hagel, only to be condemned by a slew of Democrats, including Florida Senator Bill Nelson.  Progressive republican John McCain, who had earlier admonished Hagel, a former close ally, publicly scolded Cruz. Conservatives have been longing for someone like Cruz to strongly articulate the principles of conservatism.  Included among those principles would be to prohibit individuals cozy with our enemies from being appointed to high ranking positions, and Chuck Hagel, (R:NE), is such an individual.

While it is customary for political operatives to launch attacks, the mainstream media frequently uses their platforms to manipulate and nudge a citizenry so whipsawed from swirling events they cannot decipher fact from fiction.  NBC has been busted several times for doctoring video tape in recent years, and the Associated Press routinely errors in favor of the progressive angle.

A blatant example recently was The Associated Press printing erroneous comments attributed to Sen. Rand Paul, (R:KY), suggesting he sought to round up illegal immigrants.  With Paul a borderline Libertarian, that thought process goes against his core beliefs and should have rang false to those who put forth the article.  No such luck.  After the public had two days to digest the comments Paul supposedly made, AP released a correction nobody heard or saw.

Without question, the harshest attacks over the Obama first term were launched upon Sarah Palin.  Over and over and over again, the mainstream political pundits tell us how stupid and ill-prepared for higher office she is, but given the relentless attacks routinely bestowed upon Palin, one has to wonder why someone so weak commands such attention.  Actual fact, the left fears Palin; and they should.

Recently, a story reported Palin, fresh off her contract with FOX News not being renewed, has signed a contract with Al-Jazzera.  Several left wing outlets, frothing at the mouth to attack Palin, released the story.  One problem; it was false.  Somebody get the egg on the face Washington Post on the phone.

Palin had a great time poking fun at these low life Obamabots masquerading as journalists.

  

For someone lacking the intellectual fortitude to challenge the progressives on the battlefield of ideas, the amount of attention paid to her is astonishing.  Given what we are led to believe, this is the equivalent of the Alabama Crimson Tide worrying about the goings on over at Troy State.  To anybody who can engage in critical thinking, the truth is Palin is perhaps the one they fear the most.

 

Shifting gears, while the republicans are presented as those who wish harm on others against the backdrop of the civil progressives who seek to help everyone, the vitriol that comes at Palin should be very revealing for anyone not considered among the three blind mice.  Check out these tweets:

 

 

 

These message boards are full of hate from those aligned with the party of inclusion and civility.  Since winning the public on the battlefield of ideas is not an option, propaganda laced with ridicule is the avenue of approach for this group.

 

Michele Bachmann continues to work on issues inclusive of national security and finance, almost always correct in her assessments. Sarah Palin was instrumental in getting several Tea Party candidates elected and continues to be very well respected in conservative circles, set to speak at the upcoming CPAC convention.. Rand Paul is considering a run for the oval office in 2016, and considered a very serous threat given his reach which extends far beyond his fringe father.  Ted Cruz, who has yet to unpack his luggage in DC, has come to town on a mission of common sense based on founding principles.

 

Truth be told, the progressives telegraph who they fear as the most legitimate challengers to expose their true objectives, which are much deeper than most imagine and often at odds with their public rhetoric.

 

The aforementioned are a handful of progressive opponents who threaten the progressives and need discredited in the public eye.  These progressive left are not intellectually challenged, and they operate with precision in manipulating a staggered public.

 

Friedrich Nietzsche once said “In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.”.  With a criminally complicit media riding shotgun, the progressive elites are leading a nation of lemmings from freedom and liberty to dictatorship and socialism.

No War On Women At Daytona

During the last election campaign, we were led to believe by the Obama campaign and the mainstream media that Republicans were waging a war on women.  Obviously, as usual with this group who seek to demonize, ridicule and discredit their opponents, nothing could be further from the truth.

That does not mean they were not successful in creating the false narrative.  In threatening a potential domestic policy described as limiting to women with respect to health care issues, women became terrified of a retracement of women's rights eclipsing reality.  The left, with a complicit media assisting, were relentless in their attack on the issue, which was personalized for many women.

Although the right is certainly against abortion, the base of these attacks were outside of that argument, utilizing an orchestrated attack on contraception, starting from a seemingly out of left field question to GOP primary contender Mitt Romney.  It is recognized that there is a divide with respect to abortion between many women who hold their right to chose dear and those who think the rights of choice end when a human life is conceived. A Mitt Romney victory could not immediately impact the abortion debate, although it was presented it could.

Knowing the falsity of the attacks, the right was somewhat bewildered on why the left would keep running with this seemingly non existent issue.  We had the misfortune of being introduced to Sandra Fluke, and got a very strange campaign ad from a television star few had heard of.

As we examined the aftermath of the re-election of Barack Obama, we found that this false issue actually resonated with women voters.  Polling shows that women were much more concerned about getting contraception, with several options reasonably priced at retail outlets such as Wal-Mart (WMT:NYSE), than losing gainful employment, watching their housing values plummet, rising gas prices and a declining standard of living.

Welcome to the low information voter, or ones who cannot decipher the truth amongst the waves of propaganda.

There is no war on women from the right, and we champion women with great respect.  They are our grandmothers, our mothers, wives, daughters, girlfriends, friends, bosses and co-workers, neighbors, customers and teammates.  They are leaders, champions, and competitors who provide a necessary guidance in all of our lives.  In one of my employment capacities, the director of the department is a woman. We could not and would not want to live without women.

Women play vital roles in the fabric of society. It was women who led the way in the formation of the Tea Party, as noted in a recent column. Women also excel in inventions and innovation, noted in recent years by Sara Blakely, a fellow graduate of The Florida State University, who invented a "body shaping" innovative product in undergarments called Spanx, now a billion dollar operation.

All Americans should champion the success of women, as their success is our success. 

Today, another opportunity exists to celebrate women as Danica Patrick won the pole position for the 55th running of The Great American Race; the Daytona 500.  Patrick recorded the fastest time in her Stewart Haas #10 Go Daddy Chevrolet and became the first female to win a pole for a NASCAR race.

Congratulations Danica!  Good luck running the high banks when they put the field under green on Sunday. No war on women. We will be at Daytona International Speedway, a place with scarce liberal infiltration, Thursday and Sunday, cheering you on!



Danica Patrick wins Daytona 500 pole positon.

Handed A Gift

In our world gone mad, where the obfuscation of truth is commonplace and propaganda reins supreme, it is sadly shocking when an individual speaking truth to power seizes an opportunity to demonstrate with malice toward none the importance of the founding principles from which our country was founded.

Standing just a few feet from President Obama, Dr. Benjamin Carson, a world renowned neurosurgeon and the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, spoke at The National Prayer Breakfast this week and issued a common sense rationale regarding the escalating erosion of freedoms that are placing America on a path to darkness.

Carson struck a chord in the enlightening speech, stunning in its simplicity.



Dr. Carson attacked political correctness, our education system, Obamacare and our national debt, and there is no doubt Obama absorbed every last word.  However, before we get our hopes up, we must understand the objectives of President Obama have been and remain in stark contrast to the opinions of Dr. Carson.

As Dr. Carson roamed on a range of topics, each centered on freedom, free market capitalism, personal responsibility and opportunity.  Unfortunately, Obama is restricting freedom and limiting choice through an elitist oppressive government.  For example, the debt is a ball and chain on every American and is handicapping our economic growth. Health care run by the government limits choice, restricts competitive incentives and is inefficient.

The comments by Dr. Carson have gone viral.  Kimberly Guilfoyle and the gang over at The Five discussed the comments, with Greg Gutfield really hitting Obama. Dr. Carson was also a guest on Hannity, speaking with Sean Hannity about the speech.



Thank you Dr. Carson for using the platform you had this week to promote the founding principles which made our country great. If America was listening, you handed them a gift. Gifted hands indeed.

Enemies Hiding In Plain Sight

The days of sensible Democrats, such as Scoop Jackson, Reubin Askew, Zell Miller and Ed Koch, who we fondly recalled this past week after his passing, are long gone.  The party once smitten with John F. Kennedy has given way to a rancid collection of idiots, progressives and Fabian Socialists.

Michele Bachmann (R:MN)

The Republican party, regrettably, is no longer a safe harbor from progressive ideology either. An arena where this has recently been demonstrated involved a dual party attack on Rep. Michele Bachmann, (R:MN), in the aftermath of her leadership in questioning the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in our government.

There are levels of infiltration in the Unites States government with respect to the Muslim Brotherhood, which demands serious investigation Bachmann was prepared to engage in.  Bachmann was worried about what she has witnessed, and as Robert Spencer pointed out in a recent article, sought out to investigate potential "policies and activities that appear to be the result of influence operations conducted by individuals and organizations associated with the Muslim Brotherhood".

While there is certainly a slow creep of Muslim influence in our country, considerable evidence suggests significant infiltration in our government. I want to know, and I appreciate the efforts on Rep. Bachmann in this regard.

Last June, Bachmann and four other Republicans, including Texas Representative Louie Gohmert, sent a letter to the Inspectors General questioning "the Muslim Brotherhood and other radical groups' access to top Obama administration officials".  Cited as an example, as Bachmann wrote in the letter, was "The Department's Deputy Chief of Staff, Huma Abedin, has three family members - her late father, her mother and her brother - connected to Muslim Brotherhood operatives and /or organizations,"

Huma Abedin & Sec. Hillary Clinton

This was not a personal attack on Ms. Abedin, who most respect as preforming in exemplary fashion in her role under Secretary Clinton, although her marriage to disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner raises judgment questions.  As it turns out, both of her parents have significant relationships with the Muslim Brotherhood, who in the minds of those not drinking the Obama Kool-Aid, are enemies of those who fight for freedom.  The letter posed by Bachmann was perfectly rational and focused on investigating the vetting process of those in government who may have associations with this group. 

Another example of a potential Muslim influence involves right wing anti-tax advocate Grover Norquist.  The left is hyperventilating over his Americans for Tax Reform pledge, but few seem concerned about ties Norquist has with The Muslim Brotherhood.   Married to a Muslim Palestinian born in Kuwait, Norquist resists those who portray all Muslims as terrorists.  Nobody with any credibility does, but we do need to have our eyes open to all potential enemies, foreign and domestic. Like Ms. Abbedin, all appears fine with Norquist, but we should have a vetting process for individuals who can effect policy.

Although we could set our watch in anticipation of the vicious attacks which would come from the left, for those still in denial the progressive ruling class is limited to one party the attacks from the GOP were most revealing.  Leading the GOP tongue lashing of Bachmann, along with Speaker John Boehner, was none other than John McCain, who caller her actions "sinister".  Given Sen. McCain is a war hero, one would surmise that he of all people would want to make sure our government is free from infiltration from individuals and groups that wish us harm.  Sadly, this is obviously not the case.

Those lining up in opposition to Bachmann include usual suspects, such as The Washington Post, but also right wind establishment outlets such as The Powerline blog.  Rep. Keith Ellison (D:MN), a Muslim, as expected responded to Bachmann, prompting her to write back correcting misrepresented facts, a stalwart maneuver of the left. Ellison is not reasonable on this subject, or many others for that matter.

Andrew McCarthy, a scholar on the subject, backed Bachmann completely and wrote a brilliant editorial making her case, placing into proper perspective the elements and rationale for the concern. Ret. Gen. Jerry Boykin is another backing the efforts Rep. Bachmann.

The Blaze has an extensive report.

In the aftermath of 9-11, the Bush administration reached out to Muslim organizations in a spirit of friendship; however many felt the efforts went to far.  Upon election, right out of the gate, the Obama administration seemed to divert from historical positions regarding relationships with governments, groups and individuals who are cozy with terrorist organizations. 

There have been many noteworthy instances, from the Egypt speech, to supporting the Mega Mosque at ground zero to the Arab spring, which although highly touted as a vehicle of peace by the regime and the complicit lap dog media, has created extreme chaos in the most troublesome region of the planet.

Issues continue with confusing relationships abroad, which most notably fired up after the events surrounding Benghazi.  With respect to Benghazi, Bachmann correctly accused the Obama administration of adopting a "false narrative", and there are clear indications, as Sen. Rand Paul (R:KY) put forth, that the administration was involved in gun running to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Is President Obama aiming to lift up the Islamic position around the world as part of the objective of the global transformation of wealth?

President Obama has nominated Deputy National Security Adviser John Brennan to head the CIA.  Brennan, who said jihad is a legitimate tenant of Islam and that terror cannot be defeated as it is a state of mind, is concerning. In addition, he was behind purging intelligence training manuals of the terms "jihad" and "radical Islam".  Brennan is quite warm to Iran and their militant extensions, and his nomination should be soundly defeated.

But, if Bachmann is so out to lunch, why would our President be nominating individuals with ideologies which parallel those of The Muslim Brotherhood.  Why would our government, after a regime change which has led to control of Egypt by The Muslim Brotherhood, honor a previous agreement to sell F-15 fighter planes and tanks to Egypt?  Sadly, this is not all Obama, as GOP Senators are going along.

The global war on terror is not over, and there are significant threats to the US. Therefore, given the countless examples of an uneasy at best warming of relationships with governments, groups and individuals that at best support the slow creep of Sharia and at worst seek to harm our citizenry and way of life, we should get behind Rep. Bachmann in her effort to identify potential infiltration of our government.

More troubling is the reasoning of those who so angrily opposed her efforts.  Got me thinking they are hiding something.  When considering this subject, things certainly seem radically extended from the normal course of what is and what should never be.

Michele Bachmann should continue to question with boldness, speak without fear and hold to the truth.  Enemies appear to be hiding in plain sight.

The Rest of the Story

As an avid football fan, although I much prefer the collegiate game, I have never missed the Super Bowl, and this past Sunday was no exception. Although much of the country becomes immersed in watching and grading the commercials, this have never been more than a passing fancy for me, save the time my wife was featured in the local NBC affiliate commercial during the 1990 game.

This year, I found most were rather stupid, ineffective or downright offensive. I did like the Budweiser ad, and loved the NFL network ad featuring former Florida State star Deion Sanders. But far and away, the ad that I found most compelling was the ad for Dodge Trucks featuring longtime ABC Radio announcer Paul Harvey, a great American.

Take a listen:



I am sure you found the ad as powerful as I did. Farmers are getting the backside slap in this country today in a variety of ways, from price fixing to regulatory action, including at local levels and property rights. Some sensible measures are being taken to protect farmers, including caps on rising property tax rates.

In this environment of government encroachment advancing along seemingly every avenue of approach, I have often said owning land outright, both improved and vacant, is the best protective measure of capital.  Farming is tough; not for the faint of heart.  And while the average age of the farmer is increasing, opportunities have been presented, and famed investor Jim Rogers is and has been most bullish on the sector.

Harvey and his commentary was a favorite of many an American in the last half century, seemingly part of the fabric of our nation as media outlets grew.  Harvey's daily commentary was syndicated to over 1200 radio outlets.  People took his messages of old fashioned common sense thought to heart.

While many became acquainted with Harvey is this most recent ad, Paul Harvey had many messages for the American citizens he loved so much.  One such message, presented in 1965, is prescient today.

Take a listen:


Our country is in fact in peril.  The government is being run by individuals drunk on power, who are not honest brokers, who have little respect for the rule of law.  While many instances are small in significance, such as President Obama failing to present a budget in a timely manner or having the Senate fail to do so at all even though legally bound, the aggregate of these instances is significant.

Propaganda is rampant, as a complicit media is in fusion with an oppressive government allowing the political ruling class to enact laws without comprehending all the intended and unintended consequences.  Operating outside the Congress, with our government implementing the global transformation of wealth, inclusive of a reduction in liberty, and attacking the Constitution and religion, the government has flamed class warfare and has placed a record percentage of our citizens into dependency.

If I were the devil, and I wanted to rob the citzenry, who are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pusuit of Happiness, of their identity, I would be acting in concert with the actions of the progressive, ruling class leites that are running the country today.

Paul Harvey tried to wake America up.  Attributed to Davy Crockett but certainly spoken by Gerald Ford, "Remember that a government big enough to give you everything youwant is also big enough to take everything you have."

Don't think they won't, as history shows they will.  What say you?

49er Bayou

It is Super Bowl Sunday, and no, Alabama is not playing.

As the game approaches, we have been bombarded with stories about Baltimore Raven linebacker Ray Lewis, who is retiring. Lewis, who appears to have righted his ship after a very suspect past, is getting the full red carpet treatment from the media. I join the many, along with New England Patriot wide receiver Wes Welkers's girlfriend Anna Burns, who are among those not on board the Ray Lewis redemptive ride, and I have heard enough about Lewis to last a lifetime.

With apologies to many the fine folks associated with the Ravens, inclusive of former fellow Seminole Anquan Boldin and former 'Husker Sam Koch, I am going to be cheering for the San Francisco 49ers, where one of my all time favorite players, former 'Husker and 49er Tom Rathman, is currently their running backs coach.

Rathman, the pride of Grand Island who starred at Nebraska, was a tough hard nosed fullback during the 49er glory days, who also excelled at catching the ball out of the backfield. In fact, Rathman was joined in the 49er backfield for much of his career with another former 'Husker, Roger Craig. Rathman and Craig both used to place (HUSKERS) on their helmet bumpers until the NFL political correctness police banned such expression. Needless to say, I thought it was cool.

So call it 28-23 San Francisco, and let us hope we have heard the last of drama surrounding Ray Lewis. Sadly, I am sure he will turn up on a pregame show next year, which is a show I will be turning off.

Tacking Tangible

The market indexes have been on quite some run.

If I could get a handle on all the lines of action going on on Wall Street, not only would I be a ventriloquist, I would be beyond wealthy. I am not.

The FED has increased the money supply by engaging in monetizing the debt, otherwise considered printing money, and that has resulted in excess money chasing too few assets, pushing the asset prices higher.

Due to the abysmal housing market, which cannot gain ground due to a horrendous job market and extensive regulation through Dodd-Frank, real estate investing has not been the avenue of choice for investors.  Gold and the stock market has.

A review of the NASDAQ after the close today shows the index increasing five year highs, and this has been a great run if you have been along for the ride. Take a look, but note the market level variance from the relative strength:



Weekly NASDAQ chart/Investors.com

While markets are forward looking and do not always reflect the current status of the economic realities on the ground, given our economy, it is reasonable to conclude the stock market should not be lurching into a parabolic assault on historical highs.  With an employment participation rate having retracted to levels not seen since the Reagan administration, a manipulated unemployment rate parked at levels not witnessed since The Great Depression, governmental assaults on small business, class warfare on the wealthy and putrid growth in the Gross Domestic Product, one has to wonder why the dichotomy between the capital markets and the reality on the ground.

As the excellent blog Zero Hedge accurately pointed out, many economic measures are breaking down, and while the Case Schiller Housing Index has shown signs of life depending on how you analyze the data, even though a shadow inventory remains, the housing market remains bottoming.

If housing is improving, with the state of the economy, one must conclude rising investor participation as first time home buyers are scarce.  If investors are becoming more interested in real estate, what market has fallen into disfavor and why? The stock market?

Indications are yes.

In fact, as BloombergBusinessweek reported, some $114 billion US Bank deposits have been withdrawn, at the fastest pace since the September 11, 2001 attacks. 

Apparently, few know why.

Paul Miller, a bank analyst with FBR Capital Markets, cautions against reading too much into the Fed’s weekly data. “It’s a noisy database,” he says.  No kidding.  With a media complicit in propaganda, and the FED intervening in market action in unprecedented levels, it is most difficult to accurately value equities.  It is the FED behind the curtain who is crowding banks out of the mortgage origination market and setting unreasonable credit requirements for lending practice, handicapping the housing market even with manipulated easy money.

But is there a correlation between rising housing investment and what looks to be a topping out of the DOW and NASDAQ?  Further, in anticipation of a market collapse, would tangible assets such as real estate become the favored investment?

Without government interaction, even though they have been replenishing their balance sheets borrowing free money from the Fed, banks could not withstand a major economic collapse.  Further, unwinding the hypothecation would be catastrophic.  If the clients of Jon Corzoine at MF Global are any indication, get your money while you can.  Maybe investors are.

No matter what market developments lay in store for us, a few things are certain in my view.  The housing market remains broken and cannot recover without a recovering job market. The market has been compromised and true evaluation is not possible. And, unfortunately and most notably, the rule of law and trust of the marketplace, integral for the survival of a free market capitalist system, has been violated.

As I have previously mentioned, until the rule of law is reestablished with the government becoming a bystander, allowing the FED to resume normal open market operations, the market place will remain compromised and a playground for the crony crowd.

Given the increasing turbulence, while I don't know what I am having for lunch tomorrow, I sense a major storm brewing both port and starboard. Caveat Emptor.

Stiff Arm Obama

Due to an increasing amount of concussion injuries, most notably in the National Football League, the game itself as we know it is in increasing jeopardy. In fact, ball hawking Baltimore Raven safety Bernard Pollard recently queried the NFL won't exist in 30 years.

Man, Woman & Child, he may be right!

Recently, several high profile incidents, including the suicides of players and the violent outburst resulting in a murder suicide by a Kansas City Chief earlier this fall, have brought the violence of the game into question by liberals, elites who seek to govern your life and activities and lawyers seeking to profit over the misfortune of others. The lawsuits are coming.

There is little doubt the game of football, particularly at the professional level, is played very fast and the collisions can be very violent. In the years past, protective gear wore by the players was far from adequate to match the activity on the field. However, I don't recall anyone ever being forced to play, and I know many, including myself, who wish their talent level allowed them the opportunity to excel in college ball, much less the NFL

Although it did take some nudging, the NFL has made a commitment to research to help make the game we all cherish safer for everyone involved. In fact, Dean Sicking, architect of NASCAR's extremely successful safer barrier retaining walls, is now turning his attention to designing and elevating football helmet safety. Please hurry, for the greatest game is under attack.

The NFL officials are now penalizing players for hits to head, and in particular, tacklers leading with the headgear to the head, as are collegiate officials. As we have noted, the penalties have been inconsistent and have damaged the game, and a prime example came in the Big Ten Championship game between Nebraska and Wisconsin where 'Husker Kenny Bell laid intellectual wood.

Amidst the economic destruction and retraction of liberty and freedom under the failed policies under his leadership, the Commander in Arrogance has now found time to not only weigh in on the safety of the sport but to target non unionized college football, where the Color & Pageantry is a fabric of the nation.

President Obama the antithesis of Heisman quality.
 

Our President, who has been proudly presiding over an America in decline and stoking the fire of class warfare, should focus his time in creating jobs for the millions out of work and returning our nation to prosperity. Obama should not be operating from the thought that his input is needed or required on every subject that comes into the lexicon.

Although Obama claims to the contrary, he is not what would be considered a big time fan of any sport, as evidenced by struggling to name current players of his "beloved" Chicago White Sox when pressed.

While Obama did play on a basketball team as a youth, add sports governance to the list of areas where Obama thinks his thought process supersedes ours. The football field is the last place we need metro sexual elites in effort to implement their progressive policies of fairness and controlled outcomes.

Sports, and we can include cheerleading, provide opportunity for individuals, through competitiveness and sportsmanship, to form life long relationships, achieve goals and learn life lessons.

With all due respect Mr. President, keep your dreams of a socialist utopia at great length from the Color & Pageantry of College Football, and while we are at it, the roar of the engines of NASCAR as well. We don't need your policies and ideas to severely handicap yet another pair of billion dollar businesses.

Your input is not welcome, and should you try, we will attempt to stiff arm your recommendations, which as of this writing, is still legally permissable

As A General Rule

Obviously, with the election of Barack Obama in 2008 we knew the military would be at increasing odds with the administration. Historically, the left has held disdain for our military and although most of the nation was fooled, Obama is as left wing as it gets.

One of the first eyebrow raisers was the saga surrounding General Stanley McChrystal. A request by US Army General Stanley McCrystal for the immediate need of some 40,000 additional troops to take control over the terrorists in Afghanistan remained unanswered for what seemed an eternity by the all knowing Obama. Due to later comments critical of the Obama administration published in a Rolling Stone article, McChrystal was appropriately fired in 2010. Gen. McChrystal was correct in his assessment, but due to his position he should have withheld commentary.

In June, Brig. Gen. Neil H. Tolley was removed reportedly due to remarks regarding espionage in North Korea.

Beloved General David Petraus resigned after an affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell, became public.  You may recall Petraus,whom the left found abhorant, was slandered as David Betrayus by the civil left. As it turns out, the administration knew of this inappropriate relationship for some time, seemingly hanging on to the information to box in Petraus when deemed appropriate for a political victory.  However, through his own actions, Petraus made his bed, and although his job performance was explemplary, these actions made him unfit for duty.

But there was more to the Petraus story, as Broadwell was said to have threatened a Tampa socialite who was friends with Pertraus.  The socialite, Jill Kelley, not to be confused with the porn star of the same name, had a most intriguing background.  A jubilant supporter of President Obama, Kelly had been awarded an honorary consul for South Korea, a ceremonial position, and along with her sister, had inside dealings with many of the top brass over at nearby McDill Air Force base.  Gen. John Allen also had numerous interactions with Kelley, and after an investigation, was recently cleared.  I am not sure we completely understand exactly what was going on with Kelley, and we may never know.

 

General Carter Ham was seemingly made a Benghazi scapegoat and was replaced, although there is word he may have left due to personal family health issues.

 

This past week, there was continued upheaval among our military leaders.  Navy Commander Luis Molina was dismissed Friday as commander of the USS Pasadena due to lost confidence.

 

In addition, United States Marine Corps Gen. James “Mad Dog” Mattis was notified that he was being replaced as commander of U.S. Central Command by a note rather than a face to face meeting which is disrespectful.  As Mackubin Thomas Owens writes in The Weekly Standard, "By pushing Mattis overboard, the administration is sending a message that it doesn’t want smart, independently minded generals who speak candidly to their civilian leaders. The message that generals and admirals may receive that they should go along to get along, which is a bad message for the health of U.S. civil-military relations,”

 

While I agree with the assessment concluded by Owens, I am not an expert in military rank and the criteria for evaluating the performance of high ranking military officials. However, it appears there is an unusually high amount of turnover.

The military is one of the few held in high esteem by our citizenry, a group not known for strongly supporting President Obama.  President Obama partially blames our military strength for handicapping third world advancement. For Obama, who is an apologist for American military might, would opportunities to discredit those in charge be useful to his globalist agenda of wealth transformation?

The inability to remotely address the catastrophic economic issues of our country may lead to massive cuts brought about by sequestration, and these cuts would have a deeply negative impact on our military.  By design?

 

Then, I came across the following video presentation. 

 

Given my distrust of this administration, coupled with the seemingly extraordinary number of turnover among the top military brass, the litmus test could in fact be a source of the high turnover rate and therefore bears strong consideration.

With regard to the additional topics covered in the video, I concur with many of the conclusions, particularly the obfuscation of the real agenda and the fusion of the administration and the mainstream media and their propaganda distribution. The economic issues are alarmingly real.

President Obama, as he has said, views the Constitution as a charter of negative liberties, says what the states can’t do to you, says what the federal government can’t do to you, but it doesn’t say what the federal government or the state government must do on your behalf.

So, when you have a President at odds with the document he swore to protect and defend, you find yourself in a country with significant internal issues for which governance takes place against the consent of the governed.  Historically, as a general rule, these outcomes have not gone well to say the least.

Actions In Contrast Of A King

Today, coinciding with the day our nation celebrates the birthday of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., The United States of America inaugurated a president for the 57th time as Barack Obama, our 44th president, was sworn in, sadly, for a second term.

Recently, a Facebook post came across my page where an individual claimed MLK meant nothing to him and he wondered why a holiday was wasted in such fashion.  Sadly, this individual is grossly lacking the proper historical perspective on Dr. King, an individual most worthy of the high regard our nation holds him in.  Dr. King was a deep man of faith, who preached equality and personal responsibility through peace, civility and love with exemplary leadership in rhetoric and action.

While it is hard to imagine the goings on back when Dr. King led his movement, rest assured his work was righteous and most difficult, ultimately costing him his life.  King was relentless and did not waiver in his grand objectives, but he had faith in what he was working to accomplish and knew he would have history on his side.

If you examine the picture below of Dr. King leading a march, while you can see his resolve, you can also clearly see the fear written on he and his fellow civil rights activists faces.

 

Sadly, over the years with the help of a leftist media in concert to rewrite history, the legacy of Dr. King has been hijacked.  All sorts of folks, white and black, have allowed those wishing to alter King historically succeed.

 

Take the Facebook post for the director of Showtime, LA Laker great Earvin "Magic" Johnson, a 2012 Hall of Bahl inductee.

 

 

No doubt about it, Magic has love for Dr. King correctly noting that King's efforts paved the way for individuals like Magic to achieve greatness. Perhaps Magic does not fully understand the new definition of social justice, but Dr. King would be against it.

 

Social justice as defined by the left has a strong transformation of wealth component built in, complete with a perceived faith based obligation for the government to provide basic services.  The government takeover of health care and the increasing of taking wealth from the makers to provide to an exponentially expanding group of takers are prime examples.

 

King wanted, accurately, for individuals, most notably the discriminated against the African American community, to be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. In addition, individuals should be rewarded and afforded opportunities to reach higher levels based on merit and work ethic, which is in direct contrast to the entitlement philosophy of the Obama administration.  King knew that if you disrespect the individual robbing them of their identity and incentive through offering handouts as opposed to opportunity was in itself a form of slavery and against the free market principles King believed in.

 

More importantly was the approach of King, who stressed respect and demeanor, for King knew if his movement advocated violence, their credibility would be lost.  That is in far contrast to the Democratic leaders of today, who claim to carry the torch King so eloquently lit.

 

See Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D:CA) leading a gang reenacting the picture above as they went to vote on Obamacare,  The lens is dripping with arrogance, but in my opinion there is a strong disrespect for the battle King fought and the principles he believed in.

 

 

King was all about civility, both in how he carried himself and instructed his movement, and in how he respected the laws and system of governance. King learned lessons from Frederick Douglass, but unfortunately, those who claim to be his torch bearers would draw ire from King if he were alive today.

King was all about non violence, but he was not involved in advancing gun control. King believed in the family and the role of faith in the family, and wold be heartbroken at the disrepair of the African American family and how God has been shown the door.  King would certainly be against abortion.

 

In contrast to the example King set forth, get a load of the lack of civility witnessed on inauguration day:

• Paul Ryan, (R:WI) was booed by a cross section of Democrats and the progressive media, who celebrated the lack of civility rather than acting in behavior Dr. King would applaud.
• Obama could not leave Ryan alone, taking a jab at him in his inaugural speech.
• Sarah Palin posted some lovely commentary in honor of Dr. King only to be brutalized by leftists. 
• Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D:NY) likened Republicans to suicide bombers; a hideous choice of words to be sure.
• First Lady Michelle Obama disrespected Hosue Speaker John Boehner at the inaugural lunch.
• Rev. Jonathan V. Newman presiding at the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, offering prayers with President Obama on the second row, asked God’s blessing for him and his family. “But also prepare him for battle … because sometimes enemies insist on doing it the hard way,”
• CBS News political director John Dickerson wrote a piece this week calling on Obama to "pulverise" and "go for the throat" of Republicans.  So much for the media bias defense.

These are truly despicable people, narcissists who have little respect for the American people. MLK would have little common ground with progressives acting in this disrespectful fashion.

 

King was conservative in his values and principles, which led him to lean republican.  CNN unleashed an article condemning the notion, for it certainly disrupts the narrative. "But those who marched with King and studied his work say that notion is absurd. The political class that once opposed King, they argue, is now trying to distort his message." 

 

The opposite is true.

 

Dr. Alveda King, has spoke candidly regarding her Uncle and where he stood on many of the issues of the day. Alveda spends the majority of her time in anti-abortion advocacy, but is a frequent guest on many outlets and happy to talk about her beloved Uncle Martin.  In 2010, she joined Pastor Stephen Broden in a great discussion on The Glenn Beck radio program.  Read the transcript HERE.

 

As reported in "Frederick Douglass Republicans": by K. Carl Smith, King supported and voted for Dwight David Eisenhower for President. King subscribed to the conclusions drawn by Frederick Douglass regarding the three fifths clause, a much misrepresented aspect of the Constitution which contrary to leftist propaganda was anti-slavery.

 

The left are those who, as is alarmingly true with many historical positions, has transformed and changed the history regarding Dr. Martin Luther King.  While most are reveling in the drama of the arrogant and narcissistic President Obama, those who are patriots remember and cherish the contributions and sacrifice of one of the truly great Americans; Dr. Martin Luther King.

 

Dan Calabrese writes about who deserves adulation today.  It is King, In the Name of Love.

Sunday Night Song: Pencil Pushers

As predicted, in the aftermath of the tragedy in Newtown, the left immediately engaged in an effort to encroach on the rights of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.  Last Tuesday, after reviewing recommendations presented after a study headed by VP Joe Biden, President Obama unleashed a series of regulatory measures, many unconstitutional, in an effort to combat gun violence. However, the measures cloak an attack on the second Amendment.

Of course, the left already had plans on how they might attack the second Amendment and waited until an event triggered an emotional response from the citizenry to attempt to enact legislation.

Remember, never let a crisis go to waste.

Although the Obama administration has never had issue with governing outside the consent of the American people, fearing legislative action the new legislative measures would ultimately fail, the regime sought increasing gun control through writing new law through executive action.

While many progressives in Congress have no issue with this, Senator Rand Paul, (R:KY) has had enough and is prepared to fight.  Paul speaks to FOX News Sean Hannity on the subject:



Obama's neighborhood of the south side of Chicago, home to among the strictest gun laws, is perhaps America's murder capital, an urban killing field of young mostly African American men.  Nobody from Obama to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel seems to care.

While those progressive elites have failed to address that problem they are most eager to severely restrict the citizens rights in the ownership of firearms. 

Of course, it is really not about the guns. It about control over you, gun owner or not.  After all, they know better how you should live your life.

The last thing we need is progressive pencil pushers taking away our Constitutional rights.  As they go for our guns, with that in mind, for Sunday Night Song, lets roll with Gimmie Back My Bullets, from Lynyrd Skynyrd.

We are done fooling around.



HT/Bo

The Truth Hurts

For a few years now, what is up seems down. Propaganda is rampant, and for the low information voting public, they are sold a series of falsehoods by a complicit media and, at the end of the day, have no earthly idea what is real or not.

The mirage is not only playing out in politics, but is a real issue in society and has even impacted the world of sports, as evidenced by the Lance Armstrong story and the bizarre events surrounding Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o.

Michael Ramirez/Investors Business Daily

 

America cheered as Lance Armstrong won all those Tour de France cycling races, and embraced his Livestrong charity efforts, which have no doubt helped millions of people.  Cycling has been plagued by doping scandals, and while there were many accusations that swirled around Armstrong, he seemed above the fray.  Not so fast my friend.  Armstrong, who sued some of his accusers, has admitted doping, and now has joined Oprah on the couch to seek forgiveness.  His actions suggest he might not be a good guy, but at any rate he is discredited and I really don't and won't pay him any mind.

 

The Manti Te'o story is really bizarre, and sad.  The media failed miserably on this story, and it is sad that an individual can be duped to the scale Te'o was.  The story has many tentacles; an individual longing for relationship, those who aim to associate with high profile celebrities or athletes looking for an undeserved piece of the pie bordering on extortion and a media who seeks to present a narrative that enhances opportunities for ratings.  I don't think Te'o played a role in the hoax, although I think the events will negatively affect his draft status, which could cost him some change.

 

Political lying is certainly not new, and really seemed to reach a pinnacle when President Clinton lied about having sex with Monica Lewinsky.  No such luck on that, for Obama has really taken obfuscation to previously unseen levels.  With the media lap dogs cheering him on, and being criminally complicit in their lack of reporting the truth, the lies continue unabated by the traditional media.  Alternative media, which accurately present the facts, are swarmed over and discredited by those who seek to perpetrate the fraud.

 

Political leaders in the past have utilized propaganda to run roughshod over a uninformed citizenry, and the results have been tyrannical and deadly.  Perhaps we don't care what Lance Armstorng is doing, but we damn sure better pay attention to an oppressive political regime who aims to reduce your liberty and freedom. 

 

Our political leaders are destroying our future, while publicly proclaiming everything is fine and the economy is improving. 

 

Is that the truth knocking at the door?

Poisonous Bloom

Almost on a daily basis, mind boggling news stories come across the transom, and it is hard to recognize our country anymore. For some time, it seems we have been, via Dr. Suess, inside outside upside down. Blame for much of it lies at the hands of the progressive political leaders we not only elected, but failed to adequately supervise.  Progressive elites are a narcissistic group who think they know better how to run your life, both personally and professionally through influencing social policy, than you do. While they, for the collective, are more than willing to govern your actions, they have no intention to live by those same rules.

Certainly, Barack Obama, he who "knows" we are going to have to change our history and traditions, is at the top of list, but in high speed pursuit is would be dictator Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City.   Without question, Bloomberg is out of control.

I would not elect Bloomberg, a former republican turned independent, to pick up the garbage outside. Good thing, because when pressed into action clearing the streets from snow in NYC, he failed miserably. But Bloomberg and his fellow progressives do not waste time learning from their failures, they mash the gas enacting additional governance over the people, restricting freedom and liberty.

For Bloomberg, the list is long.  Bloomberg scolded Rudy Guiliani after 9-11 about postponing elections and holding office a little over the term due to the horrific recovery and clean up efforts.  When a bomber almost set off a bomb in Times Square, Bloomberg speculated the bomber was a Tea Party member upset about Obamacare.  Bloomberg banned food for the homeless because regulatory rules he implemented regarding salt and fat content could not be adequately monitored. 

As you may suspect, Bloomberg fully supported the building of an Islamic Mega Mosque blocks from ground zero, and supported trying Guantanamo detainees in New York City. In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook massacre, Boomberg called for an assault weapons ban.

Super storm Hurricane Sandy provided yet another opportunity of failure for Bloomberg, as citizens got very little of promised help. While Mayor Mike was successful in limiting freedom via curfews and road closings, when he toured the Rockaways in Queens he quite appropriately got an earful, while hiding behind his media officer (while he was standing there).

In a ridiculous move, Bloomberg also banned serving soft drinks over 16 ounces, which as you can see below, I gleefully violate with my 64 ounce Diet Coke.  Oh thank heaven for 7-11.!

Bloomberg, and progressives all, are of the school of thought that it is their responsibility to control the citizenry by nudging behavior, limiting consumer choice and molding society into their Fabian socialist hearts content.

Bloomberg has really let his dictatorship in New York City go to is head, as his latest move to control the common folk has really gone too far.  He is actually aiming to enact policy to inflict unnecessary pain on his constituents in limiting pain killers for law abiding citizens in NY Hospitals.  Glenn Beck discussed this on his radio show the other day.  Please take a listen:



Sadly, like Obama, Mayor Mike is dong quite a bit of damage, although the majority of our Yankee friends fail to recognize it.  Bloomberg is exactly the type of elected official that must be thwarted with every legally permissible action.  Politicians like him who think they are above the citizenry and govern as prospective dictators limit freedom and prosperity for all. Elitist hypocrites to be sure.

One would suspect, given his sky high opinion of himself, Bloomberg will attempt to tinker with the law to allow just one more mayoral term.  Hopefully, New Yorkers will finally reach a level of sanity and defeat the man who would be King.

The bloom from the policies of his administration is poisonous to free market capitalism, liberty and freedom.

External Government Obsolescence

The right of property is the guardian of every other right, and to deprive a people of this, is in fact to deprive them of their liberty --Arthur Lee of the Commonwealth of Virginia

On Tuesday, The Supreme Court of the United States will hear a case regarding property rights centering on government control over an owners right to maximize the productivity or utility of the property. Of course, the founding fathers regarded ownership of private property as the foundation of freedom and prosperity.

FOX News Shannon Bream, a Tallahassee native who earned Juris Doctorate with honors from The Florida State University College of Law, has a report. 


The Pacific Legal Foundation, the oldest and most successful public interest legal organization that fights for limited government, property rights, individual rights and a balanced approach to environmental protection, will be in front of the Supreme Court working with the Koontz family.  Here is more regarding the public sector shakedown that has handicapped the ability of the Koontz family to maximize return on and of the vacant parcel.




The Hoover Institution has weighed in, recognizing the case is central to property rights, something John Adams found integral to freedom.  In fact, most are unaware that before becoming the father of our country, George Washington was a surveyor and mapper.

The Orlando Sentinel had a front page story on the case, as interestingly enough, the property in question is about twenty minutes away, right here in Orange County, Florida just east of lovely downtown Orlando.  Please see the maps below of the parcel.

 

 

 

Find Law.com has a good overview of the lengthy goings on in the case, presented below:

Koontz proposed to develop 3.7 acres closest to Highway 50, back to and including the power line easement. In order to develop his property, he sought a management and storage of surface waters permit to dredge three and one quarter acres of wetlands. A staffer from St. Johns agreed to recommend approval if Koontz would deed the remaining portion of his property into a conservation area and perform offsite mitigation by either replacing culverts four and one-half miles southeast of his property or plug certain drainage canals on other property some seven miles away. Alternatively, St. Johns demanded that Koontz reduce his development to one acre and turn the remaining 14 acres into a deed-restricted conservation area. Koontz agreed to deed his excess property into conservation status but refused St. Johns' demands for offsite mitigation or reduction of his development from three and seven-tenths acres to one acre. Consequently, St. Johns denied his permit applications.

As PLF points out, the case asks whether the Constitution places limits on an agency’s ability to demand excessive amounts of money from a land use applicant in exchange for a permit to build on his property.

The American Farm Bureau Federation brilliantly summarizes the impact of the case to the agricultural community:  To strengthen landowners’ ability to obtain compensation when permitting authorities impose an arbitrary or disproportionate requirement of money or services as a land-use permit condition, or when authorities refuse to issue a permit based on the landowner’s refusal to agree to an unconstitutional exaction of real property

This case will have significant national impact.  Recently, we have been focused on the evil and restrictive policy issues surrounding Agenda 21, but the tentacles of this movement are very far reaching.  If an ever increasing oppressive government, who already has tremendous power through code enforcement and the permitting process, can shakedown owners seeking permits to develop their owned property through imposing arbitrary fees, penalties and or taxes as a condition of obtaining permits is an extension of extraction that is unethical and unconstitutional, as I hope we are all about to find out.

A decision in favor of the government will no doubt open the door for the government to demand extraction wherever and whenever it wants.  Be advised the government will utilize the decision to further seek the transfer of wealth and exponentially expand the globalist dreams found in Agenda 21, significantly reducing the freedom and liberty of property owners to see maximum return on and or their investment.  This will curb investment, reduce utility and value of property, lower tax revenue and limit choice for consumers as development is reduced due to increased costs.

As James Madison noted, Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.

Sunday Night Song: 1984

Nineteen Eighty-Four.

For a myriad of reasons, recently I have been thinking about George Orwell's 1984. With the re-election of President Barack Obama, as Victor Davis Hanson appropriately pointed out in a recent Investors Business Daily editorial piece, the "Beast Reagan Aimed To Starve Good To Gorge Under Obama." Sadly, right on target.

The recent death of famed economist James M. Buchanan, a leading scholar in "public choice" economic theory, reminded us of conclusions drawn, most accurately noted that those elected to government do not leave their ideology and self interests behind at the door. While in itself this is not necessarily a bad thing, it reminds that proper checks and balances are required from the citizenry as increased government interjection in the economy reduces freedom and liberty and is destined for failure.

A case study for that conclusion is examined in an excellent article the crossed my transom the other day regarding the significant decline of many large American cities. Michael Snyder, from The Economic Collapse blog is the author, details how cities such as Detroit, Oakland and Chicago have become infested with gangs, with increasing violence and lawlessness, and are deteriorating from within.  Government in these cities, due to financial constraints caused by idiotic progressive policies of social justice, have been forced to reduce effort to combat the criminals.

Chicago is particularly noteworthy.  The south side, where the greater majority of murders are taking place, is home to our President; Barack Obama.  With MSNBC contemplating that his record as President should place him upon Mount Rushmore, it is mind boggling he could not, or would not, have accomplished anything with respect to reducing the despair and hopelessness of those in the area that leads to this type of destructive behavior.

For the failure in that regard that was Obama, now his former Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is now mayor, and he has absolutely given up.  Can he not do the job, or does he have an interest in not doing the job?  It is the latter.

Those in power like to have chaos on the streets, which leads the ill-informed to think they are in need of help from anyone who can curtail the situation.  By not enforcing laws and creating dependency among the less educated, the government creates an environment of hopelessness and dependency which leads to escalating crime resulting the community to cry out for help.  When they do so, it is the government to the rescue, the same folks who created the problem.  Oh, what job security.

In reflecting back to post war London in Orwell's 1984, wild dogs roamed the streets of a rundown city of crumbling buildings and deteriorating public services.  As noted above, several major US cites are following this pattern, with dangerous, violent urban killing fields where many are robbed of their identity and are hopeless, resulting in increasing violence and civil unrest the government fails to adequately curtail, and this is not by accident.

Over at The Burning Platform blog, a series of articles have been undertaken interacting the works of George Orwell and Aldous Huxley with the ever increasing control of the government, combined with the brilliant work of British rock super group Pink Floyd.  The blog posts, Hey You, and Mother Should I Trust The Government, are simply required reading. 

While I do not agree with all the context presented, I find most of it right on target and it does give us much to decipher.  Interacting Pink Floyd with the posts is very cool, and if you reflect back on Floyd's "The Wall", it is most appropriate.

Although all us makers are quite busy keeping all the takers afloat while the Obama administration executes their transformation of wealth plan, we must create the time in our lives to get informed and resist "inner party" as they continue to gain greater control over our lives.  If not, before too long we may find ourselves on the dark side with no exits remaining for escape.

We don't need no thought control, but we do need education on how our freedoms and liberties are being reduced. On that lovely note, hoping they keep their hands of my stash, for Sunday Night Song, here is Roger Waters of Pink Floyd as he performed for the 12-12-12 Hurricane Sandy relief concert.