Monthly Archives: June 2011
A hate crime? No, of course not, that would be silly
I do not, and never will be a proponent of so-called “hate crime” legislation. But if we are to have such laws, THIS CASE qualifies
COLUMBIA, SC (WISTV) – Prosecutors say the brutal beating of a teenager last week in Columbia’s Five Points doesn’t appear to have been racially motivated, but the U.S. attorney is still reviewing the case.
Fifth Circuit Solicitor Dan Johnson, who will prosecute the eight people charged with attacking 18-year-old Carter Strange on June 20 before leaving him for dead, said no evidence suggests the beating was racially motivated other than the race of the people involved. Strange is white; the eight suspects are black.
However, Johnson said his office asked U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles to review the evidence to make sure hate crime charges are not warranted.
A hate crime is legally defined as an attack motivated entirely or primarily by prejudice.
The seven juveniles charged with attacking Strange faced a judge on Monday, who granted a request that the defendants stay in jail until trial. The unnamed suspects’ next court date hasn’t been scheduled yet, according to Johnson.
The eighth suspect, 19-year-old Thyeem Henrey, appeared in court on Friday afternoon. The judge set bond at $750,000, which must be paid in full to allow Henrey’s release.
Police say Strange was jogging home just after midnight when the suspects approached him in a parking lot near Blossom Street and beat him up.
A passerby found him a block away two hours later, and called 911.
Strange said he had to have emergency brain surgery and facial reconstruction surgery after the attack, but is making a remarkable recovery. “My physical condition is amazing,” said Strange. “I mean, the condition I’m in right now is a miracle.”
If indeed these eight thugs did this, then what their motivation was does not really matter, the brutal beating they committed is all that matters. I am not sure what type of sentence they could receive. But, frankly, this ought to be attempted murder shouldn’t it? Here is my question, would a life-sentence be out of line for these monsters?
Obama, the lazy man’s president
The America work ethic was, at one time second to none. And to be fair, most of us are still hard workers. Sadly though, a growing number of us are more willing to let someone else work harder so that we do not have to. More of are addicted top the rule of greater expediency. Whatever is easier for us at this moment, well, that is what we do. President Obama, from my observations, seems to like that whole whatever is easier for me at this moment types.
Take the deficit crisis we face as a nation for example. There is much blame to spread around, no doubt. Democrats, Republicans, Senators, Representatives, Presidents, all have blame to share. But the current political leaders are in a position NOW, to start to work NOW, on solutions. So how is our president leading on this? Yid With Lid takes a peek
At yesterday’s press conference President Obama criticized the Congress for not working hard enough to fix the deficit. And he should know, the president has been in Washington every day, well except all of his fundrasing trips, and the trips he took overseas especially the ones he took that were more like family trips, like the one to South America. Oh and except for the 45 golf outings, which is a record for recent presidents.
Of course, Congress is not working hard enough on this, especially the Democrats who seem to care about anything except fiscal sanity. Besides announcing no plans of their own, they have done nothing but rip into any Republican ideas, just ask Paul Ryan about that. But, the president has, as Yid points out, doing anything EXCEPT working on this problem. Frankly, Obama seems more like a kid on Summer break than any type of leader.
Even when Republicans, like Mitch McConnel offer him a chance to work with them, Obama blows them off
However, the President rejected the offer, White House press secretary Jay Carney said McConnell was asking Obama to visit and “hear Republicans restate their maximalist position” in the negotiations to raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling. “We know that position. That’s not a conversation worth having,” Carney said at his daily briefing.
Ah, so deficit solutions are not worth discussing? I guess fund raising and golf are higher priorities.
The president heads to Pennsylvania Thursday evening for a fundraiser at a downtown hotel, followed by a private dinner at the home of Comcast Executive Vice President David Cohen, tickets for which start at $10,000.
The worst of all the four letter words? LAZY!
Union Geniuses: Use Beleaguered Pension Funds To Finance Real Estate Rehab
Union Geniuses: Use Beleaguered Pension Funds To Finance Real Estate Rehab – Big Government
For the last several months, pension managers, school districts and public officials have been howling about the alarming state of employee pension funds. They tell us pension systems are dangerously underfunded and taxpayers are on the hook for potentially billions of dollars to make them whole.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey was even floating a bill that would make the federal government the backstop for pension funds – essentially committing to a bailout if the funds ran dry.
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………………………Rich Trumka and Randi Weingarten smell an opportunity!
But the brain trust at the AFL-CIO and American Federation of Teachers have come up with a new idea: let’s use the billions of pension dollars set aside for union retirees to fund real estate development.
In other words, they want to use massive sums of money sitting in a (albeit evil) bank somewhere to put union members back to work on construction projects. This from people who said former President George W. Bush was crazy for proposing the investment of Social Security funds into the stock market.
Has Rich Trumka or Randi Weingarten looked at the real estate market lately? It’s kind of not good.
From the New York Times:
“Richard L. Trumka, president of the labor federation, will present the plan at a meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative in Chicago as part of organized labor’s effort to get the federal government, banks and money managers to do more to issue bonds or create other mechanisms to finance infrastructure projects.
“A.F.L.-C.I.O. officials said they planned to work with Deutsche Bank and other financial institutions in the hope of coming up with hundreds of millions of dollars to retrofit large commercial buildings. Many building owners are hesitating to do such retrofits because they are highly leveraged and do not have the cash to make the investments. The A.F.L.-C.I.O. hopes its $10 billion will provide an incentive for banks and hedge funds to develop financing vehicles to make such projects happen.”
What happens if the real estate investments go south? Who pays to make sure Mrs. Jones and Mr. Anderson collect their full pensions on schedule? Trumka and Weingarten? Their members? Of course not. These folks have a long history of seeking bailouts from Congress when something goes wrong.
Pension funds should not be treated like union piggy banks, unless the unions want to accept the responsibility of replacing the money if the investments turn sour. Taxpayers should not be left holding the bag for a foolish self-serving union financial strategy.
Governor Jerry Brown Drives Amazon.com, Overstock.com Out Of California With New Internet Sales Tax
California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law Wednesday requiring online businesses to collect state sales tax, calling it “a common sense idea,” but Amazon and other large online retailers said they no longer see the business sense in staying in the Golden State.
Amazon and Overstock.com both announced shortly after the bill was signed that they will be closing all of their affiliate programs in California. Affiliates are small websites and businesses that sell products through sites like Amazon and receive a small commission.
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The new law requires online retailers with local affiliates to collect and file state sales tax on purchases made by California customers. California hopes to raise an estimated $317 million a year in new state and local government revenue through the added sales tax collections.
The State Board of Equalization has estimated there are 25,000 affiliates in California — about 10,000 of them making money through Amazon.
Not anymore, though.
“We oppose this bill because it is unconstitutional and counterproductive,” Amazon said in an email to its affiliates. “It is supported by big-box retailers, most of which are based outside California, that seek to harm the affiliate advertising programs of their competitors. Similar legislation in other states has led to job and income losses, and little, if any, new tax revenue. We deeply regret that we must take this action.”
Paul Misener, Amazon VP of Global Public Policy, said in a statement: “This legislation is counterproductive and will not cause our retail business to collect sales tax for the state.”
Overstock.com, a large Utah-based online retailer, sent a similar email to its California affiliates.
“We think this law is unconstitutional,” said Mark Griffin, Overstock’s general counsel, in an interview with the San Jose Mercury News. “We sent a final note to our California affiliates today. It’s a business decision that we had to make.”
Supporters of the law say it is merely leveling the playing field between brick-and-mortar stores and online retailers. The Alliance for Main Street, a lobbying group which has argued for similar laws in other states, applauded the news.
“The reality is this is about collection, not a tax issue,” said Danny Diaz, an Alliance for Main Street spokesperson. “All these online businesses are doing is passing the liability onto the public. The only requirement now is that they operate the same way as every other business in America does.”
Of course, many of the Alliance for Main Street members aren’t exactly mom-and-pop operations. Alliance for Main Street members include many big-box retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, Home Depot and Sears.
In 1992, the Supreme Court barred states from collecting sales taxes on businesses that did not have a presence in the state. The Court ruled that such laws amounted to regulating interstate commerce –a power granted only to the federal government.
California’s new law dodges that ruling by claiming companies like Amazon have a presence through affiliates and related companies operating in the state. New York passed a similar law in 2008. Amazon is currently suing the state of New York.
California is the seventh and largest state in the nation to pass such a law.
General David Petraeus Confirmed As CIA Director
General David Petraeus Confirmed As CIA Director – BBC News
General David Petraeus has been confirmed by the US Senate as director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where he will replace Leon Panetta, the new secretary of defence.
Gen Petraeus, commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan, was nominated for the CIA by President Barack Obama in April.
Gen Petraeus, 58, is widely admired across party lines in the US.
Gen Petraeus, a 37-year veteran of the US Army, was also credited with turning around the war in Iraq after President George W Bush tasked him with managing a surge of troops in 2007.
In the US Senate, the vote to confirm him was 94-0.
His appointment in April came amid a reshuffling of Mr Obama’s national security team.
Robert Gates, appointed defence secretary by President Bush in 2006, is to retire and be replaced by Mr Panetta, whom the Senate confirmed 100-0 last week.
Mr Panetta, a former budget aide to President Bill Clinton, was appointed CIA director at the beginning of Mr Obama’s term.
Gen Petraeus took over as commander of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan about a year ago.
Analysts lauded his co-operation with the CIA in Afghanistan, where he was known for his use of the agency’s intelligence.
He leaves the post just after Mr Obama announced he would begin drawing down the number of US troops in Afghanistan, with 10,000 troops leaving this year and 23,000 in 2012.
Last week, Gen Petraeus said he would carry out Mr Obama’s order but said the withdrawal was “more aggressive” than military leaders had recommended.
Let’s Help The Economy By Making Cars More Expensive!
Let’s Help The Economy By Making Cars More Expensive! – Hot Air
Clearly the word has reached the White House that Americans are having trouble making ends meet and they need to cut costs, just as the federal government does. And one of the expenses most families have to deal with is transportation, whether it be getting to work, school, or just the normal needs of day to day life. Quick like a bunny, the government recognized the benefits of making vehicles less expensive, and gas less expensive to boot.
But on second thought, maybe there’s a better plan…
White House proposes increased mileage standards for cars, light trucks
The Obama administration wants cars and light trucks in the United States to average 56.2 miles per gallon of gasoline by 2025, a standard that will cut the nation’s oil consumption and carbon output significantly while also raising each vehicle’s cost by about $2,375.
The White House’s ambitious opening bid, which it revealed in conversations with domestic auto companies and lawmakers last week, has already sparked resistance. U.S. automakers have offered to raise fuel efficiency over the next eight years to between 42.6 and 46.7 mpg, according to sources who had been briefed on the negotiations.
I’m sure we can all immediately recognize the benefits of such a plan. The First Lady has been urging everyone to get into better shape, so if you can jack up the cost of getting around you will all doubtless tone up those calves and thighs via walking while looking for a new job. And, of course, your carbon footprint will go down even as your actual footprint expands with fresh callouses.
All snark aside, there were some of the usual wet blankets looking to dump cold water over this spectacular idea.
15 governors call on Obama to adopt “sensible” fuel economy standards
Fifteen Republican governors have sent a letter urging the Obama administration not to enact draconian new fuel economy standards.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are expected to release new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards in September. The Obama administration has already issued guidance suggesting that the new rules would require vehicles to average as much as 62 miles per gallon by 2025, though 56 miles per gallon is more likely.
This absurd standard would mean the average car would have to get mileage higher than the 50 mpg Toyota’s Prius does now, driving up the cost of automobiles, and limiting consumer choice.
Enhanced fuel economy is desirable from all sides. And it’s not as if the auto industry is intentionally designing cars to burn more gas. The free market is in play, and they know they can sell cars which sip gas rather than guzzling it, providing they are of good quality and suited to the consumer’s needs. But to have Washington’s far from invisible hand attempt to push the technology past currently viable limits serves the opposite purpose, pushing the cost of the vehicles upward and making them less desirable.
But don’t let that stop you. This is a fabulous plan.
Obama Puts Israel On List Of Countries That Promote Terrorism, Resumes Formal Contacts With Muslim Brotherhood
UNREAL!… Obama Puts Israel On List Of Countries That Promote Terrorism – Gateway Pundit
Body language expert Tanya Reiman told Bill O’Reilly recently that Obama lied – He was no friend of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Reiman said that Obama had “contempt in his eyes” and displayed it with his body language when he was with Benjamin Netanyahu. It was obvious.
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Narcissists don’t like being challenged.
But, it’s not just the Israeli leader who Obama dislikes. The Obama regime recently put Israel on the list of countries that support terrorism.
CNSNews and Yid With Lid reported:
In an implicit admission that Israel is so threatened by terrorism that it is not only surrounded by countries and territories that produce terrorists but also unwillingly harbors terrorists within its own territory in a way the most other nations in the world do not, the Obama administration is currently listing Israel among 36 “specially designated countries” it believes “have shown a tendency to promote, produce, or protect terrorist organizations or their members.”
Also included on the list–separately from Israel–are the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza, as well as Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, the four nations bordering Israel.
All but five of the nations included on the administration’s “specially designated country” list have majority Muslim populations (see the list below).
The five countries on the list that do not have majority Muslim populations–Kazakhstan (47 percent Muslim), Eritrea (36.5 percent Muslim), Israel (16.9 percent Muslim), the Philippines (5 percent Muslim) and Thailand (4.6 percent)–have had internal problems with radical Muslim terrorists, as reported by the State Department.
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Related article:
Obama To Resume Formal Contacts With Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood – Weasel Zippers
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The treacherous Islamist-in-Chief stabs Israel and America in the back.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States has decided to resume formal contacts with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday, in a step that reflects the Islamist group’s growing political weight but that is almost certain to upset Israel and its U.S. backers.
“The political landscape in Egypt has changed, and is changing,” said the senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It is in our interests to engage with all of the parties that are competing for parliament or the presidency.”
The official sought to portray the shift as a subtle evolution rather than a dramatic change in Washington’s stance toward the Brotherhood, a group founded in 1928 that seeks to promote its conservative vision of Islam in society.
Under the previous policy, U.S. diplomats were allowed to deal with Brotherhood members of parliament who had won seats as independents — a diplomatic fiction that allowed them to keep lines of communication open.
Where U.S. diplomats previously dealt only with group members in their role as parliamentarians, a policy the official said had been in place since 2006, they will now deal directly with low-level Brotherhood party officials.
There is no U.S. legal prohibition against dealing with the Muslim Brotherhood itself, which long ago renounced violence as a means to achieve political change in Egypt and which is not regarded by Washington as a foreign terrorist organization.
But other sympathetic groups, such as Hamas, which identifies the Brotherhood as its spiritual guide, have not disavowed violence against the state of Israel.
The result has been a dilemma for the Obama administration.
Former officials and analysts said it has little choice but to engage the Brotherhood directly, given its political prominence after the February 11 downfall of former President Hosni Mubarak.
*VIDEO* Leftist Senator Dick Durbin – Dangerously Incompetent
Senator Dick Durbin has never been accused of being the brightest man in ANY room. However, as a 3-term Senator one would at least expect him to know the basics of the U.S. Constitution that he swore an oath to defend. No such luck, as Durbin led off the first hearing of his pet ‘DREAM Act’ by asking all the illegals in his audience to stand up (you know, the ones ‘hiding in the shadows’) and then says he sees in them our future “doctors, our teachers… our senators, and maybe our president.” Uh, Senator, try reading Article 2, Section 1, Clause 5 of the Constitution, which says: “No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President.” So not even a LEGAL immigrant can EVER be President. Sigh.
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Does anyone else remember Burger Chef?
Loved this place as a kid, I can still taste their food, anyone else recall Burger Chef?
DaleyGator DaleyBabes
Yes, it IS our birthday week here, and to celebrate, why not feature TWO beautiful ladies, both of whom seem sweet and down to earth
Hilary Duff AND Jennifer Love Hewitt! Both of whom are from Texas by the way
Chris Hayes: “Bizarre Founding Father fetishism” is taking over our politics | The Right Scoop
You want proof the Left loathes our Founders? HERE YA GO!
Gatordoug
darcprynce
Dave C
