Freedom's Lighthouse

We Have a New Home! Please Come to the New Freedom's Lighthouse!

2010-05-25T22:55:00.000-05:00

Tonight starts a new chapter for Freedom's Lighthouse! We have a brand new site that we hope you will visit and continue to use. We continue to have Headlines, our regular posting area, and are excited that in the not too distant future will be adding "Forums" that will include a "Share your Article" area, which you can use to post links to your own article or blog, or to share a link to someone else's article that you really liked.

We hope to see you over at the new Freedom's Lighthouse!

Judd Gregg: Dems Still Want “Lending to Just About Anybody Who Wants a Home” – Video

2010-05-25T16:55:00.002-05:00

Here is video of Sen. Judd Gregg on CNBC today where he placed the blame for most of the U.S. financial crisis squarely at the feet of the Democrats. Gregg was asked about the so-called “Financial Reform” bill, which he described as a “disaster” because it does nothing about reform of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

That’s where Gregg drew the link between the Democrats and the economic crisis:

“The problem was created by the Congress. It was the Congress that told Freddie and Fannie to radically expand their securitization efforts. It was the Congress which said “Forget your standards – Go out there and lend to anybody who wants a home and securitize it for them.” That was purely at the initiative of the Congress. In 2005, Richard Shelby brought to the floor a reform package which, had it passed at the time, would have avoided almost all the problems we’ve had with Fannie and Freddie. . . . . There is still an attitude in the Congress which says we should be pushing out lending to just about anybody who wants a home…..It’s still the philosophy of the majority party.”

The majority party – the Democrats – love to blame all the ills of the world on George W. Bush. But their philosophy of making home ownership a “right” in large part brought us to where we are today, and it sounds like they have not learned a thing from this crisis. That’s why they need to become the minority party, and this time, the Republicans need to govern with true conservative principles.

President Obama Orders 1,200 National Guard Troops to Help Secure Border with Mexico – Video 5/25/10

2010-05-25T15:12:00.001-05:00

President Obama has ordered 1,200 National Guard troops be sent to help secure the U.S. border with Mexico. He will also request $500 million be allocated for securing the border.

You think the pressure from the new Arizona law has anything to do with this decision?

Democrat Rep. Patrick Murphy Faces Angry Constituents Asking for a”Real Town Hall Meeting” – Video

2010-05-25T14:55:00.000-05:00

Here is raw video of Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Patrick Murphy this past weekend facing constituents at a meeting he thought was going to be a “one-on-one” series of conferences with people. However, he found out that they wanted a “real town hall meeting” instead of “one-on-one” meetings.

Murphy looked shell-shocked as his constituents repeatedly asked if he was going to hold a town hall meeting. Murphy seemed desperate to keep the thing a “one-on-one” format rather than allow it to be a town hall meeting, which the vast majority of the people wanted. Murphy represents the 8th Congressional District.

H/T Real Clear Politics

Rep. Darrell Issa: “There’s a Cover-Up Going on at the White House” – Video 5/25/10

2010-05-25T13:10:00.000-05:00

Here is video of California Rep. Darrell Issa on Fox News today where he talked about the issue of the job offer made to Rep. Joe Sestak by someone at the White House to try and get him to drop his bid for the U.S. Senate against Sen. Arlen Specter.

Issa has requested a “Special Prosecutor” be appointed to look into the matter, which has been rejected by Attorney General Eric Holder. Holder has said the matter “could be investigated,” but no such decision has been made.

Issa said it is not for the White House to decide what is “inappropriate,” referring to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs’ assertion that “nothing inappropriate” took place.

“This problem is not going away” for the White House, Issa said. Issa went on to also say, “There is a cover-up going on at the White House,” and the offer of a job “could be impeachable.”

H/T HotAirPundit

Once Again, Joe Sestak Repeatedly Dodges Questions on Job Offer Bribe - Video 5/25/10

2010-05-25T12:44:00.000-05:00

Here is video of Rep. Joe Sestak on CNN with John King, where he continued his repeated dodging of questions regarding a job offer he says he received from the Obama White House to try and get him to drop his U.S. Senate bid against incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter. Sestak confirmed again that he did receive a job offer, but will not say from who or what the job was. Of course, the looming question is what did President Obama know about this job offer, and when did he know it?

The media seems to be starting to get active on this story. The question won't go away. At some point, no matter how hard he tries, Obama is going to get hit with a question about this matter and what he knew about it.

President Obama to Skip Going to Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day

2010-05-25T10:46:00.000-05:00

Over at Michelle Malkin, Doug Powers reports that President Obama has decided to go back to Chicago over the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, instead of staying in Washington to visit Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day. It is traditional for the President as Commander-in-Chief to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers on Memorial Day. Nothing like getting your priorities right.

Obama Approval Rating Falls to New Low in Rasmussen Tracking Poll – 5/25/10

2010-05-25T10:14:00.000-05:00

President Obama’s approval rating is dropping like a rock. The latest Rasmussen Presidential Approval Index has Obama at -20, with only 22% of those surveyed “strongly approving” of his performance as President. 42% “strongly disapprove” of Obama’s performance. His all-time low in the Presidential Approval Index is -21.
The overall tracking poll numbers have shifted dramatically against Obama. The President’s overall approval is now at only 42% at least “somewhat approving” of him, with 56% disapproving. That is a new low for Obama. Just this past Saturday, the rating was 48%-52%. That is a ten point change in three days.

Rasmussen: The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 24% of the nation’s voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Forty-four percent (44%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -20. . . .
Overall, 42% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the president’s performance. That is the lowest level of approval yet measured for this president. Fifty-six percent (56%) now disapprove of his performance. . . MORE

Code Pinkos Try to “Perform a Citizen’s Arrest” on Karl Rove with Plastic Handcuffs – Video

2010-05-25T08:44:00.000-05:00

Here is video of the latest attempt by the loons at Code Pink to “arrest” Karl Rove. This time it was in Wisconsin at a book signing, and they tried to do it with plastic handcuffs! Rove first thought they just wanted a book signed, and when they said they were there to “perform a citizen’s arrest,” Rove just pointed to security who stepped toward the Code Pinkos. Rove then said to them, “You know they’re plastic?”

The Code Pinkos could take pointers on how to “perform a Citizen’s Arrest” from Gomer Pyle on the Andy Griffith Show:

H/T Breitbart.tv

Liberal Ed Schultz Tells Obama, “This is Now Your Oil Spill. It’s on Your Watch” – Video 5/24/10

2010-05-25T08:12:00.001-05:00

Here is video of liberal Ed Schultz delivering a commentary on his show last night, in which he pointedly told President Obama:

“Mr. President, I’m a huge fan. But this is now your Oil Spill. It’s on your watch.”

Even some on the Left are beginning to be disenchanted with Obama.

Via Radio Equalizer

Dick Morris Says Obama Had to Know About Sestak Job Offer; Calls it a “High Crime and Misdemeanor” – Video

2010-05-25T07:41:00.000-05:00

Here is video of Dick Morris on “Hannity” last night, where he said that the offer of a job to get Joe Sestak to end his U.S. Senate race could be an “enormous scandal.” Morris said it is illegal to “offer something of value” to influence an election by getting a candidate to drop out. He is confident Obama would have known if the offer of a significant job was made to Sestak. “That is a high crime and misdemeanor.” In other words — an impeachable offense.

H/T Gateway Pundit

North Korea Tells Its Military to “Prepare for Combat” – Video Report

2010-05-25T06:51:00.000-05:00

North Korea has reportedly told its military to “prepare for combat,” following South Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak addressing his nation, where he said North Korea would “pay a price” for sinking the South Korean ship, “The Cheonan.”
This video report has Security Expert Denny Roy giving his view that international sanctions are unlikely to force North Korea to apologize for the sinking of the ship, or to end their Nuclear aspirations.

Innocent Mistake? MSNBC Shows Footage Of Sarah Palin During Story On Lindsay Lohan's Legal Troubles - Video 5/24/10

2010-05-24T23:47:00.000-05:00

While reporting on Lindsay Lohan's latest legal troubles, MSNBC briefly shows footage of Sarah Palin. Was it an innocent mistake, or a deliberate jab at Palin?

Via Newsbusters

South Korean President Addresses Nation on Sinking of Ship; Says North Korea “Will Pay a Price” – Video

2010-05-24T21:38:00.000-05:00

Here is complete video (with translation) of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak addressing his nation on the sinking of their ship – the Cheonan – by North Korea. President Lee drew a line in the sand by saying the North would no longer be allowed to use South Korean shipping lanes. He also warned that if North Korea violates their airspace, or waters, the South “will immediately exercise our right of self-defense.” Here is the text of the President’s Speech:

Via Korean Times

Fellow Koreans, I am standing here today, keenly aware that the Korean Peninsula is facing a critical turning point.

My fellow citizens, The Cheonan was sunk by a surprise North Korean torpedo attack. Again, the perpetrator was North Korea. Their attack came at a time when the people of the Republic of Korea were enjoying their well-earned rest after a hard day’s work. Once again, North Korea violently shattered our peace.

The sinking of the Cheonan constitutes a military provocation against the Republic of Korea by North Korea.

Since the end of the Korean War, the North has perpetrated incessant armed provocations against us, including the bombing attack against the presidential delegation at the Aung San Martyr’s Mausoleum in Myanmar and the bombing in midair of Korean Air Flight 858. The North Koreans, however, have never officially admitted the crimes they committed. This time is no different. They continue to insist that my Government fabricated the sinking of the Cheonan.

I am not surprised by such North Korean behavior and this was the reason why I emphasized, from the very beginning, the importance of conducting a thorough and objective scientific investigation into the incident. I also asked the nation to exercise patience and self-restraint. It was important for us not to come to any hasty conclusion until the results of the investigation came out.

Finally, on May 20th, the international joint investigation group released their conclusive findings, backed by definitive evidences. With the release of the final report, no responsible country in the international community will be able to deny the fact that the Cheonan was sunk by North Korea.

Fellow citizens, We have always tolerated North Korea’s brutality, time and again. We did so because we have always had a genuine longing for peace on the Korean Peninsula. But now things are different. North Korea will pay a price corresponding to its provocative acts. I will continue to take stern measures to hold the North accountable.

From this moment, no North Korean ship will be allowed to make passage through any of the shipping lanes in the waters under our control, which has been allowed by the Inter-Korean Agreement on Maritime Transportation. The sea routes meant for inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation must never again be used for armed provocations.

Trade and exchanges between the Republic of Korea and North Korea will also be suspended. We still remember the killing of an innocent South Korean tourist by a North Korean armed guard at the Mt. Kumgang resort. More recently, North Korea unilaterally confiscated South Korean assets at this same resort. Worse yet, the North sank the Cheonan taking the precious lives of our young sailors. Under these circumstances, any inter-Korean trade or other cooperative activity is meaningless. However, we will continue to provide assistance for infants and children. Matters pertaining to the Kaesong Industrial Complex will be duly considered, taking its unique characteristics into consideration.

From now on, the Republic of Korea will not tolerate any provocative act by the North and will maintain the principle of proactive deterrence. If our territorial waters, airspace or territory are violated, we will immediately exercise our right of self-defense. . . . Read More

Scarborough, Buchanan Say Sestak Will Eventually Have to “Walk Back” His Job Offer Story – Video 5/24/10

2010-05-24T20:06:00.001-05:00

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

Here is video of Democrat Rep. Anthony Weiner on “Morning Joe” finally saying that President Obama and his administration need to put all the relevant facts out concerning the alleged offer of an administration job in order to get Joe Sestak to drop his U.S. Senate bid against incumbent Arlen Specter.

Joe Scarborough said he believes Joe Sestak will eventually be forced to walk back his claim that he was offered the bribe of a job. Pat Buchanan agreed that Sestak is going to have to “walk that cat back a long way.”

They are probably right. In order to put this behind them, they will twist Sestak’s arm to change his story. I sure hope Rep. Darrell Issa and others in the GOP will not let it be swept under the rug like that.

Alabama GOP Candidate for Congress Focuses Race on "Stopping President Obama from Destroying Our Nation" - Video

2010-05-24T15:59:00.002-05:00

Via HotAirPundit

CORRECTED: I mistakenly wrote than Parker Griffith is the Democrat opponent of Les Phillip. Rep. Griffith, who currently holds the seat, was a Democrat but in late 2009, switched parties, and is now a Republican. Thanks to an anonymous commenter for pointing that out.

Here is an amazing ad by GOP Candidate for Congress Les Phillip, who is running against incumbent Repulican Parker Griffith in Alabama's 5th Congressional District. In the ad, he masterfully goes over the head of his opponent and frames the election as a race to stop President Obama from destroying our nation. This ad could become the template for many of the House races in strongly conservative areas of the country. It will have incumbent Blue Dog Democrats quaking in their boots:

"This is the story of two young men: One fell in with left-wing radicals, the other emigrated to America. While one played with terrorists and allowed an America-hating pastor to baptize his children, the other joined the Navy to defend his country.

I love America, but President Obama is ashamed of it. I'm going to Congress to help stop him from destroying our nation - and they're not going to call me a racist. I'm Les Phillips, and I took an oath to defend this country against all enemies foreign and domestic - And I approved this message."

Wow!

Behind-the-Scenes Look at Indonesian Film "Little Obama" - Video

2010-05-24T15:39:00.000-05:00

Here is a behind-the-scenes video look at the making of Indonesia's movie honoring Barack Obama and the time he spent there as a child. The movie is called, "Obama: Anak Menteng," which means "Little Obama." I won't even begin to try and describe it to you!

Watch all the way to the end (if you can take it) to see Obama's old childhood friends standing with a banner that says, "Barry, We Miss U," while they say that in unison three times.

More Details

H/T Breitbart.tv

Bill O'Reilly Proposes Solution to Gulf Oil Leak: "Stuff Every Member of NBC News in that Hole" - Video 5/24/10

2010-05-24T15:07:00.000-05:00

Here is video of Bill O'Reilly on Fox & Friends this morning, where he proposed a solution to stopping the Gulf Oil Leak: "Stuff every member of NBC News in that hole."

Left-Wing Arizona Professor Booed by Commencement Crowd After Attacking Arizona Immigration Law – Video

2010-05-24T14:06:00.000-05:00

Here is video of a Left-wing Professor speaking at a University of Arizona Commencement Convocation, where she made the mistake of using her time to attack the new Arizona anti-illegal immigration law. The crowd let her know that they did not agree with her view.

Via Breitbart.tv

Indonesian Church Closed by Authorities Due to Protests by Muslim Mobs

2010-05-24T13:49:00.000-05:00

Ruins of a West Java, Indonesia Church smolder after being burned by a Muslim mob. - FOTO ANTARA

Indonesia is the most populous Islamic nation in the world, and the general perception is that the Islam there is the least radical. But that is just not the reality on the ground if you happen to be a Christian. Here is news of a West Java church that has been shut down by local authorities because of a series of protests by Muslims:

Asia News: Bogor authorities (West Java province) ordered the closure of a local church building that belongs to Gereja Kristen Indonesia (GKI), a Christian group also known as Gereja Kristen Yasmin Bogor. This has outraged hundreds of faithful and induced the Indonesian Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) to file an official protest.

In an official statement, GKI followers called the decision to ban their religious and social meetings unlawful. They note, “The mayor of Bogor granted the IMB (building permit) back on 13 May 2006.”

The closure had initially been ordered by Bogor’s City and Gardening authority in February 2008, but was overturned because the matter falls under the mayor’s jurisdiction.

After a series of protests by local extremist Islamic groups, the city decided to close the church and suspend the GKI despite the fact that the Christian group had all the necessary permits to build its church and practice its faith.

For some time, local Islamic groups had been protesting publicly and violently against Christians, accusing them of “proselytising”. They are certainly opposed to Christians having any building, even if the latter did not have a religious purpose.

At the end of April, extremists attacked and set fire to a Christian centre in Bogor on the ground that Christians wanted to build a house of prayer disguised as an educational facility. Instead of stopping the rioters, the authorities banned Christians from engaging in any activities. . . . MORE

H/T Jihad Watch

ABC News Tries to Link Climate Change 'Skeptics' to White Supremacists? - Video 5/24/10

2010-05-24T11:37:00.005-05:00

Newsbusters: At first, Michael Mann, a Penn State professor and a central figure in the Climategate scandal, but best known for his discredited "hockey stick graph" didn't like being mocked in a YouTube video. Now Mann is alleging he's a victim of hate groups.

Amazing Raw Video of Tornado Moving Across South Dakota Farm

2010-05-24T08:50:00.001-05:00

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

Here is amazing raw video of a tornado that swept across South Dakota yesterday, May 23, 2010. This tornado was filmed moving across a farm in Edmond County. The farm was damaged, but no injuries were reported.

What a Stand-Up Guy! Blumenthal “Apologizes” Via E-Mail for Vietnam Claim

2010-05-24T08:24:00.000-05:00

What a stand-up guy! Richard Blumenthal has apparently issued a sort-of apology via e-mail for having falsely claimed that he served “in Vietnam.” He sent an email late Sunday to the Hartford Courant:

Hartford Courant: After nearly a week of criticism following revelations that he misrepresented his military record and five days after a press conference in which he expressed regret for his misstatements, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Richard Blumenthal apologized.

“At times when I have sought to honor veterans, I have not been as clear or precise as I should have been about my service in the Marine Corps Reserves,” Blumenthal said in a statement emailed to the Courant late Sunday by his spokeswoman, Maura Downes. “I have firmly and clearly expressed regret and taken responsibility for my words.

“I have made mistakes and I am sorry. I truly regret offending anyone,” Blumenthal said. “I will always champion the cause of Connecticut’s and our nation’s veterans. . . . MORE

Video Report Details a Pattern of Attacks Against Journalists in Russia

2010-05-24T07:36:00.002-05:00

Here is a video report from the New York Times that details a pattern of attacks against journalists in Russia. Reporters who dare to criticize the government are harrassed, picked up for interrogation, and in some cases, beaten badly. One journalist featured in the report had his fingers smashed so badly by thugs that three of his fingers had to be amputated. There appears to be little respect for the rule of law in Russia, with both Medvedev and Putin admitting that is the case. The law is used by those in power to keep their power.

American Couple Reportedly Kidnapped in Yemen; No Confirmation from U.S. Embassy

2010-05-24T06:43:00.002-05:00

CBS News is reporting that an American couple may have been kidnapped in Yemen. However, it has not been confirmed by the U.S. Embassy:

CBS News: Armed men kidnapped two tourists near the Yemeni capital of San’a, officials said Monday. The U.S. Embassy in Sa’na told CBS News it had not received any confirmation of reports that the pair were American tourists.

Reuters news agency reports the pair are an American husband and wife, who were taken hostage along with their local driver and translator. The kidnappers had made demands for the couple’s release to the Yemeni government, according to Reuters.

No further information on the incident was immediately available. . . MORE