Pundit Press

AP CEO: Justice Department succeeded in silencing our sources

2013-06-19T20:37:00.003-04:00

On Wednesday, Associated Press CEO Gary Pruitt told an audience at the National Press Club that the Justice Department had succeeded in silencing many of the sources that used to speak to the AP and other news outlets.

“What I learned from our journalists should alarm everyone in this room and I think should alarm everyone in this country. The actions of the DOJ against AP are already having an impact beyond the specifics of this particular case.

“Some of our longtime trusted sources have become nervous and anxious about talking to us, even about stories that aren’t about national security. In some cases, government employees that we once checked in with regularly will no longer speak to us by phone, and some are reluctant to meet in person.

“I can tell you that this chilling effect is not just at AP, it’s happening at other news organizations as well. Journalists from other news organizations have personally told me it has intimidated sources from speaking to them.

“The government may love this. I suspect that they do. But beware the government that loves secrecy too much,” Pruitt said.

Cross posted at High Plains Pundit.

James Gandolfini Dead at 51

2013-06-19T20:15:00.001-04:00

From Yahoo:

Terrible news for TV fans: James Gandolfini, who played mobster Tony Soprano on HBO's seminal drama "The Sopranos," died suddenly today at the age of 51, Variety is reporting.

Gandolfini was traveling in Italy on vacation when he fell ill; various reports have him suffering a heart attack and a stroke. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Lin, and a son, Michael, from a previous marriage.

He won three Emmys and one Golden Globe for his performance as Tony Soprano on the HBO drama, a conflicted, sometimes villainous role that launched the current wave of TV antiheroes. "The Sopranos" remains HBO's highest-rated series ever, with 13.4 million viewers tuning in for the Season 4 premiere in 2002.

In addition to "The Sopranos," Gandolfini appeared in dozens of movies, including memorable supporting turns in "True Romance," "Get Shorty," and last year's "Zero Dark Thirty."

Dow Drops 200 as Fears Grip Wall Street That Easy Money Will Stop

2013-06-19T17:41:00.001-04:00

From CNBC:

Stocks accelerated their selloff in the final hour of trading to end near session lows Wednesday, after the Federal Reserve said it will maintain its bond-buying program, though Chairman Ben Bernanke hinted that the central bank plans to moderate purchases later this year.

"They don't tie themselves officially into anything but it's clearly what they're going to do," said Jim Paulsen, chief investment strategist at Wells Capital Management. "I think he's more clearly said today than at any other time that he's going to taper before the end of the year, and there's a possibility he could be done by the middle of next year."

The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 206.04 points, or 1.35 percent, to end at 15,112.19, wiping out most of its gains from the last two sessions. All 30 Dow components finished in the red, dragged by Verizon and AT&T. The blue-chip index logged its seventh-straight triple-digit move.

The S&P 500 slumped 22.88 points, or 1.39 percent, to finish at 1,628.93. And the Nasdaq fell 38.98 points, or 1.12 percent, to close at 3,443.20.

Nostraobama: The greatest global threat of our time is climate change

2013-06-19T14:05:00.002-04:00

During his speech in Berlin on Wednesday, President Barack Nostraobama made the prediction that the greatest global threat of our time is climate change.

“More severe storms. More famine and floods. New waves of refugees. Coastlines that vanish. Oceans that rise. This is the future we must avert. This is the global threat of our time.

“And for the sake of future generations, our generation must move toward a global compact to confront a changing climate before it is too late.

“That is our job. That is our task. We have to get to work,” Nostraobama said.

Cross posted at High Plains Pundit.

Eric Holder: LGBT agenda will be a top priority at the DOJ

2013-06-19T13:39:00.002-04:00

During a gay pride event on Tuesday, Attorney General Eric Holder told those in attendance that the homosexual agenda will be a top priority at the Justice Department.

“The fact remains that across the country far too many LBGT Americans suffer discrimination each and every day. That’s why the department will keep working to create opportunity and access for every individual. That’s why this will continue to be a priority for this department as long as I have the privilege of being Attorney General,” Holder said.

Holder also talked about the upcoming decisions by the Supreme Court concerning the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8.

“There are, as we all know, two important decisions the Supreme Court must render in the coming days. Though we hope that the results of these cases are consistent with the core values that serve as the foundation of our great nation, the work that lies before us today will not be completed by favorable opinions.

“We must recommit ourselves to the work that will remain undone. We have traveled far together on the road to true equality and non-discrimination. But we are not yet at the end of our journey.

“There are still miles to go, children to be treasured, people to be protected, and rights to be ensured. Important, life-changing work remains,” Holder said.

Holder also took time to brag about how the Justice Department is working to recruit and hire more people from the LGBT community.

“The department is really working to recruit, to hire, to develop and to retain and support a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the nation we are all privileged to serve.

“We’re expanding programs for promoting fairness, equality, and opportunity for every member of the DOJ family, which today includes an increasing number of openly gay and lesbian U.S. attorneys, senior department leaders, U.S. marshals, and career employees,” Holder said.

Cross posted at High Plains Pundit.

A sense of desperation? Obama asks NBA to help push Obamacare

2013-06-19T12:23:00.002-04:00

I am getting a sense of serious desperation by the Obama folks, when it comes to the looming disaster known as Obamacare.

From The Hill:

The Obama administration has reportedly contacted the National Basketball Association (NBA) about a role in promoting healthcare reform around the country.

Efforts to sell ObamaCare are ramping up ahead of October, when people can begin signing up for the new insurance exchanges, and January, when the exchange coverage kicks in.

Many have speculated that the enrollment campaigns would benefit from a celebrity endorsement or partnership with a major sports league.

Read more...

The Health and Human Services (HHS) Department refused to answer directly about the NBA, but did issue the following statement:

"We are speaking with a wide range of potential partners and organizations about our efforts to inform Americans of the opportunity to enroll in quality, affordable coverage in the health insurance marketplaces."

Cross posted at High Plains Pundit.

Watch: Complete video of President Obama’s Berlin speech

2013-06-19T11:52:00.002-04:00

Here is the complete video of President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkell speaking in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Wednesday.

Unfortunately, our President has absolutely no credibility with the other G-8 Members, or the G-20 Members or the rest of the world. Look for Russia, China, Iran and others to continue spitting in his face. He is considered a pampered wimp in the hard, cold world of nations protecting their own interests.

It was ironic to see Obama pushing for essentially unilateral disarmament in front of the Brandenburg Gate. Ironic because Ronald Reagan pushed the exact opposite in order to maneuver the Soviets into giving up the arms race.

Ironic, too, because if Obama were in charge back in the 1980s, that wall would still be there today and he’d still be pontificating.

It’s always easier to highlight a strawman like Russia and nuclear arms where predecessors infinitely more competent than Obama made significant progress in the past. Of course, tackling an issue in his own time and place, like a nuclear Iran, is another matter left to some future “leader”. To paraphrase Dylan, the answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind. It’s certainly not in Obama’s realm of capabilities!

Obama operates in a contrived universe. His mantra: Teleprompter, teleprompter on the wall, whose the finest leader of them all!

John F. Kennedy’s enduring speech in Berlin: 678 words summarized by “All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words “Ich bin ein Berliner!”

President Obama’s speech was forty minutes of self-serving, pandering self-promotion.

Which will endure: Obama’s tendentious bombast, or Ich bin ein Berliner. You be the judge.

Barry Obama, you’re no Jack Kennedy.

Embedded in the sidewalk a short distance west of the Brandenburg Gate is a plaque commemorating Ronald Reagan’s speech where he challenged Gorbachev to tear down the wall. After today’s speech which was remarkable for its insignificance, I don’t see anyone putting a plaque in Pariser Platz to remember that Obama spoke there.

Obama may try to conjure up the ghosts of JFK and Reagan but he is way short of being their league.

Cross posted at High Plains Pundit.

Chris Matthews: Obama stuggled with his Berlin speech because of the Sun

2013-06-19T11:17:00.001-04:00

It would surprise me one bit if Chris "Tingles" Matthews claimed that the Sun was being racist towards Barack Obama.

On Wednesday, Matthews claimed that Obama had a tough time with his Berlin speech, because the Sun was preventing the President from being able to see the text on his beloved teleprompter (TOTUS).

"I think a lot of the problem he had today was the late afternoon sun in Berlin. I think it ruined his use of the teleprompters and his usual dramatic windup was ruined. I think he was really struggling with the text there.

"I think the headline will be balance on surveillance and privacy. I think no matter what he said about reduction, of course, the wire stories will have to go with the nuclear reduction proposal.

"But the political response to reality and today’s news is balance. I think he’s trying to make that case to an audience, which he knew would be skeptical," Matthews said.

Cross posted at High Plains Pundit.

Only 6000 people show up to hear Obama speak in Berlin

2013-06-19T11:03:00.001-04:00

It would seem that the German love affair with Barack Obama is now over with.

On Wednesday, around 6000 people were in attendance to hear the President speak, however, then Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama spoke in Berlin to over 200,000 Germans in 2008.

From the White House pool report:

"The stage for the President's speech is set up on the East side of the Brandenburg Gate, in the old East Berlin. The sun is pounding down and there are around 6,000 invited guests according to German authorities. There are bleachers set up either side of the square, with a big two storey riser facing the stage which has a row of bullet proof glass and 12 US, German and EU flags and the grand backdrop of the Gate. There is a large standing crowd between the bleachers."

Cross posted at High Plains Pundit.

Hamas claims 100,000 kids will enroll in their military style summer camps to “spread the spirit of Jihad”

2013-06-18T23:40:00.001-04:00

According to the fine folks known as Hamas, summer camp and Jihad go hand and hand.

Hamas is claiming that 100,000 kids will enroll in their military style summer camps to “spread the spirit of Jihad.”

From Ynet:

As has become customary in recent years, this summer will see hundreds of thousands of small children in Gaza enroll in summer camps organized by terrorist groups. Social activities, religious studies and sport competitions aside, the children will engage in what is the undisputed crowning centerpiece of those camps: the semi-military training that includes use of live ammunition and simulated kidnappings of IDF soldiers.

Each year the military wings of various Gazan organizations vie for the hearts of the young recruits, eager to ready themselves for fighting Israel. Thus, this year Gazans will be able to send their children to the summer programs offered by Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees.

Read more...

White House: We don’t expect the Taliban to immediately cut ties with al Qaeda

2013-06-18T22:47:00.004-04:00

What in the hell are the Obama folks thinking about here? Oh, that’s right, they are not thinking! The Obama administration is saying that the negotiating table will be the place to ask the Taliban cut ties with al Qaeda.

However, the Obama administration does not immediately expect the Taliban to denounce or break ties with al Qaeda.

“We’ve long had a demand on the Taliban that they make a statement that distances themselves from the movement from international terrorism, but made clear that we didn’t expect immediately for them to break ties with al Qaeda, because that’s an outcome of the negotiation process.

“So the statement that we expect today is this first step in distancing them, distancing the movement from international terrorism. But it’s not as far as we will demand them to go at the end of the process,” a senior White House official said.

On Tuesday, the Obama administration announced that the U.S. and Afghanistan would hold direct face to face peace talks with the Taliban.

Just so that all of my readers understand this, the Obama administration is negotiating with one of al-Qaeda’s top allies. And, not a single one of the Obama folks sees this as a potential problem? What a bunch of idiots!

The Obama administration wants to hold peace talks with a group of savages that throw acid at school girls and blow up schools, police stations, and government offices, and torture, maim, and kill anyone who doesn’t go along with their 9th Century regime.

Obama’s foreign policy is a complete muddle and this is classic. We are supposedly big advocates of human rights, especially for oppressed women, yet we are talking with the Taliban?

The U.S. does not negotiate with terrorists, but here we are talking to the Taliban? We support Karzai — we actually give him $75 million in currency every month — but we are talking with the Taliban, his sworn enemy?

More galling, Obama cannot simply come out and announce this. It has to be “leaked”.

I feel great sympathy for the students, for the tiny middle class and professional class that are about to be ground to paste between the corrupt, craven Afghan government and the Taliban insurgents.

Cross posted at High Plains Pundit.

Nancy Pelosi: I am sick and tired of Republicans

2013-06-18T22:39:00.001-04:00

I think the feeling is mutual sweetheart.

In a letter to supporters for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Nancy Pelosi said that she is sick and tired of Republicans.

“It’s been a rough last six months. Republicans have thrown everything they have at stopping President Obama’s agenda.

“It seems obvious that there is only one thing we can do to fix this stalemate: we HAVE to elect more Democrats and win back the House. I can’t do that alone. I need your people-power to back me up.

“Republicans have been clinging to obstructionism — even blocking universal background check legislation. I’m sick and tired of it. I’m putting all I have into electing more Democrats and winning back the House. It’s the only way we will move this country forward.

“The American people deserve better.

“I’m counting on you to step up and help me kick the useless Republican Majority out,” Pelosi wrote.

Cross posted at High Plains Pundit.

Ted Cruz: Anyone know if Obama is going to perform background checks on Syria rebels?

2013-06-18T22:32:00.001-04:00

Here is a great message that U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) posted on Twitter:

Here was President Obama’s very lame attempt to defend his decision to arm the Syrian rebels:

Cross posted at High Plains Pundit.

Louisiana State Senator Elbert Guillory: Why I became a Republican

2013-06-18T22:11:00.001-04:00

Here is a very powerful new video from Louisiana State Senator Elbert Guillory explaining why he left the Democrat Party to become a Republican.

Cross posted at High Plains Pundit.

Tuareg Rebels, Malian Government Reach Peace Deal

2013-06-18T17:32:00.002-04:00

The end has finally been reached in a conflict birthed in animosity and blood in the Saharan nation of Mali today, as government officials and Tuareg separatists have signed a peace deal that paves the way for the return to normalcy with elections within the next month.

In what started as a simple revolt by a nomadic people long oppressed by the national government quickly spread to a French led intervention to put down an al-Qaeda insurgency that took over the rebel's mantle, proclaimed Northern Mali their own and destroyed thousands of years worth of historical artifacts.

And with the al-Qaeda insurgency squashed by French and Chadian forces over the winter, Mali was able to resolve their own differences and come to today's agreement fostered by Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore, which will allow for a new Malian President to be elected and hopefully a final and lasting peace.

This deal isn't the end entirely, as Tuareg rebels will not lay down their weapons yet, but it sets the table for further negotiations that will hopefully lead to a stronger and more prosperous Mali after a year of miserable conflict that devoured the entire north and almost led to a complete jihadist takeover of the country.

What say you?

Graham: Immigration Bill will have "Breakthrough" Passage, Over "70 Votes"

2013-06-17T15:35:00.002-04:00

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

Saudi Arabia Pushes Missiles for Syrian Rebels

2013-06-17T01:06:00.000-04:00

What could possibly go wrong?

From the AFP:

Saudi Arabia plans to supply the Syrian opposition with anti-aircraft missiles to counter President Bashar al-Assad's air force, German news weekly Der Spiegel reported Sunday.

The article, citing a classified report received by the German foreign intelligence service and the German government last week, said Riyadh was looking at sending European-made Mistral-class MANPADS, or man-portable air-defence systems.

Der Spiegel noted the shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles can target low-flying aircraft including helicopters and had given mujahideen fighters in Afghanistan a decisive edge against Soviet troops in the 1980s.

Saudi Arabia is a key supporter of the Syrian rebels and has long advocated providing them with better weaponry.

Mexico City Earthquake Information 6/16/2013

2013-06-16T02:43:00.001-04:00

Blackouts are being reported after the quake. More from CNN:

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Mexico early Sunday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
The quake took place 22 kilometers (14 miles) from Jolalpan, Mexico, and about 122 kilometers from Mexico City, the USGS said.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries from the quake.

Surprise: NSA Admits Listening to U.S. Phone Calls without Warrants

2013-06-15T21:40:00.000-04:00

From CNet:

The National Security Agency has acknowledged in a new classified briefing that it does not need court authorization to listen to domestic phone calls.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat, disclosed this week that during a secret briefing to members of Congress, he was told that the contents of a phone call could be accessed "simply based on an analyst deciding that."

If the NSA wants "to listen to the phone," an analyst's decision is sufficient, without any other legal authorization required, Nadler said he learned. "I was rather startled," said Nadler, an attorney and congressman who serves on the House Judiciary committee.

Not only does this disclosure shed more light on how the NSA's formidable eavesdropping apparatus works domestically it also suggests the Justice Department has secretly interpreted federal surveillance law to permit thousands of low-ranking analysts to eavesdrop on phone calls.
Because the same legal standards that apply to phone calls also apply to e-mail messages, text messages, and instant messages, Nadler's disclosure indicates the NSA analysts could also access the contents of Internet communications without going before a court and seeking approval.

American Troops on Syrian Border, US Arms to Travel through Turkey to Syrian Rebels

2013-06-15T21:32:00.001-04:00

From the Washington Post:

The CIA is preparing to deliver arms to rebel groups in Syria through clandestine bases in Turkey and Jordan that were expanded over the past year in an effort to establish reliable supply routes into the country for nonlethal material, U.S. officials said.

The bases are expected to begin conveying limited shipments of weapons and ammunition within weeks, officials said, serving as critical nodes for an escalation of U.S. involvement in a civil war that has lately seen a shift in momentum toward the forces of President Bashar al-Assad.

Syria experts cautioned that the opposition to Assad remains a chaotic mix of secular and Islamist elements, highlighting the risk that some American-provided munitions may be diverted from their intended recipients.

But U.S. officials involved in the planning of the new policy of increased military support announced by the Obama administration Thursday said that the CIA has developed a clearer understanding of the composition of rebel forces, which have begun to coalesce in recent months. Within the past year, the CIA also created a new office at its headquarters in Langley to oversee its expanding operational role in Syria...

The CIA does not have an established presence inside Syria, one official said. But it has been using bases in Turkey along the Syrian border, near where Idriss is based, since the outset of the conflict.

Hassan Rouhani is the New President of Iran

2013-06-15T14:30:00.001-04:00

From the BBC:

Reformist-backed cleric Hassan Rouhani has won Iran's presidential election, securing just over 50% of the vote and so avoiding the need for a run-off.

Crowds gathered in Tehran to hail Mr Rouhani, who said he had achieved a "victory of moderation over extremism".

A turnout of 72.2% was registered of the 50 million Iranians who were eligible to vote for the successor to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf was well behind in second place.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei congratulated Mr Rouhani on his victory.

Government Allegedly Hacked CBS Reporter's Email During 2012 Election

2013-06-14T18:38:00.003-04:00

I'm shocked, shocked I tells ya!

CBS Statement: A cyber security firm hired by CBS News has determined through forensic analysis that Sharyl Attkisson’s computer...
— Sharyl Attkisson (@SharylAttkisson) June 14, 2013

...was accessed by an unauthorized, external, unknown party on multiple occasions in late 2012."
— Sharyl Attkisson (@SharylAttkisson) June 14, 2013

Iran Elects New President; Not Know Yet Who It Is, June 14, 2013

2013-06-14T18:07:00.000-04:00

From Sky News:

Millions of Iranians have gone to the polls to elect a new president, with six candidates aiming to replace Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iran's Guardian Council had restricted those who could stand in the election, banning women or other candidates with an agenda considered to be reformist or liberal.

There are no political parties in the conventional sense - just a contest between candidates who profess absolute loyalty to the Supreme Leader the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and others who are considered slighting more reformist but by no means moderate.

Mr Ahmadinejad has served two terms and was constitutionally barred from seeking a third.

With long queues forming outside voting stations in the capital, Tehran, and elsewhere, polls were kept open for several extra hours.

By evening, the Interior Ministry said voting had ended across the country.

This scumbag is gone; but which scumbag will be the new president?

Detroit Defaults

2013-06-14T14:44:00.003-04:00

From the AP via ABC:

Detroit's emergency manager says the city is defaulting on about $2.5 billion of debt.

Kevyn Orr said Friday that Detroit is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what they're owed. Underfunded pension claims will get less.

Orr spent about two hours Friday morning with dozens of people representing banks, insurers and companies holding Detroit debt. He told reporters earlier at an airport hotel in Romulus he wants to fix fiscal problems that have made the city insolvent.

NOAA: 2013 Spring 0.5 Degrees Cooler Than Average

2013-06-14T00:33:00.002-04:00

According to statistics released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (my dream job is to work for NOAA one day) concerning this year's Spring weather, one would be hard-pressed to explain how exactly "climate change" contributed to temperatures being 0.5 degrees colder than average.

This year's average temperature, 50.5 degrees fahrenheit, is the coldest spring the United States has had in nearly two decades and that is taking into account the warm spell we wilted under during the month of May.

Alaska had to deal with ice jams during its 20th coolest May that caused major flooding along the Yukon, parts of New England and New York had to deal with a late May snowstorm that dumped feet of snow in higher elevations and spring precipitation was 0.21 inches above average - marking one of our wettest springs in a long time.

Very interesting... Perhaps the weather is unpredictable and more relying on jet streams and natural climate, and not carbon dioxide levels after all...