Riehl World View

Cop Killer Is "Domestic Terrorist" Nidal Hassan, Not So Fast

2009-11-07T19:27:26-05:00

Shoot a police officer and allegedly be the guy who also bombed some police cars, no problem. You're promptly designated a Domestic Terrorist. But when a Muslim attacks other soldiers, according to the Christian Science Monitor it could just be PTSD and, according to the Washington Post, at most it requires further study. Well, that's a head scratcher, ay?

(CNN) -- A suspect in the shooting of a Seattle, Washington, police officer is also believed to be behind the bombing of four police cars, Seattle Assistant Police Chief Jim Pugel said at a press conference Saturday.

Christopher Monfort, 41, remained hospitalized in serious condition after being shot by officers during a confrontation Friday.

"This man, from everything that we can tell, appears to be a lone domestic terrorist," Pugel said.

Hundreds Of Blacks March On WH: "Obama Is White Power In Black Face"

2009-11-07T19:06:02-05:00

Dayum! This dude's not going to have any friends by the end of four years! Ha! Un-freaking-believable. Only in America, folks. Only in America. h/t WW in comments.

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Decrying Barack Obama as "white power in black face," hundreds of African-Americans marched on the White House Saturday to protest policies of the first black US president, and demand that he bring US troops home.

More than 200 people gathered for the first public demonstration by African Americans against the Obama administration since his historic inauguration in January, and slammed the president for continuing what they described as Washington's "imperialist" agenda around the world.

"We recognize that Barack Hussein Obama is white power in black face," civil rights activist Omali Yeshitela, chairman of the Black is Back coalition which arranged the protest, called into a megaphone as the group marched outside the mansion's gates.

Update: Bush Visits Fort Hood! - Obama To Camp David, Not Fort Hood???

2009-11-07T12:27:12-05:00

Update: Via Twitter - Fox Reports GWB and Laura spent a few hours at Fort Hood, no photo ops. Now that's a CIC.

Are you kidding me? Camp frickin' David? What, does he have a tee time close by? For heaven's sakes, he's the CIC. And he's taking the weekend off? This guy simply doesn't care. Unbelievable via Fox.

11:25AM THE PRESIDENT addresses the House Democratic Caucus - Cannon House Office Building

2:30PM THE PRESIDENT makes a statement to the press on Health Care - Rose Garden

2:45PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart The White House en route Camp David - South Lawn

Tweeting The Revolution

2009-11-07T12:05:05-05:00

Update: btw I'm watching on C-Cpan.

I'm tweeting the floor debate.

All the Tweets in the Housecall hash are here.

NY - 23 - LIAR!: Owens Reverses: Gimme Some National Health Care!

2009-11-07T12:00:11-05:00

Via TCOTReport.

Elections have consequences. This is a bad one. LIAR!!

Sen. Tom Coburn Yells STOP!

2009-11-07T10:28:43-05:00

I like Senator Coburn as much as Pundit & Pundette seem to. On conference calls, he's as impressive as he seems to be genuinely and honestly conservative. He struck me to be a truly good man and always has. That's why I was surprisedto see him endorse Carly Fiorina for a California Senate seat given some of what I've read. If I get a chance, I'd like to ask him about that.

And btw, Devore's folks reached out as some of them are friends and we're setting up a one on one for us next week. So, everyone is going to get equal time here, lest you think I am biased somehow. I'm not. I very much look forward to speaking with him for my readers and intend to give him every courtesy and the complete respect he rightly deserves so as to pass along his thoughts and positions for you as objectively as I can. I see a lot to like in both of them, myself. The important thing is that they answer questions and engage with you, more so than me. I don't get an actual vote in this one. See link above for more on Coburn's actions on our behalf.

Why We Love Sen. Coburn, Reason #325: Dr. No Threatening to Have Bill Read on Senate Floor

Sen. Tom Coburn, the Oklahoma Republican who developed a close friendship with President Obama when they served together in the Senate, is threatening to have the entire health care bill read on the Senate floor.

The Bombs Bursting In Air, ... Not So Much, Please!

2009-11-07T09:47:05-05:00

Ah, how wonderful. Some loyal capitalists but summer patriots who have made a fair buck in this great land are taking exception to a tradition linked to the very thing that has preserved our system and kept them safe and free to do it. But they enjoy a little wine with their whine, so it's all good. Let's hope little lord Obama doesn't schedule a parade for himself in the area anytime soon. I can only imagine what a fit they'd throw then.

Miffed residents of a posh condo complex have invited the commanding officer of the USS Constitution over for a glass of wine so he can hear for himself that the frigate’s twice-daily cannon blasts - a tradition dating to 1798 - are “more disruptive to the neighborhood than you might have imagined.”

Liveblogging Oba-Pelosi Careless Spending And Unhealthy HC Plan

2009-11-07T09:31:35-05:00

Michelle Malkin is on top of it with rolling updates. I've never had much patience for such a tedious but informative task. So, please check in with her for the latest.

Name That Party Update: Shelia Dixon - D

2009-11-07T09:18:50-05:00

Perhaps it doesn't need to be stated given it's Baltimore. But as sitting Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon goes to trial, it's worth noting just how committed this award winning Democrat Mayor and Obama supporter was to helping women, neighborhoods and minorities. Uh, when she wasn't shopping on forced contributions from wealthy developers allegedly meant for the cause, that is. The item via Breitbart omits it, but, yes, she is a Democrat. That's with a Capitol D, so to speak.

For two decades in public office, Mayor Dixon has been a champion of neighborhoods and a pioneer for women and minorities. In 1987, she won a seat on the Baltimore City Council representing the 4th Council District, where she served for 12 years. In 1999, she became the first African-American woman elected as City Council President.

Update On Child Cancer Victim Link

2009-11-07T08:59:31-05:00

Given some concern over a recent item on Elena Desserich, linked by Instapundit, myself and several others, I investigated. The story is older but completely legit. Additionally, given my Google madness in finding the odd fact, I run an extremely high-powered Web security ap with a firewall. It's never missed a beat. The site comes up clean; however, I suspect someone is exploiting it with so many ads and out-links to make money from the hits. That's likely what is burning up the CPUs. Click the older but legit link for an ABC item on the story and a subsequent book. Carry on and surf safely.

During her nine-month battle with cancer, Elena was planning an even greater gift for her family. She was hiding notes around the house, hundreds of them tucked in every corner to be discovered after she was gone.

"We were moving some boxes around one day and in between some of the books a note fell out," her mother, Brooke Desserich, said. "Each time I would read one of those notes it was like a little hug from her."

Throughout the ordeal, the Wyoming parents kept an online journal to update family members on Elena's progress. They were surprised to learn that thousands of people around the country were reading it for daily inspiration.

"Everybody was reading the journal and going, 'This taught me to be a better parent. It taught me to spend time with my children, it taught me to value being a mom and dad,'" Keith Desserich said.

Sarah Palin To Enter The Lion's Den

2009-11-07T03:14:01-05:00

Via Fire Andrea Mitchell with a Politico item. Hmm. Think she'll have a large number of fans in that room?

Not only that, look whose footsteps she's following in. She may as well, she looks as if she could more than fill his shoes at this point. Still, it's a shame his suits are so overly thin these days, given that they're already empty and just waiting for someone to wear them eventually.

Palin's attendance at the exclusive event – put on by a group of top Washington journalists – will mark the second time the former Alaska governor has flown to the capital to mix with the city's political elite. Earlier this year she attended the annual dinner put on by the Alfalfa Club, an insiders' organization that exists to throw an off-the-record winter bash.

Her planned appearance at the Gridiron also follows in the footsteps of another ambitious young politician: President Barack Obama spoke at the dinner in 2006.

Obama Forecasts A Bankrupt, Unemployed America

2009-11-07T02:42:21-05:00

You can view them in the horrendous graph via this link: Obama's forecasts with and without the stimulus versus the reality Americans now struggle with everyday as unemployment jumps above 10%. The liberals were warned this would happen. They were told by economists the disastrously ineffective nature of bringing back economic policy destined to reek havoc on the American economy and bankrupt an already depleted Federal Treasury. But did they listen?

No, they did not. And now they are poised to act in another irresponsible manner without listening, again. They appear to be content to break the economic back of this country without giving it a second thought. Why not? That's what socialists do. They don't care about jobs that aren't government provided. The private sector, thriving businesses that hire real workers? Why care about those? They don't pony up for the Democrats until they are taxed. And those are coming, too. They are making it so that there is no alternative, even though our own personal and business treasuries will be depleted even more by then.

"Families across this nation are devastated by the reality of a 26-year high unemployment rate. It's hard to find a friend or a neighbor who hasn't been touched by today's news that the national unemployment rate is 10.2 percent. The challenges facing our families and small businesses are obvious to those who are listening. Unfortunately, the Democrat leadership has turned a deaf ear to the concerns voiced by countless citizens, and the American people are paying the price.

What good are wealth and private productivity in the statists view? They are valuable only to the extent that they serve Big Government, the only thing power mad Democrats really care about at all. They must be stopped before they so ruin this country and our economy, it may never come back. And we have to stop them here and now, not in some tremendously wrong-headed forecast like the ones Obama relies upon to shove more spending and taxes down taxpayers throats with his oh so lofty rhetoric. And even that doesn't look so lofty any more. It looks pathetically naive and totally out of sync with the America we all know and want to see flourish, again.

A statement by Mike Pence, who I had the good fortune of meeting yesterday when I was down in DC.

Audio: Fiorina Conference Call

2009-11-07T00:15:38-05:00

I missed much of my email yesterday. I didn't realize the Carly Fiorina conference call was available on line. Also below. I was surprised to learn she's Pro-Life and Anti-Gay Marriage. I had to laugh at the shot at DeVore as the establishment politician due to his being a serving pol and the DeMint endorsement. As I said, I appreciated that she sounded willing to fight, if necessary. She was very open, I have to give her that. I challenged her on a few things I've seen around. Daniel Blatt got in a couple questions, too. I had to bail for another call before the last question. You can judge her responses for yourself. DeVore seems to have a great deal to recommend him, too, especially to the base. This looks to be an interesting primary race.

Of her list of endorsements the one that really stands out to me is Coburn. I like and trust the guy. Graham and McCain I could do without. The full list is here. Definitely a mixed bag to the base. GOP versus the base part two, or three? Could be, personally, I'm just more interested in the Crist / Rubio fight, at least for now. ymmv

Seven Democrats Switch Parties

2009-11-06T23:33:26-05:00

While it is at the local level in Mississippi, there's plenty of old Democrats in the South. Could it be that their more conservative views weren't being tolerated within the Democrat Party very well? Blue Dogs, sit! And take notice, please. Or do you guys only obey Nancy Pelosi? A harbinger of things to come? Shame if Oba-Pelosi care kills the health of their party? heh!

District Attorney Eddie Bowen, Sheriff Kenneth Lewis, Supervisor Mickey Berry, Justice Court Judge Eugene Knight, Constable Dan Easterling and D’Lo Alderman Michael Shoemaker made the announcement at the Republican Party headquarters in Jackson today.

“I’m just more of a conservative person,” Berry said.

The Simpson County Republican Party will hold a formal reception in Mendenhall this evening for those who switched.

Updated: It Gets Worse/ Obama's Not Ready For Prime-Time Presidency

2009-11-06T21:09:00-05:00

My God, what a contemptible fool is Obama. h/t Instapundit.

A CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR WINNER who isn’t.

Tragically, the latest gaffe from our Not Ready For Prime-Time CIC is more like the recent SNL, than the old. He simply is not funny. Worse than that, he is a disgrace. That he might be able to change, or even simply influence the direction of this nation to any extent is a pathetic joke of history, one of possibly historic proportions we must defiantly fight against every single day of his term.

But instead of a somber chief executive offering reassuring words and expressions of sympathy and compassion, viewers saw a wildly disconnected and inappropriately light president making introductory remarks. At the event, a Tribal Nations Conference hosted by the Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian affairs, the president thanked various staffers and offered a "shout-out" to "Dr. Joe Medicine Crow -- that Congressional Medal of Honor winner." Three minutes in, the president spoke about the shooting, in measured and appropriate terms. Who is advising him?

Anyone at home aware of the major news story of the previous hours had to have been stunned. An incident like this requires a scrapping of the early light banter. The president should apologize for the tone of his remarks, explain what has happened, express sympathy for those slain and appeal for calm and patience until all the facts are in. That's the least that should occur.

There Are No Tears In Heaven

2009-11-06T19:15:12-05:00

My God. There are no tears in heaven but there are, unfortunately, tears on earth, Perhaps sometimes simply just not enough.

Let's Hear It For The Marines

2009-11-06T18:09:05-05:00

My apologies, been extremely busy and lost yesterday in DC, I've fumbled the ball on my Valour - IT Marine Team support. I am thrilled that others like Ace, Frank J and Powerline have stepped up for such a worthy cause. Cassandra is swamped with work but her item at link contains many quality links, including to the individuals mentioned.

Also from the email bag:

Our Marines for November 11th (Veterans' Day) will be SSgt. Theodore "Sam" Holder and LCpl Kyle Burns. It is the 5th anniversary of their deaths and the "Remembering the Brave" video that Pundette put up the other day will work in with that very well. I am fairly certain that their parents were at that dinner. Veterans' Day is really for the living but this is kind of special. Their platoon leader blogged about them here.

You can find the donate buttons everywhere via the links above. Click on one and do your part to put new tech in the hands of injured Vets who have more than earned what little support we can give them now. Step up for the Marines. There are no better causes, especially given some headlines right now.

Carly Comes Out With Clout

2009-11-06T17:31:35-05:00

I need to clarify this post in light of some on going behind the scenes discussion without detailing it - please forgive me that. Just discussion of e-protocol stuff between some friends and not worth your time. I have no dog in any Devore vs Carly fight to come. That doesn't mean I won't one day, if I even ever decide to pick a side. Despite being a part of the conservative movement part of how I blog is that I often simply just air information without telling people what to decide. Don't interpret that as my not being down for the cause. I often like to place my dedication to my readers, over my own views. Often it makes me appear as though I'm swimming against the stream. It isn't that. I'm just a damned contrarian by heart and willing to admit it. Many bloggers are imo. #

Given the above I took up Carly's people on a conference call invite. Friend and blogger B. Daniel Blatt, among others, was on. I see Daniel is supporting Carly. I didn't know that until just now. I mention it as, he's always seemed like an honest broker to me, he's one of us and he lives in California. I barely know the state's politics beyond a superficial view.

Anyway, she's announced her campaign leadership team. I would assume it's an impressive list for California, don't know many of the names myself. I'll post on the call next week, just haven't had the time, frankly. I also have other calls backed up to re-listen to and post on, including with two solid conservatives in the House.

To be honest, I was relatively impressed by how she handled herself on the one call. She sounded like a fighter and, Lord knows, I always respect one of those. How she'll play over the long haul? I've no idea. For the record, I very much like what I've seen and heard of DeVore, too. She did say she'd be using Tech in some interesting new ways. If she does, it might be interesting to see. Other than that, not much to say for now. Take a look and decide for yourself if it matters to you.

Our Once Free, Now Religion Fearing Press

2009-11-06T16:33:52-05:00

The Fort Hood reporting dealt with below suggests media's well known and frequent efforts to insult, or otherwise demean Christianity in some of its most dedicated forms comes from somewhere other than fear of co-optation. Otherwise they couldn't possibly treat two of the world's largest religions in such disparate ways.

There are not enough words to fully describe the threat to a free democracy when its once free media allows itself to be so intimidated by one religion. One would think that an almost anti-Christian media in news selection would get that concept. Apparently not. It all but proves that politics, not principle, drives their editorial slant.

Better to blame "man-caused disasters" on a US-foreign-policy-induced psychological affliction beyond the victim's perpetrator's control than call a spade a spade. In the light of day today, Michelle Malkin and Ralph Peters win top honors for best/most concise analyses of what's really going on behind the curtain. Malkin:

Health Care Bill: The Nail In Its Coffin?

2009-11-06T11:39:02-05:00

Given Obama's track record when he gets personally involved - from the Olympics, to New Jersey and Virginia, even if the one didn't watch the returns, does this mean we can relax in knowing the health care bill will be killed?

Organizing for America's Mitch Stewart Says the Health Care Vote Tomorrow Will be Close

Obama Will Be Lobbying for the Pelosi Bill in Person

Hey, Mickey, You So Bright! Hey Mickey!

2009-11-06T10:55:17-05:00

Don't over thank me for the headline if it resulted in one hit wonder Toni Basil's Hey Mickey mindlessly bouncing around inside your head today, the "weird AL" version if you prefer it.

Courtesy of Instapundit, multi-hit wonder Mickey Kaus, who has great instincts, especially when it comes to Democrat mis-steps, is bouncing around in mine, as he's so often spot on and ahead of the curve about things like this.

Why are the health care polls going south? Unaffiliated voters worried about the deficit? Libs worried about the public option? Seniors worried about death panels overzealous cost containment measures?

I'm pondering as to whether Mickey is showing early signs of West Coast-ian disease aka an increasinging insensitivity to Big Government and what it means to many Americans. If that's it and he's ahead of the curve, as he often is, it would suggest that even if we beat back national health care now, it's still coming in 5 or 10 years and we're on our way to European-socialism eventually, whether we like it, or not.

I say that as, even allowing for potentially 7% of liberals who don't find the plan bold enough abandoning it as per polling Mickey cites, I think the answer is obvious. Even many Democrats and Independent moderates have plenty of experience with failed, or significantly flawed Big Government plans. I think the more they ponder the prospect, the more they don't want government any more involved in something as intimate as their health care decisions than they absolutely have to be.

In any event, Mickey's puzzlement is a puzzle to me, just as is how Hey Mickey ever became a number 1 hit. Must have been the kitsch effect, or maybe it was the beat.

Dana Milbank Doesn't Really Know Freedom, Or Pretty

2009-11-06T09:07:51-05:00

As with too many DC establishment pundits, Dana Milbank may only know pretty, as in pretty boy in an empty suit. However, it's clear he appreciates nothing of the beauty that is freedom in America's political discourse.

I imagine the Left burning Bush in effigy, calling him Hitler in signs at protests and making movies with presidential assassination plots doesn't offend Milbank's seemingly selective aesthetic sensibilities too much. However, if some incredibly small number of fringe people the overwhelming number of serious conservatives and Republicans don't much like either attend an open rally and speak their twisted minds, ... well, we can't have that, now can we?

Now, objecting to the health-care bill is one thing. But doesn't it send the wrong message for House Republicans to hold an event on the Capitol grounds full of hateful and gruesome words and images?

"I'm not worried about the message of freedom," Hensarling replied, before joining his colleagues on the podium to the beat of the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again."

I was at this event, walked it from back to front and side to side. I looked at the signs, I heard the calls. Honestly, I personally didn't see anything that was over the line. The difference I suspect is, unlike Milbank and some others, I didn't go there only to go looking for them.

What a worthless and totally disingenuous hit job on the wonderful act of democracythat took place on the lawn of the Capitol yesterday. Milbank's twisted account driven by his own bias is worthy of nothing but dismissal.

Don't allow them to intimidate you, America. We needn't rely on the usual liberal media hacks to talk to other citizens today with the advent of New Media. And we certainly don't require their permission, or approval of how any freedom loving American expresses his or herself, misguided, pretty, or not.

Republicans embracing that fundamental principle is a far more pretty site than pretty boy Dana Milbank after some TV make-up artist gets done powdering him and combing his hair. And the former, not the latter is in accordance with the freedom loving America we all know and treasure.

Fort Hood: How Many Shots

2009-11-06T08:42:56-05:00

Pilgrim at the always feisty SayAnything blog takes a look at some details regarding the Fort Hood murders. He wonders if everything we're being told really adds up.

Buried underneath the horrific senselessness of this entire, hideous episode is one little thing that isn’t clicking.

We have the report that the shooter, who we now know was Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, was armed with two handguns when he started his murderous rampage and managed to kill 12 and wound another 31 before he was engaged and neutralized by responding police. Initial reports said that he was killed but this morning I’m reading that he’s alive and on a ventilator. Too bad.

Obama Doesn't Like Gay People

2009-11-06T07:38:05-05:00

Remember the fiasco over the wedge that appeared between liberal constituency groups blacks and gays over California's Proposition 8 voting? I'm shocked that Avarosis wouldn't be thrilled that for once Obama finally delivered for his real base, as opposed to simply pandering to them as he so often does. Just do the Math.

It isn't only Corzine gays are less important than. Heck, gays are all but at the back of the bus. But at least Obama hasn't yet thrown them off it, as he's done with so many others. The real question is, don't they sort of look like rubes for remaining on it themselves?

Oh, sorry, the rubes is us! Just don't tell Andy Sullivan. If he's ever forced to face the truth of it, he'll never get to the bottom of the mystery of his mind surrounding Palin's child! The reality based community. God bless them if only for the free entertainment they provide.

Most of California's Black Voters Backed Gay Marriage Ban 53% of Latinos Also Supported Proposition 8

The same voters who turned out strongest for Barack Obama also drove a stake through the heart of same-sex marriage.

Census Worker Bill Sparkman: Suicide Suspected

2009-11-05T21:23:17-05:00

h/t JL in email. Sad, of course. It seems police are increasingly less convinced Census worker Bill Sparkman met with foul play due to his government job. While not yet drawing conclusions, suicide is said to be the way their investigation is going. Don't wait to the Left to care. They got their mileage out of the guy. It isn't as if they actually carted about him at all.

WASHINGTON — Investigators probing the death of a Kentucky census worker found hanging from a tree with the word "fed" scrawled on his chest increasingly doubt he was killed because of his government job and are pursuing the possibility he committed suicide, law enforcement officials told The Associated Press.

Two officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case, said no final conclusions have been made in the case. In recent weeks, however, investigators have grown more skeptical that 51-year-old Bill Sparkman died at the hands of someone angry at the federal government.

The officials said investigators continue to look closely at suicide as a possible cause of Sparkman's death for a number of reasons. There were no defensive wounds on Sparkman's body, and while his hands were bound with duct-tape, they were still somewhat mobile, suggesting he could have manipulated the rope, the officials said.

Just Back From The Capitol Protest Today

2009-11-05T20:45:14-05:00

Given my morning with some wonderful folks at the Direct Marketing Association of Washington's Social Media Day, where I had previously agreed to be part of a panel, I managed to arrive at the Capitol protest just as it was starting. Listening to the morning panels and questions flowing from some very engaged, competent individuals dedicated to New Media in a different way than bloggers was certainly time well spent. Given their being so gracious as to have invited me, I did my best not to tick anyone off. Oh well, maybe some other time! I was a little tired, anyway. heh!

Making my way to the Capitol, with every block the roar became just a bit louder. And the crowd was only getting started. Over 100 yards out from the crowd, the Star Spangled Banner began to play and every single man, woman and child froze in their tracks. In going to the Capitol today, we were exercising the rights of American citizenship for which so many good men and women have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice every day. This was not a crowd to insult their magnificent contribution on our behalf by failing to stop and stare with wonder at the majestic site of our flag as the Anthem played.

We were young, old, white and blue collar, black, white, red and brown in color but we stood united and indivisible as one heart and one holler. We did it as we have no intention of allowing a seemingly spoiled and arrogant number of DC insiders on a power trip to take our rights and our freedoms away. We were and remain Americans. And as the howls, shouts, yelps and cat calls conveyed to them today as I stood there amongst so many good Americans, we have no intention of going away. Nor will we allow them to get away with this without paying a devastating political price.

This is our democracy every bit as much as it is theirs, perhaps more so these days. As was obvious from watching the assembled crowd, to watching it melt away without a shred of paper, or remnant of celebration left upon the ground we stood protesting, these Americans know how and want to take care of themselves. We don't need government to tell us what we should or can and can not do with our health nor its care.

Gateway Pundit has Mark Levin and Jon Voight via a link, I was privileged to stand and hear them both today. Listen to it, neither one of those men has any intention of backing down. Nor does Michelle Bachman, who led thousands in God Bless America at the end. Like thousands of others, I was proud and moved in singing along as a single voice. It was the voice of American freedom come to claim rights and freedoms given to us by far better men in far distant times. They are rights and freedoms these people can not take away unless we allow them.

We neither need, nor want some bureaucrat in Washington pretending to take care of us, And if they persist in trying, we will take care of them down to almost every last Congressman and Congresswoman who supports it, doing so at the ballot box in 2010. The earnestness combined with the incredible energy of the crowd of Americans I stood with so proudly today assures me that it will come to pass. If the neo-socialists pass Pelosi care, unread, un-reviewed and mostly unshared, incredible numbers of them will pass into history as once having been, but now un-legislators.

This battle did not end today. It did not start today. It began well over 200 years ago and we'll be damned if it is going to end on our watch, if for no other reason than our children that follow. Making my way around the various Congressional office buildings as the protest wrapped and the crowd moved there, every entrance saw lines four and six people across stretching back, in some cases, around blocks. Those patriots did not come to Washington to be denied their right to speak, or otherwise exercise their rights as faithful, freedom loving Americans.

Some men and women who could not find their Representative eventually stood outside the buildings, calling them out by name and demanding that they come down and face them. They never came. The brave that call America their home were in the streets in Washington today, not hiding in their offices. And those people think that they have the power? They could not be more wrong in their thinking. We were there, we showed up, where the hell were you, Representative? The word means nothing if you are incapable of representing yourself to us face-to-face.

Today was only a relatively small ad hoc crowd of ten thousand - some pictures here. If Congress continues on the course they are charting, I have no doubt that crowd will increase exponentially. And if there is any one message I would leave for the Democrats in Congress it is, you damned well better have heard our voices today. If you haven't, rest assured we are coming back. You can plot and scheme however much you want behind closed doors where, as we are law abiding citizens, we could not get to you today. But the day is coming when you will be called out and confronted in the public square. Eventually, you will be forced to face us and we will be there, impatient, but waiting, rest assured of that. And it will be because of the very same system we came to Washington today to protect, preserve, defend and fight for if we must.

This fight is not over. This particular fight has only just begun. In the end, nothing and no one is going to stop freedom loving Americans from enjoying life with our liberty intact, pursuing our own happiness now threatened by an elitist band of tyrants we the people will take down.

What I learned at the Capitol today is that it is we, not you who have the courage and determination to stand unafraid as one. Being every bit as much millions as we can be one, we the people will pull you down from thrones you now appear to occupy in your minds. Those are thrones that do not exist and never will exist any where else but in your minds in the freedom loving America we the people know, love and are prepared to fight for to defend if we must.

The liberals in Congress would all know that, too. Unfortunately, some number of them were apparently too damned afraid to even show up.

Are ... You ... Going ... To ... Washing ... ton ... DC

2009-11-04T18:33:50-05:00

Puhlease. No friggin' flowers in your hair, either. They are sooooo, sixties. ; ) I'm headed over after my AM presentation. You're going to meet some fired up people there!

If you are able to come to Washington, DC we encourage you to attend Congresswoman Michele Bachmann's National Congressional House Call.

WHAT: Health Care “House Call” on Capitol Hill
WHO: Americans concerned about our health care future
WHEN: Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 12:00-1:00pm
WHERE: West Front Steps of the U.S. Capitol (House Side)

Newt: But I Like This Monkey

2009-11-04T18:11:45-05:00

I have no idea what's behind Newt's new found love for this monkey, but he's bound and determined to keep flogging it for all it's worth until he becomes the laughing stock of the grassroots. We know the truth, Newt, even if you fly too high above us these days to take time to look down and notice. We're simply turning our heads as if driving by a slow motion car wreck at this point. But keep spanking that monkey if it floats your boat. It's getting to be so good to watch, one might say, KFTChicken!

The day after Democrat Bill Owens beat Conservative Doug Hoffman in the NY 23 Special Congressional Election, thanks largely to the treachery of Dede Scozzafava, the very liberal RINO Newt Gingrich endorsed, the former Speaker once again falsely characterizes the nomination process that gave Scozzafava the nod:

NY - 23: DC GOP Ducks And Covers

2009-11-04T16:40:51-05:00

And there's more at the link to The Examiner. Read it all FWIW. But put your boots on first. As the Examiner points out, it doesn't really cover the Hoffman attacks, or some of the spending. And nothing can cover for the Scozzafava endorsements, now can it? Obviously coupled with Cornyn's announcement on no primary spending, they quickly got their heads together with the consultants and plotted a strategy out of this mess.

For now my take is this: releases and consultants only amount to words, just words, as they say. Actions, on the other hand, are your responsibility, sirs. And only you can undertake them. Let's see some of those that show us that you get it, then get back to us. I don't mean to sound disrespectful, simply appropriately cynical.

Don't tell us that you love us, show us that you aren't going to simply screw us and leave and we might consider giving you a call back. ::::smoochies:::

At a meeting of Washington conservatives this morning, House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, expressed pride over GOP success in last night's election. But questions about NY-23 remain -- so I asked him whether there was an effort to get New York Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava, the GOP nominee in that race, to endorse Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman.

"There was a huge effort," he replied.

When asked about rumors that the New York Republican Party picked Scozzafava because of the advice of Washington insiders who felt she would be a more electable candidate, Boehner rolled his eyes. "We told them to hold off on a decision, to work with us, but they went ahead and did it."

Pete Sessions is playing "cover your assets" too. In a statement:

"After two special elections in New York, there is no doubt in my mind that the candidate selection process lacks openness and transparency and should be changed to a primary system so voters can have a say in who their respective parties nominate."

US Chamber Caves - CEI Recruits

2009-11-04T15:41:23-05:00

Know who your friends are, folks. And who they aren't.

"It appears that the Chamber has caved under enormous pressure from some of its biggest member companies. They have reluctantly enlisted in the effort to reward these big special interests with gigantic windfall profits at the expense of consumers and small businesses," said Myron Ebell, CEI Director of Energy and Global Warming Policy.

"We invite small businesses whose interests are no longer being well-represented by the Chamber on this critical issue to drop their membership in the U. S. Chamber and join us at CEI in fighting against all energy-rationing legislation, even so-called compromises that only partly wreck the economy. We welcome their support. We will not capitulate," said Ebell.

Cornyn: ‘We Will Not Spend Money in a Contested Primary’

2009-11-04T14:44:41-05:00

It's good to see my continuing to pound the drum to work with, not against the GOP, supported by some action on their end. Senator Cornyn speaking as NRSC chair after being hit on the head with a rather weighty clue bat. Good for him.

With Republicans grappling with the fallout of an intra-party battle that may have cost them a House seat, the head of the Senate Republican campaign effort is making a pledge that may ease some of the anger being directed at the party establishment.

"We will not spend money in a contested primary," Sen. John Cornyn, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told ABC News in a telephone interview today.

"There's no incentive for us to weigh in," said Cornyn, R-Texas. "We have to look at our resources. . . . We're not going to throw money into a [primary] race leading up to the election."

Chamber Ad: Subliminal Clips Of Copious Watermelon Eating By Black Man?

2009-11-04T14:34:03-05:00

A confidential source confirms that the cafeteria in the plant where this was filmed was serving fried chicken on filming day. I AM OUTRAGED!!!! Forget that the white guy pats his obvious friend on the back on his way to the office. Forget that the black guy looks on compassionately. Nah, clearly he was thinking,

Dayer Lawd!! Dees white folk shurly gon lynch mah black azz now dat nother one a dem be gon. I am outta heya, fo sur! Feats don fail me now!!

God, the Left must be scared to death to be this unhinged. via Michele Malkin. It's RAAAAAACISM!!!!

Keif Olbermann Leaps To Death From Atop Giant Ego

2009-11-04T13:06:31-05:00

Oh, gawd! Priceless stuff. With liberals getting trounced everywhere, Keif Olbemann's election night special wasn't only not special, it never happened at all. Keif is said to still be unavailable for comment from under his desk in a feral fetal position. Take that thumb out of your mouth and man up, you perverted gurly man. You've provided us so many laughs over the years but this has to be the best. But I don't wanna go on!!! Waah!!!! ha ha ha ha ha

Come on out and take a bow!

Keith had obviously left the building. But why? Where in the world was Keith Olbermann? We don't know yet, but we think we have a pretty good idea:

Obama Lost Huge Yesterday

2009-11-04T12:17:03-05:00

Glenn Reynolds says the Obama magic has faded.

But these local angles weren’t enough to keep the Obama administration out of the races. President Obama barnstormed Virginia and New Jersey — and pumped money and Joe Biden into NY-23 in support of Democratic candidate Bill Owens. (One suspects Owens would have preferred more money and less Biden.)

As I already pointed out, CNN and most other media is saying this was nothing about Obama. Fortunately, big media is increasingly talking only to itself, or the faithful, so don't let it get you down. This election was all about Obama, as far as I'm concerned. The media simply continues to separate the man's politics from his personality and star factor, as if to suggest any one on main street in America still really cares.

To put this candidly, yes, I saw all the polls saying America didn't like this, or that policy. But everyone was still down for Obama. Why don't they just simply offer a box to check, are some of your best friends black? Okay, we thought so.

By going along with separating the man from his policies, it is a subtle racism of the worst kind. For those of us that have always judged people on performance, not image, or skin color, Obama is sinking faster than CNN's ratings, just short of Mach 1, perhaps.

ObaCare? Lost.

Global Warming's Cap and Tax charade? With this economy currently driving voter concerns? Good luck.

All politics may be local, but parties, clout and momentum are not. And the air came out of Obama's balloon faster than the hot air comes out of his mouth under a pair of faux Grecian columns. Everything the guy stands for took a beating one way, or another last night. But America still likes him.

Sure, I bet. They might not even mind if he moved in next store, but when it comes to following his lead on policy and alleged solutions, stick a fork in him, he's done.

Nice guy, though - fun in a game of hoops, or on the golf course, or so I've read.

NY - 23: What Went Wrong And What Went Right?

2009-11-04T11:02:40-05:00

The subject of NY - 23 came up during a chat with Representative Bob Latta R - OH today. Along with touching on that when I profile Latta, I'll pass a bit of it along here as I felt his primary insight important. For the record, Latta considers himself a Conservative, believes the GOP has strayed and needs to get back to it's core principles of less government, less spending and low taxes, as a rule. He was surprisingly candid. But it's important to note this is coming from one of them, as regards the GOP. He lives inside the machine.

My point is, our headline driven political views often lead us off on fiery narratives that get us engaged and fuel us as the base. It doesn't mean they are 100% accurate, or subject to the careful thought it takes to plot political strategy. The GOP needs to have a killer year in 2010 because it is our only way to stop the advance of the radical, Progressive agenda of the current Obama/Pelosi clan. Conservatives have a lot of friends in high places, including within the GOP today. We need to listen to them, as much as we need to compel the over all machine to start listening to us, again.

Latta is in his second term and came to office in a special election in Ohio. There were rushed primaries and a special election. That's what gave us a seemingly solid conservative in the House. The New York GOP, or whomever, picked its candidate, the GOP establishment backed them, as they were all but compelled to do under the circumstances. The problem is, the entire process was FUBER aka Effed Up By Establishment Republicans living inside the machine and not the people that make up the electorate.

This reminds me of the frustration we felt as we rolled through the primaries in 2008. We watched open primaries with cross-over voting yield results that we didn't much like in too many cases. So what is it we should be advocating reforming right now? Add to that, the GOP establishment in DC is already sticking its nose into places it simply doesn't belong. There is more than one primary I have in mind. If you follow politics as I do, you know precisely what I mean. Can you say Charlie Crist, Carly Fiorina, perhaps?

Do I want GOP Representatives who anoint candidates of any stripe? Frankly, no I don't. So, simply screaming at the GOP honchos to start making choices we like for us is, I'd argue, the wrong approach. What I want the GOP to do is take a serious look at its internal processes and start giving the party back to the people it relies upon to work for them, carry their message and show up at the voting booth. That's a far cry from potentially damaging fights over ideology that really don't belong inside the process, provided it's the correct one.

But this goes back to the problem with NY - 23 I first pointed out in my Pajamas Media piece.

The GOP is not and has never been the conservative movement. The current battle should not be about decimation; it should be about control. Reagan, in his too often unheralded and underappreciated wisdom, knew that the key to victory was not in trying to leave or otherwise destroy the GOP, but in coming to dominate it democratically and with a reasonable hand. The Gipper’s wisdom may have been best evidenced in his promoting the “Eleventh Commandment” from the earliest days of his political campaigning....

The fact is, whether it gives you a warm fuzzy, or the quick easy answer you want, top down driven politics is anethma to what conservatives are all about. But we don't even have to wait for the establishment GOP to give us our party back. We can take it back as it is the people on the ground, the ones who get involved in the GOP and go to meetings and such, who most determine what the GOP actually is all about at any given time. If you want to change the special election rules for the GOP in New York, or have more closed primaries, you have to show up and be part of that debate when it's taking place.

It might be more fun to stand at the gate simply yelling at alleged dictators for not dictating the processes or policies you want. But that still leaves you at the whim of an alleged dictator at end. And, yes, all this divisive bickering only gives the liberal media and Democrats more ammunition to hurl at us, keeping people distracted from what's really going on. That isn't to say that it doesn't feel real good. However, it's stilll often times a counter-productive method of genuinely solving anything.

So, ask yourselves, what is it you actually want to achieve? What solves the problem? And what only makes you feel good because you think you're so right? The answer to those questions might not be the same. Personally, I've always been about solving problems, not creating them. But if conservatives want to do that, they are going to have to start showing up inside the GOP where it counts, instead of simply standing at the gate screaming about tearing it down. Liberals do that as that's their preferred method of operation. They love having people tell others what to do. I've never seen that value as very conservative myself.

If you want to solve the problem, if you want to make a real difference and not just let your frustrations out - show up. Otherwise, shut-up and save your money, because as far as I can tell, you're part of the problem and not the solution that conservatives really need and should support.

NY - 23 has given us the energy to truly take this party back. Now let's put that energy into action, get involved within the GOP from where all genuine change has to occur, and make the real change and difference we want to see in 2010.

Conservatives owe NY-23 candidate Doug Hoffman immeasurable gratitude. He overcame impossible odds (single digits just a month ago) to come within two points of defeating Democrat Bill Owens. Hoffman had zero name recognition. National Republican Party officials dumped nearly $1 million into the race on behalf of radical leftist GOP candidate Dede Scozzafava, who then turned around, endorsed Owens and siphoned off 5 percent of the vote with her name still on the ballot after she dropped out.

I'll Be Back!!!

2009-11-04T09:26:38-05:00

Much to write about today, but along with doing some interviews with two sitting Republican Representatives, I've a presentation to prepare for DMAW's Social Media Day tomorrow.

I've what I think are some reasonably important thoughts on yesterday, including NY - 23 - what it was and what it was not. I believe a great many people in the movement, including some leaders, misunderstand it. More on that later. You might begin with Ann Althouse for now. Doug Hoffman seems like a great guy, but he was a flawed candidate to start. That he got where he did speaks volumes. But why it all happened may not be why you are thinking it did. As I've said in the headline, I'll be back, ... in a bit.

Also, if the media gets any more protective of Obama especially while getting it so wrong, if not simply making chit up, I'm going to hurl. CNN's political guy Preston is either a moron, or so in the tank, he's incapable of anything one could call reasonable thought. Perhaps it's both. What a waste of web space his nonsense is - it's actually embarassing. That's hard to do considering it's CNN.

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Update: Fox Calls It For Owens - NY - 23: Hoffman Closing - No Call Tonight?

2009-11-03T23:45:08-05:00

Update: No link, yet.

With a 2,500 vote margin for Owens, 10,000 absentee ballots to be counted and some machines having problems, NY - 23 may not see a call tonight. Scozzafava throwing her support to Owens and being on the ballot - people voting straight GOP would have voted for her unknowingly in some cases, it could be Scozzafava was as much trouble in leaving as she was in coming.

As best I can tell, there were two perfectly acceptable candidates who split the majority on the first ballot. Neither one would have caused any notice within the base. If this turns out to be a loss for Hoffman, those are some of the factors to consider. This race pales in comparison to NJ. It should be noted that McDonnell ran away from some of his hard-line positions, though he is certainly a conservative. And Christie wouldn't exactly be a Movement fav for some of his views.

Whatever the result, I think there are lessons for everyone coming out of NY - 23. And I hope everyone learns them. I'll have more thoughts after the race is called.

Democrat Bill Owens is leading in the 23rd Congressional District race.

The Plattsburgh attorney has 57,050 votes compared to Conservative Doug Hoffman, a Lake Placid CPA, with 54,538 votes.

Dede Scozzafava, a Republican who dropped out of the race Saturday, has 6,982 votes.

There are more than 10,000 absentee votes to still be counted.

AP: Christie Wins NJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-11-03T22:17:47-05:00

AP calls it.

TRENTON, N.J. — Republican Chris Christie has defeated Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine in New Jersey.

With 71 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday night, Christie had 50 percent of the vote to Corzine's 44 percent.

Christie, a 47-year-old former federal prosecutor, became the first member of his party in a dozen years to win a statewide contest in heavily Democratic New Jersey.

The Republican victory deals a blow to President Barack Obama as he readies for next year's midterm elections. Obama campaigned heavily for Corzine.

NJ Christie 50 - Corzine 44 With 71% In

2009-11-03T22:08:58-05:00

Still too early to call, but it could be looking worse for Christie. Keep an eye on the Dems.

DeMint Endorses Chuck DeVore

2009-11-03T22:04:20-05:00

Well, that oughta leave a mark, or draw a line, if you prefer.

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA -- Chuck DeVore, California State Assemblyman and Republican candidate for United States Senate, welcomed the endorsements of Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) and the Senate Conservative Fund (SCF) as he seeks his party's nomination to face Barbara Boxer in 2010. The endorsement came on an SCF conference call, co-hosted by Senator DeMint and Erick Erickson of RedState.com.

Christie 50 - 44 With 28% Reporting

2009-11-03T21:08:07-05:00

Here they come.

Christie 54 - 40 For Corzine With 16% Arrrgh!!

2009-11-03T20:59:09-05:00

I hate the way NJ reports. But then, the Dem districts drag their heels everywhere.FWIW

Christie 52 - Corzine 42 With 14%

2009-11-03T20:56:40-05:00

Remember, a grain of salt, folks. Way too early to know as the Democrat districts start to report, espeically in the south of the state.

Christie 51, Corzine 42 With 12% Reporting

2009-11-03T20:53:50-05:00

Don't count on this to hold up. Christie's districts are likely reporting early. The Democrats need to wait to see how many votes they need.

Dem Says Christie By One?

2009-11-03T20:25:18-05:00

Watch that low salt diet with this one. However, if the black vote doesn't show up, Christie can win.

Everybody and their brother thinks that New Jersey is going to go down to the wire. But one of my readers is plugged in to a New Jersey Democrat, and this guy's running of the numbers goes to Republican Chris Christie winning by one percentage point. Admission against interest, and all that. Take it for what it's worth.

Honor Killings and Political Correctness

2009-11-03T20:20:45-05:00

It's ... beginning to look a lot like Britain, ........, everywhere, ... you go....

Yesterday, Noor Almaleki of Arizona died of injuries sustained when her father allegedly ran her over in his Jeep in what officials called an attempted honor killing. The twenty-year-old Almaleki had apparently become, according to The Arizona Republic, "too Westernized."

AP Calls It For McDonnell

2009-11-03T19:57:30-05:00

Saw it via Politico on Twitter.

McDonnell Winning Indies 2 - 1 Over Deeds

2009-11-03T19:52:06-05:00

Nah, it don't mean nothing!

The exit polls showed that nearly a third of voters described themselves as independents — the crown jewel of elections because they often determine outcomes — and they preferred McDonnell by almost a 2-1 margin over Deeds. The surveys also indicated that the Democrats had difficulty turning out their base, including the swarms of first-time minority and youth voters whom Obama attracted as part of his diverse coalition.

Hey Ma, I Made The NYT's Without A Mugshot!!

2009-11-03T18:34:15-05:00

With an extensive post quote - not an easy thing for an actual conservative to do without a mugshot, if I may say. Ha!

And lastly, here is one take on how this election saw the rise of the right wing on the Internet and the blogs. Riehl World View, a conservative blog, gives a hat tip to the left for making good use of the medium to help elect Barack Obama. But now, Riehl World says, the right has caught on:

Updated - 6 PU's: VA Projection: GOP +6 Seats In Va House, Gov, Lt. Gov, AG Cruising To Wins

2009-11-03T18:21:15-05:00

From my pals at ProjectVirginia. They worked the McCain campaign and have been on the ground in VA all along.

5:15PM EST - ProjectVirginia is projecting GOP to gain at least 5 6 seats in Virginia Legislature (House of Delegates) as Republican Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General candidates cruise to victory.