The Sean Hannity Show - Other

Oklahoma

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:43:45 -0800

Tragedy in Oklahoma

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:36:42 -0800

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones and property in Oklahoma over the last few days. Yesterday, a presumed EF-4 tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma. Its wind speeds were up to 200 mph, at some points it was up to 2 miles wide and the path stretched for about 20 miles. It is an unbelievable storm which has now claimed the lives of at least 24 people, nine of whom are children. The stories of children at the Plaza Towers elementary school being pulled out of the rubble, some not making it out alive or missing, are beyond heartbreaking.

You can help those affected by this horrible tragedy by contacting the American Red Cross or you can text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Unfortunately the tragedy has not escaped politicization.

Rhode Island Democrat Senator Sheldon Whitehouse took to the Senate floor last night to blame Republicans and their denial of global warming. He essentially said that Republicans seeking federal aid for such disasters are the same ones who deny global warming exists and plays a hand in such disasters.

There was also a liberal comedian associated with the “Daily Show” who tweeted that this tornado “so clearly” had “been ordered to only target conservatives.” She later apologized for the remark.

To me, it goes to show the hyper-politicization of everything right now in this country. Even amidst tragedy, we cannot escape the need for political jabs.

Good news for Talk Radio

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:14:00 -0800

Arbitron released its Radio Today 2013 study to clients today and there’s a lot of good news in it for News/Talk radio. News/Talk — designated by Arbitron as ‘News/Talk/Information’ plus ‘Talk/Personality’ — remains the number one format in PPM-measured markets, and the number two format in the rest of U.S. diary measured markets.Radio Today 2013 notes that, like other spoken word formats, News/Talk continues to rank “prominently” in highly educated, high income listeners.

The just released study also offers an interesting look at a map of the U.S. showing where the format both outperforms and underperforms its national average. States where News/Talk performs “substantially above” the national average include Alaska, Oregon,Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Vermont andMassachusetts.

Conversely, those states where the format performs “substantially below” the national average include Montana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Indiana,North and South Carolina and Maine. The full Radio Today 2013 report is currently available only to Arbitron clients. However, non-subscribers can access an ‘Executive Summary’ of the study HERE.

Gun violence

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:32:18 -0800

America's Shameful Support for Dorner

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:28:30 -0800

Since releasing his manifesto last week, the ex-LA cop killer Christopher Dorner received a reaction that has many, including myself, shaking ours heads. It has been disheartening to see so many Americans supporting a killer, forgiving his actions, simply because they agreed with his message.

Facebook groups, “I support Christopher Jordan Dorner,” “We are All Chris Dorner” and “Christopher Jordan Dorner for President” are just a few examples of the sickening support for this now presumably deceased killer. Support for his “cause” also spread on Twitter where thousands of “fans” cheered him on, urging him to “fight the power.”

What is happening to our society where it is seemingly has become OK to support someone who kills another human being? That is wrong, no matter what the “cause.” There are different ways to bring light to an issue or an injustice, none of which include depriving someone of life, liberty or property. Yet this is exactly what Dorner has done. The idea that violence is somehow justified because you agree with the cause is a slippery-slope into cultural depravity.

The Pope Resigns

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:11:40 -0800

The major headline news story of the day is the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28th. This isn't something we would ever expect to see in our lifetimes, considering the last time this happened was almost 600 years ago.

Given the shocking nature of this announcement, the rumors are already swirling. Initial coverage on CNN immediately questioned the impact of the Church's child abuse sex scandal on the Pope's decision. It's amazing how quickly some in the media are willing to discuss that possibility, while going to painstaking efforts to avoid sex scandals that involve Democrat politicians. The burgeoning sex scandal story involving Democrat Senator Robert Menendez is just the latest example of this.

If we accept his own reasoning as truth, Pope Benedict XVI says that he is resigning because of his advanced age and deteriorating health. Pope Benedict XVI's resignation letter said: “In today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”

Many have described the move as a act of extraordinary “humility,” putting the needs of the Church above that of his own. Putting aside any personal feelings about this Pope, perhaps there is something we can learn from that in our own country. It is becoming a rarity in our society that people will act for the betterment of a great good, rather than for the furtherance of their own power. What has many Americans upset with our own government is the fact that power and prestige seems more important to politicians than solutions. Humility is a quality that I cannot say describes nearly anyone currently representing us in Washington. They seem to have forgotten that they derive their power from the consent of the governed – We the People. If the Pope's explanation is true, and I personally have no reason to believe otherwise, then the news is noteworthy not just because of the shakeup it will cause within the Catholic Church but because it demonstrates a quality that is lacking within our own political sphere and society.

Super Bowl

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:25:55 -0800

Sean: "Grief beyond measure"

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:07:14 -0800

"I never stop thinking about the program and how I want to express myself," a solemn Sean said Monday after having spent most of the weekend reflecting on the shootings in
Newtown, CT.

"Before we get into some of the other aspects of the shooting...there are not words that have been invented, ever written, that can relieve the overwhelming pain and sorrow that the families of these victims are now feeling. That will stay with them all the rest of their lives. They will heal somewhat, but I don't think they will ever fully recover. You are talking about grief beyond measure," said Sean. "The lives of these families will never be the same again. To lose someone you love is heartbreaking. To lose a child must be to experience something that is as horrible as a person can imagine."

Sean then shared a story about his childhood that he had never spoken about on the air. "I had a sister who died a crib death that I didn't find out about until I was in my twenties. Nobody ever talked about it. Because apparently my parents couldn't talk about it. They never said anything. So losing a child is just something you can't imagine, especially in this violent way. It's beyond comprehension. It's unmitigated,
undiluted, unbelievable evil. I don't want to lose sight of what those families are going through during the course of the program," Sean explained.

"It's important that we pray for them - in a real and focused way - that God may bestow upon them his tender mercy and help preserve those cherished memories of those who were taken from them.
Hopefully, some how, some way, they will find some measure of comfort, grace and hope that they will be united with their children and their spouses again."

Hurricane Sandy NJ

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:26:03 -0800

USTA

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 13:47:37 -0800

Sh*tty Mom: The Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:11:40 -0800

Sh*tty Mom: The Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:10:50 -0800

Sh*tty Mom is the ultimate parenting guide, written by four moms who have seen it all. As hilarious as it is universal, each chapter presents a common parenting scenario with advice on how to get through it in the easiest and most efficient way possible.

With chapters such as “How to Sleep Until 9 A.M. Every Weekend” and “When Seeing an Infant Triggers a Mental Illness That Makes You Want to Have Another Baby,” as well as a Sh*tty Mom quiz, this is a must-have, laugh-out-loud funny book for the sh*tty parent in all of us.

For more please click here.

CO Shooting

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 14:36:33 -0800

George Zimmerman

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 11:46:58 -0800

Exclusive: George Zimmerman breaks silence on 'Hannity'

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 11:45:12 -0800

This is a rush transcript from "Hannity," July 18, 2012. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

SEAN HANNITY, HOST: And tonight in an interview that you will only see right here on "Hannity," George Zimmerman, the man charged with second degree murder of Trayvon Martin, breaks his silence.

Now, earlier today I traveled to Seminole County, Florida, where Zimmerman is currently free on bail and awaiting trial. And for the first time, both he and his attorney Mark O'Mara, they discuss what happened the night of that tragic shooting, the aftermath, and what lies ahead for them. In this exclusive interview, they go through the events of that night, and they straighten out the record about Internet rumors involving me, and George delivers a message to the Martin family and to you, the American people.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HANNITY: A lot of time has passed since this incident with Trayvon. How do you feel about it now that you have had some time to reflect on what has happened?

GEORGE ZIMMERMAN: I haven't really had the time to reflect on it. When I was in jail, obviously I was in solitary confinement and I had a lot of time to think and reflect. I just think it's a tragic situation, and I hope it's the most difficult thing I'll ever go through in my life. But --

• Video Part 1:Zimmerman: 'He punched me and broke my nose'

• Video Part 2:Zimmerman does not regret carrying gun: 'all God's plan'

• Video Part 3:Zimmerman on Black Panther bounty, rush to judgment

• Video Part 4:Zimmerman addresses allegations made by 'Witness No. 9'

• Video Part 5:George Zimmerman's message to Trayvon's parents, America

HANNITY: Let's go back to the night of the shooting. Take us back to that night. You were going to the store.

ZIMMERMAN: Yes.

HANNITY: Let's start at the beginning.

ZIMMERMAN: I was going to Target to do my weekly grocery shopping. Sunday nights was the only nights -- well, Sunday after we mentored the kids, we would always go grocery shopping and do our cooking for the week. So I wanted to go to Target and I headed out. And that's the last time I've been home.

HANNITY: Since then. You never went back since that day.

ZIMMERMAN: No.

HANNITY: We all have heard the 911 call. On that 911 call, you had mentioned that there had been a number of break-ins in the neighborhood.

ZIMMERMAN: Yes, sir.

HANNITY: Why were you a community watch person? How long were you involved in that and why did you become a community watch person?

ZIMMERMAN: In August of 2011, there was a home invasion. A young lady was home with her nine-month-old baby, and they broke into her sliding glass door. She barricaded herself in the upstairs bedroom. And my wife was home by herself, and she saw the people that burglarized her run through our backyard with their belongings. And even though my wife wasn't certain what happened, that was enough to scare her and shake her up. And I promised her I would do what I could to keep her safe.

HANNITY: Now, your gun was legal. You had a legal weapon in the state of Florida.

ZIMMERMAN: Yes, sir.

HANNITY: Why did you feel the need to carry a gun? A lot of people maybe have a weapon inside their home, but you decided to carry yours. Why did you think it was necessary to have a weapon with you? And did you carry it at all times?

ZIMMERMAN: I carried it at all times except for when I went to work.

HANNITY: A lot of this case legally -- and we are going to get to Mark in a few minutes here and ask him about a lot of legal aspects, because there are so many of them in this case -- has to do with stand your ground. You have heard a lot about it. And I was just curious, prior to this night, this incident, had you even heard stand your ground?

ZIMMERMAN: No, sir.

HANNITY: You have never heard about it before?

ZIMMERMAN: No.

HANNITY: Well. Now, on -- it was very interesting, in the 911 call that everybody has heard, you said that all of a sudden you found somebody who looked suspicious, he may be on drugs. That was one of the earlier comments that you made in that 911 call. What made you think he was suspicious, and what made you think that he might be on drugs?

ZIMMERMAN: I felt he was suspicious because it was raining. He was in-between houses, cutting in-between houses, and he was walking very leisurely for the weather. I -- it didn't look like he was a resident that went to check their mail and got caught in the rain and was hurrying back home. He didn't look like a fitness fanatic that would train in the rain. He just seemed like --

HANNITY: Weren't there overhangs, though? Was he -- he was walking, he wasn't standing still? And he was walking closer to the house, which is back from the sidewalk?

ZIMMERMAN: Yes, sir.

HANNITY: Am I understanding that right?

ZIMMERMAN: The overhangs are just in front of the front doors.

HANNITY: Yes. You said he started from almost the beginning in that 911 call, you said he came towards you, and he seemed to reach for something in his waistband. Did you think that was a gun?

ZIMMERMAN: I thought he was just trying to intimidate me.

HANNITY: To make you think that there is a gun?

Secret Service

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:42:33 -0800

Zimmerman Charged

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:17:03 -0800

Thursday April 12 2012

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:16:28 -0800

Bob Beckel, Stuart Varney,

George Zimmerman

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 04:04:54 -0800

Zimmerman to be charged

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:42:11 -0800

DEVELOPING: Florida special prosecutor Angela Corey will announce that she is charging George Zimmerman in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, The Washington Post reported Wednesday, citing a law enforcement official close to the investigation.

DISCUSS: Share your thoughts on the Zimmerman case here

It is unclear what charges he will face. But a press conference is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET in Jacksonville, Fla. where Corey will "release new information" regarding the investigation, according to a press release.

Sanford police and Al Sharpton, who has been in contact with Martin's family, were unable to confirm the report to Fox News.

The unarmed Martin, an African-American, was shot and killed in a gated community in Sanford, Fla., by neighborhood watchman Zimmerman, who claims he was acting in self-defense. In phone calls, Zimmerman told an emergency dispatcher that Martin looked suspicious, and he followed the teen despite the dispatcher's advice.

Zimmerman's lack of arrest in the case has sparked nationwide protests by civil rights activists who claim race has been a factor in the investigation. Zimmerman's father is white and his mother is Hispanic.

Zimmerman has been in hiding for weeks and is not believed to be in the state of Florida, his former lawyers, Craig Sonner and Hal Uhrig, said Tuesday.

"George Zimmerman, in our opinion, and from information made available to us, is not doing well emotionally, probably suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome," Uhrig said.

"George can't get in a car and drive down to some office center to go in and see the psychologist," Uhrig added. "There's a bounty out on his head, whether it's believed to be real or not, it's out there. "

Sonner said he has never talked to Zimmerman face-to-face, only on the phone. He said the 28-year-old has gone into hiding, but he believes Zimmerman is still in the U.S.

Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:03:40 -0800

Friday March 23 2012

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:47:42 -0800

Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney,

Tim Tebow

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:05:02 -0800

Tim Tebow traded to NY Jets

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:04:25 -0800

Tim Tebow, who made the Broncos arguably the biggest NFL story in 2011, will bring his athleticism and fervent followers to New York.

The Broncos have traded their star quarterback with the polarizing skill set, and a seventh-round draft pick, to the New York Jets in exchange for a fourth- and a sixth-round pick, according to an NFL source.

The trade gives the Broncos seven picks in the seven-round 2012 NFL Draft — one in first, second and third rounds; two in the fourth round, one in the fifth, one in the sixth and none in the seventh.

The trade also sends the circus that was Tebowmania to a city big enough to handle it.

For more please click here.

Wednesday February 15 2012

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:42:34 -0800

Newt Gingrich, Rand Paul,

Chicken Nuggets

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:38:25 -0800

Preschooler’s Homemade Lunch Replaced with Cafeteria “Nuggets”

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:37:40 -0800

By Sara Burrows

RAEFORD - A preschooler at West Hoke Elementary School ate three chicken nuggets for lunch Jan. 30 because a state employee told her the lunch her mother packed was not nutritious.

The girl's turkey and cheese sandwich, banana, potato chips, and apple juice did not meet U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines, according to the interpretation of the agent who was inspecting all lunch boxes in her More at Four classroom that day.

The Division of Child Development and Early Education at the Department of Health and Human Services requires all lunches served in pre-kindergarten programs - including in-home day care centers - to meet USDA guidelines. That means lunches must consist of one serving of meat, one serving of milk, one serving of grain, and two servings of fruit or vegetables, even if the lunches are brought from home.

When home-packed lunches do not include all of the required items, child care providers must supplement them with the missing ones.

The girl's mother - who said she wishes to remain anonymous to protect her daughter from retaliation - said she received a note from the school stating that students who did not bring a "healthy lunch" would be offered the missing portions, which could result in a fee from the cafeteria, in her case $1.25.

"I don't feel that I should pay for a cafeteria lunch when I provide lunch for her from home," the mother wrote in a complaint to her state representative, Republican G.L. Pridgen of Robeson County.

The girl's grandmother, who sometimes helps pack her lunch, told Carolina Journal that she is a petite, picky 4-year-old who eats white whole wheat bread and is not big on vegetables.

SOURCE: CarolinaJournal.com

Catholic cross

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:17:14 -0800

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:26:25 -0800

Rev. Jesse Peterson

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:33:18 -0800

Monday November 07 2011

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:29:16 -0800

Jay Sekulow,

Las Vegas

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:22:51 -0800

Steve Jobs

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 09:05:15 -0800

Goodbye Elisha!

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:27:35 -0800

After nearly a decade with The Sean Hannity Show, the incredible producer Elisha will be leaving the show today, September 23rd.

Even thought behind the scenes Elisha was instrumental in making sure the show ran smoothly, she might be best known for her frequent on-air debates with Sean.

Elisha will be sorely missed but we hope to report frequent "Elisha updates" and hope she comes back to visit often!

We'll miss you Elisha!

The Sean Hannity Staff

Homeless

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 08:34:00 -0800

America Remembers Terror Victims, Honors '9/11 Generation of Warriors'

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 10:50:36 -0800

Carrying flags and photographs of loved ones, family members honored the memories of those who died in the Sept. 11 attacks a decade ago as the nation marked the solemn occasion with a set of ceremonies both patriotic and deeply personal.

Photos from Ground Zero

At Ground Zero in lower Manhattan, at the Pentagon and in a field in rural Pennsylvania, moments of silence were observed to commemorate when and where Al Qaeda inflicted a day of terror on America.

President Obama spent the day traveling to the three sites, visiting first the World Trade Center memorial and then the site in Shanksville, Pa., where Flight 93 crashed after its passengers wrested the controls from hijackers bent on attacking a third U.S. landmark. During the stop, the president spoke at length with family members of victims and helped place a wreath at the Wall of Names honoring the dead.

9/11/11 at Ground Zero (courtesy erickrauss.com)

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 10:43:04 -0800

Firehouse

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 10:41:51 -0800

Building flag in lights

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 10:40:55 -0800

Night sky 9/11/11 B&W

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 10:39:13 -0800

Night sky 9/11/11

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 10:37:48 -0800

Playland Amusement Park

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:30:53 -0800

Hurricane Irene Flooding

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:22:40 -0800

Monday August 29 2011

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:04:23 -0800

Friday August 26 2011

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:42:05 -0800

Hurricane Irene Surf

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:38:37 -0800

Maher: ‘I Would Be Happy To Go On Sean (Hannity’s) Show'

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:13:30 -0800

HBO’s Bill Maher recently chatted with Humboldt County, California’s 94.1 KSLG about a variety things, like religion, politics… and Fox News host Sean Hannity’s apparent crippling concern regarding the Playboy mansion.

Host Myles Cochrane shared a snippet from a Hannity segment wherein he stated that Maher “hates God, he hates religion, he smokes pot, he wants to be Hugh Hefner” and that he “has a dark agenda.” Maher laughed it off. “Yeah, Sean’s a little… shall we say frustrated?,” he asked.

“I don’t know. Jealous much, Sean? I think that’s what it is.” He recounted how Hannity had even brought on a therapist, Dr. Keith Ablow, to psychoanalyze him. (You remember that segment, right? It stemmed from comments Maher had made regarding Bristol Palin’s alleged “horniness.”)

Continues here

Wednesday August 24 2011

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:54:31 -0800

Oliver North,

National Debt Clock

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:42:59 -0800

Hurricane Irene

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:36:42 -0800

Washington Monument

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:58:32 -0800

Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Hits Virginia, Sends Shockwaves Throughout East Coast

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:56:38 -0800

he U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was a half a mile deep and struck near Mineral, Va., a city in central Virginia about 83 miles from Washington, D.C. The area is known for its seismic activity, but does not generally produce large earthquakes.

Most of downtown D.C. has since been evacuated, including the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon and other buildings. Pictures in the Capitol building reportedly fell from the wall and workers panicked and ran to the exits, apparently fearing a 9/11-style attack. Marine helicopters were seen hovering above the D.C.

There is reportedly concern that the Washington Monument is tilting.

Buildings in New York City shook briefly and the FBI building was evacuated. Control towers at John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Airport were also evacuated. Evacuations were felt as north as Canada.

The press corp with President Obama in Martha's Vineyard said they felt slight shaking. Attorney General Eric Holder has been evacuated from the Department of Justice.

Federal officials say two nuclear reactors were taken offline near quake site in Virginia; there was no damage reported.

The East Coast gets earthquakes, but usually smaller ones and is less prepared than California or Alaska for shaking.

At Reagan National Airport outside Washington, ceiling tiles fell during a few seconds of shaking. Authorities announced it was an earthquake and all flights were put on hold.

The largest earthquake from the area in the past few years have been in the magnitude 4 range.

U.S. weather service says no tsunami expected after East Coast quake centered in Va.

Tuesday August 23 2011

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 08:53:53 -0800

Karl Rove,

Runtley

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 05:25:20 -0800

Donate to Rescued Unwanted Furry Friends

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 05:24:24 -0800

Rescued Unwanted Furry Friends aka Ruff Rescue has supported military personnel since 2004 in either taking in their dogs, find other no kill shelters to take them when we had no room, or find foster homes to take their beloved pets should they be stationed to a location that doesn't allow them to take their dogs with them as long as they had orders showing their inability to take their dogs with them.

RUFF has been unable to take in dogs since the Gulf Oil Spill from anyone or from any kill shelter. RUFF lost their funding since the Gulf Oil Spill and have been trying to keep their shelter doors open by asking for donations to help them pay utilities, food and vet bills.

To learn more about RUFF, or to donate, please visit RUFF's website here.

Sean finally gets a porkchop on a stick in Iowa!

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 07:09:32 -0800

Sean broadcasts live from Iowa

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:02:20 -0800

On Thursday, August 11th, Sean broadcast his live show from the studios of 98.3 WOW-FM.

Before Sean's show began he sat in on the "Out Of Bounds" show with Larry Cotler and Andy Garman, a sports talk show that airs before his. You can listen to Sean on "Out Of Bounds" by clicking here.

Sean also made an appearance on the popular 98.3 Wow-FM show, "Bradshaw." You can listen to that interview above or by clicking here.

Special thanks to Chris Bradshaw for the audio.

You can view photos from the broadcast by clicking right here.

98.3 WOW FM in Urbandale, Iowa welcomes Sean

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:48:43 -0800

Thursday August 11 2011

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:41:06 -0800

Deep Fried Butter

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:38:09 -0800

Iowa State Fair - Food On A Stick

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:37:19 -0800

Sean is broadcasting live from Iowa this week, and was shocked at the new "food on a stick" listings for 2011:

New foods this year offer even more tasty options to Fairgoers and add to the over 50 kinds of food on a stick available at the Fair.

- Fried Butter on a Stick – The ultimate Butter Cow tribute, butter dipped in a honey flavored batter and fried golden brown on a stick. Fyfe Concessions located on north side of the Triangle.

- Chocolate Covered Fried Ice Cream on a Stick – Oasis Concessions located at the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion.

- Peanut Butter and Jelly on a Stick – A tasty skewered version of this childhood favorite. The Salad Bowl located in the upper balcony of John Deere Agriculture Building.

- Fried Cheesecake on a Stick – Located at the Wonderbar Stand southwest of the Riley Stage.

- BBQ Ribs at The Rib Shack – A new Fair food concession. The Rib Shack located on the north side of Walnut Square.

- Chicken Philly Sandwich – Grilled chicken breast, with chopped onions and bell peppers topped with Monterey Jack cheese on a hoagie bun. The Best Around located on the south side of the sidewalk at the Triangle, the southeast corner of the Horse Barn, and south of the Des Moines Register Service Center.

- Red Velvet Funnel Cake – A chocolate-flavored version of a Fair favorite, complete with a cream cheese glaze. The Best Around located at the Triangle.

- Shrimp Fries – Located at the Po-Boy Stand on Rock Island Avenue.

- Chocolate Lava Bites – Located at the Po-Boy Stand on Rock Island Avenue.

SOURCE: Iowa State Fair

Gabby Pope

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 14:32:28 -0800

MISSING PERSON Gabrielle L. Pope

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 14:31:58 -0800

Gabby was last known to be with RYAN A. PATE

May be in a dark blue 2004 Dodge Stratus:

Virginia plates XGV-5931

Please call parents: 757-639-6278

Peas

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:20:01 -0800

Casey Anthony

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:47:17 -0800

Jury Reaches Verdict in Casey Anthony Murder Trial

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:44:27 -0800

Jurors have reached a verdict in the trial of Casey Anthony, who is accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter Caylee, Fox News has learned.

Judge Belvin Perry said he will read the verdict at 2:15 p.m. ET Tuesday.

The Florida jury deliberated for more than 10 hours. If convicted of first-degree murder, the 25-year-old Anthony could get a death sentence.

She could also be acquitted or convicted of second-degree murder or manslaughter.

Tuesday July 05 2011

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 08:31:36 -0800

Jay Sekulow,

Bark in the Park

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:24:21 -0800

Thank you to everyone who came out to Bark in the Park with Sean Hannity!

PHOTOS: View photos from the event!

We had a great time at Planting Fields in Oyster Bay with all the 77 WABC listeners and dog lovers! Enjoy the official recap video and photos, and get your pooch ready for next year!

Monday June 27 2011

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:33:05 -0800

2011 U.S. Open Golf Tournament

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:44:45 -0800

NBC’s Selective Patriotism At The U.S. Open

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:42:43 -0800

Sean opened Monday’s show by discussing this past weekend’s U.S. Open golf tournament which saw Rory McIlroy, a twenty-two year old sensation, win by a large margin.

Sean, as well as many viewers, missed the beginning of the NBC telecast in which the network edited out the phrase “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance - Twice! The first time, NBC omitted the phrased “under God, indivisible,” and the second time, they cut the phrase, “one nation under God, indivisible.”

Sean was stunned. “How does such a production piece at the opening segment of the U.S. Open, edited in such an offensive way, not get caught by an executive involved in this program? I just don’t understand. These sports programs have massive staffs. This wasn’t an accident. This was an intentional edit,” Sean steamed.

NBC later issued an on-air apology Sunday for omitting the from the Pledge of Allegiance.

Real Housewives of NJ/SCTNow.org Fundraiser Event (5/16/11)

Fri, 20 May 2011 07:41:19 -0800

Eric and Elisha at SCTNow.org event

Fri, 20 May 2011 07:39:42 -0800

Caroline Manzo and her kids on stage

Fri, 20 May 2011 07:38:59 -0800

Crowd shot at SCTNow event

Fri, 20 May 2011 07:38:31 -0800

Staff at the SCTNow table

Fri, 20 May 2011 07:38:02 -0800

SCTNow staff: Malinda Logan, Katy Bennett, Ruth Byington, Elisha Krauss and Sundy Goodnight

Fri, 20 May 2011 07:37:25 -0800

Real Housewives of NJ fundraiser and premiere party

Fri, 20 May 2011 07:34:38 -0800

Monday night some amazing Stop Child Trafficking Now (SCTNow) volunteers, staffers and I headed out to The Brownstone House in Paterson, NJ for an exciting Season 3 premiere party for the “Real Housewives of New Jersey.”

PHOTOS: View pictures from the event!

Caroline Manzo has supported our cause since one of our devoted volunteers tweeted her last summer about child trafficking. Caroline Manzo not only tweets on her own, this woman reads and responds to her fans!

Everytime Caroline took the mic on Monday to speak to hundreds of fans gathered she mentioned SCTNow. Proceeds from ticket sales to the premiere party are going to SCTNow and the Wounded Warrior foundation.

One of the reasons I love Caroline Manzo is she reminds me of the woman I love the most, my mom. When you watch “Real Housewives of New Jersey” you see that Caroline, despite having a successful tv show and a blessed lifestyle, is a normal mom. She is excited and sad about her kids growing up and leaving the nest. She is independent and supportive of her husband. She is smart, savvy and a hard worker. She is the average American mom.

Caroline is using her fame for good. We on the SCTNow team are honored to have her on our side!

Please be sure to check out SCTNow and tell Caroline thanks for being a “Great American.”

Elisha Krauss is the Senior Producer of the Sean Hannity Show – You can follow her on twitter here.

Stop Child Trafficking Now

Fri, 13 May 2011 14:14:06 -0800

If you’ve listened to the show for a while, or follow me on twitter, then you know one of my passions is putting an end to human trafficking.

Eric (aka Romeo) and I have volunteered with Stop Child Trafficking Now (www.sctnow.org) since it’s founding a few years ago. We both spend spare time working on events, doing PR and fundraising for SCTNow whenever possible.

This upcoming Monday, the SCTNow NYC team and I will be heading to the Season 3 premiere party of Bravo’s hit series “Real Housewives of New Jersey.”

Caroline Manzo, one of the outspoken housewives, is a huge supporter of our troops and SCTNow! Proceeds from ticket sales to the event are being split between SCTNow and the Wounded Warrior Foundation!

We’re excited to participate in this event and hopefully raise more awareness about child trafficking in the United States.

I’ll be sure to do a write-up next week (with pictures) about this awesome event.

Elisha Krauss is the Senior Producer of the Sean Hannity Show - You can follow her on twitter here (http://twitter.com/#!/elishakrauss)

Meet The 'Seal Team 6', The Bad-Asses Who Killed Osama Bin Laden

Wed, 04 May 2011 11:09:13 -0800

Robert W. Johnson / businessinsider.com

The military team that killed Osama Bin Laden is an elite special forces group unofficially called Seal Team 6.

Officially, the team's name is classified and not available to the public, technically there is no team 6. A Tier-One counter-terrorism force similar to the Army's elusive Delta group, Team 6's mission rarely make it to paper much less the newspaper.

It shows how important the publicity about Bin Laden's killing is to the U.S. that this morning, Team 6 is front-page news.

The members of Team 6 are all "black" operatives. They exist outside military protocol, engage in operations that are at the highest level of classification and often outside the boundaries of international law. To maintain plausible deniability in case they are caught, records of black operations are rarely, if ever, kept.

The development of SEAL Team 6 was in direct response to the 1980 attempt to rescue the American hostages held in Iran. The mission was a terrific failure that fell apart at many points and illustrated the need for a dedicated counter-terrorist team capable of operating with the utmost secrecy.

The Team was labeled 6 at the time to confuse Soviet intelligence about the number of SEAL teams in operation at the time. There were only two others.

Team 6 poached the top operatives from other SEAL units and trained them even more intensely from there. Even among proven SEAL's the attrition rate for Team 6 is reported to be nearly half.

There are no names available for current Team 6 members, but the CIA does recruit heavily from their numbers for their Special Operations Group, so it makes sense that they were chosen to work with the CIA on this mission.

Team 6 is normally devoted to missions with maritime authority: ship rescues, oil rigs, naval bases or land bases accessible by water. There are no waterways near Bin Laden's compound.

When a former Navy SEAL was called for a comment about this article all he could say was: "You know I'd love to help you man, but I can't say a word about Team 6. There is no Team 6."

America celebrates the death of "the butcher"

Tue, 03 May 2011 12:54:58 -0800

Biggie and Foxy

Tue, 03 May 2011 08:34:08 -0800

Loving and losing your pet

Tue, 03 May 2011 08:33:02 -0800

This past week I lost a beloved pet, my cat Biggie. He was a feisty rambunctious and fiercely independent animal. Despite having the strong need and desire to be in complete control at all times, he was as loving as could be.

There seems to be a huge misconception about cats, that they are no where near as loving as dogs and don't want to be held or express affection in the same way. I am here to tell you it is a huge lie. Cats are every bit as loving as any other animal, and that includes dogs.

As a person who loves all animals from horses to rabbits, and everything in between, I can honestly say that when you care and live with and love an animal every day for years, their passing leaves you with a feeling of great loss. With humans they can communicate at least their pain or discomfort, and tell you what's wrong and what they need. With animals, it's different; they can't tell you anything and they will turn inward trying to mend themselves. You need to truly pay attention and try your best to notice when their behavior begins to change.

Biggie was a rescue from a shelter about 13 years ago, he was small and scared and needed a home. My boyfriend Lennie rescused both he and his brother, Elmo, so that they could be together. Elmo and Biggie were two peas in a pod and took over the house, bringing lots of antics and lots of laughter. Sadly, Elmo and Biggie lept off of our terrace together. Elmo didn't make it, but Biggie managed to make it out with just a fractured paw. Talk about nine lives, right?

After that, Biggie was pretty much the king, he was the only pet and we gave him all the love we could muster. He had scratch pads, toys, and treats - you name it. Well, about two years ago we found another stray - a small, black, thin and hungry kitten. She needed food and shelter, and you guessed it; Lennie and I took her in, and Biggie was not a happy camper. We named her Foxy and I truly believe she is the most loveable lap cat I have ever met in my life, even the vet can not get over her sweet disposition.

Despite Foxy's love of Biggie, Biggie had nothing but disdain for Foxy, she had invaded his perfect world and he wanted nothing to do with her. Of course, Foxy did not know this and loved Biggie from the start, laying next to him, kissing his head and always wanting to play. It was fun to watch.

In Biggie's last days, Foxy was by his side always, and when we let him go we did it peacefully at home with a terrific veterinarian. Losing Biggie was sad and traumatic, and was our first loss of a pet as grown ups.

What I can say about this experience is that I learned a hard lesson in the pain of losing a family pet. But, it strengthened my resolve that the joy and love he brought to our lives was far more than the pain we had in losing him. We need to always remember that every pet you rescue is a life you save from a shelter filled with loneliness.

Animals need love and care and they give back everything you give to them ten times over. Lennie and I will miss Biggie forever, but I look forward to the next animal we bring into our home and I hope we can give him all the happiness that Biggie gave to us.

Royal wedding

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:05:26 -0800

'Behind the BIas': How Media's Hostility Towards GOP Began

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:36:14 -0800

This is a rush transcript from "Hannity," April 22, 2011. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

SEAN HANNITY, HOST: And welcome to this special edition of Hannity, "Behind the Bias," a close-up look at the Obama-mania media's liberal bias.

Now, it is common knowledge that the mainstream media from the major television networks to the country's most influential newspapers are biased against the GOP. Tonight, we'll examine some of the major scandals that resulted from this bias, and the victims that it has left in its wake.

But first, how and why this bias began?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS MATTHEWS, MSNBC ANCHOR, FEB. 12, 2008: I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don't have that too often.

BRYANT GUMBLE, FORMER "TODAY" CO-ANCHOR, JULY 17, 1989: Largely, as a result of the policies and priorities of the Reagan administration, more people are becoming poor and staying poor in this country than at any time since World War II.

CHARLES KURALT, FORMER CBS ANCHOR, MAY 4, 1994: It is liberalism, whether people like it or not which is animated, all the years of my life. What on earth did conservatism ever accomplished for our country?

HANNITY (voice-over): Republicans may have learned to live with media bias and even to fight against it. But to many the roots of this bias remains a mystery. The media's hostility towards the GOP first emerged as a bizarre tendency to apologize for America's enemies.

JERRY KING, ABC NEWS CORRESPONDENT, APRIL 6, 1992: Under the communists, women in the workplace were glorified.

HANNITY: And as Republicans gained power, the media turned its sights on them, portraying the GOP's most influential figures as he either evil or stupid.

This bias goes all the way back to the 1930s when New York Times reporter Walter Durante traveled to Stalin's Soviet Union. Now, during the Ukrainian famine that killed millions, he told his readers that quote, "Any report of a famine in Russia is today an exaggeration or malignant propaganda." In a socialist utopia like the Soviet Union, Durante argued, quote, "You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs."

BRENT BOZELL, MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER: The New York Times sends a reporter over there who goes back and says, he's seen the future and it works.

GERARD ALEXANDER, AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSITUTE: To have a fundamentally conflicted attitude about not just the United States, but whether the United States is a constructive force in the world, that is something that I think really does separates a lot of liberals and conservatives.

HANNITY: The media have been apologizing for America's enemies from the Cold War through the war on terror.

MIKE WALLACE, FORMER CBS NEWS CORRESPONDENT, FEB. 11, 1990: Many soviets viewing the current chaos and nationalist unrest under Gorbachev, look back almost longingly to the era of brutal order under Stalin.

BERT QUINT, FORMER CBS NEWS CORRESPONDENT, MAY 9, 1990: Communism is being swept away, but so too is the social safety net it provided.

BARBARA WALTERS, ABC NEWS ANCHOR, OCT. 11, 2002: For Castro, freedom starts with education. And if literacy alone were the yardstick, Cuba would rank as one of the freest nations on earth.

BOZELL: There was an element on the left, particularly in the news media that saw the Soviet Union as a wonderful experiment. They were just simply blind to the tens of millions who were massacred.

ALEXANDER: They tend to think of the United States as having had influences on the world that are at times quite destructive. I think, for example, they found it easy, liberal journalists to develop a posture whereby they weren't American journalists, their job was to be neutral, not just about any given story that they were covering, but even about the United States.

HANNITY: This left wing biased emerged in the mid 20th century when liberals dominated most of American intellectual and public life, that dominant shaped, the media's portrayal of the GOP.

ALEXANDER: That long liberal dominance over intellectual life, over government life, over parliament, you know, legislative majorities in Congress, that bred a complacency and self-righteousness that I think really affected media coverage, including especially the conservatives in their rising years, and is still with us today.

HANNITY: This liberal dominance also affected the media's attitude towards conservative policies and ideas.

ALEXANDER: Liberalism is treated as the natural default. Its conservatism that needs to be explained. It's conservatism that needs narratives.

HANNITY: Ironically, it was the emergence of a muscular conservative movement in the mid-1950s led by William F. Buckley and his National Review magazine that bred hostility towards conservatives on the part of the mainstream media.

ALEXANDER: It was very threatening for them when conservative voices began to rise in 1950s, 60s and 70s, challenging their interpretations of a great number of things.

JUAN WILLIAMS, FOX NEWS POLITICAL ANALYST: That ability to puncture a lot of liberal myths is in the court of Bill Buckley and later people like Irving Kristol, you know, that people were coming along and saying, hey, wait a second, there isn't just one way of thinking in America.

ALEXANDER: Their rising confidence and the reach of their voices did provoke a backlash.

HANNITY: That backlash lead to a simplistic portrayal of conservatives in the media. Many are depicted as evil, from Ronald Reagan...

HOWELL RAINES, FORMER NEW YORK TIMES EXECUTIVE EDITOR, NOV. 17, 2003: The Reagan years depressed me because of the callousness and the greed and the hard-hearted attitude towards people have very little in this society.

HANNITY: To Dick Cheney...

DAVID GREGORY, NBC NEWS ANCHOR, SEPT. 1, 2004: He has become a dark figure.

HANNITY: And of course, Karl Rove...

WALTER CRONKITE, FORMER CBS NEWS ANCHOR, OCT. 29, 2004: He probably set up bin Laden to this thing.

BOZELL: They would not allow that conservatives might be wrong but are driven by noble intentions, they won't even allow that. Conservatives have to be described as being wrong and being evil at the same time.

ALEXANDER: There is a self-righteous streak that runs through a great deal of liberal and progressive policy making from the New Deal through the 1960s and 1970s in which they were convinced that they really had the solutions to problems. In which case, if you disagreed with them, you probably didn't want to solve that problem and for some reason you were uncaring

HANNITY: And if conservatives aren't evil and heartless, then they are just stupid.

TOM FRIEDMAN, NEW YORK TIMES COLUMNIST, MARCH 14, 1999: When I listen to the Republicans in Congress on foreign policy, there is such an I'm stupid and proud of it attitude.

KATIE COURIC, FORMER "TODAY" CO-ANCHOR, SEPT. 27, 1999: Good morning, the Gipper was an airhead.

Iran: ‘U.S. Power Grid Prime Target for Cyber Attack’

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:48:56 -0800

Posted By 'Reza Kahlili'

On April 16, the head of Iranian cyberwarfare within Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Gholam Reza Jalali, officially blamed the U.S. and Israel for Stuxnet — a mysterious computer worm that has harmed Iran’s nuclear program. The Guard’s officials have repeatedly warned of retaliation: both for the assassinations of the Iranian nuclear scientists inside Iran, which they called acts of espionage, and for Stuxnet.

Reports from Iran indicate that during a recent meeting among Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commanders and Iranian scientists, America’s vulnerabilities for a cyber attack were discussed. They concluded that the U.S. power grids represent the best opportunity for such attacks, as more U.S. utilities are moving their control systems to the Internet and using smart-grid technology.

The Iranian leaders have acknowledged Stuxnet hit a limited number of centrifuges at both its main uranium enrichment facility in Natanz and its nuclear power plant in Bushehr. Although the Iranians quickly replaced the defective centrifuges at Natanz and have steadily enriched uranium to a holding of over 8000 pounds (enough for three nuclear bombs), they have not been able to recover as fast at the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Rejoining the country’s power grid has been delayed several times.

It was reported last month [1] that the Iranian cyber warfare program was moved under the supervision of the Passive Defense Organization of Iran. The European Union lists this as an entity linked to either Iran’s proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities or Iran’s development of nuclear weapon delivery systems.

A recent report by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Inspector General found that the nation’s power grid is still prone to a cyber attack. The vulnerable state of the power grid was blamed on several different factors, especially the fact that the “critical infrastructure protection” (CIP) cyber standards, which power companies were to have fully implemented a year ago, are not effective.

Other reports within the U.S. have concluded that cyber spies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system. It is also believed that the Chinese have attempted to map the U.S. infrastructure, including the electrical grid.

While China has little incentive to disrupt the U.S. economy, the Iranian leaders see it as an opportunity to further weaken U.S. supremacy. A successful cyber attack on the North American power grid could disrupt the economy and possibly create a national trauma.

Iran’s cyber warfare unit is now actively recruiting hackers from around the world for what they promote as the goals of the Islamic Republic.

Getting Sean to attend a wedding

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 07:08:09 -0800

If you are a 3 hour a day everyday true blue Hannity listener you know the one thing Sean will never attend is a good wedding! I have worked with the man for seven years and have yet to find a way to bribe him into attending my hypothetical wedding.

I was reminded that Hannity is the “Wedding Grinch” when I came across the story of a couple from Michigan planning to walk 2,500 miles to their own wedding! Talk about “going green”.

The 24 year olds said they plan to leave Canton Township in Michigan in mid-April and arrive in Las Vegas four months later in September! Now that my friends is a lot of “quality time” with your significant other. They intend to marry near Lake Mead and hope the long trek will, “prepare them to spend a lifetime together.”

Story here: (http://www.denverpost.com/watercooler/ci_17777095#ixzz1Ika1wLtb)

Speaking of weddings…The ROYAL WEDDING is on April 29th. Now Lynda and I were talking and it turns out neither of us are too psyched to watch Wills and Kate tie the knot. For whatever reason their engagement really hasn’t captivated our hearts and minds.

As such it shouldn’t come as a surprise for you all to learn that I will not be waking up at the crack of dawn (4:00am ET) to watch the young couple exchange vows. However don’t jump to place me in the Hannity Wedding Grinch category because believe me had Lynda and I been invited to the royal wedding we’d be on the first plane to England!

What do the Hannity faithful think, would Sean make an exception for the Royal Wedding and attend the festivities?

Eileen at Sharpton Debate

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 07:38:42 -0800

Elisha attends Soul Surfer Premiere at the Paley Center for Media in Manhattan

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:22:53 -0800

Eric and Elisha with Bethany

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:21:41 -0800

Eric and Elisha with Kevin Sorbo who plays Holt Blanchard the man who saves Bethany's life

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:21:15 -0800

Elisha and Anna Sophia Robb who plays Bethany Hamilton

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:20:47 -0800

Panel including Hamilton fam, director, and cast

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:19:53 -0800

Soul Surfer Premiere!

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:12:15 -0800

Last night Eric (aka Romeo) and I attended the Soul Surfer premiere at the Paley Center for Media in Manhattan.

PHOTOS - View photos from the event here!

The movie is a great family friendly film that will entertain your 6 your old daughter or your 60 year old grandpa. The cinematography showcasing the beauty of the ocean and the impressive talent of female (and some male) surfers is breathtaking and made me want to hop on a plane to Hawaii stat!

The movie shares the inspiring true story of Bethany Hamilton before, briefly during, and then her recovery after the shark attack almost 8 years ago.

After the movie there was a brief q&a and the attendees learned that from an encouraging word from Bethany's youth pastor, to her trip to Thailand, to family conversations the movie is accurate. The entire Hamilton family (mom, dad and her two big brothers) played a huge role in deciding which script, which actors (Bethany's mom personally chose AnnaSophia Robb to play Bethany) and water shots that would realistically depict what they surf in almost every day.

It was very cool to hear that the entire Hamilton family is a fan of Sean's radio and tv shows. They listen online and watch all the way in Kauai!

A big thank you to Joe Battaglia from Renaissance Communication for inviting the Hannity team and allowing me to interview the incredible Bethany Hamilton and actors from the movie.

Take your entire family to see this movie this weekend! You won't regret it!

Elisha Krauss is the Senior Producer of the Sean Hannity Show

To find a theatre near you playing Soul Surfer this weekend go here

To learn more about Bethany and her career visit her site here

Cat food

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 09:48:48 -0800

New Hannity.com Improvements

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:49:55 -0800

Today we launched several new features to Hannity.com that we think you'll really enjoy. The biggest addition is "Hannity Team Blogs" which allow all of the Hannity Staff to post their thoughts, opinions and feelings about politics, current events, etc.

Wait, Why Are We In Libya?

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 08:46:22 -0800

One important reason for Obama’s willingness to involve the US in Libya can be explained with four numbers- 2012

Let’s all put on our thinking caps for a hot minute and take a quick trip down memory lane with some of “Hillary Clinton’s Greatest Hits” from the 2008 campaign trail shall we?

"In this election we need a nominee who can pass the commander-in-chief test. Someone ready on day one to defend our country and keep our families safe. We need a president who passes that test. The first and most solemn duty of the president of the United States is to protect and defend our nation. And when there is a crisis and when the phone rings whether it's 3:00 p.m. or 3:00 a.m. In the White House, there is no time for speeches and on the job training.”

"I think that I have a lifetime of experience that I will bring to the White House. I know Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience to bring to the White House. And Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002."

- Hillary Clinton March 3, 2008

How about this tidbit of goodness voiced by the now Secretary of State?

"Voters will judge whether living in a foreign country at the age of 10 prepares one to face the big, complex international challenges the next president will face"

-Hillary Clinton November 20, 2007

I think time has clearly shown that Hillary may have been on to something here.

It is this Authors opinion that one of the reasons we find ourselves knee deep in Libya with no clear strategy is, drum roll please, Obama’s 2012 Election campaign!

Campaign advisors looking ahead to 2012 do not wish to give Obama’s critics and challengers the opportunity to paint the President as “soft” on national security, and tepid in wielding the greatest force on Earth (aka the US Military) therefore in order to prevent the regurgitation of Hillary’s criticisms, the Administration seized on the opportunity handed them in Libya to make the President look, “ready to take that 3AM phone call.”

Now don’t misunderstand me I am not saying the US was wrong to intervene in Libya. The people have suffered mass human rights violations, threats of genocide carried out by the government and a ruthless and border line insane leader in Moammar Kadafi. Clearly action needed to be taken by the US in tandem with the international community.

What I am bringing to the table is a different spin on the Administrations eventual decision to get involved with the crisis in Libya.

In my opinion Hillary Clinton nailed it 2008 as evidenced by the political pundits, journalists and US citizens on both sides of the political aisle who all seem unimpressed and mystified with the Obama Administrations handling of the 2.5 wars America finds itself involved in. So if I may conclude with a quick shout-out and thank you to Hillary for the political ammo and warning- you were right.

Eileen

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 08:38:27 -0800

Weird Hannity Things I Found Online

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 08:33:59 -0800

Hello Hannity Faithful:

So I was talking with a friend last week about the strange things people attempt to sell on Ebay, Craigslist etc. I mean who could possibly forget the infamous grilled cheese sandwich that sold for $28,000 on Ebay because it possibly, maybe, sort of, kind of had the shape of the Virgin Mary’s face fried into the bread. Or how about the “UFO Detector” that sold for $135.03!

As such I decided I would snoop around on the internet to see what kind of things people were selling or making that involve our very own Sean Hannity.

Here’s what my search results located:

Sean Hannity 8 of Diamonds Playing Card- Wow they didn’t even make the Han-man a King of clubs or Ace of spades- Just an arbitrary 8 of Diamonds- ouch!
http://cgi.ebay.com/SEAN-HANNITY-Scarce-Vote-Republican-Card-/200349564417?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ea5c3be01

Hannity Egg Art- Yes someone actually made Sean Hannity out of 2 hard boiled eggs. This item gives new meaning to the term “egg head.”
http://cgi.ebay.com/SEAN-HANNITY-egg-art-REAL-EGGS-1-OF-A-KIND-MUST-SEE-/330547852660?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf62ff574

Hannity Underwear- And not just any kind of underwear mind you. This type of undergarment caters to the female kind!
http://www.cafepress.com/+classic_thong,59857249

And finally an, “I love Sean Hannity” Dog Coat- Yes fellow American’s now your dog can be warm, stylish and a Reagan Conservative in this pooch poncho!
http://www.cafepress.com/+i_love_heart_sean_hannity_dog_ts,111685251

If you have a strange, unique or laughable Hannity item that you made or found send us a photo (email us at feedback@hannity.com) we love to see what kind of Hannity gear our listeners are rocking, but let’s keep it PG folks no photos of you in Hannity underwear please!

Tax Time

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 08:26:33 -0800

When tax season rolls around my husband is always prepared with the forms, receipts and paperwork. He is great at budgeting and organizing and I am so blessed that he has those talents and does not mind doing it. Every year, because we make more than a certain bracket (which in NYC doesn’t go very far!) we pay a lot in taxes.

We often wonder how nice it would be if we could actually use the money we earn instead of handing it over to the IRS. Sometimes we create a dream list of what we would do with the money if we didn’t have to send it to the IRS.

During this time of year, I am reminded of one of the many reasons why I call myself a Conservative. It brings me back to when I realized I was a young conservative.

I was 13 years old and got into a debate with my violin instructor, Mr. Reed (I wonder where he is today…) Anyway, Mr. Reed was griping about paying taxes so I asked him why he was voting for Gore. He went into a monologue about how Gore was responsible, and that Gore was better than Bush and had already been vice president etc. I thought for a moment and then said, “Yeah, but, doesn’t he want to raise your taxes more and couldn’t you do a lot with the tax money you’d save when Bush cuts taxes?” I asked him out of curiosity if he had a list of things he could do with his money if he didn’t have to send it to the IRS.

Mr. Reed then shared with me a few things he’d like to do with that money. I sincerely hope he thought of those before he voted for Gore.

Here is my dream list if Uncle Sam wasn’t taking my very hard earned money.

Fly to my older sister’s baby shower in June
Invest in our IRAs
Go on a vacation for Eric’s 30th birthday in August
Donate to Stop Child Trafficking Now (http://www.sctnow.org/) and missionary friends around the world
Clean out the closet of old stuff and buy new (bringing all items to Goodwill like we always do)
A ceiling light for above our dining room table (which I’d LOVE to have)
Buy a new computer for me (my current one dies about 4 times a day)
Get Romeo a new computer (his is running slow) and give his old one to a family who can’t afford it
Buy more Girl Scout cookies (no brainer!)
Buy an iPad
Buy Romeo a new iPhone

I asked some of my twitter followers what they would do and the top five answers were:

Pay off debt
Give to charity
Private schooling for their kids
Vacation
Fix up house

Elisha is the Senior Producer of the Sean Hannity Radio Show. You can follow more of her thoughts on Twitter here (https://twitter.com/elishakrauss)

New Website Changes-Improvements

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 08:13:00 -0800

New Hannity.com Updates!

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 08:11:27 -0800

April showers bring May flowers...and also new changes to Hannity.com!

You may have noticed a slightly redesigned homepage that draws attention to important items of the day as well as articles and news stories Sean comments on during his radio show. We're also very excited to launch the Hannity Staff Blogs. Every Hannity team member will be able to opine about politics, religion and pop culture.

We've also enhanced our video capabilities and will be streaming the Hannity vs. Sharpton debate live right here on Hannity.com this Thursday, April 7th starting at 7pm.

Thursday will also bring new video of Elisha's interview with Bethany Hamilton.

Send us an email and let us know what you think about the new changes by clicking here.

Elisha Krauss is the Senior Producer of the Sean Hannity Radio Show, you can follow her on twitter here (http://twitter.com/elishakrauss)

The US Role In Japan And Abroad

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:58:10 -0800

Why is it when national disasters occur the United States always steps in? There are some, like Ron Paul, who believe that we do too much and stretch ourselves too far financially and with our military.

Yes, the US spends billions on foreign aid but for what purpose? When we send our Navy and other branches of our armed forces to third world countries or places where national disasters just occurred we’re not just doing it to save lives, rather I believe we do it to potentially save our own.

Recently I was at a lunch where the keynote speaker brought up the BRIC countries and their new and rising standing in the world. BRIC standing for – Brazil, Russia, India and China. India and China have over a billion people. America’s recent 2010 census reported that we have over 300 million people. It’s obvious to me by sheer numbers of population we need to be considering the impact that generations of Chinese and Indians will have on our way of life. They already do.

China, for example, has been investing in Africa for decades. They are preparing and waiting for a turn around on that continent and then will be in the perfect position to reap from Africa’s inevitable success.

So, when asked why America should help countries like Japan when a national or natural disaster occurs, they are a friend and an ally. Because the people we’re impacting and the importance of a relationship with a nation that plays a significant role in technological and scientific advancements we may need and want in the future. Since WWII Japan has been an ally to the United States and this is the greatest disaster they have experienced since then. We must be there to help.

When protests and chaos occur in the Middle East we must stand with Israel and condemn the rise of anti-Semitism. They are our greatest ally in the Middle East and a world without Israel is a world I do not want to live in. Radical extremists will not stop when Israel is destroyed. Radical extremists despise the West, they despise our freedoms and our way of life. They hate our society, where women and “infidels” are active in our communities, churches, financial institutions, the government, and our educational systems.

America was founded on Judeo Christian principles and values. Those values teach us to respect others, practice the Golden Rule and value life from conception until God’s ordained time of death.

When my uncle goes to a third world country on a Navy vessel and helps children with Cleft pallets; he is not just doing ‘humanitarian aid’ he is doing his job and being a compassionate representative of the United States.

When the Red Cross or Samaritan’s Purse sends volunteers to counsel and clean up after a natural emergency they’re doing humanitarian work by serving and sacrificing in addition to representing our country.

When people around the world see the prosperity of the United States we want to show them we’re not a selfish nation that is going to hoard our talents, goods, and services. No, we’re going to share them and experience the reward of positive relationships with other countries and their resources as well.

Now, I’m not saying we just give and give and give until it’s all gone. We must plan and consider the humanitarian and economical aspects to every situation. I am saying that if we help others then when there’s a time for them to stand with us, they will.

Who Doesn't Love Nature?

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:55:26 -0800

Who doesn't love nature?

Even if you don't like nature this live stream is an incredible thing to watch.

A mother eagle nesting and waiting for her three eggs to hatch and come to life.

This is what I'm watching today as I call screen :)

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

Sean thinking

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:25:55 -0800

Oil pumps in operation at an oilfield

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:48:36 -0800

Mid-East unrest spreads to Syria

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:14:32 -0800

DARAA, Syria -- Thousands of Syrians took to the streets Friday demanding reforms and mourning dozens of protesters who were killed during a violent, weeklong crackdown that has brought extraordinary pressure on the country's autocratic regime, activists and witnesses said.

There were no immediate reports of serious violence.

Daraa, the main city of southern Syria's drought-parched agricultural heartland, has become a flashpoint for protests in a country whose leadership stands unafraid of using extreme violence to quash internal unrest. The coming days will be a crucial test of the surge of popular discontent that has unseated autocrats in Tunisia and Egypt and threatens to push several others from power.

Sheltering in Daraa's Roman-era old city, the protesters have persisted through seven days of increasing violence by security forces, but have not inspired significant unrest in other parts of the country.

On Friday, demonstrations took place in Daraa and throughout the country in what organizers called a "Day of Dignity."

But journalists who tried to enter Daraa's Old City -- where most of the violence took place -- were escorted out of town Friday by two security vehicles.

"As you can see, everything is back to normal and it is over," an army major, standing in front of the ruling Baath party head office in Daraa, told journalists before they were led out of the city.

By early afternoon, tens of thousands, many of them coming from nearby villages, gathered in Daraa's central Assad Square, chanting pro-democracy slogans such as "freedom, freedom," a resident said over the telephone.

He said the demonstrators carried Syrian flags and olive branches. The resident, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said more than 50,000 people were protesting. The crowd chanted against presidential adviser, Buthaina Shaaban, who on Thursday announced government measures to improve the standard of living in Daraa.

After the Friday prayers in the village of Dael, near Daraa, men on motorcycles and cars honked their horns while several hundred men marched, some of them carrying Syrian flags and chanting: "Dael and Daraa will not be humiliated!"

Plainclothes security agents watched without interfering.

While tens of thousands were gathering in the Syrian capital, hundreds of people took to the streets of Hama, the city that was the scene in 1982 to the killing of thousands of people by Syrian security forces.

Scores of people were gathering in surrounding villages in what appeared to be preparation to march to Daraa. But Syrian soldiers deployed along the highway, apparently to prevent such a march.

A human rights activist, quoting witnesses, said thousands of people were gathering in the town of Douma outside the capital, Damascus, pledging support for the people of Daraa. The activists asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution.

In the capital, about 200 people near the central Marjeh Square shouted "Our souls, our blood we sacrifice for you Daraa!" and "Freedom, freedom!"

Security forces dispersed the crowd by chasing them away, beating some with batons and detaining others, an activist said, asking that his name not be published for fear of reprisals by the government.

The activist also said he was hearing reports of gatherings in the coastal city of Latakia, the northern city of Raqqa and Zabadani in the west.

Earlier Friday, security forces appeared to be trying to reduce tension in Daraa by dismantling checkpoints and ensuring there was no visible army presence on the streets for the first time since last Friday, when the protests began.

Rattled by the unrest, the Syrian government Thursday pledged to consider lifting some of the Mideast's most repressive laws in an attempt to stop the weeklong uprising from spreading and threatening its nearly 50-year rule.

But the promises were immediately rejected by many activists who called for demonstrations around the country on Friday in response to a crackdown that protesters say killed dozens of anti-government marchers in Daraa.

"We will not forget the martyrs of Daraa," a resident told The Associated Press by telephone. "If they think this will silence us they are wrong."

President Bashar Assad, a close ally of Iran and its regional proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas, has promised increased freedoms for discontented citizens and increased pay and benefits for state workers -- a familiar package of incentives offered by other nervous Arab regimes in recent weeks.

Presidential adviser Buthaina Shaaban also said the Baath party would study ending a state of emergency that it put in place after taking power in 1963.

"I am happy to announce to you the decisions made by the Arab Baath party under the auspices of President Bashar al-Assad... which include... studying the possibility of lifting the emergency law and licensing political parties," Shaaban told Al-Jazeera.

The emergency laws, which have been a feature of many Arab countries, allow people to be arrested without warrants and imprisoned without trial. Human rights groups say violations of other basic liberties are rife in Syria, with torture and abuse common in police stations, detention centers and prisons, and dissenters regularly imprisoned for years without due process.

"This is widespread. This is Syrians who are in pain, who are in poverty, who have been treated badly, and the government understands that. Shaaban made some important statements saying no issue is taboo and the government feels your pain. At the same time, they crack down harshly, and this shows the real confusion in the government on how to deal with this," Joshua Landis, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, told Al-Jazeera.

The death toll from the weeklong crackdown was unclear and could not be independently confirmed. Shaaban says 34 people had been killed in the conflict.

Barry Bonds

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:54:57 -0800

Qaddafi and Libyan Civil War

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:53:29 -0800

Lynda

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:37:18 -0800

To Take Or To Give - That Is The Question

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:36:19 -0800

2012 is upon us and I think the question on everyone’s minds is who will take this country and give it back to the people; and return us to the nation we were once were. Quite frankly, I don’t think any one person can do this – in fact I think it would take an entire new national mind set to bring about the kind of change this country truly needs.

When America came forward during WWII, our ancestors gave our country a distinguished legacy to uphold. Sadly, we have not even come close to honoring or even respecting that gift as a nation. There are always exceptions to every rule, but sadly those who are giving back to our country are few, far and in between. What we have now is the entitlement mentality, otherwise known to many as the “ME” generation.

Let me give an example using a popular movie to explain my opinion. Russell Crowe starred in a film, base on a true story, “Cinderella Man.” The movie is based during the Great Depression, and James J. Braddock, played by Crowe is a successful and well known boxer. Like every one else, Braddock falls victim to the desperation of the times and is forced to take demeaning jobs, when available, and a few fights here and there where he is used as a punching bag.

Eventually, in order to feed his three children, he takes money from the relief effort. You see that he has this moment of complete sadness that he has fallen on the hands of the government. Ultimately, Braddock makes a change for himself and manages success in a time of despair. When he is able, he returns the funds he borrowed from the government, back to the office of government assistance. The looks of admiration from the surrounding people in the lines show the state of mind that we could only imagine in today’s culture.

Our society believes that we should take whatever we can get- we have people who have literally made it a lifestyle to “just get by” to enable them to qualify for assistance. Sadly, a lot of Americans misunderstand the difference between someone truly in need and someone truly lazy. Let me explain.

Government subsidized programs are intended to help people who have found themselves in a place of deep economic trouble; Where their only resort is the government. In theory, this is a terrific concept, one which gets to the very heart of the human experience – helping your fellow man. Unfortunately, theory and practical application are two very different animals, and they are often misunderstood.

If you think that receiving government assistance is wrong, then I disagree with you. Sometimes life just throws you a curve ball, and you really do need the help. However, it is critical that you give everything you have to repairing the broken fences in your life, and learn how to hurdle them once again. Assistance is not a way of life it is a way to get back your life.

Until we can get America to produce, renew and respect the worth of their nation and themselves we are doomed to continue this downward economic spiral. We have so many takers, and so few willing to give. There is only one answer – get to work, today. Whatever it is, just do something positive with your life and keep going; the best life stories are those of trial and tribulation and the willingness to overcome the impossible.

Greg

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:27:23 -0800

Elisha

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:27:02 -0800

Eric

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:26:39 -0800

Rescue Work Continues in Japan As Nuclear Threat Looms

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 06:57:12 -0800

Are Fears of a Catastrophic Nuclear Meltdown in Japan Warranted?

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 08:48:48 -0800

This is a rush transcript from "Hannity," March 14, 2011. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

SEAN HANNITY, HOST: And tonight fears of a catastrophic meltdown at a Japanese nuclear power plant are rising.

Now in the wake of Friday's massive earthquake, a series of explosions have crippled efforts to reduce the temperature inside those reactors. And the latest explosion occurred just over an hour ago.

Now seawater is being used to cool the rods, but late Monday night in Japan, the water level dropped and the rods were exposed. Now this poses serious health risks and dramatically increases the chances of a total meltdown.

Now also today, we learned that crewmembers of the USS Reagan were exposed to radiation while on a relief mission. Now reports indicate that the exposure occurred when U.S. helicopters flew through a cloud of a radioactive dust although the exposure being described as low leveled and test did not detect any contamination after they washed with soap and water, the sailors are being closely monitored.

Joining me now with the very latest on the developing situation are Jay Lehr from The Heartland Institute, Ira Helfand, a nuclear expert, member of the board of Physicians for Social Responsibility, and nuclear safety consultant Margaret Harding.

Thank you both -- Jay, I'm looking at not only the contamination story of the USS Reagan Navy crewmembers but, you know, "this is a race against time." You know, "Japan's frantic efforts to avoid a meltdown." Some people say, "we were told not to breathe the air, it's scary." How realistic is this threat?

JAY LEHR, THE HEARTLAND INSTITUTE: Sean, it is not at all realistic. I can tell you with the utmost confidence there will not be a health impact of anything that is going on at the Fukushima power plant. A meltdown, people interpret it as virtually a disaster, and explosion, destruction like an atomic bomb that is not true at all. A meltdown just means that the cooling of the rods has failed. The temperature is higher than can be controlled in order to create the hot water that ultimately flashes to steam and turns a turbine. So, they immediately install rods to bring the radioactive decay down to subcritical but they have leftover heat and residual radiation that has to be brought under control, it will happen naturally within a few days. They are doing the best they can.

But a total meltdown has only occurred at Three Mile Island back in 1979. That was a disaster of a nuclear plant considered 10 times more serious than Fukushima. And the rods actually did melt down, fell to the floor of the reactor building. And they only melted five-eight of an inch into five inches of steel before they cooled and the situation stopped. And as you well know, there were no health impacts from Three Mile Island.

There will not be any health impacts here. The nuclear engineers in Japan are doing a magnificent job under a situation that could never be expected. And the public in Japan has enough to worry about with a horrible disaster without worrying that there is going to be a nuclear explosion.

HANNITY: Let me bring Ira in here. Now, the Japanese nuclear safety agency rated the damage at the nuclear power plant in Fukushima at a four on a scale of one to seven. Each number being 10 times worst than the prior one. For example, Three Mile Island was a five. And Chernobyl rated as the seven. Do you agree with the assessment of Jay Lehr?

IRA HELFAND, NUCLEAR EXPERT: Well, no, not at all. I mean, it was rated as a four, two days ago. And a lot of very bad things have happened since then. We don't know what is going to happen. There may not be a significant breach of containment at either any of these three reactors, but there may be. And that's the point. For the last three days, the people who occupy this plant, have not known what has been going on. They have been doing a spectacular job, but they've been working in the dark. They've been using techniques which are not in any of the playbooks. Using fire trucks to pump seawater into a reactor which you know is going to destroy the reactor. It's something that has never been done before and is never been contemplated before. And it is not working really well either which is why we keep having these periodic increases in the amount of fuel that's melting down.

HANNITY: Well, there's always a possibility -- but Margaret, let me bring you in here. As, you know, by all accounts, you know, they even built this facility which was built number of decades ago to withstand an 8.2 magnitude earthquake. There is, as I understand what they're saying is a ton of redundancy and protections that they put in place here, you know, even envisioning a worst-case scenario, your thoughts on where we are right now, what we can expect.

MARGARET HARDING, NUCLEAR SAFETY CONSULTANT: Well, that's correct. First I'd like to say that on behalf of the American Nuclear Society, that our hearts go out to what is happening in Japan. And the earthquake and the tsunami and the devastation. I especially want to congratulate and honor the workers at the plants whose families and homes have been lost, and yet they've stayed on the job.

That said, you are absolutely right. There's huge defense and depth on these plans. They were designed to operate through an earthquake, an 8.2. They survived this earthquake, the tsunami was what took out some of the backup systems. But the ultimate backup has always been the reactor vessel and the containment which are working. In addition, remember that the seawater option was built into the plant. This is not something that was not anticipated. It is of course something you don't want to do. You don't want to put seawater into the facility. But it was planned as an ultimate backup if you needed it and it is working.

HANNITY: All right. Jay, we keep hearing "meltdown" and I know when we talk about nuclear anything, that I assume that people's minds go towards nuclear explosion of some kind.

LEHR: There's no question about that Sean. A meltdown is basically a nuclear

engineering term which simply means that the heat from the radioactive decay is greater than we want it to be in order to operate --

HANNITY: But the fear is to release a radiation, is it not?

LEHR: It is but we have a containment structure that is not likely to release the radiation. And if it did release the radiation, most of the radioactive particles have a very short half life. Chernobyl was a number seven as you said. It had no containment building. It totally exploded. There was a cloud of radiation that they said was going to kill tens of thousands of people and deform children.

Ten years after the accident, the U.N. produced a 1,200-page report pointing out that there was no long-term impact on health from anybody away from the plant due to the radiation cloud. There were 1,000 cases of leukemia in the village right surrounding Chernobyl, and 998 of them were cured.

So, this idea of this radioactive cloud like a nuclear bomb is totally false. And puts stress on a population --both our country and their country -- that is totally unwarned.

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:40:02 -0800

Official: Damaged Japan Nuclear Fuel Rods Were Fully Exposed

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 06:40:05 -0800

SOMA, Japan -- The second hydrogen explosion in three days rocked a Japanese nuclear plant Monday, sending a massive cloud of smoke into the air and injuring 11 workers. The blast was felt 25 miles away, but the plant's operator said the radiation levels at the affected unit were still within legal limits.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Later Monday, fuel rods at a separate reactor in the plant were fully exposed after it lost its ability to cool down, officials said. The exposure raises the risk of the unit overheating and adds to fears of a potential third explosion at the plant.

PHOTOS: Pictures from Japan

The morning blast occurred in Unit 3, which authorities have been trying to cool with sea water after a system failure in the wake of Friday's massive earthquake and tsunami, triggered an order for hundreds of people to stay indoors, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano. The two disasters left at least 10,000 people dead.

Operators knew the sea water flooding would cause a pressure buildup in the reactor containment vessel -- and potentially lead to an explosion -- but felt they had no choice if they wanted to avoid a complete meltdown. In the end, the hydrogen in the released steam mixed with oxygen in the atmosphere and set off the blast.

The inner containment shell surrounding the Unit 3 reactor was intact, Edano said, allaying some fears of the risk to the environment and public. But the outer building around the reactor appeared to have been devastated, with only a skeletal frame remaining.

Broken water main in Japan

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 06:30:50 -0800

Monday March 14 2011

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 06:06:50 -0800

Newt Gingrich,

Japan Earthquake

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:03:23 -0800

Hundreds Killed by Massive Tsunami After 8.9-Magnitude Quake Rocks Japan

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 11:59:31 -0800

TOKYO -- A ferocious tsunami unleashed by Japan's biggest recorded earthquake slammed into its eastern coast Friday, killing hundreds of people as it carried away ships, cars and homes, and triggered widespread fires that burned out of control.

DONATE: To the Red Cross Japan earthquake relief fund

Hours later, the waves washed ashore the U.S. West Coast, where evacuations were ordered from California to Washington but little damage was sustained. The entire Pacific had been put on alert -- including coastal areas of South America, Canada and Alaska -- but waves were not as bad as expected.

PHOTOS: View photo of the damage caused by the quake

In northeastern Japan, the area around a nuclear power plant was evacuated after the reactor's cooling system failed and pressure began building inside.

Police said 200 to 300 bodies were found in the northeastern coastal city of Sendai, the city in Miyagi prefecture, or state, closest to the epicenter. Another 137 were confirmed killed, with 531 people missing. Police also said 627 people were injured.

The magnitude-8.9 offshore quake unleashed a 23-foot (seven-meter) tsunami and was followed for hours by more than 50 aftershocks, many of them of more than magnitude 6.0.

Dozens of cities and villages along a 1,300-mile (2,100-kilometer) stretch of coastline were shaken by violent tremors that reached as far away as Tokyo, hundreds of miles (kilometers) from the epicenter. A large section of Kesennuma, a town of 70,000 people in Miyagi, burned furiously into the night with no apparent hope of being extinguished, public broadcaster NHK said.

Koto Fujikawa, 28, was riding a monorail when the quake hit and had to later pick her way along narrow, elevated tracks to the nearest station.

"I thought I was going to die," Fujikawa, who works for a marketing company, said. "It felt like the whole structure was collapsing."

Scientists said the quake ranked as the fifth-largest earthquake in the world since 1900 and was nearly 8,000 times stronger than one that devastated Christchurch, New Zealand, last month.

"The energy radiated by this quake is nearly equal to one month's worth of energy consumption" in the United States, U.S. Geological Survey Scientist Brian Atwater told The Associated Press.

The Two Party System Just Doesn't Work

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:47:54 -0800

Blog by Eileen

For some time I believe it’s been clear that not everyone falls neatly into one of the two boxes provided by our two-party system. More and more when you ask someone what their party affiliation is, they will tell you independent. Nine times out of ten, unless you are dealing with someone who is more extreme, even when people don’t believe themselves to be, they actually are straight up and down the middle.

You see the interesting thing about people is that they want to judge each other. This is human nature, and obviously is something that most are not able to curtail. The problem is when that judging allows for decisions to be made that affect someone’s free will. By that I mean areas that are more socially focused, i.e. abortion, gay marriage, domestic partnership rights, etc. Although, I may not agree with someone on their personal decisions, who am I to force them to adhere to a belief which is my own?

Where I stray from this is when it comes to all matters of a fiscal nature. If you want to have an abortion, then you and you alone have to deal with the big guy upstairs. Now, if you want to take my tax dollars to afford public resources to deliver a service of this kind, we have a problem. One person should not be able to restrict another person from doing something, but in that same vain our monies should not be allocated and dictated for use based on a certain person or persons’ beliefs.

Social issues are just that, they are social – of the people, and open for debate and commentary. Fiscal matters are much more cut and dry. You work for your money, I work for mine, and it’s just that simple. No one, and I mean NO ONE, should have the right to take your money that puts food into your family’s mouths into something you don’t believe in. When a certain interest group takes your money and does just that, we have violated the free will of that individual.

We need something in between the Republicans and the Democrats, the Conservatives and the Liberals; that something should be the Independent party. This group should be focused on issues that have often polarized these two parties and find the healthy medium between the two, once and for all.

Although, the bible belters in the middle and the flag burners along the coasts want to shout their beliefs to the mountain tops, there are many of us who just want to live our lives and do that without commentary from either side. We just want to pay our bills, spend time with our families and believe that the American dream still has a chance.

Obama and Israel: Friend or Foe?

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:58:16 -0800

By ISI LEIBLER

Despite the president’s positive remarks to 50 representatives of the Conference of Presidents last week, it seems he remains committed to a policy of applying one-sided pressure to make further unilateral concessions.

The “closed” meeting between President Barack Obama and 50 representatives of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations last week was hailed by the chairman Alan Solow and executive vice chairman Malcolm Hoenlein as an “extraordinary session,” providing “open lines of communication with President Obama and his administration” and an “opportunity to articulate the views of American Jews on issues that face the country.”

In a similar vein, the White House said the meeting reaffirmed “America’s unshakable support for Israel’s security, opposition to any effort to delegitimize or single it out for criticism, and a commitment to achieve a peace that will secure the future for Arabs and Israelis alike.”

In contrast to the 2009 meeting, J Street was not invited.

From all reports, Obama went out of his way to persuade participants that he was committed to Israel. More importantly, he unequivocally reaffirmed his commitment to maintain US military aid at the current record levels.

However, despite his positive remarks, it would appear that he remains committed to a policy of applying one-sided pressure to make further unilateral concessions.

Participants thanked the president for having exercised the US veto at the UN Security Council. But in response to expressions of regret at the harsh anti-Israeli statements made by US representatives before and after the vote, Obama stated that White House officials consider it imperative for the US “to do something to show balance” in view of the delicacy of Arab public opinion during these “sensitive” times.

It was also disconcerting to learn that despite the recent tsunamis in the Arab world, Obama still sees a linkage between the turmoil – including the threat from Iran – and the need for concessions to the Palestinians.

This distortion of reality is accentuated when viewed in conjunction with recent US statements downplaying radical Islamic fundamentalist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, which the State Department now describes as “moderate,” despite its clear objectives of creating a Shari’a state and destroying Israel.

EVEN MORE alarming was a JTA report quoting Obama making a patronizing call to the Jewish leaders to speak to their friends and colleagues in Israel, and to “search your souls” as to whether its government is serious about making peace.

Rabbi Steven Wernick, executive vice president and CEO of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, observed that Obama “did talk about the fact that Israel is the stronger party here, militarily, culturally and politically. And Israel needs to create the context for it to happen.”

The president was obviously implying that it bears primary responsibility for advancing the peace process.

Obama also reaffirmed his long-standing view that PA President Mahmoud Abbas is a moderate peace partner, but said “the Palestinians don’t feel confident that the Netanyahu government is serious about territorial concessions.”

In stark contrast to his efforts to understand what motivated Abbas, Obama failed to credit the unprecedented concessions offered by our democratically elected prime minister, whose policies are supported by the vast majority of the people.

Indeed, if the opposition held the reins of government, its approach would barely differ.

Binyamin Netanyahu was the first prime minister to introduce a 10-month freeze on settlement construction, in response to US pressure. Nevertheless, throughout this period, Abbas refused to negotiate with him.

Thus, when Obama urged further concessions, insisting that “both sides” make a “greater effort,” it would have been appropriate for a Jewish representative to ask him whether he saw parallels between the corrupt and duplicitous leadership of Abbas and Hosni Mubarak, whom he recently disowned.

What further concessions can be made to appease the Palestinians, who still refuse to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, reject demilitarization and doggedly insist on the ‘right’ of all refugees and their descendants to reside in Israel? Should Netanyahu agree to return to the indefensible 1948 armistice lines? These lines (although erroneously referred to as 1967 borders) were described by Abba Eban as the “Auschwitz borders” and were never intended to be permanent.

Should Netanyahu disregard UN Security Council Resolution 242, which understood that those borders would need to be adjusted? Does Obama expect Israel to unilaterally withdraw? We have seen the results of Ariel Sharon’s withdrawal from Gaza – the empowerment of Hamas and the intensification of rockets and terrorism, culminating in the Gaza war.

ISRAEL’S LONG-TERM viability remains highly dependent on US support – more so today than at any period since the creation of the state. It is highly gratifying that the American public and Congress are strongly supportive. But in the White House, we have a president whose priority is to appease the Islamic states, and even engage with radical Islamists, which inevitably conflicts with support for the Jewish state. Thus the burden of responsibility for Israel advocacy and resistance to sacrificing it on the altar of expediency now rests with our American Jewish supporters.

Obama seeks to be reelected, and has displayed a willingness to forgo ideology in pursuit of this objective.

Jews represent a small but important strategic group in US politics. They have considerable leverage, but if in a meeting with the president representative leaders fail to respond to bizarre and patronizing remarks, they will cease to have any impact.

Strategizing a policy under such circumstances is no easy task.

Jewish community leaders must carefully weigh responses to government policies they consider to be contrary to Jewish interests. Speaking up may jeopardize future access, but responsible leaders must never refrain from respectfully doing so.

The awful legacy of Rabbi Stephen Wise, whose blind adulation of Franklin Roosevelt during the Holocaust resulted in one of the darkest pages in American Jewish history, has been internalized by a postwar generation of proud American Jewish leaders prepared to stand up and be counted. Yet given American Jewry’s long association with the Democratic Party, standing up to a president like Obama represents a formidable challenge.

However, their response will undoubtedly have an historic impact on the future of the Jewish people and the Jewish state.

The Danger of the Muslim Brotherhood

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:19:01 -0800

by Irfan Al-Alawi
February 11, 2011

http://www.hudson-ny.org/1883/muslim-brotherhood-danger

Hosni Mubarak has come to a wretched pass, and it is impossible not to sympathise with crowds of ordinary people demanding democratic change. But Westerners are being led by their ignorance and good-hearted idealism to believe in a "reasonable" transformation of the Muslim Brotherhood [MB] and, as a consequence, the alleged standing of the MB as an appropriate participant in the democratisation of the Islamic lands. The MB has always believed that the West could be swindled into assisting the rise of the Brotherhood to power, and the recent effort to convince America and Western Europe that the MB represents a "tame" form of radical ideology has gone on for several years. Moderate Muslims are not fooled, and Westerners should not let themselves be gulled into promoting an outcome in Egypt that would open the way to a Muslim Brotherhood state there.

Western media coverage and political commentary on the Egyptian events frequently leaves Muslim moderates dismayed. It is shocking to observe the wide success of the MB's campaign to present itself as an acceptable option for the government of Egypt.

At the beginning of February, for example, a five-word rumour spread among British Muslims: "Kamal al-Helbawy has left London." Al-Helbawy, since his arrival in Britain in 1994, has served as the main representative of the Muslim Brotherhood in the West. He was officially designated the MB's spokesperson from 1995 to 1997.

Al-Helbawy leaving Britain would mean only one thing: that the MB is preparing to take power in Egypt, and that al-Helbawy will enjoy a prominent role in the process. Still, during the Egyptian crisis, al-Helbawy has stayed in London, giving interviews to Western media claiming that the MB is now faultlessly democratic in its ideology and does not seek domination over Egypt or the establishment of an ideological Islamist state there. Both in Egypt and outside the country, the MB is patient, and biding its time.

Moderate Muslims, however, are repelled and alarmed by the blandishments of al-Helbawy and other MB agitators. Al-Helbawy, while in the UK, became a master of ambiguous discourse, even equating the radicalism of the MB with the conservatism of Margaret Thatcher. But those facing the threat of fundamentalist infiltration in the British Muslim community, as well as the influence of extremism in American Islam; in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and in Turkey no less than in Egypt, see through the masquerade.

The MB is too well-organized and powerful to be ignored or suppressed, or its possible future hegemony wished away, in the Egyptian crisis. If Egypt is to become democratic, the MB must be politically defeated. Notwithstanding its current democratic camouflage, the MB remains a movement based in takfir: accusations of apostasy from Islam, based on differences in religious interpretation and observance, as a pretext for violence against Muslims with whom they disagree. In this, the MB is allied with the Saudi Wahhabis, who inspired Osama bin Laden; the Afghan and Pakistani Deobandis, from whom came the Taliban, and the Pakistani Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and its satellites, now busy sowing bloodshed in South Asia. For takfiris, apostasy from Islam includes refusal of the illegitimate calls by radicals for 'jihad' against non-Muslims. Yet, in denying the sinful nature of their terrorism against the moderates, Sufis, Shias, and others who dissent from them, as well as of their incitement against non-Muslims, the takfiris have taken themselves out of traditional Islam.

Along with their devotion to violence against the living, takfiri groups including the MB, Wahhabi fanatics, Taliban, and South Asian jihadis are most infamous for their vandalism against the cultural legacies of Muslim societies. A mob attack on the Egyptian Museum in Cairo during the current upheaval resulted in the beheading of two Pharaonic mummies. Western media commentators on this despicable event have treated it as the common mischief of a mob, but moderate Muslims see parallels between this act and the long history of devastation of the Islamic heritage of Arabia by the Saudi Wahhabis, the destruction of the Bamian Buddha effigies by the Taliban, and the recent wave of bomb attacks on Sufi spiritual shrines in Pakistan and India.

If Egypt leaps into a political void allowing the MB to gain power, it is likely that the despoliation of the country's national museum will be no more than a harbinger of widespread cultural loss, social disorder, and Pakistan-style carnage. Egypt is a land known for its Sufi shrines and other Islamic monuments, in addition to its pre-Islamic heritage. All would be at risk if the MB gains the upper hand. The soothing words of MB advocate al-Helbawy must be judged against the background of his own personal history as the first executive director of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) in 1982. WAMY, as an arm of the Muslim World League (MWL), has been a leading agency in the global spread of Wahhabism and stands accused by various governments of financing terrorism. While Saudi King Abdullah has sought to rein in the extremist activities of MWL and WAMY, a career including high responsibility in WAMY is not a recommendation for al-Helbawy. In the US, the head of the WAMY office in 2002 was listed as Abdula bin Laden, younger brother of Osama, the terrorist chief.

One of the most outrageous defenders of the MB to Westerners – much more effective, one must fear, than al-Helbawy – has been a British Muslim named Ed Husain. The author of a memoir, The Islamist, and formerly a leading personality in a British anti-Islamist think-tank, Quilliam (previously known as the Quilliam Foundation), Husain migrated to the US where he was honoured with a post as senior fellow at the Council of Foreign Relations (CFR). Few Americans seemed to recognize, or care, that in his book Husain effusively praised Hamza Yusuf Hanson, who claims to be one of the world's outstanding Islamic teachers but who cooperates with Saudi Wahhabis and other Islamist radicals, supposedly because Hanson is deeply moved by concern for Muslim unity. Ed Husain has also, incredibly, praised the role of Deobandi preachers in potentially countering extremism among British Muslim youth, even though the Deobandis are associated with the Taliban and the commission of horrible atrocities in South Asia.

In a CFR conference call on February 2, Ed Husain outdid himself by his fulsome arguments in defence of the MB in Egypt. According to Husain, the MB has been demonized'" in Western media, which leads to its being "lionised" among Muslims. This attempt at a clever justification for the MB's role in Egypt is absurd. The MB has built up its network of Egyptian supporters by agitation in mosques, schools, neighbourhoods, and professional associations, backed with Saudi Wahhabi funding, not because it has been discussed in the West. Husain sought to deny the history of the MB's attraction to European fascism, as well as its goal of an Islamist state, and even claimed falsely that "for the last 40 years" the Brotherhood has been "committed to a process of nonviolence."

The Muslim Brotherhood remains dangerous to Egypt and the world.

Obama says change must start now, as Egypt's prez vows to step aside

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 22:18:25 -0800

Washingtonpost.com

CAIRO -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced today he would step down at the next election -- a statement welcomed by US President Barack Obama, who said he believed a transition to a new Egyptian government must begin straight away, but stopped short of publicly calling for Mubarak to resign immediately.

Speaking at the White House Tuesday evening, Obama said that while "it's not the role of any other country to determine Egypt's leaders," it was his belief "that an orderly transition must be meaningful, it must be peaceful, and it must begin now."

“Furthermore, the process must include a broad spectrum of Egyptian voices and opposition parties. It should lead to elections that are free and fair. And it should result in a government that's not only grounded in democratic principles, but is also responsive to the aspirations of the Egyptian people.”

Obama also praised the Egyptian military for allowing protests there to continue and added that the US would continue to stand up for democracy across the world.

The remarks followed a 30-minute telephone conversation he had with Mubarak, in which Obama said the embattled leader "recognized that the status quo is not sustainable."

A White House official told Fox News Channel the president informed Mubarak that an orderly transition could not be prolonged and that the Egyptian leader may have to step down sooner rather than later.

In a taped, five-minute speech earlier Tuesday, Mubarak said he would not seek re-election when his term ends in September. The 82-year-old ruler, who has led the country for 29 years, said he will remain in office to preside over an orderly transition of power.

"I never want to run for president again. I say it clearly -- I will stay until the end of this term," he said on state TV, pledging amendments to Egypt's constitution that would make it easier for opposition groups to field candidates in September's election.

"I am now very determined to make sure that whatever I do, I carry out my duty by keeping the peace in Egypt. I will work during my remaining months as president to ensure that steps are taken to ensure the peaceful transition of power."

Hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters had rallied Tuesday in central Cairo's Tahrir Square in the biggest push yet to oust the autocrat.

The crowds in Tahrir Square roared as Mubarak spoke, greeting his declaration with chants of "leave, leave, leave." But given his decision to cling to power until September it looked likely the mass demonstrations, already in their second week, would rumble on.

AFP estimated that 500,000 people protested in the capital Cairo and at least 400,000 turned out in Alexandria, citing a security source.

As night fell, the square remained packed with protesters who ignored a government-imposed curfew. Reports likened the atmosphere to that of a rock festival, with protesters singing and chanting for an end to Mubarak's three decades in power.

Mubarak's decision not to fall on his sword immediately angered his Egyptian political opponents, with Islamist group, the Muslim Brotherhood, declaring immediately afterward that "no one is satisfied" and that the protests would continue.

In comments aired earlier Tuesday, key opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei insisted Mubarak should go by Friday to avoid further bloodshed.

"I hope President Mubarak goes before this and leaves the country after 30 years of rule ... I don't think he wants to see more blood," ElBaradei told the Al Arabiya satellite channel.

A committee of opposition groups, including ElBaradei and the Muslim Brotherhood, also pledged there would be no negotiations with the regime until Mubarak leaves, a statement said.

The United Nations said Tuesday that as many as 300 people, according to unconfirmed reports, had died since the unrest began, more than doubling the widely reported estimate of 140 fatalities.

The US Department of State, meanwhile, ordered the departure of all non-emergency government personnel and their families from Egypt Tuesday.

"The Department of State will continue to facilitate the evacuation of US citizens who require assistance," State Department spokesman P.J.Crowley said.

Foreign tourists and workers continued to swarm to Cairo's airport in a scramble for flights out of Egypt, as other countries and corporations mounted evacuation operations.

Hundreds of people waited under a large white tent pitched for the passengers-in-waiting who failed to squeeze their way into the overcrowded airport halls, AFP reported.

The turmoil appeared to spread across the Middle East to Jordan, where King Abdullah II dismissed the government Tuesday after weeks of opposition protests demanding change. A new prime minister was charged with forming a government.

Meanwhile a Syrian online activist group called for a peaceful "2011 Syrian revolution," beginning after prayers on Friday and inspired by the protests in Egypt and Tunisia, to end what its members claim is corruption and tyranny.

Addressing President Bashar al Asad, the group said, "We are not against you as a person but against 'monocracy,' corruption and tyranny and the fact that your family and friends have grabbed riches.

Explosions, Gunfire Heard in Cairo as Protesters Defy Curfew

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 11:11:08 -0800

Egypt's military deployed on the streets of Cairo to enforce a nighttime curfew as the sun set Friday on a day of rioting and violent chaos that was a major escalation in the challenge to authoritarian President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule.

Still thousands in the capital Cairo defied a nationwide night curfew and were trying to storm two major government buildings -- the state TV and the Foreign Ministry. Others were praying on the streets after nightfall.

Flames rose up across a number of cities from burning tires and police cars. Even the ruling party headquarters in Cairo was ablaze in the outpouring of rage, bitterness and utter frustration with a regime seen as corrupt, heavy-handed and neglectful of grinding poverty that afflicts nearly half of the 80 million Egyptians. Hundreds were looting television sets and electric fans from the burning complex of buildings used by the ruling party.

One protester was killed in demonstrations that stretched across nearly half the provinces in Egypt, bringing the death toll for four days of protests to eight.

"I can't believe our own police, our own government would keep beating up on us like this," said Cairo protester Ahmad Salah, 26. "I've been here for hours and gassed and keep going forward, and they keep gassing us, and I will keep going forward. This is a cowardly government and it has to fall. We're going to make sure of it."

Internet and cell phone services, at least in Cairo, appeared to be largely cut off since overnight in the most extreme measure so far to try to hamper protesters form organizing. However, that did not prevent tens of thousands from flooding the streets, emboldened by the recent uprising in Tunisia -- another North African Arab nation.

Egypt Riots

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 11:08:38 -0800

Remembering the Lives of the Tucson, Arizona Shooting Victims

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:31:25 -0800

News.Gather.com by Marcus Paden

The shooting in Tucson, Arizona left 20 people injured and six others dead. The six who died had families. They touched other lives everyday. They will be mourned by their friends and families, and by their country. Please take a moment to remember those who died.

Christina Taylor Green was a nine-year-old girl with political aspirations. She was recently elected to the student council in her school and went to the Giffords event to learn more about serving in government. She was already a leader and her classroom at Mesa Verde Elementary School, jumping in to help students.

Christina continued her family’s baseball tradition. She was the only girl on her Little League Baseball Team, the Canyon del Oro Pirates. Her father is a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers and her grandfather is a former player and manager. She has the unfortunate distinction of having a life joined between two national disasters. She was born on September 11, 2001, and she died on the day a gunman went on a rampage. She is survived by her father John Green, her mother Roxanna Green, and her brother Dallas Green.

Gabe Zimmerman, 30, was the Director of Community Outreach for Rep. Giffords. He was also the organizer of the Congressional event where the shooting took place. Zimmerman had worked for Giffords since her first Congressional campaign.

A former social worker with a degree in social work, Zimmerman was the contact for constituents in the area. Jonathan Kalm, an intern in Giffords’ office said, "He always cared what people had to say... When tea party activists held a protest there during the health-care debate, "Gabe was able to reason with them."

He is survived by his father Ross Zimmerman, step-mother Pam Golden, brother Ben Zimmerman, and fiancée Kelly O’Brien.

John Roll, 63, was the chief federal judge in Arizona. He was appointed to the federal position by President George H.W. Bush in 1991 and gained the role of chief judge in 2006. He is the first federal judge killed since 1989.

Judge Roll was not originally at the event. He was at a nearby store when he saw a friend, Ron Barber, an aide to Rep. Giffords. A few minutes later, the gunman started shooting, and the judge was killed. An unidentified law enforcement official said, "He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Judge Roll is survived by his wife Maureen, three sons, and five grandchildren.

Dorwin Stoddard, 76, was with his wife to meet the Congresswoman. She wanted to tell her she was doing a good job. Stoddard was a leader in his church and the community. He and his wife Mavanell attended high school together in Tucson. When they graduated, they moved away, married other people, and started a family. After their spouses died, they both moved back, got reacquainted and then married. When the shooting started, he covered his wife with his body to protect her. "He was a hero," said neighbor Marge Osterman.

Pyllis Schneck, 79, until recently was a snowbird. Originally from New Jersey, Schneck lived in Tucson during the winter. She eventually became a resident of Tucson and lived there permanently. She was married for 56 years to her husband Edward before his death. She was not political but she admired Rep. Giffords for her views on border protection. Although she was a long-time Republican, she voted for Giffords and went to meet her at the event after receiving a robocall. She is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Dorothy Morris, 76, originally from Reno, NV, married her high school sweetheart. Dorothy and her husband George moved to the Tucson area from Reno about 10 years ago. Her husband being a former pilot and Marine, flew the corps flag and the US flag outside her home.

Dorothy and George were caught in the line of fire when the gunman started shooting. Dorothy died at the scene and her husband remains in critical condition. She is survived by her husband and two daughters.

Sen. Lindsey Graham

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:13:27 -0800

George W. Bush

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 10:04:23 -0800

Bush, George W.

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 10:01:53 -0800

George W. Bush was the 43rd president of the United States (2001-2009), born July 6, 1946, in New Haven Connecticut. George was the oldest of six children of George Bush who served as the 41st president of the United States (1989-1993) and Barbara Bush. George W. Bush received a bachelor's degree in history from Yale University in 1968 and received his M.B.A. from Harvard in 1975. In 1977 he married Laura Welch, a teacher and librarian, in Midland, Texas. Bush was a businessman and served as governor of Texas from 1995-2000.

HOW THEY VOTED

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:47:09 -0800

Learn how your incumbents voted on the most important issues:

PERCENTAGES OF HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES WHO VOTED WITH PELOSI/DEMOCRATS: http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/111/house/party-voters/

HEALTHCARE

H.R. 3590 (PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT)Final Health Care Overhaul HOUSEhttp://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll165.xml

SENATEhttp://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00396H.R. 4872

Reconciliation Act of 2010: Final Health Care Overhaul

HOUSEhttp://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll167.xml

SENATE http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00105

H.R. 3962 Affordable Health Care for America Act (included public option):

HOUSEhttp://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll887.xml

STIMULUS/SPENDING

H.R.1 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year ending 2009

BILL TITLE: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

HOUSE http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll070.xml

SENATE http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00061

H.R. 1105 Omnibus Spending FY09

BILL TITLE: Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009

HOUSEhttp://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll086.xml

SENATEhttp://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00096

H.R. 3288 Omnibus Spending FY10:

BILL TITLE: Making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, HUD, and related agencies for FY 2010

HOUSEhttp://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll949.xml

SENATEhttp://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00287

S CON RES 13 BILL TITLE: Congressional Budget for Fiscal Year 2010:

HOUSEhttp://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll216.xml

SENATEhttp://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00173

HR 1424 TARP Bailout (110):

BILL TITLE: Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

HOUSE http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll681.xml

SENATE http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00213

H.R. 2454 Cap-and-Trade:

HOUSEhttp://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll477.xml

PM Tony Blair Interview 9/13

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:23:31 -0800

Elisha and Romeo get their picture taken with Tony Blair

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:20:54 -0800

Sean and Tony Blair share a laugh in studio after his interview

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:17:23 -0800

Sean Hannity and Great Britain's former Prime Minister Tony Blair

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:15:08 -0800

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair joins Sean in his radio studio

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:12:24 -0800

Freedom Concerts 2010 - Las Vegas

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:16:32 -0800

Freedom Concerts 2010 - Orlando 8/14

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:45:54 -0800

Freedom Concerts 2010 - Atlanta 8/13

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:06:46 -0800

Bennett addresses the crowd

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 22:58:12 -0800

Sean introduces Michael W. Smith

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:52:58 -0800

Freedom Concerts 2010 - New Jersey Six Flags

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:49:11 -0800

Sean and Drew Brees

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:45:51 -0800

Sean and Scott Shannon

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 07:26:47 -0800

Bolton, John

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:23:10 -0800

John Robert Bolton (born November 20, 1948), is an American conservative and nationalist political figure who has served in several Republican presidential administrations. He worked as the interim Permanent US Representative to the UN from August 2005 until December 2006 on a recess appointment. He resigned in December 2006 when his recess appointment would have ended because he was unable to gain confirmation from the Senate.

Bolton is currently a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), Fox News commentator, and of counsel to the law firm Kirkland & Ellis, in their Washington D.C. office. He is also involved with a broad assortment of other conservative think tanks and policy institutes, including the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA), Project for the New American Century (PNAC), Institute of East-West Dynamics, National Rifle Association, US Commission on International Religious Freedom, and the Council for National Policy (CNP). Bolton is often described as a neoconservative, though he personally rejects the term.

New York City-funded Guidebook for Heroin Use

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:18:39 -0800

NEW YORK (AP) -- A New York City-funded guidebook for heroin users offers information on how to prepare drugs carefully and how to care for veins to avoid infection.

The state's top official with the Drug Enforcement Administration calls it a "step-by-step instruction on how to inject a poison."

DEA Special Agent-In-Charge John Gilbride says the handout is "very disturbing."

View the Guidebook Here (PDF)

But Mayor Bloomberg defends the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's decision to print the pamphlets.

"I would certainly not reccomend to anyone that they use hard drugs or soft drugs," he said. "But our health department does have an interest in if you're going to do certain things to get you to do it as healthily as you possibly can."

The department printed about 70,000 copies of the handout.

Lynda Hard At Work

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:50:19 -0800

The Cable Guy, Larry

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:34:05 -0800

Daniel Lawrence Whitney (born February 17, 1963), better known by the stage name Larry the Cable Guy, is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He is one of the co-stars of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, a comedy troupe which also includes Bill Engvall and Jeff Foxworthy, with whom he has starred on Blue Collar TV, and Ron White.

Larry the Cable Guy has released seven comedy albums, of which three have been certified gold by the RIAA for shipments of 500,000 copies. In addition, he has starred in three Blue Collar Comedy Tour-related movies, as well as in the films Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector, Delta Farce, and Witless Protection. He does the voice of Mater in the Disney/Pixar film Cars. His catchphrase, Git-R-Done!, is the title of his book.

Prejean, Carrie

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:01:54 -0800

Caroline Michelle "Carrie" Prejean (born May 13, 1987[1]) is an American model and former beauty queen from Vista, California. She held the title of Miss California USA 2009, and placed first runner up in the Miss USA 2009 pageant. She gained nationwide attention over her answer to a question about same-sex marriage. She was eventually dethroned on June 10, 2009, with the producers of the Miss California USA pageant citing continued alleged breach of contract issues as the reason. [2] Prejean calls those claims false, and has filed a libel suit alleging that she has been discriminated against due to her religious views.[3]

Prejean has appeared as a model for Target, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom. She has also appeared in Bliss magazine, as a model for E!: Entertainment Television, at the 81st Academy Awards as the pivot girl, and in an interactive model search competition for the NBC game show Deal or No Deal.

Carrie Prejean Profile Pic

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:00:31 -0800

Elisha's Wedding - Elisha

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:40:07 -0800

Elisha's Wedding - Running

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:38:28 -0800

Elisha's Wedding - Vows II

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:38:05 -0800

Elisha's Wedding - Vows

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:37:41 -0800

Elisha Wedding - Closeup

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:37:18 -0800

Elisha Wedding - Wide Shot

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:36:47 -0800