THE News

Wisconsin Assembly Passes Bill

2011-02-25T09:09:00.001-06:00

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WISCONSIN_BUDGET_UNIONS?SITE=VAWAY&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

By TODD RICHMOND
Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly took the first significant action on their plan to strip collective bargaining rights from most public workers, abruptly passing the measure early Friday morning before sleep-deprived Democrats realized what was happening.

The vote ended three straight days of punishing debate in the Assembly. But the political standoff over the bill - and the monumental protests at the state Capitol against it - appear far from over.

The Assembly's vote sent the bill on to the Senate, but minority Democrats in that house have fled to Illinois to prevent a vote. No one knows when they will return from hiding. Republicans who control the chamber sent state troopers out looking for them at their homes on Thursday, but they turned up nothing.

Dem tells union members: 'Get a little bloody when necessary'

2011-02-23T10:09:00.000-06:00

I thought we just had this discussion about rhetoric?

Guess we can put that aside for now until a Republican says something like this...

Article from The Hill

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/145627-dem-lawmaker-on-labor-protests-get-a-little-bloody-when-necessary

By Michael O'Brien - 02/23/11 07:57 AM ET

Sometimes it's necessary to get out on the streets and "get a little bloody," a Massachusetts Democrat said Tuesday in reference to labor battles in Wisconsin.

Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.) fired up a group of union members in Boston with a speech urging them to work down in the trenches to fend off limits to workers' rights like those proposed in Wisconsin.

"I’m proud to be here with people who understand that it’s more than just sending an email to get you going," Capuano said, according to the Dorchester Reporter. "Every once and awhile you need to get out on the streets and get a little bloody when necessary."

Political observers have been the lookout for potentially incendiary rhetoric in the wake of January's shooting in Tucson, Ariz., where Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) survived an assassination attempt, six were killed, and 13 others were injured.

Political rhetoric has become especially heated in Madison, Wis., where Republican Gov. Scott Walker has proposed major labor reforms that sparked more than a week's worth of rowdy protests at the state capitol.

"We take security seriously, whether it's for me, the lieutenant governor and all 132 members of the state legislature, Democrats or Republicans alike, because there's a lot of passion down here," Walker said Tuesday on MSNBC about his safety in Wisconsin. "And particularly when we see people coming in being bussed in from other states, that's what worries us."

Capuano made his remarks before a crowd of union members in Boston, along with other members of the state's congressional delegation. Massachusetts has an influential union population that could loom large over the 2012 Senate race. Capuano is considering getting in that race to challenge Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) next fall.

“This is going to be a struggle at least for the next two years. Let’s be serious about this. They’re not going to back down and we’re not going to back down. This is a struggle for the hearts and minds of America,” Capuano told union members.

Get ready for a 'global Katrina': Biggest ever solar storm could cause power cuts which last for MONTHS

2011-02-21T13:28:00.000-06:00

By David Derbyshire
Last updated at 4:06 PM on 21st February 2011

The world is overdue a ferocious 'space storm' that could knock out communications satellites, ground aircraft and trigger blackouts - causing hundreds of billions of pounds of damage, scientists say.

Astronomers today warned that mankind is now more vulnerable to a major solar storm than at any time in history - and that the planet should prepare for a global Katrina-style disaster.

A massive eruption of the sun would save waves of radiation and charged particles to Earth, damaging the satellite systems used for synchronising computers, airline navigation and phone networks.

If the storm is powerful enough it could even crash stock markets and cause power cuts that last weeks or months, experts told the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Union leaders offer concessions

2011-02-19T13:19:00.000-06:00

Top leaders of two of Wisconsin's largest public employee unions announced they are willing to accept the financial concessions called for in Walker's plan, but will not accept the loss of collective bargaining rights.

FULL TEXT HERE

Law enforcement officers are searching for Democratic senators boycotting a Senate vote

2011-02-17T13:37:00.000-06:00

By SCOTT BAUER, Associated Press Scott Bauer, Associated Press – 43 mins ago

MADISON, Wis. – Police officers were dispatched Thursday to find Wisconsin state lawmakers who had apparently boycotted a vote on a sweeping bill that would strip most government workers of their collective bargaining rights.

The lawmakers, all Democrats in the state Senate, did not show up when they were ordered to attend a midday vote on the legislation.

The proposal has been the focus of intense protests at the Statehouse for three days. As Republicans tried to begin Senate business Thursday, observers in the gallery screamed "Freedom! Democracy! Unions!"
Republicans hold a 19-14 majority, but they need at least one Democrat to be present before taking a vote on the bill.

"Today they checked out, and I'm not sure where they're at," Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said. "This is the ultimate shutdown, what we're seeing today."

Democratic Minority Leader Mark Miller released a statement on behalf of all Democrats urging Gov. Scott Walker and Republicans to listen to opponents of the measure and seek a compromise. His statement did not address where Democrats were or when they planned to return.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110217/ap_on_re_us/us_wisconsin_budget_unions

US clueless about Egypt? - Israel News, Ynetnews

2011-02-16T21:51:00.000-06:00

US clueless about Egypt? - Israel News, Ynetnews

Senate hearing turns into farce as American ignorance on Egypt situation revealed;

specific agenda of Muslim Brotherhood unclear, top official says, has trouble responding to

question on group’s attitude to peace with Israel

Op-Ed: How the Mideast was lost
by Roee Nahmias
Events in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen a blow to Western world, pro-American camp
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4024294,00.html

Dallas County Commissioner Tells Citizens, 'All Of You Are White! Go To Hell!'...

2011-02-16T10:34:00.000-06:00

THE BOY CRIES RACIST!

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Tuesday’s Dallas County Commissioner’s Court meeting erupted into an argument between Commissioner John Wiley Price and a citizen, ending with Price repeatedly telling several citizens to “go to hell.”

The exchange started during the public speaking portion of the meeting, which happens after the commissioners have gone through their weekly agenda.

Six citizens addressed the court. All of them talked about the recent controversial departure of county Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet. Sherbet, who was the Elections Administrator for 24 years, said he felt Price and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins forced him out.

The last public speaker at Tuesday’s meeting, Jeff Turner, began by stating that he would refer to “a certain member of the court” — Price — as “the Chief Mulllah of Dallas County.”

The New Oxford American Dictionary defines “mullah” as “a Muslim learned in Islamic theology and sacred law.”

Turner continued speaking, ignoring Price’s ongoing interruptions.

At that point, Jenkins adjourned the meeting.

As Price stood to leave, he looked at Turner and the five other citizens who addressed the court. Price said to them, “All of you are white. Go to hell!”

Price repeated “go to hell” three more times. An unknown member of the audience said, “You should be ashamed!”

“I’m not ashamed!” Price answered. “I’m not ashamed! Go to hell!”

Many more audio clips with Jeff Turner explaining why he called Price "Chief Mullah" and also Price's interpretation of the term follow the link here.

Obama's Media Machine: State Run Media 2.0?

2011-02-16T02:43:00.000-06:00

Full Article Here
By DEVIN DWYER

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2011

ABC NEWS
As the 2012 presidential campaign kicks into gear, President Obama's White House media operation is demonstrating an unprecedented ability to broadcast its message through social media and the Internet, at times doing an end-run around the traditional press.

...

But while these innovative communications tools ostensibly offer greater transparency and openness, critics say they have come at a troublesome expense: less accountability of the administration by the independent, mainstream press.

Over the past few months, as White House cameras have been granted free reign behind the scenes, officials have blocked broadcast news outlets from events traditionally open to coverage and limited opportunities to publicly question the president himself.

Obama's recent signing of the historic New START treaty with Russia and his post-State of the Union cabinet meeting, for example, were both closed to reporters in a break with tradition. And during a recent question and answer session with the president and visiting Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the White House imposed an unusual limit of just one question each from the U.S. and Canadian press corps.

"The administration has narrowed access by the mainstream media to an unprecedented extent," said ABC News White House correspondent Ann Compton, who has covered seven administrations. "Access here has shriveled."

Members of the press have always had quibbles with White House media strategies, calling cut-backs in access an affront to transparency, even as administration officials insist they're simply taking advantage of new technologies.

But some say the current dynamic is different, and dangerous.

"They're opening the door to kicking the press out of historic events, and opening the door to having a very filtered format for which they give the American public information that doesn't have any criticism allowed," said University of Minnesota journalism professor and political communication analyst Heather LaMarre....

Fannie, Freddie bailout: $153 billion ... and counting

2011-02-13T12:06:00.000-06:00

CNN Money
By Chris Isidore, senior writerFebruary 11, 2011: 1:48 PM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- When the dust settles, the federal bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be the most expensive government rescue of the financial crisis -- it already stands at $153 billion and counting.

Even as the Obama administration unveiled its plan for reforming the firms, experts agree taxpayer losses are going to continue to climb, no matter what Congress eventually decides to do with them.

For the full article click the link above

Arizona Governor Countersues Federal Government

2011-02-12T13:12:00.000-06:00

Feb 10, 8:13 PM (ET)

By JACQUES BILLEAUD

PHOENIX (AP) - Gov. Jan Brewer sued the federal government Thursday for failing to control Arizona's border with Mexico and enforce immigration laws, and for sticking the state with huge costs associated with jailing illegal immigrants who commit crimes.

The lawsuit claims the federal government has failed to protect Arizona from an "invasion" of illegal immigrants. It seeks increased reimbursements and extra safeguards, such as additional border fences.

Brewer's court filing serves as a countersuit in the federal government's legal challenge to Arizona's new enforcement immigration law. The U.S. Justice Department is seeking to invalidate the law.

"Because the federal government has failed to protect the citizens of Arizona, I am left with no other choice," Brewer said as sign-carrying protesters yelled chants at her and at other champions of the immigration law.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PLANS CAMPAIGN TO 'STRENGTHEN' UN...

2011-02-12T11:22:00.000-06:00

By MIKE ALLEN & JAKE SHERMAN | 2/11/11 9:27 AM EST Updated: 2/11/11 11:37 AM EST

Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, will argue in a major address Friday evening that the nation should “strengthen” — not “starve” — the world body.
The address is the first in a series of speeches — to continue this spring — making the case to the American people for why the U.N. matters to national security, and detailing how it is being improved. The ambassador will be speaking to the World Affairs Council of Oregon in Portland.

“The U.N. provides a real return on our tax dollars by bringing 192 countries together to share the cost of providing stability, vital aid and hope in the world’s most broken places,” Rice said in prepared remarks.

“Because of the U.N., the world doesn’t look to America to solve every problem alone. … We’re far better off working to strengthen the U.N. than trying to starve it — and then having to choose between filling the void ourselves, or leaving real threats untended.”

VIDEO: Obama addresses U.N. - Sept. '10

A Military Coup in Egypt

2011-02-11T16:04:00.000-06:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ml_egypt

Democracy protests bring down Egypt's Mubarak

By PAUL SCHEMM and MAGGIE MICHAEL, Associated Press Paul Schemm And Maggie Michael, Associated Press

CAIRO – Fireworks burst over Tahrir Square and Egypt exploded with joy and tears of relief after pro-democracy protesters brought down President Hosni Mubarak with a momentous march on his palaces and state TV. Mubarak, who until the end seemed unable to grasp the depth of resentment over his three decades of authoritarian rule, finally resigned Friday and handed power to the military.

"The people ousted the regime," rang out chants from crowds of hundreds of thousands massed in Cairo's central Tahrir, or Liberation, Square and outside Mubarak's main palace several miles away in a northern district of the capital.

Read the entire article publish by Yahoo! News at the link above

IMF Calls for Dollar Alternative

2011-02-11T10:24:00.000-06:00

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The International Monetary Fund issued a report Thursday on a possible replacement for the dollar as the world's reserve currency.

The IMF said Special Drawing Rights, or SDRs, could help stabilize the global financial system.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/10/markets/dollar/index.htm

This is quite sad really... CNN Money pretty much feeds you propaganda about this move and it just makes me sick. Probably the reason they are fighting for 3rd place in the cable news world and succeeding!

But regardless, this is quite scary to see unfolding. Say good-bye to state sovereignty.

MSNBC.com - "Egypt's Mubarak to step down, sources say"

2011-02-10T12:07:00.000-06:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41506482/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/

Whoops! Us Weekly Publishes Sarah Palin/Christina Aguilera Spoof as Fact

2011-02-09T23:45:00.001-06:00

http://www.gossipcop.com/sarah-palin-christina-aguilera-super-bowl-national-anthem-sean-hannity-deport-deporting/

This is really bad.

Us Weekly has published what it claims are comments made by Sarah Palin, in which the former vice presidential candidate blasts Christina Aguilera’s performance of the national anthem at Super Bowl XLV.

Except the over-the-top “quotes,” which Us Weekly attributes to a Monday radio interview with Sean Hannity, were actually written for a satire website.

Again: Palin’s Aguilera comments are fabricated.

They come from a satire piece.

Only Us Weekly posted the “Palin” comments as real.

Therefore, according to the outlet, Palin calls Aguilera a “demanding beauty queen who’s clearly in over her head.”

The fake “Palin” also talks about wanting to “deport” Aguilera, because “spicy Latin princesses” shouldn’t be allowed to sing at the Super Bowl.

“Unemployment is at nine percent, yet we have to suffer through a performance by a foreigner with a poor grasp of the English language,” the fake “Palin” supposedly tells “Hannity” in the phony interview.

It boggles the mind that a major outlet could read these obviously satirical, fake quotes and treat them as the real deal.

However badly Aguilera botched the anthem last Sunday, Us Weekly just did a hundred times worse.

Whats even worse, and in my opinion sadder, if you look at the blog where they got this "story" from and read the comments and all the idiots who bash Palin with the quotes from the satire!

And PLEASE keep in mind this story IS a satire and NOT true!

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE SATIRE

The New World Order Is Here

2011-02-09T19:31:00.000-06:00

Bloomberg- "Deutsche Boerse in Advanced Talks to Buy NYSE Euronext"
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-09/nyse-deutsche-boerse-are-said-to-be-in-advanced-talks-to-merge-exchanges.html

CNBC- "Global Stock Exchanges Are Headed for Major Consolidation"

http://www.cnbc.com/id/41491498

Financial Times- "D Börse and NYSE in advanced talks"

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c40ee2f0-3461-11e0-993f-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1DVwmWExI

New York Times- "NYSE Euronext and Deutsche Börse in Merger Talks"

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/nyse-euronext-and-deutsche-borse-in-merger-talks/?hp

Well for years we have heard that it was conspiracy theory that the worlds elite wanted this. Now, it is here.

Drudge

2011-02-09T15:08:00.000-06:00

Just some quick thoughts.

As much as i love the drudge report and being a conservative, I cannot STAND when they even report stuff like this... SERIOUSLY??? NOBODY FRICKIN CARES IF HE DIES HIS HAIR OR NOT!!!!!
And Michelle says he doesn't? SO THE FUCK WHAT! DAMN!

Michael Moore vs Movie Accounting: Sues Weinsteins For More 9/11 Movie Profits After Already Pocketing $19.8 Million; Yes Or No - "He Redefines The Term Greedy"?

2011-02-08T12:22:00.000-06:00

Click here for the full article

Today, Moore filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud arising out of his audit of his controversial war on terror documentary Fahrenheit 9/11. Moore is seeking at least $2.7 million from the Weinstein Brothers in what he claims are "rerouted" and unpaid profits. Why is it I think Harvey has finally met his match in Michael, and vice versa? The Weinsteins have already paid Moore $19.8 million for his backend profit participation in the movie. Further, the bros are bitching that they were blindsided by the lawsuit: the Weinsteins for the past six months offered to go to mediation on what their reps are calling a "standard accounting dispute" -- isn't that what studios and producers always claim? -- but Moore kept rejecting that. Even more bizarrely, as recently as last week, the Weinsteins were chatting with Moore about doing ANOTHER(!!!!!!!!!) movie together because insiders tell me that Moore next wants to direct a fictional feature film. (Of course, some partisan circles found the Fahrenheit 9/11 documentary to be claptrap exploitation while others saw it as courageous exposure.

By NIKKI FINKE Founder & Editor in Chief of Deadline Hollywood

Obama: Corporate Profits "Have To Be Shared By American Workers"

2011-02-07T12:20:00.000-06:00

Watch the video here
"If we're fighting to reform the tax code and increase exports, the benefits cannot just translate into greater profits and bonuses for those at the top. They have to be shared by American workers, who need to know that opening markets will lift their standard of living as well as your bottom line," President Obama told the Chamber of Commerce on Monday morning.

FCC: Presidential emergency alerts to be tested

2011-02-07T12:17:00.000-06:00

Read the full story here

The FCC is planning an upgrade to the tests by including presidential announcements in the system.

Lisa Fowlkes, deputy chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau of the FCC, explained to the Federal Drive the Presidential Alert isn't new.

"The primary goal is to provide the President with a mechanism to communicate with the American public during times of national emergency," said Fowlkes. The change, she said, is that prior to last week's order there was no rule in place to call for or allow a test from top to bottom.

CMAS would allow three kinds of text messaging or wireless alert to be sent, said Fowlkes:

Presidential Alerts - "Which would be the same as what the president might issue or FEMA might issue through the EAS system,
Imminent Threat Alerts - Which Fowlkes said would warn when "there's a hurricane coming or a tornado coming," and then the
Child Abduction Emergency/AMBER Alerts - Alerts related to missing or endangered children due to an abduction or runaway situation.

Fowlkes said the CMAS is slated to begin deployment in April 2012.

Please read more at the link provided

Obama's Approval Ratings More Polarized in Year 2 Than Year 1

2011-02-04T16:34:00.000-06:00

Ranks as fourth-most-polarized year for a president since 1953

http://www.gallup.com/poll/145937/Obama-Approval-Ratings-Polarized-Year-Year.aspx

Mighty interesting poll results from Gallup. Tell me what you think!

First Post

2011-02-04T16:08:00.000-06:00

Ya, i know, it's kind of corny to do a "first post" post but just wanted to tell a little about what this blog will be about. It will be about important stories in the news that i feel are relevant and try to weed out irrelevant news like "OMG! Lindsey Lohan Back In Prison!". That is why I named it THE News. Pretty self explanatory but just wanted to throw it out there. So hope you guys enjoy and follow me. Thanks!