...It's time for Americans to moveoff their duffs and demand better government...^sm



Latest Analysis, Commentary and Opinion*
(The title of each article is linked to the complete article)

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Independence Day
  Economics piece by FreeCongressFoundation: Marion Edwyn Harrison (7/2/09)

1776, An Historical Declaration and Physical Fight; 2009 - Recession and Remedial Flight -  Depending upon concurrent conditions a successful political declaration may require military persistence and ultimate victory, as in 1776 and the crucial years thereafter, or upon a sound or greatly improving economy, as is not apparent 233 years later.

Scientists to Congress: ‘Sky is not falling’
  Global Warming piece by Offsite (7/2/09)

A team of scientists with years of expertise in climate issues has written an open letter to Congress asserting the “sky is not falling” and there is no evidence man is causing global warming.

Independence Now And Forever
  Government piece by Guest: Chuck Baldwin (7/2/09)

As we approach Independence Day, it behooves us to recall the principles of America’s founding, especially in light of the ongoing attempt by today’s political and commercial leaders to merge the United States into a hemispheric government. In fact, the clarion call for independence is just as fundamental, just as revolutionary as it was 233 years ago.

I Miss America, Already!
  Progressivism piece by J. D. Longstreet (7/2/09)

With the 4th of July, celebrated as Independence Day in the United States, fast approaching, scribes all over the nation are dutifully dipping their quills into their inkpots to scribble the obligatory few lines on the topic: “What America Means to me”, again this year, as in every year since, well, since there has been an America, I suppose.

Freedom fighters labeled as terrorists
  Middle East piece by Offsite (7/2/09)

There is an old Farsi proverb, the English equivalent of which reads, “A clear conscience doesn’t fear a false accusation.” This aptly grounds a response to Jacob Laksin’s inaccurate characterization of the principal Iranian opposition, the Mujahdin-e Khalq (PMOI/MEK), in “Terrorists as Freedom Fighters,” (FrontPageMagazine.com, June 25, 2009). His piece suffers from one major deficiency: Not a single one of its mischaracterizations is backed up by a shred of credible evidence.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Ten Cost Cutting Suggestions for California
   Economics piece by Ann "Babe" Huggett (7/2/09)

Poor Kal-ee-for-nee-ah Governor Ahnold Schwarzenkennedy!  He may have an “R” after his name politically but he’s been running California like a liberal for years now.  However, it is finally catching up with him; as of July 1st California went from a state of great weather and fabulous scenery to one of fiscal emergency.  Facing a $24.3 billion shortfall in the state’s budget, Governor Schwarzenegger called a special session of the state legislature on June 30th to close the gap but the state’s Republicans held firm against the frantic demands of the tax-tax-tax, spend-spend-spend and spend some more Democrats.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Treasury Ready to Throw Away Billions
   Economics piece by Offsite (7/1/09)

The U.S. Treasury has apparently found another way to lose more taxpayer money. Perhaps $9 billion down the drain, unless changes are made soon.

Fox News Breaks Records on Cable News
   Information piece by Offsite (7/1/09)

The Fox News Channel is having its best year ever and aired all 10 of the top-rated cable news shows in the second quarter of 2009.

ABC Pulls John Stossel’s Canadian Healthcare Piece
   Shadow Government piece by Offsite (7/1/09)

John Stossel, ABC News’ co-anchor of “20/20” and a New York Times best-selling author, likes to take a skeptical look at a wide array of issues, but hold the phone on his new healthcare special - it was pulled to make room for yet more coverage of Michael Jackson.

‘Why aren’t Arizona high schools teaching civics?‘
   EdukShun piece by GoldwaterInstitute: Matthew Ladner (7/1/09)

Just in time to celebrate Independence Day, the Goldwater Institute will release its new report, “Freedom from Responsibility: A Survey of Civic Knowledge Among Arizona High School Students,“ which reveals only 3.5 percent of Arizona high school students have learned the basic history, government and geography necessary to pass the U.S. Citizenship test.

CEI Files EPA’s Own Suppressed Report
   Global Warming piece by Offsite (7/1/09)

Public Should Have Right to Review, Comment on Gov’t Report - Washington, D.C., June 30, 2009 - The Competitive Enterprise Institute today is demanding that the Environmental Protection Agency allow public comment on an internal global warming report that the agency itself suppressed.

May The Investment Force Be With You
   Economics piece by Guest: Steve Selengut (7/1/09)

Investment markets got you down, Bunkie? Been blown away by derivative stun guns?  When will portfolio market values move back to 2007 levels—- and then what will you do about it?

EPA Did Not Release Internal Global Warming Report
   Global Warming piece by Offsite (7/1/09)

(CNSNews) - The EPA did not publicly release a March report that raised questions about the validity of the agency’s conclusions that carbon emissions are a cause of global warming and a danger to human health—primary assumptions behind the cap-and-trade bill that passed the House on Friday.

America, the Silly Nation
   Society piece by Alan Caruba (7/1/09)

As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, we will hear about our Founding Fathers, about those who fought our wars to preserve and safeguard our nation, and other men and women who contributed to the nation’s greatness.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Mousavi, Ahmadinejad, and Israel
   Middle East piece by Gerald A. Honigman (6/30/09)

You know, this really isn’t difficult to understand.

‘What If Diogenes Shined His Lantern on Washington???‘
   Government piece by Thomas D. Segel (6/30/09)

Harlingen, Texas, June 28, 2009: It is a tale of ancient Greece.  Diogenes, the Cynic wandered the earth most of his life, holding his lantern high and searching for an honest man.  For him the task was impossible, because he believed that men and women lived lives dictated by specific rules and therefore no one was truthful or honest.

Pursuing Failure
   Government piece by Geoff Metcalf (6/30/09)

“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.“ —Ronald Reagan - In the perpetual battle of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ and the left/right spitting match-rock fight, it is oftentimes too easy for ideology and partisanship to overshadow reality.  Both the “Us” team and the “Them” team are rock solid convinced they are right, the other guys are wrong and don’t want to confused with any facts that contradict their preconceived opinions and prejudices.  Meanwhile, the nation is pretty evenly divided between mutually exclusive polar opposites. The gospel according to the left and the gospel according to the right do not synthesize and it there is any room for reasonable compromise the disciples flat out reject it on principle (or stubbornness).

Monday, June 29, 2009

U.S. Is a Spending Train Wreck
   Economics piece by Offsite (6/29/09)

Former Federal Reserve Board governor Frederic Mishkin said the government’s loose fiscal policy could turn into a disaster.

A New Religion Masquerading As Christianity, Part 2
   Religion piece by Guest: Marsha West (6/29/09)

When I was a liberal I loved mocking the Bible.  I’d get giddy arguing with conservatives over Bible stories that to me were ludicrous.  One example is the biblical account of Moses parting the Red Sea to help the Israelites escape Pharaoh’s pursuing army.  Boy did I scoff at that one!  I categorized Christians who bought into the miraculous signs and wonders in the Bible as “unenlightened twits.”

Oh, Those Pesky Prophets Who Won’t Leave America Alone
   Culture War piece by Rev Bresciani (6/29/09)

This week in America three celebrities passed away without warning. Reviews on the life of pop culture icon Michael Jackson was at the top of most news programs along with some questions about the manner of his death. Does our penchant for this kind of story indicate anything about our national state of mind? Let’s see.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

‘Editorial: Regular Unleaded For $2.27 Today In Springfield, IL?‘
   Energy piece by Editor (6/28/09)

Multiple stations offered Unleaded for $2.27!  Over the last week, Unleaded prices have varied from $2.65 down to the $2.27 low.  At some stations, gas with Ethanol was 0.15 less than without - duh! At a couple of stations in one locality Unleaded Premium was cheaper than Unleaded Regular!  Needless to say, I filled up with Unleaded Premium.

Eco-Minister Flunks Global Warming Test
   Global Warming piece by Guest: Dennis T. Avery (6/28/09)

CHURCHVILLE, VA - When last we heard from Australian Senator Steve Fielding, he had paid his own way to a Washington, D.C. conference of climate skeptics - and armed himself with some questions about why Australia needs heavy carbon taxes on its energy use.

Keep Your Health Care Option
   Health Care piece by Grant Swank (6/28/09)

Do you want Canadian socialized so-called health care? Not.

No Jewish Identity
   Culture War piece by Gary Krasner (6/28/09)

Antisemitism is rampant in Europe, with record numbers of attacks and even killings of Jews——for being Jewish!  Hence the name “antisemitism.“  An antisemitic incident occurred in NYC.  But listening to the lamentations of NYS Speaker of the Assembly Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan), you’d never know it was a hate crime against Jews.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Obama Advocates Immigration Reform at Expense of Crime Victims
   National Security piece by Jim Kouri (6/26/09)

While the news media feverishly cover the untimely death of music icon Michael Jackson and the sex scandal involving a Republican governor in South Carolina, President Barack Obama on Thursday revealed his plans to reform US immigration policy. During the course of his televised announcement, Obama used the euphemism “undocumented workers” and avoided using the terms “illegal aliens” and “illegal workers.

The Intolerance of the Left: An Interview with Harry Stein
   Progressivism piece by Bernard Chapin (6/26/09)

Harry Stein is a long time journalist, writer and social commentator. Currently, he is a Contributing Editor at City Journal. He has been a professional writer and editor since he co-founded The American Mercury in 1972. Mr. Stein achieved great success in 2000 with his memoir entitled, How I Accidentally Joined the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy : (and Found Inner Peace). He has also written works of fiction like The Magic Bullet, Hoopla, and Infinity’s Child. Mr. Stein’s articles have appeared in numerous publications such as The New York Times Book Review, The New York Times Magazine, GQ, Playboy, New York Magazine, American Heritage, Men’s Health, The Wall Street Journal, Esquire, and The New Republic.

Taxes Devastate, Cuts Improve
   Taxes piece by GoldwaterInstitute: Byron Schlomach (6/26/09)

Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal editorial page engaged in a bit of triumphalism. The editors showed that their 2003 predictions of where monetary policy was leading were better than those of Ben Bernanke. Bernanke’s comments at a 2003 meeting of the Board of Governors make clear that lots of detailed knowledge can just as easily addle a brain as create clear thinking.

Left-Wing Hyperbole: Know what Healthcare is Just like? Slavery
   Health Care piece by Warner Todd Huston (6/26/09)

See, we know that it isn’t wild-eyed, hyperbole to say that slavery is “just like” our current healthcare debate because Glenn W. Smith(1) of the extremist left-wing site Firedoglake helpfully tells us that “this is not hyperbole.“ See? Conflict solved. I’m glad we settled THAT one, I have to tell ya.

The Obama Olympics
   Sports piece by Aaron Goldstein (6/26/09)

Last week, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley led a delegation to Lausanne, Switzerland where the Windy City made its bid in front of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.  Chicago is competing against Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo to host the games.  The IOC will announce the host city on October 2nd in Copenhagen.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Save the Earth! Get Rid of Your Refrigerator!
   GreeenIsm piece by Alan Caruba (6/25/09)

On June 22, Greenpeace USA put out the word that “A new study published today in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences shows that refrigerant chemicals, so called F-gases, are a more dangerous global warming threat than previously predicted.“

D.C. magazine hawks ‘Intifada Boy’ pins
   Terrorism piece by Offsite (6/25/09)

While an influential Washington foreign-policy magazine claims to provide “balanced” coverage of the Mideast, its parent company sells Palestinian “solidarity items” celebrating the “Intifada,“ the bloody anti-Israel uprising led by Hamas terrorists.

Hoyer Blames Reagan for D.C. Metrorail Crash
   Demercrats piece by Offsite (6/25/09)

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md, is using the fatal D.C. Metro accident to slam the Reagan administration for failure to adequately fund public transportation a quarter-century ago.

Sen. John Kerry Wishes Sarah Palin Had Gone Missing
   Demercrats piece by Offsite (6/25/09)

Sen. John Kerry added to his long list of lame joke attempts yesterday when he wished South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford’s disappearance on Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

20 Percent Inflation Coming
   MustRead piece by Offsite (6/25/09)

Contrarian guru Marc Faber predicts we’ll soon see inflation of 10 to 20 percent.

The ACLU revisited
   Police State piece by Offsite (6/25/09)

Those who like their thought world safe, secure, with neat, well-swept corners – where the furniture is properly arranged and the guests seated in prearranged spots (and expected to stay there) – probably find politics an unpleasant avocation. Guests you’ve specifically seated apart wander over to talk to one another, and worse, sometimes even develop alliances.