Latest Analysis, Commentary and Opinion*
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Thursday, February 19, 2009

The Long and Short of It
   Economics piece by Thomas E. Brewton (2/19/09)

Asked about long-term inflationary effects of government deficit spending that he recommended to combat the Depression, economist John Maynard Keynes’s flippant dismissal was, “In the long run we are all dead.“

Americans Still Driving Less Miles Despite Lower Gas
   Economics piece by Offsite (2/19/09)

WASHINGTON—Americans drove fewer miles in December for the 14th month in a row, but the decline was not as steep as in previous months thanks to cheaper gasoline prices that encouraged additional travel in some states, the U.S. Transportation Department said Thursday.

Faber: The Fed Created This Recession
   Economics piece by Offsite (2/19/09)

The Federal Reserve got us into this mess.

...They Know Not What They Do
   Congress piece by FreeCongressFoundation: E. Ralph Hostetter (2/19/09)

And how could they know what they do? It’s an open secret that Members of Congress generally do not read the legislation upon which they vote.  Regardless of the fact that many Congressmen are lawyers and were taught in law school the definition of “fiduciary responsibility” - which means reading the entire document, from beginning to end - they choose to ignore this all important responsibility.

Leading Economic Indicators Up More Than Expected
   Economics piece by Offsite (2/19/09)

NEW YORK—A private sector measure of economic activity jumped unexpectedly in January for a second straight monthly increase, due mainly to federal efforts to expand the money supply.

Conservative movies make odd comeback
   MSM piece by Offsite (2/19/09)

With the Oscars hard upon us, let us acknowledge a phenomenon that Hollywood is unable to recognize, let alone celebrate: “Conservative” movies have made an unexpected comeback.

See ‘tea party’ call by CNBC analyst
   Economics piece by Offsite (2/19/09)

Reacts to Obama’s economic plans with ‘Howard Beale rant’ on live TV - With tongue only partially in cheek, a CNBC analyst on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange this morning responded to President Obama’s proposed $275 billion deficit-financed homeowner bailout plan and other massive spending measures with a call for a new “tea party.“

Putin To West: We Tried Socialism, Didn’t Work
   Socialism piece by Offsite (2/19/09)

In what’s quite a surprising development, Russian Prime Minister and former President Vladimir Putin warned the West not bail out too many companies and to stop interfering in their economies.

Learning the Free Market Lessons about Bailouts
   Socialism piece by Tom DeWeese (2/19/09)

My first reaction, when I saw the article, was of utter horror. It was entitled, “Obama Imposes Pay Cap on Executives.” Obama intends to dictate salary caps to American executives of private companies.  We should all be very frightened of a government that seeks such power. It’s pure communism. The only result of such a situation can be that corporate executives and CEOs become mere employees with no incentives to build the business and increase profits. When that happens, there is no business.

Nation of Cowards regarding Race?  - I DON’T THINK SO!
   Demercrats piece by Greg Fink (2/19/09)

Recently, our new Atty. Gen. Eric Holder stated America is a “nation of cowards” regarding race further implying that today’s America is not much different than it was 50 years ago.

Giving Obama a Chance
   Politics piece by Selwyn Duke (2/19/09)

Being a cerebral sort, when I ponder President Obama’s seduction of America, I think of the story of the snake and the duck.  To be brief, the snake wants the duck to take him to the other side of a creek, but the duck is reluctant.  He says, “But when we get there, you’ll bite me.”  The snake is very persuasive, however, and convinces the duck he wouldn’t do such a thing.  He just wants help and would have the utmost appreciation.  Well, I think you know what happened upon concluding their little crossing.  Bam!  The snake bit the foolish bird, who then started stammering, “Bu-bu-bu-but you said . . . .”  The snake just replied, “Hey, you knew what I was when you picked me up.”  I suppose the duck just wanted to give the serpent a chance.

Obama ‘Stimulus Package’ Will Tank U.S. Economy
   ObamaNation piece by Gordon Bishop (2/19/09)

I want to thank our grandchildren for paying off the single largest debt in American history: Obama’s suicidal $787 billion debt known as his killer “Stimulus Package.“

Democrats Aim to Steal ‘D’ in D.C.
   Demercrats piece by Offsite (2/19/09)

It was, wrote Thomas Jefferson, the worst political bargain he ever made: agreeing to Alexander Hamilton’s fiscal scheme in exchange for putting the new U.S. capital in Washington, the District of Columbia, a supposedly neutral city to be created midway between the northern and southern states.

Leftwing Nova M Radio Folds; Randi Rhodes MIA
   Progressivism piece by Offsite (2/19/09)

Alert Bill Press and the other liberals who want to re-institute the “Fairness Doctrine.“ The free market continues to be at work weeding out shows that most folks don’t want to listen to. The latest casualty is Nova M radio which syndicated such shows as Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy. The reports are now coming in fast and furious about the demise of Nova M so here is the latest from Brian Maloney of The Radio Equalizer:

State on the verge of committing economic suicide
   Bird-Brain Flu piece by GoldwaterInstitute: Byron Schlomach (2/19/09)

The dreaded T-word has now entered the conversation at the capitol with lawmakers suggesting putting a “temporary” tax increase on the ballot. Any such tax increase would be in addition to the mid-year restoration of the state’s property tax. That increase alone, once estimated at $250 million, would be one of the biggest tax increases in state history.

Savage goes on offense in ‘Fairness Doctrine’ battle
   Progressivism piece by Offsite (2/19/09)

Talk radio icon Michael Savage is going on the offense and has agreed to work with a Michigan-based civil rights advocacy organization to protect free speech by fighting the return of the so-called “Fairness Doctrine.“

Where’s the Transparency? Obama’s Secret Orders Caught Media Unawares
   ObamaNation piece by Warner Todd Huston (2/19/09)

Despite all claims to the contrary, President Obama has not been very vigilant about pursuing that idea of “transparency” he ballyhooed during the recent campaign. Politico reported on(1) a host of documents, proclamations and executive orders that Obama has made in the last month and none of them were online. In fact, many were not even released at all to the press by the White House.

‘What if Uber-Women Ran the Show?‘
   Femi-Nazis piece by Carey Roberts (2/19/09)

Last Thursday Good Morning America host Robin Roberts ran a piece titled, Should Women be in Charge? Remarking on the Congressional hearings of three-piece-suited Wall Street bankers, Roberts offered the astute observation, “they’re all men.“

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Obama “Socialism Stimulus Bill” Kick Starts The New Welfare System!
   Welfare State piece by Malcolm T. Hedges (2/18/09)

We will now have millions of new “Welfare Slugs” stealing our hard earned money so they can skate their way thru their lives.

The Blues Amidst Hope
   ObamaNation piece by Offsite (2/18/09)

President Obama’s signing of his “stimulus” bill marks a beginning, not an end.  The bill gives both the American Left and the Right cause for celebration and hope, at least for now.

Postmaster got $800,000 in pay, perks
   Bird-Brain Flu piece by Offsite (2/18/09)

Postmaster General John E. Potter recently warned that economic times are so dire that the U.S. Postal Service may end mail delivery one day a week and freeze executive salaries. But his personal fortunes are nonetheless rising thanks to 40 percent in pay raises since 2006, a $135,000 bonus last year and several perks usually reserved for corporate CEOs.

Firefighters forced into ‘gay’ parade win case
   Progressivism piece by Offsite (2/18/09)

Four San Diego firefighters who were ordered by their department to appear in the city’s 2007 homosexual “Pride Parade” have been awarded $5,000 each for emotional damages from the event, where they were forced to witness “simulated sex acts.“

The Left in Power
   Government piece by Offsite (2/18/09)

The theme of my book The Left, The Right, and The State is that both sides of the political aisle represent a grave threat to liberty, though each of a different sort. It is like two people tugging at a turkey’s wishbone. The turkey is liberty and you are the bone.

Unheroic Superheroes, Watch out for the Watchmen
   Society piece by Warner Todd Huston (2/18/09)

Who Watches The Watchers?  - A Comic Book As Political Commentary and a new blockbuster movie soon to hit theaters.

Little Things Mean A Lot
   Society piece by J. D. Longstreet (2/18/09)

About Those American Flag Lapel Pins. . . . - In the spirit of full disclosure allow me to say, right up front, that I have several American flag lapel pins. Some are singles, and some are crossed with the NC state flag, etc. When I am not wearing the Sons of Confederate Veterans Lapel pin, I will have either my American Legion pin, or my American flag pin on my lapel. Sometimes I will wear the American Flag pen on my left lapel, nearest my heart and at the same time, the Third National Flag of the Confederacy on my right lapel.

‘Would Harvey Milk Have Opposed Gay Marriage?‘
   Politics piece by Aaron Goldstein (2/18/09)

Recently I viewed Gus Van Sant’s biopic Milk based on the life and death of San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk.

Asset liberator or thief?  A snarky examination
   Progressivism piece by John David Powell (2/18/09)

Here’s the question:  When does theft become an unfortunate mistake, or asset liberation, or a temporary change of possession, or an alternate utilization of private property, or wealth sharing, or nothing more than an act of a modern Robin Hood?

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Editorial: Thanks To President Obama We Now Live In A Socialist Country
   ObamaNation piece by Editor (2/17/09)

Today President Obama signed into law the bill designed to destroy the Republic.

Today President Obama Became Commissar Obama
   ObamaNation piece by Malcolm T. Hedges (2/17/09)

By signing the “Socialism Stimulus Bill”, Commissar Obama embraced and let the Democrat Progressive Socialist Congress force us further toward being a Socialist country.

Presidential Nominations and Senatorial Confirmations - Transparency Lost
   Government piece by FreeCongressFoundation: Marion Edwyn Harrison (2/17/09)

In the Executive Branch of the Federal Government, exclusive of many somewhat routine military and career-diplomatic appointments, there are hundreds of offices to which the President nominates and the Senate must advise and consent or, as commonly termed, “confirm” the nomination.  An amazing and unprecedented number of top positions recently have run into trouble. The trouble in large measure derives from extraordinarily incomplete “vetting” of nominees by those whom President Barack H. Obama has entrusted with that responsibility.  Some - like those which give every appearance of income-tax evasion - defy imagination.