"There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism." — Alexander Hamilton
Here is a bit of potpourri for the day that I found interesting and provocative. Click the link at the bottom of each post to read the full article.
Immigration and Healthcare Will Shape Election 2012
“On Monday, Arizona’s Gov. Jan Brewer announced, after the liberal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, based in San Francisco, ruled against Arizona’s appeal of an injunction against S.B. 1070 that is temporarily preventing Arizona from enforcing this law, that she would petition the U.S. Supreme Court to lift the injunction.”
“For decades, the federal government has neglected its constitutional duty to secure the border. It is because of that negligence that Arizona was forced to take action to protect its citizens via SB 1070,” Brewer said. “Our issue is bigger than simply border security. It’s about the principle that a state must be able to protect the safety and welfare of its citizens, especially in the absence of sufficient federal assistance. I’m confident that Arizona will emerge victorious from this legal fight.”
“By appealing this case straight to the U.S. Supreme Court, Brewer’s office said that “there is greater likelihood that legal questions surrounding SB 1070 will be resolved quickly so that the law can begin to do its job.”
“Arizona has until July 11, 2011 to officially file the petition and the Supreme Court should announce whether it will hear the case in September. If the Supreme Court does hear the case, the arguments and a verdict would also fall right in the middle of the 2012 campaign.”
“Perhaps this is why President Obama traveled to El Paso, Texas, which stands on the frontlines of the brutal violence that has plagued towns near border to lobby for the DREAM Act, which Michelle Malkin and other conservatives have referred to as a nightmare.”
“In El Paso, Obama said “there are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants here in the United States. Some crossed the border illegally. Others avoid immigration laws by overstaying their visas. Regardless of how they came, the overwhelming majority of these folks are just trying to earn a living and provide for their families.”
“Obama then conceded that “we have to acknowledge they’ve broken the rules. They’ve cut in front of the line. And what is also true is that the presence of so many illegal immigrants makes a mockery of all those who are trying to immigrate legally.”
“And then he mocked Republicans by asking if Republicans wanted a moat on the Southern border with alligators in it notwithstanding the fact that Democrats could have passed the DREAM Act while they controlled both houses of Congress, and they failed to do so.” Tony Lee, Human Events.
Sexual Orientation Linked to Cancer Survival, Quality of Life
“Sexual orientation could play a role in cancer and quality of life after cancer treatment, according to a new study.”
“Researchers found that gay men are 1.9 times more likely than straight men to report having had cancer. They also found that lesbian and bisexual women are more than twice as likely as heterosexual women to report fair or poor health after having cancer.”
“However, the findings do not necessarily mean that being gay, lesbian or bisexual increases risk of cancer, said study researcher Ulrike Boehmer, of the Boston University School of Public Health.”
“Rather, access to care, support from others, other diseases and lifestyle are likely factors that could explain the findings, Boehmer said.”
“For health professionals, the findings suggest that different actions must be taken for male and female patients, she said.”
"Because more lesbian and bisexual women than heterosexual women with cancer report poor health, health professionals may be best advised to carefully evaluate their lesbian and bisexual cancer patients," Boehmer told MyHealthNewsDaily. "Their evaluation should determine why lesbians and bisexual women perceive their health as poor and provide services or referrals to services that would be helpful for the specific issues the patient identified."
The study was published online today (May 9) in the journal Cancer. Yahoo News.
Obama Wants More High-Speed Rail
"President Obama either doesn't realize a debt crisis is looming, or he just doesn't care. [On Sunday], he dispatched his transportation chief, Ray LaHood, to herald the expenditure of another $2 billion on 'high-speed' rail. This reckless profligacy has the country on a one-way track to the poorhouse. On Friday, the Congressional Budget Office reported that the federal budget deficit is up 9 percent for the year. Despite impressive rhetoric about 'tough choices' and 'deep cuts,' the administration has, so far, spent $181 billion more -- not less -- this year than it did last year. The government is spending more now than it ever has. ... As evidence of the demand, Mr. LaHood said he received more than $10 billion in requests from cities and states looking to get their hands on a big slice of the $2 billion in federal largesse. So the demand isn't actually from the public; it's coming from politicians. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, for example, put out a pair of press releases Monday triumphantly announcing the millions headed to his state. With Mr. LaHood standing behind him, the New York Democrat also insisted that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) boost its involvement in train security with a 'no ride' list that would, in theory, keep terrorists off the tracks. Although this idea was presented as a response to evidence of a potential locomotive plot found on Osama bin Laden's captured computer, TSA has long been looking to expand its role. ... Such schemes won't make anyone safer. Nor does it make sense to create transportation 'alternatives' that encourage Americans to abandon their automobiles so they can be packed into the confined space of a vulnerable train or trolley. Spiking the president's railroad boondoggle is the right thing to do not just for the country's fiscal health, but for homeland security as well." --The Washington Times
The Amnesty Bandwagon Rides Again
“In conjunction with Tuesday's renewed White House push in Texas for a "new pathway to citizenship" for millions of illegal immigrants, disgruntled Latino activists are ratcheting up their radical anti-enforcement rhetoric. Illinois Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez -- a persistent critic on Obama's left flank — lambasted federal workplace enforcement raids this weekend. On Sunday, he repeated his hyperbolic attacks on homeland security agents "terrorizing" neighborhoods and ripping babies from the breasts of nursing moms. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano made no public effort to defend her employees.”
“On campuses across the country, unhappy ethnic college student groups have turned up the heat on Democrats to resurrect the "DREAM Act" nightmare for the 12th time in a decade. The legislation -- persistently rejected by a bipartisan majority on Capitol Hill — would provide illegal aliens (not just teenagers, but students up to age 35) federal education access and benefits, plus a conditional pass from deportation and a special path toward green cards and U.S. citizenship for themselves and unlimited relatives.”
“Obama argues that his comprehensive amnesty plan would boost America's bottom line. But the open-borders math doesn't add up. The Congressional Budget Office score of the last DREAM Act package estimates that "the bill would increase projected deficits by more than $5 billion in at least one of the four consecutive 10-year periods starting in 2021." And that doesn't include the costs of the unlimited family members the millions of DREAM Act beneficiaries would be able to bring to the U.S. A separate cost analysis by the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Immigration Studies concluded that the illegal alien DREAM Act bailout would cost taxpayers $6.2 billion a year and "crowd out" U.S. students in the classroom.” Michele Malkin
Why the Hurry to Gloat About Bin Laden?
“The White House says the information in bin Laden's compound is the equivalent of a "small college library," potentially containing incalculably valuable and unique data on al-Qaeda operations, personnel and methods.”
"It's going to be great even if only 10 percent of it is actionable," a government official told Politico's Mike Allen.”
“I'm no expert on such matters —though I've talked to several about this — but even a casual World War II buff can understand that the shelf life of actionable intelligence would be extended if we hadn't told the whole world, and al-Qaeda in particular, that we had it.”
“It's a bit like racing to the microphones to announce you've stolen the other team's playbook even before you've had a chance to use the information in the big game.”
“But that's exactly what President Obama did. He raced to spill the beans. The man couldn't even wait until morning. At just after 9:45 p.m., the White House communications director, Dan Pfeiffer, informed the media: "POTUS to address the nation tonight at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time."
“The announcement came less than three hours after Obama had been informed that there was a "high probability" bin Laden was dead and that the Navy SEAL helicopters had returned to Afghanistan.”
“In other words, it seems that the White House planned to crow as soon as possible. Why? Nobody I've talked to can think of a reason that doesn't have to do with politics or hubris.” Jonah Goldberg.
Minimum Wage's Discriminatory Effects
“As if more proof were needed about the minimum wage's devastating effects, yet another study has reached the same conclusion. Last week, two labor economists, Professors William Even (Miami University of Ohio) and David Macpherson (Trinity University), released a study for the Washington, D.C.-based Employment Policies Institute titled "Unequal Harm: Racial Disparities in the Employment Consequences of Minimum Wage Increases."
“During the peak of what has been dubbed the Great Recession, the unemployment rate for young adults (16 to 24 years of age) as a whole rose to above 27 percent. The unemployment rate for black young adults was almost 50 percent, but for young black males, it was 55 percent.”
“Even and Macpherson say that it would be easy to say this tragedy is an unfortunate byproduct of the recession, but if you said so, you'd be wrong. Their study demonstrates that increases in the minimum wage at both the state and federal level are partially to blame for the crisis in employment for minority young adults.”
“Their study focuses on 16-to-24-year-old male high school dropouts, understandably a relatively inexperienced group of labor market participants. Since minimum wage laws discriminate against the employment of the least-skilled worker, it shouldn't be surprising to find 16-to-24-year-old male high school dropouts its primary victims.” Walter Williams
Judge Allows Indiana to Cut Planned Parenthood Funding
“Indiana won a key victory in its fight to cut off public funding for Planned Parenthood Wednesday when a federal judge refused to block a tough new abortion law from taking effect, a move that could boost Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels' image among social conservatives as he considers running for president. “
“U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt denied Planned Parenthood of Indiana's request for a temporary restraining order despite arguments that the law jeopardizes health care for thousands of women.”
“Planned Parenthood wanted to keep funds flowing while it challenges the law signed this week by Daniels. The judge's decision allows the cuts to take effect immediately.”
“Pratt said the state has not had enough time to respond to Planned Parenthood's complaint and that the group did not show it would suffer irreparable harm without a temporary restraining order.”
“A hearing was scheduled June 6 on the request for a preliminary injunction, and Pratt said she will rule on the matter before July 1, when new abortion restrictions included in the law are set to take effect.”
"We are deeply disappointed that the judge decided not to stop this unconscionable law from impacting Hoosiers seeking preventive, reproductive health care," said Betty Cockrum, president of Planned Parenthood of Indiana, in a statement released Wednesday. "The ruling means that Hoosiers who rely on federal funding have lost access to their crucial and lifesaving preventive health care at Planned Parenthood of Indiana." Fox News
White House Defends Invite of Political Rapper to Poetry Event
“The White House on Wednesday defended the invitation sent by first lady Michelle Obama to rapper and actor Common to attend a poetry event amid backlash over some of his lyrics that critics say promote violence.”
“Common, whose real name is Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr., is not considered a gangsta rapper, but some of his songs and poems feature violent imagery.”
“In one poem, he called for the metaphorical burning of President George W. Bush -- a "burning Bush." And in a song, he praised convicted cop-killer and former Black Panther Assata Shakur.”
"While the president doesn't support the kind of lyrics raised here, we do think some of the reports distort what Mr. Lynn stands for more broadly in order to stoke controversy," White House spokesman Jay Carney said Wednesday.”
"He is within the genre of hip hop and rap in what's known as a conscious rapper," he said, adding that President Obama appreciates the way Common tries to get children to focus on poetry, "as opposed to some of the negative influences of life on the street."
Carney added that he did not know whether the White House vetted the poetry to be recited at the reading Wednesday night.” Fox News
Bin Laden’s death now part of Obama's re-elect message
“Reporting from Austin, Texas — Osama bin Laden, mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, is now an applause line in a presidential campaign speech.”
“Bin Laden’s name came up a couple of times in Obama’s address Tuesday evening at a fund-raising event in Austin, Texas.”
“Early in Obama's appearance, someone shouted out, “Thank you for getting Bin Laden!’’
Obama said that was a “case in point’’ – a reason for voters to let him “finish what we started.’’
“Later, Obama ticked off what he described as his administration’s accomplishments: lifting the ban on gays in the military; bringing troops home from Iraq.”
“And then: “And because of the extraordinary bravery of the men and women who wear this nation’s uniform and the outstanding work of our intelligence agencies,’’ Obama said, “Osama bin Laden will never again threaten the United States.’’ The crowd roared. Los Angeles Times
Why Don't We Hear About Soros' Ties to Over 30 Major News Organizations?
When liberal investor George Soros gave $1.8 million to National Public Radio , it became part of the firestorm of controversy that jeopardized NPR’s federal funding. But that gift only hints at the widespread influence the controversial billionaire has on the mainstream media. Soros, who spent $27 million trying to defeat President Bush in 2004, has ties to more than 30 mainstream news outlets – including The New York Times, Washington Post, the Associated Press, NBC and ABC.
Prominent journalists like ABC’s Christiane Amanpour and former Washington Post editor and now Vice President Len Downie serve on boards of operations that take Soros cash. This despite the Society of Professional Journalist’s ethical code stating: “avoid all conflicts real or perceived.”
This information is part of an upcoming report by the Media Research Centers Business & Media Institute which has been looking into George Soros and his influence on the media.
The investigative reporting start-up ProPublica is a prime example. ProPublica, which recently won its second Pulitzer Prize, initially was given millions of dollars from the Sandler Foundation to “strengthen the progressive infrastructure” – “progressive” being the code word for very liberal. In 2010, it also received a two-year contribution of $125,000 each year from the Open Society Foundations. In case you wonder where that money comes from, the OSF website is www.soros.org. It is a network of more than 30 international foundations, mostly funded by Soros, who has contributed more than $8 billion to those efforts Dan Gainor, Fox News
U.S. Stealth Helicopter
“Numerous media sources have reported that the stealth helicopter was a modified Blackhawk. Having said that, we have no independent confirmation as to whether or not it was a Blackhawk. Our sources are indicating that the stealth helicopter has been operational for a good four years, predominantly flying special operations missions only at night.”
“In looking at the design of the helicopter wreckage from the bin Laden safe house, it carries many of the characteristics that you would typically see on the stealth bomber and aircraft that is flying today. The design of the helicopter is one that is masked to reduce its radar signature as well as dampen the noise from the rotors. And it’s our understanding that the aircraft was designed for that specific purpose, meaning special operations missions to be handled at night behind enemy lines for the sole purpose of masking its approach to an attack site. From a person I talked to who has flown in one of these stealth helicopters, the helicopter has been described as amazingly quiet in the air, and the noise is much like an outdoor air conditioner next to your house in the dead of the summer.”
“The helicopter was flown out of the 160th at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and certainly explains why President Obama made the visit to personally recognize the flight crews.”
“Our aviation sources close to the operation advise that the stealth helicopter crashed due to a brown out. In essence, as the helicopter approached, with the pilot utilizing night vision goggles, the dust and the dirt of the compound created an atmosphere which caused the pilot to set down the helicopter on the wall. After the helicopter crashed, a front portion, the cockpit area, was blown up by special operations SEALS while they were departing with bin Laden’s body.”
“Having done a lot of aircraft investigations in my past, one of the things you will notice is, the Pakistanis lost control of the crash site. At this point it’s unclear how much of the wreckage has already been lost that potentially could show up on the black market or in the hands of a nation-state that would be fascinated to learn the technology used in order to enter and exit Pakistani airspace without getting caught”. STRATFOR
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