Blog @ MoreWhat.com

Defend Hannah Giles (click here)

If you have money $$ for Haiti you have money $$ for Hannah

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

In the latest of a series of real and symbolic blows to the American left, Air America Radio, launched as the liberal answer to conservative talk radio, has announced that it will cease operations this week and declare bankruptcy.

Need anyone say more? It’s tempting, but no.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Urge Democratic Leader to Comply with Open Government Act of 2007
Jan 12 2010

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today joined 21 of their Senate Republican colleagues in signing a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., asking him to provide a list of all earmarks and congressional directed spending in the Senate health care bill, as well as in any future version of the health care bill that House and Senate Democrats might push to a vote.

Isakson and Chambliss have repeatedly criticized the lack of transparency throughout the process of drafting the $2.5 trillion health care bill, as well as the backroom deals that Reid made with certain Senate Democrats in order to secure their votes.

The text of the letter is below:

Dear Majority Leader Reid,

We write to express our concern over the inclusion of several provisions in the Manager’s Amendment to The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Since the nearly 400 page amendment was introduced, we discovered over half a dozen provisions that appear to have been included for the primary purpose of benefitting some states in particular. Though your office has referred to these provisions as “a normal part of the legislative process,” we are concerned that the inclusion of these items without appropriate disclosure may violate The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007.

The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-81) changed Senate rules to enhance transparency in the legislative process. The relevant change requires any amendment sponsor to publicly disclose each congressionally directed spending item and limited tax benefit included in that amendment. The design of this provision was to ensure that the American people know which lawmakers advocated for specific carve outs and earmarks.

It is clear that the Manager’s Amendment, in addition to the underlying bill, includes specific provisions which benefit some states and not others. We therefore ask you, as the sponsor of the Manager’s Amendment and underlying bill, to provide a list of all earmarks and congressional directed spending as required by The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007. We request this information be shared with our offices and posted on the majority’s website within 24 hours.

Finally, we anticipate that in coming weeks you and Speaker Pelosi will introduce a bill combining the House and Senate health bills. Upon the introduction of that bill we request a similar list of provisions, as required by The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007, be shared with our offices and posted on the majority’s website within 24 hours.

The American people deserve a transparent Congressional process. All Americans should know which States and entities will benefit from Congressional negotiations related to the health bills and amendments.

Sue Lowden for US Senate

A regular feature on MoreWhat.com is the Forum section that currently lists various stories referred to as Upbeat Conservative News. Frequently a list of those stories are posted on the blog. A few stories from the last couple of days merit some additional emphasis. This post begins with Navy SEALs accused by a terrorist of punching him and the subsequent court martial.

This story has not been carefully researched on this blog. So correct me if I’m wrong but reports read thus far suggest the decision to proceed with a court martial is based solely on the accusation from a terrorist. If any evidence to support the accusation has been presented, please advise in the comment section. Given other similar stories since the election of Barack Obama as President of the US a trend seems to be growing. Not only did the Messiah launch his administration with a World Apology Tour and appeasing sources of threat to our national security but he has made every effort to diminish the defense and security of our nation. The SEALs’ story rises as just another target of his agenda.

From the Upbeat Conservative News listing in the forum the following link is provided for this story. Upbeat Conservative News, 40 Congressmen: Dismiss SEALs Case It is also interesting to note that a simple Google search on this topic returns results from sources not generally regarded as the MSM. So the mainstream media apparently deems this story unworthy of their attention.

On a related topic it is suggested the Obama administration is holding back intel on the recent Ft Hood tragedy and its ‘alleged’ perp. Here’s a link to the story from Upbeat Conservative News. From the intent to close Gitmo and send terrorists to civilian prisons around the country to the Afghanistan ‘exit strategy’ and doing nothing about other foreign threats to the US, like Iran and North Korea, these two stories highlight the continuing reckless policies of Barack Obama.

Although not as serious but equally troubling are several other stories from the UCN listings in the forum. BTW, while the feature is named Upbeat Conservative News you may think some of the stories are not so upbeat. Understand that troubles caused by liberals are still upbeat since they improve the chances the public as well as elected representation will move to the right as a result of damage caused by the left. Back to the UCN stories.

Much of the climate change fracas is centered on left versus right, real science versus fake science and the like. But a story in UCN suggests the real push behind the AGW fiasco. It mirrors the agenda of Al Gore and making billions off this scam. How about an organized effort to essentially steal money and technology from the most successful countries in the world and GIVING it to others in the name of combating climate change? More redistribution of wealth for Obama and his socialist buddies.

Last but certainly not least is the comic relief of the Obama administration’s economics’ crew. Summers says the recession is over and Romer says its not. These are the people advising Obama on matters economic. Could this be one indication Obamanation has no clue? Oh, you say that’s not fair? C’mon! If for no other reason members of the ‘administration’ should be able to present information without looking like idiots. But the primary reason this is bad points to the idea that on fundamental financial data Obama’s top two money dudes are polar opposites. Ain’t it great?

So that’s it for Moan-day December 14, 2009. You’ve been briefed. Okay you’ve been boxer/briefed.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Free the SEALs (Michelle Malkin)

Give thanks, remember those who may not be having the best day and help out where you can. Try to avoid conflict, confrontation, over-consumption or obsessing on anything.

For the troops about all this blog has the resources to do is extend the holiday greeting from here and again express appreciation for your service and expecting there will be significant distribution of items to bring a little holiday spirit to your location.

God bless you and God bless the United States. And thanks to anyone who has made the past year a little better for someone else. The world can use more of that.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

(a repost from last year which is still relevant)

Does this inspire you to ask any questions?

The left enjoys referring to the GOP as the ‘party of no.’ Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has press releases whining about the GOP holding up nominations or confirmations of President Obama. David Hamilton was confirmed for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals by the US Senate in a 70-29-1 vote. The ‘not voting’ member is a Republican. Ten of the 70 voting ‘aye’ for confirmation are Republicans. The occasional support for the GOP from Senator Lieberman was not available this time as he voted to confirm. Read the rest of this post and the links to consider the implications of this event. Do the math. Had the 11 members of the GOP voting ‘aye’ or not voting opposed the nomination what would the outcome have been?

One question is presented in advance. Are the Republicans who voted to confirm David Hamilton RINOs?

An article from NRO in March of 2009 discusses ACLU Hamilton as a nominee for the US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit. Follow the link to gain some insight on the nominee who was confirmed this week.

Seventh Circuit Candidate David Hamilton—An ACLU “Moderate”! [Ed Whelan]

In an article headlined “Moderate Is Said to Be Pick for Court,” the New York Times reports that President Obama’s first nominee to a federal appellate court seat is expected to be David F. Hamilton. Hamilton, appointed by President Clinton to a district judgeship in Indiana in 1994 (despite the ABA’s “not qualified” rating), is expected to be named to the Seventh Circuit.

An excerpt from Senator Leahy on the Hamilton nomination for the Seventh Circuit.

“I believe our confirmation decisions should not be based on partisan considerations, much less on how we hope or predict a given judicial nominee will ‘vote’ on particular issues of public moment or controversy. I have instead tried to evaluate judicial candidates on whether they have the requisite intellect, experience, character and temperament that Americans deserve from their judges, and also on whether they indeed appreciate the vital, and yet vitally limited, role of the Federal judiciary faithfully to interpret and apply our laws, rather than seeking to impose their own policy views.”

Senator Lugar believes Judge Hamilton “is superbly qualified under both sets of criteria.” So do I. Judge Hamilton is a well-respected Federal judge not known for partisanship or an ideological agenda. In light of his superb record, broad support, and unanimous “well qualified” rating from the American Bar Association, it is no wonder Judge Hamilton’s nomination for this important appellate seat has the support of both home state Senators. He should be confirmed with a strong bipartisan majority.

Interesting comments from Leahy considering every judicial nomination is partisan in nature. It would be good if this were not the case but it is. And Leahy’s characterization that this nominee has been selected based on his qualifications is absurd. (Of course, that is merely this blog’s opinion)

The following is the result of Roll Call Vote 349 (In the YEAs group and the Not Voting Group, Republicans voting in support of the nomination are in bold type.)

YEAs

Alexander (R-TN) Baucus (D-MT) Bayh (D-IN) Begich (D-AK)
Bennet (D-CO) Bingaman (D-NM) Boxer (D-CA) Brown (D-OH)
Burris (D-IL) Byrd (D-WV) Cantwell (D-WA) Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE) Casey (D-PA) Chambliss (R-GA) Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND) Cornyn (R-TX) Dodd (D-CT) Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL) Feingold (D-WI) Feinstein (D-CA) Franken (D-MN)
Gillibrand (D-NY) Gregg (R-NH) Hagan (D-NC) Harkin (D-IA)
Hatch (R-UT) Inouye (D-HI) Johnson (D-SD) Kaufman (D-DE)
Kerry (D-MA) Kirk (D-MA) Klobuchar (D-MN) Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA) Lautenberg (D-NJ) Leahy (D-VT) Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (ID-CT) Lincoln (D-AR) Lugar (R-IN) McCaskill (D-MO)
Menendez (D-NJ) Merkley (D-OR) Mikulski (D-MD) Murkowski (R-AK)
Murray (D-WA) Nelson (D-FL) Nelson (D-NE) Pryor (D-AR)
Reed (D-RI) Reid (D-NV) Rockefeller (D-WV) Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY) Shaheen (D-NH) Snowe (R-ME) Specter (D-PA)
Stabenow (D-MI) Tester (D-MT) Thune (R-SD) Udall (D-CO)
Udall (D-NM) Warner (D-VA) Webb (D-VA) Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

NAYs

Barrasso(R-WY) Bennett (R-UT) Bond (R-MO) Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY) Burr (R-NC) Coburn (R-OK) Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN) Crapo (R-ID) DeMint (R-SC) Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC) Grassley (R-IA) Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA) Johanns (R-NE) Kyl (R-AZ) LeMieux (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ) McConnell (R-KY) Risch (R-ID) Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL) Shelby (R-AL) Vitter (R-LA) Voinovich (R-OH)
Wicker (R-MS)

Not Voting - 1

Hutchison (R-TX)


David Frank Hamilton was first elevated to the status of judge by virtue of a Clinton nomination in 1994. (record from Thomas LOC, below)

Nomination: PN1469-103
Date Received: June 08, 1994 (103rd Congress)
Nominee: David F. Hamilton, of Indiana, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Indiana vice S. Hugh Dillin, retired.
Referred to: Senate Judiciary
Reported by: Senate Judiciary

Legislative Actions

Floor Action: June 08, 1994 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Committee Action: September 21, 1994 - Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held.
Committee Action: September 28, 1994 - Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported favorably.
Floor Action: September 28, 1994 - Reported by Mr. Biden, Committee on the Judiciary, without printed report.
Floor Action: September 28, 1994 - Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar No. 1289.
Floor Action: October 07, 1994 - Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

Organization: The Judiciary

Control Number: 103PN0146900

Final note: Do the GOP members voting to confirm Hamilton or not voting demonstrate conservative principles?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Senate approves ACORN/abortion radical judge David Hamilton (Michelle Malkin)