Blog @ MoreWhat.com

As with any tragic circumstance there are always people, places and things forever affected. Reasonable people everywhere will be empathetic and often contribute to solving the problems encountered. This is when the best humans have to offer shines. The generosity and community spirit of many Americans excels when tragedy strikes. But there is a problem that can overshadow inspirational human action.

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is no exception. News reports are dominated by angry and otherwise emotional responses to the frustrating day to day events of this disaster in the making. Politicians are doing their dance and President Obama is no exception. Feeling the heat over what some call his Katrina the President lashed out at BP on his recent trip to the region and some have called for BP’s CEO to step down.

BP chief says not quitting over spill - newspaper

Chief Executive Tony Hayward has said he is not thinking of quitting despite the outcry in the United States over the scale of damage from a ruptured deep-sea oil wellhead in the Gulf of Mexico.

“It hasn’t crossed my mind. It’s clearly crossed other people’s minds but not mine,” he told The Sunday Telegraph in an interview when asked if he had thought of stepping down as head of the British energy giant.

All the angst and PR being displayed by so many is not helping. All involved should be doing what some are. Offering constructive suggestions and seeking solutions to the problem. Raising the emotional component of a tragic event does not contribute to solving the problem. There will be plenty of time for that for those interested when the problem has been resolved. Which may in fact be a very long time. But emotional outbreaks and political rhetoric will not make that day come more quickly. Quite the contrary, these actions will delay a positive outcome.

As for BP’s chief resigning, it makes about as much sense as McDonald’s chief resigning over the following:

McDonald’s pulls 12M cadmium-tainted Shrek glasses

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cadmium has been discovered in the painted design on “Shrek”-themed drinking glasses being sold nationwide at McDonald’s, forcing the burger giant to recall 12 million of the cheap U.S.-made collectibles while dramatically expanding contamination concerns about the toxic metal beyond imported children’s jewelry.

If you think that is not a fair comparison consider this. There is no excuse for not knowing what is in a product you sell. There is no excuse for not knowing cadmium has toxic properties and is an element long thought to cause severe health problems. Whether it is or not one should not allow it to be used at least in products sold to the public.

In comparison to the BP oil spill the McDonald’s recall is on point. Another case where someone let a problem or its solution slip through the cracks. If you think the problems caused by the BP spill outweigh the risk to millions of children try making that case on the network news. Every liberal on the planet will skewer your life for all to see.

The real point here is leave the CEO of BP and the one at McDonald’s alone. Or at least wait until the story ends and we know where we are before you seek your pound of flesh.

Can we simply work on the problem and leave the blame game for another time? Probably not, but hey, I’m just sayin’…..

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

If the recent rev/con of the United Nations on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty for 2010 is any indication the world is no closer to being the nuke-free peaceful utopia envisioned by UN rhetoric or that of US President Barack Hussein Obama. Statements made by Iran and Israel merely extend the never ending debate on Middle East peace that is equally illusive.

The following report from a few days ago inspired this post.

Israel denounces NPT ‘hypocrisy’ as Iran hails accord
by Gavin Rabinowitz Gavin Rabinowitz – Sat May 29, 4:24 pm ET

TORONTO (AFP) – Israel Saturday denounced as “hypocritical” a resolution adopted by the Non-Proliferation Treaty’s 189 nations and said it would refuse to take part in a conference on a nuclear-weapons-free Middle East.

Israel said the resolution adopted at the United Nations on Friday singles out the Jewish state and fails to mention arch-foe Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

One may have to take the announcement above at face value until the 28 page doc from the UN is available. As of this writing the following notice was found at the UN’s website.

8:58 AM 6/2/2010
Parts I and II of the Final Document of the 2010 NPT Review Conference are still being finalized and will be posted here (in English only) as soon as they are available. Other language versions will be added when ready.

It always seems that some sources are able to receive these items before the general public. But there are other items that help paint the picture.

UN NPT conference backs steps to disarm
Sat May 29 2010 12:05

A Major Gap

The disarmament action plan also inevitably leaves a major gap, since it doesn’t obligate four nations that are not members of the treaty - India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea, all of which have or are suspected of having nuclear arsenals.

On the Middle East, Arab states and Israel’s allies had been at odds over wording in the plan to convene a conference in 2012 to begin a process to turn the region into a zone free of nuclear and other mass-destruction weapons.

This Arab proposal for a WMD-free zone, to pressure Israel to give up its undeclared arsenal of perhaps 80 nuclear warheads, was endorsed by the 1995 NPT conference but never acted on.

Israel has long said a full Arab-Israeli peace must precede such weapons bans. But at this conference the US, Israel’s chief supporter, said it welcomed “practical measures” leading toward the goal of a nuke-free zone, and US diplomats discussed possibilities with Israel.

And what about Iran?

NPT 101: Is Iran violating the nuclear treaty?
By Scott Peterson, Staff writer / May 4, 2010
Istanbul, Turkey

Is Iran violating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?The answer isn’t black and white. It depends on whom you ask – and how deftly you define “violation.” But in essence, Iran is following the letter but not always the spirit of the NPT.

Iran claims it is in complete compliance with its NPT obligations, including declaring all its nuclear material and allowing inspectors to monitor its facilities. It advocates against nuclear weapons and notes that despite thousands of hours of inspections in Iran, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) – the United Nations body that monitors NPT compliance – has found no evidence of a bomb program.

It is not like the IAEA never dropped the ball regarding Iraq, Iran or other investigations they have undertaken. No one really knows the status of Iran’s nuke program but their repeated call for the elimination of Israel raises suspicion about nuclear weapons.

But let’s not get all worked up over Israel’s denouncement of this year’s nuclear theatre courtesy of the United Nations. Just last year there was at least one similar response by another nation under similar circumstances.

Friday, September 25, 2009, 00:47 IST
UN passes NPT resolution, India says no

New Delhi: India refused to abide by the UN Security Council resolution asking all non-NPT nations to sign the pact, saying it cannot accept the “externally prescribed norms or standards” on issues that are contrary to its national interests or infringe on its sovereignty.

India maintained that it cannot join the NPT as a non-weapon country even as it reiterated its commitment to no testing and no-first-use besides non-discriminatory universal non-proliferation.

The details may have changed over the years but generally speaking we are no closer to a nuke-free world than we were decades ago. Nothing anyone has expressed improved the chances of the world becoming peaceful. Perhaps focusing on nukes misses the point although it makes for popular news stories. War and other armed conflict with ‘conventional weapons’ as well as violence in general needs to be addressed in addition to nuclear threats before ‘universal’ peace can be achieved. Something that seems unlikely given the history of humans on this planet.

It would be helpful to keep the nuclear club at its present size. It would be more helpful to keep terrorists from making an IED from nuclear material e.g., a ’suitcase bomb.’ It might be fair to state that government leaders over a long period of time have caused this predicament in the way relationships, strategies and tactics have been arranged. Changing alliances and ‘national interests’ at odds with solutions that benefit all or at least do not unduly burden some while others gain are at the heart of the matter.

Until those trends are resolved the larger problem of a nuke-free world and an end to armed conflict are simply wishful thinking.

If only wishing for a perfect world made it so.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Here’s one of those instances where news reports suggest confusion by public officials or news sources.

Tuesday, 01 Jun 2010 04:00 PM

White House spokesman Adam Abrams said over the weekend that Obama’s schedule “doesn’t allow for a meeting” with Brewer but added that the president “does intend to sit down with the governor in the future.”

Tuesday, 01 Jun 2010 07:47 PM

A White House official said Tuesday that the meeting between Obama and Republican Gov. Jan Brewer is scheduled for Thursday. The official requested anonymity to discuss the president’s schedule ahead of its public release.

The 400pm excerpt is from Fox News. As it is dated only a few hours before the second report you might wonder if the WH gave Fox one response and AP another. Regardless of that the fine ‘anonymous source’ from the WH claims Obama and Brewer will have a sit down Thursday.

This meeting could be the part in this story where we see who is playing games and who is real. You could say that both Obama and Brewer have drawn their own lines in the sand on this issue. And it would seem one must relinquish some ground for the other to succeed. Brewer may have more riding on this than Obama. Will she stand her ground or cave to the pressure?

The following may suggest how tough Brewer will be given the mood of the country.

Poll: Arizona Immigration Law Popular Nationally
Tuesday, 01 Jun 2010 02:35 PM

The Arizona immigration law continues to receive high marks in national polls from registered voters even as it remains unpopular in liberal circles.

In the latest Quinnipiac University poll, released Tuesday, 48 percent said they want their state to pass legislation similar to Arizona’s, while 35 percent said they do not. Overall, 51 percent approve of the law, opposed to 31 percent who disapprove.

This dovetails with a series of other recent polls that have showed support as high as two-thirds of respondents backing the law, which Republican Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed in April, It has sparked a heated debate over the direction of the nation’s immigration policy.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

There are those who support President Barack Obama. There are those who do not support President Barack Obama. Most of us are familiar with the arguments for either choice. And there are certain instances where Americans are accustomed to and expect an American President to respond in a particular fashion. Especially when that response deals with honoring core values and principles that are the bedrock of our nation’s founding.

One such core value and principle is honoring fallen heroes and those who serve. Each year Memorial Day of course is one such instance where a particular presidential response is expected. The President’s attendance at Memorial Day ceremonies is a ‘given’ for most people.

Absent-in-Chief: Obama MIA for Memorial Day, Vacationing as Spill Worsens
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 12:58 PM

Already under increasing fire for his handling of an oil spill that many experts now say will be the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history, President Barack Obama is riling conservatives and veterans with his decision to skip the traditional Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.

Instead, he will vacation in Chicago.

The decision not only has angered conservative pundits such as Glenn Beck but also has riled military families and others who expect the president to follow tradition on the day reserved for honoring the sacrifice of America’s soldiers.

The following information is presented for all those willing to give President Obama a pass on this one and especially for all the Bush bashers including the current White House and liberals in general.

President George W Bush was in office for eight years. President George W Bush honored Memorial Day each of those eight years as Presidents should.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

(above)
President George W. Bush, accompanied by Major General Richard J. Rowe Jr., commander of the Military District of Washington, foreground left, lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns Monday, May 26, 2008, during a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. White House photo by Shealah Craighead
May 2008
President Bush Attends Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day Commemoration

caption:
President George W. Bush is joined by Major General Guy Swan III, left, commander of the Military District of Washington, during the Memorial Day commemoration wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns Monday, May 28, 2007, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

caption:
President George W. Bush delivers remarks on Memorial Day at the amphitheatre in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, May 29, 2006. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

May 2005
President Commemorates Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery

caption
President George W. Bush stands at attention during Wreath Laying ceremonies in commemoration of Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia Monday May 31, 2004.

President Bush Honors the Brave and Fallen Defenders of Freedom
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia
May 2003

President Bush Commemorates Memorial Day at Normandy
May 2002

Home > News & Policies > May 2001
caption:
The President and Laura Bush pause before the laying of the wreath at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28.
WHITE HOUSE PHOTO BY SUSAN STERNER

The third video in this series is a reminder of the liberal shamnesty agenda and the Democratic party’s endorsement of Calderon’s shamnesty message to Congress.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

The second video in this series includes a discussion of Calderon’s errors in his push for shamnesty. It is also interesting the Mexican president criticizes Arizona’s law and how it might be misused yet Mexico was slammed by ‘human rights’ groups for mistreating illegals. Conveniently Mexico claims they no longer view illegal entry as a crime yet their handling of such matters includes more protections than they suggest the US should employ.

Calderon is a liberal PR nightmare in the making. That’s helpful for November 2010.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

President Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder and other US officials have not read SB 1070, the Arizona law signed by Governor Jan Brewer. Yet they criticize it and those who support it. The race card and other typical liberal tactics are employed to denounce opposition to illegal immigration and efforts to correct it. Both Democrats and Republicans and much of the corporate world support what they call ‘comprehensive immigration reform’ which is nothing more than open borders and amnesty for illegals.

President Calderon of Mexico addressed the US Congress this week. He criticizes US immigration policy even though enforcement rarely if ever exists. Allowing open borders and illegal immigration for decades is what caused the problem. An example of Mr Calderon’s dishonesty on this issue is demonstrated by the excerpt below.

Calderon Criticism of Arizona Law Overlooks Mexico’s Tough Immigration Policy

Mexico repeatedly has been cited by human rights groups for abusing or turning a blind eye to the abuse of migrants from Central America. Until recently, Mexican law made illegal immigration a criminal offense — anyone arrested for the violation could be fined, imprisoned for up to two years and deported. Mexican lawmakers changed that in 2008 to make illegal immigration a civil violation like it is in the United States, but their law still reads an awful lot like Arizona’s.

It’s real simple. The US needs strong immigration laws and associated enforcement. Employer sanctions are needed to dry up the job market for illegals. That effort and related immigration policies would solve the problem in a relatively short period of time.

And after self-deportation of illegals is achieved by eliminating taxpayer handouts that fuel illegal immigration supported by those listed above the liberal argument can finally be defeated. Meaning those who truly and honestly want to come here can get back in line and do it the right way. And those who have abused the situation for selfish purposes will no longer be enabled by lack of enforcement.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

related:

Mexico Tourism Promoter Running Threatening Ads in Arizona Newspaper?

crossposted at Maggie’s Notebook

As much as China and Russia have demonstrated their opposition toward ’sanctions’ against Iran’s nuclear pursuits more impotent reaction appears forthcoming from the security council at the United Nations. As noted below, a ‘fourth round’ of UN sanctions indicates previous provisions have accomplished nothing.

If Iran sends uranium to Turkey and Brazil for further enrichment with the stated medical purposes expressed a minimum of several questions come to mind. What is to stop others from intercepting and/or advancing enrichment to weapons grade? What value can sanctions have if they have not worked to date and Iran’s nuclear pursuit advances unchecked?

Spokespersons from Iran and Turkey have offered political rhetoric on the topic. Western nations have expressed a real concern that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons. Also in the report below readers are reminded of frequent expressions from Iranian leaders that they intend to eliminate the state of Israel.

And the past and current situation with Iran has done nothing to resolve these issues. But it has allowed Iran to continue unimpeded. It is long past the time for an effective response to Iranian nukes. And all that sending uranium around the planet achieves is higher risk that the material will be used by rogue states or terrorists supported by them.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

from VOA News….

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States and other major world powers have agreed on a draft resolution that could impose a fourth round of United Nations sanctions on Iran.

Clinton made the announcement in testimony to a Senate committee Tuesday, a day after Iran announced a plan to send some of its enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for nuclear fuel.

The Security Council is set to hold consultations on the sanctions draft Tuesday.

Clinton said the plan followed talks among the five permanent Security Council members - the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia, as well as Germany.

She noted the agreement had been reached in cooperation with China and Russia - two nations that have previously resisted imposing more sanctions on Tehran.

On Monday, Iran signed an agreement with Turkey and Brazil to send 1,200 kilograms of low-enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for higher-enriched nuclear reactor fuel to be used in a medical research reactor in Tehran.

Both Turkey and Brazil are non-permanent members of the Security Council.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast accused Western nations Tuesday of “seeking excuses” to avoid resolving the nuclear dispute with his country.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said talk of sanctions could “spoil the atmosphere” and lead to an “escalation” of statements that might “provoke” Iranian public opinion.

The United States and its Western allies accuse Iran of working to make a nuclear weapon. Iran says its atomic program is for peaceful purposes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with top Cabinet members Tuesday to consider a response to the Iranian plan.

Israel views a nuclear-armed Iran as a threat to its existence because of repeated calls by Iranian leaders for the demise of the Jewish state.

There are simply too many troubling stories in recent weeks. And this post simply selects a few that demonstrate the contrast of issues needing attention. From the never ending failure to enforce immigration law in the US to years of ignoring an issue of equal importance to national security, Iranian nukes, President Obama adds his ‘Katrina’ to the list of issues railed on by liberals during the Bush years but now silent with the Messiah in the White House. And let’s not forget about financial reform, too big to fail, bailouts and the announcement of a merger between United and Continental airlines.

An estimated 10 to 12 million people are thought to have entered the United States illegally, and most come from Latin America. Hispanics are the largest minority group in the American southwest, and immigration reform has become a potent political issue in the Hispanic community, where calls for crackdowns on illegal immigration have been viewed as anti-Hispanic.

There was a time when the number of illegals was estimated near 30 million. Over time it has been greatly reduced. The excerpt above points to the problem. ‘People thought’ to be here illegally. More important is stating ‘most come from Latin America.’ That the largest minority group in the southwest is ‘hispanic’ and the ‘hispanic community’ protests enforcement of immigration laws speaks to the larger problem. Being here illegally, making the most noise about amnesty, expressing no intention of becoming American while invoking the race card explains the fallacy. Illegal immigration is an entirely self-serving proposition. It denounces the very principles it claims to represent.

President Barack Obama says an expanding oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico is a massive and unprecedented environmental disaster that will require a relentless, coordinated effort to overcome.

That ‘relentless, coordinated effort’ is taking a long time to begin. Compare this to reaction over the response to Katrina during the Bush administration. NOAA has had an oil spill response program for 15 or 20 years. So why the long delays here? Now it is suggested the oil slick will travel around Florida and up the east coast of the US. Another example of how ineffective big government is.

And then there is the small matter of a merger in the airline industry.

The merger between United and Continental Airlines will be worth some $3 billion.

The combined company will have nearly 700 planes, 80,000 employees, and fly to 370 destinations in 59 countries.

Airline industry expert Joseph Schwieterman of DePaul University in Chicago says the announcement is a positive sign for an industry that has struggled since the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

The airline industry struggled long before 2001. In many ways the troubles of the airlines is quite similar to that of automobile manufacturers. So two airlines merge as the answer to solve their problems. It does nothing to confront the underlying problems of the industry. But it does present a possible example of what the current push for financial reform in Congress, too big to fail and more bailouts in the future will bring. More problems for the American taxpayer, consumers in general and evidence politicians have no idea what they’re doing or are lying to you about their intentions.

This post concludes with a brief mention of Iranian nukes. This issue is the most troubling in this list. Continued failure to properly address and resolve it may result in a mushroom cloud. The only positive outcome thus far illuminates ineffective leadership around the planet, not just the United States. And that is little consolation.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad kicked off the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference with a lengthy diatribe against the United States and other Western powers who seek to sanction his country for its controversial nuclear program.

Mr. Ahmadinejad spoke for more than half an hour, giving what has become something of his trademark - a speech criticizing the United States, Israel and invoking God - and sending the U.S., British and French delegations walking out of the hall in protest.

There is nothing new about this issue. The UN is as impotent as ever. The Obama administration has done nothing. China, Russia and Iran have used this issue to their collective advantage and no one else presents an answer. As another terrorist demonstrates how vulnerable to attack everyone is weak minds obsess on how to be fair to those who do not understand the concept. When will we treat terror threats like terror threats? Stop coddling those who support and produce terrorism and other acts of war.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

According to an earlier news report US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates wrote a three page memo in January stating the US ‘lacks a long term plan’ regarding Iran and nukes. The typical anonymous sources were credited in the NYT fish wrap stating the memo had various departments and agencies within the federal government scurrying to produce a game plan.

No one really needs a memo from Gates or proof of a formal plan from the Obama administration to counter a conclusion US leaders are clueless on what to do about Iranian nukes. That nothing has been resolved and Iran is allowed to continue as before suggests a US plan does not exist or is entirely impotent.

“It is absolutely false that any memo touched off a reassessment of our options,” National Security Council spokesman Benjamin Rhodes told The Associated Press. “This administration has been planning for all contingencies regarding Iran for many months.”

Well then, how about that contingency where Iran continues to develop nuclear weapons? You can place your bets on the Obama administration waiting this one out. If they have a plan it is for hope and change.

Hope Iran implodes under the stress of internal opposition to the current regime that cancels further progress on nukes by default.

Change the relationship with Israel so plausible deniability is available when the last option is all that is left. Israel will be the world scapegoat to stop Iran’s nuclear weapons pursuit while other world powers continue to ignore the threat.

Even lightweights like Senator John McCain (RINO-AZ) understand this.

Republican Sen. John McCain says he didn’t need to hear about a secret memorandum from the Pentagon to know the U.S. does not have a coherent and effective policy for dealing with Iran’s nuclear program.

And Ahmadinejad and his crew are free to pursue nuclear weapons.

Iran has succeeded in producing its first significant batch of further enriched uranium, the country’s nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said Wednesday, a move defying U.N. demands to halt the controversial program.

Ya, ‘UN demands’, like that has ever worked. And then the US allows itself to be bitch slapped by Iran.

Iran slammed “atomic criminal” the United States on Saturday and called for its suspension from the U.N. nuclear body, urging changes at the U.N. Security Council and in the Non-proliferation Treaty.

Maybe Obama can cap this one off with a bow to an Iranian ‘head of state’.

Let’s see, there was Saddam Hussein and ‘the mother of all wars’ and then there’s Ahmadinejad’s hallucination.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad extolled Iran’s military might during an annual army parade on Sunday, saying the country is so powerful today that no one would dare attack it.

Then there is this….

“Obama should start cooperation with Iran in practice,” he said. “I have written a letter to Obama which will be published soon.”

Wonderful. A radical community organizer ‘allah’ Saul Alinsky is in the White House. The far left liberal majority is in the US Congress with nutcases all around the world. No, there is no plan to deal with Iranian nukes. The NYT fish wrap did not need anonymous sources to print their story. It is obvious.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

related:
Can’t Turn Back the Nuclear Clock

A stop at Google News to see what the MSM offers today starts out with US considers Goldman Sachs criminal charges. You have to ask yourself if that includes suspects like former employees of Fannie and Freddie as well as their co-conspirators in Congress, then and now? The push to place everyone in a home of their own whether they could afford it or not started the whole mess. It took years of quiet meddling by POLS and regulators as well as those who made a bundle in the market to lift regulations designed to avoid such problems. But the liberals need a villain to cover their tracks and apparently Goldman Sachs will suffice for their witch hunt and slight of hand redirection of blame.

And you have to wonder if BP is stepping up to pay for the spill in the Gulf of Mexico now that the slick is reaching shore and conspiracy theories abound? And it is reasonable that the Obama administration would postpone offshore drilling plans due to the incident. But that delay plays well into the liberal agenda in the first place. Another set of villains to be targeted by the left for political purposes rather than pursuit of justice.

Economic growth is slower than expected according to a report at WaPo. Again you have to wonder who really expected it to be above a 3.2% annual rate in the first quarter of 2010? The public opposition to continued fiscal irresponsibility likely includes business leaders and those who do the hiring and manage the risk of whether or not to expand. That is if they even have access to the resources (funding) to do so.

You would be hard pressed to find examples exhibiting effective leadership in government these days. When the taxpayer via government entities should be partnering with the private sector to improve the economy and resolve issues across the board little evidence exists that anyone is prepared to do just that.

That leads well into a sentiment expressed frequently on this blog. Come November, throw the bums out. Continue natural term limits through 2012. Repeat as necessary.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Conservative talkers point to one of many subtle tactics used by liberals regarding their legislative reform proposals. That is beyond the point that they call their legislative agenda, ‘reform’. This week’s propaganda centers on what liberals refer to as ‘wall street reforms.’ They even have the media doing it.

This points to an old and trusted tactic by liberals to manufacture a villain right after creating a crisis. Rahm Emanuel has been quoted as saying, ‘never let a crisis go to waste’ or something similar. That would be especially true if you create the crisis. You might want to ask the Obama Chief of Staff where he acrrued most of his net worth. You can add the Senator from Countrywide, Chris Dodd, to that list. Follow the money, the committees and other congressional career paths to understand what caused the so-called financial crisis.

President Obama and other Democrats would like you to believe that Wall Street is the villain for economic turmoil around the planet over the last few years. Nothing is that simple. But it is a simple idea to create a crisis, invent the villain and pursue the rest of your liberal agenda by convincing the public you are gettin’ the bad guys.

Try this for a simple explanation. Changes were made after the Crash of ‘29′ to ensure what led to the Great Depression never happened again. You might want to study something called Glass-Steagall which was passed in 1932 and repealed in 1999 by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and President Clinton.

You might also consider the Community Reinvestment Act as well as other actions by Congress and the FDIC and Fannie and Freddie, etc. over time. The list can get quite long and like any whodunnit it takes some effort to sort out the mess. Nothing is as simple as Wall Street did it. But President Obama would like you to believe that. So would his cronies who share the blame for much of what happened. And the GOP is certainly not without fault in this. Neither is the general public.

“After a recession that stole eight million jobs, this is going to take some time,” he said. “And this will require that we continue to tackle the underlying problems that caused this turmoil in the first place. In short, it is essential that we learn the lessons of this crisis, or we risk repeating it.”

Barry from DC sounds pretty good in that quote. But then he fails.

Mr. Obama says it is necessary to end taxpayer bailouts of private companies and make financial deals more transparent. “That is how we will restore trust and confidence in our markets,” he said. “That is how we will help to put an end to the cycles of boom and bust that we have seen. And that is how, after two very difficult years, we will not only revive the economy, but help to rebuild it stronger than ever before.”

Look for the phrase ‘help to put an end’ when referring to ‘cycles of boom and bust.’ That’s right Mr President. You may help but it won’t eliminate up and down cycles. And some say your legislation will make things worse not better. One of these days POLS may get the message that when you muddy the waters with politics you have to slow down to prove what you’re saying.

While the GOP may be opposing Dems on general principle if only by accident they have been correct lately.

“It is time for Democrats to put away the political playbook and simply say publicly what they are suggesting privately: that this bill still needs some work, that both parties should come together to do that work on behalf of the American people,” she said.

A little too much political fluff in that statement but we get the point. And the larger point is legislators need to bring proof of concept to the table not just political or any other kind of rhetoric.

As a final note for this post, if Chris Dodd had anything to do with it, throw it out.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

The development of public opposition to big government and the Democratic Party agenda known as the Tea Party protests was characterized in one report today as moving ‘from punchline to powerhouse.’ Other media items like the San ‘liberal’ Mercury News focused on the ‘diversity’ angle apparently used to keep the race card alive while trying to act like an objective news service.

If the MSM wants to push the race card how about this for a debating point? If the Tea Party theme of public opposition to big government and a liberal agenda is viewed by some as a single demographic perhaps those not in attendance favor big government, entitlements and the nanny state mindset.

Based on a limited review of the MSM coverage of tax day tea parties this may be one of those times when the ‘established press’ (whatever that means) provided a rather tame assessment of the day’s events.

The NYT fish wrap has a headline that merely mentions the tax day theme of Tea Party rallies along with the word ‘demonstrate.’ The Miami Herald announces the Tea Party anniversary that ‘activists mark’ with ‘more rallies.’ Other news outlets echo similar descriptions in an almost polite and uncharacteristic fashion.

Few seem interested in dismissing or insulting the growing trend this time around. Could it be they have finally realized that most Americans are fed up with the fed? Do they now understand most people oppose Obamacare, the Porkulus package, Ben Nelson’s Cornhusker Cash and Mary Landrieu’s Louisiana Purchase? Not to mention the monumental fall from grace of the GOP during their last stint as the majority party in Washington.

That would be expecting too much. It’s a nice thought and would benefit the move to return this country to its founding principles. But one day is not a trend and as mentioned earlier the news review was limited. Your basic quick glance at headlines and excerpts like the following one.

Obama also credited his signature economic recovery package with putting more than two million Americans back to work and with cutting taxes for families, small businesses and students. And he singled out the anti-tax tea party movement that fanned out across the country Thursday to hold demonstrations and rallies marking Tax Day.

“I’ve been a little amused over the last couple of days where people have been having these rallies about taxes,” the president said, noting the numerous tax cuts pushed by his administration. “You would think they’d be saying thank you.”

Mr President, either you are not paying attention or you think we are not. Perhaps like most in Congress you did not read your so-called health insurance reform bill either. Even your lap dog Harry Reid stated the bill ‘is not perfect’ but ‘we can fix it’ along with other nonsense he did not utter during the reconciliation scam. The misuse of the procedure known as reconciliation demonstrated lack of support for Obamacare. And the Tea Party movement is a reminder that Americans have not forgotten and will remember it well in November 2010.

Just think of all the votes represented by the Tea Party participants. Add to that the people who did not attend rallies but share the values of those who did. That makes November 2010 all the more interesting. Perhaps Barry from DC won’t be so amused then.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Yes, it’s early yet. But you can always count on an abundance of opinion, speculation and concern when it comes to judicial nominations especially for SCOTUS. This time out is no exception. So where are we at rignt now? Who knows?

Here’s a recap of recent predictions or at least a not so short list with some, shall we say, historical notes.

It appears the replacement for Justice John Paul Stevens may come from a list of ten candidates.

elena kagan
merrick b garland
diane wood (of chicago)
sidney thomas
janet napolitano
martha minow
elizabeth warren
leah ward sears
jennifer granholm
hillary clinton (now, reportedly, off the list)

Ah, the speculation….

…since Justice John Paul Stevens announced his retirement from the court, speculation has centered on three contenders from the last round, including Solicitor General Elena Kagan, U.S. Appeals Court Judge Merrick B. Garland of Washington, D.C., and U.S. Appeals Court Judge Diane Wood of Chicago.

Let’s start with Wiki on Elena Kagan.

Kagen ‘is the Solicitor General of the United States. She is the first woman to hold that office, having been nominated by President Barack Obama on January 26, 2009, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 19, 2009. Kagan was formerly dean of Harvard Law School and Charles Hamilton Houston Professor of Law at Harvard University. She was previously a professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School. She served as Associate White House Counsel under President Bill Clinton.’

Imagine that. Clinton and Chicago in her history.

How about Merrick B Garland being on the ’short list’? The Wiki data will be skipped. Why? Clinton and Chicago in this potential nominee’s resume’ as well.

Diane Wood is another Chicago connection. Go figure, the University of Chicago is in her resume’. At least she was born in New Jersey rather than Illinois. But this one also is a Clinton nominee from 1995. And these three figure as top nominees to replace Stevens. BTW, you might want to check Wiki for Wood’s ‘noteworthy rulings.’ There is more than one of interest.

As for the remainder of this list, a humble opinion from this blog author. Judge Sidney Thomas is another Clinton nominee from 1995. This criteria for Steven’s replacement is laughable. Can Obama not draw on something other than political considerations? Oh, excuse me, we’re talking about a community organizer here.

Martha Minow gets no pan on this blog…. yet. A brief review of the Wiki data suggests this potential nominee may not have the typical resume’ of other Chicago or Clinton tainted cnadidates. Nonetheless there is reason to be concerned. A later post will be needed to expand on this list member.

Leah Ward Sears presents another unknown quantity and her ‘decisions’ may provide some troubling analysis. Like Minow, another post will be required to explore this candidate.

Hillary Clinton appears to have been dropped from the list if she in fact was ever on it. As for Granholm, Napolitano and Warren only the last name presents an interesting choice. Some information related to Elizabeth Warren is promising. But then, if she is on the Obama ’short list’ one has to be suspicious. But there are acceptable choices in Obama’s list. Given you cannot expect the Messiah to nominate a conservative.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

BTW, here’s an interesting opinion from the WaPo report…..

When the openings on the court come in consecutive years, said David Yalof, a political scientist at the University of Connecticut, the nominee is almost always drawn from the previous pool.

Especially when the president otherwise has a full agenda, they’re going to rely on the research done the previous year, for better or worse,” Yalof said.

WH Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has taken plenty of criticism. Whether you view him as incompetent or an astute barrier between the press and the Obama administration his performance could fairly be described as less than stellar. How does that play with WH plans for his career suggested in a WaPo article?

Robert Gibbs does not seem particularly attached to his office.

Is his post as Press guru simply a waypoint for a larger mission?

Robert Gibbs ‘is considered, along with Obama’s presidential campaign manager, David Plouffe, a top candidate to take the place of senior strategist David Axelrod when the Washington-weary keeper of the Obama message leaves to focus on the 2012 reelection. That isn’t happening anytime soon, which means Gibbs is stuck on double duty.

AS 2012 approaches Axelrod will focus on re-election while Plouffe gets top strategist and Gibbs gets what, exactly? Like you would want to accept the take of a failed communications director.

“Robert is far more of a strategist and plays more of a strategic role than people realize,” said Anita Dunn, the Obama administration’s former communications director. “He is one of the very few people who can sit in on anything he wants to sit in on.”

And it is always a waste of time to accept information from an undisclosed source without the stones to go on record to protect against looking the fool later.

“The idea of Gibbs taking on a senior adviser role was under discussion as a possible arrangement even before the current arrangement,” said one Democratic official with knowledge of staffing decisions during the transition, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

And it gets better. In the quote below it would be more fun to know why the pair left the Kerry campaign ‘abruptly.’

“He’s definitely got the chops for a broader political portfolio,” said Jim Jordan, the Democratic operative who brought Gibbs onto the 2004 Kerry campaign, before they both left abruptly. “He understands campaigns and Washington and the way that politics and policy and communications mesh.”

Number one, if you’re such a hot strategic commodity why would you be burdened and embarrassed by a stint as a press secretary? And why would you be referred to as a ‘confidant’ to a US President when two others are in line for the top strategy posts? Is this just a not so subtle attempt to repair Gibbs’ sad history to date?

Number two, Barack Obama is not a stranger to throwing people under the bus. His approval ratings continue to slide. More and more Americans are expressing their displeasure and disappointment with Obama and the liberal majority in Congress. If Axelrod is point for 2012 and Plouffe is his replacement what does that forecast for Gibbs? When it all collapses he will be turned out as the failure’s scapegoat. Or just one of many who will see the underside of the bus.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com