Because Law-Breakers Don't Hurt People; Drugs and Guns Do

Are you petty criminal from Mexico looking for better opportunities in the United States? Are you a sadistic human trafficker? Are you worried that an active tuberculosis infection might interfere with your plans to start working in America immediately?

Are you concerned that troops being sent to the Mexican border will lead to an outbreak of law and order?

Here's some good news for you: US troops will be careful not to get in your way!

US National Guard troops being sent to the Mexican border will be used to stem the flow of guns and drugs across the frontier and not to enforce US immigration laws, the State Department said Wednesday.

The clarification came after the Mexican government urged Washington not to use the additional troops to go after illegal immigrants.

President Barack Obama on Tuesday authorized the deployment of up to 1,200 additional troops to border areas but State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters, "It's not about immigration."

...because criminal aliens don't hurt people; drugs and guns do!

More

Children Kidnapped for Sex Trafficking

"These children have been raped repeatedly more than 30 times a day. The more use they get out of a child, the more profit," he tells us. "They are using these children. The younger the better for the human trafficker."

Pacific couple sentenced for human smuggling crimes

US Fights Human Slavery in Major Cities

The real problem with the Arizona law is that it threatens to make immigration enforcement a reality.

Wherein Obama is Beaten Up by the Media

Has any sitting president ever had it so bad?  Obama thinks not:

"I just want to make a little commentary about the media here, if you don't mind. When Congress included in last year's budget a whole bunch of earmarks, you remember there was a week worth of stories about how terrible these earmarks were. You remember this, Chip — a week worth of stories — 'oh, these earmarks, this is what's blowing up the deficit, this is terrible,' blah, blah, blah."

[Interesting.  We say: "Obama, you're breaking your promise to curb earmarks."  Obama hears: "Blah, blah, blah."]

Obama goes on:

"And yet, as I said before, that was less than 1% of that entire budget that had been signed. When we find $17 billion worth of cuts in programs, what do the same folks say? They say, 'Oh, that's nothing.' (Laughter.) 'Now, that's not even — that's not even — that's not significant. That's not important.' Well, you can't have it both ways. If those earmarks were important, then this money is important, too."

Reaction from Allah Pundit:

"Of course...he didn’t really 'cut' any money at all; he just reallocated it to other programs. Combine that with the fact that the total budget was revised upwards this week by another $89 billion — more than five times the amount of the cuts we’re all supposed to be so impressed with — and the more apt comparison here is between 1% in earmarks and, er, -2% in 'cuts.' Good work, Barry."

More commentary on the same speech (wherein Obama starts talking like a tea bagger), this time from Ace of Spades...

Obama: "The long-term deficit and debt that we have accumulated is unsustainable. We can't keep on just borrowing from China, or borrowing from other countries because part of it is, we have to pay for — we have to pay interest on that debt."

Ace of Spades: Shut up, really?!

"He's talking up 'spending cuts' even as he spends more and more. And he's selling his universal health care rationing program as some kind of savings, because, somehow, this will drive costs down. Or somethin'.

"I think we sort of know where this is headed. He's going to pull the old con man move of talking around a possibility, until it ultimately starts occurring to people 'Hey, maybe we need to raise taxes on ourselves!'

"At which point Obama will exclaim, 'Wow, what an interesting idea! ...Golly Gee Willickers, that sure seems to make a tremendous amount of sense! Sorta cuts the Gordian Knot right in half with a decisive chop, doesn't it? You really are a very smart person, you know that? Here, have a cookie.'"

More

Poll: By 3-to-1 Majority, Public Says It's Time for Obama to Stop Blaming Bush and Start Taking Responsibility.

Laying the Predicate: Obama Admits Long-Term Debt "Unsustainable"

Liberalism: Cruel, Corrupt, Unjust, Wasteful, Deluded

Is the financial crisis "accidentally feminist"?

Back From Vacation

Snapshots from RightKlik's trip to Maui:

Back to Reality

Bipartisanship

Opposition to the Obama Budget was bipartisan, support for the budget was not.  The spending plan passed without a single Republican vote in either the House or Senate.  Who knew Obama's bipartisanship would come so effortlessly?

Obama sows seeds of demise

If voters differ so fundamentally with the president on the very essence of his program, why do they accord him high ratings? They are like the recently married bride who took her vows 100 days ago. It would be a disaster for her life if she decides that she really doesn’t like her husband. But she keeps noticing things about him that she can’t stand. It will be a while before she walks out the door or even comes to terms with her own doubts, but it is probably inevitable that she will.

Democrats threaten to take away minority rights

Specter donors want cash back

The looters are in control...and your job isn't safe. Unless, that is, you work for government.

Specter Defection Will Haunt Dems On Souter Replacement

Food for Thought

From the Wall Street Journal

How to anticipate what Obama is likely to do next:

• What will give Obama more power?
  
• What will help more democrats to get elected in 2010?
  
• Will it help Obama hang on to approximately 50% of the vote in 2012?
  
• Does it increase the power of the federal government?
  
• Will it increase revenue to democratic and leftist organizations?
  
• Does it favor collectivism over individualism?
  
• Is it consistent with internationalist principles?
  
• Bottom line: Will it contribute to Obama's quest for power, directly or indirectly?

Skeptical?  Want to give Obama the benefit of the doubt?  I challenge you to provide one example of a decision that Obama has made that does not fit within this framework.

More

Obama's first tax increase...

Did Obama Bow Down to the Saudi King?

The Soros Doctrine in Obama Foreign Policy

Journey to The Center of Obama's Mind

...h/t Wizbang

The Tea Party: Join the Revolt

From ReTeaParty.com:

On December 16, 1773, the original Patriots put their lives on the line. With an envelope, a stamp, and a bag of tea, millions of Americans can send a peaceful message.

*Update* 

With sincerity and respect, we ask that you join us on April 1st, 2009, in sending the Oval Office a Tea Bag, in honor of the party in Boston on December 16, 1773, and in anticipation of its nationwide symbolic re-enactment in the summer of 2009.

The White House mailing address:

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington , D.C. 20500

Other suggestions:

Mail tea bags, pictures of tea, empty tea bags, strings with the labels, boxes of tea, or Tea Party fliers or invitations to:

1.  Your Representative 

2.  Your Senator

3.  Your Governor

4.  The IRS

5.  The Federal Reserve

6.  Treasury Secretary Geithner

7.  Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid or Barney Frank

8.  Arlen Specter, Olympia Snow or Susan Collins

9.  Barry Obama

Some have suggested that the tea bags should be sent on April 15th - the day tax returns are due.  July 4th would be another important date.

The date(s), recipients, symbols, and messages are not necessarily the most important considerations.  The key is to continue to add more momentum to the grassroots Tea Party initiative.   As time progresses, the effort will become more uniformly organized.  Until then, we want to continue to let the greedy pigs in Washington know they've crossed the line—they've recklessly burdened future generations, they've usurped too much power and they've seized too much money. 

Hat Tip: Z

Send a tea bag to Washington! Enter your name to pledge, or click on the teacup icon to learn more.

More

Tea bag caveats

Given the more stringent security procedures for mail handling enacted after 9/11, there are no guarantees envelopes containing mailed teabags will get through to the White House without being discarded or significantly delayed...

Bush versus Obama

Stunning video comparison of two presidents and the Marines serving them.

Some Fear Obama Tax Hikes Will Hurt Charities

A study released this week by the Center on Philanthropy shows 47 percent of affluent households say they would give less if their tax deductions for charitable giving was reduced.

A Moderate Manifesto

Those of us who consider ourselves moderates — moderate-conservative, in my case — are forced to confront the reality that Barack Obama is not who we thought he was.  (The beer goggles are finally coming off.)

What Recession? 

Jennifer Aniston Spends $50,000 on Haircut...Okay Obama, time to get back on your soap box.

War on travel? 

Berating bailout recipients for business trips and boondoggles has become something of a sport in Washington these days.  “This has been painted as an effort to go after fat cats and CEOs,” Dow said. “It’s not the CEOs who are paying the price.” 

Rev. Wright Cautions: Obama 'Ain't Jesus'

President's longtime minister, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, says his former congregant is just like any other president and that he "ain't gonna improve your child's reading score."

CNN's Gupta Bails on Obama

Gupta had misgivings about both the pay-cut he would have to take and the fact that he might be reporting to two high-level bosses. 

Obama Snubs British Prime Minister

What the British are saying:

• Obama To World: Drop Dead!
  
• Very odd and, frankly, exceptionally rude treatment of a British PM...
  
• Obama is running scared...
  
• We get the point, sunshine: we're just one of many allies and you want fancy new friends. Well, the next time you need something doing, something which impinges on your national security, then try calling the French, or the Japanese, or best of all the Germans. The French will be able to offer you first rate support from their catering corps but beyond that you'll be on your own.  When it comes to men, munitions and commitment you'll soon find out why it pays to at least treat the Brits with some manners.
  
• Obama's blockbuster gift for Brown to reaffirm the 'special relationship': 25 DVDs.
  
• Don't call us in future.

Even The Huffington Post has recognized the disgrace: Gordon Brown Faces Humiliation After Obama 'Snub'.

Tea party cards and other stuff.

Breaking News: Hillary Clinton's Stupid Stunt Backfires in Russia

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov with a red "reset button" to symbolise improved ties, but the gift drew smiles as the word "reset" was mistranslated into the Russian for "overcharge".

The Sordid Story of The Stimulus

Arlen $pecter has written an article for the Washington Post, trying to convince us that he is acting responsibly in supporting the $timulus Package.  Here are some of his asinine points:

• I am supporting the economic stimulus package for one simple reason: The country cannot afford not to take action.

• Failure to act would be devastating not just for Wall Street and Main Street but for much of the rest of the world, which is looking to our country for leadership in this crisis.

• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the proposed cuts "do violence to what we are trying to do for the future," especially on education. 

• This proverbial half a loaf beats no loaf by a mile.
  

My response:

Dearest Arlen,

Your argument for the "stimulus" is incoherent.  Let me help.  This bill is 88% pork and 12% stimulus. If you were being perfectly honest you would tell us that you simply do not know what impact this bill will have—no one does. If you were being perfectly reasonable, you would admit that a trillion dollar spending spree will likely do more harm than good. 

Because of the tremendous impact their decisions have, physicians take the following oath: "...first do no harm." I know that Senators aren't held to the same high standard, but maybe you should think about these words as you go forward.  You say we "cannot afford not to take action."  Fine.  But here's my question...can we afford to make things even worse?

Perhaps your thinking is being shaped by considerations regarding your chances of being re-elected next year. You don't want to be labeled as a "do nothing", do you?  I can sympathize, but please put your concern for the future of this country ahead of your political ambitions.

I think you're digging your own grave.  Conservatives in your state are going to be sorely disappointed with you. Liberals will know that they can get more of what they want from a real Democrat.  Let's frame the discussion this way: why should Pennsylvanians vote for you when they could have someone who is more honest about his political and ideological affiliations?

Audio Update: Hannity interviews Republican Arlen Specter on his support for the spendulus package.  h/t: M

Other Thoughts

• Pork = stimulus?  Obama is having a hard time selling his stimulus package, not for lack of communication skills, but because his stimulus package is a lie.  Sweet little lies are easy to sell.  This lie is neither sweet nor little.  

• Obama espouses all of the worst political ideas of the last 100 years.  How could he not fail?  If he is re-elected in 2012, it will be because he will have been successful in one single thing: shifting the blame.
  

More

We have nothing to hope for but hope itself.

Jesus took a handful of loaves and two fish and fed 5,000 people. Barack wants to take a trillion pieces of pork and feed it to a handful of Democratic Party interest groups. 

The New Great Communicator … Isn't

Somehow this week, unbelievably, Obama and the Democrats seem to be losing the spin war. There are the worrying poll numbers.

50 De-Stimulating Facts

The great French economist Frédéric Bastiat called politics “the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else.” But who pays for the state bailout? Savers will pay to bail out spenders, and future generations will pay to bail out the undisciplined present.

Ruin Your Health With the Obama Stimulus Plan

Health-care reform “will not be pain free.” Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them. That means the elderly will bear the brunt.

Obama's Remarks at Press Conference

"The strongest democracies flourish from frequent and lively debate, but they endure when people of every background and belief find a way to set aside smaller differences in service of a greater purpose."  Translation: Sign the bill or I will trump you.

10 questions for Obama

Mark Sanford clearly explains why the stimulus is a very bad idea: 

h/t: American Thinker

Liberal Hall of Shame

Using sophisticated methods of analysis* and cutting edge scientific instruments, RightKlik has compiled the authoritative list of the very most shameful, disgusting, annoying and despicable liberals in the world.

Some important liberals were excluded (or only made it to the Dishonorable Mention list) because they have faded from the spotlight or are so incompetent in their evil machinations that they have been ostracized from the Democratic party.  Dead liberals were also excluded.

Dishonorable Mention 

Rod Blagojevich, Eliot Spitzer, John Edwards, Keith Olbermann, Bill Clinton, Planned Parenthood, Cindy Sheehan, Jimmy Carter, Arianna Huffington, and Chris Matthews.

Runners up

Maureen Dowd:  Cynical and obnoxious columnist for the New York Times.  In some ways like a liberal Ann Coulter, but not as successful. Influence: 9, Contemptibility Index: 7, Annoyance Level: 99%.

Joe Biden:  They call him the Gaffe-o-Matic, but the biggest problem with his "gaffes" is that they are often based in painful, inconvenient truth.  I have three words for Biden: Shut up!  Influence: 1, Contemptibility Index: 7, Annoyance Level: 75%, ACU Rating: 0.

Chuck Schumer: Windbag of extra-ordinary windiness. Influence: 12, Contemptibility Index: 9, Annoyance Level: 98%, ACU Rating: 0.

Dennis Kucinich:  He's an idiot who publically professes his belief in UFOs, and he's a bit to the left Perez Hilton, but he's funny and not very annoying, so he's only on the runners up list.  Influence: 2, Contemptibility Index: 2, Annoyance Level: 55%, ACU Rating: 4.

Liberal Hall of Shame

10)  Rep. John Murtha (Pennsylvania): Murtha abides by a very prudent principle—if he doesn't have anything derogatory to say, he doesn't say anything at all.  As a clever politician and consummate professional, his most incendiary remarks are about his own constituents, e.g., "There is no question that western Pennsylvania is a racist area."  Influence: 10, Contemptibility Index: 10, Annoyance level: 99%, ACU Rating: 8.

9)  Al Franken:  an immature, profane, and obnoxious jerk who gets off on grinding on people's nerves.  Now he's one sneeze away from becoming a Senator. Influence: 10, Contemptibility Index: 10, Annoyance Level: 100%.

8)  Tom Daschle: Senate Majority Leader for thirteen days, Tom Daschle was eventually sent back home to South Dakota after he became known as the "chief obstructionist".  Now that he's your health care czar and government-run health care is a virtual inevitability, Tom Daschle will be making decisions about everything from your pap smear and your prostate exam to your neurosurgeon and your MRI.  Influence: 14, Contemptibility Index: 8, Annoyance level: 99%, ACU Rating: 16.

7)  Michael Moore: Fat slob, liar, creep.  Influence: 12, Contemptibility Index: 10, Annoyance level: 100%

6)  Harry Reid:  Senate majority leader and the voice of reason and sunny optimism, Harry Reid is never distracted by thoughts about the long term (like next week).  Harry speaking about the surge in Iraq: "I believe...that this war is lost, and this surge is not accomplishing anything, as is shown by the extreme violence in Iraq this week."  Harry speaking about the delay in coming up with an auto bailout bill: "I dread looking at Wall Street tomorrow. It's not going to be a pleasant sight."  [emphais mine] Influence: 17, Contemptibility Index: 8, Annoyance level: 94%, ACU Rating: 0.

5)  Barney Frank:  Still an influential member of Congress despite the fact that while serving in Congress, he paid $80 for sex with Steve Gobie, a man who eventually shacked up with Barney and brought clients into Barney's apartment.  Not content to live the quiet life of a simple whoremonger, Barney has positioned himself to become one of the most dangerous congressmen of all time. Barney is at the center of our current economic implosion—in fact—Barney's fingerprints are all over the financial fiasco.  Influence: 15, Contemptibility Index: 10, Annoyance level: 90%, ACU Rating: 0.

4)  Nancy Pelosi:  San Fran Nan has been such a horrible Speaker of the House that she has led the Democratic Congress to its lowest approval rating in HISTORY. Influence: 18, Contemptibility Index: 9, Annoyance level: 96%, ACU Rating 0.

3)  Hillary Clinton:  Soon to be fourth in the presidential line of succession, Hillary is the nightmare that won't end.  Influence: 18, Contemptibility Index: 9, Annoyance level: 99%, ACU Rating: 0.

2)  George Soros:  The puppet master of the Democratic Party, Soros represents all that is evil in the world of evil leftists.  He's the liberal billionaire equivalent of Karl Rove and Dick Cheney rolled into one inconspicuous but extremely evil package.  Influence: 20, Contemptibility Index: 9, Annoyance level 60%.

1)  Barack Obama:  Soon to be crowned the Global King of All Liberals, Obama is a deadly combination of Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and FDR.  Influence: 20, Contemptibility Index: 6, Annoyance level: 95%, ACU Rating: 7.

*Liberal Shame was calculated using the following formula, where S is shame, i is influence, A is annoyance level, r is ACU Rating, and c is the contemptibility index:

Reference Ranges: influence (1-20 units), annoyance level (0-100%), contemptibility index (0-10 units), ACU rating—where applicable (0-100)   

More

Obama And Conservatives Break Bread At George Will's House

Is Obama Selling Out to the Right?

Obama's Treasury nominee failed to pay taxes

Conviction reversed in 30-year-old death row case

The First Amendment to the rescue!