Friday Free-For-All

Steve Breen Cartoon via Townhall

That’s right…now that OBL’s diary is in America’s  hands, shocking excerpts have been leaked to the media. Mostly to conservative blogs,  it turns out…

I Hate The Media: Exclusive: Shocking excerpts from Osama Bin Laden’s diaries

Dear Diary,
So sad today. Martyrdom can be very lonely thing. Hiding out in a massive complex with just the bare minimal number of satellite channels and only a few wives while all your friends are getting blown up by American bombs is some times too much to bear. Sorry. Got to go. Abduhl just found repeats of Everyone Loves the Raymond!

Dear Diary,
Each day I realize that Islam is the religion of peace. If I could only kill all the people who don’t share this opinion. Here’s hoping.

Dear Diary,
Al-Zawarhi is on Fox. He’s so dreamy. That thick beard and those little glasses. He looks so intellectual. I think I have a little man-crush going on! lol.

Big Peace: The Bin Laden Files: Excerpts From Osama’s Captured Diary

January 26, 2009:  Okay, two votes for “Stay grey” and two votes for “Try dye.”  Great – either way I piss two wives off.  And Mohammed commanded I take multiple wives why?

* * *

February 14, 2009:  Turns out I forgot Valentine’s Day, WHICH IS NOT EVEN OBSERVED BY FAITHFUL MUSLIMS!  Oh, but is that explanation going to satisfy the wives?  Of course not!  That would be logical!  I miss the cave and the comfort of hardy, rough, sweaty fighting men.

* * *

April 13, 2009:  Out pacing around the courtyard and heard this hum.  I thought it was a drone, so I totally ran inside but it turned out to be Amal using the blender to make smoothies.  The wives all started laughing and keep calling me “The Strong Horse.”  If I could leave here to get a stick to beat them with I would.

***

Sharp Elbows at Big Journalism has an excellent report on The Left’s Penchant for Selectively Editing Videos.

Citizen media, with the internet and small video cameras, pose a threat to the left’s most sacred institutions. Something that began with James OKeefe bringing down ACORN and Lila Rose knocking on Planned Parenthood’s door has turned into a movement of everyday people questioning their elected officials with flip cams and using technology to change the world.  Naturally, the left, coupled with the media, is out to put a stop to this.

As a blogger-videographer-citizen journalist,  I have been accused of heavily editing my videos.  As if I’m James Cameron and I some how created a C.G.I. version of Phil Hare and MADE him say “I don’t worry about the Constitution.”

Read on for examples (w/video)of how the left habitually does what it accuses conservatives of doing.

***

Sir Charles drops the Hammer again on Obama as only he knows how: Demagoguery 101:

Constructive and civil debate — like the one Obama initiated just four weeks ago on deficit reduction? The speech in which he accused the Republicans of abandoning families of kids with autism and Down syndrome? The debate in which Obama’s secretary of health and human services said that the Republican plan would make old folks “die sooner”?

In this same spirit of comity and mutual respect, Obama’s most recent invitation to civil discourse — on immigration — came just eleven minutes after he accused opponents of moving the goal posts on border enforcement. “Maybe they’ll need a moat,” he said sarcastically. “Maybe they want alligators in the moat.”

Nice touch. Looks like the Tucson truce — no demonization, no cross-hairs metaphors — is officially over. After all, the Republicans want to kill off the elderly, throw the disabled in the snow, and watch alligators lunch on illegal immigrants.

The El Paso speech is notable not for breaking any new ground on immigration, but for perfectly illustrating Obama’s political style: the professorial, almost therapeutic, invitation to civil discourse, wrapped around the basest of rhetorical devices — charges of malice compounded with accusations of bad faith. “They’ll never be satisfied,” said Obama about border control. “And I understand that. That’s politics.”

How understanding. The other side plays “politics,” Obama acts in the public interest. Their eyes are on poll numbers, political power, the next election; Obama’s rest fixedly on the little children.

Where have you been, Charles? Paul Krugman pronounced the “Tucson truce” officially over weeks ago with his NYTs piece: Civility is the Last Refuge of Scoundrels. 

How wonderful it must be to be able to make or break cultural mores at random, huh?

***

Speaking of which – Jim Geraghty has a good piece at The Campaign Spot: Hey, Don’t Punch That – Wait, He’s With Your Opponent? Swing Away!

Journolisters have figured out how to defend NY-26 fake tea party candidate, Jack Davis.

Old and Busted: Unhinged pols taking angry swipes at citizen journalists.

The New Hotness: Unhinged pols taking angry swipes at opponents’ campaign staffers.

Up in New York’s 26th Congressional District, local media – and Dave Weigel – believe that it is a grand revelation to learn that the cameraman in this video, who appears to be punched or slapped by Jack Davis, is the chief of staff of Republican candidate Jane Corwin.

Weigel adds, “If this backfires on Corwin, I think she’s a victim of newfound media skepticism about video ambushes that are made to go viral. Local reporters in North Carolina felt just a little burned after 2010, when despite multiple denials it turned out that the “students” who turned Bob Etheridge into the Incredible Hulk were working for the GOP.”

Er, why does the affiliation of the cameraman matter? Is there some perception that punching people is wrong, but if it’s a staff member of the opposing campaign, then it’s understandable?

“Hey, how could you punch that guy? What? He’s with the opposing campaign? Oh, it’s okay then.”

***

The BlogProf  on Obama’s ongoing war against the oil industry: Totalitarianism: 35 IRS Agents “Permanantly Live” at Exxon Mobil “Year Round”

From Carpe Diem: Tax Fact of the Day:35 IRS Agents at XOM Full-Time 

On a blogger conference call yesterday with API and ExxonMobil, Jaime Spellings,Vice President and General Tax Counsel for ExxonMobil said:

“And the IRS – we have a permanent team of 35 IRS agents who live here year-round. You know, we accommodate them, we deal with them every single day.”

Seems like that would pretty much guarantee that ExxonMobil pays “its fair share of taxes.”

Indeed. And how is such Big Brother micromanagement going to lower gas prices? Answer: it won’t, and that’s what Obama wants: Flashback 2008: Obama says he wants gas prices to go up.

***

More from The Curmudgeon Emeritus at Eternity Road:  Markers

$4.00 per gallon is now about the least one can expect to pay for gasoline, unless you’re buying millions of gallons at a time. Heating oil is comparably expensive, and in many parts of the coutry no alternative exists. “Alternative energy” has been proved to be a label for an elaborate fraud. The East Anglia CRU data leak has proved the “global warming / climate change” thesis to be utter nonsense advanced to secure funding and political influence. “Biofuels” have contributed to the explosion of food prices while doing less than nothing to propel our vehicles.

The markers of a snowballing crisis are everywhere, yet matters continue to deteriorate.

At Pajamas Media this morning, Gary Wickert lays out the case that high gasoline prices are a deliberate consequence of Obama Administration policy:

The United States is actually the third-largest producer of crude oil in the world, but we still import nearly 40% of our crude oil demand, mainly from Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Venezuela. But here is where life becomes quite simple. The more crude oil we produce domestically, the less taxes we heap on a gallon of gasoline, the fewer hurdles and blends we require of domestic manufacturers, the less we pay for gasoline. U.S. domestic oil production peaked way back in 1970, and by 2005, imports were twice that of domestically produced crude oil.Increasing domestic exploration, drilling, and production is the simple solution to what we are paying at the pump. Yet our president has repeatedly misled us by alleging that there is no “silver bullet” for lowering gas prices. What the Obama administration and his liberal machine have been doing is just the opposite — and it is beginning to look intentional.

“Beginning to look intentional” — ? Only beginning?

***

Cold Fury: Repeal reality! Or: The new Berlin Wall:

If you build it, they will flee.

The NLRB’s action, which Boeing will challenge at a hearing next month, is a big deal. It’s the first time a federal agency has intervened to tell an American company where it can and cannot operate a plant within the U.S. It lays the foundation of a regulatory wall with one express purpose: to prevent the direct competition of right-to-work states with union-shop states. Why, as South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley recently asked on these pages, should Washington have any more right to these jobs than South Carolina?

A recent New York Times editorial justified the NLRB decision by arguing that unions are suffering from “the flight of companies to ‘Right-to-Work’ states where workers cannot be required to join a union.” That’s for sure, and quite an admission. We’ve been observing that migration pattern for years, but liberals have denied it’s actually happening—until now.

Now just think about that one for a minute: “…where workers CANNOT BE REQUIRED to join a union.” And the NYT, union goons, and the federal government are all foursquare against that sort of elementary freedom of choice. How very Soviet of them.

***

Steve Foley, The Minority Report: Jon Huntsman Still Supports Cap-N-Trade?

This is the first time, and hopefully the last time that nonentity, John Huntsman is mentioned on my blog:

In an article from Time, titled - Jon Huntsman: The Would Be Republican Presidential Candidate Democrats Most Fear (remember the other day when we were taking about the narrative coming from the left?), former Ambassador to China under President Obama, Jon Huntsman, tried to distance himself from his support for regional Cap-n-Trade, and in so doing, joins a group of GOP 2012 candidates who were for Cap-N-Trade before they were against it!

At least he hasn’t done a PSA with Nancy Pelosi.

***

John Nolte, Big Hollywood: The New Blacklist: Rachel Maddow Declares ‘Witchhunt’ Against Huckabee Animators

Rachel Maddow’s closing remarks in this segment are nothing short of obscene:

“We asked [Huckabee's production company] today who had done the animation on these DVDs.  They would not tell us.  If you know who brought this amazing animated sauce to life, please get in touch with us.  We would like to know.”

Maddow might couch her unholy request in that chirpy, kindergarten teacher voice, but the venom is 100% pure.  The hypocrisy, however, is 150%.

Read the quote again closely. Maddow already knows the name of the production company, but right after decrying the Hollywood blacklist of the 1950s, she demands the production company — wait for it, wait for it — name names. And because they refuse to name names, Maddow then weaponizes her own audience to witchunt up those names on her behalf.

Why?

Read the whole thing.

***

Michelle Malkin: What Happened on AA Flight 1561

Can be summed up in 3 words: Sudden Jihad syndrome.

Excellent: Texas House Bans Offensive Security Pat-Downs

Earlier this week, I  posted 2003 Miss USA, Susie Castillo’s video about her recent experience at Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport, where she went away in tears, feeling like she had been molested.

The TSA has gone too far and Texas is fighting back:

The Texas House passed a bill that would make it a criminal offense for public servants to inappropriately touch travelers during airport security pat-downs.

Approved late Thursday night, the measure makes it illegal for anyone conducting searches to touch “the anus, sexual organ, buttocks, or breast of another person” including through clothing.

It also prohibits searches “that would be offensive to a reasonable person.”

The bill’s chief sponsor is Republican Rep. David Simpson, who said, “this has to do with dignity and travel, and prohibiting indecent, groping searches.”

The bill was passed with little opposition, and drew applause from supporters.

One prob though -  the measure may be superseded by federal law.

That’s why other states need to follow in Texas’s footsteps and pass their own laws banning the invasive and unconstitutional searches.  A strong message needs to be sent to the federal government that these pat downs are not acceptable.

Hat tip: iOWNTHEWORLD

Linked by Michelle Malkin in Buzzworthy, and Lonely Conservative, thanks!

Previously:

Video: 2003 Miss USA, Susie Castillo Molested By TSA

The Left Circles The Wagons For TSA Gropers

Video: Guy Protests TSA Grope and Grab Policies in His Speedo

The MSM’s Grope and Change Double Standard

It Begins: New Product Designed To Hide Privates From TSA Screeners Hits The Market

Video: Jack Webb Goes After The TSA

Video: Fox News Sunday: Lame Plans For Lame Ducks/ Big Bro Run A-Muck?

How The Obama Administration’s National Security Failures Led To “Grope and Change”

Don’t Touch My Junk Demotivator

Video: 44 Ways To Say TSA

Video: TX Congressmen Address Wildfires And Obama Administration’s Politicization Of Federal Aid

A press conference was held on Thursday by disgusted TX Congressmen  to address the Texas wildfire situation and President Obama’s denial of a Major Disaster Declaration to aid Texas in it’s firefighting effort. Congressman Canseco actually wondered aloud  if the state is being punished for not voting for Obama.

Take the time to watch this whole thing. These men are incensed that this corrupt Chicago-style administration is allowing the state to burn:

Other representatives present include; Congressman Pete Olson (TX-22),  Congressman Bill Flores (TX-17), Congressman Randy Neugebauer (TX-19), Congresswoman Kay Granger (TX-12),
Congressman Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Congressman John Carter (TX-31)

While Texas has been devastated for months by wildfires, and been denied help from FEMA, the Obama Administration Sent Aid to Mexico to Fight their Wildfires.

This is an outrage.

A Graphic Account of the Tuscaloosa Tornado From a U of A Student . . .‏

This story “A graphic account from a U of A Student”, was forwarded to me by email, and it really touched my heart. I think it will touch yours, too:

This is my experience during the tornado that swept through Alberta and Tuscaloosa in as much detail as I can muster with the medication I am on. I need to put this down for therapeutic reasons and for others to read because I can’t keep re-telling this story. If you are to take anything away from this story it is two things: 1)God saved so many people that day including me and 2)disasters bring out the absolute best in some people…and the absolute worst in others. I am going to write down the events exactly as I remember them while I still can. I will add details that I have gathered from accounts by my neighbor and judging from materials stuck inside my body. I would also like to point out that any person I don’t reference by name (such as neighbor) I had not really met before.

Here goes:

At roughly 4pm on April 27, 2011, I was sitting in FI 414 class listening to presentation on industries and the severe weather alarms went off and the University cancelled classes for the rest of the day. I considered staying on campus, but I saw everyone else leaving and decided I would be fine going to my apartment (face palm). This is probably my biggest regret of my life purely for the fact that I let the actions of others sway my opinion and nearly kill me.

I walked to my truck that was parked roughly a mile away near the Coliseum. I knew we were in for a storm when the wind knocked my backpack off my shoulder halfway there. I made it to my truck and drove to my apartment that was located at the intersection of University Blvd. and 25th Avenue East in Alberta City , AL . During my drive, I received several texts from both my older and younger sisters warning me that some severe storms were heading to my area. Naturally, I discounted them as hysteria and paranoia and continued on my merry way. I got to my apartment at roughly 4:30pm and popped a frozen pizza in the oven for dinner. I turned on my computer and pulled up my assignments for the night. As I began working through my homework, I got some more texts from friends warning me of the weather. I assured them all that I would be perfectly safe in my sturdy apartment. The timer for the pizza went off so I got it out of the oven and took two slices to my room. I hadn’t eaten much for lunch so I was ravenous. I ate nearly the entire pizza. This small detail probably saved my life. More on that later.

The power in my apartment went out at roughly 5pm and so I opened the shades on my window to read and look outside. I noticed the trees behind my partment swaying at a steep angle. Then I decided I should probably close all windows and doors. I did so. Just then my buddy Sean Philips texted me that I should find cover. I was coming up with a clever retort about how paranoid he is being when my ears popped really hard and I heard what sounded like a train outside my window. I had watched enough news to know this meant a tornado. I jumped into my closet and slammed the door shut.

I felt the whole building shaking so I grabbed the door knob and held it shut with all my strength. Then I heard tearing and ripping noises which had to be my back wall tearing away. At this point, I wanna point out that if any of these events had occurred slightly differently or in a different order, I would have been buried. Anyway, the back wall tore away from the building and the door to my closet began shaking open and I kept pulling it back closed. After a couple seconds of this struggle, the door and I were sucked out of the closet and through the back wall. I never rose more than a couple feet off the ground but, judging from memories of where things were, I flew about 40 feet total. The winds flung me from the back wall into the chain link fence 10-15 feet behind my apartment with enough force to leave bruises of the chain links in my side. It then flung me back into some piles of rubble where I was then rolled around on the ground for about 15 seconds before it subsided slightly. I looked up from my prone position and I was lying on tile floor and I could see my neighbor lying on top of her baby trying to shield her. I also heard myself screaming and realized I had been screaming the entire time but hadn’t noticed.

The winds were beginning to pick up again so I ran over to my neighbor and threw myself on top of them to try and shield them. Somewhere along the way I stepped on a piece of wood with enough force to shove a 3-inch piece through the bottom of my foot. Please take note, this was not an act of heroism, but desparation. As far as my concussed mind could think, I truly believed during that split second that we three were the only beings left in a world that had dissolved around us. I acted to try and preserve the only other people left in this Hell so I wouldn’t be alone if I survived. I laid on top of her and immediately the winds picked up again. I was bombarded with (judging from wounds and what is still imbedded in my back at the time of this writing) glass, roofing shingles, pieces of wood, and a Bic pen. LOL. I know this for sure because I pulled it out of my side when I stood up.

The storm finally dissipated after roughly 10-20 seconds and slowly stood up. Due to adrenaline and shock, I did not notice any of the injuries I suffered. However, I did notice that I could barely hear anything and my ears were bleeding from the pressure of the storm (the earlier popping that alerted me of the tornado). Everyone’s ears were. The poor baby’s ears were pouring blood. At this point, I surveyed my body. My jeans, watch, glasses, and shirt had been ripped from my body.Somehow, I was still holding my iPhone in my right hand. Just then a call came through. It was my older sister, Christina. I could only stare at it in disbelief before answering. I don’t remember our conversation, but she later relayed it to me. Here it is as she remembers it:

Christy: Randy??? Randy???

Me: Kiki! My apartment; it’s gone. The baby is bleeding. I lost my glasses. My foot is bleeding bad. There are people stuck. I have to go.

I then hung up the phone because people were screaming from within piles of rubble. I limped over to the nearest pile where one of my neighbor’s head was sticking out from beneath a section of roof. I pulled off a couple small pieces of wood before collapsing. I think I blacked out for a couple seconds. Next thing I remember, he is digging himself out. He comes to check on me and almost slips in the puddle of blood and water at my feet. He tears off his shirt and ties it around my foot (I had no shoes or socks on before it hit). He helps me stand and we look around at the damage. I see my childhood friend Austin and his girlfriend Mary and their dog that live six doors down from me. They are standing in their bathroom. I yell to them and then begin trying to crawl out. At some point I believe a neighbor (maybe Mary) throws me a woman’s loafer which I put on my left foot to protect it. It was a left shoe that was about 2 sizes too small but I barely noticed. I can’t walk because of my foot so i throw some sections of my couch across the short wall of sharp debri between me and what’s left of the parking lot and begin crawling on my hands and knees across. Due to the composition and layout of the debris, I am forced to crawl on my belly under my truck to get out (it was then parked in my living room and totalled).

I finally reach the parking lot covered in blood, dirt, oil, and sheetrock dust. I lend a neighbor my phone and then I spot my friend and neighbor, Brandon and hobble to him to check him out. Amazingly, he is unhurt. We both hear someone yelling that another storm is about to touch down in the area so we immediately take off to find shelter. I lose track of everyone else. Austin and Mary help dig out some neighbors. Brandon lends me his shoulder and we begin walking (me hopping) to the Piggly Wiggly down the street. We hear that they are not letting people in so we detour to the local Save-A-Lot and ask the manager if he is letting people in. He lets us in. I sit on the nearest checkout station while Brandon runs to find first aid supplies. He finds peroxide, paper towels, and scotch tape. I use what little Spanish I know to try to cheer up a small hispanic child that was crying near me. I begin to feel very faint from blood loss so I start chugging as much Gatorade as possible to keep blood sugar up so I don’t pass out. The pizza I ate earlier also probably kept me awake and alive. Brandon begins cleaning and wrapping my foot. We then see that there is still wood sticking out. We wrap paper towels and tape over it to try to stop the blood loss.

I then begin to feel a slight itchy, burning sensation on my back so I asked him to take a look. He says that I have a few cuts on my back. I’m glad he didn’t tell me the extent to which it was messed up. We stay in the store and wait for the next tornado to touch down. I sit on a rolling cart so that Brandon could quickly wheel me to the back if it came. We were all getting ready to run to the back and lock ourselves inside the freezer. I tell Brandon to gather some food and water in case we are trapped inside the store. I feel prepared, so I try to slow breathing and heart rate to slow blood flow. Some time later (I began losing track of time and events) we see people run into the bank to steal money and cops arrest them. This pissess us all off for obvious reasons. Brandon and I walk (and hop) up to the Texaco because we hear they have set up a triage center there. We get there and they turn us away so we go back to the store. I am exhausted from blood loss and hopping everywhere. I should point out that I am hopping down the street wearing only my silver cross necklace and boxers and the homemade bandages on my foot. It’s funny now, not so much then.

We stay in the store for a while. A woman who was in the store earlier comes running back and leads a cop to where I’m lying. I owe her and Brandon both my life. I would have bled out within a couple hours if that cop hadn’t found me. He calls in a truck and I jump in the back and they drive me to the hospital. I ask for pen in the bed of the truck so I can write my name and medical info and mom’s phone number on my body in case I pass out again and can’t talk to nurses. We get to the hospital and I am assigned a radomized name for legal reasons (Raja Ed Downtime). I ask over and over again for them to call my mom to check on Jessica because she is home alone in Homewood and I heard a storm passed by there.

I will never forget the nurse who helped me, Nurse Jackie. She checked up on me throughout my X-Rays and CT scans and stitches over the next 6-8 hours. I felt like I was her only patient although she likely had scores of them at this time. I plan on thanking her personally as soon as I can travel.

This is where the story ends. I am just one person among hundreds, possibly thousands of people hurt in a city where neighbors and strangers alike risked their own lives to save each other. I tried to help who I could any way I could and I owe my life to many others. Thank you, Nurse Jackie for consoling me while I was alone for those many hours. Thank you, Brandon for lending me a friendly shoulder and thinking only of others. Thank you, Lady from Save-A-Lot for finding me a ride to the hospital. Thank you, Mom for forcing Delta airlines to let you off of a plane preparing to take off. Thank you, Jimmy and Jessica for looking throughout hospital (and morgue) for me for hours before finding me. Thank you to the men and women of the National Guard, fire departments, and police departments around the state. Many of us wouldn’t have made it without ya’ll. And, of course, thank you, GOD. Even as the clothes and material possessions were ripped from my body, your symbol stayed firmly around my neck and in my heart.

It is long, but I can already feel a massive weight lifted from my chest. This note has done its job. If you are reading this, you are my friend and share the honor of calling me “pal”.

On April 28, nearly 100 University of Alabama students gathered on the steps of the main campus library to pray for the victims of the tornado that  wreaked so much havoc on their city.

Two students are counted among the dead.

Hat tip: Blog Idaho

American Interests Come First, Not Brazil’s When It Comes To National Security

Photo via Aviation News

Next month, the Dept. of Defense will be deciding between two companies  competing for an Air Force contract  – the Hawker Beechcraft AT-6 and the Brazilian owned  Embraer Super Tucano.

Why would they even consider outsourcing national security to a foreign company, subsidized by a government that has been unhelpful to the United States in the war on terror?

As Stephen DeMaura at RedState noted:

The Brazilian government’s direct control over Embraer would put the production of the light attack and reconnaissance aircraft at the mercy and whim of Brazil’s political leaders who too often do not see eye to eye with the United States on foreign policy issues. In fact, they have been noticeably absent from the War on Terror over the last decade. The same War on Terror from which they are now seeking to profit.

New Mexico State Senator William (Bill) H. Payne, a retired Rear Admiral (SEAL) in the United States Navy made the case for the Hawker Beechcraft AT-6, arguing that the United States is not in a position economically to provide jobs to foreign governments:

 From the perspective of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) the decision is clear.  Both aircraft are mission appropriate and cost roughly the same.  However the acquisition of Hawker Beechcraft’s AT-6 has the added benefit of upholding ALEC’s free-market principles and creating significantly more American jobs – 1,400 spread across 18 states.

***

In 2009, the United States Air Force (USAF) issued a request for a new type of aircraft that could successfully perform light attack and armed reconnaissance (LAAR) missions.  After reviewing numerous proposals and conducting extensive research, the USAF determined that the two leading contenders are Hawker Beechcraft’s AT-6 and Embraer’s Super Tucano. Hawker Beechcraft is an American company headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, while Embraer is a Brazilian company.

Embraer is heavily subsidized by the Brazilian government and is being supported by their Financing Agency for Studies and Projects (FINEP), which is helping to fund the research and development of this fleet. In fact, the aircraft that Embraer used in a recent demonstration for the USAF is actually owned by the Brazilian Air Force and was fully supported by them during their test runs. In contrast, Hawker Beechcraft has invested its own resources into the development, assembly, and flight demonstrations for their AT-6 aircraft.

In addition, the Brazilian government continues to hold what is known as a “Golden Share” in Embraer, which allows them to maintain an aggressive and active role in the governance of the company. It grants them veto power over previously agreed-upon stipulations of their contracts, including interruption in the supply of maintenance and replacement parts for military aircraft sold abroad.

This scenario is reminiscent of the recent $35 billion contract awarded to Boeing, which was locked in competition for years with European rival EADS to provide refueling tankers to the USAF. In Boeing’s case, its contract proposal was accepted because it is a longstanding and trusted aircraft provider with a superior product and existing production capabilities here in America. The Boeing Company has earned the confidence of our modern military and has a vested interest in serving and protecting our country. Their contract win also supports American jobs—some 44,000 in more than 40 states with over 300 suppliers.

Hawker Beechcraft possesses a profile very similar to Boeing’s. Hawker Beechcraft has a lengthy history of producing aircraft for both civilian and military use and has already successfully provided warplanes to the USAF and other branches of our military. It is a private, American enterprise that is participating in a joint venture with Lockheed Martin as it competes for this contract.

Aviation Week recently did a story on the Hawker Beechcraft AT-6:

For the Hawker Beechcraft/Lockheed Martin AT-6 light attack aircraft team, the mantra is to produce the right weapon effects.

“If you are talking about counterinsurgency target sets, you want to be able to pick the right weapon and precisely place it where and when it needs to be there,” says Dan Hinson, AT-6 demonstration and test manager and chief test pilot for the team. “That requires persistence and network-centric command and control.”

The team is competing against Embraer with the Super Tucano to supply 20 Light Support Aircraft to Afghanistan and potentially 15 aircraft to the U.S. Air Force for use in training foreign air forces.

For more endurance, the team is looking at ways to add fuel without diminishing capability.

“We are working on putting 325 pounds of extra internal fuel in the wings, which would give another 45 minutes to an hour of flight,” Hinson says. “I flew four to six hours and still had 400 pounds of gas. That was with the EO/IR [electro-optic/infrared] turret and external fuel tanks, but not weapons.

“If the mission is ISR [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance], we can stand out there a long time,” Hinson continues. “Five hours is very doable and four is a pretty good standard. Being able to hang out in the battle with the same guys on station without having to cycle out for inflight refueling provides an amazing [amount of continuity] for an airborne mission.”

Should the DoD give  Hawker  Beechcraft the contract, that would create 1400 jobs in America, while giving Embraer the contract would only create 50 jobs in America and the rest in Brazil.

One more thing: The Hawker Beechcraft AT-6 would allow for roughly 95% of both the male and female potential pilot population with weights as low as 103 pounds and as high as 245 pounds to safely fly the aircraft. The old standards to which the Brazilian aircraft complies, would prohibit 18% of military males and 81% of military females from safely ejecting from the aircraft in an emergency.

To me, this is a no-brainer.

Presenting The Obama Seal Team 6 Action Figure

It looks like an effort is underway to revive  the 2008 cult of personality/Obamania  the country mercifully outgrew by mid-2009.

Yes, this really exists.:

I’m not sure how successful this campaign will be with images like these now embedded in the nation’s collective memory:

See Also:

Gateway Pundit: Fantasy Obama Doll Released With Big Guns …Update: Rush Limbaugh – “They Used Michelle’s Body” (Video)

Previously:

NY-26 “Tea Party” Candidate Jack Davis Engages In Very Unseemly, Thuggish Behavior

Hello, NY-26 Republicans…Would a real tea partier behave this way?:

video via The Right Scoop

I think not!

Some advice from Moe Lane —JANE CORWIN FOR NY-26.

Previously:

Fake Tea Party Candidate Running in Upstate New York Special Election

Hat tip: Charles B.

After Saying, ‘Stop Punishing Innocents for the Actions of Their Parents’ In El Paso, Obama Skips Off To Austin To Schmooze With Planned Parenthood President

“That’s not right.  That’s not who we are.  We can do better than that.”  (Applause.)

Monday, in El Paso, Obama said, “we should stop punishing innocent young people for the actions of their parents”, and Bryan Preston over at PJ Media predicted that those words would “boomerang back” on “the most pro-abortion President in American history”.

Who could have predicted that the boomerang  would happen this fast:

After his speech in El Paso, Texas, President Barack Obama made his way to Austin for a campaign rally where he asked hundreds of supporters to help him with his re-election bid. In a more private affair, he curried favor with the head of Planned Parenthood.

***

Although a public list of the names of the guest was not released, one prominent attendee outed herself:  Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards.“Dinner with President Obama in my home town! Doesn’t get nuch [sic] better than that,” she said on Twitter Tuesday night.

Jill Stanek, a pro-life nurse and blogger, noticed the Tweet and responded to the news that Richards, once again, had private time with Obama.

“An experienced lobbyist, Cecile Richards knows that’s the way to do it: As often as possible remind your political friends why you’re political friends,” she said. “In this case Cecile was displaying not just her money but also her influence in Austin, the capital of Texas, where her mother was once governor. And share not just bad times, when you’re asking (or demanding) something, but also good times.”

“We see here an example of the abortion industry’s major strong suit: political savvy,” Stanek continued, and referred to Obama’s recent pledge to veto bills de-funding Planned Parenthood and stopping taxpayer funding of abortions via the federal government. “Here’s also an example of the other side’s unfair advantage: Obama just ensured Planned Parenthood continues to get a boatload of money from his end, and Cecile was just returning the favor.”

It’s called pay to play, I think.  Everybody wins!

Well, okay – not everybody….

Video: Rep. Joe Walsh on Obama’s Moats And Alligators

Obama’s little attempt at humor, yesterday seems to have hit a nerve – (as well it should –border security isn’t a laughing matter).

IL Congressman Joe Walsh responded with this video:

Walsh’s letter to the President is posted at his website:

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Joe Walsh (R-IL) today announced that he has sent a letter to President Obama, expressing his concern over the President’s comments in an immigration speech made yesterday in El Paso, TX.

“For years President Obama has said he is serious about dealing with America’s immigration issues, however, yesterday he reinforced the idea that he’s not taking the issue seriously by suggesting that the only way to make Republicans happy on the subject is to build ‘a moat with alligators,’” said Congressman Walsh.

“Time and time again, President Obama has proven that he’s more concerned with photo-ops with Hollywood movie stars, than real citizens who live on the border and have to deal with America’s exploding immigration crisis.”

“Border security is national security. It’s not a joking matter. Enforcing our immigration laws and holding businesses accountable for hiring illegal immigrants is a serious issue. For that reason, I have sent the President a letter, questioning his commitment to securing our borders.”

“I look forward to the President’s response, and hope that he would work with Congress to come up with a plan that first and foremost protects our borders. If it takes moats and alligators to secure our borders to get you to be serious – I’m game.”

LINK TO LETTER.

I have to wonder what the President and/or his speechwriters are thinking. The car in the ditch/Republicans sipping slurpies “jokes” that he made all last year went over like a lead balloon on election day. It would seem that repeatedly ridiculing political opponents (ala Alinsky) isn’t a winning strategy, but he seems determined to do it anyway.

Gov. Perry Slams Bam On Laura Ingraham Show: “Americans don’t want a stand-up comic for the President of the United States”

Governor Perry slammed the President mercilessly on the Laura Ingraham Show, this morning – hitting him hard for ridiculing the call for greater border security:

On Obama equating the desire to secure the border to wanting to build a moat with alligators on the border:
@1:34 -”This is a president who is more interested in trying out for Saturday Night Live it seems like….the guy’s a stand up comic, and that was what he was playing to. The fact of the matter is, Americans don’t want a stand-up comic for the President of the United States….Anyone who knows what’s happening on the border of Texas and Mexico, or for that matter the southern border of the United States with Mexico realizes this is not comedy, there are people’s lives in jeopardy every day.”

@4:41 – “You’re going to see United States citizens killed if this administration does not take border security seriously. They don’t. I don’t have any idea why, but the fact of the matter is they don’t take border security seriously and until we get a president who understands the real severity of what we’re looking at, American lives are going to be in jeopardy.”

On his ice-cold relationship with the White House and not meeting with Obama yesterday:

@6:42 – “I’m the Governor of the state of Texas. I don’t need to be briefed by people 1,500 miles away from Texas to tell me what’s going on, on immigration and border security. I know, I’ve got people who are putting their lives on the line to keep our citizens safe.”

@7:14- “We need this administration to be engaged, to be actively trying to find solutions, not standing up and doing Saturday Night Live comedy in El Paso, Texas and making fun of people who are putting their lives on the line. I find that to be reprehensible.”

See also:

Doug Powers at Michelle Malkin: Texas Guv Spokesperson: Border Briefing Declined Because ‘We’re Living it Every Day’

Phantom “R” Word Appears In El Paso Speech Transcript

Conn Carrol at The Washington Examiner asks, “how does the White House determine which audience member interjections to include in the official White House transcript of an event?”:

Yesterday, in El Paso, President Obama was interrupted early on in his speech by shouts of “We love you!” from the audience. Obama then stopped his prepared remarks and responded: “Thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you.” All this is in the official transcript. As it should be.

But then much later in the speech Obama said: ” We have gone above and beyond what was requested by the very Republicans who said they supported broader reform as long as we got serious about enforcement. All the stuff they asked for, we’ve done. But even though we’ve answered these concerns, I’ve got to say I suspect there are still going to be some who are trying to move the goal posts on us one more time.” At which point the official White House transcript adds this:

AUDIENCE MEMBER: They’re racist!

Obama’s “one more time” remark comes at around  the 5:00 mark in the video…note – you won’t hear the audience interjection of, “they’re racist!”, and Obama doesn’t pause, but goes right into his next sentence.

Carrol notes:

Not only is it impossible to hear anybody shout “you’re racist” at that point in the speech, but judging by Obama’s smooth delivery, he never even heard the statement. If the statement was not part of Obama’s prepared remarks, and Obama did not acknowledge it in any way during the speech, then why call Republicans racist on the official White House website?

Because Obama’s speech transcriber is  a “racer”?

Exit question: Could Rep Andre Carson be moonlighting as a White House speech transcriber? If anyone can pick up on words no one else can hear –he’s the guy!

Hat tip: Gateway Pundit

Wow, Obama Approval Rating Up To 60% Post Bin Laden – What A Bounce, Huh?

Did you detect a note of sarcasm in that headline? I hope so…

Because that AP poll is completely bogus. In order to give Obama a 60% approval rating, the AP had to over-sample Democrats by 17 points. The AP poll is a joke:

Ed Morrissey at Hot Air gives it the “Billy Madison verdict” (see video at link):

  In a new definition of “outlier,” the AP reportedthat its latest poll from GfK Roper shows Barack Obama with a 60% approval rating in a survey of 1001 adults, with even his approval on the economy shooting past the 50% mark:

President Barack Obama’s approval rating has hit its highest point in two years — 60 percent — and more than half of Americans now say he deserves to be re-elected, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll taken after U.S. forces killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

Once we get a peek at the internals, we see:

The Dem/Rep/Ind breakdown in this poll is 46/29/4, as AP assigned most of the leaners to the parties.  That is a 17-point gap, more than twice what was seen in the 2008 actual popular vote that elected Obama.  It only gets worse when independents are assigned properly.  When taking out the leaners, the split becomes — I’m not kidding — 35/18/27.  Oh, and another 20% “don’t know.”

Jim Geraghty quips:

With a poll sample that has a 17-percentage-point margin in favor of the Democrats, is anyone surprised that these results look like a David Axelrod dream?

(Interestingly, George W. Bush is at 50 percent approval, 49 percent disapproval, even in this sample wildly weighted in favor of the Democrats.)

Imagine how Bush would do in a fairly sampled poll.

UPDATE:

Nice: Drudge has picked up this story, and it’s currently #1 on Memorandum.

More:

Hahaha…Ace:

Obama’s numbers here are huge on everything — why, people even approve of the handling of the economy!

And then, when you check the cross-tabs, you find out the people polled were the the American Bar Association, NAMBLA, and the members of the Grateful Dead. Including the dead one.

B Daniel Blatt at Gay Patriot focused on this surprising aspect of the poll: In poll skewed toward Dems, W has 50 percent approval

AP used party ID gap even higher, let me repeat, even higher than Democrats’ record advantage and still found W had 50% approval.

Linked by Michelle Malkin in Buzzworthy, thanks

Hat tip: Charles B.

Obama Gives Dishonest And Divisive Speech On The Border

How left wing was his audience in El Paso? When he mentioned the border fence (3:30), they booed. This was an open border crowd, so I don’t know why Obama felt the need to lie about the fence being “basically complete.”

In what world is 5% “basically complete”?

Five years ago, legislation was passed to build a 700-mile double-layer border fence along the southwest border. This is a promise that has not been kept.

Today, according to staff at the Department of Homeland Security, just 5 percent of the double-layer fencing is complete, only 36.3 miles.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO), Congress’s investigative arm, reported in early 2009 that only 32 miles of double-layer fencing had been built. That means under President Obama, only 4.3 miles of double layer fencing has been built. This is woefully inadequate.

Obama also took credit for continuing a border patrol buildup started by Bush:

“Under Secretary Napolitano’s leadership, we have strengthened border security beyond what many believed was possible,” Obama said. “They wanted more agents on the border. Well, we now have more boots on the ground on the southwest border than at any time in our history. The Border Patrol has 20,000 agents –- more than twice as many as there were in 2004, a buildup that began under President Bush and that we have continued.”

Politifact rates that “mostly true”, but stipulates that  of the 20,745 border patrol agents as of April 9, 2011; 17,659 of them are stationed along the southwest border with Mexico.

That’s up from 17,499 border patrol agents at the end of September 2008, four months before Obama took office (an 18 percent increase).

Singling out just the border patrol agents along the U.S.-Mexico border, the number has increased from 15,422 to 17,659 (a 14 percent increase).

***

In March 2011, the U.S. Government Accountability Office released a report, “Border Security: DHS Progress and Challenges in Securing the U.S. Southwest and Northern Borders,” in conjunction with testimony from GAO Director Richard Stana.

The report confirmed that personnel and other resources to stop illegal crossings of the U.S.-Mexico border have increased dramatically in recent years. In 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was created, reorganizing several federal agencies under a single roof. That year, the agency had 10,500 agents to patrol land borders.  That number now stands at nearly 21,000.

Politifact notes that Obama’s proposed 2011 budget requested a reduction of 181 Border Patrol agents.

Then, out came Obama’s notorious strawmen:

“I suspect there will be those who will try to move the goal posts one more time,” Obama said. “They’ll say we need to triple the border patrol.  Or quadruple the border patrol

Oh, who could he possibly be talking about? Those wascally wepublicans, again? Moving goalposts? Why are there goalposts when it comes to keeping the border secure, and Americans safe?

The Washington Times reported  on the escalating violence on the border, back in March:

For more than two years, U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials have been warning that the dramatic rise in violence along the southwest border could spread and eventually target U.S. citizens.

The violence posed what the officials called a “serious threat” to law enforcement officers, first responders and residents along the 1,951-mile border.

***

“It is time for the political games to stop for fear of insulting the government of Mexico,” the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) said in a statement. “U.S. citizens are being kidnapped and killed while our Border Patrol agents fight a war at home that no one will allow them to win.

“Not one more Border Patrol agent should fall or citizen be victimized because our government fails to act,” the NBPC said. “Mexico is hemorrhaging violence and we are being hit with the splatter.”

Obama mocked Republicans with his hilarious moat with alligators joke, and yet —-

The United States Attorney’s Annual Statistical Report for Fiscal Year 2009 stated that “violence along the border of the United States and Mexico has increased dramatically in recent years.” Citing a National Drug Intelligence Center report, it continued, “Mexican drug trafficking organizations represent the greatest organized crime threat to the United States and the influence of Mexican drug trafficking organizations over domestic drug trafficking is unrivaled.”

Last month, officials in Brownsville, Texas, found a homemade, improvised explosive device on Highway 77 that resembled the bombs used against U.S. troops in the Middle East and by Mexican drug cartels.

The government has even warned Americans not to travel in certain areas of the southwest because of crime. In June 2010, the U.S. Department of Interior posted signs near the Sonoran Desert National Monument that read, “travel not recommended,” warning the public that it was considered an “active drug and human smuggling area.”

And three border patrol agents have been killed near the border in the past three years.

See also:

Pundit and Pundette: Obama: “That fence is now basically complete; They’ll never be satisfied.”

The law requires two layers of new reinforced steel fencing along five segments of the 1,952-mile border, including the entire Arizona border and about 200 miles of the border in southern Texas.

Then, there will be those who call Obama’s speech in El Paso “pathetic” , “purely political”,  and “cynical, partisan politics”:

Bryan Preston at PJ Tatler: Obama’s pathetic El Paso speech (Update: Video link added):

Perhaps the worst line in the president’s speech came when, in pushing for the DREAM Act, called for the US to “stop punishing children for the sins of their parents.” He is referring to parents who travel to the US illegally, bringing their children with them. But for the most pro-abortion president in American history to utter that line, and not realize how it boomerangs back on his own stance favoring partial birth abortion, is repugnant. This president seems to have little moral sense about him.

The president’s speech was an exercise in cynical, partisan politics. He was really in Texas just to raise money for his re-election, and to enjoy some quality time in the sunshine with his teleprompter. The nation is dealing with 9% unemployment, falling home prices and skyrocketing energy and food prices. There is never a good time to abrogate the rule of law for the sake of politics, but Obama may have chosen the worst time possible for his immigration initiative.

Ace of Spades HQ: Fact-Check On Obama’s Speech Determines… Well, He Did Produce a Birth Certificate, So There Is That

Slim pickings past that, though, as Jake Tapper notes Obama basically gets two facts right:

1. There is a country called “Mexico,” and

2. It has a border.

A little tidbit I didn’t realize:

He claims the “border fence” is “almost” complete, which might suggest, to the ignorant, that we almost have a fence all the way across our border. Not even close. He means the tiny amount of fence mandated by Congress has almost been built… and that covers about 650 miles of our nearly 2000 mile border with Mexico.

And Jake Tapper maintains that what the president is referring to when he says “basically complete” is the fact that 649 miles of fencing have been completed out of 652…but the law requires two layers of reinforced steel on that, and only 5% of it has been done.

See also:

Michelle Malkin: The Amnesty Bandwagon Rides Again:

If, as widely expected, Obama fails to deliver amnesty through the legislative process, there’s always amnesty by executive fiat. White House insiders first floated the idea in June 2010 to unilaterally extend either deferred action or parole to millions of illegal aliens in the United States. This administration has accomplished its major policy agenda items through force, fiat, and fraud. Immigration will be no different.

Linked by Michelle Malkin in Buzzworthy, thanks

Hat tip: Gateway Pundit

Charges Against ND-88 Dismissed

The arrest of Tracy and Jean Chase, two of the “ND 88″ at Notre Dame, May 17, 2009

[Photo by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society]

Some great news from last week that was lost in the midst of  the Bin Laden  story, via Sycamore Trust:

Counsel for Notre Dame and for the ND88 announced today a settlement pursuant to which the criminal charges against the ND88 have been dismissed.

Under the agreement, the ND88 agreed not to sue the University for damages and the University in return agreed to ask the prosecutor to dismiss the charges, which he has done.

This is a notable victory for the defendants, who refused to take an easy way out, and a prudent backing off by the University.  Defendants had filed notice of their intention to sue the University for discriminatory arrest and the time period for filing their suits was about to expire. Presumably the complaints would have been filed within a few days if a settlement had not been reached.

By securing the defendants’ promise not to sue, the University has not merely avoided possible monetary liability but has also protected its officers and agents from potentially troublesome examination by defense counsel in both criminal and civil cases.

University officials, for example, would doubtless have been called upon to explain why the University has let go pro-gay and anti-war demonstrators who were arrested for trespass while it has supported the prosecution of these pro-life demonstrators – an uncomfortable fact uncovered by Sycamore Trust that contradicted Father Jenkins’s assertion that the University was treating the ND 88 like everyone else.

Of course, it would have been far better had the University taken this action some two years ago out of Christian compassion and a solidarity of interest with these pro-life defendants. There is no way now for the University to erase the damage these prosecutions have caused to its pro-life standing through the drumbeat of criticism from pro-life forces. While one hopes there has been even at this late date a change not only of mind but also of heart on the part of the University, this “Agreement Not To Sue” appears on the face of it to be essentially a lawyer’s move to cut losses and avoid risks.

Notre Dame’s reputation has perhaps been irreparably sullied  in the wake of Notre Dame President, Father Jenkins’ scandalous decision to invite  the most viciously pro-abort President in our nation’s history to give the school’s 2009 Commencement Address.

Which of course, is why the ND-88 was protesting  on that fateful day.

Hat tip: Infidel Joe.

Linked by Ace Of Spades HQ in Headlines, and Theo Spark, thanks!

Previously:

Video: A Professor, a Priest, and Counsel Denounce as Discriminatory and Discreditable Notre Dame’s Treatment of Pro-Life Demonstrators

Notre Dame Sees Drop In Donations Since Hosting Obama

Obama Administration Dishonors Catholic College’s freedom Of Conscience

Bishop Finn:Dialogue Came To A Screeching Halt At Notre Dame

Video: Laura Ingraham Blasts Notre Dame On O’Reilly

Notre Dame PWNAGE

Obama Receives His Honorary Degree At Notre Dame Commencement

Catholics Rip Obama And Notre Dame University

Notre Dame Scandal Heating Up

Pro Life March Set For Notre Dame

Pro-Obama “We Support Notre Dame” Website Is Launched

Bishop of Phoenix sends Letter Of Rebuke to Notre Dame President

Notre Dame “Stop The Scandal” Petition Update

Stop The Scandal: Obama Invited To Notre Dame Commencement

Video: 2003 Miss USA, Susie Castillo Molested By TSA

Is “molested”  too strong a word? Watch, and you tell me:

Until I saw this, I hadn’t told anyone – not even my husband -  about my recent experience at DC’s Dulles Airport, (note to self: always use Reagan Airport!)  I had spent a fun weekend with my daughter who was attending a (totally non-political) conference in Crystal City. After Palm Sunday Mass at St. Patrick’s Church,  she flew back to college from Reagan International. I had to take the expensive cab ride back to Dulles for my trip home.

By now, we’re all used to the no bottles, or drinks, shoes off, laptops out of the case,  and walk through the metal detector rigamarole. This was my first experience with the naked body scanner, however.   I guess I hadn’t been paying attention, because when it was my turn, I was startled, and disturbed to find myself being told to put my bare feet in the appointed spots on the floor, (spread eagle), and put my outstretched arms above my head. At that moment, you come to the  realization that someone, somewhere, is staring at your naked body – a very jarring and demeaning feeling. Does the naked body scanner pick up on increased heart rates? Because my scan tripped something off, and I had to endure the pat down, as well. My TSA agent was a pimply faced kid, and was all business. I can’t remember if she used a wand, or gloved hands… I was feeling pretty offended and insulted by this point. I suppose my experience was closer to what Miss USA,  Susie Castillo experienced at LAX. Not too terrible. Just ridiculous and offensive, and I went away feeling  shaken, and insulted.

Does this really keep us safe? No profiling, but babies (yes, babies!), and toddlers, Miss USAs, and moms of six being scanned and/or pat down like common criminals? Why are ordinary citizens being singled out by TSA agents, while people like this are getting through? How much longer are we going to put up with this?

I want those naked body scanners gone, and no American should ever leave an airport feeling like she was molested. There is something very, very wrong here.

I don’t want to sound trite, but when a country’s security policies become this invasive and demeaning to its citizens…the terrorists have won.

Susie Castillo is channeling her outrage into action:

Susie’s TSA Petition to Congress

I feel lucky to have a voice in this matter, and I’m using it so that you can have one too! Here’s your chance! I’m gathering as many of your TSA stories as I possibly can, and will be partnering with grassroots organizations in DC that are working tirelessly to change the TSA’s unacceptable screening techniques in an effort to restore our 4th amendment rights. Even if you haven’t had a pat down but still agree with me, please sign in support.

I signed the petition. You should, too.