Sword and Sextant

You don’t say?

Those evil, heathen bastards at Big Oil, trying to make a profit, are going to go overseas for cheaper materials if we unnaturally raise domestic prices. Of course, that would cost jobs that won’t be counted in the nebulous “created or saved category”.

The government, in an environmental orgasm not seen in decades, has decided that the world ends at the coasts, and that raising price controls won’t affect anything. Or, they think they decided that, seeing as no one has read the MF’ing bill yet, let alone before it narrowly passed in the House.

Let’s get down to brass tacks. This was never about the environment or tax revenue, or the economy. Its another ploy to concentrate power in the hands of the federal government. Liberals want to run your life, and by God, they’re going to do it. It doesn’t matter what campaign promises have to disappear, who gets thrown under the bus, or how many secret lobbyist meetings have to take place. Your life is theirs, cradle to grave.

Remember how 95% of Americans won’t have higher taxes under Obama? Yeah, I guess he was sorta right, because the real number that will is at 100%. The real pot sweetener is that he’s going to injure the economy and our job market in order to do it? Is there really any stronger proof that he’s just looking for power?

The backlash Obama feels in 2010 is going to scare the shit right out of him. There has NEVER been a better motivator of the GOP.

Update: Rush has a great question: Meddling in Iran is wrong, but meddling in Honduras is right. Why does Obama meddle in favor of a burgeoning dictator in Honduras, but not when the dictators are in trouble in Iran? Does Obama really side with the dictators on this one?

Original Post:

Hillary and Obama are unhappy about it. They are joined by good friends Chavez and Castro.

From HillDog:

Mrs. Clinton has piled on as well. Yesterday she accused Honduras of violating “the precepts of the Interamerican Democratic Charter” and said it “should be condemned by all.” Fidel Castro did just that. Mr. Chávez pledged to overthrow the new government.

From Obama:

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama says the weekend ouster of Honduran leader Manuel Zelaya was a “not legal” coup and that he remains the country’s president.

Oh boy. Well, the WSJ has something more on this:

Honduras is fighting back by strictly following the constitution. The Honduran Congress met in emergency session yesterday and designated its president as the interim executive as stipulated in Honduran law. It also said that presidential elections set for November will go forward. The Supreme Court later said that the military acted on its orders. It also said that when Mr. Zelaya realized that he was going to be prosecuted for his illegal behavior, he agreed to an offer to resign in exchange for safe passage out of the country. Mr. Zelaya denies it.

Well, well. Unless one is prepared to debunk the WSJ story in some fashion, it appears our SecState and POTUS in agreement with dictators on being able to overthrow whatever elements of a lawful democracy they see fit. I’m gonna go ahead and side with people who demand freedom and lawfulness from their leaders. We have extreme interests in keeping this whole region from falling under Hugo’s reign, as well, and that only sweetens the pot when he promises to overthrow this lawful government that he hates. We’d be able to deploy and wipe him off the map, finally.

A word from a Honduran:

“We won’t go backwards,” one sign said. “We want to live in peace, freedom and development.”

I’m with ya, buddy. I just hope we get a chance to prove it.

WTH is change, anyway?

Looks like even Obama thinks we need this shit.

for unions.

I’m no seer, oracle, or mystic. I just knew, and told whoever reads this tiny blog, that Obama and the Dems will cover for unions at all possible turns. Its to keep them in power, quite simply. You see, unions only help elect Dems, regardless of their member’s political makeup. That’s quite helpful for Dems, and giving unions power continues this unholy kickback alliance. Its why the union got a stake in GM and Chrysler, despite zero claim of ownership, and why card check has been on the table to remove blind elections from the decision to unionize a shop. Its also why the latest Wisconsin state budget includes a mandate to unionize state health care workers. They owe the unions, and the money to pay them off with isn’t even theirs to begin with. Its a system as beautiful as it is corrupt and disgusting.

Today’s union-booster du jour is that unions may not have to pay taxes on their health benefits. Wait a minute…

/flashback

/blink

Oh yeah, taxes on health benefits would only happen under McCain. I remember that ad. Obama’s plan wouldn’t do that. Since this is only “gold-plated” plans, however, its still, um, true. Screw the rich. They don’t even play a part in the economy. Fuck ‘em.

Well, this is a Senate thing, anyway. Obama isn’t even writing this thing, so he’s still being honest:

Obama wants Democratic congressional leaders to seek Republican support, and to send him legislation by mid-October.

Oh, nevermind.

There’s an ethical problem here, as well, if you can believe that for even a moment:

“I can’t think of any other aspect of the individual income tax that treats benefits of different people differently because of who they work for,” said Chris Edwards, director of tax policy studies at the Cato Institute, a Washington research group that often criticizes Democrats’ economic proposals. Edwards said the carve-out “smacks of political favoritism.”

So now the government can pick and choose who has a “gold-plated” plan. So really, its just Obama’s choice who to tax. What could go wrong?

Finally, a message from a union worker with a brain:

Sandra Carter, a retired Pacific Bell Telephone Co. technician from Stockton, California, said her health benefits, worth about $12,000 per year, were negotiated by the Communications Workers of America. She is unmarried with no children, meaning her individual coverage exceeds benefits paid to federal workers by about $7,800. If that amount were taxed at the 15 percent marginal rate, she would owe $1,170.

“I can’t afford the taxes I pay now,” said Carter, who said she suffers from diabetes. “Why should I get taxed on a benefit that keeps me a functioning person?”

Why indeed, Sandra? Why would you tax health benefits? Why would you only not tax union benefits? Obama’s answers aren’t good enough.

I love it. Boehner is just reading random lines from the bill. I wonder if this was the one available copy he managed to get his hands on?

This bill should be stopped, period.

Let’s hope he talks some sense into these bastards. And yeah, the Reps and Sens responsible for trying to ram this through are bastards. They are dodging debate and the normal lawmaking.

LOL he’s outed them now. 3:09 IN THE MORNING WAS WHEN THE NEWEST AMENDMENT CAME OUT.

Oh crap, he just stopped. Fuck, Waxman is up, but the GOP is making a lot of noise suddenly. Its like a basketball game in there. Best CSPAN I’ve seen in a while. Waxman just pulled some weird he went over the time limit stuff, and got booed hardcore. Love it.

Pelosi now. Good Lord, there’s botox in that husk of a woman. She’s simply thanking people? “Jobs, jobs jobs and jobs” was her four words.

So, apparently this is an amendment from GOP guys to change something in the bill. The Dems are 71-0 against, and the GOP is 96-2 for. So far, looks like the GOP is gonna rock this one out.

I’m gonna put Waxman in the FlatTop Hall of Fame for looking most like a #1 henchman in movie.

112-94 Yea at the moment, 7:10 left. I’m glad the Dems can’t pull the old Chicago dead people voting trick once they’re IN Congress.

I’m sorta new to the Live politics scene (neonatal, actually). I think this amendment is designed to take up all kinds of time and ruin any chance of voting on the bill today. That, plus Boehner turning 2.5 minutes into over an hour of entertaining filibuster may get this done.

121-112 4:54 around, and 3 Dems are fighting hard to preserve market-driven energy prices.

Hmm, Yvette Clarke (D-NY) is trying to stay positive about having the votes, but isn’t oozing confidence. Win or lose, Obama’s rubber stamp may be gone. In-harm’s-way-Dems are starting to get scared of this agenda, and the votes are revealing it.

135-154 Dems now with 2 min left. With no real knowledge of what the amendment does, I’m not sure a win or a loss matters overmuch. 7 Dems have crossed over, which isn’t near enough to get it done, I don’t think.

45 sec 149-168 Dems. Looks like its dead, whatever it was.

So, sometimes the number of detractors from either party is changing. Should any of those people be allowed to be in Congress? Seems like they’re simply playing the market for some goodies or assurances before they sell their vote to the highest bidder.

Time’s up, Dems win, I think.

Or do they just not give them to GOP members of Congress? Either way, its a seemingly childish way to run the government, not to mention the dishonesty involved in hiding a bill so detractors won’t be able to analyze it. Here’s a quote from Politico:

Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), one of the bill’s sponsors, finally rose to say that a single copy of the current version of the bill was available at the speaker’s desk – and on the Internet, which members would have to leave the floor to access.

What in the hell kind of governance is this? Why doesn’t the nation benefit from a debate of the bill’s merits or problems? I don’t like what I know about it, but I’d really like some more transparency. Again, I’m shocked at the undercover nature of this bill. Its revolting.

Another fun one from a tax criminal:

Cantor was followed by New York Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel, who called the bill a “great contribution to human kind” and attacked Republicans for offering nothing but “negative political shots.”

They haven’t been allowed to see the thing, Chuck. Come on, man.

The biggest problem for Democratic leaders at this point comes from veteran Democrats like Rahall, New Jersey Rep. Rush Holt and Colorado Rep. John Salazar, who don’t face a clear election threat in 2010 but oppose the legislation. Leaders want safe veterans on board so that more vulnerable members can be freed to vote no on the bill.

If this vote is going to be so unpopular they have to convince vulnerable members they won’t be slain by this vote, shouldn’t we talk about it first? No? Ok, just ram the damn thing through, I guess.

“I urge every member of Congress, Democrat and Republican, to come together and support this legislation,” he said during a brief Rose Garden event. “I know this is going to be a close vote.”

Let’s start with putting copies of the damn thing in the chamber. No really. It may even get you a vote or two. If its so damn close, and, you know, you’re supposed to debate bills in Congress, let’s try that. Its a dark era of governance where the minority party is completely removed from all decisions, regardless of who is in charge.

I hate the legislation as I understand it, but this is about a larger supposed function of our government. They are hiding something, and I’m guessing its not good. Lord knows you want to jack energy prices up during a recession. Seriously, wouldn’t this be much easier to pass in a year? I know the answer to this one, though. Obama won’t have the support to do it then. At least that’s my prediction.

Like the fucking phoenix, everyone’s favorite gay sex ring entrepreneur is back at it. Ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause for Mr. Frank.

He’s back, and asking Fannie and Freddie to relax banking standards for condos.

Let’s forget that he’s on camera saying he want’s to “roll the dice” with mortgage financing before the mortgage meltdown panic catastrophe etc., and just ask the simple question: If lending to people who can’t pay their loans off led to a recent collapse that damn near zeroed the system, would you suggest doing that same thing for any reason whatsoever?

Answer: Hell no.

Barney Frank Answer: Yes, but quietly, if possible.

So, the push to force homeownership on everyone continues. When will this wet dream end, and when will Democrats finally have to consider their actions as they stuff the soiled sheets of our economy to the bottom of the hamper? I’m guessing never. Luckily, Drudge put this one up for all to see. Thanks, Matt.

So, I’m confused by this story. And enraged. Confused by the sentiment that threatening an attack on a US state has any merit to the North Koreans. Enraged that we haven’t done anything more than set up our defenses without much comment.

ITS A DIRECT THREAT ON OUR SOIL, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

First, you damn this action outright, and call out everyone involved. We no longer can afford to give a shit about China or Russia when its a direct threat on us. Not a nebulous terror plot or connections to attacks, but a full on threat. Deploy ships, get the fucking troops ready, and set up that missile defense ASAP. This is not a war to win hearts and minds, or a war of freedom. Its another nation, brainwashed and shielded from the world, bred to think the US is evil. You stop them by force.

I say let them fire the missile, shoot it out of the fucking sky, and the next day’s forecast can be raining fire and death. This assumes that we can do that, but Russia certainly thinks we can, which is a reason they’re so pissed that the Czech Rep. and Poland were building them until Obama reneged.

I’ll give the President a bit more time on this, but I’m concerned that he isn’t protecting this nation from foreign threats the way he vowed to on inauguration day.

Our nation has yet to take a stand that reflects the cloth of its people on the subject of Iran. Our President is loathe to criticize clearly rigged elections, and a thug government’s brutal response to its people and their voices against the Supreme Ruler. We are busy, thanks to the President, reminding ourselves that since we’ve had blunders in the past, its much better to continually sulk over them, leaving millions of Iranians screaming for freedom to the wolves.

What on Earth are we doing coddling the most dangerous regime in the world? Does the President actually think he can talk Iran off the nuclear ledge, especially given repeated promises that they will discuss no such thing? Does he see benefit in Israeli opinion when he not only stands aside while Iran develops the bomb, but chides Israelis for building in former Palestinian territories? Really? His strongest words were for our allies in this struggle?

This nation is the freest, best nation in the world because we have escaped the shackles of enforced rule, and we fight against it wherever it may exist. If you are downtrodden or persecuted, the United States has your back. At least, that’s what millions of Iranians thought. Now they rail against a power with no ally, including the greatest champions of freedom the world has ever seen. While their overseers remove the media from the country, fire upon their own people, and threaten Mousavi with violence and exile, a populace looks across an ocean for help, and we only stare, frozen in fear. Well, not me, and probably not you. The drumbeat of freedom throbs for these people in nearly every American. You feel it every time you’re reminded that women aren’t allowed to hold many jobs, show an ankle, or even survive the wrath of their husbands on a bad day. You feel it when you see dissenters beaten and “disappeared” Soviet-style.

This is an embarrassing time for our nation. Our President is voting present on a matter that damn well could delegitimize the Ayatollah, and may even remove another radical Islamic theocracy from the area. And this isn’t any theocracy. Its the king shit radical sponsor of terror. Evil flows from the borders of Iran like so much boiling tar, scorching lives all around. Instead, he says nothing, and the cries of the oppressed deflect off his back.

This is not to say that a word of support or a friendly nod would change the Iranian balance of power, or that any new government wouldn’t be anti-American. It may allow the people of Iran to decide their own fate, however, for the first time in 50 years. If he refuses to acknowledge the goings-on in Iran, however, he legitimizes the Khamenei government, and their sure to come brutal culling of the flock. This silence is very akin to the silence and lockjaw that President Carter encountered when the Shah was begging for US aid for his US built government. Instead, he was captured and stoned to death, leading to the Ayatollahs today.

This Presidency has been a continual farce from day one, and the damage he could do to the Arab world will certainly result in increased American deaths, should they get the bomb.

I’ve already mentioned this once, but it bears revisiting as the maelstrom of namecalling and personal attacks resumes full-force on the Governor of Alaska.

Sarah Palin exists in a strange universe at the moment. Her charm and charisma have overwhelmed those intrepid few brave enough to bring her on recently, and her return-fire on Letterman has put even Dave on the super defensive after his initial mishandling of his apology.

Like her or hate her, Palin strikes deep fear into her enemies because she will continue fighting you, and will never just sulk away. Apparently this is the lesson she learned from her VP run against Obama. She is the anti-McCain in that respect. Rather than playing nice and rising above the morass of negativity directed at all Republicans, she has pulled out the long knives. Attacking Sarah Palin has consequences these days, and you are probably going to lose the battle of public opinion.

Politically, I’m not ready to take the Palin plunge, as I still don’t know enough about her, but this woman is going to be a force in the next election. Congrats to Sarah for surviving her own political assassination, and scaring the crap out of Dave Letterman.