Partying on the (SUCKERS) Taxpayers Money: Rangel, Other Reps, Party in Caribbean With Citigroup Funds

Oh come on! All of you in Washington are HYPOCRITES! You tell the public one thing and then do another. Un-fricken-believeable! Uuummmm, President Obama this is more SHAMEFUL!

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NewsMax

Rangel, Other Reps, Party in Caribbean With Citi Funds

Written by Jim Meyers

Friday, January 30, 2009 12:04 PM

Six Democratic members of Congress enjoyed a Caribbean junket sponsored by Citigroup after Congress had approved the $700 billion bailout of financial services firms in October.

The National Legal and Policy Center, a watchdog group, has asked Neil Barofsky, the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, for a formal review of the Citigroup’s sponsorship of the trip by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel and five others.

The NLPC says the trip violated House rules.

The purported purpose of the Nov. 6-9 junket was to attend the Caribbean Multi-Cultural Business Conference on the island of St. Maarten, but “the primary purpose of attending for most participants appeared to be to take a vacation,” according to the NLPC, which had a representative at the event.

The NLPC said in a statement: “The ‘lead sponsor’ was Citigroup, which contributed $100,000. Citigroup was certainly aware that it would be a major recipient of bailout funds. It was also aware that its fortunes had become increasingly reliant on Congressional actions.

“Citigroup should have also been aware that corporate sponsorship of such an event was banned by House rules adopted on March 1, 2007, in response to the [lobbyist Jack] Abramoff scandal and the infamous golf trip to Scotland.”

In addition to Rangel, other members of Congress who attended were Donald Payne of New Jersey, Sheila Jackson-Lee of Texas, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Michigan, Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, and Donna Christensen, the delegate to the House from the United States Virgin Islands.

Obama's Spending BINGE! on Taxpayers DIME... NO SHAME!

Obama celebrates spending binge with cocktails and wagyu steak
By Michelle Malkin
January 29, 2009 06:28 AM

Can the Obama administration be anymore tone deaf? After pushing his $1.1 trillion Generational Theft Act of 2009 through the House last night, the White House apparently decided to throw itself a swank cocktail party. According to ABC New’s Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper, the menu included alcoholic beverages (vodka martinis are an Obama favorite, reportedly) and wagyu steak.

Yeah, “wagyu steak.” $100 per serving delicacy. I had to look it up, too.

On the heels of the most expensive inaugural celebration in American history and passage of a trillion-dollar spending binge that will saddle future generations with unprecedented debt, perhaps President Obama might consider cutting back on such indulgences.

Or is the White House exempt from “shared sacrifice,” Mr. President?

“New era of responsibility?”

Not so much.

Click here to read the list of Democrats and Republicans that attended this party at our EXPENSE!

Economic Recovery Act is Wiser Alternative to Massive Spending: Please Take the Time to READ! This Option is the MOST Sensible...

The Hill
Economic Recovery Act is wiser alternative to massive spending
By Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) OpEd
Posted: 01/27/09 04:16 PM [ET]

Congressional Democrats have engaged in a full offensive to convince the American people that another massive dose of borrowing and spending is the solution to our economic tribulations. They talk of an economic near-Armageddon without as much as a trillion dollars in new spending. The rhetoric, in point of fact, sounds remarkably similar to the appeals for their last economic solution, the disastrous Troubled Asset Relief Program.

The truth is, proven by history, that massive government spending is not a solution. And the American people know there is another way — a real economic solution that empowers our people without mortgaging our future. After a year of bailouts, rebates and taxpayer-funded backstops, we can move toward renewed prosperity by unleashing the potential of and providing economic relief for our real economic growth engines — hard-working Americans and businesses.

Unfortunately, congressional Democrats and the president are immovable in their intent to spend our way into prosperity. So they have set forth a proposal heartbreaking in both its purpose and its consequences. It must be made clear: The Democrat proposal is not a stimulus, but rather a gross political opportunity to borrow against future generations to achieve ideological goals today. As White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel recently said, “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.”

This is a crisis of leadership. Instead of proven economic solutions, they have proposed a massive federal grab bag of giveaways. The problems with such a proposal are many and immense. But the real question is whether this approach actually offers solutions. Is it consistent with the American values and principles that provided our standing in the world?

In a crisis, we must not abandon our principles, but embrace them. The American economy has not flourished over two centuries because of our government but because of our people. Entrepreneurial and risk-taking Americans have labored with sweat upon their brows to ensure every generation of Americans is better than the one before. This American vision should dictate that our solution must empower our people and get Washington out of the way.

Fortunately, there are answers based on principle and real economics that can lift us up in the short term and over the long haul. The Republican Study Committee, led by Reps. Scott Garrett (N.J.) and Jim Jordan (Ohio), has introduced H.R. 470, the Economic Recovery Act.

Our comprehensive solution is based upon three imperatives for growth: providing tax relief for American families, reducing economic burdens on American businesses, and relieving future generations of a crushing debt burden.

This sensible, practical solution will immediately give American taxpayers greater freedom to save and spend by providing a 5 percent across-the-board income tax cut. The Economic Recovery Act increases the child tax credit and removes the penalties for withdrawing from 401(k) and IRA funds. These measures, among others, provide relief to those who are struggling while also providing incentives to invest for the future.

As the American people understand, business, not government, is where jobs are created, and our proposal unleashes the power of American enterprise to grow and invest in American workers. Cutting the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent, the Economic Recovery Act puts us on par with the European Union, making investment in American business attractive once more. The proposal also encourages growth by allowing businesses to immediately deduct the costs of all assets and making the capital gains tax structure more investment-friendly.

And the legislation would not be complete without a down payment on reducing government spending. The bill includes a 1 percent across-the-board spending cut on all non-defense discretionary spending.

We stand at a crossroads, not just for our economy, but for the type of nation we want to be. A political economy may be attractive to Democrats in Congress, but the American people still value a system that rewards hard work and offers every American the opportunity for prosperity. We have put our proposal on the table, and Americans must know, there exist real solutions of which they can be proud.

U.S. Banks are NOT Too Large to FAIL... U.S. Banks Are Being Protected to Save Our Arab Investors ASSets! At the U.S. Taxpayers EXPENSE!

Reuters News
Saudi's Kingdom Holding posts $8.3 bln Q4 loss
By Souhail Karam
Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:14pm EST

• Assets down 44.4 pct to $13.3 bln
• Most losses realised on shares sold in 2008
• Declines to say if Citigroup stake sold

RIYADH, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Kingdom Holding Co, owned by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, posted a $8.26 billion net loss in the fourth quarter after a dive in the value of its assets, which include a substantial stake in Citigroup.

"The loss is shocking. We are talking about 50 percent of its capital," said Ibrahim al-Alwan, deputy chief executive at KSB Capital Group in Riyadh. Kingdom's paid up capital stands at $16.8 billion.

Prince Alwaleed hosted a news conference at his company's headquarters on Tuesday after the earnings were announced, but only a few representatives of Saudi media were invited.

Board member Halawani told Dubai-based Al Arabiya television that the losses had been made after the company decided last year to sell some of its assets.

He declined to say if the Citigroup (C.N) stake was part of the stakes it had shed, but said Kingdom's assets had fallen 44.4 percent to $13.3 billion.

"I don't want to give more details on where these investments were," he said when asked if Citigroup shares were part of assets sold.

Prince Alwaleed was the world's 19th richest person with a $21 billion fortune according to Forbes' latest survey.

About 90 percent of Alwaleed's holdings in Saudi shares are in Kingdom, in which he owns a 94 percent stake.

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ABC News reported
Should Middle East Funds Own U.S. Banks?
Experts Debate the Pros, Cons of Middle Eastern Investment in U.S. Financial Firms
July 18, 2008

As Citi reported its results, a Saudi prince was likely playing close attention. The nation's biggest banking firm counts as one of its top stakeholders Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.

As of last year, the prince owned more than $3 billion in Citigroup shares through his company, Kingdom Holding Company. In January, he was one of eight investors to buy a total of $12.5 billion in Citigroup securities.

The prince's interest in U.S. bank investments is nothing new — he began investing in Citi in 1991 — but this year, as banks scrambled for capital, several Middle Eastern funds have followed bin Talal's lead with sizeable investments of their own in American financial firms … and that makes some Americans uneasy.

In November, United Arab Emirates' Abu Dhabi Investment Authority invested $7.5 billion in Citigroup.

In January, Kuwait's fund, the Kuwait Investment Authority, and the Singapore Investment Corporation were among the investors in the $12.5 billion Citi deal.

This is Called Adding FUEL to the FIRE!

This is a MUST SEE 3 minute news report regarding President Obama's first air strike that has KILLED 21 civilians!

President Obama, your entire campaign bashed former President Bush for being a WARMONGER and you painted yourself as an olive branch extending peace to the world. Now that you are officially in the White House, it took you less than a week to give orders to BOMB one of our main allies!?!?! Pakistan is now a democratic SOVEREIGN NATION! What happened to diplomatic talks and offering Pakistan help first before BOMBING the shit out of them?

If you are so intent on dismantling the radical islamic group Al-Qaida, wouldn't it be wise for you to WANT to work with both the Pakistan and Afghanistan governments FIRST?!

So now let me get this straight you BOMB our ALLY without speaking with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. Yet you choose to break bread with radical Islamic countries who would prefer to see us all DEAD? Oh that's right, you finally proudly announced on Al Arabiya News that you are a Muslim that lived in Indonesia. Click here to read full transcript of the interview with Saudi-owned, Dubai-based Al-Arabiya news channel..

Could this jesture of good-will to an Arab news network in DUBAI have anything to do with Dubai and many of the surrounding Arab nations being HEAVILY INVESTED in the United States financial BANKING industry? They pretty much OWN us! Your actions are unbelievable! Talk about kissing their a$$. Why don't you TELL the American public the TRUTH for a CHANGE! If you really wanted to address the Muslim community then why didn't you choose Al Jazeera News Network. The Muslim nations laugh at you. Enough with the hype! There is nothing genuine about you. People will soon discover, you are nothing more than another TOOL.

Your actions of WAR instead of peace has added fuel to the fire and displayed your ineptitude. You are hurting our allies, NOT helping them. Expect more willing Al-Qaida recruits, more hatred toward America and more attacks! This is inevitable thanks to your thoughtless actions!!! Oh yeah, your the man. Does this make you feel MORE powerful? You are NOTHING more than the same political bullshit Mr. President! No CHANGE here...

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The Guardian UK
President orders air strikes on villages in tribal area
Saturday 24 January 2009

Barack Obama gave the go-ahead for his first military action yesterday, missile strikes against suspected militants in Pakistan which killed at least 18 people.

Four days after assuming the presidency, he was consulted by US commanders before they launched the two attacks. Although Obama has abandoned many of the "war on terror" policies of George Bush while he was president, he is not retreating from the hunt for Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaida leaders.

The US marine corp commander said yesterday that his 22,000 troops should be redeployed from Iraq to Afghanistan. Gen James Conway said "the time is right" to leave Iraq now the war had become largely nation-building rather than the pitched fighting in which the corps excelled; he wanted the marines in Afghanistan, especially in the south where insurgents, and the Taliban and al-Qaida, benefit from both a nearby safe haven in Pakistan and a booming trade in narcotics.

Obama has warned that he is prepared to bomb inside Pakistan if he gets relevant intelligence about the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden. He had also said he would act against militants along the border if the Pakistan government failed to.

The strikes will help Obama portray himself as a leader who, though ready to shift the balance of American power towards diplomacy, is not afraid of military action.

The Pakistan government publicly expressed hope that the arrival of Obama would see a halt to such strikes, which stir up hostility from Pakistanis towards the government; in private, the government may be more relaxed about such attacks.

There is a lot of nervousness in the new administration about the fragility of Pakistan, particularly as it has nuclear weapons, but it also sees Afghanistan and Pakistan as being linked. In the face of a Taliban resurgence, there is despair in Washington over the leadership of the Afghan leader, Hamid Karzai, and there will not be much disappointment if he is replaced in elections later this year.

Get This America! NEW Bank Bailout Could COST Up to $2 TRILLION. This is Separate From the So-Called Stimulus Package and TARP!!!

Reuters
New bank bailout could cost up to $2 trillion: report

Reporting by Ajay Kamalakaran in Bangalore
Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:12am EST

(Reuters) - U.S. government officials seeking to revamp the financial bailout have discussed spending another $1 trillion to $2 trillion to help restore banks to health, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

The paper said the Barack Obama administration could announce its plans within days but has not yet determined the final shape of its new proposal, and the exact details could change.

The administration is also seeking more effective ways to pump money into banks, and is considering buying common shares in the banks, according to the paper.

A Treasury spokeswoman told the paper that "while lots of options are on the table, there are no final decisions" on what she described as a "comprehensive plan."

"The president has made it clear that he'll do whatever it takes to stabilize our financial system so that we can get credit flowing again to families and businesses," she told the paper.

The U.S. Treasury has already disbursed nearly $294 billion from the government $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP to shore up the banking system and faltering U.S. automakers. Billions more have been pledged for particular uses.

A Treasury spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a Reuters email seeking comment that was sent after normal business hours.

The WSJ said another way being considered for the government to inject money into banks is the purchase of convertible bonds, in which the government would be paid interest now but have the option to get common equity later.

Italian paper: Gazans say Hamas Kept Them in Homes Used by Gunmen!

By Haaretz Service
Italian paper: Gazans say Hamas kept them in homes used by gunmen
January 22, 2009

Palestinian civilians have accused Hamas of forcing them to stay in homes from which gunmen shot at Israeli soldiers during the recent hostilities in Gaza, the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported Thursday.

More than 1,250 Palestinians were reportedly killed during Israel's offensive against Hamas in the coastal territory. Israel has been harshly criticized for the large number of civilians among the Palestinian dead, of whom they numbered more than half according Gaza officials.

But the Italian paper also quoted a doctor at Gaza City's Shifa Hospital as disputing the number of Palestinians said to have been killed in the campaign.

"It's possible that the death toll in Gaza was 500 or 600 at the most, mainly youths aged 17 to 23 who were enlisted by Hamas - who sent them to their deaths," he said.

Top IDF officer: Hamas made 'monstrous' use of children during Gaza op.

The IDF Gaza Division Commander on Thursday, meanwhile, branded Hamas' use of women and children during the offensive in Gaza as "monstrous" and "inhumane."

Brig. Gen. Eyal Eisenberg said the civilians were sent by Hamas to transfer weapons to gunmen during the offensive. He also accused the Islamist militant group of booby-trapping many of the civilians' homes.

"Entire families in Gaza lived on top of a barrel of explosives for months without knowing," Eisenberg said.

The officer asserted that despite international calls for investigations into alleged war crimes, the Israel Defense Forces soldiers adhered to moral principles while fighting in Gaza.

Cow Skulls Pile Up As Drought Grips Argentina: Lack of rain turns much of the country's farmland into a dust bowl

CNBC News
Cow skulls pile up as drought grips Argentina
By: The Associated Press
23 Jan 2009 06:02 PM ET

STROEDER, Argentina - Skeletons of livestock are piling up in the scorching sun of the Southern Hemisphere's summer as the worst drought in a generation turns much of Argentina's breadbasket into a dust bowl.

The nation's farm sector stands to lose $5 billion this year alone — a huge blow to the economy of Argentina, a top world exporter of soy, corn, wheat and beef — as well as to the government of President Cristina Fernandez, which faces billions of dollars in debt payments this year.

Wheat fields that once supplied flour for pasta-loving Argentines now resemble deserts, and spiny thistles are all that survive on cattle ranches in southern Buenos Aires province.

Nothing edible grows, said Hilda Schneider, a 65-year-old rancher who has lost nearly 500 cows to starvation.

"With the situation we're in now, without any harvest, there's nothing to do," said Schneider, one of 2,000 residents in Stroeder, a farming village suffering its worst drought since the 1930s. "We try to save the animals, which is the only thing we have left."

National disaster?

Elbio Madarieta's once-fertile 12,000-acre ranch outside Stroeder is now an arid plain, scattered with the remains of the 900 cattle he lost last year — 25 percent of his herd. The wind kicks up of clouds of dust, and not a stalk of wheat can be seen, let alone anything green for grazing.

The 56-year-old farmer and agronomist figures it will take five years after rains return for the soil to recuperate lost moisture and nutrients. Until then, he'll have to sell the cows he's managed to keep alive on costly feed, and restoring the herd won't be easy, since malnourished cows are less likely to reproduce.

Freddie Mac to Seek Billions More From Treasury! WTF? This is WORTHLESS JUNK!

Okay now, how many more BILLIONS is our government going to waste investing in JUNK? Come on now, when is enough enough?!?! Thank you government, regulators, federal reserve, and banksters for opening the door to loose credit ie; no doc, stated stated no down payment, no credit loans!!! This is the ROOT cause of this FIASCO! So far 321 lenders have imploded as a result!

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CNBC News
Freddie Mac to Seek Billions More From Treasury
By: AP 23 Jan 2009 06:25 PM ET

Mortgage finance company Freddie Mac said Friday it will need an additional $30 billion to $35 billion in government aid as it copes with losses on loans the company backed during the U.S. housing bubble.

The company disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing late Friday that it expects its government regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to make the request from the Treasury Department.

It comes on top of the $13.8 billion the company received last year after it was seized by the government. Sibling company Fannie Mae has yet to request any such aid but has warned it may need to do so.

Federal regulators seized control of both companies in September after they faced mounting losses from the housing market's bust. An agreement with the Treasury Department allows the government to invest up to $100 billion in each company.

The actual amount of the request will reflect the amount of losses the company sustained in the fourth quarter, Freddie Mac [NYSE: FRE $0.68] said in the filing.

The request suggests that losses are continuing for Freddie Mac, which posted a loss of $25.3 billion for the third quarter. In that report, Freddie Mac said that rising unemployment rates, tightening credit and deteriorating economic conditions caused the number of delinquent loans to rise, including prime loans made to borrowers with strong credit.

Meanwhile, Freddie Mac also disclosed that it settled a dispute with JP Morgan Chase, hich will now collect payments on mortgages previously handled by failed thrift Washington Mutual. JPMorgan purchased Washington Mutual in late September for $1.9 billion.

The Dalai Lama of Tibet Says Non-violence Can't Tackle Terror - Their Minds Are Closed!

The Dalai Lama speaks great words of wisdom that humanity must heed for all of our sake. The terrorist mindset is a disease that is spreading rapidly. He is absolutely right in stating the only way to tackle this disease is to stop it at the root. Terrorist recruit the poorest of the poor children throughout the world. Most of them have been left parentless because of the terrorist and are forced to embrace the terrorist organizations in exchange for needing to feel that they belong. The terrorists are conniving, cowardly human beings who will stop at nothing to spread their hateful ideology.

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The Times of India
Non-violence can't tackle terror: Dalai Lama
18 Jan 2009, 0451 hrs IST, PTI

NEW DELHI: The Dalai Lama, a lifelong champion of non-violence on Saturday candidly stated that terrorism cannot be tackled by applying the principle of ahimsa because the minds of terrorists are closed.

"It is difficult to deal with terrorism through non-violence," the Tibetan spiritual leader said delivering the Madhavrao Scindia Memorial Lecture here.

He also termed terrorism as the worst kind of violence which is not carried by a few mad people but by those who are very brilliant and educated.

"They (terrorists) are very brilliant and educated...but a strong ill feeling is bred in them. Their minds are closed," the Dalai Lama said.

He said that the only way to tackle terrorism is through prevention. The head of the Tibetan government-in-exile left the audience stunned when he said "I love President George W Bush." He went on to add how he and the US President instantly struck a chord in their first meeting unlike politicians who take a while to develop close ties.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt: First Inaugural Address Delivered 4 March 1933

At least FDR was honest and direct about the situation they faced which pretty much mirrors today. Please read excerpts I've taken from FDRs 1933 inaugural speech. The situation is identical! At least FDR had the courage of a leader to speak the TRUTH about the corruption, greed and fraud unlike BHO who puts the blame and responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the citizenry and NOT the banksters and government (both sides)!

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In such a spirit on my part and on yours we face our common difficulties. They concern, thank God, only material things. Values have shrunk to fantastic levels; taxes have risen; our ability to pay has fallen; government of all kinds is faced by serious curtailment of income; the means of exchange are frozen in the currents of trade; the withered leaves of industrial enterprise lie on every side; farmers find no markets for their produce; and the savings of many years in thousands of families are gone. More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence, and an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.

Primarily, this is because the RULERS of the exchange of mankind's goods have failed, through their own STUBBORNNESS and their own INCOMPETENCE, have admitted their failure, and have abdicated. Practices of the UNSCRUPULOUS money changers stand indicted in the court of public opinion, rejected by the hearts and minds of men.

True, they have tried. But their efforts have been cast in the pattern of an outworn tradition. Faced by failure of credit, they have proposed only the lending of more money. Stripped of the lure of profit by which to induce our people to follow their false leadership, they have resorted to exhortations, pleading tearfully for restored confidence. They only know the rules of a generation of self-seekers. They have no vision, and when there is no vision the people perish.

There must be an end to speculation with other people's money. And there must be provision for an adequate but sound currency.

Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America - Brigitte Gabriel (Author) Speaks at the Heritage Foundation Parts 4, 5, 6 & 7 of 7

These are most definitely MUST SEE videos!!! Brigitte Gabriel gives her testimony, her first hand account of radical islam, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan and Palestinians. Each segment is approximately 10 minutes with part 4 on top and part 7 at the bottom. You can visit her website, American Congress For Truth to get more information. This is the first time I am being introduced to her. Nevertheless, I have an enormous amount of respect for her because she has the courage to expose the truth about this hateful ideology.

If you would like to watch it on your media player in its entirety one full hour, please click the following link:

http://multimedia.heritage.org/content/wm/Lehrman-092706a.wvx

I would like to close with not all muslims are bad. Just like not all christians, catholics or jews are bad. It is the RADICAL EXTREMIST nature of ALL of these religions that perpetuate a personal hateful ideology that only intention is to CONTROL through FEAR!

Everything you are witnessing now is a result of God shining His LIGHT. All of the corruption, greed, fraud, hatred and racism is being EXPOSED like never before! Think about it. The shift has already begun... Darkness cannot exist where there is LIGHT!

I pray for God to continue exposing the darkness and revealing the truth by shining His LIGHT on us here on earth. And for every child of the Most High to let the spirit lead them so they can become instruments of His will and not ours. God is in control.

Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America - Brigitte Gabriel (Author) Speaks at the Heritage Foundation Parts 1, 2, 3 of 7

These are most definitely MUST SEE videos!!! Brigitte Gabriel gives her testimony, her first hand account of radical islam, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan and Palestinians. Each segment is approximately 10 minutes with part 1 on top and part 3 at the bottom. You can visit her website, American Congress For Truth to get more information. This is the first time I am being introduced to her. Nevertheless, I have an enormous amount of respect for her because she has the courage to expose the truth about this hateful ideology.

If you would like to watch it on your media player in its entirety one full hour, please click the following link:

http://multimedia.heritage.org/content/wm/Lehrman-092706a.wvx

I would like to close with not all muslims are bad. Just like not all christians, catholics or jews are bad. It is the RADICAL EXTREMIST nature of ALL of these religions that perpetuate a personal hateful ideology that only intention is to CONTROL through FEAR!

Everything you are witnessing now is a result of God shining His LIGHT. All of the corruption, greed, fraud, hatred and racism is being EXPOSED like never before! Think about it. The shift has already begun... Darkness cannot exist where there is LIGHT!

I pray for God to continue exposing the darkness and revealing the truth by shining His LIGHT on us here on earth. And for every child of the Most High to let the spirit lead them so they can become instruments of His will and not ours. God is in control.

The Bread and Circuses Presidency

Wow! This OpEd packs a punch. Well executed I might add. This person echoes my sentiments precisely. Upon reading, I felt like I sat down and wrote this editorial. Click the link to read the entire article.

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Canadian Free Press
The Bread and Circuses Presidency
By Daniel Greenfield
Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Call it the Bread and Circuses Presidency, or better yet the Bailouts and Reality TV Presidency. Forget expecting results or ethics from the occupant of the White House. Just join an organization or a cause and stick your hand out for your share of of misappropriated taxpayer money, and get ready to vote online for which puppy the Obamas should adopt.

So America continues the transition from a citizenry to a people, that waits for government handouts and the comforts of a monarchy as spectacle, broadcast simultaneously on all channels. While Obama preps a cabinet slate, half of whom belong in jail, the media continues applauding loudly to drown out any criticism. And the public watches with glazed eyes.

The millions who will trudge to watch this “historic” triumph of style over substance, dishonest criminality over ethics, and anti-americanism over American, will get exactly what they expect. A $150,000,000 coronation for the Prince of Chicago, a lavish subversion of American democracy splashed across every television and website.

When Rome moved from Republic to Empire, the corrupt decadent Emperors understood what the mob wanted. As Obama’s backers work to make America a post-Democratic post-Republic ogilarchy, they’re doing it with Bread and Circuses.

The ObamaGirl Revolution (TM) will be brought to you by Pepsi (TM) and Jones Soda (TM). Now stay tuned for a news report on a letter by Obama’s flacks supposedly written to his children, yet broadcast to all of America. Feel free to buy some Frito chips, the official chip of the Obama inauguration. And now breaking news, a special interview with the Obama’s new dog. Switch to another channel to see all the movie stars getting their moment too. Welcome to the Fall of the Republic, brought to you by Pepsi.

After the last month of outreach, there will no doubt be conservatives that will report approvingly on this. Though what exactly they will be conserving besides their own mainstream relevance, New York Times and Washington Post columns is unclear. When the mob gets big enough, many feel compelled to march with the mob. That is their choice and a matter for their own consciences.

There will finally be the Obama Zombies, the grass roots supporters who donated more than they could for Obama, who worked to the bone for him, and now imagine that their sacrifices will have some meaning. Theirs will be the spectacle but nothing else. Some of them are already realizing that they have been used. Others will take a while to realize that the Cult of Personality they have joined has nothing to offer them. But sooner or later, all of them will know the truth, whether they choose to deny it or not.

But what the spectacle in Washington D.C. will truly testify to, is the danger that the American Republic is in, a danger caused by the abandonment of a loyal, responsible and committed citizenry, in favor of a universal mobocracy, cultivated by popular culture, and devoid of actual political knowledge. Subtract all the ballots motivated by ignorance, racism and fraud-- and this election would never have concluded the way it did. And that in truth is what this Inaguration will be a historic triumph for, no matter what the Lapdog Media or any of the Poodle Pundits say.

It will be an Inauguration of Ignorance, a Festival of Fraud and a Reception of Racism. The only history being made here is the Fall of a Republic, into a phony populist monarchy. When the 21st Hijacker in Chief takes his oath of office, America will be facing the greatest challenge to its own survival since the Civil War, a ruthlessly corrupt Bread and Circuses Presidency.

What Recession? The $170 Million Inauguration!

Now that's what I'm talkin about! A jounalist who still has perspective and can still remain objective. This was the point I was trying to make in my last post. A paradigm shift has occurred in the wrong direction, where the masses are dubidably influenced by the media and can no longer think for themselves. We're headed down a slippery slope.

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Center for Responsive Politics

No Logos, but Corporate Representation at Obama's Inauguration

WASHINGTON--There won't be any corporate advertising on the dais, but a number of major corporations and influential industries will be represented at Barack Obama's inauguration by individuals who've contributed as much as $50,000 apiece--and bundled up to $300,000--to underwrite the festivities. According to a new analysis of inaugural donors by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, individuals associated with Microsoft, Google, Citigroup and many more companies are among the upcoming event's biggest contributors.

While Americans are hoping for real change in Washington, many deep-pocketed donors are hoping money still buys them access and influence," said Sheila Krumholz, the Center's executive director. "If history is any guide, these wealthy individuals, as well as the corporations and industries they represent, may more than recoup their investment in Obama through presidential appointments, favorable legislation and government contracts."

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ABC News Business Unit

What Recession? The $170 Million Inauguration

By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ

Jan. 19, 2009

Obama's Inauguration Has Been Financed Partially by Bailed-Out Wall Street Executives

The country is in the middle of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, which isn't stopping rich donors and the government from spending $170 million, or more, on the inauguration of Barack Obama.

The actual swearing-in ceremony will cost $1.24 million, according to Carole Florman, spokeswoman for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

It's the security, parties and countless Porta-a-Potty rentals that really run up the bill.

Among the expenses: a Bruce Springsteen concert, the parade, large-screen TV rentals for all-free viewing on the national Mall, $700,000 to the Smithsonian Institution to stay open and, of course, the balls, including three that are being pitched as free or low cost for the public.

But there are plenty of rich donors willing to pick up the tab.

"They are not the $20 and $50 donors who helped propel Obama through Election Day," said Massie Ritsch, communications director for the Center for Responsive Politics. "These are people giving mostly $50,000 apiece. They tend to be corporate executives, celebrities, the elite of the elite."

Nothing Like Fair and Un-biased Coverage of the News: Inauguration DOUBLE-STANDARD

Now I am neither a Republican nor I am a Democrat. Therefore, I am able to remain objective. I did not vote for Bush. I also did not vote for Obama. Nevertheless, I will STILL hold Obama accountable for every misstep as I did with Bush. I will STILL scrutinize every bill passed into law that burdens the common citizen as I did with Bush. I will STILL hold Obama responsible for every broken promise as I did with Bush. The state of our Union should not be about party right now. It should be about doing the right thing for the American people. For we are on the VERGE of economic collapse. This is a fine example of where our government's priorities lay... This is what they consider leading by example! Duly noted Obama. Duly noted!

The following is compliments of JTGator on SodaHead who reflects the hypocrisy of our media.

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Headlines on this date 4 years ago:

"Republicans spending $42 million on inauguration while troops die in unarmored Humvees"

"Bush extravagance exceeds any reason during tough economic times"

"Fat cats get their $42 million inauguration party, ordinary Americans get the shaft"

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Headlines Today: [Unbelieveable! What the heck are they smoking?]

"Historic Obama inauguration will cost ONLY $120 million"

"Obama spends $120 million on inauguration; America NEEDS A Big Party"

"Everyman Obama shows America HOW to celebrate"

"Citibank executives CONTRIBUTE $8 million to Obama inauguration" [of our TARP $$$]

California: No TAX REFUND For YOU! NEXT....

I would love to take credit for that brilliant caption but I can't. I borrowed it from Calculated Risk: Finance and Economics. I have posted this 3 minute video compilation of Seinfeld's The Soup Nazi best clips for those of you who have never watched Seinfeld. CLASSIC humor! Also, a great analogy to the current state of affairs.

Why is it that the taxpayers must pay the ultimate price for our government's inability to budget? Why are we held responsible for our government's wasteful spending habits that continues to erode the economy? Will the taxpayers be paid back with interest and late penalties included. Isn't this what 'they' would charge us if we couldn't pay them?

President Obama continues to mesmerize the citizens of the United States of America with his glorious speeches that it is going to take the will of the people to get us out of this mess. However, it is the governing body who has a hold of the gun with 'their' hand on the trigger aimed at us. What more can the common citizens do? I mean, the 'people' are the ones working and paying federal income, state income, sales, gas taxes, etc. The common citizens are being taxed up the wazoo! It is the governing body that has the spending POWER of these egregious tax burdens and NOT the people! It is the governing body who has the POWER to pass legislation and NOT the people!

Once all of you wake up from your love hangover, the hard cold REALITY of our economic crisis is going to be a horrible situation to face. The UPPER echelon of society, which includes our government and corporations are getting a FREE RIDE on the backs of the working class! Expect more OBSCENE pork barrel spending at our expense...

And the Economic SAGA Continues!!! California Controller to Suspend Tax Refunds, Welfare Checks, Student grants!

The Los Angeles Times
California controller to suspend tax refunds, welfare checks, student grants
By Evan Halper and Patrick McGreevy
January 17, 2009

John Chiang announces that his office will suspend $3.7 billion in payments owed to Californians starting Feb. 1, because with no budget in place the state lacks sufficient cash to pay its bills.

Reporting from Sacramento -- The state will suspend tax refunds, welfare checks, student grants and other payments owed to Californians starting Feb. 1, Controller John Chiang announced Friday.

Chiang said he had no choice but to stop making some $3.7 billion in payments in the absence of action by the governor and lawmakers to close the state's nearly $42-billion budget deficit. More than half of those payments are tax refunds.

The controller said the suspended payments could be rolled into IOUs if California still lacks sufficient cash to pay its bills come March or April.

"It pains me to pull this trigger," Chiang said at a news conference in his office. "But it is an action that is critically necessary."

The payments to be frozen include nearly $2 billion in tax refunds; $300 million in cash grants for needy families and the elderly, blind and disabled; and $13 million in grants for college students.

Even if a budget agreement is reached by the end of this month, tax refunds and other payments could remain temporarily frozen. Chiang said a budget deal may not generate cash quickly enough to resume them immediately.

Not all payments will stop Feb. 1. Most school and healthcare programs will be paid, as required by state and federal law. The state will continue to pay more than $6.6 billion in such bills.

And Los Angeles County officials said they would cover welfare payments to more than 500,000 local recipients -- for now.

But California is projected to be $346 million short of the funds it needs to pay all its bills in February. By March, the state would be so far in the red that even continuing to suspend payments would not cover the shortfall. California would be insolvent, making the issuance of IOUs likely.

State officials have already designed an IOU template, Chiang said, and have been negotiating with banks over whether taxpayers could cash or deposit them if they are issued. The state could be forced to pay as much as 5% interest on delayed tax refunds if they are not paid by the end of May, Chiang said.

The last time the state issued such IOUs -- the only time since the Great Depression -- was in 1992. Article continued...

A Bill is Introduced To Remove Presidential Term Limits & Abolish 22nd Amendment. NO WAY!

The 2 term limit was set in place for a reason... to protect the citizens of the United States from politicians who would become dictators. Besides, why would any of us want one person to control the White House for more than 8 years anyway? That's way too much control if you ask me!!!

In fact, I actually believe we should pass a bill limiting the terms our representatives can serve. The longer a politician serves, the more ineffective a politician becomes as corruption and greed take root. We've ALL seen this happen first hand. We can't ignore this problem ANYMORE!

If you want to help stop this bill from becoming law, please write your representatives in Washington by clicking here where you will be directed to the Congressional website. Also, you can track the H.J. Res 5: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to REPEAL the twenty-second article of amendment, thereby REMOVING the limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve as President.

The last action on this bill was on Jan 6, 2009 when it was introduced: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. 1 st step. Why now?

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AOL News
A Bill is Introduced To Remove Presidential Term Limits & Abolish 22nd Amendment.
By Mark Impomeni
Jan 14th 2009 10:00PM

Representative Jose Serrano (D) has introduced a bill in the House to abolish the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which limits presidents to two consecutive terms or ten years in office.

Until 1951, there was nothing preventing a president from seeing election for more than two terms. But all presidents prior to Franklin Delano Roosevelt honored a tradition begun by George Washington and served only two consecutive terms. Roosevelt stood for election for an unprecedented third term at the dawn of World War II and was elected to a fourth, only to die in office within months of his inauguration. He is the only American president to serve more than two terms.

The theory behind the 22nd Amendment is that modern day presidents exercise too much power and authority to be allowed access to it for very long. On the other hand, the presidency is the only federal office that is term-limited. The same arguments in favor of limiting presidents' time in office can be applied to Representatives and Senators as well.

I.O.U.S.A.: Byte-Sized - The 30 Minute Version

Everyone, this is a MUST SEE 30 minute video documentary detailing the history of our country's debt crisis! I highly recommend you take the time to educate yourselves so that you can understand the urgency to get real about the outcome of this heaping debt! This affects us ALL. Nobody is immune!

All of this crap is so surreal. The truth about the rampant corruption, greed and fraud has been explicitly revealed with Washington and regulatory agencies doing business as usual. Nobody is doing sh*t.... The people are screaming for heads to roll and the 'powers that be' taunt us, appease us with words and patronize us by doing absolutely NOTHING! What's worse the 'powers that be' are still blatantly perpetuating the same bullsh*t by condoning it.

I have taken the following from IOUSATheMovie YouTube description.

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By now, you may have heard about our acclaimed documentary I.O.U.S.A., a film that boldly examines the rapidly growing national debt and its consequences for the United States and its citizens. The film has been a huge hit, getting rave reviews from Roger Ebert and others.

Now, we proudly release a 30-minute condensed version of I.O.U.S.A. designed specifically for watching and sharing on the web - for free.

So if you haven't had a chance to see the movie yet, watch the condensed I.O.U.S.A. today. If you've already seen it in a theater, check out the abbreviated version for a refresher. Then, tell your friends, your family, your Facebook friends and your Twitter followers about the staggering amount of money - $53 trillion - in financial obligations owed by the federal government to foreign investors and to every single American in the form of pensions, health benefits, Social Security and Medicare.

Then, visit http://www.iousathemovie.com/ and join us in our Fiscal Wake-Up Movement. Together, we can make American fiscal responsibility a reality.

Food For Thought... Subject: Aids and Cancer; Now Please Discuss Among Yourselves

You know I got to thinking after posting my last message about the pseudo-scientist playing with nature by wanting to create a half-man, half-animal embryo. Why isn’t there at least one scientist or doctor who has devoted their life to finding a cure for aids or cancer? Why? I mean out of all of the billions of people on this earth, there has to be a few thousand genius’ right? What a legacy that would be to leave for humanity a gift of life.

Then it donned on me that the pharmaceutical corporations have probably done everything in their power to stop this from happening. Think about it. Who really controls our politician’s purse strings? The corporations ultimately do. The citizens vote the politician’s into office and pay for their base salaries through taxation. However, the real dough and perks are paid by the corporate lobbyist. The politicians don’t work for us. Although, they appease us with words of reassurance that they are working on our behalf, this is short-lived when they join the privileged group. We are supposed to accept their words at face value. Yet, all we can see and hear is more of the same, nothing but empty promises.

The pharmaceutical corporations most likely have made every effort to recruit the genius’ I was referring to earlier. So that would mean they should have a cure but are not letting on to this fact, right? Think about it. The pharmaceutical corporations are profiting enormously by providing the drugs to the infected persons that alleviates their pain and helps to prolong their life. So, consider the millions upon millions of infected people throughout the world needing these drugs on a daily basis. The pharmaceutical corporations are not going to want to give up this cash cow. I mean, it's a constant flow of dependency with no end in sight.

Aside from the politicians being an obstacle to any scientific progress to discovering a cure for aids and cancer on behalf of the pharmaceutical corporations. We have to ask ourselves what is being done with the millions upon millions of dollars that has been donated to find a cure. In 20 years, the sum total has to surpass a billion at least. Where has this money gone? How has it been used?

By no means am I referring to the organizations whose primary purpose is to care for individuals infected with these diseases. They’re doing a great service. I am referring to the organizations fighting for a cure. How are these contributions being spent? And to whom is this money being bestowed? Why don’t we get twelve genius scientists from around the world to work tirelessly to find a cure? Where there only job is to find a cure? Far too many human beings have suffered and died for far too long and the numbers are growing exponentially. No one group or person should have the power of pro-longed death over life at their disposal as those I've name above.

Now to all the young genius’ throughout the world, please make it your life’s purpose to find a cure for aids and cancer. Do not lose your innocent passion to want to preserve life. Do not allow yourselves to be tainted by our corrupt and greedy politicians and corporations. Stay true to your convictions, remain strong and decide once and for all that you will become the person who will take humanity to the next level away from pain and suffering. Decide today that you will make a difference that will impact humanity for generations to come. We must INSIST on miracle cures.

Go Green Expo Arriving at the Los Angeles Convention Center January 23 - 25 Come and Learn How You Can Make a Difference!

Go Green Expo

Come and learn how you can be a part of the Eco-Friendly Revolution!!!

Business-to-Business Expo
Friday, January 23rd • 10am - 5pm

The Los Angeles Convention Center - South Hall J
Saturday, January 24th • 10am - 6pm
Sunday, January 25th • 10am - 5pm

The Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
http://www.lacclink.com/

Bush Designates New Marine Sanctuaries

Wow! This is truly AMAZING news... many ocean conservation activist petitioned President George W. Bush to make this final statement before he left office. He did. Thank you so very much!

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New American
Bush Designates New Marine Sanctuaries
Written by Alex Newman
Monday, 12 January 2009 18:30

With just two weeks left in office, President Bush designated almost 200,000 square miles of the Pacific Ocean as a national monument using powers granted by the Antiquities Act of 1906. The new marine "monument," an area about the size of Spain, is the largest protected area of ocean ever established, breaking a previous record also set by Bush in mid-2006, when he decreed 140,000 square miles in Northwest Hawaii off-limits using the same authority.

Taken together, the new protected areas from American Samoa to the Mariana Islands to the Rose atoll are larger than Texas. The new status of the area means it will be closed to commercial and most recreational fishing, mineral exploration, waste dumping, under-sea mining, oil drilling, and virtually all other uses, though snorkeling and a few other recreational activities may be permitted with a permit from the federal government.

"For sea birds and marine life, they will be sanctuaries to grow and thrive; For scientists, they will be places to expand the frontiers of discovery; and for the American people they will be places that honor our duty to be good stewards of the Almighty's creation," Bush said before noting that the military will help keep a look-out for violators. "The new steps I've announced today are the capstone of an eight-year commitment to strong environmental protection and conservation."

By declaring the area a national monument, he was able to avoid the year-long process normally associated with creating marine sanctuaries, in addition to providing the highest level of regulatory protection possible under the law. Also, it is permanent, unlike marine sanctuary status which comes up for periodic review. All the waters off the Northwest Hawaiian Islands were already a state marine sanctuary. But proponents of national-monument status argue that federal protection will be even better in preserving the areas' wildlife, such as albatrosses, and fish along with certain natural features like an unusual sulfur-pool. Most environmentalists praised the move, though many took the opportunity to condemn Bush for not "doing enough" on issues like "climate change." One magazine called Bush "the Teddy Roosevelt of the oceans."

The designation has had many opponents as well, including government officials from the Mariana Islands, indigenous communities that have fished in the area for generations, and watchdog groups for recreational fishermen. "Without due process or the scientific data to support it, outright bans on recreational fishing in public waters are unacceptable," said Mike Nussman, the CEO of the American Sportfishing Association, which says the move effectively prohibits any recreational fishing within 50 nautical miles of the "monuments."

Nussman continued: "We in the sportfishing community have significant issues with any process where the outcome prohibits people from accessing public resources, particularly when there is no open, transparent process to do so.... There was no proposal or scientific information available for public review and comment."

The president of the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation, Jeff Crane, also criticized the ban, saying: "This presumes that recreational fishing is harmful to these areas when there is no scientific evidence to that affect." He also claims that Bush's executive decree imposing the ban contradicts a previous executive order that was supposed to protect recreational fishing in public areas.

Chris Horton, the director of BASS Conservation, also weighed in, saying: "We're disappointed that the president has effectively put the burden of proving that anglers aren't a problem on the anglers themselves. It's a very slippery slope to manage natural resources on special interest opinions, rather than scientific justification." He is one of many who believe the designation sets a dangerous precedent. "This clearly circumvents the transparent public process which is required for these things to effectively address resource, social and economic concerns," Horton added.

Even some in government were critical of the move. Kitty Simonds, the executive director of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, a federal agency that regulates fishing, wants Congress to amend the Antiquities Act to require congressional approval of proposed monuments. The Antiquities Act states that areas of the monuments are to be confined to the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the objects protected. In this case we're apparently talking about more than 300,000 square miles.

And the ban affects not just fishing but any mineral development or oil drilling that might otherwise take place. [That was the point!]

Change!... Biden Says Obama Will Stick to Bush Iraq Plan

Gateway Pundit wrote: Change... After the months of put downs, fabrications, waffling, misrepresentations of progress, attacks, etc... The far left cut-&-runner has decided to stick with the Bush Iraq Plan after all.It figures.

I research this information and discovered that it is TRUE! Please carefully read the article below. Apparently, it's more of the same. Boy, have all of you Obama supporters been fooled. More lies! Isn't this what you premised your campaign on: opposition to the Iraq war? Apparently, you NOW approve it!!!

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Breitbart.com

Iraq official: Biden affirms 'responsible' pullout

By ROBERT H. REID Associated Press Writer

Jan 13 11:04 AM US/Eastern

BAGHDAD (AP) - Vice President-elect Joe Biden told Iraqi leaders Tuesday that the incoming U.S. administration is committed to a responsible troop withdrawal that does not endanger improvements in security, an Iraqi spokesman said.

Biden delivered the message in talks with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on the second day of his visit to Iraq, government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told The Associated Press.

President-elect Barack Obama PLEDGED during his election campaign to withdraw all American combat troops from Iraq within 16 MONTHS of taking office and shift the focus to Afghanistan to combat a resurgent Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants.

Since the November election, however, the U.S. and Iraq have signed a NEW SECURITY AGREEMENT that provides for all the more than 140,000 U.S. troops to LEAVE by 2012, despite concerns among senior U.S. commanders that Iraqi forces might not be ready by then to ensure stability.

Biden, a Democrat from Delaware who has been a frequent visitor to Iraq as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the agreement sets out a new strategy between Iraq and America, according to al-Dabbagh.

"He said that Obama is committed to withdraw but he wants the withdrawal to be a responsible one. Obama does not want to waste the security gains that have been achieved," al-Dabbagh said.

Biden GAVE assurances that the new administration WILL STICK to the timetable in the AGREEMENT, Al-Dabbagh said.

Since the election, Obama, who is to take office on Jan. 20, has said he is committed to bringing the troops home but has pledged to consult with U.S. commanders, who caution against removing U.S. forces too quickly.

You want change? It starts here!

I was led to this OpEd by one of my SodaHead pals Oingo Boingo. It was written by Charley Reese who has been a journalist for 49 years and served in the military. I believe Charley nailed it. I say BRAVO Charley BRAVO! Now what are "We the People" going to do about it?

OB writes: Every citizen needs to read this and think about what this journalist has scripted in this message. Read it and then really think about our current political debacle.

THE 545 PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE USA'S WOES
BY CHARLEY REESE

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them. Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, we have deficits? Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, we have inflation and high taxes? You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does. You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does. You and I don't write the tax code. Congress does. You and I don't set fiscal policy. Congress does. You and I don't control monetary policy. The Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president and nine Supreme Court justices - 545 human beings out of the 300 million - are directly, legally, morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered but private central bank. I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason, they have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman or a president to do one cotton- picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

A CONFIDENCE CONSPIRACY

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party. What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a SPEAKER, who stood up and criticized G.W. BUSH for creating deficits.

The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow Democrats, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto.

REPLACE THE SCOUNDRELS

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts - of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem, from an unfair tax code to defense overruns, that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist. If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair. If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red. If the Marines are in battle, it's because they want them in battle. There are no insoluble government problems. Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exist disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation" or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible. They, and they alone, have the power. They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses - provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees. We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess.

REALITY CHECK For Everyone! Mortgage Foreclosures UP 81 Percent: RealtyTrac

Numbers don't lie. People do!

Reuters.com

Mortgage foreclosures up 81 percent: RealtyTrac

By Lynn Adler

Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:22am EST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. foreclosure activity jumped 81 percent in 2008, with one in every 54 households getting at least one filing notice, suggesting various state laws and private programs to slow the process have been ineffective, RealtyTrac reported on Thursday.

Nearly 3.2 million foreclosure filings on 2.3 million properties were made last year, the Irvine, California-based research firm said. Filings include notice of default, auction sale or bank repossession.

"Clearly the foreclosure prevention programs implemented to date have not had any real success in slowing down this foreclosure tsunami," James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac, said in the report.

Foreclosure activity did slow in the fourth quarter overall, declining 4 percent from the third quarter, but jumped nearly 40 percent from the fourth quarter of 2007.

And foreclosure activity last year was up 225 percent from 2006, the year home prices began a deep slump that prevented many homeowners from selling or refinancing.

Home prices have plunged more than 20 percent from the summer of 2006, according to Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller measures.

Filings leaped by 17 percent in December from November.

UNBELIEVABLE!!! Bank of America May Receive More Bailout Money!

ENOUGH! What nerve Bank of America has coming back to the government for yet MORE handouts. This is after they have already received $25 MILLION of our taxpayer dollars. I noticed there has NOT been much mention of Bank of America investing most of this money overseas by acquiring more shares/ownership in a commercial Chinese Bank! Yes, instead of using the money BESTOWED unto them by OUR government to stimulate the U.S. economy, BofA strategically CHOSE to stimulate the Chinese economy! Now they are coming back for more. Give me a fricken break! Don't you see, there is no end in sight while our government keeps condoning the same OBSCENE business practices that keep perpetuating the same DISEASE!

Click here to read an article from Forbes.com titled, Bank of America Tightens Embrace of Chinese Lender, dated November 18, 2008.

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The International Herald Tribune
Bank of America may receive more bailout money
By Julie Creswell
Published: January 15, 2009

The U.S. Treasury Department is moving to provide Bank of America billions of dollars in additional aid as the bank struggles with mounting losses at Merrill Lynch, which it recently acquired, a person briefed on the talks said Wednesday.

It would be the second bank after Citigroup to receive an additional lifeline from the government.

U.S. regulators and executives at Bank of America, which has already received $25 billion from the Troubled Asset Relief Program, have grown increasingly concerned at greater-than-expected losses in the fourth quarter at Merrill, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to disclose the information. The move to help shore up Bank of America comes on the heels of greater U.S. government intervention in Citigroup. After pumping more than $45 billion in Treasury money onto its balance sheet, the government has put pressure on the bank to dismantle the troubled empire in an effort to stem losses and curb capital injections.

While Bank of America was viewed not that long ago as a pillar of strength in the banking sector, it has seen its stock plummet as investors worry that it has acquired companies with their own set of financial baggage.

Besides the Merrill acquisition, which closed at the beginning of 2009, Bank of America also acquired troubled mortgage lender Countrywide last year.

Meanwhile, losses are mounting in the bank's huge consumer credit-card and home-equity businesses as the economy continues to sputter leaving some analysts to wonder whether, in order to shore up its balance sheet, the bank would be forced to either try to raise capital, slash its dividend or try to sell assets.

Details of the new government capital infusion are expected to be made known next week when the bank, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, reports fourth-quarter results. In recent weeks, analysts have slashed their earnings forecasts for the bank, expecting various losses, provisions and charges in the quarter to come in anywhere from $3 billion to $6 billion.

A Three-year-old Boy Named Adolf Hitler Has Been Taken Away From His Parents And Removed From The Family's New Jersey Home.

Wow! Why would anybody in their right mind want to name their child after a monster? Why? Look I am all for freedom of choice. I too don't like being told how to live my life. However, for a parent to impose their beliefs onto their child by NAMING them after a man who was responsible for exterminating 6 MILLION human beings because of his hateful ideology is SO BEYOND my understanding. It's like a tatoo for life. That name is on his birth certificate, children will make fun of him, his driver's license will have it. Then what do you think will happen when this poor child grows up and starts applying for a job? This is selfish of both the parents NOT to think of the consequences choosing this name will be for the child. I mean, the parents have the right to praise this insane man and his insane ideology. But why injure the child with this negativity before he even has a chance at life?

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Telegraph UK

Adolf Hitler taken away from parents

January 14, 2009 4:39PM GMT

The boy hit the headlines last month after his parents complained that a supermarket had refused to make a birthday cake for him.

Adolf Hitler Campbell and his sisters, JoyceLynn Arian Nation 1, and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie, 8 months, were taken from the family home, police confirmed.

They said they had they had not received any reports of abuse or negligence, although no reason has yet been given for their removal.

The children's parents, Heath and Deborah, from Hunterdon County, New Jersey, have denied they are racist.

But their home is decorated with swastikas.

Campbell says he chose the names to honour his German ancestry and because they're unique.

Holland Township police Chief David Van Gilson confirmed that the children had been removed from their parents' home. They were taken into care by the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services, he said. Heath, 35, speaking about the cake furore, urged people needed to be more tolerant.

"They're just names, you know," he said.

"Yeah, they (the Nazis) were bad people back then. But my kids are little. They're not going to grow up like that."

Human-Animal Clone Research Halted Amid Funding Drought!! Thank Goodness...

Yes, you read that title correctly! This is truly unbelievable non-sense. What is this world coming to? Everything lately is tipping in the direction of the RIDICULOUS!!! What precisely is there to gain from this type of research? Seriously, how is a half human, half animal abomination going to HELP humanity in ANY way? This is MADNESS SHEER INSANITY if you ask me! This reminds me of Hitler allowing german scientist and corporations to use human beings, namely the jewish people as guinea pigs to promulgate the advancement of science and profit! For whatever reason I am not able to link this post to the article. Nevertheless, if you'd like to learn more, please copy and past the following link: http://www.momentmag.com/Exclusive/2008/2008-11/200811-Hell

I am a great believer in science. However, I do not understand why these scientists don't pour ALL of their energy in trying to find CURES/ANDECDOTES for let's say aids or cancer where people being diagnosed with these HORRIBLE diseases are growing EXPONENTIALLY! Why? The world governments are literally blowing TRILLIONS of dollars by OPENLY supporting corruption, greed and fraud. When this once unthinkable amount of money could be put to better use! But I honestly don't think they give a damn while they continue enjoying their lavish lifestyles without any consideration toward the future of humanity ONLY THEMSELVES!

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The Telegragh UK

Human-animal clone research halted amid funding drought

By Murray Wardrop

January 13, 2009 at 7:57AM GMT

Britain's research into the creation of human-animal clones has ground to a halt due to a lack of funding.

Less than a year after the controversial technique was legalised, funding bodies are refusing to finance the research of hybrid clones.

It is feared that existing projects may end completely within weeks, threatening Britain's leading position in the world in creating stem cells from animal-human embryos.

The practice, which involves fusing human cells with animal eggs, could one day allow experts to create embryonic stem cells from a patient's skin. This would allow scientists to develop individual treatments for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and Parkinson's. [Bullsh*t]

Two out of three licence holders legally permitted to create hybrid embryos – Professor Stephen Minger of King's College London and Lyle Armstrong of Newcastle University's Centre for Life – have been denied research funds, it was disclosed last night.

When the practice was debated in parliament last year, some of Britain's leading scientists and funding bodies warned it would be disastrous if the research was banned.

Those licensed to undertake the research have not been told why their funding has been stopped other than competition from other projects.

Prof Minger said his work has not started a year after his licence was issued by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

He told the Independent: "People reviewing grants may be looking at this from a completely different moral perspective and how much that has influenced people's perception about whether this should be funded, we don't know.

Dr Armstrong has so far created 278 hybrid embryos from human cells and cow eggs but has been denied funding that could help him retrieve embryonic stem cells.

He said: "It seems a lot of effort for nothing. We are investigating other avenues to keep this work going but it is depressing that Britain seems happy to create a nice regulatory environment for this work but then not to provide money for it."

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which allowed the creation of animal-human embryos for stem cell research, was passed in parliament last May and was backed by both Gordon Brown and David Cameron.

We Can Do The Impossible!!! ~ by Leann Rimes

If you need a song to pump you up, and get excited about life well this is it!!! It's sung by Leann Rimes titled, 'We Can' used to score the Legally Blonde 2 movie. It's working for me right now. Why don't you give it a shot... Cheers!

We Can ~ by Leann Rimes

They'll try to stop the DREAM we're dreamin'
But they can't stop us from BELIEVING
They will fill your head with doubt
But that won't stop us now
So let them say we can't do it
Put up a road block
We'll just RUN right through it.. Cause...

We can, do the IMPOSSIBLE
We have the POWER in our hands
And we won't stop 'cause we've got
To MAKE a DIFFERENCE in this life
With one voice, one heart, two hands, we can

They say the odds are stacked against us
But that can't hold us back,
WE WILL be RELENTLESS,
There's a voice they're gonna hear
A VOICE so LOUD and CLEAR
So let them say we can't do it,
Give us a MOUNTAIN,
And we're gonna MOVE IT.. cause..

We can, do the IMPOSSIBLE
We have the POWER in our hands,
And we won't stop
Cause we've got to MAKE a DIFFERENCE in this life
With one voice, one heart, two hands, we can

We're gonna make a CHANGE TODAY
Because we've got the FAITH it takes
To WIN this race,
So let them say we can't do it
Put up a road block
And we'll just RUN right THROUGH it!!!

We can, do the IMPOSSIBLE
We have the POWER in our hands and we won't stop
Cause we've got to MAKE a DIFFERENCE in this life
With one voice, one heart two hands, we can

I CAN
Do the IMPOSSIBLE
I have the POWER in my hands,
And I won't stop,
Cause I've got to MAKE a DIFFERENCE in this life
With my ONE voice, ONE heart, TWO hands, we can...