Congressman Bob Etheridge (D-SC2) assaults a student journalist on the sidewalk in Washington. Posted on June 14th,2010 after the incident occurred the previous week.
It is no doubt that journalists can be obnoxious and it probably happens to congressmen often. I can understand being annoyed by their questions,but it is no excuse for such conduct. In this case a simple “no comment”would have been appropriate. This is an outrageous abuse of power and authority and should result in criminal charges. This sort of action has no place in a democratic society and especially from someone who is supposed to be one of our representatives.
Etheridge did issue an apology on Monday after the video “went viral”on the internet. However,it is not enough for our representatives to apologize for their mistakes once they realize they have been “caught on camera.”His apology can be found here:http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20007604-503544.html
We should expect and demand better from our representatives. I sincerely doubt that his colleagues will hold him to task for this as they have stacked their ethics panel with people who regularly ignore ethics violations even among their leadership. Since congress likely will do nothing at the very least this guy should be fired by the good people of South Carolina’s 2nd district.
I was in my neighborhood restaurant this morning and was seated behind a group of jubilant individuals celebrating the successful passing of the recent health care bill. I could not finish my breakfast. This is what ensued:
They were a diverse group of several races and both sexes. I heard the young man exclaim,“Isn’t Obama like Jesus Christ? I mean,after all,he is healing the sick.”The young woman enthusiastically proclaimed,“Yeah,and he does it for free. I cannot believe anyone would think that a free market would work for health care. They are all crooks and thieves and don’t deserve all of that money.”Another said,‘The stupid Republicans want us all to starve to death so they can inherit all of the power. Obama should be made a Saint for what he did for those of us less fortunate.”At this,I had had enough.
I arose from my seat,mustering all the restraint I could find,and approached their table. “Please excuse me;may I impose upon you for one moment?”They smiled and welcomed me to the conversation. I stood at the end of their table,smiled as best I could and began an experiment.
“I would like to give one of you my house. It will cost you no money and I will pay all of the expenses and taxes for as long as you live there. Anyone interested?”They looked at each other in astonishment. “Why would you do something like that?”asked a young man,“There isn’t anything for free in this world.”They began to laugh at me,as they did not realize this man had just made my point. “I am serious,I will give you my house for free,no money what so ever. Anyone interested?”In unison,a resounding “Hell Yeah”fills the room.
“Since there are too many of you,I will have to make a choice as to who receives this money free bargain.”I noticed an elderly couple was paying attention to the spectacle unfolding before their eyes,the old man shaking his head in apparent disgust. “I tell you what;I will give it to the one of you most willing to obey my rules.”Again,they looked at one another,an expression of bewilderment on their faces. The perky young woman asked,“What are the rules?”I smiled and said,“I don’t know. I have not yet defined them. However,it is a free home that I offer you.”They giggled amongst themselves,the youngest of which said,“What an old coot. He must be crazy to give away his home. Go take your meds,old man.”I smiled and leaned into the table a bit further. “I am serious,this is a legitimate offer.”They gaped at me for a moment.
“I’ll take it you old fool. Where are the keys?”boasted the youngest among them. “Then I presume you accept ALL of my terms then?”I asked. The elderly couple seemed amused and entertained as they watched from the privacy of their table. “Oh hell yeah! Where do I sign up?”I took a napkin and wrote,“I give this man my home,without the burden of financial obligation,so long as he accepts and abides by the terms that I shall set forth upon consummation of this transaction.”I signed it and handed it to the young man who eagerly scratched out his signature. “Where are the keys to my new house?”he asked in a mocking tone of voice. All eyes were upon us as I stepped back from the table,pulling the keys from pocket and dangling them before the excited new homeowner.
“Now that we have entered into this binding contract,witnessed by all of your friends,I have decided upon the conditions you are obligated to adhere from this point forward. You may only live in the house for one hour a day. You will not use anything inside of the home. You will obey me without question or resistance. I expect complete loyalty and admiration for this gift I bestow upon you. You will accept my commands and wishes with enthusiasm,no matter the nature. Your morals and principles shall be as mine. You will vote as I do,think as I do and do it with blind faith. These are my terms. Here are your keys.”I reached the keys forward and the young man looked at me dumb founded.
“Are you out of your mind? Who would ever agree to those ridiculous terms?”the young man appeared irritated. “You did when you signed this contract before reading it,understanding it and with the full knowledge that I would provide my conditions only after you committed to the agreement.”Was all I said. The elderly man chuckled as his wife tried to restrain him. I was looking at a now silenced and bewildered group of people. “You can shove that stupid deal up you’re a** old man,I want no part of it”exclaimed the now infuriated young man. “You have committed to the contract,as witnessed by all of your friends;you cannot get out of the deal unless I agree to it. I do not intend to let you free now that I have you ensnared. I am the power you agreed to. I am the one you blindly and without thought chose to enslave yourself to. In short,I am your Master.”At this,the table of celebrating individuals became a unified group against the unfairness of the deal.
After a few moments of unrepeatable comments and slurs,I revealed my true intent. “What I did to you is what this administration and congress did to you with the health care legislation. I easily suckered you in and then revealed the real cost of the bargain. Your folly was in the belief that you can have something you did not earn;that you are entitled to that which you did not earn;that you willingly allowed someone else to think for you. Your failure to research,study and inform yourself permitted reason to escape you. You have entered into a trap from which you cannot flee. Your only chance of freedom is if your new Master gives it to you. A freedom that is given can also be taken away;therefore,it is not freedom.”With that,I tore up the napkin and placed it before the astonished young man. “This is the nature of your new health care legislation.”
I turned away to leave these few in thought and contemplation and was surprised by applause. The elderly gentleman,who was clearly entertained,shook my hand enthusiastically and said,“Thank you Sir,these kids don’t understand Liberty these days.”He refused to allow me to pay my bill as he said,“You earned this one,it is an honor to pickup the tab.”I shook his hand in thanks,leaving the restaurant somewhat humbled,and sensing a glimmer of hope for my beloved country.
Arkansas’fourth congressional district has received very little attention by the state’s news media to date. Just before filing time someone actually stepped up to the plate that can credibly challenge Mike Ross (D) for that congressional seat. There are two Republicans who have filed to run and so there will be a Republican primary race for that congressional seat on May 18th.
Glenn Gallas is a local Hot Springs businessman that owns several businesses here. His businesses Mr Plumber,Mr Rooter have all thrived under his direction. He has won numerous awards for excellence in these businesses as a direct result of Glenn’s leadership. He is an ex-army guy who spent 10 years working with special services units and understands the military role. Glenn has also received local recognition for his work cleaning up his neighborhood and turning a run down area into what has become a thriving section of town. The crime rate was cut in half as a result of his organizing the local residents to join together to clean up the area. He is a family man with three children and works with youth in his church.
We in the fourth district of Arkansas for the last eight years have had a congressman that tells us how he is for Arkansas’values then manipulates his votes to support the idiocy of Nancy Pelosi and company. Mike Ross tells his constituents how he voted against Obamacare when the record shows that his vote in committee sent it out to the floor. Without his enabling vote it would have died in committee. His vote for the Slaughter rule two days before the final house vote paved the way for it to pass. He votes over 90% of the time the same way that Pelosi and the ultra left leadership of the house want. Arkansas deserves better than that type of non-representation.
During the past year it has been my pleasure to get to know Glenn personally. He is a man that is true to his word and he is exactly the type of person we need in the US Congress. He has served here in Hot Springs as the chairperson for the Republican Party of Garland County and beginning in April 15th of 2009 became the Chairperson of the Garland County Tea Party as well. Both organizations flourished under his leadership. We need his kind of honest and straight-forward leadership.
Glenn is facing a challenge in the Republican primary on May 18th. If you live in Arkansas’fourth district,please vote in the Republican primary and cast your vote for Glenn. The opposition Glenn faces in the primary is Beth Ann Rankin,Miss Arkansas of 2002 and a music teacher. She is a delightful person,but she stands not a chance against a serious competitor like Mike Ross. Please support Glenn and check his website for when he is speaking in your area. Help us get a congressman in Arkansas’fourth district that we can be proud of! http://gallasforcongress.com/?p=368
Title:Tea Party Rally –Hot Springs,AR Location:Hot Springs Airport Link out:Click here Description:There will be a big tea party rally at the Hot Springs Arkansas Memorial Airport on TAX DAY. Everyone is welcome to come and send a message to our elected officials that we are \”TAXED ENOUGH ALREADY\” It will be a family event with food concessions available. Start Time:17:00 Date:2010-04-15 End Time:19:30
Have you noticed the difference in the technology cost for giving a simple speech between the two political parties. Here is an example of the costs involved in the crib notes help for one of Obama’s speeches compared to the equally effective method used by Sarah Palin:
First,here is the Obama System:
Now,here is the Palin System: No wonder Obama’s new budget is 35% funded by borrowing!
Andrew P. Napolitano is a 59-year-old former New Jersey Superior Court Judge He is a graduate of Princeton University,and Notre Dame Law School. At Princeton he was a founding member of the Concerned Alumni of Princeton along with Justice Samuel Alito. Judge Napolitano is the youngest life-tenured Superior Court judge in the history of the State of New Jersey .
Listen to Judge Napolitano’s important message about the current threat to the liberty of all Americans.
The campaigning is over,the votes are cast,the decision is in. Now the fingers are pointing. “Coakley was a weak candidate.” “She didn’t work hard enough.” “She didn’t have the ‘fire in her belly.’” “She made too many gaffes.”
All these finger pointing exercises are phony. The race for the senate seat formerly held by Ted Kennedy was lost in Washington,not in Massachusetts. A month ago Coakley had a traditional Massachusetts style Democrat lead in the polls. This is expected since Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than three to one there. Obama won this state by over twenty points and Coakley’s lead at that time was similar. After all,this was the most secure senate seat in the nation for the Democrats.
Then some things happened far away in DC. The Democrats in the senate used their super majority to pass “Obamacare” without one single vote from the opposition party. They did it with back room deals closed to the public view where they bought off votes with bribes and blackmail. Such was the massive $300 million dollar Louisiana Purchase wherein Mary Landrieu became the “most expensive prostitute in history”. This was followed by an even more egregious deal with Nebraska in which the other forty nine states would pay Nebraska’s share of the taxes to support Obamacare.
They shut out the opposition party from any participation in the drafting of the bill while it was formatted by lobbyists,unions,and other favored groups behind closed doors and far from the public view. This in spite of their pledge to be the most open and honest administration ever.
After passage of the bill they immediately began the house/senate conference process once again behind closed doors. When specifically questioned as to why they were not letting Cspan cameras into the process as Obama promised at least eight times during the campaign,Pelosi laughed and said,“A lot of things are said on the campaign trail.” Take that America!!
Basically the Democrat leadership thumbed their noses at the American public. They lied about being open,honest,and above board while conducting themselves in a despicable and tyrannical manner. The were acting in a most elitist and undemocratic way while obviously lying about their every action in the assumption that the stupid American public didn’t know the difference.
Then the state of Massachusetts began the process to elect a new senator to fill an open seat vacated by Ted Kennedy’s death. Their state had passed a universal healthcare bill several years ago and now they were being asked to pay more taxes for the rest of the nation to do likewise. Already their state was running into financial trouble trying to pay for their system and they were being tasked to fund Nebraska too? Surely you’ve gotta be kidding!
The result was very predictable to anyone with a half a brain. All Scott Brown had to do was drive around the state in his truck and point out that the Democrats were treating them as a bunch of idiots. He didn’t have to even call on the Republican big hitters to support him. They weren’t needed as long as he could simply point out how Washington was playing Massachusetts and the rest of the nation as a bunch of dummys that weren’t worthy of consideration.
He promised to be the 41st vote to stop Obamacare and he climbed steadily in the polls. He promised to restrain taxes and out of control spending and he climbed higher in the polls. By the time the Democrats figured out this insidious master plan it was too late and the momentum was unstopable. Coakley had already gone on record supporting the entire Obama agenda with its new taxes,higher spending and massive deficits that would just get bigger year by year.
Washington attempted to point the blame at the deficits of the Bush administration but the spin didn’t ring true. After all,Obama’s deficits, by their own calculations,in only the first 20 months will exceed all of Bush’s for the entire eight years of his presidency! Something didn’t compute and it didn’t take much to make the voters understand that!
Now Brown had Obamacare,spending,and government corruption to hammer his opponent with. No wonder he won so handily. The Democrats in Washington had transformed the safest seat in the nation into a totally unwinnable situation.
The only question about this is,will they acknowledge their errors and correct their course to try to regain the trust of the American people as Clinton did after Nov of ‘94? Or will they rely on spin and finger pointing to attempt to assess the blame as has been their habit of late.
My guess is the latter. Obama is not Clinton. Regardless of his promises to govern as a moderate,he is an ideologue with his allegiance placed with a far left agenda. Additionally the left of his party has promised to destroy him if he changes course. He will likely continue on his current path until the inevitable train wreck occurs and that will likely occur somewhere around 9:30 p.m. on November 2nd 2010.
However,other Democrats in the house and senate are likely not to share his view as most of them are facing reelection battles in only a few months. Now that they know the nature of the road they are on I suspect that they will be much less inclined to continue on that Kamikaze path they have followed for the last year.
The most liberal state in the nation has spoken and their message is that they do not want the socialist utopia that Obama,Reid,and Pelosi are serving up. They can figure out that it is a path to ruin even if their leadership can not! If they can figure it out don’t you think the people in the other states might just do likewise?
The message went out to despots everywhere from the heart of DC to the bowels of the Fuhrer’s hideout. Scott Brown took the Massachusetts senate seat and with it the Democrats’ super majority!! It’s a dark day for tyrants everywhere. . . .
A Free Home
I was in my neighborhood restaurant this morning and was seated behind a group of jubilant individuals celebrating the successful passing of the recent health care bill. I could not finish my breakfast. This is what ensued:
They were a diverse group of several races and both sexes. I heard the young man exclaim,“Isn’t Obama like Jesus Christ? I mean,after all,he is healing the sick.”The young woman enthusiastically proclaimed,“Yeah,and he does it for free. I cannot believe anyone would think that a free market would work for health care. They are all crooks and thieves and don’t deserve all of that money.”Another said,‘The stupid Republicans want us all to starve to death so they can inherit all of the power. Obama should be made a Saint for what he did for those of us less fortunate.”At this,I had had enough.
I arose from my seat,mustering all the restraint I could find,and approached their table. “Please excuse me;may I impose upon you for one moment?”They smiled and welcomed me to the conversation. I stood at the end of their table,smiled as best I could and began an experiment.
“I would like to give one of you my house. It will cost you no money and I will pay all of the expenses and taxes for as long as you live there. Anyone interested?”They looked at each other in astonishment. “Why would you do something like that?”asked a young man,“There isn’t anything for free in this world.”They began to laugh at me,as they did not realize this man had just made my point. “I am serious,I will give you my house for free,no money what so ever. Anyone interested?”In unison,a resounding “Hell Yeah”fills the room.
“Since there are too many of you,I will have to make a choice as to who receives this money free bargain.”I noticed an elderly couple was paying attention to the spectacle unfolding before their eyes,the old man shaking his head in apparent disgust. “I tell you what;I will give it to the one of you most willing to obey my rules.”Again,they looked at one another,an expression of bewilderment on their faces. The perky young woman asked,“What are the rules?”I smiled and said,“I don’t know. I have not yet defined them. However,it is a free home that I offer you.”They giggled amongst themselves,the youngest of which said,“What an old coot. He must be crazy to give away his home. Go take your meds,old man.”I smiled and leaned into the table a bit further. “I am serious,this is a legitimate offer.”They gaped at me for a moment.
“I’ll take it you old fool. Where are the keys?”boasted the youngest among them. “Then I presume you accept ALL of my terms then?”I asked. The elderly couple seemed amused and entertained as they watched from the privacy of their table. “Oh hell yeah! Where do I sign up?”I took a napkin and wrote,“I give this man my home,without the burden of financial obligation,so long as he accepts and abides by the terms that I shall set forth upon consummation of this transaction.”I signed it and handed it to the young man who eagerly scratched out his signature. “Where are the keys to my new house?”he asked in a mocking tone of voice. All eyes were upon us as I stepped back from the table,pulling the keys from pocket and dangling them before the excited new homeowner.
“Now that we have entered into this binding contract,witnessed by all of your friends,I have decided upon the conditions you are obligated to adhere from this point forward. You may only live in the house for one hour a day. You will not use anything inside of the home. You will obey me without question or resistance. I expect complete loyalty and admiration for this gift I bestow upon you. You will accept my commands and wishes with enthusiasm,no matter the nature. Your morals and principles shall be as mine. You will vote as I do,think as I do and do it with blind faith. These are my terms. Here are your keys.”I reached the keys forward and the young man looked at me dumb founded.
“Are you out of your mind? Who would ever agree to those ridiculous terms?”the young man appeared irritated. “You did when you signed this contract before reading it,understanding it and with the full knowledge that I would provide my conditions only after you committed to the agreement.”Was all I said. The elderly man chuckled as his wife tried to restrain him. I was looking at a now silenced and bewildered group of people. “You can shove that stupid deal up you’re a** old man,I want no part of it”exclaimed the now infuriated young man. “You have committed to the contract,as witnessed by all of your friends;you cannot get out of the deal unless I agree to it. I do not intend to let you free now that I have you ensnared. I am the power you agreed to. I am the one you blindly and without thought chose to enslave yourself to. In short,I am your Master.”At this,the table of celebrating individuals became a unified group against the unfairness of the deal.
After a few moments of unrepeatable comments and slurs,I revealed my true intent. “What I did to you is what this administration and congress did to you with the health care legislation. I easily suckered you in and then revealed the real cost of the bargain. Your folly was in the belief that you can have something you did not earn;that you are entitled to that which you did not earn;that you willingly allowed someone else to think for you. Your failure to research,study and inform yourself permitted reason to escape you. You have entered into a trap from which you cannot flee. Your only chance of freedom is if your new Master gives it to you. A freedom that is given can also be taken away;therefore,it is not freedom.”With that,I tore up the napkin and placed it before the astonished young man. “This is the nature of your new health care legislation.”
I turned away to leave these few in thought and contemplation and was surprised by applause. The elderly gentleman,who was clearly entertained,shook my hand enthusiastically and said,“Thank you Sir,these kids don’t understand Liberty these days.”He refused to allow me to pay my bill as he said,“You earned this one,it is an honor to pickup the tab.”I shook his hand in thanks,leaving the restaurant somewhat humbled,and sensing a glimmer of hope for my beloved country.
Clifford A Wright
See what Europe thinks of Obama as quoted by The European Times:
America’s Quiet Anger: An article by James Gannon: