Let's be serious -- who really cares about this photo?

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe accused the Clinton campaign Monday of "shameful offensive fear-mongering" by circulating a photo as an attempted smear.

Plouffe was reacting to a banner headline on the Drudge Report saying that aides to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) had e-mailed a photo calling attention to the African roots of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

"The photo, taken in 2006, shows the Democrat front-runner dressed as a Somali Elder, during his visit to Wajir, a rural area in northeastern Kenya," the Drudge Report said. The photo created huge buzz in political circles and immediately became known as "the 'dressed' photo," reflecting the Drudge terminology.

Plouffe said in a statement: “On the very day that Senator Clinton is giving a speech about restoring respect for America in the world, her campaign has engaged in the most shameful, offensive fear-mongering we’ve seen from either party in this election. This is part of a disturbing pattern that led her county chairs to resign in Iowa, her campaign chairman to resign in New Hampshire, and it’s exactly the kind of divisive politics that turns away Americans of all parties and diminishes respect for America in the world," said Plouffe.

Clearly, the photo does not show that Obama is a Muslim. It falls into a long line of photos of American political figures putting on goofy-looking native gear for a photo-op or as part of some event as a show of respect. That he may look a bit silly is not in and of itself a problem -- at least he isn't riding in a tank like Mike Dukakis or wearing the "bunny suit" at NASA like John Kerry.

I guess I really don't see it as proving anything.

But unlike the Clinton spokesperson in the article, i do see a problem with those connected to the campaign circulating the photo. After all, it is an attempt to play into the old false rumor about Obama being a Muslim -- and that is a bigoted attack.

Posted by: Greg at 01:35 AM | Comments (328) | Add Comment
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Once again, we get more of the "why doesn't Clarence ask questions" stories that pop up a couple of times a year in the media. This one notes it has been about two years sine the last time he asked a question during oral arguments.

Two years and 144 cases have passed since Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas last spoke up at oral arguments. It is a period of unbroken silence that contrasts with the rest of the court's unceasing inquiries.

Hardly a case goes by, including two appeals that were argued Monday, without eight justices peppering lawyers with questions. Oral arguments offer justices the chance to resolve nagging doubts about a case, probe its weaknesses or make a point to their colleagues.

Left, right and center, the justices ask and they ask and they ask. Sometimes they debate each other, leaving the lawyer at the podium helpless to jump in. "I think you're handling these questions very well," Chief Justice John Roberts quipped to a lawyer recently in the midst of one such exchange.

Leaning back in his leather chair, often looking up at the ceiling, Thomas takes it all in, but he never joins in.

Monday was no different. Thomas said nothing.

Of course, Thomas is in great company with his style. For most of the Court's history, oral arguments did not involve questioning the advocates during oral arguments. John Marshall, generally considered to be the greatest member of the US Supreme Court, generally didn't ask questions from the bench, nor did Joseph Story and the other giants of the nineteenth and early twentieth century. That changed with the coming of the Roosevelt justices in the 1930s, as FDR made a practice of picking law professors who took their classroom methodology into the courtroom.

Is there anything wrong with asking no questions during oral arguments? Certainly not -- indeed, I'd argue that there is something better about trying to give the lawyers for the parties a respectful hearing. We might be better served by having more of the members of the High Court follow his example

Posted by: Greg at 01:12 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Now as I've said in the past, I have very little use for most of the high profile televangelists. I disagree with the theology put forth by most of them, which I believe borders on heretical. And yet I'm even more opposed by this effort by Senator Charles Grassley to dig around into the budgetary practices of their "ministries" in a public fashion -- and even more so by the threat to jail them if they do not cooperate with his kangaroo court.

"I've sent them some letters because I want some information. If they want to cooperate that's good, I expect they will. If they don't, they'll be the first people since a fellow named Abramoff, and he's in a jail cell."

So let's make this really clear -- Grassley is explicitly threatening to see ministers jailed for refusing to share the inner workings of their ministries with the US government. What's more, he is planning on holding hearings on their budgetary priorities, placing a US Senate committee in the position of passing judgment over whether or not their spending is in keeping with the beliefs and purposes of the ministry. That sounds pretty invasive of an area that is covered by the First Amendment to me.

Funny, isn't it, that the Left isn't at all interested in invoking the doctrine of the separation of church and state to condemn this witch hunt? And interesting, isn't it, that this liberal senator is only targeting ministries that are generally seen as conservative theologically and (because of that stance) politically?

I wonder -- when will Senator Grassley conduct the public investigation of the terrorist ties of Islamic non-profits, including mosques that preach extreme theology that is supportive of jihadi terror? Want to bet that the answer is NEVER -- because unlike the Christians he seeks to persecute now, Grassley knows that disgruntled Muslims may attempt to kill him.

This does, however, raise an interesting questions as to the constitutionality of requiring that churches and other religious groups apply to the government for tax-exempt status and the government's role in regulating them. There is a legitimate argument that religious groups, by their nature, should be exempt from taxes under the First Amendment. After all, as stated in the decision of the Supreme Court in McCulloch v. Maryland, "the power to tax is the power to destroy." It is undeniable that the First Amendment implicitly denies the government the power to destroy a religious organization, just as it explicitly denies the government the power to establish one. Senator Grassley's statement serves as a pointed reminder of why the free exercise and establishment clauses exist.

Posted by: Greg at 12:26 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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Turning 45 is traumatic.

Turning 45 while visiting a seriously ill family member is even more traumatic.

Traveling home by plane under such circumstances with a muscle spasm that won't quit in your lower back is even worse.

But the worst thing about the day was discovering that my favorite blog read of the day, Captain's Quarters, is going into permanent hiatus as Ed Morrissey goes to work for Michelle Malkin at her Hot Air blog.

I'm sure that I'll get plenty of wonderful posts from Ed at the new digs, but I'll miss CQ. Good luck to all involved.

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Fritz's Skate and Surf is a fantastic action sports shop -- you've probably seen it if you have ever been on the Strip when you were in Miami. They appear to have everything you could possibly want in the way of skates and surf gear. Well, they have a website selling their products, including rollerblades (I doubt you can even buy roller skates with keys today – you know the sort of things we used to get when I was a kid) and heelys">heelys for those active folks looking for some skating enjoyment. Check out their complete line of active sports gear at their website -- 123Skate.com.

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A family issue has taken me out of town for a few days. That has been the reason for the limited blogging. We are back, the situation is under control and in God's hands. Normal blogging will resume in the next day or two -- and will include at least one post about our dealings with TSA screeners in a major metropolitan airport.

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Rate Genius offers assistance with a sort of loan I had never considered – refinancing your car. You can lower your interest rate and save money that way – plus balance your expenses by getting up to 60 days without a payment on your vehicle. Their Car Refinance process is quite easy -- apply online and track your loan status. You can also contact them through the toll free number on their site.

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The winning entries in the Watcher's Council vote for this week are Make Washington's Birthday a National Holiday Again by Right Wing Nut House, and The Dungeon of Fallujah by Michael J. Totten.  Here are the full results of the vote:

Congratulations to all whose posts were considered, and to the winners this week. Keep up the great work!

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Sometimes you just need a specialist to get a job done. And in the field of law, that is often true. In Nebraska, one of the experts you will find to take on personal injury lawsuits is Larry R. Demerath, who is noted by clients for his quick action and personal attention in helping them receive compensation in various situations, including truck and automobile accidents. Indeed, Demerath is among the top Nebraska Truck Accident Lawyers, and is often able to negotiate early settlements in such cases. But as you can see from the website, this legal practice does deal with a variety of personal injury areas.

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If a conservative blogger had written something like this, there would be an uproar of cataclysmic proportions among the deranged denizens of the Left-osphere.

Ted Kennedy tells Texans to treat Obama as they did JFK

Utterly stupid, to the point of betraying an appalling lack of historical knowledge, journalistic competence, or both.

Where did this atrocious headline appear? On the Washington, DC bureau blog of the Houston Chronicle!

The headline was changed -- but would that have satisfied the lefties if the blog had belonged to Michelle Malkin, Ed Morrissey, or even me?

H/T Kevin Whited, Lone Star Times

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Few and far between are the people on this planet who really want to become old. Face it – in most societies youth is the focus today, and age is looked down upon rather than given the respect that properly belongs to our elders. But even if we have to age, we do want to age gracefully. But what is the solution to the problem of aging without looking old? That is one of the questions that has long been asked by those who are concerned with youth and beauty. And which has been answered with various concoctions of herbs, minerals, and animal products to create remedies for aging. Just walk through any drug store or cosmetics section of a department store and look at the number of products that claim to stop – or reverse – the effects of aging. But is there actually an anti aging cream on the market that really does work?

Well, there is a good product out there. Dremu.com was recently in the news for selling emu oil and oil based cream that some experts believe is more effective than anything currently on the market, including solutions to aging like botox. The folks from Dremu.com offer a variety of skin care and anti aging products which are available through their website They also offer 100% money back guarantee on all orders. Emu oil has shown results in eliminating wrinkles, age spots, keloids, dry skins and number of other skin conditions related to aging and other issues. Best of all, the products are made of natural ingredients and free of any petroleum products.

Posted by: Greg at 07:17 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Posted by: dssweow at Wed Feb 11 12:55:15 2009 (1VDKa)

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Many of my fellow Republicans have received this letter or will be receiving it in the days to come. I thought I would share it with you.

Dear Fellow Republican:



It is never an easy decision to reject an incumbent and support a challenger in the primary. There are loyalties and friendships that develop over the course of years, and the benefits to the district that come from seniority. And yet in this particular race, we have reached the conclusion that the people of District 129 would be better served if the Republican nominee were the challenger, Jon Keeney, rather than the incumbent.

HereÂ’s why we have reached this conclusion.

1. Jon Keeney has a clear vision for District 129 and the state of Texas. In the last sessions of the legislature, the incumbent has fallen short in meeting basic Republican principles like controlling public spending, cutting taxes, and promoting economic development in the district and the state as a whole. Jon Keeney recognizes the necessity of controlling property taxes so that Texans can afford to keep their homes and of encouraging business growth.

2. Jon Keeney recognizes the need for leaders to have high ethical standards. The incumbent has shamed District 129 with his unethical use of campaign funds. He has been fined for failing to fully disclose these expenditures as required by law and for using those funds for personal purposes. Rick Casey of the Houston Chronicle (March 1, 2007) noted that the incumbent has sought reimbursement from both his campaign and the state for gas mileage expenses. This raises serious questions about double dipping, which would be a crime under state law--questions to which John Davis has not provided an adequate answer. Honesty and integrity are values that Jon Keeney will uphold as our state representative, as he seeks to restore trust in government leaders.

3. Jon Keeney supports American security and sovereignty. When there were opportunities to gain more control of illegal immigration, the incumbent voted against HB 13 which funded training to properly apprehend illegal immigrants for all local law enforcement agencies. The incumbent has supported the Trans-Texas Corridor, giving control of our stateÂ’s highways to a foreign country for decades come. Jon Keeney believes in secure borders, the enforcement of immigrations laws, and Texans controlling the transportation infrastructure of Texas.

4. Jon Keeney will be a citizen representative, not a career politician. Jon Keeney is seeking to serve the people of District 129, not his own personal interests.

The incumbent has not been an effective representative in Austin, and has not adhered to Republican principles. Jon Keeney will change that, so that the people of District 129 can be proud of our representative in Austin. That is why I urge you to join me in supporting Jon Keeney for State Representative, to guarantee that we see conservative change in the legislature.

Greg Aydt, Precinct 333 Chair

Laurence W. Tobin, Precinct 90 Chair

Joseph Spence, Precinct 732 Chair

Pat Monks, Precinct 718 Chair

Dennis Hayes, Precinct 378 Chair

Barbara Brehmer, Precinct 782 Chair

There is a problem in District 129. That problem is John Davis. We can solve that problem by making Jon Keeney the GOP nominee for State Representative in District 129. Early voting is underway, and the primary is in 10 days. Get out and vote for Jon Keeney.

Posted by: Greg at 08:01 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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This looks bad on its face -- but isn't upon closer examination.

Charles Bacarisse, a candidate for the top Harris County government job, offered to use his contacts as district clerk to promote a process-serving company in return for a private consulting fee, according to the company's owner.

Bacarisse would not comment about the allegation Friday, but a spokesman denied any wrongdoing saying the company owner has misinterpreted the meeting she had with Bacarisse on Nov. 30, 2006, at a Starbucks.

The Chronicle reported this month that while serving as the elected district clerk, a job that pays $135,000 a year plus a car allowance, Republican Bacarisse ran a private consulting business that netted him $78,000 a year. Bacarisse said his private clients, a building management company and a process-serving and courier company, had no direct dealings with the county and hired him as a business strategist.

But Angela Clark of Houston, owner of Court Record Research Inc. and a former fundraiser for Bacarisse's district clerk campaigns, said Bacarisse offered in 2006 to use his government connections to help her process-serving operation — the type of private/public arrangement that Bacarisse has said he has never offered.

Could be ugly for a candidate (who I've endorsed) running on a platform of ethics reform.

Except that it appears to be missing any evidence of a quid pro quo that would make this a problem.

Clark said she was afraid to reject Bacarisse's consulting offer because that might lead to the loss of her free work space and afraid to accept because she viewed such an arrangement as a conflict of interest.

So she did nothing -- and neither lost her free work space nor clients.

Makes it seem much more likely that Bacarisse is correct -- Clark misunderstood the conversation and what he was suggesting.

I wonder if the reason for this story is that Ed Emmett is behind in the polls, and the Chronicle would much rather see "good ol' boy politics-as-usual" prevail over the grassroots movement within the GOP to clean up Harris County government that is backing Charles Bacarisse.

Posted by: Greg at 11:59 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Well, the Houston Chronicle's Rick Casey just surrendered part of his reputation as a crusader against public corruption.

There's something to be said for an investigation. Rosenthal was, after all, the man who was in charge of prosecuting crime in Harris County. It would be unseemly for strong evidence that he committed a crime — even a misdemeanor — to go unpursued.

It would also be unseemly to seek much punishment beyond what he has already suffered, the loss of his prestigious position and the public humiliation he has suffered.

Rosenthal would hardly be the first elected official to receive a deal that amounted to resignation and, sometimes, a modest fine.

Yes, Casey backs this position up with examples -- examples that only prove how wrong he is.

These plea deals didn't do a damn thing to stem public corruption. If anything, they make it easier for public officials to break the law. After all, there appears to be no penalty for criminal activity when what you get is a plea deal in public corruption cases. If anything, the policy needs to be NO PLEA DEALS FOR CORRUPT POLS.

If illegal activity by public officials is to be discouraged, then it must be fully prosecuted and punished. And I take this stand in the case of a member of my own party to make it clear that my calls for clean government are based upon principle, not politics.

Chuck Rosenthal needs to go to jail, go directly jail, not passing "GO" and not collecting his government pension.

After all, if three hots and a cot were appropriate for the criminals he spent years prosecuting, it is good enough for our corrupt former DA.

Posted by: Greg at 11:40 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Are you looking for some sort of educational program that teaches you how to CREATE WEALTH? If so, you might find yourself interested in the distance learning program of Nouveau Riche University. This program was recently featured in the January 2008 Issue of Your Business at Home Magazine.

According to the folks at Nouveau Riche University, the education you receive through their program will be affordable and designed to teach adults the path to financial success. That is true whether you are an experienced investor or a novice in the field of personal finance and investing, because they teach you the strategies of investing in assets and equity – hopefully making you America’s next millionaire.

However, as people strive after the American Dream in the 21st century, there those who seek to take advantage of those seeking to prosper, So what about the program offered by Nouveau Riche University? Is it really the sort of innovative educational program they claim or just a rip-off? Well, there is a blog that does nothing but collect and share the Nouveau Riche University experience from the viewpoint of the students. Nouveaurized.com is a one-stop site that gives you the inside view of Nouveau Riche University. So if you are interested in Nouveau Riche University, make sure you stop by and hear about the program from those who have experienced it for themselves.

Posted by: Greg at 06:47 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I think we are seeing the redefinition of diversity here.

Although Chuck Rosenthal is gone, allegations of racism in the Harris County District Attorney's Office on his watch have those in charge of hiring about 50 new prosecutors in the next two years paying closer attention to diversity.

"I think we're below where I would like to see us as far as African-Americans and Hispanics — I would like to see more," said Marie Munier, a 29-year veteran of the DA's office who has headed up recruiting for the past two years. "With all the stuff in the media lately, it's been like someone dumped a bucket of cold water on my head and made me say, 'We do need to look at this.' "

Rosenthal was attacked after office e-mails were made public that contained racist jokes and images, along with sexually explicit images.

Several groups, including county Republican Party officials and black community groups, called for Rosenthal's resignation. He stepped down Friday, saying his judgment had been clouded by prescription drugs. Rosenthal's departure won't slow hiring, Munier said.

Munier, who is white, said she is working more with the three black attorneys on the 12-person hiring committee to address problems she had not considered.

"They pointed out some things that I hadn't thought about before, on how we're interviewing and about what strikes us as a good candidate," she said.

Munier also is adding three new seats on the committee, to include more diversity and youth. Munier said the committee will see several black and Hispanic candidates out of the 15 people they plan to interview this week. She also is focusing more closely on retaining black prosecutors, who account for 15 of the 262 positions — or about

5 percent of the staff. Eighteen prosecutors are Hispanic.

Now that is all well and good, and I certainly have no objection to hiring the best prosecutors out there, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other irrelevant criteria. But what I want is the best.

Still, I wonder if discrimination has really been a problem. Look at the Chronicle's own numbers -- a graphic available on the website, but lacking in the newspaper.

See, the number of minority attorneys in the Harris County DA's office is roughly equal to the percentages of minority lawyers in Texas. Now I've not been able to track down the figures for Houston, but since recruitment covers a wider area than just Harris County, the Texas numbers are a good measure to use for the pool of available lawyers.

Now that leads me to ask a question. Does this emphasis on increasing diversity in the office mean that we are not interested not in proportional representation of minorities, but in SUPER-proportional representation of those minorities? Will the policy of the office be to pass over well-qualified white lawyers in the interest of achieving this super-diversity? And how does this fit with civil rights law?

Posted by: Greg at 07:01 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Go Navy!

A missile interceptor launched from a Navy warship has struck a dying American spy satellite orbiting 130 miles over the Pacific Ocean, the Pentagon announced late Wednesday.

Officials cautioned that while early information indicated that the interceptor’s “kill vehicle” had hit the satellite, it would be 24 hours before it could be determined whether the fuel tank with 1,000 pounds of toxic hydrazine had been destroyed as planned.

Even so, one official who received a late-night briefing on the mission expressed confidence that the impact had been so powerful that the fuel tank probably had been ruptured.

Completing a mission in which an interceptor designed for missile defense was used for the first time to attack a satellite, the Lake Erie, an Aegis-class cruiser, fired a single missile just before 10:30 p.m. Eastern time, and the missile hit the satellite as it traveled at more than 17,000 miles per hour, the Pentagon said in its official announcement.

“A network of land-, air-, sea- and spaced-based sensors confirms that the U.S. military intercepted a nonfunctioning National Reconnaissance Office satellite which was in its final orbits before entering the Earth’s atmosphere,” the statement said.

Hitting that target was a significant accomplishment, and it is highly likely that they hit the fuel tank on the first try. If not, there are additional opportunities to take an additional shot at the satellite before it reenters the atmosphere. And while the odds of the craft striking a person were always quite small, the elimination of the hydrazine has been the major issue.

Oh, and for those who wondered why the Navy was concerned about undertaking the mission under less than perfect conditions, let me offer you the best non-conspiratorial answer -- when you have several days to complete a mission, multiple windows for doing so, and the option of waiting until the most favorable conditions prevail, you take that option. It isn't like there was only one chance to hit that satellite. So don't go arguing, as I've seen a number of liberals do, that concerns about the weather means that the Aegis system is unreliable. Rather, it is a sign of prudent judgment in a situation where timing was critical but time was not.

Posted by: Greg at 11:44 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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And given the lack of any information about what actually happened in that celebrated case, I can't help but wonder if these two incidents are related.

A Columbia University professor who was the apparent target of a hate crime last October, when a noose was left on her office door, has been sanctioned for plagiarism, university officials confirmed today. The plagiarism investigation of the professor, Madonna G. Constantine of Teachers College, was reported today by The Columbia Spectator. This afternoon, she called the investigation “biased and flawed” and accused the university of a “witch hunt.”

The university would not specify how Professor Constantine, a psychologist, is being punished.

So she is clearly dishonest here -- and her statement plays upon the noose incident to cast herself as a victim.

In a statement sent by email this afternoon to Teachers College students and faculty members, Dr. Constantine called the investigation “biased and flawed,” saying that it, coupled with “other incidents that have happened to me at Teachers College in recent months, point to a conspiracy and witch-hunt by certain current and former members of the Teachers College
community.”

“I am left to wonder whether a white faculty member would have been treated in such a publicly disrespectful and disparaging manner,” she wrote. “As one of only two tenured Black women full professors at Teachers College, it pains me to conclude that I have been specifically and systematically targeted.”

Interesting, isn't it, that she became the target of such a convenient incident right in the middle of an investigation that was going bad for her? Interesting, isn't it, that it allows her to turn a simple investigation of academic dishonesty into a racial cause celebre? It is enough to make me ask if she hung the noose herself -- after all, there have been a number of high profile noose incidents where the "victim" is the perp trying to distract from something else.

H/T Malkin

Posted by: Greg at 11:31 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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I know my father has always loved me, but I think there is one place I really disappointed him when I was a kid. Though he bled Cardinal red, I always sported Cub blue. I really think it was almost too much for his heart to take at times.

Well, even three decades later I remain loyal to the Cubs (though I wonÂ’t deny sneaking in a cheer for the local club, the Astros). ThatÂ’s why I love the site at CubWorld.com! Launched at Wrigley Field itself on Opening Day (the most sacred day of the year at the most sacred site in the world) back in 2000, they have everything I could possibly want in the way of Cubs gear. And best of all, everything is official, from the hat to the jerseys to the official Cubs St. PatrickÂ’s Day thong! What more could any cubs fan ask for?

Posted by: Greg at 11:29 PM | Comments (20) | Add Comment
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I guess that these special groups aren't so bad when they let Lady Macbeth Senator Hillary Clinton get a cash infusion and enable attacks on Obama that her campaign couldn't make.

Looking to boost Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's sagging fortunes, a group of Democratic political strategists has assembled an organization that will raise money from wealthy donors and run ads promoting her views in Texas and Ohio.

Called the American Leadership Project, the organization has been formed as a so-called 527 committee, which can raise unlimited amounts of money from some of Clinton's most deep-pocketed benefactors.

The group is targeting Texas and Ohio, the battleground states that hold primaries on March 4 and are considered Clinton's last best chance to keep her campaign alive against a surging Barack Obama. By law, the group cannot coordinate its activities with Clinton.

"We want to shine a light on issues that matter most to the nation's middle class — health care, freezing foreclosures, those sorts of things," Roger Salazar, the president of the new group, said in an interview. "Obviously Senator Clinton is a recognized champion on these issues."

Expect the high tech of Barack Obama to begin at the hands of these Clinton surrogates from California. Expect Hillary to say not a word against those who are running these ads. After all, bad things just coincidentally happen to those who get in the way of the Clintons -- but it isn't their fault.

Posted by: Greg at 11:23 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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You know, sales is hard work. Oh, I know that it doesnÂ’t seem that way, but it really is. You need to put yourself out there on the line, trying to sell your product and prepared to make the best case you know how as to why what you have to sell is what they need to buy. Of course, the best way to sell your product is to sell yourself. You can have the best product in the world, but if you have a lousy salesperson nobody will buy it. On the other hand, you can be selling the worst product the world has ever seen, but if you give a great pitch it is possible to make a million bucks. After all, think of all the scam companies out there. When you get right down to it, the ability to sell a product usually comes down to Sales Training. If you can sell yourself to the people who you want to buy your product, odds are that they will buy your product as well. In the end you need to have confidence in yourself and confidence in your product to become successful at sales.

If you want to learn the secret of sales, and are in the UK, drop by and visit the folks at AS-SA.co.uk to find out how you can become successful at sales, like so many of their graduates have.

Posted by: Greg at 11:00 PM | Comments (21) | Add Comment
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To borrow from the Bard -- much ado about nothing.

Early in Senator John McCainÂ’s first run for the White House eight years ago, waves of anxiety swept through his small circle of advisers.

A female lobbyist had been turning up with him at fund-raisers, visiting his offices and accompanying him on a client’s corporate jet. Convinced the relationship had become romantic, some of his top advisers intervened to protect the candidate from himself — instructing staff members to block the woman’s access, privately warning her away and repeatedly confronting him, several people involved in the campaign said on the condition of anonymity.

When news organizations reported that Mr. McCain had written letters to government regulators on behalf of the lobbyistÂ’s client, the former campaign associates said, some aides feared for a time that attention would fall on her involvement.

Mr. McCain, 71, and the lobbyist, Vicki Iseman, 40, both say they never had a romantic relationship. But to his advisers, even the appearance of a close bond with a lobbyist whose clients often had business before the Senate committee Mr. McCain led threatened the story of redemption and rectitude that defined his political identity.

Interestingly enough, the story goes on like this for a couple of pages, but every single anecdote lacks one thing -- an actual act of wrong-doing on John McCain's part. The biggest question that arises anywhere in the article relates to one plane trip, and a dispute between different lawyers over whether and hoe it should have been reported on ethics forms. Pretty small potatoes, when you consider all the ink spilled on this story.

And there is, of course, the sexist double standard at work in this article, too. If the lobbyist friend had been male, would the NY Times have felt it necessary to invoke the issue of an extra-marital sexual affair when there was no evidence of one presented anywhere in the article? Doesn't hinting that female lobbyists give sexual favors to advance the interests of their clients while not making the same sort of claims about male lobbyists constitute an egregious attack upon the equality of women?

The biggest bit of evidence that there is nothing substantive to this story was published four weeks ago -- the endorsement of John McCain by the New York Times. This story has clearly been in the works for some time (indeed, dating back to at least December), and if there had been evidence of substantive wrong-doing by the Arizona Senator the endorsement would not have happened.

The Washington Post gives an interesting statistic at the end of its article that would appear damning to anyone who was too lazy to do the math.

Iseman and her firm, which includes high-profile Republicans and Democrats, have also represented a number of other companies that have had issues before McCain and the commerce committee, including Univision, a Spanish-language television network. Iseman clients have given nearly $85,000 to McCain campaigns since 2000, according to records at the Federal Election Commission.

Let's see -- depending upon how you count that, we would be talking about seven or eight calendar years worth of donations. Assuming that this sloppily constructed sentence means that the Post is only counting donations from the years 2001 through 2007 (it is a bit early to know about 2008 donations) we are talking about an average of $12,000 in donations a year from all clients of Vicki Iseman. That is peanuts when one considers her client list, constituting very small donations from the companies she represents. If anything, it would tend to show that everything is on the up and up in terms of the campaign finance end of things, and that John McCain hasn't been bought and paid for by Iseman's clients.

Now some may want to make an issue of the complaints by John McCain to NY Times editor Bill Keller and this statement attacking the paper.

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today issued the following statement by Communications Director Jill Hazelbaker:

"It is a shame that the New York Times has lowered its standards to engage in a hit and run smear campaign. John McCain has a 24-year record of serving our country with honor and integrity. He has never violated the public trust, never done favors for special interests or lobbyists, and he will not allow a smear campaign to distract from the issues at stake in this election.

"Americans are sick and tired of this kind of gutter politics, and there is nothing in this story to suggest that John McCain has ever violated the principles that have guided his career."

However, I ask those who argue (as one local blogger did) that McCain's objections to the story are proof of its truth a simple question -- if defending yourself from an accusation that you believe to be untrue and unfair constitutes proof of guilt, would you really consider silence in the face of such charges to be evidence of innocence? Or do you really care about the accuracy of the charges at all?

More At Captains Quarters, Michelle Malkin, Hot Air, Don Surber

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Today many folks seek financial compensation after even the smallest accidents. I hear my students talking about going after all they can get from insurance after automobile accidents. Now mind you, I’m all for accident compensation in the case of personal injury, even though that won’t heal the health damages caused by the accident – but it does help to make one whole. At times you can receive really big compensation packages from the insurance company. Keypoint Claims has expanded it’s services from Endowment Claims to include Personal Injury and Accident Compensation Claims. So if you are in the UK you can use their services to claim your financial compensation. Their legal team will support you from the start and help you all along the way. So like they say on their website — don’t add insult to injury.

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As early voting soars here in Texas, I figure it is time for me to make public my endorsements on various races in Harris County.

PRESIDENT

Mitt Romney

Yes, I know that I’ve been talking for a while about the importance of supporting John McCain in November – but the primary is in March. Stopping McCain isn’t an option, but expressing a conservative vision is. I’m therefore going to cast my vote for the candidate I supported through this nominating process, as my way of supporting a conservative future for the GOP. I urge my fellow Republicans to do the same.

US SENATE

John Cornyn

John Cornyn is a competent Senator with conservative principles and rising star of the GOP. His opponent is running on a platform of secession and independence for Texas.

CONGRESS – CD22

Shelly Sekula Gibbs

Tom DeLay screwed the voters of CD22 in 2006 when he withdrew from the race for Congress after winning the primary. I quickly got behind Houston City Councilwoman Shelley Sekula Gibbs as she sought DeLayÂ’s spot on the ballot. After a federal court ruled that DeLayÂ’s spot could not be filled under Texas election law, she was the endorsed candidate for both the special election to fill out the remaining weeks of DeLayÂ’s term AND as a write-in candidate for the general election. She won the special election handily, and made a strong showing against a Democrat whose name was actually on the ballot. She spent her short time in Congress highlighting conservative principles and issues in a series of speeches and press releases.

Fast-forward to 2008. Ten candidates seek the Republican nomination to take on Nick Lampson. Four are irrelevant no-names. Two, former Judge Jim Squier and former Pasadena Mayor John Manlove gave up secure posts for longshot congressional bids that have simply not ignited much passion. That leaves four serious candidates, who I will talk about in a moment. Ultimately, there will be a run-off in this race – with 10 candidates in the race it is extremely unlikely that any candidate can break 50%. It is a safe bet that the two candidates in the run-off are on the list below.

1) Pete Olson, a former staffer for Phil Gramm and John Cornyn comes highly recommended by Washington insiders and heavily funded by Washington insiders and lobbyists. While he does have roots in the district, he has been away for many years and did not even have a Texas drivers license a year ago. HeÂ’s conservative, but is he just as much a carpetbagger as Nick Lampson?

2) Robert Talton has a great record in the Texas Legislature, but is often perceived as extreme and volatile in his temperament. He was the favorite of most precinct chairman to take Tom DeLay’s place on the ballot during the 2006 fiasco – but he wouldn’t give up his safe legislative seat to make a write-in run. He wouldn’t put it on the line for us two years ago to help us keep CD22 Republican – why should we support him now?

3) Dean Hrbacek is a former mayor of Sugar Land, and compiled a great record in that position. He was strangely absent from the 2006 scramble for the seat, which is too bad – he would have made a great candidate and drawn many votes from the western half of the district. His experience and character would serve him well were he to be elected – but I think he missed his best chance in 2006.

4) Shelley Sekula Gibbs, as recounted above, hit the ground running in 2006 and hasnÂ’t stopped running since. After her brief time in Washington was over, she began an immediate effort to take the seat she held for those few weeks after winning the special election. She has clearly and consistently enunciated a conservative platform during that time. She has high name identification and has raised significant funds for the race. I believe her to be the best choice for us in 2008.

I therefore urge my fellow Republicans to once again cast their ballot for Shelley Sekula Gibbs.

HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE

Charles Bacarisse

Ed Emmett became Harris County judge through a corrupt bargain between former County Judge Robert Eckels and the rest of the Commissioners Court. Rather than selecting a replacement who had the faith of the voters, they chose an Eckels crony who had not stood for office in two decades. This did not inspire confidence in the people of Harris County – and Ed Emmett has done nothing to earn that confidence since then. Charles Bacarisse has a solid record of accomplishment in his years as District Clerk, and has put forth solid conservative plans for dealing with ethics in county government and unpaid bills from both legal and illegal aliens treated by the Harris County Hospital District at taxpayer expense. He is not merely the best choice – he is the only choice.

HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Jim Leitner

I wonÂ’t recount the recent scandal that led to Chuck RosenthalÂ’s decision not to seek reelection as DA and his eventual resignation. Suffice it to say that IÂ’m pleased he is gone. Of the four candidates to succeed him in that office, three are clearly qualified and two have experience as prosecutors. In an ordinary year IÂ’d be inclined to support Kelly Siegler, the best prosecutor on a staff of highly regarded prosecutors. However, SieglerÂ’s husband is intimately connected with the scandal that brought down Rosenthal, and so I donÂ’t believe she will be able to escape that shadow. Jim Leitner, on the other hand, is a defense attorney with who was also 1st Assistant DA in the office some years ago. He is highly regarded by the Harris County Bar, and has laid out a plan for restoring public confidence in the DAs office. I believe he is our best choice.

TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 129

Jon Keeney

There is a serious problem in District 129, and it is the incumbent Republican, John Davis. IÂ’ve already made it clear that I believe he needs to be removed from office due to his ineffectiveness, unresponsiveness, and ethical lapses. Fortunately, retired businessman Jon Keeney has stepped forward to offer us a choice in the primary. He is running on a platform that supports high ethical standards and economic development in the region. Keeney is not only the best choice, he is the only choice.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PRECINCT 8, PLACE 1

Holly Williamson

We have the good fortune of having three excellent candidates in this race. Indeed, I struggled with this one before deciding on Holly Williamson. Of the three candidates, Williamson strikes me as the one who is best suited to the position. Long active in the community in the Clear Lake area, Holly is a respected attorney with strong support form the grassroots Republican activists in the area.

OPEN TRACKBACKING AT Outside the Beltway, The Virtuous Republic, A Blog For All, The Random Yak, Right Truth, Adeline and Hazel, Pursuing Holiness, , Diary of the Mad Pigeon, third world county, Blue Star Chronicles, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, , Right Voices, The Yankee Sailor, and CatSynth.com, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

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How does campaign finance law apply here.

The founders of Ben & Jerry's endorsed Barack Obama on Monday, and lent his Vermont campaign two "ObamaMobiles" that will tour the state and give away scoops of "Cherries for Change" ice cream.

I’m curious – does this constitute a personal donation from Ben and Jerry? What is the value of that donation? If they market this “Cherries for Change” Ice cream, will any reference to Obama be counted as a donation? Is Ben & Jerry’s Ice cream a partnership or a corporation – and if so, how do the rules on corporate donations come into play here? All in all, this hearkens back to my earlier post on campaign contributions.

H/T The Campaign Spot.

OPEN TRACKBACKING AT Outside the Beltway, The Virtuous Republic, A Blog For All, The Random Yak, Right Truth, Adeline and Hazel, Pursuing Holiness, , Diary of the Mad Pigeon, third world county, Blue Star Chronicles, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, , Right Voices, The Yankee Sailor, and CatSynth.com, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

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Two wins each, thank you very much. Whither Hillary?

Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) swept to victories in Wisconsin and Hawaii yesterday, bringing to 10 the number of consecutive contests he has won over Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and raising the stakes for crucial votes in Ohio and Texas next month.

On the Republican side, Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) easily beat former governor Mike Huckabee (Ark.) in Wisconsin and the Washington State caucuses, two wins that further cement his status as the race's front-runner.

The big difference is this -- with the nomination more or less secure, John McCain can work on defining himself relative to the two Democrats. On the other hand, the two Democrats, especially Hillary Clinton, will find it necessary to focus on securing the support of their own party base as they attempt to win the nomination. COnventional wisdom says this favors McCain -- but we shall see. After all, a string of victories for Obama (he is now up to 10 straight) could boost Obama's image as a strong candidate even higher.

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If this catches on, the practice of introducing new shows in the fall will go the way of the dodo bird and the passenger pigeon.

NBC Universal took a big step toward undoing one of the television industryÂ’s oldest traditions by announcing Tuesday that it would move to a year-round schedule of staggered program introductions. The move is intended to appeal to advertisers, who crave fresh content to keep viewers tuned in.

And if it succeeds — and leads other broadcast networks to shift from their focus on a mass introduction of new shows — it could alter an American cultural cycle that extends all the way back to the days of radio, when families gathered around the Philco every September, as the school year began, to sample the new entertainment choices.

NBC plans to announce a 52-week schedule in April, a month before ABC and CBS will unveil their fall lineups at splashy presentations known as upfronts. The decision means that NBC will be committing to a new lineup of shows earlier than any of its competitors, while also inviting advertisers to build marketing plans around specific shows and perhaps to integrate brands and products into the plots of the shows themselves.

We've been seeing a move this direction for some time. For example, the show 24 has always debuted in the winter (well, prior to this strike-plagued year). And there have been a number of limited run series that are shown during the summer. But as a rule, the fall has been the time to roll out the new product line, just like the auto industry. But there really isn't any solid business reason for doing so, especially as some shows die an ugly death at mid-season, or even earlier, and need replacements. This will also do away with the rerun desert that is the summer months -- we will always have something new on network TV.

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Another successful mission for NASA.

The Atlantis astronauts on Tuesday prepared to return to Earth ahead of an attempt by the Navy to destroy a falling spy satellite. Forecasters predicted sunny skies over the ship's primary landing site in Florida.

The seven shuttle fliers, who were completing a 13-day mission to the international space station, plan to touch down today at NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 8:07 a.m. CST, with a backup landing opportunity at 9:42 a.m. CST.

Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., where the outlook included a chance for rain and high runway crosswinds, was also prepared for landing opportunities at 11:12 a.m. and 12:47 p.m. CST.

"I'm real optimistic, looking at the weather briefs, that things will play out really well for the Kennedy Space Center — to land there on the first try," flight director Bryan Lunney, who will orchestrate the shuttle's return from Mission Control, said Tuesday.

Congratulations on a job well done -- to both the astronauts and all the NASA employees who have made the mission a success. Most folks don't think about the long shifts and strange hours you have to keep while these birds are flying, but those of us who live around you do.

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Real estate investments remain a quickly growing money making opportunity if you do it right. Indeed, you can make a huge amount of money if you play your cards right and select the correct investments. I mean, there are a bunch of reality shows that focus on investing in real estate. And that doesnÂ’t include all the infomercials offering help to you if you are interested in giving it a try. And letÂ’s be honest here -- it can be hard for a novice to know exactly where to start! Cardea Commercial Real Estate is a great advisory service where you can turn to start learning about buying "institutional grade" properties. They offer advice on the best ways for you to invest, the important laws you need to know about, options like TICs and 1031 Exchanges, just as a few examples. Their site is easy to navigate, simple to understand and quite informative. They have both a Resources and a Frequently Asked Questions section that can really help you out. You can also ask your own questions or make your own comments right from the front page of their site. If you prefer, they also have a toll free number you can call to get more information. So, if real estate investing is an area you would like to learn more about, cardeacommercial.com may be the right resource for you.

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And quit exploiting the real people of America?

After all, she works managing hedge funds -- and those are bad people, according to Hillary Clinton.

ABC News' Jennifer Parker and Eloise Harper Report: Sen. Hillary Clinton took a swipe at her daughter's profession today at an economic roundtable discussion at a restaurant in Parma, Ohio, suggesting wealthy investment bankers and hedge fund managers on Wall Street aren't doing real 'work.'

The former first lady's daughter, Chelsea Clinton, works for New York-based hedge fund Avenue Capital Group. She previously worked in New York for McKinsey & Company, her first job after graduating with her master's degree from Oxford University.

"We also have to reward work more," Clinton told a small group of Ohio residents today. "and by that, I mean, I have people in New York working on Wall Street as investment managers, as hedge fund executives. Under the tax code, they can pay a lower percentage of their income in taxes on $50 million dollars, than a teacher, or a nurse, or a truck driver in Parma pays on $50,000. That's very discouraging to people."

You just feel like, 'wait a minute. I'm working as hard as I can.' All those people you see in your law office. They're working as hard as they can and they feel like they're just getting further and further behind," Clinton said.

It's not the first time Clinton has taken a swipe against her daughter's profession. Campaigning in Wisconsin yesterday, Clinton railed against hedge funds as Chelsea sat off to the side.

"I saw a sign over here - someone has a t-shirt on, tax hedge fund dealers," Clinton said Monday, "well in this economy we are going to have a fair tax system again. A Wall Street investment manager, a hedge fund dealer, should not pay a lower percentage of taxes on his 50 million dollars worth of income.”

Gee -- David Shuster was suspended from MSNBC for criticizing the Clinton campaign's use of Chelsea Clinton as a surrogate. Now that Hillary is attacking her daughter's profession -- and, by implication, her daughter -- will there be some sort of penalty for the attack on Chelsea? Or does the Clinton campaign hold out a double standard on attacks on Chelse?

And by the way -- will Hillary insist that her daughter get a real job?

OPEN TRACKBACKING AT Outside the Beltway, The Virtuous Republic, A Blog For All, The Random Yak, Right Truth, Adeline and Hazel, Pursuing Holiness, , Diary of the Mad Pigeon, third world county, Blue Star Chronicles, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, , Right Voices, The Yankee Sailor, and CatSynth.com, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

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Now I’m something of a contrarian in the field of education today. I firmly believe that we send too many kids on to college, and that we really need to be encouraging some students to consider a trade which suits their aptitude and interests and which will equip them for success in their lives. I’m not talking digging ditches – I mean skilled trades like plumbing, where there is good money to be made.

Well, over the last 3 years, Avand.co.uk has been helping folks find just such vocational training in the field of plumbing with their excellent Plumbing Courses . They act as a clearinghouse for plumbing courses. Now I’ll be really honest with you – I think plumbing is a spectacular field for someone to get into if they are skilled with their hands and technically minded. I think of the last guy I had in here to do plumbing work for me at my home – it was almost like watching a surgeon at work as he swiftly dealt with the technical aspects of the job in a way that I would have never considered. And I know he gets paid well, probably comparable to me if not better. So this is certainly a field that you might want to check into.

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Mike Huckabee says that his reason for not withdrawing from the race for the GOP nomination is passion.

Mike Huckabee said Tuesday passion for his beliefs — not his ego — was the reason he remains in the Republican presidential race despite near-impossible odds.

Rival John McCain collected another primary win in Wisconsin and moved closer to the 1,191 delegates needed to clinch the nomination. Huckabee hasn't won a contest since Feb. 9.

"It's not about ego," Huckabee told reporters at a Little Rock hotel. The former Arkansas governor said he still wanted to deliver his message about issues important to him, such as opposition to abortion and a revised U.S. tax policy.

Sorry, Mike, I disagree. The issue is one of ego -- of the sort of pride that goeth before the fall. You are unable to win, and have never really been a serious candidate. Indeed, then electoral math shows that you cannot win this race. And yet still you run, pretending that you have something of significance to offer the GOP at this moment rather than working towards healing and reconciliation between conservatives and the presumptive nominee, John McCain.

Get out, Mike -- get out now.

Posted by: Greg at 10:44 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Education cannot and should not be to a school, college or university. It should continue throughout your whole life. This includes education related to your including your work life and career. In many cases this ought to include health and safety training. Indeed, many employers provide safety training so that the company’s most valuable assets – the employees -- remain healthy and safe.

But where can you or your employer find a fresh, engaging and interactive learning experience in this area. One possibility is through an online by OSHA 10 hour training online related to health and safety issues. This is a 10-hour training program for both the construction industry and general industry, and is appropriate for both employees and supervisors. It will enhance safety in the workplace and though the training employees will be made aware of the personal responsibility that they need to take to ensure their personal safety and well being, as well as that of their co-workers.

So if you are looking for additional training for yourself or your employees regarding occupational health and safety issues, you really should the website at PureSafety.com for more information about the online courses they have available. The website itself is easy to navigate and enrollment in their courses is easy. So what are you waiting for?

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After half a century, the dictator Fidel Castro will be stepping down from his position as the chief oppressor of the Cuban people.

An ailing Fidel Castro resigned as Cuba's president Tuesday after nearly a half-century in power, saying he will not accept a new term when the new parliament meets Sunday.

"I will not aspire to nor accept _ I repeat, I will not aspire to nor accept _ the post of President of the Council of State and Commander in Chief," read a letter signed by Castro published early Tuesday in the online edition of the Communist Party daily Granma.

The announcement effectively ends the rule of the 81-year-old Castro after almost 50 years, positioning his 76-year-old brother Raul for permanent succession to the presidency. Fidel Castro temporarily ceded his powers to his brother on July 31, 2006, when he announced that he had undergone intestinal surgery.

Since then, the elder Castro has not been seen in public, appearing only sporadically in official photographs and videotapes and publishing dense essays about mostly international themes as his younger brother has consolidated his rule.

Unfortunately, there is nothing in this development that tends towards freedom for the Cuban people. The Communists still control the island, the people are still not free, and it is presumed that Fidel's brother will be his hand-picked successor.

Interestingly enough, there was no public appearance by the ailing dictator. It is sufficient to make one question whether he is being kept on ice somewhere, pending the selection of Raul Castro as the new Cuban leader and his consolidation of power.

But until the people of Cuba are truly free, it really doesn't matter if Fidel Castro has received his infernal reward in the bowels of Hell or not. This does, however, seem to be one step closer to that glorious day of freedom.

More at Malkin, Neocon News, A Newt One, Ed Driscoll, American Mind, Matt Sanchez, TNOYF, Babalu Blog

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Franchise businesses can be among the easiest ways to start up a new business. A franchise business needs some capital to start off and requires the payment of some fees, but you donÂ’t have create an image or spend as much on advertisements because the advertising and promotional costs are largely borne by the parent company.

RedHotFranchise.com has all the information you need to get into a franchise, whether an automotive franchise, food and restaurant franchise, fitness and gym franchise, or some other franchise business. They are involved with many companies seeking for the franchisees.

Do you need further information about business opportunities? Then check them out!

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I'll agree that it is important that anyone publicly endorsed as a saint by the Catholic Church ought to have a true reputation for holiness and that alleged miracles need to be thoroughly investigated -- but I've got concerns about this development.

The Vatican is making it tougher to become a saint.

New procedures were announced Monday calling for more "rigor" and "sobriety" by bishops when deciding to begin the process of beatification and in determining the required miracles.

Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, head of the Vatican's sainthood office, recently suggested that the Vatican was overwhelmed by causes following the pontificate of the late Pope John Paul II, who elevated more people to sainthood than all his predecessors combined.

Saraiva Martins said there are more than 2,200 beatification and sainthood causes pending.

The cardinal, speaking at a news conference Monday, stressed the need for a "true reputation for holiness" among candidates before a process begins.

He said "rigorous historical research is obviously intrinsic" to the investigation.

The troubling aspect of this case is that it almost seems to be a slap at Pope John Paul the Great, the predecessor of the current pontiff. He canonized and beatified more people than any prior pope -- partially out of a philosophy that the Church can and should recognize the sanctity of Christians in all parts of the world and all walks of life. I'm concerned that this change may challenge that view.

And I remain disturbed that the institutionalized process leaves out an older practice of the Church -- canonization via the acclamation of the people. Just as St. Thomas a Becket was recognized as a saint a mere three years after his martyrdom because the faithful of England had nearly universally proclaimed him as such, there needs to be a similar process today. Do the faithful (and the rest of humanity, for that matter) really need the curial bureaucracy to complete the paperwork to tell them what they already know in the cases of John Paul the Great and Mother Teresa?

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If you own a home, Mortgage Refinancing is something youÂ’ll probably need to think about sooner or later. ItÂ’s a simple fact that we there are times we need to work to tighten our budgets and that sometimes we can get a better deal on the loans we currently have. Whether you need to get some extra cash, lower your payments, lower your interest rates or even just refinance to consolidate those high credit card bills, refinancing can be one of the simplest ways for home owners to accomplish their financial goals. Checkout their refinancing options today and see if you can save some money!

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I'm certainly not an Obama supporter -- anyone who has spent any time reading here knows that. But I do have to defend him against the silly plagiarism charge leveled by the Clinton campaign (and some of my fellow conservatives).

Howard Wolfson, the Clinton campaign's communications director, today accused Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) of committing “plagiarism” in a speech in Milwaukee on Saturday night.

Wolfson made the explosive charge in an interview with Politico after suggesting as much in a conference call with reporters.

On the call, Wolfson said: “Sen. Obama is running on the strength of his rhetoric and the strength of his promises and, as we have seen in the last couple of days, he’s breaking his promises and his rhetoric isn’t his own.”

"When an author plagiarizes from another author there is damage done to two different parties. One is to the person he plagiarized from. The other is to the reader," said Wolfson.

Now I'll be honest -- the idea is similar. And both Patrick and Obama admit that they had discussed the idea that underlies their respective statements. But the idea expressed is hardly original with Deval Patrick -- the notion that words are powerful things in and of themselves, and that they have the capacity to move entire societies and change the world.

When did I first encounter that idea? In Mr. O'Keefe's ninth grade English class. I heard it again in any number of classes -- speech, English, history, and political science -- during the rest of my academic career. I've said something similar to my students in my own classes

And let's look at what both men did -- they strung together some of the most electrifying words of American history and noted that they were "just words". It isn't an original idea. And while the phrasing is nearly identical, which initially raised some questions in my mind, there is really nothing distinctive what was said. Heck, it wasn't even a particularly profound idea -- I'd almost call it a platitude.

And one further point -- our politicians today rarely speak an unscripted word. Even the ad libs are planned in advance, as I would suggest this one was. Few and far between are the Daniel Websters and Henry Clays who produce all their own material -- most political speechifying is the result of the work of hired guns and advisers. Barack Obama took an idea proffered by one of them and ran with it. Hardly indicative of a character flaw. How many of her words on the campaign trail actually originated from the pen of Hillary Clinton, and how many came from those of her staff and supporters?

In my opinion Barack Obama is an empty suit -- but this particular issue doesn't prove it.

And it looks like at least one Clintonoid agrees with me.

Posted by: Greg at 10:40 PM | Comments (310) | Add Comment
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The Credit Exchange Corporation is a service for people in need of debt relief assistance. They have researched debt relief service and the companies that offer it to others in order to provide a safe and secure method way of getting out from under that unending mountain of debt. They also offer Debt Counseling, Financial Analysis and Debt Settling.

If you or a loved one is overwhelmed by too much debt and do not know how to deal with the problem or what steps to take first, perhaps contacting the CEC may be the right first step for you. ItÂ’s free of cost and they have a toll-free number if youÂ’d prefer to contact them in that manner. Why not call them today and help yourself some Credit Card Relief?

Posted by: Greg at 06:09 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Nancy Reagan had a bad fall over the weekend, and is hospitalized.

Nancy Reagan was hospitalized on Sunday after falling in her home, a spokeswoman said.

The spokeswoman, Joanne Drake, said Mrs. Reagan, 87, was taken to St. JohnÂ’s Health Center in Santa Monica for examination and would stay in the hospital overnight. Doctors said she did not break a hip as had been initially feared.

Ms. Drake said Mrs. Reagan was staying in the room where former President Ronald Reagan stayed after breaking his hip in their home, in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, in 2001.

It appears that this is just a minor incident, with no long term consequences. Still, I'd like to ask folks to take a moment and offer up a prayer or a positive thought for this dear lady, who spent years devoted to the greatest president of my lifetime.

Posted by: Greg at 11:18 PM | Comments (40) | Add Comment
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Posted by: Titinka at Fri May 22 17:18:31 2009 (6lb3A)

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