Secret Service Refutes Report Claiming Agency Stretched Too Thin

A recipe for disaster. If there is anybody that needs to be heavily protected, it's Barack Obama.

in reference to:

"The U.S. Secret Service pushed back against a report Sunday suggesting the agency may be spread too thin as it faces a
greater range of potential threats against the nation's leaders.A report from the Boston Globe published Sunday questions
the agency's ability to protect political figures and investigate financial crimes -- its two main missions -- as it handles
an unprecedented number of threats against President Obama.The newspaper referenced an internal report issued in August
by the Congressional Research Service that reportedly said, "If there were an evaluation of the service's two missions, it
might be determined that it is ineffective ... to conduct its protection mission and investigate financial crimes."And
budget documents sent to Congress this year claim the agency lacks the necessary technology to handle with a growing number
of threats, the newspaper reported."
- Secret Service Refutes Report Claiming Agency Stretched Too Thin - Political News - FOXNews.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

CBS' 'Face the Nation' Transcript (10-18-09): Rahn Emanuel

Complete transcript. Excerpt below:

DICKERSON: I want to start with something Senator Kerry said, which we’re going to play later in the show in an interview. He said that he didn’t think the president should make a decision whether he adds troops or not in Afghanistan until there’s stability in the government. Is the president going to delay his decision?

EMANUEL: Well, it’s not a matter of delay. The review will continue. He has had a meeting just yesterday with his national security team or parts of his national security team. And the review will continue the next week and the following week. So there will not be a delay in the review. Obviously what I think Senator Kerry was pointing to, which is absolutely correct, which is the essential part of the strategy or a key component or a leg on the stool, is an Afghan partner that is ready to take control of both the security situation in Afghanistan, and the civilian side of that.

DICKERSON: But the problem is, that partner may not be ready by the time the president is done with his thinking.

EMANUEL: You have got to notice what we noticed, John, which is that is a very important point. And even then, I mean, look, you will have an Afghan government. There are two roads here. One is obviously a run-off election or a negotiated settlement. But what’s most important about that process is that there’s a credibility and a legitimacy to the government at the end of that process. So which road they choose, that’s up to them. It must have -- be legitimate and credible in the eyes of the Afghan people.

DICKERSON: Let me ask you...

EMANUEL: But...

(CROSSTALK)

EMANUEL: Go ahead.

DICKERSON: The run-off question. A lot of people are concerned it has gotten too cold there. It’s too late for a run-off. What’s your view?

EMANUEL: Well, there is -- well, I’ve not been to Afghanistan or -- but what people are clearly pointing to is that it becomes more difficult to have it. You could do it. I think weather is a factor. The most important factor though is credibility and legitimacy. What I wanted earlier to say is what I think Senator Kerry is pointing to, which is important, is the strategic review on whether to send more troops is only one piece of the puzzle, important piece.

But the puzzle is much more complicated than that. Because when you’re creating -- what the American force would be expected to do is -- in General McChrystal’s report, is create a space and an opportunity for the Afghans to fill. And the question is, do you have a credible partner that could then fill that space that we’re asking the American troops to create?

And what is I think clear after the five meetings and the review is that basically this war for eight years was adrift. There really wasn’t any build-up of the army, the police, or the civilian side of delivering services to the different parts of the region.

DICKERSON: But let me...

EMANUEL: And so we are starting literally from scratch on that key component.

DICKERSON: From scratch on that key component.

But let’s go back to the partner because the partner -- is in our American national interest what happens in Afghanistan, and therefore, are we putting pressure on Karzai to take one of these two roads? This isn’t just about the Afghan people. It’s about our national security.

EMANUEL: Oh, right. But what would be -- as you probably know, what would be worse is if the Afghan people thought that the course that was chosen was done by the determination of the United States. And then it would lose the legitimacy and the credibility to the Afghan people.

And you are right about that piece. I would add the second point is that -- that, in fact, in Pakistan, you know, they have a different view about whether we should add troops. So there’s a -- a decision about Afghanistan has ramifications to the region which is why we have a strategy that’s comprehensive in its review.

Balloon Boy drama was a "hoax"

Duhh! Why wasn't the press saying this days ago? The real story here is that the media was duped. They never showed any real curiosity. And the fact that few if any in the media are criticizing the press coverage shows how we never hear of press misconduct.

in reference to:

"Reporting from Ft. Collins, Colo. -


What at first appeared to be an accidental balloon launch, which captivated the nation as rescuers tried to reach a 6-year-old believed trapped inside, was actually a publicity stunt done in the hopes of getting a reality TV show, authorities said today.

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said at a news conference here that the incident, which captured the nation's attention until the boy was found hiding in his house hours later, was a hoax.

"They put on a very good show for us, and we bought it," Alderden said of the professionally trained actors who are the parents of young Falcon Heene. Initially, investigators had believed the flight was genuine.

Richard and Mayumi Heene are expected to face felony charges, including conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The sheriff's department also has asked social services to evaluate whether the Heenes -- amateur scientists who have taken their three sons to chase hurricanes and tornadoes -- should continue to have custody of their children."
- Balloon boy drama was concocted by actor-parents, Colorado sheriff says -- latimes.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Specter rips GOP: ‘A Party of obstructionism.’

Specter is a worst case example of the opportunist politician in Washington. He profess any belief as long as it furthers his career. It is another reason why we need term limits..

in reference to:

"Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), who until late April of this year was a lifelong Republican, castigated his former party this morning on Fox News. Specter ripped the GOP for refusing to be a good-faith negotiator in the health care debate:"
- Think Progress » Specter rips GOP: ‘A Party of obstructionism.’ (view on Google Sidewiki)

How Moody's sold its ratings -- and sold out investors

This needs to be investigated. It could the biggest scandal of all - bigger than Madoff. This should have been job one for the Obama administration: regulation reform on Wall St.

in reference to:

"As the housing market collapsed in late 2007, Moody's Investors Service, whose investment ratings were widely trusted, responded by purging analysts and executives who warned of trouble and promoting those who helped Wall Street plunge the country into its worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

A McClatchy investigation has found that Moody's punished executives who questioned why the company was risking its reputation by putting its profits ahead of providing trustworthy ratings for investment offerings."
- How Moody's sold its ratings -- and sold out investors | McClatchy (view on Google Sidewiki)

'Meet The Press' Transcript (10-18-09): Jarrett, Kyl, Dodd, Shriver

Complete transcript. Excerpt below:

GREGORY: Good to have you here. Let's first talk about the economy, and here was a headline that played prominently this week from The Wall Street Journal: "Wall Street On Track To Award Record Pay," expanding bonus pools and raking in big profits. And yet here's a picture of what is now called the Obama economy, since he's come into office, and let's show it on the screen here. The debt is up 12 percent, it's now at $11.9 trillion. The deficit's now at $1.4 trillion. Unemployment at 9.8 percent, up 36 percent since he took office. And jobs, 4.2 million jobs lost since the president has taken office. Wall Street's healthier, but the American worker is not.

MS. JARRETT: Well, that's right. And--but I think we have to take a step back, David, and let's remember the conditions that the president inherited, a global meltdown, and we now realize that it was actually far worse than we realized at the time when he came in office in January. And what the president did is take very serious steps to get our economy back on track. He has pulled us back from the precipice and as a result of that--we were losing 700,000 jobs a month, that has decreased steadily over the course of the last nine months, and we are beginning to see signs of hope. But the unemployment rate is still much too high, and the president will not be satisfied, as he has said time and time again, until every single American who wants to work has a job.

GREGORY: But what's he prepared to do in a--what looks to be a jobless recovery, to make sure that jobs do get created to say he--the way he say he--says he wants?

MS. JARRETT: Well, first of all, first of all, he's already done a great deal. The recovery bill that was passed by Congress in record speed really staved off a disaster, and we saved millions of jobs around the country. And we're on track. We're already--we're fully on track with the recovery bill and the spending that's going forward. But we've only spent about a little less than half of the money, and so we still have a ways to go with the recovery bill. We know unemployment is a lagging indicator. We've always known that. But what we're doing is making sure that we have the process in place so that we can bring those very important jobs back.

GREGORY: But is--does there have to be a second stimulus, something done to specifically target job creation?

MS. JARRETT: Well, I think we have done many things to target job creation. I think it's too soon, it's premature to say is a second stimulus needed. There is this conundrum: You've got this huge national deficit, and we've got to do what we can to bring that down, at the same time as it's important to stimulate the economy. And the federal government has to do its part. That's why the recovery bill was so important, that's why many of the measures that the Treasury Department has taken since then, whether for housing or small business, are all very important in stimulating the economy. So let's wait and see. Let's let the recovery bill do its, do its job and then we'll see.

GREGORY: No commitment on a tax credit for employers, for instance?

MS. JARRETT: Well, every morning, as you know, the president meets with his economic advisers, and the first thing he says to them is, "What are we doing to tackle the unemployment rate?" There are a range of suggestions that are being considered right now by his economic team, and we'll see what we come forward with. We're consulting with the business community, we're consulting with everyday Americans who are struggling. We're trying to figure out what can we do to create an incentive to invest in our country and make our country strong again.

GREGORY: So, so, so the idea of some kind of additional stimulus to create jobs is on the table, fair to say?

MS. JARRETT: Everything is on the table. As you know, President Obama is always interested in what can we do to make our companies strong so that they're going to grow and invest in our country. So he's, he's willing to look at all possibilities; but he's also saying, "Let's let the recovery bill that was passed by Congress work." And we're not even halfway through that yet.

ABC 'This Week' Transcript (10-18-09): Obama Adviser David Axelrod

Complete transcript. Excerpt below:

STEPHANOPOULOS: There -- there is so much to talk about, but it's all against the backdrop of a debate that's kind of swirling through the political world right now, crystallized by the National Journal magazine. We're going to show the cover of it right there, big picture of President Obama, the question, "Is He Tough Enough?"

Inside, they quote the historian Douglas Brinkley, who says, "Obama has created an atmosphere of no fear." And a Senate Democratic aide, "Obama's style has to be more Lyndon Johnson, half I love you, but I'll stick this screwdriver right through your heart in a second if it is to my advantage."

Is that what the president needs to do? Is it time for him to get tough?

AXELROD: Well, look, George, I think, if the president weren't tough, we wouldn't be where we are vis-a-vis trying to deal with the economy, two wars, and some -- remember what he inherited here. He walked in the door, we had the worst economy since the Great Depression. He had to take immediate steps to pull us back from what many thought might be a Great Depression. He had to sort out in Afghanistan a war where we had seven years of drift and no policy. And he passed a series of things that are going to move this country forward, from children's health care to pay equity for women, a series of things.

This Congress has passed more legislation in the first term of this president than any president in our lifetime. So I think he has been plenty tough. I think people want toughness, but they also want to have thoughtful leadership. And that -- and that requires reviewing these issues, thinking them through clearly, and bringing people along, and that's what he's doing.

STEPHANOPOULOS: So -- so you reject this argument that he has to draw more lines in the sand, twist the arms of his opponents, now tell people want he wants and expect it to get it done?

AXELROD: Let's take the issue of health care, because that's, obviously, one of the things that people are referring to. We are farther along than we've ever been in passing a comprehensive health insurance reform in this country. It's something we've discussed for 100 years.

George, you were part of the last effort in 1994, never even got a vote. We are on the doorstep of getting that done, and that's because of the approach this president has taken.

STEPHANOPOULOS: And yesterday, the president in his radio address took on the insurance industry, at least rhetorically, and he suggested that he might be willing to take away their antitrust exemption. Was he actually saying -- this has been -- the insurance industry for the last 60 years has had an antitrust exemption. Was he saying that he would sign a bill that would take that away and open the door to premium caps by the Congress?

AXELROD: Well, Congress is -- is reviewing that. He said it's appropriate that they review that.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Would he sign it, though?

AXELROD: But let's talk about -- let's talk about the insurance industry for a second, because most of the stakeholders in this health care debate are at the table, they're trying to produce real reform, because everyone knows the current system is unsustainable.

The insurance industry has decided now at the 11th hour that they don't want to go along with this. One of the problems we have is we have a health care system now that functions very well for the insurance industry but not well for the customers.

STEPHANOPOULOS: So is he saying, if they don't play ball, they're going to lose their antitrust exemption?

AXELROD: So what we need -- what we -- so we need these -- we need these reforms. In the last year -- in the last 10 years, premiums have doubled. You've seen the insurance companies take -- they -- they -- 10 years ago, 15 years ago, they spent 95 percent of their premiums on health care. Now, 80 percent. More of the money is going to bonuses, salaries, administrative costs.

This is -- this is not a sustainable path for this country. So we need reform, and that's what he is arguing for.

STEPHANOPOULOS: But if they don't join the reform effort, will they lose their antitrust exemption?

AXELROD: Well, we'll see what Congress -- we'll see what Congress does. One thing we ought to do, the House bill has in it provisions that -- that says that if they fall below a certain level of return of these medical loss ratios -- in other words, the amount of money that they spend on actual health care, that they -- they need to rebate some of that money to consumers. That seems like a good idea.

STEPHANOPOULOS: But the president wants to throw out this idea of taking away the antitrust exemption, but not willing to say today that he would sign it if Congress passes it?

AXELROD: Well, let's see how that -- let's see how that -- that goes.

Palin Speaks - Criticizes Baucus Health Bill

If you care read on. At least

in reference to:

""It attempts to offset the costs this will impose on insurance companies by requiring everyone to purchase coverage, which in theory would expand the pool of paying policy holders," Palin wrote. "However, the maximum fine for those who refuse to purchase health insurance is $750. Even factoring in government subsidies, the cost of purchasing a plan is much more than $750."

"The result: many people, especially the young and healthy, will simply not buy coverage, choosing to pay the fine instead," the former Alaska governor continued. "They’ll wait until they’re sick to buy health insurance, confident in the knowledge that insurance companies can’t deny them coverage. Such a scenario is a perfect storm for increasing the cost of health care and creating an unsustainable mandate program.""
- Palin offers calm critique of Baucus bill - Andy Barr - POLITICO.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Nigerian Children Deemed Witches Tortured

This is monstrous. It is example of what ignorance disguised as religion will do. When you are ignorant you look for solutions by turning to charlatans, superstition, bigotry or hate.

in reference to:

"The nine-year-old boy lay on a bloodstained hospital sheet crawling with ants, staring blindly at the wall.

His family pastor had accused him of being a witch, and his father then tried to force acid down his throat as an exorcism. It spilled as he struggled, burning away his face and eyes. The emaciated boy barely had strength left to whisper the name of the church that had denounced him - Mount Zion Lighthouse.

A month later, he died.

Nwanaokwo Edet was one of an increasing number of children in Africa accused of witchcraft by pastors and then tortured or killed, often by family members. Pastors were involved in half of 200 cases of "witch children" reviewed by the AP, and 13 churches were named in the case files."
- Nigerian Children Deemed Witches Tortured - CBS News (view on Google Sidewiki)

Former President George H.W. Bush: Olbermann, Maddow 'A Couple of Sick Puppies'

What about Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck? And how about starting wars under false pretenses, committing torture, spying on U.S. citizens?

in reference to:

"Perhaps the 41st president still has it in him - at least when it comes to the left crying foul about the so-called uncivil political discourse on right, but being equally if not worse on the left - particularly on MSNBC, the "Place for Politics." In an interview on Oct. 16 with CBS Radio, former President George H.W. Bush took a very critical tact with MSNBC hosts Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow, deeming them "a couple of sick puppies." (via MSNBC's Oct. 16 "The Rachel Maddow Show") "I don't like it," Bush said. "I think the cables have a lot to do with it. I'll take you back to when I was president - we got tons of criticism, but didn't seem day in and day out quite as personal as some of these talk show people.""
- Former President George H.W. Bush: Olbermann, Maddow 'A Couple of Sick Puppies' | NewsBusters.org (view on Google Sidewiki)

Congressional Campaign Accounts Invested In Stock Market Boosted By Wall Street Bounce

Wait. What's wrong with this picture? Campaign contributions being invested in the stock market?

in reference to:

"The recent surge on Wall Street has created a windfall for some Congressional campaigns that invested their political contributions in the stock market during the third quarter.

The biggest beneficiary was Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), whose campaign investments have gone on a rollercoaster ride during the past two years. After losing more than $808,000 during 2008 and early 2009, the Texas Republican's campaign fund rebounded by recouping large sums of money in recent months."
- Congressional Campaign Accounts Invested In Stock Market Boosted By Wall Street Bounce (view on Google Sidewiki)

Rachel Maddow Calls Guest "Parasite Who Gets Fat on Americans' Fears"

I think the Rachel Maddow Show is informative and agree with much of what has to say. But her behavior on this occasion was unacceptable and grossly unfair. She sounded petty and vindictive. She is supposed to be something of a journalist. She behaved like a verbal bomb thrower. This kind of obnoxious interviewing should be left to FOX News. Rachel - Don't lower yourself to their level.

in reference to:

"Rachel Maddow on Thursday told one of her guests, "I personally think that you and the folks that do what you do are a parasite who gets fat on Americans` fears."Maybe this is what led former President George H.W. Bush to call Maddow a sick puppy on Friday. Abdicating all journalistic standards and ethics -- what a shock for an MSNBC employee!!! -- Maddow made it clear why she was attacking Tim Phillips, President of Americans for Prosperity: "[B]ecause we`re making this about you and me.""
- Rachel Maddow Calls Guest "Parasite Who Gets Fat on Americans' Fears" | NewsBusters.org (view on Google Sidewiki)

Chinese democracy activist gets 10 years

Guo should have won the Nobel Peace Prize, instead of President Obama.

in reference to:

"The founder of a Chinese group that challenged Communist rule with a call for multiparty democracy has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, a human rights group said Saturday.Former university professor and judge Guo Quan was sentenced for "subversion of state power" by a court in eastern Jiangsu Province on Friday, the New York-based group Human Rights in China said in a statement.Guo had been detained numerous times since 2007, when he founded the China New Democracy Party, which he claimed had 40 million members. He was arrested in Nanjing, the provincial capital, last November. His wife told The Associated Press at the time that Guo was taken after dropping his son off at school."
- Group: Chinese democracy activist gets 10 years - World AP - MiamiHerald.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Franken's Anti-Rape Amendment

Apparently contractors in Iraq could murder, rape, and steal with impunity, and the American people had to pay for it. And this President doesn't seem to want to change this fact.

in reference to:

"In April of 2008, KBR employee Dawn Leamon went public. A few months earlier, she had been raped and sexually assaulted by co-workers while deployed at Camp Harper, in Iraq, and after weeks of being pressured not to report the incident, forced to work alongside her attackers, and medically neglected, Leamon brought the story to a Houston attorney and to The Nation. Leamon joined a slowly building chorus of female defense contractor employees who'd been raped or sexually assaulted by co-workers while in Iraq, to utter impunity on the part of their assailants. In response, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee called a hearing to investigate why the Justice Department had not prosecuted any sexual assault allegations in Iraq since the going to war in the country."
- Franken's Anti-Rape Amendment - Yahoo! News (view on Google Sidewiki)

D.C. mom convicted of murdering four daughters could walk free

This is sickening process. It has nothing to do with justice. We have a criminal justice that is dysfunctional. The focus should be the 4 murdered little girls and making sure this doesn't happen again. Both points are being ignored in all of this. It is in fact a "criminal justice system."

in reference to:

"A Southeast D.C. woman who was expected to be sentenced Friday to life in prison for murdering her four daughters could instead walk free under a scenario outlined by the judge who found her guilty, though such an outcome still faces several legal hurdles.

The decomposing bodies of Banita Jacks' daughters - ages 5 to 16 - were discovered in January 2008 when U.S. Marshals came to evict Jacks from her rowhouse. In July, D.C. Superior Court Judge Frederick H. Weisberg found Jacks guilty of four counts of felony murder, three counts of premeditated first-degree murder and four counts of first-degree child cruelty.

Jacks was scheduled to be sentenced Friday but Judge Weisberg postponed it while he considers issues related to her refusal to use an insanity defense. Jacks rejected the defense against the advice of her lawyers, who are now asking Weisberg to appoint an independent counsel to investigate whether she was competent to make such a decision."
- D.C. mom convicted of murdering four daughters could walk free - Washington Times (view on Google Sidewiki)

Iran opposition: Use of force won't halt demands

As I keep arguing, arm the people of Iran with tiny video cameras and cell phones. That is the greatest weapon against tyranny. Without video the Western media ignores injustice. No video, didn't happen.

in reference to:

"Iran's embattled opposition leaders promised to press on with their campaign against the country's rulers, saying the use of force to crush the post-election protests will not silence their demands for democratic change.
The powerful statement of defiance Friday from opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi and former President Mohammad Khatami also sent a message to their supporters that the protest campaign triggered by the disputed June 12 presidential election still had energy and leadership though street demonstrations fizzled out months ago."
- Iran opposition: Use of force won't halt demands - Yahoo! News (view on Google Sidewiki)

Neighbors Thought Dead Man Was Halloween Display

What ever happened to "love thy neighbor."

in reference to:

"Residents of a Southern California apartment complex say they saw a lifeless body slumped on a neighbor's patio, but didn't call police because they thought it was part of a Halloween display."
- Neighbors Thought Dead Man Was Halloween Display - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Billionaire Arrested for Insider Trading

This is what Wall St. has become: a giant money grubbing machine. "Greed is good" is the message. How life imitates art. And the near stock market collapse hasn't changed a damn thing. And the of us are just spectators to this disgusting game. And those in charge of stopping this activity are in bed with the same corrupt enterprise.

in reference to:

"Hedge fund tycoon Raj Rajaratnam is one of six charged with running a scheme that netted at least $20 million in illicit gains."
- Billionaire Arrested for Insider Trading - Forbes.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Power Company Switches Off Cancer Patient's Oxygen Machine

This shouldn't be happening in America. But those who oppose health care reform don't care about people like Mable Randon.

in reference to:

"Mable Randon is suffering from the late stages of cancer. She's bound by a wheel chair and only breathing with the help of an electrically-powered oxygen machine. Rucks Russell of KHOU in Houston reports that the local power company sent her a disconnection notice because of late bills. She applied to the Critical Customer Program, a payment plan seemingly tailor-made for people in Randon's condition who depend on electric life support -- but she was denied."
- Power Company Trying To Switch Off Cancer Patient's Oxygen Machine (view on Google Sidewiki)

US Pays $400 Per Gallon For Gas In Afghanistan: Pentagon

Doesn't sound like a good deal.

in reference to:

"The Pentagon pays an average of $400 to put a gallon of fuel into a combat vehicle or aircraft in Afghanistan."
- US Pays $400 Per Gallon For Gas In Afghanistan: Pentagon (view on Google Sidewiki)