Will Weiner Be a Winner?

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How stupid are New Yorkers?

Let’s see. They didn’t think the World Trade Center would be hit again, even though it had been bombed by Islamic extremists in 1993. They didn’t support President Bush after he saved their city. They overwhelming love Barack Obama, even when he comes there for a fundraiser, snubbing the average guy, and tying up traffic for hours. They elected Nanny Bloomberg and welcome every restriction he puts on their lives enthusiastically.

Could it get worse? It might.

Today disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner announced his run for mayor of Gotham. He hopes New Yorkers will faggetaboudt the racy pictures of him and his racy twitter talk, linked to him conclusively by Andrew Breitbart. In fact, Weiner says there may be more of them out there. He wants a second chance, he says. And not only does he have a good war chest already, but he also is tied in some of the early polling.

His first ad touts how he will be “fighting for the middle class.” Democrats always say that. They are mighty warriors in the imagined conflict going on around us. He says he will see to a single payer health care for New Yorkers, i.e. socialized medicine a.k.a. Obamacare. And he says he’ll make sure that every public school child has a Kindle reader.

A Kindle reader? Does no one earn anything anymore? How many of them will be stolen, mishandled, fenced, traded or destroyed? How can any kid be expected to respect anything when expensive items are handed out like food samples at Costco? What else is required for a good education? A government provided laptop, a free ride to and from school, round the clock meals and weekend take homes? When do we hand out the Obama youth uniforms?

Democrats always call upon class warfare and the children when they want to win an election. Weiner is no different. As a result we find ourselves with a decaying country of young people without initiative, drive, ambition or talent. Does no one make the connection between government control and sub par results?

Weiner may weasel himself into office, given the gimme attitude of today’s electorate. Somewhere Breitbart is shaking his head.

Anthony Weiner
announced his candidacy today
platform of single payer health care
and making sure that every public school child has a kindle reader
fighting for the middle class

Obamanation

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There is never enough time for vacationing in the Obama family. If you’re not on one, you’re about to go on one or planning one. Already, the First Family has had, what, four vacations? According to White House Dossier, Michelle plans a whopper.

With scandal swirling about the White House, First Lady Michelle Obama may be considering an extended exit from Washington this summer, fleeing for weeks to the Obamas’ traditional summer haven, Martha’s Vineyard.

According to the Boston Globe, “Michelle Obama and the children may be on the island for an extended period.” But the president would hardly be suffering by comparison. He may come up on weekends and then stay for two weeks at the end of the summer, the Globe reports.

The White House has not commented on the Obamas’ vacation plans.

They don’t comment on much ever, do they?

Could This Be True?

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The following comes from Joe Miller’s blog, Restoring Liberty. Miller, if you recall, won the Republican primary in Alaska for Senate against Lisa Murkowski. Then she won in a write in campaign.

A similar article appeared in David Horowitz’s Frontpage.com. Both were in October, but with the scandals coming out now, could this be another one?

I don’t find it hard to believe the Obama administration would do such a thing. They have an agenda and no one is going to stop them from fulfilling it.

By Mark Musser. [T]he EPA has been conducting human experiments on people by piping diesel fumes from a running truck mixed with air into their lungs at a North Carolina university. The agency has ginned up yet another green crusade — the lethal dangers of diesel fumes. They even had a gas chamber set up to accommodate the environmental research project that shockingly recalls the death camps in Poland.

Not surprisingly, the EPA is now in the process of being sued for conducting dangerous experiments on human guinea pigs. The courts will decide whether or not serious laws and practices were violated, including the international Nuremberg Code that was set up after sixteen Nazi doctors were executed for medical terrorism. After the barbaric fallout of Nazi Germany, where many people were treated like experimental animals, the Nuremberg Code was designed to be an international governing set of principles to regulate the practice of human experimentation. The whiff of the Jewish holocaust is therefore unmistakable.

And this from Frontpage:

By Arnold Ahlert. If the shocking allegations contained in a lawsuit filed last Friday by responsible science advocate Steven Milloy are accurate, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a major scandal on its hands. As reported by the National Legal and Policy Center, Milloy initiated litigation in U.S. District Court in Virginia, based on evidence he accumulated via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). He alleges that the EPA engaged in disturbing experimentation that deliberately exposed human beings to airborne particulate matter the agency itself considers lethal. The experiments were conducted at EPA’s Human Studies Facility at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. “That EPA administrator Lisa Jackson permitted this heinous experimentation to occur under her watch shocks the conscience,” said Milloy…

The suit accuses the EPA of paying as many as 41 participants $12 an hour to breathe in concentrated diesel exhaust, for as long a two hours at a time. The exhaust was directly piped in from a truck parked outside the Chapel Hill facility. According to the lawsuit, the fine particulate matter, called “PM2.5,” was piped in at levels 21 times greater than what the EPA calls its “permissible limit.”

Yet even that phrase is misleading. In testimony delivered to Congress in September of 2011, EPA chief Lisa Jackson claimed that exposure to fine particulate matter of 2.5 microns–or less–was lethal. ”Particulate matter causes premature death. It’s directly causal to dying sooner than you should,” she testified at the time.

Milloy learned about the experiments last year, after reading about them in a government-supported scientific journal. In June, he filed a complaint with the North Carolina Medical Board, accusing Drs. Andrew Ghio and Wayne Cascio, both of whom were employed by the EPA, along with Dr. Eugene Chung, who worked for the University of North Carolina, of violating EPA standards of conduct in human research and the Hippocratic Oath. “During these experiments, the study subjects were intentionally exposed to airborne fine particulate matter (‘PM2.5′) at levels ranging from 41.54 micrograms per cubic meter to 750.83 micrograms per cubic meter for periods of up to two hours,” Milloy wrote to Dr. Ralph C. Loomis, president of the NC Medical Board. “The EPA also believes that PM2.5 is carcinogenic to humans,” he added.

Dr. David Schnare, a former EPA litigator who is now director of American Tradition Institute’s Environmental Law Center, which filed the lawsuit, painted a detailed and chilling picture of exactly how the experiments were conducted. “EPA parked a truck’s exhaust pipe directly beneath an intake pipe on the side of a building,” he revealed. “The exhaust was sucked into the pipe, mixed with some additional air and then piped directly into the lungs of the human subjects. EPA actually has pictures of this gas chamber, a clear plastic pipe stuck into the mouth of a subject, his lips sealing it to his face, diesel fumes inhaled straight into his lungs.”

Very few things about this administration would surprise me.

Kelsey, Part 2

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Ever since State Senator Brian Kelsey was a law student at Georgetown, where he found himself immersed in liberal thinking, Kelsey has embraced a conservative view of the Constitution. In particular, he believes in following that document in jurisdiction.

“I believe in following the Founding Fathers plan for how we select judges in Tennessee,” Kelsey said. “I want to use the Madisonian idea. After the 1970 election which put Republican Winfield Dunn in the governor’s office, the Democrats saw trouble. They did away with elections for state supreme court justices. They decided to follow the Missouri plan. It did away with elections for state supreme court justices. In it, lawyers on a board select three candidates and send them to the governor. This nominating committee, you don’t know who they are.” Kelsey proposed and the legislature passed the right to give Tennesseans a yes/no vote on retaining them for their eight year terms.

Then a question was asked about the state attorney general. In Tennessee, the state Supreme Court appoints him. We are the only state in the union to do this. Currently the AG is a Democrat who has refused to go along with other states in their attempts to stop Obamacare. How does Kelsey feel about this system?

He doesn’t like it. Kelsey described how an attempt to stop this was on the verge of a win a few years back. It lost by one vote. “The person really didn’t understand it and hadn’t looked into it.” Kelsey said he was very upset by that vote and is working towards another effort to change the system.

Then he did something politicians don’t usually do. He asked the audience what they thought should be done. People were silent for a minute because everyone was taken aback that he valued our opinion. One person thought it was an imperfect system but in the end should be the right of the citizens. Others expressed doubt in the ability to trust the electorate on such an important matter. Another brought up the salient point of ongoing voter fraud. It gave Kelsey a feedback politicians usually don’t seek.

As for the second amendment, another concern of Tennesseans, Kelsey has no worries about it. “The current U.S. Supreme Court is more protective of second amendment rights than any in the history of the United States.” He cited two recent rulings as proof: the District of Columbia vs. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago. In the first, the Supreme Court held that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to possess a firearm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home and within federal enclaves. In the second, the Supreme Court decided that Chicago could not ban guns as they had tried to do.

When the court decided to uphold Obamacare, Kelsey said he was happy that at least they had struck down the Medicaid provision to expand it in states. So for this year, Tennessee will not have to increase funds for it. The bad thing is that Haslam “said it applies only for this year.” Kelsey would like to extend that.

Kelsey is proud of three issues that Tennesseans will be able to vote on in the jumbo ballot of 2014. The first is a pro life amendment that would stop the 2000 law that gave Tennessee more liberal abortion rights than many states. The second is the vote on following the Founding Fathers’ way of selecting judges. Number three is the vote to ensconce Tennessee’s income state tax ban.

Kelsey Discusses Legislative Accomplishments

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Brian Kelsey

Brian Kelsey

Something so unusual happened at Saturday’s Dutch Treat Luncheon that, for a moment, the audience sat in shock.

A question had been asked of a politician. He discussed the issue and then asked attendees for their opinion.

State Senator Brian Kelsey was the featured guest at the noon meeting at Pancho’s. Serving District 31, which is Germantown and parts of Cordova, the thirtysomething Kelsey started the meeting by outline what happened in the 2013 legislative session.

“One of the most important things, which doesn’t get a lot of attention,” Kelsey said, “is eliminating taxes. We have the most freedom available by having our own money. I’ve been working on an income tax prohibition bill. It was first proposed in 2002 and now passed by a 2/3 vote, so in November 2014, Tennesseans will get to vote against a state income tax.

“We have also eliminated the gift tax, we are winding down the inheritance and food tax and now the state sales tax is 5%. In Shelby County we went from a 9.75 food tax to a 7.75 tax and we want to keep reducing it. We want to eliminate the Hall tax on interest and dividends. We will pare it down by increasing the income level for those exempt. It was $26,200 per individual, now it’s $33,000 per individual with 37-59,000 for couples. I want to flat out eliminate it.”

Kelsey continued. “The most significant bill we passed is on pension reform. A lot of thanks goes to (Tennessee Treasurer) David Lillard from Memphis. It got little attention, but our goal is to not end up like Greece, California or Illinois. We did what every other business did – made it in essence a 401K; as an employee you’ll have an account with your name on it. You will get your money when you retire. This provision covers teachers and state employees.

“With pensions, since they are 30 years down the road, we wanted not to kick it down the road, but to assure that when you retire, you’ll have it with your name on it. We want to keep on track to be a fiscally sound Tennessee.”

As for the annexation – or deannexation of Cordova – Kelsey has been working on the issue. “The city didn’t tell residents that they were going to be annexed. The law has always said it must start January 1. My bill (SB1054) addressed two issues: first, after a court order, a city has to tell all the residents about it within ten days; second, it clarified the law that you are taxed starting January 1. This would mean that those Cordova residents will not owe the 2012 property taxes. It is currently sitting on the governor’s desk, awaiting his signature.”

On the very important schools issue, “there wasn’t a lot of opposition on the Senate side,” Kelsey remarked about the county bid for their own school system. It has seen more debate in the House.

Kelsey would like to tackle the minimum wage issue. “We need uniform statewide laws on wages, benefits and verification. We can’t allow Shelby County officials to continue to drive jobs away by seeking larger wages for Memphis.”

Next: Kelsey talks about judges and the question that surprised the audience.

Haslam Charms at Lincoln Day

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Governor Haslam

Governor Haslam

Shelby GOP’s Lincoln Day dinner headliner Friday night was none other than the Governor himself. Before the program, Bill Haslam schmoozed easily with Memphians, stopping to have his picture taken and shaking hands. He had an ease about him that wasn’t as visible during the campaign.

Perhaps that is because he has settled comfortably into the governor’s office. The state is doing well and there is even talk about a Haslam presidential run in the future. The ease with which he comported himself suggests that could occur.

State Senator Mark Norris, the majority leader, introduced the governor. Norris expanded on Tennessee’s recent successes: Barron’s named us the third best managed state in the union; we’re in the top ten of most lists for best competitive state for business; the fourth lowest in debt; one of the freest states in the union. As he took the podium Haslam quipped, “I’m Bill Haslam and I approve this message.”

Governor Haslam

Governor Haslam

Haslam then thanked the Shelby GOP officers and remarked that he had made his pilgrimage to one of Memphis’ most important events, the BBQ contest. He then expressed his joy that the Grizzlies had won the last game against Oklahoma, avoiding another game that would have conflicted with his appearance. “If they hadn’t won, I’d be here talking just to Chrissie,” he said. Chrissie, his wife and a former Memphian, was cheering the Grizzlies, too. “Wait, she said she’d be watching it, too, so I guess I’d be speaking alone,” he chuckled.

Haslam proceeded to tell us how much “life changes when you become governor,” relating how he saw a tour bus stop in front of the Nashville mansion. He assumed they were there to look at a country music star’s home in the neighborhood. Then it dawned on him they were looking at the governor’s house. “I hope they didn’t see me on the balcony in my pajamas,” he laughed.

Turning to the serious, Haslam talked about attending a recent governors conference. He spoke with others who also enjoyed Republican majorities in their states. “In Tennessee, seven of nine congressional districts are Republican. We have a 26-7 advantage in the state Senate. It’s 70-29 in the House.” Haslam said “we talked about how unique it is and how we should not waste the opportunity.”

He concluded “we should not be cocky and at the end of the day it’s about results.”

The results he’s had so far are impressive.

“CEO magazine asked 750 CEOs to rate the best business states. Tennessee was fourth…When I came into office a lot of the stimulus money had run out. Some people suggested we raise taxes. We didn’t. We’ve not borrowed money at a high interest rate and we’ve kept our AAA rating.

“In Tennessee we’ve remained strong in education. We haven’t cut spending. We’ve had the second largest increase in spending in public education. We’ve had the largest gains in achievement tests in the state’s history. In business we need a trained work force. We want to bring jobs and business tells us we need that education.”

Addressing the national scene, Haslam had ideas for the Republican party. “What is the answer nationally for Republicans? First, nothing shows like success. Second, we must hone our message that we understand what Americans want. Last, we need to get better at winning elections.”

Finally, Haslam had a message for Republicans discouraged by the 2012 election. “Tennessee is part of a bigger message. People are worried about what’s going on in Washington, but there is a lot of good being done in Tennessee. If we keep doing well here, we’ll show how it’s done. It matters.”

Fincher Has a Message

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Stephen Fincher

Stephen Fincher

Rep. Stephen Fincher’s 8th district has been redrawn to include parts of Shelby County and the congressman was happy to speak at the Shelby GOP Lincoln Day Dinner Friday night.

Fincher chuckled that “since the redistricting Steve Cohen won’t speak to me!” He then turned serious and noted that “there is a lot of talk about how dysfunctional Washington D.C. is. But this is a team sport and I cannot serve without you!”

After Romney’s loss, Fincher said he was “devastated. I said to my wife, ‘let’s quit.’ Then she reminded me that the 8th district didn’t vote for Obama. You’ll have to stand up and speak for us.”

That idea was reinforced recently when he took his family to the National Archives. As a congressman he got close up access and saw “the first journal of the country when they voted for Washington; the first ten amendments; and other important documents. I thought too many people have fought, bled and died for this country to have it turned into Europe.”

After the applause died down, Fincher shared an anecdote. A Democrat Congressman from California shared the stage with him to discuss the Farm bill. The Democrat quoted scripture and said that the government’s role is like that of Jesus in the Bible.” Fincher did not share that belief. “I replied that the Bible also says the poor will always be with us and if a man doesn’t work, he doesn’t eat. It’s not the government’s role. We’re out of control.”

Fincher acknowledged that it is at times difficult to decide a vote. “My wife sometimes gives me a hard time on a vote. It’s not always easy.”

On the scandals now coming out of the Obama administration, Fincher has concerns about Benghazi, the IRS and the AP tapping of phones. “The IRS in particular is big time – if we get to the bottom of it.”

Obamanation

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The President visited Baltimore Friday in an attempt to take attention away from his many scandals. He visited an elementary school and asked the students some math questions.

According to WNEW,

At the elementary school, Obama watched a group of youngsters learn to write about their favorite zoo animals and quizzed them on simple arithmetic. When one girl had a hard time coming up with the answer to one equation, Obama said in a sympathetic tone that “subtraction is tougher than addition.”

Yes, it’s harder to get rid of a politician like him than it was to add him into our history.

Miller Lite

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Charlie Rangel acted outraged. Kevin Brady got to the crux of it (in video below). Paul Ryan said the answers were “very incomplete.” Devin Nunes (R-Ca) asked IRS chief Steven Miller why he resigned if he did everything well. The IRS mentioned they hid the probe until after the election. Questions were raised about the IRS asking about prayers.

That was this morning in Washington at the House hearing on the IRS scandal.

To all this, IRS Commissioner Miller acted cool, aloof and unperturbed. He admitted that some of what the agency did was “inappropriate” but not “illegal.” His behavior was detached as he showed he had no concept that what the IRS did was a terrible thing. He could not provide an answer to who was responsible for these actions. It felt like a rerun of the O.J. Simpson trial when his maid was asked by Johnny Cochran if she saw or heard anything and all she ever said was “non ricorda, Mr. Johnny.” I don’t remember.

The next phase in the argument has already begun. Last night Juan Williams picked up the shovel. He said that some of the organizations that were seeking 501(c)(3) exemption deserved to be put aside because they warranted scrutiny. Others since have said that groups with a political agenda (to the right) shouldn’t get any help and deserve a look by the IRS, including audits.

There is lots of manure here. Yesterday Texas Senator Ted Cruz got closer to the truth when he said “one of the most disturbing stories I’ve read on the IRS was that confidential taxpayer records were handed over to the cochairman of President Obama’s presidential campaign in the middle of the campaign.”

Bingo.

IRS Asked TN Student Names

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From the Family Action Center of Tennessee comes this local version of what the IRS was doing:

It is not known how many conservative nonprofits in Tennessee were targeted by the IRS, but one is particularly chilling for parents. The group was seeking tax exempt status as an educational organization for the purpose of mentoring high school and college students in conservative political philosophy. Over a year after filing for nonprofit status, it received from the IRS a list of 30 questions, some with up to 6 subparts, seeking volumes of additional information including the identities of the students the group had trained.

Take a look at the pages of questions addressed to the Linchpins of Liberty in Franklin. Pages and pages of questions! http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/05_02/Linchpins%20of%20Liberty%20IRS%20letter.pdf