One (and only one) of the most significant knocks against “illegal” immigration is its impact on our healthcare system. They are such a burden, but does this assertion really hold water? Illegal Immigrants: Some percentage, probably fairly small, of the estimated eight to ten million illegal aliens in the US use our hospital emergency rooms because they have no health … [Read more...] about Immigration and Health Care
Brazil Supreme Court Rules for American Father. But, Is This the End?
According to the Associated Press, Brazil's Supreme Court, yesterday, in a 10-0 decision ruled that 9-year-old Sean Goldman should be reunited with his father, thereby turning back the efforts by Brazil's Progressive Party to overturn a similar ruling by a lower federal court. An obviously delighted, but still cautious, David Goldman appeared this morning on NBC's Today Show … [Read more...] about Brazil Supreme Court Rules for American Father. But, Is This the End?
Defensively Spinning the Truth Away
There's a fair amount of spin going on regarding yesterday's tragic shooting at the Holocaust Museum and as a result, many Republican and conservative leaning blogs and writers are on the defensive as their political opposites attempt to score points. It looks, in fact, very much as it did in April when the DHS report came out. Unfortunately for the defense, though, I'm … [Read more...] about Defensively Spinning the Truth Away
Will America Go the Way of General Motors?: Nachrichten of Switzerland
According to Swiss columnist Patrik Etschmayer, the United States bears a striking resemble to GM just before it collapsed. For Nachrichten, Etschmayer writes in part: "The United States today seems like General Motors did not too long ago. It's still the greatest power in the 'market,' but customers are beginning to turn away from the goods it offers. ... Brand 'USA' … [Read more...] about Will America Go the Way of General Motors?: Nachrichten of Switzerland
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Who’s Afraid of Big Government? Not Us
Alan I. Abramowitz on Who's Afraid of Big Government? Not Us Barack Obama has been pulling the wool over the eyes of the American people. At least that's what some conservative pundits are claiming. Despite his current popularity, commentators such as Michael Barone, Dick Morris, and Karl Rove are predicting that Mr. Obama's approval ratings will come crashing down to earth … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Who’s Afraid of Big Government? Not Us
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Back to the Future for Obama
Alan I. Abramowitz on Back to the Future for Obama: Comparing the 2004 and 2008 Presidential Elections Barack Obama's victory in the 2008 presidential election represented one of the most dramatic shifts in political power in American history. In terms of both style and substance, the contrast between Obama and George W. Bush is perhaps as great as that between any … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Back to the Future for Obama
DYSFUNCTIONAL ARIZONA
In contrast with the Republican-controlled Legislature, Republican Governor Jan Brewer is earnestly trying to fix problems that have been brewing for decades in Arizona. She inherited her position earlier this year when former Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano became Secretary of Homeland Security in the Obama Administration. The dysfunctional state tax system was … [Read more...] about DYSFUNCTIONAL ARIZONA
Being Fiscally Conservative Means Having to Raise Taxes. Sometimes.
Republicans are upset about all the spending going on under President Obama. In someways, they should be concerned about all this. But then, if GOP leaders are upset, then they need to look at themselves first before they start accusing the Democrats. New York Times writer David Leonhardt, does a good job of showing how the rising tide of red ink flowing from Washington … [Read more...] about Being Fiscally Conservative Means Having to Raise Taxes. Sometimes.
Carrie Prejean Fired
TMZ broke the story this afternoon: We've learned "biblically correct" Carrie Prejean will lose her Miss California USA crown today because she doesn't play well with others. ... Carrie is getting her walking papers this afternoon. They were right. Donald Trump is quoted in the NYTimes story: I told Carrie she needed to get back to work and honor her contract The … [Read more...] about Carrie Prejean Fired
Muslims’ Great Fear: ‘Obama Can’t Do It’: de Volkskrant, The Netherlands
'OBAMA AS JESUS, CARRIES THE CROSS TO SAVE THE MIDDLE EAST. NETANYAHU PREPARES TO CRUCIFY HIM.' By all accounts, Muslims are cautiously optimistic after hearing President Obama's speech to Muslims, which he delivered last week from Cairo. But according to Kader Abdolah of the Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant, their biggest concern is that he'll never succeed in accomplishing … [Read more...] about Muslims’ Great Fear: ‘Obama Can’t Do It’: de Volkskrant, The Netherlands
‘Damning Testimony’ from Former Scientology Leader: Le Parisien, France
Scientology 'electometer': Does this $7,000 device actually identify unwanted influences, emotions or painful traumas? The trial of Scientology, France continues, and here is the latest report on the proceedings from France's Le Parisien magazine. According to the report, on Monday the former leader of Scientology in Lyon and a former member of the French National … [Read more...] about ‘Damning Testimony’ from Former Scientology Leader: Le Parisien, France
Holocaust Museum Murder Aftermath: Fox’s Shep Smith
Smith strikes me as consistently honest and direct; and he's at it again in this segment. H/t Andrew Sullivan. … [Read more...] about Holocaust Museum Murder Aftermath: Fox’s Shep Smith
Citizens of the World
To thunderous applause, Mr. Newt Gingrich said the following during his speech at the recent Republican fundraiser dinner in Washington: Let me be clear. I am not a citizen of the world. I think the entire concept is intellectual nonsense and stunningly dangerous. Many political observers claim that Mr. Gingrich's remarks were a clear slap at President Obama, … [Read more...] about Citizens of the World
UPDATED: Murder at U.S. Holocaust Museum
UPDATE BY HOLLY IN CINCINNATI: Grief, Shock After 'Outstanding' Guard Loses His Life in Line of Duty Traces of Gunman’s Online Life Begin to Vanish Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns Holocaust Museum Shooter Had Close Ties to Prominent neo-Nazis The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum issued the following statement on today's shootings: "Officer Stephen Tyrone … [Read more...] about UPDATED: Murder at U.S. Holocaust Museum
The Brits & Mrs O’s Dress: Differing Perspectives
I am no fashion expert but I enjoyed reading The Times of London's good natured taunt at the dress the First Lady of the USA chose to wear for her visit to the power centre in London --- the Westminster Abbey. Writes Alice Olins: "Mrs O is a clever woman: pretending to have just thrown on any old holiday number whilst actually acknowledging pioneering catwalk ideas is no … [Read more...] about The Brits & Mrs O’s Dress: Differing Perspectives
Jon Voight? The Actor?
At the Palin-and-Gingrich-blessed Republican Congressional fundraiser the other night, Jon Voight -- the actor, not the periodontist -- called President Obama a "false prophet": Everything Obama has recommended has turned out to be disastrous. ***** We are becoming a weak nation. Obama really thinks that he is a soft-spoken Julius Ceaser. He thinks he's going to … [Read more...] about Jon Voight? The Actor?
Palau ‘Honored’ To Take Chinese Detainees
I can't wait to hear the reaction of Republicans that the remote Pacific island nation of Palau is "honored and proud" to resettle about 17 Chinese Muslims now held as "non-combatants" at the Guantanamo Bay prison. "Palau's accommodation to accept the temporary resettlement of these detainees is a humanitarian gesture intended to help them be freed of any further unnecessary … [Read more...] about Palau ‘Honored’ To Take Chinese Detainees
Lambert’s Ecstasy and Kristianity
Now that Adam Lambert's made it official, it's looking like the traditional media may move on to fretting over how his drug admissions will influence our children. A child of the sixties myself, you won't find me concerned with that. Instead, I will revel in how much America loves their Idol runner up. Here are two takes on the Kris Allen/Adam Lambert bromance. Both were … [Read more...] about Lambert’s Ecstasy and Kristianity
Is Peter Schiff the Next Ron Paul?
Peter Schiff, a conservative-leaning libertarian and author who is contemplating a run against Democratic Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd, was on the Daily Show last night to talk about his latest book as well as the current state of our economy. Now, I was only vaguely familiar with Schiff prior to his Daily Show appearance, as Schiff is well known in paleolibertarian circles … [Read more...] about Is Peter Schiff the Next Ron Paul?
Quote of The Day: Obama And Independent Voters An Opportunity For Democrats A Risk For Republicans
As we've noted repeatedly here during campaign 2008 (and even earlier) the key to long term winning coalitions is in which party can woo independent voters -- one of the fastest growing voting groups in the United States. In our Quote of the Day writer John Avlon, in a piece in the Wall Street Journal, looks at Obama and the independents and sees an opportunity for Democrats … [Read more...] about Quote of The Day: Obama And Independent Voters An Opportunity For Democrats A Risk For Republicans