marioblog2: December 2011

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Exclusive Photo: First Chevy Volts arrive at local dealers

Truth be told, this isn't the real photograph that accompanied the news story. It's just one I found online. But, c'mon, you could easily imagine this happening:

Car described as a fuel saver, but also a little pricey (Ed: and sometimes quite warm)...

...The Edmunds.com Web site called the 2012 Chevy Volt "arguably the most fuel-efficient car on the market, but it's pricey for what you get."

Contrary to what its name suggests, the Volt is far from an all-electric vehicle. It is powered by a 149 horsepower electric motor that relies on a lithium-ion battery pack until the battery charge nears depletion. A four-cylinder internal combustion engine then kicks in and replaces the battery pack in generating power for the electric motor. A fully charged Volt can travel about 35 miles before it begins using gasoline at a rate of about 40 miles per gallon, according to the EPA.

The battery can be recharged in about four or eight hours, depending on whether it is plugged into a 120-volt or 240-volt charging outlet.

The cars available at dealerships in the area sell for $39,000 to $44,000, but a $7,500 federal tax credit cuts the buyer's cost to the low- to mid-$30,000 range.

The Volt's introduction to the region has been accompanied by a wave of news stories reporting an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into potential fire hazards linked to the Volt's battery pack. The agency reported two fires and an incident of smoke and sparks stemming from safety tests conducted by regulators this year... The agency added that Volt owners who have not been in a serious crash "do not have reason for concern."

And since each Volt appears to cost American taxpayers roughly $250,000 apiece in various subsidies to GM, a buyer is truly getting a heck of a deal for that $40,000.

Here's something we can all get behind: House Speaker John Boehner faces primary challenger from Tea Party

The feckless RINO House Speaker -- a curiously perma-tanned man named John Boehner -- faces a primary challenger in Ohio.

House Speaker John Boehner will face a challenge in the GOP primary next year, Fox News has confirmed.

26-year-old David Lewis, who does not live in Boehner's Ohio district, has filed with the Butler County Board of Elections (in Boehner's home county) to challenge the speaker on March 6.

Lewis is a Tea Party loyalist who lives in Clermont County on the east side of Cincinnati.

Asked about the challenge, Boehner spokesman Cory Fritz said: "The Speaker is focusing on working for the people of the eighth district to cut wasteful Washington spending, eliminate excessive regulations and help create a better environment for jobs and long-term economic growth."

Boehner did not face a primary challenge last year, though Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones has flirted with previous bids.

Looking for something you can do?

Make a New Year's resolution to lend David Lewis a hand. It's time to start firing the big government RINO's who are either too incompetent or too ideologically blinkered to fight the destruction of our Republic.

Bummer: Seven State Unions Sue New York Over Obamacare

When you've lost the public sector unions... oh, and please note -- this article was written from the perspective of a ~~drone~~ Obamacare supporter named "Melissa Freeman" (if that is her real name):

Seven New York state unions have filed federal lawsuits against the state over what they claim is an unconstitutional increase in health care costs for retired workers. This is not a promising beginning for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), now that Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has given more power to the states in implementing the law.

HHS announced Dec. 16 that individual states will be left to select their own “benchmark” minimum health insurance plan under the national law. As a key step in defining universal health care in the U.S., determining minimum standards of health care should be done on a national level. Sebelius’ choice to delegate this duty to states is a cowardly attempt to evade tough decision-making, leading to a less efficient and effective policy of accommodation rather than full national change, and decreased federal accountability for the outcome of the ACA...

...By delegating this responsibility to the states, Sebelius has also deflected federal, mainly executive, responsibility for the plan’s possible failure, though assuredly not its potential success. The unfolding details of the law will undoubtedly draw many critics: The greater the benefits, the higher the costs; yet the lower the benefits, the less successful the law – a trophy of Obama’s first term. With its validity and effectiveness questioned early on, the ACA is already in a weak position to affect change. Sebelius has further weakened it by giving up the federal government’s ability to establish a major component of how the law will affect the millions of uninsured people across the country...

...With the passage of the ACA as a move towards universal health care, the national government needs to be more involved in establishing the standards that will detail the bill’s vaguely stated requirements. Allowing states to determine their own benchmark plan is a disappointing indicator of the ACA’s potential to bring about actual change...

Hey, genius: we don't have a "national" government. We have a federal government, established by the Constitution. You know, that's the document your pathetic Democrat hack politicians take an oath to uphold and promptly spit upon. And it's the same document that enumerates the federal government's powers.

And, last time I checked, there was no "Obamacare" clause in the Constitution. Or maybe it's hidden next to the "Abortion" clause.

Finally, Ms. Rocket Scientist, please list just one time in the history of mankind that a tiny authoritarian cabal of masterminds were able to centrally-manage an economy.

I'll wait here while you check, Einstein.

The most terrifying economic chart of 2011

Of 'the 11 most disturbing economic charts of 2011' presented by Tyler Durden, this particular graph struck me hardest:

Why is this single graph so horrifying?

Please note what occurred to the labor force participation rate when Barack Obama took office.

Not when "the Great Recession" hit. When Obama took office. After he took office, the labor force participation rate went into freefall.

And please note the coincidental rise in food stamps and government assistance at the exact same time; free money to stay unemployed, dispensed with leaf-blower-like efficiency throughout the country:

This, my friends, is the inevitable result of President Subprime McDowngrade's expansion of the welfare state: a new class of individuals so enriched by government largess that they have lost all motivation to work.

But it's not all bad news: at least the USDA is aware of how food stamps are being used and is highly efficient at stamping out waste, fraud and abuse.

Oh, wait. They're not - they don't even know what kind of things are getting purchased with your tax dollars.

Talk amongst yourselves.

Presenting: the 2011 Fabulous 50 Blog Award Winners! #fab50

The moment you've been waiting for is here.

The votes are in. The anxious nominees' fingernails have been chewed down to the quick. And at least one blogger just excused himself to go to the bathroom (number two, apparently).

So we're more than pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 Fabulous 50 Blog Awards, the most prestigious new media awards in the conservative blogosphere. Or, at the very least, in the 993 area code.

These awards recognize a variety of blogs and websites operating in the conservative hemisphere of the Internet, all of which have worked tirelessly to protect America from Statism -- some in very unique ways.

So, without further ado, may I have the envelopes, please?

Best News Portal:

Drudge Report

Best Hybrid Portal:

Memeorandum

Best Blog Portal:

Instapundit

Best Multimedia Pundit:

Michelle Malkin

Best Group Blog:

Hot Air

Best Blogger in a Group Blog:

Ed Morrissey

Best Op-Ed Blog:

Right Wing News

Best Op-Ed Columnist:

Mark Steyn

Best News Blog:

Weasel Zippers

Best Political Analysis Blog:

American Spectator

Best U.S. Econ Blog:

Foundry

Best Global Econ Blog:

Zero Hedge

Best Talker's Website:

The Mark Levin Show and Neal Boortz (tie)

Best Investigative Bloggers:

Sipsey Street Irregulars and Gun Rights Examiner (tie)

Best Political Group Blog:

RedState

Best Event Coverage:

Verum Serum, for its coverage of the "Occupy" movement

Best Economic Reporter:

James Pethokoukis

Best Investigative Journalism:

Big Government

Best Political Blogging:

Conservative Black Chick, Hispanic Conservative, Nice Deb, Pundit & Pundette, Sister Toldjah, Wintery Knight, Wolf Howling (tie)

Best Video Host:

Bill Whittle

Best News Outlet:

CNS News and Washington Examiner (tie)

Best White House Coverage:

Keith Koffler of White House Dossier

Best First Lady Blog:

Michelle's Mirror (MOTUS)

Best Blog-Ring:

The Watcher's Council (All 2011 Council members are winners)

Best Latin American Coverage:

Fausta's Blog

Best Law Blog:

Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion

Best Investigative Reporter in Legacy Media:

Sharyl Attkisson of CBS News for her reporting on Operation Fast & Furious

The David Brooks Award for Demi-Conservatism:

David Frum

The David Frum Award for Faux Conservatism:

Jennifer Rubin, Right Turn

The Jennifer Rubin Award for Pseudo-Conservatism:

David Brooks, New York Times

The Sweater-Full-of-Mischief Award for Humorous News Blogging:

Ace o' Spades

The Daniel Irvin Rather Award for Media-Busting:

NewsBusters

The Vince Vaughan Award for Pithy Commentary:

Protein Wisdom

The Bob Saget Award for Best Videos:

The Right Scoop

The Stuxnet Award for Best Information Warfare Campaign:

The Jawa Report

The Bozell Award for Best Media Pundit:

Ed Driscoll

The Daniel Simpson Day Award for Best Graphics:

iOwnTheWorld, The Looking Spoon and The People's Cube (tie)

The Salvador Dali Award for Most Creative Blogging:

Curmudgeonly & Skeptical and Sondrakistan (tie)

The Deb Morgan Award for Best Use of Cursewords:

Cold Fury, Double Plus Undead, and The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler (tie)

The Ernie Pyle Award for Largest Brass Accoutrements:

Andrew Breitbart

The Yglesias Award for World's Dumbest Blogger:

Ezra Klein

The Enron Award for Best Propagan-conomist:

Paul Krugman

The Kent Dorfman Award for Most Confused Blogger:

Charles Johnson, Little Green Foosballs

The Douglas C. Neidermeyer Award for Defending America Against Right-Wing Visigoths:

Rick Moran

The Larry Kroger Award for Most Promising Newcomer:

TL In Exile and BS Footprint (tie)

Best Blogger Working in Legacy Media:

Don Surber

Post of the Year:

Paco Enterprises, "George Washington writes a letter to President Obama"

The Ronald Reagan Award for Best Anti-Communist Blogger:

Trevor Loudon

The Moshe Dayan Award for Best Israel Blogger:

Sultan Knish

The Golda Meir Award for Best Anti-Jihad Blogger:

Atlas Shrugs, Gates of Vienna, JihadWatch, MEMRI (tie)

The Morrissey Award for Best Online Op-Ed Blogger:

John Hayward

Article of the Year:

"Repo Men", by Kevin D. Williamson

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Okay, I won. Where do I get my damn award badges?
A: Right here. If you have questions about installing your badge, ask 'em in the comments.

Q: *Sob*. I didn't win. Can I use one of the badges anyhow?
A: Yes, we've included handy LOSER badges for you.

Q: You suck -- I didn't win.
A: That's not a question.

Q: Where are the previous Fabulous 50 Award Winners listed?
A: You can review The 2010 Fabulous 50 here and The 2009 Fabulous 50 here.

Larwyn's Linx: George Washington writes a letter to President Obama

Have a news tip or great story? Drop me an email. Bloggers: you can install a Larwyn's Linx blog widget!

QOTD: "Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak and that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws." -- John Adams

Friday, December 30, 2011

E-Z to follow instructions: how to escape any traffic stop without a ticket!

Stopped for a traffic violation and don't want to get hit with an expensive ticket? Just follow these simple instructions:

1. When the police officer asks for your driver's license and registration, state: "No habla ingles."

2. As the police officer figures out how to react, recite the following sentence (preferably using a exaggerated accent): "I am an illegal alien to the United States."

3. Before the police officer can react to your second statement, close the deal with: "You are not allowed to ask for my papers. Eric Holder said so."

4. After the police officer shrugs, closes his traffic investigation pad and sends you on your way, put the car in D (not R, heh) and slowly drive away from the scene. Try not to unleash an evil cackle.

Note: If you are hassled at all, contact La Raza or some other separatist front group for the government of Mexico and figure out how to sue the city, town or county in question.

After all, according to the Obama administration and the Holder DOJ, no one has a right to ask you for your papers. And anyone who does so must be profiling.

By the way: if I had any entrepreneurial skills whatsoever, I'd turn this into a 30-minute infomercial and charge four installments of $19.95 for all of this valuable information.

The Coming Tidal Wave... of Crime

Caution: this is not a snarky post. Zero-percent snark. I want to connect a few dots for you. Additional caution: you may want to sit down.

* * * * * * * * *
1 USA Today headline: Record number in government anti-poverty programs

Government anti-poverty programs... now serve a record one in six Americans and are continuing to expand... More than 50 million Americans are on Medicaid, the federal-state program aimed principally at the poor...

...More than 40 million people get food stamps, an increase of nearly 50% during the economic downturn, according to government data through May. The program has grown steadily for three years...

...Close to 10 million receive unemployment insurance, nearly four times the number from 2007. Benefits have been extended by Congress eight times beyond the basic 26-week program, enabling the long-term unemployed to get up to 99 weeks of benefits. Caseloads peaked at nearly 12 million in January — "the highest numbers on record," says Christine Riordan of the National Employment Law Project, which advocates for low-wage workers.

More than 4.4 million people are on welfare, an 18% increase during the recession...

In February 2009 Robert Rector, quoted in the London Sunday Times, predicted that the Obama Democrats' expansion of welfare, food stamps and unemployment would be disastrous.

One of the few undisputed triumphs of American government of the past 20 years – the sweeping welfare reform programme that sent millions of dole claimants back to work – has been plunged into jeopardy by billions of dollars in state handouts included in the president’s controversial economic stimulus package...

...Robert Rector, a prominent welfare researcher who was one of the architects of Clinton's 1996 reform bill, warned last week that Obama’s stimulus plan was a “welfare spendathon” that would amount to the largest one-year increase in government handouts in American history... Despite dire warnings that reduced benefits for single mothers and deadlines on entitlement would create a social calamity – one liberal senator warned at the time that children would be “sleeping on grates” – the 1996 reforms cut welfare rolls from more than 5m families in 1995 to below 2m a decade later without a discernible increase in hardship.

In other words, the Obama 'Stimulus' program was intended to massively expand the welfare state. But wait! There's more!

* * * * * * * * *
2 Increasing welfare and food stamps leads to more kids born to unwed mothers

The statistical link between the availability of welfare and out-of-wedlock births is conclusive. There have been dozens of studies that link the availability of welfare benefits to out-of-wedlock births.

One study found that a 50 percent increase in the value of AFDC and foodstamp payments led to a 43 percent increase in the number of out-of-wedlock births.

A 1996 paper describes the correlation in ominous terms.

...Out-of-wedlock births are strongly related to welfare dependency. A 1 percent increase in the welfare dependent population in a state increases the number of births to single mothers by about 0.5 percent...

...Welfare dependency reduces employment. A 1 percent increase in the dependent population increases the number who are not employed by about 0.1 percent... An increase in welfare benefits reduces employment by increasing the number of welfare dependents. An increase in AFDC benefits by 1 percent of average income increases the number who are not employed by about 0.5.

In other words, if you ratchet up welfare benefits, you get reduced employment and more single-parent families.

Now, why am I telling you this?

* * * * * * * * *
3 Single-parent families correlate to higher crime rates

In 1995, Dr. Patrick Fagan wrote a seminal summary of the situation: "Over the past thirty years, the rise in violent crime parallels the rise in families abandoned by fathers... High-crime neighborhoods are characterized by high concentrations of families abandoned by fathers... The rate of violent teenage crime corresponds with the number of families abandoned by fathers...

"Neighborhoods with a high degree of religious practice are not high-crime neighborhoods... Even in high-crime inner-city neighborhoods, well over 90 percent of children from safe, stable homes do not become delinquents. By contrast only 10 percent of children from unsafe, unstable homes in these neighborhoods avoid crime... Criminals capable of sustaining marriage gradually move away from a life of crime after they get married."

Of 23 peer-reviewed U.S. studies since 2000, 20 found that family structure directly affects crime and/or delinquency.

"[R]esearch strongly suggests both that young adults and teens raised in single-parent homes are more likely to commit crimes, and that communities with high rates of family fragmentation (especially unwed childbearing) suffer higher crime rates as a result."

For example, a 23-year study found that nearly 90% of the change in violent crime rates can be attributed to the change in percentages of out-of-wedlock births (divorce rates, on the other hand, had no relationship with crime).

In The Atlantic Monthly, Barbara Dafoe Whitehead noted that the "relationship [between single-parent families and crime] is so strong that controlling for family configuration erases the relationship between race and crime and between low income and crime. This conclusion shows up time and again in the literature. The nation's mayors, as well as police officers, social workers, probation officers, and court officials, consistently point to family break up as the most important source of rising rates of crime."

Let me repeat the most important statement -- "controlling for family configuration erases the relationship between race and crime and between low income and crime."

Single-parent families generally lead to increased levels of crime; and there are no significant differences between blacks, whites, or any other race when it comes to this simple fact.

* * * * * * * * *
4 Recap:

• Fact: There are a record number of Americans dependent upon government anti-poverty programs thanks to the Obama Democrats
• Fact: Expanded access to welfare and food stamps greatly increases the number of children born to unwed mothers
• Fact: Single-parent families correlate to higher crime rates
• Conclusion: with the unprecedented increase in welfare, food stamps and unemployment, we will also see an unparalleled increase in violent crime within the next dozen or so years.

Obama and his Democrat sycophants in Congress will have created hundreds of thousands of single-parent families. These kids, born out-of-wedlock, will find themselves trapped in lives of criminality at far higher rates than kids from two-parent families.

Fast forward a dozen years, give or take a couple, and we will see a true Obama Crime Wave. I predict that we will see an unprecedented increase in crime. In fact, you could call it historic.

And the question is not whether it will happen. The question is just how bad it will be.

Newt Gingrich just rang up a few extra points on my tally: says Palin would be a viable VP or Secretary of Energy

If swear to all that's holy that I would pay serious money to watch the reactions of the moonbats when President Gingrich and Vice President Palin are sworn in.

Newt Gingrich said that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin would be among the candidates that he would consider when considering a potential running mate, adding that the former GOP vice presidential nominee would be an ideal candidate for secretary of Energy.

Gingrich, speaking Wednesday during a conference call with conservative voters hosted by Ralph Reed's Faith and Freedom Coalition, was asked by one of the attendees whether he would consider Palin as a running mate.

"She is certainly one of the people you would look at. I am a great admirer of hers and she was a remarkable reform governor of Alaska, she’s somebody who I think brings a great deal to the possibility of helping in government and that would be one of the possibilities," Gingrich said...

I wonder how hard a Vice President Sarah Palin would kick Lisa Jackson's ample posterior (metaphorically speaking, of course)?

Good news, folks - Ron Paul has finally discovered who was behind the first WTC attack: it was "The Jews".

How anyone in good conscience could vote for this nut is beyond me. Sure, a Democrat trying to sow chaos in a GOP primary I could understand. But people who think they're being "patriotic"? Give me a f***ing break.

One of the more insane claims in Ron Paul’s newsletters was that the Israelis were behind the WTC bombings in 1993:

Whether [the 1993 World Trade Center bombing] was a setup by the Israeli Mossad, as a Jewish friend of mine suspects, or was truly a retaliation by the Islamic fundamentalists, matters little.

This claim is of course so ridiculous and absurd that even Paul has to protect himself by claiming that “a Jewish friend” told him about it. What a handy rhetorical device! If only Paul had had the foresight to couch all his racist remarks in the newsletters in this way, he wouldn’t have any problems right now! “As a black friend of mine once told me, 95% of all black people in DC are criminal or semi-criminal.” See how effective that is?

...One of the excerpts CNN did not cover was Paul’s section on the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut. You’ll never guess who Paul thinks was responsible:

The Middle East, in the last forty years, has soaked up billions of dollars in the name of American security and peace. The more we give Israel, the more we must give their Arab enemies. The height of this folly was vividly and tragically dramatized on October 23, 1981, with the killing of the 241 Marines in Beirut when their barracks were destroyed by radical Moslems. The terrorists probably were aided by Iran and supplied with explosives sold to them by Israel, originating from the United States and paid for by American taxpayers.

I have to admit that this is somewhat of a new spin on the usual anti-Israel conspiracy theory associated with this particular event.

One thing that seems clear is that Paul’s natural instinct is to disbelieve that Muslim terrorism can exist unless those rascally Jews are behind it somehow.

Ron Paul in any GOP presidential field is -- quite literally -- the turd in the punchbowl.

Hat tip: Michelle Malkin. Image: The Looking Spoon.

Remember the name 'Courtney DuPree' when Obama starts handing out pardons

I stole that headline from Jammie Wearing Fool who points us to the Obama fundraiser found guilty in a $21 million bank fraud scheme. And, no, his name's not Rezko.

Seems to be an awful lot of Barack Obama’s buddies who keep winding up in prison.

A Democratic fundraiser was found guilty Friday of engineering a $21 million bank fraud scheme... Courtney Dupree was convicted of vastly overstating the billings of his Long Island City-based lighting company GDC Acquisitions in order to fraudulently obtain a loan from Amalgamated Bank.

...Dupree, who attended the elite Wharton School of Business, was a rainmaker in Democratic circles... In 2008, Dupree hosted a $1,000-a-ticket fund-raiser for Barack Obama at his Broad St. apartment that was attended by top aide Valerie Jarrett.

But maybe he was doing it for the children.

Just wondering: when you update your LinkedIn profile for prison, do you include your cell block?

Larwyn's Linx: Don't Fall for Operation Psych Out

Have a news tip or great story? Drop me an email. Bloggers: you can install a Larwyn's Linx blog widget!

Nation

Don't Fall for Operation Psych Out: LI
Mullah Ron Paul: Spengler
Reagan Had the Recipe for Success. Let's Follow It: Gingrich

Ron Paul: Hitler Okay, But Gaza Is A "Concentration Camp": Riehl
Perry’s internal polling confirms that Santorum’s surge is real: Hot Air
Perry Hearing on Virginia Ballot Challenge Set for Jan. 13: NatlJrnl

Liberals Twice as Likely to Favor Socialism as Americans: VS
Pelosi’s Office Denies Daughter’s Retirement Claim: Malkin
The Obama Campaign's New Slogan: WZ

Economy

Voters Want Growth, Not Income Redistribution: Barone
The Thinly-Veiled Fed Bailout Of Europe: Insider
After Cop Drives Drunk at 143 MPH, Union Protects from Firing!: RightP

Recess Appts. To NLRB: War Declared Against Employers: Townhall
The Ongoing MF Global Disaster: Denninger
Tax Cuts, Less-Intrusive Gov't Help Canada Soar: IBD

Gunrunner & Energygate

Eric Holder: Cops Are Being Killed By The Flow of Illegal Guns: Ace
No one tell Holder: 70% of Americans want voter ID: Foundry
Rep. Ted Poe calls Eric Holder’s response to Fast and Furious “preposterous”: Chron

Climate & Energy

A Bad Year for Obama’s Green Dream: Foundry
California low carbon fuel law blocked by federal judge: Watts

Media

Ann Coulter Endorses Rick Santorum (Update: Santorum Ran on E-Verify in 2006): BizzyBlog
Free Speech Hating Peas in an Anti-Semitic Pod: Zilla
WordPress Takes Down “Bare Naked Islam” Blog After Threats From CAIR: GWP

Why Did Jack Ryan Drop Out of IL Senate Race in '04 (which paved the way for Obama's rise)?: HillBuzz
Bill Maher Twitter-Whips Tim Tebow, But CBS Says Tebow's the 'Notorious' One: NB
Mayweather placed $1M bet on Tebow to lose, report says: Post

Time to boycott Sharia-compliant Wordpress: TAB
Paul: I did write parts of the newsletters, but not the bad parts: Hot Air
Don't Underestimate the Power of Social Networking: AT

World

The Case for Military Action in Iran: Ricochet
Jan 2009: Iran TV Interviews Iran's Favorite Congressman, Who Bashes Israel, Defends Hamas: Nice Deb
A life alone for Saudis born out of wedlock: JPost

Ron Paul is truly dangerous: Union-Leader
Outrageous… Hillary Clinton Tells Syrian Freedom Protesters to Lay Down Their Weapons: GWP
IDF's unparalleled record of sparing civilians in counter-terrorism operations: AT

Ron Paul: Iran Would be Justified in Closing Strategic Waterway in Response to Sanctions: CNS
The Coming Collapse of China: 2012 Edition: Foreign Policy
Inept U.S. Congress frees $40 million for ‘Palestinians’: Creeping

Sci-Tech

Obama Stimulus Didn't Create Jobs But Does Permit Government to Hack Your Child’s Personal Infomation: GWP
2011: The Year Intellectual Property Trumped Civil Liberties: Wired
Can your employer claim your social media connections?: Telegraph

Cornucopia

Occupying Honolulu: MOTUS
Can you guess who David Duke supports...?: WZ
I am really sorry if I have offended anyone: Kelly Clarkson

Image: "Alamo record setter - In thriller, Baylor outguns Huskies"
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Senate Conservatives Fund

QOTD: "That’s why I think the debate on the Republican side is so important. And why when I see, I have to be candid, a candidate like Ron Paul whose foreign policy is if anything is worse than the Obama administration apparently leading in Iowa according to some polls, it just gives me great concern. …

But I guess I’d say to people who look at Ron Paul and have some measure of support for his domestic policies on the libertarian side, I’d have to say look, I consider myself pretty libertarian but you cannot live in fantasy land. The rest of the world is not going to leave us alone and we need a Commander-in-Chief who understands that. A Ron Paul president would simply not address the challenges we face.

So if you’re thinking about Ron Paul because of his domestic issues, think again and look at virtually any of the other candidates and consider how they would be as Commander-in-Chief. That’s the president’s first duty, defending the country." --Amb. John Bolton

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Manhattan, New York City

Thank an open-borders Democrat today: Hezbollah operating in Mexico, likely preparing terror attacks in U.S.

Remember this?

This was the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, the site of a massive truck-bombing that killed 241 U.S. servicemen in 1983.

The attack was orchestrated by Hezbollah, the fanatical Islamic terrorist group funded, trained and inspired by Iran's deadly regime.

Hezbollah is a particularly vicious, well-organized, and well-funded organization whose tentacles are extending ever closer to the U.S. homeland. And, thanks to the feckless policies of George W. Bush and -- especially -- Barack Obama, America's porous borders offer ample opportunity for professional terrorist groups to wreak havoc.

And havoc they will wreak, just as surely as night follows day.

In October, a Texas-car salesman was arrested in connection with an Iranian plot to kill Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Washington. Prosecutors say officials in Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps believed they were dealing with a "large and sophisticated" Mexican drug cartel to carry out the hit. A $100,000 down payment on the hit shows the Iranians were comfortable dealing with the cartel representative, who in fact was a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) informant.

Earlier this month, prosecutors in Virginia unsealed an indictment charging a Lebanese man, Ayman Joumaa, with smuggling more than 100 tons of Colombian cocaine with the Los Zetas Mexican drug cartel. Hizballah, an Iranian proxy in Lebanon, "derived financial support from the criminal activities of Joumaa's network," the U.S. Treasury Department claimed earlier this year.

...The law enforcement actions come amid a recent report citing Israeli intelligence saying Hizballah's funding from traditional state sponsors such as Iran and Syria has declined sharply. That financial crunch may be leading the Shiite group to build alliances with Mexican drug syndicates and increasingly fund its terrorist operations through profits from the lucrative South American cocaine trade.

...The growing nexus between Hizballah and Mexican drug cartels allows the Iran-backed extremist group to make use of drug cartel transit routes to gain entry into the United States through its porous border with Mexico. Hizballah, in turn, offers Mexican syndicates expertise on smuggling and explosives as well as access to its drug trafficking networks in the Middle East and South Asia.

Braun also alleged that members of Iran's Quds Force are "commanding and controlling" Hizballah's criminal operations in Latin America...

Thanks to the policies of President Obama and A.G. Eric Holder -- who are suing states for enforcing federal immigration law -- Hezbollah's entry routes into the U.S. will remain wide open.

The Obama administration appears to be actively encouraging illegal immigration in a cynical attempt to regain Hispanic voters. In fact, its tolerance of illegal immigration is so brazen that ICE agents have publicly warned Americans to "brace themselves for what's coming."

Indeed. Unless we toss this lawless group out of of office in 2012, the combination of open borders, Hezbollah, and a narcotics-fueled civil war will prove quite deadly for American citizens. Of that, there is no doubt.

Related:
• ICE agents warn Americans "to brace themselves for what's coming" as catch-and-release of illegals -- caught committing other crimes -- begins
• Hezbollah's inroads in Latin America

The Official Meat of the 2012 Obama Campaign

The Looking Spoon:

Just so long as it pairs well with Arugula and Grey Goose martinis.

Obama P.R. site Politico, which fixated endlessly on Sarah Palin's wardrobe, ignores FLOTUS' over-the-top clothing, jewelry and meals

The news equivalent of Media Matters, sometimes referred to as Politico, has a curious double-standard when it comes to public figures involved in politics. Jim Nolte explains:

Personally, I don’t care what Michelle Antoinette wears on her taxpayer-funded lavish Hawaiian vacations with her husband President FailureTeleprompterDuffer. Thanks to an autobiography that was probably ghost-written by domestic terrorist Bill Ayers, Obama’s a millionaire and more power to him. If the First Lady wants to lord over the peasantry her fashionable dresses and skirts and purses that cost enough to feed about 500 hungry families, that’s Our Champions Of The Poor’s business. The same is true with what the GOP chooses to spend their money on during a campaign. The attacks directed at Governor Sarah Palin over the clothes supplied to her during the 2008 election were silly, stupid intentional distractions ginned up by Obama’s MSM Palace Guards...

...What isn’t silly and stupid is that the left-wing, journOlist-infested institution known as Politico was obsessed with Palin’s wardrobe in ‘08 and one of the prime drivers of that narrative. Just for starters see here, here, here, and most especially here...

...And now for the news that will surprise no one. A good faith search has revealed that the left-wing, journOlist-infested institution known as Politico isn’t at all interested in Michelle Obama’s pricey wardrobe. Nothing here or here...

...In their defense, however, Politico has been awfully busy. Why, there’s White House spin to spread, those hundreds of articles necessary to cover 15 year-old harassment claims against Herman Cain, strategic memos to craft in order to get Obama’s Occupy Wall Street allies back in the 2012 game, and the frantic journOlisiting necessary to protect Obama from critics of his excessive golfing...

C'mon, Jim - cut Michelle and the brown-nosers at Politiho a break. After all, doesn't flouting a $42,000 bracelet cheer the little people up?

Doesn't wearing a $2,000 sundress resonate with the unemployed?

And can't you give her some credit for the one-woman stimulus package that's keeping haute couture designers employed?

Yes, that's right, Jim.

Democrats stand for the little people.

Sounds sustainable: Philadelphia councilwoman will 'retire' for one day, collect $478K union pension, then return to work on Monday

Consider this Exhibit 5,394 in the ongoing saga of public sector unions and their Democrat toadies sucking the life out of the private sector.

Marion B. Tasco, who has been described as being “politically savvy,” will retire from her sixth term as councilwoman, collect $478,057, and then be sworn in on Monday to serve her seventh term, Catherine Lucy and Chris Brennan of the Philadelphia Daily News.

...Tasco, along with many of her fellow Council members, is enrolled in Philadelphia’s Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP)...

...DROP allows city workers to collect salary and build up pension money during the last four years of their employment, writes Aaron Kase of Philadelphia Weekly.

...Naturally, when DROP was originally introduced, it was touted as being “revenue neutral.” It’s been anything but that. SInce its introduction, Philadelphia’s DROP program has cost the city $258 million in extra pension costs over a decade, according to a 2010 Boston College study...

Gee, it's so odd and unpredictable that a "revenue neutral" pension program designed by Democrat-slash-union hacks could cost the city a quarter of a billion dollars in only 10 short years.

And greatly enrich the same strain of said Democrat-slash-union hacks at the expense of the taxpayers.

Larwyn's Linx: The Year in Obama Scandals — and Scandal Deniers

Have a news tip or great story? Drop me an email. Bloggers: you can install a Larwyn's Linx blog widget!

Nation

The Year in Obama Scandals — and Scandal Deniers: Malkin
Santorum Surge: RSM
With His Experience, Gingrich Could Get The Job Done: Sowell

Undocumented Immigrants, Real Crimes: Virtuous
The Justice Department's Identity Problem: Cal Thomas
Obama: taxpayer funds can be used to promote gun control: BreitTV

Economy

The Democratic Party's War on the Poor: AT
In Obama He Trusts: Why our president fails: Wolf
Pension Perks are Crushing Taxpayers: USA Today

Top 10 Worst Federal Rules of 2011: Foundry
Michelle sports $2,000 sun-dress: Naked DC
A Run On The Global Banking System - How Close Are We?: Lira

Repo Men: NRO
‘Your Tax Dollars at Work’ Update: Shrimp on a Treadmill: Malkin
Leo Gerard: The Most Powerful Man In America?: Ulsterman

Climate & Energy

MF Global chief missing $1.2B is financial adviser to EPA: Times
Aztecs Versus Our Warmies: Wolf Howling
EPA Rule May Cause Blackouts: Intelligencer

Media

Virginia Must Change Its Election System: Jeffrey
Gross: Former Dem Rep. Weiner Wanted Threesome . . . With Another Man…: WZ
AP Bemoans Retirement of 'Centrist' Ben Nelson, Who Voted for ObamaCare and Stimulus: NB

Voter ID: Holder Looks Through Race-Colored Glasses: IBD
After Only 2 Qualify for Presidential Primary, Virginia GOP Chair Says State Should Change Election Law: CNS
Breitbart: ‘Occupy The Caucus’ Is Part Of Organized Left’s Efforts To Re-Elect Obama: Breitbart

Conservatives Shouldn't Abandon Rick Santorum: Riehl
Ted Kennedy Prepared Barack Obama’s Attack Ads: RedState
99 Percent? Elizabeth Warren Was Third Highest Paid At Harvard In 1997: Glob

World

Texas Christmas Honor Killings: Mass Murderer Didn’t Want Daughter Dating Non-Muslim: GWP
Merry Christmas From Saudi Arabia: WSJ
Clerics clash in Bethlehem brawl at Jesus' birthplace: USA Today

The Paul Pot and the Paulestinians: Sultan Knish
The New Old Europe: Hanson
Bolton: If you’re thinking about Ron Paul, think again!: Scoop

Sci-Tech

Fallout from the Christmas Hack of Stratfor: Forbes
Detailed Analysis of Personal Information ‘Anonymous’ Attack on Stratfor: IdentityFinder
Avastin can stabilize tumors in ovarian cancer, studies find: LAT

The Next iPad Battery Will Be Awesome: Insider
Wi-Fi 'protected set-up' not so protected after all: CNet
Is China's New GPS System Better Than Ours?: Blaze

Cornucopia

Bumper Sticker of the Year Awards: LI
Doubling Down on Debt: It’s a Snow Job: MOTUS
No Car Will Escape This "Future Now" Speed Cam: Consumerist

Cheetah of 1930s Tarzan Movies Dies: WSJ
A fish that bites men's testicles? Yep, it's real: GlobalPost
White Castle considers alcohol sales: Cleveland

Image: "Iran Says U.S. Aircraft Carrier Has Entered Zone Near Key Oil Route"
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Senate Conservatives Fund

QOTD: "I'm running a marathon of sorts on stories of crimes committed by illegal aliens.

We criminalize texting, but allow, if not encourage, a mass migration of people who we know exactly nothing about.

It is like, as a nation, we are suicidal." --The Machiavellian

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Chart o' the Week: The Obama Economic Record

I think this says it all:

Three years into Ronald Reagan's first term, I wonder how things were going?

For you drones: that's a rhetorical question.

Hat tip: @AACons.

Harbinger of Future Events: New York Times Emails Millions of Subscribers to Tell Them Their Subscriptions Are Cancelled

Paul Krugman hardest hit:

The New York Times mistakenly sent an e-mail on Wednesday to more than eight million people who had shared their information with the company, erroneously informing them that they had canceled home delivery of the newspaper.

The Times Company, which initially mischaracterized the mishap as spam, apologized for sending the e-mail. The people who received the message represented a cross section of readers who had given their e-mail addresses to the newspaper, said Eileen Murphy, a spokeswoman for the Times Company.

...The e-mail urged recipients to consider continuing their subscriptions to The Times at 50 percent off for 16 weeks. The message sent off a flood of Twitter reactions and calls to The Times...

...She said the e-mail had been sent by a Times employee and not Epsilon Interactive, a third-party service the company uses to communicate with subscribers.

I'm thinking this is just the first step in a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The 10 Funniest Passwords Exposed by the Stratfor Breach

10 ABC News: jonathan.d.greenberger@abc.com:stephanopoulos
9 Goldman Sachs: joseph.aiken@gs.com:derivative
8 MSNBC: gary.nease@msnbc.com:Seaweed1
7 Goldman Sachs: amy.lee@gs.com:password
6 New York Times: kewald@nytimes.com:9295
5 Soros? david.steinberg@soros.com:secret
4 Fred Burton, VP of Stratfor: burton@stratfor.com:stratfor
3 Standard Bank: ravi.bhatia@standardbank.com:ravi
2 Control Risks: jennifer.harbison@control-risks.com:research
1 Goldman Sachs: muneer.satter@gs.com:bulls***

Bonus Banking Password UBS: paul.brewer@ubs.com:1234

Top 10 Gifts to Give a Liberal [Looking Spoon]

Via The Looking Spoon: yes, it may be a little late for Christmas, but it always feels good to give gifts like these to the progressives in your life.

Basic math skills and/or common sense would be some other good gift ideas.

Coming This Weekend: The 2011 Fabulous 50 Blog Awards...

Forget the Pulitzers! Flush those stinking Nobel Prizes! There's only one award worth winning and we all know what it is.

Every year at this time we are pleased to announce the winners of the Fabulous 50 Blog Awards™, recognizing the year's 50 most important blogs and websites in the conservative world. No debates. No voting. No nominations. Just facts. Immutable truths, chiseled in stone and then forged on Zeus' anvil for all of human history. No prize carries more panache, more prestige, and more sex appeal than a Fab 50 Award, save something you might find in a Crackerjacks box.

The talented illustrators at the peerless iOwnTheWorld have created a stunning set of award icons, suitable for framing, a pattern for your next tattoo, or even including on the templates of the award winners.

If you are a winner, click the award icon that you would like to use, then copy the text in the HTML block below to paste into your template:

300 x 400 Deluxe

200 x 267 Midsize

180 x 241 Intermediate

160 x 185 Mini

160 x 185 LOSER

HTML to use in your template:

Related:
• 2010 Fabulous 50 Blog Award Winners
• 2009 Fabulous 50 Blog Award Winners.

And be sure to press your browser's Reload button continuously from now until New Year's Eve to make sure you don't miss this immense event, suitable for an ESPN 8 ("The Ocho") reality show.