American Issued

Tea Party Issued

2010-08-01T12:58:00.029-04:00

The Washington Post published a story called Five myths about the 'tea party'. I want to use this as a basis to show the tea party as I see it. You will find that I do not agree with Weigel on all points.

Weigel's Myth #1 - "The tea party isn't a reaction to President Obama, it's a reaction to the bank bailouts." I'm not entirely convinced this is a myth. There was a lot of outrage about TARP that got lost in the election madness. Weigel even points out in the article that "The first modern tea party events occurred in December 2007, long before Barack Obama took office, and they were organized by supporters of Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.) to raise money for his long-shot presidential bid." He goes on to say, "The tea parties were kicked off by CNBC reporter Rick Santelli's rant." I do agree that Santelli's rant was the inspiration for the tea party movement as we now know it. His rant symbolized the straw that broke the camels back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp-Jw-5Kx8k
Weigel then goes on to ask where these protests were during the Bush years. These, "Where were you then?" cries are pretty pointless in my opinion. The better question would be directed at those who claimed to protest 4 years ago and mock those who protest now - "Where are you now?". Last I checked, a lot of the same wrongs are still being committed. It's not even that I'm mad that things are still bad, that's expected with a mess this huge, but what I have a problem with are the decisions being made currently that are compounding our problems.

Weigel's Myth #2 - The tea party is racist. I agree with Weigel that the tea party is NOT racist. As he points out, "It's a phenomenon that some activists call "nutpicking" -- send a cameraman into a protest and he'll focus on the craziest sign." Out of all the thousands of tea party events that took place in cities and towns all over the country they found a handful of signs that could be interpreted as being racist. The fact is, if you get any large group of people together there are bound to be some crazies. As far as tea party "leadership" goes, anyone can declare themselves part of or president of a local tea party. I'm sure that if the tea party attendees nationwide were polled, they wouldn't share a consensus of who the leaders are. I don't even know the names of the people that claim to be leaders of the national tea party groups. Tea Party attendees do NOT elect these people on a national scale. They are not in any real position of power. The power of the tea party comes from the individuals that show up in numbers and it is a diverse group of individuals. The tea party movement is largely about opposition to the expansion of power of the federal government. It is not about race. The worst photos of some idiot that decided to attach himself to the tea party do not represent the vast majority of the tea party attendees any more than the worst signs at an anti-war rally would represent most of the people involved there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1CLPhz0DHM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Eib2di9bq4
The Associated Press - Black members of tea party dispute racist claims

Weigel's Myth #3 - Sarah Palin is the leader of the tea party.
"Her credentials aren't ideal: Tea partiers unanimously agree that the TARP was what turned America's decline into a freefall; as a vice presidential candidate, Palin backed the TARP." Also, she upset many tea party attendees when she endorsed RINOs over tea party candidates.

Weigel's Myth #4 - The tea party hurts the GOP. I think Weigel is missing that the tea party is a bigger threat to incumbents of either party than it is to GOP alone.

Weigel's Myth #5 - The tea party will transform American politics. I totally disagree that this is a myth. The tea party has already transformed American Politics and will continue to do so.

More tea party videos worth watching

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEo4JEaBSgo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sjvc6baor8

I'll keep adding more info and helpful links here as I find them. Please feel free to use the envelope link below to email this blog to friends.

Goldman Sachs

2010-04-20T03:10:00.006-04:00

Obama continues the practice of placing former Goldman Sachs executives and lobbyists in positions of power over our financial sector -

#1. Mark Patterson - former Goldman Sachs lobbyist now Geithner's chief of staff at Treasury, which oversees the government's $700 billion financial bailout program. Goldman Sachs received $10 billion of that money.

#2. Gary Gensler - Gensler spent 18 years at Goldman Sachs, making partner when he was 30, becoming head of the company’s fixed income and currency trading operations in Tokyo by the mid-’90s, and eventually the company’s co-head of finance. Now Chairman Commodity Futures Trading Commission

#3. Robert D. Hormats - Vice Chairman, Goldman Sachs (International). Now Robert D. Hormats is Under Secretary for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs State Department

#4. Adam Storch - Managing Executive of the Security and Exchange Commission's Division of Enforcement. He was previously the Vice President in the Business Intelligence Group at Goldman Sachs.

then there's ... Dianna Farrell ( Deputy Director, National Economic Council)... Philip Murphy ...

Czar Issued

2009-07-16T18:52:00.050-04:00

This is what I have so far of Czar-level authorities in the Obama administration (I compiled this information from a few different web-pages). Please let me know if you see any addition or corrections to this list. There are links below some of the names with news stories related to that the czar or publications written by the czar. This is a work in progress. I have not researched all the czars yet (not even all the ones listed here). There are so many and I keep having to add more. I am approaching this with a critical view. This may seem negative, but the purpose of this entry is to give information that people may not know about the czars. I think this is important czars are not held accountable to anyone other than the president. I welcome everyone to research the czars themselves. There is more to these individuals than what I have posted here and some of the people listed have served under other presidents as well. Obama is not the first president to have czars. What is shocking is the number of czars he has. Most have not been confirmed by the U.S. Senate. There have been accusations that this is an Obama Administration scheme to create new pseudo-cabinet posts and bypass congressional oversight.

The above video is from June 15, 2009 from U.S. Congressman John Carter's official YouTube page.

Allison, Herb - TARP Czar
Forbes March 16, 2009 - Herb Allison: Tapped For TARP?
"With the national unemployment rate for March soaring to 8.5%, many Americans are worried about losing their jobs. One person not losing sleep over it is current Fannie Mae CEO Herb Allison, who reportedly will soon be asked by President Obama to manage TARP, the $700.0 billion bank rescue effort, as the assistant secretary for the Office of Financial Stability."

Bersin, Alan - Border Czar
Time April 16, 2009 - Alan Bersin: Obama's 'Border Czar'
"Has been known to take jobs for which he has little experience. Served as U.S. Attorney in San Diego despite not being a criminal lawyer. Became San Diego School Superintendent despite not having sent any of his children to public institutions."

Blair, Dennis - Intelligence Czar (Director of National Intelligence)
USA Today January 8, 2009 - Obama's choice of Blair as intelligence czar covers bases
"In 2003, Blair became president of the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federally backed national security research group. The Pentagon inspector general reported in 2006 that Blair violated conflict-of-interest standards by not disqualifying himself from studies on the F-22 fighter while on boards of two contractors with ties to the program. The report also found, though, he had "no impact" on the studies' results."

Brennan, John - Homeland Security/Terrorism Czar
Washington Times March 21, 2008 - Passport breach being investigated
"The State Department last night said one of the persons responsible for the inappropriate behavior was employed by an information technology firm headed by one of Mr. Obamas foreign intelligence advisors."
"The State Department this evening had not yet released the names of the persons responsible for the unauthorized searches but said two were employed by Stanley Inc. and the third was an employee of The Analysis Corp. (TAC). Stanley Inc., a 3,500-person firm, is an Arlington-based information technology firm that this week won a $570 million contract to continue providing passport services to the State Department, which the company has done since 1992, according to Stanley Inc.s Web site. TAC is a McLean-based information firm that has helped the State Department automate the Terrorist Watchlist over the last several years, the companys Web site said. TACs Chief Executive Officer John O. Brennan is a former CIA agent who is an adviser to Mr. Obamas presidential campaign."

Browner, Carol - Energy and Environment/Global Warming/Climate Czar
The Washington Times - Obama climate czar has socialist ties

Carrion, Adolfo Jr. - Urban Affairs Czar
NY Daily News March 12, 2009 - Adolfo, the urban legend: House tale of Obama city czar Carrion demands probe

Davis, Cameron - Great Lakes Czar
ABC NEWS June 4, 2009 - Cameron Davis Appointed as Great Lakes Czar

DeParle, Nancy-Ann - Health/Health reform Czar
MSNBC July 2, 2009 - Obama health czar directed firms in trouble DeParle made millions from companies under federal investigation
"Nancy-Ann DeParle, President Barack Obama’s health policy czar, served as a director of corporations that faced scores of federal investigations, whistleblower lawsuits and other regulatory actions, according to government records reviewed by the Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University.
Several of the companies were investigated for alleged kickbacks or engaging in other illegal billing schemes, while others were accused of serious violations of federal quality standards, including one company that failed to warn patients of deadly problems with an implanted heart defibrillator. Several of the cases ended with substantial fines paid to the federal government, even though the companies admitted no wrongdoing.
Since leaving her government job running Medicare for the Clinton administration, DeParle built a lucrative private-sector career. Records show she earned more than $6.6 million since early 2001, according to a tally by the Investigative Reporting Workshop.
Much of that corporate career was built at companies that have frequently had to defend themselves against federal investigations. After leaving government, DeParle accepted director positions at half a dozen companies suspected of violating the very laws and regulations she had enforced for Medicare. Those companies got into further trouble on her watch as a director."

Devaney, Earl - Stimulus accountability Czar
TIME Feb. 24, 2009 - Stimulus Watchdog Earl Devaney

DuBois, Joshua - Faith-based Czar

Feinberg, Kenneth R. - Pay Czar / Compensation Czar

Fox, J. Charles (Chuck) - Chesapeake Bay Czar

Fried, Daniel - Guantanamo Base closure Czar

Gration, J. Scott - Sudan Special Envoy

Hathaway, Melissa - Cybersecurity Czar

Holdren, John - Science Czar
John Holdren, Ideological Environmentalist
The No-growth society
Population and Panaceas A Technological Perspective, by Paul R. Ehrlich and John P. Holdren

Jones, Van - Green Jobs Czar
Fox News - Land of the "Czars"
"Meet Van Jones, the man selected by President Barack Obama to serve as his green jobs "czar." Before arriving in Washington, Jones had a long and distinguished record as a radical environmental activist.
But he also has another lengthy record under his belt: a criminal record.
Jones was arrested on at least two occasions, once during the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles and then again several years later during protests in Seattle.
Now with a record like that, it's good that Jones didn't need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Oh, and by the way, to top it all off, in a 2005 newspaper article, Jones openly acknowledged that he was once a communist."

Kerlikowske, Gil - Drug Czar

Kundra, Vivek Kundra - Technology/Infotech Czar

Lute, Douglas - War Czar

Mitchell, George - Mideast Peace Enovy

Rattner, Steven - Car Czar (Lead Advisor to the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry
President Obama's car czar Steven Rattner drives off under cloud

Ross, Dennis - Persian Gulf and Southwest Asia Advisor

Samore, Gary - WMD Policy/Nonproliferation Czar

Stern, Todd - Climate Special Evnoy

Sunstein, Cass R. - Regulatory Czar
New York Post - GAG THE INTERNET! AN OBAMA OFFICIAL'S FRIGHTENING BOOK ABOUT CURBING FREE SPEECH ONLINE
Wall Street Journal - Obama's Regulatory Czar Likely to Set a New Tone
Amazon - On Rumors: How Falsehoods Spread, Why We Believe Them, What Can Be Done (Hardcover) by Cass R. Sunstein(Author)

Volcker, Paul A. - Economic Czar

Zients, Jeffrey - Government Performance Czar

I will be updating list as more information becomes available.

SOURCES:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/07/14/2009-07-14_president_obamas_car_czar_steven_rattner_drives_off_under_cloud.html#ixzz0LJIEIQQQ&C
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/12/obama-climate-czar-has-socialist-ties/
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,533144,00.html
http://www.amazon.com/Rumors-Falsehoods-Spread-Believe-Them/dp/0809094738
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07112009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/gag_the_internet__178749.htm
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123138051682263203.html
http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/03/holdren-obama-science-opinions-contributors_0203_ronald_bailey.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=7jjp9bv0qNYC&dq=The+No-Growth+Society&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=toR1ibnFhn&sig=4VVFOK8nj3IYsoIGtIisIl_q-KI&hl=en&ei=M6BdSrOADpGaMPvTsa4C&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5
http://www.jstor.org/pss/1294858
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/mar/21/passport-breach-being-investigated/
http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/16/allison-tarp-fannie-face-markets-america.html
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1891573,00.html?iid=fb_share
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/03/12/2009-03-12_adolfo_the_urban_legend_house_tale_of_ob.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-01-08-blair_N.htm
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=7761131
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31566399/ns/health-health_care/
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1881351,00.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlEiu0bXRLQ

Please feel free to use the envelope link below to email this post to friends.

Shankapolitics will bring you politically charged, fun, and sentimental designs on various T-Shirts, Pins and a Myriad of other products.

Thomas Jefferson Issued

2009-03-31T13:36:00.028-04:00

When we feel frustrated and begin looking for answers for the future of our country we often look for answers from our founding fathers. Their words ring as true even now. They were just men with faults of their own, but they were exceptional men in the way that they understood the concept of having a republic and freedom.

I am inspired to focus today's blog on Thomas Jefferson because I hear his words being quoted now more than I ever have before.

Michele Bachmann, a Republican Congresswoman from Minnesota, was quoted in the New York Times repeating the words of Thomas Jefferson.

I want people in Minnesota armed and dangerous on this issue of the energy tax because we need to fight back. Thomas Jefferson told us, “Having a revolution every now and then is a good thing,” and the people – we the people – are going to have to fight back hard if we’re not going to lose our country. And I think this has the potential of changing the dynamic of freedom forever in the United States.

These words stirred up a political media firestorm. Were these words a call to vigilence or a call to violence? Personally, I think she is calling for vigilence. I think she wanted to remind that people that we are the ones who have the power. This isn't the first time her comments have drawn scrutiny. This reminded me of another qoute by Thomas Jefferson, "When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, an hundred." A lot of people are angry (and maybe even scared right now) & rightfully so, but we must choose our words and actions carefully. There is a time for angry phone calls and letters, there is a time for massive nonviolent noncompliance and then there is a time for revolution. Let's be vigilent, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Thomas Jefferson has shared some of the same concerns that we have when he made this statement, "I, however, place economy among the first and most important republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared."

There was a video I watched on you Tube today that focuses on our current economic crisis and yearns for Mr. Jefferson.

We may not have Jefferson, but he left us his words. Jefferson even understood the importance of this when he said, "It is the duty of every good citizen to use all the opportunities, which occur to him, for preserving documents relating to the history of our country." I've reminded a friend that was losing hope for the future of our country that the words of our founding fathers are immortalized in stone and monument in our nation's capitol. We can always return.

An exceptional man is still a man, no different than any of us.

"Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights."
- Thomas Jefferson

If we truly believe the words of Jefferson, then we should have no problem believing that we are the ones that can set things right.

Related Link and Sources:
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/michele-bachmann-seeks-armed-and-dangerous-opposition-to-cap-and-trade/
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/19/pub-michele-bachmann/
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/collections/jefferson_papers/mtjquote.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUBIJCXz9M8
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/thomasjefferson/

Organizing for America Isssued

2009-03-22T18:03:00.009-04:00

Organizing for America or O.F.A. as they call it, just launched 3/21/2009.

I'm a bit confused as to what the point of having Americans sign a pledge saying that they support the president's plan. People who sign this pledge will then have their names and contact information (address, email address and phone number) entered into a special webpage.

Anyway, the Obama official You Tube page has posted a couple videos. Notice the very young children in the training video, especially the one being prompted at the end who says, "Education is good for your brain." Maybe that's all they are after - BRAAIINSSS! Sounds familiar?

Bob Hope on Zombies and Democrats

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a6YdNmK77k

Anyway, here's the videos.

Pledge Project Canvass Training Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4NKllI3AfM

Mitch Stewart's Organizing Update - March 9, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xImpUMQuPUA

Has anyone came to your door yet?

Michael Steele Issued

2009-03-22T02:09:00.013-04:00

The Michael Steele Rap

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXKIuKe_Mbw

Even though Jon Stewart gets on my nerves lately (and by lately I mean like since 2006), at least Comedy Central is still churning out some funny stuff every now and then. This one is from Colbert Report.

Michael "drill baby drill" Steele is an okay guy (even though I think he is wrong about Rush).

American Revulsion Issued

2009-03-20T13:29:00.012-04:00

So, I watched John make this video titled American Revulsion: We The People have good reason to be disgusted! last night.

It's simple, yet effective - black text on a white background and the Battle Hymn of the Republic performed by the New Haven Chorale playing.

This video makes reference to the legislation passed after the AIG debacle among other things ...

In Congress, July 4, 1776. The unanimous declaration of the thirteen United States of America.

THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
Article. I.
Section. 9.
Clause 3: No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

Political Spectrum Issued

2009-03-18T15:11:00.007-04:00

Please watch these 3 videos in order.

Part 1 The Political Spectrum Explained! posted on YouTube by shanklinmike
UPDATE - shanklinmike's YouTube account seems to be suspended. I have posted a new part 1 by YouTube user jonh2o.

Part 2 Rome's Fall Capitalism Socialism Communism Fascism??? Difference? posted on YouTube by shanklinmike
UPDATE - shanklinmike's YouTube account seems to be suspended.
I am posting a new part 2 by YouTube user caughtupinthematrix.

Part 3 Americanism: Free Enterprise VS Central Planning posted on YouTube by shanklinmike
UPDATE - shanklinmike's YouTube account seems to be suspended.
I am posting a new part 3 by YouTube user caughtupinthematrix.

It appears these videos originate from The John Birch Society - whether or not one supports this organization, the videos above are interesting and worth watching.

Summary of these videos.

These videos start out by explaining that understanding the difference between a republic and democracy is essential in understanding the American system. It is mentioned that there is confusion about the political spectrum and an explanation is given that in an accurate political spectrum shows government on the far right with zero power (no government) to having 100% power (total government - communism, socialism, Nazism, fascism, etc) on the far left. The video goes on to explain that the middle of the political spectrum shows government limited to its proper role, "protecting rights of the people" (constitutional moderates). Next, the basic forms of government are introduced - they are from left to right)

- Monarchy or Dictatorship (ruled by one)
- Oligarchy (ruled by a few)
- Democracy (ruled by a majority)
- Republic (ruled by law)
- Anarchy (without government)

The video explains that these 5 can be narrowed down to fewer.

- Monarchy or Dictatorship (ruled by one) is explained to not exist in the practical sense given that in this system that even though there may be just one visible leader, it is not actually ever ruled by one, but by a group. Since it does not actually exist, it is removed from the political spectrum.

- Oligarchy (ruled by a few) is presented as the most common form of government in history and today. Oligarchy remains on the political spectrum.

- Democracy (ruled by a majority) The video explains that the problem with democracy is that the majority is not restrained and could decide to take others personal property. In the second video, reference is made to the early Greek city-states and how they would start out as a democracy, but would often end up with mob rule, anarchy and finally tyranny under an oligarchy. Democracy is deemed in the video to not be a stable form of governement, but rather a transition government.

- Republic (ruled by law) It is explained that in a true republic, the government is ruled by law and will leave the people alone. Things like, a right to fair trial, are guaranteed and the rights of citizens are not subject to majority whims. The second video mentions Solon, the Greek statesman, who is credited with creation of a fixed body of law that would later be adapted by the Romans. The problem was that the Romans forgot that the essence of freedom is the proper limitation of government and allowed politicians to exceed the powers granted to them with law, they began to take from some and give to others, taxes rose and so did control over the private sector. In desperation, many traded freedom for security and bread. Because of this abandonment of the republic system, they shifted from a Republic to a democracy and ended up with an oligarchy. Republic remains on the political spectrum.

- Anarchy (without government) is presented as something that came about from those who have looked over history and deemed that some of the worst crimes have been committed by governments, so the decision that having no government was seen as a good idea. The video goes on to explain that this is a mistake because as the ancient Greeks stated, "Without law, there can be no freedom". Our founding fathers agreed that some amount of government is a necessary force in any civilized society. The problem, it goes on to explain, with anarchy is that everyone is bound to guarding life, liberty and property themselves, this restricts people's movements. The narrator explains that people living in such chaos ultimately seek out those who can help them, which is usually the same people that were the cause of the grievances that led to anarchy in the first place, ultimately leading to an Oligarchy. Because anarchy is defined as a temporary condition it is also removed from the political spectrum.

Thus leaving Americans with two choices - keep their Republic or succumb to an Oligarchy.

The next part of the second video and the third video deals with economic systems.

I'm interested in hearing feedback on the following matters.
What do you think of the videos posted above?
What is your opinion on the The John Birch Society?

Taking Chance Issued

2009-03-17T04:16:00.013-04:00

Taking Chance is a movie that every American should see.

It it patriotic, respectful and there isn't even a hint of cynicism in it. This isn't about the war or about any political viewpoints on the war. It's about the largly unseen journey that fallen soldiers take and the way fellow Americans honor them during this time.

It is also based on the true story of Lance Corporal Chance Phelps, who was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

You can currently view this movie on HBO, on their webpage has a schedule of when it will be on again.

Also, I found out that his father painted a portrait of him in an article titled 'Faces of the Fallen' Extended at Women's Memorial Until May 31 posted on the U.S. Department of Defense webpage.

Smirnoff Issued

2009-03-12T00:34:00.005-04:00

Is this a sign of the times?

Here is an email I got from Smirnoff. I'm on their mailing list I think because I signed up for concert tickets or something.

Here is the text of the email incase the picture is too small to read.

As someone who enjoys great brands such as Smirnoff, Crown Royal, Captain Morgan, Johnnie Walker, Ketel One, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray, Guinness, Beaulieu Vineyard or Sterling Vineyards wines, you are a member of the Diageo family. As a member of our family, you need to be aware that in the coming months, lawmakers will be proposing tax increases that will put jobs in your community at risk and raise the cost of your favorite drink.

There's a real price to pay when elected officials misguidedly try to replenish state budgets with regressive taxes that will hit us at a time when we are already being hit hard enough economically. These taxes will cause people like bartenders, waiters, waitresses and other folks who work hard every day in our community restaurants and hotels to lose their jobs. In fact, the last time they raised taxes on alcohol, $1.3 billion in wages were lost, while 98,000 people found themselves out of work.

Hardly sounds fair, does it?

It's time to SAY NO to higher taxes that will put jobs at risk and raise prices on the people who can afford it the least. CLICK HERE to join the fight against irresponsible and regressive taxes.

Together, we can protect our jobs, our livelihoods, and the right to responsibly enjoy a drink.

Cheers!

Guy L. Smith
Executive Vice President
Diageo North America

Check out my blog Media Contact Issued for contact information for several different media outlets.

Media Contact Issued

2008-10-10T13:03:00.055-04:00

A compilation of media contact information. Bookmark this for future reference. I'll keep updating this and adding more.

INTERNET
DrudgeReport type your tip in the box in the bottom right below where it says "SEND NEWS TIPS TO DRUDGE [ANONYMITY GUARANTEED]"
Yahoo News contact form

NEWSPAPER
NEW YORK TIMES
Maureen Dowd contact form

RADIO
The Rush Limbaugh Show email ElRushbo@eibnet.com
Glenn Beck Program (radio) email me@glennbeck.com
Sean Hannity contact form
http://americanissued.blogspot.com/
TELEVISION
http://americanissued.blogspot.com/
ABC
ABC News Network Programming Feedback contact form with drop down menu
The View contact form or write The View 320 West 66th Street New York, NY 10023
All other ABC other shows (not sports) contact form with drop down menu

CBS News
CBS Evening News email evening@cbsnews.com or write CBS Evening News 524 West 57th St. New York, NY 10019
CONSUMER ALERT email scams@cbsnews.com or call (212) 975-3247
CBS Evening News, Saturday and Sunday editions email weekend@cbsnews.com or write CBS Evening News, Saturday Edition or CBS Evening News, Sunday Edition 524 West 57th St. New York, NY 10019 or call (212) 975-3247
http://americanissued.blogspot.com/
FOX NEWS you can always call 1-888-369-4762 or ...
America's Newsroom/Election HQ email
americasnewsroom@foxnews.com
Because You Asked - Bill Hemmer email hemmer@foxnews.com
Beltway Boys email beltway@foxnews.com
Cavuto on Business/Your World email Cavuto@foxnews.com
The Cost of Freedom Cashin' In email cash@foxnews.com
The Cost of Freedom Bulls and Bears email bullsandbears@foxnews.com
Father Jonathan Morris email fatherjonathan@foxnews.com
Forbes on Fox email Forbes@foxnews.com
FOX & Friends email friends@foxnews.com
Fox News Live/Weekend email Feedback@foxnews.com
Fox News Special email Fncspecials@foxnews.com
Fox News Sunday email FNS@foxnews.com
Fox News Watch email Newswatch@foxnews.com
FOX Report w/ Shepard Smith/FOX Report Weekend email Foxreport@foxnews.com
Geraldo At Large email Atlarge@foxnews.com
Hannity & Colmes email Hannity@foxnews.com
Jamie Colby jamie@foxnews.com
John Gibson email Myword@foxnews.com
John Scott email jon@foxnews.com
Just In w/ Laura Ingraham email yourcomments@foxnews.com
Martha MacCallum email martha@foxnews.com
The Journal Editorial Report email JER@foxnews.com
The Lineup email Lineup@foxnews.com
The Live Desk With Martha and Trace email show.livedesk@foxnews.com or americas-talking@foxnews.com
On the Record w/ Greta email ontherecord@foxnews.com
Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld email Redeye@foxnews.com
The O'Reilly Factor email Oreilly@foxnews.com
Special Report w/ Brit Hume email special@foxnews.com
Studio B w/ Shepard Smith email studiob@foxnews.com
War Stories email Comments@foxnews.com
http://americanissued.blogspot.com/
CNN
Glenn Beck Program (CNN) contact form
CNN Larry King Live contact form
American Morning contact form
Anderson Cooper 360 contact form
CNN Election Center contact form
CNN Newsroom contact form
CNN Presents contact form
CNN: Special Investigations Unit contact form
CNN Weekends contact form
Housecall contact form
Your Money contact form
Black In America contact form
Late Edition contact form
Lou Dobbs Tonight contact form
Open House contact form
Reliable Sources contact form
The Situation Room contact form
This Week at War contact form
Your World Today contact form
Fareed Zakaria GPS contact form
World of Challenges contact form
http://americanissued.blogspot.com/
MSNBC
Countdown with Keith Olbermann email countdown@msnbc.com
Rachel Maddow Show email rachel@msnbc.com
Morning Joe contact form at bottom right of page
http://americanissued.blogspot.com/
NBC News
Today email Today@NBCUNI.com
Nightly News with Brian Williams email Nightly@NBC.com
Dateline NBC email Dateline@NBCUNI.com
Meet the Press contact form
or mail a letter to NBC News 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, N.Y. 10112 for any of the above NBC News shows
Other NBC shows contact form with drop down menu

PBS
FRONTLINE contact form

I will add more media contact links later ...

If you want to suggest any that should be added to the list - please leave a comment.

If you like venting, check out my other blog Economic Rescue Issued and vent to your Senators too (I got their phone #'s there).

Please feel free to use the envelope link to email this posting to everyone you know.

Ayers Issued

2008-10-08T14:21:00.012-04:00

Why does the Obama Ayers connection matter? You've heard the argument from the Obama camp that Obama was only 7 or 8 years old when Ayers committed his terrorist acts ...

...

Here's the thing though, there is a clear reason why it DOES matter. Read this section of this report from CNN - Ayers and Obama crossed paths on boards, records show.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/07/obama.ayers/?iref=hpmostpop.

"A review of board minutes and records by CNN show Obama crossed paths repeatedly with Ayers at board meetings of the Annenberg Challenge Project.

The Annenberg Foundation gave the project a $50 million grant to match local private funds to improve schools, and Ayers fought to bring the grant to Chicago, according to participants and project records.

The project's organizing committee asked Obama to serve as the board chairman in 1995. Annenberg Project Executive Director Ken Rollings said Ayers was not a member of that ad hoc group when the decision was made.

For seven years, Ayers and Obama -- among many others -- worked on funding for education projects, including some projects advocated by Ayers.

"The specific job of the board of directors was to give out the money.," said Stanley Kurtz, a conservative researcher for the Ethics and Public Policy Center and frequent Obama critic.

"Instead of giving money directly to schools, they gave money to what they call external partners and these partners were often pretty radical community organizer groups," said Kurtz, who also has been reviewing the Annenberg Challenge's recently released records.

The board, for example, gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to Bill Ayers' small schools project. The project promoted alternative education, including projects like the Peace School -- where the curriculum centered on a United Nations theme -- and another school where the focus was African-American studies.

The funding, according to Kurtz and records CNN reviewed, came directly from the Annenberg foundation which Obama chaired. The project shut down in 2003 after achieving "little impact on school improvement and student outcomes," its final report stated.

While working on the Annenberg project, Obama and Ayers also served together on a second charitable foundation, the Woods Fund. It was that foundation that Obama referenced in the debate -- not the Annenberg Challenge.

Among Wood Foundation recipients were the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's Trinity United Church, where Obama attended and was married; and the Children and Family Justice Center, where Ayers' wife Dohrn was director."

If you are not the reading type, you can watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvROBLortBQ

Wow, very interesting. Look at the judgment Obama exercises when in a position to give out money.

Which begs the question ...

Whose hands are your tax dollars going to end up in if Obama becomes president?

This IS a valid concern.

Write your comments below.

Use the envelope link to email this to friends.

Campaign Contributions Issued

2008-10-06T15:44:00.014-04:00

The New York Times - Contributions to Presidential Campaigns
Contributions of $200 or more to presidential candidates, as reported to the Federal Election Commission.
This is a really neat search engine to search either by zip code or last name for names of people that have donated and lists how much they have donated. It also displays the employer of the person that has donated.
http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/campaign-finance/search-contributions.html

You may have heard of some of Obama's donors. Newsweek has reported that Mr. "Doodad Pro" and Mr. "Good Will" gave Obama more than $11,000 in increments of $10 and $25. Maybe you have heard about the Palestinian brothers in the Gaza Strip who had bought T shirts in bulk from the Obama campaign's online store, but you also heard that Obama's campaign gave $33,000 back to them after realizing that GA stood for Gaza, not Georgia. Hey, but it happens to every major candidate, the McCain campaign has returned money too. So, what's the problem? Well, the RNC is saying that the Obama campaign has not done enough to weed out these illegal donations. The fact is that the amount that the Obama campaign has recieved in small donations does seem a bit excessive. Check out the articles below.

Washington Post - Oct 5, 2008 - RNC to File FEC Complaint on Obama Fundraising Practices
"At the heart of the RNC complaint is a federal fundraising rule that lets campaigns accept donations under $200 without itemizing the names and addresses of the donors on its campaign finance reports. The rule was intended as a matter of practicality -- it did not seem reasonable to ask a campaign to gather that information from every five-dollar donor.
But the Obama campaign has raised more than $200 million this way, a staggering sum for donations that will not be subjected to outside scrutiny."
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/05/rnc_to_file_fec_complaint_on_o.html?hpid=topnews

Newsweek - Oct 4, 2008 - Obama’s ‘Good Will’ Hunting
"This summer, watchdog groups asked both campaigns to share more information about its small donors. The McCain campaign agreed; the Obama campaign did not."
http://www.newsweek.com/id/162403

Reuters - Oct 5, 2008 - Obama doesn't weed out illegal cash, GOP says
"More than half of the $454 million raised by Obama has come in small increments of $200 or less.
By contrast, one-third of McCain's $230 million raised during the primary campaign has come in small donations. McCain is taking public funds in the general election campaign so he is limited to $84 million."
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4942Z720081005?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews&rpc=22&sp=true

Do you think the Obama campaign should share more information about its small donors like McCain did? Leave a comment with your answer.

Please check out my related blog Obama Issued and feel free to use the envelope link below to email this to friends.

ACORN Issued

2008-10-04T19:04:00.044-04:00

Okay, so you have probably heard ACORN pop up in the news a lot lately. ACORN is also known as the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. There are a few reasons as to why we have been hearing so much about ACORN lately.

- allegations of voter fraud
- ties to Barack Obama
- contribution to the subprime mortgage implosion and current economic rescue

I wanted to present some of the media's reporting on these points. You will find that there tends to be overlap into these 3 points in most of the sources I have compiled. Make of it what you will.

Allegations of Voter Fraud

Here is an older example ...
Fox News - ACORN Vote Fraud

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkZrMpv0Pss

There are many examples just like this ...
ABC KOAT - Drug Raid Uncovers ACORN Vote Fraud

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54HIGTG0OR8

They don't do background checks on their employees ...
KRQE - ACORN hires Child Rapist, Thieves and Drug Dealers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvJE3SMHRTs

and it still continues ...
Fox News - Wall Street Journal's John Fund Discusses ACORN Vote Fraud

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNGUOYVKRjo

John Fund vs. ACORN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goTICiFQoeE

New York Post - October 5, 2008 VOTER FRAUD EXPECTED TO BE RAMPANT
"Perhaps one reason for ACORN's go-for-broke behavior is that Barack Obama used to be a lawyer and top trainer for the group. In August, the Obama campaign was caught misidentifying an $800,000 payment it had made to an ACORN subsidiary for 'election services.'"
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10052008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/voter_fraud_expected_to_be_rampant_132170.htm

Fox News - VOTER FRAUD: Feds Raid ACORN Office

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPvJRkyb8PQ

Fox News - 10/08/2008 - ACORN Vegas Office Raided in Voter Fraud Investigation
"ACORN's Las Vegas headquarters has been raided by Nevada authorities looking for evidence of voter fraud."
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/07/acorn-vegas-office-raided-voter-fraud-investigation/

New York Post - October 9, 2008 - NUTS! HOW ACORN GOT ME INTO VOTE SCAM
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10092008/news/politics/nuts__132771.htm

Ties to Barack Obama

Fox News - Obama's Ties To 'ACORN'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhQAHKxuR1Q

Fox News - Senator Obamas ties to "Acorn"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAOtqKXeBLc

New York Post - THE MELTDOWN'S ACORN
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09292008/postopinion/editorials/the_meltdowns_acorn_131274.htm

Contribution to the Subprime Mortgage Implosion

CNN - Lou Dobbs: Wall Street Bailout Fraud - Acorn Under Investigation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ2CBL19vB4

New York Post - O'S DANGEROUS PALS BARACK'S 'ORGANIZER' BUDS PUSHED FOR BAD MORTGAGES
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09292008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/os_dangerous_pals_131216.htm?page=0

CBS - ACORN Outrage Removes Affordable Housing Provision
"After several days of rage from conservative activists regarding a provision in the bailout bill that would send some of the profits from the sale of distressed assets the goverment buys into an affordable housing trust fund, congressional negotiators have removed section 105(d) of the bailout proposal, according to aides on both side.
ACORN, a Democratic ally, was not specifically directed any funds in the previous proposal, but money that went to state and local governments could then have been divvied out to the organization, which the GOP said was a deal breaker. Fevered opposition to the provision had become a viral sensation."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/28/politics/politico/thecrypt/main4483587.shtml

If you liked this post, please read my related blog Economic Crisis Issued

Please feel free to use the envelope link below to email this posting to friends.

Economic Rescue Issued

2008-10-02T03:29:00.036-04:00

Are your representatives really representing you? Are they representing the people in their state? If they are not, that is a problem. It never hurts to call them or write to them and remind them who they work for. Here you go, their vote on the Economic Resue and phone #'s for their D.C. offices (for local offices, mailing addresses, email, contact forms, fax #'s or TTY/TDD click on their name to visit their web page). 35 Senate seats are up for re-election in the 2008 elections.

Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

Akaka (D-HI), Yea (202) 224-6361
Alexander (R-TN), Yea (202) 224-4944
Allard (R-CO), Nay (202) 224-5941
Barrasso (R-WY), Nay (202) 224-6441
Baucus (D-MT), Yea (202) 224-2651
Bayh (D-IN), Yea (202) 224-5623
Bennett (R-UT), Yea (202) 224-5444
Biden (D-DE), Yea (202) 224-5042
Bingaman (D-NM), Yea (202) 224-5521
Bond (R-MO), Yea (202) 224-5721
Boxer (D-CA), Yea (202) 224-3553
Brown (D-OH), Yea (202) 224-2315
Brownback (R-KS), Nay (202) 224-6521
Bunning (R-KY), Nay (202) 224-4343
Burr (R-NC), Yea (202) 224-3154
Byrd (D-WV), Yea (202) 224-3954
Cantwell (D-WA), Nay (202) 224-3441
Cardin (D-MD), Yea (202) 224-4524
Carper (D-DE), Yea (202) 224-2441
Casey (D-PA), Yea (202) 224-6324
Chambliss (R-GA), Yea (202) 224-3521
Clinton (D-NY), Yea (202) 224-4451
Coburn (R-OK), Yea (202) 224-5754
Cochran (R-MS), Nay (202) 224-5054
Coleman (R-MN), Yea (202) 224-5641
Collins (R-ME), Yea (202) 224-2523
Conrad (D-ND), Yea (202) 224-2043
Corker (R-TN), Yea (202) 224-3344
Cornyn (R-TX), Yea (202) 224-2934
Craig (R-ID), Yea (202) 224-2752
Crapo (R-ID), Nay (202) 224-6142
DeMint (R-SC), Nay (202) 228-5143
Dodd (D-CT), Yea (202) 224-2823
Dole (R-NC), Nay (202) 224.6342
Domenici (R-NM), Yea (202) 224-6621
Dorgan (D-ND), Nay (202) 224-2551
Durbin (D-IL), Yea (202) 224-2152
Ensign (R-NV), Yea (202) 224-6244
Enzi (R-WY), Nay (202) 224-3424
Feingold (D-WI), Nay (202) 224-5323
Feinstein (D-CA), Yea (202) 224-3841
Graham (R-SC), Yea (202) 224-5972
Grassley (R-IA), Yea (202) 224-3744
Gregg (R-NH), Yea (202) 224-3324
Hagel (R-NE), Yea (202) 224-4224
Harkin (D-IA), Yea (202) 224-3254
Hatch (R-UT), Yea (202) 224-5251
Hutchison (R-TX), Yea (202) 224-5922
Inhofe (R-OK), Nay (202) 224-4721
Inouye (D-HI), Yea (202) 224-3934
Isakson (R-GA), Yea (202) 224-3643
Johnson (D-SD), Nay (202) 224-5842
Kennedy (D-MA), Not Voting (202) 224-4543
Kerry (D-MA), Yea (202) 224-2742
Klobuchar (D-MN), Yea (202) 224-3244
Kohl (D-WI), Yea (202) 224-5653
Kyl (R-AZ), Yea (202) 224-4521
Landrieu (D-LA), Nay (202)224-5824
Lautenberg (D-NJ), Yea (202) 224-3224
Leahy (D-VT), Yea (202) 224-4242
Levin (D-MI), Yea (202) 224-6221
Lieberman (ID-CT), Yea (202) 224-4041
Lincoln (D-AR), Yea (202)224-4843
Lugar (R-IN), Yea (202) 224-4814
Martinez (R-FL), Yea (202) 224-3041
McCain (R-AZ), Yea (202) 224-2235
McCaskill (D-MO), Yea (202) 224-6154
McConnell (R-KY), Yea (202) 224-2541
Menendez (D-NJ), Yea (202) 224-4744
Mikulski (D-MD), Yea (202) 224-4654
Murkowski (R-AK), Yea (202) 224-6665
Murray (D-WA), Yea (202) 224-2621
Nelson (D-FL), Nay (202) 224-5274
Nelson (D-NE), Yea (202) 224-6551
Obama (D-IL), Yea (202) 224-2854
Pryor (D-AR), Yea (202) 224-2353
Reed (D-RI), Yea (202) 224-4642
Reid (D-NV), Yea (202) 224-3542
Roberts (R-KS), Nay (202) 224-4774
Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea (202) 224-6472
Salazar (D-CO), Yea (202) 224-5852
Sanders (I-VT), Nay (202) 224-5141
Schumer (D-NY), Yea (202) 224-6542
Sessions (R-AL), Nay (202) 224-4124
Shelby (R-AL), Nay (202) 224-5744
Smith (R-OR), Yea (202) 224-3753
Snowe (R-ME), Yea (202) 224-5344
Specter (R-PA), Yea (202) 224-4254
Stabenow (D-MI), Nay (202) 224-4822
Stevens (R-AK), Yea (202) 224-3004
Sununu (R-NH), Yea (202) 224-2841
Tester (D-MT), Nay (202) 224-2644
Thune (R-SD), Yea (202) 224-2321
Vitter (R-LA), Nay (202) 224-4623
Voinovich (R-OH), Yea (202) 224-3353
Warner (R-VA), Yea (202) 224-2023
Webb (D-VA), Yea (202) 224-4024
Whitehouse (D-RI), Yea (202) 224-2921
Wicker (R-MS), Nay (202) 224-6253
Wyden (D-OR), Nay (202) 224-5244

Check out my related blog Economic Crisis Issued

USE THE ENVELOPE LINK BELOW TO EMAIL THIS TO FRIENDS

Biden Issued

2008-09-30T21:37:00.010-04:00

Okay, so I never wrote about Joe Biden because, let's face it - he's kind of boring.

I decided to finally start a post about this and add some Joe Moments. Just to be clear, these aren't the type of things I base a vote on, but he gets a lot of free passes in the mainstream media, so I don't mind picking on him a little here.

On Palin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUA8ehkjkHI

Hey Joe, she's the Governor! Not the Lt. Governor. But, that's an easy mistake to make.

Biden Gaffe: Asks a Gentleman in a Wheelchair to Stand Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRV5Y1JCGRI

In all fairness, this was a gaffe and Bush made a similiar one ...

This reporter is really blind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xawd_vnHlRs

Yikes ...

Sen. Biden Brags: "My State Was A Slave State"

http://www.youtube.com/v/qFduMuP7v-k&hl=en&fs=1

articulate bright and clean?

http://www.youtube.com/v/RcX_xfuivbs&hl=en&fs=1

and one more ...

http://www.youtube.com/v/sM19YOqs7hU&hl=en&fs=1

Sometimes his moments are confusing or contradictory to his proposed policies ...

Joe Biden on Renewables and Coal in Maumee, OH

http://www.youtube.com/v/7rXyTRT-NZg&hl=en&fs=1

McCain Ad - The Coal Miner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT12O9bWUQw

McCain Ad - Joe Biden On Barack Obama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDVUPqoowf8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glrnb_G34E4
"When the stock market crashed, Franklin Roosevelt got on the television and didnt just talk about the, you know, the princes of greed ..."

Sometimes his moments are more honest ...

Biden: Obama ad attacking McCain "Terrible"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SKjTqgjq8E

The Gaffe machine & a moment of humor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XberX_t-WvI

Unlike Clinton, Biden Gets Pass for Saying He Was 'Shot At' in Iraq
"When Hillary Clinton told a tall tale about "landing under sniper fire" in Bosnia, she was accused of "inflating her war experience" by Barack Obama's campaign -- but the campaign has been silent about Joe Biden telling his own questionable story about being "shot at" in Iraq."
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/30/unlike-clinton-biden-gets-pass-saying-shot-iraq/

If you like Joe, don't get mad. He has served this country for many years and I thank him for that.

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Economic Crisis Issued

2008-09-27T01:38:00.052-04:00

Understanding the Current Economic Crisis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU6fuFrdCJY
(movie link updated, it was taken down by YouTube - let's see how long this one stays up) If the video above is not working (in case it gets removed again), click here to watch it.

John saw this video of a YouTube user named TheMouthPeace and sent it as a tip it to Drudge Report and it actually got on there (other people probably did too).

What Caused Our Economic Crisis? Some Democrats, like Christopher John Dodd, know that the housing bubble caused it. What caused the housing bubble? The subprime implosion (risky mortgages to low income bad credit borrowers). Where did they come from? Well, it all starts back in 1977. Good intentions and Carter led to The Community Reinvestment Act ...(CRA)-

"The Community Reinvestment Act(CRA), enacted by Congress in 1977 (12 U.S.C. 2901) and implemented by Regulations 12 CFR parts 25, 228, 345, and 563e, is intended to encourage depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate."
http://www.ffiec.gov/cra/

Okay, but what does it all mean? Well, basically it's a law that requires banks & savings and loan associations to offer credit to meet the credit needs of their entire community. This law is enforced by federal regulators. This ultimately encouraged Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy mortgages on the secondary market (in which securities are sold by and transferred from one investor or speculator to another) and to sell them as mortgage-backed security aka MBS on the open market. To give you an idea of the scale of this in 2008, "Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are so big — they own or guarantee roughly half of the nation’s $12 trillion mortgage market — that the thought that they might falter once seemed unimaginable."
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/business/11ripple.html?ex=1373515200&en=8ad220403fcfdf6e&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

So what exactly is a mortgage-backed security?

"Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) are debt obligations that represent claims to the cash flows from pools of mortgage loans, most commonly on residential property. Mortgage loans are purchased from banks, mortgage companies, and other originators and then assembled into pools by a governmental, quasi-governmental, or private entity. The entity then issues securities that represent claims on the principal and interest payments made by borrowers on the loans in the pool, a process known as securitization.
Most MBSs are issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), a U.S. government agency, or the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), U.S. government-sponsored enterprises. Ginnie Mae, backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, guarantees that investors receive timely payments. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac also provide certain guarantees and, while not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, have special authority to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Some private institutions, such as brokerage firms, banks, and homebuilders, also securitize mortgages, known as "private-label" mortgage securities.
Mortgage-backed securities exhibit a variety of structures. The most basic types are pass-through participation certificates, which entitle the holder to a pro-rata share of all principal and interest payments made on the pool of loan assets. More complicated MBSs, known as collaterized mortgage obligations or mortgage derivatives, may be designed to protect investors from or expose investors to various types of risk. An important risk with regard to residential mortgages involves prepayments, typically because homeowners refinance when interest rates fall. Absent protection, such prepayments would return principal to investors precisely when their options for reinvesting those funds may be relatively unattractive."
http://www.sec.gov/answers/mortgagesecurities.htm

In comes Clinton, more good intentions and subprime mortgages ...

The CRA regulations were substantially revised again in 1995, in response to a directive to the agencies from President Clinton to review and revise the CRA regulations to make them more performance-based, and to make examinations more consistent, clarify performance standards, and reduce cost and compliance burden. This directive addressed criticisms that the regulations, and the agencies' implementation of them through the examination process, were too process-oriented, burdensome, and not sufficiently focused on actual results. The agencies also changed the CRA examination process to incorporate these revisions.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/testimony/braunstein20080213a.htm

Bush tried to warn, starting in 2001 and several times in 2008 and about every year in between ... This does not in any way excuse Bush's incompetence in dealing with this issue, but it's worth noting.

Just the Facts: The Administration's Unheeded Warnings About the Systemic Risk Posed by the GSEs
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/09/20080919-15.html

Chuck Hagel sponsored a bill "to address the regulation of secondary mortgage market enterprises, and for other purposes". This bill was co-sponsored by John McCain, John E. Sununu & Elizabeth Dole. The bill never made it ...

Text of S. 190 [109th]: Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s109-190

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs
Another video from YouTube User NakedEmperorNews
"Democrats in their own words Covering up the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Scam that caused our Economic Crisis.
At a 2004 hearing see Democrat after Democrat covering up and attacking the regulations to protect Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (their Cash Cows) that are now destroying our economy because the Democrats let them cheat."

What Just Happened?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exxVZTKq1vA

Explosive Video, Fannie Mae CEO calling Obama and the Dems the "Family" and "Conscience" of Fannie Mae

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usvG-s_Ssb0

Obama Ranks Second In Freddie/Fannie Contributions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-_HlpZ8azA

One more thing ... we should all think about what is at stake here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Csthf_CQsjo

Every American voter deserves to know the truth. Use the envelope link below to email this to everyone you know.

Obama Issued - Born Alive Infants Protection Act

2008-09-26T17:46:00.004-04:00

His record. Fully Documented. Make of it what you will.

Illinois 92nd General Assembly. SB 1093, 22 Feb. 2001.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet92/sbgroups/sb/920SB1093LV.html
Provides that no abortion procedure that, in the medical judgment of the attending physician, has a reasonable likelihood of resulting in a live born child shall be undertaken unless there is in attendance a physician other than the physician performing or inducing the abortion who shall address the child's viability and provide medical care for
the child. Provides that a physician inducing an abortion that results in a live born child shall provide for the soonest practicable attendance of a physician other than the physician performing or inducing the abortion to immediately assess the child's viability and provide medical care for the child. Provides that a live child born as a result of an abortion shall be fully recognized as a human person and that all reasonable measures consistent with good medical practice shall be taken to preserve the life and health of the child. Effective immediately.
****Obama voted Present***

Illinois 92nd General Assembly. SB 1094, 22 Feb. 2001.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet92/sbgroups/sb/920SB1094LV.html
****Obama voted Present***

Illinois 92nd General Assembly. SB 1095, 22 Feb. 2001.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet92/status/920SB1095.html
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/srollcalls92/920SB1095_03302001_030000T.pdf
Amends the Statute on Statutes. Defines "born-alive infant" to include every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development. Defines "born alive" to mean the complete expulsion or extraction from the mother of an infant, at any stage of development, who after that expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut and regardless of whether the expulsion or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section, or induced abortion. Effective immediately.
****Obama voted Present***

Illinois 92nd General Assembly. SB 1661, 30 Jan. 2002.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet92/sbgroups/sb/920SB1661LV.html
A part of the Born Alive Infant Protection Package. Would create a cause of action of a child is born alive after an abortion and the child is then neglected through failure to provide medial care after birth.
****Obama voted No.***

Illinois 92nd General Assembly. SB 1662, 30 Jan. 2002.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet92/sbgroups/sb/920SB1662LV.html
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/srollcalls92/920SB1662_04042002_014000T.pdf
Sec. 1.36. Born-alive infant.
(a) In determining the meaning of any statute or of any
rule, regulation, or interpretation of the various
administrative agencies of this State, the words "person",
"human being", "child", and "individual" include every infant
member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development.
(b) As used in this Section, the term "born alive", with
respect to a member of the species homo sapiens, means the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of that
member, at any stage of development, who after that expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut and regardless of whether the expulsion or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section, or induced abortion.
(c) A live child born as a result of an abortion shall
be fully recognized as a human person and accorded immediate protection under the law.
****Obama voted No.***

Illinois 93rd General Assembly. SB 1082, 19 Feb. 2003.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1082&GAID=3&DocTypeID=SB&LegId=3910&SessionID=3&GA=93
As originally proposed, the 2003 state bill, SB 1082, sought to define the term "born-alive infant" as any infant, even one born as the result of an unsuccessful abortion, that shows vital signs separate from its mother.
****The bill would have established that infants thus defined were humans with legal rights. It never made it to the floor; it was voted down by the Health and Human Services Committee, which Obama chaired.***

Illinois 93rd General Assembly. SB 1083, 19 Feb. 2003.
http://ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=3&GA=93&DocTypeId=SB&DocNum=1083&GAID=3&LegID=3911&SpecSess=&Session
If a child is born alive after an induced labor abortion or any other abortion, a parent of the child or the public guardian of the county in which the child was born may maintain an action on the child's behalf for damages, including all costs of care to preserve and protect the life, health, and safety of the child, punitive damages, costs of suit, and attorney's fees, against any hospital, health care facility, or health care provider who harms or neglects the child or fails to provide medical care to the child after the child's birth.
When the Senate bill 93-1083 went to the Health and Human Services committee which Obama chaired, it was ammended to have the Federal "preservation clause" That amendment added the words, "Nothing in this section shall be construed to affirm, deny, expand, or contract any legal status or legal right applicable to any member of the species homo sapiens at any point prior to being born alive as defined in this Section.." Exactly the words that were added to the federal bill that led to its passage.
***It was a party-line vote, with Democrats Barack Obama, Mattie Hunter, Maggie Crotty, Susan Garrett, Carol Ronen and Jeff Schoenberg voting no; Republicans Dale Righter, Christine Radogno, Dave Syverson and Kathleen Wojcik voting yes.***

Please feel free to use the envelope link to email this.

Media Issued

2008-09-26T02:34:00.020-04:00

My response to Commentary: Sexist treatment of Palin must end

Commentary: Sexist treatment of Brown must end
NEW YORK (McCain campaign) -- Frankly I have had it, and I know a lot of other women out there who are with me on this. I have had enough of the sexist treatment of Campbell Brown. It has to end.
She was in New York on Tuesday pandering to the Obama campaign. And what did the CNN network do?
They tried to ban anything other than completely biased reporting. And they did ban Campbell Brown from asking any real questions to democrats.
I call upon the CNN network to stop treating Campbell Brown like she is a delicate flower who will wilt at any moment.
This woman is from Louisiana for crying out loud. She is strong, she is tough, she is confident. And you claim she is ready to be one heartbeat away from being a real reporter. If that is the case, then end this chauvinistic treatment of her now. Allow her to show her stuff.
Allow her to face down those pesky democrats just like Tom Brokaw did, just like Mike Wallace did. Just like Tim Russert has done on numerous occasions. Let her have a real newscast with real questions.
By treating Campbell Brown differently from other reporters on TV, you are not showing her the respect she deserves.
Free Campbell Brown.
Free her from the chauvinistic chains you are binding her with.
Sexism at this network must come to an end. Campbell Brown has as much a right to be a real reporter on the news as the men do.
So let her act like one.

Other media issues ...

Washington Post Snubbed by Obama
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/18/AR2008071802612.html

AP Is media playing fair in campaign coverage?
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iIHbNjxgyh98CZcVL1vYRM6JBVNQD9227CBO0

and if all else fails bug the media until they do their job ....

Check out my blog Media Contact Issued for media contact information.

Do you think the media is doing a good job? Leave your comments below.

Please feel free to use the envelope link to email this posting to friends.

Iraq Issued

2008-09-25T10:23:00.015-04:00

New York Post - Obama Tried to Stall GIS' Iraq Withdrawal
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09152008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/obama_tried_to_stall_gis_iraq_withdrawal_129150.htm?page=0

Dear Mr. Obama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8

H.R.4655 Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 (Enrolled as Agreed to or Passed by Both House and Senate)
It should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove the regime headed by Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq and to promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.4655.ENR:

Perinatal mortality in Iraq more than tripled since sanctions
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1169290

Sanctions and childhood mortality in Iraq
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10866440

Analysis: US Now Winning Iraq War That Seemed Lost
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=5455019

History - Iraq Election Advertisement 2004 Campaign

From what I have read on the Internet about this advertsement, the book is titled "History". All the images are from Iraq's past. Then the boy turns to a page that says, "The future" and he writes "I". This is originally from Future Iraq Assembly on that page it says, "Iraq’s history attests to its culture and contributions that have enriched mankind. Despite the suffering and wars of the past decades, the future is promising and the Iraqi youth will claim it, as they are the future."
http://www.futureiraq.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfTlMD3ai18

[clip] The legendary Col. H. R. McMaster

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQzgsKO1bnA

Palin Issued

2008-08-31T18:20:00.016-04:00

Some articles about Palin you may not see elsewhere.

Conservative Believer
"She is Christian and pro-life, but also a supporter of birth control: she's a member of Feminists For Life (FFL), an anti-abortion, pro-contraception organization."
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1837523_1837531_1837538,00.html

Alaska governor balances newborn's needs, official duties
"She asked Alaska's congressional delegation to be more selective in seeking earmarks after Alaska's "Bridge to Nowhere" became a national symbol of piggish pork-barrel spending.
She stood up to the powerful oil industry, and with bipartisan support in the statehouse she won a tax increase on oil companies' profits."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-05-10-4082128881_x.htm

Part 2: Rebel status has fueled front-runner's success
"She took on the Republican Party chairman, Gov. Frank Murkowski's attorney general, Murkowski's daughter, Sen. Ted Stevens' son, the North Slope oil producers and finally Murkowski himself."
"If Palin was worried about antagonizing the Republican Party hierarchy, she didn't show it. Quite the opposite: For the next two years, she took a series of high-profile stances challenging party leaders."
http://dwb.adn.com/news/politics/elections/story/8337406p-8233470c.html

McCain Issued

2008-07-20T22:17:00.025-04:00

Some random things about McCain.

S.RES.511 Title: A resolution recognizing that John Sidney McCain, III, is a natural born citizen. Latest Major Action: 4/30/2008 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:s.res.00511:

Drudge Report NYT REJECTS MCCAIN'S EDITORIAL; SHOULD 'MIRROR' OBAMA

Snopes - Social Security

Obama Issued

2008-07-20T21:01:00.063-04:00

Interesting things I found related to Obama.

FOREIGN POLICY

Obama says he will cut investments in missile defense and slow development of future combat systems.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sj91NH5fvw

Obama foreign policy advisor Susan Rice says Obama is "Not Ready"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TumIz2bajus

Germany's Merkel skeptical about Obama visit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kEWlqC3bV8

Washington Post Merkel Chides Obama for 'Electioneering' Abroad
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/07/09/merkel_chides_obama_for_electi.html

CHARACTER

CNN Uncovers Obama's Efforts to Knock Out Early Opponents

http://youtube.com/watch?v=S3Ned5TQoW4

Andrea Mitchell criticizes Obama's media manipulation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMzohxWvJ-M

OTHER OBAMA RELATED ISSUES

Global Poverty Act of 2007
S.2433
Title: A bill to require the President to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the United States foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people worldwide, between 1990 and 2015, who live on less than $1 per day.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 12/7/2007)
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:s.02433:

Passport breach being investigated
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/mar/21/passport-breach-being-investigated/
"The State Department last night said one of the persons responsible for the inappropriate behavior was employed by an information technology firm headed by one of Mr. Obamas foreign intelligence advisors."
"The State Department this evening had not yet released the names of the persons responsible for the unauthorized searches but said two were employed by Stanley Inc. and the third was an employee of The Analysis Corp. (TAC). Stanley Inc., a 3,500-person firm, is an Arlington-based information technology firm that this week won a $570 million contract to continue providing passport services to the State Department, which the company has done since 1992, according to Stanley Inc.s Web site. TAC is a McLean-based information firm that has helped the State Department automate the Terrorist Watchlist over the last several years, the companys Web site said. TACs Chief Executive Officer John O. Brennan is a former CIA agent who is an adviser to Mr. Obamas presidential campaign."

Obama's law enforcement "truth squads"
"September 23rd, 2008The Barack Obama campaign is asking Missouri law enforcement to target anyone who lies or runs a misleading TV ad during the presidential campaign."
http://www.kmov.com/video/index.html?nvid=285793&shu=1

Gov. Blunt Statement on Obama Campaign’s Abusive Use of Missouri Law Enforcement
http://governor.mo.gov/cgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkkkVFulkpOzXqGMaj

Obama Youth - Junior Fraternity Regiment

This was featured on Drudge Report. This video of teenagers from the Urban Community Leadership Academy (Grade Span: 5 - 9) performing a chant about Obama was posted by YouTube user keepitwildtv.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUEQz5dltmI

more indoctrination ...
Sing for Change For Obama, Our Dear Leader

... only this time Obama featured it on his web page, then later removed it (probably after realizing he underestimated the creepy factor). The orginial version of this video was also featured on Drudge Report, but then later made private. This copy was posted by YouTube user NoObamaCant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p8tLtiTW-M

And now ... Why I love Glenn Beck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l46t_nrySg4

Oil Crisis Issued

2008-07-20T16:23:00.026-04:00

2 Heartbeats Away - Nancy Pelosi and Natural Gas

From YouTube User LeftyontheRight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbmiLyP6uOQ

Snopes - Embroiled in Oil
http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/alaskaoil.asp

Petroleum Products: Supply
http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/infosheets/petroleumproducts.html

Report: Democratic Convention’s Hosts Getting Tax-Free Gas
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/07/23/report-democratic-conventions-host-getting-tax-free-gas/

My Video - How Can We Break Our Dependence On Foreign Oil?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlrCMwL3a68

John's Video - Implications of the peak oil crisis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz8YgGS81V4

One other important and related concern to me at this time is the peak oil crisis. I've had some people dismiss this peak oil crisis as some conspiracy theory, but it is not. Oil production is advancing towards terminal decline, this is the time that the maximum rate of global petroleum extraction is reached and what is know as peak oil happens. Much the low hanging fruit is gone. Extraction is more expensive and takes longer. We reach (or have reached a point) where we are producing more oil than ever, then we will slide quickly down the other side of the bell curve. This works in combination with many other factors. It is serious, every U.S. geological survey and independant study confirms this, even the most conservative estimates show that time is running out (when T. Boone Pickens says so, you know it is bad).