Introducing The Pot To The Kettle

Thanks to Mike D. for providing this video.

Typical Liberal

Do you Remember Alan Grayson? He's at it again and this time he's desperate. Grayson sees his prospects for re-election to Florida's eighth U.S. Congressional district against Republican Daniel Webster slipping away. His new ad is called "Taliban Dan". Check it out.
By the looks of the ad this Webster guy looks like another right-wing religious sexist zealot, right? Not so fast. Here are Webster's words in the proper context. The tactics are disgusting and if you doubt they are typical of Democrats then why is there no outrage from the left? Grayson refuses to pull the ad and it's still running. What a sleazeball.

Cullie's Ad Says He Cut Three Billion. More Like, He Raised It Three Billion

Regarding his ad’s claim that he cut three billion dollars from the budget, Cullie Tarlton is an outright liar. These were the words of one of Tarlton’s fellow representatives in the Assembly with whom I spoke the other day at his home. “The truth is more like he added to the budget by three billion.”

That evening in the meeting of the Watauga County Republicans Mens Group, candidate for the NC House of Representatives Jonathan Jordan explained to us how Cullie Tarlton fudges the data. Explained Jordan:

“One way the Democrats count as a cut to the state budget is when we receive one-time federal bailout funds that are used to take the place of current state funds. For example, when we get $1 billion of federal bailout funds, they can claim a $1 billion cut to the state budget. That's because the federal money is used to backfill the state budget and state funds can go elsewhere.”

Jordan continued with a second illustration. A child goes into a toy store and makes a list of all the many toys he wants. Naturally, the parents make him pare it way down. The child can then claim that he has saved his parents all that money. That is a cut according to Tarlton.

For further reading see:
NC State spending

Do Not Accept The Premise

Commenter Guy Faulkes made this comment on another thread: "Conservatives need to make the point that the fix is necessary and the reason for the fix was the liberal agenda". He went on to say: "An education process should be started immediately after the conservative takeover."

I agree with Guy Faulkes most of the time but seldom have I agreed with him more than I do with the first observation. I agree with the second observation as well with one caveat, the "education" needs to start now. Check that, it should have started a long time ago.

The problem I have is the Democrats assertions are not being refuted in regards to the current tax cut debate. If the previous sentence did not strike you as inaccurate then my point is proven.

The debate is not about tax cuts for the rich or anyone else. Tax cuts are not on the table. It's all about stopping the scheduled tax increases. It's frightening that the absolute truth of taxes being raised has been so misrepresented. When President Obama lies about the "cost" of tax cuts, and those lies are parroted unchallenged I want to throw a brick at my TV. It's beyond a lie. It's beyond dishonest. No one is calling him on it and that disappoints me immeasurably.

Obama is still blaming Bush and Republicans for our economic woes. He's not exactly getting away with it because the American electorate is smarter than he thinks but there isn't enough push back in my view. The Democrats go on TV and pound the message, "Republicans drove the economy in the ditch and now they want the keys back". They cite tax cuts, two wars and an unregulated banking system as the culprits. Even the most Conservative Republicans don't dispute those lies. They merely point to Obama's reckless spending. That's not enough. The Democrats drove the economy into the ditch and are not only holding the keys but their still stepping on the gas. The wheels are spinning as the economy sinks in the mud. They are disastrous liars and Republicans are acting as if they are just bad drivers.

NC GOP Looking Good

News and Observer

Watauga Sheriff's Race

Commenter Felix wrote: “the Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman has to go. He is an outspoken anti-hunter, anti-2nd Amendment clown who has initiated a three day waiting period for pistol permits. The 3-day wait is unconstitutional of course, but he puts it under the guise of "processing time.” With instant background check, how in the world can there be ANY processing time?

William Byrd better get off his butt and start campaigning. This is his election to lose.

How about a thread on candidate William Byrd for Sheriff? His is pro-second amendment and will be a vast improvement over liberal socialist Hagaman.”

Blogger responds: William Byrd and the other conservatives are hard at work getting their agenda out. Byrd’s problem is he had to list as unaffiliated which means that if anyone votes straight Republican ticket, they also have to mark the ballot for Byrd.

I don’t have anything in writing yet from Byrd, but he does claim he supports 2nd amendment rights, as do all our candidates. When he gets elected, he intends to change many shortcomings under the present sheriff. He has a list, but two that stood out in my mind were that he plans to be out there in the back roads of Watauga County with his deputies. He also plans much improved training so that we don’t have events like police chasing people into Tennessee out of their jurisdiction. There are other things you will hear from him.

As soon as I get his mailing, I will post it. Thanks for asking, Felix.

Pledge is Pure Vanilla

“I will vote Republican in November of 2010. But I will not carry their stagnant water.” concludes Erick Erickson after hearing the Pledge this morning.

Pleeeeease!!!!

And I'm not a homophobe.

Barney Frank in trouble.

An Article on the Core Concept of Conservatism

Conservative readers, if you have the time to read this article
“Truces” Unnecessary For Believers in Limited, Constitutional Government, it is well worth your time. Reading it today will also help you to prepare when the Young Guns of the GOP roll out their roadmap tomorrow. If you don’t have time, the following is a core idea in it:

Conservatism in America, at its core, must be defined by a belief in a limited federal government where powers are either specifically delegated to Washington (primarily defense and foreign affairs) or left to the states and to the people (as emphasized in the Tenth Amendment). It should be defined, then, by following the Constitution as it was written by the founders and understood by the ratifiers.

Why Republicans Have to Win in North Carolina

Could be Our Year

When you go out and work this election be motivated by the knowledge that when we win, we get to do the redistricting. Carry our two districts,NC 5 and NC 45, and we take it. Redistricting in an honest way could make the difference between a healthy future for North Carolina and its continued decline. Every thing is riding on us.

This election is make or break.

Using Retirees Money to Pay for State Pofligacy

NC Pension Deficit
Watauga County has many people who were promised their North Carolina retirement. This article discusses the extent of the problem. However, it is not the whole story. That story is how the Democrats embezzled the contributions of present state workers spending it on other things. Then they have the audacity of declaring that they will catch it up when Obama sends them money. Robbing Peter to pay Paul isn't it.

We have to throw the scoundrels out in Raleigh.

Our Fantastic Conservative Congresswoman Virginia Foxx

Our Congresswoman

When You're Holding a Hammer (Everything Looks Like a Nail)

Glitchy

Some commenters have been having trouble posting. It's weird. Comments are posted, they show up in my email and on the "Recent Comments" widget but not on the thread. Then they disappear from the recent comments. I have been in contact with Blogger and he has not deleted anything, neither have I. Mike D. is the latest victim but Guy Faulkes had this problem as well a couple of weeks ago. Blogger.com doesn't have very good customer service but I will try to get to the bottom of it. The problem seems to be limited to the "David Yerushalmi" thread. Let's see if this thread works. Please let us know here if anyone else has had problems. We're sorry for the inconvenience.

David Yerushalmi: Is Shariah the Same as Jewish Law?

Is It Wise To Shoot RINOs?

It's a big primary day. By far the most drama is in Delaware in the race between tea party endorsed Christine O'Donnell and establishment backed House incumbent Mike Castle. O'Donnell wasn't supposed to have a chance but now leads in the polls. She has gained the endorsement of Sarah Palin and Jim DeMint. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has endorsed Castle. Now Charles Krauthammer has weighed in.

It's an old argument that may finally be resolved in November. Conventional wisdom says O'Donnell is unelectable and that Castle can easily win the general election. Supposedly, it's a choice between gaining a Senate seat with a RINO or loosing it with a Conservative but I don't think it's that simple. For one thing, voting day is a political lifetime away and nothing is etched in stone. The larger question is: "How much damage will be inflicted on America with two more years of Democrat rule?". If Harry Reid survives his race against tea party candidate Sharron Angle and as majority leader, will America ever be the same?

We know from history Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe (well known RINOs) stood strong with Republicans against health care reform. If not for them the bill would have been much worse. That's not an endorsement of RINOs, it's a fact of life. The counter argument is, if Obama had been enabled to make health care reform even more destructive it would have been a good thing because it would improve Conservative's influence in the long run. To me, that's a huge chance to take as our country spirals down into the socialist abyss.

I think conventional wisdom predictions should not be considered at all in the primary. If I lived in Delaware I would vote for O'Donnell today and if she lost I would enthusiastically support Castle. Personally, I have real doubts about the country surviving two more years of Obama and I wish John McCain was our President. I think he would have inspired his own Conservative "awakening" without wrecking the Country.

I still don't know the answer but I do believe we will have one soon. If Republicans win majorities in the House and Senate it will be a Conservative Congress more than a Republican one. Obama's dastardly agenda will be stopped and perhaps reversed but this is the last chance. There will be no ashes to rebuild from if he gets his way.

Burr Getting Comfortably Ahead

Burr Getting Comfortably Ahead

Islamists Will Have to do Better Than Islamaphobia

When I was going for my ordination exam, I faced a committee of progressives and moderates. Knowing that I was a Biblical fundamentalist, they grilled me on how I handled particularly problematic scriptures, especially those calling the Hebrews to violence against the infidels.

To this day, I do not remember how I answered them. I only know I kept my integrity and did not hedge. I actually thought my answers were the end of my career. They wern't, and I went on to be accepted to the priesthood.

That incident, came back to mind this past weekend. The building of the mosque and the threatened burning of the Koran brought out the new polls that a growing number of Americans are troubled by the violent teachings of Islam. We are not hearing explanations that satisfy us. Islamists in America are flunking their theological exams.

Various talking heads on TV, plus the president, gave all types of reasons for the growing disfavor, including everything from Americans are Islamaphobics, to Americans are just plain ignorant.

The reality is many of us are waiting for Islamists to do a better job of explaining the problematical elements of their religion. In a recent post, I quoted a writer who points out that so-called moderate Islamists are hedging. They are willing to condemn terrorism, but unwilling to talk of the elements in their religion which lead to it. That equivocation is undermining them.

Here is just a couple of the nearly 109 verses in the Qur’an calling Muslims to aggression against nonbelievers.

Qur'an (2:191-193) - "And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution [of Muslims] is worse than slaughter [of non-believers]...and fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah."

Qur'an (8:12) - "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them." religion of peace

The point of this post is not to get into historical or theological debates. My point is, just as my ordination committee needed to satisfy themselves that I, a Biblical Fundamentalist, could handle the violent scriptures in the Old Testament, Muslims will need to do the same for their scriptures.

Moderate Muslims are not going to be able to get by trying to finesse the issues. Nor can they get by saying they are afraid to say what they believe for fear of the radicals. And, they can’t get by labeling us Islamaphobics. For the first time, Americans are becoming knowledgeable to what is in the Qur’an as well as in Sharia law. That is why the polls are turning against Islam.

The ball is now in the court of the moderates.

Foxx is a Taxpayer's Hero

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx received a 99% score from the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW). Examining the roll call votes, CCAGW identifies those members who are protecting the taxpayers and those who are squandering our money.

Senator Burr has a 92 % score. On the other hand, Senator Hagan has an 8% score. Also in our area is Rep. Patrick McHenry with a 99% score. These are for the 2009 session.

Internet Address: www.cagw.org

Hypocrisy Cubed

When opposition to the Ground Zero Mosque began to get loud Democrats started howling about "religious freedom". Since when have the anti prayer in schools, remove "Under God" from the pledge, take "In God We Trust" off money, "Cling to their guns and religion" Democrats been concerned about religious freedom? Never mind religious freedom was not the issue. Hypocrisy.

Now we have the great Quran burning controversy. All of the sudden Democrats are not concerned at all with the "religious freedom" of the church that objects to the hijacking of Islam. If anyone has listened to Rev. Terry Jones or any of his associates with an honest ear they know the church is not crazy. They make a very strong case for their statement. Unlike the Ground Zero Mosque controversy, it seems there was no one condoning the deliberate act of provocation. The event has been canceled. Personally, I disagreed with burning the Quran but now that it has been canceled I am glad the statement was made. I still have enough confidence in the American citizens to believe they notice Democrats are not going to bat for the "religious freedom" of Rev. Jones as they did for Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf. Hypocrisy squared.

Now we learn Obama's military burned Bibles in 2009... lots of Bibles. Nary a peep, it wasn't even reported. In fact if you search "burn Bibles" on YouTube you will see it happens all the time. Where's the outrage?Hypocrisy cubed.

Turn Off The Lights

The last remaining American incandescent light bulb company has closed. Jobs have been lost needlessly. It's crazy.

Obama Doubles Down ...Again

I hope by now it's plain that "Honest Debate" is more than a moniker. I sincerely believe the lack of it is the root of all evil. If the debate is honest everybody, except those with dastardly agendas, wins.

As the midterms grow near the dishonest talking points abound. These include: "Privatizing Social Security"; "The same failed policies that got us into this mess"; "Party of no"; "Unnecessary war" and others.

The bread and butter of this dishonest meal is portraying tax cuts for the rich as coming at the expense of the poor or looking out for greedy rich people. It is meant to foment class envy and divisiveness. The talking point that sums this up is, "The cost of cutting taxes". I have no idea why this notion has gained traction. It's ridiculous. Cutting taxes is not a spending policy.

President Obama recently proposed spending $50 billion on infrastructure. This is surprising because the country is sour on spending. There is skepticism of success on both sides of the aisle. Now Obama has ruled out extending Bush's tax cuts for the top bracket. He would like you to believe Bush did not cut taxes for everybody. He ignores the fact that the tax cuts at the top produced more revenue. He dismisses the jobs it created. He won't tell you that the end result was the rich paying a larger percentage of the bill.

Extending the tax cuts and cutting spending to 2006 levels would go a long way towards fixing the economy. Dramatically cutting spending, eliminating the capital gains tax and lowering the corporate tax rate would put high octane gas in the economy's engine.

President Obama's actions will hurt the economy and Democrat's chances in November but he's betting he can gin up enough jealousy and hate for the wealthy to scam people to vote Democrat.

Persecuting Jews

The shallow thinking behind the argument that says Republicans are anti-Islam or racist poisons the debate. It's obviously an unsubstantiated lie. Opposition to the ground zero Mosque has been used by Democrats to stoke the fire. One would think Islamaphobia is the most pronounced bigotry we face. Not so. Antisemitism is ten times worse.

I'm not yet willing to say President Obama is antisemitic but his stance towards Israel is troubling. It's also troubling that this administration is so eager to propagate the overblown notion of American bigotry towards all Muslims.

Crunch Time

With the arrival of Labor Day the election season begins in earnest. To this point the only people that have been thinking about November are political junkies like us. Now it's on. It's time to kick it up a notch. Write letters to the editor, call into radio talk shows, pick fights with your liberal friends and blog. Take your message to the belly of the beast. Didn't Jesus say go to where the sinners are? NPR and liberal rags are rife with sinners, that's a good place to start. As for the hard core liberal sycophants, tell them the election is on Wednesday. They aren't that smart, it's worth a try.

There are still two months to go and a lot will happen. There will be an October surprise. There will be unforeseen events, possibly in Iraq or a natural disaster. Democrats will shamelessly lie, distort and demonize. The predicted Republican cakewalk will turn into a nail-biter.

Conventional wisdom says Republicans win the House and gain seats in the Senate. Conventional wisdom is often wrong. If the Senate comes down to one close loss to win majority I doubt Republicans will go to the extremes that Al Franken did (and Algore attempted) to steal the election. I also doubt Republicans will try to bribe a Democrat to switch like Jim Jeffords and Arlen Spector did. However, it's in the realm of possibility that someone might do just that. Ben Nelson? Joe Leibermann? It also would not surprise me if some desperate Democrats pledged to vote with Republicans to extend the tax cuts, maybe even enough to over ride Obama's veto. A move like that could save some Democrats. I definitely think the most successful Democrats will be those who move right. Look for Obama to pay lip service to the concept as well.

It will be very interesting to see how the Tea Party Republicans do. Rand Paul looks good... so far. Harry Reid has pulled even with Sharron Angle at 45%. Dick Morris thinks that as long as Reid is below 50% the edge goes to Angle. Joe Miller beat Lisa Murkowski in Alaska and is poised to beat Scott McAdams. The special election for Joe Biden's old seat in Delaware is another interesting one. The cap and trade supporting RINO Republican, Mike Castle, has a war chest and the support of the establishment. Chris Christie even endorsed him. The Tea Party has endorsed Christine O'Donnell who wasn't supposed to have a chance. She's now within 2 points. The primary is September 14. If Republicans win the majority they will have done so with conservative candidates. They will need our support after the election. We must hold the establishment Republican's feet to the fire. There will be lots of pressure to soften and compromise instead of repeal and replace. If that happens then what good is having the majority?

Taking Credit And Shifting Blame Shamelessly

President Obama addressed the Nation from the Oval Office last Tuesday. It was pretty disgusting and shameless. He decided to shoehorn in a word on the economy using a lie to connect the dots. The above graph outs the lie. Obama's failed stimulus bill cost us more than the entire Iraq war. The facts make little difference to Obama or the left. Already, the sycophants are are parroting the same talking points and one commenter here even asked: "Was the War in Iraq which took 3 trillion tax payer dollars being responsible?". Nevermind that the entire cost of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan total 1.09 trillion. That's not chicken feed but the wars are not the cause of our financial woes despite the effort to label them as such.