The Smoke Break

You want some brie with that whine?

Profanity Planned For Sacred Ground

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President Walking Eagle and his administration have done everything possible to insult our friend and ally, Great Britain, to the point of hating us, yet there are those Brits, gods bless them, who get it and remain comitted to helping America remain the champion of liberty.

I have yet to hear or read anything better that addresses the sheer lunacy of the Islamic mosque planned to be built at Ground Zero than this piece by Pat Condell.  Watch it and keep in mind that Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the main proponent, is also one of the key financiers behind last week’s violent “aid” flotilla to Gaza (the Free Gaza Movement, which also has the support of William Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn – surprise, surprise).  You know, the one where the activists were armed but the lame-stream press (Reuters, again) cropped photos if they showed them holding weapons.

Then watch it again.  If you must, watch it yet a third time and let the truth of this horrible, wicked insult sink into the very marrow of your bones.

Then send your letters of protest to:

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
PHONE 311 (or 212-NEW-YORK outside NYC)

FAX (212) 312-0700

E-MAIL:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html

Thank you for your plain-spoken eloquence, Pat.

Bashing BP Does Exactly…What?

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In a rare concession to a rather conservative point of view, from deep in the heart of bloody-blue Obamaland, today’s Detroit News editorial calls President Walking Eagle to task on his latest, Orchid Office-based exercise in teleprompter reading, correctly citing it being “short on solutions for containing and cleaning up this mess and long on plans to exploit the crisis for political gain.”

But most strangely of all, it makes a point that not only His Transparency, but all the latest crop of Ivy League progressive liberals never fail to miss:  demonizing a business from which you wish to extort money severely lessens the chances of you collecting that money from the business itself.  To date, BP has been paid out $53 million to 20,000 claimants, and has been working through another 22,000 claims, which is admittedly a whole lot more activity than has been seen from the current administration.  Now consider this:

Obama’s incessant bashing of BP also isn’t helping get the oil out of the Gulf.  The company’s stock has plummeted, its bond rating has been downgraded and there are whispers on Wall Street of a hostile takeover or break-up.

If a hostile takeover were to happen, there goes the money, period, as any obligations would go with the takeover.  In fact, if it was a hostile country taking over BP they could walk away from both funding that $20 billion slush fund AND walk away from any further effort and expense to plug the leak in the Gulf of Mexico, too.  And then what?  Exactly what kind of “victory” will our Nancy-boy in Chief claim by essentially cutting off America’s nose to spite her face?  Exactly what words of comfort for the people in Louisiana, Alabama and Florida will scroll across the teleprompters then?

Cap and trade?

Alinsky Patriots

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In stereotypical Alinsky fashion, Senator Harry Reid’s attempt to muster enough votes to keep his death grip on his Senate seat has stooped to co-opting the symbolism of the conservative movement.  In order to trash his campaign opponent, the conservative Sharron Angle, they are happily helping themselves to the services of the “Patriot Majority”.  But unlike the varied and robust believers in the United States Constitution that make up the Tea Party, these so-called “patriots” are nothing more than progressive liberal wolves dressed in Minuteman clothing:

Patriot Majority believes it is our patriotic duty as Americans to pursue policies that strengthen our national security, boost the economy, achieve energy independence, make health care affordable, provide quality education and protect public safety.

 The group was was formed by a former spokesman for Harry Reid and is funded by organized labor.  Here’s some of their IRS-reported activities.  Notice how much money they collect for so-called “services”:

Group Name Patriot Majority
Stated Purpose To communicate with Americans on issues of patriotic importance including, but not limited to, strengthening our national security, boosting the economy, creating good paying jobs, achieving energy independence, making health care affordable, providing quality education to all children and protecting public safety.
Email Address no@email
Established Date 12/23/2005
Contact Person Craig Varoga
Contact Address 300 M Street, SE
Suite 1102
Washington, DC  20003
Mailing Address 300 M Street, SE
Suite 1102
Washington, DC  20003
Contributions Received $9,411,627
Expenditures Made $9,229,316
Patriot Majority “527” Contribution Details  
Contributor Employer/Occupation $ Contribution Amount Date  
1199 SEIU – NY Political Action Fund   $200,000 7/20/2006  
New York, NY  10108  
1199 SEIU – NYS Political Action Fund   $300,000 06/28/2006-  
New York, NY  10108 10/14/2006  
AFSCME   $5,800,000 07/21/2008-  
Washington, DC  20036 11/13/2008  
Aggregate below the Threshold   $3 6/30/2007  
Washington, DC  20036  
American Affordable Health Care   $11,874 3/23/2007  
Washington, DC  20036  
Bluegrass Freedom Fund   $5,000 5/12/2008  
Washington, DC  20036  
Change to Win Political Education   $500,000 8/28/2008  
Washington, DC  20036  
Communications Workers of America   $300,000 09/12/2008-  
Washington, DC  20001 5/28/2009  
Democratic Governors’ Association   $230,000 09/13/2006-  
Washington, DC  20005 9/25/2006  
Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association   $2,500 10/24/2006-  
Washington, DC  20003 10/26/2006  
DRIVE Committee   $250,000 09/09/2008-  
Washington, DC  20001 10/2/2008  
Eastern MA Bricklayers People’s Committee   $2,500 10/11/2006  
Boston, MA  02129  
Heartland PAC   $5,000 10/3/2006  
Des Moines, IA  50321  
Laborers’ Political League Education Fund   $35,000 10/20/2006  
Washington, DC  20006  
Local 509 SEIU   $10,000 8/31/2006  
Watertown, MA  02472  
Massachusetts Teachers Association   $250,000 8/30/2006  
Boston, MA  02108  
NE Regional Council of Carpenters PAC Fund   $50,000 8/23/2006  
South Boston, MA  02127  
Oklahoma Freedom Fund   $10,469 3/23/2007  
Oklahoma City, OK  73102  
Patricia Bauman The Bauman Foundation/Directo $25,000 10/17/2008  
Washington, DC  20009  
Patricia Cornwell CEI Enterprises, Inc/Author $50,000 10/23/2006  
New York, NY  10018  
Patriot Majority Midwest   $161,000 09/02/2008-  
Washington, DC  20003 12/16/2008  
Patriot Majority West   $300,000 9/2/2008  
Washington, DC  20003  
Public Security Now   $920 4/20/2007  
Washington, DC  20036  
Richardson for Governor   $10,000 09/21/2006-  
Albuquerque, NM  87102 10/6/2006  
Service Employees International Union   $770,000 09/19/2008-  
Washington, DC  20036 9/30/2008  
The American Public Policy Committee   $861 3/23/2007  
Washington, DC  20036  
The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO   $6,500 10/31/2008  
Harrisburg, PA  17101  
United Food & Commercial Workers Union, CLC   $125,000 8/15/2008  
Washington, DC  20006  
   
 
Patriot Majority “527” Expenditure Details  
Vendor $ Expense Amount Purpose Date  
1199 SEIU – NY State Political Action Fund $100,000 Refund 10/26/2006  
310 West 43rd St.  
New York, NY  10036  
360 JMG, LLC $30,715 Direct Mail 10/20/2008  
718 Seventh Street, NW  
Suite 310  
Washington, DC  20001  
360 JMG, LLC $460,127 Direct Mail Services 08/28/2008-  
718 Seventh Street, NW 10/14/2008  
Suite 310    
Washington, DC  20001    
360 JMG, LLC $30,714 Research Services 9/17/2008  
718 Seventh Street, NW  
Suite 310  
Washington, DC  20001  
Adelstein Liston $5,002,893 Media Buy 09/02/2008-  
1391 Pennsyvlania Avenue, SE 11/19/2008  
Suite 316    
Washington, DC  20003    
Adelstein Liston $42,500 Media Production 10/20/2008-  
1391 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE 11/19/2008  
Suite 316    
Washington, DC  20003    
Adelstein Liston $25,740 Production Expenses 08/28/2008-  
1391 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE 9/18/2008  
Suite 316    
Washington, DC  20003    
Aggregate Below Threshold $12 Aggregate Below Threshold 6/30/2009  
300 M Street, SE  
Suite 1102  
Washington, DC  20003  
American Public Policy Committee $5,000 Contribution 4/22/2009  
300 M Street, SE  
Suite 1102  
Washington, DC  20003  
Brand New Inc. $1,000 Website Design Services 5/2/2008  
2615 Walnut Street  
Denver, CO  80205  
Brand New, Inc. $5,000 Website Services / Design 1/12/2008  
2615 Walnut Street  
Denver, CO  80205  
BUYING TIME LLC ($10,540) MEDIA REFUND 8/31/2007  
2715 M STREET NW #400  
WASHINGTON, DC  20007  
Buying Time, LLC $460,000 Media Buy 09/06/2006-  
2715 M St. NW 9/19/2006  
Suite 400    
Washington, DC  20007    
Buying Time, LLC $225,000 Media Buy and Placement 10/17/2006  
2715 M St. NW  
Suite 400  
Washington, DC  20007  
Buying Time, LLC $123,000 Media Buy/Placement 10/26/2006  
2715 M St. NW  
Suite 400  
Washington, DC  20007  
Buying Time, LLC ($4,751) Refund 3/23/2007  
2715 M Street NW  
4th Floor  
Washington, DC  20007  
Campaign Research & Strategy, Inc. $5,000 Consulting Fee 11/6/2006  
2627 Millwood Ave.  
Columbia, SC  29205  
Citizens for Strength and Security $600,000 Contribution 09/10/2008-  
1705 M Street, NW 10/24/2008  
#342    
Washington, DC  20036    
Craig Varoga $1,634 Travel Expenses 4/20/2007  
1613 Marshall Street  
Houston, TX  77006  
Creative Resources $5,000 Consulting Fee 5/5/2006  
227 Massachusetts Ave., NE  
Suite 101  
Washington, DC  20002  
Creative Resources $102 Meeting Expenses 4/11/2006  
227 Massachusetts Ave., NE  
Suite 101  
Washington, DC  20002  
Creative Resources, Inc. $25,000 Consulting Fee 08/22/2006-  
227 Massachusetts Ave., NE 9/18/2006  
Suite 101    
Washington, DC  20002    
Dan Cence $5,000 Consulting Fee 10/23/2006-  
14 Holbrook Street 10/25/2006  
Medway, MA  02053    
Democratic Governors’ Association $40,000 Refund 10/26/2006  
1401 K Street NW  
Suite 200  
Washington, DC  20005  
Etain, Inc. $10,000 Consulting Fee 7/19/2006  
30 Stoneleigh Circle  
Watertown, MA  02472  
Fenn Communications Group $10,000 Consulting Fee 8/8/2006  
2715 M St. NW  
Suite 150  
Washington, DC  20007  
Fenn Communications Group $21,845 Media Production 09/18/2006-  
2715 M St. NW 10/31/2006  
Suite 150    
Washington, DC  20007    
Gainer, Donnelly & Descroches, LLP $1,000 Accounting Services 9/22/2008  
5847 San Felipe  
Suite 1100  
Houston, TX  77057  
HARMON CURRAN SPIELBERG & EISENBERG LLP $5,384 LEGAL FEE 9/19/2007  
1726 M STREET NW #600  
WASHINGTON, DC  20036  
Harmon, Curran, Spielberg & Eisenberg $947 Legal Expenses 2/3/2009  
1726 M Street, NW  
Suite 600  
Washington, DC  20036  
Harmon, Curran, Spielberg & Eisenberg, LLP $1,425 Legal Fee 08/08/2006-  
1726 M Street NW 9/27/2006  
Suite 600    
Washington, DC  20036    
Independent Strategies $40,000 Consulting Services 11/22/2008-  
1613 Marshall Street 11/28/2008  
Houston, TX  77006    
Independent Strategies $2,535 Reimbursement, Office and Travel Expenses 11/14/2008  
1613 Marshall Street  
Houston, TX  77006  
Independent Strategies $591 Travel Expenses 8/12/2008  
1613 Marshall Street  
Houston, TX  77006  
Independent Strategies $31,000 Consulting Services 01/09/2009-  
930 Wayne Avenue 6/2/2009  
Suite 911    
Silver Spring, MD  20910    
James Stolzenbach $4,700 Consulting Fee 08/29/2006-  
333 West Colfax 9/14/2006  
Suite 425    
Denver, CO  80204    
Jennifer Swanson $10,000 Fundraising Services 10/23/2008  
1215 T Street, NW  
Washington, DC  20009  
Jennifer Swanson Consulting $10,000 Finance Consulting Services 9/22/2008  
1215 T Street, NW  
Washington, DC  20009  
Lake Research Partners $21,565 Research 09/19/2006-  
1726 M Street NW 11/2/2006  
Suite 500    
Washington, DC  20036    
Lauer Johnson Research $12,000 Research Services 9/26/2008  
1436 Flordia Avenue, NW  
#2  
Washington, DC  20009  
Matt O’Neil $6,000 Consulting Fee 10/23/2006-  
26 Orchard Lane 10/25/2006  
Norwood, MA  02062    
Myers Research & Strategic Service $17,736 Research Services 12/7/2008  
6495 English Ivy Court  
Springfield, VA  22152  
Myers Research & Strategic Services $131,500 Research Services 08/12/2008-  
6495 English Ivy Court 9/22/2008  
Springfield, VA  22152    
Nesbitt Research Group, LLC $19,428 Research Services 7/28/2008  
2120 L Street, NW  
Suite 305  
Washington, DC  20037  
O’Neill and Associates $5,000 Consulting Fee 09/14/2006-  
31 New Chardon Street 9/18/2006  
Boston, MA  02114    
Policy Shop $30,000 Consulting Fee 07/19/2006-  
1624 Franklin St 11/8/2006  
Suite 901    
Oakland, CA  94612    
Project New West $10,000 Dues & Subscriptions 07/27/2008-  
191 University Boulevard 10/3/2008  
#831    
Denver, CO  80206    
Project New West $5,000 Dues/Subscription/Fee 5/6/2008  
191 University Boulevard  
Denver, CO  80206  
Ryan, Phillips, Utrecht & Mackinnon $3,250 Legal Services 6/8/2006  
1133 Connecticut Ave., NW  
Suite 300  
Washington, DC  20036  
Sandler, Reiff & Young, P.C. $5,500 Legal Fees 9/24/2008  
300 M Street, SE  
Suite 1102  
Washington, DC  20003  
Sandler, Reiff & Young, P.C. $15,000 Legal Services 10/27/2008  
300 M Street, SE  
Suite 1102  
Washington, DC  20003  
Sinclair Strategies $15,000 Consulting Services 10/27/2008-  
80 Norfolk Street 6/3/2009  
Needham, MA  02492    
Squier Knapp Dunn Communication Inc. $120,000 Media Buy 10/3/2008  
1818 N Street, NW  
Suite 450  
Washington, DC  20036  
Squier Knapp Dunn Communications ($68,811) Media Buy – Refund 4/29/2009  
1818 N Street, NW  
Suite 450  
Washington, DC  20036  
Squire Knapp Dunn Communication, Inc. $165,000 Media Buy 10/1/2008  
1818 N Street, NW  
Suite 450  
Washington, DC  20036  
Squire Knapp Dunn Communications $1,240,000 Media Buy 09/02/2008-  
1818 N Street, NW 9/22/2008  
Suite 450    
Washington, DC  20036    
Stones’ Phones $5,410 Research 08/29/2006-  
121 S. Palm Canyon Drive 10/25/2006  
Suite 205    
Palm Springs, CA  92262    
Strategic Services $20,750 Research 08/29/2006-  
6495 English Ivy Court 10/25/2006  
Springfield, VA  22152    
T.G. Consulting $2,500 Web Site Development 5/10/2007  
707 7th Street, SE  
Washington, DC  20003  
TG CONSULTING $2,500 WEB DESIGN 7/11/2007  
707 7TH STREET SE  
WASHINGTON, DC  20003  
The Atlas Project, Inc. $25,000 Subscription 10/30/2008  
888 16th Street, NW  
Suite 333  
Washington, DC  20006  
The Campaign Group $25,000 Media Buy 6/25/2007  
1600 Locust St.  
Philadelphia, PA  19103  
The Campaign Group $15,000 Media Production 5/18/2007  
1600 Locust St.  
Philadelphia, PA  19103  
The Organizing Group ($15,000) Refund of Consulting Services Payment 10/22/2008  
888 16th Street, NW  
Suite 333  
Washington, DC  20006  
The Organizing Group, Inc. $15,000 Strategic Services 9/22/2008  
888 16th Street, NW  
Suite 333  
Washington, DC  20006  
The Scranton Times $1,451 Media Buy 10/31/2008  
149 Penn Avenue  
Scranton, PA  18503  
Times Leader $4,707 Media Buy 10/31/2008  
15 N. Main Street  
Wilkes-Barre, PA  18711  
Varoga & Associates $257 Expense Reimbursement – Web Hosting / Travel 1/2/2008  
1613 Marshall Street  
Houston, TX  77006  
VAROGA & ASSOCIATES $1,000 MANAGEMENT FEE 9/24/2007  
1613 MARSHALL STREET  
HOUSTON, TX  77006  
Varoga & Rice $20,000 Consulting Fee 11/10/2006  
3212 Smith Street  
Suite 206  
Houston, TX  77006  
Varoga & Rice $10,000 Management & Policy Research Fee 4/4/2007  
1624 Franklin Street  
Suite 901  
Oakland, CA  94612  
VR Research $15,000 Research Services 10/27/2008  
1624 Franklin Street  
Suite 901  
Oakland, CA  94612  

A bit more insight into Mr. Varoga:

“We are asking all Americans to join us and oppose the extreme tactics of the tea party and the dangerous ideas behind them,” says oppo research specialist Craig Varoga, who “has formed a group — known as Patriot Majority PAC — with the specific goal of keeping tea party candidates out of office,” writes Chris Cillizza of the WaPo’s “The Fix.” The original name was The Tea Party Is Over, but that was uncomfortably close to the organization’s true mission, a “pathetic [effort] to wrest the ‘patriot’ mantle from conservatives.” Hence the shamelessly disingenuous Patriot Majority PAC:

The idea behind Patriot Majority PAC is to pick 12 to 15 races where tea party-affiliated candidates are running, then launch a barrage of television and radio ads (as well as online targeting) to keep them from winning. The funding, according to Varoga, will come entirely from individuals, and thanks to a ruling in U.S. District Court last week the group will be able to expressly advocate for the defeat of candidates.

 Obama BFFL Andrew Stern’s SEIU contributed $770,000 to Varoga’s Patriot Majority last year.

They are currently advertising and sending out mass mailings with the goal of dividing the conservative vote by tricking the average American into thinking real conservatives and Tea Party types don’t think Sharron Angle is a good enough candidate, thereby fragmenting that conservative vote enough that old Harry Boy can squeak out yet another win. 

Truth is that no one is perfect but I’ll tell you this much:  Sharron Angle is head and shoulders and then some a far, far better choice for a Nevada Senator than Harry Ried.  Heck, even unrecognizable roadkill or British comfort food is a better choice than Harry Reid.

Bottom line:  beware of those organizations who would portray any conservative candidate negatively.  Particularly if they are based out of Washington, D.C.

Quote Of The Day

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While I find him a total waste of sperm, MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann said following President Walking Eagle’s blame-ass Oval Office teleprompter reading last night:

“It was a great speech if you’ve been on another planet for the last 57 days.”

Arizona Slowly Being Ceded To Mexican Criminals

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Our Nancy-boy-in-Chief has said he wants to “kick some ass” but if it wasn’t clear before it will be very clear now that he means to kick only the asses of Americans.  Rather than stand up to Constitutional responsibilities to secure and protect America’s borders, the federal government has, in effect, gotten down on bended knee to Mexico by posting signs 80 miles inside the Arizona border with Mexico warning U.S. citizens to not enter the park area because it isn’t safe due to the high volume of heavily-armed drug smugglers and human traffickers pouring in on a daily basis.

This is decidedly a “WTF?” moment.  But it isn’t new.  Two-thirds of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is off-limits to Americans.  The area has become so dangerous “the Park Services uses it as a training ground for tactical operations” and National Geographic Adventure Magazine wrote:  “Welcome to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, where backpackers carry bales of marijuana and park rangers carry assault rifles – and where ranger Kris Eggle paid the ultimate price.”  The 28-year old ranger was shot and killed by a drug runner in 2002 but things have continued to go downhill ever since.  It is estimated that over $2 million worth of drugs come through Organ Pipe every single day.

For almost 4 years, 3,500 acres of the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge has been closed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service because “public use of the area is not prudent“. 

It’s common knowledge that President Pantywaist inhaled, but regardless his views of illegal drug use, that’s no excuse for tactitly allowing this escalation of drug smuggling and violence.  It’s way past time for our southern border to be secured, not to be considering granting yet more amnesty to criminals.

He’s No “Gentleman”

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Unless he’s normally as dumb as a doorpost, the behavior of Congressman Bob Etheridge (D-NC) shown in this video begs the question:  is he drunk with power or simply drunk?

Memorial Day 2010

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As today dawns, I remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that all Americans may continue to enjoy our unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. On this day I bless each one of you; may God hold you close and shield you from the pain of seeing those who would now trade those rights for little more than promises of the unearned fruits of another’s labors and so again become the slaves of tyranny. By your example and in your names I pray that we may find the strength to say no to all that threatens America’s freedoms and to continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.

Today we look back and embrace again the original meaning given to this day: the spirit of redemptive sacrifice. We must renew our pledge to American ideals and remember American exceptionalism and our duty to uphold freedom in the world.

For it is rivers of red blood that once ran across American soil and those same sacrifices made by Americans all over the world that allow us to take today off from work, host a barbeque, and watch the Indianapolis 500. Those rivers of red American blood are what allow some to get drunk and make a fool out of themselves in public and some to just make fools out of themselves in public – today or any other day.

For this, though some of us never forget, today we honor you.

When Fox Guards Henhouse

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Americans rest so easily knowing that Attorney General Eric Holder heads up such a stellar Justice Department, as witnessed by its failing to take the default judgement in the Black Panther voter intimidation case and by his condemnation of Arizona’s recent immigration check legislation without even reading it, that it makes perfect sense the request to appoint a special prosecutor to look into allegations made by Representative Joe Sestak that the White House offered him a job to drop out of the Pennsylvania Senate primary race against Arlen Specter is being stonewalled. 

“We assure you that the Department of Justice takes very seriously allegations of criminal conduct by public officials,” Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich told [R-CA Representative Darrell] Issa in a letter. “All such matters are reviewed carefully by career prosecutors and law enforcement agents, and appropriate action, if warranted, is taken.”

Weich said a special prosecutor won’t be needed because the Justice Department “has a long history of handling investigations of high level officials professionally and independently, without the need to appoint a special counsel.”

It makes perfect sense to have those who would likely be involved in what is an impeachable offense do the investigation of wrong-doing, doesn’t it?  Rather like the mother of the school bully being called into the principal’s office to make the decision as to whether or not her child sucker-punched another child.

And it’s just another day in Chicago….

Another “No Tax Increase” Tax Increase

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It is being reported tonight that Congress is hastily slapping together a “grab bag” of legislation they think they need to pass before heading off for the Memorial Day holiday break.  But as with everything in this Congress, haste to exploit the latest crise du jour is going to cost the American taxpayer yet again.

This time in the form of higher gasoline taxes – a quadrupling of the current 8 cents a barrel.  This is being touted as a way to make sure there is enough money to pay for oil spills.  Like the one in the Gulf of Mexico that BP is going to pay for.

President Barack Obama and congressional leaders have said they expect BP to foot the bill for the cleanup.

“Taxpayers will not pick up the tab,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Monday.

So of course it makes perfect sense to raise taxes on everyone in America who drives a car, rides a motorcycle, uses a lawnmower, or any other engine-driven piece of machinery that uses gasoline.

I so love the smell of hypocrisy floating on the warm, spring evening air.

No Privacy For Your Banking Activities

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If you aren’t yet concerned about Senator Christopher Dodd’s “regulatory reform” bill, S. 3217, the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010, it’s time to gear up and make sure your unrepresenting representatives know this is anything but a way to restore or stabilize America.

Among its fast and loose partisan games with so-called federal financial “oversight’, one thing that will hit you right in the supposed privacy of your own home is one of the “responsibilities” that will be assigned to that nefarious Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.  This unaccountable group will be tasked with monitoring consumer financial patterns and, “implement and, where applicable, enforce Federal consumer financial law.” Specifically, they will have the authority to “gather information and activities of persons operating in consumer financial markets.”

What does this mean?  It means that every cent any individual deposits will be linked to the census-based personal address of each customer and to their deposit at the corresponding financial institution. And these unaccountable bureaucrats will be permitted to share this data with whomever they wish.

Yes, Virginia, when you deposit that gift of birthday cash from Auntie Em and later use your debit card to buy a mocha latte at Starbucks, the Feds will be tracking these transactions and can then sell that information to big businesses and Wall Street, making you a target for advertising and the like.  And not only does this lend itself to the federal government playing favorites with the private sector, forcing business in and out of geographic areas or to collapse altogether, it also contains enormous risk that all your personal data will fall into the wrong hands.

I don’t know what they’re drinking there in Dodd’s office, but common sense and true concern for American citizens ain’t it.