While the future of space travel may be in the private sector (see the X Prize Foundation’s website), governments are still the main players in this day and age. That’s why it’s encouraging to see this ABC News report that the U.S. is considering delaying the retirement of the Space Shuttle.
Not that the shuttle is anything exciting. Space travel started losing its appeal when the focus became the International Space Station (a sort of floating UN with freeze-dried food) instead of missions of discovery. But with space becoming an issue tied in just as closely with national security as with science & technology, leaving the US dependent on an increasingly surly Russia for our trips to outer space was never a good idea.
As we’ve often noted, Google is one of the biggest corporate lobbyists for Net Neutrality, by which federal regulations and bureaucrats would do to the Internet what they’ve done to public education. This is corporate welfare of the worst kind, as Google seeks to cement its business model of free-riding on telecommunications infrastructure through government dictate.
But it raises the question – why not attach “Search Neutrality” amendments to any Net Neutrality legislation that it advocates? After all, Google justifies its lobbying on the ground that Internet service providers are somehow ready to spring their sinister plan to block consumer access to various websites. Never mind that we’ve gone two decades without any substantive problem in this regard, and never mind that the marketplace would punish any service provider that actually attempted to block consumer choice in that manner. But even accepting its rationalization at face value, isn’t Google just as capable of blocking sites in its search results? What is to stop THEM from suffocating consumer access?
Accordingly, we propose that if Google is serious, how about adding a “Search Neutrality” provision to any Net Neutrality bill that it advocates? Paraphrasing your own motto, Google, don’t be evil.
After chairing a United Nations Security Council meeting on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, President Obama gets a nuclear reality check from CFIF’s Renee Giachino. Watch this week’s Freedom Minute below:
Yesterday there was this Joint Economic Committee hearing on “The Future of Newspapers: The Impact on the Economy and Democracy.”
So how many of the 20 House and Senate members showed up? Three, according to Joseph Curl of The Washington Times, including the Chairwoman, Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), who wasn’t even there part of the time.
Maloney and Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-Md) have introduced a bill to allow newspapers to become non-profits, since most of them can’t make a profit, having run off most of their subscribers. No vote has been scheduled.
In a Sacred Heart University poll of attitudes about the media (mentioned on this blog yesterday, in another context), “70.4 percent said they believe the national news media are not responsive to ‘consumer preferences and market desires.’ Nearly 68 percent said they agreed with the statement: ‘Old-style, traditionally objective and fair journalism is dead.’”
What would it take to resuscitate it? We doubt if it is possible, because most of those running today’s newspapers are too arrogant to think the opinions of readers are of value.
I have been skeptical of Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense ever since he replaced the flawed, but honorable, Donald Rumsfeld in the final years of the Bush Administration.
Gates is one of those “non-ideological”, “pragmatic” types that the press always crows about (at least when they’re Republicans). There were many similar figures in the Bush Administration — Henry Paulson, Colin Powell, and (to a lesser extent) Condoleeza Rice, as well. What they all have in common is that their “sensibility” and “prudence” emanates from the fact that they have very few principles that they’re willing to go to the mat for. They tend towards principled timidity. For example. take a look at Gates’ comments from a CNN interview to be broadcast this weekend:
“…The only way you end up not having a nuclear-capable Iran is for the Iranian government to decide that their security is diminished by having those weapons, as opposed to strengthened. And so I think, as I say, while you don’t take options off the table, I think there’s still room left for diplomacy.”
Did the Secretary of Defense really just tell us that the ONLY way to prevent Iran going nuclear is to convince them that they’re stronger without a nuke that will deter almost everyone in the world from challenging them? I’m building my bomb shelter.
In a letter sent to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Senator Mitch McConnell and other members of the Republican leadership threatened to block some of President Obama’s nominees until HHS lifts its gag order on private health insurance companies.
The gag order was put in place after Senator Baucus and others complained about a mailing Humana Inc. sent to seniors warning that the health care reform proposals advancing in Congress could result in cuts to Medicare benefits.
McConnell’s office put out a release with excerpts from his interview on Fox News’ Your World with Neil Cavuto, during which he dicussed the letter and issue. Below are some of those excerpts:
I sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services signed by the Republican Leadership. They have 10 vacancies of people they are trying to get appointed to the administration. None of those people will get through the Senate easily until they lift the gag order. None of these people make it through the Senate without extensive debate until they lift the gag order and allow the First Amendment to function for everyone in this country, including people who just happen to be doing business with the federal government.”
I think the Democratic majority is undeterred by the facts. The facts are that they are trying to cut Medicare. They certainly are cutting Medicare Advantage as well they are going to have a $500 billion cut in Medicare over the next 10 years. They are acting like they are not. Nobody believes that the director of the CBO has illustrated what they are doing. It is astonishing.”
Other Republican leaders who signed the letter include: Senators Jon Kyl, Lamar Alexander, John Thune, Lisa Murkowski, John Cornyn, Charles Grassley and Mike Enzi.
“[A]s of 2005 there were 18 senators who gained office at least partly through their family ties – sons, daughters, wives, nephews of former senators, governors, presidents, and so on. The Founders envisioned the Senate as an assembly of wise and accomplished men, chosen for their experience and judiciousness. Political campaigns that favor the handsome, the glib, the panderers, and the best fundraisers are bad enough. But a Senate full of legacies and seat-warmers is especially unfortunate.”
“Politically vulnerable Democrats say Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House leaders aren’t offering them the protection from tough votes that they did in the last Congress.
“Conservative Democrats fear that dozens of members could be swept out of their districts in the midterm election next year, and that fear has been intensifying in recent weeks.”
So why don’t they take an easy vote? The Democratic House Caucus decides who will be Speaker. We’d be willing to bet that just about anyone voting to remove Pelosi could have their seats in perpetuity.
Here is a summary of the amendments considered during yesterday’s Senate Finance Committee hearing. Chairman Baucus plans to finish work today and there is a possibility that the full Senate could take up consideration next week. Be sure to call Congress and tell them what you think about higher taxes and government-run health care: 202-224-3121. HT: Peter Roff
Menendez C4: Ensure and clarify that children qualify as exchange eligible individuals and that there shall be the option of a child-only health insurance option and subsides in the exchanges. Agreed to by Voice Vote
Enzi C6: To provide additional choices to individuals who would otherwise be enrolled in Medicaid throught expansions in this bill. Rejected 10-13.
Ensign C14: Protecting states that saw a Medicaid increase of more than 1 percent from an unfunded mandate. Rejected 10-13.
Stabenow C6: To ensure high quality, specialized care for children and youth with special medical, psychological, social and emotional needs who can accept and respond to the close relationships within a family setting, but whose special needs require more intensive or therapeutic services than are found in traditional foster care. Agreed to by Voice Vote
Menendez C9: Ensuring quality health care for those with autism and other behavioral health conditions.
Crapo C2: The amendment would prohibit any expansion of the Medicaid program that would result in any additional costs for the States, now or in the future.
Enzi C9: To exempt any State that the State‘s revenues have declined for 2 consecutive fiscal year quarters from any mandatory Medicaid expansions.
Enzi C3: Prior to implementing the employer assessments or fees described in Title 1, Subtitle D, the Secretary of Labor must certify that the implementation of such fees and assessments would not result in a reduction of workers‘ wages or an increase in the unemployment rate. Passed 21-2.
Rockefeller #D10: Revised the Medicare Commission provisions. Passed 15-3.
Nelson C1: Strike provisions in Chairman‘s mark (pages 12-13) to allow states to form ―health care choice compacts. Agreed to on voice vote.
Grassley C9: This amendment requires states to raise reimbursement rates for Medicaid providers (such as pediatricians, children‘s hospitals, and dentists) providing care for an eligible child to 100% of Medicare levels starting in 2014. Rejected 10-13.
Bunning C3: Amendment amends the Chairman‘s mark to require that any taxpayer who requests an exemption on their tax return from the personal responsibility excise tax be granted an exemption. Rejected 9-14.
Cornyn C7: The amendment would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to annually submit to Congress for consideration the flat dollar amount required of employers under Subtitle D. In order to take effect, Congress must enact and the President must sign the penalty into law. Failed on a point of order 8-8.
Nelson D10: Eliminate the Part D Coverage Gap and Require Drug Maker Rebates for Full-Benefit Dual Eligible Individuals. Failed 13-10.
Yesterday, we remarked briefly and pointedly on the paranoid delusional loon who is the (appropriately) deposed former President of Honduras, one Manuel Zelaya. By President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (not to mention the Organization of American States), the tiny country has been threatened with economic ruin if it does not return the guy to power.
But what of the mainstream media that also supported Zelaya’s return. Well, at least the Washington Post read that Mr. Zelaya now claims to have been “bombarded with radiation and toxic gases by ‘Israeli mercenaries.'”
So what does good old WaPo write now? “Such behavior ought to deter any responsible member of the Organization of American States – starting with Brazil – from supporting anything other than a token return by Mr. Zelaya to office. The Obama administration has backed such a restoration (as have we)…”
We’re much too busy to go back and parse words, but we just can’t seem to remember the emphasis on “token” by any of the aforementioned in the past.
Based on some pretty solid understanding of the Honduras Constitution and the circumstances of Zelaya’s removal by people who actually know something about the country, we think he was removed from office legally and by the book. And now we also know, from his own mouth, that he’s certifiable.
Would a “token” return to office be in a straight jacket with Nurse Ratchet on duty?
The $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) is set to expire on December 31, and approximately $130 billion remains unspent. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, however, now wants to keep those unspent billions and convert TARP into a permanent federal bureaucracy.
Has this administration no sense of shame or propriety whatsoever?
The TARP program was dishonestly sold to the American people one year ago as a “temporary” intrusion to keep our financial system afloat until the economic seas calmed. Markets have long-since stabilized as they naturally do, and an enormous portion of TARP funds either remain unspent or were spent in ways totally unrelated to troubled assets. Independent auditors also remain unable to verify the program’s success, and the Obama Administration and Pelosi/Reid Congress have us hurtling toward unthinkable levels of deficit and debt. Despite this, but unsurprisingly to anyone with even a modest understanding of how government constantly erodes our individual freedoms, Geithner & Co. seek to make TARP permanent.
Ben Smith of Politico.com, reporting on the resignation of Yosi Sargent (former NEA Communications Director who organized and participated in call enlisting artists to support Obama programs): “The White House has sought to downplay the story, which has gotten little mainstream media attention, despite heavy coverage on the right.”
Perhaps that would explain the latest poll findings on national attitudes toward the media, conducted by Sacred Heart University: “A large majority, 89.3 percent, suggested the national media played a very or somewhat strong role in helping to elect President Obama. Just 10.0 percent suggested the national media played little or no role. Further, 69.9 percent agreed the national news media are intent on promoting the Obama presidency while 26.5 percent disagreed. Some, 3.6 percent, were unsure.”
If Democrats avoid the typical route for passing a bill and use the budget reconciliation process (requiring only 51 votes for final passage), then opponents of a government-run system will need to convince several Democrats that the current bills in Congress are complete garbage and must be opposed, even during cloture votes.
Good news has arrived and a reliably liberal voice on the Democratic side, Ron Wyden (D-OR), has stated that he will not vote for the Baucus Bill in its current form. Other Senators that should be persuaded in the same direction as Senator Wyden: Ben Nelson (D-NE), Evan Bayh (D-IN), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Kent Conrad (D-ND), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Arlen Specter (D-PA), and Mark Warner (D-VA).
If you live in one of these states, call your Senator and let them know that you don’t support a government takeover of health care, individual mandates, employer mandates, higher taxes, or a reduction in your Medicare benefits. Here is the Senate switchboard number: 202-224-3121.
The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced an investigation of ACORN because the teenage prostitutes about which ACORN advised would have been transported in vehicles, possibly clunkers. No, that’s a joke. But the Inspector General of the Treasury Department really did authorize an investigation, and more are being sought at both federal and state levels.
Who knew that ACORN could provide such a stimulus package for lawyers?
For those wondering whether the public option will ever get through the Senate, the White House chief of staff just answered the question.
Rahm Emanuel, President Obama’s chief of staff, gave an interview with Charlie Rose last night and stated that a public option could not pass the Senate. I wonder if that includes the “co-op” that the Senate Finance Committee is currently considering.
The $787 billion economic recovery package … is stimulating growth in the federal government as agencies hire thousands of workers and spend millions of dollars to oversee and implement the package, according to government records and spokesmen. … That’s helped fuel the continued growth of the federal government, which increased by more than 25,000 employees, or 1.3%, since December 2008…”
Have no fear: John Berry, head of the federal government’s Office of Personnel Management, says the increase is small and temporary. Believe that, then there’s a bridge in Brooklyn for sale with your name written all over it.
In related news, the Labor Department this morning reported that the number of newly laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits this week was 530,000. While the number was less than economists expected, that brought the total number of jobs lost since December, 2008 to nearly 4 million, most coming from the private sector. This, despite Congress’ passage of the $787 billion taxpayer-funded stimulus bill.
CNSNews.com is reporting that “House Republicans are seeking a congressional investigation and information from the White House to determine whether the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) pushed politics in a conference call with potential grant recipients.”
The issue erupted when Andrew Breitbart, of ACORN-video fame, published details of the call on his Big Hollywood website in which the White House allegedly worked with NEA officials to encourage its grant recipients to push Obama’s top policy priorities, including health care reform, cap-and-trade and other issues.
According to Rep. John Kline (R-MN), ranking member of the House Education and Labor Committee:
The Lobbying Act and the Hatch Act are there to make sure we do not see government personnel and assets used for political purposes. … It does appear laws were broken. I want to work within the jurisdiction where I have it, which is the ranking Republican on the Education and Labor Committee.”
In addition, Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has sent a letter to Obama Sr. Advisor Valerie Jarrett at the White House asking her to provide more information about the conference call, including:
A full and complete list of all participants on the August 10, 2009 conference call.
A full and complete explanation of how invitees to the conference call were selected.
A full and complete description of any consultation of, or opinion provided by, the Office of the White House Counsel or any other advisor regarding the legal implications of the August 10, 2009 conference call specifically and/or the relationship between the White House and NEA generally.
A full and complete description of how the conference call was arranged, including which White House staff initiated contact with, or were contacted by, NEA staff, the role of the White House Office of Public Engagement, and the role of the Corporation for National and Community Service.
A full and complete explanation of the White House’s expectations for call participants.
A full and complete list of, any material produced by call participants in response to the August 10,2009 conference call.
Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, is leading the effort on the Senate side.
If you count Senator Robert Byrd, who is recovering in the hospital from a fall, Democrats now have a “filibuster proof” 60-seat majority in the U.S. Senate.
Today, as expected, Governor Deval Patrick (D-MA) picked Paul Kirk Jr. to serve as a temporary replacement for Senator Kennedy. Kirk, like most of the rabble on the Hill, is a lawyer and once served as a health care lobbyist. He will be sworn in this Friday.
Presumably, Kirk will have the easiest job in the Senate. When a cloture motion is filed by the Democrats, vote for it. Nice job to have if you were fortunate enough to work for Senator Kennedy and be well connected in the Bay State.
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