Westboro Baptist Church (Cult) In Court Again

After the Father, Albert Snyder, of a slain Marine, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, decided to take the Westboro cult disguising themselves as a church, to court for invasion of privacy for disrupting them while they were trying to bury their hero son, a slain Marine, we brought you news that the father won the landmark case and was awarded $11 Million dollars in damages.

You can see what type of site these Westboro freaks run called God Hates Fags (Site now says the Domain is invalid) and you can hear the insane Fred Phelps throwing a hissy about the judgment (video at that link) when he was interviews by Rick Sanchez.

Today we see reports that the daughter of Fred Phelps, Shirley Phelps-Roper, is in court today asking a Sarpy County judge Monday to order prosecutors to spell out in writing why she is charged with flag mutilation, negligent child abuse, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and disturbing the peace. They say the details of those charges will be important to Phelps-Roper's defense.

HEH.

Security was tight today as Westboro Baptist Church member Shirley Phelps-Roper appeared in Sarpy County Court to answer charges that she mutilated a flag and put her child in danger while protesting at the funeral of a Bellevue, Neb., soldier.

Although the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office prepared for a possible protest by members of Topeka-base Westboro Baptist Church, none materialized. A few family members and her attorney accompanied Phelps-Roper, 50.

According to Bellevue police, Phelps-Roper had her 10-year-old son stomp on an American flag. Church members had obtained a city of Bellevue permit to protest.

The church, founded by her father, Fred Phelps, has protested across the country at the funerals of numerous soldiers, alleging that their deaths were God's retribution for America's toleration of homosexuality.

Last Wednesday, a Maryland jury awarded nearly $11 million to a man who sued Westboro Baptist for invasion of privacy after its members protested at his son's funeral.

The pretrial hearing centered on a defense motion requesting that the prosecution describe in detail the specific facts that support the charges, which include disturbing the peace, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and negligent child abuse.

Her attorney, Bassel El-Kasaby, argued that without specifics on what actions broke the law in each case and who was victimized he can't prepare his case.

"I don't think you can disturb the peace of a police officer or firefighter," he said.

He said it was "unorthodox" and potential "overreaching" by prosecutors to charge Phelps-Roper with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and negligent child abuse.

"I'd like to know who the victim is and what harm they suffered," he said.

He said if the flag mutilation charge is found unconstitutional, the other charges likewise may be dismissed, but he needs to know the relationship between the charges.

Deputy Sarpy County Attorney Marc Delman resisted El-Kasaby's request, saying he didn't want to limit the basis for the charges.

Delman told the judge that Phelps-Roper had "cleanly, openly and notoriously" made her son step on an American flag while her church protested at the funeral of William Bailey.

"Clearly the Bailey family was very upset by this," he said. Delman said Phelps-Roper's contempt for the flag gave rise to the case, but the rest of the charges stemmed from other actions as well, including slogans on signs and other conduct.

Phelps-Roper, outside the courtroom, said she didn't force her son, Jason, to do anything.

She said he has grown up attending protests and acted on his own.

"He laid it on the ground, and he stood on it. And he stood there peacefully," she said.

Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov says each charge stands alone, from desecrating the flag, to exposing children to this type of environment.

Polikov says, "I'm more and more convinced that these kids are put in peril all the time when they're out being forced to do adult-type of activities so the charges are firm."

Phelps-Roper's attorney. Bassel El-Kasaby, seems to be constructing much of his case around a 1990 U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing flag burning as protected free speech.

Lee Polikov doesn't buy it.

"Yes, speech is protected," he says. "But not protected in every situation."

When I showed pictures of the signs the children were forced to carry while this cult protested at military funerals, I asked if this was mental or emotional abuse.

They have children spewing this hatred.... is this emotional and mental child abuse?


They even hold signs praying for more dead kids.


I am glad I grabbed a couple of the pictures from the site because now, all the URL's for that site are saying it is not a valid Domain.

Wonder whats up with that?

I truly hope that any family they harass takes action against them. These families have suffered enough and should be permitted to bury their loved ones in peace.

I cross posted this at Stop the ACLU.

HUGE HAT TIP to Jay at Stop the ACLU... he found Shirley Phelps-Roper's YouTube page!!!!

Last but not least, take a look at this six minute video showing the abuse Westboro puts their children through.

Heartbreaking.

Cross posted from Wake up America

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Musharraf Declares Emergency Rule: Martial Law in Pakistan

Via Wake up America

[Update below-Text of the ‘Proclamation of emergency’

Gen. Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistan leader declared Emergency Rule in Pakistan Saturday, suspending the constitution.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court was expected to rule on the legality of General Musharraf’s re-election last month and this appears to be a step to forestall such a ruling.

All independent news outlets in Pakistan were blacked out and then the police force surrounded the Supreme Court building with the justices inside and the chief justice's home, ordering them to sign a “provisional constitutional order” under threat of dismissal for any that did not sign.

New York Times:

At least 6 of the court’s 11 justices gathered in the court and rejected the order, according to an aide to Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Aitzaz Ahsan, a prominent lawyer, who led protests against General Musharraf this spring, was detained by the police after saying that opposition groups would announce a schedule on Monday of nationwide strikes and protests.

Before being detained, he accused General Musharraf of “criminal flouting of the Constitution,” adding that “the people and the lawyers cannot be suspended.”

General Musharraf was expected to speak on national television late on Saturday evening. Pakistani government officials said Friday that emergency rule could be justified because of clashes in the past week between security forces and Islamic militants in the Swat Valley, in the North-West Frontier Province, and because of the increasing number of suicide attacks against military and police installations.

As of 9 p.m., Chief Justice Chaudhry and the other justices had gone to their homes, surrounded by police and with the phone lines cut, witnesses and officials said.

Wapo:

On Friday, U.S. officials had tried to pressure Musharraf to avoid declaring emergency rule or martial law. Adm. William J. Fallon, chief of the U.S. Central Command, met with Musharraf and had tried to encourage him to back down from his plan.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Saturday that the United States was "deeply disturbed by reports that Pakistani President Musharraf has taken extra-constitutional actions and has imposed a state of emergency."

"A state of emergency would be a sharp setback for Pakistani democracy and takes Pakistan off the path toward civilian rule," he said in a statement. "President Musharraf has stated repeatedly that he will step down as Chief of Army Staff before re-taking the presidential oath of office and has promised to hold elections by January 15th. We expect him to uphold these commitments and urge him to do so immediately."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, traveling in Turkey, said the United States had "made clear it does not support extra-constitutional measures because those measures take Pakistan away from the path of democracy and civilian rule."

"Whatever happens we will be urging a quick return to civilian rule," she said, and a "return to constitutional order and the commitment to free and fair elections."

Musharraf won election last month to a new, five-year term as Pakistan's president. But the Supreme Court is still reviewing whether he was eligible to run in the first place.

Most analysts predict that the court will rule in Musharraf's favor and allow him to begin his new term. But the case has been dragging on for weeks, and Musharraf's current term expires Nov. 15.

AP:

Seven of the 17 Supreme Court judges immediately rejected the emergency, which suspended the current constitution. Police blocked entry to the Supreme Court building and later took the deposed chief justice and other judges away in a convoy, witnesses said.

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, a longtime rival of Musharraf who recently returned from eight years of exile, flew back to Pakistan from Dubai where she was visiting family. She left the airport under police escort; her house was surrounded by paramilitary troops.

The government halted all television transmissions in major cities other than state-controlled Pakistan TV. Telephone service in the capital, Islamabad, was cut.

The order drew swift complaints from the United States and Britain — Musharraf's main Western allies. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged restraint on all sides and a swift return to democracy in Pakistan.

Via Weasel Zippers, the Earth Times reports:

Islamabad - Pakistan is considering enforcement of Islamic laws in Pakistan's north-western Swat valley to meet the demands of pro-Taliban militants who briefly seized and then released around 100 security personnel after nine days' fierce fighting that left more than 200 people dead. "The government is considering the implementation of Sharia law in the view of the demands of the local people," said Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai, governor of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) in which the valley is situated.

The problem of dealing with a nuclear armed Muslim country, especially one that is home to bin Laden, is we are often forced to choose between the "lesser of two evils" in who we back publicly. This latest action by Musharraf just made that choice more difficult.

Via Hot Air we see that Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has returned to Pakistan.

Last time she showed up, a couple weeks ago, there was a bombing that killed 140 people and now reported are showing us that paramilitary troops have started deploying in front of her house.

«She is waiting to see if she is going to be arrested or
deported,» Wajid Hasan said after speaking to the former Pakistani prime minister by telephone from London.

Bhutto, seen by many supporters as key to a possible return to democratic rule, flew from United Arab Emirates, where she was visiting family just two weeks after she was targeted by assassins upon her return to Pakistan after eight years in exile.

More on Bhutto from Captain's Quarters:

The West will not find this to their liking. They had pressed Musharraf to cut a deal with Benazir Bhutto to transition back to democratic processes, hoping that the deal would give them both a stronger political position and marginalize the Islamists. The radicals have their own agenda, however, and have worked to destabilize the political situation before the alliance between Bhutto and Musharraf could have any effect.

A declaration of emergency means the upcoming parliamentary elections will not take place as scheduled in January. That will almost certainly split Bhutto from Musharraf, and it will mean that Musharraf will have to rely on his power base with the Army. That may not hold firm in a protracted fight against Islamist rebels, as the military's morale has already been questioned. It's a dangerous situation, and the declaration makes it even more so.

Reported by The Telegraph, Britain is very concerned also:

Britain has expressed grave concern at the move, which effectively postpones any election, saying the country's future depended on ensuring the rule of law.

The Pakistani leader declared the state of emergency before a crucial Supreme Court ruling on his future as president. The move thrusts his country deeper into political turmoil as it struggles to contain spreading Islamic militancy.

"All friends of Pakistan will be concerned by the turn of events today," British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said in a statement.

Blogger reactions:

The Long War Journal by Bill Roggio:

It is unclear what effect, if any, the declaration of a state of emergency will have on the Taliban and al Qaeda insurgency in the Northwest Frontier Province. The Associated Press of Pakistan, the official government news outlet, stated both "terrorist attacks and judiciary’s interference led to imposition" of the state of emergency.

"The two page proclamation that came into force at once states that banning of some militant groups took terrorist activities to an unprecedented level of “violent intensity” posing a grave threat to the life and property of the citizens of Pakistan," the Associated Press of Pakistan news release stated. "The order says that emergency has been imposed in the wake of suicide bombings, explosions of Improvised Explosive Devices, rocket firing and bomb explosions, besides a spate of attacks on State infrastructure and on law enforcement agencies."

The Pakistani military has been demoralized by the fighting and troops are surrendering or being captured and beheaded by the dozens. The Taliban has fought the military to a standstill in North Waziristan and Swat, and the government continues to seek negotiations.

The Astute Bloggers:

AS REPUGNANT AS A MILITARY JUNTA IN PAKISTAN IS, IT IS FAR BETTER THAN A JIHADIST GOVERNMENT. MUSHARRAF DESERVES AND NEEDS OUR SUPPORT.

* THIS IS STOP-GAP NECESSITY. NOT AN ULTIMATE SOLUTION.


THAT'S BECAUSE PERSONAL FREEDOM AND THE LITERAL KORAN ARE NOT-COMPATIBLE.

IF YOU WANT ONE, THEN YOU HAVE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE OTHER.

Macsmind:

Musharraf must have sniffed out a not too favorable decision and pulled the trigger. This is not good from several standpoints. First there is the critical need we have a for a strong ally in Pakistan, but that relationship Musharraf has always been tenuous with him walking the line between pleasing us and keeping the more radical elements happy at home. Remember that in 2006 he wrote in his book that we had “twisted his arm” into cooperation with us.

Secondly there is the uncoming free elections in January which most likely won’t happen. All of this spells “Not Good” as Musharraf has shown over the last eight years that he intends to stay in power to some extent and he has loyal control of the miliary, oh and by the way “NUKES”.

Washington Times:

Remember that Osama bin Laden is believed to be hiding somewhere on Pakistan's western frontier. Remember that Pakistan has nuclear weapons. This situation could get scary.

Michael van der Galiën:

TPMCafé where one Chuck Keller wonders - in all his BDS - whether George Bush will copy Musharraf’s behavior. I get a little bit sick of the extremists on both sides, but especially of the extremists on the left who believe that Bush is evil reincarnated. Get a grip people. As for this:

Take care, America. Be careful, Americans. Watch what Musharraf does. You may be looking into the mirror at your future.

No more coffee for you today.

Michael van der Galiën is correct, as Astute Bloggers points out, "THIS SITUATION IS NOT A SURPRISE. PAKISTAN HAS HAD MILITARY RULE FOR MOST OF THE LAST 60 YEARS.", then we have the fact that Pakistan has had nuclear weapons since before Bush became President, in fact, in 1998, while Clinton was President Pakistan announced it successfully conducted five nuclear tests, the Bush Derangement crowd ignores all of that to blame Bush for the problems in Pakistan......then again, we know that if they stub their toe it is automatically a conspiracy of Bush and Cheney that forced them to be klutzy.

The BDS crowd also is crowing about how Pakistan in more worrisome that Iran is, completing oblivious to the fact that if we allow Iran to attain nuclear weapons, we will be facing these very same problems with Iran AND Pakistan.... talk about clueless idiots.

More Beeeeeeeeeeeeee Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Esssssssssssssssssss ....these people are seriously mental and need a shrink.

More reactions at memeorandum.

[Update] Musharraf addresses nation:

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (Agencies): Chief of Army Staff, General Pervez Musharraf addressed the nation (Saturday) about 1845GMT. President General Pervez Musharraf said in his address that Pakistan was at a dangerous juncture. Extremists, he said had challenged the writ of the government. The country’s unity is in danger without emergency rule, he added. He said terrorism and extremism had reached their limit and his country's sovereignty was at stake. “Pakistan has reached a dangerous point, and is undergoing an internal crisis. Whatever is happening is because of internal disturbances,” he said in a pre-recorded televised address wearing a Sherwani. “I fear that if timely action is not taken, then God forbid there is a threat to Pakistan's sovereignty.” He said some media channels had added to uncertainty in the country, but did not specify which. He also accused the courts of setting free 61 men who he said had committed terrorist acts. He said there will be no change in government during the state of emergency; parliament will continue to function. He said that he remained committed to holding parliamentary elections.

More from Michael van der Galiën.

[Update] Text of the ‘Proclamation of emergency’

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (APP): Following is the text of the Proclamation of Emergency declared by Chief of the Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf on Saturday:

“WHEREAS there is visible ascendancy in the activities of extremists and incidents of terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings, IED explosions, rocket firing and bomb explosions and the banding together of some militant groups have taken such activities to an unprecedented level of violent intensity posing a grave threat to the life and property of the citizens of Pakistan;

WHEREAS there has also been a spate of attacks on State infrastructure and on law enforcement agencies;

WHEREAS some members of the judiciary are working at cross purposes with the executive nd legislature in the fight against terrorism and extremism thereby weakening the Government and the nation’s resolve and diluting the efficacy of its actions to control this menace;

WHEREAS there has been increasing interference by some members of the judiciary in government policy, adversely affecting economic growth, in particular;

WHEREAS constant interference in executive functions, including but not limited to the control of terrorist activity, economic policy, price controls, downsizing of corporations and urban planning, has weakened the writ of the government; the police force has been completely demoralized and is fast losing its efficacy to fight terrorism and Intelligence Agencies have been thwarted in their activities and prevented from pursuing terrorists;

WHEREAS some hard core militants, extremists, terrorists and suicide bombers, who were arrested and being investigated were ordered to be released. The persons so released have subsequently been involved in heinous terrorist activities, resulting in loss of human life and property. Militants across the country have, thus, been encouraged while law enforcement agencies subdued;

WHEREAS some judges by overstepping the limits of judicial authority have taken over the executive and legislative functions;

WHEREAS the Government is committed to the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law and holds the superior judiciary in high esteem, it is nonetheless of paramount importance that the Honourable Judges confine the scope of their activity to the judicial function and not assume charge of administration;

WHEREAS an important Constitutional institution, the Supreme Judicial Council, has been made entirely irrelevant and non est by a recent order and judges have, thus, made themselves immune from inquiry into their conduct and put themselves beyond accountability;

WHEREAS the humiliating treatment meted to government officials by some members of the judiciary on a routine basis during court proceedings has demoralized the civil bureaucracy and senior government functionaries, to avoid being harassed, prefer inaction;

WHEREAS the law and order situation in the country as well as the economy have been adversely affected and trichotomy of powers eroded;

WHEREAS a situation has thus arisen where the Government of the country cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution and as the Constitution provides no solution for this situation, there is no way out except through emergent and extraordinary measures;

AND WHEREAS the situation has been reviewed in meetings with the Prime Minister, Governors of all four Provinces, and with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chiefs of the Armed Forces, Vice-Chief of Army Staff and Corps Commanders of the Pakistan Army;

NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the deliberations and decisions of the said meetings, I General Pervez Musharraf, Chief of the Army Staff, proclaim Emergency throughout Pakistan.
2. I hereby order and proclaim that the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan shall remain in abeyance.
3. This Proclamation shall come into force at once.”

His comments include the statement that inaction at this moment is suicide for Pakistan.

Sphere: Related Content

Cloture on DREAM Act: REJECTED

Thanks to everyone who made the calls and sent the faxes and emailed the web forms to their Senators.

DREAM Act measure titled:

A bill to authorize the cancellation of removal and adjustment of status of certain alien students who are long-term United States residents and who entered the United States as children, and for other purposes.

Cloture fails in a vote of 52-44, roll call found here.

Our representatives heard us when we told them no amnesty to illegal aliens.

We spoke on this and provided the numbers here and here, in the last couple of days and everyone that fought so hard against the DREAM Act being rammed through the Senate is owed a huge thank you for taking action.

Related article from Fred File shows how the DREAM Act would have been a nightmare.

Before proponents of the DREAM Act start spouting off, learn a little about what the DREAM Act would have done.

This will undoubtedly come up again, but for now... GOOD JOB everyone and thank you again.

Cross posted from Wake up America

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Pelosi's "Rebuke" of Stark--The Way The Left Fringe "Parents"

Cross posted from Wake Up America and Stop the ACLU!

Of course being a Democratic politician, Nancy Pelosi's rebuke was mild, but even she understood some sort of rebuke was necessary from her, as Speaker of the House, regarding Pete Stark's remarks on the floor of the House. (Hat Tip to Lew for the email)

One of Pete Stark's remarks:

"You don't have money to fund the war or children," Stark accused Republicans. "But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."

Nancy Pelosi's mild rebuke: (From the San Francisco Chronicle)

"While members of Congress are passionate about their views, what Congressman Stark said during the debate was inappropriate and distracted from the seriousness of the subject at hand - providing health care for America's children," Pelosi, D-San Francisco, said.

This is not the first time Nancy Pelosi has had her own underlings in the Democratic party undermine her as she was trying to focus everyones attention on SCHIP.

Right before the SCHIP veto by the president, you might remember that Nancy was upset that House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) decided to unveil his Iraq "war tax" idea, which raged through the blogosphere for about 4 hours before Nancy nixed it publicly, upset that Obey had shifted focus from SCHIP to the war tax, at a critical time.

The Democratic party cannot seem to stay on the same page. Almost like the left hand having no clue what the right hand is doing.

This type of rhetoric from Stark is not new though, his past is strife with him making inappropriate comments, one time, in 2003, the police even had to be called to the hearing.

In 1990, Stark told Health and Human Services Director Louis Sullivan, an African American, that he was a disgrace to his race.

In 2001, Stark made a reference to the children of Rep. J.C. Watts, R-Okla., all being "born out of wedlock. Patently untrue, but that rarely matters to Stark who is known as a back bencher that cannot control his tongue.

He also accused Rep. Nancy Johnson, R-Conn., of being a "whore for the insurance industry.

In 2003, Stark, called Rep. Scott McInnis, R-Colo., "a little wimp" and a "little fruitcake" -- and suggested the two should step outside. Capitol police were called to the hearing. (Source)

It is pretty bad when the San Francisco Chronicle says:

Surely there must be someone along the shoreline between Alameda and Fremont who could represent the good citizens of the district with class and dignity. It's not the case now.

Republican politicians had some critical words for Pete Stark following his latest outburst.

John Boehner issued a press release:

“Our troops in Iraq are fighting against al-Qaeda and other radical jihadists hellbent on killing the people we are sent here to represent. Congressman Stark’s statement dishonors not only the Commander-in-Chief, but the thousands of courageous men and women of America’s armed forces who believe in their mission and are putting their lives on the line for our freedom and security. Congressman Stark should retract his statement and apologize to the House, our Commander-in-Chief, and the families of our soldiers and commanders fighting terror overseas. ”

Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas:

"It is despicable to have a member of this Congress accuse this president, any president, of willfully blowing the heads, quote, blowing the heads off our young men and women over in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, said the remarks:

"were hateful and wrong, and should be labeled as such by the House Democrat leadership."

Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri:

Pete Stark’s statements on the House floor this afternoon crossed all lines of decency and decorum. As a member of Congress, he should be ashamed. But as a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee –- and the current chairman of its Health subcommittee –- the Democratic leadership ought to be ashamed as well.”

Steny Hoyer (D) said Stark's remarks were "unfortunate" and "totally inappropriate", he then went on to say that he's hopeful that Stark will express his regrets because he says that these comments have been a distraction and CNN is told that several Democratic lawmakers have called Stark today and made it clear that what Stark said on the House floor yesterday was hurting their cause.

That comment from Hoyer is not going to make the lunatic fringe of their party very happy at all, because the far left, liberal, unhinged portion of the party do not want Stark to apologize and those are the people that lead Stark by the nose. Some even claim it is only the Republicans that are upset at Stark, completely ignoring Pelosi's words, Hoyer's words and the fact that other Democratic politicians are calling Stark to make him apologize.

The National Republican Campaign Committee issued a press release:

DEMOCRAT DISGRACE:
Pete Stark Drags SCHIP Political Circus to All-Time Low
Washington – Just moments ago, in an outrageous and delusional tantrum on the House floor, California Congressman Pete Stark trampled on the sacrifice of our troops fighting on the frontlines while simultaneously questioning the motivations of the Commander-in-Chief in wartime.

(For those getting this from the email subscription to Wake up America, the video shown above can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lTUB5_l0Mg )

Pete Stark and the Democrat leadership owe the American people an apology, the troops and their families an apology, and they should apologize to the millions of children being held political hostage by their party’s desperate attempt to score a political victory instead of providing healthcare for those who need it most.

While Pelosi and Hoyer are upset about Stark "distracting" from the SCHIP issue, Stark's insane cheer leading squad from the far left are encouraging him.

More proof that they party is not only divided but the fringes have the uncanny ability to work against the leadership of their own party, which is one reason they cannot seem to get anything done and are running at a 11% approval rating.

Can any one say.... self destruct mode?

[Update] Gateway Pundit shows that when the nutroots cannot win an argument, they simply lie about it.

Nutrooters Crooks and Liars discovers that if you can’t possibly win an argument over the latest disgusting anti-military, anti-Bush remarks by a Democratic politician…
Then just lie about it.

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The "Mugging Meme": Randi Rhodes from Air America, Started It.

I was going to leave this alone after my initial post, but I find after hearing Randi Rhodes attempt to explain what might or might not have happened, I just have to.

Speaking on her radio show today, Air America Radio's Randi Rhodes spoke about her supposed mugging. She said she was watching football in an Irish pub and went outside for a smoke. The next thing she knew she was on the ground, having fallen or been pushed into a metal grate. She also said she hadn't eaten all day, and she's been to a series of doctors and dentists to fix her injuries and they've also been unable to determine a medical reason for the incident. She also says she sent a two sentence email to AAR's management telling them that she had been mugged; when right-wingers were blamed for the incident she decided not to speak out because she had doctor's appointments.

There is so much wrong with this, on so many levels, I almost do not know where to start.

First off it seems that initial comments saying she was in a pub prior to the "accident", which I did not put in my original post because I wasn't sure if it was true or not, has now been verified by her.

Randi Rhodes was no more assaulted by a right-wing fanatic on Monday than Dick Cheney was. She, in fact, fell down and injured her teeth outside of a Midtown Irish bar at around 6 o’clock Sunday evening after downing about fourteen Ketel One Bloody Marys. She was abusive to the barstaff and generally gross, crass, loud, and pretentious. I genuinely hope she has a speedy recovery. I never would’ve disclosed this (I believe that anyone should feel free to hang out at Irish pubs at any time and not be concerned about someone publishing their behavior) if Air America hadn’t grossly interpreted a drunken indiscretion and allowed it to be morphed into some bullish rhetoric on air. Whatever journalistic integrity the station may have ever had is now completely compromised. The manipulation of the public diminishes any cause, whether just or fabricated.

Next point, her claim that she either fell or was pushed... helllloooooo???

Was she pushed or did she fall, that isn't a difficult question. Either you feel someones hands on you, pushing you hard enough to make you fall, or you don't... one or the other.

Was she drunk enough to not remember whether she felt someone push her? Her statement leaves us with more questions than it does answers.

Then she says she sent a two sentence email to Air America saying she was "mugged", hence the mugged meme that instantly got picked up on.

Mugged: to assault or menace, esp. with the intention of robbery.

Was she robbed? Did anyone attempt to steal her purse? Or did she not want to admit that she had a few, fell down and hurt herself?

The she says that when right-wingers were blamed for the incident she chose not to take a few seconds, call her own show, (who was the source of the right wing attack accusations) and tell them the truth?

Fellow host Jon Elliott claimed on the liberal radio network that Rhodes had been mugged while walking her dog, Simon, on Sunday night. Elliot, who said Rhodes lost several teeth in the attack, waxed about a possible conspiracy.

"Is this an attempt by the right-wing, hate machine to silence one of our own?" he asked on the air, according to Talking Radio, a blog. "Are we threatening them? Are they afraid that we’re winning? Are they trying to silence intimidate us?"

So her false claim of being mugged started a firestorm, where her colleague from Air America made accusations about it being a right wing attack on Rhodes and she didn't take the moments it would have taken to clear it up and now she is complaining about the media's conduct?

(Addition thought: She complains about the media's conduct, but what about her conduct? What about Jon Elliott's conduct? What about Air America's conduct?)

Typical Air America.

Lies and accusations with no facts to back them up.

Radio Equalizer has some of those very questions that I just posed:

1. Why did she send an email to Air America staffers claiming to have been mugged if there was no indication one had occurred?

2. Why has host Jon Elliot been forced to apologize for simply relaying Randi's note to network listeners? Is he the fall guy for her dishonesty?

3. Since there was never any evidence to support an attack claim, why did she even suggest this possibility in a way she knew would reach the press?

4. Why won't she tell us how much she'd had to drink before she'd stepped out of the Irish pub?

5. And perhaps most importantly, why doesn't it bother her that the phony mugging story was quickly turned into a chance to beat up on conservatives, who were actually blamed for the incident?

BoreAmerica provides us with a YouTube video of her "statement", ask yourself if any of the questions listed above are answered. (Here's an edited recording of the start of her show. Bear in mind that about five minutes of the beginning was edited out for brevity.)

Who knows, maybe this was simply Air America's pathetic attempt to get some attention so they didn't end up in bankruptcy yet again.

Cross posted from Wake up America.

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Harry Reid's Letter to Rush Limbaugh's Boss worth $2,100,100 . BUMPED

[LAST UPDATE] The bidding has ended and the highest bid was $2,100,100.00 for a smear letter from Harry Reid to Rush Limbaugh's boss, Mark Mays. All previous posts catching you up on the whole situation from the beginning to this wonderful conclusion are listed at the bottom of this page. GREAT JOB RUSH LIMBAUGH.

Noted philanthropist Betty Casey is now the proud owner of the Harry Reid letter, at $2,100,100.00. Rush will match that amount, bringing the total donation to the The Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation to $4,200,200.00.
[End Update]

Reposted from 10/14/07.

[Update]10/18/07-More from Rush about how the bids for this letter are skyrocketing.

[Update] Rush Limbaugh is going to match the highest bid and his donation will also go to the children of fallen Marines and law enforcement officers and has challenged Harry Reid to put his money (False claims of support) where his mouth is.

RUSH: Let me cover with you the latest on the eBay auction of the Dingy Harry smear letter. Let me check it here: $45,100. The auction will last until Friday at 1 p.m., and you can go to RushLimbaugh.com and see the link there. We have a little eBay widget there on our home page, which constantly updates the number of hits and the current bid. We're getting a lot of e-mails. And, by the way, folks, I forgot to announce this on Friday. Of course, I'm going to match whatever this is. Of course, I always do. Whatever it ends up, I'm going to match the dollar figure, and I have suggested that Senator Reid and the 40 other Democrats who signed the smear letter to Mark Mays, the CEO of Clear Channel, also match the donation that's going to Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation. It provides college scholarships for the children of Marines and law enforcement officials killed in action. I've suggested they should show their support for the military also by matching whatever the high bid is.

Rush has offered a PDF version of Harry Reid's letter that can be found here. (Added at the request of a reader.)

Second part of this update is that Rush Limbaugh has higher approval rating than Harry Reid, in Nevada...Reids own state!!!!! LOL

RUSH: Did you people happen to see the latest polling data out of Nevada? "Molly Ball of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that Senator Harry Reid's favorable rating in Nevada has 'plunged dramatically,' according to a new poll. Currently, Reid's favorable rating is at 32%, while his unfavorable rating is at 51%, a net 23-point drop from the last poll taken in early May when Reid scored a 46/42 favorable/unfavorable rating. Ball reports this is the first time Reid's unfavorable rating has eclipsed his favorable rating. It also puts him below the favorable ratings recorded by President Bush and," me! They put me in this poll! Yes. I have a higher approval rating in Nevada than Dingy Harry. Here are the names in this poll in order: approval-disapproval.

[End Update]

Remember when Media Matters lied about Rush Limbaugh and misrepresented his words about "phony soldiers"?

A firestorm ensued and the Democratic politicians that fell for that lie, hook, line and sinker, deciding to write a letter to whine to Rush Limbaugh's boss, to which Clear Channel CEO, Mark Mays, sent a very respectful letter back to Reid, basically telling him to pound sand.

Soldiers then wrote in supporting Rush against Reid's attacks as well as left comments here at Wake up America and we and thousands of others, sent citizens letters to Reid & Co. also.

Wellllllll, that original letter from Reid is now on the auction block and the latest bid is [Updated amount (10/17/07) is now over $110,000] and 100% of the proceeds will go to educate the children of Marines and law enforcement officers who died while on duty.

Good for you Rush and Clear Channel.

Bids will continue until Friday for the letter signed by 41 Democratic senators and sent on Oct. 2 to Mark P. Mays, president of Clear Channel, the parent company of the conservative talk show host's radio broadcast. The winning bidder will get the letter, the "Halliburton briefcase in which this letter is secured 24 hours a day;" a letter of thanks from Limbaugh and a picture of the talkmeister announcing the auction at a speech in Philadelphia delivered last Thursday.

"This historic document may well represent the first time in the history of America that this large a group of U.S. senators attempted to demonize a private citizen by lying about his views. As such, it is a priceless memento of the folly of (Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid and his 40 senatorial co-signers," reads the eBay announcement.

As of midday Sunday, 95 bids by 36 bidders had been made on the letter, whose opening bid price was $100.

Playing up the controversy over comments Limbaugh made last month in which he used the term "phony soldiers," seemingly to describe U.S. troops opposed to the Iraq war, Limbaugh told his audience last week that he is going to turn lemons into lemonade.

"Over the last 20 years, I've been called a chicken hawk. I have been accused of being blindly supportive of the military. Now, all of a sudden, I hate the military. All of a sudden, I'm critical of soldiers who are critical of the war — which I have never been," Limbaugh said in his Friday broadcast.

"I would like to issue this challenge to Senator Reid and the 41 senators who signed his letter. You say you support the military. You say you're big, and you think it's patriotic, and that I was unpatriotic. Well, I would like for each of you, Senator Reid, and the 40 senators who signed, to match whatever the winning bid is. Show us your support for the U.S. military by all 41 of you pro-military people, Democrats in the Senate, match whatever the winning bid is and send that amount to the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation," Limbaugh said. Limbaugh sits on the board of the foundation that has dispersed $29 million for scholarships.

Here is Rush Limbaugh's announcement from his show about the auction.

The best part, they are taking measures to see to it that Reid & Co. cannot be the ones to buy the original letter back....LOL

RUSH: I am now right here in the broadcast complex. I have in front of me the titanium briefcase containing the official real letter from Senator Reid, signed by 41 Democrat senators to Mark Mays, the CEO of Clear Channel, my syndication partner. This titanium case -- I hold it up now for those of you on the Dittocam to see -- is manufactured by Halliburton. Inside the titanium case -- I'm opening it here just as I did last night in Philadelphia -- this is the original letter. There are four pages to this letter. This letter is going to whoever bids the highest amount on eBay. It is available now to be bid upon. Simply go to RushLimbaugh.com, and there's a direct link from our website to the eBay page on which this is explained. There are pictures of the four pages of the letter, official documentation of where the money is going and so forth. The one thing that we are asking you to do, and I hope you understand this, is when you place a bid on this auction, you will be asked before your bid is accepted to prequalify. Now, the reason we're doing this is not to collect information on you. We are doing this to make sure that no operative of Senator Reid nor the Democrat National Committee can attempt to buy back their own deceitful words here.

We want this letter to remain with somebody in the public, and we fully expect that operatives from Senator Reid's office and the Democrat National Committee will try to enter the auction and buy it back. So the prequalification, there will be no credit card information asked, anything like this. The information on this page will be used for no other purpose other than to prequalify you to bid. It will be destroyed, all the information you give will be destroyed at the end of the auction, which will go until next Friday at this time. The auction will be up for one week, and it will end at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time next Friday, one week from now.

Here is his announcement of the auction in Philadelphia.

Hysterical.

Talk about hoisted by your own petard.

More from the Radio Equalizer.

Previously:
Phony Soldiers & Rush Limbaugh.
Rush Limbaugh & Phony Soldiers #2: The Anatomy of a Smear: "Phony Soldiers" Is a Phony Story.
Rush Limbaugh Challenges Harry Reid.
Rush Limbaugh, Harry Reid and Clear Channel CEO's Response--Text.
Rush Limbaugh, Harry Reid, Phony Soldiers and Real Soldiers emails supporting Rush.
Help Support El Rushbo...Sign The Petition...NOW NOW NOW.
Citizen Letter Condemning Harry Reid’s Attack On Rush Limbaugh, Free Speech.

Cross posted from Wake up America

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Miss Beth Wants to Help Miracle Also

Cross posted from Wake up America with a huge thanks to Beth from Spree.

Taking a political break here. Taking a look at memeorandum, we on the right, and those on the left, are, as usual, at each others throats.

I propose a break, for just one quick minute. To our corners and lets look at something that isn't an issue for the right, or the left, but something that is just the right thing to do as an American and as a human being.

I don't often visit websites from the other side of the political aisle, but sometimes a title does make me click, so, a huge hat tip to First Draft.

(Miracle's lost home on Dauphine in the Holy Cross District of the Ninth Ward)
Bring Miracle Home.

From First Draft:

Two weeks ago I posted about the Joseph family who lost their Lower 9th Ward home for the second time. Kellie Joseph and her 6 children lost their home to Katrina. The rebuilding of their home was nearly complete when it was tragically destroyed by a fire after someone abandoned a stolen car in their backyard and lit it aflame to destroy evidence. The flames engulfed the home.

A group of Tulane medical students who heard of this devastating news decided to help the family rebuild again and started a website called Hope in Grace for what is called Project: Bring Miracle. Recently the students contacted me. The online donation effort has reached a standstill after some initial local media attention. It is their hope to reach a wider audience through the Internet.

From Project: Bring Miracle Home:

On a fresh late-summer's afternoon of the 22nd of September, 2007, Miracle Lewis came down to New Orleans to see her newly restored room. Miracle's family was rebuilding the home after the house had been filled with ten feet of water and damaged by a massive tree. After being forced out by the storm to Port Allen, LA, and on to Houston, TX, her family had made it a little closer to their goal of returning to their roots by finding temporary-stay housing in Baton Rouge. The gleeful approval in Miracle's eyes after seeing her room on this day, however, was truly a milestone on the soon-to-be-realized path of bringing the family back home.

Early the next morning, however, a cruel turn of events quickly devastated their dreams. Some time during those early morning hours someone had parked a stolen vehicle their backyard, removed the tires, and set the car on fire to presumably destroy any evidence linking the perpetrator to the vehicle. The resulting inferno engulfed the the home, and burned it entirely to the ground. A firefighter was quoted as saying that "the flames were seen from a mile away, that's how intense it was." Hours before, the house was 80 percent complete, and the electricity was scheduled to be turned on the coming Monday. All that remained now was ash.

Miracle, her mother Kellie, and six brothers and sisters have all called the historic Holy Cross neighborhood in New Orleans home for nearly ten years. Her mother had worked their way out of the St. Bernard Housing Project that the family had moved into following the loss of her husband in a motor cycle accident, to become a homeowner in this neighborhood. Determined to give her children the best possible options, she kept them out of trouble, in school and church-related activities, and close to home. After the storm, her children were having a hard time integrating into their new schools, and Kellie quickly realized the need to return her family to the place that defined their being, to New Orleans. This unsettling tragedy severely jeopardized this noble hope.

All is not lost, however. A concerned group of family, friends, and public officials are determined not to let this family's self-evident courage and determination to return to their home base to be irreparably devastated, and plea for you to help them realize their dream of bringing Miracle home.

After losing their home originally in Hurricane Katrina the Joseph family put $138,000 which they received from a Road Home grant towards rebuilding their home and life. This investment was tragically lost in the fire, and unfortunately the maximum they can receive from their insurance to rebuild their home a second time is $12,000. As a consequence, the Joseph family will not have the means to rebuild their house.

A rebuilding fund has been established by State Representative Charmaine Marchand at Capital One that is specifically restricted for use only in reconstruction. If you are interested in contributing to this fund you can make a credit card donation via the ClickandPledge form below, or you can stop by your local Capital One branch and give directly to the Kellie Joseph Rebuilding Fund (account number: 2045630008).

You can Donate here.

If you have a blog, please consider helping this family. If you don't, send some emails around to friends.

Thanks everyone, you can put your boxing gloves on again after you go do something to help these folks.

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Move America Forward is Going to Berkeley

Listen up California Patriots.

Remember recently when we showed you the illiterate Code Pinko's, the little darlings of the left, defacing a recruiters office, in Berkeley?


Can't even spell when defacing things...sheeeesh.

Well, Move America Forward remembers and they are stepping up to the plate and taking action again.

Snagged from Melanie Morgan, chairman of Move America Forward's, website. (With full permission of course, thank you Melanie)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Mary Pearson, Deputy Executive Director, Move America ForwardTel: (916) 441-6197 or Email: info@MoveAmericaForward.org

Wednesday, October 17th – Noon:

SHOWDOWN IN BERKELEY:

Move America Forward Organizes Pro-Troop Demonstration to Counter Code Pink Protests & Harassment at Berkeley U.S. Marine Recruiting Office

(SAN FRANCISCO) -- In response to ongoing efforts by the liberal organization, Code Pink, to harass, intimidate and ultimately chase the U.S. military out of the greater San Francisco Bay Area, a patriotic, pro-troop counter demonstration will take place next Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 12:00 Noon at the U.S. Marine Recruiting Center in Berkeley, California (located at 64 Shattuck Sq. in Berkeley, CA).

The pro-troop rally is being organized by the northern California-based non-profit group, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org), which has grown to become the nation’s largest pro-troop organization.

“We’re sick and tired of the constant attacks against our military personnel here in the San Francisco Bay Area, and we’re going to take action to defend the honor and integrity of this nation’s military men and women” said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.

The anti-war and anti-military group, Code Pink: Women for Peace, has been conducting weekly vigil-protests in front of the U.S. Marine Corps recruiting station in Berkeley, CA.

Controversy over the protests came to a head last week when Code Pink protesters took it upon themselves to deface the building and attempt to interfere with Marine Corps recruiters and their ability to do their jobs. Code Pink’s objective is ‘chase’ the Marine Corps, and the military out of Berkeley completely.

In recent media reports, Code Pink advocates are quoted as saying they were “shocked and horrified” that the Marine Corps has a presence in Berkeley and inferring that the Marines prey on children.

Code Pink activists have been caught on video calling Military recruiters ‘traitors’ and harassing Marine Corps Captain Richard Lund while he was just trying to do his job.

Now, Move America Forward and other patriotic Americans from the Bay Area are organizing to defend the integrity of Captain Lund and say THANK YOU to all our brave soldiers who are fighting to protect our freedoms in Iraq and other theatres in the War on Terror.

“Those who have been harassing our men and women in uniform do not even realize that they are attacking that which gives them freedom, security and liberty,” said Melanie Morgan.

Complete Details Online: www.MoveAmericaForward.org

Of course, the left, not liking the fact that patriotic Americans, like Melanie and Move America Forward are stepping up to show our Military the support they deserve are trying their age old tactic of lying, smearing and misrepresenting this counterprotest as well as the last one.

Remember the last event Move America sponsored was a 3,000+ mile trip across the country with 27 rally stops along the way, where not one person on the pro-support the troops side, was arrested versus over 200 anti-war protesters being arrested.

Slander Alert! The Left pulling another 'Phony Soldier' campaign.

Folks,

Move America Forward has been alerted to the anonymous blogger who calls himself 'Spockos Brain" --the same coward who began an advertiser boycott against KSFO Radio in San Francisco, myself, Lee Rodgers, and Brian Sussman over a year ago. He is now posting about how I 'incited violence' at the GOE/EaglesUp/VetsforFreedom rally in Washington, D.C. and how I am "calling for violence" at the counter-demonstration against CodePink at the Berkeley Marine Recruiting Center next Wednesday.

This crackpot with a keyboard is fueling the same folks (Media Matters) who attacked Rush Limbaugh over the 'phony soldiers' story two weeks ago.

http://www.spockosbrain.com/2007/10/what-happens-day-after-they-spill-blood

Deborah Johns, a Blue Star Mom whose son William is standing by for his fourth deployment to Iraq, was defending herself in Washington, D.C.

It is telling that the left continues to back the idea that nobody should protect herself: not America and not a woman attacked by peace protesters with a punch.

Apparently, the Left only feels it is appropriate to strike first, as Al Qaida did on Sept. 11 and as this woman did to Deborah.

Warmest Regards,
Melanie Morgan
KSFO Radio
Chairman, Move America Forward

Keep up with the Details at the Move America Forward website.

Show up, show our military some support and show these Code Pinko's that they will not be allowed to attack out military without true patriots being there to defend them.

If you are near there or are planning to travel there to join in on the 17th, please remember...I WANT PICTURES AND UPDATES DURING THE DAY DAMMIT. (Hint hint Melanie)

(Additional note: Although Move America Forward is not asking for donations, you can help this and other pro-support efforts by donating, if you do not have the means to donate, you can be there, if you cannot be there you can cross post this message and if you do not have a website or blog you can leave it in comment sections to help spread the word to those that can be there--- there is always a way to show your support for our fine, brave military---Susan Duclos)

(Note from Melanie- from email)

Spree's website is the best place for activism news that gets spread around the blogosphere, that's why I am so honored she is posting news about our counter-demonstration against the Code Pink Pepto-Dismal crowd.

The same people who call our troops 'traitors and assassins' are the same people who lie about me over and over again.

I'm a big girl --I can handle it.

But what makes me truly unhinged is when the honor and integrity of the fine young men and women is impugned.

That's why hundreds of people are planning to join up and send a clear message across America and to our troops overseas ---No Blood Slander Of Our Troops! We support you AND your mission!

Thank-you Spree and your readers for getting out the news.
Melanie Morgan

Okay folks...what are we waiting for? Lets get this message out.

Cross posted from Wake up America

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Wisdom From Ayn Rand-UPDATED AND BUMPED

I originally posted this Sunday, October 8, 2007. I posted originally because a passage (quoted below) "spoke" to me about how things are going today, particularly with the islam attitude toward the Great Satan (America) and how the dems are becoming more and more communistic in their attitude.

I had no idea today was the publishing anniversary of this work.

I also got some comments calling me delusional because I didn't interpret the book the way the commenter thought I should interpret it.

Here's the comment:

It’s clear that your attempt to use Ayn Rand’s work as an analogy to illustrate and substantiate your beliefs is extremely misguided.

Although you acknowledge that the book must be “read and absorbed, thought about and ruminated upon,” it’s clear you have not been doing that. The use of that ‘conditional’ passage beginning with “If” means that you absurdly contend that Muslims can survive only by destroying all non-Muslims! Either your reading ability is extremely deficient, or your belief system is so extreme you’ve become delusional and are no longer able to differentiate your delusion from reality.

It’s also clear that you have little or no knowledge of the philosophy of Ayn Rand and what she stood for. Ayn Rand opposed US involvement in every war of the 20th century; WWI, WWII, Korean War, and Viet Nam. Since her views, especially about war and religion, are in such direct conflict with those you advocate on your website, it makes no sense that you would associate your views with anything from her.

It seems you were just trying to impress others by saying you were reading the book of a famous, though dubious, intellectual. However, you should not even attempt to do that unless you really understand the material and the person that wrote it. Ayn Rand actually wrote about her views on what is true knowledge and understanding; when the truth of a subject and one’s belief about that subject overlap. You would be doing yourself a great service by working on that problem so you can become more objective and less delusional.
Themis109 | | themis109@gmail.com | 10.09.07 - 5:36 am | #

This commenter also comes from Phuket, Thailand.

This commenter likes to post on Real Clear Politics, using "text message shorthand". He got a tad irritated with me and decided to try to post something on RCP intended to denigrate me--however, when one clicked on the link for the article, it went directly to the Wikipedia entry on Ayn Rand. Real original, huh?

The purpose of thought provoking literature is it touches something in each person--no one person is going to have the same interpretation of it. To attempt to slam someone for their personal interpretation, including name calling, is outright childish.

I don't agree with everything Ayn Rand stood for. What I do know about her is this--her formative years were spent in Russia during Russia's upheaval from a monarchy to communism. She was definitely a product of her time and yet--she was also in her own way a revolutionary. The fact she was a woman living life according to her terms, with no apologies to anyone, during the time period she lived, was remarkable. She was indeed true to herself.

To even get your head around her literature you have to have some inkling of the woman and her background. Not an easy thing to get your head around, particularly in a country where freedom is taken for granted.

Her works are visionary and sometimes frightening. We often hear about Orwell's 1984. Yes, I've read 1984 as well. I found Rand's "Anthem" infinitely more chilling. And yet, how often do we hear something called "Randian" instead of "Orwellian"?

I often bemoan the fact her works are not required reading in high schools. They are timeless and they offer much for classroom discussion. They offer a point of view not often so starkly presented. I would much rather have studied her works than Lysistrata or Dante's Divine Comedy (yes, those were on my high school reading list--of course, I was an honors student and Cliff Notes were forbidden). It would be wonderful to balance out the Greek classics with American classics such as this.

I'm still getting through this tome, and as I find passages I think are relevant, I will continue to post on them.

In the meantime, perhaps it would be prudent to take a look at your bookshelves and reading lists. Maybe, if you've already read Miss Rand's works, you might wish to revisit them--particularly in this election cycle. If you've never read them, maybe it's time to start--and give yourself plenty of time. There are too many layers to read these through quickly.

Who would have thought a book written by a woman in 1957, a communist/atheist woman who followed her own drum, during a time of McCarthy, would produce something so timeless? Something still giving insight and food for thought, 50 years later?

To still be able to challenge people to think for themselves? What better legacy can one leave behind?

My friend Spree over at Wake Up America asked me a few months ago if I had ever read "Atlas Shrugged". I hadn't, although it has been on my reading list for years. I HAVE read "Anthem", and found it to be not only a quick read, but very thought provoking, even after having read the last line over 20 years ago.

I haven't had much time for personal reading lately; I've been in a very intense study group. I have a break until after Halloween; then I have to hit the textbooks again. So thought I would FINALLY read "Atlas Shrugged".

While it "reads" quickly, it's not a book one can whiz through. It has to be read and absorbed, thought about and ruminated upon.

One passage today stood out. To me, it illustrates exactly the divide between those that recognize the true nature of the islam tide and the fact they mean EXACTLY what they say they mean regarding the annihilation of Israel and the United States--and eventually world domination under sharia law and those that want to pander to our enemies, trying to "negotiate" and use "diplomacy" with them (Read: the right who fully supports our troops, their mission and the fact our troops are protecting us HERE by fighting them THERE and the left who hasn't got a clue, preferring to live in a fantasy world with purple skies and cotton candy colored clouds).

The passage in question takes place between Dagny Taggert, Operations Manager of the Taggert Transcontinental Railroad and Dan Conway, owner of the Phoenix-Durango line, immediately after the National Alliance of Railroads has voted to abide by the "Anti-dog-eat-dog" legislation in which Dan Conway will be "punished" for being successful where the other lines are NOT succeeding.

Dagny's brother James is a major proponent of the "common good"--and everyone has to work together with some being sacrificed--punished--along the way for being successful. Sound familiar? Think Hillary's quote:

Many of you are well enough off that the tax cuts may have helped you. We're saying that for America to get back on track, we're probably going to cut that short and not give it to you. We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good. [Emphasis mine]

And:

The other day the oil companies reported the highest profits in the history of the world. I want to take those profits and I want to put them into a strategic energy fund that will begin to find alternative smart energy, alternatives and technologies that will begin to actually move us toward the direction of independence! [Emphasis mine]

We are RIGHT THERE in this election and with the left's ideas toward socialism.

Here is the relevant passage:

"If the rest of them can survive only by destroying us, then why should we wish them to survive? Nothing can make self-immolation proper. Nothing can give them the right to turn men into sacrificial animals. Nothing can make it moral to destroy the best. One can't be punished for being good. One can't be penalized for ability. If that is right, then we'd better start slaughtering one another, because there isn't any right at all in the world!"

That about sums it up. We ARE on the road described in "Atlas Shrugged". The real question is, of course, how many people are going to recognize it and fight it and how many are going to follow along the left's path to the slaughter?

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Good News Isn't News, Bad News Is Bad News and No News Is Good News: UPDATED with Wright's Response

[Update below with Robin Wright's [Wapo] response to my email from her contact form which is linked below]

The new rules of Journalism, admitted by Robin Wright from Wapo and Barbara Starr from CNN to Howard Kurtz. (Video below)

I am SO glad we now know those new rules and how Wapo and CNN determine what is and what is not appropriate to tell American viewers. (Although we already knew that CNN much prefers to report things that they have, admittedly, obtained from terrorist)

Huge hat tip to NewsBusters.

Increasing casualties: news. Declining casualties: not news.

From NewsBusters:

To Kurtz's obvious frustration, his guests - Robin Wright of the Washington Post and Barbara Starr of CNN - both supported the press burying this extremely positive announcement.

[...]

Alas, not seeing the stupidity in this position, Starr, with a straight-face nonetheless, agreed with Wright:

But that's the problem, we don't know whether it is a trend about specifically the decline in the number of U.S. troops being killed in Iraq. This is not enduring progress. This is a very positive step on that potential road to progress.

Hmmm. So, I guess a "very positive step on that potential road to progress" isn't newsworthy, huh Barbara? Even Kurtz recognized the hypocrisy here, which led to the following:

KURTZ: But let's say that the figures had shown that casualties were going up for U.S. soldiers and going up for Iraqi civilians. I think that would have made some front pages.

STARR: Oh, I think inevitably it would have. I mean, that's certainly -- that, by any definition, is news. Look, nobody more than a Pentagon correspondent would like to stop reporting the number of deaths, interviewing grieving families, talking to soldiers who have lost their arms and their legs in the war. But, is this really enduring progress?

We've had five years of the Pentagon telling us there is progress, there is progress. Forgive me for being skeptical, I need to see a little bit more than one month before I get too excited about all of this.

Hmmm. So, a shocking increase in deaths would have "certainly" been newsworthy. However, for a decrease to be reported, skeptical journalists have to be more convinced that it's a lasting improvement.

Go read the rest of the transcript over at NewsBusters.

Amazing.

This leads us to the next, logical question which is: What is the reason that the good news from Iraq isn't being told to the American people, and is, in fact, deliberately being hidden from the American people?

The Jawa Report shows one possible reason:

So only report the enemy's news, and not ours. It's not like we need to have a more complete and balanced picture of what's going on in Iraq, is it MSM? Gotta get those anti-war Democrats into the White House, after all!

Kudos to Kurtz for asking the questions and showing the reports of the progress in Iraq.

Back to NewsBusters:

And when folks like this make dissemination decisions to not share information on something as important as American casualties of war due to their own personal skepticism, they have indeed abdicated their solemn responsibility to the public whose interest they regularly claim to serve.

Anyone still idiotic enough to try to deny liberal media bias now, from Wapo and CNN?

It seems Robin Wright from Washington Post and Barbara Starr from CNN, both need a refresher course on Journalistic Ethics:

Preamble

Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice.

Seek Truth and Report It

Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.

Journalists should:

— Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
— Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing.
— Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.
— Always question sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises.
— Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
— Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations.
— Avoid misleading re-enactments or staged news events. If re-enactment is necessary to tell a story, label it.
— Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained as part of the story
— Never plagiarize.
— Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.
— Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others.
— Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.
— Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
— Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be equally valid.
— Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.
— Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
— Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public's business is conducted in the open and that government records are open to inspection.

Minimize Harm

Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.

Journalists should:

— Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
— Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
— Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.
— Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy.
— Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
— Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes.
— Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.
— Balance a criminal suspect’s fair trial rights with the public’s right to be informed.

Act Independently

Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know.

Journalists should:

—Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
— Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.
— Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.
— Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
— Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
— Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage.
— Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news.

Be Accountable

Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other.

Journalists should:

— Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public over journalistic conduct.
— Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media.
— Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
— Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.
— Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.

The SPJ Code of Ethics is voluntarily embraced by thousands of
writers, editors and other news professionals. The present version of
the code was adopted by the 1996 SPJ National Convention, after months
of study and debate among the Society's members.

Sigma Delta Chi's first Code of Ethics was borrowed from the
American Society of Newspaper Editors in 1926. In 1973, Sigma Delta Chi
wrote its own code, which was revised in 1984, 1987 and 1996.

If you would like to email Robin Wright from Washington Post a copy of these Journalistic Ethics, here is her email contact form.

Feel free to send CNN an email so also with a copy of the Code of Ethics they are obviously ignoring using this contact form page.

Perhaps mention to them that we would like all the news, not just the news they wish to cherry pick and that we do not appreciate them deliberately hiding the good news from Iraq.

Thanks!!!

[Update] I used those contact forms above and emailed CNN and Robin Wright from Wapo, letting them know that we, as Americans, would like to hear ALL the news coming from Iraq, not just the bad and not just the trends and CNN has not responded yet, but Ms. Wright did.

Robin Wright's response:

Ms. Duclos -
Thanks for your comments. The point I was trying to make on CNN is that two months do not make a permanent trend. As Gen. Odierno said last week, when he came to the Post, the numbers have been good the last couple of months but the US military has not yet reached the point of "irreversible momentum." When they do, it will certainly mean a different kind of reporting about the war in general. Unfortunately, all it will take is one or two really bad incidents and the numbers will start going up again. The numbers aren't the whole story either. The progress in Anbar has been widely covered in the US media -- and that in many ways tells us far more about both the war and the future than the death tolls.
I also think we're all a little nervous about declaring victories before we're fully confident that they represent a long-term and enduring trend and are not just a favorable blip on the screen.
With regards,
Robin Wright

Diplomatic Correspondent
The Washington Post
Telephone: 202 334-7443
Email: wrightr@washpost.com
Fax: 202 496-3883

Now, I never mentioned "victory" in my original email to her, via her contact form", yet her claim that before she can report "differently" [good news from Iraq] depends on them reaching of "irreversible momentum" show her incredible bias as well as her complete ignorance of the Codes of Ethics journalists are supposed to use as their guidelines.

This is what is called reporting now folks.... is it any wonder that the new media is often getting the "scoops" on the dinosaur media?

My response to her email:

No one asked you to report a "trend" Ms. Wright, just a complete picture of the news. Good news IS news to Americans and as a journalist, your job is to bring us ALL the news and you have failed to do that because you are waiting for a irreversible "trend"?

That is disgusting and I will be posting this on MY blog, others I contribute too as well as that "excuse" you just emailed me.

Americans expect better from our reporters and you have failed us miserably on this issue.

Have a nice day,

Susan Duclos

What are you folks waiting for... weigh in using her contact form and let her know whether waiting for the "irreversible momentum" is a good excuse for hiding the good news coming from Iraq, from you!

[Update] Is it any wonder we are distrustful of the media today? Gallup.

PRINCETON, NJ -- Republicans in America today remain deeply distrustful of the national news media -- in sharp contrast to Democrats, who have a great deal more trust in the media's accuracy. Overall, less than half of Americans, regardless of partisanship, have a great deal or a fair amount of trust in the mass media. Nearly half of Americans -- including over three-quarters of Republicans -- perceive the media as too liberal while fewer than one in five say the media are too conservative. Americans are less likely to perceive bias in their local news media than in the national news media.

Cross posted from Wake up America

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