By any other name

Can we shut down dissenting voices? Yes We Can!

Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Copps says he doesn’t support bringing back the controversial Fairness Doctrine, but he does think government has a role in enforcing media “diversity.”

That role includes re-examining licensing and other regulations for radio stations -- including AM stations dominated by talk radio -- to make them “more reflective” of public interests.

And just who decides what exactly is "reflective" of the public interest?

“What I’ve always said, and this is always obviously up to the discretion of Congress, not the FCC, whether we do or we don’t, to me we have to find a way to make radio reflect the public interest,” Copps explained.

Awesome. I can't wait until Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid get to decide what I can listen to on the radio. Or, more accurately, what I can't listen to on the radio.

Posted by: Sean M. at 08:05 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Does Rahm Emanuel Have A Tax Problem As Well?

Why not? Everybody else in this White House does.

"This time it's White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. It appears that the former congressman found a handy way to save money. Most members of Congress find themselves having to support two households - one in their home district, and one in or around DC. Some members, in the past, have ended up sharing apartments or town houses. Emanuel took that one step further: he moved into the home of his colleague, Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), staying there for five years. Rent-free," the writer said.

"To most people, this is 'imputed income' - non-financial gifts or compensation that should be reported to the IRS. Emanuel and DeLauro defend their conduct by saying that House ethics rules permit 'hospitality between colleagues.'”

Posted by: eddiebear at 05:00 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Once again

A newspaper has published the concealed carry permit database with all the names and addresses of those who have carry permits, this time in Tennessee.  So, what happens when an abusive ex decides to use this after the victim of their abuse who now carries for fear of their life?  I guess the Memphis Commercial Appeal doesn't care.

Posted by: doubleplusundead at 11:03 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Medical staff to serve as government spies

As Alice points out, the Porkulus has provisions in it that are going to create a new bureaucracy with the power to snoop on your (once) confidential medical records, with the ability to push doctors into pursuing certain treatments.

One new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective. The goal is to reduce costs and “guide” your doctor’s decisions (442, 446).

That's scary enough, but I just thought of something else that's even more worrisome. 

Remember this?   Doctors have begun interrogating individuals and their children to find out if their parents own firearms or weapons, if they drink or smoke, and going so far as reporting people to the authorities for (legal!) gun ownership, from the Boston Herald,

The paranoia over parents is so strong that the AAP encourages doctors to ignore “legal barriers and deference to parental involvement” and shake the children down for all the inside information they can get.

And that information doesn’t stay with the doctor, either.

Debbie is a mom from Uxbridge who was in the examination room when the pediatrician asked her 5-year-old, “Does Daddy own a gun?”

When the little girl said yes, the doctor began grilling her and her mom about the number and type of guns, how they are stored, etc.

If the incident had ended there, it would have merely been annoying.

But when a friend in law enforcement let Debbie know that her doctor had filed a report with the police about her family’s (entirely legal) gun ownership, she got mad.

Oh, and this isn't just some isolated incident either, this is a widespread problem.  Doctors all across America are, and have been trying to find out if you own firearms or weapons.  If Porkulus passes in its present form, the government is going to be able to use that information to spy on you.  They're more than willing to use your children to accomplish this.  Which means we can no longer assume that a doctor is just a health advocate, they'll be acting as an agent of the state, too. 

*As a side note, this is why I always felt a bit queasy when I'd hear Newt Gingrich advocate for a government-run computer bank for medical records.  The potential for it to become used and abused by the government is just too great, and Newt of all people should know better.

Posted by: doubleplusundead at 10:13 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Bring on the show trials

Oh yeah, this will surely end well...

The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee is proposing a "truth commission" to investigate abuses of detainees, politically inspired moves at the Justice Department, and whole range of decisions made during the Bush administration.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said the primary goal of the commission would be to learn the truth rather than prosecute former officials, but said the inquiry should reach far beyond misdeeds at the Justice Department under Bush to include matters of Iraq prewar intelligence and the Defense Department.

Leahy outlined his suggestion for a "truth and reconciliation" commission during a speech at Georgetown University Monday.

"I'm doing this not to humiliate people or punish people but to get the truth out," he said.

Of course not. This isn't at all motivated by Democrats' continuing obsessive BDS. And I'm sure Leahy isn't doing this just to pander to his rabidly left wing base.

Obama was asked about this at his press conference, and he made some squishy remarks about how he wants to look forward, not backward.  But if he's as smart as we're continually told he is, he'll tell Leahy to back the fuck away from this idea right quick. Because, if he doesn't, there are going to be recriminations down the road, especially if the ar-tards of the GOP can manage to take back Congress.

If you move forward with this, Sen. Leahy, bear in mind that we will be keeping score.  And if the first two weeks have been any indication, we'll have quite a tally by the end.

Posted by: Sean M. at 03:57 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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So much for choice in medical treatment

Get ready to have your medical records combed through to confirm you're receiving only the treatment your government deems appropriate.

One new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective. The goal is to reduce costs and “guide” your doctor’s decisions (442, 446).

Hospitals and doctors that are not “meaningful users” of the new system will face penalties. “Meaningful user” isn’t defined in the bill. That will be left to the HHS secretary, who will be empowered to impose “more stringent measures of meaningful use over time” (511, 518, 540-541)

Can someone please explain to me WTF this is doing in a bill that is supposed to help stimulate the economy? If my doctor and I agree that the most efficacious way of treating my narcolepsy is to pour used condom residue in my ears and then dance around like Milli Vanilli, where does it lie in any of the powers granted to the federal government to even think about penalizing my doctor?  I can understand my insurance company refusing to cover it, as used condoms might be a medical device not specifically detailed in my coverage, but if I'm shelling out the dollars for the treatment then where does the federal government fit in to any of this?

Posted by: Alice H at 03:22 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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Clearly the Democrats forgot 1994 already

Because they're getting ready to do some gun grabbing.  Sheila Jackson-Lee presented a bill that would ban anyone under 21 from buying *any* firearm.  IIRC, you have to be 21 to buy a handgun already, so this would just effect long guns.  I have to imagine this is going to effect young hunters, rural folks and farmers the worst.  It's also going to stifle the ability to bring people into hunting or the shooting sports.  Plus it leaves anyone under 21 and living alone defenseless. 

Second, listen to Rahm Emmanuel addressing the Brady Campaign. Yeah, I know the commentary on the video is from one of the Jones nutters, it doesn't matter, it doesn't make what Obama's little authoritarian toadie is saying any less alarming.  Time to buy and stock up if you haven't started already.

Posted by: doubleplusundead at 10:42 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Hope, change, pushing around reporters

And of course, they take it just like Western PA does for Murtha.

Posted by: doubleplusundead at 10:15 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Some news from New York's 20th District

The word on the street is that for now-Sen. Kristen Gillibrand's seat to be filled, Gov. David Paterson has to call for a special election.  Being a dutiful Democrat, he's avoided doing that for the past 14 days. 

Why?  Because it's a red district, and the Republican candidate, Jim Tedisco, is ahead in the polls. 

We need to get on this as soon as possible.  So while you're calling you Senator about the porkulus bill, make sure to place a call to Gov. Paterson's office as well. 

His number is 518-474-8390, and you can e-mail him here.

Oh, and in keeping with Democratic Party rules, their nominee is a tax cheat. 

Posted by: It's Vintage, Duh at 08:55 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Barney Frank: "Hey, let's cap all executive pay"

Ya see, this is why you can't even give the socialists in the Democrat Party one inch.  They run with it (emphasis mine):

Congress will consider legislation to extend some of the curbs on executive pay that now apply only to those banks receiving federal assistance, House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank said.

“There’s deeply rooted anger on the part of the average American,” the Massachusetts Democrat said at a Washington news conference today.

He said the compensation restrictions would apply to all financial institutions and might be extended to include all U.S. companies.

The provision will be part of a broader package that would likely give the Federal Reserve the authority to monitor systemic risk in the economy and to shut down financial institutions that face too much exposure, Mr. Frank said.

Personally, I was against capping the pay of bailout CEO's even before Frank started over-reaching.  Not only is it anti-capitalist*, it causes talented executives to avoid the companies that need them most while potentially harming the New York City economy, where businesses providing luxury goods would likely feel the impact.  As The One says, there is a time for profits and this ain't it. 

Barney Frank helped cause this crisis, and dammit, he's not gonna let it go to waste. 

*The bailouts are, too, but there's no use doubling down on stupid.

(h/t)

Posted by: It's Vintage, Duh at 10:13 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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Somehow I feel Mr. Press' show won't be affected

Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Bill Press talk about re-instating the Fairness Doctrine.  Apparently Senate Democrats are planning on having hearings to "hold station owners accountable."

What started this discussion?  The failure of a liberal radio station in DC named after Dear Leader.

Posted by: It's Vintage, Duh at 05:16 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Could Somebody PLEASE Look Into Judd Gregg's Taxes?!?

I mean, if he goes along with this plan, he's a bigger assclown than I previously thought.

The director of the Census Bureau will report directly to the White House and not the secretary of Commerce, according to a senior White House official.

The decision came after black and Hispanic leaders raised questions about Commerce Secretary nominee Judd Gregg ’s commitment to funding the census.

Gregg, New Hampshire’s senior senator, voted in committee and on the floor for a 1995 Republican budget that envisioned the elimination of the Commerce Department. Of even more concern to black and Hispanic leaders, Gregg battled President Clinton over a request for “emergency” funding for the 2000 census.

“Secretary of Commerce-designate Judd Gregg ’s record raises serious questions about his willingness to ensure that the 2010 census produces the most accurate possible count of the nation’’s population,”” the National Association of Latino Elected Officials said in a release on Tuesday, the day Gregg was named to the post. “”Policymakers and planners at all levels of government rely on these data to make important decisions about their services, such as the number of teachers that will be needed in their classrooms, the best places to build new roads, or the best way to provide job training.”

The selection of the Republican Gregg for Commerce — a plum often given out to a big fundraiser or personal friend in the president’s own party — left many Democrats scratching their heads and others fearful that Gregg might not defend favored agencies and programs with the department.

“Sen. Gregg’s record of previously voting to abolish the Commerce Department and his attempts to block President Bill Clinton’s efforts to secure adequate funding for the 2000 census raise troubling concerns regarding his commitment to the department’s core missions,” Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Barbara Lee said on Tuesday.

 

Posted by: eddiebear at 04:53 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Der Gore-Jugend

You've got to get them while they're young.

Posted by: Sean M. at 05:08 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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Maybe Obama Wasn't Lying When He Said He Wouldn't Take Our Guns

Retired Geezer sent me this, and since my stupid ass can't find the link, I just copied his email to me. I hope he is OK with that.

If they can deprive you of ammo they do not need to take your gun!

Nobody can sell any ammunition after June 30, 2009  if it is not coded.

It has already started... Ammunition Accountability Legislation.
Remember how Obama said that he wasn't going to take your guns?  Well, it seems that his allies in the anti-gun world have no problem with taking your ammo!  The bill that is being pushed in 18 states (including Illinois and Indiana) requires all ammunition to be encoded by the manufacture a database of all ammunition sales.  So they will know how much you buy and what calibers.

Any privately held uncoded ammunition must be destroyed by July 1, 2011. (Including hand loaded ammo.)  They will also charge a .05 cent tax on every round so every box of ammo you buy will go up at least $2.50 or more!

This legislation is currently pending in 18 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode  Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington.

Send to your friends in these states AND fight to dissolve this BILL!!

Posted by: eddiebear at 01:32 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Jon Stewart's Stay At The Obama Re-Education Camps Must Have Been Short

Yup. He's back to being the same old Stewart.

Two things: One, is Rush Limbaugh molting? (Laughter) Two: Does Bill O'Reilly think Rush Limbaugh hates America? And in case you think Limbaugh's arguably treasonous talk couldn't get any grosser, enjoy.

I think we have seen the "satire" facing us the next four years: not attacking Obama. No. No. No. That must not happen. Instead, we will be fed a daily diet of a live air version of MediaMatters/Kos/Huffpo, where Stewart, Colbert, et al. will merely savage every word out of a conservative mouth.

But I do find it amazing how unified the O-bots are in this attack on Rush. It seems as though they are picking a target, freezing it, personalizing it, and  polarizing it.

Gee. I swear I heard that before. Where? Oh yeah. Here.

Posted by: eddiebear at 10:56 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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You Mean I Can't Molest Squirrels While In Minnesota?

Dammit!

It is also illegal to sleep naked, tease a skunk or cross state lines with a duck on your head.
They may sound absurd, but these are actual laws on the books in Minnesota. Well, mostly.

Strange laws like these are widely circulated around the Internet, said Michelle Timmons, state revisor of statutes, and each must be taken with a grain of salt. Especially the duck one.

“We researched and researched on that one,” Timmons said. “That must be an odd interpretation of (a law) on the books.”

Some antiquated laws claimed to have been found by people simply don’t exist, she said. Others are legitimate, including these from the Winona city code:

- Any cottonwood tree which “sheds its seeds profusely” is a public nuisance.

- It is illegal to trap, kill or molest squirrels in any way.

- No one shall allow the mating of cattle or horses within the city except in a properly enclosed building and out of the public view.

Most of the wackier laws aren’t enforced, of course. In fact, Timmons’ office is responsible for eradicating antiquated laws. The revisor’s office has the power to edit some laws out of existence that require minimal revision, but if a law needs to be repealed, it requires legislative approval, Timmons said. Every year a Revisor’s Bill of miscellaneous statute fixes is submitted to legislators in an omnibus bill.

Posted by: eddiebear at 10:46 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Things just keep getting better

From Obamajugend to Obamabteilung.  Ah, and good to see someone is also trying to repeal the 22nd Amendment for Chancellor Obama.

Posted by: doubleplusundead at 11:35 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Surely nothing bad will come from this

A map showing Prop 8 donors, where they live, their occupation and in some cases where they work, and how much they donated.  I'm certain this will only be used to send people bouquets of roses.

Posted by: Alice H at 04:22 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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Shock! Google/YouTube Helps Shut Down Channel Mocking Keith Olbermann

I guess this is what they mean by "do no harm".

A short time later the entire Olbermann Watch channel was permanently deleted.

We have not seen the DMCA filing from NBC Universal but the only complaint we received from them was regarding an old interview of Keith Olbermann by Caron Daly. These videos have been online for years now, the Olbermann Watch channel had well over 1 million views and over 1,000 subscribers. It is also worth noting that some nearly identical videos of Keith Olbermann are still online now; a quick search shows over 11,000 videos when you search for "Olbermann" on YouTube.

We have responded to YouTube's Copyright department asking to see a copy of the DMCA complaint and contacted our lawyer.

Consider this Round One.

Posted by: eddiebear at 12:35 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Pat Buchanan spotted at pro-Palestinian rally in San Francisco

It sounds like him, at least.

More here.

Posted by: It's Vintage, Duh at 07:25 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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