Hump Day Report: Lies, Damned Lies

ALOHA, ALL!!  It’s been an interesting couple of days.  I attended a Heritage Foundation event last night with the incredible Dinesh D’Souza as the speaker.  I participated in a blogger conference call yesterday morning with members of the House Financial Services Committee.  And I attended a luncheon yesterday where Senatorial candidate Linda Lingle gave the keynote address.  (More on all these below.)  But the one story that keeps rising to the top (or more appropriately, falling into the sewer of political filth) is Eric Holder’s “Fast and Furious” fiasco.  Holder has no shame….he has lied and stonewalled about this botched operation for a full year and now it looks like it’s all finally catching up with him.  He may very well be held in contempt of Congress:  House Considers Contempt Charge Against Holder in Fast and Furious Case   Why should Holder be held in contempt?  Check out this graphic (click on it to enlarge it):

So out of 80,000 documents related to Fast & Furious, Holder has released only 6,000.  Investigators have been denied access to 48 of 70 officials involved in the operation – denied access???  And Holder has ignored – ignored? – 66% of subpoenas.  Why are we even talking about this?  Holder needs to be kicked out of office immediately!  This will blow you away:  

And you know this is coming – again:  “This is a way to get at the president because of the way I can be identified with him, both due to the nature of our relationship and, you know, the fact that we’re both African-American.” —-Attorney General Eric Holder, explaining what he believes to be the motives of “extreme factions” in their efforts to hold him accountable for the Justice Department’s “Fast and Furious” debacle in an interview with the New York Times.  Yep, good ole Eric will play the race card once he gets the book thrown at him.  Unethical Quote of the Month: Attorney General Eric Holder 

The hardest working committees in government.  I mentioned I had a blogger call with some of the folks on the House Financial Services Committee.  They and  the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (the one investigating Fast & Furious) have their hands full with all the monkey business going on with this administration and its cronies.  The topic today was MF Global – turns out they had a “break the glass” plan to pull the wool over people’s eyes:  MF Hearings Focus on Public Face, Internal Worry – WSJ.com

There was a surprise question in yesterday’s conference call.  Cathy McMorris Rodgers | Vice Presidential Surprise | The Daily Caller  ”The daughter of produce farmers who operated a fruit stand, she was the first member of her family to attend college. She earned her MBA from the University of Washington in 2002. By the age of 24, she was a member of the state House of Representatives. Married to a retired U.S. Navy commander, McMorris Rodgers is also one of only eight women to have ever given birth while serving in Congress, and the only woman who has done it twice.”   Can you say accomplished?  How about multi-tasker?  I could tell by her reaction she was surprised by the question, but it sure sounds like a good one to me!

Hawaii might elect a Female Republican Senator!  Yes, this is big news, folks.  There is a good chance Hawaii could have a Republican Senator for the first time in 35 years.  Yes, you read that correctly.  And its first female Senator.  Hawaii’s last Republican Senator was Hiram Fong, who was voted out of office in 1977.  Linda Lingle, former Hawaii Governor, is running to fill the seat of retiring Senator Dan Akaka (he’s been there since 1976 and is 86 years old.)  Keep your fingers crossed, folks.  You may think this place is paradise, but believe me, it’s far from perfect.

Dinesh D’Souza!  If you ever get a chance to hear him speak, go.  His book, “The Roots of Obama’s Rage” was a long-time best seller (which irritated the White House no end.)  Dinesh is brilliant and he has 0bama’s motivations pegged perfectly.  I told him after his talk that I think it takes someone who has experienced living in another country to truly recognize what 0bama is all about.  Those of us who grew up in the United States have no radar for dictatorial leaders.  We’ve been sheltered.  We assume our politicians are pro-American.  Big mistake.  (Shaka to the Heritage Foundation for hosting this outstanding event.)

Final Thought:  ”Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards.”  Eric Holder  (Cowards?  I guess you might say it takes one to know one.)

Over & out for me….I’m going to celebrate my birthday today. It’s the Year of the Dragon and we Dragons need to roar!

GOD BLESS AMERICA – PASS THIS ON – REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER!!

Hump Day Report: Are You Freaking Kidding Me??????

ALOHA, ALL!!  You’ll be asking the same question when you hear the latest about Solyndra.  It turns out internal documents relating to Solyndra show signs of being altered by the Department of Energy. This comes in the midst of the White House refusing to turn over the Solyndra documents.  (Sidenote:  the documents that have shared are so heavily redacted that they pretty much look like sheets of paper full of black marks.)  HUH??? Why aren’t heads rolling over this entire fiasco??  And check it – the source for this story is not Fox News or some “right-wing” media outlet, but CNBC of all places:  Energy Department Altered Loan-Related Releases – US Business News – CNBC  But it looks like the DoE realized the gig was up and returned the documents to their original content as a result of CNBC’s inquiry about the changes.  What…so that makes it all go away????  These criminals in this administration need to pay for their abuses.  In the Solyndra case, that’s means Energy Secretary Steven Chu is at the top of the list (he’s standing next to “Big Sis” Janet Napolitano in the picture above.)  This is a guy who wants gas to be $9 a gallon.   He wants everyone to move to cities, get rid of their cars and only use public transportation.  He doesn’t care that many of America’s goods are delivered by trucks, and that rising gas prices mean rising prices for…well…lots of other things, too.  He’s so far from reality he lives in his own little universe.  Just like his boss.  Then again, he lives in DC.

More “Freaking Kidding Me” stuff.    Car Company Gets U.S. Loan, Builds Cars In Finland – Common American Journal  ”With the approval of the Obama administration, an electric car company that received a $529 million federal government loan guarantee is assembling its first line of cars in Finland, saying it could not find a facility in the United States capable of doing the work. Vice President Joseph Biden heralded the Energy Department’s $529 million loan to the start-up electric car company called Fisker as a bright new path to thousands of American manufacturing jobs..”

More stonewalling and corruption exposed.  Rep. Issa: NLRB Withheld Emails Showing ‘Lack of Impartiality’ in Boeing Case  ”House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa accused the National Labor Relations Board of another misstep in the agency’s complaint against Boeing Co., this time alleging it deliberately withheld documents from the committee to hide potentially damaging email exchanges between NLRB staffers.”

Where everything is rosy.  Beltway Salaries Make Political Capital of U.S. Richer Than Silicon Valley – Bloomberg  ”Federal employees whose compensation averages more than $126,000 and the nation’s greatest concentration of lawyers helped Washington edge out San Jose as the wealthiest U.S. metropolitan area, government data show.”  (Thanks to Carl for the story.)

Then again…..I just saw this sign in front of an Army/Navy store in Bethesda, Maryland:  

But don’t be a REAL job creator.  AmericanJobCreators.com Dispatches from the Road: Deardorff Family Farms Story  ”I always thought my Dad went to work in a free-market economy. If you make the right decisions, you’re profitable. And if you make the wrong decisions, you’re not,” said Mr. Deardorff. “Now that I sit in his chair, I am amazed at how much I have to weave my way through government, government regulation and how that plays into our decision-making process.”  Be sure to read this story….and the importance of fish ladders (not kidding.)

And what planet does he inhabit?  Reid Says Private-Sector Employment Is ‘Just Fine’  ”Debating the Senate’s proposed $35 billion bailout for state and local governments, Reid argued, “It’s very clear that private sector jobs have been doing just fine. It’s the public sector jobs where we’ve lost huge numbers, and that’s what this legislation is all about.”

Another one bites the dust.  The End of Qadhafi  ”Former Libyan dictator Muammar Qadhafi is dead from wounds he suffered during his capture near his hometown of Sirte, according to Reuters reports.”  Barry/Barack will take credit.  Does he deserve it?  Let’s wait and see where all of Qadhafi’s weapons end up.

Aw Joe – there you go again acting like the crazy uncle.  Say Anything » Biden To Reporter: “Don’t Screw Around With Me”  

Final Thought:   “Coal is my worst nightmare.” Stephen Chu

GOD BLESS AMERICA – PASS THIS ON – REMEMBER IN 2012!!

HDR: Fire Holder!

ALOHA, ALL!   Attorney General Eric (The Red) Holder has been caught in a flat-out lie…under oath.  When asked by The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair, Darrell Issa, about Fast and Furious on May 3, 2011, Holder claimed he only learned about it “over the last few weeks.”  In fact, Holder was briefed on the plan in July 2010.  Of course, he claims he was told of the operation but not the specifics.  Are we really to believe that Holder – the top dog in the DoJ –  didn’t get briefed on the details of the operation?  Give me a break!  So let’s say he didn’t know the details – that makes him completely clueless and incompetent!  Furthermore, documents just released that show the July 2010 briefing now prove that Holder lied to Issa about when he knew of the program.  “When did you first know about the program officially known as Fast and Furious?” That was the question – Holder lied in his answer.  I say it’s long past time to get rid of this lying flunkie.  New Documents Show Attorney General Eric Holder Committed Perjury Before Congress – Common American Journal  Check out this video of Holder hemming and hawing:      I’ll say it again…DARRELL ISSA IS THE MAN!!

Don’t Dis Barry!  ESPN Cuts Hank Williams From Monday Night Football Over Obama ‘Hitler’ Remark | Fox News  ”ESPN pulled Hank Williams Jr.’s classic intro song from its broadcast of Monday night’s NFL game after the country singer famous for the line “Are you ready for some football?” used an analogy to Adolf Hitler in discussing President Barack Obama.”  HERE’S HOW YOU CONTACT ESPN:  ContactUs – ESPN

Queen Michele Lies – Again.  Michelle: Bank Sex-Discriminated Against Barack’s Grandmom  ”However, the Washington Post reported earlier this year that Obama’s grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, had been the first female vice president of the Bank of Hawaii. Meanwhile, Barack and Michelle Obamas’ 2009 tax return, posted on the White House website, indicates the Obamas inherited almost $500,000 worth of the bank’s stock from the president’s grandmother.”

You Might NOT Be A Racist If….No, Rick Perry’s not a racist say … Texas Democrats « Hot Air  “The (Washington)Post knows all too well how this game is played. The original story will get major play, and while the follow up and its own climbdown will attract less attention, a lot of dust gets stirred up and most of it ends up on the Post’s target, in this case, Perry. What’s left in the mind of those who don’t follow the facts is that Perry is somehow associated with racism.”

ICYMI:  U.S. Taxpayers Paying Big for New United Nations Building  ”Ready to fork over some of your hard-earned dollars to help the United Nations construct a new building — and for New York City to build a new park? Well then you’re in luck.”  Why do we still support this do-nothing idiotic organization??????  I say we start a movement:  OCCUPY THE UN!

It’s A Good Thing They’re Not Violent Extremists Like The Tea Party.  This Is What the Left’s Democracy Looks Like | FrontPage Magazine  ”On Saturday, New York City Police arrested more than 700 demonstrators of a group calling itself “Occupy Wall Street,” when they stormed the roadway of the Brooklyn Bridge, holding up traffic for more than four hours.”

He May Be Dirty Harry But He’s Green.  Is Harry Reid-Backed Nevada Geothermal the Next Solyndra?  “This project is exactly the type of initiative we need to ensure Nevada creates good-paying jobs,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said of a geothermal plant to be built in his home state. A year and a half and $145 million in taxpayer financing later, and the company that built the plant is in dire financial straits.”

They Like Us – They REALLY LIKE Us!  Space Oddity? China Plays ‘America the Beautiful’ During Space Lab Launch   ”China may have managed to launch its first space station module flawlessly, but it appeared to flub the soundtrack.”  Hmmm – or are they mocking us?

Wanna See What Happens to Old Wind Turbines?  Lalamilo: Another Hawaii Wind Energy Junkyard > Hawaii Free Press > Articles Main  ”Both Kamaoa and Lalamilo rank among the world’s best wind energy sites, yet neither works — even with massive government subsidies in the form of tax-credits.”  Yes folks….this is on Hawaii, where the wind blows nearly all the time.  If it doesn’t work here it doesn’t work.  Period.

Where's Don Quixote When You Need Him?

Final Thought:  ”Only government can take perfectly good paper, cover it with perfectly good ink and make the combination worthless.” -Milton Friedman

GOD BLESS AMERICA – PASS THIS ON – REMEMBER IN 2012!!

HDR 196: Cronyism, Corruption and Scandal – Welcome To The Obama White House

ALOHA, ALL!!!  I know we were all waiting with baited breath for Barry to announce his jobs plan and how we’re going to pay for it.  He already introduced his “Buffet Tax” on millionaires – how will this bring down our deficit?  It’s just more class warfare and pandering to his base.  It more appropriately should be called a “Re-Election Tax” since Barry is hoping this “rich people are bad” approach will mobilize the masses to vote for him in 2012.  Reaction to Obama’s plan has been swift:  Ryan: Still Waiting for Credible Plan from President Obama | Committee On The Budget  However, the GOP better get out in front of this ridiculous “plan” and frame the message…otherwise Barry and his minions will effectively use their obstructionist argument against them in 2012.  It could enable Barry to win the election….But this White House has a sword of Damocles hanging over its head that’s ready to fall at any time – corruption.

Solyndra:  Was Solyndra an Impeachable Offense? | Expose Obama

Fast and Furious:  Rep. Issa: Operation Fast & Furious Went To The White House | RealClearPolitics  Chairman of the House Oversight Committee Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California) says it is now very apparent, if it was not before, that the White House was deeply connected in the “Fast & Furious” mission where guns were trafficked across the US-Mexico border.

LightSquared:  Bombshell: General accused WH of pressuring him to change testimony for Democratic donor « Hot Air  With the White House already reeling over the Solyndra collapse, a new scandal may have erupted today that could make the disappearance of $535 million in taxpayer funds look like a paperwork glitch. …an accusation made to members of Congress from a four-star Air Force general that claimed the White House pressured him to change his testimony to boost a big donor to the Democratic Party.

Department of Justice:  The American Spectator : Deep Corruption at the Obama Justice Department  Start rattling the chains. Start ratcheting up the hue and cry. Fire up the masses. It’s long past time to force mass resignations at, and possible prosecutions of members of, the Obama Justice Department — and, more broadly, of the West Wing itself.

Tell-All Book:  Obama’s White House is a ‘hostile environment where women are treated like meat’ | Mail Online  ”According to the Post, former White House Communications Director Anita Dunn says in the book: ‘This place would be in court for a hostile workplace because it actually fit all of the classic legal requirements for a genuinely hostile workplace to women.’  The book’s writer, Ron Suskind, is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who interviewed over 200 people.  It describes a “divided and dysfunctional” White House where ” no grown-ups are in charge.”  Sounds about right.

And This Little Detail:  Isn’t It Unconstitutional For Obama’s Stimulus Sequel To Be Introduced In The Senate? – Common American Journal  ”On Tuesday of this week Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid introduced the President’s much-hyped stimulus sequel, officially known as the American Jobs Act of 2011.  Now, whether you’re for the bill or against it, isn’t it illegal for a bill like this to be introduced first in the Senate?”  (Sidenote:  ”American Jobs Act” isn’t even the correct name – it has no name since no Congressman sponsored it in the House.  See HDR 195.  But when it comes to Barry and his crew, it’s obvious that rules don’t matter.)

Joke Time:  An Illegal Alien, a Muslim and a Communist go into a bar. The bartender asks: “What can I get you, Mr. President?”  (Thanks to Carl for the comedic breather.)

Final Thought:  ”It has often been said that power corrupts. But it is perhaps equally important to realize that weakness, too, corrupts. Power corrupts the few, while weakness corrupts the many. Hatred, malice, rudeness, intolerance, and suspicion are the faults of weakness. The resentment of the weak does not spring from any injustice done to them but from their sense of inadequacy and impotence. We cannot win the weak by sharing our wealth with them. They feel our generosity as oppression.” - Eric Hoffer

GOD BLESS AMERICA – PASS THIS ON – REMEMBER IN 2012!!

‪The Brian A Terry Memorial Act HR 2668…

‪The Brian A. Terry Memorial Act – HR 2668 – will honor the service and sacrifice of fallen Border Patrol Agent Terry, who died protecting Americans and securing the border on December 15, 2010. Semper Fidelis & Honor First.

The Border Patrol station in Bisbee, Ariz., will be renamed to honor the memory of agent Brian Terry who died December 15, 2010 after being shot in the line of duty. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, introduced the bill in the House of Representatives July 27.

GOD BLESS YOU, AGENT TERRY! Be sure to watch the moving video below.

Read more here: http://oversight.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=…

 

 

Brian Terry: Semper Fidelis & Honor First‬‏ – YouTube.

HDR 183: Government Oversight, The Debt and…Russia?

ALOHA, ALL!!  I had the pleasure of participating in another great conference call Wednesday.  This time, it was Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA) hosting the call, with Darrell Issa (CA) and Blake Farenthold (TX) participating.  My first thought:  with all that’s going on in Congress right now, it’s amazing that these individuals even have the time to talk with us!!!  The focus of the call was to talk about the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (OGR) and the various issues they are dealing with, most notably, the “Fast and Furious” debacle.  The goal of the OGR is to exercise effective oversight over the federal government and to work proactively to investigate and expose waste, fraud, and abuse.  But they’re not just dealing with “Fast and Furious,” also the “Permitorium” on drilling in the Gulf, the NLRB’s overreach with respect to Boeing’s move to South Carolina, the thousands of wasted acres of federal government land sitting idle, and the Postal Reform Act.  Of course, I was furiously taking notes throughout the call and also Tweeting at the same time (see a few of my Tweets above – ain’t multi-tasking grand?)  Here are some additional highlights from the call:

• Issa (“Chief Watchdog” and Chair of the OGR) said the investigation of “Fast and Furious” is just the tip of the iceberg.  The OGR is investigating all bad government policy.  Issa informed us that many in the administration think the mistakes made in “Fast and Furious” were minor and that several ATF agents involved have actually been promoted.  Mexican officials have been difficult to work with, refusing to show American authorities the guns they say are coming from the U.S.  Important distinction:  “Fast and Furious” (started under 0bama) is NOT the same thing as “Project Gunrunner” (started under Bush.)  If you want to see how heated things are getting in this investigation, here’s a good article:  Operation Fast and Furious Probe
• Issa explained the Postal Reform Act, calling for $16 billion in cuts that will result in $8 billion in savings with no increase in postal rates.
• Farenthold is a freshman member of Congress and new to the OGR.  He read the mission statement, including the two overarching concepts: 1) Americans have the right to know their money is well spent and 2) Americans have the right to know their money is spent efficiently and effectively.   BTW – He described himself as a “recovering attorney” and former radio talk show host.  LOVE it!!
• Farenthold  told all of us bloggers “thanks for your service as the citizen media.”  This guy GETS it!!

I wish EVERY American had the opportunity to participate in calls like these.  I’m always filled with a renewed sense of optimism and REAL hope for the future after speaking with these dedicated Servants of the People.  They take their jobs seriously and know they work for us….a refreshing concept when the lamestream media seem to only focus on the egotistical DC politicians who lie, cheat and say whatever they think will get them re-elected.

Good question:  Why Is The Cost Of Illegal Immigration Ignored in Debt Debate?  “American taxpayers spend $113 billion annually subsidizing illegal immigration and padding the pockets of businesses addicted to cheap labor. Taxpayers at the state and local levels bear the brunt, providing $84 billion in services annually while the federal government spends $29 billion. The latter figure is – incidentally — almost exactly equal to the interest payment on the total federal debt this past April.”

Wow…looked what happened while we’ve been focused on the debt!  Russia Downs U.S. Missile  “The taking down of this American ICBM was in “direct retaliation” for the United States unprovoked actions in slapping International travel restrictions on over 60 high ranking Russian officials the Obama regime said was justified for their alleged involvement in the killing of a prisoner in 2009.”  HUH?  When I read this article I felt like I was in a time warp.  WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON???  True story?  Not!  But I do wonder what the other hand is doing…..

Alinsky is alive and well! Grover Norquist was Newt Gingrich’s Butt-Buddy   For some reason, the left has decided to make Grover Norquist the focus of Alinsky’s thirteenth rule:  13. Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. In conflict tactics there are certain rules that [should be regarded] as universalities. One is that the opposition must be singled out as the target and ‘frozen.”  And ”Hence, Grover Norquist gets a bomb threat. If he’s really Gingrich’s butt buddy, does that make the bomb threat a hate crime?”

Boehner plan gets good marks.  CBO Issues Good Prognosis on Boehner’s Revamped Plan  “According to the CBO, Boehner’s cuts will now exceed the amount by which his plan would initially raise the debt ceiling. The analysis concludes that the proposal will cut and cap spending by $917 billion over ten years — slightly more than the $900 billion first debt increase.”  Of course, the plan is now being “tweaked”in order to gain passage in the House.  Looks like a Balanced Budge Amendment may be added:  Support Shifts As Boehner Adds Balanced Budget Amendment

BREAKING!  Economy Grew At Weak 1.3% Rate in Second Quarter  “Friday’s second-quarter figures fell short of expectations and are well below the level of growth needed to bring down the nation’s high unemployment rate.”  Can you say “One-Term President”?

ICYMI:  Sheila Jackson Lee – Racist and Moron  “Sheila Jackson-Lee might be the dumbest person in congress. She might even be the dumbest person outside congress. If there were ever a global championship for idiots, the country could send her there. And leave her there; because unlike Lassie, she wouldn’t be able find her way back on her own.”  LOL!!!!!

Another ICYMI:  Walter Reed AMC Closing After 102 Years  “The hospital was named to honor Maj. Walter Reed, an Army physician who treated troops and American Indians on the frontier. Among his medical achievements was life-saving research that proved that yellow fever was spread by mosquito. He died in 1902 at age 51 of complications related to appendicitis with a friend and colleague, Lt. Col. William C. Borden, treating him.”  I hope you get a chance to read the article – lots of history.  Hubby worked there for about 14 years and we both spent a great deal of time there.

How About an Aloha Friday Video??    LOL!  Who says Republicans can’t rap????

Final Thought:  “Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else.” Frédéric Bastiat

To All You Great HDR Readers:  I need a break!  I’m taking off a couple of weeks to go visit my family in the GREAT Buckeye State.  Look for the next HDR the week of August 15.  In the meantime, question with boldness, hold on to the truth and speak without fear.  (Of course, if there is  earth-shattering news you’ll likely see an HDR News Alert.)

GOD BLESS AMERICA – PASS THIS ON -REMEMBER IN 2012!!