Just Hang on and Enjoy the Ride...Oh..and try not to puke.

(h/t Secrets of Vancouver)

Minnesota, Meet Your New Senator...

Story here.

Should bode well for the cap & fleece vote that will be coming up in the Senate shortly. Regardless of the process, those who voted for this clown won't be able to complain when Minnesota voters (and voters around the nation) are asked to bend over and "take it like a man" in the name of junk science.

Thanks.

Dems: Nothing will keep us from power!

Not even taking the time to honor the nation that bestowed upon them the privelege of "serving."


What a bunch of self-absorbed, self-serving morons.

(h/t Gateway Pundit)

On not blogging forever...

I've been busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest.

I've been busier than a fly in a fertilizer factory.

I've been busier than a politician at a fundraiser for millionaires.

I've been busier than a hooker running solo in a sea port during a one-hour shore leave...

Actually, I've been really busy. My son (Kodyack) has graduated high school, and we're having a bunch over this Saturday to celebrate.

I've been able to tweet once in a while, but that's about it.

I hope to be more on top of things next week as things settle down around the Pusateri household.

Thanks for checking.

The I-Phone and the Nanny State

Nanny-statist Senator Jean Francois Kerry, North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan, Mississippi's Roger Wicker, and yes, Minnesota's own Senator Amy Klobuchar think that AT&T's exclusive contract to sell the new I-Phone is somehow unnfaaair! Somehow these lame-brained senators think that free-enterprise (did I say free?) should be run like a kindergarten classroom, by making sure everyone gets equal toys. Competition, according to these mental midgets, is a baaad thiiing... because competition means someone might not do as well as somebody else, and someone might walk away feeling baaad. And for some unknown, godforsaken reason, competition is somehow bad for consumers.

So, in the interests of faaairness, and with a lack of other things of import on which to focus, these nanny-statist buffoons will take it upon themselves to convene a hearing on why it is sooo unfaaiiir that some wireless services should have so much while others have so very little, and to better understand why this is so.

Here's a clue, Senator Klobuchar: It's called CONTRACT LAW. It's called COMPETITION. Sprint saw the smoke signals that AT&T had an exclusivity deal with the I-Phone, and snatched up and pre-empted the new I-Phone release with what I believe is a superior phone, the Palm Pre. And not for the $599 price tag of the new I-Phone, but for a mere $200 semolians.

Being a Palm person myself with an AT&T contract, was I happy about it? Hell no. But that's the way the ball bounces. I know that after a while, the exclusivity on models runs out, and phones are then more widely available with a variety of carriers.

I don't need some government nannystaters to wipe away my tears, thank you.

The point is, competition is the force that ultimately provides the drive to enhance the quality and value of goods and services; while lack thereof fosters mediocrity, poor service and just not giving a damn.

Which is, when it comes down to it, what liberalism is all about.

(h/t Chris Baker)

BHO: A Modern-Day Teddy Roosevelt?

The lamestream government run media has been fawning today over an incident in which President Barack Hussein Obama showed some real derring-do during a worship service..err presser.

Let's compare Barry Soetero to another president who displayed some derring-do:

Can Barry's heroic act compare to Teddy's?

You be the judge:



Do the same with the troll-king Kim Jong Il, and I may be impressed.

State-Run Media in the United States...

ABC has turned into the Obama Network:

BC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA; NEWS TO BE ANCHORED FROM INSIDE WHITE HOUSE
Tue Jun 16 2009 08:45:10 ET

On the night of June 24, the media and government become one, when ABC turns its programming over to President Obama and White House officials to push government run health care -- a move that has ignited an ethical firestorm!

Highlights on the agenda:

ABCNEWS anchor Charlie Gibson will deliver WORLD NEWS from the Blue Room of the White House.

The network plans a primetime special -- 'Prescription for America' -- originating from the East Room, exclude opposing voices on the debate.

The Director of Communications at the White House Office of Health Reform is Linda Douglass, who worked as a reporter for ABC News from 1998-2006.

Late Monday night, Republican National Committee Chief of Staff Ken McKay fired off a complaint to the head of ABCNEWS:

Dear Mr. Westin:

As the national debate on health care reform intensifies, I am deeply concerned and disappointed with ABC's astonishing decision to exclude opposing voices on this critical issue on June 24, 2009. Next Wednesday, ABC News will air a primetime health care reform “town hall” at the White House with President Barack Obama. In addition, according to an ABC News report, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, WORLD NEWS, NIGHTLINE and ABC’s web news “will all feature special programming on the president’s health care agenda.” This does not include the promotion, over the next 9 days, the president’s health care agenda will receive on ABC News programming.

Today, the Republican National Committee requested an opportunity to add our Party's views to those of the President's to ensure that all sides of the health care reform debate are presented. Our request was rejected. I believe that the President should have the ability to speak directly to the America people. However, I find it outrageous that ABC would prohibit our Party's opposing thoughts and ideas from this national debate, which affects millions of ABC viewers.

In the absence of opposition, I am concerned this event will become a glorified infomercial to promote the Democrat agenda. If that is the case, this primetime infomercial should be paid for out of the DNC coffers. President Obama does not hold a monopoly on health care reform ideas or on free airtime. The President has stated time and time again that he wants a bipartisan debate. Therefore, the Republican Party should be included in this primetime event, or the DNC should pay for your airtime.

Respectfully,
Ken McKay
Republican National Committee
Chief of Staff

And the "useful idiots" at ABC of course retorted:

MORE

ABCNEWS Senior Vice President Kerry Smith on Tuesday responded to the RNC complaint, saying it contained 'false premises':

"ABCNEWS prides itself on covering all sides of important issues and asking direct questions of all newsmakers -- of all political persuasions -- even when others have taken a more partisan approach and even in the face of criticism from extremes on both ends of the political spectrum. ABCNEWS is looking for the most thoughtful and diverse voices on this issue.

As an aside, I just watched a global warming propaganda piece report on ABC Nightly News with George Stephanopolous, and, surprise, it did not contain one iota of one piece of information from any opposing view. Obviously, they overlooked it. But I digress

"ABCNEWS alone will select those who will be in the audience asking questions of the president. Like any programs we broadcast, ABC News will have complete editorial control. To suggest otherwise is quite unfair to both our journalists and our audience."

How many folks actually think that ABC, having complete control in selecting those who will be so lucky as to be able to question "the messiah," will be nonbiased in selecting that audience?

In all seriousness, what has happened to the responsibility placed on the Fifth Estate to question those who govern?

Perhaps "the messiah's" refusal to appear on Fox News may hold a clue:

Subject: FW: Obama on CNBC

CNBC Interview with Obama (aired June 16 @ 4:43) - question about the favorable press he's been getting:

OBAMA: I've got one television station entirely devoted to attacking my administration

CNBC: I assume you're talking about FOX

OBAMA: That's a pretty big megaphone and you'd be hard-pressed if you watched the entire day to find a positive story about me on that front.

Tough questions are a bitch, aren't they, Barry?

Barack Hussein Obama: Turning manufactured crises into *real* crises since Jan 20, 2009!~

The title of this post could very well be a truth-in-advertising campaign slogan for BHO in 2012. And it continues to hold true to this very minute:

President Obama on Monday made his most detailed pitch yet for a $1-trillion overhaul of the nation's burdened healthcare system, calling it a "ticking time bomb" that threatens the nation's prosperity.

Remember when we "had to do something" when Obama and the democrats in Congress passed the "Bailout" to nowhere, saying we just *had* to act to pass an abomination of taxpayer-funded largesse that no one even took the time to read? At the very least, I gotta give the LA Times credit for reporting at least some of the truth:

The challenges of advancing major healthcare legislation were underscored Monday by a preliminary report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which estimated that the first major Democratic health bill -- prepared by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) -- could cost about $1 trillion over the next decade, while covering only about 16 million more people.

It appears that Senator Edward Kennedy wishes on taxpayers the same fate he dealt to Mary Jo Kopechne, but I digress. Just suffice it to say that when President Barack Hussein Obama (or any liberal democrat, for that matter) labels anything a "crisis," hold on to your wallets.

As P.J. O'Rourke famously quoted,

"If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free."

'Nuff said.

Firing David Letterman: The WRONG Thing to Do.

Because of David Letterman's moronic, imbecilic jokes about Sarah Palin's 14-year old daughter, there are those who want to use the opportunity to get Letterman fired.

This is where I part ways with many of my conservative brethren.

Is what Letterman said about Palin's 14-year old daughter getting "knocked up" by Alex Rodrieguez an abominable statement in poor taste?

Absolutely.

Does David Letterman deserve to be criticized for his gross indiscretion?

You bet.

Part of the consequences of speaking your mind in a free society is opening yourself up for criticism for what you say.

But when we, as conservatives, travel down the road of the gallows for what a leftist says, we are no better than those who take that same path as a means to silence their critics without bothering to take the time nor the energy to engage those critics on the basis of their ideas.

Especially when those on the left have nothing to offer to bolster their own arguments.

Criticize Letterman til the cow comes home. The fact that he made that joke about a teenager getting "knocked up" by an adult is enough ammunition to figuratively poke holes in Letterman til the hole between his teeth cannot be discerned from the rest of his sorry persona that resembles a putrid hunk of swiss cheese.

Awareness of Letterman's crass behavior will lose him viewers, causing his show to wither on the vine naturally, resulting in a slow, painful death, a death caused by the changing and awakening of people's hearts and minds. Our cause will be won in the marketplace of ideas, which will manifest itself in the free market system.

And that, my friends, is how to chalk one up for the conservative cause.

We do the conservative cause nor the advancement of our principles no favors when we adopt the thug tactics of the other side.

No hearts nor minds are changed.

All that is left is a pile of smoldering manure punctuated by a "Gotcha!"

The conservative cause is advanced in and is summarily successful in the arena of ideas.

For the sake of the cause and our priniciples, let's not lower the bar.

A Top Ten We'd All Like To See...

Solitude, Part V

Solitude, Part IV..

Serenity...Part III

Time for supper...

Walleye, bass & potatoes...

Storm front..

FW: Solitude

I'm away for a few for some R & R... See ya in awhile..

Solitude II

Wednesday Hero Blogburst 6-10-2009

Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class (SEAL) Marc A. Lee
28 years old from Hood River, Oregon
Navy SEAL
August 2, 2006


"Marc was amazing. He was my best friend, my love," his widow, Maya, said.

Petty Officer Marc A. Lee joined the Navy in 2001 and became an AO after completing Naval Air Technical Training. Later that year he attempted to complete the grueling BUD/S program but caught pneumonia and had to drop out. He tried again in 2004 and completed the course.

On August 2, 2006, Marc A. Lee became the first SEAL to be killed in combat in Iraq when he was fatally wounded in a firefight in Ramadi, Iraq. The following is from the award citation:

"During the operation, one element member was wounded by enemy fire. The element completed the casualty evacuation, regrouped and returned onto the battlefield to continue the fight. Petty Officer Lee and his SEAL element maneuvered to assault an unidentified enemy position. He, his teammates, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Abrams tanks engaged enemy positions with suppressive fire from an adjacent building to the north.

"To protect the lives of his teammates, he fearlessly exposed himself to direct enemy fire by engaging the enemy with his machine gun and was mortally wounded in the engagement. His brave actions in the line of fire saved the lives of many of his teammates"

"It was so like Marc to give up his life to save his friends," his mother, Debbie Lee, told the Hood River News. "I am so proud of him. He is my hero."

Petty Officer Lee was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star with combat "V" for his actions in Iraq during his team’s combat tour and the Purple Heart medal.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Megan Fox Can Pound Sand...

Megan Fox, star of the upcoming blockbuster "Transformers II" movie, had this to say about bargaining with "Megatron," the main villain of the movie:

what she would say to Megatron to keep him from destroying the world. "I'd barter with him," she muses to the July issue Total Film UK, "and say instead of the entire planet, can you just take out all of the white trash, hillbilly, anti-gay, super bible-beating people in Middle America?"

I was planning on seeing this movie. But after reading this, I guess this "hillbilly, white-trash anti-gay super midwest bible-beater" will stay home, and as far as Megan Fox is concerned, she can shove Megatron, sideways, up her pernicious, spiteful, arrogant backside.

(h/t OneNews)

Yes, Mr. Obama--we are, in fact, a Judeo-Christian nation.

On a recent "sackcloth & ashes tour," Barack Hussein Obama (pbuh) declared that the United States is no longer a Judeo-Christian nation; in fact, he at one time stated incorrectly that the United States was now one of the largest Muslim nations on the planet (perhaps the 58th state he had in mind?).

Congressman Randy Forbes from Virginia schools 'the one' on a history class that "the messiah" may have been missing, or something that the Reverend Jeremiah Wright may have left out of his "God D*mn America!" sermons:



Perhaps His Eminence, Barack Hussein Obama (pbuh) would do well to remind himself that as a statesman, he speaks for the United States of America, not his own ego or wishful thinking.

I Want Some Tarp...

The new Bill Zucker song that's becoming all the rage...

Welcome to Minnesota...

The state where nothing is allowed.

Breaking News--the shape of things to come?

In what was thought to be an unrecoverable state for the GOP, Republicans have literally taken control of the New York State Senate!:

It was a carefully crafted coup -- five weeks in the making, with independent Tom Golisano in on the plotting.

And when it was over Republican Sen. Dean Skelos of Rockville Center was back in power as Senate Majority Leader. Dumped was former Democratic leader Malcolm Smith.

The democrats, powerless to stop the inevitable, took their ball and went home:

During the coup, Democrats fled the chamber, turned out the lights, and cut off the Internet feed of chamber proceedings, leaving Republicans and their two Democratic friends to take the vote in the dark.

And with that bit of information, I think I'll just check out the window to see if any pigs are flying.

Amazing.

A Lesson In Futility

In the age of Obama. In this new, enlightened age of alternative energy. A time in history that the 'messiah' would usher in an era in which

"we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal…"

How is it, that during this brave, new, enlightened age, that we should hear about significant job layoffs in, of all places, a wind turbine plant?

Pipestone, Minn. (AP) — A wind power company in southwestern Minnesota has announced it will eliminate 70 jobs this summer with another 90 layoffs possible by the end of September.

According to a letter sent to city officials, Suzlon will make the first round of layoffs at the Pipestone turbine blade plant by Aug. 2. Another 90 job losses will likely be added to that tally.

Pipestone Mayor Laurie Ness says the news is "crushing blow" to the city.

How can this be, that a company that was literally booming during the Bush Administration, would have to actually lay off workers during the environmentally-conscious, environmentally-pristine era over which which the lord and savior Barack Hussein Obama presides?

Perhaps a quick jaunt from the small town of Pipestone, Minnesota, to the small town of Willmar, Minnesota, may give us a clue:

WILLMAR (AP) - Two wind turbines are expected to be up
and running in Willmar by the end of July.

The city is finishing up construction of the turbines, which
will each generate two megawatts of power.

Wesley Hompe of Willmar Municipal Utilities says the turbines
will keep 236,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Hompe says Willmar hopes to add more turbines in the future. The
initial project has a $10 million budget.

Let's see... two wind turbines will provide the city of Willmar with two mega-watts of power. Pretty impressive, eh? Well, hold the phone, as Paul Harvey would say:

That's enough to cover about 3 percent of the city's annual energy needs.

Two turbines provide three percent of Willmar's annual energy needs. According to Wikipedia, the year 2000 census (that was, of course, pre-ACORN estimates--no doubt the 2010 census will half; Willmar leans Republican by over 10%--but I digress) showed Willmar's population to be at 18,351. Some simple math indicates that two turbines will power the energy needs of some 550.3 of Willmar's 18,351 residents.

Of course, the story states that Willmar has plans to further their capacity by building more wind turbines. At this rate, they will need to build a paltry 30 more wind turbines to meet the needs of all of Willmar's residents, that is if they most likely power nothing but a small fan to keep cool and cook nothing but toast for their meals.

In other words, the turbine plant at Pipestone and the exercise in futility at Willmar's taxpayers' expense are but a microcosm of the empty promises laid out by the messiah lord Obama, Algore, and sadly, even Tim Pawlenty.

For no other reason than to make themselves feel better.

For in the end, folks, it's not about the environment. It's not about mother earth.

It's about them.

Regarding GOP Hub

Some while ago, I placed on this blog a code from GOP Hub, a sort of "Digg" for conservatives

Well, GOPHub.com is now defunct; but the code remains. This makes the page elements of The Ice Palace load incredibly slowly; the problem is, I've gone over and over the html of the template and cannot find any element of html that is related to GOP Hub.

So a question to anyone who may have dealt with similar issues, any advice as to where to find the code so I can get rid of it?

Thanks!

-Leo-

MSNBC, NEWSWEEK, and their 'god.'

Just what kind of chance in hell (perhaps, literally) do we have of any objective reporting with this circus clown a/k/a Barack Hussein Obama?

(h/t The Freedomist)

More Proof of Global Warming--NOT

From Wunderground:

Record Report

Statement as of 11:15 am CST on June 7, 2009

... New record cold high temperature set at Twin Cities MN...

A new record cold maximum temperature of 52 degrees was reached yesterday... June 6 2009... at the Minneapolis/St Paul international Airport in the Twin Cities. This breaks the previous record of 54 degrees set in 1901 and 1937.

If the global warming shills can use individual weather events as evidence in their feeble attempt to bolster the global warming sham, then I hereby utilize the above case as solid evidence of global cooling.

Next.

In Remembrance...

On this day in 1944, the Allies lost 12,000 men and over 2,000 Aircraft. They gave their lives for Individual FREEDOM, not only in the United States, but around the world.

And this ungrateful, self-absorbed circus clown has the gall to apologize for America's "evil past."

You Obama voters out there...

Go suck a rock.

And the Train to Socialism Chugs On...

Now the Obama Motor pimps are offering cash incentives to get people to give up their SUVs:

WASHINGTON, June 4 (Reuters) - U.S. congressional Democrats are considering fast-tracking legislation to boost auto sales by offering Americans vouchers to trade in older, less fuel-efficient vehicles for ones that get better mileage, a congressional aide said on Thursday.

The legislation, known as "cash for clunkers," would be added to a pending war funding measure in Congress, but "no final decisions have been made" despite wide support for the voucher program, said Nadeam Elshami, a spokesman for Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The war funding bill is a must-pass spending bill that is largely for U.S. forces operating in Afghanistan and Iraq. Adding the car program would speed the voucher measure's enactment into law.

Adding car vouchers to the "War bill." How appropriate; since the socialist Nanny-statists in Congress have been at war with SUVs (and on people's freedom, in general) for quite some time now.

And like some streetcorner pimp giving away his wares for free to hook some new customers, the socialism pimps in Congress want you to sell your SUV and your freedoms by bribing you with your own tax dollars.

Such a deal.

Such Classy Candidates...the dfl has....

With Governor Pawlenty's announcement that he will not seek a third term, a number of wannabes and also-rans have thrown their hat into the ring.

The Minnesota Progressive Project has a post with various quotes from a number of DFL gubernatorial hopefuls. Below are a few excerpts from each of the candidates mentioned:

Susan Gaertner:

"Finally, as we move forward it is imperative that we resolve to reject a Republican Party political philosophy that will surely try to maintain the Pawlenty agenda of insensitivity toward those most in need and a fiscal policy that has been disastrous to our state's future." [said she, in a snit--whatever that is--ed]

Margaret Kelliher:

"We were dealing with a governor who decided to throw in the towel and walk away from the type of Democracy we have," she said Friday afternoon." [Of course, she didn't mention that under Kelliher's leadership, things moved faster in a morgue--ed]

Steve Kelley:

"Tim Pawlenty's time in office has been devastating to Minnesota. His budget gimmicks have wreaked havoc on the financial stability of our state. In the past six years, school class sizes have exploded, vulnerable adults and children have been left to fend for themselves, working Minnesotans have lost their jobs, college kids have been forced to drop out due to skyrocketing tuition, and much, much more. We must have the courage to challenge the short sighted philosophy that is wrecking our state." [Cats sleeping with dogs! Plagues! Armafriggengedden!"--ed]

And we'd be remiss if we didn't include the third-person megalomaniacal rantings of John Marty:

"We enthusiastically welcome that news that Governor Pawlenty will not be seeking a third term. This is great news for the entire State of Minnesota. This may be an admission from Tim Pawlenty that he has done as much damage as possible, and is now stepping aside to allow a leader of vision and moral courage to occupy the Governor's Office. That leader is Senator John Marty." [And that's GOD, to you, plebian!"--ed]

That cadre of gubernatorial hopefuls can be made analogous to many of Minnesota's great educational institutions status during the summer months: NO CLASS.

But the field is not without its shining stars. Take this relatively classy comment by Paul Thissen:

I think the governor's announcement today is further evidence of what I've seen very clearly while traveling the state over the last year. The thirst for new leadership in Minnesota is real. But this race has never been about whether governor Pawlenty is running or not - it's about what's best for the future of Minnesota and I look forward to bringing that message to every corner of the state.

Not devoid of rancor, but a refreshing change, nonetheless.

But perhaps the most surprisingly classy comment from the bunch came from whom I thought to be an unlikely candidate to display decorum--Matt Entenza, himself:

"I served with Tim Pawlenty in the Minnesota state legislature for eight years and worked with him as governor for four years. While we had principled disagreements on policy, this is a day to recognize that he and his family have made substantial sacrifices for public service.

"My campaign for governor is about a new vision for Minnesota, one of making Minnesota work again by embracing the clean energy economy and providing the best education in the nation for our kids. Our state faces major challenges, including huge budget deficits and low job growth. It's time to focus on addressing these challenges and on moving our state forward.

"I look forward to finding out who the GOP candidates will be so we can have a vigorous debate about Minnesota's future."

Good on you, Mr. Entenza! the respectability and decorum award certainly goes to you, and here's hoping the level of "politics as usual" muck and mire in which we've been anchored in Minnesota will take a refreshing turn for the better!

Wednesday Hero Blogburst 6-3-2009

Sgt. Pablo A. Calderon
26 years old from Brooklyn, New York
1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
November 30, 2004


"He wanted to fight for his country," said his heartbroken younger sister, Lilliana Calderone. "He always wanted to be there."

Pablo Calderon joined the Army in 1997, right out of High School. "He went straight to the army from high school," said his sister. "He wanted to improve himself. He was proud. He loved his country."

Sgt. Calderon was killed when an IED was detonated near his vehicle in Fallujah, Iraq. Also killed in the attack was Sgt. Jose Guereca of Missouri City, Texas.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com & NYDailyNews.com

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

An Outside Look at Our Insides

Why does the common sense need to come from North Dakota?

"Whether one agrees or disagrees with the Republican governor’s deep cuts in vital programs, the claim he’s misusing his power is bogus. The governor has the authority both to veto budgets and apply “unallotment” when there is not enough revenue to pay for everything lawmakers approved. That’s exactly what Pawlenty is doing. His action is generating howls among Democratic leaders who failed to lead.

For example, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud, in a column she wrote accused the governor of a “power grab.” She contended that use of allotment power is reserved only for emergency situations. Does she not understand the state’s budget emergency?"

Read, as they say, the whole thing. As a somewhat frequent critic of Governor Pawlenty, what with his "green" initiatives, and all. I would have to unequivocally say that he's performed his job admirably this last legislative session. My hope is that his replacement performs his job with equal vigor and attention paid to the interest of hard-working, tax-paying Minnesotans.

(h/t Gary Gross)

Obama Administration: Down with the Struggle?

It would seem that voter intimidation is a bad thing for all. Even for democrats. Unless one of their own does it, of course:

Justice Department political appointees overruled career lawyers and ended a civil complaint accusing three members of the New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense of wielding a nightstick and intimidating voters at a Philadelphia polling place last Election Day, according to documents and interviews.

The incident - which gained national attention when it was captured on videotape and distributed on YouTube - had prompted the government to sue the men, saying they violated the 1965 Voting Rights Act by scaring would-be voters with the weapon, racial slurs and military-style uniforms.

Career lawyers pursued the case for months, including obtaining an affidavit from a prominent 1960s civil rights activist who witnessed the confrontation and described it as "the most blatant form of voter intimidation" that he had seen, even during the voting rights crisis in Mississippi a half-century ago.

A Justice Department spokesman on Thursday confirmed that the agency had dropped the case, dismissing two of the men from the lawsuit with no penalty and winning an order against the third man that simply prohibits him from bringing a weapon to a polling place in future elections.

So, he's not allowed to bring a nightstick to the polling place anymore. I mean, how sensitive is that? Are you sure that's a culturally sensitive decision?

In all reality, one shouldn't be surprised that the Obama administration wouldn't want to prosecute a couple of goons for voter intimidation. After all, you never know when you're going to require a couple of brownshirts to do your bidding.