Friday, November 18, 2005
Ring My Bell ... donate to the Salvation Army
Please consider donating to this worthy cause, and ring my bell in the process!
-Leo-
(Filed under Good Works)
Is this boycott "on Target?"
A traditional-values organization is urging consumers to stay away from Target stores on Thanksgiving weekend, a heavy shopping period, as it continues to lead a boycott of the retailer.And from here (dated October 28, 2005)
The American Family Association is asking supporters not to shop at Target due to its continuing ban on Salvation Army bell ringers outside its stores and its shunning of the phrase "Merry Christmas" in-store promotions and advertising.
:"Despite increased need caused by the hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Target continues to bar the Salvation Army," said American Family Association founder Donald E. Wildmon in an e-mail to supporters.But at the same time, From Target's web site dated November 14:
Target and The Salvation Army Announce PartnershipLooking at the timelines, it would appear that this was a move on Target's part to deflect criticism that it is the company's policy that it would not give aid to religious organizations. However, at the same time it says nothing on the site regarding allowing Salvation Army bellringers back on its premises. While the company may now be giving to the national organization, local Salvation Army efforts will no doubt still wind up on the short end of the stick.
-- Online Wish List Helps Hurricane Survivors and Others in Need --
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Warm bedding. Socks for little feet. A wished-for baby doll or basketball. Because simple gifts can mean so much, Target and The Salvation Army today announced their partnership for The Target/Salvation Army Wish List, an online site to provide essential items for those impacted by recent hurricanes, and other individuals and families in need across the country.
From November 25, 2005 through January 25, 2006 visitors to Target.com/salvationarmy can view and purchase clothing, household items, personal products and Gift Cards to be donated to families across the country. The Salvation Army will distribute the purchased items. In addition, guests can directly connect to the The Salvation Army's website to make a financial donation.
It should be noted that I recognize that Target is an independent business, and that the powers that be that reside in Target are free to make whatever business decisions that they may deem fit or necessary. Target stores, however, make it a practice to market themselves as benefactors to local communities. By turning away Salvation Army bellringers (whose contributions largely benefit local efforts), it would appear that Target is straying from one of its stated missions.
***UPDATE***
I had an interview with a local Salvation Army Sergeant Major here. It seems that this Target, Inc. boycott of Salvation Army Bell Ringers is hurting the Salvation Army more than I thought.
Budget "reductions"? pass the House
By ANDREW TAYLORAnd:
WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans sweated out a victory on a major budget cut bill in the wee hours Friday, salvaging a major pillar of their agenda despite divisions within the party and nervousness among moderates that the vote could cost them in next year's elections.
The bill, passed 217-215 after a 25-minute-long roll call, makes modest but politically painful cuts across an array of programs for the poor, students and farmers.
The victory on the deficit-control bill came hours after an embarrassing and rare defeat on a $602 billion spending bill for education, health care and job training programs this year. The earlier 224-209 vote halted what had been a steady drive to complete annual appropriations bills freezing many agency budgets.
The broader budget bill would slice almost $50 billion from the deficit by the end of the decade by curbing rapidly growing benefit programs such as Medicaid, food stamps and student loan subsidies. Republicans said reining in such programs whose costs spiral upward each year automatically s the first step to restoring fiscal discipline.
"This unchecked spending is growing faster than our economy, faster than inflation, and far beyond our means to sustain it," said Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle, R-Iowa.
Both bills are part of a campaign by Republican leaders to burnish their party's budget-cutting credentials as they try to reduce a deficit swelled by spending on the Iraq war and Hurricane Katrina.
The budget plan squeaked through after an all-day search by Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and Acting Majority Leader Roy Blunt, R-Mo., to round up votes from reluctant moderates and other lawmakers uneasy with the bill.
House leaders now face arduous talks with the Senate, which passed a much more modest plan earlier this month. Negotiators face difficult negotiations over Arctic drilling, Medicaid and student loans, among other issues
Fourteen Republicans voted "no," including several who had harshly condemned the bill in the days leading up to the vote. Rep. Mark Kennedy, R-Minn. - who faces a challenging Senate race - cast the decisive vote. Then, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton, R-Texas, only reluctantly followed with the final "aye" vote. He was upset over a decision by Hastert to drop a long-sought provision to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, known as ANWR, to oil drilling and sent a clear signal he would not vote for a final bill without the drilling plan.
Those changes came on top of concessions last week when Republican leaders, to appease moderates in their party, dropped provisions to open ANWR to oil drilling and to allow states to lift a moratorium on oil drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.Something how Congressman Kennedy in effect threatened not to vote for the bill should ANWR provisions had been left in it. If ANWR was such a "nonissue" on both sides, it shouldn't have made a difference if it ended up in the bill. I still say it was an irresponsible mistake not to leave it in, especially given the fact that it would also have allowed states to lift the moratoriums imposed on offshore drilling.
Nonetheless, on balance this can only be hailed as a victory for the conservative agenda. What this story does not definitively state, however, is whether these are actual cuts, or simply reductions in the rate of growth of these programs; the latter of which the MSM and the democrat left have freely labelled "cuts" in the past and have been successful in portraying them as such.
It should be noted that Minnesota's own Congressman Jim Ramstad joined the cadre of RINOs (Shays, Nancy Johnson and Simmons of Connecticut; and Tim Johnson of Illinois) in voting "nay" on the bill.
(Filed under Pass the Pork, RINOs)
***UPDATE*** 4:22pm CST
In a campaign letter received today, Mark Kennedy wrote
“Washington shouldn’t have a blank check, and as a CPA and businessman I’m happy to see us act to reduce our federal deficit. This bill reduces spending in a way that reflects our Minnesota values and sets priorities. We owe it to our children to lower the deficit.
“Only in Washington would you hear slowing the rate of spending increases called a ‘cut.’ This bill preserves important student financial aid, Medicaid and safety net programs while providing low income heating aid.” (emphasis mine)
“It’s never easy to restrain the growth of spending, even modestly. There are so many special interest groups advocating for more spending. But my job is to stand up for hard working, taxpaying families in Minnesota. That’s what this bill does. It protects important programs while getting spending under control. The answer is not higher taxes and even more government spending.”
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Trial by fire? Christians threatened to be burned for beliefs...
FAITH UNDER FIRE
Radicals threaten to burn Christians to death
Warn of consequences if they don't reconvert to Hinduism by Sunday
Posted: November 17, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com
More than 60 Christian converts in northern India will be burned to death if they refuse to return to Hinduism by Sunday, a group of extremists has warned.
The radical Hindus severely beat the converts' pastor, Feroz Masih, in a Nov. 4 attack in the state of Himachal Pradesh, accusing him of "forcibly converting" Hindus, reported Compass Direct, a news service that monitors persecution of Christians.
Are these Hindus taking their queues from another Religion of Peace?.
(Filed under V.O.M.)
On leaving the Plantation..
Talk about leaving the white limousine liberal plantation! Still, Lewis couches his departure:
As of this week, Derrick Wallace, head of Orange County's NAACP, has switched parties -- to become a Republican.
"I've thought about this for two years," Wallace said Tuesday afternoon, just a few hours after returning from the elections office. "This is not a decision I made yesterday."
It is, however, a decision that rang out like a shot among political circles.
Republican Party leader Lew Oliver described himself as "extraordinarily pleased," while Democratic leader Tim Shea said he was disappointed.
Even so, I take heart that another finds opportunity with the GOP, and lack thereof with the DNC. I'm just waiting for the "Uncle Tom" caterwalling that is sure to come from this.
"It's purely a business decision. Ninety percent of those I do business with are Republicans," he said. "Opportunities that have come to my firm have been brought by Republicans."
(Filed under Limousine Liberals)
On an increasing Majority
Anyway, they assert
More heartening is news that incumbent Democrat Herb Kohl, while sporting a usually impervious 54% approval rating, is running 2 points behind former Governor Tommy Thompson in a hypothetical Senate matchup. If Thompson could be persuaded to run, the GOP’s prospects for a solid majority after next year’s elections would improve markedly.My response?
The larger question is, would an increased Republican Senate majority necessarily translate into the Republican (Bush) agenda actually seeing the light of day?(Can you say Social Security reform?)
I hate being a pessimist... but just the same.
Unless the "republican majority", no matter how sizeable, grows sufficient cajones to actually enact the conservative agenda, we may as well have chambers full of Pelosis.
(Filed under RINOS, Elections)
Another Snowe job
Snowe blocks tax cuts By Jonathan AllenWill someone please visit this RINO moonbat and present her with a clue? Because she's evidently unable to get one on her own. In an IBD editorial:
Finance Committee conservatives capitulated to the will of centrist Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) yesterday by supporting a package of tax cuts that does not include an extension of the 15 percent rate on income from dividends and capital gains. But proponents vowed to fight to ensure those tax cuts will be restored to the package either on the floor of the Senate or in conference negotiations with the House, which was expected to mark up its version of the tax reconciliation legislation last night. “
"This is just the first step in the process,"” Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) said at yesterday’s mark-up. Sen Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) said he supported the revised package “for the sole purpose of getting it to the floor and eventually to conference.”Sen. Olympia Snowe may have killed an extension of lower investment tax rates in committee. But the majority leader has pledged to restore them. It's about time these renegade Republicans got rolled. Disney releases its film adaptation of C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" next month. In this beloved tale, four children magically enter Narnia, a peaceful land that would be paradise except for the fact it's been cursed with perpetual snow by the evil White Witch. That's kind of the problem Republicans have had in Congress, especially the Senate. They've enjoyed majority control for a decade, but their repeated attempts to reduce high taxes, big government and burdensome regulations have been cursed by the handful of Olympia Snowes within their own party.As far as I'm concerned, the RINOs have jumped ship from the Republicans in everything but in the initial next to their name, and in the past 6 years have largely thwarted the will of a majority of the electorate. Right in the middle of a huge economic recovery and low unemployment, this bozo-for-brains wants to starve our economic engine of the very fuel that is sustaining it. The republican leadership needs to once and for all threaten (with willingness to back it up) all RINOs with the stripping of all leadership posts in the Senate should they continue to obstruct the majority agenda. Either that or make them re-take Economics 101.
(Filed under RINOS)
Well.. sadly, Benedict Arnold was a soldier, too...
Senior Democrat calls for U.S. troops to leave IraqThat's all our enemies need to hear. Just when they may be close to breathing their "last gasps", along comes this bozo to give them another reason to continue to kill our men and women. The democrat party has shown themselves these past few weeks as "not being above sinking to new lows" in their perverted quest for power in 2006, and they're happy to step over more and more bodies of our fallen to do it.
Rep. Murtha: 'U.S. and coalition troops have done all they can' WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Warning that other global threats "cannot be ignored," Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, a leading adviser on defense issues, called on Thursday for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. "U.S. and coalition troops have done all they can in Iraq," the senior lawmaker said. "It's time for a change in direction." He said he believes all the forces could be redeployed over a six-month period. Murtha, a former Marine Corps colonel and veteran of the Vietnam war, is the first senior lawmaker to call for an immediate withdrawal. Other critics of the war have asked President Bush to set up a timetable for withdrawal. (Watch Murtha's take on 'flawed policy wrapped in illusion' -- 8:11) Murtha's call for a withdrawal may have a significant impact on the debate over the future of the Iraq war, as both Democrats and Republicans seek his advice on military and veterans' issues.
Yes, we are in a war with the Al Qaeda-led insurgency in Iraq. But at the same time we are also engaged in a propaganda war against political opportunists; who possess no qualms about providing our enemies comfort and with the will to persevere. The question is, do we (the Republican Party) have the same will to fight the war at home as our brave men and women have in fighting the war to liberate Iraq?
We, as citizens, must never cease to apply pressure to our elected republican officials to continue that fight. We owe at least that much to them.
(Filed under Iraq, Heroes, Moonbat Adventures)
Go Get 'em, Dick!!
Well it's about time. It is my fervent hope that this exercise in exposing the democrat left for what it really is continues.
Cheney Latest to Lash Out at Critics
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Vice President Dick Cheney is joining President Bush and other Republicans in accusing Democrats of foul play for asserting that the administration misrepresented intelligence to build support for taking the nation to war in Iraq.
Cheney said Wednesday the accusation is "one of the most dishonest and reprehensible charges ever aired in this city."
"Some of the most irresponsible comments have, of course, come from politicians who actually voted in favor of authorizing force against Saddam Hussein," Cheney told the Frontiers of Freedom Institute, a conservative policy group.
"I agree with the vice president," Bush said Thursday in South Korea when asked about Cheney's remarks. "I think people ought to be allowed to ask questions. It is irresponsible to say that I deliberately misled the American people.
My question is, where are the rest of the republicans in Congress on this issue? Could it be that they're too busy half-heartedly playing into the democrats' hands? I want Norm Coleman and Mark Kennedy calling press conferences denouncing these seditious moonbat tactics! I want Frist calling a press conference and keep hitting the truth as heavy (or heavier) as the democrats keep hitting the lies. This whole situation reminds me of a scene in Spaceballs
Colonel Sandurz: They must have hyperjets on that thing.This is war folks. Our sons and daughters are in harms' way. Our soldiers are literally putting their lives on the line for this country and for a worthy cause. So the democrats continue to use the bully pulpit, call press conferences and spread lies. The democrats are undermining their mission and giving aid and comfort to the same people who are shooting them and laying IEDs in their path. And all our esteemed republicans can do is to sit back in silent passivity like so many doorknobs; afraid that it may hurt their chances in 2006 if they speak up? Geeze!!! Why aren't they putting themselves in the forefront of what should be a slam-dunk debate? If they're doing it, I'm not hearing about it.
Dark Helmet: And what do we have on this thing? A cuisinart?
And so, my esteemed readers, I level this succinct, yet all encompassing message to all our elected Republican officials in Congress and in the Senate:
GROW SOME FRIGGEN CAJONES, WILL YOU?
(filed under Iraq, Heroes, Moonbat Adventures, RINOs)
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
BLogGing WHile Udner the INfluince..
Just got back from the ESxam.. Hopeuflly I won't hgave a satellite probe coming out of my butt tomorroW.
Weeeeehh.. those are somePowerful durgds that theyh give You. The doc sayss I shgoiuld be abel to dirIve tomrROooow.
Goodn ighet..
(Filed under Fun Stuff, housekeeping)
Endorsing convention this Saturday...
"The World's Most Powerful Man" hasn't got a braincell left..
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Former President Bill Clinton told Arab students Wednesday the United States made a "big mistake" when it invaded Iraq, stoking the partisan debate back home over the war.The friggen gaul of this "smartest guy in the world" is beyond the scope of understanding! Goddam it all--the former CIC has the gaul to say this, knowing that our soldiers are harms way in the very theatre he is criticizing??? This absolute idiot needs to be brought forward on sedition charges. He is a sham and an embarrassment, and to call him anything resembling a patriot is beyond the pale. William Jefferson Blythe Clinton is a TRAITOR!!!.Clinton cited the lack of planning for what would happen after Saddam Hussein was overthrown.
"Saddam is gone. It's a good thing, but I don't agree with what was done," Clinton told students at a forum at the American University of Dubai.
"It was a big mistake. The American government made several errors ... one of which is how easy it would be to get rid of Saddam and how hard it would be to unite the country."
That having been said,
Clinton's remarks came when he was taking questions about the U.S. invasion, which began in 2003. His response drew cheers and a standing ovation at the end of the hour-long session.
He was also overheard saying, "Hey you--sweetheart...whatcha got hiding under that burkka?"
(filed under Moonbat Adventures, Iraq)
The delicate dance continues...
Bush to China: Emulate Taiwanand
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
KYOTO, Japan — Piquing China just days before meetings with its leaders, President Bush on Wednesday held up the self-governing island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own, as a model of freedom "at all levels" that the communist giant should emulate.
In remarks sure to irritate his Chinese hosts, Bush prodded the communist nation to grant basic freedoms to its 1.3 billion people and further open its economy.But in the same story:
"We encourage China to continue down the road of reform and openness," Bush told an audience that stayed silent until its polite applause at the end. "By meeting the legitimate demands of its citizens for freedom and openness, China's leaders can help their country grow into a modern, prosperous, and confident nation."
His challenge to Beijing immediately followed lavish praise of Taiwan.
"By embracing freedom at all levels, Taiwan has delivered prosperity to its people and created a free and democratic Chinese society," Bush said. Pointing to Taiwan — as well as South Korea — Bush said political freedoms are the inevitable product of the kind of economic liberalization China has begun pursuing.
"Men and women who are allowed to control their own wealth will eventually insist on controlling their own lives and their own future," he said. "As China reforms its economy, its leaders are finding that once the door to freedom is opened even a crack, it cannot be closed."
I find the dance of diplomacy evident here by the Bush Administration to be absolutely fascinating, if not outright confounding.Comparing Taiwan and China, even indirectly, raises a major thorn in U.S.-China relations. China regards the island as its own and has threatened to invade if Taiwan declares formal independence.
While U.S. policy recognizes only one China — including Taiwan — and opposes Taiwanese independence, Washington also is Taiwan's largest arms benefactor and is bound by the Taiwan Relations Act to help Taiwan defend itself if attacked.
(Filed under World Affairs)
An idea whose time has come..
Citroen and Other European Car-Makers To Sell “Pre-Burned” Cars
Read the rest here.
(Filed under Religion of Peace?; Fun Stuff)
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