ABC This Week Discussed Too Much Government

Paul Ryan's idea of "upward mobility" sounds good. He's got conviction and he means well. A couple of problems with his thoughts. Obama didn't cause the recession. The stimulus was spent to keep us out of depression. It wasn't an "economic policy." It was an answer in a crisis. Also, Ryan's philosophy is nothing new. It's the standard republican philosophy.


Barney Frank points out the hypocrisy of republicans on "big government." Paul Ryan gets smug.

Obama's Weekly Address Dec. 17

Obama Speaks on Payroll Tax Cuts and Unemployment Benefits Dec. 17

Michelle Obama at Toys-For-Tots Drive Video

White House Press Briefing Dec. 16

Mitt Romney is So Weak...

He's so weak that he needs the entire republican establishment to defend him against Newt. Or put another way, Mitt is so weak that the entire republican establishment has to bash Newt in order for Mitt to look good. That is all. Addendum.

Obama Speaks at Union for Reform Judaism

And as Ehud has said, it is hard to remember a time when the United States has given stronger support to Israel on its security. In fact, I am proud to say that no U.S. administration has done more in support of Israel’s security than ours. None. Don’t let anybody else tell you otherwise. It is a fact. (read the full transcript). Full video: 

West Wing Week Dec. 16

Obama's Schedule Dec. 16

10:45 AM
Obama receives the presidential daily briefing.

12:00 PM
White House press briefing.

1:00 PM
Obama meets with senior advisers.

2:00 PM
Michelle Obama visits Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.

2:10 PM
Obama delivers remarks at the 71st General Assembly of the Union for Reform Judaism.

Obama's Interview with Barbara Walters Preview Video

White House Press Briefing Dec. 15

Ultra Left Go Bonkers Over NDAA

Twitter was on fire yesterday as those on the way left, aka emo progs, tried to push the notion (propaganda) that the Obama administration approved of indefinitely detaining American citizens. Turns out it's not true. READ.
Also, an NDAA guide for the perplexed.

White Guy's Remedy for "Poor Black Kids"

Update: I've deleted the link because it turns out Gene Marks is paid by the hit, so his article was written to create controversy, as if we needed it.

This is a very funny piece by Gene Marks, only it's not supposed to be funny. It shows Marks knows nothing about poverty or schools in poor communities or poor families. He doesn't realize that poor kids often live with several family members and don't have the space or support to even think about using technology, let alone access to a computer. He doesn't realize that sometimes an education is not the first priority. Survival is. There are so many things wrong with this piece that you have to think Forbes' editors were laughing wickedly:

If I was (were) a poor black kid I would first and most importantly work to make sure I got the best grades possible. I would make it my #1 priority to be able to read sufficiently. I wouldn’t care if I was a student at the worst public middle school in the worst inner city. Even the worst have their best. And the very best students, even at the worst schools, have more opportunities. Getting good grades is the key to having more options. With good grades you can choose different, better paths. If you do poorly in school, particularly in a lousy school, you’re severely limiting the limited opportunities you have.

And I would use the technology available to me as a student. I know a few school teachers and they tell me that many inner city parents usually have or can afford cheap computers and internet service nowadays. That because (and sadly) it’s oftentimes a necessary thing to keep their kids safe at home than on the streets. And libraries and schools have computers available too. Computers can be purchased cheaply at outlets like TigerDirect and Dell’s Outlet. Professional organizations like accountants and architects often offer used computers from their members, sometimes at no cost at all. Forbes

Marks ignorantly concludes:

Technology can help these kids. But only if the kids want to be helped. Yes, there is much inequality. But the opportunity is still there in this country for those that are smart enough to go for it.

After receiving hundreds of thoughtful comments, he doubled down on ignorance, which I now have to call blatant stupidity:

Thanks for your comment. I still stick to what I wrote, and believe that the opportunity is there for everyone if they study hard and get good grades, use technology to help them get good grades, apply to the best schools they can, get help from their guidance counselor, and make sure to learn a good skill.

Arse.

Obama Family Holiday Portrait 2011

Romney Shouldn't Use Drone as Political Fodder

A lot of republicans have held back, but Cheney (he simply can't control his pie hole) and Mitt went there. It's highly unpatriotic and brazen (stupid) for Mitt to criticize Obama on the drone.
First of all, there is a lot mystery about what happened. Is it out of the realm of possibilities that the "captured" drone is gathering information right where it is? Most important, it's a classified intelligence matter involving national security and a volatile Iran, and Mitt is using the drone as political fodder in a desperate attempt to win an election that's slipping away from him. Mitt's comments are reprehensible and dangerous.

Cantor Bashes Palestinians

In a demonstration of an out of control republican party, Eric Cantor bashes Palestinians, which I'm certain doesn't make Hillary Clinton's job easier and it also contributes the madness. It's also safe to say that Israel plays its part in the never ending Middle East crisis:

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) delivered a severe rebuke to Palestinians on Thursday, linking their culture to terrorism and questioning their worthiness to have an independent state.

Speaking to a conference of Reform Jews, Cantor told of a Palestinian woman treated for burns at an Israeli hospital who tried to return for a follow-up visit wearing a suicide belt.

“What kind of culture leads one to do that? Sadly, it is a culture infused with resentment and hatred,” Cantor said. The Hill

Obama Speaks on Home Care Workers Rule

Read about the rule, which gives home-care workers overtime and minimum wage benefits, here.
Obama spoke first about the payroll tax cut. Republicans are hampering the bill because they don't want 300,000 millionaires to pay more in taxes to foot the tax cut. Republicans are also trying to get an oil pipeline built. It's likely the payroll tax cut will be passed, but without millionaires paying more. An extension of unemployment benefits is also expected to pass. But who knows what will really happen, given the Congress that we have.
Full video:

Obama's Schedule Dec. 15

10:50 AM	The President and Vice President receive the Presidential Daily Briefing Oval Office Closed Press
12:00 PM	The President delivers a statement at a We Can’t Wait event  LIVE STREAM Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Room 430 B/C Pooled Press
12:30 PM	The President and the Vice President have lunch Private Dining Room Closed Press

Hillary Clinton's Interview With Jim Lehrer Video

Why Newt is Ahead

1) He's not a Mormon. In fact, Gingrich turned Catholic just a while back just for this occasion. It hasn't really been vetted in the media, but sadly, evangelical types don't like Mormons.

2) Conservatives think Newt's chances are better against Obama because they think he can debate better. That idea just shows how little conservatives know about Obama. What conservatives know about Obama has been shaded by propaganda fed to them over several years and an unconscious racism. Obama will wipe out Gingrich.

3) Gingrich is not fake.