Vicki Iseman Sues New York Times Over McCain Smear Piece

Good:

A lobbyist who was romantically linked to Sen. John McCain in a New York Times article has sued the paper for $27 million, saying the story has damaged her career and "sense of personal self-worth."

Vicki Iseman sued the New York Times Company and writers and editors who worked on the front-page story, which she said falsely intimated she had an affair with the senator and used their relationship to gain perks for her clients.

"The damage to Ms. Iseman caused by the story has continued to the present and has not abated," the lawsuit said. "The article destroyed the heart and soul of Ms. Iseman's professional identity and sense of personal self-worth."

The Times issued a statement saying it stands by the story, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

From the same publication that said nothing about John Edwards affair until the National Enquirer broke it, the Times proved once again that their journalistic standards are non-existent with an unsubstantiated hit piece that served no purpose other than to sully John McCain's reputation and hurt his chances of winning the presidency. Now they should be made to pay for it.

Wanda Sykes: More Gay Than Black

In case you hadn't heard b-list comedian Wanda Sykes recently "came out" as gay in the midst of the heated Prop 8 unrest initiated by gay intolerance. Now most gays I read about about claim they were "born that way", but apparently for Wanda it took almost 40 years for her to realize her "sexual orientation". Yeah, right. Anyway having followed Sykes career since her days hanging around Chris Rock, I can't recall any instance of Sykes' involvement in say, issues greatly affecting Black women such as breast cancer, HIV rates, abortion or crime. But Gay Wanda (who now has a major role playing a lesbo on "The New Adventures of Old Christine") has no problem putting herself front and center of the mostly white, liberal, racist, male LGBT movement and because of that they're so proud of her:

Each year, The Advocate names its People of the Year, “a handful of names that made headlines, made a difference, or simply made us talk.” They just released a couple of names as a teaser and one of them is actress and comedian Wanda Sykes.

Sykes has always been an outspoken supporter of gay rights. Having previously kept her sexuality private, Sykes came out at a rally in Las Vegas after California Proposition 8 was passed.

She cited the passing of Proposition 8 as the catalyst behind her decision to come out:

We took a huge leap forward and then got dragged 12 feet back. I felt like I was being attacked, personally attacked — our community was attacked… Now, I gotta get in their face. I'm proud to be a woman. I'm proud to be a black woman, and I'm proud to be gay.

It is a refreshing sign that not all magazines that tout themselves as serving the gay and — ahem — lesbian community have been suffering from a cognitive disconnect.

Rod Blagojevich Has Every Right To Pick Senate Seat

CNN.com:

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday will name former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate, sources familiar with the decision say.

Burris' appointment would fill President-elect Barack Obama's former Senate seat. Blagojevich is to announce his choice at a news conference at 3 p.m. ET.

Burris, 71, is African-American. Earlier this month, he said that despite the scandal associated with the seat, he wanted the job.

Burris does not have to be formally approved by the Senate to be appointed by Blagojevich. But the Senate could refuse to seat Burris, or it could seat him and investigate the manner in which he was appointed, and unseat him if senators discover any wrongdoing.

Two Democratic officials tell CNN that Senate Democratic leaders are planning to block Blagojevich's appointment of Roland Burris to the Senate seat.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, has recently threatened not to seat anyone the governor appoints and has called for Blagojevich, a Democrat, to step down.

The governor was arrested this month on federal corruption charges and has since ignored calls to resign.

Where's Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson when you need 'em? Rod Blagojevich is NOT GUILTY of anything, he's being investigated for alleged wrongdoing with the opinion here being that he's also being scapegoated for the longstanding political corruption that exists in Illinois. As Governor, Blago has sole authority to fill Obama's old seat with anyone if his choosing. No matter how they try to spin it Harry Reid and his cronies have no right to try and block Roland Burris from a Senate chair. Right now the U.S. Senate has ZERO Black members, that's an embarrassment in of itself. Let's see how the leadership of the party in which 90% of Blacks vote looks if and when they attempt to block a Black man from serving on the Senate.

Laura Bush Quote of the Day!

"If Saddam Hussein had been there, the man wouldn't have been released. And he probably, you know, would have been executed. It was an assault. And that's what it is. And it would be an assault to anyone. The President laughed it off. He wasn't hurt. He's very quick. As you know, he's a natural athlete. And that's it. But on the other hand, it is an assault, and I think it should be treated that way, and I think people should think of it that way. [As] bad as the incident is, it is an indication of progress. It is a sign that Iraqis feel a lot freer to express themselves."

- First Lady Laura Bush on the shoe-throwing incident involving President Bush

Politiks As Usual: In The News 12/29/08

Barack Obama Bristles As The Bubble Closes In

Israel Deploys Tanks And Troops Around Gaza

The Awkward Co-Dependence Of Blacks And Liberal Democrats

Curable Disease Kills Thousands Of Children Every Year In Africa

Children's Book Depicts Santa Fighting Global Warming

Court Of Appeals Upholds Ruling Against Illinois' "Choose Life" License Plates

Study: Murders Among Black Youths Have Risen Sharply Since 2000

Jeb Bush Signals That He's Poised To Run For Senate

Americans Drop Dead As Police Get Taser-Happy

Letter To The Editor: Free Ignacio Ramos And Jose Compean

Rahm Emanuel Facing Possible Subpoena From Blagojevich Attorney

CNN.com:

The Illinois House panel considering impeachment charges against Gov. Rod Blagojevich has received a letter from the governor's attorney urging the panel to issue subpoenas to more than a dozen potential witnesses, including incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

Steve Brown, spokesman for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, confirms to CNN that the impeachment panel received the letter from Blagojevich attorney Ed Genson.

"The committee has taken that letter under advisement," said Brown, noting the panel's next meeting is Monday morning.

Even if the panel moved ahead with such subpoenas, however, they could still be blocked by prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, who has previously expressed concern about the impeachment panel interfering with his ongoing criminal probe.

Nevertheless, the maneuvering by Blagojevich's camp could provide a distraction for President-elect Barack Obama and top aides just days after they tried to turn the page on the matter by issing an internal investigation claiming no wrongdoing by the transition team.

Genson, Blagojevich's attorney, did not immediately return a call seeking comment on his letter.

Barack tried to throw a blanket on this mess by conducting his own investigation that pretty much concluded that Emanuel did no wrong here. Good thing Gov. Blagojevich isn't having it. Democratic corruption in Illinois has been going on for too long now, it's about time the feds get involved and do something about it because Rod Blagojevich is being scapegoated.

Chip Saltsman Is An A-Hole

A-holes like Chip Saltsman remind us again of why the GOP has a hard time getting Black people to join their ranks:

The chairman of the Republican National Committee said he was "appalled" by a song called "Barack the Magic Negro" on a CD distributed by one of his political rivals.

"The 2008 election was a wake-up call for Republicans to reach out and bring more people into our party," RNC Chairman Mike Duncan said in a statement reported Saturday afternoon by Politico.

"I am shocked and appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate, as it clearly does not move us in the right direction."

Chip Saltsman sent RNC members the parody CD "We Hate the USA" for Christmas, which includes the controversial tune. He defended his decision Friday, telling CNN the song was clearly intended as a joke.

"I think most people recognize political satire when they see it," Saltsman told CNN. "I think RNC members understand that."

Saltsman, a former chair of the Tennessee Republican Party, was a top advisor to former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and managed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign.

I'm all for political satire when it's funny and is clearly making a point. But this is nothing but a display of racial ignorance that does nothing to help the GOP. There are so many ways to oppose Barack Obama without being racist, it's amazing that in 2008 there are still that many dumb asses out there who still don't get it.

Michelle Malkin Has Bush Derangement Syndrome

It's one thing to constructively criticize the President over an administrative policy you don't like or disagree with, but when you go overboard and ask your readers to come up with derogatory names for him, you come off as a hypocrite:

Kosovo shows its appreciation by naming a street after President Bush.

It’s better than a sewage plant.

Sorry to be a Grinch, but with his massive government bailout legacy hanging overhead, perhaps someone should name a bottomless pit after W.

Your suggestions?

This shouldn't surprise anyone who regularly reads Malkin's blog as one might recall the blatant disrespect Malkin showered on the President after he attempted to reach a compromise on our nation's illegal immigration problem last year. Indeed, too often it's far-Right pundits like Malkin who engage in the same, bitter, mean-spirited, fallaciousness that they criticize their counterparts on the Left for. Any wonder why it's hard to take any of them seriously?

When It Comes To Pardons President Bush Is Still No Bill Clinton

Once again proof that even when he does the right thing, President Bush just can't win with the loony Left. After having the wherewithal to reverse a mistake in pardoning convicted New York mortgage fraudster Isaac Toussie, the inept New York Times still goes out of its way to criticize the President:

President Bush changed his mind on Christmas Eve, pulling back a pardon he had extended a day earlier to a Brooklyn developer at the center of a Long Island real estate fraud case and adding a bizarre twist to the episode.

The developer, Isaac R. Toussie, who was listed Tuesday as one of the beneficiaries of the president’s constitutional power to wipe away a criminal record, is not being pardoned “based on information that has subsequently come to light,” the White House said late Wednesday afternoon.

The terse White House statement did not elaborate, but officials familiar with the case said that presidential aides — and perhaps President Bush himself — were concerned about appearances, because Mr. Toussie’s father, Robert, donated $28,500 to the Republican National Committee last April, for what apparently was his first political contribution. He also donated $2,300 to the presidential campaign of Senator John McCain.

Regardless of how Mr. Toussie is perceived by Republicans in Washington, the name of Isaac Toussie is detested by many working-class people in the New York metropolitan area. In 2001, several hundred of them sued in Federal District Court, accusing Mr. Toussie and his father of masterminding a scheme in which inexperienced or first-time buyers were promised affordable and comfortable suburban houses but instead were sold shoddily built homes in poor neighborhoods and saddled by mortgage payments that shot up surprisingly.

The Times insinuates it, but the Toussie case had nothing to do with party affiliation. If that was the case Bush wouldn't have withdrawn the pardon. The President simply saw that he made an error and quickly reversed himself. If anyone's ever abused his pardon privileges it was ex-Prez Bill Clinton, who issues 140 pardons and 36 commutations on his last day in office alone, including fugitive Marc Rich, whose ex-wife was a prominent donor to Clinton. Indeed, liberals are so desperate to paint Bush as a pardon abuser that they're still holding out hope that the President pardons Scooter Libby before he leaves office. Yet, even if Bush does pardon Libby it still wouldn't be tainting the pardon process as Libby, improperly fingered in the Valerie Plame hyperbole created by the Left, is nowhere the slimeball that Marc Rich, Almon Braswell, Peter MacDonald and the many other scum that Slick Willie pardoned on his way out of office.

Merry Xmas And Happy Holidays To All of You!

Happy Holidays! Now eat, drink and be merry. Enjoy your family and friends! Hopefully you were good this year and Santa brought you something nice.

I leave you with the late, great Nat King Cole singing one of my Xmas favorites. Peace and Blessings to you and yours.

Ann Coulter Names Sarah Palin 'Conservative of the Year'

I concur:

Right-wing Web site Humanevents.com has awarded Palin its "Conservative of the Year" Award for 2008, for what syndicated columnist Ann Coulter in a new column calls the former Miss Alaska's "genius at annoying all the right people. The last woman to get liberals this hot under the collar would have been … let's see now … oh, yeah: Me!"

Coulter continues, “When McCain chose our beauteous Sarah as his running mate, the maverick was finally acting like a real maverick -- as opposed to the media’s definition of a ‘maverick’ which is: ‘agreeing with the editorial positions of the New York Times.’

“Pre-Palin it had been one race -- boring old “You kids get off my lawn!” John McCain versus the exciting, new politician Barack Obama, who threw caution to the wind and bravely ran as the Pro-Hope candidate. And then our heroic Sarah bounded out of the Alaska tundra and it became a completely different race. This left the press completely discombobulated and upset. They didn't know whether to attack Sarah for not having an abortion or go after her husband for not being a sissy.”

I don't agree with all of Sarah Palin's views such as guns as well as abortion (Palin is adamantly pro-life while I have libertarian views on abortion) and she did make it too easy for liberals to criticize her when she couldn't come up with a single name of a newspaper or magazine that she reads. But besides all that, John McCain picking Palin as his running mate literally moved me beyond comprehension (or as Chris Wallace might say: "sent a thrill my leg"). Sarah Palin was a game changer who made the McCain campaign interesting, fun to watch and quite honestly gave me hope that McCain could overcome all of Barack Obama's minion's in the press and win the presidency. Better than all of that was watching how this one woman, who literally came out of nowhere, was able to elicit so much ire, contempt and hatred from liberals. I hadn't seen that such a collective mosh of hate and acrimony from liberals since Bush beat Gore in 2000. That, in of itself made Sarah Palin a superstar.

Entitled Princess Caroline Kennedy's Anti-Family Views

Caroline Kennedy, a woman who rarely votes, has a thinner political resume than Barack Obama and has never governed a tea party, much less a political office, yet feels that her surname alone entitles her to a soon-to-be-vacant U.S. Senate seat, finally speaks on some of her views. Not that anyone should be surprised at which way she leans:

Caroline Kennedy has gone public with her stance on the issues in response to a wave of media inquiries after Kennedy, virtually unknown in the political world, announced her interest in the New York senate seat Hillary Clinton will leave open when she becomes Secretary of State.

As was widely suspected, Kennedy emerged as firmly entrenched in favor of abortion and same-sex "marriage" in keeping with a strongly left-of center persona. In email responses to questions from the New York Times, Kennedy's spokesman Stefan Friedman described her as supporting "full equality and marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples."

Answering the question "Would she oppose legislation that would require minors to notify a parent before obtaining an abortion?" came the response: "Caroline believes that young women facing unwanted pregnancies should have the advice of caring adults, but this should not be required by law."

On the question of late-term abortions, Kennedy was said to "support Roe v. Wade, which prohibits third-trimester abortions except when the life or health of the mother is at risk." Kennedy told the Buffalo News that she opposes the death penalty. A Roman Catholic, Kennedy has no public service record and largely avoided the spotlight until she joined Barack Obama's pre-election team earlier this year, and has since consistently expressed a very high opinion of the President-elect and his policies.

Gov. David Paterson is an idiot if he picks Kennedy for the Senate seat. As New York Congressman Gary Ackerman summed up best: “Everyone knows who she is, but I’m not sure what she is,” Ackerman said. “Eventually she has to get in the ring and face the public.”

“DNA in this business can take you just so far,” said the congressman, before joking, “Rembrandt was a great artist. His brother Murray, on the other hand, Murray Rembrandt, wouldn’t paint a house.”

Nancy Pelosi And Harry Reid Congress Approval Rating Hits Single Digits Again

It's the dirt that the liberal media refuses to talk about: a Democratic-led Congress that has been an utter disgrace:

Approval of Congress’ job performance has plunged to single digits again for the first time since early September, says the latest Rasmussen Reports.

In the wake of the on-again, off-again auto bailouts, only 9 percent give Congress good or excellent ratings, while 54 percent give the legislature poor marks. Just 2 percent think Congress is doing an excellent job.

The last time the ratings were this low was on September 9. In late November, 12 percent gave Congress good or excellent ratings. This is now the fifth time congressional ratings have fallen below 10 percent since June 1, says Rasmussen.

In other new Rasmussen survey findings:

Only 14 percent of Democratic voters rate the performance of the Congress led by their own party as good or excellent, compared to 5 percent of Republicans and 6 percent of unaffiliated voters. Thirty-five percent of Democrats say the legislators are doing a poor job, and 69 percent of Republicans and 63 percent of independents agree. Sixty-six percent of men give Congress poor ratings, only 43 percent of women do the same. Eight percent of men give Congress positive ratings, along with 10 percent of women. Thirty-four percent surveyed believes most members of Congress are corrupt, while 39 percent disagree. In last month's survey, 36 percent saw most members as corrupt.

And yes, for doing absolutely nothing these idiots are still about to get a raise!

Actor Lillo Brancato Cleared Of Murder In Cop's Death

Yahoo.com:

Lillo Brancato, who played a bumbling aspiring mobster on "The Sopranos," was cleared Monday of second-degree murder in the shooting death of an off-duty policeman during a drunken, late-night search for drugs.

The jury convicted Brancato of a lesser charge of attempted burglary. He faces a minimum of three years in prison on that count, but the former actor could get credit for time served because he has been behind bars about that long.

Brancato showed no reaction as the verdict was read — his face impassive, his fingers pressed together. His mother, seated a couple rows back in the gallery, began sobbing.

Prosecutors say Brancato and accomplice Steven Armento broke into a basement apartment to steal prescription drugs after a night of drinking at a strip club. Officer Daniel Enchautegui, who lived next door, came out to investigate.

Armento blasted the 28-year-old officer with his .357 Magnum, hitting him in the heart. The dying officer fired back, wounding both men. Armento was convicted earlier this year of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Since it involved a cop and a B-list actor this case has been getting a lot of play here in NYC. Personally I believe that the jury made the right decision. Having followed the case from the get-go, I could never buy into the idea that Brancato, an actor whose never had a history of violence and who had a lot of potential before he fell victim to drugs, had any idea, in his drug-addicted haze, that someone might be killed the night he went out looking for his friend to score some drugs. Brancato's accomplice shot and killed the cop and now he's doing life without the possibility of parole because of it. Enough people have suffered here. Brancato can either choose now to learn from this whole, tragic experience and get his life together or continue down the same dismal path he's been on. If he picks the latter, one can only hope that no one else will suffer from it. Lastly, as a Sopranos fan, I think it's insulting that the media keeps linking Brancato to a show he appeared in like 3 or 4 episodes of, at most.

Politiks As Usual: In The News 12/22/08

Hillary Clinton Campaign Debt Now At $6.4 Million

Princess Caroline Wants To Be Anointed

Sarah Palin Church Burning - 'Hate Crime' Virtually Ignored?

Paul Weyrich Cast Long Shadow In Conservatism

CNN Meteorologist: Manmade Global Warming Theory 'Arrogant'

Courteney Cox: Divorce Is Not An Option

Dangerous Foes Await The Obama Administration, Gaffney Warns

Why Are Female Teachers So Hot For Students?

Obama Names Two Global Warming Nutcases To Cabinet Posts

The Huffington Post Slammed For Content Theft

Dick Cheney Doesn't Give A Damn What Liberals Think

I admire the man for his consistency alone: he flat out has never allowed the naysayers views of him to make him sweat:

Cheney, speaking less than a month before he and President Bush leave the White House, was blunt and unapologetic about his central role in some of the most controversial issues of the past eight years, including the invasion of Iraq, warrantless surveillance of U.S. citizens, and harsh interrogation tactics. Cheney also said he disagreed with Bush's decision to remove embattled Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld in 2006, saying that "the president doesn't always take my advice."

"I was a Rumsfeld man," Cheney said. "I'd helped recruit him and I thought he did a good job for us."

The interview was the second in less than a week for the normally reclusive vice president, and it comes as part of a broad effort by Bush and his aides to focus attention on issues that they consider major accomplishments of their two terms in office.In an interview with ABC News last week, Cheney suggested the administration would have gone to war with Iraq even without erroneous intelligence showing that Saddam Hussein had developed weapons of mass destruction. Cheney also said in that interview that he approved of the administration's use of coercive interrogation tactics, including a type of simulated drowning known as waterboarding, against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, and others.....

......Cheney expressed no regrets in today's interview, vigorously defending the Bush administration's war and counterterrorism policies and saying he was untroubled by opinion polls showing that he and Bush are among the most unpopular White House occupants in modern times. "Eventually you wear out your welcome in this business, but I'm very comfortable with where we are and what we've achieved substantively," he said.

In discussing his views of broad executive power on national security issues, Cheney said Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt "went far beyond anything we've done in a global war on terror," and said that all U.S. presidents since 1973 have viewed the War Powers Act -- which gave Congress the role of declaring war -- as unconstitutional.

Bush and Cheney have nothing to apologize for. They've kept us safe for 7 years. The world is a better place without Saddam Hussein in it. The U.S. engaging in waterboarding has been vastly overblown by the liberal media and only in pre-9/11 world would any sane person not want to know if terrorists are plotting to harm American citizens. Liberals are not sane people so why should Dick Cheney give a damn what they think?

Jim Brown Quote of the Day!

"A liberal is arrogant enough to think he can do you a half-assed favor. He is superior enough to think he can give you something that you don't deserve. A liberal will cut off your leg so he can hand you a crutch."

- actor, activist and NFL Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown

TIME Magazine Calls Barack Obama A Bigot

John Cloud, writing for the TIME, makes it clear that Obama's selection of Rev. Rick Warren for his Inaugural invocation makes the president-elect a "bigot":

Rick Warren may occasionally sound more open-minded than Jerry Falwell, another plump Evangelical who once played a prominent role in U.S. politics. But he's not. Gays and lesbians are angry that Barack Obama has honored Warren, but they shouldn't be surprised. Obama has proved himself repeatedly to be a very tolerant, very rational-sounding sort of bigot. He is far too careful and measured a man to say anything about body parts fitting together or marriage being reserved for the nonpedophilic, but all the same, he opposes equality for gay people when it comes to the basic recognition of their relationships. He did throughout his campaign, one that featured appearances by Donnie McClurkin, a Christian entertainer who preaches that homosexuals can become heterosexuals.

Obama reminds me a little bit of Richard Russell Jr., the longtime Senator from Georgia who — as historian Robert Caro has noted — cultivated a reputation as a thoughtful, tolerant politician even as he defended inequality and segregation for decades. Obama gave a wonderfully Russellian defense of Warren on Thursday at a press conference. Americans, he said, need to "come together" even when they disagree on social issues. "That dialogue is part of what my campaign is all about," he said. Russell would often use the same tactic to deflect criticism of his civil rights record. It was a distraction, Russell said, from the important business of the day uniting all Americans. Obama also said today that he is a "fierce advocate for equality" for gays, which is — given his opposition to equal marriage rights — simply a lie. It recalls the time Russell said, "I'm as interested in the Negro people of my state as anyone in the Senate. I love them."

Of course, the major irony with this smear piece is that Obama was, unsurprisingly, just named TIME's "Person of the Year". But the hypocritical wrath of the Left is what should be noted here: you just can't win with the loony wing, there's no room for compromise, either you're totally with them or against them. On the campaign trail Michelle Obama tirelessly championed "gay rights", Obama himself has gone on record supporting civil unions, wants to repeal "Don't ask, don't tell" and opposes a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. But now a gay, leftwing scribe calls Obama a "bigot" because he dares to invite a noted pastor to bless his presidency. Again, liberals are tolerant only if you agree with their point of view.

Body Remains Are Caylee Anthony

This story has fascinated me from the very beginning so yeah, this news is really disturbing:

The remains found in a wooded area last week in Orange County, Florida, are those of Caylee Anthony, authorities confirmed at a news conference Friday.

"It is with regret that I'm here to inform you that the skeletal remains found December 11 are those of the missing toddler," said Dr. Jan Garavaglia, the Orange County medical examiner.

The remains were confirmed to be Caylee's through a DNA match, authorities said.

Garavaglia said the cause of death was homicide, but she could not determine how Caylee was killed.

Casey Anthony, 22, faces charges including first-degree murder in the June disappearance of her daughter. She could face a sentence of life in prison if convicted. Prosecutors said this month that they would not seek the death penalty.

Authorities said they called the jail where Anthony is being held to let her know about the discovery.

Caylee's remains were found last week a half-mile from Casey Anthony's parents' home, in the area where a meter reader first directed police.

At the news conference, Garavaglia said that the remains were completely skeletonized and that no tissue was present. She said there was no trauma to the bones before Caylee's death.

Planned Parenthood Protects Rapists

When you're too busy making billions from the uterus' of young women, who cares if some of them might've been raped or not.

Barack Obama Doesn't Have To Defend Rick Warren

The hypocritical "tolerant" crowd is up in arms over Barack Obama picking Pastor Rick Warren to conduct the invocation on Inauguration Day. Mind you, Warren wasn't chosen for a Cabinet position, he's doing an oath for chrissakes. And like most priests who follow and represent what they're, yunno, taught from the Scripture, Warren doesn't support abortion or gay marriage. So if you're a simpleton member of the Left, all this means that Rick Warren is a bigot and Barack Obama, once the most liberal member of Congress, suddenly doesn't support "equality" and must be stopped at all costs:

President-elect Barack Obama this morning defended his choice of evangelical megapastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at next month's swearing-in, saying that although he differs with the conservative pastor on social issues, he wants to have diverse voices at the ceremony.

"I am a fierce advocate of equality for gay and lesbian Americans. It is something that I have been consistent on, and I intend to continue to be consistent on during my presidency," Obama said at a morning news conference to announce several financial appointments. "What I've also said is that it is important for America to come together, even though we may have disagreements on certain social issues."

Gay rights advocates and progressives denounced the decision to associate with Warren, an outspoken opponent of abortion rights, same-sex marriage and stem cell research, immediately after inaugural organizers announced the lineup for the ceremony yesterday.

The Human Rights Campaign sent a blistering letter to Obama (D) in which it called the choice of Warren "a genuine blow" to gay Americans, who supported Obama overwhelmingly in his race against Republican nominee John McCain.

No doubt since most liberals don't believe in God anyway, they'd probably all vote for tossing out the invocation altogether.

Illinois Supreme Court Will Not Remove Rod Blagojevich

NYTimes.com:

Any prospect that the saga over Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich’s contested hold on power might end swiftly evaporated on Wednesday when the State Supreme Court refused to hear a request to remove him, and Mr. Blagojevich’s lawyer made it clear at an impeachment inquiry here that the governor had no intention of going quietly.

Without comment, the court denied an emergency request from Lisa Madigan, the state’s attorney general, to consider removing Mr. Blagojevich from office as well as a motion for a temporary restraining order that would have immediately stripped Mr. Blagojevich of many of his powers, including the authority to appoint someone to fill the United States Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

The ruling stirred consternation among some lawmakers here, many of whom had seen the request to the court as the fastest, straightest route to Mr. Blagojevich’s departure, even if a bit of a long shot.

Good. Madigan's attempt to get the governor ousted was nothing more than a weak, vindictive move by an attorney general whose long disliked Blagojevich. In fact Madigan's well-known desire to one day be governor herself presents a clear conflict of interest that should force Madigan to remove herself from this entire matter. As we're seeing with Obama pal Jesse Jackson Jr. proving to be a snitch for the Feds and Rahm Emanuel, Barack's new chief-of-staff, having had multiple talks with Blago about Obama's Senate seat, this scandal is just opening up as Inauguration Day inches closer and closer. Barack certainly doesn't want this mess still hanging over his head when he starts his presidency. Bottom line, Rod Blagojevich is being scapegoated to protect Barack Obama from the stink of corruption that's long festered in the president-elect's home town and state. And that's why Blagojevich needs continue to fight these allegations and not resign.

Barack Admonishes Journalist For Daring To Ask About Blagojevich Scandal

Liberals have long accused the Bush administration as being the most secretive in recent history, whining for days on end about the President's supposedly unfair treatment of the press in it's reluctance to share information with the public esp., when some sort of scandal involving the White House is present. Well, Barack Obama isn't even president yet and we're already getting an idea as to how Obama's will treat the press when he's in the hot seat:

During his press conference announcing new Education Secretary designate Arne Duncan on Tuesday, Barack Obama lectured Chicago Tribune reporter John McCormick "I don’t want you to waste your question" when he tried to press the President-elect on whether Obama told the truth when he said they were taking a "very hands-off approach" to his Senate replacement.

Media liberals noticed how much this sounds like their nominee for Worst President Ever, but they’re already arguing that criticizing Obama for lecturing the press for tough questions is premature. In Wednesday’s Washington Post, reporter/columnist Dana Milbank took issue with Stephen Hayes of the Weekly Standard: "Obama has proved himself to be far more willing to take questions than Bush, and if he makes good on his promise to release the full account of his aides' Blagojevich ties -- even on Christmas Eve -- it will be a major improvement in transparency over the current administration."

Surely if the journalist had Obama what he thought about Bill Richardson cutting his beard off he wouldn't have "wasted" his question.

Scam Artist And Democrat Donor Bernard Madoff Reminds You Of Jack Abramoff

Newsbusters.org:

The wires services and the rest of the Old Media have also been reporting on a scandal that doesn't have to do with Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich. But, like the Blago story line, the media seem to be forgetting one small aspect of the story of Wall Street rip off artist Bernard Madoff. Like Blago, Madoff's connections to the Democrat Party seem to be of little interest to the media.

Very few media stories of the fraud perpetrated by former Nasdaq chairman Madoff mentions the heavy financial support that Madoff has donated to the Democrat Party. Campaign contributions by Madoff show many thousands of dollars going to Democrat candidates and causes. Including $100,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign, thousands to Charles Rangel (D, NY), Charles Schumer (D, NY), and $6,000 to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. Madoff also gave generously to Senator Frank Lautenberg (D, NJ) who runs a charitable foundation that invested with Madoff.

With the money that Madoff spread around in contributions is it really surprising that his actions went ignored by regulatory agencies?

In any case, the media seems wholly uninterested in the fact that Madoff is a big Democrat contributor. I found no mention of Madoff's past support of the Democrats in any of the following stories.

Word has it too that many in the Hollywood Left were victimized by Madoff's schemes. Oh, the irony.

Rod Blagojevich Won't Resign, Good For Him

UPI.com:

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich will not resign but will fight federal corruption charges against him, his attorney said Monday.

Attorney Ed Genson told reporters in Chicago, shortly after meeting with Blagojevich Monday evening, that the governor will not resign.

"He's not stepping aside," Genson said "He hasn't done anything wrong. We're going to fight this case."

The Illinois House voted 113-0 Monday to open impeachment proceedings against Blagojevich, who was arrested last week on federal charges stemming from an alleged effort to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder.

Democratic House leaders in the state capital decided, however, against immediate consideration of a plan to strip Blagojevich of his authority to appoint someone to serve the remainder of Obama's Senate term, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Good for Blagojevich. Chicago Democrats are just trying to scapegoat Blago in the hope that all this whole mess blows over, thus removing the stink surrounding Barack Obama and all his corrupt friends. From Tony Rezko to Rev. Jeremiah Wright to William Ayers, this scandal is the start of four years that could make the Slick Willie years serendipitous by comparison. How in the world are all of Obama's Chicago homies, mentors, partners and associates so shady, yet Obama, born from this lot of corruption, is left to run the country with the most powerful job in the world? God help us all.

Politiks As Usual: In The News 12/15/08

Iraqi Journalist Throws At Shoes At President Bush

Sarah Palin's Church Hit In Suspected Arson Attack

Playboy Apologizes For 'Cover' Of Nude Virgin Mary

More Americans, Rich And Poor, Pawning Items To Make Ends Meet

Minnesota Ballots: Land Of 10,000 Fakes

Anti-Gay Marriage Bullying = 'The Epitome Of Intolerance'

Pro-God Messages To Counter Atheist Bus Ads In Baltimore

Nickelodeon Indoctrinates Global Warming In Video Game

Texas Taxpayers Spent $678m On Illegals' Healthcare

Chicago Tribune Stopped Working With Prosecutors, Forced Arrest Of Gov. Blago Early

Struggling Liberal Rag Newsweek Rallies For Gay Marriage By Mocking The Bible

The Christian Messenger:

AS its cover story for the Dec. 15, 2008 issue, the editors of Newsweek offer readers a one-sided propaganda piece about Scripture and ‘gay marriage’ entitled ‘Our Mutual Joy’ written by Religion Editor Lisa Miller.

According to Miller, “scripture gives us no good reason why gays and lesbians should not be ... married--and a number of excellent reasons why they should.”

Miller restricts her research to ‘scholars’ supportive of homosexual unions and exaggerates discontinuity between Scripture's marriage values and our own. She elevates distant analogies like slavery and haircuts over close analogies, with far more points of correspondence, like adult-committed incest.

She also extrapolates, from certain ‘universal truths’ in Scripture, illogical conclusions that would have appalled the scriptural authors, like assuming that generic love is a sufficient prerequisite for sexual relationships. Moreover, she systematically ignores virtually every significant counterargument to her claims.

For example, she claims that Jesus never ‘explicitly defines marriage as between one man and one woman.’

She overlooks the fact that Jesus not only affirmed a male-female prerequisite for marriage but also predicated his argument about the ‘twoness’ of a sexual bond (monogamy) on the twoness or duality of the sexes in Genesis 1:27; 2:24. Miller contends that Jesus’ singleness and remarks about marriage as a secondary good indicate Jesus’ openness to non-traditional forms of sexual bonds. They actually signify the exact opposite: a further limiting of options for sexual relations to one person of the other sex for life.

No surprise here, Newsweek was always been a rag that caters to the leftwing plantation. I do my part to protest their hate for conservatives by never buying an issue. Indeed, it's just sad that people who support gay marriage can't do so on its own merit, without ridiculing the Bible and Christianity. By the way Newsweek didn't turn in a profit during 2008 and is currently cutting staff, print size and circulation numbers. Ain't karma a bitch.

Other's Blogging: AlbertMohler.com, Powerline, NewsBusters, twoorthree.net

Caylee Anthony May've Been Found

Tragic:

Investigators said Friday that they think remains found near a home where Caylee Anthony lived with her grandparents are those of the missing toddler.

But, they added, police and prosecutors are waiting until DNA and other tests are completed before making a positive identification.

Orange County, Florida, sheriff's spokesman Carlos Padilla gave three reasons for the belief the body is Caylee's:

• No other children have been reported missing in the area.

• The remains are consistent with a child of Caylee's age.

• They were found in close proximity to the home of Caylee's grandparents.

Caylee Anthony was 2 when she disappeared in June. Her mother, Casey Anthony, 22, didn't report her missing for a month and is charged with murder.

The first word that the corpse found Thursday had been tentatively identified as Caylee's came as her mother's attorneys sought a court order allowing them to observe the autopsy and conduct their own forensic tests.

Lawyer Linda Kenney Baden said in court that investigators told the defense team they "were proceeding as if this were little Caylee Anthony."

Strands of hair found with the remains, discovered Thursday a half-mile from the home of Caylee's grandparents, are the same color as the girl's, the lawyer said. The age and measurements also were a match for Caylee, Baden added.

Casey Anthony, 22, was charged in October with killing her daughter, but her lawyers insist that she is innocent.

Lisa Madigan And Her Self-Serving Agenda

LATimes.com:

The Illinois attorney general today asked the state's top judges to strip Gov. Rod Blagojevich of any government powers, saying corruption charges make it impossible for him to serve.

At a televised news conference, Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan said her office had asked the state Supreme Court to grant a temporary restraining order, the first step in a lawsuit. She said the court cannot remove Blagojevich from office, which requires action by the Legislature, but it can decide that he is unable to serve and that the lieutenant governor should exercise the powers of the state's chief executive.

"The impeachment process will take time," she told reporters. "In the interim, state government is paralyzed by a governor who is incapable of governing. "The Illinois Constitution gives the Illinois Supreme Court the ability to determine whether the governor has the ability to serve," she argued. It was unclear when the court would issue a ruling on Madigan's request, but she said she hoped it would be within five to 10 days. The state Legislature is scheduled to meet next week, but impeachment proceedings could take weeks.

Madigan may've played her hand too early here. We still don't know whether or not Blagojevich actually committed a federal crime and it's no secret that not only does Madigan have desires on being governor of Illinois herself, but she's long had contempt for Blagojevich as well. Plus how does it look to clear a man "unable to serve" when he's still signing bills into law? There isn't a shrink in the world who would find Blago suddenly unable to serve...I mean Bill Clinton once showed us all that he had the ability to continue his presidential duties even with a big ole' Impeachment cloud hanging over his head. Impeachment is the constitutional mechanism for removing the governor, unless Blago resigns, that is the appropriate process. If I were Blagojevich, Madigan going to the courts to kick me out would motivate me to stick around a little longer just out of spite.

Barack Must Help Zimbabwe Get Rid Of Robert Mugabe

WaPo.com:

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe said Thursday that a cholera epidemic in the southern African nation had been "arrested," even as the United Nations announced that deaths from the illness had risen to 783.

Mugabe credited the World Health Organization for helping contain the outbreak in Zimbabwe, which last week declared a national health emergency.

"Now there is no cholera, there is no cause for war," he said in a speech at a funeral for a ruling party official, news services reported. "We need doctors, not soldiers."

Mugabe, who blames Western sanctions for the country's economic collapse, has accused the West of using the cholera outbreak to plot an invasion.

His assessment of the epidemic was disputed by health-care organizations, which have flooded the economically devastated country in recent weeks with supplies and personnel. On Wednesday, the United Nations called for an additional $6 million to tackle cholera, which it said threatens "the well-being of thousands of people."

"The situation is getting better," said Thomas Merkelbach, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation in Zimbabwe. But he added, "There are still cases coming in."

Nelson Chamisa, a spokesman for the opposition party Movement for Democratic Change, told Bloomberg News that Mugabe's claim was "clearly madness."

Mugabe, Zimbabwe's leader for 28 years, has faced increasing international pressure in recent days to step down as the cholera crisis has grown. Kenya's prime minister, Raila Odinga, and South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu have called on African nations to use force to depose Mugabe. This week, President Bush, echoing calls from France and Britain, said it was "time for Robert Mugabe to go."

When Barack Obama gets sworn in as President January 20, one of the major tests to his leadership will be how he deals with Africa. It's no secret among conservatives that President Bush has done more to aid Africa than any U.S. president before him and Barack needs to follow the president's lead by not only aiding the impoverished continent financially and developmentally, but also doing whatever he can to rid Africa of Robert Mugabe.

Indeed, one would think that expectations for America's first Black president would be high in regards to Africa. Not only was Obama's dad from Kenya, but Barack himself visited Africa three years ago and as a Senator took courageous stances criticizing South Africa's record on HIV/AIDS and its quiet diplomacy towards Zimbabwe. Well, as president Obama will need to do much more. Throughout his reign as president of Zimbabwe, Mugabe's policies have brought starvation to the country, a collapse of infrastructure and death to pro-democracy politicians as well as human rights activists. Finally, after years of sitting idly by and doing nothing, African leaders like Desmond Tutu are speaking up urging Mugabe to go. Thanks to Robert Mugabe the people of Zimbabwe have been living in misery for almost decades now. If, as he insinuated before the election that he will first offer to talk to dictators like Mugabe, than Barack Obama will be showing once again that he is not ready to lead.

Bobby Jindal Says He's Not Running For President In 2012

CNN.com:

Bobby Jindal — the Indian-American Louisiana governor who is widely viewed as one of the frontrunners for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination — flatly said Tuesday he's not interested in seeking the White House.

"No," Jindal said definitively when asked if he was interested in being president, according to The Associated Press.

Jindall made the comments at a Richmond, Virginia, news conference, during which he endorsed Bob McDonnell – a Republican running for governor of Virginia.

Jindal said instead he has his sights set on seeking reelection to his current office in 2011.

But AP reports Jindal, whom many Republicans view as best positioned to transform the party's image, did not rule out the possibility he may change his mind about a White House run.

Granted, the Governor Jindal has a lot of cleaning up to do in Louisiana ever since former Gov. Katherine Blanco and Ray Nagin ran the state into amok before and after Hurricane Katrina. But one can always hope that by 2010, Jindal, who has a strong record on ethics, economic and healthcare reform, changes his mind. There is simply right now no better candidate in the GOP to run for President in 2012 than Bobby Jindal. And yes, that even includes Sarah Palin.

Like Father, Like Son: Jesse Jackson Jr. Is A Scam Artist Too!

Jesse Jackson Jr., longtime Barack Obama friend and supporter, proves once again that the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree:

Chicago Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., is the anonymous "Senate Candidate No. 5" whose emissaries Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich reportedly offered up to $1 million to name him to the U.S. Senate, federal law enforcement sources tell ABC News.

According to the FBI affidavit in the case, Blagojevich "stated he might be able to cut a deal with Senate Candidate 5 that provided Rod Blagojevich" with something "tangible up front."

Jackson said this morning he was contacted Tuesday by federal prosecutors in Chicago whom he said "asked me to come in and share with them my insights and thoughts about the selection process."

Jackson said, "I don't know" when asked whether he was Candidate No. 5, but said he was told "I am not a target of this investigation."

Jackson said he agreed to talk with federal investigators "as quickly as possible" after he consulted with a lawyer.

As many conservatives have ably noted over the years the Rev. Jesse Jackson has long been a scam artist. Whether it's lying about Martin Luther King Jr. dying in his hands, playing the race card to shake down individuals and corporations or fathering a child out of wedlock (amongst other dirty deeds), Jesse Jackson has always been an opportunist and a liar. When it comes to doing whatever it takes for personal gain, Jesse Jackson takes the cake....good to see that his son was paying attention.

Democrat Gov And Obama Pal Rod Blagojevich Busted For Corruption

CNN.com:

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich appeared in court Tuesday afternoon to hear federal corruption charges against him. He was released on $4,500 bail.

The Democratic governor, who appeared in court in a blue jogging suit, also had to forfeit his passport.

FBI agents arrested Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, early Tuesday on federal corruption charges related in part to the selection of President-elect Barack Obama's successor to the Senate, the U.S. attorney's office said.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald declared Tuesday a "sad day for government."

"Gov. Blagojevich has taken us to a new low," he said. "This conduct would make [Abraham] Lincoln roll over in his grave."

Lincoln was a congressman from Illinois before becoming president.

Fitzgerald said the government had bugged the governor's campaign office and placed a tap on his home phone.

Each was charged with a count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and a count of solicitation of bribery, authorities said.

In a 76-page affidavit, federal authorities said wiretaps caught Blagojevich conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat in exchange for financial benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.

The concerted effort by the liberal media to keep the truth about Barack Obama and all his corrupt Chicago cronies from the public, before he was elected President, is starting to backfire. Indeed, Blagojevich is a man with a long list of engaging in dirty politics, so much so that the feds have been on his ass for 3 years, yet, Barack Obama still supported Blagojevich's bid for re-election in 2006. Obama may've also have been dishonest about his not having any knowledge of Blagojevich trying to sell his now-vacant Senate seat seeing as his own campaign advisor, David Axelrod, earlier disputed those claims. Another corrupt Obama pal, Tony Revko, could be in the mix here, as well as noted Barack supporter Jesse Jackson Jr. How the Obama media covers this the Blagojevich/Obama connection will certainly be interesting in light of the fact that it is the President-elect we're talking about here and we all know that their fixation on corrupt GOP pols seems to never have an expiration date.

Caroline Kennedy Has No Business Being Senator Of New York

Liberals are gushing about Caroline Kennedy's interest in replacing Hillary Cilnton in the New York State Senate. Why? Because she's a Kennedy, that's why. And according to liberals, as long as you're a Kennedy you have a right to whatever it is you want:

While Caroline Kennedy is maintaining her public silence about whether she wishes to succeed Senator Hillary Clinton, her uncle, Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, has been working behind the scenes on her behalf, according to Democratic aides.

In recent days the Massachusetts senator has called Gov. David A. Paterson and Senator Charles E. Schumer, as well as Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, who took over last month as head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee when Mr. Schumer stepped down.

Mr. Kennedy’s message, according to Democratic aides who were not authorized to discuss the conversations, is that Ms. Kennedy — backed by the Kennedy family’s extensive fund-raising network — would have the wherewithal to run back-to-back costly statewide races without having to seek help from Mr. Paterson or Mr. Schumer.

The ability to raise significant money is a key concern for Mr. Paterson, who has been deluged from every direction by politicians interested in the seat, which the governor is expected to fill early next year. Whoever is chosen will have to run in 2010 and again two years later.

Efforts to reach Ms. Kennedy on Monday were unsuccessful. A spokesman for Senator Kennedy declined to comment.

Funny how the liberal press never seems to be able to bring up what Mary Jo Kopechne's family thinks about the great Kennedy legacy. Surely they remember Mary Jo? The young lady and ol' family friend of the Kennedy's who was left to die in Cowardly Lion Ted's submerged car in a freezing river one July night of 1969. Boy would political news aficionados like myself just love to know what a member of the Kopechne family thinks about the Kennedy legacy. But getting back to Caroline Kennedy's bullshit bid to serve as Senator of New York Via Handout...Governor Paterson needs to simply say no.

By rejecting Kennedy Paterson will be sending a strong message that basically says that just because you happen to be a member of some political dynasty doesn't give you a pass when you've never run for political office in your life. And that just because you were born with unlimited money and power to get whatever you want in life doesn't mean that you can just call up one day and entitle yourself to a Senate seat. I'm sure that if he looks hard enough David Paterson can find someone much more qualified and deserving of Hillary's seat. Because by appointing Caroline Kennedy to a Senate seat, Patterson would be disgracing himself along with the entire state of New York.