Fwd: Bachmann: Obama Exceeding Constitutional Authority in Ordering BP to Surrender Funds--'It's All About Extortion'

Today's Headlines Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Bachmann: Obama Exceeding Constitutional Authority in Ordering BP to Surrender Funds--'It's All About Extortion' Washington (CNSNews.com) – Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn.) said Tuesday that President Barack Obama is exceeding his constitutional authority in telling BP it must set up an independent fund, not controlled by the company, for compensating victims of the Gulf oil spill. She described the administration's policy as an action "that's all about extortion." State Department: African Americans Were Enslaved in Florida in Last Six Years (CNSNews.com) – Luis CdeBaca, U.S. ambassador-at-large for the State Department's human trafficking office, said Monday that African Americans who are U.S. citizens have been enslaved in agricultural work in Florida within the last six years. CdeBaca spoke at a briefing after the State Department released its annual report on human trafficking. U.S. Hails 'Success' at Human Rights Council After 29 Percent of U.N. Members Criticize Iran (CNSNews.com) – The Obama administration claimed a victory for American leadership at the U.N. Human Rights Council Tuesday after 56 countries – less than one-third of the total U.N. membership – supported a statement critical of Iran's human rights record. HRC statements do not carry the weight of formal resolutions. School Nutrition Bill Allocates $1 Million to Study How Government Can Restrict Food Ads Directed at Kids (CNSNews.com) – A recently introduced House bill proposes to spend $1 million to study how the government can restrict food advertisements aimed at children. The study would examine "all media through which foods and beverages are marketed to children in elementary and secondary schools," including, but not limited to, book covers, school supplies, scoreboards, branded fundraising activities, and incidental exposure to food and beverage marketing through computer use. Middle Class Is Abandoning Obama: He Gets Majority Approval Rating Only From Americans Making Less Than $24,000 Per Year (CNSNews.com) - According to the latest Gallup Poll, when the president's approval is separated by incomes groups, it is only the lowest income bracket -- those who earn less than $2,000 a month — that gives Obama a majority favorable approval rating, with 52 percent saying they approved of the job he is doing as president. Obama's approval rating slides in other income brackets. Obama's Approval at All-Time Low, Says Gallup, Especially Among Church-Goers, Married People, Those Over 65 (CNSNews.com) - President Barack Obama's weekly approval rating is at an all-time low for his presidency (46 percent), according to the latest Gallup Poll, and it is especially low among those 65 or older, those who are married, and those who attend church every week. Obama's highest weekly approval rating (67 percent) came in the week he was inaugurated. Four Top Conservatives Win Prize for Outstanding Achievement (CNSNews.com) – Hundreds of conservatives will gather Wednesday night at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, where the 2010 Bradley Prizes will be awarded to four top conservatives – with each winner to receive a quarter of a million dollars in prize money. This year's recipients are columnist and political analyst Michael Barone; Wall Street Journal editorial page editor Paul Gigot; law professor Bradley Smith and Stanford economist John Taylor. Hamas TV Losing Viewers Across Europe (CNSNews.com) – After a series of successes in its quest for diplomatic and popular support, the Islamist group Hamas faced a setback this week after French authorities ordered a halt to broadcasts in Europe by its Gaza-based television station. The move against Al-Aqsa Satellite Television is the latest accomplishment in a campaign first launched six years ago to target "terrorist media." It came after the E.U.'s executive commission said the broadcasts were breaking E.U. directives prohibiting incitement to hatred or violence. Two-Thirds of Americans Say They Are Angry at the Media (CNSNews.com) – A new Rasmussen poll found that 66 percent of voters describe themselves as at least somewhat angry at the media, including 33 percent who are very angry. The poll did not differentiate, however, between news outlets such as CNN and Fox News Channel. CNSNEWS.COM VIDEO Gloria Estefan: 'I'm Not Affiliated' With Republicans or Democrats (CNSNews.com) - Grammy award-winning singer Gloria Estefan told CNSNews.com that she is "not affiliated" politically with Republicans, Democrats or Independents, and that she does not know why she is often grouped with moderate or conservative Republicans in media reports. Gloria Estefan: Arizona Immigration Law Won't 'Stop Criminals' (CNSNews.com) – Grammy award-winning musician Gloria Estefan told CNSNews.com that Arizona's new law against illegal immigration is not "going to stop criminals." She also said, "You can't equate criminals with undocumented workers." OTHER CNSNEWS.COM HEADLINES Obama Pledges to Restore Gulf Coast Land Federal Government's Polar Bear 'Habitat' Plan Is Too Much, Alaska State Official Says BP Shares Slip Ahead of White House Meeting After Blasting BP, Obama Now Faces Its Leaders President Calderon Asks for Mexicans' Support to Fight Drug Cartels Amid Rising Violence Oil Leak Estimated at 2.52 Million Gallons Daily, Government Scientists Say American Who Was Hunting for Bin Laden in Pakistan Examined by Doctor Two More American Troops Killed in Afghanistan Wednesday Toys R Us Announces Prepaid Shopping Card $300 Million Needed to Clean Up Agent Orange in Vietnam, U.S.-Vietnam Working Group Says Donate Today! Please help CNSNews.com keep bringing you 'The Right News - Right Now!' Make a contribution to CNSNews.com today. It's fast, simple and secure. Help CNSNews.com and Donate Today!  NEWSPAPER ROUNDUP Video: Uninsured woman shoots herself to get medical attention White House wants authority to boot corporate execs from Medicare for fraud Sen. Hatch wants unemployed to face mandatory drug tests Pastor tests IRS by endorsing candidate; Hopes to undo tax code rule UMass project must use unions; Critics say move will boost costs After setbacks, Rep. Hoyer hints Dems' support for Afghanistan is slipping Harry Reid lauds Obama's energy push, but calls on Republicans for support Sen. Barbara Boxer declares climate change as the greatest threat Obama silent on carbon caps in Oval Office speech Obama vows 90% cleanup of oil this summer Palm Beach County will hire help if BP doesn't move fast enough to stop oil Republicans try but fail to repeal individual mandate in health care law Alaska man attacked by bear while biking to work Congressman slams federal funds for family planning organizations Racial comments make Iowa Republican unwelcome in Colorado Former U-Miami professor accused of smoking pot, mooning students Oklahoma lawmakers seek voter backing to ban shariah from U.S. courts Federal rules will cap late fees on credit cards, ban inactivity fees Hard times force French to work longer -- to age 62 Paris police ban 'sausage and booze' street party in Muslim area COMMENTARY Where Does Obama Get the Authority to 'Inform' a Private Company That It Must Surrender Its Money? By Terence P. Jeffrey, Editor-in-Chief In his first-ever address from the Oval Office on Tuesday night, President Barack Obama said he was going to "inform" the chairman of BP that he must surrender the company's money to an independent party that will distribute it to people and businesses determined to have been harmed by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The president's declaration raises a serious constitutional question about his authority: Where does the president get the lawful power to order any private-sector company—BP or any other—that it must surrender its money? Obama's Ideal American By Terence P. Jeffrey This week, Gallup reported that Obama's approval rating is at an all-time overall low of 46 percent. Obama still finds greater approval among unmarried, unchurched, poor and inexperienced Americans than he does among the married, churchgoing, middle-class and middle-aged. But he is losing his grip on the unchurched and the poor. But Obama is holding strong is among Americans who went to graduate school. The Speech By Rich Galen There are very few people, on either side of the aisle, who think President Obama did himself any good in his first Oval Office speech last night. One of the AP's most senior writers, Tom Raum, wrote that Obama's pledge to leave the Gulf in better shape than before the spill "eerily echoes President George W. Bush's pledge after Hurricane Katrina to rebuild New Orleans 'higher and better.'" There was no soaring "call to action" in the speech. Then there's the fact that Obama is not comfortable speaking from a sitting position behind his desk. Stuck on Stupid: Obama's Czar Fetish By Michelle Malkin Here is the Obama Disaster Management Theory: In times of crisis, you can never have enough unelected, un-vetted political appointees hanging around. Nearly two months after the BP oil spill, the White House will now name an oil spill restoration point person to oversee recovery efforts in the Gulf of Mexico. Too many czars have already spoiled this administration's credibility. Might as well pile on another. Is President Obama the Worst President in History? By Ben Shapiro Aside from Barack Obama, there are only two other true contenders for the title of 'worst president in U.S. history',' and they are Jimmy Carter and James Buchanan. The good news is, all of America's worst presidents served one term, and America recovered. Smearing Republican Women By L. Brent Bozell III The media can disregard a lot of tastelessness when the women who are smeared are Republicans.