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Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Obama defends gay marriage ban; files appeal in court! Is ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ next?
RWB News: Two important things happened today concerning President Obama and the courts. A federal judge ordered the Military to stop enforcing the "don't ask don't tell" policy saying it was unconstitutional. Then the Obama administration filed a notice of appeal with the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts in support of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, that barred gay marriages, even though Obama had previously opposed the law.
A justice department spokesman said "The Justice Department is defending the statute, as it traditionally does when acts of Congress are challenged." Then that tells me (common sense) that the Obama administration will also challenge the Federal Judge who believes she can legislate from the bench and declare a federal law unconstitutional based on her beliefs alone? If 'The Justice Department will defend statute as it traditionally does when acts of Congress are challenged' then it looks like 'don't ask don't tell' will also have to be defended.
Now Obama's liberal base of supporters are happy with the Judge and her ruling but they are very upset about the Obama administration defending the Defense of Marriage Act. The Obama administration can "CHANGE" that word "traditional" to "sometimes" and pick and choose according to his and the administration's radical belief system. Many people say this judge did what the democratic congress and Obama could not do, repeal "don't ask don't tell".
The Obama administration is waiting for the Department of Defense to complete a study on what effect the repeal of "don't ask don't tell" may have on soldiers and the readiness of our military. This Federal Judge feels she is more important than our Soldiers and the Generals investigating this policy and Obama by not challenging this Judge would also say to the Generals their information was not that important.
This administration once again is trying to have it both ways but they can no longer do that. There are to many people paying attention to the Lies, corruption, radical ideas and the broken promises this administration seems to deliver on a daily basis.
Obama administration appeals gay marriage ruling
REUTERS (Reuters) – The Obama administration decided on Tuesday to appeal a judge's rulings that prevented the U.S. government from banning same-sex marriages, a move that could undermine support among President Barack Obama's traditional liberal base ahead of a key election.
The Obama administration filed a notice of appeal with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in support of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, that barred gay marriages, even though Obama had previously opposed the law.
Although Obama opposes the law, a Justice Department spokeswoman said that the administration was defending the statute because it was obligated to defend federal laws when challenged in court.
"As a policy matter, the President has made clear that he believes DOMA is discriminatory and should be repealed," said Justice Department spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler. "The Justice Department is defending the statute, as it traditionally does when acts of Congress are challenged."
The rulings being appealed by the government were made in July by U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro in Boston who found the law violated the U.S. Constitution's 10th Amendment, which protects states' rights, and the clause granting equal protection under the law.
Under his rulings, same-sex couples would be entitled to the same federal spousal benefits and protections that are afforded to heterosexual married couples.
One of the challenges was brought by the state of Massachusetts and the other by several couples, including an employee of the U.S. Postal Service, Nancy Gill, who could not obtain coverage for her wife, Marcelle Letourneau, on her family health and vision plans.
The appeal comes at a tough time for Obama, who has been trying to shore up his liberal base ahead of the contentious congressional elections when his fellow Democrats are expected to lose many seats to Republicans. Democrats could lose control of the House of Representatives.
A key concern has been whether those who have supported Obama in the past will show up to vote in the November 2 midterm elections. He has opposed same-sex marriages but supported civil unions and extended some benefits to gay partners of federal employees.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69B63U20101012
Don't-Ask Policy Is Halted By Judge
The Wall Street Journal reported
WASHINGTON—A federal judge ordered the military to stop enforcing the "don't ask, don't tell" law that has been used to discharge gay service members, putting at least a temporary halt to the 17-year-old policy.
Tuesday's order by U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips in Riverside, Calif., applies across the U.S. and would halt proceedings against service members suspected of violating the policy, which aims to bar openly gay people from the military.
Alexander Nicholson, executive director of Servicemembers United and a plaintiff in the case, said, "While this is certainly news to be celebrated, we would also advise caution [to openly gay service members] in advance of a potential stay" of Tuesday's ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Once again, an activist federal judge is using the military to advance a liberal social agenda, disregarding the views of all four military service chiefs and the constitutional role of Congress," said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council.
The Pentagon is conducting an internal review aimed at eventually repealing the policy. Mr. Gates and Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, support the repeal measure that is pending in Congress.
However, some military leaders have said they want to wait on any action until the Pentagon completes its review, which includes a survey of service members on how the policy can best be ended. The results of the survey are expected in December.
Read Entire story: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703440004575548393832434092.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories
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Bernanke's History Lesson: Japan
Criticisms Ben Bernanke made of Japan's central bank a decade ago—saying it was too timid in stimulating Japan's economy to prevent deflation—give hints of what the Fed's next steps might be. 
http://feeds.wsjonline.com/~r/wsj/xml/rss/3_7011/~3/sT5Xobaegis/SB10001424052748704518104575546084161525708.html
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JD Foster on the Stimulus Report on FNC
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If you don't read anything today, you have to read the letter from the US Chamber of Commerce. They
If you don't read anything today, you have to read the letter from the US Chamber of Commerce. They are BLASTING Obama and company with facts about the lies that have been told about the Chamber. They even point out roundabout thug tactics by the Administration in regard to people that openly do not support the Administration.
Chamber of Commerce comes out fighting with ads and facts directed at media puppets and the White Ho
redwhitebluenews.com
That's why we have worked hard and successfully to stop the so-called DISCLOSE Act on Capitol Hill—a partisan political measure that had nothing to do with disclosure and everything to do with protecting endangered incumbents. It is in the wake of that defeat that the administration launched this ne...
Chamber of Commerce comes out fighting with ads and facts directed at media puppets and the White Ho
redwhitebluenews.com
That's why we have worked hard and successfully to stop the so-called DISCLOSE Act on Capitol Hill—a partisan political measure that had nothing to do with disclosure and everything to do with protecting endangered incumbents. It is in the wake of that defeat that the administration launched this ne...
http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=143928478973403&share_id=132101620173681&comments=1#s132101620173681
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Chamber of Commerce VP: When did Hopenchange turn into fear ‘n smear?
Attacks.
Answer: Pretty much on day one, no? Obama's always needed a villain for his messianic passion plays. At first it was Rush Limbaugh for saying "I hope he fails," then it was the health-care townhall "angry mobs," then it was Fox, then it was the tea party, then John Boehner, then Palin, now it's the [...]
http://hotair.com/archives/2010/10/12/chamber-of-commerce-vp-when-did-hopenchange-turn-into-fear-n-smear/
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Barney Frank…the Tea Party is coming for YOU now!
By Paul Steinhauser for CNN
(CNN) – Tea Party Express says they'll add Rep. Barney Frank to their list of lawmakers they're targeting in November's midterm elections.
The Sacramento based group kicks off their fourth tour, called "Tea Party Express IV: Liberty At the Ballot Box," next Monday. The trip starts in Nevada, where the group will once again target Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Tea Party Express is a major backer of Reid's Republican challenger, former Nevada lawmaker Sharron Angle.
Tuesday the organization, in an email to supporters, said "Big news everyone – the Tea Party Express has added Barney Frank as one of our top targets for defeat in the November 2nd Midterm Elections."
The email asked for donations to help defeat Frank.
Tea Party Express officials tell CNN that they'll run ads in Frank's district and will also target the congressman when they hold a rally in Worcester, Massachusetts on November 1, the last day of their cross-country bus trip.
Worcester, in central Massachusetts, is not in the congressman's district. The fourth congressional district, which Frank has represented for 30 years, is located in southeast Massachusetts. Frank has never scored below 60 percent of the vote in any of his re-election victories in the heavily Democratic district. But the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, who has had a large role in financial services reform, as well as dealing with the subprime mortgage and home foreclosure issues, has become a target for conservatives.
CNN has reached out to the congressman for a reaction to the move by the Tea Party Express and is awaiting a comment.
Frank faces off in November against GOP nominee Sean Bielat, a Marine reservist. Frank's re-election campaign says they are up with television commercials in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, the two television markets that cover the district.
The Cook Political Report, a top non-partisan political handicapper, rates the race as likely Democratic, while the Rothenberg Political Report, another leading non-partisan political handicapper, describes the contest as safe for the Democrat.
Tea Party Express spent around $250,000 on ads to help Republican Senate candidate Scott Brown in Massachusetts, who upset Democrat Martha Coakley in a January special election to fill the late Sen. Ted Kennedy's seat.
"Massachusetts voters proved that they're sick of liberal career politicians who are out of touch with the nation, and it's time to send Barney into retirement" says the Tea Party Express, in a statement to CNN.
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Manufacturing Jobs: Technology Changes Decreased U.S. Manufacturing Employment
Attempts by Members of Congress to save U.S. manufacturing jobs by restricting international trade, particularly with China, are misguided and futile. Technological improvements, not international trade, are reducing U.S. manufacturing employment by automating many rote tasks. During the past decade, manufacturing employment has fallen by one-third while manufacturing output has remained roughly constant. Congress can best help the manufacturing sector and the rest of the economy by improving U.S. competitiveness and by creating a better business environment in the U.S.
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Does The Lifted Drilling Moratorium Pass The Smell Test?
Not Buying It! ~ Earlier today, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the moratorium on deepwater drilling will been lifted sooner than we thought. However, critics are already saying that recently passed regulations will make it nearly impossible to start any new exploration anyway. So, is this so-called end to the moratorium simply bogus? Tom puts it to the Smell test!
Addicted To Pork ~ Even with all the talk about cutting spending and shrinking government, Americans still want their lawmakers to bring home the bacon. According to a report, nearly 60% say they want their representatives to fight for pork that will benefit their districts and spur job creation! So, are we to blame for Washington's wild spending?
Grasping At Straws ~ President Obama and friends continue to go after the Chamber of Commerce and the alleged campaign funding controversy. But is this story all ado about nothing? Even Obama's friends in the media don't seem to be buying this weak attack strategy. And do you really care who's funding your candidate's campaigns? Tom weighs in.
PLUS: Did ObamaCare cause the sale of three Scranton-area catholic hospitals? And will doctors burdened with ObamaCare be forced to cut costs by cutting off more toes? Huh? Tom explains.
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Chamber of Commerce comes out fighting with ads and facts directed at media puppets and the White Ho
RWBNews: It's quite a lengthy article with many important facts. Copied below is just the letter from the US Chamber of Commerce. They come out with both guns blazing and I don't think they're planning on backing down anytime soon. Enjoy the read, it's a good one!
By Michael D. Shear http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/12/chamber-vows-to-ramp-up-political-activity/?ref=politics
swenbwrOctober 12, 2010
To: U.S Chamber Board of Directors and Federation Partners
From: Tom Donohue
Subject: Recent Attacks on the ChamberIn recent days, the Chamber and other groups have been accused of using money derived from foreign sources to finance activities related to the upcoming elections. This is patently untrue. I welcome this opportunity to lay out the facts, explain why this is happening, and assure you of the Chamber's response.
The charge was first made on an antibusiness liberal blog called ThinkProgress, run by Obama transition co-chairJohn Podesta and funded in part by international financierGeorge Soros. Once it appeared in the blogosphere, the report was then heavily promoted by Congressional Democrats and the White House and it received some mainstream media coverage.
By the end of last week, President Obama, Vice President Biden, and various Congressional leaders began repeating the accusation in campaign speeches, offering no facts or evidence to back up such a serious charge. The Democratic National Committee (D.N.C.) produced a television ad on the topic. The President's campaign grassroots operation, Organizing for America (now run by the D.N.C.), issued a call to action amplifying the charge and decrying the role of money in politics — and then asked its members for political contributions. MoveOn.org has done the same thing.
Let me be clear. The Chamber does not use any foreign money to fund voter education activities—period. We have strict financial controls in place to ensure this. The funds we receive from American Chambers of Commerce abroad, bilateral business councils, and non-U.S. based global companies represent a small fraction of our more than $200 million annual revenues. Under our accounting system, these revenues are never used to support any political activities. We are in full compliance with all laws and regulations.
Given these facts, the administration and Congressional leaders who attacked the Chamber have been challenged by journalists to produce any evidence to the contrary. They came up empty and, turning the American principles of fairness and justice upside down, our accusers have actually suggested that the Chamber should prove that it has not done anything wrong.
These tactics have been strongly criticized by many respected media organizations—including those who are not always friendly to business:
- The New York Times wrote: "But a closer examination shows that there is little evidence that what the chamber does in collecting overseas dues is improper or even unusual, according to both liberal and conservative election-law lawyers and campaign finance documents." The paper goes on to note that "Organizations from both ends of the political spectrum, from liberal ones like the A.F.L.-C.I.O. and the Sierra Club to conservative groups like the National Rifle Association, have international affiliations and get money from foreign entities while at the same time pushing political causes in the United States."
- The Annenberg Public Policy Center's FactCheck.org called this line of attack on the Chamber "a claim with little basis in fact."
- An Associated Press "Spin Meter" analysis concluded: "The Obama administration and its allies are going all out against the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and GOP-leaning groups, accusing them of using foreign money to help finance political ads. Trouble is, they're providing no evidence." The AP report also reminds us that political action committees (PACs), many comprised of employees of foreign-headquartered companies, also participate in elections. "Foreign-connected PACs have contributed more than $12 million to political candidates this election cycle, with more than half going to Democrats…" explains AP.
- The White House correspondent for MSNBC echoed the suggestion by a Baltimore Sun journalist that the smear tactics directed at the Chamber and others were "McCarthyesque."
- When White House political operative David Axlerod was asked by CBS' Bob Schieffer to back up the foreign money accusation, Axlerod offered no proof. Schieffer responded dismissively: "Is that the best you can do?"
- A Los Angeles Times report today suggests that the White House attacks on the Chamber are already backfiring, with moderate, pro-business Democrats expression their disapproval of the smear campaign.
It's sad to watch the White House stoop to these depths to try to salvage an election. That's clearly what this is all about. The administration and its Congressional allies are desperately trying to change the subject away from our stalled economy and nearly double-digit unemployment. They hope that by demonizing those who oppose their failed policies, they can fire up their dispirited and disappointed base and silence our voice.
It won't work. The American people will not be fooled. For two years, they have been telling our leaders in government that creating jobs is their top priority. But the government has not listened and is now trying to change the subject again—away from what matters most to the American people.
Nor will the Chamber be silenced. In fact, for the next three weeks leading up to Election Day you will see us ramp up efforts to educate voters about the positions of candidates of both parties who are committed to free enterprise and economic growth.
In its smear campaign against the Chamber and others, the administration and its allies have conveniently forgotten that in 2008, more than $400 million in outside money—much of it from undisclosed sources—was used to help elect President Obama and the current Congressional majority. In the current election cycle, just three unions alone have announced plans to spend in excess of $150 million to support pro-union candidates.
You can see why it is absolutely critical that the business community remains engaged in the political process. If we succumb to threats and intimidation and become distracted or silenced, the only voices left will be those of the unions and other anti-business activists.
That's why we have worked hard and successfully to stop the so-called DISCLOSE Act on Capitol Hill—a partisan political measure that had nothing to do with disclosure and everything to do with protecting endangered incumbents. It is in the wake of that defeat that the administration launched this new smear campaign—part of a disturbing pattern of demonizing America's job creators and those who represent them.
I want to assure all Chamber members that we will remain totally focused on promoting policies that can fix the American economy and create jobs. The Chamber has a 100-year track record of defending business and supporting free enterprise, and there is nothing secret about who we are and what we stand for.
We will not be deterred from full and vigorous participation in the political process. And, we will continue to successfully protect the rights and privacy of our members as they exercise their Constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of association in supporting the Chamber's programs and activities.
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