Video report: Residents NC are fighting city's decision to remove Christian flag from local Veteran'

Of course, the ACLU is involved here as well:

Here's a report of the original controversy in the fall:

The ACLU is of course fighting Christmas gain too:

http://theblogprof.blogspot.com/2010/12/video-report-residents-nc-are-fighting.html

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Morning Bell: Remembering the Providential Gift of America

Christmas, 1776.

Summer had begun with strong declarations of noble ideals, but by winter the cause of liberty seemed to be at low ebb. Having suffered defeat after defeat, many had all but given up hope. It looked like freedom would succumb yet again, as it had throughout history, to the forces of authoritarianism and tyranny.

Then, on Christmas Day, 1776, a small band of colonial forces under the command of Gen. George Washington, having retreated all the way from New York, again crossed the Delaware River and brought battle at Trenton, New Jersey. Washington not only won the battle but regained the initiative and turned the war in the patriots' favor. One week later, Washington defeated the British at Princeton and forced the enemy to withdraw, preventing its advance on Philadelphia, seat of the Continental Congress.

When it announced itself to the world in 1776, the United States of America was little more than an alliance of 13 small colonies on a barren continent, thousands of miles from their ancestral homeland, surrounded by hostile powers.

Now, well over two centuries after winning independence from the British Empire, America is the freest, wealthiest, most powerful nation on Earth. Along the way it established sovereign nationhood, settled a continent and more and brought unprecedented prosperity to its citizens. It survived a devastating Civil War that threatened its very life, abolished slavery and raised up the emancipated to be citizens equal to their one-time masters. It triumphed in two world wars fought on foreign soil and a decades-long struggle against worldwide communism that, 20 years ago, led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and collapse of the Soviet Union.

What accounts for this monumental success? The founding of the United States was indeed revolutionary. But not in the sense of replacing one set of rulers with another, or overthrowing the institutions of society. John Adams queried:

What do we mean by the American Revolution? The revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people. . . . This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people, was the real American Revolution.

Our revolution was about the ideas upon which a new nation was to be established. Permanent truths "applicable to all men and all times," as Abraham Lincoln later said, proclaimed that principle rather than will would be the ultimate ground of government.

What is truly revolutionary about America is that, for the first time in history, these universal ideas became the foundation of a system of government and its political culture. Because of these principles, rather than despite them, the American Revolution culminated not in tyranny but a constitutional government that has long endured.

To this day, 233 years after Washington and his men crossed the Delaware, these principles–proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence and promulgated by the Constitution–still define us as a nation and inspire us as a people. These principles are responsible for a prosperous, just nation unlike any other. They are the highest achievements of our tradition, a beacon to those who strive for freedom but also a warning to tyrants and despots everywhere. Because of these principles, not despite them, America achieved greatness.

The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson later recorded, was "neither aiming at originality of principle or sentiment, nor yet copied from any particular and previous writing, [but] was intended to be an expression of the American mind."

As Americans, our aim must be a clear expression and forthright defense of the nation's principles in the public square so that they become, once again, an expression of the American mind. Despite constant scorn by academic elites, political leaders and the popular media, most Americans still believe in the uniqueness of this country and respect the Founders' noble ideas. They may fail a test of particulars – quick: when did Washington cross the Delaware? – but they overwhelmingly want to know about this nation and its meaning.

We must give voice to all those who have not given up on their country's experiment in self-government, have not concluded the cause of liberty and limited constitutional government is lost and have not accepted America's decline as inevitable.

The goal must be to restore the liberating principles of the American Founding as the defining public philosophy of our nation. As it was for most of American history, so it can be again.

The joy of this wonderful season is about new beginnings and the eternal promise of redemption. We Americans have the immeasurable benefit, the providential gift, of having inherited a great country.

We must never forget its confidence, optimism and promise, its endless capacity for renewal, are contained in our dedication to the enduring principles of liberty with which all men are endowed by their Creator.

May you and yours have a merry and blessed Christmas.

Quick Hits:

• The EPA announced yesterday that it will regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and oil refineries next year in an attempt to curb global warming.
• The Interior Department announced new rules yesterday that will make it easier for the government to restrict development on federal land.
• A 13-year-old boy was arrested last week for using a permanent marker while in class at his Oklahoma City middle school, a violation of an obscure city ordinance.
• Despite sanctions and trade embargoes, over the past decade the U.S. government has allowed American companies to do billions of dollars in business with Iran and other countries blacklisted as state sponsors of terrorism.
• China has said it is willing to bail out debt-ridden countries in the euro zone using its $2.7trillion overseas investment fund.

http://blog.heritage.org/2010/12/24/morning-bell-remembering-the-providential-gift-of-america-2/

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Kook Global Warmer James Hansen: ClimateGate was a 'Viscous' Hoax by Professional Swiftboaters

How sad. The global warming hoaxers are reduced to smearing people and omitting critical information. Seems we've been down this road before.IPCC scientists had done a good job of producing a comprehensive report. It is a rather thankless task, on top of their normal jobs, often requiring them to work sixty, eighty, or more hours per week, with no pay for overtime or for working on the IPCC

http://jammiewearingfool.blogspot.com/2010/12/kook-global-warmer-james-hansen.html

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Nice: Napolitano Scolds Reporter for Airing Complaints of Dead Border Agent's Family

Border agent Brian Terry has Michigan roots.He died protecting this country, something Obama has failed to do. So Terry's family laid into Obama something fierce when their son died:

For the airing of grievances, Janet Napolitano, likely on one of her 364 days a year on the job, blasted the reporter. From FoxNews via memeorandum:

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, leaving the funeral of a murdered Border Patrol agent Wednesday, scolded a reporter for asking her to address the victim's family's concerns that not enough is being done to secure the southern border.

The family of agent Brian Terry had complained that Napolitano had offered them "empty words" when she called to express her condolences. Terry's father, Kent Terry, in an interview with ABC affiliate KGUN, said he told Napolitano to "wake your man up in the White House," to which she replied that he's done more in two years than any president.

Napolitano attended the Detroit funeral Wednesday where she vowed "swift justice" for Terry's killers. But asked about the family's concerns outside the service, Napolitano said "now is not the time to talk about all that has been done."

Napolitano should be mad at a border agent getting killed via her failure, not at the family for putting the blame where it belongs. More from The Gateway Pundit, Scared Monkeys and Wake up America. Here's a segment where the question of did the agent die in vain came up:

http://theblogprof.blogspot.com/2010/12/nice-napolitano-scolds-reporter-for.html

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Video: The Twelve Days of Global Warming

Via moonabttery:

http://theblogprof.blogspot.com/2010/12/video-twelve-days-of-global-warming.html

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Good news: Obama partnering with garbage collectors to snoop on you. rummage through your trash

How are we not headed for a totalitarian police state when even your neighborhood garbage collectors are going to rummage through your trash and keep an eye on what's going on in your own home as they drive by? Ugh:

Obama wanted a civilian military force when he came into office. Who knew that garbage collectors would serve as his SS?

http://theblogprof.blogspot.com/2010/12/good-news-obama-partnering-with-garbage.html

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George W. Bush’s Sells As Many Books in One Month As Clinton Did in 6 Years

'Decision Points' is flying off the shelves.
George W. Bush sold over 2 million copies in one month – as many as Bill Clinton sold in 6 years.

It may be a monstrous success but that doesn't mean the state-run media will like it.

CBS News aired a fake cover of former President George W. Bush's memoir
over the weekend, after a staffer apparently got duped by a hoax image floating around the Internet. (FOX)

What a comeback.
The Daily Mail reported:

For someone who mangled words on a regular basis, it's an impressive feat.

Former U.S. President George W Bush's memoir has sold an astonishing two million copies since it was released in early November – and it's not even in paperback yet.

'Decision Points', published both in hardcover and e-book form, is flying off the shelves, the Crown Publishing Group says.

By contrast, former president Bill Clinton's memoir, 'My Life', has logged sales of 2.2million copies since it was first published in 2004.

A spokesman for Crown called the performance remarkable.

He claimed he could not think of any other hardcover nonfiction books in 2010 that had sold even one million copies, much less two.

In 'Decision Points,' Mr Bush recounts the inner workings of the White House and his administration following the September 11 attacks, including decisions that led to the wars in Afghanistan in Iraq.

He recounts parts of his childhood, speaks lovingly of his family and wife, and wonders about how history will judge him.

http://gatewaypundit.rightnetwork.com/2010/12/george-w-bushs-sells-as-many-books-in-one-month-as-clinton-did-in-6-years/

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US Senator Writes Letter to Santa About Global Warming… No, Seriously

from Michelle Malkin by Doug Powers


US Senator Writes Letter to Santa About Global Warming… No, Seriously: "

**Written by Doug Powers

New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez is still a true believer. This letter appeared in the Huffington Post:

Dear Santa Claus,

I am writing out of concern, because you may have to move from the North Pole due to the dramatic melting of Arctic sea ice. The Navy’s chief oceanographer says that by the summer of 2020 the North Pole may not have summer ice and other scientists project that an ice-free Arctic is possible as soon as 2012!

Scientists overwhelmingly agree that polar ice is melting because of greenhouse gas pollution and I am working hard to reduce these emissions. But there is probably nothing we can do in time to save the North Pole. I am worried about your safety and your ability to deliver billions of Christmas gifts if the ice cap on the North Pole no longer stays frozen all year. What will happen to your house, your workshop, the elves’ houses and your reindeer barns?

The rest is here if you dare. Hasn’t Menendez received the latest memo that another ice age is on the way due to the warming which causes the cold and snow that makes it hotter, creating blizzards? That should be enough to save the North Pole… I think.

Since when does a self-respecting Democrat care about St. Nick, anyway? Santa Claus is a morbidly obese future burden on the health care system who utilizes animal slave labor and vertically-challenged sweatshop workers who are paid well below a living wage in a non-union environment to manufacture and deliver toys that are fraught with small-part choking hazards that may promote violence. Democrats should be more than happy to see Santa forced to move down here where he’ll be more easily regulated and they can confiscate their fair share of the presents.

Just to cover all the bases, because global warming has been found to cause dental problems in children, Menendez also hand-delivered a letter to the Tooth Fairy, who just happened to be in DC attending the signing of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal.

The threat global warming poses to American pikas is also expected to prompt Menendez to write a letter to the Easter Bunny this coming April. Stay tuned.

(h/t Weasel Zippers)

**Written by Doug Powers

Twitter @ThePowersThatBe

"

Alabama Town’s Failed Pension Is a Warning

from USACTION NEWS by Editor


Alabama Town’s Failed Pension Is a Warning: "

It stopped sending monthly pension checks to its 150 retired workers, breaking a state law requiring it to pay its promised retirement benefits in full.

By MICHAEL COOPER and MARY WILLIAMS WALSH at The New York Times

EXCERPTS:

“This struggling small city on the outskirts of Mobile was warned for years that if it did nothing, its pension fund would run out of money by 2009.

Since then, Nettie Banks, 68, a retired Prichard police and fire dispatcher, has filed for bankruptcy. Alfred Arnold, a 66-year-old retired fire captain, has gone back to work as a shopping mall security guard to try to keep his house.

And it stands as a warning to cities like Philadelphia and states like Illinois, whose pension funds are under great strain: if nothing changes, the money eventually does run out, and when that happens, misery and turmoil follow.

It is not just the pensioners who suffer when a pension fund runs dry. If a city tried to follow the law and pay its pensioners with money from its annual operating budget, it would probably have to adopt large tax increases, or make huge service cuts, to come up with the money.” [emphasis added]

FULL ARTICLE

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"

U.S. warned China: We won’t hold South Korea back if the North provokes again

from Hot Air by Allahpundit


U.S. warned China: We won’t hold South Korea back if the North provokes again: "

Brinksmanship.

---

That’s according to this report that was being passed around on Twitter earlier. In the spirit of the season, and since his vacation’s off to a, er, bad start, I’ll raise a glass of eggnog to The One for this. The delegation that visited Beijing included Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg and Jeff Bader, [...]

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