Blind man kicked off flight; passengers leave too

Sometimes you just want to stand up and cheer. Watching this video make one so proud of the 35 passengers who got off the plane and caught a bus to their destination after the airline kicked off a visually impaired man because his guide dog wouldn't stay under the seat.

More Mia Marie Pope

"LISTEN TO HIM TALK WITHOUT A TELEPROMPTER"

JFK, Obama And Me

We are just a week away from the 50th anniversary of the JFK assassination. I cannot tell you how many lost weekends I have devoted to a fruitless pursuit of the real story. Each time I thought I had an explanation another plausible story would surface. The JFK assassination is singularly weird. The only thing as strange as the mysterious death of John Fitzgerald Kennedy is the mysterious life of Barack Hussein Obama.

The JFK Assassination is more than an elaborate game of Clue (I say Oswald did it in the Book Depository using a Mannlicher-Carcano...) It provides a fertile laboratory for the study of belief formulation. People who are neither well versed in orthodoxy or contra-orthodoxy nonetheless hold strong opinions about the orthodox narrative as well as the contra-orthodox narratives. Frustrating to scholars, a lot of pundits judge the alternative theories collectively. Oliver Stone, Woody's dad, Fidel, the Mob. It's all one chorus and we got cotton on our ears.

It's so easy to lose sight of the human element. John Kennedy--father, husband, brother, son, friend and president--was murdered. There are multiple efforts to shape arguments, if not rewrite history to claim JFK's memory. The saga is burdened by the complexity of character. My assessment is that JFK was a flawed man but an excellent president. He is possibly our best president.

JFK is also an atypical Kennedy in most respects. For one thing, he was likable. Philosophically, he was worlds apart from his father or brother Ted or any kinfolk of the next generation. Yes, he was a womanizer but his were not normal temptations. Most men take the high road but most men are not being pursued by Marilyn Monroe or Angie Dickinson or Judith Campbell. It's easy to forsake all others when one's only prospect is the dickefrau from the truck stop.





Years ago I read Carl Oglesby's "The Yankee and Cowboy War." Oglesby came out of the radical left but he left most of his prejudices out of the book. This is before we entered the era of hyper-politics when one could read a man's treatise on a given subject and never learn the author's opinions on gay marriage or recycling or the nicknames of sports franchises.

Oglesby's premise is that America was being fought over by two cartels, the Yankees and the Cowboys. Forget political parties. These guys jockey for control of both. The divisions are partly geographical but not entirely so. It's David Rockefeller and his horses and men versus the lesser organized Howard Hughes posse. Cut to the chase: the Cowboys killed JFK.

I had accepted the Cowboy explanation even though it left a lot of holes to fill in. Later, I would come to believe that it was the Mafia, not the Cowboys who killed JFK. Oliver Stone took the Oglesby template and loaded it with his own figurines. Personally, politically and artistically, I loathe Oliver Stone and I had abandoned the Cowboy Theorem (Stone converted it into a military-industrial theorem) for the Marcello/Trafficante Theorem. With those differences, you might think that I hated "JFK." No. "JFK" is the only Stone movie I like. It's a compelling movie.

The FBI recorded Carlos Marcello admitting to killing Kennedy. There are tape recording that implicate Santos Trafficante in a conspiracy to kill Kennedy in Florida. After Trafficante went to mob heaven, his former consigliore implicated him in the murder. Joe Kennedy's mob ties had been greatly understated. And the ribbon on the package: Jack Ruby did indeed have significant ties to organized crime and was visited by two subordinates of Carlos Marcello while incarcerated. Guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt? No. A preponderance of evidence? In this juror's opinion, yes.

If I had more time I would continue to read up on the JFK assassination. Constraints what they be, I had to let it go. But this story just won't quit. Hardly a year goes by when fingers point in yet another direction. A prominent lawyer, Barr McClellan (father of George Bush's press secretary, Scott McClellan) claims LBJ orchestrated the assassination. E. Howard Hunt makes a deathbed confession. Someone implicates Nixon. A strong case for Fidel Castro is promoted. That Grassy Knoll will only hold so many assassins, folks.

Which brings us to Barack Obama. Barry was only three months old when the president was shot. Can't hang this one on him. But the story of Obama's life is stranger than Kennedy's death. A murder not solved to the public's satisfaction? Happens on a fairly frequent basis. An unvetted, mystery man in the White House for five years and counting? There is no precedent. Stranger yet, about half of the country has zero curiosity about the only man in the White House who could never receive a security clearance.

A man graduates from an Ivy League college and none of his classmates had ever seen him. One hundred and forty political science students. African American men are about seven per cent of the US population. On average, there would be about ten African American students in a class that size. Barack Obama is tall and handsome and loves to be the center of attention. Apparently, he mailed it in. Literally.

The Invisible Man at Columbia is not the only mystery concerning Barack Obama. He has spawned an entire industry devoted to solving his many riddles. The bigger mystery is why does at least half the population of America have zero curiosity about the Enigma-In-Chief?

According to Rasmussen, about 45% of likely voters approve of Barack Obama's job performance. That is inexplicable. I understand why Rahm Emanuel approves of Barack Obama. I understand why John Corzine approves of Barack Obama. I understand why Jeffrey Immelt approves of Barack Obama. But just about everyone else? Every conceivable demographic from Millenials to Seniors to African Americans to Californians, union workers, non-union workers, you name it, has fared poorly under Barack Obama. Why then, the unwavering support?

I said earlier that if I had more time I would read up on the JFK assassination. Before I did that I would read up on ELF waves, HAARP, techniques of mind control, techniques of brainwashing, microwavable brain signals, Coast to Coast radio guests, anything, anything, anything at all that mind shed light on the The Great Bamboozle. I hope we will be more successful solving the mysteries of Barack Obama's life than we were at solving the mysteries of JFK's death. We can dream, can't we?

Senator Mary Landrieu; "If you like the coverage you already have you can keep the current plan"

Let's be fair to Senator Mary Landrieu. She stood with Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Kay Hagan when they promised if you like your health insurance you could keep it.

Senator Kay Hagan; "If you like your insurance you can keep it"

Just as Senator Shaheen promised, "If you like your insurance you can keep it" Senator Kay Hagan made and broke the same promise.

Senior Democrat compares panic to 9/11

Instead of basking in the warmth of voter approval and relaying drippy stories of the single mom who found health insurance that provided her and hers with free contraceptives House Democrats have panicked at the Obamacare rollout. Senior Democrat Jim McDermott compares it to 9/11.

When candy stores do body scans

A full body scan just to get into a candy store? Only during the holiday season. The onlookers in this clip want no part of it.

This clip came from Michael J. Stedman's website. I know nothing of his politics but he has a unique sense of humor. Other videos show people signing petitions to save the police state,adding carcinogens to the public water supply, and legalizing infanticide.

Senator Shaheen: If you like your insurance you can keep it

Senator Shaheen sets about the serious business of replacing old myths about Obamacare with new myths about Obamacare such as if you like your insurance you can keep it. Do these people think that can deny saying inconvenient things in the age of Youtube?

Vetting The President: Better Late Than Never

The president's rambling, ineffective press conference yesterday is being discussed a day later. Even the loyalists are scratching their heads. Why was the king of cool so lost yesterday?

Odd as it might seem, this might be the first real presser Obama has ever endured. He is notorious for soliciting questions from sympathetic, prescreened journalists who will ask him how heartless the Republicans really are or how enchanting he finds his job. He did not face a give and take like this one in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 or even most of 2013. At long last, the training wheels are removed. LOOK OUT!

If the president submits himself to more Q&A by reporters not named Todd or Stephanopolis, brace yourself for incoherent blather. We are getting a glimpse of the man behind the curtain.

I Liked My Plan. Period

I still have a fairly good health insurance plan that I hope will not be cancelled anytime soon. Fortunately, I am in good health and rarely take advantage of my health insurance benefits.

Two years ago my gangrenous gall bladder was removed. From onset of symptoms to completion of surgery: 40 hours. Cost to me: $250. That is less than one per cent of the total bill. What a system!

I am afraid the best health care system humanity has ever seen is destined for extinction. But what a system it was. It might be fun to reflect on that someday.

Rasmussen: Americans Favor Repeal Of ACA 55% To 35%

Since its inception, Obamacare has been opposed by about a 3 to 2 margin. Those numbers have held relatively steady through two election cycles, cycles that have brought extreme fortunes to both major political parties. Never has a policy so detested by so many been promoted for so long.  The Democrats' commitment to rule against the will of the people cannot be under emphasized.

We should also mention that support for Obamacare has rarely risen above 40%. It has never hit a majority for likely voters.

About 10% are either unaware of or apathetic about Obamacare. If that group were added to the minority, they would still be a minority. As the ACA takes its baby steps it is highly unlikely that the uninformed will embrace Pelosi's dream.

There is a story bigger than Obamacare and that is the growth of elitist authoritarianism (and authoritarian elitism.) The idea that the will of the people just does not matter has never been stronger. The age old saga of who and whom was less prominent in America than in places like Iran, Saudi Arabia and Cuba. The will of the people used to be a consideration. Who knows if it will ever again be relevant?

Pelosi and Obama perfectly reflect the values of the Democratic Party

FACT: Despite website glitches, ≈1m have applied and are eligible to #getcovered on #ACA marketplaces. 500,000 have already secured coverage
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) November 13, 2013

If you believe that one then how about "If you like your health insurance you can keep it"?

Obamacare enrollment almost ties all time Rose Bowl record attendance

While there is much discussion about the lamentable Obamacare enrollment numbers, statistics do require interpretation. Maybe the Obama administration can salvage some dignity and credibility if they would explain to the media that Obamacare is almost as popular as college football. I kid you not! In 1973 in the Rose Bowl game between USC and Ohio State an attendance record of 106, 869 was set. Enrollment for Obamacare is close behind and closing fast. Total Obamacare enrollment is 106, 185. Critics will argue that the comparison is unfair as the population in 1973 was only about 203 million as compared to about 315 million today. No matter. The numbers speak for themselves. Obamacare runs a strong second.

Maybe He Misspoke. Maybe We Should Give Him A Mulligan. Maybe...

Then again, keeping in mind whom we are discussing, the conversation might be a bit prophetic.

Cathleen Falsani interviewed the Senate Candidate on March 27, 2004 for Chicago Sun-Times




GG:Do you pray often?

OBAMA:
Uh, yeah, I guess I do. Its' not formal, me getting on my knees. I have an ongoing conversation with God. Throughout the day I'm constantly asking myself questions about what I'm doing, why am I doing it.   

http://www.wanttoknow.info/008/obama_religious_beliefs_views

Thanks to Selwyn duke at American Thinker for bringing this one to my attention.

They don't ring a bell when you get to the top

There's and old joke on Wall Street. "They don't ring a bell when you get to the top." In other words don't be blinded to the downside risk by the euphoria of the moment. Seldom does life present the traveler with a clearly marked Rubicon with neat boxes marked "cross and "do not cross". Obama and congressional Democrats forged their Rubicon like a somnambulant pedestrian crossing Fifth Avenue at rush hour in an old Walter Lantz cartoon. They reached the top just as the rise of the oceans began to slow, and our planet began to heal but nobody rang a bell. The country was treated to a massive stimulus bill, cash for clunkers, and Obamacare. The election of Scott Brown to the senate to block Obamacare should have rung a bell but no one was listening. They giggled in their conceits as Nancy Pelosi goose-stepped across the capitol grounds with her silly gavel.

The 2010 mid terms hit them like a cold shower but Obamacare was safely enshrined into to law with the emphasis on enshrined. Only in the last two weeks have Democrats and the public begun to entertain the possibility that Obamacare was unworkable. I'm not ready to predict it will fail completely nor do I consider recapturing the senate a fait accompli but if trends do tend to trend Obamacare and several scores of brilliant political careers could find their way to the recycle bin.
The Democrats crossed their Rubicon on March 23, 2010 when Obama signed Obamacare into law. Now the health insurance industry is in utter turmoil and the harm it is doing to millions cannot be undone. The outright repeal of Obamacare will not bring back cancelled insurance policies. People may very well die for want of healthcare coverage. Even the chronically ill in high risk pools sponsored by the states have lost their insurance because their substandard policies didn't include pediatric dental, and drug rehab coverage. The public is at last beginning to question the wisdom of letting the likes of Mary Landrieu and Al Franken make important decisions in the their personal lives and the eventual conclusion will not bode well for Democratic incumbents.
The latest PPP poll out yesterday shocked even me. Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina was leading her 4 Republican opponents by 12 to 17 points in September. In the recent poll she loses to one and has only a 1 or 2 point edge on the other 3. The damage to the voters has been done and it cannot be fixed. Repealing Obamacare would prevent future damage but it's impossible to undo the fear and anxiety already visited upon some 5 million Americans. The Rubicon has been crossed. The die is cast. Live with it.

Being A Fed Chief Means Never Having To Say You Are Sorrry

But Andrew Huszar is apologizing for quantitative easing.

I can only say: I'm sorry, America. As a former Federal Reserve official, I was responsible for executing the centerpiece program of the Fed's first plunge into the bond-buying experiment known as quantitative easing. The central bank continues to spin QE as a tool for helping Main Street. But I've come to recognize the program for what it really is: the greatest backdoor Wall Street bailout of all time.

 

Five years ago this month, on Black Friday, the Fed launched an unprecedented shopping spree. By that point in the financial crisis, Congress had already passed legislation, the Troubled Asset Relief Program, to halt the U.S. banking system's free fall. Beyond Wall Street, though, the economic pain was still soaring. In the last three months of 2008 alone, almost two million Americans would lose their jobs.

 

The Fed said it wanted to help—through a new program of massive bond purchases. There were secondary goals, but Chairman Ben Bernanke made clear that the Fed's central motivation was to "affect credit conditions for households and businesses": to drive down the cost of credit so that more Americans hurting from the tanking economy could use it to weather the downturn. For this reason, he originally called the initiative "credit easing."

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303763804579183680751473884

49,100 sign up for Obamacare

Wow! A full 49,100 have signed up for Obamacare in 12 states that run their own exchanges. This represents about 3% of the goal of 1.4 million that was expected to enroll on these exchanges. The Reuters post does not give a breakdown by state but the states in the tally all have functioning websites. The 49,100 includes Medicaid sign ups in Rhode Island and Hawaii which did not separate Medicaid from private sector insurance.

McCain urged to run again. Really?

Oh please, not you again. Maybe you have a higher gag threshold than I but the thought of John McCain running again makes me wish that I had skipped lunch. Yes, the people are clamoring for him again, to hear the loser from Arizona tell it.

"Particularly since the shutdown, I've had a spate of e-mails and letters and phone calls saying, 'Run for president again,'" McCain told The Arizona Republic. "As you know, I’m seriously thinking about running for re-election to the Senate. But I think, in the words of the late Morris K. Udall, as far as my presidential ambitions are concerned, 'The people have spoken — the bastards.'"

No! We don't want you to run for the senate either. We would be pleased if you would just retire and go live in Syria with Lindsey Graham and take your stupid daughter with you.

High School friend of Barry Soetoro tell of his homosexuality and drug use

High school friend of Barack Obama shares her memories and not too flattering assessment of the president's character. He was strictly into men and a pathological liar.

No Obamacare Does Not Work in Concord, New Hampshire

First the story was Obamacare's failed website with its 6 person first day enrollment. Then the story was the policies cancelled because they didn't include unneeded and and wanted coverage. The third punch will hit when the media takes a closer look at the policies the uninsured are mandated to buy. Not only are many of the policies simply over priced they offer high deductibles and a limited network of health care providers. There are already a few stories circulating that health care may be somewhat limited in remote places as for example Concord, New Hampshire. Is Concord too remote for Obamacare? Evidently it is, as the Concord Monitor notes,

Concord Hospital and its associated physician practices around the region – from Hillsboro to Epsom to Warner – will not be in the provider network for consumers who purchase insurance through the new marketplace authorized by the Affordable Care Act.

This must be a great source of pride for Senator Jeanne Shaheen who voted for the ACA. Obamacare is not available in the capital of her home state but surely sickly residents of the capital will gladly drive 25 miles to Manchester to see a doctor. There they will find free preventive care, abortifacients, and drug and alcohol rehab which should make the trip worthwhile. Delaying the individual mandate, tinkering with tax credits and getting healthcare.gov up and running won't change the fact that many of the policies forced on the public by Obamacare would never be bought voluntarily by anyone.
Now one understands why former Senator Scott Brown, who owns a vacation property in the Granite State, put his Massachusetts home in Wrentham on the market in late September.

Syrian rebels sing about Obama. Welcome to Syria, my brothers

I guess this is the new face of the Young Democrats. These black flag jihadist take a break from battle  for an Obama sing along.
It could be that this chant is actually anti-Obama.