02-28-08 Conservatively Speaking

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ust 24% of American voters have a favorable opinion of the New York Times according to a Wednesday Rasmussen Poll. Two-thirds (66%) say its article about McCain was to hurt him. McCain is trusted more by 55% of voters when it comes to National Security issues versus only 30% who trust Obama. When it comes to the economy, 45% prefer McCain while 39% trust Obama more. On taxes, 42% trust McCain, 37% Obama. When it comes to Reducing Government Corruption, Obama has the advantage.

Overall McCain now leads Obama 46% to 43% and Clinton 48% to 43%. He has consistently lead Clinton but has now moved in front of Obama. Nationwide, Obama is viewed favorably by 51% and unfavorably by 46%. McCain’s numbers are 55% favorable, 42% unfavorable. Clinton earns positive reviews from 47% of Likely Voters nationwide and negative assessments from 52%

Erudite author and conservative commentator William F. Buckley Jr. died Wednesday morning at age 82. His manner, verbal and facial affectations made him well known – his towering intellect and knowledge earning him wide respect.

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B. S.” Barack Obama scored a TKO (technical knockout) Tuesday night on Hillary Clinton in the 20^th Democrat debate since February 28^th last year. Clinton did not score any touchdowns. Overall it was a “rope-a-dope” for Obama. It sounded like Clinton has accepted defeat. Obama jabbed and jabbed as only champions can do keeping Hillary at bay, and really didn’t have to throw risky punches which he did not. Overall it was tedious, silly, and a waste of time and place.

Chelsea Clinton was at the Ohio debate but Bill Clinton was not. Wednesday was Chelsea’s 26^th birthday and she has become her mother’s primary defender.

It will be a surprise if Hillary gains on Obama in Texas, and does not fall back in Ohio. Next Tuesday are primary votes in those states as well as Vermont and Rhode Island. If Hillary does not have a big day Tuesday, March 4^th it is hard to see how she remains viable. McCain is way ahead of Huckabee in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont. Ron Paul is almost invisible.

New York mayor Bloomberg continues to get ready to do something. Next Wednesday, March 5^th is the first day to petition for a ballot slot in Texas and Bloomberg watchers say something could happen then – especially if Clinton gets flushed. “Hang around” Huckabee has said he will drop his bid when McCain reaches the 1,191 magic delegate number – that will not be next week.

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he IRS is investigating Barack Obama’s United Church of Christ over a speech he gave to its national meeting last year after he became a candidate for president. The IRS says the speech violated restrictions on political activity for nonprofit groups. The denomination denies any wrongdoing saying he was speaking as a church member and not a political candidate. The Illinois church has taken numerous controversial positions including, according to its website, a non-negotiable commitment to Africa, and the “black-value” system. The church describes itself as, “…an African people” that remains “true to our native land, the mother continent.” The church bestowed its highest honor on caustic Muslim activist Louis Farrakhan.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger owns an Austrian M-47 tank and he’s getting it back from an Ohio museum so he can ‘enjoy it’. Californians say he’ll need it along with asbestos underwear unless he stops acting like a Governor and becomes one. Although he continues to have a 63% approval rating among Republicans his overall job approval has sagged to 45%. His approval rating is lowest in the Greater LA region and highest in the inland area according to a mid-month Survey/USA poll.

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n the eve of the 20^th debate Tuesday night in Ohio Hillary Clinton’s camp was playing the “pity card” answering planted questions about campaigning being more difficult because she is a woman. Some questioned why the same tack was not taken when she was 20% ahead arguing that she has no message while Obama has no substance, and is an “empty suit.”

A NEW YORK TIMES / CBS poll released Tuesday shows Obama ahead of Clinton 54-38% nationally and gaining in almost every demographic. Polls in Texas now show Obama ahead by a whisker and trailing in Ohio by 4%. The best news for Clinton is she is ahead in Rhode Island. McCain lead Huckabee 2 to 1 in Ohio and Texas.

Mitt Romney suspended his presidential campaign but his son Josh says he could get back in. Calling it unlikely but not impossible he said his father might reenter as a VP or even the candidate

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ohn McCain would have a tough time suing the New York Times because he is public figure. Not so when it comes to Telecommunications lobbyist Vicki Iseman whose reputation is at stake in the Times’ tabloid-tongued tale of sex. The sexually tinged allegations in the piece are based solely on two anonymous sources. Clark Hoyt, Ombudsman of The New York Times, determined that the newspaper should not have published the story because it did not properly establish the alleged sexual relationship between McCain and Iseman. According to Hoyt, most of the readers of the Times saw the report as a story about illicit sex. If a lawsuit does ensue, Hoyt may find out that, on a list of witnesses for the plaintiff, he’s numero uno and the New York Times will pay out millions and maybe tens of millions of dollars for defaming Ms. Iseman.

Sen. Christopher Dodd (D) Conn. has endorsed Barack Obama, his former rival in the Democratic presidential race. Dodd’s own campaign was a dud from the beginning and he dropped out after his trouncing in the Iowa caucus.

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ithout directly naming him Hillary excoriated Obama last weekend for being a Pollyanna portraying him as naive and messianic-like awaiting the heavens to open and celestial choirs to sing washing away all that is ill. As a further sign of things to come when Hillary Clinton failed to file a full slate of delegates in Pennsylvania Democrat Governor Rendell, a Clinton supporter who said a black man can’t win in the Keystone State, extended the filing deadline so she could. Cute.

Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee has endorsed an amendment to Colorado’s constitution declaring that a fertilized egg is a person saying, “Passing this amendment will mean the people of Colorado will protect the sanctity of life from conception until natural death occurs.”

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omorrow is an intercalary day or a leap day the 366th day of 2008. Intercalary is pronounced (in-tûr’ku-ler”ē, in”tur-kal’u-rē) and means 1. interpolated; interposed. 2. inserted or interpolated in the calendar, as an extra day or month. The ancient Egyptians were the first to come up with the idea of adding a leap day once every four years to keep the calendar in sync with the solar year. Leap year; and 1 out of every 4 century years is considered as a leap year. Century years are only considered as leap years if they are evenly divisible by 400. Therefore, 1700, 1800, 1900 were not leap years, and 2100 will not be a leap year.

There was debate about when to insert the intercalary day which Roman Emperor Julius Caesar settled in 45 B. C. by proclaiming the last day of February as Leap Year Day. In 1582 Pope Gregory introduced the Gregorian calendar; declared December 31st year’s end and codified the leap day, year and century as described. The leap year calendar, while still imperfect, will do for 3,300 more years when we will have to add an extra leap day.

Those born on February 29^th usually celebrate their birthday on February 28^th but, that’s never been made “official” policy.

A page on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign Web site promotes events sponsored by controversial Islamic groups and includes proposals to: establish a Muslim American advisory group on U.S. foreign policy; provide prayer areas in public places such as malls, airports, universities and government buildings; institute a law to allow Muslim employees to take time from their work day for prayer; and institute a law against harassment of Muslim women in public areas.

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arack Obama has cast more than 1,100 votes in his 3-years in the U.S. Senate siding with Democrats 96 percent of the time. In that time he has only had passed a single bill – to increase handouts to the former Belgium Congo. According to MSNBC his most notable votes include:

· against the confirmation of John Roberts for the Supreme Court, saying he “far more often used his formidable skills on behalf of the strong in opposition to the weak.”

· against Samuel Alito and even voted in favor of a filibuster to stall his confirmation.

· against a 2006 bill to deny citizenship or other legal status to illegal immigrants, and against a measure that would have allowed police to question people about their immigration status under certain circumstance.

· In favor of the immigration reform bill to allow many illegal aliens to become legal residents.

· In favor of allowing illegal immigrants to become permanent legal residents to qualify for lower in-state tuition rates at state universities. That measure was opposed by Democrats in a number of swing states that could be pivotal in this year’s election, MSNBC observed.

· against a 2006 bill to prohibit the transportation of a minor girl across state lines to get an abortion if this would circumvent parental consent.

· against extending cuts in capital gains and dividends taes, and against the repeal of the tax on inherited wealth, the estate tax.

· against requiring President Bush to withdraw most U.S. troops from Iraq by July 1, 2007. But then for ordering Bush to begin withdrawing most American forces within 90 days.

Yesterday was RALPH NADER’S 74^th birthday, and last Sunday he announced he is running for President for the fifth time (1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008). In 2000 he is blamed for defeating Al Gore. In 2004 he got just 500,000 votes nationwide, and is expected to get even fewer this year. But, Nader’s an amateur compared to Harold Stassen (1907 – 2001) who ran for President nine times (1948, 1952, 1964, 1968, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992).

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he radical and often inflammatory Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan said Sunday that presidential candidate Barack Obama is the “hope of the entire world” that the U.S. will change for the better. Farrakan never out rightly endorsed Obama but spent most of the nearly two-hour speech praising the Illinois senator. Farrakhan made what was called his final public address at a Saviours’ Day event in Detroit. Obama’s home church awarded Farrakhan its highest honor last year.

Louis Farrakhan (born Louis Eugene Walcott, May 11, 1933), is the acting head of the Nation of Islam (NOI) as the National Representative of Elijah Muhammad. He is also well-known as a strident advocate for African American interests; critic of America, and is often called racist, homophobic, and antisemitic. Tuesday Obama rejected Farrakhan for his views and said he had objected to his church’s award to him.

Failed Presidential candidate JOHN KERRY appears determined to back Barack Obama into the proverbial corner by campaigning for him in TEXAS where veterans “swiftboated” Kerry for hyping his military record and now he will open scrutiny of Obama’s complete lack of military service. “Why didn’t you volunteer to serve in the American military, Senator?” is the question Obama will have to dodge. Obama has proposed a $4,000 annual college stipend to 18-year olds who do public service – his proposal notably excluded any mention of military service – he thinks military people do not need anything more.

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eligion is in decline in America says a massive survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life - considered the most comprehensive report on religious identification of Americans in recent years interviewing more than 35,000 people across the United States - found 28 percent of adults say they have left their childhood faith for another religion or none at all. Counting people who shifted denominations, the change rises to 44 percent. According to the study the U. S. will soon lose its status as a majority-Protestant country standing now at just 51% of the churched. That drop from about 2/3^rd who said they were Protestant in 1960 has seen the number of those who called themselves religiously unaffiliated in the 1980s double to 16% now.In California 21% - more than one in five – call themselves unaffiliated and in Oregon that’s 27%.

Religious scholars say the big reason is “rootless” people who have moved into the west abandoning not only their home and family but leaving their religion behind too. Overall 28% of adults say they have left their childhood faith for another religion or none at all.

The Catholic Church has faired the worst among all denominations falling to 25% from nearly one-third (33%), and it would be worse without a big influx of immigrations from catholic countries. Hindus have the highest retention of members at 84 percent. Jehovah’s Witness lose 2/3rds of those raise in the sect by adulthood. Overall mainline Protestant churches have fewer and older members, while nondenominational Christian churches are growing. Jews, on average, are also older than other groups and are literally dying out. Mormons and Muslims have the largest families. Black Americans are most likely to claim religious affiliation, nearly half of Hindus and one-third of Jews have postgraduate education. U.S. Buddhist adherents are made up mostly of native-born converts.

England’s Oxford University recently received a $3.7 million grant to find out whether belief in a deity is a matter of nature or nurture. Some believe the growth of humanism and secularism is contributing to the decline in religious beliefs leading to the rise in atheism and agnosticism or visa-versa. Others say a consequence is the vast increase in rudderless people saying they are depressed, using anti-depressants, addiction to prescription drugs and use illicit drugs.

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n February 2007, about this time, Kremlin critic Paul Joyal, 53, former chief of security for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a former business partner of retired Soviet KGB Gen. Oleg Kalugin, appeared on NBC’s “Dateline” accusing the Kremlin of silencing critics. Four days later, on March 1, 2007 Joyal was laying in his driveway in his own blood having been ambushed and shot by one man while another held him. Joyal’s assailants ran off after the shooting without taking his wallet, computer, briefcase or car – some call it a street crime although unprecedented on the cul-de-sac in the upscale Virginia suburb.

The next day Russian journalist Ivan Safronov, who had been working on a story about the furtive sale of anti-aircraft weapons to Iran and Syria, fell to his death from his 5th-story apartment window in Moscow, and remains an unsolved “tragedy.”

The circumstances of the unsolved Joyal case are too much for some police officials to ignore although the FBI quickly withdrew from the case. An attack on an American citizen on sovereign U. S. territory is very serious while Safronov’s bizarre death is all too routine in Putin’s Russia.

In 1955, Congress declared they would undertake a dramatic simplification of the Tax Code… In the 53 years since that announcement, the tax code has grown a staggering 478% from 172,000 words to over 995,000 words.

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he same oil price increases that make Arab rulers wealthy also are rapidly pushing the Middle East’s middle class toward poverty. Strikes, demonstrations and riots from Morocco to the Persian Gulf are becoming commonplace as inflation causes prices for basic foods and other necessities to skyrocket. In Jordan, the cost of some fuels shot up 76 percent overnight after the government had to remove almost all fuel subsidies. Rising fuel had immediately doubled prices of food staples like eggs, potatoes and cucumbers

Governments in oil-rich countries have acted to increase wages and food subsidies for public sector employees. Yet those who work in the private sector don’t benefit, and many analysts say that higher government spending is making regional inflation worse.

Police arrested a 40-year old suspect less than half an hour after a bank robbery in Port Townsend, Washington thanks to witnesses who pointed to the apartment building a block away where he fled. Witnesses thought it was odd when they watched the man pull a stocking over his head before the heist. And a half-dozen people pointed to the apartment building and said, “He went in there. The genius is in jail.

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ewly released court documents show British authorities were told they faced “another 7/7″* and the loss of “British lives on British streets” if they continued their corruption probe into Saudi prince Bandar. Bandar, head of the Saudi national security council, was said in court to have been behind the threats to hold back information about suicide bombers and terrorists, the Guardian in Britain reported. Bandar has been accused of receiving nearly $2 billion in secret payments from the arms company BAE.

Switzerland has launched a probe of Saudi arms purchases. The U.S. Justice Department has also launched an investigation of the money Bandar received in the U.S. while he was Saudi ambassador to Washington. These probes and accusations continue what has long been whispered about Bandar’s greed, absence of ethics and immoral activties. Saudi Arabia’s royals, are known, to support tens of thousands of princes and pay nearly 20,000 clergy to ensure their loyalty while ignoring wholesale graft and corruption.

“7/7″ refers to the July 7, 2005 bombings in London that killed 52 commuters and injured 700.

So as of midnight last Saturday, if U.S. intelligence discovers a new terrorist threat, it must spend hours and even days preparing bureaucratic documents and seeking approval before their communications can be monitored. Doesn’t this sound like sending the warning of the sneak attack on PEARL HARBOR via a Western Union bicycle courier — and we know how well that worked.

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unday’s Academy Awards Oscars set an all time record for the least watched such ceremony ever. The 80th annual Academy Awards telecast was 14% lower than the least-watched ceremony ever and 21% lower than last year. The least-watched Oscars ceremony ever was in 2003, when there were 33 million viewers. This continues a pattern of falling interest that was briefly interrupted last year when viewers rose slightly from the miserable showings the year before.

Despite his best effort to shill the show not even Michael Moore’s silly idea of inviting Fidel Castro did any good nor apparently any good for he or his most recent mockumentary “Sicko” that was also panned. Moore did receive an unexpected award the HYPOCRISY.COM H. A. AWARD for his misrepresentations of the U. S. healthcare system. That award’s symbol is a Secretariat sized horse’s posterior.

Pandora’s Box (pan-DOR-uhz boks) noun a source of many unforeseen troubles. [In Greek mythology Pandora box was actually a jar received as a "gift" which she was told never to open. Her curiosity got the better of her. She opened the lid, and out came its contents: all the evils of human life.]

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rug giant Pfizer Inc. has scraped its ad campaign for anti-cholesterol pill Lipitor featuring Robert Jarvik, the inventor of the Jarvik artificial heart, as Congress probes whether the commercials are misleading. The rubs are that Jarvik appears to give medical advice but he is not a licensed medical doctor, and Pfizer used body doubles for Jarvik in key scenes.

Otherwise there are wider ethical and even moral questions about the financial and medical impacts of drug companies directly marketing to patients. For decades drug companies marketed through “drug detailers” who were often seen lurking at the back doors of medical buildings passing out literature and hectored doctors to prescribe their drugs. Celebrity marketing directly to patients via television, radio and print ads has proved effective by actually creating a demand for those drugs feeding a willingness of many physicians to prescribe. Studies show that created demand has become an important ingredient in sharply rising drug costs which have become a big contributor to skyrocketing healthcare costs.

A new study of anti-depressants by University of Connecticut researchers shows that for the vast number of people they do no more good than sugar pills. Last year there were an astonishing 118,000,000 prescriptions for anti-depressants in the United States many, many times more than in England and Europe. 40,000,000 Americans now take the things.

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