Clipmarks | merrie's 'congress' clips

At the DNC Convention, Sixties Radicals Are Going to "Save the World", Again!

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:18:59 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: for America will be best achieved through policies of generosity and caring toward the rest of the world.” All America has to do is dedicate “1%-2% of the GDP each year for the next 20 years toward once and for all eliminating domestic and global poverty, homelessness, hunger, inadequate education, inadequate health care, and repairing the environment of the planet.”

Once and for all? And to think no one had figured out sooner that we could merely legislate the human condition out of existence. Of course, collecting the money is only half the battle. Once we confiscate the necessary funds, according to the NSP’s helpful 32-page booklet on the Global Marshall Plan, all we have to do is “create an international, unbiased, nongovernmental agency for receiving the funds . . . and distributing them in a way that is environmentally sensitive, respectful of native cultures, safeguarded against corruption [...]

Clip Source: article.nationalreview.com

True to form, the event began with bad folk music followed by a prayer. Not just any prayer, but a prayer by John Dear. According to his official bio, the Roman Catholic priest has been arrested 75 times “because he so fervently believes in peace.”

“Take a deep breath and breathe in that holy spirit of peace . . .

Help us end poverty and starvation and relieveable [sic] disease and end the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and Palestine and all of our wars and abolish the death penalty and torture and all our nuclear weapons. And help us enact a Global Marshall Plan to feed the world’s poor and justice and peace to all our sisters and brothers.”

While the “spiritual progressives” gathered here in Denver for DNC convention are every bit as spacey their name suggests, their “Global Marshall Plan” is for real. The Global Marshall Plan — a.k.a. House Resolution 1078 — has 20 Democratic co-sponsors in Congress.

According to Rep. Keith Ellison, “House Resolution 1078 recognizes that lasting security

Tags: dnc, global poverty, global marshall plan, h.r.1078, 1%-2% of the u.s. gdp, 20 years, rep. keith ellison, 20 democratic co-sponsors in congress

Pelosi's Shameful Record of Voting Against Military

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:32:37 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Despite the calls for improved military absentee voting procedures by the people affected most, not a single Democrat crossed the aisle to co-sponsor a bill introduced by Rep. Roy Blunt that would have created a clearer path to having absentee military ballots counted in the 2008 election and beyond.

Democrats, led by Speaker Pelosi, ultimately killed efforts to improve GI suffrage instead of working to extend the most basic democratic right to the men and women serving our country overseas. America is not fooled by Pelosi's empty words.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Charles Henry wrote in the July issue of the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings: 'While virtually everyone involved...seems to agree that military people deserve at least equal opportunity when it comes to having their votes counted, indications are that in November 2008, many thousands of service members who try to vote will do so in vain.' (Washington Post, 7/24/08)

Clip Source: blog.nrcc.org

Last night, Speaker Nancy Pelosi took the podium and shamelessly pandered to members and veterans of America's military with empty lines intended to trick the American people into believing that the Democrat-controlled Congress might have accomplished something worthwhile over the course of the last two years. Unsurprisingly, Pelosi's words rang hollow, which is to be expected from the leader of the most unpopular Congress in the nation's history. Her tepid support for the military in last night's speech can't hide the Democrat majority's shameful record of voting against military members and veterans.

Though Pelosi would like veterans to think that, despite her previous record, she is now a great supporter of the American military, she refused to support a June 2008 bill that would have made overseas absentee voting easier for military members. According to a report in the Washington Post:

Tags: pelosi, u.s.troops, absentee voting, roy blunt's bill

America: Don't Wait For Pelosi, Seize Our Energy Future Now!

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:27:34 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Only today, they have energy as a weapon.

One premise of the new Putin Doctrine is that oil prices will stay high and that Russia, with its plentiful reserves, can use oil profits to fund its global ambitions.

This is where Congress comes in. Since President Clinton refused to allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 1995, Democrats have stood in the way of any rational energy plan. Today, we pump just 25% of our oil; 40 years ago, it was 60%. We send about $900 billion a year overseas to buy oil, money that helps fund Russian and radical Islamic mischief. This is a problem.

Now for the good news: The U.S. is the world's largest potential oil supplier — with as much oil, the Institute for Energy Research says, as has been used by the entire world over the last 150 years.

Just offshore, we have 86 billion barrels of crude. The U.S. Arctic region, including Alaska, holds 30 billion barrels. In the Far West, we have more than 800 billion barrels of shale oil.

Clip Source: townhall.com

Clip Source: theoilpatchplug.blogtownhall.com

Russia's rampage in Georgia was calculated to intimidate the former Soviet slave states of Eastern Europe. But Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin also wants to control Georgia's Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline — the main conduit from the oil-rich Caspian Sea to Europe. That would give him a chokehold on 25% of Europe's energy supply — and veto power over EU diplomacy.

As part of this geopolitical strategy, Putin is also forging new alliances in the Mideast, ranging from this week's deal with Iraq to build power plants, to a military accord for arms, energy and a possible Russian military base for Syria.

In our own hemisphere, Putin is reviving Russia's long-dormant relationship with Cuba and selling advanced planes and weapons to socialist dictator Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, a major oil supplier.

This is a plain attempt to resurrect the old USSR strategy of stirring up trouble around the world, encircling the U.S. and its allies with enemies, then daring us to stop it.

Tags: georgia's baku-tbilisi-ceyhan, putin, cuba, advanced planes/weapons sales, ussr strategy

Russia Threatens"Non-Diplomatic"Action: Democrats Go Wobbly

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:43:07 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: They would replace Reagan's proven strategy of "Peace through strength" with "peace pretty please" at the exact same time the world is being threatened once again by Russia.

Related News: Russians Squash UN Resolution on Georgia. Occupation Continues

No surprise here, but the U.N. Security Council Resolution demanding Russia's withdrawal from Georgia and respect for the small nation's territorial integrity was blocked by Russia. Meanwhile, the occupation of Georgia continues as Russian troops appear to be digging in, not preparing to withdraw despite the agreements Russia has signed.

Clip Source: mikesamerica.blogspot.com

U.S. and Poland Sign Extended Defense Agreement

The agreement (full text here) establishes a framework for direct defense cooperation between the U.S. and Poland in addition to Poland's participation in the NATO alliance. Poland had been dragging it's feet in the negotiations which were stalled until the Russians invaded Georgia earlier this month.

Democrats Go Wobbly on Polish Missile Defense

At the very same moment when our European partners and NATO allies are signaling full speed ahead on closer cooperation with the U.S. Democrats in Congress are signaling the opposite. Democrats have long opposed defense against ballistic missiles ever since President Reagan introduced the concept in 1983.

Despite the fact that the technologies involved in missile defense have been recently proven to work, Democrats, including Barack Obama, still want to cut spending for the program.

Tags: u.s. and poland, missile defense shield, signed agreement, democrats/obama, oppose defense agreement, cut defense spending

Stop Pelosi Now! Demand Maximum American Energy – Now!

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:15:30 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Rep. Thaddeus McCotter has a message for Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House Democratic caucus, and he wanted it delivered at Hot Air.

Not surprisingly, then, the Speaker’s latest lethargy proposal apes other energy schemes she’s brought to the House floor without amendment and under a super-majority vote requirement. Desperate to guarantee these bills’ defeats and blame Republicans, the Speaker orchestrated the nauseating spectacle of “Don’t Care” Democrats, who a few months ago wouldn’t vote to drill a tooth, now hugging derricks instead of trees.

This time, though, with a month of vacation under her Beltway, Pelosi’s ploy has a new wrinkle. In the media she is floating specious reasons why Republicans will vote against her radical cornucopia of energy insecurity.

What she still fails to grasp, as with all her energy scams, is that the public will not be misled.

Clip Source: hotair.com

Demand Maximum American Energy – Now!

Leaving by example, Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi jetted off on her summer vacation under the assumption energy squeezed Americans would throng to buy her book, Know Your Power.

But Americans weren’t buying it – literally.

Economically maimed by the pain at the pump, citizens demanded vacationing Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats’ “Don’t Care” Congress get back to work and pass an “all of the above” energy bill to lower gas prices.

When Pelosi’s ploy thumps into the dust bin of hypocrisy, will she and her Democrat majority’s “Most Hated Congress in History” finally stop saving the planet and start sparing working families’ wallets?

Or will the “Don’t Care” Democrats’ author (nee Speaker) start inking her book’s sequel – Know Your Abuse of Power?

Regardless, there is one thing you can count on. Working families and House Republicans will continue to demand maximum American energy!

Tags: drilling ban, pelosi, gop, thaddeus mccotter, republican house policy committee

Government True-isms

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:11:03 GMT

clipped by: Rustee

Clip Source: www.ktrh.com

Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress... But then I repeat myself.
-Mark Twain

I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
-Winston Churchill

Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.
-James Bovard, Civil Libertarian (1994)

Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
-Ronald Reagan (1986)

If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free!
-P.J. O'Rourke

A government big enough to give you everything you want,
is strong enough to take everything you have.
-Thomas Jefferson

The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.
-Winston Churchill

Tags: government, quotes

McCain's Not-So-Subtle Signal to the Gang of 10

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 02:44:30 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Why would McCain risk alienating centrists with environmental concerns to drift to a pro-ANWR drilling stance? Technically, he hasn’t done it at all — he’s just held it out as a possibility. If he intends to send a signal, its intended recipients will be pro-drilling conservatives … and compromisers in Congress. No compromise with Democrats would ever include opening ANWR to its original intended purpose. If McCain threatens to openly support ANWR drilling, it effectively torpedoes the Gang of 10 compromise.

The ANWR issue should really wait until we address the OCS and shale formations. Republicans should focus on those two areas, which have widespread and bipartisan support, rather than get those tangled up into the more controversial ANWR reserves. McCain knows this as well, but this rather obvious hint gives the GOP marching orders to keep fighting, rather than surrendering to a meaningless — and drill-less — compromise.

Clip Source: hotair.com

While the Gang of 10 tries to defuse a potent Republican issue on energy, John McCain keeps the fuse lit in a Weekly Standard interview. McCain tells Stephen Hayes that he may rethink his opposition to drilling in ANWR, and promises to consult with Alaskan governor — and presumed VP short-lister — Sarah Palin on the issue. His statement appears to cut the ground out from underneath the Gang of 10 and offer a more expansive view on drilling than first presumed:

But in our conversation on August 13, McCain added a new wrinkle. When I asked him if he had consulted Palin about ANWR, he said that he had not yet done so. He added, “I probably should,” he said. “I will.”

So I called Palin to ask what McCain can expect to hear. The answer is that Palin, who has been mentioned as a possible McCain running mate but has not been vetted, will make a straightforward case for drilling in ANWR. She says McCain’s willingness to take another look at ANWR is “very encouraging.”

Tags: gang of 10, gop drill-less compromise, mccain, ocs, anwr, gov palin

FREE email: Drill Now -- Stop the Gang of 10

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:43:07 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: The compromise plan offered by the Gang of 10 limits drilling to 50 miles off the coast of a few states, not all, and depends on an opt-in by those states. There is no mention of ANWR or of developing America's oil shale.

Doing nothing is actually a better option than the compromise of the Senate's Gang of 10 because the oil drilling ban imposed by Congress expires on September 30. Democrats in Congress must renew this ban in order to continue to block America's access to her own oil. Due to Senate rules the minority may be able to block that renewal unless the Gang of 10 prevents it.

Sen. McCain has not yet agreed to this compromise.

Tell the Senate, the Gang of 10 and especially John McCain that voters don't want compromise with Democrats. Voters want to Drill NOW!

Clip Source: capwiz.com

Drill Now -- Stop the Gang of 10
Drill Here! Drill Now! Drill American!

Tell the Senate Gang of 10 not to undermine the will of the American people!

GOP House members have spent nearly two weeks demanding that they be allowed an up or down vote on drilling for our oil.

House Republicans expected to fight Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats for the right to drill for American oil but did they also expect to fight members of their own party?

As explained by GOPUSA's Bobby Eberle the Senate Gang of 10 is comprised of 5 Republican and 5 Democrat senators who claim to have reached a "bi-partisan energy compromise." A summary of the New Energy Reform Act of 2008 can be seen here. This misplaced effort will cost taxpayers at least $84 billion in new subsidies with only the possibility that very limited areas may be opened to drilling.

Gang of 10 are, Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Bob Corker of Tennessee, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John Thune of South Dakota

Tags: senate gang of 10, gop senators, chambliss, isakson, corker, graham, thune

Debunking 'Truths' About Offshore Drilling

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:55:35 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: No, the United States cannot drill its way to energy independence. But with the roaring economies of China and India gobbling up oil in the two countries' latter-day industrial revolutions, the United States can no longer afford to turn its back on finding all the sources of fuel necessary to maintain its economy and its standard of living. What's required is a long-term, comprehensive plan that includes wind, solar, geothermal, biofuels and nuclear -- and that acknowledges that oil and gas will be instrumental to the U.S. economy for many years to come.

Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

According to the Interior Department's Minerals Management Service (MMS), while there are an estimated 18 billion barrels of oil in the off-limits portions of the OCS, those estimates were made using old data from now-outdated seismic equipment.

In the case of the Atlantic Ocean, the data were collected before Congress imposed a moratorium on offshore drilling in 1981. In 1987, the MMS estimated that there were 9 billion barrels of oil in the Gulf of Mexico. By 2006, after major advances in seismic technology and deepwater drilling techniques, the MMS resource estimate for that area had ballooned to 45 billion barrels.

According to the MMS, between 1993 and 2007, there were 651 spills of all sizes at OCS facilities (in federal waters three miles or more offshore) that released 47,800 barrels of oil. With 7.5 billion barrels of oil produced in that time, that equates to 1 barrel of oil spilled per 156,900 barrels produced.

That's not to minimize the danger. But no form of energy is perfect

Tags: offshore drilling, atlantic ocean, gulf of mexico

You remember Al Qaeda, right?

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 08:07:40 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: The Anchoress, who came to kick ass and chew bubblegum.

And she was fresh out of bubblegum.

Yeah, that guy! The guy who does more than just talk about freedom and progress. The guy who has brought real hope and change to people all over the world, and yes, here in America. But you don’t want to hear it. It’s the wrong and inconvenient narrative, the embargoed one.

Clip Source: theanchoressonline.com

You remember AlQaeda, right? Ten years ago this week, they bombed US Embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. Not that we did much about it at the time. But it is worth noting, they haven’t done that to us again, nor any of these other things, since 9/11. I blame Bush.

You remember Bush, right? The guy who goes to Asia and tells China to free her people, while the press jeers, the guy who, while in Asia also meets with Democracy Activists in Burma and gets ignored for it, the guy who drew enormous and supportive crowds in Korea, while the American press yawned?

Sure, you remember Bush! He’s the guy whose life was threatened along with Barack Obama’s but only the threat to Obama was newsworthy for a very long time at CNN. Bush? You mean the creepy moron who will be charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity as soon as congress can figure out how to do that without exposing itself or having to put some of its own members under oath?

Tags: al-qaeda, us tanzanian and kenyan embassies bombed, president bush, chinese dissidents, burmese activists

The Existing Ban On Drilling Expires Sept 30, 2008

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:43:11 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Now, here's (excerpt) of the letter from AFP

On behalf of our millions of members and all American consumers suffering from high energy prices, we urge you to allow the current restrictions on much-needed American energy resources to expire as scheduled under current law. Unless Congress acts affirmatively to prevent it, October 1st, 2008 will be a day fittingly described as "American Energy Freedom Day" as those restrictions expire.

Now that President Bush has lifted the executive branch moratorium, the only thing prohibiting development of these energy resources is a temporary ban that is set to expire at the end of this fiscal year.

We urge you to oppose the creation of any new moratorium for fiscal 2009, even if it is attached to what some people in Washington consider "must-pass" legislation.

Clip Source: rightwingnews.com

Americans for Prosperity alerted me to the fact that the election issue of all election issues has been dumped into the GOP's lap.

October 1st, 2008, "the existing bans on Outer Continental Shelf drilling and oil shale leasing expire -- unless Congress specifically votes to extend the bans."

according to AFP is that "Congressional leaders will likely try to sneak an extension into supposedly 'must-pass' last-minute spending legislation."

Republicans, including most importantly, John McCain, should refuse to support ANY legislation that extends the drilling ban. That means they should speak out against it, they should vote against it, and George Bush should veto it if it comes across his desk.

This should not be a issue in the 2008 election, the GOP should make it THE ISSUE of the 2008 elections.

Even with gas prices as high as they are, the Democrats want to keep a drilling ban in place while Republicans want to take action that will help reduce prices, in the short and long term.

Tags: drilling ban, gop, ban expires sept 30

Pelosi Is Losing! Join House Republicans and Sign the Letter

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:40:27 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: An Open Letter to Speaker Pelosi

We think it is unconscionable that Congress has gone on vacation before we have addressed the high gas prices that are crippling our economy and hurting millions of families. We are asking that you reconvene the House from your five-week vacation and schedule a vote on legislation to increase American energy production. Let us be clear, we are not asking for a guaranteed outcome, just the chance to vote.

http://www.nrcc.org/actioncenter/default.asp?ID=317#sign

Clip Source: www.nrcc.org

Dear Speaker Pelosi,

On Friday August 1, 2008, at 11:23 a.m., your Democrat majority in the House of Representatives adjourned the House for five full weeks.

In protest of you and your Democrat majority not allowing an up or down vote on producing more American energy, we and our House Republican colleagues were prepared to take to the floor on Friday, August 1, 2008, and speak to the nation. Rather than allowing that to happen you and your Democrat majority adjourned the House, turned off the television cameras, shut off the microphones and turned out the lights. Nearly 50 House Republicans remained on the floor of the House in defiance speaking to those citizens gathered in the galleries and to the media.

Signed by: John Boehner, Republican Leader; Roy Blunt, Republican Whip; Adam Putnam, Republican Conference Chairman; Eric Cantor, Chief Deputy Whip; and Members of the House Republican Conference

Tags: congress, domestic oil/gas production, john boehner, roy blunt, adam putnam, eric cantor, members of the house republican conference

Pelosi Invests In Energy Scheme and Water Grab By T. Boone Pickens

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:50:37 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Ken Kramer, director of the Texas Sierra Club said, “Water is a resource, yet in some respects it is a commodity. It’s as essential to human life as air. That puts water in a different class.”

Pelosi #dontgo Bombshell: MONEY

Money. It would appear that the driving force behind Madam Speaker’s quick and forceful adjournment of Congress is money.

According to Michigan Taxes Too Much blog, Madam Speaker has a substantial amount of money invested in Clean Energy Fuels Corporation.

Clean Energy Fuels Corporation is a business venture started by none other than T. Boone Pickens.

Clean Energy Fuels Corp, stands to gain substantially from the higher prices of gasoline and are even flaunting it on their website.

http://dontgomovement.com/2008/08/11/pelosi-dontgo-bombshell-money/

Clip Source: dontgomovement.com

Nancy Pelosi says that she is trying to save the planet and prevent global warming, but the reality is that, according to disclosure statements, in May 2007 she invested in T. Boone Picken’s clean energy fuels corp., CLNE, which is the sole sponsor of a proposal in California to funnel $5 billion in state funds and $5 billion in Federal funs to this corporation which will indirectly help them create a giant wind farm in the Texas panhandle.

An overlooked story in November of 2007 shows that the T. Boone Pickens plan involves the private control of water, which Pickens wants to be able to sell to big cities via giant water pipelines which will be built on land seized under eminent domain.

How did he do this? He did this by pushing through a “water district” which consists of only 8 acres of land and then applying eminent domain to expand that district and seize land from local ranchers which, in the end, puts vital water resources under his private control.

Tags: pelosi, invests, clean energy fuels corporation, texas billionaire t boone pickens

Your Voice Is Being Heard On Capitol Hill

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:08:41 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: In the energy debate, common sense is winning and it’s got the anti-energy elites rattled because they offer no solutions to lowering gas and diesel prices.

American Solutions, on the other hand, has taken a bold stand and has been leading the "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less" movement that has energized millions of Americans around a positive solution. Because of your help and the help of more than a million others, today an overwhelming majority of Americans support opening up new areas for exploration and drilling of American oil and gas, including offshore.

American Solution is headed up to Capitol Hill today to meet with Members of Congress still in Washington working to pass an energy bill to deliver a message of thanks.

After the meeting, we'll hold a press conference with Speaker Gingrich and other House Republicans at 10:30 am. C-SPAN plans to air the press conference live here.

Clip Source: www.americansolutions.com

poll after poll after poll after poll shows that we are winning the argument on how to lower gas and diesel prices and develop more American energy now.

But the even bigger news is that the anti-energy elites are desperately worried. They are not only criticizing us, but they are admitting that they are losing the argument.

Clip Source: www.americansolutions.com

[Video]

Clip Source: www.americansolutions.com

And friends, that’s big. In fact, considering the source, that’s huge.

Recently, liberal group MoveOn.org in an email to their supporters sounded dejected, they wrote "Here's the truth: Right now, progressives are losing this argument."

That can mean only one thing – WE ARE WINNING THIS ARGUMENT!

Congress has left for a 5-week vacation without doing anything to address the soaring cost of gas and diesel. This inaction is unacceptable to the American people, many of whom can’t afford a vacation this year.

Tags: speaker gingrich, house republicans, no-drill democrats, move-on.org, anti-energy elites

Republican Revolt Against The No-Solutions-Democrats

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:50:04 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Republicans were back on the floor of the House this morning and will continue throughout the week to force Democrats to return to Washington, DC and get the job done for the American people of holding a vote on energy.

Check back tomorrow for more updates on The Revolt. Americans can't afford the Democrat agenda of no energy, no drilling, no solutions.

Clip Source: blog.nrcc.org

Republicans Refuse to Cooperate with Democrats' Vacation Plans

Posted By: Chairman Tom Cole, August 04, 2008 - 1:24 PM

While Speaker Nancy Pelosi is busy trying to "save the planet" Republicans in Congress took to the House floor today in Day Two of our protest against the Democrat Majority for refusing to hold a vote on drilling for more American oil.

The Democrat Majority in Congress is literally trying to keep Americans in the dark on lower gas prices. On Friday, after Speaker Pelosi gaveled the House to adjournment for a month-long vacation, Republicans announced we were prepared to stay and debate the energy bill to increase the supply of American oil and reduce our dependence on oil from unstable regimes in the Middle East. So what did Speaker Pelosi do to show leadership? She turned out the lights, shut off the microphones and tried to shut out reporters from covering the GOP debate. The headline on Drudge Report Friday afternoon blazed: "REVOLT ON THE HILL: LIGHTS OUT."

Tags: chairman tom cole, american oil, pelosi, book tour, "save the planet"