WAXMAN WARNS OF CONFRONTATION WITH RICE OVER iRAQI CORRUPTION

Now I have heard of a lot of out of control Democrats, but this guy really takes the prize. He is going to pick a fight with the Secretary of State!!! Give me a break!!

EARTHQUAKE ROCKS SEE DAYLIGHT

For the first time, rocks have been extracted from California's San Andreas Fault by scientists drilling some three kilometers below the surface. The hope is that experts can establish if any precursor signals exist that could be used to predict earthquakes reliably and accurately.

COALITION FORCES ENGAGED TERRORISTS NEAR BARQUBAH

We never seem to see these kind of stories in the Mainstream Media.

BUSH DENIES US TORTURE USE CLAIMS

President Bush has emphatically rejected claims his administration uses torture and defended the CIA's methods.

THE WEEKLY SLANT

If you don't get this newsletter, sign up for it. It is excellent. Here are some recent quotes:

Couric Uncomfortable with Patriotism

" … And, you know, the whole culture of wearing flags on your lapel and saying 'we' when you were referring to the United States, which, and, and, you know, even the 'shock and awe' in the initial stages, it was just too jubilant and just a little uncomfortable. And I remember feeling when I was anchoring the Today show this inevitable march toward war and kind of feeling like 'Will anybody put the brakes on this?' and 'Has this been properly challenged by the right people?' …"

-- Katie Couric, in an interview by former CBS newsman Marvin Kalb at the National Press Club that aired September 26 on C-SPAN2; reported by MRC's CyberAlert Friday September 28


A Sampling of Media Bias Highlights
From the Media Research Center

Ignorant Reporting or Deliberate Attempt to Silence Conservative Talk Radio? - 1

A dishonest attempt to discredit and impugn the character of Rush Limbaugh was in full view last week for all to see. Even after Limbaugh clarified remarks he had made on his radio program, MSNBC continued to smear him for something he did not do. Limbaugh used the term "phony soldiers" to refer to one Jesse MacBeth, a cut-and-run defeatist who passed himself off as a veteran Army Ranger but who in fact had never even finished basic training. Ignoring the facts, MSNBC jumped on Limbaugh for insulting the troops. Others in the liberal media followed, also defying the truth. The continuing smear led MRC to point out that such "character assassination" amounted to "nothing short of a deliberate pattern to smear the reputations of conservative media personalities in order to eliminate any voice of opposition."

-- MRC press release, October 1; CyberAlert October 1 and NewsBusters Blog September 28

Ignorant Reporting or Deliberate Attempt to Silence Conservative Talk Radio? - 2

The smearing of Rush Limbaugh by leftists in the media followed hard on the heels of the smearing of Bill O'Reilly by leftists in the media. Do you see a pattern here? O'Reilly had made on-air remarks to black journalist Juan Williams about his pleasure over the harmony that prevailed during a meal at a mostly-black-clientele restaurant in Harlem. Somehow, CNN and MSNBC saw this a possible "Imus moment" for O'Reilly. Soon, CBS's Early Show picked up the story with "In Hot Water" and "O'Race Factor" on screen. Then an MSNBC on-screen graphic abandoned all subtlety and flat-out accused O'Reilly of racism. It read: "Anchor's Racist Comments." Amazingly, none of these shows bothered to mention that Juan Williams himself, the black journalist who was with O'Reilly when he made the remarks, defended O'Reilly: "It had nothing to do with racist ranting by anybody except these idiots at CNN." MRC's CyberAlert has documented that behind bo th the Limbaugh smear and the O'Reilly smear was the leftwing, Clinton-allied group, Media Matters.

-- MRC CyberAlert Sept. 27, Oct. 1-3.

We are Not Making This Stuff Up, People

On Thursday's Good Morning America, ABC host George Stephanopoulos provided another example of the media carrying the Clinton camp's water. After playing a debate clip of the New York Senator publicly disagreeing with her husband over a question about torture, Stephanopoulos revealed to co-host Robin Roberts: "My e-mail started going off the minute after that exchange happened. All the Clinton people." Stephanopoulos, a former top aide to Bill Clinton, explained that Mrs. Clinton's operatives "were thrilled" with the retort and "they like any moment where she can show that, actually, she's the one in charge. He's not pulling the strings." In other words, the Clinton camp e-mailed the ABC anchor, told him the debate moment they most appreciated and Stephanopoulos dutifully highlighted it the next day on Good Morning America.

-- MRC's CyberAlert, Friday, September 28

TONY SNOW GETS THE LAST WORD

Tony Snow is going to be missed. Here is what he recently said:

CNN's Susanne Malveau: "How does the President regain the credibility that he needs to convince the American people that that's true (that the surge is working) Tony?"

Retiring White House Press Secretary Tony Snow: "Well, you know what Suzanne, your credibility rating--journalists' credibility ratings--are lower than the President's."

DARFUR REBEL WARNS OF TALKS CHAOS

At least 200,000 people have died and some 2 million people have been forced from their homes during the four year conflict in Darfur. With all this killing going on, a rebel leader now is threatening to boycott upcoming peace talks if more than two rebel groups are invited. Won't these people ever learn?

US TARGETS ETHIOPIA FOR SANCTIONS

The House of Representatives has passed a bill thretening to impose sanctions on Ethiopian officials and stop military aid unless democratic reforms are made. Did the House forget that Ethiopia is our strongest ally in the African region in the war on terror?

GINGRICH'S EXCUSE LEGALLY FLAWED

Newt Gingrich's attorney is now letting it be known that Newt's claim that campaign finance laws knocked him out of the Republican presidential race is not exactly true. In fact, the Attorney said Newt could have gotten into the race legally, and maintained his political group. He would have to have kept the funds carefully segregated, and according to Newt's attorney, they were prepared to do that.

WHY WE'RE WINNING NOW IN IRAQ

This is an op-ed from September 28, but I think the point of it is very valid. Frederick W. Kagan correctly points out that most politicians in Washington ignored perhaps the most important point made by General David Petraeus; the defeat of al Qaeda in Iraq requires a combination of conventional forces, special forces and local forces. As Mr. Kagan says

"One thing is clear from the Iraqi experience. It is not enough to persuade a Muslim population to reject al Qaeda's ideology and practice. Someone must also be willing and able to protect that population against the terrorists they had been harboring, something that special forces and long-range missiles alone can't do."

PHOTO FINISH IN Q3

Captain Ed reports that the Republican fundraising numbers reveal a three-way photo finish at the top. Rudy Giuliani raised $11 million, Mitt Romney raised over $18 million, but 8.5 million was a personal loan from himself, and Fred Thompson raised $9.3 million for the quarter.

DOMENICI'S DEPARTURE

Ed Morrissey of Captains Quarters has an article on the retirement of New Mexico's Republican Senator Pete Domenici and what it will mean for the Republicans in the Senate and the Republican party in New Mexico.

JIMMY CARTER - NO GENOCIDE IN DARFUR

As I said earlier, I believe Jimmy Carter to be one of the worst Presidents our country has ever had. Earlier today, I gave him credit for standing up to the dictators in the Sudan. Well, I spoke too soon. Now he claims that there is no genocide in Darfur. Mr. Carter, you need to leave the Sudan. You are not helping the people of Darfur with those kind of comments.

FRED THOMPSON REPORTS $12.7 MILLION IN FIRST FEC FILING

Senator Fred Thompson reported $12.7 million in campaign contributions in a very short period of time. So much for the argument that he would have trouble raising money. Senator Thompson's campaign is now in high gear.

U.S. STEPS UP ITS MILITARY PRESENCE IN AFRICA

This week, Africom becomes officially operational under the command of General William Ward. It should be interesting to see what our military intends to do in Africa.

US MILITARY CHIEF STATES MISSION

the new top military adviser to US President George W. Bush has said he wants to prepare the military for challenges beyond Iraq and Afghanistan.

AL QAEDA BAG MAN SMUGGLES $100 MILLION INTO IRAQ

an unidentified man was arrested Tuesday near Baghdad and charged with smuggling $100 million into Iraq during the past few months to finance terrorist operations.

BUSH VETO FOR CHILD HEALTH BILL

BBC News has an interesting article about the President's veto of the child health bill. The BBC points out that the bill proposed higher tobacco taxes to provide an extra $35 billion. The Democratic controlled Congress wanted to expand the program by $35 billion, while the President proposed a $5 billion dollar increase. The President has said from the beginning that he is willing to negotiate with the Democrats, but they seem to be more intent on making it a political issue.

REPUBLICANS SEEK QUICKER ACTION ON JUDGES FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

You have to nominate them Mr. President. Why is the President's staff so slow in getting these nominations up to the Hill. As Senator Thune says, it is tough to argue obstructionism when the nominees haven't even been sent to the hill. There are 48 vacancies on the federal district and appellate courts, and the Administration has yet to nominate judges for 24 of those seats.

JIMMY CARTER CONFRONTS SUDAN OFFICIALS

I view Jimmy Carter as the worst American President during my lifetime, and perhaps the worst of all time. However, I give him credit for standing up to the Sudanese officials who refused to let him visit the refugee camp in Darfur. Good for him!!

GIULIANI RAISES $11 MILLION, LEADS GOP

Rudy Giuliani raised $11 million, ahead of Mitt Romney who raised $10 million. Romney also contributed $8.5 million to his own campaign. McCain raised $6 million and Fred Thompson an estimated $8 million.

JUDGE DENYS CRAIG MOTION TO REVOKE PLEA

The Court ruled that Senator Craig's plea was accurate, voluntary and intelligent, and because the conviction is supported by the evidence...the Defendant's motion to withdraw his guilty plea is denied.

POLL: CLINTON ADVANCES, STRONG IN BASE; GIULIANIS LEAD HAS LESS OOMPH

hillary Clinton, according to ABC News has advanced to her most powerful advantage on the Democratic nomination campaign. On the Republican side Rudy Giuliani leads his competitors on the issues as well, but by smaller margins than Clinton.

THE GOP NEEDS A SURVIVAL INSTINCT

Tony Blankley has an op-ed in Real Clear Politics in which he talks about the need for the GOP to have a survival instinct. Mr. Blankley makes one point "Every faction within the GOP coalition should agree immediately to make no further demands of their party. The Conservatives of 2007 and 2008 should simply let their strongest candidate campaign in a way most likely to gain victory."

AAAAUGH-BAMA

This is a good article to read to get a perspective on Hillary vs. Barack.

CONGRESS, ARE POINTS OF VIEW A CRIME

The Senate passed the Defense Authorization bill with an amendment that would extend hate crimes legislation to cover sexual orientation and gender identity. Many observers now question that the hate crimes legislation actually criminalizes points of view rather than conduct. The comments of Representatives when asked this question are interesting.

BUSH VETOES CHILD HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

President Bush vetoed a bill that would have dramatically expanded children's health insurance. It was the fourth veto of Bush's presidency. The Senate approved the bill with enough votes to override the veto, but the margin in the House fell short of what is needed. President Bush said the country needs to put the poor kids first, also indicating that he does not want the federal government running the health care system.

NEW MEXICO SENATOR PETE DOMENICI ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico intends to retire at the end of his term next year. Domenici becomes the fifth Republican Senator to announce his retirement. Domenici will be remembered by me as the mentor to former Senator Bill Frist.

TWO SECESSION GROUPS MEET IN CHATTANOOGA

WOW!! I thought the Civil War ended this kind of talk. Two advocacy groups from opposite political traditions - New England and the South are sitting down to talk in Chattanooga. The Middlebury Institute wants liberal states like Vermont to be able to secede peacefully, because they are tired of foreign wars and what they consider right-wing courts. The League of the South likes the idea. They are a conservative group that refuses to give up on Southern independence.

WHY FRED THOMPSON WILL WIN

Terrific article about Senator Thompson by Peter Mulhern. Mr. Mulhern talks about the other Republican candidates and points out that they come up short. He also points out the differences between Senator Thompson and the other candidates. On every important point, Thompson comes up ahead of the other potential nominees.

MOM ARRESTED IN GIRLS' BATHTUB DEATHS

A Cleveland mother who was arrested after the bathtub drownings of her two young daughters was a domestic violence victim who had no documented history of neglecting her children.

SUDAN CRITICIZES US, EU AFTER DARFUR ATTACK

Sudan has criticized the United States and the European Union for failing to impose sanctions on Darfur rebel groups believed to be behind the deadliest attack on African Union troops in the region.

IMMIGRATION LOSERS

Richard Nadler has an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal in which he points out that the GOP paid for get tough border politics. Specifically he points out how much of the Hispanic vote the GOP lost in 2006, and what they can expect to lose in 2008.

SCHIP AND THE POLITICS OF PRINCIPLE

Thaddeus McCotter wrote a good article for Townhall.com. He argues that the SCHIP bill must be vetoed. As he points out this is a politically motivated bill advancing a government run health care system by arbitrarily spending $35 billion over the next five years. What I found interesting was his comparisons of the contrasts between the two parties guiding principles:

1. Republicans believe Americans are sovereign citizens. Democrats believe Americans are hapless victims.
2. Republicans believe the federal government must serve sovereign Americans. Democrats believe Americans must serve a sovereign federal government.
3. Republicans believe in reducing people's taxes. Democrats believe in raising people's taxes.
4. Republicans believe social programs exist to make poor people self-reliant. Democrats believe social programs exist to make all people state dependents.
5. Republicans want poor people to escape the welfare state. Democrats want all people inside the welfare state.
6. Republicans believe America needs a fiscally sound social safety net that temporarily helps poor people and respects taxpayers. Democrats believe America needs a big government trampoline that permanently traps poor people and impoverishes taxpayers.
7. Republicans believe a social program's success is measured by how many people have escaped from it. Democrats believe a social program's success is measured by how many people have been added to it.
8. Republicans believe government should not use taxpayers' money to unfairly compete against taxpaying businesses. Democrats believe government should use taxpayers' money to unfairly compete against taxpaying businesses.
9. Republicans believe in free enterprise and our citizenry. Democrats believe in the welfare state and its bureaucracy.

TOP DEMOCRATS PROPOSE WAR SURTAX

Here come the tax and spend Democrats. Top House Democrats are proposing a war surtax. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey says the surtax would be a percentage of each person's tax bill. We will see how far this goes.

GOOD NEWS FOR TEAM THOMPSON

70,000 donors, $200,000 a day raised. Pretty good stats for Team Thompson.

JURY RULES AGAINST ISIAH THOMAS

A jury ruled Tuesday that New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas sexually harassed a top team executive. The jury also ruled that Thomas does not have to pay punitive damages to the woman.

CLINTON HITS TURBULENCE

The Politico reports that after months of smooth sailing with the mainstream media, Hillary Clinton has run into a few rough spots. According to the Politico, this is just an example of the skepticism between the Clintons and the elite media. I think it is more of a case of the Clintons tripping themselves up again.

RICKY WILLIAMS APPLIES FOR REINSTATEMENT

On Monday suspended running back Ricky Williams applied for NFL reinstatement. According to league programs, when a player applies for reinstatement the doctors have up to 45 days to submit their report and recommendation to the commissioner.

BIDEN: PARTITION IRAQ

I still can't quite figure out what right Joe Biden has to divide up a sovereign nation. I must be missing something.

GOP RACE NO CLEARER AFTER FUNDING REPORTS

The Politico is reporting that the Republican race is no clearer after funding reports. I beg to differ with them. The pundits have been saying from the beginning that this was an important milestone for Senator Fred Thompson. Well, Senator Thompson's campaign is reporting that he raised 8 million dollars between July 1 and September 30. That is a pretty impressive figure, and catapults Senator Thompson to the forefront of the race, in my opinion

FRED THOMPSON RAISES 8 MILLION DOLLARS

Fox News has just reported that Senator Fred Thompson's campaign has raised 8 million dollars in the third quarter. Pretty impressive numbers for a guy who just entered the race a month ago. Maybe now Fox news will give the Senator the respect that he deserves.

WHY THE PRESIDENT SHOULD VETO SCHIP

Fred Barnes has an article in the Weekly Standard in which he debunks the analogy used by many Presidential candidates, including Mitt Romney, comparing mandated health insurance to automobile insurance. As Barnes explains it, the health insurance proposals being talked about would all require everyone to have health insurance. The difference with car insurance, is that only those who own and operate vehicles are required to have it, and many of them drive without it, anyway.

BUSH TO PELOSI: I WILL VETO SCHIP

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi confirmed on Friday that President Bush reiterated to her that he intended to veto the SCHIP biill. Dana Perino, the President's press secretary, said that the President will veto the present bill, and that he then expects to be sent a reasonable bill, that a compromise can be reached on.

CANDIDATES GO CODE BLUE ON HEALTH CARE

The LA Times had an interesting article in Sunday's edition called "Candidates go Code Blue on Healthcare". The article talks about the plans offered by the Democrats and the Republicans. When it comes to the plans of Obama, Hillary and Edwards, the article points out that they differ in details and ambition, but diagnose the problem the same way. Not enough people have health insurance. The one big change each plan would make is that insurers would not be able to refuse coverage or charge higher rates based on preexisting conditions.
The Republican plans take a very different approach. Their plans are all based on the assumption that healthcare costs are skyrocketing because the American people use their doctors too much. Their idea, make us pay for care directly rather than for premiums. How do they propose to do that? Well, Rudy Giuliani for example wants to provide a fixed tax exemption for health insurance of $7,500 for individuals and $15,000 for families. Romney's plan would do away with state regulation of insureres. It will be interesting to see what we end up with, if anything at all.

STEELER REPORT CARD - WEEK 4

Here is the report card for the Pittsburgh Steelers for week 4 - their 21 to 14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. As you will see, there was a considerable drop off in play and coaching at all levels.

STEELERS LOSE TO CARDINALS 21 TO 14

There is no joy in Steelerville tonight. The black and gold lost their first game, to the Arizona Cardinals.!!!!

GIULIANI ARGUES HE CAN BEAT HILLARY

Rudy Giuliani makes a pretty good argument that he is the Republican candidate that can beat Hillary Clinton. The only problem is he needs to get the GOP nomination first. If the Christian right has their way that may prove very difficult to do.

WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR SCHIP?

So the Democrats want to increase dramatically funding for Children's Health Coverage. They insist that it will be paid for. How? By increasing the tax on cigarettes. Guess who the vast majority of smokers in this country are? You got it - people with relatively little money and education.

The Congress wants to increase the federal cigarette tax by 156 percent, taking it to $1.00 per pack from the current 39 cents. Now, follow this convoluted logic. Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader says we are going to pay for this. In the long run, maybe it will stop people from smoking. Well, Harry, genius that you are, if people quit smoking, they won't be paying that 156% increase in the cigarette tax. So how will you pay for SCHIP?