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Obama fires AmeriCorps inspector general

Gerald Walpin was given an ultimatum to resign or be fired as the AmeriCorp I.G., tasked to ensure organizations receiving federal grants aren't misusing the funds. It appears that Walpin is let go because of his investigation into St. Hope, founded by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and a top Obama supporter.

Walpin was doing his job, but somebody in the W.H. isn't happy about him digging into Johnson's papers. Definitely dirty politics in play. Welcome to Washington, Chicago style...

Island paradises are the new Gitmo

An obscure Pacific island nation, Palau, and popular tourist destination, Bermuda, are now receiving former Gitmo detainees. Residents of Palau aren't too happy about it, and neither is Downing Street as Britain provides for Bermuda's defense and foreign affairs and wasn't consulted about the detainee transfer.

Why would Palau and Bermuda accept unwanted terror suspects from Gitmo? For Palau to welcome the Uighurs into their land, the U.S. has pledged $200 million in aid to the country. That's $200 million taxpayer dollars to send unwanted terror suspects to an island paradise in the Pacific.

One question remains: Does the tour package include cocktail beverages with tiny umbrellas in them?

Democrats rain on climate change bill

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) won't be happy about this: her climate change bill is meeting resistance from her own party, with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) leading the charge. Apparently there's some internal party conflict brewing between Peterson's camp and that of House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA).

Terrorists now advised of "right to remain silent"?!

Unbelievable. Un-effing-believable.

The Obama administration Justice Department has ordered FBI agents to read Miranda rights to high value foreign suspects detained in Afghanistan.

So now after our brave troops risk death and injury to capture a terror suspect and hand him to the FBI for interrogation, instead of hearing a stern "You better start talkin'!" the terrorist will be advised:

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense.

Just perfect. We catch these terrorists in hope of obtaining valuable information, and now they're told they can shut up and ask for a lawyer, even at government -- taxpayer, really -- expense?!?!

I bet the terrorists are dancing in their caves upon learning this new rule.

McAuliffe loses in Virginia primary

Terry McAuliffe's gubernatorial dream is dashed as he loses to Creigh Deeds in the Democratic primary. McAuliffe's campaign was well funded and endorsed by party heavyweights such as former President Bill Clinton, and this defeat may signal the diminishing influence of the Clintons in the Democrat Party.

Deeds' victory means a rematch against Bob McDonnell (R). They both ran for state attorney general four years ago with McDonnell winning by a margin of only 323 votes.

This is one of the major 2010 races to keep an eye on.

Ideology and the making of an aircraft

I read an interesting article pertaining to the recent crash of Air France flight 447 over the Atlantic Ocean. Apparently European-made Airbus jets are controlled by an on-board computer system analyzing data fed through various sensors and instruments. American-made Boeing jets have the same feature, but there's one major difference: Boeing allows pilots to manually override the computer's control.

Philosophical difference? Or ideological?

Pelosi refuses to meet with Republicans

According to Minority Whip Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) hasn't accepted any of his meeting requests.

This is the type of Democratic leadership in place? Bipartisanship is nothing but an empty promise coming from Democrats.

Conservative Europe, liberal America

The votes are in: Europe is steering right as evident from this weekend's E.U. parliament election results. Whereas the United States is heading left... way left.

Universal health care as a weapon

In America power is supposed to belong to the people as the Founding Fathers intended. The three branches of government check and balance each other. Citizens elect government officials regularly. People are given the freedom to pursue their dreams, whatever those may be.

Our Founding Fathers realized the perils of too much government, and that's starting to show its ugly head with this administration...

The economy is certainly a critical aspect of our well-being and the nation's viability. The government should be involved in minimizing the adverse impact of a recession, but the Obama administration has definitely gone too far by pushing for TARP legislation without proper scrutiny, seizing control of major financial institutions, and taking over major corporations like General Motors. The White House now dictates who banks can lend money to and how much, and who becomes CEO and who sits on the board of directors.

This means American people can't get a loan to buy a house, car, or business without government approval. The other way to think about this: The government can now dictate how big of house you live in, what type of car you drive, and what type of business you operate. It's that simple! Don't be surprised when you receive notice about your house not meeting environmental standards, or your car putting out too much carbon, or your business deemed too controversial for the community.

And consider the fact that the administration is now pushing hard for a universal health care system. Yes, imagine the government in charge of your health. Imagine doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and various hospital staff absorbed as federal employees. If you think going through the airport is bad with TSA's "efficiency," wait until you need to make a trip to the clinic! But okay, you can live with some inconveniences and inefficiencies...

But what worries me greatly is the issue of privacy.

Today our medical history and data is shared by you and the doctor, and anyone you designate. Our medical privacy is protected by law. But what happens when universal health care is implemented? Your health record is shared by you and... the government! Yes, President Obama and his friends will know if you have an urinary infection or AIDS.

If you were a celebrity or politician, that's the information tabloids would pay money for to splash across the cover. That's also the information some politicians could use against their opponents or worse yet, ordinary citizens. All in the hands of the government.

Flat tax proposed for California

We all know California is in deep economic trouble. Its GDP surpasses even some nations, but lately the state is on a downward spiral of economic decline. It's in so much trouble that the Governator Arnold Schwarzeneggar (R), considered by some to be a RINO, is proposing a flat tax.

It's a good idea: simple to report, easy to audit, and guarantees a steady tax revenue for the state.

But opponents say it's unfair as it taxes the wealthy at the same rate as the poor. These opponents probably don't publicize the fact that most poor households don't pay taxes.

No matter. If it's fairness they seek, then Gov. Schwarzeneggar ought to study the FairTax! How great would it be for a state like California to radically adopt a new tax code similar to the FairTax?

Acting like school children

President Obama and the First Lady declined dinner with the French First Family even though they're staying at the nearby U.S. Ambassador's residence. The Obamas are there to attend tomorrow's D-Day ceremony at the U.S. cemetery above Omaha Beach. It's no secret that Obama and Sarkozy aren't close buddies as both have publicly and privately criticized each other. But to decline a host president's dinner invitation when you're literally staying next door... that's truly immature and ungracious, not to mention unstatemanlike.

And sadly it's not just with the French. America's relations with Germany is also rocky.

But President Obama sure took his time in Egypt, didn't he?

W.H. has so many czars that it's starting to feel like an empire

Cyber czar. Car czar. Energy czar. Drug czar, etc. And now even a pay (as in compensation) czar?! The Obama administration will name Kenneth Feinberg to the new post for the Treasury Department.

Welcome to the United States of Czars.

Obama's come-to-Allah speech

In another effort to reach out to the Muslim world, President Obama landed in Cairo, Egypt to give a speech at Cairo University. I applaud this effort as nobody can deny the tension between Islam and the West, especially after the 9/11 attacks and the Madrid and London terrorist bombings. However, I think he's preaching to the choir and although the speech is well delivered and well received, I'm sure the Islamist terrorists remain bent on destroying the West and Israel.

Seriously, the Muslims in the audience have absolutely no influence on the terrorists. How do you get a terrorist to listen to you? Certainly not through a well written speech. You get a terrorist's attention by hunting one down, lock him up, and maybe with the help of an "enhanced interrogation technique."

The New York Post makes an interesting point:

But if world peace is attained by complimenting those on the other side into submission, he made some serious progress.

Obama really buttered them up in Cairo.

He thanked them for everything from algebra to the pen, though he curiously failed to mention that they often throw people in prison for using it.

Exactly. Even though President Obama offers such praise of the Muslim world:

...share common principles -- principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.

How come the news coming from the Muslim world are often those of gender discrimination, honor killings, and suppression of free speech? If the religion of Islam indeed share those common principles, then clearly many Muslim governments are not putting those into practice. And it is profoundly unfortunate that the West sees this dark side of Islam, but then where are the Muslim critics of his or her own unjust leaders and governments? Rarely do we hear a Muslim criticize those who pervert his or her religion.

And about Israel:

America's strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.

Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed -- more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, it is ignorant, and it is hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction -- or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews -- is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.

I did notice that there's no "(Applause)" after this part of the speech, whereas when he talked about the plight of the Palestinians, the audience clapped. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? However, I'm glad he did talk about the Holocaust and anti-Semitism as a warning to Iranian President Ahmadinejad. Yet it's clear that some Israelis see their relation with America souring -- there's currently an anti-Obama campaign that is gathering steam.

President Obama needs to be clear to the world: Israel will always be a close friend. That region is so hostile and unstable that when Israel's enemies sniff a weakened U.S.-Israeli tie, they will definitely take advantage. We must remain at Israel's side. Always.

Overall the President gave a great speech being the talented orator that he is. But parts of the speech did sound like he was talking to the American people on domestic issues rather than to an audience in Egypt. His effort is appreciated and an improved relationship with Muslims benefits everyone.

Remembering Tiananmen

On the surface today's China is vastly different from that of June 4, 1989. Today we see China as a major economic power by embracing capitalism, its economic might enough to challenge America and the West. Today we see the country more active in international cooperative affairs.

Twenty years ago students gathered peacefully in Tiananmen Square in hopes of a democratic change. What they got were gunfire and tanks, an unimaginable massacre of innocent young civilians. Many protesters who were lucky enough to have escaped death now live a life of exile in the West and could only do so much to commemorate the tragic anniversary.

Every year in early June, Chinese authorities start cracking down on dissidents and invoke censorship on a grand scale. Yes, Beijing may seem like NYC any give day with its rush hour traffic and hurried businessmen, but in truth it's a city in bondage.

May the freedom loving Chinese one day find sweeping change which transforms the tyrannic government to one of democracy.

Obama's Muslim roots

Jake Tapper of ABC News reveals something most conservatives have known all along: "The emergence of President Obama's Muslim roots."

During the presidential campaign, Obama's aides would raise hell if anyone questioned the candidate's Christian belief. All efforts were made to suppress mentioning of his clearly Muslim middle name, Hussein. They tried not to bring up his Muslim father and his Muslim schooling in Indonesia.

Then after he became President, we witnessed him greet the Saudi king with a bow. One of his first speeches was to reach out to the Muslim world. His foreign policy clearly disfavors our traditional ally, Israel.

There is a definite pattern which begs the question: What else can we expect from our president in his open arms to the Muslim world?

U.K. government meltdown

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is having a very rough term. First, President Obama didn't give him the well-deserved attention when he came to visit (and received DVDs as gifts which can't be played in Britain). Then an investigation by the Telegraph revealed how members of parliament and cabinet officials exploited allowances to fund their lifestyles. And the latest bad news for Brown comes as multiple resignations from his top cabinet ministers.

One of the resignations is from Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, evidently in trouble for filing expenses for a couple of her husband's pornographic movies, among other things. She also blacklisted American talk show host Michael Savage from entering the country for his views. Savage is filing a libel suit.

Obama affirms Iran's nuke ambition

"What I do believe is that Iran has legitimate energy concerns, legitimate aspirations."

Those are President Obama's words in a BBC interview about Tehran's nuclear developments.

But according to official government data from 2006, Iran's energy consumption consists mainly of natural gas and oil. The country also ranks top three in terms of natural gas and oil reserves.

So what is the President referring to? Why is President Obama so soft on Iran?

There are many reasons to keep Tehran in check:

• President Ahmadinejad has repeatedly threatened to destroy Israel, a longtime and important American ally in the Middle East.
• The nation has close ties with other anti-American nations such as Cuba and Venezuela, two countries right in our backyard.
• Blatant disregard for human rights -- religious persecution, abuse of women and children, and lack of freedom of expression.

Is this really a country we want to see to become a nuclear power?

Buy our Treasuries, we'll keep quiet about Tiananmen

It's quite upsetting knowing that we as Americans are so indebted to China economically that our Treasury Secretary has to travel to Beijing short of begging the Chinese to buy dollar assets... Although China has become prosperous in recent years thanks to the government embracing capitalism, it's still a communist nation with little regard for personal freedom.

As June 4 Tiananmen Massacre anniversary approaches, Beijing has activated its Great Firewall to block popular Internet services like Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, etc.

Yes, it's come to this, America. We now depend on the world's largest communist country, censor, and human rights abuser, to prop up our economy.

Michael Moore thinks he can run G.M.

Oh please, somebody stop him from making movies and also from writing. Please.

Moore, like many liberals, is worried about the precious environment and what cars are doing to the planet. He even calls it a "war":

1. Just as President Roosevelt did after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the President must tell the nation that we are at war and we must immediately convert our auto factories to factories that build mass transit vehicles and alternative energy devices. Within months in Flint in 1942, GM halted all car production and immediately used the assembly lines to build planes, tanks and machine guns. The conversion took no time at all. Everyone pitched in. The fascists were defeated.

We are now in a different kind of war -- a war that we have conducted against the ecosystem and has been conducted by our very own corporate leaders. This current war has two fronts. One is headquartered in Detroit. The products built in the factories of GM, Ford and Chrysler are some of the greatest weapons of mass destruction responsible for global warming and the melting of our polar icecaps. The things we call "cars" may have been fun to drive, but they are like a million daggers into the heart of Mother Nature. To continue to build them would only lead to the ruin of our species and much of the planet.

The other front in this war is being waged by the oil companies against you and me. They are committed to fleecing us whenever they can, and they have been reckless stewards of the finite amount of oil that is located under the surface of the earth. They know they are sucking it bone dry. And like the lumber tycoons of the early 20th century who didn't give a damn about future generations as they tore down every forest they could get their hands on, these oil barons are not telling the public what they know to be true -- that there are only a few more decades of useable oil on this planet. And as the end days of oil approach us, get ready for some very desperate people willing to kill and be killed just to get their hands on a gallon can of gasoline.

President Obama, now that he has taken control of GM, needs to convert the factories to new and needed uses immediately.

Sure, blame the oil companies. How convenient. Moore reveals is true anti-capitalist self.

Wait a minute, did President Obama take control of G.M.? Just a few paragraphs earlier Moore writes his joy of "you and I and the rest of America now own a car company!" Ooops, looks like we don't really own it if it's the president who's taken control of the company? Silly.

And about that $30 billion poured into the bankrupt company?

2. Don't put another $30 billion into the coffers of GM to build cars. Instead, use that money to keep the current workforce -- and most of those who have been laid off -- employed so that they can build the new modes of 21st century transportation. Let them start the conversion work now.

I'm starting to think Moore is a fan of the vicious circle. How can more money to keep employees at this juncture save G.M. when keeping them on the payroll means higher expenses when nobody is buying their cars? Then he babbles about building out a mass transit system and having G.M. reconfigure its factories to build trains and hybrid cars instead.

That's simply flawed business thinking. Let's forgive him, he's a (struggling) filmmaker after all. If we are to follow his logic, then the fastest way for G.M. to bring in revenues is to outsource its facilities to build cars for other companies, like Ford and Toyota. It's not to build rail cars and trains! Heck, we don't have enough tracks for trains, but plenty of nicely paved roads...

Then he brings up...taxes!

8. Provide tax incentives for those who travel by hybrid car or bus or train. Also, credits for those who convert their home to alternative energy.

9. To help pay for this, impose a two-dollar tax on every gallon of gasoline. This will get people to switch to more energy saving cars or to use the new rail lines and rail cars the former autoworkers have built for them.

What about those who walk? Don't walkers deserve tax credits too? Are Americans supposed to keep track of how many miles they walk each year in order to qualify for the tax credit?

And imposing higher taxes on gasoline? If he truly thinks the oil companies are evil, he ought to advocate banning gasoline altogether! In fact, let's ban gasoline and cars. But I guess even a liberal like Michael Moore understands how unrealistic his ideas are...

Geithner reassures China on dollar assets, gets laughed at

Our Treasury Secretary, not Secretary of State Clinton, is visiting China to calm Beijing's nerves about the once-mighty U.S. dollar. As of first quarter China holds a record $768 billion of U.S. Treasuries, and the Chinese are very worried about Washington's budget deficit and liberal monetary policy causing hyperinflation down the road.

After responding to a question about the security of U.S. assets, he was laughed at by the Peking University audience.

Nobody believes him, whether abroad or domestic. The reputation of the Treasury Department is on a downward spiral, and in turn, America's reputation.

President Obama has not elevated our global stature. His naivete and flawed policies have made America laughable.

Did McAuliffe try to bribe Ralph Nader?

Consumer advocate and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader is accusing former DNC chair Terry McAuliffe of trying to push him out of the 2004 race:

Nader said that McAuliffe offered him an unspecified amount of money to campaign in 31 states if Nader would agree to pull his campaign in 19 battleground states.

Interestingly,

McAuliffe isn't denying the charge. His spokeswoman Elisabeth Smith said in a statement McAuliffe "was concerned that Ralph Nader would cost John Kerry the election as he did Al Gore in 2000 and give us another four years of George W. Bush."

McAuliffe is now vying to run for the governor of Virginia in a hotly contested 3-way Democratic primary. Looks like some skeletons are being dug up already.

A young amateur handles General Motor's disassembly

According to the NYT, it's 31-year-old Brian Deese that's handling the break up of General Motors, turning it into "Government Motors." And how is he qualified? Let's just say he can compete with President Obama for who has the thinner resume. From the NYT piece:

...Brian Deese, a not-quite graduate of Yale Law School who had never set foot in an automotive assembly plant until he took on his nearly unseen role in remaking the American automotive industry.

I feel a little bad for ousted CEO Rick Wagoner, who's received a B.A. in Economics from Duke University and an MBA from Havard, and has worked at G.M. for many years. Here comes Mr. Deese, not having his Yale diploma even and zero experience in the auto industry, but thanks to his work at the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, he now gets to decide what happens to this iconic American company.

Merely a "special assistant to the president for economic policy," he makes rounds to the Treasury to discuss and influence decision makers about the American auto industry, and even the NYT raises a point about his lack of training and experience:

Mr. Deese’s role is unusual for someone who is neither a formally trained economist nor a business school graduate, and who never spent much time flipping through the endless studies about the future of the American and Japanese auto industries.

So what does this say about the Obama administration and its handling of the trouble auto industry? Does it really have the people's interest in mind when it allows an industry amateur to influence policy?