President Obama Now Doing Instructional Videos

(Breitbart.tv) - Apparently, the "Sham-Wow" guy was not available.

Saul Alinksy’s “Rules For Radicals” on Teachers Unions & NEA Reading List

(By The P/Oed Patriot, Gateway Pundit) - You send your kids to Public School everyday trusting that those who influence them for more hours a day than you do, are honest, trust worthy and are only interested in teaching the ABC’s and 123′s.

Well for most teachers I believe that is the case, but for those in the NEA who are involved in “Grass Roots” organizing, they may have been influenced by a little more than reading, writing and arithmetic.

According to the NEA website, the Radical Communist Saul Alinsky’s Book, “Rules for Radicals” is recommended reading to all of their members...

Sarah Palin Comes Face-to-Face With Grizzly

Sarah Palin Bears All

(TMZ) - Sarah Palin came face to face with a real, live wild bear -- and its two cute little baby cubs -- during a fishing trip at Wolverine Creek, Alaska earlier this month ... and didn't shoot it!

Ann Coulter Tells Conservatives To Call Out Liars

WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE, WHO NEEDS KEITH OLBERMANN?

(By Ann Coulter, AnnCoulter.com) - While engaging in astonishing viciousness, vulgarity and violence toward Republicans, liberals accuse cheerful, law-abiding Tea Party activists of being violent racists.

Responding to these vile charges, conservative television pundits think it's a great comeback to say: "There is the fringe on both sides."

Both sides? Really? How about: "That's a despicable lie"? Did that occur to you simpering morons as a possible reply to the slanderous claim that conservatives are fiery racists?

All the accusations of "racism" at anti-Obama rallies so far have turned out to be completely false. The most notorious was the allegation that one black congressman was spat on and another called the N-word 15 times at an anti-ObamaCare rally on Capitol Hill last March.

The particularly sensitive Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., perhaps walking too closely to a protester chanting "Kill the Bill," was hit with some spittle -- and briefly thought he was a Freedom Rider! When observers contested Cleaver's account -- with massive video evidence -- he walked back his claim of being spat upon.

Obama uses convicted fraudster to illustrate need for higher unemployment benefits

'We need to extend unemployment compensation benefits for women like Leslie Macko, who lost her job at a fitness center last year, and has been looking for work ever since,' the President said

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (By Jessica Jaglois, Newsplex.com) - Leslie Macko was once employed at ACAC in the Albemarle Square Shopping Center. In 2009, Macko was convicted of prescription drug fraud, at which point she lost her job as an esthetician in the spa at ACAC.

However, on July 19, Macko was seen standing next to President Barack Obama as his example of the needs to extend jobless benefits.

“We need to extend unemployment compensation benefits for women like Leslie Macko, who lost her job at a fitness center last year, and has been looking for work ever since. Because she’s eligible for only a few more weeks of unemployment, she’s doing what she never thought she’d have to do. Not at this point, anyway. She’s turning to her father for financial support,” Obama said in his speech.

Illegal immigrants leave tons of trash in Arizona desert, devastating environment

Illegal immigrants crossing the border leave tons of trash in the Arizona desert, devastating the environment and costing taxpayers millions in cleanup

(By Caroline May, The Daily Caller) - In 1971, the environmental organization Keep America Beautiful launched a Public Service Announcement featuring a crying Indian lamenting the litter that supposedly coated America’s landscape. If in the 1970s the crying Indian was tearing up over some Coke cans on the bank of a river, today he would be sobbing at the environmental devastation occurring on the U.S.-Mexico border due to illegal immigration.

Trash and clothing left by illegal aliens attempting to enter the United States for Mexico litter the desert floor as seen here in an aerial view from a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office Black Hawk helicopter Wednesday, June 2, 2004 near Arivaca, Ariz., south of Tucson. (AP Photo/Tom Hood)

Graham eyes ‘birthright citizenship’

Senator Lindsey Graham said Wednesday that he will consider introducing a constitutional amendment to end 'birthright citizenship'

(By Andy Barr, Politico) - Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) announced Wednesday night that he is considering introducing a constitutional amendment that would change existing law to no longer grant citizenship to the children of immigrants born in the United States.

Currently, the 14th Amendment grants citizenship to any child born within the United States.

But with 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States, Graham said it may be time to restrict the ability of immigrants to have children who become citizens just because they are born within the country.

'Progressive Love'

Political operatives on Journolist discuss laying the 'analytical framework within the media elite' in order to shape news coverage

(By Jonathan Strong, The Daily Caller) - Despite its name, membership in the liberal online community Journolist wasn’t limited to journalists. Present among the bloggers, reporters and editors were a number of professional political operatives, including top White House economic advisors, key Obama political appointees, and Democratic campaign veterans. Some left government to join Journolist. Others took the opposite route. A few contributed to Journolist from their perches in politics. At times, it became difficult to tell who was supposed to be covering policy and who was trying to make it.

Carolinas beaches pounded in ratings

(CharlotteObserver.com) - Some of the Carolinas' most popular beaches are among the dirtiest in the country, according to a report released this week by an environmental watchdog group.

The Natural Resources Defense Council's ratings of 200 popular beaches in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes gave the lowest rating -- one star -- to five Carolinas' beaches.

The Grand Strand took a hit, with four beaches getting low ratings. Only North Myrtle Beach fared well, with three stars.

No Carolinas beaches got the highest rating of five stars. Nor were there any four-star beaches in the two states.

Neil Cavuto: Do as President Says, Not as He Does?

(Fox News Channel) - Obama's poll numbers are dropping because he's failing to lead by example.

Black Wolf Vineyards on auction block

Property being divided into 5 tracts with parcels going to highest bidders

DOBSON (By Monte Mitchell, Winston-Salem Journal) - Black Wolf Vineyards in Dobson had some of the Yadkin Valley's most mature grapevines when the vineyard, winery and associated Wolf's Lair Restaurant closed last year.

Now the property is up for public auction, offering an unusual chance for someone to buy an established vineyard.

"It's not very common," said Dale Fulk, of Mount Airy's Rogers Realty & Auction Co. Inc., which is handling the Aug. 20 auction along with Iron Horse Auction Co. Inc. of Rockingham.

"It's almost like a golf course, it's kind of a specialty item," Fulk said. "It needs special marketing."

There's no reserve on the properties, meaning they'll go to the highest bidder.

Northern Beltway is long way off

Eastern leg is at bottom of DOT's 10-year list of projects

(By Wesley Young, Winston-Salem Journal) - Dead last.

That's where the eastern leg of Winston-Salem's proposed Northern Beltway ranks on the N.C. Department of Transportation's draft list of urban-loop construction projects.

Even the western leg of the beltway -- one that local officials no longer see as the top priority -- ranks higher than the eastern leg but is still not among the projects that state highway officials plan to recommend building over the next 10 years.

"We have to look at the state as a whole," said Greer Beaty, the director of communications for the state transportation department. "We developed the process with input from areas all across the state. No community was singled out. We have to look at a formula that is fair to everybody."

The draft list will undergo a year of public comment and

review, Beaty said. The priority list won't be adopted until summer 2011, and changes are still possible.

"This is the starting point," Beaty said.

Howard Dean Keeps Lying About Fox News

(Breitbart.tv) - Howard Dean went on MSNBC and lied about Fox News coverage of the Shirley Sherrod story. Bret Baier now provides the definitive last word on this issue. He shows the entire day's programming in fast motion to prove that no mention and no video of Shirley Sherrod played until well after she had been "asked to resign".

Charles Krauthammer: Supreme Court Won't Uphold Ruling On AZ Law

Charles Krauthammer: I think, for now, this is a very sweeping, but quite temporary victory for the opponents of the Arizona law. And the reason I think it's a temporary one is I cannot see the Supreme Court ultimately upholding this ruling. There's a fundamental contradiction in the middle of it, pointed out by, among others, former prosecutor Andy McCarthy, who makes this case. The judge's argument is that the Arizona law is inconsistent with the federal law and therefore has to be enjoined against. The problem is, she is confusing the idea of the law and the federal enforcement of the law. So that her argument essentially is: Because the Arizona law--which, incidentally is drawn up to be entirely consistent with the federal law; it practically duplicates its language--because the Arizona law is contradicting the federal enforcement of the law, which is essentially not enforcement, therefore it is inconsistent with the law and has to be struck down. So, enforcing the federal law on behalf of the states is illegal because it goes against what the feds are doing, which is not enforcement. It is nuts. It does not hold up, and I think when it ends up in the Supreme Court, it's going to be struck down.

Rush Limbaugh's Morning Update: Arizona

Rush Limbaugh: I know liberals. Among the many accurate things I've said about liberals over the years, is this: Liberals use the judicial branch to achieve objectives they cannot win at the ballot box -- what happened yesterday was just one more example of that.

The day before the Arizona immigration law was to go into effect -- a law crafted by the citizens of Arizona's elected representatives -- one judge, appointed by Bill Clinton, gutted it. And here's the bottom line:

As of yesterday, in the state of Arizona, it's no longer illegal to be illegal. This is, once again, an activist decision -- not a judicial decision. Not a decision based on law, but, rather, based on the left's spin that law enforcement officers in Arizona are so biased, so incompetent, that they could not possibly avoid racial profiling while enforcing the law. That's what Judge Bolton meant when she said, "There is a substantial likelihood that officers will wrongfully arrest legal resident aliens... By enforcing this statute, Arizona would impose a 'distinct, unusual and extraordinary' burden on legal resident aliens that only the federal government has the authority to impose."

The judge also struck down the provision requiring people to carry identification documents -- well, some people. American citizens must carry our ID for all sorts of things: driving, banking, purchasing. But illegal aliens? Nah. They're now in a status by themselves: protected non-citizens.

Now, folks, we cannot wait for someone else to ride to the rescue. We are the cavalry... arriving in November.

Read the Background Material on the Morning Update...
• FOXNews: Federal Judge Blocks Part of Arizona Immigration Law

Dem Strategists: Obama’s Racial Politics Splitting the Country

Barack Obama promised a new era of post-partisanship. In office, he's played racial politics and further split the country along class and party lines.

(By PATRICK H. CADDELL AND DOUGLAS E. SCHOEN, Wall Street Journal) - During the election campaign, Barack Obama sought to appeal to the best instincts of the electorate, to a post-partisan sentiment that he said would reinvigorate our democracy. He ran on a platform of reconciliation—of getting beyond "old labels" of right and left, red and blue states, and forging compromises based on shared values.

President Obama's Inaugural was a hopeful day, with an estimated 1.8 million people on the National Mall celebrating the election of America's first African-American president. The level of enthusiasm, the anticipation and the promise of something better could not have been more palpable.

And yet, it has not been realized. Not at all.

Rather than being a unifier, Mr. Obama has divided America on the basis of race, class and partisanship. Moreover, his cynical approach to governance has encouraged his allies to pursue a similar strategy of racially divisive politics on his behalf.

Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ): "Shine A Bright Light On Greed And Self-Interest"

NJ Gov. Chris Christie on "Morning Joe": This teacher complaining, they're getting four-to-five percent salary increases a year in a zero percent inflation world; they get free health benefits from the day they're hired--for their entire family--until the day they die. They believe they're entitled to this shelter from the recession when the people who are paying for that shelter are the people who have been laid off, who have lost their homes, had their hours cut back, and all we asked them to do was freeze their salary for one year and pay one-and-a-half percent of their salary for their health benefits. For the average teacher in New Jersey, you're talking about $750 a year for full-family health coverage. Now, I don't think that's a lot to ask, and I don't think we can continue anymore to be having the good people of New Jersey who have been laid off and all the rest--as much as I love teachers--you know, everyone's got to be part of the sacrifice.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio: What Is The "Hype" With Arizona Immigration Law?

"I don't know what the big hype is going on with this law," Arpaio said Wednesday on ABC's "Good Morning America." "We've been doing it for three years."

Federal Judge Blocks Portions of Arizona Illegal Immigration Law

(FoxNews.com) - A federal judge on Wednesday blocked some of the toughest provisions in the Arizona illegal immigration law, putting on hold the state's attempt to have local police enforce federal immigration policy.

Though the rest of the law is still set to go into effect Thursday, the partial injunction on SB 1070 means Arizona, for the time being, will not be able to require police officers to determine the immigration status of anyone they stop or arrest.

U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton also struck down the section of law that makes it a crime not to carry immigration registration papers and the provision that makes it a crime for an illegal immigrant to seek or perform work.

Sen. Menendez: AZ Decision Shows Hispanics' Rights Are "Preserved"



Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ): "I think the compelling nature of that says to particularly communities like the Hispanic community and others that who is on the side of making sure that their rights as a citizen are preserved and that's the Obama administration by taking this action and certainly that has to work to the benefit of knowing who is on your side and that in this case was the Democratic administration."

Elton John slams musicians who boycott Arizona over immigration law, report says

(Fox 411) - Never one to back out of a performance to make a statement, music icon Elton John offered some choice words for his fellow musicians who choose to boycott Arizona over the SB 1070 immigration law.

According to the Arizona Daily Star, while performing at his sold-out concert at the Tucson Arena, he said:

"We are all very pleased to be playing in Arizona. I have read that some of the artists won't come here. They are f***wits! Let's face it: I still play in California, and as a gay man I have no legal rights whatsoever. So what's the (expletive) with these people?"

John is known for not giving into outside pressures when it comes to playing concerts in politically charged environments.

Last month, he ignored calls for a boycott of Israel, playing in Tel Aviv amid debates about an aid flotilla.

"Musicians spread love and peace, and bring people together. That's what we do," he said of artists like Elvis Costello and Santana, who canceled performances in Israel. "We don't cherry-pick our conscience."

On Eve of Law, 'Fear-Driven Exodus' from Arizona Distresses ABC

(Eyeblast.tv) - On ABC's World News, anchor Diane Sawyer and correspondent Bill Weir fret over illegal immigrants leaving Arizona before the state's new immigration law takes effect.

Jim Miklaszewski Says Foreigners Won't Provide Anti-Terror Info For Fear Of Winding Up in NY Times

(Eyeblast.tv) - On MSNBC this morning, NBC's chief Pentagon correspondent, Jim Miklaszewski stated that foreigners who might otherwise be inclined to provide information valuable to the United States in prosecuting the war on terror refuse to do so because "whatever we tell you is going to wind up on the front page of the New York Times."

Dems Launch Anti-Tea Party Strategy

(Breitbart.tv) - With this ad paid for by the DNC, we begin to get a picture of the Democrat's strategy for this election year: conflate the GOP and the Tea Party, then trash the Tea Party. The Dems are also circulating what they call the the Republican Tea Party Contract on America (get it?), a set of 10 principles that encapsulate "the blueprint for how they would govern." The DNC’s list combines perfectly legitimate political viewpoints ideas with patently absurd ones.

Unhinged Newsman: The Crazy World of Keith Olbermann

(By Chris Field, Townhall.com) - Keith Olbermann has spewed anti-Republican, anti-conservative rhetoric for years.

He's biased, arrogant, ignorant, foul-mouthed, boorish and nasty.

Is he alone in his craziness?

Is his behavior unique to him?

Or does he represent a larger movement on the Left?

Can MSNBC afford to keep broadcasting his lunacy?

We dig into the crazy world of Keith Olbermann in our August cover story, "Unhinged Newsman."

He hates, well, everybody in public life who leans to the right and/or has the letter "R" after his name.

He hates average Americans who are obviously too stupid to understand both his brilliance and that of The One.

And, in case you hadn't heard, he really, really hates Fox News.

Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ): More Stimulus Is "Dead Wrong" To Get Out Of Debt

Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) on more spending: "It's wrong, I mean it's just dead wrong. More spending with what? The federal government continue to print more and more money and leaving that debt for our kids. Eventually it's just going to grind our economy down even further. It would be nice to say we should have more spending, everybody loves to spend money, but the fact is we have to start doing the hard things to start digging ourselves out of this hole."

Matt Lauer to Gov. Chris Christie: Are You Worried That Taking On NJ Unions and Teachers Will 'Haunt' You?



(Eyeblast.tv) - Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie appeared on Wednesday's Today show and deftly handled all of Matt Lauer's pointed questions from whether or not he was worried about "taking on" the "sacred cows" of unions and teachers, if he will support Barack Obama's small business legislation, and even if the governor's criticism of Snooki and The Situation was good for Jersey Shore tourism.

The Hypocrisy of MSNBC's Chris Matthews

(Eyeblast.tv) - Watch as Chris Matthews of MSNBC defines the burden of proof necessary for TEA Partiers to convince him that we're not a racist movement. Then view evidence that Matthews does not live by his own rules.

Kudlow, Moore Discuss ObamaCare 'Secret' Gold Tax

Officials Defend the Indefensible

Why are we spending 73 cents on rail for every dollar spent on roads? No rational decisionmaking process would yield such a result.

RALEIGH (By John Hood, Carolina Journal Online) – Those who seek election to political office deserve our thanks for their willingness to serve. Those who win election to political office deserve a chance to demonstrate their work ethic and wisdom.

But no one who wins election and then makes demonstrably foolish decisions deserves our respect. I’m rapidly losing whatever respect I had for politicians who continue to vote to fund low-priority projects in the midst of a fiscal crisis.

The problem exists at the federal, state, and local levels of government. Consider two recent decisions that involve senseless decisions at every level...

John Stossel On Liberal Hypocrisy

He talks to Laura Ingraham

Grandfather Mountain's elderly bald eagle Wilma is euthanized

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN (By Monte Mitchell, Winston-Salem Journal) - Wilma the Bald Eagle, who had lived at Grandfather Mountain's animal habitat since 1981, was euthanized over the weekend after a period of declining health. Her arthritis had become so bad that she had to lie down frequently.

She was at least 34 years old, and had come to Grandfather Mountain after being shot and wounded somewhere in the western U.S.

Wilma was the senior resident at the animal habitat at the time of her death. She was unable to fly due to the injury that brought her to Grandfather Mountain.

Sell It — And Make Another Sale

RALEIGH (By John Hood, Carolina Journal Online) – Gov. Beverly Perdue remains one of the most unpopular governors in North Carolina history. But lately she’s been toying publicly with some ideas that could help boost her political bottom line a bit – while also boosting the state’s fiscal position.

As the Associated Press reported over the weekend, Perdue made two interesting statements while signing some 2010 legislation into law. After affixing her signature to the General Assembly’s latest, ill-advised attempt to prohibit video gambling, the governor indicated that she might be willing to rethink the idea of legalizing it during a future legislative session.

And after signing a bill promising to clean up corruption around North Carolina’s system of government-owned liquor stores, Perdue said that she was willing to consider the next step: privatizing all or part of the ABC system.

Obama Won’t Speak In-Person at Boy Scouts’ 100th Anniversary Celebration But Will Appear on ABC TV’s ‘The View’

(CNSNews.com) – President Barack Obama, the honorary chairman of the Boy Scouts of America, will not speak in-person before the group on Wednesday at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia, as part of the organization's 100th anniversary celebration. However, the president is sending a videotaped message to the scouts for Wednesday, the same day he will be in Manhattan to tape an appearance for ABC TV’s talk show “The View.”

Bob Dries, chairman of national news and media at the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree – a gathering that happens every four years and attracts thousands of scouts from around the world – told CNSNews.com that the organization was told on Monday that the president had scheduling conflicts and would not be speaking in-person at the week-long event.

The BSA had scheduled its Wednesday arena program to include remarks by the president at 11 a.m. in front of the more than 45,000 scouts who will be in attendance.

Brit Hume On Obama Losing Mainstream Americans

(Real Clear Politics Video) - Brit Hume on President Obama's attempt to appeal to the left.

Chris Matthews Thinks The NBA Practices Affirmative Action?

Republican Governors Association Rips Rory Reid

Rory doesn't like his last name

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) Tangles With Chris Matthews

Over taxes and spending

Related Material...

• (Hot Air) - Video: Paul Ryan’s argument with Matthews on spending goes pretty much how you’d expect

The Battle Between Free Enterprise And Big Government

Arthur C. Brooks from the American Enterprise Institute comments

Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) causes scene demanding discount

Turns out Barney Frank only spends freely with other people’s money

(NY Post) - Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank caused a scene when he demanded a $1 senior discount on his ferry fare to Fire Island's popular gay haunt, The Pines, last Friday. Frank was turned down by ticket clerks at the dock in Sayville because he didn't have the required Suffolk County Senior Citizens ID. A witness reports, "Frank made such a drama over the senior rate that I contemplated offering him the dollar to cool down the situation." Frank made news last year when he was spotted looking uncomfortable around a bevy of topless, well-built men at the Pines Annual Ascension Beach Party. Frank's spokesperson confirmed to Page Six that his partner, James Ready, asked the ticket office for a regular ticket for himself and a senior ticket for Frank, "but was turned down because Frank didn't have a resident ID."

Herman Cain: "I Have A Dream That We Can Take Back Our Government"

(Real Clear Politics Video) - Radio talk show host and business leader Herman Cain inspired Right Online 2010 attendees in Las Vegas July 23, 2010.

Sen John Kerry (D-MA) bolts tax questions: ‘Can I get out of here, please’

(By Thomas Grillo, Boston Herald) - A fidgety U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry tacked away from the press in Weymouth today, ducking questions about taxes for his luxury yacht.

Following remarks at the South Weymouth Naval Air Station, Kerry - still recovering from hip replacement surgery - was able to make a quick exit from a press pack.

A clearly perturbed Kerry was not happy when questions were thrown out as he was climbing into his SUV.

Sen Barbara Boxer (D-CA) Compares Being in Congress to Military Service

(By Amanda Carey, The Daily Caller) - At a campaign event over the weekend in Inglewood, California, Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer seemingly equated being a politician to serving in the military –- and an Iraq War veteran supporting Boxer’s November opponent is calling on her to apologize.

“We know that if you have veterans in one place where they can befriend each other and talk to each other. You know when you’ve gone through similar things you need to share it. I don’t care whether you are a policeman or a fireman or a veteran or by chance a member of Congress,” the California senator said. “[Democratic Rep.] Maxine [Waters] and I could look at each other and roll our eyes. We know what we are up against. And it is hard for people who are not there to understand the pressure and the great things that go along with it and the tough things that go along with it.”

“Barbara Boxer’s disrespectful comments underscore just how out of touch she has become after her 28 years in Washington,“ Veterans for Carly Coalition Co-Chairman Lt. Commander Paul Chabot said in a press release, in response to Boxer’s comments. “Equating the experiences of members of Congress with those of brave soldiers who have fought to defend our country is just the latest example in a failed career marked by disrespect for our men and women in uniform.”

Chabot added, “Barbara Boxer owes an immediate apology to all members of America’s armed forces.”

Obama: My Finances Have Suffered, Too

(Fox News Channel) - President claims he can relate to Americans' economic struggles.

The Democratic Fisc

The White House budget office offers a scorecard on Obamanomics.

(The Wall Street Journal) - Democrats have been running Congress for nearly four years, and President Obama has been at the White House for 18 months, so it's not too soon to ask: How's that working out? One devastating scorecard came out Friday from the White House, in the form of its own semi-annual budget review.

The message: Tax revenues are smaller, spending is greater, and the deficits are thus larger than the White House has been saying. No wonder it dumped the news on the eve of a sweltering mid-July weekend.

Related Material...

• (Hot Air) - Obama WH gives its economic policies a good, solid F+

Charles Krauthammer Rips 'Inside Washington' Host for Blaming Sherrod Firing on Fox

Rev. Jesse Jackson Wants a Black National Anthem

Rev. Al Sharpton: Rangel Resignation Would Bring "Political Bloodbath"

(Real Clear Politics Video) - Reverend Al Sharpton predicts a "political bloodbath" in Harlem if New York congressman Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) needed to be replaced.

"We were getting ready to celebrate his retirement, not have to get ready for a public hearing," Sharpton said.

White House backed release of Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi

The US government secretly advised Scottish ministers it would be "far preferable" to free the Lockerbie bomber than jail him in Libya.

(By Jason Allardyce & Tony Allen-Mills, The Australian) - Correspondence obtained by The Sunday Times reveals the Obama administration considered compassionate release more palatable than locking up Abdel Baset al-Megrahi in a Libyan prison.

The intervention, which has angered US relatives of those who died in the attack, was made by Richard LeBaron, deputy head of the US embassy in London, a week before Megrahi was freed in August last year on grounds that he had terminal cancer.

The document, acquired by a well-placed US source, threatens to undermine US President Barack Obama's claim last week that all Americans were "surprised, disappointed and angry" to learn of Megrahi's release.

Flashback: Obama Calls It "Mistake" To Release Lockerbie Bomber



PRESIDENT OBAMA: "We have been in contact with the Scottish government, indicating that we objected to this. And we thought it was a mistake. We're now in contact with the Libyan government, and want to make sure that if in fact this transfer has taken place, that he's not welcomed back in some way, but instead should be under house arrest. We've also obviously been in contact with the families of the Pan Am victims, and indicated to them that we don't think this was appropriate."

Related Material...

• (Hot Air) - Did the Obama administration push for Lockerbie bomber’s release?

Steve Forbes And Mort Zuckerman On Letting Bush Tax Cuts Expire

(Real Clear Politics Video) - CNN's Candy Crowley talks to Mort Zuckerman and Steve Forbes about letting tax cuts for the rich expire.

Newt Gingrich: Obama Using "Job Killing Policies"

(Real Clear Politics Video) - Newt Gingrich says President Obama's economy policies will "further depress the economy."

Howard Dean calls FOX News' Coverage On Sherrod "Racist"; Chris Wallace Strikes Back

HOWARD DEAN: "I don’t think Newt Gingrich is a racist, and I don’t think you’re a racist, but Fox News did something that was absolutely racist. They took a, they had an obligation to find out what was really in the clip. They had been pushing a theme of black racism with this phony Black Panther crap and this business and this Sotomayor and all this other stuff."

"The Republican party has to stop appealing to its racist fringe," Dean added.

Sen Harry Reid (D-NV): "This Country Would Be In A Lot More Trouble If We Weren't Around"

Harry Reid: "I know there are times, I'm told, that I get on your nerves. And I'm here to tell you, you get on my nerves sometimes. But let's all understand this country would be in a lot more trouble if we weren’t around."

'We and the Obama Campaign' : Journolist debates making its coordination with Obama explicit

(By Jonathan Strong, The Daily Caller) - Sarah Palin’s speech to the 2008 Republican convention impressed more than a few doubters, including even some members of Journolist, an online community for liberal journalists.

“This speech is gangbusters,” wrote Ari Melber of the Nation. “Her tone is pitch perfect.” Adele Stan of the Media Consortium agreed: “Palin is golden.”

The exuberance appeared to unnerve the Guardian’s Michael Tomasky. “People get a hold of yourselves!” Tomasky wrote to his fellow Journolisters. “It’s a very good speech with good lines. But there’s very little substance.”

NBC's Chris Matthews Makes Freudian Slip: Will Dems Run Away From "President O'Carter"?

CHRIS MATTHEWS: "Will the Democrats running for the House reelection, they're all running for re-election under the Constitution and the Senate candidates, will they run away from President O'Carter? I mean, will they run away."

Related Material...

• (Denver Post) - Welcome back, Carter

Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ): Republicans Need To "Get Back To Our Brand"

Gov. Chris Christie: "I think Republicans across the country need to get back to our brand...less government, lower taxes, less spending and common sense regulation that grows private sector jobs. So, I think if my win tells anything, it means if we get back to basics as Republicans, then we speak to some of the concerns people have in New Jersey and across the country."

Bo Dietl Endorses Gov. Christie For President



(Fox Business Network) - Beau Dietl & Associates Founder Bo Dietl on how much Gov. Chris Christie has done for New Jersey since taking office.

Gov. Christie: I'm Not Running for President



(Fox Business Network) - Gov. Chris Christie, (R-NJ), on why there is no chance he will run for president in 2012.

Gov. Christie on NJ's $11B Budget Deficit



(Fox Business Network) - Gov. Chris Christie, (R-NJ), on efforts to close the state's budget deficit.

Charles Krauthammer: War With N. Korea Not Likely, But Probability Not "Zero"

(Real Clear Politics Video) - Charles Krauthammer on rising tensions between the U.S. and North Korea.

Ann Coulter To Rick Sanchez: You Proved You Don't Have A Problem With Kiddie Porn

Ann Coulter the Libertarian?



(Fox Business Network) - FBN's Judge Andrew Napolitano grills Ann Coulter on her libertarian roots.

Debunking Media Myths of Sherrod Story

(Breitbart.tv) - James Rosen debunks the myth that video clip did not show Shirley Sherrod's racial lesson from her speech to NAACP.

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) Predicts ‘Ice-Free Arctic' In '5 or 10 Years’

(CNSNews.com) – Speaking at a town hall-style meeting promoting climate change legislation on Thursday, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) predicted there will be “an ice-free Arctic” in "five or 10 years."

“The arctic ice is disappearing faster than was predicted,” Kerry said. “And instead of waiting until 2030 or whenever it was to have an ice-free Arctic, we’re going to have one in five or 10 years.”

However, the Web site of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says: “Using the observed 2007/2008 summer sea ice extents as a starting point, computer models predict that the Arctic could be nearly sea ice free in summertime within 30 years.”

“The arctic ice is disappearing faster than was predicted,” Kerry said. “And instead of waiting until 2030 or whenever it was to have an ice-free Arctic, we’re going to have one in five or 10 years.”

Obama: Ag Sec Tom Vilsack "Jumped The Gun" On Firing Shirley Sherrod

ABC News: "He jumped the gun, partly because we now live in this media culture where something goes up on YouTube or a blog and everybody scrambles," President Obama said.

If there's a lesson to be drawn from this episode, it's that rather than us jumping to conclusions and pointing fingers at each other, we should all look inward and try to examine what's in our own hearts and, as a consequence, I think we will continue to make progress,” he said.

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) On "Roadmap For America's Future"

(Real Clear Politics Video) - Rep. Paul Ryan proposes solutions to America's economic and fiscal challenges.

Congressional Black Caucus Chair: Fox News Is Holding White House "Hostage"

Rep. Barbara Lee (D), Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus: "When you look at how, not only Fox, but other media outlets — but we focus naturally, because we know how this has evolved with Fox — how many including, sometimes, our government is held hostage, mind you, by the fact that Fox and other media may run wild with snippets and misinformation and create a media frenzy based on half-truths, no-truths. They can create what we just saw happen."

Rep Charlie Rangel (D-NY) On Ethics Charges: "I Don't Have Any Fear At All"

(Real Clear Politics Video) - Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) has been charged with violating House rules and will face a trial to be conducted by the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

"Now the facts are going to get out and I think that's good," Rangel told reporters. "I don't have any fear at all politically or personally what they come up with. So I don't feel badly? Why would I feel bad when I've asked them for two years? So this is it, it's what I've been waiting for, and we'll see what happens."

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Charles Krauthammer: Bernanke Gave Support To Those Against Ending Tax Cuts

Charles Krauthammer: "Politically, the one thing [Bernanke] did...when he said he would be against cutting spending or increasing taxes. That might give some support to those Republicans and Democrats who want to see at least a temporary extension of the Bush cuts because if you end them on January 1 you are essentially raising taxes."

Sen John Kerry (D-MA) Docks New Yacht In RI To Duck MA Taxes...

Sen. John Kerry skips town on 'sails' tax

(By Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa, Boston Herald) - Sen. John Kerry, who has repeatedly voted to raise taxes while in Congress, dodged a whopping six-figure state tax bill on his new multimillion-dollar yacht by mooring her in Newport, R.I.

Isabel - Kerry’s luxe, 76-foot New Zealand-built Friendship sloop with an Edwardian-style, glossy varnished teak interior, two VIP main cabins and a pilothouse fitted with a wet bar and cold wine storage - was designed by Rhode Island boat designer Ted Fontaine.

But instead of berthing the vessel in Nantucket, where the senator summers with the missus, Teresa Heinz, Isabel’s hailing port is listed as “Newport” on her stern.

Could the reason be that the Ocean State repealed its Boat Sales and Use Tax back in 1993, making the tiny state to the south a haven - like the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Nassau - for tax-skirting luxury yacht owners?

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• (JammieWearingFool) - Figures: Kerry Docks Luxury Yacht in RI to Avoid MA Taxes

Journolisters offended by Keith Olbermann’s ‘misogynistic,’ ‘predictable,’ and ‘pompous’ show

(By Jonathan Strong, The Daily Caller) - If you were one of the 400 members of the listserv Journolist, perhaps one of the most vicious insults you could hurl at a colleague is: 'You’re just like Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity.'

If the reader holds neutral — or even positive — views about the Fox News hosts, the insult may not sting. But in the cloistered world of liberal listserv enclaves, Hannityism is a cardinal sin. After all, Fox is a “dangerous,” “deranged” “cesspool” that, possibly, the FCC should be investigating.

The feelings against MSNBC host Keith Olbermann, then, must run deep.

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Shirley Sherrod: Andrew Breitbart is a Racist

"He'd like to get us stuck back in the time of slavery"

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Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) on State Takeover of Atlantic City: ‘We Have to Make Bold Moves’

(Breitbart.tv) - Gov. Chris Christie announced his support for an ambitious plan issued by a special commission tasked with making the state's failing gaming industry profitable. During stops at the Meadowlands and Atlantic City, the governor touted the commission's recommendations as bold, aggressive and necessary. Among the proposals: privatizing horse racing and a state takeover of the Atlantic City casino and entertainment district. At a well-attended talk at the Atlantic City Convention Center, Christie's hands-on approach was well received.

University Parkway will reopen a month early after bridge replacement is finished

(By Wesley Young, Winston-Salem Journal) - A section of University Parkway closed for more than a month while crews replaced a bridge will reopen this morning at 9, a month ahead of schedule.

With work finished on the 20th Street bridge, drivers will be once again be able to travel University between Coliseum Drive and Northwest Boulevard.

And they will again be able to use 20th Street to cross under University Parkway.

Memo to liberals: You're outnumbered

(By Mark Murray, NBC) - As the liberal blogosphere confab, Netroots Nation, kicks off today in Las Vegas, it will inevitably further the "Why are progressives disappointed in Obama?" storyline.

In the past few months, liberal commentators have bemoaned that the public option wasn’t included in the health care law, that the financial reform legislation -- which President Obama signed into law yesterday -- isn’t strong enough, and that Gitmo still isn't closed. The Nation's Eric Alterman even penned a widely discussed essay explaining these disappointments on a system that's stacked against progressives.

But here is something to consider: It's the country -- not the system -- that's stacked against liberals and progressives.

ABC's George Stephanopoulos in 1997: Jesse Helms is a Terrorist

(Eyeblast.tv) - Appearing on ABC's "This Week" with Sam Donaldson, George Stephanopoulos believes President Clinton has made a colossial blunder -- he's negotiating with a terrorist, namely Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.)

ABC's George Stephanopoulos in '04: Was Dan Rather's Forgery Scandal a GOP Conspiracy?



(Eyeblast.tv) - While discussing the 60 Minutes story on Bush's National Guard Service, ABC's George Stephanopoulos gives credence to the Democrats' suspicion that Dan Rather's forgery scandal was a set-up by Republicans.

ABC's George Stephanopoulos in '06: Does Tom DeLay Feel 'Kinship' With Bill Clinton After Personal Attacks?



(Eyeblast.tv) - On "Good Morning America" on April 5, 2006, ABC's George Stephanopoulos asks Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) if he feels a closer bond with President Clinton since he has suffered personal attacks by the opposing party.

NAACP CEO: ‘Black Panthers are Creation of Fox News’

(Breitbart.tv) - NAACP's Ben Jealous says the New Black Panther Party is a creation of Fox News and has only twenty members. He also says that his organization did not give Sen. Harry Reid "a pass" on his racial remarks about President Obama.

We have been unable to find Mr. Jealous' public statement or his talk show appearance condemning the Senator's remarks.

Nancy Pelosi: Bush Tax Cuts "Did Not Create Jobs" And Should Be "Repealed"

"My stance is that the Bush-era tax cuts contributed to the deficit, did not create any jobs and that they should be repealed," Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said at her weekly briefing.

(Real Clear Politics Video) - House of Representatives leader Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday she backs letting lower tax rates for high income earners expire at year-end, despite opposition by several Senate Democrats who argue the economy is too fragile for higher taxes.

Dems' Growing Support of Continuing Bush Tax Cuts



(Fox Business Network) - FBN's Stuart Varney on the growing debate among Democrats over ending President Bushs tax cuts.

Three Senate Dems Now Support Bush Tax Cut Extension



(Fox Business Network) - FNC contributor Andrea Tantaros on the future of the Bush tax cuts as some Democrats begin to support an extension of those cuts.

The Gipper is Rolling Over in His Grave

(Fox Business Network) - FBN's Neil Cavuto sounds off on President Obama's decision to sign FinReg into law in the Ronald Reagan Building.

Dick Morris: Racial Politics Blows Up in President’s Face

(Breitbart.tv) - Political expert Dick Morris appeared on the O'Reilly Factor to discuss the political implications of the Shirley Sherrod affair. "It's like he has Rev. Wright on his staff.

Ann Coulter And Pat Caddell On Sherrod Controversy

Sen Harry Reid (D-NV): Auto Bailout Probably Saved Ford

SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): "Isn't it a good thing today in America that we have an automobile manufacturing sector? If it had been up to them [Republicans], General Motors would be gone. If it were up to them, Ford Motor Company would probably be gone. Chrysler definitely would be gone."

(Real Clear Politics Video) - Ford did not take any bailout money from the government.

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Gov Bobby Jindal (R-LA): Obama's Moratorium Is "Bad For Our Security, Bad For Our Economy"

Bobby Jindal: Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) at the Rally for Economic Survival in Lafayette, speaking out against the Obama Administration's job-killing offshore drilling moratorium.

"We want to go back to work," Jindal said as he motivated the crowd.

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Treasury Sec Tim Geithner: Economic Crisis Caused By People "Living Beyond Their Means"

"And a lot of that is simply because again -- you know, this is a crisis in part because -- caused by the fact people were living beyond their means for a long period of time. And so inevitably we were going to go through a very difficult transition as people save more, reduce their debt burdens," Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner told Charlie Rose.

Charles Krauthammer: As Left Loses Debates, They Attribute Opposition To "Racism"

Charles Krauthammer: "For a year and a half we had a national debate on the scope and the reach and the power of the government -- a real honest, refreshing debate. But, what's happened is as the left began losing that debate this year -- it didn't happen last year -- it began attributing the opposition to racism. And that happened in the press, among elite media, and the NAACP. And I think if there were less of that -- and that's what triggered this incident in particular -- and I think if there were less of that, if at least the other side would respect the honesty and the ideological sincerity of the opponents of the expansion of government and not attribute it on the basis of race, we would have a lot less of this, fewer incidents, and the atmosphere would be a lot less poison."

Fox News 'Special Report' Online Show: 7/21/10

(Fox News Channel) - Where to next? Panel looks to the future of the Shirley Sherrod saga.

'Classic GOP Tokenism'

Liberal journalists swapped their best lines of attack for coordinated 'non-official campaign' against Palin selection

(By Jonathan Strong, The Daily Caller) - In the hours after Sen. John McCain announced his choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate in the last presidential race, members of an online forum called Journolist struggled to make sense of the pick. Many of them were liberal reporters, and in some cases their comments reflected a journalist’s instinct to figure out the meaning of a story.

But in many other exchanges, the Journolisters clearly had another, more partisan goal in mind: to formulate the most effective talking points in order to defeat Palin and McCain and help elect Barack Obama president. The tone was more campaign headquarters than newsroom.

The conversation began with a debate over how best to attack Sarah Palin. “Honestly, this pick reeks of desperation,” wrote Michael Cohen of the New America Foundation in the minutes after the news became public. “How can anyone logically argue that Sarah Pallin [sic], a one-term governor of Alaska, is qualified to be President of the United States? Train wreck, thy name is Sarah Pallin.”

Did Liberal Media Plot Against Sarah Palin?



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Shirley Sherrod Attacks Andrew Breitbart And Fox News For Racist Intentions

(By Frances Martel, Mediaite) - The woman at the center of the Andrew Breitbart/NAACP/Obama Administration/USDA/probably-Journolist-but-who’s-keeping-track-at-this-point scandal, Shirley Sherrod, spoke to Media Matters’ Joe Strupp today about the experience of going from cable news villain to heroine in less than 24 hours, and unlike many in the media, Sherrod is not angered by the White House or the NAACP: She’s reserving her outrage for Breitbart and Fox News.

Of Breitbart, Sherrod claims she did not know who he was before the scandal broke, and that she was not contacted for comment before the highly-abridged version of her speech. “He never contacted me,” she explains. “I think they intended it to be what it ended up being, a racist thing that could unite even more the racist people out there who follow them.”

Throughout the interview, however, Sherrod comes back to Fox News’ role in her demise much more than Breitbart’s. Explaining her reason for canceling a scheduled appearance on America Live with Megyn Kelly, Sherrod claims that the network’s bias would have prevented them from taking her at her word had she given an interview...

NAACP Reverses Course on Shirley Sherrod



(Fox News Channel) - All-Star panel on NAACP's claim that they were 'snookered'.

No bologna sandwiches yet at Priddy’s

(By Leslie Bray Evans, The Stokes News) - Priddy’s General Store is set to begin serving bologna sandwiches again—just as soon as Governor Bev Perdue signs House Bill 1766 into law. She has until mid-August to do so.

Priddy’s, which had served up such sandwiches since 1929, was forced by health regulations to cease and desist sandwich-making in the summer of 2009. The laws that affect the operation pertain to the regulation of food and lodging establishments in North Carolina and were enacted in 1941.

After UNC-TV aired a PBS special in July 2009 that highlighted the quaintness of Priddy’s serving the old-fashioned sandwiches, trouble began brewing for the historic store.