Obama: “Chance” Of A Lifetime!

I’m sure you’ll understand: I have a little internet (ahem) “housekeeping” I must attend to today.

So while I’m busy scrubbing, wiping and cleaning up my inner-tubes, I have a reading assignment for you - Victor Davis Hanson’s latest dissertation: Obama Being Obama.

It’s sort of like Being Biden;

only funnier.

Professor Hanson makes the case that we shouldn’t be upset over the recent Scandalanche® surrounding his presidency, as it was we, not he, who changed the rules.

Once Barack Obama was elected to the Illinois legislature, his career as a statesman was mostly an afterthought — either voting “present” on controversial legislation (cf. Hillary’s 2008 complaint) or simply showing up to sign off on a straight left-wing agenda. Even his supporters can cite no lasting legislative achievement other than his controversial votes to allow babies born alive from botched abortions to be liquidated. As a political unknown, he got elected and defined his tenure as a legislator into a perpetual effort to find higher office.

Ditto the U.S. Senate, (snip) there was no signature legislation, no principled opposition, not much of anything, except a vote against Justice Alito and some similarly failed efforts at other filibusters to deny nominees an up-or-down vote.  He spent most of his brief sojourn attacking George W. Bush for the very protocols that he as president would later embrace. The only thing important was getting elected in the first place as a left-wing senator, and Obama accomplished that in brilliant, if not Machiavellian, fashion — with the help of the leaked divorced records of both his primary and general opponents.

He makes a pretty good case for us not having the right to expect any more now than we  demanded of Big Guy in the past - which is pretty much nothing:

The saga of Obama is marked by the uncanny ability to soar through the academic and government cursus honorum without ever being held too accountable for what followed. Obama’s selection as editor of the Harvard Law Review broke new ground. But to this day, no one cares much that his record was mediocre with no scholarly work to show for his tenure.

For that matter, ditto also his law career at the University of Chicago: an impressive appointment, but no scholarly book as promised, not even an article, and no distinguished record of teaching. Not much of anything. The point of the Nobel Prize was winning it — not doing anything that might have earned it. Just as there was no foreign policy achievement that preceded the prize, so there was naturally none following it. Why expect anything different now?

And then the Prof lobs in the ultimate insult, calling the Man-Who-Would-Be-Lincoln out as  a real-life Chauncey Gardiner:

aka “Chance” by friends and handlers

What got Obama to the presidency was being a man without a past or present, Chauncey Gardiner of Being There — without a college record, a medical record, a scholarly record, or much of a legislative record, the “smartest” president in history without having to say or do anything smart, who “busted hump” his entire life without any proof that he ever did any such thing, who proclaimed himself a greater president than all but three, but left nothing great in his wake, now or in the past. Obama had forgotten that winning non-persona for a time, and so after 2009 fooled himself into thinking out loud that at times he would play a real Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Kennedy, or Reagan.

Wow! That’s harsh. “Chauncey” is not going to appreciate it.

Obama is perturbed that we question any of this malfeasance. I think he is right to be angry. In his case, we made up the Obama rules that symbolism (not performance) and amnesty (not accountability) count. So why break our covenant with him, and now start asking for concrete and honest accomplishment when the teleprompter was always enough?

I see his point. So…we’re okay with the Scandalanche® then? Good. I thought so.

Oh, and speaking of “chance” – good news! Little girls no longer have to take the chance of being punished with a pregnancy, or even with being grounded if mom and dad find out they’re bonking. Now they can get their “second chance” pre-abortions at the drugstore without parental permission or even a driver’s license – in case they’re not old enough to have one yet.

Of course they will still not be allowed to buy Sudafed, beer (good reason to date older guys), or vote. Well, maybe they can vote. I’ll have to check the new DOJ rules.

Don’t forget: read the whole thing!

Linked By: Larwyn’s Linx on Doug Ross@Journal, and BlogsLucianneLoves, and Free Republic, Thanks!

Cross-Posted on Patriot Action Network

The Big Snoop®

So, Edward Snowden is the “leaker” that Big Guy has vowed to prosecute. Strange, he doesn’t seem to be a “disturbed disco bunny” like Bradley Manning or a sleazy opportunist like Julian Assange. He seems more like, well, like your kid brother. Or maybe your son, if you had one.

So how is it, do you suppose, he came to love liberty so much that he’d be willing to throw away his career – and possibly much more – in order to blow the lid off the government’s Big Snoop® scheme?

Oh that’s right, he dropped out of public high school, joined the army and by-passed the great American college experience.

 

At least Edward has managed to pull off something that nobody else has for the past decade or so: he’s brought the far ends of both the left and right together. The libertarian wings of both ideologies agree that Mr. Snowden is a saint. Those on the other end of the spectrum are leaning towards condemning him as a traitor.

Personally, I’m suspect. 

Have you noticed the similarity between Edward and the “executive” in the new Vonage ad? The crazy bum says "Open your ears, people! Your phone company is living in the stone age!" and the young exec responds, ok, dude, I’m listening.

And then young exec guy gives the bum a job as Vonage’s new “Chief Generosity Officer” and he declares: “We shall no longer let time or distance keep us from connecting”

I think this may all be a publicity stunt. You know, like how Apple always manages to “leak” a prototype of their new iPhone just before introducing it to the public? Maybe Edward is actually an actor, hired to introduce the new government-for-profit center:

Introducing…the brand new, government approved app: Big Snoop®

Available Now! (sorry, in black only)

Get your free Big Snoop® phone today, as mandated by Obamacare. Just pay processing and handling (payment must be submitted to the IRS no later than April 15).

Who says Big Guy doesn’t believe in free market capitalism? He’s all over it.

Anyway, if we’re going to proceed with prosecuting Edward for letting the cat out of the bag before the official product launch, we may have to prosecute Maxine Waters too. She actually spilled the beans on the Big Snoop® long before anyone ever heard of Edward Snowden.

h/t Brietbart

Of course nobody paid any attention to her at the time because she always sounds crazy. How were we supposed to know she was actually a paid spokesperson?

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Cross-Posted on Patriot Action Network

The Big Black Bus and the Return of the Vamoose Conundrum®

Before we can move on to a new “This Week in History” I must add an important update to last week’s summary. Due to a critical oversight on my part, I failed to report perhaps the singularly most historical event of all that also occurred on June 6: the day America’s newspaper of record broke ranks. Yes, you read that right: the day the New York Times got off the Big Black Obama express².

The NYT editor files a formal editorial complaint

Apparently unmoved by swirling controversy around the IRS, FBI, CIA, DOJ, EPA, DOA, ATF, HHS, GSA, and even the AP scandals, the NYT editorial board was finally shaken to its core by the chilling revelations about the NSA data mining operation. Apparently Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. wasn’t buying the story that the terrorists win if we can’t spy on our own citizens. Either that, or Pinchy has some calls to bordellos and bath houses that he doesn’t wish the FBI to reveal; because after all, if it can happen to Elliot Spitzer, it can happen to anyone.

“Spitzer announced on March 12, 2008 that he would resign his post as Governor effective noon on March 17 amid threats of his impeachment by state lawmakers.

By resigning, Spitzer lost his status as a superdelegate in the 2008 Democratic nomination for President, depriving Hillary Clinton whom he supported, of a superdelegate vote.,[ed.!!!!- I’m shocked, I tell, SHOCKED!] ”

Elliot discovers Chicago rules: better red than dead.

Sure, I know, the editors walked it back a bit after they got one of those infamous hour long rant-calls from “an unnamed Administration representative” to set the record straight:

“Can you hear me NOW, cockroaches?”

They softened their original opinion from “the administration has now lost all credibility” to “the administration has now lost all credibility on this issue.” Still, they left the really stinging part about

“Mr. Obama is proving the truism that the executive will use any power it is given and very likely abuse it.”

Ouch!  When the NYT speaks the truth, you know it’s trouble.

So I’m sticking with my initial assessment: the NYT has dismounted the Obama-mobile, for now.

After years of burying the lede, NYT editors finally discover the decayed body and removed it from the Obama-mobile

This is indeed worrisome. If we’ve lost the far left wing of the NYT, who’s next, Ms.NBC?

Up till just a few weeks ago there was standing room only on our Obama-mobile; now I understand we may even be looking for a new driver.

Beep-beep! Approaching the hanger at 12 o’clock!

Damn! I would’ve sworn this sucker could’ve sailed right through!

Anyway, I only bring this up because of my motto: “all the news that fits, I print.” And don’t you worry; we still haven’t lost the rest of the gang over at the NYT:

Tom, Paul, Maureen and Gail are still along for the ride; and a sweet ride it is!

Prometheus, descending

Be sure to tune in next week when we see who else might be vamoosing the bus.

The “Vamoose Conundrum”¹ express is now leaving the station. All aboard!

 

¹Vamoose Conundrum® was named after the logic fallacy that Lady M invented: “listen to me or you can take the mic, but I’m leaving” in which you get two choices, but one is rendered immediately non-viable.  In the immediate case, Big Guy’s Vamoose Conundrum goes like this: “choose liberty, or national security, but as long as I’m here you get drones and spybots.”

²For more on the Big Black Bus see:

• The Big Black Bus “Planes and Votes and Grains” Tour of America Rolls On: All Aboard!
• Our International Big Black Bus Tour Continues, eh? 
• Obama’s BBB Tour: Was That a Good Idea? 
• If you can’t take the heat, get off the bus.
• Ebony and Irony

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Cross-Posted on Patriot Action Network

1944…1949…1984…2013: Which Doesn’t Belong and Why?*

This Week in History:

June 6 marked the the 69th anniversary of D-Day. General Eisenhower addressed the troops departing for the invasion on the beaches of Normandy:

"The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory.... We will accept nothing less than full victory!

Let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”

Did he mention God? To the troops? Oh my! What an unenlightened time that was. Imagine –a time when our troops felt free to implore a Higher Being as they embarked upon a deadly battle to protect and preserve freedom and liberty.

In fact, back then, people all over America still felt comfortable gathering in public to pray:

Butt enough about that; none of it’s really relevant in the Age of Obama.

I mean, who needs prayers when we’ve got Obamacare? Well, maybe Sarah Murnaghan.

Pray for Sarah, that she doesn’t become the poster child for Death Panels

Next up on history’s time continuum: George Orwell’s 1984 was published on June 8, 1949. Boy, talk about synchronicity!

Press reports to the contrary, it turns out it actually was a handbook!

Now, not only is Big Brother watching you,

 "It was one of these pictures which are so contrived that the eyes follow you about when you move BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption beneath ran." George Orwell, 1984

 

he’s got the technological capacity to stalk you too!

“The choice for mankind lay between freedom and happiness and… for the great bulk of mankind, happiness was better.” – George Orwell, 1984.

Yesterday, in an ironic if not downright cynical speech Big Guy went on the record to defend Big Government’s collection of data on the phone records of millions of Americans, saying that it was a modest encroachment on privacy and one he thinks is both lawful and justified.

“Big Brother and the Party justify their rule in the name of a supposed greater good.” - George Orwell, 1984.

As an aside, you may have heard about the rather awkward start to Big Guy’s speech:

President Obama strolled out to the podium today in San Jose, CA and was immediately at a loss for words. Not only did the President not have (his) teleprompter, his aides forgot his speech.

“My remarks are not sitting here,” the President declared awkwardly.  “I’m uhhh….people….oh goodness….uhhhh...folks are sweating back there right now.”

I know you’re wondering why TOTUS was MIA. I can’t tell you the precise reason yet, as Val-jar is still circulating the talking points for input and comment. Butt according to MOTUS’ inside sources ( ) the initial draft of the talking points indicated that TOTUS has been placed on administrative leave (with pay) due to his malicious deletion of some key misinformation from one of Big Guy’s speech’s. Butt by the time they’ve been properly vetted I suspect they will say that TOTUS is on sick leave due to a blown video circuit.  All I can tell you at this point is that we have not ruled out terrorism.

Anyhoo, once Big Guy had his thoughts remarks handed to him he proceeded to eloquently justify the government’s cyber spying on you:

“If people can’t trust not only the executive branch but also don’t trust Congress, and don’t trust federal judges, to make sure that we’re abiding by the Constitution with due process and rule of law, then we’re going to have some problems here.”

Oh yeah, we’ve got trouble all righty, right here in River City; with a capital T and that rhymes with P and that stands for Prism.

“You can shout Big Brother or program run amok, but if you actually look at the details, I think we’ve struck the right balance.”

When balance defies the law of physics, it’s probably an illusion.

"Late Lament": Moody Blues

Unfortunately we’re not allowed to look at those details because the most transparent administration in the history of the world doesn’t really trust us with them. Until they’ve been circulated for input, comment and revision. At least 12 times.

So if your government doesn’t trust you,

How can they expect you to trust the government?

The oPhone: when they’re “free” you’re not. Can you hear me now?

 

“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”  - George Orwell 1984

^*1944…1949…1984…2013: Which Doesn’t Belong and Why? The correct answer is 2013, because the U.S. President is no longer fighting for freedom and liberty. Butt I’m sure there are other correct answers too.

Linked By: Larwyn’s Linx on Doug Ross@Journal, and Mireille Buser, Michael E Duphily, David Tiberius Cholesterol, Mona Breed Johnson, Allen Brooks on facebook, and BlogsLucianneLoves, and Free Republic, Thanks!

Cross-Posted on Patriot Action Network

Scandalanche® Update: Help Barry Buy a Vowel

We’re running out of letters here, people! We’ve used up so many on our acronym list of new and evolving scandals: IRS, FBI, CIA, DOJ, EPA, DOA, ATF, HHS, and GSA that we need to buy a few more vowels. Just since Wednesday we’ve had to add the LGBT (no vowels, thank goodness) and the NSA (extra “A” required) controversies to our ever expanding list of co-conspirators.

Boy, we just cannot make some of you people happy. First you complain about Big Guy getting all the news he doesn’t know anything about on the news and at his press conferences:

h/t the Morlock Revolt

Then you complain when he takes steps to get in the loop.

NSA national museum of antique eavesdropping devices

The latest issue over some innocent data mining by the NSA came about because the Night Stalker, aka Val Jar, did not wish our hero (that would be BHO, in case you’re having trouble following the plot) to become “The Man Who Knows Too Much” because we all know what can occur when that happens.

So Val’s been screening BO’s calls for him ever since he became president. And since it has proved so useful for her purposes thus far:

Oh really? Because that’s not what I overheard.

she decided “Hey! Why stop there when I have the power to screen everybody’s calls, emails and internet searches!?”

So remember this little cautionary tale, the next time you decide that it’s okay to trade a little bit of liberty for more security – a trap that even some of the best and brightest fall into occasionally. Here, for example, is Charles Krauthammer explaining, first, why he supports  Patriot Act style eavesdropping:

and then explains precisely why he shouldn’t:

Here’s the money shot: “when you’ve lost that trust, then the NSA stuff becomes really scary.” Because herein, my children, is the sad, unvarnished truth: you will eventually lose that trust because once you’ve granted unconstitutional powers to your government they will never give it back willingly and sooner or later they will use that power against you. As Charles himself explains, “it depends on who’s in office.”

Or in the immediate case, who’s really in office.

“I’ll have a double espresso and bring the little guy a diet Coke.”

“It’s okay, just tell them everything you know and you’ll be fine.”

Simple maxim to remember and teach your children: “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” h/t Lord Acton

By the way: we’ve kicked off a special OFA drive today which, regardless of what you hear, is not a legal defense fund. Please contribute today. And if you don’t we will begin spamming your email every 5 minutes until such time as you do.

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Cross-Posted on Patriot Action Network

China Blues

UPDATED With Traveling Music

You probably heard that Lady M won’t be attending the China summit in California with Big Guy this weekend. The official reason is “domestic responsibilities” because this is the last week of school for the Wee Wons. That would normally mean that Friday is the last day of the school year; freeing Lady M from her “domestic responsibilities” for the weekend.

Butt as you know, we’ve redefined “normal” around here.

So, we’re not going to California this weekend, no matter what the Chinese press thinks. And they don’t think very much of it:

First lady diplomacy is also very important and the US side has failed to cooperate," he said. "According to normal diplomatic etiquette this is very strange. It shouldn't be like this.

So, hmmm, with so much on the line there must be another reason Lady M can’t make it this weekend. Oh yes, here it is:

“China Girl”: David Bowie

The Chinese public had hoped that their country's first lady would dazzle the American public during this summit at the Sunnylands ranch in Palm Springs which opens on Friday and in which both sides have trumpeted as a bid to kick-start more constructive relations.

Xi Ping and Peng Liyuan, First Lady of China

First there was the lovely Carla,

then the French Rottweiler:

And now, you expect Lady M to deal with this?

Well forget about it we’re not going there. Literally.

Lady M has no interest in being compared to another foreign cover girl.

Or another foreign folksinger:

Because, as you may recall, the lady can dance,

butt she sure can’t sing.

Big Guy is the sole repository of that talent around here.

“The thrill is gone” No…Wait!

So despite what anyone thinks, and as I mentioned, they don’t think much;

"Maybe Michelle [Obama] doesn't like - or maybe she is just really busy," Prof Zhang speculated. "But being busy shouldn't be an excuse for missing an event like this." Several leading US commentators agreed.

"This is one of the few moments during her husband's term of office where what she does matters a small amount to world politics. She should be in California." Communist Party bosses had seen the meeting as a golden opportunity to deploy Peng Liyuan's much-vaunted charms on the world stage in a bid to spin a more favourable image of China's leaders, after a decade with the stiff, protocol obsessed former president Hu Jintao in charge.

 It’s not easy being green - or black. Someone is always expecting you to sing for your supper

Lady M will be staying home this weekend to tend to her domestic responsibilities:

We’ve only got a month to plan for 2 month vacation on the Vineyards. Do you have any idea how many new garden frocks we need to order? How many cases of wine we have to select?

So for this weekend’s China summit, let’s leave the amateurs home to do whatever and let the pros handle the international musical intervals:

Play that funky music, white boy

Whoops! That’s not the right pro shot! Sorry. Here we go:

Linked By: Larwyn’s Linx on Doug Ross@Journal, and The Gateway Pundit, and mustang on The Ulsterman Report, and Pull My Chain, and Betty Reinwald, Mary Devore, Nancy Bailey Mironov Ziegler, Kris Nowak Deutsch, Karen Anderson on facebook, and BlogsLucianneLoves, and Free Republic, Thanks!

Cross-Posted on Patriot Action Network