bits & pieces

A California school board is fighting high school math teacher Brad Johnson to get him to remove "offensive" posters from his walls. Stuart Shepard shares this shocking story in his Stoplight Commentary. Since the history, social studies, reading, science, art, music, or physical education teachers were unable or unwilling to display banners depicting America's Christian heritage as it exists in our founding documents, Mr. Johnson -- a math teacher -- took the initiative to supply his San Diego school's students some sorely missing information about the true founding of America. While Mr. Johnson's posters were deemed unacceptable, other posters in other classrooms passed administrative muster. Those included Malcom X, Mahatma Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, gay pride, stop global warming, and more.

Now, for those with delicate liberal sensibilies, I give you fair warning. There are blatant references to God, the Bible, Christianity, the Founding Fathers -- all in the context of America's heritage. Consider yourself warned.

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day;

The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play,

And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,

A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game...

... Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,

And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout;

But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.

Perhaps one needs to be a certain age or just have a love for the game of baseball to recognize the celebrated poem Casey at the Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer, which was written in the late 1800s. The first and last stanzas of the fabled story are reprinted here. Few written words about 'America's Favorite Pasttime' embody such drama and anticipation as these. It pretty well sums up all the complexities of baseball in one proverbial swing of the bat. The other favorite pasttime of Americans, politics, is always in season, not just summer. In this cleverly written and produced variation on the Casey at the Bat story, the Mudville Nine become the Liberal Nine in an ill-fated attempt to rescue their team from encroaching doom. Watch and enjoy.

Wake up! WAKE UP! Oh, wait. I am awake. It's hard to tell the difference anymore. I had to watch this video twice to believe that I was seeing exactly what I was seeing. In this officially prepared and released government public service announcement, Department of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis, with a straight face, actually informs illegal aliens that they are entitled to receive "fair wages" for the work they perform in the United States. The implication is for them to report evil business owners who would exploit their "undocumented" status. I wonder just how many illegal workers in the U.S. will trust this federal government enough to take Solis up on her offer to exact justice on their employers?

What has happened to even the pretense of upholding and executing the existing laws of the United States of America by the Executive Branch? There appears to be a popular, if unwritten notion, that they can and will pick and choose those laws they find ideologically appealing, while assuming executive (read dictatorial) authority to enforce policy that they cannot achieve through legislative processes. There should be an immediate Department of Justice investigation into this blatant disregard for federal law. Don't hold your breath. Attorney General Eric Holder doesn't even have the stomach to admit that radical Islam presents a clear terrorism threat to the nation. Plus, he, like his boss, is an ideologue who sympathizes with illegal immigration and sees them as the future electoral majority for their despicable Democratic Party. RINOs who share that sympathy are even more repugnant.

The Washington Post, yes even the Post, was ashamed enough to accept (or demand?) the resignation of one wretched David Weigel, the now former "reporter" charged with the task of covering the American conservative movement. Self-betrayed by a barrage of profanity-laced tirades against the movement at large and many of its leaders specifically, Weigel stripped his gears one too many times. Much of the venom this so-called reporter spewed is unprintable, although this 'The Daily Caller' site chose to run with it.

The ability to publish personal political insights and opinions is a cherished First Amendment right. We encourage it throughout the political spectrum, for denial of this expression in one group is a denial for all. When those tasked with reporting duties blatantly disregard operational objectivity while maintaining the pretense of the same, then something has gone terribly wrong. Websites such as RaptorRepublic.com are purposefully created for the publishing of political opinion and the expression of responsible dissention against established political authority. These sites make no claim to journalistic objectivity like The Washington Post. Reporters who cross the line do a severe disservice to all using the written word. Weigel crossed this line and then obliterated it. Another difference between the Weigels and the Raptor Republics of print is that criticisms of individuals or ideas offered by the former are personality-based and devoid of factual basis for reasoned debate. The attached story reveals a visceral hatred by Weigel for many of the luminaries of the conservative movement, but his hateful assertions are foundationless. Sadly, but oh so instructively, Weigel is typical of the Left in this country. Once again, unable to engage and prevail in the arena of ideas, they cowardly resort to character assassination and lewd hyperbole.

Weigel, in reference to James O'Keefe who ran the famous undercover sting videos on ACORN criminal activity:

“He’s either going to get a radio talk show or start a prison ministry. That’s what successful conservative ratf******s do for their second acts,” Weigel wrote, likely alluding to Nixon aide Charles Colson who converted to Christianity after a stint in prison for obstruction of justice and founded Prison Fellowship.

It's almost like a bad skit from NBC's Saturday Night Live, except the painful truth of the matter is... it's all too real. Here, we have yet another democrat elected official, one Peggy West, member of the Democrat Executive Committee of Milwaukee who has distinguished herself among the substantially large pantheon of democrat nit-wits. Peggy, who is proud to be the "first Latino/Hispanic American to be elected to the Milwaukee County Board," chooses to embarrass herself and many others in the room at a recent County Board meeting by displaying her tenuous grasp of American geography.

Peggy asserts, with much contrived empathy, that she understands if Texas has "you know" a problem with illegal border crossers. However, this "wise Latina" in the mold of Justice Sotomayor has a problem with Arizona's desire to control the stream of illegal immigrants. You see, Peggy doesn't believe that Arizona shares a border with Mexico, so why should the State of Arizona have a problem with this issue? She thinks Arizona is just being difficult (read: racist) and should be punished by having Milwaukee join a growing number of community boycotters. Poor Peggy. It is hard to blame her. She's undoubtedly the product of one of America's proud government-run education camps euphemistically called "public schools." Chalk up yet another reason for home schooling.

Hey Joe! Say it ain't so! Biden, who never wastes an opportunity to make a fool of himself, seizes a chance to publicly humiliate the manager of a frozen custard shop in Wisconsin. Mr. Biden, stupid, arrogant, and belligerent is no way to go through life, sir. Just keep at it, though. In November of this year, and November of 2012, the American people will set right what you and your despicable ilk have tried to destroy. The cleansing of Washington will be far more delicious than any frozen custard you shove in your gullet. Trust me on this one.

Are you inebriated, Mr. Stark? If so, then you're a mean drunk. Furthermore, I hope you are drunk. I believe we would prefer that you have that excuse available to you rather than the unpleasant prospect that you indeed hold the citizens of your district and America in general with such belligerent contempt. Just when I thought Vice President Joe "This is a Big @#*#% Deal!" Biden could not be topped for hubris and pompousness, you come along and blow him out of the water. Your little comedy show, the attempt to belittle an average, tax-paying citizen who asked an earnest, sincere, and salient question of you is beyond the pale. Arrogant blowhards like you defile our elected institutions and menace our wonderful nation. Remember this, though, Mr. Stark. This video will circle the Internet like so many wildfires in your state. And, November 2nd is coming on fast. If I had the personal resources, I would spend whatever it takes to unseat you, even if it meant replacing you with another puke democrat. You have lost all privileges to so-called represent your district in the hallowed halls of Congress. In fact, you're unfit to hold elected office of ANY kind, you contemptible dawdling toad. We will remember. There will be a day of reckoning.

Where shall I begin with THIS one? Just when I thought I had seen it all, that there was no way this jaded political observer could be amazed ever again, 37-year congressman Rep. Pete Stark (D) CA-13 does the improbable. However, after Barry Soetoro Barack Hussein Obama's and Joe Biden's latest petulant outbursts, bad behavior seems to be the Democrat fashion craze of the day. Watch this video. If you are still a doubter that a new Constitutional amendment limiting the terms of congressmen and senators is not overdue, ask yourself, "Why?"

Vice President Joe "This is a Big @#*#% Deal!" Biden graced the owners, employees, and patrons of a Kopps Frozen Custard shop in Wisconsin yesterday (6/26/10) with an unscheduled stop for him and his entourage. Biden used the visit to rub elbows with the "little people" and show that he is a man of the working class, as his expertly rolled sleeves indicated. The shop manager graciously offered the frozen treats gratis for Biden when the Vice President asked how much it would cost. In the verbal exchange, the manager light-heartedly replied that if they (the government) would lower taxes, they would be even. Biden was not amused and didn't react to the manager's quip. Moments later, the Vice President turned on the manager with a quip of his own. "Why don't you say something nice instead of being a smart*** all the time?"

More of the same -- different day. How much more evidence do rank-and-file democrats need before they come to the realization reached by the other half of the nation that democrats have no true interest in the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness for ordinary Americans? Biden's contempt for this shop manager, and the everyday American, was telling in its unbridled transparency. Biden, like his immaculated task master, Pelosi, Reid, Frank, Schumer, Dodd, Dingle, and the rest of the contemptible statist hacks in Washington only care for their perpetual grip on power and the trappings it provides.

What was also telling, unfortunately, was the shop manager's willingness to accept the barb from Biden as "friendly banter." Dazzled by the sudden brush with celebrity and power, the young man was far too gracious in his on-video interview to call Biden on his arrogant behavior. The manager didn’t understand that Biden’s rude remarks to him were not about him, they were about every single working American out there. This is exactly what these elected officials, these public servants, expect from the "little people." Be cowed and afraid, know your role as an indentured servant for their elite status, and shut your mouth. Biden’s hubris continues to amaze.

Remember when Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher confronted then candidate Barack Hussein Obama (mmm-mmm-mmm!) about taxes and fiscal policy? Obama told the private, tax-paying citizen, "I think that when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." This was prior to the eve of his election, when he boldly proclaimed before legions of slobbering worshippers, "We are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America!"

Now enter one Dr. Donald Berwick, selected by the White House occupant as a recess appointee to fill the chief administrator seat for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. In expected fashion, Obama saw fit to bypass traditional Senate vetting and confirmation for his 'czar'. Berwick will be able to keep this office throughout the year before formal confirmation proceedings can resume. Obama probably figures, "Why bother with legislative oversight when I have a transformational agenda to enact? November 2nd is on the way, and there is simply too much wealth redistribution to inflict before my Congressional sycophants are driven from office like rats from a sinking ship.”

Berwick’s statist credentials precede him. Berwick, 63, is a pediatrician, Harvard University professor and leader of a health care think tank, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, that works to develop and implement concepts for improving patient care. The programs he will oversee – Medicare and Medicaid for the elderly, poor and disabled, along with the Children's Health Insurance Program – provide care to about 100 million people, or around 1 in 3 Americans. The American Hospital Association and AARP were among the groups that weighed in to support Berwick Wednesday.[1]

No longer fearful of showing their socialist hands too soon, Obama's army of big-government academes is brazenly preaching the statist gospel – and they intend to rule accordingly. One small example from Dr. Berwick, in a 2009 interview: "The decision is not whether or not we will ration care – the decision is whether we will ration with our eyes open. And right now, we are doing it blindly."

In a speech before a British audience in 2008, the good Dr. Berwick chooses to lampoon the pre-Obama American health care system, while praising the United Kingdom for using tax policy to provide universal coverage. A medical doctor should have better command of statistical data than that, Dr. Berwick. He chides America for spending about 17% of gross domestic product on a largely privately-based plan, while the British spend only 9% of their GDP on the same. Aside from the wealth of anecdotal information regarding the horrors of the UK's National Health System, this editor believes it is a little disingenuous for Berwick to not identify the total tax burden experienced by the typical British subject, which includes a 17.5% value added tax. I mean, if we're seeking the "transparency" that was so touted by this occupying administration, then it's only fair to show a real comparison. Wouldn't you agree?

Thank you, Mr. Alex Jones. Thank you for saying, unequivocally, what needs to be said. In these last few days, the MainStream Media have treated Americans to a non-stop diet of Lindsay Lohan and LeBron James. "What sentence will Lindsay receive for her parole violation? Oh, no! 90 days in the cooler?" "Where will LeBron 'King' James go, now that his contract with Cleveland is up? He stands to make $750 million over the next few years, but state and local taxes may figure into his selection!" "The poor people of Cleveland are hit with yet another hardship! Oh, the horror!" The self-imposed angst of millions is nauseating.

Meanwhile, the New Rome, America, figuratively burns. Forced socialization of our industries, looming hyperinflation, multi-trillion dollar debt, lawlessness on our southern border, Marxists tapped for the highest offices in the Executive Branch, forced nationalized health insurance, plummeting home sales with skyrocketing foreclosures and bankruptcies, increasing tax burdens, uncontrolled oil spills, criminal malfeasance in the Department of Justice and throughout the Executive Branch, an encroaching police state -- need I go on? How do the MainStream Media deal with the myriad of problems vexing the Republic? Why, they give us LeBron James and Lindsay Lohan. The MSM are not to blame entirely. They've only been feeding the insatiable appetite for the slobbering mass of Americans who's intellectual curiosity begins and ends with either ESPN or the E! Entertainment channels.

Mr. Jones is absolutely correct. Our once bountiful and glorious Republic is being sold down the proverbial river, and far too many slovenly citizens couldn't care less. They will awake as beggars to their own demise. They'll drag the rest of us down with them, unless...

I am curious to see a polling comparison of those who are following the Lebron James and Lindsay Lohan dramas with the respondents' voting proclivities (that means tendencies or preferences for those of you in Rio Linda, CA). Even the governor of Ohio, Ted Strickland (D) joined in a music video and highly embarrassing rendition of 'We Are the World' called 'Please Stay LeBron, We Really Need You' to beg James to remain in Cleveland. The governor of an American state whoring himself for a sports celebrity. It's a lovely thing, isn't it? America, the clock is ticking. (Video courtesy of Alex Jones and www.infowars.com)