OBAMA, SESTAK, CALIFORNIA, STOLEN VALOR

This week many things kept me away from blogging, but now that it's Saturday I have a moment to comment on a few of the topics that have been on my mind.


THE OBAMA PRESS CONFERENCE
10 months between pressers is ridiculous. And this one was no better than any of the others. As with any Obama presser, we always get to hear from his teleprompter before any questions are fielded by The One. With all that has taken place over the previous 10 months, I found it incredible how few questions he took and the limited topics they covered. After all, the US Govt has taken over a massive percentage of our economy, so I sorta figured there might be a reporter in the room who would like to ask about that one. But I was wrong.

About that teleprompter. I'm finding the extensive use of this device a bit creepy. You?

When Obama clearly pointed out he was in charge of BP's gulf operations but didn't have a clue when it came to the resignation/firing of one of his key officials involved in it, well, that's when I started making the popcorn. Because no matter what Obama said from that point forward, this presser was going in the books as a disaster. Since Obama has mastered the fine art of lying, I will probably consider all future pressers as disasters too. I know he's my president but that does not change the fact that he's a liar. After all, Marxists aren't known for their open, honest exchanges with the public; the voting public, in his eyes, is simply a gaggle of suckers, especially those who voted for him. Suckers.

The non-answer about Sestak took balls, but with the lapdogs sitting before him, it was not surprising. No way was he going to delve into the facts on that one. Had he mentioned Bill Clinton's name in connection to Sestak, even the lapdogs would've began wagging their tails and drooling, with a few even peeing on the carpet. Lapdogs do that. But The One was saving that Clinton tidbit for after the long weekend began, hoping beyond hope that we'll forget about the issue by Tuesday. More on Sestak later.

Not so surprising was Obama's usual presser format: calling on reporters from a roster. Yes, others have done it too, but it isn't right and it leads some to wonder if this "so-called" exchange isn't pre-arranged. I like the old days when it was a free-for-all. The other tactic Obama uses is lengthy answers. I've sat through shorter lecture forums in college. In sports, this is called burning, or killing, the clock, and Obama's good at it. Burning the clock means having to take fewer questions, and we know Obama isn't a fan of having to give answers when he isn't in total control of this Hollywood production.

Obama referring to his daughter's "plugging the hole" comment. Two words: Jimmy Carter. And the "Drill, baby, drill" comment tells us Obama/DNC/RNC remain scared to death of Palin's power with WE THE PEOPLE. You know, the suckers.

Finally, I find the BP disaster another coincidence and "lucky break" for Obama, since his agenda for Greening the Economy--Cap and Trade--are yet to be realized. Obama had a similar "lucky break" with Goldman Sachs' legal problems happening just as his Wall St. Reform Act was stuck in the Senate. He is lucky, no?

So this BP oil disaster helps Obama sell the public on the evils of fossil fuels and big oil corporations and, of course, the immediate need for alternative fuels like solar and wind. Never mind that these technologies don't actually exist in a form that could replace fossil fuels. Those are little details Obama will work out at a later date. For now, he'll settle for your tax dollars. Do we even know the cause of the BP disaster? Interesting question, I think.


JOE SESTAK'S WHITE HOUSE JOB OFFER
Now that we know Bill Clinton is involved, you can rest assured that something illegal has taken place. Like Obama, Bill Clinton is a liar. I have but one question: Why did Sestak open his mouth in the first place and then continue doing so? I'll tell you my theory later on.

You have to keep in mind a couple things about Sestak: He's a two-term congressman and a retired Vice-Admiral (3 star). Although he has taken many orders during his career, he's mostly accustomed to giving them. He's certainly not accustomed to having his hand forced, especially when it comes to his personal ambitions in life.

I think the phone call from Bill Clinton, at Rahm's behest (White House), went something like this: the White House/DNC would like for you to get out of the race against Specter, and in return we're prepared to offer you a high-level position elsewhere, (probably at a later date.) I don't think Clinton called Sestak and yucked it up with him like a couple old college chums, either. I think Clinton pressured Sestak but with an offer of a position that was meaningful and of value, albeit not as meaningful or valuable as being a US Senator. There might have been an implied threat as well--lack of DNC support? Remember, Sestak isn't in the Navy anymore, and he isn't required to take orders from anyone in the White House.

Because of the possible legal ramifications involved here, Sestak was enough of a politician to allow the White House time to fabricate a story on how the conversation went. After the story line was set, Sestak would play along.

Here's why I think the official White House/Clinton/Rahm/Sestak explanation is total fantasy: You don't offer a two-term congressman and retired Vice-Admiral, who is most likely going to defeat Specter for the senate nomination, a non-paid advisory position on some BS committee, and expect that he would accept. No, you offer him something of great value, maybe not as valuable as a senate seat, but something close. If you believe one word of the "official" White House story line, then you need to cut back on your alcohol consumption.

Rahm connected with Clinton, who later made the call to Sestak, for one reason: That way if this thing ever went south, Rahm could always say Clinton must have misunderstood what he (Rahm) meant, and Clinton, of course, would agree. And the most important aspect would be Obama--he was obviously busy "plugging the hole" and didn't know a thing about it.

Back to why Sestak opened his mouth in the first place and continued to do so. I don't think Sestak liked having "the arm" put on him by the White House--the Chicago way. By admitting the job offer in the media, Sestak might have been sending Obama and his Chicago thugs a message--that he (Sestak) will not be pushed around. But being the smart politician, Sestak did give the White House ample time to fabricate a story to be marketed to the public--an escape hatch. After all, Sestak is no dummy. His many admissions of the job offer didn't just fall out of his mouth by accident. Know this to be true.

If something illegal did take place--remember Bill Clinton is involved--Sestak should have reported it immediately to congress and the AG. But in Washington DC self-interest always comes before doing the right thing. That being said, this whole situation has the potential of backfiring on Sestak come November.
Legally, where does this story go from here? Nowhere. Obama owns and controls all four branches of government. As a result, there are no longer any checks and balances in Washington DC. Transformation, baby! *For more on the Sestak story, Newsy.com has a great video round up.


CALIFORNIA'S ECONOMIC FREEFALL
In an earlier post, I said California was going off the financial cliff. I misspoke there. California has gone off the economic cliff, and we're in freefall, fast approaching economic terminal velocity. It's just a matter of time until we "buy the farm." Here's a few examples of why this state is doomed:

California is in debt to the tune of tens of billions. They report the figure at around $44 billion but that's a lie and everyone knows it. It's much, much larger. The job situation? In the toilet and on its way to the sewage treatment plant. California--doomed

In the city of Sacramento, their budget is hemorrhaging red at $43 million. And what's city hall doing with their time and our dollars? Enacting an Arizona boycott. Yes, you read that correctly. Sacramento--doomed.

Overall, how do things look in other cities? Well, in the SF Bay Area, the city of Antioch is now considering bankruptcy. If they do, they'll be the second California city to do so in two years. Antioch--doomed.

A school district here in the Sacramento area is getting down to business and cutting the fat out of their school district budget, a budget that's $17 million in the red. Natomas Unified is closing eight school libraries. And how many libraries do they have? Eight. I've always said those damn school books would one day be our economic ruin. I was right.

Let's see, art classes gone; music and band gone; chorus gone, and shop class was history years ago. I wonder if it ever dawned on anyone that maybe--just maybe--they should get rid of the economic, progressive morons running this district? Natomas School District--doomed.

California--DOOMED! If you don't think so, just read the 4th and 5th paragraphs of this article. Then you'll understand. Does your state operate this way? You'd better hope not.


RICHARD BLUMENTHAL AND NEIL CAVUTO
Last week I posted about Neil Cavuto's defense of Richard Blumenthal. I couldn't believe that Neil pieced together such a convoluted excuse for Blumenthal's actions, and then took aim at those of us who were making an issue of Blumenthal's Stolen Valor. Neil said our criticisms were "silly," "nonsense," and "didn't matter." I attempted to enlighten Neil as I didn't think he understood the issue since he never served in the military. (I assume he hasn't served.)

As the week wore on, I expected Blumenthal to finally buckle under the pressure and apologize. Well, he made an attempt but I don't think it was a real apology, nor do I think he really cares. Because if he did, he would've pulled out of the senate race, and he certainly wouldn't have EMAILED his so-called apology to a Hartford newspaper, either. Anyone guilty of Stolen Valor does not deserve to be seated in the US Senate, the US House, White House or any other public office.

I also expected Neil to revisit his own remarks on Blumenthal, possibly clarifying them or even apologizing for being so wrong on such an important issue both inside and outside the military community. If Neil did this, I missed it. I looked for his comments until Wednesday, found none and decided to discontinue looking for them. Neil, for me, used to be appointment tv. I will continue to watch but will no longer plan my day around his telecast. If I see his show, fine. If not, oh well. Stolen Valor is a deal breaker for me. Might not be for you, but it is for me.

This whole Blumenthal Stolen Valor issue has made me wonder why Neil was so quick to defend him. Are they friends, neighbors, live in the same state, wives hang out together, or did Blumenthal once bring Neil a dozen donut holes? Anyone have an idea?

Defending someone who's guilty of Stolen Valor is risky business, I would think. At the very least, it shows one's true character. I don't think Neil's a bad guy, never did. And that's why I'm so confused by his defense of Blumenthal's Stolen Valor. There is no defense for such an act, especially from someone in Blumenthal's high profile position within the state of Connecticut.

Again, I will attempt to help Neil with this issue. Most importantly, Blumenthal is a lawyer and a politician. But let's just stick with the lawyer part for now.

All good lawyers must be able to communicate. Words are their tools, both written and spoken. Lawyers use words with the same precision a doctor uses a scalpel. Exacting. Blumenthal is not just your everyday, run-of-the-mill lawyer, either. He has a resume that arrives before he does. A legal pedigree most lawyers would kill for.

From Blumenthal's bio: He's serving his fifth term as Connecticut's AG. Unprecedented. Early in his career, he was an aide to Sens Moynihan and Ribicoff. And he clerked for Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun. He served as a United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, later becoming the Chief Federal Prosecutor for Connecticut. Blumenthal also was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives. And he has argued before the United States Supreme Court. The list goes on and on.

Blumenthal's schooling: Graduate of Harvard (Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude.) Graduate of Yale Law School, and Editor-in-Chief of the Yale Law Journal. Impressive.

I think we can all agree that a man with this background gets his message or point across in a very effective way. Words are tools, either written or spoken; they have precise meaning. Whether Blumenthal is communicating to you, a jury or the Supreme Court of the United States, he makes his point clearly. A man like this knows exactly what he means to say when he says it.

Men with this background, training and experience, do not make a habit of talking off-the-cuff in a reckless manner, especially about service in Vietnam. Blumenthal, I would say, doesn't even speak off-the-cuff when ordering his breakfast at Denny's! And he certainly wouldn't mistake "during Vietnam" with "in Vietnam." Ever. The subject of Vietnam is much too important and sensitive a topic for a man of his abilities to all of a sudden become sloppy when communicating about it.

Neil, your boy Blumenthal is worse than a liar--he's guilty of Stolen Valor. He's admitted as much, albeit rather weakly:

"At times when I have sought to honor veterans, I have not been as clear or precise as I should have been about my service in the Marine Corps Reserves,''

Clear or precise? Give me a break. Stolen Valor is Stolen Valor. Neil, I look forward to your follow up on this issue. If you're man enough, you will. If not, well...