President Obama is going to Disney World where he will unveil his new plan to create jobs. And what better place for the president to talk about his jobs plan than Fantasy Land?---Leno
- Initially, one might find it absurd to ask the question: Is Philadelphia as deadly as Iraq? The fact is: it has been. Yesterday I reported on a murder that took place less than one block from Independence Hall. This morning's Philadelphia Inquirer had a very disturbing piece on homicides in Philadelphia. From March 21, 2003 to Dec. 15, 2011, there were 3,517 Americans killed in combat in Iraq. During that same period, when you include Camden, NJ, into the data, there were 3,474 homicides in Philadelphia (361 in Camden). As the Philadelphia Inquirer reported, young black males, although only 4% of the population of the city, made up almost half of the homicide victims in 2011. Whites, in the same age range, made up 3.8% of the homicides and Asians 0.3%. (People do not account for Hispanic origin when determining a victim's race, according to this Inquirer report). Benjamin might be rolling over in his grave right now (which is located about 3 blocks from Independence Hall right behind the Holiday Inn. Yes, I know the city like the back of my hand). On the other hand, Ben would be proud of Chicago, they just reported no murders in a 24-hour period---the first time in a year.
- Speaking of Benjamin Franklin, he's often co-opted by progressives. But I heard something today on the radio that moved me to challenge that assumption. This is what he wrote in 1766: "I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I travelled much, and I observed ...that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and, of course, became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer...Are our poor modest, humble, and thankful; and do they use their best endeavors to maintain themselves, and lighten our shoulders of this burden? On the contrary, I affirm that there is no country in the world which the poor are more idle, dissolute, drunken and insolent." (On The Price of Corn and Management of the Poor). After having read this, I doubt Benny, if alive today, would vote for a liberal.
- One would have to wonder if Franklin would have approved of Pres. Obama's decision to killing the Keystone XL pipeline. But I'd have to defer---not to the Republicans on why the decision was "crude"---but to the media. USA Today's editorial was actually critical of the president's decision. In their editorial, "Obama's Pipeline Decision Set Back Energy Security," I believe their correctly point out it was wrong and purely political. In fact, they took an even harsher posture than I would have ever expected when they wrote, "...(it) exemplifies the continuing fecklessness of U.S. energy policy." They go on to show that election-year politics trumps sound policy. They also pointed out that the criticism by many critics (most environmentalists) of the pipeline going through Nebraska is bogus. Nebraska already has some 2,000 pipelines crisscrossing the state. In addition, the administration had over 3 years to look at alternative routes. The editors also slammed the Republicans for refusing to allow more time for a full review (but they contradict themselves later when they pointed out it's been under review for 3 years already) Of course, unions are not too happy considering the president just wiped out the potential of creating many thousands of jobs (some projections were up to 20,000).
- Trivia Break: fuel prices at the pump doubled since Obama took office.
- The media, especially the hypocrites like Chris Mathews, were taking Romney to task for the money he's made in speaking fees. Romney himself admitted he made just under $400k. But none of these bozos ever mentioned Bill Clinton's enormous take in speaking fees. He has to be close to $80 million since he left office because in 2009, CNN reported he had already made $65 million. I didn't hear Chris Mathews or the Huffington Post.
- In addition, the Left---including some Republicans---took Romney to task (and will continue) for paying an average income tax rate of 15% (all legal on investment income). But, guess who else they failed to mention? None other that that fake, phony and back-stabbing fraud, John F. Kerry. In the 2004 election, it was revealed that Kerry---one of the richest politicians in America---paid an average income tax rate of 12%. Gee, how come this lowly blogger---moi---can find this out and the big boys and girls in the media can't or won't? (Source: Fair Tax.org)
- Moreover, Romney's charitable giving puts the others to shame (he gave over 4 mil to his Church in just the last 5 years). As reported here yesterday, Slo Joe's giving amounted to about $360 a year for 10 years. And what about John F. Kerry? In 1995, he gave zero, zilch, nothing, nada to charity (but he did spend about $500k on a Dutch painting that year). In fact, according to The Florida Times Union, this fake, phony and back-stabbing fraud, never gave more than $2,100 to charity throughout the 1990's even though his combined income with his wife was in the $760 million range. In the 2004 campaign, after the media discovered he was a friggin cheapskate, he gave a whopping $43,000 and change to charity.
- Anyone reading my blog knows, I'm no big fan of Newt. But ABC News airing an interview with his ex-wife is beyond the pale for journalism. From all early reports, she plans on trashing Newt. But for how many years did we hear from the media: it's his or her personal life and it's out-of-bounds. Well, it's only out-of-bounds when it comes to Democrats and liberals, not conservatives or Republicans.
- I know one guy Benjamin Franklin would have considered a yo-yo---none other than our Vice President, Slo Joe Biden. Joe, was being Joe again. At an event in San Francisco, Slo Joe actually said, "The Giants are on their way to the Super Bowl." I swear. I want this guy to stay in politics until I die or he dies. But we can't allow this court jester to retire. (San Francisco Chronicle)
- I predicted last week that Rick Perry would be the next to drop out. I was wrong. Huntsman beat him to it, but early reports today suggest Perry is dropping out soon.
- Hey, Occupiers, O.J.'s home in Florida is in foreclosure. You can move your friends in that house like you did in Brooklyn last week
- If you're interested in music, the top selling tours in 2011 were U2, Taylor Swift, Chesney, Ga Ga and Bon Jovi.
