Common Sense Questions about Obama Speech and Health Care Bill

Good questions. Will they be answered? I think it's doubtful that the will. -- S. Lane

Obama’s Speech Prompts Ten Questions from Republicans
Friday, September 11, 2009
By House Republican Conference


House Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Va., left, and House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, listen to President Barack Obama’s speech on healthcare to a joint session of Congress, on Wednesday, Sept., 9, 2009, on Capitol Hill. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
(CNSNews.com) – House Republicans on Thursday issued ten “common-sense” questions arising from President Barack Obama’s Wednesday-night speech plugging health care reform.

The questions – and the words that prompted them – appear here verbatim:

Muslim Appointments to Dept. of Homeland Security

To my readers: Not sure how I missed seeing more details on the appointment to the Dept. of Homeland Security back in June and July of two men with ties to Muslim advocacy groups that hold views which could and should be seen as extremist. Of course the official bios are so "sanitized" that they wouldn't raise alarms and the major media, as usual, chose to ignore the back story. Getting the word out now is a little like locking the barn door after the horse was stolen, but nonetheless, I believe we should be informed, aware and on guard. These are two appointees it will pay to keep an eye on. -- S. Lane

SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2009 Obama appoints 2 devout Muslims to homeland security Arif Alikhan as Assistant Secretary for Policy Development

Source for announcement:

Homeland Security Press Room

"Today, I am proud to make two key personnel announcements for the U.S.. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) President Obama’s intent to nominate David Heyman as Assistant Secretary for Policy and my appointment of Arif Alikhan as Assistant Secretary for Policy Development.. Arif comes from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa’s office, where he served as Deputy Mayor for Homeland Security and Public Safety. As a key adviser to the Mayor, he has led the City’s efforts to develop homeland security, emergency management and law enforcement initiatives, including operational oversight of Los Angeles Police, Fire and Emergency Management departments." said Secretary Janet Napolitano The Islamic loving Obama has appointed Arif Alikhan a devout Sunni Muslim to assistant secretary for the Office of Policy Department of Homeland Security.. Mr. Alikhan was instrumental in taking down the LA Police Department's plan to monitor it's Muslim community.

Alikhan is affiliated with MPAC, the "Muslim Public Affairs Council".

"Founded in 1988, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) describes itself as "a public service agency working for the civil rights of American Muslims, for the integration of Islam into American pluralism, and for a positive, constructive relationship between American Muslims and their representatives." The organization consists of eight chapters in California, and one each in Texas, Kansas, Nevada, and Iowa."

From its inception, MPAC presented itself20as more inclusive, and more open to peaceful coexistence with Jews and Christians, than other Arab and Muslim groups, and sought to make Americans comfortable with Islam by showing how much the religion embraced core American values.

However, looking deeper into this group:

MPAC's Senior Advisor, Maher Hathout, who has close ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and espouses the radical brand of Islam known as Wahhabism, was invited to address the Democratic Convention in Los Angeles in 2000.

MPAC's centrist public image unraveled after the September 2000 launching of the Second Palestinian Intifada, when the Council severed its ties to the Jewish community and issued one-sided condemnations of Israel's response to the Arab violence.

This group actively opposed Bush's military incursions into Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as his "excesses" in the war on terror. In February 2003, MPAC joined the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the American Muslim Council, and the American Muslim Alliance in forming a coalition to repeal and amend the Patriot Act, which these organizations depicted as an assault on the civil liberties of Americans, particularly Muslims.

MPAC claims that Islam is a religion of peace and moderation, and contends that Muslim extremists are no more numerous or dangerous than fundamentalists in any other faith.

Holding Israel entirely responsible for the "pattern of violence" in the Middle East, MPAC asserts that Hezbollah "could be called a liberation movement." The Council likens Hezbollah members to American "freedom fighters hundreds of years ago whom the British regarded as terrorists."

In a 1999 position paper, MPAC justified Hezbollah's deadly 1983 bombing of the American Marine barracks in Lebanon as a "military operation" rather than a terrorist attack. 1983 Beirutbarracks bombing, which killed servicemen, including 220 U.S. Marines. As Maher Hathout puts it: "Hezbollah is fighting for freedom, an organized army, limiting its operations against military people, this is a legitimate target against occupation. … this is legitimate, this is an American value -- freedom and liberty."

See also:

Kareem Shora Appointed by DHS Secretary Napolitano on Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) by Bella Rabinowitz

Washington, DC June 5, 2009

June 9, 2009 - San Francisco, CA - PipeLineNews.org - Last week DHS head Janet Napolitano appointed Kareem Shora the National Executive Director of the Arab American Anti -Discrimination Committee as a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council. [source, http://www.adc.org/index.php?id=3458]

The ADC is funded by Saudi billionaire Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal. Bin Talal is infamous for having held marathon fundraisers to support the families of suicide bombers. In 2001 his $10 million dollar check for a 9/11 fund was rejected by then Mayor Rudolph Giuliani because Talal linked the attacks to America's policy towards Israel, in part proclaiming, "The Arabs should concentrate on influencing American public opinion ... He pointed to the fact that Israel succeeded in manipulating the events of September 11, to its advantage by branding all Arabs and Muslims as terrorists, then proceeded to war on the Palestinians and massacring them unchecked." [source, http://www.alternativesjournal.net/volume1/number2/talhami.htm]

In 2008 the ADC inaugurated the Al Waleed Bin Talal Heritage Center at their national headquarters in Washington, DC and presented him with the "ADC Global Achievement Award" in 2005.

Shora was the former legal advisor of the ADC. In that capacity he filed suit on behalf of the ADC against the INS arguing that arrest of foreign nationals after they were required by law to register as such, is illegal.

In 2006 the ADC sued the Secretaries of State and Defense for "failing to protect U.S. citizens in a crisis or time of war."

"In the lawsuit, ADC alleges that the defendants placed US citizens in peril by not taking all possible steps to secure the safety and well being of US citizens in Lebanon. Further, the lawsuit asks the Federal Court to issue an order compelling the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to request a ceasefire and to stop any shipments of weapons or any other military support to Israel during the evacuation of all US citizens out of Lebanon." [source, http://www.adc.org/index.php?id=2865]
The appointment of the head of a Saudi funded organization to be on the Homeland Security Advisory Council is one more example of the Obama administration's Muslim outreach consisting of forging alliances with Islamists. The conflict of interest posed by Shora's association with the Saudi mouthpiece the ADC, promoting a Saudi agenda is sufficient reason to call for his immediate resignation.

©1999-2009 PipeLineNews.org LLC, Beila Rabinowitz. All rights reserved.

Obama Advisor Van Jones Calls Republicans "Assholes"

Pardon the language, blog friends, it's not my choice of words, but rather a rant by Obama Green Jobs adviser Van Jones. However, offensive it may be to some, it's not the language that's important. What is important is who Mr. Jones is and what his beliefs and his associations are.

Here is Jones' recent comment on the opposition to Obama's proposed policies.

To understand where Jones is coming from, we need to know where's he's been, what he stands for and what his agenda is. Glenn Beck explains in this video.

Also of interest is Sean Hannity's September 3 interview with columnist Ann Coulter, discussing not only Janes but other Obama advisers with similar backgrounds and agendas. A video the Hannity-Coulter interview is available at THIS LINK (CLICK HERE).
On FOX News "Special Report," September 3, 2009 Charles Krauthammer, Mara Liasson and Steve Hayes predict that due to the uproar Jones's remarks have created and what has been revealed about his background and beliefs, he will be "gone by Monday." Follow their discussion at THIS LINK.
The word that didn't get out during the 2008 election campaign except on FOX and in the alternative media and blog sites is now beginning to reach the American public in greater and greater numbers. And many don't like what they are hearing and what it says about this administration. I have all fingers crossed that this is going to start making a difference and that people will contact their senators and representatives, pound on their doors if need be, and demand accountability, demand that the brakes be put on this headlong rush to total centralized control over our lives by executive appointments and edicts. -- S. Lane
Thank you, blogger Bren, for the key references that provided background for this article. /sl

House Resolution 3200 Would Establish Automatic Enrollment in Health Insurance Exchange

Health care is much on all our minds. Here's more cause for concern.

CNS News reports that the bill being considered in the House of Representatives would give the President authority to appoint a federal "Health Choices Commissioner" with "sweeping power to govern the health insurance plans offered in a so-called 'exchange' where millions of Americans would get their health insurance if the bill is enacted." Not only that, but CNS also reports "Further, the commissioner would have the authority to establish 'automatic enrollment' of individuals. . . ."

In my view none of these proposals are acceptable. We must let our Representatives in Washington know our views. We must speak out -- in e-mails, blogs, local meetings and in conversations with our family and friends. -- S. Lane

Read the full CNS article here:

Health Care Bill Gives Obama Power to Appoint Government 'Commissioner' With Sweeping Power to Dictate Health Coverage

Thursday, September 03, 2009 By Fred Lucas, Staff Writer

Check out "2 Books That Your Kids Are Expected To Read!" on Mobs-R-Us

Sharing this link which I found at a list group I read and occasionally participate in. As always, I don't agree with all the views there (though agree with quite a few), but it's another source of information that we independents often aren't informed about. -- S. Lane Mobs-R-Us Mobilizing Our Base Independent Kitty Check out '2 Books That Your Kids Are Expected To Read!' Link: 2 Books That Your Kids Are Expected To Read!

Charles Krauthammer Speaking at Center for the American Experiment

A couple days ago, I received this reference in an email from a friend. It's taken me a while to track down the original source and in the process, I found several other comments by Dr. Krauthammer pertinent to our recent discussions about the Omama-care plan that I'm sharing here. ~~ S. Lane

Dr. Charles Krauthammer speaks to the Center for the American Experiment

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Last Monday was a profound evening, hearing Dr. Charles Krauthammer speak to the Center for the American Experiment. He is a brilliant intellectual, seasoned & articulate. He is forthright & careful in his analysis, & never resorts to emotions or personal insults. He is NOT a fear-monger nor an extremist in his comments & views. He is a fiscal conservative, & has a Pulitzer prize for writing. He is a frequent contributor to Fox News & writes weekly for the Washington Post. The entire room was held spellbound during his talk. I have shared this w/ many of you & several have asked me to summarize his comments, as we are living in uncharted waters economically & internationally. Even two Dims at my table agreed w/ everything he said! If you feel like forwarding this to those who are open minded & have not ‘drunk the Kool-Aid’, feel free.

This is a summary of his comments:

1. Mr. Obama is a very intellectual, charming individual. He is not to be underestimated. He is a ‘cool customer’ who doesn’t show his emotions. It’s very hard to know what’s ‘behind the mask’. Taking down the Clinton dynasty from a political neophyte was an amazing accomplishment. The Clintons still do not understand what hit them. Obama was in the perfect place at the perfect time.

2. Obama has political skills comparable to Reagan & Clinton. He has a way of making you think he’s on your side, agreeing w/ your position, while doing just the opposite. Pay no attn. to what he SAYS; rather, watch what he DOES!

3. Obama has a ruthless quest for power. He did not come to Washington to make something out of himself, but rather to change everything, incl. dismantling capitalism. He can’t be straightforward on his ambitions, as the public would not go along. He has a heavy hand, & wants to ‘level the playing field’ w/ income redistribution & punishment of the achievers of society. He would like to model the USA to Great Britain or Canada .

4. His 3 main goals are to control ENERGY, PUBLIC EDUCATION, & NAT’L HEALTHCARE by the Fed. govt. He doesn’t care about the auto or financial services industries, but got them as an early bonus.. The cap & trade will add costs to everything & stifle growth. Paying for FREE college education is his goal. Most scary is healthcare program, because if you make it FREE & add 46,000,000 people to a Medicare-type single-payer system, the costs will go thru the roof. The only way to control costs is w/ massive RATIONING of services, like in Canada . God forbid.

5. He’s surrounded himself w/ mostly far-left academic types. No one around him has ever run even a candy store. But they’re going to try & run\the auto, financial, banking & other industries. This obviously can’t work in the long run. Obama’s not a socialist; rather a far-left secular progressive bent on nothing short of revolution. He ran as a moderate, but will govern from the hard left. Again, watch what he does, not what he says.

6. Obama doesn’t really see himself as President of the USA, more as a ruler over the world. He sees himself above it all, trying to orchestrate & coordinate various countries & their agendas. He sees moral equivalency in all cultures. His apology tour in Germany & England was a prime example of how he sees America, as an imperialist nation that has been arrogant, rather than a great noble nation that has at times made errors. This is the 1st President ever who has chastised our allies & appeased our enemies!

7. He’s now handing out goodies. He hopes that the bill (& pain) will not ‘come due’ until after he’s reelected in 2012. He’d like to blame all problems on Bush from the past, & hopefully his successor in the future. He has a huge ego, & Mr. Krauthammer believes he is a narcissist.

8. Republicans are in the wilderness for a while, but will emerge strong. We’re ‘pining’ for another Reagan, but there’ll never be another like him. He believes Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty & Bobby Jindahl (except for his terrible speech in Feb.) are the future of the party.. Newt Gingrich is brilliant, but has baggage. Sarah Palin is sincere & intelligent, but needs to really be seriously boning up on facts & info if she’s to be a serious candidate in the future. We need to return to the party of lower taxes, smaller govt., personal responsibility, strong national defense, & states’ rights.

9. The current level of spending is irresponsible & outrageous. We’re spending trillions that we don’t have. This could lead to hyper inflation, depression or worse. No country has ever spent themselves into prosperity. The media is giving Obama, Reid & Pelosi a pass because they love their agenda. But eventually the bill will come due & people will realize the huge bailouts didn’t work, nor will the stimulus pkg. These were trillion-dollar payoffs to Obama’s allies, unions & the Congress to placate the left, so he can get support for #4 above.

10. The election was over in mid-Sept. when Lehman brothers failed. Fear & panic swept in, we had an unpopular President, & the war was grinding on indefinitely w/o a clear outcome. The people are in pain, & the mantra of ‘change’ caused people to act emotionally.. Any Dim would have won this election; it was surprising is was as close as it was.

11. In 2012, if the unemployment rate is over 10%, Republicans will be swept back into power. If it’s under 8%, the Dims continue to roll. If it’s between 8-10%, it’ll be a dogfight. It’ll all be about the economy.


Also worth viewing and reading are Dr. Krauthammer's comments on the Obama health care plan, presented in his usual incisive and logical style. -- S. Lane

You Tube July 22, 2009 FOX News Special Report

The Washington Post: Obamacare: The Only Exit Strategy By Charles Krauthammer

Friday, August 28, 2009

Obamacare Version 1.0 is dead. The 1,000-page monstrosity that emerged in various editions from Congress was done in by widespread national revulsion not just at its expense and intrusiveness but also at the mendacity with which it is being sold. You don't need a PhD to see that the promise to expand coverage and reduce costs is a crude deception, or that cutting $500 billion from Medicare without affecting care is a fiction.

But there is an exit strategy. And a politically clever one, if the Democrats are smart enough to seize it.

And it is this "exit strategy" that Krauthammer warns about here:

It's the perfect finesse -- government health care by proxy. And because it's proxy, and because it will guarantee access to (supposedly) private health insurance -- something that enjoys considerable Republican support -- it will pass with wide bipartisan backing and give Obama a resounding political victory.

Isn't there a catch? Of course there is. This scheme is the ultimate bait-and-switch. The pleasure comes now, the pain later. Government-subsidized universal and virtually unlimited coverage will vastly compound already out-of-control government spending on health care. The financial and budgetary consequences will be catastrophic.

However, they will not appear immediately. And when they do, the only solution will be rationing. That's when the liberals will give the FCCCER regulatory power and give you end-of-life counseling.

But by then, resistance will be feeble. Why? Because at that point the only remaining option will be to give up the benefits we will have become accustomed to. Once granted, guaranteed universal health care is not relinquished. Look at Canada. Look at Britain. They got hooked; now they ration. So will we.

Childhood Obesity Report Calls For Government Regulations to Limit Access to 'Unhealthy' Restaurant Chains

Here's something else for us to think about.

Now the new target of behavior modification via government edict is our preferences for what our children should be "permitted" to eat, enforceable of course through targeted taxation and zoning regulations. While I would like to see all children eating healthy foods, I do NOT favor imposing that preference on others through more government regulations. But I fear it's coming. We've seen it with the regulation and ever-increasing taxes on tobacco. Not that I'd ever claim smoking is a healthy thing to do, but again, I think taking the risk should be a personal choice, not one controlled through tax policy and ever more stringent regulations on private business owners. And, let's not fool ourselves, the new target area is the foods we and our children should be permitted (by government) to have access to.

If you doubt this, you may want to take a look at the following article. -- S. Lane

Childhood Obesity Report Calls For Government Regulations to Limit Access to "Unhealthy" Restaurant Chains Wednesday, September 02, 2009 By Penny Starr, Senior Staff Writer

(CNSNews.com) - A newly released report by the Institute for Medicine and the National Research Council details strategies for local governments to combat what it calls an epidemic of childhood obesity, including enacting zoning and land-use regulations that would “restrict fast food establishments near school grounds and public playgrounds.”