Interesting Information Regarding Media Coverage of Important News Items

There could be at least a partial reason for the generally favorable coverage of the Hamas side of the conflict.  But the possiblity should be of real concern to us all.  Hamas intimidation of journalists if they step out of line appears to be serious.  But, that begs the question of why slant in their favor - reporting what they want and how they want it reported is exactly what the intimidation is intended to do.  So the obvious conclusion one can reach is that to the journalists/media getting close to the story is more important than reporting the truth of the story.  Instead the media either wittingly or unwittingly is serving as propaganda agents for Hamas.  It is a real dilemma and one that stateside media should deal with on behalf of the journalists on site and the information provided the public. Quote:  "One reason for this bias, according to May, is Hamas’ intimidation of journalists. May relayed that when one Spanish journalist was asked why TV viewers weren’t seeing more footage of Hamas fighters the reporter responded: “It’s very simple, we did see Hamas people there launching rockets, they were close to our hotel, but if ever we dared pointing our camera on them they would simply shoot at us and kill us.”   And "Aside from the occasional tweet about this censorship journalists haven’t told their viewers about these restrictions that, as documented by the MRC in recent weeks, have clearly swayed American network and cable reporters into making Israel look like the bad guys in the conflict"    http://www.mrc.org/biasalerts/journalists-restricted-hamas-rules-and-its-reflected-their-coverage  

The big three TV media outlets did not find newsworthy the fact that the IRS lied to them, us and Congress.  Despite repeated claims to the contrary Lois Lerner's emails were backed-up after all.  However the mainstream media did not even mention this on any of their broadcasts. Covering it up will not make it go away.  It is truly scandalous that they are not reporting on this and others of the administration's scandals.   http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/abc-cbs-nbc-schooled-on-covering-irs-scandal/

Another example of media making instead of reporting the news.   http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/08/selective_character_assassination_by_the_media.html

This item details "misguided, mindless media morality."   http://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/overcoming-misguided-mindless-media-morality.html

George Burns

Ethical Problems Plague Politicians Lett & Right

Republicans & Democrats alike too often display a lack of ethics.  Here are a few examples.  Ethical/moral statesmen and women are far and few between.

Mary Landrieu   http://www.westernjournalism.com/breaking-big-new-problem-sen-mary-landrieu-cause-nightmares-harry-reids-dems/

Mitch McConnell   http://www.kentucky.com/2014/08/29/3402571_mitch-mcconnells-campaign-manager.html

Nancy Pelosi   http://americanprosperity.com/video-pelosi-called-dumb-as-a-rock-on-live-tv/

Don Young   http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/06/alaska-republican-rep-don-young-reprimanded-by-house-ethics/

Barrack Obama   http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/08/in_the_last_6_months_37477_illegal_immigrant_kids_released_only_280_deported.html 

Wisconsin Prosecutors   http://spectator.org/articles/60326/criminalizing-conservatism

Ronnie Spence    http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2014/07/29/gop-house-candidate-gets-ethics-fine

Barrack Obama   http://www.nationalreview.com/article/386643/obamas-metamorphosis-reformer-demagogue-michael-barone

Hillary Clinton   http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2713591/Hillary-told-one-agent-f-suit-looked-cheap-Secret-Service-agents-say-guarding-former-First-Lady-wasthe-worst-form-punishment-author-reveals-explosive-new-book.html

Obama, McCain & Graham   http://www.nationalreview.com/article/386725/search-strategy-andrew-c-mccarthy

George Burns

What A Mess

Way too often reason, logic and good old common sense is absent and replaced by emotions when dealing with matters of real importance.  Here are just a few examples...

Too many illegals; too few judges.   http://www.teaparty.org/375000-pending-immigration-cases-obama-lawyers-awol-52954/

Tragedy in Ferguson needs to cause us to focus on how to fix what's wrong.   This item provides a perspective we need to consider.  http://www.nationalreview.com/article/386461/and-justice-none-ferguson-lee-habeeb/page/0/1 

The governing left is unable to apply simple logic to this problem.  We overtax businesses...  See this item.   http://www.nationalreview.com/article/386466/kings-critics-lose-their-heads-charles-c-w-cooke

Take a good look at this item.  The minimum wage mandates by government hurt both businesses and the very workers they are suppose to help.   http://eaglerising.com/8293/raising-minimum-wage-harms-businesses-workers-alike/

Talking about hypocrisy.   http://unfilteredpatriot.com/liberal-fundraisers-expose-their-own-hypocrisy/

For the life of me I cannot understand the problem so many have of not understanding what the word "illegal" means.  Its meaning is clear.  Illegal is "illegal".   http://immigrationreform.com/2014/08/25/illegal-alien-tell-it-like-it-is/

George Burns

Media Rapidly Losing Its Grip On Control Of News

The media is in a long slide away from their position as the peoples guardians assuring government remains ethical and law abiding.  Today they protect the government and too often serve as its propaganda arm.  These items provide a brief look at this problem which is badly in need of fixing.

The alternative media is racing ahead of the mainstream media with investigative reporting and exposing government wrong doing.   http://www.naturalnews.com/045420_newspapers_investigative_journalism_online_news.html

If this trend takes hold maybe the mainstream media can recover some of its lost credibility due to embarrassment for its failure to report honest news.   http://eaglerising.com/6554/cnn-notices-obama-likes-breaking-laws/

This suggests the mainstream media is sticking to its guns by continuing to magnify things they like and minimize or outright hide things they don't like.  Whatever the mainstream media is engaged in it cannot be called reporting the news.  http://www.mrc.org/biasalerts/networks-dodge-huge-irs-scandal-news-doj-attorney-says-lost-lerner-e-mails-do-exist 

The VA scandal continues.  Have you heard the media addressing the matter?  This is just an example of what the media should be digging into and reporting.   http://www.westernjournalism.com/sickening-va-administrator-heart-veterans-health-care-scandal-still-paid-taxpayers-nothing/

This former mainstream investigative reporter is doing what her former colleagues should be doing but far too often are not.  http://www.mrc.org/biasalerts/sharyl-attkisson-schools-abc-cbs-nbc-how-cover-irs-scandal

George Burns

Random Items

Will Information Like This Make A Difference To Gun Control Activists?  Not Likely.  Facts and Logic are not their strong suit.   http://eaglerising.com/8213/chicago-crime-rate-dropping-concealed-carry-permits-rise/  

Will information like this open a few peoples eyes?  I hope so.   http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/why-i-left-the-democratic-party/   

Will members of all political parties learn a lesson from this?  History tells us that history does not inform politicians.   http://www.redstate.com/2014/08/28/the-democrats-problem/

Will this use of tax dollars be welcomed by tax paying citizens?  Taxpayers subsidizing individual elective surgeries of any type is government over-reach in a big, big way.  http://www.fixthisnation.com/conservative-breaking-news/your-tax-dollars-are-subsidizing-sex-changes-the-left-celebrates/

Will the government ever wakeup to the fact that Obamacare is a disaster?  I hope so.   http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/08/oxygensupplying_businessman_forced_to_sell_property.html

Will the president and congress ever wakeup to the fact that the US business tax rate is by far the highest in the world?  Do they not realize that is why they are fleeing the country?  The problem is long standing yet they seem to think calling them unpatriotic is the needed fix.   http://unfilteredpatriot.com/burger-king-the-latest-company-to-flee-barack-obamas-united-states/  

Does cronyism help politicians serve "we the people" better?  Cronyism on either side of the political aisle undermines our Republic but makes politicians happy.  This Republican is a good example of a politician who looks after self far more than the people.  http://www.redstate.com/2014/08/27/mitch-mcconnell-doesnt-help-republicans-look-anti-cronyism/ 

Will he ever learn to obey the law?  He claims to be a Constitutional scholar but has he ever read it?   http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/08/obama_plans_to_ink_climate_deal_without_senate_approval.html 

George Burns

A Former CIA Operative Gives Us Insight Into Things Ongoing

This is blunt and to the point.  Quote:  "From my perspective, I’m seeing American national security interests steadily eroded, almost everywhere we look, and the forces of adversaries and enemies advancing. But, of course, to see this, it’s necessary first to know who we are as a people, what are our ‘first things’?”  And, she wondered whether Americans were still willing to fight and die for such principles as independence, individual liberty, Bill of Rights freedoms, consent of the governed under rule of man-made law, noting, “At the very least, we are badly off the track envisioned by our Founding Fathers.”  And, “Our current national policy doesn’t even seem to consider ‘first things,’ or know what they are, when formulating and implementing recent foreign policy.”


    http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/cia-expert-obama-switchedsides-in-war-on-terror/

Observations From Three Black Thinkers

The wisdom of Thomas Sowell comes through again.   http://humanevents.com/2014/08/26/facts-vs-visions/

The words of Walter Williams pegs the problems blacks confront.   http://humanevents.com/2014/08/27/blacks-must-confront-reality/ 

This item by Ben Carson postulates that at least one reason so many black kids are aimless and drift towards destructive behavior is they come from fatherless homes.   http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/26/carson-a-problem-bigger-than-ferguson/   Read history.  This fatherless trend was inadvertently spawned by several parts of LBJ's War On Poverty.  Read the history.

George Burns

Two experts warn correction could total 60%

Markets could soon face a fall of up to 60 percent, two experts told CNBC on Wednesday.

A jolt to international confidence in central banks will lead to a 30 to 60 percent market decline, said David Tice, president of Tice Capital and founder of the Prudent Bear Fund. When this happens, he said, markets will face a "period of extreme turmoil."

This crash will be precipitated, he said, by a disillusionment with the Federal Reserve's "confidence game," which will then see inflation rise, and the Fed scramble to raise rates. At that point, Tice added, "the Fed starts to lose control."

Another market watcher also called for an impending fall.

The Fed's low interest rates could bring a "scary" 50-60 percent market correction, said technical analyst Abigail Doolittle.

 http://www.cnbc.com/id/101950613#.

Unemployment rate isn't accurate

The U.S. jobs report, a key measure of how well the economy is doing, has gotten increasingly less accurate in the past 20 years. The fix for that problem could be in a surprising place: Twitter.
Those are the conclusions of two separate reports out this month. The first report, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, found that the unemployment number released by the government suffers from a problem faced by other pollsters: Lack of response. This problem dates back to a 1994 redesign of the survey when it went from paper-based to computer-based, although neither the researchers nor anyone else has been able to offer a reason for why the redesign has affected the numbers.
What the researchers found was that, for whatever reason, unemployed workers, who are surveyed multiple times are most likely to respond to the survey when they are first given it and ignore the survey later on.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/researchers-unemployment-rate-isnt-accurate/ 

This Is What They Do

You know how the left rails about the rich Republicans and blasts the billionaire Koch brothers and how they are trying to buy the government?  Well, here is what they and their compliant mainstream media types don't tell you.   The billionaires covered in this item, especially George Soros, are hard leftists and provide loads of political contributions, promote leftist causes and fund media to talk the liberal talk and actively try to shut down conservative conversations.  You know about the bias of mainstream media reporting...now you know at least a good bit of the reason why.  http://www.mrc.org/special-reports/soros-clones-5-liberal-mega-donors-nearly-dangerous-george-soros     

I am not so sure about DOJ's motives in this case.  But they are not good in my mind given their history of supporting illegals over the interests of Americans.  http://www.westernjournalism.com/ugly-irony-holder-probes-border-patrols-deadly-force-at-crossing-obama-policies-make-unsafe/

Think the government does not issue propaganda?  And we pay for their propagandizing - this Congressman is investigating the matter but the answer is the only way they get money is from taxpayers.  Quote:  "The posters began appearing shortly after President Barack Obama took office, and were changed every week. Other posters, according to an employee, touted “gay rights, quotes from Obama, and pictures of Obama with quotes from the chairman (Mao).” http://freebeacon.com/issues/labor-department-spent-2627-a-week-on-propaganda-posters/ 

Remember Van Jones?  He was forced to resign as Obama's Green Czar when it became known that he is a communist.  Anyway, "A group founded by former Obama aide Van Jones and former MoveOn.org activist James Rucker is calling on the Internet fundraising platform GoFundMe.com to take down its “Support Officer Darren Wilson” page, accusing the company of “profiting from racially motivated donors.”   http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/black-activists-explode-over-racist-help-for-ferguson-cop/

Things in these type of cases are handled quite differently than if the circumstances were reversed.  That should not be.  Crimes are crimes regardless of who is involved.   http://www.westernjournalism.com/arrest-made-in-vicious-racially-charged-black-on-white-beating-of-retired-u-s-marine-not-a-hate-crime/

The White House told this Democrat to pipe down and stop criticizing them and especially the President.  No dissension with the President is allowed.  Speaks volumes about their lack of desire to work with their own side let alone the other side.   http://www.fixthisnation.com/conservative-breaking-news/obama-warns-fellow-democrat-to-pipe-down/ 

Is this the decorum and belief systems you expect of people running for public office?  http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/08/22/Montana-US-Sen-Candidate-Mocks-Gun-Owners-Christianity-The-Bible-And-The-Family  

Those who think the liberal left is filled with people who want nothing but the best for our nation need to read this item.   Quote:  "What’s even more amazing is how mainstream Democrats have flocked to support her – from Harry Reid to Kirsten Gillibrand.  The truth is Amanda Curtis is what every Democrat politicians secretly wishes they could be…"   http://eaglerising.com/8216/montanas-democrat-candidate-senator-member-radical-socialist-union/    

Given the administration's history, this matter could indeed be an attempt to end-run around the people and Congress yet again.   http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/216065-state-denies-senate-bypass-on-climate 

George Burns

IMF chief Lagarde under official investigation in France for 'negligence' in corruption case

Christine Lagarde, the chief of the International Monetary Fund, was placed under official investigation for negligence in a French corruption probe that dates back to her days as France's finance minister.

In a statement Wednesday after a fourth round of questioning before magistrates, Lagarde said she would return to her work in Washington later in the day and said the decision was "without basis." She is the third IMF managing director in a decade to face legal troubles.

She and her former chief of staff face questions about their role in a 400 million-euro ($531 million) payment to a businessman.

"After three years of proceedings, dozens of hours of questioning, the court found from the evidence that I committed no offense, and the only allegation is that I was not sufficiently vigilant," she said in her statement.

Under French law, the official investigation is equivalent to preliminary charges, meaning there is reason to suspect an infraction. Investigating judges can later drop a case or issue formal charges and send it to trial.

http://news.yahoo.com/imf-chief-lagarde-under-investigation-092910355.html?clear=cache 

Updating the Scandals

This updates the status of the IRS scandal.  Most interesting content, including a bit about the Judge requiring the administration to release subpoenaed records or else.   http://www.americanthinker.com/2014/08/irs_emails_the_perfect_storm.html  Not comes proof that they have been lying all along.  Lerner's emails were backed up.  They just did not want to turn them over.   http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/08/25/govt-watchdog-says-irs-lawyer-admitted-lois-lerners-lost-emails-were-backed-up/   Evidence of probable illegal activity is mounting.   http://www.westernjournalism.com/breaking-irs-scandal-deepens-lois-lerners-email-eating-hard-drive-crucial-evidence-destroyed/

This item regards the Fast and Furious gun running scandal conducted by the DOJ.  Another judge has ordered the DOJ to turn over the subpoenaed records thus far ignored.  One hitch though is the judge ordered them held confidential.  Don't know how that will work out.   http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/08/judge_rules_doj_must_turn_over_document_list_on_fast_and_furious.html

This is indeed scandalous.  Why is it, when information such as this is known, but is not vigorously pursued and confirmed or refuted by the mainstream media?  For the good of the country it should be.    http://personalliberty.com/sociopath-white-house/ 

Bet this is one scandal you have not heard about.  Because of who it is and his political party, the mainstream media as it normally does, ignores it.  Republican Governor Christy's bridgegate case has been hot mainstream media news, this Democraat Governor Cuomo interfering with a corruption commission case not so much. http://humanevents.com/2014/08/26/cuomo-reelection-mired-in-scandal/

This is what the NSA is up to.    http://www.westernjournalism.com/nsa-secret-surveillance-worse-thought-revealed-governments-google/

This is not technically a scandal but represents poor judgment, no better said, really bad judgment.   http://www.teaparty.org/pentagon-official-isis-executioners-idea-special-forces-chasing-obama-told-52493/

This is a scandal attributable to the leader in the White House and supportive operatives.   http://www.fixthisnation.com/conservative-breaking-news/race-relations-worse-now-than-when-obama-took-office/ 

More irresponsible behavior, divisive, meddling and scandalous behavior.  It leads to divisiveness instead of unity.   http://dailysignal.com/2014/08/26/obama-administration-proposal-effectively-authorize-americans-seceding/

George Burns

If True This Is Really Bad For AG Holder

If this is true AG Holder is in deep, deep trouble.  Quote: "Judge Rineheart of the 22nd Circuit Court in St. Louis is presiding over the case, and has reviewed the materials. During a phone interview with National Report Judge Rineheart stated  “The evidence I have seen is incredibly convincing.”"  We'll just have to wait to learn what further investigation turns up, if anything.  If true it will be a sad occurance in the annals of our republic.    

George Burns

The Welfare State

One hundred ten million! That’s how many Americans now live in households that receive some form of means-tested welfare benefit from the federal government. According to a report from the Census Bureau released last week, that’s the highest absolute number in American history, and it represents 35.4 percent of the American population. Think about it — more than one out of every three Americans live in households that are now on welfare. Looked at another way, America’s welfare state now has nearly three times the population of the largest actual state.
Because many of these households include more than one person, the number of individual households is smaller, but still a record – roughly 33.5 million, more than a quarter of the country’s households. Worse, 10.5 million households receive benefits from three or more separate programs.
While liberals would undoubtedly like to blame this on the bad economy, the welfare rolls have actually grown by nearly 4 million households since the end of the recession. Welfare is rising even as unemployment declines.

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/386369/welfare-state-michael-tanner

The Islamic State Has Nothing to Do With Islam?

Whatever they may disagree about, Western leaders are in complete agreement about one thing: the new self-styled caliphate, the Islamic State, has nothing whatsoever to do with Islam. It’s a comforting, reassuring vision for Western non-Muslims facing a massive influx of Muslim immigrants and jittery about the prospect of Islamic terrorism, except for just one problem: it’s entirely false.
Barack Obama has made it clear: “ISIL speaks for no religion. Their victims are overwhelmingly Muslim, and no faith teaches people to massacre innocents.” David Cameron intoned: “What we are witnessing is actually a battle between Islam on the one hand and extremists who want to abuse Islam on the other. These extremists, often funded by fanatics living far away from the battlefields, pervert the Islamic faith as a way of justifying their warped and barbaric ideology – and they do so not just in Iraq and Syria but right across the world, from Boko Haram and al-Shabaab to the Taliban and al-Qaeda.”

http://www.frontpagemag.com/2014/robert-spencer/the-islamic-state-has-nothing-to-do-with-islam/ 

Is the Possible CDC Cover Up Of The MMR Vaccine Relationship To Autism Just The Tip Of The Iceberg?

Serious questions continue to rage over the possible CDC cover up a 2004 study linking the MMR vaccine to autism.  This is what the editor of the world's leading medical journal had to say in 2009 about the trustworthiness of clinical research studies.  “It is simply no longer possible to believe much of the clinical research that is published, or to rely on the judgment of trusted physicians or authoritative medical guidelines. I take no pleasure in this conclusion, which I reached slowly and reluctantly over my two decades as an editor of The New England Journal of Medicine.”  Dr. Marcia Angell.    http://jonrappoport.wordpress.com/2014/08/26/cdc-whistleblower-is-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/   

Here is some more background on this whole mess.   http://www.anh-usa.org/autism-vaccine-cover-up-latest-updates/ 

George Burns

U.S. Factories Keep Losing Ground to Global Rivals

America's shale boom has raised hopes of a revival in U.S. manufacturing, in part fueled by cheaper energy. But U.S. factories still are losing ground to rivals in Asia and Europe.

Much of the problem stems from steel, trucks, car parts, industrial machinery and furniture.

The U.S. deficit on trade in goods swelled in the first half to $371.59 billion from $354.64 a year earlier. Imports rose 3.3%, while exports increased 2.6%. Manufactured exports, excluding petroleum and coal, rose just 0.8%—far below last year's modest 2.1% gain.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-factories-keep-losing-ground-233500663.html 

Where Governmental Incompetence Ends and Malice Begins

The greatest dilemma of the age of Obama is whether to describe our government as dumb and inefficient or evil. Hanlon’s Razor states: “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.” Indeed, much of our government’s activities can only be explained by stupidity.
Conservative advocacy is at its easiest when we libertarians are asserting the general ineptitude of The State. It is everywhere. Sometimes it is lightheartedly funny, as when the nice woman at the state park tells you they will have more souvenirs when “we get more funds at the beginning of the physical year,” or when Congressman Hank Johnson frets over the possibility that Guam could “tip over, and uh… capsize” with the addition of 25,000 additional residents.

Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/2014/08/where_governmental_incompetence_ends_and_malice_begins.html#ixzz3BVyajDyj

Right Vs Wrong In Ferguson

This black man speaks up for sanity not the insanity displayed at Ferguson.   http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/what-if-white-america-just-said-no

This writer assesses Eric Holder's time as Attorney General.   http://www.teaparty.org/andrea-tantaros-eric-holder-runs-doj-like-black-panthers-52580/ 

The Ferguson troubles highlight the political aspects of racism.  Justice vs injustice.   http://spectator.org/articles/60296/racism-forever

This is one of the back-lashes promoted by irresponsible favoritism shown by government and the media.   http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/ferguson-backlash-rallies-coast-to-coast-for-officer/

This provides evidence of the current administration's practice of playing favorites and the signals that they clearly send.   http://www.westernjournalism.com/obama-dispatches-three-reps-attend-mike-browns-funeral-snubbing-slain-general/   A government that plays favorites is not a government for all the people. 

Further, such irresponsible government behavior and mainstream media reporting lead to and even foster these likewise irresponsible so called "retaliatory" actions.   http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/black-on-white-beating-revenge-for-michael-brown/   But, then their belief is that black on white crimes are not "really" crimes.

George Burns  

Balancing the Scales

Problems like those summarized in this article occur on both sides of the political spectrum.  The problem is that the leftist mainstream media ignores, covers-up or downplays those that reside on the liberal/Democrat side of the ledger while eagerly reporting anything and everything on the conservative/Republican side of the ledger.  Here are just a few of the items you may not have heard about.   http://www.mrc.org/media-reality-check/liberals-behaving-badly-political-scandals-networks-are-hiding-you  

Economist Robert Samuelson examines the nation's economy under both Democrat & Republican administrations.  Check out his findings.   http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/robert-samuelson-do-democrats-run-the-economy-better-nope/2014/08/24/1e3d847c-2a0c-11e4-86ca-6f03cbd15c1a_story.html

George Burns

This Is What They Do

Politicians and other elites protect their own.  You and I not so much.   http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/08/our_federal_servants_are_sheltered_from_the_effects_of_their_own_actions_.html 

 

This man presents a case for claiming that atheists have lost their understanding of the meaning of freedom.   http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/19/carson-forgetting-the-meaning-of-freedom/

Politics is an increasingly dirty enterprise on the part of both the left and right but this particular accounting is truly  a sad, sad, sad commentary.   http://www.redstate.com/2014/08/19/lawfare-when-screaming-racism-war-on-women-and-impeachment-are-not-enough/ 

Democrats are seeking to kill the electoral college which serves as a fundamental check on states with large populations dominating  presidential elections.  Since such states are predominantly populated by Democrats this would in effect make them the permanent party in the White House.  http://eaglerising.com/8067/democrat-corruption-tip-presidential-election/   If this unsavory maneuver is successful it would eliminate another check on control of political  power placed in the Constitution by the founders.  It is completely unethical and should never, ever happen.

In this piece by the highly accomplished former California Republican senate candidate and CEO, Carly Fiorina,“Democrats lie...It’s propaganda. It’s shameless, baseless propaganda.”    http://dailysignal.com/2014/08/20/democrats-win-war-women-talk/

Do you think the government is doing a good job managing the food stamp program?  Or, any program for that matter?   http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/21/golden-hammer-food-stamps-sold-online-for-art-hous/

How about being good stewards of taxpayer funds, and personnel management matters?  http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/20/issa-presses-for-action-on-patent-office-staffing-/

Selective law enforcement is not same as enforcing the law.  This is at least a part of the problem in Ferguson.  Enforcing the law sure would be helpful.   http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/08/the_anti_riot_act_one_more_law_unenforced_by_this_administration.html

Using the Ferguson tragedy as a political tool is dirty politics of the highest order.  Those promoting this for political advantage should be ashamed.   http://godfatherpolitics.com/16712/using-ferguson-shooting-prepare-2016-election/

More about the ethics of media coverage of the Ferguson tragedy.   http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/08/poll_how_would_the_media_react_if_the_cop_was_black_and_the_victim_was_white_.html

A sad story filled with behaviors none of us like.   http://www.westernjournalism.com/democrat-arrested-zimbabwe-making-porno-movies/

George Burns

The Ferguson Tragedy

It is really sad when some within our society seek to foster discord/chaos for whatever their reasons.  The Ferguson, Missouri tragedy is a case in point.  Read this item to gain a bit of perspective.  And, note especially the final paragraph.   http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/ferguson-cops-heres-how-it-went-down/  

Now, ask yourself why is the media not all over this incident. There are at least two reasons:  It in not a part of their narrative and consequently they are a part of the problem.   http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/ferguson-cops-heres-how-it-went-down/     

Then read this which clearly establishes that the DOJ is out of line in imposing itself in this whole mess.  The DOJ and its current leadership, too, is part of the problem.   http://www.nationalreview.com/article/386113/eric-holder-racial-profiler-andrew-c-mccarthy

Please consider the wisdom contained in this article.  In one section the author notes that "Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote a piece for Time Magazine suggesting that any sort of major racial conflict in America would have less to do with race and more about economic disparity and class resentment."  And he offers a number of cogent thoughts rendered by "Horace Cooper, co-chairman of the Project 21 National Advisory Board. Project 21 ]which] describes itself as the “National Leadership Network of Black Conservatives.”  Consider this question asked Cooper during a radio interview: Is there concrete data showing black Americans are being dealt a worse economic hand during the Obama years? Cooper said "...it’s really not even debatable.

'Black home ownership is sharply down. Black unemployment is sharply elevated. Black Americans’ savings accounts are dramatically lower. There’s almost been a 40 percent loss in total equity value among the typical black family compared to what they had during the eight years of the Bush administration.”  Cooper argued that "Obama has been promoting the wrong solutions to the economic challenges of black Americans and everyone else."   http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/black-leader-obamas-policies-stoking-ferguson-anger/

George Burns

How Washington Enabled ISIS

There are extraordinary elements in the present U.S. policy in Iraq and Syria that are attracting surprisingly little attention. In Iraq, the U.S. is carrying out air strikes and sending in advisers and trainers to help beat back the advance of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (better known as ISIS) on the Kurdish capital, Erbil. The U.S. would presumably do the same if ISIS surrounds or attacks Baghdad. But in Syria, Washington’s policy is the exact opposite: there the main opponent of ISIS is the Syrian government and the Syrian Kurds in their northern enclaves. Both are under attack from ISIS, which has taken about a third of the country, including most of its oil and gas production facilities.

http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/how-washington-enabled-isis/ 

The media and the mob

Those of us who admit that we were not there and do not know what happened when Michael Brown was shot by a policeman in Ferguson, Missouri, seem to be in the minority.
We all know what has happened since then – and it has been a complete disgrace by politicians, the media and mobs of rioters and looters. Despite all the people who act as if they know exactly what happened, nevertheless when the full facts come out, that can change everything.

This is why we have courts of law, instead of relying on the media or mobs. But politics is undermining law.
On the eve of a grand jury being convened to go through the facts and decide whether there should be a prosecution of the policeman in this case, Gov. Jay Nixon of Missouri has gone on television to say that there should be a “vigorous prosecution.”

http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/the-media-and-the-mob/

Random Items

In this item Walter Hudson cuts to the chase.  http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2014/08/19/what-if-the-rioters-were-white/

We know about all the chaos ongoing in Ferguson.  Let's reverse the races.  This follows in the theme of Hudson's above item.     http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/black-cop-kills-white-man-media-hide-race/   Notice the difference?  It does not fit the progressive media's hype-it-up narrative. 

Interesting isn't it?  Holder is in Ferguson to provide leadership in the investigation of that high profile crime.  But a killing of a black mother in Washington, DC gets no publicity.  Did you ever wonder what their criteria is for choosing items to hype?   Quote:  "Attorney General Eric Holder is in Ferguson, Missouri, ostensibly to investigate the shooting of an unarmed African-American by a white police officer.  What he is not investigating is the shooting of an unarmed African-American woman by his own federal officers, in his own jurisdiction, the District of Columbia."    http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/slain-moms-family-wheres-holders-outrage-for-us/   Seems like hypocrisy to me.

Have you heard the media report this?   Quote: "According to the well-placed source, Wilson was coming off another case in the neighborhood on Aug. 9 when he ordered Michael Brown and his friend Dorain Johnson to stop walking in the middle of the road because they were obstructing traffic. However, the confrontation quickly escalated into physical violence, the source said..  “They ignored him and the officer started to get out of the car to tell them to move," the source said. "They shoved him right back in, that’s when Michael Brown leans in and starts beating Officer Wilson in the head and the face."  http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/08/20/missouri-cop-was-badly-beaten-before-shooting-michael-brown-says-source/   This is an example of the mainstream media picking items fitting their preferred narrative and not working to get the facts before spouting half baked or deliberately misleading content. 

More blacks need to speak out like Juan Williams does in this piece (and like Walter Hudson in the first link).   http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/08/20/missouri-cop-was-badly-beaten-before-shooting-michael-brown-says-source/   This terrible situation and the unfortunate deterioration of race relations can only be reversed once it is openly and honestly dealt with by all sides.  The current path leads to more anger, frustration and violence.  Thanks to Juan for speaking out.

Who said inflation is being held in check?   http://cnsnews.com/news/article/ali-meyer/average-price-ground-beef-hits-all-time-high

Think about this.  Christianity has been so egregiously attacked/demeaned by progressives/atheists that now a girl gets punished for courteously simply saying "bless you" to someone who sneezed in her classroom.  Just one of many, many examples of how the political correctness agenda is eroding civility.  Quote: "Kendra said she was rebuked by her teacher at Dyer County High School and thrown out of class for violating the teacher’s ban on the words “bless you.”  The school would have us believe that a child telling a classmate “bless you” after a sneeze somehow caused a classroom commotion so severe it warranted a punishment? ...  “She [the teacher] said that we’re not going to have godly speaking in her class and that’s when I [Kendra] said we have a constitutional right,” ... And, "I [Kendra] stood up and said, ‘My pastor said I have a constitutional right – 1st amendment freedom of speech,’” Kendra wrote on Facebook. “She said, ‘Not in my class you don’t.”"   Another student sent the television station a photo taken inside the teacher’s classroom showing a list of banned words.  Among the censored words are "dump," "stupid," "my bad," "hang out" and "bless you.""   http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/08/20/student-punished-for-saying-bless    

This is propaganda pure and simple.  It has no place in our public schools.   http://totalconservative.com/california-senate-passes-bill-to-indoctrinate-children-on-president-obama/

George Burns 

Poverty Is Not The Cause of Criminal Behavior

As the events in Ferguson, Missouri continue to unfold, a common excuse being offered for the riots and looting is poverty and income inequality. An article written by retired NBA player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar outlines what he calls the reasons for a coming race war that stems from class warfare and systemic racism. The article was so full of liberal talking points and delusional distortions that I had to take a break after each paragraph. He, like others, claims that the rich are somehow holding back poor blacks in order to maintain control of their riches. He also claims the rich are hurting the poor by lobbying to cut food stamps, refusing to extend unemployment benefits and refusing to give relief to the burden of student debt.
Everything that he mentioned is something that would require government intervention. In other words, the government could fix poverty if the do-nothing politicians would just all agree. Liberals have all reached a consensus that Ferguson’s rioting and looting are the results of poverty. Blaming criminal behavior on poverty is not a new hypothesis. Sociologists and criminologists have done studies  on the topic dating back to the 1960s. According to the Heritage Foundation, the real cause of crime is the breakdown of the family:

Read more: http://americanthinker.com/2014/08/poverty_is_not_the_cause_of_criminal_behavior.html#ixzz3B85BVaZC

Global Warming Pause 'Due to Atlantic Ocean Carrying Heat Deep Down'

The Atlantic ocean could be contributing to the 'pause' in global warming by drawing down heat by nearly a mile, according to a new study. 

The research from the University of Washington shows that heat from the surface is plunging deep in the north and south Atlantic, affecting the balance between incoming heat and heat radiated back into the atmosphere. The study is published in Science.

Recent measurements of ocean temperature made by thousands of buoys and observations of Earth's radiative energy by satellite instruments have shown that the Earth is warming up. In fact, Earth's heating rate increased between the 1985-1999 and 2000-2012 periods.

But this increased heating has not directly corresponded with surface warming - and apparently, the answer could be found deep in the Atlantic. 

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/global-warming-pause-due-atlantic-ocean-carrying-heat-deep-down-1462232

This is What They Do

This is an assault on free speech disguised as a good thing.    http://humanevents.com/2014/08/20/disclosure-regs-a-trojan-horse-to-kill-political-speech-expert-says/

Regarding the release of 5 Jihadist from Guantanamo in exchange for SGT Bergdahl, the GAO has filed a report saying that the law is "clear and unambiguous." The agency said that while the Defense Department defended the legality of the controversial swap, "in our view, DOD has dismissed the significance of the express language" in the law."  So this is yet another case where the President and his administration have apparently acted contrary to prevailing US law.   http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/08/21/pentagon-violated-law-with-bergdahl-prisoner-swap-government-watchdog-says/

A federal judge has ordered the White House to release 1,300 pages of Fast & Furious data even though the President has claimed executive privilege.   Quote: "This Administration has been so intent on hiding the contents of these documents that it allowed Attorney General Holder to be held in contempt instead of just turning them over to Congress,”    http://www.westernjournalism.com/federal-judge-demands-obama-admin-produce-fast-furious-information/   Let's see if he obeys this legal order. 

This is an example of the consequences of bad government policies.   http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2014/08/11/environmentalists-worst-enemy-may-be-their-own-policies/  

And this is another not so good thing the president is doing.   http://www.moneynews.com/StreetTalk/American-Citizens-Employment-Jobs-Obama/2014/08/21/id/590022/

Since when did "illegal" immigrants have standing in a US court of law and have the right to file lawsuits?   http://www.1776coalition.com/featured-content/illegal-immigrants-file-applications-to-force-obamas-hand-on-stopping-deportations

This woman's proposal is way, way beyond common sense.  You will not believe it.  http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/feminist-demands-free-tampons-for-all/   The concept of individual responsibility is dying.  The concept of government dependence is growing.

George Burns

Fed optimism will give way to total economic meltdown

Janet Yellen is scheduled to speak to the world on Friday from the central bank’s annual gathering in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The Fed chairwoman will say, “Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.”
After that, Mario Draghi, head of the European Central Bank, will take the stage and also say, “Blah, blah, blah, blah,” albeit in Italian-accented English.
Even if Yellen and Draghi say exactly the opposite, Wall Street — which is like an industrial-size clothes dryer on the high setting — will spin whatever words come out of the mouths of the world’s two most important bankers into the magical phrase, “Low interest rates will last forever.”
Stocks prices will rise. Investors will be delighted. Members of the media won’t look very deeply into the matter as they head off for another glorious summer weekend.

http://nypost.com/2014/08/20/fed-optimism-will-give-way-to-total-economic-meltdown/ 

The Feds Are Finally Going After One Of The Most Infamous Executives Of The Financial Crisis

The Feds are planning on suing former Countrywide CEO, Angelo Mozilo, according to Bloomberg.
Mortgage insurer Countrywide became a focus of the financial crisis as regualtors, bankers, and politicians alike were shocked by the number of toxic assets on its balance sheets and the measures the company took to hide them.
Until now, Bank of America has paid the most of the price for this. The bank bought Countrywide in 2008 — pretty much the year everything went to hell — while Mozilo retired with the $535 million from 1999 to 2008 (and then some).
To this day Mozilo has gotten off relatively scott-free, aside from the $67.5 million fine he paid the SEC for misleading investors about Countrywide's assets.
And what is that even, really?
Peanuts.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/feds-sue-countrywides-anthony-mozilo-2014-8#ixzz3B1JtT6uM

Still awash with cash, world economies take turn for the worse

China's economy is slowing. The euro zone's is a flat line. Japan's sank in the second quarter. Britain has wage deflation. The U.S. economy is ticking over at best.
In a world preoccupied by geopolitical crises - from Ukraine, Iraq and Gaza to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa - the global economy has taken something of a back seat. But there are increasing signs it is in trouble despite being awash with cash from record low interest rates.
Many policymakers across the world would like to move away from this ultra-loose monetary policy, which they introduced to drag their countries out of the financial crisis. But the economies are not playing ball.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101935435#. 

Oil ‘super spike’ is coming

Another bad day for traders bullish on energy as WTI crude oil slid 2%, hitting its lowest level since January. Across the pond Brent crude traded at its lowest level in almost 14^th months.

From the heady days of mid-2008 when it traded at nearly $150 a barrel, crude oil has had quite a rocky ride. After sliding down to the $30s and rallying back around $120, crude has settled in around the $90 to $110 range for the past two years.

Commodity traders and analysts have wondered why oil hasn’t gone higher. Geopolitical tensions abound across the world; the Middle East seemingly hasn’t been this unstable in years.

In fact, some believe the commodity could actually go lower. Blake Morrow posits that with North American production rising, vehicles becoming more efficient, and crude oil’s inability to rally with global equities, all signs point to a bearish future for oil.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/oil--super-spike--is-coming--dan-dicker-194657769.html 

Dirty Politics

This is an example of dirty politics no one should condone whether on the left or right.  Famed Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz says "Everybody, liberal or conservative, should stand against this indictment." http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/criminal-political-indictment-democrat/2014/08/17/id/589275   More about the situation from Dershowitz.   http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Alan-Dershowitz-Rick-Perry-indictment/2014/08/18/id/589413/    Perhaps the judge's decision puts an end to the whole matter.   http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/judge-no-arrest-warrant/2014/08/18/id/589448/      

George Burns

Raiding Savings & Retirement Accounts

This regards actions taken by banks and the government that may impact your savings and retirement accounts.  I am NOT promoting the sales pitch at the end of this item.  But, I found the information leading up to the sales pitch most interesting.  I have seen other accounts discussing this issue.  http://www.wholesaledirectmetals.com/index.php/gold-blog/625-savings-accounts-a-prime-target-for-confiscation/   You may want to take steps to protect yourself.  I am not qualified to make recommendations.   George Burns

Lets Deal With Racism Openly And Honestly

This lady says the right things.  I applaud her for speaking out.   http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/top-scholar-heres-why-gop-wont-stop-obama/

This article is a blunt discussion that points out just how far off the rails dealing openly and honestly with race relations has become.   http://www.americanthinker.com/2014/08/black_racism_is_politically_correct.html

It is unfortunate that our mainstream media is so one sided.  Their reporting is agenda driven, but why do they willingly contribute to the strife?   Maybe this order by the DOJ is the reason: "Here was the picture from the surveillance video of the 6'4”, 290 pound thuggish Brown grabbing the store clerk by the throat after stealing cigars? The DOJ has advised news outlets not to broadcast the video of Brown assaulting the store clerk and robbing the store, claiming that it might incite violence. Okay, so allow me to make sure I understand the DOJ's logic. Rather than exposing the true character of Brown, promoting the lie that a white police officer shot a studious innocent black youth who was simply minding his own business will not spark violence? Absurd."  Don't let the public know the facts.  Keep perpetrating the fantasy that Brown was an innocent.  Lying to or misleading the public is good public policy and good reporting.  Is that the way to deal with tragic events such as this?   http://www.americanthinker.com/2014/08/the_msms_and_lefts_racism_on_parade_in_ferguson.html

More people should listen to cool heads like these three black men than the known race baiters who seek opportunities like this to advance their divisive agenda. http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/08/beyond_racebaiting_in_ferguson.html

Let the facts come out.  It is a disservice to justice when jumping to conclusions without the facts.   http://freedomoutpost.com/2014/08/reporter-more-than-12-witnesses-officer-darren-wilson-shot-in-self-defense/

George Burns

Federal Government targets politically uncooperative FedEx (Indicts for second time)

Fed Ex was just indicted on charges that it helps facilitate the transport of illegal drugs, especially from Canadian pharmacies. (Where drugs are much less expensive.)
That the CEO of FedEx, Fred Smith, is an ardent supporter of free enterprise, who has supported free market political groups such as the Competitive Enterprise Institute, and runs a non-union shop is a coincidence of course. That FedEx’s main competitor, is pro-union UPS (UPS got away with a $40 million fine, FedEx is looking at potentially over $1 billion) is also a coincidence. That pharma, which has close ties to this White House (and every White House) doesn’t like cheaper drugs coming in from Canada, is also a coincidence.
Yup, everything is on the up and up.
Additionally it should be noted that FedEx is refusing to spy for the government and this irks the Feds particularly. FedEx rightfully argues that policing the packages in their system is not their job. Their job is to get packages from point A to point B in a timely manner. Also abusing the trust of their customers is not exactly good for business.

http://www.againstcronycapitalism.org/2014/08/federal-government-targets-politically-uncoperative-fedex/ 

Chinese hackers steal 4.5 million patients’ data

Chinese hackers stole 4.5 million patients’ names, Social Security numbers and other personal data from the computers of one of the country’s largest hospital chains, the company said Monday — the biggest reported cyberattack ever on a U.S. health care company.
Community Health Services and its forensic expert, Mandiant, believe the attacker was an “advanced persistent threat” group from China that used highly sophisticated malware and technology, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/08/chinese-hackers-steal-45-million-patients-data-110122.html#ixzz3AqE65j1f

“We’re just going to kill the dollar.” White House, Justice Dept & Treasury do not deny alleged Senior Obama Member statement

When a senior Obama member allegedly told Kyle Bass, the founder and principal of the $2 billion hedge fund, Hayman Capital Management, “We’re just going to kill the dollar,” during a discussion about fixing the trade deficit and economy, was that Obama official joking or serious?
I set out to find out and contacted the White House, Treasury Department and Department of Justice (DoJ).
Kill the dollar. Kill a nation. Live in denial and be blindsided if what the senior Obama member allegedly said to Bass was true. Ask the Russians what life was like in the former Soviet Union after the ruble collapsed to get an idea of how life as you know it can change instantaneously.
The death of the U.S. dollar would devastate hundreds of millions of Americans and hurt more abroad. There would be bloodshed and unfathomable mayhem. It would lead to tectonic shifts in global markets and alliances.

http://marinkapeschmann.com/were-just-going-to-kill-the-dollar-white-house-justice-dept-treasury-do-not-deny-alleged-senior-obama-member-statement/ 

What Is Happening To Education and Educators?

I may have shared this item previously.  If so, sorry.  If not it provides revealing insights into the nefarious intentions of those in charge of Common Core and the College Board.  They are erasing American history from the public school landscape and doing it on purpose.  Don't believe me?  Read what has been eliminated.   http://www.americanthinker.com/2014/08/college_board_erases_the_founding_fathers_protect_the_spirit_of_76.html

This ninth grade health book contains deviant sexual subject matter.  I fully believe most of us would agree this stuff is way out of bounds.    http://unfilteredpatriot.com/perversity-in-public-school-outcry-against-san-francisco-9th-grade-health-book/

This school has special needs students rummaging through trash looking for recyclable materiel.  This is nothing short of abuse of these unfortunate kids.   http://www.fixthisnation.com/conservative-breaking-news/school-has-special-needs-students-digging-through-trash/

Child Protective Services objects to Home Schooling and takes children away from their parents using false pretenses.  This is unbelievable.   http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/parents-lose-children-due-to-fake-medical-diagnosis/

Why do liberals hate home schooling so?   http://godfatherpolitics.com/16685/homeschool-haters-hijack-dictionary-com-website/

George Burns

Would You Say That Our Mainstream Media Is On Top Of And Reporting Things Vital For The Public To Know?

This item reviews a bit of history and deals with the absence of investigative reporting into matters critical for the public to know.   http://jonrappoport.wordpress.com/2014/08/17/the-press-takes-a-holiday-every-day/

How about a little insight into a billionaire funder of activists behind the indictment of Governor Perry?  The mainstream media will certainly not tell you this.  http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mike-ciandella/2014/08/18/networks-ignore-group-behind-perry-s-indictment-got-500k-soros  

While the media is fixated on the death of the  black teenager in Ferguson the mainstream tell you about this fact.   http://www.nationalreview.com/article/385458/cop-killed-every-58-hours-michelle-malkin

Multi-millionaire Nancy Pelosi helps this Billionaire's interests but liberal media does not notice.   http://www.mrc.org/bmi/pelosi-spearheads-1b-project-helps-supporter-tom-steyer-networks-ignore

Maybe this signals that the media is aware it has been far too soft on and/or supportive of the president and administration and their efforts to combat terrorism.   http://eaglerising.com/8018/nbc-slams-obama-blames-growth-terrorism-threat/

George Burns

Why global turmoil hasn't sunk markets -- yet

Europe appears on the brink of another recession. Islamic militants have seized Iraqi territory. Russian troops have massed on the Ukraine border, and the resulting sanctions are disrupting trade. An Ebola outbreak in Africa and Israel's war in Gaza are contributing to the gloom.
It's been a grim summer in much of the world. Yet investors in the United States have largely shrugged it off — so far at least.
A big reason is that five years after the Great Recession officially ended, the U.S. economy is showing a strength and durability that other major nations can only envy. Thanks in part to the Federal Reserve's ultra-low interest rates, employers have ramped up hiring, factories have boosted production and businesses have been making money.
All of this has cushioned the U.S. economy from the economic damage abroad. And investors have responded by keeping U.S. stocks near all-time highs. Not even reports Friday of a Ukrainian attack on Russian military vehicles unnerved investors for long, with blue chip stocks regaining nearly all their midday losses by the close.
"We're in a much better place psychologically," says Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. "And it's allowing us to weather the geopolitical threats much more gracefully."
Still, the global turmoil comes at a delicate time.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/markets/2014/08/17/why-global-turmoil-hasnt-sunk-us-markets-yet/14131051/