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yes we noticed

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:31:10 GMT

"WE NOTICED"

President Obama:

Today I read of your administrations' plan to re-define September 11 as
a National Service Day. Sir, it's time we had a talk.

During your campaign, Americans watched as you made mockery of our
tradition of standing and crossing your heart when the Pledge of Allegiance
was spoken. You, out of four people on the stage, were the only one not
honoring our tradition.
YES, "We noticed."

During one of your many speeches, Americans heard you say that you
intended to visit all 57 states. We all know that Islam, not America
has 57 states.
YES, "We noticed."

When President Bush leaned over at Ground Zero and gently placed a
flower on the memorial, while you nonchalantly tossed your flower onto
the pile without leaning over.
YES, "We noticed."

Every time you apologized to other countries for America 's position on
an issue we have wondered why you don't share our pride in this great
country.. When you have heard foreign leaders berate our country and
our beliefs, you have not defended us. In fact, you insulted the
British Crown beyond belief.
YES, "We noticed."

When your pastor of 20 years, "God-damned America " and said that
9/11 was " America 's chickens coming home to roost" and you denied
having heard recriminations of that nature, we wondered how that could
be. You later disassociated yourself from that church and Pastor
Wright because it was politically expedient to do so.
YES, "We noticed."

When you announced that you would transform America , we wondered
why. With all her faults, America is the greatest country on earth.
Sir, KEEP THIS IN MIND, "if not for America and the people who built
her, you wouldn't be sitting in the White House now." Prior to your
election to the highest office in this Country, you were a senator from
Illinois and from what we can glean from the records available, not a
very remarkable one.
YES, "We noticed."

All through your campaign and even now, you have surrounded
yourself with individuals who are basically unqualified for the
positions for which you appointed them. Worse than that, the majority
of them are people who, like you, bear no special allegiance, respect, or
affection for this country and her traditions.
YES, "We noticed."

You are 18 months into your term and every morning millions of
Americans wake up to a new horror heaped on us by you. You seek to
saddle working Americans with a health care/insurance reform package
that, along with cap and trade, will bankrupt this nation.
YES, "We noticed."

We seek, by protesting, to let our representatives know that we are not
in favor of these crippling expenditures and we are labeled
"un-American","racist", "mob". We wonder how we are supposed to let
you know how frustrated we are. You have attempted to make our protests seem
isolated and insignificant. Until your appointment, Americans had the right
to speak out.
YES, "We noticed."

On September 11, 2001 there were no Republicans or Democrats, only
Americans. And we all grieved together and helped each other in
whatever way we could. The attack on 9/11 was carried out because we are
Americans.
And YES, "We noticed."

There were many of us who p ray ed that as a black president you could
help unite this nation. In six months you have done more to destroy
this nation than the attack on 9/11. You have failed us.
YES, "We noticed."

September 11 is a day of remembrance for all Americans. You
propose to make 9/11 a "National Service Day". While we know that you
don't share our reverence for 9/11, we p ray that history will report
your proposal as what it is, a disgrace.
YES, "We noticed."

You have made a mockery of our Constitution and the office that
you hold. You have embarrassed and slighted us in foreign visits
and policy.
YES, "We noticed."

We have noticed all these things. We will deal with you. When Americans
come together again, it will be to remove you from office.
Take notice.

If you agree with this, please pass it on. If not, I'm sorry.

Associated Press

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:57:42 GMT

By CALVIN WOODWARD
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - Here's where the 2012 Republican presidential candidates stand on a selection of issues.

They are Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Utah Gov. John Huntsman, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

ABORTION:

Bachmann: Backed efforts to declare the unborn "persons" under the Constitution, the most direct challenge to the Supreme Court's affirmation of abortion rights. Signed pledge to advance only anti-abortion appointees for relevant administration jobs, cut off federal dollars for clinics that perform or finance abortions, and support a ban on abortions after the fetus reaches a certain stage in development. Introduced bill to require pregnant women to see and hear the fetal heartbeat before having an abortion. Promoted other anti-abortion bills, including some that contained exceptions for rape, incest or the life of a mother. Sought to put abortion restrictions into Minnesota's constitution while in state Legislature.

Gingrich: Signed anti-abortion pledge. "Principles to protect life" platform calls for conservative judges and no subsidies for abortion but not for constitutional abortion ban.

Huntsman: Signed abortion restrictions into law as governor, favors constitutional abortion ban.

Paul: Says federal government should have no authority either to legalize or ban abortion. Yet signed pledge to advance only anti-abortion appointees for relevant administration jobs, cut off federal dollars for clinics that perform or finance abortions, and support a ban on abortions after the fetus reaches a certain stage in development.

Perry: Now supports constitutional abortion ban after saying states should decide their own laws on such issues. Backed Texas law that attempts to discourage abortions by making doctors describe the fetus' size limbs and organs to the woman, and make available an image of the fetus and the sound of its heartbeat to her, before she can have the procedure.

Romney: Opposes abortion rights. Previously supported them. Says state law should guide abortion rights, and Roe v. Wade should be reversed by a future Supreme Court. But says Roe vs. Wade is law of the land until that happens and should not be challenged by federal legislation seeking to overturn abortion rights affirmed by that court decision. Would not sign pledge to advance only anti-abortion appointees for relevant administration jobs, cut off federal dollars for clinics that perform or finance abortions, and support a ban on abortions after the fetus reaches a certain stage in development. "So I would live within the law, within the Constitution as I understand it, without creating a constitutional crisis. But I do believe Roe v. Wade should be reversed to allow states to make that decision."

Santorum: Favors constitutional abortion ban and opposes abortion even in cases of rape because "I would absolutely stand and say that one violence is enough." Previously supported right to abortion in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother.

___

Thank you for contacting me about incarcerating Guantanamo detainees in Thomson, Illinois. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:12:08 GMT

Thank you for contacting me about incarcerating Guantanamo detainees in Thomson, Illinois. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

First let me say that I am as concerned about the threat of terrorism as any American who lived through 9/11. I can still recall the black smoke billowing across the National Mall from the fiery crash at the Pentagon. I thank God that while that tragic day increased our vigilance, it did not diminish our commitment to our constitutional values. Each time I visit with soldiers about to be deployed or the wounded warriors at Water Reed, I am heartened by their courage and their unwavering commitment to our nation and its values in spite of the threats they face.

The decision to close the detention facility at Guantanamo, a symbol of the Bush Administration's failed interrogation policies and one of Al-Qaeda's most salient recruitment tools, is supported by Defense Secretary Robert Gates; the CentCom Commander, General David Petraeus; the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Admiral Michael Mullen; and General and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, among others.

According to our national security experts, closing Guantanamo and transferring fewer than 100 detainees to the Thomson facility will not pose a threat to our state or nation. Instead, it will help us show the world that the values we hold dear as Americans - freedom, human dignity, and the rule of law - continue to guide us regardless of the challenges we face, and that staying true to those values will ultimately make our troops and our nation safer.

Opponents have claimed that Guantanamo detainees are too dangerous to be held in a federal prison. The reality is that our prisons are full of violent criminals, including mass murderers, rapists, child molesters, and even international terrorists. In fact, 340 convicted terrorists are being securely held in our prisons today, including more than 25 incarcerated in Illinois.

On December 15, 2009, the Administration announced that the federal government will purchase from the State of Illinois the Thomson Correctional Center, a nearly empty state-of-the-art maximum security prison built in 2001. The Bureau of Prisons will operate the majority of the facility as a new federal prison, and the Defense Department will lease and operate a portion of the facility to incarcerate up to 100 Guantanamo detainees. The bipartisan Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability has endorsed the sale of the Thomson Correctional Center to the federal government.

The security of the Thomson facility will be the government's top priority. Thomson is already a maximum security facility, and it will be enhanced to exceed the security standards at the supermax prison in Florence, Colorado, by adding an additional perimeter fence. No prisoner has ever escaped from a supermax facility. Also, the facility will be reconfigured to provide the capability of holding military tribunals onsite, so there will be no need to shuttle prisoners in and out of the facility on a regular basis.

Northwest Illinois has been hit hard by our current economic recession. Operation of the Thomson prison will breathe new economic life into that part of Illinois. Local leaders support the move. The White House Council of Economic Advisors estimates that up to 3,800 jobs will be created, including both direct federal jobs at the prison and indirect support jobs in the region. The local economy and region will see an influx of up to $1 billion in economic activity. This is expected to reduce unemployment in the area and increase the earnings of area residents by more than $200 million annually.

Some constituents have contacted my office because they were told, erroneously, that federal prison visitation rules would allow terrorists and others connected to the detainees to visit, causing an influx of dangerous extremists to the area. This will not be the case. The portion of the facility holding Guantanamo detainees will be operated by the Department of Defense, and there are no visitation privileges at military prisons.

In addition, the President has made it clear that none of these detainees will be released into the United States. Federal law explicitly bars their release on U.S. soil. Even if it was determined that detainment of these individuals was no longer warranted, they would have no immigration status in the United States and would be deported. The federal government has broad authority to continue to detain individuals during their deportation proceedings.

I am confident that Guantanamo detainees can be held safely at the Thomson prison. As we have done throughout our history, Illinois has once again responded to our nation's call. All Illinoisans can be proud that our state will play an important role in bringing to justice those who would do us harm. Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

POLITICSTALKONLINE.COM

Fw: Capitol Correspond Email

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:10:39 GMT

----- Original Message -----
From: correspondence_reply@durbin.senate.gov
To: politicstalk@gmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 8:36 AM
Subject: Capitol Correspond Email

March 2, 2010

Mr. Jeffrey Cebas
PO BOX 1751
Rockford, IL 61110

Dear Mr. Cebas:

Thank you for contacting me about incarcerating Guantanamo detainees in Thomson, Illinois. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

First let me say that I am as concerned about the threat of terrorism as any American who lived through 9/11. I can still recall the black smoke billowing across the National Mall from the fiery crash at the Pentagon. I thank God that while that tragic day increased our vigilance, it did not diminish our commitment to our constitutional values. Each time I visit with soldiers about to be deployed or the wounded warriors at Water Reed, I am heartened by their courage and their unwavering commitment to our nation and its values in spite of the threats they face.

The decision to close the detention facility at Guantanamo, a symbol of the Bush Administration's failed interrogation policies and one of Al-Qaeda's most salient recruitment tools, is supported by Defense Secretary Robert Gates; the CentCom Commander, General David Petraeus; the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Admiral Michael Mullen; and General and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, among others.

According to our national security experts, closing Guantanamo and transferring fewer than 100 detainees to the Thomson facility will not pose a threat to our state or nation. Instead, it will help us show the world that the values we hold dear as Americans - freedom, human dignity, and the rule of law - continue to guide us regardless of the challenges we face, and that staying true to those values will ultimately make our troops and our nation safer.

Opponents have claimed that Guantanamo detainees are too dangerous to be held in a federal prison. The reality is that our prisons are full of violent criminals, including mass murderers, rapists, child molesters, and even international terrorists. In fact, 340 convicted terrorists are being securely held in our prisons today, including more than 25 incarcerated in Illinois.

On December 15, 2009, the Administration announced that the federal government will purchase from the State of Illinois the Thomson Correctional Center, a nearly empty state-of-the-art maximum security prison built in 2001. The Bureau of Prisons will operate the majority of the facility as a new federal prison, and the Defense Department will lease and operate a portion of the facility to incarcerate up to 100 Guantanamo detainees. The bipartisan Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability has endorsed the sale of the Thomson Correctional Center to the federal government.

The security of the Thomson facility will be the government's top priority. Thomson is already a maximum security facility, and it will be enhanced to exceed the security standards at the supermax prison in Florence, Colorado, by adding an additional perimeter fence. No prisoner has ever escaped from a supermax facility. Also, the facility will be reconfigured to provide the capability of holding military tribunals onsite, so there will be no need to shuttle prisoners in and out of the facility on a regular basis.

Northwest Illinois has been hit hard by our current economic recession. Operation of the Thomson prison will breathe new economic life into that part of Illinois. Local leaders support the move. The White House Council of Economic Advisors estimates that up to 3,800 jobs will be created, including both direct federal jobs at the prison and indirect support jobs in the region. The local economy and region will see an influx of up to $1 billion in economic activity. This is expected to reduce unemployment in the area and increase the earnings of area residents by more than $200 million annually.

Some constituents have contacted my office because they were told, erroneously, that federal prison visitation rules would allow terrorists and others connected to the detainees to visit, causing an influx of dangerous extremists to the area. This will not be the case. The portion of the facility holding Guantanamo detainees will be operated by the Department of Defense, and there are no visitation privileges at military prisons.

In addition, the President has made it clear that none of these detainees will be released into the United States. Federal law explicitly bars their release on U.S. soil. Even if it was determined that detainment of these individuals was no longer warranted, they would have no immigration status in the United States and would be deported. The federal government has broad authority to continue to detain individuals during their deportation proceedings.

I am confident that Guantanamo detainees can be held safely at the Thomson prison. As we have done throughout our history, Illinois has once again responded to our nation's call. All Illinoisans can be proud that our state will play an important role in bringing to justice those who would do us harm. Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

RJD/ab

TWO SUBJECT LINES of which to be AWARE of please read this??????????????????????????????????????????????

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:13:09 GMT

TWO SUBJECT LINES of which to be AWARE

Just verified this with Snopes and it is REAL. ALSO WENT TO TRUTH OR FICTION, IT'S on their site also.

PLEASE INFORM EVERYONE you know!

1.) Emails with pictures of Osama Bin-Laden hanged are being sent and the moment that you open these emails your computer will crash and you will not be able to fix it!

If you get an e-mail along the lines of 'Osama Bin Laden Captured' or 'Osama Hanged', don't open the Attachment!! !!

This e-mail is being distributed through countries around the globe, but mainly in the US and Israel

Be considerate & send this warning to whomever you know.

2.) You should be alert during the next few days:

Do not open any message with an attached file called 'Invitation' regardless of who sent it.

It is a virus that opens an Olympic Torch which 'burns' the whole hard disc C of your computer!!!!

This virus will be received from someone who has your e-mail address in his/her contact list, that is why you should send this E-mail to all your contacts.

It is better to receive this message 25 times than to receive the virus and open it.

If you receive an e-mail called 'invitation' , even though sent by a friend. Do not open it!!!

This is the worst virus announced by CNN, it has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever.

This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and there is no repair yet for this kind of virus.

This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where other vital information is kept.

SEND THIS E-MAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!!!

POLITICSTALKONLINE.COM

ATLAS EXCLUSIVE: Obama Organizing in High School

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:05:09 GMT

ATLAS EXCLUSIVE: Obama Organizing in High School
An Atlas reader, Chuck, has a student in the eleventh grade in an Ohio High School. Her government class passed out this propaganda recruiting paper so students could sign up as interns for Obama's Organizing for America (OFA is the former mybarackobama.com site.)

Obama is using our public school system to recruit for his Alinsky-inspired private army. Organizing for America is (and I quote) recruiting in our high schools to "build on the movement that elected President Obama by empowering students across the country to help us bring about our agenda" ............of national socialism.

The Ohio High School is Perry Local in Massillon, Ohio.

This is incredible. And evil. Suffer the little children -- enlisted like SS youth. This is no accident. Obama is poisoning our public school system. He acts as if it's his own private breeding farm. Once again academic learning and achievement is hopelessly abandoned, and supplanted by radical leftist activism from the leftwing Alinsky indoctrinators in the perverse public school system.

Children must be advised to expose this ugly propaganda. Children must tell their parents how they are being used and manipulated. Parents, warn your kids. Better yet, home school.

here the link to the story http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/

POLITICSTALKONLINE.COM

WASHINGTON â€” Turns out Barack Obama is the bill of goods America thought it was buying.

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:03:51 GMT

By Jennifer Loven
The Associated Press
Posted Jan 19, 2010 @ 12:00 PM
Last update Jan 20, 2010 @ 11:20 AM
WASHINGTON â€" Turns out Barack Obama is the bill of goods America thought it was buying.

Little about Obama in his first year as president has come as a shock. The cautious, cerebral, enigmatic man who sought the White House is largely the same one who occupies it. For all the history-changing wonder of the election of the first black president, most of the surprises have come from events, not his approach to them.

From the beginning, with its inaugural excitement, friendlier majorities in Congress than any chief executive since Lyndon Johnson, two wars, a warming planet and economic challenges unrivaled since the era of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and to the end, with fractious partisan sniping, a dramatically fallen approval rating and his first major victory still to come â€" Obama then is basically Obama now, only grayer and more tired.

But 12 monthsâ€™ worth of watching the president put his signature style to work governing, instead of campaigning, provides a crisper picture. So, what have we learned? For one thing, that heâ€™s a master of nuance with a â€œbutâ€ in his approach to nearly everything.
Ten observations:

He hates labels.

Obama promised a post-racial, post-partisan, post-ideological presidency. While that theory earned him votes, some seeing it in action, such as the liberal Institute for Policy Studies, now more critically call it the â€œhave it both waysâ€ presidency. Could it be that his â€œYes, we canâ€ campaign has morphed into a â€œWhen we canâ€ administration?

Obama has pursued a radical agenda: fix the economy while attacking long-neglected, related problems such as health care, climate change and education. End one war, overhaul a second and remake Americaâ€™s image in the world, too.

His way of getting there, though, is incremental, and hardly purist:

Heâ€™ll backpedal on positions, as on lobbyists in his administration and money for lawmakersâ€™ pet projects, or be inconsistent, such as dealing with the auto industry more sternly than banks and insurers.

He yields ground. He has lectured Palestinians not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good over Jewish settlement expansion, advice he has followed himself â€" and given Congress, too.

He threads the needle. He settled on an Afghanistan strategy that combined the muscular (adding 30,000 troops) with the political (setting a withdrawal start date as he ordered the unpopular escalation).

He avoids confrontation, choosing in health care and other cases to outline only broad policy goals and stay hands off on specifics until late in the game.

Obama calls it all pragmatic (his own label his only nod to the value of them), a fresh approach in which policy and coalitions are forged on circumstances instead of creed. His critics call it slippery.

He may be on the cusp of a potential game-changer success, with a health care bill, that will show his methods can work. But the process has been confusing and draining, disappointing to right and left alike. He also hasnâ€™t broken Washingtonâ€™s partisan streak, earning few if any Republican votes on key priorities.

His first reaction isnâ€™t always his best.

When incendiary comments by black minister Jeremiah Wright surfaced during Obamaâ€™s campaign, he underestimated and mishandled the issue until it threatened his White House chances. He finally calmed the fuss with a speech on race regarded as a slam dunk.

That pattern of near-failure followed by 11th-hour rescue has repeated itself in the White House. Think economic stimulus. Think health care. Or beer summit â€" another racial tempest gone wrong and then right.

Just recently came another demonstration of Obamaâ€™s iffy first instincts. The bombing plot to bring down a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day drew no appearance by the vacationing president for three days, in hopes that a low-profile wouldnâ€™t overly elevate the incident and encourage other would-be terrorists. When he did talk to the public, he was notably flat. It took him a couple more tries to display the urgency and anger the near-disaster seemed to demand.

Heâ€™d much prefer not to react immediately in the first place.

Ever the risk-averse, studious lawyer, Obama doesnâ€™t act on his gut but on information â€" reams of it. He collects all the facts and pokes holes in all the angles.

Asked early in the year why his outrage at exorbitant bonuses at bailed-out insurer American International Group was so long in coming, Obama snapped at the reporter: â€œI like to know what Iâ€™m talking about before I speak.â€

Ever scripted, he has been known to use a teleprompter even in news conferences.

Heâ€™s the king of reviews. On the Guantanamo Bay military prison, war, the Fort Hood shootings, a new missile defense system, cybersecurity, urban policy, the White House gate-crashers and more, a thorough review is his preferred out-of-the-gate response.

Heâ€™ll fire people; heâ€™s no loyalty hound. But when controversy comes calling, donâ€™t look for a hair-trigger scapegoat.

Many in the U.S. and around the world were encouraged at the shift from the instinct-driven style of George W. Bush. But Obama also now faces questions about whether he is a decisive leader â€" or a wavering one.

He has a bit of a cold-fish problem.

He can sometimes appear aloof, cool, emotionally distant.

Heâ€™s warm in private settings â€" approachable and funny. But standing before the public on a critical topic, whether itâ€™s corporate bonuses or Somali pirates, he can display a tin ear for the tone people want. Sometimes even when he says heâ€™s mad, he doesnâ€™t look it.

He wears the job easily.

For all his youth and governing inexperience, Obama stepped almost seamlessly into the most powerful post in the world. Outsiders could not detect rookie jitters. Insiders reported him unfazed by the office. â€œI feel surprisingly comfortable in the job,â€ said the 44th president a mere two weeks in. â€œIâ€™m good at this,â€ he told People magazine just over a week ago.

What could appear arrogant in the campaign looked surefooted in office.

Still, there are times when he seems not to understand â€" or purposely not to harness â€" the vast power he has assumed.

Heâ€™s ubiquitous, leading to questions about overexposure. But is he using the presidential bully pulpit to maximum effect? He gives perhaps too much rope at critical times to others, such as to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner amid the unpopular bank bailout.

He favors candor and contrition over sunny optimism.

No Reaganesque â€œMorning in Americaâ€ here. Remember Obamaâ€™s â€œI screwed upâ€ acknowledgment after the felling of former Sen. Tom Daschleâ€™s nomination to be health secretary over tax problems, perhaps the most memorable utterance of his first year? It came from the president who had to be persuaded to start talking rosier about the economy to give Americans a little hope. Or the one who said â€œthe buck stops with meâ€ for intelligence failures that led to the attempted airline bombing on Christmas.

And from the leader who told Europe, on European soil no less, that America â€œmay not always have the best answerâ€ or that â€œall parties have to compromise, and that includes us.â€ This humility on the world stage â€" welcome abroad and often at home, too â€" has been a hallmark, part of Obamaâ€™s goal to emphasize collaboration with allies over orders to them.

He likes to teach.

The constitutional scholar and law professor, a son of a cultural anthropologist, was known as an impressive orator during the campaign. He has turned into something more like a guest lecturer in the White House â€" the wonkish professor-president.

Laying out his policies, say terrorist interrogations at the National Archives, the economic collapse at Wall Streetâ€™s Federal Hall, his Afghanistan approach at West Point or the U.S intelligence apparatus in the State Dining Room, he often seems more interested in educating than persuading.

Skilled rhetorically, he still glides through speeches. But there can be a sense that the inspirational element is missing, perhaps a nod to the much trickier task of governing over campaigning. Though the policies may be well thought-out, they sometimes leave people scratching their heads, looking in the carefully reasoned briefs for the red meat lines or the part that makes it simple â€" and relevant to their lives.

He relishes the art of the deal.

Who knew? Obama has proved an enthusiastic and adept mediator, at home and overseas.

The president conducted shuttle diplomacy between France and China at a London economic summit, overcoming a dispute over tax havens. In Strasbourg, France, he helped settle a dispute over the next NATO secretary-general. In Istanbul, he worked on the sidelines to normalize Turkish-Armenian relations. His seat-of-the-pants diplomacy helped produce a limited accord at the climate change meeting in Copenhagen.

As the health care inches toward completion, Obama has presided over marathon White House negotiating sessions to wrangle over sticky provisions.

Heâ€™s both hawk and dove.

He ditched a new missile defense system that was threatening Russiaâ€™s cooperation in critical areas. He seemed to give more than he got in a much-watched November visit to China. His administration is trying the alleged Sept. 11 mastermind and others in civilian New York courts.

He banned torture and launched a criminal investigation into harsh questioning of detainees under the Bush administration. He has mostly abandoned the phrase â€œwar on terror.â€ Former Vice President Dick Cheney calls him weak on security.

But thereâ€™s a tough side of the ledger, too. Obama is ramping up the war in Afghanistan, increasing unmanned drone strikes against suspected terrorists inside Pakistan, and battling Russia over a new arms-reduction treaty. Heâ€™s crafting a tough new package of penalties against Iran and continuing a variety of Bush-era terrorism policies opposed by the left.

â€œThe bubbleâ€ bothers him greatly.

Obama has called it the â€œweird fishbowl,â€ the nitpicking media scrutiny and 24-7 company that come with every presidency, and particularly his.

There are Secret Service protectors who go everywhere he does. The ever-present entourage.

The news cycle that never sleeps and has tentacles in every corner of the Internet. The unique global phenomenon of his and his familyâ€™s popularity. The criticism for whisking his wife to New York for a dinner-theater date promised during the campaign.

In Obamaâ€™s book, it adds up to a lack of normalcy, almost no chance for spontaneous living. He gripes about reportersâ€™ in-the-moment mindsets.

He compensates some by keeping his Blackberry, taking his two best friends from Chicago on every trip he can and playing weekend golf.

He also readily admits a huge upside of the home office that former President Harry Truman called a â€œglamorous prison.â€ Thereâ€™s more time with his wife, Michelle, and their two young daughters, than since he entered politics a dozen years ago. That is, when heâ€™s not traveling, as heâ€™s jetted overseas more than any other first-year president.

Thereâ€™s always a â€œbutâ€ in Obamaâ€™s world.

Associated Press writers Charles Babington, Jesse Washington, Tom Raum, Ben Feller, Cal Woodward, Anne Gearan, Nancy Benac, Ron Fournier, and Liz Sidoti contributed to this story.
Jennifer Loven has covered the White House for The Associated Press since 2002.

Copyright 2010 Rockford Register Star. Some rights reserved

POLITICSTALKONLINE.COM

* Email entry *

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:11:36 GMT

Liberal radio network Air America to go silent
Network that sought to challenge domination of Rush Limbaugh declares bankruptcy and will go off air

a.. Buzz up!
b.. Digg it
a.. Chris McGreal in Washington
b.. guardian.co.uk, Friday 22 January 2010 17.41 GMT
c.. Article history

Al Franken rehearses for his radio show at Air America studios in 2004. The network is going off the air on Monday. Photograph: Ed Bailey/AP

First Massachusetts, now Air America. A leading US liberal radio network, launched six years ago with the comedian Al Franken among its presenters to challenge the dominance of Rush Limbaugh and other conservatives, has declared bankruptcy and will go off air on Monday.

Air America made a name for itself with Franken, who pulled in a sizeable part of its audience on 100 radio stations across the country until he left to win a seat in the Senate. Arianna Huffington, co-founder of the Huffington Post, hosted a fundraiser to get the station on air.

At times Air America was embroiled in controversy, such as when one of its hosts, Mike Malloy, was sacked in 2006 for referring to then president George Bush and his father as the "Bush crime family" and calling rightwingers "rat bastards". Malloy was also critical of Israel. His dismissal drew criticism from some liberals.

Another presenter, Randi Rhodes, who at one time had the station's highest ratings, was forced out after off-air comments calling Hillary Clinton "a big fucking whore" two years ago.

She made similar remarks about Geraldine Ferraro, the former Democratic party vice presidential candidate. Rhodes later said the fuss over her comments was a pretext to get rid of her because of a contract dispute.

Air America's most popular programme, the Lionel Show, pulled in 1.75 million listeners a week but that was a fraction of those listening to Limbaugh.

It survived bankruptcy in 2006, and was sold for $4.25m a year later to a New York property magnate and his brother.

Fewer than 100 commercial radio stations in the US broadcast liberal talk shows. Your first name
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This article was published on guardian.co.uk at 17.41 GMT on Friday 22 January 2010. It was last modified at 21.20 GMT on Friday 22 January 2010.

Obama tells Senate not to 'jam' through healthcare plan

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:06:58 GMT

Obama tells Senate not to 'jam' through healthcare plan

The defeat has come on Mr Obama's first anniversary in office
US President Barack Obama has warned Democrats not to "jam" healthcare reforms through the Senate after a Republican won a seat in Massachusetts.

Mr Obama told ABC News any vote should wait until Scott Brown had taken up his seat, and lawmakers should seek to "coalesce" around parts they agreed on.

Mr Brown will be Massachusetts' first Republican senator since 1972.

His victory means the Republicans now have enough votes in the Senate to block the Democrats' healthcare plans.

The BBC's Paul Adams, in Boston, says it is a humiliating defeat for the Democrats, robbing them of their filibuster-proof 60-seat majority, and a deeply unwelcome anniversary present for President Obama exactly one year after his inauguration.

I never said I was going to do everything I can to stop healthcare

Scott Brown
Massachusetts senator-elect

Your comments on the result
Revolution in Kennedy country
Obama approval ratings fall
US media on Brown victory
Profile: Scott Brown
Our correspondent adds that it is one of the biggest political upsets in years - in a seat held for almost half a century by Edward Kennedy, a Democratic Party colossus, who died last year.

Senator-elect Brown, 50, told journalists his victory sent the message that "people are tired of business as usual in Washington politics", and vowed to get to work as soon as possible.

He said he would go to Washington on Thursday with the hope of taking up his seat.

Frustration

Earlier Mr Brown told NBC's Today show he did not think the vote was a referendum on President Obama's first year in power.

MARDELL'S AMERICA

After last night's beating at the hands of the people of Massachusetts President Obama is keeping his head down

Mark Mardell

Mark Mardell's America
And he denied he was intent on derailing the reforms.

"I never said I was going to do everything I can to stop healthcare," he said.

"I believe everybody should have healthcare, it's just a question of how we do it."

Asked for his assessment of the Republican victory a year after taking office, President Obama told ABC: "The same thing that swept Scott Brown into office swept me into office."

"People are angry and they are frustrated. Not just because what has happened in the last year or two years, but what's happened over the last eight years."

Scott Brown: "The main thing they want is good government back"

Mr Obama said he wanted to make clear that any plans by Democrats for a Senate vote on the reform plan before Mr Scott took up his seat were "off the table".

"The Senate certainly shouldn't try to jam anything through until Scott Brown is seated," he added.

"The people of Massachusetts spoke. He has got to be part of that process."

The president said it was important for Americans to understand that core elements of the bill such as cost containment and insurance reform were vital.

"I would advise that we try to move quickly to coalesce around those elements of the package that people agree on," he said.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said after a meeting with colleagues that legislators would take a few days to look at their options.

"We're not going to rush into anything," Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.

WHAT NEXT FOR OBAMA AGENDA?
Obama's bid to reform healthcare and pass climate bill now in doubt
On healthcare, Democrats in House could pass bill already passed by Senate
Or rush a compromise bill through before Brown can take his seat
But that could spark a political backlash on Democrats, even if both houses could agree it so soon
On climate, cap-and-trade bill passed by the House faces even more difficulties in Senate

Q&A: Effect on Obama's agenda
Q&A: US healthcare reform
"There are many different things that we can do to move forward on healthcare, but we're not making any of those decisions now."

However, the Republican party chairman, Michael Steele, said Americans were breathing a "sigh of relief" over healthcare.

"People across the country are saying: 'Slow it down,'" he said, quoted by the Associated Press.

Dubbed Senator Beefcake in the US media, Mr Brown is a lawyer and former model who posed almost naked for Cosmopolitan magazine in the 1980s while in law school.

Correspondents say the vote does not bode well for the Democrats ahead of November's congressional elections.

The result comes amid opinion polls showing nearly half of Americans think President Obama is not delivering on his major campaign promises.

It was the third major loss for Democrats in state-wide elections since he became president: Republicans won governors' seats in Virginia and N

POLITICSTALKONLINE.COM

Congratulations Senator Elect Scott Brown....the conservative steam roller keeps on rolling!!!!!!

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:19:33 GMT

Congratulations Senator Elect Scott Brown....the conservative steam roller keeps on rolling!!!!!!
POLITICSTALKONLINE.COM

form foxnews.com using a controversial legislative tactic known as the "nuclear option

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:15:14 GMT

A top Senate Democrat for the first time Tuesday acknowledged that the party is prepared to deal with health care reform by using a controversial legislative tactic known as the "nuclear option."

With Republican Scott Brown seizing victory in the Massachusetts special election for U.S. Senate, Democrats are under pressure to quickly pass health care reform before he arrives -- since Brown will break the party's 60-vote, filibuster-proof majority.

Even before polls closed, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said "there are options to still pursue health care."

Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, outlined a combination of tactics to get what his party wants out of health care reform.

First, he said the House could simply approve the Senate bill, sending it straight to President Obama's desk.

Then, Durbin said, the Senate could make changes to the bill by using the nuclear option, known formally as "reconciliation," a tactic that would allow Democrats to adjust parts of health care reform with just a 51-vote majority.

"We could go to something called 'reconciliation', which is in the weeds procedurally, but would allow us to modify that health care bill by a different process that doesn't require 60 votes, only a majority," Durbin said. "So that is one possibility there."

Though House Democrats have major misgivings about the Senate version, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on Tuesday suggested they'd be willing to consider approving the Senate bill intact, if the alternative is no bill at all. A majority of Democrats in that chamber are opposed to many provisions in the Senate-passed bill, including the controversial tax on high-cost insurance plans which the unions are vehemently against.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also expressed confidence Tuesday.

"We will have a reform bill," she said.

Though Democrats, including Durbin, have previously insisted reconciliation would not be used, key aides have quietly pointed to a change in circumstances with the unexpectedly competitive race in Massachusetts.

But reconciliation is not easy under any circumstances. Any measure that is passed under the process requires 51 votes for passage, but that measure's authors must pass strict legislative tests to show the bill deals only with taxes and spending to bring the legislation in line with the budget -- a move that its creators made back in 1974 to keep extraneous provisions from being passed under this expedited process.

Reconciliation might allow for Democrats to modify the excise tax, but it would not appear to allow for changes to abortion and immigration language, among some of the hot-button issues.
Republicans have decried the use of reconciliation for such a massive re-ordering of the nation's economy. To be sure, Republicans were the first to use the tactic outside its intended purpose, and they have used it most often for tax relief, but they say health care reform is different.

Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., the primary point person in the Senate for reconciliation matters as the top Republican on the Budget Committee, has called this "Chicago-style politics" and has vowed to raise scores of objections, called "points of order." There are about 13 different ways Republicans can challenge Democrats, and nearly all of these will require votes.

Durbin, in Chicago, said Democrats "haven't given up on finding other options. I hope some of the Republican senators who have at least been in conversations with us in the past will join us in passing health care reform."

But that's not too likely. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., could possibly have pushed away the only Republican in that chamber, moderate Olympia Snowe of Maine, open to working with the Democrats on health care. She told The New York Times that she had "no intention of ever working anything out," calling it "a waste of time dealing with her."

Under the current process, negotiators are trying to hammer out a compromise that both chambers would still have to vote on. But if Brown wins, this laborious process could drag on past his swearing-in ceremony.

President Obama Signs Executive Order Establishing Council of Governors

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:52:35 GMT

Written by Chuck Baldwin
Tuesday, 19 January 2010 17:00
The White House Office of the Press Secretary recently released a report on the White House website entitled "President Obama Signs Executive Order Establishing Council of Governors." The nature of this new Council of Governors and its powers raises the question is to whether it could become the precursor for a national police force.

According to the press release: "The President today [January 11, 2009] signed an Executive Order establishing a Council of Governors to strengthen further the partnership between the Federal Government and State Governments to protect our Nation against all types of hazards. When appointed, the Council will be reviewing such matters as involving the National Guard of the various States; homeland defense; civil support; synchronization and integration of State and Federal military activities in the United States; and other matters of mutual interest pertaining to National Guard, homeland defense, and civil support activities."

According to the report, the Council will be composed of "ten State Governors who will be selected by the President to serve two year terms.... Once chosen, the Council will have no more than five members from the same party and represent the Nation as a whole."

The press release also states: "Federal members of the Council include the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, the Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs, the U.S. Northern Command Commander, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. The Secretary of Defense will designate an Executive Director for the Council."

As with most Presidential Directives or Executive Orders that have the potential to swallow our liberties and expand federal - or even international - police powers, the mainstream media conveniently fails to inform the American people as to what is happening. Such is the case with Obama's EO establishing a Council of Governors (COG). Therefore, it is left to independent writers to issue the alert. Thank God for the Internet!

As with any expansion of the federal government, this new Council of Governors needs to be monitored very carefully by freedom lovers. One blog rightly noted that the COG "clearly represents another assault on Posse Comitatus, the 1878 law that bars the military from exercising domestic police powers, which was temporarily annulled by the 2006 John Warner National Defense Authorization Act before parts of it were later repealed."

Another blogger wisely stated, "As with most government powers, there is always the potential for abuse. In this case, there is cause for serious concern because every bit of this entails expanding traditional Command in Chief powers to the DOD [Department of Defense], spreading troops around the US (potentially not American troops at that...) and deciding who has ultimate tactical command over reserves and Guard in the event of 'emergencies,' terrorist attacks, or natural disasters."

Actually, this EO is simply the latest in a series of events going back to the Bush and Clinton years, in which the federal government has taken steps to lay the foundation for extensive military police action within the United States.

Back in 2008, retired lawman Jim Kouri wrote:

In a political move that received little if any attention by the American news media, the United States and Canada entered into a military agreement on February 14, 2008, allowing the armed forces from one nation to support the armed forces of the other nation during a domestic civil emergency, even one that does not involve a cross-border crisis, according to a police commander involved in homeland security planning and implementation.

It is an initiative of the Bi-National Planning Group whose final report, issued in June 2006, called for the creation of a "Comprehensive Defense and Security Agreement," or a "continental approach" to Canada-US defense and security.

The law enforcement executive told Newswithviews.com that the agreement - defined as a Civil Assistance Plan--was not submitted to Congress for debate and approval, nor did Congress pass any law or treaty specifically authorizing this military agreement to combine the operations of the armed forces of the United States and Canada in the event of domestic civil disturbances ranging from violent storms, to health epidemics, to civil riots or terrorists attacks.

"This is a military plan that's designed to bypass the Posse Comitatus Act that traditionally prohibited the US military from operating within the borders of the United States. Not only will American soldiers be deployed at the discretion of whomever is sitting in the Oval Office, but foreign soldiers will also be deployed in American cities," warns Lt. Steven Rodgers, commander of the Nutley, NJ Police Department's detective bureau.

Of course, the groundwork for this US-Canadian agreement occurred in 2002 when President G.W. Bush created USNORTHCOM. For the first time in U.S. history, an entire Army division has been tasked with "homeland defense efforts and to coordinate defense support of civil authorities." (Source: USNORTHCOM official website) Plus, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which passed with almost unanimous bipartisan support, and was signed into law in January 2008 by then-President Bush, required the implementation of the COG.

Then, in June of 2009, USNORTHCOM sent a legislative proposal to Congress requesting "amending Title 10 of USC, expanding the Secretary of Defense's powers to mobilization of the Army Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Navy Reserve, and Marine Corps Reserve to assist civil authorities in disasters and emergencies ... 'thus enabling a truly Total Force approach to disaster response.'" (To see the full report, click here.)

Matthew Rothschild at The Progressive penned, "The Pentagon has approached Congress to grant the Secretary of Defense the authority to post almost 400,000 military personnel throughout the United States in times of emergency or a major disaster."

Concerning this, David Mundy at the Texas National Press commented:

If granted, the move would further erode the authority of the states and would minimize the role played by the states' militia . . . in handling domestic
issues.

More ominously, nothing in the Pentagon's request specifies that the troops to be posted in U.S. cities would necessarily be Americans.

The report notes that in September of 2009 USNORTHCOM released its 32-page initial framework for the "Tri Command," referring to NORAD, NORTHCOM, and Canada COM. It is noted that while NORTHCOM and Canada COM are national organizations, NORAD is set up as a binational force.

It is largely understood, therefore, that the Council of Governors has been established for the purpose of getting the governors' blessing on this newly accumulated power. In other words, the COG is Assistant Secretary of Defense Paul Stockton's effort to establish a liaison between the governors, DHS, DOD, and the National Guard.

Of course, as the report suggests, what is not being disclosed is what powers will be conferred upon the 10 gubernatorial council members and what authorities they will be required to cede to the federal government.

Anyone who is not concerned about the ever-increasing encroachment of federal power upon the states and citizenry at large is either not paying attention, or is already a slave at heart. Instead of worrying about whether a gubernatorial or State legislative candidate is a conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat, we need to be focusing on whether or not our State governors and legislators have the historical and constitutional acumen and resolve to resist the current dismantling of State sovereignty and personal liberty being orchestrated by this federal leviathan that is known as Washington, D.C.

We can survive hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, looters and thugs, blackouts, and even Muslim terrorists. What we cannot survive - at least not without great cost and effort - is tyranny at the hands of our own government. In this regard, our greatest threat is not foreign terrorists or natural disasters; our greatest threat is Washington, D.C.

So, while D.C. has an eye on this new Council of Governors, you'd better keep an eye on your governor as well - and keep the other eye on what's left of your liberties, because if those federal foxes come in the middle of the night and run off with them, it will be your governor that opened the door.

This column is archived at http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2009/cbarchive_20090721.html

Dr. Baldwin is the founder and pastor of Crossroad Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. His sermons are LIVE every Sunday morning and people can tune in and watch the sermon at http://crossroadbaptist.net/live.html. He is a prolific writer/columnist whose articles and political commentaries are carried by a host of Internet sites, newspapers, and news magazines. Dr. Baldwin can be heard 49 times each week, on 15 different radio stations in Northwest Florida, lower Alabama, Central Florida, and parts of Virginia, Texas, and Utah. He has written two books, and he was the 2008 Presidential candidate for the Constitution Party.

POLITICSTALKONLINE.COM

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POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:35:57 GMT

DEVELOPING ...

Republican Scott Brown is the winner of the Massachusetts race for U.S. Senate.

The state senator whose campaign surged in the final weeks of the race becomes the first Republican to be elected to the Senate from the Bay State since 1972.

He also breaks the Democrats' 60-vote, filibuster-proof majority in Washington, posing big problems for President Obama's agenda.

ORIGINAL STORY ...

related links
a.. RAW DATA: Scott Brown Biography

b.. RAW DATA: Martha Coakley Biography

Republican Scott Brown has taken the lead in the Massachusetts special election for U.S. Senate, an unexpectedly competitive contest that could have significant implications for President Obama's agenda in Washington.

With 69 percent of precincts reporting, returns show Brown leading Democrat Martha Coakley 53-46 percent. Independent candidate Joseph Kennedy is pulling 1 percent.

Coakley leads among Boston voters, but Brown is doing better in suburban and rural districts. The Republican is leading by more than 90,000 votes.

Brown is poised to break the Democrats' supermajority in the Senate. His late-in-the-game surge in the state has commanded the attention of the Democratic Party establishment, which dispatched top officials over the past week to try to keep the seat formerly held by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy in Democratic hands. Coakley, the state attorney general, was thought to be a shoo-in for the seat until Brown starting gaining rapidly in the polls.

Other preliminary numbers showed Brown faring better than Republican John McCain did in Massachusetts in the 2008 presidential election. Data from several cities showed him running up to 25 points higher than McCain did. He needs to run about 15 points higher than McCain across the board to take the election.

Rasmussen Reports released some data from its election night survey of 1,000 voters that had positive signs for Coakley. The survey found Coakley had a slight edge, 47-to-41 percent, among those who decided how they would vote in the past few days. Rasmussen reported she had a "big advantage" among those who decided who to vote for more than a month ago.

Voter interest in the race for U.S. Senate seemed high throughout the day. With the state poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the balance of power in Washington, poll workers reported a steady stream of voters at the ballot box despite the snow.

Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin was predicting turnout could be as high as 50 percent.

The two candidates are far apart on the issues, but even in this heavily Democratic state Brown built an insurgent campaign that started resonating with voters at just the right time.

"This is going to be the most significant special election in modern American history if Scott Brown wins," said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. He predicted a Brown win would buoy every other "long-shot" Republican candidate in the country and add fuel to the party's momentum going into the midterms this fall.

More immediately, a Brown win would pose big problems for Obama's agenda items, not the least of which is health care reform. Brown, should he win, would break the Democrats' 60-vote, filibuster-proof majority, sending Democrats into a scramble to pass the health care bill before he arrives.

Though Republicans have occasionally been a political force in state politics, Massachusetts voters have not sent a Republican to represent them in the U.S. Senate since 1972. Every member of the state delegation currently in Washington is a Democrat.

Democrats outnumber Republicans 3-to-1 in the state -- 37 percent of registered voters are Democrats, 12 percent are Republicans and 51 percent are unaffiliated. Obama won the state by 26 percentage points in the 2008 presidential election.

Brown's campaign marked an upset just by being as competitive as it was against Coakley's.

The campaigns have been inundated with help from outside the state. Obama and former President Bill Clinton both came to campaign rallies for Coakley, and Obama appeared in a television ad.

"Every vote matters, every voice matters," Obama said in the ad. "We need you on Tuesday."

Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., pitched in by having his campaign team make phone calls to get people out to the polls. According to one Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee staff member who stayed behind in Washington, it was all hands on deck in the Bay State.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee in Washington also has "emptied out the building" of staff to send nearly everyone to Massachusetts to help Brown get out the vote. The NRSC reportedly quietly shifted $500,000 to help Brown's campaign in the last two weeks.

Arizona Sen. John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential candidate, contacted his extensive and valuable fundraising lists on behalf of Brown last week. Independent tea party organizations are also offering phone banking support to Brown.

"I came up to help out because of the excitement, we have so many people turning up at our volunteer phone banks we have to turn them away," said one such Republican operative, "Stuff like this is why I got into politics."

Lt. Gov. Tim Murray noted that the race closed its 15-point gap in recent weeks because of the increased attention but Republicans have typically run close races in the state despite a 3-1 Democratic to Republican voter registration gap.

"You can't take any election for granted in Massachusetts, probably, or anywhere around the country these days," he said.

Indeed, the swift rise of Brown, a relatively low-profile Republican state senator, in his race against the state attorney general has spooked Democrats who had considered the seat one of their most reliable.

Kennedy, who died in August, held the post for 47 years.

Brown has tried to turn Democrats' expectation of an easy win to his advantage, proclaiming, "It's not the Kennedy seat, it's the people's seat."

A Suffolk University survey taken Saturday and Sunday showed Brown with double-digit leads in three communities the poll identified as bellwethers: Gardner, Fitchburg and Peabody. But internal statewide polls for both sides showed a dead heat.

The third candidate, Joseph Kennedy, a Libertarian running as an independent, said he's been bombarded with e-mails from Brown supporters urging him to drop out and endorse the Republican. Kennedy, who was polling in the single digits and is no relation to the late senator, said he's staying in.

Fox News' Trish Turner, Molly Line and Jake Gibson contributed to this report.

POLITICSTALKONLINE.COM

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POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:57:48 GMT

Well as you might of here or not that the Illinois have voted to close Thomasville prison. That one step closer to let the fed government to buy it and put the the prisoners of gomtia bay prison in illions and the most import thing is they will be on us soil. Now there is something we can do as America people as you know the electing are come up this year. And here at politicstalklive online are working on put up are own watch list for government official.

Next up are the list of senter that are up for reecltion this year
We will do are best to conact all of them to get them on are live call in show but can't be shure they will anwer are e-mail

Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas
Barbara Boxer of California
Michael Benet of Colorado
Christopher Dodd of Connecticut
Daniel Inouye of Hawaii
Roland Burris of Illinois
Evan Bayh of Indiana
Barbara Mikulski of Maryland
Harry Reid of Nevada
Kirsten Gillibrand of New York
Chuck Schumer of New York
Byron Dorgan of North Dakota
Ron Wyden of Oregon
Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania
Patrick Leahy of Vermont
Patty Murray of Washington
Russ Feingold of Wisconsin

Republican incumbents
Richard Shelby of Alabama
Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
John McCain of Arizona
Johnny Isakson of Georgia
Mike Crapo of Idaho
Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Jim Bunning of Kentucky
David Vitter of Louisiana
Judd Gregg of New Hampshire
Richard Burr of North Carolina
Tom Coburn of Oklahoma
Jim DeMint of South Carolina
John Thune of South Dakota
Bob Bennett of Utah

POLITICSTALKONLINE.COM

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POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:56:32 GMT

Welcome to politics talk live brought to you buy www.politicstalkliveonline.com and blog talk radio I am you host loud mouth county boy aka gocb we all way like you question and comment call us at (917) 889-3116

First lets start off the with some about the Thomas prison and the

Question

1. were are you people think the money is coming form to up date Thomason prison ?
2. And do you how was all the people involve with this set up?
3.was there any committee so the people of Thomason village ill can voice there question?
4. Ask your self these question and if you and answer no to any of these question . Stay tune to us as we answer these question for you and try to give you the up too the min news on this breaking story we all have sent out email to the senter Durbin .

POLITICSTALKONLINE.COM

Recently stolen e-mails suggest global warming is just a hoax. The socialist wing of the government is going to take over health care in America. The stimulus package is a socialist redistribution of wealth. Terror suspects are going to be tried in New Yo

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:04:39 GMT

Recently stolen e-mails suggest global warming is just a hoax. The socialist wing of the government is going to take over health care in America. The stimulus package is a socialist redistribution of wealth. Terror suspects are going to be tried in New York, triggering new attacks on America. The Thomson maximum security prison will be targeted by terrorists to free their incarcerated brothers.

Are you scared? Well, you shouldn't be, you're on Republican scare tactics.

Even if global warming is not critical, we can no longer belch billions of tons of pollutants into the air and water. For supporters of Rush and Sarah, billions is bigger than thousands.

Death panels in America are sponsored by the insurance industry. Being a woman is a preexisting condition.

Soldiers are tried by military tribunals; thugs and terrorists are tried in federal court.

If you could get near the Thomson maximum security prison, you would not see little bearded terrorists in the yard playing soccer.

The stimulus package is designed to help real people and has been abused by greedy, corrupt money people.

There are those who openly hope the president fails. After the last eight years, they better pray he succeeds.

POLITICSTALKONLINE.COM

It was as if the empty prison cells were an echo chamber: Republicans repeated the same arguments, over and over, in opposing President Barack Obama's decision to house terrorism suspects at Thomson Correctional Center.

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:03:03 GMT

It was as if the empty prison cells were an echo chamber: Republicans repeated the same arguments, over and over, in opposing President Barack Obama's decision to house terrorism suspects at Thomson Correctional Center.

They are wrong; we repeat, wrong. The plan is not dangerous, it is supported by Thomson residents and it is past time to move the detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Thomson is a maximum-security prison about 100 miles southwest of Rockford. It has the capacity to house 1,600 inmates, but about 100 to 200 minimum-security inmates live there.

The prison cost $140 million to build eight years ago, but the state couldn't afford to keep it open.

A colossal waste of taxpayer dollars - an all-but-empty building - will be put to good use. Obama is right that Gitmo should be closed and the detainees moved. Bad things happened there, things that never should have happened in the name of our country: beating, choking and sleep deprivation among other tools of torture.

The U.S. needs to wipe the slate clean.

Republicans keep bringing up security concerns, but the prison will be made as safe as humanly possible.

In a letter to Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, Obama administration officials wrote that the prison "will be enhanced to exceed perimeter security standards at the nation's only 'supermax' prison in Florence, Colo., where there has never been an escape or external attack."

Yet, U.S. Rep. Donald Manzullo and fellow Republicans persist in calling Thomson a potential terrorist target.

Republicans' real motive, political sabotage, is apparent in their name for Thomson: Gitmo North.

Obama has assured the public he has no intention of ever releasing the 100 detainees set to be moved from Guantanamo to Thomson. They will either be held indefinitely, tried in military tribunals at the prison or relocated to other countries.

The Department of Defense will operate the part of the prison that houses the detainees; the rest of the facility will house federal inmates and be operated by the Bureau of Prisons.

We're uneasy supporting the Thomson plan based on economic factors alone. However, it's hard to tune out the local residents who welcome the prospect of as many as 3,000 more jobs. Unemployment in Carroll County was 11 percent in October.

If residents are comfortable with the government's pledge to protect them with a supermax-to-end-all-supermaxes at Thomson, who are politicians 850 miles away in Washington to argue?

We have been most impressed with state Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica, who supports the Thomson plan. Sacia worked for the FBI for 30 years. He says the prisoners would be war detainees, and the fear they would be let out to be treated in hospitals "is a lot of hooey."

After all, there are 34 convicted terrorists being held in Illinois prisons right now.

"We have a lot better terrorist targets than (Thomson)," Sacia told the Register Star's Chuck Sweeny last month.

Thomson residents know that, and it's why they are not wary of the plan.

Do people think they would trade their lives for their livelihoods?

Obama promised he would close Gitmo by the end of the year. He won't meet that deadline.

The state still needs to negotiate a fair price for Thomson with the federal government, and it's unknown whether state law will let the governor do that or whether the Legislature needs to sign off.

Congress still needs to pass legislation that would allow the suspected terrorists to enter the United States.

The detainees still won't be moved until security upgrades at Thomson are done, which may take at least several months.

Thomson residents are willing to wait. "I hope it's a true Christmas," Thomson village President Jerry Hebeler said. Sure beats the echo chamber of Scrooges.
POLITICSTALKONLINE.COM

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POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:01:41 GMT

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Posted Dec 16, 2009 @ 12:52 AM
Last update Dec 16, 2009 @ 07:36 AM
THOMSON - The White House decision to move up to 100 Guantanamo Bay detainees to this Mississippi River town has folks here seeing dollar signs, not suspected terrorists.

Many people are hopeful that their willingness to house the prisoners in a nearly empty penitentiary will offer an economic boost - helping to ease steep job losses and dwindling tax revenue needed to fix roads and pay for schools.

"This is probably the economic-development opportunity of a lifetime for northwest Illinois, and we intend to take full advantage of it," said Russ Simpson, who leads an economic development group for a three-county area that includes Thomson, about 70 miles southwest of Rockford.

Until now, the expansive Thomson Correctional Center has been a big disappointment in the town of 600, where there are no stoplights.

The prison was built by the state in 2001 with the promise of thousands of jobs, but budget problems prevented it from fully opening. It has 1,600 cells, housing 200 minimum-security inmates and 82 staff members.

Businesses opened in anticipation of an influx of prison workers and visitors, but they have since closed. Builders canceled plans for housing. Neighbors moved away to find better jobs.

"It's been a big disappointment for eight years. Heartbreak," said Rick McGinnis, who owns Kyle's, a bar that has been in his family for 62 years. Now, he says, people will move to the area, put their children in school, pay taxes and buy beer.

"That's the best thing that could happen to it."

President Barack Obama ordered the Bureau of Prisons to buy the prison. The decision is an important step toward closing Guantanamo Bay, which has long been a global symbol of the Bush administration's approach to national security. The Illinois prison is expected to house federal inmates and no more than 100 Guantanamo detainees.

But Tuesday's announcement will not solve all of the administration's Guantanamo-related problems. More than 200 detainees will remain at Guantanamo, and the White House faces other legal issues and potential resistance from Congress.

Federal and state officials say the federal takeover will create as many as 3,000 jobs in the area within several years, including 800 to 900 at the prison and at local businesses that would sprout up as a result.

"I hope it's a true Christmas," village President Jerry Hebeler said. "Everybody's been down in the dumps for eight years."

While local officials and many Democratic lawmakers, including Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin and Gov. Pat Quinn, touted the plan as an economic boon, others warned that it would make the state a target for terrorist attacks.

Republican Rep. Mark Kirk, who is seeking Obama's old Senate seat, has lobbied other officials to oppose the plan. On Tuesday, he issued a statement saying the administration has not adequately addressed safety concerns.

"Without a vote, public hearing or detailed plan, the administration is moving quickly to force the citizens of Illinois to accept this unnecessary risk," Kirk said.

But many here do not see it that way.

"There's the political side about whether the Guantanamo detainees should be brought to American soil, but once that argument is settled, we may as well have them here," said Todd Smith, who owns Buck's Barn Golf Resort, a recreational complex about two miles north of the prison with an 18-hole golf course, 53-room hotel and restaurant.

"Any place that would have been a good target for terrorists before won't change on the basis of where the prisoners are being held."

He had shelved plans to expand the business several years ago, but Tuesday's news "gives us a chance to dust those plans off" and maybe build single-family homes around the golf course to house prison employees.

Thomson Correctional Center was one of several potential sites evaluated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons to house detainees from the Navy-run prison at Guantanamo Bay.

McGinnis, the bar owner, said that if the federal government did not buy the prison, the town "probably would have died

POLITICSTALKONLINE.COM

Guantanamo Bay detainees are coming to Illinois.

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:59:23 GMT

RRSTAR.COM STAFF REPORTS
Posted Dec 14, 2009 @ 10:57 PM
Last update Dec 15, 2009 @ 07:53 AM
It's official.

Guantanamo Bay detainees are coming to Illinois.

Federal administration officials, joined by Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin and Gov. Pat Quinn, will make the official announcement today at the White House, according to The Associated Press.

Over the weekend, a draft memo was leaked to the press identifying the Thomson Correctional Center, a sparsely used state-of-the-art maximum security state prison as the proposed site. President Barack Obama reportedly has directed the government to acquire the prison.

Thomson is a Mississippi River community of about 560 people in Carroll County about 70 miles southwest of Rockford. A spokesman for Durbin's office said the facility would house federal inmates and no more than 100 detainees, a little less than half of the 215 detainees being held in Cuba.

Jobs sought
Thomson residents and state officials, have lobbied for the Obama administration to bring the detainees to Thomson as well as the 2,000 to 3,000 jobs that would be created if the prison is made fully operational.

Split opinions
State Rep Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica, who represents Thomson, could not be reached for comment late Monday night, but he has spoken candidly about his desire for the feds to bring the detainees to Thomson.

"If we pass up this opportunity, I think we're buffoons," he said. "We have a state-of-the-art facility designed as a maximum-security prison that is the second-largest expenditure for a building in the history of the state of Illinois. It has been sitting mostly vacant for eight years.

"We have an opportunity to bring 2,000 to 3,000 good jobs to Illinois, and the prison would be doing exactly what it was intended to do. If President Barack Obama is going to do this, we are literally idiots if we don't pursue this opportunity."

U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, R-Egan, has stated otherwise:

"Gitmo is set up to house these dangerous terrorists, and they should stay there.
"We believe the Gitmo stigma would just be moved to Thomson, and they would have to rely on the small military contingent to protect the prison. Even at 100 detainees, the government officials told me that this would be the largest concentration of terrorists in the U.S."

1,600 cells mostly unused
The 625,000-square-foot Thomson Correctional Center sits on 146 acres and is a Level 1 facility with 1,600 cells for adult males.

It also has a 200-bed minimum-security unit, the only portion of the prison being used. The $140 million prison is enclosed by a 12-foot exterior fence and 15-foot interior fence, which includes a dual-sided electric stun fence.

Supermax status planned
Before the detainees are transferred, the prison's security level will be increased to supermaximum-security level, putting it on par with the federal supermax facility in Colorado, which holds al-Qaida members and other terrorists. There have been no escapes from that prison.

Closing Guantanamo is a top priority for Obama, and he signed an executive order hours into his presidency directing that the process of closing the prison begin.

Obama has said he wants terrorism suspects transferred to American soil so they can be tried for their suspected crimes.

Copyright 2009 Rockford Register Star. Some rights reserved

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 15, 2009. Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today praised the decision by the Obama Administration to proceed with the acquisition of a state of the art correctional facility in

POLITICS TALK ONLINE BLOG — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:25:44 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 15, 2009. Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today praised the decision by the Obama Administration to proceed with the acquisition of a state of the art correctional facility in Thomson, Illinois. Senator Durbin and Governor Quinn issued the following statement:

"Thomson Correctional Center - a high security prison - has been sitting empty for eight years. The Obama Administration has put forward a plan to make it the safest prison in America and we are pleased that they have made this decision. This move will have a tremendously positive impact on the local economy -- creating more than 3,000 jobs and injecting more than $1 billion into the local economy. This is an opportunity to dramatically reduce unemployment, create thousands of good-paying jobs and breathe new economic life into this part of downstate Illinois."

In a letter to Governor Quinn, sent by the U.S. Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretaries of State, Defense and Homeland Security, the federal government has signaled its intention to purchase and operate the prison. (Letter Attached)

They write: "We write to inform you that the President has directed, with our unanimous support, that the Federal Government proceed with the acquisition of the facility in Thomson. Not only will this help address the urgent overcrowding problem at our nation's Federal prisons, but it will also help achieve our goal of closing the detention center at Guantanamo in a timely, secure, and lawful manner."

The letter also addresses security concerns that have been raised about transferring Guantanamo detainees to the Thomson facility: "The security of the facility and the surrounding region is our paramount concern. The facility was built in 2001 to maximum security specifications, and after acquisition it will be enhanced to exceed perimeter security standards at the nation's only "supermax" prison in Florence, Colorado, where there has never been an escape or external attack . . . The President has no intention of releasing any detainees in the United States. Current law effectively bars the release of the Guantanamo detainees on U.S. soil, and the Federal Government has broad authority under current law to detain individuals during removal proceedings and pending the execution of final removal orders."

WE HERE AT WWW.POLITICSTALKLIVEONLINE.COM THINK THIS IS BULLSHIT. AND ALL THAT ARE NOTHING BUT THE LIBARL. SO IF YOU ARE IN ILL PLEASE THEM YOU WILL NOT VOTE FOR THEN .

PLEASE LEAVE YOU COMMENT ALL WILL PUT ON THE SITE . AND GOT BESS THE USA (NOT ALAL )

BLOG.POLITICSTALKLIVEONLINE.COM

yes we noticed

Associated Press

Thank you for contacting me about incarcerating Guantanamo detainees in Thomson, Illinois. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

Fw: Capitol Correspond Email

TWO SUBJECT LINES of which to be AWARE of please read this??????????????????????????????????????????????

ATLAS EXCLUSIVE: Obama Organizing in High School

WASHINGTON â€” Turns out Barack Obama is the bill of goods America thought it was buying.

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Obama tells Senate not to 'jam' through healthcare plan

Congratulations Senator Elect Scott Brown....the conservative steam roller keeps on rolling!!!!!!

form foxnews.com using a controversial legislative tactic known as the "nuclear option

President Obama Signs Executive Order Establishing Council of Governors

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Recently stolen e-mails suggest global warming is just a hoax. The socialist wing of the government is going to take over health care in America. The stimulus package is a socialist redistribution of wealth. Terror suspects are going to be tried in New Yo

It was as if the empty prison cells were an echo chamber: Republicans repeated the same arguments, over and over, in opposing President Barack Obama's decision to house terrorism suspects at Thomson Correctional Center.

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Guantanamo Bay detainees are coming to Illinois.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 15, 2009. Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today praised the decision by the Obama Administration to proceed with the acquisition of a state of the art correctional facility in

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