Orioles: Give Buck a Break!!!

This just in, the Orioles will finish with over 100 losses. Even if Buck Showalter could bring the team to play .500 ball during his tenure, the Orioles will lose at least 101 games. The Orioles face all teams in their division both home and away, three of which will be in contention, the other having beaten them in all head-to-head competition so far this year in September. The remaining team, Detroit, could well be in competition for either a Wild Card or their division too. August won't be easy either. He starts against the Angels, a team that has been particularly harsh on the Orioles in recent years and the team travels to California for three games beginning August 27th. They'll play at home and away against the White Sox, the first place team in the Central. They'll also host the Rangers, first place in the West. The only losing teams they face are Cleveland, away, and Seattle, at home.  If they were the New York Yankees, the remaining schedule would be a difficult challenge.

What remains will be a lot like Spring Training evaluating talent and working on establishing structure and discipline. Like Spring Training, most players will have their jobs on their line. On September 1st, players on the 40 man roster can be called up. This will be an appraisal for several players with the Tides and possibly a couple with the Bay Sox.

For what few fans are continuing to follow the team, surely there will be lots of idiotic calls to local talk show forums. They'll assume the team still can finish better than last year -- doubtful. They'll also propose all kinds of ridiculous trades and chastise Andy McPhail for not making such deals. The bottom line is, "Hello dum-dums no team is giving up top line players for our chumps or unproven entities. Welcome the the real world. Some might argue the Orioles have to lose for fear of losing the number one draft pick in 2011 to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

It will be two tough months to endure, but thinking back to 1988 when the team appeared in a similar situation, it could be fun to see a young Brady Anderson, just acquired from Boston, play tough in the outfield or a few of the young newcomers show flashes of what could lie ahead. This is not suggesting next year's team could be like the "Why not?" 1989 Orioles. There is much hard work to do.

What we won't see given the difficulty of the schedule is much that will help us see what the future could look like aside from a few brilliant individual players here and there.

Welcome to Baltimore, Mr. Showalter, hon.

A Bad Week for Straightening Out Illegal Immigration

With the Obama administration winning its initial court injunction against the people of Arizona in their attempts to deal with illegal aliens engaged in potential criminal activity to the barrage of over the top demogoguery and dishonest rhetoric directed against responsible efforts to control or report the problem, the last week of July, 2010 has been a difficult setback for those who support the rule of law. The American people have made clear where they stand.



ENOUGH ALREADY!!!

 This writer is sick and tired of the insanity surrounding illegal aliens in our country. The truth of the matter is tens of thousands of illegal aliens come into America from Mexico every year. Many come in search of jobs. Others are engaged in drug and human smuggling or to set up running guns and resources back to Mexico.

While there are illegal immigrants from elsewhere in the world, none reach the kind of numbers to cause any considerable trouble in this country unless they are here as part of a terrorist organization almost all of which are from radical Islam.

The bottom line is these people who come here not following American immigration law are here illegally. They do not belong here. Desiring the borders be enforced is not “persecution” as many “immigration advocates,” members of the media, and factions in the Democratic Party would suggest. It is not racist to seek action be taken to enforce the law. The illegal aliens are so overwhelming Mexican and the potential terrorists are radical Islamic followers. IT IS NOT RACIST to demand the law is enforced. It surely is possible for responsible law enforcement officers to determine illegal aliens from legitimate Hispanic citizens and visitors. If the United States had a similar problem with Anglo-Canadians or French-Canadians, it would be the same situation. The bottom line is there is almost no illegal entry into the United States from Canada.

This writer strongly supports legal immigration. Our country will continue to grow as people from around the world come to America to join our workforce and make us stronger. Sadly, the current process is cumbersome and lengthy even for those like Filipinos, Africans, and Koreans who seek to come to America to join professions urgently in need of staffing who face long miserable waits to get their entry documents to come here the way they are supposed to.

How many legitimate job seekers are displaced because the positions they would seek are filled with illegal workers? How many of those illegal workers are not being paid legal wages?

It is disgusting to hear illegal aliens’ advocates talk of those law breakers being persecuted. If they are in the United States illegally, they are subject to arrest and legal remedy at any time. To say their civil rights are being violated overlooks a crucial matter of law. Most legal rights are afforded to U.S. citizens.

How frequently is a sickly kind of Orwellian “new speak” used to try to warp public perception of illegal aliens in our country?

The politically correct morons, the folks who’d fall in line with the ACLU, attempt to call legitimate language racist while making up terms like “undocumented workers or residents” to identify people who are breaking the law. There’s a great observation that’s been floating around lately which says, “Calling illegal aliens undocumented workers is the same as calling drug pushers unlicensed pharmacists.” Oh, imagine how the progressive elite chattering class would deal with that observation.

Once again, we expect our politicians to take responsibility and do what they are elected to do. What a slap in the face it is to the people of Arizona for the Federal Government to so miserably fail at protecting their border then take them to court for passing a law that helps the state fill the gap. If all current laws had been routinely enforced, we would not have an immigration problem. The failure is the result of narrow minded self-serving politics – Democrats who see the illegal population as part of a future voting block, and Republicans and some Democrats who don’t want to force employers not to hire illegal workers.

Once again, the priorities are obvious.

1- First, the Federal government must enforce the border. If it requires military action using the National Guard to actively provide front line enforcement, all efforts must be used.

2- Severe and immediate penalties must be imposed on companies that hire illegal workers.

3- Any state or municipality creating sanctuary environments must be prosecuted. No benefits such as in state tuition discounts will be permitted for illegal aliens.

4- A full accounting of all illegal immigrants must be undertaken to indentify and assess all people who are living in the United States illegally. Fair standards for those who have worked here, obeyed the law, and contributed to their community will be provided a means to become “normalized” that does not put those who are seeking entry legally. Those who do not meet the criteria will be returned to their country of origin if appropriate or imprisoned if they have been proven to have committed felonious crimes.

5- The Civil Rights Commission and other appropriate agencies will conduct routine investigations to make sure citizens and those in the country legally are not being harassed or treated unfairly. Those responsible for violating those persons’ rights will be prosecuted.

6- Marijuana must be legalized. The dangers of prohibition far exceed the benefits. Doing so will  eliminate the largest volume illegal commodity from being a contributory issue on the borders creating crime and illegal entry. Laws regarding the sale and taxation of marijuana must be enacted.

7- Responsible international policies must be established working with Mexico so it can develop its economy, defeat the criminal gangs that threaten its residents, and creates mutually beneficial economic relations through fully utilizing the NAFTA treaty.

The foolishness has gone on far too long. The time for action is long overdue.

Sprint Cup 2010: Race 21 - Pocono Redux

The Sprint Cup tour returns to Pocono this weekend for the second time in 2010, the shortest time between races at tracks with more than one race, just eight weeks ago. Going into the upcoming race, drivers who have done well at Pocono plus one who has something to prove after last week take the first two rows.

Top 10 Starters:
1 - Tony Stewart #14, Chevy
2 - Juan Montoya #42, Chevy
3 - Denny Hamlin #11, Toyota
4 - Jeff Gordon #24, Chevy
5 - Ryan Newman #39, Chevy
6 - Jimmie Johnson #48, Chevy
7 - A.J. Allmendinger #43, Ford
8 - Jeff Burton #31, Chevy
9 - Jamie McMurray #1, Chevy
10 – Mark Martin #5, Chevy


Of these starters, many of them have a cozy relationship with success at the “Tricky Triangle” including Denny Hamlin who won the June race at the track owning four victories and seven top tens at the Pennsylvania track. Tony Stewart with two victories and 17 top tens finishes well. Juan Pablo Montoya should be one to watch. Sitting on the outside pole, the Columbian driver will be red hot attempting to make up for his second Brickyard race he dominated but saw slip away from him. He has three top tens in his NASCAR career.

Jeff Gordon with four wins, 16 top fives, 24 top tens and an average finish of 10.7 commands strong consistent results at the track. Ryan Newman has had decent success at the track with one win and seven top 10’s with a reliable average finish just outside the top 10. Meanwhile, another driver looking to turnaround after disaster at Indy, Jimmie Johnson who is gearing up to defend his Championship in the upcoming chase has two wins and a stellar 9.5 average finish in the Honeymoon Hills. For A.J. Allmendinger, he has a good starting position to prove himself in Pennsylvania. So far, his career average has him out of the top 20 with just one top 10. Allmendinger is the top Ford in the starting lineup. RCR’s top representative, Jeff Burton has seven top 5’s over his long career but a lackluster average finish of 16.2. For Jamie McMurray, momentum from last week will be his best hope as Pocono has not been kind to him. Rounding out the top ten, Mark Martin is just on the outside looking in to be a Chase candidate. Though he has never won at Pocono, he has placed in the top five 19 times and top ten 32 times. His 11.1 average finish demonstrates this track has generally helped him in the points standings, help he badly needs right now.

Focusing on making the chase, Martin, Newman, and McMurray are drivers outside the top 12 looking for success to move them into the top 12. Of the other three drivers with a chance to move into the field, Dale Earnhardt, 93 points off the pace starts in 20th not a good position at a track that is difficult for drivers to advance. Kasey Kahne whose many DNF’s has ruined his season, starts 16th. David Reutimann’s long shot at the chase should not be helped with but a 24th starting position.

The good news for the bad side of the bubble guys is that a number of drivers in the top 12 are nowhere to be found in the starting lineup.

Clint Bowyer, currently in the hot #12 position starts in a horrible 40th position tangled up in the clutter of start and park failures. At least he can gain up to five positions as the quitters quit. Greg Biffle who helped his situation nicely with his finish at Indy in 11th place is the second strongest Ford ride in 12th. 10th place driver, Carl Edwards managed only a 25th starting position. He’ll have to take care of his car and pit intelligently to move in the direction of a good top ten finish.

Once again, Ford simply is not getting good qualifying results despite the new F-9 engine. Aside from Allmendinger and Biffle, only Kahne, 16th and Ragan, 20th are in the top 20.

The start and park situation continues to develop a fouler odor as the heat of summer gets hotter. Depending on whether Regan Smith in the #78 Furniture Row Chevy with help from Childress races, there could be seven or eight clutter and quit cretins taking up space. Once again, the #26 Ford driven by David Stremme with Air National Guard sponsorship packs up and goes home not qualifying for the race. That operation needs urgent attention if they are to survive and considering crew chief, Tim Stoddard’s success and Roush Fenway support, they must do better. Max Papis is a would-be quitter who has not made the field despite GEICO sponsorship.
Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman are carrying lighter wallets having been fined by NASCAR for making what the brass considered inappropriate comments about the sport. Hamlin suggested that a caution flag for debris was a deliberate caution, a comment that does not play well especially given the conspiracy theorists in the gossip mill who continuously make such claims.

Buck Showalter, Orioles Manager

The Baltimore Orioles hired the best man available, Buck Showalter, to become manager of the team beginning Tuesday, August 3. He will be formally introduced at the Orioles warehouse headquarters on Monday. In discussing the beginning of his managerial search, team President Andy McPhail indicated the criteria for hiring a manager is finding the right person to fit a team’s needs. Some might have felt the Orioles’ situation so desperate any high profile candidate would be an improvement, but the case for the Orioles made Showalter especially appealing.

The Orioles have not hired a manager with major league experience since hiring Mike Hargrove in 2000. Mike Hargrove was tremendously successful in the 1990’s as the Cleveland Indians developed into a winning team playing in two World Series. Hargrove’s tenure would show him a miserable failure serving from 2000-2004 having the misfortune to manage the team while the team was in a front office and organizational free fall as a revolving door of General Managers wound up with Syd Thrift in change, a baseball executive who time had clearly passed by, who was inept and careless not even checking to find out a player he traded for was severely injured. His replacement, Lee Mazzilli, a great player and Yankee’s couch was utterly unprepared for managing and doing so under such circumstances present in Baltimore making his tenure brief brought to an abrupt end when Raphael Palmeiro was drummed out of baseball for steroid use after he had insisted testifying before Congress he was clean.

Third base coach, Sam Perlozzo was promoted as the mid-season replacement. Perlozzo was a well-seasoned baseball man with substantial coaching experience, but he was put in the position of being skipper on the Titanic. After serving the entire 2006 season, the team had tuned him out. By the end of June, the team was falling like a meteor from the sky leaving with a 29-40 record.

At that point, the Orioles appeared to have hit rock bottom, the team was now in the hands of former Orioles left-handed ace, Mike Flanagan and Jim Duquette who hired a well-travelled minor league coach and manager, Dave Trembley, as interim manager and then as full-time skipper for the 2008 season. Days after Trembley’s hiring, Andy McPhail was hired as President of Baseball operations. Many expected Trembley’s termination after the 2009 season when the Orioles came dangerously close to losing 100 games were it not for sweeping the last series of the season. Trembley was retained but in announcing the move, President McPhail stated clearly that they had now reached the point in the rebuilding process that winning would be expected and improvement demanded.

This season could not have started much more horribly except for those who remember 1988. On April 24th, the Orioles stood at 2-16, their season already well on the road to ruins. Trembley’s demise was expected at any time after that but not until the team’s frustration reached a mark of 15-39 on June 3rd, Trembley was out, replaced by 3rd base coach, Juan Samuel, on an interim basis. While Samuel attempted to inject enthusiasm and went after players who did not play with acceptable intensity, a streak of 2-11 after the All-Star break made the big move essential. With a record of 16-31, Showalter’s hiring was finally concluded.

Showalter was originally a product of the Yankees’ organization. As a first baseman, there was little room for him on the major league roster during the reign of Don Mattingly, but he capably transitioned to coaching. He got his first managing job in 1985 with the single-A Oneonta Yankees. In 1989 leading the double-A Albany-Colonie Yankees, Showalter was named Minor League Manager of the Year. The following year, he joined the major league coaching staff and became Yankees manager after the dismissal of Stump Merrill after four losing seasons to take the helm for the 1992 season. While only realizing a slight improvement (76-86) that season, Showalter guided the Yankees to their first winning season in 1993, a second place finish. The Yankees were in 1st place when the 1994 baseball strike began. He was named Manager of the Year for the strike shortened season. Showalter managed the 1995 All-Star game and took the Yankees to post season for the first time since 1981 winning the Wild Card berth.

Conflicts with Yankee owner, George Steinbrenner, led to Showalter’s departure. The Yankees won the World Series the following year. Upon announcement of an expansion team, the Diamondbacks, being awarded to Phoenix, Arizona, he was hired in 1996 to help build the team and serve as its first manager. The Diamondbacks won 100 games in their second year, unprecedented for an expansion team. After a lackluster 2000 season, Showalter was dismissed. The Diamondbacks won the World Series over the New York Yankees the following season.

Buck Showalter would return to managing in 2003 taking on a last place team having committed to a multiyear pace setting contract with Alex Rodriguez. After trading the superstar to the Yankees, the Rangers made huge strides in 2004. Again, Showalter was named American League Manager of the Year. After a front office shakeup, moves to reduce salary, and a mediocre 80-82 season in 2006, Showalter was dismissed as has since worked for ESPN as an analyst.

In establishing the right fit, McPhail had to be impressed that as a former Yankee skipper, Buck Showalter knows what it’s like to step right into a pressure cooker. The Yankees were a rebuilding team with emerging young talent. His experience at Arizona showed his ability to help assemble a winning team quickly. In an organization in transition, when he had his full complement of players in Texas he was most successful.

The only well-experienced managers readily available besides Showalter were Bobby Valentine and Eric Wedge. Valentine’s resume is substantial, but he scoffed about the futility of the Orioles’ post on ESPN clearly not interested. Wedge served seven years with the Cleveland Indians helping them obtain modest success including a division title in 2007. He had three winning seasons and four losing seasons. Of the experienced managers, Buck Showalter was by far the best candidate.

The other major candidate, at least in Baltimore fans’ eyes, was former Orioles’ catcher, Rick Dempsey, who enthusiastically courted the job and was a tremendous fan favorite for the job. Dempsey is an exceptionally knowledgeable baseball man who has had successful minor league managing experience. He was Most Valuable Player in the 1983 World Series, the last time the Orioles won a championship. In 1994, Dempsey managed the AAA Dodgers affiliate to the PCL championship with the Albuquerque Dukes. He managed the Norfolk Tides, then the New York Mets triple-A team in 1997-1998.

While Rick Dempsey has tremendous appeal for the job, the consequences of failure taking on the top job of a team headed for its 13th straight losing season are overwhelming. The hit the organization would take having a person as popular as Dempsey failing could alienated the Orioles’ diminishing fan base even further.

While success is never guaranteed, and much hard work is ahead, Buck Showalter has the proper resume for the job. His involvement in personnel and organizational issues when building the Diamondbacks provide valuable skills and insights as the Baltimore franchise attempts to become a winning operation into the future.

Showalter will have to size up what he has to work with in short order and work with Andy McPhail on personnel matters to upgrade the team for 2011. Surely, there will be major changes ahead in the coaching staff as well. The Orioles cannot afford to be attached to any players or coaches on board now. While players such as Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis would be seen as the hub of the team, if their departure can address the needs for the team’s growth, even they could depart. There is no coach who is irreplaceable. The Orioles poor performance through Terry Crowley’s reign has undeservingly tarnished his reputation.

The Orioles have now rolled the dice. Next year at this time, many returns will be expected though fans must realize there is no quick fix. This project will take time and the Orioles will most likely be a losing operation again in 2011.

The Dirty Road Ahead

Penny Lee, a former consultant for Majority Leader, Harry Reid, presents herself as a smirkish, lying bitch. Is this how low the Democratic Party will go in sending out its talking heads to engage the media?

Lee is a fashionable blonde who engages the camera with big bright blue eyes and a glaring, sarcastic grin. Surely, there must be some calculation that a woman some would see as attractive and sexy is going to be especially effective lying through her huge white teeth.

In an interview with Juan Williams, a respected liberal journalist, she argued that the Republican Party and the Tea Party have become one and the same. The Tea Party is an extremist group. The Republicans favor privatizing social security and eliminating Medicare. Despite Williams’ questions to nail down specifics or pointing out the contradictions, Ms. Lee would not diverge in the slightest from her talking points. The idea must be constant repetition of nonsense will stick in the viewer’s mind better than insightful questions that rip her contentions apart.

Once again, the Democrats assume the public is stupid and easily swayed. Miss Lee is all style and no substance exhibiting less ability to think on her feet than even Sarah Palin does. What core is left is pure dishonesty that the slightest investigation would quickly refute.

Having watched Howard Dean explicitly lie about the Sharrod case on Sunday, several days after the episode hit the news media continued to insist that Fox News was responsible for helping to break the distorted, edited video of Ms. Sharrod’s commentary on race. In fact, the first mention of the episode on Fox was not until the “O’Reilly Factor” after the Obama administration had already fired her. By that time, the story was in the media mainstream. Fox reporters and anchors were ordered by their news director not to rush this story to broadcast wanting to be sure all due diligence was exercised in what could be a touchy situation. Nevertheless, on Fox News Sunday, Dean not only angrily tried to assert the lie once again, but after looking totally dumbfounded after host, Chris Wallace, articulated what actually happened, Dean attempted to repeat the lie before his segment ended.

Between these two episodes, a major component of the Democratic Party’s strategy is revealed. Their goal is to first, discredit Fox News, since it is the only major news source that regularly provides the Republican candidates a chance to articulate their issues and respond to their critics. Their technique to discredit Fox is the same tactic used to destroy their Republican opponents. They will make assertions with no other intent in mind that to disrupt their opponents by forcing them on the defensive having to refute the Democrat’s outrageous claims and reassert their positions. That their accusations are bold faced lies are of no consequence as long as they serve their strategic purpose of disrupting the Republicans from forwarding their campaign issues. In the radical world, truth and honor have no transcendent value. They seek to maintain and grow their power base. Given this is their end, any means that accomplishes that end is justifiable. The ends justify the means for Sol Alinsky followers. While facts are irrelevant, what their claims must do is be emotionally inflammatory and frightening. Doing so supports the faithful members of their political base, often folks who see themselves as victims the Democrat’s programs, entitlements, and earmarks are designed to address.

Republicans, independents, and all those who believe the truth matters must not let these bold faced lies, personal attacks, and vicious accusations go unchallenged. Mature, honest people must unite to throw these scoundrels out of office. This is no time for complacency or indifference.

The White House Press Corps and "The Seat"

With the long overdue departure of the brazened bitch, Helen Thomas, from the White House Press Room, it appears there is a little turf battle going on in that elite fraternity who will get that seat of honor. Bloomberg News and Fox apparently have designs on that seat, but while they duke it out for which agency is most deserving NPR (National Public Radio) has thrown its hat in the ring. Ultimately, the decision rests with the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA).


It is our hope that the WHCA would award the coveted seat on the basis of merit or some deciding factor like the first in line should be the most senior (longest serving) member of the White House Press operation and not be decided by who cries the loudest or can generate the most political pressure.

Naturally, the simple suggestion that Fox News could even be in the running has some leftists absolutely apoplectic. Naturally, our favorite left wing punching bag, Credo-Action (they’re so insanely naïve, misinformed, and often just plain not getting what little facts they attempt to cite correct – witness recent attempt to blame Sharrod mess on Fox), have weighed in. Did we ever mention that Credo sells cell phone service and credit cards? Their business is to raise money for all  the big left wing causes. Yes, they are headquarted in San Francisco, surprise, surprise!!! Those pathetic ideologues urge their left wing lemmings to support the following petition:

"FOX News is a right-wing propaganda operation, not a legitimate news organization. Award the seat vacated by Helen Thomas to NPR, which has provided public interest coverage of the presidency and the White House for almost four decades."

That Fox News covers stories and presents issues that the committed left would like to keep the public from knowing and that their members do not show up as involved with such things as the conspiratorial Journa-List, makes them a pariah to those who believe the media’s job is to create the popular mythology serving as dedicated troubadours singing the tune of their ideology. Further, White House correspondents, Major Garrett and Wendell Goler, are long time DC professionals having worked for other major news agencies prior to being courted by Fox.

It’s obvious that the intent of some of the ideologically-bound members of the left, does not believe news is a matter of reporting what happened but rather telling compelling stories that support their causes.

It is our hope that the WHPA would pick the most meritorious reporter to sit in “the chair” and that selection process should be open and consistent. While seniority would make sense in many circles, surely a fringe “reporter” like Baltimore talk show host Les Kinsolving should not qualify. We would think the criteria would be major broadcast outlets, print media, and radio. There are plenty of fair ways to make the determination.

Surely a petition from a bunch of whacked-out leftists who like playing childish “follow the leader” games responding to moronic agenda driven petition drives should be treated with the same degree of ridicule and contempt we are showing. As quoted above, their petition statement is a bold-faced lie and they’re not clever enough to lie and get away with it convincingly the way some of the politicians they support are.

We would have no objection to NPR getting the nod even if we disagree with some of their editorial policies as long as their selection was made in a fair, clearly understood manner.

Another 100 Days: The BP Catastrophe

One hundred days ago, an oil rig operated by BP (British Petroleum) sprung a leak and exploded. For weeks, tens of thousands of gallons of crude oil gushed into the Gulf of Mexico fouling beaches, destroying habitats, shutting down businesses from fisheries to tourist attractions. What is clear to the public which eluded the Obama administration, citizens and businesses saw clearly, an environmental catastrophe of historic proportions was spreading out of control. Equally obvious was the how clear it was that the response from BP and the Federal Government was dreadfully insufficient, lacking urgency, priorities, and organization.

Barack Obama and his top officials appeared tangled up in webs of bureaucracy blind and insensitive to the realities along the coast. The President showed more concerned with policy and finding targets to direct blame often to obfuscate attention from his inadequacies. BP, particularly its chief executive, Tony Heyward, proved to be the absolute worst example of an irresponsible, unresponsive, self-serving corporation. The world will not soon forget Hayward's comments about how the amount of oil leaking was so small compared to the vastness of the Gulf of Mexico or how he wanted the problem resolved so he could "get his life back."  It didn't help matters to see how often the President was playing golf, engaged in lavish entertainment events such as a White House serenade from Sir Paul McCartney while the BP Chief was shown engaged in a prestigious yachting event.

The bottom line is between Obama's conspicuous incompetence and hubris and BP's corruption, the job has never been done effectively in a time effective manner. Some attempts looked like nothing more than desperate trial and error. Meanwhile the oil kept gushing, the oil's damage to sea and shore worsened, and lives were ruined. Local leaders, particularly Governor Bobby Jindell of Louisiana and Haley Barbour of Mississippi, worked decisively to get results despite being caught in the crossfire of the Federal Government Bureaucrats and Corporate Stooges.

We are told most of the oil flow was disrupted when a cap over the well shaft was installed. No visible emissions are apparent at that location. We are also being assured that the construction of a relief well that will completely shut down the distressed facility is progressing and should be accomplished within the next couple weeks.

While this news is welcome, it's only a fraction of what needs to be done. The disaster recovery will last for years with some damage that might be considered permanent. The extent to which this disaster has disrupted the region's ecology could take months to assess. Meanwhile, how are the marsh lands to be revitalized. What will happen with contaminated fisheries and spawning grounds? Restoring nice sandy beaches will be the easiest and most visible fix, but we cannot allow such photos to disguise far deeper and more serious problems.

As the visible damage wanes, when there are no longer pictures of a well gushing and bubbling oil and aerial shots of huge pools of oil on the Gulf of Mexico's surface, the coverage becomes less dramatic and hence less urgent for the news media to continue to cover. In the weeks ahead, the problem will be largely out of sight and hence out of mind.  We cannot let this happen. The effort must continue until the damage is fixed. Likewise, every BP official, every involved subcontractor who overlooked safety requirements must be held responsible and prosecuted. The tales of shortcuts taken and and procedures not being followed are damnable. Additionally, the extent to which the Obama administration dropped the ball in its response must be fully exposed, naming names, and those who have not discharged their jobs responsibly will be held accountable. Likewise, here is a prime example which proves Barack Obama is incapable of providing the kind of leadership to deal with real problems in real time. The ideological or policy response means nothing.

We are not approaching the end or a time of celebration. The first one hundred days are only the beginning.

Judge Rules Anti-Gay Religious Beliefs No Excuse

Welcome to the 21st century. A Christian graduate student at Eastern Michigan University refused to counsel homosexuals on the grounds of her religion and belief that homosexuality is morally wrong. She sued the university claiming her first amendment rights on freedom of religion were being violated. Despite the support of the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative legal group, US District Court Judge George Caram Steeh dismissed the lawsuit.


The college argued in favor of her expulsion that her conduct violated the American Association’s “Code of Ethics” and school policies. Conversely, David Frech, senior counsel for the ADF contended, “Christian students shouldn’t be expelled for holding to and abiding by their beliefs. To reach its decision, the court had to do something that’s never been done in federal court, uphold an extremely broad and vague university speech code.”

Judge Steeh clarified his ruling stating: ““Furthermore, the university had a rational basis for requiring students to counsel clients without imposing their personal values… In the case of Ms. Ward, the university determined that she would never change her behavior and would consistently refuse to counsel clients on matters with which she was personally opposed due to her religious beliefs – including homosexual relationships.”

The claims of Ms. Ward’s freedom of speech being violated are bogus. She is free to state her conscious and practice her religion. However, when the requirements of a job or academic requirement necessitates as part of its fulfillment, performing specific tasks the organization is professionally expected to deliver, it is unacceptable for students or employees to pick and choose what parts of their assigned duties they will or will not perform particularly if the institution is a state agency or is involved in providing for the public health.

If the requirements of a job or program require certain specific behaviors, one applying to join cannot pick and choose what parts of the assignment he or she will or will not do. The job requirements should be clearly defined and upon accepting admittance or employment, the candidate must understand it is that person’s responsibility to execute those tasks the candidate is assigned.

State agencies serve all citizens regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual preference. The same holds true for the public practice of medicine and psychology. There have been cases in the past, for instance, where pharmacists have refused to fill patients’ prescriptions such as birth control pills or Viagra because they claim doing so forces them to violate their religious beliefs. For such pharmacists to refuse to provide that which a doctor has determined proper treatment for a patient simply is not a domain where a pharmacist’s judgment or values may interfere unless obvious cases if for instance a prescribed drug would have negative interactions with another drug the patient is using.

The logic behind the law suit against the University of Michigan would be compatible with situations like a Muslim refusing to teach Christian or Jewish students because they are infidels. Or grocery store clerks refusing to ring up sales for meat products because their new age spirituality indicates they should be vegetarians. There have already been cases of Islamic grocery clerks refusing to handle bacon since pork is forbidden by Sharia law.

The message to folks who don’t like situations like that of Ms. Ward, the pharmacist who refuses to fill birth control prescriptions, or Muslim who refuses to handle pork products, if those things are part of their job or school training and they cannot bring themselves to put their feelings aside for the sake of professionalism, they should seek other employment.

The first amendment freedom of religion states “Congress shall make no law regarding the establishment of religion or the free expression thereof…” is not carte blanche for one to use religious beliefs as grounds to not do what is required of them professionally. No one is forced to do a particular job. In one’s private and social life, one is free to do a lot of things that are not acceptable on the job. How many jobs would allow a person to wear a tank top and baggy shorts to the office?

Homosexuality might be the last frontier of civil rights and some issues are still being debated such as same-sex marriages when marriage sanctifies the special relationship between a man and woman as the foundation of the family and assurance of two parents being responsible partners in procreation. While that issue remains unresolved, it is clear what a person does in his private life is nobody’s business but his own. The sexual preferences and desires of two consenting adults is nobody’s business except for those of the participants.

While there are passages within the Bible which would appear to condemn homosexuality, for the whole history of Christianity, Christian societies have found it appropriate to define certain aspects of scripture as they see fit. Additionally, the Bible is the product of reporting events that happened over 2000 years ago when so much of human knowledge about the workings of the laws of chemistry, physic, and biology were not known. The Bible has historically been used as justification to subjugate women and support racism. Those notions are rejected today. Regardless of where one stands on homosexuality, how many Christians today would support the bigotry and intolerance of the Westboro Baptist Church?

In the real world, all people are faced with challenges reconciling their faith with day-to-day demands of the material world. If one’s understanding of his or her faith is not consistent with the requirements of a desired profession, it is that individual’s responsibility to find a vocation which can be practiced without threatening one’s faith. Since issues like Ms. Ward’s are not a problem for most people, maybe she needs to reevaluate her faith and perhaps look at her beliefs from a broader prism.

Obama Snubs Boy Scouts in Favor of the New York Media Glare-- Scouts 100th Anniversary

How far has Barack Obama turned our culture upside down? What could be more all-American and Presidential than addressing the Boy Scouts of America’s Jamboree or showing up as a guest on a catty television talk show for women?

The Jamboree is the biggest event in scouting held once about every four years. This year, the scouts will celebrate their adventures at Fort A.P. Hill in nearby Virginia. The catty talk show is “The View” where aside from Elizabeth Hasselbeck, the hostesses will be fawning all over him. The Scouts invited the President to be their keynote speaker. Naturally, the White House did not say its decision for the President to appear on "The View" was the reason but rather a fund-raiser.

The decision to appear on “The View” speaks for itself. The excuse, a fund raiser, shouts even larger as Obama is clearly the most crass political President the country has ever known. His shunning the Scouts also helps reenforce his reputation for having contempt for essential American patriotic institutions and rituals.

More details:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/07/27/obama-missing-historic-boy-scout-jamboree-fundraisers-view-taping/

Some thoughts on why Scouts matter… (Surely, there are some principles Barack Obama would have real trouble obeying!)

Scout Oath
On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country;
To obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Scout Motto: Be prepared.

Scout Slogan: Do a good turn daily.

Now if only the Boy Scouts would get with the 21st century and ban discrimination against homosexuals.

Orioles Hit Dreadful Milestone

After another miserable loss to Toronto, a divisional foe they have not beaten yet this year, they stand at 31-69. If by some miracle, they could play 500 ball for the rest of the year, they would lose exactly 100 games. The next milestone comes in a couple weeks when they hit their 82nd loss assuring them of yet another losing season. The beating goes on.

Sprint Cup 2010: Race 21 -- Sizing up the Chase for the Chase

The Sprint Cup field will be determined after the next six races. After the Brickyard 400, barring a dreadful collapse, four drivers appear to be sure bets to make the field. They are 1-5 in the points standing, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, and Kurt Busch. Kyle Busch and Jeff Burton have more than a one race margin. Busch is 184 ahead of the break point while Jeff Burton holds a 169 point advantage.

The following drivers are in the top 12 with their points margin in parenthesis next to their names.

8 – Matt Kenseth (127)

9 – Tony Stewart (98)

10 – Carl Edwards (50)

11 – Greg Biffle (16)

12 – Clint Bowyer (0)

Five drivers are within 161 points, one race differential, of 12th place.

13 – Mark Martin (-62)

14 – Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (-93)

15 – Ryan Newman (-147)

16 – Jamie McMurray (-151)

17 – Kasey Kahne (-156)

David Reutimann (-177) and Joey Logano (-205) are long shots who would need to absolutely dominate the field and receive some good old racing luck to make their way in.

Intangibles to be considered, of all the drivers shown above, none of the drivers between 8th and 12th have a single victory. Among the contenders attempting to get in, Ryan Newman has one victory and of course, Jamie McMurray has two dramatic victories, the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400. Ford drivers do not have a single win though Kasey Kahne has five top 5’s while Kenseth has four. Kahne has been involved in many destructive accidents. Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, and Clint Bowyer have consistency on their sides with Stewart having ten top tens while Biffle and Bowyer have eleven.

The “big one” in the closing laps of the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona forced miserable finishes on several contenders. With this in mind, with just two races since, it is difficult to pick a team with momentum except points leader Kevin Harvick.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans have to face up to the #88 team simply has not developed any consistency this year. With two top fives and six top tens, there are far too many finishes buried deep in the standings and an inability to stack good finishes together. Winning cures many ills, as the cliché goes, but the team still seems prone to costly mistakes. The same can be said in various degrees with the other teams though for many of them being in the thick of the field where accidents happen might be a greater factor.

Handicapping this field as Richmond approaches in September is a daunting task. Drivers in the top 12 on the bubble who look best prepared to make “The Chase” are #14 Tony Stewart and #33 Clint Bowyer. Until Ford proves itself, Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle, who would otherwise look hopeful, must still be considered tenuous.

Two “blender” races that are notorious for stirring up the standings are ahead with the road race at Watkins Glen after their second visit to Pocono and then Bristol at the end of August.

These are not the only drivers who must strive for ultimate results in the next six races. Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson both have five wins. Kevin Harvick, Kurt and Kyle Busch have two victories. None of the other top 12 drivers have a single win. Given the points reward given drivers for victories when “The Chase Field” is determined, Johnson and Hamlin have an attractive advantage.

As the edict from above has been in 2010, “Let’s have at it boys!”

Happy Birthday, Mick!

Sir Michael Philip Jagger of Dartford-Kent, England celebrates his 67th birthday born on July 26, 1943.

The recent re-release of the Rolling Stones' biggest, baddest album, Exile on Main Street, helped the world remember just how powerful the Rolling Stones' music could be. They didn't do rock operas. They didn't try to import exotic instruments. They rocked -- and probably will continue to do so. Their music rose up out of Blues and R&B with a hardy dose of Country.

When the Beatles sang "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "I'm Happy Just to Dance with You," the Rolling Stones had different intentions as noted by the title of a Muddy Waters' song that was a staple in their early song lineup, "I Just Want to Make Love to You."

While newer Stones albums don't cover new ground, there's not a Stones album out there that doesn't have at least a handful of great rockers that would knock the socks off of most bands at their best. There is no greater entertainment specticle than a Rolling Stones concert.

Who would have imagined when the Rolling Stones were peforming haunting numbers like "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Gimme Shelter" they'd still be a staple on rock radio well past 40 years later.

Somehow to say Mick Jagger has aged gracefully might miss the point. His last media event was appearing with his pal, Bill Clinton at the World Soccer Tournament in South Africa.

Tony Hayward: So Long Chump!

BP CEO, Tony Hayward is expected to leave office perhaps later today. Few have represented their interests more arrogantly and poorly than the disgraced oil exec. Well, he can get his life back now and will surely be served a fine parachute. His life will be lush and cozy while the suffering will continue along the Gulf of Mexico for years to come.

The buck stops at the top is simply reality; however, there is no doubt a corporate culture that runs much deeper. As if the Gulf platform catastrophe was not bad enough, now there are strong indications BP pulled strings with the Scotish government to get a convicted terrorist, the mastermind behind the Locherbie airline explosion in 1989, released to Libya so BP could get a favorable oil deal with that radical Islamic nation. BP got the deal. The prisoner was released. The governments of Great Britain and Scotland have some serious investigations ahead and more figures may be in deep trouble.

The firing of a corporate weasel is but a small burnt offering in the big scheme of things. BP is a disgraced company that must rebuild from the bottom up to become an ethical, proper company. Sadly, thousands of good people work for BP. Private gas station owners, for instance, are caught in the crossfire. BP must pay its price for everything they damaged. However, we must put this scandal in context. No matter what, there will be hell to pay.

2010 Season - Stick a Fork in It -- For Baltimore Baseball -- It's Done

More than a new look needed...

The Orioles are 2-8 since the All-Star Break. Deja Vu?  They were 2-11 to start the season. At their current pace, they'll finish at 51-111. How embarrassing can it get?

No more MASN, no more Orioles. Okay, Brian Roberts is back, that's good. Matt Wieters just got the call. Jake Arrieta is the only young player developed through the system who hasn't became overwhelmed. Chris Tilman and Norm Reimold are in Norfolk. Brad Bergesen and Brian Matusz are floundering seldom showing the promise that looked so apparent a year ago. Of the young Orioles, Adam Jones, appeared closest to being a break through player having represented the team in the 2009 All-Star game and showed tremendous improvement from early May to the All-Star break despite a horrendous start. His batting average for the season is .272 with 15 homers, but since July 11 is only batting .222. Since returning from a long stay on the disabled list, Felix Pie is only batting .237 in his last ten games.

The Orioles only have reliever, Jim Johnson, and outfielder, Lou Montenez on the disabled list. What we see is what we get. 

The horrible reality is with just a few prospects that haven't surfaced on the major league roster yet, the team on the field today with a few possibilities in Norfolk, are the team of the future the big rebuilding plan gave us. Unlike prospects in the past aside from Brian Roberts, Nick Markakis and Erik Beddard who the Orioles under previous leadership hyped as marvels only to fizzle out often before ever reaching Baltimore, the Orioles now have talent that baseball observers felt deserved high ratings seeing strong major league potential. Matt Wieters, for instance, was compared to Twins switch hitting catcher, Joe Mauer. This cadre of players appeared to be well-prepared through the minors further validating their potential, but when they arrive at Baltimore, they show flashes of what they can do early on and then fall back. Sure, players don't continue to progress upward at a steady pace. There are setbacks and slumps, but in the young Orioles' situation, they start to look overwhelmed and lose their grip on the fundamentals, the basic discipline they mastered all the way up to the majors.

It seems like talk of winning is like talking of fighting a war on terror in the current White House. Listen to the better teams talk or the Washington Nationals and hear, "win, win, win, won, winning."  Listen to the Orioles and hear, "Well........" 

The final game against the Twins was the last official home game played at Orioles Park for the 2010 season. Whatever happens there between now and the first weekend in October will hardly be a rumor. All eyes now turn to birds of a different color, opening camp at McDaniel College, about a 40 mile drive to the northwest of town. The Ravens look like a good bet to advance in the playoffs this year. They win. They talk winning. New players arrive, taste the winning culture, and join right in. Imagine one of the young Orioles mentioned catching on like Ray Rice. The Ravens were destitute when they arrived in Baltimore in 2006. After three losing seasons, in 1999 they had one of the most feared defenses in the game. The next year, they won it all. This is the third year of Andy McPhail's attempt to rebuild the Orioles. We should expect .500 ball next year, but that doesn't look likely now. 2012 should have been the year to become a contender -- that's so far away right now it's hard to imagine.

The honest truth right now is that the Orioles are the worst team in baseball. That's what the standings say. Any claim to the contrary would involve tremendous speculation. How does a team such as that command TV viewers?  Why would a local sports fan want to talk about the Orioles with the Ravens now getting ready to go?

They are over the border in Canada poised to play the Blue Jays. They are 0-9 against Toronto so far. They finish the month and begin August against Kansas City.  The Angels, White Sox, Mariners, and Rangers come to Baltimore while the Birds travel to Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The Mariners are miserable, right?  Not playing the O's. They're 4-2. Cleveland is struggling but 2-1 against Baltimore. The ingenious schedule has the Orioles playing the Royals but six games, two at home where they've split. The Orioles have not played the Angels or White Sox yet. Both teams are in contention and the Angels have clobbered the Orioles in recent years.

In September, the Ravens season starts for real. The Orioles sure would like to finish on a positive and not completely collapse in September. In September, they face the four teams in their division at home and away and also the Detroit Tigers. All of those teams spare the Blue Jays should be in contention, but as reported, the Orioles haven't won against Toronto yet.

When a team is playing as poorly as the Orioles, it would be hard to describe anything that might happen as a collapse but what will be hard to take would be flirting with records for the worst team ever in the modern era rivalling the 1962 Mets and 2003 Tigers. Perhaps that's the one goal they can set, not to be in that group.  It will take playing better ball than they've shown so fr to even equal their horrible record of 1988 when they lost 108 games.

We wish the young men in black and orange well and hope much future success. Let's close the book and get ready for the Ravens. Is there anything that could possibly happen between now and October 3rd that would prevent 2010 from being the worst performance in team history and one of the worst seasons in American League history?

100 Days -- America's Future at Stake

100 days from now will be the first Tuesday of November, election day. Most Americans will stay home.  For those who disapprove of the direction America is heading, this is unacceptable. Never in our nation's history has the nation had a more dangerous administration in power in the White House. While we cannot punish the wicked, corrupt, divisive, socialist adminstration of Barack Obama itself, we can render them helpless by ousting their enablers in the House and Senate. Every American who stands against higher taxes, growing government, a decline of individual liberties, government taking over the economy through taking over businesses or taxing and regulating them to death, and turning loose such vile forces of hatred, racism, and division must work to reverse the Democratic party's hold on the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Make no mistake about it, when a person votes for a senator or congressman, that is not so much a vote for the person's name on the ballot, it is a vote on whether those institutions will continue to be run by the corrupt and hateful demogogues, Nancy Pelosi, one of the most disgusting excuses for an elected official in the nation's history, and Harry Reid who if all goes right will not even retain his Senate seat, but be assured the Democratic party and its enablers will run one of the dirtiest, most dishonest campaigns in the history of American elections in Nevada to keep him in office.

Do not let cynics and doomsayers distort the picture.  People like Glenn Beck couldn't be more wrong when they attempt to say the Republicans and Democrats are pretty much the same. Republicans would not take over the nation's medical system. Republicans would not appoint Supreme Court justices who have little regard for the structure of the Constitution and she the courts as an agent of social change. Republicans would not give organized labor a blank check to get whatever it wants. Republicans would not raise taxes through ridiculous environmental policies like "cap and trade." Republicans would continue a "war on terror," a term the Obama administration can bring itself to say. Republicans would not suck up to radical Islam.

Republicans do need to work on being more aggressive on securing the border and realistic about immigration policy. They do have some work to do to make a broader cross-section of the population recognize that they are the party that has thier interests at heart.

Voters must realize that voting isn't always as much voting for someone as it is voting against a candidate who is hurting our country.  Elect Democratic officials and the body count adds up to keeping Pelosi and Reid in power and thus Barack Obama can continue to systematically destroy our sacred institutions as he "transforms" (as in radicalizes) America.

This is no time to rest.  What we do as voters in the next three elections will be profoundly important. Will we vote to keep the United States the preeminent society in the world or become a huge bureaucratic mess with what would appear to be a government more left wing and corrupt than the European socialists. What could symbolize this better than the Obama administration's decision to abandon manned space flight?  Don't think the ripples of that insane decision won't have serious consequences on many levels.

In the next 100 days, each one of us must support our friends and neighbors raising the issues and encouraging them to join in the effort to preserve the kind of America we are proud of. The Obama administration must be destroyed.  This is more than winning an election. It is destroying a wicked and corrupt enemy.  The enemy with in can be more dangerous than the external threat. The war is on.

Sprint Cup 2010: Race 20 - Brickyard Update

Juan Pablo Montoya sits on the poll for the 2010 Brickyard 400 anxious to not only make up for last year's foul up, speeding on pit road late in the race which cost him the race, but also to be the first driver to have won the Indy 500, the F1 Grand Prix, and NASCAR's race. Chevrolet dominates the starting line up securing first six positions and nine out of ten of the top spots. The silver lining for Ford is Greg Biffle starts seventh when the Roush/Fenway operation has been shut out of the top ten for most of the season. Matt Kenseth starts 13th, A.J. Allmendinger -- 16th, and Carl Edwards -- 20th. The rest of the Petty stable is bunched up with Kasey Kahne 24th, Paul Menard, 26th, and Elliott Sadler 27th. The final Roush/Fenway comes next with David Ragan in 28th. Bill Elliott racing for the "legendary" Wood Brothers, normally qualifying well in the Ford pack languishes in 31st. 

Top 10 Starters

1-  Juan Montoya

2-  Jimmie Johnson
3-  Mark Martin
4-  Jaime McMurray
5-  Ryan Newman
6-  Clint Bowyer
7-  Greg Biffle
8-  Jeff Gordon
9-  Kevin Harvick
10- Jeff Burton

Brad Keselowski is the top Dodge in 11th. While Marin Truex, Jr. check in at 12th as the top Toyota.  David Gilliland - Ford #38, and David Stremme - Ford #26 did not qualify with full sponsorship to complete the race. J.J. Yeley, #46 Dodge did not run a lap. Casey Mears, Chevy #36 for Tommy Baldwin also did not make the field.

IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST THREE PROBABLY FIVE ENTRIES THAT WILL START AND PARK FOR THE RACE.  HOW MUCH LONGER CAN NASCAR TOLERATE SPONSORED TEAMS PREPARED TO RACE NOT STARTING WHEN TEAMS WITH NO INTENTION NOR RESOURCES TO COMPETE IN.

Teams are struggling to find sponsors as it is.  For teams to shell out the money and not make the field when they can see unsponsored teams entering and quitting cannot be helping finding new sponsors.  The Brickyard 400 is one of the most prestigious races on the schedule that showcases NASCAR talent. This continues to be an on going embarassment.  Excuse us for harping on this issue, but in this race the implications shout louder than most.

Final practice holds out hope for teams needing a break. Here's the top 10 for final practice.

1-  Martin Truex, Jr. -- Toyota
2-  Jeff Burton -- Chevrolet
3-  Clint Bowyer -- Chevrolet
4-  Carl Edwards -- Ford
5-  Mark Martin -- Chevrolet
6-  Jimmie Johnson -- Chevrolet
7-  Greg Biffle -- Ford
8-  Kasey Kahne -- Ford
9-  Matt Kenseth -- Ford
10- Denny Hamlin -- Toyota

These results must be encouraging for Mark Martin struggling to re-enter the "Chase" field, and for the Blue Ovals. Fords and Chevrolets dominate 11-20, 3 each. Reed Sorenson for Red Bull is the only Toyota in 17th.  The Penske Dodges show Brad Keselowski in 19th and Kurt Busch in 21st.

For Junior fans, not only was his practice slow, 28th but he starts 17th.  The pressure is on to pick up the spots to get back in the sacred top 12.

Race weather calls for a temperature around 80 much cooler than qualifying and practice with partly cloudy skies and a 20% chance of rain falling off to 10% for the rest of the afternoon with only a slight increase in temperature. The change overnight should be enough to make crew chiefs anxious how well their final setup will be suited for track conditions.

Defending Champion, Jimmy Johnson is going for his third consecutive win at the historic track.

One Year Ago...

On August 22, 2009, America learned once and for all any talk of Barack Obama representing any kind of post racial thinking was akin to the Orwellian big lie when he was questioned about Harvard Professor, Henry Gates, an Obama associate, being arrested by highly esteemed Cambridge, Massachusetts police officer, James Crowley for creating an ultrication when Crowley was sent to the Gates' residence to investigate a possible breakin. Obama indicated that the "Cambridge Police acted stupidly." He then lectured the reporters on why blacks don't trust white cops. Quickly as the truth became known showing how out of line Obama's remarks were, a "beer summit" was arranged in the White House garden where the two parties would have a beer with the President to kiss and make up, a tailor made photo op if there ever was one.

The episode provided the first direct evidence to many Americans what Obama's racial thinking was all about and confirmed that which more astute observers had felt at least since the Jeremiah Wright scandal exploded in the 2008 campaign. Since then, a series of events including the necessity to fire Green Jobs Csar, Van Jones, the dismissal of the election harassment charges against New Black Panthers who intimidated voters at a Philadelphia poll, supporting contentions about trumped up racist charges against the Tea Party and more not only revealed Obama is far from post racial but could in fact actively promote reverse racism.

The Cambridge Police saga also gave America a look at Obama's character revealing him as a meanspirited, petty, and narrow minded figure quick to give into stereotypes and rash judgments in stark contrast to the image of how brilliantly deliberative and intellectual he was supposed to be.

As bad as things looked one year ago, could we have imagined Obama would be seen with such contempt for his misdoings a year later. Those of us who tracked him since his initial Senate run might see it as a revelation of what he's always been all about. For others, many feel duped that they have been purposely misled and deceived by a two-faced politician and an all-too sympathetic press.

F-Bombs Galore -- No Way to Fight BP and the Miserable Response to the Gulf Oil Disaster

How can any rational, caring person not be mad as hell about what is happening in the Gulf of Mexico thanks to BP’s oil platform, one which was poorly managed, did not meet standards, and was not properly inspected, exploding gushing millions of gallons for 90 days into the water fouling vital sea resources, fishing areas, coastline and marshes from Texas to Florida? Fishermen, those who serve tourists, the seafood industry, oil rig employees and many other citizens have had their livelihoods interrupted or destroyed. The mess will cause damage that will last long enough it might as well be considered permanent.

BP has revealed itself to be the ultimate definition of a self-serving, irresponsible corporation with no regard for the environment and the consequences of its actions. The Federal Government, through the Obama administration, has not provided oversight or leadership preferring to cast blame and politic obviously reflecting on the total lack of leadership ability and lack of experience of Barack Obama himself.

The whole United States is suffering from pent-up anger, but surely, some means of expressing it even if such expression is supposed to support good causes goes too far.

We call attention to www.unfuckthegulf.com. They introduce themselves as “A CHARITY “F-BOMB-A-TON” CLEANING UP THE GULF… ONE DIRTY WORD AT A TIME.

Load up the website and be greeted with a video that is loaded with f-bombs, one character after another launching tirades loaded with f-bomb after f-bomb and other filthy words that could even make a New York cab driver blush. Two of the characters are children. One appears to be elementary school aged, the other probably in middle school. Great: it’s someone’s bright idea to show kids scream FUCK???

They then ask viewers to buy a $13 tea-shirt and choose a charity to get the profits including Greenpeace, Earthjustice, and others. They also sell one dollar pins and two dollar stickers with the “UNF—K THE GULF” message. Their “about us” reveals the site to be the work of Nate Guidas and Luke Montgomery. Guidas reports to be an environmental activist and educator who runs a website GreenGuyNate.com. Montgomery reports to be a fundraising and media strategist who works with non-profits who want “to make a bigger impact and change the world.” He runs a website GoodIdeasforGoodCauses.com.

Make no mistake, while BP is financially and morally responsible for correcting the damage done, there will be expenses the company will never touch. Folks will need all kinds of help. Those interested in helping must do their own due diligence to be sure their funds go to organizations that help the disaster victims and are not disguised as such but truly radical environmental and far-left advocacy groups.

We are offended by Unfuck the Gulf effort and are alarmed they’d find it acceptable to have f-bomb wielding children in their presentation. The events of recent weeks have helped demonstrate the deterioration of civility in our society, and folks who surf the web particularly social networking sites see how casually an abbreviation, WTF, as in “what the fuck” is used in regular Internet conversation.

Hopefully, our concerns will be heard and folks will show outrage. Way too often folks are quick to just let it slide. We have to be willing to take a stand when our sensibilities are outraged and Right-minded Fellow is outraged.

Poor Lying Crying Left Wing Activists

Ignorant, Dishonest, Pathetic Left Wing Activist Mental Masturbation

Thank God this group hasn’t gotten to the level of status of MoveOn.org or the DailyKOS, but they are as pathetic as they are wrong. Good old CredoAction is at it again. There name sounds a lot like what they really are Cretin Action, but that’s beside the point. They typically find some emotional topic that gets the lefty loonies, particularly naïve and extremely ignorant ones all worked up, state the case through their totally warped gushing vision and then unite the left-wing lemmings to sign an on-line petition that they think will actually get some attention. This time, their hissy fit is about the recent USDA firing fiasco which truthfully has more than enough blame to pass around, but Fox News DID NOT report anything on the subject until after the firing took place.

As far as Fox’s roll on Van Jones, they reported on developing the man’s entire career not just looking for one juicy sound byte taken out of context. Van Jones deserved fuller coverage and was not covered until his dismissal by the old guard left-wing media. When fair minded everyday Americans consider the things Jones acknowledged supporting and his outrageous assertion that 9/11 was an inside job not only provides a damning issue reflecting horribly on the Obama administration for hiring him in the first place but likewise shows clearly once he was revealed, he had to go.

We’re only beginning to see how the Sharrod case developed. Now is the time to withhold judgment, but clearly the Fox network is in the clear and the USDA officials involved have much explaining to do however there is a path leading to the inner circles of the White House too. On a broader sense, much responsibility must be pointed to those who have casually been tossing about false and undeserved assertions of racism. Enough is enough. Those who conspicuously lie about the situation like Cretin, oops, Credo Action must be held to account.

Here’s their little fun and games from their website:

Why is the Obama administration listening to right-wing smear merchants?
Several members of the Obama administration have lost their jobs or been demoted, and nominees to cabinet positions have either stepped down or withdrawn their nominations after becoming the target of smear campaigns launched by far-right blogger Andrew Breitbart and his friends at FOX News Channel. (Think Van Jones.)

The Obama administration most recently caved in to the right-wing propaganda machine by firing an African-American USDA official named Shirley Sherrod based on a selectively edited video that made it appear she was confessing to discriminating against a white couple that owned a farm.

In reality, she was telling the story of how working with that family to save their farm helped her to lose her racial preconceptions.

While the White House has now apologized for what happened, no apology or job offer can undo the damage that has already been done to Shirley Sherrod by people who ought to have known better. And no amount of damage control from the White House will do anything to lessen the degree to which their rapid capitulation will incentivize further scandal-mongering of this sort.

Tell President Obama to stop paying attention to rightwing propaganda outlets like FOX News and their manufactured controversies.

It took less than 24 hours for the lies to be debunked. But by that time, it was too late -- Sherrod had been forced to quit by the administration. Sherrod says she was never given a chance to tell her side of the story and says that the Obama administration was "not interested in hearing the truth."

This kind of political cowardice is not only shameful, it's also shockingly blind to the role that FOX News and bottom feeders like Andrew Breitbart play in the right-wing noise machine.

It's bad enough that we have to fight the constant smear campaigns and appeals to racial paranoia from FOX and the right-wing media. But it's completely unacceptable for the Obama administration to throw innocent public servants under the bus after giving credence to manufactured lies.

Sign our petition telling the Obama administration to stop paying attention to right-wing propaganda outlets like FOX News and their manufactured controversies.

(end of quoted passage from CredoAction.com)
********
Does anything Roger Ailes, Fox News head honcho is scared by this bullshit?

Maybe right minded type people can give CredoCretin’s a little reality check!!! They say the truth will set you free.

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USDA Employee's Prompt Dismissal and the Media Racial Frenzy

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We must all pause to consider the extent to which Barack Obama, his politics, and his supporters are keeping decent Americans at each others' throats...
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We pulled our posting on the Shirley Sherrod posting. While she certainly harbors some values and beliefs we find abhorrent, her prompt dismissal by the Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was an example of politically motivated railroading if there ever was one. The initial posting widely circulated was a snippet taken out of context perhaps using the same “gotcha’ technique the democrats and its supportive members of the media resort to way too often for the sake of character assassination.

For good measure, we did not source our posting based on Brietbart or Fox News. While we find their regular news coverage is generally quite acceptable on an issue like this, we felt another source not as actively involved in some current issues involving the NAACP, race, and manipulation by the Obama administration would be helpful. We used The Christian Science Monitor.

The video was produced and owned by an Atlanta chapter of the NAACP.

All this reveals some very troubling issues. On this issue, could perhaps Fox News or Brietbart be guilty of jumping too fast without doing sufficient “due diligence” on this story? Absolutely, this is the consequence of the 24 hour news cycle where news sources are so quick to get stories out perhaps some need to age a little for being dead on sure the story is presented in the right context.

In recent days, we’ve seen the NAACP use race as a wedge to attempt to destroy the Tea party movement demanding they make public statements denouncing racism among their ranks. Media reports of true tea party members exhibiting racist conduct have NEVER been substantiated. Yet when Mark Williams of the Tea Party Express wrote a satirical letter pretending to be the NAACP writing Lincoln about abolition, a very idiotic and senseless work of trash, he and his faction were immediately banned from the Tea Party – to the extent there is central authority to do so in the Tea Party.

This week a story broke that showed there was an active conspiracy among journalists who setup a website that orchestrated pro-Obama coverage seeking to quash the Jeremiah Wright issue and brand any Obama critics as racist.

The extent to which left wing sources are lashing out with charges of racism establishing in essence any objection to Obama, his policies or positions, are racially motivated simply because he is the first African American president has clearly become such a widely used tactic it amounts to the boy crying wolf or screaming “Fire” in a movie theater.

The whole issue of racial divisions and real problems are being trivialized. Once a sure fire way to demonize an opponent and do irreparable, identifying a person as racist now has become a new version the old “Do you still beat your wife?” intimidation. It becomes difficult for responsible public figures to advance their agendas and policies when they must answer to charges of racism regardless how false and scathing they are. Knowing how quickly the race card stirs up emotions, the left is well aware of this and uses it as yet another hateful tool in their arsenal of dirty tricks and filthy tactics as their methodology supports that their ends justify whatever means they can generate to get the desired result. Fundamental human decency, civility, and the truth quickly become casualties to power hungry corrupt political operatives who use Saul Alinksky’s Rules for Radicals as the framework for their operation.

Clearly, the notion circulated as Barack Obama rose to power as being a “post racial” person is a classic Orwellian big lie, but it’s clear how much this mythology helped bolster his campaign and sell his appeal to the gullible media drenched public. The Obama presidency now halfway through its second year has proven to be one of the most openly divisive mean-spirited and hateful administrations, perhaps the worst in American history, and surely in modern essentially free nations throughout the world since World War II. The Obama administration, the kingpins of the legislative branch, and much of the mainstream media is quick to use any means to demonize those who don’t accept their politics, values, and rhetoric faithfully and unquestioningly.

The affairs of the last few weeks has added tremendous fuel to the opportunistic left’s efforts to further divide the country into victim groups using identity politics to attempt to sucker in converts to their cause. Meanwhile, commentators, news sources like Fox News, Brietbart, Matt Drudge, corporate executives, or anyone who can be classified at the hateful rich continue to be painted as the villains responsible for everything wrong with the country as if all companies were as irresponsible as BP. Wall Street is used as a label to describe the enemy in their warped frame of mind. Never mind that they have plenty of corrupt businesses that they kowtow to for a stream of incoming funds.

Against these issues and the current political and mass media landscape, it’s time for people guided by principle to stand up and assert themselves. Whether people in influential positions speak up in proper public forums or regular citizens step forward in Town Hall meetings, local municipal functions, or just conversations with friends and family, all of us who appreciate how badly the very foundation of our culture are threatened, must speak out. We must understand the promise of the Declaration of Independence and how our laws and government are built upon the foundation of The Constitution. We must attack media outlets that mislead us and lie about the affairs of state. Do not watch network or local news that demagogues the issues. Cancel subscriptions to biased newspapers and magazines. Refuse to purchase products from corporations that engage in crony capitalism or function in unlawful and unethical way as against the public good.

We cannot let race divide us. We’re all just people. That a person is of a different race should matter no more than their hair color, height, or any other innate visual quality. Contrary to what the Obama radicals believe, at heart, at the essential level all Americans are far more alike than they are different and most will do the right thing if properly educated and motivated.