Brief for Monday, January 11, 2010 - Editions

Brief

Monday, January 11, 2010

The Foundation

"Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve." --Benjamin Franklin

Security or security theater?

Culture

"The fact is that post-Umar Farouk, post-Richard Reid, and eight years post-9/11, this country is still flying blind when it comes to airline security. Another young male Islamic extremist tries to kill hundreds of innocent people, and the response is the same: Heightened airport security for travelers of all ages, nationalities, and religious backgrounds -- instead of increased focus on those who look, act, worship, and travel like terrorists. Even worse, this is the second major vulnerability revealed inside of a few weeks. Remember the embarrassment of the leaked 93-page TSA Standard Operating Procedures manual? Most reports focused on the fact that the document revealed how certain government or law enforcement credentials looked. Or that only 20 percent of checked bags are given a 'full open-bag search.' Or that disabled individuals' wheelchairs, casts, and orthopedic shoes are potentially exempt from explosives screening. But most frightening to me was that while the leaked document deemed that holders of passports from Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Yemen, and Algeria should be subjected to additional screening, no such special attention was given to holders of passports from Saudi Arabia -- the home of 15 of the 9/11 hijackers. And now it's worth noting that the list doesn't include Pakistan or Nigeria -- Umar Farouk's home -- either. At the time of the memo's leak, Michael Scheuer, the former head of the CIA unit tasked with tracking Osama bin Laden, told me that the federal government 'knows without question that al-Qaeda and its allies pore over the U.S. media for operationally applicable information.' There was 'no chance' that the misstep had gone unnoticed by our enemies, he said. Nor, I suspect, will the fact that in the wake of this latest attempted act of Islamic terrorism, the United States will keep refusing to apply the most invasive screening techniques to travelers with the most in common with the 9/11 attackers." --columnist Michael Smerconish

Re: The Left

"President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- all of whom have in recent years promised unprecedented levels of transparency in government -- are flouting their own words by meeting in secret to write the final version of Obamacare. They are doing this to avoid the public meetings of a bipartisan conference committee representing the Senate and House and the multiple, on-the-record roll call votes required in both chambers on a conference committee report. The most radical expansion of central government power in American history is happening right under journalists' noses, and yet they raise not a peep of protest when the doors close, effectively barring them from doing their jobs at a critical juncture. ... It's time for a sit-down protest by journalists whose first job is to uphold the public's right to know what its government is doing. Invite readers to come join them in demanding open meetings. The last thing Reid and Pelosi want is the spectacle of the Capitol Hill Police dragging protesting journalists away from the closed doors. It's time to show some cojones, people." --The Washington Examiner

Government

"President Obama is a great admirer of the Mayo Clinic. Time and again he has extolled it as an outstanding model of health-care excellence and efficiency. ... They 'offer the highest quality care at costs well below the national norm,' he wrote. 'We need to learn from their successes and replicate those best practices across our country.' On the White House web site, you can find more than a dozen other instances of Obama's esteem. So perhaps the president will give some thought to the Mayo Clinic's recent decision to stop accepting Medicare payments at its primary care facility in Glendale, Ariz. More than 3,000 patients will have to start paying cash if they wish to continue being seen by doctors at the clinic; those unable or unwilling to do so must look for new physicians. For now, Mayo is limiting the change in policy to its Glendale facility. But it may be just a matter of time before it drops Medicare at its other facilities in Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota as well. Why would an institution renowned for providing health care of 'the best quality and the lowest cost' choose to sever its ties with the government's flagship single-payer insurance program? Because the relationship is one it can't afford. Last year, the Mayo Clinic lost $840 million on its Medicare patients. At the Glendale clinic specifically, a spokesman told Bloomberg, Medicare reimbursements covered only 50 percent of the cost of treating elderly primary-care patients. Not even the leanest, most efficient medical organization can keep doing business with a program that compels it to eat half its costs. In breaking away from Medicare, the Mayo Clinic is hardly blazing a trail. Back in 2008, the independent Medicare Payment Advisory Commission reported that 29 percent of Medicare beneficiaries -- more than 1 in 4 -- have trouble finding a primary-care doctor to treat them. A survey by the Texas Medical Association that year found that only 38 percent of that state's primary-care physicians were accepting new Medicare patients. But if you think things are bad now, just wait until Congress enacts the president's health care overhaul." --columnist Jeff Jacoby

For the Record

"For those of you who may have been off the grid over the weekend the big news was an item in a new book by Mullpal Mark Halperin and John Heilemann titled 'Game Change' in which Majority Leader Harry Reid was quoted as using inappropriate language when describing then-Senator Barack Obama. According to the reporting: 'Reid said Obama could fare well nationally as an African-American candidate because he was "light-skinned" and didn't speak with a "Negro dialect unless he wanted to have one."' Ok. The whole double standard thing was duly marinated over the weekend -- if this had been an Republican would Al Sharpton have given him/her a pass as he did to Reid? And so on. ... President Obama issued a statement forgiving Harry Reid before the ink had even dried on the pages of the book. Yet it took him three days to figure out what to say about the guy who tried to blow up that plane on Christmas Day. Second, according to the reporting, Reid made those statements to 'a group of reporters.' Whoa! Check, please! To a group of reporters? None of whom thought this was newsworthy? For whom did those reporters write, 'My Weekly Reader'? If not evidence of a double standard, then it is certainly evidence of journalistic incompetence." --political analyst Rich Galen

Faith & Family

"The secular left -- and some self-described Christians -- criticize Brit Hume, the Fox News commentator, for suggesting that the solution to Tiger Woods' problems is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Hume made his remarks on 'Fox News Sunday.' Disclosure: I also appear on Fox News. Hume said, 'My message to Tiger would be: Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.' That is a message shared for 2,000 years by those who follow Jesus of Nazareth. It apparently continues to escape the secular left that Christians feel compelled to share their faith out of gratitude for what Jesus has done for them (dying in their place on a cross and offering a new life to those who repent and receive Him as savior). In a day when some extremists employ violence to advance their religion, it is curious that many would save their criticism for a truly peace-bringing message such as the one broadcast by Brit Hume. Criticism of Hume has taken two forms. One is that it is hubris to presume the Christian faith is superior to other faiths. The other criticism is that Hume used Fox as a pulpit and if he wants to preach he should resign from the network and go door to door like a Jehovah's Witness. ... Christians like Hume are not trying to impose anything on anyone. They know the difference Jesus has made in their lives and they care enough about others to want to share His message in the hope that other lives will be similarly transformed." --columnist Cal Thomas

Opinion in Brief

"If there is any lesson in the history of ideas, it is that good intentions tell you nothing about the actual consequences. But intellectuals who generate ideas do not have to pay the consequences. Academic intellectuals are shielded by the principles of academic freedom and journalists in democratic societies are shielded by the principle of freedom of the press. Seldom do those who produce or peddle dangerous, or even fatal, ideas have to pay a price, even in a loss of credibility. ... Even political leaders have been judged by how noble their ideas sounded, rather than by how disastrous their consequences were. ... It may seem strange that so many people of great intellect have said and done so many things whose consequences ranged from counterproductive to catastrophic. Yet it is not so surprising when we consider whether anybody has ever had the range of knowledge required to make the sweeping kinds of decisions that so many intellectuals are prone to make, especially when they pay no price for being wrong. Intellectuals and their followers have often been overly impressed by the fact that intellectuals tend, on average, to have more knowledge than other individuals in their society. What they have overlooked is that intellectuals have far less knowledge than the total knowledge possessed by the millions of other people whom they disdain and whose decisions they seek to override. We have had to learn the consequences of elite preemption the hard way -- and many of us have yet to learn that lesson." --economist Thomas Sowell

The Gipper

"Since when do we in America believe that our society is made up of two diametrically opposed classes -- one rich, one poor -- both in a permanent state of conflict and neither able to get ahead except at the expense of the other? Since when do we in America accept this alien and discredited theory of social and class warfare? Since when do we in America endorse the politics of envy and division?" --Ronald Reagan

Political Futures

"A Wall Street Journal/NBC poll taken in mid-December showed that 55 percent of Americans believed the country was headed in the wrong direction. Just 47 percent approved of the job Obama was doing as president. Twenty-two percent approved of the job Congress was doing. And a whopping 35 percent have positive feelings toward the Democratic Party. And yet the public seems to like Republicans even less. Just 28 percent have positive feelings toward the GOP -- a rating lower than poll results just before the party's defeats in 2006 and 2008. You can't make as many mistakes as Republicans did and expect to be forgiven quickly. That could lead to a dilemma for voters next November. Many will be fully ready to vote Democrats out of office but will not be fully ready to vote in Republicans. Faced with an either/or choice, they will weigh whether they want to get rid of Democrats more than they want to stay away from Republicans. That dilemma could have been avoided. A slightly less disastrous end to the Republican reign might well have resulted in one or two additional GOP senators this year. And that, in turn, might have prevented some of the runaway Democratic excesses we've seen. Republicans think about that a lot these days, as Democrats overreach in ways that could burden the country for generations. All GOP lawmakers can do now is to oppose. But in their heart of hearts, they know they share some of the blame." --columnist Byron York

Insight

"Well, there's something known as American conservatism, though it does not even call itself that. It's been calling itself 'voting Republican' or 'not liking the New Deal.' But it is a very American approach to life, and it has to do with knowing that the government is not your master, that America is good, that freedom is good and must be defended, and communism is very, very bad." --National Review founder William F. Buckley Jr. (1925-2008)

Reader Comments

"Mark Alexander's essay, 'Great News for 2010,' is the best comparison I've ever read of the differences between liberals and conservatives. Thank you for defending our Constitution! I thank God for you and your staff and that we have defenders right here in my home town of Chattanooga. God Bless You and Yours!!" --Sherry

"Even though I may be homeless on the streets of San Diego by Summer, I just sent The Patriot $100. That is an investment I wouldn't make with any other publication but you are the best. As an ex-WWII Submariner, I recommend The Patriot to everyone I know. Cast off and take in all lines! Clear the Bridge, Take 'er down. Fire one, Fire two, Fire three and reload! I'm fired up! Semper Fi." --San Diego

"I have supported The Patriot Post financially for several years now and have been an outspoken supporter as well. You have filled a huge void that the media has left when they joined Obama and those who would destroy freedom. As a retired soldier and combat veteran, I thank you for your unsurpassed support for our troops. God Bless you and your staff and keep fighting." --SSG (R) K. Potts

Editor's Note: Not everyone loves us, however...

"why don"t you waste your time on something the people care about?leave the man alone. STOP!!!!!!!BEING A HATER!!!!!!!!!!!." --a.b.

The Last Word

"2010 is going to be a tough year. We are going to have huge struggles over terrorism, war, shockingly large new deficits and public debt policies, crushing tax proposals on energy, income, health care and many other human activities. We have every right to dissent, and to do so vigorously even on such matters as terrorism policy. Contrary to White House and Democratic Party complaints in the last few days, there is nothing partisan or improper about sharply criticizing such administration policy. As a loyal conservative Republican, I nonetheless wrote an entire book in 2005 criticizing Bush's anti-terrorism policy and operations. As did many other conservative Republicans dissent. At a much, much grander level, Winston Churchill in the 1930s powerfully dissented from a policy of appeasement that Britain's leaders at the time were convinced were vital to secure the peace. Dissenting with honesty, ferocity and courage is one of Churchill's lessons to us today. And, whether fighting as an underdog in a political struggle or trying to keep things together as a breadwinner in this second hard economic winter, Churchill's last words in his last speech in Parliament as prime minister in 1955 are sturdy guides to conduct: 'Meanwhile, never flinch, never weary, never despair.'" --columnist Tony Blankley

Comments

beachmom

Love the fact that solitaire is on the computer screen of the security screener in the picture in today's Brief.

If the screeners don't take security serious enough to actually pay attention on the job instead of playing games, does that tell us something about their bosses?

Posted January 11, 2010 at 11:20:40 AM

Jim Loyd

The following two passages are from Red Victory by W. Bruce Lincoln (Simon & Schuster, 1989; De Capo Press, 1st edition 1999).

It is amazing that these passages that were published ~20 years ago describe Aleksandr Kerenskii and the historical situation in revolutionary Russia during 1917, yet they sound so much like the U.S. today. And by the way, the Russians sent Kerenskii packing...

page 37: "Everywhere he summoned men and women to believe in the future, never telling its content or offering a clear program, but always speaking with a passion that infected his listeners with his enthusiasm for the new world order that would, by definition, be better than the past or present."

(also page 37) ... "Some fifteen years later, Robert Bruce Lockhart, Britain's vice-consul in Russia during 1917, still recalled an "epic performance" by Kerenskii as being 'more impressive in its emotional reactions than any [early] speech of Hitler'."

Posted January 11, 2010 at 11:31:40 AM

Mike Robertson

I, for one, would again support the Republican Party if a few changes were enacted:

* If I had a say in who their spokesperson was/is. Every time a get a letter from Michael Steele, I put it in the trash bin.

* If the elected Congressmen/Senators that claim to be Republican signed onto a platform that agrees with Consertative Values.

* I could go on, but this is supposed to be brief, but I think you get the idea...

Posted January 11, 2010 at 11:41:46 AM

Maria

Is it true that 2 "Devout Muslims" have been appointed to the Homeland Security Office?

Posted January 11, 2010 at 11:44:15 AM

crystalake

I would like All Patriots to go to this web site.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-veorder-12425

and read what Pres. Obama has done to our country.pay special attention to the last paragraph

Posted January 11, 2010 at 12:00:30 PM

Alan Colliander

Mark,

Conservative Republicans will not get elected not matter how badly the Democrats have screwed things up. Independent voters will hold their noses and vote Democratic. Middle-of-the-road moderate Republicans might have a chance. Republicans abrogated their duty to be fiscally conservative and that won't easily be forgiven. Democrats are worse you say ... only by a matter of a few hundred billion; chump change in the big picture.

If you want to preach radical conservatism, focus on the economy. Spend what you earn; no more. Radical huh? Guess what every family who's not rich is doing these day? Why not nationally? Make sacrifice fashionable; the concept is saleable by a good speaker.

Drop the abortion crap or at least put it out of sight. The majority of people don't want to hear it. The main problem with the world today, that causes global warming (if it's real), fuel shortages, food shortages, etc., etc., is TOO MANY PEOPLE! Anything that can prevent another unwanted kid from being on welfare for 18 years (or more) is better than all of us supporting more deadbeats.

Bush's "Compassionate Conservatism" won him some votes, but did he deliver on it in the voters' eyes?

Stereotypical Conservative candidates will lose in most places. Deal with it.

Alan Colliander

secacc@aol.com

Posted January 11, 2010 at 12:19:57 PM

John E. Olsen

In response to Pres. Reagan's question; since when has our society between divided between rich and poor,the answer is - Since January 20, 2009 when Mr. Obama was sworn in and Senator Reid and Rep. Pelosi began their their collective crusade to turn America into a socialist state.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 12:22:44 PM

mo ky fellow

You know, when the liberals denounced everything that George W. said or did, I don't recall a rash of conservatives refering to them as "HATERS".

That my friends is the difference between the two groups. It is sad that the liberals do not understand that there is a difference.

....and so it goes~~

Posted January 11, 2010 at 12:27:42 PM

Rifleman

I remember Josef Stalin's Five Year Plans during which he transformed the USSR into a industrial and military giant which swallowed 36 European nations in as few years and used the threat of nuclear war as political leverage. Part and parcel of those Five Year Plans was the subjugation and subsequent relocation of the kulaks to Siberia. Estimates vary but somewhere in the neighborhood of 60,000,000 Kulaks were starved and worked to death in the desolate wastes of Stalin's Siberian labor camps. Alexandr Solzhenitsyn's book, "The Gulag Archipelago," came from that author's successful struggle to survive there. The kulaks had to die, Stalin reasoned, to "birth a new Soviet Union." Am I stretching the historical parallel if I say that the Obama-Reid-Pelosi engineered cuts in Medicare have as their goal the deaths of millions of "undesirable" and no longer "productive" old people for the sake of a "changed" America? And, when we Olde Phartes die, will our estates -- our legacy to our children and their children -- be taxed at a higher rate "to level the playing field"?

Posted January 11, 2010 at 12:33:18 PM

Rifleman

Dear Alan Colliander>>>>>>>and, when it comes time for people to die to reduce the strain on The Planet Earth, will you be first in line to offer your life? Or will you push somebody you don't know and don't care about ahead of yourself?

Posted January 11, 2010 at 12:36:24 PM

PatriotUSA

why don"t you waste your time on something the people care about?leave the man alone. STOP!!!!!!!BEING A HATER!!!!!!!!!!!." --a.b.

TO a.b.: Why don't you quit reading the Patriot Post since the TRUTH seems to offend you so badly?

When Obama is voted out of office then maybe he will be left alone. It is not about hate. It is about exposing an agenda that is perverted, corupt and in many way, unconstitutional! Like those in the MSM and far left ever cut George Bush any slack?

Obama is still blaming GB for almost everything He is doing wrong himself.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 12:50:47 PM

R. Manelski

I was struck by the open solitaire game on the computer screen of the employee involved in security checks at an airport. Clearly, they are not giving their full attenion to looking for suspected terrorists. And now they might get a union to hide behind too?

Posted January 11, 2010 at 12:52:43 PM

Gary

I enjoy reading your articles and hope we will take this country back, not as republicans, but as true conservatives to go back to the concept of the original ideas in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights the founding fathers had in mind, without modern changes.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 1:02:55 PM

Coinan Miller

An untold story about the problems of Medicare have morphed to promises made to the thousands of Military Retiree's depending on TRICARE which is linked to Medicare reimbursement rates. As expected the majority of us do not live near a Military Base or even a VA facility (which have most of us at a low priority of service). Our civilian Dr's, Specialists, Hospitals we utilize are on the edge of having to walk away from us with the ever lower reimbursement rates. I suspect that as an aging combat veteran I will see yet another gov't promise broken or at minimum ever higher deductable from the current $3000 for TriCare Standard.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 1:07:56 PM

Kirk

"why don"t you waste your time on something the people care about?leave the man alone. STOP!!!!!!!BEING A HATER!!!!!!!!!!!." --a.b.

Sounds familiar... Is this the guy (girl?) that made that the YouTube video screaming at everyone to leave Brittany Spears alone?

Posted January 11, 2010 at 1:09:49 PM

HAMBONE

Quote-

Rifleman

Posted January 11, 2010 at 12:36:24 PM

Obama's death panels and refusal of services if you don't toe the party-line will have that all under control, rifleman..... ;)

Posted January 11, 2010 at 1:12:13 PM

crystalake

As to my previous post. It should off read.

{ READ AND WEAP FOR YOUR COUNTRY }

If any of you are interested in your current way of life You Just might want to re;educate yourselves on Excutive Order Amending Excutive Order 12425, web site listed previously.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 1:16:44 PM

A.D. Womack

Things aren't looking so good for our country with the the current administration. But I've never given up nor given in amd won't start now. But I am not going to be timid either about my conservative values and have no problem telling liberals I told you so. Keep up the good work Patriot Post, you are indeed the light at end of the tunnel. CMSgt A.D. Womack (USAF RET)

Posted January 11, 2010 at 1:25:27 PM

Tony R.

I believe that the United States must adopt the mind set of Isreal. security wise,Israeli's have a much more complex yet tough system.

here,the TSA puts up alerts and our security gets "tough" for a couple of months then calms down.

I saddly believe [as friends of mine agree] that it will take another terrorist attack on our Country bigger then 9-11-01 for our airport,seaport,and boarders to finnaly become strong like Israel.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 1:30:49 PM

Susan H.

To crystalake - I tried going to that website, and got the message "404 Page Not Found". "The page you're looking for is currently unavailable." Maybe they don't want us to read what you were able to read. Not surprising. They are like cockroaches - they prefer to work in the dark.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 1:39:04 PM

Marcy Dupre

"Not everyone loves us..."

"why don"t you waste your time on something the people care about?leave the man alone. STOP!!!!!!!BEING A HATER!!!!!!!!!!!." --a.b.

I submit that a.b. has severe identity issues. No doubt (s)he is one of the Kool-Aid gulpers who lambasted George Bush every second of every day. The multiple exclamation marks are indicative of someone possessed of limited vocabulary and mental ability.

For one, I find that the Post is a refreshing beam of truth, guiding the way through the pettifoggery of political obfuscation. Please keep up the good work.

Thanks,

Marcy Dupre

Posted January 11, 2010 at 1:51:39 PM

jbrad

By virtue of their silence and lack of outrage at the 'closed door sessions' of the current administration I can only conclude that the state sponsored media is in bed with and responsible with the Congress of this nation for the overthrow of our liberty......

Posted January 11, 2010 at 2:00:33 PM

Richard

Editor's Note: Not everyone loves us, however...

"why don"t you waste your time on something the people care about?leave the man alone. STOP!!!!!!!BEING A HATER!!!!!!!!!!!." --a.b.

Dear A.B.

We don't hate. Christians don't hate. I pray for our president, no matter which way he leans. I prayed for Bush, Clinton and Carter. They all needed our prayers. I hope you pray. R.W.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:17:02 PM

Frank E.Waterstraat

01/11/10

Look what,POLITICAL CORRECTNESS has gotten us!!!!

In the land of the freedoms.We have lost freedom of

words that describe our enemy who would kill us,

For fear of OFFENDING them.We have an alledged

president who apologizes to the world for the

misgivings of America,and VOMITS the VIRTUOUSNESS

ISLAM.PLEASE!!!PEOPLE WAKEUP!

Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:18:19 PM

Kenneth Myron Bonnell

To the WWII "ex-submariner." You're not an ex, shipmate. Once a submariner, always a submariner. Up scope! A COB

Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:29:52 PM

Mark McClure

Is it just me or is that the game "Solitaire" on that computer screen in the airport screening photo? I hope not!

Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:32:10 PM

John Schumacher

I couldn't help but notice that a.b. (with the HATER comment) didn't have the courage to identify himself or herself.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:45:36 PM

David L White

I voted for G Bush and he sold out America ,I did'nt vote for Obama and he's changeing America. I'm going to vote everybody in office, out of office from local to state and then national.Sick of the whole mess of more taxes and more laws created so they can fine us for more money that we don'nt have, then they want to put us on a payment plan to pay for it all.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 4:01:14 PM

Frank Leslie

As long as mass punishment of the innocents is the process used by the U.S. government, those intent on our destruction will use the associated errors within the process to their advantage.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 4:04:49 PM

Ruth Ann Wilson

Bullies and cowards love anonymity. They can say the most horrible things and have no responsibility for their wickedness.

Bill of Rights, Article VI, Constitution of the United States of America, "....to be confronted with the witnesses against him..."

Thank God for the Bill of Rights.

For God & Country

Ruth Ann Wilson

Posted January 11, 2010 at 4:27:00 PM

Ken Hathaway

My thanks to Cal Thomas for his remarks about Britt Hume and his advice to Tiger Woods. Thanks also to Mark Alexander for seeing the value of this advice and printing it in the Patriot Post.

A relationship with Jesus Christ has changed the lives of millions upon millions of people for the better over the past two millennia. People with far greater sins than Tiger Woods' have found forgiveness, inner peace and a far better life when they give that life to Jesus Christ.

Like most Christians, Britt Hume obviously felt the need to share this good news with a man who has strayed and sorely needs it.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 4:45:14 PM

FREDO

Okay, we've found the suicide bomber's skull, wherever it came to rest, and through the science of DNA, we now know who he was. What can we do with this information? Think about it. More later.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 4:48:39 PM

Paul Wyatt

Perhaps the most troubling revelation of Harry Reid's and Bill Clinton's remarks in John Heilemann's "Game Change" is the fact that the reporters who were well aware of these statements failed to mention them in anything like a timely manner. Only now, over a year after the election, does the true mentality of the left come to light. What kind of game change would have occurred had this been made public before America voted?

It is the media's collusion with the Democrat Marxists that is the most insideous threat to our liberty.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 4:51:07 PM

W.T.Door

Monday's Last Word, Tony Blankley's, 2010 is going to be a tough year, is an example of why perusing the Patriot Post can be a grim, but absolutely necessary effort to gain the reward of the information therein. Conversely, reviewing the readers' comments is a joy. The American spirit is berated and battered, but Hallelujah, it ain't dead!

Posted January 11, 2010 at 5:08:34 PM

francis fournier

all of the liberial media must be on obama's kick back list. they must not have any morals. they ought to change there profession from truth tellers to obam's liers. sick people they are.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 5:34:33 PM

Todd F. Wagner

Thanks to Cal Thomas for the positive comments concerning Brit Hume's advice to Tiger Woods. To Brit Hume thanks for saying what's on your heart. No apologies necessary for speaking the truth. Since when do we as American's have to walk a politically corect speech line to offer advice. By the way, I really hope Tiger Woods would make the effort to look into the options available and contact Mr. Hume. May God continue to protect/bless America, but in my heart I really don't know why He would.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 5:54:55 PM

poppopof2

What happen to the court ruleing that was to happen Jan 8th on the left coast???

Posted January 11, 2010 at 5:58:06 PM

C. Wener

re: Republican Party's Identity/Message Dilema

As a life-long Republican, I have suspended any additional donations to the GOP because of the travesty they promulgated with their lousy strategy and choices for many national offices, especially President, in the last election. I am OK with allowing all voices under the tent but the Republican Party has been hijacked by the Democrat Lite" RHINO crowd. The GOP needs to return to its original core conservative principles including strict constructionist adherence to the Constitution and Bill of Rights and promotion of the family unit and personal responsibility. The return must be executed NOW, or any significant legislative landscape improvement will not occur in the upcoming mid-term elections. If they miserably fail to accomplish this transformation even in the face of ongoing Democratic/liberal incompetence, then there will not be enough time to muster/finance a new truly conservative party and the minority Democrats/far left WILL WIN THE NEXT FULL TERM ELECTION BY DEFAULT because of blind and unwavering MSM support, superior financing and consistency of repeating the same self-serving but wrong (but comfortably predictable even if un-constitutional) big government message to the "sheeple". I'm trying to remain optimistic that the American people will wake from their stupor, but I truly fear where this Great Nation is now headed. My support of the GOP will return if/when I see better message definition and a return to core conservative principles.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 6:17:59 PM

Darryl Johnson

In the 11 Jan 2010 edition of The Patriot Post, in the picture of airport screening, is that really a Solitaire game on the screener's monitor? Another government job, protecting us from terror.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 6:28:18 PM

Howard Last

To Alan Colliander, the republicans lost because they acted like democrap lite. When republicans act as Conservatives they win and win big. Case in point Reagan in 80 and 84. Also the race in NYS where a candidate on the Conservative Party line almost beat two candidates, the democrap and the democrap lite. Tell me what is conservative about expanding Medicare with Part D, No child left behind, amnesty for illegal aliens, the SCHIP program, the Patriot Act, the first bailout, giving us the Thousands Standing Around (TSA) instead of the system Israel uses, telling us how Islam is the religion of peace, etc, etc, etc. Do any of these sound like Conservative principals?

Posted January 11, 2010 at 7:29:51 PM

Carol C

What scares me most in the Michael Smerconish article is not what he says - all true though it is - but that the picture accompanying the article clearly shows that the screener was playing solitaire. Others have already mentioned it, but it bears repeating. Anybody think that El Al screeners even have access to solitaire, much less would dare to play it?

Posted January 11, 2010 at 7:42:48 PM

crystalake

For Susan H.

Go To http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office-excutive-order-amending-excutive-order12425.

just pulled it, still open but can'tsay for how long

it appears that the Adminstration is attempting to hide this from the God Given People of this Great Country we call America.

Thank " God " for the American Patriots,that still support this Country

Posted January 11, 2010 at 7:57:59 PM

Papa Kilo

InRe: 01/11/10 Brief - Culture: As a retired fifty year airline professional that 20% baggage check feature troubles me, not the least because of the high percentage of pilferage I am hearing about.

Posted January 11, 2010 at 9:43:47 PM

Ken C

I for one am getting tired of the "I'm going to vote them out of office" crowd - those who threaten without an option. Who is going to replace "them" once we vote "them" out? As C. Wener seems to say "them" appears to be on the left as well as the right side of the aisle. I would tend to agree with voting them out, but what about the ensuing vacuum? What next? Libertarian Party? Constitution Party? I, like many in the middle class am slowly coming to realize what appears to be going on - our Constitution is being (and has been) trampled on for some time now, but now at an accelerating pace. Yes, we must change direction, but how? Who can we elect that will begin to restore our Republic to that which was originally intended?

Posted January 11, 2010 at 11:42:47 PM

FreeNorth

More on Executive Order 12425 and the latest amendment:

The original order is found at

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Executive_Order_12425

Note that President Reagan specifically excluded Interpol agents (including U. S. citizens) from tax immunity. More importantly, from a civil rights perspective, he also excluded them from the immunity to search ordinarily granted to certain quasi-diplomatic (UN) international organizations. This was to prevent the employment of INTERPOL to evade U. S. civil rights laws or to trespass on American sovereignty.

Mr. Obama's amendment removes these exclusions.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-amending-executive-order-12425

Posted January 12, 2010 at 1:13:49 AM

Victor

BTW I don't recall that Smerconish has apologized for voting for Obama, therefore he really should keep his opinions to himself.

Posted January 12, 2010 at 1:47:15 AM

Ruth Ann Wilson

Mr. Wagner, to give you some hope, Remember, when the Lord came to destroy Sodom & Gomorrah, Genesis 19, What happened? Abraham INTERCEDED, "Will not the Judge of the whole earth do right?" was his plea before the Lord, it pleased God, and the Lord delivered the righteous out of the JUDGMENT of the wicked. Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, today and forever."

A note to FreeNorth - You can mark it down, We have a Bill of Rights and the Civil Rights legislation of 1964 needs REPEALED. All of the "contraptions of the devil" to destroy our Beloved Foundations need REPEALED or REVERSED. No more half-way covenants. NO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS, JUST "ENFORCE" THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS AND GET US BACK TO OUR Beloved Foundations. State Legislatures need back the control of the Senators - popular vote of the Senate was contrary to the Founders. States need to stand on their DECLARATION OF RIGHTS IN THEIR CONSTITUTIONS, we have all the documents we need, given to us by men "who loved their people and "feared God". Enforcement is what is needed.

Repeal of a Constitutional Amendment was done with the "Prohibition Article". (Personally, I think this was an excellent article) but for this "argument", lest we think a Constitutional article can not be repealed, excuse me, when the devil wants his way, he gets things done, so why can't we go in the name of God and get some things done.

WE WANT AMERICA BACK.

For God & Country

Ruth Ann Wilson

Posted January 12, 2010 at 9:37:07 AM

Larry Wood

Why in the name of God hasn't someone stood and made waves legally to stop all this take over and abuse of our constitution? I would gladly participate in a tar and feather march on all Gov't. facilities in Wash. I believe in the Tea Party movement but it is so far behind the pace of what is going on.

Posted January 12, 2010 at 2:05:10 PM

John sukey

That dimocrat who criticised you about being a "hater' apparently hasn't been listening or reading the foul mouthed comments from his own party.

If a copnservative had said the same things, the dimocrats would be screaming from the rooftops about it and CNN would be organizing a Lynch mob.

Posted January 12, 2010 at 8:30:52 PM

Mark Pierce

Thank you for being a powerful voice for conservatism in our country! It is refreshing to receive quotes from the Founders and thoughtful commentary that constantly brings us back to the fundamental truths that have allowed our country to survive and prosper. You are strengthening the hearts of many Americans that love their country, and will soon be ready to step out of their comfort zones to reclaim what has been lost by civic neglect and self-serving political leaders. God bless your work.

Posted January 13, 2010 at 11:17:22 AM

Guy L W Hardy

I read your posting of opposition views, and it was both refreshing and amusing.

I was confronted by a person the other day who was warning that there is a law preventing people from speaking out against the government. 18 USC, Section 2385 - from what I was able to gather - appears to do just that.

Please, enlighten me as to how this part of the law is not in conflict with the First Amendment; I am very uncomfortable with the idea that a law is already in place that openly rebels against The Constitution.

Posted January 13, 2010 at 12:11:50 PM

Ron LeBaron

In newsletter Brief - Monday, January 11, 2010 there was a picture titled "Security or security theatre" which showed travelers awaiting security screening. In the foreground there is a computer screen. Is that the Windows Solitaire game I see running on the screen?

If so, I am more afraid to fly then ever before.

Posted January 13, 2010 at 6:23:53 PM

Ron LeBaron

If so, I am more afraid to fly then ever before.

Posted January 13, 2010 at 6:44:22 PM

Larry Hooper

Responding to Byron York's comments (Jan. 11. 2010)

"..all GOP lawmakers can do now is to oppose."

Isn't this what they have done in every election since Clinton?

They've opposed what the Dems have done, but offered no alternatives!

Obama did his share of blaming Bush, but he also offered a plan for solving the problems. Of course, he lied about all the things he would do, BUT

The things he proposed are solid. We do need transparency. We do need bi-partison cooperation.

I believe those who voted for him believed he would actually do as he promised.

We've got more problems than we can ever solve, but the Republicans need to address some of them and tell the prospective voters how they are going to solve them.

Social Security needs to be fixed. Add to that Medicare. What about flat tax? How about getting rid of the IRS? How about making LINE ITEM VETO a reality? Hows about getting us out of the U.N.?

Pick one- Do something! Give the voters an option, just don't stand there pointing fingers! Because if you do...you'll be right where you are today...on the outside looking in!

Posted January 25, 2010 at 1:36:54 AM

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