While You Were Sleeping...

In case you were sleeping last night (not necessarily a safe thing to do with THIS Congress in session), you will find this morning that Harry Reid pulled his Omnibus bill and the tax deal passed 217 - 148.  The tax deal is headed to Obama's desk and the Omnibus bill is headed to the shredder.  Hot Air has a round-up of celebratory comments.

Michelle Malkin kept watch last night and has the commentary.

On today's agenda:  the START debate begins today, to be followed by the DREAM Act and DADT.  Malkin has the call to action on the DREAM Act here.

(More at Memeorandum.)

Quote of the Day

Appropriately, the tax bill passed and the spending bill died on the 237rd anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.

John J. Pitney, Jr.
The National Review  

Christmas Mice!

Recipe  here.   Check the comments there, too, for some helpful hints, like unwrapping the candy and drying the cherries before you begin assembling.  Also, when pressing the candy to the cherry, position it in such a way that the eyes will show up when you put them on; if that chocolate stripe is in the wrong place, the eyes won't show up.

Here's a video of how easy it is.

Both Republicans and Democrats Guilty in Loading Crap Sandwich Omnibus

I'll be perusing the Ever-Loving-Crap-Sandwich-Lobotomy-Inducing-Piece-of-Bovine-Excrement Omnibus bill throughout the day, as many others will be doing, and as I do, I'd like to point out that it's not just Democrats, of course, who have loaded this piece of junk with earmarks.

Several "Republicans" had added their two cents worth as well, including Mitch McConnell who has included a request for "$650,000 for a genetic technology center at the University of Kentucky."  Sen. Lindsey Graham "has a $379,000 earmark to study port dredging in Charleston."

Fox News mentioned two "Republicans" who have over 200 earmarks apiece in this thing, but I didn't catch who they were.  I'll find them today.

As egregious and offensive as the earmarks from BOTH sides, Harry Reid's insistence that it be passed immediately is even worse.  He's learned nothing from the November elections and the voices of the people who clearly insisted that proposed legislation actually be read by those voting on it, be debated, amended, and transparent to the people.  Words fail me at his audacity.  Fail.

What are the bets now that should Congress work through the Christmas break on this thing that Obama goes on to Hawaii anyway?

Follow the aggravation aggregation on Memorandum today.

The Ever Loving Crap Sandwich Lobotomy Inducing Piece of Bovine Excrement Omnibus Bill

You should never , EVER blog when drunk or furious.  Ever.

Considering that my head is about to explode and that I should definitely be drinking, I probably shouldn't even be typing my name right now, much less attempting to read the Proof-That-Harry-Reid-Has-Lost-His-Mind Crap-Laden-One-Way-Ticket-To-The-Loony-Bin-For-Life Omnibus bill.

No, I'm not drunk, but I oughta be to get through this piece of bovine excrement spending bill.

Is he freakin' CRAZY?  Don't answer that.
Is he KIDDING here?  Don't answer that, either.

And what in the HELL is wrong with these "Republicans" who are thinking about going along with this crap-sandwich?

Did they learn NOTHING from the November election?  Let me suggest that this is way, WAY out of the scope and function of a lame duck Congress.  Way way.  There is no freakin' way that this thing should go through as is.  Who in the hell is going to read a 2,000 page piece of crap like this ever, much less right now when they're all trying to get out of there for Christmas?

Talk about waking up in some parallel universe...

Okay.  Well let's just look at some of the tasty tidbits in this thing, shall we?

Red State has posted the following earmarks as posted on Twitter by Senator John McCain:

$247,000 - Virus free grapes in Washington State
$413,000 - Peanut research in Alabama
$125,000 - Fishery equipment for the Guam Fisherman’s Cooperative Association
$349,000 - Swine waste management in North Carolina
$277,000 - Potato pest management in Wisconsin
$246,000 - Bovine tuberculosis treatment in Michigan and Minnesota
$522,000 - Cranberry and blueberry disease
$500,000 - Oyster safety in Florida

There's more:

$165,000 for maple syrup research in Vermont
$400,000 for solar parking canopies and plug-in electric stations in Kansas


Read the bill here, because you know your Senator won't.

How about the formation of a fact-finding Commission to study  and investigate the Federal government's detention and holding of some 2,300 Latin Americans of Japanese descent during WWII?  (p. 231)

How about $1,000,000 to watch water evaporate in the desert? (p. 450).  How in the hell do I get THAT job?

I'll keep digging through this.  Feel free to join me and post whatever you find.

Keep in mind, Harry Reid wants to smack this crap sandwich down on your Christmas table right next to your turkey and your (lame) duck dinner.  He wants no discussion, no reading, no analysis, no transparency.

Thanks so much, Nevada, for re-electing this buffoon.

(More reaction  at Memeorandum)

Update  $2,600,000 for an agricultural pest facility in Hawaii.  (p. 89).

Tuesday Thoughts

This is the last full week of classes; we have finals next week.  Normally, the kids are so keyed up and wild around this time that it's difficult to get anything done.  Not so this year...we are so incredibly busy in class right now that they don't have time to get off track.  We've still got two Acts of Julius Caesar to do; yesterday and tomorrow are consumed with EOC testing (End of Course), then we still have to review for finals which are Monday.  Too much to do!

After school each day I have a list of errands that must be done because our family Christmas is this weekend.  In the evening I'm baking and cooking up a storm.  Somehow in all of this the house has to be cleaned and ready for the Christmas onslaught.  I love Christmas, but it's a LOT of work!

So you can see why blogging has been light.  Traffic is in "holiday suckage" mode, too, so I guess it's all okay. 

I'd love to write about the strike down of Obamacare yesterday but one look at Memeorandum shows that everyone on the planet already has it covered.  I'll just add this: I don't think this decision will help the liberals understand that it's not that Republicans don't want health care reform - we do.  We just don't want THIS one.  We don't want the mandate (among other things.)  Liberals paint Republicans and evil, unfeeling creatures who want the poor and the suffering to continue in that condition.  They paint Republicans as wanting to keep everyone else down while lifting up the wealthy.  Obama's ire and rancor does nothing to appease this.  They'll see the same thing in this ruling as Republicans cheer this victory.  That's just not the case.

Never forget:  Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats crafted this bill behind closed doors with no Republican input and infused it with kickbacks, payoffs and a multitude of incentives for votes.  Nobody read it.  Nobody really knew what was in it.

We're a long way from repeal, still, but hopefully this decision is a first step toward a health care plan that is palatable for everyone. 

Milly Rose Sings "Oh Christmas Tree"

For your viewing pleasure, the lovely Carol at No Sheeples Here  has "righted" my sideways Milly Rose video.  It's a little blurry and as always, the beginning is chopped off because there you'll be, poking around, looking at the treasures in her shop, and Milly will burst into song.  I'm never ready with the camera.  At any rate, here she is, and THANKS Carol!

Full Metal Jacket Reach Around: The Christmas Dogs Edition

I've got to wrap up all my shopping today.  The family is coming from Dallas next weekend and we're going to do our family Christmas at mom's on Saturday.  I still have some loose ends to finish which must be done today because this week (after work) will be consumed with the baking and cooking.  Thankfully we are having no blizzards here as Steve's relatives in the Midwest are having. 

Let's get to the links and then I can hit the stores before the crowds get out!

Doug Ross details Hezbollah in Venezuela.

Jimmie Bise adds to the growing list of horror stories out of the British Health Care System.

No Sheeples Here announces new responsibilities for the ShamWow guy.

Don't miss Ed Driscoll's "The Unmaking of a President."

Sister Toldjah reports on the bombing in Sweden.

The Pirate's Cove looks at ethanol subsidies.

Fishersville Mike has a climategate carol.

Sarah has had it with the jerks in Douglasville and is staying inside until next year.  I'm with ya, girl!

This is hilarious: Professor Jacobson's latest installment in the Saturday Night Card game.  No words.

Red is almost ready to fall back into the ranks!  Go Comcast!

Do you know what the "trusted traveler agreement' is?  Take your blood pressure meds and go check out DaTechGuy.

And finally, Reaganite Republican has his Sunday Funnies.

And now I'm off to Target and Old Navy to finish up a couple of things, then home to make pralines and more fruitcake cookies.  Stay toasty warm where you are and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Go Christmas Shopping at Second Hand Rose

I hate being such an idiot when it comes to technology and all things computer.  I've spent the last thirty minutes trying to rotate a video I took of Milly Rose today.  I can't do it.  I shot it in the normal way, but when I uploaded it to YouTube or into my library, it has rotated itself sideways.  I can't figure out how to rotate it where it plays in the right direction.  I do have one that plays normally, but the thing is, Milly just bursts into song spontaneously and with no warning whatsoever, so my video is cut off at the beginning.  I'll post it at the end of this.

We had a lovely afternoon, despite my video foibles.  I gave Milly her Christmas gift:  a Diana Thorne print of a little Boston Terrier with some toys.  I had it framed and Milly loved it:

Milly has spent the past couple of weeks unpacking boxes and boxes (and boxes) of glassware which is now spread all throughout the third floor:

and more...

I loved this little nativity scene:

Adorable.

I'd never heard of "Vaseline Glass" as Milly called it before, but she was excited about these candlesticks.  Apparently they glow in the dark under a black light.  She had several pieces of this, also known as "Uranium glass":

Need some artwork for your walls?

That one is entitled "Heaven."  Or this one, entitled "The Watch on the Rine":

I fell in love with this little curio cabinet so Steve bought it for me for Christmas:

Milly had a stack of these cute landscapes; they're about 10 x 12, I guess:

How about a fur coat?

This was a neat little Christmas tree - it's about eight or ten inches high:

Betsy Ross?

Loved this funny monkey:

Salt and pepper shakers:

We were all about Christmas today; Milly and I have been scheming for a couple of months now over this Urania German typewriter that Steve fell in love with on a previous visit.  I'd paid for it but had her hold it for me.  On our last visit, she had a "Sold" sign on the typewriter and table and she told Steve that "some lady" had put it on lay-a-way and hadn't come to get it yet.  He accepted that answer and we went on with our visit.  Today, I'd called ahead and had Milly put a red bow on the typewriter so I could go ahead and give it to Steve and we'd take it with us.

So we lead him to be back of the store on the pretense of looking at "some old tools," and we come upon the typewriter.  Milly explains again that "this lady bought it for her husband...." and Steve says incredulously, "And she NEVER came to get it?!"  We died laughing and he finally caught on.   He was surprised!

These fishing gators are cute:

The dogs, Heidi and Rosalea, were glad to see us:

That one's a little overexposed, but I like it anyway.

So, in the end, we walked out of there with Steve's typewriter and table, my flamingo pin, the curio cabinet, a neat stained glass magnolia night light, an unidentified (for now) Christmas gift for a family member, and a couple of other little things.  Milly gave me an iron cross with brass bells (a wind chime, but too pretty to hang outside).

If you see anything you can't live without here or in the previous posts, give Milly at call at 318.371.9830 and she'll ship it right out to you.

And here is Milly singing White Christmas (the part that didn't get cut off, anyway...)




(Here is the sideways video if you really want to see it.)

Christmas Shopping at Second Hand Rose

We're headed to Minden today to see Milly Rose!  I can't think of a better place to get the rest of my Christmas shopping done!  And, I've got the perfect Christmas gift for Milly, but I can't show it to you right now because she might see it first.  So, you'll have to come back later and check things out.

I'm picking up my awesome flamingo pin she's holding for me (it needed a little repair work) and no telling what else I'll see.  She's been unloading boxes and boxes of new stuff since we were there last. 

I was scanning through my previous posts, looking at all the pictures I've posted here.  It hit me, all of a sudden, how many of those things are in my house now.  I told Steve, "When my house starts looking like Milly's shop....STOP me!"

I'm hoping she'll sing for us again today and I can get video for you. 

Have a fun, Christmassy Saturday and the FMJRA will be up later.

Were They Serving Eggnog (With Nutmeg) at That Christmas Party?

How can anybody take him seriously after this?

 

A look at what others are saying:

Pundette:

Weirdest thing of all: Obama makes Clinton look like a responsible adult, almost like a president.

The Other McCain:

Wow. Who knew it would be so easy to get rid of him?

Dana Perino at The Corner:

Allowing Bill Clinton face-time in the White House briefing room was a totally safe move — he’s about the only Democrat that can’t mount a primary challenge against him, and that’s only because of the Constitution. I’m still wondering if I can believe my eyes. Did that really just happen?

Allahpundit:

I can’t do justice to what you’re about to see. The spectacle of the president bugging out of his own press conference to go to a Christmas party is weird enough, but having Clinton back at the White House podium fielding questions on the hottest domestic issue of the day shoots past deja vu and lands firmly in “am I hallucinating?” territory.

Professor Glenn Reynolds:

Those rumors that White House insiders are worried by Obama’s disengagement just got a lot more credible . . . .

Bryan Preston:

I saw a current president who has never looked less interested in doing his job.  I also saw a former president who never lost interest in doing that job.  Obama’s demeanor and body language suggested that he’d rather be anywhere but where he was, and then he followed through and actually bolted for the door.  Clinton’s demeanor was that of a passionate wonk trying to sell a policy he actually cared about, that he thought would be good for the country.  It didn’t matter that it wasn’t even his own policy that he was selling. I saw a president who, for a few minutes a least, ceded his job to his predecessor.  He’d failed to sell his own policy, so he needed and got some rescue from Clinton.

The Caucus with a round-up of Twitter messages:

But perhaps the best Twitter message of the afternoon goes to Ezra Klein of the Washington Post, who said: “After this, Bill Clinton is going to go sit in the Oval Office, ‘just until Obama gets back.’”

Bride of Rove:

But no. President Petulant man child is just so over the whole Presidential thing and ready to enjoy the perks of job for as long as he can ride it.  What a worthless, lazy-assed, whiny little squid.  This week in the Presidency should be an impeachable offense. Just say’n.

Michelle Malkin:

Why would Obama leave Clinton alone with the press corps under these conditions? A bigger mistake hasn’t been made since Eddie Fisher agreed to let Elizabeth Taylor share a makeup trailer with Richard Burton on the set of Cleopatra.

All I can say is ... total apathy in action.  How can anyone take Obama seriously anymore after this?  Again, I  point to Lindsey Graham's comment:  "... quite frankly, there's some political immaturity showing here."

Obama had better things to do yesterday afternoon than attend his own press conference.  Well, Mr. Obama, we can do better than you.  2012.

More aggregation at Memeorandum.

Shreveport's New Garbage and Recyling Fees Start in January

So Shreveport readers, how do you feel about this?  And if you're not a Shreveport reader, please share with us what YOUR city charges for garbage and/or recycling collection.

From KTBS:

The city of Shreveport on Jan. 1 will begin assessing a $2.50 a month fee for residential garbage pickup, plus a $2.50 fee for recycling. Both collection fees will be added to monthly water-and-sewerage bills. In the past, sanitation was part of the city services paid for through tax revenues.

What about the people that don't recycle?  My mom is 86 years old and has never put anything into her blue bin.  It's not that she doesn't care about recycling, but she doesn't sort her trash, she can't carry it outside, and she surely can't roll the bin to the street on Mondays.  But it seems she'll have to pay her $2.50 to cover everyone else who recycles. She pays extra for "backyard pickup" so that she doesn't have to drag her garbage to the street. 

True, we're only talking about $60 a year, but that's still $60.  To senior citizens on a fixed income this is just another rising expense in a list of many chipping away at their monthly income.

This new fee was voted on in November of this year and approved by the City Council in a 5-2 vote.  It was apparently precipitated by protesting sanitation workers who drive "rickety trucks" with no A/C.  The tax revenue presently collected covers the pickup charges, but the new fee will cover new trucks.

I'd like to know if there's an opt-out option for people that would just prefer to dispose of their own garbage. 

"There's some political immaturity showing here."

Peggy Noonan writes about Obama's plummeting support within his party:

We have not in our lifetimes seen a president in this position. He spent his first year losing the center, which elected him, and his second losing his base, which is supposed to provide his troops. There isn't much left to lose!

She notes his frustration and hostility in his press conference this week and debates the potential of a primary challenge for Mr. Obama in 2012.

Last night on Greta van Susteren, Lindsey Graham explained Obama's current position as reflective of his inexperience:

What I want the president to do is to be a leader. And here's his problem. Before he came here, he's never had a history of sitting down and solving hard problems. He doesn't have a deep resume. When he was in the Senate, he never did anything big. He's never had hard-headed Republicans and Democrats to deal with before. And quite frankly, there's some political immaturity showing here. He has never done the big, hard things before he got to be president. He came into the job probably the least prepared of anybody in a long time, and it shows.

This plummeting popularity isn't showing in Rasmussen's numbers, however:

So, is Obama really losing his base and his popularity or is this just spin? 

Maybe my liberal readers will chime in and sort this out.  Are you disenchanted?

Pence/Palin 2012?

I've been thinking about Mike Pence today.  It's George Will's fault; he got me going. 

I'm not sure about his chances, should he decide to run, because I'm not sure he has the name recognition that someone like, say Romney or Huckabee has.  But, Pence seems to be one of the strongest truly conservative contenders out there.  He did recommend a somewhat squishy immigration bill which some equated to amnesty, but on all other fronts Pence seems to be solid.

So what do you think?

Pence/Palin?

Pence/Jindal?
 

Thursday Sift

A couple of quick links; I'm off to work early this morning.

Susan Estrich has a column about Elizabeth Edwards. 

George Will is loving Mike Pence and looking at 2012.

Peter Ferrara had a good piece yesterday on Obamanomics.

Karl Rove writes on the "Democratic Revolution" with regard to Obama's compromise on the Bush tax cuts.  In the end, he says,

If he fails, taxes will go up for every American on Jan. 1. If that happens, the new Congress would likely rectify the situation within days after being sworn in. The political damage to Mr. Obama would not be undone nearly as quickly. Failure to pass the tax compromise would make the president appear impotent. Confidence among Democrats would collapse. And there would be more challenges to Mr. Obama's leadership from within his own party, perhaps even in the 2012 primaries.  Most importantly, failure would imperil $400 billion in tax cuts that would be a more effective economic boost than Mr. Obama's justifiably ridiculed stimulus. Without much healthier economic growth and far more robust job creation, Mr. Obama has little chance of wooing back the independents who elected him in 2008 yet abandoned Democrats in 2010.

The Senate takes up the DREAM Act this morning.  

I'm off to work.  We kill Caesar today.  Act 3, Sc. 1.

The Debate Begins On the DREAM Act: LIVE BLOGGING

The debate in the House has begun on the DREAM Act; John Conyers just finished speaking and simultaneously fumbling through notes.  He says that the majority of Americans support the DREAM Act.  Stay tuned.

Update #1:  Lamar Smith (R- TX):  makes points about American unemployment rates and how the DREAM Act will exacerbate that.  He points out that no hearings have been held and that the bill considered in the vote was only introduced last night.  No Amendments will be allowed.  "What happened to the Democrats promise to allow Americans 24 hours to read the bill?"

Smith says "the DREAM Act will mean amnesty for over 2 million illegal immigrants."  He fears massive fraud in the application process which requires no proof, but simply claims by those who apply.

Once they file an application, the federal government can no longer deport them.

Smith says this bill will push illegal crossings even higher as illegals attempt to get inside the border.  These immigrants will also swell the welfare rolls.  Illegals can use fraudulent documents because there is no check and verification process.

There have been no hearings and no amendments allowed.  "This is a desecration of the democratic process," Smith says.  "It puts the interests of illegal immigrants" ahead of American citizens.

Update #2:  Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) in speaking in support of the DREAM Act.  Because California isn't in enough trouble already.

Update #3:  Rep. Steve King (R-IA) says the cost is quite high; much higher than proponents admit.  It triples the number of DREAM cards.  King says it's an "affirmative action amnesty act."

Update #4:  Sheila Jackson Lee.  "We are ALL created equal!"   Now Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) laments that there has been no markup, no committee, no amendments, as if this was "perfectly drawn and perfectly brought here" as is.  We're going to "pass it without the minority to offer changes to the bill."  He says the DREAM Act offers amnesty to those who entered the country before they were 16 years old.  The bill does not define "hardship" - a huge loophole.

Goodlatte, no matter how spurious, files an application, the federal government is prohibited from deporting him.

Maxine Waters (D-CA) says the DREAM Act is good for the economy and well thought through.  Because California isn't broke enough.

Update #5:  It seems the supporters biggest selling point is that these illegals didn't ask to be here.  They're here through no fault of their own.

Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA)  "This bill is the amnesty dream... Adults up to 30 years old will now be eligble for amnesty under this....illegal immigrants who have been convicted of less than three misdemeanors will be eligible for this...this is a nightmare for America."

Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX) making a case for the DREAM Act in this season of "hope and love and joy."  It's Christmas so let's push an amnesty bill.

Update #6:  Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) says the DREAM Act allows for preferential treatment for illegals at the expense of our citizens and legal immigrants in education.  It places a burden on our "hard pressed" government programs.  He says the bill will encourage millions to cross the border and "bring their kids...ALL of them."

Conyers says there is no preferential treatment:  "They are treated equally," he says.

Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA) point out that this bill is "not compassion" but "politics."  "This is a Harry Reid deal; he promised he was going to do it, so he's doing it."  Kingston says "How do you prove who was here when they were 16 up to 30?"  "You only have to prove it to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Homeland Security", he says.  No worries!  "Who keeps up with the records of illegal aliens?"  he asks.

Two million people will probably become citizens under this, Kingston says.  "This is politics in the eleventh hour in a lame duck Congress and should be rejected under that alone."

Update #7:   Rep Sam Farr (D-CA) equates illegals to the founders and says we should give those illegal kids a dream.  Because California isn't already screwed.

Rep. Cathy Castor (D-FL)  is all about breathing "hope and life" into these illegals who just want an education and to serve in the armed forces.

Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY) says this is the only country these kids know.  It's the American dream.

Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA)  "It is wrong to unfairly punish young people who come to America through no fault of their own."  This bill will strengthen America, he says.

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY)  "Thank God the Native Americans didn't have these immigration laws when they were 'discovered' by other people!"

Update #8: Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) "...these people were uprooted from their homes when they were young children...have sacrificed blood and tears for this country."

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD)  Says he's speaking for those children who "didn't break the law".  Their parents broke the law.  These kids grew up in this country and are "proud to be an American" and Steny Hoyer is pretty sure they sing Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA."

Update #9:   Michelle Malkin has thoughts, comments, and links.

Update #10:   Hoyer is still waxing rhapsodic about the young chillens who came here as youngsters  and have been in school and know only America as their home; he doesn't address at all those criminals who apply for amnesty that can't be deported....it's all about the little ones.  Up to age 30.  Yeah.

Update #11:  Apparently, according to Hoyer, these kids are going to be trillion dollar earners.  We need 'em.   Hoyer cites Michael Gerson's support of the DREAM Act and repeats over and over "George Bush's speech writer" as if that's a good thing all of a sudden.

Update #12:   Rep., Dan Lungren (D-CA) disagrees with bringing this bill without the opportunity for members to have their ideas heard through amendments.  "Everyone should have an equal opportunity to come to the United States," but when you come illegally you are discriminating against those who play by the rules.  He says we should allow an amendment that says those who benefit from this should not have the option to have those who DID break the law benefit from this bill.

Update #13:   Rep. Gregory Meeks says those who would benefit from this bill don't even know they aren't American citizens.  Whaaaa......t????  He says they are every bit as American as all of us.  Except for that citizenship thing....

Update #14:   Rep. Steve King (R-IA) points out that when his ancestors arrived at Ellis Island, 2% were sent back.

Awww lordy here comes Queen Nancy.

Update #15:  Nancy is harking back to the founders.  The Founders settled on equality for the people, she says.   Pelosi cites "The American Dream" which she defines as making America better for the next generation.  Apparently the DREAM Act will do that.  It'll make America "more American."  Hunh?

Many of these illegals have no idea of their immigration status until ICE shows up at their door.  "Some of them don't even speak the language of the country of origin of their parents."  These illegals serve in the armed services and "strengthen our national security," she says.  "They have an array of skills and talent."  (I'll leave that one alone.)

Nancy Pelosi says "we have the opportunity tonight to solve a problem for our military" and that this bill doesn't cost money.  These young people will pay hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes "when they reach their working potential."

Apparently we owe it to our founders to pass this bill which makes America "more American."

Update #16:  And now we're wrapping up.  Rep Lamar Smith (R-TX) reminds that there has been no discussion on this bill and that this particular bill has only just been made available. " Illegals get amnesty if they use fraudulent documents,  even if they have committed crimes like DUI and document fraud...it encourages fraud and even more illegal immigration."  Unemployment is over 9% , he says, but the DREAM Act means more competition for American workers who are in need of those jobs.  It puts the interest of illegal aliens over the interest of American citizens.

Rep. Howard Berman, (D-CA) says the word "amnesty" is scary.  These kids did nothing wrong.  "This is a whole universe of people" who did nothing wrong.  The Republicans are using scare tactics by talking about chain migration.  Chain migration is a "bogus argument" just like "amnesty."

Berman cites the "affirmative action" argument by saying these illegals can't apply for Pell Grants, food stamps, etc.  He says the country will benefit from the talents of these illegals.

Update #17:  Voting is underway.  Michelle Malkin writes:

Appalling. The House “debated” the DREAM Act that few actually have read — but there was no real debate because the Dem leadership prevented any amendments from coming to the floor. It was an abuse of the lame-duck session and a legislative farce. Most ethical and open my you know what.

Agreed.

Update #18:  The DREAM Act passes the House.  216 -198.  The names of the 8 Republicans voting "For" coming up.  Senate votes tomorrow at 11 ET.

Update #19:  Republicans voting for DREAM Act:

Cao, Castle, Diaz-Balart, L., Diaz-Balart M., Djou, Ehlers, Inglis, Ros-Lehtinen,

Keep Maureen Dowd Away From the Nutmeg

I think Maureen Dowd has had enough nutmeg...

The caribou that waited too pliantly in the cross hairs is doomed to become stew for Palin and an allegory for politics. The elegant animal standing above the fray, dithering rather than charging at his foes or outmaneuvering them, is Obambi. Even with a rifle aimed at him, he’s trying to be the most reasonable mammal in the scene, mammalian bipartisan, and rise above what he sees as empty distinctions between the species so that we can all unite at a higher level of being.

Palin’s father advises her to warm up her trigger finger. And trigger-happy Sarah represents the Republicans, who have spent two years taking shots at the president, including potshots, and tormenting him in an effort to bring him down. 

An intervention may be necessary.

Remembering Pearl Harbor

Gabe Pressman, in New York, was having an afternoon dinner with his family.  He was 17 and would go to war two years later.

Harold Whitehouse was 13 in Portsmouth; he describes the war effort in one of many American cities.

Walter Yablolnski, a Pearl Harbor survivor, remembers the day clearly.

Veteran David Breedlove was serving in Hawaii when the attack occurred.

Walter Stimic, another Pearl Harbor vet, also remembers.

Aaron Rapking was on an Army base in Texas when the attack occurred; he and two other vets recall the day.

The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association is still hanging in.

Survivor Dorwin Lamkin visits the Pearl Harbor Memorial.

Pearl Harbor today.

I'll Have a Chocolate Tree, Please...

Now THAT'S a gingerbread house:

At The Four Seasons:

Be the first to preview Executive Pastry Chef, Charles Froke's recreation of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception made entirely of gingerbread and decorated with sugar stained glass windows and chocolate trees. The base will be 2.5 feet by 3.5 feet and rise another 3 feet high.

Awesome!

(H/T:  The Weekly Standard)

Merry Christmas, Terrorists!

I'm getting really tired of Julian Assange.  Yesterday's Wikileaks drop include a list of "all installations whose loss could critically affect US national security."  Merry Christmas, terrorists!

The geographical range of the document on installations is extraordinary, our correspondent says.  If the US sees itself as waging a "global war on terror" then this represents a global directory of the key installations and facilities - many of them medical or industrial - that are seen as being of vital importance to Washington.  Some locations are given unique billing. The Nadym gas pipeline junction in western Siberia, for example, is described as "the most critical gas facility in the world". 

This, combined with Assange's promise to drop a new cache of uncensored documents should the government attempt to shut him down, simply confirm this man's status as an enemy of the state.

He's dangerous.

(H/T:  Memeorandum)

Full Metal Jacket Reach Around: The Clearing the Browser Tabs Edition

My roundup today is an assorted mixture of things that caught my eye and some random commentary.  I like the Jimmie Bise phrase, now picked up by Stacy McCain, of "clearing the browser tabs."  It exactly fits my roundup this morning.  If you linked me and I missed you, let me know and I'll get you in!  It's been a busy week!


They've got snow over at Althouse's place.

Bride of Rove has resurfaced!

Doug Ross can show you exactly why we're in the shape we're in with his Five Graphs of Doom.

You may remember I posted earlier this week about being tired so I said I was taking the night off from blogging.  Just.One.Evening.  Professor Jacobson hits on what was actually going on with me earlier in the week as he explains his own light blogging . He explains today, "...I'm really busy but no one will believe that because all I do is teach."  I believe you.  Good grief, I do get tired of people harboring the impression that teaching is such a cushy job that teachers should never get tired or complain.  "But you have the whole summer off!" (False).   "You get off work at 3:00!"  (Also false).  Gawd, don't get me started.

On the day in question, the evening I took off, I'd had a faculty meeting at 7:00, another meeting at 7:35, a third meeting at 8:00, then classes at 9:05 until lunch.  Lunch?  No.  Hall duty = no lunch.  Classes immediately after "lunch" until 2:30.  I'd been standing, literally without sitting down or leaving my classroom, for hours.  After school I ran four errands for my mom, went to check on her, then came home and cooked dinner.  The first time I sat down all day was 6:30 p.m.  And those research papers I have to grade?  Not graded yet.

So yeah, Professor.  I get it.  All I do is teach, but I get it.

Don't know what to get the woman who has everything for Christmas?  Maybe Crazy Conservative can help.

Bob Belvedere has the headline of the week; and hey, maybe some real estate is on your Christmas list?  How cool would this be!  Love it.

I can't even begin to tell you how stupid this bake sale regulation nonsense is.  Prime example of people who don't know what they're talking about trying to regulate something they know less about.  Adrienne has the story.

Ed Driscoll has an example of more liberal hypocrisy.

Mind Numbed Robot has some bits and pieces of note.

Stacy is being threatened with legal troubles; you might need to go rattle his tip jar.

Pundette has a nice post on Ron Santo and a roundup of the reactions.

Critical Narrative has something interesting; you've gotta see it to believe it.

You've got to read Jim Brown's tale of his attempt to attend Sarah Palin's book signing in Baton Rouge this week, especially now that there's a thread at Memeorandum about what a tightly controlled operation it is.  Brown couldn't get to see Saracuda at the signing so...

"So when I got home, I decided to climb up on my roof. It’s flat, with a full view of the shopping center where the bookstore is located.  And then it dawned on me.  We have a common bond, this lady and I. Remember back during the campaign when she was asked about her foreign policy experience?  She said she could see Russia from her house.  Well guess what!  I can see Sarah from my house!  Pretty cool, huh?"

And if you need some help getting into the Christmas spirit, this ought to do it.  Love this; (HT:  The Other McCain)


 Okay, I've got to do Saturday things.  I'm waiting for my postman who I hope is bringing something (I can't say what!) that I ordered for a friend of mine (can't say who!) that I'll have to take to another store and have something done to it in order for it to become a perfect Christmas gift.  I have Christmasy things to do and decorations to finish, and well, I still have 17 research papers to grade. 

Don't forget, the SIGIS Amazon store is OPEN!  Get all your shopping done!


(Photo Credit:  Captured by Light)

Those Nutty Kids

Quick!  I've got to get down to the grocery store and stock up on nutmeg before the feds decide to make it a controlled substance.

Say WHAT?

Yessir, just in time for the holiday season, nutmeg is apparently the latest way to get high:

Hot on the heels of this week's recall of Whole Foods-labeled nutmeg over salmonella fears, a TV station in New Hampshire reports that some wise-acre kids in Oklahoma are Beavising it up by smoking nutmeg, posting videos of it on YouTube, vomiting and discussing how awesome it is.  The newsfolk at WMUR-TV present a pragmatic take on the issue. "Certainly they will get the hallucinations that they're looking for, but the side effects, particularly the upset stomach and vomiting, prevents them from wanting to do it again. In fact, I've never heard of anyone trying it who wants to try it again," says some guy who is never identified but seems to know what he's talking about.

Apparently it's not all that "new" either - Malcolm X wrote in his autobiography of getting high in prison on nutmeg.  Kids are smoking, snorting and eating nutmeg as a "legal" high.

Just like  Four Loko, so goes nutmeg.  How long before I'm having to go to Criag's List to get my nutmeg so I can make fruitcake cookies? 
Damn those nutty kids.

Because the START Treaty is So Much More Important Than The Economy...

If nothing made clear the differences between conservatives and liberals before, Juan Williams surely did on Fox this morning.

Consider this article from Karl Rove in the WSJ this morning regarding the extension of the Bush tax cuts which says (emphasis mine):

If that happens, every worker will receive a smaller paycheck in the New Year. This will happen regardless of what action the new Congress takes—because the Treasury Department must very soon send employers and payroll processers instructions for 2011 tax withholding. If no bill passes in the next 10 days, the Treasury Department will have to assume the Bush tax cuts expire and order more withheld from everyone's pay.  The impact would be dramatic. H&R Block's Tax Institute, for example, has estimated that a married couple earning $80,000 will receive $221.48 less in each bimonthly paycheck starting in January, just when Christmas bills show up.

And Juan Williams tried to argue that Americans are more interested in the START treaty and the DREAM act.  Seriously?  

Senate Republicans have sent a letter to Harry Reid saying basically, we aren't doing ANYTHING until we do taxes.

You tell me.  What do YOU want Congress to deal with first in this lame duck session?  Tax cuts?  START?  Amnesty? 

No Flame Wars Here

The blogosphere is such a funny place, and I do mean that it a good way.

Back in early 2009, when my blog was about six months old and my blogging savvy quite raw, I found Bill Jacobson's Legal Insurrection blog.  I don't remember how but I'm guessing it was through Stacy McCain's blog which I found by reading American Spectator, but that's a whole 'nother story, as they say.

So I found Legal Insurrection, liked it, and linked it.  But not very well:

Legal Insurrection is another great blog I've just discovered, full of quick, newsy bits and links. Love his quote from the Paglia comlumn!

My oh-so-breezy-style ruffled Professor Jacobson's feathers:

Quick, newsy bits and links? My dear, why not just drive a stake through my heart? Must you mock me for all the world to see? Why not just say, "I just discovered this loser blogger who doesn't have the time or intellectual strength to lift anything more than links and news tidbits."

....and the blogosphere was on the verge of a serious Rule 4 Flame War.

Somehow, I apologized, Stacy invoked peace...

• Some DirtyBlonde Chick: "Legal Insurrection is the greatest blog I've ever seen. It is full of insightful commentary . . . I laughed! I cried! It was better than 'Cats'! TWO THUMBS UP!"
• Professor William Jacobson enjoys a quiet cigarette afterwards.

... and all was well.

Or not?

Last night, in response to my "I'm so tired" whining, Professor Jacobson wrote:

Let me guess, you worked the fields all day, so you don't have the strength to push down on the keyboard with your bloodied, swollen fingers?

He was, of course, mocking himself and his own burnout stories.  A few of his readers, whom I now ADORE, took up for me and now....the clarification.

Who am I to argue with a tireless and indefatigable blog goddess...

That whole "blog goddess" thing?  That would be me.  Thanks for clicking over, LI readers.  We're all friends, here.

Where are my cigarettes?

Is it Censorship?

So let's talk about that exhibit at The Smithsonian.  You can go here to see the picture at the heart of the controversy, and read the story; I'm not going to post it just because I don't want to have to look at it every time I open my own blog.  But, is it censorship?

The exhibit is offensive to many, yes.  But, is it "art"?  Even though the exhibit is supposedly funded by private donations, it's in the public Smithsonian.  Is it right to demand that it be taken down?

Are we on a slippery slope, here?