Michael Moore: Obamacare is Awful

Michael Moore declares Obamacare to be "awful" and...wait for it...says single-payer is the way to solve all the problems:

I believe Obamacare’s rocky start — clueless planning, a lousy website, insurance companies raising rates, and the president’s telling people they could keep their coverage when, in fact, not all could — is a result of one fatal flaw: The Affordable Care Act is a pro-insurance-industry plan implemented by a president who knew in his heart that a single-payer, Medicare-for-all model was the true way to go. When right-wing critics “expose” the fact that President Obama endorsed a single-payer system before 2004, they’re actually telling the truth.

Why am I not surprised?

Wasn't that always the intent?

Duck Commander Extends Its Brand to Firearms

The Duck Dynasty brand is everywhere.

There is, of course, the wildly popular television show; the box sets and DVDs are big sellers on Amazon.  There are cookbooks, beef jerky, bacon jerky, running shoes (you have to get on a waiting list), daily devotionals, prom dresses, a Duck Commander cruise, sunglasses, baby clothes, cologne, and well, it goes on and on.

Oh, and they make duck calls, too.
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Now, add guns to the list.  The ever enterprising Robertson clan now has its own line of guns manufactured by Mossberg.

The gunmaker Mossberg has teamed with Duck Commander, the company owned by "Duck Dynasty's" Robertson clan, to release nine different shotguns, as well as two semiautomatic rifles and a semiautomatic pistol.

The guns are manufactured under the Duck Commander brand, rather than Duck Dynasty, which I suspect cuts A&E out of the equation.

Over-exposed or not, you've got to admire the entrepreneurial spirit!

(H/T:  Memeorandum)

Local Residents Oppose New Funeral Home in Highland **UPDATED**

Scroll down for updates from the meeting.

Via KTBS:

Shreveport's Metropolitan Planning Commission will hold a public meeting Thursday afternoon at 1pm to discuss the rezoning of Kings Highway and Highland Avenue which would allow a funeral home to move into the former Don's Seafood Restaurant.  

In attendance will be groups from the Highland Restoration Association as well as the South Highlands Neighborhood Association.

At issue is the zoning exception for the proposed funeral home that wants to occupy the site.

Jolinda Redding wrote a petition against the rezoning which is to be presented at the meeting today. The petition garnered 213 signatures.

Patterson Funeral Home wishes to reopen their business in the old Don's Seafood Restaurant building which has been sitting empty since Don's closed in 2008.  Patterson, a family run business, has been in operation in north Shreveport for many years but burned in August 2012.  The fire is still under investigation.

Highland residents cite traffic concerns as their main issue against the funeral home.  The building is in an historic neighborhood district but on a major local thoroughfare and on a corner across from a Brookshires grocery store, a Wendy's, and a service station.  While the property does have a large parking lot, residents are concerned about restricted access during funerals.  On the other hand, proponents suggest that even a funeral home is better than an empty building.  Business owner Rosalind Patterson-Nelson vows to be a good neighbor and says that her business will restore the historic landmark.

Also of of concern to neighborhood residents is the potential of reduced property values because of the funeral home.

The zoning meeting is at 1:00 today at 505 Travis Street.  KTBS will stream the meeting live on their website.

Update 3:10:  The commission took up the issue around 2:30.  Mrs. Patterson-Nelson spoke in favor of her proposal to open a funeral home at the Don's location and vowed to open a dialogue with the opponents so that issues may be resolved.

Matthew Linn spoke in opposition of the proposal.  Linn contends that the funeral home project is just not a fit for the residential neighborhood.  Linn dramatically asked his contingent, which consisted of both his residential and business neighbors, to stand in demonstration of the opposition and that took care of almost everyone in the room at that point.

Linn says the proposed business does not meet the required setbacks for this kind of business at this particular location.  Kings Highway is a B1 and B2 district, he states, not a B3 district for many, many blocks - at least as far as the Red River.  Kings Highway is a historic district and a natural highway for the neighborhood.  Funeral homes require a B3 zoning.

Linn was equipped with exhibits and excerpts of the law, letters from the Highland residents, the South Highlands resident organization, and the Broadmoor neighborhood association, the Gladstone neighborhood association, as well as letters from many residents.  Linn spoke of the quick notice of this meeting and noted the huge opposition that has quickly developed.

Kings Highway is one of the few east/west thoroughfares that serve our community, Linn noted, and he explained how traffic flows easily with the businesses currently in place.  Linn said that "no matter what direction" a funeral procession went from the funeral home, it would "bring traffic to a dead stop."  He cited Byrd High School traffic when school dismisses which would also come to a complete standstill in the case of funeral traffic.

Following Mr. Linn, Malcolm Murchison, a property owner, cited the growth of Byrd High School (the magnet program) and the I49 intersection as factors that have contributed to the bumper to bumper traffic on Kings Highway.  Mr. Murchison noted that there are seven exceptions that this zoning ordinance might be granted and this case meets none of them.

Next to speak in opposition was Arthur Carmody, Jr. who has lived in the area for 62 years.  He spoke of the fine architecture in the neighborhood.  He spoke of the inconvenience the funeral home would bring to the Chevron station on the southeast corner of the intersection, the Wendy's restaurant, and other businesses in the immediate area.  He vowed that the zoning exception would "open up a Pandora's box of problems."

John Odom spoke also on traffic congestion, specifically at the time when Byrd High School lets out.  There are 2900 students at the school and when school lets out at 3:00 traffic is bumper to bumper.  Creswell Elementary is also nearby, as is First Baptist Church which also has a K-6 school - also a huge traffic issue.  Also on Kings Highway is St. Marks Day School whose students are all picked up by parents.  Mr. Odom noted that here in Shreveport we have police escorts for funeral processions and citizens all pull over out of respect during funeral processions.  A funeral procession will create major traffic problems "in any direction," Odom explained.

Patty Pernici who operates the Chevron station spoke, and explained that at first glance she was glad to have a new neighbor occupy the long empty restaurant.  Mrs. Pernici contends that this is just "not the right neighbor."

A stream of other residents and neighbors spoke, including one whose home overlooks the funeral home. The view from his master bedroom and his son's bedroom would be the funeral home.  Another resident addressed the parking issue which has always been a problem when Byrd High School is in session, especially on Atkins street.  The quality of neighborhood life could be compromised - people walking dogs, children riding bikes, joggers, etc.  Residents from the South Highlands Association also spoke of the precedent this zoning change would set.  One resident lives across the street from the funeral home and says she wouldn't be able to get into her driveway during a funeral; she also noted Centenary College, the Gilbert street post office and the Circle K which only has a Kings Highway entrance.

At the conclusion of the speakers the commission asked all in opposition to stand and the entire room stood up with the exception of Mrs. Patterson-Nelson and her companion.  I wondered how it felt to be her with everyone in the room against you.

She spoke in rebuttal and said she had told her supporters not to attend because she was asking for a deferral, otherwise, she would have had people to speak in favor of her business.

And with that, the commission moved on to the next case.

Update:  No decision from the commission yet...still going on.

Photo via KTBS.

Regulation Nation Strikes the Family Farm

Obama's regulation nation now includes the family farm.

The family farm has typically been defined as one "with ten or fewer employees."  The Wall Street Journal notes that OSHA has been prohibited from setting foot on farms with less than ten people...until now.  This administration's modus operandi has been to make up the rules as they go: Obamacare is one example of that.  Now this also applies to the family farm:

But OSHA officials have found a novel way to circumvent this statutory restraint. The regulators have simply claimed the authority to rewrite the definition of farming. A remarkable 2011 memo from OSHA's enforcement chief to regional administrators at first acknowledges that the law prevents the agency from regulating small farms engaged in growing and harvesting crops and any "related activities." But then the memo proceeds to instruct employees on how to re-categorize small farms as commercial grain handlers. So OSHA inspectors have recently begun to descend on family farms, claiming the authority to regulate their grain storage bins. 

This has inspired the normally mild-mannered Sen. Mike Johanns (R., Neb.) to take to the Senate floor recently to condemn OSHA's "absolutely incredible" and "absurd" position, which he called "a blatant overreach in violation of the law." 

Mr. Johanns grew up on a farm and pointed out that "every farm has grain storage." That's because it's not practical and at times nearly impossible to sell all of a crop the moment it is harvested. Without grain storage, farmers would be forced to immediately unload everything they grow and therefore have to accept lower prices.

Senator Johanns cited as an example a farm with just one employee that was fined $130,000 by OSHA for, among other things, failing to have a plan to address dust.  The senator spoke about this case recently on the Senate floor:

During a speech on the Senate floor this week, the Nebraska Republican said the agency has levied $132,000 in fines against a small Nebraska farm despite a prohibition against doing so with farming operations that have 10 or fewer employees. 

Johanns said OSHA inspectors said the farm willfully violated OSHA regulations associated with atmospheric tests in a grain bin, failure to wear OSHA-approved gear when entering a grain bin and other issues.

Senator Johanns thinks OSHA "is using the fines as a testing ground for future regulation of family farm operations and their grain systems."

Clearly there is little that this administration doesn't desire to regulate and if it can't be done under current policy then policy just must be rewritten.

Regulation nation.

Shock Study! Texting and Driving is Dangerous!

In a shocking study sponsored by The National Institutes of Health and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there is now evidence that texting and dialing while driving increases the risk of crash:

A sophisticated, real-world study confirms that dialing, texting or reaching for a cellphone while driving raises the risk of a crash or near-miss, especially for younger drivers. But the research also produced a surprise: Simply talking on the phone did not prove dangerous, as it has in other studies.

Seriously?

We needed a study for this?

Do you just love the prose?  "A sophisticated, real-world study...".

Can't we just concentrate on transgender kindergarteners or something?

Doolittle Raider Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole Accepts Spirit of Independence Award

Yesterday, Shreveport hosted the AdvoCare Independence Bowl; as is the tradition at the bowl, the Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award was presented.

The award is presented each year to outstanding American citizens, or organizations, who symbolize the spirit of freedom and independence on which our country was founded.

This year it was presented to the Doolittle Raiders; accepting the award for the Raiders was Lt. Col.  Richard E. Cole, age 98.  He was the co-pilot with Doolittle in the first plane that took off from the USS Hornet.

After the Empire of Japan attacked the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor in 1941, Lieutenant Colonel James “Jimmy” Doolittle led a group of 79 other volunteers on a secret and dangerous retaliatory mission against the Japanese. The men did not know the details of their mission until they were aboard the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Hornet. 

The mission of the Doolittle Raiders, also known as the Tokyo Raiders, involved flying 16 U.S. Army B-25B Mitchell bombers off of the USS Hornet in a bombing run aimed at the Japanese mainland. 

Because it would be impossible to land the bombers on the aircraft, after the crews dropped their bombs, they were to land in China. However, still 650 nautical miles from Japan, the USS Nashville sunk a Japanese patrol boat, sending warning to Japan that an attack was coming. 

Doolittle decided to launch the attack 10 hours and 170 miles ahead of schedule. The Raiders hit their targets in Japan, but lacked the fuel to reach the safe airfields in China. Fifteen of the 16 crews crash-landed or baled out; one landed in the Soviet Union.
Three men drowned crashing into the ocean, while eight were taken captive by the Japanese. Three of the captives were executed, and the other five were imprisoned. Four men survived the imprisonment, but one did not make it through the deplorable conditions. 

Despite the fact that the raid did not cause the amount of damage as was hoped, it was still viewed as a success because it proved that the Japanese were not as impervious to attack as once believed. It also boosted the morale of United States’ soldiers and citizens alike. 

After the attack on Japan, many of the Doolittle Raiders continued to fight in the war. Twelve of the surviving Raiders were killed in combat. 

For their bravery and valor, all 80 Raiders received the Distinguished Flying Cross. The men who were imprisoned were awarded the Purple Heart, two men received the Silver Star and Doolittle earned the Medal of Honor.

While in Shreveport, Cole was able to visit Barksdale Air Force Base where he was honored at a luncheon and toured a B-52 bomber.

During the Independence Bowl there was a flyover of a B-25 bomber.

Here is video (around 1:26) of Lt. Col. accepting the award:



Go here to learn more about the Doolittle Raiders.

(H/T:  Tim Fletcher)

Photo credit:  Doolittle Raider

Shocker: Another AK-47 Turns Up in Mexico

Guns from the Fast and Furious ATF debacle continue to turn up at crime scenes; this time it's an AK-47 that turned up at the scene of a shootout between Mexican authorities and cartel gunmen.

For their part, the ATF is, well, regretful:

“ATF has accepted responsibility for the mistakes made in the Fast and Furious investigation and at the attorney general's direction we have taken appropriate and decisive action to ensure that these errors will not be repeated,” the bureau said in a statement to CNN.

Really?  Exactly who got fired for this?  What, exactly, does "accepted responsibility" mean?

How many people have been killed by these guns now?

H/T:  Memeorandum

Full Metal Jacket Reach Around: The 2014 Winter Classic Edition

Happy New Year to you!

Steve and I had a grand time last night:  we met some good friends for dinner at The Anvil Bar and Grill, had a lovely meal, listened to the soulful tunes of Lennice Bolton, then visited and laughed over glasses of wine, champagne, a tasty amaretto freeze, and finally coffee.  We were safely home by 11:30 and off the streets before the drunks turned out of the bars.

This morning we are settling in for the 2014 Winter Classic - an annual tradition for us.  I know I should be watching LSU vs. Iowa (especially since Steve is from Iowa and I'm an LSU fan), but the allure of an outdoor hockey game with snow in the forecast is too much for me.  I must watch.
The first Winter Classic was just magical.  Sidney Crosby's ear to ear smile of pure joy as he skated across that outdoor rink, snow falling and blurring the lines on the ice, well, it was awesome. While it is actually a regulation game, the players just seem to be having so much fun!

So, the corned beef is in the oven, the black eyed peas are simmering, and the cabbage is waiting to be addressed.

Since it's been ages since I did a linkfest, and this isn't likely to be a busy news day, let's peruse the blogs and see who is talking about what on this first day of the New Year.

Doug Ross has an excellent guest post by Brian Kelly on New Jersey's "Justifiable Need" law:

Think about that for a second. So in order to show you need to carry a weapon for self-defense, which is a basic human right, guaranteed by the constitution, you have to first suffer an attack. So in the case of the recent Short Hills Mall Shooting, now that the victim is dead at the hands of violent criminals, he might meet the ‘justifiable need’ which doesn’t do him or his grieving family any good now. 

It is tantamount to the government claiming you have no justifiable need to carry an umbrella because it isn’t currently raining. Ask yourself why do we as law abiding citizens have to wait until we are raped, beaten and killed before the State can see fit to grant us a right to self-defense which is a basic human right dating back to caveman times?

It is indeed scary.  Is it constitutional?

Wyblog adds his two cents on the same topic.

Legal Insurrection hopefully ends the Melissa Harris-Perry mess.  Except that as long as she's still on the air her nonsense will continue.

The Foundry posts on the anticipated new hot leftist issue for 2014:

Do a Google News search for “income inequality” and it will remove any doubt that this is already the political issue of 2014. 

The left has been gearing up for months. The liberal Center for American Progress launched a new center devoted to the subject, and President Obama has been making it a centerpiece of his speeches. 

Get ready to hear about “fairness”—because some people make more money than others, and this isn’t fair. How can you sit by and watch this happen? What is the government going to do about it?

Read the whole thing for what you need to know about this issue.

William Teach at Pirate's Cove is having a little fun with the ice-bound ship story.  He also weighs in on the contraception mandate ruling.

At Flopping Aces:  Dr. John's Law:

Whatever Obama says is a lie. The opposite is the truth. That includes the entire incompetent administration because he owns everything they do and has fired exactly no one for anything. 

Read the whole thing because there's some good stuff there that a lot of us have been thinking but not many have had the balls to say.

Dan from Squirrel Hill (H/T: Flopping Aces) has a list of fifty (only fifty?) of Obama's lies and corrupt practices.

Critical Narrative also has a list.

Da Tech Guy posts on his blogging success and how to actually make a living as a full time blogger.

Donald Douglas is advocating unplugging a bit more often in the new year, something I've already done (as evidenced by my blog stats this past year).  I've spent a lot of time in 2013 reading and concentrating on implementing the mandatory Common Core standards in my classroom which has left little time for blogging and the research it entails.  While I hope to resurrect this blog in 2014, I will also continue to read voraciously.  It's what I do.

Althouse (and Meade) discuss the idea of a marijuana economy.

Smitty at The Other McCain discusses the central problem with Obamacare:

Progressivism is an old man, stricken with Alzheimer’s, on the cusp of dementia, that cannot grasp the reality of his time having passed. ObamaCare’s swath of economic destruction is going to continue to claim victims. As the year drags on, the employer mandate is going to loom, the Democrats are going to lie, and the codpiece media is going to protect them. Wash, rinse, repeat. That old man isn’t going to the retirement home easily.

Read the whole thing.

Reaganite Republican exposes Karl Rove.

Fishersville Mike has perspective on the end of the light bulb as we know it.

Michelle Malkin has a beautiful article on the tragic story of Jahi McMath:

I want to thank Naila Winkfield and the McMath family for not “letting go” so easily. Their plight is every parent’s worst nightmare. Their fight reaches beyond ideology, race, and class. The united front of the family and the public testaments of their faith in God are gifts. The Instagram image of Naila clasping her daughter’s hand at her hospital bedside — the hope, the desperation, the abiding love — is universal.

It's just a tragic story - no doubt.

Adrienne has food porn (and a birthday!)

Lonely Conservative posts on whether or not Apple is working with the NSA.

Paco has a letter to Obama.

The always eloquent Ed Driscoll laments on the politicization of well, almost everything, by the left:

In recent years, I normally expect CNN’s annual ratcheting downward of the cultural bar to occur on New Year’s Eve, when anchor Anderson Cooper and co-host, the “comedienne” Kathy Griffin collide in their Weimaresque annualtrain wreck. But between Cooper recently discussing his famous 89 year old mother’s enjoyment of  cunnilingus, Griffin asking another CNN host “Have you ever spooned with Candy Crowley?”, and now one of the network’s commentators politicizing family snapshots, the bar was lowered by the Time-Warner-HBO-owned network even before 2014 has been ushered in.

Goodnight America; it was fun while it lasted.

Read the whole thing.

Sister Toldjah updates on the new Obamacare taxes set to hit in 2014.

Weasel Zippers:  74% of convicted felons vote democrat.

Pat Dollard posts on inconsistencies in the NYTimes piece on Benghazi.

And now, I must sign off; it's time for the Winter Classic and the joy of the outdoor rink!

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone survived the New Year safe and happy.

Cole Vosbury Sings The National Anthem at the Independence Bowl

There's a little feedback noise but other than that, local superstar Cole Vosbury did a great job on the National Anthem today at the Advocare Independence Bowl!

The Book Thief

I saw this trailer for The Book Thief at The Robinson Film Center a couple of weeks ago:



I'm reading the book now.  It came out in 2007: how did I miss it?   I wonder if the Common Core people will let my sophomores read this?

It is just mesmerizing.  Beautifully written.

I can't wait to see this film.

Next Black Market Item: Light Bulbs

Tomorrow marks the end of the incandescent bulb.

Jan. 1. marks the end of a seven-year effort to outlaw the ordinary lightbulb, thanks to a 2007 law that raised minimum efficiency standards for traditional incandescent bulbs far beyond what the technology can manage. 

It’s lights out for the traditional light bulb, in other words, which was essentially killed by that bill. 

“The government started phasing out incandescents in 2010, starting with the 100-watt bulb, and then followed by the 75-watt,” explained Melissa Andresko, communications director for lighting-automation company Lutron. 

“Come January 1, both the 60- and the 40-watt bulbs are going away. And that’s really going to have the most impact on consumers because those are the most popular incandescent bulb types right now,” she told FoxNews.com earlier this month.

Because we all want the federal government telling us what kind of light bulbs we can use, right?  Freaking nanny state.  The Heritage Foundation:

The “so what” is that the federal government is taking decisions out of the hands of families and businesses, destroying jobs, and restricting consumer choice in the market. We all have a wide variety of preferences regarding light bulbs. It is not the role of the federal government to override those preferences with what it believes is in our best interest.

It's not too late to stock up on bulbs.

Graphic via Heritage Foundation

Entitlement Nation

We are a nation of entitlements.

Via CNS News:

The total number of people in the United States now receiving federal disability benefits hit a record 10,988,269 in December, up from the previous record of 10,982,920 set in November, according to newly released data from the Social Security Administration. 

The average monthly benefit paid to a disabled worker also hit a record of $1,146.43 in December, up from a previous high of $1,130.34 in December of last year.

The Foundry posted on disability fraud last year (not to say that everyone on disability is perpetrating fraud, that is):

An 18-month investigation by a Senate subcommittee reports that in more than 25 percent of cases reviewed, evidence confirming disabilities was “insufficient, contradictory, or incomplete.” The staff reviewed 300 decisions in which individuals were awarded disability benefits by administrative law judges. A 2011 internal Social Security Administration report echoed the findings, showing a national error rate of 22 percent.

We spent 3.7 trillion dollars on welfare in the fast five years.  49% of Americans receive some kind of assistance from the government and these figures continue to grow.  Only half of Americans pay income taxes.

When Washington talks about cutbacks, why is it that they look first to military retiree benefits and never welfare?

Graphic via ZeroHedge

Dear 2013

Dear 2013,

I wish I could say it's been nice knowing you, but I can't.

In the spirit of the hundreds of "year's end" posts that are published this time of year, please accept this small one from me.

Go away.

I could list all the reasons why 2013 has been a personally lousy year in my small part of the universe which would include everything from the loss of my mother to the breakup of my favorite local band.  I had jury duty.  There was one expensive household problem after another (plumbing, automotive, etc.) and some expensive legal issues. My ex lost his father, which was my son's grandfather, who was a veteran and a very kind man.  A couple of friends and acquaintances made their exit as well.  The world is a darker place without them.

I could list all those things but



In truth, there were some good things this year, not the least of which is that I survived all those bad things.

When I needed help getting classroom materials and books for my students in August, my blog readers came through big time!  For that, I'm eternally grateful.  Also good this year, my stepson married a wonderful girl and they're on their way to a wonderful life together.  I have a beautiful grandson who amazes me every single day and my daughter and her husband are blessed beyond measure.  Grateful.  My son is making good grades at the local Community College.  Blessed.

Steve and I took a great vacation this past summer visiting a number of places across the Midwest and certainly got our kicks on Route 66; planning something big for 2014!

I am lucky to have some good friends and great people in my life and to have developed some special friendships this year.

Steve and I both have our health, three dogs, jobs, and a roof over our heads.

Dear 2013, while you were often painful and frequently expensive, there was some good there.

But overall, I won't be sad to see you go.

Goodbye.

Landrieu Faces Epic Battle in 2014Senate Race

The Advocate is looking ahead to the epic battle that will be the 2014 Senate race in Louisiana:

The end result means tens of millions of dollars are being funneled into Louisiana for a critical U.S. Senate race that could determine which party controls the Senate in 2015. More outside spending is allowed because of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court 2010 ruling in the Citizens United case, which allows some third-party groups to spend unlimited amounts of money on campaigns because of free-speech protections.

Senator Mary Landrieu will face two Republican contenders:  retired Air Force colonel Rob Maness and U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy.

Landrieu is expected to face a tough battle:

“She’s never had to face the voters after supporting President Barack Obama 95 percent of the time,” Short happily adds. “It’s going to be the central theme in this race.”

With Obama's public approval ratings in the abyss beneath the bottom cellar, that can't be encouraging for Landrieu.

Read more here.

H/T:  The Dead Pelican

Liberal Logic 101

Liberal Logic 101:

It is acceptable to ridicule a child if that child is from a Republican or a conservative family (see:  Trig Palin, Willow Palin).

As part of its year-in-review show, MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry welcomed a panel of comedians to ridicule Mitt Romney, his family, and their adopted black grandson. One panelist poked fun at Kieran Romney’s appearance compared with the rest of the family by mockingly singing “One of These Things Is Not Like the Other” as the others laughed along. 

Meanwhile, comedian Dean Obeidallah joked that the Romney family photo “sums up the diversity of the Republican party . . . they found the one black person.”

On the other hand, if it's a liberal family, the mocking of children that are "different" is not considered.

Reminder:  Progressivism is the party of tolerance.

Still More Questions Than Answers in Benghazi

Now that The New York Times has stirred up the Benghazi debate once again (and for that, I'm glad), Allen West has a few questions:

• Why was U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens in Benghazi on 9-11? It should be standard practice that high value targets do not move around in hostile terrorist territory, which Benghazi was on that day. 

  When the message came that the consulate was under attack, why were all immediate resources not allocated? As a former career Soldier who sat on the House Armed Services Committee, I am well aware of security protocols. Why weren’t they followed? 

  Where was President Obama the evening of the attack? We were treated to all the White House situation room pictures of the raid on Osama bin Laden — but where are the photos from that night? 

  According to the president, he ordered Secretary of Defense Panetta and CJCS General Dempsey to get the Americans in Benghazi the support they needed. If true, then who disobeyed the president’s order, and why did Obama never follow up with Panetta and Dempsey? 

  Who came up with the video scapegoat excuse, and why was the U.N. ambassador called out for the Sunday shows and not the person responsible, the secretary of state? 

  Ambassador Stevens had met with a Turkish representative in Benghazi, but why were his requests for additional security denied, and by whom?

Ed Morrissey has a few questions as well:

1. The State Department was repeatedly warned about the chaos in Benghazi and the increasing aggressiveness of the Islamist militias and terror networks in the area after the US-prompted NATO mission decapitated the Qaddafi regime — including escalating demands for security from the US mission in Libya. Why did State ignore these demands?
2. Other Western nations bailed out of Benghazi because of increasing terrorism. Why did the US stay put when even the UK pulled out? Especially without increasing security?
3. The attack took place on the eleventh anniversary of 9/11 in an area with active al-Qaeda affiliates, as well as terrorist networks with murkier alliances. Why wasn’t the US prepared to respond to an attack on its most vulnerable diplomatic outpost?
4. Where was Barack Obama and what was he doing after his 5 pm meeting with Leon Panetta at the beginning of the attack?
5. If the YouTube video was such an issue, why didn’t anyone in Benghazi or Tripoli know it, and why did the White House end up retracting that claim after a couple of weeks?
6. Who told the Accountability Review Board to ignore the actions of higher-ranking State Department officials such as Patrick Kennedy, who ignored the pleas for more security, and focus blame on lower-ranking career officials for the unpreparedness of State for the attack?
7. What was the CIA doing in Benghazi, and how did they miss the rise of Ansar al-Shariah? Kirkpatrick notes that no one seemed aware of its danger until after the attack.

All valid points.

Maybe we can get Hillary Clinton to answer those once she hits the presidential campaign circuit.



Don't hold your breath.



More at Memeorandum.

Dear Gallup: For WHAT is Obama Most Admired, Exactly?

Gallup has issued the results of its annual poll of Most Admired men and women.

I find the results quite depressing and ominous for the future of the country.

My initial response after reading the list was "who in the hell answered this poll?  Where did they get these people?"  Apparently Gallup says that the respondents are equal parts cell phone users and land lines;  they are supposedly from all 50 states, and are all over age 18.  In short, it seems like a fair poll on the surface.  A total of 1031 adults were polled.

And the best we can do is Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton?  Seriously?

What, exactly, are we admiring Barack Obama for?  I'd be interested in a follow-up question to the Gallup respondents to see if they can cite one thing that these people did that are truly worth admiration.  Or do they just say "Barack Obama" because he's president?  Or Hillary because she's famous (infamous?).  Are these respondents political at all?  Informed on the issues?  Educated? Just breathing?

What is it that we admire about Barack Obama?

His efforts to get to the truth about the massacre in Benghazi?  Ooops, no.  Not so much.  His attempts to protect his Ambassador to Libya while stationed in Benghazi?  Nah.  Can't be that.

How about his program to sell weapons to drug cartels in Mexico?  Was that admirable?  I don't think the family of Brian Terry would think so.

Do we admire him for his absolutely relentless push to pass Obamacare, a law that is still being deciphered, its faults and foibles still revealing themselves, and the inoperable, poorly written website that accompanies it?  Do we admire him for the amateur roll out of this unworkable, giant new entitlement program?

His commitment to keep education at the state level and keep the federal government out of your child's classroom?  Not even close.

Maybe its his ability to relate to the common man, the little guy, the average Joe on the street.  Hmmm, no, it's probably not that either.

I guess it could be that people admire Obama for his commitment to the privacy of American citizens and his adherence to the Fourth Amendment.  Wait, no..., that can't be it.

His protection of the Second Amendment?  Nope, not that either.

Immigration.  That's it - protecting America's borders and saying no to amnesty.  The idea that immigrants need to follow the laws in place and follow the path to citizenship that millions have followed before.  The protection of American values and culture, the belief in American exceptionalism!  Dang it, no.  That's not it either.  Obama has just vowed to fight for amnesty (probably trying to protect the Democratic politicians on the chopping block this cycle.)

His refusal to bow to foreign leaders?  Nah.  He's done that at least eight times, not to mention chumming it up with dictators.

I don't get it.  Maybe we admire him for his golf game, his lavish vacations and White House parties, his general ineptitude and his arrogance.

As far as Hillary Clinton goes, I see nothing admirable there either.  It was on her watch as Secretary of State that four Americans were murdered in Benghazi, a situation that should never have happened given that the consulate there asked repeatedly for increased security and was denied.

On the Gallup poll Barack Obama gets 16% of the vote; runner-up to him is George W. Bush with 4%.  Hillary is at 15% with Oprah Winfrey behind her at 6%.

I just don't get it.  At best it's a dismal sign of things to come.  If we are to assume that the poll respondents are informed, educated Americans (and there's certainly no evidence of that) then all hope for conservative values in this country is lost.

At best these are people that vote.

Scary.

H/T:  Memeorandum

New Year's Eve in Shreveport 2014

I'm a bit slow on the annual "what to do for New Year's Eve" post, but let's give it a shot.  Here's a roundup of events in case you want to get out and celebrate after the Independence Bowl:

The American Legion Post 14 on beautiful Cross Lake will have their annual festivities from 8:00 - 1:00. Music will be provided by Dickie T and the Back When Band and your ticket includes appetizers. There will be a cash bar.  Tickets are $25 for singles, $30 for couples.

El Dorado Casino will have musical entertainment by Big Richard.  Their festivities feature a New Year's Eve showgirl with a 50 foot red carpet train attached to her dress.  The Allure Lounge will have silver clad showgirls.  Visit the casino site for prices and packages.

Sam's Town in Shreveport will feature zydeco legend  Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. in a free concert with party favors and champagne.  He takes the stage at 10:00.

The Moose Lodge on Industrial will host an Elvis tribute with Richard Cook.  There will be a cash bar and tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.  The fun begins at 9:00.  Call 688-6733 for more information.

The always awesome Robinson Film Center will hold its annual screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.  The show begins at 10 but you'll want to make reservations for dinner at Abby Singer's Bistro where you can feast on prime rib, lobster mac and cheese, and grilled asparagus.  Top it off with a complimentary glass of champagne.  You'll need reservations so call 459-4125 to take care of that.

The Boot on Texas Street downtown is celebrating New Years AND helping a local animal rescue (Yogie and Friends).  They'll have karaoke and a raffle to enter a brand new Jager machine.  It begins at 7:00 p.m. and goes until 4:00 a.m.

Harrah's at Louisiana Downs hosts an annual party with DJ Love and cover band Miss Used.  There will be fireworks at midnight.

Fatty Arbuckles on the Clyde Fant Parkway downtown will host its annual New Year's Eve party with music by the Lackadasies, Engine, and Jacob Disedare.  Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.  You'll get a bottle of champagne upon entrance.

Diamond Jacks Casino has a free party with music by Elaw from 6 - 9, and Side FX from 9-1; free champagne and party favors.  It begins at 6:00.

Not into the club scene?  Go bowling instead.  Each year Holiday Lanes does intergalactic Glow in the Dark Bowling.  The evening includes unlimited bowling, a breakfast platter, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight.  Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for age twelve and younger.

SciPort will host New Year's at Noon on Dec. 31; wear your PJs and watch the SciPort ball drop.  There will be a party hat contest, face painting, a Space Dome dance party, and lots of craft activities.  The fun begins at 9:00 a.m. and goes until about 2.  Admission is free with paid Center admission.

If you're here for the Advocare Independence Bowl, there are lots of great restaurants in the area to start your New Year's Eve evening after the game.  There are all the normal chain and franchise restaurants and fast food joints (most of them on the south end of Youree Drive) and many excellent local, independent restaurants.  Some of my favorites:

The Blind Tiger in downtown Shreveport is a popular local spot for great Louisiana cajun style food.

If you need to get your Mexican food fix on, you can't go wrong at Nicky's.  Nicky's has several locations (we prefer the one on Airline Drive.  Ask for Mirabelle to be your server!)  Nicky's is reasonably priced, consistently good, and has great cold draft beer in huge frosted glasses.

Herby K's is a local favorite and the shrimp buster is famous.  Again, cold beer, frosted glasses.  Very nice.

My favorite, and the place where you'll find me, is The Anvil Bar and Grill on Line Avenue.  Joe

Fertitta runs one of the best restaurants in town and has a long history of consistently excellent food and service.  At The Anvil you will find the freshest seafood and the finest steaks as well as excellent pasta dishes and burgers. Lennice Bolton will be singing in the bar, working his keyboard and guitar.  He'll sing Sam Cooke, B.B. King, and other mellow tunes.  Reservations are recommended.

Ernest's Orleans Restaurant is another local favorite, famous for their marinated crab claws.  Ernest's is located at the top of the hill as you enter downtown from the south.  Dez Duron will perform and Ernest's will have a Prix Fixe menu.  Reservations recommended.

Texas Roadhouse is a nice franchise with a very good, affordable steak.  It's located right off I20 on Gould Drive in Bossier City.

If Asian food is calling your name, Ming Garden on Shreveport-Barksdale Highway is an excellent choice.

If it's a burger that you crave, you can't go wrong at the newly opened Twisted Root on Line Avenue, near the Loop.  Twisted Root has a full bar, a lively atmosphere, and a variety of burgers (including game like venison or buffalo) and a pickle bar. I recommend the sweet potato chips.

Remember, don't drink and drive.  Get a designated driver or call a taxi.  Some local taxi services you might want to program into your phone:

Yellow Checker Cab:  425-7000
Action Taxi:  222-8294 (222-TAXI)
Casino Cabs:  425-3325
Four Aces Taxi:  632-0005

Stay safe and have fun!

Happy 2014!

Merry Christmas From Longview TX

Back to Normal

Christmas? Oh, that.

A New Record

Got the dead tree to the curb by 10:20 this year. I'm done. Bring on spring.

Braveheart at Petsmart

Adoption event and Brave is Ambassador!

The Tree

It's a Wonderful Life at Robinson Film Center

I'm limping along to Christmas, y'all.  I've got the tree up but all the icicles aren't on there yet, and one string of lights at the top has gone out and I've done nothing about that.

I have made the fruitcake cookies and am planning to make mom's fudge.

I'm planning on getting through this first Christmas without my mom by starting some new traditions.  We've been invited to a Christmas party on Christmas Eve and I'm excited about that!

And how cool will it be to see one of my favorite Christmas movies at The Robinson Film Center on a Saturday afternoon with my husband!  We've got our tickets already and will go out and eat afterward.

After Christmas we will go visit the cutest grandson in Texas.

I think that's going to be my plan - at least for this year.  Some new traditions and some old....just keep swimming.