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Apr 2, 2008, 23:12 GMT
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Obama's Oil Slick
April 01, 2008 10:32 AM
When my family back in Pennsylvania turns on the TV these days, they may see this Barack Obama TV ad where he's standing in a gas station saying the following:
'Since the gas lines of the ’70s, Democrats and Republicans have talked about energy independence, but nothing’s changed — except now Exxon’s making $40 billion a year, and we’re paying $3.50 for gas.
I’m Barack Obama. I don’t take money from oil companies or Washington lobbyists, and I won’t let them block change anymore. They’ll pay a penalty on windfall profits. We’ll invest in alternative energy, create jobs and free ourselves from foreign oil. I approve this message because it’s time that Washington worked for you. Not them.'
Factcheck.org today takes a look at Obama's claim to not take money from oil companies and concludes that the statement 'misleading' since according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics Obama has taken more than $213,000 from individuals (and their spouses) who work for companies in the oil and gas industry -- not to mention that two of Obama's top fundraisers are top executives at oil companies'
It is literally true that Obama doesn't take money from oil companies. No federal candidate does -- corporations have been banned from direct contributions since 1907.
The Obama campaign points out that the senator doesn't take money from PACs or from lobbyists. Factcheck.org calls that a 'distinction without very much of a practical difference. Political action committee funds are pooled contributions from a company's or an organization's individual employees or members; corporate lobbyists often have a big say as to where a PAC's donations go. But a PAC can give no more than $5,000 per candidate, per election. We're not sure how a $5,000 contribution from, say, Chevron's PAC would have more influence on a candidate than, for example, the $9,500 Obama has received from Chevron employees giving money individually.'
(Sen. Hillary Clinton has taken $306,000 in donations from people in the oil and gas industry, incidentally.)
So is it all just a lot of gas?
Monday, March 31, 2008
Obama lied, his credibility died
The lies are coming fast and furious on the Democratic side of the aisle of late. And it's not just Hillary's tale of a midget sniper disguised as a child greeter in Bosnia. Gateway Pundit adds some tall tales emanating from Barack X Obama.
The Politico reported:
During his first run for elected office, Barack Obama played a greater role than his aides now acknowledge in crafting liberal stands on gun control, the death penalty and abortion — positions that appear at odds with the more moderate image he has projected during his presidential campaign.
The evidence comes from an amended version of an Illinois voter group's detailed questionnaire, filed under his name during his 1996 bid for a state Senate seat... Late last year, in response to a Politico story about Obama's answers to the original questionnaire, his aides said he 'never saw or approved' the questionnaire... They asserted the responses were filled out by a campaign aide who 'unintentionally mischaracterize[d] his position.'
But a Politico examination determined that Obama was actually interviewed about the issues on the questionnaire by the liberal Chicago nonprofit group that issued it. And it found that Obama — the day after sitting for the interview — filed an amended version of the questionnaire, which appears to contain Obama's own handwritten notes added to one answer.
Put simply, Obama's campaign attempted to mask the candidate's ultra-liberal positions by pinning the leftist positions on a lackey. But the Politico claims that was a fabrication. Clinton-esque, eh?
And that's not the only Obama puffery (hey, I'm trying to avoid the word lie here, okay?). Jay at STACLU notes a Washington Post Fact Checker piece that lays another Obama fairy tale to rest.
Will Obama get the same media treatment with his lies? Don't hold your breath. In a speech to a Selma, Alabama crowd meant to pump up his civil-rights movement authenticity and his Kennedy Camelot image, Barack Obama claimed that the Kennedy administration paid for his Kenyan father to travel to America on a student scholarship and therefore was responsible for his 'very existence'.
...However, the first march on Selma took place on March 7, 1965. Obama would have been about three and half years old at that time. For some reason the media never did the math on this.
Obama's speech in Selma asserts a haunting scenario mysteriously linked to 'what happened in Selma, Alabama, because some folks are willing to march across a bridge. So they got together and Barack Obama Junior was born. So don't tell me I don't have a claim on Selma, Alabama.'
After bloggers pointed out that the Selma protest incident occurred a mere four years after Obama's birth, a campaign spokesperson asserted that the senator was actually referring to the civil rights movement as a whole, not a singular event.
Ed Koch Wed Apr 2, 12:30 AM ET
I am dumbfounded that there has been no drop in Barack Obama's standing in the polls following revelations that he sat in Rev. Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years and did nothing, publicly or privately, to voice disagreement with Wright's hate speech. Indeed, Obama's poll numbers are going up. The most recent Gallup national tracking poll shows Obama with 51 percent and Hillary with 43 percent of Democratic voters.
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One reason for the up tick in Obama's popularity may be that Hillary Clinton has had to explain her out-and-out falsehood of having been under sniper fire years ago in Bosnia. Her account of landing in Bosnia amidst sniper fire was totally demolished by a video clip taken at the time and now flashed all over tv showing her strolling across the tarmac with Chelsea to receive flowers and kisses from a waiting child.
Are the actions of our two United States Senators, both candidates for the Presidency, to be condemned equally? I don't think so. Hillary's failure, as gross as it may be, is related to self promotion. Barack's failure, in my judgment, is an out-and-out failure of moral strength, as he was unwilling to stand up to his bigoted minister, Wright, for 20 years while Wright denounced from the pulpit whites, Jews and the State of Israel.
We learned recently that Wright's defamatory comments published in church bulletins were, on occasion, also directed at Italians. ABC News reported on March 27th, 'Trumpet Newsmagazine, of which Wright is the chief executive officer, published an article written by Wright in which he described the crucifixion of Jesus as 'public lynching Italian style.'' He also wrote, according to CNSNews.com, 'The Italians for the most part looked down their garlic noses at the Galileans.' Finally, CNN reported on March 28th that, 'They [church bulletins] also quote a historian who said that 'what the Zionist Jews did to the Palestinians is worse than what the Nazis did to the Jews.''
Let me report on the mail I received after my commentary of last week criticizing Senator Obama and Rev. Wright. Some of that correspondence defended Wright's attacks on the U.S., whites and Jews and Obama. Here are some excerpts from three readers of my commentary:
1. 'I have read your recent message re: Sen. Obama's speech and I find your attacks totally unconvincing. The fact that you disregard the Reverend's positive contributions to his community and the positive aspects of the relationship between the Reverend and the Senator demonstrates either ignorance or bad faith, either of which is unbecoming of a man of your influence.'
2. 'I disagree with all that [Wright's charges against America] and ALL his hate speech. But I have no problem concluding that it does not represent Obama and that Obama should not be deemed unworthy of being president because he embraced the good in Wright and did not walk away when he heard the bad.'
3. 'I thought Sen. Obama's race speech was one of the most inspiring, hopeful, uplifting speeches I have ever heard in modern politics. You and I have been in politics long enough to know that guilt by association is a great way to create doubts about a candidate, but I have no doubt Sen. Obama has the best chance of getting us beyond stereotypes.'
These readers seek to excuse Barack Obama's conduct, but I remain unconvinced. Obama told us in his brilliant and moving speech on March 18th that 'I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can disown my white grandmother,' who engaged, he said, in racial stereotyping.
But now, on television talk programs, he tells us a somewhat different story. According to The New York Times of March 29th, 'Mr. Obama, who has run the gamut of news shows in recent weeks to defuse the ado over his relationship with Mr. Wright, had no trouble finding longwinded words to demarcate his allegiance to his longtime pastor. 'Had the Reverend not retired and had he not acknowledged that what he had said had deeply offended people and were inappropriate and mischaracterized what I believe is the greatness of this country, for all its flaws,' he said, 'then I wouldn't have felt comfortable staying there at the church.''
Did something happen since his speech of March 18th when he, in effect, offered excuses for his pastor's hate speech and his own reaction? I think not. Rather, I think he decided his prior silence was unacceptable. So now he tells us that but for his pastor's retirement and 'acknowledge[ment] that what he had said deeply offended people and were inappropriate and mischaracterized,' he would have left the church.
May I suggest Obama's sudden expressed desire to separate himself from his pastor came only after the media storm that followed the public outcry voiced at his pastor's remarks, particularly his having said, 'No, no, not God Bless America. God damn America.' If Obama becomes the Democratic nominee for president, he will be subject to withering attacks by the Republicans on this issue.
Does Obama's belated recognition of his minister's bigotry satisfy me? No, it does not. Indeed, I am surprised that Obama's description of his minister's hate speech, which he condemns, is limited to the words, 'controversial,' 'inexcusable,' 'inappropriate, 'troubling' and 'appalling.' Why hasn't he called it by its rightful name - hate speech?
I think what Hillary did in exaggerating the danger to her in Bosnia and seeking to convey a bravery that she did not exhibit in landing there years ago is to be condemned and not passed over as she and many of her supporters do, by saying that she 'misspoke.' Nevertheless, Obama's explanation of why he was silent until now and the manner in which he characterizes Wright's remarks are worse. Interestingly, he also refers to an apology by Rev. Wright, which I've not seen published anywhere. Have you?
And, more importantly, why did it take him 20 years to come to this conclusion?
Obama Dream Team
1. James Meeks – an Illinois state senator and pastor of Obama.
Last week Mr. Meeks called white American mayors 'slave masters' and referred to black preachers and politicians who 'protect' the 'white man' as 'house n-ggers.'
He was recorded telling the mostly black congregation any 'white Christian' who doesn't vote for him is a 'racist.'
Obama attends Bible Study Classes with Meeks. Meeks is one of Obama’s Super Delegates and is listed on Obama’s campaign website as prominent black supporter
2. Mr. Wright pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ which is theologically closer to Karl Marx and Black Nationalism, than to Christianity was Obama’s mentor for over 20 years and Obama’s spiritual campaign advisor.
Mr. Wright violent rhetoric against whites, gays and the American government are reminiscent of Hitler hate speeches.
Obama's church published an open letter from a Palestinian activist that labels Israel an 'apartheid' regime and claims that scientist are working on an 'ethnic bomb' that kills 'blacks and Arabs.'
Obama’s Trinity United Church of Christ also defends terrorism as legitimate resistance, refuses to recognize the right of Israel to exist and compares the Hamas official charter – which calls for the murder of Jews – to America's Declaration of Independence.
Following Mr. Obama’s speech defending Mr. Wright, Mr. Obama telephoned Mr. Wright. Shortly after that phone call, Mr. Wright retired as pastor and was given a 1.6 million dollar home.
3. Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn were members of the Weather Underground, a group that killed police and tried to bomb the US Capitol.
Obama served with Ayers on the board of a small, leftist foundation, the Woods Fund from 1999 until 2002 and received several thousand dollars annually as compensation.
According to the 2001 annual report, the fund made a $6000 discretionary grant to Rev. Wright's Trinity United Church 'in recognition of Barack Obama's contribution of services to the Woods Fund as a director.'
In a recent interview with the New York Times Mr. Ayers said: 'I don't regret setting bombs; I feel we didn't do enough.'
5. Merrill A. McPeak is Obama’s military adviser and national campaign co-chairman. Mr. McPeak said that American Jews are the 'problem.'
McPeak has claimed “Christian Zionists were driving America's policy in Iraq to benefit Israel.”
4. Mr. Antoin Rezko instead of handing cash to Mr. Obama, Rezko handed Obama a preferential price for property. This is the same form of “honest graft” and preferential treatment that sent former Illinois Governor Otto Kerner to jail over 30 years ago, see United States v. Isaacs, 493 F.2d 1124 (7th Cir. 1974).
Mr. Antoin Rezko's connection to Obama began well before Obama ran for office and helped secure funds for Obama’s initial campaigns. As a major mob figure, Rezko’s is NOT a civic-minded fellow who simply enjoys political fundraising because he delights in good government.
It is also important to note that Mr. Rezko is a long time associate of IRAQI billionaire Nadhmi Auchi and recently Rezko received a $3.5 million gift from Mr. Auchi which helped to fund the homes Obama and Rezko bought.
The Auchi-Obama links go beyond the mansion deal. The Times of London February 1 reports uncovering, 'state documents in Illinois recording that Fintrade Services, a Panamanian company, lent money to (an) Obama fundraiser in May 2005. Fintrade's directors include Ibtisam Auchi, the name of Mr. Auchi's wife.'
I have been reading a lot of blogs, and I cannot believe the level of ignorance, and gullability of so many people regarding a 15-30 second snippet of a sermon that’s been shoved down American’s throats ad-nauseum, by the news media (mainly, FOX News, and most especially Sean Hannity) and now Greta has joined the fray as well by hanging onto every little mention, or tidbit, they can find to keep this nonsense going.
My question is: “Has anyone really done any independent research on all that’s being fed to us by the media??”…..I HAVE!!
What I found is something that has opened my eyes. The extent to what, not only the media (FOX in particular), but also blinded loyal voters, and corrupt politicians (who want to win “at any cost”) will go, to decieve the masses - who they know they can count on to remain ill-informed, due to their laziness in researching a topic.
I found two videos that contain the “out of context” soundbites of Rev. Wright’s sermons that totally put his words into a “real context”, and words that should put the biased, biggoted media to shame, simply because they are words that ring true.
Take a listen, if you dare: Since links are not allowed on here, just go to www.YouTube. com and type in the following to see both videos:
FOX Lies! Irresponsible Media! Barack Obama Pastor Wright
Tell the Whole Story FOX's! Barack Obama's Pastor Wright
It's 3:00 AM. The red phone rings. The economy is in trouble. HRC sends a B-2 bomber to bomb the Fed before the market opens.
It's 8:30 AM. HRC is finally asleep.
YOU MIGHT BE AN IDIOT:-)
If you think Barack Obama with little or no experience would be better than Hillary Clinton with 35 years experience.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience can fix an economy on the verge of collapse better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) led the greatest economic expansion, and prosperity in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience fighting for universal health care can get it for you better than Hillary Clinton. Who anticipated this current health care crisis back in 1993, and fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds to get universal health care for all the American people.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience can manage, and get us out of two wars better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) went to war only when he was convinced that he absolutely had to. Then completed the mission in record time against a nuclear power. AND DID NOT LOSE THE LIFE OF A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER. NOT ONE!
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience saving the environment is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) left office with the greatest amount of environmental cleanup, and protections in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with little or no education experience is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) made higher education affordable for every American. And created higher job demand and starting salary's than they had ever been before or since.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience will be better than Hillary Clinton who spent 8 years at the right hand of President Bill Clinton. Who is already on record as one of the greatest Presidents in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that you can change the way Washington works with pretty speeches from Obama, rather than with the experience, and political expertise of two master politicians ON YOUR SIDE like Hillary and Bill Clinton..
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think all those Republicans voting for Obama in the Democratic primaries, and caucuses are doing so because they think he is a stronger Democratic candidate than Hillary Clinton. :-)
Best regards
jacksmith...
If you think Barack Obama with little or no experience would be better than Hillary Clinton with 35 years experience.
You Might Be An Idiot!
SP4: Hillary does not have 35 years of experience at any President- related job.
You're an idiot.
If you think that Obama with no experience can fix an economy on the verge of collapse better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) led the greatest economic expansion, and prosperity in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
SP4: Hillary Clinton was not responsible for any executive decisions. She was a hostess, and privately, entered into some of Clintons nefareous activites.
You're an idiot
If you think that Obama with no experience fighting for universal health care can get it for you better than Hillary Clinton. Who anticipated this current health care crisis back in 1993, and fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds to get universal health care for all the American people.
You Might Be An Idiot!
SP4: She failed, with a democratic congress.
You're an idiot
If you think that Obama with no experience can manage, and get us out of two wars better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) went to war only when he was convinced that he absolutely had to. Then completed the mission in record time against a nuclear power. AND DID NOT LOSE THE LIFE OF A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER. NOT ONE!
SP4:Hillary did nothing. Bill, on the other hand, withdrew from Somalia, enabling Osama Bin Laden.
You're an idiot
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience saving the environment is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) left office with the greatest amount of environmental cleanup, and protections in American history.
SP4: Hiilary did nothing.
You're an idiot
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with little or no education experience is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) made higher education affordable for every American. And created higher job demand and starting salary's than they had ever been before or since.
You Might Be An Idiot!
SP4: GW Bush has raised more tax revenue, created more jobs, and, for 6 years, had a better economy than Bill Clinton
You're an idiot
If you think that Obama with no experience will be better than Hillary Clinton who spent 8 years at the right hand of President Bill Clinton. Who is already on record as one of the greatest Presidents in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
SP4: She did nothing but prep for her Senate seat, by getting Bill to pardon Puerto Rican Terrorists.
You're an idiot.
If you think that you can change the way Washington works with pretty speeches from Obama, rather than with the experience, and political expertise of two master politicians ON YOUR SIDE like Hillary and Bill Clinton..
You Might Be An Idiot!
SP4: Hillary Clinton did participate in White Water, FBI record scandal, Chinese and Russian campain funds scandal, hiding and destroyig law firm billing records, employed the mysterious Mr. Hsu, and the nefarious Mr. Chung.
You're an idiot.
If you think all those Republicans voting for Obama in the Democratic primaries, and caucuses are doing so because they think he is a stronger Democratic candidate than Hillary Clinton. :-)
Then you're not an idiot.
So Hillary and Obama are both cheating, lying, corrupt polititians who will further bring the U.S. down, and Mc Cain is too old to know one thing from another..........then who, pray tell, should we vote for????
Obama shaving Clinton???????? Obama shaved that old hag???????
Obama! The hell with Hillary that lying beeatch!
In this world of IT where no one is an island unto oneself,we need someone in the whitehouse with experience and substance. words are cheap and action speaks louder than any words.I AM AN AMERCIAN CHINESE living in singapore and it is important that the one in the whitehouse has the right foreign policy as what US does affects the world.We cannot afford to have someone getting experiences and learning on the job as it will cost lives AMERICAN LIVES,YOUR SONS,DAUGHTER AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS' LIVES MAY BE AFFECTED.
I feel that despite all the faults of Hillary she has come out more creditable than Obama, who leaves much doubts, distrusts in our minds He is full of elequonces but few substances.I for one will vote for Hillary as I am not sway by the rethortics of Obama.How can we trust someone who even disown his TRUE name.Are U aware that Obama's true name is Barack Hussien Obama.Why did he leave out his middle name Hussein? Is he afraid that votes may relate his name to Sadam Hussein? THAT IS ONE REASON I DO NOT TRUST HIM.
I ask all right thinking Americans, irrespective of color race and religion, vote with your brains and analysie all the facts NOT vote base on emotions as it may cost the lives of your love ones if the wrong person sits in the whitehouse.
Look at the present president. He learned his job in office and what happenned to AMERICA.The economy is in the shithouse,more than 4000 of our americans are dead, many of us are out of a job. Americans live in fear everywhere not knowing when the terrrorists may strike us.Do U want a repeat.I rest my case.
KPChiu
You are the very first hyphenated American I've ever heard to put American in front of your native land ie, American Chinese. Thank you very much. You seem concerned for the future of America and her citizens, and I agree with your post.
Use your head people!!
The fact is, Hillary and Obama have, essentially, the same level of experience. Hillary may have lived in the White House for 8 years, but she never did anything other than run interference for Bill.
The experience she does have is switching sides on Nafta, her Iraq war vote, etc.
Then there is her experience with
FBI records scandal
White Water
Russian and Chinese campaign funds scandal
Travel Office scandal
Vince Foster
This is not experience we prefer to send to the White House i.e. corruption and money laundering, but she is experienced!
Now, if you're looking for an alternative, there's a guy running who has bucked the system for 20 years. He has driven the Republicans nuts, and angered the democrats. He has passed some pretty unpopular legislation and can cross party lines if needs be. He has suffered greatly for his nation, and deserves a shot at the presidency. He's John McCain, and though he is not a real Conservative, I'll probably hold my nose and vote for him, simply because he's earned it, and he's demonstrated real leadership.
also an idiot and he's insane; a couple of facts you always seem to over-look. Google him you dumb ass and read everything, not just your selected articles.
It sounds like from what I've read that McCain felt like the black sheep in his family and didn't really live up to his father, etc., and had a real struggle with his early life. He's also just the same as all polititians/celebrities in having affairs, dumping a first wife, etc. And he IS too old!
I think that Judah Ben Hur, Amb. from the American Republic would make a better President than Obama, because he takes no monies from special interests, etc. maybe in 2012 we will see!
if you think this country is so bad, why not try another one!
MAYBE-
Maybe you should read what I said and try to understand it.
I am talking about politicians, not the country.
You are an idiot and crazy, to believe otherwise.
Who gave you a thought police license to banish Americans for exercising a right to free speech? You must be a newbie to America, and don't know any better. Ancestors on my mother's side came here in the 1620's. On my father's side in the 1840's. How about you? Are you an indigenous native American, family been here a long time, or are you just a recent immmigrant crazy idiot?
you need to find the reason for so much hate!! We are going to have two polititians for which to vote on whether we are crazy or stupid or whatever, so what is the alternative?? Running for office yourself?
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