http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/rats/ en-us Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:03:47 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417812/posts Barack Obama The "bowing" controversies. Calling Kanye West a "jackass." Seeing a number of his first picks for prominent positions having to withdraw their names from consideration. That silly Beer Summit. Gate-crashers strolling in to a state dinner. Gifting the British PM with 25 DVDs that aren't compatible with European players. The "Special Olympics" bowling joke. Probably not the most dignified first year in presidential history. Chicago Sun-Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417812/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:03:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417419/posts If you work in Washington long enough, there are some things you get used to. One of them is the tradition of burying news by releasing it on a Friday afternoon. Or even better: on Christmas Eve. That's when the House Ethics Committee quietly announced the launch of an ethics probe into California Congressman Fortney 'Pete' Stark: The Chair and Ranking Republican Member of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (the Committee) have jointly decided to extend a matter regarding Representative Pete Stark, which was transmitted to the Committee by the Office of Congressional Ethics, for a 45-day period...... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417419/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:27:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417315/posts Even in an economic recession, Americans in urban areas continue to buy second homes in rural parts of the country, frequently helping to revitalize depressed areas. Inevitably, though, political operatives have also been seizing on weekend residents as a way to change the political complexion of rural communities. Nowhere is the battle being more fiercely fought than in New York's Columbia County, a two-hour drive up the Hudson River from New York City. Local Democrats have encouraged weekend residents to register and vote on the theory that their ballots aren't needed in New York City, where Democrats already hold an... The Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417315/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:51:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415818/posts Think back to December 2008. Your governor was in handcuffs, accused of trying to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat -- and of shaking down a children's hospital executive for campaign lucre. In response, Illinois politicians passed middling "reforms" that in some ways enhanced their power and diminished yours. For this, yes, they now praise themselves. Also in 2009, the political heirs of Rod Blagojevich surveyed the abyss of debt they've dug in Springfield and . . . dug deeper. They can't pay today's bills, yet continue to stick taxpayers with obligations to be paid in endless tomorrows. Their motto: "Splurge.... Chicago Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415818/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:22:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414871/posts WASHINGTON -- The spirit of Christmas seems to have escaped Congress, maybe even the country. Have you ever encountered such mean spiritedness and political conniving as are now on display on Capitol Hill? In the past, we have had great philosophical divisions in the struggle for civil rights, especially when southern legislators ran the show. In praise of democracy, fortunately they lost. And of course there also was the "red scare" fomented by Sen. Joe McCarthy, R-Wis., in the 1950s when he led the commie-hunting movement that ended up victimizing government officials, academia and Hollywood. We recovered from that, too.... TheBostonChannel.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414871/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 09:01:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414092/posts Demos predict health care successBy ERICA WERNER Associated Press Wednesday, December 23, 2009 10:20 AM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — From the White House to Capitol Hill, Democrats on Tuesday confidently predicted Senate passage of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul after the bill cleared its second 60-vote test and the time was set for a final tally. **SNIP** The Senate measure would still have to be harmonized with the health care bill passed by the House in November before final legislation would go to Obama. There are significant differences between the two bills, including stricter abortion language in the House... Argus Observer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414092/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:20:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409935/posts If we don't pass health reform, millions of Americans will be trapped in a broken status quo, unable to pay their bills or see a doctor when they need one. More and more employers will drop coverage for employees. And Medicare and Medicaid will blow a hole through our budget. There's too much at stake not to get this done. That's why OFA supporters have made 849,856 calls to Congress in support of health reform since August. And that's why today, with the Senate locked in last-minute negotiations, our goal is to hit one million calls. Can you help? Please... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409935/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:55:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409831/posts WASHINGTON -- After nearly a year in office, the defining political image of President Barack Obama has yet to emerge. Is he a hawk or dove, a liberal or a moderate? His Nobel Peace prize speech exposed his ambivalence. He harkened back to the Roman Catholic theologians to defend his "just war" in Afghanistan -- but he also expressed his ideals for a better world. Measuring Obama’s performance is truly in the eyes of the beholder. To those who were enthralled with Obama’s eloquence in the presidential campaign, reality is setting in. News flash: He doesn’t walk on water. But... TheBostonChannel.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409831/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:08:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409594/posts The most endangered species in Washington may well be the moderate. Consider the long knives pointed at the heart of Sen. Joe Lieberman. The Connecticut Democrat-turned-independent (but caucusing with the Dems) announced that he would not support Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's plan to pass Obamacare by allowing Americans who are 55 or older to by into Medicare. Given that Medicare is, as Lieberman put it, "on the verge of insolvency," he made the right call - and for that, the left wing of his party has savaged Joe the Senator as a sellout and turncoat. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn.,... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409594/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:54:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409341/posts While Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid scrambles to assemble 60 Democratic votes for health care legislation that, according to the Realclearpolitics.com average of recent polls, is opposed by a 53 percent to 38 percent margin, several Democratic members of the House are scrambling for the exits on what is starting to look like a sinking ship. You may have noticed that I avoided using the cliche "rats leaving the sinking ship," because the four Democratic House members who over the last three weeks announced their decisions to retire rather than run for re-election cannot fairly be characterized as rats. (snip)... Real Clear Politics http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409341/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:06:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409183/posts Pelosi surprised by Baird's decision to retireBy Charles Pope, The Oregonian December 16, 2009, 3:42PM WASHINGTON -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday she was surprised by Rep. Brian Baird's decision to retire but remains confident Democrats will maintain control of the House after the 2010 elections. "Brian Baird, he didn't give me 72 hours notice,'' Pelosi joked, referring to Baird's unsuccessful – and persistent -- efforts to provide lawmakers at least 72 hours to review and understand legislation before voting. Like others who follow politics in the Northwest and beyond, Pelosi said she was surprised by Baird's announcement. "He... Oregon Live http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409183/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:49:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407173/posts Democratic Assemblyman John Pérez emerged as the winner last week after a bruising battle for leadership of the state Assembly, a fight that had no shortage of contestants. But as the state heads into another year of staggering budget deficits and difficult decisions - and because term limits have seriously diluted the Assembly leader's power - some are asking why anyone would even want the job. "The question isn't just, 'Can you be a leader?' but, 'Is there anything left to lead?' " said Bill Bagley, a Republican who served in the Assembly from 1960 to 1974. In recent years,... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407173/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:46:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405138/posts The Man Who Quietly Bankrolled the ACLUOne man's annual donation apparently made up 25% of the operating budget of the American Civil Liberties Union. And that guy, David Gelbaum, had a bad year. So... hope you didn't need to sue the government in 2010. Gelbaum gave the ACLU $20 million, anonymously, every year. But he will be unable to make that donation this year, forcing the organization to scramble to solicit donations that they'll have to share with state chapters. Gelbaum is an ex-hedge funder who retired a couple years ago to become a reclusive investor in green technology and... Gawker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405138/posts#comment Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:52:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404443/posts Sen. Kerry Will Travel to Copenhagen Global Warming Summit by Commercial Airliner Thursday, December 10, 2009 By Penny Starr, Senior Staff Writer (CNSNews.com) – Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) will travel to the United Nations global warming conference in Copenhagen, Denmark on a commercial airliner, a senior Kerry aide told CNSNews.com. “The senator expects to travel commercially as he has to past climate conferences,” the aide said, adding that the details of Kerry’s travel arrangement were contingent opon the Senate’s schedule. Published reports have indicated that many public officials have been arriving at the Copenhagen in private jets, meaning they are... CNSnews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404443/posts#comment Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:58:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404585/posts WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama had a golden opportunity to become a peacemaker compared to his hawkish predecessor. But he has let that opening evaporate by escalating the war in Afghanistan. Now he is called a "war president" -- a dubious title that former President George W. Bush personally embraced after starting two devastating wars, one in Afghanistan, the other in Iraq. In both cases, the U.S. is touting its exit plans. In Iraq, Obama has declared a victory and plans to pull out many troops next year, though leaving thousands behind to secure the Baghdad government. In Afghanistan, Obama... TheBostonChannel.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404585/posts#comment Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:16:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398869/posts President Obama May Not Remember Vietnam Turmoil WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama insists that his decision to escalate the war in Afghanistan by sending in 30,000 more troops is not Vietnam all over again. Well, it sure reminds me of the perils and the price of that unwinnable war in Southeast Asia and the political chaos it wreaked at home. In Afghanistan, the designated enemies are remnants of the weakened al-Qaida network and the native Taliban, which has been growing in strength despite the eight-year war started by President George W. Bush in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 catastrophe.... TheBostonChannel.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398869/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 00:47:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398457/posts The behind-the-scenes battle over who will be the next speaker of the Assembly is heating up this week, with sources saying a vote on who will succeed Speaker Karen Bass could be coming up soon. A handful of members were said to be jockeying for the spot, but it appears the pool of contenders has been whittled down to two Democrats from Los Angeles. Those left standing are Assemblyman Kevin de León of the 45th District, a friend from way back of former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez. De Leon's chief rival is Assemblyman John Pérez, the rookie from the 46th... SacBee: Capitol Alert http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398457/posts#comment Wed, 2 Dec 2009 15:43:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2397631/posts Let's dispose of one thing right off the bat: Whether the Democratic-controlled Legislature confirms Republican Sen. Abel Maldonado as lieutenant governor will have nothing to do with fitness, or lack thereof, for the job. It will be purely political. Insiders don't call the office's holder the "light governor" for nothing. He or she has only one real official job: Filling the governorship if the governor dies, resigns or is impeached. The last time that happened was nearly 60 years ago, when President Dwight Eisenhower appointed Gov. Earl Warren as U.S. chief justice and Lt. Gov. Goodwin Knight became governor. Otherwise,... Sacramento Bee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2397631/posts#comment Tue, 1 Dec 2009 15:45:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396630/posts Lawmakers pressure Obama ahead of Afghanistan speechBy Jeff Mason Monday November 30, 2009 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama faces pressure from fellow Democrats, opposition Republicans and the international community even before he announces long-awaited plans on Tuesday for a big U.S. troop increase in Afghanistan. Members of both parties laid out their expectations and concerns on Sunday about the president's upcoming speech, to be broadcast live at 8 p.m. EDT on Tuesday (0100 GMT on Wednesday) from the West Point Military Academy. Obama is widely expected to say he will add some 30,000 troops to the eight-year war effort,... The Star http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396630/posts#comment Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:47:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396090/posts The election results certified by the St. Lawrence County Board of Elections for New York’s 23rd Congressional District contain some numbers that are mathematically impossible. These numbers were requested in person and transmitted by e-mail just hours before certification on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009. For six election districts in St. Lawrence County (the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 7th districts in Canton, the 14th district in Massena, and the 2nd district in Oswegatchie) negative numbers appear in the column for “blank” ballots, known in other states as “undervotes.” Blank vote counts are ballots in which the voter did not choose any... Gouverneur Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396090/posts#comment Sun, 29 Nov 2009 01:09:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393295/posts Democrats at odds over health billMonday, November 23, 2009 8:43 AM CST WASHINGTON (AP) — Moderate Senate Democrats threatened Sunday to scuttle health-care legislation if their demands aren’t met, while more liberal members warned their party leaders not to bend. The dispute among Democrats foretells of a rowdy floor debate next month on legislation that would extend health care coverage to roughly 31 million Americans. Republicans have already made clear they aren’t supporting the bill. Final passage is in jeopardy, even after the chamber’s historic 60-39 vote Saturday night to begin debate. “I don’t want a big-government, Washington-run operation that... Charles City Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393295/posts#comment Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:20:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392305/posts As a journalist covering Chicago politics, verifying information is like climbing a mountain of sand. With each step you take, the deeper you sink. Last week while researching claims from a local Tea Party activist, I found myself asking a family for proof that they had lost an unborn grandchild. The family, Dan and Midge Hough, of Chicago, spoke in favor of health care reform and in support of U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-3rd) at a Nov. 14 town hall meeting in Oak Lawn. Their daughter-in-law, Jenny, and an unborn grandchild died recently due in part, they believe, to a... Southtown Star - Chicago http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392305/posts#comment Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:24:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391636/posts Dems snare 60 votes to move ahead on health careBy ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Writer – 4 mins ago WASHINGTON – Democratic leaders secured the last two votes to move ahead on historic health care legislation, clearing the way for a Saturday night showdown on President Barack Obama's top domestic initiative. In long-awaited speeches, centrist Sens. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana said they would stand with their party and vote "yes" on the crucial test vote despite deep reservations with elements of the 2,074-page bill to remake the nation's health care system. "The truth is this... Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391636/posts#comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:23:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391611/posts Bill Moyers to Leave Weekly TelevisionBy ELIZABETH JENSEN; Compiled by DAVE ITZKOFF Published: November 20, 2009 The PBS mainstay Bill Moyers, left, said he was retiring from weekly television and would end his Friday night public affairs show, “Bill Moyers Journal,” on April 30, 2010. That date will also be the last for “Now on PBS,” which has been canceled. Mr. Moyers said he had been planning for some time to retire the program on Dec. 25 but was asked by PBS to raise the funds to continue through April, which he did. “I am 75 years old,” he said... NY Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391611/posts#comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:34:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2390168/posts WASHINGTON -- The Nobel Peace crown lies uneasy on President Barack Obama’s head as he ponders the next U.S. move in Afghanistan, with hints and leaks showering down to tell us that he will eventually send thousands more troops there. His decision -- which could be announced soon -- was triggered by the request from Gen. Stanley McChrystal for 40,000 more troops to secure the cities and protect the citizens of Afghanistan, in addition to the 68,000 U.S. troops there now. Obama has been reviewing the U.S. role in Afghanistan for months, a time-consuming study that has led to accusations... TheBostonChannel.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2390168/posts#comment Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:24:09 GMT