Old Jarhead's Political SitRep for Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Old Jarhead's Political SitRep for Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Robert A. Hall

No predictions

You can find things to cheer or depress yourself in a Google search. I’m posting Wednesday's Political SitRep on Tuesday about 6:00 pm with whatever non-time-sensitive links I was able to gather early this evening, before the results started to come in. Since this will be too late for the election, I’m not including a lot of stuff about it that I’m being sent, that will be out-dated when you read it. I have no predictions for the election, only fears for my country. Fears no matter who wins, but far worse if Obama wins. Mostly for my granddaughter, as I won't be here for the final collapse. We will see what happens for future posts. I wasn't for Romney early, but given the media's open support for Obama, the Obama money machine, the mass of new entitlement “ObamaPhone” voters, and the Democrats' Chicago Way thuggery, I think no other Republican candidate could have done as well, win or lose. Even if Romney wins, because they have built up such a power base determined to loot the future, the chances to save the Republic are very, very slim. I think Greek-style entitlement riots are coming, under Romney as he tries to cut back or under Obama as the money runs out and the currency is devalued. And I think that will be only the start. Keep your powder dry. ~Bob.

The Massachusetts Senate

Forty years ago, on November 7, 1972, I was elected to the Massachusetts Senate, by a margin of 9 votes in a 4-1 Democrat district that last elected a Republican in 1938. I was behind all night, with the last town to come in, Shirley, putting me ahead by 9 at 6:30 am on Wednesday morning, out of over 60,000 votes cast. Those days were all paper ballots and the recount and final challenges were not settled until early December, when the incumbent conceded. I finished the recount 128 votes ahead, meaning the Democrat Senate couldn’t appoint a review commission and throw out 10 of my votes on a technicality and seat him. I was later told by the Senate President that was the plan, but 128 was too many. I served five terms, winning the next four elections by large margins, including being nominated by both parties in 1976, when I won the Democrat primary on write-ins by 150 votes against a Democrat, who was also running a write-in campaign to get on the ballot. After 1972, I never lost a city or town in my district. It was my first full time job after college, as I graduated in June of 1972. I retired undefeated in 1982. I regret neither running for office, nor giving up public life.

“Anyone who votes for Romney is a traitor or a fool.” From a Democrat friend

I responded: “Since you know I voted for Romney, which do you consider me, a traitor or a fool? I would point out, old friend, that over 40 years with many political differences, I have never called you vile names over your differing world view. But then, I'm not a progressive, with the vicious, uncivil streak so many allies of OWS and the NBPP seem to have.” ~Bob. He responded “And to be precise, I think Bob Hall is a decent, intelligent, patriotic, thoughtful and factually well informed man who is wrong about taxes, wrong about the deficit, wrong about women’s health issues, wrong about global warming, wrong about race, wrong about voter suppression and wrong for America.”

Response to yesterday's SitRep

You left out culture: Obama is accelerating the transformation of our society into couch potato girlie men. Easy prey for lean and hungry barbarians. Salaam aleikum. Cordially, Larry Greenberg

Prediction from a former colleague in the Massachusetts Legislature

I think Barry will carry NH, and thus all of the 2004 Kerry states. Kerry was shy by 17 electoral votes, but continuing migration to Sunbelt in 2010 Census means Bush states have net of 7 more EV, so Barry would need 24 more EV if he holds all Kerry states. 5 from New Mexico is a sure thing, and 6 more from Nevada almost as sure, so that would leave 13 needed. Ohio has 18 and is about 85% likely for the President, according to Nate Silver. Virginia and Colorado are close but leaning our way, as is Colorado. Florida may be a stretch, especially the way Scott is committing election fraud by preventing people from voting. My guess is 303 EV for Barry, or 332 if he picks off Florida .Unlike 1992,1996 and 2008, some states may be close enough (especially Ohio) that they haven't been called by 11:00 P.M. Eastern Time, so California and the other Pacific states wouldn't officially put Barry over the top. Then we'd probably be waiting for Ohio, my guess called by 11:30 P.M. --PM

Romney Wins on Tuesday: State by state, here’s how it’ll happen. By Josh Jordan

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/332472/romney-wins-tuesday-josh-jordan

Excerpt: First, I believe Romney will squeeze out a popular-vote win of about two percentage points: 50.5 to 48.5 (I’m assuming about 1 percent of the vote will go third party). This margin will be enough for Romney to win the Electoral College. 

Letter to the Chicago Tribune

I am not a member of any of the various Tea Party groups (there is no one Tea Party.) Nor have I ever been to a Tea Party rally. And as a Republican, I think Tea Party groups have too often helped liberal Democrats keep senate seats by supporting candidates who could not be elected, thus contributing to the debt. Nevertheless, that the peaceful Tea Party protests against debt, spending and taxes, which cleaned up after themselves, have been demonized so much that dishonest candidates tried to tie their opponents to the “Tea Party,” represents a gross failure of the media to communicate the truth in favor of an agenda. Meanwhile, OWS protests in favor of more “free stuff” and against the economic system that has given working people the highest standard of living in history, accompanied by rapes, violence, theft, destruction and filth, are glorified as expressions of Americans participating in the political system. And you wonder why newspapers are declining? Robert A. Hall, Des Plaines, IL

Worth Reading: Waiving Freedom. By Thomas Sowell 

http://townhall.com/columnists/thomassowell/2012/11/06/waiving_freedom

Excerpt: Among the objections to ObamaCare, one that has not gotten as much attention as it should is the president's power to waive the law for any company, union or other enterprise he chooses. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution provides for "equal protection of the laws" for all Americans. To have a law that can cost an organization millions of dollars a year either apply or not apply, depending on the whim or political interest of the President of the United States, is to make a mockery of the rule of law.

Worth Reading: Gross Misconceptions. By Thomas Sowell

http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell110612.php3#.UJk2aG883Kg

Excerpt: This country is at a historic crossroads, and the path we choose can determine our future far beyond the next four years. Our children and grandchildren may someday bless us or curse us for what we do this Tuesday. Against that background, it is painful to see the petty talking points and gross misconceptions that seem to dominate this year's election campaign.

President Mitt Romney. By Burt Prelutsky
http://www.burtprelutsky.com/2012/11/president-mitt-romney.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+burtprelutsky%2FSQlQ+%28BurtPrelutsky.com%29
Excerpt: The title of my latest book, Barack Obama, You’re Fired! (And Don’t Bother Asking for a Letter of Recommendation), is more than an example of wishful thinking. I am convinced that this year, Christmas will fall on November 6th when Santa Claus, recognizing who’s been naughty and who’s been nice, will do the right thing and fill our Christmas stocking with Mitt Romney and a Republican Senate.

Quotes

I’m predicting Obama will take an early lead tomorrow. Until all the Republicans get off work. --Tweet from Tim Tebow. @TheTimmyTibow

One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly. --Woody Allen

Judge issuing order to reinstate booted Philadelphia election officials, Republicans say
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/11/06/judge-issuing-order-to-reinstate-booted-philadelphia-election-officials/#ixzz2BSJlYnGL

Excerpt: A Pennsylvania judge is issuing an order to reinstate Republican election officials across Philadelphia who allegedly were ejected or refused entry by on-site Democratic voting chief judges, GOP officials tell Fox News. One Republican official claimed that "just under 70" Republican election officials were blocked from Philadelphia polling sites Tuesday morning by Democrats on site. One of them, the official claimed, "was shoved out of the polling place." 

Philly Activist Group Shreds GOP Voter Registrations

http://visiontoamerica.com/12805/philly-activist-group-shreds-gop-voter-registrations/

Excerpt: The Community Voters Project is a “non-partisan” lefty organization whose mission is to register people to vote, with a particular emphasis on minorities. In the 2008 election, they had offices in 10 states and registered around 300,000 minority voters. So far, so good. This year, however, it seems they aren’t registering everyone who wants to vote. Outside a CVP office in Philadelphia, for example, they shredded and threw away numerous registration forms. A number of these were for people trying to register as a Republican.

Return of the New Black Panthers. By J. Christian Adams 

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/11/06/Return-of-the-New-Black-Panther

They’re back, no thanks to Attorney General Eric Holder. Members of the New Black Panther Party are again stalking the polls in Philadelphia….Whatever the reason, when the Justice Department gives breaks to hate groups in one Presidential election, you can count on them showing up in the next Presidential election.

PHOTO IN PHILLY: Is this an actual polling place? UPDATE: Judge Order Obama Mural Covered. ALLAHPUNDIT
http://hotair.com/greenroom/archives/2012/11/06/is-this-an-actual-polling-place/ 
Excerpt: Unreal: Obama mural inside polling place in Philly. No wonder they are kicking out GOP officials. (Heard on the news that a Democrat objected to someone in an M.I.T. tee shirt voting, because it said “Mitt.” ~Bob.)

New Civility Alert: Obama Backers Threaten Riots If Obama Loses.

http://clashdaily.com/2012/11/new-civility-alert-obama-backers-threaten-riots-if-obama-loses/

Excerpt: A few weeks ago, Twitchy reported on Twitter users threatening to riot if President Obama loses to GOP rival Mitt Romney. With four days to go until Election Day, we decided this is a topic worth revisiting. The results of our Twitter searches are not pretty: (Hopefully just jerks spouting off. But if Romney should win, you might want to take care in or avoid certain areas…~Bob.)

DETROIT: Woman Campaigning for Obama Punches Voter in Face, Smacks Cop Trying to Arrest Her.
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=403714956387381030#editor/target=post;postID=4437593082901837867

What Went Wrong in Libya: And where do we go from here? By Ira Straus
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/332495/what-went-wrong-libya-ira-straus

Benghazi has been the loudest specific foreign-policy difference of the campaign, and it keeps getting more serious. The administration’s line on Benghazi has been plainly false. John McCain has called it worse than Watergate. He is right. Basic executive-branch responsibilities have been neglected. Deaths have resulted.

Giuliani on Obama response to Hurricane Sandy: ‘Disgraceful … Where the hell are the generators?’

http://dailycaller.com/2012/11/05/giuliani-on-obama-response-to-hurricane-sandy-disgraceful-where-the-hell-are-the-generators-video/#ixzz2BOIAsrgF

Excerpt: “What good is FEMA if they can’t get water to people? What good is FEMA if they can’t get food to people?”… “This man [Obama] has been a disaster on emergency response. …. I’ve never seen a president walk out as much as this.” “If George Bush had done this, they’d be impeaching him right now. If George Bush had done this, the media would have been all over him.”

The First Cabelas to Close. By Anthony Ciani

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/11/the_first_cabelas_to_close.html

Excerpt: The prices are pretty darn good too, almost on-line discounter good. But the store in Cook County Illinois is different; proof that while government may not be able to create jobs or improve an economy, it is more than capable of killing businesses and jobs. (Just thought I would pass this along. Thanks, Cook County. --Jack.)

Richard Petty proud to be politically conservative

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2012/11/04/richard-petty-proud-to-be-politically-conservative-stumps-for-mitt-romney/1681807/

Excerpt: For a sport consumed mostly by turning left on racing Sundays, NASCAR often leans toward the right on election Tuesdays.

Energy Is Everywhere

http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=22545&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DPD

Excerpt: Many people assume that energy costs are only those that you have to pay for directly, such as monthly electricity, gas bills, gasoline and so forth. But people also pay for energy that they consume indirectly; that is, in the goods and services they consume, says Kenneth P. Green, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. … Indirect energy prices disproportionally effect poorer populations. Low-income families have to spend a higher proportion of their money on energy related costs, which leaves less income available to spend on other goods and services. The poorest populations in the United States pay the highest percentage of their income on indirect energy (5 percent) while the rich only have to pay 1.3 percent of their income. (Yet another way Obama and his Green Cronies are screwing the poor, who have no idea. ~Bob.)

Looming Tax Hike Motivates Owners to Sell

http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=22548&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DPD

Excerpt: A forthcoming capital-gains tax increase for next year is fueling the sale of some privately held enterprises. The maximum tax on investment income is projected to rise from 15 percent, currently, to at least 23.8 percent on most capital gains, says the Wall Street Journal. Many business owners are swiftly reacting to avoid an impending loss. … Uncertainty over tax-reforms stymies a vibrant and dynamic market, which is important for stimulating the economy.

Obamacare Is About To Whack Personal Income

http://www.fedupusa.org/2012/11/obamacare-is-about-to-whack-personal-income/

Excerpt: Several restaurants, hotels and retailers have started or are preparing to limit schedules of hourly workers to below 30 hours a week. That is the threshold at which large employers in 2014 would have to offer workers a minimum level of insurance or pay a penalty starting at $2,000 for each worker. The shift is one of the first significant steps by employers to avoid requirements under the health-care law, and whether the trend continues hinges on Tuesday’s election results. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has pledged to overturn the Affordable Care Act, although he would face obstacles doing so. Let’s not mince words — that’s a 25% reduction in the impacted worker’s gross wages!

Bombs in Bahrain’s Capital Kill 2 Foreigners

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/06/world/middleeast/bombs-in-bahrains-capital-kill-injure-bystanders.html

Excerpt: Five bombs exploded in the capital of Bahrain on Monday, killing two foreign workers and critically injuring a third, in a sharp intensification of the violence that has simmered in the island nation since the beginning of a pro-democracy uprising 21 months ago. (See, there was this movie…~Bob.)

Brother of Syrian parliament speaker assassinated; UN envoy says country in a catastrophe

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syrian-chaos-deepens-as-rebel-rivals-fight-at-border-crossing-palestinians-clash-in-damascus/2012/11/05/8bcb59ac-27ba-11e2-ac64-5d52a2c5953e_story.html

Excerpt: Gunmen killed the brother of Syria’s parliament speaker as he drove to work in Damascus on Tuesday, the state-run news agency reported, as the international envoy for Syria warned the country could become another Somalia. Mohammed Osama Laham, brother of Parliament Speaker Jihad Laham, was killed in the Damascus neighborhood of Midan, the SANA news agency said.

Father Brown: California’s governor becomes an evangelist for high taxes.

http://www.city-journal.org/2012/cjc1105lb.html

Excerpt: “I’m going to do a little preaching,” said California governor Jerry Brown on October 21. He was speaking to a congregation at an Oakland church, where he quoted the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 12, verse 48: “To those whom much is given, much will be required.” This is Brown’s favorite line in his crusade to raise taxes through Proposition 30, which Californians will vote on Tuesday. (An interesting commentary on how Jerry Brown thinks. It makes perfect sense to me, since many Jesuits and other priests of that time (and since) interpreted Christ's call to give all to the poor in order to follow Him as being quite literal. Thus the more you have, the more you must give away, and you should be glad of the opportunity to rid yourself of money or things you don't really need while helping those whose lives are more limited in what they have. That does make sense to all who fully accept that view of the tenets of Christianity, but as it happens, not every Christian, much less every person, in California fully ascribes to that view. Many Christians and others do accept the idea of being called on to be charitable, which they act out by what they donate to their own church and to the many charities that send out appeals regularly. Many very charitable people do not believe it is the function of the state to take over for them their commitment to give to the poor. Oddly enough, many people do not believe that giving through the auspices of the state is the most efficient way to help the poor in the first place. For Gov Brown to put on the mantle of the clergy and preach his personal morality to the taxpayers is inappropriate, to say the least. Unfortunately, being righteous is strongly addictive, and it will never cross his mind that he needs to act more as the representative of all the people, not as the spiritual leader working for those of the people who are poor. --Del)

Police Official Gunned Down in Russia’s Dagestan

http://en.ria.ru/crime/20121105/177210463.html

Excerpt: Lt. Col. Valery Aidayev, head of the district Criminal Investigation Department, was shot dead by an unidentified assailant, the ministry said. …

Jewish Family Attacked in Marseille, France

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/161740#.UJk3Tm883Kh

Excerpt: The father of a Jewish family was badly beaten and the family home was completely trashed on Sunday by local youths in Marseille, France. Residents in their Jewish neighborhood are stunned following the incident. (Damn “youths” are at it again. ~Bob.)

Sudanese jihad leader linked to bin Laden backs Obama, "of course"

http://www.jihadwatch.org/2012/11/sudanese-jihad-leader-linked-to-bin-laden-backs-obama-of-course.html

Of course. ~Bob.

Pakistan acid attack parents 'feared dishonour'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20202686

Didn’t get the memo. ~Bob. Excerpt: A couple arrested in Pakistan on suspicion of killing their 15-year-old daughter with acid say they carried out the attack because she looked at a boy. The girl's father told the BBC that they feared she would bring dishonour on their family. Her mother said it was her "destiny" to die that way.

'U.S. Per Person Debt Now 35 Percent Higher than that of Greece'

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/us-person-debt-now-35-percent-higher-greece_660409.html

Excerpt: "According to estimates from the International Monetary Fund, America’s total government debt will be $16.8 trillion by the end of the calendar year, compared to $441 billion for Greece," the Republican side of the Senate Budget Committee explains. "On a per person basis, that means U.S. debt is $53,400 for every man, woman, and child, compared to $39,400 for every man, woman, and child in Greece. (And if we magically paid it off, they would run it right back up. ~Bob.)

Rand Paul: State Spent $100K to ‘Green Up’ Vienna Embassy 4 Days After Denying Libya Embassy Access to Plane

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/rand-paul-state-spent-100k-green-vienna-embassy-4-days-after-denying-libya-embassy

Excerpt: Four days after the security team at the U.S. embassy in Libya was denied further use of a DC-3 plane, the State Department approved $100,000 to “green up” the U.S. embassy in Vienna, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said on C-SPAN’s “Newsmakers” on Sunday.

Randy Barnett: The Mistake that is the Libertarian Party. Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203922804578080684214526670.html
Excerpt: As a young libertarian, I was very enthusiastic about the formation of the Libertarian Party. I proudly cast my vote for Roger MacBride for president. I attended the 1975 national convention in New York that nominated him. But, while I am as libertarian today as I was then, I have come to believe that the Libertarian Party was a mistake.