A million blog page views! Some items from the weekend

A million blog page views!

I started this blog in October of 2008, frustrated by where the country was going. I’m beyond frustrated now, but resigned. A friend told me then there were seven million blogs, but only two million blog readers. Having just gone over a million page views since I established the blog, I’m getting my share of them. Thanks for reading.

And thanks to all who sent the below items over the weekend while I was offline, trying to help my bride get the condo to rights after the move. Made a large Goodwill run. ~Bob

Lunch & A Chat With Mytch. By Andy Weddington

http://acoloneloftruth.blogspot.com/2013/08/lunch-chat-with-mytch.html

Excerpt: And then sheepishly came five words I'd not expected - that turned our chat from dialogue to monologue - "I voted for Barack Obama."

How to jump start the economy

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-to-jump-start-economy.html

New comment on The Coming Collapse of the American Republic

I wanted to e-mail you to let you know I read your book and I made a donation to the Semper Fi Fund. As for your book, I think your thoughts are very informative. I truly hope your worst-case scenario about the future of this nation does not come true, because if it does we are in for some very hard times. That said, I see little effort in Congress to do what is needed to turn America around. Regards --Sam F.

The School Administrator Payoff from Teacher Pensions: The “stewards” of the system benefit the most. By Cory Koedel, Shawn Ni, and Michael Podgursky

http://educationnext.org/the-school-administrator-payoff-from-teacher-pensions/

Excerpt: The costs of retiree benefits for educators, including “legacy” costs from unfunded benefits for previous retirees, consume a large and growing share of public spending on K–12 education. Between 2004 and 2012, data on fringe benefits from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that pension costs for public educators rose from 11.9 to 16.7 percent of salaries. In contrast, pension costs for professionals in private firms were relatively flat, at about 10 percent of salaries, over the same period.

Does the Doctor Need a Boss? By Greg Scandlen

http://healthblog.ncpa.org/does-the-doctor-need-a-boss-2/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HA#more-31497

Excerpt: Einer Elhauge is a Harvard law professor and former adviser to the Obama campaign. He recently authored a paper that was published by the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) entitled,”ObamaCare and the Theory of the Firm.” Is it just me, or do you also get bone weary of academics who have never actually been in business or the professions trying to re-order the world to their liking? After all the chaos these people have created over the decades, wouldn’t you think a little humility would be in order? In this case, Mr. Elhauge thinks that fragmentation is the biggest problem in health care, and things would be much better if we had some well-managed firms directing the behavior of all the various elements, including doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, nurses, rehab centers, and so on.

Terror Threat Extends U.S. Embassy Closures Through Aug 10

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-08-04/terror-threat-that-closed-embassies-called-credible-by-lawmakers

Remember way back in the 2012 campaign when the president assured us that al Qaeda was “on its heels” and the War on Terror was over? Good times! ~Bob. I'm sure glad Obama's bowing and sucking up to his Muslim buddies is working out so well. Just imagine how bad it would be if he didn't have al-Qaeda on the run! - LLW

Mugabe Wins Again in Zimbabwe, Leaving Rival Greatly Weakened

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/04/world/africa/mugabe-declared-winner-of-disputed-election-in-zimbabwe.html?ref=africa&_r=0

Excerpt: President Robert Mugabe, who has led Zimbabwe since it threw off white rule in 1980, won another term on Saturday as the official results were announced for last week’s hotly disputed election, defeating his main challenger with 61 percent of the vote and roaring back to secure his grip on power after having to share it for the past five years. (After he took power, Zimbabwe, which used to export food, starved, as farms were transferred to blacks, but they couldn’t transfer the work ethic or knowledge of farming the white farmers had. Hyper-inflation destroyed the economy. [You can but a $100T Zimbabwe bill for under $5 on Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-TRILLION-ZIMBABWE-DOLLAR-MONEY-CURRENCY-P-91-NEW-UNC-FREE-SHIPPING-USA-/290702453172?pt=Paper_Money&hash=item43af3769b4#ht_1588wt_932]

Black life expectance dropped from 63 under evil white rule to 36 under benign black rule, has increased a little since then. Aren’t you happy for blacks in Zimbabwe since liberals helped them throw off white rule? ~Bob.)

Lords of the Transition Team: Our leadership class’s real accomplishment is résumé padding. 

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/355061/lords-transition-team-mark-steyn

Excerpt: Let us put aside her Muslim Brotherhood family background — let us put it aside in the same corner as Anthony Weiner’s infidel penis, the Muslim Brotherhood being one of the few things on the planet rising even more spectacularly than Anthony. Instead, consider merely the official résumé. Huma Abedin’s present employment is as “head of Hillary Clinton’s transition team.” 

Benghazi Coverup About to Hit the Fan
http://politicaloutcast.com/2013/08/benghazi-coverup-about-to-hit-the-fan/

Excerpt: CNN, not exactly a bastion of Conservative thought, dropped a bombshell on Thursdayabout the ongoing Benghazi coverup. The usually Clinton News Network issued an exclusive saying that sources have informed them that “dozens of people working for the CIA were on the ground that night, and that the agency is going to great lengths to make sure whatever it was doing, remains a secret… The CIA is involved in what one source calls an unprecedented attempt to keep the spy agency's Benghazi secrets from ever leaking out.” That is only the tip of the iceberg. 

Jihadists launch suicide assault at Indian consulate in Jalalabad

http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/archives/2013/08/jihadists_launch_suicide_assau_1.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LongWarJournalSiteWide+%28The+Long+War+Journal+%28Site-Wide%29%29

Excerpt: Jihadists launched a suicide assault that targeted the Indian consulate in the city of Jalalabad today, killing nine people, including children, in the failed attack. 

Full-Time Employment Down Over 5 Million Since 2007

http://finance.townhall.com/columnists/mikeshedlock/2013/08/05/fulltime-employment-down-over-5-million-since-2007-n1656196?utm_source=thdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl

Excerpt: In 2012, 36% of the nation’s young adults ages 18 to 31 the so-called Millennial generation—were living in their parents’ home, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. This is the highest share in at least four decades and represents a slow but steady increase over the 32% of their same-aged counterparts who were living at home prior to the Great Recession in 2007 and the 34% doing so when it officially ended in 2009.

The Face of the Brotherhood Enemy. By Daniel Greenfield

http://frontpagemag.com/2013/dgreenfield/the-face-of-the-brotherhood-enemy/?utm_source=FrontPage+Magazine&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=df6818e86f-Mailchimp_FrontPageMag&utm_term=0_57e32c1dad-df6818e86f-156414477

Excerpt: Today a new specter haunts Europe. Unlike the specter of Communism, it isn’t much spoken of and when it is mentioned, it is reduced to vague descriptions that fail to describe, like “Violent Extremism” and “Islamic Radicalism”, implying that the problem is a handful of men in a basement somewhere. The new Islamic threat is no more reducible to the occasional terrorist cell than the Communist threat could be reduced to the handful of radicals who were willing to set off bombs. The green ghost of Islam haunting European and American cities is at least as deadly as the old red ghost of Communism.

49 Reasons Why America Can't Fold Its Marine Corps. http://www.businessinsider.com/49-reasons-america-marine-corps-2013-8?op=1#ixzz2b6mMhI00

Great pictures. ~Bob

Fort Hood shooting

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Hood_shooting

Excerpt: According to eyewitnesses, Hasan had taken a seat at an empty table and bowed his head for several seconds when he suddenly stood up, shouted "Allahu Akbar!"[19][20]and opened fire.[21] Witnesses said Hasan initially "sprayed bullets at soldiers in a fanlike motion" before taking aim at individual soldiers.[22] Eyewitness Sgt. Michael Davis said: "The rate of fire was pretty much constant shooting. When I initially heard it, it sounded like an M16." (Play by play description. Incident: 2009. Trial—much delayed, starts Tues. 2013. Just workplace problems, folks. –Barb)

Fort Hood Victims to be Questioned by Attacker: Survivors of the Fort Hood massacre will be questioned by the man who shot them.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/170563#.Uf6hZNI3v0c

Survivors of the Fort Hood massacre in Texas in the United States face questioning at the hands of the man who shot them. The shooter, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, will be representing himself in court. The trial is to begin on Tuesday this week. More than 250 people will be testifying against Hasan, including relatives of the people he killed.

Only Benghazi Can Save Us from Hillary

http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2013/08/02/only-benghazi-can-save-us-from-hillary/

Excerpt: As Daniel Henninger pointed out the other day, there’s plenty of damage our increasingly authoritarian president can yet do in his remaining time in office. But because of the extra-constitutional power grab Henninger describes, it is all the more imperative that Hillary Clinton not step into Obama’s shoes for eight years, cementing policies and programs never voted on by the Congress or approved by the public. The nature of our republic would be altered forever.

Obama to America: ‘Bleep You’ - Let's be clear about the intentions behind recent administration actions.

http://pjmedia.com/blog/obama-to-america-bleep-you/

Excerpt: It has become increasingly clear since President Barack Obama’s reelection that he and his administration intend to govern as they wish, pushing as far and as fast as they can against constitutional and other legal limits which have constrained previous administrations. It has also become more than obvious that it is willing to hurt those who might get in their way, and to exploit others whose help they can co-opt to accomplish their agenda. In essence, Obama and his administration are telling America’s institutions, its states, its legal framework, and Americans in general: “Bleep you.”

Is the CIA Creating ‘Aliases’ for Benghazi Survivors?

http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2013/08/03/is-the-cia-creating-aliases-for-benghazi-survivors/

Excerpt: Fox News has learned that at least five CIA employees were forced to sign additional nondisclosure agreements this past spring in the wake of the Benghazi attack. CNN also reported that CIA operatives are being intimidated into keeping quiet. …..He (Gowdy) claimed the effort to keep information about the attack secret included “changing names, creating aliases.”

A Slo-Mo IRS Cover-Up: When Obama condemns “phony scandals,” we can assume investigators are getting warm. By John Fund

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/355013/slo-mo-irs-cover-john-fund

Back on May 13, President Obama reacted heatedly to news that the IRS had delayed and harassed conservative groups applying for nonprofit status. “I have got no patience with it, I will not tolerate it, and we will make sure that we find out exactly what happened on this,” he told reporters. … In a speech he made last week, he railed against an “endless parade” of “phony scandals” that are slowing down the nation’s business.

Blame It On George Soros

http://www.freedomrings1776.com/2013/07/blame-it-on-george-soros.html#more

Excerpt: We have all long been aware of George Soros' efforts to gain control of, and cause the ruin of our nation. The problem that I now encounter is that his control, or at least influence, is far more advanced than any of us knew, and he is not alone. Many other Progressives, communists, Islamist and such, acting totally independent of him are also doing their share to bring this nation to its knees. We have all heard and used the term 'low information voters'. Believe me, from what I am now learning, we are all low information voters, and that is what I am planning to change, even if it scares the hell out of you, as it well should.

Progressive U.S.A. And The Soros Agenda

http://www.freedomrings1776.com/

Excerpt: I recall a time when Glenn Beck was talking about the multitude of groups that George Soros either started or was involved in their funding. To Illustrate his point he had a huge scroll with those groups listed on it and he began unrolling it as he walked from one side of his studio to the other and when he reached the far wall there were still more groups on the list. Now I begin to grasp the enormity of what we face as I have begun exploring those groups, the people, the governments, and the foundations that fund them, as well the diabolical purposes they were created for, and I am tired and frightened.

Seven Obama regulations to watch

http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/pending-regs/315359-seven-obama-regulations-to-watch#ixzz2b1XU0UPL
Excerpt: In coming weeks and months, the Obama administration is set to issue scores of regulations, some of them long-delayed and others stemming from more recent laws. The Hill has assembled a list — by no means exhaustive — of notable regulations on tap that run the gamut from power plants to vending machines. Here's a look at seven major regulations to come:

McCain and Graham to push for democracy during Egypt trip

http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/middle-east-north-africa/315417-mccain-and-graham-going-to-egypt-to-push-for-democracy#ixzz2b1VajqvP
Excerpt: Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and John McCain (R-Ari.) will travel to Egypt to urge the country to hold new elections and reinstall a democracy after the military succeeded in overthrowing the elected Muslim Brotherhood government. Speaking Sunday on CNN’s "State of the Union," Graham said he and McCain would be making the trip “very soon” despite terror threats that provoked the State Department to close more than 20 diplomatic posts and issue a worldwide travel alert. “I know it’s dangerous, but we need to be there with our diplomats giving a unified message to Egypt,” Graham said. (Both must’ve gone to the same Kobe steak dinner and drank the same Kool-Aid. Look at the “messenger boys.” Can they retire, please? Egypt at least recognizes terrorists, calls them what they are and did something about it. Why isn’t a Democrat traveling? J --Barb)

Gen Abdulfattah al-Sisi, the Egyptian general who deposed Mohammed Morsi, the country's democratically-elected president has accused the US of "turning your backs" on Egypt.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/10220823/Egypt-Gen-Abdulfattah-al-Sisi-says-US-turned-its-back.html

Excerpt: Gen Sisi is Egypt's most powerful man after his troops removed President Morsi from office last month but he has presided over waves of violence between the military and the ousted Islamist president's supporters. In an interview with the Washington Post he appeared to blame the instability on the White House, saying: "You left the Egyptians. You turned your back on the Egyptians and they won't forget that."

CIA 'running arms smuggling team in Benghazi when consulate was attacked'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/10218288/CIA-running-arms-smuggling-team-in-Benghazi-when-consulate-was-attacked.html

Excerpt: Up to 35 CIA operatives were working in the city during the attack last September on the US consulate that resulted in the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans, according to CNN. The circumstances of the attack are a subject of deep division in the US with some Congressional leaders pressing for a wide-ranging investigation into suspicions that the government has withheld details of its activities in the Libyan city. (Happy anniversary, Benghazi, you phony, you. –Barb)

Opium crop in Afghanistan heading for record levels

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/9994303/Opium-crop-in-Afghanistan-heading-for-record-levels.html

Excerpt: The United Nations' early assessment of the 2013 crop found farmers were planning to plant more poppy than last year, marking the third annual rise in the drug's cultivation. UN officials predict the increase will push this year's crop close to 2007's record level and again see Afghanistan responsible for more than 90 per cent of the world's heroin….High opium prices, coupled with uncertainty over what will happen when foreign combat troops leave and a faltering legal economy were all persuading farmers to sow more of the cash crop, the survey found

Hooked on heroin

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57596689/hooked-on-heroin/

Excerpt: During the past five years, seizures of heroin in the United States by the Drug Enforcement Administration have gone up more than 50 percent, from 1,334 lbs. in 2008, to 2,059 lbs. in 2012. Heroin use in America has skyrocketed -- up a staggering 75 percent between 2007 and 2011, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. For parents out there, here's the scary part: The most rapid growth, says Kathie Kane-Willis, is occurring among those under age 21.

Exclusive: Japan nuclear body says radioactive water at Fukushima an 'emergency'

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/05/us-japan-fukushima-panel-idUSBRE97408V20130805

Excerpt: Highly radioactive water seeping into the ocean from Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear plant is creating an "emergency" that the operator is struggling to contain, an official from the country's nuclear watchdog said on Monday. This contaminated groundwater has breached an underground barrier, is rising toward the surface and is exceeding legal limits of radioactive discharge, Shinji Kinjo, head of a Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) task force, told Reuters. Countermeasures planned by Tokyo Electric Power Co are only a temporary solution, he said.

Professor says kids no longer need to learn spelling and grammar because of smartphones
http://dailycaller.com/2013/08/04/professor-says-kids-no-longer-need-to-learn-spelling-and-grammar-because-of-smartphones/#ixzz2b0nZXVIJ

Excerpt: Several skills that every kid once learned in schools are going the way of the dodo in a hurry. Diagramming sentences is practically an extinct art, for example. Cursive handwriting and memorized multiplication tables look to be swiftly headed that way. Apparently, the next thing that kids will no longer need to learn is spelling and grammar. (So we need fewer teachers and professors? ~Bob.)

Bill Maher: Get rid of the Department of Homeland Security
http://dailycaller.com/2013/08/03/bill-maher-get-rid-of-the-department-of-homeland-security/#ixzz2b0mAnq7d

Excerpt: “Do you think we could get rid of the Department of Homeland Security?” Maher said. “This is one of those monstrosities that came out of 9/11. ;;;; The top 15 jobs there are vacant because no one wants to work there. (Article quotes Maher as mentioning approaching anniversary of 9/11. No one mentioning the anniversary of that “phony” scandal Benghazi where brave men died, agents that survived forced into silence and POTUS turned his back and partied with the bros. Just one more bump in the road to…..Barb)

Judicial Watch president: Holder’s DOJ is ‘Locus of Evil’
http://dailycaller.com/2013/08/04/judicial-watch-president-holders-doj-is-locus-of-evil-video/#ixzz2b0kmCejl

Excerpt: In a scathing interview, Tom Fitton — president of the non-partisan group Judicial Watch — assessed the Obama administration’s behavior and described the Department of Justice under Eric Holder’s tenure as a “Locus of Evil.” “It doesn’t get much worse than that Attorney General,” Fitton said. “We knew Eric Holder was involved in the pardon scandal under the Clinton years, where he pushed for these pardons that were bought and paid for practically by Clinton patrons…

Where Are All The Kids? By Karl Schlichter

http://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2013/08/05/where-are-all-the-kids-n1654829/page/full

Excerpt: Since 9/11, I’ve had a chance to serve with many young people. Call them Millennials or whatever, but they have faced every challenge and earned the right to be mentioned in the same breath as the heroes of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Maybe I see the cream of the crop – military standards are so high that only about a quarter of young people can qualify physically, morally and academically to enlist. And maybe these young warriors self-select as those who aren’t satisfied to stay safe in a tight, comfortable, smothering cocoon.

Over it: One person attends Obamacare event in Virginia. By Katie Pavlich

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2013/08/05/change-one-person-attends-obamacare-event-in-virginia-n1656388

Excerpt: Poll after poll shows the legislation is deeply unpopular, that more Americans than ever want it repealed and that a majority are confused about how the overhaul will actually benefit them. Not to mention, just last week acting IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, whose agency is in charge of enforcing Obamacare, said he didn't want to switch his personal healthcare plan over to one under Obamacare.

Supreme Court may need to decide how private a cellphone is. By Robert Barnes

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-may-need-to-decide-how-private-a-cellphone-is/2013/08/04/e341dc60-fae1-11e2-a369-d1954abcb7e3_story.html

Excerpt: Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. didn’t hesitate last fall when a questioner asked him about the biggest constitutional challenge the Supreme Court faced. Roberts told the audience at Rice University in Houston that the court must identify “the fundamental principle underlying what constitutional protection is and apply it to new issues and new technology.” He said, “I think that is going to be the real challenge for the next 50 years.”

Facebook's Mark Zuckerburg Now Building A Political Network 

http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/315377-facebooks-zuckerberg-emerging-from-shadows-on-national-political-stage

Excerpt: While comprehensive immigration reform is the first national policy issue that Zuckerberg has personally engaged in, he has previously been active in New Jersey politics. Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla, hosted a campaign fundraiser for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) at his home in Palo Alto, Calif. in February, which drew a few dozen protestors to his neighborhood in the traditionally Democratic-leaning city, according to The San Jose Mercury News. However, Zuckerberg, who has not declared support for any particular political party, also has plans to host a fundraiser for Newark, N.J. Mayor Cory Booker’s (D) Senate run, Bloomberg reported.

Stunner: Weiner’s Sexting Pal Already Doing Porn

http://www.jammiewf.com/2013/stunner-weiners-sexting-pal-already-doing-porn/

I said “Sydney Leathers” sounded like a porn name. ~Bob.

The Other Benghazi Scandal: Journalists Worry Covering The Attack Threatens White House Access

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/the-other-benghazi-scandal-journalists-worry-covering-the-attack-threatens-white-house-access/

It’s The Chicago Way. ~Bob

Benghazi Bombshell: Valerie Jarrett, Commander in Chief

http://conservativereport.org/benghazi-valerie-jarrett-cic/

Excerpt: Confidential sources close to Conservative Report have confirmed that Valerie Jarrett was the key decision-maker for the administration, the night of the Benghazi terrorist attack on 9/11/2012.

Zillow value rises $250 million after Obama agrees to Q&A

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/315559-companys-value-rises-250-million-after-obama-agrees-to-qaa#ixzz2b7RLGXrI

Excerpt: Zillow, an online real estate marketplace, saw its value rise by $250 million after it announced President Obama would answer questions about the housing market in an online discussion moderated by the company’s CEO.

Tweet from RNC ‏@GOP

Comcast/NBC execs generous donors to Hillary and Dems—any shock they want to run glowing miniseries before 2016?

Obama economy: Part-time jobs swamp full-time jobs

http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/inside-politics/2013/aug/5/obama-economy-part-time-jobs-swamp-full-time-jobs/

Excerpt: Since January 2009 the country has added a net total of 270,000 full-time jobs, but it has added 1.9 million part-time jobs, according to the House Ways and Means Committee.

HHS is shielding Obamacare outreach from sequester cuts

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/08/05/hhs-is-shielding-obamacare-outreach-from-sequester-cuts/

Excerpt: The health insurance marketplaces launch eight weeks from Tuesday, and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius would like you to know that her agency is “on target and ready to flip the switch on October 1.”

Bouncer caught on cell phone video brutally beating man outside beach bar is arrested after footage sparks outrage online. Police initially arrested the victims of the beating after the fight.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2384767/Bouncer-finally-arrested-video-viciously-beating-bar-patron-goes-viral.html