tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86677841633710549922024-03-13T09:56:40.822-07:00The Red FinchRed Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-9448903263468736482010-01-02T10:39:00.001-08:002010-01-02T10:39:58.348-08:00<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tCAffMSWSzY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tCAffMSWSzY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-39380634838546934022009-11-26T08:34:00.000-08:002009-11-26T08:37:37.855-08:00SNL mocks Obama during his visit to ChinaNBC recently pulled this video off of youtube, citing "copyright issues". Ha!<br /><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/4b0eacac211ecfe9/4b0969c709961fed/31f8117d/-cpid/d71db494133f3a25" id="W4727a250e66f97234b0eacac211ecfe9" width="384" height="283"><param name="movie" value="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/4b0eacac211ecfe9/4b0969c709961fed/31f8117d/-cpid/d71db494133f3a25" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /></object>Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-51200117756875491172009-11-23T19:14:00.001-08:002009-11-23T19:40:46.408-08:00A letter to MarthaDear Martha,<br /><br />I have been a faithful subscriber to your Living magazine for almost 7 years now. I saved and treasured every issue and have also sent subscriptions over to friends and family as gifts.<br /><br />I caught your interview with CNN recently where you claimed Sarah Palin was "dangerous" and "boring".<br /><br />Without regret I am refusing to renew my subscription to Living. As a working class conservative mother to two young children, Sarah Palin is more in touch with us average Americans than Hollywood celebrities, Washington elitists or you, Ms. Stewart.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />C**** K****Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-43415945899439473912009-04-16T19:08:00.000-07:002009-04-16T19:11:25.920-07:00Citizens unite!Good for you, Chicago tea-party goers.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8zNbWtl4wgM&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8zNbWtl4wgM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-9412800968012746362009-04-16T18:25:00.001-07:002009-04-16T19:19:26.375-07:00This is why CNN stinksI've been wondering why mainstream media has largely refused to cover the tea parties that had been sprouting up all over the nation, finally culminating over 800+ tea parties extravaganza on April 15th. I've come to realise that the reason why they've refused to recognize this phenomenon is <span style="font-style: italic;">because they disagree with us</span>. I give you Susan Roesgen, from CNN.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MMxKMr2wnhk&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MMxKMr2wnhk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />... and the same Roesgen, competent journalist that she is, who had no problem stating that a mask that is a cross between Satan and Hitler is a "Bush look-alike."<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VA1urdWA2JM&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VA1urdWA2JM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Shame on you, CNN.Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-66312614898808377362009-04-16T11:04:00.000-07:002009-04-16T18:48:08.740-07:00Fishkill (NY) Tea party<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AkGoempkpgaLUZAx91yGureisf2SQXKqgcu1JGrA7NH1hm0yO-4cb6lrfPrHtsHbCG1aFTmO41jGysCwU9mq9jRa9BFSu0mxojgvZkX_KhNxJMTXHQ2RmAuiEm92sWiJt2qKu103nNk/s1600-h/flag.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AkGoempkpgaLUZAx91yGureisf2SQXKqgcu1JGrA7NH1hm0yO-4cb6lrfPrHtsHbCG1aFTmO41jGysCwU9mq9jRa9BFSu0mxojgvZkX_KhNxJMTXHQ2RmAuiEm92sWiJt2qKu103nNk/s320/flag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325357118359841074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGV80NieDxtgc5tSHpEuq4y_8WqRyGpkC7knhgniXPlp_mA06bCmUjlxLUvNv9au_OAT5qluERg1okEfLMSE0Vzf49bhQRI2l1h6Kg44D8PRmvwJnS3nx5zjgOVATlNBohqxyB6w0Q-8Q/s1600-h/IMG_3101.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGV80NieDxtgc5tSHpEuq4y_8WqRyGpkC7knhgniXPlp_mA06bCmUjlxLUvNv9au_OAT5qluERg1okEfLMSE0Vzf49bhQRI2l1h6Kg44D8PRmvwJnS3nx5zjgOVATlNBohqxyB6w0Q-8Q/s320/IMG_3101.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325356993938801346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk2Jb2zLTI9dwjXLuP1n31mv74gS7KQ4NgRzNBwV0eEA0XX3RxileDeATDFJO0cdXqxFBhdiH8CuEoYilN9YiYJ9_P6skUuMCHqfib3Xod-6BEZ3nbv0txd9wS-rdvI-wuz0wJ_J82l0/s1600-h/IMG_3090.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk2Jb2zLTI9dwjXLuP1n31mv74gS7KQ4NgRzNBwV0eEA0XX3RxileDeATDFJO0cdXqxFBhdiH8CuEoYilN9YiYJ9_P6skUuMCHqfib3Xod-6BEZ3nbv0txd9wS-rdvI-wuz0wJ_J82l0/s320/IMG_3090.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325356993915813442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38qL7Jfp_3UTkC7ZKg4FzrY1HbXqF3mmDtM0uz90lXQOWsUq_PItNv6TjmvGT2mb2TypCWSKuYYx0tSDPbcVonKyW4n7sWWJboPWVmPhLYE1Y0cFDwDSpLcRWMfZxbqTszmqssYQFUTI/s1600-h/IMG_3085.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38qL7Jfp_3UTkC7ZKg4FzrY1HbXqF3mmDtM0uz90lXQOWsUq_PItNv6TjmvGT2mb2TypCWSKuYYx0tSDPbcVonKyW4n7sWWJboPWVmPhLYE1Y0cFDwDSpLcRWMfZxbqTszmqssYQFUTI/s320/IMG_3085.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325356989758113058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRXqDbF0-LIO-u1LCOM-cYhj9eYrdDW0e5GcJvWQVfu8RthNXGSJ-Bir3b7K54s5-9snd-I5yZHoolFCa_AeMG2PSmhVvnJ5d5GHkBgBiOhpgaJMlXFAHyDt74hb8CYv9EWxvOsQgYJM/s1600-h/IMG_3041a.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRXqDbF0-LIO-u1LCOM-cYhj9eYrdDW0e5GcJvWQVfu8RthNXGSJ-Bir3b7K54s5-9snd-I5yZHoolFCa_AeMG2PSmhVvnJ5d5GHkBgBiOhpgaJMlXFAHyDt74hb8CYv9EWxvOsQgYJM/s320/IMG_3041a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325356988197732418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Eye-catching slogans that evening:<br /><br />CNN, YOU SUCK!<br /><br />I DON'T PAY MY TAXES EITHER. THAT MEANS I QUALIFY TO BE A CABINET MEMBER<br /><br />JAIL BARNEY FRANK<br /><br />DON'T SPREAD MY WEALTH. SPREAD MY WORK ETHIC<br /><br />DRINK TEA, NOT KOOLAID!<br /><br />p.s.: CNN, you *do* suck.Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-22218755180067342202009-04-16T10:28:00.001-07:002009-04-16T18:46:04.441-07:00Whoops!DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano is now making a news tour to apologize to our veterans and veteran groups that have been offended by the DHS assessment that had been released around April 7th. On <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/16/napolitano.apology/index.html">CNN's</a> web site, she made it a point that the nation's largest combat veterans group, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), <span style="font-style: italic;">defended the report</span>.<br /><br />Busy as I am, I just had to look that up. Read the whole <a href="http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4992">statement</a>.<br /><br />In essence, the VFW said that the DHS is doing its job and that it made no blanket accusation of that every soldier was capable of being a terrorist; but that they were not pleased with the wording of the report and "<span style="font-style: italic;">hopes DHS tones down the disgruntled military veteran angle in its next edition, and includes other professionals who have paramilitary training, such as the police, Secret Service, FBI, and DHS' own Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.</span>".<br /><br />No "blanket accusation"? I'm not so sure. Here's a paragraph from pg. 7 of the DHS report:<br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><p>(U) Disgruntled Military Veterans </p> <p>(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat. These skills and knowledge have the potential to boost the capabilities of extremists—including lone wolves or small terrorist cells—to carry out violence. The willingness of a small percentage of military personnel to join extremist groups during the 1990s because they were disgruntled, disillusioned, or suffering from the psychological effects of war is being replicated today. </p></blockquote>So did VFW really defend the report? You decide.Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-22244399860223468372009-04-16T05:13:00.000-07:002009-04-16T05:19:10.297-07:00DHS report follow-upJanet Napolitano was just on Fox News defending the DHS's report and stands by their assessment that returning vets are a risk factor, and quoted Timothy McVeigh as an example. I couldn't believe it. That is like using Osama Bin Laden as a representative of the entire Islam religion, is it not?Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-69795905723568024302009-04-15T18:19:00.001-07:002009-04-15T19:10:48.422-07:00We're all haters nowJust got back from attending a tea party. The energy was *great*! I'm guessing turnout was close to 2,000? I'll find out. These people were determined and they were <span style="font-style: italic;">ticked off</span>. I'll blog about the tea party tomorrow. In the meantime...<br /><br />The Dept. of Homeland Security, under the lead of Janet Napolitano has just issued a report titled "<strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;">Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment."<br /><br /></strong><strong style="font-weight: normal;">Incredibly, while the administration has decided not to use the terms 'war on terror' -- substituting it with 'overseas contingency plans' and events like Sept. 11 are no longer 'terrorist attacks' but '<span style="font-style: italic;">man-made</span>' or '<span style="font-style: italic;">man-caused disasters</span>' -- they did not hold back from implying that conservative Americans are the enemies. They even go as far as to say that returning war vets are at risk for right-wing indoctrination, recruitment and radicalization. Right wing extremists are said to be using the economic downturn and the recent election of a black president (who happens to have half white) to recruit members. People who are pro-life, anti-illegal immigration, anti-big government, believe in the 2nd Amendment and etc, could be considered a right-wing extremist and a radical. In addition to classifying that granny standing outside Planned Parenthood with a pro-life sign an extremist, DHS and its state and local partners will be making an ongoing effort to keep tabs on YOU, the conservative. Because according to the report, conservative = hater.<br /></strong><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><br />By the way, where's that DHS report on ACORN?<br /></strong><strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;"></strong>Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-78700605149309598492009-04-15T11:06:00.000-07:002009-04-15T11:09:17.326-07:00It's on!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BpKiHEOIp6SHdh7xCnp1qeLlJF4C-7q00Gc6Aib5ci4zIJDM1JYl7e8xHDtRPk-AhDqQNECA1I6lbuRNCNYNWX-bA-vNR4qWkwOXfx2kr9kYt-EdOG1ONAX1W9pKyJFqVvambFngcnA/s1600-h/Teaflag.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BpKiHEOIp6SHdh7xCnp1qeLlJF4C-7q00Gc6Aib5ci4zIJDM1JYl7e8xHDtRPk-AhDqQNECA1I6lbuRNCNYNWX-bA-vNR4qWkwOXfx2kr9kYt-EdOG1ONAX1W9pKyJFqVvambFngcnA/s320/Teaflag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324981498012472434" border="0" /></a><br />Where will you party today?Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-13034096897784578232009-04-14T11:06:00.000-07:002009-04-16T18:48:51.208-07:00Backlash from the libsBill Press was just on Fox denouncing the tea parties... 750 of which are scheduled to go on around the country. He said he "smells a rat" and that these protests are paid for by the Republicans (what??) and that they are all politically-driven. Obviously, Mr. Press is very out of touch with the American people and what's going on in this country.Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-83430670239354362562009-04-09T05:45:00.000-07:002009-04-09T05:59:47.029-07:00Quote of the Day<span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> “Think what you do when you run into debt; you give to another power over your liberty.”-- Benjamin Franklin<br /></span></span>Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-26682777786961321832009-03-25T20:32:00.000-07:002009-03-25T21:26:02.346-07:00Getting to know the SEIUAccording to their web site (http://www.seiu.org), the Service Employees International Union <span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><strong></strong>is the largest and fastest growing union in North America. It currently has </span><span style="font-size:100%;">2 million members in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico who work in 3 service industry divisions -- health care, public services </span><span style="font-size:100%;">and property services.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">SEIU's PAC (Political Action Committee), the SEIU Committee on Political Education gave $13.53 million to Barack Obama during his campaign, and another $3.16 million to oppose John McCain. While </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">money collected from union dues cannot be donated to political campaigns. SEIU, like many other unions, encourages members to donate to its PAC, which is free to use that money for political purposes</span>. (Read the whole article <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/the_state_worker/2008/10/column-extra-your-money-and-pr.html">here</a>)<br /><br />From <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/31/labor.stern/index.html">CNN</a>,<br /><p style="font-style: italic;"> The SEIU donated $85 million(!!) to Democratic campaign war chests for last year's elections, and its 2 million members put in countless hours of volunteer time on the campaign trail.</p>So <span style="font-style: italic;">in-te-res-tinng</span>... Also interesting is that some of the anti-AIG protesters we saw over the last week were made up of SEIU workers. Read about it <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE52I7ZP20090319">here</a>, <a href="http://www.topix.com/city/seattle-wa-first-hill/2009/03/seiu-union-members-protest-aig-in-downtown-seattle">here</a> and oh, if you really want the juice, read <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS222885+18-Mar-2009+PRN20090318">this</a>... the headline is "<span style="font-style: italic;">SEIU President Andy Stern to Speak & Deliver 'Reality Check' at AIG Building in DC".<br /><br /></span>And while the Stern is <a href="http://www.seiu.org/change-that-works/bank-of-america/">waggling his finger</a> at bailed out banks and executive bonuses, the SEIU isn't exactly squeaky clean either. Great <a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/03/more_seiu_scandals_for_union_l.html">article</a> on it from the American Thinker.<br /><br />The question on my mind is, did he know that Washington knew about those AIG bonuses? I mean, was it all pretend? More smoke and mirrors?<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-76565594745777788292009-03-25T20:11:00.000-07:002009-03-25T20:31:52.486-07:00Card Check... also known as 'The Employee Free Choice Act". Maybe it should be renamed 'The Employee <span style="font-weight: bold;">NO CHOICE</span> Act"? Big labor unions like the AFL-CIO, SEIU, and the Change to Win Coalition spent a lot of the money during the 2009 election, and are pushing Congress to approve this law because union membership has been declining. This law is a bad idea. Here's why (from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce):<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">1) It eliminates private ballots</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Under the existing law today, workers have a chance to vote for or against unionization in a private-ballot election that is federally supervised. Under Card Check, if more than 50% of workers at a facility sign a card, the government would have to certify the union, and<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;">a private ballot election would be prohibited--even if workers want one.</strong><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span> <div style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">By forcing workers to sign a card in public--instead of vote in private--<span style="font-style: italic;">Card Check opens the door to intimidation and coercion. </span><strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;">Over 70% of voters agree that a private election is better than card check."<br /><br /></strong></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">2) Card Check could put govt. regulators in charge of private business decisions</span><br /><div>Once a union is certified, the business and union would only have 120 days to reach agreement, before facing the prospect of being forced into binding arbitration. This means a panel of government arbitrators who may have no understanding of the business could impose a two year contract deciding all workplace terms--<strong style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;">without any vote by the company or its employees.</strong></div> <div> </div> <div>By placing government regulators in charge of a two-year decision, business flexibility is limited--at a time in our history when it is needed most. <strong style="font-weight: normal;">A recent poll found that <span style="font-style: italic;">75% of voters believe government arbitrators should not decide the conditions of a union contract.</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">3) Harsh new penalties for businesses<br /></span>Card Check would impose harsh new penalties on businesses--but not on unions--for violations during the union recognition process. This is unfair, and potentially disastrous for small or medium businesses, who are not familiar with unionizing campaigns or the National Labor Relations Act. If Card Check passes, many of these businesses would be facing unionization for the first time.<br /><br />It looks like our current govt. is looking to grow bigger and badder every minute, and tightening that noose around our necks slowly but surely if we let them.<br /><br />(source: http://www.uschamber.com/issues/index/labor/cardchecksecrbal.htm)<br /></div></div>Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-33948114365568325872009-03-25T04:30:00.001-07:002009-03-25T04:40:22.986-07:00The Red Finch web site is up! There is still a lot of tweaking and fine tuning but it's up. People can now download designed slogans for free, to print on their t-shirts. More slogans will be added but since I am a mother of two kids under two (years of age), well, I'm just doing the best I can.<br /><br />The President's press conference was on tv last night when I was uploading the web site. I was hoping he wouldn't blame the previous administration (again) but he did. Again. Another thing that I took away from the press conference was how he seem to really want to stick it to the rich folks. Oh, and did anyone notice how annoyed he was when asked about AIG?<br /><br />I miss American Idol. The press conference just left my mouth feeling dry.Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-86980171258736014402009-03-16T18:53:00.000-07:002009-03-16T18:58:59.192-07:00The Red FinchI haven't blogged in a while. I've been busy working on the new web site. I can't wait till I'm done. I am too much of a tweaker. Will I ever be done tweaking??Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-28166059367546406232009-03-06T19:56:00.000-08:002009-03-06T20:33:33.867-08:00Obama to reverse embryonic stem cell banAgain, the stem cell "ban". There is no friggin' "ban". While I am glad that CNN did report that Bush's policy limited federal dollars to embryonic stem cell research, I wish they had chosen not to use the confusing headline. There are enough of the confused out there already.<br /><br />The article also says that the administration is "<span style="font-style: italic;">planning a Monday event at the White House in which Obama will overturn the executive order signed by President George W. Bush in August 2001</span>".<br /><br />And another thing I noticed. Here's the top story under the 'Don't Miss' section: "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Man appears free of HIV after stem cell transplant</span>". The story repeatedly uses the word 'donor' but doesn't actually say that the patient was treated with <span style="font-style: italic;">adult</span> stem cells.<br /><br />Ignorance is spreading like a disease. Thanks, CNN.Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-7729592355701122842009-03-06T19:13:00.000-08:002009-03-06T20:38:00.453-08:00Obama blows his own horn...... and out comes a flat note.<br /><br />From CNN: "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Obama Touts Job Creation From </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stimulus Plan</span>".<br /><br />(**in case you've forgotten, that's the $787 BILLION (!) Stimulus Plan**)<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><br /><br />"The graduating cadets were informed at the end of January that they would be laid off because of a shortfall in the city's budget, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman said. <p> A few weeks later, however, the city was given a $1.25 million stimulus grant through the Justice Department, which would provide funding for the cadets' jobs through the end of 2009. The cadets' future is uncertain beyond that point."</p> Wait a minute, wait a minute.<br /><br />I don't mean to see the glass as half full, but with unemployment currently at 8.1% (a 25-year high) and the Dow at 6,626.94, you've saved <span style="font-style: italic;">twenty five</span> jobs. <span style="font-style: italic;">Federal</span> jobs. <span style="font-style: italic;">Until the end of the year</span>.<br /><br />Big whoop, Mr. President.Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-32769802734148501292009-03-05T16:42:00.000-08:002009-03-05T17:39:35.822-08:00Unions, contributions and DemocratsThere's a nice <a href="http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=41290&ref=rellink">piece</a> by Alyssa Rosenberg on 'unions mobilizing on behalf of Democratic candidates'. Here are some highlights.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">NATCA (National Air Traffic Controllers Association), one of the smallest federal union, contributed $1.9 million to congressional candidates. 79% of that money (over $1.5 million) went to Democrats. $500,000 was also spent to support AFL-CIO's Working America program to build support and alliances with non-union workers, and $150,000 to help the Democratic National Committee's convention planning activities</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">PASS (Professional Aviation Safety Specialists) which represents Federal Aviation Administration and Defense Department technicians, made $207,500 in campaign contributions, with 91% going to Democrats<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">IFPTE (International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers), which represents Defense workers, made $30,500 in contributions as of Oct. 19, sending 93% of that money to Democrats<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">AFGE (American Federation of Government Employees) donated $592,050 as of Oct. 19, with 96% going to Democrats<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">NTEU (National Treasury Employee Unions), which also represents TSA workers, made $306,100 in contributions as of Oct 19, sending 95% to Democrats<br /><br /></span>In addition to the donations and through the AFL-CIO's coordinated efforts, union members have also volunteered on campaigns -- such as making telephone calls, walking door-to-door and other various on-the-ground efforts to reach voters.Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-61868398964219321112009-03-05T14:53:00.000-08:002009-03-05T16:41:52.279-08:00This just in!V.P. Biden and Labor Secretary Solis are having a secret meeting with the bosses of the AFL-CIO (<span style="font-family:georgia;">American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations), </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">the largest federation of unions in the United States. The purpose of the meeting is to push a bill that would "</span>give workers the option of unionizing by getting a majority of the workers to sign cards or a petition <span style="font-style: italic;">instead of holding secret ballot elections</span>."<br /><br />Did you get the last part? They are now trying to squash the rights to a secret ballot. Isn't this bill a violation of rights?<br /><br />And, no press allowed! So much for <span style="font-style: italic;">transparency</span>.Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-47376737769976213232009-03-05T11:33:00.001-08:002009-03-05T17:49:44.033-08:00Bush. Enemy of the EnvironmentDo you know of someone still pissed at Bush for not signing the Kyoto Treaty? <span style="font-style: italic;">Why didn't he sign the dang thing? Why does he hate the environment? Why? Why??</span> Of course, as with anything, there is another side to the story. One that mainstream media conveniently and efficiently swept under the rug. You know, because it didn't <span style="font-style: italic;">further their agenda</span>.<br /><br />Signing the treaty would have meant Very Bad Things for our economy. Here's why.<br /><br />1) Energy prices would go up - gas prices 30% and electric 50-80%. You want to pay more for... everything?<br /><br />2) Decrease in productivity (anywhere from $100 billion to $400 billion), because the treaty mandated that we cut back on our output. This in turn would lead to people losing their jobs or seeing their wages shrink. By 2020, our manufacturers would have to curb production by up to 15%, affecting our competitiveness<br /><br />3) The treaty excluded developing nations even though their carbon emissions would exceed ours by 2020<br /><br />4) A study conducted by NASA also stated that carbon dioxide emissions may not be the biggest contributor to greenhouse gases, yet it is still the focus of the treaty groups (I wonder why??)<br /><br />5) According to the U.N., countries who signed the Kyoto treaty, namely Austria, New Zealand and Canada have in fact increased their emissions by 14, 23 and 54% respectively<br /><br />And, contrary to what many of you may be hearing, we actually have a pretty darn good environmental record. From an <a href="http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed072808d.cfm">article</a> from Edwin J. Feulner, Ph.D,<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >"<span class="standardcontent"><span class="standardcontent"><span>The U.S. government estimates that energy-related carbon dioxide emissions increased by just 1.6 percent in 2007, after dropping 1.5 percent the year before. The growth in our emissions is less than the growth of our Gross Domestic Product, meaning we've improved the economy while reducing the growth in our emissions."<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></span></span></span></span>Also, according to The Heritage Foundation,<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">"</span><span class="standardcontent" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="standardcontent">... no EU nation has ratified the treaty, and none are close to ratifying it, despite predictions by experts that carbon dioxide emissions in Europe will be up to 14 percent above 1990 levels by 2010"<br /><br /></span></span></span>So be prepared to tell those leftist dunderheads out there that there were <span style="font-style: italic;">reasons</span> why Bush didn't sign the dang treaty. And that he was doing it to protect the interests of our country. And be prepared to hear, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Well, we looked bad not signing it...</span>".Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-53691724945677230062009-03-05T09:42:00.000-08:002009-03-05T10:52:07.225-08:00Rush and Rules No. 5 and 12<ul><li><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Rule #5: </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ridicule is man's most potent weapon</span></span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Rule #12: </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it</span></span></li></ul><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />Sounds like Obama and his Cons are doing just that to Rush Limbaugh.<br /><br />By the way, those were two of Alinksy's <span style="font-style: italic;">Rules for Radicals</span>. Who is Alinksy? Oh, no one... just the left-wing radical who taught 'paid organizers' to "rub raw the sores of the discontent". Just someone who did not believe in morals or God. Just someone whose objective was to bring people to the realization that <span style="font-style: italic;">they are miserable</span> and that misery is <span style="font-style: italic;">someone else's fault</span> and that they band together <span style="font-style: italic;">to demand what they deserve</span>.<br /><br />Interestingly enough, these tactics are called "<span style="font-style: italic;">community organizing</span>".<br /><br />But back to the Rules. Alinsky's playbook for radicals continue to serve Conbama well!<br /></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman,times;font-size:100%;" ></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman,times;font-size:100%;" ></span><span id="intelliTXT"></span>Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-18242118272928824572009-03-05T09:26:00.000-08:002009-03-05T09:42:02.766-08:00Just eat it!Quickly now, before people realize it's yet another spending bill!<br /><br />Yea, I'm talking about the FOUR HUNDRED AND TEN BILLION DOLLAR omnibus bill. Did I mention it also has EIGHT THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED earmarks in it?<br /><br />If memory serves me right (and I know it does), I remember Obama campaigning against earmarks. And please, it's time to stop blaming Bush. The people in the new administration who are still blaming Bush continue to prove that they lack class (as well as a whole lot of other things, but that's for another post).<br /><br />Obama-Conbama.Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-91149633240484196402009-03-04T10:54:00.000-08:002009-03-04T11:32:27.599-08:00Oh no, my darling NancyIs it me, or did Nancy Pelosi get more Botox?Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667784163371054992.post-64939285605304587942009-03-04T07:21:00.001-08:002009-03-04T12:53:32.286-08:00On stem cell researchBush created such an uproar in 2001 when he banned stem cell research. Many abhor the stance he took about God guiding his decision-making and then translating that stance into slowing down stem cell research. It didn't help that mainstream media concentrated on presenting only half of the story.<br /><br />There are two types of stem cell research, embryonic/fetal and adult. In 2001, when Bush initiated the so-called ban, it wasn't really a ban at all. It was actually more about government limiting its funding to embryonic stem cell research within the U.S. Also, more progress has been made using adult stem cells in treatment. Two women, who had suffered spinal cord injuries due to an accident, <span style="font-style: italic;">walked</span> into a press conference after having had treatment utilizing adult stem cells from their own olfactory tissue. We are currently treating over 58 different types of diseases using adult stem cell research, including Parkinson's and juvenile diabetes.<br /><br />Apart from the obvious ethical issues regarding fetal stem cell research (obtaining embryonic stem cells destroys the embryos), there are big safety concerns as well. Fetal stem cell therapy has been producing less than desired results. A boy, now 17, treated with fetal stem cells in 2001, developed tumors in his brain and spine (<a href="http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.1000029&ct=1" target="_blank">http://medicine.plosjournals.<wbr>org/perlserv/?request=get-<wbr>document&doi=10.1371/journal.<wbr>pmed.1000029&ct=1</a>).<br /><br />The lack of funding from the private sector is also a clear indicator that it is not worth capitalizing on, because hard data does not back the imminent cure touted by fetal stem cell supporters.<br /><br />So, should your tax dollars still be spent on fetal stem cell research? Thanks to activists still touting the benefits of fetal stem cell research, the state of California, which is bankrupt as we speak, has even borrowed 3 billion dollars to fund embryonic stem cell research.<br /><br />To read more, go <a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2004/09/the_truth_about_stem_cell_rese.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.heritage.org/Research/HealthCare/hl888.cfm">here</a>.Red Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497955680130416963noreply@blogger.com2