Erick Erickson's Blog, page 54
April 12, 2012
Morning Briefing for April 12, 2012
RedState Morning Briefing
April 12, 2012
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1. Democrats Now Say They Never Said 'War Against Women'?
2. Fables Of A Reality Based Community
3. The Buffett Rule Obfuscates the Real Debt Crisis
4. I Have No Sympathy for Gary Stein
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1. Democrats Now Say They Never Said 'War Against Women'?
If you went to bed oblivious of the news last night, there was a mini-bruhaha over a comment Hilary Rosen, the former head of the RIAA and a DNC Advisor, made to Anderson Cooper on AC360 last night. I was on AC360 with both Hilary and Paul Begala.
Hillary said that Ann Romney, a mother of five sons who has had breast cancer and MS, had "actually never worked a day in her life." Ann Romney made her debut on twitter to take issue with the remark. The White House and Obama campaign were quick to distance themselves and say Hilary should offer an apology.
For what it's worth, in context Hilary was talking about the workforce and recession and I don't think she meant to insult stay at home moms or Mrs. Romney. On Twitter, Hilary explained she was taking issue with Mitt Romney using Ann Romney as his expert on women and Ann Romney did not work both a full time job and raise the five boys concurrently.
But more than that, I actually never even heard her make the remark originally because I was still dwelling on how Hilary had started her statement. Hilary said the Democrats had actually never used the phrase "War on Women," and that it was a Republican invention. I turned on twitter and saw all the outrage and literally said out loud, "How'd I miss that?"
Saying the Democrats had never coined the "war on women" terminology threw me for a loop.
Please click here for the rest of the post.
2. Fables Of A Reality Based Community
Did you hear the one about the former radical Christian who turned into a gay-loving, atheist abortion doctor? Not if you aren't capable of stifling the natural biological gag reflex that prevents the human animal from swallowing turd-piles. You'd have to accomplish this remarkable feat for a long enough time to read Frank Bruni's latest contribution to journalistic integrity over at the New York Times.
Well imagine the coincidence! This former right-wing troglodyte of all backwardation took time out of his busy day snuffing inconvenient human lives at his abortuary to thank Frank Bruni and to ask his forgiveness. The poor guy couldn't help it. He grew up in the South…
Please click here for the rest of the post.
3. The Buffett Rule Obfuscates the Real Debt Crisis
Over the past few weeks, Obama has exhibited the intensity of a Navy SEAL in his execution of class warfare. He is trying to convince everyone that those who earn 17% of Adjusted Gross Income, yet pay 36.7% of federal income taxes don't pay anything, while those who pay little or no taxes shoulder the entire tax burden. Obama will continue to toss out misinformation throughout the campaign about all these billionaires that supposedly pay little in taxes.
Please click here for the rest of the post.
4. I Have No Sympathy for Gary Stein
Gary Stein is an active duty Marine who has taken to Facebook to complain about President Obama. He's apparently come to RedState too, including ending one post with "NoBama 2012."
As you can see by the comments he didn't get the reception here that he thought he'd get.
I'm a bit appalled by the conservatives who have decided to rally around this guy. Were he doing this to George W. Bush, a great many people on the right now supporting him would be calling for a court-martial. The irony, of course, is that many on the left now calling for him to be disciplined would have been perfectly okay with him going after Bush. They would have treated him as a celebrity.
April 11, 2012
Zimmerman, Romney, Obama, and the KKK on the Atlanta School Board #EERS
Tonight on the Erick Erickson Show, I'm going to cover live the press conference on George Zimmerman. I'll also get into Romney as the nominee, Barack Obama's re-writing of history, and the Klan members on the Atlanta Public Schools Board.
You can listen live tonight on the WSB live stream and call in at 1-800-WSB-TALK.
The show goes from 6pm ET to 9pm ET.
Consider this an open thread.
I Have No Sympathy for Gary Stein
Gary Stein is an active duty Marine who has taken to Facebook to complain about President Obama. He's apparently come to RedState too, including ending one post with "NoBama 2012."
As you can see by the comments he didn't get the reception here that he thought he'd get.
I'm a bit appalled by the conservatives who have decided to rally around this guy. Were he doing this to George W. Bush, a great many people on the right now supporting him would be calling for a court-martial. The irony, of course, is that many on the left now calling for him to be disciplined would have been perfectly okay with him going after Bush. They would have treated him as a celebrity.
Some areas of life should be removed from partisan politics. One of those should be active duty military. Gary Stein and many of our enlisted may not like their Commander-in-Chief, but he is still their Commander-in-Chief duly elected by 51% of the voting American public. What these soldiers, sailors, and Marines do on their own time, out of uniform, and not in service is a-okay with me. They don't completely surrender their first amendment rights.
Stein has gone beyond that though and does not seem to think he has any obligation, while in uniform, to show proper respect to his commander. On his Facebook page, he allowed Obama = Hitler comparisons. In his writings, he thinks soldiers should pick and choose which orders to comply with.
It wasn't right when left-wing soldiers did it to George W. Bush and it is not right when left-wing soldiers do it to Barack Obama. I have no sympathy for the guy and I really am appalled at some conservatives out there rallying around the guy.
Morning Briefing for April 11, 2012
RedState Morning Briefing
April 11, 2012
Go to www.RedStateMB.com to get
the Morning Briefing every morning at no charge.
Happy Birthday, Liefje.
1. It Was Inevitable. Now Bring on President Both Ways
2. The Left, the Media and Plans to Destroy Scott Walker
3. Left not all that interested in free speech or tolerance
4. Why Ozzie Matters
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1. It Was Inevitable. Now Bring on President Both Ways
It was inevitable.
Mitt Romney's campaign has used a money advantage to shut out the competition. As I said when he won Ohio, Romney will be the nominee.
The way forward for Romney depends on the economy. For the longest time I did not think he had much of a shot against the President, but as I've said several times recently, the economy seems to be struggling, which gives Romney an opening.
Between a struggling economy and a President who wants to have it both ways in rhetoric and in practice wants to side with those hostile to the idea of American exceptionalism, Romney has an opening if he'll aggressively take it.
If I may be so bold, I think the greatest thing Karl Rove or Reince Priebus or Mitt Romney or any outside group could do right now is introduce the American Public to what I've started doing on my radio show: recounting the amazing adventures of President Both Ways.
As Rory Cooper noted on Twitter, on August 26, 2011, President Both Ways claimed the Buffett Rule would "stabilize our debt and deficits for the next decade."
And now? President Both Ways claims, "No one ever suggested that implementing Buffett Rule would contribute in large measure to reducing the deficit."
President Both Ways strikes again.
Please click here for the rest of the post.
2. The Left, the Media and Plans to Destroy Scott Walker
Labor union bosses, trial lawyers and the Wisconsin Democrats have been out to end the political career of Governor Scott Walker since the moment he took office. His move to reform government employee union collective bargaining rights was a public relations spark that ignited a partisan heap of half-truths and electoral grudges. To date, Scott Walker and his reforms are still standing (and working!) in Wisconsin much to the chagrin of the Left.
Leading up to the June recall election in which Walker will defend his governorship, Democrats and Big Labor aren't talking about collective bargaining reforms. According to an internal Democrat Party of Wisconsin memo reported on by Mother Jones magazine, Wisconsin Democrats are hoping to oust Walker by in part focusing heavily on what is known as the John Doe investigation.
In Wisconsin, prosecutors may launch secretive probes (hence the name "John Doe") into criminal activities. John Chisholm, the Democrat District Attorney for Milwaukee County, has for 2 years now been running a John Doe investigation into former county government employees who held jobs while Walker was Milwaukee County Executive.
Interestingly enough, it was Walker who called for the probe to out suspected fraud.
Please click here for the rest of the post.
3. Left not all that interested in free speech or tolerance
I have worked in or around the Ohio Statehouse for a decade or more. I have seen a great many protests, counter-protests and events involving all kinds of issues and groups. But when I stopped by the Statehouse today to check out the Values Bus Tour event put on by Heritage Foundation and Family Research Council I experienced something I don't believe I had ever witnessed. A counter-protest effectively shutting down an event.
Please click here for the rest of the post.
4. Why Ozzie Matters
Ozzie Guillén, manager of the newly re-minted Miami Marlins, has earned himself a five-game suspension by declaring his affection for Cuban dictator Fidel Castro in Time magazine:
"I love Fidel Castro. You know why? A lot of people have wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that son of a bitch is still there."
Many entities survive through unsavory methods—cockroaches and kudzu vines spring to mind. But Guillén wasn't praising some neutral long-lived thing, he was admiring the machismo of the man who has spent more than six decades trampling on the freedoms of his fellow ballplayers.
April 10, 2012
It Was Inevitable. Now Bring on President Both Ways
Believe it or not, I've only been up for about thirty minutes. I'm under the weather today.
I would still be asleep except my CNN Alerts on my iPad went nuts. Turns out Rick Santorum is out of the race.
It was inevitable.
Mitt Romney's campaign has used a money advantage to shut out the competition. As I said when he won Ohio, Romney will be the nominee.
The way forward for Romney depends on the economy. For the longest time I did not think he had much of a shot against the President, but as I've said several times recently, the economy seems to be struggling, which gives Romney an opening.
Between a struggling economy and a President who wants to have it both ways in rhetoric and in practice wants to side with those hostile to the idea of American exceptionalism, Romney has an opening if he'll aggressively take it.
If I may be so bold, I think the greatest thing Karl Rove or Reince Priebus or Mitt Romney or any outside group could do right now is introduce the American Public to what I've started doing on my radio show: recounting the amazing adventures of President Both Ways.
As Rory Cooper noted on Twitter, on August 26, 2011, President Both Ways claimed the Buffett Rule would "stabilize our debt and deficits for the next decade."
And now? President Both Ways claims, "No one ever suggested that implementing Buffett Rule would contribute in large measure to reducing the deficit."
President Both Ways strikes again.
A Self-Inflicted Hubris Shot to the Head
Mike Wallace is dead.
Growing up, I'd spend the summer away from Dubai at my grandparents' home in Louisiana. Sunday nights were back to back Murder She Wrote and 60 Minutes.
Many conservatives would accuse Mike Wallace and 60 Minutes of a liberal view point and shading stories to match their world view. Growing up, 60 Minutes was, to me, journalism done right. They asked questions and got answers and highlighted problems and, though sometimes falling short of the goal, tried not to put themselves in the story.
I'd like to think that if Mike Wallace were able in his latter days, he'd be kicking the asses of most of the journalists who have dared weigh in on the Trayvon Martin killing for destroying the integrity of a tragic story in the name of agenda journalism.
Just about every single network and journalist who has touched on the Trayvon Martin matter should be deeply and terribly ashamed of themselves. I am disgusted by just how badly the media has botched the handling of a very real tragedy.
What we know is that Trayvon Martin was killed.
We know that the 911 operator told George Zimmernan not to follow Trayvon Martin, but he did anyway.
We know, from Trayvon Martin's girlfriend, that Trayvon was being following and a scuffle happened.
We know from an eyewitness that Trayvon Martin was on top of George Zimmerman beating up George Zimmerman.
We know from that same eyewitness that George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin.
We know that for a month, until outrage built, the police did nothing and treated this case as a matter of self-defense under Florida's "Stand Your Ground" statute.
This whole sordid story is a tragedy in and of itself.
But then there is the other tragedy.
We know that journalists spent a good bit of time trying to decide if George Zimmerman said "punks" or a racial slur on a 911 tape.
We know that journalists tried to prove that George Zimmerman had no lacerations on the back of his neck and certainly did not look like he'd been beaten up contrary to the eye witness and others there that night.
We know that journalists edited the tape of George Zimmerman's 911 call to make it sound like Zimmerman was concerned because Trayvon Martin was black.
We know journalists have repeated used old photographs of Trayvon Martin that give him a more youthful, innocent appearance while using George Zimmerman's mugshot.
We know that journalists first ran out the door with "white on black crime" as a headline only to have to walk it back when the white guy appeared a bit too hispanic to keep up that pretense.
We know that an NBC personality went on CNN with a CNN personality and had the audacity to attack the CNN personality for daring to suggest there might be more than one side to the story.
Each of these acts is troubling.
Instead of the facts, journalists decided to do what they do in pretty much every story these days — make it a victim vs. victimizer story. They sensationalized parts of the story, dramatized parts of the story, and fictionalized parts of the story. Instead of letting the facts decide the winner and loser, the journalists decided who would win and who would lose the story.
In one clear attempt when a journalist, Piers Morgan of CNN, tried to actually suggest there might be a larger story, an NBC personality of the network that edited a 911 tape to make it look even more damning, was offended at the very thought of there being a bigger story.
Journalists believe that even though we have our nation's first black President we still have all sorts of racial problems in this country. And with the Trayvon Martin story, instead of trying to be a force for good in honestly resolving those issues, the journalistic community has poured salt on the wounds.
Trayvon Martin died a tragic death. There are many questions that should be answered. But in trying to help answer those questions, the media has allowed itself to become part of the story. The journalists involved should all be ashamed of their conduct.
Morning Briefing for April 10, 2012
RedState Morning Briefing
April 10, 2012
Go to www.RedStateMB.com to get
the Morning Briefing every morning at no charge.
1. A Self-Inflicted Hubris Shot to the Head
2. Right-To-Work Is Right For Ohio (and Elsewhere)
3. Jason Altmire (D, PA-04): pro-life? Pro-choice? Try 'pro-keeping his seat.'
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1. A Self-Inflicted Hubris Shot to the Head
Mike Wallace is dead.
Growing up, I'd spend the summer away from Dubai at my grandparents' home in Louisiana. Sunday nights were back to back Murder She Wrote and 60 Minutes.
Many conservatives would accuse Mike Wallace and 60 Minutes of a liberal view point and shading stories to match their world view. Growing up, 60 Minutes was, to me, journalism done right. They asked questions and got answers and highlighted problems and, though sometimes falling short of the goal, tried not to put themselves in the story.
I'd like to think that if Mike Wallace were able in his latter days, he'd be kicking the asses of most of the journalists who have dared weigh in on the Trayvon Martin killing for destroying the integrity of a tragic story in the name of agenda journalism.
Just about every single network and journalist who has touched on the Trayvon Martin matter should be deeply and terribly ashamed of themselves. I am disgusted by just how badly the media has botched the handling of a very real tragedy.
Please click here for the rest of the post.
2. Right-To-Work Is Right For Ohio (and Elsewhere)
As today's government-union bosses push higher taxes, establish dues schemes to fund their bloated salaries and union-bought politicians, the evidence has become pretty clear: Government unions have become political, parasitic entities injuring taxpayers and the communities they control (see Central Falls and Providence, RI; Detroit, MI; and the once-great State of California for examples).
In the private sector, however, where taxpayers' pockets are not in endless supply, the parasitic model of today's unions, far too often, allows unions drain companies and ends up killing their hosts.
Please click here for the rest of the post.
3. Jason Altmire (D, PA-04): pro-life? Pro-choice? Try 'pro-keeping his seat.'
You have to wonder whether the Online Left finds equivocators like Rep. Jason Altmire (D, PA-04) as insulting as we do (not that progressives have the courage to call their own hypocrites out, of course). Let me set the background: in 2010 Altmire did his level best to look like a mighty pro-life champion, largely because he was running for re-election in a R+6 district (which he ended up winning with only 51% of the vote). Back then it was all about how Altmire absolutely hated taxpayer funding of abortion, and how he'd never support such a thing, and the rest of the spiel that then-Speaker Pelosi graciously allowed him to repeat in order to keep his seat.
But that was 2010. Since then the seats have been redrawn, and now Altmire is facing Murtha crony/replacement Mark Critz in a race for the redrawn PA-12 district that has been called 'spirited' (read: 'vicious'). So, now that the pandering has to be to Democratic primary voters, how is Altmire pandering?
April 9, 2012
Morning Briefing for April 9, 2012
RedState Morning Briefing
April 9, 2012
Go to www.RedStateMB.com to get
the Morning Briefing every morning at no charge.
Happy Birthday, Gretchen.
1. From Hope to Hopelessness: Obama's Economy Has 88 Million "Not In Labor Force"
2. Democratic National Convention to be lobbyist/corporate funded, after all.
3. Fracking is Blamed for … Well, Everything, Really.
4. Katie Pavlich Takes on Fast and Furious
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1. From Hope to Hopelessness: Obama's Economy Has 88 Million "Not In Labor Force"
After Friday's jobs numbers came out (the economy added 120,000 jobs) Labor Secretary Hilda Solis promptly proclaimed: "That's a noteworthy achievement."
In fact, for the man who campaigned on the message of "hope" in 2008, the 120,000 jobs added is much fewer (about half) than expected and the edging down of the unemployment to 8.2% is not from job creation but from hopelessness.
There are now 88 million American who are "Not In Labor Force."
Please click here for the rest of the post.
2. Democratic National Convention to be lobbyist/corporate funded, after all.
And anybody who tells you that you can get money out of politics is either deluded, lying, or possibly both. Exhibit A: the upcoming Democratic convention in Charlotte, NC. The Democrats piously declared that of course no dirty, dirty corporate/lobbyist money would be allowed to be spent on putting the convention together. And everybody cheered… only, it's now 2012 and there's potentially a looming shortfall in fundraising. And lo! – here are some lobbyist and corporate donors.
Sure, they can't contribute… under the old rules. But rules are flexible things, are they not? A corporation can't contribute directly. But it's all right for their executives to write large personal checks, or contribute the equivalent in goods and/or services, or launder it through a corporate charity. As for lobbyists… well. The DNC likes to see its friends happy – friends being defined as 'people who bundle together a lot of personal contributions and/or corporate in-kind donations' – and if VIP access and nice hotel rooms make friends happy, then that warm, happy feeling would be its own reward, yes?
Please click here for the rest of the post.
3. Fracking is Blamed for … Well, Everything, Really.
Blaming natural phenomena on fracking is this year's fad, reminiscent of the mood ring, the pet rock or Anthropogenic Global Warming.
Item 1. Vice-President of the United States Joe Biden may not know what hydrofracking is, but he does know that it sounds plenty scary.
Please click here for the rest of the post.
4. Katie Pavlich Takes on Fast and Furious
Our sister company Regnery Publishing (we're both owned by Eagle Publishing, Inc.) sent me a new book to read. I am really bad these days about not reading all the books I get in — sometimes up to a dozen a week from various publishers and authors. But this one caught my eye.
Katie Pavlich, Townhall's News Editor, has a book out entitled Fast And Furious: Barack Obama's Bloodiest Scandal and Its Shameless Cover-Up.
I think the media has spent more time doctoring 911 calls in the Trayvon Martin matter than focusing on what has happened along the border with Mexico. There has been some coverage and it probably would not have come to light except for CBS News's initial reporting, but the scandal — and it is a scandal — has mostly flown under the radar.
In fact, the whole war on our Southern border, the kidnappings and killings spilling over into our country, etc. really have not made major, sustained national news.
April 8, 2012
Easter 2012: He Lives
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In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Matthew 28:1-9
Happy Easter to each and every one of you.
April 7, 2012
In The Grave
H/t to Ben Domenech for this excellent quote:
"In perfect freedom, the Son become the goat become the Lamb of God is condemned by the lie in order to bear witness to the truth. The truth is that we are incapable of setting things right. The truth is that the more we try to set things right, the more we compound our guilt. It is not enough for God to take our part. God must take our place. All the blood of goats and lambs, all the innocent victims from the foundation of the world, all the acts of expiation and reparation … all strengthen the grip of the great lie that we can set things right. The grip of that lie is broken by the greatest of lies, 'God is guilty!' … God must die. It is a lie so monstrous that to suggest it invites instant annihilation–except that God accepts the verdict."
– Richard John Neuhaus
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