Keeping your friends close, your enemies closer...

My friend Z runs a cool blog. She keeps track of 'current events' better than a lot of blogs do; certainly better than me. In a recent post, she displayed two examples of the media campaign to discredit/demonize/besmirch conservatives. (Go take a look. It's eye-opening & alarming, what's being promulgated across all manner of media...)

In this week's Townhall.com piece, Bill O'Reilly drives a stake through the heart of the Late Night efforts at the same. It's well worth the read, folks. Take the time to read. It behooves us to know what they're saying & why. As they say, "Keep your friends close & your enemies closer..."

Panic on the Left

Bill O'Reilly

David Letterman is a liberal kind of guy, and like many on the left, old Dave is kind of frustrated these days. A new Gallup poll has President Obama's job approval rating at just 41 percent, with 53 percent disapproving. Those are the lowest numbers Gallup has posted since Obama was inaugurated more than a year and a half ago.

So Dave is seeking answers to the president's diminishing popularity, and that kind of conversation usually involves the Fox News Channel, which is considered by the left to be all anti-Obama, all the time. Since I work at FNC, I dispute that perception. But there is no doubt that Fox News is the most skeptical TV news organization when it comes to analyzing the president.

Consider this: If Obama was being worked over the way President Bush was by the establishment media, his job approval rating would probably be in the 20 percent range. Remember the brutal media beating Bush took? Today, the mainstream press is largely neutral or positive on Obama, even as many Americans are having doubts about him.

But let's get back to Letterman. Speaking with far-left MSNBC News commentator Rachel Maddow on his program, Dave listened as she put forth the preposterous theory that Fox News wants to frighten white Americans by reporting negatively about black Americans.

"Scaring white people is good politics on the conservative side of the spectrum, and it always has been. The idea is that you sort of rile up the white base to be afraid of an other, to be afraid of scary immigrants or scary black people..."

In the past, paranoid, dishonest rants like that would have been dismissed as fringe speak. But not anymore. Without a shred of evidence, a guest on Letterman's "Late Show" (which by the way gets trounced in the ratings by FNC every night) defines an entire news organization as a racist enterprise. And Letterman goes along with the program, adding: "These people are continuing to fan this flame and ... that is cancer."

Please.

The only people Fox News is scaring are far-left loons who see their shining city on the hill on fire. For 18 months, the United States has been governed from the left, and things are not going well. I'm sorry if this analysis frightens some folks, but when you spend a half-trillion dollars trying to stimulate the economy and you create just 600,000 jobs, well, people are going to notice.

When the war in Afghanistan turns chaotic, Americans are not going to be pleased. When the nation's debt is increased by more than a trillion dollars a year because of record spending, folks are going to get a bit nervous. So, in order to counter those realities, the far left must divert attention from them. Thus, the scary black people deal.

In reply, here's a Top 1 list for Letterman and his uber-liberal guest: The American people don't need to be "riled" up by phony race baiting. They are already riled up by reality. And the polls prove it.

~~~

Things that make you go hmmm...?

I THINK IT IS REMARKABLE THAT WITHIN A WEEK OF TIGER WOODS CRASHING HIS
ESCALADE, THE PRESS FOUND EVERY WOMAN WITH WHOM TIGER HAS HAD AN AFFAIR IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, WITH PHOTOS, TEXT MESSAGES, RECORDED PHONE CALLS, ETC.
AND, THEY NOT ONLY KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE FAMILY FIGHT, BUT THEY EVEN KNOW IT WAS A WEDGE FROM HIS GOLF BAG THAT HIS WIFE USED TO BREAK OUT THE WINDOWS IN THE ESCALADE. NOT ONLY THAT, THEY KNOW WHICH WEDGE!

AND EACH AND EVER DAY, THEY GIVE AMERICA MORE UPDATES ON HIS SEX-REHAB STAY, HIS WIFE'S PLANS FOR DIVORCE, AND HIS PLANS TO RETURN TO THE PRO-GOLF CIRCUIT.

On the other hand...

OBAMA HAS BEEN IN OFFICE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW,
AND THIS SAME PRESS STILL CANNOT LOCATE HIS OFFICIAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE, OR ANY OF HIS PAPERS WHILE IN COLLEGE,
OR HOW HE PAID FOR A HARVARD EDUCATION,
OR WHICH COUNTRY ISSUED HIS VISA TO TRAVEL TO PAKISTAN IN THE1980'S AS BARRY SORETORO...AND EVEN MICHELLE OBAMA'S PRINCETON THESIS ON RACISIM...IT JUST CANT BE FOUND?

YET … THE PUBLIC STILL TRUSTS THAT SAME PRESS TO GIVE THEM
THE WHOLE TRUTH . . .

TRULY REMARKABLE!

~~

Curtsy to A.C. Thanks!

~~~

Fear, Freedom & the 'Wonderful Listener'

Before the Presidential election, the pro-Obama Left lauded him as the ‘wonderful listener!’ (Correction: he touted himself as the wonderful listener, & they fell in line like the brace of waddling ducks that they remain...)

Back then, I suffered through a conversation with one who lapped up his autobiographies (who but a narcissist writes more than one??) like a hungry kitten, & dewy-eyed & earnest said, “He’s someone who will really listen!” Not wanting to spew my coffee across Panera’s finely appointed decor, I breathed deeply, closed my eyes, & rolled them fiercely under my lids.

How excruciatingly naïve, I thought. When the campaign was over, & owning that perhaps my cynicism had over-reached, I haltingly decided to sweat through the next 4 years, wishing my country well. And sweat, I have. Not only is this President’s agenda as damaging as I feared, it’s worse; and gets more treacherous by the day.

We told him we didn’t want a ‘stimulus’ bill, & he didn’t listen. We told him we didn’t want Government taking over private industry, banks, unions, health care & he didn’t listen. Not only did he not listen, but told us that we aren’t angry about it, that actually only a small faction was 'faking it' (astro-turf, anyone?). Further, those who are ‘faking it’ should be ashamed of themselves for obscuring the true progress (government ownership of all things) that real (obedient, submissive) patriots want.

Call me a partisan if you like. But know that even those with hard-line Washingtonian sensibilities have called him out:

Here’s what Peggy Noonan says about the recent elections:

“There's a new detachment between the president and the electorate he won a year ago by 9.5 million votes…The White House and Congress chose to go down one path at the exact moment voters went down a different one…Mr. Obama carried Democratic Jersey by more than 15 points exactly one year ago. The Democratic governor lost by nearly five points this week. That is a 20-point swing. Mr. Obama won Virginia a year ago by six points. The Democratic candidate for governor lost by more than 18 points. That is a 24-point plummet.

“Mr. Obama…should start paying attention to what the people are saying…Something's wrong, fix it, change course. Show humility. Bow to the public. ‘Public opinion is everything,’ Lincoln is said to have said. It is. It can be changed and it can be shaped, but it always has to be listened to. This White House has gotten bad at listening. It paid the price for that on Tuesday.”

So much for the ‘Wonderful Listener’…

Rush Limbaugh caught a lot of flack for speaking without fear, hoping Barack Obama fails. He was referencing BHO’s radical agenda which had been clear to those of us who WERE LISTENING to the erstwhile candidate!

So, am I gratified by the voices from New Jersey & Virginia?

Yes, the way one is who has every right to say, “I told you so!” And no, because ‘gratified’ means it really is worse than I feared. I realize that fear is a distraction to be faced & defeated in order to reclaim our nation, but that’s no small task.

Those like my coffee shop friend must grow up & learn how to fight their way out of a wet paper bag. The ‘Wonderful Listener’ has proven himself a fraud, & the fight ahead will be much more difficult. I’m willing to share ‘gratified,’ as a bolster to our courage, because we'll need ample supply, & we need to draw others to our flank.

As I type, I’m hearing a phrase once spoken to a courageous & determined people who, after being beaten down by uncertainty & immobilized by fear, reclaimed themselves & snatched long victory from the jaws of despair. It was spoken at a time of desperation, & those who were listening, heard & were gratified. We are now the ‘wonderful listeners,’ friends. We are also those same courageous & determined people.

Listen, and join me in the hearing, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”

~~~

Fall of the Republic?

There's so much going on in our country, with our media, with our people (who are trying to be heard & are being fiendishly maligned/laughed at for simply speaking) that I can't seem to wrap words around it today. The only thing I can think to say is

NO.

STOP.

DON'T DESTROY MY COUNTRY.

NO!

(Unfortunately, that's not a profoundly articulate thing to say.)

I would very much like to hear what you all have to say, & I found a terrific piece @ Bungalow Bill's site. Friends, would you please visit Bills' post, watch the video (as much as you can take of it) & join me in mulling this over? You may comment here or @ Bungalow Bill's site, or both.

I fear that which stands before us has the face of calamity, perhaps of Biblical proportion. From my perspective, she ain't pretty...

Let me know what you think. And, thanks.

~~~

Alan Keyes: Have people gone mad in this country?

Received this today via email from my Dad. The clip is from several months ago, but Dr. Keyes is right on! (Given our especially precarious fiscal situation currently, pay special attention to what he says from minute 3:17 to the end...)

Alan Keyes was a featured speaker at a fundraiser for the Triple A Crisis Pregnancy Center in Hastings, Nebraska, on February 19, 2009, where a reporter from KHAS-TV interviewed him about his thoughts on Obama.

With conviction, Alan firmly stated that Obama is a radical communist (which he is) and a usurper (which he has done since he hasn't produced an original birth certificate). And that Obama supports infanticide--the killing of babies born alive after botched abortions.



The story was later picked up by Keith Olberman of MSNBC who spent time on the show calling Alan Keyes names in order to diminish the importance of what Alan said. Alan must have hit a nerve. Go Alan! Sign the Pledge for America's Revival at http://www.americasrevival.com/pledge.php

BTW, thanks Dad!

~~~

Contessa Brewer & John Zeigler: Smackdown

I wasn't gonna do it...But after reading & commenting on Bob's blog today, I realized it had to be done:


(Hat tip to Bluepit for the video.)

Some on the blogwaves doubt if discussions about the Letterman 'controversy' are politically honest or socially productive. I find this video entirely politically honest & unquestionably socially productive! Finally.

~~~

In which MSNBC's Keith Olbermann gives voice

Oh boy.
Just so you know, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann is at it too. In a feat of daring, he invites world renowned Historian, Neuroscientist, Psychiatrist & Potentate over all Women's Issues Janine Garafalo (oops! I forgot Melonie's "uber-cool activist") to postulate & theorize on tax Tea Parties.



Sorry Keith, Janine, but you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. You guys are the 'fomenters.' Did you even GO to a Tea Party? I'll not even try to defend myself against the racism accusation. People who know me, know. As I said...sneering, smug, dismissive...

Enough said.

~~~

In Which the Left Reports Tax Tea Parties...

You know, I'm actually surprised they reported it at all. If the MSM wanted to salvage any journalistic integrity, this was their chance. Friends, they just couldn't help themselves. What's the old saying? "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear..."

Lone Ranger came to the rescue by leaving a very helpful comment @ Mark's blog .

This is Greg Gutfeld w/ Fox's Red Eye. (Warning: Offensive material)

This is Gutfeld's entire panel discussion. (Warning...)

Oh, & here's MSNBC's Rachel Madow's classy take. (Warning. again.)

So. If I'm hearing them correctly...When the George Soros ilk finances the traveling band of Cindy Sheehans (bless their hearts), it is headline news, intense journalism. But when I call a few friends, buy poster board & markers, make signs w/ my own hands, then drive to a site having NO idea what or how many await me (only to find almost 2,000 have done the same thing-with very little financing & organizing, save our own wallets & personal emails), to exercise my right to Free Speech...When hundreds of thousands across the country have simultaneously done the same... This, this is MSM's fodder for sexual ridicule, dismissed as peasantry, wholly written off with sneering, smug dispatch.

If this is what the MSM calls free press journalism, somebody get a bugle & play Taps. We just witnessed its dying gasp.

~~~

Big Dreams, Fairy Tales & once upon a time...

Friends, the TV hasn't been on today, & it won't be (except TV Land) until Biggest Loser/American Idol tonight. I simply can't stomach it.

My kids are home from school playing in the snow. I'm blogging. My friend Sandy just called. She's at home w/ snow-day kids, too, & has been watching it. She says she can't suffer anything but Fox News. She says Network coverage is ripping Bush to shreds, saying he's leaving office "disgraced" (yes, that's a quote). Excuse me? Disgraced?? Who do these people think we are, that their propaganda-passing-for-news really has a finger on the pulse of the nation...?

Based on Network News (& cable, or any form mainstream Journalism) you'd think that Mr. Obama won the election by 98% of the vote. You'd think we're all raging & frothing at the gates of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. waving torches & brandishing firearms (the ones we'll soon have to surrender to Big Brother) to drag our erstwhile President into the streets. According to sweet Sandy, who has a stronger stomach than I, you'd never know that "55 million people voted for a Republican [i.e., against Prince Obama] despite the worst economic times since the '30's," despite 2 wars which the MSM can't stop telling us are dreadfully unpopular, despite a Republican Presidential candidate who rolled over & wouldn't fight the campaign fight...Even with all of that, Prince O. only won 52% of the vote...Folks, it should have been a landslide. (I know, I know, some say it was...dear, deluded souls that they are.) But, alas, a win's a win. And here we are at Inauguration Day.

If I've learned one thing in the past 6-8 months, it's to no longer believe the media. Don't trust what they say, but sift through it very carefully. And in some situations, like today, just don't even go there. Sometimes it just drips too thickly of tainted syrup, & I get cranky trudging through molasses uphill.

So, I'm taping it. It's history, after all & I get that. I respect our country's foundational principles, & today is the end result of those principles at work. I also respect the Civil Rights victory that this day represents. I understand that he embodies a victory for Dr. King's Big Dream for his people (though, Prince O. isn't really one of those people, is he?). And I really am thankful.

So, I'm taping it. Because I will want to see it, sans commentary & media effusiveness. I will want my children to see it, sans the same. My husband & I will make sure our children know, despite our vehement political differences w/ Mr. O, that this is an historic event & it is important. Our children will someday be able to say they saw it, the same way I can say that once-upon-a-time I saw Prince Charles & Lady Diana's wedding at 00:dark:thirty on a bleary-eyed summer morning. I only saw it because my Grandmother hauled me out of my kinder-dreams & propped me in front of her beach-house TV (complete w/ tin foiled rabbit ears). Today's inauguration will mean about as much to my children as Lady Di's dress meant to me so long ago. But they'll be able to say they saw it.

Funny. There's one thing I do remember about Charles' & Di's wedding. The media salivated & effused over that too. They could hardly contain themselves over the "fairy tale come true." They said it represented every little girl's Big Dreams - she landed a real-live Prince! So much Hope for the British people! So many Big Dreams it represented for the entire world! It's really too bad, actually...As much as that media machine tried to convince the world otherwise, in the fullness of time, Lady Di's Prince showed himself to be exactly what he had been all along - a Royal Toad.

~~~

Themes

Projection (& I hope I’m wrong): They’ll only learn if & when they start whining to DC for a bailout…

I’m into themes lately; broad sweeps of identifiable motifs, recognizable variations of the same point at issue.

In an early post in November, journalism in decline became a focus of the ‘Just Say It’ theme. I don’t recall precisely what prompted that particular piece of literary eloquence. It could’ve been any number of things, given it’s proximity to the Presidential election defeat. (I confess, I was a little testy then, & easily egged-on…and I did submit that letter to the Editor.) However, today is a new day, & I’m revisiting this issue with renewed clarity, having found fresh inspiration.

Author Jerry Bledsoe’s interview with his publisher about his book Death by Journalism? revived the theme for me yesterday. This 2002 book tells the story of journalistic abuse of power at the Greensboro News & Record, which arguably led to the death of the subject of it’s alleged abuse. The interviewer goes to a question about media bias as chronicled in Bernard Goldberg’s Bias, & Mr. Bledsoe answers with pristine clarity:

“The amazing aspect of this is that so many in the news media simply can't, or won't, recognize the bias that has been so transparent to so many of their viewers and readers for so long. That was more or less Goldberg's position. The way the media reacted to his book, though, is quite telling. They either ignored it, dismissing it out of hand, as they do most claims of bias, or they responded with ridicule and vicious personal attacks instead of addressing the legitimate issues he raised.”

Such was the point of the Nov. 10th post . The Editor had bemoaned the loss of readership, which forced job cuts, and wondered ‘why…why-oh-why??’ I considered my letter to his staff a courtesy, a nudge toward the truth about “the bias that has been so transparent to so many of their viewers and readers for so long.”

I’m not surprised, but still a little disheartened, to report that my letter to the Editor was never printed. Thankfully, I wasn’t a victim of ridicule or attacks like Goldberg, just the ‘soft bigotry’ of having my views ignored & dismissed, even by my local media. So much for the editorial page of newspapers being an open forum for voices of the community…

The newspaper industry won’t get it until the community to which they profess dedication disappears from their ‘accounts receivable’ legers once & for all. Enter my projection (here's hoping I'm wrong). They’ll go the way of banks & automakers: scheming to suck the tax payer dry for a bailout of their ignorance. I’m into themes lately, but frankly friends, “poor-us-we-need-rescue-because-we-didn’t-serve-the-public-well” is a theme that’s getting really old.

~~~

'Just say it' Reprise.

In an earlier piece I said, “Friends, when you are fortunate enough to recognize injustices around you, act. When you see unfairness, speak...” Just last week, I realized that an action my husband & I took several years ago had never been followed with ‘the speaking.’ Recent head-scratching among our local news organizations spurred me to share my perspective with them. They may not listen (or print it), but at least they can’t say nobody told them.

11-07-08

To the Editor:

Your Managing Editor’s 11-14-06 blogpost is titled “Job Cuts at the Journal.” I read the dated piece with interest, since I recently heard a local writer grieve the downward spiral of the Journal’s circulation. The Editor’s closing is myopic if not optimistic, “Journalism is in transition…I want to see what comes out on the other side & play a part in shaping the future.” Let’s have some retrospective analysis, please: five years ago, my husband & I canceled our subscription because of the Journal’s perpetual left-leaning orientation. Our decision was made over time & reluctantly, as we didn’t want to stand in non-support local business. But alas, we grew weary of sifting through commentary to glean facts. We lost patience & faith in this paper’s journalistic ability to present news that’s not shaded yellow. Though we revisit occasionally, we’ve found no reason to re-subscribe. The remaining faithful are either stroked by its leftist flavor, aren’t paying attention, or they enjoy seething while the Journal celebrates or lambastes the news, instead of reporting it. Even the recent endorsement of John McCain for president seems a cynical attempt to placate the masses (even as they slip away like sand).

The Managing Editor was right in 2006: journalism is in transition. If this protracted campaign has taught ‘the masses’ anything, it’s that journalism has nearly forsaken its mission, having giddily assumed the cult-of-personality mantle of left-wing political persuasion. Re-subscribe? No thanks. When Editors, et. al. choose to play a different part in shaping Journalism, realigning with its true calling, I’ll consider print media again. Until then, there are other outlets from which I can glean my news. I have to do a little sifting, I know, but at least I don’t have to pay for it.

So, there it is. The truth has been spoken. Whether it’s heard is altogether another kettle of fish. I don’t expect much to change in the near term, but maybe those who have ears to hear, will.

~~~

Just Fun

Okay, so we knew it would come to this. Pictures from the Rally :)

Elizabeth Dole at Latham Stadium @ Elon University, the host of the Sarah Palin rally. She opened for Hank Williams, Jr. who opened for our Headliner...

The Headliner herself addresses the crowd of upwards of 15,000 people! Note the button being worn by the woman wearing white, over Gov. Palin's right shoulder. "Read My Lipstick!"

According to Nancy Midgett, a University employee, the school was seriously surprised by the crowds. They sent Ms. Midgett out on reconnaissance when parking shortage became a concern...

My take-away on the day?

First, don't believe the media...trying to convince you that you're isolated in your convictions. There are literally thousands (dare I say millions?) of people who believe, quite fervently, in conservative principles.

Second, don't believe the media...The people at Republican rallies are kind, patient (sitting in the sun for 3-4 hours, making new friends, playing cards & waiting politely in long lines for water), family-minded, patriotic people, who want the best for their country. The only crass & ugly words hurled were from left-wing protesters outside the stadium, & one inside who was later hauled to jail (Oh, you didn't see it on the news? Didn't think so.)

And third, don't believe the media...there were mothers, fathers, grandparents, babies, children, professionals, hippies, & (gasp!) hordes of college students!! (Apparently, they slipped out of the thick grasp of the left-wing camp & came running to freedom in droves...)

Oh, and didn't I mention already that Sarah was GREAT?

~~~

Women against women.

I’m getting a little ruffled, & I’ll tell you why. It’s the women-against-women thing that's swirling around us. Women are attacking-to-destroy Sarah Palin. She’s conservative & she places human life above human choice. She doesn’t follow the feminist manifesto & they don’t like it. In my mind, it’s not about partisan politics; it’s about Feminist Politics.

Let’s ask, “Who are these women, & why are they doing this to one they should presumably champion? Why is it that they claim to speak for women, & yet so viciously tear this one down?”

It seems the answer lies in compliance, acquiescence & power. When they have no challenger, the women about whom I speak demand that we all be tolerant, that we love peace, be sensitive & take care of “the children.” (Sure Madonna, adopt beautiful African children who don’t have choices of how to live – how lovely. But what about children who are being ‘eliminated’ on our own continent – before they have a choice to live?)

Then, a woman emerges who challenges their singular oratory. She comes onto their national stage & they rage & foam & spew vitriol. It’s not just that they don’t want to share. (Really now, weren’t we taught to share in Kindergarten?) It’s real seething venom. Have you seen it? (Quick - search Youtube. I won’t link them to my page.) Nice. Yes, & how very loving & tolerant & sensitive of them to whip up their crowds into a fresh lather of rancid antipathy. How pleasant. How peaceful. (You, too, Sandra Bernhardt.)

And then there’s the print media (even Canadians are complying - now that’s obedience!), cartoon media (featuring Governor Palin being punched, etc.), & the regular ol’ TV media. They’re crafty about it, though; splicing interviews, photographing legs from behind in bald attempts at sexual objectification. I could go on… Where is Barbara Walters & Whoopie Goldberg to decry this shameless sexism? When do Arianna, et. al, come rushing to defend of one of their own? What’s that I hear? Static…?

Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. Not a peep. They rant for years at the injustice men have imposed upon women (& sometimes rightly they rant). Yet they fail to see their own injustice is far more dangerous. I wonder what Susan B. Anthony & Sojourner Truth would think of this women-against-women campaign? Those women knew hardship & fought the uphill fight. I’m grateful for what their untiring efforts have afforded us (even when it means a woman with whom I disagree gets a solid shot in Presidential politics). But Hillary isn’t on the scene right now, Sarah Palin is. She’s in a historic position, having benefited from past efforts also. To my thinking, she is uplifting women’s status around the world, & it is to our country’s great credit that she does.

What’s that Madonna? Sandra? Doesn’t Sarah also have the right to claim her place on the stage? She’s a woman, right? Oh. Yes, but she’s not compliant; she hasn’t acquiesced. She’s a woman who is stealing your thunder (read: power). Therefore, even though she’s a woman, she doesn’t count. Because for women-against-women, XX chromosomes only count when they lean to the Left.

~~~