What interest me, yesterday.

Under Obama, Price of Gas Has Jumped 83 Percent, Ground Beef 24 Percent, Bacon 22 Percent

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/under-obama-price-gas-has-jumped-83-percent-ground-beef-24-percent-bacon-22-percent

Romney Advisor: No Obamacare Repeal

"As Ben Domenech notes in his Transom, Mitt Romney's advisors have now advised him to support "a $2 gas tax, a VAT, and open Taliban talks.” Add to that list not repealing Obamacare.”

http://www.redstate.com/erick/2012/01/25/romney-advisor-no-obamacare-repeal/

Gingrich: Pelosi comments ‘hysterical'

"Newt Gingrich, responding Wednesday to comments from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi that he has no shot at winning the presidency, said his campaign makes his former House colleague and other Democrats "hysterical.”

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jan/25/gingrich-pelosi-comments-hysterical/

White House/DOJ Working with ACORN, Massive Voter Fraud Registration

"With the 2012 elections just months away, the ACORN-connected group Project Vote (and Obama campaign ally) is redoubling its efforts to undermine the integrity of the 2012 elections – and they are evidently doing it with the participation of the Obama White House and the Department of Justice (DOJ).”

http://biggovernment.com/tfitton/2012/01/25/white-housedoj-working-with-acorn-massive-voter-registration-fraud/

Overseas bemusement and concern

"The fact that Romney appears to not be able to close the sale with all of his built-in advantages is a cause for concern.”

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/01/overseas_bemusement_and_concern.html#ixzz1kU7hzdsB

Obama Wants to Force Morning After Pill on religious institutions

"Expect American churches to mount a spirited fight to turn back Mr. Obama's latest anti-church ploy.”

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/01/obama_wants_to_force_morning_after_pill_on_religious_institutions.html#ixzz1kU6rNnWR

Gingrich Frames the Debate

"Before this campaign is over, America will know who Saul Alinsky is, even if Mitt Romney does not.”

http://spectator.org/archives/2012/01/25/gingrich-frames-the-debate

Obama's Open Buffet

"He dishes up more gimmicky socialism in his State of the Union address.”

http://spectator.org/archives/2012/01/25/obamas-open-buffet

Establishment Cooling to Romney?

"Yeah, listen. I hear people now claiming that Mitt Romney isn't the establishment's chosen candidate. That's the latest spin from his supporters. But there are a few problems with that.”

http://amerpundit.com/2012/01/24/establishment-cooling-to-romney/

Archbishop calls Obama habitual violator of Constitution

"Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has recorded a video message bluntly stating that the Obama administration has a habit of advancing policies that violate the U.S. Constitution. ...”

http://times247.com/articles/catholic-bishop-says-obama-habitually-violates-constitution

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 08:49 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 340 words, total size 5 kb.

Is Romney for ObamaCare? Well, his advisor is  :

"We're not going to do repeal. You're not going to repeal Obamacare…”

Romney is a candidate who should not be in the White House except with a visitor's pass.

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 12:35 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 41 words, total size 1 kb.

Romney is going to lose Florida. I'm state that again, "Romney is going to lose Florida.” You've read that, but the Republican Establishment won't and even if they did, it doesn't matter to them. They want Romney. They will go out of there are to sabotage all other candidates. They will even go to the MSM to derail all comers.

The Republican Establishment is the problem. The same case can be made for the Democrats as well, but that particular party is beyond saving. But the Republican Party can be pulled back from the edge of the abyss that the RNC, the pundits and the rest are so blindly stepping over, and willingly so.

The fight has been on between the Republican Base and the Establishment since Romney was anointed as "presumed.” We know that. And the John McCain's endorsement has been called the ‘Kiss of death.' If any more elaboration on this two points needs to be made, just let me know.

Moving on. Gingrich will win Florida. Why? Well, since he decided being beat up badly prior to the Iowa Caucus, he realized that his own party was playing for keeps. Gingrich started to fight, but there's more to his fight. It's his style. It's his drive. It's his articulation, on the stump and at the debates, but is that, that one element that not only shines, but blasts through? I do believe it's his over love of country. It's shows and it's unmistakable.

Oh, the other candidates love the nation. I'm sure of that. Santorum has that same innate ability but his enthusiasm is not, at present, driving it. Ron Paul, who may do reasonably well in Florida, is too busy instructing everyone on how bad things are to show that affecting, and of course, saying everything foreign policy problem is American's fault, probably doesn't help either. Now, Romney is at a disadvantage for the simply fact that he is reserved to an uncorrectable fault.

What can't be forgotten is the Romney luggage train which keeps adding more baggage. It's serious problem and won't go away, having somewhat crippled his credibility. This is where Gingrich has the advantage. He is a known quality, a fact which is not debatable. Santorum on the other hand, and ironically so, is a moral candidate with stated position, which he lives by and has played to his disadvantage. He's a nice, honest guy, and even people in the Base don't care for that. Ron Paul has fallen into the same trap as Romney. He has a core of supports, but that core is not growing, even though his message has importance, the messenger is not helping the cause.

Finally, a completely uncorrectable issue for Romney is the fact that the Republican Establishment has pitted itself against, the Base, and the Base knows that, and the Base will fight, so the battle will gone on. And one way for the other, the Establishment will lose and the Base will hold the Republican Party responsible.

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 10:40 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 510 words, total size 3 kb.

The detention of Senator which is what it was generally went by the by. I expected more from it, but then again, I expect people to have read and understand the Constitution of the United States. I expect too much, but to make my point, here's the pertinent quote from Article I, Section 6 of that great document, which states members of Congress:

"shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.”

Here is another example of the Constitution being trampled on, one, because the Obama Administration supported the detention, and two, because the TSA employees were ignorant.

The TSA should be defunded and removed, and people must understand that the present administration has overstepped its bounds and over stayed whatever welcome it had.

U.S. Constitution - Article 1 Section 6

http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_A1Sec6.html

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 11:02 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 181 words, total size 1 kb.

A clash is now on going between Rand Paul and the Obama's TSA, which the administration supports.

The TSA isn't popular, and has shown itself to be incapable of making coherent policies and decisions, and some TSA employees have out and out law breakers.

I don't make predictions often, but the White House is going to lose this one in the long run.

White House sides with TSA in Rand Paul standoff

"The White House is standing by the Transportation Security Administration in its standoff with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and his father, Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas).”

http://thehill.com/blogs/transportation-report/tsa/205813-white-house-sides-with-tsa-in-rand-paul-standoff

Rand Paul detained by TSA

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was blocked from boarding a flight Monday by the Transportation Security Administration in Nashville, Tenn., after refusing a full body pat-down, POLITICO has confirmed.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71818.html

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71818.html#ixzz1kJfKsWkQ

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 03:54 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 146 words, total size 1 kb.

Newt Gingrich faces one insurmountable problem and that is "forurteen percent (14%) have already cast their vote. In early voting, but we don't know when those votes were cast. Two weeks ago, Romney led, but Santorum has significant support prior to that. So, who did those absentee voters go for? No one knows, and polls can't reflect that.

2012 Florida Republican Primary

"Florida GOP Primary: Gingrich 41%, Romney 32%”

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/florida/2012_florida_republican_primary

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 11:46 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 73 words, total size 1 kb.

Romney has been touted as a very successful presidential nominee, but the facts are otherwise. He lost Iowa, but the Republican committee in the Hawkeye State threw the ‘presumed' nominee a bone, by declaring a tie, but anyone who wants to be honest knows Santorum won. New Hampshire is the ex-governor's stomping ground and Romney received 39.4% of the vote, leading Ron Paul's 22.9%. Not good. Again, New England is Romney's ground.

This past Saturday in South Carolina Newt Gingrich shellacked Mitt Romney. The point spread was only 12%, but Gingrich reached a solid 40%, something Romney has been unable to accomplish, even New Hampshire.

Romney win New Hampshire apparently means nothing after a spirited attack by Gingrich, who not only took off the gloves but put on the brass knuckles. If Gingrich keeps ups the offence against the ‘presumed nominee' and the MSM, the ex-governor may have to call it a day.

2012 New Hampshire primary results

http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012/01/2012-new-hampshire-primary-results/

South Carolina GOP primary today – Gingrich wins, Romney second

http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012/01/south-carolina-gop-primary-today-polls-open-7am-to-7pm-et/

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 11:20 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 173 words, total size 2 kb.

Perry leaving the race doesn't help Romany. Who will be helped? Gingrich or Santorum will be the beneficiary. If Gingrich is, there's enough to put him over the top. A stronger showing for Santorum is possible for the fact that the announcement that the senator won Iowa is a significant.

Again, waiting and seeing is important. I don't count Gingrich or Santorum out. Romney is in trouble.

What about Paul? He's trailing Santorum, and I don't see any pick up for him.

Report: Perry to drop out today

"No word on who - if anyone - he will endorse.”

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/01/report_perry_to_drop_out_today.html#ixzz1juzNW39c

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 10:35 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 103 words, total size 1 kb.

Romney goes into ultra-spin mode. Santorum won, and that's reality. But of course, we'll be told in some quarters how the Iowa doesn't matter, but everyone who wants to admit knows better.

Congratulations to Santorum. He earned it. And Romney is still trying to play down the win and even out right stealing it.

Romney is fight to stay alive in the south. Gingrich chews away at his lead, and this Iowa caucus lose can't be helping the ex-governor. Spike Iowa on top of Bain and RomneyCare and the problems simply escalate and Romney's viability decreases in kind.

Romney just may have to reevaluate his chance of winning

Santorum may have won Iowa; Romney calls results ‘a virtual tie'

"Rick Santorum may have won the Iowa caucuses after all…”

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/santorum-may-won-iowa-romney-calls-results-virtual-123742689.html

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 08:44 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 137 words, total size 1 kb.

Here are articles of interest to me.

Coptic Christian Priest Prefers Martyrdom to Slave Tax in Egypt

"After the sweeping political victories Islamists made in the early round of elections in Egypt, the Deputy Patriarch of the Coptic Catholic Church Yohanna Qulta was interviewed on Arab television concerning the looming threat that Egypt's Christian communities will face in an Islamist society.”

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=44418&page=1

Santorum tags Romney in SC ad

This is one of the hardest hitting ads of the campaign. Like all good political ads, it's short, it's easy to understand - and it's true:

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/01/santorum_tags_romney_in_sc_ad.html#ixzz1jjE4Rkun

Carolina Spin Wars

"Whether Romney was "unscathed" in the debate here was, of course, disputed by the other campaigns.”

http://spectator.org/archives/2012/01/17/carolina-spin-wars

Anatomy of Assassination

"Who besides Israel and the U.S. would want to quash Iran's nuclear ambitions?”

http://spectator.org/archives/2012/01/17/anatomy-of-assassination

Ameritopia Explodes Into 2012 Campaign

"Mark Levin's literary dynamite detonates in midst of GOP primaries.”

http://spectator.org/archives/2012/01/17/ameritopia-explodes-into-2012

Revealed: Obama Knew Before Election Solyndra Would Cut Jobs

"Yeah, "nothing corrupt about this at all.”

http://amerpundit.com/2012/01/13/revealed-obama-knew-before-election-solyndra-would-cut-jobs/

Senators Warn: New EPA Rules Could Spike Gas Prices

"A bipartisan group of United States Senators are warning that new regulations to be imposed by the EPA on the gasoline industry could spike gas prices by as much as twenty-five cents per gallon.

It's a possibility that would have a severely negative impact on American household finances.”

http://amerpundit.com/2012/01/14/senators-warn-new-epa-rules-could-spike-gas-prices/

Republican hopefuls hit the trail in South Carolina

"Republican presidential hopefuls are hitting the campaign trail in South Carolina Tuesday, seeking to win over voters four days ahead of the critical first Southern primary.”

http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/17/politics/campaign-wrap/index.html

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 08:46 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 263 words, total size 4 kb.

All things considered, and I'll repeat this. Romney is not doing that well. So far, he hasn't enthused the Republican base. His two ‘wins' are questionable in many ways. Any one who wants to be honest will admit that. When it comes to Iowa, yes, it was only a caucus, but the fact is Romney lost. No amount of verbal or written diarrhea can change that. And New Hampshire was a botched win considering the fact that he only led by 16 points. Let's think here. Romney's lead wasn't even 20 point, which as the expectation.

These are my thoughts on the subject, not feelings, and I can't ‘talk Romney down.' I don't have the influence. Something may not be rotten in the state of Denmark, but I see a fall coming for Romney and I want it in the Primary, and not in general election.

Romney: 'I don't know if we can win S.C.'

"Former Gov. Mitt Romney is conceding he's got "an uphill climb" in South Carolina, where he finished fourth in 2008, despite season-opening victories in Iowa and New Hampshire.”

Read more at: http://times247.com/articles/romney-i-don-t-know-if-we-can-win-s-c

Poll: Romney, Santorum tied with Obama in Florida

"A new poll shows President Barack Obama statistically tied with Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney in Florida… Also significant, Rick Santorum took high marks in a hypothetical matchup against Obama.”

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/11/poll-romney-santorum-tied-with-obama-in-florida/?hpt=hp_bn3

Homeland Security Is Monitoring The Drudge Report, The New York Times

"It's unclear exactly why, but the Department of Homeland has been operating a"Social Networking/Media Capability" program to monitor the top blogs, forums and social networks online for at least the past 18 months.”

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2012/01/homeland-security-monitoring-drudge-report-new-york-times/47300/

Off teleprompter, Obama reveals his anti-business bias

"And Obama wonders why the business community is mad at him?”

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/01/off_teleprompter_obama_reveals_his_anti-business_bias.html#ixzz1jFkEFzYq

Breaking: SCOTUS Unanimously Upholds Ministerial Exception to Employment Discrimination Laws

Roberts notes the administration's argument:

"is hard to square with the text of the First Amendment itself, which gives special solicitude to the rights of religious organziations. We cannot accept the remarkable view that the Religion Clauses have nothing to say about a religious organization's freedom to select its own ministers.”

In a concurring opinion, Justice Thomas notes it should be up to religious institutions — and not federal bureaucrats — to determine who qualifies as a minister in their faith.

http://amerpundit.com/2012/01/11/breaking-scotus-unanimously-upholds-ministerial-exception-to-employment-discrimination-laws/

Harry Belafonte: Obama Doesn't Deserve a Second Term

"Harry Belafonte's a hard leftist and vocal opponent of Republicans, so it has to hit Barack Obama really hard to hear that even such a reliable left-winger can't bring himself to support a second term for President Downgrade.”

http://amerpundit.com/2012/01/11/harry-belafonte-obama-doesnt-deserve-a-second-term/

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 11:19 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 443 words, total size 5 kb.

The first primary of the season is today. It won't be the last and the decision won't be made today either. The Romney lead has eroded. Paul holds his ground. Huntsman popped up and Santorum has holding his own considering the fact that he was in the same boat as Huntsman a week ago. What's Gingrich's future? I wait and see.

But as a reminder, this is the beginning not the end, and Romney if he is to have any chance of moving on, he must be bloody in the political area, and fortunately for America, Gingrich is doing the job, no one else wants to.

Rasmussen: Romney Rolls in N.H; Paul, Huntsman, Santorum, Gingrich Close Together

"A poll from Rasmussen Reports released on Tuesday morning, the day of the New Hampshire primary, finds former Gov. Mitt Romney headed for a solid win in the Granite State.”

http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/rasmussen-mitt-romney-rolls-new-hampshire-ron-paul-jon-huntsman-rick-santorum-newt-gingrich-clo

Pregnant Texas Teen Goes to Court to Fight Family's Abortion Plan

"A pregnant Texas teenager has gone to court to stop her family from pressuring her into an abortion.”

http://abcnews.go.com/US/pregnant-texas-teen-court-fight-familys-abortion-plan/story?id=15328801

Ex-GI Charge With Supporting Terror Group

"Federal prosecutors have charged a former Army trooper with trying to provide support to terrorists after he allegedly traveled to Africa to link up with the violent militant group al-Shabaab.”

http://bigpeace.com/elcid/2012/01/10/ex-gi-charge-with-supporting-terror-group/#more-188724

The Catholic Thing

"Why he entitled this web site precisely The Catholic Thing, I have never asked its insightful editor, Robert Royal.”

http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/the-catholic-thing.html

Ann Coulter, I Am More of a Catholic than a Conservative, Just Like Rick Santorum

"Ann Coulter'scriticism of Rick Santorumfor being "more of a Catholic than a Conservative" makes me want to do even more to help people come to understand his positions.”

http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=44345

Attacking Bain

"I have to be honest that I do not have a problem with or feel the level of outrage some of you do about Newt Gingrich attacking Bain and Mitt Romney. It's not because I necessarily agree with Newt on the attacks, but because these are the attacks the left will throw at Mitt and, should he be the nominee, the early attacks help him refine his message.”

http://www.redstate.com/erick/2012/01/10/attacking-bain/

The Lunar Yellow Peril

"No need to panic over Chinese space plans.”

http://pjmedia.com/blog/the-lunar-yellow-peril/

Who's on Third?

"Why Huntsman and Santorum are looking a lot better than Gingrich.”

http://spectator.org/archives/2012/01/10/whos-on-third

58% of Republicans Want Different Choices

"Your latest reminder that people aren't voting for Mitt Romney because they think he'd be an awesome president.”

http://amerpundit.com/2012/01/09/58-of-republicans-want-different-choices/

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 11:05 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 411 words, total size 4 kb.

What do we know about New Hampshire? Romney is in the lead there. Should anyone one be surprised. Mitt's from New England, and has been campaign for three years. But the Granite State not a barometer of Republican sentiment. South Carolina is not Romney's stopping ground, and Santorum is presently moving fast up on the ex-governor:

"A Rasmussen Reports survey showed that Santorum - who was the choice of just 1% of South Carolina Republicans two months ago - had jumped to 24%, only three points behind Romney at 27%.”

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/mitt-romney-rick-santorum-lead-south-carolina-article-1.1001830?localLinksEnabled=false

South Carolina was all by in Herman Cain's pocket when he dropped from the race. Cain had 33% of the primary vote. Where will those votes go? To Romney? Think again.

So, when Romney losses that southern state, which is my first prediction, this primary, what will the pundits say? How will they spin the Romney loss? That's where the entertainment value will be.

***

White House 'covered up' Tim Burton-staged Alice in Wonderland Halloween party

"…The White House covered up an Alice in Wonderland-themed Halloween party staged by film director Tim Burton and actor Johnny Depp for fear of creating the wrong impression during a recession,…

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/9001133/White-House-covered-up-Tim-Burton-staged-Alice-in-Wonderland-Halloween-party.html

How Pakistan's Unstable Tribal Areas Threaten China's Core Interests

"Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) are increasingly a threat to China's core interests: national stability and territorial integrity.”

http://www.jamestown.org/programs/chinabrief/single/?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=38856&tx_ttnews[backPid]=25&cHash=0f8680e7c41716ced2ac6ca3d26c7596

Obama's Fascist America in 10 Easy Steps

"Writing back in 2007, Naomi Wolfe catalogued the steps to creating a dictatorship …”

http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/01/obamas_fascist_america_in_10_easy_steps.html#ixzz1iyF38sCx

New Hampshire Has Gotten Old

"The myth of its being an examplar of grassroots democracy has worn thin.”

http://spectator.org/archives/2012/01/09/new-hampshire-has-gotten-old

After Republican Protest, Obama Withdraws $730 Million Loan to Russian-Owned Steel Company

"Following protests by Republicans, the Obama Administration has withdrawn a $730 million taxpayer loan to a Russian-owned steel company.”

http://amerpundit.com/2012/01/06/after-republican-protest-obama-withdraws-730-million-loan-to-russian-owned-steel-company/

Mitt Romney is romping in South Carolina: poll

"A separate survey shows Romney and Rick Santorum in tight race”

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/mitt-romney-rick-santorum-lead-south-carolina-article-1.1001830?localLinksEnabled=false

Poll: Romney leads, Santorum surges into top 3

"On the heels of the Iowa caucuses last week, Mitt Romney now leads the field of Republican presidential candidates. Newt Gingrich is in second place, and Rick Santorum has leapt into the top tier and is now right behind Gingrich in the latest CBS News national poll.”

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57354892-503544/poll-romney-leads-santorum-surges-into-top-3/

Polls: Romney's Lead Shrinking in NH

"Mitt Romney entered the final day before New Hampshire's primary election as the favorite, with rivals attacking his electability and authenticity as a conservative in an effort to emerge as his principal challenger for the Republican presidential nomination.”

http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/romney-polls-santorum-gingrich/2012/01/09/id/423435

Santorum's finish shows strength of retail politics

"…Santorum's incredible finish — just eight votes behind Romney in unofficial results — blew a big hole in those arguments, Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn said.”

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120109/NEWS09/301090023/1007/NEWS05

In New Hampshire, the Race for Second Place

"A respectable second and maybe third place finish behind the former Massachusetts Governor for former Sen. Rick Santorum or former Speaker Newt Gingrich could translate into fundraising opportunities and grass-roots momentum leading into the next round of primary contests, which will take them to more conservative-friendly terrain.”

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/01/08/in-new-hampshire-race-for-second-place/#ixzz1iy7Mx9HD

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 11:35 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 519 words, total size 7 kb.

Santorum is the big Iowa Caucus winner. Spending his time in Hawkeye state, doing the groung work, hoofing it, riding in a truck from county to county reveals a man who, only one wants to president, but is going to doing the work, against all odds, to earn the respect of the voters and win the race. He did win and big. His win can't be ignored. Santorum knows that, and considering the footwork he's already done, I think it's safe to say that he's ready for the onslaught from the left, the right, from Romney from his own party.

Romney won by a handful of votes—eight to be exact, which cost his campaign $113.07 a vote, while the close, breathing-down Romney's neck Santorum spent $1.65. In short, Romney didn't do so well considering he's the ‘presumptive' GOP nominee.

If I heard Newt Gingrich's speech right last night, as accepting the fact that he was fourth in the race, but not giving up—he's an angry candidate, and he's targeting Mitt Romney with every gun he's got. Romney hasn't had to face a total head-on confrontation, and it's going to be bloody, costly and gives Santorum the time to organize, collected the inevitable inflow of cash. As I've written before and will now, Romney is slowly fading away. As Mr. Nobody, the Romney campaign is trouble. Rick Santorum can legitimately say, "It's just you and me, Mitt.”

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 09:19 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 240 words, total size 1 kb.

From crashing Russia rockets to revealed global warming fraud to the adolescence of voters looking for hope from political charlatans, the only real hope can be found in the possibility, no matter how, slim it seems at times, that Americans can wake up and maybe save their nation from the failed socialist/progressive/ Marxist ideology. What does the Russian space program have to do with it? Well, the U.S. used to have one, one that explored and offered results which did improve the lot of the American life. The Obama administration turned NASA into a political outreach tool, which means the agency lost its usefulness. so, as with everything else in the world which is now turned on its head, we who pay attention, must wait and watch.

Russia's Mars probe will crash to Earth in January

A Russian spacecraft bound for a moon of Mars and stuck in Earth's orbit will come crashing back next month, but its toxic fuel and radioactive material on board will pose no danger of contamination, the Russian space agency said Friday.

http://news.yahoo.com/russias-mars-probe-crash-earth-january-112402928.html

Did Department of Energy conspire to hide global warming data?

"Fox News has this interesting story. Apparently, the US Department of Energy funded the Phil Jones weather station temperature data and told him he didn't have to release the raw data - a fundamental tenet of good science so that others can duplicate your results.”

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2011/12/did_department_of_energy_conspire_to_hide_global_warming_data.html#ixzz1go6pCHR1

The Cult of Adolescence

"Never underestimate the human proclivity for wanting more, and wanting it for free. President Obama is building his re-election campaign around that theme. "Obama money" doesn't exist, but our 44th president will do everything in his power to convince Americans that everyone deserves the trappings of a middle-class lifestyle, only achieved if we return to a 90-percent tax bracket for the wealthiest among us.”

http://spectator.org/archives/2011/12/16/the-cult-of-adolescence#commentcontainer

Krauthammer: Killing Osama bin Laden Is the Exception that Proves Obama's Appeasement Rule

"The charge of appeasement has become a potent theme of recent Republican presidential debates, infuriating the White House and its defenders in the media. Sen. Rick Santorum pointed out, in response to Obama's bin Laden defense, that the administration was merely continuing the policies of George W. Bush.”

http://bigpeace.com/jpollak/2011/12/16/krauthammer-killing-bin-laden-is-the-exception-that-proves-obamas-appeasement-rule/#more-184392

Young Voters are Waking up to Reality

"In 2008, voters under the age of 30 helped catapult Obama into the White House. Three years later, Obama's approval rating is underwater with the demographic, which is becoming increasingly confidenthe'll lose reelection."

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2011/12/young_voters_are_waking_up_to_reality.html#ixzz1gnwzkO00

British Police Raid Climategate Blogger's Home

"So, now the long knives are coming out. The leftists, the ruling class, the environmentalists pinned all of their hopes on Global Warming, and these leaked e-mails are finishing it. We are now seeing acts of desperation.”

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2011/12/british_police_raid_climategate_bloggers_home.html#ixzz1gnw4BqiK

The Real Sleeping Giant

"A new Gallup poll suggests Obama's class warfare is becoming a big loser for the left. (Updated.)"

http://spectator.org/archives/2011/12/16/the-real-sleeping-giant

A Santorum Surge or a Jindal Jig

"Gingrich, grizzled and grayed, will fizzle and fade.”

http://spectator.org/archives/2011/12/16/a-santorum-surge-or-a-jindal-j

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 09:36 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 493 words, total size 6 kb.

Life gets busy an posts are posted late. These are from last week. Articles of interest.

What Is An Ex-Iran Guard Commander Doing At The White House?

"If you worry about the growing influence of Iran in neighboring Iraq, look no further than the delegation that visited the White House to proclaim the end of the Iraq War.”

http://bigpeace.com/pschweizer/2011/12/13/what-is-an-ex-iran-guard-commander-doing-at-the-white-house/#idc-container

Russian Students Forced To Take Political Exam….Same Day As Planned Anti-Putin Protests

"Clearly Putin remembers some of the techniques from his old days in the KGB:”

http://bigpeace.com/nmachiavelli/2011/12/13/russian-students-forced-to-take-political-exam-same-day-as-planned-anti-putin-protests/#IDComment236924453

Saudi Arabia executes woman convicted of 'sorcery'

"The Saudi Interior Ministry says in a statement the execution took place on Monday, but gave no details on the woman's crime.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/saudiarabia/8951248/Saudi-Arabia-executes-woman-convicted-of-sorcery.html

China's Hu urges navy to prepare for combat

"Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday urged the navy to prepare for military combat, amid growing regional tensions over maritime disputes and a US campaign to assert itself as a Pacific power.”

http://news.yahoo.com/chinas-hu-urges-navy-prepare-combat-160509787.html

Gallup: Far More Fear Big Government Than Big Business

"You can get into definitions of what constitutes "big government”, but the ideological stance remains the same: Government that gets big is a threat, not an admirable goal. That's an ideological victory for advocates of limited government confined to its proper role.”

http://amerpundit.com/2011/12/12/gallup-far-more-fear-big-government-than-big-business/

Canada Withdraws from Kyoto Protocol, Says It Failed

"For years environmentalists have slammed the United States for failing to sign-on to the Kyoto Protocol. The agreement hampered developed countries like the United States while allowing developing countries like India and China to continue chugging-along.”

http://amerpundit.com/2011/12/12/canada-withdraws-from-kyoto-protocol-says-it-failed/

Obama: I'm Arguably More Successful than Lincoln, FDR

"Bwahahahahahahahaha…..”

http://amerpundit.com/2011/12/13/obama-im-arguably-more-successful-than-lincoln-fdr/

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 09:15 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 272 words, total size 4 kb.

President Obama is looking at a very rough ride to any hope of reelection. Will he be reelected? Presently, "No.” It's so bad I don't think even a big war will save him. His foreign policy, even with the assassination of Osama Ben Laden isn't enough. Too much of the world is tainted by his indecision, lack of forethought, and a basic lack of a foreign policy. The reality is he didn't run as a ‘Foreign Policy' president, and it shows.

The whole of North Africa has fallen away from American influence, unless Obama wanted Islamic strongholds in those countries. We suppose he did not, any other thought in the other direction is a horrifying conclusion. So, due to his lack of understanding and the same lack of understanding by his State Department, that is Hillary Clinton, again, the whole of North Africa has been lost.

The president's vacillation in his statements and actions regarding Israel shows a man who doesn't know how to peruse a coherent policy or is shilling for votes. Either one is very bad. Israel is the only nation, which the U.S. could rely on in a large scale conflict. Where else is there? Iraq looks like it would be part of ‘ground zero' keeping in mind that Iran would be the epicenter of any conflict.

A war with Iran is not impossible.

Now, who will be the next president, the one which will be replacing Obama, because he will more than likely loss in 2012, again, a war will not save him. The slow plodder has been Mitt Romney, and had stayed steady, between 25% and 30%, against rising and falling Republican challengers.

Herman Cain's rocketing candidacy created enthusiasm and sideswiped Romney, and though Cain has left the race, the damage his rise didn't to Romney is evident. It showed that the majority of Republican voters weren't interesting in the Massachusetts governor, and that hasn't changed. Once viewed by the Republican élites and the MSM has the ‘presumed', Romney's campaign has grown desperate as Gingrich has risen to take Cain's place, and still rises. Will Gingrich keep the lead, maybe. But Romney is now in a slow fade, but fading none the less.

What is interesting is that Gingrich is being beat up daily about his past sins, about his divorces, about his flirtations with left-wing junk science and policy, AGW, and Cap and Trade, for instance. He's getting more than vetting, but he's enduring an examination Obama never received and to the detriment of the nation—going back to foreign policy.

Certain presidential candidates have not gone away. Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum are still shadowing the front runners, though their shadows are a distance behind. They should keep on going, and not drop out considering the volatility of the race. Romney may disappear entirely, and that second spot needs to be filled.

There are those pulling for Johnson and Paul, and they should continue to do so. Persistence can pay off and Rick Perry is still there.

Fact is Obama is a one-term president. His presidency is going to leave a mess behind. The new president will have to clean up not only the mess, but resuscitate the morale of the nation.

Glenn Beck: Conservatives Who Support Gingrich Must be Racist

"Not a typo or a joke. He thinks if you're a conservative and you see even the slightest difference between Newt Gingrich and Barack Obama then you must be opposing Obama because he's black.”

http://amerpundit.com/2011/12/10/glenn-beck-conservatives-who-support-gingrich-must-be-racist/

CBS Poll: Just 41% Say Obama Deserves Second Term

Just 41% of Americans say Barack Obama's job performance warrants a second term in office, according to a new poll from CBS News. 54% say they are looking for a new guy.

http://amerpundit.com/2011/12/11/cbs-poll-just-41-say-obama-deserves-second-term/

Harry Morgan -- Grownup

It was by sheerest coincidence last Thursday that I read Gerald Nachman's fine "The Teening of America" in the December edition of TAS (if you haven't read it yet…), and later the same day heard of the death of the character actor Harry Morgan at 96.

http://spectator.org/archives/2011/12/12/harry-morgan-grownup

Newt's Rise: It's the Persuasion, Stupid

Generally, the only persuasion we see today is the phony attempt to make voters think the politician agrees with them.

http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/12/newts_rise_its_the_persuasion_stupid.html

The Iran War. Get Used to It.

"The Middle East has caught fire.”

http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/12/the_iran_war_get_used_to_it.html

I Bet You This Hurts Romney

"If you haven't heard yet, in Saturday night's debate wherein a former Nixon Administration staffer and a Clinton Administration apparatchik un-ironically asked questions to Republicans pretending to be without bias…”

http://www.redstate.com/erick/2011/12/12/i-bet-you-this-hurts-romney/

The Conservative Fight of the Year Goes On

The Tea Party has lined up strongly in favor of Senator Ron Johnson in against Establishment- favorite Roy Blunt for in the race Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.

http://www.redstate.com/erick/2011/12/12/the-conservative-fight-of-the-year-goes-on/

The Teening of America

"It used to be we couldn't wait to grow up. Now we strive for permanent adolescence.”

http://spectator.org/archives/2011/12/12/the-teening-of-america

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 10:39 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 816 words, total size 8 kb.

I don't watch television that much, a few hours during the whole of a week and it's been that way for me for a number of years. But, I should qualify; I do watch TCM for the reason that there are no commercials. It's the commercials, and what I see has a great number of shows that just don't interest me. Occasionally, click to a station, and spend time viewing a program I won't normally plan to watch. That goes for everyone I suspect. The other day I found myself watching a roast of Charlie Sheen, though not to see Sheen, but to hear what William Shatner could possibly say about Sheen.

I've seen the classic Dean Martin Roast, and they are funny. The insults were utterly ludicrous therefore impossible and never crude, or what I would call ‘mean.' But this Charlie Sheen Roast was offensive. I'm sure this group of people new each other, how well I don't know, but these comedians were simply abusive. If they were friends, they should be friends not more. None of the laughs were born of good nature humor, but of ‘I can't believe he or she said that.' One of the targets of this nefarious verbal assault disguised as humor was a Patrice O'Neal.

I don't know who are the top comics or the up and coming. All I know is what I saw during that ‘roast' which was more of a nasty insult fest—posing as comedy. The look on Patrice O'Neal's face was enough to illustrate the high of the vicious humor. When his turn can to ‘roast' Sheen, he spent more of his time ‘getting his own back' from the rest of the ‘jolly' band of comic ‘talent'.

The whole episode continues to confirm for me that humor in America has taken the wrong road. Insulting humor isn't funny, because comedians are not Don Rickles.

The first time I ever saw Patrice O'Neal was on this television ‘roast'. No, I'm not a follower of popular television and entertainment culture, but O'Neal was worth the time I spend enduring that particular waste of time. What was truly sadden was that Patrice O'Neal passed away do to the complications of a stroke. His death at the age of 41 is most definitely a waste. RIP

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 08:59 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 389 words, total size 2 kb.

 China has great advantages. One is the U.S. is not standing in its way. And that's probably the most important. But is that good?

Second-handed stories about China.

Some one I knew visit China a couple years ago on an artistic excursion to see how vases are made.

Thousands of people are involved as he elaborated on the process. Some dig out the clay, others create the vases, others create the designs and so forth and finally, someone else fires the vases in the final step in the chain of production.

But where's the artistry?

Art is, I thought, an individual expression, not a group effort. Group expressions or expressions of a group are just propaganda. Right?

Let's put aside Chinese vases for the moment, and consider an anecdote about a night visit to a McDonald's in China, which city I don't recall.

Image people, Chinese people, most having a paper cup for a soft drink with them as they slept at tables. You have to have purchases something to stay at a table, but they are sleeping. Why? Well, no one asked them, and they didn't state their motivation either. They sleep at their chosen table at two o'clock in the morning.

Visitors to China enter with their caretaker, an escort. In the old Soviet Union the job of the caretaker was to make the country look good by avoiding issue which were ultimately political, because in a closed society driven by a totalitarian ideology everything is political, even the guy employed to give out the toilet paper at the public rest room, because everyone has a ‘right to work.'

So, the official escort leads the way into the golden arches franchise, and everyone orders, and sits and eats. All is quiet. Everyone concentrates on Big Macs and fries.

A young Chinese woman, somewhere in her early twenties, dressed in the signature McDonald's uniform with cap, commences the tasks of sweeping the floor. Inadvertently, she bumps into an older woman, rousing her from slumber, and the Kung Pow pork hits the fan.

In Western Societies, the demand for decades was to respect your elders, and as we all know that has changed. Violent crime against the elder in some urban areas has bordered on blood sports. The People's Republic of China, though a totalitarian or authoritarian construction depending on who you talk to demand that all are equal. Well, in China, the elder still demand respect for their age, a very noble idea, which the West should reconsider, but as I stated earlier: the Kung Pow pork hits the fan.

The elder Chinese patron, having been sleeping at the restaurant table foe who knows how long, is jostled from her slumber. She then stands and begins to scream at the young woman who was just doing her job, while also disturbing everyone else. Along with the screaming, the elderly Chinese woman blows her nose into a series of paper napkins, and after loading each one ups, lobs them at the young McDonald's employee.

This goes on for at least thirty seconds. Thirty seconds is a long time at two in the morning when you're a visitor to a foreign country and you're just trying to eat in peace.

One of the visitors escorted in by a Chinese handler, losses it. It is, of course, an American. The request is made loud, clear, and succinct, "Shut the hell up, I'm trying to eat.”

The snotty, verbal assault on the McDonald's employee ceases. The elderly woman is stunned. She does not utter a word to the American, but attracts the attention of a passing Westerner, a young man with a backpack and unkempt hair on his own tour of the People's Republic.

Offended old woman wants him to reproach the American.

He looks to the American, considers, and then says, "I don't know him,” and then goes on.

This scene may not seem like much when it has been reported that McDonald's restaurants in America have been turned into veritable arenas for brawls. But this incident says something about China, something that does not appear in the news, or in books.

Every country has a cultural history and not all of it can be wiped away with any revolution. China has cultural. Tattoos are not popular in China though many of the young do like them. The dislike is so much so, that only now, has the Chinese military wavered those with tattoos for military service.

In China, an intelligent young man in the military is considered a waste, nothing noble or honorable about service to the nation apparently. That's strange, considering in an authoritarian state, the state is the state, the end all, where the loyalty must be.

What will the parents of all these young men do when war comes? Tattoos or no tattoos, intelligence or no intelligence, loyalty to the state or not loyalty to the state, they're no protection against bullets and bombs. The Chinese people have never been involved in a major modern war. I'd like to know what the average citizen of the People's Republic of China thinks.

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 09:47 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 856 words, total size 5 kb.

 Cain shot up the polling charts after the September Florida straw poll put him ahead of everyone. He stayed at the lead even after the pummeling damage dealt by sexual harassment scandal. After the last debate Cain's performance was what Cain usually offered, he defended, proposed, but offered no specifics on anything. He still stayed at the time.

Newt Gingrich is the candidate who shined in the debate. He rose to the top—literally in the polls. In the most recent polling, he now leads in Iowa, and other polls as well. A quick rise to the top, which is fine. He's earned it with his slow steady slog, and he has more experience and appreciation for the Federal system than Romney does. Over time that will be to his advantage.

Romney is finally dropping after hovering around 25% since he announced his run. He never broke the 30% and no one ever seemed to be confident that he would.

Cain stole any wind Romney might have gotten in his sail, and it appears, rather obviously, that Gingrich will finish the Romney ride.

Romney is in third, and now, will be dropping even faster—for real.

Posted by: William D. Zeranski at 09:41 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 199 words, total size 1 kb.