The New York Times building is shown in New York on June 2008. The Times pulled a story about Barack Obama’s campaign ties to ACORN. (Frank Franklin II/Associated Press)
Congressional Testimony: ‘Game-Changer’ Article Would Have Connected Campaign With ACORN
By Michael P. Tremoglie, The Bulletin
Monday, March 30, 2009
A lawyer involved with legal action against Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) told a House Judiciary subcommittee on March 19 The New York Times had killed a story in October that would have shown a close link between ACORN, Project Vote and the Obama campaign because it would have been a “a game changer.”
Heather Heidelbaugh, who represented the Pennsylvania Republican State Committee in the lawsuit against the group, recounted for the ommittee what she had been told by a former ACORN worker who had worked in the group’s Washington, D.C. office. The former worker, Anita Moncrief, told Ms. Heidelbaugh last October, during the state committee’s litigation against ACORN, she had been a “confidential informant for several months to The New York Times reporter, Stephanie Strom.”
Ms. Moncrief had been providing Ms. Strom with information about ACORN’s election activities. Ms. Strom had written several stories based on information Ms. Moncrief had given her.
During her testimony, Ms. Heidelbaugh said Ms. Moncrief had told her The New York Times articles stopped when she revealed that the Obama presidential campaign had sent its maxed-out donor list to ACORN’s Washington, D.C. office.
Ms. Moncrief told Ms. Heidelbaugh the campaign had asked her and her boss to “reach out to the maxed-out donors and solicit donations from them for Get Out the Vote efforts to be run by ACORN.”
Ms. Heidelbaugh then told the congressional panel:
“Upon learning this information and receiving the list of donors from the Obama campaign, Ms. Strom reported to Ms. Moncrief that her editors at The New York Times wanted her to kill the story because, and I quote, “it was a game changer.”’
Ms. Moncrief made her first overture to Ms. Heidelbaugh after The New York Times allegedly spiked the story — on Oct. 21, 2008. Last fall, she testified under oath about what she had learned about ACORN from her years in its Washington, D.C. office. Although she was present at the congressional hearing, she did not testify.
U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wisc., the ranking Republican on the committee, said the interactions between the Obama campaign and ACORN, as described by Ms. Moncrief, and attested to before the committee by Ms. Heidelbaugh, could possibly violate federal election law, and “ACORN has a pattern of getting in trouble for violating federal election laws.”
He also voiced criticism of The New York Times.
“If true, The New York Times is showing once again that it is a not an impartial observer of the political scene,” he said. “If they want to be a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party, they should put Barack Obama approves of this in their newspaper.”
Academicians and journalism experts expressed similar criticism of the Times.
“The New York Times keeps going over the line in every single campaign and last year was the worst, easily,” said Mal Kline of the American Journalism Center. “They would ignore real questions worth examining about Obama, the questions about Bill Ayers or about how he got his house. Then on the other side they would try to manufacture scandals.”
Mr. Kline mentioned Gov. Sarah Palin was cleared by investigators of improperly firing an Alaska State Trooper, but went unnoticed by The Times.
“How many stories about this were in The New York Times,” he asked.
“If this is true, it would not surprise me at all. The New York Times is a liberal newspaper. It is dedicated to furthering the Democratic Party,” said Dr. Paul Kengor, professor of Political Science at Grove City College. “People think The New York Times is an objective news source and it is not. It would not surprise me that if they had a news story that would have swayed the election into McCain’s favor they would not have used it.”
ACORN has issued statements claiming that Ms. Moncrief is merely a disgruntled former worker.
“None of this wild and varied list of charges has any credibility and we’re not going to spend our time on it,” said Kevin Whelan, ACORN deputy political director in a statement issued last week.
Stephanie Strom was contacted for a comment, and The New York Times’ Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications Catherine Mathis replied with an e-mail in her place.
Ms. Mathis wrote, “In response to your questions to our reporter, Stephanie Strom, we do not discuss our newsgathering and won’t comment except to say that political considerations played no role in our decisions about how to cover this story or any other story about President Obama.”
Michael P. Tremoglie can be reached at mtremoglie@thebulletin.us
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Progressive leaders message to Joe Biden
In a Progressive Leaders Summit in Costa Rica, Progressive Latin American leaders asked Joe Biden to have the Obama administration stop the deportation of illegal aliens as it was hurting the Latin American economies since illegals send all the money they make in the U.S. back home and is the mayor source for US dollars to these socialist countries economies. Of course, being socialist you have to rely on someone else's money to have an economy to begin with!!!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Snowe and Collins vote "Aye" on Obama Youth
Here is an update on my earlier posting about the House vote on the “civilian national security force”:
The “Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act” (GIVE act). HR 1388 has now also passed the Senate. Here are the names of the ONLY TWO Senate RINOs who have voted "Aye":
Sen. Susan Collins [R, ME]: Aye
Sen. Olympia Snowe [R, ME]: Aye
Anybody surprised?
Pamela Geller comments: "In the bill, Obama sets up the mechanics that he passed in the Stimulus Package for his volunteer operations — including setting up a government funded corporation with a Board of Directors and CEO.
What is frightening is the tentacles that this will entail as all agencies need to create positions for these volunteers. Yada … yada .. I could go on as how he has tied his FEMA Scheme for the Civilian Security Defense Force into this legislation, but now they’re called “National Volunteer Reserve Corps.” This creates images of the Peace Corps, but it is something far more sinister. In addition, the legislation is targeting foster kids, disadvantaged teens and more specifically BLACK colleges and universities.
Reading the provisions, it smacks of a program tailor-made for ACORN. It is a bill that has reverse discrimination all over it as it is NOT designed for middle-class Americans to benefit from — regardless of your race. But this is NOT what has piffed me off.
The GIVE Act has 12 amendments. The one I am outraged over is House Amendment 49.
It reads: “H.Amdt49 Pass Amendment to prohibit organizations from attempting to influence legislation; organize or engage in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes; and assist, promote, or deter union organizing.”
If I read that right, your First Amendment rights of Free Speech just were legislated out the door."
The “Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act” (GIVE act). HR 1388 has now also passed the Senate. Here are the names of the ONLY TWO Senate RINOs who have voted "Aye":
Sen. Susan Collins [R, ME]: Aye
Sen. Olympia Snowe [R, ME]: Aye
Anybody surprised?
Pamela Geller comments: "In the bill, Obama sets up the mechanics that he passed in the Stimulus Package for his volunteer operations — including setting up a government funded corporation with a Board of Directors and CEO.
What is frightening is the tentacles that this will entail as all agencies need to create positions for these volunteers. Yada … yada .. I could go on as how he has tied his FEMA Scheme for the Civilian Security Defense Force into this legislation, but now they’re called “National Volunteer Reserve Corps.” This creates images of the Peace Corps, but it is something far more sinister. In addition, the legislation is targeting foster kids, disadvantaged teens and more specifically BLACK colleges and universities.
Reading the provisions, it smacks of a program tailor-made for ACORN. It is a bill that has reverse discrimination all over it as it is NOT designed for middle-class Americans to benefit from — regardless of your race. But this is NOT what has piffed me off.
The GIVE Act has 12 amendments. The one I am outraged over is House Amendment 49.
It reads: “H.Amdt49 Pass Amendment to prohibit organizations from attempting to influence legislation; organize or engage in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes; and assist, promote, or deter union organizing.”
If I read that right, your First Amendment rights of Free Speech just were legislated out the door."
Monday, March 23, 2009
Civilian National Security Force?
Do people know this at all? Have you seen mention of this in the media?
House Passes Mandatory National Service Bill The House passed a bill yesterday which includes disturbing language indicating young people will be forced to undertake mandatory national service programs as fears about President Barack Obama’s promised “civilian national security force” intensify. The Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, known as the GIVE Act, was passed on 3/20/09 by a 321-105 margin and now goes to the Senate.
Under section 6104 of the bill, entitled “Duties,” in subsection B6, the legislation states that a commission will be set up to investigate, “Whether a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people could be developed, and how such a requirement could be implemented in a manner that would strengthen the social fabric of the Nation and overcome civic challenges by bringing together people from diverse economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.”
Section 120 of the bill also discusses the “Youth Engagement Zone Program” and states that “service learning” will be “a mandatory part of the curriculum in all of the secondary schools served by the local educational agency.” “The legislation, slated to cost $6 billion over five years, would create 175,000 “new service opportunities” under AmeriCorps, bringing the number of participants in the national volunteer program to 250,000. It would also create additional “corps” to expand the reach of volunteerism into new sectors, including a Clean Energy Corps, Education Corps, Healthy Futures Corps and Veterans Service Corps, and it expands the National Civilian Community Corps to focus on additional areas like disaster relief and energy conservation,” reports Fox News.
The Senate is also considering a similar piece of legislation known as the “Serve America Act,” which also includes language about “Youth Engagement Zones”.
Makes you wonder, which side our Senators Snowe and Collins are going to be on.
Friday, March 13, 2009
$235 Million MaineCare Deficit
March 13, 2009
GOP Leaders Appalled by News of $235 Million MaineCare Deficit
AUGUSTA – Republican legislative leaders reacted sharply today to the news that the state’s MaineCare program has a new budget deficit of $235 million for this fiscal year, which ends June 30. Just six weeks ago, the Legislature closed the supplemental budget, which cut $140 million from the current budget. There was no public disclosure until today that this huge new problem had arisen within MaineCare, as the state calls the Medicaid program, which provides free medical and dental care to low-income residents.
“This is extremely troubling news,” said Senate Republican Leader Kevin Raye. “It is also very disturbing that this information was unveiled on a Friday afternoon, less than 72 hours after the governor’s State of the State address, in which there was no mention of a gaping shortfall. It is doubtful that the administration became aware of a $235 million hole only in the last few hours, and raises serious questions about their professed commitment to transparency.”
State Rep. Josh Tardy, leader of the House Republicans, called the shocking revelation “one of the biggest stories in Augusta in the last few years. The problem stems from overutilization of MaineCare, probably due to the recession,” he said. “The most disturbing fact is that we were not given any cautionary advice about this in January, when we took up the supplemental budget. We have known for months that a Brinks truck was going to arrive in the form of the stimulus funds. But it’s hard to believe that the administration did not know that we were $235 million out of balance with just three months to go in the fiscal year.”
State Sen. Peter Mills, a member of the Health and Human Services Committee, was in the committee room when officials of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) dropped the financial bombshell in the form of a fact sheet about the distribution of stimulus funds. “This comes just three days after the governor’s State of the State address,” he said. “By misrepresenting the real state of the state, it fails to prepare people for the sacrifices we will have to make. I’m also disturbed that the administration didn’t disclose this until a Friday afternoon, during a quiet time in the news cycle.”
Rep. Sawin Millet, the House Republican lead on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, said administration officials should have noted the likelihood of program overutilization in January. “The key is that we were not told, even six weeks ago when we closed the supplemental budget, that a cost overrun of this magnitude was anticipated.” According to the DHHS fact sheet, he said, the $235 million hole will be followed by overruns of $90 million in 2010 and $65 million in 2011, at current federal matching rates.
###
GOP Leaders Appalled by News of $235 Million MaineCare Deficit
AUGUSTA – Republican legislative leaders reacted sharply today to the news that the state’s MaineCare program has a new budget deficit of $235 million for this fiscal year, which ends June 30. Just six weeks ago, the Legislature closed the supplemental budget, which cut $140 million from the current budget. There was no public disclosure until today that this huge new problem had arisen within MaineCare, as the state calls the Medicaid program, which provides free medical and dental care to low-income residents.
“This is extremely troubling news,” said Senate Republican Leader Kevin Raye. “It is also very disturbing that this information was unveiled on a Friday afternoon, less than 72 hours after the governor’s State of the State address, in which there was no mention of a gaping shortfall. It is doubtful that the administration became aware of a $235 million hole only in the last few hours, and raises serious questions about their professed commitment to transparency.”
State Rep. Josh Tardy, leader of the House Republicans, called the shocking revelation “one of the biggest stories in Augusta in the last few years. The problem stems from overutilization of MaineCare, probably due to the recession,” he said. “The most disturbing fact is that we were not given any cautionary advice about this in January, when we took up the supplemental budget. We have known for months that a Brinks truck was going to arrive in the form of the stimulus funds. But it’s hard to believe that the administration did not know that we were $235 million out of balance with just three months to go in the fiscal year.”
State Sen. Peter Mills, a member of the Health and Human Services Committee, was in the committee room when officials of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) dropped the financial bombshell in the form of a fact sheet about the distribution of stimulus funds. “This comes just three days after the governor’s State of the State address,” he said. “By misrepresenting the real state of the state, it fails to prepare people for the sacrifices we will have to make. I’m also disturbed that the administration didn’t disclose this until a Friday afternoon, during a quiet time in the news cycle.”
Rep. Sawin Millet, the House Republican lead on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, said administration officials should have noted the likelihood of program overutilization in January. “The key is that we were not told, even six weeks ago when we closed the supplemental budget, that a cost overrun of this magnitude was anticipated.” According to the DHHS fact sheet, he said, the $235 million hole will be followed by overruns of $90 million in 2010 and $65 million in 2011, at current federal matching rates.
###
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Obama Treatment of PM Gordon Brown
Here's how some British view Pres. Obama's treatment of PM Gordon Brown on his visit to Washington.
Earl
President Barack Obama just plain rude to Britain. Don't call us in future.
Posted By: Iain Martin at Mar 4, 2009 at 09:41:53 [General]
(Telegraph.co.uk)
Why couldn't President Obama have put on more of a show for his British guests? He looked like he simply couldn't be bothered.
Number 10 may be content that they just about got away with the visit to the Oval Office yesterday, as Andrew Porter reports from Washington.
But on this side of the Atlantic the whole business looked pretty demeaning. The morning papers and TV last night featured plenty of comment focused on the White House's very odd and, frankly, exceptionally rude treatment of a British PM. Squeezing in a meeting, denying him a full press conference with flags etc. The British press corps, left outside for an hour in the cold, can take it and their privations are of limited concern to the public.
But Obama's merely warmish words (one of our closest allies, said with little sincerity or passion) left a bitter taste with this Atlanticist. Especially after his team had made Number 10 beg for a mini press conference and then not even offered the PM lunch.
We get the point, sunshine: we're just one of many allies and you want fancy new friends. Well, the next time you need something doing, something which impinges on your national security, then try calling the French, or the Japanese, or best of all the Germans. The French will be able to offer you first rate support from their catering corps but beyond that you'll be on your own.
When it comes to men, munitions and commitment you'll soon find out why it pays to at least treat the Brits with some manners.
Earl
President Barack Obama just plain rude to Britain. Don't call us in future.
Posted By: Iain Martin at Mar 4, 2009 at 09:41:53 [General]
(Telegraph.co.uk)
Why couldn't President Obama have put on more of a show for his British guests? He looked like he simply couldn't be bothered.
Number 10 may be content that they just about got away with the visit to the Oval Office yesterday, as Andrew Porter reports from Washington.
But on this side of the Atlantic the whole business looked pretty demeaning. The morning papers and TV last night featured plenty of comment focused on the White House's very odd and, frankly, exceptionally rude treatment of a British PM. Squeezing in a meeting, denying him a full press conference with flags etc. The British press corps, left outside for an hour in the cold, can take it and their privations are of limited concern to the public.
But Obama's merely warmish words (one of our closest allies, said with little sincerity or passion) left a bitter taste with this Atlanticist. Especially after his team had made Number 10 beg for a mini press conference and then not even offered the PM lunch.
We get the point, sunshine: we're just one of many allies and you want fancy new friends. Well, the next time you need something doing, something which impinges on your national security, then try calling the French, or the Japanese, or best of all the Germans. The French will be able to offer you first rate support from their catering corps but beyond that you'll be on your own.
When it comes to men, munitions and commitment you'll soon find out why it pays to at least treat the Brits with some manners.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Food for Thought!
I don't know how you feel about Australian PM Kevin Rudd, but he does have a way with words. Tell me what you think!
Earl
Whole World Needs A Leader Like This!
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd-
Australian Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks..Separately, Rudd angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday when he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:
'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.
''This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom
''We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language.. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!
''Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.
''We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.
''This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.
''If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'
Earl
Whole World Needs A Leader Like This!
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd-
Australian Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks..Separately, Rudd angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday when he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:
'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.
''This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom
''We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language.. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!
''Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.
''We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.
''This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.
''If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'
Welcome
This Blog has been created by the Lincoln County (Maine) Republican Committee to provide a place to communicate subjects political. Anyone can read this Blog. However, if you want to contribute to it, you need to get an Invitation. You can do that by e-mailing the Blog administrator, Jose Douglas, at douglas@tidewater.net . Keep your post civil and respectful and we'll do just fine.
Earl Inman
Committee Chair
Earl Inman
Committee Chair
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