Happy New Year

Goodbye 2012...


I thought 2011 was bad. Then came 2012.

It was the not so best of times, it was the worst of times.

2012 was NOT a very good year.

Good riddance.



Welcome 2013!

May it be a much better year than 2012, a year filled with peace, hope, and love.

Please, God.

Obama, the Fiscal Cliff, and Saddam Hussein

As Obama makes his lame remarks about the fiscal cliff, he's using middle class families as props, standing behind him, smiling and laughing and adoring him.

Oh, come let us adore him!

It reminds me of Saddam Hussein surrounding himself with children. What a great guy!

I am so disgusted by the Obama cult of personality. I'm sick of his class warfare and his outright lies.

Obama's staged pep rally is nauseating.

It's painful witnessing the downfall of my country.

2013 - oh, goody.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
"Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:1-14

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Silent Night

Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born

Silent night, Holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy Holy Face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy Birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy Birth

Mary, Did You Know?

Giant Bow for Christmas

Just rented new Ferrari to deliver giant red bow to wife for Christmas. Hope she likes it!

— GregGutfeld (@greggutfeld) December 22, 2012

Inflatable Fruitcake

Here's a last-minute Christmas gift idea:

Inflatable Fruitcake

It's festive, it's traditional and it's inedible - just like the real thing. Each vinyl fruitcake comes deflated with a 9-1/2" x 5-1/2" envelope and a decorative sticker, making it easy to send one to all of your friends and family! When inflated, this icon of old-fashioned baked goods is 8-1/2" x 5" x 4-1/2" and makes a great centerpiece for the holiday dinner table.



Why an inflatable Fruitcake?

-Nobody eats them anyway
-Reusable and re-giftable
-Cheaper to mail
-Non-toxic (unlike real fruitcakes)
-Always fresh
-No crumbs

Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like an inflatable fruitcake.

'Walking in a Welfare Wonderland'

Listen to another Christmas tune featuring Baracka Claus.

"Welfare Wonderland"



Lyrics:

Cell phones ring
Are you listening
Every day
Less are working
A beautiful sight
That offends the Right
Walkin' in my welfare wonderland

Gone away
Is employment
Here to stay
Is your enjoyment
I did it because
Of capitalism's flaws
Walkin' in my welfare wonderland

In the meadow we can build a snowman
And pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say "Are you married?"
You'll say "No, man"
I'll lose my benefits if I ever get tied down

Later on
You'll perspire
As you drink
By the fire
With the hobos and clowns
Who wander downtown
Walkin' in my welfare wonderland

Walkin' in my welfare wonderland
Walkin' in my welfare wonderland

Parody performed by the great Paul Shanklin.
___________________

Other holiday favorites:

"Baracka Claus is Coming to Town"

"Forward: Obama Phones Ringing"

"Jolly Old St. Obama"

"Santa Baby"

"Let It Grow"

'Let It Grow'

For your holiday listening pleasure, to make your Christmas merry--

"Let It Grow"



Lyrics:

Oh the fiscal cliff sure is frightful
Shrinking government is doubtful
'Cause Republicans can't say no
Let it grow! Let it grow! Let it grow!

I never had plans for stoppin'
I needed votes so I just bought them
Removed the debt ceiling, and watch me go
Let it grow! Let it grow! Let it grow!

When I finally say goodbye
You won't recognize this place
GOP better hold on tight
To stop entitlements you'll have to use mace

The U.S. is quickly dyin'
The leader of the Free World is good-byin'
But the uninformed love me so
Let it grow! Let it grow! Let it grow!

Ho, ho, ho!
Merry Christmas!

Parody performed by the great Paul Shanklin.
___________________

Other holiday favorites:

"Baracka Claus is Coming to Town"

"Forward: Obama Phones Ringing"

"Jolly Old St. Obama"

"Santa Baby"

"Welfare Wonderland"

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

'Santa Barry'

More sounds of the season, featuring Baracka Claus.

"Santa Barry"



Lyrics:

Santa Barry, slip a cell phone under the tree, for me
That's why I voted for you, Santa Barry
So hurry with the presents tonight

Santa Barry, a 2012 convertible too, light blue
I supported you dear, Santa Barry
So hurry with the presents tonight

Spend it all 'cause I insist
I don't care about a little bitty fiscal cliff
Your next term should be twice as good
For people doin' nothin' in my neighborhood

Santa Barry, there's one more thing I really do need - the deed
To my home that's in foreclosure, Santa Barry
So hurry with the presents tonight

So hurry with the presents, alright

Santa, hurry

Parody from the great Paul Shanklin.

__________________

Other holiday favorites:

"Baracka Claus is Coming to Town"

"Forward: Obama Phones Ringing"

"Jolly Old St. Obama"

"Let It Grow"

"Welfare Wonderland"

In the Bleak Midwinter

Mayan Calendar: THIS IS THE END

So is today the final day?

Will tomorrow mark the end of the world?

NO.

From the Washington Times:

Citizens of the world, exhale. Contrary to a ballyhooed ancient Mayan prophecy that has spawned everything from Chinese doomsday cults to Hollywood special effects extravaganzas to dire warnings that Earth is on a collision course with the mystery world of Nibiru, our planet will not come to an apocalyptic finale Friday.

At least, that’s how the Mayans saw it.

“They never said it,” said Walter R.T. Witschey, a Maya researcher and professor of anthropology and science education at Longwood University in Farmville, Va. “Some of the Mesoamerican history and artifacts in that region talk about new worlds and new eras, but the people carving all these [archaeological] inscriptions really were not forecasting the end of the world at all. To the contrary, their calendar keeps right on rolling past this date.”

This much is certain: According to archaeologists and scholars, the end of a particular Mayan 5,125.37-year calendar cycle likely falls on Dec. 21. That date, in turn, has spawned something of a global pop-culture panic, a not entirely tongue-in-cheek belief that Friday will not only mark the end of the world as we know it, but also be a terrible day to drop off your dry cleaning.

...A springtime poll of more than 10,000 adults in 21 countries found that 8 percent had experienced fear or anxiety over the world ending in December, with Chinese (20 percent), Russian (13 percent) and American (12 percent) respondents being most likely to agree with the statement that the Mayan calendar “marks the end of the world.”

“In our society, there is a certain fraction of people who are doomsayers who will take their own belief that the end of the world is at hand and hang it on any convenient hook,” Mr. Witschey said. “For the Maya calendar, the rollover of this cycle is a neat hook. We also have the connection with Dec. 21, which is also the winter solstice. They’ve also conjured up an imaginary planet that is going to strike the Earth. NASA assures us that this is not going to happen.”

Indeed, NASA released an entire video Tuesday debunking the notion of a Mayan doomsday. Forward-dated Dec. 22 and titled “Why the World Didn’t End Yesterday,” it notes that none of the thousands of Mayan ruins discovered and translated by archaeologists discuss the end of the world; that contrary to speculation, the sun is not threatening to envelop the globe; that no known asteroids or comets are on a collision course with Earth; and that if Nibiru — or any other planet, for that matter — were about to slam into ours, it would be the brightest object in the sky and visible to the naked eye.

The space agency is not alone in pooh-poohing an apocalypse. Scholars of the Mayan culture — like, all of them — consider it balderdash. Even modern ethnic Mayas, who ought to know, have publicly said that the end of the calendar has nothing to do with the end of the world.

I will be so glad when this Mayan calendar thing is over. So lame.

Unfortunately, there will be other predictions of the end of the world and some people will flip out.

In any event, make plans for Saturday.

The Holly and the Ivy

Midwest Snowstorm

The school closings are crawling across the bottom of the TV screen already.

I hate snowstorms.

Yes, snow can be beautiful at first, when it falls gently and quietly and coats the bare branches of the trees. Winter Wonderland. Very nice.

But when it makes travel treacherous and power goes out and tree limbs break and bones break when people slip on ice, it's not pretty.

There is no romanticizing that.

From AP:

A storm that has dumped more than a foot of snow in the Rocky Mountains was causing problems for travelers as it spread across the Plains on Wednesday.

The main east-west route across Colorado, Interstate 70, closed for several hours from east of Denver to the Kansas line because of poor visibility due to blowing snow. Eastbound lanes remained closed Wednesday night. Smaller highways were also closed for hours in eastern Colorado.

Drivers in Iowa and Nebraska are being warned to be careful or stop driving altogether starting Wednesday evening as the Plains gets its first major winter storm of the season.

Light snow is also expected at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on Thursday and strong winds could make visibility poor. That, combined with low clouds, could cause delays at the nation's second-busiest airport. National Weather Service forecaster Jamie Enderlen said.

...The storm is also expected to hit Wisconsin and Michigan, where up to a foot of snow was forecast in the north by Friday.

Last year was the best winter ever.

Robert Bork R.I.P.

Judge Robert Bork passed away today.

Michelle Malkin writes:

Judge Robert Bork, former Supreme Court nominee, legal scholar, and the conservative movement’s champion of originalism, died early this morning after a long battle with heart and pulmonary complications. His family reports that the funeral will be held on Saturday.

Bork endured one of the most vicious, coordinated attacks from the Left during his Reagan-era SCOTUS confirmation fight.

Here is the slander disgracefully and despicably spewed by Ted Kennedy:



Commenting on Ted Kennedy's viciousness, Roger Kimball writes:

Not only was Kennedy instrumental in preventing a great jurist from taking his place on the Supreme Court, he also contributed immeasurably to the cheapening of American political discourse.

In a way, Robert Bork had the last laugh. Ted Kennedy went to his grave a rancid, lumbering, pathetic laughing stock. Bork went from intellectual triumph to intellectual triumph, contributing now-classic studies to the library of legal understanding and penning two of the most important works of social criticism of the last several decades....

Rest in Peace.

Sheriff Clarke: Guard Schools

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke proposed a solution to protect children at school.

His plan could be implemented immediately.

No politics. No bickering. No soul-searching. No national discussion. No blah, blah, blah.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. calls for placing armed tactical officers or security officers "in every school and public place in America," in a commentary piece posted on a tea party website.

"[T]ea party website" - Give me a break!

Clearly, that's an attempt to marginalize his remarks.

Clarke also condemns calls for gun control in the wake of the Sandy Hook School mass killings in Newtown, Ct., and says, "We have to resist with the ferociousness of a junk yard dog any attempt by liberals to make us less free by chipping away at our constitutional freedoms."

He berates "liberals for exploiting tragedy once again in our country and try(ing) to use tragedy as a reason to take our rights away."

Suggestions of gun control "are the mind-set of sheep," Clarke says.

"Sure run and hide from a sociopathic killer. See how far that gets you. You know where that'll get you - 26 dead at Sandy Hook School," says Clarke's article posted on the website "Tea Party Perspective." It was posted on the website by Nik Clark, president of Wisconsin Carry, Inc., a gun rights group.

The sheriff suggests armed guards in schools, malls, theaters and other public places could be paid for with public money now spent on "green" environmental projects and "other waste-of-money social service spending."

He also suggested that businesses should remove signs saying guns are prohibited. That only tips off a sociopathic killer that no one there would be able to stop them, Clarke says.

If Obama and his fellow Leftists are serious about the safety of our children and taking immediate steps to protect them, a solution is providing armed security for them while at school.

Obama doesn't go anywhere without armed guards. If it's good enough for him, it should be good enough for our kids at school.

If you don't like the idea of such security for our children, then expect another mass shooting.

Killers will kill until they're stopped. The uncertainty of which person is about to snap and go on a killing spree is unsettling. The randomness is frightening.

We can stop them before they carry out their deadly missions on a massive scale by employing trained professionals to guard our children.

It's not as if Clarke is suggesting that each kid be given a gun. This is no condom giveaway sort of program.

Clarke is offering a solution that is immediate and effective. To suggest that he's a nut is clearly political posturing.

As it is right now, schools, and other "gun-free zones," are unintentionally inviting the deranged to carry out a slaughter there.

While the politicians and special interest groups bicker, implementing Clarke's suggestion now could save lives.

Sam Donaldson: DUI

Sam Donaldson - BUSTED.

From TMZ:

Sam Donaldson -- the veteran ABC newsman and political correspondent -- was arrested for DUI in Delaware earlier this month.

According to law enforcement, 78-year-old Donaldson was pulled over on December 1 after he had driven onto the shoulder of the road.

During the stop, Donaldson reportedly bombed a field sobriety test ... and was arrested for DUI. He was taken to a nearby police station where he was booked and eventually released.

I'm not surprised.

Luckily, he was arrested before he killed someone.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Right Wisconsin - Full Site Launch

For now, Right Wisconsin is a free daily briefing.

It appears that when the full site of Right Wisconsin launches soon, there will be a subscriber fee, at least for some content. That's a guess.

Full site launches soon. Until then join the more than 12,000 people who get the free RightWisconsin.com Daily Briefing every day #wiright

— Right Wisconsin (@RightWisconsin) December 17, 2012

I haven't heard anything about subscriber fees. I know no details, but there seem to be hints that the full site won't be accessible for free. Hope I'm wrong. Don't think I am.

Chris Farley - 15 Years Ago

Fifteen years ago today, Chris Farley died.

His death was the result of an accidental drug overdose, along with coronary atherosclerosis. It was the result of a lifestyle of celebrity excess, although one certainly can choose a life of substance abuse and excess without being rich and famous.

There are plenty of stories of Farley's recklessness and how he lived life on the edge. His abuse of drugs and alcohol is well-documented.

But there still was a certain sweetness about him. He projected that Midwestern unpretentiousness. He was so likable; make that lovable.

He was a Wisconsin boy, grew up in a Catholic family, and was a Marquette graduate. He was a Packers fan.


(Photo/Wisconsin Historical Society)

There were traces of Farley's Wisconsin background in his work. He named one of his characters, motivational speaker Matt Foley, after his Marquette rugby teammate, now a Catholic priest. (I'm quite sure that the real Matt Foley doesn't live in a van down by the river.) He wore his Marquette rugby jacket in his movie Tommy Boy.

Even after Farley achieved success, he went to Mass regularly. In many ways, he lived his faith.

I couldn't relate to the excess, but I could relate to him. I knew where he came from. He was one of us.

It's so hard to believe it's been fifteen years.
___________________

Read: "Remembering a brother," May 3, 2008

Chris Farley had his faults and weaknesses, but he was a good person. He showed great compassion for those less fortunate.

A story in Tom Farley's book about his brother, The Chris Farley Show, illustrates the care and kindness displayed by Chris.

The New York story [Tom Farley] hadn't heard before is one of the book's most moving: an account by a nun, Sister Peggy McGirl, of Chris' friendship with a 70-year-old homeless man named Willie.

Tom knew that Chris, a devout Catholic, had quietly visited and entertained elderly people served by his Manhattan church, St. Malachy's. What he learned from McGirl was that his brother's relationship with Willie transcended mere volunteer work.

"Chris took Willie out to dinner every week," McGirl says in the book. "Chris treated him as an equal, always. He would take him to Broadway shows, take him out to ball games.

"Whenever he had to go away for work, he'd send Willie postcards, and whenever he came back he always brought Willie a souvenir. They were friends for over five years (until Farley died)."

In some ways, Chris Farley was a terrible role model.

In other ways, he was the best.

Packers: NFC North Division Champs

The Packers are division champs again!

From the Associated Press:

The Green Bay Packers had the best comeback for all that trash-talk from the Chicago Bears.

Another NFC North title.

The Packers clinched their second straight division crown with a 21-13 victory over their archrivals Sunday — at Soldier Field, no less.

Aaron Rodgers connected with James Jones on all three touchdowns, Clay Matthews hounded Jay Cutler with two sacks and the Packers limited the Bears to just 190 yards, their third-lowest total of the season. Rodgers finished 23 of 36 for 291 yards as Green Bay won its sixth straight against Chicago.

What a sweet way to secure the division title!

Congratulations, Packers!


Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts to the crowd as he walks off the field after Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. The Packers defeated the Bears 21-13 to clinch the NFC North Division title. (Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media)

SNL: 'Silent Night' (Video)

Saturday Night Live began with the New York City Children's Chorus singing "Silent Night."

In its simplicity, it was a touching tribute to the 20 children and six adults murdered on Friday in Newtown, Connecticut.

Amazing how powerful it was to listen to the children's voices singing the beloved Christmas hymn.

Heavenly peace, holiness, the love of Jesus Christ, juxtaposed with the soullessness of that violent slaughter.

It made me think of the gaping chasm that exists in our society in terms of values.

What a difference it makes to live one's life with love and a deep, consistent respect for life, grounded in belief in God; rather than hating, having an utter disrespect for life, believing in nothing, wallowing in meaninglessness.


Sleep in heavenly peace.



Here's video.

SNL: Samuel L. Jackson, F- Bomb (Video)

I didn't realize that Saturday Night Live wasn't on a delay. Other "live" shows have a delay of a few seconds to keep objectionable material from airing.

At the end of the "What Up With That?" sketch, Samuel L. Jackson decided to drop an F-bomb while on screen. A surprised Kenan Thompson attempted to regain control saying, "Come on, Sam" and "That costs money." Jackson can be heard in the background saying "bullsh*t."

I think Jackson knows better. He knows he can't say that stuff on NBC.

What a lame stunt!

Here's video:


_________________

Samuel L. Jackson took to Twitter to explain what really happened.

I only said FUH not FUCK!K was sposed to cut off da BULLSHIT, blew it!! twitter.com/SamuelLJackson…
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) December 16, 2012

Since Jackson says he only said "FUH," will it air as is on the west coast? I'd be surprised if it airs unedited.

Actually, with Martin Short as host and Paul McCartney as the musical guest, it was a rather entertaining show for a change.

The show opened with a children's choir singing "Silent Night."

It was a poignant tribute to those murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday morning.

School Shooting, Hug Your Kids, Say 'I Love You'

We hear this all the time when tragedy strikes: Hug your kids. Tell your family you love them.

In effect, we're told our reaction to violence and death will likely be to say we love each other, as if we need this prompting. Such pain will serve to help us get our priorities in order, to appreciate all our blessings.

Yesterday, Obama said:

This evening, Michelle and I will do what I know every parent in America will do, which is hug our children a little tighter and we’ll tell them that we love them, and we’ll remind each other how deeply we love one another.

I can't relate.

I don't take life for granted. I'm keenly aware of how precious it is, every day. I don't need the unbearable suffering of others to wake me up.

It's sad that so many people apparently do.

Do you require a mass murder to hug your kids "a little tighter" and remind your family how deeply you love them?

I hope not.

Sandy Hook Shooting: Media Exploit Children

The news coverage yesterday of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School was an absolute mess.

Media outlets obviously didn't confirm information before sharing it.

As usual, we witnessed the media feeding frenzy that always follows crimes such as this one.

The TV packaging of these awful incidents makes me cringe.

Do you remember when news stories were reported without music added for dramatic effect? Do we really need a soundtrack to heighten the impact of the slaughter?

It's become so predictable. The exploitation is a disgrace.

Some of the stories about how to talk to children about the shooting were embarrassing. If parents need to look to an "expert" on TV to instruct them not to be too graphic when discussing the topic with their young children, then we have a serious parenting problem in the country.

Then, we have the matter of the media showing images of very young children and interviewing them.

My question: Where were the parents? Why would parents permit their kids to be interviewed on camera?

Some parents were making the rounds of the news outlets. Very unseemly. Fifteen minutes of fame at the expense of murdered children?

Of course, the cameras are there to cover the candlelight vigils. Show the audience faces of grief. Give us some more dramatic images. Can't get enough.

Don't forget the music. There must be music, because the nation is coming together to mourn. The news anchors tells us we're mourning. They guide us through our grief.

Yuck.

I don't like the way the media handle this stuff.

The reality is a 20-year-old man murdered little ones in their school. He killed adults. Dozens are dead. It's positively horrific.

I do want the facts of the crime, but not the media circus. I don't want sloppy reporting. I don't want the exploitation.

I don't want the spectacle of young children telling their stories of what they witnessed. I don't want to hear the parents of the children saying the obvious. I don't want to hear news anchors trying to be profound. Spare me the performance.

And I especially don't want to hear that lame musical accompaniment.

I believe the media circus and its packaging of the event encourages people to respond to the unspeakable evil inappropriately. The potential is there for it to be consumed as a twisted form of entertainment.

ObamaCare Surprise: The Individual Mandate

From the Heritage Foundation:

Not all surprises are good. When it comes to Obamacare, the original projections are turning into unfortunately different realities. For the next 12 days, Heritage is going to highlight one of the various changes in Obamacare projections (i.e. cost, enrollment, etc.) from when the law first passed until now.

One of the most infamous features of Obamacare is the individual mandate, which requires most Americans to purchase health insurance or pay a tax for being uninsured.

In 2010, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimated that 4 million people would pay the penalty in 2016 and that collections from those penalties would be about $4 billion per year between 2017 and 2019.

In 2012, the CBO and JCT updated their estimate of those paying the mandate to 6 million people in 2016, totaling $7 billion in tax revenue and growing to $8 billion per year from 2017-2022.

Surprise: That’s an increase of 2 million more uninsured people paying the penalty each year and about $3 billion more in tax collections annually.

Thanks for nothing, Obama and Obama voters.

Merry Christmas!

Adam Lanza

UPDATE: Again, FOX reports the shooter is ADAM LANZA.

Twenty-seven people, including 20 children, were killed Friday when a gunman clad in black military gear opened fire inside his mother's kindergarten class at a Connecticut elementary school.

The shooter, who sources told FoxNews.com was 20-year-old Adam Lanza, gunned down his mother and her entire class at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., according to sources. Lanza was found dead inside the school, according to officials.

A source told Fox News that the shooter's father, who was divorced from his ex-wife, was killed at his home in New Jersey. Police were also searching for two friends of the killer, who are currently unaccounted for, sources said.

Eighteen of the children were dead at the school and two more died later, according to Connecticut State Police Lt. Paul Vance.

His girlfriend and another friend are missing in New Jersey, according to law enforcement sources.

Vance would not confirm the shooter's name. Earlier in the day there were conflicting reports over the gunman's identity.

From the New York Post:

A crazed gunman dressed in black went on a rampage at a Connecticut elementary school this morning, in a massacre that left the shooter and 26 dead others - including 18 children.

Adam Lanza, 20, shot his mother dead and targeted her kindergarten class at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., sources said. Sources also told The Post that Lanza's mother was a teacher at the school and he "had a dispute with her."

Lanza is dead inside the school.

Lanza used two handguns and a .223-caliber assault rifle, an official said. The official also said that New Jersey state police are searching a location in connection with the shootings.

Police in Hoboken, NJ are questioning Lanza's older brother Ryan, 24, but he is not a suspect.

________________

UPDATE: FOX News reports that Ryan Lanza is being held for questioning. He is not the shooter. Adam Lanza, Ryan Lanza's brother, is the murderer.

They're backing off that a bit, trying to "sort it out."

Media were posting photos of Ryan Lanza, taken from his Facebook page. Apparently, that was the wrong Ryan Lanza. Oops!

Turns out it was the right Ryan Lanza, in terms of his connection to Adam Lanza.

There is so much misinformation.

What we know is there was a horrific mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School this morning. Twenty children and six adults are dead. The shooter killed himself. Another person is dead at a separate crime scene in Newtown, Connecticut.
________________

Ryan Lanza has been identified as the alleged mass murderer responsible for the deaths of 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School this morning.

Lanza's mother worked at the school. According to some reports, she was found dead inside her home. Other reports state that Lanza killed her in her classroom at Sandy Hook and then murdered her students.

NBC reports Lanza's father was also found shot and killed in his home in Hoboken.

So Lanza allegedly killed his parents and decided to slaughter a class of kindergarteners as well.

Do we blame guns? Do we blame violent video games? Do we blame all the violent films deemed to be art coming out of Hollywood? Do we blame mental illness? Do we blame autism? Do we blame evil?

I blame Lanza.
_________________

UPDATE: Source: 29 dead, including 22 children in Newtown shooting

UPDATE: 27 are dead, including the shooter.

UPDATE: Gunman kills 20 children, 6 adults at Connecticut elementary school

Twenty-seven people, including 20 children, were killed Friday when a gunman clad in black military gear opened fire inside his mother's kindergarten class at a Connecticut elementary school.

The shooter, who sources identified as Adam Lanza, 20, shot his mother, Nancy Lanza, in the face at their home in Newtown, Conn., then went to nearby Sandy Hook Elementary School where she taught and gunned down her entire class, according to sources. Lanza was found dead inside the school, according to officials. Eighteen of the children and six more adults were dead at the school and two more children died later, according to Connecticut State Police Lt. Paul Vance.

Vance would not confirm the shooter's name, and earlier in the day there were conflicting reports over the gunman's identity. Law enforcement sources told FoxNews.com the shooter was Adam Lanza. His brother, Ryan Lanza, 24, who was widely and erroneously reported to be the suspect, was questioned in Hoboken, N.J., but authorities said he was not involved.

Lanza's father, Peter, is not dead, as was reported earlier.

The father of the 20-year-old man who allegedly massacred 20 young children and six adults including his mother, lives in the Westover section of the city.

Stamford police were called to the Bartina Lane home of Peter Lanza and his wife hours after the Newtown elementary school shooting by State Police to conduct a welfare check.

The suspect has been preliminarily identified as 20-year-old Adam Lanza. Lanza grew up in Newtown with his parents Nancy and Peter before they filed for divorce in 2008.

...Peter Lanza, a vice president of taxes for GE Energy Financial Services, arrived home minutes after police left and politely asked a Hearst Connecticut Media Group reporter: "Is there something I can do for you?" after rolling down the window of his blue Mini Cooper.

When he was told his address had been linked to the Newtown school shooting, Lanza took the news as a blow -- his face turning from patient to surprised and horrified. He promptly rolled up the window of his car, declined to comment, and pulled his vehicle into the right door of the two-car garage, before closing it behind him.

Moments later he could be seen sitting at a table in the front of the house, talking on the phone.

Lanza has worked as a tax specialist in the financial industry and has served as an adjunct professor at Northeastern University in Boston since 1995 and has taught classes on tax partnerships at Fairfield University.

Should we blame what Adam Lanza allegedly did on his father?

Maybe we need to put in place tough laws controlling tax specialists and adjunct professors.

Should we blame divorce and second wives?

Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting

Horror.

From AP:

A shooting at a Connecticut elementary school Friday left 27 people dead, including 18 children, an official said.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was still under way. Another official, speaking on condition of anonymity for the same reason, said the gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown was killed and apparently had two guns.

This is heartbreaking.

From the Washington Times:

Connecticut State Police are responding to a situation in Newton, Connecticut Sandy Hooks Elementary Schoo; where there is approximately 626 students school ages K-4 and 46 faculty members. Local police and the school immediately put the building on lock down, taking measure to ensure the safety of students and staff.

As a mom, I sent my little ones to school hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of times. Mornings were routine. Friday mornings always held a bit more excitement. The weekend approached. Counting down the days before Christmas was an especially exciting ritual, so much joy and anticipation. It's as vivid to me as if it were yesterday.

There was never a day I didn't hug and kiss my children before they walked out the door. There was never a day I didn't tell them I loved them as I sent them off to school.

It is unbearable to imagine the thought of them going to school and never returning. It breaks my heart.

It's being reported that an entire kindergarten class remains unaccounted for - KINDERGARTEN.

FOX News confirms that the gunman was 24-year-old Ryan Lanza of Hoboken, N.J. He had ties to the school.

My God.

What an evil act! This is what evil looks like, gunning down innocents.

My prayers are with the families and friends of the murdered adults.

My prayers are with the parents, grandparents, siblings, family members, and friends of the murdered little ones.
_________________

UPDATE: Source: 29 dead, including 22 children in Newtown shooting

UPDATE: 20 children and six adults are dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The shooter killed himself. Another adult is dead at a separate crime scene in Newtown, Connecticut.

The shooter is being identified as ADAM Lanza. His brother, Ryan, is being held for questioning.

Susan Rice Withdraws

Susan Rice, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, appeared to be Obama's choice to replace Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, at least for a while.

Obama and his hacks did all they could to paint John McCain and other senators as racist and sexist for opposing her potential nomination.

Obama made a fool of himself when he played the tough guy at his news conference, coming to the aid of the helpless Susan Rice.

This performance didn't convince McCain and company to back down. They were right to stand strong and demand accountability from Rice for her role in the Benghazi cover-up.

So, Susan Rice, the woman Obama wanted, is withdrawing herself from consideration to replace Hillary.

In the Washington Post, Rice writes:

On Thursday I asked that President Obama no longer consider me for the job of secretary of state. I made this decision because it is the right step for this country I love. I have never shied away from a fight for a cause I believe in. But, as it became clear that my potential nomination would spark an enduring partisan battle, I concluded that it would be wrong to allow this debate to continue distracting from urgent national priorities — creating jobs, growing our economy, addressing our deficit, reforming our immigration system and protecting our national security.

These are the issues that deserve our focus, not a controversy about me. On Sept. 16, when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was unavailable after a grueling week, the White House asked me to appear on five Sunday talk shows to discuss a range of foreign policy issues: the protests against our diplomatic facilities around the world; the attack in Benghazi, Libya; and Iran’s nuclear program.

When discussing Benghazi, I relied on fully cleared, unclassified points provided by the intelligence community, which encapsulated their best current assessment. These unclassified points were consistent with the classified assessments I received as a senior policymaker. It would have been irresponsible for me to substitute any personal judgment for our government’s and wrong to reveal classified material. I made clear in each interview that the information I was providing was preliminary and that ongoing investigations would give us definitive answers. I have tremendous appreciation for our intelligence professionals, who work hard to provide their best assessments based on the information available. Long experience shows that our first accounts of terrorist attacks and other tragedies often evolve over time. The intelligence community did its job in good faith. And so did I.

I have never sought in any way, shape or form to mislead the American people. To do so would run counter to my character and my life of public service. But in recent weeks, new lines of attack have been raised to malign my character and my career. Even before I was nominated for any new position, a steady drip of manufactured charges painted a wholly false picture of me. This has interfered increasingly with my work on behalf of the United States at the United Nations and with America’s agenda.

I grew up in Washington, D.C., and I’ve seen plenty of battles over politics and policy. But a national security appointment, much less a potential one, should never be turned into a political football. There are far bigger issues at stake. So I concluded this distraction has to stop.

Translation: Obama, Hillary Clinton, and others in the administration want the Benghazi scandal to go away. Having Rice under oath during confirmation hearings would be a disaster for Obama and Hillary.

Rice's withdrawal should not put the matter to rest.

It would be a disgrace to allow all the unanswered questions about the Benghazi terrorist attack to remain unanswered. Four Americans were killed. We deserve the truth.
_________________

READ: "Families want to know what happened in Benghazi"

Herb Kohl: 'Buh-Bye'

The Herb Kohl era is drawing to a close.

Kohl is one of those liberal multi-millionaires who could afford to buy a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Wait. Rich Democrats don't do that. Kohl didn't buy his way into the Senate. Only rich Republicans are vilified for doing that. Only rich Republicans are criticized for their financial success. Never Dems.

How many times have you heard the media refer to Kohl as Wisconsin's multi-millionaire senator?

I wonder if Kohl will take his pension. That wouldn't seem right. He doesn't need it. He shouldn't have been accepting a salary from the taxpayers for all these years. He should be spreading his wealth around. Write me a check, Herb. Please?

It's weird the way legislators like Kohl, capitalists, vote against capitalism.

He always managed to wake up from his naps to cast a vote for big government. What a guy!

Well, so long, Herb.

Your seat will be filled by a Leftist that makes you seem like a member of the John Birch Society.

Given the prospect of six years of Tammy Baldwin, I can honestly say you will be missed.

Read Kohl's farewell statement:

Today I delivered my farewell remarks to the United States Senate, and I want to share them with you too. Thank you.


Mr. President, I rise today for one final time to address the Senate. My remarks will be brief. Actually, I just want to say one thing -- thank you.

I wish I could say it with the eloquence of one of my first friends in the Senate, Senator Dale Bumpers, who told his stories and always made his case pacing these aisles like a lion, tethered to his specially-made, extra-long microphone cord -- or with the breadth of vision of the late Senator Robert C. Byrd, who sprinkled his classic Mother’s Day or Fourth of July speeches with memorized poetry and his vast command of history – or with the fire of my dear friend, the late Senator Ted Kennedy, who would bellow to the rafters his passion for the America that could be and call on the Senate to make it so.

What a privilege to serve with such men – and so many other men and women who have made up this body over the last 24 years. You have been friends, advisors, sometimes adversaries – always worthy -- and inspirations. Thank you.

My colleagues in this body are, to a man or woman, thoughtful, hard-working patriots. We don’t always agree -- understandably. But every Senator I have met is pursuing a course that he or she believes is best for the nation and advocating policies that he or she believes are best for their state. And when I have come to any of you with my ideas about what’s best for the nation or for my state, you have listened respectfully, counseled wisely, and helped when you could. Thank you.

The Senate is often referred to as a family, and that is certainly how I feel about my staff, many of whom are gathering today to say our good-byes. Perhaps what I will miss most on leaving the Senate is coming to work every day in Washington and in Wisconsin with such a bright, creative, and dedicated group of people – constantly focused on what’s best for our nation and Wisconsin, challenging and pushing me to be the best Senator I could be. You cannot be a cynic about the future of this country when you work in an office like mine and have the privilege to interact with generations of intelligent, civic-minded, and loyal staffers. So I thank them all – for making a hard job, not just easy, but enjoyable and for serving the people of Wisconsin tirelessly and exceedingly well.

My final thanks go to the extraordinary people of Wisconsin. Thank you for letting me pay back in part the great debt my family owes to the state that took in my immigrant mother and father and allowed our family -- including my brothers Sidney and Allen and our sister Dolores -- to grow and thrive. Thank you for taking a chance on me in that first election 24 years ago and renewing my contract three more times. Thank you for trusting me with your problems and concerns, your hopes and dreams.

Please know that we have listened to you carefully and fought for you always. Every Wisconsinite who wanted it – Democrat or Republican, rich or poor, farmer or city dweller – got full consideration in my office. And whether it was arranging a Capitol tour, finding a lost Social Security check, pushing for legislation to reform the federal dairy program, or reviving the shipbuilding industry in Marinette, Wisconsin -- every Wisconsinite had an ally and an advocate in us.

It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve these 24 years in this hallowed institution, alongside my fellow Senators and my staff, and as the voice of the people of Wisconsin. For that, I thank you all one last time, and I yield the floor.

Harry Belafonte: Throw Republicans in Jail (Video)

I suppose it's not surprising that Harry Belafonte, pal of Hugo Chavez, would recommend that Obama use the tactics of a third world dictator to deal with those opposing him.

From The Blaze:

And apparently, Belafonte thinks his other Left-leaning idol, current President Barack Obama, could stand to learn a few things from Chavez’s example (or someone like him). Speaking on Al Sharpton’s show on MSNBC this week, Belafonte made a strange suggestion about where Obama might want to go with his Presidential powers.

“What fascinates me is that in the face of millions of Americans expressing their desire, the whole political establishment defining its game, that there should be this lingering infestation of really corrupt people, who’re still trying to dismantle the wishes of the people, the mandate that has been given to Barack Obama, and I don’t know what more they want. The only thing left for Barack Obama to do is to work like a third world dictator and put all these people in jail. They’re violating the American desire!” Belafonte said.

Granted, the tone Belafonte took during the final section implied that the comment might have been a joke, but with a supporter of actual third world dictators, one never knows. In any case, it is less than clear what Belafonte means by the “American desire,” though his “infestation of really corrupt people” seems an obvious reference to the “right wing” Sharpton mentions when setting up the response.

If a conservative suggested tossing the "infestation" of Leftists in jail, he would be crucified by the media.

Yes, Belafonte is an elderly man. Perhaps it's dementia talking and he should be cut some slack. If that's the case, and Belafonte's advanced age is to blame, he should not be on MSNBC, yapping about Obama jailing his opposition.

If Belafonte is in full control of his faculties, he's the enemy of freedom.

Here's video:

Lincoln: Golden Globes

Spielberg's been nominated for 7 Golden Globes for "Lincoln". That's amazing. Heretofore Lincoln has not done that well in theaters.

— Dennis Miller Show (@DennisDMZ) December 13, 2012

Jeanine Tracy: 'Punk Ass Bitch' (Video)

A "Victory Vigil" was held for Jeanine Tracy on Tuesday.

From FOX6 News:

First he was fired, then reinstated. Now, MPD Officer Richard Schoen has been permanently discharged following a contentious meeting held by Milwaukee’s Fire and Police Commission on Tuesday morning, December 11th. On Tuesday night, the woman at the center of the debate, Jeanine Tracy, thanked supporters for helping overturn the FPC’s decision.

Schoen was fired by Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn, after he was seen on dashcam video punching Tracy, then dragging her out of a squad car by her hair in an MPD garage. Schoen told the Commission panel he was afraid Tracy would bite him or spit on him. Chief Flynn told the panel Schoen lost control.

After the Commission’s unanimous decision to remove Schoen from the force on Tuesday morning, Tracy told FOX6 News she feels justice has been served. However, she said she couldn’t say whether she feels safer with Schoen off the force.

Tracy’s supporters celebrated a small victory on Tuesday night with a “Victory Vigil” near Milwaukee’s City Hall.

“This sends a big message. It’s a positive message,” organizer Tracey Dent said.

The battle that began with dashcam video showing Schoen punching Tracy in the back of a squad car, ended outside City Hall, as Tracy thanked those who fought for Schoen’s discharge.

“It seems like it made people open their eyes, their minds and their hearts to the situation that’s been taking place,” Tracy said.

Tracy said Schoen’s removal from the force doesn’t necessarily make her feel safer.

“I feel a little safer, but I don’t know if he have friends who work for him. I don’t know if I’m safe or whatever. I think it’s gonna take a little bit more for me to kinda feel better,” Tracy said.

Tracy said she’s just focused on moving forward.

Watching the FOX6 story, one gets the feeling that Tracy is a saint.

While NO CITIZEN SHOULD BE ABUSED BY A POLICE OFFICER AS TRACY WAS, let's not rewrite history. Let's be realisitc.

There seems to be an effort by the media to give Tracy an extreme makeover.

Here's a photo of Tracy celebrating the decision to remove Schoen from the Milwaukee police force:



Heartwarming, isn't it?

From Sykes Writes:

In case you haven't watched it, watch the same woman's behavior while in police custody: spitting, kicking, swearing, screaming at the officers "Punk ass bitch! Punk ass motherf*cking white bitches!"

At one point she tells her daughter to stop cooperating with the officers. "You ain't gotta talk to them. You a minor. F*ck them!"

She repeatedly yells at the officer: "Shut up, bitch!"

"You will be hearing about this. Shut up bitch. Shut the f*ck up. You punk ass bitch."

Watch Jeanine Tracy. Listen to her. She's not a hero.



I have never spit at another person in my life. NEVER. I most definitely have been treated unjustly. I have been extremely angry, but I have never behaved like that.

Then again, I've never been arrested. Maybe I shouldn't judge.

Steven Crowder Assaulted by Union Thugs (Video)

Watch the video of Steven Crowder being attacked by crazed union thugs in Michigan:



Good Lord!

These union thugs are a threat to a civil society.

And what do we get from the White House in response to the violence? Evasion from Jay Carney, naturally.

Here's video of Crowder discussing the assault with Sean Hannity.
Crowder gave his firsthand account of the ordeal. Crowder said, “I’m not that hurt.

Listen, it was more mentally shaking to see this happen. It was more upsetting to get home and see my wife so upset. I went out there and leftists right now are saying that I deserved the beating that I got, completely physically unprovoked. […] The reason for that is that I did go in and apparently I provoked it by asking them why they were against right-to-work.”

Addressing the person who punched him, Crowder said, “I am issuing an ultimatum right now. They are trying to find this man who assaulted me, find this man who assaulted other people. And you have a choice, you can come forward, I’ll press charges, you’ll go to jail. Or since you wanted to cheap shot me, we can host a bout in a sanctioned, legalized MMA competition, where the winner will get the money to go to the charity of his choice. So all of this money that’s been raised to have this man prosecuted and put in jail, I will match that and donate it to the union of his choice.”

Sean Hannity asked Crowder why he didn’t fight back while he was being attacked. Crowder said he knew it would prove nothing and he truly believes that if he had defended himself, “they would’ve killed me where I stood.”

You'd think the media would be all over this - video of an unprovoked attack on a reporter.

They would be all over it if Crowder shared their liberal views.


________________

(I would embed the video but Google/Blogger will not support FOX News videos. I'm sure the Google Leftists support the man who physically attacked Crowder.)

Aaron Rodgers Day 12/12/12

Today is Blake Seidl's 12th birthday. He's 12 on 12/12/12.

Happy Golden Birthday, Blake!

Of course, today is also Aaron Rodgers Day.

To most people, Wednesday will just be a quirky date: Dec. 12, 2012, or 12-12-12. But to Packers fans, the number 12 carries special meaning.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers wears No. 12. So earlier this year the state Legislature designated the day Aaron Rodgers Day in honor of the Super Bowl winner and last year's MVP.

Some public and private businesses are encouraging their employees to wear Rodgers jerseys Wednesday. Others are encouraging $12 donations to the MACC Fund charity. A Green Bay mall is offering special deals, including $20 Aaron Rodgers T-shirts for $12.

Rodgers has said he prefers to deflect personal attention to his team, but he was honored by the proclamation.

Watch Blake's Aaron Rodgers Day rap:



Lyrics:

Hey, Hey Aaron, my name is Blake, come join me for some birthday cake. Wait, I'm turning 12 and it's my golden, heading to GB to be close to the frozen, going to Curly's want to head that way, it's the way I spend Aaron Rodger's day. Hey, it's your day, but it's also mine, cause I'm turning 12 and I'm feelin fine. Gonna wear this jersey, cause I'm feelin' proud, gonna represent and shout it out loud...hey, hey....Aaron Rodgers Day, hey, hey ...Aaron Rodgers day, hey, hey............

I love it!

Elmo: Fourth Accuser

Kevin Clash, the man who brought the beloved Elmo to life on Sesame Street, is facing another lawsuit for having sex with a minor.

From the New York Post:

The fourth man to accuse “Sesame Street" puppeteer Kevin Clash of inappropriate sexual contact says the older man couldn’t get it up when the two were getting it on in Clash’s New York City pad around 1995, according the alleged victim’s civil lawsuit filed today in Manhattan Federal Court.

At the time, Clash, then 35, blamed his penis problems on an unspecified “medical condition,” the lawsuit said.

The accuser, who is now in his 30s, said he was around 16 when he met Clash walking on a Miami beach and that the pair kept in touch over the phone.

After learning that the accuser had problems at home and wanted to run away, Clash, the squeaky voice of Elmo, promised to “be a dad” to him and lured him to the city “with promises to pay for his plane ticket ... and give him cash and a free place to stay,” the lawsuit said. The accuser was allegedly sexually abused after visiting Clash.

Innocent until proven guilty, of course. But, this is really scandalous.

Usually, when a public figure is involved in something as salacious as this, it's not ignored in monologues on late night talk shows. It's fodder for jokes.

For some reason, Kevin Clash is being spared. I haven't heard Jay Leno or Jimmy Fallon do a single joke about Elmo, the child abuser. Not one.

If Clash worked for FOX News, the Leftist comedians would be having a field day.

PSY and Obama

PSY, a South Korean rapper, has the most viewed video on YouTube of all time, "Gangham Style."

With 927,775,993 views, it's closing in on one billion.

I don't get it. I've always thought it was incredibly annoying and stupid.

But, Obama likes the guy. In fact, Obama likes PSY so much that he performed at the "Christmas in Washington" concert.



Good grief.

This is worse than just a goof performing for Obama at a Christmas concert.

PSY supports the killing of Americans, members of the military and civilians. He wishes we die slowly and painfully.

Long before Korean star PSY got America to dance “Gangnam Style,” he had a different rap: Urging the torture and murder of Americans.

“Kill those f---ing Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives,” PSY rapped on a South Korean band’s 2004 song, “Dear Americans.”

And more vile verses followed:

“Kill those f---ing Yankees who ordered them to torture.”

“Kill their daughters, mothers, daughters-in-law and fathers.”

“Kill them all slowly and painfully.”

Truly disgusting.

To assuage the justifiable concern about PSY being given a forum at a Christmas event with the president in attendance, he released a statement, an apology, last Friday.

"As a proud South Korean who was educated in the United States and lived there for a very significant part of my life, I understand the sacrifices American servicemen and women have made to protect freedom and democracy in my country and around the world. The song I featured on in question from eight years ago -- was part of a deeply emotional reaction to the war in Iraq and the killing of two Korean schoolgirls that was part of the overall antiwar sentiment shared by others around the world at that time. While I’m grateful for the freedom to express one's self, I’ve learned there are limits to what language is appropriate and I’m deeply sorry for how these lyrics could be interpreted. I will forever be sorry for any pain I have caused by those words.

I have been honored to perform in front of American soldiers in recent months -- including an appearance on the Jay Leno show specifically for them -- and I hope they and all Americans can accept my apology. While it’s important that we express our opinions, I deeply regret the inflammatory and inappropriate language I used to do so. In my music, I try to give people a release, a reason to smile. I have learned that thru music, our universal language we can all come together as a culture of humanity and I hope that you will accept my apology."

Why is it that PSY is forgiven for performing a song about TORTURING and KILLING Americans and Obama embraces him without hesitation, while Obama vilifies Mitt Romney as an animal abuser?

When it comes to killing Americans in the military and their families, Obama and his fellow Leftists are willing to let bygones be bygones.

Come and celebrate Christmas with us, PSY.

Sick.

Obama is a disgrace. PSY, too.

Obama and the Fiscal Cliff

We know Obama is prepared to go over the fiscal cliff.

He's not negotiating with Republicans. Obama just wants it to look that way.

The clueless will buy his BS lines and Obama can blame Republicans for his mess.

Obama - good; Republicans - bad.

Under Obama's "tax the rich" plan, the fiscal crisis wouldn't be averted. That's a total joke. It's not a plan at all.

Amid all the political and media hoopla about the "fiscal cliff" crisis, there are a few facts that are worth noting.

First of all, despite all the melodrama about raising taxes on "the rich," even if that is done it will scarcely make a dent in the government's financial problems. Raising the tax rates on everybody in the top two percent will not get enough additional tax revenue to run the government for ten days.

It's disgusting that Obama is lying to the American people and the Leftist media are allowing him to get away with it. They're enabling the deception.

And what will the government do to pay for the other 355 days in the year?

All the political angst and moral melodrama about getting "the rich" to pay "their fair share" is part of a big charade. This is not about economics, it is about politics. Taxing "the rich" will produce a drop in the bucket when compared to the staggering and unprecedented deficits of the Obama administration.

No previous administration in the entire history of the nation ever finished the year with a trillion dollar deficit. The Obama administration has done so every single year. Yet political and media discussions of the financial crisis have been focussed overwhelmingly on how to get more tax revenue to pay for past and future spending.

The very catchwords and phrases used by the Obama administration betray how phony this all is. For example, "We are just asking the rich to pay a little more."

This is an insult to our intelligence. The government doesn't "ask" anybody to pay anything. It orders you to pay the taxes they impose and you can go to prison if you don't.

Obama should be honest and quit distorting reality.

He should tell the American people that his plan to soak the rich will be utterly ineffective. It's all smoke and mirrors.

Obama should tell the truth.

The real cliff he's leading us over is so much deeper than he's willing to admit.

Sushi Sale

Scary. twitter.com/SirPatStew/sta…

— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) December 9, 2012

Yuck!

SNL: John Boehner, Obama, Fiscal Cliff (Video)

Saturday Night Live opened with a bit mocking Speaker of the House John Boehner.

He was depicted as weak, a helpless victim, a buffoon.

Why not mock Obama, the real bully?

That won't happen until hell freezes over.

Hell is guaranteed not to freeze for four years.

Here's video.

Cudahy High School: Suicide and Bullying

Fifteen-year-old Alida Guerrero killed herself.

She's the third Cudahy High School student to commit suicide in 13 months.

In Alida's case, her family says that she was bullied severely, leading to her death. According to her family, school officials failed to respond appropriately when they brought the bullying to their attention.

From FOX6 News:

“She dressed Tom-boyish and I know the girl was making fun of her saying she was a lesbian, her and her friends were lesbians because she didn’t come to school in high heels and skirts every day,” said Tatjana Guerrero, the older sister of Alida Guerrero. “I’d do anything to have her back and it’s just hard that I have to think about my life without her.”

The family says they contacted school officials several times about the taunts and threats directed at Elida Guerrero, but they said the were not satisfied with how the school responded.

“They just say walk away walk away that’s all they say,” said Tatjana Guerrero.

...“Who knows how many other children at this point right now are walking around being bullied that may have these thoughts on their mind and nothing is being done,” said Rita Mendez, the grandmother of Alida Guerrero.

Here's video:



Video from TMJ4:

Those who knew Alida Guerrero are angry with school officials who they claim knew about the bullying, but didn't do enough to stop it.

They say they want to see a policy change at the school and they want to see someone held accountable for not taking action.

Guerrero's father, Chris, tells Today's TMJ4's Todd Hicks that he spoke with school administrators a number of times about the situation, and they suggested he put his daughter in another school district.

Chris Guerrero says that wasn't a good option, considering their home's proximity to Cudahy High School.

What really happened here?

Who knows?

If administrators did behave as the Guerrero family says, I can understand why Alida's family and friends would be demanding that Cudahy High School officials be held accountable for their failure to address the bullying.

No student should be told to switch schools because other students are acting like thugs and mistreating her.

That's not an anti-bullying policy. That's completely avoiding the problem.

Sadly, Alida chose to take her own life. She made that choice. She killed herself. She chose to die. It's very, very sad. My heart goes out to her family and friends as they attempt to come to terms with what happened.

The reality is Alida is responsible for her actions.

The school officials and the bullies are responsible for their actions as well.

Alida was being tormented. It's simple. The cruel, despicable people doing the bullying should not be permitted to torture others at school.

Why is that so difficult for school staff to understand?

They blame the victim rather than punish the torturers. That's wrong.

Why do they blame the abused?

It's easier that way.

Yeah, just ignore the bullying or switch schools. That's the solution.

No.

The solution is for the adults, the alleged professional educators, to take the matter seriously.

No happy, healthy person relentlessly bullies another person. Harassing someone is a truly sick thing to do. Taking pleasure in daily mocking and harassment is not something a decent, moral person with a well-developed conscience would do.

These thugs should be tossed out of the school. Their cruelty should not be tolerated or dismissed by the adults. They are completely in the wrong.

There are students at Cudahy High School who know they tortured Alida.

Parents of Cudahy High School students, did your kid take part in the bullying of Alida or other kids? Whether the parents know it or not, their children are conscienceless thugs. That's not something parents would want to admit, that they raised children who enjoy making others suffer.

Yes, it's much easier to just blame the victim and ignore the seriousness of the abuse. I don't buy the "kids will be kids" crap. Cruelty and abuse is unacceptable behavior.

Now that Alida is dead, will the heartless, anti-social punks find a new target?

It's highly likely if what Alida's father says is true. Apparently, extreme bullying seems to be tolerated by the staff at Cudahy High School.

That's a disgrace.

Everyone must held accountable for their actions.

I don't know how bullies and their enablers can live with themselves.

It must be easy to live without a conscience.

___________________

Read: "Is Bullying a Real Problem in Cudahy?" by Heather Liban.

John Lennon: 32 Years Ago Today

John Lennon
October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980

_________________

John Lennon Interview with Tom Snyder, 1975, Part 1



John Lennon Interview with Tom Snyder, 1975, Part 2



Tomorrow with Tom Synder, night after John Lennon's murder, 1980

Pearl Harbor: 71 Years Ago

Seventy-one years ago

Today marks the 71st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

On a quiet Sunday morning December 7, 1941, a Japanese surprise air attack left the Pacific Fleet in smoldering heaps of broken, twisted steel. Here, peace was interrupted and paradise lost. In hours, 2,390 futures were stolen, half of these casualties from the battleship Arizona.

Behind the shadows of destroyed airfields, aircraft, and ships, America fought fear, and a determined enemy responding with an unrivaled war effort. An epic battle for democratic ideals and world freedom would bloody the fields of Europe and the islands of the Pacific over the next four years.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

Listen to FDR.

St. Nicholas Day

Today is the feast of St. Nicholas.

We always celebrate. It's a family tradition.

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Nicholas, An Advent Saint

Advent is the time when Christians prepare to greet Christ—who came as a babe in a manger, who comes into our lives each day, and who will come again at the end of time. Advent is the time when people of faith are most at odds with the culture. The church calls people to focus on getting ready to receive Christ—preparing hearts and lives to make room for Jesus, to live as he would have us live. It is a time of longing, not fulfillment. Quiet reflection, not celebration. The culture, however, is already in a time of festivity, unable or unwilling, to wait and contemplate and prepare for the real festival. It is not easy to observe Advent without being pulled prematurely into Christmas.

How does St. Nicholas fit into all of this? He is an Advent saint because his December 6th feast day always falls in early Advent (Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas between November 27 and December 3). However, Nicholas is a good Advent saint for more important reasons than the date of his special day. Whatever he did, and it is said that he did many kinds of amazing things, may not be as important as the way he did it. Nicholas became so popular because he was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. His life clearly reflected the way each one of us is called to show God's love to others, especially those in need.

Celebrating St. Nicholas on his day in Advent brings a bit of fun and festivity into homes, churches, and schools. His small treats and surprises help keep the spirit of good St. Nicholas, especially when stories of his goodness and kind deeds are told and ways to express his care for those in need are sought. Saint Nicholas helps us remember Christmas is a feast of love, hope, kindness and generosity. Yes, Nicholas is a good Advent saint.

St. Nicholas Celebrations in Wisconsin

From WLUK:



St. Nicholas and American Christmas Customs

St. Nicholas Customs Around the World



HAPPY ST. NICK'S DAY!

Dave Brubeck R.I.P

Dave Brubeck passed away this morning.

Dave Brubeck, a jazz musician who attained pop-star acclaim with recordings such as "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo a la Turk," died Wednesday morning at Norwalk Hospital, in Norwalk, Conn., said his longtime manager-producer-conductor Russell Gloyd.

Brubeck was one day short of his 92nd birthday. He died of heart failure, en route to "a regular treatment with his cardiologist,” said Gloyd.

Throughout his career, Brubeck defied conventions long imposed on jazz musicians. The tricky meters he played in “Take Five” and other works transcended standard conceptions of swing rhythm.

The extended choral/symphonic works he penned and performed around the world took him well outside the accepted boundaries of jazz. And the concerts he brought to colleges across the country in the 1950s shattered the then-long-held notion that jazz had no place in academia.

..."For as long as I’ve been playing jazz, people have been trying to pigeonhole me,” he once told the Tribune.

"Frankly, labels bore me."

Rest in Peace.

Mayan Apocalypse and NASA

NASA: Mayan apocalypse rumors a threat to depressive teens. NASA took us to space against all odds,now demoted to HS guidance counselor.

— Dennis Miller Show (@DennisDMZ) December 4, 2012

Funny, but also depressing that it has come to this.

I don't need an approaching apocalypse to feel down.

Apocalypse Now.

Once upon a time, there was a great country called America....