ARRA News Service

Dr. Bill, the Ozark Guru, FHK WebWarrior

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:26:22 PDT

The ARRA News Service editor Dr. Bill Smith was featured by Fort Hard Knox™ (FHK™) as a "Webwarrior" in their July 8th newsletter and on their website. Jenn's at Tech Tips writes:

This week’s featured WebWarrior is Bill Smith, known as the “Ozark Guru,” by some, and “Dr. Bill” by others. I’ve had the honor of knowing Dr. Bill for over a year, and never cease to be amazed by his dedication and tireless energy in working to promote, as he writes on his blog, ARRA News Service:
“…God, family & country…the rights of citizens under the US Constitution, traditional family values, Republican principles/ideals, transparent & limited government, free markets, & individual freedom.”
Dr. Bill has been a strong supporter of the Ft. Hard Knox project, and we are so thankful. His blog, the ARRA News Service blog is a state blog that has gone national, and gained in popularity because of it’s frequent, well-written, well-documented informational and perspective posts. He has effectively used feeds, a newsletter, and various social networks to extend his influence, establish and grow his web presence and SEO, and bring traffic to his site. His hard work has earned him a Google Page Rank of 5/10 (very impressive for an individual state blogger!).

In between blog posts, Dr. Bill supports over 40 Ning Networks, including Sheridan Folger’s Sovereignty Alliance, which has been a huge promoter of the recent Tea Parties, and state sovereignty movements.

The Ozark Guru is also very active on Facebook, with nearly 1,200 Facebook friends, and on Twitter @arra with nearly 6,000 followers. Dr. Bill is also the National Political Director for Conservative Solutions / Let’s Get this Right (also on Facebook, and on Twitter Groups).

The Ozark Guru is also active in promoting conservatism many other places – online and offline – far too many to list here. We at Ft. Hard Knox wish to thank him for his continued service to our country, and for his enduring support of us and so many other conservatives. We also wish to honor him for his incredible work online.

FHK™ works to assist politically-conservative bloggers, social-networkers, and citizen journalists to navigate the wild, wild world of Web 2.0 more effectively. They strive to provide a place for conservatives to write and publish, a place for collaboration and discussion, and a means to reference news and information important to conservatives online on an as-needed basis. They also provide training and consultation services for politically-active conservatives wanting to expand online, and network more effectively.

Today in Washington D. C. - July 14, 2009 - Senate Reviews Judge Sonia Sotomayor

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:39:52 PDT

The Senate will resume consideration of the fiscal 2010 Defense authorization bill, S. 1390. The bill would authorize $679.8 billion in military funding. There is a pending amendment to S.1390 Armed Services Committee Chair Carl Levin (D-MI) and ranking member John McCain (R-AZ) to cut $1.75 billion for F-22 procurement.

Yesterday, the Senate voted 76-15 to invoke cloture on the nomination of Robert Groves to be census director. He was subsequently confirmed by voice vote.

At 9:30 this morning, the Judiciary Committee resumed hearings on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court. Today’s hearing will feature the first, and potentially second, round of questioning of the nominee. Each senator will have 30 minutes to question Judge Sotomayor. Questioning will likely continue Wednesday. On Thursday, and possibly Friday, witnesses for and against Judge Sotomayor will be heard from, including Frank Ricci of the New Haven Fire Department.

Judge Sotomayor opening remarks (The following comments were provided by a Senate Republican staff member):

In Judge Sotomayor’s opening statement yesterday, she made a number of statements about her approach to judging that seem to be contradicted by things she’s said in the past. In particular, there are concerns about her statements concerning her declaration of “fidelity to the law,” how her personal experiences will affect her rulings, and her views on impartiality.

Judge Sotomayor also said, “In the past month, many senators have asked me about my judicial philosophy. It is simple: fidelity to the law. The task of a judge is not to make the law – it is to apply the law.” Yet this seems to conflict with her famous statement in 2005 at Duke University that “Court of Appeals is where policy is made.” So is her judicial philosophy fidelity to the existing law, or that the court is the proper place to make policy?

Judge Sotomayor also sought to address how her personal experiences affect her work as a judge. She said, “My personal and professional experiences help me listen and understand, with the law always commanding the result in every case.” But in 2003, she said, “…My experiences will affect the facts I choose to see as a judge… I accept there will be some [differences] based on my gender and my Latina heritage.” So do her experiences “affect the facts [she] choose[s] to see” or will the law command the result?

On the topic of a judge’s impartiality, Judge Sotomayor said yesterday, “…I seek to strengthen both the rule of law and faith in the impartiality of our justice system.” However, during the 1990s, she claimed that “[T]here is ‘no objective stance but only a series of perspectives. . . .” She also said that the “aspiration to impartiality” “is just that, an aspiration . . . .” So does she believe that impartiality is simply an aspiration, or that it is fundamental to our system of justice?

As the hearings continue today, Senate Republicans will be looking for explanations on these seeming contradictions. They will also be looking at whether it’s really the case, as she said yesterday, that her career as an advocate ended when she became a judge. Her record on the Ricci case and her rulings on campaign finance reform call that into question, as Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell discussed yesterday. Sen. McConnell said, “Boiled down, my concern is this: that Judge Sotomayor’s record suggests a history of allowing her personal and political beliefs to seep into her judgments on the bench, which has repeatedly resulted in unequal treatment for those who stand before her.” Republicans will be looking for her explanations on all of this today.

Sonia Sotomayor's Compelling Life Story

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:00:01 PDT

by William Warren:

Patients First - Vote No on Government Run Health Care

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:46:30 PDT

Hands Off My Healthcare - Sign the Petition Today! Government has already controls the financial and automotive sectors, and is perilously close to command of controlling energy through a cap and trade tax. Their next target is health care and we must come together and defend the patient – doctor relationship. We shouldn’t have to wait months for quality care. We shouldn’t be denied care and be told that our care is too expensive. Because when you have a health crisis, delay and denial of care by a bureaucrat is not health care reform. President Obama is using every tool at his disposal to pressure OUR REPRESENTATIVES about his vision for your health care.

YOU must let them know where you stand! Sign the "Hands Off My Healthcare" petition at www.joinPatientsFirst.com which sends a letter directly to YOUR REPRESENTATIVE.

ACORN Census Counting

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:43:45 PDT

by William Warren:

Congress Passing a Bill in 20 Seconds

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:12:10 PDT

H/T to the Institute for Truth in Accounting:

"The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem." ~ Milton Friedman

Today in Washington D. C. - July 13, 2009 - Confirmation News of ACORN Groves Overshadowed by Judge Sotomayor Sexist Comment

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:30:54 PDT

Senate will reconvene at 11 AM today and begin consideration of the fiscal 2010 Defense authorization bill, S. 1390. The bill would authorize $679.8 billion in military funding. At 4:30 PM, the Senate will begin debate on the nomination of Robert Groves to be Census director, followed by a cloture vote at 5:30. [Robert Groves who wants ACORN to help do the census.]

At 10 this morning, the Judiciary Committee began hearings on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court. Most of the day today will be taken up by opening statements from senators, Judge Sotomayor’s introduction, and her own opening statement. Questioning of Judge Sotomayor will begin on Tuesday, and likely continue into Wednesday. On Thursday, and possibly Friday, witnesses for and against Judge Sotomayor will be heard from, including Frank Ricci of the New Haven Fire Department.

Senate Republicans are looking to have a respectful hearing, but have serious questions about the judicial philosophies espoused by both President Obama and Judge Sotomayor. Americans want to be assured that Judge Sotomayor and any future nominees from President Obama will be committed to the principle engraved above the entrance to the Supreme Court, “Equal Justice Under Law.” Among the issues that Republicans will be looking for Judge Sotomayor to explain her thoughts on are President Obama’s so-called “empathy standard,” and her approach to the Ricci v. DeStfano case.

There has been much discussion of Judge Sotomayor’s remarks at Berkeley where she said, “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.” Notice, she did not say "Latino male" or "African American male or woman," etc. Her comment is beyond being apparent that it was both sexist and racially motivated.

Though Democrats have sought to downplay these comments, it’s since come to light that she’s made similar statements repeatedly over the years, ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), pointed out today in his opening statement. “[T]he nominee did not misspeak. She is on record making this statement at least five times over the course of a decade. These are her own words, spoken well before her nomination. They are not taken out of context.”

Also at issue is Sotomayor’s ruling against a group of white and Hispanic firefighters from New Haven, CT, who sued because they were denied promotion because the city thought not enough minority candidates had passed the promotion test. Sen. McConnell explained the issue, saying: “[A]ll nine Justices on the Supreme Court said that Judge Sotomayor got the law wrong. She ruled that the government can intentionally discriminate against one group on the basis of race if it dislikes the outcome of a race-neutral exam and claims that another group may sue it. Or, as Judge Cabranes put it, under her approach, employers can ‘reject the results of an employment examination whenever those results failed to yield a desired racial outcome, i.e., failed to satisfy a racial quota.’”

Sen. Sessions drilled down to the key question about the case in his opening statement: “Judge Sotomayor has said that she accepts that her opinions, sympathies, and prejudices will affect her rulings. Could it be that her time as a leader of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund provides a clue as to her decision against the firefighters?” Sen. McConnell said, “It is an admirable quality to be a zealous advocate for your clients and the causes in which you believe. But judges are supposed to be passionate advocates for the even-handed reading and fair application of the law, not their own policies and preferences.” As Sen. Sessions pointed out today, it is the Senate’s job to determine whether Judge Sotomayor meeds this standard.

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:01:26 PDT

Ken Shepherd, News Busters: CBS's July 12 "Sunday Morning" program aired a nearly 3-minute-long video of Martha Gillis, whose nephew, 1st Lt. Brian Bradshaw, was one of the soldiers killed on June 25. In the video, Gillis criticized the media for its lack of coverage. NewsBusters has noted the evening newscasts for ABC, CBS, and NBC gave Michael Jackson's death 20 times the coverage of Bradshaw and the other six soldiers.
Bill Smith. ARRA News Service: Fox News and CNN also failed miserably! I salute 1Lt. Brian Bradshaw for his service and sacrifice. Thank you Matha Gillis for speaking out. CBS you got this right this time by allowing CBS "Sunday Morning" to share Martha's opinion video.

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:04:54 PDT

Hearings start today, brace yourself.
It's going to be a bumpy ride.
See also: Sessions calls Sotomayor 'prejudiced'
Sotomayor hearing open and Sessions comes out swinging.
H/T Lucianne.com Media Inc.

NOTHING! Biden - "People are being scamed already!"

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:24:34 PDT

The GOP and Republicans in Congress are beginning to aggressively take on the Democrats and their failed policies. The RNC is running the below online ad pointing out the economic failures thus far in Obama’s term. In the ad, the RNC notes the rising unemployment rate and shows a clip of President Obama responding to a question regarding the “stimulus,” saying, “There’s nothing we would have done differently.” The ad also includes recent news reports about wasteful stimulus spending and a quote from Vice President Biden admitting that the Democrats “misread the economy.” The Obama administration is devoting $18 million dollars to create a government website to show Americans just where their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent. This is unreal and outrageous. Would you even believe the "biased thought control police?"

The Big Government Wrecking Ball

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:04:47 PDT

by William Warren:

Congress Considers Politicized Bullying Bill

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:06:38 PDT

by Nima Reza, CitizenLink: The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a so-called bullying bill that would require public schools to spell out special categories in their discipline policies, including "sexual orientation" and "gender identity." Family advocates say it will pave the way for a pro-homosexual, adult-driven agenda in public schools. The name of the bill is Safe Schools Improvement Act. Focus on the Family's Education Analyst Candi Cushman explained that there is a way to deal with the issue in a fair and objective way, without sexualizing and politicizing the school environment. Read More

The Graying World Population

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:46:49 PDT

by Kerby Anderson, Point of View: The world's population is graying, and that will have major implications for many countries around the world, including the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the world 65-and-older population will triple by mid-century to 1 in 6 people. While this will be a challenge for the United States to support the elderly, it will be devastating for many other developed countries as well as developing countries.

The reason for the graying of the world's population is two-fold: declining birthrates and medical advances that have extended life spans. The fastest growing age group is seniors, who presently comprise about 8 percent of the world’s population.

The percentage of seniors in the United States is about 13%, but the number will double by the middle of this century. This is due in large part to the baby boom generation (born between 1946 and 1964) entering retirement age. In previous commentaries, I have talked about the strain baby boomers will put on current workers and entitlement programs.

But the challenge in other countries will be much greater. Japan has been known as the land of the rising sun, but there is growing evidence that the sun is actually setting on Japan. A few years ago (2005), Japan entered into a phase of decline in which there were more deaths than births within the country. It is a country that allows few immigrants, has few minorities, and has no desire for any. For the rest of this century, we will see Japan continue to age and fall into decline. It appears that nothing will be able to pull it up from its demographic death spiral.

China is also facing a crisis, brought on by its one-child policy. Their current ratio of 16 elderly people per 100 workers will double by 2025, and than double again by mid-century. Given the current economic conditions and government policies, it is likely that millions of older Chinese will fall into poverty in coming years.

As we face the challenges of an aging population, we should be grateful that our challenges are less than those faced in other countries. Once again, demography is destiny. I’m Kerby Anderson, and that’s my point of view. [ARRA News Service Note: so with aging global population and decline in birth rates in many countries, America's current administration plans to export the funding of abortion to the world.]

Democrats Advance Universal & Global Health Care Abortion Agenda

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:20:28 PDT

On Thurday, in the key Senate health committee the Senate Democratic leadership's goal of universal abortion coverage at taxpayer expense was front and center when Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) introduced an amendment that moved health care "reform" one step closer to forcing taxpayers to pay for abortions for the first time in 30 years. Mikulski amendment would insure that organizations like Planned Parenthood were included in the government plan. Sen. Orrin Hatch raised an objection about taxpayer funded abortion. Sen. Mikulski appeared to have been caught with her hand in the cookie jar - view video -->

Supporters of the President's government takeover of health care have been very careful to not mention the word abortion. They use terms like family planning and reproductive healthcare, but it is becoming harder for them to hide the fact that under a government takeover of health care, taxpayers would be forced to fund abortion for the first time in over 3 decades.

While more concerns have been raised that some treatments may not be available to some people, the supporters of this government takeover are intent on making sure abortion is not left out. Think about it, while you or your children or elderly parents may be denied certain treatments or procedures, your tax dollars will underwrite Planned Parenthood, in taking the lives of unborn children. Unfortunately, Mikulski's amendment to include abortion coverage in the bill passed by a razor-thin margin (11-12). Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) was the only Democrat to stand his ground and vote for life. Please go to Clear Conscience Health Care and sign the petition to help make sure your tax dollars do not fund abortion. Your voice and others can still make a difference!

Also, the Senate Appropriations Committee moved a State/Foreign Operations bill to the floor, voting 29-1 on a measure that would provide $628.5 million for "family planning" (i.e. abortion) programs--including $50 million for the U.N. Population Fund. Our tax money being used to reduce Population growth by funding abortion! The Committee also adopted an amendment by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) that would make permanent President Obama's giving tax dollars to groups that promote abortion overseas. Only Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) voted to stop the U.S. from exporting abortion since Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and George Voinovich (D-OH) refused to vote anything but "present." America is now on the verge of taxing it's citizens to pay for abortions (killing babies) in other countries. Exporting federal funds for abortions; while running up the national debt on Americans. What a wonderful contribution by America to the world! Satire intended!

Gov. Sarah Palin: 'I'm not a quitter'

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:30:00 PDT

CNN INTERVIEW 7/6/09 Video:
Gov. Palin is a fighter (barracuda), not a quitter!

Hate Speech Bill Limiting Freedom of Speech?

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:00:05 PDT

Senate is trying to abridge 1st Amendment - Free Speech.
Also abridging double jeopardy! Listen closely!

John Rep. Boozman: Stop Talk of Second Stimulus

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:55:51 PDT

by U.S. Rep. John Boozman (R-AR): Like many of you, I am concerned with the manner in which Washington is spending the hard earned tax dollars of American workers and families. I have fought against President Obama and Nancy Pelosi's spending spree, voting against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

It is very disconcerting to see and read media reports White House officials are open to the possibility of a second economic stimulus. A second stimulus implies there was a first, but the reality is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was no more than a spending bill. To many of us, the lack of job creation and the pace with which the money is being spent is not a surprise. Job creation needed to be the focus, not spending. Private business, not big government will put Americans back to work.

The Obama Administration, Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid promised that their trillion-dollar 'stimulus' would create jobs "immediately" and unemployment would not rise above eight percent. Unfortunately, that hasn't been true. In June alone, almost half a million jobs were lost, driving unemployment to 9.5 percent, its highest level in almost three decades.

Middle-class families, small businesses and Washington are all wondering the same thing - where are the jobs that we were promised this legislation would create? In almost five months since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was approved, spending is slow and job creation is minimal. A report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) shows the 'stimulus' isn't working as quickly as Democratic leaders assured us. This validates many concerns I had and many of the same concerns you shared with me prior to passage of this legislation; government spending is not the answer to jumpstart our economy.

Less than a month after President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Speaker Pelosi was already talking about a possible need for a second stimulus and Appropriations Chairman Dave Obey (D-WI) told his staff to begin drafting a second stimulus proposal. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) recently said on Fox News Sunday that he doesn't "think anybody can honestly say that we're satisfied with the results so far of the stimulus" and left open the possibility of a second stimulus. It is hard to believe that after rushing a $1 trillion stimulus bill through Congress, Democrat leaders are ready to borrow more taxpayer dollars.

Let's hope that if a second stimulus is developed, it will stimulate the economy, not just spend taxpayer dollars on projects that have little to no impact on American job creation. I think there will be much more resistance from Americans who just want their money back. I am committed to ensuring Arkansans and all Americans have quality jobs to provide for their families, but like the first stimulus, I'm not optimistic a second stimulus would have far better results.

Blue Dog Democrats & Nationalized Health Care

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:11:18 PDT

by Robert Roman0, Senior Editor of ALG News Bureau: There's blue blood in the water. Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR-CD4), chairman of the Blue Dog Health Care Task Force, dropped a bombshell yesterday on Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi's plans to implement a so-called public "option" for health care.

Ross stated that if the House Majority brings their bill to the floor as proposed, an "overwhelming majority" of his 52 member coalition would vote against it. As well they should, a group that claims that their "top priority will be to refocus Congress on truly balancing the budget and ridding taxpayers of the burden the national debt places on them."

Congressman Ross' statement is encouraging, but it needs to be backed up by action to defeat any proposal that threatens to bankrupt the nation by creating another unsustainable entitlement. With the national debt now soaring above $11.4 trillion, unfunded liabilities in Medicare and Social Security totaling $104 trillion, a proposed annual budget of $3.6 trillion, and a projected deficit of $1.8 trillion this year alone, a vote in favor of a trillion dollar government-run health care plan would decidedly be against Blue Dog, fiscal conservative principles.

And with legislation moving through Congress at a frightening speed this year—trillion dollar "stimulus," carbon energy taxes, nearly a $4 trillion dollar budget, and now healthcare—with only 178 House Republicans, the only chance at saving privately-provided health options will be if Democrats vote against their leadership, and against this legislation.

But that will only happen if pressure is brought to bear on each and every member of the Blue Dog coalition and beyond. They must hear from the more than 201.7 million constituents who possess privately-provided health care as of 2007—and would undoubtedly like to keep it and not be forced to trade it in for a substandard government plan. For, unless the users of health care defend what is rightly theirs, the so-called public "option" will take over the entire system, devouring all other options.

What's worse is the exact details are not yet publicly known of the plan. And it is moving swiftly: House Democrat leaders plan on unveiling it today, and committee votes are expected as early as next week. Only there's just one small problem. They have not even shown it to their Blue Dog colleagues yet.

"We've just got a lot of questions and the top of the list would be how to pay for it," said Congressman Marion Berry (D-AR-CD1). That, of course, is an excellent question, since the only way to pay for any new spending programs with the country in such a steep deficit will be to borrow more cash from overseas, raise taxes, or print more dollars.

And in all of the above financing alternatives, the American people will wind up paying more. Borrowing too much leads to higher interest rates as U.S. debt becomes less attractive of an investment. Raising taxes obviously takes more money away from Americans to purchase their own health options. And firing up the printing presses leads to inflation, which will mean higher prices on just about everything, including health care, thus fueling the bottom line of whatever proposal is enacted.

But that may not even be the worst of it. An even more fundamental question to be answered about the so-called public "option" is: Who will qualify? If it is truly to be an option for all Americans, then in principle everyone would qualify. And if that's the case, say goodbye to private health care, as everyone starts lining up for government freebies.

Advocates of the public "option" claim that it will be "cheaper" than private care. That they want to cut health care costs—which in reality means price controls that unfortunately always lead to shortages. It will also put private insurers who attempt to compete out of business, since they cannot borrow trillions of dollars to stay in the black.

As a result, even if government does not issue free health care outright, and just heavily subsidizes individuals and employers to switch to the government plan, the net effect will still be a state-run monopoly that crowds out private options, long lines at the doctor's office, and a declining quality of care as doctors are forced to take pay cuts and yet work even longer hours.

So, the Blue Dog Democrats really ought to consider the 201.7 million American people who like the quality of their privately-provided health care that is unparalleled anywhere in the world. Because they do not need "more time" to consider this plan. They need to know that there's somebody in Congress who is going to fight to help them keep their options.

Twisted and Paper-thin

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:48:15 PDT

by William Warren:

Today in Washington D. C. - July 10, 2009

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:33:35 PDT

Last night, the Senate passed H.R. 2892, the fiscal year 2010 Homeland Security appropriations bill, by a vote of 84-6. The bill provides $44.3 billion for Homeland Security programs including $16 billion for customs, border protection and immigration and $8.9 billion for the Coast Guard.

Prior to final passage, the Senate rejected amendments from Sens. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) to strip an earmark for an emergency center in Montana, John McCain (R-AZ) to strip an earmark for a training center in West Virginia, and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to increase FEMA firefighter assistance grants. The Senate approved an amendment from Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) to require contracts or grants be awarded by competitive bids except for awards to small businesses or those owned by women or minorities.

On Monday, the Senate is expected to take up the fiscal 2010 Defense authorization bill, S. 1390, and hold a cloture vote on the nomination of Robert Gr0ves to be Census director. ARRA News Service previously reported on Groves involvement with ACORN and Groves' refusal "to rule out paying ACORN lieutenants tens of millions of tax dollars to, of all things, count the number of Americans who should receive federally funded hand-outs and be allowed to vote." Also on Monday, the Judiciary Committee will begin hearings on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court at 10 AM.

Obama's Week: It’s been a rough week for President Obama’s signature initiatives, with continuing criticism of the ineffective $787 billion stimulus bill, Democrats unable to get their act together on health care bills, and the climate tax bill stalling. However, he will manage to drop by to visit with Pope at Vatican City today.

Following last week’s dismal job numbers, including an increase of the unemployment rate to 9.5%, the worst in 26 years, Vice President Joe Biden on Sunday claimed that the administration “misread how bad the economy was” when pushing for its staggeringly expensive stimulus package. Of course, that’s not what the administration said at the time, leading to renewed criticism of the stimulus bill.

A report released by the Government Accountability Office in the middle of the week only raised further concerns when it found that states are using stimulus money “for short-term projects and to fill budget gaps rather than spending on long-term improvements,” according to USA Today. In a New York Times analysis piece titled, “Doubts About Obama’s Economic Recovery Plan Rise Along With Unemployment," the NY Times related, “Administration officials had predicted that the stimulus program would save or create 600,000 jobs by summer. But the economy has lost more than two million jobs since Mr. Obama took office, and officials now estimate that the program has saved only about 150,000 jobs.” (Of course, the administration has yet to provide any measurement of just how many jobs the stimulus has supposedly “saved or created.”)

All of this resulted in a week of Democrats bickering with each other and the White House over whether a second stimulus would be necessary, or even a good idea. Appearing on Greta van Susteren’s show, Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell summed up the general Republican view of such an idea, saying, “we had a great saying down home in Kentucky that there’s no education in the second kick of a mule.”

Meanwhile, throughout the week, Democrats in the Senate struggled to come up with workable health reform bills and ways to pay for a government-run insurance program. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid waded into the morass in the middle of the week to rule out taxing health benefits, which led Democrats scrambling for other ideas that included income surtaxes and taxes on beer and soda. And as Senate Democrats toiled, rank-and-file House Democrats put the brakes on the unveiling of their health bill today. Politico reports, “House Democrats of every stripe filled the speaker’s mailbox with a torrent of missives to make their case for what they do and don’t want in the legislation – all while tax-writers struggled to agree on ways to pay for it.”

In an attempt to give the impression of momentum, the White House rolled out another deal, this time with hospital groups, to “save” billions of dollars in health care costs over the next decade. But the announcement was swiftly questioned in the same way previous savings deals were, with many wondering whether any of these savings would actually materialize. The administration also spent much of the week arguing with Democrats in Congress, and even President Obama’s own chief of staff, as to the necessity of a government-run insurance plan. Further, it issued a harsh rebuke to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) who questions whether the White House was obligated to abide by any of the health deals it has struck.

On top of all of this, President Obama’s push to regulate carbon emissions ran into roadblocks this week. He was unable to get an agreement at the G-8 summit from China, India, and other developing nations “to commit to specific goals for slashing heat-trapping gases by 2050.” And yesterday, Senate Democrats scrapped a plan to begin working on their version of a burdensome cap-and-trade carbon regulating scheme, pushing committee consideration back into the fall.

Clearly, it’s been a tough week for Obama and Democrats on their key issues. Perhaps they’re looking forward to changing the subject next week when confirmation hearings on Judge Sonia Sotomayor begin.

The Truth About the Democrat Energy (Cap-and-Trade) Bill

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:34:21 PDT

Truth # 1- Federal Government Intrusion: The Federal Government Wants to Tell You How to Build Your House What the bill does: The House-passed bill establishes a national building code for commercial and residential buildings, requiring a 30 percent reduction in energy use immediately after passage and an additional 50 percent reduction in energy use by 2014 for residential buildings and 2015 for commercial buildings (Bill as report Sec. 201, p. 297). What this means for consumers: Bureaucrats in Washington D.C. will tell you how to build your house. This will also create a whole new bureaucracy in Washington and more intrusion into the lives of Americans. [Source]

Truth #2: Democrats Want Fannie and Freddie to do to our National Energy Policy what They Have Done to the Housing Market What the bill does: The House-passed energy bill provides additional credit for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to advance energy efficient and “location-efficient" mortgages. The bill also authorizes the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to guarantee portions of a mortgage used to “green” single-family and multi-family housing. (Sec. 286 of the Manager’s Amendment, p. 112, and Sec 299I of the Manager’s Amendment, p. 173.) What this means for Americans: These provisions put taxpayers on the hook for more mortgages that may default. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have made taxpayers potentially liable for more than $5 trillion in our current housing crisis. Instead of reforming Fannie and Freddie, why are Democrats expanding their authority into energy policy? [Source]

Truth #3: Creates the Largest Welfare Program in Our Nation's History What the bill does: The bill (H.R. 2454) requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide monthly cash payments, or “energy stamps”, to low-income households for their estimated “loss in their purchasing power” resulting from the Democrats’ national energy tax. The bill establishes a national standard of eligibility (covering everyone under 150% of the poverty line). Energy stamps would reach an estimated 65 million individuals (about 20% of all US residents) – making it a larger program than welfare, food stamps, or even Medicaid. (H.R. 2454, American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, Sec. 431, p. 1193) What this means for Americans: If, as Democrats claim, their national energy tax will create millions of well-paying “green jobs,” then why do we need to create a new energy welfare program? The Democrats’ national energy tax plan will raise energy costs on all Americans. Democrats know this so they created the largest welfare program in American history to compensate for those increased costs. Despite the massive scope of this program, more than 200 million Americans will not receive benefits, just energy tax hikes without direct relief. [Source]

Truth #4: Promotes “Green Banks” At a Time of Record Job Losses What the bill does: Requires federal banking agencies and the National Credit Union Administration Board to encourage insured depository institutions and credit unions to establish and maintain “green banking” centers. These centers will provide consumers who seek information on obtaining a mortgage, home improvement loan, or home equity loan with additional information on obtaining a home energy rating or audit, financing for cost-effective energy-saving improvements, and obtaining beneficial financing terms for meeting energy efficiency standards. (H.R. 2454, American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, Sec. 299E, p. 659) What this means for Americans: With the national unemployment rate reaching 9.5%, Democrats are making the establishment of “green banking” centers their priority, instead of focusing on job creation. The Democrats’ national energy tax plan will help ensure that these “green banking” centers are established across the country. At the expense of working families across the country, Democrats have passed the largest tax increase and job relocation bill in American history. As a result, commerce will come to a grinding halt. The best way to help domestic banks is to reverse course and support the Republican “all of the above” energy plan, the American Energy Act. [Source]

Truth #5: Taxpayer-Funded Mobile Homes What the bill does: The Democrats’ national energy tax requires electricity providers and gasoline distributers to purchase from the federal government carbon emission "allowances" The federal government will then offer “allowances” to states that provide tax-rebates of up to $7,500 toward the purchase of a new Energy Star qualified manufactured home. To qualify for the rebate, an individual has to own a manufactured home constructed prior to 1976 and have a household income that does not exceed 200% of the poverty level. (H.R. 2454, American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, Sec. 203, page 372.) What this means for Americans: The costs of these “allowances” will be passed on to consumers, increasing fuel prices on families by an estimated 58% and increasing electricity rates by an estimated 90% by 2035. Some of the revenue from these increased costs will be used to purchase new mobile homes. At a time when Americans already face rising energy costs and the country faces high unemployment, Democrats want taxpayers to pick up the bill for mobile home parks? [Source]

Truth #6: Uses American Tax Dollars to Plant Trees What the bill does: Authorizes such “sums as may be necessary” to cover up to 50% of the cost of tree planting programs by retail power providers. To receive taxpayer-funded support, the trees must increase shade during the summer months or protect from wind during the fall and winter months, so to reduce energy consumption for cooling and heating. (H.R. 2454, American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, Sec. 205, page 393.) What this means for Americans: Almost half a million people lost their jobs in June alone and Democrats want taxpayers to subsidize retail power providers and their tree planting programs. Runaway reckless spending is not going to get America back to work. Because of the Democrats’ national energy tax millions more jobs will be lost as American manufacturers relocate overseas, but at least homes and empty warehouses will have shade. [Source]

Truth #7: Yet Another Taxpayer-Funded Giveaway to ACORN What the bill does: The bill allocates taxpayer funds to groups like ACORN, to advise and train eligible “community development organizations” how to reduce the carbon footprint of residents in “affordable housing.” (H.R. 2454, American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, Sec. 298, p. 638.)
What this means for Americans: The American people will see their tax dollars go to so-called community activist organizations like ACORN, to teach low-income residents how to live in accord with the worldview of the Environmental Left. [Source]

Truth #8: Increases Utility Rates on America’s Families and Businesses What the bill does: Mandates a Renewable Electricity Standard, or RES, that requires retail electricity providers to generate 20% of their electricity from renewable energy sources, like wind and solar energies. The utility companies must meet this new standard by 2020. (H.R. 2454, American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, Sec. 101, p. 12.) What this means for Americans: The American people will see their utility bills, in the words of President Obama, “necessarily skyrocket.” As a candidate for the presidency, then-Senator Obama noted that because of his energy plan utility companies would be forced to “retrofit” their operations. This will cost money and those costs will be passed onto American energy consumers. As a result, Americans will face skyrocketing electricity rates as utility companies pass on the costs of constructing and bringing new renewable forms of energy online. At a time when America’s families are struggling and need relief from higher prices across the board, the Democrats have proposed a massive national energy tax. [Source]

NO to Robert Groves and ACORN Corruption!

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:38:27 PDT

Barack Obama -- the former attorney for the corrupt Association of Community Organization and Reform Now (ACORN) -- has now nominated for Census Bureau czar a man who (perhaps not surprisingly) refuses to rule out paying ACORN lieutenants tens of millions of tax dollars to, of all things, count the number of Americans who should receive federally funded hand-outs and be allowed to vote.

On May 19 of this year, Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) asked Obama Census Czar nominee Robert Groves for a firm commitment that he would not hire ACORN operatives to count the U.S. populace. And it is even less wonder that Mr. Vitter has now put a hold on the Groves' nomination, since Mr. Groves refuses to extend the Senator even the courtesy of a response, let alone a commitment to protect the sanctity of the census from the voraciously corrupt ACORN lieutenants. . . . Get the full story

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has threatened to invoke a cloture vote Monday morning to break Mr. Vitter’s hold on Mr. Groves. It’s time to tell the members of the Senate in no uncertain terms: “If Robert Groves won’t commit to keeping ACORN away from the census count, we want him kept away from the Census Bureau.” The Senate switchboard number is 202-225-3121. Also see: Corruption is ACORN - Watch This Video!

Today in Washington D. C. - July 9, 2009 - Senate Doctors to Address Obama Care

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:21:59 PDT

The Senate resumed consideration of the fiscal year 2010 Homeland Security appropriations bill, H.R. 2892 and will vote on an amendment from Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) to strip an earmark for an emergency center in Montana.

Yesterday, rejected an amendment from from Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) to make FEMA grants competitively bid, regardless of congressional earmarks. However, the Senate agreed to an amendment to the Homeland Security appropriations bill from Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) to require the completion of at least 700 miles of border fencing by the end of 2010. In addition, the Senate stopped an motion to table an amendment by Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) then passed the amendment by voice vote to make E-Verify permanent -- 12 Democrats and 1 Independent defied Party leadership and voted with all 40 Republicans to:

permanently authorize E-Verify, pro-amnesty forces can't constantly threaten to kill it if they don't get their way

require all federal contractors to use E-Verify so returning veterans and other unemployed Americans will get jobs created with federal tax money.

All 40 Republicans
Voted For E-Verify

Democrats who Switched
to Support E-Verify:
Kent Conrad (D-ND)
Bryon Dorgan (D-ND)
Kay Hagan (D-NC)
Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
Joe Lieberman (I/D-CN)
Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)
Mark Pryor (D-AR)
John Rockefeller (D-WV)

Democrats who
already Supported E-Verfy:
Max Baucus (D-MT)
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
Ben Nelson (D-NE)
John Tester (D-MT)

Backsliders voting with
other Democrats Against
American Workers:
Evan Bayh (D-IN)
Jim Webb (D-VA)

Socialized Health Care: With President Obama’s push for government-run health insurance again running into problems among Democrats in Congress, the White House resorted to a familiar tactic yesterday in order to create the impression of momentum by announcing yet another deal with a health group to create “savings.” However, it’s becoming clear to many that the administration’s announcements are mainly PR exercises and it’s unclear whether any of these savings will actually materialize.

In a must-read article, The Washington Post writes today, “The Obama administration, hoping to boost its health-care reform effort with financial concessions from the hospital and pharmaceutical industries, is instead confronting deep dissension on several fronts within Democratic ranks and possible defections among key constituencies.”

Politico reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid jumped into negotiations among Finance Committee Democrats struggling to produce a health reform bill to announce that Democrat leaders are not open to taxing health benefits in order to pay for such a bill. Politico writes, “Reid’s move blows a gigantic hole in efforts to find $1 trillion to pay for health reform - and set off a scramble Wednesday to come up with a replacement for the suddenly missing $320 billion over 10 years.”

Energy Bill - Cap-in-Trade (aka Crap&Tax): Meanwhile, House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA), “lead House architect of the landmark health legislation, warned yesterday that he is not obligated to abide by deals struck recently by the White House, Senate Finance Committee, industry executives and interest groups such as AARP,” according to The Washington Post. But the White House came down hard on Waxman in what Politico deemed an “unusually stark rebuke,” claiming, “We are absolutely part of these agreements and bound by them.” Can you believe that AARP is interfering in government and on the side of higher taxes and nationalized health care? Apparently the libtards have assumed all the key positions at AARP, worship Obama and screw-over their membership.

Waxman is not the only one raising questions about these supposed deals. The Washington Post described the deal with drug companies, which Waxman questioned, as “managed for maximum public relations exposure.” And Roll Call said that it was “unclear how it would directly benefit the health reform effort.” That seems to be the common thread among all the White House’s announcements of deals with health groups to produce “savings.”

Sure enough, The Associated Press reported that yesterday’s deal with major hospital associations, announced by Vice President Joe Biden, “may also be on shaky ground.” What do we expect if "shaky" Biden is announcing something? Biden has been shaking since he met Sarah Palin in the 2009 V.P. Debate.

And The Washington Post noted today that the deal “was quickly undermined by skepticism in the industry. . . .‘Everyone can say we need to reform the system,’ said one state hospital official, who requested anonymity to discuss the internal rift. ‘But when you start to look at the details of how you do that, that’s when you get the rats scurrying off the ship. That’s what’s happening now.’” The article in The Post goes on to note the limited nature of the agreement between drug companies and the AARP and notes several state hospitals oppose yesterday’s deal.

In stark contrast to the Democrats’ infighting over tax increases and the White House’s troublesome PR efforts, Senate Republicans are standing tall and calling for the right kind of reform, that “make[s] health care less expensive and easier to obtain without destroying what’s good about our system.” The Republican Senate doctors, Tom Coburn, M.D. of Oklahoma, and John Barrasso, M.D. of Wyoming are launching a live online show today to discuss Republican ideas for health reform and explain why the Democrats’ approach is the wrong one for America.

Senate Republican Doctors Launch the “Senate Doctors Show”

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:07:34 PDT

The Senate Republican Conference has announced that a new, live, online show – “Senate Doctors” – broadcasting every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. The first show will airs today - Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 4:00 p.m ET.

Senator John Barrasso, M.D. (R-WY) – an orthopedic trauma surgeon and former President of the Wyoming Medical Society – and Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) – a family practice physician specializing in obstetrics – will be regular hosts, with guests making appearances. The show will focus on policy discussions, with constituents sharing their questions, stories, concerns, and comments about health care proposals being debated in Congress.

Barrasso said, “We all agree that health care needs reform. Having practiced medicine for over two decades in Wyoming, I know that the devil is in the details. Doing nothing is simply not an option. We must be careful, we must be thoughtful, and we must be deliberate about the changes we make. Health care is a very complex and intensely personal issue. It deserves a serious, open, and transparent national debate. ‘Senate Doctors’ will allow more Americans to participate in that discussion.”

Coburn said, “As a practicing physician, I know that the doctor patient relationship is at the heart of medicine. Unfortunately, some in the Senate want to severe that relationship and put unaccountable and unqualified politicians and government bureaucrats in charge of medicine. Having a government board dictate medical treatments based on abstract economic data – not medical knowledge, or years of experience – is wrong for Americans and my patients. Republicans are committed to making health care more affordable while letting doctors and patients call the shots.”

For more information, to submit questions and comments, or to tune in, visit the “Senate Doctors Show”. Viewers can send questions and comments via e-mail, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter from this site. Barrasso and Coburn will respond to a sampling of questions in future episodes.

Honor the Jackson 5 - Real Heroes

editor@arragopwing.com (Bill Smith) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:17:39 PDT

They following brave people will NEVER get the media coverage they deserve or anything equal to the praise and coverage lavished on the Jackson 5 musical family. This week at the passing of Michael Jackson the world weeps at the death of a recording artist and entertainer who made hundreds of millions of dollars from his music.

While most Americans are thinking about Michael Jackson, we hope you will join us and think about the Jacksons 5 - young men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for America.

Army Pfc. Leslie D. Jackson

18, of Richmond, Va.; assigned to A Company, 115th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood, Texas; killed May 20 when her vehicle hit an improvised explosive device as she was returning to Camp Eagle in Baghdad.

Army Staff Sgt. William S. Jackson II

29, of Saginaw, Mich.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 16th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Giessen, Germany; died Nov. 11 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq.

Army Spc. Dustin C. Jackson

21, of Arlington, Texas; assigned to the 350th Adjutant General Company, Grand Prairie, Texas; died March 12 in Tallil, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle was hit by indirect fire.

Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kyle E. Jackson

28, of Sarasota, Fla.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY; killed Jan. 13 when his OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter came under attack by enemy forces using small-arms fire near Sukar, Iraq.

Army Spc. Marlon P. Jackson

25, of Jersey City, NJ; assigned to A Company, 94th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy), 130th Engineer Brigade, Vilseck, Germany; died Nov. 11 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device exploded on a road in Tampa, Iraq.

These were all brave soldiers who risked their lives, put everything on the line, to protect their friends and family and their country, which they loved so much that they sacrificed their own lives to protect it.

With all the media hype surrounding the celebrities and the cult of personality built up around high-profile entertainers, it is predictable that you may not have heard of THIS Jackson five, and no matter where you look on TV they will still be covering Michael Jackson’s elaborate funeral.

But that doesn’t give us an excuse to forget about our troops and the sacrifices they have made. Honor their teammates still on the front lines fighting against the terrorists, preserving our freedom and security back home.
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The above is a public service reminder of our troops and their sacrifices. Consider sending a "care package to our troops deployed in service to our country. Moving America Forward is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all contributions are tax-deductible.