Obama Takes Another Vacation As BP Oil Spill Worsens, Skips Memorial Day Service Too

FOXNews.com:

Presidents are never really off the clock, even when they go on vacation. But President Obama's decision to skip the traditional Memorial Day ceremony in Arlington while on his second vacation since the BP oil spill began has some wondering what the schedule says about his priorities. 

On "vacation," Obama still holds staff meetings, occasionally attends local events and often gets his "relaxation" time swallowed up by pressing national and international business -- his vacation to Hawaii in December coincided with the attempted Christmas Day airline bombing. The retreat this weekend is marked by a side-trip to Louisiana to inspect the damages from the oil spill.

But some conservatives, still smarting over the criticism George W. Bush fielded for his frequent trips to Crawford, Texas, say Obama's trip to Chicago over Memorial Day weekend is conspicuously poor in its timing.

Obama, who was headed to Chicago Thursday night, will not be at Arlington National Cemetery for the Memorial Day ceremony -- which he attended last year. Instead, the president plans to be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill., while Vice President Biden takes his place in Arlington for the wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

Pete Hegseth, director of the conservative Vets for Freedom, said he doesn't want to "extrapolate too much," but questioned why a war-time president would not pencil in that ceremony. 

"It doesn't mean he doesn't care, but I think it is a reflection of priorities," he said. "We're still at war ... and he's not called out to the carpet on that." 

Dana Perino, former Bush White House press secretary, called the decision a "curious choice." 

"I do think that symbolically that probably was not a very good choice," she told Fox News. 

The Arlington visit is a fairly recent tradition. Former President Ronald Reagan attended four of them in his eight years in office, while former President George H.W. Bush sent Vice President Dan Quayle to every one. Former President Bill Clinton, though, attended every year and George W. Bush missed only one, in 2002, when he was in Normandy, France, visiting the American cemetery.

 Once again it's amateur hour in the White House.

Dennis Hopper R.I.P.

One of my favorite actors passed away today after battling prostate cancer for the last couple of years. I know Dennis Hopper will be remembered most for "Easy Rider", but that was a little before my time. Besides it was his roles in "Hoosiers", "Speed" and what would unfortunately turn out to be his last work in the cable TV series "Crash" that made me a fan.

After Public Smears, Obama Doesn't Have The Guts To Meet With Jan Brewer Face-To-Face

The man who made attacking a state-approved immigration law more of a priority than the recent BP oil spill, doesn't even have the courtesy to meet with the governor he's been publicly dissing for weeks now:

President Obama has turned down Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's request to meet while she's in Washington next week as tensions mount between his administration and Arizona over the state's new law cracking down on illegal immigrants.

Brewer will be in Washington to meet with other governors. She said Friday that she had asked to meet with Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to discuss border security and immigration but Obama's schedule "doesn't allow for a meeting" with her, White House spokesman Adam Abrams said, adding that the president "does intend to sit down with the governor in the future."

When Obama returns from his Chicago vacation on Tuesday, he will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Peru President Alan Garcia at the White House. On Wednesday, Obama is meeting with Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, before heading to an event in Pittsburgh and hosting a concert at the White House to honor Paul McCartney.

On Thursday, Obama will speak at Secretary Clinton's reception for a new partnership between U.S. and India. On Friday, the president will welcome the Major League Soccer men's championship team, Real Salt Lake, to the White House.

The apparent snub comes after Justice Department officials told Arizona's attorney general and aides to the governor Friday that the federal government has serious reservations about the state's new immigration law. They responded that a lawsuit against the state isn't the answer.

Cut-and-run, it's what the cowards on the Left do best.

This Week's Sign of the Apocalypse: "Teacher of the Year" Resigns After Alleged Sexual Relationship With Student

CBSNews.com:

SNELLVILLE, Ga. (CBS/AP) Keenon Aampay Hall, who was voted Teacher of the Year at Shiloh High School, resigned after allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student-athlete.

Records obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution show the 29-year-old English teacher and cheerleading coach left her job after being accused of seducing a student who came to her for help with homework.

An investigative file shows the student, who is a graduating senior and football player, claims Hall gave him gifts and pressured him to get her pregnant.

When he declined, the student's family says Hall gave him a failing grade, prompting him to report the relationship to officials.

"The allegation of the inappropriate behavior came to light because the teacher decreased the student's grade," Gwinnett schools spokeswoman Sloan Roach told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

According to Hall's class website, she has taught at Shiloh High School, east of Atlanta, for six years and was a cheerleading coach.

"As a self-proclaimed nerd, I love learning!," reads her website. "I hope to pass on the same passion for learning to my students."

Gwinnett County officials are investigating.

Gary Coleman R.I.P.

As a young'un he sure could make you laugh. Sad that as an adult his talent got sidetracked by so much anger, bad choices and personal demons. R.I.P.

Source

Tavis Smiley: Most Terrorists Are Christians

Tavis Smiley is the same Blame-George W. Bush-for-everything idiot who the Left recently cast aside as a 'traitor" for daring to question whether or not Obama stans had a right to criticize the Teleprompter-in-Chief. No doubt this interview will make liberals welcome him back with open arms.

Obama Set To Pin Blame On Bill Clinton For Joe Sestak Bribe

YahooNews.com:

At the request of President Obama's chief of staff, former President Bill Clinton asked Joe Sestak if he would drop out of Pennsylvania's Democratic Senate primary if given a prominent but unpaid advisory position within the administration.

That's what sources told the New York Times' Peter Baker on Friday morning, as the White House prepared to release its official response to Sestak's claim that a White House job was dangled before him as inducement to pull the plug on his primary challenge to incumbent Arlen Specter. The White House has since released its counsel's findings on the matter, confirming that Clinton spoke to Sestak.

Baker describes Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel as having personally asked Clinton last summer to be an emissary to Sestak. Emanuel — a former chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee who actually recruited Sestak to run for the House back in 2006 — didn't want Sestak to drop out of the House. So, according to Baker, White House officials considered several unpaid positions, including a spot on the independent President's Intelligence Advisory Board. But that  position wouldn't work because Sestak couldn't take the job while still serving in Congress. 

If Baker's account is accurate, did Sestak exaggerate this job business a little bit? Back in February, Sestak replied "yes" when a Pennsylvania TV reporter asked if he had been offered a "high-ranking" administration job. An unpaid advisory role, while perhaps important and influential, isn't exactly "high-ranking."

The wild card here, which administration officials will no doubt play up, is that evidently no one except Clinton and Sestak know exactly what Clinton said. Sestak still isn't talking, though he did confirm to reporters Thursday that his brother, Richard, who is also his chief political adviser and campaign attorney, spoke with the White House Thursday about the matter.

Granted, corrupt Democrats have a history of looking out each other in times of crisis, but one can't help but wonder if this will possibly re-open wounds between the rival Obama and Clinton camps. Barry better tread carefully here because I can't see the Hillary supporters liking this one bit. Of course, as a conservative there's nothing better than watching some liberal-on-liberal violence. Heh.

Obama Responds To Joe Sestak Bribery Allegations

"Nothing improper took place"? Why, because you said so? Whatever. By the way, gotta give the MSM press credit for hitting Barry hard on his inept handling of the BP crisis today ....no wonder he's been staying away from them.

Sarah Palin Builds Fence To Block Out Crazed Liberal Stalker Joe McGinniss

ABCNews.com:

The fences in Sarah Palin's Wasilla, Alaska, neighborhood are about to get bigger.

The former Alaska governor has a new neighbor and it's not someone she is happy about. Author and investigative reporter Joe McGinniss , who has written critically of Palin in the past, rented the house next to the former GOP vice presidential candidate so he can write a book about her. 

The Palins , whose ever-expanding compound is bustling with construction, are putting up a new fence that they hope will block McGinniss' view. Palin took to Facebook Wednesday to complain about McGinniss. 

"Yes, that Joe McGinniss. Here he is about 15 feet away on the neighbor's rented deck overlooking my children's play area and my kitchen window," the former governor wrote. "We're sure to have a doozey to look forward to with this treasure he's penning. Wonder what kind of material he'll gather while overlooking Piper's bedroom, my little garden, and the family's swimming hole?" 

Palin also called into conservative commentator Glenn Beck's radio show Wednesday to express her frustration. 

Wow, creepy...esp. when you consider that Palin has children. Sad that the obsession with citizen Sarah sees no end.

Chris Christie Takes On Obnoxious Teacher

Politico.com:

New Jersey GOP Gov. Chris Christie told a disgruntled teacher that if she doesn’t like the pay, she doesn’t “have to do it.” 

Christie was speaking to a small crowd in a church gymnasium in Rutherford on Tuesday when the Bergen County Record caught the exchange between Kearny teacher Rita Wilson and the governor. 

Wilson claimed that if she were getting paid only three dollars an hour for the 30 students she teaches, her salary would be $83,000 a year, a much higher sum than her current take. 

“You’re getting more than that if you include the cost of your benefits,” Christie pointed out. 

The teacher responded by saying that she has a master’s degree and that her current salary isn’t compensating her for the value of her higher education as well as her experience. 

To that, the governor responded: “Well, you know then that you don’t have to do it.” 

The type of leadership we need in this country.

James Carville Blasts Obama On Response To BP Oil Spill

Damn. Barry's getting it from all sides here. By the way, President Bush visited Katrina 5 days after the hurricane hit, Barry took 9.

Source

Pro-Gay Obama Heckled, Disrespected Again By Gay Activist

CNN.com:

An unidentified heckler interrupted President Obama's fundraising speech Tuesday night by calling for the administration to move faster on repealing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bars openly gay and lesbian soldiers from military service.

The unidentified man shouted during Obama's speech, causing the president to pause and chide him.

"Maybe he didn't read the newspapers, because we're working with Congress as we speak to roll back 'don't ask, don't tell,' " Obama said at the event for Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California.

Jerry Springer Says Belittling Sarah Palin Is Liberal Elitism

Popeater.com:

So I wanted to chat about someone you have a little in common with: Sarah Palin. She's also a former lawmaker who pivoted to television. Could she hack it with her own talk show?

Well, she's incredibly charismatic. Her politics are different than mine. But I don't belittle her. She represents a significant segment of America. It might not be the majority, but certainly a significant segment of America that lives her lifestyle and believes as she does. And therefore, I can disagree with her without making fun of her. And for those of us who are more liberal, we step on dangerous ground when we try to belittle her, or belittle her fundamentalism, or religion or stuff like that, saying you know she is backwoods or stuff like that. That is how liberals come across as elitists or snobs.

Palin is viewed as a woman of the people; easy to relate to.

She's obviously got something going. Just look at the reaction! It wasn't just her 15 minutes of fame. It's lasted. She touches a nerve for people who resent being looked down upon. And there is a significant segment of America that feels it is being looked down upon. I think that's dangerous. It's where people who are liberal can get into trouble. So, I respect her. I disagree with her. But I have nothing bad to say about her. And I am sure anything she does in the media will be successful. She's got that "whatever that is" that makes you pay attention.

This is funny and ironic at the same time because one could make a good bet that Palin wouldn't be caught dead watching Springer's brand of trash TV. Yet, keeping in mind that Springer did once have a successful career as politician as well as the fact that he's longed rubbed shoulders with the bastion of Palin-haters in Hollywood Palin, his opine on Palin does hold weight. Of course the average liberal will never get that a little humility could go a long way.

Corrupt Democrat Ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison

AP.com:

Time and again, Kwame Kilpatrick's exceptional oratory skills rallied Detroit voters to his side despite his frequent troubles as mayor.

But all his swagger and professions of love for family, God and the city failed to sway a judge Tuesday, who sent Kilpatrick to prison for up to five years for violating his probation stemming from his conviction for lying under oath about an affair with his chief of staff.

The former mayor's rehabilitation "clearly ... has failed," Wayne County Circuit Court Judge David Groner said before announcing his sentence.

"Frankly, your continued attempt to cast yourself as the victim, your lack of forthrightness, your lack of contriteness and your lack of humility serve to affirm that you have not learned your lesson," the judge said.

The criticism was some of the harshest leveled at the one-time Hip-Hop mayor and darling of Michigan's Democratic Party, who early on in his political career displayed the bravado and eloquence to talk his way out of politically thorny situations.

Obama To Send National Guard To U.S.-Mexico Border

Breitbart.com:

The Obama administration plans to announce Tuesday that it will send as many as 1,200 National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to improve border security, an Arizona congresswoman said. 

Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords also said in a statement released Tuesday that President Barack Obama will request $500 million in funding for border security.
 
Part of Giffords' district borders Mexico.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's spokesman said the governor hadn't been told of the move prior to her office being contacted by The Associated Press and had no immediate comment.

In 2006, President George W. Bush sent thousands of troops to the border to perform support duties that tie up immigration agents. The troops wouldn't perform significant law enforcement duties.

That program has since ended, and politicians in border states have called for troops to be sent there to curb human and drug smuggling and prevent Mexico's drug violence from spilling over into the United States. 

Wow. Barry caved. Wonder if his abysmal approval ratings had anything to do with this decision? Either way it's the right thing to do: secure the damn borders. It's what this country needs.

Can Obama Be Impeached For Joe Sestak Bribe?

Bill Clinton got impeached for messing with a fat intern. Nixon resigned before he could get impeached because somehow he thought being President made him above the law. According a Joe Sestak, the Obama administration tried to directly influence a political race by bribing him to bail out of a primary. Granted Republicans don't have near enough votes to get rid of Barry, but a move to impeach Obama (on the back of a Democrat congressional candidate's credibility) would certainly make for a huge dent in The One's reelection hopes.

Obama Silent On Rising Violence In Chicago, Speaks On LeBron James Coming To Bulls

CBN.com:

At least nine people were shot on a hot night in Chicago, and one of them was killed, authorities said. No one was in custody for any of the shootings this morning.


A 35-year-old man was shot dead while standing outside a vehicle near Washington Park, police said. The shooting happened about 9:10 p.m. in the 5800 block of South Russell Drive.

About an hour later, a 22-year-old man was shot in his leg in the 8000 block of South Saginaw Avenue. The victim heard shots and felt a pain in his leg, police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition. 

Less than an hour later, three more men were shot in the 8500 block of South Hoyne Avenue. They were playing cards outside when shots rang out at about 11:20 p.m. Sunday, police said. A 24-year-old man was shot in his left leg. A 25-year-old suffered a wound to his right arm and a 21-year-old was shot in his right leg and hand, police said.

So despite Barry's hometown standing as a cesspool of violence under the watch of corrupt Democrat politicians, the Teleprompter-in-Chief still has the gall to push for basketball great and free-agent to be LeBron James to come to Chicago and play for the local Bulls:

If LeBron James isn't sure he can win in Cleveland, President Barack Obama thinks there's an opportunity with his hometown Chicago Bulls.

"You know, like I said, I don't want to meddle," Obama told TNT. "I will say this: [Derrick] Rose, Joakim Noah it's a pretty good core. You know, you could see LeBron fitting in pretty well there."

If only he cared about Black people.

Liberal Arizona Professor Booed For Critizing SB1070 At Commencement Speech

Mediaite.com:

The Arizona Immigration Bill has set off a massive debate around the country, but with much of the media focusing on how places like Los Angeles have reacted, not enough people are asking how the good folks of the Grand Canyon State feel about it. Well, at least one professor at the University of Arizona is unhappy with the bill and she made her opinions clear during a commencement speech at the school’s graduation last week. She was greeted with a host of boos and jeers at the time and media scrutiny following it.

The professor, Sandra Soto, began her speech with the typical congratulations inherent in graduation speeches. However, the words turned angry and the audience turned ugly when she moved her way to current events and the Immigration Bill:

“The new Arizona law generally known as SB 1070 is considered the strictest anti-immigrant legislation in the country and is explicitly intended to drive undocumented immigrants out of the state. One reason it has instigated a boycott is because to a whole lot of people, myself included, it appears to not only invite but require the police to engage in racial profiling.”

Republican Charles Djou Wins Congressional Seat In Obama's Hometown

Politico.com:

Republican Charles Djou has won Hawaii’s special House election, providing a timely boost to a party unnerved by a decisive Democratic victory in a Pennsylvania special House election Tuesday. 

Djou got 39 percent of the vote Saturday, according to unofficial returns, followed by state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa at 30 percent and former Democratic Rep. Ed Case at 27 percent. 

Djou will serve out the remainder of the term in the seat left vacant by former Democratic Rep. Neil Abercrombie, who resigned to run for governor.

They're trying to downplay it, but this serves as yet another example of the wrong direction the country is heading in thanks to the Obama/Pelosi/Reid regime.

Politiks As Usual: In The News 5/24/10

Louisiana Demands Federal Action On Dredge Plan

South Korea: North 'Will Pay' For Surprise Torpedo Attack

Joe Sestak Confirms WH Job Offer To Get Out Of Senate Race

It's Not 'Anti-Incumbency,' Stupid: It's 'Anti-Liberalism'

Obama Exporting Chicago's Misery To A City Near You

The Miley Cyrus Effect: Young Girls Acting Like (Trashy) Adults

Texas Adopts New Social Studies Curriculum

Sorry, Mr. President: Socialism's Not In The Bible

Senate Democrats Pass Bill Allowing Gov't To Collect Addresses, ATM Records

Gallup: More Have 'No Religious Identity'

17 More States Planning Ariz. 'Illegal' Crackdown

Obama's Model 'Green' Country? Denmark Evicts Citizens

Has Reality TV Become Black Women's Enemy?

Sarah Palin: Rachel Maddow Was 'Prejudiced In Her Rand Paul Interview

HuffPo.com:

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin accused MSNBC's Rachel Maddow on Sunday of conducting a "prejudiced" interview with Rand Paul, in which the Tea Party candidate infamously aired skepticism about the reach of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

Speaking to "Fox News Sunday," the 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee said that Paul was being subjected to the same biased media coverage that marked her run for office, before offering her Tea Party-backed candidate a bit of advice. 

"One thing we can learn in this lesson that I have learned and Rand Paul is learning now is don't assume that you can engage in a hypothetical discussion about constitutional impacts with a reporter or a media personality who has an agenda, who may be prejudiced before they even get into the interview in regards to what your answer may be," Palin said. "You know, they are looking for the gotcha moment. And that evidently appears to be what they did with Rand Paul, and I'm thankful he clarified his answer about his support for the Civil Rights Act."

Paul sparked several days worth of controversial coverage when he suggested to Maddow that the government had meddled too far into private enterprise in the passage of the Civil Rights Act and other legislation.

Good to see Sarah Palin exposing Rachel Maddow for the overrated, lying, left-wing agenda-driven smear machine that she is (to think there's some idiots on the Left who view Maddow as the 2nd coming of Walter Cronkite). Rand Paul became George Soros' latest whipping boy for doing nothing more than offering a libertarian perspective on the Civil Rights Act, nothing more, nothing less. But when you're desperate, losing election after election and sagging in national approval rating polls, there's nothing like having a red herring (esp, if it involves race) to throw in the mix and get people distracted from the real problems facing this country, much less who's causing them. People have a right to agree or disagree with Paul's libertarian views, but trying to make him out to be a "RACIST!!!" when there's no smoking gun (and which he's flat-out denied hundreds of times) is just pathetic.

Jan Brewer Uses Puppet Video To Sell Immigration Law