Another $2 Billion For Cash For Clunkers Debacle. Dems Love Taxes For Clunkers

Another $2 Billion for what the Democrats say is the most popular and successful program eveh! They are stunned at how popular it is and are equally stunned at how good it is for our economic recovery.

Stunned? They are? That stupid? Yes, they are if they didn't think people would line up for free money. Handouts. Payola. Bribes.

Well, it's free money as defined by Democrats. Just like people who think that using credit cards doesn't hurt, Democrats think that bills that do not have to be paid immediately are good.

It's bad. How much will this ridiculous program cost us in the end? It would shame even a member of congress if they could or would read. Maybe. Putting off payments on debt that shouldn't have been incurred in the first place is not only stupid, it is expensive. That's why a sister was stunned when she realized she was actually spending over $200 for a $100 item by the time she paid off the card. She cut up her cards. Only we can cut up our government's credit cards. At the ballot box. Including republicans who vote for this crap.

Plus, nobody seems to care how badly and deeply peripheral industries such as parts dealers, repair shops, used car dealers and others will be hurt, but who cares, because Democrats are stunned that a program that gives away "free" money is so popular. How do you deal with people acting so stupidly?

Besides, voting for another $2 billion takes the spotlight off how poorly thought out and poorly run the program is and how inept this administration and Congress is. Just ask dealers still waiting for repayment of money already laid out for this idiocy.

Sometimes There Are More Important Things Than Blogging

.......... .............A quick business trip, accompanied by Mrs IA, and a few days in Annapolis for some great food and history. Crab cakes and a hotel built before the Revolution. Oh, and a few oysters on the half shell.

White Hater Gates Wants To 'Move On' To Improve US

Its unbelievable that this guy is a teacher. Even if it is at a university like Harvard.

Gates says it's time to 'move on' from his arrest
Gates added that he hoped his arrest would lead to a greater understanding about racial profiling in America.

"If my experience leads to the lessening of the occurrence of racial profiling, then I would find that enormously gratifying," Gates said on The Root. "Because, in the end, this is not about me at all; it is about the creation of a society in which 'equal justice before law' is a lived reality."

Dr. Gates On Whitey: "Malcolm X Was Talking About the White Man Was the Devil... It Was Great"
LAMB: At one point you had a line in there, something to the effect, "My mother despised white people."

GATES: My mother hated white people.

LAMB: All her life?

GATES: Probably. I didn't know until -- in 1959 we were watching Mike Wallace's documentary called "The Hate that Hate Produced." It was about the Nation of Islam and I couldn't believe -- I mean, Malcolm X was talking about the white man was the devil and standing up in white people's faces and telling them off. It was great. I mean, it's what black people did behind closed doors, but they would never do it in -- I mean, they were too vulnerable to do it, say, where they worked, at the paper mill or downtown, as we would call it. And here was a guy who had the nerve to do that, and I think if I had been a character in a cartoon, my eyes would have gone Doing! -- like this. I couldn't believe it. As I sat cowering in a corner of our living room, I glanced over at Mama and her face was radiant. I mean, this smile -- beatific smile started to transform her face. And she said quite quietly, "Amen." And then she said, "All right now," and she sat up and she said, "Yes."

And she loved Malcolm X and she loved what the Muslims were doing.

If Gates can play this right, and with Obama's help, he will be able to turn this bruhaha into millions. Wasn't that his goal from the start?

America The Beautiful

Carol Rosenberg: Terrorist Apologist Slurs Naval Officer With Sexual Harassment

This "lady" has quite a history of attacking our military, supporting terrorists and a mouth that never stops and is generally filthy and vulgar.

She is a real catch for the Miami Herald.

Man Bites Dog: U.S. Navy Commander Files Sex Complaint Against Female Miami Herald Journo
FishbowlDC Exclusive: US Navy Commander Jeffrey D. Gordon has filed a sexual harassment complaint against the Miami Herald's Carol Rosenberg.

FishbowlDC obtained a copy of the July 22, 2009 letter addressed to Miami Herald Senior VP and Executive Editor Anders Gyllenhaal. In the complaint, Gordon calls for a "thorough investigation" to put an end to Rosenberg's "appalling behavior" that includes comments about the Commander's sexual orientation.

The complaint outlines examples of Rosenberg's alleged "abusive and degrading, comments of an explicitly sexual nature."

Read the rest if you can stomach journalism at its worst and at its lowest.

Pelosi: The Hell With What The Country Wants-I Know Better

Rahm, Barack and Nana Pelosi want you to take your medicine quietly. Or else.

SHOWDOWN: TEXAS MAY REJECT NATIONALIZED HEALTHCARE...

House healthcare talks break down in anger ...

This list is from Webutante who is on this story like white on rice even though she prefers brown and wild rice.

Below are Blue Dog Dems who are opposed to Obama's reform. We need to keep the heat on them:

Reps. John Barrow (D-Ga.) (202) 225-2823
Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) (202) 225-4231
Baron Hill (D-Ind.) (202) 225-5315
Jim Matheson (D-Utah) (202) 225-3011
Charlie Melancon (D-La.) (202) 225-4031
Mike Ross (D-Ark.) (202) 225-3772
Zack Space (D-Ohio) (202) 225-6265
Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) (202) 225-4311
Lincoln Davis (D-Tenn.) (202) 225-6831
John Tanner (D-Tenn.) (202) 225-4714

Call them and tell them how you feel about government health care or lack there of if passed.

Race Relations Set Back Decades Because Someone Acted 'Stupidly'

Blue pill minus red pill equals a black pill. Unfortunately.


One, an officer of the law who, as a Boston cop once gave a dying Reggie Lewis mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in a desperate bid to save the Celtic superstar’s life 16 years ago. Another is a guy who is a "black scholar" who is teaching Harvard students about diversity and understanding about a "racist" and "hateful" society and another, who happens to be a president of the United States of America, who is supposed to have the best network of knowledge in the world. The latter referred to his buddy as "Skip."

And he didn't even know the facts.

He is a racist.

Obama Rejects The Blame Game Unless

Last night's press conference was like a freshman's paper outlining the reasons that the Chinese bombed Pearl Harbor, but with less facts.

Obama had one of his best performances since being elected, even with questions that hadn't been planted, but he had few facts, little knowledge and offered no leadership.

Obama did point out what a fair guy he is along with his Democrat peers because he refuses to play the blame game, a game he detests.

To support his statement I did a fast check:

QUESTION: If you don't get this, isn't this a fight inside the Democratic Party and that Republicans really aren't playing a -- you can't really blame the Republicans for this one?

OBAMA: Well, first of all, you haven't seen me out there blaming the Republicans. I've been a little frustrated by some of the misinformation that's been coming out of the Republicans, but that has to do with, as you pointed out, politics.

The president, seeking to prod the Democratic-controlled Congress to show significant progress on healthcare reform before the August recess, directed blame at the GOP for the stalled legislation.

He blamed the Bush administration for not providing enough funding for the park service.

At a briefing on Monday, Obama administration officials blamed the Bush administration, saying it had left them with unsolved problems. ...

Obama has adopted some of the more sensible Bush policies, without admitting that, and simultaneously blamed the Bush administration endlessly. ...

Not only that, Obama blamed the Bush administration for violating the Constitution, for setting American "principles" aside as "luxuries we couldn't afford ...

Biden Blamed Bush for VT Shootings

Boxer blamed the Bush administration of attempting to challenge the work ...

Democrats blamed the Bush administration for the financial crisis, while the White House pointed a finger at Congress. ...

Pelosi issued a response that blamed the Bush administration rather than the CIA by name ...

Franklin County Democratic Chairman William Anthony specifically blamed the Bush Administration for factories that have shut down in Columbus. ...

blamed the Bush administration and House Republicans for the alleged global warming crisis.

Barack Obama has blamed the Bush Administration for everything from Iran's nuclear program to slow middle-class wage growth to bad crops. ...

Most who called for invading Iraq long ago abandoned their own zeal and advocacy- and loudly blamed the Bush administration for the violence ...

For his part, Markey also blamed the Bush administration's work on global warming for spurring the current legislation, too.

As the world financial system implodes, Democrats have blamed the Bush administration's lack of regulation for creating the conditions for collapse. ...

... people from getting houses they couldn't afford, then when the bottom dropped out blamed the Bush Administration for not regulating the lending market. ...

At a briefing on Monday, Obama administration officials blamed the Bush administration, saying it had left them with unsolved problems. ...

During President Obama's campaign, he was direct, he was decisive, he blamed the Bush administration over and over again and he delivered ...

Obama blamed the Bush administration for "hasty decisions" and policies on torture and Guantanamo, an issue on which he suffered a setback ...

... Just as Obama has blamed the Bush administration for the recession he inherited, the Democrats running in these two states have invoked ...

... After the charges were dropped one of the Panther's leaders blamed the Bush Administration for the charges, according to CNN

... Vieira also didn't interject when Frank blamed the Bush administration for failed economic oversight, even though it was Frank who blocked ...

Talking head Robert Gibbs at first blamed the Bush administration for messing up the FAA.

Obama also blamed the Bush administration for hurting the United State's credibility with countries from around the world including Pakistan, Iraq, ...

Okay, so he muffed one of the few definitive statements he was able to choke out.

Obama's Press Conference Recap

Recap:

It's Bush's fault.
It's the Republicans fault.
It's the medical industry's fault.
It's the insurance companies fault.
It's Wall Street's fault.
It's the banker's fault.
All this fault was visible the day I took office.

But,

I've saved the economy.
I'll save America's health.
I've shamed the capitalists into doing what I think is right.
Being the only honest person in America, I've put all those dishonest private sector people on notice.
Racism is suspecting two blacks breaking into a house in a major city of committing a crime.
I know what is best. Period.
Now shut up and thank you.
Goodnight.

Obama On Health Care: "Why should we pay for things that don't work?"

Why are we paying for government?

Madam Pelosi Says She Has The Votes That Will Kill Her Party

If true, ahem, then some Blue Dogs and possibly some RINOs will have some 'splaining to do to already angry constituents. They will probably think that mere voters wouldn't understand the arm twisting, heavy pressure and outright threats that they got, but then they also don't understand just how angry voters are now and getting more so each day.

They need to be reminded that a vote with Pelosi will translate into at least tens of thousands of votes against them in the next election. As it should.

Pelosi Says She Has Votes to Pass House Health Plan
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she has the votes to pass legislation overhauling the U.S. health- care system as Democratic Party leaders moved closer to an agreement with rebellious members of their own party.

Leaders are “making progress” with Democrats who want more cost cuts in the legislation, Pelosi told reporters in Washington today, a day after President Barack Obama met with a group of Democrats to try to convince them to back the plan.

“I have no question we have the votes on the floor of the House to pass this legislation,” Pelosi said.

I have no question that her votes on the floor will cost her a lot of future votes in the next election. As it should, but it's her party and she can cry if she wants to.

Frank FUGLY Gehry

Anyone who has dealt with those with debilitating brain disease such as Alzheimer’s knows that disorientation is a major problem in their daily lives. Doors not open, furniture rearranged and other changes can make their lives a living hell.

To deal specifically with those patients the Cleveland Clinic and starchitect Frank Gehry are giving us this joke.

Cleveland Clinic And The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute Partner On New Clinical Institute In Las Vegas
“The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute and Cleveland Clinic create a powerhouse in the world of neurological medicine,” said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman. “Together, they have what it takes to perform this groundbreaking work that is significant to our state, our city and most importantly, those who suffer with debilitating brain diseases. Without our downtown redevelopment efforts, none of this would be possible. We are thrilled and honored to welcome Cleveland Clinic to Las Vegas and Union Park.”

Doing Dali is not architecture. It is bad imitation lacking any context. This building go beyond that.

It insults and ridicules those suffering.

Cottage On The Water

Future Of Health Care

Libs Call Cons Lying Liars And Run Away

MediaMatters offers up a strange condemnation of conservative talking heads by posting their words and not offering anything remotely like a defense of Obama's disasterous health care plan.
From Progress Ohio



As reality sets in these groups are just like Obama, a pretty, but empty piñata.

Well, maybe not pretty.

Government Failing At All Levels

Well, Obama promised change and he is delivering it at all levels. The Federal Government is failing at every corner as are state governments, city governments and villages and counties.

I'm quite surprised Obama was a community organizer back in Chicago. I don't know that he could organize a one man meeting.

'THIS ISN'T ABOUT ME'
URGENT: House Panel Cancels Tuesday Healthcare Meeting; Will be lobbied by Obama at White House...Senior Democrat says no consensus on health bill...
OBAMA ADMITS: 'NOT FAMILIAR' WITH HOUSE BILL...
Budget chief: Doctors fees not paid for in Obama bill...
Bernanke says Fed can take on supercop role...
White House misses deadline on spending cuts report...
delays Guantanamo report...
UPDATE: Administration Delays Key Budget Report...
RNC: Obama's health care is 'socialism'...
Obama's Science Czar Considered Forced Abortions, Sterilization as Population Growth Solutions...
State budgets hit by shrinking tax take; Big spending and service cuts forecast...
USATODAYGALLUP: Poll Danger Signs; Obama Tracking Lower Than Carter...
AP: Senior House Dems warn Obama sounds like Bush...
Detroit Schools on the Brink, Bankruptcy...
Critics Slam Overweight Surgeon General Pick...
Bailouts could cost U.S. $23 trillion...
FDA CAN'T EVEN FIGURE OUT ITS OWN BUDGET...
Town Hall Meeting On Health Care Gets Angry: 'You're going to fine me?'...
Brother: Ransom demanded for missing Texas soldier...

The United States of America is headed for a long twisting disaster and Obama is day dreaming at the helm.

Friday

Brins Mesa Trail depicted in HDR (High Dynamic Range). HDR is a photograph made of multiple frames using different exposures. It is a process developed in the 1940s (I believe) to give a much wider range of tonality and color in the final image.

Think of it this way, you shot a sunset and the resulting image has a beautiful sky, but the earth is dark. The HDR process mixes the right exposure for the earth, the sky and the in-betweens and produces an image such seen here.

Pelosi Says America Supports Her Health Care, Will Sell Golden Gate And Has Bears With Pooper Scoopers

Her own Democrat freshmen and others say they don't support her or the legislation. The American public say they don't support it. The CBO says it won't work.

But Nancy Pelosi says we all support nationalized health care.

That is a lie.

Pelosi On Health Care: We Have The "Support Of The American People"

Pelosi is cajoling, threatening and buying off every member she can, but it won't change the fact that America does not want socialized medicine no matter what she says or what she calls it.

It's just another day in Pelosi's alter-reality world of political disconnect.

The Wholesome Dynamism Of High Taxes To Ruin Health Care

Madam Pelosi stated that government health care is what brought her and so many others to run for Congress. Really?

A little history.

Pelosi’s Problems
The San Francisco Democrat carries baggage of money and special interests
Pelosi, however, has long been plagued by reservations about her intellectual capacities. She’s a dogged inside player whose canny climb up the pole of politics has been greased by money -- but she‘s never been known as a policy innovator and has only a slim record of legislative accomplishment. Moreover, despite an effective White House campaign to portray her as a “left-wing San Francisco Democrat,” Pelosi’s progressivism often seems more rooted in circumstance than in deep conviction.

Unlike Paul Wellstone, who had an organic connection to the issue-oriented citizen activism whence he came, Pelosi‘s career is a classic example of checkbook politics. She married money -- her husband, Paul, is a former banker who became a wealthy real estate developer -- and the Pelosi fortune makes her the richest member of California’s House delegation. Her political largesse and fund-raising skills brought her to the attention of the late Congressman Phil Burton, a powerhouse of a man who took her under his wing and guided her ascendance to chair the California Democratic Party. She lost a campaign for Democratic national chairman, but -- after serving as fund-raising chair for the Democrats‘ 1986 U.S. Senate campaign -- Pelosi was tapped by Phil Burton’s brother John to take over the family House seat which Phil‘s widow, Sala, had occupied after her husband’s death. Her opponent was San Francisco Supervisor Harry Britt, who‘d been picked by the gay community as successor to the assassinated Harvey Milk. Pelosi buried Britt in money, and ran a nasty campaign that portrayed him as a “gay socialist.” (Years later, her money-raising practices sometimes get her in trouble. Last month, she was forced to shut down one of a her two political-action committees, which had been operating illegally as a double-dipping laundry, and candidates were asked to return its contributions.)

Boy, she was packing a whole sack full of "wholesome dynamism" (and money as the handpicked candidate) you "gay socialist", you. I can feel her love for health care from the start of her elected-selected career.

At the time of her first election in 1987, San Francisco was in a deep sense of fear as AIDS and the assassination of Harvey Milk consumed the news. In one of the safest Democrat districts in the United States, Pelosi ran a machine campaign of pure mean and called her opponent a "gay socialist." I'm sure all of you can see the similarities of her campaign rhetoric and her heartfelt health care concern for everyone, (but Congress, because they have a separate, but equal health care system).

Maybe the fact that her daddy, husband, mentor and friends always threw her the money, influence and power she needed to be who she is today has made her used to spending other people's money like she is a liberal Democrat with the key to the people's money.

Anyway, it's a given that Pelosi isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but she does understand the power of payola, just as she learned as a child. It is power.

Money is the power to help your friends, hurt others and crush your enemies and that is the sharpest tool in Pelosi's shed. Now as Madam Speaker she has your money to use and she is going to use it as she sees fit even though she has no basis to even know what "fit" is, especially as it pertains to working people.

Nancy Pelosi wouldn't understand the health care needs of people if she tried. After all, one of her daddies always just took care of the bill with their private insurance company.

The Chicago Texas Enhanced Love Connection

73 times per year in Chi-Town and 73 enhancement arrests in Texas. Coincidence? I think not.

Survey: Chicagoans have sex 73 times a year, on average
Hey, Chicagoans, so who cares if folks in New York, L.A., Washington, Atlanta, Boston and even Houston are having sex more often than you.

You've probably got a lot of other important things to do.

But just 73 times a year?

That's the depressing average here, according to a decidedly unscientific survey by condom maker Trojan, which bases all of this on 150 sex surveys it handed out in each of 10 big cities.

Chicago was No. 7 in terms of sexual frequency. Houston was No. 1 -- 101 times a year, on average.

At least, we were ahead of San Francisco -- at 60 times a year, according to the survey.

EXTRA! EXTRA! At the bottom of the page.

Related Blog Posts
73 Arrested in Texas Steroid Bust

From eNews Park Forest

73 Arrested in Texas Steroid Bust

From eNews Park Forest

Making Houston even more inviting

From blogHOUSTON

Making Houston even more inviting

From blogHOUSTON

Yes, you read that right, "even more inviting." Of course, the Chicago 7 could be the new Chicago 73.

Prostitution Could Save Our Economy

Calif tax officials: Legal pot would rake in $1.4B...

Then there's legalized hitmen.

Pedophilia probably has some serious bucks in it.

Good Lord, tax adultry, just in DC, and now your talking some serious money.

How about taxing election tampering? Do that and the Democrats can actually claim to have done some good for the country.

Vote ACORN and save the economy!

Joe Biden Creates New Solution For Bankruptcy

Jabberin' Joe just keeps on jabberin'.

Joe Biden: ‘We Have to Go Spend Money to Keep From Going Bankrupt’
“Now, people when I say that look at me and say, ‘What are you talking about, Joe? You’re telling me we have to go spend money to keep from going bankrupt?’” Biden said. “The answer is yes, that's what I’m telling you.”

This will no doubt relieve the heavy load in bankruptcy courts nationwide.

Nana Cruella Pelosi Bought Space?

Yeah, as strange as this sounds, Zack may have been convinced to vote against his constituents. A vote that could cost each of them thousands of dollrs. But hey, what's that compared to having the Nana shine her love on you?

Pelosi doles out campaign cash to Space near climate change vote
Did $14,000 worth of contributions from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ease the pain of Rep. Zack Space's tough “yes” vote on the climate change vote? However, the fact that Pelosi’s checks were written on or soon after the June 26 vote is merely a coincidence of timing, Democratic Party officials say.

Space cast his vote in favor of the climate change bill, which critics say will hike electricity prices in coal-intensive Ohio, on June 26, with the legislation passing by a slim 219-212 margin and 44 Democrats voting “no.”

How many othe Pelosi allies gave money or promised big bundles next election for the Space guy?

Zack didn't feel like answering any questions about this so he just referred everyone to the DCCC mouthpiece for answers.

Madonna & Biden On Stage Together

I think these stories must be connected.

BIDEN: IT'S WORKING!

Stage for French Madonna show collapses

Hillary Clinton: Fuming On The Bench?

If you have to explain or defend, you've got baggage with your name on it.

Still, her aides and people at the White House dismiss suggestions that Mrs. Clinton has been shunted to the sidelines. Her relationship with Mr. Obama is strong, they say, and she remains an influential voice in all key debates.

The recent personnel issues are part of the pull and tug of any administration in its early days, they argue, and say little about Mrs. Clinton’s broader role.

“Secretary Clinton is a key member of a very strong team,” said Denis R. McDonough, a spokesman for the National Security Council. “The president values her inputs, her team’s inputs.”

I think Obama has her and Bill right where he wants them. Benched and on a short leash.

Housing Crisis Foretold One Year Ago On This Day

But Barney told us that this wasn't true.

2008 U.S.A. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Bailout
14th July 2008 : Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae who own or guarantee about $5.3 trillion worth of home loans about half of all US mortgages have seen a loss of confidence by the market due to the mortgage forclosure increase and the drop in property values in the United States. Both company Shares have been under increasing pressure and have lost as much as 80% of share value in just 12 months . The Fed has given the green light for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York authority to lend any money needed to allow them to continue providing mortgages at 2.25% and will expand its current line of credit to the two companies and buy shares of the companies if needed to prop up share price in these troubled times. Congress is also to approve a package next week which includes a foreclosure rescue to help strapped homeowners get new, more affordable government-backed mortgages through the Federal Housing Administration.

Typical government program. When it's obvious that it's a failure, don't fix it, just prop it up with more money. Our money.

Minimum Wage Hits Blue States Hardest

Minimum wage legislation is as archaic as unions are, but like unions the minimum wagers will probably end up owning the shop.

A great read from Taxman Blog
An increase in the minimum wage is coming in a couple of weeks (July24). And guess what? It will hit blue states hardest........
...

The same breakfast could cost $10 in a New York diner and $5 in South Carolina.

Of course the mandated breakfast in New York will taste like the pavement of New York while the breakfast in South Carolina will include eggs, pork products and grits with butter and salt. Yummy. At half the price.

One more proof that government should not be in the business of business. They make lousey businessmen and they also make lousey and expensive cooks.

Taxpayers To Become Largest Slumlord In History

First, Congress ordered banks to give mortgages to people that didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of paying them. Now, Obama and Congress want to keep that voter bloc in play by subsidizing bad loans, bad legislation and bad habits. With your dollars.

Obama mulls rental option for some homeowners-sources
Under one idea being discussed, delinquent homeowners would surrender ownership of their homes but would continue to live in the property for several years, the sources told Reuters.

Officials are also considering whether the government should make mortgage payments on behalf of borrowers who cannot keep up with their home loans, tapping an unused portion of a $50 billion housing aid kitty.

As part of this plan, jobless borrowers might receive a housing stipend along with regular unemployment benefits, the sources said.

This will cause Barney to put on his best purple dress and dance the night away doing an Irish jig with his friend Chris.

Repudiating Christ With Graciousness

Resolution D025 draws mixed responses
One day after adopting Resolution D025 by a 2-1 margin, Episcopal Church bishops on July 14 offered various interpretations when asked about the measure's purpose, its impact and why they voted for or against it.

All those interviewed agreed that the declaration makes a dramatic statement about the Episcopal Church's stance on the ordination of gay and lesbian persons -- including their consecration as bishops -- that cannot be ignored.

"We've made ourselves pretty clear," said Keith Whitmore, assistant bishop of Atlanta, who voted for the resolution. "The consequences of doing that are rather obvious."
...

"There will be some people who choose to leave the church and some who will have a very, very hard time with it. But I don't see it, as I read it, as strident and difficult as some people suggest it might be, because there's a graciousness about it."

Though the Archbishop of Canterbury has stated this will split the Church with Anglicans to one side and Episcopals on the other, the obvious question is how long until the homosexual incursion on the teaching of Christ succeeds?

On Rowan Williams:
It is very difficult to avoid the conclusion that Williams' drawing back from being an advocate of the homosexual agenda when he became Archbishop of Canterbury was simply tactical. His contribution to the movement previously had been immense, not least through his seminal lecture 'The Body's Grace' of 1989 which lent the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) theological respectability. At the time of his appointment, the Rev'd Richard Kirker, then General Secretary of the LGCM, issued a press statement noting that 'For over 20 years Rowan Williams, a noted theologian, academic and author, has eloquently advocated that Christianity and homosexuality should be viewed as wholly consistent with each other.'

The Episcopal Church has strayed into heresy and Canterbury is simply sniffing the wind to see if it's safe to follow. Sad.

State Dept Bush Haters Beginning To Hate Obama

To kill America's enemies abroad is a duty of the CIA. No, not to lead poison Castro or Chavez, but those trying to target America and American citizens here and abroad are targets. The majority of those at Foggy Bottom don't like this, but then they also don't like much about America except when she has enough sense to send them to places like Bern and Paris where they feel they will get the chance to hobnob with those they consider peers. Fine with me. Better there than infecting corporations, education and the general gene pool here and it is a small price to pay. It'd be cheaper if their tickets were one-way.

The entire diplomatic corp could easily be replaced by just half the membership of the Future Farmers of America, Manhattan Chapter. They'd be more effective too, just by not stabbing the citizenry at every turn and soirée they attend.

While Madam Pelosi is trying to deflect attention about her lying about the CIA lying, she does agree with those that are aghast that the CIA was acting legally when they made plans to kill terror leaders abroad. No bad deed shall be punished, only good deeds.

The CIA Plan to Kill Al Qaeda Leaders
First, I'm delighted, of course, that the CIA post 9-11 was formulating plans to try and kill Al Qaeda leaders wherever they might be; if they weren't, I would certainly have a big question about what exactly the CIA value-added to national security is. Why would you have a CIA if they weren't trying to figure out covert ops to kill Al Qaeda leaders after 9-11? As for the distinction between inserting small teams or using Predators, recall that the US only began using Predators as a weapons platform in a semi-improvised way after 9-11. The obvious tactic was small team insertion, and only when it became clear that Predators could work, did the US move to that strategy.

Second, as to the international law issues involved in targeting Al Qaeda leaders, I will simply refer you over to a new paper, soon to appear as a book chapter in a volume edited by Benjamin Wittes on reforming counterterrorism policy, on targeted killing. That paper has a particular point, however. It says that of course the US targeted killings of Al Qaeda terrorists is a legal act of self defense under international law.

The longer term question to which the paper mostly addresses itself is whether, in the face of withering international legal criticism, from UN special rapporteurs, human rights groups, academics, etc. - what we might call the international "soft law" crowd - the US, and specifically the Obama administration, will insist on the traditional doctrines of self defense, including against terrorists who find safe haven in states that are unwilling or unable to deal with them. The problem specifically for the Obama administration is that on the one hand it has - correctly in my view, for strategic, legal, and humanitarian reasons - embraced targeted killings via Predator strikes.

So now, Obama is in a fix and now, it appears, that his charm isn't going to win over the Foggy Bottom crowd just as it hasn't won over anybody, but those now with buyer's remorse, aka, those that voted for him. The election of Obama was the biggest pig-in-a-poke decision made in this country, even bigger than Carter, in fact, even bigger than if Kerry or Gore had won. At least they were fairly direct about their half truths and "misstatements."

That there are those who cannot stand the heat of the kitchen nor stomach the breaking of eggs to make an omelet to fulfill their charge to protect us is misfeasance. Though malfeasance and nonfeasance appear in the mix, they are the bailiwick of the wanna-be-cooks at Foggy Bottom and Congress.

Pelosi: I Lied About Apples, Here's An Orange

For such a refined lady, Pelosi has all the deft of a ham-fisted mayor of a machine city such as Baltimore. No amount of botox and other refinements can hide the beast within when she is cornered like a rat. Sun Tzu is probably not on her shelf next to Who's Who In My World and the 2009 draft edition of Politics of Self Destruction: Best Practices.

Pelosi said she never heard about water boarding, then she said she misheard and then she was misled even though everybody else involved in the numerous briefings could only say, "ahem."

One can only assume that Pelosi is that ignorant, that stupid or that conniving. Me, I'll take column c with a sweet and sour soup.

Never a proponent of the big tent, Pelosi prefers a small tent and some ground outside for her entourage, she is lucky enough to have some real thinkers, like the two Intelligence panel Democrats — Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), who heads the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, and, separately, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), to project the spotlight elsewhere in her tent as she tries to pull up the political knickers around her ankles for lying about water boarding.

"Why, good sir, you wanted an apple? Here's an orange."

Enter Dick. Dick Cheney. That Pelosi has chosen to do battle with Cheney is, I think, a real barometer of how badly she believes she is doing. That she is so desperate to move the spotlight
that she will do battle with Cheney and give away national security secrets just to save her pampered, powdered butt is an indication of the existence of proof that she blatantly lied and an indication of low she will go to save her political career.

With Pelosi’s blessing, Dems push ahead with probe of CIA
After Pelosi first made the allegation that she had regularly been misled by the CIA, she and Democrats were dogged by charges of making their own questionable claims, which were levied relentlessly by Republicans who demanded that Pelosi either prove her claims or apologize for them.

Democrats now believe further revelations about the degree to which the Bush administration misled Congress are giving them political cover.

Pelosi on Monday said she only learned of Cheney’s involvement through press reports. Last week she told reporters that she likewise had only heard about Panetta’s admission that agency officials had repeatedly lied to Congress through press reports.

Where does Pelosi get her briefs, Victoria's Secrets?

In this immediate fight I give a huge advantage to Cheney. In the fight to protect and continue prosperity in our Republic, the edge must go against the nation if silk gloved and lipped politicians such as Pelosi stay in power.

Pelosi is poison.

Clarence Thomas: 40 Years Of Liberal Nightmare

HISTORY? Clarence Thomas: I'll serve on Court for 40 years...

When justices follow the constitution, especially when they don't find the constitution to be a fluid document, it just drives them nuts.

Running With The Bulls Jr. Part Deux

Earlier post, Running With The Bulls Jr.

Well, the little one (he's 6'3") decided to run again and I am glad he didn't tell me this time. He was with the pack that included the unfortunate death of a 27 year old Spaniard.

Some cuts, scrapes and bruises, but all is well.

This is a pix of his friend (holding the newspaper).

Jimmy Carter, Best Prez Ever!

from my email:

Does anybody out there have any memory of the reason given for the establishment of the DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ...... during the Carter Administration?

Anybody?

Anything?

No?

Didn't think so!

Bottom line .. we've spent several hundred billion dollars in support of an agency the reason for which not one person who reads this can remember.

Ready???????

It was very simple...and at the time everybody thought it very appropriate...

The 'Department of Energy' was instituted on

8-04-1977 TO LESSEN OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL.

Hey, pretty efficient, huh?????

AND NOW IT'S 2009, 32 YEARS LATER ... AND THE BUDGET FOR THIS NECESSARY DEPARTMENT IS AT $24,200,000,000 A YEAR!

IT HAS 16,000 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND APPROXIMATELY 100,000 CONTRACT EMPLOYEES

AND LOOK AT THE JOB IT HAS DONE!

What a guy, that Jimmah, but we must also thank all the fine people in Congress, the press and in our classrooms that have brought us to the current situation of being even more dependent on foreign oil.

Oil sales = fund terrorism. Good job guys. Maybe you can do for education what you've done for our energy needs, ah wait, never mind, you've already have done that as well. No wonder no one can read bills in Congress.

Big Fish Caught

Bena, Minnesota - Big Fish Restaurant
The Big Fish Supper Club is on Hwy. 2 just outside of Bena, Minnesota, about halfway between Bemidji and Grand Rapids. The restaurant itself is in a normal building beside the fish. At one point, there was a hamburger stand inside the fish's belly, but that's long since been closed. Now it's just a roadside oddity. Fun tip: you can stand inside the mouth and pose for a picture. They only put the teeth in during the summer, though.

At last check, the Big Fish supper club was up for sale. No word on whether it's been sold yet.

Go to the sight to see how you can donate to help save this.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA The Libs Are Already Turning On Franken

Not honest? A loser?

FRANKEN-LY UNHAPPY

Saturday Night Live does Air America on the Senate floor. The pride that those who voted for Franken is boundless.

Maybe Al can punch someone again to show he has gravitas.

Senator Gravitas Franken from Minnesota? Good Lord I needed a chuckle today and now I have had two really good ones.

From the Keeler Political Report. Ben found this gem.

Seriously
Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter called his fellow Democrat, Rep. Joe Sestak, a "flagrant hypocrite" and accused his rival of registering as a Democrat "just in time to run for Congress."

"Congressman Sestak is a flagrant hypocrite in challenging my being a real
Democrat when he did not register as a Democrat until 2006 just in time to run
for Congress," Specter said in the statement. "His lame excuse for avoiding
party affiliation, because he was in the service, is undercut by his documented
disinterest in the political process."

Liberal Media & Pundits Proudly Lied To Defeat McCain/Palin

Couric, Gibson, Sullivan, et al and losers like Maher, Fey, Letterman and so many others in the main stream media, Internet commentators, comedians and Democrats everywhere just made up the lies, passed them on and made them true.

Conservatives and Republicans did as well; Obama is a Muslim, Obama wasn't born here and on and on.

Both were wrong, but both are not equal and both did not attack equally.

Even Molly Ivins (unfortunately deceased, she had a barbed tongue that tickled me) said, "I don't do children." Even Obama said, ""People's families are off-limits and people's children are especially off-limits."

Democrats didn't get the message, they just upped the level and number of lies and lowered themselves and us by spelunking ever deeper into sewers to find new lies and lower standards to ensure their victory in Obama/Biden.

A story by Carl Cannon, whose father wrote books about President Ronald Reagan, lays out the story and his shame. Below is a section about Ohio's own Hack Hackett:

Sarah 'Barracuda' Palin and the Piranhas of the Press
Fretting that the Obama campaign was going to lose Ohio to McCain, Hackett proposed his own solution: A series of savage attacks on the GOP ticket focusing on Sarah Palin and her family.

Here is what he wrote:

The message (would be) simple and the professionals can refine it but
essentially it should contain these elements: Sarah Palin? Can't keep her solemn
oath of devotion to her husband and had sex with his employee. Sarah Palin?
Accidentally got pregnant at age 43 and the tax payers of Alaska have to pay for
the care of her disabled child. Sarah Palin? Unable to teach her 16 year old
daughter right from wrong and now another teenager is pregnant. Sarah Palin? Can you trust Sarah Palin and her values with America's future?

Apparently, Hackett took the rumors of an affair from the National Enquirer, which offered no proof, or even evidence. He then segued into an even uglier line of attack, arguing that it's irresponsible to bring a handicapped baby into the world. This is not "pro-choice," it's pro-eugenics. It's also creepy and illiberal, and reinforces conservatives' worst fears about Democrats and the issue of abortion. And, oh yes, Bristol Palin's age was wrong. She was nearly 18 when Hackett wrote this screed, not 16. This proved a harbinger, too, as misinformation slipped easily from the left blogosphere into mainstream coverage.

Sen. McCain and Gov Palin lost. That's politics, but we as a nation lost because we had the media and media figures in the tank for Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden. And were more than willing to do double standards and to lie about those they wanted to defeat and to lie to help those they wanted elected.

UPDATE: Webutante has a great piece up today on the continued war against political debate and Gov. Palin.

On Sarah Palin's Resignation
FINALLY I SEE: A SHOCKING, SHAMEFUL HIGH-TECH MOB LYNCHING BY DEMS

Fox News Watchers Outraged Over Nonstop Jackson Adulation

I just heard on Cavuto that Fox News had heard the outrage by viewers over the saturation coverage of Michael Jackson's death, every single point about his life (but not his criminal lifestyle) and his circus like memorial. The outrage, which I felt, was that here was NO other news, but that of Mr. Jackson's demise.

Case in point;

Relatives of Soldier Killed in Afghanistan Decry Lack of Coverage Amid Jackson Spectacle

I expect the other networks to do this type of thing, many times to close out news they wish not to report, but generally because they have to cover pop culture crap to help their ratings.

I hope Fox News has learned, as I just heard, that this practice is foolish and laughable.

How about daily reports on our amazing soldiers and the things they do to protect us and better the world while in the service and when they come home.

That's the least Fox can do and then they won't have to cover the criminal behavior of pop stars, king of pop or not.

Jackson dead? Yes that's news. Adulation? That's repugnant and ridiculous.

To spew agent press releases instead of the truly heroic nature of people and our soldiers, in spite of the murderous RoE, is almost criminal, but it is at least a stunning show of a lack of ethics.

Labor: Pope Supports 'Card Check'

Yep, you read that right. According to the unions, Pope Benedict supports the purposely ill-named Employee Free Choice Act, aka Card Check.

Labor claims Pope Benedict as EFCA supporter
Organized labor groups claimed another prominent supporter of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) on Wednesday: Pope Benedict XVI.

Accordingly, labor will probably announce that the Pope believes unions should own corporations and all the other crap they are supporting.

Rerum Novarum doesn't support their claim, but these are the same people that say they don't use intimidation and violence nor corruption and bribery, but that won't stop them.

They're desperate now that the fog of victory has cleared and they begin to understand that the citizens are even more angry at their tactics and the massive payola scandal involving the new administration and the unions and the take over of corporations.

Running With The Bulls Jr.

I am happy to report that the intelligence, logic and sense of self preservation has passed to another generation.

My son just completed his first running of the bulls in Pamplona.

At least he told me that he was going to. My mother was mightily ticked when she found out. Sometimes details escape my memory.

Or so I told her. Back then.

BONUS: He got to hang with Ernest Hemingway's grandson and sent me photos to prove it.

Good Lord, I hope he doesn't try any more of my youthful activities.

Government Help

4th Street NW

Washington, DC

If government can help inner cities, just thnk what it can do for health care.

Ultimate Home Office

NoKo's Kim Jong-il Really Just Wanted To Chat With Obama?

Treasury Dept, Secret Service hit by cyber attack; NKorea suspected...

I mean Obama believes chatting will make us better people. Maybe they were discussing puppy food.

ADHD Biden To Stimulate Stimulus In Cin City

It is appropriate that Jabberin' Joe will be appearing, message and all, in a can factory.

Biden coming to Ohio
Vice President Biden will be in Cincinnati Thursday as part of the Obama Administration's effort to persuade Americans - and key voters in crucial states like Ohio - that the $787 stimulus package and other efforts to spur the economy are on track to create a recovery.

Biden Thursday morning will be at the American Can Building, an old factory that is the site of a "multi-use economic development project," according to the White House.

The vice president's visit was announced last night, not long after the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute released a survey of Ohioans showing that President Obama's approval rating has dropped dramatically in the Buckeye State in recent weeks, a sign of voters' frustration with the economy.

Obama is sending his teleprompter and Concerta so Joe will stay on message, but who will ask, "How's that stimulus thing working out for you Joe? Here in Ohio, with double digit unemployment, we're feeling stricklanded."

UPDATE: Hal writes, "Truth of the fact probably is that the President wanted him out of DC." I think he's right.

July 8

1822 – Chippewas turn over huge tract of land in Ontario to the United Kingdom.

Bush is blamed.

1898 – The shooting death of crime boss Soapy Smith releases Skagway, Alaska from his iron grip

Palin is blamed.

Thriller Everywhere

Please, somebody tell me that Michael Jackson's memorial is not on all 3 networks, CNN, FOX and every other channel.

Sarah Palin In A Sea Of Liberal Lies

I have always been stunned, even as a person who has seen first hand outright lies and petty slander (not just nitpicking fools) against good people, by the extent and the scope of the blatant lies against Gov. Sarah Palin.

It is more than politics. It is unbridled hate. Hate by people that I believe hate themselves and displace that hate onto Palin.

Imagine my surprise and delight when I read a piece, by a person I believe I would not share much common political ground with, write a lucid and inner truthful piece about Palin.

It is these people, both far left and right, in which I find a good future for our country for they make themselves informed, think with a logical lucidness and ask the right questions. That answers are not always easy or at hand do not intimidate these people, the difficulty makes them dig harder for their truths.

Even though I found this article a breath of fresh air, I must warn though that the extended article contains strong vulgarities as do the comments, but if you can get past them you will find a person of integrity truly attempting to understand a cultural failure.


Feminists and the mystery of Sarah Palin
It seems that some blamers know that the bullsh*t published about Palin (and unfortunately repeated here) was just that — bullsh*t. Palin considers herself a feminist, and except for the abortion thing, she’s more explicitly feminist than the average American. When a regular Jane with that kind of background proclaims her feminist sympathies, it doesn’t seem terribly productive to ridicule her or indulge in the misogynist slander put out by the political hacks running against her. I mean, sure, by the standards of pure feminism, she’s an enabling godbag. But so are most American women. On the other hand, by the standards of the Republican Party or evangelical Christianity, she’s Twisty Faster.

Read the rest.

It doesn't take courage to tell the truth, but it can take courage to look inward and express yourself knowing the vitriol that will be hurled your way by people of lesser character.

I applaud Violet though I'm not sure she may welcome my applause. None the less, Bravo.

Dispair The Debt Star

Via Instapundit

READERS ARE SENDING PHOTOS FROM TEA PARTY PROTESTS AROUND THE COUNTRY. Here’s one from Perrysburgh, Ohio, sent by reader Chris Zarecki, who reports about 3,000 people attending.

When 3,000 people show up in Perrysburgh, Ohio there's trouble abrewing for the do-gooders in Dc doing no good.

Her Highness Dowd Has Spoken Thus Palin Is Fallen

Celestial virgin of the newsroom got another message from Mother Giah.

MAUREEN DOWD TRASHES 'NUTTY' PALIN
NY TIMES Op-Ed Queen Maureen Dowd runs out of adjectives and insults while ripping away at Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in an upcoming Sunday column.

Palin is "one nutty puppy", in the mind of Dowd, newsroom sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT, with "erratic and egoistic behavior".

Dowd spits her holiday barbecue in 800 words, designed for fireworks.

"Exquisite battiness... solipsistic meltdown so strange... incoherent, breathless and prickly... Sarah's country-music melodramas... girlish burbling."

I wonder what made Maureen such a bitter middle aged woman?

Honduras Protests Anti-Democracy UN, Zalaya, Obama, Castro & Chavez

Gateway Pundit has a great series on this. Below are some photos form this weeks protests, but go and read what the media won't show.

Obama Not Reconciled With Iran Having Nuclear Weapons? Huh?

Reconciled? Is this guy for real? I know, he's joshing us, playing crazy like a fox or something. Right?

Obama might be able to live with the Mad Mullahs having a tool called nuclear weapons to punish infidels. Like when Allah drops by to tell them big guy?

Personally, I have my doubts about the validity of BO's inner most feelings along the lines of my children having a decent future. Exploding nukes may jepordize that Barack buddy. You know?

Which Position Is Obama Posing As?
President Barack Obama says he is "not reconciled" to the idea of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon within a year.
...

Obama also said Thursday that opposing a nuclear weapons capacity for the Persian Gulf nation isn't simply "a U.S. position." He said "the biggest concern is not simply that Iran can threaten us or our allies, like Israel or its neighbors."

BUT, then there is:

The president said that Iran must not be a nuclear power, although he conceded that the challenge ahead is formidable.

This is like Spy VS Spy, but in one man's head. The ying and yang of indecision and each one is holding a bomb, but pointed inward and not at our enemies.

We're in some very deep doo-doo in a swamp called naivete

Hope & Change: Congress Helps Foreign Economies

Junkets & Shopping!

Via Drudge Report

Congress's Travel Tab Swells...

Spending on Taxpayer-Funded Trips Rises Tenfold...

From Italy to the Galápagos...

Congressman John Boehner On The Stimulus Fiasco

Via Majority America

July 2

1776 – The Continental Congress adopts a resolution severing ties with Great Britain although the wording of the formal Declaration of Independence is not approved until July 4.

Obama Stinks Of Sulfur

Fat Baby Hugo of Venezuela stated that the UN podium smelled of sulfur after President Bush spoke there in 2006. The left was quite amused, as is their juvenile want, by the statement. So was the killer of Venezuela, by his own remarks. He reminds me of Panama's Pineapple Head which the left swooned over years ago. Fat, arrogant, stupid and totally removed from reality. Actually, pretty normal for a South American leader.

The left couldn't pick a dark horse on a dark night if their life depended on it. They, instead of the horse, have the blinders on.

Obama has sided with Chavez and the Castro Brother's Murder Incorporated in calling for ex-president Zalaya to be returned to power in Honduras. Is this boy doing a Merlin and getting less experienced and more stupid by the day or what. We must remember, Obama was a community organizer, therefore that makes him one with the people. Did you know that John F'ing Kerry served in Vietnam? Did you know Kerry lied about his medals and lied about his fellow soldiers just to get press?

Why would Obama side with Chavez and the Castro Brothers and all the other murdering bastards at the UN that pledge to bring us peace? Come on, the Security Council looks like Murder Incorporated giving out turkeys at Thanksgiving so they can kill their enemies while the cops are slurping giblet gravy.

Obama is going to use the power of the Oval Office to side with the sleaziest low-lifes of the world to make us look better to the sleaziest murders of the world. If you think the fascist takeover of banks, insurance companies, car companies and the health of your family is bad, just wait. Obama is just getting started and with the help of the eight republicans who helped his hateful agenda to move along, he is going to go for the brass ring. Problem is that the brass ring is filled with the lead of centuries of failure.

If Obama is going to dance with devils, he might as well put on the little red panties, get a cute red cape and get used to the stench of sulfur. I think he already has.

And he is fine with it.

The Many Hats Of Hatless Joe Biden

As Vice President, Joe Biden Will Be Central to Barack Obama's Administration
Biden will serve as an éminence grise and senior counselor to the new commander in chief from Day 1 and won't be relegated to the role of fill-in at funerals and odd man out in policy discussions.

"Biden will be especially instrumental in helping on the urgent foreign policy matters,"

Biden, who turns 66 on November 20, is also expected to help coordinate decision making on foreign policy inside the labyrinth of the executive branch, making sure that Obama's wishes are respected and his preferences enforced.

The Washington Post writes about Biden’s role in the hunt for a new Supreme Court justice. “With President Obama filling his first high court vacancy with the retirement of Justice David H. Souter, Vice President Biden finds himself regularly consulting with the president and fielding queries from the White House counsel and others for insights on the process.

For Biden, No Portfolio but the Role of a Counselor
“But I think his fundamental role is as a trusted counselor. I think that when Obama selected him, he selected him to be a counselor and an adviser on a broad range of issues.”

Analysis: Biden's role is filling gaps and taking shots
In choosing Sen. Joe Biden, Obama got what he described as a "scrappy kid from Scranton" -- a battle-tested politician whose job will be to help fill perceived gaps in Obama's résumé and serve as Sen. John McCain's chief critic.

An Obama aide says that Biden will be charged with helping to explain to the "American people where Obama comes from, and what his vision is for the country," as well as lay out "the choice in this election."

Biden To Shrink VP Role  Big Time
“He’s been very clear about that from the start that he was not going to take a portfolio in particular areas,” the transition official familiar with Biden’s role said. Biden would “be available widely and broadly to offer his advice on whatever hard questions the president was trying to decide.”

One area that seems to be shaping up as a Biden emphasis is labor policy. Thea Lee, assistant director of public policy at AFL-CIO, says she has gotten strong indications from “various sources” in the Obama transition that Biden will be a point-person for their concerns.

Biden recently shared the stage with homeland-security designee Janet Napolitano to be briefed on a report on weapons of mass destruction, a possible hint at how he will operate in office.

And in a small shift, Biden has expressed interest in bringing back the Al Gore tradition of hosting an annual Halloween party for the press corps at the vice presidential residence. Those parties did not continue under Cheney.

After Jabs at Cheney, Biden Pursues an Activist Role
Vice President Joe Biden, in a bid to become an influential second-in-command, is striving to carve out meaty roles for himself quickly.

In an East Room ceremony on Friday with President Barack Obama, Mr. Biden is launching a task force to work on social and economic policies aimed at helping the struggling middle class. He's selling the giant stimulus package on Capitol Hill, and schmoozing his former colleagues during workouts in the congressional gym. Next week, Mr. Biden heads to Munich for an international security conference, in a bid to repair relations with European countries.

"The vice president sees his job as counselor-in-chief. He doesn't want to be limited to a portfolio, but will take specific tasks with specific goals like the middle-class task force."

Obama’s motives hazy for Biden’s role on spending
When President Barack Obama tapped Vice President Joe Biden to oversee a massive federal spending program, it was unclear whether he was aiming to give Biden a serious portfolio, or something to keep him out of trouble.

Biden Finds a Role
When Obama announced that Biden was the top enforcer for how the stimulus bill would be spent and accounted for, it wasn't exactly confidence-inducing. "Nobody messes with Joe," Obama said in his congressional address. When you are the kind of person nobody messes with, it should be self-evident.

Insider vs. Outsider: Cheney, Biden Walk Very Different Paths in Vice Presidency
But since then, Biden has slipped back into the background, delivering a few commencement speeches, officiating at a groundbreaking ceremony for the start of his "Road to Recovery" tour, and apparently not being part of the inner circle on foreign policy -- the field of expertise that was the basis for his selection.

Biden to take new role overseeing Iraq policy
Biden would work with Iraqis "toward overcoming their political differences and achieving the type of reconciliation that we all understand has yet to fully take place but needs to take place."

How does Joe find enough time to offer his long line of expertise? Maybe he can focus on just one.