The Water Cooler is written by Washington Times staffers.
By Anthony Bowe — Published October 2, 2009 Comments
The Defense budget is allocating millions of dollars for green energy projects through congressional earmarks. These earmarks beg the questions: Has the green movement advanced in full force on the military or are auto industry lobbyists getting what they want through congressional earmarks? The Washington Times has contacted several Senators, most of whom haven't responded. The question remains: If the energy projects earmarked by these congressmen are so crucial to the future of the military, why doesn't congress trust the military to fund the projects through the standard research and procurement process?Here are some earmarks from Senators whose spokesmen we've talked to.Sen. Jeff Bingaman and Sen. Tom UdallAlgal Biofuels for Aviation; $3 million -Official statement from both offices: “Moving toward an alternative source of fuel for aviation would address sustainability, environmental impacts, economic dependence and energy security related to our military and our national security.” Sen. Bingaman's office said several ...
by Kerry Picket — Published October 2, 2009 Comments
Today's Water Cooler lineup of off the beaten path online stories are:Obama Requlatory Czar Cass Sunstein ideas to crack down on internet "rumors", Rep. Alan Grayson may have spoke too soon, and Ron Reagan jr. reminds us he does not have his dad's class either. American Thinker-Lee Cary on: Czar seeks 'chilling effect' on internet The meta-message of Cass Sunstein's new book delivers a warning to those who would spread Internet "rumors" about Barack Obama. Red State- Erick Erickson on: Poor Alan Grayson The district leans Republican and after Grayson’s latest antics Charlie Cook has moved the race to a tossup without there even being a Republican challenger yet. Radio Equalizer- Brian Maloney on:Rush's Accomplishments Infuriate Libtalker Reagan In this caught-on-tape clip, Reagan burns up over Rush's recent weight loss, as well as the favorable reception the latter's appearance on Jay Leno's show generated.
by Anthony Bowe — Published October 1, 2009 Comments
Documents recovered from an abandon ACORN office in Oklahoma City reveal the organization's plans to take over that state's legislature. According to Oklahoma Watchdog, which obtained some of the documents, ACORN had a five-year plan to obtain “power” in the state. The documents lay it out plainly: “Therefore, the route to power is twofold: First, build powerful city organizations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa that can control these municipalities. Second, become an influential organization by shaping a handful of strategic legislative districts that, by themselves, can change who controls the state legislature.” A limited number of Oklahoma bloggers attack the issue: The Red Dirt Report archive traces the start of this story to more than a year ago when ACORN decided to leave Oklahoma City and not pay its rent. The McCarville Report Online: Senator Andrew Rice, leader of Senate Democrats, defends allegations that he was involved with Oklahoma ACORN.ACORN ...
by Kerry Picket — Published October 1, 2009 Comments
Co-founder of the Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now Wade Rathke spoke to a small group at Busboys and Poets in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday about ACORN scandals and his new book. The Washington Times spoke with him after the gathering and asked if White House staffer, Patrick Gaspard ever had a role in the currently embattled community organization. Mr. Rathke denies Mr. Gaspard ever had a role in ACORN and attributes accusations otherwise to a past "misstatement" on his blog. American Spectator blogger Matthew Vadum found the so-called misstatement on Monday: Because Gaspard's employment with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now is acknowledged by no less an authority than ACORN founder Wade Rathke himself. Rathke writes at his blog: Tell me that 1199's former political director, Patrick Gaspard (who was ACORN New York's political director before that) didn't reach out from the White House and help ...
by Kerry Picket — Published October 1, 2009 Comments
Today's Water Cooler lineup of off the beaten path online stories are: Toys "R" Us spokeswoman Whoopie Goldberg defends Roman Polanski, President Obama says he knows what direction to take the country in, but he can't find the right podium to tell everybody else, and a telling quote from Roman Polanski.: GatewayPundit on:Toys"R"Us Spokeswoman Defends Child Rape Toys"R"Us spokesperson Whoopi Goldberg used her fame to defend child rape this week. Hotair.com- Ed Morrissey on: Obamateurism of the Day (VIDEO) Barack Obama gave a speech to the Congressional Black Caucus to talk about the direction he wants to take in overhauling the American health-care system. Before he had a chance to start, someone had to tell the President of the United States that he had taken the wrong direction on the stage (h/t HA commenter Liberty0): Powerlineblog.com on: Roman Polanski's Real "Defense" Bill Bennett notes that 138 film industry types including Woody ...
by Anthony Bowe — Published September 30, 2009 Comments
The Right is celebrating the democrat-led Senate Finance Committee failure to insert the public option into the Senate's health care reform bill Tuesday. Twice, democrat dissent contributed to the committee striking down amendments promoting government-run health insurance programs by votes of 15-8 and 13-10. Republicans say the Democrats appear weak, as the Washington Times notes: "Republican leaders said the vote proved that deep cracks are emerging among Democrats on the entire push for health care reform, and warned against efforts by the majority to ram a plan through Congress." The Democrats who voted against one or both of the measures: Max Baucus of Montana and Democratic Sens. Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Thomas R. Carper of Delaware and Bill Nelson of Florida. Bloggers in states with "nay" voters find the subject enticing:Arkansas; Sen. Blanche Lincoln voted against both amendments. Sen. Blanche appears to be voting for ...
by Kerry Picket — Published September 30, 2009 Comments
So called "net neutrality" has been a buzz word among those on the left for several years since the internet has proven to be the private sector's biggest success stories. However, where there is money to be made there is government waiting around the corner, and net neutrality is just another example of government mandated control of the private sector and further redistribution of wealth. Anyone who supports net neutrality on the basis of fairness is simply fooling themselves. Similar to a government takeover of the healthcare industry, so-called net neutrality is essentially a government take over of internet service providers(ISP's). Stifling private investment into new technology which could only improve broadband and communication infrastructure. Unfortunately, government's heavy if not upper hand takes away any incentive for the private sector to compete. What about content? Sam Batkins, policy director at the Center for individual Freedom told the Washington Times,: "One ...
by Kerry Picket — Published September 30, 2009 Comments
The Empire State building is commemorating the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China by flooding the upper parts of the city's tallest sky scraper in red and yellow lights (representing the Chinese flag). The lighting for this event will last from tonight until October 1 at 10 a.m. The New York City landmark is owned by Malkin Real Estate Entities. This particular lighting event is particularly disturbing, though. Why is this New York City skyscraper celebrating the rise of communism in China?Local Republican activists are not impressed with the latest move. New York Young Republican Club president Lynn Krogh told the Washington Times, : "The Chinese communist revolution ushered in a violent and repressive regime that has continued to unapologetically commit a laundry list of human rights violations for decades. To have a New York City landmark honor an event that produced a 20 to 30 million death toll during ...
by Anthony Bowe — Published September 29, 2009 Comments
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle are traveling to Denmark this week attempting to lobby the International Olympic Committee into supporting Chicago as host of the 2016 summer olympics. This is a hot-button issue in the Illinois blogs: Lynn Sweet's blog: Oprah and Michelle “global brands” may affect lobby efforts in Copenhagen. “And these two world-famous women will try to translate their personal appeal into Olympic votes for Chicago as they buttonhole targeted members of the International Olympic Committee for one-on-one lobbying this week in Copenhagen in advance of the Oct. 2 vote to choose a host city for the 2016 Summer Games." Chicago 2016 Olympics group looking for federal cash.Chicagoans for Rio, a Web site against the Chicago 2016 bid, operated by an American, contrary to rumors.FoxNews in Chicago First Amendment violated after being asked to hold Olympic story? “Gee, in a free country, a free press, protected ...
by Kerry Picket — Published September 29, 2009 Comments
New York Times op-ed columnist Paul Krugman "feels despair" over the fate of the planet due to climate change. (h/t Christine Hall @ Competitive Enterprise Institute(CEI)) Has he bothered reading the news lately? Mr. Krugman does not answer his critics in his column. Instead, he continues to excoriate private industry, ignore record snow falls, ignore cooler temperatures, and champion former vice president Al Gore. "Now, at this point I have to make the obligatory disclaimer that no individual weather event can be attributed to global warming. The point, however, is that climate change will make events like that Australian dust storm much more common.In a rational world, then, the looming climate disaster would be our dominant political and policy concern. But it manifestly isn’t. Why not?Part of the answer is that it’s hard to keep peoples’ attention focused. Weather fluctuates — New Yorkers may recall the heat wave that pushed ...
by Kerry Picket — Published September 29, 2009 Comments
Update: Breitbart.tv added this description and editor's note to the video he helped present with Naked Emperor News: The Gamaliel National Clergy Caucus held "a New Orleans style funeral procession as they deliver a casket symbolizing the death of old ways of providing health care and pray for a new day for health care in America." The Gamaliel Foundation is the community organizing group that helped sponsor Barack Obama's initial work in Chicago. Editor's note: We've updated this post with the longer version of the original event. As you'll see in the comments and related links there is a debate over what is actually being said. Does the crowd say, "Hear our cry, Obama" and "Deliver us Obama?" Or are they saying "Oh God?" In the longer version the first two repetitions seem to have a distinct "uh" sound at the end that resonates as "Obama." The later repetitions are a little ...
by Anthony Bowe — Published September 28, 2009 Comments
The arrest in Switzerland of American director Roman Polanski, who has been on the run since 1978 after pleading guilty to raping a 13-year-old girl, is becoming something of a diplomatic crisis. Polanski fled the U.S. after the judge who presided over the case hinted he would refuse the district attorney's plea agreement set with Polanski and seek a stiffer sentence, possibly a maximum penalty. France and Poland, where Polanski enjoys dual-citizenship, are calling for his immediate release by pressuring the U.S. and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to intervene. The U.S. is requesting Polanski's transfer back to the States. From the AP: “In Paris, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said he hoped Polanski could be quickly freed by the Swiss, calling the apprehension a "bit sinister." He also told France-Inter radio that he and his Polish counterpart Radek Sikorski wrote to Clinton on the case. “Polanski was "thrown to ...
by Kerry Picket — Published September 27, 2009 Comments
The Associated Press is reporting President Obama is looking to expand the school year. "Now, I know longer school days and school years are not wildly popular ideas," the president said earlier this year. "Not with Malia and Sasha, not in my family, and probably not in yours. But the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom." The president, who has a sixth-grader and a third-grader, wants schools to add time to classes, to stay open late and to let kids in on weekends so they have a safe place to go. "Our school calendar is based upon the agrarian economy and not too many of our kids are working the fields today," Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. How about suggesting to teachers that they spend less time teaching their kids songs about you and the politics of "equal ...
by Kerry Picket — Published September 27, 2009 Comments
The previous entry referencing a story that the Capitol Hill switchboard was being used to push health care reform legislation was incorrect. This is not the case. The telephone number which was posted is owned by a liberal organization, not the U.S. Capitol. We regret the error.
by Kerry Picket — Published September 26, 2009 Comments
B. Bernice Young School in Burlington Township, New Jersey was under scrutiny this week after a video surfaced of their grade school children singing a worshipful like song to President Obama. Another video appears to be making the rounds on the web today of another group of children singing a song to President Obama that has an idolizing theme. Below the clip is the information from the creator of the video describing the origins of the song accompanied with the song's lyrics.: "On November 4th 2008, we held a mock presidential election in my third grade classroom. Students spoke their minds about the candidates, and I facilitated making sure all sides were heard. Secret ballots were cast, and Barack Obama won getting 18 out of 20 votes. John McCain and Cynthia McKinney split the remainder. Later that night of course history was made.The students arrived the next day absolutely glowing. ...
