The Water Cooler is written by Washington Times staffers.
By Jennifer Harper — Published May 10, 2013 Comments
It is that time of year again: graduation gowns, mortarboards, mixed feelings, a few hangovers and daunting final bills for parents. Yes, it is college graduation time. But the 2013 crop gets a little bonus this year, at least those who have commencement day speakers hailing from the Obama administration. Though $8 million has been given to the major PR firm Weber Shandwick to market "Obamacare" to a confused public, President Obama hopes to counter any chance that America will buy into Republican uneasiness over the implementation and hidden costs of health care reform. "To counter the criticism, the White House has told all Cabinet members and senior officials to use commencement speeches to drive home for graduating college students and their parents the benefits they gain from a provision of the law that allows young adults to stay on their family's insurance plans until they turn 26," says a ...
by Jennifer Harper — Published May 10, 2013 Comments
Significant revelations about Benghazi warranted insignificant news coverage, says an analysis by the Media Research Center. "The Obama administration's politically motivated cover-up of the Benghazi terrorist attacks last September was fully exposed during the House oversight committee hearing on Thursday. Five major bombshell revelations emerged that have, so far, only been given lip service by the three broadcast networks," says Brent Bozell, founder of the conservative watchdog group. "The media have an obligation to the victims' families and to the American people to investigate these revelations morning, noon and night until the truth is known. If the media are having trouble finding the motivation to do their jobs, they should pretend President Obama is a Republican," Mr. Bozell observes. Among the bombshells? The study cites testimony that a four-man commando team in Tripoli was denied permission to go to Benghazi and help those under siege. It also cites evidence that ...
by Jennifer Harper — Published May 9, 2013 Comments
The Lone Star way of doing business has attracted the attention of the White House, and for good reason. Texas is holding its own on the economic front; Gov. Rick Perry has dug in his boot heels and made the state an appealing destination for businesses both out of state and abroad. He is not shy about tracking the accomplishments, or sharing the results with the press. The approach works. President Obama journeys to Austin today on a "Middle Class Jobs and Opportunity Tour," set to visit a science and math-centered high school, visit workers at a high tech manufacturing company and talk about job creation and the minimum wage. "I hope the President will come to Texas ready to take a few notes and learn from one of the most successful states in the nation when it comes to job creation and economic growth," says Sen. John Cornyn. His ...
by Jennifer Harper — Published May 8, 2013 Comments
He's confident. He's got plans. He's got "friends." Despite losing support from many Republicans during the final stages of his successful campaign for U.S. congressman in South Carolina, Mark Sanford is brimming with positive predictions. I'll have plenty of friends in Washington, D.C.," he told NBC News. "I look forward to working, whether its Republicans, Democrats, Independents - you name it, with a whole host of different folks in terms of trying to accomplish things that better people's lives here in the first congressional district, and frankly turn the tide with regard to spending up in Washington." Grassroots folks agree, apparently. "Mark Sanford's victory is further evidence that the political power balance in Washington has shifted. A strong fiscally conservative candidate, backed by a tenacious community of issue-driven grassroots activists, can prevail without the traditional power brokers of the Beltway," observes Matt Kibbe, president of FreedomWorks, a Washington-based, fiscally conservative ...
by Jennifer Harper — Published May 8, 2013 Comments
The tiny bodies have not been forgotten, even as grim testimony continues. That is the thinking of Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, the largest Catholic pro-life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. "As we await the verdict in the trial of Kermit Gosnell, Priests for Life, which has requested from the medical examiner the bodies of the babies retrieved from Gosnell's clinic so that a funeral and burial can be arranged, will take the step this week of giving names to those babies," Father Pavone says. "On Thursday, we will have a memorial service, which we will make available online, in which we will acknowledge the human dignity and personhood of these children, and bestow names upon them. God has entrusted the lives of all of us to one another,"he continues. During the ongoing trial in Philadelphia, Dr. Kermit Gosnell, 72, is charged with killing ...
by Jennifer Harper — Published May 7, 2013 Comments
The people of the Garden State have spoken. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie had specialized surgery and is now losing weight for political reasons, not for his personal health. So says a reader poll from The Star Ledger, a statewide news organization that conducted the online survey. The findings reveal that 53 percent of the respondents agreed with the statement, "This is all about politics, plain and simple. A fitter Christie is a better candidate." The rest — 46 percent — agreed that Mr. Christie was dropping the pounds "for his health, and to be there for his family. How dare haters question his motivation?" Indeed. "I'm not going to second guess his motives, but let me tell you this: He's 50. As I get older and he gets older, we all look at our mortality a little more closely," State Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick told the newspaper. "I ...
by Jennifer Harper — Published May 6, 2013 Comments
The public is not done with him yet. Former New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow enjoyed much "Tebowmania" 15 months ago - and his influence has not waned a bit. When Americans are asked which pro athletes they believe carry the most influence with the public, Mr. Tebow is at No. 1. "A unique set of quarterback strengths and weaknesses and an affinity for wearing his Christian faith on his sleeve combine to make Tebow a compelling public figure, even as an NFL backup," says Forbes sports business writer Tom Van Riper. "Whether or not he's able to remain deeply ingrained in the public consciousness without eventually getting more time on the field remains to be seen. But for now, Tebow, he of 2.2 million Twitter followers, is still the man people talk about." Stephen Master, who coordinated the public poll for Nielsen, calls the finding - and Mr. Tebow's ...
by Jennifer Harper — Published May 5, 2013 Comments
Oh, woe is Howard. But things are better now. Former Newsweek/Daily Beast media analyst Howard Kurtz was more or less "fired" from his high-profile perch Thursday after an erroneous report on NBA player Jason Collins's decision to reveal he is gay. The veteran critic took to "Reliable Sources" to make things right with the viewing and reading public on Sunday. Was he on the hot seat? No, it was more of a tepid seat. But at least he sat in it. Mr. Kurtz, who has hosted the CNN weekend show since 1998, offered a mea culpa for his ways with a caveat, during an interview with Politico's Dylan Byers and NPR's David Folkenflik, who also cover media high jinks in the national press. The pair were restrained, but insistent. "I view credibility and trust something you have to earn day after day. I have had a pretty long career in ...
by Jennifer Harper — Published May 3, 2013 Comments
It will be three very long years until many Americans are in presidential election mode, and eager for talk of their favorite candidates or horse race politics. But it is never to early in some circles to get a start on things. As of Friday night, C-SPAN will begin airing "The Road to the White House 2016," firing up its traditional presidential programming that last covered President Obama's victory speech in November. The fair-minded public affairs channel journeys to South Carolina for dueling appearances by Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican. Both have some presidential buzz going for them, both will appear at significant events in the company of Palmetto State power players. Mr. Biden is the keynote speaker for annual Democratic Jefferson Jackson Dinner in Columbia, appearing with House Assistant Minority Leader Jim Clyburn - who later hosts a down home fish fry - and ...
by Jennifer Harper — Published May 2, 2013 Comments
Alas, media critic Howard Kurtz lost his perch with the Daily Beast on Thursday following some erroneous reporting on NBA player Jason Collins and his decision to reveal that he is gay. Mr. Kurtz had headlined his account "Jason Collins' other secret" and suggested that the athlete had not been frank about his situation with his former fiancee. Mr. Kurtz amended his story, but apparently that was not enough. In the aftermath, Daily Beast editor-in-chief Tina Brown simply declared that the publication and Mr. Kurtz had "parted company," not exactly a dignified farewell for the author, and former, longtime media maven for The Washington Post. The news of the dismissal was instantly picked up by the Drudge Report and a half dozen websites that monitor press high jinks; many pointed out that at least Mr. Kurtz still has his weekly "Reliable Sources" show on CNN, among other things. Will he ...
by Jennifer Harper — Published May 2, 2013 Comments
The party of Gary Johnson has weighed in on a complex and dangerous matter: Libertarians are not happy with circumstances surrounding the April 15 terrorist attack on the Boston Marathon. "Regardless of the severity of the crime, upholding individual rights is paramount. We call for ensuring that all criminal suspects, including alleged terrorists, are Mirandized and offered the right to an attorney before questioning. We also call for ensuring that all such interrogations be, without exception, properly monitored and videotaped," says Geoffrey J. Neale, chairman of the Libertarian National Committee. "We are further troubled by reports of martial law tactics, including the alleged orders issued by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick for residents to stay inside their homes and for stores to stay closed. Visiting homes to inquire of suspect sightings or politely requesting that residents stay off the streets - without any threat of force - is a reasonable measure," ...
by Jennifer Harper — Published May 1, 2013 Comments
It is likely disappointing news for old school bra-burners and Gloria Steinham-inspired activists. "Has feminist become a dirty word?"demands a new Economist/YouGov Poll released Wednesday. "Feminism is a mixed bag in the eyes of most Americans. Overall, 28 percent consider themselves to be feminists, 72 percent do not," the findings report. Among women, 38 percent consider themselves feminists. And men do not appear to be very liberated these days either: 18 percent "accept the label" for themselves, the poll reports. "Democratic and Republicans women see the word differently: 48 percent of Democratic women but just 14 percent of Republican women would label themselves feminist," the survey says. Things are not so promising even among those females who grew in the 1960s and 70s when, yes, college coeds burned their bras and followed the teachings of Betty Friedan. Among the Baby Boomer ladies from age 45-64, 41 percent say they are ...
by Jennifer Harper — Published May 1, 2013 Comments
Good Samaritans and generous neighbors from around the nation? Yes, and yes. "David Henneberry, the man who found the Boston bomber suspect in his backyard, received an outpouring of support over the last week. In a viral fundraiser, more than $50,000 was raised to replace his beloved boat 'Slip Away II' that was destroyed during the police standoff," reports Ajay Mehta, spokesman for Crowdtilt, an online effort to help the boat owner, and other causes. "The fundraiser was started by Craig Dunlap, a Texas native who simply was asking friends to help out a fellow boat lover. The boat manufacturer Boston Whaler stepped in and gave a sizable donation to help reach the fundraising goal," he says. The suspect, Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, was found hiding in the boat after a massive manhunt, in the backyard of the home in Watertown, Massachusetts. The 22-foot pleasure cruiser was hit by flash-bang grenades ...
by Jennifer Harper — Published April 29, 2013 Comments
Armed guards in classrooms are one solution to security issues in the nation's schools. Bulletproof backpacks could be another, suggests some emerging new fashion sense among those concerned over their child's safety. We're talking "ballistic apparel" here. From Denver-based Elite Sterling Security comes the MC Kids Ballistic backpack, which can stop a 9 mm bullet going 400 meters per second. It's not cheap, and it's not so lightweight: the price is $300, the weight about three pounds. But the pack, along with child-sized bulletproof vests, has riveted the attention of anxious moms, dads and guardians. "As gun control legislation grinds to halt in Washington, a growing number of parents and teachers are taking matters into their own hands. Elite Sterling Security has sold over 300 bulletproof backpacks in the last two months and received inquiries from some 2,000 families across the U.S.," reports the Business Insider. "It is also in ...
by Jennifer Harper — Published April 29, 2013 Comments
Former President Bill Clinton is not the sax-playing, Elvis-style, burger-loving White House guy anymore. He is now the reinvented vegan hipster globalist statesman emcee - and he returns to the nation's capital with much ado Monday. Slim and seeming recklessly cheerful, Mr. Clinton will host something called "A Night Out with the Millennium Network" at a boutique hotel about two blocks from his old digs at the White House, accompanied by daughter Chelsea Clinton. "Book of Mormon" star Josh Gad and chanteuse Carly Rae Jepsen. It is an evening for the young and restless. Guests - who pay anywhere from $150 to $10,000 to attend - are advised to wear "smart, casual attire" and bring a photo ID. About 1,000 usually show up organizers say, and yes, there's an open bar. And a cause. "The goal of each event is to bring together a diverse group of young leaders committed ...
