Saturday Cartoons

More on Juan Williams, from the cartoonists:

Obama Cares More About Hyped Gay-Bullying Crisis Than Brutalized Black Inner-City Youth

I do think it's a legitimate problem, although statistically gay youths are no more likely to face bullying than non-gay teens similarly situated. What's pathetic though is how Obama can pander to the homosexual lobby on this in lieu of doing the real push for gay equality on DOMA and DADT reform. Yeah, we are seeing something happening with the Pentagon's gay recruitment policy, but it's more of a creeping equalization for gays in the military than a ballsy confrontation with the top military brass. Obama's a pussy, so it's no surprise. And he's especially craven here, since it's hard to find another area of U.S. public policy in need of bold leadership AND there's no one better situated to address the problem than Obama himself:

"Obama, Keep Poor D.C. Children Away!!":

The city that needs educational reform more than any other will have a new mayor next year. Washington DC Mayor Adrian Fenty lost the Democratic Primary mainly because he supported the successful educational reforms of his school superintendent, Michelle Rhee. Under Superintendent Rhee's reforms mediocre non performing teachers were dismissed but test scores went up and attendance improved. Mayor Fenty or Michelle Rhee did not receive any help or support from President Obama nor the DNC while fighting the teacher unions at every turn. Mayor Fenty and Superintendent Rhee were staunch supporters of the DC Charter School Program that was cancelled the Bush era program that provided inner city kids the chance to attend the Sidwell Friends School, the same school the president's daughters attend....Obama and his wife Michelle cannot afford for their daughters to come in contact with the riff raft children of Washington DC.

Democrats just can't take the chance African American kids will be educated in the American Capitalism and Black history that will lead them to the fact that the Republican Party has been with people of color since the Revolution. Democrats simply cannot affort for African Americans to learn about the racist past of the Democratic Party. To keep us on the plantation Democrats have to surplant truthful history with the pablum of muticulturalism and the victim mentality to keep us angry and resentful at our fellow Americans. Proud Black Americans know the truth ...

Shakedown: The Continuing Conspiracy Against the American Taxpayer

Here's the short film from the Manhattan Institute that accompanies the release of Steven Malanga's new book:

Change! Obama Union Thugs Fire Stage Worker With USS George H.W. Bush Gear in Los Angeles

Via Weasel Zippers:

Paulina Porizkova on 'Good Morning America'

Hey, I have to admit is was nice waking up yesterday to Paulina talking politics with George Stephanopoulos. She's an interesting woman, one of my favorite models of all time, and great for a Rule 5 entry. That said, P.J. O'Rourke steals the show:

Hawgsmoke 2010 Gunnery Competition at Saylor Range

Via Theo Spark:

'What is Sexy'

Perfect for Rule 5, from Victoria's Secret:

Hat Tip: Theo Spark.

Caution In the Wind

Change of pace from campaign blogging: Anti-Pasti. Saw these guys tour L.A. circa 1982. Sound quality a bit poor at the clip:

And check the politically-incorrect cover artwork on a previous EP. Maybe that'll inspire another attack from STFU Sexists.

French Senate Passes Controversial Pension Reform Bill

At NYT, "French Senate Passes Pension Bill."

It may seem strange to us that the French are protesting an increase in the retirement age to 62 years-old!

Well not only is France the supreme statist regime of Europe's major continental democracies, but the tradition of massive street protests --- on a scale that literally shuts down the nation --- dates back to the unresolved crises over the economy that emerged during the French Revolution.

See, "Students Adopt Pension Movement as Their Own." And at Boston Globe, "France on Strike":

Hope Against Hope: Progressives Use Obama Iowa Victory Speech to Inspire Youth Turnout

This is from the folks at Vote Again 2010. And boy it's hard out there for progressives.

RELATED: Jimmy Bise on Valerie Jarrett's remarks that Dems would retain both the House and Senate:

What do you call it when someone is so disconnected from reality that they’ve constructed their very own world around them where they’re always right and everyone else is wrong and they’re so oblivious to what’s happening around them that they can’t see disaster even when it’s looming over them like the Mother of all Tidal Waves?

Oh, right. Frakking insanity!

Carly Fiorina Profiled at Los Angeles Times

See, "Fiorina Presents a Sharp Contrast in Images":

The Senate bid is Fiorina's first run for office, but she has a voting record that is spotty at best and, by all accounts, she had little interest in politics well into adulthood.

"She had," her first husband, Todd Bartlem, said in a recent interview, "no opinions."

She set sail against Boxer with the ideological winds of the moment, tapping into the anti-incumbent anger that has swept some portions of the nation. While decrying the partisan divide in Washington, Fiorina has derided Boxer as "an embarrassment" and has claimed that Boxer is backed by environmental "extremists," although she seemed flummoxed recently when asked to name them.

In a state where registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans, Fiorina has surprised the political establishment by declining to make many nods toward the center.

She has remained a steadfast defender of Arizona's controversial immigration law and has not wavered in support of Proposition 23, the November ballot measure that would suspend efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Fiorina has called Proposition 23 a job-saver and was recently feted at a fundraiser hosted in part by the billionaire Koch brothers, who control oil pipelines and have pumped money into the fight.

Fiorina has said she would support overturning Roe vs. Wade, saying her views on abortion were formed largely because Frank Fiorina's mother was told to abort him due to health risks.

She is something of a sensation among hard-line conservatives, particularly tea party organizations.

"She takes on impossible things, and she accomplishes them," said Glenda Gilliland, a Fresno Tea Party activist who retired from HP in 2005 and attended a recent Fiorina speech. "I think she will fight — I know she will — for the people of California."

But Fiorina's support from hard-line conservatives can make for an awkward dynamic; she appears to be more measured and moderate than they think she is. At recent campaign appearances, for example, several of her supporters volunteered to a reporter — as fact — that President Obama is an African-born Muslim.

Asked whether she's comfortable with support from that arm of the political spectrum, Fiorina said: "I certainly don't agree with it. I don't think the president is a Muslim. He clearly is a Christian. He clearly was born in America."

Meanwhile, two organizations that have said the Obama administration promotes the "homosexual infiltration of schools" have spent $60,000 on advertising for Fiorina and pledged more. Fiorina's aides made clear that she does not agree with the groups' position — and contended that she has no control over who promotes her candidacy.

"One of the things that has happened in politics that doesn't happen in the rest of life is that people say: 'Well, if I don't agree with someone 100% of the time, I can't work with them,'" Fiorina said in an interview. "And I think it's why there is so much partisan bickering on both sides of the aisle."

"In the rest of life … you rarely agree with someone like that.… But if you can find enough common ground, you can get something done," she said. "You can solve a problem. You can accomplish a goal."

Great White Kills Boogie Boarder Off North Santa Barbara County

At CNN, "Shark kills 20-year-old man off beach on Vandenberg Air Force Base." And at KEYT Santa Barbara, "New Details: Deadly Shark Attack Kills Local Student."

And from Pete Thomas, "Surfer Fatally Attacked by Shark Off Central California":

According to the Florida-based International Shark Attack File, before Friday's attack there had been only eight fatal attacks by white sharks on humans since 1916.

However, there is a consensus among some scientists that white shark population off California is increasing.

Christopher Lowe, who runs the Cal State Long Beach Shark Lab, attributes this to a longstanding ban on fishing for white sharks, a longstanding ban imposed on gill-net fishing in white shark nursery areas close to the coast, and the phenomenal rise in the number of California sea lions, which constitute a readily available food source for large white sharks.

Lowe, however, has not implied that this will translate into more attacks on humans, because white sharks have evolved over millions of years into such specialized predators.

Patric Douglas, CEO of Shark Diver, which is a California-based commercial shark-diving company that has extensive experience with white sharks, has witnessed the predators' behavior up-close dozens of times and can attest to their cautious, investigatory approach to possible prey.

Douglas agrees with scientists that most, if not all white shark attacks on humans involve mistaken identity, and advises people to stay out of the water very early in the morning when the sun might be at such an angle as to make it difficult for sharks to discern people from prey -- notably pinnipeds.

"Because that's when most of the attacks happen," Douglas said. "Just stay out of the water and give the sharks their due, because that's their time."

Added: "Surf Beach Shark Victim is Identified."

Leftist Rocker John Mellencamp Changing Tune on Sarah Palin

I guess he's heard the "voice of freedom."

At The Hill, "Democrat John Mellencamp Impressed With Sarah Palin" (via Texas for Sarah Palin):

The rocker John Mellencamp is a longtime Democrat who refused to allow his songs to be used by Republican Sen. John McCain on the 2008 presidential campaign.

But when it comes to McCain's 2008 running mate, Sarah Palin, Mellencamp may be changing his tune.

Mellencamp told the Associated Press on Friday that he admires the former Alaska governor, and that people get the wrong idea about Palin, "just because she says things and winks."

To achieve what Palin has accomplished thus far requires intelligence, and Mellencamp said Palin "knows exactly what's she doing."

"She wouldn't be where she is today if she didn't."

Touché Campus Progress — UPDATE: Video Pulled After Copyright Claim by Citizens Against Government Waste; FIXED: VIMEO ADDED

Ben Smith notes that the format for the new ad from Citizens Against Government Waste "opens it to 'Downfall'-style parody..." Well, yeah. The Campus Progress commies wasted no time, and clever too:

Meg Whitman Hits $163 Million in Bid to Clone Schwarzenegger Administration

I have to apologize to my fellow conservatives who've gotten behind Meg Whitman's candidacy. I've never cared for her. She's just not doing it for me, so sorry. Not only is she obscenely attempting to buy her way into office (and I'm no fan of campaign finance regulations), but the last thing we need is another four years of Arnold Schwarzenegger. And so while I cringe at the thought of a Jerry Brown governorship (been there, done that), I'm giving his media people props on this ad buy. It resonates. My wife noticed how clever it is (and she doesn't even follow politics, so that's saying something). Brown? Whitman? Either way, Californians are screwed:

Juan Williams on 'Good Morning America'

We'll be seeing loads of commentary today following-up on Juan Williams, but Left Coast Rebel captures the key segment from this "GMA" clip: "I Always Thought the Right Wing Were the Ones That Were Inflexible, Intolerant."

I've already noted the total collapse of media objectivity in mainstream journalism, but it's amazing to see Juan Williams admit his own "Damascus moment." And the bloodthirsty left isn't finished yet: "Is Nina Totenberg Next?"

Ignorance is Strength: Democrat-Media Complex on Mission to Erase President Clinton Failures For Fall Elections

Yeah. I've commented on this a lot already since last Friday, but the MFM can't get enough of him, so WTF? At WaPo: "Former President Clinton On Mission to Rescue Democratic Party in Fall Elections."

This gloriously fawning piece can't praise Slick Willie enough: "If there was any doubt that Clinton remains the Democratic Party's North Star..." Okay. Sure. And not one word about the cigar-poking president's epic moral failures:

George Orwell would be proud.

AFSCME Leads All Groups in Independent Election Outlays

And these freaks were out in force at the Loretta Sanchez/Bill Clinton rally:

At WSJ, "Campaign's Big Spender" (via Memeorandum):

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is now the biggest outside spender of the 2010 elections, thanks to an 11th-hour effort to boost Democrats that has vaulted the public-sector union ahead of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the AFL-CIO and a flock of new Republican groups in campaign spending.

The 1.6 million-member AFSCME is spending a total of $87.5 million on the elections after tapping into a $16 million emergency account to help fortify the Democrats' hold on Congress. Last week, AFSCME dug deeper, taking out a $2 million loan to fund its push. The group is spending money on television advertisements, phone calls, campaign mailings and other political efforts, helped by a Supreme Court decision that loosened restrictions on campaign spending.

"We're the big dog," said Larry Scanlon, the head of AFSCME's political operations. "But we don't like to brag."

The 2010 election could be pivotal for public-sector unions, whose clout helped shield members from the worst of the economic downturn. In the 2009 stimulus and other legislation, Democratic lawmakers sent more than $160 billion in federal cash to states, aimed in large part at preventing public-sector layoffs. If Republicans running under the banner of limited government win in November, they aren't likely to support extending such aid to states.

Newly elected conservatives will also likely push to clip the political power of public-sector unions. For years, conservatives have argued such unions have an outsize influence in picking the elected officials who are, in effect, their bosses, putting them in a strong position to push for more jobs, and thus more political clout.

Some critics say public-sector unions are funded by what is essentially taxpayer cash, since member salaries, and therefore union dues, come directly from state budgets.

"Public-sector unions have a guaranteed source of revenue—you and me as taxpayers," said Glenn Spencer, executive director of the Workforce Freedom Initiative at the Chamber of Commerce.

More at the link.

Early Voting Offers a Glimpse Into End Game

And early balloting could be helping Sharron Angle in Nevada.

And at WSJ:

Danger flags are up for Democrats in Nevada. But in Iowa, where many expected a drubbing, the party looks strong. Maine looks good for Republicans, but North Carolina doesn't.

From Washington State to Florida, Americans are already voting, 2.5 million of them so far, and early trends suggest that while Republicans are looking strong overall, predictions that Democrats would stay home for the midterm elections may be a bit overblown.

"If you thought the Democrats were just going to give up on this election and not vote at all, that's not what we're seeing," said Michael McDonald, a public-affairs professor at George Mason University in Virginia, who tracks early voting.

To be sure, the figures could be deceptive. State and county officials can provide the number of ballots returned by registered Republicans or Democrats, but can't say whether voters stuck with their party. But national polling suggests the parties in recent weeks have solidified support among their voters. And early-voting trends in 2008 elections presaged statewide results.

The trends could of course change before Nov. 2, election day. For the moment, party officials are anxiously eyeing the returns from early voting, which began this month in some states, and adjusting their get-out-the-vote efforts as the returns come in. That may be particularly important to Democrats, who acknowledge GOP voters are more enthusiastic this year but say they will use early voting to lure their voters to the polls.

Voters Now Oppose Proposition 19

Gee, you think?

At LAT:

California voters have turned against controversial initiatives to legalize marijuana and to suspend the state's global warming law, a poll from the Public Policy Institute of California found.

Voters now oppose Proposition 19, the marijuana legalization measure, 49% to 44%, and the measure to halt a law that aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions, 48% to 37%.

The poll indicated that opposition has surged since September, when 52% of likely voters backed Proposition 19, which would allow Californians to grow and possess pot, and they split evenly over Proposition 23.

The earlier poll's Proposition 19 result had encouraged supporters and attracted some high-dollar donations. The measure would allow Californians who are 21 and older to grow and possess marijuana, while cities and counties could authorize commercial cultivation, sales and taxation.

The latest poll found support had eroded significantly across all demographic groups, but most steeply among Latino voters. In September, 63% backed it. Now, 51% oppose it.

Mark Baldassare, the organization's pollster, said the drop may have come because of a barely visible campaign. He noted that the proponents have to persuade voters that people like them support the initiative. "The burden of proof is always on the yes side," he said.

He also said that opponents seemed more passionate about the issue. Among likely voters who said the legalization issue was very important to them, 33% planned to vote for it and 63% against it.

Baldassare also said the poll found no indication that young people were more enthused about marijuana legalization than older voters. Democrats have started to talk about using the issue as a way to motivate young voters in 2012.

Much of the reversal appears to be driven by evaporating support in Southern California. In September, 56% of likely voters in Los Angeles County and 52% in other Southern California counties supported the measure. This month, those percentages slipped to 41% and 42%.

"As expected, California voters are taking a closer look at Prop. 19 and are just saying 'No,' " said Roger Salazar, a spokesman for the opposition. "While the measure claims to regulate, control and tax marijuana, voters don't need eyedrops to clearly see it does none of those things."