American Power

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

The IRS Story Keeps Getting Worse

From Jonathan Tobin, at Commentary:

The liberal line about the IRS and other administration scandals in the last week has been that even if there was some low-level wrongdoing, an American public that is worried about the economy isn’t really interested in any of it. They are convinced that the only people willing to connect the dots between the demonization of the Tea Party by President Obama and the liberal press and the IRS’s targeting of conservative groups are Republican partisans. As Seth wrote on Friday, Democratic complacence is based on the idea that Republicans are overreacting to the current scandals in much the same manner that they oversold the Monica Lewinsky affair in 1998. But the revelation of two new angles to the IRS story in recent days shows that contrary to the hopes of Democrats, it is not only not dying down but could get worse.

By now, just about everyone has seen the videos of IRS employees line dancing at a conference paid for by taxpayers. The videos, like another bizarre IRS project previously discovered in which government employees acted out “Star Trek” and “Gilligan’s Island” parodies, illustrates an agency that is out of control and unaccountable in the way it wastes the money that it so zealously collects from the public.

But just as hard to explain is the news first reported on Friday by the Daily Caller that the wife of the IRS commissioner on whose watch the targeting of conservatives occurred is a senior official of a Washington group that has advocated for this kind of discriminatory scrutiny. One of the top talking points for liberals about the IRS has been to point out that former IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman was appointed to his office by President George W. Bush, therefore lending a bipartisan gloss to the problem. But now it seems as if what was going on during Shulman’s frequent trips to the Obama White House isn’t the only question about his conduct that needs answering...

Low-Info Voters Keep Obama Ratings Afloat

Barely afloat.

At IBD:

Simple, Free Image and File Hosting at MediaFire

The scandals that have broadsided the Obama administration in recent weeks have the potential for leaving a gaping hole in the president's standing with the American people, according to a new IBD/TIPP poll.

Overall, more Americans still approve (48%) than disapprove (44%) of the job President Obama is doing — a 3 percentage-point improvement over approval readings in the last two months.

But the reverse is true among those who are following the administration's handling of the Benghazi crisis, the IRS' targeting of the Tea Party and other groups, and the Justice Department's seizure and pursuit of the phone logs of the Associated Press and Fox News reporter James Rosen.

See No Scandal?

The president's approval rating tops 60% among those who are not closely following coverage of the three scandals but is only 42% among those following Benghazi, 43% among those fol lowing IRS and 39% among those keeping an eye on AP/Rosen.

Put another way, disapproval stands at 55%, 53% and 57% among those watching the respective scandals vs. only 21%, 22% and 28% among those who aren't.

The results suggest Obama's ratings could erode dramatically if the scandals stay front and center in the news. There's no guarantee of that, of course, given media support of this administration. But even the decidedly pro-Obama mainstream media are stepping up scandal coverage.

Continue reading.

Also at American Thinker, "Obama approval slips in new Quinnipiac poll."

And Rasmussen, Monday, June 03, 2013: "The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of President Obama's job performance. Fifty-two percent (52%) now disapprove."

More at Breitbart, "Obama Approval Rating Hits 12-Month Low."

Lautenberg's Death Adds to Democrats' Legislative Difficulties

Well, I guess there's a silver lining then.

At the New York Times, "Death of Senator Places Christie in Difficult Spot":

The death of Frank R. Lautenberg on Monday has left Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey the kind of opportunity that politicians usually covet: the chance to give away a seat in the United States Senate. But the decision is fraught with pitfalls, none bigger than having to choose between improving his party’s fortunes in Washington and furthering his own political ambitions at home.

Mr. Christie, a Republican, is up for re-election in November and was hoping to roll up a huge victory margin, which he could then use to accelerate his drive to present himself as a presidential candidate with broad appeal even in a blue state.

But adding a special election for the Senate seat to the ballot could put Mayor Cory A. Booker of Newark at the top of the Democratic ticket, potentially energizing more Democrats, who already outnumber Republicans in New Jersey by 700,000 registered voters, to come to the polls.

The implications extend beyond New Jersey to Washington, where both parties are maneuvering for strategic advantage in a Senate where even a single vote can derail legislation. The replacement of Mr. Lautenberg, a Democrat, with an interim senator appointed by Mr. Christie creates immediate complications for the White House and Democrats on Capitol Hill as they try to push through an overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws and presidential nominations, under the constant threat of Republican filibuster.

Mr. Lautenberg, a steadfast liberal who was New Jersey’s longest serving senator and the nation’s oldest senator, died of complications from pneumonia in Manhattan. He was 89 and had already announced he would not run for re-election next year.

Mr. Christie, whose popularity soared after Hurricane Sandy, is so eager to avoid appearing on the same ballot as Mr. Booker, according to Republican insiders, that he is considering two alternatives to a November election for Mr. Lautenberg’s successor. Each carries a potential political cost and could easily be challenged in court.

Christie turned RINO sometime back, so I'm not so bothered by his difficulties. And screw the the Dems. They can suck slime-balls.

More at the link.

Also, "Frank Lautenberg, 89, New Jersey Senator In His 5th Term, Dies."

Monday, June 3, 2013

Michael Douglas Backs Off Claim of Oral Sex Throat Cancer Cause

Here's this morning's New York Post, "Michael Douglas: Oral sex gave me cancer."

He's trying to back out of the claim now, but the Guardian UK has him pinned down, "Michael Douglas cancer oral sex claim: transcript and audio":

A spokesperson for Michael Douglas has claimed that the actor did not say his particular cancer was caused by oral sex. Here is the relevant audio and transcript to prove that he did...

Michael Douglas photo 971347_10152878538650206_381200069_n_zps77967e15.jpg

Baywatch Babe! Pamela Anderson Looking Hot in Skimpy Red Bathing Suit in Brazil

At London's Daily Mail, "Still red hot at 45: Pamela Anderson gets back into her Baywatch colour as she displays perky body in Vogue Brazil."

Protesters Killed in Turkey

At the New York Times, "Turkish Premier Blames Extremists for Protests as Two Are Killed":

For the first time, deaths were reported at two demonstrations: one protester died in Ankara, the capital, after a vehicle slammed into a crowd there late Sunday, The Associated Press reported, citing a medical official. And in the southern border town of Antakya, an opposition party deputy reported on the Web channel Halk TV that a 22-year-old man whom he identified as Abdullah Can Comert was struck in the head by at least one of four bullets fired from an armored police vehicle. Mr. Erdogan accused the main opposition party of using the demonstrations, which flared into a widespread confrontation with security forces on Friday, for political gain.

Florida Student Iris Scans Raise Major Privacy Rights Violations

This is mind-boggling.

Listen to Michelle at the clip, and here's her discussion at the blog, "Confirmed: Polk County, FL schools conducted iris scans on students without permission."

Also at Tech Dirt, "FL Schools Go Minority Report On Students, Give Parents Opt Out Choice Afterward."

Storm Chaser Tim Samaras Killed in Oklahoma Tornado

At the Weather Channel, "Tim Samaras Dead: Oklahoma Tornado Kills Storm Chaser, Son Paul Samaras, and Chase Partner Carl Young."

There's video at that link, and also at CNN, "2004: Tim Samaras lived for tornado season."

And at the New York Times, "Chasing the Storm, but Hoping Not to Catch It":

When Tim Samaras began chasing tornadoes more than two decades ago, he was one of a small, mostly anonymous group of scientists and thrill seekers armed with paper maps, weather radios and a sense of wonder.

Today, interest in storm chasing has surged, and a preponderance of amateurs with video cameras and a thirst for YouTube fame now jockey with seasoned professionals to see who can get the closest and most dramatic images of churning storms, causing some veterans to worry about a growing safety threat.

The risks became apparent on Sunday when relatives confirmed that Mr. Samaras, 55, along with his 24-year-old son, Paul, and his colleague, Carl Young, 45, were killed while chasing the storms that ravaged parts of Oklahoma on Friday.

They were among at least 13 people killed in the storm, which spawned several tornadoes and caused flash flooding in the region around Oklahoma City. A tornado also picked up a truck carrying several storm chasers, including a meteorologist for the Weather Channel, and tossed it into a field, causing injuries but no deaths.

The deaths come as storm chasers have reached a kind of pop-culture zenith, similar to that achieved by celebrity chefs and interior decorators on numerous reality shows. Mr. Samaras was well known for his appearances on the reality show “Storm Chasers,” on the Discovery Channel, which ended in 2011.

Many other networks use vivid footage of storms. The Weather Channel has programmed regular series like “Full Force Nature” with storm chasers providing video of severe weather.

Advancements in video and Web technology mean storm chasers are now able to provide a live play-by-play of a tornado’s destruction. But with Friday’s deaths, the first in many years, veteran chasers said, some experts question whether the push to get closer and closer to storms has dimmed perceptions of the dangers they pose.

“When a veteran storm chaser as cautious and experienced as Tim Samaras dies, I hope it is a lesson to all the storm chasers of just how potentially dangerous storm chasing is,” said Greg Forbes, a meteorologist with the Weather Channel. “There is some chance you could die.”

The circumstances surrounding the deaths were still unknown Sunday. Dr. Forbes said the tornado Mr. Samaras was tracking made a sudden left turn, perhaps catching him and his team unaware and leaving them nowhere to run. Others speculated that engine trouble or perhaps a traffic jam could have left them stuck in the tornado’s path.

Mr. Samaras’s brother Jim posted a statement on his brother’s Facebook page expressing sadness but giving no details. “They all unfortunately passed away, but doing what they loved,” the statement said.

RTWT.

And at the Blaze, "STORM CHASER’S HAUNTING FINAL FACEBOOK POST BEFORE HE WAS KILLED IN TORNADO."

A Message for the Class of 2013

An hilarious piece, from Rob LaZebnik, at the Wall Street Journal.

And not so hilarious is Soledad O'Brien. See Warner Todd Huston, at Wizbang, "Soledad O'Brien to Grads: Don't Take Anyone's Advice."

I'm struck by her obsession with race, although I shouldn't be. But still...

Jean Stapleton Remembered

Rob "Meathead" Reiner remembers Jean Stapleton's career and character of Edith Bunker, at CBS News, "Jean Stapleton - TV's Edith Bunker - Remembered."

Also, an excellent obituary, at the New York Times, "Jean Stapleton, Who Played Archie Bunker’s Better Angel, Dies at 90."

Jim Geraghty Destroys David Plouffe With One Tweet

This is hilarious.

At Twitchy, "Choom Boom! Geraghty destroys Plouffe’s nasty Issa-smearing tweet with one photo."

For perspective, here's what Plouffe's most famous client was doing when the charge against Issa was dropped: twitter.com/jimgeraghty/st…
— jimgeraghty (@jimgeraghty) June 3, 2013

Also:

Issa calling Jay Carney the "administration's paid liar" apparently struck a nerve with David Plouffe j.mp/ZF6k2L
— Right Scoop (@trscoop) June 2, 2013

Powerhouse Fire 'Roars Like a Blowtorch' Through Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes

At the Los Angeles Times, "Residents remain evacuated as Powerhouse fire spreads to 25,000 acres."

Also, "Powerhouse fire grows to 30,000 acres; now 40% contained."

How Will U.S. Fund Entitlements?

At IBD, "Social Security Report Alarming; But D.C. Calm":

Disability beneficiaries face steep cuts in just three years under current law and today's new retirees are expected to outlive the Social Security Trust Fund by two years.

Yet the annual report from the Social Security and Medicare Trustees was taken in stride in D.C., as a full-fledged effort at entitlement reform remains far from the agenda.
When asked about how the administration would avoid scheduled disability benefit cuts of 20%, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew alluded to "the 1990s and policy choices made in time" to avert a similar set of cuts.

That policy choice involved one Social Security trust fund, the main Old Age and Survivors Insurance fund, lending to another in 1994. Almost 20 years later, even as Social Security is expected to run an annual cash deficit of $75 billion, the current administration is signaling that it's prepared to kick the can again. That is, unless it gets a big-enough tax hike to minimize benefit cuts.

Meanwhile, the White House hailed the "good news for seniors and taxpayers" that Medicare's hospital insurance program will be solvent through 2026.

The Obama Breakdown

An outstanding commentary from Fred Barnes, at WSJ, "The Decline of the Obama Presidency":

John Dos Passos, the novelist and historian, once said: "Often things you think are just beginning are coming to an end." His observation was made in the 1960s. But it's true today of Barack Obama's presidency and the promise of a bright future for his second term.

Mr. Obama's re-election stirred grand expectations. The vote heralded a new liberal era, or so it was claimed. His victory was said to reflect ideological, cultural and demographic trends that could keep Democrats in the majority for years to come. His second four years in the White House would be just the beginning.

Now, six months later, the Obama administration is in an unexpected and sharp state of decline. Mr. Obama has little influence on Congress. His presidency has no theme. He pivots nervously from issue to issue. What there is of an Obama agenda consists, at the moment, of leftovers from his first term or proposals that he failed to emphasize in his re-election campaign and thus have practically no chance of passage.