Auburn Policeman Fired for Blowing the Whistle on Hassle, Ticket, and Arrest Quotas

Ed Morrissey has the analysis, "Auburn cop fired for blowing the whistle on ticket, arrest quotas."

Hacktacular Norman Ornstein Bemoans 'Contemptible' GOP Attempts to Sabotage #ObamaCare

He's only upset because congressional Republicans refuse to fall in line with the clusterf-k left's bankrupt socialist program.

Behold completely hacktacular cognitive dissonance by the über Beltway drone Norm Ornstein, at National Journal, "The Unprecedented—and Contemptible—Attempts to Sabotage Obamacare" (at Memeorandum):

What is going on now to sabotage Obamacare is not treasonous—just sharply beneath any reasonable standards of elected officials with the fiduciary responsibility of governing. A good example is the letter Senate Republican Leaders Mitch McConnell and Cornyn sent to the NFL, demanding that it not cooperate with the Obama administration in a public-education campaign to tell their fans about what benefits would be available to them and how the plan would work—a letter that clearly implied deleterious consequences if the league went ahead anyhow. McConnell and Cornyn got their desired result. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell quickly capitulated. (When I came to Washington in 1969-70, one of my great pleasures was meeting and getting to know Charles Goodell, the courageous Republican senator from New York who took on his own president on Vietnam and was quietly courageous on many other controversial issues. Roger Goodell is his son—although you would not know it from this craven action.)

When a law is enacted, representatives who opposed it have some choices (which are not mutually exclusive). They can try to repeal it, which is perfectly acceptable—unless it becomes an effort at grandstanding so overdone that it detracts from other basic responsibilities of governing. They can try to amend it to make it work better—not just perfectly acceptable but desirable, if the goal is to improve a cumbersome law to work better for the betterment of the society and its people. They can strive to make sure that the law does the most for Americans it is intended to serve, including their own constituents, while doing the least damage to the society and the economy. Or they can step aside and leave the burden of implementation to those who supported the law and got it enacted in the first place.

But to do everything possible to undercut and destroy its implementation—which in this case means finding ways to deny coverage to many who lack any health insurance; to keep millions who might be able to get better and cheaper coverage in the dark about their new options; to create disruption for the health providers who are trying to implement the law, including insurers, hospitals, and physicians; to threaten the even greater disruption via a government shutdown or breach of the debt limit in order to blackmail the president into abandoning the law; and to hope to benefit politically from all the resulting turmoil—is simply unacceptable, even contemptible. One might expect this kind of behavior from a few grenade-throwing firebrands. That the effort is spearheaded by the Republican leaders of the House and Senate—even if Speaker John Boehner is motivated by fear of his caucus, and McConnell and Cornyn by fear of Kentucky and Texas Republican activists—takes one's breath away.

Ornstein's been in the punditry business a long time, and he should know by now that no one really buys the old-line establishment schtick anymore. Folks should read the whole thing. Ornstein compares ObamaCare to G.W. Bush's Medicare expansion of 2003, and the purported Democrat grumbling about the then-biggest expansion of social welfare since the 1960s. Are you kidding me? The Democrats love to expand government. Of course you're not going to see serious efforts to block something like that, because Bush was just going all Democrat-RINO by that point. Now, though, we've had the most polarizing president if office for 5 years and the Republicans are doing exactly what you would expect according to public opinion on the ACA. ObamaCare's the socialist clusterf-k for the ages. Repeal that POS.

Ornstein's a disgrace to his profession. Or, well, his profession's been pretty well disgraced, so I guess he's right in the wheelhouse at this point.

Pathetic, either way.

Phil Mickelson Faces 61 Percent Tax Hit Following Back-to-Back Wins

An obscene tax hit.

At CBS News Los Angeles, "Mickelson Faces 61% Tax Hit Following Back-To-Back Wins..."

Kenneth Turan Reviews 'The Wolverine'

At the Los Angeles Times, "Review: A grumbling 'Wolverine' dilutes Hugh Jackman's powers."

Jackman has in fact played Wolverine six times on film since his debut as the character in 2000, with a seventh outing in the works, and this latest venture reminds us how fortunate we are to have a capable, committed actor who exudes masculinity in the title role.

Unfortunately, not even Jackman can completely rescue his character's latest outing. As directed by the usually reliable James Mangold, "The Wolverine" is an erratic affair, more lumbering than compelling, an ambitious film with its share of effective moments that stubbornly refuses to catch fire.

And it's still expected to take in $75 million this weekend alone, so take that Turan!

Boeing Moving Commercial Plane Modification Work to Long Beach From Seattle

The company modifies old commercial jets into freighters, and will shift 375 jobs to Boeing's underutilized "Fly DC Jets" plant right next to my college.

See, "Boeing to move commercial plane work from Seattle area to Long Beach":

It is a surprising announcement from Boeing, which has 1,200 commercial engineers in Long Beach, Seal Beach and Huntington Beach. The company's commercial work in Southern California has dwindled over the years.

The Long Beach plant was built by Douglas Aircraft Co. and still has a large "Fly DC Jets" sign in front. It thrived for decades, employing thousands and producing some of the world's most popular airliners, including the DC-3, DC-8 and MD-80.

Boeing stopped producing commercial aircraft there in 2006, when the last 717 rolled off the line. It was a plane that Boeing inherited when it acquired McDonnell Douglas Corp. in 1997, but the 717, originally called the MD-95, never caught on with major airlines.

With Thursday's announcement, Long Beach will be home of engineering support for many of its airplanes and for modifying its older planes to freighter aircraft.

San Diego Democrats Call on Bob #Filner to Resign

He's an epic asshole.

But he's a Democrat, so you knew that.

At the San Diego Union Tribune, "Democratic Party demands Filner resign."

Sydney Leathers on 'Inside Edition'

The original report at Inside Edition, "EXCLUSIVE: Sydney Leathers Details Being At Center Of Anthony Weiner Sexting Scandal."

And at National Review, "Weiner’s Sexting Partner: He Told Me He Loved Me."

Huge 'Burn the Bras' Roundup

At the Chive, "Burn all the bras! (40 Photos)."

Conservative Groundswell

Here's the Josh Barro headline at Business Insider, "Inside The Group Therapy Session For Conservatives Who Hate Grover Norquist" (via Memeorandum).

The background is a new David Corn hit piece at Mother Jones, but I'll let the Other McCain pick it up from here, "Project #Groundswell Memo, Number 17: What Conspiracy? Oh, That Conspiracy!"

Keep reading.

Roger Waters Concert Exhibits Hateful Anti-Semitic Images and Props

I saw this at the Times of Israel this morning, "Roger Waters concert features pig with Star of David."

And here comes Jonathan Tobin with the beat down, at Commentary, "A Brick in the Wall of Anti-Semitism":

In the past, Waters has insisted that his displays as well as well as his opinions are not anti-Jewish but just a criticism of Israeli policies. But the use of a Star of David interchangeably with recognizable symbols of tyrannies can’t be reasonably interpreted as anything but an attempt to portray Israel as the moral equivalent of the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany. To associate it with symbols of greed is to play on traditional anti-Semitic stereotypes that were freely used by the Soviets and the Nazis and undermines any idea that Waters is doing is in support of human rights. To display a Jewish symbol on the side of a large pig balloon adds insult to injury.

Even if we were to leave aside the obvious evidence of anti-Semitism in Waters’ use of these symbols, his basic argument that Israel’s security fence is a violation of human rights is itself not merely wrong but a demonstration of his lack of interest in the survival of Jews. The fence was built, after all, not to fence in the Palestinians but to keep terrorist suicide bombers who were sent into Israel to indiscriminately slaughter men, women and children out. To demand the fence be torn down is an implicit call for Jewish blood to begin to flow again.

This latest evidence of Waters’ anti-Semitic behavior ought to disillusion those of his fans who still cling to the notion that his art is a cry for liberty. But it also ought to chasten those liberals and Jewish institutions that have continued to make common cause with him. In the last year, Waters was scheduled to appear at New York City’s venerable 92nd Street Y but canceled at the last minute due, he said, to a schedule conflict. Fortunately, the Y never re-scheduled Waters but subsequently did host the equally anti-Semitic Alice Walker. Let’s hope this latest incident ensures that Waters never again is welcomed into any Jewish community or any place where people of good will have any say.

Also at Elder of Ziyon, "Roger Waters flies a pig balloon with a Star of David in Belgium concert."

Death Toll Hits 80 in Spanish Train Derailment

At WSJ, "Death Toll From Spanish Train Crash Hits 80: Investigators Look at Excess Speed as a Possible Cause."

Well, you think excessive speed "might be" a cause. Jesus.



More at USA Today, "Reports: Spain train traveling twice the speed limit."

Juror B-29 Speaks Out: George #Zimmerman 'Got Away With Murder...'

An ABC News exclusive, "George Zimmerman Juror Says He ‘Got Away With Murder’."

Oh boy. This is going to break wide open tomorrow, when the full segment airs on GMA. Meanwhile, at the clip below, Lisa Bloom --- a regular on the communist MSMBC network --- is heartbroken that Juror B-29 didn't "stand her ground" in the jury room, and vote to convict Zimmerman.

Obviously, in the depraved leftist aftermath she's been flooded with progressive propaganda and feels guilty that she didn't do justice to the demands of black shakedown solidarity. I doubt it's smart she didn't hide her identity. People are pissed off and it's foolish not to assume that left-wing anger will overcome race solidarity, and that some black criminal mf's will be looking to gun that bitch down.

In any case, the Lede has more, "Juror Says George Zimmerman ‘Got Away With Murder’." (At Memeorandum.)

#Weiner Sexting Scandal Shifts Focus to 'Good Wife' Huma Abedin

Well, at least for now the focus is shifting to the "good wife" Huma, as this New York Times piece illustrates, "Many New York Women Are Baffled at Loyalty Shown by Weiner's Wife."

It's not baffling. The Weiners are all about power, and as many have said on Twitter, Huma's had the country's premiere sex-scandal mentor in Hillary Clinton. It was surreal watching the press conference, especially with Huma's easy cheesy smile and the fawning looks at her vulgar, sexting-addicted husband. Contrast that to Silda Spitzer, who looked absolutely mortified during their press conference a few years back. And Silda's remained out of the public eye as her husband seeks a return to political office. A huge difference.

The Weiners are not natural people. And I expect that the pressure's going to keep building until Anthony's driven from the race. But we'll see. We'll see.

In any case, still more attention to Huma at Memeorandum. She's not the "good wife" in the last analysis.

The Rich Have Done Fine Under Obamanomics, Not So the Middle Class

As I was saying yesterday, this president is the freakin' worst.

At WSJ, "The Inequality President":

President Obama made his fourth or fifth, or maybe it's the seventh or eighth, pivot to the economy on Wednesday, and a revealing speech it was. We counted four mentions of "growth" but "inequality" got five. This goes a long way to explaining why Mr. Obama is still bemoaning the state of the economy five years into his Presidency.

The President summed up his economic priorities close to the top of his hour-long address. "This growing inequality isn't just morally wrong; it's bad economics," he told his Galesburg, Illinois audience. "When middle-class families have less to spend, businesses have fewer customers. When wealth concentrates at the very top, it can inflate unstable bubbles that threaten the economy. When the rungs on the ladder of opportunity grow farther apart, it undermines the very essence of this country."

Then the heart of the matter: "That's why reversing these trends must be Washington's highest priority. It's certainly my highest priority."

Which is the problem. For four and a half years, Mr. Obama has focused his policies on reducing inequality rather than increasing growth. The predictable result has been more inequality and less growth. As even Mr. Obama conceded in his speech, the rich have done well in the last few years thanks to a rising stock market, but the middle class and poor have not. The President called his speech "A Better Bargain for the Middle Class," but no President has done worse by the middle class in modern times.

What a bloody disaster.

Continue reading.

Houston Gas Station Shooting — Stand Your Ground

At National Review, "Houston Woman Stands Her Ground, Shoots Knife-Carrying Attacker," and Legal Insurrection, "Houston Gas Station Shooting: SYG or not? Break it Down with AOJ."



Background at USA Today, "Woman rebuffs, kills armed man at Houston gas stop."

Young People Value Public Service Over Politics

This isn't a new finding, although I'd be surprised if the trend toward public service over politics wasn't even more pronounced these days, what with the corrupt Democrats failing young people at every turn.

At USA Today, "Public service valued; politics — not so much":

WASHINGTON — The American impulse to make a contribution to the community is strong, but the feeling that politics can be an avenue to do that seems to be souring.

A new USA TODAY/Bipartisan Policy Center poll finds that Americans by more than 2-1 say the best way to make positive changes in society is through volunteer organizations and charities, not by being active in government. Those younger than 30 are particularly put off by politics. They are significantly less likely than their parents to say participating in politics is an important value in their lives.

Consider Cole Ledford.

The Ohio State University sophomore was thrilled last year to get an internship working at the Ohio Legislature, but he didn't learn the lesson he expected. The experience convinced him he didn't want a career in government or politics.

"I thought I wanted to be one of them," the 19-year-old from Lebanon, Ohio, says. "But it was more that politics was a game they wanted to play, and it wasn't about the constituents." He's switched his major from political science to non-profit management, and he hopes to "give back and influence the world" by working for a charitable group, perhaps one that helps people with special needs.

"There's a skepticism of government," says Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., who at age 32 is the second-youngest current member of Congress. "Young people say, if I want to feed the hungry or make a difference for cancer patients, it's easier to do that through a non-profit and see the tangible results up close than, say, trying to push for federal funding to do the same."

Analysts warn of a dangerous downward cycle: Perceptions of government as dysfunctional and politics as corrupt keep getting worse. That convinces some of the nation's ablest people, especially those just starting out, that they don't want to run for office or work for the government at any level. As a result, government and politics are likely to work even less well — presumably prompting perceptions to fall further.

It's hard to imagine assessments of Washington getting much worse. Only one in five of those surveyed say they trust the federal government to do what is right most of the time. There is a close split, 42%-38%, on whether they see the government as an advocate or an adversary for them and their families. (The partisan divide: Republicans and independents view the federal government as an adversary while Democrats see it as an advocate.)

Yeah, an advocate for bankrupting future generations, just what you'd expect from the ideological blinkered Democrat freaks.

More on the poor views of government, including some very low marks for Barack Hussein, at the New York Times, "New Polls Are Bad News for Obama, and Worse for Congress."

Huma Abedin is 'Surprisingly Persuasive'!

My god, the idiot progressives are seriously going to bat for the depraved, power-obsessed Weiners.

See the Jacobin Chris Hayes from MSNBC:



And idiot leftist Scott Lemieux ignores the disgusting immorality and says he'd still vote for Weiner if he was the most progressive candidate. Yay, that's really, ahem, sticking up for your ideological creds! See, "On Carlos Danger."

And the bloviating Lemieux gets beat up by his own commenters at the thread.

Bwhahaha!! What a total freakin' a-hole loser.

Michigan WJRT Reporter Siobhan Riley Draws Huge Penis During Live Newscast

Well, it's not as bad as "Captain Sum Ting Wong," but still.

Video here.

Story at the Hinterland Gazette, "MI TV Reporter Siobhan Riley Accidentally Draws Giant Penis to Explain Traffic Congestion in Saginaw."

Daddy Back From Afghanistan Surprises Family in Scuba Gear

Via Theo Spark, "Scuba Soldier - Back From Afghanistan Early - Surprises Family."



Also at N.Y. Daily News, "Dad back from Afghan duty stages scuba surprise."

Obama's Speech on Revitalizing the Middle Class

Major snooze session.

I tuned in, but it was painful, and the reviews aren't kind.

From Chris Cillizza, for example, "Meet President Obama’s new economic message. Same as his old economic message."

And Fred Barnes, "Older, But Not Wiser" (via Memeorandum):

“As a country, we’re older and we’re wiser,” President Obama declared in a speech today in Galesburg, Illinois. He’s certainly older. But on the basis of this speech bristling with tired ideas he’s trotted out time and time again, Obama himself is anything but wiser....

In the unlikelihood you’ve been paying attention to Obama’s speeches, you’ve heard all this before, particularly about what government will do for you. For Obama, free markets are irrelevant. But here’s the worst part. This speech was first of a series on the economy.

He's the worst. A terrible president and the worst administration in history.

Added: From Astute Bloggers, "MORE CLASS WARFARE BS AND SOCIALIST REDISTRUBTIONIST THREATS FROM BARRY HUSSEIN OBAMA SOETORO."