House Republicans walked off the floor in protest when the House Democratic leadership opted to vote on contempt of Congress charges against Harriet Miers and Josh Bolten. Here’s the full account:

House Republicans Thursday left the chamber ahead of a vote seeking to hold White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify before a panel investigating the firing of several United States attorneys.

The move was intended to show that Republicans want to work on a permanent update to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act rather than be part of a “partisan fishing expedition,” as House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) put it.

At a press conference following the walkout, Boehner said “Before Congress leaves town, we must give our intelligence officials the tools they need to keep America safe. “The president will delay his trip to Africa to deal with this critical issue. And Republicans are prepared to stay here as long as it takes to complete our work,” Boehner added. “The terrorist threat to our country is not going away. We must do everything we can to protect the American people, and we should start by passing the bipartisan Senate bill.”

The Democrats’ decision to not debate the FISA reform bill potentially puts the entire nation at risk. As such, it’s one of the riskiest, most irresponsible decisions in recent House history. Knowing that the temporary FISA reform bill runs out this Saturday should’ve been all the motivation needed to propel the House Democratic leadership to action. Instead, we’re hearing this type of drivel: (continue reading post »)

“To err is human but to really screw up it takes the Berkeley City Council,” said council member Gordon Wozniak. “We failed our city. We embarrassed our city.”

Truer words were never spoken. And only the threat of losing federal funding forced the Republic of Berkeley into retreat. SF Chronicle reports:

“At 1:30 a.m., after nearly four hours of public comment and debate, the council voted 7-2 to rescind its action two weeks ago directing the city clerk to send a letter to the Marines that they weren’t welcome in the city.

In a separate vote, the council decided not to issue a public apology for its action last month.”

Go figure. So goes the old credo: being liberal means never saying you’re sorry.*

Berkeley’s critics included six Republican U.S. senators who have vowed to cut federal funding for several Berkeley programs, such as the Chez Panisse Foundation, which provides school lunches at Berkeley’s public schools, and the Robert Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service at UC Berkeley.

Democrats remain silent. Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch?

Susan Killebrew, a Berkeley mother who brought her twin 7-year-old daughters, Aria and Sophia, to the demonstration, said she wanted the city to stand firm against the war and the recruiting center.

“We might have to suffer (negative publicity) as a result of it,” she said before the meeting Tuesday, “but not as much as the children in Iraq who are traumatized by the constant military presence there. My heart is broken by this war. I marched against it before the invasion. It makes me sad that so many have died.”

Yes, traumatized by our troops. Oh, if only we could bring back the torture, the rape rooms and the plastic shredders of Saddam Hussein. Order would be restored. (Waterboarding? Like a day at the beach)

Code Pink activists said that even with the council backing off, they intend to place a resolution on the local ballot to oust the recruiters.

“We want voters to be able to decide … just like they have a say whether a liquor store or porn shop opens near a school,” said Jodie Evans, a Berkeley yoga studio owner who co-founded Code Pink.

Liquor and porn somehow equates to military service? One might argue to the contrary; those are the vices (sorry, the “freedoms”) that many liberals hold dear and always want to protect. But that goes to show the kind of mentality we’re dealing with. Nothing wrong with yoga, but this woman may want to pull her head back out — from that far-back position.

“Berkeley doesn’t speak for America,” said Eve Tidwell of Columbus, Ga., who flew into the Bay Area on Tuesday after watching news accounts of the uproar over the Marines in Berkeley. “If terror came to Berkeley, the Marines would come to protect the people here.”

Sadly, it’s true. Where’s Darwin when you really need him?

RELATED:
Berkeley to Marines: “You’re Uninvited
and Unwelcome Intruders.”

I believe they call this a slap in the face. Or perhaps kicking a person when they’re down. Or, maybe, it’s picking a winner.

Woe is Hillary…

AP reports: “The man who served as national manager of former President Clinton’s 1992 campaign plans to endorse Sen. Barack Obama, an aide to Obama said Wednesday.”

Obama’s campaign planned a 1 p.m. conference call Wednesday to announce the endorsement by David Wilhelm, who later became chairman of the Democratic National Committee, according to an aide who spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement would be made public later in the day.

Now, don’t get us wrong. We don’t care for Obama. But there’s a certain guilty pleasure to be taken from the fact that Hillary’s campaign is sucking wind. The Clinton arrogance is finally getting a little taste of public humility.

As for our side, it’s a crying shame. Woe is ‘08.

As I said here and here, Mike Huckabee won’t win the GOP nomination this year, which is a good thing because he’s a second tier candidate that’s overstayed his welcome. He’s now displaying the wrong-headed thinking that should eliminate him as the ‘next in line’ candidate. Here’s what Ed Rollins said about Gov. Huckabee staying in the race:

Asked whether Huckabee risks overplaying his hand, his campaign chairman, Ed Rollins said he didn’t think so.

“I think he’s made it very clear that until either he or McCain have 1,191 delegates, he’s going to stay in this thing. We always wanted to get it down to one-on-one,” Rollins said Monday. “This is what he wants to do. Getting Romney out of the race obviously eliminates a guy who had an advantage with money.”

Huckabee and McCain “respect each other. They’re both men of integrity,” Rollins said. “Tomorrow is a big day. We’ll keep going as long as we can.”

As of last Friday, Gov. Huckabee needed to win 83.3 percent of the remaining delegates, McCain only 40 percent. That raises the question of why Huckabee chooses to keep going. That’s a pertinent question considering Rollins’ statement that “We’ll keep going as long as we can.” There’s nothing in his statement about winning. It doesn’t sound like he gives a rip about winning. (continue reading post »)

Last year, Harry Reid was the predictor of doom and gloom in Iraq. Last July, he even talked Nancy Pelosi into signing a letter that the situation was hopeless in Iraq. Now that it’s a new year, she’s stepping out on her own:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said twice Sunday that Iraq “is a failure,” adding that President Bush’s troop surge has “not produced the desired effect.”

“The purpose of the surge was to create a secure time for the government of Iraq to make the political change to bring reconciliation to Iraq,” Pelosi said on CNN’s “Late Edition.” “They have not done that.”

The speaker hastened to add: “The troops have succeeded, God bless them.”

At least Pelosi isn’t saying that the troops are caugh in an intractable quagmire or that the troops cracked under pressure. Besides, progress is being made in terms of national reconciliation. Surely Ms. Pelosi knows that oil revenue sharing is happening, too. Here’s what she told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer: (continue reading post »)

Battle royal brewing at Berkeley council meeting
A protester tangles with an unidentified man outside the Marine recruiting office in Berkeley.

Protesting as if it were their job. For some, it is.

CNN reports: “Berkeley, the famously liberal college town in California, has taken aim at Marine recruiters, saying they are ‘not welcome in our city.’”

Liberal “tolerance”, reserved for only the like-minded.

Republican lawmakers in Washington fired back this week, threatening to take back more than $2 million of federal funding to the city as well as money designated for the University of California-Berkeley, the campus that became a haven of protests during the Vietnam War.

The battle erupted after the Berkeley City Council approved a measure last week urging the Marine recruiters to leave their downtown office.

“If recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders,” the item says.

It goes on to say the council applauds residents and organizations that “volunteer to impede, passively or actively, by nonviolent means, the work of any military recruiting office located in the City of Berkeley.”

Berkeley is joining San Francisco in seceding from the United States. Military protection is no longer required and is unwanted, confirmed by the hostility against the troops.

Take a good, close look at this photo. Consider the implied message: These protesters believe (and are accusing) our military to be murderers. Reminds us of the DailyKos-niks’ righteous indignation over this post and photo.

via Zombietime.com: As noted in an earlier zombietime report, the radical group Code Pink has since September of 2007 been staging protests in front of a U.S. Marine Corps’ “Officer Selection Office” on Shattuck Square in downtown Berkeley, California, in an attempt to force the office to close.

The protests have been scheduled almost daily for over three months continuously, though bad weather (and apathy) have meant minimal (and sometimes nonexistent) attendence at many of these events — which have ranged from “Kiss-Ins” to juggling performances to mass public breastfeedings and beyond. (See the recent photos)
. . .

Most significantly, Senator Jim DeMint (R - South Carolina) began proceedings to prevent federal funds from reaching Berkeley; $2.1 million in earmarks for Berkeley are planned to be rescinded and instead given to the Marines.

Let the Republic of Berkely do without federal (tax-payer) money. Let them sell their anti-establishment T-shirts and peace-loving wrist-beads. Let the angry, body-pierced protesters work double-shifts at the local print shops and coffee houses, so they can maybe earn enough to pay taxes. (The photo gallery tells the story. We’re being considerate in our descriptions.)

Are we disgusted? Hell yes. Are we pissed off? You better fucking believe it. Do we care to swear on this blog? Rarely. But the times are a’changin’.

We wholeheartedly support the effort to withhold federal funding from Berkeley, and we hope you will, too.

RELATED: Read more from our archive, all things Bezerkeley

Michelle Malkin has more coverage.

UPDATE: (via MoveAmericaForward.org)

Fox News Channel’s Jamie Colby has a new report up talking about the big showdown in Berkeley, CA tomorrow - TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH - when patriots from around the nation will hold an all-day pro-troop demonstration and protest against the Berkeley City Council for their reprehensible attacks against our military men and women.

The report is called: “Berkeley Military Bashers Meet Marine Supporters”. We need you to post a comment on this topic and let the Berkeley City Council know how you feel. Read the report and post your comments here.

And finally, we need you to join us tomorrow - anytime between 5:00 AM when we begin our all-day pro-troop demonstration, all the way through 7:00 PM when the Berkeley City Council meeting begins. You can also sign the petition that we will be delivering personally to the City Council.

With the Senate about to debate the FISA bill, the first caution I’d offer President Bush and Congress is to do no harm to our intel-gathering capabilities. The WSJ has stated the same thing in this editorial. that isn’t the only advice they’re giving Congress. Here’s something else they said that I’ve written about before:

He’s also acceded to a provision in the Senate Intelligence bill that is troublesome enough. That’s Oregon Senator Ron Wyden’s amendment requiring the FISA court to approve all overseas surveillance of U.S. citizens. This would go beyond current law, which allows eavesdropping of Americans abroad if the Attorney General makes a finding of “probable cause” of some criminal act. The Wyden provision would transfer that “probable cause” judgment to unelected judges, which means that Americans abroad who are suspected of aiding terrorists would get more wiretap judicial review than do Americans suspected of drug offenses.

As I said here, the Fourth Amendment doesn’t apply to reasonable searches. It’s only applicable to unreasonable searches. For those who say that we have a system of checks and balances, I’d suggest that Congress, not FISA judges, should be the check to the White House. (continue reading post »)

Mike Huckabee is finally flipping his lid. Check out this answer in his interview with Howard Fineman:

Fineman: How do you answer people who say that you ensured John McCain’s nomination by hurting Mitt Romney?
Huckabee: I find it amazing that people would say that I “hurt” Romney. Could it not be that he hurt me? Had he not been in South Carolina—and if Fred Thompson had not been there—I would have won. Would it have changed the universe for me? Yes, it would have. Why is it that my candidacy should disappear? Who is it that has the right to pull the plug on it? Is it my critics? My critics never supported me, so why would I sit around and act according to the chorus of critics? I’d rather act according to the chorus of my supporters.

As I said here, the nomination race is over. At this point, Gov. Huckabee would have to win 83.3 percent of the remaining delegates to win the nomination; McCain only has to win 40 percent of those delegates. What are the odds that both those things will happen? He has the right to continue but it’s unrealistic for him to think he’ll win.

What’s particularly unbecoming is his playing the ‘If my opponents hadn’t been in the race, I would’ve won’ card. Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson both had more credentials to be president than Gov. Huckabee has. Sen. Thompson has tons of foreign policy experience, federalist principles and a habit of cutting wasteful spending in Wsahington. And he voted to balance the federal budget four consecutive years.

Mitt Romney took over the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics when they were filled with corruption. He had to deal with the security of world’s athletes in the aftermath of 9/11. He built Bain Capital from the ground up. He has a long legacy of accomplishments.

Mike Huckabee has a quick wit and a mixed history of cutting and raising taxes. And he thinks that he’s the one who should be president? Shame on him for thinking that.

What’s been true all along is that Mike Huckabee’s never been more than a likeable second tier candidate. His sense of humor and his position on the disaster known as the Fair Tax are the only things that kept him in the race.

That’s hardly the resume of a first tier presidential candidate. That’s the resume of a first tier presidential wannabe.

Technorati Tags: Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, Election 2008

Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog

Have you heard the latest cries of racism?

Believe it or not, this time they’re not against a Republican. Instead, the insensitive perpetrator is MSNBCs reporter Keith Olbermann, who, as Newsmax reports, “slurs Latinos with ‘guacamole’.” Indeed, that’s some pretty strong language.

What can we say? Sticks and stones, but political correctness above all. How ridiculous.

There’s no need to even address the story, other than to say: It’s another example of the growing weakness in our culture, in both mind and body. Everyone is offended by everything, except if your white and conservative — as the only unprotected class, you can’t claim victimhood. It’s a brilliant setup.

Political correctness does absolutely nothing to change people’s minds, but only censors communication. It drives away candor and honesty, leaving only sanitized, superficial blather. What do people really think? Who knows.

If we really wanted to deal with race relations and “diversity,” Americans should be able to speak freely and let the strength of multiculturalism become self-evident. Or not. Anything else is contrived. By spoon-feeding the notion of tolerance and jumping to “apologize” every time someone gets indignant, we’re only creating a veneer of civility. One day, it’ll crack.

In related MSNBC news…

AP reports: “A distasteful comment about Chelsea Clinton by an MSNBC anchor could imperil Hillary Rodham Clinton’s participation in future presidential debates on the network, a Clinton spokesman said.”

Is that a threat, or a promise?

In a conference call with reporters, Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson on Friday excoriated MSNBC’s David Shuster for suggesting the Clinton campaign had “pimped out” 27-year old Chelsea by having her place phone calls to celebrities and Democratic Party “superdelegates” on her mother’s behalf.

Wolfson called Shuster’s comment “beneath contempt” and disgusting.

Good thing she’s not a Clinton intern, as that might give the reference a whole new meaning.

OK, let’s get this straight: Outraged and offended because someone used the expression “pimped out”? Perhaps Mr. Wolfson isn’t “down” with the modern lexicon, which has been so terrifically enriched by the hip-hop culture, yo. (See Obama supporter)

In some circles, to be “pimpin” is nothing more than a term of endearment. Or perhaps the automotive industry should file a class-action lawsuit against MTV for the popular show, Pimp My Ride. Disgusting, indeed. Everyone’s a victim.

And what about the grand pimp masters, Jesse Jackson and Big Al Sharpton? If only Chelsea were black, they could make it a race issue. Otherwise, if there ain’t no check to collect, they’re not getting out of bed.

MSNBC said Shuster, who apologized on the air for his comment, has been temporarily suspended from appearing on all NBC news broadcasts except to offer his apology.

“NBC News takes these matters seriously, and offers our sincere regrets to the Clintons for the remarks,” MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines said, adding the network was hopeful the debate would take place as planned.

Maybe MSNBC will go easy on Hillary now. No tough questions. No more “hardball.” (That’s a joke, people)

As for Mr. Shuster, we almost feel sorry for him. Perhaps he should’ve stuck to the Queen’s English and politely observed: “The Clintons are leveraging their daughter in the employment of promoting Hillary’s campaign.”

Different words. Same meaning. Fo’ shizzle.

UPDATE: (2/16/08)

AP reports:

“Chelsea Clinton tells students about her mother’s plans for the economy and mortgages. The former first daughter outlines Hillary Rodham Clinton’s concern about Darfur and women’s rights. She ticks through talking points on electability, health care and the environment.

Oh, and she reveals her mother wants grandkids and her father builds their schedule around a popular TV drama, “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Chelsea Clinton has emerged as a top surrogate for her mother as the former first lady has fallen behind Sen. Barack Obama in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Top “surrogate.” Good thing no one said something else.

That’s the message being sent in this memo to Huckabee’s campaign staffers:

Memorandum to Huckabee Campaigners
From: Ed Rollins, Campaign Chairman; Chip
Saltsman, Campaign Manager
Re: Our Path to Victory at the Minneapolis-St.
Paul convention
Too many Republicans have tried to turn this nomination battle into a coronation, not a series of further election contests. Big mistake on their part. They are wrong. We know that we are running an underdog campaign, but that’s nothing new we have always been the underdog. And yet a whole lot of onetime overdogs are now on the sidelines, licking their wounds. The Republican National Convention is seven long months away; a lot can happen in that much time. A lot will happen.
But in the meantime, as you all know, Governor Huckabee is not a quitter. He has never shirked from a challenge, and he never will. He has always told us and personally reaffirmed to us just today that he is in this race to win. That is, to win the Republican presidential nomination, and to win the White House. Why? Because he cares deeply about the issues that inspired him to get into politics in the first place back in the 60s, when he started studying the works of the great conservative thinkers and writers, back in the 70s, when he was an ardent supporter of another underdog Republican. And what was that fellow’s name? Oh yes, it was Ronald Reagan.

The nominating contest is essentially over. Huckabee and Rollins know that. This is the most bizarre thing I’ve ever read. First off, Ronald Reagan wasn’t the huge underdog that Gov. Huckabee is. For that reason alone, Huckabee should drop out of the race immediately. Certainly, it’s his right to continue as long as his money holds out and his staff keeps working for him. (continue reading post »)