Newsworthies: Top Story Roundup (01/14/09)
Congrats to Jeff, Obama at George Will’s house, bin Laden playing offense, more on Rep. Schakowsky, El Paso City Council bows to the feds, GOP alternate stimulus package, Obama’s 2nd Amendment stances, and links for the start of Georgia’s political machine…
Congratulations to Jeff Schreiber’s one-year anniversary of his site, americasright.com. His partial life story on his turn from the “left side of life” is quite inspirational.
Yesterday evening, the President-Elect had dinner at George Will’s house; here’s an accounting (via FreeRepublic.com) from the New York Times (notice precious few true conservatives were invited).
ABCNews.com is reporting that Osama bin Laden is playing offense against the President-Elect:
In a direct challenge to President-elect Barack Obama, Osama bin Ladenquestions whether America “is capable to keep fighting us for more years” in a new audio message attributed to him Wednesday morning on an internet website.
A senior U.S. official told ABCNews.com, “There is no reason to doubt the authenticity of the tape.”
It is the first time bin Laden has been heard from in seven months and puts to rest speculation he is dead. The al Qaeda leader’s last audio message was posted on May 18, 2008.
“This is part of their ongoing propaganda effort to appear relevant by commenting on current events,” the senior US official said in dismissing the significance of the new tape.
“Now America is begging the world for money,” bin Laden says, “and the USA will not be as powerful as it used to be.”
“This rapid failing for America was one of the reasons that the Israelis started their attacks against Gaza and just to make use of what’s left of the Bush term,” he says.
Bin Laden makes reference to Vice-President elect Joseph Biden, quoting him as saying “the financial crisis is bigger than we expected” and the al Qaeda leader counsels patience in continuing to fight the U.S.
“The majority of the U.S. people are happy to get rid of Bush, Bush left for his successor a heavy heritage, the hardest part of heritage is guerilla wars,” bin Laden says. …
During the campaign, Obama said the capture or death of bin Laden, and the defeat of al Qaeda, would be one of his administration’s highest priorities.
This is clearly going to be an issue that the President-Elect will have no choice but to actually take a stand. After that, we’ll see who holds him accountable for whatever that stance is.
Recall from a previous posting that I had reported on Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). Apparently, PajamasMedia has continued this reporting. You will notice on page two where all requests for comment have been rebuffed. Is it any wonder that the Illinois State Legislature wants the Governor out of there ASAP? If you’re from their districts, perhaps you could contact State Senator Emil Jones Jr. (D-14th District) or Rep. Shakowsky.
Speaking of Democrat hijinks (via RedState.com), check out what’s been going on in Texas where the El Paso City Council dared to suggest that they have an open debate on narcotic prohibitions (two things: they weren’t calling for a total repeal of such laws; they were merely trying to start a debate on how best to deal with those laws at the local level; federal officeholders threatened fund withholding if the Council proceeded).
Did you know that the GOP has an alternative to the stimulus package currently being parroted by the President-Elect? RedState has the specifics; here are the main bullet points:
- We’re proposing a permanent 5% cut in personal income tax rates.
- We’re cutting taxes on businesses from 35% to 25% so they are better seated to invest and create jobs.
- We want to alleviate debt for future generations – by avoiding a trillion dollar spending spree
- Our bill will contain NO pork and NO earmarks
For those interested in Second Amendment rights, CrossActionNews.com has a great posting of the President-Elect’s current views.
Here in the great State of Georgia, Governor Sonny Perdue (R) presents his “State of the State” address today; one of a number of initiatives proposed includes tort reform (great summary posting from peachpundit.com). Also, it’ll soon be time for precinct mass meetings and county/district conventions here in the State, followed by the State convention in Savannah on May 15-16. Having been through this process before, if you’re someone after party reform for the GOP, be nice, be courteous, always compromise on the how, but remain forever passionate on the what.
-Phil
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