No Labels

Written : Dec. 28, 2010

Let me introduce the No Labels movement to you. They say, “We are Democrats, Republicans, and Independents who are united in the belief that we do not have to give up our labels, merely put them aside to do what’s best for America.” Sounds nice, doesn’t it? And, as I suggest in my book, From the Left to the Right, we need to lower the level of vitriol in our political dialogue, while adding a large dose of civility at the same time. They apparently agree, and I like their slogan, “Not left, not right, forward.” Cumbaya so far!

I find this movement intriguing, yet somewhat disturbing. Let me say first that none of the following items - by themselves - is any big deal. First of all, No Labels was kicked off on Dec. 13, 2010, at Columbia University in New York City, both bastions of liberalism. Secondly, any party, or ideology, which gets bashed in a national election, seems to start a ‘movement’ after their defeat. The Democrats just got throttled, so I have to ask myself if this is their movement. Thirdly, this centrist movement seems to be an extension of the Coffee Party, which was formed to counteract the Tea Party. Anything that distracts from the Tea Party in my opinion, is a detriment to our country, and no one even mentioned the Tea Party in the initial meeting of No Labels. In addition, the founders of No Labels are mostly left leaning, former Democratic Party operatives. Lastly, most of those who spoke at their first meeting were liberals and/or Democrats.

The group has some good ideas, but as with anything new, we need to be a little skeptical. Remember the brutal resistance the Tea Party encountered when it was first formed? Is No Labels a genuine and dedicated group of Americans who will really put partisan politics aside and work for the benefit of our country? Or, is this a slick group of liberals who are angry they were trounced in the last election and have a left-wing agenda to carry out? Time will tell…

For more information about Mark A. Cohen, see The Castle Rock, CO Gathering Place, Writer of the Month for Nov. 2010

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Responsibility vs. Morality

Written : Dec. 21, 2010

David Gregory of Meet the Press quoted President Obama from his book, Audacity of Hope, on the Dec. 19, 2010 show. Mr. Obama found the Bush tax rates for the wealthy “morally troubling.” Vice President Joe Biden said, “They are.” Mr. Biden insisted that he and President Obama still believe lower rates for the rich are immoral.

Bill O’Reilly took a more sensible view on his own show a day later. Bill feels it’s immoral for the responsible to pay for the irresponsible. O’Reilly believes the responsible can support others if they so choose, but it should not be an imperative set in place by the government. I agree, it should be up to us as to what we share, and not up to someone else’s arbitrary view of morality. Should others tell you what to do?

As one TV commentator puts it, “How much is too much?” Rich people pay about 70% of all U.S. taxes, depending upon how you define ‘rich.’ Their individual tax rates can be as high as 60%, if you include state, local, and sales taxes to federal. If taxes are to be raised on upper-income people, what is the appropriate rate? Do we try 80%? Why is that fair, and how do we know they are not already investing the extra 20% in stocks or in some form of business? Therefore, how can we assume they are not already creating or maintaining jobs for some of us? Wouldn’t it be suicide for us to pull the rug out from under them?

The Vice President said he and The President broke their campaign promise on letting the Bush cuts expire, and supported the recently passed the tax compromise bill only to help the middle class. This bill extends the Bush-era tax cuts for every American for another two years. Does he not realize that the struggle is and should be an individual one, and not based upon one’s economic class? Vice President Biden wants to revisit raising taxes on entrepreneurs prior to the next presidential election. Does he not understand that this is a recipe for disaster for his party? I guess not!

For more information about Mark A. Cohen, see The Castle Rock, CO Gathering Place, Writer of the Month for Nov. 2010

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Grover Norquist, Part II

Written : Dec. 7, 2010

…continued from last week…

The spectacular appearance of Grover Norquist on Washington Journal on Dec. 5, 2010 is worth discussing some more. He said that President Obama’s so-called stimulus package cost $800 billion, which led to higher unemployment, lower growth, and made the economy worse. How can you disagree?

Host Pedro Echevarria said the New York Times recently listed how much extending the Bush Tax Cuts could cost - and what it might yield for the U.S. if not extended. Each household over $250K would get an extra $25K annually if continued, while if the cuts expire, the Government would receive about $60 billion in revenue. The NYT suggested the $60 billion could buy - for example - a tripling of federal funding for research, or universal pre-school for 3- and 4-year-olds, or a much bigger troop surge in Afghanistan, etc. Mr. Echevarria asked Grover Norquist to respond.

The founder of Americans for Tax Reform surprised me with a little more excitement. “I don’t care what greedy politicians [want to do with] your income!” He then said that the NYT and the federal government play God and they think we’re wasting our money on our families. Norquist argued that we could spend it better. “The whole idea of the Tea Party was: You know what, Washington, you can’t spend my money better than I can and second of all, it’s not your money!”

Mr. Norquist continued, “The King wants the peasant’s money and he thinks the peasants are wasting it… It’s not the King’s money, it’s the American peoples’ money. We don’t have peasants in this country: We are citizens. …The nerve of the New York Times to announce: ‘Let me walk through your house and take things out...’ It’s not their job!”

Grover Norquist concluded, “Where was the NYT when we spent $800 billion on the so-called stimulus package…?” He then used an analogy. Take a cup to a lake and fill it with water. Next, walk around to the other side of the lake and dump the water in the cup back into the lake. And the so-called stimulus did it 800 billion times. Norquist suggested that Keynesian economics says if you take $1 from someone and give it to someone else it stimulates the economy. Doesn’t it seem like a silly idea?

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Grover Norquist, Part I

Written : Dec. 7, 2010

Did you catch Grover Norquist on Washington Journal on Dec. 5, 2010? Fortunately, I did. Mr. Norquist is the head of Americans for Tax Reform, and he was stellar on CSPAN!

According to Mr. Norquist, the Dems would like to make you believe they urgently want to extend the current tax rates for some but not for all. “Think about that,” he said. Democrats have had a majority in Congress for years (since 2006) and they’ve never even written a bill to extend the rates for anyone! “Not for poor people, not for middle-income people, for no one.” So, Mr. Norquist argued: President Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Sen. Harry Reid have gotten up every morning and never lifted a finger to extend these tax cuts. The concept that they have a burning desire to extend the lower rates for anyone is nonsense. They were hoping they could let the Bush cuts expire, but they were beaten in the last election.

He explains my position beautifully. Grover Norquist painted a verbal picture of the President standing in front of businesses with a sledgehammer. Since Norquist’s appearance on this program, the Congress and the President have compromised on an extension of the cuts for two years. But he was prepared for the circumstance. Mr. Norquist said that President Obama would say to businesses, “We’re not going to smash you in the face now, we’re going to smash you in the face in two years.”

Norquist maintains, “Do you think investors and businesses [are going to say] that’s great, we’re going to build a new factory because we’re protected for two years? And then you hit us in the side of the head? No. Temporary tax cuts don’t have the incentives…that people face.” He says that the President’s plan is to make the change temporary, and then cause them to expire after he gets re-elected.

Grover Norquist concluded that since the cuts are not permanent now, we have to replace President Obama “in two years with a president who respects that when people earn money, it belongs to them [and] not to some greedy politician....” Well put, man!

...to be continued next week…

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How Conservatives Can Win in 2012

Written : Nov. 29, 2010

We'll need to screen our candidates more carefully for the 2012 presidential election. What do I mean? The Republican Party will need to do its homework. Christine O'Donnell (R-DE) was a disappointment because once she unseated the incumbent Mike Castle (R-DE) she could not beat the Democrat in the general election. She was qualified enough from my perspective, but there was one skeleton too many in her closet. The media exploited it and she looked silly. Her “I’m not a witch” ad didn’t help, either. Our biased media has done the same thing with Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK). She'll make a wonderful distraction and should take all the flak in 2012, but I believe she can't win at this stage.

Rep. Sharron Angle (R-NV) was tough enough and said the right things to beat Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), but she could not overcome the machine. The twisted media blurred Ms. Angle’s message. Her strange facial expressions and imperfect speaking style were accentuated and therefore, she could not win. If you’re a Republican you must project a perfect image.

In contrast, when a Democrat is weird, the media makes him (or her) seem likeable. Take Alvin Greene (D-SC), for example. He was completely off his rocker and as unqualified as any candidate who ever ran for office, but the media portrayed him as just a tad nutty, and Keith Olbermann took him ever so seriously. We didn't know anything about President Obama (D-IL) as he entered the 2008 presidential race, but the lame-stream media ignored it for 'hope and change.' However, they sent teams of reporters to Alaska to dig up any dirt they could find on Sarah Palin. I ask you, how fair was that?

In 2012, I want candidates who can stand up to the media's standard for Republicans. If that makes me a sell-out, then fine, but whomever runs must win. They have to be well spoken, presentable - but not too beautiful or too handsome, they can't appear odd in any way, and they have to limit the gaffs. Let's play this one by their rules. Of course, our candidates must show leadership, stand for the right policies, and they must be capable of reversing the damage done to our country by the current administration. And, no more bowing to world leaders!

Who qualifies? These potential candidates: Senator-elect Rand Paul (R-KY), Gov.-elect Nikki Haley (R-SC), Rep.-elect Allen West (R-FL), Senator-elect Marco Rubio (R-FL), Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR), Rep.-elect Kristi Noem (R-SD), Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ), and Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) are among the least likely to be unfairly tarnished by today's partisan media. They have the fewest negatives and the most positives, unless someone else emerges. Did I leave anyone out?

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Scan Me, Bro

Written : Nov. 23, 2010

Imagine this scenario. A Mexican, after a long walk through treacherous terrain, tries to get into the U.S. He is stopped at the border and his body is scanned for contraband. Next he is patted-down rather briskly by a male U.S. border guard. They find nothing. He is given forms and is urged to apply for citizenship. Then he is fingerprinted and is free to follow his American dream.

Back in Phoenix, a suspect is caught after a fifty-mile car chase. He is tackled immediately after fleeing his vehicle. The man is frisked and two weapons are removed from his pockets. He’s arrested and is headed to jail.

At the airport, you are going through security. The airline knows you are a U.S. citizen, and have been employed by your company for several years. You are not connected to any terrorist groups. Your carry-on gets scanned, but you are exempt. So, which of these situations require pat downs? Yes, you’re right, the first two. You do not need to be scanned or patted down because the Transportation Security Administration (the TSA) did a little homework. Imagine that.

What if it didn’t work that way? Which method would I prefer? If I didn’t travel often, I’d prefer the body scan. Who cares if someone sees this ugly body? If I traveled often I’d worry about radiation, but I don’t. All the worry and the protests occurring today associated with invasive touching in the name of security could be avoided if the TSA would peer into who is flying. But they won’t.

The Israelis know who their passengers are and scrutinize their terminals intently. El Al Airlines is known as the world’s most secure airline. Their passengers are all interviewed and are asked to report to the airport three hours early. The TSA would rather suspect you of terrorism than following the fine example set by the Israelis. I wonder why, don’t you?

For more information about Mark A. Cohen, see The Castle Rock, CO Gathering Place, Writer of the Month for Nov. 2010

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When We Say / Who Are We?

Written : Nov. 15, 2010

When we say Walmart and Sears are evil for deciding to remain open on a holiday like Thanksgiving, who are we to decide that ALL their employees want to be home when everyone else celebrates? We can agree that businesses shouldn’t force their people to work a holiday, but those who want to work should go to the head of the class and get the chance. And, if we boycott these companies, aren’t we also hurting their employees in the long run?

When we say the idle rich should pay their fair share, who are we to say which people are ‘idle?’ For example, how do we know whether Kim Kardashian or Paris Hilton are not earning their keep? Who are we to say what they can and cannot afford? Who are we to say they don't have solid investments in our economy? Do you think we should penalize the successful among us? If that be the case, why try to succeed? God bless the successful, for they are the ones who create jobs!

When we say corporations never pay any taxes, aren’t we being stubborn? I’ll argue they do pay some taxes. But we’ll agree on this - they'll pass along any future increases to you and me. If we decrease their taxes in an economy in which businesses have confidence, what happens? Ok, in addition to doling out those horrid bonuses we all despise, they absolutely will invest more in jobs and new equipment (expansion, growth, more jobs, fewer handouts, more taxes being paid at the lower rates). That’s good for everyone, right?

When we say higher taxes mean higher federal revenues, aren’t we ignorant by not analyzing the idea? Aren’t we repeating a mantra? Presidents Ronald Reagan (and JFK, a liberal Democrat) understood this theory: If you cut tax rates (taxes were topping out at 91% when JFK cut rates to 37%), revenue to the feds goes UP. This is not intuitive, nor is it a wacky idea: it is indeed a solid fact. My intelligent reader, please take a minute to think about why!

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The Party of No

Written : Nov. 7 and 9, 2010

You’ve probably heard Democrats say, “The Republican Party is the Party of No.” But do you really believe it? This slogan is really a fabrication created by the Democrats. Recently Senator John Kerry (D-MA) said, “…people are influenced by a simple slogan rather than the facts or the truth...” In this case, I agree.

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Majority Leader, said this in one speech in 2005: "And we're not going to let President Bush and the Republicans weaken the most successful social program in the history of the world."

Reid showed both arrogance and anger in his opposition to President Bush’s innovative idea to allow the younger contributors of Social Security to manage their own money with stocks and bonds if they so desired. Don’t you remember? "We're going to stand united against privatization,” he said, with a crinkled brow, a frown, and eyes squinting.

"But first it means doing everything we can, every waking minute, to make sure that George Bush finally hears the message that you've delivered today: Stop trying to privatize Social Security." Senator Reid would not even consider a debate about the plan. Or a tweak. It was just plain old, “NO!”

"It may take 60 days, it may take six months, it may take six years, but it doesn't matter, we're not going to back down." Yes, Harry Reid said it. He also said, "Well, as you see here today, Democrats are ready to fight!" Why fight, why not debate?

Harry Reid added, "The Bush plan would take our already record high $4.3 trillion debt and put us another $2 trillion in the red. That’s an immoral burden to place on the backs of the next generation." Meanwhile, he was in charge of the U.S. Senate and his Democratic Party held a huge majority when the national debt soared from under $9 trillion to almost $14 trillion. I guess there are times when it’s ok to increase the burden on our children and grandchildren. To see the current national debt (careful, it may scare you) click on this URL: U.S. Debt

In 2010, Pelosi and Reid oppose the extension of the Bush tax cuts. In other words, they blindly oppose anything with the name “Bush” on it. Seriously, they are for increasing taxes on the highest earners in society. You know, the ones who create jobs… Can’t they keep what they earn? Pelosi and Reid say, “NO!”

Truth be told, the Republican Party is really the party of "know." See: Party of Know

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NOW (The National Organization for Liberal Women)

Written : Oct. 19 and 31, 2010

NOW says it's the National Organization for Women, but is it? Defenders say it stood up for Chelsea Clinton when MSNBC’s David Shuster commented on the time she campaigned for her mom. He said, "Chelsea's sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way...” NOW and other groups called on NBC president Steve Capus to do something and he suspended Shuster. NOW called for a boycott of Glenn Beck when he called Mary Landrieu a prostitute for taking the Lousiana Purchase deal in exchange for her vote on the recent health care bill. That's standing up for women, isn't it? So what's the problem?

NOW’s motto is ‘taking action for women’s equality since 1966,’ but does it take action for all women? NOW Endorsed Congressman Alan Grayson (D-FL 8), but he once called one of Ben Bernanke's aides a “K Street whore.” NOW endorsed Jerry Brown (D-CA) for California Governor over Meg Whitman (R-CA) one day after a Brown aide called Whitman a whore. Brown was heard on a recording then implying his campaign could ‘use that.’ Why did NOW only scold Brown - and maintain their support for him?

NOW endorsed N.Y. Senator Hilary Clinton in 2008 , but Sarah Palin (R-AK) was savaged by the media during the same presidential campaign. A demeaning photo was even taken through Palin's legs and it made news. Why did NOW say and do nothing?

Go to NOW's PAC site and see which Republican candidates are supported. There are none, although there are many fine, Republican women candidates running. Does it make you wonder if NOW really supports all women?

But things will change. Lifelong Democrat Shelly Mandell, the President of the NOW chapter in Los Angeles, CA, spoke at a Sarah Palin rally and spoke of Palin to the crowd, "America, this is what a feminist looks like." There's hope. Eventually everyone will recognize that conservative women are also pioneers making progress!

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Supporting Juan

Written : Oct. 26, 2010

When does political correctness become censorship? When you say what you and others feel when people dressed in Muslim garb appear on an airplane. We mentally associate 9/11 with Muslims, but why can’t we say it? All the 9/11 hijackers were Muslims, but not all Muslims are hijackers: we get it.

NPR fired one of their best people, Juan Williams, for expressing a similar opinion while appearing on The O’Reilly Factor last week. A Muslim group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which I blogged about on Jan. 19, 2010, said they were insulted by Mr. Williams’ comments. NPR, in a fit of Islamophobia (fear of Muslims and/or what they might do to retaliate), got rid of him.

Juan Williams is a liberal who has often appeared on FOX News’ shows. I found him irritating at times, but he was always fair and thoughtful, and he was never a demagogue. I’ve enjoyed hearing Mr. Williams’ and other liberals’ views, expressed on the only conservative-leaning TV news channel you can find, anywhere. It would be quite boring to hear only conservative opinions expressed over and over, wouldn’t it?

NPR, a liberal organization, doesn’t agree…apparently. Liberals define themselves as open-minded, but many left-wingers tend to ignore, avoid, or react in anger to opinions with which they don’t agree. Just ask Joy Behar and Whoopee Goldberg. See the U-tube walk-off here: Bill O’Reilly on The View, Oct. 14, 2010 (Skip to the 5-minute mark if you are in a hurry.)

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My Liberal Friend, You May be a Conservative!

Written : Oct. 11-12, and 19, 2010

Do you believe in individual liberty? Are you in favor of government interference in your life, or do you like to have more choices? In this case, if you side with the people and with choice, you may be a conservative!

Do you dislike “Tax Day?” Do you think that people should not be taxed so much? If so, you may be a conservative!

Are you jealous of rich people, or do you want everyone to succeed, rich and poor alike? If you’re for everyone’s advancement, you may be a conservative!

Do you think America is exceptional, or do you think America’s a bully and should be minimized in the world? If you think America’s a special country, you may be a conservative!

Do you believe that the true definition of the newly coined word, ‘Islamophobia,’ meaning ‘fear of Muslims,’ is best illustrated by an editor’s refusal to publish a cartoon depicting the prophet Mohammed? If so, you may be a conservative!

I heard someone call into the Mike Gallagher show on Sep. 28, 2010, and call a conservative a name like “moronic.” Gallagher challenged the caller and simply asked him why he would call the person a name. The caller responded that anyone who thought that way is a moron. If you think people should not be categorized in this fashion, you may be a conservative!

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You can also read this blog at “Your Hub”, which is part of The Denver Post online, at Your Hub. Next, scroll down or “Edit/Find” the word, “blog”.

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A Clear Choice

Written : Oct. 11-12, 2010

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has an idea. On Oct. 6, 2010, she said she learned this at a hearing: The quickest way to create jobs is to provide more funding for food stamps and to provide unemployment insurance for those who need it. She said it, really! Newt Gingrich, a former Speaker, has a firm understanding that jobs are created when businesses are empowered by fewer restrictions and by lower taxes. This is why Gingrich cleverly coined the phrases “Party of Food Stamps” for Democrats, and “The Paycheck Party” for Republicans during this election cycle.

I’m not gloating here. I wish liberals understood the idea that businesses do not create jobs when they are profitless, but most can’t or won’t comprehend it. Democrats, including our president, are running with the idea that we have to take a good portion of the profits of businesses away and hand them over to the ‘people.’ But, this business model never works.

In an Oct. 5, 2010 debate with Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Linda McMahon (R-CT) boiled the essence of the upcoming midterm elections down to its barest bone. She asked him, "How do you create a job?" And he took the bait. Blumenthal looked befuddled. He used double-talk to zig and zag his way through, and most of the time he said nothing. Toward the end of his talk he mentioned that government programs were the way to create jobs through “creative” and “buy America” policies.

Like a breath of fresh air, McMahon’s answer stood out. “Government does not create jobs. It's very simple how you create jobs. An entrepreneur takes a risk. He or she believes that he creates goods or service that is sold for more than it costs to make it. If an entrepreneur believes he can do that, he creates a job.” There you go. On Election Day our choice could not be clearer, could it?

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Stupid Glasses

Written : Oct. 05, 2010

At a recent writers’ conference I attended, the keynote speaker made a marvelous speech. She truly inspired her fellow writers with humor and familiar tales of failure, followed by successes due to perseverance. Everything was going so well for this famous and respected Science Fiction author - until she brought up her personal opinion of Sarah Palin. With the country so divided, didn’t she know she’d turn off about half her audience? Unless one’s book is political, I think the subject should be off-limits.

After her speech I told the nice lady, who didn’t know me, that she inspired me with her talk. She thanked me, but I persisted. I made sure to mention I was also fired up due to her political statements. Ready for me, she asked, “You think Palin is smart?” I said, “Of course!” I understand what Ms. Palin thinks, enjoy her speeches, like her demeanor, and agree with many of her opinions. Most of all I think women should support her and her success, but it’s obvious this is not always the case.

For proof of Palin’s lack of wit, the author told me to google ‘O’Reilly Palin Interview,’ which I did later, of course. I think the session in question was the one this past July, when Bill O’Reilly badgered Governor Palin on immigration. The left’s major gripe with Sarah, I’ve discovered, is that she speaks in generalities and says nothing specific. In the O’Reilly interview in question it was true, but Bill’s constant interruptions didn’t help.

This is why I love politics. Many of us see the same thing, and interpret it differently. Many on the left think Sarah Palin is a complete moron for answering in half-sentences, but most politicians provide ambiguous answers, and dodge questions. (Haven’t you noticed?) Joe Biden and other left-wingers produce gaffs by the barrelful, but their mistakes make people laugh, and then they quickly disappear. Remember Hilary Clinton’s tale of dodging bullets during her arrival in Bosnia, but the actual video of the event uncovered nothing of the sort? Yet, no one insults Hillary’s intelligence on a consistent basis for such a major goof.

Does the left just see the former governor through ‘stupid glasses,’ or do they not make any effort to understand what she tries to say? Or, is it both?

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Playing a Joke on Congress

Written : Sep. 28, 2010

Isn’t it funny? Stephen Colbert (pronounced Cole-bear), the political satirist and comedian, testified in front of Congress on Sep. 24. He usually puts on a persona and imitates what he imagines is a Bill O’Reilly-like character. At times he makes me laugh, but when watching him I always keep in mind that he’s a liberal who is pushing a liberal agenda, don’t you? Colbert used his one day of experience picking corn as justification to appear on behalf of migrant farm workers.

He stayed in character, though, while testifying in front of the Senate subcommittee. That prompted John Conyers (D-MI), to ask Mr. Colbert to leave. However, the chairwoman and the member who invited him, Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), let Colbert give his sarcastic, comedic performance in front of our lawmakers and the camera. And, you, the taxpayer, paid for it.

One wonders what Lofgren was trying to accomplish by having a comedian entertain at a hearing. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), who has enjoyed his multiple appearances on Colbert’s TV show “The Colbert Report (pronounced Re-pore),” says Colbert is the best “fake newsman” around. Chaffetz also said that if we’re going to hold a fake hearing, “I guess that’s the best way to do it.”

Nancy Pelosi, (D-CA) said that Colbert’s appearance was “appropriate.” If anyone can speak for the Democratic Party, it’s the Speaker of the House. The Democratic Congress does not seem to respect our institutions: they don’t take the Senate seriously. Do you think paying for a comedian to speak before Congressmen or Senators is a good use of U.S. taxpayers’ money? What if your taxes were spent for a conservative to testify with sarcasm? He’d be given the opportunity to crack jokes, spout his views, push his political agenda, and try to influence our lawmakers. Would you support such an event? I don’t think it’s the right thing to do to let anyone abuse and make a mockery of our political system.

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Social Security and FDR’s Grandson

Written : Sep. 14 and 21, 2010

James Roosevelt Jr., a grandson of U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, appeared on CSPAN on 8/26/10, and spoke at the National Press Club about Social Security. Roosevelt is a staunch defender of the same program his grandfather is credited with starting. He said it’s not in danger [chuckle]. However, he suggested it would be able to provide about 75% of benefits after 2037. To put his comment in perspective, my children will retire (near age 70) around the year 2060, and I want them to receive 100% of what they’ll be owed. The way to pay for it, Roosevelt said, is to raise taxes on everyone across the board with a one percent FICA tax increase on workers and employers, and a higher estate tax on wealthy people. Do you really want more new taxes? I don’t!

FDR’s grandson said the enemies of Social Security want to privatize it, yet he suggested that the fund should be able to invest in private companies (just as many plans do today). James Roosevelt justified his version of privatization by saying that in his plan the risk would be spread over time.

Roosevelt’s predictable positions are full of holes. For example, I am not “an enemy,” and yet I want to allow recipients who are around 20-30 years old now to have the choice to invest their shares in market funds or stocks, as they see fit. They should not be forced into any similar plan, but they should be given a chance to make such a decision. What’s wrong with that? Shouldn’t each person take responsibility for the management of his or her own account? Ah, freedom!

The concern many have over the current Social Security fund is that the huge pile of money has been and is used to pay for other government programs. I don’t think the folks running the U.S. should be using our money in that manner, do you?

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Fires Can Destroy Everything

Written : Sep. 14, 2010

My parents taught me at an early age that book burning hurts mankind. It destroys a product of intellectual thought and creation. The Nazis burned books during World War II. Black and white films of those same fires appearing on TV in the 1960s became a symbol of thoughtlessness, savagery, and destruction to many of us who were learning right from wrong at the time.

Like it or not, an unknown pastor from Florida can draw national and international attention by threatening to burn books. Blame technology, blame our polarized world, but from now on we won’t be able to stop people from getting their 15 minutes of fame. These were not just books, but holy books, religious books, books of God. Pastor Terry Jones threatened to burn the holy book of Islam, the Quran. You may not agree with Muslims, or with their religion, but book burning of any kind is an act of brutishness worth the strongest possible condemnation.

Did Pastor Jones have the right to burn or even to threaten to burn the Quran? Of course, but was it the right thing to do? I’m sure it didn’t occur to Jones, but his threat matched the same level of insensitivity of the object of his protest. Do Muslims have the right to build an Islamic community center (with a Mosque inside) close to, near, or on Ground Zero? Of course they do. But should they?

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Common Ignorance

Written : Sep. 7, 2010

Glenn Beck is a talk show host, not the leader of a movement. Yes, he does have fans. Yes, he held a rally at the Lincoln Memorial on 8/28/10, the 47th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech. Yes, he did it for altruistic reasons. King captured the hearts of all men with his inspiring speeches. Yes, you can be white and love the man. Yet, some have questioned Beck’s motives for choosing 8/28. But, just because King spoke on 8/28/63 at the same memorial, does it mean no one else ever can, or should?

The right sees Beck as a sincere, intelligent, and enthusiastic individual, and most treat him as the talk show host he is, not as some kind of cult leader. However, the left sees Beck as they saw George W. Bush and as they see Sarah Palin, as an evil, fork-tongued, devilish moron. They do hate him. I cannot fathom why.

In order to understand how the left views Glenn Beck, you should follow Alexander Zaitchik on the internet and watch him on TV. He appeared on Laura Flanders’ GritTV show on PBS in August of 2010. If I were to lampoon him the way he ridicules Glenn Beck, I’d say Zaitchik was there to push his angry, mean-spirited, left-wing rhetoric and to hawk his book, Common Nonsense: Glenn Beck and the Triumph of Ignorance. But, I wouldn’t do that.

Zaitchik and Flanders, along with another guest, Rick Perlstein, all took turns slandering Beck as a racist nut job, among other things. I can say the name-calling was childish, and not in good taste. Like those who openly hate others, they delighted in exposing Beck’s lurid past as a drunk and a drug addict. Should we really treat people we disagree with this way? How does using derogatory language help our understanding in an intellectual discussion?

Beck does admit he’s a recovering alcoholic and says he experimented with drugs before hitting rock bottom. Shouldn’t sensitive people such as Zaitchik and Flanders show a twinge of sympathy toward a man who picked himself up off the floor of defeat and found success?

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It’s Them, Not Us

Written : Aug. 24, 2010

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you’d know I like to watch “Reliable Sources,” on CNN every Sunday. On his Aug. 22 show, Howard Kurtz' featured guest is Todd Purdum, the national editor of Vanity Fair magazine. Just for fun, take a peek at this Purdum article from 2009, which slams then Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in multiple ways: It Came From Wasilla.

Mr. Purdum appears because Mr. Kurtz wants to ask him about his current article in Vanity Fair: Poor Obama. Kurtz begins, “You talked to Rahm and you talk to David Axelrod, and you seem to be buying into their argument in this piece that this wild and crazy media culture is undermining the administration.”

Purdum gets defensive. “…I think the wild and crazy media culture makes it very difficult for anybody, for this president - and it would apply equally to President Bush, with the one exception of FOX, which was not quite the same thorn in his side that it has been in Obama's.” This makes one wonder about Dan Rather, Hollywood, MSNBC, and the entire mainstream media. They were unfair, brash, and irresponsible in their coverage of President Bush for most of his presidency… but instead of bringing up the contradiction, Kurtz’ response is just “Sure.”

The Vanity Fair editor also says, “You have to be really careful. You have to be a discerning consumer of the news, … and if you don't really read skeptically, you may believe something, …from some totally tainted or partisan source.” This is a hidden slap at blogs, which media types hate, because blogs speak truth to their once untouchable power in their ivory tower. Mr. Purdum mentions bloggers in a different quote, but switches to a liberal talking point, “When one out of five Americans say they think the president is a Muslim, and 60 percent of the people say they learned that from the media, I wonder - I don't think that means they're watching your program [he means Reliable Sources, the show he’s appearing on] or, you know, Wolf [Blitzer, a CNN News person]. They're confusing in their whole mind the media, everybody's Twitter or something.” Kurtz, who I believe is fair in general, actually helps Purdum’s awkward statement here by adding e-mail to the list of what’s confusing the common people’s (your) view of what “media” is.

So, Purdum concludes that if you’re not reading Vanity Fair, or watching Reliable Sources, or the News on CNN, you have to watch your step. Wow. Guys like Todd Purdum need to take a peek in the mirror. We also have to be skeptical of them, too. Don’t you think media elites are conceited and condescending, and at the same time are biased beyond belief?

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More Media Bias

Written : Aug. 17, 28 2010

"This Week," which can be seen each Sunday on ABC, highlights prominent people who have recently passed away in their 'In Memoriam' segment. Two controversial politicians, both convicted by juries of their peers, were featured on August 15, 2010. They were Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Rep. Dan Rostenkowski (D-IL).

Sen. Stevens was quoted on a video by the ABC show as having said, "The hell with politics, just do what's right for Alaska." The caption read, "Ted Stevens, 86... Former senator who helped build modern Alaska by steering billions in federal funds and earmark projects to the state." He was then shown yelling, "No!" The captioning continued, "Known for his fiery temper, he was the longest serving Republican in Senate history." They wanted you to believe he was yet another out-of-control, corrupt Republican conservative. However, they didn't tell the whole story. They left out the fact he was exonerated of all his convictions in 2009 by none other than Attorney General Eric Holder, a member of the Barack Obama (D-IL) administration!

Rep. Rostenkowski, on the other hand, was shown in a different light. We are led to feel more sympathy for him than for Sen. Stevens. "I will wash away the mud that has been splattered on my reputation," Rostenkowski said in his video clip. His caption was a little more favorable than Stevens’ as well, "Dan Rostenkowski, 82... Former Illinois congressman and powerful chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. A broker of major social security and tax reform, he was indicted and jailed on fraud charges that ended his political career." The prosecution effort was led by the very same Eric Holder! What "This Week" didn't say or imply is that Rostenkowski was a corrupt Democrat! Often the mainstream media will not mention the party affiliation when a corrupt politician is a Democrat.

In photographic artistry, when a camera points up at someone, the person is shown in a favorable light. The opposite is true when a subject is seen from above. Of course, the camera glares down at Stevens, but Rostenkowski, in classic heroic style, is pictured from far below. All I ask is that you try to notice these things!

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Build Ten Mosques - Not One

Written : Aug. 16-17, 2010

What? They want to build a mosque at Ground Zero? Don’t you remember? The Twin Towers of the World Trade center bore the brunt of radical Islam when airliners filled with gasoline were purposefully slammed into the towers. Almost 3,000 human beings were crushed to death under the rubble when each tower collapsed! OK, you’re right, it is perfectly legal. We are a country of laws, and we’re all for tolerance and freedom of religion. But is building a house of Islamic worship right there, so close to Ground Zero, really the right thing to do?

Doing this would be like… building a Nazi museum close to the Auschwitz concentration camp… or like… the Japanese building a memorial to their Kamikaze war dead at Pearl Harbor…. or like… allowing the KKK to commemorate their efforts with a little construction across the street from the hotel in Memphis where Martin Luther King was assassinated by a lunatic. No, I’m not comparing Muslims to Nazis, but placing a mosque near Ground Zero is just a little insensitive, don’t you think? When can America get some tolerance from others? Please honor and respect our feelings, this once.

It would be called “Cordoba House,” and stand 13 stories tall - only 600 feet from where the Twin Towers stood. Those who are opposed to the mosque being built at Ground Zero don’t hate Muslims or those who want to build the mosque. We just think they’re wrong. Why not build ten mosques close by, instead? How about Greenwich Village, Midtown Manhattan, Uptown Manhattan, Connecticut, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Westchester, and for good measure, two in New Jersey? Make them all not 13, but 23 stories high! But why build even one at Ground Zero? Why would anyone get angry and call us intolerant? We are not.

Cordoba is a city in Spain, and it does not mean 'conquest of the West,' as some have suggested. But it does imply the same. Conquered by a Muslim army in the year 711, Cordoba is a city in Spain. Radical Muslims are already laughing at Americans like the Mayor of New York and others, who are speaking out for the Cordoba House mosque to be built at Ground Zero. They'll certainly have plenty to celebrate if the project is completed!

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A Presidential Report Card – Part Two

Written : July 13, 25, Aug. 10, 2010

President Bush played way too much golf. They called him a detached leader and a lazy, rich boy. Did you know that from his inauguration in Jan. 2009 until July 16, 2010, President Obama played 41 rounds of golf, smashing Bush’s eight-year total of 24 by 17? Of course, instead of criticism, his administration said his golf games were good for all of us.

Suffering with the bad economy? Don’t worry, the wealthy Obamas aren’t even close to feeling your pain. Believe it or not, the president calls this summer the “Summer of Recovery,” and the First Lady, Michelle Obama just took a luxurious vacation at a resort in Spain – on your dime. Meanwhile, President Obama shot hoops with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Carmelo Anthony, while NBA retired star Bill Russell watched. How understanding and sensitive they are to America’s plight!

The current administration prosecuted an entire state, Arizona, for non-existent racism, but won’t prosecute racists shown on video in militant garb bearing billy clubs and intimidating voters. One of the New Black Panthers seen breaking the law was shown in another video saying that for Blacks to be free, they have to kill white babies. Where’s the logic?

The presidential gaffs have been embarrassing. He’s shaken hands with Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, wants a dialogue with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, bowed to world leaders, and implied it’s bad to visit Las Vegas. The president’s administration removed Faisal Shahzad from the travel watch list as it began dismantling terror investigations begun under President Bush. Shahzad then almost destroyed Times Square in New York with a car bomb. I’d say President Barack Obama has been a colossal failure so far, wouldn't you? I dislike his attitude and most of his policies.

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Unreliable Sources

Written : Aug. 3, 2010

Howard Kurtz, the host of Reliable Sources on CNN, is one of the most open-minded TV talk show hosts in the mainstream media. What amazes me is that he will bring up liberal AND conservative talking points for his guests to discuss, but he rarely has more than one verifiable conservative on his show at a time. His August 1, 2010 episode was no exception. No conservatives could be seen, and four liberal journalists were his invited talking heads this past Sunday.

To be fair, Mr. Kurtz showed a variety of clips to illustrate rudeness in the media. We viewed liberal Chris Matthews, of MSNBC, slamming Fox News for “whipping up white hysteria,” referring to Fox News’ coverage of members of the New Black Panthers illegally intimidating voters at a Pennsylvania polling place. Howard Dean was next, calling Fox News “racist,” inferring they showed the heavily edited tape of Shirley Sherrod to get her fired. Chris Wallace, of Fox News, corrected Mr. Dean by pointing out the Obama administration fired Ms. Sherrod before the clip aired on Fox. Shortly thereafter, Keith Olbermann criticized Fox News’ efforts and right wing views as the “utter and complete perversion of journalism...” A couple of clips of Fox News hosts were also shown where hosts were hollering at each other. You see, Mr. Kurtz is fair!

His guests, David Zurawick, Frank Sesno, Lauren Ashburn, and Chip Reid, however, were not as fair. Mr. Reid, when asked about hyper-partisanship in the media, said his department, CBS News, is an “island of sanity.” He implied that he has to be professional while others do not. Ms. Ashburn agreed with Mr. Reid’s take that mainstream news is upstanding and “paternal”, but told us the media is hurting its ability to be seen as objective – and yet, she conveniently left out the reasoning behind her revelation.

Mr. Kurtz asked Frank Sesno, a former CNN News reporter and executive, about the ferocity of media types. Sesno addressed conservatives’ criticisms of liberals, but not the other side of the coin. He said, “It goes to whether you’re a patriot or not.” The key to understanding how the mainstream media sees itself is found within Mr. Sesno’s following statement, “…the Chip Reids and the N.Y. Times…are trying to work…by some set of…traditional rules and the Breitbarts and the Becks and the others who live by no [journalistic] rules that we would recognize.” What he failed to mention is the elite media ignores news stories and events that don’t fit their liberal agenda. They don’t invite a balance of far-right wingers or even true conservatives on to level the playing field of their left-wing tilt. This is the secret that exposes Fox News’ success. Ignoring the liberal point of view is not the key. Instead, they regularly invite real liberals, even far-left wingers (such as Michael Moore) on their shows to enhance debate. Shhh, don’t tell anyone!

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What Are We Listening To?

Written : July 27, 2010

I thought it would be interesting to compare what liberal and conservative talk stations were covering - on the same day. All occurred in 2010. Yes, this is a random sampling, and I did not choose or edit any of these to prove a point.

May 13: Lib: David Sirota – Animal rights – Should pets fly on a plane in a special cabin for pets? Con: Mike Gallagher – Mike explained the details of his new fundraiser for those ruined in the Nashville flood.

May 19: Con: The Arlen Specter situation (switching parties just to win an election) is an example of abandoning your principles, and selling out. Lib: There’s a system of racism in America.

May 21: Lib: Should everyone have a national ID card? Con: The self-esteem movement has made Americans less happy.

May 25: Con: Mike Gallagher – No more ‘blame game’ for the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Lib: David Sirota – Legal and illegal immigration actually drives the crime rate down. Con: Hugh Hewitt – The oil spill - President Obama’s indecision/inaction. Lib: Mario Solis Marich – The oil spill – America’s angry with everyone because nothing’s getting done.

May 28: Con: Mike Gallagher - The November elections – How many seats are up for grabs? Lib: David Sirota – Ultrasounds prior to abortions – Do women really think through having an abortion, or do they just have them?

June 3: Lib: David Sirota – America's southern border is one of the safest places in the U.S. Con: Mike Gallagher – Detroit Tiger pitcher Armando Galarraga’s almost perfect game was a teachable moment.

June 7: Lib: David Sirota – Should the city of Denver increase the amount of camera surveillance and would it be a violation of our privacy? Con: Mike Gallagher – Discussed Helen Thomas’ ‘Jews should get out of Palestine and go back to wherever they came from’ comment.

June 9: Con: The fall elections. Lib: Campaign finance reform.

June 10: Lib: David Sirota – Alcohol companies are marketing to children. This is harmful to America. Con: Mike Gallagher - Nurses are choosing to not treat patients over a one to two percent pay increase. This union mindset is destroying America.

Draw your own conclusion, but it is interesting, isn’t it?

Missed Chances to Side with Israel

Written : Jan. 13 and Mar. 24, 2009, and July 3 and 6, 2010

1. I was born of 100% Jewish ancestry.


2. I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood.


3. I spoke with many Jewish people when I was growing up, many of whom loved Israel but were fair with its Middle Eastern neighbors.


4. The PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) was founded when I was a child. When I was young and liberal I refused to believe they actually called for the destruction of the state of Israel – but the PLO did!


5. In 1964 Israel began taking water from the Jordan River. Immediately after, the Arab states tried to divert water upstream choking Israel’s water supply by a little over 10%. I didn’t know this until recently.


6. Egypt’s President Nasser expelled the U.N.’s 10-year peacekeeping force from the Sinai Peninsula in 1967. Israel not only fought back, they beat the armies of nine (9) Arab nations’ armies and took territory from three nations – all in 6 days (during the Six Day War). I was aware of the war when it occurred, but ignored Egypt’s role of provocation.


7. Look at the area on a to-scale map. Many huge Arab countries surround little Israel, the little guy, the underdog.


8. In 1973 Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on Yom Kippur, the Jewish holiday of atonement, a high holy day. It took 20 days, but Israel won the conflict.


9. After the Yom Kippur war in 1973, one Arab nation (Egypt) finally recognized Israel’s existence (it had become a country in 1947, a full 26 years earlier than when it was first recognized!).


10. The third Egyptian president, Anwar Sadat, became the first Arab leader to visit Israel (in 1977) and then made peace with Israel in 1979. Egypt was then expelled from “The Arab League” by the other Arab countries. Sadat was assassinated in 1981 for other reasons, but also for his desire to make peace with Israel. The rascal! No Arab leaders attended his funeral, by the way.


11. Of all the nations in the Mideast, Israel is the one which resembles our country the most. They are and always have been our ally, at least until now.

The great majority of American politicians who are members of the Democrat Party (D) oppose Israel and many stand behind those who dedicate their lives to the murder of all Jews, worldwide. The Republican Party (R), on the other hand, always supports Israel. Many non-Jewish conservatives ask me why the majority of Jews support the Democratic Party. This phenomenon surprises me every day. I don't understand why most Jews are not Republicans. Do you?

So, I ask myself: How could I have ever sided with the Arab states? I thought I was being open-minded, but I was being obtuse instead. What took me so long to support Israel without question, in every instance? The simple answer is: 9/11, and what I learned afterward.

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Keywords: Conservatism, Conservative blog, politics, political, Mark Cohen, Mark A. Cohen, From The Left to the Right, Israel, Arab States, Jordan River, U.N., Nasser, PLO, Sadat, Egypt, Middle East, Jordan, 1967 War

Keyword Phrases: "Conservatism", "Conservative", "blog", "politics", "political", "Mark Cohen", "Mark A. Cohen", "From The Left to the Right ", “Israel”, “Arab States”, “Jordan River”, “U.N.”, “Nasser”, “PLO”, “Sadat”, “Egypt”, “Middle East”, “Jordan”, “1967 War”

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A Presidential Report Card – Part One

Written : July 13, 2010

On inauguration day, January 20, 2009, our new president revealed one of his many broken promises. He promised to close the American Gitmo base in Cuba a year hence. But it’s still open! Next came his apology tour. Barack Obama traveled the world apologizing for the bad things America has done to, but not praising the things we’ve done for, the world. Supporters said he was just “setting the record straight.” I disagree; the apology tour hurt our country, our people, our team! His strategy for Iraq was to announce to the enemy a date certain when the troops would be withdrawn. The same strategy is locked in for Afghanistan. Don’t worry, the enemy is on standby, waiting in the wings for us to walk away...

The American President has weakened our economy in many ways, one by quadrupling the national debt. He said if the stimulus bill was not passed, our unemployment would be held below 8%. Yet, it's still over 9%! The “Cash for Klunkers” program was a failure. More jobs were lost and our dependence on foreign oil increased by the ban he placed on American offshore drilling and the hold he placed on U.S. Arctic oil exploratory digging. If other countries can do these things, why can’t we? The president forced a health care bill through Congress, against the will of the American people. It could hurt us forever.

President Obama supports negotiating with Iran, while Ahmadinejad doesn’t recognize the existence of the state of Israel, and has threatened to wipe it off the face of the earth. Mr. Obama also shows blatant disrespect for Israel. As Communists and socialists do, our president wants to redistribute wealth. Reader, how do you feel about giving up some of your money? Who decides how much? Not you! Why doesn’t he set a good example for us, since he's a wealthy person? The guy plays golf while saying he “won’t rest” until the oil spill is cleaned up. And, unlike President John F. Kennedy’s noble goal to place a man on the moon and return him safely to the earth, Barack Obama recently said NASA’s main mission is to make Muslims feel good by showing them how much they’ve contributed to science. How can he sleep at night?

Has the current president done anything right? Yes, President Obama has placed more troops in Afghanistan. He signed a hate crime bill. But that’s pretty slim pickin’s compared to the harm he's doing, don’t you agree?

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Keywords: Conservatism, Conservative blog, politics, political, Mark Cohen, Mark A. Cohen, From The Left to the Right, President Obama, Obama’s Report Card, Israel, Ahmadinejad, Iran

Keyword Phrases: "Conservatism", "Conservative", "blog", "politics", "political", "Mark Cohen", "Mark A. Cohen", "From The Left to the Right ", “President Obama”, “Obama’s Report Card”, “Israel”, “Ahmadinejad”, “Iran”

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