The Obama Administration appears close to doing what many thought was unthinkable from a political standpoint: opposing the enforcement of federal law for any illegal immigrants caught in Arizona. That appears to be the suggestion of John Morton, assistant secretary of homeland security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in an interview this week.
Category: Politics
Some of us have long complained that confirmation hearings have become a rather bad joke (here) — carefully choreographed events devoid of substance. While many of us thought it could not positively become more content-free, it has. The director of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum has announced that the library cannot possibly turn over the prior writings of nominee Elena Kagan from her prior government service in time for the June 28, 2010 hearings. Rather than move the date, the Senate Judiciary Committee and White House appear intent on holding a hearing without the burden of knowledge of Kagan’s prior writings. Given her wafer-thin record of writing as an academic, that will guarantee a confirmation hearing that makes Dancing With the Stars looks like a tenure review meeting.
Iranian lesbian activist Kiana Firouz has released a breakthrough film at risk to her own life — detailing her struggle as a lesbian in Iran. She is now fighting for asylum in England and the world’s community should be heard in support of the petition.
George Washington’s long and sordid history as a book scofflaw has come to an end. The library book borrowed by by Washington and never returned to the New York Society Library has been returned 221 years overdue.
Continue reading “George Washington Finally Makes Good”
The controversy over Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal’s claim of service in the Vietnam War continues. After the New York Times was accused of leaving out exculpatory statements made by Blumenthal on one such occasion, the newspaper insists that the earlier comment does not alter the misleading representations, here. Moreover, newly disclosed statements like “I wore the uniform in Vietnam and many came back to all kinds of disrespect” undermine his defense. Below is my column today on the New York Times blog discussing the scandal.
Continue reading “Blumenthal: Politics’ Unlikely Walter Mitty”
Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett has subpoenas to learn the identity of two critics on Twitter who chastised Corbett for his “Bonusgate” investigation of legislative corruption. The tweets objected to Corbett’s handling of the trials of 25 former and current state lawmakers charged with using taxpayer dollars for campaign purposes.
Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, have been sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labor for holding a private wedding ceremony. The Malawi court found that such a ceremony and relationship constitutes gross indecency and involves unnatural acts. Judge Nyakwawa Usiwa-Usiwa stated he wanted to protect the public “from people like you.”
Arizona Corporation Commission member Gary Pierce has threatened that the state may cut off power to Los Angeles if that city goes forward with a boycott of his state over its controversial immigration law. The city gets 25 percent of its power from Arizona.
Continue reading “Power Play: Arizona Utility Commissioner Threatens To Cut Off Power to Los Angeles If City Boycotts State”
The increasing wave of former Scientologists going public appears to be growing. The video below details the allegations of Scarlett Hanna, daughter of Vicki Dunstan, president of the Church of Scientology in Australia, and Mark Hanna, a former Asian/Pacific director of public affairs for the church.
Continue reading “Daughter of Scientology Head in Australia Goes Public With Allegations of Abuse”
Rep. Betsy Markey has introduced House Resolution 1297 to support “the goals and ideals of American Craft Beer Week.” Or does it? Given the current state of political discourse, I am distressed that no one has found a way to oppose this resolution and attack its sponsor. Instead, the most that has been said is that Congress has more important things to address than beer. Where is Rush Limbaugh to cut through the froth and uncover the evil Democratic purpose and plan? It should be obvious. The very same week that Democrats introduced this resolution Matthew Brace allegedly sought to sell a baby for two beers. Coincidence or conspiracy?
Continue reading “Beer Appreciation Week: A Call for Craft Beers Or Beers-For-Babies?”
There is an interesting ruling out of Connecticut where the Supreme Court has issued a rare ruling barring a candidate from running for Attorney General of the state. Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz will be taken off the ballot because she lacks the minimum ten years of legal experience under state law.
Continue reading “Connecticut Supreme Court Removes Secretary of State From Ballot for Attorney General For Lack of Legal Experience”
Connecticut Senatorial candidate and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is now the focus of a potentially disastrous scandal after journalists alleged that he has lied about his service in Vietnam. It appears that Blumenthal never served in Vietnam despite repeated references to such service and his difficulties in “coming home” from the war.
Continue reading “We Band of (Harvard) Brothers: Connecticut Attorney General (and Senatorial Candidate) Richard Blumenthal Accused of Lying About Service in Vietnam”
Gov. Paterson and parks Commissioner Carol Ash are planning to close dozens of parks and historic sites to help close the state’s $9.2 billion deficit. These sites include historic locations from the Revolutionary War as well as the cancellation of Fourth of July fireworks on Long Island. We continue this downward spiral across the country as we continue to spend billions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Moreover, many of these closures and cancellations will save a million dollars or less while the Obama administration is planning to pay for a short-range missile defense system for Israel of more than $200 million and increasing military aid to over $3.15 billion this year, here.
Continue reading “New York Closing Parks and Historic Sites Due to Budget Shortfalls”
President Barack Obama’s Kenyan aunt Zeituni Onyango will be allowed to stay in the United States after a six-year struggle to win asylum. What is curious is that she was denied asylum in 2004 and has reportedly remained in the country illegally. Yet, Judge Leonard Shapiro ruled that she can now stay.
Continue reading “Obama’s Aunt Wins Asylum After Being Turned Down in 2004”
Miss Michigan Rima Fakih, 24, made history this week as the first Arab-American to win the Miss USA competition, here.
The extreme right has gone ballistic –painting Fakih as a mole for Hamas and part of some Islamic threat despite her appearing in a bikini and contradicting most conservative Islamic mores — including new allegations that she won a stripper contest, here.
Continue reading “Crowning of Arab-American As Miss USA Unleashes Torrent of Attacks From the Right”