Analysis: It’s ‘game over’ for global warming activists after Supreme Court EPA ruling Arctic Sea Ice Trend May Have Turned The Corner As Ice Volume Picks Up Over Past 5 Years NASA Study Concludes ‘Global Warming’ Is Actually Slowing Sea Level Rise...

Analysis: It’s ‘game over’ for global warming activists after Supreme Court EPA ruling

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• Analysis: It’s ‘game over’ for global warming activists after Supreme Court EPA ruling
• Arctic Sea Ice Trend May Have Turned The Corner As Ice Volume Picks Up Over Past 5 Years
• NASA Study Concludes ‘Global Warming’ Is Actually Slowing Sea Level Rise
• Oops: Obama administration repeatedly told UN EPA ‘climate regs’ were ‘legally bulletproof’
• Al Gore’s global warming doomsday passes uneventfully
• Flashback 1987: ‘Global Warming’ Causes Sea Levels to Fall — 2016: ‘Global Warming’ Causes Slowdown In Sea Level Rise
• Flashback: Prominent Dutch Scientist: ‘I find the Doomsday picture Al Gore is painting – a 6m sea level rise, 15 times IPCC number — entirely without merit’
• Climate Astrology: ‘Global Warming’ commands sea level rise Increases…& sea level rise slowdown: NASA discovers that ‘global warming’ is slowing and not increasing sea level rise
• EPA chief urges states to defy Supreme Court on climate rules
• Wait! What?! Study: There is so much global warming that it is slowing the rise of sea levels
• The outrage! One third of US teachers bring ‘climate denial’ to the classroom
• Watch Tinfoil: Sen Whitehouse calls climate ‘denial’ is biggest ‘scam’ since Teapot Dome, Watergate
• Study: Parched Earth soaks up water, slowing sea level rise
• Bipartisan panel of politicos: Climate skepticism does not harm Republicans in general election

Analysis: It’s ‘game over’ for global warming activists after Supreme Court EPA ruling Posted: 12 Feb 2016 11:16 AM PST Environmentalists’ faint hope that they can get international action on climate change gets fainter by the day. This week the United States Supreme Court added to their despair by kiboshing President Obama’s pledge, at December’s climate talks in Paris, to lead the world on climate change. “This could be the proverbial string which causes Paris [...]

Arctic Sea Ice Trend May Have Turned The Corner As Ice Volume Picks Up Over Past 5 Years Posted: 12 Feb 2016 11:12 AM PST The Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) here shows currently Arctic sea ice is at its highest level in years for this time of the year. Hat-tip: Kirye at Twitter. Sea ice extent in recent years (in million km2) for the northern hemisphere, as a function of date. In fact it appears it has reached its highest [...]

NASA Study Concludes ‘Global Warming’ Is Actually Slowing Sea Level Rise Posted: 12 Feb 2016 11:08 AM PST A new NASA study concludes global warming increases the amount of water stored underground which, in turn, slows the rate of sea level rise. At a time when scientists are worried about accelerating sea level rise, NASA scientist John Reager and his colleagues found an extra 3,200 gigatons of water was being stored by parched landscapes [...]

Oops: Obama administration repeatedly told UN EPA ‘climate regs’ were ‘legally bulletproof’ Posted: 12 Feb 2016 11:07 AM PST The big climate news of the week is, of course, that the U.S. Supreme Court put a stay on the EPA’s Clean Power Plan until the Plan’s detractors have their day in court. Cato’s Ilya Shapiro summarized the situation succinctly: The Supreme Court’s stay of the Clean Power Plan is a welcome development. The regulations [...]

Al Gore’s global warming doomsday passes uneventfully Posted: 12 Feb 2016 09:34 AM PST By ED BERRY | 0 comments Here we are on Jan. 26, 2016. Do you feel the heat? Do you see the clouds are gone and the sky is glowing red? Ten years ago, on Jan. 25, 2006, Al Gore stood before his Sundance audience at the screening of his “An Inconvenient Truth.” Gore waved his [...]

Flashback 1987: ‘Global Warming’ Causes Sea Levels to Fall — 2016: ‘Global Warming’ Causes Slowdown In Sea Level Rise Posted: 12 Feb 2016 07:20 AM PST Settled Science: Global warming causes sea levels to rise — oops — fall, er slowdown?  Whatever! 2016 Claim: Wait! What?! Study: There is so much global warming that it is slowing the rise of sea levels – ‘Is there anything global warming can’t do? Now it seems that there is so much global warming that it is slowing the [...]

Flashback: Prominent Dutch Scientist: ‘I find the Doomsday picture Al Gore is painting – a 6m sea level rise, 15 times IPCC number — entirely without merit’ Posted: 12 Feb 2016 07:13 AM PST 2015 Claim: Wait! What?! Study: There is so much global warming that it is slowing the rise of sea levels – ‘Is there anything global warming can’t do? Now it seems that there is so much global warming that it is slowing the rise of sea levels.’ Climate Astrology: ‘Global Warming’ commands sea level rise Increases…& sea level [...]

Climate Astrology: ‘Global Warming’ commands sea level rise Increases…& sea level rise slowdown: NASA discovers that ‘global warming’ is slowing and not increasing sea level rise Posted: 12 Feb 2016 06:33 AM PST One of the effects of climate change, also known as global warming, has said to have been the rise in sea levels. The idea is that as the Earth’s temperatures began to increase the Arctic and Antarctic ice caps would melt, causing the oceans to rise. Unless something was done, cities like Miami and New [...]

EPA chief urges states to defy Supreme Court on climate rules Posted: 12 Feb 2016 06:16 AM PST

Wait! What?! Study: There is so much global warming that it is slowing the rise of sea levels Posted: 12 Feb 2016 06:07 AM PST

The outrage! One third of US teachers bring ‘climate denial’ to the classroom Posted: 12 Feb 2016 06:00 AM PST

Watch Tinfoil: Sen Whitehouse calls climate ‘denial’ is biggest ‘scam’ since Teapot Dome, Watergate Posted: 11 Feb 2016 07:48 PM PST Tinfoil: Sen Whitehouse says climate ‘denial’ is biggest ‘scam’ since Teapot Dome, Watergate Speaking on the Senate floor, democrat Senator Sheldon Whitehouse says the climate denial apparatus ‘could be the biggest scam since Tea Pot Dome and Watergate.’ Senator Whitehouse: “Bottom line, if your faith in climate science is undermined, you’ve been had by a [...]

Study: Parched Earth soaks up water, slowing sea level rise Posted: 11 Feb 2016 07:37 PM PST http://news.yahoo.com/parched-earth-soaks-water-slowing-sea-level-rise-231245199.html Miami (AFP) – As glaciers melt due to climate change, the increasingly hot and parched Earth is absorbing some of that water inland, slowing sea level rise, NASA experts said Thursday. Satellite measurements over the past decade show for the first time that the Earth’s continents have soaked up and stored an extra 3.2 [...]

Bipartisan panel of politicos: Climate skepticism does not harm Republicans in general election Posted: 11 Feb 2016 01:15 PM PST http://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/insiders-keystone-climate-science-republicans-219102 Republicans, meanwhile, don’t believe that their candidates — the majority of whom don’t believe human activity is altering the climate — are jeopardizing their electability in the general by opposing changing public policy to address the perceived threats of climate change. More than 90 percent of Republicans — surveyed last month prior to the [...]

The Syrian ceasefire agreement of February 11 is a big win for the Russians and the Syrian regime...

The Syrian Ceasefire is a Big Win for Russia, Assad, and Iran

By Kimberly and Fred Kagan The Syrian ceasefire agreement of February 11 is a big win for the Russians and the Syrian regime.  Russia, Iran, and Syria are in the midst of a major military offensive that has allowed them to besiege Aleppo and has them poised to make gains across the battlefield. This so-called "cessation of hostilities" agreement allows them to consolidate and prepare for further advances while preventing the opposition that the U.S. ostensibly supports from attempting to undo any of their gains. It does not require the Assad coalition to allow humanitarian access to the hundreds of thousands they have just trapped in and around Aleppo itself, and it leaves them fully in control of what humanitarian aid goes to the other areas they themselves are besieging and deliberately starving. It was concluded without the participation of the opposition, and is thus an imposition of a truce on the fighters the U.S. is theoretically supporting at a moment when they have lost vital ground.   The Russians, moreover, define all of the opposition groups in northern Syria as either ISIS or Jabhat al Nusra.  Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said today, "if liberation of the city that has been taken by illegal armed groups can be qualified as aggression, then, well, yeah, probably. But to attack those who have taken your land is necessary - is a necessary thing. First of all, this has been done by Jabhat al-Nusra, and also the western suburbs of Aleppo are still being controlled together with Jabhat al-Nusra by Jaysh al-Islam and Ahrar al-Sham."  The Russians will read this agreement to let them continue operations against all opposition groups in Aleppo and to continue their encirclement, siege, and targeting of that city.  They will therefore continue to weaken the non-Jabhat al Nusra, non-ISIS opposition now concentrated in Aleppo and likely strengthen the hands of the terrorist organizations they purport to be attacking.   This "cessation of hostilities" also continues the policy of requiring the opposition to make concessions in order to get the regime temporarily to stop committing what the UN has called crimes against humanity.   This agreement is a ceasefire in the manner of the Minsk agreements that have shaped the supposed ceasefires in Ukraine--ceasefires that have been nominally in effect throughout all of the major Russian and separatist military offensives since February 2015. The Russians posed as a neutral third party when in fact they are a belligerent in the conflict, and have continued to escalate and de-escalate military operations in Ukraine in order to extract concessions from the Ukrainian government.  Not only will this Syrian "cessation of hostilities" also fail, but it will fail in a way that further alienates the non-ISIS, non-al Qaeda Sunni opposition groups and populations on which any meaningful political settlement of the conflict in accord with America's vital national security interests must rely.

Germany's Migrant Crisis: January 2016 "Migrants Have No Respect for our Constitutional Order" by Soeren Kern • February 12, 2016 at 5:00 am ...

Germany's Migrant Crisis: January 2016 "Migrants Have No Respect for our Constitutional Order" by Soeren Kern  •  February 12, 2016 at 5:00 am Despite snow, ice and freezing temperatures across much of Europe, a total of 91,671 migrants entered Germany during January 2016. German taxpayers could end up paying 450 billion euros ($500 billion) for the upkeep of the million migrants who arrived in Germany in 2015. This would presumably double to nearly one trillion euros if another million migrants arrive in 2016. A 19-year-old migrant from Afghanistan sexually assaulted four girls between the ages of 11 and 13 at a swimming pool in Dresden. The migrant was arrested but then set free. Three teenage migrants from North Africa tried to stone to death two transsexuals in Dortmund after they were seen walking around in women's clothing. The victims were saved by police. Bild reported that politicians in Kiel had ordered the police to overlook crimes perpetrated by migrants. "The topics we cover are determined by the government. ... We must report in such a way that serves Europe and the common good, as it pleases Mrs. Merkel. ... today we are not allowed to say anything negative about the refugees. This is government journalism." – Wolfgang Herles, retired public media personality. The European Commission called for the "rejection of false associations between certain criminal acts, such as the attacks on women in Cologne on New Year's Eve, and the mass influx of refugees." In January, there were thousands of cases of migrants sexually assaulting women in Germany, including many that took place in public pools. The government began to face a rising voter backlash to the open-door migration policy, including public protests (left). In some areas, authorities have distributed cartoon guides, to "educate" migrants that sexual assault is not acceptable (right). In January 2016, the German public appeared finally to wake up to the implications of their government's decision to allow 1.1 million — mostly male — migrants from Africa, Asia and the Middle East to enter the country during 2015. After more than a thousand Muslim migrants sexually assaulted hundreds of women in cities across Germany on New Year's Eve, Chancellor Angela Merkel began to face a rising voter backlash to her open-door migration policy. Merkel's government has responded to the criticism by: 1) attempting to silence critics of the open-door migration policy; 2) trying to "export" the migrant problem to other countries in the European Union; and 3) announcing a series of measures — branded as unrealistic by critics — to deport migrants accused of committing crimes in Germany. Continue Reading Article

The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency Chief, Vincent Stewart, noted that a Mosul operation was unlikely to occur in 2016, underscoring that the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) have far to go before being ready to recapture the city...

Iraq Situation Report:  February 2 - 11, 2016

By Patrick Martin and ISW Iraq Team Key Take-Away: The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency Chief, Vincent Stewart, noted that a Mosul operation was unlikely to occur in 2016, underscoring that the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) have far to go before being ready to recapture the city. Coalition airstrikes have been successful in assisting the ISF recapture territory from ISIS, who were largely pushed out of Ramadi's eastern suburbs on February 9. Coalition-trained forces also opened a new front against ISIS south of Mosul. Members of the Coalition-trained 91st Iraqi Army (IA) Brigade, along with tribal fighters from Ninewa and Peshmerga forces, conducted operations southwest of Makhmur district towards Qayarrah to recapture villages from ISIS. The limited operation marks the first real operation under Ninewa Operations Command, the branch of the Defense Ministry responsible for recapturing Ninewa from ISIS. Additional Coalition-trained forces from the 15th and 16th IA Divisions are also being deployed to the area and away from other operations, indicating that the ISF has begun shifting a significant number of forces to the southern Mosul axis. However, any operation to recapture Mosul remains a long way off and will require intense Coalition assistance to recapture territory. Meanwhile, Iraqi Kurdistan is witnessing a large number of protests against reduced or undelivered salaries and the weak state of the economy, a situation that is exacerbating political differences between Kurdish political parties, while weekly demonstrations against corruption and for government reform continued across southern Iraq. In addition, PM Abadi announced a cabinet reshuffle on February 9, but such an initiative will depend on the support of political blocs to have any hope of succeeding. A unilateral attempt to remove ministers without the support of political blocs could increase support for a no-confidence vote against him, as major parties will not accept PM Abadi removing their senior members from the government. Ongoing political difficulties underscore the need to strengthen Iraq's central government and financial situation as part of any campaign to recapture territory from ISIS, as the Iraqi state and the Kurdistan Regional Government require increase Coalition and U.S. support to prevent from weakening further and fracturing.          Read this update online   ISW will continue updating on the situation at www.understandingwar.org  as well as on our Twitter handle @TheStudyofWar

ANTI-SEMITIC OBAMA ADMINISTRATION UNHAPPY WITH TRADE BILL PROTECTIONS FOR ISRAEL A REMINDER FROM TEXAS FRED THAT A POLITICIAN MAY BE A POLITICIAN FIRST AND A PATRIOT SECOND IS TED CRUZ TOO NICE TO WIN?...

One Citizen Speaking...

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• ANTI-SEMITIC OBAMA ADMINISTRATION UNHAPPY WITH TRADE BILL PROTECTIONS FOR ISRAEL 
• A REMINDER FROM TEXAS FRED THAT A POLITICIAN MAY BE A POLITICIAN FIRST AND A PATRIOT SECOND 
• IS TED CRUZ TOO NICE TO WIN?

ANTI-SEMITIC OBAMA ADMINISTRATION UNHAPPY WITH TRADE BILL PROTECTIONS FOR ISRAEL  Posted: 12 Feb 2016 01:29 AM PST The Administration has officially indicated its displeasure with the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 because it protects trade with Israel. Not surprising since the Obama Administration appears to disadvantage our staunch ally Israel while seemingly promoting causes related to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.  Statement by the Press Secretary on the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 The President has been clear that our trade agreements must allow our workers and businesses to compete fairly with the rest of the world, and where that is not happening, we have and will continue to take action.  We are pleased the Senate passed the bipartisan Customs conference report because it will provide additional tools to help crack down on unfair competition by trading partners and foreign companies that put our workers and businesses at a disadvantage.  As with any bipartisan compromise legislation, there are provisions in this bill that we do not support, including a provision that contravenes longstanding U.S. policy towards Israel and the occupied territories, including with regard to Israeli settlement activity.  However, the legislation would strengthen trade enforcement at our ports and borders and improve our ability to stop evasion of our trade laws; improve transparency, accountability, and coordination in enforcement efforts; and give us unprecedented new tools to address unfair currency practices. Its passage is an important milestone in our overall trade agenda.  The President intends to sign H.R.644 into law to help strengthen enforcement of the rules and level the playing field for American workers and businesses. Statement by the Press Secretary on the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 | whitehouse.gov The actual legislation concerning Israel … Excerpts from H.R. 644 Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (Engrossed Amendment House - EAH) TITLE IX--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS SEC. 908. UNITED STATES-ISRAEL TRADE AND COMMERCIAL ENHANCEMENT. (a) Findings- Congress finds the following: (1) Israel is America's dependable, democratic ally in the Middle East--an area of paramount strategic importance to the United States. (2) The United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement formed the modern foundation of the bilateral commercial relationship between the two countries and was the first such agreement signed by the United States with a foreign country. (3) The United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement has been instrumental in expanding commerce and the strategic relationship between the United States and Israel. (4) More than $45 billion in goods and services is traded annually between the two countries in addition to roughly $10 billion in United States foreign direct investment in Israel. (5) The United States continues to look for and find new opportunities to enhance cooperation with Israel, including through the enactment of the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-150) and the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-296). (6) It has been the policy of the United States Government to combat all elements of the Arab League Boycott of Israel by-- (A) public statements of Administration officials; (B) enactment of relevant sections of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (as continued in effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act), including sections to ensure foreign persons comply with applicable reporting requirements relating to the boycott; (C) enactment of the 1976 Tax Reform Act (Public Law 94-455) that denies certain tax benefits to entities abiding by the boycott; (D) ensuring through free trade agreements with Bahrain and Oman that such countries no longer participate in the boycott; and (E) ensuring as a condition of membership in the World Trade Organization that Saudi Arabia no longer enforces the secondary or tertiary elements of the boycott. (b) Statements of Policy- Congress-- (1) supports the strengthening of United States-Israel economic cooperation and recognizes the tremendous strategic, economic, and technological value of cooperation with Israel; (2) recognizes the benefit of cooperation with Israel to United States companies, including by improving American competitiveness in global markets; (3) recognizes the importance of trade and commercial relations to the pursuit and sustainability of peace, and supports efforts to bring together the United States, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and others in enhanced commerce; (4) opposes politically motivated actions that penalize or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with Israel such as boycotts, divestment or sanctions; (5) notes that the boycott, divestment, and sanctioning of Israel by governments, governmental bodies, quasi-governmental bodies, international organizations, and other such entities is contrary to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) principle of non-discrimination; (6) encourages the inclusion of politically motivated actions that penalize or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with Israel such as boycotts, divestment from, or sanctions against Israel as a topic of discussion at the U.S.-Israel Joint Economic Development Group (JEDG) and other areas to support the strengthening of the United States-Israel commercial relationship and combat any commercial discrimination against Israel; (7) supports efforts to prevent investigations or prosecutions by governments or international organizations of United States persons on the sole basis of such persons doing business with Israel, with Israeli entities, or in Israeli-controlled territories; and (8) supports American States examining a company's promotion or compliance with unsanctioned boycotts, divestment from, or sanctions against Israel as part of its consideration in awarding grants and contracts and supports the divestment of State assets from companies that support or promote actions to boycott, divest from, or sanction Israel. (c) Principal Trade Negotiating Objectives of the United States- (1) COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIPS- Among the principal trade negotiating objectives of the United States for proposed trade agreements with foreign countries regarding commercial partnerships are the following: (A) To discourage actions by potential trading partners that directly or indirectly prejudice or otherwise discourage commercial activity solely between the United States and Israel. (B) To discourage politically motivated actions to boycott, divest from, or sanction Israel and to seek the elimination of politically motivated non-tariff barriers on Israeli goods, services, or other commerce imposed on the State of Israel. (C) To seek the elimination of state-sponsored unsanctioned foreign boycotts against Israel or compliance with the Arab League Boycott of Israel by prospective trading partners. (2) EFFECTIVE DATE- This subsection takes effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and applies with respect to negotiations commenced before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Report on Politically Motivated Acts of Boycott, Divestment From, and Sanctions Against Israel-  (1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the President shall submit to Congress a report on politically motivated acts of boycott, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel. (2) MATTERS TO BE INCLUDED- The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) A description of the establishment of barriers to trade, including non-tariff barriers, investment, or commerce by foreign countries or international organizations against United States persons operating or doing business in Israel, with Israeli entities, or in Israeli-controlled territories. (B) A description of specific steps being taken by the United States to encourage foreign countries and international organizations to cease creating such barriers and to dismantle measures already in place and an assessment of the effectiveness of such steps. (C) A description of specific steps being taken by the United States to prevent investigations or prosecutions by governments or international organizations of United States persons on the sole basis of such persons doing business with Israel, with Israeli entities, or in Israeli-controlled territories. (D) Decisions by foreign persons, including corporate entities and state-affiliated financial institutions, that limit or prohibit economic relations with Israel or persons doing business in Israel or in Israeli controlled territories. (e) Certain Foreign Judgments Against United States Persons- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no domestic court shall recognize or enforce any foreign judgment entered against a United States person that conducts business operations in Israel, or any territory controlled by Israel, if the domestic court determines that the foreign judgment is based, in whole or in part, on a determination by a foreign court that the United States person's conducting business operations therein or with Israeli entities constitutes a violation of law. (f) Definitions- In this section: (1) BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT FROM, AND SANCTIONS AGAINST ISRAEL- The term `boycott, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel' means actions by states, non-member states of the United Nations, international organizations, or affiliated agencies of international organizations that are politically motivated and are intended to penalize or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with Israel or persons doing business in Israel or in Israeli-controlled territories. (2) DOMESTIC COURT- The term `domestic court' means a Federal court of the United States, or a court of any State or territory of the United States or of the District of Columbia. (3) FOREIGN COURT- The term `foreign court' means a court, an administrative body, or other tribunal of a foreign country. (4) FOREIGN JUDGMENT- The term `foreign judgment' means a final civil judgment rendered by a foreign court. (5) FOREIGN PERSON- The term `foreign person' means-- (A) any natural person who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence (as defined in section 101(a)(20) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20)) or who is not a protected individual (as defined in section 274B(a)(3) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)); or (B) any foreign corporation, business association, partnership, trust, society or any other entity or group that is not incorporated or organized to do business in the United States, as well as any international organization, foreign government and any agency or subdivision of foreign government, including a diplomatic mission. (6) PERSON- (A) IN GENERAL- The term `person' means-- (i) a natural person; (ii) a corporation, business association, partnership, society, trust, financial institution, insurer, underwriter, guarantor, and any other business organization, any other nongovernmental entity, organization, or group, and any governmental entity operating as a business enterprise; and (iii) any successor to any entity described in clause (ii). (B) APPLICATION TO GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES- The term `person' does not include a government or governmental entity that is not operating as a business enterprise. (7) UNITED STATES PERSON- The term `United States person' means-- (A) a natural person who is a national of the United States (as defined in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22))); or (B) a corporation or other legal entity which is organized under the laws of the United States, any State or territory thereof, or the District of Columbia, if natural persons described in subparagraph (A) own, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the outstanding capital stock or other beneficial interest in such legal entity. Bottom line … There is little doubt n my mind that many in the Obama Administration, especially those in the State Department, are anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, and pro-Muslim and will do anything in their power to disadvantage Israel. We are so screwed. -- steve

A REMINDER FROM TEXAS FRED THAT A POLITICIAN MAY BE A POLITICIAN FIRST AND A PATRIOT SECOND  Posted: 11 Feb 2016 01:15 PM PST From what I had heard, mostly from the Cruz Campaign, Pete Sessions was a standup guy. A patriot that supported constitutional conservatism and all that it implies: limited government, fewer regulations, lower taxes, a strong military, and protection of our sovereignty. Other than that, I knew little or nothing about Pete Sessions. Now, Texas Fred comes along to remind me that: one, appearances can be deceiving in the political world, and two, human nature often trumps patriotism when it comes to protecting a politicians self-interests. From our friend in Texas … My response to Rep. Pete Sessions Posted on February 11, 2016 by TexasFred    To preface this story a bit; I got a call from Pete Sessions last Sunday evening, during the last 2 minutes of the Super Bowl, and Pete wanted to talk about a post I had up where I related all the information that one of his Congressional challengers had written up.  Pete was not at all happy with me for writing that post and even though ALL of the information was *sourced* I was very skeptical of a few of the sources, they were to sites that I personally don’t use.  As I said in that story; some information was dead on the money and some was, in my opinion, seriously suspect.  My house was utter chaos at the time Pete called. My youngest daughter was here, her 2 boys, her fiancé was here and a gigantic Great Dane was here and we were having our Super Bowl party, things were, to say the least, quite hectic.  Rep. Sessions wanted me to know that he was NOT a liar, the record spoke for itself and that I could verify his voting record at GOVTRACKS.us.  Pete, what I didn’t tell you is this; I watch every vote you make. I watch closely, I have since you became my Congressman. I would think you knew that.  Now I have to tell you; I am not happy nor unhappy with Pete’s overall voting record, some of it, hell, most of it is right on the money but in MY opinion when you miss you miss by a country mile, but Pete, your voting record on House Bills is NOT my biggest issue.  I rarely try to influence the vote of my Congressman It has been my experience that to do so is simply a waste of time and energy and since I don’t know how much TIME I have left, and since for me energy is greatly lacking, I don’t want to waste either.  I did try to influence Pete Sessions on ONE vote and that was right after the election 2 years ago when I, and MANY others living in TX-32 asked Pete to take a stand against John Boehner, then Speaker of the House, and bigtime buddies with Barack Hussein Obama.  Pete totally ignored the pleas of the people that sent him to Congress and he voted FOR Boehner to remain in the Speakers seat.  Pete Sessions and John Boehner are also great friends.  Pete told me they are friends himself a while back and I accept that, BUT, friends or not, Boehner is a waste of skin, a blubbering ass kisser and did whatever Obama told him to do.  He, Boehner, is also a vindictive SOB.   After the vote for Speaker was taken John Boehner took anyone that voted against him OFF of any committee they were seated on, he removed them from any position of power.  That got me to thinking and wondering about something.    Did Pete Sessions vote FOR Boehner because he thought Boehner was really good at what he did? Because if that is the case then I had to question what MY Congressman called a worthwhile person?  Or, as I more seriously suspect, did Pete Sessions vote for John Boehner because his own chairmanship of the House Rules Committee means more to him than the PEOPLE of TX-32 and because he knew that Boehner would yank the position away from him, friends or not?  In order to avoid a conflict in front of my family I took down the post that Pete Sessions was so offended by, something I have NEVER done before and will not do again.  I present News, Opinion and Commentary on this blog and if I want to call you out on something I am damned sure going to do it, that’s the way the 1st Amendment says it’s going to happen.  Pete, there is nothing that Russ Ramsland or Michael Quinn Sullivan have said or done that influenced me nor turned me against you; it was you, all by yourself, and your way of talking *down* to people and the vote you cast for Boehner that did it for me.  When Katrina Pierson ran against you I fought tooth and nail in YOUR support, to the point of being threatened with legal action by an ignorant slug of humanity for stating an opinion backed by irrefutable facts.  I supported you then, and if you win the primary I will vote for you in the general election if you have a Democratic challenger, but I won’t be endorsing you, I won’t be blogging for you and I damned sure won’t be sticking my neck out for you.  It was YOUR actions that brought this on. I am old fashioned, and as YOU said to me the 1st time we met, at Hubbard’s when you wanted to meet with the movers and shakers of Rowlett, “You sure do expect a lot.”  Yes I do, I expect that YOU are to follow the WILL of the PEOPLE and vote that will, that desire, and if you can’t vote the will of the people make damned sure you explain WHY, don’t just vote for some POS like Boehner and expect people to be happy.  And don’t expect that everyone is going to forgive and forget. Source: My response to Rep. Pete Sessions | The TexasFred Blog Bottom line … It should come as no surprise that Donald Trump is not the only one making deals – only he appears to be more honest about buying politicians for perks, privileges, and political favors. He is, as most politicians, a weathervane that points with the prevailing winds to provide the path of least resistence, and a chameleon who can change his color to suit his background.  We should be very, very careful who we elect to the Presidency, but more importantly to the Congress. A Congress where we provided a majority for the House and they did little or nothing to put the progressive socialist democrats and their leader, Barack Obama, on the spot. A Congress where we provided a majority for the Senate, and they did little or nothing to deal with the unconstitutionality and lawlessness of the Obama Administration. So consider Texas Fred’s post a warning: not everything is as it appears and perception almost always trumps reality. We are so screwed. -- steve

IS TED CRUZ TOO NICE TO WIN? Posted: 10 Feb 2016 06:43 PM PST Today  received this rather crude e-mail from the Ted Cruz campaign … Perhaps it is me, but the idea that I am one of Ted Cruz’s friends, let alone “one of my closest and most loyal supporters,” is off-putting since I have never met the man and have never contributed to his campaign. This is little more than one of those faux-friendly messaging attempts to raise money. But it did get me to thinking. Is Ted Cruz such a nice guy that we will lose another election? Mitt Romney was a nice guy who failed to engage – even when he had the facts on his side. Would a Ted Cruz who tells us that he “will not respond” to Trump’s personal attacks be jeopardizing his chances in the primaries? According to Cruz, Trump could win the primary and then be defeated by Hillary Clinton if not for your donation. But is money alone enough if the message is meek and mild and there is no knockout delivered to The Donald? Is it like winking at a girl in the dark, you know you did it, but she remains oblivious and uninterested? Here is the e-mail … Ted Cruz Personal Email – May Include Privileged Communication Friend, Do you have a few minutes to read my email?  I hope you will stop what you are doing for just a moment and let me explain...  The results of the first two states are in, and it's clear that we are down to a two person race -- me vs. Donald Trump!  You also know -- the winner will take on Hillary Clinton.  Friend, let me be blunt. I can beat Hillary Clinton. Donald can't. That is why I am asking you -- one of my closest and most loyal supporters -- will you redouble your support for me today?  I need you now more than ever, and let me tell you why.  When I first announced my campaign, Heidi and I committed that we would run an issues oriented, positive campaign. Unfortunately, my friend, Donald Trump, didn't make that same commitment.  While Donald continues with personal attacks -- and vulgar profanities -- I do not intend to respond, but that won't stop Donald. He is so rattled by my surge in the polls, our victory in Iowa, and our strong finish in New Hampshire that he has decided to continue his scorched earth campaign in an attempt to burn down everyone and everything in his path. I can't fault Donald for this...it's the only way he can distract voters from his record:  Support for Hillary-style healthcare;  Support for partial birth abortion;  Support for bank bailouts;  Support for Obama stimulus; and  Enthusiastic embrace of eminent domain. Friend, will you help me set the record straight? Without your help, he might get away with it...and if he does, say hello to President Hillary Clinton. That's why I need your immediate help.  As I write this email to you, I'm being briefed that our Iowa and New Hampshire campaigns have taken a significant toll on my campaign budget. As of today, I'm still $490,700 short of my mid-month budget for February. With South Carolina voting next in just days -- I can't afford to come up short. That's why I'm turning to you again. Will you help me make up the difference by using one of the secure links below?  MAKE THE DIFFERENCE: I will help with $5 >> MAKE THE DIFFERENCE: I will help with $35 >> MAKE THE DIFFERENCE: I will help with $50 >> MAKE THE DIFFERENCE: I will help with $250 >> MAKE THE DIFFERENCE: I will help with $500 >> MAKE THE DIFFERENCE: I will help with $2700 >> You can make a HUGE impact on this campaign and help me win this nomination with an IMMEDIATE contribution -- no matter how small.  There is great strength in numbers.  With your personal contribution, you'll also be sending a big message to Donald Trump that tearing others down and misleading voters is not the best way to unite conservatives and make America great again.  Friend, I'll set the record straight on Donald's false attacks, secure the Republican nomination, AND DEFEAT HILLARY, but I can only get there with your continued help.  This is our time! Together, we will reignite liberty in America.  For liberty, Ted Cruz Bottom line … Trump may be loud and crude, but he is nothing like Hillary’s “B” Team – Brock and Blumenthal – who live in the slime and epitomize dirty political attacks – and who will savage Cruz at every opportunity while keeping the candidate’s hands relatively clean. Cruz is no match for those who will go to the wall for their “Hillary” even if it apparently means committing crimes and lying to federal investigators to cover-up dirty deeds. Cruz is a great debater. A well-credentialed, well-spoken, and well-experienced candidate. But is he tough enough when the fight leaves the debate state and winds up in the mud – the playground of the Clintons? Trump has shown ingenuity in getting media attention, even without major campaign expenditures, does Cruz have the same resourcefulness to extend his message when the media turns overtly hostile in the general election? Is money the only thing that matters as this e-mail implies? -- steve Related articles Who Can Beat Hillary Clinton -- August 6, 2014?