Boehner cancels vote on 'Plan B', says cliff solution up to Democrats - The Hill
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/274187-house-gop-pulls-plan-b
Friday, December 21, 2012
It's Now in D's Court.
Boehner cancels vote on 'Plan B', says cliff solution up to Democrats - The Hill
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/274187-house-gop-pulls-plan-b
Sign Me Up! Free Serviceman Jailed in Mexico!
Rep. Hunter calls for Americans to boycott Mexico - Washington Times
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/inside-politics/2012/dec/20/rep-hunter-calls-americans-boycott-mexico/
Will Obama Blame & Jail This Producer 2 Cover 4 His Failing Mideast Policies?
U.S. on alert for Islamist ire to ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ - Washington Times
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/dec/20/us-on-alert-for-islamist-anger-to-zero-dark-thirty/
The liberal media is Obama's lapdog
Dear Fellow Patriot,
Throughout the presidential campaign, Barack Obama's cohorts in the liberal press made every effort to paint Mitt Romney as an out-of-touch silver-spoon Republican while going to great lengths to put a hedge of protection around their socialist icon in the White House.
No matter how unethical, dishonest, or unprofessional, the liberal media proved that they would do anything to help Obama get reelected:
In the days following the attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya, CBS News political director John Dickerson expressed dismay that Romney would dare speak out about the attack, yet declared that it is solely Romney's responsibility to hold the President to account over Libya "because the press isn't necessarily going to make that case for him."
The media went into overdrive to spin and reframe Obama's politically damaging remark, "You didn't build that." It took NBC News 94 hours—almost 4 days—before they even reported it and ABC and CBS another 24 after that. Even then, they shamelessly defended the President and claimed that his remarks were taken out of context.
The Obama cheerleaders at MSNBC took to distorting Romney's stump speech so that he would sound amazed at the existence of Wawas, gas stations, and touchtone ordering machines. In reality, Romney was remarking on the innovation of the private market. His message is clear as day to anyone who watches the full video of his stump speech, and it should sicken anyone who compares it to this sensational hatchet job.
It's insulting to every truth-loving American that the liberal press continues to manufacture issues, bury stories, give cover to their allies, and splice and dice video all for the sake of imposing their agenda on the American people. It's unprofessional, dishonest, and corrupt! And it's time that Americans fight back . . . Find out how you can join us.
The Media Research Center needs your help to meet our December 31 fundraising goal so that we can be fully equipped to stop the media and their White House allies from ever dictating election issues to us again. Learn more about what you can do to make a difference at this critical time.
Even as I write this, I know that the White House is feeding tomorrow's talking points to its lapdog media who will obediently churn them out to the American public. But we at the Media Research Center will be ready to expose their lies and counter them with the truth. Your support is needed now more than ever to expose the lies and end the liberal media's assault on the truth.
If you value truth, then I ask you to help the MRC meet its year-end fundraising goal. Please stand with MRC today.
Thank you for standing up for the truth.
Sincerely,
L. Brent Bozell III
Founder and President
Media Research Center
Guns Save Lives
Gallup Poll: Americans Want More Police in Schools, Better Mental Health Care, Not Weapons Ban
[Video] Utah Pastor Uses Laser Sighted Gun to Protect His Family From Intruder on Drugs
[Video] Charlotte, NC Detective Fires at Home Invader Trying to Break Into His Home
Gallup Poll: Americans Want More Police in Schools, Better Mental Health Care, Not Weapons Ban
Posted: 20 Dec 2012 09:45 AM PST
According to a Gallup poll conducted on Dec 18th (4 days after the Sandy Hook Shooting) show that Americans do have opinions on what actions should be taken to prevent another tragedy. However, some may be surprised to learn that an Assault Weapons Ban isn’t in the top 3 of that list and most Americans [...] Related posts:
Why an Assault Weapons Ban is Still Unlikely
Americans Are Buying Russian AK’s in Record Numbers
Your Tax Dollars at Work: GA Sheriff’s Deputy Allegedly Sold/Pawned 3 Department Issued Weapons
[Video] Utah Pastor Uses Laser Sighted Gun to Protect His Family From Intruder on Drugs
Posted: 19 Dec 2012 10:21 PM PST
A Baptist pastor in Utah used his handgun to ensure that his family remained safe from an intruder high on prescription drugs. The pastor heard some noise at his church, where he also lives with his family, and went to investigate. The pastor confronted the would be intruder, who was incoherent and eventually had to [...] Related posts:
Video: 911 Recording Released After Homeowner Shoots, Kills Late Night Intruder in Utah
OR Couple Shoots At, Captures Intruder On Drugs
[Video] Son in Law Draws Gun to Protect In-laws’ Property After Good Neighbor Called Him
[Video] Charlotte, NC Detective Fires at Home Invader Trying to Break Into His Home
Posted: 19 Dec 2012 10:04 PM PST
A detective for the Charlotte, NC police department was awakened by his wife who heard something in the middle of the night. When the homeowner went to investigate he saw a man trying to kick his way into the home. The homeowner fired his personal weapon at the suspect, who then fled the scene. It [...] Related posts:
[Video] WA Homeowner Fires Shot Through Door After Intruder Tries to Break In
Elderly NE Homeowner Fires a Warning Shot at Home Invader Who Is Then Captured By Police
TX Homeowner at Home w/ Daughter Shoots Home Invader Through Door
Loganswarning
Muslims on the run #2: The NFL’s Muslim Brotherhood….The Abdullah Brothers ~ Where Does Their Loyalty Lie?
Posted: 20 Dec 2012 10:14 PM PST
As promised here is part two of my hard-hitting exposing Muslims in America, “Muslims on the run” series. This time there are two prominent Muslims being target for a debate on Islam. They are the NFL’s Muslim Brotherhood…..the Abdullah Brothers.
Back on December 10th I sent a Tweet to the Arizona Cardinal’s Hamza Abdullah:
10 DecChristopher Logan @LogansWarning
@HamzaAbdullah21 do you condemn Sharia Law? @Brynmr
The safety quickly played it safe, and blocked me on Twitter. He also ran as fast as he could from my last comment to him:
11 DecChristopher Logan @LogansWarning
@HamzaAbdullah21 I ask you a simple question about Sharia law and you block me. Obviously you hold Islam above all. Traitor.#Islam
Onto the Muslim Brotherhood #2: Husain Abdullah of the Minnesota Vikings:
Back in August of 2010, I posted about how Husain put his religion before his team. Plenty of people were not happy about that posting, but like I knew that we would have the same problems with Islam that the UK was experiencing, I knew where this so called American hero was heading.
What keyed me in on these two was the following vile comment on Husain’s Twitter page.
“The prophet Muhammad (SAWS) kicked it with Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, Umar bin- Al-Khattab and Khalid Al-Waleed”
#AintNobodyMessingWithHisClique
(Click on image 2x to enlarge.)
For those who do not know, Abu Bakr is the sicko who turned his 6 year-old daughter Aisha over to the Prophet Pervert Mohammad for “marriage”. Apparently Husain thinks child marriage is cool, and Mohammad lusting over a child is just “kickin it”!
Sahih Bukhari 7.18
Narrated ‘Ursa:
The Prophet asked Abu Bakr for ‘Aisha’s hand in marriage. Abu Bakr said “But I am your brother.” The Prophet said, “You are my brother in Allah’s religion and His Book, but she (Aisha) is lawful for me to marry.”
I am not sure who is worse, the so called man who turns his little girl over to be married, or the one waiting to take her?!?!
My responses to his Tweet were the following:
10 DecChristopher Logan @LogansWarning
@HAbdullah39 Kicked it?! He married Abu’s CHILD, and then had sex with her when she was NINE. YOU are supporting pedophilia!@Brynmr #Islam
14 DecChristopher Logan @LogansWarning
@HAbdullah39 ”ainttnobodymessonwithisclique”? Is that so? If you think Islam is going to win its war on infidels, you are GREATLY mistaken!
14 DecChristopher Logan @LogansWarning
@HAbdullah39 do you condemn or condone Islam for allowing child marriages? Do you condemn Mohammad for raping pows? (Koran 33:50).
(Click on image 2x to enlarge.)
As you can see Husain ducked me for days! You know what his final response was? Nothing….he cannot even bring himself to respond to the simple questions, or condemn the fact that Islam allows pedophilia and the rape of prisoners of war.
The Abdullah brothers….no friends of America as we know it, and an embarrassment to the NFL.
Weekly InSight | 21 December 2012
Features
Special Investigation: The Zetas and the Battle for Monterrey
The Zetas’ top leader is dead and the group is seemingly splitting into pieces, but they remain Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto’s biggest security challenge. In this context, InSight Crime delves into the battle for Mexico’s industrial capital, Monterrey, getting to the essence of a criminal gang that defies easy definition (download full report in PDF).
Part I - How the Zetas Took Monterrey
The Zetas have many sides. The group is at once sophisticated and ruthless, coordinating multi-caravan ambushes and sending hooligans to launch a wild assault on a police station. It has gang-bangers and Special Forces snipers on its payroll. It uses a sophisticated radio system and a machete in the same operation.
Part II - The Zetas and Monterrey Math
Just days after the fire at the Casino Royale, authorities captured five suspects, one of whom was a state policeman. Officer Miguel Angel Barraza Escamilla later admitted to investigators that he was a member of the Zetas. Investigators told the press that he had various jobs, including as a lookout during operations like the tragic shakedown at the Casino Royale and driving members of the criminal gang in stolen vehicles.
Part III - The Battle for Monterrey
The Zetas have been splitting at the seams since at least the middle of 2012. Various commanders have declared war on each other, and the new top commander, Miguel Treviño, alias "Z-40," is scrambling to keep the organization intact.
Analysis
The Struggle to Survive in the Most Violent Country in the World
El Universal's Pablo Ferri provides a series of snapshots illustrating one of the main factors behind crime and violence in Honduras: the ability of drug traffickers to influence law enforcement and judicial officials with ease.
The Future of Marijuana Legalization in Mexico, the US?
A medical marijuana dispensary in the United States Mexico security analyst Alejandro Hope looks forward 25 years after the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington to find a world where experimentation with drug legalization has become common place, though not without its perils.
Mexico Has 80 Drug Cartels: Attorney General
Mexico’s new attorney general put the number of drug cartels operating in the country at up to 80, reflecting a radical decentralization of power and profusion of smaller gangs in the Mexican underworld.
News
Marijuana Shipment Found on Colombian Military Plane
Some 25 kilograms of marijuana were discovered on a military plane after it landed at an air base in central Colombia, raising questions about the extent of the the armed forces' involvement in the drug trade.
Rumours of Links to Organized Crime Surround Jenni Rivera's Death
The plane crash in which Mexican American singer Jenni Rivera and five others died last week may have been related to a spat she allegedly had with the Zetas, an unidentified source told the Huffington Post, although these claims have not been confirmed.
Peru Considers Sweeping Law Aiding Criminal, Terrorist Investigations
Peru's Congress is currently considering a legislative package intended to aid the security forces in the fight against organized crime and terrorism, which would increase the penalties for those accused of promoting "terrorist" propaganda, among other measures.
More News
Multimedia
Rice University's Baker Institute takes a look at Mexico's "kingpin strategy" against cartels.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
GOP Cuts Democrap Pork out of Sandy Storm Aid!
News from The Associated Press
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPERSTORM_AID?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-12-19-18-25-05
Judge awards more than $700,000 in legal fees to Kosilek’s lawyers
Gone Amuck...Stupid is as Stupid does! Judge awards more than $700,000 in legal fees to Kosilek’s lawyers
George Soros must be stopped!
Dear Fellow Patriot,
The media in this country have become an appendage of the White House and the Democratic National Party. They are the spokespeople for Obama and his leftist agenda. They refuse to tell the truth about the failed liberal policies in Washington.
In the months leading up to the general election, the liberal media parroted talking points that came directly from the White House. The "war on women," "income inequality," and "the plight of the middle class" all suddenly became election-year issues through a deceitful collaboration between the liberal media and the Democratic Party.
But this web of deceit goes even higher than the White House. Billionaire George , who donated heavily to elect Barack Obama and who funds an endless list of left-wing causes to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars, is on a crusade to destroy Fox News, conservative talk radio, and any media that dare to tell the truth!
The ONLY thing standing between billionaire George and the complete destruction of truth-telling conservative outlets is the Media Research Center.
That's why the MRC has launched a new campaign to combat the Media of Mass Corruption. With President Obama in the White House and George funneling billions of dollars toward the destruction of conservative news outlets, we cannot afford to back down at this critical time.
Your support is crucial in helping the MRC expose the liberal press that spews the White House talking points and carries water for socialists like George .
Please visit MediaofMassCorruption.com and learn more about how you can help equip us in the battle for truth!
Sincerely,
L. Brent Bozell III
Founder and President
Media Research Center
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED:
Men Are Just Happier People --
What do you expect from such simple creatures?
Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack...
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you,
He or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough..
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes..
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, even decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives
On December 24 in 25 minutes.
___________________________________
Men Are Just Happier People
NICKNAMES
If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah. If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Bubba and Wildman.
EATING OUT
When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it's only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back.
When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.
MONEY
A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.
A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need but it's on sale.
BATHROOMS
A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel.
The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.
ARGUMENTS
A woman has the last word in any argument.
Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.
FUTURE
A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
MARRIAGE
A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.
A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, but she does.
DRESSING UP
A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the trash, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail.
A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.
NATURAL
Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.
Women somehow deteriorate during the night.
OFFSPRING
Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children.. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.
A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing!
SO, send this to the women who have a sense of humor and who can handle it .... and to the men who will enjoy reading it
Men Are Just Happier People --
What do you expect from such simple creatures?
Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack...
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you,
He or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough..
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes..
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, even decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives
On December 24 in 25 minutes.
___________________________________
Men Are Just Happier People
NICKNAMES
If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah. If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Bubba and Wildman.
EATING OUT
When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it's only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back.
When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.
MONEY
A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.
A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need but it's on sale.
BATHROOMS
A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel.
The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.
ARGUMENTS
A woman has the last word in any argument.
Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.
FUTURE
A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
MARRIAGE
A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.
A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, but she does.
DRESSING UP
A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the trash, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail.
A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.
NATURAL
Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.
Women somehow deteriorate during the night.
OFFSPRING
Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children.. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.
A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing!
SO, send this to the women who have a sense of humor and who can handle it .... and to the men who will enjoy reading it
A WISH TO LIVE FOREVER
Happy Holidays!
A Smile for today!
A WISH TO LIVE FOREVER
I met a fairy who said she would grant me one wish.
Immediately I said, "I want to live forever."
"Sorry," said the fairy, "I'm not allowed to grant eternal life."
"OK," I said, "Then, I want to die after Congress gets its head out of its ass!"
"You crafty bastard," said the fairy.
Happy Holidays!
A Smile for today!
A WISH TO LIVE FOREVER
I met a fairy who said she would grant me one wish.
Immediately I said, "I want to live forever."
"Sorry," said the fairy, "I'm not allowed to grant eternal life."
"OK," I said, "Then, I want to die after Congress gets its head out of its ass!"
"You crafty bastard," said the fairy.
15 Signs That The Ring Of Fire Is Waking Up As We Head Into 2013
By Michael, on December 18th, 2012
While most of the world has been focused on other things, the Ring of Fire has been quietly waking up. Over the past couple of months, there has been a steady string of noteworthy volcanic eruptions and earthquakes that have occurred along the perimeter of the Pacific Ocean. But because none of them have happened near a highly populated area, we really haven’t heard much about them in the news. But if activity along the Ring of Fire continues to increase, it is inevitable that a major event will happen near a major city at some point. When that happens, the entire world will be focused on the Ring of Fire once again. Most people don’t realize that approximately 90 percent of all earthquakes and approximately 75 percent of all volcanic eruptions occur along the Ring of Fire. The entire west coast of the United States sits along the Ring of Fire and a massive network of faults runs underneath California, Oregon and Washington. Fortunately, the west coast has not experienced any devastating seismic events in recent years, but scientists assure us that will change at some point. So it is important to sit up and take notice when there are reports of increasing activity along the Ring of Fire.
Unfortunately, most Americans cannot even tell you what the Ring of Fire is. The following is how Wikipedia defines the “Ring of Fire”…
The Pacific Ring of Fire (or sometimes just the Ring of Fire) is an area where large numbers of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in the basin of the Pacific Ocean. In a 40,000 km (25,000 mi) horseshoe shape, it is associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and volcanic belts and/or plate movements.
It runs roughly along the rim of the Pacific Ocean. Coastal residents of four different continents realize that a major event along the Ring of Fire could fundamentally change their lives in a single moment.
Nearly all of the worst earthquakes in modern history have occurred along the Ring of Fire. When the Ring of Fire is very active, it is a very big deal. That is why so many people are alarmed that the Ring of Fire seems to be entering a period of increased activity.
The following are 15 signs that the Ring of Fire is waking up as we head into 2013…
#1 Mount Lokon, which is located in Indonesia, has erupted more than 800 times since July. On Monday, volcanic ash from the volcano reached heights of up to 10,000 feet.
#2 An “orange alert” had been issued for towns and villages near the Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador. On Tuesday it erupted and shot lava up to a half mile above its crater.
#3 Lava is still flowing out of the Tolbachik volcano which is located on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Anyone that has ever played the board game “Risk” knows where Kamchatka is located.
#4 Lava also continues to flow and ash also continues to rise from the Fuego volcano in Guatemala.
#5 On Tuesday, an ash plume more than 2.5 kilometers high had risen from the Paluweh volcano in Indonesia.
#6 There was an average of about 4 seismic events per hour at the Popocatépetl volcano in Mexico on Tuesday.
#7 Scientists recently discovered “one of the world’s weirdest volcanoes” on the floor of the ocean just off the coast of Baja, Mexico.
#8 Mt. Fuji (located not too far from Tokyo, Japan) has been dormant for about 300 years, but in recent months there have been increasing signs of activity there. One study recently found that a “magma chamber under the mountain has come under immense pressure“, and one prominent scientist is warning that Mt. Fuji is due for “a big-scale explosive eruption“. Authorities were alarmed when a tunnel leading to Mt. Fuji collapsed on December 2nd, killing 9 people.
#9 Scientists are now warning that there is a very dangerous build up of magma at a large number of Japan’s 110 active volcanoes.
#10 A magnitude-6.1 earthquake struck off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia on Monday.
#11 A magnitude-6.0 earthquake hit the New Britain region of Papua New Guinea on Saturday.
#12 A magnitude-6.5 earthquake struck the Gulf of Alaska in mid-November.
#13 A magnitude-7.3 earthquake hit Japan earlier this month.
#14 There has been a substantial increase in earthquake activity in the Long Valley caldera region of California, and authorities tell us that “magma is indeed moving down there“.
#15 Over one recent five week period, more than 170 significant earthquakes were detected in one town in Chile. That town is now being called “one of the shakiest places on earth”.
All of those events occurred along the Ring of Fire.
So why is all of this happening?
Well, there are certainly a lot of theories out there.
In the United States, a large percentage of the population is convinced that an increase in natural disasters is evidence that we are in the “last days” described in the Bible. In fact, one recent survey found that a whopping 36 percent of all Americans believe that the increase in natural disasters that we have seen in recent years is an indication that we are in the end times…
More than a third of Americans believe the severity of recent natural disasters is evidence that we are in the “end times” described in the New Testament — a period of turmoil preceding Jesus’ Second Coming and the end of the world.
“There is a significant proportion of Americans who see these phenomena through a theological lens,” said Daniel Cox, research director at the Public Religion Research Institute, which released a poll on religion and climate change on Thursday (Dec. 13) in partnership with Religion News Service.
“It’s hardly a fringe belief. It’s nearly four in 10 Americans who are embracing this,” Cox said.
The conviction is particularly strong among white evangelical Protestants (65 percent), and less common among Catholics (21 percent) and the religiously unaffiliated (15 percent).
Other Americans believe that there are other causes for all of these natural disasters, and a large number of Americans are absolutely convinced that nothing unusual is happening at all.
So what do you think? Please feel free to post a comment with your thoughts below…
By Michael, on December 18th, 2012
While most of the world has been focused on other things, the Ring of Fire has been quietly waking up. Over the past couple of months, there has been a steady string of noteworthy volcanic eruptions and earthquakes that have occurred along the perimeter of the Pacific Ocean. But because none of them have happened near a highly populated area, we really haven’t heard much about them in the news. But if activity along the Ring of Fire continues to increase, it is inevitable that a major event will happen near a major city at some point. When that happens, the entire world will be focused on the Ring of Fire once again. Most people don’t realize that approximately 90 percent of all earthquakes and approximately 75 percent of all volcanic eruptions occur along the Ring of Fire. The entire west coast of the United States sits along the Ring of Fire and a massive network of faults runs underneath California, Oregon and Washington. Fortunately, the west coast has not experienced any devastating seismic events in recent years, but scientists assure us that will change at some point. So it is important to sit up and take notice when there are reports of increasing activity along the Ring of Fire.
Unfortunately, most Americans cannot even tell you what the Ring of Fire is. The following is how Wikipedia defines the “Ring of Fire”…
The Pacific Ring of Fire (or sometimes just the Ring of Fire) is an area where large numbers of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in the basin of the Pacific Ocean. In a 40,000 km (25,000 mi) horseshoe shape, it is associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and volcanic belts and/or plate movements.
It runs roughly along the rim of the Pacific Ocean. Coastal residents of four different continents realize that a major event along the Ring of Fire could fundamentally change their lives in a single moment.
Nearly all of the worst earthquakes in modern history have occurred along the Ring of Fire. When the Ring of Fire is very active, it is a very big deal. That is why so many people are alarmed that the Ring of Fire seems to be entering a period of increased activity.
The following are 15 signs that the Ring of Fire is waking up as we head into 2013…
#1 Mount Lokon, which is located in Indonesia, has erupted more than 800 times since July. On Monday, volcanic ash from the volcano reached heights of up to 10,000 feet.
#2 An “orange alert” had been issued for towns and villages near the Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador. On Tuesday it erupted and shot lava up to a half mile above its crater.
#3 Lava is still flowing out of the Tolbachik volcano which is located on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Anyone that has ever played the board game “Risk” knows where Kamchatka is located.
#4 Lava also continues to flow and ash also continues to rise from the Fuego volcano in Guatemala.
#5 On Tuesday, an ash plume more than 2.5 kilometers high had risen from the Paluweh volcano in Indonesia.
#6 There was an average of about 4 seismic events per hour at the Popocatépetl volcano in Mexico on Tuesday.
#7 Scientists recently discovered “one of the world’s weirdest volcanoes” on the floor of the ocean just off the coast of Baja, Mexico.
#8 Mt. Fuji (located not too far from Tokyo, Japan) has been dormant for about 300 years, but in recent months there have been increasing signs of activity there. One study recently found that a “magma chamber under the mountain has come under immense pressure“, and one prominent scientist is warning that Mt. Fuji is due for “a big-scale explosive eruption“. Authorities were alarmed when a tunnel leading to Mt. Fuji collapsed on December 2nd, killing 9 people.
#9 Scientists are now warning that there is a very dangerous build up of magma at a large number of Japan’s 110 active volcanoes.
#10 A magnitude-6.1 earthquake struck off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia on Monday.
#11 A magnitude-6.0 earthquake hit the New Britain region of Papua New Guinea on Saturday.
#12 A magnitude-6.5 earthquake struck the Gulf of Alaska in mid-November.
#13 A magnitude-7.3 earthquake hit Japan earlier this month.
#14 There has been a substantial increase in earthquake activity in the Long Valley caldera region of California, and authorities tell us that “magma is indeed moving down there“.
#15 Over one recent five week period, more than 170 significant earthquakes were detected in one town in Chile. That town is now being called “one of the shakiest places on earth”.
All of those events occurred along the Ring of Fire.
So why is all of this happening?
Well, there are certainly a lot of theories out there.
In the United States, a large percentage of the population is convinced that an increase in natural disasters is evidence that we are in the “last days” described in the Bible. In fact, one recent survey found that a whopping 36 percent of all Americans believe that the increase in natural disasters that we have seen in recent years is an indication that we are in the end times…
More than a third of Americans believe the severity of recent natural disasters is evidence that we are in the “end times” described in the New Testament — a period of turmoil preceding Jesus’ Second Coming and the end of the world.
“There is a significant proportion of Americans who see these phenomena through a theological lens,” said Daniel Cox, research director at the Public Religion Research Institute, which released a poll on religion and climate change on Thursday (Dec. 13) in partnership with Religion News Service.
“It’s hardly a fringe belief. It’s nearly four in 10 Americans who are embracing this,” Cox said.
The conviction is particularly strong among white evangelical Protestants (65 percent), and less common among Catholics (21 percent) and the religiously unaffiliated (15 percent).
Other Americans believe that there are other causes for all of these natural disasters, and a large number of Americans are absolutely convinced that nothing unusual is happening at all.
So what do you think? Please feel free to post a comment with your thoughts below…
CVA's Defend & Reform Forum Wrap-Up
What does the future hold for U.S. defense spending? With military budget cuts looming, how will the U.S. maintain military superiority? And what does a 'good' defense cut look like?
These-and others like them-are the questions panelists grappled with at a December 11th policy luncheon hosted by Concerned Veterans for America [CVA] and The Weekly Standard in Washington, D.C.
Entitled "Defend & Reform: The Future of America's Defense Spending", the event was moderated by William Kristol of The Weekly Standard and featured speeches from both Senator Lindsey Graham [R-SC] and Senator Kelly Ayotte [R-NH]. Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution provided the keynote address and was joined by a distinguished panel of experts that included U.S. Congressman Mike Coffman [R-Colo.], Steve Bucci [The Heritage Foundation], Pete Hegseth [Concerned Veterans for America], and Russell Rumbaugh [Stimson Center ].
The event was sold out, and over 4,800 people watched the event live on our website. But if you missed the event-no problem. Below you will find hyperlinks to videos for each individual speaker, as well as transcripts, photos, and pertinent quotes.
Concerned Veterans for America [CVA] believes Congress should undertake serious reforms to defense spending to maintain a sustainable fiscal path that preserves American power. To that end, over the past five months, CVA has produced five "case studies " that examine various examples of defense cuts and reforms, with an eye towards identifying what makes for smart, strategic, and effective defense reforms.
______________________________________________________________
About Concerned Veterans for America
The goal of Concerned Veterans for America is to translate the experience, concerns, and hopes of our fellow veterans and their families into a common vision of liberty and freedom. We will provide a new and unique perspective on the issues that threaten to cripple not only our economic and national security, but the spirit of opportunity and liberty that we fought to defend and all Americans cherish. For more information, please visit Concerned Veterans for America.
Concerned Veterans for America is a non-partisan, non-profit, 501(c)(4) organization that advocates for policies that will preserve the freedom and liberty we and our families so proudly fought and sacrificed to defend.
“Gun Free” Chicago Ranks #1 as the Deadliest Alpha World City - More Gun Laws, Bans, Restrictions Just Don't Work
Posted by Independent 1000 on December 19, 2012 at 1:48pm in General, Town Hall
View Discussions
The Stifling Number Of Laws And Restrictions On The Citizens Of Chicago Prove To Be A TOTAL Failure In Stopping Crime, And Those That Have Paid The Price Are The Law Abiding Citizens Of Chicago. The City Has All But Removed Their Ability To Protect Their “Lives, Their Families, And Their Property”. Use Chicago As One Blatant Example Of The Results Of Taking Away Your Second Amendment Rights. Chicago Should Be Used To Shove Right Down The Throats Of Those That Continue To “Scream” For More Restrictions And Bans On Weapons That Are Used To ‘PROTECT’, Because They Have NO Credible Evidence To Back Up ANY Of Their False Claims That Gun Ownership By Law Abiding Citizens Is The Reason For The Crime In Our Streets, Home Invasions, Etc.
“Gun Free” Chicago Ranks #1 as the Deadliest Alpha World City
By Clash Daily
NBC Chicago reports on some of those “Chicago values” the city’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel (Democrat, naturally) touted, justifying his alderman’s refusal to grant a license to a Chick-fil-A potential franchisee.
Chicago likes to compare itself to other world cities, so Ward Room thought it would find out how we rank in violence. It turns out no one can top us. Among what are considered Alpha world cities, Chicago has the highest murder rate — higher even than the Third World metropolises of Mexico City and Sao Paolo.
Chicago’s murder spree of 19.4 per 100,000 is more than three times that of New York’s (6 per 100,000) and more than two and a half times of Los Angeles’ (7.5 per 100,000), its closest American competitors. Caracas, Venezuela, which apparently is not an Alpha world city–thank you Hugo Chavez–has a higher murder rate of 130 per 100,000
http://clashdaily.com/2012/12/gun-free-chicago-ranks-1-as-the-deadl...
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/07/chicago_ranks_1_as_the_...
Posted by Independent 1000 on December 19, 2012 at 1:48pm in General, Town Hall
View Discussions
The Stifling Number Of Laws And Restrictions On The Citizens Of Chicago Prove To Be A TOTAL Failure In Stopping Crime, And Those That Have Paid The Price Are The Law Abiding Citizens Of Chicago. The City Has All But Removed Their Ability To Protect Their “Lives, Their Families, And Their Property”. Use Chicago As One Blatant Example Of The Results Of Taking Away Your Second Amendment Rights. Chicago Should Be Used To Shove Right Down The Throats Of Those That Continue To “Scream” For More Restrictions And Bans On Weapons That Are Used To ‘PROTECT’, Because They Have NO Credible Evidence To Back Up ANY Of Their False Claims That Gun Ownership By Law Abiding Citizens Is The Reason For The Crime In Our Streets, Home Invasions, Etc.
“Gun Free” Chicago Ranks #1 as the Deadliest Alpha World City
By Clash Daily
NBC Chicago reports on some of those “Chicago values” the city’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel (Democrat, naturally) touted, justifying his alderman’s refusal to grant a license to a Chick-fil-A potential franchisee.
Chicago likes to compare itself to other world cities, so Ward Room thought it would find out how we rank in violence. It turns out no one can top us. Among what are considered Alpha world cities, Chicago has the highest murder rate — higher even than the Third World metropolises of Mexico City and Sao Paolo.
Chicago’s murder spree of 19.4 per 100,000 is more than three times that of New York’s (6 per 100,000) and more than two and a half times of Los Angeles’ (7.5 per 100,000), its closest American competitors. Caracas, Venezuela, which apparently is not an Alpha world city–thank you Hugo Chavez–has a higher murder rate of 130 per 100,000
http://clashdaily.com/2012/12/gun-free-chicago-ranks-1-as-the-deadl...
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/07/chicago_ranks_1_as_the_...
Disability Fraud
AND THEY VOTE !!!!!!!
A FORD DEALERS REPORT
This is exactly why Mitt Romney said that 40 something % of the people are too dependent on the government. They have learned to work the system.
A Ford Dealer's Report - From Tom Selkis' (Latham Ford) Facebook - True story yesterday at the dealership.
"I'll try to make this as short and to the point as I can.
One of my salesmen here had a woman in his office yesterday wanting to lease a brand new Focus.
As he was reviewing her credit application with her he noticed she was on social security disability.
He said to her you don't look like you're disabled and unable to work.
She said well I'm really not. I could work if I wanted to, but I make more now than I did when I was working and got hurt (non-disabling injury).
She said the gov't sends her $1500.00 a month in 1 check. And she gets $700.00 a month on an EBT card (food stamps), and $800.00 a month for rent. Oh yeah, and 250 minutes free on her phone. That is just south of $3500.00 a month. When she was working, she was taking home about $330.00 per week.
Do the math and then ask yourself why the hell should she go back to work.
If you multiply that by millions of people, you start to realize the scope of the problem we face as a country.
Once the socialists have 51% of the population in that same scenario, we are finished.
The question is when do we cross that threshold if we haven't already, and there are not enough people working to pay enough taxes to support the non-working people? Riots?? Be prepared to protect your homes.
She didn't lease the Focus here because the dealer down the road beat our deal by $10.00/month.
Glad to know she is so frugal with her hard earned money."
How passing info on to others in America is having an effect...
PASS THIS ON TO 10
10 pass it on to their 10
100 then pass it on to their 10
1,000 then pass it on to their 10
10,000 then pass it on to their 10
100,000 then pass it on to their 10
1,000,000 then pass it on to their 10
10,000,000 then pass it on to their 10
100,000,000 then pass it on to their 10
Yes, through the power of the Internet America is becoming aware.
So, we realize this doesn’t seem like were doing much when we pass these on to our 10, but we
CAN help by getting the word out. Media refuses to cover such issues.
PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO YOUR 10!
Sickening!!
AND THEY VOTE !!!!!!!
A FORD DEALERS REPORT
This is exactly why Mitt Romney said that 40 something % of the people are too dependent on the government. They have learned to work the system.
A Ford Dealer's Report - From Tom Selkis' (Latham Ford) Facebook - True story yesterday at the dealership.
"I'll try to make this as short and to the point as I can.
One of my salesmen here had a woman in his office yesterday wanting to lease a brand new Focus.
As he was reviewing her credit application with her he noticed she was on social security disability.
He said to her you don't look like you're disabled and unable to work.
She said well I'm really not. I could work if I wanted to, but I make more now than I did when I was working and got hurt (non-disabling injury).
She said the gov't sends her $1500.00 a month in 1 check. And she gets $700.00 a month on an EBT card (food stamps), and $800.00 a month for rent. Oh yeah, and 250 minutes free on her phone. That is just south of $3500.00 a month. When she was working, she was taking home about $330.00 per week.
Do the math and then ask yourself why the hell should she go back to work.
If you multiply that by millions of people, you start to realize the scope of the problem we face as a country.
Once the socialists have 51% of the population in that same scenario, we are finished.
The question is when do we cross that threshold if we haven't already, and there are not enough people working to pay enough taxes to support the non-working people? Riots?? Be prepared to protect your homes.
She didn't lease the Focus here because the dealer down the road beat our deal by $10.00/month.
Glad to know she is so frugal with her hard earned money."
How passing info on to others in America is having an effect...
PASS THIS ON TO 10
10 pass it on to their 10
100 then pass it on to their 10
1,000 then pass it on to their 10
10,000 then pass it on to their 10
100,000 then pass it on to their 10
1,000,000 then pass it on to their 10
10,000,000 then pass it on to their 10
100,000,000 then pass it on to their 10
Yes, through the power of the Internet America is becoming aware.
So, we realize this doesn’t seem like were doing much when we pass these on to our 10, but we
CAN help by getting the word out. Media refuses to cover such issues.
PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO YOUR 10!
Sickening!!
Earth 2 Found?
BBC News - Tau Ceti's planets nearest around single, Sun-like star
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20770103
WTF? Obama taps Biden to lead gun-violence curb - Washington Times
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/inside-politics/2012/dec/19/obama-taps-biden-lead-gun-violence-curb/
Biden 2008: If Obama ‘tries to fool with my Beretta, he’s got a problem’ | WashingtonExaminer.com
http://washingtonexaminer.com/biden-2008-if-obama-tries-to-fool-with-my-beretta-hes-got-a-problem/article/2516400#.UNH1zG_AexU
New post on International Liberty
Portgual May Become the First of Europe’s Bankrupt Welfare States to Stumble upon Genuine Recovery Formula: Less Spending AND Lower Tax Rates
by Dan Mitchell
There aren't many fiscal policy role models in Europe.
Switzerland surely is at the top of the list. The burden of government spending is modest by European standards, in part because of a very good spending cap that prevents politicians from overspending when revenues are buoyant. Tax rates also are reasonable. The central government's tax system is "progressive," but the top rate is only 11.5 percent. And tax competition among the cantons ensures that sub-national tax rates don't get too high. Because of these good policies, Switzerland completely avoided the fiscal crisis plaguing the rest of the continent.
The Baltic nations of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia also deserve some credit. They allowed spending to rise far too rapidly in the middle of last decade - an average of nearly 17 percent per year between 2002 and 2008! But they have since moved in the right direction, with genuine spending cuts (unlikely the fake cuts that characterize fiscal policy in nations like the United States and United Kingdom). Yes, the Baltic countries did raise some taxes, which undermined the positive effects of spending reductions, but at least they focused primarily on spending and preserved their attractive flat tax systems. No wonder growth has rebounded in these nations.
The situation in the rest of Europe is more bleak, particularly for the so-called PIIGS. To varying degrees, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece, and Spain have lost the ability to borrow, received bailouts, and been mired in recession.
The silver lining is that the fiscal crisis has forced them to finally cut spending. All of those nations implemented real spending cuts in 2011 according to European Commission data, bringing spending below 2010 levels. Final figures for 2012 aren't available, of course, but the International Monetary Fund estimates that spending will drop in every nation other than Italy (where it will climb by less than 1 percent).
That's the good news. The public sector finally is being subjected to some long-overdue fiscal discipline.
The bad news is that politicians also imposed very significant tax increases on the private sector. Income tax rates have been increased. Value-added taxes have been hiked, and other taxes have climbed as well. These penalties on productive activity undermine potential growth.
The politicians say that this is a "balanced approach," but this view is misguided, First, as Veronique de Rugy has shown, it generally means lots of new taxes and very little spending restraint. Second, it is based on the IMF view of "austerity," which mistakenly focuses on the symptom of red ink rather than the underlying disease of too much spending.
What Europe really needs is a combination of lower spending and lower tax rates.
Portugal may actually be moving in that direction, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.
The Portuguese government is seeking to cut its corporate tax rate for new businesses to one of the lowest in Europe as part of a plan to attract investment and revitalize ailing industries, the minister of economy said. The government is in talks with the European Commission's competition agency in Brussels to get approval to cut the tax on corporate income for new investors to 10% from the current 25%, the minister, Alvaro Santos Pereira, said in an interview. ..."We want to make Portugal one of the most attractive countries in Europe for new investment," Mr. Santos Pereira said. "We believe that by providing very strong fiscal incentives to new investments we will safeguard the budget side and at the same time become a lot more competitive," he added. ...While wealthy euro-zone countries and the IMF are beginning to recognize the need for measures to boost growth in austerity-hit countries, they have been reluctant to endorse tax cuts in countries under bailout programs. If implemented, the proposed tax cut would be a departure from a series of tax increases that countries including Portugal, Greece and Spain were forced to take as part their bailout conditions.
Before getting too excited, it's important to note that the Portuguese proposal is a bit gimmicky. It's not a corporate tax rate of 10 percent, it's a special rate of 10 percent for new investment, however that's defined.
But at least it might be a small step in the right direction. As the article indicates, it "would be a departure from a series of tax increases." And Portugal definitely has been guilty in recent years of raping and pillaging the private sector.
To be fair, though, this chart shows that government spending in Portugal did decline last year. And the IMF is projecting that it will fall again this year and next year.
But the key to good fiscal policy is reducing government spending as a share of economic output. And if tax increases keep the private economy in the dumps, then the actual burden of government spending doesn't change much even when nominal outlays decline.
A pro-growth policy is needed to boost economic performance. Portugal's corporate tax rate proposal, by itself, won't make much of a difference. But if it's the start of a trend, that could be significant.
By the way, it's amusing to see that one of the bureaucrats from the European Commission is pouring cold water on the plan, implying that a decision to take less money from a company somehow is akin to government assistance.
"We would want to be sure that anything proposed would help the competitiveness of the economy," said spokesman Simon O'Connor, "but at the same time it would have to be in line with state aid rules," referring to EU regulations that limit the assistance governments can give to the private sector. "There really isn't any scope for them to reduce revenue," he added.
But I guess that's not too surprising. Along with their tax-free colleagues at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Commission has been trying to undermine tax competition and make it easier for nations to impose bad tax policy.
Returning to our main topic, what's next for Portugal?
Your guess is as good as mine, but Portugal's leaders already have acknowledged that Keynesian fiscal policy is ineffective. Perhaps they've gotten to the point where they realize punitive tax systems also are destructive.
Dan Mitchell | December 19, 2012 at 11:40 am | Tags: Europe, Fiscal Crisis, Fiscal Policy, Government Spending, Higher Taxes, Portugal, Switzerland, Tax Increases, Taxation | Categories: Europe, Fiscal Crisis, Fiscal Policy, Government Spending, Higher Taxes, Portugal, Tax Increase, Taxation | URL: http://wp.me/przCm-5pa
Portgual May Become the First of Europe’s Bankrupt Welfare States to Stumble upon Genuine Recovery Formula: Less Spending AND Lower Tax Rates
by Dan Mitchell
There aren't many fiscal policy role models in Europe.
Switzerland surely is at the top of the list. The burden of government spending is modest by European standards, in part because of a very good spending cap that prevents politicians from overspending when revenues are buoyant. Tax rates also are reasonable. The central government's tax system is "progressive," but the top rate is only 11.5 percent. And tax competition among the cantons ensures that sub-national tax rates don't get too high. Because of these good policies, Switzerland completely avoided the fiscal crisis plaguing the rest of the continent.
The Baltic nations of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia also deserve some credit. They allowed spending to rise far too rapidly in the middle of last decade - an average of nearly 17 percent per year between 2002 and 2008! But they have since moved in the right direction, with genuine spending cuts (unlikely the fake cuts that characterize fiscal policy in nations like the United States and United Kingdom). Yes, the Baltic countries did raise some taxes, which undermined the positive effects of spending reductions, but at least they focused primarily on spending and preserved their attractive flat tax systems. No wonder growth has rebounded in these nations.
The situation in the rest of Europe is more bleak, particularly for the so-called PIIGS. To varying degrees, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece, and Spain have lost the ability to borrow, received bailouts, and been mired in recession.
The silver lining is that the fiscal crisis has forced them to finally cut spending. All of those nations implemented real spending cuts in 2011 according to European Commission data, bringing spending below 2010 levels. Final figures for 2012 aren't available, of course, but the International Monetary Fund estimates that spending will drop in every nation other than Italy (where it will climb by less than 1 percent).
That's the good news. The public sector finally is being subjected to some long-overdue fiscal discipline.
The bad news is that politicians also imposed very significant tax increases on the private sector. Income tax rates have been increased. Value-added taxes have been hiked, and other taxes have climbed as well. These penalties on productive activity undermine potential growth.
The politicians say that this is a "balanced approach," but this view is misguided, First, as Veronique de Rugy has shown, it generally means lots of new taxes and very little spending restraint. Second, it is based on the IMF view of "austerity," which mistakenly focuses on the symptom of red ink rather than the underlying disease of too much spending.
What Europe really needs is a combination of lower spending and lower tax rates.
Portugal may actually be moving in that direction, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.
The Portuguese government is seeking to cut its corporate tax rate for new businesses to one of the lowest in Europe as part of a plan to attract investment and revitalize ailing industries, the minister of economy said. The government is in talks with the European Commission's competition agency in Brussels to get approval to cut the tax on corporate income for new investors to 10% from the current 25%, the minister, Alvaro Santos Pereira, said in an interview. ..."We want to make Portugal one of the most attractive countries in Europe for new investment," Mr. Santos Pereira said. "We believe that by providing very strong fiscal incentives to new investments we will safeguard the budget side and at the same time become a lot more competitive," he added. ...While wealthy euro-zone countries and the IMF are beginning to recognize the need for measures to boost growth in austerity-hit countries, they have been reluctant to endorse tax cuts in countries under bailout programs. If implemented, the proposed tax cut would be a departure from a series of tax increases that countries including Portugal, Greece and Spain were forced to take as part their bailout conditions.
Before getting too excited, it's important to note that the Portuguese proposal is a bit gimmicky. It's not a corporate tax rate of 10 percent, it's a special rate of 10 percent for new investment, however that's defined.
But at least it might be a small step in the right direction. As the article indicates, it "would be a departure from a series of tax increases." And Portugal definitely has been guilty in recent years of raping and pillaging the private sector.
To be fair, though, this chart shows that government spending in Portugal did decline last year. And the IMF is projecting that it will fall again this year and next year.
But the key to good fiscal policy is reducing government spending as a share of economic output. And if tax increases keep the private economy in the dumps, then the actual burden of government spending doesn't change much even when nominal outlays decline.
A pro-growth policy is needed to boost economic performance. Portugal's corporate tax rate proposal, by itself, won't make much of a difference. But if it's the start of a trend, that could be significant.
By the way, it's amusing to see that one of the bureaucrats from the European Commission is pouring cold water on the plan, implying that a decision to take less money from a company somehow is akin to government assistance.
"We would want to be sure that anything proposed would help the competitiveness of the economy," said spokesman Simon O'Connor, "but at the same time it would have to be in line with state aid rules," referring to EU regulations that limit the assistance governments can give to the private sector. "There really isn't any scope for them to reduce revenue," he added.
But I guess that's not too surprising. Along with their tax-free colleagues at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Commission has been trying to undermine tax competition and make it easier for nations to impose bad tax policy.
Returning to our main topic, what's next for Portugal?
Your guess is as good as mine, but Portugal's leaders already have acknowledged that Keynesian fiscal policy is ineffective. Perhaps they've gotten to the point where they realize punitive tax systems also are destructive.
Dan Mitchell | December 19, 2012 at 11:40 am | Tags: Europe, Fiscal Crisis, Fiscal Policy, Government Spending, Higher Taxes, Portugal, Switzerland, Tax Increases, Taxation | Categories: Europe, Fiscal Crisis, Fiscal Policy, Government Spending, Higher Taxes, Portugal, Tax Increase, Taxation | URL: http://wp.me/przCm-5pa
Second Amendment & right to carry - READ THIS
Makes perfect sense when you think it through. "Common sense". Where did it go??????
I think this is the way to go on this!
THIS MAY MAKE YOUR DAY!
Vermont State Rep. Fred Maslack has read the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, as well as Vermont's own Constitution very carefully, and his strict interpretation of these documents is popping some eyeballs in New England and elsewhere.
Maslack recently proposed a bill to register "non-gun-owners" and require them to pay a $500 fee to the state. Thus Vermont would become the first state to require a permit for the luxury of going about unarmed and assess a fee of $500 for the privilege of not owning a gun.
Maslack read the "militia" phrase of the Second Amendment as not only the right of the individual citizen to bear arms, but as 'a clear mandate to do so'. He believes that universal gun ownership was advocated by the Framers of the Constitution as an antidote to a "monopoly of force" by the government as well as criminals.
Vermont’s constitution states explicitly that "the people have a right to bear arms for the defense of themselves and the State" and those persons who are "conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms" shall be required to "pay such equivalent.." Clearly, says Maslack, Vermonters have a constitutional obligation to arm themselves, so that they are capable of responding to "any situation that may arise." Under the bill, adults who choose not to own a firearm would be required to register their name, address, Social Security Number, and driver's license number with the state. "There is a legitimate government interest in knowing who is not prepared to defend the state should they be asked to do so," Maslack says.
Vermont already boasts a high rate of gun ownership along with the least restrictive laws of any state .... it's currently the only state that allows a citizen to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. This combination of plenty of guns and few laws regulating them has resulted in a crime rate that is the third lowest in the nation. " America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." This makes sense! There is no reason why gun owners should have to pay taxes to support police protection for people not wanting to own guns. Let them contribute their fair share and pay their own way. Sounds reasonable to me! Non-gun owners require more police to protect them and this fee should go to paying for their defense! I LIKE IT!!!
Makes perfect sense when you think it through. "Common sense". Where did it go??????
I think this is the way to go on this!
THIS MAY MAKE YOUR DAY!
Vermont State Rep. Fred Maslack has read the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, as well as Vermont's own Constitution very carefully, and his strict interpretation of these documents is popping some eyeballs in New England and elsewhere.
Maslack recently proposed a bill to register "non-gun-owners" and require them to pay a $500 fee to the state. Thus Vermont would become the first state to require a permit for the luxury of going about unarmed and assess a fee of $500 for the privilege of not owning a gun.
Maslack read the "militia" phrase of the Second Amendment as not only the right of the individual citizen to bear arms, but as 'a clear mandate to do so'. He believes that universal gun ownership was advocated by the Framers of the Constitution as an antidote to a "monopoly of force" by the government as well as criminals.
Vermont’s constitution states explicitly that "the people have a right to bear arms for the defense of themselves and the State" and those persons who are "conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms" shall be required to "pay such equivalent.." Clearly, says Maslack, Vermonters have a constitutional obligation to arm themselves, so that they are capable of responding to "any situation that may arise." Under the bill, adults who choose not to own a firearm would be required to register their name, address, Social Security Number, and driver's license number with the state. "There is a legitimate government interest in knowing who is not prepared to defend the state should they be asked to do so," Maslack says.
Vermont already boasts a high rate of gun ownership along with the least restrictive laws of any state .... it's currently the only state that allows a citizen to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. This combination of plenty of guns and few laws regulating them has resulted in a crime rate that is the third lowest in the nation. " America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." This makes sense! There is no reason why gun owners should have to pay taxes to support police protection for people not wanting to own guns. Let them contribute their fair share and pay their own way. Sounds reasonable to me! Non-gun owners require more police to protect them and this fee should go to paying for their defense! I LIKE IT!!!
Obamas-sandy-relief-bill-filled-with-pork-barrel-projects/
President Obama is requesting $60.4 billion in disaster relief for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. If you’re opposed to disaster relief funding, then that means you want disaster victims to continue to suffer as much as possible. Conservative representatives in Congress would only vote against such legislation because they’re cold and heartless individuals. This is generally what liberals and big government Republicans think of those who are not in favor of the federal government giving handouts to storm victims.But we’re not cold and heartless. It’s been shown time and time again that conservatives are actually more generous with their money than liberals are. Liberals prefer having their money taken through taxes to fund government programs that only make people poorer and more dependent on government. Conservatives give more of the their money away to charitable organizations that actually do help people in need.It’s unconstitutional for the government to extract money through taxes and then give that money to other people or businesses no matter how good the government’s intentions are. But another reason these “relief” bills are bad is that politicians use them as excuses to stuff a bunch of money for pork projects that buy off their constituents. The NY Post reported:
Read more: http://politicaloutcast.com/2012/12/obamas-sandy-relief- bill-filled-with-pork-barrel- projects/#ixzz2FQkPPJ00
Guns Save Lives
Cheaper Than Dirt Stops Selling Guns
Rick Perry Says “Let Teachers Carry Concealed”
Dick’s Sporting Goods Suspends Sales of Semi Automatic Rifles
[Video] Employee at Internet Cafe Fights Off Shotgun Wielding Robbers Using his Own Gun
Cheaper Than Dirt Stops Selling Guns
Posted: 18 Dec 2012 10:51 AM PST
According to their Facebook page, Cheaper Than Dirt (a major online firearms, ammo and accessories dealer) has stopped selling guns through their website. There has been significant fallout among the firearms community, with thousands of people criticizing the decision on the Facebook page. Note that guns purchased online are not sent directly to the buyer, [...] Related posts:
[Video] AutoZone Employee FIRED After Stopping Robbery
Some NFL Players Get Rid of Guns While Others Speak Out in Favor of Guns
Help Devin McLean – The AutoZone Employee Who Was Fired For Stopping Armed Robbery
Rick Perry Says “Let Teachers Carry Concealed”
Posted: 18 Dec 2012 10:23 AM PST
Rick Perry has publicly stated that he supports concealed carry for teachers in response to school shootings. Texas already allows teachers to carry guns in some districts, and has for some time. Perry says local school boards should be able to make their own decisions on the issue. Perry also called for level heads following [...] Related posts:
The Secure Our Schools Act – A Real Solution to Stop School Shootings
President of Buckeyes for Concealed Carry (Ohio) Uses Handgun To Ward Off Aggressor
IL County Attorney Pushing to “Decriminalize” Concealed Carry in His State
Dick’s Sporting Goods Suspends Sales of Semi Automatic Rifles
Posted: 18 Dec 2012 09:05 AM PST
Dick’s Sporting Goods has suspended the sale of some semi automatic rifles in all of its stores nationwide. The exact models that will be pulled are not currently known, but Dick’s says they are suspending the sale of “modern sporting rifles.” There is some speculation that the suspected shooter in the Newton, Connecticut shooting did [...] Related posts:
CO Sees Massive Spike in Gun Sales and Self Defense Training In Days After After Batman Shooting
Blog: Females Are Embracing Gun Ownership More Than Ever
Wounded in NYC Empire State Building Shooting May Have All Been Shot by NYPD
[Video] Employee at Internet Cafe Fights Off Shotgun Wielding Robbers Using his Own Gun
Posted: 18 Dec 2012 06:47 AM PST
An employee at an internet cafe in NC took quick action when 2 men burst into the business. One was armed with a handgun and the other a shotgun. The employee drew his own concealed handgun and opened fire on the would be armed robbers, sending them running. Police were unable to locate the two [...] Related posts:
Amazing Video: Fast Draw Security Guard at Internet Cafe Shoots 1 of 3 Armed Robbers in FL
71 Year Old Concealed Carrier Shoots 2 Armed Robbers at Internet Cafe
GA Wendy’s Employee Shoots, Kills 1 of 2 Armed Robbers
Cheaper Than Dirt Stops Selling Guns
Rick Perry Says “Let Teachers Carry Concealed”
Dick’s Sporting Goods Suspends Sales of Semi Automatic Rifles
[Video] Employee at Internet Cafe Fights Off Shotgun Wielding Robbers Using his Own Gun
Cheaper Than Dirt Stops Selling Guns
Posted: 18 Dec 2012 10:51 AM PST
According to their Facebook page, Cheaper Than Dirt (a major online firearms, ammo and accessories dealer) has stopped selling guns through their website. There has been significant fallout among the firearms community, with thousands of people criticizing the decision on the Facebook page. Note that guns purchased online are not sent directly to the buyer, [...] Related posts:
[Video] AutoZone Employee FIRED After Stopping Robbery
Some NFL Players Get Rid of Guns While Others Speak Out in Favor of Guns
Help Devin McLean – The AutoZone Employee Who Was Fired For Stopping Armed Robbery
Rick Perry Says “Let Teachers Carry Concealed”
Posted: 18 Dec 2012 10:23 AM PST
Rick Perry has publicly stated that he supports concealed carry for teachers in response to school shootings. Texas already allows teachers to carry guns in some districts, and has for some time. Perry says local school boards should be able to make their own decisions on the issue. Perry also called for level heads following [...] Related posts:
The Secure Our Schools Act – A Real Solution to Stop School Shootings
President of Buckeyes for Concealed Carry (Ohio) Uses Handgun To Ward Off Aggressor
IL County Attorney Pushing to “Decriminalize” Concealed Carry in His State
Dick’s Sporting Goods Suspends Sales of Semi Automatic Rifles
Posted: 18 Dec 2012 09:05 AM PST
Dick’s Sporting Goods has suspended the sale of some semi automatic rifles in all of its stores nationwide. The exact models that will be pulled are not currently known, but Dick’s says they are suspending the sale of “modern sporting rifles.” There is some speculation that the suspected shooter in the Newton, Connecticut shooting did [...] Related posts:
CO Sees Massive Spike in Gun Sales and Self Defense Training In Days After After Batman Shooting
Blog: Females Are Embracing Gun Ownership More Than Ever
Wounded in NYC Empire State Building Shooting May Have All Been Shot by NYPD
[Video] Employee at Internet Cafe Fights Off Shotgun Wielding Robbers Using his Own Gun
Posted: 18 Dec 2012 06:47 AM PST
An employee at an internet cafe in NC took quick action when 2 men burst into the business. One was armed with a handgun and the other a shotgun. The employee drew his own concealed handgun and opened fire on the would be armed robbers, sending them running. Police were unable to locate the two [...] Related posts:
Amazing Video: Fast Draw Security Guard at Internet Cafe Shoots 1 of 3 Armed Robbers in FL
71 Year Old Concealed Carrier Shoots 2 Armed Robbers at Internet Cafe
GA Wendy’s Employee Shoots, Kills 1 of 2 Armed Robbers
Obamacare Will Do This for You!
Belgium looks at euthanasia for minors, Alzheimer's sufferers - FRANCE 24
http://www.france24.com/en/20121218-belgium-looks-euthanasia-minors-alzheimers-sufferers
Tax Them and They Will Leave! Helloooo Libtards!
France warms to Gérard Depardieu, the heroic exile - Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9750510/France-warms-to-Gerard-Depardieu-the-heroic-exile.html
Review of Lybian Attacks
News from The Associated Press
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_US_LIBYA_ATTACKS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-12-18-21-20-30
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Thought this was interestingHave a Great day!Jesus - Read at least the first two lines.....Never thought of it this way !Jesus died over 2000 years ago.Nobody has ever referred to him as the late Jesus,Not even the heathens.Nowhere in history.Nowhere has He EVER been referred to in the past tense!He is the Living God!97% OF US WON'T FORWARD THIS MESSAGE...When Jesus died on the cross He was thinking of us!"May God Smile upon you today, tomorrow, and ALWAYS !!!
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THESE CARTOONS ARE ALL FROM OVERSEAS... None of these are from U.S. newspapers > NONE OF THESE ARE FROM USA PAPERS. HOW IS IT T...
