Death of a Free Press in America?

Death of a Free Press in America?
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

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Maybe it is just my natural paranoia at work, but I get the gnawing feeling that somewhere, in a dark corner of the Obama Regime, there is a huddle of “Obamanites” in a whispered discussion in which they examine the possibility of a takeover of the press in the US.

I know, I know. It’s just another conspiracy theory, right? Could be. On the other hand, it IS what a socialist government does -- and make no mistake about it -- the United States is now a socialist state run by a socialist government… at least until November.

Look, bailing out the newspapers is the same as throwing money down a rat hole. What the papers need to survive is readers – subscribers. The are losing readers and subscribers, in droves, because their readers have finally caught on to what can only be described as the mainstream media’s “leftist agenda.” The bottom line is – readers don’t like it and are no longer reading those “leftist rags.”

If the Government does, indeed, devise some way to bail out the major newspapers in America, two things are certain: One – neither the government nor the newspapers will ever refer to it as a “bailout.” Number two -- the government will “own” those newspapers and the government will control what is printed or not printed in them. For a model of how this would work simply check the old Soviet Union.

In the area of North Carolina in which I live there are three daily newspapers. Major newspaper corporations own two of them and one is an independent. All three are leftist papers. If I want to reads balanced news or news with a conservative viewpoint, I must either watch Fox News on TV, or get on the internet and look go to a conservative news site to get it. And that is exactly what those who used to be readers and subscribers of these papers are doing. But the owners and editors of those papers have their heads so far up the leftist agenda they are tone deaf to the oh, so obvious, reason for this vast migration away from their publications!

It is a sad commentary on the mainstream media in the US when Americans find it necessary to use the Internet to go off-shore to find a source of news that will inform us as to what is REALLY happening in our country, and in, what I laughingly refer to as, “our government.” But millions of Americans are doing just that. I am among them.

It is almost a ritual, at my house, to read the paper over morning coffee or breakfast. But, hey, we can do without it. By the time my carrier gets the daily paper to me these days, I have already read the news on the Internet. Such is the era in which we live.

There is already far too much government interference and just plain meddling in the affairs of business in this country. That is the nature of a socialist government such as we have in America today. Call it what you will, journalism protection, bail-outs for newspapers, it still means the government is curling its fingers around the throats of those who own those news organizations and soon they will begin to squeeze. Taking government money means you do as government says.

Those in the Obama Regime who believe that a government should never allow a crisis to go to waste are busy taking advantage of the current financial crisis in America, and around the world, to shove their socialist agenda down the throats of businesses forcing them to accept government control in exchange for a few more months, or years, of existence.

In my opinion those are Faustian deals… selling one’s soul to the devil in exchange for favors from the devil -- even if those favors are just crumbs from his table. Some make the Faustian deals because they believe in the devil’s agenda. Thus it has always been throughout man’s history on this planet.

Look, newspapers are the modern day dinosaurs of the news media. Eventually they will go the way of the dinosaurs. They will become extinct. It is not advisable to interfere with the natural cycle of progress, even in business -- one could say -- ESPECIALLY in business. As the newspapers die off they will make room for whatever is to take their place.

Having no newspaper to peruse over breakfast is much more acceptable than having a newspaper of which the government is the editor. I shudder to even think of it.

Any government bailout of the press, in any form, simply means no more free press.

A government, which controls the flow of information to its citizens, will have ultimate power over those citizens. Under the Obama Regime, America is heading in that direction as directly as a Martin flies to its gourd.

J. D. Longstreet

Time For The Dinosaur To Go!

By Findalis of Monkey in the Middle

There is no love or even like for Israel among the members of the Main Stream Media, but what the supposed Dean of the White House Press Corp, Helen Thomas said went beyond Media Bias and right on to anti-Semitism.

Veteran Hearst newspaper journalist, known as the “dean” of White House reporters, exposed her bias on video by saying that Jews "should get the hell out of Palestine." She apologized for her comments on Saturday, but Jewish and non-Jewish leaders have called on the 89-year-old journalist to “hang up the typewriter” and retire.

Her remarks, along with her grilling of White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs over the flotilla clash last Monday, expose an anti-Israel bias that also was revealed in Associated Press coverage several days ago.

Thomas’ comments, including the statement that Jews should "go back home to Poland, Germany, America and everywhere else," were posted Friday on a YouTube video. She had been asked after the White House Jewish Heritage celebration last Sunday if she had "any comments on Israel."



Thomas, a daughter of Lebanese immigrants, replied to Rabbi David Nesenoff of RabbiLIVE.com, "Tell them to get the hell out of Palestine. Remember, these people are occupied and it's their land. Not Germany. Not Poland."

Asked where the Jews should go, she shot back, "They go home. Poland. Germany. And America and everywhere else."

After the video was posted, Thomas wrote on her web site, “I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians. They do not reflect my heartfelt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon.”

That did not satisfy critics. Beth Gilinsky, head of the Jewish Action Alliance, called for her immediate dismissal. Ari Fleischer, who was White House Press Secretary for former U.S. President George W. Bush, remarked, “She should lose her job over this. As someone who is Jewish, and as someone who worked with her and used to like her, I find this appalling.

"She is advocating religious cleansing. How can Hearst stand by her? If a journalist, or a columnist, said the same thing about blacks or Hispanics, they would already have lost their jobs."

Minnesota Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann said,” Once again the liberal media has shown its true colors. The White House media dinosaur, also known as Helen Thomas, has called on Jews to leave Israel and move back to Poland and Germany. This anti-Semitic sentiment has no place in our public discourse. I call upon her employer, [the] Hearst Corporation, to dismiss her at once. The White House needs to revoke her press credentials immediately."

Thomas’ bias was evident in her questioning of White House spokesman Gibbs. “The initial reaction to the flotilla massacre, deliberate massacre, an international crime, was pitiful,” she asserted.

Criticizing the Obama administration for not condemning Israel for the killing of nine terror activists who attacked Israel Navy commandos when the soldiers were virtually unarmed, Thomas added, “What is this sacrosanct ironclad relationship where a country that deliberately kills people and boycotts every aid and abet the boycott?” Gibbs responded, "Well, look, I think the initial reaction regretted the loss of life as we tried and as we still continue to gather the relevant.”

Thomas retorted, “Regret won’t bring them back…. Why didn’t you initially condemn it?... Who put the US in charge of the world?”

After the initial Associated Press report of the flotilla clash, the Washington Times exposed AP's bias for immediately jumping to the conclusion that Israel was to blame for the violence.

The AP had reported, "Dozens of activists and six Israeli soldiers were wounded in the bloody predawn confrontation in international waters. The violent takeover dealt yet another blow to Israel's international image.” After two days passed, the news service filed a more neutral report.

The IDF has released a video clip where one of the so called "human rights advocates" on the the flotilla boat that was the scene of the violent confrontation is shouting "Go back to Auschwitz" to the soldiers.

When Don Imus called the Rutgers University women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos"



The uproar cause him to lose his job, even after numerous apologies were made.  There was Al "Kill the Jews" Sharpton and Cynthia "The Jews Cost Me the Election" McKinney screaming in the streets of New York, Maxine Waters held special Congressional Hearings, and every media outlet was out for his blood.

Today we are hearing the outrage over Helen Thomas' remarks from the media:



I am not angry over this, I am furious over this. I am sick and tired of these idiot elites masquerading as journalist spouting out anti-Semitism, then when they start feeling the heat they issue such a bland apology figuring that the hoopla will die down.

Not this time. It is time for Helen Thomas to face the music.  It is time for this senile old bwitch is thrown out of the White House.  Put her out to pasture now!

If you are as  angry as I am, you can contact the Hearts Corporation via their Customer Service Agent:  Lisa Bagley.  Let Ms. Bagley know what you think of Helen Thomas and her employer Hearst.

For the record Ms. Thomas:

The majority of Jews in ISRAEL come from Arab nations not Europe.  They were forced out of those lands between 1949 and 1955.

The answer to this question is:

Who put the US in charge of the world?

The world did.  It is the US they turn to when they are in trouble.

Turkey-vs-Israel. ANOTHER War in the Middle East?

Turkey-vs-Israel. ANOTHER War in the Middle East?
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

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THIS is what happens when America has a weak President.

There can be no doubt that America has the weakest President in office, since the Jimmy Carter fiasco. The rogue nations of the world can sense a spineless President and as soon as one is ensconced in the Oval office they begin to take advantage of the limp-wristed “see on evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” polices of these feckless regimes.

Carter had his Iranian hostage problem. Clinton had his Kosovo and Serbian problem, and now Obama has his Turkey-vs-Israel problem.

Obama wanted some “daylight” between Israel and America. Well, he accomplished that -- and THIS is the result.

There is the likelihood that war will breakout between Turkey and Israel at any hour. If Turkey sends Turkish military vessels and fighter aircraft to escort those so-called “peace activists” in another attempt to run the Gaza blockade, I have no doubt the IDF will sink Turkey’s ships and shoot down most, if not all, of the Turkish fighter aircraft. Of course there will be Israeli causalities, but Turkey needs to recognize they will going up against one of the premier militaries on the planet. Remember, too, If Israel goes to war today, they will be going to war under Netanyahu, a former IDF Special Forces officer. Netanyahu can be as bellicose as the situation requires.

Certain parts of the US President’s nether region have been caught in a crack -- largely by his own ineptitude. Those who sniff out weakness in an American leader are applying pressure. North Korea, Iran, Turkey, Russia, and yes, China are the usual culprits – save for Turkey, which, however, seems to be making a maximum effort to break its bonds with NATO and join that list of delinquents as a permanent member.

If Turkey goes through with committing its military in a skirmish with the Israeli Defense Forces, it will suffer withering loses as well as a tremendous loss of face.

Look, Netanyahu is not to be messed with! Frankly, I wish the man were qualified to be a candidate for the US Presidency. He is what America needs – a former officer in Israel’s elite special forces, he HAS the military experience required for a strong president. Unfortunately, America’s leadership comes in a far distant second to Netanyahu. Israel’s leader is perceived to be strong while America’s leader is perceived to be, well, pitiful!

President Obama’s obvious disdain for Israel and his nauseating rash of sucking up to Islamic countries leads one to question whether he favors Islam over Israel.

There are roughly 6 million Jews in Israel. There are roughly 6 million Jews in America. We would respectfully suggest that those American Jews, who support President Obama’s Regime, might wish to re-evaluate that support in light of Obama’s obvious dislike of the nation of Israel, which is, like it or not, recognized by the nations of the world as the Jewish state.

The Obama Regime not only has Americans at each other’s throats, it also has America’s allies at each other’s throats!

There is something terribly wrong with America’s current government led by the Obama Regime. America made a horrible mistake in 2006 and 2008 with the election of a socialist government to lead the country. Most sentient Americans have awakened to this fact and are determined to correct this error this November and again in November of 2012.

If the correction isn’t made in the next two elections, I think it is, indeed, plausible to see some of the American states again asserting their sovereignty by breaking away and re-establishing themselves as independent states.

Look, most Americans have come to understand that we, as a country, cannot continue in the direction the country is currently headed. They are as sincere as it is possible to be when the say they want their country back. They stand ready to rescue and restore America and elect a leader Americans and the rest of the world can respect.

America did not choose the role of policeman of the world. We were drafted into the job. Even if we threw up our hands and walked away, we would still have the job BY DEFAULT!

It seems America has its very own Hamlet in the Oval Office. His wrestling with decisions is reinforcing the appearance of weakness -- and weakness in an American President can bring the world to the brink of war. In fact, we may be tiptoeing along that brink even as I scribble these few words.

May God Bless America… and hurry up!

J. D. Longstreet

Into The Lion's Den

By Findalis of Monkey in the Middle

This modern day Daniel did not go into an actual den of lions, just a crowd of Barbarians Muslims who then demonstrate their true nature to the world.



And like Daniel in the days of old, this Daniel had the same protector.

Nancy Gets High on The Word

Nothing can ever be more profound than listening to a confirmed Progressive expound upon Biblical truths!

 

Technorati Tags: Bible,Word,Biblical,Truth,Progressive,Liberal,Christianity,Christian

The Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery

Commentary by James H. Shott

Memorial Day is a time when America acknowledges the service and sacrifices of the men and women of our armed forces. At Arlington National Cemetery an observance has taken place for 142 years, and the focus of the modern observance is the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns by the President of the United States, which presidents have taken part in since Lyndon Johnson first did in 1968.

From that time forward, with few exceptions, American presidents have paid tribute to the brave men and women who have served their country and the thousands who paid the ultimate price to guarantee us the freedoms won for us in the Revolutionary War. This year, the Arlington ceremony has become the center of attention, and as this is written, President Barack Obama plans to pass on the Arlington ceremony, and take the family to Chicago for the weekend.

Information on who did and didn’t participate in the Arlington ceremonies each year is difficult to find, but it is documented that in recent memory three presidents did not participate at Arlington at least once during their terms: George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, and Ronald Reagan.

Why did they pass up the opportunity and the duty to honor America’s fighting men and women at Arlington?

Ronald Reagan chaired a summit in 1983 in Williamsburg “to mobilise (sic) a common Western position in confronting the Soviet Union in the final stage of the Cold War,” according to Nicholas Bayne in the (begin ital) History of the G7 Summit: The Importance of American Leadership.(end ital) With Reagan as chairman, “the summits reached some pioneering political agreements, stimulated by the US,” and succeeded in having US Cruise and Pershing missiles in Europe to counter Soviet missiles placed nearby. The meeting was a serious and important event, and Mr. Reagan can be forgiven for asking someone to stand in for him at the Memorial Day ceremony while he tended to the nation’s business.

On Memorial Day, 2002, a day after attending the NATO summit in Rome, President George W. Bush, along with Secretary of State Colon Powell, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi, members of the U.S. Congress, members of the U.S. Armed Services and American veterans celebrated Memorial Day at the Normandy American Cemetery, and Colleville-Sur-Mer, France. Mr. Bush was not at Arlington, but he did honor the thousands of Americans buried in France who helped liberate Europe during WWII.

Some people say that in 2007 Mr. Bush was at his ranch in Texas, and Vice President Dick Cheney placed the wreath, however, the Arlington Cemetery Website contains remarks by Mr. Bush dated Memorial Day 2007.

George H. W. Bush, however, is another matter. One account said that in his four years as president he did not attend the Arlington ceremony a single time. One year, he attended a Memorial Day ceremony in Rome, but he spent the others vacationing in Kennebunkport, Maine, and attending ceremonies there, while other officials attended the Arlington ceremonies. However, it is well known that the senior President Bush postponed going to college to serve in the military during WWII and became the youngest aviator in the US Navy at the age of 18. He flew 58 combat missions and was decorated three times, with the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation. His patriotism and commitment to the military are beyond question.

On Memorial Day 2009, a few months after being sworn in as President, Barack Obama attended the laying of the wreath at Arlington. The Associated Press reported that “Barack Obama marked his first Memorial Day as president on Monday, saluting the men and women of America's fighting forces, both living and dead, as ‘the best of America’” by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.

This year, the news stories read somewhat differently. Under the headline, “President Obama, Vice President Biden to Participate in Memorial Day Ceremonies” was this report: “On Thursday, May 27, President Barack Obama and his family will travel to Chicago, where they will spend the weekend. On Monday, the President will participate in a Memorial Day ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois … [and] Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden … will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.”

Why did President Obama decline to honor America’s fighting men and women at Arlington this year, as most presidents do each year, and instead chose to take his family to Chicago? Well, depending upon which perspective you hold, he is either doing an honorable thing and keeping a campaign promise to visit his adopted home town and attending a ceremony there, or instead of doing his patriotic duty at Arlington he is taking the family on a vacation.

Do you believe Mr. Obama’s reasons for missing the Arlington ceremony are as good as Mr. Reagan’s or the younger Bush’s, or that he has earned a pass like Bush senior through his service? Or do you think that he is abandoning an American tradition and shirking his duty?

Cross-posted from Observations