"U.S. Lawyers Agreed on Legality of Harsh Interrogations"

You know it had to hurt for the New York Times to actually type that headline. I have argued until I'm blue in the face with liberals on my Chron blog that just because you believe it's torture doesn't mean that LEGALLY it was torture. Which is why Obama couldn't go after the ones who participated in it in the CIA. He knew he would lose.

It was all legal folks, like it or not.

via HotAir

*It seems the NYT has changed it's headlines to inclue "brutal." It's strange how they are always doing that after publication with no note that it was done or why.

"America would do it again, for our friends."

We all missed an incredible speech by Pres. George W. Bush on D-Day in 2004 because the great Pres. Reagan died that day. This article gives us of a look at what we missed:

Standing at a lectern with a clear view of the English Channel, packed with vintage ships from the Second World War, Bush spoke of the great battle that had taken place below the cliffs in front of him, and how, when the firing had finally ended and the wounded and dead were removed from the beaches, the sand was still littered for mile upon mile with the equipment of the armies and the belongings of the boys who had given everything they had.

"There were life belts and canteens and socks and K-rations and helmets and diaries and snapshots," Bush said. "And there were Bibles, many Bibles, mixed with the wreckage of war. Our boys had carried in their pockets the book that brought into the world this message: Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends. America honors all the liberators who fought here in the noblest of causes."

Turning then toward Chirac, Bush delivered the speech's kicker. "And America would do it again, for our friends."

The field of green was silent for a moment before the aging audience broke into heartfelt applause. Chirac, clearly moved by Bush's words, approached the American president, grasped both his hands, and for a poignant moment, did not let go.

Beautiful.

Liz Cheney simply ROCKS!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Watch and learn.

Coming to America?

Is this our future?

Be afraid, very afraid.

"The Worst Person in the World" is actually The Best Person

I dream of one day being MSNBC's Keith Olbermann's "Worst Person in the World!" Because it really means that you have managed to cut through the lies of the left and make a statement loud enough that they feel threatened that their lies are exposed. It also means you are pretty great person.

This week Olbermann names Jill Stanek "Worst Person in the World!" He accuses her of posting the addresses of the two remaining late term abortion clinics in the country and as usual, he was completely wrong. But don't think the abortionists haven't been getting some attention for their clinics. They have been treated as absolute heros by the media.

Check out the pics of their hellholes (published by the LA Times):

I have a feeling that their own million dollar homes look a wee bit better. When one profits off the agony of women, why spend the money on the actual clinic? Better to just re-decorate your own home.

Jill, a former nurse, has been a relentless advocate for unborn children exposing Obama for his votes against the "baby born alive act" and exposing how these babies were being left to die in dirty linen closets.

She is fighting the good fight against all odds. She is one of the "best people in the world."

via NewsBusters

Stuff on Sotomayor

This isn't that important, but I just found it astounding. At First Read they have some of Sotomayor's financial records:

The Senate Judiciary Committee posted the full Sotomayor Supreme Court questionnaire this afternoon. Here are the financial takeaways and what she listed as potential conflicts of interest:

Assets:-- Net Worth: $740,053--
Liabilities: $418,350--
Cash liquid: $31,985--
Total Real Estate: $1,017,500 (one house $997,500 and a $20,000 1/3rd shared interest in a condo.)--
Total value of cars: $108,918

Debts: -- Mortgage: $381,775--
Credit Card debt: $15,823--
Dentist bill: $15,000--
Accounts/Bills Due: $5,752

First of $108,918 for cars??? She doesn't have children, so I'm assuming that is for her and her husband. I don't know, seems excessive. Not that anyone shouldn't have whatever kind of car they can afford. I am just amazed at how much people will spend on cars when they can.

But the credit card debt!!! $15,823!!!!!!!!!!!! Does that strike anyone as crazy?? I've never had credit card debt. I always pay it off every month. I can't imagine having that much. It would drive me INSANE thinking about how much interest I was paying on it every month. Seriously. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

Maybe Americans are used to carrying around this much debt.

More on Obama's speech

The WSJ has an excellent piece on Obama's Cairo speech:

Mr. Obama also noted that "among some Muslims, there is a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by the rejection of another's," a recognition of the supremacist strain in Islamist thinking. He also included a pointed defense of democracy, including "the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed" and "confidence in the rule of law." We doubt the point was lost on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, now in his 29th year in office. All of this will do some good if it leads to broader acceptance among Muslims of the principles of Mr. Bush's freedom agenda without the taint of its author's name.

As for the caveats, Mr. Obama missed a chance to remind his audience that no country has done more than the U.S. to liberate Muslims from oppression -- in Kuwait, Bosnia, Kosovo and above all in Afghanistan and Iraq, where more than 50 million people were freed by American arms from two of the most extreme tyrannies in modern history. His insistence on calling Iraq a "war of choice" is a needless insult to Mr. Bush that diminishes the cause for which more than 4,000 Americans have died.

He also couldn't resist his by now familiar moral self-indulgence by asserting that he has "unequivocally prohibited the use of torture" and ordered Guantanamo closed. Aside from the fact that the U.S. wasn't torturing anyone before Mr. Obama came into office, his Arab hosts can see through his claims. They know the Obama Administration is "rendering" al Qaeda detainees to other countries, some of them Arab, where their rights and well-being are far less secure than at Gitmo.

The Obama administration is "rendering" detainees to other countries? Gee, I wonder if Hollywood has the movie "Rendition II" in the works? Yeah. Don't hold your breath.

The 50 million freed is especially interesting. It would have been nice for those in the Arab world to have heard that bit of history from our President, wouldn't it?

I have a friend who once told me that we shouldn't have gone to war in Iraq. I asked why she believed that, thinking it would be the usual argument, but no...she had a different take. She said we should never go to war except to fight for our own soil. She said, "Look at all the times we have fought for others. Look at all the Americans that have died for other people's freedom. They don't appreciate it. They don't even seem to remember it. Our boys died for ungrateful spoiled children."

Sometimes I think she may have a point.

Obama's Cairo speech

Obama's Cairo speech wasn't bad. Nor did I expect it to be. Read about the whole thing here. Speeches are what Obama does. He does them well. Of course, some disagree. Even some Democrats see Obama as naive in how the Arab world works.

I have a relative like Obama. He says what you want to hear. On any particular issue he says one thing to one person in my family, and another thing to another member. I don't think he is dishonest, he simply wants to agree or please the person he is talking to. What happens though, is when you discover that he has said something very different to someone else than what he said to you, you wonder if you can trust him or you wonder what he really believes.

Such is the case with Obama. The speech was major Muslim suck up and that was expected. Pres. Bush gave similar speeches like this, but with a much stronger defense of America's view and what we expect. You didn't hear much about them because of the press.

Obama, like most liberals, believe that if we just talk things out and have a reasonable give and take, then we can make progress in the Middle East. That simply won't happen in my view. While we are used to compromise here in the United States, there is no compromise with the likes of Iran or any of the Middle Eastern countries that oppose us, that I can see. The only progress we have ever made in the Middle East was by force. Forcing Saddam Hussein out of power, forcing al Qaeda to face us and fight, forcing Pakistan to allow us to send drones to bomb the terrorists hiding there. It is this way we have formed a Democracy in the Middle East where none thought possible.

Even Obama aknowledged that the people of Iraq were much better off not suffering under a tyrant like Saddam, but he gave no appreciation to those who made that possible.

The U.S. stands tall from a position of strength. When we look weak, as we did in the 90's, the bully attacks. The bully attacked 3 times in the 90's before 9-11. It took 9-11 for us to realize that ignoring the bully only brings us tragedy. The bully hides among the reasonable in the Middle East. If we don't recognize him, then we find ourselves on the ground bleeding, wondering how it happened.

Obama wants to invite the bully to tea. He wants to have a reasonable discussion with him. But we all know that never works. Sooner or later, Pres. Obama will have to face the bully that will, I am sure, push him down.

That is when we will really see the stuff Obama is made of.

I Miss This President

(photo by Associated Press)

Ronald Reagan took his rightful place of honor next to Dwight Eisenhower in the Capitol Rotunda today. His 7-foot, bronze statute was unveiled to the applause of Reagan's wife, Nancy, and his former aides.

The Broken Us

I am addicted (if you pardon the pun) to the show "Intervention." Intervention follows around an addict, alcoholic, cutter, or anorexic on the premise that they are filming a documentary on addiction. But in the end they have an "intervention" with family and friends and a therapist where they offer free rehab. The show not only follows the addict (it's usually a drug addict or an alcoholic), but they interview the family members.

I used to tell myself that I watched this show because I have a family member who struggles with addiction, but to be honest it's much more than that. I watch because it is a window into the pain and grief that so many people find in simply living. I watched it for the brokenness.

During the course of the interviews with family and friends and the interviews with the addicted person, a story emerges. It is the story of where this pain comes from. It's the usual suspects. Parent's divorce, physical abuse, parent's addiction, their own divorce, and sexual abuse.

If you have to ask why a person would go on a documentary like this, then you don't know a addicted person. Money is how they buy their drugs or drinks. There isn't anything, and I do mean anything, that is more important than getting their drug of choice. If exposing oneself as an addict to the world gets them the money they need, then so be it.

Usually I cry during these episodes. I cry for their pain, their loss, their hopelessness, and the pathetic addicted world they wallow in to try and forget.....everything.

The last part of the show is what I wait for. Usually, but not always, they show the addicted person 3 or 6 months later clean and sober. The outward appearance is usually startling. They look so much better sometimes they are hardly recognizable as the person they were before. They speak of how much better life is out of the dark hole of their addiction.

I love redemption. I love the person who overcomes all that they have suffered.

This is why I watch. All around me I see a broken world. I want a world intervention. I want a world that offers itself to be healed.

What intervention is really about is forcing a person to deal with their life in all it's dark places. It's forces that person to stop medicating the pain away.

At the root of every single addiction on this show is a childhood filled with heartache. It always comes back to our children.

We aren't taking very good care of them. I see an adult society that puts it's own selfish desires before the needs of children. We have reaped what we sowed.

Intervention is our children...... grown, showing us what we did to them.

They are the broken us.

"Jobs Saved" Deception

The Obama administration has gotten deception down to an art form. Read Tony Fratto at CNBC:

After nearly twenty years in Washington I thought I've seen every trick ever conceived, but the White House claims of "jobs saved" attributed to the stimulus bill is unrivaled. What causes the jaw to drop is not just the breathtaking deception of the claim, but the gullibility of the Washington press corps to continue reporting it.

News stories from President Obama's event last week hailing the 100-day mark since the stimulus was passed typically repeated the assertion that the stimulus has already "created or saved 150,00 jobs." ("And that's just the beginning," the President crowed.)
Tony FrattoFormer White House Spokesman

Here's an important note to my friends in the news media: the White House has absolutely no earthly clue how many job losses have been prevented because of the stimulus bill. None. Not Christina Romer. Not Jared Bernstein. Not Austen Goolsbee.

Each of these distinguished economists would have failed Statistics 101 for making such a laughable claim. But we see them now repeating these assertions to reporters who have seemingly abandoned all skepticism.
...............................................

There is only one necessary data point to make the "jobs-saved" claim: an accurate measure of expected employment levels in the future. That baseline data is critical to measure what the employment level would be in the absence of the stimulus. Unfortunately for the White House, they cannot possibly know that measurement within any degree of confidence -- and they know it.

To understand just how unknowable this data point is, it's not necessary to be an economist, a mathematician or a statistician.

You only need to know this: the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - thousands of the most professional and rigorous counters and analyzers of labor data in the history of mankind - makes TWO revisions of employment data for their ESTIMATE of the PREVIOUS month! And even then the reports are mere estimates - an annual benchmark survey is required to reset the nation's payroll baseline.

That is, the best employment statisticians the world has ever known, people whose lives are dedicated to employment data, conducting labor surveys and research, constantly refining their complex models, have a difficult time telling you how many jobs were created in the PAST!
...........................................

And we're supposed to believe that the Council of Economic advisors have acquired the clairvoyant ability to estimate payrolls in the future? Please.
...........................................

A self-respecting press corps would vigorously question the White House on their claims. We'll see if we have one.


Ha! That's good one. We have no self respecting press corp. We have a willing accomplice in the deception.

"Media Statistic of the Day"

Slublog over at Ace's puts together a pretty good review of the difference in coverage of the Tiller murder and the murder of the army recruiter:

A little food for thought from Newsbusters:

"At the time of this writing, there are nearly 7,000 references to "George Tiller" in Google News.

There are under 500 for "William Long."

George Tiller, of course, was the Kansas abortion doctor murdered Sunday morning by a man who allegedly had political and religious motives."


William Long was the 23-year-old military recruiter murdered Monday morning by a man who allegedly had political and religious motives.George Tiller dedicated his life to killing fetuses.

William Long dedicated his to killing terrorists.

One story still has 'legs,' the other is yesterday's news. Some priorities you've got there, MSM.
Someone has already commented on Twitter saying Tiller was a public figure, while the soldier was not. Granted, but how often are US soldiers murdered on US soil by a terror suspect?

Update - With this, I'm not trying to condemn one killer while praising another. Scott Roeder is a criminal and nothing justifies the murder of Dr. Tiller.

What bothers me is the willingness of the media to smear the entire pro-life movement based on Roeder's actions while devoting very little airtime or newspaper space to the national security implications of William Long's murder.

Update II - DrewM makes an interesting point in the comments. When Dr. Tiller was murdered, the White House released a statement on Sunday afternoon. As of 11:15 a.m. EST, the Commander in Chief has yet to release a statement condemning the murder of a member of the armed forces by a suspected terrorist.

Gitmo and More...

WASHINGTON — Americans are overwhelmingly opposed to closing the detention center for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay and moving some of the detainees to prisons on U.S. soil, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds.

By more than 2-1, those surveyed say Guantanamo shouldn't be closed. By more than 3-1, they oppose moving some of the accused terrorists housed there to prisons in their own states.

via NRO

In related news, why don't we all invite fanatics to our 4th of July parties?

And in news the Obama administration seems to want to ignore: N. Korea gearing up to test-fire missiles on both coasts.

I'm sure we will give N. Korea a stern talking to after we send out those 4th of July invites.


Mitt Romney in a speech sponsored by the Heritage Foundation today:

Arrogant, delusional tyrants can not be stopped by earnest words and furrowed brows. Action, strong bold action coming from a position of strength and determination, is the only effective deterrent.

It is time to apply comprehensive, regime-crippling sanctions to North Korea. Assets should be seized; international financial capabilities terminated. North Korea should be recategorized as a state sponsor of terror. And, most importantly, the President should immediately reverse his recent decisions and strongly support completing our ballistic missile defense system.

Even better is Romney's smackdown of Obama's apology tour:


That is also why, with all due respect, I take issue with President Obama’s recent tour of apology. It’s not because America hasn’t made mistakes—we have—but because America’s mistakes are overwhelmed by what America has meant to the hopes and aspirations of people throughout the world.

The President also claimed on Arabic TV that America has dictated to other nations. No, America has sacrificed to free other nations from dictators. Britain’s Guardian newspaper noted that Mr. Obama has been more critical of his own country, while on foreign soil, than any other president in American history. That would be a most unfortunate distinction at any time. But it is particularly so today: with all that is transpiring in the world, in Iran, North Korea, Georgia, Somalia, Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, this is the time for strength and confidence, not for apologizing to America’s critics.

also via NRO

The Sadness We Ignore

Because Tiller's death seems to have us discussing abortion once again, I thought I would re-post this from 2006:

I came of age in the wake of Roe v. Wade. I entered high school in 1976. I'd say it was a pretty crazy time. The "if it feels good do it" attitude was still going strong from the 60's. and we didn't have AIDS yet. It would be 4 years before Reagan reminded us of what it means to be an American, and that maybe an unborn child deserved a right to live. The sonogram, the window to the womb, came about a decade too late.

I remember high school and college as a time where I had one foot in the world and one in heaven. My parents were not religious, although they were very moral. I had to find my own way. I loved having fun and I loved the boys. Luckily for me I was already charting my spiritual journey and had a pretty good prayer life going. I was no saint, nor a nun, but I stayed away from the "deadly sins" including sleeping with anyone. A good girl in a crazy world. Thank God for that. Because any woman who grew up when I did knows that the phrase "except for the grace of God go I" can be attributed to any of us who had friends who had abortions.

Sonograms weren't widely in use at the time. The womb was a mystery and the pro abortion crowd took full advantage of that. Jenny was a girl at my high school. Pretty, but wild. We weren't close friends, but I was friendly with everyone and I knew her pretty well. Gossip flew that she was pregnant and we all wondered what would happen. A week later I was at a concert. I happen to be passing by the boy's restroom and one guy stopped me and said, "There's a girl in there, you might want to help her out."

I rushed in and saw Jenny leaning against the wall. She was very drunk. I helped her out and took her to a corner. she sat on the floor while tears flowed silently down her face.

"Jenny, what's wrong?" I asked.

"It's gone." She mumbled. "My baby is gone. I killed it."

I knew exactly what she was talking about. She wasn't the first at my school to have an abortion. I assured her that it wasn't a baby yet. (I was a good Democrat) I tried to comfort her, but it was no use. I sat with her until her boyfriend found us.

The following year I watched as Jenny spiraled down into promiscuous behavior, drugs, and eventually dropped out of school. A few years later when God was bugging me about the abortion issue I looked up fetal development at the college library. Jenny had told me that she was 4 months along. I stared at the 16 week old fetus and realized that I had been so wrong. It was a baby. Of that, there is no doubt.

I could tell you many stories like Jenny's. Over the years I have heard more than I ever imagined I would. For a few years I helped at my Church with The Rachel project, which helped women and girls who were dealing with their abortions. During group sessions the grief would become so palpable that it was emotionally draining to listen.

Such grief. Such loss.

Recently a study in New Zealand came out linking mental illness and depression with having had an abortion. It was based on data from a 25 year longitudinal survey that followed more than 500 girls from birth to age 25. The National Institutes of Health here in the United States admitted that there were "no studies of comparable methodological rigor published." "It seems that on the single biggest social change in this country's history the government research bodies and their social science agendas have studiously avoided studying its effects."

I think it's about time we did. Pro-life or pro-choice, we should all be interested in what this has done to our society and how it has affected women in the long term.

I think women like Jenny at least deserve that. Don't you?

A Brief Life

Anderson Cooper's site has a look at a woman who had a late term abortion and why. As I read it I remembered a girl I helped many years ago. I repost this story from 2006. Read both women's story and decide for yourself who made the better choice.

Angelina was told at the county hospital that her baby had Anencephaly and would die within hours of birth and it was better to abort her now. Angelina's sister came to me for information. She knew I was pro-life and had materials with photographs of the unborn child. I gave them to her and told her to tell Angelina that even though her baby was destined to die whether she decided to abort or give birth, at least with giving birth she would always know she wasn't the one who decided the baby's fate. That a natural death was far different from a deliberate one at a Doctor's hands. What I didn't realize was what Rosa (the baby) would give her parents in those few hours of her life.

The doctors and nurse at the County hospital were angry at Angelina for choosing to give birth. Abortion was a much easier way to go. They treated Angelina as ignorant because she was poor and Hispanic. This would cost more money they insisted, but I assured Angelina that they could gripe all they wished, but it was her decision.

The day she gave birth and her beautiful daughter, Rosa, was born, the whole family had gathered. The staff handed the baby to Angelina without cleaning it. Her sister called me immediately and I asked to speak to the nurse. I told her that if she didn't get that baby properly cleaned and wrapped in a blanket, as they did all other babies, in about 15 seconds I was going to call the local news and anyone else I thought might be interested. I WAS TICKED. Trust me when I say, I don't get ticked often and it takes a lot to do so, but when I do......you don't want to be on the other end of my rage.

The baby was cleaned and handed back to Angelina. She told me later that it was the most perfect looking baby she had ever seen. Anencephaly is easily covered with a cap and then the baby looks normal. Her eyes open and she gurgles just like any other baby. The whole family spent about 12 hours loving and holding her and then she died peacefully in her mother's arms. The mother told me that she would always be grateful for those 12 hours and it literally changed her life. She appreciates everything in her life now. She feels a great need to be a better person for Rosa.

Would have it been easier to abort Rosa?

Perhaps for the doctors and hospital. A hidden grisly procedure and then everyone goes home. But life sometimes gives us harder, but infinitely better choices.

Life matters. Life changes us. Even the very brief ones.

*I'm adding these personal stories with pictures to give you more of an idea of what this experience is like.

My Washington D.C. Pics!

Smart Girl Politics girls, Teri and Tabitha!

On the set of PJTV. See my segment about Smart Girl Politics on PJTV here.

My girl on the monitor at Fox News Studios.

Anchor Brian Wilson, fellow Texan, graciously gave us a tour of Fox News in Washington D. C.

Keep scrolling for more!

More!

Leslie Sanchez of CNN joined us for dinner! She is totally awesome and even more beautiful in person!

My sweet friend, Matthew Sheffield, online editor of The Washington Examiner, and his beautiful wife, Yolanda.

The SGP girls again! They ROCK!

Buddies Peter Roff, Kevin Binversie , and Sean Hackbarth

Not Pro-Life

Late term abortionist George Tiller was shot today while at church. Just as in the few incidents of violence done to abortionists through the last 3 decades, this act is being condemned by pro-life groups. Needless to say, anyone who would kill another person in cold blood is NOT pro-life, they are just crazy.

Update: Recent Statements put out regarding this murder:

“Kansans for Life deplores the murder of Dr. George Tiller, and we wish to express our deep and sincere sympathy to his family and friends.Our organization has a board of directors, and a 35 year history of bringing citizens together to achieve thoughtful education and legislation on the life issues here in Kansas. We value life, completely deplore violence, and are shocked and very upset by what happened in Wichita today. “ -- Mary Kay Culp, State Executive Director, Kansans for Life

"We are shocked at this morning's disturbing news that Mr. Tiller was gunned down. Operation Rescue has worked for years through peaceful, legal means, and through the proper channels to see him brought to justice. We denounce vigilantism and the cowardly act that took place this morning. We pray for Mr. Tiller's family that they will find comfort and healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ." - - Troy Newman, president of anti-abortion group Operation Rescue

"I'm shocked by this senseless tragedy and my thoughts are with Dr. Tiller's family during this difficult time." - - Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson

“I am stunned by this lawless and violent act which must be condemned and should be met with the full force of law. We join in lifting prayer that God's grace and presence rest with Dr. Tiller's family and friends. “ -- Phill Kline, Former Kansas Attorney General


National Right to Life extends its sympathies to Dr. Tiller's family over this loss of life.

Further, the National Right to Life Committee unequivocally condemns any such acts of violence regardless of motivation. The pro-life movement works to protect the right to life and increase respect for human life. The unlawful use of violence is directly contrary to that goal.

AK governor Sarah Palin released the following statement concerning the death of abortion doctor George Tiller.

I feel sorrow for the Tiller family. I respect the sanctity of life and the tragedy that took place today in Kansas clearly violates respect for life. This murder also damages the positive message of life, for the unborn, and for those living. Ask yourself, 'What will those who have not yet decided personally where they stand on this issue take away from today's event in Kansas?'Regardless of my strong objection to Dr. Tiller's abortion practices, violence is never an answer in advancing the pro-life message.