Balkum Blog

From the White House blog by Norm Eisen, Special Counsel to the President on Ethics and Government Reform:

“First, we will expand the restriction on oral communications to cover all persons, not just federally registered lobbyists. For the first time, we will reach contacts not only by registered lobbyists but also by unregistered ones, as well as anyone else exerting influence on the process. We concluded this was necessary under the unique circumstances of the stimulus program.”

Does this mean Rush?, Me?, You?

Kudos to Obama and his team for allowing the successful rescue of Captain Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama from Somali pirates on April 12.  Navy Seals took out 3 of the 4 pirates simultaneously with 3 shots as one of the pirates had an AK-47 pointed at the back of the bound sea captain.  With precision sharpshooting by the Seals, the U.S. was able to free the captain unharmed.  Obama inherited a well-trained military from the previous administration which in part contributed to this success. 

I only pray that this high level of training and expertise will not be stunted as Obama proceeds to cut and gut the military funds, just as Carter did in the late 70’s, which resulted in a failed attempt to rescue its hostages from Iran in 1979.

Obama is such a disappointment as he goes around the world apologizing for everything we’ve ever done.  What is it with these people who think if they grovel to the foreign countries they will like us better.  I just found out that Obama and his “advisors” rejected a trip to Normany as requested by Sarkozy because it might offend the Germans.  Obama is an offense to me.  He spends his time in the U.S. running down my country and he spends his time abroad running down my country.  I guess that’s his M.O.  I personally am proud of what my country has done and accomplished in it’s short lifespan.  Maybe someone should point out to Obama that you can not get respect by appeasing or criticizing, you have to earn it.  Does he want respect?

_May 2005: Congress approved an $82 billion bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and international anti-terrorism efforts. Obama voted yes.

_June 2006: Congress cleared a $94.5 billion bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as provide aid to hurricane victims. Obama voted yes.

_September 2006: Congress cleared a $448 billion Pentagon funding bill that included $70 billion for U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama voted yes.

_April 2007: Congress cleared a $124 billion spending bill that provided $90 billion for war costs but mandated the withdrawal of U.S. troops within six months. Obama voted yes, but President George W. Bush vetoed the legislation.

_May 2007: Congress approved a roughly $100 billion spending measure to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and domestic projects, including hurricane relief. Obama voted no.

_December 2007: Congress cleared a $555 billion catchall spending bill that included $70 billion for U.S. military action in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama did not vote.

_June 2008: Congress approved a measure to spend $162 billion for war costs as well as provide a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits and emergency relief for the flood-ravaged Midwest. Obama voted yes.

Thank you AP.

I am so disgusted with this On-the-job trained president. I knew it would be bad, but not this bad. The White House’s excuse is that he’s so much taller than the King that he had to bend down to be on eye-level.  (That’s him with his rear end stuck out.) Did he bow to the Queen of England? She’s shorter than the King of Saudi Arabia. Does this president not realize that he represents the people of the United States and our protocol states that we do not bow to any monarch.

See if for yourself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JGK-xbXxMw

I’m not believing this press conference of Obama’s tonight (Feb 9, 2009).  There was nothing new in it at.all.  Why would be commandeer an hour of prime time television which costs the struggling television industry lots and lots of money just to get his face before the public and to agitate the public about something that they have been hearing for weeks and weeks now.  He should have saved it for something that was really dire instead of continuing to campaign.  Clinton spent 8 years in campaign mode and I guess that’s how Obama is going to handle his time in office too.  After all, that’s all he’s ever done is campaign.

And, honestly, I think I’m going to puke if I hear, “create or save 4 million jobs” one more time!!!  Over and over he said it and it was the one phrase that he didn’t stumble through.  Nice preparation, President Obama.  You can’t lose with that one.

And what’s with the calling on reporters by first and last name.  I know he did not have time to memorize their names.  They didn’t even hold up their hands.  This is too scripted for me.  I have no idea how pre-planned this photo session was.  The President of Hope and Change.

It feels like I have been so numb from the election/inauguration that I haven’t even wanted to acknowledge anything political.  Like if I wrote it and posted it, it would make it true.  I have been pinching myself and realize that I am definitely alive and the blood has begun to flow.  The tenacity of this president is unprecedented and because so much is being done that if I don’t comment on it, it will be lost in the shuffle.  So, welcome me back from the dead.

Hallelujah!!!!  I can now settle back and enjoy the best television show of its time, that being 24.  Season 7 is set in Washington D.C., a change from the previous 6 seasons which were set in Los Angeles and areas around there.  Following Jack Bauer always keeps you on the edge of your seat and fills your spare time with lots of “what if’s” in conversations with friends of like mind.  Welcome back, Jack.

And Jack, after all he’s done FOR the country and been THROUGH because of the country, that perfectly cast Senator is questioning Jack with the promise that Jack will PAY.  Writers, you’ve done it again.  Welcome, welcome back, Jack.

So, Tony’s back and going to create more problems for Jack or will Tony give Jack the chance to save the world once again, or both.  I don’t think I care for the new Tony.  I wouldn’t expect him to be a terrorist, no matter what he’s been through.  Welcome, welcome, welcome back, Jack.

For the second Christmas in a row, I have gone to Disney World.  This year I went with my son Stephen and his family and last year I went with my son Scott and his family.  So much fun to go when the crowds are lower and the weather is mild.  The parks are decked out in Christmas decor  and this photo shows what it looks like in Disney MGM (or Hollywood) Park at night.  The buildings on the street are stringed with thousands and thousands of strands of lights, called the Osborne Lights.  The Christmas music is piped in and you and everyone else just stand there in awe.  The following week is Christmas week and the crowds will grow exponentially so I recommend the middle of December.

Follow as I try to keep track of who Obama surrounds himself with in the page at top right labeled Cabinet.

On the page at top right labeled ObamActions-Executive Orders I will be keeping track of President-Elect’s Executive Orders.  I’m sure they will be plentiful.

 
My favorite TV show is “24″ and it is coming Sunday, November 23 at 7:00 P.M. CST in the form of a free-standing 2-hour movie.  24: Redemption is the title and shows us what is happening to Jack between Season 6 and Season 7 on the Day of the next U.S. Presidential Inauguration.I think this is one of the most brilliant ideas and marketing strategies thus far.  Because it has been such a long time between Season 6 and 7 due to the Writers Strike that set so many shows on their ears, just having this little “freebie” makes the waiting a little more tolerable.
The DVD of 24:Redemption is due to be released on Nov. 25 and will contain many extras such as a Directors Cut (10 extra minutes), The Making of 24:Redemption, Children of War featurette, crew commentary, first 16 minutes of Season 7 and, of course, deleted scenes.
Speaking of the Making of 24:Redemption, be sure to watch your local Fox station for the broadcasting of The Making of 24:Redemption, a 30-minute presentation. It appears this Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2:30 P.M. in my market.
View the 24:Redemption Web Site and Trailer here:  http://www.fox.com/24/redemption

To the U.S. Media and Free Press:

The one thing we have always been proud of in America is our Free Press as guaranteed in the U. S. Constitution.  We are all proud of our free press but as you go after some portions of the media as being hate-filled or discriminatory, or offensive, remember the famous statement by Martin Niemoller:

“In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist; 
And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left to speak up.”

Try substituting conservative talk radio host and internet blogger for Communists, Conservatives for trade unionists, Constitutionalists for Jews and suddenly you have:

“In the United States, they came first for conservative talk radio hosts and internet bloggers, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a conservative talk radio host or internet blogger;
And then they came for Conservatives, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Conservative;
And then they came for the Constitutionalists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Constitutionalist;
And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left who was able to speak up.”

You are the keeper of the torch; please take your trust seriously for you are the guarantor of our freedoms, and without you, the free-est nation on the earth becomes but a land of tyranny.  Leave us free to espouse and print what we believe is our basic right, just as you are free to print and espouse what you believe today.

Mr. Obama, congratulations on your winning campaign.  You have managed to bring together some of the things that influence voters, but it was a shame that issues were not as important as they should have been in this very dangerous time:  the terrorist threats  directed at us, illegal immigration, wealth redistribution, proposed solutions for the financial crisis, health care, abortion rights, First and Second Amendment rights, foreign relations, free trade, drilling and energy policy, and your views of what’s wrong with our Constitution.  The media and you spent more time talking about how you were different from all the other Presidents than you did about your game plan.  The news media continues to talk about how you are different.  I’d like for them and you to talk about how we are the same, all Americans.  Your ethnicity is historic but it really isn’t important to how you plan to govern.  Your race never has been an important subject for me; what you believe in is.

The U.S. is the greatest country but it didn’t get to be great by the greatness of its government; it got there by the greatness of its people.  Change that set-up and you will spell disaster for our future and I don’t think that is how you want your presidency to be remembered.  Government should do those things that individuals cannot do without government, like defense and foreign diplomacy.  Government best aids the individual by creating a playing field that is conducive to letting that individual be creative, entrepreneurial, and free to pursue their dreams.

You have accomplished much in your life and I only pray that you will leave a positive mark on our country for the future of all Americans as our 44th President.

As I sit here waiting on the Presidential Election returns, I decided to update my Christmas Card List.  The following “republicans” have been removed from my list this year:  

Nerves are really raw today.

Here is a test