Notes From Reading

2009-1-22 04:43:00

Re:   President Barack Obama

In reading the news and columns I am struck by the extreme bias and mindlessness that stares me in the face.

Here are some quotes and comments from my reading:

  

Extravagant Inauguration:

The following was taken from:   http://www.anncoulter.com/

"Here's some quotes about the inauguration from The New York Times:

"'The American public is bemused by the tasteless show-biz extravaganza surrounding Barack Obama's inauguration today.'

"'There is something to be said for some showiness in an inauguration. But one felt discomfited all the same.'

"'This is an inauguration, not a coronation.'

"Is there a parallel between Mrs. Obama's jewel-toned outfit and somebody else's glass slippers? Why limousines and not shank's mare?"

"It is still unclear whether we are supposed to shout "Whoopee!" or "Shame!" about the new elegance the Obamas are bringing to Washington.

"Boy, talk about raining on somebody's parade!

"These were not, of course, comments about the inauguration of the angel Obama; they are (slightly edited) comments about the inauguration of another historic president, Ronald Reagan, in January 1981."

[End Quote]

  

Illusion:

From all the media coverage and adoration of Obama you would think that we just experienced the largest American media event in history.

BUT...

The television audience for Obama's inaugural was 37,793,008 -- which was a goodly number. This was overshadowed by Reagan who drew a larger audience of 41,800,260 in 1981. (http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/media_entertainment/nearly-378-million-watch-president-obamas-oath-and-speech/)

  

Extravagant Bush:

In 2005 the media criticized George W. Bush for his extravagance in allowing $40 million to be spent on his inaugural. Some suggested the celebration be cancelled and the money be given to charity.

BUT...

Estimates of Obama's inauguration range up to a whopping $170 million and no one in the mindless adoring, goo-goo eyed major media is criticizing him for extravagance, suggesting cancellation or giving the $170 million to charity.

  

Too Much of a Good(?) Thing:

A study shows that the Obama inauguration got 35 times more news coverage than Bush Inaugural. (http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE50K6E320090121)

  

Global Warming Hypocrisy:

It is estimated that more than 500 million pounds of carbon dioxide were released during the four-day inaugural festivities.

Among the offenders:

And if you don't have an idea what a pound of carbon dioxide really means, consider this:   The average household would take 57,598 years to produce as much carbon dioxide as Obama's inauguration.

There's an interesting hypocritical silence on this from "in the tank" environmental groups. (http://www.usnews.com/blogs/sam-dealey/2009/01/15/the-obama-inaugurations-carbon-footprint.html)

  

The Obama Plan:

Dick Morris writes:

"But it is not his spending that will transform our political system, it is his tax and welfare policies. In the name of short-term stimulus, he will give every American family (who makes less than $200,000) a welfare check of $1,000 euphemistically called a refundable tax credit. And he will so sharply cut taxes on the middle class and the poor that the number of Americans who pay no federal income tax will rise from the current one-third of all households to more than half. In the process, he will create a permanent electoral majority that does not pay taxes, but counts on ever-expanding welfare checks from the government. The dependency on the dole, formerly limited in pre-Clinton days to 14 million women and children on Aid to Families with Dependent Children, will now grow to a clear majority of the American population."

(http://thehill.com/dick-morris/the-obama-presidency--here-comes-socialism-2009-01-20.html)

  

Cheating Tax Collector:

Democrats support Timothy Geithner, Obama's choice for Treasury Secretary, even though he failed to pay $34,000 in taxes. How can he as the head financial enforcer prosecute those who merely follow his example?

Could Bush have gotten away with an appointment like this? I don't think so.

I suspect tax evaders will hypocritically be prosecuted with as much zeal as ever.

See story at:

http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/geithner_hearing/2009/01/21/173852.html

  

Global Warming:

Obama wants to proceed with costly global warming initiatives even though the earth has not warmed since 1998 and scientists say we are overdue for an ice age. (http://www.iceagenow.com/)

  

Cuban Fan:

Castro called Obama "a man who seems absolutely sincere," who believes strongly in his ideas "and who hopefully can carry them out." (http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090121/D95RQGSO0.html)

  

Legitimate Story Ignored Because of Bias:

Fox News was the only network to cover Bush's warm homecoming. (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/01/alone-among-net.html)

  

New Tone:

Former President Bush was welcomed to the inaugural podium with boos from the million-person plus crowd. The video picks up some of the dissenting crowd. If you were watching the ceremony live, the boos were loud and clear throughout the mass of people. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/20/bush-booed-at-inauguratio_n_159507.html)