Short Bio: I started blogging about politics in 2006, as a populist, skeptical left of center type, with a blog called simply, "The Populist."I suspect, but cannot prove; that my blog might have been hacked by some evil neoconservatives. I cannot prove that at all and also too, around the same time. Hackers from China where attacking wordpress blogs. I believe either the Neocons or the Chinese got my site. I don't know honestly know which.Either way, by 2007, I began to see that I really did not fit within the Democrat Party and liberal circles and after my blog was hacked; I created a blog called "Political Byline" and I kept writing; first as a Centrist and then as a Conservative PopulistFor my long bio, see the "About Me" section on this blog.
President Obama didn’t wait long after Tuesday’s devastating elections to give critics another reason to question his leadership, but this time the subject matter was more grim than a pair of governorships.
After news broke out of the shooting at the Fort Hood Army post in Texas, the nation watched in horror as the toll of dead and injured climbed. The White House was notified immediately and by late afternoon, word went out that the president would speak about the incident prior to a previously scheduled appearance. At about 5 p.m., cable stations went to the president. The situation called for not only his trademark eloquence, but also grace and perspective.
But instead of a somber chief executive offering reassuring words and expressions of sympathy and compassion, viewers saw a wildly disconnected and inappropriately light president making introductory remarks. At the event, a Tribal Nations Conference hosted by the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian affairs, the president thanked various staffers and offered a “shout-out” to “Dr. Joe Medicine Crow — that Congressional Medal of Honor winner.” Three minutes in, the president spoke about the shooting, in measured and appropriate terms. Who is advising him?
Anyone at home aware of the major news story of the previous hours had to have been stunned. An incident like this requires a scrapping of the early light banter. The president should apologize for the tone of his remarks, explain what has happened, express sympathy for those slain and appeal for calm and patience until all the facts are in. That’s the least that should occur.
Countdown to Robert A. George ending up like Vince Foster in 5….4…3..2…
Countdown to White House Playing the race card in 8…7….6….5….4…3…
Yes, I saw the comments and I thought the shout out, before making the sober announcement showed a lack of class on the President’s part and his cabinet. Of course, the stupid ass liberal bloggers are trying to draw a rather silly moral equivalent; trying to say that Bush did the same thing on 9/11. Which is wrong. Bush sat there and listened to those kids, so he would not SCARE THEM. But, of course, you cannot explain that to a idiotic liberal, because they’re terminally stupid.
Not that there is a thing funny about this. But I have to give it to Joe over at the Moderate Voice for saying the obvious:
Is there something in the water, is this a coincidence…or what?
My thoughts exactly. I was over here, sorta taking a nap and sorta not…. Listening to the Ft. Hood Coverage and what happens? They break in to report —- another shooting! Oy. I mean, did someone put some crazy syrup in the water supply? Seriously! I mean, I know unemployment is at 10.2 percent and all; but Christ Almighty! Getting your bang bang on ain’t gonna fix nothin’ at all. 🙄
Anyhow, Here’s the story via CNN:
At least seven people with serious gunshot wounds were brought out of an Orlando, Florida, office building Friday, a spokeswoman with the city fire department said.
The Suspect: Jason Rodriguez
An Orlando Police Department spokeswoman identified the alleged shooter as Jason Rodriguez, who used to work in the building. He is still at large, said John Tormos of the Orlando Fire Department.
A spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, which is helping the city police department, said investigators are looking for a man wearing a blue Polo shirt, gray vest and blue jeans.
“We’re in a search mode for the gunman,” said Jim Solomons, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office.
Fox News has just announced that the suspect is in custody. I am working on getting a link to that. Update #2: Confirmed
Update #1: Here’s the video of the initial incident via Fox:
The United States economy shed 190,000 jobs in October, and the unemployment rate reached a 26-year high of 10.2 percent, up from 9.8 percent in September, the Department of Labor said Friday in its monthly economic appraisal.
While the pace of job losses has slowed significantly since the peak of the recession last winter, the unemployment rate, which measures the number of people actively seeking work, continues to climb, and economists do not foresee relief until well into next year.
“There’s no doubt that the slashing and burning of jobs has abated quite a lot,” said Allen L. Sinai, the founder of Decision Economics, a research firm. “The economy is recovering, but it is a very soft recovery.”
The biggest losses came in the construction, manufacturing and retailing sectors. Health care companies added 29,000 jobs to their payrolls, and the number of temporary workers increased by 34,000 — a significant gain that could indicate employers are beginning to expand their businesses again.
The Labor Department also revised September’s losses to 219,000 from 263,000.
Dean Baker, a director for the Center for Economic and Policy Research, said he did not expect declining unemployment rates until next spring. “We may be looking at very high levels,” Mr. Baker said, “barring a policy response, for several years into the future.”
Um, Why should there be any policy response? I believe that we are already tapping our resources to the limit now.
On Thursday, in anticipation of the unemployment report, Congress overwhelmingly voted to extend benefits for jobless workers for up to 20 weeks. That will soothe the short-term financial pain of many families, but demands for a new wave of government relief may intensify if companies continue to cut back.
Yes, let’s encourage people NOT to look for a job and continue to spend ourselves into a hole; by being a nanny state.
So far, the federal stimulus package has injected billions into local economies, giving states money, for instance, to finance construction projects or retain teachers. The housing and auto sectors have been propped up with government credits meant to encourage spending. But weak consumer demand and hefty labor costs are still forcing many employers to cut positions and reduce hours to survive.
So much for Hope and change!
The article goes on trying to defend President Obama, which is so typical for the New York Times, but it is quite obvious, this President has failed on all fronts, the stimulus, the bailouts —- everything. He is, in fact, a black Jimmy Carter.
This is now Obama’s economy. He owns the double-digit unemployment level, having bought it with the $787 billion stimulus plan that he promised would keep unemployment no higher than 8%.
I agree with that. Obama simply continued the bailouts that President Bush started, which was a huge mistake.
The AP Reports:
But the loss of jobs last month exceeded economists’ estimates. It’s the 22nd straight month the U.S. economy has shed jobs, the longest on records dating back 70 years.
Counting those who have settled for part-time jobs or stopped looking for work, the unemployment rate would be 17.5 percent, the highest on records dating from 1994.
Now, if I were a partisan Blogger, I would simply sit here and blame Obama for it all. However, I am a bit more smarter than this. This all goes to Carter and then to Clinton. This video from the Wayne County Republicans will explain:
These unemployment numbers are just a ripple effect of all of this. Bush had a hand in it, as well as Obama. This is what happens when you elect faux Conservatives as Republicans and it is what happens when you elect Socialists.
Ted Haggard, who in 2006 resigned from the Colorado megachurch he founded in the wake of a sex and drug scandal, announced Wednesday that he plans to host a prayer meeting in his living room.
The first meeting will be held Nov. 12. at Haggard’s Colorado Springs home and could evolve into a church, though Haggard said that is not his aim. He said he and his wife, Gayle, have been traveling almost weekly since the HBO documentary The Trials of Ted Haggard debuted in January, and they thought they needed prayer support.
“This is a Thursday night prayer meeting in our home,” Haggard said. “What we want to do is be able to tell our schedule and our story and know that we’re covered in prayer. And we want to hear their stories and give them the assurance that they’re covered in prayer as well.”
[…]
Ministers who have worked with Haggard say it is premature for him to launch into ministry.
C. Peter Wagner, who co-founded the World Prayer Center with Haggard, told the Gazette that Haggard should receive approval from apostolic overseers before leading people in prayer and worship.
“My reservation is that he has not followed through completely on apostolic protocol,” Wagner told the Gazette.
Other leaders question whether Haggard has been restored after falling into sexuality immorality. Gary Black, whose Rock the Nation youth ministry was once affiliated with New Life, told the Gazette he was taken aback by the news of the prayer group. “I would be shocked to think he’s ready to lead a church,” he said.
Not only is this moron a gay blade; but he is a rebellious gay blade as well. So typical for the Evangelical Pentecostal whack jobs.
The first polygamist sect member to face criminal trial following last year’s raid at the Yearning For Zion Ranch in West Texas was convicted Thursday of sexually assaulting an underage girl with whom he had a so-called “spiritual marriage.”
Raymond Jessop, 38, didn’t visibly react when the verdict was read after just more than two hours of jury deliberations. Free on bond during trial, he was immediately handcuffed and led to jail. Jurors were expected to return to court Monday to begin deciding his sentence on the child sexual assault conviction. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
One Word — Good. These rat bastards are NOT Christians, they are not even remotely close. Neither are “Regular” Mormons for that matter. There is a reason that they are in Utah, they were chased out of Missouri in 1838 for their wacky beliefs.
Here is hoping that this will be just the start and that the rest of these child molesting pigs will end up behind bars for years to come.
AllahPundit at HotAir is covering as well. I am quite disappointed that the word “Terrorism” is being used. I wish AllahPundit would delete those comments. As we have no idea yet. It sounds planned. But there’s no proof that it is Islamic terrorism at all.
Update #1: Gah! I holler at AP and look what I see on Fox News, never mind…:
“It could be a terror attack, it could be a disenchanted soldiers, it could be a varity of people,” said Maginnis.
Update #4: I’m seeing on Twitter that the death count has been raised to 9. Looking for confirmation. Update: CNN Confirms.
Update #5: MSNBC is reporting now, that four swat team members have been injured.
Update #6: It is being reported by the FBI that terrorism is not involved. FOX Confirms:
The FBI said they don’t believe terrorism was involved.
Although, they are not ruling it out.
Update #7: Killeen Daily Herald is reporting that Scott & White Hospital in Temple, TX is in desperate need for Blog donations. Go give, if you’re close.
Update: Am hearing via Twitter that Fort Hood’s public affairs office says the earlier reports of a third shooter were wrong and were based on a second eyewitness report of the second shooter. Which means everyone’s in custody now.
When I hear this from Fox News, I will believe it.
Update #9: BNO News reports that New Gunshots have been heard. Waiting for Confirmation. (H/T AP) Nothing on the wires, yet. Take that with a grain of salt.
Update #10: Killeen Daily Herald is now reporting that 10 are dead, news conference is now saying 12 Dead 32 Injured. Goodness.
A senior administration official told NBC News analyst Roger Cressey that the suspect who was in custody was an Army major with an Arabic-sounding name. The official said the shootings could have been a criminal matter rather than a terrorism-related attack and that there was no intelligence to suggest a plot against Fort Hood.
Update #12: From the local Fox Affiliate, how it all happened:
According to a spokesman from Fort Hood, a soldier carrying two handguns opened fire at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Soldier Readiness Center.
“It would be an environment that would be very susceptible to casualties or injuries,” Killeen City Manager Connie Green said.
Officials said the gunman was shot and killed after quick response from security officers.
At least two other soldiers were taken into custody.
The suspected gunman was identified by ABC News as Major Malik Nadal Hasan.
The shooter was killed and two other suspects, who are also soldiers, have been apprehended, Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone said.
The gunman used two handguns, Cone said. He wasn’t sure if the shooter reloaded the weapons during the attack.
The general called the attack “a terrible tragedy, stunning.” He said the community was “absolutely devastated.”
Update #14: Fox News is saying that Hasan was “upset” about being deployed to the war. But they have not mentioned his conversation to Islam; why not? Update: They just did. Scratch that.
Update #15: Video of the first presser at Fort Hood: (H/T Gateway Pundit)
I will post the video of the second presser, when it get it.
Update #16: In a statement, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said: (H/T to Think Progress — Yes, I do thank them. This IS NOT about politics, this is about America!)
We condemn this cowardly attack in the strongest terms possible and ask that the perpetrators be punished to the full extent of the law. No religious or political ideology could ever justify or excuse such wanton and indiscriminate violence. The attack was particularly heinous in that it targeted the all-volunteer army that protects our nation. American Muslims stand with our fellow citizens in offering both prayers for the victims and sincere condolences to the families of those killed or injured.
I’m sure we are all shocked: “The suspected gunman was identified as Major Malik Nadal Hasan.” More of the joys of multiculturalism.
Update #18: Think Vox is bad? Go check out the comments over at Socialist Liberal Blog Crooks and Liars….and they say that that liberals don’t hate America….riiiiiiiiiiight. 🙄
Update #19: Ugh, Looks like National Review has dug up a big time nasty comment over at Salon.com:
The Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld nazification of the United States military — turning it into nothing more than a worldwide force for unmotivated aggressive war — leads to the murder of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis/Pakistanis/Afghanis (and many, many more of those to come) — and this clown Benjamin asks why?
Because there were no towelheads around to mass murder, that’s why.
Unreal. 🙄
Update #20: Predictably, The Nation waves the Islamic victim flag. Personally, I do not think the guy is a “Terrorist” in the traditional sense. I think he just did not want to go to war; and he flipped out. But I do know one thing, he is going to either Military Prison or civil prison for a LOOONG time or, seeing that it’s Texas —- He will most likely fry.
Update #21: Fox News and The New York Times are now reporting that according to the Army, the shooter is still alive. That is until he is convicted and sent to the chair for his cowardly actions.
Update #22: The clip has been around a bit, but the Congress observed a moment of silence. I believe that showed class:
Update #24: AllahPundit has much more. I just zonked out last night, I was just wore out from all the horrible news.
Update #25: PamelaGellerhassome good info and, believe it or not Debbie Schlussel does too… Normally I wouldn’t agree with either. But, this is just too much. Needless to say, I am very seriously having to reconsider what I wrote here. Because this is just too much. Because if it is a Religion of peace, why would someone do this sort of a thing? Anyhow, this will be the last update for this posting. I will create a new one, if and when new information comes out.
I am sure that most of you have heard about the newest revelation about the Conservative movement’s newest prissy little hoe.
No, I am not talking about Ann Coulter; although she could most qualify for one as well. After all, she does have experience with F.B.I. agents, or so I am told. Amazing what a woman will do to get out of voter fraud charges.
I am referring to the slutty little darling of the Conservative movement, Carrie Prejean. She sure did play that victim card very well, didn’t she? Went on Hannity and claimed “Them mean ol’ Liberals are picking on me!” Admittedly, Perez Hilton was a bit of an ass, because of what Prejean said. But, there is a bit of an issue here.
The issue is this, Carrie Prejean has outed herself as nothing more than a typical white American Evangelical Christian — a damned hypocrite. Speaking of which; you want to know what the real kicker of this story is? When contacted by the media, Carrie Prejean’s Pastor of the so-called Church that she attends had this to say:
Carrie Prejean’s pastor isn’t willing to give up on his famous fallen beauty queen, after learning she made a graphic, solo sex tape.
Pastor Darren Carrington from The Rock Church in San Diego says, “Everyone is a work in progress,” adding everyone has “something we’re not proud of.”
Wow. Whatever happened to the days of “Being Churched?” Back in the days; when my Mother and Father were her age, and still to this day in most Fundamentalist Churches, If charges like these were brought up — She would have been marched in front of the Church and instructed to publicly repent or she would have been removed from the Church! There was No discipline here, No statement of “we will be having a meeting with Carrie to ask her to explain her behavior”. Just “Live and learn.” Unbelievable. Oh, wait, the Evangelical Church mostly abandoned this practice long ago —– which most likely explains why it is in the condition it is in today. My bad.
The broader point that I am trying to make here is this here. If the Conservative movement is going to ever make any sort of real impression on the rest of America; they are simply going to have to stop embracing people, like Carrie, who have all these inconsistencies in their backgrounds. Further more, they need to stop embracing people, who are not always honest about who they are. The list is long, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, Sarah Palin, Joe the Plumber, Rush Limbaugh, and now — Carrie Prejean.
My biggest issue with this is that Carrie Prejean went out of her way to articulate her so-called “Conservative Christian” beliefs in a secular beauty pageant and because of a liberal blowhard’s meltdown after the pageant; she became the newest persecuted little waif. The problem was that she was not exactly Phyllis Schlafly, when it came to her own personal morals. Which is quite typical of the Christian right and the Conservative movement for the past twenty years or so.
The problem is, and this has been said in the Conservative Blogosphere in some quarters; that the Conservative movement has no real authentic people anymore. Just two-bit hacks and phony people who lie about who they are, and how smart they are. William F. Buckley was an authentic brilliant man, who brought intellect to the Conservative movement. Hannity, Limbaugh, Beck, Coulter and the rest are nothing more than two bit hacks who stumbled and bumbled their way through life and just happened to land jobs that made them what they are today. Because of this, we have the Conservative movement that is in the shape it is today.
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