Boehner Floor Speech on Earmark Reform

Watch as Rep Obey whines and puts his foot in his mouth… again



h/t to Weapons of Mass Discussion

Mr. Wizard, Don Herbert, Dead at 89

When I was a kid there were a few shows that were more than just ‘must-see’, they were friends. One of those shows was Mr. Wizards World.

Mr. Don Herbert, AKA Mr. Wizard has passed away.

From AP
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Don Herbert, who as television's "Mr. Wizard" introduced generations of young viewers to the joys of science, died Tuesday. He was 89. Herbert, who had bone cancer, died at his suburban Bell Canyon home, said his son-in-law, Tom Nikosey.

A statement from the Family:

It is with deep sadness that we regret to announce the passing of Don Herbert - the one and only "Mr. Wizard". Don lost his battle with cancer today, June 12, 2007, at 9 AM Pacific Daylight Time - slightly more than one month shy of his 90th birthday. He was lovingly surrounded by his family, who are at once, saddened by his passing, and relieved that he is no longer suffering.

We all feel extremely lucky to have had him in our lives and to have known and worked with Don over the years. We have also been tremendously honored to carry on his legacy as an original and truly legendary figure in the worlds of both Television and Science Education. He has been inspirational and influential in so many ways and on so many lives and we are comforted in the fact that his ground breaking work and legacy will continue to inspire many more people for years to come.

Thank you so much to all of you for your support and sympathy.

Sincerely, The Family

Mr. Wizard’s genius was in its simplicity. No fancy graphics work, no loud MTV style editing with music and not even a crazy animated host. The show was simply a gentle, patient man explaining science to kids our age in terms we could understand. His wisdom came through and his passion for teaching, even more so than science I think, should serve as a lesson for educators everywhere.

Rep John Boehner Speaks With Bearing Drift Ohio and the SOB

House Minority leader, Representative John Boehner (OH-8) took some time today to speak with a few Ohio Bloggers on a conference call.

He spoke briefly as to what he sees as his role as the Minority leader, namely to earn back control of the Congress, but also he spoke a bit about bringing the GOP back to their roots and values such as limited spending, smaller government and accountability.

Very early in the call, The Minority leader spoke with us about the Democrats rules that will allow for earmarks to go unchallenged and hidden from public scrutiny. Taken from Rep. Boehner’s press release regarding this:

Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) and other House GOP leaders today introduced a resolution that would force the Democratic leadership in the House to restore Republican earmark reforms enacted last year. Democrats, led by Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI), have gutted those earmark reforms this year, refusing to allow members to challenge potentially wasteful spending on the House floor and instead setting up multi-billion dollar slush funds for secret earmarks.

"The earmark process outlined yesterday by Mr. Obey is a sham. Democrats are keeping earmark requests secret until after the House has considered appropriations spending bills, preventing us from debating earmarks on the House floor and subjecting them to scrutiny. They want the House to approve massive slush funds for secret earmarks - billions of dollars for whatever Rep. Obey and his colleagues to spend as they see fit. This isn't transparent. This isn't accountable. It is outrageous, and Republicans are going to fight it on behalf of American taxpayers.“

It is important to understand that there is no better proponent for this since, as he said to us today, "I don’t do earmarks, you know that. Never asked for one. Never got one"

One blogger asked how he might get Democrats to vote for earmark reforms to be re-instated. Rep. Boehner explained that he knows a lot of Democrats would vote for… If it were ALLOWED to be brought to the floor for a vote.

When asked if the Democrats simply were faster to be failures than the Republicans were when they were in control, Rep. Boehner explained that he understands that sentiment and that it is no large leap to understand that the GHOP lost its way around 2006. he said the problem was a focus on power more so than principals re-stating that he sees that bringing the Congressional GOP back to their principals is a primary job for his office.

A few other topics were touch on including the immigration reform ill which he says he does not see coming back and that “President Bush knows how I feel about [that bill]”.

He also spoke a bit about the Democrats deep desire to raise taxes pointing out that there is a $392.5 billion hole in their budget that can only be filled by either cutting spending (ha ha) or raising taxes.

When asked about the possibilities of the democrats putting up a fight for Ohio’s First District (Rep. Steve Chabot), Rep. Boehner was quick to say that he has a lot confidence in Rep. Chabot and that everyone on congress, especially on the left knows how much of a work horse he is and the record that he has made over decades of serving the first.

When asked about Ohio’s Rep. Jean Schmitt (OH-2) and the possibilities of a Republican challenger, Rep. Boehner tried to stay out of that one. He did say that it is up to the voters and, “I hear the buzz… I read the newspapers. Jean’s doing a nice job, but I don’t vote in that district, so…”

Not as supportive, at least that was how I heard it.

I want to thank Representative Boehner for taking the time to talk with us and thank Jessica for arranging it!

Others were on the conference call of course and have some great posts about it inclduing:
-Right on the Right
-Porkopolis
-Viking Spirit
-NixGuy

Ed Gillespie To Lobby For XM/Sirius AND the FCC?

It is all but a done deal that Ed Gillespie will replace outgoing counselor to the President, Dan Bartlett and in my ever obsessed quest to make the connection between politics and XM Satellite radio, I have one question:

How will Ed Gillespie be able to lobby the FCC on behalf of XM/Sirius while serving as council to the branch that runs the FCC?

Quinn Gillespie & Associates LLC should remove themselves from XM/Sirius merger process if Mr. Gillespie is in fact the new Dan Bartlett.

C’Mon Feel The Noise. Obama Rocks The Race Card

We all knew this would happen. You have to get the black vote some how, right? Even African Americans have to play the card to get the vote or at least scare whites into thinking only HE can stop the ‘Quiet Riot’. Ah, a new low.

From AP
HAMPTON, Va. (AP) - Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama said Tuesday that the Bush administration has done nothing to defuse a "quiet riot" among blacks that threatens to erupt just as riots in Los Angeles did 15 years ago.

Stubborn Liberal “Forgets” to Blame Democrats

Stubborn Liberal has a quick bumper sticker post about Americans Dying. Specifically he makes the argument that if a Republican wins, we will be in Iraq for "another ten years" and asks "is that what you want?" Of course not but let's consider two things.

First, what is this ten years theory based on? I know, emotions, not any facts (Par for liberal bloggers) but more important, SL starts the whole post off by pointing out that every democrat in the debate last night wants to pull out. SL says:

I saw a video clip of the Democratic debate from New Hampshire and what I heard was that the Democrats are all for ending the war and the Republicans are in support of keeping the war going.

Of course not allowing comments on his blog (because why would you actually want to have to defend anything you write in the blogosphere?) I will ask the Stubborn, yet obviously uneducated Liberal this:

-Who is in the majority in Congress?
-Who controls funding?
-Who should blame their party first?

We were all told that Dems would "clean up congress (like cutting pet projects? -chuckle-chuckle-)" and that funding would be cut off for the war... MoveOn.org claimed they "owned" the DNC. How is that working out?

Maybe a little less time living in the past blaming the GOP and a little reality check that your party used moderates to win majority, lied to you as to what they would do once in power, and sold you on the idea of blaming the GOP for THEIR lack of leadership. You must be so proud.

Amnesty International’s Hacky Poll Backfires

Amnesty International USA thought it would be cute to have a poll asking, “Who's got the worst human rights record? Darth Vader, Hobgoblin or Dick Cheney?”

Well, I am sure they expected the lemming libs to flock to this, but the joke is on them. Go ahead and vote, then see the current results. At posting time Hobgoblin had 57%, Vader was at 33% and the VP had 10% of the vote.

Bet they didn’t expect it to work out ‘so well.’ Hacks.

What Exactly Happened With O&A at XM?

A lot of people, who know I am such an Opie and Anthony fan and self appointed XM (wanna-be) expert, have been asking me lately to explain what the hell the broo-ha-ha is all about.

Luckily, I found this video that explains it all!

Opie & Anthony Censorship Rooster - Click Here for more great videos and pictures!

Abortion On Demand IS What it is About

Every time we talk about abortion, some liberal who likes to cloud the issue says something like "No one likes abortion, but..." "It is not fair to say people use abortion as some sort of casual birth control..." or my favorite "What about rape and incest?"

Well, this sort of flies in the face of that myth, doesn't it?

“A report on ESPN's Outside the Lines this morning contains news that could generate some major controversy regarding NCAA policies with respect to female athletes. According to the report, some schools have written policies saying any student-athlete who becomes pregnant will lose her athletic scholarship, and that many athletes have abortions because they don't want to lose their scholarships.

“At Clemson, seven athletes told ESPN they had abortions. There are apparently no firm rules governing how colleges or the NCAA deal with pregnant athletes, but many athletes say it's clear to them that if they want to continue to have a scholarship, they can't miss playing time because of a pregnancy. Syracuse forward Fantasia Goodwin played last season while she was seven months pregnant and hid that fact from the team.

h/t One Oar in the Water

Glen Beck and Guests Get It Right

BTW, if Stern Fans think they are immune to the black list, they are nuts.

Hey XM. Cut the crap, grow a set and put Opie and Anthony back on XM202. I am not sure how much longer I will choose to pay for programming I am not getting.


Fairness Doctrine? Possible? Well The Boring Made Dull has more!

Dem Controlled Congress Approval Down to 29%; Bush Approval Steady at 33%

‘nuff said.

Read all about

NOW is Telling You What You Think... Again

In a sad attempt to be relevant, media whore (oh yeah, I said whore) Sonia Ossorio of the NYC National Organization for Woman (NOW) tells the world what the nation thinks. She has taken it upon herself to not only speak for all women, but for the entire nation, including you. She says as much. So go to bed America… Sonia is on the job. She will think for you.

Comedian Patrice O’Neil? Well, he just does what he does best: Exposes the self serving, uppity for what they are.



JOIN NOW! Click the banner for more information

Big Al ‘Media Whore’ Sharpton Goes After O&A

Before this ass goes after Opie and Anthony for comments made by a black, dunk homeless man, on a paid, adult rated satellite radio channel, let us all take a moment and review our notes:

Tawana Brawley controversy
On November 28, 1987, Tawana Brawley, a 15-year-old black girl, was found smeared with feces, lying in a garbage bag, her clothing torn and burned and with various slurs and epithets written on her body in charcoal. Brawley claimed she had been assaulted and ***** by six white men, some of them police officers, in the village of Wappingers Falls, New York.

Attorneys Alton H. Maddox and C. Vernon Mason joined Sharpton in support of Brawley. A grand jury was convened; after seven months of examining police and medical records, the jury determined that Brawley had fabricated her story. Sharpton, Maddox and Mason accused the Dutchess County prosecutor, Steven Pagones, of racism and of being one of the perpetrators of the alleged abduction and ****. The three were successfully sued for slander and ordered to pay $345,000 in damages, the jury finding Sharpton liable for making seven defamatory statements about Pagones, Maddox for two and Mason for one.

Crown Heights Riot
On August 19, 1991, the Crown Heights Riot occurred after a car accident involving the motorcade for the Lubavitcher Rebbe, killing a young boy named Gavin Cato. A riot was sparked after a private Hasidic ambulance came to the scene and, on the orders of a police officer, removed the Hasidic driver from the scene. Gavin and his cousin Angela were picked up soon after by a city ambulance. Caribbean-American and African-American residents of the neighborhood then rioted for four consecutive days fueled by rumors that the private ambulance had refused to treat young Gavin. A visiting rabbinical student from Australia by the name of Yankel Rosenbaum, 29, was killed during the rioting by a mob shouting "Kill the Jew." Sharpton has been seen by some commentators as inflaming tensions with remarks such as "If the Jews want to get it on, tell them to pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house" and referring to Jews as "diamond merchants."

Sharpton marched through Crown Heights and in front of "770", shortly after the riot, with about 400 protesters (who chanted "Whose streets? Our streets!" and "No justice, no peace!"), in spite of Mayor David Dinkins' attempts to keep the march from happening.


Freddie's Fashion Mart
In 1995, Sharpton led a protest in Harlem against the plans of a black Pentecostal Church, the United House of Prayer, which owned the retail property on 125th Street to ask Fred Harari, the Jewish tenant who operated Freddie's Fashion Mart to evict his longtime subtenant, a black record store, The Record Shack. Sharpton told the protesters, "We will not stand by and allow them to move this brother so that some white interloper can expand his business." On 1995-12-08, Roland J. Smith Jr., one of the protesters, entered the store with a gun and flammable liquid, shot several Jewish customers and employees inside the store and burned it down. He killed seven in the store, and himself. Sharpton claimed that the perpetrator was an open critic of himself and his nonviolent tactics. Sharpton later expressed regret for making the racial reference, "white interloper," and denied responsibility for inflaming or provoking the violence.

LoanMax spokesman
In November 2005, Sharpton appeared in advertisements for LoanMax, an automobile title loan company. Sharpton was criticized for appearing in the ads, as LoanMax has been accused of predatory lending charging fees, and for marketing them to primarily poor, urban and African American audiences. The ads featuring Sharpton were run in predominantly African American markets.

On December 7, 2005, he ended his relationship with LoanMax. In a letter to Rod Aycox, LoanMax president and chief executive officer, Sharpton said, "I respectfully, but firmly decline your offer for further engagement on my part, and will not engage in any business relationship to promote auto lending with LoanMax." Sharpton said he had not done the research before agreeing to the commercials.

Duke lacrosse players
In April, 2006, Sharpton went on the public stage calling for the prosecution of three white Duke lacrosse players who had been accused of sexually assaulting an African American woman, Crystal Gail Mangum, who was hired as a stripper at an off-campus party. Sharpton appeared on The O'Reilly Factor, taking the side of the Ms. Mangum and defending prosecutor Michael Nifong, saying "I know this DA is probably not one that is crazy. He would not have proceeded if he did not feel that he could convict. So it tells me that all of what you said is either not true or he has convincing evidence that would certainly knock that out." The accused players were later exonerated in light of evidence that the Ms. Mangum was lying; DA Nifong, was removed from the case and is facing possible disbarment for unethical conduct. Sharpton refuses to apologize.

Response to Don Imus' slur
On April 7, 2007, Sharpton called for the firing of radio host Don Imus. On his morning radio show, Imus in the Morning, the host had referred to the women's basketball team at Rutgers University as "nappy-headed hoes." On April 9, Imus appeared on Sharpton's radio show. Again, Sharpton indicated that Imus should be fired, asking Imus if he was ready to sign his resignation. The following morning, Imus and Sharpton went head to head once again on NBC's Today Show. On April 11, MSNBC dropped its simulcast of the show. On April 12, Imus was fired by CBS, effective immediately. Some, including The Kansas City Star journalist Jason Whitlock, have criticized Sharpton for using the situation "to step on victim platforms and elevate themselves and their agenda" when he should instead be focusing on other issues like the effects of hip-hop culture such as gangsta rap. Whitlock further accused Sharpton and Jesse Jackson of "exploiting [the Rutger's women's basketball team], making [...] the problems much bigger than what they should be." Sharpton has received death threats from angry fans of Don Imus' show, causing him to increase personal security.

Accusations of racism, homophobia, and bigotry
Many conservative and liberal commentators have accused Sharpton of being racist and homophobic. Sharpton was quoted as saying to an audience at Kean College in 1994 that, “White folks was in caves while we was building empires ... We taught philosophy and astrology and mathematics before Socrates and them Greek homos ever got around to it.” Sharpton defended his comments by noting that the term “homo” was not homophobic but added that he no longer uses the term. Sharpton's defenders have said that the the quote is often used out of context to undermine Sharpton's image. Sharpton has since called for an end to perceived homophobia in the African-American community. On May 8th, 2007 Sharpton was accused of bigotry in his remarks against presidential candidate Mitt Romney's religion (Mormon). Sharpton said:

"As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that; that's a temporary situation."

Romney's spokesperson told the papers, "America is a nation of many faiths and common values, and bigotry toward anyone because of their beliefs is unacceptable." On May 9th, 2007, Al Sharpton appeared on Paula Zahn NOW on CNN and stated that his views on Mormonism were based on their traditionally racist views regarding blacks and the so-called "Curse of Ham". However the Catholic League (!), is calling for the end of Sharpton's career in regards these remarks . Al Sharpton recently appeared on the Glenn Beck Television program to discuss his comments about Moronism. Glenn Beck a professed Mormon wanted Al Sharpton to explain his apparent bigotted statements about Mormonism. During the program Al Sharpton said he plans on visiting some of the Mormon leaders to learn more about the religion and apologized for any Mormon's he may have hurt by his comments.

Ok, now go ahead and listen to what this ass**** has to say. (BTW my sources tell me that XM has refused Al’s request for a meeting between XM execs and his bully-ness)

Sharpton’s Glass House At Risk

The irony of this bigoted statement about Mitt Romney is that he has one less national radio show to go on and apologize. Hell, from what I understand, NO radio show will have him.

"As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that; that's a temporary situation," Sharpton said Monday during a debate with Hitchens at the New York Public Library's Beaux-Arts headquarters.

How many times does Sharpton have to do and say things like this before his credibility and his marching card is pulled?

CNN Reporters Actually Say Troop Pull Out is Bad?!?!

CNN is one that leans so far left they walk in circles. Not even the addition of Chetry to the Morning slot can help that fact (Some time I will share my 'feelings' about the former host, Soledad O'Brien... ugh)

Below is some video that amazed me. Still The Clinton News Network, but listen to what they had to say!

h/t to State of the Union

What is Bearing Drift Ohio About?

I have noticed some new readers. First off, welcome. Second, let me be upfront in telling you that this is a work in progress. You might notice I declare this a Conservative blog, and it is, but I am moving this blog from being all political and more towards a general place for issues including politics, but also sports, pop culture, music, local businesses, etc.

Until I find that flow, this will be about a guy who grew up in Ohio, specifically Cincinnati as a young child and then Worthington, went to Miami, then left Ohio for almost ten years before returning home. A lot of things have changed, some things have not.

So please, give Bearing Drift Ohio a chance. Maybe you will learn something about Ohio through my returning point of view, and maybe you might be entertained. Hell, occasionally you will be outraged, may laugh, or you may want to drink heavily. Just ask my friends at the original Bearing Drift in Virginia what they have had to endure.

Thanks for reading and help me spread the word about Bearing Drift Ohio.

For more about the Bearing Drift network of blogs, please visit the original Bearing Drift.

The Squeaky Wheel Back in Ohio: Impressions

I have been 'home' in Columbus, Ohio now for two weeks. I say 'home' because in the ten years I have been gone, a lot has changed. Where many farms used to grow crops, houses and shopping centers have grown. Places in the Downtown area that I dared not drive to in the past are now the nightly hot spots and places of commerce during the day. A town once obsessed with being Cincinnati and Cleveland’s little brother has grown up to be, what I believe, is the greatest city in Ohio, if not the Midwest, to work and live.

The housing market here is in bad shape. however. There is an abundance of housing available and at a reasonable price (especially compared to the Hampton Roads, VA area) but since there is so much housing available, the market time is amazing. Yesterday I looked at four houses alone that were perfectly fine, in good neighborhoods, that have been on the market from seven to twelve months. Amazing. I will purchase a house to move into once our house in VA Beach sells. Is anyone looking for a great four-bedroom in VA Beach?

As for work, that is great. The firm I work for is amazing and I know in my heart I made the right choice taking this position and leaving Virginia. I left behind friends but have reconnected with so many in Ohio to say nothing of the family I have here.

I know I have not posted in awhile, and between the new job and looking for a house (While trying to sell one in Virginia) I have been busy. Stick with me. I will get better at timely and insightful commentary, but please understand that I need to get settled before I do my best work.

The Squeaky Wheel is Coming Home

Last week I teased that I had a ‘Major Announcement' to make. In light of the tragic events this week at Virginia Tech I decided that it would be inappropriate to do some big deal but I do have something to announce.

After living in Virginia for over seven years, I have accepted a new position in my native Columbus, Ohio and will be leaving Virginia Beach this Sunday. Today will be the last day that I blog from Virginia.

Does this mean that I am done with Bearing Drift or Blogging? No. Today I am pleased to announce that I will be managing and posting on Bearing Drift Ohio. I will continue to contribute over on Bearing Drift but my focus will be national issues on Bearing Drift and issues that concern my original home state of Ohio at Bearing Drift Ohio

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jim. Jim has been an amazing friend and partner not only in blogging but in regards personal and professional issues. No one has been more supportive of my decision to return 'home' than Jim. His passion for politics is infectious and inspiring and I have learned so much from him.

Thank you Jim for letting me ride this amazing wave that is Bearing Drift. I have met some amazing people in politics and in the Blogosphere because of you. Thank you!

I would also like to thank Del. Sal Iaquinto for his support, being my first pod cast and for always being a supporter of Blogs.

Additionally I would like to thank Del. Terrie Suit for her support and for the opportunity to meet her as well.

Some other people I would like to thank for their support of me and Bearing Drift are the Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Attorney General Bob McDonnell, Councilman Bob Dyer, and Congresswoman Thelma Drake.

I would be remiss if I did not thank fellow bloggers who were amazing in their support and friendship including fellow Drifters as well as Ms. Vivian Paige, Scott from Scott’s Morning Brew, Kilo, Grumpy, The Mason Conservative, Dave from BNN, and even Waldo and Ben Additionally thanks to Ryan from Orbitcast and the fine folks at VARTV.com.

This is not the end of an era, but a beginning. Jim and I have discussed this for some time and we are excited about the opportunity to expand Bearing Drift to the Midwest. Without a doubt the Blogosphere is strong, if not strongest in Virginia. I can only hope that I am able to bring the same success and level of discussion to Ohio with Bearing Drift Ohio.

Please excuse me if there is anyone I have forgotten to thank. The great thing about blogging is the enormous amount of folks one gets to interact with so I apologize if I have forgotten anyone.

Some I am sure, are applauding right now, but I hope the majority of you have enjoyed some of my work. My intent has always been to encourage discussion, make people think, sometimes enrage others to act but always, always to entertain. Sometimes we take ourselves to seriously (Including myself) so I hope that I have at times been able to bring a sense of humor, if not a certain level of cringe, to the Virginia Blogosphere.

In closing I will leave all of you with my new favorite quote that comes from the Virginia Tech Convocation that has become my new mantra:

We are better than we think
and not quite what we want to be.

You Missed Lunch With The Squeaky Wheel?

Missed the show? What the hell is wrong with you?!?!? Well, you are in luck. You can listen to the recording in the archive section here.

Simply scroll to the ARCHIVES and listen to the latest show or click here.

Lunch With The Squeaky Wheel This Wednesday

This Wednesday, March 21st at 11:30 a.m. join me live for lunch on Blog Talk Radio. Starting at 11:30 a.m. you can call (718) 664-9811 as we talk about sports, entertainment, pop culture, the weather or tell me about the guy who cut you off on your way to work.

Just grab something to eat, click on the image below and join me. This will not be a political show so relax and enjoy some good company while we eat and talk about whatever is on your mind.

Have a topic suggestion? Leave a comment and we will talk about it.

Remember, lunch starts at 11:30 a.m. this Wednesday, March 21st. See you then.