Hillbilly Report

Barack Obama, The World Is Watching!

The Healthcare debate will reveal to the world Barack Obama's strengths and weaknesses and world leaders are watching closely. World leaders and people like Kim Jong-il, the North Korean dictator will know Barack Obama much better when all of the Healthcare debate is over and done with. World leaders will see him as a unflappable leader with principles or a leader that will fold with minimal resistance. World leaders will see him as a man willing to stand up and fight for what he believes or a man that that can be manipulated with little effort and or outside pressure. World leaders will see him as a man of empty words or a man of deeds. Yes the Healthcare debate will reveal  Barack Obama and the world is watching!

Obama Appoints A Right Wing Neo Con To The Consumer Product Safety Commission

Many of us worked our rear ends of to get rid of Right Wing Neocon Congress Woman Anne Northup and replace her with John Yarmuth, a progressive Democrat. Now the Obama administration is rewarding our efforts by appointing her to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. It seems the Obama administration would rather listen to Senator Mitch McConnell than the folks that got Anne Northup kicked out of office.

The Courier Journal
Northup will pull up a chair Wednesday in Room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building and tell the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee about her hopes for her new job as a member of the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission, should she be confirmed.
It was McConnell who wrote to the Obama administration, recommending Northup for the post. The agency is governed by three Democrats and two Republicans, there was a Republican opening to be picked by the Senate GOP leader, and McConnell saw his chance — and Northup's.
We were unable at week's end to determine whether the Senate committee intends to vote on Northup before Congress leaves Washington for its summer recess Friday. But panel spokeswoman Jena Longo pointed out that the money for Northup's post kicks in on Aug. 14 — a week after lawmakers head for the hills.

Liz Hitchcock of U.S. PIRG seemed to be pleased about this even though she wasn't familiar with Anne Northup. Really Liz!

The Courier Journal
Liz Hitchcock, public health advocate for the consumer group U.S. PIRG, said she was not familiar with Northup but was pleased that the administration will soon have a full and expanded commission.
Hitchcock worked on the bipartisan legislation enacted by Congress last year that enlarged the commission to five members, from three, and gave it new powers.
“We are optimistic that the new commission will take that responsibility and really use it to its fullest to protect American consumers,” she said.

Liz Hitchcock your credibility and the credibility of U.S. PIRG no longer exist as far as I'm concerned!
For those that think Anne Northup is good for this job, take the time to look at her record.
Contact the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and let them know how you feel.

Shoot The Ball Mr. President We Need A Win.

James Pence Videos
In 2008 we went to the polls in record numbers to vote for change, real change and we won. We elected you Mr. President and you promised real change in Health Care and real change for our gay brothers and sisters, but now it seems you are desperately seeking bipartisanship with Anti Gay and Anti Health Care reform folks like Senator John Ensign. Mr. President sir you may call this bipartisanship, but many of us see it as a lack of intestinal fortitude.
In 1993 the Chicago Bulls were playing the Cleveland Cavaliers and Michael Jordan hit a last second fade away from the right side of the foul line at the buzzer to win the game and sent the Chicago Bulls to the Eastern Conference finals for the fifth straight time. We all know what happened after that. But what if Michael Jordan didn't shoot the ball and held it hoping for bipartisanship and allowed the clock to run out?

Barack Obama's Weekly Address Video June 6, 2009 Video

The President makes clear that as Congress works through health care reform legislation, it must include fundamental changes that lower costs, ensure Americans have choices, and establish access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. “But what we can’t welcome,” the President says, “is reform that just invests more money in the status quo – reform that throws good money after bad habits.”

Weekly Address: President Obama Calls for Real Health Care Reform from White House on Vimeo.

Roundup

James Pence Videos

Suspects In NY Synagogue Plot To Be Held In Jail
Rueters
WHITE PLAINS, New York (Reuters) - Four Muslim men suspected of a plot to blow up two New York synagogues and shoot down military planes were ordered to remain in jail on Thursday in what police called homegrown terrorism.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Smith ordered James Cromitie, 55, to remain in jail along with David Williams, 28, Onta Williams, 32, and Haitian citizen Laguerre Payen, 27. Read more.

Obama And Cheney's Remarks On Terrorism
Los Angles Times
President Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney both addressed the war on terrorism in remarks delivered Thursday in Washington. Obama spoke at the National Archives, Cheney at the American Enterprise Institute. Some brief excerpts:
On the Constitution:
Obama: I took an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution as commander in chief, and as a citizen, I know that we must never -- ever -- turn our back on its enduring principles for expedience sake.
I make this claim not simply as a matter of idealism. We uphold our most cherished values not only because doing so is right, but because it strengthens our country and keeps us safe.
Cheney: Torture was never permitted. And the methods were given careful legal review before they were approved. Interrogators had authoritative guidance on the line between toughness and torture, and they knew to stay on the right side of it. Read More.

Dems Block Bishop Move to Investigate Nancy Pelosi
Salt Lake Tribune
 Washington  » House Democrats batted down an attempt by Utah Rep. Rob Bishop on Thursday to create a committee to investigate Speaker Nancy Pelosi's claim that the CIA lied to her about waterboarding terror suspects in 2002.
The move by the Utah Republican is the latest turn in a growing political spat over Pelosi's knowledge about what former President George W. Bush called "enhanced interrogation techniques" and what President Barack Obama considers "torture." Read more.

Steven Green Gets Life Without Parole
CNN
PADUCAH, Kentucky (CNN) -- Jurors on Thursday told a judge they could not reach a decision on whether a former U.S. soldier should be sentenced to death for war crimes -- including rape and murder -- he committed in Iraq.
The lack of a unanimous decision means Steven Green will be sentenced to life in prison without parole, according to instructions given to jurors as they began deliberations on the sentence Wednesday. Read more.

Obama Rocks Them At The White House Correspondent's Dinner. Video

James Pence Videos

Rural Progressive Round Up April 28, 2009

James Pence Videos

Rural Progressive Round Up

Mountaintop Removal Refuse Fight Still Raging In Appalachia
The Obama administration is set to ask the courts to overturn an 11th hour Bush policy change that now allows the dumping of surface mining refuse 100ft near streams.
Governor Steve Beshear, Attorney General Jack Conway, Congressman John Yarmuth and Congressman Ben Chandler has sent protest letters to the EPA asking them to reject Bush's policy change a few months ago.
Right or wrong; that organized protest backfired as dozens of Kentucky Coal County Legislators protested the protest. The political fallout in the coal fields is still evolving. We may not know how bad it really is for a few months.
My sources tell me...
There's More...

Conservatives for Patients Rights Leader Brings Legacy of Fraud
Over here in Paducah, Kentucky we have some ultra-Conservative media. The Paxton Media Group owns several Western Kentucky newspapers including the Paducah Sun and they have their own little radio station that they allow propoganda masters such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Laura Ingram to spew forth their venomous talking points. Lately, I have heard radio commercials from a group called "Conservatives for Patients Rights" running ads against the 50 million people who have no health insurance.  
There's More...

Torture Debate Quite Troubling
It has been clear for a long time that under the Bush Administration torture was widely accepted and used. While this fact is troubling in itself, what is really disappointing is that some people seem determined to defend it. Whether by partisan hackery, or just sheer ignorance some people refuse to admit the plain and simple fact.
There's More...