President Obama Misleads Public on Major Energy & Environmental Issues

Well now here's a real shocker... The Administration has been misleading the public to push their agenda!

From National Center for Policy Analysis --

It is no surprise that a federal appeals court refused to reinstate the Obama Administration's deepwater drilling moratorium, since the scientist cited in support of the moratorium actually rejected the policy, according to NCPA Senior Fellow, H. Sterling Burnett.

"The Obama Administration claimed that the moratorium followed the findings of a scientific advisory panel," Burnett said. "However, it was revealed that a majority of the panel members had recommended against the moratorium, arguing that the potential harms from a moratorium outweighed the risks of continued drilling."

"President Obama has strayed far from his promises made both as a Presidential candidate and as president, especially in the area of energy and environmental policy," Burnett continued. "The president claimed that his actions would be transparent and follow the science, yet on issue after issue, he has ignored the science and flouted the law."

For President Obama, the law presents no limit to his authority, Burnett noted. Three recent actions by the administration highlight this tendency to place Presidential authority above the law. First, the Obama Administration had the department of energy discontinue the plans to build the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. Second, the administration unilaterally placed a moratorium on new offshore oil exploration and production. And third, the EPA withdrew its approval of Texas' clean air flexible permitting system.

"In each of the three cases, the Obama Administration claimed to be following the science and acting to protect the environment, yet nothing could be further from the truth," Burnett said. "Fortunately, a backlash has begun with the courts, administrative panels, as well as state governments challenging the Obama Administrations legally and scientifically questionable actions."

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals seems to understand the profound harm an offshore drilling moratorium would impose to the economy when they rejected the moratorium, Burnett said. In addition, a regulatory panel ruled that the administration violated the law when it withdrew the Yucca Mountain permit without legislative approval.

"Two wrongs don't make a right, and since there is no evidence that offshore operators routinely make the same errors in judgment, the rig workers, the workers in ancillary fields and the public as a whole should not be faced with collective punishment in order to satisfy the anti-energy appetites of environmentalists and their allies in the administration."

Lacking votes on Energy Bill Democrats take a step back

Our sources tell us the Harry Reid is behind closed doors writing his own version of an energy bill and will force to have it passed before they go on August recess. There is a possibility he will be coming out with it this Monday.

Stay tuned -- if he does we will be all over it!

From the Washington Post --

Conceding that they can't find enough votes for the legislation, Senate Democrats on Thursday abandoned efforts to put together a comprehensive energy bill that would seek to curb greenhouse gas emissions, delivering a potentially fatal blow to a proposal the party has long touted and President Obama campaigned on.

Instead, Democrats will push for a more limited measure that would seek to increase liability costs that oil companies would pay following spills such as the one in the Gulf of Mexico. It also would create additional incentives for the development of natural gas vehicles and would provide rebates for products that reduce home energy use. Senate Democrats said they expected to find GOP support for the bill and pass it in the next two weeks.

Democrats have not ruled out pushing for a more extensive measure when Congress returns from its August recess or in the session after the November midterm elections, although it's not clear that any of the Democrats or Republicans who now oppose a more expansive measure would change their minds. Republicans have long argued that the bill, by seeking to limit emissions, would lead to higher energy costs,
a view that some conservative Democrats have also taken.

The decision to abandon the proposal was another concession to the difficult political environment that party leaders face, as many rank-and-file congressional Democrats are wary of casting any votes that could be used in Republican attacks. More...

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services proposes Fee Waiver on Immigration Benefits

From the USCIS --

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed for the first time a standardized fee waiver form in an effort to provide relief for financially disadvantaged individuals seeking immigration benefits. USCIS has published a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment on the proposed form – Form I-912, Request for Individual Fee Waiver.

The proposed fee waiver form is the product of extensive collaboration with the public. In meetings with stakeholders, USCIS heard concerns that the absence of a standardized fee waiver form led to confusion about the criteria that had to be met as well as the adjudication standards. USCIS worked with stakeholders in developing the fee waiver form that is now posted for comment.

“Our goal is to bring clarity and consistency to our processes,” said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. “We are doing so now in the critical area of providing the financially disadvantaged with access to immigration benefits.”

Mayorkas further stated that the method by which the proposed fee waiver form was devised – through extensive collaboration with the public – will be a hallmark of his approach to improving agency processes.

Currently, applicants requesting a fee waiver must do so by submitting an affidavit or unsworn declaration requesting a fee waiver and stating the reasons why he/she is unable to pay the filing fee. The new proposed fee waiver form is designed to verify that an applicant for an immigration benefit is unable to pay the fee for the benefit sought. The proposed form provides clear criteria and an efficient way to collect and process the information. The public is encouraged to comment on the proposed fee waiver form at www.regulations.gov. The comment period closed on September 13, 2010.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, visit www.uscis.gov.

Who is their Leader & Why should we Care about CAIR?

The other day we posted on how the anti-American group, the Council for Arab Islamic Relations (CAIR) has come out in support of the NAACP Resolution condemning the Tea Party movement as racist.

We now want to give you a little more information on this group and who their leader is.

CAIR was named unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism finance trial, which resulted in guilty verdicts on all 108 counts against the defendants. During the trial, FBI Agent Lara Burns testified that CAIR was a front for HAMAS. As a result of the substantial evidence presented during the trial tying CAIR to the international Islamic terrorist network, the FBI recently cut its ties to CAIR, as has the Columbus Police Department and Police Academy. (H/T COAT)

(Side Note: The American Criminal Liberties Union (ACLU) has recently issued a sympathetic report claiming CAIR was smeared in the Holy Land case. Here is a link to the report.

You can click here for a 2006 video montage & click here for a bibliography highlighting CAIR's activities and why every American citizen should be very concerned about them. As you read the articles and/or watch the video, please keep in mind that the NAACP feels there is nothing wrong with CAIR, but with the Tea Party movement. We would ask you draw your own conclusion about CAIR.

CAIR has a long history of not only supporting terrorist groups but of being blatantly anti-American. After the Fort Hood attacks a fire brand cleric associated with CAIR, Zaid Shakir, not only applauded the attacks on our soldiers, but called for attacks on Fort Bragg...

A Council on American-Islamic Relations adviser and regular speaker at its events has suggested Islamic law permits Muslims to attack C-130 military transport planes carrying the 82nd Airborne out of Fort Bragg, N.C., according to a stunning new book exposing Washington-based CAIR's inner workings.

Acceptable targets of jihad, he says, include U.S. military aircraft.

"Islam doesn't permit us to hijack airplanes filled with civilian people," Shakir once told a Muslim audience. However, "If you hijack an airplane filled with the 82nd Airborne, that's something else." (WND)

Shakir has also stated that, "if there is a benefit, civilians are a legitimate target."

Before we go on to who is the current leader of CAIR we would like to note the NAACP has sat silent on CAIR calling for attacks on U.S. military bases & killing of U.S. citizens but felt compelled to condemn the whole Tea Party movement as racist over a small handful of tasteless signs.

And who is the lead man at CAIR? Buckle up & hold your Gadsden Flags tight my fellow Tea Party & 9.12 Sparky's -- it is a State Senator from North Carolina! Yes, you read that right -- a State Senator from North Carolina! And yes, that would be the same North Carolina where Fort Bragg is located.

The current Chairman for CAIR is NC State Senator Larry Fisher. Fisher is also chairman of the Transportation Committee, vice-chairman of the Finance Committee and was a former NC House member.

After serving on Cair's national board for three years and being elected the new Chairman in March 2009, Fisher offered up this completely ridiculous propaganda piece....

“CAIR exists to uphold the right to liberty that Americans are guaranteed under the Constitution. We will challenge any attempts to erode constitutionally-protected liberties. We will also continue to work to ensure that American Muslims play a positive and productive role in our society.

“In carrying out our mission of promoting justice and mutual understanding, we honor and will continue to learn from groups who have faced similar challenges, including African-Americans, Asian-Americans and many others.

“CAIR embraces the cultural and religious pluralism that is a hallmark of America and repudiates any misuse of Islam to falsely justify violence or intolerance. “We look forward to partnering with the Obama administration to help defend civil liberties and to project to the world the best of our nation’s universal, constitutional and pluralistic values of freedom and justice.” (Muslim Media Network)

That CAIR repudiates any misuse of Islam for justifying violence and is working for pluralistic values of freedom and justice is not propaganda -- but a flat out LIE!

Can it get more disturbing? You betcha!

Fisher appears to be accurate in stating that CAIR will be partnering with the Obama Administration. Earlier this year, after the FBI has severed all ties with CAIR, Attorney General Eric Holder spoke at an event sponsored by a group affiliated with CAIR.

Given Fisher's long time ties with CAIR and his unabated support for this extremist Muslim group, the FBI severing ties with them over extremist behavior and, federal prosecutors having confirmed these suspicions as true -- one must ask and demand answers to the following questions....

• "How can a sitting State Senator legally & morally be the Chairman of a group that espouses attacks on U.S. bases, soldiers and our citizens as justifiable 'jihad'?"

• "How can & why would, the 'Top Cop' of the United States, AG Holder, speak at CAIR sponsored events and continue having a friendly relationship with a group that espouses attacks on U.S. bases, soldiers and our citizens as justifiable 'jihad'?"

• "How can the NAACP, using any sound judgement, associate with this type of anti-American group?"

I believe Jeff Foxworthy said it best.... "Here's yer sign!"

NAACP, CAIR & the Tea Parties

Over the past week many of us have heard or read about how the NAACP has passed a resolution to be adopted as policy by their Board of Directors in October. The basis of this resolution stems from the alleged actions of a few, a small handful of signs at rallies and what they, the NAACP, perceive as a racist element within the Tea Party movement as a whole.

I believe to date the NAACP has refused to release the entire context of the Resolution, but in part here is a statement from their website....

Missouri Representative Emmanuel Cleaver was spat on during the incident, and so it was particularly appropriate that the resolution was passed as NAACP delegates gathered in Kansas City for our 101st Annual Convention.

The proposed resolution had generated controversy on conservative blogs, where in some cases the language has been misconstrued to imply that the NAACP was condemning the entire Tea Party movement itself as racist. (NAACP)

While the above statement may claim the NAACP is not trying to paint the Tea Party movement itself as racist with a broad brush stroke over the actions of a few -- their intent is clear and the hypocrisy abounds.

The Tea Party Patriots have denounced any racist elements in the Tea Party and is one of the reasons the TPP disassociated itself from the Tea Party Express and their leader Mark Williams early last year.

That being said, we would respectfully request the NAACP to renounce the racist elements from within their own group and groups they associate with. To date, they have refused to do so....

When Kenneth Gladney, a black conservative activist was brutally beaten by SEIU thugs at a protest outside of Rep. Russ Carnahan’s (D-Mo.) office, the NAACP and the liberal left refused to intervene. To the contrary, at an NAACP press conference in St. Louis in May, Gladney was referred to as a “Negro,” an “Uncle Tom,” and someone not worthy of the protection of the NAACP, because he’s working for the “other side.”

The NAACP has defended the thugs who beat Gladney. At the press conference, money was raised for the defense of the “brothers.” (Politico)

With this, we would request the NAACP issue an apology for their racist comments directed at to Mr. Gladney and furthermore, publicly denounce and pass a resolution against the SEIU for executing this thug-like violence against a person exercising his right to free speech.

In addition, we would also request the NAACP to publicly denounce and pass a resolution against the admitted club-wielding Black Panthers using a concerted campaign of intimidation tactics at voting booths and their claims that "white" babies need to be killed. The NAACP should need no reminder of the Civil Rights battles waged against these very type of intimidation tactics used against a person's right to vote. To date, the NAACP has refused to condemn the aforementioned actions and statements of the Black Panthers group.

Even more alarming than the NAACP's silence on the above incidents, is the fact that the NAACP has aligned itself with the Council for Islamic Arab Relations (CAIR). CAIR has recently come out in support of the NAACP resolution against the Tea Party movement with the following statement....

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) echoed concerns by delegates at the annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People that the Tea Party has failed to repudiate elements within the movement who use racist or bigoted language.

"If the Tea Party wishes to be taken seriously by mainstream Americans, it must repudiate all those who express or promote extremist, racist or bigoted views while claiming to be affiliated with the movement," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. (CAIR)

We would respond, if the NAACP wishes to be taken seriously as an American Institution "dedicated to ensuring the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights for all, and to eliminate radical hatred and racial discrimination" as claimed in their mission statement, that they publicly denounce and pass a resolution condemning CAIR for the radical and extremist views espoused by this anti-American group.

Claiming to be a Muslim civil rights organization CAIR has shown through promoting speakers making racist statements such as – ”down with the Jews, descendants of the apes” – and their active support and defense of known terrorist groups they are anything but.

As the NAACP has taken issue and concentrated on the content of a few signs at Tea Parties, one would also like to believe, in attempts to maintain any integrity on their part, the NAACP would also take issue with a racist & anti -American group such as CAIR who has encouraged attacks on U.S. citizens & U.S. Army bases here in the States...

A Council on American-Islamic Relations adviser and regular speaker at its events has suggested Islamic law permits Muslims to attack C-130 military transport planes carrying the 82nd Airborne out of Fort Bragg, N.C., according to a stunning new book exposing Washington-based CAIR's inner workings.

Acceptable targets of jihad, he says, include U.S. military aircraft.

"Islam doesn't permit us to hijack airplanes filled with civilian people," Shakir once told a Muslim audience. However, "If you hijack an airplane filled with the 82nd Airborne, that's something else." (WND)

Viewed as a moderate by many in the MSM, Shakir recently stated in an interview with the New York Times highlighting his pro-jihad book, Muslim Mafia, that he believes the United States should, "become a 'Muslim country' ruled by Islamic law" and that, "if there is a benefit, civilians are a legitimate target."

Responding to an inquiry by Senator John Kyl (R-AZ) of the FBI's relationship with CAIR, FBI Congressional liaison Richard Powers wrote....

“Until we can resolve whether there continues to be a connection between CAIR or its executives and HAMAS, the FBI does not view CAIR as an appropriate liaison partner....” (Politico)

Federal prosecutors have also stated & confirmed that CAIR is a front group for Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood and has ties to groups involved in financing of other terrorist groups....

• CAIR was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the nation's largest successful terror funding prosecution, U.S. vs. Holy Land Foundation.

• One of those convicted in this prosecution was Ghassan Elashi, the founder of the Texas chapter of CAIR.

• Numerous CAIR officials have been convicted on terror related charges.

• CAIR does not believe that Hamas is a terrorist entity, though it has been so designated by the Dept. of State for 14 years.

• The DC office of CAIR was originally funded by a $5,000 wire transfer from the Hamas funder Holy Land Foundation.

• The Dept. of Justice is refusing to have any further dealing with the organization, knowing its terror friendliness. (Militant Islam Monitor)

One could easily come to the conclusion that the continued actions of CAIR by far outweigh the showing of some racist signs by a small fringe who may support the Tea Party movement.

As many in the Tea Party movement have denounced the racist signs & any fringe element, the NAACP, as a way of both groups moving forward with constructive dialog, should denounce the same from within their group and those they associate with if their Resolution condemning the Tea Party movement is NOT just a political ploy and a playing of the 'race card' with a marked deck.

Rob Portman Endorsed by Buckeye Firearms for U.S. Senate

From Buckeye Firearms --

Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) is pleased to announce our endorsement of Rob Portman for United States Senate in the 2010 general election.

Portman previously served as a Congressman from the Ohio Second District, Director of the federal Office of Management and Budget, and also as Trade Director. His record on Second Amendment issues is solid.

Portman voted for the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" (HR 1036) to prevent lawsuits against firearms manufacturers. He voted against the "Regulation of Semi-Automatic Assault Weapons" (NR 4296) – the so-called assault weapons ban. He later voted to sunset the assault weapon ban. Early in his career (1993) he voted against the Brady Handgun Bill (HR 1025). The Portman record stands solid for gun owners and is in stark contrast to opponent Lee Fisher's life-long pursuit of gun control, plus Fisher's service on the Board of Brady Campaign (Handgun Control
Inc).

Additionally Portman has a personal involvement with firearms and hunting. Both have been passed down in his family.

"I heard Portman speak on this subject when he addressed the 2008 annual convention of the League of Ohio Sportsmen," said Buckeye Firearms Association Region Leader and outdoor writer Larry S. Moore. "Portman said, 'I have been an avid outdoorsman my entire life, I'm a lifelong hunter and fisherman, and a guy who believes I have a right to use firearms responsibly. As you may know, the NRA looked at all the votes I made during my 12 years in Congress regarding the Second Amendment, and gave me an A rating."

In 2008 Portman called for overhauling the Pittman-Robertson tax process and the way the firearms manufacturers must pay the tax.

Portman explained, "We need to do everything possible to ensure that these self-imposed taxes are administered in a manner that is sustainable and is fair. We need to replace the biweekly reporting requirement with a quarterly schedule that is consistent with other estimated tax payments. If elected, I will be working with a bipartisan group in Congress that shares my interest in removing this burdensome and unnecessary requirement."

While not a result of Portman's statement, the Firearms Fairness and Affordability Act of 2010 (S. 632) and House companion bill Firearms Excise Tax Improvement Act (HR 5552) are in now the U.S. Senate. This demonstrates Portman's understanding of a variety of firearms issues. It clearly shows that Portman is willing to go to bat for gun owners and firearms manufacturers.

Ohio's gun owners need Rob Portman in the United States Senate. Not only is Portman the clearly superior choice over anti-gun Lee Fisher, the Senate will play a key role in any gun legislation. Gun owners need a clear pro-gun majority in the Senate and Portman is one key to that goal.

Additionally, should the current administration attend to ratify any United Nations treaties dealing with international gun control, the Senate must ratify any treaty. A pro-gun majority is critical to protecting our gun rights and the United States Constitution.

Ohioans, and all Americans, need Rob Portman as our next U.S. Senator.

Tea Party Patriots Offer Democrats Advice to Halt Free Fall in Polls and Public Support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Randy Lewis

July 14, 2010

Not passing legislation that Americans oppose is key to gaining support

Washington - Tea Party Patriots, the nation's largest Tea Party organization with more than 2,000 affiliates, today offered the President and the Democratic Party advice on how they can halt their well-documented free-fall in national public opinion polls.

"The Tea Party is growing and our candidates are winning primary contests across the country," said Mark Meckler, Co-Founder and National Coordinator of Tea Party Patriots. "All the Democrats need to do is listen to the American people about their concerns, and embrace the core values of the Tea Party Patriots."

The Core Values of Tea Party Patriots are:

• Fiscal Responsibility
• Constitutionally Limited Government
• Free Markets

"It's not too late for struggling candidates to reverse their fortunes," said Jenny Beth Martin, Co-Founder and National Coordinator of Tea Party Patriots. "It can be done with just a few simple policy changes that are widely supported by the American people."

Meckler and Martin recommend that Democrats immediately:

Suspend stimulus spending and return the unspent money to the Federal Treasury. The stimulus is not working, in fact, it may be hurting. A better policy would involve lowering taxes and adopting other policies that support private sector hiring and spending. These are well-known job creators that stimulate the economy and prosperity.

Repeal ObamaCare. The American people hate this program. They have figured out that the president didn't tell the truth about people being able to keep their insurance and their doctors. And, they don't want giant government programs with thousands of new bureaucrats dictating their treatments. This program is killing the Democratic Party, and the sooner they ditch it the sooner they can get back into the good graces of the American people. More important, repealing it will save the United States from bankruptcy because ObamaCare is a financial train wreck!

Drop the Arizona lawsuit. Democratic governors met with the President this past week and told him that his lawsuit against Arizona was "toxic." The Democratic governors are right. Arizona is trying to protect its people from violent drug criminals that are invading Arizona across a border that Democrats refuse to patrol and seal. Why should the people of Arizona risk their lives so the President can build the Democratic Party with more illegal voters?

We are confident that the Democratic Party can "feel the love" of the American people once again. All they need to do is quit passing legislation that destroys our economy, grows government and strips the American people of their liberty and freedoms. "It really is just that simple," said Meckler.

Tea Party Patriots is a national grassroots coalition with more than 2,000 locally organized chapters and more than 15 million supporters nationwide. Tea Party Patriots is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting the principles of fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government, and free markets.

Visit Tea Party Patriots online at www.TeaPartyPatriots.org.