Dangers of Genetically Modified Food

Posted on by

Genetically Modified

October Marks Non-GMO Month

American’s are no longer comfortable just trusting a company about what they put in their mouths. We are becoming more informed consumers. No longer do we get in our cars, close our garage doors, and drive to the store to blindly buy whatever they are selling. As we learn more about preservatives, agricultural practices, and how those things negatively impact both our bodies and our planet, many are being more conscious of what they put in their mouths. October marks Non-GMO Month, bringing the subject of genetically modified foods back into the foray.

Potential Dangers of Genetically Modified Food

Non-GMO Month is a month during which those who are against genetically modified put on a number of different talks, conventions, and other activities that aim to inform people about the potential dangers of genetically modified food. There are many questions as to what consuming genetically modified foods may do to those who consume them, but this is just a part of the problem. Genetically modified organisms, once released into nature, cannot be reeled back in. This leads to problems with potential cross-contamination between regular and genetically modified crops. There are already instances where this has happened.

Those who have been following the progress of genetically modified food have a number of good causes for concern. There is concern about the negative impact that genetically modified foods might have in terms of environmental biodiversity. A really worth while documentary that really explains this issue in detail is called The Future of Food. The documentary includes information about the Genetically Modified food industry, and farmers who try to resist GMO and get sued by corporations. While the long-term health effects of consuming genetically modified foods is not well known, there are real health issues, such as allergies, that must be considered. Long story short, there are many unknowns with regard to GMO’s and the more we learn, the more people seem to be getting uncomfortable with them.

Polls Show Public Opinion is Changing on GMO’s

Polls have shown a sway in public opinion about genetically modified foods. When they first hit the marketplace, there was enough corporate literature in place, and not enough research, that many didn’t think anything of GMO’s. However, the more we have learned, the more an increasing number of people are becoming uncomfortable with the idea of GMO’s. At the very least, American’s are starting to feel that we have a right to make a choice in the matter. A poll conducted by CBS News found that 87% of American’s polled want GMO’s to be labeled. Another question in this poll was whether or not consumers would purchase labeled GMO foods, 53% said they would not.

As the CBS News poll shows us, as American’s have learned more about GMO’s, they have made the decision that not only do they want to know whether what they are buying is GMO or not, a slim majority would refuse to buy foods known to be GMO. It is easy to see why agribusiness companies are fighting labeling laws. As more people make their opinions known, however, these businesses might have a choice, in turn giving us a choice, allowing us to follow the Non-GMO movement year round.

Chris Keenan is a green and general blog writer. He writes for many sites including Precision Garage Door. Chris also maintains a personal house and garden blog.

Ways to Reduce Energy Usage

Posted on by

Suburbia Houses

There are days when I think the concept of “going green” is just too overwhelming. I feel that to make any sort of difference at all in the environment, I ought to sell my house, build some teeny-tiny, 100% sustainable, recycled wood hut in the mountains with solar panels for electricity and water gathered fresh from a mountain stream. That I should grow my own food and hunt for meat. And then when I realize that most of that is not feasible (or in my case, even smart right now), I get depressed. Like, if I can’t do it big, why bother? But then I remind myself of the truth: every little bit counts. Turning off the water when I brush my teeth does make a difference. Spending 12 cents a pound extra on local, does make a difference. Turning down my thermostat in the winter and up in the summer, it does count. Little by little, in the every single, seemingly non-life or earth-altering action, we are, at the very least, not making things worse. So, in light of fall’s gorgeous, cozy arrival and the imminent sight of winter, I’m all about the small, basic day-to-day energy savings.

Day to Day Energy Saving Tips

These tips I’m going to share might not alter the environment in a way that you will see. But they are making a difference. If you do them, you are making the difference. And over time, those little things make a really big thing. They make all the difference. So, join with me, make this the season where you grasp every opportunity, no matter how big or how small, to save and reduce your energy usage. Need some help getting started? No problem. I’ve got 10 starter tips so easy they’re three sentences or less, promise!

1.) Down Two: Knock that thermostat down by two degrees. Your body will adjust in no time and save a significant amount of energy over the next 5 months.

2.) Watch the Oven Door: Don’t open it until the food is done, really done! You lose precious heat you have to re-create every time you open the door to peek. But, when you are done? Leave that door wide open and take advantage of that heat!

3.) Change Your Filters: Replace your furnace filters monthly during the heating season to keep them dirt and debris free. It’ll make air movement easier, requiring less energy to push the hot air out.

4.) Change up Your Fan: When winter hits, make sure your fan is set to reverse. It’ll push rising hot air back down to where you can feel it.

5.) Sleep without the Heat: Turn off your heat altogether during the night. Use a small room heater or an electric blanket instead.

6.) Go Low Flow: Switch your faucets and shower heads to low flow to save the amount of hot water you power through in a day.

7.) Tinsel & Tinfoil: Decorate! Cover the wall behind radiators with tinfoil to reflect heat back at the radiator and make it more efficient.

8.) Dress for the Season: It’s cold out baby! Dress appropriately in layers and thick warm sweaters; keep socks and shoes on at all times. You’ll be able to get away with lower house temps easy.

9.) Create Your own Body Heat: Warm yourself up with exercise instead of a thermostat hike! You’ll get warm instantly, in addition to upping your metabolism to keep you warmer all day long.

10.) Adopt a Room: Instead of heating your entire home all day, turn off the central heat, plant yourself in just one or two rooms for the majority of the time and stay warm with a small, more energy efficient portable heater.

As you can see, none of these tips require you to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to install something newer or “greener.” Nor do they require massive time investments on your part. They’re simple ways to reduce energy usage, but they matter and they really add up. They will make a difference, guaranteed!

Freelancer Jocelyn Anne works for Heater Home and helps families ensure they keep their homes warm with the least amount of energy and cost required, particularly with energy efficient electrical heaters.

Bicycle Friendly Cities

Posted on by

bike friendly city
Some rights reserved by K_Gradinger

Not only is riding one’s bike, as opposed to driving, an excellent way to stay in shape or lose a few pounds, it’s also environmentally-friendly. Many places are becoming increasingly bikeable, allowing for the option of a car free or mostly car free lifestyle. Rather than hopping in your car, closing that garage door, and rolling off to work, alone, in your vehicle, you now have the option to hop on a bike and achieve the same result – in some pretty surprising places. Some of the most bikeable places in the country might surprise you. If you are considering relocating to somewhere a bit more environmentally friendly, consider moving to a bike friendly location.

Most larger cities have alternative transportation such as buses, subways, and other forms of mass transit. Many also integrate bike lanes on major roads and bridges, as well as creating alternative bike routes that allow folks to get from point A to point B without having to use a car. Cities don’t have to be huge or well known for their eco-friendliness to have a great biking network though, as the following examples illustrate.

Boise, Idaho

The center of the country is, for the most part, ignored or stereotyped as one giant cornfield. And though Midwesterners will admit that we do have a lot of cornfields, there are actually cities interspersed here and there, and some of them are pretty progressive in terms of eco-friendly ways to get around. Idaho, best known for the potato, has one of America’s most walkable cities in Boise.

With breathtaking landscapes and trails aplenty, residents here have long enjoyed a biking way of life.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

I’m sure the first thing many think is that it is cold there, so who would want to bike there? Well, even Minnesota has nice weather and for those hardier among us, there are trails, bike lanes – even on major bridges – aplenty. This makes it possible to get to and from work, the store, and even around for leisure. Minneapolis has been honored a number of times by various cycling organizations for the level of bike friendliness in the city.

Even in the heart of the country it is now possible to live a car-free lifestyle, or at the very least, one that entails less use of the car than before. Some of the most bike friendly cities in the country are right in the heartland, coming as a surprise to many, but a secret gem to those who live in these places.

Chris Keenan is a green and general blog writer. He writes for many sites including Precision Garage Door. Chris also maintains a personal house and garden blog.

Flooding in Thailand Continues

Posted on by

Bangkok, Thailand flooding
Some rights reserved by rosemarydukelow

Thailand – Another Deadly Flood Victim

Thailand, like much of Southeast Asia, has been experiencing an unusually long wet season this year. Thailand’s monsoon rainy season this year has been the most severe in 50 years according to weather forecasters.

According to Thai authorities, capital city Bangkok is still facing a threat of additional flooding if it is hit with more heavy rains. Intense relief efforts are underway after the worst flooding in decades swept two-thirds of the country, swamping farmland and factories and leaving 300 people dead.

Monsoon downpours that began in July have inundated two-thirds of the country, and some areas remain under more than 6 feet (2 meters) of water that is unlikely to dissipate for weeks. Provinces north of the capital and nearby cities and towns are protecting the city of 9.7 million people with sand bags and barriers.

Pracha Promnok is minister of justice and director of Thailand’s flood relief. He assured journalists recently that they can manage the situation, unless, he says, there is more rain.

He says as far as the risk of Bangkok flooding is concerned, they are working to build a defensive wall. He names three areas surrounding Bangkok’s north that he says are acting as protective barriers. He says they are confident they will succeed.

Flooding in Thailand Continues

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, facing the first major test of her two-month-old premiership, has expressed confidence that the low-lying capital will be spared from the deadly floods. But Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra is warning the threat to the capital is not yet past. He says the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will raise the floodwalls in the northern outskirts of the city by half a metre, using up to 1.2 million sandbags.

Currently about one third of Thailand’s provinces are affected by the floods, which reached several metres deep in places. The heavy monsoon floods in Thailand continue to create devastation on the population and the economy of Thailand.

The floods have disrupted production of cars, electronics and other goods in the kingdom, with factories and roads under water. The government estimates the disaster is likely to curb 2011 economic growth by 1.0-1.7 percentage points. The impact is greater than the tsunami [that struck Japan in March]. According to the Labour Ministry, 10,827 factories in 17 provinces are flooded, affecting 446,777 workers. The focus is now on the nation’s first industrial estate, Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate, which houses 227 factories and employs over 170,000 workers.

Agriculture is Destroyed

The agricultural and industrial sectors are the worst affected. 8.41 million acres of rice fields are flooded, cutting estimated annual output by 3 million tonnes at least. Of course, the precise extent of the damage to the industrial sector is impossible to ascertain.

Major flooding in Thailand and in different regions of the world are becoming a more common place scenario as we see the true effects of climate change taking place.

Written by Naseem Sheikh

Energy Efficient Outlets

Posted on by

Energy Efficient outlets

How Will Energy Efficient Outlets Help Me?

Energy efficient outlets are designed to help you save energy by automatically turning off after a set amount of time. Furthermore, once the set amount of time has been reached, the energy saving outlet cuts off any vampire energy effect by stopping the flow of electricity all together. Some electronics like coffee makers and DVD players are still consuming power even when they are in the off mode or standby mode. That seven segment display of time on your microwave or Blu Ray Player add up to a portion of your electricity bill from the utility company every month. Some of these electronics are simply left on 24 hours a day and 7 days a week because we never think twice about turning them off all the way or anything like that. Most of us simply don’t even think about the direct cost of using electricity at all, but thankfully, the environmental movement has helped us become more aware of that.

Save Energy Anywhere in Your Home

There are a multitude of ways to help save the environment and your energy bill by using energy efficient outlets. One way to utilize an energy efficient outlet is by using it to shutoff standby power as I mentioned earlier. Another way to use one is to shut off lights, fans, and heaters to avoid leaving them on indefinitely. Other uses include using it for safety by turning off curling irons or straighteners to save energy and prevent fire hazard. The power socket by Belkin has three simple settings – 30 minutes, 3 hours, and 6 hours. I use my energy efficient outlet on the microwave because to me, there is no reason to keep it on other than the rare times I use it to heat up my leftover lunch or dinner. I also love that eventually I will save some money in the long run and help spare the planet from energy induced greenhouse gases.

What’s Vampire Energy?

Vampire energy is the sum of all the electronics and appliances in your home that suck your energy bill dry. When you add it all up, it still amounts to a small percentage of your total energy budget…but hey, every little bit matters when it comes to saving. I have written up an entire post dedicated to vampire electronics. Be sure to check that out and leave some comment love. In summary, having some energy efficient outlets around the house will help curb your vampire energy issues and help you save a little money too. Let us know what you think about that.

Thoughts, Comments, Suggestions…

LED Globe Light Bulbs

Posted on by

LED Globe Light Bulb

LED’s Poised to Take Over CFL’s

According to experts in the LED industry, the LED lighting market is strong and constantly changing as the technology evolves. Only one year ago some bulbs would have cost almost double what they are priced today. Since LED technology is advancing so rapidly, newer LED bulbs are coming out brighter and cheaper than they were before. LED lighting has continued to gain market share in 2011 as governments around the world have adopted policies in favor of LED lighting because of growing environmental concerns. LED light bulbs for the home are one of the easiest ways to save up to 90% on your home lighting bills if you are switching from incandescent bulbs.

Who isn’t looking to save money on your home lighting bill? There are so many benefits to LED Lights ranging from environmental benefits to wallet saving benefits.

I checked out some easy-to-replace LED globe light bulbs at superbrightleds.com and found that standard bulbs for an E27 socket run on 9 watts of energy. When you compare that to a 60 watt equivalent incandescent bulb, you are looking at some serious savings in your utility bill. I wanted to try one of these bulbs out, so when my bulb was delivered, I couldn’t wait to see how the lighting would look. I was replacing a 15 watt CFL bulb in my kitchen, and when I popped the new one in, I was pleased that the LED bulb was brighter than what I thought it would be. I chose the cool-white light bulb because I think it makes my studio look more modern, but they offer a warm-light option as well.

Your standard LED globe light bulbs twist into any normal light bulb socket that you currently have in your home. The size of the bulb is a bit smaller than a normal incandescent bulb and they are sort of built to look like one on the upper portion as seen in the picture above. I think the reason they call it a globe bulb is because the light emitting from individual diodes are too intense on their own. In order to spread the light around, a globe-like glass diffuses the light emitting diodes. Well, that’s what I think anyways, I am not exactly sure on that one…

The Pro’s…

Longer Lifetime

This particular LED globe light bulb from superbrightled.com (for indoor use only) is rated to last 40,000 hours of operation! Compare that to the average lifetime of a compact fluorescent bulb of 8,000 hours at best or an incandescent bulb of 1,200 hours at best. LED bulbs do not die out early in high usage areas such as a bathroom or kitchen, which means they are built to last. Depending on where you put these eco bulbs, such as in a low usage area like a closet, you may never replace that bulb ever again for the rest of your life. That means that you’ll be able to enjoy the savings these bulbs produce since your utility company will charge you less money for energy sipping LED light bulbs for the home.

LED Bulbs are Mercury Free

LED light bulbs by their very nature do not have any amount of toxic mercury in them. Even though the amount of mercury in CFL bulbs are very minimal, they still have to be properly recycled so that our landfills are not further contaminated by mercury leeching. Also, even though it has never happened to me or anyone else I know, I would not want to break a CFL bulb inside of my home. Obviously if it happens, it’s not the end of the world, and you don’t need to call a Hazmat team or anything, but special precautions are required if a CFL bulb does break in your home. With LED bulbs, you don’t have to worry about any of that because they don’t contain any hazardous material.

The Con’s…

The Upfront Costs

Unfortunately, the upfront cost of LED lighting is still pretty high compared to the standard bulbs on the market today. The good thing about LED bulbs, is that they have enough pro’s to outweigh the con’s. The 9 watt LED bulb I mentioned earlier runs for about $25 a bulb or about $2.78 per watt. If you shop around, you’ll find that price to competitive because some bulbs can run up to $45 a bulb for the same output of light. Don’t forget that you’ll likely have to spend a bit extra on shipping costs as well, so if you do decide to buy LED bulbs, try to order a few at a time to save on bulk shipping prices if they are offered. Luckily if you calculate out the cost savings in your utility bill every month, making an upfront investment in energy efficient LED light bulbs will eventually lead to a break even point. After you hit your break even point, you will smile for continuing to reap the benefits of a reduced lighting bill and the environment will thank you for due diligence in saving the planet. Use this free Energy Saving Calculator to estimate your break even point, and your total savings from then on out for the life of your bulb.

Are LED Light Bulbs For You?

The ideal buyer for LED lighting is someone who is an environmentally conscious individual who’d like to make as small an impact to the environment as possible through energy efficiency. An ideal buyer is also someone who is looking at the bottom line in terms of real cost savings and is not afraid to pay an upfront cost for long term savings. Are you off the grid? Do you work in one of those fancy Net Zero Living Buildings? Chances are that you have a strict energy budget and you require the best bang for your energy buck. The average home owner or renter also can benefit from the savings. Be sure to use that calculator link above to figure out how much you’ll save.

Let’s face it, not everyone can afford to pay $25 a bulb to replace all their bulbs in their home in the name of being green. If you can’t afford LED bulbs but you love the idea of their energy savings, check local non-profits or even your local utility company to see if they offer any incentives for you to become more energy efficient.

I’m Convinced Already! Where Can I Order?

If I’ve got you all excited about LED light bulbs and you want to know where you can get the best deal on them, I recommend checking out superbrightleds.com. It turns out that they offer more than just a variety of LED bulbs, they offer the mother load of various shapes, sizes, and uses including outdoor, indoor, for your vehicle, for your home, etc. They even offer LED light strips for commercial use if you own a business or have that sort of need. I also found that they had a 4 foot long LED tube to replace those traditional fluorescent tubes, of which, I have one in my bathroom I’m thinking about changing out. Anywho, let us know what you think.

Thoughts, Comments, Suggestions…

LED light strip reel

Iranian shouts "Allahu-Ahkbar" on SouthWest Airlines flight: FBI quickly issues statement not terrorist-related

Posted on by

Nothing to do with Islam... Nothing to see here... Move along now

From Eric Dondero:

His name is Ali Reza Shahsavari. He is 29. He lists his residence as Indianatlantic, Florida.

On a flight from Los Angeles to Kansas City last Tuesday he started shouting obsenities to fellow passengers, and fighting with at least one of them. And then, according to Amarillo.com, he shouted:

“You’re all going to die,” a man dressed in black screamed at passengers Tuesday afternoon. “You’re all going to hell. Allahu Akbar,”

The plane made an emergency landing at the Amarillo Airport, and Shahsavari was immediately arrested.

The local FBI was quick to assure media and others that the incident was non-terrorist related, and had nothing to do with Shahsavari's Muslim faith.

FBI Special Agent Mark White, based in Dallas, said the event did not appear to be an act of terrorism. He described Shahsavari as a U.S. citizen who might have experienced an episode of mental illness.

“It sounded like he sort of lost control of himself,” White said.

No information is given as to Shahsavari's immigration status. But he is identified as being from Iran.

A follow-up story by the AP does indicate that Shahsavari has been indicted for interfering with a flight crew. There is zero mention of Shahsavari shouting "Allahu-Ahkbar," or of the fact that he is a Muslim. He is described simply as "unruly," and possibly mentally disturbed.

Photo credit - Maggie's Notebook

Quadruple Muslim Honour Killing in Canada: Father unrepetent

Posted on by

"Honour killings sparked by women talking to a man, having a boyfriend, wearing make-up or revealing clothing..."

From Eric Dondero:

Three young women and an aunt brutally murdered just north of the border, by a man, his wife and their son. They were killed, drowned after their Nissan Sentra was rammed into the cold waters of a well-known Canadian canal in Kingston, a mere 70 minute drive from the U.S. border. The crime happened back in June, and the suspects are now on trial.

Said the father in his defense:

They betrayed Islam. They betrayed our religion. May the devil shit on their graves.

From the Montreal Gazette:

Honour killings can be sparked by a woman talking to a man, having a boyfriend, wearing makeup or revealing clothing, or even seeking a divorce, says Diana Nammi, founder of the London-based International Campaign Against Honour Killings. Nammi, originally from Iran, says children of immigrants who grow up in Western nations take those freedoms for granted, which can lead to conflict with their parents.

You'd think it'd get major national media here in the U.S. Like Natalie Holloway, maybe? After all, it's even closer to home than Aruba. Yahoo News. MSN. NPR. Surely CNN would be all over it. But the U.S. media has completely ignored the story. You see, young Muslim women killed by their own father and brother for violating Sharia Law doesn't quite fit the template for the multi-culturally-obsessed American media outlets.

Photos - Zainab and Sahar Shafia. Photo credit - National Post

Randian action for Victory 2012: Go Galt to worsen Economy

Posted on by

Resolved that: The current administration and Democrat majority in the Senate, in conjunction with Progressive socialists from all around the country, especially those from Hollywood and the left leaning news media (Indeed, most of the news media.) have worked in unison to advance an anti-business, an anti-free market, and an anti-capitalist (anti-individual rights and property ownership) agenda. [...]

I, an American small business owner, part of the class that produces the vast majority of real, wealth producing jobs in this country, hereby resolve that I will not hire a single person until this war against business and my country is stopped.

From Eric Dondero:

Melissa Brookstone, a member of Tea Party Nation, a Teabook blogger, and supporter of Ron Paul for President, has been getting a great deal of national and even international media attention as of late. Last Tuesday, she was the winner of cable news commentator Keith Olberman's "Worst Person of the Week," award.

From the International Business Times ibtimes.com "Tea Party Group Says Small Businesses Should Stop Hiring to Hurt Obama" Oct. 20:

In a letter titled "Call For a Strike of American Small Businesses Against The Movement For Global Socialism," on the Tea Party Nation Web site -- one of the largest Tea Party groups in the nation -- that was subsequently e-mailed to its members, contributor Melissa Brookstone urges small businesses owners to cease hiring new employees in order to protest the "progressive socialist" policies of the Obama administration.

Brookstone, who writes in a subsequent post that she is not a conservative, but Libertarian-turned-Objectivist (the philosophy touted by author/novelist Ayn Rand), claims that Obama and the Democratic Party-controlled Senate are participating in a "globalist socialist agenda of redistribution of wealth, and the waging of class warfare against our constitutional republic's heritage of individual rights, free market capitalism, and indeed our Constitution itself, with the ultimate goal of collapsing the U.S. economy and globalizing us into socialism."

The Occupy Wall Street movement, according to Brookstone, is similarly protesting against business, private party ownership and capitalism, which Obama, the "Democrat-Socialists" and the media are perpetuating. Therefore, Brookstone said she, as a small business owner -- she did not specify what kind of business she owns -- will not hire more employees until "the war against business and my country is stopped."

As Portfolio.com (Business Owners: I'm on Strike) points out, Brookstone may already have some support among top Republicans.

“Job creators are basically on strike,” Boehner said back in September, because of a “triple threat” of excessive regulation, a tax code that discourages investment and the federal government’s “spending binge.”

Photo h/t - Not PC blog

Hurray for Hertz! Car Rental company fires Islamist employees who wanted special rights at work

Posted on by

Libertarians and Conservatives asked to show support

by Eric Dondero

A rare but welcome act of courage by an American corporation standing up to political correctness.

The Seattle Times reports:

Hertz has sent termination letters to 25 drivers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after they refused to agree to clock out for daily breaks, during which they normally pray. The workers — all Somali Muslims — were among 34 employees suspended Sept. 30 for failing to clock out before breaks.

Hertz has sent termination letters to 25 drivers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after they refused to agree to clock out for daily breaks, during which they normally pray.

The workers — all Somali Muslims who drive the company's rental cars to and from the airport for cleaning and refueling — were among 34 Hertz employees suspended Sept. 30 for failing to clock out before breaks.

Ayn Randian individualist Pamela Geller is urging libertarians and other freedom lovers to thank Hertz and patronize their business.

Hertz has been extraordinarily generous to their Muslim workers giving them Muslim prayer times and went out of its way to accommodate all of them, setting up a prayer room at the airport site.

Accommodations for Muslim workers at Hertz resulted in abuse and .... more demands. Muslim workers demanded and received Muslim prayer times, but refused to clock out. These workers were suspended.

Hertz said that Muslim workers can return to work if they clock out when they pray. They couldn't abuse their prayer times if they clocked out, could they? The Muslim workers refused and were fired.

SIOA/AFDI applauds Hertz for not submitting to sharia supremacism. I enocurage all readers to contact Hertz and thank them.

Hertz Corporate Office | Headquarters
225 Brae Blvd. Park Ridge, NJ 07656
(201)307-2000 Fax: (201) 307-2644

(800) 654-3131 toll free

Also, Geller's group Stop Islamization of America sioaonline.com

Condi Rice: Gaddafi’s ‘African Princess’

Posted on by

Class, brains and beauty just right for the GOP ticket

From Clifford F. Thies:

Condoleezza Rice's good looks were not lost to former dictator of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi. In an excerpt from a forthcoming book, she reveals that Gaddafi called her his 'African Princess' when she met him while serving as Secretary of State during President George Bush's second term in office. She let the awkward compliment pass without acknowledgement.

But, let's get this right. Condoleezza Rice, whose combination of brains, beauty and class makes her one of the most attractive women in the world, is not an African Princess. She is an American Princess, who should be on everybody's short list for VP.

Dr. Williams: OWS hates Wall Street CEOs but why not Oprah?

Posted on by

She made $290 million in 2010, compared to $60s to $80s mil for Top CEOs

Excerpted, Walter Williams latest column, "Pitting Us Against Each Other" Oct. 20, Townhall.com:

President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party have led increasingly successful efforts to pit Americans against one another through the politics of hate and envy. Attacking CEO salaries, the president -- last year during his Midwest tour -- said, "I do think at a certain point you've made enough money."

Let's look at CEO salaries, but before doing so, let's look at other salary disparities between those at the bottom and those at the top. According to Forbes' Celebrity 100 list for 2010, Oprah Winfrey earned $290 million. Even if her makeup person or cameraman earned $100,000, she earned thousands of times more than that. Is that fair? Among other celebrities earning hundreds or thousands of times more than the people who work with them are Tyler Perry ($130 million), Jerry Bruckheimer ($113 million), Lady Gaga ($90 million) and Howard Stern ($76 million). According to Forbes, the top 10 celebrities, excluding athletes, earned an average salary of a little more than $100 million in 2010.

According to The Wall Street Journal Survey of CEO Compensation (November 2010), Gregory Maffei, CEO of Liberty Media, earned $87 million, Oracle's Lawrence Ellison ($68 million) and rounding out the top 10 CEOs was McKesson's John Hammergren, earning $24 million. It turns out that the top 10 CEOs have an average salary of $43 million, which pales in comparison with America's top 10 celebrities...

Photo credit - ConnectTVin.com

End to taxpayer subsidies to Big Farmers in sight?

Posted on by

Rather than taxing millionaires, the first thing we ought to do is quit giving them subsidies. -- Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn, Senate floor

From Eric Dondero:

It still has to pass the House, and gain the President's signature, but a major item on the Libertarian wish list has just passed the Senate.

From WaPo, "Senate votes for GOP provision ending direct payments to farmers with incomes exceeding $1m" Oct. 21:

The Senate has voted to end direct payments to farmers whose annual incomes exceed $1million.

The 84-15 vote approving the provision by Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn came as the Senate worked into the early morning hours Friday on a vast spending bill.

Coburn argued that the government shouldn’t be subsidizing the highest earning farmers at a time of deep budget deficits. The leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee, who opposed Coburn, are working on legislation that could eliminate the entire $5 billion-a-year direct payment program for farmers.

From FarmPolicy.com:

“Coburn argued forcefully to his colleagues, who were seated at their desks for the series of rapid-fire votes, that such payments from a government that is running in the red were preposterous.

‘We had 2,705 people in this country who had adjusted gross incomes in excess of $2.5 million last year who got farm payments,’ said Coburn.

The primary opposition to Coburn's legislation came from Michigan Democrat Senator and Chair of the Senate Agricultural Comm. Debbie Stabenow.

Patty the L.A. Nazi doubles down: Truth needs to be told about the "Zionist Jews" controlling our money system

Posted on by

INCREDIBLE VIDEO!!! ABSOLUTE MUST SEE!!!

"Jews have been run out of 109 countries throughout history, and we need to run 'em out of this one..." -- Fmr. substitute teacher, Los Angeles Unified School District

From Eric Dondero:

No apologies. Patricia McAllister was fired unceremoniously from L.A.U.S.D for her blatantly anti-Semitic remarks she made at an Occupy Wall Street protest last week, that went viral on YouTube. But she's not backing down. Two days ago she was interviewed by an L.A. TV station on air live.

Carrying an anti-Zionist Jew sign she states:

I think we should be able to spell the truth about what the Jews are doing to this Nation, the Zionist Jews. How they control the money system. Control the markets and everything else.

Jews have been run out of 109 countries throughout history and we need to run 'em out of this one.

She goes on to say regarding Occupy L.A.:

I believe in the philosophy... Boston, New York. Yes, I believe in the philosophy. We need to get those Jews out of Wall Street...

A spokesman for Occupy L.A. identified as P.J. refuses to condemn the comments of Patricia McAllister.

No, it doesn't erode our credibility one bit... I'm not going to say that the Occupation movement disavows her...

At the end of the segment, the TV anchor comments, "I'll tell ya. Patricia McAllister makes Mel Gibson look like Mr. Rogers..."

Photos: Occupy L.A. sign; Man holding sign at New York Occupy Wall Street rally; sign spotted by right bloggers at Occupy L.A. rally. Image credits - LAist.com, NY Magazine, Moonbattery.com. For more Anti-Semitic signs at Occupy protests see Moonbattery

Occupy Wall Street Anti-Semitism: Where’s the Outrage?

Posted on by

From Sean Spicer, RNC Communications Director:

Democratic leaders have spent the last week championing the “Occupy Wall Street” movement, yet in the midst of protestors’ extreme anti-Semitic, anti-Israel comments, they’ve been silent.

Where’s the outrage? While protestors are seen spewing hate against Jewish Americans, President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz have declared their support for the demonstrations. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Steve Israel even circulated a petition saying he’s “standing with” Occupy Wall Street.

Is Steve Israel standing with those calling for the killing of Jews? Does Debbie Wasserman Schultz agree with the various calls for Jews to be “run out of this country” and to oppose and "destroy" the state of Israel?

Democrats were quick to single out any instances of perceived extremism among Tea Party supporters, but with Occupy Wall Street, they turn a blind eye. President Obama claimed last weekend that Martin Luther King would support the demonstrations. But surely Dr. King would have called out these ugly displays of bigotry.

Release from the Republican National Committee GOP.com