Michelle Malkin sounds off over the ATF scandal

Michelle Malkin appeared with Hannity last night on Fox News.

She addressed the scandal springing from ATF's Project Gunrunner that allowed large numbers of guns bought in the U.S. to be smuggled into Mexico.



link


Malkin makes valid points. Among them: Why do so many media "professionals" fail to take interest in this story?


In early February, I blogged many of the themes Malkin hits on now.


We're indebted to ATF whisteblowers, and to bloggers David Codrea and Mike Vanderboegh who've stayed the course on this. As a result, key members in both houses of Congress have taken an interest.

But it's time to take this matter to the next level. Congressional hearings with testimony under oath are in order.

My quick take from the Libya address

The president took so much time to say very little.


This seems to be Mr. Obama's scenario: 


Rebels triggered a revolt to overthrow Gaddafi, and when Gaddafi counter attacked, we denounced Gaddafi's violence and join in on behalf of the rebels. 


Maybe it makes sense in Obama's mind, but... 


Not a single work about who the rebels are, what they stand for, what they seek. 


Obama also neglected to mention his administration recently sought more military aid for Gaddafi's Libya. 

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Obama tells us we're inspired by Egypt. 


What part? 


The overthrow of the established government? 


The suspension of the Egyptian constitution? 


The gang rape of a US reporter? 


The post-revolution attacks on Christians, the destruction of churches? 


Inspired by a ruling military junta? 


Allegations of torture, of virginity tests?


Inspired by Muslim Brotherhood's apparent rise in Egypt and across the region? 

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Mr. Obama tries to charm us with emotional appeal about helping people. Libyan civilians. 


But he's damn short of facts in explaining anything that's going on. 


Gaddafi's a bad guy. I get that. 


But are we taking a road that trades Gaddafi for another Taliban, or helping to shape an oil-rich clone of Somalia? 


We don't have enough information to venture a guess how this might turn out.

Assessing damage from weekend lightning strike

If you follow us on Twitter, you know we took a significant lightning hit over the weekend.

Good news is damage was confined to only a few pieces of equipment.

We have spares for most of it, and can get what else we'll need by show time Thursday.

Have I mentioned I have some help putting the studio back together?

Molly the Cat.

Thinks she's an engineer. Molly loves to "rewire" stuff in the rack.

We've got to get a new Ethernet card to get the encoder computer back on line.

Molly and I should have that wrapped up sometime Monday.

All past shows remain available for replay in the archive at TalkSouthRadio.com. That includes the show from last week.

Join us Thursday night, March 31, at 8:00 EDT to hear Don and I live from the resurrected studio!

New EPA rules mean less Georgia power

Excerpt from Southern Company statement:


ATLANTA, March 16, 2011 -- Georgia Power expects to request approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission to decertify two coal-generating units totaling 569 megawatts, the company announced Wednesday.


The request to decertify units 1 and 2 at Plant Branch in Putnam Co. will be included in Georgia Power's updated Integrated Resource Plan filing with the commission in late summer. The company expects to ask for decertification of the units as of the effective dates of the Georgia Multipollutant Rule, which are currently anticipated to be Dec. 31, 2013 for unit 1 and Oct. 1, 2013 for unit 2.


The decision to decertify the units is based on a need to install environmental controls to meet a variety of existing and expected environmental regulations...


Click here to view the full release.

"Don and Doug" live tonight (3/17) at 8pm EDT

Tonight's show. Some likely topics:

Are Americans nuts for fretting Japan's leaking radiation might reach our homefront?

Are you fretting over Japan's disasters - yet failing to have a disaster plan to help you cope if crisis hits closer to home?

No radiation, but the economic impact of Japan' triple disaster of earthquake, tsunami and radiation leaks begins showing up in the US. Looks like cars from Japanese automakers may cost a bit more - and soon.

We'll have a looney activist moment-of-the-week. Forget tin-foil hats, this one comes from under the gold dome of the Georgia Capitol.

Other topics as they come up. You never know where things may go as we work together to connect-the-dots.

Give us a call, join the conversation at 8:00 pm EDT. Live call in number is 678-344-9926. If the line's busy, be patient and try again. We may be "phone line challenged" tonight.

To listen to the TalkSouthRadio live stream: Just click here. Or tap in via our main website at TalkSouthRadio.com.

Don't panic over the last disaster, plan for the next

Earthquake. Tsunami. Leaking radiation at nuclear plants.

There seems to be a good bit of hysteria and panic - even here in the U.S. - over the triple whammy that hit  Japan.

But rather than obsessing over unlikely scenarios like Japan's radiation overwhelming the North American continent, people would be better served preparing for the expected, and unexpected, closer to home.

This goes for businesses large and small, as well as for individuals and families.

Statfor.com has some thoughts along these lines:

Taming Chaos with a Personal Plan

One Step Forward and Twelve Steps Back

Great. The House of Representatives votes to cut the deficit by six billion.

On the same day, CNS News estimates the debt jumped by another 72 billion.

This would make for a great country re-make.

Remember the Desert Rose Band?

One step forward, two twelve steps back.
Nobody gets too far like that. 
One step forward, and two twelve step back.
This kind of dance can never last...

Election day and few showed up

An appalling case of voter apathy today in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

Voters were given the chance to fill the unexpired term of the county commission chairman. Four candidates were in the race. But very few voters bothered showing up.

In my precinct of approximately 2500 registered voters, I was the 137th to cast a ballot. And I showed up just 30 minutes before closing time.

But it was also disappointing the county didn't do more to call attention to the election.

The only sign at my precinct was placed in the parking not far from the door.

Obscured by a car, the sign wasn't visible from most the parking lot, let alone the roadside.

 Back by the roadside, the only hint it was election day was one candidate's yard sign.

  
Usually, this curbside would be lined with multiple signs for each candidate on election day. No so for today's stealthy special election.

Based on media reports and early returns, it appears the turnout was just as meager county-wide.

Results for today's special election are available here.

Who's behind Wisconsin protests

The media tells us unions and workers are protesting changes in collective bargaining in Wisconsin.

But many of those taking part are outside America's mainstream.

The International Workers of the World was among the first to call for a general strike in Wisconsin. And chose odd artwork to illustrate the call.

Is that Arabic? How many in Wisconsin speak Arabic?

A similar poster presented with a subsequent article:

For over a century, the IWW has advocated socialist revolution, and was founded with the stated goal of abolishing the wage system.

Consider this excerpt from its constitution preamble:

It is the historic mission of the working class to do away with capitalism. The army of production must be organized, not only for everyday struggle with capitalists, but also to carry on production when capitalism shall be overthrown. By organizing industrially we are forming the structure of the new society within the shell of the old.


The IWW is just one of the radical groups aligning with the unions in Wisconsin.

Has anyone heard "mainstream" unions denounce the participation and stated goals of the IWW in labor's Wisconsin protests?

The IWW tells you where it stands and what it wants. Meanwhile, contemporary organisations often present themselves as mainstream American, but may have deeper hidden agendas.

In your face revolution from the IWW is easy to reject. Creeping socialism presented in small steps under banners like "social justice" makes it much harder to detect the danger that's in play.

Backroom deals to shape gun control pitch

Apparently we're not getting that direct address on gun control from President Obama. At least not anytime soon.

According to the Huffington Post, the Obama administration is shaping its pitch behind closed doors.

Backroom deals worked wonders for the administration as it crafted its pushed for health care reform.

Beware of consensus achieved in the shadows.

A glimpse at two briefings

Can't tell. Is Mr. Obama wearing the same shirt and tie?


Today's White House briefing on the earthquake in Japan:


White House Photo


January 28's White House briefing on Egypt:


White House Photo

The flowers have been changed. But I can't tell about the apples.

I know it's superficial, but the staging here doesn't suggest urgency.

Call me a traditionalist, but briefings look more serious, more official when held around a big conference table.


White House Photo

See what I mean?

The table shot is from January too. At a security team meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Rand Paul rants about consumer choice

Freshman Senator Rand Paul poses a question to Kathleen Hogan, deputy assistant secretary for energy efficiency at the Department of Energy.

Co-opting the conservative message

The left really is on the march. And it seems to incorporate a new strategy as it moves forward.

It wants to borrow the lingo conservatives have used to describe their movement.

Van Jones had a message in Huffington Post where he tried to co-opt the term "Tea Party" for the left.

Yesterday, I saw an article referring to unionists as "patriots" as they marched on the Ohio capitol.

And there's a clip of Jesse Jackson Jr. calling for a re-write of the Constitution.

It shows America is embracing conservative's Constitutional message.  So the left tries to create confusion by adopting the same branding.

That's a good show topic. Join us Thursday night at 8:00pm EST on TalkSouthRadio.com to explore it.

Federal LEO Association says Obama is "misinformed"

Text of news release from the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association: 

FLEOA Declares President Obama Is Misinformed About U.S. Agents in Mexico - 3/6/11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

March 6, 2011

Jennifer Mattingley
202-293-1550

FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ASSOCIATION DECLARES PRESIDENT OBAMA IS MISINFORMED ABOUT U.S. AGENTS IN MEXICO

Washington, DC - Today, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) announced its opposition to remarks made by President Obama regarding the role and safety of ICE Special Agents assigned to Mexico. After his meeting with Mexico President Calderon on Thursday, President Obama stated, “There are laws in place in Mexico that say our agents should not be armed,” and “We do not carry out law enforcement activities inside of Mexico.” President Obama also stated that the role of ICE Agents was an “advisory” one.

FLEOA vehemently disagrees with both comments. In response to these remarks, FLEOA National President Jon Adler stated, “With all due respect, Mr. President, you have been tragically misinformed on both points.” Contrary to what President Obama asserted, all law enforcement officers assigned to Mexico do perform “law enforcement activities.” This may include conducting field interviews, responding to crime scenes, overseeing training and participating in raids. The fact that they don’t actually handcuff suspects doesn’t diminish their role or the risks they face.

On February 15, 2011, alleged members of a Mexican cartel savagely ambushed two ICE Special Agents assigned to Mexico, and fatally wounded one of them. During this cowardly attack, hero ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata was brutally murdered, and hero ICE Special Agent Victor Avila was shot and critically injured. According to FLEOA President Adler, “Our heroes were targeted and savagely attacked because of who they were – American law enforcement officers – and not because of the activities they performed. If our State Department is incapable of securing weapon permits for our officers, then we shouldn’t continue sending them to Mexico unarmed.”

On Friday, FLEOA met with Chairman Michael McCaul’s staff from the House Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. FLEOA requested that the committee hold hearings in order to demand accountability for why the U.S. government sends unarmed law enforcement officers into hostile, crime-ridden foreign countries. FLEOA also respectfully requested that Congress halt all funding that is used by U.S. agencies to send unarmed law enforcement officers to unstable foreign countries.

FLEOA recognizes the importance of having law enforcement officers assigned to Mexico, and having them work closely with our Mexican counterparts. However, FLEOA President Adler stated, “It is reckless for our government to send any law enforcement officer to a foreign hostile area, with a Miranda card but no means of defending themselves. Calling our officers/agents “advisors” only serves to undermine the heroic work they perform. It doesn’t minimize the risks they face.”

FLEOA intends to honor the memory of hero Special Agent Jaime Zapata by continuing to advocate for agent’s safety abroad. FLEOA extends its heartfelt prayers and condolences to Special Agent Zapata’s family, and wishes Special Agent Victor Avila a strong and rapid recovery. FLEOA will honor the ultimate sacrifice made by Special Agent Zapata during the annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on May 13th.

FLEOA is the largest nonpartisan, nonprofit professional association exclusively representing 26,000 active and retired federal law enforcement officers from 65 different agencies.

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Agent: I was ordered to let guns pass into Mexico

CBS breaks new ground on the ATF scandal.

Tonight, it aired an on-camera interview with an agent who says he and others protested the policy of allowing guns intentionally pass into Mexico. It's also alleged the practice of "letting guns walk" had approval from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is also featured, saying his inquiries into the matter have pretty much been stonewalled.

The report is worth a look. Click here.