"HOMERprano" beats "Tommy The Greek"

"TOMMY THE GREEK" gave me the name "HOMERprano" this week.

Well TTG has to EAT his words:

"Pittsburgh over ARIZONA – Steelers win
this year – Steelers-West will be a force in the future."

and I made this pick:

ARIZONA CARDINALS 24 - Pittsburgh Steelers 21

The Cardinals did it this afternoon defeating the Steelers 21 - 14.

What a great game that Defense played today. Keeping the NFL's leading rusher, Willie Parker, in check, the Cardinals beat the Steelers, ending the Steelers unbeaten season.

The Cardinals QB Duo of Matt Leinart & Kurt Warner did a fine job of mixing up the plays, keeping the Steelers at bay. Great game plan by Coach Ken Whisenhunt; this rotating QB idea is working. I have told anyone who will listen that this Cardinals team is for REAL. They proved it today and will continue to improve each week.










Congratulations to should-be-manager of the Year BOB MELVIN & the ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS for winning the NL WEST CHAMPIONSHIP. Starting on Wednesday, the D-Backs face the Chicago Cubs in the best of 5 series. This young D-Backs team went much further than anyone expected. They have the Home Field advantage thru the NL Playoffs. If they continue to get the good starting Pitching, this team can go far.





The 18th ranked ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS beat Stanford 41 - 3 Saturday night for their 5th straight win. ASU won in a Pac-10 game in California for the 1st time since 1999. Coach DENNIS ERICKSON has the Sun Devils playing physical football. They dominated both sides of the line of scrimmage. This is the best ASU team since the Rose Bowl team of 1996 - led by Jake Plummer. The PAC-10 has, by far, the highest quality football in the country this year. ASU has some tough games coming up (CAL, Oregon, UCLA, & USC), but has a chance to be in the top tier of the league.




NOTE to Tommy the Greek; You can bet your ass I AM A "HOMER". I am a native Arizonan and root for the teams here. If you move here from somewhere else, you should root for the Arizona teams. Come on board TTG, it's not too late for you to get on the 'winning' team.

The 'CLONES' in Tears.........AGAIN!

Looks like the "Clones" are NOT a happy bunch today. Here is what one of them posted:

Arizona Political Heat
News you won't get in
the mainstream media

#3 political blog in Arizona

501,832
this week on alexa, after azpoliticalintel and redstatearizona. Dream on, nude
elephants.

This ALEXA nonsense cracks me up.

Arizona Influence Index
Back

Arizona's Most Influential Political blogs
Rank - Blog


1. Politico Mafioso

2. Seeing Red AZ

3. The Sonoran Alliance

4. Espresso Pundit

5. ThinkRight Arizona

6. Blog For Arizona

7. Red State Arizona

8. AZ Political Intel

9. El Gringo

10. Random Musings

11. Sustainability, Equity, Development

12. AZPoliticalNews

13. Man Eegee

14. Daniel's News & Views

15. Mesa Issues

16. Arizona Political Heat

17. Rum, Romanism and Rebellion

18. The Arizona Report

19. Arizona 8th

20. BorderReporter.com

Put your BNN blog rank on your blog.
BNN's Arizona Blogosphere Influence Rating combines a variety of data sets to determine which blogs are most powerfully influencing the direction of the Arizona political blogosphere. The exact method BNN uses to calculate influence scores must remain proprietary in order to prevent attempts to game the system. BNN's methodology takes into account the fact that all Internet data is profoundly limited in its reliability by using multiple data sets that, when combined, reveal a fair picture of activity in the blogosphere.

If the Clones don't like the BNN Rankings, they should take themselves off it!

The McCain Update - September 28, 2007

First TV Ads On The Air

We have two exciting, new TV ads on the air this weekend in New Hampshire! Please take a moment today to watch "One Man" and "Live Free." We also have a new radio ad, "Courage," on the air in New Hampshire. These ads are important in making sure voters know about John McCain's courageous service, experienced leadership and bold solutions that make him the only candidate ready to lead.

After you've watched the ads, please donate today to help keep these ads on the air.

McCain Momentum Continues To Grow

Energy and momentum are growing every day - John McCain is on the road meeting voters - recent polls have confirmed the McCain momentum.

Election Day is when it really counts, and we're working hard to get the message out. With an important fundraising deadline approaching on September 30th, we're counting on supporters like you to make a generous last-minute contribution to support John McCain.

What They're Saying About John McCain's "Burst Of Momentum"

Watch George Stephanopoulos discuss how McCain "Is Back In New Hampshire." To read and hear what others are saying, click here.

Rebuilding the McCain campaign

Manager from 2000 race reprises role, but will it be enough?

Dan Nowicki

The Arizona Republic

Sept. 27, 2007 12:00 AM

While Sen. John McCain is making headlines by pressing his case for victory in Iraq, one man is quietly putting back the pieces of the Arizona Republican's shattered presidential campaign. Rick Davis, a longtime political player, former lobbyist and McCain's campaign manager since July, is reprising the role he played in 2000, when he helped coordinate McCain's well-remembered insurgent challenge to GOP front-runner George W. Bush. Davis emerged on top after rampant overspending set off an internal power struggle that resulted in the departures of much of McCain's inner circle. Ex-staffers declined to talk to The Arizona Republic about Davis' performance, but recent developments may speak for themselves: For the first time this year, the campaign is displaying energy, spending more carefully and rising rather than plummeting in many polls.

Davis, 50, has spent the past 2 1/2 months trying to balance the books, canceling contracts, shedding debt and scraping up enough cash to keep McCain active in the strategic early states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. His efforts have allowed McCain, re-energized after six demoralizing months as an uneasy Republican establishment candidate, to elbow his way back into the spotlight in a manner reminiscent of the "maverick" of seven years ago.

And to the surprise of some, McCain's scaled-down, low-budget campaign in September found some political momentum for the first time this year.

"I think we're starting to prove that money doesn't buy you
love,"

Davis said in an interview with The Republic. "

It doesn't mean I don't want more money,
but it means that we can conduct a perfectly good, competitive
campaign."

But how much McCain's progress has to do with campaign organization is debatable."McCain now benefits from low expectations, whereas simply running in the black is now a huge asset," said John J. "Jack" Pitney Jr., a professor of government at Claremont McKenna College in California. "The expectations at the beginning of the race were sky-high, and failing to dominate the race was seen as a defeat. . . . He started off fighting a conventional war, and now he's fighting a guerrilla war.

To READ the ENTIRE Article CLICK HERE

MY Football picks for this weekend!

I am not the Swami that NOSTRA-GAMBO is, nor am I even in
TOMMY THE GREEK'S class. I will pick a couple of games each week
involving our local teams. Here we go!



Saturday Night @ Palo Alto, CA





Arizona State Sun Devils 44

Stanford Cardinal 30

After slow starts in their last two games, I expect the Sun Devils to come out ready for their first road game of the season. I don't see how Stanford can keep up with the Sun Devils wide open offense. Should be a high scoring, entertaining game....

Sunday Afternoon @ Univ of Phoenix Stadium

UPSET SPECIAL

ARIZONA CARDINALS 24









Pittsburgh Steelers 21



Cardinals are 2 plays away from being 3 - 0. The Defense is playing well; Offense will surprise especially when they go to the 2-Minute, No Huddle Offense with Kurt Warner. I think this Cardinal team is for real and will win this game! Visit NFL.com for Cards vs Steelers comparison.

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman Garners Major Public Safety Endorsements

Police, Firefighters Endorse Hallman

State Fraternal Order of Police, Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona Support Mayor's Re-Election

TEMPE, AZ, September 28, 2007 - Red lights and blue lights may help create a green light for Mayor Hugh Hallman's re-election campaign in Tempe. Mayor Hallman's lifelong support of public safety has led to endorsements by Arizona's largest fire and police organizations.

The Arizona State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, along with Tempe Lodge 11 Fraternal Order of Police, announced their endorsement of Hallman earlier this month. The Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona, with nearly 7,000 members, also gave Hallman its endorsement.

Arizona FOP President Bryan Soller cited Hallman's "proven record of strong leadership and proven experience in dealing with law enforcement" for the organization's endorsement.
"The members of the Fraternal Order of Police firmly believe that you are clearly the best candidate to bring Tempe, Arizona, into a new era and, at the same time, resolve the various issues facing our great state," said Soller, whose organization represents more than 6,500 law enforcement officers in 42 chapters.

PFFA President Tim Hill lauded Hallman's efforts to accommodate growth while maintaining and improving the quality of life for Tempe residents.

"The Professional Fire Fighters are especially pleased that your efforts to keep the residents and visitors of Tempe safe with your focus on providing the tools necessary for Fire Fighters and police officers to provide the highest levels of service possible," Hill said.

Hallman said he was humbled and gratified by the strong show of support from the men and women who risk their lives on the front lines of public safety to keep Tempe safe and secure. Tax revenues have surged in Tempe in recent years, turning budget deficits into surpluses. Those revenues have been directed back into neighborhoods and public safety.

"This is an important validation of our efforts to put more police
officers on the street and to improve the resources and response times of our
first responders,"

Hallman said.

"This effort is far from over, however, and I will continue to make
these positive improvements to public safety for as long as I am mayor."

Paid for by Re-Elect Mayor Hugh Hallman For More Information,

Contact Hugh Hallman:
480-424-3900
Media: info@roseandallynpr.com

ANSWERING A'JAD: DISINVEST, N.Y.! By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN

Published in the New York Post on September 27, 2007.


Printer-Friendly Version


Columbia University this week managed to hand a PR victory to Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. It's time for another New York institution - the state Office of the Comptroller - to join the drive to undermine this evil and dangerous regime.


California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to sign a new law aimed at banning Golden State public pension funds - which includes the two largest ones in America - from investing in companies that are involved in developing Iranian petroleum or natural-gas resources. Florida's public-employee-retirement fund is divesting nearly $1.3 billion invested with 21 companies doing business in Iran or Sudan. (California already hit Sudan's pocketbook last year.) Missouri and Louisiana have similar policies in place.



The blow to Iran's rulers should be huge. The California system alone has assets totaling $350 billion - much of it invested in companies that do business with Iran such as Sieman's, Total, Respol and Shell.


Here in New York, state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has total power over the state pension funds. He could add materially to the pressure on Iran simply by the stroke of a pen. City Comptroller William Thompson Jr. could help, by pushing to move Gotham pension funds away from Iranian-investing companies.City Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera (D-Bronx) is sponsoring a resolution calling on the state and the city to disinvest in companies that do business with Iran. He says that more than $100 billion of the holdings by New York public pension funds are invested directly or indirectly in Iran.


Thompson has sent letters to eight companies that have business ties to Iran, asking them to mitigate "the significant risks that could negatively impact the company's stock price and reputation" by their investments in Iran.
In one of the letters, Thompson warned the Spanish oil giant Respol that its investments in Iran pose "significant risks to the company, and by extension, to our investments and that of other share-owners of the company." DiNapoli also signed the letter, as did officials of the Illinois, North Carolina and California pension systems.


DiNapoli should take the further step of disinvesting in Iran, as California and Florida have done.Eighty-five percent of Iranian government revenues come from the energy industry - a total of $55 billion in 2006. Already, falling oil production (down by a third since the 1979 revolution) and rising domestic demand will cut government energy revenues by an estimated 20 percent over the coming year.


Less government revenues mean reductions in subsidies to the restive Iranian population. Gasoline, for example, may no longer sell for 35 cents a gallon in Tehran if the government runs into financial difficulty.


The Iranian regime is increasingly unpopular, with stories circulating of clerics afraid to go out in public in their religious attire for fear of being attacked. Financial pressure on the government can be the key element in forcing a change of course. Disinvestment, after all, helped forced South Africa to abandon apartheid.With its large Jewish population, one would expect New York to take the lead in cutting off funding to a government that denies that the Holocaust ever happened. The state that took the biggest blow on 9/11 should also join campaign against a terror-sponsoring government that's developing nuclear weapons.


A spokesman for DiNapoli says that his office is "studying" the issue of disinvestment in Iran - and notes that they've already moved on Sudan, and co-signed the "warning" letters like the one quoted above to Respol.DiNapoli's office also said that the comptroller "has a fiduciary duty to retirees to get the best possible return on pension investments" and fears lawsuits by retirees or unions should he disinvest - and that "we want to do what's right, not what is political."What could be more right than slowing Iran down in its drive to acquire nuclear weapons?


Click Here To Purchase OUTRAGE!_______________________________________________________________________________

McCain and the Soprano, singing their praises - By Jill Zuckman

From the Baltimore Sun Online edition:

One was a fan of his art. The other was a fan of his politics.

Wednesday night in Manhattan, Republican presidential candidate John McCain sat down to dinner with James Gandolfini, the star of The Sopranos and the interviewer behind Alive Day Memories, an HBO documentary featuring wounded Iraq war veterans recounting their experiences.

The dinner took place at The Mandarin Oriental hotel and was brokered by a McCain supporter who is friendly with both men.

The McCain supporter had told Gandolfini that the senator admired his documentary, as well as his commitment to honoring the men and women of the military. Gandolfini said that McCain, a Vietnam veteran and prisoner of war, is one of his heroes. Just a week later, they were getting to know one another in person.

Rick Davis, McCain's campaign manager, said the pair, joined by Cindy McCain, talked about a wide range of things, including Iraq, comparing their experiences there. He said McCain "had a blast.''

"He's one of the more down to earth people I've ever met,'' McCain said of the man most Americans know as Tony Soprano. "If you haven't seen the piece he did for HBO you should''
What comes next with Gandolfini?

"Maybe have some of my opponents' legs broken?" McCain suggested in jest.
Is there an endorsement in McCain's future?

"Who knows,'' manager Davis said. "But we'll certainly ask. Stay tuned."

"Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris responds to opportunists exploiting the death of a police officer to advance a "racist political agenda."

By Jack Harris

Phoenix Police Chief

The following is a column by Phoenix Public Safety Manager Jack Harris. It ran in the Perspective Section of The Arizona Republic on Sunday, September 23rd:

Sept. 24, 2007 08:02 AM

"Am I saddened by another senseless murder of a Phoenix police officer? Yes, of course I am. But I am also saddened when I turn on the radio and hear some useless gasbag using the murder of Officer Nick Erfle to promote a personal, racist political agenda.

It is true that three out of the last 10 murdered Phoenix officers were killed by people born outside the United States, but that also means that seven were killed by citizens of this country. Where is the outrage toward those suspects? Could it be that the people spewing their immigration propaganda do not care about a murdered officer unless he or she is killed by an immigrant? It certainly would appear so, and that saddens me. The same people who hide behind a microphone and have done nothing productive for this community point fingers at the mayor of this city and blame Police Department policy for this tragedy.

The mayor does not write or approve police policy, I do. If these folks do not like my policy they are free to come and see me, but they better bring something to the table other than their agenda and rhetoric. I am not inclined to turn my officers into immigration agents just because it suits a politician's purpose. The people behind the rhetoric will never have to kneel down and present a flag to a widow shaking with fear and grief and try to give her a few words of comfort.

Am I saddened about the loss of Officer Erfle?

Am I saddened by how his death is being used? You will never know how much. Here are the facts about Phoenix:

· In the past 12 months, Phoenix Police have arrested 3,500 illegal immigrants who committed crimes, and found more than 2,000 others whose only crime was being in this country illegally. In each of those cases, Phoenix PD notified Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take custody of them.

· Phoenix PD arrests TEN TIMES more illegal immigrants than any other law enforcement agency in Arizona -- except ICE.

· Phoenix has 10 ICE agents imbedded in the Police Department to assist in investigations of human smuggling, narco-trafficking, and other crimes related to illegal immigration. We are the only department in the country with embedded ICE agents.

· Two years ago, the killer of Officer Nick Erfle was arrested by Phoenix Police, prosecuted, and convicted. Prior to completing his sentence, he was deported by ICE, but easily crossed back over our border with Mexico. At the time of his death, Officer Erfle was attempting to arrest this criminal again -- this time on a misdemeanor warrant.

Phoenix police did everything they were supposed to do – but the federal government must stop the revolving door at the border. "

Voter Registration Training - Sat Sept 29th - Scottsdale Bible Church 10:30AM

VOTER REGISTRATION
TRAINING

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2007
10:30-11:30AM
SCOTTSDALE BIBLE CHURCH
Room E-101
7601 E. Shea Boulevard (West of the 101)

Presenter: Bob Glovitz

Robert (Bob) Glovitz graduated with honors from Northeastern University with a B.S. in Business Administration, and received a Juris Doctor from American University in Washington, D. C. Glovitz was a licensed attorney in New York (inactive) and Ohio (inactive). Glovitz is a Certified Public Accountant and currently maintains an inactive status.

Glovitz is a lifelong entrepreneur. His most recent endeavors are Sierra Auction Management, Inc., and as acting as a Director of TrustBank, a 90 year old community bank that recently began operations in Arizona. Previously Glovitz founded Automated Dispatch Systems, a software firm that specializes in field service applications. In 1998 ADS placed 85th on the Deloitte and Touche Fast 500 list (AOL was No. 84). Glovitz sold the firm in 2004. Glovitz is a 4 time finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He is currently is President of Cortez Financial Ventures, Inc., a private investment entity.

Bob and his wife Cheryl are the parents of two sons, Blake and Adam. Bob has served as a spokesperson for the National Center for Policy Analysis. Bob is the former Chairman of the federally chartered charity, The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, a position he was appointed to by President George W. Bush.

SPONSORED BY
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS 6, 7, AND 8
RSVP to LAJAMES68@AOL.COM or 480/443-2506

Series on Islam: "THREE FACES EAST Part 36" - By HJS

Mani (Mainstream): Modi, did you hear about President Jady’s (Ahmedinijad) speech at the UN the other day?

Modi (Moderate): Oh, Yes. But the electricity was off for a while and I missed the beginning. Since I missed the beginning, I thought all of his ranting and raving was a self-confession.

Mani laughs so hard, he bumps into Radi, almost knocking him down.

Radi (Radical): The president was ranting about the Western nations, especially America.

Modi: I know that now. However, it certainly appeared to me to be a world-class confession of his own crimes.

Mani: (Finds it hard to stop laughing) Modi, you need to curb your comments; you get too funny.

Radi: I do not think he’s funny.

Modi: You don’t think anything’s funny. You remind me of the Ayatollah Khomeini.

Radi: Life is too serious for levity or laughter.

Modi: The ayatollah said something just like that. As I recall, the only person who ever struck him funny was the late Oriana Fallaci. However, the Believers in Denmark, Italy, and other European cities had a big price on her head—and I mean head. They didn't think she was funny.

Mani: I remember something about that. What did she do that was so evil?

Modi: Nothing evil. She wrote two books about the attitude and the actions of our Believers that immigrated to Europe and trashed many of the places where they settled. She also complained about the eagerness of the Leftist officials to accommodate the Believers at the expense of the citizens. It is something akin to the way the American administration is treating illegal aliens at the expense of their own American workers.

Mani: I saw some of that on CNN. It was sandwiched somewhere between some stupid half-dressed urchin named Brittany and giving bail to an illegal alien murderer. I have problems understanding American news programs. Out of ten minutes, they gave about a minute to the two problems and the rest of the time to the urchin.

Radi: The Americans are all messed up and will have to deal with the flames.

Modi: I wish you would get real. The Americans are not the Meccans of the 7th century, and we are not raiding their caravans and making deals with other tribes against them. We are in the 21st century now. Everything has changed. Get over it!

Radi: You are wrong, Modi. I told you before that the Americans are the polytheists—they worship their saints, Jesus Christ, and his Mother[1]. They say there is only one God, but they worship more than one. We must kill them wherever we find them.[2]

Mani: Whatever your opinion is of the Americans, Radi, they have helped us here in Iraq. They have not tried to steal our oil and they have given us the opportunity to vote our own people into the government. Except for the problem at Abu Graib, that was more hilarious than anything else, and a few unfortunate incidents during firefights with people firing at them, they have not tried to intimidate us or exploit us.

Radi: You are wrong, Mani. They tried to set up their own style of government that will endeavor to make us more like they are.

Modi: That statement is rubbish, Radi. How about keeping this subject on a higher level than that? Besides, we were talking about your buddy Ahmadinejad, President Jady!

Mani: Radi, I can hardly wait to hear your analysis of his reference to the Mahdi. I noticed he did not specifically mention the Twelfth Imam, but he had a reference to his coming.

Radi: I do not see anything wrong with his reminding everyone of the end-of-days. Perhaps he has the foresight to see the coming of the Mahdi. The Mahdi and Jesus will appear right before the Judgment. Not long after that, we will see who is flung into the fire and who sees paradise and the virgins. (Notices Mani laughing) What are you laughing at now?

Mani: Modi and I had a minor argument about that. Apparently, we are not the only ones arguing about what one sees after death or martyrdom. You say it is PARADISE with FIAR-SKINNED VIRGINS. Modi has it on good authority that it is a GARDEN with lots of WHITE GRAPES.

Radi: (Turn red with anger) Today you definitely will die, Modi. You dare to challenge the word of Allah, the All-Knowing.

Modi: It is a translation, Radi. It is someone's translation of what he thought he read or heard. We do not know exactly what was said, only what was written on a banana leaf. The early Believers who were tasked with assembling the Qur’an, Allah bless their efforts and give them peace, had an almost impossible task. Arabic writing, given to us by Christian monks, was not perfected yet and was not as reliable as it is now. Remember, the imams always said that in those days memorization was always superior to writing. Nonetheless, it should also be taken into consideration that many of our blessed people who memorized parts of the Qur’an, had been exposed to terribly violent battles and arduous campaigns before they were called upon to regirgitate what they had committed to memory. Some of these people were also rather long of tooth, and memories could not always be verified. The ancient one may have had a choice between paradise and garden (in the Torah, it is garden), and between virgins and white grapes. I am not even going to ask you, Radi, which translation you would have given.

Radi: Prepare to die!

Mani: Radi, you will have to take Modi’s head off some other time. I am starved and am ready for breakfast.

The three friends forget their arguments and amiably saunter down the pockmarked road toward the restaurant.

HJS

[1] Qur’an 4:171 O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.

[2] Qur’an 2:191 And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah (disbelief) is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al- îaram ( vicinity of Mecca) until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.

McCain Launches Television and Radio Ads in New Hampshire

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced a statewide New Hampshire ad buy. The new ads highlight John McCain's experience, character and judgment that Americans trust to lead our country and reform Washington. The campaign is launching two television ads and one radio ad, entitled "One Man," "Live Free," and "Courage," respectively.

Dan Nowicki with the Arizona Republic's 'McCain Central' has the full story CLICK HERE

HILLARY'S LEADERSHIP COLLAPSE

Sent to us by Arizona GOP National Committeeman BRUCE ASH.....

HILLARY'S LEADERSHIP COLLAPSE

Media And Colleagues Note Hillary's Lack Of Leadership
Before, During, And After Debate
______________________________________________________________________
Before And After Democrat Debate, The Media Was Quick To Criticize Hillary For Never Leading:

NBC's Chuck Todd: "We can't sit here and say Clinton's been a leader in the Senate either. She's not gone out there to try to marshal the troops as well either." (MSNBC's "Hardball," 9/26/07)

Todd: "None of the senators have that much. They have sort of -- they put out bills that get voted on, so they can say they introduced a bill. But they haven't really tried to corral the Senate, say, you know what? I'm - that's it. I'm - I'm not on the campaign trail until I get this done." (MSNBC's "Hardball," 9/26/07)

After The Debate, MSNBC's Chris Matthews Accused Hillary Of Not Taking A Position "That Might Offend Some Interest Group Within The Democratic Party." Matthews: "Hillary Clinton did what she always does, what her husband always does is refuse to pay a price for political office. To always defer to someone; always avoid taking a position within any interest group that might offend some interest group within the Democratic Party. It seems the whole tactic of the Clintons, never take a stand that offends anybody in the whole room full of Democratic Donors and then you get elected because you don't offend anybody." (MSNBC's "Hardball," 9/26/07)

Lack Of Leadership: Hillary Refused To Answer Tough Questions:

MSNBC's Chris Matthews: "Both on the issue of a potential Israeli strike on Iran and the issue of what are you going to do to save the Social Security system. In both cases she said I will not answer the question. I haven't heard politicians do that before. That's a first." (MSNBC's "Post-Debate Coverage," 9/26/07)

Hillary Refused To Answer Question About Israel Attacking Iran. NBC's Tim Russert: "Senator Clinton, in 1981, the Israelis took out a nuclear reactor in Iraq. On September 6th, to the best of our information, Israel attacked Syria because there was suspicion that perhaps North Korea had put some nuclear materials in Syria. If Israel concluded that Iran's nuclear capability threatened Israel's security, would Israel be justified in launching an attack on Iran?" Hillary: "Tim, I think that's one of those hypotheticals, that is ..." Russert: "It's not a hypothetical, Senator." Hillary: "Better not addressed at this time." (Sen. Hillary Clinton, MSNBC Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Hanover, NH, 9/26/07)

When Asked About Her Plan For Fixing Social Security, Hillary Repeatedly Avoided The Question And Refused To Offer Any Specifics. Russert: "But you would not take lifting the cap at $97,500 off the table?" Hillary: "Well, I'd take everything off the table until we move toward fiscal responsibility and before we have a bipartisan process. I don't think I should be negotiating about what I would do as president. You know, I want to see what other people come to the table with." ... Russert: "So, Senator, a simple question, a simple question: What do you put on the table [for solving Social Security]?" ... Hillary: "I'm not putting anything on the proverbial table until we move toward fiscal responsibility." (Sen. Hillary Clinton, MSNBC Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Hanover, NH, 9/26/07)
Reliving History: Matthews: "Bill Clinton never took a position on reform of any entitlement program. ... [I]t's a very cynical move because you're saying to the public I am not telling you anything I intend to do." (MSNBC's "Hardball," 9/26/07)
Hillary Dodged Question On Clinton Library Donors. Russert: "[W]ould they voluntarily, the Clinton library and Clinton Foundation, make their donors public?" Hillary: "Well, you'll have to ask them." Russert: "What's your recommendation?" Hillary: "Well, I don't talk about my private conversations with my husband..." (Sen. Hillary Clinton, MSNBC Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Hanover, NH, 9/26/07)

Hillary Refused To Answer Questions Leaving "A Pile-Up Of Unanswered Questions." "In the earlier debates, when she [Hillary] refused to answer what she said were hypothetical questions, she was praised for her experience and judgment, especially compared with Mr. Obama. But tonight, there seemed to be a pile-up of unanswered questions. No doubt there is a YouTuber out there now who is stringing those non-answers together." (Katharine Q. Seelye, "Post-Debate Wrap-Up," The New York Times' "The Caucus" Blog, www.nytimes.com, 9/27/07)

"Her Final Answer Captured The Dynamic, When She Was Asked Whom She Would Support In A (Hypothetical) World Series Between The Yankees And The Chicago Cubs. Well, She Said, Gazing At The Ceiling, She Would Have To Alternate Between The Two." (Katharine Q. Seelye, "Post-Debate Wrap-Up," The New York Times' "The Caucus" Blog, www.nytimes.com, 9/27/07)

Other Democrat Presidential Candidates Criticized Hillary's Lack Of Leadership:

Edwards Attacked Hillary's Social Security Plan, Calling It "Politician Double-Talk." Edwards: "You cannot solve this problem just by setting up a bipartisan commission... [T]he American people deserve to hear the truth. They have heard so much politician double-talk on this issue." (Former Sen. John Edwards, MSNBC Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Hanover, NH, 9/26/07)

Sen. Chris Dodd Was "Stunned" At Hillary's Unwillingness To Tackle The Social Security Issue. Sen. Dodd: "So, I'm rather stunned that we had, sort of, this vague, unwillingness to be clear about what you would specifically do on a major fiscal issue in the country." (MSNBC's "Hardball," 9/26/07)


PDF Format

DINNER WITH HILLARY: TALKING POINTS FOR THE NEXT ROUND - By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN

Published on TheHill.com on September 26, 2007.


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Even for her, Hillary Clinton showed tremendous skill at batting aside questions asked of her on the Sunday shows this past weekend and giving, instead, her standard talking points. Pinning this lady down is admittedly not easy. Two of the best interviewers on political TV — Chris Wallace and Tim Russert — asked tough questions but got scripted and memorized retorts for their pains. But here are some questions (along with follow-ups) that I suggest they ask during the next round of Sunday shows — if she ever goes back on the circuit.


• Bill Clinton refused to accept political action committee (PAC) contributions in his campaigns of 1992 and 1996. Obama and Edwards are following his example. Why aren’t you?


• After all the bad experiences you had with Johnnie Chung and Charlie Trie and their campaign donations in the 1996 election cycle, why were you not more careful in vetting the donations generated by Norman Hsu? Didn’t you learn your lesson in 1996?(As a follow-up to No. 2) After you found that you had to return almost a million dollars to the donors bundled by Hsu, you said you would be more vigilant in examining the backgrounds of donors. Why didn’t you come to that conclusion before the Hsu scandal, based on your 1996 experiences?• Norman Hsu was no ordinary donor. He was the biggest bundler in your campaign; he gave funds to the Clinton Global Initiative and the Clinton School of Government in Arkansas and took Patti Solis Doyle, your campaign manager, and other aides on an all-expense-paid trip to Las Vegas. He also donated to Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa, whose campaign debt you agreed to help repay. In view of his high profile in your campaign, why didn’t you check him out more thoroughly, and what does this say about your ability to make quality appointments?



• You base your healthcare proposal on the need to cover 47 million “uninsured Americans.” Since about a third of them are illegal immigrants and another third are eligible for Medicaid right now and just don’t apply for it, aren’t you overstating the problem?(As a follow-up to No. 4) In 2005 you co-sponsored legislation to provide health insurance to the children of illegal immigrants who have lived in this country for five years. In other words, their children would get subsidized healthcare under the State Children’s Health Insurance Program as a reward for dodging the cops for five years. Do you still support that proposal?


• You say that your healthcare proposal will leave alone those who are happy with their current insurance. But if you provide health benefits for close to 50 million new people, thereby generating huge new demand for medical care without any increase in the supply of doctors, nurses or hospitals, it will drive up prices radically. Won’t that force you to institute cost controls by limiting the care those now on health insurance can receive?


• In Arkansas, you achieved fame by urging mandatory testing for teachers and demanded that those who failed the competency tests be dismissed. You and your husband did this and implemented this policy. As a result, he was denied the endorsement by the Arkansas Teachers Union during his time as governor. Do you still support your proposal of 1983 and 1984 for mandatory teacher competency tests for current teachers — not just for new ones?


• In Arkansas, you pioneered the idea of testing students to ascertain their progress and holding schools accountable for any shortcomings in their test scores. Now California Democratic Congressman George Miller, chairman of the House Education Committee, wants to change the No Child Left Behind Act to substitute graduation rates for test scores as the measure of a school’s performance. Opponents say this is injecting a non-objective standard and undercuts the whole purpose of the legislation. Do you support Miller’s proposal?There’s more, but we’ve run out of time! I hope that the journalists who next have Clinton in their sights read this column, take notes and act on it. The answers to these questions would be nice to have before we elect her president.

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Broadband Taxman": WSJ Praises McCain on Internet Tax Ban

Wall Street Journal

September 26, 2007

Article Excerpt

For Internet users, the scariest night of this year may fall on the evening after Halloween. On November 1, the federal Internet tax moratorium is due to expire, and no committee in Congress has acted to make it permanent.

Last Thursday, prodded by a flurry of GOP press conferences, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issued a two-line statement saying that he had "every expectation that Congress will approve a continuation of the moratorium." Not exactly a passionate call to protect America's 213 million Internet users. Commerce Chairman Daniel Inouye added later that he's "hopeful" his committee can move a bill this week and he has scheduled a Thursday markup.

Listening to recent Democratic talking points on the economy, you might wonder why Congress isn't all over this issue. Democrats say they want to make the tax system less "regressive," if only they could get something past President Bush's veto pen. Here's an opportunity to prevent imminent tax increases on poor and middle-class consumers, and the President is ready to sign it. As an additional benefit, Democrats can avoid presiding over the Congress That Taxed The Internet. Recognizing the political vacuum, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani endorsed the Net tax ban to thunderous applause at a Friday event.

Yet the Senate's Mr. Inouye is planning to bring up only the four-year extension authored by Delaware Senator Tom Carper, a bill that invites governors and mayors to try to slap new taxes on some components of Internet access service, while claiming that the finished product remains tax-free. The better bill is the robust, permanent ban championed by Democrat Ron Wyden and Republicans Wayne Allard, John Sununu and John McCain.

Please click here to read the entire article.

Shawn Marion wants trade from the Suns....

Marion Feels It’s ‘Time To Move On’ From Suns

In THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC, Paul Coro writes “Shawn Marion trade talk is one thing. A Marion trade request is quite another. Marion is irked that the team is not willing to talk about a contract extension. After eight years in Phoenix, Marion wants to leave the Suns and has let the team know in recent weeks.

‘I'm tired of hearing my name in trades,’

Marion said by phone from his Chicago home Tuesday night. ‘

I love my fans in Phoenix but I think it's time for me to move on.’ ”

Yes Shawn, it's time for you to move on. Your the Suns highest paid player ($16 Million per year which is more than Steve Nash is paid), you seem to disappear at times during the playoffs, and your THE cancer on this team who causes dissension. It's time to go. I hope Robert Sarver trades you to the worst team in the Eastern Conference. You had the chance to go to Boston in the Kevin Garnett mega deal but you refused. See how good you aren't without Steve Nash & Amare Stoudemire. Hasta La Vista Shawn, Phoenix fans are sick of your crying....

Congressman JOHN SHADEGG Answers Move On.org ad

Click on the photo to make larger

Congressman John Shadegg from AZ CD-3 has answered the ad from the ultra-liberal group Move-On.org. You can go to the Congressman's website to obtain a copy:

MoveOn.org's Betrayal

Betraying Its Own Best Interests-The New York Times

Senate Approves Resolution Denouncing MoveOn.org Ad - The New York Times

George Soros: The Man, The Mind And The Money Behind MoveOn - Investor's Business Daily

Bush: MoveOn.org ad on Petraeus 'disgusting'- CNN.com

MoveOn.org's demeaning attack - The Seattle Times

A Party Bought And Paid For - Investor's Business Daily


If you would like full-size copies of the Moveon.org's Betrayal ad, please email us with your name, address, phone number and the number of copies.

SPECIAL EDITION: Series on Islam - "THREE FACES EAST Part 35" - By HJS

Modi (Moderate): I guess you all saw or heard “President Jady” in the United States.

Radi (Radical): I was expecting any minute for an RPG or roadside bomb to destroy his limousine.

Mani (Mainstream): They do not have those types of attacks in the United States. “Jady” was welcome there.

Radi: They don’t have politics in America?

Mani: Of course, but RPGs and bombs are not part of it.

Radi: Politics there must be terribly boring.

Modi: I wouldn’t say they’re boring; not with that one Leftist party not always knowing what side they’re on.

Radi: I know about that; they are funny; especially those two senators from Massa-something. They remind me of some movies I saw of Laurel and Hardy.

Mani: Did you notice Jady’s use of deceit as a tactic at that university?

Radi: You bet! I was proud of him. Can you imagine, though, no homosexuals in Iran? Ha! Some of those chaps hold hands and kiss more than we do.

Modi: I would bet more than a few Iranian women would love to scratch his eyes out after his comments about all their freedoms.


Mani: Most of the Americans will dismiss his talk and dismiss him as a dolt. Even the host at the university denounced him.

Modi: Yes, you are right. Sadly enough, I remember that some upstanding Americans were greeted with violence and were not allowed to speak. Yet Dirty Jady was treated with dignity. Calling him a few names does not rise to the level of what happened to those upstanding Americans.

Mani: There is just no telling about Americans.

Modi: Leftists, Mani, Leftists the world over are like that.


Radi: I noticed that also. I cannot figure out whether to hate them or love them. They always seem to be on our side, but they kill their babies and send their daughters out looking like prostitutes.

Modi: I know; the Leftists love their porn. No wonder their minds are all screwed up.

Radi: It is better for us, so I cannot complain. Without them, we would have an even harder time fighting their armies.

Mani: We also have Iran to thank for their training and their newer weapons. I heard on the news, though, that Iran is getting a little angry about losing some of their people over here.

Radi: Well, too bad! I love getting their weapons and their training, but I still hate them.

Modi: This hatred between the Shi’ites and Sunnis has been going on for too long—1,327 years, when our beloved Ali ibn Husain was murdered on the site of Karbala.

Mani: It is still in my mind and in my heart. He was leading a procession to protest the unholy perfidies of the Caliphate at the time. The soldiers of the Caliph, as usual, beheaded all of the men, despite the status of some of them as relatives of the Prophet.

Radi was about to say something, but Modi stopped him.

Modi: We already know what you think, Radi, but sometimes you must learn to shut up when you are among friends.

Radi: The Shi’ites would have forced priesthood on us.

Modi: WHO THE HELL CARES? IS THAT ANY WORSE THAN THE MESS WE HAVE TODAY?


Mani: Modi has told us time after time, Mani, that many of our imams are no problem leading us in prayers, but when they have the temerity to man the pulpit and try to explain our religion to us, their lack of education and lack of wisdom shows. They incite the people that are as dumb as they are and foment too much trouble.

Radi: You people who do not join the jihad are the troublemakers. Because we are not all united in an all-out fight against the infidels, we do not have the power yet to take American and then the rest of the world. I must add, if you don’t think we can do that, remember, we are pretty closing to owning Europe as we speak.

Mani: I don’t know about that, Mani. The newspapers are reporting more than just a few anti-Islam laws in Europe.

Radi: You are reading rumors. Our friends on the Left, foolish as they are, will never allow the Europeans to defend themselves from us.

Modi: Not all European leaders are Leftists now, Radi. Europe again is changing.

Radi: Well, we will always have London.

Mani: Not so fast. Many of the polls show that the young Brit Muslims would rather see themselves more as Brits than Muslims. The British as a people now are getting a little tired of bombs and shootings. They welcome the comments and activities of the youngsters.

Radi: All of that will change when we toss the Americans out of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mani: I am not so sure you can do that. The Americans are tough and smart.

Radi: Both governments, Iraq and Afghanistan are corrupt and close to folding. Afghanistan may fold first. The next martyr may do the job. Many of the people surrounding Karzai are closer to Iran than to the Americans.

Mani: That is right, Modi. Do not forget, the Northern Alliance that helped the Americans win over the Taliban had always been hand-in-glove with Iran.

Modi: Radi, if the Americans did lose Afghanistan, it may be controlled by Iran and not the Taliban. The Taliban may be destroyed—the usual fate of so-called “useful idiots.”

Radi: What did you call me?


Modi: Oh, hell, not again. Radi, take that knife and…

Mani: Calm down, Modi. Listen, Bilal calls.

Radi: Yes. Let us put all of our disputes aside for a little while.

Modi: Allah bless both of you for your concern.

Radi: Ah, nuts!

Mani: What is the matter now, Radi?

Radi: Gas.

Mani and Mod laugh because upon wakening, Radi had to undergo a Ghusl, a full body wash. Ordinarily, for the next prayer, he would need only a partial wash; however, since he had a problem with gas, he now has to take the time to take a full bath again.

HJS

McCain to Columbia: If you're so committed to free speech, bring back ROTC

Here's the statement from John McCain:

"I still find it astonishing and astounding that Columbia
University would welcome the president of a country that has not only dedicated
itself to a policy of extinction of the state of Israel, but as he is speaking,
most of the lethal and explosive devices are being exported from Iran into Iraq,
endangering and taking the lives of brave Americans who are serving. Meanwhile,
Columbia University's belief in free speech does not extend to Reserve Officers'
Training Corps units being allowed on their campus to attract outstanding young
men and women to serve in the military."

CLICK HERE to see video courtesy of KSAZ Fox 10

DEMS' FISCAL FAILURE -

Arizona National GOP Committeeman
BRUCE ASH asked us to pass this on:

DEMS' FISCAL FAILURE
Dems Bucked Promises Of Fiscal Responsibility And Failed At "The Most Fundamental Job Congress Is Expected To Do"
______________________________________________________________________
After Nearly 9 Months In Control Of Congress, Democrats Have Failed To Pass A Single FY2008 Spending Bill:

On September 30th, The FY2007 Budget Expires - Which Means The Federal Government Will Shut Down Unless Spending Legislation For FY2008 Is Passed. "The partisan maneuvering is becoming more intense because the law funding the federal government expires at the end of this month and Congress has yet to pass any of the 12 annual spending bills." (Alexander Bolton, "Republican Legislation Would Prevent Another Shutdown," The Hill, 9/19/07)

To Date, The Democrat Leadership Has Failed To Pass Any Of The 12 Annual Spending Bills. (The Library Of Congress Website, thomas.loc.gov, Accessed 9/21/07)
Democratic Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL) Called Passing Spending Bills "The Most Fundamental Job Congress Is Expected To Do." (Robert Pear, "Familiar Disagreements As Fiscal Deadline Nears," The New York Times, 9/23/07)

"Despite Last Year's Pledges To Restore Budget Discipline, Democrats Have Been So Busy Chasing Phantom Justice Department Corruption And Paying Back Campaign Contributors With Symbolic Votes That They've Yet To Finish A Single Spending Bill." (Kimberly Strassel, Op-Ed, "Can Bush Hold The Line On Spending?," The Wall Street Journal, 9/21/07)

FLASHBACK: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV): "Democrats are ready to work with the President to ... restore fiscal discipline." (Andrew Taylor, "Bush Pushes Balanced Budget On Democrats," The Associated Press, 1/4/07)

FLASHBACK: Speaker Of The House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): "[F]iscal responsibility is a key component of our agenda." (CNBC's "Kudlow & Company," 10/24/06)

FLASHBACK: 2002 Was The Last Time Democrats Controlled At Least One House Of Congress And "Not A Single Spending Bill Cleared Before The Start Of The Fiscal Year." "The last time, however, that not a single spending bill cleared before the start of the fiscal year was in 2002, when the fiscal 2003 appropriations bills were being considered." (David Clarke, "Spending Fight With Bush Delayed," CQ Today, 9/21/07)

Instead Of Passing Critical Legislation, Dems Spent September Posturing On Iraq To Appease Liberal Anti-War Groups:

Democrats "Continued To Play Games On The Iraq War ... Preening To The MoveOn.org Crowd." "Democrats continued to play games on the Iraq war last week, as the Senate spent most of Wednesday debating a measure that would have constrained the use of many troops in the conflict. ... [P]reening to the MoveOn.org crowd while delivering zilch -- the path of least resistance -- is their preferred course of action as they wait the months until the 2008 election. Now that's real leadership." (Editorial, "'It's Just All Politics All The Time,'" Las Vegas Review-Journal, 9/24/07)

"Democrats Are Not Expected To Take Up President Bush's War Spending Request Until November, Giving Them Time To Calculate Their Next Move And See If Republican Support For His Policies Deteriorates." (Anne Flaherty, "Democrats To Wait On War Funding Debate," The Associated Press, 9/17/07)

Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI): "We're not going to be discouraged. ... There's no better use of the Senate's time than to try to change the direction in Iraq." (Editorial, "MoveOn.Dems," The Wall Street Journal, 9/24/07)

NOTE: Failure To Pass Spending Legislation Hurts Those Who Rely On Federal Funding:

Federal Officials Have Said That The Budget Delay Could Disrupt Some Programs. "Both sides say a government shutdown is unthinkable, but federal officials say that disruption of some programs is possible." (Robert Pear, "Familiar Disagreements As Fiscal Deadline Nears," The New York Times, 9/23/07)

According To The Chairwoman Of Friends Of Cancer Research, Ellen Sigal, The Budget Delay Is Difficult For Scientists Who Depend On Federal Research Grants. "But Ellen V. Sigal, chairwoman of Friends of Cancer Research, a public education group, said: 'The uncertainty is very difficult. It's devastating. Scientists are waiting to know if they will receive research grants for innovative ideas. The resolution of these questions can make a huge difference to patients and researchers.'" (Robert Pear, "Familiar Disagreements As Fiscal Deadline Nears," The New York Times, 9/23/07)

David Bauer, Senior VP Of The American Road And Transportation Builders Association, Said It "Could Have Major Implications For Anyone Who Rides In Cars, Trucks, Trains, Buses Or Subways." "David C. Bauer, senior vice president of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, a trade gro up, said the [budget] clash could have major implications for anyone who rides in cars, trucks, trains, buses or subways." (Robert Pear, "Familiar Disagreements As Fiscal Deadline Nears," The New York Times, 9/23/07)