Category: President Barack Obama

OF COURSE IT WAS PLAGIARISM — NOT!

On By Citizen TomIn 2016 Election, Donald Trump, news media bias, President Barack Obama, unraveling46 Comments
Mike Myers as Dr. Evil (from here)
Mike Myers as Dr. Evil (from here)

It is more important to stand for something than it is stand against something. When we vote, we should try to vote for someone whose views on the purpose government are similar to our own. The problem is that what lots of politicians say is not what they do. So when we check out the candidates we have to worry about how much damage we think they will do. Therefore, we often have to vote for the lesser of evils.

Unfortunately, when we try vote for the lesser of evils, that does not much complicate the campaign strategy of the more evil candidates.  They and their supporters just respond by trying to convince us the other guy is even worst, or, supposedly even more despicable, dumb.

Hence, my last post, YOU CAN PLAGIARIZE TRITE EXPRESSIONS? REALLY? derided the accusations that Melania Trump had plagiarized Michelle Obama’s 2008 convention speech. Ironically, we had two commenters in the last post, novascout (here and here) and Tony (here) try to persuade us that “of course it was plagiarism”. Google now reports 1,730 results for that phrase, “of course it was plagiarism”.

Supposedly, the Trump’s have conceded the accuracy of the charge of plagiarism by identifying the culprit (see Trump campaign tries to move on from plagiarism controversy). However, the headline says what is going on. The Trump campaign regards the accusation as a distraction.

Why put the silliness to rest? Let’s look at this two ways. First, consider what the Democrats want to argue about.  Here are are the priceless lines “stolen” from Michelle Obama’s speech. Note that none of the lines in Melania Trump’s speech are actually identical to those in Michelle Obama’s (see Melania Trump Copied from Michelle Obama’s 2008 Convention Speech (Snopes.com)). Note also that what is in bold below was supposedly stolen.

  • Their integrity, compassion and intelligence reflect to this day on me and for my love of family and America. – Here Melania Trump talks about herself. Michelle Obama referred to her daughters. Seems like a strategic difference, but maybe Melania gave birth to herself.
  • From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life. That your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise. That you treat people with respect. – Does Michelle Obama have the original copyright on: you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond, you do what you say, and that you treat people with respect. Platitudes can be copyrighted?
  • They thought and showed me values and morals in their daily life. That is a lesson that I continue to pass along to our son, and we need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow. – Two words in that sentence constitute plagiarism?
  • Because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them. – In America we use to grow up with our elders constantly telling us that the only only limits to our achievements were our dreams and our willingness to work. Now we are offended when a legal immigrant tells us that? Because of plagiarism? Plagiarism of who? Michelle Obama? Consider the irony.

As I said, I don’t get it. What is there in any of the supposedly plagiarized portion of Melania Trump’s speech that she should have credited to Michelle Obama? If this is how Democrats want to portray Donald Trump as evil, I think it is about as funny as Dr. Evil.

So what does Trump want to move onto? That is, what are the Democrats trying to distract us from? Consider.

What we should be doing is looking at what the people who are running for political office have done? What is it that they have done that qualifies them to run for high office, to spend our money and exercise power over us, our families, our friends and our countrymen.

What does they news media want to talk about? Well, it has more to do with theater and entertainment than substance.

Soon the conventions will be over. Are Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton the most unpopular presidential candidates ever? Maybe. Is our country in a mess? Yes. Is the mess getting worse? Yes. Are we going to start looking into the records of the people we vote for? God help help if we don’t.

WHAT A STUPID THING TO ARGUE ABOUT?

On By Citizen TomIn Constitution, Culture War, Delegate Bob Marshall, Philosophy, President Barack Obama, unraveling17 Comments

school.pngGiven the things we are arguing about, I don’t have much doubt our republic is dying. Can our Creator still save us? Of course, but do enough of us want to be saved?

Here is an email I received from Delegate Bob Marshall on Friday.

THE MARSHALL MESSAGEDear Friends,

If President Obama and his administration refuse to recognize the biological difference between male and female, decline to acknowledge federal regulations that clearly state that separate bathroom and shower facilities for men and women do not create discrimination, fail to define or limit the scope of the word transgender and are willing to promote child abuse according to the American College of Pediatricians, they are not fit to retain their offices.

They compound this by threatening to blackmail states by withholding federal education funding for not complying with their newly discovered definition of “sex.”  I call on Speaker Paul Ryan and Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Bob Goodlatte to convene impeachment proceedings immediately for President Obama, Loretta Lynch and Secretary of Education, John King.  If you agree sign the petition here.  

President Obama has reached a new level of outrage with the letters that his Department of Education is sending out to states today informing them that they must implement policies allowing transgender individuals access to the bathroom and locker room facilities of their choice or risk losing Federal education funding.  This comes on the heels of the U.S Department of Justice’s letter to the Governor of North Carolina alleging that H.B. 2 is in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013.

President Obama and his administration are attempting to create a whole new definition for the word “sex” with regard to gender in order to bypass existing law.  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals on the basis of “race, color, religion, sex, or -national origin.”  “Sexual orientation” and “gender identity” are not protected classifications under federal law (42 U.S. Code §2000e).

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs and activities. However, the section of Title IX regarding “comparable facilities” states, “A recipient [of Title IX funds] may provide separate toilet, locker room, and shower facilities on the basis of sex,” (34 CFR 106.33).

The DOE is now interpreting “sex” to include “gender expression, gender identity, transgender status, gender transition, or nonconformity with sex stereotypes” but there is no basis in Federal law for them to do so and neither the President nor his administration have the authority to make these changes in the law.  The Constitutional authority to make laws is given only to Congress, not the President and certainly not his Attorney General.

These attacks on human nature and our Constitution are so fundamental that they defy adequate description.  Please consider signing the petition using the link above or the button below.

Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,
Delegate Bob Marshall

Some people think the law or even the Constitution says whatever they think it should say. That’s either disillusional or dishonorable. Take your pick, but those are the people we have been electing. Therefore, we have much to be ashamed of.

Think not? Well, consider this.

The Obama administration has directed public schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity. (continued here)

Here is the Obama administration’s order (U.S. Departments of Justice and Education Release Joint Guidance to Help Schools Ensure the Civil Rights of Transgender Students). There is, of course, a threat to cut Federal funding. After all, if you don’t agree with their policy, you must be a meanie who hates and hates and hates.

Now consider  what Ryan Sawyers, Chairman At-Large for the Prince William County School Board had to say about the matter.

Sawyers says the legal ramifications of the latest federal directive remain unclear, and it will be reviewed to do what’s best for Prince William County.

“I don’t have a problem with any student or any employee using the bathroom of their choice,” Sawyers said. (from here)

Sawyers is not some distant Washington D. C. official. He is a local guy we foisted upon ourselves.

What if that big guy decides he is really a girl?
What if that big guy decides he is really a girl?

Fortunately, some states have chosen to fight. That includes Texas.  This video provides Gov. Greg Abbott’s (Texas gov. vows to fight White House over transgender issues) response to the issue. That includes the governor’s observation as to what is wrong. We have have turned the Constitution on its head.

Why would our president turn OUR Constitution on its head? Why would we let him do it? What is wrong with us? That is something we each need to think about, but one thing I think should be clear. For generations the parents of America’s children have given over responsibility for the education of their precious children to politicians, and that is an abysmally stupid thing to do. We used to be a Godly people, at least more so than we are now. Why would any parents who want to instill Godly values into their children trust politicians to do that for them? Why would any parents who believe in God send their children to a secularized school system that insists upon ignoring God’s existence? When the most important book ever written about the most important man who ever lived is the Bible, why would any Christian want to send their children to a school that treats the Bible as a subject of negligible educational value? Do you know? I sure don’t.

People say that school is for the secular world, and church is for the religious, but do the math. How many hours do our children spend in school? How many do they spend in church? Where does the Bible say we should not treat every hour of our lives — everything we do — as sacred to God? Even our work — our so-called secular work — we are suppose to do as our Lord would have us do it. Is that something our children will learn in a secularized school?

We never needed our government (particularly a bunch of power crazed bureaucrats appointed by President Obama)  to educate our children. We just needed to work together in our churches or with nonprofit institutions that we chose. We just needed to take personal responsibility for getting the job done properly, and too many of us did not do so. So now we don’t even have the wisdom to insist that our president must obey the Constitution.

Anyway, we can only do one thing at a time. Please let our leaders know we don’t want our children to be the subject of their social engineering experiments. Then consider how you want cut the government back down to its proper size. Need a review? Then here is a good place to start.

THE ADVENTURES OF BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA IN THE LAND OF GULLIBLE FOOLS

On By Citizen TomIn Congress, Constitution, Culture War, immigration, President Barack Obama, unraveling7 Comments

OATH OF OFFICEWhen the story of the President Barack Obama‘s political career has become history, what should the story be called? I think THE ADVENTURES OF BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA IN THE LAND OF GULLIBLE would be an appropriate title. However, those of us alive today don’t have to wait for the book. In fact, tonight we saw the beginning of yet another episode in the career of our nation’s leading liar (For those with strong stomachs, here is the transcript.).

What would be an appropriate chapter title? That’s easy: EXECUTIVE ORDER: AMNESTY II FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS.

How do we know our president is lying? We can read the charter of the Federal Government, The United States Constitution. Four short little clauses in that document give us the full answer.

Article 1 describes the structure of and the powers of Congress of the United States, and it provides the process for choosing our Congress. Section 1 begins by explaining what Congress does.

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. (from here)

What does the term “legislative” mean? In this context the term “legislative” is used as an adjective.  So lets look at the adjective definitions.

– having the function of making laws: a legislative body.

– of or pertaining to the enactment of laws: legislative proceedings; legislative power.

-pertaining to a legislature : a legislative recess.

– enacted or ordained by legislation or a legislature: legislative ruling; legislative remedy.

Because Congress has “All legislative Powers,” Congress makes the laws.

What kind of laws does Congress have the powers to make? The Constitution enumerates those powers in Article 1, Section 8. Section 8 specifically includes this power.

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization

That means Congress has the power to establish our nation’s immigration laws.

Article II of the Constitution describes the powers of the president, and it provides a process for choosing both president and the vice president. Section 1 by begins by explaining what the President does.

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. (from here)

What does the term “executive” mean? In this context the term “executive” is used as an adjective.  So lets look at the adjective definitions.

– of, pertaining to, or suited for carrying out plans, duties, etc.:  executive ability.

– pertaining to or charged with the execution of laws and policies or the administration of public affairs: executive appointments; executive committees.

– designed for, used by, or suitable for executives: an executive suite.

As amazing as it may seem, the president does not make new laws. The president enforces existing laws.

In fact, because the men who wrote the Constitution were worried that the president would exceed his authority, Article 2, Section 1 of the Constitution requires the president to take an oath, one written just for him.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—”I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”  (from here)

Unfortunately, we have allowed President Barack Obama to get away with violating his oath of office. So part of the blame for Obama’s repeated oathbreaking belongs to us. When he ran for office, Obama made promises the Constitution would not allow him to keep. Thus, for example, he and his cronies in Congress foisted Obamacare on us. Nevertheless, we voted for him a second time. So now he is foisting AMNESTY II FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS on us. And what’s his reason?

For more than 200 years, our tradition of welcoming immigrants from around the world has given us a tremendous advantage over other nations. It’s kept us youthful, dynamic, and entrepreneurial. It has shaped our character as a people with limitless possibilities – people not trapped by our past, but able to remake ourselves as we choose. (from here)

Even as he violates his oath of office, subverting our constitutional republic, he tells us it’s for our benefit? And we are suppose to believe him?  What is amazing is the number of people who still do? Thus, the book title:  THE ADVENTURES OF BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA IN THE LAND OF GULLIBLE.

AND THEY CALL CONSERVATIVES MIND-NUMBED ROBOTS?

On By Citizen TomIn 2014 Election, Culture War, Humor, President Barack Obama1 Comment

humor.pngWe are in the middle President Barack Hussein Obama’s second term. It has taken six years of misery, but some of the people who voted for him and some of the people who didn’t vote for anyone are finally willing to vote for almost any Republican just to get rid of the Democrats who are making of mess out of everything.

So what did I get in my email?  I got a copy of this.

America – He’s Your President for Goodness Sake!

By William Thomas

There was a time not so long ago when Americans, regardless of their political stripes, rallied round their president. Once elected, the man who won the White House was no longer viewed as a republican or democrat, but the President of the United States. The oath of office was taken, the wagons were circled around the country’s borders and it was America versus the rest of the world with the president of all the people at the helm.

Suddenly President Barack Obama, with the potential to become an exceptional president has become the glaring exception to that unwritten, patriotic rule.

Four days before President Obama’s inauguration, before he officially took charge of the American government, Rush Limbaugh boasted publicly that he hoped the president would fail. Of course, when the president fails the country flounders. Wishing harm upon your country in order to further your own narrow political views is selfish, sinister and a tad treasonous as well. (continued here)

Generally, when I get an email like this, if I think it worth the bother, I investigate. Is this for real or just a joke? As happens, this note was for real, and I think the writer is actually serious.

❓

With a little research, I found an editorial in the Washington Free Beacon, Leave Obama Alone! Liberals Actually Believe Obama Is the First President to Be Publicly Criticized. The author, , could not resist having fun with Thomas’ nonsense. Stiles ridicules the Thomas’ nonsense by interspersing the text with pictures of Liberals demonstrating against George W. Bush.

Every paragraph of Thomas’ nonsense is so absurd I have to wonder if he wrote it tongue-in-cheek.

  1. That time not so long ago exists mostly in fiction. Because our politics is just warfare fought with ballots, American squabble most of the time. Our worst war was our Civil War. It ended with a president’s assassination.
  2. Barack Obama is an exceptional president, and he has gotten most of his agenda. And that’s his problem.
  3. Limbaugh did hope Obama would fail.  Because he did not want Obama to implement his Socialist agenda, screw up our healthcare, and damage our economy, Limbaugh hoped Obama would fail.
  4. When Joe Wilson called Obama a liar, Wilson told the truth.
  5. Obama’s costly excursions have become things of legend. If only the Obama’s had only wasted money on their costly excursions.
  6. Because the Democrats forced their healthcare program upon an unwilling nation, the people demonstrated peaceably.  If you want to see a mud pit, check out Stile’s pictures of the demonstrations against George W. Bush.
  7. And so forth.

Well, one more.  This paragraph is just too pricelessly stupid to pass over.

In President Barack Obama, Americans have a charismatic leader with a good and honest heart. Unlike his predecessor, he’s a very intelligent leader. And unlike that president’s predecessor, he’s a highly moral man.

He is defending Obama from abuse, and he takes a swipe at Bush? Is he that dense? The Daily KOS (here) doesn’t seem to think so.

Anyway, Conservatives have been trying to root Obama out of the White House for six long years. What we have discovered is that only the slow, remorseless revelation of Obama own dismal performance can destroy Obama’s presidency.

Some people desperately want to believe Obama lies, but not enough of them do anymore. Thus, we have come to the point where Conservatives are no longer the only ones fed up with Obama’s presidency. Check out Dana Milbank: Obama seems numb to this latest ‘shellacking’ of Democrats. That begins with these words.

“I hear you,” President Obama said to the voters who gave Democrats an electoral drubbing in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

But their message went in one presidential ear and out the other.

The Republican victory was a political earthquake, giving the opposition party control of the Senate, expanding its House majority to a level not seen in generations and burying Democratic gubernatorial candidates. (continue here)

If the Liberal news media starts piling onto Obama, that will be worse than anything Conservatives might do or say. To figure out that much we just have to remember how they treated George W. Bush.