Michelle Obama Disbarment, Disciplined? Michelle's Administration Job

During the presidential campaign, I heard over and over that attorney Michelle Obama had been disbarred. I could not confirm it, so I didn't write about it. I was on the right track though, because while she was not technically disbarred as far as I know, she was actually 'disciplined' and was "ordered inactive status."  Update 10-24-09 For the latest information, and simpler reading click here.

 

Michelle Obama Court Mandated Disciplinary Inactive Status

Michelle Lavaughn Robinson Obama, the First Lady of the United States and the wife of U.S. President, Barack Obama, was "disciplined" for something as an attorney, and was not authorized to practice law" in 1993.

She did not voluntarily change her status to "inactive," as in "I don't want to do this any more," or "I'll be travelling Europe for a year, see ya when I get back," or " I think I'll working at Chicago University for awhile, I'll get back to you on that license." Or at least that is what appears to have happened. No. She didn't have a choice. (thanks to reader Carolyne), or so it seems. The above comes from the ARDC (Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois. The graphic belongs to Pamela Atlas Shrugs who blogged about this on December 25th, 2008. Before you run over to Pam's to see the record up-close-and-personal, and read exactly what the ARDC is, and what they do, stay with me for a minute while I tell you some other things about Michelle Obama, or at least, refresh your memory. Michelle Obama and Jill Biden are listed on the White House website as part of the White House "administration."

Has that ever happened before...a First Lady and a First Vice Lady shown as "administration?" We didn't "elect" either to anything. Did Barack Obama "appoint" them to something? Evidently. Do they get paid - other than the occasional visit to Paris and London? Some information on Michelle Obama's job while at University of Chicago. You'll remember that she worked at the hospital prior to her husband becoming an Illinois State Senator. She was paid about $120,000 as Vice President of Community Relations. During this time, Barack was the chair of the Illinois State Senate's powerful Health and Human Services Committee - "the position tied by some to the Rezko scandal."

Then State Senator Barack Obama became U.S. Senator Barack Obama and her salary tripled to over $300,000 - for doing the same job but the job title changed to Vice President for External Affairs. In Illinois, being a court-mandated, disciplined and suspended attorney is not a problem. Here's more about Michelle by Abraham H. Miller July 5, 2008:

In 2007 the not-for-profit University of Chicago hospital turned out a profit of 143 million, and is up 118 million for 2008. The hospital is scheduled to receive a 30 million infusion from Medicaid, and will be turning some of its Medicaid patients to another hospital to free up space for its private insurance paying patients. According to the (London ) Daily Mail (online), in 2006 the hospital turned away an indigent man, who died. Now you might ask what does a community relations director at a university do? The question is who does the community relation's director know? The answer became apparent when Barack was elected to the U.S. Senate and Michelle's salary more than doubled.

Barack and Michelle were a power couple hooked into the Democratic machine. Tony Rezko cultivated them, the Chicago Way. When the Obamas bought their mansion in trendy Hyde Park-Kenwood, Mrs. Rezko bought the lot next door for asking price in a coordinated deal from the same seller. The Obamas got their house at a discount. Mrs. Rezko paid full price. Later, Mrs. Rezko sold part of the lot to the Obamas to expand their back yard.

Remember the "indigent man" mentioned above? We've heard about this the past few days - old but heretofore unreported news, and more than just one "indigent man:"

Last year, 12-year-old Dontae Adams was attacked by a pit bull. His mother immediately took him to the university's emergency room. However, the staff was more interested in her insurance provider, she says, than they were in treating her soon. After learning she has Medicaid, Dontae was promptly redirected to a hospital an hour away. A few months later, a 78-year-old Medicare patient died in the waiting room after nurses failed to register him for almost four hours. ...these experiences are far from uncommon. The Chicago Tribune reported that 32 percent of patients redirected from the university's E.R. are poor or uninsured. And people we interviewed outside local clinics said the university would be the last emergency room they would visit.

Read more patient statements at "First Lady Michelle Obama Accused of Patient 'Dumping.' Stirring the muddy waters a bit more, this hospital has received millions from the federal government. Keep in mind that "patient dumping" is illegal. Now however, University of Chicago hospital is on a thrift kick, and they plan to eliminate some key positions and higher-salaried positions. Michelle Obama's $300,000 job isn't worth keeping. Poof! - Michelle is gone. Poof! The job is gone. Why pay someone to do a job that you have an insider to do? That would be Michelle inside the White House. Michelle who is a part of the "administration," according to White House.gov. (thanks to JoshuaPundit). In June 2008, University of Chicago Medical Center/Hospital announced the construction of a new $700 million "pavilion." While patients are allegedly dumped, plans for a beautiful new building grows skyward.

University of Chicago Hospital Pavillon

The University of Chicago Medical Center is forging ahead with a major financing plan to pay for a large part of its new hospital pavilion in the face of a turbulent economy that has triggered layoffs and spending reductions at the facility this year.

Why have we not heard that Michelle Obama was disciplined? What did she do? Isn't that something Americans should know? The graphic you see above of the documentation of her court mandated status may have been removed from the ARDC website. I searched for it using the same topic that Atlas Shrugs used. I searched for it several ways and there appears to be no Michelle Obama in the records. You can look at the url that Pamela used, duplicate it and you get a 404 error - page not found. It is extraordinary that a First Lady of the United States could be a "disciplined" lawyer no longer allowed to practice. This First Couple reminds me of the reign of the Perons.

Update 8-4-09:
Get a look at Michelle Obama's White House staff

Update 8-8-09:  
See update to "disciplinary" status: 
 Michelle Obama "Disciplined" - or Note: New Info NEW 8-9-09

Tim Bishop Protests: Tim Bishop Constitutents: Throw the Bumbs Out

If you think American's aren't madder than heck, watch these constituents of New York's U.S. Rep. Tim Bishop (D). This lame excuse for a Congressman, Tim Bishop, refused to meet in scheduled Townhall-type meetings in June. The August recess should be exciting.

I had felt they would be pointless,” Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.) told POLITICO, referring to his recent decision to temporarily suspend the events in his Long Island district. “There is no point in meeting with my constituents and [to] listen to them and have them listen to you if what is basically an unruly mob prevents you from having an intelligent conversation. I have no problem with someone disagreeing with positions I hold,” Bishop said, noting that, for the time being, he was using other platforms to communicate with his constituents. “But I also believe no one is served if you can’t talk through differences.”

Right. No problem with those not agreeing with him. The protesters in the video are said to be from The Conservative Society for Action and "other angry taxpayers." The Long Island crowd got nowhere with Bishop who some say is a rubber stamp for Pelosi. They chanted. Besides some words about both Pelosi and Bishop, you'll hear "Throw the Bums Out," "Silent No More," "Stop Spending our Money," No Cap and Trade," "USA USA," chanted over and over. The crowd sang God Bless America, and displayed the flag and said the Pledge of Allegiance. This was an organized and peaceful protest that definitely had a message. It's a great video. A month ago, the health care bill was not the topic of scorn that it is today. Bishop can count on hearing about health care during is vacation, if he comes near his home district. Read about other politicians meeting protests around the country.


Tim Bishop Constitutents Protest

Al Franken is T. Boone Pickens Swift Boat Accuser

T. Boone Pickens helped fund an ad for Vietnam Veterans against John Kerry, and Senator Al Franken is taking him to task. Ooooohhhhh! Exciting, huh? The continuation of the Franken unraveling?

Al Franken and Mrs. Al Franken

Known as the Swift Boat ads, Vietnam War Veterans took umbrage at the stories spun by then-presidential candidate, John F. Kerry. Mr. Pickens didn't like it much either, and helped the Vets get their story out. It is considered absolute fact that Al Franken was not on that battlefield, but the Swift Boat Veterans were. See video below. T. Boone Pickens was invited to address the weekly Democrat Policy Committee at a luncheon. Pickens was there to discuss his wind energy plan. Senator John Kerry was a no-show. Lunch over, and Pickens walked up to Al Franken and tried to introduce himself.

Franken began to berate him about the billionaire’s financing of the Swift Boat ads in 2004.

According to a source, the confrontation grew heated.
Said Franken spokeswoman Jess McIntosh: “It was a lively conversation.”
Pickens’ camp appears unmoved by the drama. “If they have a problem, that’s their problem,” said Pickens spokesman Jay Rosser.

The very green Mr. Pickens - excoriated by Democrats. My, my! If Senator Franken thinks he can intimidate T. Boone Pickens, he should think again. Like a cow tail flickin' flies. Perhaps Franken is the saviour of the Democrat party? Perhaps the Democrats witnessing the lively and heated conversation were embarrassed for Franken...and the party? Can a Democrat be embarrassed? We'll see.

 Al Franken - Swift Boat Accuser

Chris Dodd Canadian Health Care: Dodds Prostate Cancer Cure

Senator Chris Dodd has announced he will have surgery for prostate cancer in August. I wish him blessings for a full and complete recovery, and look forward to a first-hand and full report on the efficiency of Canadian health care when he returns.

Chris Dodd

Senator Dodd can tell us how he managed to get into an operating room with only a couple of weeks notice. Did his American doctor refer him? Were other alternate measures suggested...something less expensive than surgery?

Will follow-up meds be approved by his own U.S. physician? Probably not, but it doesn't matter, does it? I'll admit, I may be overlooking the fact, that Dodd might have chosen a Canadian doctor in the first place. American doctors don't know much and they order all those unnecessary tests. Someone needs to manage how the American physician manages our care anyway, so - yeah, I'm sure the Senator just went to Canada for his diagnosis.

For the latest breaking on Dodd's hospitalization, check this out.

Lugar Clinton: Explain Honduras Foreign Policy Please

Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) has Secretary of State Hillary to explain our U.S. foreign policy on Honduras. Thank you. Essential topic. Lugar is basically saying: why are we doing what we're doing? Following the Senate protocol of gentility, Lugar gently forges ahead:

I request that the Department provide interested Members a detailed clarification of the steps that it has taken, and intends to take, in response to the events that transpired in the run-up to and period after the forced removal of President Manuel Zelaya from Honduras," Lugar wrote to Clinton. Your explanation of U.S. policy toward Honduras and your outreach to the Senate can improve the prospects of confirming Mr. Valenzuela before the Congress recesses in August," Lugar wrote. The Senate is scheduled to go on recess August 8.

The Honduran Congress, Supreme Court and Military jettisoned former President Manuel Zelaya out of the county for insisting on holding an unconstitutional referendum the day before he was removed from the country, to query citizens about extending his, or any, president's term in office. Roberto Micheletti, a member of Congress, was installed as interim President until the November elections. According to the Honduras Constitution, a president is not authorized to call such a referendum. Congress may do so, but a president may not. Zelaya had ballots printed in Venezuela and shipped in. Unconstitutional. Zelaya has not been allowed to enter the country since. He is spending most of his time in neighboring Nicauragua and camping on the border. The Obama administration sternly counseled the Michelletti government to reseat the democratically elected President Zelaya. Michelletti refused. The U.S. has withheld $1.6 million in military aid, is threatening to withhold $16 million in economic aid. We revoked the visas of four Honduran diplomats. We have advocated for mediation with Costa Rican president being the mediator. It appears the mediation has failed on every level. Obama et al took days to advise, kinda-sorta, the Iranian government to mind how their thugs were beating and killing the Iranian citizens, but Honduras upholds their own constitution, and we offer no support. We have offered no support to a country who was on track to become another Venezuela under the rule of a power-theiving president. Senator Lugar is doing the right thing. Now I hope he takes the kool-aid that will be offered from Clinton and says "no thanks," and continues the conversation on a very serious note.

Background: Honduras Constitution: Zelaya Removal Constitutional Honduras Thousands in the Street: Michelletti Supporters in the Streets Honduras Defending Constitution: Constitutional Succession Honduras Threatened with Banishment from Organization of American States Zelaya Returns to Honduras: Micheletti Government to Block Zelaya Plane Micheletti Still Denies Zelaya Engry: Zelaya Visits Hillary Instead Honduras: Last Bastion of Democracy Zelaya, Micheletti in Costa Rica: Zelaya, Micheletti Meet with Negotiators Zelaya Returns: Zelaya Retreats

Feinstein Calls Police on Seniors: Seniors Demand Dianne Feinstein Chat

Democracy at work. Seniors rock. Senator Dianne Feinstein's West Los Angeles office was visited by 7 senior citizens ranging in age from 55 to 87, demanding a chat with the Senator, who called the police to remove the senior agitators.

Dianne Feinstein

According to the spokesman, they arrived unannounced at their Senator's [taxpayer-paid] office and were ushered to a conference room...for 6 hours. The group refused offers of a scheduled meeting in L.A. next week to dicuss health care. They wanted to talk to their Senator right then - or sometime within the 6 hours they were allowed to hang around. Los Angeles police Sergeant Rich Brunson said police "lured" the group outside "somehow" and then locked the door behind the constituents. At one time, Brunson reported that the seniors were taken into custody but then made a correction. Honestly, they were "lured" outside? Are the police relying on union exemptions to save themselves from Obama health care? This is almost as irresponsible as Obama saying Cambridge police "stupidly" did whatever. A reminder to Sergeant Brunson: be a bit more respectful. Senator Feinstein works for the seniors. Oust them if you must, but verbally protect their right to protest their elected official. A chat with Feinstein is their right. Bravo for these seniors who took time out of their day to stand on the principle of true democracy, which ObamaCare is not. More about Dianne Feinstein: Senator Dianne Feinstein's Conflict of Interest The Fairness Doctrine: What you may not know

Lunching with Obama: Executives Asked for Credit Card

Visiting industry CEO's dined over lunch with President Obama in his private dining room recently. They were asked for their credit card and were charged for their lunch. It begs the question: Did Sgt. Crowley and Henry Gates pay for their beers? Did they pay for the President's beers?

Around the table with Barack Obama that afternoon were Ursula Burns, CEO of Xerox Corporation; Muhtar Kent, CEO of The Coca-Cola Company; AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson; and Honeywell International CEO Dave Cote.
“From time to time, White House guests are asked to reimburse for their, meals the reasons include ensuring there is no conflict or appearance of a conflict,” said White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki. “That is consistent with our tough ethics rules and we will continue the practice when appropriate.”

Tough ethics? Bwwwwaaaaahahahahahahaaaaaaa! What ethics? If you think it a cheap-shot to note the lack of ethics but not list the lack of ethics, my apologies. We've talked about them ad nauseum. Let's move on and just acknowledge what we know in our head and see with our eyes.

Cash for Clunker Problems: Clunker Dealers not Paid, Out of Funds

Dealers participating in the "Cash for Clunkers" program may not be getting government reimbursement in a timely manner. The program, designed to jump-start auto sales, is having problems. Adam Lee is a dealer in southern Maine who accepted 100 clunkers and is owed $450,000 from the government. To date, he has received no reimbursements. Mr. Lee, who owns Lee Auto Group, thinks there must be others who have not been paid. Lee stopped accepting clunkers at four of his dealerships. On July 22nd, the Department of Transportation had "processed" 16,351 transactions in the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) totalling $68.9 million worth of rebates from 22,300 dealers. The government allowed $1 billion for the program which will expire on October 31st or if the money runs out sooner. The $1 billion is to include all administrative costs. Today, July 30th, Congress announced plans to "suspend" the "cash for clunkers" out-of-fear that the $1 billion could be quickly consumed in rebates for new car purchases. So, is there really $1 billion funded for the program, and how much of that $1 billion will go to the administrative cost of the program? Edmunds AutoObserver says that as of the morning of July 30th, "$858 million remained to fund the clunkers." Confusion reigns. The day before the program became active, the EPA got in the act and changed-up the specifications needed for mileage qualifications for the program. After clunker-sellers signed their paperwork, and the EPA did their thing, questions remain. The Department of Transportation switchboard is lighting up with some 56,000 calls each day. Some dealers are blamed for not calculating the rebate correctly: is it $3,500 or $4,500? One clunker-seller complains that the dealer gave him $4,500 when only $3,500 was due and surprise, surprise - the dealer wants his $1,000 back. Another complaint: the dealer charged the clunker-seller $1,100 of the rebate for administrative costs. And supposedly, other clunker-buyers are charging interest on the vouchers. Can we identify another administration with such blatantly irresponsible policies? I'm thinking...still thinking...no, I think we cannot. Okay, not everyone agrees with me. Michael Jackson, chief executive of AutoNation, Inc. says the program was an "absolute success." 'It's a great stimulus to the economy." But after just one week, the money is nearly, and perhaps completely, exhausted. That's not success, that's poor planning when auto dealers are in the middle of a huge promotion. No word on who pays the promotional expenses. No word about the cost to administer Cash for Clunkers. Photo above courtesy of the National Clunker Memorial Gallery

Pamela Wiggins Bigamy Arrest: Pamela Long Wiggins Food Stamp Fraud?

Pamela Wiggins, also known as Pamela Long Wiggins, was arrested today on charges of bigamy in Escambia County, FL. and she is under investigation for food stamp fraud and the EPA is looking into allegations that she illegally cleared and developed wetlands in Santa Rosa County. That should get her in big trouble. See update 8-18-09 10-25-09 below.

 

Pamela Long Wiggins

Long Wiggins, 47, shot to national attention when the safe belonging to Byrd and Melanie Billings, the couple murdered on July 9th in Beulah, FL with 9 adopted children in the house, was found buried under a pile of bricks in her own backyard. At that time, we saw photos of private investigators escorting her off of her yacht in handcuffs. The yacht, Classy Lady, was harbored at The Wharf in Orange Beach, AL. Pamela Long married Jimmy Malden, Jr. in Alabama on May 5, 2007. Malden said he has been trying to divorce her for months. Long Wiggins married Hugh Gregory Wiggins in December 2008 and the "mastermind" of the Billings' murders, Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. and his wife Tabatha signed the marriage certificate as a witnesses.

Pamela Long Wiggins - Wiggins Marriage Certificate

Pamela Wiggins is out on bond of $10,000 on charges of "accessory after the fact" in the murders of the wealthy Billings who adopted 13 children, 9 of whom were in the house the night of the murders. The low bond on "accessory" charge has been questioned. Her bond is $5,ooo on charges of bigamy. She is still jailed at this time. Long Wiggins is believed to be a real estate agent owning numerous real estate holding, including homes, a strip center and a yacht.

Long Wiggins owned the Magnolia Antique Mall in Gulf Breeze, more than a dozen homes on the verge of foreclosure and a yacht called the Classy Lady.

Authorities claim they have documents, including Long Wiggins' application for food stamps. It is not clear whether she actually received food stamps. Pamela Long Wiggins is also known as Pamela Lavern Long Coco.

Update 8-10-09:
Another arrest has been with possible links to the Billings' murders. Henry Cab Tice owned Byrd Billings $10,000 and Billings had filed a complaint against Tice in May 2008 for grand theft.

See See Henry Cab Tice is Byrd Billings Arrested Debtor: Tice Billings Mexican Mafia?  

Update 8-17-09:
Pamela Long Malden Wiggins has been out on bond after this latest arrest for bigamy and food stamp fraud. Today her bond was raised from $10,000 to $50,000 after unnamed sources said she might be a flight risk. She is back in jail.

Read the latest about Patrick Poff Gonzalez straight from a jail interview with a Chief Deputy and an Investigator: Patrick Poff Gonzalez Whack Bud Billings? Gonzalez Implicates MS-13.

Update 10-25-09:

Henry Cab Tice Mexican Mafia: Henry Cab Tice Byrd Bud Billings Contract Murders 

Byrd Billings, Melanie Billings Murdered: Parents of 16 Children

Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Stabs Inmate


Background and Related:

Mark Turner - Pensacola Autos, Pensacola Attorneys: Mark Turner Media Silent

Hugh Wiggins is Pamela Long Wiggins Husband: Hugh Wiggins is Patrick Poff Gonzalez Friend?

Sheriff Morgan, Patrick Gonzalez Contract Murders: Local Business Rivals Implicated?

Byrd "Bud" Billings Business: Mark Turner Bud Billings Connection

Mark Turner Pete Moore Lawsuit: Bud Billings Pete Moore Connection

Pamela Long Wiggins Multiple Marriages and Billings Murders

Pamela Long Wiggins is Arrested; Billings Safe Found?

Pamela Wiggins Arson? Pamela Coco Wiggins Arson Suspicion

Pamela Laverne Long is Person of Interest in Byrd, Melanie Billings Murders

Patrick Poff is Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr.: Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. Profile

Henry Cab Tice is Byrd Billings Arrested Debtor: Tice Billings Mexican Mafia?

Byrd Billings Human Trafficking?

Kathryn Colbert is Billings Murder Tipster: Colbert Denied Reward

Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. is Byrd, Melanie Billings Murder Organizer

Byrd Billings, Melanie Billings Murdered: Billings Parents of 16 Children

Byrd Billings, Melanie Billings Murder Arrests: Three Arrests in Billings Murders (video)

Byrd, Melanie Billings Murders:Fourth Arrest Made, New Details

Darlene Haynes Baby Found: Julie Corey is Darlene Haynes Murderer?

Darlene Haynes' baby has been found in a homeless shelter. Julie Corey is under arrest on a fugitive from justice warrant for kidnapping, but is suspected of killing the young mother, and ripping the 8-month-old baby girl out of the womb. See video below.

Darlene Haynes

Miss Haynes, 23, was found in Worcester, Massachusetts by her landlord, William Thompson, on July 27th, murdered and dumped in a closet in her own home. Haynes is last known to be alive on July 23rd. Julie Corey, 35, and a male, Alex Dio 27, were arrested in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Corey checked into a homeless shelter on Tuesday, July 21st. Employees there were suspicious..."she was "obviously not a well woman."

Julie Corey

Corey was arrested Wednesday afternoon as she tried to leave the shelter with the infant after staff alerted police.

Corey grew uncomfortable and suspicious when a nurse began photographing the baby with her cell phone, the worker told the Union Leader.

"She had a lot of post-traumatic stress and was obviously not a well woman," the employee said. "She said a child had been taken from her before, and it's not going to happen again."

The baby is said to be in "fairly good condition" and found with a ribbon tied around the umbilical cord. A neighbor reported hearing Haynes screaming on July 23rd. She also heard a man's screams.

A neighbor told the Herald that she heard Haynes crying out on July 23 during what may have been the deadly attack.

“I heard that girl screaming,” said Fran Oswell. “Mostly it was, ‘Leave me alone. Stop it.’ She was screaming in pain.” She said she also heard a man screaming.

Darlene Haynes already had three children at the age of 23: Christina Rodriguez who was with her father at the time of the murder; Jasmine 4, and Lilliana 3 who live with Haynes' grandmother. Rodriguez is not a suspect and the father of Haynes' stolen 8-month-old is not known.

Haysha Toledo, a 17-year-old neighbor, said neighbors used to hear fighting from the apartment Haynes shared until recently with her boyfriend, Roberto Rodriguez.

"We used to hear her crying and screaming but no one ever really did anything," Toledo said, adding that neighbors did not want to get involved.

Haynes had a restraining order against Rodriguez, who allegedly pushed her into a glass table in June and cut her arm, then grabbed her by the throat and slapped her, according to court records. Court records also showed Rodriguez was charged with hitting Haynes in 2008 in a case that was continued without a finding.

Haynes is listed as married to 47-year-old Kofi Brefo Awuah, who filed for divorce from the murdered woman on April 9th. A court appearance was scheduled for November. Reports indicate that they had no children. The landlord said Rodriguez moved out of the apartment about a month ago. Julie Corey is also a mother. She reportedly has an 11-year-old son. She told the homeless shelter that she had one child taken from her and would not let it happen again. Darlene Haynes and Julie Corey were acquainted through Haynes "on-again, off-again boyfriend and father of her 1-year-old daughter, Roberto "Tito" Rodriguez. Corey was busy telling friends she was pregnant:

Liz Hitson, one of the victim's neighbors, said the pair were friendly because Corey claimed her due date was within a month of when Haynes was to give birth, the paper said.

Haynes' aunt, Sandra Grandmaison, said her niece was a very troubled woman:

...she was a troubled young woman who never graduated from high school or developed mentally.

She was a very sad, very young girl who never really grew up," said Grandmaison. "Darlene does not have the know-how or the ability to sense danger.

Julie Corey did not waive extradition back to Massachusetts. A hearing is set for August 30 and the judge has ordered all police affidavits sealed. She is held on $2 million bail. Dion "was released to a family member." This is a horrible and bizarre story - from the children of all the people involved with no mother to the murder and yet another child with no mother. It is made worse by the press reporting this 8-month-old baby as a fetus. While technically, I suppose, 'fetus' is appropriate, from the standpoint of humanity, an 8-month-old unborn child is a child. Julie Haynes' baby would have been named Sheila Marie, and the family will carry-on with that name. Shelia Marie's mother's funeral is now in planning and she will be placed with the Department of Children and Services until custody arrangements are resolved. Haynes' uncle, Karl Whitney, said the family was not aware that Darlene was married and they were unaware of Roberto Rodriguez. This report from the telegram.com says police believe that Roberto Rodriguez is the father of Sheila Marie. Julie Corey, according to Darlene's uncle, Karl Whitney, has not yet been named the murderer. The family is reserving judgment, and they are grateful that the baby was nourished. Julie Corey is Darlene Haynes Murderer?

Shoe Bomber Richard Reid Wins: Terrorism Wins, Jihad Wins,

Terrorism wins again. Shoe Bomber Richard Reid, who tried to light a shoe bomb on American Airlines Flight 63, has won the right to meet with other al Qaeda members in prison to "pray," and worship. He may have more access to written communication inside the prison and out.

Shoe Bomber Richard Reid

Reid is held in a maximum security penitentiary in Florence, CO. "Special Administrative Measures," known as SAMs were leveled on Reid's imprisonment. SAMs are directives intended to insure that some prisoners are kept out of "communication" with persons they might... 'plot' with. The SAMs for any prisoner are renewable annually. Richard Reid's SAM has expired and Eric Holder allowed it to happen. Reid's First Amendement rights were under assault - his right to free speech and his right to free exercise of religion. Reid filed a complaint with the Department of Justice. He said he was illegally prevented from performing daily "group prayers in a manner prescribed by my religion." The fellows Reid will be praying with are Ramzi Yousef and Zacarias Moussaoui convicted of conspiring on the 1993 World Trade Center bombing; Ahmed Ressam the 'Millenium' bomber; Jose Padilla the 'Dirty bomber'; and Osama Bin Laden's personal secretary, convicted in the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing that killed 247 people, Wadih el-Hage. We might wonder why a SAM directive would be needed when someone is in a maximum security prison. The answer is that maximum security prisoners are allowed outrageous privileges:

...the shocking discovery that three of the 1993 World Trade Center bombers at ADX, not subject to security directives, had sent 90 letters to overseas terrorist networks, including those associated with the Madrid train bombing. The letters, exhorting jihad and praising Osama bin Laden as “my hero of this generation,” were printed in Arabic newspapers and brandished like trophies to recruit new members.

The DOJ has had a fairly hardline on using SAMs after having some experience dealing with imprisoned jihadists. In December 2008, before The Time of Obama, Justice recommended that Reid's lawsuit be dismissed. They cited a case proving:

...the seriousness [of the threat of] "a group of inmates, of like mind in their opposition to the U.S. to congregate for a prayer service conducted in a language not understood by most correctional officers. While imprisoned for passport fraud in 1992, [Ahmed Ajaj] assisted in the plans to destroy the World Trade Center on Feb. 26, 1993, making phone calls to Ramzi Yousef and speaking in code to elude law enforcement monitoring. Ajaj tried to get his “training kit” to Yousef, which included videotapes and notes he had taken on bomb-making while attending a terrorist camp on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

On July 6th, DOJ caved in favor of terrorism, and now Reid will be given "a new placement." No one knows what that mean, the Bureau of Prisons isn't talking and Justice "refuses to comment." More Obama-style transparency. The WSJ ponders: can it mean a transfer to a less secure facility, or a "stepped down" security designation - perhaps to a different unit? We have no way to know. More pondering:

What drove the Obama administration’s decision to cave in to Reid’s demands? The president after all has repeatedly pitched supermax and the federal prison system as a secure alternative to Guantanamo, citing the fact that it handles “all manner of violent and dangerous criminals.” Yet the last thing he needs, as his administration engages in its hasty effort to shut Gitmo down by a fast-approaching deadline, is for lawyers and human-rights activists to use a hunger-striking, near-death prisoner to launch a propaganda campaign fashioned right out of the Gitmo detainees’ playbook. Lawyers who shamelessly compared Gitmo to Nazi concentration camps would think nothing of casting supermax as the next “symbol of America’s shame” and a “rallying cry for our enemies.

Speaking of hunger strikes, Richard Reid had one. He didn't eat for 58 days. Medical intervention was necessary. Nasty publicity for a President appeasing his hard Left followers.

Mr. Obama has been trying to thread the needle between national security policy and his ideological affinity with civil liberties lawyers and human-rights activists, meeting with and consulting them prior to making detainee-related decisions.

The ACLU filed a suit two months ago similar to Richard Reid's, on behalf of two terrorists held in a medium security prison in Terre Haute:

...the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Colorado issued a statement saying that conditions at supermax are “simply another form of torture” worse than Gitmo which “make a mockery of ‘innocent until proven guilty.’”

The author of this WSJ piece is Debra Burlingame, the sister of Charles Burlingame III, the pilot of American Airlines Flight 77 which was crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. A former attorney, Ms. Burlingame says Barack Obama is "either disingenuous or naive:"

The militant Islamists at Guantanamo too dangerous to release believe that their resistance behind the wire is a continuation of holy war. There is every reason to believe they will continue their jihad once they have been transported to U.S. soil where certain federal judges have signaled a willingness to confer upon them even more rights. ...the Obama administration is moving full steam ahead, operating on the false premise that giving more civil liberties to religious fanatics bent on destroying Western civilization will make a difference in the Muslim world.

His lawsuit remains active while the Department of Justice works out a settlement that satisfies the man who declared, “I am at war with America.

When it comes to free speech and freedom to worship as you please, we need to so some serious analyzing. There are times when a prisoner should lose these rights. Free Speech and freedom to worship in your cell should always be allowed, but not elsewhere if the ideology is Islam. Prisoners have the right to counsel. If they have a message to get out, they should be required to do it through their attorney. Some very limited communication that is approved by authorities should be allowed with immediate family. That's all. No worshipping outside the cell for Moslems. Jihad is a part of every mosque, whether it's admitted or not. If they want to worship with others, then stay out of prison. This may sound simplistic, but violent Islam should have no privilege in America. These men are all violent jihadists.

Other Airline Terrorism:
Abdul Mudallad is Nigerian NW Flt 253 bomber - Failed Al-Qaeda Airline Bomb Attempt

Michelle Malkin, Matt Lauer: Malkin Trusses Lauer (Video)

Michelle Malkin makes Matt Lauer sound like Katie Couric. My favorite from Malkin: Obama lost his racial authenticity (speaking of the Gates-gaffe-comment).

Michelle Malkin - Matt Lauer Video

Incisive Article by Thomas Sowell

Thomas Sowell is one of our country's greatest living economists/analysts. It is telling that this black man gets zero, repeat ZERO coverage from the mass media. He is to them, of course, a heretic. But like most people so branded by the Western media today, he earns that badge of honor by telling the unvarnished truth. This article is brief and to the point. Disaster in the Making: Obama’s repeated demonstrations of his amateurism and immaturity. By Thomas Sowell After many a disappointment with someone, and especially after a disaster, we may be able to look back at numerous clues that should have warned us that the person we trusted did not deserve our trust. When that person is the president of the United States, the potential for disaster is virtually unlimited... READ ON

Missing the Point of the Black Panther Story: Megyn Kelley and Eric Shawn

I love Megyn Kelly and I love Eric Shawn on FOX News, but this morning as they reported the Black Panther voter intimidation case, they missed the point. See update below. The fact that the case was dismissed, even after a default judgment, is one story and it is an outrageous story, but the real story is that the case was dismissed AFTER the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice got involved.

Front-line lawyers were in the final stages of completing that work when they were unexpectedly told by their superiors in late April to seek a delay after a meeting between political appointees and career supervisors, according to federal records and interviews. [A DOJ spokesman] said that after a "thorough review" of the complaint, top career attorneys in the Civil Rights Division determined the "facts and the law did not support pursuing the claims against three of the defendants.

Update: Read the updated outrage here.

DOJ Black Panther Voter Intimidation Absolved

Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli is responsible for reversing a voter intimidation charge against the New Black Panthers, but many had a hand in it after the interested "political" and "racial" factions put their heads together. Read the latest update here.

New Black Panthers

After intimidating voters at a Philadelphia polling precinct, decked out like a military thugs from a third world country, wielding at least one 2-ft. long nightstick, a civil lawsuit was filed. The three men charged refused to show up for their court cases for five months - that's 5 months - and they did not show! The government won a default judgment in federal court against the New Black Panthers and three of their men. In April, however, department lawyers were told to drop the case - after already procuring the default judgment. Unbelievable. Why would the case be dropped? Wouldn't you know it is always about politics?

Front-line lawyers were in the final stages of completing that work when they were unexpectedly told by their superiors in late April to seek a delay after a meeting between political appointees and career supervisors, according to federal records and interviews.

If that doesn't make your blood boil...this will:

Justice Department spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler told The Washington Times that the department has an "ongoing obligation" to be sure the claims it makes are supported by the facts and the law. She said that after a "thorough review" of the complaint, top career attorneys in the Civil Rights Division determined the "facts and the law did not support pursuing the claims against three of the defendants.

Schmaler is certainly a Liberal. She had the audacity to says "we [DOJ] are committed to vigorous enforcement of the laws protecting anyone exercising his or her right to vote." Only Liberals have that special kind of audacity and vigor. What about the people of Philadelphia? What about the people inside and outside the polling place? What about Mr. Bull - a man who signed an affidavit tell what he saw that day? Schmaler says claims must be supported by facts and the law. How about the default judgment? But beside that, there was witness with a sworn affidavit. He is a "longtime civil rights activist and a former aide to Senator Robert F. Kennedy's 1968 presidential campaign. Here is a portion of Bartle Bull's affidavit:

In my opinion, the men created an intimidating presence at the entrance to a poll," he declared. "In all my experience in politics, in civil rights litigation and in my efforts in the 1960s to secure the right to vote in Mississippi ... I have never encountered or heard of another instance in the United States where armed and uniformed men blocked the entrance to a polling location.

Can you believe the DOJ never did get around to entering Mr. Bull's affidavit! I know it is drama to say that I want to cry for this country and for my children, but that is how I feel. This is not justice. The guilty are Acting-Assistant Attorney General Loretta King, appointed by Barack Obama, who delayed the case. Then King discussed it with Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli. He accepted the counsel of King:

She and other career supervisors ultimately recommended dropping the case against two of the men and the party and seeking a restraining order against the one man who wielded a nightstick at the Philadelphia polling place. Mr. Perrelli approved that plan, officials said.

Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-VA), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee was prevented from interviewing the "front-line" lawyers who brought the charges. That's transparency for you!

Why am I being prevented from meeting with the trial team on this case? Mr. Wolf asked. "There are many questions that need to be answered. This whole thing just stinks to high heaven.

Yes, it stinks to high heaven, as most everything does connected to this administration. No need to worry, however, Wolf can't get anywhere with it, but Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) has some pull and he is meeting with King next week. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) is also to be allowed in the door. More from Rep. Wolf:

If showing a weapon, making threatening statements and wearing paramilitary uniforms in front of polling station doors does not constitute voter intimidation, at what threshold of activity would these laws be enforceable? Mr. Wolf asked.

Here's a quote from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights:

...in a June 16 letter to Justice that the decision to drop the case caused it "great confusion, since the NBPP members were "caught on video blocking access to the polls, and physically threatening and verbally harassing voters during the Nov. 4, 2008, general election. Though it had basically won the case, [through default] the [Civil Rights Division] took the unusual move of voluntarily dismissing the charges , the letter said. "The division's public rationale would send the wrong message entirely -- that attempts at voter suppression will be tolerated and will not be vigorously prosecuted so long as the groups or individuals who engage in them fail to respond to the charges leveled against them.

To date, the Washington Times says their request for records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has yielded nothing. AG Thomas Perrelli, whose word was the final decision, raised more than $500,000.00 for Obama for the presidential election. I cannot begin to express my high-volume anger right now. The New Black Panthers are identified as the party's chairman, Malik Zulu Shabazz, an attorney and a D.C. resident. The nightstick bully is alleged to be Minister King Samir Shabazz, of Philadelphia and head of the Philadelphia NBPP chapter; and Jerry Jackson, Philadelphia. The people of Philadelphia were subject to a thug from Washington, D.C.! The suit against these men alleged:

The civil suit filed Jan. 7 identified the three men as members of the Panthers and said they wore military-style uniforms, black berets, combat boots, battle-dress pants, black jackets with military-style insignias and were armed with "a dangerous weapon"and used racial slurs and insults to scare would-be voters and those there to assist them at the Philadelphia polling location on Nov. 4.

The complaint said the three men engaged in "coercion, threats and intimidation, ... racial threats and insults, ... menacing and intimidating gestures, ... and movements directed at individuals who were present to vote." It said that unless prohibited by court sanctions, they would "continued to violate ... the Voting Rights Act by continuing to direct intimidation, threats and coercion at voters and potential voters, by again deploying uniformed and armed members at the entrance to polling locations in future elections, both in Philadelphia and throughout the country."

In case you are not white with anger...yet, one more reminder: these men never did respond to the charges or appear in court. Could you get away with this? I could not. The New Black Panthers in Philadelphia want us to know how responsible and credible they are. They've "suspended" their chapter in that city "until further notice." No elections to abuse coming up any time soon. Time to hit the streets and abuse someone there, or meet-up with ACORN for a little fun at the expense of voters everywhere. And what about Malik zulu Shabazz, who called Michelle Malkin a "political prostitute" - all cozy back home in Washington, D.C. where voters need no abuse to do the bidding of the New Black Panthers. In the photo above, King Samir Shabazz (L) and Jerry Jackson (R), both of Philadelphia. See them all in the video below.


Black Panther Voter Fraud  Photo courtesy National Geographic Channel via WashingtonTimes

Related: Document drop: DOJ still obstructing justice in Black Panther case - Michelle Malkin

Black Panthers Win: Voter Fraud Wins: Voter Rights Lose

Elvis Young and Beautiful (Video)

I line dance twice a week for exercise - not at a bar, at a gym. So, I'm burning a CD of music tonight and I'm looking through iTunes for, almost, my least favorite song by Elvis Presley - Good Luck Charm. I could not remember the song, so I went to YouTube.com. Of course, it was there. I was struck by a parade of still pics of Elvis; photos we never see anymore, when he was young and beautiful. Turn the volume down if you don't like the song, but look at these old photos of the best days of Elvis Presley.

Elvis Young and Beautiful

Anna Wintour Lagging Retail Sales: Wintour White House Connections

Vogue icon, fashion-editor Anna Wintour, and one of Barabara Walter's 10 Most Fascinating People, knows how to fix lagging retail sales. See video below. Friends pointed out that Wintour's plan is illegal, but Wintour was not to be dissuaded. She has connections,

Could someone lead a committee that would make ground rules for retailers when the discounting starts, and then all the retailers can agree to it?" Wintour asked.
When CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg pointed out, "That's illegal," Wintour said: "Is that something we can change? We have friends in the White House now."

Vano Harotunian, an attorney, explains that Wintour was "alluding to the designated days for retail discounts" already in place in some European countries:

That may be OK over there," says Vano Haroutunian, a New York lawyer focused on the apparel industry. "But here, it sounds like collusion."

Sounds like a plan the White House would love. I can see an Oval Office meeting in the works and they won't be serving beer.

Anna Wintour

Is Card Check a Go, or No?

Senator Harry Reid's efforts to get card check, known as the Employee Free Choice Act, pushed through for a vote before anyone knows what he is doing, has mixed reporting. Will he try it? Will he not? CongressDaily on July 29th says it's over for now. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) is the lead on the legislation says "we've got a health care bill," and "we're lacking two senators that we need right now [for passing card check]. Those two senators could be Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd. Aides involved say there are "no plans to talk again before the August recess." But there is this report from Roll Call dated July 28th, and the question is, who do we believe?

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is sketching a process for railroading the bill through the floor as quickly as possible to prevent Republicans from rallying a major campaign against it, senior Democratic aides said. As Harkin tries to build a consensus Democratic bill, Reid has been thinking through a strategy to pass it that would require not only the support of all 60 Democrats in the Senate, but also the physical presence of ailing Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) for floor votes, since Republicans are likely to filibuster the legislation. This is not the kind of thing where we could have a long, drawn-out rollout. We’d have to say, ‘Here’s the deal,’ and then get to the floor and get it passed before anyone can mobilize against it,” one leadership aide said.

We cannot believe Harry Reid. The spotlight is off of card check, so we need to ramp-up vigilence. It is probably off-the-table for now, but maybe not. A reminder of what card check, known as the Employee Free Choice Act [EFCA] will do:

In place of a traditional one-man/one-vote secret ballot, the EFCA would impose a regime of union-boss thuggery known as “card-check,” wherein labor organizers (who may also be the employees’ supervisors) pressure workers to sign off on a union-organizing petition, a much easier way to reach a serviceable majority.

Others talking about the card check vote: Crash of ObamaCare means no Card Check this year - HotAir To amuse you, just as Congress wants no part of the government health care that Obama wants for you and me, Congress also wants their votes decided by secret ballot. Secret ballot not common in Congress. See the details at Hot Air: Why not use Card Check? Andre Cushing (R), a Maine Legislator discusses an editorial in the Bangor paper that leaves the impression that a card check "compromise" is underway. Cushing is a small business owner and Realtor. He says card check is bad for business.

Susan Boyle Sings at 23: Susan Boyle Buys Home

These days we all need a nice story. This is one. Susan Boyle the Britain's Got Talent first runner-up is still taking the world by storm with her powerful voice. She is raking in the money and she is buying her longtime home in West Lothian. Adding to the nice story, a video of a very attractive Susan Boyle singing at age 23 has been unearthed.

Susan Boyle Home

Ms.Boyle, 48, signed with Simon Cowell's Syco recording label. She was born in Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland, the home where she lived with her cat, until famed knocked at her door. The house is known as a "pebble-dashed" house, and appropriately, her cat is named "Pebbles." While Susan now lives in Kensington, West London, she has told the West Lothian Council that she wants to buy her home. The town is planning ways to "commemorate" her success, maybe a Susan Boyle statue. Watch Susan Boyle 25 years ago at about the age 23. Gerry McGuinnes was in the audience one night when Susan performed in a local contest at Motherwell FC's social club, singing I Don't Know How to Love Him (Jesus Christ, Superstar). Mr. McGuinnes said she was a head-turner back then, very attractive and very shy. Remember that audio may be less than desirable but she still sounds great. To hear Ms. Boyle today, view this. Related: Susan Boyle sings Cry Me a River, Julie London Sings Cry Me a River (videos)

Joan Cunnane: Shopaholic Dies Under Purchases

Joan Cunnane was a shopaholic shopper who died underneath a pile of her purchases.

Joanne Cunnane Shopaholic

Ms. Cunnane, 77, a resident of Heaton Mersey, in Rosgill Close, Great Britain was found dead in her home on January 9, 2009. This is old news, but with new pathology findings. According to MailOnline back in January, "a mountain of suitcases fell on Cunnane, burying her alive." She was reported missing my neighbors earlier in the week. Reports are mixed on the cause of her death. This January report from MailOnline said she died of dehydration. A July 28th report in by the BBC says that an inquest result shows that Ms. Cunnane died as a result of bronchial pneumonia, and she also had cancer. The death was ruled "natural causes." Cunnane's friend, Roy Moran said he had lunch with her on Christmas Day 2008. Four days later he went to her home and found a side door ajar. He stepped inside and found the house stacked floor-to-ceiling with merchandise. He could not find Ms. Cunnane. He tried three more times without finding his friend. On January 6th the neighbors called police and they were unsuccessful in the search also. Police returned the next day with a truck and cleared out the house. That's when they found Ms. Cunnane in a bedroom "under a substantial pile of clothing and other items."

It took two days with two teams of six policemen putting the stuff from her house into the van. Now, they say they are going to put it all back.

Cunnane had no family. Moran says that 16 years ago she had problems with youth in the area, breaking windows and vandalizing her garden. There was a common area behind her house where the "youth" loitered. She began shopping as a way to be out of her home and escape the situation. Moran knew that her garage was filled but had no idea that her house was overflowing until he stepped inside the day he went in search of her. See a video with Mr. Moran speaking of his friend on the day the coroner's inquest was announced.

Joan Cunnane Video

Oklahoma Targeted for English Only Language Law: Inhofe Questions Holder

The U.S. Department of Justice may have not-so-subtly threatened the State of Oklahoma because of proposed legislation to make English the official language of the state. Senator Inhofe (R-OK) is questioning U.S. Attorney General Holder on the DOJ's intentions.

Oklahoma

Senator Jim Inhofe says that Holder sent a letter to Oklahoma's Attorney General Drew Edmondson:

"threatening Oklahoma with a loss of federal funding if the state passed a constitutional amendment making English the official language of the state."

The legislation was in high legislative debate in April when the DOJ letter from Holder arrived. Inhofe and others from the Oklahoma delegation believe this may be an attempt to intimidate the passage of the bill. The letter stated:

As you know, recipients of federal financial assistance must comply with various civil rights statutes, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964…which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin.” The letter continues, “State agencies and other entities in Oklahoma that receive federal financial assistance thus would be precluded by federal law from abiding by an English-only requirement where it conflicts with their obligations under Title VI.

The delegation's letter to Holder points out that several other states have passed similar legislation and asks if they also have been:

accused by the Department of Justice to be in violation with Title VI, or formally threatened with funding termination.

Here are other statements from Oklahoma's Congression delegation:

Sen. Jim Inhofe stated, “This nation’s cultural diversity is one that contributes to the greatness of our country. I support the state’s effort to pass a constitutional amendment making English the official language of the state because it ultimately facilitates better communication across the many lines of diversity within our state. The state legislature has overwhelmingly passed this amendment, and now it is up to the voters of Oklahoma to decide if they wish to accept it. It is entirely unacceptable for the federal government to try to strong arm the state by threatening to remove federal funding. I look forward to hearing the Justice Department’s explanation for such behavior.”

Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. said, “Attorney General Holder owes the residents of Oklahoma an explanation as to why this thinly veiled threat was issued to Oklahoma on a state matter. The last thing Oklahoma needs is a bureaucrat in Washington dictating more of what we can and cannot do. Officials at the Department of Justice should focus on more pressing matters under their jurisdiction before issuing statements about a state issue that has yet to become law.”

Rep. Dan Boren said, “The state of Oklahoma deserves a clear explanation of why it seems the Department of Justice has singled out the state and threatened funding retribution over a State Legislature initiative that has been approved in other states already. I join my colleagues in urging the Department to give us a full account of their actions on this issue.”

Rep. John Sullivan said, “It is inappropriate for the United States Department of Justice to interfere in what is ultimately a state matter. In 2010, voters in Oklahoma will decide if the state constitution will be amended to make English the official language of the state and I proudly stand with the rest of the state delegation in supporting Oklahoma’s right to decide this issue.”

Rep. Frank Lucas added, “Our country benefits from the diversity of our people. However, throughout our history, it has been our common language that binds us as one nation. In order for new immigrants to our country to be successful and realize the American Dream, they must be able to speak the English language. Punishing the state of Oklahoma for encouraging that is unnecessary.”

Rep. Mary Fallin said, “This incident should send shock waves through every state in the union. The letter from DOJ is an affront to Oklahoma’s tenth amendment rights under the Constitution. We should be allowed to pursue this policy without facing preemptive manipulation from the federal government.”

Chicago street thugs are running the country. We keep saying: Be afraid! It's time to double-down on that fear, no matter the issue because there is nothing American coming out of this White House. From my hometown Tulsa, KJRH.com announced yesterday that Tulsa is getting a government grant in the amount of $3,505,446.00 to fund 18 new police hires. City Hall considered declaring a holiday. I hear there was dancing in the streets (sarcasm).

These funds will provide 100 percent of the approved salary and benefits for these officers for three years. All police departments receiving the grants will then be required to retain the grant-funded positions for a fourth year.

That was yesterday. Reality hits the fan today. There is a mandatory, unfunded fourth year. How can the City pay for the "out-year-cost? City Council members are concerned. Councilor Rick Westcott:

But my concern is the long-range funding," he said. "When the grant runs out and our extra year is over, what do we do beyond that? We'd be creating a moral obligation to keep these officers on the force.

Westcott pointed out that all of the police officers and the rest of the city's 4,000 employees are having to take eight unpaid furlough days this budget year.

As a resident of Tulsa, I want our police force to be a mighty one. I want our law enforcement to be well-quipped and well paid. I want our City to pay for this without federal help - or at least the federal help of this administration. It's all a matter of where the City puts the emphasis on importance. If we need 18 more officers, then take the monies from elsewhere. The city needs to get its priorities straight.

Health Care Stealth: Happening Now! Call these Senators

Beware: The mammoth cost of health care should be the last of your concerns, because the legislation, itself, will put the quality of your life at risk. I received the following in an email from Maggie's Notebook contributor, Jim Simpson at Truth or Consequences. A health care vote is coming in the Senate if Rahm Emanuel and Barack Obama stamp their foot a few more time. DO NOT think this is over until after recess. If you've been checking the headline, you know that is not the case. Now is the time to ramp-up the fight. Even in the newly, supposedly re-worked plan to make it more palatable to Republicans, dire issues still remain. Forget about cost. The issues are: 1) The day the plan takes effect, if you change your job, you will never again be able to have a private plan, no matter what your new employer offers you. You will be on government health care, like it or not. Do not be deceived that you will have an option. 2) Five years after the plan goes into effect, if you are still with same employer, on a private plan, your employer's plan must match the government plan. 3) Your medical records will be in government hands. If you believe the President when he says your records will be private, remember that we cannot keep homeland security and military information private. If ever anything is communist, taking charge of our health records is absolutely dictatorial. This is one you should care deeply about. 4) Doctors pay will be bundled: he/she will not be paid for when he/she treats you but by how the government deems he has managed your case. Your doctor will be removed from guiding your care in all ways. 5) We are told that no one will be excluded from this plan - but the truth is seniors will be excluded. No more hip or knee replacements, no more pace makers - all of that is probable. And what good is to be covered if you doctor cannot treat you adequately? There is so much more. Please visit Ironic Surrealism for a list of tweets from people who are going through the bill line-by-line and quoting the bill. To give you some idea what you'll find some astonishing tweets. Here's an example:

Fed Govt mandates eligibility 4 State Family Planning Svcs. Say abortion & State Sovereign. Nurse Home Visit Svcs – “increasing birth intervals btwn pregnancies.” Govt ABORTIONS any1?

What you do in the next few hours may determine the future of healthcare in this country. You have to call the following Senators RIGHT NOW. While we all have been breathing a sigh of relief that the Healthcare bill would not come up for a vote before the Senate recess, Rahm Emmanuel and the Senate Democrats are quietly managing to manipulate Republican Senators into supporting a changed healthcare bill worked out in a six-member panel of the Senate Finance Committee. The Washington Post reported today that A VOTE MAY OCCUR BEFORE THE RECESS. The members of that panel are listed below. It has not been voted on in Committee yet, but if it wins with Republican support, the Democrats will call the bill "Bipartisan" then remove whatever positive changes Republicans made when the Senate version goes to the Conference Committee to work out differences with the House bill. The House bill is the terror that everyone has been commenting on, and with Pelosi in charge, it WILL NOT CHANGE. THIS IS THE BILL THEY WANT, and it brings with it the following horrors: euthanasia for seniors, drastically reduced healthcare availablity, no private healthcare at all, taxes, taxes and more taxes, wiping out the private healthcare industry and on and on. The bill will destroy both our healthcare system and add yet another body slam to an economy already reeling from Obama's other monstrous initiatives. CALLING IS BEST. ONLY FAX OR E-MAIL IF YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH. E-MAIL ONLY IF YOU ARE FROM THE STATE. Beg them, plead with them, tell them anything, but try to convince them not to support it. Tell them you will withhold donations to any and all Republicans if they support it. This bill is a DISASTER!! Tell them that. Put them on the defensive. Make sure they hear your voice!! CALL THE DEMOCRATS TOO. If you are a democrat, tell them you will withhold donations to any and all Democrats if they vote for it. Let them know that you are outraged. Yesterday in my calls to Congressmen I expressed my shocked disbelief that anyone could possibly be so reckless and irresponsible as to dream up such an overtly destructive piece of legislation. They need to know how we feel! Pass this e-mail on to everyone you know and urge they do the same. Republicans Chuck Grassley (Ranking Member) Phone: (202) 224-3744 Fax: (202) 224-6020 Olympia Snowe Phone: (202) 224-5344 Toll Free: (800) 432-1599 Fax: (202) 224-1946 Mike Enzi Phone: (202) 224-3424 Fax: (202) 228-0359 Toll free: (888) 250-1879 Democrats Max Baucus (Chairman) Phone: (202) 224-2651 Fax: (202) 224-9412 Jeff Bingaman Phone: (202) 224-5521 TDD: (202) 224-1792 Tollfree (in NM): 1-800-443-8658 Kent Conrad Phone: (202) 224-2043 Fax: (202) 224-7776 FOXNews just announced that the House has reached a compromise with Blue Dog Democrats. Details later. The announcement is that they have cut $100 BILLION from the bill. If you believe that...see me about a good deal on the Empire State Building and a secret way to build your real estate portfolio. Health care stealth in Washington, D.C. right now. Update 7-30-09: Sprain your ankle. Denied an MRI or whatever the doctor prescribes. TODAY, you can decide to pay for treatment now denied to you, out of your own pocket. Now, we don't what to do that, BUT we can mortgage our house or sell our car if we want to, to get the necessary treatment. AFTER health care reform passes, you no longer have that option. Your doctor is not important in the management of your health care.

Daniel Patrick Boyd is Suspected Terror Jihadist Arrested

Daniel Patrick Boyd is a suspected terror jihadist. He is a U.S. citizen and alleged to be part of a group in North Carolina who planned to wage "violent jihad." Known as Saifullah, meaning "Sword of the god," his wife says he believes the U.S. is a country of heathens.

Daniel Patrick Boyd

While Boyd's wife Sabrina denied the charges against her husband, as well as the charges against two of their sons, she and her sister-in-law told authorities that their husbands believe the United States is a country of "kafirs," the Arabic word for "heathens." Seven men are under arrest, each facing charges of providing material support to terrorism. Each can face life in prison if convicted. Two of the Boyd's sons, Zakariya (Zak) 20 and Dylan (Mohammad) 22, are charged and under arrest. In addition to the Boyd family, arrested suspects are Anes Subasic 33, Mohammad Omar aly Hassan 22, and Ziyad Yaghi 21. All are U.S. citizens. One native of Kosovo with permanent U.S. legal status is under arrest: Hysen Sherifi 24. Sherifi is the only person charged who is not a U.S. citizen. An unnamed defendant, identified as a "U.S. citizen who went to Pakistan in October 2008 to "engage in violent jihad," is still at large. All are charged with supporting terrorism between the dates of November 9, 2006 and July 2009. Sabrina Boyd said her husband was in Afghanistan fighting the Soviets "with the full backing of the U.S. government." Court records allege:

Boyd, a U.S. citizen, trained in Afghanistan and fought there between 1989 and 1992 before returning to the United States. Court documents charged that Boyd, also known as 'Saifullah,' encouraged others to engage in jihad. Court records indicate Boyd was a veteran of terrorist training camps in Pakistan and Afghanistan who fought against the Soviet Union. The suspects face charges of providing material support to terrorism and "conspiracy to murder, kidnap, maim and injure persons abroad.

Charisse Van Horn at The Examiner:

It is alleged that the terrorist ring prepared to become “mujihadeen” and to die “shahid” or as martyrs furthering the cause of jihad. The group held fast to the belief that “fard ayn” or that violent jihad is the responsibility and requirement of every good Muslim. The group was committed to teaching and preparing others overseas for furthering jihad, as well as finding young converts to join their cause.

The indictment alleges that on March 11, 2006, “Saifullah” or Daniel Patrick Boyd traveled to Gaza and attempted to introduce his sons to others who believed in violent jihad. On October 7, 2006, Ziyad Yaghi left the United States and traveled to Jordan to engage in violent Jihad. On November 9, 2006, Saifullah, or Daniel Patrick Boyd, purchased a Bushmaster M4 A3 16 inch patrolman carbine rifle and an ETA M16 V System C-MAG magazine. On February 21, 2007, Daniel Boyd, then purchased airline tickets for his son Zak, Zakariya Boyd as well as himself to Israel.

Boyd purchased another weapon, on March 13, 2007: a Ruger mini 14 long gun. Several weeks later, on March 29, 2007, he purchased another airline ticket to Israel, this one for his son “Mohamed” or Dylan Boyd. More tickets to Israel were purchased somewhere near April 3, 2007, this time for Mohammad Omar Aly Hassan and for Ziyad Yaghi.

The Boyds are described by shocked neighbors as "unassuming lakeside" residents of Raleigh, N.C., running a drywall business and walking their dogs. "Their kids played with our kids" said one. All photos courtesy of Wake County City/County Bureau of Identification. Hysen Sherifi Mohammad Omar Aly Hassan FOX News reports that Patrick Boyd and an unnamed brother were convicted in 1991 of bank robbery in Pakistan and sentenced to have a foot and a hand cut off. The two men were alleged to be members of Hezb-e-Islami (Party of Islam). The group is considered a radical Afghan guerilla group. The sentence was later over-turned. The Raleigh-Durham area FBI are busy these days.