RANDOM SHOTS! Rosie O'Donnel, Fast & Furious Never Happened? 9/11 Suspects on Hunger Strike, Bobbleheads, Sheriff Joe, and More!

FIRST SHOT!

Again, It's Goodbye Rosie O'Donnell!

So OK, Rosie O'Donnell's big return to television was stopped on Friday when the Oprah Winfrey Network canceled O'Donnell's daily talk show after five quick months.

Oprah had once been O'Donnell's biggest cheerleader, even giving the new show her old studio, director, and stage manager. Of course, when you hear about how the arrogant Rosie treated her former staff, it's not that surprising that Oprah's personally ended O'Donnell's run. 

Now that it's been cancelled, staffers from Rosie O'Donnell's ill-fated OWN talk show are coming forward with some great quotes about why it was canned.

"It was such a f$&king hellhole," one former staffer told The Daily Beast.

Again, not surprisingly is the reason for that? Rosie O'Donnell has a reputation in the entertainment industry of being over-bearing and cocky. Her temperamental rants and clashes with staff members are now the stuff that legends are made of.

Staff members were shocked "when O’Donnell clashed with Oprah Winfrey’s longtime director Joe Terry. People thought she humiliated him when she scolded him in front of a live audience for using the wrong camera shots."

Rosie "suggested he didn’t know what he was doing. She fired Winfrey’s Stage Manager because she felt he was ignoring her and not doing his job properly."

Rosie also became extremely angry and unhappy with her band leader, Katreese Barnes, who himself is a two-time Emmy winner, because Barnes couldn’t play obscure Broadway tunes off the cuff.

And, in what is seen as a final insult to the staff, on Friday, when Rosie's cancellation was publicly announced with a glowing statement by Oprah Winfrey herself, Rosie was not in Chicago to personally break the news to her crew. 

No, not the classless Rosie O'Donnell, instead she was Tweeting about what a great time she was having in NYC.

I can only hope that someone in the entertainment industry learns from this. The lesson here is pretty clear.

Oprah proved that you can take someone without a bit of talent, give them their own show, give them all of the opportunity in the world to make themselves a hit, and still that is not enough. The problem is that along with all of that, the person cannot be someone like Rosie O'Donnell who at the end of the day is a know-it-all who sees herself as being superior to others.

SECOND SHOT

Operation Fast & Furious Never Happened?

What am I saying?

Well according to a story in the news lately, the Justice Department Investigators who are investigating the Justice Department's part in Operation Fast & Furious finds no wrong doing by top Justice Department Officials.

Now ain't that a surprise, isn't it! Imagine that!

The Investigators haven't interviewed the Top Justice Department Officials who may have been responsible for the Justice Department Gun Running. And yes, I know the Obama White House and its Justice Department want to call it "gun walking" - but friends, it is government sponsored "Gun Running" pure and simple.

Two top Republican lawmakers are questioning the independence of the Obama Administration investigator tasked with probing Operation Fast and Furious, saying it appears her office is choosing not to interview high-level political employees in the Justice Department.

Rep. Darrell Issa of California and Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa wrote a letter Thursday to Cynthia Schnedar, Inspector General (IG) at the Justice Department, suggesting the office could be shielding close aides to Attorney General Eric Holder from scrutiny.

"Apparently, despite the advanced stage of its review, your office has not interviewed several key figures in Fast and Furious," they wrote of the controversial and defunct "Gun Walking" operation undertaken by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF.

The lawmakers asked why it appears Schnedar has failed to interview three deputy attorneys generals, all appointees close to Holder. They are worried Schnedar's report, which is expected later this year, will avoid casting blame on the Justice Department.

The Inspector General's office is part of the Department of Justice, which is headed by Eric Holder - who also is a subject of the probe.

The agency says it typically interviews witnesses and officials in order of their authority. The IG report is expected to be completed sometime this summer.

"We are unable to comment on an ongoing review," an office spokesperson said in a written statement. "However, in all of our reviews, we follow the facts and evidence wherever they lead us. In many of our past matters, we have interviewed Department of Justice personnel at the highest levels, and we will continue to do so as appropriate."

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has repeatedly claimed that he would rely on that report before taking any disciplinary actions and has scolded Congress for initiating its own probe, which he calls a "political witch hunt."  Imagine that!

Meanwhile, an ATF agent who supervised Operation Fast & Furious is also stepping forward with criticism of the Congressional probe saying that Investigation has "mischaracterized" what happened and includes "false and injurious" allegations against him.

In a 27-page letter to Issa and Grassley, a lawyer for former ATF Group Supervisor David Voth says contrary to published reports, Phoenix agents worked in "good faith" to stop guns from going to Mexico.

He also blamed the botched Operation on other factors. Not on poor judgment or lax oversight, but instead on "weak firearms trafficking laws," lack of funding for the task force, a "reticent judiciary in Arizona" and "insufficient cooperation" from other Federal agencies.

Voth, who was ATF's 2009 "Agent of the Year," claims the whistle-blowers who first went to Congress "never once" complained about "gun walking" or their inability to track firearms. He called their Congressional testimony "false."

But wait, that's all well and good except for one problem, Agent John Dodson said that he firmly stands by his story, as do Congressional investigators who have interviewed dozens of government officials who back up Dodson's version of events.

So as much as the Justice Department wants to pretend that their "Gun Running" of Assault Weapons into Mexico and into the hands of the Drug Cartels, who used  those same guns to murder one of our Agents working in Mexico, their attempt to screw with the truth is not working.

They can't sweep it under the rug just because they want to.

Knowing there's a Presidential Election coming up in November, I'm sure the White House wants the public to focus on how inept the Republicans are appearing - instead of asking why hasn't Attorney General Eric Holder been removed and charged with complicity in the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.

Back in November of 2011, a very arrogant Attorney General Eric Hold said that he has not spoken with the family of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, who was murdered in December of 2010 by a group of Mexican Drug Cartel assassins who used two of the Assault Weapons that are tied to "Operation Fast and Furious." 

But, as he told the Senate Committee investigating the crime, he "certainly regrets" what happened. 

He never did offer an outright apology when prompted by a Republican Senator to offer one, instead Holder  said he "can only imagine" the Terry family's pain.

But, he said, it's "not fair to assume" that mistakes made during the botched operation "directly led" to Terry's death.

News Flash! No one is assuming anything! It is a proven fact that two of the guns in the Operation - that Holder was a part of  -  was in fact used to murder Brian Terry!

I know! I know! I'll probably be accused of being a "Racist" for wanting to hold Eric Holder accountable!

Well folks, he screwed up and should be!

Newest Twist To Fast & Furious Case


THIRD SHOT! Two 9/11 Prisoners on Gitmo on Hunger Strike

Supposedly, at least two of the suspects in the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks have been on a Hunger Strike at the Guantanamo Bay detention camps since January according to Fox News.

The men are among the so-called "High Value 14" who were transferred from the CIA prisons in Europe in 2006 to the Navy base in Guantanamo Bay Cuba. Supposedly, they are protesting conditions at Guantanamo’s Camp 7 and a new policy in which communications between detainees and their defense lawyers are reviewed for security purposes, according to knowledgeable sources who would not provide further detail.

It is not clear whether the men are refusing all foods and fluids or whether they are eating only on an occasional basis. So it might not be a real Hunger Strike, but a so-so Hunger Strike - sort of like what kids do when they pout.

Defense Department spokesman Todd Breasseale said he could not discuss health-related issues of the 9/11 suspects, adding, "the physical well-being of detainees is our primary responsibility, and their security is of vital importance to our mission there. ... Hunger strikes are a form of non-violent protest, and those few who have engaged in this practice are monitored so that their health is never in any real danger. Their vital statistics are routinely monitored and they are not allowed to endanger their lives."

In December, the Admiral who oversees the detention camps ramped up the screening of communications and mail between the lawyers and their clients to keep out contraband. In January, it came to light during a routine military hearing at the base that a copy of Al Qaeda’s Inspire magazine nearly made it into the camps.

Al Qaeda's Inspire magazine is the "How To Be A Muslim Martyr Handbook" for would-be Jihadists.

The American Bar Association has written to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta about the preservation of attorney-client privilege in the Guantanamo military prosecutions. They are urging Panetta to take immediate steps to "rescind this policy," Bill Robinson III, president of the ABA, wrote that it was especially important in death penalty cases.

The Defense Department’s current policy, Robinson said, "seriously compromises the ability of lawyers to meet their obligations and provide ethically and Constitutionally adequate representation to their clients. It also impairs the ability of these dedicated lawyers to gain the trust and confidence of their clients."

I'd like to know exactly where in the United States Constitution does it say that Americans MUSTgive Foreigners, and especially terrorists, rights of any sort? To my knowledge, the Constitution applies only to U.S. citizens.

As for conditions at Camp 7, a detention facility that Liberals say is so secretive that no journalist has ever been given access, it is claimed by Civil Rights groups like the ACLU that the camp does not even satisfy the requirements under the Geneva Conventions that establishes minimum guarantees for the treatment of "law of war detainees."

I can't believe that bullshit at all!

After finding out lately that our Defense Department and Navy has been busy building those detainees down there a new $744,000.00 Soccer Field, and have gone out of their way to accommodate the terrorist in their custody with all sorts of religious rights for example, I find it hard to believe that the people in charge down there are cuddling the SOBs.

On Feb. 24, all of the military defense lawyers for the 9/11 suspects at Camp 7, along with the lawyer Abu Faraj al-Libi, a Libyan implicated in a plot to blow up planes over the Atlantic in 2006, wrote to William K. Lietzau, deputy assistant secretary of defense for detainee policy. They claimed in the five-page letter that serious deficiencies remain in health care and living conditions.

Of course the lawyers questioned the validity of a 2009 de-classified report that in fact stated that detainees in Gitmo are actually enjoying multiple recreation yards and gyms equipped with "elliptical machines and stationary bikes, soccer balls, racquetballs."

The 2009 de-classified report also states that "Media rooms are available three times weekly for each detainee to watch movies of their choice, read newspapers, magazines (and) books."

There are unofficial reports that the 9/11 Suspects like Micheal Moore films, but anything killing Christians is probably high on their list. But don't worry folks, with "elliptical machines and stationary bikes, soccer balls, racquetballs," it really sounds like more proof that Club Gitmo is alive and well!

FOURTH SHOT!

Bobblehead Dolls of John Wilkes Booth?

That's right! There are actually bobblehead dolls of John Wilkes Booth - and of all places, how about the visitor's center at Gettysburg National Military Park.

So for you folks in other countries who are wondering why I would find this so weird, well it's because the bobblehead doll depicts the man who assassinated one of America's most beloved Presidents - yes, President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.

Without a doubt, he was one of America's greatest Presidents. 

The doll of John Wilkes Booth, complete with a handgun, were taken off bookstore shelves a day after a reporter from Hanover’s The Evening Sun newspaper asked about them.

Gettysburg Foundation spokeswoman Dru Anne Neil said the dolls were available only for about a week before the Park Superintendent, the Foundation President, and the Bookstore Manager decided they shouldn’t be for sale.

Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln by sneaking up behind him while the President attended a Play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington in April 1865. Once there, he drew a small single shot cap and ball derringer pistol and shot the President behind the head.

No word in the news story as to who at the Gettysburg National Military Park’s Visitors Center Bookstore would have ordered such a disgusting tribute to that low life coward.

But honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if that same person orders replica toy single shot cap and ball derringer pistols like the one Booth used to shoot the President.

Why not? Most likely that person doing the ordering for the Bookstore has no knowledge of History or how despicable a crime that was!

Now I sort of expected this sort of bobblehead thing to be made in Communist China for some reason, but no its not. The company that makes the bobblehead dolls of John Wilkes Booth is surprisingly an American company located in Missouri.

The manufacturer says their John Wilkes Booth dolls are a top seller - and more are being produced.  But that really doesn't surprise me, especially after I found out that one of their bobblehead dolls is a Super Obama.

What surprises me is that the very same disgusting doll can be found on Amazon.com for sale by the same company in Missouri. Imagine that!

Yes, for $19.95, you too can have a "John Wilkes Booth Lincoln Assassination Bobblehead Doll by The Bobble Head LLC" on Amazon.com !

Can you say "Idjits"?


FIFTH SHOT!

Sheriff Arpaio says Obama's Birth Certificate is a "Forgery"

After putting together his own investigation, a ten page report backs up Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio when he says that he suspects the birth certificate President Obama released last year is a "computer-generated forgery" - and more, Sheriff Joe Arpaio also raised questions about the authenticity of the President’s Selective Service registration card.

In an extensive press conference in Phoenix, Sheriff Arpaio repeatedly said he is not questioning the president’s legal status under the Constitution nor alleging fraud on Obama's part, but did say there is evidence crimes have been committed by someone and his investigation continues.

"Based on all of the evidence presented and investigated, I cannot in good faith report to you that these documents are authentic," Sheriff Arpaio said. "My investigators believe that the long-form birth certificate was manufactured electronically and that it did not originate in paper format as claimed by the White House."

He said he would like Congress to investigate the matter, but short of that, he has an obligation to look into is because of potential violations of Arizona’s laws.

Sheriff Arpaio said he went into the investigation with an open mind, and would have been happy to clear Obama.

Instead, he said, the former law enforcement investigators who he deployed from his "cold case posse" at no taxpayer expense were unable to back up the White House’s story.

His investigators said the image of the birth certificate released by the White House appears to have been created originally on a computer, rather than having been originally made on paper and then scanned.

The investigators said they have identified "a person of interest" in the birth certificate matter.

Sheriff Arpaio’s Chief Investigator on the project said, there are so many questions that he couldn't have cleared Mr. Obama to be an employee of Maricopa County.

Imagine not being able to qualify for a county job like say Animal Control Officer because your background check didn't work out, yet you're still President of the United States?

For myself, I really don't think we'll all find out the truth about Obama's birth certificate until he's out of office and getting that huge pension for being President - illegal or not!

SIXTH SHOT!

Again, Environmentalist Jerkweeds try to ban lead bullets!

Hunters are up in arms over an Arizona-based conservation group latest bid to get the federal government to ban lead bullets, which the environmentalists claim contaminates the food chain.

The Center for Biological Diversity has sent a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency again asking the agency to regulate lead right out of ammunition. It's the second time the group has attempted to get the EPA to take up "their" cause, and the group is currently suing the Federal agency for rejecting their previous attempt.

The crazies at the Center for Biological Diversity has sent a petition to the EPA asking for stricter regulations on the use of lead for hunting ammunition, claiming that the spent casings are a toxic hazard for wildlife and the food chain.
Those nutcases at the Center for Biological Diversity claim that lead rounds left in animals that are shot but get away from hunters harm the food chain. They also believe that the spent casings can contaminate ground water.

What's strange is that those Jerkweeds at the Center for Biological Diversity must not understand what the earth is made of, or what effects groundwater. If they understood what the earth, the ground, the land is made of, the minerals, the composition of the land itself, then they would know that lead is a common element in nature.

And as for polluting the groundwater? Well, that's just asinine to suggest that a single casing in the middle of acres of open country  can effect groundwater table adversely! They can't be so stupid as to think that there are really people who believe their nonsense!

When I was working in Construction back in the mid-1980s before going in the Inspection Industry, the company that I worked for erected Service Stations (Gas Stations). On one particular build, I met a man at a who was trailing the amount of gas present on the earths plates.

Yes, at Gas Stations there are usually test holes available for people to come along and check how much gasoline is filtering out of the underground tanks and into the groundwater. The man that I had met said that he trailed one tank leak for almost 2 miles before it dissolved into being not note worthy.

When I was taking College courses in Welding Inspection, Metallurgy, and Materials Inspection at Contra Costa College, we had a speaker from the EPA come in to give us a talk about pollution. During the break, I asked the speaker if she had ever heard of those testers at Gas Stations. She said she did.

Then she said something that I've never forgotten, it was something that she told me during the break and the rest of the class after the break, "the secret to pollution is dilution." She made it very clear that even trace fuel was hardly detectable when diluted in groundwater.  The effects of rifle casings from hunters would be virtually undetectable in groundwater.

Knowing this tells me that the Center for Biological Diversity is lying!

The truth is that that group has long sought to curb our rights to hunt and own firearms.

"They are like a woodpecker without any wood. They just keep pecking away," Lawrence Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation told Fox News. "It’s clear that their motivation is to end hunting in the United States."

The environmental group claims the EPA has jurisdiction over bullets through the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act. But the EPA doesn't see it the same way as that group of Jerkweeds.

In fact, an EPA spokesman told Fox News that the agency denied the previous petition because the agency does not share the opinion it has legal authority over bullets and shotgun pellets.

Keane, who noted that the environmental group's original petition did not exempt police officers or military personnel from using lead bullets, applauded the EPA for understanding its role.

“Regulating ammunition for hunting is simply not in the EPA’s sandbox,” said Keane

Lawrence Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation disputed the group's claim that lead bullets are a threat to anything other than what they are fired at.

"There's no sound science that show lead ammunition having an impact on wildlife population," said Keane, adding that the firearms industry pays a federal excise tax of 11 percent on ammunition, which goes to wildlife conservation programs.

Last month, Rep.Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) has recently authored a bill called the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012 which places protections on hunting, fishing and shooting. The bill would clarify that materials commonly used in hunting and fishing fall outside the scope of the EPA's enforcement of the Toxic Substances Control Act.

"Most of our fish and wildlife habitat can be attributed to the taxes paid by the firearms, ammunition and sport fishing tackle industries through sportsmen," Rep.Jeff Miller told Fox News.

"Ammunition prices are already on the rise and imposing a ban on traditional ammunition and fishing tackle would result in considerable reductions in the number of sportsmen participating in the outdoors, and funding the future of our fish and wildlife habitat."

We should all support Rep.Jeff Miller of Florida, the man has way too much common sense to be a normal politician!

Story by Tom Correa

A Great St. Patrick's Day!

Today was one of those days that starts with phone calls.

First it was our American Legion's 1st Vice Commander Neil Steen calling me to tell me that he would be at the dinner tonight at the Post to help out if needed. He has been volunteering to greet our guests and man the ticket table. He is a good man, and I like the fact that he pitches in where and when he can.

The second call came from someone who said that his mother forgot her purse at the Post last night. I said that I'd meet him there, so yes - I finally got going and ran over to the Post.

When I got there, Jerry Combs was already there - and yes, he had already given the purse to the fella that called. Jerry and others were already busy preparing tonight's St. Patrick's Day Dinner!

I figured since I was already there that I would get my chores done behind the bar to get ready for the folks tonight. Frank Sousa came in, and a minute later Dorothy Mechling walked in. Frank decided to come by and ask if he could be of help. Dorothy jumped right in setting up table decorations.

I filled the coolers, the ice chest, cleaned a little, that sort of thing. I saw that I needed a few things from the store and knowing that Steve Duman was 5 or 6 miles closer to town than I am, I called him to ask if he was running into town before coming out to the Post. After he heard what I needed, he ran into Jackson to pickup what we needed. The man is a Saint!

Then the snow started. Nice big fluffy snow. And yes, I loved it because we need it. We need it because unlike other parts of the country - this has been a very mild winter and we need the water.

Winter came to Glencoe yesterday with much needed rain. And friends, it rained hard. Thunder, lightning, cold rain came down in buckets last night. Everyone up here knew the snow was coming today, and yes around 1pm it did.

That's one thing about living up here, everyone watches the weather this time of year.

Then the phone started ringing with people asking if we'd still be open as planned? A lot of folks look forward to Jerry's Great Corned beef & Cabbage, so the answer was a definite "you betcha!"

I ran home to clean up a little and pickup Deanna, then when I got back I immediately jumped behind the bar to tend to business. I cannot tell you folks how wonderful it felt seeing all our friends and neighbors walk in the door.

The snow did not stop outside, but people still came. And friends, it was a full house of what looked like some very happy folks!

Yes, we are a Vets Club. But we are also a huge part of our Community, and our neighbors know that we appreciate and thank them for their support of our Post.

All the laughter, the fun, the jokes, and of course the great food, yes it was a great time!

We opened at 4pm and I finally turned off the lights and locked the door at 9pm tonight. It was a long day, but well worth it! Jerry and his crew in the kitchen did an outstanding job, and I really hope he knows how thankful I am for all that they did today.

Volunteers make any organization like our America Legion Post run. Without them, yes nothing takes place. They are not "employees." No, they are not. Actually, none of us are employees. We are all Volunteers.

I look at all of the Officer positions with the Legion as that of being a sort of Steward. Because of that, I know that I will take care of my responsibilities until the next 2nd Vice takes over. At that time, he can run things the way he sees fit.

In the mean while, I'm tasked with doing my best in my area of responsibility. And that, my friends, is as a sort of morale officer in charge of the bar, the kitchen, and making sure we have activities and fun.

Though I don't have to answer to anyone except myself, there is no "power" in any position at the Post. Its all about honor and responsibility.

It is a point of honor that pushes me to do as good as I can. But friends, it's volunteers like Jerry, Neil, Steve, and all of the others, that get things done and make my job work. I can only hope they know how much I appreciate their jumping in and rolling up their sleeves.

Yes, I'm retired. So all in all, I see this as a way of giving back to my community and fellow veterans. In my position, I've tried to come up with ways of boosting morale.

But honestly, no matter how many ideas for events that I can come up with, no matter what I or someone else comes up with, ideas are just ideas. Its our volunteers that make them happen.

Trust me when I say that I learned a long long time ago that ideas to do this or that - ain't worth diddly squat without great people supporting it. They make things happen.

One neighbor by the name of Don Ames, whose family has been in these parts since the California Gold Rush put together a series of books chronicling our area.

In those books, they show account after account of parties, dances, balls, that the Miners and Loggers and the Merchants used to have throughout the year. Those books prove, that even back in the 1860's during the California Gold Rush, that men and women needed to get together and take time off away from their troubles and toil and celebrate life!

We are a small country American Legion Post. We are in a place that has a population of 189, and that is something that we need to remember when thinking about what we need to keep going. A couple things that our little post has going for it is that we are absolutely blessed with having a great community of really great folks.

Each month, we are slated to do something in the way of a party or a dance or a bar-b-q. Whether its Jerry doing his magic in preparing a great Corned beef and Cabbage Dinner or Santa showing up for the kids up here - my mission is to try to do what those old timers and their wives knew way back when - we should aways take time out from a lousy economy and high gas prices to celebrate life - even if it is in the smallest ways!

For you folks who helped tonight, and for you folks who braved the lousy road conditions to come out and enjoy St Patrick's Day with us, thank you for all of you support!

Have a great night, and may God bless you and yours.

Story by Tom Correa

RANDOM SHOTS! Voter ID Laws, Hawaii's Most Wanted, Union Award For China, and More!

FIRST SHOT

Feds say No Voter-ID for Texas!

Like you, I need a picture identification of some sort for all sorts of things these days.

When I go to the bank to make a transaction, the store to cash a check, picking up certified mail, entering an Emergency Room for treatment, checking into the Veterans Hospital to make my appointments, when I'm stopped by the Police, or even signing up for insurance, like you, I need to produce an identification card (ID) of some sort with a picture on it.

So why is it that the Obama Administration and the Democrats in the Federal Government have a problem with us having to produce some sort of a picture ID when we show up to vote?

That is the basic question as to what the heck is going on with the Obama Justice Department these days.

This week the Feds, the Justice Department, blocked the new Texas Voter-Identification law. Their reasoning is that it targets that state’s Hispanics.

But how does that work?

First it was South Carolina and now it's Texas. Both states have had their Voter-ID laws rejected by the Justice Department for questionable reasons.

Both states have Republican-controlled legislatures trying to combat both Illegal Immigration, and both are trying to combat Voter Fraud in their states. So where's the problem?

Well, the Federal Government by way of Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez says he was using the Federal Government’s power under the Voting Rights Act to block the state’s law because "data show that Hispanics could be twice as likely as other groups to lack the right kind of identification."

Picture IDs? How can any American not have a picture ID? And why only Hispanics?
To me it all sounds like bullshit but Perez said in a six-page letter to Texas officials, "Hispanics disproportionately lack either a driver’s license or a personal identification card issued by [the state’s Department of Public Safety], and that disparity is statistically significant."

Wasting no time at all, Texas has already asked a Federal Court to hear the case - so a judge will have the final say.

Yes, the timing of the Obama Administration’s move left some Republicans questioning the motives.

"Today’s decision reeks of politics," said Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican and former judge who said the Justice Department is trying to "carry water for the president’s re-election campaign."

The issue is likely to play as well on the Republican campaign trail, where presidential candidates have said they would drop objections to voter-identification and state immigration laws.

At stake is the thorny question of which is a bigger problem in the country - Voter Fraud or Vote Suppression.

While there have been high-profile cases of invalid registrations, Civil Rights groups like the ACLU have argued that there is little evidence of fraud at the polls. They say the bigger problem is the enactment of laws that make voting tougher. 

These groups are either lying or obviously stupid. Why?

Well, during the last Presidential Election in 2008 voter fraud was ramped. So if they were informed of the case of 43 people all registered at one 2 bedroom home, or that Mickey Mouse was registered along with other fictitious names by groups like ACORN who Obama once worked with, then they are uninformed at best - and just plain stupid at worse.

Of course since those Civil Rights groups know better when they say that there is little evidence of fraud at the polls - then I can only assume that they are lying.

But hey, maybe stupid is how stupid thinks!

"This new law is a clear-cut attempt to suppress minority votes and stymie minority participation in our democracy," said Gary Bledsoe, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Texas State Conference, who cheered the Justice Department’s decision.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said voter fraud is a real danger and that his own office has won 50 convictions for election fraud in the past decade. He said the Justice Department has prosecuted more than 100 cases in that time.

He listed cases including a woman who submitted her dead mother’s ballot, a person who voted twice on Election Day, and an election worker who fraudulently cast a ballot under the name of a voter who shared his last name.

Texas Democrats blocked the Voter-ID law for years, but Republicans captured a super-majority in the state’s House and put the legislation through.

The same scenario played out in other states last year, usually after Republicans won or expanded majorities and pushed Voter-Identification laws. In December, the Justice Department blocked South Carolina’s new Voter-ID law, and department officials have said they are looking at other states’ laws.

Of course part of what makes this look very suspicious is that while states with republican legislatures are coming under scrutiny, states like Rhode Island with a Democrat-controlled legislature passed a law imposing a picture- ID requirement in 2014 and it was signed by Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee - all with nothing said from the Democrats in the White House.

The Supreme Court has upheld Indiana’s voter-ID law, and both the authors and backers of the Texas Voter-ID statute said it was modeled after Indiana’s voter-ID law. The only difference is that the Texas statute is more restrictive in its list of acceptable identifications.

So I guess they won't accept my COSTCO picture ID! Oh well!

Voters who cannot present identification are allowed to cast provisional ballots but must return within six days with the required ID or must sign an affidavit saying they lost their identification in a natural disaster or have a religious objection to being photographed.

Texas is one of a handful of states that is required to submit new voting changes to the Justice Department. The department can block any changes it deems will have an adverse impact on minorities, and only a court can overturn its decisions.

That's why Texas wasted no time in taking the Justice Department to court! They knew what was coming from an Obama Justice Department that may be trying to allow illegals and criminals the opportunity to vote.

Criminals? Yes, registering to vote under a fictitious name is a crime.

And yes, none of this surprises me coming from the Obama White House!

SECOND SHOT

American Labor Union says China "Best Friend of American Worker"

No, I didn't read it wrong. I read it twice myself, because like you - I couldn't believe it!

Fact is that America’s biggest Maritime Labor Union has presented its "Best Friend of the American Worker Award" to the Premier of China, according to official reports from that Communist nation.

The International Longshoremen’s Association gave the award to Wen Jiabao to mark China’s "great contributions in creating more job opportunities for U.S. workers," the semi-official China Daily reported.

Chinese ambassador Zhang Yesui received the award on Wen’s behalf at a ceremony at the Port of Boston in Massachusetts. The award coincided with the 10th anniversary of the first direct shipment to Boston by COSCO, not to be confused with COSTCO, which is a giant shipping company owned and operated by the Communist Chinese government.

The International Longshoremen’s Association vice-president William McNamara presented the award.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin confirmed the award during a press conference, reported on the Chinese Embassy’s website saying,  "The award … is to thank the Chinese Government for its efforts to encourage Chinese enterprises' investment in the U.S. and to promote bilateral economic cooperation and trade. This gratitude is sincere and heartfelt."

The International Longshoremen’s Association, which claims to have 65,000 members, mainly on the East Coast was surprisingly quiet about the award and makes no mention on their website of their giving China their award.

I guess they might want to keep it sort of secret. After all, China is taking more and more manufacturing jobs from the United States every time you turn around.

And of course, there is that other little thing that a Labor Union might not want to talk about.

It is very well documented that China still uses forced labor and child labor of the type that American Labor Unions first fought against when they were first establishing themselves as being on the side of workers.

So can you say Union Hypocrites!


THIRD SHOT!

Hawaii's Most Wanted - Give Me A Break!

On KHON channel 2 News, they have a segment they call Hawaii's Most Wanted. On March 10th, they featured a woman by the name of Thomasina Kamana.

When I first saw the title of the story Hawaii's Most Wanted: Thomasina Kamana immediately I thought Bank Robber, Drug Dealer, Kidnapper, Attempted Murderer.

But Wow, was I wrong!

Thomasina is wanted on two warrants in connection with a couple of Shoplifting Cases.

That's right, Hawaii's Most Wanted is a Shoplifter!

This is crazy, but it gets even more silly as the segment even had a representative from the Honolulu Police Department go on camera and tell the public why they are looking for this notorious criminal - the now famous Thomasina Kamana. 

"On November 10, 2010 at 3 p.m., Kamana entered the Safeway store on Pali Highway and was observed putting six trays of steaks into her backpack. She was stopped outside the store and placed under arrest for theft," said Sgt. Kim Buffett of CrimeStoppers.

She stole 6 steaks! Call SWAT! Get the FBI! Notify the Justice Department!

She stole 6 steaks from Safeway supermarket, but that was only the start of her crime spree!

Six days later after the big heist of bagging 6 steaks at Safeway, the now famous Thomasina Kamana was arrested for theft at Wal-Mart after a loss prevention officer saw her put clothes in her backpack and leave without paying.
She's now wanted on two $20,000 warrants for not complying with the terms of HOPE Probation.

HOPE Probation (Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement), is the first and only of its kind in the nation. Probationers in HOPE Probation receive swift, predictable, and immediate sanctions - typically resulting in several days in jail - for each detected violation, such as detected drug use or missed appointments with a probation officer.

Thomasina Kamana is 31-years-old, 5'7" tall, 133 pounds, looks local, most probably Hawaiian, and since she stole 6 steaks has probably just attended a Bar-B-Q wearing a new shirt from Wal-Mart.

"She is known to frequent the Waianae area and she has six prior convictions," HPD Sgt Buffett says.

If you know where the now famous Thomasina Kamana is, please tell her that her Shoplifting is the biggest thing that the Honolulu Police have to concern themselves with. They obviously have nothing else to do!
 
 
FOURTH SHOT!
 
He Bit Off Part Of Basketball Coach's Ear
 
Massachusetts dad, Timothy Forbes, age 34, allegedly went nuts Friday when his 6th-grade son's basketball team lost a game.
 
Police say he attacked the winning team's coach and bit off part of his ear, according to USA today.

This is no joke! This guy must have been crazed! The unidentified coach was rushed to the hospital where his ear was surgically reattached.

When the game ended - at Holy Name School in Springfield - Timothy Forbes allegedly barreled through several 10 to 12 year-old kids before he made it to the coach.

"During the brief but violent assault assault, part of the coach's [left] ear was bitten off," Police Sgt. John Delaney told The Republican.

Other parents reportedly tried to pull Forbes off the coach, but the alleged assailant fled before the Police arrived on the scene.

So where's the surprise there, unlike on TV the Police are normally nowhere around when things happen. Most of the time, they show up an hour after called to take a report.

The biting parent turned himself in at the Springfield Courthouse on Monday and pleaded not guilty to disorderly conduct, assault and battery, felony mayhem and other charges.

From reports, this is not that strange. The incidence of spectator violence at sporting events appears to be increasing at an alarming rate in present-day society. Violence at sporting events is not an uncommon occurrence.

Some folks are trying to say that we live in a more violent society, but I don't agree. Violence at sporting events is nothing new, and nit restricted to the United States.

During the Sydney Riot of 1879, up to 2,000 fans invaded the pitch and disrupted play after an umpiring dispute broke out between members of the visiting English cricket team and the New South Wales Cricket Association; two English players were assaulted, with three fans being arrested.

In 1912, during a Baseball Game between the New York Highlanders and the Detroit Tigers at Hilltop Park in New York, Tigers outfielder Ty Cobb ran into the stands and assaulted a handicapped fan, Claude Lueker, after Lueker had heckled him throughout the first three innings.

Cobb was suspended indefinitely and fined $50 for the incident, and his teammates, though they were certainly not fond of Cobb actually went on strike to protest the suspension

In 1922, after being ejected from a Baseball Game for throwing dirt in the eyes of the umpire, Babe Ruth chased a heckler through the stands. When the fan ran out of reach, Ruth returned to the dugout roof and challenged any fan in attendance to fight him. Ruth was suspended for seven games and fined $200 for the incident.
 
In 1955, midway into the first period of a game at the Montreal Forum between the Montreal Canadians and the Detroit Red Wings, Canadians fans who were outraged at the remainder of the season suspension handed to superstar Maurice "Rocket" Richard for knocking out linesman Cliff Thompson during a fight in a March 13 game, pelted Red Wings players, officials, and NHL President Clarence Campbell and his fiancee with debris as the Red Wings built up a 4–1 lead.
 
After police set off a tear gas bomb inside the Forum and ordered a total evacuation, a furious and bloodied Campbell ruled the game a forfeit to the Red Wings.
 
In 1961, in the first half of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium, Cleveland Indians outfielder Jimmy Piersall was attacked by two Yankee fans who ran onto the field. Piersall quickly took care of the first fan with a single punch, then went after and chased after the other who was intercepted and pummeled by Indian teammates Johnny Temple and Walt Bond.
 
In 1971, during the bottom of the ninth inning of the final game of the Washington Senators in Washington before their move to Texas, hundreds of disgruntled Senators fans rushed the field and vandalized RFK Memorial Stadium. They actually forced the Senators, who were leading the New York Yankees 7–5, to forfeit the game. Three men were arrested for disorderly conduct.
 
Another part of that riot was that Major League Baseball would not return to the U.S. capital until 2005, when the Montreal Expos moved south to become the Washington Nationals.
 
In 1974, Someone came up with the great idea of  "Ten Cent Beer Night" for a game between the Cleveland Indians and the Texas Rangers at the Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Subsequently, fans were served as many 10-ounce cups of beer as they wanted for 10¢ each.
 
After numerous instances of drunk fans being involved in throwing things and running onto the field, streaking, the situation finally boiled over in the 9th inning when a fan ran onto the field and snatched Rangers outfielder Jeff Burroughs' cap and glove.
 
Burroughs' teammates charged out to his aid, followed by hundreds of Cleveland fans who poured onto the field.

In the chaos, believe it or not, Indians manager Ken Aspromonte ordered his players to grab baseball bats and protect the Rangers from their own fans.

Rangers manager Billy Martin actually grabbed a bat and ran into the crowd, Rangers pitcher Tom Hilgendorf was hit in the back of the head with a metal chair, and chief umpire Nestor Chylak was hit in the head with a chair thrown from the stands. Nine people were arrested, and the game was forfeited to Texas.

In 1979, at the end of a Hockey Game between the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden, Bruins players climbed into the stands to fight with Rangers fans after Stan Jonathan was hit across the face with a rolled up program and Terry O'Reilly's stick was stolen.

This incident was made infamous by Mike Milbury removing a fan's shoe and beating him with it. Four Rangers fans were arrested, with O'Reilly suspended for eight games and Milbury and Peter McNab for six games by NHL president John Ziegler; all three players were also fined $500.

This incident resulted in the installation of higher glass panels enclosing rinks in hockey arenas.

From 1979 to 1985, I was one of the Supervisors in charge of Security for the San Francisco 49ers. There were many instanced of violence with spectators in those days at Candlestick Park.
 
As recently as 2002, a shirtless father and son ran from the stands at Chicago's Comiskey Park and attacked Kansas City Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa. The coach suffered a cut forehead.

In 2003, after a Padres game at Qualcomm Stadium, 22-year-old Jeremy Lindsay was beaten into a coma in the parking lot. He died seven weeks later.

Again in 2003, Giants fan Marc Antenorcruz was shot and killed by Dodgers fan Pete Marronin the parking lot of Dodger Stadium, following a late-season Dodgers-Giants game. Marron was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 50 years in prison. A second defendant, Manuel Hernandez, plead no contest to voluntary manslaughter and had his 15 year sentence suspended.

In 2004, when the San Diego Chargers beat the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium, three Chargers fans beat a Jaguars fan unconscious in front of dozens of people.

Also in 2004, during a game between the Oakland A's and the Texas Rangers at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, Rangers pitcher Frank Francisco was ejected, arrested, and charged with assault and battery after he threw a metal chair into the stands that hit a fan, Jennifer Bueno, breaking her nose and causing a gash which required stitches.

Francisco was released on $15,000 bail and suspended for the remainder of the season by MLB. He pleaded no contest to the charges, and was sentenced to anger management classes and a work program.

In 2007, Francisco finally settled a civil suit brought on by Jennifer Bueno.

In 2009, a man stabbed his "friend" in the stadium parking lot after the home opener in which the Dodgers beat the Giants 11–1. Arthur Alvarez was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Alvarez, who contended that he was knocked to the ground and acted in self-defense, was later acquitted by a jury.

Of course in 2011, Bryan Stow, a 42 year-old Giants' fan from Santa Cruz, was critically injured when he was attacked by two Dodgers fans in the Dodger Stadium parking lot after the Dodgers and Giants opened the 2011 season.

Stow, a paramedic and father of two, sustained severe injuries to his skull and brain and was placed into a medically induced coma after the incident. A suspect, 31-year-old Giovanni Ramirez, was arrested in connection with the crime.

Ramirez was never formally charged and was declared innocent in July 2011 when Louie Sanchez and Marvin Norwood were arrested and charged in the crime.

Lawyers for Stow say his medical care is expected to cost more than $50 million. On September 27, 2011, relatives reported that Stow showed signs of improvement and even went outside for the first time in six months. Stow began an intensive therapy program in the Rehabilitation Trauma Center at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center on October 11, 2011. On December 19, 2011, NBC's Brian Williams aired the first interview with Bryan Stow.

To me, I still don't understand how others who were there witnessing the attack - didn't come to Bryan's aid.

Especially, especially, after they saw Bryan Stow’s limp body collide with the pavement and seeing Louie Sanchez and Marvin Norwood take turns kicking Bryan in the head.

This sort of violence is not new, but that doesn't excuse it.

LAST SHOT!

I love Samoans, they are great people!

When I was growing up in Hawaii, I learned how traditional and close Samoan families really are.

Because of my experience knowing Samoans, it doesn't surprise me that they are usually deeply religious and conservative. They really are great people.

So what do you get when 50 or so Samoan Republicans gather in a restaurant-bar in American Samoa? Well, you get a Samoan Republican Presidential Caucus.

Since American Samoa is a United States territory, the Republicans in Samoa got their chance on Tuesday to participate in the presidential selection process.

Republicans met at Toa Bar & Grill to choose delegates to the Republican National Convention and vote on a presidential candidate. For them, Mitt Romney is their pick!

As for the six delegates picked at the caucus, well they will join three American Samoa "super-" at the convention.

Now if you wanted to join the fun at the Toa Bar & Grill, I would say that you should have gotten started a while ago. 

American Samoa is located about 2,300 miles south of Hawaii, and will take about 5 hours and 40 minutes to get to Pago Pago from Honolulu. 

Of course if you did go to Samoa, you may have wanted to stay.  

Story by Tom Correa

RANDOM SHOTS! Tom Hanks Loves Obama, Greedy Lottery Winner, and More

FIRST SHOT!

Tom Hanks goes all in for Obama's re-election.

The Multi-Millionaire Hollywood Star is the voice behind a short film that can only be described as a loving tribute to President Obama's term in office.

Yes, Hanks is the same hardcore Democrat who donated $10,000 to Bill Clinton's Legal Defense Fund when Clinton's people needed money to go after Monica Lewinsky's character. Hanks didn't seem to care that it was Clinton who proved to be wrong in that case, even after it was proven that Bill Clinton committed perjury during his Grand Jury testimony.

In 2008, Tom Hanks backed Barack Obama and went out of his way to compare him to Franklin Roosevelt and even Ronald Reagan believe it or not. Of course it did not bother Hanks that Obama had no experience in the working world never the less a executive of a business, State, or Federal Agency.

People forget that FDR was the Secretary of the Navy before he was President, and Ronald Reagan was the Governor of California - which of course means that he acted as the Chief Executive of the State.

Obama had no executive or management experience on his resume when he ran for president. In fact, the only candidate on the presidential ticket in 2008 with executive experience in running a State was former Governor Sarah Palin who was running as Senator John McCain's Vice Presidential running mate. Of course the Liberal Media attacked and ridiculed Sarah Palin horribly.

Their Democrat's propaganda machine went into full gear to demonize and tear down any credibility of Sarah Palin. And because of a few small gaffs, the Liberal Media tried to make her into a laughing stock.

Never did they talk about Obama's inability to know some of the most basic fundamentals of United States government or how it works. Heck, the man didn't even know how many States there are. Something that is fundamental to a child's education here in America.

Someone told me that he didn't know how many States there were because he was brought up in a Muslim county overseas until the age of 10 or 11. I assumed that since he was a Senator from Illinois, he would at least know the basics of what makes America and her people what we are.

In 2008, after listening to him speak, it became fairly apparent that Obama would have a difficult time passing the test that Immigrants have to pass to become United States Citizens.

None of that seems to have bothered Tom Hanks. It was evident that he was more concerned about a Black American becoming President instead of the most competent man becoming President. In a video that he made in 2008, he kept reminding his viewers that this was a historical moment.

In that video, Hanks went on to say, "I want Barack Obama to be President of this country, a country that once said people with his skin color were 3/5ths a human being."

I guess, if a Celebrity is going to endorse a candidate - then the color of a candidate's skin is as good as any other reason to endorse him or her as any other!

I mean, why really care about qualifications right?

Now Tom Hanks is endorsing Obama again in 2012, this time he narrates a 17 minute propaganda film called "The Road We've Traveled" which celebrates Obama as a President.

Of course, like neglecting to look at his qualifications for the office of president, Hanks and the film maker who put this piece together have conveniently neglected the overwhelming failure of the Obama Presidency. But then again, that is something that most on the Left to do.

In the past, Tom Hanks has made it clear that America is in the War on Terror out of racist motives. He said so much when he compared America's war on Terrorism to America fighting the Japanese in World War II.

In an interview with Time magazine, Hanks, who starred in the World War II drama "Saving Private Ryan" and produced both "Band of Brothers" and the HBO series "The Pacific" with Stephen Spielberg, compared the Japanese conflict to the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hanks told the magazine, "Back in World War II, we viewed the Japanese as 'yellow, slant-eyed dogs' that believed in different gods. They were out to kill us because our way of living was different. We, in turn, wanted to annihilate them because they were different. Does that sound familiar, by any chance, to what's going on today?"

Then Hanks brought up the comparison again while promoting "The Pacific" during an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

He said, "'The Pacific' is coming out now, where it represents a war that was of racism and terror. And where it seemed as though the only way to complete one of these battles on one of these small specks of rock in the middle of nowhere was to - I'm sorry - kill them all. And, um, does that sound familiar to what we might be going through today? So it's - is there anything new under the sun? It seems as if history keeps repeating itself."

I can only hope that Tom Hanks does not see racism everywhere in America.

I believe that the Left's promotion of Barack Obama is based on their racist views of America. It seems to me that the Left is just too frightened to admit that Barack Obama has been a failure. It seems that they are afraid of being called "Racist" if they do.

I think that's why many on the Left blindly support Obama. I really believe that the Left doesn't want to face the truth about what he's done in office. Too many on the Left are too worried about being labeled "Racist" if they speak the truth about Obama's record since the election.

It is very apparent that the Left fears being called "Racist." I think that that is the reason that they are so quick to toss around that label.

Barack Obama has been above criticism to a certain extent. And yes, I really believe its because he's black.

I really believe this to be true. From what I've seen since he has become President, it is more true than not.

And what do I base that on? Well, when millions of Americans across the country joined the Tea Party and openly criticized Obama's policies, his policies, they were immediately labeled as "Racist,""Bigots," and "White Supremacist" in the Liberal Media. The Left's lie is to say that that didn't happen!

Instead of saying "I want Barack Obama to be President of this country, a country that once said people with his skin color were 3/5ths a human being," I wish Tom Hanks would have said what he likes about Barack Obama's policies.

Obama's ideas and policies were not the focus of the video in 2008. From the video, it was not why he supported him in 2008. Because of that, I can't help but wonder if that's still the reason Tom hanks supports Obama in 2012.  I really hope it's not just because he's black.


SECOND SHOT!

Michigan woman who won $1M lottery kept using food stamps

Yes, I'm sure most out there have heard that a Michigan woman who won a $1 Million lottery continued to collect $200 a month in food stamps. Well, to be more specific, she did until she boasted about her situation to a local TV station and State officials stepped in to put a stop to it.

Amanda Clayton hit the jackpot in the "Make Me Rich!" lottery game show in October. Then she took the lump sum of $700,000, and allowing for taxes, she was left with about $500,000.

The 24-year-old, who is unemployed, said she continued to receive public assistance - even though she hit the lottery.

"I thought that they would cut me off, but since they didn't, I thought, maybe, it was OK because I'm not working," Clayton said. "It's hard. I am struggling. I feel that it's okay because I mean, I have no income and I have bills to pay. I have two houses."

Wait a minute! Where do people like this come from? What is this crap? She can't be that stupid! But since they didn't say anything she figured she'd just keep collecting from the State, like I said, where do people like this come from?

And listen to her justification as she says, "I thought, maybe, it was OK because I'm not working. It's hard. I am struggling. I feel that it's okay because I mean, I have no income and I have bills to pay. I have two houses."

She got half a million dollars! And by the way, how does a person with two houses get food stumps and assistance? How did she qualify? Why didn't she sell one?

This last week, the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) said Amanda Clayton was no longer receiving benefits and warned that people who continued to receive handouts in such circumstances may face criminal investigation and be required to pay back those benefits.

A bill to stop lottery winners from continuing to cash in on food assistance has passed the state House and lawmakers are pushing for the Senate to approve it as well.

This is the sort of person that has screwed up things to such an extent that States or the Feds feel that they need to pass more and more regulations and laws that affect all of our lives.

She's part of the reason we live in a Regulation Nation today wityh laws and regulations for every aspect of American life.


THIRD SHOT!


Bikini Parade 2012: Guinness World Record Set In Panama City Beach, Florida

So OK, I'll admit that I've had my concerns about the quality of education in our colleges and universities. And yes, I really believe that America's educational system is not what it used to be.

Yes, Federal regulations are putting companies out of business and sending jobs overseas. Yes, it may seem like President Obama is working contrary to our interests. Yes, it might look like America is behind the Japanese and Germans when it comes to building good quality cars.

But folks, when it comes to Bikini Parades, America leads the way."

That's right! When it comes to American students going on Spring Break, it seems they raise to the top of their class in having a great time and enjoying themselves. And of course, how else do they enjoy their time away from classes - have a Bikini Parade!

It was reported that Australia set the previous Guinness World Record for longest bikini parade last year, with 357 participants. But that comparatively puny number was crushed this month in Panama City, Florida, when 450 women glad in bikinis marched down the beach to get America to the top spot.

Karly Quinn, who was one of the Panama Beach bikini gals, summed up the significance of the historic event this way, "This is the most exciting day of my life, tears were coming out of my eyes, I'm so proud of the United States."

While chanting, "U-S-A! U-S-A," the 450 women walked one mile across Panama City Beach to break the record, according to Alabama Live.

Panama City Beach officials couldn't be more proud of their community's place in history, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

"We are thrilled to have challenged and broken the record for the World's Largest Bikini Parade" Dan Rowe, president of the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau said in a statement obtained by the Orlando Sentinel.

And now, without further condescension, check out these photos from this year's record-breaking march and last year's Australian parade.

My only question, how many of them are Georgetown University Law Students who may need financial assistance to get contraceptives?

LAST SHOT!


School Threatens to Remove Student From Honors Society Over Church Work

So a Virginia high school is threatening to remove a student from the National Honor Society because she completed community service work at a local church.

But it appears the student is not going to take this sitting down. In fact, the 17-year-old High School Senior filed a Federal Lawsuit claiming that she is a victim of religious discrimination at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

"In essence, she was targeted and discriminated against solely because of the religious nature of her community service work," said Matt Sharp, an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund. Sharp is represented the unidentified student in her lawsuit.

"There’s no honor in penalizing an honors student’s community service to children just because it happens to be faith-based," Sharp said. "Positive community service and leadership like this should be encouraged by schools, not subjected to unconstitutional discrimination."

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology had trouble accepting her community service last fall when the student submitted her required hours for membership in the National Honor Society.

Students are required to perform at least 12 hours of service to maintain membership. Sharp said his client had more than 46 hours of service – working with children in her church’s “Kids Quest” Sunday school program.

And even though she completed more than the minimum requirement, the school's faculty adviser told the student that her hours would not count because her work was done in a church and was in violation of district policy.

According to the ADF (Alliance Defense Fund), the Fairfax County School Board’s Faith-Based Service Policy states that in order to be considered for credit, faith-based activities "must have a secular purpose…and may not include preparation or participation in the performance of religious services."

The National Honor Society (NHS) addressed the issue in a memorandum dated April 2010 and titled, "Can activities done for a religious group be counted as service hours for members completing NHS or NJHS chapter service requirements?"

According to reports, the National Honor Society said the answer is “yes and no.”

According to the memorandum, teaching Sunday school at church "may be readily fall under the aspect of leadership experiences also required of members. Assuming the responsibility for preparing and presenting lessons and supervising a group of students for an hour would generally be seen as evidence of demonstrated responsibility and leadership skills for an individual student."

However, the NHS defers final permission to the individual school district, noting "One can argue both sides of this question."

Sharp said the school system’s behavior has been outrageous.

"It’s the school policy that prohibits any credit for community service done at church,” he said. “She sees a need and is passionate to help these children. But because it’s done through her church she was told her hours would not be recognized, but if she had gone to the local Boys and Girls Club and done the exact time of work she would have been given credit."

Unless his client makes up the 12 hours of community service along with four additional hours, her name will be submitted for removal from the National Honor Society.

"This really is an outrageous example of targeting religious community service and religious beliefs for discrimination," Sharp said.

I agree, but I believe that this discrimination is only targeted toward Christians. I really believe if this situation was one where a Muslim student was being targeted - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and the ACLU would be there at her defense faster than you can say Mecca! 

Story by Tom Correa