Iran Demostration July 9 2009

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General News with the Government at it's Worst

Fred Thompson on the Economy---Check it out!!

Dan Mitchell De-Bunking Keynes - Keynesian myth that big government, spending borrowed money, can "stimulate" the economy.

Blagojevich Saga - More bad government

Obama - What's he Doing

Florida Consumer E-Alerts - New Phishing Scam

Clean Up Miami

Clean Up Miami Social Networking Website

Bill Nelson Upset About Banks Not Helping Out Small Businesses - September 1, 2009 - Many small business owners in Florida are mighty mad about big banks getting a bailout, then not helping the little guy. Among them is Melinda McDaniel.

Writer Peter Orvetti - Ain't That America - September 1, 2009 - Officer Wesley Cheeks, Jr., inadvertently revealed a sad truth during a confrontation with a peaceful demonstrator last Tuesday in Reston, Virginia. The man was one of several holding up signs outside a town hall forum on health care hosted by Rep. James Moran. Cheeks, a security officer employed by the public through the Fairfax County Public Schools, singled out this man because he did not like his sign.

So much is riding on the outcome of the health care reform debate. That's why it is essential that decisions be based on facts and on an understanding of the actual content of the bills under consideration. The following is an (edited) compilation of various responses to the most common myths and misleading claims raised by critics. The responses pertain most closely to the House version, where all committee review has been completed.

Holder to Appoint Prosecutor to Investigate CIA Terror Interrogations - August 24, 2009 - Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. has decided to appoint a prosecutor to examine nearly a dozen cases in which CIA interrogators and contractors may have violated anti-torture laws and other statutes when they allegedly threatened terrorism suspects, according to two sources familiar with the move.

Meeting with Senator Bill Nelson - August 13, 2009 - I received this complaint and thought that you should know how elected government officials office help treat you as a citizen.

Going to see Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtenen - August 13, 2009 - I received this complaint and thought that you should know how elected government officials office help treat you as a citizen.

ImTapping your cell phone - June 29, 2009 - Imagine someone watching your every move, hearing everything you say and knowing where you are at every moment. If you have a cell phone, it could happen to you. 13 Investigates explains how your cell phone can be secretly hijacked and used against you - and how to protect yourself

DeFede: Labor Secretary Orders St. Regis Review - March 3, 2009 - investigation, Jim DeFede has been reporting for weeks about foreign workers brought in to work on a construction project instead of South Florida construction workers. Now, there are new details on how the workers were brought into the country and how the investigation has caught the attention of the Obama administration.

Oil producers running out of storage space - March 3, 2009 - Glut caused by world slowdown leaves the world awash in crude

Poll: Obama's rating at all-time high - March 3, 2009 - NBC/WSJ poll shows gap between popularity of president and his policies

Obama facing tough decisions on Guantánamo - February 28, 2009 - Defenders and detractors of the detention camps at Guantánamo Bay are bringing pressure to bear on the Obama administration to make some tough decisions.

The biggest obstacle in Obama's path: Congress (who else?) - February 28, 2009 - WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's ambitious plans will face immediate political difficulty in a wary — and often parochial — Congress that's long resisted such fast, radical change.

House OKs $410B bill to boost spending - February 25, 2009 - Bill, passing mostly along party lines, chips away at Bush era policies

Obama seeks $634 billion for health care - February 25, 2009 - President calls for a significant ‘down payment’ over 10 years

Tax hike not an option for Florida House Republicans - February 24, 2009 - Fiercely opposed to the idea of raising taxes, Republican leaders in the Florida House urged finding other ways to combat Florida's $5 billion-plus budget deficit.

Fed chief: U.S. suffering ‘severe contraction’ - February 24, 2009 - Bernanke hopes recession will end in ’09, but sees significant risks

In stimulus plan, how much bang for the buck? - February 24, 2009 - Thousands of cities, counties compete for scarce infrastructure funds

Polls: Most support Obama's economic plan - February 24, 2009 - Approval ratings high as president moves to stem recession woes

Latest 'phishing' scam lures you with tax return - February 19. 2009 - Cyber-thieves' e-mail looks like it's from the IRS, but it's a rip-off

Gov. Sarah Palin to pay back taxes - February 18, 2009 - Gov. Sarah Palin must pay income taxes on thousands of dollars in expense money she received while living at her Wasilla home, under a new determination by state officials.

Analysis: Obama is tarnished by nominees' tax problems - February 4. 2009 - Instead of 'change you can believe in,' Americans could see business as usual when it comes to the problems of some of President Barack Obama's personnel choices.

Obama to announce limits on executive pay. - February 3. 2009 - Restriction would apply to those getting ‘exceptional’ bailout assistance

Daschle withdraws as health secretary nominee - February 3. 2009 - He follows withdrawal earlier Tuesday of chief performance nominee

Homelessness surges as funding falters - January 30, 2009 - Providers to the poor try to stretch meager resources to meet growing need

House passes Obama economic stimulus plan - January 28, 2009 - President: 'Perilous moment' requires swift action to kick-start economy

Senate OKs Geithner for Treasury - January 26, 2009 - President Obama's pick survives failure to pay some taxes in 2001

Congress may soon freeze salaries - January 26, 2009 - President Barack Obama’s decision to freeze top White House staff salaries may force members of Congress to do something they never want to do — block their own automatic pay increase. 

Biden: We've Inherited A Real Mess - January 26, 2009 - Face The Nation: VP Says Stimulus Plan Is Off and Running, But U.S. Faces Challenges On Pak-Afghan Front, Closing Gitmo

Fed may win sweeping financial oversight - January 26, 2009 - Some worry plan would give central bank too much power

Democrats try to lower economic expectations - January 25, 2009 - They say despite bailout, stimulus, downturn may last for a while

Obstacles await Obama's stimulus effort in Congress - January 24, 2009 - WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's economic stimulus effort faces a series of obstacles — including serious questions about its tax provisions and how quickly it might spark the economy — as Congress prepares to vote on the package.

Obama restores some of the 'Freedom' to FOIA - January 24, 2009 - WASHINGTON — One curious soul on Feb. 8, 2001, filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the State Department.

A Presumption of Disclosure - January 23, 2009 - Obama revives the Freedom of Information Act.

Does a Glass Ceiling Persist in Politics? - January 22, 2009 - Kennedy's Withdrawal Illustrates a Double Standard, Some Say

Foreclosure Fightback - January 22, 2009 - "This is a crowd that won't scatter," James Steele wrote in the pages of The Nation some seventy-five years ago.

Ethics crisis in America? Church leaders say yes - January 21, 2009 - KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) - From billion-dollar ponzi schemes to bad mortgages and pay-to-play dealings by public officials, some are asking: Is there a crisis of ethics in America?

Poll: Inaugural boosts American hopes - January 21, 2009 - WASHINGTON — President Obama's inauguration has given a recession-battered nation a boost.

Despite billions, banks still teeter on the brink - January 21, 2009 - Wall Street waits on Obama, but no clear solution to the crisis exists

Senate confirms Clinton as secretary of state - January 21, 2009 - President Obama's pick wins overwhelming majority

Geithner apologizes for not paying taxes - January 21, 2009 - Iowa's Grassley still undecided on treasury secretary nominee

Obama becomes 44th U.S. president - January 21, 2009 - WASHINGTON -- Barack Obama became the 44th U.S. president Tuesday, shattering American racial barriers as the first black leader of the nation he promised to free from profound economic troubles and steer away from wars in two distant lands.

Barack Obama’s promise to America - January 21, 2009 - 'We must begin again the work of remaking America'

Canada prepares to partner with Obama - January 20, 2009 - OTTAWA — Along with the world, Canada warmly welcomed Barack Obama's promise that America is "ready to lead once more," as on Tuesday, a euphoric wave drowned the anti-Americanism that characterized eight years of relations with the Bush administration.

In quotes: Leaders welcome Obama' - January 20, 2009 - As millions of people watch Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony, statesmen from around the world have been giving their reaction to the historic inauguration. Here is a selection of their comments:

Obama urges unity against 'raging storms' - January 20, 2009 - First black president takes office, facing an array of problems

Norman Lear Reflects on Obama's Inauguration - January 20, 2009 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Norman Lear has seen a few inaugurals in his day.

An Inaugural Bow to the Constitution - January 20, 2009 - Barack Obama assumed the presidency with a pledge to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Tearing Up, Together - January 20, 2009 - When, if ever, did you start to cry?

The Work Has Begun - January 20, 2009 - No sooner was I seated on the Amtrak train to Washington than I was joined by Joanna Lawrence, whose mother in the 1930's famously put Esquire on the map with her article, "Latins Are Lousy Lovers," and had been Abbie Hoffman's companion during the last years of his life (including his years on the lam.)

Tone and Challenge in the Obama Era - January 20, 2009 - "Never in our national history has there been so dramatic a coincidence as this simultaneous transfer of power and the complete collapse of a system and of a philosophy."

President Obama makes his way to new office - January 20, 2009 - Inaugural parade heads to White House, celebrating first black U.S. leader

The Obama era starts now - January 20, 2009 - With goodwill behind him -- and crisis ahead -- it's time for the incoming president to show us what he's got.

For Obama, high hopes and a global honeymoon - January 20, 2009 - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama enters the White House on Tuesday with enough foreign goodwill to buy at least a brief global honeymoon as he wades into the crush of international crises awaiting his attention.

Cost of the Bush era: $11.5 trillion - January 20, 2009 - The outgoing administration has presided over 8 years of disasters and crises with some of the biggest price tags the nation has ever seen.

Bush's legacy is America's shame - January 18, 2009 - Although Americans would be wary of admitting it to others, we know the wreckage left behind by the outgoing administration

A Simple Plea from a Farmer's Wife - A new way looking at the laws - January 16, 2009 - Believe it or not, my husband is a farmer, and I am - without a doubt - a farmer’s wife.

"Every kid gets a trophy" - January 16, 2009 - I can't believe President Bush's approval ratings have climbed as he edges to the end of his tragic term. Except I sort of understand it; I felt sorry for him tonight during his farewell address, which was utterly self-indulgent and delusional. It's hard to see someone leave the presidency so shamed.

Obama Pledges Entitlement Reform - January 16, 2009 - President-Elect Says He'll Reshape Social Security, Medicare Programs

Panel chairmen fighting mad over snubs by Pelosi - January 16, 2009 - Senior House Democrats have a message for their Speaker: We’re mad as hell, and we’re only taking it this one last time.

Foreclosures up 81% in 2008 - January 14, 2009 - One in 54 homes entered foreclosure in 2008. Rising unemployment and sliding home prices have some experts expecting 2009 to be even worse.

Congress takes up foreclosure relief plans - January 14, 2009 - After a year of debate, effective government solutions remain elusive

Poll: Solid support for Obama's economic plan - January 14, 2009 - WASHINGTON - A solid plurality of the American public supports the economic stimulus plan that President-elect Barack Obama has proposed, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.

States ponder early release for some prisoners - January 10, 2009 - NEW YORK - Their budgets in crisis, governors, legislators and prison officials across the nation are making or considering policy changes that will likely remove tens of thousands of offenders from prisons and parole supervision.

20 Forgotten Bush Scandals - January 8, 2009 - In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, George H.W. Bush congratulated his son on running a “clean operation." Bush apparently wasn’t paying very close attention. Everyone remembers weapons of mass destruction, the US attorney firings. But historians will note that those are only the beginning of the Bush administration scandals…

Bush's homeland security setup faces ax - January 8, 2009 - WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama is preparing to scrap the way President Bush oversaw domestic security in the White House and name a former Central Intelligence Agency official to coordinate counterterrorism, people close to the transition said Wednesday.

Feingold's Outline for a Constitutional Presidency - January 7, 2009 - The new U.S. Senate is struggling to constitute itself this week, and the picture is a sorry one.

Porn industry seeks own stimulus ... package - January 7, 2009 - Adult industry titans say economy has made Americans ‘go limp’

5 governors unite, seek $1 trillion in federal aid - January 3, 2009 - Governor Deval Patrick and four other influential Democratic governors pleaded their case yesterday for up to $1 trillion in federal assistance over the next two years, to help alleviate budget cuts, create jobs, and avoid inflicting irreversible damage to schools during a fiscal crisis.

U.S. Debt Expected To Soar This Year - January 3, 2009 - $2 Trillion Increase May Test Federal Ability to Borrow

Congress faces historic challenges - January 3, 2009 - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats will pack greater clout when the new Congress convenes on Tuesday but they face enormous expectations from voters as they grapple with two wars, a financial crisis and record budget deficits.

What to Expect from an Intelligent President - January 3, 2009 - Brace yourself. It's going get rocky soon. We are about to have a very bright man as our president. And we've been away from that territory for a very long time.

A Trillion Dollar Recovery - December 31, 2008 - Poverty is on the rise, record numbers of people are relying on food stamps and we've seen no relief for the foreclosure crisis. There are increasing rates of child abuse and domestic violence linked to this recession. State governments don't have financial resources to cope at the exact moment when those resources are most needed. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have lowered Medicaid payments or eliminated people from eligibility. The senior economist of the International Monetary Fund recently warned of another Great Depression

Most Valuable Progressives of 2008 - December 31, 2008 - Progressives had more to celebrate in 2008 than in any year since the Supreme Court got into the business of stealing elections. The jubilant mood is dampened, of course, by the fact of a country is stuck in two military quagmires, ravaged by the most fearsome economic downturn in at least a half century and suffering from a serious case of Constitutional degeneration. Perhaps we have not yet reached an ideal champagne moment. But there is still good reason to toast the year's MVPs – Most Valuable Progressives.

Cheney's Legacy of Deception - December 30, 2008 - In the end, the shame of Vice President Dick Cheney was total: unmitigated by any notion of a graceful departure, let alone the slightest obligation of honest accounting. Although firmly ensconced, even in the popular imagination, as an example of evil incarnate--nearly a quarter of those polled in this week's CNN poll rated him the worst vice president in US history, and 41 percent as "poor"--Cheney exudes the confidence of one fully convinced that he will get away with it all.

Double dipping rises despite outrage - December 28, 2008 - TALLAHASSEE — This year some of Florida's public officials are giving a whole new meaning to the phrase "home for the holidays.''

The $1 Trillion Bill for Bush's War on Terror - December 27, 2008 - The news that President Bush's war on terrorism soon will have cost the U.S. taxpayers $1 trillion — and counting — is unlikely to spread much Christmas cheer in these tough economic times.

Stop Being Stupid - December 27, 2008 - I’ve got a new year’s resolution and a new slogan for the country.

Federal judges press their case for salary increases - December 27, 2008 - Pay far behind private sector compensation

Poll: 75% glad Bush is done - December 27, 2008 - (CNN) -- A new national poll suggests that three out of four Americans feel President Bush's departure from office is coming not a moment too soon.

Year-end Whoppers - December 27, 2008 - The bunk just keeps on coming.

3 Legislators Are In Favor Of Forgoing Their Raises - December 25, 2008 - WASHINGTON - With the economy teetering and thousands of Floridians and other Americans losing their jobs, three Florida members of Congress say they would vote to give up their automatic $4,700 pay raise next year.

Torture-Fan Cheney Securing Worst Veep Title - December 23, 2008 - Twenty-three percent of Americans surveyed by CNN say Dick Cheney is the worst vice president in history.

Alleged misconduct in Ted Stevens trial - December 23, 2008 - An Alaska FBI agent has accused fellow agents and at least one prosecutor of misconduct and unethical behavior in the public corruption investigation in Alaska and the trial of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens.

Clinton moves to widen role of State Dept. - December 23, 2008 - Obama administration wants diplomacy as 'critical tool in America's arsenal'

The Fed Makes Money - December 22, 2008 - Quantitative easing," don't you love it? It's the latest business-economics euphemism designed to mislead. I do not know who they think they're fooling: it's like doctors calling excruciating pain "discomfort."

Open and Shut Cases - December 22, 2008 - Dick Cheney's unique gift for making hard questions easy and vice versa.

Obama's Wrong Turn on Trade - December 21, 2008 - Barack Obama's decision to nominate former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk to serve as the next U.S. Trade Representative is deeply unsettling for those who hoped the president-elect would chart a new course with regard to trade policy.

Optimism High About Obama Policies, Poll Finds - December 21, 2008 - Majorities Concur on Economy, but Rifts Abound on Initial Priorities

Obama increases jobs goal to 3 million - December 21, 2008 - ‘We're going to have to be bold,’ president-elect says of economic plan

$1.6 billion went to bailed-out bank execs - December 21, 2008 - Records show bonuses, chauffeurs, health club benefits, financial planning

Obama moves toward unity politics - December 20, 2008 - Democrats have complained for years about bitter partisan politics under George Bush. They blame it on Bush even though, logically, it takes two sides to produce a standoff. Now some Dems are irked at Barack Obama for giving his administration a big-tent look with moderates in the cabinet and elsewhere.

Blagojevich: 'I have done nothing wrong' - December 19, 2008 - Governor's attorney challenging lawfulness of court-ordered wiretaps

Bailout shifts again; floodgates could open - December 19, 2008 - Paulson says Congress will need to free second half of $700 billion fund

Paulson: Congress must release rest of bailout - December 19, 2008 - Last half of $700 billion rescue needed as first $350 billion committed

Automakers get $17.4 billion lifeline from gov't - December 19, 2008 - Government would have option to become stockholder in companies

With economy in shambles, Congress gets a raise - December 18, 2008 - A crumbling economy, more than 2 million constituents who have lost their jobs this year, and congressional demands of CEOs to work for free did not convince lawmakers to freeze their own pay.

Will War Crimes Be Outed? - December 17, 2008 - As the officials of the Bush administration pack up in Washington and move into their posh suburban homes around the country, will they be able to rest easy, or will they be haunted by the fear that they will be held accountable for war crimes?

Bernard Madoff, The Trust Buster - December 17, 2008 - The news of Bernard Madoff's $50 billion fraud has hit the investor/401(k) class as nothing else--not the fall of Lehman Brothers, not the death of Bear Stearns, nor the string of insolvency announcements of one household name after another. Madoff is the blow that did it.

Obam's Dream Team - Decemebr 16, 2008 - Leading environmentalists in Washington are ecstatic about most of President-elect Barack Obama's newly announced cabinet choices, though a closer look suggests that greens may soon be unhappy with the Obama administration's positions on greenhouse gas emission cuts, nuclear power, so-called "clean coal" and other key issues.

States’ Funds for Jobless Are Drying Up - December 14, 2008 - With unemployment claims reaching their highest levels in decades, states are running out of money to pay benefits, and some are turning to the federal government for loans or increasing taxes on businesses to make the payment

Our Disinformed Electorate - December 13, 2008 - We saw more aggressive fact-checking by journalists in this election than ever before. Unfortunately, as a post-election Annenberg Public Policy Center poll confirms, millions of voters were bamboozled anyway.

Bush Ducks Shoes, Lingering Concerns On Iraq - December 14, 2008 - As Bush Expresses Optimism About War's End, Dissenter Lobs Shoes At Bush's Head, Narrowly Missing

White House says no auto deal is imminent - December 14, 2008 - Bush administration to consider using $700 billion bailout to help industry

Fed appears ready to cut key interest rate again - December 14, 2008 - Central bank’s leaders will begin a two-day meeting on Monday.

White House may tap Wall Street fund for autos - December 12, 2008 - Administration says could use $700 billion fund to help ailing automakers

Ron Paul: Bailouts Will 'Destroy the Dollar' - December 11, 2008 - U.S. Representative and former presidential candidate Ron Paul tells Newsmax that bailouts of U.S. corporations are “bad morally” — and says current federal economic policies “will literally destroy the dollar.”

Many Parents Clueless About Newborn Genetic Tests - December 10, 2008 - (WCCO) Each year blood samples are taken from thousands of newborns to screen for more than 50 medical conditions.

$14 billion auto bailout bill clears the House - December 10, 2008 - White house lobbies GOP; Tough Senate battle for loan program remains

Fast Start for Economic Recovery Program (ERP) (Lessons Learned) - December 4, 2008 - The President Obama Economic Recovery Program (ERP) will generate a windfall for those who are part of the early planning and execution during the program start up. It was such for the organizations involved in the NASA and SDIO technology and system programs for those newly created agencies. The ERP will dwarf both NASA and SDIO in that hundreds instead of tens of billion will be spent.

Automaker aid bill doesn’t have needed votes - December 3, 2008 - Senate Majority Leader Reid says massive bailout plan is in jeopardy

State is emptying cash reserves to fill budget holes - November 21, 2008 - TALLAHASSEE — Even Florida's rainy-day fund is drying up.

State high court decision clears way for redevelopment projects - November 20, 2008 - Redevelopment projects across the county were released from legal limbo Wednesday after the state Supreme Court refused to rehear a case questioning whether voter approval is needed for local redevelopment bond sales.

Paulson, Bernanke, and Congress on the Bailout: Incompetence All Around - November 19, 2008 - Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke got beaten up pretty badly in the House Financial Services Committee yesterday.

New House Democrats wary on taxes, bailout - November 18, 2008 - But big Democratic advantage in the House gives Speaker Pelosi leeway

Paulson, Bernanke defend $700 billion bailout - November 18, 2008 - Paulson opposes using fund to help automakers

Prosecuting Johns - November 12, 2008 - Why allowing Eliot Spitzer to break the law is a mistake.

The Supreme Court takes on the seven dirty words - November 6, 2008 - This is not the first time we've addressed the issue of profanity on the airwaves, nor will it be the last.

Onslaught of dirty tricks as election day nears
In the final hours of the campaign, bogus fliers, e-mails and calls increase

Election Deception: The Web's 12 Dirtiest Tricks
If scammers have things their way -- with the help of a dozen sneaky ploys -- plenty of ballots will never make it to the boxes.

The Bailout - More on the Bailout or Rescue Plan as Congress fails to provide an adequate plan to resolve the financial crisis.

The Rescue Plan: What It Means to You - October 3, 2008 - What do you get out of the financial rescue package that promises to inject up to $700 billion in an effort to get bad investments off the books for financial institutions? The bill was passed in the House of Representatives today, 263-171, and by the Senate Oct. 1, 74-25.

Senator Martinez's Solution to Energy Crisis - August 5, 2008 - Republican Senator Mel Martinez met with Mayor John Peyton and officials at CSX in Jacksonvile Tuesday to discuss the need for solutions to the energy crisis.

An E-Mail from Senator Mel Martinez about the Bailout -

On Engery - No single solution is the answer - June 21, 2008 - Our nation is in the most serious energy crisis in recent memory.

Annette Taddeo Wants Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's Job - October 15, 2008 - The Colombian-American is gaining momentum on the Cuban-American in the race for Congress.

Lottery Not Paying Off For Florida Education - July 30, 2008 -MIAMI (CBS4) ― Broward mom Kathy Hargreaves worries about her daughters' public school education.