Trump’s announcement: ‘Obama, release your college transcripts for 5 million’

On Wednesday, Donald Trump’s “big announcement” had media around the globe speculating. Many news sources believed that Trump was planning on releasing proof that President Obama and his wife Michelle hadonce planned on getting a divorce. Articles circled the internet about how the couple had been on the verge of a divorce just before Obama began his presidential bid. Most of the speculating began with a single tweet. “High above the Alps my Gnome has heard that Donald Trump will announce that he has unearthed divorce papers between the Prez and his wife,” Douglas Kass tweeted Tuesday. It seems that Kass may have tweeted too soon. Donald Trump is not releasing Obama’s divorce papers. Instead, Trump announced Wednesday that if President Obama makes his college applications and transcripts public, Trump will donate $5 million to a charity of President Obama’s choice.

 

Continue reading: http://www.examiner.com/article/trump-s-announcement-obama-release-your-college-transcripts-for-5-million?no_cache=1351204200

 

 

Delaware Primary Results / Upsets

with 99% reporting (Check the results here)

http://elections.delaware.gov/results/html/election.shtml

Interesting points – At least stuff that threw me off:

TURNOUT: 

Democrats have 17%

Republicans have 13%

Democrat US Senate –  

Tom Carper won, Keith Spanarelli did get almost 6,000 votes though at 12.2%

Republicans – Representative in Congress

Tom Kovach won – Rose Izzo got a surprising 34.5%

Democrat Insurance Commissioner - 

Karen Weldin Stewart won with 32.9%

Mitch Crane was next with 30.3%

Paul Gallagher had 19.8%

Dennis Spivack had 17.0%

(This race is interesting to me because of the large number of people who voted, and the way the percentages were spread around.  If more people were active third party members, 30% of the vote could make a winner)

Senate District 6

Democrat – Andy Staton won (58.1%)

Republican – Ernie Lopez won (54.9% or almost 400 votes)

This was interesting – I wonder if that autobot call by the 35th ED CONSERVATIVE PAC had something to do with this… I thought it was kind of not needed. 

Republican Senate District 19

Eric Bodenweiser pulled it off.  He beat the incumbent Joe Booth by 200 votes

Eric had 52.7% and Joe had 47.3%

Democrat – Representative District 20: 

Marie Mayor won this with 64.9%

Lynn Rogers had 28.9% and Tom Jones had 6.2%

The last one that really interested me was County Council District 3… 

Republican Don Ayotte beat Brent Wangen… by about 130 votes…

That’s it! The results are in – congratulations to the winners, sorry to the losers, and there really were some surprises for me…

Americans pay for Obama’s barber to be flown in from Chicago every two weeks

When was the last time you had your hair cut?  Chances are it has been longer for you than it has for President Obama. German Public Radio reported on Wednesday that the American taxpayers pay for President Obama to have his hair cut every 10 – 14 days.

The president of any country should look his or her best at all times and President Obama is no exception.  Obama was accustomed to having his hair cut by the same man, Zariff, who cut his hair for almost 20 years.  Now that Obama lives in Washington D.C., who cuts the president’s hair every two weeks?

Zariff, the same barber from Chicago, is flown to Washington D. C. from Chicago every 10-14 days.

The barber never says a word about what they discuss. Perhaps that’s also a reason why Obama feels comfortable being around him. Otherwise he would not fly his barber in from Chicago to Washington every ten to 14 days.

Continue reading: http://www.examiner.com/article/americans-pay-for-obama-s-barber-to-be-flown-from-chicago-every-two-weeks?cid=db_articles

Maryland Governor wants to raise the state sales tax

Election years are not normally years where you see politicians calling for tax hikes, but apparently Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley is not the usual politician.  O’Malley has suggested raising the already 6 percent sales tax to 7 percent.  The governor believes that if the extra revenues are dedicated to transportation needs in Maryland the increase will be justified.

Just a few months ago Maryland started an incremental hike in the state’s tolls.  The tolls will increase again in July of 2013.

“We have the ninth lowest sales tax in the country,” O’Malley told The Washington Examiner in an interview. “So raising that sales tax by a penny and dedicating [the revenue] to transportation funding — if the legislature and the president of the Senate and speaker of the House think that is an easier lift, I’m open to that.”

O’Malley’s proposal would eventually add 18-cents per gallon of gasoline as well.  He realized that his gas tax proposal is unpopular.  O’Malley claims that there would be bridge closures and crumbling roads if extra funding is not found.

“What I know, though — and this is the dreadful knowledge that comes with my [job] — I know very clearly that in the years ahead if we don’t do something [to raise revenue for transportation], we will have to close bridges,” O’Malley said.

A decision must be reached before the legislative session ends on Monday, April 9, 2012.

 

A bit on the NDAA

I spent some time this morning gathering National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) related images, I figured I would stock-pile them here for those of you who may spend some time doing the same thing.

So, check them out, or don’t, but here are some that I thought were moving or relevant:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, Indefinite Detention for some may be different than for others:

 

 

I have a Facebook Fan Page you can join, stay informed. I post updates regularly.

SHHHHH

Legislators want to drug test welfare recipients but not themselves – Surprised?

Do you ever have a moment where you see a headline and you just laugh? I had this moment today when I read the following headline:

 Welfare Drug Testing Bill Withdrawn After Amended To Include Testing Lawmakers

It’s not always Republicans who want welfare recipients to be drug tested, (although recently we discussed Rick Scott, of Florida, who declared that it was time for mandatory drug testing and just happened to use his own company to do the drug testing) but this article happens to be about a Republican who planned to introduce a bill.

  Rep. Jud McMillin, a Republican member of the Indiana General Assembly, took back his drug-testing bill after one of his helpful Democratic colleagues amended it ever so slightly.

The amendment was introduced by Rep. Ryan Dvorak, a Democrat.

 ”There was an amendment offered today that required drug testing for legislators as well and it passed, which led me to have to then withdraw the bill,” said Rep. Jud McMillin (R-Brookville), sponsor of the original welfare drug testing bill.  ”I’ve only withdrawn it temporarily,” he told HuffPost, stressing he carefully crafted his original bill so that it could survive a legal challenge.

Many people are frustrated by the current welfare system and feel that it needs reform.

 ”After it passed, Rep. McMillin got pretty upset and pulled his bill,” Dvorak said. “If anything, I think it points out some of the hypocrisy. … If we’re going to impose standards on drug testing, then it should apply to everybody who receives government money.”

I should clarify how I feel about Rep. Dvorak’s statement “if we’re going to impose standards on drug testing, then it should apply to everybody who receives government money”.  I love this sentiment, but Rep. Dvorak should realize that it’s not the government’s money. It’s our money.

Rep. Jud McMillin made the following statement:

“Give me the cup right now and I will be happy to take the test.”

I hope someone gave him the cup…

The best or worst gas station ever, you decide! Vid here

I just want to know, would you put “Obama Oil” in your car? I wonder what Obama thinks about this?

Tom Wagner, Richard Korn, & the 9/12 Delaware Patriots – An awkward triangle: statements from all sides here

“Hi, I am a Republican and a 9/12 Patriot and I am supporting …”

Oh, wait, no.  That’s so wrong.  The 9/12 DELAWARE Patriots have not endorsed anyone.  They have announced that they are supporting “platforms” of particular candidates, but no actual people.

Imagine the surprise of 9/12 Delaware Patriot Executive Board Member Alex Garcia when he received a “robo-call” at about 9:10 last night telling him that a group which sounded surprisingly like the one he is on the board of fully supports and endorses Richard Korn, the Democrat running for State Auditor.  In fact, when Alex contacted the Department of Elections, some of their own employees had received the very same call.

The first response on the 9/12 Delaware Patriots upon confirmation of the “robo-calls?”  They contacted local media and sent out an email to their members.  The 9/12 Delaware Patriots state the following in their email:

Richard Korn IS NOT endorsed by the 9-12 Delaware Patriots

We have received an email from a member saying that someone is calling on behalf of Richard Korn stating that the 9-12 Delaware Patriots endorse him as State Auditor and to vote for him. Alex Garcia, an Executive Board Member of the 9-12 Delaware Patriots, then received a similiar call with a similiar message.

WE DO NOT SUPPORT RICHARD KORN

Just as he has lied about Tom Wagner, the current State Auditor not auditing school districts, (see link below) he is now lying about being supported by the 9-12 Delaware Patriots.

If you take the time to explore the link, the comments are quite possible the best part.

Richard Korn, who has spoken at one 9/12 Delaware Patriots meeting, apparently also subscribes to the 9/12 Delaware Patriots email list.  I contacted Mr. Korn regarding the “robo-calls” to get his statement.  He stated that he had emailed a response to the contact he had for the 9/12 Delaware Patriots and kindly forwarded me the email.  His response is below:

Please know that I also received a telephone call from someone, claiming to be a Republican and a member of “Delaware Patriots,” endorsing me for State Auditor.  The call I received said that the individual was endorsing me. It did not say that “Delaware Patriots” nor the “9-12 Patriots” was endorsing me and I have NEVER represented that I am “Endorsed” and / or “…being supported by the 9-12 Delaware Patriots.”

I do not know who made this call. However, in this 11th hour of the campaign, I have my suspicions where this call originated from.

Further and for clarification, I have NEVER LIED about Tom Wagner not auditing school districts. It is a fact that since 2000 the local district tax funds haveNOT been audited pursuant to the mandate of Title 29, Sec, 2906 (f) of the Delaware State Code.

Thank you and I trust you will disseminate and / or post my response to the email below.

Mr. Korn also confessed to me that he was not expecting the “robo-calls” and was not behind them.  ”I don’t play those games, I don’t do that”.  He discussed the distinction between the school auditing code which has been the source of so many people joking at his expense.  ”You have to obey the law”.

I also contacted Tom Wagner, the Republican incumbent for this office.  Tom Wagner stated the following:

“I think it’s unfortunate that the state Auditor’s race has stooped to this level.  My opponent has resorted to a slew of untruths.  I remain optimistic that the voters of Delaware will see the truth.  There is only one person who would have any foreseeable benefit from a call like this, Richard Korn.  I have been the only state-wide candidate to keep my race and ads positive.”  Almost as an afterthought Mr. Wagner added “to think that Mr. Korn would even suggest that he has an idea where this call may have originated as if to imply that I would have anything to do with it is just an example of more untruths.”

Is Christine a Cougar or is Dustin Dominiak a Douche? NOW angered women speak

One midnight gone and it seems we are even deeper into the woods than we expected.

Naturally, I am referring to the Gawker.com story (which I will not be linking) which basically calls Christine O’Donnell a cougar and discusses a story with very little proof.  The Gawker does have pictures of Christine in a Halloween costume (although the seeming consensus of the story is that the roommate of the story’s “author” dated Christine for a year, so one may consider the pictures as coming from that experience).  I will add that the Drudge Report shares pictures of the story’s author and pictures of the man Christine reportedly dated.  If you know Dustin Dominiak, feel free to call him sexually explicit names and question the last time he waxed.

Let’s take a minute and analyze what this piece has accomplished.  We are four days until the 2010 elections.  This piece looks suspiciously like a plant (and Christine makes a great ladybug).  NOW (the National Organization for Women) “condemned the tabloid website Gawker for publishing an anonymous account: NOW issued a statement late Thursday stating that “sexist, misogynist attacks against women have no place in the electoral process, regardless of a particular candidate’s political ideology.”

Even the Huffington Post admits this story crosses a line “Are we really going to get into a public debate about private dating behavior, and whether or not one sticks to a standard on a consistent basis?”

Dave Poff (the lovable Haystack) beat me to the punch as he thanks Democrat ambition for giving the win to O’Donnell in Delaware.  He states that “Hell hath no fury” and I doubt that he knows the half of it, however he does rightly point to the fact that many women are planning on not voting after this debacle.  Just look at Meghan McCain, who has gone on the record making negative statements about Christine in the past.  Meghan tweeted “I am no fan of O’Donnell but what gawker has done is disgusting and vile and once again not showcasing the real issues in this election.”

Jeff Bercovici spoke to the editor of the Gawker yesterday, Remy Stern, and quotes him as saying the following:

“We verified any of the facts he provided us with to feel really comfortable that this was all legit. We confirmed the addresses he gave us and matched the photos to make sure the guy with O’Donnell was the same guy we were talking to. We also confirmed the photos were taken on Halloween 2007 as he told us they were. We also confirmed that he lived with his roommate [who, as the story relates, ended up dating O'Donnell after the incident in question].”

Although there are no details as to how the date of the images was verified.

I am just curious as to how anyone justifies the low blows and narration the “author” of the story makes consistently throughout this story.

Here’s a note for “whomever” wrote this story *cough* Dustin Dominiak *cough* that your comments are horrific.  You are a prime example of sexual harassment and the degradation of women.  This is a small state Dustin, good luck finding a woman to ever spend time with you again (or at least for the next year).

 

No Glen Urquhart, John Carney is NOT scared…

Glen Urquhart sent out a press release today, one calling John Carney “afraid to debate”.  I have to call a foul on this comment.

Glen’s press release includes quotes from Glen’s own “Political Director”, Brad White.  Brad states “This just proves what some of us have known for quite some time, that Carney lacks substance.  Glen defeated him on the issues in every debate thus far.  If he were my candidate I wouldn’t have him get schooled by Urquhart any more either”.  White goes on to discuss his opinion that “Carney proved himself far inferior when it comes to the specifics of the issues”.

I am refraining from endorsing candidates, but many of you may read between the lines and guess (most likely correctly) who I will be voting for in this race.  Regardless of that fact, I have to say this press release is wrong.

No matter what your opinion is regarding the debate outcomes, I highly doubt John Carney is refusing to debate out of fear.  I would chalk this up to simple time management.

Glen and John’s political platforms are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum.  Either you like the recent healthcare bill or you don’t.  Either you agree with government funded abortions or you don’t.  *by the way, I have a correction here.  John Carney is not for the federal funding of abortions, but he is pro-choice.  This makes the distinction between pro-life and pro-choice (and leave the federal funding out of it for now)* John Carney is simply dealing with the fact that the election is less than a week away.  There is no point in debating anymore.

The stances in this race are clear; the lines have been drawn in the sand.  At this point there should be plenty of audio and video for either candidate to use as ammunition, but I would hesitate to call an opponent a coward because they think they have shown people enough of their true character for voters to make an informed choice.