The Bully Pulpit, Part Two

May 7, 2009

More allegations are coming out of the woodwork about the Obama administration’s handling of dissent among the creditors to GM and Chrysler. Again, none of this is coming as that much of a shock. This is politics, Chicago-style.

The Business Insider has more.

If these allegations are true, this is a shocking look into a White House that is consumed with its own power. And though I’m no expert on the law, it might also well be illegal.


What If They Were Republicans?

May 6, 2009

Over at NRO, Jonah Goldberg hits it way, way out of the park. As usual.


Brits Ban Bozos

May 5, 2009

The British government has banned 16 people from entering the country because of their allegedly hate-filled rhetoric. On the list is “conservative” radio talk star Michael Savage.

I don’t have any problems whatsoever with Britain banning people from visiting because they strongly disapprove of their public views, and Michael Savage is a buffoon who is nearly a Left-wing parody of a Right-wing radio host. Also on the list is the extremely odious “Baptist” preacher who likes to protest soldiers’ funerals and claims that “God hates fags” along with other charming idiocies, as well as a motley collection of skinheads, racists, jihadists, and terrorist sympathizers.

Two thoughts: 1) Michael Savage may be a clown with some truly unpalatable views, but I’m not sure the level of his offenses rises quite to the level of Russian neo-Nazi skinheads, and 2) Britain has a very real problem with Muslim preachers who extol the great glories of waging jihad against the West, and would be well within its rights to order the immediate deportation of any non-citizen (Muslim or otherwise) who publicly espouses jihad and/or violent revolution against the host country.

So, fine. Ban Michael Savage who, at the very least, would not emerge from his plane at Heathrow calling for the extermination of Israel or advocating replacing the British legal system with one based on sharia law. But the real problem remains, and Britain would be well advised to spend more of its time worrying about the hate-filled jihadists living in their neighborhoods than about politically incorrect talk radio hosts from America.


Oh, That Arlen…

May 4, 2009

Apparently it was those heartless, evil Republicans who are responsible for the death of Jack Kemp.

Watch that door, Arlen! I don’t want it to hit you in the ass until you can get proper health care from the Government.


The Bully Pulpit?

May 4, 2009

ABC’s Jake Tapper is reporting that White House officials are in full denial mode after a bankruptcy attorney claimed that the man in charge of the administration’s Auto Industry Task Force, Steve Rattner, told her that a firm represented by the attorney would see its reputation destroyed by the White House press corps if the firm continued to oppose the Chrysler bankruptcy plan.

At this point there doesn’t seem to be any evidence in either direction. However, I can’t say that I’m surprised by this if it turns out to be true. It was an absolutely fair criticism of the Bush administration to say that it lacked humility, but the preening arrogance of the Obama administration is mind-blowing. It would not surprise me in the least to see that dissent is threatened and bullied. It was a criticism that was lobbed, unfairly, at the Bush administration, but it is the stock in trade of the current majority party.

The key element that adds to the story is the accusation that the smear would be carried out by the media, specifically the White House press corps. While it might be difficult to have the actual White House press corps doing their dirty work, there are plenty of other sycophantic toadies in the media and their inbred cousins on the Nutroots who are so enchanted by St. Barry that they would be more than happy to smear and destroy anyone who presents an opposing voice.

UPDATE: A White House spokesman denies. Zero Hedge is on the case.