The Talk Show American

THE TALK SHOW AMERICAN: 10/22/2006 - 10/29/2006

Friday, October 27, 2006

Iraqi Soldiers, Police score multiple victories against terrorists and insurgent forces

Iraqi Soldiers and Police chalked up a series of victories in recent anti-terrorist operations across the country, according to U.S. military officials.

First, Iraqi Soldiers captured several suspected members of insurgent and murder and kidnapping cells, including the alleged leader of an al-Qaida in Iraq cell, during a series of early morning raids across Baghdad Friday.

Iraqi Forces, with Coalition advisers, conducted three separate raids and detained eight suspects responsible for sectarian murders and kidnappings, as well as Improvised Explosive Device attacks on Iraqi and Coalition Forces.

In a raid in the Adhamiyah area of Baghdad, Iraqi Soldiers detained two suspects responsible for sectarian attacks against civilians and indirect fire attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.

In two other raids in Southwestern Baghdad, special Iraqi Army forces detained four suspected terrorists involved in IED, rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. Two persons suspected of sectarian attacks against Iraqi civilians were also detained.

One operation occurred in the vicinity of the Al Mluki Mosque in the Monsour district of Baghdad. Iraqi and Coalition Forces did not enter the mosque and didn't cause any damage to it. There were no civilian, Iraqi Forces or Coalition Forces casualties.

The raids were part of Operation Together Forward, intended to disrupt terror cells that kill innocent Iraqi citizens and attack government forces.

Video: Peace scum heckles dead Marine�s mother

One of the Freepers dug this up. It comes from KMPH in California.

This turd doesn�t represent all opponents of the war, of course. But he represents some. Regardless, what he says to her is actually less offensive than the fact that she�s left standing on the sidewalk while �Zionist�-baiting friend-of-Hugo Cindy Sheehan gets the rock star treatment inside the auditorium.

Lance Cpl. Tony Butterfield was killed on July 29th in Anbar. His obituary�s here. Quote: �Because Tony so loved Disneyland, we have decided he would have no greater joy than to send a child and their family there each year.�

He was 19 years old.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Ten Reasons to Vote GOP

If the polls are to be believed, the Republicans who control the White House and Congress are in trouble.

Their problem?

People vote their pocketbooks, or wallets, the old adage goes.

But the economy is booming. Even gasoline prices have plummeted. Unemployment, the bogeyman of politicians, has shrunken to a record low point.

As for the security matter, since 9/11, the worst attack on American soil since the Civil War, the United States has been free of any significant terrorist attack. None. Zippo. Zilch.

Here are 10 good reasons why you should vote Republican come election day. You won't hear about them on ABCCBSNBC News.

Reason #1. The economy is kicking butt. It is robust, vibrant, strong and growing. In the 36 months since the Bush tax cuts ended the recession that began under President Clinton, the economy has experienced astonishing growth. Over the first half of this year, our economy grew at a strong 4.1 percent annual rate, faster than any other major industrialized nation. This strong economic activity has generated historic revenue growth that has shrunk the deficit. A continued commitment to spending restraint has also contributed to deficit reduction.

Reason #2. Unemployment is almost nil for a major economy, and is verging on full employment. Recently, jobless claims fellto the lowest level in 10 weeks. Employment increased in 48 states over the past 12 months ending in August. Our economy has now added jobs for 37 straight months.

Reason #3. The Dow is hitting record highs. In the past few days, the Dow climbed above 12,000 for the first time in the history of the stock market, thus increasing the value of countless pension and 401(k) that funds many Americans rely on for their retirement years.

Reason #4. Wages have risen dramatically. According to the Washington Post, demand for labor helped drive workers' average hourly wages, not including those of most managers, up to $16.84 last month -- a 4 percent increase from September 2005, the fastest wage growth in more than five years. Nominal wage growth has been 4.1 percent so far this year. This is better or comparable to its 1990s peaks. Over the first half of 2006, employee compensation per hour grew at a 6.3 percent annual rate adjusted for inflation. Real after-tax income has risen a whopping 15 percent since January 2001. Real after-tax income per person has risen by 9 percent since January 2001.

Reason #5. Gas prices have plunged. According to the Associated Press, the price of gasoline has fallen to its lowest level in more than 10 months. The federal Energy Information Administration said Monday that U.S. motorists paid $2.21 a gallon on average for regular grade last week, a decrease of 1.8 cents from the previous week. Pump prices are now 40 cents lower than a year ago and have plummeted by more than 80 cents a gallon since the start of August. The previous 2006 low for gasoline was set in the first week of January, when pump prices averaged $2.238. In the week ending Dec. 5, 2005, prices averaged $2.19. Today, gasoline can be found for less than $2 a gallon in many parts of the country.

Reason #6. Since 9/11, no terrorist attacks have occurred on U.S. soil. Since 9/11 the U.S. has not been attacked by terrorists thanks to such programs as the administration's monitoring of communications between al-Qaida operatives overseas and their agents in the U.S. and the monitoring of the international movement of terrorist funds -- both measure bitterly opposed by Democrats.

Reason #7. Productivity is surging and has grown by a strong 2.5 percent over the past four quarters, well ahead of the average productivity growth in the last 30 years. Strong productivity growth helps lead to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product, higher real wages, and stronger corporate profits.

Reason #8. The Prescription Drug Program is working. Despite dire predictions that most seniors would refrain from signing up to the new Medicare prescription benefits program, fully 75 percent of all those on Medicare have enrolled, and the overwhelming majority say they are happy with the program.

Reason #9. Bush has kept his promise of naming conservative judges. He has named two conservative justices to the Supreme Court, Chief Justice John G. Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito. In addition, he has named conservative justices who are devoted to the Constitution as it is written and not as activist liberal judges think it means. The strong likelihood that one or more justices will retire from the Supreme Court makes it mandatory for the Republicans to hold the Senate and have a chance to name new conservative justices.

Reason #10. The deficit has been cut in half three years ahead of the president's 2009 goal, with the 2006 fiscal year budget deficit down to $248 billion. The tax cuts have stimulated the economy and are working.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

The Roaring Economy...

2003 Bush Tax Cut: By The Numbers
Historic Tax Cut Boosts Growth, Lifts Stock Market, and Increases Jobs


$14,374,330, 000,000 Total Increase in Household Wealth Since April 2003

$5,700,000,000, 000 Total Increase in Shareholder Wealth Since May 20, 2003

$863,654,000, 000 Total Amount of Tax Cuts Enacted Since Fiscal Year 2003

$783,890,000, 000 Total Amount of Additional Tax Cuts to be Returned to Taxpayers Through 2010

$625,000,000, 000 Total Increase in Federal Tax Revenues Since FY 2003

$207,788,000, 000 Reduction in the Deficit in the Past 29 Months Due to Stronger Economic Growth

$98,600,000, 000 Combined Income Gains for Shareholders From Dividend Increases & Tax Savings 03-05

$62,000,000, 000 Surplus of Capital Gains Tax Revenue Not Accounted For By Revenue Estimators

$60,000,000, 000 Deficit REDUCTION Since the Tax Cut Was Signed Into Law

300,001,643 Total Number of Americans benefiting from President Bush�s Tax Cut

91,000,000 Number of Individuals Owning Shares of Stock in America

23,000,000 Number of Small Businesses Benefiting from Income Tax Reductions

6,600,000 Number of Jobs Created Since the Tax Cut Was Signed Into Law

12,000 The Magic Number of the Dow Jones Industrial Index is an Arms Length Away

$2,092 Tax Increase for a Family of Four With $50k of Income if Tax Cuts Are Repealed

200 Number of House Members Who Voted Against This Growth Generating Tax Cut

50 Number of US Senators Who Voted Against This Growth Generating Tax Cut

25 Number of Years Dividend Paying Companies Declined Prior to the 2003 Tax Cut

164.0% % Increase in the Dividend Tax Rate if the Inco me and Dividend Tax Cuts Expire

123.0% % Increase in Dividend Income and Share Repurchases Since 2003 Tax Cut

91.0% % Increase of Stock Ownership in the Bottom Quintile of Income Distribution Since 1995

74.0% % Increase in S&P 500 Companies Boosting Their Dividend Since 2002

65.0% % of Voters Who Were Investors in the 2004 Elections

51.2% % of Total Tax Cut "Cost" That Has Been Recouped From Higher Levels of Growth

14.0% % Margin of Victory for Republicans From Investor Voters in 2002 Elections

4.6% Unemployment Rate Which Continues To Disprove the Constant Economic Pessimism

3.7% Average Quarterly GDP Growth Since Tax Cut Was Enacted (long run average is 3.3)

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

One of FBI's 'Most Wanted Terrorists' confirmed dead

An al Qaeda operative wanted in connection with the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings was killed in April in Pakistan, American officials have confirmed.
Pakistani officials had said that Muhsin Musa Matwalli Atwah was killed in North Waziristan during an airstrike by Pakistani forces near the border with Afghanistan.

DNA testing confirmed the Pakistani government's claim, U.S. officials said, and Atwah's name was removed from the FBI's list of Most Wanted Terrorists.
Atwah, 42, was born in Egypt. He was indicted in connection with al Qaeda's suicide bombings of U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The attacks killed 224 people, including 12 Americans.

There was a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture.
Atwah, who also went by the alias Abdel Rahman al-Muhajer, had been a member of al Qaeda since at least 1990 and provided explosives training in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sudan, according to his indictment.

The indictment also charged that Atwah had been part of an al Qaeda cell operating in Somalia in the early 1990s that provided training to Somali tribesmen who attacked U.S. forces in that country.

House Democrat Down in Poll

While many Democrats are looking forward to mid-term election victories in November, an Indiana Democrat is struggling in her bid for re-election.

Rep. Julia Carson, D-Ind., is trailing by three points in a recent poll, according to The Hill newspaper. Carson is battling Republican Eric Dickerson, a former helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps turned businessman, who was previously viewed as a longshot to win the House seat.

The Hill reports that Carson has a substantial lead in terms of cash-on-hand for the election - $20,000 for Dickerson, $324,000 for Carson - but Carson's high unfavorability rating among voters has prevented the incumbent from leading the race.

Democrats are hopeful that they can retain this seat. The party needs to win 15 seats overall, while maitaining their own party seats, in order to regain control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 1994.

BBC Confesses To Media Bias

Internal memo reveals execs saying Bible tossed in trash OK, not Quran

An internal British Broadcasting Corporation memo reveals senior figures admitted the national news agency was guilty of promoting left-wing views and anti-Christian sentiment.

News of the memo, reported by British media, comes as the BBC continues to struggle against claims of biased reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and distorted coverage of the global fight against terror, reports the Israeli YnetNews.com.

The admissions of bias were made at a recent "impartiality" summit the BBC held. Most executives admitted the corporation's representation of homosexuals and ethnic minorities was unbalanced and disproportionate, YnetNews.com said. The British news agency, the report said, leaned too strongly towards political correctness, the overt promotion of multiculturalism, anti-Americanism and discrimination against the countryside.


At the summit, executives were given a fictitious scenario in which they were asked to make a judgment.

What would you do, the executives were asked, if Cohen decided to throw kosher food, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bible and the Quran in the trash.

Everything would be allowed, the executives said, except for the Quran, for fear of offending the British Muslim community.

The BBC also revealed its executives favored interviewing terrorist leader Osama bin Laden if the opportunity arose, the Washington Times reported.

A senior BBC executive admitted to the British paper Daily Express, "There was a widespread acknowledgement that we may have gone too far in the direction of political correctness. Unfortunately, much of it is so deeply embedded in the BBC's culture, that it is very hard to change it."

Monday, October 23, 2006

Found: Democrats' Agenda

It's finally been found: the agenda the Democratic Party would pursue should it take control of Congress Nov. 7. For those voters who have been confused about what exactly the Democrats would do if they were to take power, things have just gotten a lot clearer.

A list of bills introduced by Democrats over the last two years was released this week by Paul S. Teller, deputy director of the House Republican Study Committee. Finally, we voters know what kind of government we might enjoy under Democratic leadership.

Here are a few favorites from the list:

The Justice for the Unprotected against Sexually Transmitted Infections among the Confined and Exposed Act, or JUSTICE Act, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif. This bill would make sure the "guests" housed in federal prisons have government-issued condoms aplenty for their use. Subsidized homosexual activity by convicts � yep, that's the kind of America I want to live in.

The Crack-Cocaine Equitable Sentencing Act, sponsored by Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. The bill would eliminate the mandatory minimum sentence for crack-cocaine convictions. Finally � a bill to start reversing the silly tough-on-crime mindset that has kept far too many crack-cocaine dealers behind bars.

A bill "to provide for coverage under the Medicare and Medicaid Programs of incontinence undergarments," sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., would make adult diapers a covered item under Medicare and Medicaid. Now here's a piece of legislation our Founding Fathers would be proud of. After all, we all know their intent was for government to provide for the "common Depends." A diaper in every drawer! (or drawers).

The Gas Stamp Act, sponsored by Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., a bill that would creates billions of dollars in gas stamps each year for people to get free gas. The stamps would to be distributed to those already eligible for food stamps. Now you're thinkin'. Rather than drop restrictions on domestic energy production, which would increase supply and lower prices, let's just have the taxpayer buy gas for those who can't afford it. This bill also imposes a windfall-profit tax on those evil oil companies � nice touch.

The Democrats also have big plans for U.S. foreign policy. Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass., represents his party with the End the War in Iraq Act. Otherwise known as the "Admit Defeat, Place Tail Between Legs and Scurry Home Act," the bill would completely defund the U.S. military in Iraq, forcing an immediate withdrawal of all troops. So simple yet so profound � why couldn't the Republicans think of that?

Congresswoman Lee continues her leadership by sponsoring A Living Wage, Jobs for All Act. According to the Republican Study Committee, it would create rights to "decent" jobs, income for individuals unable to work, a "decent" living for farmers, freedom from monopolies, "decent" housing, "adequate" health care, Social Security, education, work training, collective bargaining, a safe working environment and other wonderful things too numerous to mention. Wow, I can envision the utopia now � how incredibly "decent" of Ms. Lee to provide so much decency to her fellow Americans.

For those of us who are too selfish for our own good, Rep. Rangel offers the Universal National Service Act, requiring all Americans between the ages of 18 and 42, to perform a two-year period of national service. Good ol' "mandatory volunteerism" � an oxymoron if I've ever heard one. I'm just sorry I recently aged out of this program; if I wanted to volunteer, I'd have to do so on my own, without the federal government to help me � hmm, not sure I could do that.

And from the "Government's job is to protect us from ourselves" department, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., brings us The Menu Education and Labeling Act. This vital piece of legislation regulates what certain restaurants must print on their menus. Yes! What a perfect proposal to help us dimwitted Americans who just might order a dessert loaded with trans fat and not even realize it. How in the world have we existed for over two centuries without federally regulated restaurant menus? How barbaric.

You can see the entire list of inspirational bills online.

Iraq to US & UK: Don't Panic

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih warned against defeatism and panic on Monday as his U.S. and British allies came under growing pressure to change their Iraq strategy in the face of relentless bloodshed.

Salih, in London for talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other British ministers, made clear his anxiety about the change in tone in London and Washington, where senior figures are questioning whether the current strategy in Iraq is viable.

"I'm obviously concerned about the debate both in the U.S. and Europe, I have to say, because there is too much of a pessimistic tone to this debate -- even I would say in certain circles a defeatist tone," he told BBC radio.

"We need to be realist but not defeatist. We need to understand that there is a need of utmost urgency to deal with many of the problems of Iraq but we must not give in to panic."


U.S. military deaths in Iraq in October have reached 83, making it the most deadly month for Americans this year and raising pressure on President George W. Bush before Congressional elections next month in which Republicans could lose majorities in both houses.

U.S. military officials in Iraq have admitted that a two-month plan to secure Baghdad has failed to curb violence.

In Britain, army chief General Richard Dannatt sparked a political storm this month by saying British troops should withdraw from Iraq soon as their presence was worsening the security situation there and in the wider world.

Salih said the current situation in Iraq could not go on.

Lieberman Soars with GOP Support

Talk Show America 10/23/2006





"Running as an independent, as you well know, was not my first choice," Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., proclaimed recently. "I honestly now look at it as a kind of . . . a blessing."

The blessing is apparently showing in the latest polls.

With 18 years of Senate seniority on the line in his Nov. 7 run against the Democratic candidate Ned Lamont, the latest Quinnipiac University poll shows Lieberman ahead by 17 points.

Lieberman's success is due to the unprecedented support of GOP voters willing to cross over to keep a moderate in the Democratic Party.

The Quinnipiac poll showed the GOP effect for Lieberman: the Republican candidate, Alan Schlesinger, trails the field with just 6 percent of the vote.

But the race is far from over. Lamont, a wealthy businessman, has jumped to the challenge by writing his campaign another check for $2 million in the last week -- bringing in his total personal contributions to $12.7 million.

Lamont upset Lieberman in last summer's Democratic primary by hitching his campaign to liberal bloggers like MoveOn.org and the DailyKos -- and spending from his own checking account.

But general elections are not so easily bought.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

REPUBLICANS WILL HOLD CONGRESS

Talk Show America 10/23/2006





BARRON'S COVER Survivor!
The GOP Victory

By JIM MCTAGUE

JUBILANT DEMOCRATS SHOULD RECONSIDER their order for confetti and noisemakers, BARRON's claims in their next edition. The Democrats, as widely reported, are expecting GOP-weary voters to flock to the polls in two weeks and hand them control of the House for the first time in 12 years -- and perhaps the Senate, as well. Even some Republicans privately confess that they are anticipating the election-day equivalent of Little Big Horn. Pardon our hubris, but we just don't see it.

Our analysis -- based on a race-by-race examination of campaign-finance data -- suggests that the GOP will hang on to both chambers, at least nominally. We expect the Republican majority in the House to fall by eight seats, to 224 of the chamber's 435. At the very worst, our analysis suggests, the party's loss could be as large as 14 seats, leaving a one-seat majority. But that is still a far cry from the 20-seat loss some are predicting. In the Senate, with 100 seats, we see the GOP winding up with 52, down three.