Tag Archives: Eric Holder

A House Divided – Part 2 of 3

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….Recently, Mrs. Obama gave the commencement speech for the 2015 graduating class of Tuskegee University.  She warned the young graduates about the world they would soon encounter, saying in part:

“…They  [presumably White Americans]  will make assumptions about who they think you are based on their limited notion of the world.  And my husband and I know how frustrating that experience can be.  We’ve both felt the sting of those daily slights throughout our entire lives — the folks who crossed the street in fear of their safety; the clerks who kept a close eye on us in all those department stores; the people at formal events who assumed we were the “help” — and those who have questioned our intelligence, our honesty, even our love of this country. 

“And I know that these little indignities are obviously nothing compared to what folks across the country are dealing with every single day — those nagging worries that you’re going to get stopped or pulled over [by the police] for absolutely no reason; the fear that your job application will be overlooked because of the way your name sounds; the agony of sending your kids to schools that may no longer be separate, but are far from equal; the realization that no matter how far you rise in life, how hard you work to be a good person, a good parent, a good citizen — for some folks, it will never be enough.  (Applause.)”

I wonder if the history books will reflect that children from low income neighborhoods didn’t have to attend those separate but unequal schools.  They were sentenced to those schools by an Obama Administration that almost immediately after Inauguration Day, got rid of school vouchers in Washington, DC. (U.S. News & World Report online, Obama Wrong on D.C. School Vouchers and Hypocritical, Just Like Congress, by Peter Roff, located at:  http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/peter-roff/2009/04/22/obama-wrong-on-dc-school-vouchers-and-hypocritical-just-like-congress) 

I wonder how the disenfranchised children of Washington, DC and the Tuskegee graduates will perceive and react to life’s inevitable challenges and setbacks?  Will they ignore race, see things objectively, accept them with grace, continue to compete and climb the ladders of success; or, will they cling to the words of the First Lady, seeing a bigot behind every adverse event and passing  those perceptions of prejudice and hatred to still another generation?  Sadly, or luckily – I don’t know – we cannot look 20 years into the future to see what those not so small seeds of hatred will have produced over time.

As discussed in Part 1 of 3 last Friday, as a white man, I experienced the same type of  traffic stop in the 60s, that former Attorney General Holder claims to have experienced as a college student.  I couldn’t claim it was race-based. But, I can tell you that my so-called “white privilege” didn’t help one iota!

Does the First Lady really expect us to believe that she and Barack were mistaken for being “the help” at “formal events?”  Does the President really expect us to believe that white restaurant patrons throw keys at him, while he is waiting for the valet?  Well, according to guidelines published at University of California, under University President Janet Napolitano (you remember – Obama’s first Director of Homeland Security!), if we were students or faculty members at University of California, we’d have to believe it, because  “Denying the experiences of students by questioning the credibility/validity of their stories” is a “microaggression.”  I suppose that questioning a story told by the First Lady would then qualify as a MACROAGGRESSION.  …just sayin’

Other so-called “microaggressions” in the UC world now include saying that:

  • “America is the land of Opportunity”
  • “There is only one race: the human race”
  • “I believe the most qualified person should get the job”
  • “Everyone can succeed in this society, if they work hard enough”
  • “California professors instructed not to say ‘America is the land of opportunity’” by JOSH HEDTKE – UCLA JUNE 10, 2015 http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/22839/

And, so  the drumbeat of divisiveness, painting pictures of hopelessness and a disdain for all things American doesn’t stop at the edge of the Tuskegee University campus, or the 10 University of California Campuses.

 

To be Continued…

A House Divided – Part 1 of 3

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We’ve heard some pundits call Obama “Divisive.”  Why would they think so?   Well, let’s start with a  statement reportedly given  to Ryan Lizza of the New Republic, by Mike Kruglik, an early Obama mentor

“He [Obama] was a natural, the undisputed master of agitation….”   

O.k., but what does that have to do with divisiveness?

Saul Alinsky – author of Rules for Radicals and father of the school of Community Organizing practiced by Barack Obama – described the Agitator’s job as

“…first to bring folks to the ‘realization’ that they are indeed miserable, that their misery is the fault of unresponsive governments or greedy corporations, then help them to bond together to demand what they deserve.”

And what better way to evoke misery and divisiveness than by resurrecting  a historical tragedy that has long since passed its proper burial date.  As the Reichstag fire proved in 1933 Germany, creating a common enemy is a potent tool for consolidating political support and power – and is never intended to benefit the people whose lives will most likely be shattered by its effect.  Today’s common enemy is White?  Black?  Latin?  Police? How do you think President Obama answers that question?

Do you Remember when Obama said  that  the Cambridge Police Department acted stupidly and then followed that comment by saying

“…what I think we know separate and apart from this incident (Cambridge Police) is that there is a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately.  That’s just a fact.”  

A  fact?  And the credible source is…

While visiting Ferguson, MO during the Michael Brown protests, with riots, looting  and for the innocents – fear – filling the hours of darkness, Attorney General Eric Holder took advantage of the opportunity to address an audience of local college students regarding his own alleged experience with police officers.  According to an L.A. Times article posted August 20, 2014, Holder told students:

“I am the attorney general of the United States. But I am also a black man. I can remember being stopped on the New Jersey Turnpike on two occasions and accused of speeding. Pulled over…. ‘Let me search your car.’ … Go through the trunk of my car, look under the seats and all this kind of stuff….” 

As police officers and members of the National Guard were putting their lives on the line to protect people and property – while cars and buildings were burning – while looters were gutting businesses that others spent their lives building – was this really the time and place for Mr. Holder to be giving this type of speech – to this kind of audience?  And, if someone died, or had their business destroyed because of that speech, who would hold him accountable?  Would people call for his indictment, or demand he be fired?  Probably not, because his actions would have merely set things in motion for another citizen/police confrontation and perhaps another shooting, indictment, riot – but nothing that would attach to Holder or to others who gain power and notoriety by fanning the flames of racism.

I had an experience similar to Mr. Holder’s – mine in Louisiana while serving in the U.S. Navy in the 60’s.  I was not speeding, but I was reminded that I was in a city that operated under French law and he [the officer] could put me in the jail and throw away the key – nobody would ever find me.  Perhaps, a little scarier than searching my trunk.  Like Holder, I was stopped by a white police officer.  Unlike Holder though, I happen to be white.

You may also remember when Obama  said that if he had a son, he would look like Trayvon.  Then, on Dec. 5, 2014, the President gave an interview to Jeff Johnson of the Black Entertainment Network, in which he further personalized the events in Ferguson and around the Country.

“When they described their own personal experiences of having been stopped for no reason, or having generated suspicion because they were in a community that supposedly they didn’t belong, my mind went back to what it was like for me when I was 17, 18, 20…”

He went on to say “It used to be, folks would say, “Well, maybe blacks are exaggerating, maybe some of these situations aren’t what they described.” What we’ve now seen on television, for everybody to see, gives us an opportunity, I think, to finally have the kind of conversation that’s been a long time coming.”(Emphasis added)

We should and must hold police officers to a very high standard and we should expect the best judgment, based on state-of-the-art psychological screening and the best training available.  Should we also hold politicians, judges and attorneys responsible?  Do teachers, social workers and parents also bear  responsibility for what ultimately explodes on our streets?  Should we also assign just a touch of responsibility to the criminals  themselves and to others whose behavior, while not criminal,  initiates the scenes we so often see played out with negative consequences.  Those who have read President Obama’s two books are aware of his provocative behaviors as a young man – behaviors that could easily have resulted in unfortunate confrontations.  Does his mind also go back to his own behavior and the potential consequences when he “…was 17, 18, 20…”?

Police officers are the uniformed representatives of government.  When police officers abuse their powers, or exercise poor judgment, citizens begin to distrust their government.  But, it also works in reverse.  When government is ineffective, corrupt, or abusive, the frustration and distrust of citizens is likely to find voice on the streets and in their attitudes and conduct towards police.  When President Obama and others talk about the need to improve relationships between police and the communities they serve, they should first also look to the actions of government and the relationship of those actions to the prosperity, freedom and satisfaction of the citizens they too are sworn to serve.

Recently, Mrs. Obama gave the commencement speech for the 2015 graduating class of Tuskegee University.  She warned the young graduates about the world they would soon face, saying in part:

To Be Continued…

“Fast and Furious” – The Lies Keep on Coming!!!

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It’s in Your Hands!

Can we Stop the Damage?

In his recent interview with Hispanic journalists from Univision in Miami, President Obama was asked about the “Fast and Furious” gun walking operation.  Specifically, they asked if he thought he should fire Attorney General Eric Holder.  As he began his verbal defense of Holder – the first Attorney General in the history of the U.S. to be held in Contempt of Congress – Obama did the unthinkable for a president.  He lied.  He lied with impunity.

President Obama told the interviewer that “Fast and Furious” was a field initiated operation started under President George Bush.  When Attorney General Holder learned of the operation, he said, Holder shut it down.  This was a blatant lie – not even a close approximation of the truth – just more evidence that Obama considers Americans ignorant, gullible and yes…stupid.  The Bush era gun walking operation was known as Operation “Wide Receiver,” was worked in cooperation with the Mexican government, was considered successful and was terminated in 2007 – two years before Obama (or Holder) took office.

Will you Help?

While Obama and his people lie at every turn, spinning stories with no relationship to the facts, or even to commonsense, his favorable ratings continue to climb.  I remember speaking to a lady who loves Obama and plans to vote for him in November.  I asked, “Which of his policies are most important to you?”  Her response was immediate and without apology.  “I don’t know about that stuff.  I just love him.”

You may say I don’t get out much, but the truth is that I’ve yet to speak with one Obama supporter who has read both his books.  Perhaps, you heard the 2008 tapes of people supporting Obama and believing that his running mate was Sarah Palin!  Do you know somebody like this?  Can we just stand by and watch these people destroy the country through ignorance?  Or, can we engage and talk to them while there’s still a chance to change their mind?

As I write on the Home Page, this is clearly the most important election of  our lifetime.  When a president lies to Americans in such an open and reckless manner; when he fails to protect the lives of  U.S. personnel serving abroad; when he apologizes for America; when he opts for fundraising events over security briefings; when he forgets awarding a Congressional Medal of Honor; when he has time to call the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, but not the mother of a dead soldier – there is a problem.

When debt spirals out of control, when over 8% of Americans are out of work; when more men than at any other time in history have left the workforce, no longer looking for work – there is a problem.  Would people vote for him if they knew these things; if they heard what he’s said about Americans?  I’m praying they would not.

What if you could help reverse the damage by learning all of the facts in a quick, easy read and then just sharing that information with your friends in everyday, informal conversation.  Here’s your chance if you don’t want the Obama lies, hate and divisiveness to continue.

Effective Monday, September 24, I’m reducing the price of my Kindle book, 203 Reasons Not to Vote for Barack Obama, from $4.99 to to 99 cents – so that every responsible American voter can get  it and share its factual – easy to read content – with all of their friends.  99 cents is  the lowest allowable kindle book price on Amazon.  You can order at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0080JOAUE.   The paperback version of 203 Reasons Not to Vote for Barack Obama is now available for $11.77.  Use the discount code AYW7MDA4 when ordering from www.createspace.com/3838729 and receive $2 off that already low price.

I am speaking to you from the heart as a fellow American – not as somebody trying to sell books!  If you believe as I do, that Obama’s policies are responsible for divisiveness, job losses, increased danger in the world, a weakening of America and potentially irreversible damage to our economy, please get, read and share 203 Reasons Not to Vote for Barack Obama.  100% of all royalties remaining after these discounts will be donated to Wounded Warrior Project.  My gain will be the same as yours:  To know that together, we did our very best to stop the damage and return our nation to responsible leadership.

Border Agent Dead – Holder Apologizes…by Email – Reason #85

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Only 70 Days Remaining!

Border Agent Dead – Holder Apologizes…by Email

Asked by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), during a Nov. 8, 2011 hearing on “gun walking” Operation “Fast and Furious,” whether or not he had ever apologized to the family of murdered Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, Attorney General Eric Holder replied that he had not apologized to them.  Asked if he had even spoken with them, he responded:

“I have not.” [i]

This was a hearing occurring 11 months after the murder of Agent Terry by drug traffickers using assault rifles allowed – in a botched operation by Holder’s Dept. of Justice – to cross the border into Mexico.

Finally, after avoiding an apology to the family of the slain agent during the his Nov. 8th Congressional testimony, Attorney General Holder went on to claim that:

“It is not fair, however, to assume that the mistakes that happened in Fast and Furious directly led to the death of agent Terry.” [ii]

The following day – Nov. 9th, 2011 – Holder reportedly sent a letter of apology – via email – to Brian Terry’s sister, leaving it to her to share the letter with the remainder of Brian’s family.  The letter was also allegedly released to Politico.com.[iii]

On February 3, 2012, Agent Terry’s mother responded through a Facebook entry, saying:

“Josephine Terry”

“Mr. Holder. How come you can never say my son’s name. You never have. All I ever hear you say is ‘I didn’t find out or I can’t say’ I’m actually tired of hearing your double talk in answering questions. What a joke you are. You know my son was a real AMERICAN, a WARRIOR, and a HERO, who was also protecting COWARD POLITICIANS like you. Hope you remember that.”[iv]

[i] Fred Lucas, (Nov. 8, 2011), CNS news web-site, No Apology: Holder Says ‘Not Fair’ to Assume Fast and Furious ‘Directly’ Led to Border Agent’s Death, retrieved February 26, 2012 from http://cnsnews.com/news/article/no-apology-holder-says-not-fair-assume-fast-and-furious-directly-led-border-agent-s

[ii] Ibid

[iv] Posted by Tiffany Gabbay, (Feb. 3, 2012), The Blaze web-site, Murdered Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry’s Mother to Eric Holder: You‘re a ’Coward‘ and a ’Joke’, retrieved on February 26, 2012 from http://www.theblaze.com/stories/murdered-border-patrol-agent-brian-terrys-mother-to-eric-holder-youre-a-coward-and-a-joke/

Reason 93 – Obama:Agitating to Dismantle America/Is the Attorney General Purposely Dividing Americans?

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159 Days Remaining

United States Attorney General

Purposely Dividing Americans?

Earlier today, Attorney General Eric Holder addressed a group of black church leaders in Washington, DC.  He used the gathering as an opportunity to express his position on state laws requiring voters to produce photo I.D.[1]  It is not the first time that Mr. Holder has addressed this issue.

The divisiveness inherent in the Attorney General’s remarks, both today and in other forums,  is such that I have interrupted the normal delivery of 203 Reasons Not to Vote for Barack Obama.  Today, after discussing Mr. Holder’s presentation, we skip to Reason #93, which seems particularly relevant to the issue.  Tomorrow’s post will return to our normal sequence, beginning with Reason #3.

During his presentation today,  Eric Holder – Attorney General of the United States – told black church leaders, in part:

“[D]espite our nation’s long tradition of extending voting rights – to non-property owners and women, to people of color and Native Americans, and to younger Americans – today, a growing number of our fellow citizens are worried about the same disparities, divisions, and problems that – nearly five decades ago – so many fought to address.   In my travels across this country, I’ve heard a consistent drumbeat of concern from citizens, who – often for the first time in their lives – now have reason to believe that we are failing to live up to one of our nation’s most noble ideals; and that some of the achievements that defined the civil rights movement now hang in the balance…”[2] 

“…The recent wave of changes to state-level voter identification laws also has presented a number of problems requiring the department’s attention,” said Holder. “In December, we objected to South Carolina’s voter ID law, after finding – based on the state’s own data – that the proposed change would place an unfair burden on non-white voters.” [3]

It is very difficult to ignore this type of rhetoric from the Attorney General of the United States.  Rush Limbaugh spent a great deal of time on his syndicated radio show today, talking about Holder’s words and their use as a distraction.  He also, quite correctly, called for Eric Holder to name the specific people and/or organizations that he (Holder) believes are responsible for trying to impede minority voting.[4]

In point of fact, Holder cannot name these people and organizations, because they don’t exist.  Holder’s comments and persistence on this issue are the rhetorical equivalents of the Reichstag Fire.  Mr. Holder – who seems tongue tied when it comes to Fast and Furious and The New Black Panthers, is never at a loss for words when pitting one group of Americans against another.   This rhetoric represents still one more shallow, transparent effort to divide Americans and to recapture the commitment of black and Hispanic voters to a desperate Obama campaign.

Let’s look, for a moment, at what’s real.  How many protests do you remember in your lifetime, waged over the requirement for Drivers Licenses and their use to keep minorities off the highways?  That’s right – NONE.  The reason?  It’s not true.  The same applies for Holder’s strawman, suggesting that photo IDs are designed to keep minorities from voting.  Not true.

Now, let’s take one state – the one in which I live – Florida.

In order to obtain, or renew a Drivers License in Florida, you must produce something called Primary documentation, along with proof of social security registration and two proofs of residence.  Primary identification can be satisfied with an original, or certified copy of one of the following:

1) Certified U.S. Birth Certificate,

2) valid U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card;

3) Consular Report of Birth Abroad;

4) Certificate of Naturalization; or

5) Certificate of Citizenship.

In addition to one of these, you must also have a 1) social security card; 2) W-2; 3) Paycheck; 4) SSA 1099; or 5) any other 1099.  Then, on top of all this, a Floridian in search of a Drivers License must produce two proofs of residence.  Among acceptable proofs are Deeds, Mortgages, Voter Registration Cards, Vehicle Registration, Boat Registration, etc.  There’s also special document requirements for immigrants and non-immigrants.[5]

Consider this.  The documentation required for a Florida Drivers License is apparently more than required to be inaugurated as President of the United States.  The documentation sought in an effort to prevent voter fraud- a crime that could threaten our very way of life:  A simple picture ID.

The Numbers in South Carolina

“In December, we objected to South Carolina’s voter ID law, after finding – based on the state’s own data – that the proposed change would place an unfair burden on non-white voters.”  

These were Mr. Holder’s comments on the black voter disadvantage in South Carolina.   The kindest response would be to say that he is being highly misleading.  You be the judge.

According to the Heritage Foundation’s Hans Von Spakovsky, initial South Carolina data reflected that only 240,000 of 2.7 million registered South Carolina voters did not have identification issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)  – picture ID.  Holder’s Department of Justice produced an analysis of that data, showing that racially adjusted, 8.4% of whites and 10% of blacks had no DMV ID  – a difference of only 1.6% between the two groups.  Given their representation in the population (28% black) however, the apparent 1.6% advantage to whites actually results in more than twice as many whites as blacks, being without DMV issued ID.[6]  Nearly twice as many whites as blacks, if the law was enacted, would not be able to vote unless they first obtained a picture ID.

But, it doesn’t stop there.  This data was determined to be grossly inaccurate when it was discovered by the Associated Press, that of  the 240,000 without DMV ID, 207,000 should be eliminated because they  “live in other states, allowed their ID cards to expire, probably have licenses with names that didn’t match voter records, or were dead.” [7]  When all was said and done, only 33,000, or 1.2% of all South Carolina’s registered voters did not have DMV issued ID.[8]  Assuming a population distribution consistent with South Carolina’s overall population, 23,760 whites and only 9,240 blacks would be without DMV issued ID.  For every black needing to obtain a picture ID before voting, 2.6 whites would be in the same situation – hardly representative of a conspiracy against minorities.  Why then, does the Attorney General of the United States wish to make this a racial issue?

Mr. Holder occupies the highest law enforcement office in the land.  He is, to be slightly melodramatic, the supposed guardian of justice. Except, he’s not.  Mr. Holder’s rhetoric on voter ID is not protecting any group’s right to vote, because that right is not in jeopardy – and he knows it.  He is purposely driving a wedge between Americans in order to achieve a political and arguably a personal goal.  Is he creating a distraction to benefit Obama’s presidential bid?  Is he doing it to protect his own position?  Exactly what and how much can be gained for any person or group, by fanning the flames of  hatred.

203 Reasons Not to Vote for Barack Obama

 

Reason #93

Obama: Agitating to Dismantle America?

Evidence of Obama’s position is readily seen in both of his books (Dreams from my Father and The Audacity of Hope); in the venom directed at Wall Street CEOs, automakers and innocent bondholders; in his relentless approach to Healthcare Reform against the will of the majority of Americans; in the recommended reading for aspiring community organizers; even in his comments on the handling of Hurricane Katrina.

“The agitator’s job, according to Saul Alinsky, is first to bring folks to the “realization” that they are indeed miserable, that their misery is the fault of unresponsive governments or greedy corporations, then help them to bond together to demand what they deserve.” [9] And, according to Mike Kruglik, an early Obama mentor:  “He [Obama] was a natural, the undisputed master of agitation…”[10]

Jeffrey Kuhner, in a Washington Times Op-Ed, wrote: “At his core, he [Obama] is a radical leftist who seeks to dismantle capitalism and the achievements of the Reagan revolution – low taxes, deregulation and the reassertion of American exceptionalism.”[11]

Endnotes

[1] Paul Stanley, (May 30, 2012), Christian Post web-site, Politics, AG Attacks Voter ID Laws in Speech to Black Churches, retrieved May 30, 2012 from http://www.christianpost.com/news/ag-holder-attacks-voter-id-laws-in-speech-to-black-churches-75777/

[2] Media Matters, (May 30, 2012), Media Matters web-site, Research, Fox, Limbaugh Attack Holder for Speaking to Black Leaders about Voter ID  Laws, retrieved May 30, 2012 from http://mediamatters.org/research/201205300023

[3] Eric Holder, quoted in article by Paul Stanley, (May 30, 2012), Christian Post web-site, Politics, AG Attacks Voter ID Laws in Speech to Black Churches, retrieved May 30, 2012 from http://www.christianpost.com/news/ag-holder-attacks-voter-id-laws-in-speech-to-black-churches-75777/ 

[4] Rush Limbaugh (May 30, 2012), EIB Network, The Rush Limbaugh Show, WIOD 610 Radio, Miami, FL, 12pm-3pm

[5] Florida DMV, Drivers License Identification Requirements, retrieved May 30, 2012 from http://www.dmvflorida.org/drivers-license-identification.shtml

[6] Hans Von Spakovsky, (Dec. 27, 2011), Heritage Foundation web-site, The Foundry, South Carolina and Voter ID: When Politics Drives Law Enforcement, retrieved May 30, 2012 from http://blog.heritage.org/2011/12/27/south-carolina-and-voter-id-when-politics-drives-law-enforcement/

[7] AP, reported by Hans Von Spakovsky, (Dec. 27, 2011), Heritage Foundation web-site, The Foundry, South Carolina and Voter ID: When Politics Drives Law Enforcement, retrieved May 30, 2012 from http://blog.heritage.org/2011/12/27/south-carolina-and-voter-id-when-politics-drives-law-enforcement/

[8] Hans Von Spakovsky, (Dec. 27, 2011), Heritage Foundation web-site, The Foundry, South Carolina and Voter ID: When Politics Drives Law Enforcement, retrieved May 30, 2012 from http://blog.heritage.org/2011/12/27/south-carolina-and-voter-id-when-politics-drives-law-enforcement/

[9] Kyle-Anne Shiver, (January 8, 2008), The American Thinker web-site, Obama’s Alinsky Jujitsu, retrieved January 31, 2011 from http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/01/obamas_alinsky_jujitsu.html

[10] Kyle-Anne Shiver, (January 8, 2008), The American Thinker web-site, Obama’s Alinsky Jujitsu, retrieved January 31, 2011 from http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/01/obamas_alinsky_jujitsu.html

[11] Jeffrey T. Kuhner, (January 27, 2011), The Washington Times: Opinion: Commentary, Kuhner: Obama is no Centrist, retrieved January 30, 2011 from http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jan/27/obama-is-no-centrist/print/