Obama
Governor Blagojevich keeps a long-standing Illinois tradition running, political corruption
I’m sure by now you’ve read all the exciting details regarding Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, his arrest, and the pending corruption charges for trying to sell the keys to the United States Senate seat recently vacated by Barack Obama.
While the story itself is exciting political drama, the history of political corruption in Illinois is something that is even more profound.
Here are just a few other examples of political corruption in the state of Illinois over the last few years:
- 2007 – Chicago Alderman Arenda Troutman (D) was charged with bribery
- 2006 – Former Illinois Governor, George Ryan (R), was found guilty on all counts brought forward by the federal government in a case stemming from the illegal sale of government contracts and leases.
- 2006 – Chicago City Clerk Jim Laski (D) pleaded guilty to pocketing bribes for steering city business to trucking › Continue reading
Gun Control and Secessionitis
And now for something completely different…
Now that the campaign is over and Barack Obama has emerged victorious, we must now consider the far-left proposals he is bound to enact now that the pandering is over. Though President-Elect Obama has repudiated gun control for the purposes of the election, it is likely he will return to form soon enough. Throughout his barely mediocre legislative career, Obama was a champion of gun control in all its various forms. In 1998 Obama proposed banning all semi-automatic weapons (which is most of them short of hunting rifles) as well as keeping all firearms out of the inner city (never mind how he would be able to achieve this). Now are we likely to see a new assault-rifle ban or hand gun ban? Moreover, what is the likelihood that Obama appoints anti-gun Justices to the Supreme Court (count on it)? In any case, it is probable that Second Amendment rights will come under attack by Obama and his Democratic colleagues in the Congress. Beyond the expected protests and waves of indignation that will emanate from the NRA and gun owners, another unexpected consequence may complicate Obama’s crusade to protect us from ourselves: secessionitis.
The voice of reason…but for how long?
Ok, so I can already gauge the reaction of readers out there. What state in their right mind would threaten secession over gun control? As amazing as it may seem (or not) the State of Montana has threatened secession once before over Second Amendment issues. I am not speaking of a few militia nuts or libertarians; I am referring to a joint resolution from the legislature of Montana warning the Supreme Court that they would secede from the Union if the proper decision was not reached in the recent D.C. vs. Heller case.
If Obama returns to form and begins an assault on gun rights will we see Montana once again threaten secession? Would other states use the Second Amendment as a pretext for secession? It is no secret that several states already have secessionist movements. Groups in Texas have longed cherished a dream of independence ever since Texas joined the Union and agitate for it still (though with no real success). Alaska has a substantial secessionist movement in the form of the Alaska Independence Party that, incidentally, has already elected a governor in the recent past (Hickell in 1992).
Old timey beards prevent the AIP from garnering more than 10% of the vote.
Though the possibility of secession remains remote, Montana’s recent resolution reveals that the polarization of partisan views in the US is more than politics and is a real symptom of a vast difference of opinion as to the very nature of the United States. Are we a nation built upon a pioneering spirit and the can-do spirit of Horatio Alger? Or are we a nation that must improve on its rustic origins and join with the nations of Europe and have the government guarantee a certain standard of living for all citizens? If the latter were to occur is there a right to secession based on an attitude of “I didn’t leave America, America left me?” Questions to ponder, as far-fetched as they may be, though it wouldn’t be the first time the election of a President has created a bout of secessionitis.
All you need to know about Rahm Emanuel
Rahm Emanuel, 2009 White House Chief of Staff (source: rrstar.com)
Here is quick fact-sheet on Congressman Rahm Emanuel, President-Elect Barack Obama’s soon-to-be Chief of Staff.
Background:
- Born November 29, 1959 in Chicago, Illinois
- Religion: Modern Orthodox Judaism (Attends Anshe Shalom Synagogue)
- Family: Wife: Amy Rule; Children: Zacharias, Ilana, and Leah
- Colleges: Sarah Lawrence College; Northwestern University
- Profession: Congressman, Chicago’s 5th Congressional District
- Books Authored: The Plan: Big Ideas for America
- Interesting Facts:
- Lost a finger following a meat-cutting accident at a Chicago Arby’s where he worked when he was 17.
- Volunteered in the Israel Defense Forces during the Gulf War
- His brother, Ari Emanuel, is the inspiration behind the character Ari Gold in Entourage. Ari Emanuel represents celebrities like Larry David, Michael Moore, Sacha Baron Cohen and Mark Wahlberg.
- Rahm Emanuel’s father, Benjamin Emanuel, was a member of the Irgun, a militant Zionist organization and a key component of the Jewish Resistance Movement in the 1940’s.
- Rahm Emanuel’s oldest brother is an oncologist with a PhD in Philosophy and a authority on biomedical ethics (h/t, Carlos)
- Former ballet dancer (h/t, Jo)
Political Experience:
- First campaign job was working for Paul Simon’s U.S. Senate Campaign in 1984
- National Campaign Director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 1988
- Chief Fundraiser for Chicago political powerhouse, Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1989
- Campaign Finance Director for Bill Clinton in 1992
- Senior Clinton Advisor, 1993 - 1998
- Elected to Congress in 2002 (67% - 29%)
- Named Chairman of Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2005
Committee Positions in Congress:
- Committee on Ways and Means
- Subcommittee on Health
- Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures
Key Quotes:
What is more comforting to the terrorists around the world: the failure to pass the 9/11 legislation because we lacked ‘a majority of the majority,’ or putting aside partisan politics to enact tough new legislation with America’s security foremost in mind?
When it comes to federal elections law, Tom DeLay and his special-interest friends live by one set of rules, and everyone else lives by a very different set.
Did I miss anything other relevant information? Let me know in the comments section and I’ll try to add it.
Obama’s first move as President-elect is a good one
While I’m sure there are still millions of Republicans throughout the country mourning John McCain’s electoral shortcomings, there is another group within the Party that realizes that you have to suck it up and move on.
Even though some might not like it, the fact of the matter is that Barack Obama is going to be the next President of the United States.
It would be too easy for me to just sit back and attack the prospects of an Obama presidency, so instead of being another talking head, I figure that for the time being, I’ll just call things as I see them. If you’re a frequent reader of this blog, you know first hand that I don’t subscribe to Party talking points.
Rahm Emanuel, 2009 White House Chief of Staff
With that, it brings me no dissatisfaction to praise President-elect Obama in his selection of Congressman Rahm Emanuel as White House Chief of Staff.
Despite that fact that Rahm Emanuel and I disagree on many issues, I think that he brings a point-of-view that will be healthy for setting the tone of the Obama Administration.
Yes, I’m sure you think I’m crazy right about now. However one of the biggest doubts that people have about Barack Obama is whether or not he’ll be able to make the right decision should the United States, or one of our allies face significant conflict.
For those of you who know about Rahm Emanuel, odds are you also know that he comes from a very devout Jewish family (he’s Orthodox) and is one of the most ardent supporters of Israel in the United States Congress. In fact, during the Gulf War, Congressman Emanuel even volunteered to serve with the Israel Defense Forces.
I think it’s extremely symbolic for a candidate who was attacked for allegedly being Muslim and anti-Israel, to make a modern-Orthodox and openly pro-Israel Congressman the first pick of his Administration.
Furthermore, let’s not forget that in Congress his nickname is “Rahm-bo,” due to his aggressive nature of getting things done. Don’t expect him to hide his opinions from President Obama, especially when it comes to issues (like Israel) that he is passionate about.
The Chief of Staff is one of the few people in the Administration that havs daily access to the President, so there should be no doubt that Rahm Emanuel will play a key role in President Obama’s decision making process.
While I don’t think that I’m going to agree with all of President-elect Obama’s choices, I definitely believe that he has started his trek to the White House on the right foot by picking Congressman Emanuel.
The Obama Security Force?
Awhile back Senator Barack Obama spoke about his “civilian national security force:”
I really hope reinvigorating the Black Panthers is what he meant:
Fight the power!
