Friday Night Videos: Keith Olbermann

In a bit of a departure from my usual Friday night offerings, I can't help but bring you my breakdown of Keith Olbermann's "Worst Persons in the World" from tonight, as it is truly a spectacle to behold.

It’s been an amazing week in the news, dominated by the tragedy of a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Haiti. There has been some excellent reporting by all of the networks I’m sure, although I do not watch all the networks due to a lack of time. I also do not wish to have their political desires forced down my throat, which is exactly what happens every time someone turns on MSNBC, whose slogan "The Place for Politics” should be reworked. Perhaps “The Place for Blatant Lies and Misrepresentation” would be a better fit.

I decided to channel-surf during the commercial break at about the: 45 minute mark of "The Factor" and see what my favorite leftist whacko Keith Olbermann had to say. I must say, I was not disappointed; Olbermann was in full-on hate mode on a Friday evening, as is displayed by the following video:

Most of all, it is painfully obvious that Olbermann thinks the entire world needs to devote every waking second to coverage of the earthquake. While it’s certainly an important subject, his attempt to deride FNC and its hosts for covering important American news and politics is simply petty and childish.

Before he even gets to one of his “Worst Persons” he is obviously showing signs of delusional paranoia, as he clearly attempts to deflect upon FNC his and Chris Matthews behavior from the 2008 Presidential election. Also, accusing FNC of “forcing” Palin to become president is comical, especially considering the fact that she has clearly stated she doesn’t even know if she’s considering a run for office of any kind.

I really didn’t need to see any more, but like that experience of driving by a really bad wreck, I just couldn’t look away.

For his choice of second runner-up, he went after Sean Hannity. Occasionally I am willing to give Olbermann credit for his takes on Hannity, as occasionally Sean is a little over the top and has been known to stretch the truth just a bit. Not this time. Hannity is exactly correct in the statement that everyone is watching the Senate race in Massachusetts but obviously Olbermann and the leftists he speaks to do not want anyone watching Martha Coakley self-destruct. (Notice I spell-checked Massachusetts! lol)

First runner-up this evening is Glenn Beck. Olbermann attempts to discredit Beck by saying that Beck can’t grasp the world around him, and then bashes Beck for ignoring Haiti. Again, it’s an important subject… but FNC in its news division did an amazing job of covering the story and Beck’s show is an opinion forum. Someday Olbermann might realize that his is the same… oh, never mind. Olbermann is so dishonest he tries to discredit Beck's TV show, but then uses clips from his radio show...

What’s worst about Olbermann’s attempt to shine light on the supposed evil of Beck, though, is that Olbermann doesn’t even present facts honestly, taking his quotes from Media Matters and then editing them further, taking them even more out of context. Beck is not so much criticizing Obama for reacting quickly to the tragedy in Haiti as he is trying to understand why domestic issues do not warrant such a response from the president.

Here is the Media Matters clip of Beck, which when heard complete as a discussion with co-host Pat Gray actually comprises a logical conversation that anyone with common sense would agree with:



And last, but not least… winner of tonight's contest is Bill O’Reilly.

In my opinion O’Reilly has had the best coverage of all regarding the issue in Haiti. This is not due to minutes spent per hour or overwhelmingly heart-wrenching video, but because of brutal honesty that is sorely needed and will not be presented by anyone from the mainstream media. Here is his ‘Talking Points Memo’ from Wednesday, in case you missed it:

Additionally, here is the segment Olbermann tries to use against O’Reilly – again, notice how completely out of context the discussion is presented during Olbermann’s segment, as compared to what really takes place.

But most important of all is the simple fact that Keith Olbermann once again proves he has no brain and his research staff is clearly Media Matters. I offer as proof this cached link to the Media Matters webpage.

Keith Olbermann: if he were not so pathetic, I'd say he deserves to be named "Worst Person In the World."

Game Change: Sarah Palin Says It Best In Her Fox News Debut

So for the past couple of days I've sat in front of this keyboard and pondered commentary regarding revelations from this new book Game Change, which seems to want to destroy everything that is not Barack Obama. I’ve been on Dayquil and Nyquil over the past couple of days so my thinking hasn’t been the most clear, but regardless of all of that I still haven’t been able to summarize my thoughts on the subject.

However, after watching the debut of Sarah Palin as a paid political contributor to Fox News Channel, I must say - she said everything I had to say and said it better.

So to blatantly plagiarize Mrs. Palin, although I’m sure she wouldn’t mind… the bottom line is that outside the Beltway and New York elitists, the rest of America doesn't care about that kind of crap.

We do not care specifically about the fact that Harry Reid said Barack Hussein Obama does not have a "Negro dialect" unless he wishes to have one. However, we are now concerned about the blatant double standard shown by politicians on the left (including the president) who are running to the defense of Reid. We are also concerned that Reid has run around apologizing to everyone except those whom he offended the most - we, the American electorate. Reid will get his come November.

Regarding another subject from Game Change that was dealt with on Bill O’Reilly’s show tonight, and right now seems to be all the leftists can talk about: Any of us with any common sense understand that it's not anywhere nearly as important whether or not Sarah Palin knows how the world came to have a North Korea and a South Korea as that she understands the difference between the two today.

Furthermore, we do care that there are some in the current presidential administration who believe that Mao Tse Tung is a great political philosopher, which would essentially align their thinking with the less desirable of the aforementioned Korea nations (that’s North Korea, for all you leftists out there. Mao was a Communist… oh, never mind… )

We want our borders secured. We want our airlines secure. We do not care how many speeches our president makes about it – in fact, at this point fewer speeches and press conferences would better, because the more he speaks about it the more he perpetuates his image as an empty vessel that prefers rhetoric to response. Sadly, even his rhetoric is empty in these situations. This president speaks with great passion to SEIU members when discussing the governmental takeover of fifteen percent of our economy, but anytime he addresses our national security his voice lacks inflection and his face lacks expression. These situations are our life, Mr. President. We expect you to act like you are concerned, and this Mr. Cool act you try to play just ain’t cutting it.

On the subject of security: the rights defined by The Constitution – the rights endowed upon us by our Creator, not our government – apply to citizens of this nation in good standing, and those who try to harm us should not be given the same rights. They certainly deserve humane treatment while in our custody, but the idea that someone who tries to blow up an airplane flying over Detroit (or any American city) deserves the right to remain silent is patently absurd, and the right to a trial by a jury of their peers is theoretically impossible in this nation. The attempt to blow up an airplane is an act of war; it is time our current president recognizes it as such. However, I’m not holding my breath…

It is my belief that what Americans want in our political leadership today is an understanding of the founding of our nation and the reasons our nation was created as a Constitutional Republic. We want leadership that understands that our rights are ours, not belonging to the government to use as tools for negotiation. These rights were endowed upon us by our Creator, not by our Founding Fathers, not by FDR, and certainly not by Barack Hussein Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid.

So while those in the elitist New York and Washington media scoff at Palin and revel in all of the behind-the-scenes backstabbing that was uncovered or created by the authors of Game Change, I hope Chris Matthews recognizes that Going Rogue is number one for a profound reason: Real America couldn’t care less about all that Game Change crap.

Friday Night Videos: Light My Fire

Written by Robby Krieger, Light My Fire was The Doors biggest chart hit, and considered by many to be their signature song.

In honor of Robby's 64th birthday... The Doors.

Underwear Bomber Update: Pantie Waste Pleads Not Guilty

According to Fox News Channel, 23 year-old Pantie Waste Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, charged with attempting to cause a "Man-Caused disaster," this afternoon plead not guilty of all charges. According to Fox News, a judge entered his not guilty plea for him, as he does not speak English.

This most recent war criminal to illegally receive American Constitutional Rights due to the beliefs of the current presidential administration was reported to have acknowledged his use of pain medication, but was reported to have been coherent and have understood the charges brought against him.

His underwear had no comment.

Great Moments In Guitar History

I post this in reply to my good friend Black and Gold Fan over at The Right Stuff, who has this awesome Jimi Hendrix version of The Star Spangled Banner posted for our enjoyment.

I believe that Jimi's version is by far the best, and will undoubtedly withstand the test of time... but because of the reason for the version I offer, and the significance of this era in my life... I'd have to say it's a darned good runner-up.

The event at which this performance took place led me to begin blogging, and I believe led many to step up and begin to have our voices heard.

Performed by The Motor City Madman, Ted Nugent. Our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.

The American Revolution Center: Fascinating Polling Data

Billed as “A 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to engaging the public in the history and significance of the American Revolution and its enduring legacy,” The American Revolution Center has done a fascinating and rather telling survey of American’s knowledge of The American Revolution.

From the survey’s introduction, we learn: “In July 2009, The American Revolution Center commissioned a survey of adult knowledge of the American Revolution and the Founding of the United States. The survey determined how much Americans value knowledge of the American Revolution and their interest in learning more about the subject. Respondents were asked to give themselves a “letter grade” based on their understanding of the history and ideals of the American Revolution. They were then given a test of 27 multiple-choice questions to gauge their actual knowledge of key documents, events, people, and ideas from the Founding period.”

The survey finds that Over 90 percent thought it is important for Americans to know the history and principles of the American Revolution, and Most Americans gave themselves high marks on their knowledge of the American Revolution and our Founding documents. Democrats believed themselves to be more knowledgeable than others about the Revolution, with 14 percent grading their knowledge an “A,” while eight percent of Republicans and ten percent of Independents felt they were top of class. On a 27-question test, a national sample of American adults scored an average of only 44 percent correct. Nearly 83 percent received a failing grade, meaning that they could not answer more than 16 of the 27 questions correctly. In general, Democrats scored worse than Republicans or Independents, although Democrats did know more about a couple of specific issues. However, Americans are generally failing their Founding Fathers by not upholding their desire for each generation to understand why this greatest nation was founded.

A majority of Americans knew that the reality-TV Gosselin family has eight children. A majority also thought that the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, or the War of 1812 occurred before the Declaration of Independence. Similarly, more Americans knew the accomplishments of Michael Phelps and Michael Jackson than knew what our Constitution was meant to achieve. One-third of Americans, for example, did not know that the Bill of Rights includes the right to a jury trial.

More than a third of American adults could not place the American Revolution in the correct century.

In spite of pledging allegiance “to the republic for which it stands,” equal numbers of Americans mistakenly believe that the Constitution established a direct democracy as correctly identify our form of national government as a democratic republic. This basic fact is included on the naturalization exam for immigrants to qualify for U.S. citizenship, and yet more than half of Americans do not know it.

Less than half of Americans were able to identify the Second Continental Congress as the body that declared American independence from Great Britain; 20 percent thought it was the British House of Commons.

Throughout the survey, each question was broken down by demographic, including but not limited to age, gender, income level, education, residential region, and political affiliation. Some of the responses when viewed through the demographic prism – especially as related to political affiliation - are absolutely astounding.

For example, the first question asked is, “To begin, how important is it for American schools to teach students about the history and principles of the American Revolution?” 49 percent of Republicans stated that this is important, as opposed to 35 percent of Democrats and 37 percent of Independents. More Independents and Republicans gain knowledge about the Revolution through self education and schooling than Democrats, while Democrats gained more information through Television than the other two groups.

Republicans and Independents also feel more strongly than Democrats that the principles for which the Revolution was fought apply to society today, by percentages of 49, 49, and 40 respectively. (I personally believe many did not understand this question... or we are in real trouble... as certainly the same fundamental principles exist today as did 233 years ago.)

Only 71 percent of Democrats felt that the right to practice the religion of your choice is an essential right, as opposed to 85 percent of Republicans and 83 percent of Independents. Continuing on the subject of religion, only 59 percent of Democrats felt that the right to practice no religion is vital, while 69 percent of Republicans and 64 percent of Republicans felt the same.

Not surprising to learn is that only 27 percent of Democrats felt that the right to own a firearm is vital. Discouraging, however, is that only 49 percent of Independents and 62 percent of Republicans felt the same.

Sadly, only 64 percent of Democrats expressed interest in continued learning about the American Revolution. Just as discouraging is the fact that only 66 percent of Independents and 73 percent of Republicans wish to know more about the war that won our freedom.

A shockingly low 73 percent of Democrats knew that 13 states were formed immediately after the United States won its independence from Great Britain. Eighty-one percent of Independents and 88 percent of Republicans knew the correct number of states in the new-born nation. Furthermore, only 68 percent of Democrats knew that “We the People” are the opening words to the U. S. Constitution, as compared with 82 percent of both Independents and Republicans.

More than half of those surveyed attributed Karl Marx’s “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs” to George Washington.

The full survey in .pdf form including results can be found here, and the complete website for The American Revolution Center is here.

A Time for Definition

We live in a Constitutional Republic, not a Democracy. The difference between the two is something I believe needs to be more clearly taught in our educational system.

We are currently feeling the effects of the masses' belief that we are a Democracy. Too many too many people today, particularly the young, do not understand that we have a Constitution that was created with the specific intent of restricting our federal government's reach into our everyday lives.

To quote James Madison, "The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former [federal powers] will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce... The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the state. (Federalist Papers, No. 45, pp. 292-93.)

In modern words, what Madison was saying is that the federal government is responsible for our national security and our business dealings with other nations. All affairs having to do with the citizens of America not related to any outside nation were intended to be handled by the government at a State and local level. We are a nation designed to govern ourselves at a local level.

Thomas Jefferson also spoke of the need for a small federal government, "The true theory of our Constitution is surely the wisest and best, that the states are independent as to everything within themselves, and united as to everything respecting foreign nations. Let the general government be reduced to foreign concerns only, and let our affairs be disentangled from those of all other nations, except as to commerce, which the merchants will manage the better, the more they are left free to manage for themselves, and our general government may be reduced to a very simple organization, and a very inexpensive one; a few plain duties to be performed by few servants. (Bergh, Writings of Thomas Jefferson, 14:421.)

Madison and Jefferson would not recognize today's United States of America. Our federal government has been meddling in the affairs of the states for at least a full century now. We are no longer served by our representatives, and our Congress and Executive branches have seized for themselves much more than "A few plain duties." Few of us are lucky enough to trust those we send to Washington.

It is astounding how many people today do not even know the name of the Vice-President, yet he is the man with a lifetime of experience in Washington, while our President today has less experience than I as a business owner or executive.

American philosopher and historian John Fiske once wrote, "If the day should ever arrive (which God forbid!) when the people of the different parts of our country shall allow their local affairs to be administered by prefects sent from Washington, and when the self-government of the States shall have been so far lost as that of the departments of France, or even so closely limited as that of the counties of England - on that day the political career of the American people will have been robbed of its most interesting and valuable features, and the usefulness of this nation will be lamentably impaired."(The Historical Writings of John Fiske, vol. 12, pp. 282-83.)

We shall soon face the most important election in most our lifetime. We must understand how our founders defined this greatest of nations so that we may protect her for future generations, lest we risk allowing lamentable impairment, possibly beyond repair.