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Loose Canons
The Vuvuzela President
Mark July 29 on your calendar — Republican governors from Alabama to Louisiana to Arizona have every reason to unite against this noisy leader and the noisome feds.
The constant droning noise emanating from President Obama sounds more and more like the kazoo-like tone drowning out World Cup Soccer games. His vacuous Oval Office oil speech last week was redundant proof that he’s succeeded in turning the bully pulpit into just bull.
More importantly, his administration’s concerted efforts to thwart the will of the voters should add up to the last straw for our nation’s governors and make July 29 the launching date for a renewed summer of townhalls to unify conservatives with the Tea Partyers this fall.
When we think of the Coast Guard, we think of skilled rescuers braving the worst the seas can offer to pluck unfortunate boaters out of some watery disaster. But last week — for reasons understood only by their commanders — they managed to abandon that for the role of the heavy-handed government preventing local action to ameliorate the damage that the BP oil spill is inflicting on Louisiana.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal — entirely frustrated by the Feds’ failure to employ all available resources to stop the oil from drifting into his state’s coastline waters — hired sixteen barges which were busy vacuuming the oil out of the water until the Coast Guard showed up and stopped their operations because — says the Coast Guard — they didn’t have enough safety equipment aboard.
Is the lack of a few fire extinguishers and life vests enough to order that stoppage? Apparently. But instead of offering help — even to sell the required equipment to the barge operators — the Coast Guard shut them down. This is the heavy hand of government falling on those who were trying to do what the Feds wouldn’t do.
From an Ecuadorean reporter’s interview with Hillary Clinton we learned that the same heavy hand is about to fall on Arizona. The new Arizona law aimed at illegal immigration — which mirrors Federal law in requiring people stopped by police for other infractions to prove their legal presence in America — will go into effect on July 29. And — according to Hillary — the president has directed the Justice Department to bring suit to overturn the law. (The Justice Department later said it was still “reviewing the law,” i.e., apparently trying to concoct a basis for attacking it in federal court. The ACLU has, as we’d expect, already filed a lawsuit against it.)
It’s as hard to believe that Hillary would be speaking the truth as it is to believe she’d get something as important as Obama’s direction to Holder wrong. For once, Hillary is probably telling the truth.
Again, the heavy hand of the Obama administration isn’t like the open hand offering help or even the unconditional negotiation offered Iran. Bobby Jindal’s oil sweepers and Arizona’s law are apparently more dangerous to Obama’s agenda than the Iranians’ nuclear program. Jindal stood his ground and — after making his strenuous arguments to the White House — the Coast Guard eventually let the most of the barges go back to work.
Other Gulf Coast governors seemed equally upset. Alabama Gov. Bob Riley said he’d had problems with the Coast Guard as well. He’d asked them to find floating booms to protect Alabama’s coast and — having brought them all the way from Bahrain — the Coast Guard deployed them off Louisiana.
The missed lesson here is that the Gulf Coast governors should have worked together to organize pressure on the White House. Will Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer do better?
She may. Brewer met with Obama on June 3 and the subject of the coming Justice lawsuit never came up. Hearing of Hillary Clinton’s statement she said, “To learn of this lawsuit through an Ecuadorean interview with the secretary of state is just outrageous.… If our own government intends to sue our state to prevent illegal immigration enforcement, the least it can do is inform us before it informs the citizens of another nation.”
Brewer has an advantage that Jindal and Riley didn’t: time. In the five weeks before July 29, she could — and should — be calling and organizing other conservative governors to join in opposition to both the ACLU suit and the possible Department of Justice case.
Even if the courts rule that the other states can’t defend Arizona’s law as parties to the cases, the governors can and should file amicus curiae briefs in support of the Arizona law. They also can — and should — energize their congressional delegations to support their position forcefully. On television, radio and in print the governors and members of Congress can make themselves heard above Obama’s drone. Perhaps sufficiently to convince the Justice Department to back down before it files the lawsuit.
Conservative leaders should be thinking long and hard about the underlying theme. Americans are very angry at their government and (as the Rasmussen poll last week showed) at the Obama cheerleaders in the media. The Tea Party movement embodied that anger, reflecting peoples’ frustration at the passage of Obamacare despite the majority opposition to it. Another Rasmussen poll — released on Friday — shows that 56% of U.S. voters believe the Justice Department shouldn’t challenge the Arizona law and only 26% think it should.
In those polls — and in the Coast Guard action against Jindal’s oil sweepers — are the ingredients some conservative leader could stir together into a potent townhall potion for this summer. It’s a commonplace for Republicans and conservatives to bemoan the Tea Partyers’ reluctance to be organized (hypnotized?) into sure Republican votes in November. It’s time to quit bemoaning that fact and do something about it.
About the Author
Jed Babbin served as a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush. He is the author of several bestselling books including Inside the Asylum and In the Words of Our Enemies. You can follow him on Twitter @jedbabbin.
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potkas7| 6.21.10 @ 6:53AM
If there is to be a battle for taking power away from Washington it is the Governors who must form the front rank. For too long too many of them have ceded their authority to Washington in return for Federal handouts. If our system of checks and balances is to work, then the Governors must reassert their authority to rein in an out of control and arrogant central government.
Ken (Old Texican)| 6.21.10 @ 8:11AM
Good morning, folks.
Check this link out. When the map comes up, click on houston Texas and see where our "legal" immigrants are coming from.
http://www.forbes.com/2010/06/.....load=39099
Alan Brooks| 6.21.10 @ 10:45AM
So much for your boastful optimism.
Occam's Tool| 6.21.10 @ 8:40PM
Boston and New York City?
vtwin| 6.21.10 @ 12:40PM
"When we think of the Coast Guard, we think of skilled rescuers braving the worst the seas can offer to pluck unfortunate boaters out of some watery disaster.... they managed to abandon that for the role....."
Here for the clueless are the responsibilities of our Coast Guard:
Ports, waterways, and coastal security
Drug interdiction
Aids to navigation
Search and rescue
Living marine resources
Marine safety
Defense readiness
Migrant interdiction
****** Marine environmental protection *******
Ice operations
law enforcement
http://www.uscg.mil/top/about/
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 6.21.10 @ 7:08AM
While Obama is stopping oil drilling on our shores, he is forking over 2 billion in a deal that has Soros ties. Soros appears to be a puppet master manipulating the price of oil and who wins and loses from behind the scenes. I wouldn't put it past Obama to be involved in international corruption.
http://hotair.com/archives/200.....-drilling/
The U.S. is going to lend billions of dollars to Brazil’s state-owned oil company, Petrobras, to finance exploration of the huge offshore discovery in Brazil’s Tupi oil field in the Santos Basin near Rio de Janeiro. Brazil’s planning minister confirmed that White House National Security Adviser James Jones met this month with Brazilian officials to talk about the loan.
The U.S. Export-Import Bank tells us it has issued a “preliminary commitment” letter to Petrobras in the amount of $2 billion and has discussed with Brazil the possibility of increasing that amount. Ex-Im Bank says it has not decided whether the money will come in the form of a direct loan or loan guarantees. Either way, this corporate foreign aid may strike some readers as odd, given that the U.S. Treasury seems desperate for cash and Petrobras is one of the largest corporations in the Americas. …
But it still doesn’t allow the U.S. to explore in Alaska or along the East and West Coasts, which could be our equivalent of the Tupi oil fields, which are set to make Brazil a leading oil exporter. Americans are right to wonder why Mr. Obama is underwriting in Brazil what he won’t allow at home.
Continuing from the same source:
His New York-based hedge-fund firm, Soros Fund Management LLC, sold 22 million U.S.-listed common shares of Petrobras, as the Brazilian oil company is known, according to a filing today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Soros bought 5.8 million of the company’s U.S.-traded preferred shares.
Soros is taking advantage of the spread between the two types of U.S.-listed Petrobras shares, said Luis Maizel, president of LM Capital Group LLC, which manages about $4 billion. The common shares were 21 percent more expensive than preferred today, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. …
Petrobras preferred shares have also a 10 percent additional dividend, said William Landers, a senior portfolio manager for Latin America at Blackrock Inc.
“Given that there will most likely never be a change in control in the company, I see no reason to pay a higher price for the common shares.” Brazil’s government controls Petrobras and has a majority stake of voting shares.
This story is from last Friday. Is it a coincidence that Obama backer George Soros repositioned himself in Petrobras to get dividends just a few days before Obama committed $2 billion in loans and guarantees for Petrobras’ offshore operations?
Louis Jenkins| 6.21.10 @ 8:42AM
Obviously Soros is the backer of the Pretender n Chief's actions. Soros, the international money man, moves behind the scenes the prop up Obama what ever his latest project. It makes one sick to think that Soros, an American, is only concerned with profits of the other guy, and not with the well being or profits of his own country. Soros is a Benedict Arnold. Bury his leg with honors, and punish the rest of him. As far as the govenors uniting against the Pretender n Chief, a good idea. The Tea Parties should also unite.
davelnaf| 6.21.10 @ 8:54AM
The Bamster’s failure to cut through the red tape and allow the sand barriers and foreign skimmers says it all. But if you need more proof of his ineptitude look at a picture of Gov. Jindal staring with an expression of near disbelief at Obama as he talked about what he was going to do—and, apparently, not do—about the oil spill.
Redneck53| 6.21.10 @ 10:42AM
What bothers me the most regarding the upcoming lawsuits against Arizona is the fear that the judge/s will be liberal/ and/or "invent" law or precedence where there really is none. Hence, AZ will be found guilty, and have to change the law back to the Gov't law...oh wait...it IS Gov't law!! This administration is a JOKE. And people were afraid of Bush?????
potkas7| 6.21.10 @ 12:36PM
Arizona is within the jurisdiction of the infamous Ninth Circuit/Circus Court
Stephen Zierak| 6.21.10 @ 11:25AM
If the feds are stupid enough to sue Arizona over their law, this could be an opportunity for those who back immigration enforcement. Arizona should countersue the US Government for negligent enforcement of the immigration laws. The President swears to faithfully execute the laws, and I believe there is a case to be made that he is purposely limiting enforcement for political reasons. The minute Jan Brewer gets that federal suit, she should call a press conference and announce the countersuit. We'll see what that does for the Obamamessiah just before the November elections!
Northright| 6.21.10 @ 12:34PM
Shouldn't it be some type of offense to take an oath to uphold the laws and constitution and then violate that oath by not enforcing the laws? Nobama is picking and choosing. No surprise since he does not believe in the Constitution.
Cal Mark| 6.22.10 @ 10:47PM
It is: it's called an "impeachable offense."
But the Democrats won't go after their own man.
The Republicans are too spineless.
America is doomed.
Cuffs| 6.21.10 @ 1:17PM
Vuvuleza horn, indeed!
Just like them, Obama is annoying, stupid ,disrespectful, in violation of long standing traditions, liked by a few morons and should be broken.
Oldefarte| 6.21.10 @ 1:48PM
I agree wholeheartedly with Jed's suggestions/advice. The extremists/radicals now in charge of our government have to be death with collectively [and as a whole in November]. Their obvious intent is the complete destruction of our American way of [former] life!!!!
Nate| 6.21.10 @ 3:12PM
Please clear something up for me.
Do these red states -- on the Gulf and elsewhere -- want MORE government involvement or LESS government in their lives?
The oil industry was freed from the evils of socialist regulation because, as Republicans insisted, they were the ones best in the position to police themselves.
Well, OK. Fine. What then does Alabama, what then does Louisiana, want from the federal government?
They have their self-policing oil industry and all the glory that goes along with it.
Look at the Gulf of Mexico.
THAT is the Golden Age of deregulation you promised this country. Thanks so much.
And you know what? It seems you were right all along.
Government isn't the solution to our problems. Government IS the problem.
Enjoy your tea.
WhiteBikerTrash| 6.21.10 @ 4:02PM
Nate do you really believe what you repeat?
First the States created the Federal Government to deal with exactly this kind of problem, once the oil washes up on state shores then it has become a State problem. Out in Federal waters it is a Federal problem that they should keep from becoming That States problem. you must be confused.
Next, you by your statement show you have no idea of the Federal oversight in the mining and oil drilling business, or do you think their job is just surfing porn and snorting crank? The certifications that they got from the Federal Government, under the Obama administration to be allowed to drill could not be considered oversight?
Ummm, Nate enjoy your Kool-Aid
Nate| 6.21.10 @ 5:25PM
If federal regulators had found out BP's violations and deceptions and rash, irresponsible behavior BEFORE this disaster and shut this well down, the Tea Partiers and Palin-inspired mobs would be burning Obama in effigy, declaring him a dark Stalinist overlord. You must decide. Either there is a roll for government in regulating the oil industry or there is not. Since the 1980s, Republicans and many Democrats have decided it is best to let these industries police themselves. Recent coal mining disasters and two BP disasters, including the spill in the Gulf, show you where that has got us. You can't spin this one WhiteBiker. It turns out us commies were right all along: if you let industry police itself, industry eventually will give in to GREED and loosen safety provisions. The evidence is washing ashore as we speak.
cheeflo| 6.21.10 @ 6:02PM
BP and MMS were aware of the risk of a blowout at that particular well back in February when BP reported to MMS that there were cracks that they were trying to seal with cement. By March, BP reported that they were having trouble controlling natural gas surges and on March 10th, notified MMS that they were in the midst of a "well control situation" that nearly caused a catastrophic blowout then. The disaster was far from unforeseen, and the Feds were informed every step of the way.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/.....-show.html
It's not spin. The Feds didn't do their job.
Ken (Old Texican)| 6.21.10 @ 6:13PM
Nate,
One simple question:
Do you work for the whitehouse...or George Soros?
Zionisticamerican | 6.23.10 @ 10:30PM
Nate~
How can you portend to know what the tea partiers or Sarah Palin would say had the violations come to light? Are you saying that conservatives want unsafe drilling and oil spilling everywhere? Your assertion is so idiotic it is only worthy of consideration by one Barack Hussein Obama.
The federal Govt. has a job to do it just needs to do that, defend our borders and defend our Country, not micromanage every minute detail of our lives.
Oldefarte| 6.22.10 @ 11:20AM
We [or 'I'] in the Gulf States want LESS [meaning EXPENDATURES] goverment, and MORE of that LESS amount spent solely upon things like national security, infrastructure,etc; NOT social welfare governmental payments to those too lazy, too stupid, too not-giving-a damn to become educated and support themselves. Government should exist to solve the society-collective needs of a nation, not to provide cradle-to-grave welfare to indigents. If anyone desires to have a multitude of children when they can't afford same, then they and said children should bear the burdens of such mistakes, not society in general. As to the Gulf oil spill, I want government to ASSIST the oil company's capping/repairing of the leaking well, not obstruct and demean the oil company for its mistake. If any moron believes that that mistake was wanted/desired by BP, then the imbicile is sick beyond belief [which most liberal Democrats are anyway]. The government should be waiving the Jones Act so that foreign cleaning vessels can assist in cleanup, not having the Coast Guard prevent Louisiana's cleanup efforts due to politics. As the old saying goes, government should, if it can't help/assist, then it should get the hell out of the way and let private industry handle the problem!!!!
Tom| 6.21.10 @ 4:30PM
Before and after Katrina hit, the mayor of New Orleans and the governor of Louisiana, both democrats, did not preform their duties and required by law. The liberal press and the DNC made big issue in blaming Bush. Thus the Emergency Management Act now starts at the top down instead of from the bottom up. That gave King Obama the power to take local government out of the picture and that is exactly what they wanted and a lot of air heads voted for.
dw| 6.21.10 @ 7:23PM
To have to keep saying and thinking that this is government led by the stupid, carried out by the stupid and voted in by the stupid is like saying please stop the vuvuzuelas. The both have a way of numbing your existence. (I do not know how to spell that stupid thing and I don't care)
JJ| 6.21.10 @ 7:41PM
Media focused on BP. Obama focused on BP.
Oil in water. Oil creeping towards shore.
NO effort to get water out of Gulf. No clean-up.
Put the live camera on the Pelicans.
Put the live camera on the oil.
Put the live camera on Obama as he plays golf.
Americans are getting the shaft from Washington.
Neo-libertarian| 6.21.10 @ 9:01PM
Several facts seem to be escaping most.
1. BP is one of those responsible for powering the world.
2. BP despite the “shakedown” will be responsible for cleaning up the mess.
3. BP is a company that provides income for thousands of Americans and a considerable number of its shareholders are Americans.
4. BP lives and works under the auspices of government regulation, this does not change if the Oval Office is occupied by a “D” or an “R.”
5. They may have cut corners but they did so to optimize profit, they are not the government and unlike our government the oil rigs do not have as safety equipment currency printing presses or “too big to fail” bankers borrowing money from China.
6. Thousands of oil rigs have operated years and years providing us a standard of living unrivaled in the global community, with a very disproportionate environmental impact.
7. They have stated that they will assume responsibility and since the oil industry relies on us as much as we rely on them, I believe them.
What I fear is that the current administration will utilize the “Shakedown Slush Fund” to continue their progressive agenda, will use it to leverage voting blocks, and shuffle it around with the typical Chicago community organizer methodology of everything given must be returned “in kind” with the recipients “beholden.” Allowing the Executive branch this breech of constitutional restraint will only lead to more and worse usurping of power and a further erosion of the Constitution. The only man in America today with the courage to say so was Barton, and there was a stampede to throw him under the bus. I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings to the RNC and the leadership of the Republican caucus but the bus doesn’t seem to be rolling anymore, it is becoming high centered on men of courage and conviction.
Yosemeti Sam| 6.22.10 @ 2:01AM
" ... Brewer met with Obama on June 3 and
the subject of the coming Justice lawsuit never
came up. Hearing of Hillary Clinton's statement
she said, "To learn of this lawsuit through an
Ecuadorean interview with the secretary of
state is just outrageous.… If our own government
intends to sue our state to prevent illegal
immigration enforcement, the least it can do is
inform us before it informs the citizens of
another nation." ...."
Um, the Clintonistas' head mama and the
BHOhites' head Super Fly do not smell the
ether (solvent) of NOvember!
Voters sails unfurled - have eyes and ears!
Ha, ha - them dynamic duo Charlie Chaplin 'leaders' and their donkey party are gonna get it upside their heads.
Good and plenty and far-reaching.
BTW - maintain a sharp lookout for
that Mao Zoo Dung Christmas tree ornament.
It just may be floating in the Gulf of Mexico along with the oil.
Sort of blending in. With the flotsam and jetsam.
Marc Jeric| 6.22.10 @ 2:28AM
Illegal aliens here are 99% Mexican Indians (Toltecas, Aztecas, Olmecas, Mayas, etc.) and mestizos (mixed Indian and Spanish). They had 500 years to assimilate into the Spanish culture - without success, except for a portion of mestizos. They speak pidgeon Spanish mixed with various Indian dialects, are largely illiterate - and will never assimilate here. However, they represent at least 12 million Democrat votes - who will make for a permanent Democrat majority.
Sam| 6.22.10 @ 11:40AM
Arizona wildfire rages for a third straight day and what is Brewer's response? Absolutely nothing. She is too busy worrying about her re-election prospects to care about the real crisis in her state. What a joke of a Governor Jan Brewer is.
Liz| 6.22.10 @ 11:45AM
It is not fair to say Jan Brewer will do better. She will not because she is not as educated as President Obama. She is the intellectual equivalent of a fly. Jan Brewer has done nothing but stir up the hate mongers in Arizona. Remember she was never elected by the people and have to pretend to care about the people so she can be elected.
Cal Mark| 6.22.10 @ 10:49PM
Liz,
Speaking of hate-mongers--go look in a mirror, sweetie.
Luv,
Mark
wholesale | 9.8.11 @ 10:31PM
I agree with you.
xk3y