FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog

Readers: Please Vote in Flap’s January 2008 GOP Presidential Poll

AP: Sparring senators threaten Iraq fund cut, filibuster

Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold on Thursday urged Congress to cut funding for the Iraq war, while the Senate Republican leader threatened to filibuster any Democratic resolution opposing increased troop levels.
“Now Congress must use its main power — the power of the purse — to put an end to our involvement in this disastrous war and I am not talking here only about the surge or escalation,” said Feingold of Wisconsin at a Senate hearing. “It is time to use the power of the purse to bring our troops out of Iraq.”
Earlier, Sen. John McCain, a strong proponent of sending more troops to win the war in Iraq, said it would be within Congress’ rights to outline how the conflict is funded.

But he also said he’d like to “give this new strategy a chance to succeed.” (Watch how corruption is making war pricier )

“I believe that, under the Constitution, Congress has the right to cut off funding — they did that during the Vietnam War,” said McCain, who was held as a prisoner of war during that conflict. “I also believe that if that vote is successful, then those who were the proponents of it then assume the consequences of failure.”

A non-binding resolution opposing the 20,000 troop increase announced by Bush is expected to be introduced in the Senate next week, but Democratic leadership aides say they are unsure when a final vote will take place.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said Thursday that Republicans might filibuster the Democratic-sponsored resolution opposing the strategy.

But, what do these MORONS (both GOP and Democrat) in Congress propose to do after an American troop redeployment?

Isn’t that what they are REALLY advocating?

When the violence overtakes Iraq and the country is overrun by radical Jihaists, then what?

Readers: Please Vote in Flap’s January 2008 GOP Presidential Poll

PICASSO, Pablo (Espagne, 1881-1973)

TSG: Steve Wynn’s Bad Dream

Months after he accidentally poked a hole in a Picasso painting, casino magnate Steve Wynn today sued Lloyd’s of London for failing to pay off a $54 million insurance claim. Wynn, who purchased the painting “Le Reve” for $48.4 million in 1997, contends that the painting was worth $139 million when, on September 30, he “accidentally placed a tear” in it while showing the work (pictured above) to friends visiting his Las Vegas office. According to Wynn’s U.S. District Court complaint, a copy of which you’ll find below, the businessman contends that, as a result of the tear, the painting’s value has plummeted to $85 million. He has demanded that Llloyd’s pay him the difference in the appreciated value of the painting and its post-damage worth. The day before he punctured the painting, Wynn had entered into an agreement with hedge fund titan Steven Cohen to sell “Le Reve” for $139 million. That deal died after the damage was disclosed to Cohen. Included as an exhibit to Wynn’s lawsuit is a “sworn statement in proof of loss” that likely made knees buckle at Lloyd’s.

Remember the Flap?

Ooops looks like an accident?

Perhaps……..

But, Lloyds of London will NOT pay.

Stay tuned……….

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Picasso Watch: Steve Wynn Accidentally Damages “Le Reve”

Former Massachusetts Gov., Mitt Romney, R-Mass., left, sitting beside his wife, Ann Romney, in a convention center in Boston, Monday, Jan. 8, 2007, hangs up after asking his sister, Lynn Romney, of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., for a donation. The call was the first from the call-center set up to begin fundraising for a possible presidential campaign.

AP: Romney says he was wrong on 1994 issues

A 1994 videotape mysteriously posted on YouTube.com prompted Republican Mitt Romney to declare Wednesday, “I was wrong on some issues back then,” while also insisting to social conservatives key to his presidential campaign that he is one of them.

The tape of a Senate debate between Romney and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy showed Romney defending a woman’s right to abortion, saying he supported allowing gays in the Boy Scouts and distancing himself from former President Reagan by noting he was a registered independent during the period the conservative icon was leading the nation.

All of the material has been previously published, but its presentation in video form — and on the easily shared YouTube medium — prompted an immediate response from Romney, who formed a presidential exploratory committee last week.

Ok, here is the video:

And the Governor’s response:

“If you want to know where I stand by the way, you don’t just have to listen to my words, you can go to look at my record as governor,” Romney said during a late-day appearance on the “Glenn and Helen Show,” a radio program featuring Tennessee psychologist Helen Smith and her husband, Glenn Reynolds.

“Frankly, in the bluest of states, facing the most liberal media in the country, I’ve led the fight to preserve traditional marriage. I’ve taken every legal step I could conceive of, to prevent same-sex marriage.”

A tape of Romney’s call was immediately posted on YouTube. Asked whom the campaign suspected of posting the tape, Romney spokesman Kevin Madden said: “It doesn’t matter. We used the very same mediums made available to those seeking to attack Governor Romney to set the record straight in his own words with the facts.”

The video:

So, is Mitt Romney a social conservative?

Doubtful…..

Is Mitt Romney a Reagan Republican?

No, he admits he was a registered independent

Flap never has had a problem supporting and voting for a Republican who has moderate or even liberal positions on social issues like abortion and gay rights. There is no litmus test in the GOP.

However, I have a problem with someone who is an opportunist and is not sincere in his/her beliefs.

Flap won’t be voting for Mitt Romney

Stay tuned…….

Others Blogging:

Stop The ACLU

Hugh Hewitt

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Mitt Romney Watch: Gay Marriage FLAP - Redux

Mitt Romney Watch: Another HYPOCRITICAL Moment? This Time Gay Marriage

Mitt Romney Watch: Romney’s Response to LAWNGATE FLAP as Investigations Continue

Mitt Romney Watch: Presidential Campaign Implodes on Illegal Alien FLAP

Readers: Please Vote in Flap’s January 2008 GOP Presidential Poll

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, right, with Patrick Oxford, managing partner of Bracewell & Patterson, during the announcement March 31, 2005, in New York that Giuliani has joined the firm as a name partner and that the firm will now be known as Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

AP: Giuliani dismisses issues in leaked memo

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Thursday dismissed his liberal social views, his divorces and his former aide’s imbroglio as irrelevant to a presidential bid.

Asked about a leaked political strategy memo that cited such issues as potentially insurmountable obstacles to a campaign for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, Giuliani said: “That is not going to be the issue.”

“I sure have strengths and weaknesses,” Giuliani said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “I think that sort of puts me in the same category as just about everybody else that’s running. Are my strengths greater or my weaknesses worse? I don’t know. You have to sort of examine that. That won’t be the issue.”

America’s Mayor is correct. Personal issues and the politics of personal destruction will NOT drive the 2008 Presidential race - either in the primary or general election.

The appraisal of Giuliani’s candidacy found in his political strategy book is an honest and prudent one. Every serious candidate has completed one. It is part of a campaign.

Now, will there be a debate on the issues and social ones at that?

You bet…….

Rudy Giuliani is a mainstream principled Republican who will be an excellent chief executive and commander in chief.

Let the debate begin……

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Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani Supports Iraq Troop SURGE

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani’s Business Links May Hurt Bid?

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani Leads GOP Polls in Nevada

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani Recruits Two Veteran GOP Communicators

Rudy Giuliani Watch: The Purloined Presidential Campaign Strategy Book

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Bill Simon Building a Network of California Conservative Support

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Michael Barone - Giuliani is a Front-Runner

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani Continues to Lead Clinton, Gore

The Rudy Giuliani Files

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani makes a point as he speaks with reporters in New London, Conn., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007. Giuliani was speaking about safety considerations in regard to the proposed construction of a liquid natural gas facility in the middle of Long Island Sound between Connecticut and New York state. Giuliani’s security firm has been hired to study the situation. From left are: Tom von Essen, Richard Sheirer and Giuliani. Von Essen and Sheirer are associates of Giuliani’s.

The Hotline (Via The Corner): Rudy Supports The Troop Increase

Ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani released this paper statement tonight on the president’s Iraq speech:

“Success or failure in Iraq is not a matter of partisan politics but a matter of national security. All Americans should be hoping, praying and offering constructive advice for the success of our troops in Iraq and for those Iraqis seeking to create a stable and decent government. In that spirit, I support the President’s increase in troops. Even more importantly – I support the change in strategy – the focus on security and the emphasis on a political and economic solution as being even more important than a military solution.I would add to it a heavy emphasis on measuring results and having the flexibility of adapting our strategy to make certain we restore security as quickly as possible.

We must not wait for a year or more to measure the success of our strategy but must develop a system to do so monthly weekly even daily so we give our troops the necessary support to succeed.”

But, guess what?

Hillary Clinton opposes the increase in troops. And so does Barack.

What a surprise…….

Flap caught the Mayor on Fox News after President Bush’s speech last night and he looked very presidential. Rudy made his points clearly and distinctly without any hesitation.

A LEADER speaking?

You betcha…….

Giuliani will EAT Hillary alive in any debate…..

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Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani’s Business Links May Hurt Bid?

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani Leads GOP Polls in Nevada

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani Recruits Two Veteran GOP Communicators

Rudy Giuliani Watch: The Purloined Presidential Campaign Strategy Book

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Bill Simon Building a Network of California Conservative Support

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Michael Barone - Giuliani is a Front-Runner

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Giuliani Continues to Lead Clinton, Gore

The Rudy Giuliani Files

Iraqi Shiite cleric Abdel Aziz al-Hakim speaks during a conference in the holy city of Najaf. Iran has condemned as “provocative” a raid by US troops on the Iranian consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Arbil during which five employees were arrested.

AP: U.S.-led forces detain 6 Iranian workers

U.S.-led multinational forces detained six Iranians Thursday at Tehran’s diplomatic mission in the northern city of Irbil, Iraqi officials said, as President Bush accused Iran and Syria of aiding militants and promised to “interrupt” the flow of support as part of his new war strategy.

The U.S. military said it had taken six people into custody in the Irbil region but made no mention of a raid on the Iranian consulate.

The forces entered the building about 3 a.m., detaining the Iranians and confiscating computers and documents, two senior local Kurdish officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information. Irbil is a city in the Kurdish-controlled north, 220 miles from Baghdad.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the government was seeking clarification from the Americans and the Iranians “about these people and what they were doing there and whether they were employees.”

In Tehran, Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Iraqi and Swiss ambassadors and “demanded an explanation” about the incident. Switzerland represents American interests in Iran, where there is no U.S. Embassy.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini told state-run radio that the raid was “against a diplomatic mission” since the “presence of Iranian staffers in Irbil was legal.” Hosseini claimed the action by coalition forces reflected a “continuation of pressure” on Iran, aiming to “create tension” between
Iraq and its neighbors.

Oh Please - the Iranians Protest too much. Iran has been complicit in killing American troops in Iraq.

This is a war. And……

President Bush put Iran and Syria on notice last night.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, seen here in Tokyo in 2006, warned Iran that the United States won’t “stand idly by” if Tehran tries to disrupt Washington’s renewed effort to stabilize Iraq.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini told state-run radio that the raid was “against a diplomatic mission” since the “presence of Iranian staffers in Irbil was legal.” Hosseini claimed the action by coalition forces reflected a “continuation of pressure” on Iran, aiming to “create tension” between
Iraq and its neighbors.

At the Pentagon, a senior U.S. military official said the building was not a consulate and did not have any diplomatic status. The six Iranians were taken in a “cordon-and-knock” operation, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.

The raid came as tensions are high between Iran and the United States. The Bush administration has accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons and of helping fuel violence in Iraq. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, meanwhile, is trying to expand Tehran’s role in Iraq as a counter to U.S. influence in the Gulf region.

If Iran wants good relations with the United States, then they must immediately halt uranium enrichment and stop fomenting violence in Iraq.

If not, then Iran will suffer the consequences……

Stay tuned…….