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links for 2010-12-09
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My colleague Dan Mitchell has already written about the tax deal reached between President Obama and congressional Republicans. But there might be something in the package for people wishing to play poker freely online.
Sen. Harry Reid (D., Nev.) is apparently circulating draft legislation to overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, which blocked financial institutions from processing transactions with online gambling companies. I would characterize that as a good move overall, apart from three quibbles. First, the draft legislation would — you guessed it –place a tax on the wagers (you didn’t think you’d get your freedom back without conditions, did you?). Second, the bill applies only to poker, and continues to prohibit “Internet gambling” more broadly. And third, the fine-print sounds problematic from a trade policy (and trade law) point of view:
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For agreeing to a temporary extension of all the Bush tax cuts, President Obama is now facing a full-fledged revolt within his party. The responses from congressional Democrats have ranged from chilly to angry to threatening.
One asked, "Could we have a little fight before we cave? Why go right to surrender?" Another accused Mr. Obama of saying, "let 'em eat cake." Another called the compromise "an absolute disaster" and "an insult." Another complained, "we got screwed."
Liberals outside Congress are even more bitter. MoveOn.org demanded Democrats not "capitulate to the GOP on this terrible deal." Some have talked of primary challenges to Mr. Obama.
It won't be easy for Mr. Obama to push the compromise through Congress. Nancy Pelosi doesn't see where the votes will come in the House. Harry Reid's spokesman says simply that the majority leader "plans on discussing it with his caucus."
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It will come down to the wire and at this time it is unknown whether Obama has the votes.
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Video: Sarah Palin Gets a Second Chance to Answer Katie Couric’s Reading Question
Well, most reasonable people understand that Vice Presidential candidate and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin just froze when asked by Katie Couric about her reading background the first time. But, the LEFT and lamestream media spun it into a Dan Quayle potato spelling moment.
So, does Sarah Palin acquit herself?
Barbara Walters dismissed Sarah Palin as “uninformed” on Thursday, telling the former Republican governor, “…Many people find the thought of you as president a little scary.”
The View co-host appeared on Good Morning America to promote her upcoming 10 Most Fascinating People special. She derided Palin, “You hear, ‘Oh, she’s very charming, but she’s uninformed.'”
Previewing the program with GMA co-anchor Robin Roberts, Walters explained how she retrieved a famous question from Katie Couric: “And you know, the Katie Couric question that caused her so much trouble? What do you read?…I gave her another chance.”
In the clip of the special, Walters condescendingly reworded the critique: “Would you like to tell us what newspapers, magazines or books you are reading right now?”
And, Sarah Palin’s answer:
I read a lot of C.S. Lewis when I want some divine inspiration. I read Newsmax and Wall Street Journal. I read all of our local papers, of course, in Alaska because that’s where my heart is. I read anything and everything that I can get my hands on, as I have since I was a little girl. And that’s one of those things, Barbara, where that issue that I don’t read or I’m not informed, it’s one of those questions where I like to turn that around and ask the reporters, why would it be that there is that perception that I don’t read?
The whole perception that Sarah Palin was an unread creton was B.S. from the beginning. But, you know, Katie Couric, received a journalism award (from USC Annenberg School of Communications, Norman Lear Center) because Palin had a freeze up.
Because, we all know what a penetrating questioner and honest journalist Katie Couric is.
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President Obama Signs Rep. Elton Gallegly’s Animal Crush Bill
My Congressman Elton Gallegly has been at the forefront of this travesty.
From the press release:
At President Obama’s invitation, Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA) stood with him as the President signed Gallegly’s bill to outlaw animal crush videos at a White House ceremony today.
Crush videos graphically depict the abuse and killing of animals. In 1999, President Clinton signed into law a Gallegly bill to outlaw the videos and for 10 years the industry disappeared. However, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the law earlier this year and videos reappeared on the market.
Gallegly’s new law, the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010, will prevent video depictions of drowning, impaling, burning and crushing of animals. After careful restructuring, both House members and senators believe Gallegly’s new bill addresses the U.S. Supreme Court’s constitutional concerns.
The House passed Gallegly’s bill by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 416-3 in July and the Senate passed it by unanimous consent last month.
“Violence is not a First Amendment issue; it is a law enforcement issue,” Gallegly said. “While the torture of defenseless animals is in itself despicable, numerous studies also show cruelty to animals is often the first step leading to violence against people. This law is one step toward ending this cycle of violence.”
The new law is written with a narrower scope that will most likely pass Supreme Court scrutiny.
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Democrats Delay Action on DREAM Act
Democrats Delay Action on DREAM Act
"Democrats have delayed a showdown vote on legislation carving out a path to legal status for foreign-born youngsters brought to this country illegally.
Facing GOP objections, Democrats are putting aside the so-called Dream Act. They’re short of the 60 votes needed to advance the measure.
Democratic officials say they’ll try to move a House-passed version after the Senate acts on funding the government and extending tax cuts. Republicans have said they won’t agree to consider anything else until those issues are addressed."
Watch for Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to try to bring this back up to the Senate next week – providing he:
1. Has 60 votes for Cloture
2. His Democratic Caucus can support and help pass the Obama-GOP Bush Era tax cut/rate deal
So, stay tuned and get ready to call on the fence Senators again next week – if need be.
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House Democrats Reject Obama-GOP Tax Cut Deal in Current Form
Yes, the Democratic Party has suddenly become the “Party of No.”The House Democratic Caucus has voted to reject President Barack Obama’s tax deal with Republicans in its current form.
By voice vote, the rank and file Democrats passed a resolution Thursday that said the tax package should not come to the floor of the House for consideration. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., introduced the resolution.
Said Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas: “If it’s take it or leave it, we’ll leave it.”
Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., said “it’s a pretty clear message. We don’t like the bill.”
So, what happens if President Obama’s own party does not affirmatively act on the Obama-GOP compromise tax rate/cut bill by the end of the lameduck session next week?
Taxes will go up on January 1 for everyone.
Of course, the GOP which in January will control the majority in the House will quickly vote to change the tax rates as soon as the new Congress meets, but, this will take time, Senate action (which is always slow) and economic uncertainty will do nothing positive for America.
Will the far-left House Democrats of Speaker Nancy Pelosi prevail over their own President?
Stay tuned here and on Twitter ———->
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Day By Day December 9, 2010 – Americans
It is often true that Americans when viewed with “fresh” eyes of someone in a different country are striped of all pretense – which is Obama all of the time. People in other lands often know socialism and totalitarianism first hand and realize how it creeps into supposed democratic governments.Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who can say that Cubans, Venezuelans, and Iranians do not see the oppression of their governments? And, who is there to step up and say enough?
Barack Obama?
Doubtful and not so far.
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