Flap's Blog – FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog

These are my links for October 11th through October 13th:

• Occupy Wall Street Protests Peril for Obama – As the early '70s repeat themselves with the chaotic Occupy Wall Street demonstrations in lower Manhattan, we need to grasp what a peril this movement is to President Obama and the entire Democratic Party. It is like the Obama campaign run wild without Obama in it. It is as if the bandwagon has taken off and left the president behind. And he and his party are racing to catch up. "There go my followers," they seem to be saying, "and I must go with them because I am their leader."

  Just as the civil rights movement of the late '50s and early '60s and the youthful enthusiasm that animated JFK's candidacy in 1960 energized a generation, so the Obama campaign did in 2008. But just as frustration with Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon and the entire political system turned the idealism of the young into sour cynicism, so the Obama campaign's young enthusiasts have become cynical, bitter opponents of the entire political/economic system. If the Obama campaign harkened back to memories of the civil rights demonstrations of the '60s, so the Occupy Wall Street effort reminds us of SDS, SNCC, hippies, yuppies, the Chicago Seven and Jerry Rubin.

  The fact is that Obama is less a socialist than a corporatist. His objective is not government ownership, but government management. To control the economy — and all of our lives — he needs to get rid of small banks and small business and consolidate it all in a few big banks and big corporations; hence his friendliness to Goldman-Sachs and General Motors. When wealthy tycoons go to dinners and give Obama $35,000 donations, they know what they are doing. It is not liberal Democratic masochism at work, it is a conscious investment in central planning where big labor, big government, big business and big banks meet and divvy up the pie, just as they do in Germany and France. That is Obama's game.

  His former supporters have taken to the streets to protest his corporatist alliances. Sure, they oppose the Republicans and the conservatives, but they have more in common with the Tea Party than they realize. Both are acting out against big business. Wall Street is as much the enemy of Main Street as it is of college campuses.

  The unions and the professional left are scrambling, along with Obama and the Democrats, to head off the stampede among their followers in the Occupy Wall Street movement. They are trying to make up for their pro-Wall Street policies by seeming to take on rich people in their tax program. But the young demonstrators will not be fooled. They invested their dreams for Obama in 2008 and, since then, have gotten only compromises, half-measures, incompetence and a ruined economy in return.

  The conservatives and Republicans no longer own the anti-Obama movement. They have to share ownership with disenchanted liberals, those who recognize incompetence when they see it, and the many who are turned off by the growing perception of corruption in the wake of Solyndra. The bad economy has led to an impression of presidential weakness and inability akin to that which took over the image of Jimmy Carter in the late '70s. More and more, the opposition to Obama is based on the outcomes of his policies, not on their ideological bias or their liberal intent.

  Will the Republicans drive these new converts to the anti-Obama cause back into the arms of the Democrats? The likes of Mitt Romney won't. Rick Perry might, particularly as he explains his designs on the Social Security system. But even if they are worried by the possibility of a Republican victory in 2012, their more likely reaction is to vote with their feet and stay home. Obama cannot muster the same enthusiasm he did in 2008. It's out there, but it is now opposed to him, not for him. That's what Occupy Wall Street is all about.

• California OKs Political Donations Via Text Message » Flap’s California Blog – Unlimited political contributions via text message, what could go wrong?
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• CA-30 Rep. Howard Berman Hauls in $819 K in Third Quarter Fundraising » Flap’s California Blog – CA-30 Rep. Howard Berman Hauls in $819 K in Third Quarter Fundraising
• Ventura County Democratic Party Adopting Occupy Ventura? | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Ventura County Democratic Party Adopting Occupy Ventura? #tcot #catcot
• Log In – The New York Times – Log In – The New York Times
• Log In – The New York Times – Log In – The New York Times
• Occupy Wall Street: Who is Behind the Protests? | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Occupy Wall Street: Who is Behind the Protests? #tcot #catcot
• Log In – The New York Times – Ben Nelson’s Ads May Break New Ground
• “Super PAC’ American Crossroads seeks permission to feature candidates in ads” – Worth reading this WaPo report. Fred Wertheimer predicted this back in Aug. 2010: “In fact, under the new FEC regulation, a Representative or Senator, or other congressional candidate, will be able to sit down with a corporate executive, draft an ad promoting his or her campaign and have the executive’s corporation pay for broadcasting the ad when and where the candidate wants – and none of this constitutes “coordination” in the view of the FEC, so long as the ad is run after the candidate’s primary and more than 90 days before the election, and does not expressly say “vote for” the candidate or its functional equivalent.”
• Ben Nelson’s Ads May Break New Ground – The Nebraska ads, which have cost Democrats more than $600,000 to run so far, could change that practice in a way that has wide implications for the 2012 elections, when 33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats will be up for grabs.

  Indeed, American Crossroads — the powerful and well-financed Republican group formed with the help of the former White House aide Karl Rove — filed a request on Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission asking for a formal ruling on whether it could “adopt the tactics” of Mr. Nelson in coordinating footage of politicians up for re-election.

  American Crossroads said in its request that it “may wish to produce and distribute similar television and radio advertisements” featuring incumbents in the 2012 campaigns. The group said that because it was “especially sensitive” about rules banning improper coordination with a candidate, it wanted to check with the F.E.C. first to make sure such ads would be legal.

  American Crossroads ran into “headaches” in 2010 when it ran ads supporting Rob Portman, then a Senate candidate from Ohio, said Jonathan Collegio, spokesman for the group. To avoid charges of improperly working with Mr. Portman, the group used only publicly available footage of the candidate — yet Democrats still filed a complaint asserting that the advertisements crossed the line.

  If the F.E.C. now says outside groups can film candidates and work with them to produce ads — as Mr. Nelson’s do — “that would open up a whole new avenue in advertising and advocacy that previously has not existed for us,” Mr. Collegio said.

  The maneuver may ultimately haunt Democrats, Mr. Collegio added. “By trying to be clever in helping Nelson,” he said, “they may be opening up a can of worms they may not have wanted to open up.”

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  Read it all

• California Field Poll Watch: Voters Oppose Changes to Initiative Process » Flap’s California Blog – California Field Poll Watch: Voters Oppose Changes to Initiative Process
• (404) http://www.flapsblog.net/2011/10/morning-drill-october-13-2011.html – The Morning Drill: October 13, 2011
• Video: Occupy Wall Street – It is What I Want | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Hey Warren Buffett! Can you help a brother out?:
• Flap’s Dentistry Blog: The Morning Drill: October 13, 2011 – Today's dentistry and health headlines…..:
• Cain’s 9-9-9 tax plan: the good, the bad, and the ugly « The Enterprise Blog – RT @JimPethokoukis: Why Cain's tax plan is really an 18% VAT
• President 2012 GOP Poll Watch: Cain 29% Vs. Romney 29% Vs. Gingrich 11% – Gingrich Moves Into Show | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Newt Gingrich movin' on up…..:
• (403) http://americanresearchgroup.com/pres2012/primary/rep/fl/ – President 2012 GOP Florida Poll Watch: Cain 34%, Romney 28%, Gingrich 11%, Perry 5% #tcot
• Dilbert October 13, 2011 – Brilliant? » Flap’s California Blog – Dilbert and Scott Adams look at brilliant observations today….
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• The Chicago Way: Two Union Pensions for the Same Job | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – The Chicago Way: It is ONLY taxpayer money after all….
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• Poll Watch: Support for Death Penalty Falls to 61% – a 39-year low | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Poll Watch: Support for Death Penalty Falls to 61% – a 39-year low #tcot #catcot
• Day By Day October 13, 2011 – Represent | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Day By Day October 13, 2011 – Represent #tcot #catcot
• PPP Memo: How NC Democrats took it to the Tea Party…and won: a blueprint for 2012 – Public Policy Polling – > maybe RT @ppppolls Bashing Republicans for Tea Party ties will be a winning issue for Dems nationally in 2012:
• @Flap Twitter Updates for 2011-10-13 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2011-10-13 #tcot #catcot
• foursquare – Pork chops after a 3 mile run (@ Chez Cole)
• foursquare

  :: Chez Cole – I just became the mayor of Chez Cole on @foursquare!

• Romney Healthcare Adviser: ObamaCare Based Off RomneyCare | RealClearPolitics – Why Herman Cain is looking pretty good: Romney Healthcare Adviser: ObamaCare Based On RomneyCare #tcot
• Flap’s Dentistry Blog: Video: Dr. Dan Fischer, UltraDent Products and the History of Tissue Management Products – Dr. Dan Fischer discusses Ultradent and the history of his products…:
• President 2012 GOP Poll Watch: Cain 27% Vs. Romney 23% Vs. Perry 16% | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Another good poll for Herman Cain….
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• Flap’s Dentistry Blog: Marathon Runner Disqualified After Riding Bus to Complete the Race – This fellow collected the bronze medal too….:
• President 2012 GOP Poll Watch: Cain 30% Vs. Romney 22% Vs. Gingrich 15% Vs. Perry 14% | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – President 2012 GOP Poll Watch: Cain 30% Vs. Romney 22% Vs. Gingrich 15% Vs. Perry 14% #tcot #catcot
• President 2012 GOP Poll Watch: Romney 23% Vs. Cain 19% Vs. Paul 13% Vs. Perry 10% | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – President 2012 GOP Poll Watch: Romney 23% Vs. Cain 19% Vs. Paul 13% Vs. Perry 10% #tcot #catcot
• Marty Wilson Heading Over to the California Chamber of Commerce » Flap’s California Blog – Marty Wilson Heading Over to the California Chamber of Commerce
• Flap’s Dentistry Blog: The Daily Extraction: October 12, 2011 – The Daily Extraction: October 12, 2011
• Smokers Suffer Heart Attacks at a Younger Age | Smiles For A Lifetime – Temporary (Locum Tenens) Dentistry – Smokers Suffer Heart Attacks at a Younger Age
• Flap’s California Afternoon Collection: October 12, 2011 » Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Afternoon Collection: October 12, 2011
• President 2012 Poll Watch: Romney, Perry and Cain All Beat Obama | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Mitt Romney is not the only Republican polling well against Obama…:
• Day By Day October 12, 2011 – Dahling Democrats | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Day By Day October 12, 2011 – Dahling Democrats | Flap's Blog – FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog
• Dilbert October 12, 2011 – Working Late » Flap’s California Blog – Dilbert October 12, 2011 – Working Late
• Day By Day October 12, 2011 – Dahling Democrats | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – RE: Yes, Chris, WRH San Simeon style…..
• Vitamin E Supplements May Increase Risk for Prostate Cancer? | Smiles For A Lifetime – Temporary (Locum Tenens) Dentistry – Vitamin E Supplements May Increase Risk for Prostate Cancer?
• Poll Watch: Congress Approval 13% Vs. Disapproval 81% | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – The political environment is toxic for 2012….:
• Flap’s Dentistry Blog: The Morning Drill: October 12, 2011 – Today's top dentistry and health headlines…..:
• California Cities Warn of Public Safety Crisis Over Prison Realignment » Flap’s California Blog – California Cities Warn of Public Safety Crisis Over Prison Realignment
• Day By Day October 12, 2011 – Dahling Democrats | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Day By Day October 12, 2011 – Dahling Democrats #tcot #catcot
• @Flap Twitter Updates for 2011-10-12 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2011-10-12 #tcot #catcot
• Occupy Wall Street Vs. The Tea Party and the Double Standard » Flap’s California Blog – Occupy Wall Street Vs. The Tea Party and the Double Standard
• President 2012: New Hampshire GOP Debate Reaffirms the Polls – Romney Remains Front-Runner As Perry Fades | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – President 2012: New Hampshire GOP Debate Reaffirms the Polls – Romney Remains Front-Runner As Perry Fades #tcot #catcot
• Bloomberg Television: Live TV – Bloomberg – @Caleb_Luke Bloomberg television or online here:
• Flap’s California Afternoon Collection: October 11, 2011 » Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Afternoon Collection: October 11, 2011
• Flap’s Dentistry Blog: Florida’s Pinellas County Commission Votes to End Water Fluoridation – Sometimes you cannot mandate good public health…..:

Pretty much says it all.

And, what would I want?

My wish list is here, but I doubt many would be interested.

But, Warren Buffett, if you are interested in helping a brother out, knock yourself out…..

Insane is not even the word – more like a misappropriation of public funds.

A labor leader in Chicago is expected to receive pension payments of nearly $500,000 a year, while another could get about $438,000 a year, according to reports Wednesday

The Chicago Tribune and WGN-TV, which obtained information about union pension benefits during a joint investigation, said at least eight union officials in Chicago were eligible for what were described as inflated city pensions on top of union pensions for the same period of employment.

The news organizations said this was due to “a charitable interpretation” of Illinois law by officials representing two city pension funds.

“Can you name any place in the world where someone can get two pensions for the same job?” state Rep. Tom Cross, a Republican, told the paper. “Even by our standards here in Illinois, it’s beyond belief. It’s insane.”

Chicago and Illinois are facing financial trouble, in part due to pension shortfalls.

On Tuesday, state Sen. Mark Kirk released a report on Illinois’ debt that said it had the worst credit rating of any state and that its debt was rising, NBC Chicago reported.

Just more of the same, unfortunately.

California local public employee unions have been ripping off the system for decades.

Now, there is no money to pay them and the taxpayers are saying: what happened?

According to the latest Gallup Poll.

Sixty-one percent of Americans approve of using the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, down from 64% last year. This is the lowest level of support since 1972, the year the Supreme Court voided all existing state death penalty laws in Furman v. Georgia.

Gallup first asked about use of the death penalty in murder cases in 1936. At that time, 59% of Americans supported it and 38% opposed it. Americans’ views on the death penalty have varied significantly over the 75 years since, including a period from the late 1950s to the early 1970s when less than a majority of Americans favored it. Support climbed to its highest levels from the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s, including the all-time high of 80% who favored the death penalty in 1994. Since then, support has gradually declined; this year’s measure of 61% marks a 19-percentage-point drop over the past 17 years, and a 3-point drop from last year’s measure.

The Oct. 6-9 poll was conducted shortly after the execution of Troy Davis in Georgia, which generated widespread protests and extensive news coverage. This could help explain the slight drop in support for the death penalty this year. However, there have been high-profile executions in the news in previous years without concomitant drops in death penalty support, making it less clear that such events have a direct impact on attitudes.

There are a number of reasons for the decline in support.

The most profound is probably the discovery of DNA and other forensic evidence which may cast in doubt some jury verdicts. In other words, some convicted murderers may be put to death wrongly. Whereas, a sentence of life in prison without parole would allow the convicted felon time to appeal – a lifetime in fact.

There is also a sense of frustration with the legal process. It takes forever to execute someone in the United States – sometimes many decades.

Less Than Half Say Death Penalty Not Imposed Often Enough

This year, 40% of Americans say the death penalty is not imposed often enough, the lowest such percentage since May 2001, when Gallup first asked this question. Twenty-five percent say the death penalty is used too often, the highest such percentage yet that Gallup has measured. The rest (27%) say the death penalty is imposed about the right amount.

The graph:

And, is the death penalty FAIRLY applied?

Fifty-two percent of Americans say the death penalty is applied fairly in this country, down from 58% last year, but similar to the 51% who felt this way in June 2000.

The graph:

Now, let’s look at the demographics of those who support the death penalty.

Almost three-quarters of Republicans and independents who lean Republican approve, compared with 46% of Democrats and independents who lean Democratic. Additionally, men, whites, and those living in the South and Midwest are among those most likely to support the death penalty. Americans younger than age 30 are less likely to support the death penalty than are those who are 30 and older.

The graph:

So, what does this all mean?

There will be increasing pressure for some states to end the death penalty and changing punishment heinous criminal conduct to life in prison without parole. However, a clear majority of American voters favors the death penalty and a majority of states will resist those efforts and maintain the ultimate punishment for the foreseeable future.

A separate Gallup trend question, not asked this year, explicitly offers respondents the opportunity to choose between the death penalty and life imprisonment with no possibility of parole, and last year’s update found about half of Americans preferring the latter option. On the other hand, Gallup has found support for the use of the death penalty rising when Americans are asked about specific cases involving high-profile mass killings, such as the Oklahoma City bomber, Timothy McVeigh.