• Air America,  Debbie Stabenow,  Fairness Doctrine,  Tom Athans

    Reinstating the Fairness Doctrine – Here We Go Again

    Senator Debbie (D-Michigan)Stabenow on Liberal Talk Radio With Bill Press this morning

    Flap saw this earlier in the day and Michelle reminded Flap that the “Fairness Doctrine” is AGAIN being discussed for reinstatement. It seems to come up every time a LEFTY radio show fails. In the past couple of days there have been a few.

    BILL PRESS: Yeah, I mean, look: They have a right to say that. They’ve got a right to express that. But, they should not be the only voices heard. So, is it time to bring back the Fairness Doctrine?

    SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): I think it’s absolutely time to pass a standard. Now, whether it’s called the Fairness Standard, whether it’s called something else — I absolutely think it’s time to be bringing accountability to the airwaves. I mean, our new president has talked rightly about accountability and transparency. You know, that we all have to step up and be responsible. And, I think in this case, there needs to be some accountability and standards put in place.

    BILL PRESS: Can we count on you to push for some hearings in the United States Senate this year, to bring these owners in and hold them accountable?

    SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): I have already had some discussions with colleagues and, you know, I feel like that’s gonna happen. Yep.

    Of course, Senator Stabenow has a vested interest in any reinstatment since her husband is Tom Athans who is the co-founder and former CEO of left-wing Democracy Radio. Today, he is the Executive Vice President of the formerly bankrupt LEFT-WING Air America radio.

    President Obama has stated that he is against reinstatement of “The Fairness Doctrine.” But, like everything else his stands on issues have an expiration date.

    Previous:

    Restore The Fairness Doctrine and Apply To ALL Programming – Are You Fraking Kidding Flap?

    The Fairness Doctrine – Technology Has Passed it By

    The Worry About the Fairness Doctrine


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  • Phil Gingrey,  Rush Limbaugh

    Georgia GOP Representative Phil Gingrey Apologizes to Rush Limbaugh

    Phil Gingrey

    Phil Gingrey, M.D., R- Georgia

    Remember yesterday, Georgia Rep. Gingrey criticized Rush Limbaugh when talking to the Politico.

    “I think that our leadership, Mitch McConnell and John Boehner, are taking the right approach,” Gingrey said. “I mean, it’s easy if you’re Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh or even sometimes Newt Gingrich to stand back and throw bricks. You don’t have to try to do what’s best for your people and your party. You know you’re just on these talk shows and you’re living well and plus you stir up a bit of controversy and gin the base and that sort of that thing. But when it comes to true leadership, not that these people couldn’t be or wouldn’t be good leaders, they’re not in that position of John Boehner or Mitch McConnell.”

    First thing on Rush’s radio show this morning, Gingrey came on and apologized. On Gingrey’s website the following is offered up:

    Because of the high volume of phone calls and correspondence received by my office since the Politico article ran, I wanted to take a moment to speak directly to grassroots conservatives.  Let me assure you, I am one of you.  I believe I was sent to Washington to fight for and defend our traditional values of smaller government, lower taxes, a strong national defense, and the lives of the unborn.  In my six years in Washington, I have led the charge on many of these issues.  In fact, in 2008 The National Journal ranked me the #1 most conservative Member of the House of Representatives.

    As long as I am in the Congress, I will continue to fight for and defend our sacred values.  I have actively opposed every bailout, every rebate check, every so called “stimulus.”  And on so many of these things, I see eye-to-eye with Rush Limbaugh.  Regardless of what yesterday’s headline may have read, I never told Rush to back off. I regret and apologize for the fact that my comments have offended and upset my fellow conservatives—that was not my intent.  I am also sorry to see that my comments in defense of our Republican Leadership read much harsher than they actually were intended, but I recognize it is my responsibility to clarify my own comments.

    Now more than ever, we need to articulate a clear conservative message that distinguishes our values and our approach from those of liberal Democrats who are seeking to move our nation in the wrong direction. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Newt Gingrich, and other conservative giants are the voices of the conservative movement’s conscience.  Everyday, millions and millions of Americans—myself included—turn on their radios and televisions to listen to what they have to say, and we are inspired by their words and by their determination.  At the end of the day, every member of the conservative movement, from our political commentators and thinkers to our elected officials, share an important and common purpose in advancing the cause of liberty, reigning in a bloated federal government, and defending our traditional family values.

    Discussing the matter with Rush, Gingrey noted he had heard from a goodly number of his constituents on the matter.

    Flap bets he has.

    Rush accepted his apology.


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  • Barack Obama,  Phil Gingrey,  Rush Limbaugh

    Rush Limbaugh Fundraising for Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee – Criticized By GOP House Member

    DNCC-and-Rush

    Certainly not the first time that the “EVIL” RUSH” has been used as a foil for Democratic Party pleas to replenish their political coffers.

    Here is the audio/video:

    But, what is interesting this time is that the President of the United States Barack Obama invokes Rush by brow beating members of the GOP leadership.

    President Obama warned Republicans on Capitol Hill today that they need to quit listening to radio king Rush Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats and the new administration.

    “You can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done,” he told top GOP leaders, whom he had invited to the White House to discuss his nearly $1 trillion stimulus package.

    But, at least one GOP House member has taken the hint from the President and has criticized the talk show king – but for different reasons.

    Rush Limbaugh may command a large following, but his caustic comments Monday about the GOP’s congressional leadership have at least one Republican House member defending his colleagues and offering an unusually candid critique of the talk radio powerhouse and his fellow commentators.

    Responding to President Obama’s recommendation to Republican congressional leaders last week that they not follow Limbaugh’s lead, the conservative talkmeister said on his show that Obama is “obviously more frightened of me than he is Mitch McConnell. He’s more frightened of me, than he is of, say, John Boehner, which doesn’t say much about our party.”

    Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., did not take kindly to this assessment in an interview with Politico Tuesday.

    “I think that our leadership, Mitch McConnell and John Boehner, are taking the right approach,” Gingrey said. “I mean, it’s easy if you’re Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh or even sometimes Newt Gingrich to stand back and throw bricks. You don’t have to try to do what’s best for your people and your party. You know you’re just on these talk shows and you’re living well and plus you stir up a bit of controversy and gin the base and that sort of that thing. But when it comes to true leadership, not that these people couldn’t be or wouldn’t be good leaders, they’re not in that position of John Boehner or Mitch McConnell.”

    Rush never hesitant to respond, offers this reply to Rep. Gingrey:

    Asked to respond to Gingrey, Limbaugh, in an email to Politico, wrote: “I’m sure he is doing his best but it does not appear to be good enough. He may not have noticed that the number of Republican colleagues he has in the House has dwindled. And they will dwindle more if he and his friends don’t show more leadership and effectiveness in battling the most left-wing agenda in modern history. And they won’t continue to lose because of me, but because of their relationship with the grassroots, which is hurting. Conservatives want leadership from those who claim to represent them. And we’ll know it when we see it.”

    Exit Question: Who does Rush Limbaugh influence more the Democrats or the Republicans?


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  • Barack Obama,  Rush Limbaugh

    President Obama Warns GOP About Listening to Rush Limbaugh – Remember “I WON”

    Obama-Vs-Rush-Limbaugh

    President Obama is already at war with the MSM Press and now he is picking on conservative radio talk show king, Rush Limbaugh.

    President Obama warned Republicans on Capitol Hill today that they need to quit listening to radio king Rush Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats and the new administration.

    “You can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done,” he told top GOP leaders, whom he had invited to the White House to discuss his nearly $1 trillion stimulus package.

    One White House official confirmed the comment but said he was simply trying to make a larger point about bipartisan efforts.

    “There are big things that unify Republicans and Democrats,” the official said. “We shouldn’t let partisan politics derail what are very important things that need to get done.”

    That wasn’t Obama’s only jab at Republicans today.

    While discussing the stimulus package with top lawmakers in the White House’s Roosevelt Room, President Obama shot down a critic with a simple message.

    “I won,” he said, according to aides who were briefed on the meeting. “I will trump you on that.”

    The response was to the objection by Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Arizona) to the president’s proposal to increase benefits for low-income workers who don’t owe federal income taxes.

    The post-partisan President, indeed……


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  • Air America,  Day By Day,  Roland Burris

    Flapsblog.com: Day By Day by Chris Muir January 6, 2009 – ColorGuard It

    Day By Day 010609

    Day By Day by Chris Muir

    Roland Burris, the duly appointed Junior Senator from Illinois is on route to the U.S. Capitol and likely will be turned away from taking his seat by the Secretary of the U.S. Senate. The claim will be his papers from Illinois are NOT in order.

    This is a PR disaster for Harry Reid and the Senate Democrats.

    The campaign for the 2010 Congressional elections begins today.

    Previous:

    The Day By Day Archive


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  • Barack Obama,  Chip Saltsman,  Day By Day,  Rush Limbaugh

    Day By Day by Chris Muir December 30, 2008 – Dittoheads

    Day By Day 123008

    Day By Day by Chris Muir

    With the Flap about Rush’s Barack the Magic Negro, it is apparent that Limbaugh may be the LEFT’S new Bush for 2009.

    But, Obama will have to prove that he is more than a Dittohead for Reid and Pelosi. Will it happen? Will Barack be independent of the Democrat machine?

    At his own peril……

    Previous:

    The Day By Day Archive


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  • Colin Powell,  GOP,  Rush Limbaugh

    Updated With Video: Rush Limbaugh Responds to RINO Colin Powell By Calling Him a Washingtonian

    Well, you knew that Rush Limbaugh would respond to the attacks former Secretary of State Colin Powell smacked on the GOP this past weekend.

    What’s going on here with this Colin Powell thing is that the Washington establishment — Powell’s not a Republican.  McCain’s not a Republican.  These guys are not even mavericks.  They are Washingtonians.  Washingtonians have their own culture and their own desires, and it is to matter.  They don’t care who’s in power, they just want to be closely associated with whoever is.  That’s the name of the game and they want press adulation.  They want to be loved and adored by the media, they want fawning treatment, they want to be thought of as something special, unique, dignified and so forth, and that’s the Washington establishment.  These guys are Washingtonians.  And what is a Washingtonian?  Who are these people?  Ladies and gentlemen, they have driven this economy into the toilet.  Washingtonians are tone deaf in terms of how you and I actually live and the things that matter and are important to us.  Washingtonians are grabbing as much power for themselves right now as possible.  Washington does not live in the rest of the country, does not live in the same world we do.  What they’re doing now is looking for ways to silence opposition.  They don’t care about the timid ineffective opposition.  They like Republicans and conservatives who are ashamed of their views and their fellow citizens.  What they want to do is silence people like me because they can’t abide debate or opposition or challenges to their status and their authority. 

    So General Powell, let me explain something.  The fact is Republicans did not listen to me.  They listened to you.  They have not been listening to me for years.  The Republican Party nominated your ideal candidate.  They nominated your guy, a moderate, who’s willing to buy into an endless array of liberal causes…

    Enough said.

    As Flap said before there is some truth about what Secretary Powell says about racial demographics and the GOP needs to be more than an old white man’s party. But, this does not include surrendering the party’s core values and ideals. It is outreach and Colin Powell has been AWOL.

    Previous:

    Colin Powell on the GOP, Polarization and Sarah Palin – Plus Rush Limbaugh


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  • Colin Powell,  GOP,  Rush Limbaugh

    Rush Limbaugh Responds to RINO Colin Powell By Calling Him a Washingtonian

    Fareed Zakaria asks Colin Powell about the future of the GOP and Sarah Palin

    Well, you knew that Rush Limbaugh would respond to the attacks former Secretary of State Colin Powell smacked on the GOP this past weekend.

    What’s going on here with this Colin Powell thing is that the Washington establishment — Powell’s not a Republican.  McCain’s not a Republican.  These guys are not even mavericks.  They are Washingtonians.  Washingtonians have their own culture and their own desires, and it is to matter.  They don’t care who’s in power, they just want to be closely associated with whoever is.  That’s the name of the game and they want press adulation.  They want to be loved and adored by the media, they want fawning treatment, they want to be thought of as something special, unique, dignified and so forth, and that’s the Washington establishment.  These guys are Washingtonians.  And what is a Washingtonian?  Who are these people?  Ladies and gentlemen, they have driven this economy into the toilet.  Washingtonians are tone deaf in terms of how you and I actually live and the things that matter and are important to us.  Washingtonians are grabbing as much power for themselves right now as possible.  Washington does not live in the rest of the country, does not live in the same world we do.  What they’re doing now is looking for ways to silence opposition.  They don’t care about the timid ineffective opposition.  They like Republicans and conservatives who are ashamed of their views and their fellow citizens.  What they want to do is silence people like me because they can’t abide debate or opposition or challenges to their status and their authority. 

    So General Powell, let me explain something.  The fact is Republicans did not listen to me.  They listened to you.  They have not been listening to me for years.  The Republican Party nominated your ideal candidate.  They nominated your guy, a moderate, who’s willing to buy into an endless array of liberal causes…

    Enough said.

    As Flap said before there is some truth about what Secretary Powell says about racial demographics and the GOP needs to be more than an old white man’s party. But, this does not include surrendering the party’s core values and ideals. It is outreach and Colin Powell has been AWOL.

    Previous:

    Colin Powell on the GOP, Polarization and Sarah Palin – Plus Rush Limbaugh


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  • Colin Powell,  John McCain,  Rush Limbaugh,  Sarah Palin

    Colin Powell on the GOP, Polarization and Sarah Palin – Plus Rush Limbaugh

    Fareed Zakaria asks Colin Powell about the future of the GOP and Sarah Palin

    Retired General, former National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Colin Powell has some ideas about the future of the GOP and comments regarding the past Presidential election cycle in the video above.

    The Republican party must stop “shouting at the world” and start listening to minority groups if it is to win elections in the 21st century, former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday.

    In an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria for Sunday’s “GPS” program, President Bush’s former secretary of state said his party’s attempt “to use polarization for political advantage” backfired last month.

    “I think the party has to take a hard look at itself,” Powell said in the interview, which was taped Wednesday. “There is nothing wrong with being conservative. There is nothing wrong with having socially conservative views — I don’t object to that. But if the party wants to have a future in this country, it has to face some realities. In another 20 years, the majority in this country will be the minority.”

    Flap will agree with General Powell about the GOP reaching out to Hispanic, Asian and African American voters. It is a travesty for these voters to vote in large majorities for the Democrat Party candidates on the basis of race and racial politics. But, they do. Powell had nothing to say about this fact.

    And, where was Powell over the last thirty years (since Reagan) in attempting to outreach for the GOP in the African-American communities?

    Crickets…..the General was AWOL.

    There is no doubt the GOP must be more than the old white man party. But, the party must be based on principles that appeal to all Americans – not entitlement politics which features walking around money distributed by local pols or the churches. Or promises of having wealth spread around to their ethnic group as a result of public policy.

    Now, Sarah Palin.

    Governor Palin was not a polarizing figure for John McCain or the GOP. Flap has complained that she was perhaps rushed to the national stage and needed some additional foreign policy experience but she is not the FAR-RIGHT polarizing figure that Powell portrays. Sarah Palin is a conservative and the elected Governor of Alaska. Also, Palin is very popular in the GOP. Powell is not.

    Colin Powell is not a conservative and has been said to be a RINO (Republican In Name Only) by many pundits over the years. Why anyone would think Powell wishes to reform a party in which he does not share many tenets of its platform, is anyone’s guess?

    Small town values are to America as is Apple Pie. General, the South Bronx, New York City, is not the norm in America and never will be. The Bronx is an urban cesspool. Most of America is NOT.

    Flap was raised in a small town in Southern California and the values there are definitely different than New York City. So, please, Colin.

    “I think the party has to stop shouting at the world and at the country,”Powell said. “I think that the party has to take a hard look at itself, and I’ve talked to a number of leaders in recent weeks and they understand that.” Powell, who says he still considers himself a Republican, said his party should also stop listening to conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh.

    “Can we continue to listen to Rush Limbaugh?” Powell asked. “Is this really the kind of party that we want to be when these kinds of spokespersons seem to appeal to our lesser instincts rather than our better instincts?”

    Good grief. Rush Limbaugh is a conservative entertainer who has never been elected to any office. Of course, Colin Powell has never won any elective office either. But, you know what they say about opinions and assholes…….

    Secretary Powell was fired by President Bush after his first term of office. The disastrous foreign policy of the early Bush years was a result of Powell’s bungling and ineptitude. Making amends for his missteps is a primary Powell agenda. Or is it retribution to George W. Bush?

    Now, after the election of Barack Obama it looks like Powell is trying to ingratiate himself with the media as a great pontificator of all things Republican. Why?

    Speaking fees and Washington cocktail parties obviously. Powell had not been involved with Republican campaigns in support of its candidates in recent memory.

    Exit question: Does anyone within the Republican Party really care what Colin Powell has to say?


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  • Air America,  California,  California Republican Party,  Taxes

    California GOP Legislators to Vote To Triple Motor Vehicle Tax?

    This supposed “DEAL” is NOT going to happen.

    Reporting from Sacramento — State lawmakers began moving toward a deal this week to close California’s deficit with the help of steeper car fees that would cost many drivers hundreds of dollars annually, according to people involved in budget talks.

    Under the plan, GOP lawmakers — most of whom have signed anti-tax pledges — would vote to triple the vehicle license fee that owners pay when they register their cars every year in exchange for a ballot measure that would impose rigid limits on future state spending. Motorists’ annual license fees would rise from 0.65% of the value of their vehicles to 2%. For a car or truck valued at $25,000, the increase would be $336.

    Flap has heard from a California Republican Legislator who blasts this deal as a “liberal/L.A. Times rumor.”