According to Elliott Abrams, Newt Gingrich’s claims of “working with President Reagan” to change things in Washington D.C. is bunch of hot air. Elliot Abrams was Reagan’s Assistant secretary of state. Newt was a new member to Congress and he ‘spewed’ insulting rhetoric at the president in his administration’s efforts to defeat Communism. Newt in fact was predicting that Reagan’s policies would fail and that the president was dead wrong.

Abrams goes on to explain the conflict and who the players were in the National Review article. But as a blogger looking at the 2012 Republican Race, I’m running out of options for a choice now.

In another article, this one by Fred Barnes for The Weekly Standard, he displays a page from The Reagan Dairies that mentions for the first and last time – Newt Gingrich. In it quote: “Newt Gingrich has a proposal for freezing the budget at the 1983 level. It’s a tempting idea except that it would cripple our defense programs. And if we make an exception on that every special interest group will be asking for the same.” end quote. This is from Chapter 3, page 123 in the dairies that covers the year 1983.

All the folks that I liked are now out of the running (Cain, Bachmann, Perry). I don’t like Mitt Romney or the ‘other’ Rick (Santorum) that is in the race. Ron Paul – his foreign policy sucks big time for this blogger. And the word ‘sucks’ is being kind to the man.

The third Newt Gingrich article I found today was the one where he pledges a moon base by his second term. Newt Gingrich is already thinking of having a second term?!  We got to get you in there for the first term dude!

Quote: “By the end of my second term, we will have the first permanent base on the moon and it will be American,” Gingrich said to applause on the space coast of Florida.

He also said that the development would include commercial and private efforts, and will make apparent, “we clearly have the capacity that Chinese and the Russians will never come anywhere close to us.” End quote.

Newt Gingrich also has plans to push propulsion development technology that will get manned crews to Mars quickly. He went on to emphasized that it doesn’t have to be expensive if done in partnership with private companies (which appears to be his main theme in this matter) that can lower the cost of exploration. Quoting again, “If it’s cheaper and it’s faster and it works, do it,” Newt Gingrich said. He also added at the end of this article the following quote: “Does that mean I’m visionary? You betcha,” end quote.

As far as I know, no other candidate has gone to even this much detail as far as to what the American space policy vision should be.

This is why I like him (Newt Gingrich). He’s a fighter. I see Mitt as someone who’ll go along to just get along with someone.

And Newt has his bad points. From what I heard on Rush Limbaugh’s talk radio today (January 25, 2012), Newt’s divorces and talks of open marriage are anchors and chains around his throat – dragging him down. One caller claimed that he wasn’t going to vote at all if Newt was going to be the Republician nominee.

Such boastful talk right now I’m sure. Closer to November’s election day and the chance that Obama might still get his second term in office, I think that caller will have to change his mind about not voting after all. Such a claim is really a vote for President Barrack H. Obama when you think about it!

And we cannot afford such stupid thinking this year from the Republican masses. This nations survival is at stake!

If Mitt gets the top position after all – I will vote for him. Even if I have to hold my nose while doing it. I would feel even better if it turns into a Romney/Gingrich team at this point.  Remember, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush didn’t get along in the primaries either back then.

UPDATE January 26, 2012:  Here is the summary from another article (link posted below) for Newt’s Space Vision.

Newt Gingrich gave his JFK-style speech in Florida today followed by a round table. As with Newt, it didn’t contain a single overriding goal (build a transcontinental railroad, land a man on the moon), but rather a series of grandiose goals. A summary, based on this video:

*Invoked both Abraham Lincoln (railroads) and John F. Kennedy (moon program).

*Proposed setting aside 10 percent of NASA’s budget for prizes.

*Promised to build a permanent lunar base on the moon by the end of his second term and it will be American (Jan. 20, 2021).

*Proposed commercial near-Earth activity including tourism, manufacturing and science based on the model of the airline industry in the 1930s because he’s sick of being told we need to be timid and we need to use 50 year old technology.

*Wants the U.S. to gain so much experience in space that that Chinese and Russians will never be able to match.

*Pledged to set up a $10 billion tax free prize for devising a way to get to Mars on the cheap.

*Promised to fund the development of the first continuous propulsion system in space to enable short-duration trips to Mars.

*Proposed that the U.S. launch 5 to 8 rockets per day instead of 1 per day — more like airports.

*Change civil service laws to make NASA more like Boeing than….well, NASA.

*Plans to introduce a “Northwest Ordinance” that would allow a lunar colony with 13,000 people to petition for statehood.

end of summary.

On first blush, Newt Gingrich is really getting his Klingon on.  Followers of this blog should know by now what I mean by that.  For newcomers, that really means willing to get into someone’s face to promote a point of view. No prisoners taken approach for politics that I like.  Those on the right always have to give.  The left never, ever does and its about damn time that they do.  Hence, that is why I invoke Star Trek’s fictional species of Klingon into this type of problem.

But I am worried that wrapping himself in the mantle of Ronald Reagan and whats coming out now about how wrong Newt was and how right (correct) Reagan was… this I’m afraid will shoot down Newt for the 2012 election.  But with this vision for space he has, I think now that he will have a better chance as VP for Mittens.

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Ref.
1. National Review. “Gingrich and Reagan” By Elliott Abrams. January 25, 2012. ( http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/289159/gingrich-and-reagan-elliott-abrams ). picture from same article.
2. The Weekly Standard. “What Reagan THought of Newt” by Fred Barnes. January 25, 2012. ( http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/what-reagan-thought-newt_618549.html ).
3. Politico.com. by Alexander Burns and Ginger Gibson. January 25, 2012. ( http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/01/newt-pledges-moon-base-by-second-term-112319.html ).
4. image off of internet of lunar base (from old Britsh TV series ‘UFO’). (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O_L1W8HmE8E/SfoSKvA0KuI/AAAAAAAAAjA/z3Xwy7uwTtk/s400/moon+base.jpg).

5. ParabolicArc.com. “Gingrich’s Gradiose Plans for American Space Exploration” by Doug Messier.  January 26, 2012. ( http://www.parabolicarc.com/2012/01/25/gingrichs-gradiose-plans-for-american-space-exploration/ ).

US military confirm the video is authentic and that Marines from the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment from Camp Lejeune North Carolina.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta condemned the bad behavior on Thursday and telephone Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai to say he (Leon Panetta) found the images deplorable. Quoting Defense Secretary Panetta, “This conduct is entirely inappropriate for members of the United States military and doesn’t reflect the standards or values our armed forces are sworn to uphold.”

The video was uploaded to YouTube and other websites and runs for about one minute. It shows four men in Marine combast gear standing around three corpses on the ground – urinating on them. One was heard to have said, “Have a great day, buddy.”

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai called the act “inhuman.” And the Taliban condemned the video (as expected) saying that US forces have committed war crimes against them for the past 10 years of war. Taliban recent negotiations with the US will not be stopped due to this incident.

There have been other misdeeds by US forces in the War on Terrorism. In Iraq, there was the abuses see at the Abu Ghraib prison.

But, the Taliban have also been tainted with their own misdeeds. In 1996, they brutally killed Mohammad Najibullah, the deposed communist president who was seeking refuge at a U.N. compound in Kabul. His corpse was castrated and hung from a traffic light on a busy street for everyone to see.

From the Uniformed Code of Military Justice, the desecration of the bodies of enemy combatants is a court-martial offense.

Now for my take on the matter…

Those Marines were Morons!

The four who had their peckers out to do the deed and the jerk holding the camera to record the event. If your going to take a piss on a dead enemy corpse, don’t take any pictures or video of yourself doing it! You can think it – just don’t do it for real guys!

Our young troops must also be made aware of the “larger” picture and how stupid mistakes can affect national policy or our nation’s image. Today, Uncle Sam got a bit of that golden splatter on his pants leg.

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Ref.
1. Online Wall Street Journal. “In Damage Control Bid, Pentagon Calls Karzai Over Video” by JULIAN E. BARNES in Washington and MARIA ABI-HABIB in Kabul. January 12, 2012. ( http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204409004577156434037860096.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLETopStories ).
2. The Jawa Report. “Taliban Condemns Marine Pi$$ing Video As Inhumane” January 12, 2012. ( http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/210743.php ).

The Washignton Times yesterday ran a commentary that Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachman sent them. Her entire commentary is posted below.

This blogger still thinks that Michele Bachman would make a great GOP candidate for the Office of President of the United States. But, right now, the poll results out of Iowa are very dim for her chances. After all the fighting and we finally get to the GOP Convention, if she did not save her campaign and become the primary winner – then some of her points in this commentary should be included as planks in the party platform going into the November election.

Here is her commentary…

I have often been criticized for saying that I could turn around the U.S. economy in just a few short months. That is not blind optimism talking, but rather the realization that the biggest impediment to true economic recovery has been the signal President Obama’s policies have been sending to the key audience for recovery, the job creators. Should I be fortunate enough to be elected by the American people to serve as president of the United States, I will have an ambitious agenda in the first 100 days that will send a signal to our country’s job creators and to the world that the days of socialist policies are over, that our free market is once again open for business and that we will once again lead the world as the true exceptional nation.

My first act as president will be to repeal  and Dodd-Frank. No two pieces of legislation represent socialism and big government more than those, and both have greatly hindered the creation of jobs and capital necessary for economic recovery. Obamacare represents the largest expansion of entitlement spending and playground of left-wing social engineering in our country’s history, and it must be stopped. In its place, I’ll reform the health care system by ending state monopolies on health insurance, introducing real tort reform and providing tax incentives for health care providers who give free health care to those who cannot afford it.

I also will get government spending, which has spiraled ever upward, leaving us with over $15 trillion in debt, under control and shut down departments in the federal government that have no constitutional authority and, worse, waste your money. In the first 100 days, I will submit legislation to repeal laws establishing the Departments of Education, Commerce and Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency and their related bureaucracies. That will send a signal that I intend for government to do what it is mandated to do under the Constitution.

I will honor the Constitution and send Congress a balanced budget in my first 100 days. If Congress passes an unbalanced budget, I will veto it.

Government should not do what both the Constitution and morality prohibit – practicing crony capitalism, forcefully taking your money for the purpose of paying off a politician’s political friends. That’s one of the most important signals we can send to level the economic playing field for all Americans.

Our tax code has 3.8 million words and is too complicated for the average American to understand, and it has a corporate tax rate of almost 40 percent that makes America hopelessly uncompetitive. It advantages companies large enough to hire an army of lawyers to exploit it. I’ll end the practice of crony capitalism and special-interest influence in Washington because, as a federal tax lawyer, I’ll abolish the tax code, the place where most of Washington’s influence peddling occurs. I’ll replace it with one that is simpler, fairer and flatter, in which every American pays something, even if it is $10 a year, because every American has a stake in America.

Reforming our tax code and ending crony capitalism will send a signal to small businesses, the true job-creation engine of our economy, that they’ll be treated the same as large corporations. Lowering corporate tax rates will make American businesses more competitive and keep them from shipping jobs overseas. That overhaul will include repatriating the more than $1 trillion held overseas by U.S. corporations that could have an immediate private-sector stimulative effect on our economy. These economic policies will send a signal that we will enact permanent free-market solutions for our economy and end the temporary gimmicks that have had such devastating effects.

I’ll also begin the process of undoing the enormous government regulatory burden on America. I’ll start by legalizing American energy production, which will bring down the cost of gas, create millions of jobs and decrease our dependency on foreign sources of energy.

While the economy is rightly at the top of voters’ minds this election season, we also need to consider who can be the best commander in chief from Day One. Of all the Republican candidates in the race, I am the only one with current experience in national security. As president, I will ensure America remains free, safe and sovereign – the greatest force for good the world has ever known. And on Day One, I’ll announce that we’re moving our Israeli embassy to Jerusalem, and I’ll attend its opening within the first 100 days. I’ll make sure Iran knows I will not tolerate it obtaining a nuclear weapon and will take whatever action is necessary to prevent that.

I’ll also secure our border and begin building the fence in the first 100 days. I’ll begin immediately enforcing our immigration laws, empower our border agents and help the states instead of suing them. And I’ll submit legislation to make English the official language of our federal government.

Finally, I’ll defend the family. I will ensure that Planned Parenthood no longer receives federal funding. and I’ll immediately re-establish the Mexico City policy and other policies aimed at protecting life from conception to natural death. America cannot be strong until its families, the most basic unit of government, are strong.

I understand this agenda to be ambitious, but we have little time to reverse the very damaging policies of President Obama. As president of the United States, I will be prepared to meet those challenges and do the hard work necessary to restore America to being the leader it can be for you and your children and mine.

Rep. Michele Bachmann, Minnesota Republican, is running for president.

end of commentary.

One final note.  Of the three departments she wants to get rid of (plus the EPA), they are the same ones that Texas Governor Rick Perry want to get rid of. I also like him, but he shot himself in the foot with his debate performance and that is too bad. At least Rep Michele Bachman can reconnize a good idea and go with it despite the author of it.

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Ref.
1. Washington Times. “BACHMANN: Little time to save America” by Michele Bachman. December 29, 2011. (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/dec/29/little-time-to-save-america/).

Like the headline says, this blog has suffered this year from bandwidth issues that kept me offline for days and sometimes, even weeks.

For that, I apologize for not being able to update the site with the latest news and such.  I was not able to wish the blogging universe a Merry Christmas this year, but I am able to wish you a Happy New Year.

Host and Co-Producer for a PBS program “CD Highway” that is broadcast on 155 stations across the country. Author, Cartoonist, and Artist. She can scuba dive and watches NASCAR.

She just will not be running as a Republican, but on the American Independent Party (AIP) ticket. But she is calling the party the ‘REAL Party’ which means the following: Responsive, Excellence, Americanism and Liberty.

The following is quoting from her press release:

The issues:
* Forced an unconstitutional health care bill.

* Obama sued and stood against his own Governors.

* Threatened and targeted coal plants for closure.

* Breached the war powers act of 1973 and put us in an illegal war in Libya

* Lack of border security. 200 billion in drug trade and between 10-40 million illegal aliens who receive citizen tax payer dollars for health care, education and housing.

* Insulted and turned against Israel.

* Obama is ineligible to be President. He has presented a verified forgery of his long form birth certificate on April 27th 2011.

Dr. Laurie Roth supporters which include companies and individuals, join together in confidence of her candidacy. This will lead to victory for our nation. She and others know she is the candidate who will make the real difference for our country. Many have prayed about this and are confident that Dr. Laurie Roth is what America needs. In her published book ‘The People’s President’ her platform is clear. end quote.

Her book, ‘The People’s President’ is available at www.amazon.com.

Quoting again from that same press release, the following is what she wants to accomplish as President were she to win the 2012 election…

Institute a Federal 2% point of purchase tax. No group will be exempt. 10-20 trillion dollars annually will be collected, while citizens are liberated from massive, controlling tax oppression.

Become totally energy Independent in 4 years. America will be the largest exporter of energy in the world. Disconnect from OPEC. Employ 20 million people in energy infrastructure jobs: natural gas, oil, nuclear, solar and alternative fuels.

Secure Americas borders. Stop illegal aliens. Stop illegal drug trade. Use all technology available. Honor those who choose to be a citizen of the United States who do it properly and legally.

Create Jobs. The 2% point of purchase tax will create millions of jobs in the nation. Infrastructure projects, small businesses and home based businesses will be supported.

Restore international relationships and image. Lead America with the revision of the American Start Treaty. Stand against Islamic fundamentalism and radicalism. Institute fair trade agreements.

Promote Judeo Christian values in America. This includes our nation’s historical strength from God and the Holy Bible – including Christian principles – prayer, freedom, exceptionalism and supporting a movement away from regulation, taxation and litigation. Those who disagree are not assailed.

Dr. Laurie Roth is a patriot and survivor who loves God, family, country and the Constitution of the United States. end quote.

Something new for next year’s election. While this blogger likes what she wrote in her press release, I don’t want her to be the Ross Peroit of this generation.

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Ref.
1. WND. “Another woman jumps into race for president” by Joe Kovacs. November 4, 2011. ( http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=363285 ).
2. The Roth Show webpage. ( http://therothshow.com ).
3. The Roth Show webpage Bio. ( http://therothshow.com/lauries-bio/ ).
4. Imagine Publicity. Laurie Roth official Press Release. November 4, 2011. ( http://imaginepublicity.com/2011/11/04/press-release-from-team-laurie-roth-2012-official-declaration/ ).
5. Campaign website ( www.rothrevolution.ning.com ).

The entire encounter was caught on tape by the HOLLYWOOD.TV film crew and posted on YouTube Friday morning.

Bristol Palin was being filmed on a mechanical bull and had just fallen off it when the the heckling began.

The heckler said such things like “Did you ride Levi like that? Your mother is a whore! Your mother is a f**ing devil!”

Palin, taking offense, approached the individual and asks him, “Is it because you’re a homosexual and that’s why you hate her?”

There is some more back and forth between the two from that point onwards until the film crew manages to get her out of the Saddle Ranch bar. For more quotes, you can listen to the video itself or read it from the link posted below.

This is just another example of the Palin derangement syndrome. Sad. Sad that a man who is nearly 50 years old is not wise enough to keep his damn mouth shut. Sad that Bristol Palin has a reality tv show. But I support her right to face this bozo – to protect her mother the way she did.

And I’m really, really sad that this is what passes for politics in the United States of America nowdays. Gottya sniper attacks that then get posted to YouTube so that they go viral.  S18gsZ37QXY

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Ref.
1. YouTube.com (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=S18gsZ37QXY).
2. CBS Los Angeles. “WeHo Bargoer Taunts Bristol Palin, She Calls Him A Homosexual” Sept. 23, 2011. (http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/09/23/bristol-palin-takes-on-angry-weho-bargoer-calls-him-a-homosexual/).
3. Wizbangblog.com. “No Cure Yet For Palin Derangement Syndrome” by Jay Tea. September 23, 2011. (http://wizbangblog.com/2011/09/23/no-cure-yet-for-palin-derangement-syndrome/). image from Hollywood.tv.

From The Telegraph comes a background article by Toby Harnden.  That link is also listed below.

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UPDATE.  August 15, 2011:  Interesting article on Red State that lists the “17 things” that are wrong with Rick Perry.  A good read and here is the link ( http://www.redstate.com/izoneguy/2011/08/14/seventeen-17-things-that-critics-are-saying-about-rick-perry/ ).

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Ref.
1. Faultline USA. “Rick Perry to Announce Tomorrow” commentary by J.D. Longstreet. August 12, 2011. ( http://faultlineusa.blogspot.com/2011/08/rick-perry-to-announce-tomorrow.html ).
2. Politico. “Rick Perry to announce 2012 presidential campaign on Saturday” by Maggie Haberman. August 11, 2011. ( http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/61132.html#ixzz1UpFkO9m3 ).

3. The Telegraph. “Rick Perry: the Paint Creek boy who would be king” by Toby Harnden.  August 10, 2011. ( http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8694278/Rick-Perry-the-Paint-Creek-boy-who-would-be-king.html ).