Message #162104

[Harconen]

            The New York Times distorts poll results in an attempt to drum up support for Obama’s policies. Its February 24 edition states that Obama is benefiting from “remarkably high levels of optimism and confidence among Americans about his leadership.” The article is critical of Republicans for offering tax cuts as an alternative to Obama’s spending plans, but neglects to mention that its own poll shows more Americans supporting tax cuts (50 per cent) than government spending (41 per cent) to stimulate the economy. [1371]

            On February 24, a user adds a paragraph to Obama’s biography on the Web site Wikipedia.com that reads, “There have been some doubts about whether Obama was born in the U.S. after the politician refused to release to the public a copy of his birth certificate and amid claims from his relatives he may have been born in Kenya. Numerous lawsuits have been filed petitioning Obama to release his birth certificate, but most suits have been thrown out by the courts.” Within minutes, the entry is deleted and the submitting user is blocked from additional entries to the site. Wikipedia argues that the information violates its policies against “fringe” material, despite everything in the paragraph being factual and the issue having been covered (if only minimally) by newspapers such as the Chicago Tribune. Wikipedia.com administrators keep the Obama information positive and complementary and quickly delete additions that are negative in tone and content. (There are no references to Reverend Jeremiah Wright or William Ayers, for example, despite their significance to Obama’s life and his election campaign.) [1602]

            Immigration officers raid Yamato Engine Specialists, an auto parts plant in Bellingham, Washington, and find 28 illegal immigrants. One illegal is allegedly deported; the remaining 27 are not. Instead of deporting the illegals, the Obama administration gives them legal work permits, a major departure from the policies of the Bush administration. (Typically, illegals arrested in immigration raids are jailed until deportation hearings are scheduled.) A spokesman for the Federation of American Immigration Reform argues that the easing up on illegals sends a signal that “…if you can get here, you’re pretty much home free.” Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is purportedly annoyed that the raid even took place, and the Obama administration has requested a freeze on immigrant arrests. A spokesman states that Napolitano was “…not happy about it because it’s inconsistent with her position, and the President’s position on these matters.” The implication is that the position of Obama and Napolitano is not to arrest and deport illegals. (Even ACORN would be unable to register them to vote if they are returned to Mexico.) [1395, 2117, 2118]

            Walid Phares, an expert on global terrorism, states that Obama’s decision to send 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan could lead to a Vietnam-like quagmire, and closing the detainee facility at Guantanamo will create an “awkward situation.” Rather than just talking with the Iranian leaders, who have pledged to destroy Israel, Phares argues that the United States should talk to the Iranian people and encourage “Iranian democratic opposition to put pressure on the government.” [1394]

            Houston’s city council reverses its plan to give $3,000 grants to individuals who are trying to increase their credit scores enough to qualify for mortgages. The Obama-like plan was hatched in order to encourage people to purchase homes in a poor area of the city, but when word of the action spread the mayor and council members were understandably inundated with complaints. “I do not understand how we can ever justify spending taxpayer dollars to pay somebody’s credit card,” said Councilwoman Pam Holm. “I don’t understand how it can be even considered to come up. I am truly embarrassed. I think it shows poor leadership.” Councilwoman Anne Clutterbuck adds, “Giving people the ability to increase their credit score artificially because we’re allowing them to pay off their credit cards is exactly what got us into this (national economic) crisis in the first place.” Angry responses from Houston residents echo national criticism of Obama’s mortgage bailout plans: “This proposal is a slap in the face for the average Joe who is trying to get ahead,” “The government should not punish taxpayers and bail out those who cannot buy homes,” and “If you can’t afford it, and you can’t qualify, then you shouldn’t have it.” [1378]

            Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen joins the growing list of governors who are reluctant to have their states accept all of Obama’s stimulus funds because of the expensive strings attached. By accepting $141 million in funds for unemployment insurance, for instance, the state of Tennessee would be required by the federal government to expand the program permanently (with looser eligibility rules and more generous benefits), which would in turn increase state costs long after the federal money runs out. Bredesen is a Democrat. [1379]