Last minute surprise: North Carolina investigating Kay Hagan over ‘conflict of interest’ « Hot Air

Last minute surprise: North Carolina investigating Kay Hagan over ‘conflict of interest’ « Hot Air:

"The story revealed the details of an investigation into Hagan’s family, which received hundreds of thousands of dollars in stimulus grants – grants which Hagan voted for as a member of the U.S. Senate. 
The story was the first time that the state’s largest paper, The Observer, had informed their readers of the nascent controversy, but Tar Heel residents had to read it fast. The story was quickly pulled by The Observer. An editor with that publication insisted that their story was based on a memo obtained by the CBS affiliate WBTV which had pulled their bombshell dispatch, forcing The Observer to do the same."

Krauthammer on Midterms: ‘A National Referendum on Obama and Obamaism’

Krauthammer on Midterms: ‘A National Referendum on Obama and Obamaism’:

“This is a referendum on Obama’s hyper-liberalism,” Charles Krauthammer said of the 2014 midterm elections. “In 2010, it was sort of aspirational. It was in legislation but it hadn’t been enacted yet. Well, now we are six years in and we see the results of Obamacare. We see the results of the stimulus, the worst recovery since the Second World War."

Judge Rules Police Can Make You Show them the Contents of Your Phone, but Here is One Way You Can Stop Them

Judge Rules Police Can Make You Show them the Contents of Your Phone, but Here  is One Way You Can Stop Them:

"While many are excited about the fingerprint technology system to unlock your phone that is available on such phones as the iPhone 5s, 6, and 6 Plus, as well as the Samsung Galaxy S5 and others, using that particular feature on the phone could lead you to lose what you believe to be your constitutional rights."

‘Her Highness’ Michelle Obama Gives Black People ‘Permission’ to Eat Something After Voting and You Won’t Believe What It Is

‘Her Highness’ Michelle Obama Gives Black People ‘Permission’ to Eat Something After Voting and You Won’t Believe What It Is:

"That’s right, black folks. The benevolent Michelle Obama has given you permission to break her healthy food guidelines and eat some fried chicken if, and only if, you vote.

No, you can’t have a hamburger, pizza, or buffalo wings. I suppose that treat is reserved for white folks.

I’m surprised she didn’t encourage black people to wash it down with some red soda and have a side of watermelon."

Five ballot initiatives to watch Tuesday night

Five ballot initiatives to watch Tuesday night « Watchdog.org:
"But Tuesday isn’t just about electing the people who will make big decisions for the next two, four or six years.
It’s also about the people making big decisions on their own.
Most states allow some form of direct democracy by allowing voters to weigh in on ballet measures, initiatives and referendums.
Here’s five interesting ballot questions to watch on Tuesday."

One can dream.....

Bill Maher Warns Berkeley Students Protesting Him Over Islam That Their Free Speech Reputation Hangs in the Balance | Video | TheBlaze.com

Bill Maher Warns Berkeley Students Protesting Him Over Islam That Their Free Speech Reputation Hangs in the Balance | Video | TheBlaze.com:

"On the charge that his views on Islam “bigoted” and “racist,” Maher chided the students’ language misstep: “Right, because Islam is a race.”
Maher concluded by telling students that when it comes down to it, they have more to lose in this battle when it comes America’s most important founding principle: “Here’s my final plea to you liberal — in the truest sense of the word — college students, not just at Berkeley but all over the country. Please. Weigh in on this. My reputation isn’t on the line…yours is.”

Almost Every Teacher and Administrator at Poor Performing Districts Rated 'Effective'

Almost Every Teacher and Administrator at Poor Performing Districts Rated 'Effective' [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
"Flint Schools gives 94 percent of teachers and 99 percent of administrators good marks

In recent staff performance evaluations by the Flint Community School district, 94 percent of its teachers and 99 percent of administrators were rated as “effective” – the second highest rating a school employee can receive.
However, those ratings do not correlate with the academic progress of students in Flint schools, whose average performance during the same two year period reflect the district’s troubled history of poor outcomes. 
During the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years, 62 percent of Flint schools placed in the lowest 10 percent on the state’s “Top-to-Bottom” academic rankings.
Even when student progress is adjusted for socioeconomic status, the district’s performance is little better.
According to ratings which do adjust for student backgrounds compiled by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, seven Flint schools earned "F" grades, 12 got "C" grades and only one merited an "A" based on data from 2009 to 2012."

Student Suspended for Slicing Apple During Healthy Snacks Presentation

Student Suspended for Slicing Apple During Healthy Snacks Presentation - Hit & Run : Reason.com:
Da'von Shaw, a Bedford, Ohio high school student, brought apples and craisins to school for a "healthy eating" presentation he was giving to his speech class. He took out a knife to slice an apple, and I'm sure you can all guess what happened next:

“When I took out the knife the teacher then told me that I couldn't use it, so I didn't hesitate I just gave it to her,” said Da'von.

He continued with his other classes, but late in the day was suspended for five days. The suspension letter charged him with having a weapon at school. 

His mother Shakila Wilson is angry, saying, “I can take off my belt and use that as a weapon. Pens and pencils can be used as a weapon. You can't take a person with no intentions to harm and put them as a criminal because that's what you normally do.” 

She feels the punishment is too much, didn't take the circumstances into account and worries about her son missing classes and assignments.

Campaign Implosions and Close Races Disprove 'Swing Voter' Mythology

Campaign Implosions and Close Races Disprove 'Swing Voter' Mythology:
"We pundit types look at home-stretch gaffes like Orman's, or Tom Harkin creeping out on Joni Ernst, or any of the other gaffe daffodils currently floating in the political breeze, and think:
This is going to change some people's minds about the candidate.
I'm not sure that actually happens as much as the conventional terms of political analysis suggest. What actually happens is that supporters locked into a candidate become discouraged by campaign stumbles and stay home, especially if they get the impression he's thrown away his chances for victory.
Conversely, the locked-in supporters of the opposing candidate are energized by the perception of weakness, or perhaps enraged by beyond-the-pale comments.
It's more about turnout than persuasion, for an increasingly large window of time before the election."

Supreme Court to Decide if the President Can Ever Ignore Parts of the Law | TheBlaze.com

Supreme Court to Decide if the President Can Ever Ignore Parts of the Law | TheBlaze.com:

 "Obama administration attorneys argue that the president must have control of sensitive foreign policy matters.
“The president has exclusive authority to recognize foreign governments … as well as their territorial limits,” the government argued in its brief to the Supreme Court. The brief said that Congress cannot “override the executive branch’s decades-long policy of neutrality with respect to the sovereignty over Jerusalem.”
Presidents before Bush issued signing statements, but some critics, including then-Sen. Barack Obama, denounced Bush for executive overreach and picking and choosing which parts of a law to enforce."

State Budget Follies

State Budget Follies [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
State Budget Follies
Senior Olympics subsidies getting old
Michigan’s state budget is a $52 billion-plus document that cuts across most aspects of our lives: police, courts, transportation and education to name a few subjects. 
Is it any wonder then that few noticed or complained when a $100,000 “one-time” appropriation was slipped in to subsidize an athletic competition between people who are in the autumn of their years?
Subsidizing the “Michigan Senior Olympics” is not a proper function of government.
...Does it bother anyone in state government that a cross-country skier in Ishpeming has her own choices (athletic hobbies and otherwise) diminished to cross subsidize the hobby of a bocce ball playing Detroiter?
Worse, there are taxpayers dragged into this transaction that have no interest in sports whatsoever.

What could possibly go wrong?----Middle-aged to be given brain tests for dementia

Middle-aged to be given brain tests for dementia - Telegraph: "
Middle-aged people will be screened by GPs for their risk of dementia and told how their “brain age” compares to their biological age, under new plans to “scare” people into adopting healthier lifestyles.
It means a man of 40 could be told that he has the brain of a 60-year-old, and a significantly greater chance of diseases like Alzheimer’s, based on his weight, exercise habits, cholesterol levels and alcohol intake.
The new system of screening, devised by Public Health England (PHE) means patients will be told how their brain is ageing, compared to those with healthier lifestyles, in a bid to shock them into changing their ways.
Officials behind the idea say they hope the warning will encourage people to make major changes in their lifestyle, which will reduce their chance of dementia.
But critics said the plans were “heavy-handed and intrusive” and would frighten millions of people - without giving them an accurate forecast of their true risk of dementia."

Who is the Real Chickenshit?

Who is the Real Chickenshit?
Judging by their actions, most Arab leaders do not want to create yet another terrorist Islamist state, dedicated to the Muslim Brotherhood's ideology and to toppling their regimes.
We do want a Palestinian state, but please, only one that will provide responsible governance.
According to the "Arab street," it is the Americans and Europeans who are cowards, afraid to take significant steps against Iran, and terrified of the Islamic ghettoes in their cities, which have been exporting terrorists to fight for the Islamic State, and providing housing to the seasoned fighters who return.
To Arabs, the ultimate irony is that America is paying Qatar to have its airbase there, while Qatar is paying terrorists to kill Americans.

Marijuana profits up in smoke under IRS rules

Marijuana profits up in smoke under IRS rules:
"Voters in Oregon, Alaska, and Washington, D.C., will decide Tuesday whether to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana.
But any new pot shops that voters approve may not be able to survive a drug war-era tax code that already threatens many businesses in Colorado and Washington state.
Under this tax code the federal government stands to make more money from the sale of marijuana than those legally selling it.
And that could be enough to shut down many shops.
"It's almost like they want us to fail," said Mitch Woolhiser, while walking through his store called Northern Lights Cannabis Co. in Edgewater, Colo.
"Everything I do is aimed at keeping us in business because if I don't, then (the feds) win.
And I'm not going to let them win."
Woolhiser believes the federal government is actively seeking to undermine his business.
Woolhiser first opened shop in 2010, selling medical marijuana.
He started selling recreational pot when it became legal in Colorado at the start of this year.
Last year, his business didn't earn a profit. 
Had he been selling anything but cannabis, he would not have owed federal income tax, as he ended up with a loss.
Instead, he ended up paying close to $20,000 to the IRS because of a 1980's tax code called 280E."

The White House Press Pool Noticed Something Conspicuous at Obama’s Campaign Stop in Pennsylvania | TheBlaze.com

The White House Press Pool Noticed Something Conspicuous at Obama’s Campaign Stop in Pennsylvania | TheBlaze.com:

"President Barack Obama delivered remarks Sunday for a Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate at a venue that was largely empty."

Putin Spanks Obama in New Russian Propaganda Art Gallery

Putin Spanks Obama in New Russian Propaganda Art Gallery - Hit & Run : Reason.com:
"Vladimir "Putin is a gift to caricaturists," said Barry Blitt, a New Yorker artist, when he designed a Sochi Olympic-themed cover earlier this year, featuring the Russian leader in frilly ice skating attire.
The caricature artists of Russia take a very different approach.
On Friday a gallery titled "No Filters" with the work of about 100 cartoonists opened in Moscow, and just about all their images show Putin favorably: as a strongman, a political chess master, and a fighter against fascists and terrorists. In one conspicuously large work, Putin is spanking President Barack Obama, who has the body of schoolboy.
"Targeted sanctions," the caption on that caricature reads – a jab at America's economic strategy against Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine.
Another image shows Putin tugging on Obama's ear, scolding him not to "touch" Ukraine again.
A third shows Obama and Ukraine's president, both dressed as peasant girls working the fields, cowering from Putin who sits atop a tank and asks, "Hey girls, have you seen any fascists here?""

Yes, they cheat. And cheat. And cheat again.........James OKeefe Offered a Bus Load of Ballots in North Carolina

History for November 4

History for November 4 - On-This-Day.com
Will Rogers 1879, Walter Cronkite 1916, Art Carney 1918 


Loretta Swit 1937 - Actress (M*A*S*H*), Laura Bush 1946 - U.S. First Lady, wife of U.S. President George W. Bush, Ralph Macchio 1961 


1842 - Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd in Springfield, IL. 


1846 - A patent for an artificial leg was granted to Benjamin Palmer. 


1847 - Scottish obstetrician James Young Simpson discovered the anethestic qualities of chloroform. 


1880 - James and John Ritty patented the first cash register. 


1939 - At the 40th National Automobile Show the first air-conditioned car was put on display. 


1942 - During World War II, Axis forces retreated from El Alamein in North Africa. It was a major victory for the British. 


1952 - In the United States, the National Security Agency (NSA) was established. 


1979 - Iranian militants seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took 63 Americans hostage (90 total hostages). The militants, mostly students, demanded that the U.S. send the former shah back to Iran to stand trial. Many hostages were later released, but 52 were held for the next 14 months. 


1995 - Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, 73 years old, was assassinated by right-wing Israeli Yigal Amir after attending a peace rally. 

VIDEO: Uh, Oh! This Actor Just Called Obama ‘the Most Racist President There has Ever Been in America’

VIDEO: Uh, Oh! This Actor Just Called Obama ‘the Most Racist President There has Ever Been in America’:

"Stein not only told Bream that Obama was the most racist in history, but pointed out the historically accurate fact that it was the Democrat Party that championed and fought to keep slavery, as well as the party that crafted Jim Crow laws and voted in-large against the civil rights laws in the 1960′s.

“The Republicans are the most pro-black party there’s ever been,” Stein said. “The Republicans are the ones who passed all the civil rights laws back in the 60′s, not the Democrats,” he reminded the audience. "

Wisconsin Mailman Accused of Trashing Hundreds of Pro-Republican Mailers | TheBlaze.com

Wisconsin Mailman Accused of Trashing Hundreds of Pro-Republican Mailers | TheBlaze.com:

"Robert Rukes, a special agent with the U.S. Postal Service inspector general’s office in Chicago, told the Wisconsin Reporter the agency’s initial findings are that the mail carrier wasn’t trying to sabotage the GOP before Tuesday’s midterm elections, he was likely just “overwhelmed.”

“A lot of times, what happened in this situation, you have a carrier who felt overwhelmed with the volume of mail so they decided to discard some of the mail without delivering,” Rukes said."

Al Sharpton Heads Back To St. Louis To Stoke Embers Of Ongoing Protests

Al Sharpton Heads Back To St. Louis To Stoke Embers Of Ongoing Protests:

"Following speculation that Ferguson, Mo. police officer Darren Wilson will likely not face charges for the shooting death of a black man, which led to prolonged civil unrest in the St. Louis area, many civil rights activists are calling for action. Among those leading the charge is Al Sharpton, who returned to the area this Friday.
Citing unconfirmed reports regarding the grand jury’s deliberation, Sharpton spoke out against those tasked with weighing the evidence against Wilson."

Ship Ahoy: WXYZ's Ronnie Dahl Asks Why Detroit Has So Many Abandoned Boats

Ship Ahoy: WXYZ's Ronnie Dahl Asks Why Detroit Has So Many Abandoned Boats –  Deadline Detroit:
"Ronnie Dahl asks a question on WXYZ-TV that many Detroiters have often asked: Why are there so many abandoned boats in the city?

In her travels across Detroit on others stories, Dahl noticed the boats -- almost all personal pleasure craft -- that sit, motorless, serving as oversized garbage cans. 

She started snapping photos and decided to trace one of the boats -- "an 18-foot monster" on Eastwood Street -- through the registration number on its bow.

Dahl, wearing a captain's hat -- it's TV, remember -- shows up at a home in Clinton Township with the boat in tow. 

"Guess what? I found your boat," Dahl says, greeting the man. 

The supposed owner is a cool customer: 

He refrains from acting out like many alleged perpetrators when confronted on camera, and insists the boat never belonged to him -- despite evidence produced by Dahl."

The Numbers You Need to Know About Obamacare

The Numbers You Need to Know About Obamacare:

“In eleven states, premiums for twenty-seven-year-olds have more than doubled since 2013; in thirteen states, premiums for fifty-year-olds have increased more than 50 percent,” writes health care expert Robert Moffit in a new report.

It doesn’t take a medical degree to see that Obamacare is ailing. The sooner it’s repealed, the better."