C-SPAN guest claims no knowledge of Reich's 'white male construction workers' caveat

C-SPAN had an excellent program this morning—I caught part of the ‘Distribution of Stimulus to States’ as Joy Wilson, Counsel to the National Conference of State Legislators talked about states like California getting top federal dollars. Wilson pointed out the Democratic plan passed by the U.S. House of Representatives (with no Republican support) is actually a “recovery” plan rather than a stimulus plan.

“Just words” as President Barack Obama said during the campaign, but words that offer a p.r. shield if something goes wrong as many economists predict and the plan doesn’t get the economy moving.

What was interesting to me was Wilson’s claim she had no idea what a caller meant when he asked her about economic advisor Robert Reich’s comments about ‘white male construction workers.’ To be fair, Reich also mentioned ‘highly skilled professionals’ in his original statement. The gist of Reich’s statements, though, came across as directing federal dollars to the long-time unemployed and minorities—no big change in Democratic politics there.  You can see the video below and decide for yourself.

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U.S. grassroots stimulus tip: Be really patriotic—buy a Ford

Ford Motor Co. announced a $14.6 billion loss for 2008, but the company is resisting federal aid, planning to cut jobs in the credit sector and use a line of credit. Ford told The Detriot News it will “draw down its $14.1 billion credit revolver.” The paper says Ford decided to put that money on its own books now because of the "uncertainty" in the financial markets.

Remember when Vice-President Joe Biden (D-Del.) said paying taxes is patriotic? That was quite possibly one of the most shameful statements I’ve ever heard a politician utter. What Biden should’ve said—or at the least should be saying now: buy a Ford.

The 2010 Mustang Shelby GT500 is a sweetheart of a car. [Photo from Ford website; click photo to visit site.]

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El Rushbo vs. the Democrats—is freedom of speech at stake?

Rush Limbaugh is no hypocrite, and his dedication to true conservatism has sparked Democratic outrage.The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched a disinformation war against popular conservative Rush Limbaugh, and the implications are grim. Limbaugh has never pulled punches. Remember his scathing criticism of Sen. John McCain during the presidential election? Limbaugh reportedly called McCain an “uninspiring candidate” and that was just for starters.

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Hollywood leftists del Toro and Damon still angry despite Obama victory

Benicio del Toro is Che in a romanticized film about the Cuban fighter Che Guevara. Photo from N.Y. Film Festival.You’d think all the left leaners in Hollywood—using ‘Hollywood’ as a state of mind rather than as a real geographical reference—would be walking around with a perpetual smile. After all, the candidate the entertainment industry overwhelmingly backed won the office of the U.S. presidency. But no! Angst, for the serious performer, is a duty. That is perhaps one reason Benicio del Toro, of late garnering attention for his role as Che Guevara in the movie not surprisingly named ‘Che’, got a little wired during a recent interview with The Washington Times.

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Even Oprah may find hope in obesity-virus link

A theory about a link between obesity and a virus called adenovirus-36 re-surfaced on Monday in the Daily Express (London). The paper said scientists would announce the results of research pointing to the airborne virus AD-36—the symptoms are similar to a common cold—causing obesity in some people. It doesn’t help that the virus is highly contagious. This theory has been around for several years, and is another in a long line of theories about why some people are fat and others aren’t. There’s a lot of research ongoing about weight—after all, the weight loss business is profitable and gargantuan. There’s also a bit of a problem with the obesity label in general—the body mass index was developed by a Belgian named Adolphe Quelet who died in or around 1874 according to various websites. Not much about Quelet is posted online. But his formula is pretty simple. You input your height and weight and calculate your BMI. Therein also lies the rub. Many professional athletes are obese according to Quelet’s tables.

Oprah’s been in the news of late, with tabloids reporting her dismay over not being able to control her weight. Frankly Oprah looks better heavier than thinner. In my opinion. She’s a big woman who always strikes me as regal. There's bizarre irony in being able to afford Prada but not being able to buy yourself thin.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are 49 immunologically distinct types (6 subgenera: A through F) of adenovirus that can cause human infections. (Image CDC, Dr. G. William Gary, Jr., 1981)

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Floridian gives thanks for Calamondin and Mrs. Chickie after inaugural

I have recovered from the inaugural stupor induced by media and many of my fellows after President Barack Obama dropped ‘Elect’ from his title. Yes, I am glad a man with black and white parents worked his way to the top of the executive ladder. He’s a perfect symbol culturally for our country. But my new president is a die-hard Democrat and I do not expect him to change his ways. He means well, and I’m sure he’ll prove it by spending my taxpayer money.

Unlike a few select Republicans, fellow Democrats of Obama will not attempt to counsel him on his misguided approach to the free market—actually the formerly free market. Rather, the Pelosi-Reid Congressional posse will applaud every single dollar spent on unskilled workers, citizens who pay no taxes whatsoever, and that valuable crutch of the Democratic Party, minorities. There are too many of those to be defined these days because we are the melting pot for the world. I figure we have some of everyone in this mix.

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Mainstream media struggles with new president, lacks appropriate label

With President Bush's departure, Democrats will need a new scapegoat. This photo was taken by Chris Greenberg during Bush's final term. The Bush administration provided a wealth of photos and information for media outside the official press corps on the White House website. Those materials are no longer on the website, as best I can tell.President Barack Obama promised transparency during his campaign, but already some media are complaining about briefings by anonymous officials and lack of access to Obama’s re-swearing. What do we call mainstream media now they’re no longer mainstream?

Mainstream media. Traditional media. Establishment media. Often when I write a column, I grapple with decisions about what to call media representative of national networks and long-time print publications like The New York Times. Even Google and other web-based companies have entered that progressive circle, with splash pages offering news headlines from around the world, in exactly the same manner wire services traditionally did. Ironically Google has at times run stories from political advocacy blog directories as straight news.

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