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“Barefoot Contessa” Ina Garten Caves to Public Pressure and Grants Wish
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This story actually shocked me on so many levels:
“Barefoot Contessa” Ina Garten has a new nickname — “Heartless Contessa” — in the wake of news that she repeatedly refused to meet with a 6-year-old boy named Enzo who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
According to the reports:
The boy, who would watch Garten from his sick bed, told the Make-A-Wish Foundation that he wanted to meet the Food Network celebrity. When told that her schedule was too busy, Enzo opted to wait. When the request was made once more, Garten’s representatives replied with a “definite no,” according to the online blog that the family kept about the boy’s illness.
Now, I have been a fan of Garten’s for a while; I like the way her show is produced and frankly, her recipes are good (minus all the butter). I can understand that her schedule is demanding; however, I also know that celebrities will go out of their way for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. So who dropped the ball on Garten’s part? And an even better question is: why hasn’t she publicly denounced or fired the person(s).
Additionally, as the article states, Garten’s rep and Make-A-Wish noted:
In response to the controversy, Make-A-Wish stressed to TMZ that Garten is a “good friend” of the foundation. A representative for Garten told the site: “Despite her demanding schedule, [Ina] participates and helps as many organizations as she can throughout the year, helping children and adults like Enzo with life threatening and compromising illnesses. … Unfortunately, as much as she would like to, it’s absolutely impossible for her to grant every request she receives.”
However, the Make-A-Wish website (link above) doesn’t include Garten in the list. Addtionally, the Look to the Stars website documents very well celebrities an their affiliated charities. Garten doesn’t even come up in the search. Searches Garten does come up in–which she donates her valuable time–include, hosting a political fund-raiser and the 16th Annual Hudson Peconic benefit for Planned Parenthood.
Breaking CNS News Exclusive: Should Kagan Recuse from Health Cases? Internal DOJ Emails Raise Questions
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CNSNews.com has just posted an exclusive featuring DOJ emails that raise serious questions about whether or not Justice Elena Kagan may have to recuse herself from any case involving ObamaCare that comes before the Supreme Court.
In short, the Justice Department – including Kagan’s Office of the Solicitor General – began preparing to defend the law in early January 2010. Kagan was not told by Obama until March 2010 that she was being considered for the U.S. Supreme Court, yet she has publicly denied having any conversations or even expressing an opinion about the health care bill. Now, the Judicial Crisis Network has filed another FOIA request with DOJ, this one prepared by Joseph DiGenova, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
Paul Ryan: Building a National Dialogue on Solutions to Cut Spending and Creating a Better Environment for Job Growth
Washington, D.C. – Building on the national dialogue that produced the Pledge to America, House Republicans are continuing to engage the American people to find solutions to our nation’s greatest challenges. At town hall meetings and online at AmericaSpeakingOut.com, Republicans are discussing the scale of our debt crisis with the American people, and exploring ways we can put America back on a path to prosperity. In a new video message, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan says that while the President has ignored the threat posed by a crushing burden of debt, House Republicans will lead with honest solutions that will reduce spending and create a better environment for job growth in America. But to overcome a challenge as large as our current fiscal crisis, the people must be engaged, and Chairman Ryan is asking all Americans to take part in this conversation. You can view Chairman Ryan’s video message encouraging Americans to Speak Out below.
Herman Cain Defends Controversial “Muslim” Comments on Cavuto
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com
NEIL CAVUTO, HOST OF “YOUR WORLD”: Well, I told you, if he ever decided to run for president, he would raise Cain.
Herman Cain doing that literally, comments over the weekend that jolted a lot of folks. When he was asked about whether, given his harsh views on Islam, he would ever appoint a Muslim to his administration, the always frank former business titan said, no, he would not.
With me now, Herman Cain.
Well, you know, they are all over you on this, Herman. You want to clarify that or expound on it?
HERMAN CAIN, CEO, THE NEW VOICE: Hey, Neil, a reporter asked me would I appoint a Muslim to my administration? I did say no. And here’s why. But the reporter didn’t tell you this.
I would have to have people totally committed to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of this United States. And many of the Muslims, they are not totally dedicated to this country. They are not dedicated to our Constitution. Many of them are trying to force Sharia law on the people of this country.
Chuck Schumer Caught Giving Marching Orders to Colleagues Re: Speaker Boehner
Classic Schumer, not knowing what’s going on or how to properly use the mute button on those fancy-dancy telephones up there on Capitol Hill.
From NYT’s The Caucus blog:
After thanking his colleagues — Barbara Boxer of California, Ben Cardin of Maryland, Tom Carper of Delaware and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut — for doing the budget bidding for the Senate Democrats, who are facing off against the House Republicans over how spending for the rest of the fiscal year, Mr. Schumer told them to portray John Boehner of Ohio, the Speaker of the House, as painted into a box by the Tea Party, and to decry the spending cuts that he wants as extreme. “I always use the word extreme,” Mr. Schumer said, “That is what the caucus instructed me to use this week.”
A minute or two into the talking-points tutorial, though, someone apparently figured out that reporters were listening, and silence fell.
Then the conference call began in earnest, with the Democrats right on message.
“We are urging Mr. Boehner to abandon the extreme right wing,” said Ms. Boxer, urging the House to compromise on the scale of spending cuts and to drop proposed amendments that would deny federal financing for Planned Parenthood and for government agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency.
Hilarious!
Update from Speaker Boehner’s office:
Washington Dems’ ‘Marching Orders’? Root for a Government Shutdown
The Democrats who run Washington are desperate to distract from the fact that – while House Republicans have passed a funding bill for the remainder of the year that cuts spending – they have not passed a bill and not announced a credible plan. As part of that distraction campaign, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was overheard giving ‘marching orders’ to other Democratic Senators to call the GOP ‘extreme’ shortly after former DNC Chairman Howard Dean said that Washington Democrats should be ‘quietly’ rooting for a government shutdown.
Clearly, Sen. Schumer missed the “quietly” part.
The fact is that Republicans’ goal is to cut spending in order to create a better environment for job creation, not to shut down the government. The only folks talking about a shutdown are Democrats like Sen. Schumer, who believe they will benefit politically, as Dean explained: “From a partisan point of view, I think it would be the best thing in the world to have a shutdown.”
When it comes to the government shutdown that Democrats are now actively rooting for, here are the facts:
- GOP leaders have been abundantly clear: Our goal is to reduce spending, not shut down the government.
- The House has passed H.R. 1 to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year while also cutting spending by $61 billion; the Senate has failed to pass any bill and has yet to come up with a credible plan. As a result, there has been no coherent position from Democrats making negotiation difficult, if not impossible.
- H.R. 1 included numerous policy provisions, a routine part of the appropriations process. President Obama has signed hundreds of them into law in the past and voted for hundreds of them when he was a senator. Likewise, Vice President Biden, Democratic leaders in the Senate, as well as Leader Pelosi & Whip Hoyer, have voted for thousands of appropriations policy riders during their careers in Congress. While Democrats can publicly “refuse” to consider adding any policy provisions to a final agreement, that is simply not a credible position given their past voting records.
- Republicans have passed two short-term CRs to fund the government for short periods of time while also cutting $10 billion in spending, forcing Democrats to concede to real spending cuts.
- Republicans have been honest and straightforward throughout this process. In the election, the American people made it clear that Congress must focus on cutting spending, and Republicans pledged to make significant spending cuts for the remainder of this fiscal year. The Democrats have continued to defend the status quo and refuse to listen to the American people.
- We’re only in this mess because of the Democrats’ historic failure to pass, or even offer, a budget last year. The Democrats have completely abandoned all efforts to control spending in Washington. In contrast, Republicans are listening to the American people and fighting for their priorities: cutting spending and creating jobs.
Update II from the Senate Communications Office:
THE SENATOR WHO CRIED ‘EXTREME’
SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): “I Always Use The Word Extreme…
That Is What The Caucus Instructed Me To Use This Week.”
(“On A Senate Call, A Glimpse Of Marching Orders,” The New York Times, 3/29/11)
FLASHBACK
SEN. SCHUMER: ‘Every Week They Keep Upping The Ante And Proposing Extreme Cuts…’
SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): “Every Week They [Republicans] Keep Upping The Ante And Proposing Extreme Cuts…” (“Democrats Eager To Talk Of Government Shutdown,” CNN, 2/3/11)
- SCHUMER: “These Are Extreme Ideas That Will Take The Country Backwards.” (Sen. Schumer, Statement, 2/9/11)
Senate Democrats Keep Voting For These So-Called ‘Extreme Cuts’
“Democrats This Week Helped Approve A Two-Week Extension Of Government Funding — A Bill That Included $4 Billion In Cuts Over That Short Span…” (“Obama Comes Off Sidelines On Budget,” The Hill, 3/3/11)
“The Senate Cleared A Three-Week Continuing Resolution For The President’s Signature Thursday … The Spending Measure, Which Passed 87-13, Would Keep The Government Funded Through April 8 And Would Cut $6 Billion In Spending.” (“Three-Week Spending Measure Sent To President,” Roll Call, 3/17/11)
‘At This Rate, [Republicans] Would Achieve The Target Of GOP Congressional Leaders Of Lopping Off $61 Billion From President Obama’s Proposed Budget’
“It’s Not Ideal, But Funding The Federal Government Two Or Three Weeks At A Time Is Cutting Spending By About $2 Billion A Week. … Stay this course, and there could be savings of about $62 billion, right around the amount House Republicans wanted in HR1, their budget to see the government through the current fiscal year.” (“Short-Term Federal Budgets Actually Reducing Spending,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, 3/27/11)
THE WEEKLY STANDARD’s FRED BARNES: “In The Meantime, The Incremental Strategy Is Working. Republicans have passed two short-term measures to keep the government in operation since early March while slashing $10 billion in spending. At this rate, they would achieve the target of GOP congressional leaders of lopping off $61 billion from President Obama’s proposed budget in the final seven months of the 2011 fiscal year.” (Fred Barnes, Op-Ed, “Republicans Are Winning The Budget Fight,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/28/11)
Defeating Governor Walker, “By Any Means Necessary”
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Jean-Paul Sartre called for the eradication of class “by any means necessary” and Malcolm X brought it into the lexicon of the American Left. We in Wisconsin have seen it on placards and banners around our state capitol. We are now learning just what it means. In addition to fugitive legislators, intimidation, and boycotts, “any means necessary” apparently includes an unapologetic politicization of the race for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which currently has a narrow (4–3) conservative majority.
As opponents of Governor Walker’s collective-bargaining reforms move into the courts, an organized campaign seeks to persuade the public that a vote for incumbent Justice David Prosser is a vote for Walker. A recent letter to members of a local teachers’ union claims that a vote for Prosser’s opponent will “swing the balance to our side.” It is time, the letter says, “to get even.” A television ad flashes images of the siege at our capitol and headlines regarding claims that the new collective bargaining law is “illegal,” while calling for an “impartial” judiciary.
Speaker Boehner Applauds Introduction of Pro-Jobs American Energy Initiative Bills
WASHINGTON, DC – House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) today expressed strong support for three American Energy Initiative proposals introduced by Natural Resources Committee leaders to stop Washington policies that are driving up gas prices and expand American energy production to help lower costs and create more jobs:
“Rising gas prices are hurting families and small businesses at a time when our economy is already having trouble creating jobs. The new House majority has been working to tackle this problem through the American Energy Initiative, an ongoing effort to stop Washington policies that are driving up gas prices and expand American energy production to help lower costs and create more jobs. For its part, the Obama Administration has consistently blocked American energy production and promoted policies that drive up gas prices further. We’re now worse off, with domestic energy production headed downward and prices expected to skyrocket in the months ahead. The common-sense proposals Chairman Hastings introduced today would help reverse these job-crushing trends and put us on a path to expanding American energy production.
“Energy is the foundation of our economy: no energy means no jobs. By expanding American energy production, we can help create more jobs, lower costs, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Our committees are fully engaged in this critical issue, and I appreciate their ongoing efforts on behalf of the American people.”
NOTE: Earlier this month, as part of the American Energy Initiative, the Energy & Commerce Committee approved H.R. 910, the Energy Tax Prevention Act, to prevent the federal government from imposing a backdoor national energy tax. The proposals Natural Resources Committee leaders introduced today include:
- The Putting the Gulf Back to Work Act, to end the Obama Administration’s de facto drilling moratorium in a safe, responsible, transparent manner – putting thousands of Americans back to work and increasing American energy production to help address rising gasoline prices.
- The Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act, to expand American energy production and create jobs by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to conduct oil and natural gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Virginia that have been delayed or cancelled by the Obama Administration.
- The Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act, to lift the Obama Administration’s ban on new offshore drilling by requiring the Administration to move forward on American energy production in areas containing the most oil and natural gas resources.
Get Ready for Cash for Clunkers Part Deux: Government Motors Strikes Back
As if the United States hadn’t already been forced, kicking and screaming, to see the first incarnation of “Cash for Clunkers” our good friend Kerry Picket informs us that the Obama administration and certain members of Congress are gearing up for a summer blockbuster squeal to the failed program. Government Motors
Tax cuts for the rich (Liberal)
Writing at The Washington Times Water Cooler Blog Kerry explains how this production is currently being marketed around DC:
Ready for another cash for clunkers program? It looks like General Motors is attempting to replace it’s own consumer incentives with tax payer money. The car company, bailed out of bankruptcy in 2009 by the American tax payer, appears to be turning the government into an automatic rebate provider.
The Obama administration and their friends on Capitol Hill are floating around a proposal to change the $7500 tax credit for green vehicles. This change can be found not only in President Barack Obama’s budget but also a bill proposed by Senator Debbie Stabenow, Michigan Democrat.
Take a look at what Senator is pushing the funding for this “Cash for Clunkers” movie sequel:
