This is the last time I will post about the Obama birth certificate issue (unless, of course, Obama himself admits it's a fraud or he is formally charged with fraud by law enforcement authorities).
We've got so much more to worry about that's of real consequence that the distraction of the birth certificate issue needs to be set aside for future pondering.
For the time being, to be distracted by the birth certificate is akin to worrying about whether the uniform worn by the captain of the Titanic is regulation even as you're climbing over other people to secure a spot in a lifeboat.
Hat tip to Streetwise Pundit for bringing a post in National Review to my attention. Streewise Pundit has some interesting remarks of his own, by the way (which you can read here).
Nathan Goulding's article at National Review points out that the layers "found" by people who have downloaded the Obama birth certificate PDF do not necessarily indicate fraud.
"I’ve confirmed that scanning an image, converting it to a PDF, optimizing that PDF, and then opening it up in Illustrator," Goulding wrote, "does in fact create layers similar to what is seen in the birth certificate PDF. You can try it yourself at home."
I did try it at home. (Well, in a coffee shop.) I opened it in Inkscape, PaintShop Pro and MS Paint, too. Layers, but each application found different layers. It depends upon what criteria the specific application looks for: Separation based on hue, color, lightness, darkness, etc.
Let's get back to urgent business, folks.
April 18, 2011 - Barack Obama finally released his long form birth certificate yesterday -- or did he? Was that document authentic? No, according to a YouTuber called "extremumspiritum," who calls it a forgery. I'm presenting this without comment (yet), except to say that the maker of these videos presents a compelling case which, if true, will be one of history's biggest bombshells. He claims to "prove" the birth certificate is a fraud by using Inkscape, a graphics program, and Google's Chrome internet browser.
Update: "On the Titanic, Worried About Obama's Birth Certificate"
He offers video "proof" of this claim in two videos. One, uploaded to YouTube yesterday, is titled "Obama's Long Form Birth Certificate Is A Fake!! Google Chrome Exposes Lie!"
Extremumspiritum wrote this description how how he "proves" the forgery using Google Chrome:
"While using the Google Chrome browser to view the high resolution pdf of Barack Obama's long form birth certificate, I noticed while zooming in on the document that the background disappears. When this happens all of the pixelated looking letters on the document disappear including the Attendents signature but other parts of the test stay intact. This only works with Google Chrome." Watch that video here (he has disabled embedding).
In another video, uploaded by Extremumspiritum today, is titled "Obama's long form birth certificate FAKE. Several layers in pdf document."
This video's decription:
"I opened Obama's original long form birth certificate in Inkscape. Once there I was able to move the many different layers of this forged document. Somebody forgot to flatten the layers and cover their tracks before handing this over to the president." Watch that video here (embedding disabled).
April 28, 2011 - Did you know that the Obama Administration is subsidizing the oil industry in Brazil? Yep, that's right. This, of course, is with the full knowledge and consent of House Squeaker Nancy Pelosi.
Yet there was Pelosi this morning, giving the old Lefty line about ending subsidies to Big Oil. (Translation: American Big Oil.)
According to a report by MarketWatch today, House Dummy Leader Pelosi "used Exxon Mobil Corp.’s first-quarter profits to again call for ending subsidies to big oil companies, escalating the already-intense war of words over energy policy."
The Obama Regime, by the way, has no energy policy other than to (a) prevent American exploration and drilling for new oil, (b) promise to hunt down all the speculators who have illegally driven up fuel prices (none have been found) and (c) throw U.S. taxpayer money at Brazil's oil drilling efforts.
In part, Pelosi was inspired to spew her rant by news that Exxon Mobil said its profit rose 69% to nearly $11 billion in the first quarter. MarketWatch noted that "Pelosi, like President Barack Obama earlier in the week, said oil companies don’t deserve tax breaks and that the U.S. ought to be investing in clean energy."
Seriously, does this make sense? I agree that "clean energy" should be pursued. It's a worthy goal, but it's very long term and in the here and now we need to make full use of the energy we have at hand.
Pelosi, sticking to the Marxist line, said that U.S. taxpayers shouldn't "subsidize Big Oil’s profits.” Again, she said nothing about American taxpayers subsidizing Big Oil in Brazil.
MarketWatch also reportesd that Obama’s 2012 budget would take away tax deductions from oil and gas companies, which would "raise about $46 billion over 10 years." Let's see, that's $4.6 billion per year, or $383,333,333 per month, which breaks down to $88,461,538 per week. That's about $12,602,739 per day, which is about how much it cost for Obama to fly into Chicago to tape an Oprah show yesterday.
RELATED:
Obama Underwrites Offshore Drilling WSJ.com
Just a little thing I made last night. This animated GIF of Herman Cain is a composite of photos I took of him during his speech at the Chicago Tea Party's April 18, 2011 Tax Day rally in Daley Plaza, Chicago. Enjoy!
April 27, 2011 - The Obamas are in town to visit with Oprah Winfrey, and you're paying for it. Barack Obama, who apparently has nothing more urgent to attend to (such as golfing), has deemed that it's just fine and dandy to spend hundreds of thousands of your dollars on his trip to Harpo Studios to chat with Oprah.
At approximately 11:25 a.m. today, I saw the president's helicopter, accompanied by two guard choppers, fly low over Rogers Park, a remote sector in the extreme northeast and far Left part of Occupied Chicago.
It upset me, and it should upset you too. Obama has said that he "will not rest" until he has solved the issue of ... well, he's said that of many issues. (Golf, in his world, is not "rest.") So, sleepless and overworked in his quest to solve domestic and international crises, Obama nevertheless placed Oprah Winfrey above all other items today.
Dropping everything, Obama has taken the time to fly to Chicago to sit next to Oprah for the taping of one of the last episodes of "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Her last show will air on May 25, after a 25 year run. This is very important in the world of entertainment and popular culture, and I really don't mean to diminish the significance of Oprah's influence. But...
Couldn't the President of the United States have arranged for Oprah's camera crew to visit him at the White House to tape his tribute to Oprah? Of course he could, but instead he chose to spend massive amounts of money on Air Force One's jet fuel and helicopter fuel to get him to Chicago. Once here, of course, he would be motorcaded from the helicopter landing zone over to Harpo Studios. (See his entire, official schedule at http://www.whitehouse.gov/schedule/complete.)
After the taping, a return to the helicopter, the helicopter flight back to Air Force One, then a flight to New York this afternoon. Is the president going to New York for urgent government business? Nope. He will give speeches at three Democratic National Committee events. In other words, fundraising for his re-election campaign. "I will not rest," he might say, until he gets that billion dollars for his re-election campaign, and an appearance on Oprah is certainly part of that strategy.
I haven't even mentioned, yet, the added costs to the Chicago Police Department for the needed extra security details. The local FBI and Secret Service will also be inconvenienced, both in terms of manpower and finances. Don't even get me started on the inconvenience that a presidential motorcade always creates for motorists, who will find major streets closed for the passage of Barack Obama on his way to perform his urgent presidential duties at Harpo Studios.
I can't wait for November, 2012. Or for May 26, 2011.
In economically depressed northern England, especially in run-down industrial towns, young girls in their early teens are being abused and forced into prostitution by immigrants from Pakistan and other Asian countries. Often plied with drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, the girls are easy prey for these vermin.
The shocking videos below will make you see this horrible abuse of young girls in a way you might never have dreamed possible. It's truly a nightmare for the girls and for their parents.
Sometimes forced into prostitution and/or the narcotics trade, this is a tragedy that affects women of all nationalities worldwide. The Mail Online (UK) has an excellent article about British girls being forced into prostitution in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. Another good article about forced sex work comes from The Independent (UK).
Of course, there are non-British girls being victimized by these scumbags, too. The BBC had a thorough piece about a 16-year old Lithuanian girl who was forced into prostitution while on a trip to the UK. Her tormenters were a group Albanian pimps operating a string of brothels in a west London suburb.
This is NOT a uniquely British problem. It is a global epidemic, getting worse every year.
The long-awaited film adaptation of Ayn Rand's classic 1957 political novel 'Atlas Shrugged' opens nationwide on Friday, April 15 (trailer below). The film's actual title is "Atlas Shrugged: Part I," which gives us hope that there will be a Part II. Here is a nationwide listing of where you see Atlas Shrugged the movie. (For those of you in my state of Illinois, here's a shortcut just for you.)
Atlas Shrugged, the book, is either adored by those who have read it or tends to frighten many who have not. Why are some put off by the book? In part this is because of Rand's own fierce history and her objectivist philosophy.
Many see Atlas Shrugged as nothing more than a political rant. This is inaccurate. Although it's true that Rand weaves her politics into most of the book, it is often done so deftly and gets preachy in only a few (extended) spots. Atlas Shrugged, though, is much more: It's a compelling love story, an edge-of-your-seat tale of power struggles, and a satisfying dissection of politics and politicians that feels as relevant today as it did in 1957 (possibly even moreso).
Related:
Synopsis, Cast & Crew info - Internet Movie Database (IMDB)
Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups - Chicago Objectivist Society
Please tell me if this is good, bad or just ridiculous grandstanding. Freshman Congressman Joe Walsh, Republican of Illinois, today introduced House Joint Resolution 54 (H.J.Res.54), described in his press release as "a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution that provides a framework for putting our country on a path [to] economic stability." Okay, uh huh...
That sounds pretty good to those of us who are in favor of economic stability, but I wonder if Rep. Walsh is aware of the fact that much of what has been done by both houses of Congress has been unconstitutional. My point is simple: We have a Congress that has repeatedly demonstrated its contempt for the U.S. Constitution. Given that, what hope is there that (a) such a bill stands a chance of passing both houses of Congress or that (b) if his bill did pass and become part of the Constitution itself, that Congress would respect it any more than it respects the rest of the document.
H.J.Res.54 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
Furthermore, Walsh's timing could not be clumsier. As the Congress is engaging in a budget battle that could shut down the Federal Government, his H.J.Res.54 only adds noise to the cacophony. It would have been better for Walsh to have waited until after the current fracas has resolved itself. The bill, and the timing of it and his press release, does nothing to further the current Republican efforts in Congress. The timing smells of opportunism and of a man desperate for attention.
Have a look at Walsh's press release, and don't be afraid to chuckle out loud.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Elizabeth Lauten
Thursday, April 7, 2011 (202) 225-3711
Congressman Walsh Introduces Balanced Budget Amendment
“It’s time to bring our country out of the red”
Washington, D.C. – As part of his ongoing effort to restore fiscal responsibility in Washington, Congressman Joe Walsh (R-IL) today introduced H.J.Res.54, a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution that provides a framework for putting our country on a path economic stability. This amendment is the House-companion to the Senate amendment that all 47 Republicans unanimously introduced last week, which would require the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress prior to each fiscal year.
“The federal government cannot continue to burden our children with this crushing deficit,” said Congressman Walsh. “American families have been working through a recession for the past three years by spending less and saving more, yet the federal government continues to spend money it simply does not have. Congress has neglected the real root cause and continues to be part of the problem, not part of the solution.”
“This amendment is the solution. If the average American family has to find a way to balance their checkbook each year and live within their means, there is no reason that the federal government can’t do the same.”
“It was important to me that my first piece of legislation as a United States Congressman serves the American people by easing the burden of the government in their daily lives. A key provision to this amendment is to ensure that the budget is not balanced on the backs of hard working Americans, and thus H.J.Res.54 would require a 2/3 super-majority in both Houses for any tax increase.”
“Most importantly, this amendment shows families and businesses across America that Congress is serious about stabilizing our economy long-term. It’s time to bring our country out of the red.”
The Balanced Budget Amendment resolution features the following key provisions:
• Presidential requirement to submit a balanced budget and Congressional requirement to pass a balanced budget;
• Federal spending cap that Congress must limit outlays to no more than 18 percent of GDP, in line with the historical average of revenues over the last 40 years (this year, the federal government is projected to spend close to 25% of GDP);
• Prohibits the courts from ordering revenue increases.
###
Ayn Rand's influential novel "Atlas Shrugged" is finally a major motion picture. It will open, appropriately, on April 15. That's three days before Tax Day (it's April 18 this year) for most of us, and our annual reminder of government's steel grip on our lives. (Watch trailers here.)
I've been amazed that the film has not gotten more attention and mention than it has. I understand that the producers have no budget for promotion, but what's puzzling is the virtual silence from conservative talk show hosts and tea party groups nationwide. Tea Party groups across the country will hold rallies on Friday, April 15. Perhaps, after the rallies, they could also go en masse to the nearest theater that is showing Atlas Shrugged.
One Chicago-area politician, Paul Mitchell, is smart enough to get a group together to watch the movie. He's the Vice President of Lake County Right to Life, a board member of the Lake County Tea Party, and a recent candidate for the Illinois State Legislature. He's inviting everyone to join him in watching Atlas Shrugged next Friday, April 15. In his own words:
Next week, on Friday, April 15th, at the Marcus Cinema at Gurnee Mills Mall in Gurnee, Atlas Shrugged, Part One will open. Let's go see it together. I recently finished reading the novel by Ayn Rand that this movie is based upon, and I think this will be an important film. We should help it be a success. If you, like me, feel that the world is going crazy, I want you to know that someone predicted over 50 years ago much of what we're seeing today. It is not too late to fight the trends, and I believe that this story will help us put the current problems that our state and our nation are facing into context. It will also help us understand who our opponents really are, and what they driving us towards.
Read Mitchell's entire invitation at his website: http://paulfor62.com/2011/04/05/atlas-shrugged-part-one-opens
