What The Hell Did He Say ?

Below is a transcript of Chairman Obama's remarks on Arizona's immigration law. Where applicable, I have provided translations for those who do not speak Progressivakian, the tongue of socialists the world over, and invaluable commentary. Without further ado--






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" Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. [for not impeaching me] Everyone please have a seat. Thank you very much. Let me thank Pastor Hybels from near my hometown in Chicago,[where I take my marching orders from Mayor Daley] who took time off his vacation to be here today. We are blessed to have him. [Secularly blessed, that is.]

I want to thank President Neil Kerwin and our hosts here at American University; acknowledge my outstanding Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis,[You remember Hilda, right ? She wants to make sure illegal aliens are fairly paid and will use your tax dollars to make that happen.] and members of my administration; all the members of Congress — Hilda deserves applause. (Applause.) To all the members of Congress, the elected officials, faith and law enforcement, labor, business leaders and immigration advocates who are here today — thank you for your presence.



I want to thank American University for welcoming me to the campus once again. Some may recall that the last time I was here I was joined by a dear friend, and a giant of American politics, Senator Edward Kennedy. Teddy’s not here right now, [and neither is Mary Jo Koepechne] but his legacy of civil rights and health care and worker protections is still with us.



I was a candidate for President that day, and some may recall I argued that our country had reached a tipping point;[now we're on the edge of total collapse] that after years in which we had deferred our most pressing problems, and too often yielded to the politics of the moment, we now faced a choice: We could squarely confront our challenges with honesty and determination, or we could consign ourselves and our children to a future less prosperous and less secure. [Well, whether we like it or not, we took the prize behind Door Number Two.]



I believed that then and I believe it now.[despite all evidence] And that’s why, even as we’ve tackled the most severe economic crisis since the Great Depression, even as we’ve wound down the war in Iraq and refocused our efforts in Afghanistan, my administration has refused to ignore some of the fundamental challenges facing this generation. [To make it fair for the rest of the world, we're going to make those fundamental challenges far more difficult with higher taxes.]



We launched the most aggressive education reforms in decades, [by taking over the student loan program] so that our children can gain the knowledge and skills they need to compete in a 21st century global economy. [That is looking more and more like Zimbabwe's.]



We have finally delivered on the promise of health reform [in a way that would have made Stalin proud] -– reform that will bring greater security to every American, and that will rein in the skyrocketing costs that threaten families, businesses and the prosperity of our nation. [In other words, we're going to raise your taxes needlessly and snuff out your elderly parents. All in the name of the common good!]



We’re on the verge of reforming an outdated and ineffective set of rules governing Wall Street [by taking it over] -– to give greater power to consumers and prevent the reckless financial speculation that led to this severe recession.



And we’re accelerating the transition to a clean energy economy by significantly raising the fuel-efficiency standards of cars and trucks, and by doubling our use of renewable energies like wind and solar power — steps that have the potential to create whole new industries and hundreds of thousands of new jobs in America. [Here comes Cap and Trade!]



So, despite the forces of the status quo, [also known as those racist Conservatives] despite the polarization and the frequent pettiness of our politics, [those damn Tea Party people] we are confronting the great challenges of our times. And while this work isn’t easy, and the changes we seek won’t always happen overnight, what we’ve made clear is that this administration will not just kick the can down the road.



Immigration reform is no exception. In recent days, the issue of immigration has become once more a source of fresh contention in our country, [minus the 60% of Americans who actually agree with the law] with the passage of a controversial [in the eyes of the Progressiveviks] law in Arizona and the heated reactions we’ve seen across America. Some have rallied behind this new policy. Others have protested and launched boycotts of the state. And everywhere, people have expressed frustration with a system that seems fundamentally broken.



Of course, the tensions around immigration are not new.[Yes, Chairman Obama doesn't recognize the difference between legal and illegal immigrants.] On the one hand, we’ve always defined ourselves as a nation of immigrants — a nation that welcomes those willing to embrace America’s precepts. Indeed, it is this constant flow of immigrants that helped to make America what it is. The scientific breakthroughs of Albert Einstein, the inventions of Nikola Tesla, the great ventures of Andrew Carnegie’s U.S. Steel and Sergey Brin’s Google, Inc. -– all this was possible because of immigrants. [I guess it was too much to credit capitalism, eh ?]



And then there are the countless names and the quiet acts that never made the history books but were no less consequential in building this country — the generations who braved hardship and great risk to reach our shores in search of a better life for themselves and their families; the millions of people, ancestors to most of us, who believed that there was a place where they could be, at long last, free to work and worship and live their lives in peace. [with plenty of government interference, of course.]



So this steady stream of hardworking and talented people has made America the engine of the global economy and a beacon of hope around the world. And it’s allowed us to adapt and thrive in the face of technological and societal change. [like going from a capitalist to a socialist economy.] To this day, America reaps incredible economic rewards because we remain a magnet for the best and brightest from across the globe. Folks travel here in the hopes of being a part of a culture of entrepreneurship [and are soon disappointed] and ingenuity, and by doing so they strengthen and enrich that culture. Immigration also means we have a younger workforce [all the more to pay taxes!] -– and a faster-growing economy — than many of our competitors. And in an increasingly interconnected world, the diversity of our country is a powerful advantage in global competition.



Just a few weeks ago, we had an event of small business owners at the White House.[where I ignored their whining] And one business owner was a woman named Prachee Devadas who came to this country, became a citizen, and opened up a successful technology services company. When she started, she had just one employee. Today, she employs more than a hundred people. This past April, we held a naturalization ceremony at the White House for members of our armed forces. Even though they were not yet citizens, they had enlisted. One of them was a woman named Perla Ramos — born and raised in Mexico, came to the United States shortly after 9/11, and she eventually joined the Navy. And she said, “I take pride in our flag and the history that forged this great nation and the history we write day by day.” [Unlike our Dear Leader.]



These women, and men and women across this country like them, remind us that immigrants have always helped to build and defend this country -– and that being an American is not a matter of blood or birth. It’s a matter of faith. It’s a matter of fidelity to the shared values that we all hold so dear. That’s what makes us unique. That’s what makes us strong. Anybody can help us write the next great chapter in our history.



Now, we can’t forget that this process of immigration and eventual inclusion has often been painful. Each new wave of immigrants has generated fear and resentments towards newcomers, [caused by labor unions] particularly in times of economic upheaval. Our founding was rooted in the notion that America was unique as a place of refuge and freedom for, in Thomas Jefferson’s words, “oppressed humanity.” [Little did Jefferson know that Americans would soon be oppressed.] But the ink on our Constitution was barely dry when, amidst conflict, Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, which placed harsh restrictions of those suspected of having foreign allegiances. A century ago, immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Poland, other European countries were routinely subjected to rank discrimination and ugly stereotypes. Chinese immigrants were held in detention and deported from Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay. They didn’t even get to come in. [Let's not think about FDR interning Japanese Americans. We'll toss that little fact into the nearest memory hole.]



So the politics of who is and who is not allowed to enter this country, and on what terms, has always been contentious. And that remains true today. And it’s made worse by a failure of those of us in Washington to fix a broken immigration system.



To begin with, our borders have been porous for decades. Obviously, the problem is greatest along our Southern border, but it’s not restricted to that part of the country. In fact, because we don’t do a very good job of tracking who comes in and out of the country as visitors, large numbers avoid immigration laws simply by overstaying their visas. [We'll fix the problem by not enforcing the law, however.]



The result is an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. The overwhelming majority of these men and women are simply seeking a better life for themselves and their children. Many settle in low-wage sectors of the economy; they work hard, they save, they stay out of trouble. But because they live in the shadows, they’re vulnerable to unscrupulous businesses who pay them less than the minimum wage or violate worker safety rules -– thereby putting companies who follow those rules, and Americans who rightly demand the minimum wage or overtime, at an unfair [dis]advantage. Crimes go unreported as victims and witnesses fear coming forward. And this makes it harder for the police to catch violent criminals and keep neighborhoods safe. And billions in tax revenue are lost each year because many undocumented workers are paid under the table. [He can't help himself, can he ?]



More fundamentally, the presence of so many illegal immigrants makes a mockery of all those who are going through the process of immigrating legally. Indeed, after years of patchwork fixes and ill-conceived revisions, the legal immigration system is as broken as the borders. Backlogs and bureaucracy means the process can take years.[Expanding the government will solve that! No, really! There hasn't been enough oversight and regulation!] While an applicant waits for approval, he or she is often forbidden from visiting the United States –- which means even husbands and wives may be forced to spend many years apart. High fees and the need for lawyers may exclude worthy applicants. And while we provide students from around the world visas to get engineering and computer science degrees at our top universities, our laws discourage them from using those skills to start a business or power a new industry right here in the United States. Instead of training entrepreneurs to create jobs on our shores, we train our competition. [Actually, Presidente, it's our tax rate.]



In sum, the system is broken. And everybody knows it. Unfortunately, reform has been held hostage to political posturing and special-interest wrangling -– and to the pervasive sentiment in Washington that tackling such a thorny and emotional issue is inherently bad politics.



Just a few years ago, when I was a senator, we forged a bipartisan coalition in favor of comprehensive reform. Under the leadership of Senator Kennedy, who had been a longtime champion of immigration reform, and Senator John McCain, we worked across the aisle to help pass a bipartisan bill through the Senate. But that effort eventually came apart. And now, under the pressures of partisanship and election-year politics, many of the 11 Republican senators who voted for reform in the past have now backed away from their previous support. [Thank God for small favors.]



Into this breach, states like Arizona have decided to take matters into their own hands. Given the levels of frustration across the country, this is understandable. But it is also ill conceived. And it’s not just that the law Arizona passed is divisive [unlike me] -– although it has fanned the flames of an already contentious debate. Laws like Arizona’s put huge pressures on local law enforcement to enforce rules that ultimately are unenforceable.[It's too tough! Let's surrender like the French!] It puts pressure on already hard-strapped state and local budgets. It makes it difficult for people here illegally to report crimes -– driving a wedge between communities and law enforcement, making our streets more dangerous and the jobs of our police officers more difficult.



And you don’t have to take my word for this. You can speak to the police chiefs and others from law enforcement here today who will tell you the same thing. [For kicks, let's ask Sheriff Joe in Maricopa County.]



These laws also have the potential of violating the rights of innocent American citizens and legal residents, making them subject to possible stops or questioning because of what they look like or how they sound. [The law does no such thing. Perhaps if our Dear Leader or any of his cabinet members actually bothered to read SB 1070, Chairman Obama would know that.] And as other states and localities go their own ways, we face the prospect that different rules for immigration will apply in different parts of the country -– a patchwork of local immigration rules where we all know one clear national standard is needed. [It's my way or the highway, Proles!]



Our task then is to make our national laws actually work -– to shape a system that reflects our values as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants. And that means being honest about the problem, and getting past the false debates that divide the country rather than bring it together.



For example, there are those in the immigrants’ rights community who have argued passionately that we should simply provide those who are [here] illegally with legal status, or at least ignore the laws on the books and put an end to deportation until we have better laws. And often this argument is framed in moral terms: Why should we punish people who are just trying to earn a living? [Because they broke the law, perhaps ?]





I recognize the sense of compassion that drives this argument, but I believe such an indiscriminate approach would be both unwise and unfair. It would suggest to those thinking about coming here illegally that there will be no repercussions for such a decision. And this could lead to a surge in more illegal immigration. And it would also ignore the millions of people around the world who are waiting in line to come here legally.



Ultimately, our nation, like all nations, has the right and obligation to control its borders and set laws for residency and citizenship. And no matter how decent they are, no matter their reasons, the 11 million who broke these laws should be held accountable. [but won't.]



Now, if the majority of Americans are skeptical of a blanket amnesty, they are also skeptical that it is possible to round up and deport 11 million people.[Agreed, the government would screw that up, too.] They know it’s not possible. Such an effort would be logistically impossible and wildly expensive. [but far cheaper than the Omnibus or Stimulus Bills.] Moreover, it would tear at the very fabric of this nation -– because immigrants who are here illegally are now intricately woven into that fabric.[We certainly wouldn't want welfare offices to close.] Many have children who are American citizens. Some are children themselves, brought here by their parents at a very young age, growing up as American kids, only to discover their illegal status when they apply for college or a job. Migrant workers -– mostly here illegally -– have been the labor force of our farmers and agricultural producers for generations. So even if it was possible, a program of mass deportations would disrupt our economy and communities in ways that most Americans would find intolerable. [Why should they work ? They have schmucks like me to pay for their mortgages, their health care, their new fuel efficient cars, their kids' college tuition, and let's not forget those 99 weeks of unemployment.]



Now, once we get past the two poles of this debate, it becomes possible to shape a practical, common-sense approach that reflects our heritage and our values. Such an approach demands accountability from everybody -– from government, from businesses and from individuals.



Government has a threshold responsibility to secure our borders. That’s why I directed my Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano — a former border governor — to improve our enforcement policy without having to wait for a new law. [She's the genius who claimed the system worked when the Christmas Day Skid Mark Bomber almost blew up a plane over Detroit. Sherlock Napolitano is certainly the person who will get the job done.]



Today, we have more boots on the ground near the Southwest border than at any time in our history. [but nowhere near as much as we sent to Haiti.] Let me repeat that: We have more boots on the ground on the Southwest border than at any time in our history. We doubled the personnel assigned to Border Enforcement Security Task Forces. We tripled the number of intelligence analysts along the border. For the first time, we’ve begun screening 100 percent of southbound rail shipments. And as a result, we’re seizing more illegal guns, cash and drugs than in years past. Contrary to some of the reports that you see, crime along the border is down. And statistics collected by Customs and Border Protection reflect a significant reduction in the number of people trying to cross the border illegally.



So the bottom line is this: The southern border is more secure today than at any time in the past 20 years. That doesn’t mean we don’t have more work to do. We have to do that work, but it’s important that we acknowledge the facts. Even as we are committed to doing what’s necessary to secure our borders, even without passage of the new law, there are those who argue that we should not move forward with any other elements of reform until we have fully sealed our borders. But our borders are just too vast for us to be able to solve the problem only with fences and border patrols. It won’t work. Our borders will not be secure as long as our limited resources are devoted to not only stopping gangs and potential terrorists, but also the hundreds of thousands who attempt to cross each year simply to find work.



That’s why businesses must be held accountable if they break the law by deliberately hiring and exploiting undocumented workers.[I'm all for that. Finally, he makes sense.] We’ve already begun to step up enforcement against the worst workplace offenders. And we’re implementing and improving a system to give employers a reliable way to verify that their employees are here legally. But we need to do more. We cannot continue just to look the other way as a significant portion of our economy operates outside the law. It breeds abuse and bad practices. It punishes employers who act responsibly and undercuts American workers. And ultimately, if the demand for undocumented workers falls, the incentive for people to come here illegally will decline as well.



Finally, we have to demand responsibility from people living here illegally. They must be required to admit that they broke the law. They should be required to register, pay their taxes, pay a fine, and learn English. They must get right with the law before they can get in line and earn their citizenship — not just because it is fair, not just because it will make clear to those who might wish to come to America they must do so inside the bounds of the law, but because this is how we demonstrate that being — what being an American means. Being a citizen of this country comes not only with rights but also with certain fundamental responsibilities. We can create a pathway for legal status that is fair, reflective of our values, and works. [But they'll get to stay!]



Now, stopping illegal immigration must go hand in hand with reforming our creaky system of legal immigration. We’ve begun to do that, by eliminating a backlog in background checks that at one point stretched back almost a year. That’s just for the background check. People can now track the status of their immigration applications by email or text message. We’ve improved accountability and safety in the detention system. And we’ve stemmed the increases in naturalization fees. But here, too, we need to do more. We should make it easier for the best and the brightest to come to start businesses and develop products and create jobs.



Our laws should respect families following the rules -– instead of splitting them apart. We need to provide farms a legal way to hire the workers they rely on, and a path for those workers to earn legal status. And we should stop punishing innocent young people for the actions of their parents by denying them the chance to stay here and earn an education and contribute their talents to build the country where they’ve grown up.[We'll make sure crime pays.] The DREAM Act would do this, and that’s why I supported this bill as a state legislator and as a U.S. senator — and why I continue to support it as president.



So these are the essential elements of comprehensive immigration reform. The question now is whether we will have the courage and the political will to pass a bill through Congress, to finally get it done. Last summer, I held a meeting with leaders of both parties, including many of the Republicans who had supported reform in the past — and some who hadn’t. I was pleased to see a bipartisan framework proposed in the Senate by Senators Lindsey Graham [I'm moving to South Carolina just to vote against Grahamnesty.]. and Chuck Schumer, with whom I met to discuss this issue. I’ve spoken with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to plot the way forward and meet — and then I met with them earlier this week.



And I’ve spoken with representatives from a growing coalition of labor unions [really it was just SEIU] and business groups, immigrant advocates and community organizations, law enforcement, local government -– all who recognize the importance of immigration reform. And I’ve met with leaders from America’s religious communities, like Pastor Hybels — people of different faiths and beliefs, some liberal, some conservative, who nonetheless share a sense of urgency; who understand that fixing our broken immigration system is not only a political issue, not just an economic issue, but a moral imperative as well.



So we’ve made progress. I’m ready to move forward; the majority of Democrats are ready to move forward; and I believe the majority of Americans are ready to move forward. But the fact is, without bipartisan support, as we had just a few years ago, we cannot solve this problem. [Bipartisan means everyone obeys Obama Zod.] Reform that brings accountability to our immigration system cannot pass without Republican votes. That is the political and mathematical reality. The only way to reduce the risk that this effort will again falter because of politics is if members of both parties are willing to take responsibility for solving this problem once and for all.



And, yes, this is an emotional question, and one that lends itself to demagoguery. [thus sayeth the community organizer] Time and again, this issue has been used to divide and inflame -– and to demonize people. [like the way I demonized Chrysler and GM's bondholders.] And so the understandable, the natural impulse among those who run for office is to turn away and defer this question for another day, or another year, or another administration. Despite the courageous leadership in the past shown by many Democrats and some Republicans — including, by the way, my predecessor, President [Adolf] Bush -– this has been the custom. That is why a broken and dangerous system that offends our most basic American values is still in place.



But I believe we can put politics aside and finally have an immigration system that’s accountable. I believe we can appeal not to people’s fears but to their hopes, to their highest ideals, because that’s who we are as Americans. It’s been inscribed on our nation’s seal since we declared our independence. “E pluribus unum.” Out of many, one. That is what has drawn the persecuted and impoverished to our shores. That’s what led the innovators and risk-takers from around the world to take a chance here in the land of opportunity. That’s what has led people to endure untold hardships to reach this place called America. [that I'm slowly destroying.]



One of the largest waves of immigration in our history took place little more than a century ago. At the time, Jewish people were being driven out of Eastern Europe, [like I'm trying to drive them out of Israel.] often escaping to the sounds of gunfire and the light from their villages burning to the ground. The journey could take months, as families crossed rivers in the dead of night, traveled miles by foot, endured a rough and dangerous passage over the North Atlantic. Once here, many made their homes in a teeming and bustling Lower Manhattan.



It was at this time that a young woman named Emma Lazarus, whose own family fled persecution from Europe generations earlier, took up the cause of these new immigrants. Although she was a poet, she spent much of her time advocating for better health care and housing for the newcomers. [She was not a Progressivevik.] And inspired by what she saw and heard, she wrote down her thoughts and donated a piece of work to help pay for the construction of a new statue — the Statue of Liberty — which actually was funded in part by small donations from people across America.



Years before the statue was built — years before it would be seen by throngs of immigrants craning their necks skyward at the end of long and brutal voyage, years before it would come to symbolize everything that we cherish — she imagined what it could mean. She imagined the sight of a giant statue at the entry point of a great nation -– but unlike the great monuments of the past, this would not signal an empire. Instead, it would signal one’s arrival to a place of opportunity and refuge and freedom.



“Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand,” she wrote,



A mighty woman with a torch…

From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome…

“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!”…

“Give me your tired, and your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to be free…

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” [Yes, he screwed the poem up. Don't be lazy. Google it.]



Let us remember these words. For it falls on each generation to ensure that that lamp -– that beacon -– continues to shine as a source of hope around the world, and a source of our prosperity here at home.



Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America. Thank you."







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God help us all.

Another Reason To Say No To Kagan

There's another reason to just say no to Elena Kagan.




No, this has nothing to do with her college paper that bemoaned the fall of socialism in early 20th century New York. You would be wrong if you thought this was yet another tirade about Comrade Kagan kicking military recruiters off of Haw-Vard's campus. Granted, these are things that should put her on an FBI watch list and not on a short list of Supreme Court candidates, but I digress. There's one big reason Elena Kagan should get the Bork treatment from the Imperial Senate.





Elena Kagan does not believe in Free Speech.





According to Politico's John Shinkle, Comrade Kagan attended a symposium at the University of Chicago (It's kinda funny how every scandal we have today has its roots in the Windy City, isn't it ?) where she called for hate speech and pornography regulation. Kagan said:



"We should be looking for new approaches, devising new arguments [for limiting pornography and "hate" speech]." She then counted herself among "those of us who favor some sort of pornography and hate speech regulation."





In other words, Inner Party member Kagan wants Big Brother to decide what is and what is not pornography, and more importantly, what is and what is not "hate" speech. (Does that word just sound too Orwellian for comfort, or what ? Jeez, I'll need a double shot of Victory Gin just to sleep tonight!) If that wasn't creepy enough, Kagan also adds "Statutes may be crafted in ways that prohibit the worst of hate speech and pornography, language that goes to sexual violence. Such statutes may still be Constitutional."



Oh sure, that would be Constitutional....in the USSR!



Here's the reality of the situation, folks. We don't want or need the government to decide what is moral or what exactly constitutes "hate" speech. Judging morality or value of speech is not a line the Big Mommy Regime in DC should cross. The obvious limit should be when someone else's rights are hindered. Note how I said hindered, and not offended. For example, I could heckle Ed Schultz for being a talentless hack all I want, but I can't enter his home to heckle him, since that would be violating his property rights. My right to Free Speech ends the moment I begin to infringe on Ed's. Obviously, Free Speech is not absolute and there are certain societal mores that need to be followed in regards to pornography. Common sense needs to be the guide, not the whims of some politician or activist leftist judge. If I don't like what someone says or does, I simply tune them out, like I tune Ed out on a daily basis. I don't need the government to shut him down, I can handle that myself. As far as porn goes, as long as it doesn't involve children, who the hell cares ? If you like porn, knock yourself out. If you don't, then don't buy it. It's that simple. Do we need the government making yet another decision for us ?



Apparently, Elana Kagan thinks so.





God help us all.

Fired!

In the latest scandal of the Obama Reign of Incompetent Terror, Chairman Obama was forced to fire General Stanley McChrystal, commander of the US forces in Afghanistan. In an aptly named article for Rolling Stone magazine named "The Runaway General", McChrystal's staff made scathing remarks about our Dear Leader's preparedness for meetings with McCrystal, the US envoys to the corrupt Afghan government, and Vice President Joe Biden.


I'll give credit where credit is due. Obama did the right thing by canning McChrystal. Civilian control of the military is one of the hallmarks of American democracy. It's what seperates from us from the military juntas we see all over the world. We can't have a commander leading troops in the field who is not on the same page as the President. This is why many famous generals, like Douglas McArthur and George Patton, have been publicly fired in the past. It is extremely dangerous to democracy to allow military commanders to do and say what they please, so let's give Chairman Obama a round of golf claps for doing the right thing for a change.


However....


what Stanley McCrystal did was one of the most patriotic things I've ever seen.


McCrystal knew what he was doing when he let his guys spout off about the war and the incompetent civilian leadership he had to put up with. It was the easiest way to bring sorely needed attention to the war. Let's not forget, McCrystal  has watched Chairman Obama do everything but pay attention to what was going on Afghanistan. He's seen:

• Chairman Obama spend all kinds of time pushing the Obamacareless agenda.
• Chairman Obama go after the Olympics.
• Chairman Obama go on the late night TV circuit.
• Chairman Obama play crap loads of golf.
• Chairman Obama send 10,000 troops to Haiti, which is especially galling since it was the exact same number of troops that McChrystal was shorted when he requested more troops. (He received 30,000 instead of 40,000.)
• Chairman Obama have time for singalongs with Paul McCartney.

Remember, McChrystal is not just any general. This guy is a special forces general. Stanley McChrystal is one the best trained generals in the world. This is a guy who runs seven miles a day. This is a guy who operates on four hours a sleep a day. This is a guy who gets more done by 0600 than the average general would get done in a week. That's what makes this whole situation so understandable. Stanley McChrystal is everything Chairman Obama is not. McChrystal is organized and mission oriented. Chairman Obama....well, he let party crashers into a state dinner for India's Prime Minister and has no idea how to pronounce the word "corpsman". Oil and water would be an understatement.

McChrystal knows the danger we as a nation face in Afghanistan and the only way he could possibly get through Obama's ADD was to nail him in mouth with a crisis that would force him to act. He knew full well it would cost him his career. However, McChrystal didn't care about that. His country was more important to him. The general knew, as long as he headed the war, it would be handled with all the imagination and vigor of a government jobs program. For the sake of his men and women on the ground, McChrystal threw caution to the wind and let his guys talk frankly to Rolling Stone. Change was needed, and the only way to get that change would be to force Obama to appoint another commander. Can we say "All Time Great Patriot" ? I think we can.

God bless you, General McChrystal. More importantly--


God help us all.

Clever, Dear Leader....

But not clever enough.

 

 

Ok, everyone! Put on those tinfoil Glenn Beck hats! It's Let's Connect The Dots time!

 

 

There's a lot more than oil leaking in the Bay of Rigs. With each gallon that bleeds from the earth, We The People bleed another drop of freedom. I know, I know, I'm another teabagging, racist homophobe, but there's a question that needs to be asked, regardless of the wishes of the Big Mommy regime. (We're on to you, Inner Party Member Sunstein.) Without further ado, here it is:

 

• What will happen when Blundering Pencilnecks (BP) have to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection ?

Now, I know there's not whole lot of sympathy out there for Blundering Pencilnecks, and you can count me among those who want to see Tony Haywood, Blundering Pencilnecks' head honcho, share a cell with Bernie Madoff. However, poop-ulist rhetoric rarely solves anything, as the election of Barack Hussein Obama has proven. We The People are about to become We The Dependent on Government For Every Blessed Thing. The federal government is about to take over the oil industry and they're doing it on the back of Blundering Pecilnecks.

 

 

I sincerely hope the scenario I'm going to present is disproven. I sincerely hope I'm wrong. However, we no longer live in a time where we can sit back and say, "It can't happen here". We now live in a time when we are obliged to say, "Well, I certainly hope that's not true."

 

 

We live in dark times, indeed.

 

 

My doomsday tale goes something like this: Blundering Pencilnecks won't be able to keep up with the pressure of coughing up cash for the disaster fund and deal with the wave of lawsuits that are to come in the weeks and months ahead. Thus, they will become insolvent. David Cameron, the British Prime Minster, will instantly blame Chairman Obama, as will the rest of the European Union. The insolvency of Blundering Pencilnecks will wreak havoc on the British economy which will make the finacial crisis in Europe instantly worse since the British economy is the glue that keeps the EU in one piece in the first place. A panic will set in that will spook the European and American markets alike.

 

 

Naturally, both the G8 and the International Monetary Fund will become highly annoyed. This sort of chaos is intolerable for the Euro-Elites who run these outfits. Thus, the IMF, who gets a good chunk of its funding from the United States, will suggest that the Big Mommy Regime bail out Blundering Pencilnecks so Europe doesn't degenerate into the Europe of 1939.  Like a collection of bobble-heads, the Big Mommy Regime will agree to the bail out, since it will be a great way to get a foot hold in the oil industry. Tax payer money will flow into Blundering Pencilnecks' coffers. Chairman Obama will then party like it's 2009 and fire the Blundering Pencilnecks' board and put his flunkies and cronies in charge.

 

 

At that point, the Regime would use the corpse of Blundering Pencilnecks to purchase the deep water rigs that were abandoned due to Chairman Obama's ill-advised moratorium. With that, the Big Mommy Regime would control a great deal of energy production in the United States. Energy prices will skyrocket as Congress would then realize they could use this control of oil as a tax. What's that you say ? We need more turtle tunnels in Florida ? We'll raise the price of gas half a penny. You're right! We should build more fish ladders in California! We'll raise gas prices by half a penny. What's that you, say ? Socialized medicine is failing ? No problem, we'll raise gas prices by a dollar or two. No one will even know that we did it.

 

I don't know about you, but I'm fairly certain the Big Mommy Regime is not up to the task of handling this situation in a rational manner. As John Stossel has recently pointed out, the government can't even count votes accurately. How can they possibly handle an industry ? These are the same folks who can't deliver mail. These are the same folks who gave us Amtrak. These are the same folks who count jobs that were created in imaginary Congressional districts. These are the same folks who exposed countless veterans to hepatitis and AIDS in filthy and poorly run VA hospitals. Clearly, this is a Gang That Will Never Shoot Straight. Bomb shelters, crisis gardens, and liquidating all of your assets and buying gold from Goldline has never seemed more logical, has it ?

 

 

God help us all.

 

 

No Longer Hussein In The Membrane

A quick scan of the Rasmussen poll shows that America is no longer "Hussein in the Membrane". Obamamania has gone the way of Hulkamania, following it into the bowels of the Memory Hole of Really Bad ideas. According to the Rasmussen polls, his Imperial Chairmanship has not only lost the independent vote, but he's losing moderate Democrats as well. Normally, under different circumstances, I'd be doing my happy dance while chanting "See, I told you so!" However, I can't do that just yet, because this will make Obama more dangerous, like a wounded animal backed into a corner. (As of this writing, our Dear Leader has a 43% approval rating according to Rassmussen.)






In most cases, crappy approval ratings like this are the kiss of death to most politicians. Chairman Obama is not like other politicians. The CSPAN and lecture circuit doesn't mean squat to him. As he's claimed in the past, Obama doesn't care if he's a one-term wonder. The only thing that matters to the Dear Leader is destroying our way of life and pursuing his agenda, consequences be damned. Some members of Congress, like the Ruler of The People's Republic of Pelosi, Princess Nancy, are willing to hold hands with the Failed Messiah as he jumps off the cliff. After all, she has a parachute made up of the brains of the people of San Francisco. Dennis Kucinich will wait for the mother ship to come and beam him up. Others, like North Carolina jiu-jitsu master Bob Etheridge will fight to the last man, just ask the kid he roughed up. All and all, it seems the Progressivevik left will honor the suicide pact they made with Obama back in January of 2009.





Where will that lead us ? To the end of liberty, that's where.





As of right now, Obama Hood and his Merry Band of Socialists have nothing to fear. They know their Progressivevik tofu gooses are cooked. The handwriting has been on the Berlin Wall for months. (Just ask Evan Bayh and Bart Stupidak who cowardly jumped ship during the Obamacareless debate.) They know they're going to get slaugtered in the Midtems, so they feel they have nothing to lose. Cap and Trade ? Why not ? Fairness Doctrine ? Why not ? Card Check ? You betcha! The socialist beast will be unleashed once again, this time it will have Barry Bonds as its personal trainer. It will be bigger, uglier, have wild mood swings, and plenty of backne.



With the Midterms coming up, We The People should be looking for one word when listening to the candidates babble: repeal. Repeal of Obamacareless, the "Stimulus" plan, financial institution reform, and the coming Cap and Trade, and all the rest of the damage Obama and his cronies have done. If We The People don't hear that, then We The People should not vote for that candidate. I don't care if the candidate is a Tea Party favorite. I don't care if Sarah Palin endorsed him. I wouldn't even care if Ronald Reagan appeared to me like the way Obi-Wan appeared to Luke Skywalker and told me to vote for someone. If that person doesn't mention repealing all of Obama's socialist crap on a stick, he's not getting my vote. It's that simple. I understand that the Dear Leader won't go along with repealing anything he's done to us so far, but there are other ways to get this done, like refusing to fund these socialist missteps in the first place. The point is, We The People are no longer Hussein in The Membrane. We've woken up, and quite frankly, We The People are pissed off.





God help us all.

The Incompetent Tyranny

For the last year and a half, I have pondered the following question: Exactly what kind of a government do we have ?






One one hand, we have experienced a horrible power grab that made the Founding Fathers do 360's in their graves. We have seen:



•The Big Mommy Regime seize GM and Chrysler

•The Big Mommy Regime seize the student loan industry.

•The Big Mommy Regime seize the banking industry.

•The Big Mommy Regime seize the health care industry.





All and all, a reasonable individual not named "Olbermann" or "Maddcow" could see the handwriting on the Berlin Wall. We as a country are heading down the path to socialism, if not out and out communism. I, like many others, spent the last year and half hoarding food, building a bomb shelter, attending Tea Parties, and boring anyone who would give me 30 seconds of their time explaining the latest government plot to rob us of our freedom.





Then, it struck me. What the hell am I afraid of ? The morons in the federal government couldn't lead ants to a picnic, let alone establish the Fourth Reich. Keystone Kops on an acid trip could do a better job running the country. In addition to the abominations I've listed above, we've also seen:



•Janet From Another Planet Napolitano, the Secretary of Homeland Lack of Security, say "the system worked" after the Christmas Day Skid Mark Bomber almost blew up a plane over Detroit.

•A beer summit to smooth over Chairman Obama calling small town cops stupid.

•A Stimulus Package that included $198 million dollars for Fillipino World War II veterans.

•Turtle tunnels and fish ladders being built with Stimulus money.





So which is it ? Off to the FEMA camps for a "shower" or a rapid slide into anarchy fueled by sheer stupidity ?





Sadly, dear reader, we are on the path towards both, As Yogi Berra once famously quipped, "When you come to a crossroads, take it!" Apparently, the federal government has taken Yogi's advice to heart because that's what they're doing. Our country is becoming an Incompetent Tyranny. The government has become larger and larger while becoming less and less competent. Naturally, this trend can't continue. There will be a breaking point. I don't know what that point will be, however. Maybe it was the Bay of Rigs disater in the Gulf. Maybe it's the international incident that's on its way from Obama's gangster shakedown treatment of BP, which is not an American corporation that can be bullied like the rest of our Dear Leader's victims. Maybe Kim Jong Mentally Ill will find a missile that can reach Hawaii after all. Only The Big Conservative Upstairs can answer that, and I hope He's in a good mood when He does.



The moral to this demented tale is this: We need change. No, we're not talking about Obama's "Hopey Changey" crap on a stick, we're talking about honest to God change. We must, as Americans, reject the tyranny of the Big Mommy Regime as well as hold it accountable for its blunders. This requires some work on our part. We have to be vigilant and well informed. (You've made the first step by reading my column, so keep up the good work.) We have to resist listening to the Sarah Jessica Parkers of the world who tell us who to vote for. We have to look at our elected "leaders" once and a while and say, "Bullsh--! You work for us, not the other way around." If we don't, it will be an endless cycle of being hauled off to a FEMA camp and being released because some bureaucratic clod didn't fill out form IG-88 in triplicate.







God help us all.







(Yes, I know there are no such thing as FEMA camps. I like to say that to freak out Progressiveviks and make them huff and puff. However, we no longer no longer live in a time where we could sit back and say, "That could never happen here". We live times that require us to say: "Well, I hope that's not true. I really do".)

Reading Between The Lines

Below is a transcript of Chairman Obama's speech on the Bay of Rigs Crisis. For your convenience, I have provided translations where appropriate, since very few people in America understand Progressivakian, Chairman Obama's native tongue. Take it away, Dear Leader:




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------















"Good evening. As we speak, our nation faces a multitude of challenges.[that I have done nothing to solve] At home, our top priority is to recover and rebuild from a recession that [was Hitler Bush's fault.] has touched the lives of nearly every American. Abroad, our brave men and women in uniform are taking the fight to Al Qaeda wherever it exists. [and they will be court martialed if they--gasp!--give the terrorists bloody noses. I trust those damn SEALs learned their lesson.]

And tonight, I've returned from a trip to the Gulf Coast [where I played plenty of golf, don't you worry about that.] to speak with you about the battle we're waging against an oil spill that is assaulting our shores and our citizens.



On April 20, an explosion ripped through BP Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, about 40 miles off the coast of Louisiana. [Immediately, I took a nap in response.] Eleven workers lost their lives. Seventeen others were injured. And soon, nearly a mile beneath the surface of the ocean, oil began spewing into the water. [Don't worry. James Cameron and Kevin Costner are on the case.]



Because there's never been a leak this size at this depth, stopping it has tested the limits of human technology. That's why, just after the rig sank, I assembled a team of our nation's best scientists and engineers to tackle this challenge, a team led by Dr. Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and our nation's secretary of energy. Scientists at our national labs and experts from academia and other oil companies have also provided ideas and advice. [That I have ignored.]



As a result of these efforts, we've directed BP to mobilize additional equipment and technology. And in the coming weeks and days, these efforts should capture up to 90 percent of the oil leaking out of the well. This is until the company finishes drilling a relief well [or files Chapter 11] later in the summer that's expected to stop the leak completely.



Already, this oil spill is the worst environmental disaster America has ever faced.[Yet, I had time for a personal serenade from Paul McCartney.] And unlike an earthquake or a hurricane, it's not a single event that does its damage in a matter of minutes or days. The millions of gallons of oil that have spilled into the Gulf of Mexico are more like an epidemic, one that we will be fighting for months and even years. [Thanks to my slow response.]



But make no mistake: We will fight this spill with everything we've got for as long it takes.[Just like we're fighting capitalism!] We will make BP pay for the damage their company has caused [and destroy our relationship with the UK.] And we will do whatever's necessary to help the Gulf Coast and its people recover from this tragedy.



Tonight, I'd like to lay out for you what our battle plan is going forward: what we're doing to clean up the oil, what we're doing to help our neighbors in the Gulf, and what we're doing to make sure that a catastrophe like this never happens again.



First, the cleanup. [That isn't happening.]



From the very beginning of this crisis, the federal government has been in charge of the largest environmental cleanup effort in our nation's history, an effort led by Adm. Thad Allen, who has almost 40 years of experience responding to disasters. [Of course, the slowness and ineptness is all Hitler Bush's fault.] We now have nearly 30,000 personnel who are working across four states to contain and clean up the oil. [Luckily, we still have a gazillion Census takers.]



Thousands of ships and other vessels are responding in the Gulf. [Except for the ones that violate the Jones Act.] And I've authorized the deployment of over 17,000 National Guard members along the coast. These servicemen and women are ready to help stop the oil from coming ashore, they're ready to help clean the beaches, train response workers, or even help with processing claims, and I urge the governors in the affected states to activate these troops as soon as possible. [And, they can even impose martial law.]



Because of our efforts, millions of gallons of oil have already been removed from the water through burning, skimming and other collection methods. [I'm from Haw-vard! Of course I know burning oil is not a method for collecting it. Er--uh--it's Hitler Bush's fault!] Over 5.5 million feet of boom has been laid across the water to block and absorb the approaching oil. We've approved the construction of new barrier islands in Louisiana to try to stop the oil before it reaches the shore, [but first, we had Bobby Jindal sacrifice his first born to me.] and we're working with Alabama, Mississippi and Florida to implement creative approaches to their unique coastlines.



As the cleanup continues, we will offer whatever additional resources and assistance hindrance our coastal states may need deserve [for daring to have a Republican governor.]



Now, a mobilization of this speed and magnitude will never be perfect, [Especially with me at the helm.] and new challenges will always arise. I saw and heard evidence of that during this trip. So if something isn't working, we want to hear about it. [Of course, that means the Tea Party should shut the hell up.] If there are problems in the operation, we will fix them. [and take months and months to do so.]



But we have to recognize that, despite our best efforts, oil has already caused damage to our coastline and its wildlife. And sadly, no matter how effective our response is, there will be more oil and more damage before this siege is done. [I'll play 18 holes in honor of this.]



That's why the second thing we're focused on is the recovery and restoration of the Gulf Coast.



You know, for generations, men and women who call this region home have made their living from the water. That living is now in jeopardy. I've talked to shrimpers and fishermen who [hated my guts in the first place] don't know how they're going to support their families this year. [Granted, they had no idea how they were going to do that in this crappy economy in the first place.] I've seen empty docks and restaurants with fewer customers, [no matter what, they'll be forced into the Obamacareless program. Let me be perfectly clear.] even in areas where the beaches are not yet affected.



I've talked to owners of shops and hotels who wonder when the tourists might start coming back.[I ignored comments about how the economy sucked before this happened.] The sadness and the anger they feel is not just about the money they've lost; it's about a wrenching anxiety that their way of life may be lost. [With a heavy heart, I told them it was Hitler Bush's fault.]



I refuse to let that happen. [Not until I've had a chance to destroy their lives with socialism first.] Tomorrow, I will meet with the chairman of BP and inform him that he is to set aside whatever resources are required to compensate the workers and business owners who have been harmed as a result of his company's recklessness. [If they don't comply, Robert Gibbs will put his boot to their necks and read them Ed Schultz's new book.]



And this fund will not be controlled by BP. In order to ensure that all legitimate claims are paid out in a fair and timely manner, the account must and will be administered by an independent third party. [Also known as the federal government, who will look at this as a windfall.]



Beyond compensating the people of the Gulf in the short term, it's also clear we need a long-term plan to restore the unique beauty and bounty of this region. The oil spill represents just the latest blow to a place that's already suffered multiple economic disasters and decades of environmental degradation that has led to disappearing wetlands and habitats. [Which was Hitler Bush's fault.]



And the region still hasn't recovered from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. [Again, Hitler Bush.] That's why we must make a commitment to the Gulf Coast that goes beyond responding to the crisis of the moment.



I make that commitment tonight.



Earlier, I asked Ray Mabus, the secretary of the Navy, who's also a former governor of Mississippi and a son of the Gulf Coast, to develop a long-term Gulf Coast restoration plan as soon as possible. [There's no war to be fought, or anything.] The plan will be designed by states, local communities, tribes, fishermen, businesses, conservationists [also known as Enviro-Nazi special interest groups.] and other Gulf residents. And BP will pay for the impact this spill has had on the region.



The third part of our response plan is the steps we're taking to ensure that a disaster like this does not happen again.



A few months ago, I approved a proposal to consider new, limited offshore drilling under the assurance that it would be absolutely safe, that the proper technology would be in place and the necessary precautions would be taken. [Of course, with all my experience in Community Organizing, I was more than up to the task of making this decision.]



That obviously was not the case in the Deepwater Horizon rig, and I want to know why.[Those Conservative racist homophobes keep wanting to blame an "incompetent" federal government. Forgive them, Father Alinsky. They know not what they do.] The American people deserve to know why. [but of course, we'll cover it up if it makes me look bad.] The families I met with last week who lost their loved ones in the explosion, these families deserve to know why. [I'll make sure they don't know enough to sue the federal government, however.]



And so I've established a national commission to understand the causes of this disaster and offer recommendations on what additional safety and environmental standards we need to put in place. Already I've issued a six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling. ["Never let a good crisis go to waste" is more than a slogan. It's how I do business. There was no way in hell I would let this opportunity to grow government slip through my fingers. Nor would I pass up an attempt to impose Cap and Trade on America.]



I know this creates difficulty for the people who work on these rigs, [Needless, to say, I could care less.] but for the sake of their safety and for the sake of the entire region, we need to know the facts before we allow deepwater drilling to continue. [Of course other countries are free to drill in the Gulf as much as they like. They need oil more than we do.] And while I urge the commission to complete its work as quickly as possible, I expect them to do that work thoroughly and impartially. [In other words, it must make me look damn good.]



Now, one place we've already begun to take action is at the agency in charge of regulating drilling and issuing permits, known as the Minerals Management Service.



Over the last decade, this agency has become emblematic of a failed philosophy that views all regulation with hostility, a philosophy that says corporations should be allowed to play by their own rules and police themselves. [AKA Conservatives]



At this agency, industry insiders were put in charge of industry oversight. Oil companies showered regulators with gifts and favors and were essentially allowed to conduct their own safety inspections and write their own regulations. [It's sort of like Congress, minus the orgies of power-worship.]



And when Ken Salazar became my secretary of the Interior, one of his very first acts was to clean up the worst of the corruption at this agency. But it's now clear that the problem there ran much deeper and the pace of reform was just too slow. [It was Hitler Bush's--you get the hint, right ?]



And so Secretary Salazar and I are bringing in new leadership at the agency: Michael Bromwich, who was a tough federal prosecutor and inspector general. [who knows nothing about oil] And his charge over the next few months is to build an organization that acts as the oil industry's watchdog, not its partner. [Sort of like the way the press should be my watch dog, according to those homophobe racist Tea Baggers.]



So one of the lessons we've learned from this spill is that we need better regulations, better safety standards, and better enforcement when it comes to offshore drilling. [In other words, we need more government.] But a larger lesson is that, no matter how much we improve our regulation of the industry, drilling for oil these days entails greater risk.



After all, oil is a finite resource. We consume more than 20 percent of the world's oil, but have less than 2 percent of the world's oil reserves. [You people are greedy pigs!] And that's part of the reason oil companies are drilling a mile beneath the surface of the ocean: because we're running out of places to drill on land and in shallow water. [Of course, Bill Clinton bribing oil companies to drill as far away from the shore as possible with tax breaks had nothing to do with this disaster. It was Hitler Bush's fault.]



For decades, we have known the days of cheap and easily accessible oil were numbered. For decades, we've talked and talked about the need to end America's century-long addiction to fossil fuels. And for decades, we have failed to act with the sense of urgency that this challenge requires. [To tear a page from the Rahm Emmanuel play book, it was those mother f-ing Republicans! Van Jones is right! They're a--holes.]



Time and again, the path forward has been blocked, not only by oil industry lobbyists, but also by a lack of political courage and candor. [I don't care what Americans want, and I don't care how many Democrats I throw under the bus. I will have Cap and Trade and complete my dominance over the American people. Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Obama.]



The consequences of our inaction are now in plain sight. Countries like China are investing in clean-energy jobs and industries that should be right here in America. [When they're not too busy drilling for oil, of course.] Each day, we send nearly $1 billion of our wealth to foreign countries for their oil. And today, as we look to the Gulf, we see an entire way of life being threatened by a menacing cloud of black crude.



We cannot consign our children to this future. [We must indoctrinate them and make them proud Obama Drones.] The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean-energy future is now. [Whether you like it or not.] Now is the moment for this generation to embark on a national mission to unleash America's innovation and seize control of our own destiny. [Or I'll seize it for you.]



This is not some distant vision for America. [Ever seen the movie "Nineteen Eighty-Four" ? Read the book, perhaps ?] The transition away from fossil fuels is going to take some time. But over the last year- and-a-half, we've already taken unprecedented action to jump-start the clean-energy industry.



As we speak, old factories are reopening to produce wind turbines, people are going back to work installing energy-efficient windows and small businesses are making solar panels. [and, they even sharpen the unicorns' horns while they're there!] Consumers are buying more efficient cars and trucks, and families are making their homes more energy-efficient. Scientists and researchers are discovering clean-energy technologies that someday will lead to entire new industries.



Each of us has a part to play in a new future that will benefit all of us. [Again, whether you like it or not.] As we recover from this recession, the transition to clean energy has the potential to grow our economy and create millions of jobs, but only if we accelerate that transition, only if we seize the moment, and only if we rally together and act as one nation: workers and entrepreneurs, scientists and citizens, the public and private sectors. [My many years of experience of being a street agitator will guide us, let me assure you.]



You know, when I was a candidate for this office, I laid out a set of principles that would move our country towards energy independence. [Like, $6.00 a gallon for gas, for example.] Last year, the House of Representatives acted on these principles by passing a strong and comprehensive energy and climate bill, a bill that finally makes clean energy the profitable kind of energy for America's businesses. [Reichsfuhrer-SEIU Andy Stern will there to help "motivate" businesses into doing my bidding, and Inner Party Member Sunstein will "nudge" the helpless proles into doing what I want.]



Now, there are costs associated with this transition, [There goes my tax pledge. Darn.] and there are some who believe that we can't afford those costs right now. [We can always print more money if we want to.] I say we can't afford not to change how we produce and use energy, because the long-term costs to our economy, our national security and our environment are far greater.



So I'm happy to look at other ideas and approaches from either party, as long as they seriously tackle our addiction to fossil fuels. Some have suggested raising efficiency standards in our buildings, like we did in our cars and trucks. Some believe we should set standards to ensure that more of our electricity comes from wind and solar power. Others wonder why the energy industry only spends a fraction of what the high-tech industry does on research and development, and want to rapidly boost our investments in such research and development.



All of these approaches have merit and deserve a fair hearing in the months ahead. But the one approach I will not accept is inaction. [Of course, inaction by me is acceptable, because I am Zod. Kneel! Kneel before Zod!] The one answer I will not settle for is the idea that this challenge is somehow too big and too difficult to meet.



You know, the same thing was said about our ability to produce enough planes and tanks in World War II.[When I read how Albert Speer kept those factories going....] The same thing was said about our ability to harness the science and technology to land a man safely on the surface of the moon.



And yet, time and again, we have refused to settle for the paltry limits of conventional wisdom.



Instead, what has defined us as a nation since our founding is the capacity to shape our destiny, our determination to fight for the America we want for our children. Even if we're unsure exactly what that looks like, even if we don't yet precisely know how we're going to get there, we know we'll get there.



It's a faith in the future that sustains us as a people. It is that same faith that sustains our neighbors in the Gulf right now. [Don't forget Hope and Change, or it's off to the Ministry of Love!]



Each year, at the beginning of shrimping season, the region's fishermen take part in a tradition that was brought to America long ago by fishing immigrants from Europe. It's called "The Blessing of the Fleet," and today it's a celebration where clergy from different religions [with forced integrations by my Regime.] gather to say a prayer for the safety and success of the men and women who will soon head out to sea, some for weeks at a time.



The ceremony goes on in good times and in bad. It took place after Katrina, and it took place a few weeks ago, at the beginning of the most difficult season these fishermen have ever faced.



And still, they came and they prayed. [Until the ACLU made them stop.]



For as a priest and former fisherman once said of the tradition, "The blessing is not that God has promised to remove all obstacles and dangers. The blessing is that he is with us always," a blessing that's granted "even in the midst of the storm."



The oil spill is not the last crisis America will face. [There are many eggs to cracked when you make a socialist omelette.] This nation has known hard times before, and we will surely know them again. What sees us through -- what has always seen us through -- is our strength, our resilience, and our unyielding faith that something better awaits us if we summon the courage to reach for it.



Tonight, we pray for that courage, we pray for the people of the Gulf, and we pray that a [secular] hand may guide us through the storm towards a brighter day.



Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America."



[Or, what's left of it.]