The Final Five: October 7, 2011

The Final Five: Bedtime Stories for Conservatives

October 7, 2011

Tonight's Crazy Story

Arrested woman forced to listen to Rush Limbaugh, suit alleges

A woman is suing a police department after claiming that she was forced to listen to Rush Limbaugh. Find out the crazy facts.

Tonight's Final Five:

#5) Would the Threat of a Filibuster Cause Romney to Abandon Repeal?

Romney has pledged to grant a waiver from the health care law to all 50 states on his first day in office, but he has not pledged to fight for repeal from day one. Jeffrey Anderson argues at The Weekly Standard that Romney might not go forward with repeal if threatened with a filibuster from a Democrat Senate.

#4) To Create Jobs, We Must Destroy Them First

John Tamny presents the case for Real Clear Markets that jobs cannot be created without jobs being destroyed first. Therefore, under these circumstances, the President would be better off if he just let the economy run its course.

Taking a break...

To laugh a little

"A new poll shows only 3 percent strongly approve of the job Congress is doing, with a margin of error of 4 percent, so it’s possible that “less than no one” thinks they’re doing a good job."

-Jay Leno, 10/6/11

Now Back to The Final Five

#3) Is Keynes Finally Dead?

Given the lack of success of the Keynesian policies of this administration, one would have to wonder of Keynes's ideas will finally reach the grave. However, this administration has shown that nothing will force them to abandon Keynesian economics. Stephen Moore analyzes the future of Keynesian policy for The American Spectator.

#2) From Rich State to Poor State

The state of California has been in a perpetual economic decline recently. City Journal's Tom Gray argues that it will only get worse unless the state government lifts some regulations.

#1) The World-Changer: Steve Jobs Knew What We Wanted

The Associated Press's Ted Anthony gives a great article describing why Steve Jobs and Apple were so successful: Jobs knew what we wanted, he met that desire, and then he made us realize we wanted it. While I am not a huge fan of Apple, the lessons that Steve Jobs can teach us about innovation and entrepreneurship are incredible.

Tomorrow in History: October 8

October 8, 1871 - Four fires break out along the shores of Lake Michigan, one in Manistee, Michigan, one in Holland, Michigan, the Great Chicago Fire, and the even deadlier Peshtigo Fire in Peshtigo, Wisconsin.

Food For Thought - A Bedtime Snack

"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man gainst his own bosom. Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American...[T]he unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people."

-Tenche Coxe

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Down With The Corporations...Really?

The Final Five: October 6, 2011

The Final Five: Bedtime Stories for Conservatives

October 6, 2011

Tonight's Crazy Story

Raw Sewage Teems With Unknown Viruses

On the surface, this does not seem too crazy of a story. However, to think that someone actually took the time to study raw sewage...

Tonight's Final Five:

#5) Palestinians Say American Aid is Their Entitlement

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has belittled American aid, but now he says that it must continue despite their violation of treaties.

#4) Tea Party Envy

Occupy Wall Street and the American Dream Movement have given liberals something that many have said they envied: a left-wing tea party movement. Will this help the liberals or hurt them?

Taking a break...

To laugh a little

"They say Chris Christie decided not to get into the presidential race because he has no shot at winning. That’s not stopping President Obama though."

-Jay Leno, 10/5/11

Now Back to The Final Five

#3) Government Spending Shrinks the Private Sector

Will stimulus spending work? Veronique de Rugy shows at US News that even using the views of left-wing economists, it would take a miracle for everything to line up and produce positive growth. Otherwise, we are left with negative growth for our dollar.

#2) The Administration’s Expanding Scandals

The last thing an administration struggling in the polls wants is a scandal. Unfortunately for this President, he may have two of them: Solyndra and Fast & Furious. Peter Wehner weighs what these mean for the President and the election for Commentary Magazine.

#1) Richard Cordray and Over-Regulation

Brian Darling writes on RedState that the battle on the nomination of Richard Cordray will likely be a battle over slowing the regulatory beast that is killing our economy.

Tomorrow in History: October 7

October 7, 1916 - The most one-sided college football game comes to a close. Final Score: Georgia Tech 222, Cumberland 0.

Food For Thought - A Bedtime Snack

"The balance of power is the scale of peace. The same balance would be preserved were all the world not destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside ... Horrid mischief would ensue were one half the world deprived of the use of them ... the weak will become prey to the strong."

-Thomas Payne

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George Soros...In His Own Words

The Blaze has a great analysis of the ideas of George Soros, using his own words. You can read it here:

IN HIS OWN WORDS: AN EXAMINATION OF SOME OF SOROS’ SOCIOECONOMIC PHILOSOPHIES

The Final Five: October 5, 2011

The Final Five: Bedtime Stories for Conservatives

October 5, 2011

Tonight's Crazy Story

French Schools Ordered to Ration Ketchup to Protect Cultural Heritage

A new policy in French schools only allows for ketchup to be served with certain dishes in order to preserve "France's cultural heritage."

Tonight's Final Five:

#5) This Is Why America Is Not Creating New Jobs

RedState's Erick Erickson uses Obama's own words to explain why America is not creating jobs. Yes, Mr. President, you do have a right to get profit if you take the risk and work for it!

#4) Rather Than Protect Free Speech, Media Protects Obama

The media's attack on Hank Williams, Jr. shows that the media's interests lie in protecting the President, even if it means opposing free speech. The Blaze's Meredith Jessup explains.

Taking a break...

To laugh a little

"That terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed last week, was American-born and was a top recruiter for al-Qaida. You don’t often see an American taking a foreigner’s job."

-Jay Leno, 10/3/11

Now Back to The Final Five

#3) Frontier of Frugality

Retailers are having to face the fact that many people who have "gone frugal" during the recession are still unable to begin spending more. Ann Zimmerman analyzes the effects this will have on the economy at The Wall Street Journal.

#2) Obama vs. Obama

If Obama had to pick a candidate to run against, his best option would be to run against Barack Obama. Recently, Obama has begun to look like he is prepared to do just that. Alana Goodman explains at Commentary Magazine.

#1) Innovation Starvation

The World Policy Institute's Neal Stephenson explains that America is suffering from a lack of innovation. When faced with the next "man on the moon" challenge, will America be able to respond successfully?

Tomorrow in History: October 6

October 6, 1889 - Thomas Edison shows the first motion picture.

Food For Thought - A Bedtime Snack

"I consider trial by jury as the only anchor yet imagined by man by which a government can be held to the priciples of its Constitution."

-Thomas Jefferson

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The Final Five: October 4, 2011

The Final Five: Bedtime Stories for Conservatives

October 4, 2011

Tonight's Crazy Story

Nationality in Question After Baby Born Over International Waters on Flight From Philippines to US

What happens when a baby is born on an airplane over international waters? Which nation does the newborn become a citizen of? Did the baby have problems clearing customs without a passport?

Tonight's Final Five:

#5) Driving the Rich Into the Sea

Could high taxes drive the rich to relocate...to private yachts in international waters? The Wall Street Journal's Scott Adams investigates.

#4) Israel Wants to Talk; The Palestinians Don’t

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted the suggestion that Israel and Palestine return to the table. Guess who didn't accept it. Jonathan Tobin shows at Commentary Magazine who is really stalling the peace process in the Middle East.

Taking a break...

To laugh a little

"Happy anniversary to President Obama and the first lady. They had a nice private dinner to celebrate the 19th anniversary of the last time someone said “yes” to an Obama proposal."

-Craig Ferguson, 10/3/11

Now Back to The Final Five

#3) Was Killing Al-Awlaki Unconstitutional?

One of my first concerns upon hearing about the killing of Al-Awlaki was about the murder of a man who was an American citizen. Guy Benson argues at Townhall.com why the killing was perfectly legal and even authorized by Congress.

#2) The Psychodrama of the Obama Presidency

President Obama recently stated that America has "gotten a little soft." Commentary Magazine's Peter Wehner argues that someone has gotten soft, but it's the President, not the rest of America.

#1) The Forever Recession (and the Coming Revolution)

Seth Goodin argues on his blog that America is suffering from two recessions: the cyclical recession and the recession caused by the loss of jobs due to outsourcing or systematization.

Tomorrow in History: October 5

October 5, 1982 - Johnson & Johnson initiates a recall of Tylenol after several deaths in Chicago due to cyanide poisoning.

Food For Thought - A Bedtime Snack

"Political interest [can] never be separated in the long run from moral right."

-Thomas Jefferson

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Congressional Update: October 4, 2011

This update is taken from the e-mail newsletter of Congressman Geoff Davis (R-KY). If you would like to receive his e-mail updates, you may sign up here.

Last Week on the House Floor
Last week, the House was in recess for a Constituent Work Week.

Anticipated Action on the House Floor This Week
This week, the House will be in session Monday through Thursday. The House is expected to vote on the following bills:

• H.R. 686, Utah National Guard Readiness Act
• H.R. 473, Help to Access Land for the Education of (HALE) Scouts Act
• H.R. 470, Hoover Power Allocation Act of 2011
• S.Con.Res. 29, Authorizing the use of the rotunda of the United States Capitol for an event to present the Congressional Gold Medal
• H.R. 2608, Continuing Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2012
• H.R. 1343, To return unused or reclaimed funds made available for broadband awards in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to the Treasury of the United States
• H.R. 2681, Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act of 2011
• H.R. 2250, EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011

You can read bills, summaries by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service and keep up-to-date on their progress as they move through the legislative process by visiting http://thomas.gov and typing in the bill number.

Fixing the Budget Process

USA Today featured an article describing proposals being discussed for fixing the Congressional budgeting process. While there are some good ideas on the list, here are some that need to be considered:

1) Congress receives no pay unless a budget is passed. If Congress cannot do its job of passing a budget, then our Congressmen should not be rewarded for not doing their job. Pass as many continuing resolutions as you want, but your bank account will remain empty until the budget is done. (Note: While this is alluded to at the end of the article, I have included it because it was not listed as one of the points.)

2) Balance the budget without an amendment, and without budget tricks. Should we really need a balanced budget amendment to force Congress to balance the budget? I am fine with the amendment, but perhaps Congress should consider balancing the budget without it. Furthermore, we need a real balanced budget, not one that uses accounting tricks to appear balanced while still adding to the debt.

3) Set a permanent tax rate. Americans may not like tax increases, but they dislike uncertainty more. We need to establish a permanent tax structure so that Americans will be able to figure out what taxes will be taken out of their checks from year to year. Sure, we can close ridiculous loopholes and eliminate some deductions, but unless Americans have a reasonable idea of what they will pay in taxes next year, they will not spend more this year.

California Actually Makes a Good Decision

Regular readers here know that I have criticized many decisions made by the California legislature recently. However, I came across a USA Today article showing a good decision. A new law signed today now prohibits county and city governments from placing bans on circumcision. This gives the power of decision to the people to decide what is best for them. I commend California in this instance for taking steps to preserve freedom.

The Final Five: October 3, 2011

The Final Five: Bedtime Stories for Conservatives

October 3, 2011

Tonight's Crazy Story

Your Guide to Science's Wild Ig Nobel Awards: Findings That ‘Cannot or Should Not Be Reproduced’

The Ig Nobel prizes: where ridiculous research is honored! Here, you can see research about tortoise yawns, wasabi fire alarms, holding your bladder, sighing, the effects of tequila on beetles, the end of the world, and distracted driving honored. Read the summary of the winners at The Blaze.

Tonight's Final Five:

#5) The Obama Presidency By The Numbers

Individual pictures do not often make it onto the final five. However, this one provides clear detail on the direction of the economy under Obama.

#4) Obama OK’s Targeted Assassination of Awlaki, a U.S. Citizen

Andrew McCarthy explains at National Review Online why the killing of Anwar al-Awlaki is fine, despite his American citizenship.

Taking a break...

To laugh a little

"A 6th grade student from Springfield, New Jersey, who asked Gov. Chris Christie for campaign advice, wound up losing his election for student council. Worse still, he asked President Obama for economic advice and he now owes his school $14 trillion."

-Jay Leno, 9/30/11

Now Back to The Final Five

#3) Nobody Who'll Say 'No'

Does the President have anyone around him who can actually keep him from implementing a policy because they feel it is a poor move? Salena Zito argues that every President needs such a person, but the President doesn't seem to have one.

#2) Washington Post Now Literally Looking Under Rocks in West Texas to Find Dirt on Perry

PajamasMedia provides an excellent analysis of the recent smear campaign on Rick Perry.

#1) Economic Growth, Not Income Redistribution, Is What Helps Us All

Forbes' Peter Ferrera argues that Americans would benefit more from economic growth than from redistribution of income.

Tomorrow in History: October 4

October 4, 1927 - Gutzon Borglum begins sculpting work on Mount Rushmore.

Food For Thought - A Bedtime Snack

" Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. "

-George Washington

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The Weekend Report: October 2, 2011

Editor's Note: The following post contains exaggerations and parodies intended for humorous effect only.

Welcome to the Weekend Report, your source for the real scoop on what's going on in the world. Let's start with the week's top headlines:

Wendy's is reviving their famous "Where's the Beef?" commercials by finally providing an answer: the beef is at Wendy's. Unfortunately, this means it took Wendy's 27 years to finally get beef for their hamburgers.

A drunk woman was arrested after attempting to rob a Florida store with a toy gun. In other news, a nearby Toys-R-Us believes it may have finally figured out where its missing toy guns went.

FOX News is reporting about a new "sleep pod" that will provide a small area for people to sleep at airports. The reports starts with the line, "Who thought that getting stuck at an airport could result in a dream come true." However, after product testing, consumers reported that being stuck in an airport was still "awful."

As NASA prepared for the re-entry of its UARS satellite, they listed the chances of someone getting hurt at 1 in 3200. Have they really done this 3200 times to check it out?

Following a reported privacy breach, Facebook vowed that it would fix a privacy breach that allowed it to continue tracking you after you logged off. Facebook stated that it will only track you if you continue to ask for a "dislike" button.

More headlines follow our Video of the Week:

Steven Crowder talks about big oil and the gasoline tax in "Crowder has gas."

Now back to the headlines:

The University of Toledo asked their conference to overturn a loss because referees had incorrectly ruled their opponents' point-after attempt as good. President Obama immediately released a statement chiding Toledo for opposing the "redistribution of points," a part of his plan for the "fundamental transformation of American football."

President Obama asked his supporters to "shake off" their frustrations during a campaign stop. Those who attempted this "shaking off" still found themselves broke and unemployed.

The Post Office has changed its policy that did not allow living people to be featured on stamps. The Post Office made this move in the hope that living people featured on stamps would buy enough of their own stamps to help make up for the Post Office's deficit.

Charlie Sheen and Warner Bros. finally reached a settlement in a legal dispute over Sheen's firing from the show "Two and a Half Men." Warner Bros. commended Sheen for actually doing something reasonable.

The king of Saudi Arabia announced this week that women will be allowed to vote and run in elections in 2015. However, since women still are not allowed to drive, the will be unable to get to the polling place.

Tweet Tweet - The Top Tweets of the Week
Tweets courtesy of Politico

Dane Cook: iPhone chime woke me. Thought a girl was drunk texting me about Star Wars Admiral Ackbar but it was a @CNN alert Anwar Al-Awlaki's dead.

Lizzie O'Leary: Not okay with the term Muffingate.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler: Today I get my FIRST cavity filled! :'( I don't know which is more painful-getting the tooth filled or Harry Reid's grandstanding over CR.

Jay Leno: "My Boston Red Sox…not good. I haven’t seen anybody blow a lead like that since Rick Perry." #LenoMono

Kai Penn: Coolest thing I saw today: People rappelling down the Washington Monument. #awesome

Stephen Colbert:Scientists have found a way to encode secret messages in bacteria. So keep it up, disgusting slobs — it's a matter of national security.

Once again, back to the top headlines:

Researchers at the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois figured out a way to hack a voting machine for only $26. I have heard claims of people buying elections, but I never knew it was that cheap.

Former Congressman Anthony Weiner received 31 write-in votes in the election to determine his replacement. His .0043% of the vote placed him below Bob Turner and David Weprin, but ahead of "Snoopy", "Lamb Chop", and "No Gay Marriage." He also finished ahead of the over 300 million Americans who received 0 votes.

The city of Peekskill, N.Y., has adopted a new rule restricting clapping during city council meetings. However, the city rejected a proposal that would have required all city business to be conducted in complete silence.

Engineers began rappelling down the side of the Washington Monument to analyze the damage caused by a recent earthquake. Meanwhile, engineering schools saw an increase in the number of applicants for the upcoming semester.

A New York panel has suggested allowing Medicaid money to be used to pay for "gender reassignment surgery." The report stated it supports this because sex change operations are becoming a necessity for many people.

If you were disappointed that you did not get to see the UARS satellite fall to earth last weekend, there's good news. Another dead satellite is expected to fall to earth in November, but scientists have no idea where it will fall. Has anyone in Congress investigated why we are spending so much money to shoot metal into space, only to have it come down in a fireball later?

Finally, our Blooper of the Week:

Someone hit a wrong button and showed a picture of the weather lady eating.