Who Covered for Fannie Mae?

It pretty much seems that the current economic crisis was caused by the implosion of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They basically guaranteed lenders that the federal government would cover any losses from mortgage defaults (which seems to be exactly what is happening.) Meanwhile Franklin Raines, former head of Fannie Mae, left after having taken bonuses of more than $90 million. Franklin Raines was accused of fraud, and had to pay back some of the money he took.

As you watch this video of congressional hearings in 2004, pay attention to the number of Republicans who called for more oversight of Fannie Mae, and the number of Democrats who insisted that oversight was not needed.

Who's responsible for the economic crisis due to the implosion of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? Watch the video and see for yourself. Then think about who's calling loudest for the massive federal bailout.

What Conservatives Aren't

In this column by John Hawkins, he details and debunks some of the popular misconceptions about Conservatives.

Condensed version:

• Conservatives don't dislike minorities.
• Conservatives don't want women kept barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen.
• Conservatives aren't anti-science.
• "Conservative" and "Republican" aren't necessarily the same thing.
• Conservatives aren't theocrats.
• Conservatives don't rig elections.
• Conservatives don't want to pollute the environment.
• Conservatives aren't in the pocket of the rich.

Obvious to those of us who are Conservative, but sometimes it helps to spell things out for those other people.

You Wanna Go With Your Strengths

Mental Floss posted a quiz on classic TV advertising jingles. Showing one of the few benefits of my misspent youth, I scored 100% on the quiz. You can take the quiz yourself here.

The Real Difference Between Liberals and Conservatives

One of the most honest and compelling discussions of philosophical and political outlook I've ever seen. Almost 20 minutes long, so make time.

Truest Movie Line Ever

Obama Waffles

"Obama Waffles" were sold at the Value Voters Summit in Washington, DC. The image of Obama on the box is being described in news reports as a "racial stereotype." The question I have is, what's the difference between a "racial stereotype" and a caricature? As you can tell by the photo of Obama, the cartoon on the box is a pretty good caricature, much like what you'd see in a political cartoon.
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The problem is not that the Left immedately yells "racism" at any perceivied criticism of Obama. That's expected. What is bothersome is that the Associated Press story characterized the image as a "racial stereotype" rather than a caricature, and all the media are repeating the AP accusation.
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Let's compare the Obama pictures with these images with John McCain:


















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Is the Obama caricature any more stereotypical than that of McCain?
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The accusation of racism is one that everyone is sensitive to, and the choosing of a black candidate by Democrats gives them that charge whenever they want to use it. The Forum organizers apologized, dropped the waffle mix sales, etc., out of fear of being smeared as racists.
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It seems to me that the only way that any group can claim equality with another is when they can accept criticism, even ridicule, without relying on the "victimhood" argument. By being ridiculed with a caricature, clearly Obama in the above image is being treated as an equal to McCain or any other politician. To try to protect him from such ridicule by claiming racism is demeaning to anyone, regardless of race.
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The media have successfully labeled the image as racist, but that doesn't mean we must allow such a charge to stand. There are too many examples of real racism in the world which need to be corrected for a false charge such as this to attract any attention at all.

They Must Think You're Stupid

Ken Blackwell's great column "Words Obama Will Regret" lists several situations which could prompt Barack Obama to eat his words. Check it out.

Other People Say Smart Stuff, Too Part XIV

UK Environment Minister:

Green Activism is a "Hysterical Pseudo-Religion."

Couldn't have put it better meself.

MSNBC Slap Down

Newt Gingrich gives MSNBC reporter Ron Allen what-for when he asks a stupid Democrat-talking-point question:

The Hammer Speaks

From the Politico:

Delay to media: "Keep it up"

"The media has done more for John McCain in the last two days than he’s done for himself in the last year and a half."

Read the post here.

By the way, remember all those indictments that Democrat fundraiser and Travis County prosecutor Ronnie Earle (now retired) brought against Tom Delay? Those may very well be dismissed.

It's alarming how much damage a Democrat prosecutor can wreak with trumped-up charges.