This Time, for Gabrielle Giffords’s Sake, Let’s Not Get Ahead of Ourselves

This is a very good article and once again the media is admonished for their unrealistic stories about the recovery of Congressman Giffords. This author has said exactly what we have been thinking. An article will start out all rosy like a back rub to her husband which turned into a neck rub and down in the article you find the doctors viewpoint that says it would be almost impossible to have happened that way.

She has already had a remarkable recovery but the fact that she was sent to rehab in Texas calls into question how much her brain was damaged -- it had to be a lot as they don't expect to reattach the part of the skull she had taken out to reduce the swelling for four months.

We know her husband is having a hard time facing reality of the situation and his report that she will walk out of the rehab hospital in two months is wishful think unfortunately but that is what the media picked up and down deep in the article is the doctor talking about relearning everything.

Guess it is too much to ask the media to be responsible and report the facts from the medical team instead of family or her office. One person on a site said she will be able to run for President in 2012 or 2016 after reading all the rosy articles. Could not believe reading that. She was shot at point blank range and it is an absolute miracle that she is alive.

She has a tough road ahead without having to face unrealistic expectations by people and the media. This article needs read by every journalist and then they need to look at their articles and see exactly what this writer is saying. Speculation and joy are leading every article and breaking news and deep in the article you find the truth.

We seem to have some journalist today who are incapable of writing about facts for an entire article and are turning what should be news stories into fluff opinion pieces. Some should consider another career in fiction writing. You know if they do this with the Giffords story, they are doing it with news stories that are not human interest.

How much of the news we hear or read has all the facts and the opinion of the person reporting is left out of the story? Too many reporters are so anxious to be the first to report that they don't double source or get all the facts before running to a microphone and TV camera with breathless reporting that will turn out later not to be true. This was one of those stories and now they are doing the same thing on her recovery.

Does anyone know how the other people are doing who were shot or are they not important since they are not a Congresswoman? Because of their obvious bias, we have to wonder if they would be reporting with breaking good news almost every day if it was a Republican not a Democrat. We have our doubts which is a sad state of affairs that we believe they are that biased today.

Giffords voted against Pelosi for Speaker but we have to hear Pelosi's version of how she woke for the first time to see her like they were the very best of friends. Did Pelosi run out to a mic to report this to make herself look good that she was the first person she saw? No confirmation from any doctor that even though her eyes were open she recognized anyone at first.

We wish her the very best and hope and pray that she will have a full recovery. We also hope that the media will give her the time to rehab and as the days turn into months, they will remember not to run articles with unrealistic expectations and quit interviewing her husband who with the shock is going to want to see everything through rose colored glasses. It would be tough for any one close to her to see anything else. Her husband is going to need support as well as they goes through the rehab process and reality begins to dawn on him about the long road ahead.  The media doesn't need to play on his raw emotions right now.

God be with Gabrielle Giffords and all of her family and friends and give her and them the strength it is going to take to make that recovery that everyone prays will happen.

This Time, for Gabrielle Giffords’s Sake, Let’s Not Get Ahead of Ourselves1/21/11 at 1:15 PM

In the immediate aftermath of the shootings in Tucson, the media zeroed in on an irresistible narrative: Overheated political rhetoric had sparked a tragedy. Pundits rushed to judgment, conservatives went on the counterattack, and Sarah Palin assumed her usual role at the center of the maelstrom.

Within a matter of days it became clear that shooter Jared Loughner was a deranged misfit, unaffected by current politics, who had been fixated on Giffords for years. After an emotional speech by President Obama, the current consensus finally solidified: The Tucson shooting was a tragedy caused by a disturbed young man, and if there is any reason why politicians should behave more civilly in the aftermath, it is to honor Giffords and the other victims.

But now we're doing the same thing all over again: prewriting the Giffords narrative in a way that is almost certain to gloss over a difficult reality. Her recovery from the gunshot wound to her head has been described as a miracle. And thus far it has been — as is her very survival. But her complete recovery is very, very far from certain. And the press's breathless coverage of every daily improvement has led to expectations that will almost surely lead to disappointment.

Giffords's husband, the astronaut Mark Kelly, spoke to reporters on Friday as she was being prepared to be moved to a rehabilitation center in Houston: "I imagine the next step is here she'll be walking, talking," he said. "And in two months you'll see her walking through the front door of this building."

It's Kelly's job to imagine exactly that. And her supporters should pray for it. But buried in the story are these warnings from her neurosurgeon, Dr. Michael Lemole: "She's scrolling through an iPad. These are all fantastic advancements forward. They do indicate higher cognitive function," he said. "But I do want to caution everyone that she has a long road ahead of her." Lemole explained that "it's not uncommon for people to initially improve, then plateau."

In fact, the structure of most of these stories is this: Lead with the startling, happy news of the speed of her recovery, and then bury the caveats down below. That way, you'll see headlines about Nancy Pelosi predicting Giffords will get back to work, with quotes from actual doctors who actually know what they are talking about only appearing deep into the story. When doctors do appear in headlines, they are "confident" or at least optimistic. But for what? That she'll be the same person she used to be? If you read closely, not quite.

It's easy to imagine a sunny scenario in which Giffords makes a quick and complete recovery, returns promptly to work in Congress, and maybe runs for higher office one day. If this were a movie (and surely such pitches are already being made), that's how it would end. But real life unfortunately isn't so neat. Plateau or no plateau, her family may well decide it is in her better interest to quit Congress while she recuperates.

Excerpt: Read More at New York Mag

MSNBC ends contract with anchor Keith Olbermann

When the news broke last night, it set off a firestorm of emails from all the news outlets reporting.  MSNBC sent out breaking news and within seconds other outlets including Entertainment was sending out emails and then the speculation began on why.   He led everyone for being an opinionated, angry, arrogant 'news' anchor with a delivery that would get under most people's skins.  Hard to believe he was their #1 anchor but then the ratings are so low at MSNBC, it wouldn't take a lot.

This could gain a little credibility back for MSNBC but still not watching them in the evening with Chris Matthews and Rachael Maddow. Don't like snarky people and that is what MSNBC has on the air in the evening. I didn't like Olbermann when he was with ESPN and then with Sunday Night Football for NBC which made me change channels when he was on spouting away. His delivery is not something I like -- he could be a conservative and I would say the same thing. He is snarky, angry, and egotistical -- all traits that only the most rabid fans could appreciate.

Cable News will be much better off without Olbermann although think it is about time MSNBC and Fox lose the News behind their names in the evening because they have turned into entertainment channels for the most part with a smattering of news thrown in from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. (cst) Greta on Fox at 9:00 p.m. is about the only news show worth watching as most of her shows are very interesting -- she doesn't shout or try to rile people up -- she gives the facts.  If you want to remain angry in your life, then continue to watch Fox from 6-9 p.m. (cst) and guarantee you will be fuming most nights.  You can read the same info on line and not get as riled up before going to bed at night as you de with the manner of delivery of some of the so-called news anchors.

There is only one cable outlet though for Breaking News and that is CNN who for years has led the other two by a mile when something breaks no matter the time of day. All of their anchors are able to handle breaking news while on Fox the only one in the evening that can do a good job is Greta and MSNBC has ZERO.

We are very happy to see Keith Olbermann bite the dust and just hope a sports channel doesn't pick him up.

The question of the day is whether Chris Matthews and Rachel Maddow are going to tone down their rhetoric. Roger Ailes at Fox News has already told his anchors to tone it down. Both stations are way over the top at times in the way they present their views and have turned cable news into political stations as an off shoot of talk radio. Never thought I would say it but I liked Hannity a lot better with Alan Colmes who used to annoy me but the give and take was actually better.

My #1 person though to get the ax was Keith Olbermann who was far and above the most annoying on cable news of anyone.  No one could compare to his annoying delivery.

MSNBC ends contract with anchor Keith Olbermann
The liberal commentator doesn't volunteer a reason for his abrupt departure. Insiders say it has nothing to do with next week's takeover of NBC Universal by Comcast Corp.

Cable news channel MSNBC ended its turbulent relationship with its most-popular anchor, Keith Olbermann, with a terse statement saying that Friday night's show was his last.

In a six-minute farewell sign-off at the end of "Countdown with Keith Olbermann," the forceful liberal commentator didn't volunteer a reason for his abrupt departure from the channel that became an ideological counterbalance to the rival Fox News Channel.

The only hint Olbermann offered for his exit was an admission that over the last couple of years there were "many occasions" when the noise and heat surrounding the show "was just too much for me." But, he added, it was a supportive, unwearying audience that "required that I keep going."

Excerpt: Read more at LA Times

Mike Pence: America Wants You

Of all the candidates we keep hearing about with the media pushing them -- Romney, Huckabee, Palin, and Newt -- none of them come close to Mike Pence (pictured above) in our book. Are members of the mainstream media pushing those four so hard because they know they would have a hard time beating Obama? It is not going to be easy to beat Obama, but we believe a man who is a Conservative Champion Mike Pence from Indiana, part of the Heartland of America, gives us the best chance and would make an outstanding President.

Little known fact on Mike Pence is in his teenage years he worked for Democrats but then heard Ronald Reagan and decided the GOP was the way for him. We are extremely happy he made that decision. Know a lot of people who did the same thing. Our Republican Party is better today because of those people who followed the lead of Ronald Reagan and became Republicans!

If you are looking for a candidate with energy and who brings a positive outlook to the scene, it is Mike Pence. His speeches bring you to your feet with optimism on how to make things better in America and get this Country back on the right track after the drift toward socialism we have been experience.  You see an energy level you don't see in many candidates when they speak because when Mike Pence speaks, he speaks from the heart.  You will never have a harder worker than Mike Pence as President.

Some have said he doesn't have executive experience and comes from the House. My reply is that he was head of his fraternity which gives more experience as an executive than other job. Try getting fraternity members all on the same page -- judging by my son's experience as President of his fraternity, it is not an easy task. Pence had his own law firm and was also a talk show host before joining the House. The last two years, he was the head of the Republican Caucus which is some ways is like being President of a fraternity and just as difficult to get them all on the same page.

What I remember most from speeches by Mike Pence is his comment that he is a Christian, Conservative, and Republican in that order. We support him because he is not an 'in your face' type of person, but stands on principle and some things are non-negotiable like being pro-life but also is able to reach out to various groups and doesn't throw someone under the bus because they don't agree with him 100%!

Now ABC News has picked up on this effort to encourage Mike Pence to run:

Less than two weeks before Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., is expected to make an announcement about his political future, conservative leaders are urging him to jump into the 2012 presidential race.

"Seize this moment, Mike," Ryun, along with conservative leaders L. Brent Bozell, Dick Armey and Morton Blackwell, wrote in a letter they sent to Pence on Thursday. "Now is the time for you, as one of this generation's leaders, to take your rightful place in the pantheon of American leadership, to cast aside personal considerations, and defend this God-blessed nation that has given us, and the world, so much."

We think Mike Pence is what this Country needs as President. He would win over voters who are not sure who he is if they listen to him speak or watch him in a debate. He is smart, articulate, and speaks from the heart which we think are character traits necessary in a President. When you hear Pence speak, you know he is not going to waffle, put his finger in the wind to see which way it is blowing or do flip flops like candidates in the past and some office holders have done -- what you see is what you get with Mike Pence.




We support this effort 100% and sincerely hope that Mike Pence is hearing the voices of concerned conservatives who are looking for someone they can get behind and who can reach out to all voters without snarkiness, negativity, or in your face. He has a sense of humor and doesn't take himself too seriously when he gives speeches. There are two members of the House who can say more in their one minute speeches then most can say in five minutes -- Mike Pence of Indiana and Steve King of Iowa who also happen to be good friends.

We believe that in 2012, our Republican candidate needs to come from the Heartland of America where a love of America is instilled at a young age, where we still value what is great about America and believe her best days are still ahead, have been blessed to be born in such a wonderful Country, and it is our obligation to help make things better in America with hard work and sacrifice.

We need to get that Spirit of America back to the White House and cannot think of a better person to do just that than Mike Pence, who comes from Indiana and is a member of the People's House.

January 21, 2011

Dear Sharon,

Thank you for adding your name to the call for Mike Pence to declare his candidacy for presidency. There now are thousands of us.

We are working hard to show Mr. Pence the kind of enthusiasm the idea of his candidacy inspires. So:

1. Please join our Facebook group, The Conservative Champion, by clicking http://j.mp/fYCHSHand clicking on Like; and

2. Please forward this letter to your email friends, telling them that you have signed up at http://theconservativechampion.org/and urging them to click and join you by typing in their name and email address.

Mr. Pence told reporters that he woke to the news of this effort on his radio alarm. By published reports we are making a significant impact on his decision-making.

He reportedly will announce his decision within 10 days. There is no time to waste!

Thank you once again. We'll be writing you again soon to let you know how powerful an impact you are making and to ask you to double down by recruiting friends and acquaintances to come http://theconservativechampion.org/!

With respect,

Ralph Benko
Coordinator

PS, The momentum of our call to Mr. Pence is strong. Let's make it even stronger!

See you and your friends at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Conservative-Champion/183472778341064 and http://theconservativechampion.org/

Chairman Paul Ryan to Deliver Republican Address to the Nation on January 25

We cannot think of a better person to deliver the Republican Address then Congressman Paul Ryan from Wisconsin.  We were very happy to see him appointed Chair of the House Budget Committee and this week learned that my Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) was also named to the House Budget Committee.  Now the Defense Department as someone on the committee with Tom Cole who is about smart cutting when it comes to Defense.

Chairman Paul Ryan to Deliver Republican Address to the Nation on January 25-Speech to immediately follow President Obama’s State of the Union-

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) will deliver the Republican address following the President’s State of the Union address to Congress on January 25, 2011. Last year – in an unprecedented failure – Congressional Democrats chose not to pass, or even propose a budget, punting on a duty that represents the most basic responsibility of governing. Chairman Ryan will deliver the Republican address Tuesday night from the House Budget Committee hearing room, where the Democrats’ spending spree will end and the Republicans’ push for a fiscally responsible budget that cuts spending will begin.

In making the announcement, the GOP leaders noted that Chairman Ryan is a leading voice for fiscal discipline and common-sense solutions to cut spending and create jobs. Known for his thoughtful and detailed critiques of big-government policies, Ryan has helped put to rest the Democrats’ argument that more government spending and higher taxes is the answer to most of our nation’s ills. His commitment to free enterprise and limited government make him the right choice to outline a vision for how a smaller, less costly government will help create the right conditions for the creation of good, private sector jobs.

“Paul Ryan is uniquely qualified to address the state of our economy and the fiscal challenges that face our country,” said Speaker Boehner. “We’re broke, and decisive action is needed to help our economy get back to creating jobs and end the spending binge in Washington that threatens our children’s future. I’m pleased that Paul will be outlining a common-sense vision for moving our country forward.”

Leader McConnell said, “Paul Ryan has spent the better part of the last two years explaining exactly why the Democrat agenda has been so bad for jobs and the economy, and why we need to ditch the government-driven approach in favor of creative, common-sense solutions that put the American people back in charge. Chairman Ryan’s unique understanding of the fiscal problems we face, his command of policy, and his adherence to the principles of our nation’s founding make him an excellent spokesman for the path that Americans want Washington to take.”

Chairman Ryan said, “Delivering an address to the nation is a unique opportunity, and I am grateful to my party’s leaders for entrusting me with this responsibility. I am hopeful that the President will work with the new House Majority to cut spending, reform government, and restore the foundations for growth and job creation. More than rhetoric, we need results. I look forward to outlining a vision for a future that fulfills the uniquely American legacy of leaving the next generation with a stronger, more prosperous nation.”

NOTE: Born and raised in the community of Janesville, Paul Ryan is a fifth-generation Wisconsin native. Currently serving his seventh term as a Member of Congress, Paul works to address the many important issues affecting Wisconsin residents and serve as an effective advocate for the 1st Congressional District. He is the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, where he works to bring fiscal discipline and accountability to the federal government. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, Social Security, health care and trade laws. Paul is a graduate of Joseph A. Craig High School in Janesville and earned a degree in economics and political science from Miami University (OH). Paul and his wife Janna live in Janesville with their children, daughter Liza and sons Charlie and Sam.

###

Hillary at the State Dinner

Can you imagine if she had become President?

Believe that is one of the ugliest dresses I have ever seen along with the necklace -- UGH.  Check out what Condi Rice, former Secretary of State, wore to a State Dinner -- Maybe Hillary needs a new designer and should check out where Condi purchased her gowns.





FBI Rounding Up over 100 (127) Mobsters in Biggest Mafia Bust in New York History

NOTE:  The latest number is 127 from ABC News the number Mobsters who have been indicted:

Federal authorities today announced what they called the largest mob roundup in FBI history: the indictment of 127 people, including key Mafia figures from the New York, New Jersey and New England crime families, on charges ranging from murder and racketeering to gambling, extortion and loan-sharking.

About 800 law enforcement members from the FBI, Secret Service, the U.S. Labor Department and state and local law enforcement had arrested more than 110 people by late morning as part of 16 indictments filed in different jurisdictions. The indictments were aimed at all five New York crime families -- the Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, Bonanno and Luchese families -- along with the New England Patriarca family and the New Jersey Decavalcante family.

******

First thought that popped into my mind when I saw this was the union slowdown of snow removal which made zero sense. Since the Mafia is heavily into unions, it is a logical conclusion. The snow removal made zero sense because the workers live in New York as well but with Mafia involved, there must have been big money to be made by local contractors. Interesting that the five New York Mafia families are still going strong after all these years.

You may be asking yourself, why I would post a Mafia bust story, but married into an Italian family. Raised in small town Ohio and imagine my shock to visit my future in-laws in New York, then wake-up early in the morning to meet my future husband's 'Godfather' who was coming over. When he got to the house, he was taking money from my boyfriend's Dad when my boyfriend said "why don't you pick three horses and I will bet $28" -- remember it like yesterday and it was well over 30 years ago. Knew nothing about horse racing but I picked three horses in a trifecta (didn't know what that was either), and I won $120 which seemed like a lot of money. His Dad wanted to know my secret, and he tells him that she liked the names because she has never been to a horse race and knows nothing about them.

Later I asked him what Vincent did for a living because my mind was racing thinking this was mafia (had read the Godfather book) and trying to convince myself I was going overboard. He said he works in a barber shop and is a numbers runner for the Buffalo mob -- goes from house to house collecting bets every morning as horses are racing somewhere. Vincent was Sicilian and by this time I am starting to freak out that I had won money from a bookie.

After we were married and had our first daughter, we went to Florida for a graduation when all these people kept visiting my brother-in-law and they would go in the back room. He was Sicilian so my first thought was Mafia and then decided I had seen the Godfather too many times. It turned out that he did taxes for some members of the local Mafia. At that point, I wanted to go back to Ohio.

You could say I became paranoid when visiting his family and you would be right although his immediate family were not Sicilian and not connected. Can still remember my mother-in-law calling them the 'Black Hand' and refusing to use the word Mafia. When I saw this story this morning, I had to wonder if any members of the family were involved. After all these years I am still paranoid!

This was a huge bust aimed at all the crime families of the area so who blew the whistle and who has the most to gain by all these arrests. Most likely another group of mobsters will spring up to take their place in the families as has happened for years or is there another group of people that want to take over the Mafia controlled unions?

Wonder if any politicians will be tainted by this raid since the Mafia for years has bought off politicians who could help them? Maybe being Italian is out of date and another ethic group plans to move in on the territory.

We will be watching to find out just what was behind this raid that could have happened any time. After finding out Holder was involved, why did the raid happen the day the House votes to repeal Obamacare? Took repeal of Obamacare off the news in New York and surrounding states. Wouldn't put it past this Administration to schedule the raids for the day the House votes to Repeal.

FBI Rounding Up 100 Mobsters in Biggest Mafia Bust in New York History Charges range from gambling to racketeering to murderBy JONATHAN DIENST
Updated 9:16 AM EST, Thu, Jan 20, 2011





The FBI calls it the biggest mafia round-up in New York history. More than 100 suspected mobsters are being arrested this morning in connection with numerous federal investigations into New York area mob groups as first reported on NBCNewYork.com.

FBI agents along with NYPD and State Police officers, and US Marshals were conducting raids that began in the early morning hours. Federal charges are expected to range from gambling to racketeering to murder.

Law-enforcement officials said members and associates of all five New York mafia families - as well as New Jersey's DeCavalcante family - are among those being arrested.

The arrest operations stretch across the tri-state area with many of the suspects being processed in Brooklyn. Attorney General Eric Holder is flying up from Washington to take part in the official announcement. U.S. Attorneys Loretta Lynch, Preet Bharara along with FBI New York Director Janice Fedarcyk and NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly are expected to announce details of the federal charges at an 11 am news conference.



With more than 100 arrests expected, officials said the charges this day surpass the large 2008 mafia raids where 80-plus suspected members of organized crime were charged.

At that time, John 'Jackie the Nose' D'Amico and other reputed leaders of the Gambino crime family were targeted in the U.S. while Italian authorities conducted simultaneous raids on mafia groups there.

FBI officials have said organized crime is still active in New York's construction industry. Labor union corruption, loansharking and gambling among the other schemes run by the mob.

FBI officials did officially confirm the arrests.

"Early this morning FBI Agents along with our law enforcement partners began arresting over 100 organized crime members for various criminal charges," said Diego Rodriguez of the FBI New York office. "Additional information will be available at the U.S. Attorney's offices later today."

Officials said significant leaders and associates of the Gambino, Genovese, Lucchese, Bonanno, Colombo and DeCavalcante families among those being arrested.

Source: NBC New York

House Votes to Repeal Obamacare -- Promise Kept (245-189)

Three Democrat Congressmen -- Dan Boren (OK), Mike McIntyre (NC), and Dennis Ross (AR) all voted with Republicans to repeal Obamacare. We cannot speak for the other two but Dan Boren said a long time ago that he would vote for repeal -- he didn't vote for the original bill and no way being from Oklahoma would he have voted to keep Obamacare.

The OK Attorney General has now put Oklahoma in with other states challenging the Constitutionality of Obamacare. It is so great to finally have a conservative as our Attorney General after the previous Democrat went in with Gore over Florida and also with the State of CT against the Boy Scouts. Never figured out why this conservative state reelected him when Oklahoma had gone for Pres Bush in big numbers in 2000. Now that is in the past and we have a new Attorney General Scott Pruitt who we believe will be one of the best Attorney Generals we ever have had.

The question of the day is what will the Senate do now and will Democrats line up with Majority Leader Reid like the last time or will those facing tough races vote with Republicans? Should be interesting!

North Dakota Democrat Conrad to Retire from Senate in 2012

Democrat Senators in Red State America especially in the very center of Red State America from Texas to North Dakota are thinking their chances of winning in 2012 have become somewhat diminished as both Dakotas joined the Red States of our center core in 2010 to elect Republican House and Senate members. In North Dakota, Republicans won big:

Republicans swept all state offices, increased their majority in the Legislature and took two of North Dakota’s three spots in Congress.  Republicans swept all state offices, increased their majority in the Legislature and took two of North Dakota’s three spots in Congress.

When you see that one little blurb, you know what is in store for Conrad in 2012 -- think most anyone could see the handwriting on the wall for any Democrat in North Dakota.

Will Ben Nelson of NE be next to announce his retirement or a switch to the GOP?  His vote for Obamacare alienated a large portion of Nebraska voters.

Going to be an interesting two years as Democrats have many more Senate seats to defend this time and every one of them will be challenged by Senator Cornyn and the NRSC.

Democrat Conrad to Retire from Senate in 2012Tuesday, 18 Jan 2011 12:25 PM

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic Senator Kent Conrad, who has led efforts to get the U.S. budget under control, said Tuesday that he will not run for re-election in 2012, a decision that helps Republican efforts to win control of the Senate after a strong showing in 2010.

Conrad's warnings about the United States' fiscal woes led to a presidential commission that recommended spending caps and a revamped tax code last year in order to head off a Greek-style debt crisis.

The commission's plan could form the basis for deficit-reduction efforts in Congress as lawmakers seek to bring down shortfalls that have reached 9 percent of GDP in recent years.

"It is more important I spend my time and energy trying to solve these problems than to be distracted by a campaign for re-election," the North Dakota Democrat said in a prepared statement.

As chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Conrad will play a crucial role in the looming battle over federal spending.

Republicans who control the House of Representatives are pushing for deep cuts to domestic programs, but the Democratic-controlled Senate is unlikely to go along. The two chambers will have to agree on a spending plan by March to avoid a government shutdown.

Conrad, 62, has amassed a moderate voting record since he was first elected to the Senate in 1986. He likely would have faced a tough re-election fight in his rural state. Fellow North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan retired last year ahead of a tough re-election. Republican John Hoeven easily won the seat.

Republicans need to pick up four seats in 2012 to win control of the 100-seat Senate.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee, which is leading that effort, said Conrad's seat is one of their best opportunities.

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan; editing by Stacey Joyce)

Source: Reuters

Martin Luther King 'I Have a Dream' Speech, August 28, 1963

Key Excerpts from the speech:

"In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men - yes, black men as well as white men - would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked 'insufficient funds.'"

"It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual."

"The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people. For many of our white brothers as evidenced by their presence here today have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone."

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'"

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

"I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood."

"This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day."

"Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children."

"Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring—when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children—black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics—will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Pence Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

From Mike Pence one of the best speakers we have in the Republican Party today who has the integrity, honesty, and an understanding of what America is all about and stands up for what is right every day:

Pence Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
by Mike Pence on Monday, January 17, 2011 at 8:11am

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence issued the following statement honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

"It is altogether fitting that as a nation we should honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. More than 40 years after his death, the words of Dr. King continue to inspire countless Americans. It my hope that as Americans we continue to strive towards Dr. King's vision of equality of opportunity and freedom not only here at home, but around the world.

"As he once said, ‘Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.' We must remember the many people around the world who continue in their struggle to achieve racial equality as well as political and religious liberties. Let us stand by them as they fight to secure the blessings of human freedom, and work to ensure that every American and child of God enjoys the rights that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought so very hard to advance."

Source: Facebook