but having only just run across it, I must place it here for posterity (or something).

Liberals are very hard working people, having to do double the work every time they foist some new agenda on us.

First comes their success at pushing whatever the agenda du jour happens to be on the rest of us.

Then they have to work even harder to keep the fruits of their success from seeping into their own neighborhoods.

I recall our president’s elation at the outset of the so-called Arab Spring, when he was outspoken in his desire to see the likes of Mubarak being replaced by an Egyptian statesman who would promote democracy in the land of the pyramids and the Sphinx.

Now that an Islamist has taken over and declared himself dictator — the first step in establishing a fanatical, hardcore, Talibanic fundamentalist Islamic state whose dogmas and general output would be good for neither the west nor Israel — there doesn’t appear to be much comment emerging from the same White House.

From The Foundry

Morsi has set Egypt on a troubling new foreign policy course since coming to power in June. His government has distanced itself from Washington while cozying up to China, improving relations with Iran, and violating its peace treaty with Israel.

He has escalated Egypt’s cooperation with Hamas, the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood that controls Gaza and remains adamantly committed to Israel’s destruction. Morsi’s Islamist-dominated government has cracked down on Egypt’s media and has announced that Egyptian journalists will be put on trial for “insults” to the president. Morsi’s government is systematically clamping down on Egyptians’ political, social, and cultural freedoms. Yet the Obama Administration naively continues to court it as a partner.

Morsi may calculate that his help in administering Band-Aids to the festering Israeli-Palestinian conflict will make the United States and others who give aid to Egypt think twice before trying to reverse his power grab.

The Obama Administration was working on an aid package to Egypt that includes forgiving approximately $1 billion of Egypt’s debt to the United States. This is in addition to about $1.5 billion in annual U.S. foreign aid.

When protesters tore down the American flag at the U.S. embassy in Cairo on September 11, Morsi’s public reaction was nonchalant. Instead of immediately denouncing the attack and taking action to upgrade security around the embassy—as Libyan and Yemeni leaders have done after similar events—Morsi waited a day before casually issuing a mild rebuke to the rioters via Facebook.

The Obama Administration should leverage U.S. aid to pressure the Egyptian leader to respect the rule of law, abide by the decisions of Egypt’s courts, and abandon his drive for absolute power. Morsi has exploited external crises in the past to advance his own ambitions. In August, he used a Sinai terrorist attack that killed Egyptian soldiers as a pretext to purge the Egyptian army of its top Mubarak-era holdovers. Now he has done the same with the judiciary….

Barack Hussein Obama, where are you? Hiding under the what???? Oh, you’re not hiding, you’re down on your knees, derrier in the air on your prayer rug, thanking Allah for another Islamist victory?

It figures….

Although we all vote mostly Republican, this is a strong example as to why, for the last half dozen years or so, Seth, Wolf and I have been registering Independent.

Multiple high-ranking Republicans announced that they were willing to raise taxes as part of a deal to avoid the “fiscal cliff,” breaking the pledges they had made to Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform. Said Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos:

I agree with Grover, we shouldn’t raise rates, but I think Grover is wrong when it comes to we can’t cap deductions and buy down debt. What do you do with the money? I want to buy down debt and cut rates to create jobs, but I will violate the pledge, long story short, for the good of the country, only if Democrats will do entitlement reform.

Graham did say he would not vote to raise tax rates, but that he would vote to cap deductions. “If you cap deductions around the $30,000, $40,000 range, you can raise $1 trillion in revenue, and the people who lose their deductions are the upper-income Americans,” said Graham.

Graham wasn’t the only Republican to backtrack on his pledge not to raise taxes today. Rep. Peter King (R-NY) said he’d vote, too, to cap deductions on NBC’s Meet the Press. “I agree entirely with Saxby Chambliss. A pledge you signed 20 years ago, 18 years ago, is for that Congress,” King stated. “The world has changed and the economic situation is different.”

The Republican Party’s elected politicians still aren’t listening.

Even when they had the majority in both the House and the Senate, they allowed the liberal-run Democrats to push us continually to the left so that they found themselves facing harder choices down the road when it came to extricating us from the bitter fruits of lefty legislation. Then, rather than work harder to find a solution, they simply cave to the Democrats.

Was the birth of the Tea Party all for naught? Were no messages received and understood by the GOP?

Apparently not!

From Francis Marion and Last Resistance:

What makes the head of a crime family happier than a witch in a broom factory? Finding out that he will be keeping his job another 4 years and knowing that virtually no one can touch him. His chief enforcer is also happy as he is keeping his job, at least for another four years.

In 1789, Edmund Jennings Randolph became the first US Attorney General under President George Washington. Randolph, an attorney had previously served as Governor of Virginia before accepting the position as the top legal advisor for the newly formed nation where he would represent the US government in cases before the Supreme Court.

Since Randolph’s time, the role of US Attorney General has expanded to head the Department of Justice, created in 1870, where he/she is considered to be the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer of the US government. As such, the US Attorney General is expected to be the archetype law abiding citizen in the nation.

Today’s US Attorney General, Eric Holder has proven to be anything but the archetype model law abiding citizen. In fact, it seems more like the chief enforcer for the nation’s top crime boss, Barack Obama. Together, the two of them have repeatedly broken one law after another along with committing multiple violations of the US Constitution. Since Holder is the top cop and prosecutor in the country, he’s virtually untouchable.

Yes, the US House of Representatives can impeach Holder, but that would leave the actual conviction up to the Democratic controlled Senate, which we all know won’t happen.

Several of Obama’s Cabinet leaders have informed him that they will be resigning soon. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta are among those that are jumping ship. It seems that Obama has tried to keep Holder in place, but there are rumors that he will only stay for another year.

While that is good news in some ways, one can only wonder who the next top crooked cop will be. Within the halls of Capital Hill, names such as Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano have been floating around as a possible replacement for Holder. From a conservative point of view, that would be like replacing one liberal lawbreaker with another. A few other names have wafted on the winds of rumor which include Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Gov. Deval Patrick of MA.

I honestly believe that Napolitano could be worse than Holder. As for the other three, I don’t think any of them could be much worse than Holder, and perhaps could even be better, but I won’t hold my breath. I’ll just be glad if and when Holder is gone.

Hear, Hear, Mr. Marion!

There they go again, those power hungry socialist stool samples at the U.N., trying tostick their noses in our business.

While Hard Astarboard is not an advocacy for the smoking of marijuana or the use of drugs in general, it is not too far off the mark to observe that we are somewhat fanatical about the letter of the U.S. Constitution, as they say, “in for a penny, in for a pound”.

According to the Tenth Amendment:

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

That means whatever is not included below:

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Having said all that, we have this, from Freedom Outpost.

A top official at the United Nations has called upon the Obama administration to illegally quash the recent initiatives in Washington State and Colorado where voters approved of legalization of the use of the plant. The vote, in essence, nullified unconstitutional federal statutes and the UN’s on narcotics agreement.

The President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Raymond Yans, voiced concerns in a press statement over the non-medical use of cannabis in both Colorado and Washington, as well as, cities such as Michigan and Vermont. Yans stated,

“these developments are in violation of the international drug control treaties, and pose a great threat to public health and the well-being of society far beyond those states”.

Yans also went on to state, “Legalization of cannabis within these states would send wrong and confusing signals to youth and society in general, giving the false impression that drug abuse might be considered normal and even, most disturbingly, safe. Such a development could result in the expansion of drug abuse, especially among young people, and we must remember that all young people have a right to be protected from drug abuse and drug dependency.”

While he stressed the dangers of a plant that grows naturally and was put here on the earth by God in the Creation week (Genesis 1), he must be aware of the poppy fields our soldiers protect in Afghanistan. Yet, he says nothing about that. In fact, it seems he is noticeably quiet about it.

One hundred eight-five states agreed to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which decided to put cannabis under control and limit its use to medical purposes.

Yans press release claimed that he recognized the commitment of the federal government of the United States to resolve issues between the federal and state levels, but insists that the U.S. must meet its obligations under the drug control convention and he requested that the feds “take necessary measures to ensure full compliance with the international drug control treaties within the entire territory of the United States.” Of course, he said this would be for the “health and well-being of its citizens.”

Now, look, I realize that many in my audience don’t think marijuana should be legal and that it will lead to all sorts of abuse. Well, too late for that. People abuse it now and it’s illegal, so the legality of that is not an issue. The purpose of the article is not geared toward that either. However, what should concern everyone is the fact that the UN is attempting to force our federal government to be heavy handed, which it is all happy to do anyway, with what is clearly a state’s rights issue under the Tenth Amendment. The United Nations has no jurisdiction in this matter at all.

I highly, no pun intended, recommend you read Alex Newman’s fantastic article on this subject at The New American.

The United Nations has long been a thorn in our side and now they are demonstrating just why we need to eliminate any and all support of them. They should have absolutely no sway over our federal government nor the rights of the states in our country. The federal government should have no say so in this matter if states determine to legalize marijuana and the United Nations definitely has no say so in the matter. Sadly, we as a people have given both the proverbial inch and for decades they have been taking miles. This needs to stop.

It is long past the time that America pull her funding of the UN and kick it and its global cronies out of our country.

Above emphasis mine, and Amen to that!

The U.N. came to monitor our recent elections (hmmmm, there’s still that question of rigged polls lingering about), they’re trying to have our Second Amendment rights tampered with, now this.

Those people just can’t stand the concept of a member state having any kind of sovereignty, can they? Just look to the E.U. for a few prime examples of what happens when you’re willing to give up your sovereignty to a larger body of countries.

The issue here is not about marijuana, it’s about the Constitution and the right of our individual states and the communities therein to self determination.

In the early days of Hard Astarboard, namely nearly 7 1/2 years ago (does time fly, or what?) Seth did a post on DEA interference in California’s right to a medical marijuana program and that interference’s support by the liberal justices of the Supreme Court, with the conservatives dissenting. Go figure.

So, with our own internal organs having already had a go at it (California’s program is still in place, and other states have been adopting it as well), do we really need those outsider busybodies from the U.N. sticking their proboscises wher they don’t belong?

We at Hard Astarboard wish our friends and your families a Happy Thanksgiving.

This would certainly be better than a guy who travels the globe embracing tyranny on our “behalf”…

Obama in Burma, Appeasing Another Dictatorship

Burma is a society under tyranny. The military government has a record of human rights violations such as genocide, systematic rape, slavery, sex trafficking and child labor.

The government is so reprehensible, in fact, that many civilized countries refuse to acknowledge the name Myanmar, which is the official name of the country since the military junta changed it in 1989.

As such, you would expect the country to receive some stern words from the president of the freest country on Earth, something along similar lines to “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” perhaps.

Instead, President Obama, fresh off his re-election, was out kissing up to another dictatorship today when he spoke in Burma. In his honor, the Burmese government release several dozen prisoners.

It wasn’t exactly an apology tour this time, but he pointedly referred to the country as Myanmar, throwing a bone to the country’s dictatorship, when U.S. policy for years has been to call it Burma.

During his speech, Obama assured his audience that “the United States of America is with you.”

Right, we are with them. To be a little more accurate, Barack Obama is with them.

The Godfather Politics article continues:

He also threw in some of his usual socialist happy talk about how important it is for people to be allowed to own the land they live on, unless they become too wealthy, in which case their wealth needs to be redistributed.

Obama was there to pump up trade relations and congratulate Burma on its “transition” to a more mercantile society, nothing more. There was some pap about empowering young people, “investing in you” and so on in a country where people are still held as political prisoners for speaking up and where brutal treatment of anyone who steps out of line is still the order of the day.

But the most tooth-gnashing part of the speech was hearing the supposed leader of the free world tell an audience under dictatorship, “Now, on other hand, as president, I cannot just impose my will on Congress — the Congress of the United States — even though sometimes I wish I could.”

Why not just say, “Gee, you guys are really on to something with this tyranny thing”?

The joke, of course, is that Obama has imposed his will on Congress more than once, during the whole Obamacare “debate” and most notably when he wrote, passed and authorized amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants through executive order.

Once again, America’s principles are undercut by the man in the Oval Office.

…and giving away the farm (naturally, on our “behalf”)

White House Announces $6 Billion to Promote Clean Energy – in Asia

The White House announced the federal government will spend $6 billion over four years for a “sustainable energy future” plan with Asian countries that involves loaning tax dollars to other countries to increase their purchasing power for U.S. technology, services and equipment.

“Recognizing that energy and the environment are among the most pressing issues confronting our region, President Obama, in partnership with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, today proposed the U.S.-Asia Pacific Comprehensive Partnership for a Sustainable Energy Future,” the White House announced Tuesday as Obama visits Asian Pacific countries.

The initiative comes after the Obama administration has been criticized for spending billions to subsidize U.S.-based green energy companies that went on to declare bankruptcy, including Solyndra, Ener1, A123, Beacon Power and other failed renewable energy ventures.

The White House announcement goes on to say that, “The United States will provide up to $6 billion to support the partnership.” Most of that will come from the U.S. Export-Import Bank, which will launch a $5 billion export credit financing program to certain Asian countries over the next four years “to increase access to American technology, services and equipment to implement energy infrastructure.”

Again, the CNS News link, so you can read the whole piece.

If someone doesn’t revoke His Majesty’s passport soon….

From Freedom Outpost:

On November 9, 2012 the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) issued a press release indicating that “Workers at the Transportation Security Administration made history today when they voted to ratify the first-ever collective bargaining agreement at the agency. The agreement between the American Federation of Government Employees and TSA was ratified with a vote of 17,326-1,774.”

The AFGE represents over 650,000 employees of the federal government. It is the largest union for non-postal federal employees and the largest union for D.C. workers who report directly to the mayor.

Brian Koenig writes that the AFGE “coerces members to fork over between $14 and $16 out of each paycheck, providing the organization with up to $16 million more in revenue per year. Portions of this influx of money will go to subsidizing Democratic election campaigns and funding a number of liberal agendas.”

Koenig went on to claim that the “union doled out $2 million on lobbying to the government largely to guarantee that federal employees get paid more to work less.”

A unionized TSA, gee whiz!

How does THIS grab you?

The Washington Times reported on the contract:

Under the new TSA contract, employees will win annual leave based not on their performance, but how long they’ve held on to the job. They’ll also be able to wear shorts when it’s hot, with the tab for the new wardrobe picked up by the taxpayers. House Transportation Committee Chairman John L. Mica, Florida Republican, blasted the deal for focusing on “tie tacks and tattoos” instead of issues that actually matter. Those tie tacks can’t exceed 1/2-inch in diameter and must be gold or silver in color. Tattoos must be covered by a sports sleeve or band that does not detract from the uniform. TSA must also provide office space for designated TSA union officials to work on union business at taxpayer expense.

Tie Tacks & Terrorists…

With what we alluded to recently regarding the impossible election results (going from 50-50 Romney/Obama polls in Ohio to a veritable shutout in O’s favor to all those precincts in Philadelphia that produced 100% of votes going to Obama, for example), this one from Conservative Videos is a definite MUST WATCH.