UPDATE: We were mentioned by Lee Doren in his How the World Works series:

Mentioned in Hot Air: http://hotair.com/archives/2009/11/15/video-46-handshakes-one-bow/

Political Byline: http://www.politicalbyline.com/2009/11/15/video-46-handshakes-vs-one-obama-bow/

The American Pundit: http://amerpundit.com/2009/11/15/reminder-obama-only-leader-to-bow-to-akihito/

Gateway Pundit: http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/2009/11/46-world-leaders-45-handshakes-1-bow/

BigGovernment.com: http://biggovernment.com/2009/11/15/the-world-shakes-hands-with-the-emperor-obama-bows/

All American Blogger: http://www.allamericanblogger.com/9161/is-obamas-bow-an-embarrassment-or-just-culturally-sensitive-or-both/

Drudge Report:

Mentioned on Fox and Friends:

Skip to the 2:00 mark:

Pregnant? Need help? Watch out for fake clinics! Those Crisis Pregnancy Centers are only out to force their judgment upon anyone daring to disagree with them.

Okay, time to get real. You’ve seen those pink posters around campus by now. They give an example of a CPC ad and warn you against them because they are “fake” and “outnumber real clinics 2 to 1.” Sounds like a reasonable thing to post around campus. No one wants to see a young woman tricked, and especially not in such a time of fear and uncertainty. Right?

To get a better understanding and to be able to forewarn others about these “fake clinics,” I made a call to the Women’s Center. I simply asked why they were considered fake, but my question was not understood. Rephrasing my question, I asked about the difference between CPCs and “real clinics.” What could they do to provide “real help?” The answer was that they do not provide accurate information to women, nor do they make all options available. And why would that be? Because they are staffed by “anti-choicers.”

Having worked in a CPC before, I understand that they are pro-life and that they do discourage abortions. However, I also understand that they explain the abortion process at different stages of the pregnancy, offer free pre and post-abortion counseling and continue to fully accept, embrace and provide much needed aid to women who do make that decision.

In addition to that, they provide other free counseling, free pregnancy tests, free rides to doctor appointments and free parenting classes among many other services. The women are rewarded for completing the parenting classes or for attending counseling sessions with vouchers for free supplies such as baby food, formula, diapers, maternity clothes or larger items such as strollers or changing tables. Women are also often connected to a local family who would like to adopt their child or to a trusted adoption agency.

So, let’s see… Transportation, clothing, self-help education, food and good friends to turn to when things get tough. Thorough explanations of the different stages of pregnancy, as well as an in depth look at the baby’s development. Full support whether choosing adoption, abortion or to raise the child oneself. Sounds real enough to me.

Hey, UConn… Watch out for fake posters.

Rob Simmons Speaks at UConn:

Sam Caligiuri Speaks at UConn:

Matt Daly Speaks at UConn:

Linda McMahon Speaks at FairField University:

As we know, Sam Caligiuri also came to speak at UConn, and that video will be up soon! We hope to have Tom Foley and Linda McMahon Speaking at UConn in the upcoming weeks.
Update: Sam Caligiuri Video has been Added

Last Thursday, Oct. 22nd, a group of 4 loud students dressed up in “Rich People clothes” and publicly humiliated themselves with singing and chanting with “Rich People accents”.

Here’s a video. Unfortunately, I saw them while on my way to Physics class so only got about 2 minutes of footage. The last segment was found elsewhere on Youtube:

This was their way of mocking people with real concerns about the current healthcare agenda, while making the insinuation that the only reason a person would not want a public option is because they are either a rich corporate hack, or a tool of an insurance company.

This type of thinking has already been shown to us, if not in real life, then in Southpark’s comical depiction of the “College Know it all Hippies”.

“You are playing into the corporate game, see they are turning you into Little Eichmanns so that they can make money” is prettymuch a summary of what these “Billionaires for Wealthcare” protesters’ message is.

So, they created a protest based around the idea that we are part of some corporate machine conspiracy…what a great way to reduce the fear that you aren’t pushing a socialist agenda, eh?

But apparently, this “Billionaires for Wealthcare” idea isn’t an original idea that these students created on their own. No, they most likely saw it on The Rachel Maddow Show over there on MSNBC. Afterall, Maddow has been advocating “Billionaires for Wealthcare” as “the antidote to the 12ers”.

Maddow featured these “Billionaires for Wealthcare” people again, after they interrupted a Health Insurance conference with their satirical singing, or as she calls it “nailing the health insurance industry”. Maddow displays the headline referring to these Billionaires folks as “Guerillas” while saying “I’ve never been happier talking about healthcare in my life than I am right now.”

By the way, Nancy Pelosi, I’m waiting for you to call these singing protesters “Un-American“. Afterall, they didn’t only interrupt but they drowned out the discussion as well.

So, to further this whole mess, recently, President Obama and Rahm Emanuel have criticized Fox News as not being a legitimate News organization. Meanwhile, Obama invited MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann to the White House for an “off-the-record briefing with the President”.

Maddow said this of Fox News: “The difference between Fox and news is that Fox is now actively organizing and promoting a protest movement against the U.S. government.”

Well, as I have shown and as a spin on Rachel Maddow’s comment, “The difference between MSNBC and news is that MSNBC is now actively organizing and promoting a protest movement FOR the U.S. government.”

Which is more dangerous? You decide.

Let me summarize:

The unshaven, lazy bum, aka Blue State guy, looks over at the other guy and what he sees are obviously superior political views.

The well-groomed, smart Red State guy (he’s wearing a sweater vest, that means he’s smart!) looks back at Blue State guy with a look that says “Yah, That’s right.” and casually walks away, leaving Blue State guy with a feeling of “Damn, why did I sign that 4 year contract on Nov. 4th”.

We then get a clearer look at just how widespread the Red State’s superior political views are…

Blue States fade away and the Red States dominate the screen.

Thank you, Verizon!

Jasper Howard (Bounds/AP)

Jasper Howard

Less than 20 hours ago, Jasper Howard, Uconn’s starting cornerback, was stabbed outside of the Student Union and subsequently died after being air-lifted to St. Francis hospital. No suspect has been identified, so the murderer still remains on the loose. We offer our sincerest condolences to Jasper’s family and friends, here in Storrs and in his hometown of Miami, who have suffered the most from this loss. Jasper’s death is felt by us all.

Since Jasper’s death, his story has been among the top News stories nationwide. So, I will share some of them with you now.

FoxNews: UConn Football Player Killed After On-Campus Stabbing

Waterbury RepublicanAmerican: Conn football player killed on campus

Hartford Courant: UConn Football Player Killed In Campus Stabbing

WTNH: UConn football player Howard killed

NBC Connecticut: UConn Football Player Jasper Howard Killed in Campus Stabbing

Yahoo/AP: UConn mourns stabbing death of football player

NY Daily News: UConn stabbing victim Jasper Howard dies from his injuries

On Facebook:

	RIP Jasper Howard Anyone that is sad about this great person and football player’s passing

Help Find Jasper Howard’s Murderer Were you near Hillside Road last or at the Stop Light Party in the Student Union on Saturday night? On October 18, 2009 UConn Football’s Jasper Howard died after being stabbed during an on-campus fight. A second person was also stabbed. The fight occurred when a dance party inside the Student Union was forced outside during a fire alarm. Howard’s killer has not been caught by police. If you know anything about what happened you can call the police department anonymously at (860) 486-4800. Jasper “Jazz” Howard was a great player and an even better person. Help get his family justice and keep talking out his death. If we keep asking about it the person who did this will be found. This is our campus and we won’t let it become a place where any of us is not safe.

In Video:

Danger: Demolition in Progress

By: Dan Dinunzio

As a college student who attends the University of Connecticut, I’m very worried in the direction this country is headed in. What scares me even more is I don’t know what is worse; what is happening in Washington D.C. with healthcare reform, or right here in Connecticut where a budget was finally passed through the Senate. Right now, the direction this country is headed in as a whole is one that doesn’t bode well for a strong majority of people my age.

If the leaders of this country pass through a healthcare bill that includes a public option, the negative impact it will have will be felt for years to come. A taxpayer sponsored medical insurance plan is the last piece of legislation this country needs at this point in time. It quite clear that whenever the government takes a large stake in something it doesn’t quite compete like it’s part of the free market.

I realize that one of Mr. Obama’s big campaign promises was Universal Healthcare. The fact of the matter is this country is not even one year removed from one of the most serious economic crises seen since the Great Depression. Would it really hurt to wait it out and see how the economy recovers?

Congress has spent billions of taxpayers money already to bail out those on Wall Street. Mr. Bernanke and the Federal Reserve took drastic and necessary steps by pumping millions of dollars into the economy to keep it afloat. He did an incredible job to recessitate and revive an economy that had been practically been put on life support after the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers was announced. The exit strategy of how we get out of this financial mess is just as important as the swift necessary action Mr. Bernanke took last September going into this fiasco.

There’s still money being given out by a 787 billion dollar stimulus plan that was passed early on this year. The America Recovery and Reinvestment Act has not had the success that most envisioned thus far. It is still only September, and hopefully the amount of money being put to good work starts to accelerate and move forward.

There is certainly a lot going on in Washington, but I’m equally disturbed by what is happening at the state level. Here in Connecticut we finally have a budget on the table after a seven month struggle between parties. The sad part is it is going to go into law without Governor Rell’s signature, and instead she has voiced her opinion in favor of using the line item veto.

It is good to know that she is going to eliminate what she sees as waste and unnecessary spending. It is very uncomforting to think about where this budget will put us two years from now in 2011. Taxes are already going up on many wealthy families. There has been tuition increases at all the State Universities. At the same time thousands of people are losing their jobs and living on tight budgets.

Connecticut is also benefiting largely from the previously mentioned stimulus package. Three billion dollars to be exact. We received that much money and still had one of the most vicious budget battles going back to the introduction of the income tax in 1991.

For the working class and youths like myself, we are living in an economic climate that is frightening. Connecticut still needed to borrow one billion dollars to cover the deficit. I hate to say it but we could be put in an even tougher position come 2011 if revenue and spending project estimates do not meet the projections.

Raising taxes does raise revenue but at the end of the day is it the best way? There are prosperous business owners who employ people to work elswhere or for them. If they think they are paying too much money in taxes they have the right to move their business even worse to cut jobs in operation.

Moving forward, if the Obama Adminstration decides to raise taxes when the Bush cuts expire, it will only increase the damage that is being done to American business.  More and more jobs will be outsourced and it will only hinder sustainable economic growth in this country. Businesses are always looking to save the most cost efficient ways. President Obama should take a closer look at what Ronald Reagan did in the 1980’s. Cutting taxes is the single most effective way to increase economic growth. It also provides more opportunity for new jobs and more money to invest in new technology.

The truth is President Obama is going to do what he wants to do. He has an agenda and he is strictly staying on that course.  Taxes are going to be raised on all Americans. A middle-class tax increase would be one that would be a large campaign lie from the Obama adminstration. Then again the money has to come from somewhere. The easiest place is right out of the pockets of Americans like you and I.

If spending continues at this rate, American is rapidly becoming a country that owes more then what it is worth. Foreign nations can only fund our debt for so long at such low rates.Then who’s going to be willing? There needs to be some serious restoring of checks and balances starting with the President and Congress.

The truth is there are serious deficits all over the country at both federal and state levels.Washington D.C. has gone bizzurk when it comes to spending over the last decade. A direct effect of this is evident in the increasing budget struggles in states all across the country. The problems that America faces today are of historical proportions. It is as if America is a car with no brakes driving straight off a cliff. The only way there is a remote possibility of avoiding that cliff is if there is a significant change in the course of action.

There are major decisions to be made in the coming months and with each decision comes consequences. Lets just pray the leaders of this country use their best judgement and keep in mind the people that elected them to serve. If our elected officials fail us now during a time when they are needed the most, it is our generation that is going to pay a severe price for years to come.

The author is a sophomore at the University of Connecticut planning on double majoring in Journalism and Political Science.

Published on Sept. 4 2009 in

President Obama

President Obama: Your Policies Must Change

by: Dan Dinunzio

I was one of your biggest supporters last fall, and was convinced you were going to bring the change this country needed. Just like you said in your election night speech, “a government of the people, for the people, and by the people hasn’t perished from Earth”. After seven months there are a couple key issues that if addressed in their current state could end up damaging the revival of the American dream and restoring prosperity.

First and foremost I believe the full effect of the Stimulus package is yet to be seen, but right now reinvesting almost 1 trillion dollars isn’t going to directly result with economic growth. The money has been slowly being paid out around the country but I believe there are three simple steps you can take to help create jobs and keep them here to stay right now. Right now it’s difficult for companies to compete in the global markets with such a high corporate tax rate. A flat tax rate of 35% is one of the most expensive in the world and hurts companies wanting to work in America. By cutting this tax rate, you will effectively see more business coming to America and once again make America the most desirable economy in the world to invest in. Putting more money in the hands of Americans will help generate more jobs and revenue. Do away with taxes on capital gains because in a time when the economy is recovering it’s moderately inexpensive and people’s returns aren’t nearly as large. This is a key component to see greater economic growth after this recession. Recovery would be quicker and more efficient for everybody. Third and final would be the elimination of the death tax. Loved one’s fortunes shouldn’t have to worry about how much money the governments going to take. Inheritance often times gives families much needed money, which is used for various costs such as mortgage and car payments, or college tuition.

Also, I strongly agree that health care reform is needed, but a government run single payer system would be damaging to capitalism. Reducing the costs and improving the quality should be the main objective, and not the road to socialism that it seems America is headed on. There are too many criminals taking advantage of the current system. Moving from a paper-based to an electronic health care system would easily eliminate costly errors. At the same time it would accelerate the progress and technological advancements that is always changing in our world today. Tax reform would also contribute to helping those who can’t afford health coverage. Tax incentives for insurance to small business owners and those would are self-employed would help ease the cost. A call for individuals to become healthier would solve a lot of problems. Saving lives and money can be easily done together if the federal government and the health care field does its job to guarantee the best possible outcome for every man, women, and child who needs medical attention. The better equipped we are to handle these problems correctly will depend on the continuation of scientific research and breakthroughs. This nation needs to continue to find new cures and prevent disease that is steadily increasing the expensive health care system in America.

Mr. President we the people elected you for the hope of a better future. Government can’t solve every problem and sometimes it’s best to let the free market work itself. When will the real change you promised come to this nation? I can’t answer that, but I hope you put the right policies and people in place to see capitalism thrive once again with an abundance of economic growth. As a nation we’ve been put in this position before and there are solutions that will prove democracy to win out. The success in America is believed in the people and the political structure in which is governed. Be a leader and secure a prominent future for generations to come.

Published on Sept. 4 2009 in

Obama’s nomination stains credibility of Nobel Prize by: Joseph Gasser

Issue date: 10/13/09 Section: Commentary

The Nobel Peace Prize was established in 1901 as a way to recognize the few individuals who have dedicated their lives to making the world a better, safer and more peaceful environment for everyone. The prize is awarded to “the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.” Given the lofty requisites for this honor, the audible gasps from the Norwegian crowd after the announcement naming President Barack Obama as the 2009 recipient are understandable.
Read entire article…

President’s petition to Olympic committee a waste of time by: Joseph Gasser

Issue date: 10/09/09 Section: Commentary

Last Friday, President Obama and his wife flew to Copenhagen, Denmark to address the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and lobby on behalf of Chicago for the 2016 Olympic Games. The entire trip was a mistake, perhaps costing the Obamas’ home city the opportunity to host the games.
Read entire article…

Obama’s missile shield decision rational but naive by: Arragon Perrone

Issue date: 9/24/09 Section: Commentary

The buzzwords around the Department of Defense these days are pragmatic and realistic. President Obama, supported by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, is firmly entrenched behind a conciliatory, non-confrontational foreign policy, a far cry from former President Bush’s ideological, pre-emptive policy of intimidation.
Read entire article…

State Rep. Coutu addresses College Republicans by: Hannah Lovell

Issue date: 9/17/09 Section: News

U.S. Air Force veteran and State Representative Christopher Coutu spoke with College Republicans members Tuesday night, taking questions and addressing issues.
Read entire article…

Cheaper health care would discourage budding doctors by: Ben Tarr

Issue date: 9/4/09 Section: Commentary

President Obama has launched a vigorous but misguided initiative to expand health care coverage in America. He wants every American to have access to high quality health insurance. To accomplish this, he wants to lower the costs of insurance plans so that more Americans can afford it. According to the president’s official Web site, he hopes to couple this with a new initiative to “promote scientific and technological advancements.”
Read entire article…

Merrick Alpert

Described as the Businessman out of Groton, Merrick Alpert is the only Democratic Challenger to step up to the plate against Chris Dodd.

So, what I would like to know is why did this “Businessman” go to see Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story on its opening night? There was even a facebook event created, inviting UConn students to go see the movie with him.

See “Capitalism: A Love Story” with Merrick Alpert Date: Friday, October 2, 2009 Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm Location: Bowtie Art @ Cinema City Street: 235 Brainard Rd. City/Town: Hartford, CT Interested in politics? Want to meet the only Democratic challenger of Chris Dodd’s senate seat? Just can’t get enough Emi? Well, then this night is for you! Join Merrick Alpert, the Democratic candidate for the United States Senate (and me, his faithful intern) for a night of fun! We’re going to see Michael Moore’s new documentary “Capitalism: A Love Story” and talking to voters about job creation and the free market. Come for the politics, or me, or the stale movie theatre popcorn and fake butter! It’s at the Bowtie Art @ Cinema City theatre in Hartford. We’re seeing the 7:30 show, and we’ll be outside the theatre afterwards talking to people. I’ll be driving from UConn, so if anyone wants a ride or wants to follow me, just let me know! If you’re interested in Merrick, you can check out his website at merrickforachange.com. Come see this movie, and invite all your friends!

According to Forbes,

Capitalism, A Love Story, takes aim at nothing less than the whole capitalist system.

It’s been observed that Moore, crusading leftist and now explicit anti-capitalist, has made piles of money from his movies. In a question-and-answer session after Monday night’s screening, an audience member asked Moore if he wouldn’t concede that U.S. capitalism was better than Soviet Communism. Moore replied that the question was “bullsh–” and refused to answer directly, saying that his movie was not about that but about “democracy versus greed.” The hazard of being a professional polemicist, I suppose, is the risk of boxing oneself into intellectual corners. He couldn’t tenably claim that the Soviet system was good for its people, but if he conceded that capitalism had a few things going for it he would have undercut the revolutionary rhetoric that is his bread and butter.

What confuses me more is  that this Senate challenger who is joining college students in watching friday night, anti-capitalist movies, will be coming to UConn next week to promote his new book, Morning Sun.

That’s right, Merrick Alpert is releasing a book on the 13th, as indicated by this facebook event:

Book Launch Party - Merrick Alpert’s Morning Sun Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 Time: 7:30pm - 8:30pm Location: Claire’s Corner Copia Street: 1000 Chapel Street City/Town: New Haven, CT Merrick Alpert joins us to discuss he new book Morning Sun. Proceeds from event go to New Haven Reads. http://www.newhavenreads.org. $25 ($12 of which benefits New Haven Reads) We’ll offer Pumpkin and Gingerbread mini cupcakes, hot mulled organic cider and Fair-trade organic Costa Rican coffee. And you go home with a signed copy of the book.

Then, on October 14th, Alpert will be coming to the UConn Co-Op to promote his writing.

According to UConn Co-Op’s book description:

Thirty years after his dad left Merrick Alpert  and his mom and brother and sister in then rural Colchester, Alpert set out to find him. Morning Sun: A Story of Hope, Purpose and the Power of Family is his account of that healing journey.  He also writes of his life growing up in a single-parent home and his pursuit of the “American Dream.” Today, Alpert is an attorney and businessman.

Hmm…businessman, pursuing the American Dream, releasing a book while in the spotlight for your Senate campaign…sounds pretty Capitalist to me. Something Michael Moore would frown upon, since in his own words, “Capitalism did nothing for me”, not even make him a multi-millionaire off of movie sales.

According to the latest Quinnipiac poll, Dodd leads businessman Merrick Alpert 56 - 13 percent in a Democratic primary