Tammy Bruce: September 2005 Archives

September 2005 Archives

Bush Is Spending Like a Drunken Sailor!

While I love the president, and have no qualms putting my safety in his hands when it comes to dealing with the War on Radical Islam, I certainly would never give him my wallet when it comes to domestic issues. Did anyone know we were almost reduced to having a bakesale this weekend to keep the Fed running? Congress has apparently produced a "stop gap" funding bill and sent it to the president, just in time to make sure the government didn't shut down Friday night. You see, we went over budget and ran out of money.

Hmmm, maybe it's the $3500 cruise ship suites for Katrina evacuees that sent us over the edge. In fact, when you extrapolate what FEMA is paying (with our tax dollars) Carnival Cruise Lines to house Katrina victims and FEMA employees, compared to how many are actually living in the ships (at half capacity or below), it would be less expensive to house everyone in suites at the Waldorf!

At least a drunken sailor spends his own money. Let's not forget the president, and now everyone in congress, are binging on ours, and not even doing it well.

Posted by Tammy · September 30, 2005 11:20 PM · Permalink
Politics

A Leftist's Natural Environment?

In Norway, at least this one was seen under a manure pump. He made a bet that the Centrist Party wouldn't do well in their Norwegian elections. He was wrong. While this guy looks like a nice bloke, it's still a naughtily enjoyable spectacle. Too bad we can't implement that here. But then again, I don't know of any farm with enough, well, material, to compete with what both Michael Moore and Teddy Kennedy produce.

Posted by Tammy · September 30, 2005 03:12 PM · Permalink
Politics

Monday is the 10th Anniversary of OJ Simpson's Acquittal

And what is he doing to celebrate? He's signing autographs at a horror comic book convention in Los Angeles. I think that speaks for itself. He was pathetic 10 years ago, and he's pathetic now. I noted 10 years ago (can you believe it's been that long?) that the only pictures OJ Simpson should be autographing are the autopsy photos of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman.
While he was acquitted in the debacle of the criminal prosecution, never forget that this savage was found responsible for those slaughter murders in a civil trial--the financial penalties of which he still avoids. What a horrible event for all of us and especially my home town. Despite the awful message the acquittal sent to violent men everywhere, the silver lining of the whole experience is that laws were created and improved our ability to prosecute these cases, and Americans could no longer turn away from the issue of domestic violence. While none of us would have ever hoped for the murders to have happened, at least we tried to make things better in the absurd aftermath.
In the meantime, Ron and Nicole's killer has been reduced to a curiosity, a circus sideshow. While he should be rotting away in prison, at least that man lives knowing when people hear his name, for as long as it's uttered, they will first think of the monster he became, and not of what he had been.

Posted by Tammy · September 30, 2005 02:49 PM · Permalink
Death of Right and Wrong

Remembering Chamberlain

While we don't have comments on this blog, every now and then I will post commentary and ideas from my friends which includes all of you. Here's an example of a great reminder I got today from my very astute friend Dave:

Tammy, today is the anniversary of Neville Chamberlain's infamous "peace in our time" proclamation.
Here's a page with details of some of the debate text in the Parliament a couple of days later. It's interesting to note how the buzzwords and dogma are so reminiscent of today's dangerous attitude: A desperate attempt to find reason and humanity in opponents who are simply evil. Everyone was bending over backwards to help Hitler fulfill the aspiration of unifying the German people who had been "oppressed" under non-German jurisdiction.

Thanks Dave. I wrote a column a few years ago, Neville Chamberlain's Grandchildren, noting the delusion today's Left shares with Chamberlain. Yes, history does repeat itself, or at least there will always be attempts for a rerun made by those who share the same nihilistic view of humanity and life. The left, keep in mind, does want the past to repeat itself. It's the place where socialism ruled only because we didn't know its true nature and how destructive it is to peoples lives. Now we know, and it's up to us to beat back those who long for a return to cowardice and appeasement, then and now, of Jew-haters especially. History has returned as the handmaiden again of savages--a world under assault by fascist Jew-haters, is upon us again. Sixty years ago people cheered Chamberlain and died. Today, we cheer George W. Bush and live. Our commitment to "never again" for the past must be universal and resolute. Today that is manifest in the necessary and noble support of Israel and Jews around the world. We can assess the condition of humanity by how the Jewish community is treated. We are an American generation that has a duty to do better in that defense than our predecessors.

Posted by Tammy · September 30, 2005 12:51 PM · Permalink
History

File This Under Obvious

US rejects proposal to share control of the Internet with other countries. After thinking about it for five nanoseconds, we said:

"We will not agree to the U.N. taking over the management of the Internet," said Ambassador David Gross, the U.S. coordinator for international communications and information policy at the State Department. "Some countries want that. We think that's unacceptable."

Now if we could just be as decisive in kicking the bums out of the US we'd be fine.

And what would the first thing the UN would do? Tax the internet. And the ultimate result if the internet were it to be "internationalized"? Speech codes and limitations. The EU would have a field day banning anything that would insult Islam, as they've already done throughout the EU. Authors and othes in France, including Bridget Bardot, have been arrested for "insulting Islam." What did Bardot do? She recounted to a reporter the details of and her disgust for what happened on 9/11.

In all honesty--that is the reason for the attemped power grab. The internet is and will remain, as long as it is unhindered, the only mechanism on the planet that is free to truly challenge the status quo--and it's the Left which is most threatened by free and unfettered discussion. Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Castro, Chavez and Kim Jong Il know this all too well. China has also moved to limit internet availability, while Hillary Clinton has also noted her interest in doing so.

Make no mistake--this medium is the last truly free enterprise as it directly threatens totalitarian rule. This is what makes China nervous and every other Leftist individual and regime nervous. The computer age and the free flow of information is in part what brought down the Soviet Union. And it is the front line in what keeps our great nation free.

Posted by Tammy · September 30, 2005 10:00 AM · Permalink
Scourge of the UN

Kids As Guinea Pigs

In another indication that drug companies have more influence with the FDA than is good for our health, Market Watch reports "Lilly to add suicide warning to drug Strattera,":

Lilly (LLY: news, chart, profile) said it was adding the warning after an analysis requested by the Food and Drug Administration of previous clinical data showed 0.4% of the children who took the drug experienced suicidal thoughts. The analysis also showed that no such thinking was reported amongst children who took a placebo.

Straterra, used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, in children, teenagers, and adults, has been on the market since 2002. Silly me, I thought the FDA was to conduct these sorts of tests before allowing a drug on the market.

The FDA has also:

[I]ssued a public health advisory advising medical professionals and caregivers to closely monitor minors being treated with Strattera for unusual behavioral changes. The agency said that it was particularly important to monitor children during the first few months they are taking the drug or when the dosage is changed.

Can you believe this? It is now offically okay to have your kid be a guinea pig as both the drug maker and FDA leave the product on the market but ask you to keep on eye on Johnny just in case he tries to kill himself.

The background on the problems with the FDA is extensive, with examples here and here. This story offers another compelling reason to exhaust every possible solution to your child's health issue (or perceived health issue) with diet, environmental, and natural solutions.

Posted by Tammy · September 29, 2005 06:12 PM · Permalink
Health & Fitness

Faith in Meth

In her new book, Ashley Smith admits to giving Atlanta's alleged armed mass murderer Brian Nichols crystal meth while he held her hostage. Nichols, you'll recall, is the man who allegedly murdered three people at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta, including a judge and court reporter, and then killed another person on the streets of Atlanta, making him, allegedly, a cold-blooded maniacal mass murderer.

Nichols then approached Smith in the parking lot of her apartment complex, took her hostage and forced her into her apartment. What happens next has gotten Smith termed a "hero," which even at the time I refuted, and for which I took a lot of heat from listeners and even my own producer. Here's one part of CNN's coverage which raised the "not a hero" flag to me:

Nichols apparently released the woman at some point and asked her to follow him in her car so he could dispose of the pickup truck, law enforcement sources told CNN. She did so, and drove him back to the apartment.

A few days later, CNN offered a transcript of what Smith said happened during that time:

So I went. ... "I said, can I take my cell phone?" He said, "Do you want to?" I said, "Yeah." I'm thinking, well, I might call the police then, and I might not. So I took it anyway. He didn't take any guns with him. The guns were laying around the house. Pretty much after he untied [me], they were just laying around the house.

Lovely. She may call the police, she may not. The guns are at her house. He is unarmed, and she is in a car alone with her cell phone. She, however, chose the "not" option about calling the police.
Instead, she allows this monster into her car, and drives him back to her apartment. This is inexplicable. She brings this freak back to a complex where scores of families live, children, innocent all of them. This man who allegedly murdered four people that day, btw, was on trial for rape at the time. So he's an alleged rapist/murdered. And the "hero" of this story brings him back to an apartment complex?
For me this was enough to challenge the idea that this woman was a hero. You'll recall the frenzied news coverage was all about her having read to the alleged murderer a chapter from "The Purpose Driven Life," talked about her faith, how even he was important, blah, blah, blah.

Now we have learned that, in fact, she wasn't just sharing the "The Purpose Driven Life" with Nichols. Nope--she was also sharing The Crystal Meth Often Used. Once they got back to her apartment, he asked for marijuana. She said she didn't have any but then offered him some of her meth.

In the memoir, "Unlikely Angel: The Untold Story of the Atlanta Hostage Hero," Ms. Smith recalls that Brian Nichols, who has been charged in the death of three people shot at the Fulton County Courthouse and a fourth killed elsewhere in Atlanta soon before her kidnapping, asked her if she had any marijuana. She answered no but said she did have some "ice," or crystal meth. Ms. Smith says that at the time, she was fighting an addiction to crystal methamphetamine that had previously led her to spend time in a psychiatric hospital and to lose custody of her 5-year-old daughter.

One of the results, btw, of using meth includes the effect of sexualized rage. Smith herself, admitting her addiction knew (and knows) full well the impact of that drug. And yet she offers it to this already violent man, and in an environment where so many others are at risk.

I maintained at the time, even without this information, that Smith's actions put more people in danger, and her choice to bring him back to her apartment indicated some sort of symbiosis had happened between them. She then lets him loose on the police without telling them he was high on meth.
Every move she made she made thinking only of herself. She has now collected $72,500 in reward money from various sources, including the FBI. One of Nichols victims was David Wilhelm, assistant special agent in charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. So what does the FBI have to say about these revelations?

Richard Kolko, a special agent at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said in an interview yesterday that the disclosure about Ms. Smith's supply of crystal meth was unlikely to affect her reward. "The woman did a brave act at a desperate time," Mr. Kolko said. "The F.B.I. has no reason or inclination to go back and retrieve the reward."

Even in our desire for "heroes" we see the death of right and wrong. Last time I checked, it was not a "brave act" to assist a mass murderer, choose to bring him back to your apartment instead of calling the police (unarmed and not high on a drug that brings about violent rages), and then supply him with meth when he asks for pot which you don't have.

In my humble opinion, Smith should be arrested on drug charges (as many others in this nation have been with much less evidence and repercussions of their possession). And even though she may have eventually persuaded him to surrender (now with the meth revelation I think it's fair to suggest her credibility is a bit frayed ), it is arguable that prior to that she abetted him.

One thing is clear--it is indeed God who is responsible for that situation not turning into even more of a bloodbath, despite all that Smith did.

Posted by Tammy · September 29, 2005 01:48 PM · Permalink
Death of Right and Wrong

Save Pets From the Next Disaster

The Humane Society of the United States is supporting legislation to make sure what happened to the pets affected by Katrina never happens again.
The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act, H.R. 3858 (PETS Act), would require state and local authorities to include pets and service animals in their disaster evacuation plans. You could help save thousands of people and pets from anguish—even loss of life—during the next major disaster, just by asking your U.S. Representative to support this bill.
Go to the USHS to take action now.
UPDATE
Here's more information. This truly seems like a bi-partisan effort, with Representatives Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Christopher Shays (R-CT) introducing the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Here is the bill itself. It's very short and to the point:

Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2005 (Introduced in House)

HR 3858 IH

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3858

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to ensure that State and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 22, 2005

Mr. LANTOS (for himself, Mr. SHAYS, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, Mr. OBERSTAR, and Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to ensure that State and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. STANDARDS FOR STATE AND LOCAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS OPERATIONAL PLANS.

Section 613 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5196b) is amended--

(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:

`(g) Standards for State and Local Emergency Preparedness Operational Plans- In approving standards for State and local emergency preparedness operational plans pursuant to subsection (b)(3), the Director shall ensure that such plans take into account the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency.'.

Posted by Tammy · September 29, 2005 02:09 AM · Permalink
Animal Issues

Woo Hoo! Pataki (Finally) Says No to Ground Zero Hijacking

I can't think of a better post to start off the Tammy blog. After months of protest, phone calls and outrage, the up-until-now-silent Governor of NY George Pataki has put the kabosh on the obscenity of the "International Freedom Center" at Ground Zero.
Pataki's silence was a major point of discussion between Debra Burlingame and myself on today's Tammy Show. I'll be having her back on my Saturday show for an update. Nothing can make up for the loss of her brother, the pilot of American Flight 77, or the loss all of us have experienced. But at least we can do our best to make sure those who sympathize with the enemy or wish for this nation to fail do not succeed. We're all quite lucky Debra stepped up to the plate and warned us all of this debacle.
While this is a victory for all of us, and a reminder of the importance and power of the individual speaking up, it is still unacceptable that it took Pataki so long to chime in. He only did so, keep in mind, after Hillary Clinton made her remarks condemning the IFC, which finally prompted Guiliani to do the same.
Usually, when a politician seems oddly out of step (which is most of the time) all one usually needs to do is follow the money. Pataki, in fact, has become rather financially beholden to downtown developers involved with the WTC rebuilding and in part responsible for the IFC. You can find that story at Skyscrapercity.

Posted by Tammy · September 28, 2005 09:08 PM · Permalink
War on Radical Islam

Welcome to the Tammy Blog

Greetings everyone! Welcome aboard. Starting this blog is not something I did casually. In fact, it's a bit intimidating. I, perhaps as you, have enjoyed and appreciated a variety of blogs--all of which have distinctictive personalities and contribute so much to helping keep our great nation free. As an admirer of Little Green Footballs, Michelle Malkin, Roger L. Simon, and Powerline it can be pretty intimidating to venture into this. I think the only way to do it effectively is to be myself. So by being here you will part of the big Tammy experiment. My only agenda is to continue to expose why the left does what it does, making clear the method to their madness, and searching for the truth wherever it may lead.
In addition to this main blog, you'll notice to the right a mini-blog which will reflect points of interest from my daily radio show, cleverly titled "The Tammy Bruce Show." It is that sideblog that I will use during my show to provide links to stories I refer to, relatively entertaining commentary, and action suggestions. Subjects here will be diverse--politics, culture, Hollywood, you name it. Nothing is off limits. Frankly, it will be much like my radio show in that both efforts reflect what moves me.

You'll find that this site is still under construction, but every day we'll make more progress. Many of the elements my Yahoo groups members suggested. While this blog will drive my home page, you'll see the links at the top of the page. You Sadie, Syndey and Maxalot fans will have your fill of news from their fur-filled world, there will be a suggested reading list, must read articles of the day, a photo gallery, etc. Everything people have been asking so long for, will finally be here :)
The world is indeed changing. It's an honor ro have you here and I will do my best to make this a fun and useful tool for you to make your life better, more secure, and prosperous :)

Posted by Tammy · September 28, 2005 04:01 PM · Permalink
Tammy Notes