Texan Woman Told to Remove 'Offensive' American Flag From Office

FOXNEWS.com
Thursday, May 28, 2009

Debbie McLucas has been invited by her supervisor to display the flag in her office. Debbie McLucas comes from a patriotic family – her husband and both of her sons served in the U.S. military, and her daughter is currently deployed to Iraq on her second tour of duty as a combat medic. So when McLucas arrived at work at a Texas hospital last Friday, she was stunned to be told that the Stars and Stripes she had hung in her office in advance of Memorial Day were offensive, and that the flag had been removed. “I got into work, I was met by my supervisor and told that there had been multiple complaints, that people found the flag very offensive and it had been taken down," McLucas told FOXNews.com. "I went to the office to retrieve it and found the flag wrapped around the pole, sitting in the corner on the ground. I was speechless."

McLucas, a supervisor at Kindred Hospital in Mansfield, Texas, had displayed the 3-by-5-foot flag in the office she shares with the hospital’s three other supervisors. McLucas said one of her colleagues, a woman who immigrated to the United States from Africa 14 years ago, complained about the flag to upper management, and the hospital decided to take down the flag. "I was told that as long as my flag offended one person, it would be taken down," McLucas said. She said the hospital told her that the American flag flying outside the building would have to suffice. "I was told, ‘There is a flag hanging out front, everyone can see that one. Is that not enough?’" No, she said, that wasn't enough. "It is more than I can even fathom, that you would find the American flag offensive, in America," McLucas said.

A Kindred Healthcare spokeswoman did not return calls for comment. Kindred issued a press release stating, “Kindred Hospital Mansfield has a great deal of appreciation for the service that many of our employees and their families have given to their country. We honor our veterans and active military through a variety of benefits and service programs. This was an isolated incident between two employees that we are working to resolve amicably.” The statement went on to explain: “The disagreement was over the size of the flag and not what it symbolized. We have invited the employee to put the flag back up.” And it will go back up and stay up, McLucas said. "I do think they're trying to do the right thing. I have no reason to believe the flag won't remain there as long as I'm employed."

Chairman Steele's Statement on Obama Administration Stimulus Progress Report

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele today released the following statement on the Obama administration’s stimulus progress report.

“In the Obama administration the word ‘report’ must be code for ‘PR.’ One hundred days after spending $787 billion of the taxpayers’ money, President Obama is touting a second progress ‘report’ on the stimulus bill to convince voters his reckless spending plan is working. Let’s be clear: 100 projects, nearly $1 trillion spent, and 1 million jobs lost doesn’t sound like progress to me. The Obama administration may believe its own spin, but American families want jobs and to keep more of what they earn, not another ‘report,’” said Chairman Michael Steele.

By: Michael Ramirez

Burris Pleads for Senate Appointment on Taped Call

Sen. Roland Burris promised to "personally do something" for Rod Blagojevich's campaign fund while pressing for the then-Illinois governor to appoint him to President Obama's former Senate seat, according to a wiretap transcript released Tuesday.

This doesn't sound shady at all [enter sarcasm here]! Sheesh!

Click on the following link for the full story:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/26/burris-pleads-senate-appointment-taped/?test=latestnews

Courts "make" policy? - Oh Boy!

Coalition Department e-mail Alert:

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele today released the following statement on the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor.

“Republicans look forward to learning more about federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor’s thoughts on the importance of the Supreme Court’s fidelity to the Constitution and the rule of law. Supreme Court vacancies are rare, which makes Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination a perfect opportunity for America to have a thoughtful discussion about the role of the Supreme Court in our daily lives. Republicans will reserve judgment on Sonia Sotomayor until there has been a thorough and thoughtful examination of her legal views.”

What Will Obama Do?

Condemned by the U.N. for its nuclear test, North Korea appears set to launch more short-range missiles!

Iran Moves Warships Near Gulf of Aden!
Tehran sends six warships into international waters, a move security experts call 'muscle flexing' defiance.

Well, Mr. President?

Honor, Courage, Bravery

Remember those who have served!

Honor those who are serving!

By: Gary Varvel

RNC Chairman Michael Steele announces appointments to Temporary Delegate Selection Committee

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele today announced the appointment of Ohio National Committeeman Bob Bennett, Wisconsin National Committeeman Steve King, Florida National Committeeman Paul Senft, former Maryland Secretary of State Mary Kane, former Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis, former Office of Personnel Management Director Kay James, former Iowa Republican Party Chairman Brian Kennedy, former White House Spanish media spokesperson Mercy Schlapp, and former New Hampshire Attorney General Tom Rath to the RNC Temporary Delegate Selection Committee.

“I am proud to announce the appointments of this impressive group of people to the RNC Temporary Delegate Selection Committee. They are all exceptionally qualified people and I look forward to working with them in the future,” said Chairman Steele.

The RNC Temporary Delegate Selection Committee serves to review the timing of the election, selection, allocation, or binding of delegate and alternate delegates to the Republican National Convention. In accordance with The Rules of the Republican Party, the RNC Chairman appoints three RNC members and six non-members to the RNC Temporary Delegate Selection Committee, which is already comprised of four elected RNC members.

Compare and Contrast: Obama and Cheney's Divergent Views on National Security

President Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney each delivered major speeches today outlining America's national security challenges, each man making the case why his respective political ideologies serve best to keep the United States safe.

click on the link to read the article on FoxNews.com:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/21/obama-cheney-excerpts-national-security/

RNC Chairman Michael Steele Issues Statement On Today's RNC Resolution Vote

Coalition department e-mail Alert:

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele today released the following statement on the RNC resolution vote.

“The Republican Party strongly believes that a government which spends without restraint, incurs record amounts of debt, owns banks and makes cars is not the right kind of ‘change’ America needs. Republicans are united in opposition to the destructive policies of the President and Congressional Democrats. I am pleased that the committee adopted a resolution that focuses on the Democrats’ policies and their destructive effects on America’s economic engine, rather than attempting to rename our opponents. The RNC and the entire Republican Party is moving forward with strength and unity,” said RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

Obama Tries to Keep Order Among Democrats on Gitmo

By Trish Turner/AP

President Obama will deliver a speech Thursday addressing plans to close the Guantanamo detention camp, as Democrats back off support for funding the closure. President Obama is trying to keep Democratic unrest from derailing his plans to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, offering up a speech Thursday meant to shed light on how the administration expects to transfer 240 detainees off the island.

The speech already appears to be overdue, considering the resistance and mixed messages coming from top-ranking Democrats over the issue on Capitol Hill. On Wednesday, the Senate will vote on an amendment that not only blocks supplemental funds from being used to close Guantanamo and move detainees to U.S. soil, but also orders that no funds already in U.S. coffers be redirected toward that purpose. The amendment precludes the upgrade of any U.S. facility or the building of any new facility to house detainees. The supplemental bill on which senators are voting lasts until the new budget year, which starts on Oct 1. The amendments complicating Guantanamo closure don't stop there. This afternoon, the Senate is expected to vote on an amendment from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., that would mandate a U.S. threat assessment for every single detainee at Gitmo. Such votes make assurances from Obama Thursday all the more important.

Democrats had been hammered by Republicans, some of whom don't want Guantanamo shuttered at all, over the possibility that detainees could be sent to live in the United States -- in prisons or otherwise. Democrats agreed with that line Tuesday, deciding to pull $80 million from the war funding bill for the closure plan proposed by the president. They told the administration the money could be forthcoming, once the president presents a plan, that is now expected to be enacted in just seven months. Michele Flournoy, Obama's new Pentagon policy chief, said members of Congress must rethink their opposition to accepting these detainees into the United States. Flournoy said it is unrealistic to think that no detainees will come to the United States, and that the U.S. cannot ask allies to take detainees while refusing to take on the same burden. Without singling anyone out, Flournoy said lawmakers need to think more "strategically." White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that Obama will detail a "hefty part" of his plan for the detainees in his speech on Thursday. "We agree with Congress that before resources, that they should receive a more detailed plan," Gibbs said.

To continue enjoying the article click on the following link:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/20/obama-tries-order-democrats-gitmo/

Obama Health Care Reform - It's Magic!

By: Petar Pismestrovic

Chairman Steele to President Obama - "The Honeymoon is Over"

RNC Coalition Department e-mail Alert:

Please access the link below to watch Chairman Steele’s speech to the Republican National Committee State Chairmen’s Meeting at the National Harbor in Maryland.

The video is not "live" anymore so I loaded it from the site. The speech is a little over 32 minutes long. I feel Mr. Steele did a great job. His speech was refreshing, intelligent and necessary!

- Melissa

Recruitment Meeting Reminder

The Recruitment Committee will meet tomorrow, May 19, at 6 PM.

La Familia Mexican Restaurant
841 Foch Street
Fort Worth, TX 76107

www.lafamilia-fw.com

RNC Chairman Michael Steele to appear on Meet the Press

RNC Coalition Department e-mail alert:

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele will appear on Meet the Press with Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine on Sunday.

WHEN: May 17, 2009
10:30-11:30 a.m. EDT in New York and Washington
Program re-airs at 5:00 PM EDT Sunday, 2:00 AM and
at 5:00 AM EDT Monday on MSNBC

***Check your local listings for more information

Tune in!!!

Obama Sways Congressman to Pass on New York Senate Democratic Primary

By Chad Pergram

It's rare for a president to inject himself into statewide politics and a host of New York political insiders with ties to several House Democrats say they're angry that Obama even got involved.

If President Obama didn't have enough on his plate already, he's now thrust himself into the middle of a statewide race that has sparked growing resentment among some New York Democrats. Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) asked Obama to implore Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) against challenging New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in the Democratic primary next year, FOX News has learned.

Israel was poised to announce his candidacy until the president intervened with a Friday afternoon phone call in an effort to clear the field for Gillibrand, a source told FOX News, calling the move "messy." "This is a tough, heartfelt decision for me. I have received encouragement to pursue this fight from all corners of our great state," Israel said in a statement.

The senators solicited Obama's assistance to help Gillibrand avoid a competitive primary in 2010, a Democratic New York source told FOX News. Menendez heads the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the panel charged with electing party members to the Senate and led by Schumer in past years. It's rare for a president to inject himself into statewide politics. And a host of New York political insiders with ties to several House Democrats say they're angry that the president even got involved. "What? You can't have a primary? It's decided in backroom deals?" asked a source who spoke to FOX News on the condition of anonymity. "What if someone told Obama he couldn't have a primary and Hillary (Clinton) would just be the nominee? Where would he be? It's an outrage."

Gillibrand's appointment to the Senate has been controversial from the start. Many New York House Democrats were appalled that Gov. David Paterson tapped such a junior lawmaker to succeed Clinton in the Senate when she became secretary of state. Upstate New York voters first elected Gillibrand to the House in 2006 in an upset and Paterson appointed her to the Senate a little more than two years later. Even New York Rep. Carolyn McCarthy warned that she would challenge Gillibrand in the Democratic contest before Paterson appointed her. Others have questioned whether the moderate Gillibrand would be viable in a statewide race.

Despite speaking with Israel, Obama did not make similar requests of other potential Gillibrand challengers such as McCarthy, and New York Reps. Carolyn Maloney or Rep. Jose Serrano."I can't imagine why (Obama) would do this," said one source, referring to the president's request to Israel to step aside. "I am sure that it will upset many (New York) delegation members." In a statement, Menendez praised Israel as a "terrific Congressman" and said his panel looks forward to continuing working with (Gillibrand) to make sure she well-prepared for her race." McCarthy, Maloney and Serrano all declined comment for this story.

Pelosi"gate"

Flustered! Talking in Circles!

Obama's 'Public' Health Plan will Bankrupt the Nation

By: Larry Kudlow

Does anybody really believe that adding 50 million people to the public health-care rolls will not cost the government more money? About $1.5 trillion to $2 trillion more? At least.
So let’s be serious when evaluating President Obama’s goal of universal health care, and the idea that it’s a cost-cutter. Can’t happen. Won’t happen. Costs are going to explode.
Think of it: Can anyone name a federal program that ever cut costs for anything? Let’s not forget that the existing Medicare system is roughly $80 trillion in the hole.

And does anybody believe Obama’s new “public” health-insurance plan isn’t really a bridge to single-payer government-run health care? And does anyone think this plan won’t produce a government gatekeeper that will allocate health services and control prices and therefore crowd-out the private-insurance doctor/hospital system?

Federal boards are going to decide what’s good for you and me. And what’s not good for you and me. These boards will drive a wedge between doctors and patients.

The president, in his New York Times Magazine interview with David Leonhardt, said his elderly mother should not (in theory) have had a hip-replacement operation. Yes, Obama would have fought for that operation for his mother’s sake. But a federal board of so-called experts would have told the rest of us, “No way.”

And then there’s the charade of all those private health providers visiting the White House and promising $2 trillion in savings. Utter nonsense.
And even if you put aside the demerits of a government-run health system, Obama’s health-care “funding” plans are completely falling apart. Not only will Obama’s health program cost at least twice as much as his $650 billion estimate, but his original plan to fund the program by auctioning off carbon-emissions warrants (through the misbegotten cap-and-trade system) has fallen through. In an attempt to buy off hundreds of energy, industrial, and other companies, the White House is now going to give away those carbon-cap-emissions trading warrants. So all those revenues are out the window. Fictitious.

Anyway, the cap-and-tax system won’t pass Congress. The science is wrong. The economics are root-canal austerity -- Malthusian limits to growth. And there are too many oil and coal senators who will vote against it.

All of this is why the national-health-care debate is so outrageous. At some point we have to get serious about solving Medicare by limiting middle-class benefits and funding the program properly. There is no other way out. We can grow our way out of the Social Security deficit if we pursue pro-growth policies that maintain low tax and inflation rates. Prospects for that don’t look any too good right now, though it could be done. But government health care is nothing but a massive, unfunded, middle-class entitlement problem. (Many poor are already on Medicaid.)

Continued...

President Obama and VP Biden's Health Care Plan

President Obama announced today that House Democrats have pledged to pass a health care reform bill by July 31, without describing the contents of the bill! What, we don't need to know?

Stay Informed and Involved!

http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/HealthCareFullPlan.pdf

This is the last update on record...President Obama has not divulged any new details!

- Melissa

Conservatives for Patients' Rights

http://www.cprights.org/

This is a great site with health care reform information. Go to "Plans" and you can see a comparison between Obama's proposed plan and 16 plans that have been discussed, written about or offered up as legislation.

CPR:
Conservatives for Patients' Rights is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and informing the public about the principles of patients rights and, in doing so, advancing the debate over health care reform. Those principles include choice, competition, accountability and responsibility. We believe the path to effective health care reform must be based on the patient-doctor relationship and not from a top-down, big government perspective. Anything that interferes with an individual’s freedom to consult their doctor of choice to make health care decisions defeats the purpose of meaningful health care reform.

- Melissa

By: Nate Beeler

RNC - Jack Kemp Tribute

A Community Announcement from Carlos Puente

Cagle Political Cartoon

Immigration Proposal by Mike Brasovan

Mike has been working on developing solutions for our Federal immigration challenges in preparation for a possible run for Congress in 2010! Let's support Mike in his political endeavors!

Plank #1. The United States was built by immigrants and should continue to welcome immigrants that want to come here and become Americans legally. We have to simplify this process and make it easier and FASTER. Solution: Allow prospective immigrants to pay for faster service. Instead of paying a smuggler, why don't we charge them an application fee to speed up the legal process and let them in legally?? As long as they have a job, are law abiding and are willing to assimilate, they are welcome to come and make a life here.

Plank #2. Responsibility. If you came here illegally then you must either:
Go home and apply for legal status to enter the country. See Plank #1 if you want to speed up the process.

Stay in the US and register by a Set date. Pay a significant registration fee (to pay for the new overhead of registration. Fee should be in addition to the "quick processing fee" of plank #1) and a penalty for being in the US Illegally. If you can't pay, we will garnish your wages. If you don't have a job, we will fingerprint you and send you home and you can reapply for citizenship through regular channels. If you commit a felony, including trying to work under another identity to avoid wage garnishment, then you will be deported and become ineligible for citizenship in the future.

Plank #3. Enforce our Laws:
Unless they have chosen to go through the process outlined in Plank #2 above, make it a law that if someone is caught here illegally they will be finger printed, retinal scanned and they will become ineligible for US Citizenship in the future.

Plank #4. Take away the reason so many come.
Change the 14th amendment (or obtain a more accurate ruling from the Supreme Court on this matter) such that if you were born after 1/1/20__ (pick a date) and your parents were not here legally or do not apply for and receive US citizenship, then you are not a US Citizen. This will immediately eliminate the "Anchor Baby" problem associated with deportation of illegal immigrants AND eliminate the draw of pregnant illegal immigrants coming into the US to have children. If someone is here legally on anything more than tourist or visitor status then their children would have citizenship.

Plank #5. Benefits - No Social Security if you haven't paid into the system for at least 10 (or more) years. No Medicare. No free ride on emergency room visits. The same card you use to get a job should be presented at the hospital. If you go to the ER and cant' pay then you will have your wages garnished to pay for at least some of hospital charges.

What has enchanted you the most, Mr. President?

By Bobby Eberle

I realize the so-called mainstream media has gone off the deep end, but the extent to which they are in the pocket of Barack Obama is stunning. During Obama's prime time press conference in which he (and the media) celebrated his first 100 days in office, the questions ranged from ineffective to plain ridiculous.

Aren't the media supposed to ask challenging questions? What happened to the media that hounded President Bush? During Obama's press conference, as unemployment continues to rise, Obama stated that he has "already saved or created 150,000 jobs." Are you kidding me? The statement itself is outrageous, and not one "journalist" called him on it.

First, here's a portion of Obama's press conference and some Fox News analysis:
Is this reporter for real? What has "enchanted" you the most? We have a struggling economy and no questions about the economy? Not only does the Washington press corps not ask original questions that challenge Obama, they also don't ask the follow-ups when Obama makes comments that are just plain crazy. The entire mindset is "if Obama says it, it must be true."

Example:
As noted in the AP news story Obama adviser sees increase in unemployment, "unemployment will increase in the next several months." People are getting laid off. They are looking for work and can't find it. This is what happens during a recession.

However, at the press conference, Obama said that the stimulus bill "has already saved or created over 150,000 jobs." I don't even know where to begin! First of all, if any Republican president were to use an idiotic statement such as "saved or created" in reference to jobs, the press corps would be like sharks with blood in the water. Saved or created? In addition, no one questioned Obama on the figure of 150,000. Not one question... not at the press conference... not during the rest of the week. Nothing.
Rather than dive into the calculations, I'll refer you to an interesting post at SCSUscholars.com. The author has a field day trying to come up with how 150,000 jobs were saved or created. Quoted in the article is a great comment attributed to Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT):

You created a situation where you cannot be wrong. If the economy loses 2 million jobs over the next few years, you can say yes, but it would've lost 5.5 million jobs. If we create a million jobs, you can say, well, it would have lost 2.5 million jobs. You've given yourself complete leverage where you cannot be wrong, because you can take any scenario and make yourself look correct.

The comments are exactly right. Obama uses language that allows him to look correct regardless of the outcome, and not one journalist will call him on it. People are losing jobs!
The press conference was filled with even more softball questions, such as, "Can you reassure the American people that if necessary America could secure Pakistan's nuclear arsenal?" Reassure the American people? As a journalist, what do you think the answer to that question would be? Of course he can "reassure" the American people... It's Barack Obama, remember?

When Obama gets asked what has "enchanted him the most," you know that all honesty and integrity has disappeared from the proceedings. An Obama presidential press conference is nothing more than a love fest of patting each other on the back and deceiving the American people. Contrast that with the utter disdain the media showed for the protesters on tax day and Obama's comments about them this week, and we can see their full agenda: Join the Obama bandwagon or be prepared to be steamrolled.

Wearing a pair of $540 sneakers as you serve food to the homeless - priceless