[VIDEO] Nina Totenberg: ‘Nancy Pelosi Is the Most Effective Congressional Leader Probably in 30 Years’

On PBS’s Inside Washington Friday, NPR’s Nina Totenberg actually called House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) “the most effective Congressional leader probably in 30 years” (video follows with transcript and commentary):

NINA TOTENBERG, NPR: Nancy Pelosi, who in my view is the most effective Congressional leader probably in 30 years…

COLBY KING, WASHINGTON POST: You mean in the House?

TOTENBERG: In the House, has kept her troops in line. Every one of them voted for a compromise or voted for a bill they didn’t like. And she gave them a tough speech about how they had to hold their noses and vote for something they didn’t like. This was not, this is not our values, she told them, but we will fight again. She means 2014. And I don’t think that she has in mind caving on some of the issues that have to be caved on.

Isn't it fascinating how when Democrats hold together as a party, liberal media members think it's spectacular? But when Republicans do it, it's extortion, blackmail, and an act of terrorism.

Yet possibly even more comical about this remark is what the American people think of Pelosi.

Rasmussen in August pegged her as being unfavorably viewed by 56 percent of the nation, more than any other member of Congress.

Gallup in April found Pelosi to be the "Best Known, Least Liked of Congressional Leaders."

As such, Totenberg finds her views at odds with the majority of the nation.

But why should that surprise us?

Via: Newsbusters

Continue Reading.....

SERIOUSLY? National Park Service spitefully removes handles from water fountains

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Until very recently, the National Park Service was one of the least-loathed government agencies in the country. Now, with orders from on high to keep the public from visiting beloved parks and monuments the agency is developing a poor reputation. 

Park rangers have very diverse jobs, providing everything from policing to the janitorial duties required to keep public parks and memorials open, safe and enjoyable. However, they have recently been compared to the Gestapo (hyperbole) as they actively  work to keep people from enjoying public spaces.

According to a report in the Newburyport Daily News, tourists at Yellowstone National Park were actually detained under armed guard and locked in their hotels when the government shutdown started on October 1st. The paper explained that foreign tourists with poor English skills actually thought they were under arrest because of their harsh treatment. 

When the tourists were allowed to leave by bus, they were forbidden to stop anywhere during the 2.5 hour drive out of the park, not even at public restrooms along the way. 

In other places, park rangers have issued tickets to people who have ignored signs and barricades and threatened others with arrest. 

At Mount Vernon, the  privately-owned and managed historic home of George and Martha Washington, NPS authorities erected barricades to keep people from parking at the site. The site is privately owned and funded, but the NPS technically co-owns part of the parking lot and a bus turnaround. Of course, since it is a parking lot, it requires no maintenance. Nonetheless, the NPS is spending more money and resources keeping people out of such places than it would spend by simply allowing the public to use them. 

Republicans contend that the NPS, which is part of the executive branch, is under orders to make life difficult for would-be parkgoers as part of a broader political plan by the Obama administration to turn public opinion against Republicans.  Both parties blame the other for the shutdown and so far appear unwilling to negotiate. 

Via: Catholic Online

Continue Reading.....

Signs say National Mall closed, but immigration reform rally is a go

Even though isolated barricades with "closed" signs remained on the National Mall on Tuesday, the setup for the immigration reform rally said otherwise.

A giant stage with lights and an "Immigration Reform Now" banner was set up in the center of the mall, along with three large portable screens.

On one side of the mall, more than 100 porta potties were set up for protesters who will attend the rally today.

As several groups of musicians performed sound checks, a lone National Park Service employee arrived to survey the scene, but referred me to the Park Service communications office and left when I asked her why she was called into work today.

As the Washington Examiner reported Monday, rally organizers said that they would be allowed by the NPS to carry out their protest under their First Amendment rights.

Via: Washington Examiner

Continue Reading.....