Costs of the Occupiers
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2011
The trash generated by the “Occupy Wall Street” protests keeps piling up. So do the bills. Liberal media outlets claim the anarchic, anti-capitalist movement is more popular than the Tea Party. But wait until Americans across the country get a full picture of the costs of the aimless occupiers.
In New York City, government officials estimate the month-long siege of Zuccotti Park has now imposed $3.2 million in overtime police costs on the public. On Thursday, as Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office pressured left-wing activists to vacate the park for cleaning, Occupy Wall Street urged sympathizers to flood the city’s customer services lines: “Call 311 and tell Bloomberg not to evict us!”
In Philadelphia, Mayor Michael Nutter told the press that demonstrators outside city hall have incurred $164,000 in overtime public employee costs and $237,000 in regular time. “At the current rate, if Occupy Philly continues to the end of the month, the city would spend another nearly $690,000 on police overtime alone,” the local NBC affiliate reported. “Besides the extra police presence being dedicated to the Occupy Philly protests, other city departments have also incurred costs.”
In Seattle, police have so far billed $30,000 in overtime and the parks department racked up nearly $4,000 in additional costs related to the protests there. Occupiers have blocked traffic, assaulted an officer, and pitched illegal tents. Merchants in the area have been hurt as the riff-raff deter customers. One business owner in Westlake Park, where hundreds of protesters remain camped out, told Seattle TV station KIRO: “There’s definitely fewer people you can identify as people out, just walking through the area.”
Seattle’s pushover mayor, Democrat Mike McGinn, now faces even greater demands from the insatiable mob – which wants a “guaranteed parking
space near City Hall Plaza that allows for around-the-clock parking,” “24-hour access to the first floor of City Hall for restroom access, and a written statement from the mayor approving the protesters’ long-term occupancy of City Hall Plaza.”
In Boston, City Council President Steve Murphy anticipates a $2 million hit to taxpayers if the protests refuse to disband by the end of October. The local Fox affiliate notes the tab represents 8% of the yearly budget for police overtime. “While we’re all sympathetic with
our protesters down there,” Murphy said, “Wall Street isn’t picking up the tab on this thing. It’s the Boston taxpayers.”
When fiscally conservative Tea Party activists held protests over the past two years, they filed for all the required permits and paid for their own power. Occupy Boston, by contrast, neither sought nor obtained any proper permits at any level, according to the Boston Globe. Instead, city and park officials have been cowed into providing them gratis electricity and camp space lest there be “conflict.”
Many of these occupiers are primarily occupied as paid rent-a-mobsters for unions, left-wing think tanks, and the radical Working Families Party. While one collective hand soaks the taxpayers, the other hand is busy soliciting free stuff. Occupy Los Angeles activists took to
Skype on their laptops to solicit donations of iPhones and iPads.
Occupy Wall Street members on Twitter organized an ongoing “#needsoftheoccupiers” drive for everything from batteries and tarps to “gently used” coats and sweaters, wool socks, sleeping bags, and energy bars. Occupy Austin organizers publicized their wish list, including a free barbecue grill, port-o-potties, extension cords, a Bobcat forestry cutter for clearing brush, and network cameras for a livestream.
These are not principled advocates of fiscal responsibility. They are professional freeloaders.
Unlike Tea Party activists who focused like a laser beam on politicians in both parties responsible for redistributing wealth to Big Business cronies by force, the Occupy Wall Street movement is everywhere and nowhere. The entitled Kamp Alinsky Kids are poaching WiFi and trespassing on private property under the guise of “social justice,” but in plain service of themselves.
Their t-shirts and speeches glorify Marxist radicals Che Guevara, Emiliano Zapata, and Chairman Mao. They lionize convicted Death Row cop killer Troy Davis and WikiLeaks collaborator Bradley Manning. They condemn “Nazi Bankers,” Jews, Fox News, the American Legislative
Exchange Council, Wisconsin GOP Gov. Scott Walker, the Koch family, and the New York Police Department (“pigs!”). They promote the illegal alien DREAM Act and 9/11 Trutherism.
They spout bumper-sticker profanities and inanities: “F**k banks.” “Unf**k the world.” “Fuuuuu*k.” “Free education.” “Smash nationalism.”
“People not profits.”
They flash peace signs while celebrity supporter Roseanne Barr calls for beheading financial industry workers and fellow marchers call explicitly for “violent revolution” or for Obama to “Send Seal Team 6” to Wall Street.
Then they huff and puff (preferably in a creepy, uniform chant they call the “human microphone”) that we just haven’t taken the time to understand what they’re all about — as they hawk $20 “Eat the Rich” polo shirts and license their protest photos to Getty Images.
http://michellemalkin.com/
Holder may need to testify after subpoena in Fast and Furious Investigation.
Eric Holder, Border Patrol, Fast and Furious, Attorney General”Top Justice Department officials, including Attorney General Holder, know more about Operation Fast and Furious than they have publicly acknowledged,” the California Republican said in a statement. “The documents this subpoena demands will provide answers to questions that Justice officials have tried to avoid since this investigation began eight months ago. It’s time we know the whole truth.”
House Committee to Subpoena Eric Holder on ‘Fast and Furious’
Attorney general facing investigation on botched gun-running scandal
The subpoena seeks, among other things, all communications regarding the operation from 16 top Justice officials, including Holder, his chief of staff, Gary Grindler, and the head of the department’s criminal division, Lanny Breuer, as well as correspondence on specific dates to and from the former head of the ATF’s Phoenix field division, William Newell.
It also asks for all documents and communications referring or relating to the murder of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Agent Jaime Zapata, including any correspondence outlining the details of Zapata’s mission at the time he was murdered.
Zapata was killed in a drug cartel ambush on a northern Mexican highway with a gun that was purchased in a town outside Forth Worth, Texas. Three Dallas-area men — one accused of buying the gun, his brother and their neighbor — are facing federal weapons charges, although none related to Zapata’s death.
Congressional investigators are also demanding information regarding the investigation into the death of U.S. Border Patrol agent Brian Terry. Two guns found at Terry’s crime scene were linked to the failed operation that allowed more than 2,000 weapons to “walk.”
The subpoena asks for correspondence that Justice Department officials had with the White House about the gun trafficking operation, as well as what information was shared by Justice officials in Mexico.
Rep. Elijah Cummings, the top Democrat on the House oversight committee, sharply criticized Issa for sending the subpoena.
“This subpoena is a deep-sea fishing expedition and a gross abuse of the committee’s authority,” he said. “It demands tens of thousands of pages of highly sensitive law enforcement and national security materials that have never been requested before and are completely unrelated to Operation Fast and Furious. Rather than legitimate fact-gathering, this looks more like a political stunt.”
This second subpoena follows the first one issued in March to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Asked about the development Tuesday, Holder said his department “will undoubtedly comply with them,” noting that Justice officials have already sent “thousands of pages of documents up to the Hill.”
But Holder wouldn’t answer whether he or anyone else at the department knew about the controversial tactics.
Holder addressed the matter at the end of a press conference about an alleged Iran-tied terror plot foiled by U.S. investigators. “What I want the American people to understand is that in complying with those subpoenas and dealing with that inquiry, that will not detract us from the important business that we have here to do at the Justice Department, including matters like the one that we have announced today,” Holder said.
The new subpoena follows a week of back and forth between congressional investigators and Justice Department officials of “who knew what, when.” Under scrutiny was Holder’s testimony from May 3 when he told Issa that he “probably heard about Fast and Furious for the first time over the last few weeks.”
Fox News obtained documents addressed to Holder as early as nine months before that, which described the concept of Fast and Furious.
In addition to the congressional investigation being led by Issa and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, is calling for a special counsel to look into the matter.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/10/12/issa-issues-subpoena-to-holder-in-fast-and-furious-investigation/#ixzz1ab4yEDvQ
http://www.whateverhappentocommonsense.com/
The Folly and Hypocrisy of Occupy Wall Street Crowd
By: Elmer Williams
The Occupy Wall Street Crowd is just pathetic at best and dangerous at worst. First they say that they are upset with the Millionaires, and they are on “a Millionaire March”. They are passing by the homes of New York’s wealthiest residents, because they are upset about the 2 percent “millionaires’ tax” that is expiring. This is according to a story on Fox News website.
What I don’t understand is that if they are so upset with Wall Street and all the rich people. Why are they being so selective in their picketing? Nancy Pelosi and the “Chosen One” Barack Hussein Obama just recently gave another $737 million dollars to Tonopah Solar Energy. The dirty little secret is the Nancy Pelosi’s brother Ronald Pelosi is second in command at PCG Clean Energy & Amp; Technology Fund (East). You may ask what does that have to do with Tonopah. I’m glad you asked. Tonopah is a subsidiary of Solar Reserve which gets it’s financial backing from PCG Clean Energy & Amp; Technology Fund (East). All this happen after the Solyndra fiasco.
Why don’t Occupy Wall Street march against Nancy and her brother Ronald. Why don’t they protest Timothy Geithner and Henry Paulson who said all the bailouts would help the economy? Also protest George Bush and Barack Obama for signing off on the taxpayer’s money on these bailouts.
How about protesting George Soros who himself intentionally makes attempt to destroy Countries. Why not protest against Bill Gates and Larry Page who admitted to hiding millions of dollars over seas. No these bunch of hypocrites pick and choose what millionaires they will protest.
http:www.whateverhappentocommonsense.com
Obama Wants to Protect Illegal’s in Alabama
Herman Cain Says Liberals Want To Destroy America and He\'s Right
The Obama administration asked an appeals court on Friday to block the enforcement ofAlabama’s strict immigration law — widely considered to be the toughest in the nation — arguing it invites discrimination against foreign-born citizens and legal immigrants and is at odds with federal policy.
The Justice Department filed the challenge to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals inAtlanta. It claimedAlabama’s new law “is highly likely to expose persons lawfully in theUnited States, including school children, to new difficulties in routine dealings.”
State Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, upper right, talks with tomato farmers about the Alabama immigration law on Chandler Mountain in Steele,Ala., Monday, Oct. 3, 2011.
The overhaul allows authorities to question people suspected of being in the country illegally and hold them without bond. It also lets officials check the immigration status of students in public schools.
A federal judge in Alabama up held those two key aspects of the law, which have already taken effect.
Those provisions that took effect are what help make the Alabama law stricter than similar laws passed in Arizona,Utah,Indiana and Georgia. Other federal judges have blocked all or parts of the laws in those states.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Friday that President Obama has been clear on his position that “efforts to address the issue of America’s broken immigration system through a patchwork of state laws will only create more problems than it solves.”
Alabama shrugged off the appeal.
“The fact that the Department of Justice has appealed comes as no surprise,” Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said. “I remain committed to seeing that this law is fully implemented. We will continue to defend this law against any and all challenges.”
Immigration became a hot issue in Alabama over the past decade as the state’s Hispanic population grew by 145 percent to about 185,600. While the group still represents only about 4 percent of the population, some counties in north Alabama have large Spanish-speaking communities and schools where most of the students are Hispanic.
The Justice Department’s appeal said parts of the law conflict with federal rules, and that “attempts to drive aliens `off the grid’ will only impede the removal process established by federal law.” It also said the legislation could impact diplomatic relations with foreign countries.
“Alabamais not in a position to answer to other nations for the consequences of its policy,” it said. “That is the responsibility of the federal government, which speaks for all the states and must ensure that the consequences of one state’s foray in to the realm of immigration law are not visited upon the nation as a whole.”
It also said requiring officers to report people without adequate credentials to federal immigration officials “unnecessarily diverts resources from federal enforcement priorities and precludes state and local officials from working in true cooperation with federal officials.”
Courtney Stodden Loves 51 Year Old Hubby for Self not Money
(Right! What Ever Happen to Common Sense?)
Last updated at 6:50 PM on 3rd October 2011
If she wasn’t already the envy of all his friends and peers, then these pictures of actor Doug Hutchison’s wife are bound to make their eyes even greener.
The Green Mile actor, 51, took to the beach with his teenage bride in a sexy photo shoot on the beach that showed off her enviable figure in a white bikini.
She pulled her most seductive pose for his camera as she strutted around the sand in the two-piece that showed off her assets to perfection.
All woman: Courtney Stodden poses on the beach for her actor husband Doug Hutchison in a sexy white bikini
Assets which she has been forced to defend are real and not boosted by cosmetic surgery, which she hoped to prove through this photo shoot.
The 17-year-old has been at the centre of lots of rumours about her body, especially her breasts, which she is quick to point out are all real, especially considering her young age.
And according to TMZ, Courtney is fed up with the speculation surrounding her body that she took part in the photo shoot to try and prove her doubters wrong.
The snapper and his muse: Doug, who took the pictures of Courtney, gets amorous with his young bride on the sand
Inseparable: Doug and Courtney seem oblivious to the rest of the world as they kiss and canoodle with each other
In the pictures, she is snapped running along the beach and getting amorous with her actor husband.
In another set, she is in a swimming pool, still in the white bikini, as her other half looks proudly on.
Courtney also hope to dispel the cosmetic surgery rumours through a reality TV show that she and Doug and developing and are planning to pitch to television networks later in the year.
I get a kick out of you: Courtney flings her leg in the air as she snuggles up to her husband
They will be working with producer Roy Bank and Merv Griffin Entertainment on the project, and according to Courtney’s mother Krista, who also manages the couple, the series will mainly be about the effects of their marriage on their families, and the issues the come up against.
She told E!: ‘It’s going to show people what they can teach each other from different generations.
‘They’re going to touch on family issues. There was a lot of judgment about their marriage from Doug’s side of the family, so it will touch on bringing families back together and why it’s important to support family members even if you don’t agree.’
Sun worshipper: Courtney moves from the beach to the pool and flaunts her enviable figure for the camera
The show will also explore claims made by Courtney that she is the victim of cyber bullying, while clearing up the plastic surgery rumours.
She said: ‘Courtney having to prove to people she was real, that she’s never been under a plastic surgeon’s knife.’
Courtney and Doug were married inLas Vegasin June, when Courtney was still 16, raising many an eyebrow and sparking a lot of controversy over the union and the huge age gap.
Terrorist Sympathizer Could Get Money from UK on Technicality
(What Ever Happen To Common Sense?)
By Chris Greenwood And James Slack
Last updated at 1:42 AM on 1st October 2011
Extremist: Sheikh Raed Salah at the High Court yesterday
A banned extremist who made a mockery ofBritain’s border controls is now likely to pocket £5,000 in compensation because immigration officials could not speak his language.
The High Court ruled yesterday that Sheikh Raed Salah, described as a ‘virulent anti-Semite’ in the Commons, could claim compensation for unlawful detention by immigration officers.
They had seized the pro-Palestine hardliner – who should never have been allowed into Britainin the first place – to have him deported.
But immigration staff failed to explain to him ‘in a language he could understand’ precisely why he was being detained – a technical breach of the rules. The preacher cannot speak English and officials failed properly to translate what was happening, the court ruled.
As a result – even though the Home Secretary had legal powers to hold him – he was unlawfully detained for 34.5 hours, until proper explanations were given to him about what was happening in Arabic.
At one stage, an immigration officer had tried to use an ‘app’ on his iPhone to give instructions to the extremist.
But he did not give Salah, 52, all the information required to make his detention lawful, Mr Justice Nicol decided.
Salah can now formally apply for taxpayer-funded compensation. The likely pay-out is between £4,000 and £5,000 – or about £150 for every hour he was held.
Michael Weiss, of the Henry Jackson Society think-tank, said the case was an ‘embarrassment’ for UK Border Agency officials.
‘I find it scandalous that someone like this is getting damages and is being paid with British taxpayers’ money,’ he said.
Tory MP Patrick Mercer said he was shocked by news of the ruling.
‘We speak English in this country and anybody that wants to come here and preach hate is going to do so in English as well,’ he added.
‘I fail to see the logic of what has happened. Yet again some form of craziness is makingBritainlook ridiculous.’
Salah, leader of the Islamic Movement inIsrael, managed to walk through immigration checks at Heathrow Airporton June 25 despite being barred from theUKby the Home Secretary.
SecureBritain
Immigration officials had failed to inform him of the ban – and he was unaware that he should not travel here.
He was finally detained three days later on the direct orders of Theresa May, but only after addressing meetings inLondonandLeicester. The
Home Secretary ordered that Salah be removed on the grounds that his presence was not ‘conducive to the public good’.
Court papers say Mrs May has alleged that Salah has ‘publicly expressed views that fostered hatred which might lead to inter-community violence in theUK’.
He denies being an anti-Semite and is challenging his removal.
Lawyers claim his treatment was a breach of Article 10 of the Human
Rights Act – the right to ‘freedom of expression’. A separate court appeal on this row is due to take place next week.
In the meantime, Salah has been released on bail and is staying at a five-bedroom detached house in a leafy suburb inNorth Londonwhile his case is processed.
He is credited with a string of outrageous statements, although he denies being an extremist. He is said to have claimed that the 9/11 plot was carried out by Israelis and that Jews were warned not to go to the World Trade Centre before the murderous attack in New York on September 11, 2001.
He was released from prison in 2005 after serving two years for fundraising for the Palestinian terror group Hamas and for having contact with an Iranian spy.
It is understood that Government solicitors will fight the claim for compensation on the grounds that it is a minor point and his overall detention was lawful.
A Home Office spokesman said: ‘The decision the Home Secretary took was the right one. The court decided there