Author Archives: Admin

Catholic Bishops call Biden’s contraception claim ‘Not a Fact’

Vice President Joe Biden and Republican contender Paul Ryan clashed over abortion and religious freedom during their debate and of the statements, Biden defended the administration against claims that the government is forcing Catholic organizations to violate conscience with the enforcement of the controversial contraception mandate.

On Friday, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a statement, fact-checking Biden’s commentary and railing against the notion that institutions will be free and clear from the mandate’s clauses.

In a statement published on the bishops’ web site, church leaders sought to clarify Biden’s words about the regulation and its impact on faith-based institutions. Contrary to what Catholic leaders have been fighting against — even taking to the courts to try and prevent — Biden said during the debate that hospitals, schools and other religiously-affiliated groups — won’t have “to pay for contraception.”

“With regard to the assault on the Catholic Church, let me make it absolutely clear. No religious institution—Catholic or otherwise, including Catholic social services, Georgetown hospital, Mercy hospital, any hospital—none has to either refer contraception, none has to pay for contraception, none has to be a vehicle to get contraception in any insurance policy they provide,” he said. “That is a fact. That is a fact.”

The USCCB has come out strongly against Biden’s statements, claiming that they are not based on “fact.” Here’s the statement that the church put out in response to his proclamation:

    "This is not a fact. The HHS mandate contains a narrow, four-part exemption for certain “religious employers.” That exemption was made final in February and does not extend to “Catholic social services, Georgetown hospital, Mercy hospital, any hospital,” or any other religious charity that offers its services to all, regardless of the faith of those served.

    "HHS has proposed an additional “accommodation” for religious organizations like these, which HHS itself describes as “non-exempt.” That proposal does not even potentially relieve these organizations from the obligation “to pay for contraception” and “to be a vehicle to get contraception.” They will have to serve as a vehicle, because they will still be forced to provide their employees with health coverage, and that coverage will still have to include sterilization, contraception, and abortifacients. They will have to pay for these things, because the premiums that the organizations (and their employees) are required to pay will still be applied, along with other funds, to cover the cost of these drugs and surgeries.

    "USCCB continues to urge HHS, in the strongest possible terms, actually to eliminate the various infringements on religious freedom imposed by the mandate."

Click here for video and more from The Blaze.

Warming stopped 16 years ago

The world stopped getting warmer almost 16 years ago, according to new data released last week and as reported by the UK’s Daily Mail.

The figures, which have triggered debate among climate scientists, reveal that from the beginning of 1997 until August 2012, there was no discernible rise in aggregate global temperatures.

This means that the ‘plateau’ or ‘pause’ in global warming has now lasted for about the same time as the previous period when temperatures rose, 1980 to 1996. Before that, temperatures had been stable or declining for about 40 years.

The new data, compiled from more than 3,000 measuring points on land and sea, was issued  quietly on the internet without any media fanfare.  Until The Daily Mail story; it had not been reported.

This stands in sharp contrast  to the release of the previous  figures six months ago, which went only to the end of 2010 – a very warm year.

Ending the data then means it is possible to show a slight warming trend since 1997, but 2011 and the first eight months of 2012 were much cooler, and thus this trend is erased.

 

Click here to read more from The Daily Mail.

Yes, Senator James M. Inhofe from Oklahoma was right on the facts from the beginning

Warming stopped 16 years ago

The world stopped getting warmer almost 16 years ago, according to new data released last week and as reported by the UK’s Daily Mail.

The figures, which have triggered debate among climate scientists,
reveal that from the beginning of 1997 until August 2012, there was no
discernible rise in aggregate global temperatures.

This means that the ‘plateau’ or ‘pause’ in global warming has now lasted for about the same time as the previous period when temperatures rose, 1980 to 1996. Before that, temperatures had been stable or declining for about 40 years.

The new data, compiled from more than 3,000 measuring points on land and sea, was issued  quietly on the internet without any media fanfare.  Until The Daily Mail story; it had not been reported.

This stands in sharp contrast  to the release of the previous  figures six months ago, which went only to the end of 2010 – a very warm year.

Ending the data then means it is possible to show a slight warming trend since 1997, but 2011 and the first eight months of 2012 were much cooler, and thus this trend is erased.

 

Click here to read more from The Daily Mail.

Yes, Senator James M. Inhofe from Oklahoma was right on the facts from the beginning

Auditor to investigate OKC corruption, cover-up

The Oklahoman is reporting that the state auditor and inspector’s office is preparing an investigation into an Oklahoma City police captain’s whistle-blower complaint that a city employee misappropriated funds for personal gain and his superiors sought to keep it quiet, but top city officials flatly deny any corruption or cover-up took place.

At a meeting earlier this month, the Oklahoma City Council voted unanimously with no discussion to request a state audit of “certain city contracts regarding implementation of various public safety systems.” Mayor Mick Cornett formally requested the audit in a letter received Oct. 4 by State Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones.

City Manager Jim Couch and Assistant City Manager M.T. Berry acknowledged that a complaint filed by a city employee was related to the audit request, but said they couldn’t comment on the complaint or the investigation because it was a personnel matter. City attorneys cited state laws protecting the release of information “part of a confidential personnel investigation” in refusing to release the complaint.

The Oklahoman later obtained the complaint through a source who provided it on condition of anonymity. In it, Oklahoma City police Capt. Bradd Brown alleges a city employee misappropriated funds related to a project to create a new public safety communications and records system, and efforts to “hide or minimize information given to” the city council about the problems reached as high as Couch’s office.

Brown declined to comment when reached by telephone.

Couch had a simple answer, “No,” when asked whether there was any financial impropriety related to the project or whether anyone participated in an effort to hide information from the city council.

“Why would I do that? What purpose would there be for me to do that?” Couch asked rhetorically and with exasperation in his voice. He went on to note instances when his staff had to present an unforeseen problem that required more city spending, and a full report was made to the council for their consideration and approval.

Click here to read more from the Oklahoman

Mullin to message America

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) today announced that Oklahoma small businessman and rancher Markwayne Mullin will deliver the Weekly Republican Address on Saturday, October 13.   

“Small businesses continue to struggle in this weak economy, and all the taxing, spending and red tape coming from the Obama administration is only making things worse,” Speaker Boehner said.  “Markwayne Mullin has run a business and created jobs, and he understands the need to shut down the jobs-destroying red tape factory in Washington, DC. I’m looking forward to hearing Markwayne’s address, and, if elected, I know he’ll be a strong voice in the House for a smaller, more accountable, and less costly government.”

“People in Oklahoma know our economy doesn’t need more regulations– it needs more certainty,” Mullin said.  “If we’re serious about keeping jobs here and bringing jobs home, we need to stop burdening small businesses with excessive and unnecessary regulations.  I’m honored to deliver this week’s Republican address, and will use this time to discuss how running a small business drives my campaign for solutions to restrain the government bureaucracy and promote long-term economic growth.”

Markwayne Mullin is an eastern Oklahoma native, successful businessman, and rancher, running to succeed retiring Democratic Rep. Dan Boren in Oklahoma’s Second Congressional District.  Shortly after Markwayne graduated from Stilwell High School, his dad fell ill and the family’s small plumbing company encountered financial troubles. Markwayne was only 20 years old but he and his wife, Christie, took over with only six employees.  Through hard work and discipline, Markwayne and Christie not only stabilized Mullin Plumbing, but grew it into the largest plumbing service company in Oklahoma.

The Second Congressional District, which includes the eastern Oklahoma towns of Muskogee and McAlester, is one of 25 pickup opportunities Republicans are targeting across the country this November.  The Cook Political Report rates Markwayne’s race as “likely Republican.”