MEMEBUSTERS! THE OSAMA BIN LADEN EDITION

"Give up money, give up fame, give up science, give the earth itself and all it contains rather than do an immoral act. And never suppose that in any possible situation, or under any circumstances, it is best for you to do a dishonorable thing, however slightly so it may appear to you... From the practice of the purest virtue, you may be assured you will derive the most sublime comforts in every moment of life, and in the moment of death."
--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Peter Carr, 1785
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Danny MacAskill - "Way Back Home" - Freestyle Biking In Scotland

Man, this guy is good!
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Via Cousin Colby

Developer in Florida Would Sell New Homes for $1 Down

And guess what? The government pays the developer in full and gets stuck for the rest if the purchaser walks away. You couldn't make this up.
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Isn't this partially what contributed to the burst of the housing bubble in 2007? The latest Florida mortgage deal carries a potential taxpayer burden that could leave you wondering what happened to the last four years.

Earlier this month, The Daily reported a plan being developed in Cape Coral, to address the community's vast real estate problems. It's no secret that Sunshine State has been hit hard with a double whammy of depreciating home values and astronomical foreclosure rates.

A large developer in the Southeast region of the country, Adams Homes believes it has come up with an attractive solution. The program, nicknamed "A-Dollar-and-a-Dream," would allow prospective home buyers to purchase a brand-new $150,000 home (model below) with a down payment of $1.

According to The Daily's report, the developer stands to lose nothing as they receive the full purchase price, regardless of the buyer's ability to continue making mortgage payments. This risk in this scenario is assumed by two government programs (in other words, you the taxpayer) that guarantee the loans for those who want a house but lack the cash for a standard down payment and closing costs.

The deal provides for two different mortgages. The first comes courtesy of the Federal Housing Authority, which services a mortgage for 96.5 percent of the purchase price. The second involves a smaller federally insured loan covering some or all of the down payment and closing costs.

In other words, prospective homeowners have very little to lose under this arrangement, and thus very little reason to remain in the property should they ultimately have trouble making their payments

Citizen Cain

Via SFMEDIC

Now is the time to test whether the Tea Party means business because, judging by last week's Republican presidential debate, the Tea Party candidate for president in 2012 is self-evident.

Herman Cain is the ideal Tea Party candidate. Herman Cain is the ideal citizen candidate among the eminently forgettable posse of professional politicians. Cain has and utilizes, as he did last week in Greenville, South Carolina, the one asset that will unite constitutional conservatives: he is a plain-speaking Gadsden flag.

Generations of career politicians who, in the words of Daniel Webster, "mean to govern well, but mean to govern," have bankrupted our country in a slow side toward socialism and the withering of our liberty.

Patriots are clamoring for an individual who, as president, can calmly and confidently reorient this country to the Constitution and fiscal sanity. We the People must nominate the next Republican nominee, even (especially) if it means making an end run around the party establishment to put forth someone who is not of Washington, nor political moderation. We must eliminate candidates who have had a part -- large or small -- in contributing to the current crisis. That means no Romney, no Huckabee, no Gingrich, no Palin. The boldest statement that can be made is to elect a private citizen president.

Allen West Interview: Florida Tea Party Favorite Talks About Islam and Donald Trump (Part 1)

The light is dim and smoky inside the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8182 in Pompano Beach. Red, white, and blue slogans brighten the low walls and ceilings, urging patrons to "Thank a Vet" and to remember "Freedom Is Not Free."

At the far end of the small, bunker-sized room, two men in white T-shirts take a break from shooting pool to amble up to the sticky wooden bar. It's a Tuesday, not quite 4 p.m. They order Jäger bombs. One of them lights a cigarette. His friend, whose pale-brown hair is shaved militarily close to his head, counts as the barkeep pours: "Three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, Mississippi." Behind him, on dual TV screens, Eddie Murphy cackles with Dan Aykroyd in the '80s classic movie Trading Places. Boredom hangs in the stagnant air.

Eventually, the door swings open, and a flood of harsh sunlight enters the room. A politician in a fitted suit and stylish blue tie appears. He wears round, wire-frame glasses, and his hair is tinged with a distinguished sprinkling of gray.

U.S. Rep. Allen West has never been to this post before. He doesn't drink or smoke or frequent bars in the middle of the day. But he is a veteran of a foreign war and has chosen this spot for a one-on-one interview.

Two years ago, West, 50, was a little-known veteran from the suburban Broward city of Plantation whose résumé included one failed congressional campaign and a 22-year Army career. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel but in 2003 faced military criminal charges for shoving an Iraqi detainee's head into a barrel during an interrogation and firing a pistol into the barrel. Army investigators found probable cause to call the incident aggravated assault, but a hearing officer dismissed the case. West was punished with a fine of $5,000 and resigned from the military the next year with an honorable discharge and full benefits.

Last November, he was swept into office by the wave of Tea Party popularity that flooded Florida and the nation. An avalanche of individual supporters and major conservative donors, such as House Speaker John Boehner's Freedom Project PAC, helped raise $6.5 million for his campaign. He comfortably beat Democratic incumbent Ron Klein with 54 percent of the vote in a swing district that covers a large eastern swath of Broward and Palm Beach counties and includes Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, and Palm Beach Gardens.

Now, just a few months into his freshman term in the U.S. Congress, West is a national Tea Party favorite -- proudly far-right, beloved by followers, loathed by the left. The first Republican to join the Congressional Black Caucus in 14 years, he's been profiled by the New York Times and made appearances on Meet the Press and PBS NewsHour. Glenn Beck has endorsed him for president, and he's been mentioned as a possible vice presidential running mate for Donald Trump.

As Barack Obama's popularity has declined, West has become a perfect foil for the president. Where Obama is pragmatic and nuanced, West is dogmatic and unwavering. Whether waging war on Islam or defending tax cuts for the wealthy, he rarely speaks in shades of gray. New Times set out to discover the man behind the sound bites.

New Times: One of the things you've talked about a lot is misconceptions of you in the media. I wondered if you could tell me what you think are the top three.

Allen West: I don't know, the fact that people were saying that I was a member of an all-white motorcycle gang,^[1] that I dealt drugs, that I ran prostitutes.^[2] Debbie Wasserman Schultz designing a protest outside my campaign headquarters saying that I'm a misogynist, that I hate women.^[3] It's the type of demagogic rhetoric that comes from people that really can't articulate the issues, and all they do is try to attack your character, which I think is reprehensible.

Any other big misconceptions?

Former Marine killed by SWAT was acting in defense, family says

New details are emerging about Jose Guerena, the man killed last Thursday in a SWAT incident at his Tucson home. He was gunned down by SWAT members while his wife and young child hid in a closet.

Now, the Pima County Sheriff's Department has taken responsibility for the fatal shooting. The SWAT team said it was just executing a narcotics search warrant when Guerena threatened officers with a military rifle. But the Sheriff's Department has changed its story on whether Guerena actually fired at anyone.

On Tuesday, candles and tributes to Guerena could be seen outside his home. Family members said the 26-year-old former Marine served two tours of duty in Iraq. A smashed window and a barrage of bullet holes might be the type of scene a battle-hardened Marine would find in a war zone but not the Tucson home he shared with his two children and wife. Guerena's wife, Vanessa, said her husband died thinking he was protecting his family from an invasion.

"I saw this guy pointing me at the window. So, I got scared. And, I got like, ‘Please don't shoot, I have a baby.' I put my baby (down). (And I) put bag in window. And, I yell ‘Jose! Jose! Wake up!'" she explained.

Peace Corps Rape Scandal

Via PUMABydesign

NJ State Police "Outraged" Over Rapper Invite to White House

State Trooper
Werner Foerster
1938 - 1973

The invitation of rapper Common to the White House this week is drawing the ire of the union representing New Jersey state police.

While even casual hip-hop fans wouldn't characterize him as a controversial rapper, Common found himself under the microscope after First Lady Michelle Obama invited him to the White House for an arts event. In question: the lyrics to "A Song for Assata," about convicted cop-killer and former Black Panther Assata Shakur.

The White House said Wednesday it stood by the decision to invite Common. Press Secretary Jay Carney said the conservative backlash distorts what Common stands for, and added that the president appreciates Common's work with children in Chicago.

FOX News and Sarah Palin condemned the decision after the Daily Caller published some of Common's lyrics, including some that criticize former President George W. Bush.

For New Jersey police, the outrage centers on "A Song for Assata" lyrics like "Your power and pride is beautiful. May God bless your soul."

Shakur, formerly known as Joanne Chesimard, was convicted for the 1973 slaying of Trooper Werner Foerster on the New Jersey Turnpike. She escaped prison in 1979, and is living in asylum in Cuba.

Homeland Insecurity Provides Triggers For IED's

Via Sipsey Street Irregulars

"In yet another example of feel-good intentions which will only serve to help the bad guys, some geniuses in the federal government, notably the FCC and FEMA, have decided to make it mandatory for certain alerts be sent to your cell phone and for all cell phones to be equipped with the ability to receive these alerts.

This can only serve as a boon to the terrorists since they will no longer have to call their phones being used as triggers. They can simply set the bomb and wait for the alert to come in to do the dirty work."

Constitutional Requirement Removed On DNC's Official Certificate Of Nomination?

Anyone have verification of this?

HERE.

Via Bazz from a Kentucky SNC delegate