Reports From The Blogosphere

As 2010 comes to a close, we give thanks for the American spirit that still dwells in many of us.  That pioneer spirit that fought all obstacles and made America great, from sea to shining sea, can never die.  It is that spirit that gave birth to the Tea Party Movement and allowed the once silent Americans to find their voice, and make themselves heard.  It is that spirit of sovereignty and love for liberty that drives common citizens to blog and express themselves in a very public forum. 

It is difficult to keep track of how many independent bloggers there are, as well as established publications who  have blogs of their own.  We are inspired by them, and we often seek the truth from them.  Two Sisters will attempt to feature some of our favorite bloggers until the New Year.  We hope you enjoy today's offerings. 

From The Corner-NRO
Records Show City Working for GZ Mosque Organizers
December 26, 2010 6:17 P.M.


By Daniel Foster

E-mails and other public records requested by opponents show a Bloomberg administration acting behind the scenes on behalf of the Park51 project — aka the Ground Zero Mosque — and a development board member looking for “political cover” before allowing the project to go forward.


Bloomberg administration officials are working “very closely with the organizers of the project. . . to combat public opposition and navigate various governmental hurdles.” One administration official even ghost-wrote a letter for Park51 organizers.


The Wall Street Journal reports:


In one email from May, Shelly Friedman, the organizers’ lawyer, wrote that Manhattan Community Board 1′s vote in support of the project would be helpful as organizers urged landmark commission Chairman Robert Tierney and other panel members to reject landmark status for the building currently on the site. “I do know that chairman Tierney was looking forward to having the ‘political cover’ their support would bring him,” Ms. Friedman wrote.


Brett Joshpe, counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice, one of the groups that sought the documents and is suing the city, said Ms. Friedman’s email is telling.
“Our allegation all along has been that politics tainted this process and that the Landmarks decision was not actually based on a faithful review of the architectural or historical value of the building but based upon political influences,” Mr. Joshpe said.


The exchange of emails also reveals how heavily involved the administration was in the project’s development. One email shows that Nazli Parvizi, the city’s community affairs commissioner, drafted a letter that Daisy Khan, the wife of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, wrote to the community board. City officials also intervened to help the organizers get permits to conduct prayers at the site. In one email, organizers agreed to help fund a 2009 Ramadan celebration at Gracie Mansion.


Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, said the emails are proof that the mayor’s staff was coordinating with the Islamic center’s leaders.


“They were getting press advice from the mayor’s office, they were editing letters for them,” he said. “They were advising them on the all important landmark issue.”


“They were told what to do in order to get approval and there was never any question of getting approval,” he said. “It was obviously political.

MICHAEL RAMIREZ CARTOON

IBD EDITORIALS

12/26/10

 

Two time Pulitzer Award winner, Michael Ramirez has his finger on the pulse of the American political scene.  The article below tells us why the incoming GOP newly elected officials should not trust the old guard in D.C.  Here Ramirez reaffirms what most of us know.  The GOP in the Senate, is ending the year the way they began it.  They've been all show and no action and once again Barack Obama can smugly go off on his Winter Break considering himself a winner.  Those very same senators who did not support GWB's during his second term because they thought more of their own political careers than they did the American people, are the ones that caved in to Obama in the end.  We hope the people of Maine wake up and rid themselves of those two Democrat wannabes.  Scott Brown has taught us all that he's a lot more liberal than anyone believed, and we are appalled by Joe Lieberman's most recent votes.  Let us hope that the incoming senators and representatives won't roll over for BHO.

From the American Thinker Blog:

              Why we distrust you
                                  by Peter Smith

As Margaret Thatcher reminded us in her eulogy to Ronald Reagan we have Reagan's example to follow and help lead us into the future. As the centennial anniversary of Reagan's birth dawns across America the 112th Congress will begin their first day at work by a full reading of the Constitution of the United States of America.


This will be a bold and long waited for action that should be the first order of business for every newly elected Congress. The Reagan example encourages us to hold true to our firm principles and act upon them. Allies once looked toward America for this firm leadership. America as a great force and spirit historically lifted the world.

This 112th Congress will seek out a new resolve to come together and meet the challenges that face America. New members of Congress must bring forth a Reagan candidness and tough approach toward establishing new relationships. Just as Reagan exclaimed in reaching out to Gorbachev, freshmen members of Congress should greet returning members with "Let me tell you why it is that we distrust you."