WISCONSIN: Average Teachers Receive $56,500 Salary Plus $43,505 in Benefits…Paid by Taxpayers

UNIONS VS. TAXPAYERS: Unionized Public Employees are Addicted to Taxpayer Money Why must taxpayers have to pay for the superlative pensions and health insurances of government employees? Why must taxpayers have to continue paying for their benefits…for the rest of these public employees’ lives? Taxpayers are forced-financiers but are not allowed at the bargaining table. On top of that, the pension plans encourage these public employees to retire in their 50s. Teachers work on average about 200 days per year. No wonder the Wisconsin teachers are protesting and don’t want to relinquish these great benefits. It’s not about rights. It’s about greed and addiction. Why shouldn’t public employees pay for their own pensions and health care? A great WSJ article by University of Arkansas Economics Professor Robert M. Costrell explains how collective bargaining has made possible for public employees’ benefits to cost nearly as much as a worker’s salary. Here is a summary of that article:
SUMMARY
	• TEACHER AVERAGE SALARY = $100,005 The average Milwaukee public-school teacher receives a total package of $100,005: A salary of $56,500 plus $43,505 in benefits. • BENEFITS TOTAL COST = 74.2% OF THEIR SALARY The public pays 74.2 cents to Milwaukee public-school teachers and other employees for retirement and health benefits for every dollar they receive in salary. (In private firms is 24.3 cents) • UNION GREED IS TAKING US INTO BANKRUPTCY Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal would bring public-employee benefits closer in line with those of workers in the private sector. That is why he needs to restrict collective-bargaining privileges.

PENSIONS
	• SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE The employer cost is 7.65% of wages. (Same as in the private sector.) 7.65% • STATE PENSION With taxpayer money, the district pays the employees’ share as well, for a total of 13%. 13% • TEACHERS’ SUPPLEMENTAL PENSION With taxpayer money, the district contributes an additional 4.2% of teacher salaries to cover this second pension. Teachers contribute nothing. 4.2% • CLASSIFIED PENSION FOR OTHER SCHOOL EMPLOYEES Most other school employees belong to the city’s pension…the district pays the employees’ 5.5% share. 5.5% SUBTOTAL Overall, for teachers and other employees, the district’s contributions for pensions and Social Security total 22.6 cents for each dollar of salary. (In the private industry is 13.4 cents.) 22.6% Minimum

HEALTH INSURANCE
	• HEALTH CARE FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES The school district pays the entire premium for medical and vision benefits, and over half the cost of dental coverage. The district’s contributions for health insurance of active employees total 38.8% of wages. (For private-sector workers nationwide, the average is 10.7%.) 38.8% • HEALTH INSURANCE FOR RETIREES Because the eligibility rules of their pension plans often induce them to retire in their 50s, and Medicare does not kick in until age 65. Milwaukee’s plan covers the entire premium in effect at retirement, and retirees cover only the growth in premiums after they retire. The school district’s retiree health plan has not been prefunded. It has been pay-as-you-go. Retiree health-insurance contributions are estimated at 12.1% of salaries 12.1% SUBTOTAL Overall, the school district’s contributions to health insurance for employees and retirees total about 50.9 cents on top of every dollar paid in wages. 50.9%

TOTAL BENEFITS
	Together with pension and Social Security contributions, plus a few small items, one can see how the total cost of fringe benefits reaches 74.2%. 74.2%
	The showdown in Wisconsin over fringe benefits for public employees boils down to one number: 74.2. That’s how many cents the public pays Milwaukee public-school teachers and other employees for retirement and health benefits for every dollar they receive in salary. (The corresponding rate for employees of private firms is 24.3 cents.) What these numbers ultimately prove is the excessive power of collective bargaining. Under the pressure of local bargaining, the employees’ contribution is often pushed onto the taxpayers. As the costs of pensions and insurance escalate, the governor’s proposal to restrict collective bargaining to salaries—not benefits—seems entirely reasonable.

It is worth reading the entire WSJ article.

RECALL ELECTION: Today Starts Early Voting To Recall Miami-Dade County Mayor Alvarez & Commissioner Seijas (Here: Sample Ballot, Hours, Locations)

YOUR CHANCE TO RECALL TWO ABUSIVE POLITICANS: Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez and Commissioner Natacha Seijas Among their many misdeeds, Mayor Alvarez and Commissioner Seijas hired private investigators to intimidate citizens, misused the taxpayers’ money, voted to raise property taxes while making sure unions and public employees continue receiving great salaries and benefit packages. Remember the list of 3,000 county employees making over $100,000 yearly and some over $200,000? While Miami residents have been negatively impacted by the severe economic recession, high unemployment, and lower property values, Alvarez and the Miami Commissioners kept their great benefits and perks such as the $800 monthly car allowance all paid by the taxpayers. When taxpayers asked them not to raise taxes during a recession, these Miami politicians mocked them. Commissioner Seijas said, “Recall? Bring it on!” Well, here is the recall. Via Miami-Dade County Elections Department: Type: Special Elections (Countywide) Early Voting: 2/28/2011 through 3/13/2011 Election Day: 3/15/2011

● ELECTION QUESTIONS This time the election’s questions are straightforward: Yes means Yes to recall them…to fire them. No means Not to recall them…to keep them. FOR ALL REGISTERED VOTERS: RECALL OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY MAYOR CARLOS ALVAREZ Should Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez be recalled? YES= 10 NO= 11	Alvarez
REGISTERED VOTERS IN DISTRICT 13 ONLY: RECALL OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY DISTRICT 13 COMMISSIONER NATACHA SEIJAS Should Miami-Dade County District 13 Commissioner Natacha Seijas be recalled? YES= 20 NO= 21	Seijas

● SAMPLE BALLOT: Here is the Sample Ballot for the Miami-Dade County Special Election to recall Mayor Alvarez and Commissioner Seijas: Sample ballot (PDF) or click image below:

THREE WAYS TO VOTE: 1) VOTE EARLY: From February 28, 2011 through March 13, 2011. (See locations and hours below) 2) VOTE ON ELECTION DAY: On Election Day (March 15, 2011), you must vote at your assigned voting precinct as listed on your Voter Information Card. 3) VOTE ABSENTEE: Please use this if you indeed cannot go to vote in person. (This method is famous for being vulnerable to fraud.) IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS: Visit or call Miami-Dade Elections Address:2700 NW 87th Avenue, Doral, Florida 33172 Office Hours:Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Phone:305-499-VOTE or (305-499-8683) Website: www.miamidade.gov/elections

● EARLY VOTING HOURS Early Voting From February 28 through March 13, voters can cast their vote at any one of the 20 Early Voting locations listed below during the designated times:

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
	February 28 7:00 am–3:00 pm	March 1 7:00 am–3:00 pm	March 2 7:00 am–3:00 pm	March 3 7:00 am–3:00 pm	March 4 7:00 am–3:00 pm	March 5 9:00 am–1:00 pm	March 6 1:00 pm–5:00 pm
	March 7 11:00 am–7:00 pm	March 8 11:00 am–7:00 pm	March 9 11:00 am–7:00 pm	March 10 11:00 am–7:00 pm	March 11 11:00 am–7:00 pm	March 12 9:00 am–1:00 pm	March 13 1:00 pm–5:00 pm

● EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS Early Voting From February 28 through March 13, voters can cast their vote at any one of the 20 Early Voting locations listed below during the designated times:

Aventura Government Center 19200 W Country Club Drive (2nd Floor Commission Area) City of Miami – City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive (Entrance is located at the northeast side of the building – ADA entrance is through the front door of City Hall) Coral Gables Library 3443 Segovia Street Coral Reef Library 9211 SW 152nd Street Elections Department 2700 NW 87th Avenue Florida City – City Hall 404 West Palm Drive (Commission Chambers) John F. Kennedy Library 190 W 49th Street Kendall Branch Library 9101 SW 97th Avenue Lemon City Library 430 NE 61st Street (Reading Room) Miami Beach City Hall 1700 Convention Center Drive Miami Lakes Public Library 6699 Windmill Gate Road Model City Library (Caleb Center) 2211 NW 54th Street North Dade Regional Library 2455 NW 183rd Street North Miami Public Library 835 NE 132nd Street North Shore Branch Library 7501 Collins Avenue (Program Room) South Dade Regional Library 10750 SW 211th Street Stephen P. Clark Government Center Elections Branch Offi ce 111 NW 1st Street (Lobby) West Dade Regional Library 9445 SW 24th Street West Flagler Branch Library 5050 West Flagler Street West Kendall Regional Library 10201 Hammocks Boulevard

● VOTE ON ELECTION DAY On Election Day (March 15, 2011), you must vote at your assigned voting precinct. Please refer to your Voter Information Card for your precinct number and address.

LIBERAL HATE: Democrat Rep. Capuano to Unions: “Get out on the Streets and get a Little Bloody” (Video)

THE LEFT’S LOVE FOR VIOLENCE AND HATE Democrat Congressman Michael Capuano (D-MA) told union supporters: “Every once in a while you need to get out on the streets and get a little bloody when necessary.”
(Video via The Right Scoop)	The Hill reports: “Sometimes it’s necessary to get out on the streets and “get a little bloody,” a Massachusetts Democrat said Tuesday in reference to labor battles in Wisconsin. [...] Capuano made his remarks before a crowd of union members in Boston, along with other members of the state’s congressional delegation. Massachusetts has an influential union population that could loom large over the 2012 Senate race. Capuano is considering getting in that race to challenge Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) next fall.”
RUSH LIMBAUGH EXPLAINS WHY THE DEMS LOVE THE UNIONS Via RushLimbaugh.com: “Well, things got “a little bloody” in Tucson, as I recall. Things got “a little bloody” in Tucson, Arizona, and the leader of the Democrat Party and the leader of the unions said, “That kind of stuff has to stop!” Now, that happened some weeks ago, and yet weeks later here is a Democrat advocating that the streets get a little bloody because of what’s happening in Wisconsin. Now, ladies and gentlemen, if Obama’s speeches in Tucson don’t change the behavior of Democrats, then who is it that leads that party? Well, let’s see. The unions pay the bills, and they provide the votes. In fact, let me just put this out on the table.	(Video via Fent1231)
Whatever else unions are, it is now clear that they function as a highly effective money laundering machine for the Democrat Party. That’s really what’s going on here. In some cases (the case of the public sector unions, which is now most of them), it’s money sucked of the taxpayers’ pockets and put right into the war chest of the Democrat Party. When you talk about “collectively bargaining” public sector workers — teachers, I don’t care what they are. When you talk about public union members, public sector, collective bargaining, they’re collective bargaining against us, the taxpayers. We are the people. We are the boss. We are paying. The stimulus bill, just to remind you again, the purpose of the stimulus bill was to make sure that the people who end up contributing the largest amounts of money to Obama and the Democrat Party did not lose their jobs. Public sector unions and their dues. So just think of it as a very sophisticated, highly sophisticated money laundering machine. Here you have the stimulus. You can’t just take that money and give it to public sector unions. Well, I take it back. You can’t just take that money and put it in your campaign war chest, but you want it in your campaign war chest. So who did you give it to you? You give it to the unions to launder. Ostensibly, “To keep them employed during the recession.” Yes, and to keep their dues flowing again so the money circuitously ends up in the coffers of Obama and the Democrat Party.”
RELATED - The Left’s Climate of Hate: An illustrated primer, 2000-2010 - Union thuggery - Hate from the Left (Videos)

WISCONSIN: Tea Party Rally to Support Scott Walker Today (2/19/2011) (Photos, Videos)

RALLY IN WISCONSIN ‘I STAND WITH WALKER’ Wisconsin is ground zero in the fight against the public-sector unions that are bankrupting our country.
Tea Party patriots, American Majority, Andrew Breitbart, GatewayPundit, American For Prosperity and others are in Madison today to support Gov. Scott Walker’s budget cuts. Time: Saturday, February 19, 2011, starting at 12:00 noon. Location: Wisconsin State Capitol, South Steps. More information: I Stand with Walker Sign the petitions: Tell Gov. Walker you support his budget cuts, American For Prosperity’s Stand with Walker Photos: Photos Pro-Walker Rally, here, here, and here… (Double-click image to enlarge it)
	REPORTING: Blogs: GatewayPundit is reporting from Madison, Michelle Malkin Livesteaming was via: here. On Twitter: The Right Scoop, DougEricksonWSJ, Michelle Malkin, Vann Schaffner…
Jim Hoft (GatewayPundit) addressing the crowd.	Andrew Breitbart
Joe “The Plumber” Wurzelbacher	Crowd at the “I Stand with Scott Walker” rally in Madison, Wisconsin
Breitbart in Madison: ‘Battle of Our Times’	Herman Cain: Madison is Ground Zero
RELATED - Fake ‘Doctors Notes’ Handed Out In WI (Photos) (Video) - MSNBC Rachel Maddow Exposed for Lying About Wisconsin Having Budget Surplus - Obama admin. behind union protests - Police Detain Union Operative After He Attempts to Disable Tea Party Sound System At Rally (Video) - Leftist Hate at Madison Rally (Photos) - What Big Labor protesters are teaching kids (Photos) - Even Lefty Editorials Excoriate Liberal Behavior in Wisconsin for Epic ‘Hypocrisy’

WISCONSIN: Obama Administration Behind Union Protests

OBAMA BEHIND PROTESTS Obama’s Organizing for America website is helping to organize the “day of rage” protests in Wisconsin: (Screenshot from: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/jessielidbury/gGMblm?override_wrapper_id=Iw3h4&state=WI&source=BOF
OBAMA AGAIN SIDES AGAINST THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER Video Assault on unions? How about plunder and assault on taxpayers? Obama, every American worker makes sacrifices and big contributions. Why should taxpayers have to finance union employees’ great salaries and benefits?
UNIONS LIVING LARGE ON THE BACKS OF TAXPAYERS Government employees in Wisconsin get amazing benefits: “They get a generous defined-benefit pension with minimal contributions on their part. They also only pay 6 percent of the cost of their health-care premiums. Few taxpayers enjoy anything this generous. Government employees get these benefits because of the special privileges government unions enjoy. Government workers in many states — including Wisconsin — must pay union dues or lose their jobs. The state subsidizes their fundraising by using its payroll system to collect these forced dues. This gives the union movement billions of dollars, which it uses to elect favored candidates…” The Brown County Taxpayers Association agree with the Governor Walker’s budget proposal, especially with the provisions “that deal with government employee compensation costs. The time for adjusting government employee pension and health care benefits is long overdue. These benefits grew disproportionate to those received by private sector employees because of the power of public employee unions.”
WHY SHOULDN’T PUBLIC EMPLOYEES PAY 5.8% TOWARDS THEIR PENSIONS AND 12% OF THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE? Governor Scott Walker’s proposal seeks to close the deficit by having public employee contribute 5.8% toward their own pensions and 12.6% of their own health insurance premiums. His budget proposal closes the deficit without raising taxes or firing state employees. Read Governor Walker’s Budget Repair. Details of his budget proposal: Wisconsin is broke. The current budget is already $137 million in the red. The 2011–2013 biennial budget faces a $3.6 billion hole. So Governor Walker has called the legislature into special session and presented them with an emergency budget. His plan closes the deficit without raising taxes. [...] Governor Walker could have raised taxes or fired 6,000 state employees…Walker would prevent government unions from forcing taxpayers to cough up for their gold-plated benefits. Having done that, his budget requires state and local employees to contribute half of the cost of their pension contributions — roughly 6 percent of their salary. He also requires them to pay 12 percent of their health-care premiums. By private-sector standards these are modest changes, but they will help close Wisconsin’s budget gap. Walker’s budget removes the special privileges that give government unions their outsize influence. His plan allows workers to quit their union without losing their job. He requires unions to demonstrate their support through an annual secret-ballot vote. He also ends the unfair taxpayer subsidy to union fundraising: The state and local government would stop collecting union dues with their payroll systems. These measures do not go as far as they could, and Walker exempted the politically popular police and firefighters unions…
TEACHERS USING OUR KIDS FOR THEIR OWN GAIN At the Wisconsin Capitol, students of Madison East High School didn’t even know why their teachers brought them to the union protest against Governor Scott Walker’s budget repair bill. The students were just happy to be out of class:
WHERE IS THE LEFT’S CIVILITY? - Nazi and Hitler signs in Wisconsin protests — Mainstream media silent - Photos from the Wisconsin Hate Rallies (H/t: WZ)
PROTESTERS-FOR-HIRE Illinois Education Assoc. (IEA) sending teachers to protest in Wisconsin (Screenshot form: http://www.ieanea.org/?p=12796#comment-1086)
MORE - Watch Wisconsin, Part I: SEIU, teachers’ unions attempt state hijacking over cuts. - Watch Wisconsin, Part II: Union thugs scream at “Mubarak of the Midwest;” striking teachers tote students to protest. - Watch Wisconsin, Part III: A state government employee speaks; Madison schools, plus 7 other districts shut down a second day; Michael Moore says Wisconsin is the “new Cairo;” Dems boycott legis. debate. - Salary List - Cops Sent Out to Drag Absent Wisconsin Dems Back to Vote on Budget Repair Bill - VIDEO: TEA PARTY MEMBER CHASES WISCONSIN’S MISSING DEMS OUT OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS!

RED-LIGHT CAMERAS Generate Little Revenue for Fort Lauderdale

NO CASH COW AFTER ALL. TIME TO CUT GOV’T SPENDING. Sun Sentinel reports:
	FORT LAUDERDALE — Traffic tickets from red-light cameras may be more work than they’re worth for the city — and officials may have to re-balance the budget because of it. The city expected to nail almost 250 people a day for running red lights and collect $3 million in fines a year. The reality is about 15 drivers a day are being cited. Fort Lauderdale may end up with barely $500,000 in revenue. City commissioners are disturbed that the cameras have not lived up to expectations and are proving to be a time-consuming burden to the Police Department. The expected $3 million in fines helped balance this year’s budget without a tax increase or any employee layoffs, and commissioners want regular updates now to see if they must adjust their spending.
RELATED - Rear-end collisions jump at red-light camera intersections in West Palm Beach - RED LIGHT CAMERAS: Locations, News, Laws, Opponents

EGYPT: CBS News Reporter Lara Logan Raped and Beaten

Updated by FactReal on Feb. 19, 2011
HORRIBLE ATTACK BY THE “PEACEFUL” PROTESTERS IN EGYPT? HotAirPundit has the statement from CBS News:
On Friday, Feb. 11, the day Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stepped down, CBS chief foreign correspondent Lara Logan was covering the jubilation in Tahrir Square for a “60 Minutes” story when she and her team and their security were surrounded by a dangerous element amidst the celebration. It was a mob of more than 200 people whipped into frenzy. In the crush of the mob, she was separated from her crew. She was surrounded and suffered a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating before being saved by a group of women and an estimated 20 Egyptian soldiers. She reconnected with the CBS team, returned to her hotel and returned to the United States on the first flight the next morning. She is currently in the hospital recovering.

According to the NY Post, “Lara Logan was repeatedly sexually assaulted by thugs yelling, “Jew! Jew!” as she covered the chaotic fall of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo’s main square Friday… The TV crew with Logan, who is also the network’s chief foreign correspondent, had its cameras rolling moments before she was dragged off — and caught her on tape looking tense and trying to head away from a crowd of men behind her in Tahrir Square…she was separated from her colleagues and attacked for between 20 to 30 minutes, The Wall Street Journal said…Her injuries were described to The Post as “serious.”" The Post also reports “the day before, Logan had told Esquire.com that Egyptian soldiers hassling her and her crew had accused them of “being Israeli spies.” Logan is not Jewish.”
– Era of Civility? Nir Rosen, journalist and fellow at the NYU Center, uses the occassion to attack Logan - Nir Rosen called Logan a “war-monger” and lamented that she’d likely become a “martyr” for being sexually assaulted - CBS sat on the story to protect the president - CNN altered photo of Lara Logan just before she was attacked Lara Logan just before the assault Photo altered by CNN - The story behind Lara Logan’s attack
RELATED - OBAMA’S CONFLICTING MESSAGES DURING THE 2011 EGYPT UPRISING (Timeline in Videos, Transcripts) - TIME MAGAZINE: Taliban orders to cut off nose of abused Afghan girl (photo) - ISLAM vs. IMMIGRANTS: Saudi Arabian couple hammered 24 nails into Sri Lankan maid - ISLAM, RELIGION OF PEACE? Saudi judge considers paralysis punishment, but Obama…

OBAMA’S CONFLICTING MESSAGES DURING THE 2011 EGYPT UPRISING (Timeline in Videos, Transcripts)

CONTRADICTIONS AND INCONSISTENCIES Obama administration to Egypt: Mubarak is an ally…Mubarak has to transfer power now… Egyptians are determining their future…Mubarak must stay…include opposition groups like the radical Muslim Brotherhood…Mubarak must go yesterday…The Egyptian youth did it!
January 25, 2011, Tuesday: ● Protests begin in Egypt. ● Obama doesn’t mention Egypt in his 2011 State of the Union address (Video). (Transcript: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/01/25/remarks-president-state-union-address) ● Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: “The Egyptian government is stable and is looking for ways to respond to the legitimate needs and interests of the Egyptian people.”
January 26, 2011, Wednesday: ● Egyptian protesters confront police in Egypt (Video). ● Obama fails to mention Egypt during his visit to Orion Energy Systems, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin (Video). (Transcript: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/01/26/remarks-president-economy-manitowoc-wisconsin) ● Obama’s Press Secretary Robert Gibbs: “Egypt Is A Strong Ally.” ● Clinton to Egyptian government: Time for reform. Don’t block peaceful protests or communications: CLINTON: “We believe strongly that the Egyptian government has an important opportunity at this moment in time to implement political, economic and social reforms to respond to the legitimate needs and interests of the Egyptian people. We urge the Egyptian authorities not to prevent peaceful protests or block communications including on social media sites.”
January 27, 2011, Thursday: ● Man shot in Egypt protest (Video). ● Obama: “Egypt’s been an ally of ours on a lot of critical issues” OBAMA: “Let me say, first of all, that Egypt has been an ally of ours on a lot of critical issues. They made peace with Israel. President Mubarak has been very helpful on a range of tough issues in the Middle East.”
● Vice President Joe Biden: Mubarak an ally, not a dictator: BIDEN: “Mubarak has been an ally of ours in a number of things…I would not refer to him as a dictator.” Biden didn’t “see any direct relationship” between the protests in Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen, but he said “it might be argued.” [Video mark 3:10] (Transcript)
January 28, 2011, Friday: ● Gibbs on US aid to Egypt: “We will be reviewing our assistance posture based on events that take place in the coming days.” (Transcript) Officials later say no such review is planned (see February 3, 2011). ● Mubarak offers reforms and fires his cabinet (Video). ● Obama to Mubarak: Take concrete steps and actions that deliver on that promise OBAMA: “When President Mubarak addressed the Egyptian people tonight, he pledged a better democracy and greater economic opportunity. I just spoke to him after his speech. And I told him he has a responsibility to give meaning to those words, to take concrete steps and actions that deliver on that promise.”
January 29, 2011, Saturday: ● Mubarak names new vice president, Omar Suleiman ● Despite Mubarak’s concessions, State Dept. spokesman PJ Crowley via Twitter: “The Egyptian government can’t reshuffle the deck and then stand pat.” The #Egyptian government can't reshuffle the deck and then stand pat. President #Mubarak's words pledging reform must be followed by action.— Philip J. Crowley (@PJCrowley) January 29, 2011 ● Saudi King tells Obama not to humiliate Mubarak. (Full article)
January 30, 2011, Sunday: ● Clinton: “It’s not a question of who retains power. That should not be the issue.” ● Clinton: “We want to see an ORDERLY TRANSITION so that no one fills a void.” So “that there be a well thought-out plan that will bring about a democratic, participatory government.” “It is in the interest of the partnership that the United States has with Egypt so that is what we are attempting to promote and support.”
January 31, 2011, Monday: ● Obama sends Frank Wisner as envoy to urge Mubarak not to run for re-election & to start an “orderly transition” of power. ● Obama admin. open to a role for Muslim Brotherhood in new Egypt government. [Video below, mark 8:20] ● But Gibbs says: US will stay out of Egyptian politics: GIBBS: “It is not up to us to determine when the grievances of the Egyptian people have been met by the Egyptian government [Video mark 0:28] …We’re not picking between those on the street and those in the government.” [1:15] …The United States government does not determine who’s on the ballot [2:58] …That is not for our country or our government to determine [11:39] …So I have not weighed in on anything other than — as we have throughout this process — on the side of the people of Egypt to determine what Egypt looks like in their future. [15:03] (Transcript)
February 1, 2011, Tuesday: ● Obama to Mubarak: Transition must begin NOW. ● But Obama also says: “It is not the role of any other country to determine Egypt’s future leaders. Only the Egyptian people can do that.” OBAMA’S DOUBLE-TALK: With the same breath, Obama tells how he commanded Mubarak: “What I indicated tonight to President Mubarak is my belief that an orderly transition must be meaningful, it must be peaceful, and it must begin now.” Then Obama sides with the protestors and tells them they’ll choose their destinies: “To the people of Egypt, particularly the young people of Egypt. I want to be clear: We hear your voices. I have an unyielding belief that you’ll determine your own destiny.” ● White House to Mubarak: Stay Put…Wait, We Don’t Take Sides…Uh, Hit the Road. ● Democrat Senator John Kerry urges Mubarak to step down. ● Obama’s envoy (Frank Wisner) tells Mubarak his tenure coming to a close. ● Mubarak announces he will not seek re-election after Obama admin. asks him to step aside. ● The State Department issues a mandatory evacuation order for non-emergency government staff. (Transcript: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/02/155762.htm)
February 2, 2011, Wednesday: ● Egyptian gov’t official says Obama’s calls for an “orderly transition” are at odds with his call for an immediate one. The Egyptian government pushes back on “vague” statements from the Obama administration. ● P.J. Crowley says the U.S. isn’t dictating Egypt’s shift from Mubarak’s three decades in power. ● RINO John McCain: It’s Time for Egypt’s Mubarak to Step Down (Fox News Video: Part 1 | Part 2) ● Biden and Clinton made no specific call for Mubarak to resign immediately. ● But Gibbs on the transition says: “Now means yesterday – because when we said now we meant yesterday.” Gibbs also danced around – he would not comment on: –> Whether the U.S. States would rescind aid to Egypt if Mubarak does not follow through. –> Whether the Egyptian government had instigated Wednesday’s violence. –> Whether the administration regards Mubarak as a dictator. [Video mark 14:55]
● Crowley on the Muslim Brotherhood being part of the political process: They are a fact of life in Egypt: REPORTER: Specifically on the Muslim Brotherhood…should they be part of a political process? They obviously have a following in the country. CROWLEY: Well, again, that is up to them. They are a fact of life in Egypt. They are highly organized. And if they choose, and if they choose to participate and respect the democratic process, that is a – those are decisions to be made inside Egypt. The army obviously will play a role in this transition. [Video mark 28:03] (Transcript: http://m.state.gov/md155821.htm) ● London-Based Egyptian Islamist calls to block the Suez Canal and to halt the flow of oil. (Transcript)
February 3, 2011, Thursday: ● Leftist billionaire George Soros on Egypt: Muslim Brotherhood good, Israel bad; here is my money to reform Egypt. ● Crowley on reviewing U.S. aid to Egypt: “There’s no review ongoing at this time.” (Transcript: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2011/02/155950.htm) ● Clinton condemns attacks on reporters; wants immediate negotiation on “orderly transition”: CLINTON: “We condemn in the strongest terms attacks on reporters… I urge the government…to begin immediately serious negotiations on a peaceful and orderly transition.” [Video mark 2:09] (Transcript: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/02/155958.htm) ● Democrat Senator Kerry to Mubarak: Start transition immediately…in coordination with opposition leaders. Democrat Senators John Kerry, Klobuchar, Cardin, Nelson (D-FL), Durbin, Levin and RINOs McCain and Graham sponsor Resolution 44 (S.RES.44), agreed to by voice vote, urging Mubarak to transfer power to an inclusive caretaker gov’t. ● Obama team in talks for Mubarak’s immediate resignation…and to invite opposition, including the Muslim Brotherhood ● Mubarak to ABC: If I Resign Today There Will Be Chaos; Obama doesn’t understand the Egyptian culture. ● Marxist Left allies with Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Middle East. ● Spy services warned Obama administration about unfolding crisis in Egypt in late 2010…Did nothing: Legislators wanted to know “when did the intelligence community first alert the president?” CIA top official, Stephanie O’Sullivan, replied, “We have warned of instability…end of the last year.” [Video] (Transcript: http://www.dni.gov/testimonies/20110203_testimony_osullivan.pdf) ● US response to Egypt draws criticism.
February 4, 2011, Friday: ● Report: “U.S. and Egyptian officials discussed Mubarak’s immediate resignation in favor of VP Suleiman.” ● Obama contradictions: Egyptians will determine their future…but transition process must begin NOW.” OBAMA’S CONTRADICTION: “The future of Egypt will be determined by its people. It’s also clear that there needs to be a transition process that begins NOW.“ [Video mark 5:11] “And my hope is, is that he [Mubarak] will end up making the right decision.” [19:53] (Transcript) ● Iranian leader Ali Khamenei calls upon Egyptian Army to join masses in ousting Mubarak (Video) . ● Ayatollah Khamenei calls for islamic regime in Egypt. ● “Day of Departure” protests fail…Mubarak says he will stay on.
February 5, 2011, Saturday: ● Obama’s mixed messages on Egypt get worse. ● Obama’s envoy Frank Wisner: Mubarak must stay for now: WISNER, OBAMA’S ENVOY: “The President [Mubarak] must stay in office in order to steer those changes through. I, therefore, believe that President Mubarak’s continued leadership is critical.”
● Clinton backs gradual transition in Egypt:: CLINTON on transition process led by Suleiman: [T]hat takes some time. I mean there are certain things that have to be done in order to prepare…And at this point, where President Mubarak has announced he will not stand for reelection, nor will his son, where he has given a clear message to his government to lead and support this process of transition, where there is a beginning discussion…about constitutional reform, about setting up and legitimizing these peaceful political parties that do not intend to exercise coercion or use violence to achieve their end, that is what the government has said it is trying to do. That is what we are supporting, and hope to see it move as orderly but as expeditiously as possible… [Video] (Transcript: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/02/156045.htm) ● Obama administration distances itself from Frank Wisner saying Wisner spoke in a private capacity, although he is Obama’s own envoy to Egypt.
February 6, 2011, Sunday: ● Clinton walks Wisner out onto the plank, but agrees that an “orderly transition” will take some time. Clinton: “We respect the many years of service that Frank Wisner has given to our country but he does not speak for the American government. He does not reflect our policies.” (Transcript: http://m.state.gov/md156051.htm) ● Clinton refutes Obama – says Mubarak may need to stay on. ● Clinton on Mubarak’s latest concessions: “Those are significant actions…I think they have to be viewed as a very important set of steps being taken to keep the movement going in the direction that we seek.”
● Obama continues contradicting himself and his team:: OBAMA’S CONTRADICTIONS: –>“The U.S. can’t forcefully dictate, but what we can do is say the time is NOW for you to start making a change in your country.” ->”Egypt is not going to go back to what it was.” ->“Only he [Mubarak] knows what he’s going to do.” -> Amazingly, Obama downplayed the prospects that the Muslim Brotherhood would take a major role in a new government: “I think that the Muslim Brotherhood is one faction in Egypt…They don’t have majority support…There are strains of their ideology that are anti-U.S.” ● Clinton on the Muslim Brotherhood: “I am not going to be pre-judging who should participate in their political process…What we want is to see an inclusive process.” (Transcript: http://m.state.gov/md156051.htm) ● The Muslim Brotherhood promotes jihad as the personal duty of every Muslim man and woman: MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD’S FORMER LEADER, MAHDI AKEF: “Allah commanded us to wage Jihad. Jihad is a personal duty incumbent upon every Muslim man and woman…” ● The Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s largest opposition group, supports “Islamist groups such as the Palestinian Hamas movement, which is on the U.S. terrorist list.” ● Peaceful? Pro-Egypt rallies in NY and Canada turn into pro-Hamas, Jew-hate fests. ● Muslim Brotherhood says it started talks with new Egyptian VP Omar Suleiman to press their demands.
February 7, 2011, Monday: ● A confident Obama says: “Egypt has to negotiate a path and they’re making progress”. ● Gibbs agrees with Mubarak now: More time and deliberate approach are needed for a transition. ● Crowley doubtful: Egyptians have doubts about the process; the negotiations are not broad-based enough. (Transcript: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2011/02/156137.htm) ● Gibbs dithers on the Muslim Brotherhood: REPORTER: [W]ould the White House be comfortable with the Muslim Brotherhood playing a significant role in Egypt? GIBBS: Again, obviously, we — as I said, we have significant disagreements with — with — we have not been in contact with the Muslim Brotherhood. But, again, we don’t — the United States doesn’t pick leaders of other countries. REPORTER: Right. I’m not talking about picking them, but would you be comfortable if they became — took on a leadership role? GIBBS: Look, we have said in other countries in the world that becoming part of — you have responsibilities if you become part of the government to adhere to the agreements that that government has laid out, to adhere to the rule of law and to the constitution and to adhere to non-violence. So, obviously, we have — we have many disagreements with the rhetoric of some of the leaders in that — in that organization. [Video mark 18:40]
February 8, 2011, Tuesday: ● Obama’s White House scrambles to regain message on Egypt ● GIBBS: “Less important is what we think and more important is what the people of Egypt think.” but then he calls for “immediate” and “irreversible” transfer of power. (Transcript: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/02/08/press-briefing-press-secretary-robert-gibbs-282011) ● Gibbs also labels as “particularly unhelpful” Suleiman’s comments to ABC that Egypt lacks the necessary “culture of democracy” for the changes demanded by protesters. ● Biden presses VP Suleiman for an orderly transition of power that is “prompt, meaningful, peaceful and legitimate.” (Transcript: http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2011/February/20110208154756su0.6855433.html) ● Biden prods Egypt to bring in the opposition during the transition and to immediately end emergency law. ● Biden’s push for “meaningful negotiations” contradicts the demands of protesters who say no real progress can happen unless Mubarak resigns. ● Egyptian military oppressing journalists. ● U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates praises the conduct of Egypt’s military and “they have done everything that we have indicated we would hope that they would do.” (Transcript: http://www.defense.gov/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4766) ● The praise for the military by Obama administration…appeared designed to buttress U.S. ties with a power broker whose role is expected to be key to whatever political order emerges in Egypt.
February 9, 2011, Wednesday: ● Egyptian Foreign Minister: U.S. Is Trying to Impose Its Own Will: EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER Ahmed Aboul Gheit: “Because when you speak about prompt, immediate, now, as if you are imposing on — on a great country like Egypt, a great friend that have always maintained the best of relationship with the United States, you are imposing your will on him. Egypt and the president of Egypt, the government of Egypt have already started. And the Egyptian president laid down a road map and allowed or asked the vice president to engage in discussions on the road map with the different opposition groups.” (Transcript: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/jan-june11/egypt1_02-09.html) ● Obama administration abandons support for VP Suleiman’s transition process and escalates demands for “real, concrete” moves to speed the transition. Gibbs added: “I think if Vice President Suleiman continues to pepper his statements with — as he had two days…that we’re not ready to move toward democracy, not going to see anything change — it is clear, as the President has said, that Egypt is not going back to where it was. Nobody believes that. And unless or until the government broadens the negotiations with those in the opposition, unless or until that happens, the pressure for them to do so is only going to get greater.” (Transcript: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/02/09/press-briefing-press-secretary-robert-gibbs-292011) ● Irritated White House: Minimum threshold of reforms unmet by Egypt. ● Saudi Arabia also irritated with the “inconsistent messages from American politicians since the crisis in Egypt.” ● Obama regime claims they haven’t been sending out mixed signals on Egypt.
February 10, 2011, Thursday: ● Director of National Intelligence James Clapper: Muslim Brotherhood “largely secular… has eschewed violence”: CLAPPER: “The term ‘Muslim Brotherhood’…is an umbrella term for a variety of movements, in the case of Egypt, a very heterogeneous group, largely secular, which has eschewed violence and has decried Al Qaeda as a perversion of Islam. ● But former Muslim Brotherhood leader: Jihad is the way. Their national goal: Islamic world domination. ● Entire MSM covers up for Clapper (and Obama), doesn’t report Muslim Brotherhood “secular” comments .
● Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg says US will ensure Israel security: STEINBERG: “One constant in a changing region is our unwavering support for Israel’s security.” [Video mark 2:20] (Testimony at hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee)
● CIA director Leon Panetta fuels a news frenzy: Strong likelihood Mubarak will step down this evening ● Later Panetta says he had no CIA intelligence that Mubarak was stepping down – Panetta was echoing press reports. ● Obama contradictions: Obama demands more from Egypt leaders, but says Egyptian people determining their future. (Transcript: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/02/10/statement-president-barack-obama-egypt) ● Obama unsure: “We’re going to have to wait and see what’s going on.” ● Gibbs surprised: “We’re watching a very fluid situation…What we are looking for remains unchanged.” The president and his staff are watching developments from a conference room aboard Air Force One while en route to Michigan. ● Mubarak announces he will not step down
February 11, 2011, Friday: ● Egyptian VP Suleiman announces Mubarak steps down. ● VP Joe Biden reacts in self-delusion: U.S. spoke with “one voice” about Egypt’s transition. ● Biden: “We have said from the beginning…that the future of Egypt will be determined by the Egyptian people.” He calls the change of power a “pivotal” moment in Egypt’s history and says the transition must be one of irreversible change. Change? Change for the better or for the worst?