NM Governor Bill Richardson Drops Bid to Be Obama’s Commerce Secretary

Obama Drama: The Chosen One’s choice for commerce secretary withdraws …

Here is an eye opener and some real Obama Drama, there is trouble in Obamalot … New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has withdrawn his name as President-elect Barack Obama’s nominee for commerce secretary. Michelle Malkin appropriately puts it, “Adios! Bill Richardson.” The reason given by Richardson cited a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state. Blagogate is beginning to look common place for Democratic Governors these days.

A federal grand jury is investigating how a California company that contributed to Richardson’s political activities won a lucrative New Mexico state contract.

A federal grand jury is investigating whether a California firm, CDR Financial Products, won a lucrative contract from the state of New Mexico after it contributed at least $110,000 to three political committees formed by Richardson

Adios Amigos … Grand Jury Investigation halts Richardson Commerce Secretary Bid

NBC news quoted a statement by Richardson as saying he withdrew due to a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state.

Richardson said on the NBC news website that he had done nothing wrong but he said the ongoing investigation would have caused a long delay in the confirmation process.

As Hot Air has stated, Barack Obama’s transition to President has been shakey. It did not take long for Obama’s first brush with scandal in his Administration. As a matter of fact it happened even before his oath of office. Not a good omen.

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Israel Troop Begin Ground Assault in Gaza … Scared Monkeys Radio to Interview Walid Shoebat Tonight at 9

It was only a matter of time that the ground attach would commence. After a week of air strikes, Israel moved into Gaza after dark tonight, as Israeli officials promised a “lengthy operation:” The ground assault has begun. Ynet reports, IDF artillery targets Gaza.

Do not miss the Dana Pretzer Show tonight at 9 pm ET as he will be interviewing Wailid Shoebat on Scared Monkeys radio.

Driven by a deep passion to heal his own soul, and to bring the truth about the Jews and Israel to the world, Walid shed his former life and his work as a software engineer and set out to tirelessly bring the cause of Israel to tens of thousands of people throughout the world: churches and synagogues, civic groups, government leaders and media.

Israeli forces bisect Gaza, surround biggest city

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Israeli ground troops and tanks cut swaths through the Gaza Strip early Sunday, cutting the coastal territory into two and surrounding its biggest city as the new phase of a devastating offensive against Hamas militants gained momentum.

The military used overwhelming firepower from tanks, artillery and aircraft to protect the advancing soldiers, and Gaza officials said at least 31 civilians were killed in the onslaught. The military said troops killed several dozen militants, but Gaza officials could confirm only four dead — in part because rescue teams could not reach the battle zones.

As reported at The Jawa Report, Arabs demanded UN Call for an Immediate Ceasefire, and US blocked the resolution. (Video)

Overview And Map Of Israeli Ground Operation from Mere Rhetoric

Read the many other bloggers following the actions in the Middle East:

• Wake Up America: EU President Czech Republic: Israeli ground incursion defensive, not offensive action
• The Gateway Pundit: Israeli Jets Pound Gaza– Over 170 Dead (Video) …Update: Hamas Commanders Eliminated
• Hugh Hewitt: The Civil War Inside The War In Gaza
• The Astute Blogger: GAZA GROUND OP ROUND UP
• Live Blogging the events at Israelly Cool and at Muquata

UPDATE I: Dutch Parliant Member In Anti-Israel Protest shouting “Intifada, Intifada Against Israel” from the Jawa Report.

 It shows Dutch Parliament member Harry van Bommel (socialist) calling for Intifada against Israel.

Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State and Past Donors … Conflict of Interest, Quid Pro Quo … Developer Robert J. Congel?

Every one wants to focus on Blago-gate and the “pay for Senate seat” scandal that has rocked Democrat Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his brazen attempt at profiteering. The quid pro quo that is being alleged and has now created impeachment proceedings against the Illinois governor. The question that really needs to be answered is if these types of dealings are commonplace and Blagojevich just got caught.

Politics dealings in states and at the federal level seem to be a cross between the “cockroach theory” and the principle of “pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered.”

This leads us to Hillary Clinton and the recent disclosures of the donors to the Clinton Library. What about Hillary Clinton and her what all but seems to be quid pro quo donations for favoritism? An upstate New York developer, Robert J. Congel, donated $100,000 to President Bill Clinton’s foundation shortly after Senator Hillary Clinton helped secure a provision in a highway bill that set aside $5 million for Destiny USA roadway construction.

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Heather Locklear Gets 3 Years Probation in DUI case … Would You Have been Afforded the Plea?

Heather Locklear has received a slap on the wrist and 3 years probation for her DUI case. Conveniently, Locklear evaded DUI charges by pleading no contest to a lesser charge of misdemeanor reckless driving charge. The Santa Barbara Deputy District Attorney Lee Carter called it “wet reckless” and said that she was treated the same as anybody else in a similar situation.”

I might have to disagree on that one. Who else thinks that if they were in the same situation that they would have been able to plea down to a lesser charge if they were John Q. Public? Illegal drugs or prescription drugs makes no matter. Abuse is abuse and one would then ask how she was able to get such a quantity of legal drugs  to abuse?

Locklear was given three years of informal probation, will pay a fine and attend a driver’s education program, said Lee Carter, Santa Barbara senior deputy district attorney.

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John Travolta’s Son, Jett Travolta, Dies in the Bahamas

There is sad and tragic news out of the Bahamas. The son of John Travolta, 16 year old Jett Travolta has passed away while on vacation in the Bahamas. According to reports from TMZ,  Jett suffered a seizure and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Jett Travolta, 16, suffered a seizure at his family’s vacation home at the Old Bahama Bay Hotel on Grand Bahama Island, attorney Michael Ossi said.

Attempts were made to revive him, but he died at the scene, Ossi said.

Jett, who had a history of seizures, was the eldest child of Travolta and his wife, actress Kelly Preston.

Report: John Travolta’s Son Dies

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