This 4th of July Gas Prices Climb to the Highest in 6 Years Since 2008

Thanks Barack, as Americans are squeezed at the pump this 4th of July.

The current national average price of gas is 23 cents per gallon more expensive than it was on the Fourth of July last year, the highest since 2008. Can no one see the parallel and irony that on this 4th of July gas prices will be at a six year high due dependence on foreign oil and the turmoil and unrest in the Middle East and American Independence Day? When will the United States begin an energy policy in this country of  “energy” independence, instead of a war on oil, coal and any other form of energy that the Obama administration does not deem “green”?

Gas prices are expected to be at the highest level in six years for the Fourth of July holiday. Yes, the gas prices are set to raise on national independence day.

Regular gasoline peaked at a national average of $3.98 a gallon in early May. The current national average price of gas is 23 cents per gallon more expensive than it was on the Fourth of July last year. The highest was seen in 2008. The highest record was $4.11 a gallon in 2008.

“We’re going to see the highest July 4th prices since 2008, and we probably wouldn’t have, if it weren’t for Iraq,” said Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at GasBuddy.com. “I certainly would not rule out if something happens near Basra or south of Baghdad, we would see national prices make a pass at $4…but I just don’t see a fuel apocalypse in North America this year.”

“Although gas prices in the Southeast remained relatively stable from last week, it wouldn’t be surprising to see gas prices inch up slightly before the holiday weekend,” said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman with The Auto Club Group. “Even though pump prices are higher than they were this time last year, they are not expected to deter holiday travelers.”

Gas prices used to depreciate in the upcoming weeks of the holiday in previous years, but that’s not the case this summer.

AAA Travel reports the statewide average price of gas is $3.71 for a gallon of regular unleaded. It was $3.48 last year on the Fourth.

Texas EquuSearch Sues FAA in Federal Court Challenge Agency’s Order to Stop Using Drones in Searching for Missing Persons

Since when is a non-profit considered commercial use?

Texas Equusearch has sued the Federal Aviation Administration in federal court to challenge the FAA’s order to stop using unmanned drones in the search for missing persons. Texas Equusearch,  a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been tirelessly been searching for missing persons for years and been using unmanned planes, drones, if you will since 2006. So once again we have federal government interference in the search for missing loved ones. I am sure this is what our Founding Father’s had in mind. Sorry, but I happen to think there is a huge difference between a non-profit organization searching for missing persons as compared to Amazon delivering packages.

Click HERE or on pic to watch VIDEO – pic screen grab from Houston Chronicle video

A Texas group sued the Federal Aviation Administration in federal court to challenge the agency’s order to stop using drones in the group’s searches for missing people, the latest round in an intensifying battle over regulation of the sector.

Search-and-rescue organization Texas EquuSearch, which has used unmanned aircraft to help search for missing people since 2006, asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to set aside the FAA’s order to halt its use of drones. The group argued in a five-page petition filed on Monday that the FAA’s order has no legal basis and “is unlawful, arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion and not otherwise in accordance with law.”

The FAA said it is reviewing the suit. The agency suggested in an email that Texas EquuSearch could work with public entities that hold FAA authorizations to use drones, such as some police departments, and obtain emergency authorizations to conduct its searches.

The FAA has effectively banned the commercial use of unmanned aircraft in the continental U.S. It says the limit is needed to protect air safety, at least until the agency sets full rules for the devices—now expected by late 2015 at the earliest.

Is the federal government more concerned with its overreaching authority or helping the families of missing loved ones?

Tim Miller, founder and director of EquuSearch, said the Feb. 21 Federal Aviation Administration order prohibiting the operation of four drones has meant the nonprofit organization has not used them in three active searches for missing people in Katy, Louisiana and Oklahoma.

Miller said the 4-foot-long drones have led to the discovery of 11 missing individuals and allow searchers to view large stretches of wooded areas, fenced property and bodies of water.

“I was hoping we’d get a response from them that was more positive and we didn’t have to go to this extreme,” Miller said of the FAA. “It’s time-consuming for us, and God only knows what the outcome is going to be.”

Brendan Schulman, a New York attorney representing Texas EquuSearch, said the lawsuit seeks to confirm the rights of nonprofits to use civilian drone technology for the nation’s benefit.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) Wins CPAC Presidential Straw Poll in a Landslide … 2nd Sen. Ted Cuz (TX), 3rd Ben Carson

Look for Democrats and their liberal MSM minions to go after the rising new anti-establishment star of the Conservative movement, Rand Paul.

Rand Paul wins the presidential straw poll at CPAC going away. Paul received 31% of the vote, while his fellow anti-establishment Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz finished in second place with 11%.  Neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who came to prominence when he let America and Barack Obama know what he felt about Obamacare at the 2013 National Prayers Breakfast, finished third with 9%. Paul is a very dangerous and formidable opponent for Democrats as he energizes the GOP base and brings in the young and libertarian vote.

Rand Paul handily won the presidential straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference Saturday, one gauge of the Republican base’s mood less than two years before the 2016 primary season kicks off.

The Kentucky senator received 31 percent, far ahead of second place Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who received 11 percent. Neurosurgeon Ben Carson finished third with 9 percent, ahead of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who received 8 percent.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum tied for fifth place, with 7 percent.

Um, Chris Christie who? The Republican that the media just drools over, including Fox News, finished distant 4th.

1. Sen. Rand Paul – KY (31%) – Although I do not agree with all of his policies, Paul is a Conservative and breath of fresh air from the power-elite GOP establishment.
2. Sen. Ted Cruz – TX (11%) – A Conservative rock star, who if he can run, would make a great President and follow the US Constitution.
3. Neurosurgeon Ben Carson (9%) – From out of nowhere Carson has taken the Conservatives by storm. I would vote for Ben in a heartbeat.
4. Gov. Chris Cristie – NJ (8%) – RINO has no chance of winning GOP primary if Republicans ever want to be anything more than Democrat-light.
5. Gov. Scott Walker – WI (7%) – A solid GOP governor who will one day be a president.
6. Former Sen Rick Santorum – PA (7%)
7. Sen. Marco Rubio – FL (6%) – His stance on immigration amnesty has made Rubio toast with the base.
8. Rep. Paul Ryan – WI (3%) – The base not enamored with establishment Republican and 2012 VP nominee.
9. Gov. Rick Perry – TX (3%) – His performance in the 2012 GOP primaries may be too much to overcome.

Four others pulled 2%: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Rand Paul energizes the faithful at 2014 CPAC.

The Hill:

While other addresses at this year’s CPAC focused on specific policies and red-meat issues like gay marriage and ObamaCare, Paul spoke in broad metaphorical terms of the need to “stand together for liberty.”

“It isn’t good enough to pick the lesser of two evils,” he said. “We must elect men of principle and conviction and action who will lead us back to greatness. There is a great and tumultuous battle underway, not for the future of the Republican Party, but for the future of the country.”

Paul framed the libertarian-ideas that have gained prominence within the party in recent years in historical terms, positioning his values as descending from the nation’s Founding Fathers. Paul name-dropped foundational American thinkers ranging from Daniel Webster to John Adams, James Madison to Montesquieu, but also quoted Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters.

One of his biggest applause lines seemed specifically geared toward the digital generation that has special resonance in the wake of the ongoing debate over privacy and NSA surveillance.

“I believe what you do on your cellphone is none of their damn business,” he said, to extended cheers from the crowd.

Rand Paul released the following statement touting his win:

“The fight for liberty continues, and we must continue to stand up and say: We’re free and no one, no matter how well-intentioned, will take our freedoms from us,” he said. “Together we will stand up for the Constitution. Together we will fight for what is right. Thank you, and onwards to victory.

Fox News Poll: Barack Obama Hits All-Time Low Job Approval at 38%, 54% Disapprove … Only 33% Believe Obama has Improved America’s Image around the World

Barack Obama’s 38% job approval is well deserved, he did it the old-fashioned way … HE EARNED IT!!!

Can you say ‘EPIC FAILURE’ and it would appear the American people may finally be fed up with Obama’s disastrous presidency. According to the most recent Fox News poll, President Barack Obama has hit an all-time low in his job approval, as an anemic 38% approve of the job he is doing while a whopping 54% disapprove. But wait, a look inside the numbers and the news gets even worse for Obama and Democrats. Obama’s numbers on healthcare, the economy and foreign policy are abysmal.

Just how many Democrats are going to want this president near him during the 2014 elections?

For the first time in a Fox News poll, fewer than four voters in ten — 38 percent — approve of President Obama’s job performance. Fifty-four percent disapprove. Before now Obama’s worst job rating was 40-55 percent in November 2013. Last month 42 percent approved and 53 percent disapproved (February 2014).

Approval of Obama among Democrats stands at 71 percent, near its 69 percent record low (September 2013). For independents, 28 percent approve, which is also near the 25 percent all-time low among this group (July 2013). And approval of Obama among Republicans hits a new low of five percent.

Full poll results can be read HERE.

Most all of Obama’s poll numbers are now in the 30′s. Across the board whether it be domestic or foreign policy, Obama has failed. Now we can only hope America can survive another 3 years with this president.

• Healthcare:  36% Approve -  59% Disapprove
• Economy: 36% Approve -  58% Disapprove
• Foreign Policy: 33% Approve – 56% Disapprove
• Do you think the country is better off than it was five years ago, or not?  34% Yes -  60% No – 5% the Same

Wait, let’s try to find some good news for Obama and his lockstep Democrats in their poll. Oh sorry, there is none. On items that Americans were asked as to whether Barack Obama mostly succeeded or Mostly failed, Obama got an “F”. What happened to that president who said that he would make America respected once again in the world?

• Making the country safer: 41% Mostly Succeeded – 48% Mostly Failed (In Oct. 2012 Obama’s poll numbers were  52% – 38%)
• Improving health care: 36% Mostly Succeeded – 57% Mostly Failed
• Creating new jobs: 33% Mostly Succeeded – 59% Mostly Failed
• Improving America’s image around the world:  33% Mostly Succeeded – 59% Mostly Failed

Real Clear Politics Barack Obama average job approval polling.

FCC Cancels Media Survey Amid Allegations of Trying to Regulate The News and Trample First Amendment Freedom of the Press Rights

Hero of the Week …  whistler-blower FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai.

The FCC blinked and has canceled the media survey and plans to evaluate the coverage of media outlets in the Obama’s administration to attempt to violate the First Amendment and Freedom of the Press. As stated at the Washington Examiner, the First Amendment says “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press …”  However, under the Obama administration, the Federal Communications Commission was planning to send government contractors into the nation’s newsrooms to determine whether journalists are producing articles, television reports, Internet content, and commentary that meets the public’s “critical information needs.”  As per The Obama Administration, of course.  The very agency that controls the licensing for the media was now going to inspect them for content and whether they were telling the correct stories. UNREAL.  The now canceled study was known at the FCC as “the CIN Study” was never put to an FCC vote, it was just announced. Imagine that. Why does this reek of IRS-gate? Or AP-gate? But in an act of conscience and bravery, FCC commissioner Ajit Pai came forward and brought the story to the public’s attention in a Wall Street Journal column last week.

First FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai brings the scheme to light and the FCC removed some of the controversial questions

The Federal Communications Commission cancelled a plan to evaluate the coverage of major media outlets Friday after a tidal wave of media criticism alleged the agency was attempting to influence and regulate the news media industry.

“In the course of FCC review and public comment, concerns were raised that some of the questions may not have been appropriate,” the agency said in a statement Friday. “Chairman Wheeler agreed that survey questions in the study directed toward media outlet managers, news directors, and reporters overstepped the bounds of what is required.”

However, despite the fact that the FCC had to pull the plug on this survey because of the negative attention and anti-First Amendment look of this attempt by the government to regulate the media, FCC Chair Wheeler said that it was not an attempt to do so. Sure it wasn’t, so then why cancel the study … hmm? Who backs of an attempt to limit the media unless you were caught red-handed? But instead, they continue to dent what their real intentions were. America needs to wake up … the Obama administration is as lawless as it gets.

Despite a response letter from FCC Chair Tom Wheeler saying the study was not an attempt to force news organizations into changing their coverage, the agency conceded the battle and Wheeler called for the removal of the questions entirely.

“Any suggestion that the FCC intends to regulate the speech of news media or plans to put monitors in America’s newsrooms is false,” the statement said. “The FCC looks forward to fulfilling its obligation to Congress to report on barriers to entry into the communications marketplace, and is currently revising its proposed study to achieve that goal.”

UPDATE I:  FCC Commissioner Blows Whistle on Agency’s Media Study and goes ‘On the Record’

Click here to watch VIDEO – screen grab from Fox News, ‘On the Record’

FOX NATION:

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS HOST: Does President Obama really think no one at FOX will see a government spy in our newsroom? Tonight, an FCC commissioner goes ON THE RECORD and blows the whistle on a plan to install spies in newsroom. They call it something else, like a monitor. But no one is that stupid. We know what they are trying to do.

The FCC commissioner who blew the whistle is here to go ON THE RECORD. Commissioner Ajit Pai joins us.

Nice to see you, sir.

AJIT PAI, FCC COMMISSIONER: Thanks for having me.

VAN SUSTEREN: So your op-ed blew the whistle on this. What is it the FCC wants to do and why you wrote your op-ed?

PAI: The FCC is proposing to do what it is calling a Critical Information Needs, or CIN, study. They will send researchers into newsrooms across the country, television and broadcast and newspapers, to try to figure out why they cover the stories they do. They have identified eight categories of news they think news people should be covering. Some of the questions they ask were highly technical. They are asking reporters, for example, have you ever wanted to cover a story and were told you can’t do so. As I looked into the study design, I got concerned about what it implicated for our First Amendment values. That’s why I wrote it in the “Wall Street Journal.”

VAN SUSTEREN: What’s been the response by the other members of the FCC?

PAI: I haven’t talked to all my colleagues, but I am pleased to report, tonight, the chairman of the FCC, Tom Wheeler, instructed the contractor, who will be doing the study, to remove questions from the study relating to news philosophy and editorial judgment. That’s a positive step but the devil is in the details when it comes to the actual study as implemented