Obama wants to repeal law that authorized war on terror
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President Obama drew sharp criticism from Republican senators Thursday for urging the repeal of the 2001 law that effectively authorized the war on terror. The president addressed the law, known as the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), toward the end of an hour-long speech largely devoted to explaining and defending his administration's lethal drone program. He even referenced the fact that America is at war in defending the legality of the drone strikes. But Obama made clear that his ultimate goal is to update, and then repeal, the use of force law, saying he wants to fight terrorism without keeping the country on a "perpetual war-time footing."
" The Afghan War is coming to an end. Core Al Qaeda is a shell of its former self," Obama said. "Unless we discipline our thinking our definitions, our actions, we may be drawn into more wars we don't need to fight, or continue to grant presidents unbound powers more suited for traditional armed conflicts between nation states,” said President Obama. "Our systematic effort to dismantle terrorist organizations must continue. But this war, like all wars, must end.” Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called the president’s mindset "really incredible." "I believe we are still in a long drawn-out conflict with Al Qaeda. To somehow argue that Al Qaeda is ... on the run, comes from a degree of unreality that to me is really incredible," said McCain, saying the terror network is "expanding" across the Middle East. "To somehow think that we can bring the authorization of the use of military force to a complete closure contradicts reality of the facts on the ground," he said.
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| Fox News: Republicans criticize Obama over call for repeal of 2001 use of force law
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You choose Ralph's top story for the day. Tell Ralph what you want him to talk about by casting your vote for a story below.
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Holder personally approved Rosen search
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Attorney General Eric Holder personally signed off on a controversial search warrant that identified Fox News reporter James Rosen as a “possible co-conspirator” in violations of the Espionage Act and authorized seizure of his private emails, NBC News reported Thursday. A law enforcement official told NBC News that Holder's approval of the Rosen search, in the spring of 2010, came after senior Justice officials concluded there was "probable cause" that Rosen's communications with his source, identified as intelligence analyst Stephen Kim, met the legal burden for such searches. "It was approved at the highest levels-- and I mean the highest," said the law enforcement official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said that explicitly included Holder. In an affidavit in support of a search warrant for Rosen's emails, an FBI agent wrote that the Fox News journalist -- identified only as "the Reporter" -- had "asked, solicited and encouraged Mr. Kim to disclose sensitive United States internal documents and intelligence information." "The Reporter did so by employing flattery and playing to Mr. Kim's vanity and ego,” it continued. “Much like an intelligence officer would run a clandestine intelligence source, the Reporter instructed Mr. Kim on a covert communications plan.”
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| NBC: Holder OK'd search warrant for Fox News reporter's private emails, official says
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Obama asks justice deparment to 'review guidlines' for seizing journalists records
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Facing mounting criticism from the press, President Obama said Thursday that the administration would be reviewing its guidelines for seizing reporters records. Obama said he's "troubled" by the developments involving the AP and Fox News’ correspondent James Roland, and that journalists should not be "at legal risk" for doing their jobs, once again, addressing the controversy as if he’s a non-participating third party. Obama said Attorney General Eric Holder has agreed to review the department's "guidelines governing investigations that involve reporters" and report back by July 12. He said Holder, who "shares" his concerns, will convene a group of media organizations to hear their concerns. Federal prosecutors claimed Fox News correspondent James Rosen was a likely criminal "co-conspirator" as part of their case against an alleged leaker of sensitive material. They never charged Rosen, but used the claim to obtain access to his emails and phone records, and records of his visits to the State Department.
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| Fox News: Obama orders Justice Department review after Fox News, AP phone records seized
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IRS official refuses to resign
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The IRS official at the center of the tax agency scandal, is refusing to resign, according to a top Republican senator. Sources confirm that Lois Lerner, the head of the IRS division that oversaw the unit targeting conservative groups, had been placed on administrative leave, with pay. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, claimed she was only put in that status after refusing to step down.
He said the commissioner was in his right to demand her resignation, and said taxpayers should not continue to pay her salary indefinitely. It's unclear whether Republicans will succeed in trying to recall her before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Chairma Darrell Issa said through an aide Thursday that her Fifth Amendment assertion is "no longer valid," since she delivered remarks at the start of Wednesday's hearing. Separately, Tea Party-related groups who claim they were targeted by the tax agency have started filing lawsuits this week against the IRS. In some cases they are asking for the IRS to admit wrongdoing. In others, they are seeking monetary claims.
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| Fox News: IRS official on leave refused to resign, says GOP senator
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IRS scandal has roots in 2008 campaign
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Kimberly Strassel writes in today’s Wall Street Journal that Preisident Obama’s heavy-handed tactics against conservative groups began in 2008, when the general counsel for his campaign wrote letters to the Justice Department and the Federal Elections Commission, trying to get them to clamp down on a group that ran ads highlighting his ties with Bill Ayers. Attorney Bob Bauer later became general council to the White House. Strassel writes “The Bauer onslaught was a big part of a new liberal strategy to thwart the rise of conservative groups.” She adds, “As general counsel to the Obama re-election campaign, Mr. Bauer used the same tactics on pro-Romney groups. The Obama campaign targeted private citizens who had donated to Romney groups. Democratic senators demanded that the IRS investigate these organizations. None of this proves that Mr. Obama was involved in the IRS targeting of conservative nonprofits. But it does help explain how we got an environment in which the IRS thought this was acceptable.”
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| Wall Street Journal: Strassel: Conservatives Became Targets in 2008
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Obama wants to repeal law that authorized war on terror
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President Obama drew sharp criticism from Republican senators Thursday for urging the repeal of the 2001 law that effectively authorized the war on terror. The president addressed the law, known as the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), toward the end of an hour-long speech largely devoted to explaining and defending his administration's lethal drone program. He even referenced the fact that America is at war in defending the legality of the drone strikes. But Obama made clear that his ultimate goal is to update, and then repeal, the use of force law, saying he wants to fight terrorism without keeping the country on a "perpetual war-time footing."
" The Afghan War is coming to an end. Core Al Qaeda is a shell of its former self," Obama said. "Unless we discipline our thinking our definitions, our actions, we may be drawn into more wars we don't need to fight, or continue to grant presidents unbound powers more suited for traditional armed conflicts between nation states,” said President Obama. "Our systematic effort to dismantle terrorist organizations must continue. But this war, like all wars, must end.” Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called the president’s mindset "really incredible." "I believe we are still in a long drawn-out conflict with Al Qaeda. To somehow argue that Al Qaeda is ... on the run, comes from a degree of unreality that to me is really incredible," said McCain, saying the terror network is "expanding" across the Middle East. "To somehow think that we can bring the authorization of the use of military force to a complete closure contradicts reality of the facts on the ground," he said.
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| Fox News: Republicans criticize Obama over call for repeal of 2001 use of force law
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Senate rejects bid to turn food stamps over to states
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The Senate on Wednesday rejected a Republican bid to turn the federal food stamp program over to the states. The food stamp program is rund by the Agriculture Department and federal dollars are unlimited as long as recipients qualify. A proposal by Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., to a wide-ranging farm bill would have converted the program into grants to states, which could decide how to use the money, with certain restrictions. The Senate rejected the amendment 60-36. The Senate adopted a separate amendment by voice vote that would prevent convicted murderers, rapists and pedophiles from receiving food stamps for life. Though no senators objected to the amendment, offered by David Vitter, R-La., the liberal-leaning think tank Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said it could have "strongly racially discriminatory effects." The Senate farm bill would cut projected 10-year spending on the food stamp program by $400 million a year, or about half of 1 percent. The Senate on Tuesday rejected a Republican amendment to increase that cut and a Democratic amendment to decrease the cut. The House version of the farm bill would cut $2 billion a year, or a little more than 3 percent, from the program which cost $78 billion last year, more than double the price in 2008, which was double the 2000 price. The chamber rejected another amendment Thursday 54-45 that would have scaled back a Depression-era sugar program that supports prices and protects growers from foreign competition. The Senate is expected to consider several more amendments to the farm bill this week, including cuts to government-subsidized crop insurance. The House Agriculture Committee approved its version of the farm bill last week and the full House is expected to vote on the bill this summer.
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| Fox News: Proposal to let states control food stamp program rejected by Senate
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Boy Scouts approve gay members, not leaders
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The Boy Scouts of America threw open its ranks Thursday to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders -- a fiercely contested compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors. Of the roughly 1,400 voting members of the BSA's National Council who cast ballots, 61 percent supported the proposal drafted by the governing Executive Committee. The policy change takes effect Jan. 1. The outcome will not end the debate over the Scouts' membership policy. Liberal Scout leaders have made clear they still want the ban on gay adults lifted as well. In contrast, conservatives -- including some churches that sponsor Scout units -- threatening to defect if the ban were lifted. There are some 2.6 million boys in Boy Scout programs, including about 38,000 in Middle Tennessee. Of the more than 100,000 Scouting units in the U.S., 70 percent are chartered by religious institutions.
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| Fox News: Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay members
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New homes hit record high, builders cap supply
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Home buyers are paying more than ever for newly built homes, the Commerce Department reported Thursday, as U.S. home builders continue pushing up prices and limiting the number of properties hitting the market. The median price of a new home hit $271,600 in April, while the average new-home price reached $330,800, both record highs. Thursday's new-home sales report showed that builders were on pace in April to sell 454,000 homes this year, up 29% compared to the same month last year. Some building-company executives and market experts say that sales aren't as strong as they could be because some builders are deliberately holding back sales as a way to control supply and maximize prices. In a May 13 client report, housing-research firm Zelman & Associates noted that 60% of builders questioned in a recent survey said they had intentionally slowed sales pace in at least one community in April. Builders are focusing on pricing over volume in part because costs for land, labor and materials like lumber, concrete and drywall boards are rising. There’s also a shortage of builder-ready lots because the companies that install sidewalks, pipes and other infrastructure were largely dormant for most of the downturn, and the price of the lots is also rising.
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| Wall Street Journal: New Homes Hit Record as Builders Cap Supply
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House passes student loan bill over Dems objections
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President Obama is promising to veto the Republican version of a student loan bill, passed Thursday in the House on a party-line vote. The bill would stop an automatic doubling in student loan rates set to go into effect July 1. Instead, the measure would tie the student loan interest rate to 10-year Treasury notes, a move that would raise the rate less than 2 percentage points this year instead of doubling them. Last year, Congress extended the lower rates currently in effect by a year. Democrats are pushing for another two-year extension. Democrats say that while the legislation looks good as Treasury notes remain low, in the long run the rates will skyrocket as the economy improves.
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| Politico: John Boehner defends college loan bill
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Ralph Rant: Get to the 'top' of this
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May 22, 2013 - To preserve the Republic, Republicans in Congress cannot stop until they get, not "to the bottom of this," but "to the top of this."
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ABC Analyst: IRS decision goes close to Obama
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May 21, 2013 - ABC political analyst Trey Hardin talks about his blunt assestment of the origin of the IRS scandal. “I can say with a very strong degree of certainty that people very close to the president not only knew but authorized that,” said Hardin, and much more.
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Ralph's Steeplechase experience - part one
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May 13, 2013 - Here's the first of my two-part report on my first Steeplechase experience, and what may be the best steeplechase rase in the nation.
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Ralph's Steeplechase experience - part two
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May 13, 2013 - This report includes interviews with the track announcer, the veteranarian, a horse owner and the man in charge of logistics for the race.
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Opponents rise against BRT
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May 15, 2013 - In this premeditated Ralph Rant, I break the news of a new group that has formed to oppose Nashvill'e planned Bus Rapid Transit on West End Ave.
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Rick Williams, BRT opponent, speaks out
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May 15, 2013 - Rick Williams is a member of the steering committee for TNResponsibleTransit, the group opposing the planned Nashville Bus Rapid Transit on West End Avenue. You can reach him at TNResponsibleTransit@gmail.com. This is the group's debut media interview - in its new campaign to stop BRT.
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Tennessee Tea Party leaders respond to IRS scandal
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May 13, 2013 - Ben Cunningham, founder of the Nashville Tea Party and Mark West, President of the Chattanooga Tea Party, respond to the IG report that busts the IRS for targeting Tea Party Groups for harassment in 2011, prior to the 2012 election.
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Legislative Townhall Meeting in Franklin - part 1
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April 27, 2013 - First half of the state legislative townhall meeting in Franklin with the Williamson County delegation - Sen. Jack Johnson, Rep. Charles Sargent, Rep. Glen Casada and Rep. Jeremy Durham.
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Legislative townhall meeting in Franklin - part 2
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April 27, 2013 - Second half of the legislative townhall meeting in Franklin, covering the 2013 legislative session with Sen. Jack Johnson, Rep. Charles Sargent, Rep. Glen Casada and Rep. Jeremy Durham.
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Sen. Rand Paul on guns, immigration, taxes
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April 18, 2013 - U.S. Sen. Rand Paul discusses the failed gun bill, the immigration reform bill ahead, and the right strategy on taxes.
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Leahy launches 'The Real Conservative National Committee'
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April 4, 2014 - Author, Breitbart correspondent and tea party activist Michal Patrick Leahy discusses a new organization formed to improve the ground game needed to help elect more conserative candidates to Congress, starting in 2014 with the GOP primary for U.S. Senate
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Corker sees positive signs in Obama outreach
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March 6, 2013 - Sen. Bob Corker discusses spending reforms on which Republicans and Obama might agree, and should, he says, be working on. Corker is one of a handful of Republicans to which the president has reached out with phone calls and dinner meetings to try to seek common ground on fiscal reforms.
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Ralph Rant - Woodward v. Obama
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March 4, 2013 - Anatomy of the sequester - the closing arguments in Woodward v. Obama.
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WEB EXCLUSIVE: EEOC Commissioner slams new guideline on criminal BG checks
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Feb. 23, 2012 - An EEOC commissioner levels damning charges against her fellow commissioners' action to issue updated guidelines that pose the threat of lawsuits against private businesses that conduct criminal background checks on employee prospects - even if state law demands it. This is a major challenge to the 10th Amendment by a seemingly rogue group of federal regulators.
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Duet: Fudge and Obama
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Jan. 22. 2013 - Enjoy (and share) this short montage featuring Rep. Marcia Fudge, the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus and President Barack Obama. Fudge was participating in a Washington University Panel discussion and Obama is delivering his 2nd inaugural address.
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Analysis: Obama's 2nd inaurugal
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Jan. 22, 2013 - Here's my analysis of President Obama's 2nd inaugural address. George Washington, he ain't. High marks for the poetry - the "music" if you will, but the message, the "lyrics" didn't match the music.
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PARODY ALERT - The future of Day to Pray
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Jan 17, 2013 - The inventor of the time machine offered me a ride to the future. I chose Jan. 17, 2060 to see what kind of world my grandchildren would be living in when they're my age. Please don't tell Mike Huckabee what I found.
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Sen. Jack Johnson suggests local control of wine in grocery stores
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Jan. 15, 2013 - Among other things, Sen. Jack Johnson of Franklin discusses a new wrinkle in the wine in grocery store debate. He also reacts to the news that a $125 million state investment in a solar company is in jeopardy.
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Rep. Carr announces 10th amendment caucus
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Jan. 15,2013 - Rep. Joe Carr discusses the 2nd amendment debate through a 10th amendment prism and announcec the formation of a 10th Amendment Caucus.
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Age highlights economic freedom
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Jan 12, 2013 - Things start happening to people in their late 50s and early 60s that are fairly remarkable. This premeditated Ralph Rant just might be the prologue to my (eventual) audio book.
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Sen. Jack Johnson opposes open meetings move
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Jan. 9, 2013 - State Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Williamson Co.) calls "foul" on a Democrat colleague over the question of the General Assembly exception to the Open Meetings law.
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Rep. Joe Carr opposes bill sponsor limit
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Jan. 9, 2013 - Rep. Joe Carr (R-Rutherford Co.) explains his opposition to the proposed 15-bill sponsor limit for House members.
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Attorney Ross Booher argues case for Charter School "state authorizer"
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Jan. 7, 2013 - Ross Booher, the attorney for a charter school who battled the Metro Nashville School Board, makes the case that the state would make a more objective judge of charter school applications.
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Bonfire anyone?
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Jan. 7, 2013 - In this premeditated Ralph Rant, I invite Tea Party groups to join me at a bonfire April 15th. Let's all pour some fuel on to the grassroots fire it will take to eliminate the corruption in the federal income tax system. Symbolically burn your own rewards to let Congress know we want them to eliminate deductions and credits - and lower rates accordingly.
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School Security Roundbatle
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Dec. 20, 2012 - This is the "raw" tape of the roundtable we broadcast in seven parts on Nashville's Morning News. (It's 38 minutes long, so it will take a while to load)
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Tennessee to consider Texas 'armed teacher' plan
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Dec. 18, 2012 - Rep. Joe Carr of Lascassas says he will pursue a plan in the next session of the general assembly to allow local school district to train and arm teachers if they so choose. Texas already does this, and at least one Texas district is taking advantage of the local control.
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New monster a 'committee' production
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Dec. 18, 2012 - There is a growing population of a new menace walking among us, and he may be a unique product of the "village" it supposedly takes to raise our children.
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Parents, wake up! Your children are killing your children
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Dec. 17, 2012 - The Connecticut massacre of first-graders turned up the spotlight on a relatively new menace unleashed on society, and regardless of who or what created it, only parents can stop it.
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Johson warns: Medicaid is going to expand
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Dec. 13, 2013 - State Sen. Jack Johnson warns Medicaid is going to expand in Tennessee, through the "woodwork effect" when Obamacare chases reluctanct people (alaready qualified) into the program - regardless of whether Gov. Haslam accepts the expansion of Medicaid prescribed by Obamacare. I sneak in some analysis of the legislature's posture on the issue.
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Sen. Jack Johnson opposes, but holds out final judgment on Medicaid expansion
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Dec. 12, 2012 - State Sen. Jack Johnson has all the reasons - including one no one else has discussed before - to turn down President Obama's "offer" to expand Medicaid, but he's leaving his powder dry in respect for Gov. Haslam's perceived predicament on the issue.
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Tennessee needs 10th Amendment Caucus
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Dec. 5, 2012 - Ralph challenges State Rep. Joe Carr to instigate a 10th Amendment Caucus in the legislature.
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Ralph Rant: Bipartisan gang attacks producers
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Dec. 14th, 2012 - This fiscal cliff negotiation may be the second worst performance in modern Republican history.
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Ralph Rant: Corker crowned King of means testing
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Nov. 30, 2012 - The headline pretty much speaks for itself.
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Medicaid expansion more than budget issue
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Nov. 1, 2012 - I respectfully disagree with Gov. Bill Haslam that the decision whether Tennessee should accept the expansion of Medicaid prescribed in Obamacare is "largely a budget issue."
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Alexander on coal regs - Round 2 |
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June 14, 2012 - Sen. Alexander returns to respond to some of the reaction to his stand on new coal plant regulations.
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Alexander defends coal regulations, says he will run again |
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June 13, 2012 - Sen. Lamar Alexander defends his stand in favor of new coal plant regulations - explains why he belives Medicaid is to blame for higher college tuition - and says he intends to run for reelection in 2014.
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Exclusive: The first hand account of "The Last Man to Die" |
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May 11, 2012 - A 92-year-old Cookeville, TN WWII veteran solves a 67-year secret behind one of the most famous WWII photographs.
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Click here to see view the albums in Ralph's photo gallery.
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 Ralph Bristol is a 30-year veteran of radio and TV broadcasting. He is a US Air Force veteran and holds a BS degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Ralph was a radio and TV reporter, anchor and news director in Missouri and Illinois before joining WORD Radio in Greenville/Spartanburg, SC in 1995.
In the spring of 2007, Supertalk 99.7 WWTN beckoned Ralph to Nashville. Ralph defies political labels, and has no partisan loyalties, but can best be described as a libertarian/conservative. Ralph writes and speaks extensively on education, tax and economic issues. In his spare time, Ralph terrorizes golf courses, invents useful things with sharp tools and dead wood, and entertains audiences with irreverent humor and contrarian insight. Invite him to speak to your group at your own risk. |
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