On Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended a complete ban on cell phone use by drivers – no texting and no talking on the phone even with hands-free devices. Is this a reasonable response to the growing concern over distracted driving or just the government deciding it knows what’s best for us more than we do? We discuss it with Horace Cooper of the National Center for Public Policy Research.
Three Martini Lunch 12/15/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review cheer Defense Scretary Leon Panetta for being the first Obama administration official to say the Iraq war was not fought in vain. They also pound President Obama for again suggesting he bears no responsibility for the current economy and has made no mistakes in addressing it. And they shake their heads as MSNBC tries to link Mitt Romney to the KKK.
Senate Rejects Budget Amendments
On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate rejected Democratic and Republican versions of a balanced budget amendment. What was the difference between the two proposals? Can there be common ground on this? Would the Senate Republicans support the version of the amendment that failed in the House? We discuss it all with Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who co-authored the GOP amendment. Sen. Lee also weighs in on the latest budget showdown and has some very strong words for opponents of the Keystone Pipeline.
Payrolls and Pipelines
Late Tuesday, the House of Representatives approved a bill to extend payroll tax rates, reform entitlement spending and approve construction of the Keystone Pipeline from Canada that experts say would create tens of thousands of jobs. But Senate Democrats and President Obama say the bill is a non-starter. So what happens now? Where are House Republicans ready to find common ground? And what about the possibility of a government shutdown at the end of the week. We discuss it all with Ohio Rep. Bill Johnson.
UN Pushes New ‘Green Climate Fund’
It’s not a done deal yet, but the United Nations is hoping to institute a ‘Green Climate Fund’ at the upcoming climate change conference in South Africa. What is the point of this fund? Will it be enacted? Who would pay into it? We ask climate expert and author Leighton Steward, who says this effort comes at a time when the evidence of carbon dioxide levels triggering climate change is more flimsy than ever.
Three Martini Lunch 12/14/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are very encouraged by a new Gallup poll showing Americans far more fearful of big government than big business. They’re also disgusted that Wisconsin official won’t void obviously fake signatures in the petition drive to recall Gov. Scott Walker. And they react to Christine O’Donnell’s endorsement of Mitt Romney for the GOP nomination.
Gohmert: Holder Must Resign
Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert says Attorney General Eric Holder has to leave over the ongoing ‘Fast & Furious’ investigation over his refusal to say who is ultimate;y responsible for the program that went fatally wrong. Gohmert explains the issue that requires Holder to step down regardless of what really happened. Gohmert also blasts House Democrats for defending Holder instead of pursuing the truth.
Gohmert: Holder Won’t Follow Laws
On Monday, the Supreme Court announced it will hear arguments on Arizona’s controversial immigration laws. That’s a small win for Arizona, since the Obama administration has won at the lower court levels. Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert explains why he thinks the Arizona laws are more than fair, do not racially profile and are necessary due to the federal government’s inaction. Gohmert also weighs in on Justice Elena Kagan’s decision to recuse herself in this case and wonders why she won’t do the same in the dispute over Obama’s health care law. We discuss it all with Rep. Gohmert.
Iraq Exit Strengthens Iran
Retired Air Force General Tom McInerney says our forces have done an amazing job and won the war in Iraq, but he says the timing of our complete withdrawal is unwise. Why does he say that? Why does he believe President Obama is responsible for the failure to renew a status of forces agreement with Iraq? What good would be accomplished with a couple more years of U.S. troops in Iraq? McInerney also explains why the Iranian custody of an intact drone is an intelligence disaster and how he believes President Obama could have prevented it.
Three Martini Lunch 12/13/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are happy to see swing state voters far less less enamored with Barack Obama than they were in 2008. They also sigh as President Obama fails to declare victory in Iraq and hails the end of the war in a very political way. And they enjoy the latest insanity from DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who claims unemployment has not gone up under President Obama.