Sebelius to Give Obamacare Testimony - Local Lawyer Helps Prep

HHS Secretary Sebelius applauds launch of HealthCare.gov

PPPS (Littleton)—Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, has finally agreed to testify before Congress regarding the less-than-perfect launch of HealthCare.gov, the web site for people to sign up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a Obamacare).

Secretary Sebelius, was unable to attend Congressional hearings this week, due to her  busy schedule of banquets, late-night TV program interviews, Planned Parenthood speaking engagements, and audiences with petitioners seeking waivers.

The Secretary will testify in a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Committee next Wednesday.

Our own PPPS staff attorney Pleader Pete, author of the best-selling legal tome, The Art of Testimony, has been asked  by Secretary Sebelius to assist her in preparing for the hearing.

PPPS was able to interview Pleader Pete as he was getting ready to drive to Norton, Kansas where he will supervise the construction of a mock Congressional hearing room at a secret farm location overlooking Sebelius Lake. Pete will then meet with Secretary Sebelius and her closest aids for an  intensive weekend of testimony prep.

Here is our exclusive interview: 

PPPS: What advice do you plan to give to the Secretary?

Pleader Pete: Well, as an attorney, my first advice to her will be to just tell the truth. But within the definition of truth, there is of course a great deal of latitude, as any lawyer or politician is fully aware. I've actually been able to stretch the definition of truth to three full chapters in my book The Art of Testimony.

Did I mention that the book is for sale on Amazon or at my web site, PleaderPete.com? That's P-L-E-A-D-E-R  P-E-T-E, one word, DOT COM.

PPPS: Very clever of you to get that book plug in. But, I'm sure our readers already know that any attorney would advise their client to tell the truth. Can you share any more specific advice you may have for the Secretary regarding her Obamacare testimony?

Pleader Pete: Yes, I will advise her to Just Follow the Chart.

And by chart I mean the diagram of the various components of the Affordable Care Act carefully prepared by Congressional Republicans. Charts and diagrams can be excellent aids to testimony, particularly when you can effectively use one prepared by your enemies, those rascally Republicans.

PPPS: Can you describe the nature of this chart for our readers? And perhaps how the Secretary might use it?

Pleader Pete: Yes, of course. In fact, I have a copy of the chart right here.

(click to enlarge)

As you can see, the chart provides some clarity regarding the various components of the Affordable Care Act, and yet, at the same time, is also a bit confusing. I will instruct the Secretary on how to use the chart to her advantage, sometimes to clarify, and at other times to obfuscate, depending on the nature of the question from the committee.

And of course, by providing this diagram to the Secretary to study over the weekend, it will afford her an opportunity, perhaps for the first time, to learn what was really contained in the 2,400 page bill. It will certainly provide that "first time" opportunity for  the Democratic committee members who voted for the law.

PPPS: I notice that there is a very large circle in the middle of the chart marked Secretary, with lines connecting the circle to nearly every other chart component. Will that have any bearing on the Secretary's testimony? It almost looks like the flow of every piece of data and every decision goes through that circle.

Pleader Pete: You're very clever to notice that. In fact, you've hit upon the most critical piece in the Secretary's testimony, and the main reason I've been hired to prep her.

You see, the Republican members of the committee will have noticed that as well. My sources tell me that they are preparing questions referring to that circle and those lines as the Center of Authority and the Lines of Responsibility, and that they may even demand the Secretary's resignation.

But I have a plan for the Secretary, through her testimony, to turn that strategy right on its head. When she is done, that circle and those lines will be known as the Circle of Least Responsibility and Lines Delegating Authority.

Of course, that last bit of strategy is strictly off-the-record. Client privilege and all.

PPPS: Of course, I understand. Why look, my recorder was turned off the whole time.

Do you have any other advise for the Secretary, say if, for instance, the atmosphere becomes a little heated, or the questions a bit too personal?

Pleader Pete: Well, my final advise will be this: "Never, ever, under any circumstances, reveal the address for any personal or unofficial alias email account that you might maintain. If pressed on this issue, first emphasize that you can't remember such details, and then, if necessary, liberally cite the first and fifth amendments."

Not that there are any such email accounts, of course.

PPPS: Of course.

Thus ended the interview.

Related Stories:
A great article about why Secretary Sebelious should NOT be fired.
Don't Fire Secretary Sebelius! — Charlotte Hays, Independent Women's Forum & Townhall.com

Don't Fire Secretary Sebelius!

Don't Fire Secretary Sebelius!

End of the Obama Shutdown - A Citizen's Reflection and Plan of Action

PPPS (Littleton)—As America celebrates the end of the government shutdown today, and life in Washington, DC resumes to its normal level of unabated deficit spending and blissful ignorance of the suffering of American citizens, we received this interesting email submission from one of our loyal readers, one Citizen Pete. 

We think that Pete offers an interesting perspective on the settlement reached to restart the government, and also an interesting plan to repeal Obamacare, despite the clear victory by the President in defeating the Republican efforts to hamper that important legislation, now clearly entrenched as the "Law of the Land".

Here is Citizen Pete's submission:

Reflections on the Obama Shutdown and a Plan for Action by Citizen Pete

Now that President Obama's Shutdown of the government is over, and the GOP has apparently caved once again, I thought I would offer up my own reflections on the recent battles in Washington, DC, from the perspective of a citizen engaged in efforts to save our great republic, and hopefully to offer a plausible plan to still achieve defeat of that worst of legislative monstrosities inflicted upon American citizens, Obamacare.

My Thoughts
This was only one great battle in a long war to save our nation. 

In this battle, thanks to the efforts of many Patriotic citizens and a few good legislators, and despite the efforts of many in the media to prevent it, millions of our fellow Americans learned first-hand the truth about President "No Negotiation" Obama, the "civil" rhetoric of Democrats, and that "harmless" little law they call Obamacare. 

This was a good thing.

And in this battle, We learned much about the nature of leadership, and who our true leaders are, the ones willing to stand up with courage on our behalf. 

We the People need to stand behind those leaders.

And for those others, well, we need to remind them of just one thing .....

  

A Song

As I was thinking about the shutdown battle, one song kept repeating in my head, a song of We the People Power and Patriotism. I soon found myself standing up straight and proudly singing the words "We Ain't Goin' Away".  

I first heard that song, sung by a Patriot named Bruce Bellot, at a small gathering of Tea Partiers in Washington, DC on September 12, 2010. 

As I continued to struggle with the events of the last few weeks, the direction our nation seems headed, the impending doom of Obamacare, the words of Bruce's song filled me with courage and hope. 

A plan of action began to form.

But first, before I outline my plan, I ask all Patriots to stand with Bruce and I and sing We Ain't Goin' Away. 
Here we go, altogether now, two, three, four, ....

Now, For That Plan of Action
It goes like this:

What if you, one person, went to the nearest office for your Congressional Representative or Senator........and walked in, sat down, and began singing We Ain’t Goin’ Away ........why, they’d think you were crazy, and might offer you a free White House Tour Pass, to get you to leave.

What if two people, walked in, sat down, and began singing We Ain’t Goin’ Away ..... they might think you were citizen journalists, secretly making a video, and threaten to have you arrested.

If three people....that’s right....three people walked in, sat down, and began singing We Ain’t Goin’ Away ....in three-part harmony.....why, they might think you were friends of Senator Ted Cruz, and proceed to call you all sorts of mean, nasty, horrible things right there on the reception area citizen’s bench, and then ask you politely to leave.

And if a busload of people..... just one busload of people, some of them in wheel chairs and carrying American flags.....rolled in, lined up, and began singing We Ain’t Goin’ Away.......they might think you were veterans, and have to start erecting barricades.

And if dozens of people.....dozens and dozens of ordinary Americans....every day, walked in, sat down, and began singing We Ain’t Goin’ Away......they might think you were part of a dangerous movement, and the Department of Homeland Security would have to issue a memo about you.

But what if……I mean…..what if…..hundreds of people……at Congressional and Senate offices all around the country……hundreds of people, all with same-colored t-shirts and carrying colored, glossy, pre-printed signs……I mean…..what if, all these people showed up, and began chanting all sorts of mean, nasty, horrible things, and then sang We Ain’t Goin’ Away……..why, they might think you were a union, and that they’d better do somethin’ pretty damned quick to get rid of Obamacare.

Well, that's it. Pretty simple, huh?  
If properly executed, the plan should bring about the complete repeal of Obamacare.

NOW GO OUT AND DO IT!

Citizen Offers Obamacare Amendment to Resolve Government Shutdown Crisis

PPPS (Washington)—All of Washington, DC is awaiting finalization of a citizen proposal to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which both pundits and legislators on both sides of the aisle or touting as a potential solution to the current government shutdown crisis.

The amendment, tentatively titled the Honoring the President's Promises Amendment, is being written by Citizen Pete, of Littleton, Colorado, with assistance from our own PPPS staff attorney, Pleader Pete. Apparently, some details in the amendment are still being finalized, and Citizen Pete is currently seeking a member of the House of Representatives to sponsor the bill.

PPPS has obtained a copy of the title page for the bill, which given the provisions outlined in table of contents, is likely to receive strong bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress and at the White House. We will update this story when a copy of the full amendment is available.

A Letter From a Passenger on the Ship of State

PPPS (adrift at sea)—Today we received a letter from a new reader, one Passenger Pete, who claims to be aboard the metaphorical Ship of State.  Pete apparently posted his letter on Facebook. He has included one comment to his post, and his response, both of which we found interesting. In the interest of protecting personal identities, we have listed Passenger Pete's comments as PP and his commenting Facebook friend as FF.

****************************************

PP -   

Fellow Passengers: 

NOW is the time to Right the Ship of State, which is listing so far to the Left as to be in imminent danger of capsizing.

In order to save ourselves, we must immediately throw overboard the largest burden of dead weight, Obamacare.

Then we must seize the rudder of government and set a new course with the Constitution as our compass.

—Passenger Pete, September, 2013

****************************************

FF - 

The fact that I disagree with you does not make me wrong or you right. It does mean that open debate is the foundation upon which our democracy rests. Open contentious "war in Washington" is not. Peace and Blessings to all.

****************************************

PP -

I love that you are my friend and that we can debate issues from time to time. I think that open, honest debate is wonderful, and that there should be more of it - for instance in the U.S. Senate right now regarding the merits of Obamacare. 

But I disagree a bit that a contentious "war on Washington" is not necessary. 

You see, because I have been involved in the peaceful protests and lawful campaign activities of the Tea Party movement, and in doing so, have many times disagreed with the policies of the President and the majority party in Washington (and at times the leadership in the minority party as well), I have been labeled a racist, a mobster, an anarchist, a terrorist, a fraud, an extortionist, an extremist, a child hater, a grandmother killer, and a teabagger (to name just a few) by our leaders in Washington, DC. 

Not a single one of those labels is even remotely true of me or anyone else I know of who is involved in the Tea Party movement. 

So forgive me, if at times, I speak using words or metaphors which might elicit an image of a "war on Washington".

Frankly, it feels as though "Washington is at war with the citizens", certainly the ones, like me, who wish to reign in a bit of the overreach of power, out-of-control spending, and assault on freedoms that is the daily regimen in DC.

And if I go too far at times, please understand my frustration, and then let me know gently, as you have. God bless you my friend.

Message on the Bridge - Defund Obamacare

PPPS (Littleton, CO)—We received this picture today from Citizen Pete, spokesman for the Bridge to Nowhere Tea Party. It had been our understanding that the Tea Party movement had completely disappeared after the last election, but apparently there are some who are still active.

Photo credit: Citizen Pete    (click to enlarge)

The bridge message, which reads END THE MADNESS....TELL SENATORS TO DEFUND OBAMACARE, is a little puzzling, as our leaders in Washington, DC have recently declared the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare) to be the "law of the land'.

We have assigned our Health Issues Investigator, Proctologist Pete, to probe into the matter.

Check back for updates.

Interview With Debbie Coakley of Revolution Radio at Conservative Gathering

Debbie Coakley of Revolution Radio (PPPS photo)

PPPS (Orlando)—As part of our ongoing investigation of conservative groups, we sent our crack team of reporters to the RightOnline Conference and the Defending the American Dream Summit held simultaneously in Orlando, Florida.

Pigment-Challenged Pete was able to interview one of the black conservatives in attendance, Debbie Coakley, who was there with Revolution Radio. When not on remote,  Revolution Radio is hosted by Vince Coakley at a studio in Charlette, North Carolina. Pete found Debbie to be a most interesting promoter of freedom and a color-blind society, consistent with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Dream.

Here is a link to the Interview with Debbie Coakley on YouTube.

Related Links: 
Revolution Radio with Vince Coakley
Defending the American Dream Summit
RightOnline
Debbie is sporting a fashionable button from American Conservatives of Color. 

New ATF Director Sworn In - Country Now Safe From Guns

New ATF Director B. Todd Jones

PPPS (Washington) Vice President Joe Biden, a noted firearms expert, yesterday directed the swearing in of B. Todd Jones as permanent director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobaco and Firearms and Exposives (ATF). The new appointment comes as the ATF is implementing a new restriction on the re-importation of surplus military firearms.

The ATF has been struggling for the past two years due to the absence of a permanent director and a series of congressional investigations into the Fast and Furious gunrunning scandal.

Under the leadership of a new director, Vice President Biden indicated that "We are finally putting ATF back in business." Under the new restrictions, any intercepted firearms will be given directly to Mexican drug cartels, thus "avoiding the middleman" as Biden described the process in an off-the-record comment.

Attorney General Eric Holder, who also attended the swearing in ceremony, did not comment.

Ted Cruz - Western Conservative Summit 27 Jul 2013

What's Happening at the Western Conservative Summit in Denver

PPPS (Denver) - Conservatives from around the western U.S. have gathered in Denver this weekend for great food, great speeches and networking gone wild! The Pundit Pete Press Service is there to gather intel on the conservative movement.


You can watch a live feed from the conference here.

We'll be interviewing some of the speakers and some of the participants throughout the conference, so keep checking back for updates.

Saturday, July 27th

The morning session began with KT McFarland who is hopefull about America's future, provided we can turn back the disastrous policies of the current administration.

Guy Benson, John Andrews and Michael Barone participated on a panel discussing the question "Who owns the future?" Mary Katherine Ham also participated on a live feed from her home because she is soon to give birth to her first child. All were very impressive. However, given the disastrous deficit spending of our federal government, I think that the question should have been rephrased to: "Who owes the future?"

Victor Davis Hanson discussed "The Moral Bankruptcy of Liberalism". Unfortunately, we had assigned Progressive Pete to cover that speech. We found him later, in the bar, wracked with guilt and unable to file a story.

Great people and organizations we've met today.

K. Carl Smith of the Frederick Douglas Republicans gave a great talk about how to thwart the race card and win over liberals of all persuasions and ethnic backgrounds by explaining the conservative principles of that great American and former slave.

Our "man on the street" reporter, Pedestrian Pete interviewed Tom Intorcio of Patirot Voices about that organization's grassroots efforts to promote conservative values and economic freedom and opportunity. 

Friday, July 26th

Friday's sessions got off to a slow start because a previous conference group at the Hyatt Regency Hotel went over on their time. But all was forgotten when keynote speaker Governor Scott Walker took the podium. He was followed by Mayor Mia Love from Utah, and up and coming young conservative star to watch. Our own PPPS reporter, Political-Beat Pete was able to ask her a question after her speech.

Western Conservative Summit to Include Many Top Conservative Speakers Next Week

PPPS (Denver)—Rising conservative stars Senator Ted Cruz and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker are among the speakers at the fourth annual Western Conservative Summit to be held in Denver, July 26 - 28, 2013.

Sponsored by the Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University and Tea Party Patriots, the annual conference is becoming the "super bowl" of conservative events for the Rocky Mountain Region and draws participants from many states.

The conference includes speeches and panel discussions from many leading national and local conservatives, as well as more intimate Citizen Action Workshops on a number of topics.

Scheduled Speakers will include several conservative and Tea Party favorites, such as:

Mia Love, Mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah

• Senator Ted Cruz, Texas
• Governor Scott Walker, Wisconsin
• Rep. Allen West, Florida
• Mayor Mia Love, Utah
• Jenny Beth Martin, Tea Party Patriots

We are encouraging all conservatives and Tea Party activists within the sound of this blog to consider attending the Summit. Tickets may be purchased here (the price goes up at the end of Friday, July 19).

Look for live blog posts and twitter updates from the PPPS staff during the Summit.

Pedestrian Pete w/ Jesse Waters

If you come, you may get a chance to meet: Political Beat Pete, who recently caused a stir in the White House Press Room; Citizen Caryn, co-founder of the Bridge to Nowhere Tea Party; Pedestrian Pete, who will be conducting interviews of some of the attendees; or even Pundit Pete himself, who is rumored to be attending.

Pundit Pete Solves Global Warming Controversy

PPPS (Littleton)—Now that President Obama has solved the problems in our economy, is creating numerous new part time jobs, is carefully managing the volatile situation in Egypt, and has resolved all of the scandals affecting his administration, he has appropriately turned his focus to solving the one remaining issue that threatens mankind - Global Warming.

At the Pundit Pete Press Service, we are happy to announce that, based upon a new study recently published by Professor Lu at Waterloo University in Canada, and certain lifestyle changes made by our own leader, Pundit Pete, Global Warming is no longer a threat to the planet. Thankfully, the President can set that issue aside and focus on planning his next vacation.

Here is the article which will allay the President's fears and those of our readers:

Global Warming Caused by CFCs, Not Carbon Dioxide

And, we are proud to document Pundit Pete's contribution to solving the problem and saving mankind (women too).

A Call to All Patriots, Inspired by the People of Egypt

PPPS (Littleton)—On rare occasions, our CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Pundit Pete, offers up his opinion. This is one of those times, on the day that our nation celebrates our independence.

A Call to All Patriots - Inspired by the People of Egypt

On this July Fourth, when our nation celebrates its great beginning, I cannot help but look to current world events with recognition of some irony.

On this day, our own Republic is in peril as our freedoms are slowly eroded; liberty is taken from us bit by bit in ways hardly noticed by a complacent populace. Yet, today we celebrate our independence from a tyrannical government and the nation that was built from the declaration of that independence.

Across the ocean is a land where freedom has been a foreign concept since the time of the ancient rulers called pharoahs. In Egypt, the people have risen up and thrown off their old yoke of tyranny. Today they celebrate, having declared their independence from a tyrannical government. The road ahead of them is uncertain but they are probably more filled with hope than dread, hope that they can build from this new independence.

Which nation will be a beacon and which will be a nation in decay? Today, on our Independence Day, it is sad to think that our nation is on the road to being the the latter while Egypt is the former. Still, we must celebrate our brothers and sisters in Egypt today and pray for the viability of their new found liberty, for which they will have to fight.

Americans have had to fight for liberty. It required sacrifice, and still does every day, both on battlefields far away and at ballot boxes and in court rooms at home—and now in the media.

Let us be inspired by the people of Egypt as we turn our focus once again to the fate of our own fragile republic. We must gather all patriots and throw off this slowly encircling noose of government, of a dependence society, and of fraud and corruption in our public sphere, and of political correctness.

Are we to be indendent or dependent? Let each citizen decide and act, just as each Egyptian citizens decided what he or she was for when they signed petitions and gathered in Tahrir Square to make their voices heard and their presence known.

Happy Fourth of July 2013!

Local Tea Party Issues Statement on Egyptian Protests - Obama Still AWOL

PPPS (Littleton)—Local Bridge to Nowhere Tea Party spokesman, upon seeing the protests against occurring in cities across Egypt, sent in this supporting statement to our editor.

  *************************

The Bridge to Nowhere Tea Party stands with the majority of Egyptians and the coalition of secularists, moderate Muslims and Christians, who are demanding the resignation of President Morsi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood controlled government of Egypt.

We believe in the right of the citizens of any country to protest tyranny in all forms. 

President Morsi, although duly elected in a (mostly) free election, proceeded to thwart the intent of the people expressed through that election and transform the government into a radical Islamic state, removing from office and power, and progressively silencing all elements in opposition within the government, the civil society and the press. 

President Morsi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood have proceeded with their radical agenda of  Islamic fascism, instead of focusing on critical elements of the struggling Egyptian economy. They have ignored the will of the people in this regard and have failed to promote (and even prevented) appropriate solutions, including the promotion of free enterprise and guarantees of economic and individual freedom for the citizens of Egypt.

President Morsi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood have also proceeded to undermine longstanding relationships with other countries and treaties, harming trade and threatening the stability of the region.

President Morsi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood have failed in a primary role of government, the protection of their own citizens, and have stood by and allowed (and at times encouraged) violence against the Christian minority and other groups within the country.

Against the wishes of a majority of citizens, President Morsi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood have put forth and passed legislation, including a new constitution, using questionable legislative techniques and without allowing sufficient time for opposition partes and the People, to read, evaluate and debate the measures. These actions thwart the will of the people and are an affront to democratic institutions everywhere.

Therefore, in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the freedom movement in Egypt, We, the members of the Bridge to Nowhere Tea Party, lend our good name and commit Our voices in support of the People of Egypt in their efforts to peaceably assemble and to petition their government for redress of their grievances.

And absent any good-faith response from that government, we support the Right of the People, to dissolve the political bands which connect them to their government and to form a new government which will secure their rights and which derives just powers from the consent of the governed.

We also declare that we are in disagreement with the position of neutrality put forth by our own President and Department of State  in this matter. We believe that our president is out of touch with, and disrespectful of the will of the American People, who have stood and fought for freedom around the world.

—Done this day, July 3rd, 2013 in Littleton, Colorado

Citizen Pete & Citizen Caryn, Co-Founders

Another Apology To Our Readers for Interruption in Service

PPPS (Littleton)—Once again, we must apologize to our loyal readers for the month-long interruption in news and opinions posted on this blog.

We've been distracted.

Paperwork 

First of all, much Pundit Pete Press Service staff time has been devoted lately to the filling out of IRS forms connected with the 501(c)(4) application filed on behalf of our affiliated nonprofit educational organization, Pundits for Progress and for a 501(c)(3) application for Pundit Pete's favorite charitable group, Petes With a Purpose.

Also, a friend and loyal reader, Citizen Pete, asked our staff attorney, Pleader Pete, for some assistance in responding to certain IRS inquiries. Citizen Pete's group, the Bridge to Nowhere Tea Party, had filed for a 501(c)(4) designation over two years ago and were experiencing delays in processing, and an inordinate amount of paperwork.

More Paperwork and Some Unusual Requests

The most recent IRS information requests were quite extensive and included some puzzling questions, such as "Have you or any members ever watched Fox News?', or "Does your mother own a bible"? 

Because some of the questions also involved documentation of any ties to the Pundit Pete Press Service, we thought it best if Pleader Pete and other staff get involved. There may be a story there, if we can get someone to write it.

Financial Difficulties

In a totally unrelated problem, our chief investor and benefactor to the above-mentioned nonprofits, Philanthropist Pete, recently received audit notices from the IRS for both his personal tax returns and for profitable businesses. Because of the interrelationship between Pete's various business interests and charitable contributions, Philanthropist Pete has advised us that he is temporarily cutting all financial ties to PPPS and taking up residence on his yacht moored off Cayman Islands.

In a surprising coincidence, several key PPPS staff members, and our CEO, Pundit Pete, also received personal IRS audit notices within the last two months, and some of Pete's accounts have been frozen. This has caused a temporary interruption in staff paychecks and some staff furloughs.  As a result, our staff writers and support staff have been less than enthusiastic about coming to work and posting new content.

Unexpected Visits

In what appears to be another unrelated set of circumstances, our offices were recently visited by the ATF, the EPA, the DEA, ICE, the CIA, OSHA, AARP, NAACP, the State Department, and the FBI, in what each claimed were routine annual inspections. They removed two of our computers and a number of signs which we had stored in a back room.

Airport Delays

Our staff have experienced unusual "airport delays" recently. Our chief Moscow correspondent, Pytor "the Great", has been camped at the Moscow airport for days, waiting for a story to break, and racking up fast food expenses on his credit card.

Two of our other reporters, Palestinian Pete and Protestor Pete, were sent to London to cover the G-8 meeting, but were denied entry at Heathrow Airport. They ended up missing the entire proceedings and never posted a story.

If that were not enough, our Chief White House Correspondent, Pollitical-Beat Pete, who was set to accompany the President and the First Family on Air Force One  for their vacation in Africa, was stripped of his press credentials and left on the tarmac. No reason was given, except for a short quip from a White House aid, "The President is cutting back on your lavish travel plans. You've been furloughed!"

PPPS Phones and Computers Hacked

Finally, one of our researchers, Conspiracy Theory Fact Checker, Paranoid Pete, uncovered evidence that our phones have been bugged and our computers hacked. Pete's concerns convinced several staff members not to post stories, or even to come into work, resulting in a great drop in production.

Finally, Some Good Luck

The apparent hacking of our phones and computers nearly shut down the office. But, in a stroke of good luck, a repairman, who had been parked for a few days at the end of our block in a van marked "NSA Mobile Unit ", knocked on our door and offered his help.  He immediately set about to find and fix the source of the intermittent clicking which had been plaguing our phone lines for the weeks. He then went on to install a new wi-fi router, which he said would prevent further computer hacking. He did all of this free of charge. He even offered us a free app for all of our staff cell phones which he said would "improve reception and signal location".

And then, just as this nice repairman was finishing up, we heard another knock at the office door.  Outside were two delivery men. One had a large box with our two computers. He apologized and said that in compensation for the inconvenience, that the FBI had installed some free upgrades.

And the other man, wearing a hat with the IRS logo, produced a series of letters from the IRS approving the various 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) applications, cancelling Pundit Pete's audits and restoring all funds to his bank accounts.

But the most rewarding item, and the one that restores our faith in government, was a personal, hand-written note on IRS stationary, which came with a beautiful house plant and included this message:

As a dedicated employee of the IRS, I want to personally apologize for any inadvertent mistakes made by other, low-level IRS employees, and for poor customer service. Please accept this gift in appreciation of your patience. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have in this matter.  —Lois Lerner

P.S. The plant would look great in the center of your conference room table. Just face the blue flowers in the direction of your new wi-fi router and don't over water.

Our Heartfelt Thanks and Honor To Those Who Died In Service to Our Country

PPPS (Littlteton)—Today we honor the memory of all those who gave their lives in service to our country, that we might live free.

(photo from Memorial Day Services in 2012)

Reporter Recants White House Story, Pulls New Book

PPPS (Washington)—In a shocking revelation this morning, our own Political-Beat Pete admitted that he wrongfully claimed credit for asking  a question in a recent White House press briefing. The March 18 story made national news, but the mystery "reporter from Colorado" was not Pete!

The Mark of a True Leader: Barack Obama

PPPS (Washington)—We thought we would pass on this commentary about true leadership, submitted by a loyal reader, Citizen Pete.

Press Secretary Jay Carney Explains Benghazi Talking Points Memo

PPPS (Washington)—Amid heated questions from the press yesterday (did that really happen?), White House Press Secretary Jay Carney carefully explained the process by which a CIA talking points memo about the attacks on the Consulate Diplomatic Facility in Benghazi, Libya came to be altered before its formal release.

 

War on Babies: Do Democrats and the Press Condone It?

(From ProLife = ProGod Facebook page)

PPPS (Philadelphia)—Qui tacet consentit - If silence implies consent then are the mainstream media and Democrats, in their response to the Kermit Gosnell trial, condoning a war on babies?

You can read the following and decide.

New Voices on the Issues - Racism

PPPS (Littleton)—In this, the second in our New Voices on the Issues series, we tackle the sensitive subject of Racism in America.