What I Saw At McCain HQ, On Election Night 2008

This column will publish at Townhall Dot Com at 12midnight Eastern Time, tonight.

Here it is in advance......

Viewing the United States through the eyes of a foreign national is one thing. And viewing the United States through the eyes of foreign media professionals is another thing.

So as we close-out 2008, and begin a new year with the soon-to-be President Obama, the view from the “foreign news desk” may shed some light on some of the ways in which the world misunderstands both our country, and our President-elect.

I don’t have any “McCain scandal” to tell. No tabloid-style inside scoop about John McCain and Sarah Palin squabbling behind the scenes on election night, or Palin’s daughter’s boyfriend’s mom doing drugs, or “marital tension” boiling-over between celebrity Sarah and jealous husband Todd.

But on November 4, I was at McCain-Palin headquarters in John McCain’s hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. The headquarters were set-up at the luxurious Arizona Biltmore Hotel and Resort, a facility where Mr. McCain has spent election day for every one of his previous Senate campaigns, relaxing and watching the returns being reported.

I was hunkered-down in the “central media center,“ which was, essentially, a very large banquet facility packed with electronic equipment, and journalists and technicians from, literally, all over the world.

By 1pm Mountain Time, having watched multiple reports on the Fox Newschannel and CNN about “exit interviews” at polling centers on the east coast, there was a bit of a “lull in the action.” That’s when Ian, a reporter from Dublin, Ireland seated at the work station next to me, asked me to join him for lunch. And after some shop talk over food and beverages, the conversation got really interesting.

“You realize Europe wants Obama to win this thing, don’t you?” he asked.

“I know that’s a widely-held perception” I replied.

“You don’t think the polls are accurate?” he asked.

“I’m skeptical of them."

“The problem with McCain,” Ian explained, “is that he is perceived as being another war monger, jus like Bush, and Europe is fed-up with Bush.”

“Yes, that is another widely-held perception” I told him. “But I’m even skeptical of this supposed hatred of Bush.”

“What’s to be skeptical about?” he asked.

“Well, consider this” I told him. “During the Bush presidency, no less that four heads-of-state have campaigned on Bush-like themes of cutting taxes, and taking a strong stance against Islamic-driven terrorism, and also promised to their countrymen closer ties with the United States and the Bush Administration itself. Stephen Harper of Canada, Angela Merkel of Germany, Nicolas Sarkozy in France, and Tony Blair of England all campaigned on these platforms, in one fashion or another, and they all won their respective elections. So while the opinion polls may reflect Bush hatred, ballot boxes have conveyed something different, and I take the election outcomes more seriously than I do opinion polls.”

Ian seemed a bit surprised by this analysis, yet he didn’t try to argue about it. Changing the topic, he then asked me “so is Fox Newschannel really the most popular cable tv news outlet in the U.S.?”

“Yes, it is consistently ranked the highest in viewer ship” I told him.

“I find that ‘fair and balanced’ moniker to be very amusing” he said.
“Seems to me that much of what I see there is anything but balanced.”“I think you need to separate the news from the talk shows” I told him. “Fair and balanced is meant to describe the news product, while the talk shows are opinion and editorial-based.”“But do you even agree that the news is either fair, or balanced?” he asked.

“I do” I told him. “Juxtaposed with the liberal bias that is inbred within other news organizations, Fox is refreshingly un-biased.”

“That’s interesting” he said with a smirk on his face. I could tell he was skeptical, but was politely choosing not to argue.

Later that night, when the clock struck 9pm on the West Coast, and California was “called” for Obama, and Obama was thus declared the winner of the election, several American journalists began cheering, “high-fiving” each other, and dancing about in the McCain media center. A shot of staffers jumping and hugging on the set at CNN in Atlanta appeared on our big screen monitors, as well.
“Oh dear God,” Ian exclaimed in his thick Irish brogue. “You weren’t jokin about the bias.”“Pardon me” I replied, not quite understanding his point.

“I said you weren’t jokin about bias in American media” he said. “What’s with all this celebration for one candidate over the other?”

“It’s real” I told him. “You’re seeing some American media professionals in a rare moment of candor. Usually the bias is more subtle, but it’s always present. That’s why you can’t believe all the wonderful things told to you by the American press about Obama and other liberal politicians, nor can you believe everything terrible told to you about Bush and other conservatives.”

Conservative Americans have developed a healthy skepticism of our nation’s dominant, mainstream media. It’s time, now, to develop a skepticism of how our nation is being portrayed in the foreign media, as well. This will be especially important as we enter into the era of Obama.

Can He (Bush) Change Your Mind Now?

An interesting poll is out today, indicating that Barack Obama is the "most admired man in America." However, President Bush is still the second "most admired man in America."

How can that be?

President Bush has an approval rating of 29%; his disapproval rating is 67% (4% of Americans are "unsure").

And what is also noteworthy, is the fact that Bush was the number one "most admired man in America" for the previous seven years - - despite the fact that his disapproval rating has been quite high for the past 2-3 years.

So how "bad" is Bush, really?

And while we're at it - - is there anything he can do on his way out the door that would change your mind about him?

For me, the very best thing he can do on his way out, is to offer a presidential pardon to former Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos, and Jose Compean.

If you don't know about these guys, visit www.AgentRamos.Com and you'll get the idea.



We'll talk about this tonight on The Austin Hill Show (www.TheAustinHillShow.Com for links and streaming audio).

Also...are you stimulating it? I'm referring to "the economy." Shopping bargains galore are available all over the country.

And what needs to happen next, in the ongoing Blagojevich-Obama scandal? It's a mess...we'll spell it out, explain where it stands currently, and get your response as to how the mess should be "cleaned up."

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Rick Warren? Or The Democratic Party?

Who best represents your view of marriage and family: Rick Warren, or the Democratic Party?

And isn't it time for the Democratic Party to just be honest and declare itself to be the party of gay marriage?

The furor over Pastor Rick Warren's selection to perform the invocation at Barack Obama's inauguration continues...and the Democratic Party is outraged with both Warren, and the next President.

Which side are you on?
We'll talk about it tonight.......

Also.......Joe Biden said that he and President-elect Barack Obama are working to support "working families."

What does that mean?

And who is not a part of a working family?

And is it the government's job to support non-working families, too?

And isn't it true that Obama and Biden promised to impune and damage SOME working families - - that is, didn't they pledge to raise taxes and take money away from working families that worked too hard and made too much money?

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Listen online at www.TheAustinHillShow.Com

Patience Is Running Out? Oh, Really, Mr. Obama? With Whom?

Today the President-elect stated that "the American People's patience is running out" with the Auto companies.

Oh really?

Is it a problem with the car companies? or with the United Autoworker's Union? Or with the President? Or the Congress? Or the President-elect?

As I see it, the car companies have allowed themselves to be crippled by the UAW.

The UAW has done the crippling.

And the politicians are enabling the behavior to continue.

How 'bout you? Who are you angry with here? With whom have you become impatient?

We'll talk about it tonight on The Austin Hill Show (www.TheAustinHillShow.Com ).

Also......in Maryland, a restaurant owner is being criminally charged for hiring illegal immigrants to work for him.

Is this an appropriate response to the problem of illegal immigration?

I think a more appropriate response is to secure the U.S. borders, and deport illegal immigrants, rather than impugn American business owners.

But you tell me...join the show from anywhere in the United States at 1-888-630-WMAL (9625).

So Why The "Warren Flap?"

I've been shocked at the outrage over Pastor Rick Warren's selection to offer the invocation at Obama's inauguration.

What's this all about?

On the left, homosexual activists are irate about a "pro marriage, anti abortion" Pastor. And this is symptomatic of things to come (Obama simply can't keep all the lefty activists happy).

On the right, however, social conservatives are behaving outrageously.

And we're going to talk about it tonight.

1-888-630-WMAL is the number.

To hear streaming audio, visit www.TheAustinHillShow.Com

So, How Bad Is It (The Economy) Really?

There is some evidence out today that suggests that we are starting to turn a corner with the economic downturn, and that we are poised for a rebound.

And perhaps equally as important, there is polling data out today that suggests that people's perceptions of how bad or good the economy is, might be improving a bit.

What's interesting is that when Americans are asked about their own personal economic situations, most Americans feel pretty good. It isn't until you begin asking about the economy, generally, that people start going negative.

So, what's that all about? And how bad is it - - really?

We'll talk about that. And, who is more entitled to be a Senator: Caroline Schlossberg (Kennedy), or Chelsea Clinton?

Join the Austin Hill Show at 1-888-630-WMAL; and for streaming audio, and audio on-demand, visit www.TheAustinHillShow.Com

Is The Obama Administration Mired In Corruption Before It Begins?

"Obama will report contacts with Governor Blagojevich next week." That's the headline that has been prevalent all afternoon and evening today.

In the meantime claims that a "review" indicates that there was no "inappropriate" contact between his camp, and the Governor's. But the "review" was conducted by Obama's own lawyers.

So if there was nothing inappropriate, why not just come on out and reveal it all - - NOW?

We'll talk about this tonight.

Also....is John McCain still the leader of the Republican Party? Was he ever the "leader," in the minds of most Republicans?

He was certainly acting like he still is, in his nationwide television interview yesterday.

But why?

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And listen online at www.TheAustinHillShow.Com

Who Do You "Blame?""

So who do you "blame" for the failure of the so-called automotive industry "bailout bill?"

If there is any "blame" entailed in this at all, it lies squarely with the UAW union....

The Republican Senate minority - - the only road blocks to the passage of this bill - - made a whole heck of alot of concessions, but the UAW? Oh, no, not them....The Senate Republicans wanted "a date certain" whereby the UAW would adjust downward the wages of the American auto manufacturers, and made the wages commensurate with those of Japanese manufacturers that assemble here in the U.S.

Pretty reasonable demand, but not for the UAW...

So...who do you "blame?"

We'll talk about it tonight on The Austin Hill Show (www.TheAustinHillShow.Com )...

Also....is Rush Limbaugh bad for the Republican Party? Colin Powell thinks so.

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Better-Off With, Or Without?

The wranging continues over whether or not our federal government should "bail out" America's automotive manufacturers.

With roughly 63% of Americans opposing the idea, it's interesting that the Democratically controlled congress is still pushing for the bailout legislation. And it's even more interesting that Republicans in the more-moderate-than-the-House U.S. Senate seem to be the roadblock that is preventing the legislation.

So would we be better-off with it, or without it? And is "saving" a U.S. industry a "patriotic" thing to do?

We'll talk about it tonight on The Austin Hill Show.

Also.......some are saying that President-elect Barack Obama needs to put forth an agenda for "Black America," and that he has, thus far, failed to do so.

Is that true? And what would that agenda look like?

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Is America's Government Going To Be Thrown Off Course?

Are you concerned that America's Government will be thrown off-course, given the scandal of the Illinois Governor and President-elect Obama's connection to it?

If you're an ardent Obama supporter, you might find that offensive.....the very insinuation that the Dear Leader Obama is "involved."

But he does have a long-standing close relationship with the Governor of his home state (as any US Senator would).

And even if Obama didn't discuss the "sale" of his Senate seat with the Governor, could it be that Obama's "staffers" - - David Axelrod and Rahm Immanuel - - did discuss the "sale?"

Sadly, a new Presidential administration is about to begin, mired in scandal.

Could this distract the new President from leading the nation through what he has labeled "the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression," and from protecting the nation from terrorism?

We'll talk about it tonight on The Austin Hill Show (www.TheAustinHillShow.Com for links and streaming audio).

Also.........Obama granted his first interview to a newspaper recently, and the interview appeared in the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune. He made it clear that he intends to "repair" America's image in "the Muslim World."

So, does America have "repair work" to do, or does the Muslim World have its own repair work to do?

Join the show at 1-888-630-WMAL (toll free from anywhere in the United States and Canada).

Today the Washington Post stated in an editorial that Montgomery County, Maryland needs to "get tougher" about policing illegal immigration.

Montgomery County has endured a 1 year old shot on a county bus, an elderly woman burned alive in her house, and a waiter stabbed to death by suspected illegal immigrants.

Okay...and is there a region of the country that needs to "go easier" on illegal immigration?

We'll talk about that tonight...


Also.....President Bush took a tour today of the National COunterterrorism Center in McLean, VA today....and afterwards, spoke to the press and reasserted that the greatest threat to the United States today is a terrorist attack.

He's been saying that for over 7 years.

And now that he'll be gone from office in 43 days, one has to wonder....is he still right about this?

Join us tonight....the number is 1-888-630-WMAL.

Streaming audio is at www.TheAustinHillSHow.Com

Will the SCOTUS Be Politically Correct?

If the Supreme Court of the United States does NOT choose to hear the Donofrio case - - the case arguing that Barack Obama is not a "naturally born citizen" and therefore inelligble to be President - - will it be because of "political correctness?"

Some would say so. And it's interesting that on a day like today, when many Americans are waiting in suspence to see what the Supreme Court does with the matter, OJ Simpson ran out of political correctness-based good luck, and was convicted kidnapping and armed robbery.

We'll talk about the timing of these two events, tonight on The Austin Hill Show (www.TheAustinHillShow.Com).

Also.......is there really a "War On Christmas" this year? Hostility in the United States towards Christmas has been on the uptick in recent years - - but how about this year?

Join me - - 1-888-630-WMAL is the number from anywhere in the U.S.

Supreme Court Weighs Obama Presidency..

Tommorrow, we should know if the SCOTUS is going to consider a challenge to President-elect Obama's status as a "natural-born citizen" of the U.S.

Quite frankly, I don't think the court will intervene on this, nor do I believe that this is a good idea.

But I'll be talking about it tonight, on The Austin Hill Show (www.TheAustinHillShow.Com).

Also..........if Obama critics remain focused on his "country of origin," doesn't that take the focus away from where it should be....like scrutinizing his national security plans, his economic plans, and so forth?

The problems that are still unfolding in India spell major trouble for the United States, and Americans best be focused on how our government, and our President-to-be, address them.

We'll talk about these items, and more, tonight from 8-10pm Eastern.

To join the program, it's 1-888-630-WMAL.

A New, Acceptable Form of Bigotry In The Age Of Obama?

Say it isn't so! An "acceptable form of bigotry" in America, just as we prepare to inaugurate our "First Black President?"

Well, if you happen to be a Mormon, you might feel that way. And truthfully, anyone who dares to allow their religious faith - - especially if it's "Christian Faith" - - to permeate their lives and their values, might be feeling this way as well.

In California, "Proposition 8: The Musical" has emerged as a short-form, roughly 4 minute video, mocking social conservatives who helped to pass the constiutional amendment in that state that defines marriage as a heterosexual institution.

View the video HERE.

Imagine such a mockery of a production, insulting Muslims...or African-Americans, or Hispanics....

We'll talk about this tonight on The Austin Hill Show (www.TheAustinHillShow.Com ).

Also..........if America will be have more nicely to terrorists, will terrorists be nicer to America?

Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff seems to think so.

We'll talk about it all, tonight, on The Austin Hill Show.

1-888-630-9625 if you want to join the conversation.........

Can They Earn Back Your Trust?

I'm talking about the "journalists" among the ranks of the old fashioned Mainstream Media.........

Some in the Obama press corp got ticked-off when the President-elect got flippant over a question about his "changing perspective" of Hillary Clinton.

Obama glibbly said that the media was "having fun" with this........

And then, CNN's Campbell Brown got really defensive, and editorialized against the Dear Leader (see the story, and the video, at The Huffington Post right now).

Also.......how comfortable are you with the United States Military watching over you, and "patrolling" domestically here in the U.S.?

We'll talk about all of this...and we'll keep you updated on the run-off election returns from Georgia, tonight on The Austin Hill Show. Visit www.TheAustinHillShow.Com for streaming and on-demand audio...

1-888-630-WMAL if you want to join the show.

Are Walmart Shoppers "Victims" Of Advertising?

You could ask that question of most any shopper at any retail outlet in the U.S. - - are they "victims" of advertising?

I wrote about this phenomena in my weekly column at Townhall Dot Com over the weekend.

Apparently, some people actually believe that "lower income folks" are "vicitims" of Walmart's advertising, such that they lose control of themselves and "have to get ahold of the item" that Walmart is advertising, and will "do anything to get it."

We'll talk about this tonight on The Austin Hill Show.

Also.......is "gay" the "new black?"

An article in the Washington Times suggests that the struggle for "gay rights" is the same as the struggle that black Americans have fought for decades, in pursuit of "civil rights."

And one particular gay rights activist quoted in the article, who happens to be both gay, and black, says that "black people are equal now, and gay people aren't."

Oh, really? Does a majority of black Americans agree with that statement?

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Things Just Don't Seem to Add-Up...

President-elect Barack Obama speaks regularly from the so-called "Office Of The President Elect."

One problem, though.

There is no such thing as the "Office Of The President Elect" (Fox News has provided some details on this tonight).

And while questions still abound regarding whether or not Barack Obama was even born in the United States - - and whether or not he was constitutionally eligible to run for the presidency in the first place...

Now, there are questions about whether or not Obama committed a federal crime regarding his registration for the "selective service" (the Military draft).

So, why are there so many questions about our new President-elect? And does anybody care?

We'll talk about this tonight...

Also, the government of California is officially "investigating" the Mormon Church.

Why? Because Proposition 8 was successful. That is, the California ballot initiative that provides for the amending of the California Constitution to define marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman.

The Mormon church is being "blamed" for this.

Yes, religious freedom is under attack right now.

Join me tonight on The Austin Hill Show, and we'll discuss it.

1-888-630-WMAL is the number from anywhere in the United States.

Less Harsh, More "Understanding"

Is America becoming "less harsh" towards criminals?

It is widely known that President-elect Obama intends for the Gitmo prison to be closed. And he wants a "more inclusive" approach to immigration in our country.

Less widely known is the "new approach" being taken in Virginia on illegal immigration.

Because of budget constraints, the state essentially intends to "focus on the economy," rather than policing illegal immigration.

This is, afterall, a Virginia that is under the leadership of a Democratic Governor, and a Virginia that just "voted Obama" in the electoral college.

So is this a predictor of things to come?

We'll talk about this tonight on The Austin Hill Show.

Also.........is the election of a black President good or bad for "diversity?"

There are some interesting reports out today about "diversity" in the forthcoming Obama Administration...and depending on how you gauge "diversity," the reports are a "mix bag."

Join the show from anywhere in the United States at 1-888-630-WMAL.

And listen online ("real time" or "on-demand") at www.TheAustinHillShow.Com .

Is Obama Insufficiently "Hopey And Changey?"

The liberal, left-wing blogosphere is livid with President-elect Barack Obama's choices for cabinet officers. The thought of Hillary Clinton - - a "war supporter" - - for Secretary of State, has some liberals furious with B.O.

And it raises the question:

Is Obama embarking upon Bill Clinton's Third Term?

We'll talk about it tonight.

Also..........is conservative talk radio just simply being too mean to the Presidnt-elect?

Join the program by telephone, as always, at 1-888-630-WMAL.

Listen on line at www.TheAustinHillShow.Com

Is It Time For "Special Minority Rights" For Gays And Lesbians?

You thought the election was over...and you thought that California, and Arizona, and Florida, and several other states had "settled" the issue of re-defining marriage. And settled it by determining that the historic definition - - a marriage being defined by the union of one man and one woman - - as the voters in, most notably, California, chose to amend the state constituion so as to reflect that hostoric definition.

Well, not so fast. On last night's show the news was breaking that the California State Supreme Court will hear arguments against the newly passed constitutional amendment. And the arguments going before the court opposing the constitutional amendment claim that the amendment "abridges the civil right of a vulnerable minority group."

Oh, really?

So is it time to regard homosexuals as "minorities," in the same way that ethnic minorities are regarded?

We'll talk about it tonight on "The Austin Hill Show."

Also......why isn't President-elect Barack Obama saying anything about the economy and the markets?

The markets seem to be reacting in fear of his and the Democratically controlled Congress' vows of radical tax increases. Couldn't Mr. Obama calm the fears if he would simply state that he will forego tax hikes for now?

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Does The Republican Party Need "Less God?"

An intriguing editorial appears today in The Washington Post by Conservative Writer Kathleen Parker, suggesting that the GOP neeeds less "G-O-D."

Is that really true? Is the Republican Party's absolute failure in the national election earlier this month because of too much "conservative Chrsitian" influence?

And another thing...

Where has President-elect Obama been with the proposed "bailout" of the "big 3" automakers?

He said that it was necessary last week. And lately he's been "M.I.A."

Why?

We'll talk about it tonight on The Austin Hill Show. 10888-630-WMAL if you want to join the program.

My Agenda For Tonight...

First, I'll explore whether or not President-elect Obama has developed a "cult of personality" around him, and if there has been some level of "Obama worship" surrounding him.

Secondly, we'll contemplate what President Ronald Reagan might do, given current economic problems, and, now, the nation's three auto makers begging for federal dollars to stay afloat.

The question isn't so much about Reagan - - it's more about the future of the Republican Party. Republicans need to take a stand, and to articulate a message here.

What is that message? What should that stand consist of?

Join The Austin Hill Show at 1-888-630-WMAL.

Is It "Obama Worship?"

This story appeared in The Arizona Republic newspaper - - that is, ironically, in John McCain's hometown of Phoenix - - last Saturday.

Make of it what you will - - I will have more to day about it later tonight.


by Christine Keith


Barack Obama's election victory inspired celebrations at Black black churches across the country, including in Phoenix. At First Institutional Baptist Church, Pastor Warren Stewart Sr. delivereda sermon Sunday 11/9 called “Ten Commandments Learned From President-electBarack Obama's Life.”

Some showed their support by wearing Obama T-shirts. Stewart's list began with the Obama-inspired version of the FirstCommandment: “Do dare to dream and hope big!”

The congregation's young people gathered at the front of the church, and he went through the other nine commandments, including “Do not let excuses stop you” and “Do keep your cool in difficult situations.” In his pastoral comments, Stewart wrote, “After 232 years, we in the United States now have a President who is a person of color. The world now has aU.S. president of color who can relate to what it means to be on the‘underside' of society.”

During his comments Sunday, he pointed out that it took people of allcolors to elect Obama.A picture of the first family-elect was projected on a high screen in thefront of the church. The African-American congregation looked up to the smiling family. Voices sang out with thanks and joy and praises of God, as they have every Sunday in this fellowship of faith since 1905, when the congregation was founded as just a Sunday school.

“The election of Obama is something that I wouldn't have ever believed in,”said Elmer Curry, 82, a deacon. “… I've seen that over a period of yearsthat the hearts of people in the country are changing.”

Clueless? You Decide.

Stunning new video has emerged displaying a level of cluelessness among Obama voters. Shot at a polling place in suburban Los Angeles on election day, November 4th, it demonstrates that while these Obama partisans had no clue which party currently controls Congress or who Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid are, they did nonetheless know that Sarah Palin was the political candidate whose party spent $150,000 on a wardrobe.

When asked which candidate (presidential or vice presidential) won their first ever election by getting three opponents from their own party kicked-off the ballot, everyone interviewed assumed that it was either Sarah Palin, or, as one interview subject stated, "that sounds like something McCain would do."

Nobody had a clue that a young Barack Obama had done that when he was running the first time for the Illinois state legislature.

I'll play some of the audio on The Austin Hill Show tonight, and then get your reaction.

Also.......is Obama headed for his first presidential failure with respect to the proposed General Motors bailout and the lack of support for it?

To join the show, as always, the number is 1-888-630-WMAL.

Breaking "News"

There is some staggering news that is about to "break" later tonight. I can't say too much about it yet, except that some disturbing polling data will be unveiled tonight, and tommorrow. The data reveals a frightening lack of awareness among Obama supporters as to some very basic facts about the presidential candidates, our Congress, how our government operates, and so forth.

I'll also have audio from an amazing new video project, that I'll reveal on The Austin Hill Show tonight.

More info, shortly...

"Media Reform" And The Assault On Free Speech

"Meda Reform" And The Assault On Free Speech

by Austin Hill



Is the United States about to face a constitutional challenge?

As we near completion of the first two weeks since Barack Obama’s election to the presidency, the path is being established for what I believe could be a serious challenge to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, and the right to free speech that is protected therein. Any American who cares about such freedoms should be watching and listening very carefully. Unfortunately, it appears to me that most Americans are not.

As of late, much attention has been paid to the possibility of our federal government re-instating the so-called “Fairness Doctrine,” a regulatory policy that, earlier last century, required federally licensed broadcast outlets to present “important” and “controversial” subjects in a “balanced” and “equitable” fashion. The lifting of this regulation allowed for entertaining, highly opinionated, individual hosts to proliferate, thus giving rise to the media genre we know as “conservative talk radio” (it has also allowed for the emergence of “liberal talk radio,” although thus far this genre has not been as commercially successful as its conservative counterpart).

On June 29th of this year, I authored a column wherein I suggested that the antiquated “Fairness Doctrine” might be the least of our concerns. I further surmised that a President Obama and a Democratically controlled Congress may pursue something I termed “comprehensive media reform” - - a much broader, all-inclusive attempt to more fully regulate media content and ownership.
I believe the stage is now set for such an effort. I’m imagining a rather sophisticated public relations campaign that would play out in the context of “experts” testifying before the next Congress, and “research” that would be reviewed in congressional investigations.

I envision something on the order of what the Clinton Administration and the Democratically controlled Congress did to tobacco companies back in the 90’s, only with broadcasting executives, and perhaps owners of web-based media outlets, being subpoenaed to answer questions under sworn oath.

Some will object to this comparison, given that tobacco is a verifiably dangerous product, and opinion based media is constitutionally protected. But I’m not assuming that factual truth, or constitutionality, matter to members of Congress.

Washington politicians have over the years very successfully demonized American industries that they don’t like - - both the tobacco and oil industries come to mind - - and have not only tarnished the ways in which those industries are viewed by millions of Americans, but have also achieved a wide array of “concessions” from those industries. Media owners, especially those who dare distribute “conservative content,” now need to be fully aware that their turn on Capitol Hill might be next.

Some of the “testimony” and “research” to be dramatized in the coming congressional show has already begun to emerge. For example, on September 30th of this year, Reuters news service published a “report” suggesting that conservative talk radio led to the initial failure of the calamity-preventing Wall Street ‘bail out” bill in the U.S. House. The article further suggested that Rush Limbaugh’s criticism of the bill caused stocks to “take a beating” and drove the world closer to global economic collapse, while syndicated talker Neal Boortz exacerbated matters by suggesting that more time was needed to allow the bill to “flesh itself out.”

Last week, “new media” took a hit as domestic terrorist-turned university professor William Ayers, in his much anticipated interview on ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America,” explained-away both his terrorist background AND his personal friendship with President-elect Obama. Why did he wait until after the election to answer questions about he and Obama? Because, he explained, he didn’t want to give credence to the “dishonest narrative” that was being spread around about him by internet bloggers.

Additionally, Ayers claimed in a written essay last week that John McCain didn’t participate in that “dishonest narrative” that tied Obama to his terrorist past, until McCain did a one-on-one interview with Sean Hannity. From there, the presidential campaign turned vitriolic - - all because of Hannity and the Fox Newschannel.

Additionally, Media Matters, a liberal, Washington, DC-based think tank group has for some time been compiling and publishing “research” on both local and national conservative talk radio hosts. Last week, Media Matters released a report documenting how conservative radio’s “vitriol” has not been “reserved for Obama,” and has targeted women, minorities, “immigrants,” and “autistic children.”

None of the incidents that they sight rise to the level of libel, or would be legally actionable, and are all based on individual hosts’ opinions. Yet they are nonetheless characterized as “attacks” that are intended to “foment hate and suspicion.”

The “Fairness Doctrine,” as it was once known, may or may not be on the horizon. But a plea to "stop the hate" is almost certainly in the works, and a call for “media reform” will necessarily follow.

Constitutionally protected “free speech” doesn’t matter nearly as much as people’s ability to create perceptions about that speech, and the stage is set for a full-scale demonization of conservative talk media on Capitol Hill.

Wheww! Finally, We Now Understand The Relationship Between Our President-Elect And An American Domestic Terrorist...

William Ayers has spoken.

Watch the video for yourself right HERE.

And notice how he "explains away" both his relationship with Mr. Obama, and his own behavior as a terrorist.

He was a "militant," fighting against the immoral atrocities of the Viet Nam War...and, to use his words, he was on "the right side" of the issue.

Understand what's going on here: The United States Military was fighting against aggression and encroachment of communists in South East Asia (hence "the Viet Nam War"), and William Ayers was bombing the United States Capitol, The Pentagon, and other public buildings...and he was on "the right side" of the issue.

So now, do you feel like you understand the terrorist-turned-university professor better? Can you "relate?" Do you now "empathize?" Are you now convinced that the ties between the terrorist and our President-elect are really "nothing?"

This is 60's, hippie-era, moral relativism at it's worst, and baby boomers should be ashamed of this.

We'll talk about this tonight on The Austin Hill Show. Join the show, and "share" the "understanding" that I'm sure is now deep within your heart. The number from anywhere in the U.S. is 1-888-630-WMAL.

Oh, and speaking of shameful, 60's, hippie-era, moral relativism....we'll also contemplate on the show tonight whether or not our President-elect should bring the Clintons into the administration.

This, and more, tonight from 8-10pm Eastern.

How Do You Like It So Far?

What is the "it" that I'm talking about?

"Hope" and "Change."

In 9 days, we've begun to see the President-elect's plans take shape.

A Clintonista as Chief Of Staff..

All Democrats in the transition team....

Government "owning" a percentage of American auto makers....

Federal funding for the United Nation's forced abortion programs...

Meanwhile, Russia is engaging in military manuevers in Venezuela AND Cuba...and Iran is testing missles....and our American mainstream media is focused on what kind of dog the Obama's should adopt for their White House stay.....

Let's talk about it tonight...as well as lots of other items....1-888-630-WMAL (9625) is the toll-free number to join the show...and listen online at www.TheAustinHillShow.Com

This Should Be Interesting...........

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has changed course, at least a little bit, and now says that the U.S. Government will NOT buy back "troubled mortgage assets." He proposes that the so-called "bail out" money will be used to infuse lending institutions with capital.

So, are you confident that he knows what he's doing? Or is the problem much worse than he originally thought? Or is the Bush Administration - - Paulson included - - in a panic?

Also, about those "humanistic" billboards inhabiting the MetroRail's train stations.......what is the "message" in the billboards really saying? And if there is no God (or "god" to use the American Humanist Association's "little g" wording), then who decides what is "good?"

This and more, tonight on The Austin Hill Show. 1-888-630-WMAL if you want to join-in.......

Who DOESN'T "Deserve" A "Bailout?"

As we wrap-up day number 7 of "hope" and "change," word is that Speaker Pelosi wants a special legislative session to allow a financial bailout for America's automotive makers, General Motors specifically.

The details are HERE at the Wall Street Journal. And didn't I just predict this? If our government under Republican control was not going to allow banking and lending istitutions to fail, then our government under (more-less) Democratic control is sure as heck not going to allow an American automobile manufcaturer fail.



So who's next? Circuit City? You?

We'll talk about this tonight.



Also...The American Humanist Association has launched a new billboard ad campaign on the DC Metro. The signs read:

Why Believe In A "god?" Just Be Good, For Goodness Sake

(see photo above)

Got any problem with this? And what do you suppose it's supposed to "prove?"

Join the program at 1-888-630-WMAL. Listen NOW at www.TheAustinHillShow.Com

Esxcursions In Acceptable Forms Of American Bigotry...

Click HERE and watch the video for yourself (it's new video from Salt Lake City's KSL-TV News) - - a homosexual rights activist group in Los Angeles has taken direct aim at the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, blaming "them" for the passage of California's Proposition 8, an amendment to the California state Constitution that defines marriage as a relationship between one man, and one woman.

The fact is, 70% of Obama supporters voted in favor of the Constitutional Amendment in California, along with the "mostly white" members of the Mormon church.

But the Mormons are the ones that are being singled-out.

Does this mean that in the Era of Obama, in the age of "Hope and Change," there is now a new minority group that is approriately singled-out and maligned - - Mormons?

We'll talk about this......and whether or not the US Federal Government should bail out General Motors, tonight on The Austin Hill Show.......call 1-888-630-WMAL if you care to join in the conversation.

Message To Conservatives: You Are Racists And Should Be Silenced

For a while I thought it was just me. But in the final days leading up to the national election, I began to notice it on both local and national talk shows around the country.

And now that we are a few days past Mr. Obama’s election night victory, it seems quite clear: things have gotten more intense, not less.

I’m writing here about the attacks that are being telephoned-in to conservative talk radio hosts around the country. I’ve noticed a consistent increase of people that I’ll call “Obama enthusiasts” popping-up as callers on conservative talk shows, and no matter what the topic on the show may be, the assertions from the callers follow a predictable pattern.

The precise choice of words that the caller uses in their line of attack may vary, but the pattern essentially goes like this: A) The caller asserts to the host that “all you ever do is attack Barack Obama;” B) The caller then comes around to asserting to the host that “you are obviously a “racist” (or “you are a bigot,” or “you think Black people are inferior to White people,” or something of that sort); and then the caller concludes with C) “you should be removed from the ‘public airwaves’” (or some variation of the general sentiment that “you should just be silenced” or “you should shut-up”).

Now let me be clear: I’m not complaining about this, not at all. In fact, I welcome it on my talk show at 630 WMAL radio in Washington, D.C. It’s no secret that talk radio thrives in controversy, and conversely, a talk show can become boring if everyone is “in agreement” with the host.

But entertaining talk show content is one thing. And the broader implications of people’s words outside of a talk show can be something different (I’m reminded here of the many times over the years that I’ve heard Rush say “words mean things”). And the implications, the “meaning,” of the pattern that I’ve identified above, seems to be this: If you so much as question the President-elect, you are necessarily a “racist,” and your voice should, therefore, be removed from the public square.

I must also add that, while the hostility I’m hearing on conservative talk radio is mostly directed at white, male hosts, it’s not necessarily a “black against white” phenomena. For example, on my show last Friday while I was discussing Mr. Obama’s remarks about the economy at his recent press conference, I received a call from “Roberto,” a man with a Hispanic sounding accent in Arlington, VA. Roberto’s opening salvo was to say that I was being “patronizing” when I pronounced his name with the traditional, Spanish “rolling R” sound.

Now, I grew up in Southern California surrounded by Spanish speakers, and I was taught by my “white Mom” that, as a matter of respect, I should speak Spanish as it was intended to be spoken, and NOT like a “gringo.”

But never mind that “respect” thing. As far as Roberto was concerned, I was just simply offensive. And then, of course, the pattern kicked-in - - I was questioning the President-elect’s remarks because I’m a racist, and therefore I should be silenced.


I’ve heard this rhetoric enough times, and on so many different talk shows in addition to my own, that I believe there is some organizational effort behind it. I’m not insinuating that the finger prints of our President-elect are on this, and the participants in this might be quite loosely organized, at best.

But there is a certain mindset, a certain philosophy that underlies this rhetoric, and it is becoming more widespread. It is the belief that if you are not in lock-step with the President-elect’s agenda, or if you even so much as dare to question it, you are obviously motivated by your hatred of ethnic minorities, and you have no place in the broad national debate. And it is an anathema to our freedoms under the First Amendment.

Conservative Americans in particular need to understand that in this new era, the rules have changed. And to understand this change, conservatives need to begin by reading “Rules For Radicals,” a book published in 1971 by noted “community organizer” (and a man who is said to have influenced Mr. Obama) Saul Alinsky.

Column space is limited here, so you’ll have to get a copy of the book for yourself. But consider this notion from Alinsky’s rule #5: “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. It’s hard to counterattack ridicule, and it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage.”And consider this language from rule #11, wherein Alinsky suggests that the main job of a “community organizer” is to bait his opponent into reacting in a certain way: “The enemy properly goaded and guided in his reaction will be your major strength.”

Welcome to the new era of "Hope And Change."

Why No Talk Of Taxes? And Where's "The Love?"

In his first press conference since becoming President-elect, Barack Obama reiterated the dyer economic conditions that we are in, and talked about the immediate need for an "economic stimulus" plan.

By why no discussion about the promised tax hikes on rich people?

Obama made it a central theme of his 22 month campaign to "roll back Bush's tax cuts for the rich" - - which is to say, he intended to "raise" taxes on the rich.

In other words, he PROMISED to economically punish rich people and to get even with them.

So now, after he's won election and he needs to talk specifically about the economy, why not show how he's going to "get even" with those evil rich folks??

Another point.....I've noticed a tremendous uptick in the number of callers to my show, and other "conservative" talk shows - - including The Mike Gallagher Show, The Sean Hannity Show, and yes - - even The Rush Limbaugh Show - - from angry "Obama supporters" who want to reassure all us conservative talkers that we're bigots, and racists, and we should just "shut up" and get off the air.

Why the hate? Where's the Love??

We'll talk about this, and more tonight, on The Austin Hill Show - - www.TheAustinHillShow.Com for streaming audio. To join the program, it's 1-888-630-WMAL.

So, What Are YOUR Expectations?

Today The Economist Magazine in London published a piece stating that now, having won an extraordinary victory, President-Elect Barack Obama is having to figure out "who he's going to disappoint."

In other words, Obama has set expectations so incredibly high among his many fans and supporters that he cannot possibly meet all those expectations.

Similarly, Rick Moran at Pajamas Media had a first-hand account of these extraordinarly high expecations of Obama's supporters, while he was "in the crowd" at Obama's election night speech in Chicago.

And the amazing video of Florida resident Peggy Joseph, stating that with an Obama Presidency, "I won't have to worry about putting gas in my car" and "I won't have to worry about paying my mortgage" has been making its way around in cyberspace, and on talk radio.

So, given all these "great" expecations......what do you expect from President Obama? In the first 30 days, in the first 100 days, in 4 years?

Good or bad, we'll discuss this, tonight on The Austin Hill Show.

To join the program, it's 1-888-630-WMAL.

....And what Other Industries Does He Want To Bankrupt???

A recording of Obama saying that he plans to bankrupt the coal industry in America has surfaced (get the details HERE).

And it begs the question.......what other industries would he liked to destroy?

Also..........is Obama sounding defensive?

Clark Judge, former Speech Writer for Presidents George HW Bush and Ronald Reagan, thinks so.......read his analysis HERE.

We'll talk about this, and more, tonight on The Austin Hill Show.
Call 1-888-630-WMAL from anywhere in the United States to join the program.

"Selfishness," "Neighborliness," "Fair," "Unfair," And Other Concepts That Even A Kid Can Understand...

Here's my weekly column for Townhall Dot Com that will post Sunday (tommorrow) morning. There is so much I have to say (and will say) on this subject shortly...but for now, an "advance relase" of Sunday's thoughts.

Barack Obama And The Economics Of Sesame Street

by Austin Hill

Forget Wall Street. And forget Main Street. The economic considerations in both those places - - fraught with all that crazy obsessing over start-up capital, balance sheets, budget projections, profit and loss statements, and so forth - - that’s just all too complicated.

So let’s not even try to think about those things. And while we’re not thinking, let’s usher-in a new President who can shelter us from the harsh considerations of risk and reward, market competition, investment and planning, and all the rest. Let’s elect a President who has distilled economic realities into simple juxtapositions that even a kid can understand- - things like “fairness” versus “unfairness,” and “selfishness” versus “neighborliness.”

That’s right, it’s time for President Obama and the economics of Sesame Street.

Does that sound harsh? Well, consider this: while most Americans find it distasteful, if not blasphemous, to single-out a minority group for undue maligning and punishment, Senator Obama has made “profiling” of a “minority group” a normative thing. We’re not talking here about a racial or cultural or sexual minority. We’re talking about a socioeconomic minority - - the more economically productive people in our society, or, to put in Obama-speak, the group he vaguely defines as “rich people” - - and punishing this minority group is, by his definition, “fair” and “neighborly.”

It’s true. When Senator Obama was interviewed by Bill O’Rielly at the Fox Newschannel in September of this year, O’Rielly began the segment on taxation policy by saying to the Senator “you’re a big ‘tax the rich’ guy, aren’t ya?” Near the end of the discussion, Obama asserted that it is a matter of “neighborliness” to take ever-increasing levels of cash from the nation’s highest income earners, and give it to lower income earners.

And let me be clear: this is not what I envision for my neighborhood, or my country. But for the very multi-cultural, Mister “I-grew-up-in-Indonesia-and-I’ve-seen-how-terrible-America-is-from-the-other-side” Barack Obama, this is the way things ought to be.

Days after the O’Rielly interview, Obama’s running mate Senator Joe Biden made the redistributionist economics even more easily understood. “We want to take money” Biden told a host at ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America” (with no reference to whose money he wants to ‘take” or how the money is earned), “and put it in the pockets of the middle class.” He quickly followed up that explanation by insisting that the plan was “patriotic,” and was all about “fairness.”

And now after roughly three weeks of McCain and Palin questioning the wisdom of Obama’s redistributionist economic plans (and just when you thought he could not possibly get more “audacious”), we saw Obama introduce another emotive, Sesame Street-friendly term into the big economic debate last Friday. McCain and Palin, according to the Senator, have made a virtue out of “selfishness.” That’s right, those of us who want to retain most of our hard-earned revenues - - those of us who think that we can manage our money to better ends than government agencies can - - we are “selfish.”

If only we would practice our “neighborliness” a bit more often…

It’s sad that economics - - a subject that is dry and boring and academic to some, yet it is essential to our very essence as human beings - - has been so horribly trivialized and reduced down to a few simple, emotive categories. And yet the campaign is working phenomenally well. I hear from the “Obama Automatons” on a regular basis, when they call in to my talk show at Washington, DC’s 630 WMAL radio.

Just last Friday I took a call from a gentleman who, with campaign talking points in hand, insisted to me that there is no need for concern about Obama’s economic plans - - he just wants to change course from the “disastrous policies” of the Bush years and return America to the economic prosperity of the Clinton era.

“Oh really,” I said to him, “what was the capital gains tax rate while Bill Clinton was President?”

“I don’t know” the caller replied.

“And what is Mr. Obama proposing for a capital gains tax rate?” I asked.

“I‘m not sure,” he said, “I’m not an expert.”

“I understand” I said to the man. “You’re just reading the campaign talking points and you weren’t expecting any questions from me…”

“I am not just reading talking points” the man shouted angrily. “I work in Obama’s campaign as a volunteer.”

“And yet you still have no idea what you’re talking about with Obama’s economic proposals - - that‘s very interesting” I replied, as I thanked him for his call and moved on.

I suspect there are millions of Americans who have absolutely no comprehension of the substance of Obama’s proposals, yet they have worked for, and will vote for “Hope” and “Change.”

I hope they’re able to enjoy their Sesame Street economic fantasy while it lasts.

Opposing Obama - - Or His Policies - - Is Racist?

Guest Columnist Kevin Martin weighs-in on the issue...enjoy:

There Is Nothing Racist About Opposing Socialism

by Kevin Martin

First of all there is nothing racist in opposing, “Socialism” no matter the skin color it comes in as we are a Constitutional Republic.

“Excuse me,” but Socialism in itself is rooted in racism as it uses class envy and the power of government to take from those who have achieved success and give to the masses without choice or repercussion.

I thought Democrats and Social Liberals were all about choice, so I get it now. If you are opposed to a Socialist, who happen to be Black then it must be based on his race rather than his ideology.

I am not going to be lecture by press which is made up of mostly Social Liberals on what is and is not racism in America. This is the same press that smears people no matter their skin color or gender, who they have ideology disagreements with even proof or repercussion.

Many Socialists in the press feel that a majority Americans is simply stupid for their own good and we have to be told what is best for us. The Press is even willing to withhold damning evidence in an effort to elect officials and drive public opinion along the lines they want thru selective outrage.

We even now have Socialist Democrats such as Congressmen Barney Frank Congressmen Jack Murtha and Senator Harry Reid picking up on the supplied talking points from their allies in the press and Congressmen Murtha has even taken to throwing his own constituents under the bus by labeling them without charge or proof as, “racists and rednecks.”

If Democrats like Murtha, Frank and Reid are so damn concerned about some of their constituents possibly being racist, then they should resign from represent them, as they are suppose to be the Party of Civil Right, yet the Democrat Party can trace their roots back to the Ku Klux Klan and even have a former Klansmen as a elder U.S. Senator.

Yet these Socialist Democrats seem to operate from a Sense of Entitlement and Barack Obama is no exception as any questions about his past association have been considered by the press and his fellow Socialists as off limits and anyone who talks about those associations is smeared as a “racist” without charge or proof.

“Do you think the press would give a Conservative or Republican, the same free pass they have to Senator Obama for his past associations with Socialists, Racists and even Terrorists?” Does this not make Senator Obama a hypocrite as he and his fellow Socialist Democrats have blocked Republicans Judicial Nominees over the last 7+ years on charges of questionable past associations.

Yet, we are told by Socialists, “That past associations should not matter when you running for President as catchphrases and promises of Pet Government do. Now we have a smooth talking Socialist that wants to lead our government over the next 4-8 years with a Supermajority of fellow Socialists in the Congress, but ask your this, “Could some these Socialists get “a Security Clearance” to be a civil servant and if not would that to be racist?

In the last 20 years Socialism has been rejected in most of Europe, Africa and Asia, “Does according to the likes of those who are supporting Obama make these nations, now racist?”

A Socialist Government and a Constitutional Republic can’t exist in the same nation as power can’t be taken from the people and given to the government in a Constitution Republic no matter what color or how smooth talking the Socialism maybe. Socialists use the power of government to remain in power and oppress the will of the people at the same time, now if that is not racism against the masses, I don’t know what is and there is nothing racist in opposing on who promises this form of government.

What Kind Of "Change" Does Obama Have In Mind???

Barack Obama has been preaching "change" for nearly two straight years. And yesterday, in an appearance on "The Daily Show" on the Comedy Central Network, he said that he believes that most Americans are "conservative" - - not in an ideological sense necessarily, but in terms of being resistant to change.

Yet, in "hard times," Americans, so Obama believes, are more open to "change."

So what does he have in mind?

We'll talk about it tonight. Also, Al Queda has "issued a statement" (I'm not sure what exactly it means for a terrorist group to "issue a statement") saying that "they" (whoever "they" are) want President Bush and Republicans to be thoroughly humiliated in our next election.

Does that mean that the Democratic Party is the party of Al Queda?

Join me on "The Austin Hill Show".......1-888-630-WMAL.

Okay, So, It's A Prediction...

Evans and Novak have weighed-in with their predictions for the U.S. election outcomes...

Their data is HERE. It is what it is. If nothing else, it gives hope that the Democratic Party won't have a complete green light to go "hard left" with policy positions.

However, I still think we will not know who the President-elect is on Tuesday night. I think we're headed for a rough night...maybe several of them, next week.

More to come....

Does A Candidate's "Family" Matter?

News has surfaced from journalists in England (NOT American journalists) that Barack Obama's Aunt is living in poverty in Boston.

The story is HERE.

The Aunt of our "Spread The Wealth Around" Multi-Millionare Senator Barack Obama, and the second Obama relative found to be living in abject poverty (remember George Obama who lives "in a hut" on "less than a dollar a month?" A British media outlet broke that story, as well).

Does this matter? Does it set well with Americans, when a would-be President wants to "crack down" on people who make too money, yet he himself is a multi-millionare who can't lend a helping hand to his own relatives living in squallor??

We'll talk about this, plus the latest from the "Obama/PLO videotape" that the LA Times is sheltering, tonight from 8-10pm Eastern.

Log-on to listen at http://www.theaustinhillshow.com/, and to join the program call 1-888 - 630-WMAL from anywhere in the continental United States.

Breaking: The Source Of The Obama/PLO Video Tape...

Ali Abunimah is the likely original source of the oh-so secret Obama/Khalidi/Ayres Tape. The LA Times' Wallsten likely Plagiarized noted blogger Debbie Schlussel. At least that's what Schlussel says herself. Read her details, HERE.



We also are seeing on the blogosphere that there is a $150,000 reward being offered for the Obama/PLO tape...details are HERE.

More info as it becomes available.....

So, Now $150,000 A Year Is "Rich," And Warrants A Tax Hike

A story in this morning's New York Post tells us that Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Joe Biden has now lowered the magic "threshold of taxation." For months the Obama campaign has insisted that under Barack's economic plan, Americans making less than $250,000 a year would get a "tax cut."

Sadly, Americans making $250,000 a year or more would be subject to sharp tax increases. And the implication here is that the multi-millionaires Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe that if you earn (notice I didn't merely say "have," but "earn" - - most of us don't just simply "have" or "get" money, we work for it, we "EARN" it) $250,000 a year or more, you deserve to have a larger portion of your earnings taken away.

But wait, there's more.......NOW, V.P. Nominee Biden has lowered that magical tax hike threshold to $150,000 a year more more! See the story in the New York Post, HERE.


Also note.....yesterday on Newstalk 550 KFYI in Phoenix, AZ, Host Michele Larson was talking with Barry Young (on "The Nearly Famous Barry Young Show") about Obama's assertion that his economic adviser, Warren Buffett, has repeatedly told him that his tax hike plans (which include a near doubling of the capital gains tax rate) are "okay" and "won't hurt the economy."

Larson pointed out that maybe, just maybe, there's a significant difference between earning $250,000 a year, and having a multi-billion dollar stockpile like Warren Buffett has - - and hence, maybe Warren's doesn't see things from the "I'm rich with my 250 grand a year" perspective...

And isn't this obvious? Why doesn't anybody else in the media see Obama's scheme here: Rich Man Obama takes advice from Rich Man Buffett on how to make sure that other Americans don't get "too rich."

This is a case of the "wealthy class" seeking to rule over the "peasants." It is the beginnings of a caste system. It is absurd. It is UN-American.

I believe Larson's discussion with Young on this subject was in the 9am hour of Tuesday's show - - get the podcast HERE.

How Do You Suppose Election Night Will Go?

Today's Washington Post details a "controversy" in Virginia over counting the ballots of military personnel stationed overseas. VA Attorney General Bob McDonnell will weigh-in on tonight's show, discussing how he brought the matter to resolution.But still, there are doubts across the country as to how accurately ballots will be counted - - and plenty of people who seem to be intentionally disrupting the voting process.Also........my colleague Fred Grandy of the Grandy and Andy Morning Show at 630 WMAL suggested this morning that McCain cannot win the presidential election, so he should spend his remaining campaign time stumping for Republican congressional candidates rather than campaigning for his own, lost cause.Yet, at the close of this very day, the latest Gallup Tracking Poll has McCain and Obama statistically in a dead heat again. In fact, all three major tracking polls show McCain on the way up - - again - - and all within a 5 percentage point margin.Should McCain REALLY throw in the towel?We'll talk about it tonight, on The Austin Hill Show. 1-888-630-WMAL is the toll free number where you can join the discussion.
Tuned by Gram at 10/28/2008 04:33:00 PM 0 Performance upgrades

How Will Things Go On Election Night, Anyway???

Journalism? What's That???

Last night on "The Austin Hill Show" I talked about the "winners" and "losers" thus far in this election cycle, among the American media. I also read a bit from a striking new column making its way through the blogosphere from Tech Journalist (I hesitate to call him that, because he does far more than write about "tech," yet that's what he's most widely known for) Michael S. Malone. Read the column in its entirety, HERE.

Malone levels a - - shall we say, "stinging indictment" - - of what has become of "journalism," and warns of the consequences.

If Malone's assessment of the job "journalists" have done with the election is accurate - - and I believe that it is - - it is even more startling to think of how Americans might become even less informed if, indeed, a President Obama and a Democratically controlled Congress attempted to regulate media content, and in so doing decimated various forms of "alternative media" - - talk radio specifically.

And speaking of "regulating media content" - - F.C.C. Commissioner Michael Copps was interviewed in Baltimore and asked about the possible reinstatement of "The Fairness Doctrine." He made it clear that, in his view, the "version" of the Fairness Doctrine that was repealed in the 1980's would like not return.

But that leads us with the possibility of a "different version" of the Fairness Doctrine, or perhaps a different type of media content regulation.

I've been suggesting for many months that we could be headed for an era of "comprehensive media reform" (read my remarks on that, HERE).

The remarks of Commissioner Copps would seem to suggest that "comprehensive media reform" might be in the works, eventually (read Copps' remarks HERE.).

Can We Please Go "Old School" On Our Economic Thinking?

I've said many times that we live in an era of "economic illiteracy." With that in mind, I'm pleased to present - - and I hope you will contemplate - - the wisdom of Dr. B.B. Robinson...


Finding Financial Security Through Old-School Wisdom



Isn't it rich when something that was drilled into your head when you were a child starts making perfect sense? For me, it was Proverbs 4:7 - "Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding." During the current economic crisis, this advice is especially relevant.

Black Americans appear to have been disproportionately affected by the subprime loan crisis. Consider that, according to a study by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, subprime mortgage loans were more prevalent than prime loans among blacks in 98.5 percent of 331 metropolitan areas surveyed in 2003. Why were subprime loans so prevalent? Where were the warnings? Passage of the Community Reinvestment Act - which essentially required increased diversity in lending - and other easy money lending policies were catalysts for increased subprime lending. Motivated by profit, mortgage companies aggressively marketed subprime loans to financially-questionable Americans, black and white, who snapped them up. Business is about contracts, and subprime mortgages were contracts stacked against the uninitiated and unaware.

After becoming sick due to the consumption of subprime loans, the nation is now turning to economists for healing. If economists are supposed to be able to prescribe a cure, why didn't they warn us about them at the outset? Specifically, where were the black economists? Why didn't they sound the alarm so that black Americans could avoid the subprime loan trap in the first place?

For many black economists - and white economists for that matter - it was not a case of knowing and not telling. It was more a case of not realizing the problem until it was too late. Like other disciplines, economics is compartmentalized. Unless one specializes in financial economics, one wouldn't necessarily be familiar with or focusing on developments in the financial markets. Too many black economists instead specialize in labor economics and focus on employment discrimination. These black economists do a lot of getting, but they aren't getting a balanced understanding.

Subprime mortgages were a creation of the financial sector. As a member of the National Economic Association, an association of black economists, I know that the number of black financial economists is miniscule. Black economists missed the warning signs. Now, who's responsible for saving those harmed in black America? How about individual responsibility?

Those in trouble should fend for themselves. Don't look for black economists to come to the rescue. They didn't in the past, so why expect them now? Thankfully, there is a means to get out of this crisis. It's easy to say, "That stuff is too complicated - only the experts understand it." How, then, did the experts learn it? They either taught themselves or were taught. But, even with good teachers, it is often better to do your own research and develop your own methods of problem solving.

The idea that one should not practice on their own behalf - that is, serve as your own doctor or lawyer - does not necessarily apply to financial matters. Learn the basics. Keep to simple practices. Avoid complex investment schemes such as derivatives and subprime loans unless you completely understand them. If you follow sound economic and financial principles, you can help solve any financial crisis you may face. Avoid the "suffering servant," "victim" and "I-need-an-expert" mentalities.

Endeavor to learn the basics of the financial system, as it will give you a better chance of weathering the storm. Not only will this course allow you to gain knowledge, but also get you the proper wisdom and understanding necessary to survive and thrive economically.

# # # B.B. Robinson, Ph.D. is a member of the national advisory council of the black leadership network Project 21. You can visit his website at www.blackeconomics.org. Comments may be sent to Project21@nationalcenter.org.

Can This Year's Presidential Race End Peacefully?

Earlier this year (July 20th to be precise) I published a column entitled “If Obama Loses In November, Will America Suffer?” In it, I referenced the many things that were being said and written about the historical and cultural significance of Obama’s candidacy (especially the many things that Obama has written about his “life’s journey,” and the extraordinary declarations that he has made about his own historical significance). I then contemplated what might happen if, despite all the “significance” of his candidacy, Obama were to actually lose the election.

As I pointed out in that column, many influential friends of mine from both political and business circles, and from both the East and West Coasts, were telling me that they feared “trouble in the streets” if Obama lost the election. That was in July. And now, as we begin the last full week before the election, I can’t help but think that we’re even closer to “trouble in the streets,” regardless of the election’s eventual outcome.

I say ‘eventual outcome,” because I do not anticipate that we’ll actually know who the President-elect is on election night. I may be wrong about this, and the Obama camp’s predictions of a Reagan-styled landslide may come to pass. But I expect a “close score” on this one, and for election night to be clouded with claims of voter fraud, and demands for investigations and ballot re-counts, all of which will likely delay the declaration of a “winner” for several days.

As for “civil unrest,” it appears quite clear to me that many of our fellow Americans are planning for this. A report that appeared in a recent edition of the Washington publication “The Hill” indicated that law enforcement agencies throughout the country are beefing-up their resources, in anticipation that there could be civil unrest on election day and the days that follow. The report included quotes from several agency spokespersons, many of whom seem to be saying, essentially, “we don’t expect trouble - - but the S.W.A.T. team will be on high alert just in case…”

Other law enforcement agents indicated that this year’s presidential election has attracted a level of “youthful enthusiasm” comparable to that usually reserved for high-profile sporting events, and noted that, even when a team wins a championship (say, a Superbowl, or a big collegiate competition), the hometown crowd often trashes its own surroundings in “celebration.” Whether or not you accept this “sports team wins big” analogy, law enforcement professionals are making these observations, and it is worthwhile for the rest of us to make note of them.

And law enforcement folks aren’t the only ones anticipating election night “action.” At the liberal activist website MWCNews Dot Net (media with conscience), the following rhetoric appeared in a “report” filed last week:

“If your television declares John McCain the president elect on the evening of November 4th, your television will be lying. You should immediately pick up your pre-packed bags and head straight to the White House in Washington, D.C., which we will surround and shut down until this attempt at a third illegitimate presidency is reversed.”

The implications of such language are obvious - - a McCain presidential victory simply will never exist, and anyone who might declare that such a thing exists will be lying.

Later in the piece, the author writes:

“If Obama officially wins, McCain is likely to challenge it, charging the Obama campaign with some of the very crimes engaged in by McCain himself. Our reaction should be exactly the same in the event of a McCain challenge as in the event of a McCain ‘victory.’ We should not sit back for even a split second and wonder how it will work out…We should be prepared already to immediately travel to Washington, D.C., head straight for the White House, occupy Lafayette Square Park, the Ellipse, and surrounding streets, block entrances, and shut the place down until Obama is recognized as the president elect or we are guaranteed a credible election with universal registration and hand-counted paper ballots. We may be there for days or weeks or months…We must show each other, and the nation, and the world that we have had enough, that we will not stand for one more stolen election, that we will not give in to fear, lies, theft, and intimidation…”

Additionally, Rolling Stone magazine published a piece last week written by the “esteemed” Robert Kennedy Jr. Kennedy claims that Republican “operatives” around the country - - Secretaries Of State, Lieutenant Governors, County Clerks, and other elected officials - - have a well-coordinated system of disenfranchisement in place, even better than in 2004, and will be arbitrarily throwing-out untold numbers of ballots so as to “give it” to McCain.

I suspect we'll be in for a rough night in November - - and maybe several of them.

New Details In The Obama Birth Certificate Scandal

On Friday evening's show, I spoke with News Anchor/Reporter Ramsay Wharton,
of KGMB-TV 9 in Honolulu.

Ramsey explained on-air with me that as she has examined the Obama birth certificate, she has discovered her own discrepancies. Most notably, the document lists the father of Senator Obama as being "African." According to Wharton, the vernacular of that time suggests that Barack Hussein Obama Sr. would have more likely been listed as "negro" (even though he was from Kenya).

She also finds peculiarities in the formatting of the document, formatting that would seem to be inconsistent with the common means of formatting that were used back in the early 1960's.

It leaves one to wonder why Obama doesn't simply answer the questions, and produce a "vaulted" (non-duplicate) copy of the birth certificate and get the issues cleared-up once and for all.

Nonetheless, Wharton indicated that the news team at KGMB-TV9 will be doing their own investigating of this matter, and I will likely speak with her again on-air during Monday evening's show.

So, Who Do You Believe?

Some polls indicate that Obama has a double-digit lead, whereas others show that Obama and McCain are in a virtual dead-heat.

Yahoo News summed it up pretty nicely HERE.

But you and I are left with the question "who's right and who's wrong?"

We'll talk about it tonight.

Also.......in light of the negative attention drawn over his "spread the wealth" comments 3 weeks ago, Obama as asked this week if he regretted the comments. He said "NO."

And his wealth-spreading plans involve steep tax hikes in nearly every sector of the American economy, along with dramatic restrictions on otherwise free-trade.

Of course, in response to the stockmarket crash of 1929, America raised taxes and imposed tough limitations on trade..and the "Great Depression" ensued.

So....why is it a good time to raise taxes now, in the midst of a global economic slowdown?

Join me tonight on The Austin Hill Show (click HERE for streaming audio and audio on demand); to join the program call 1-888 630-WMAL.

What A Stupid "Mistake"

Some people just don't get it, when it comes to the technology in our lives. John McCain's brother Joe was stuck in traffic for fifteen minutes....and what does one naturally do when one is stuck in traffic for 15 minutes? Call 9-11 on one's mobile telephone, and then when the 9-11 operator questions the "emergency" nature of your call, you tell the operator "F-You," with, of course, no thought that the operator might trace your call and discover your identity....that's what!

See the video report from DC's WJLA-TV HERE.

And while I've heard reports that Joe was listening to "The Austin Hill Show" on 630 WMAL in his car at the time of the unfortunately stupid incident, I'm still trying to get confirmation on those reports.....stay tuned (or logged-on).

Is It Even Possible For This Year's Presidential Race To Come To A Peaceful Conclusion???

Yes, I'm serious about this question. I hate to admit, but I honestly don't think so. I believe that, no matter what happens on election night, we still will not know who actually is the President-elect (I suspect we'll be re-counting ballots for a few days beyond that). But worse, still, I suspect we'll experience some level of "civil unrest" - - hopefully not a "high" level, but some, nonetheless.

One blog is reporting HERE that a McCain "win" would be, be definition, "theft," and there are plans for "resistance" should this happen.

Another blog aledges that Rev. Jesse Jackson has, along with other Democrats, "pledged" to riot of McCain wins.

And even if you don't believe that, activist groups (like this one HERE) have organized for the specific purpose of not allowing a Democratic Party loss this year.

And law enforcement agencies around the country are bracing for civil unrest, regardless of who wins the presidential race.

Even today, there have been two reports of violence against McCain supporters.

In one case, a 20 year-old female McCain supporter was mugged, and when her assailant noticed a McCain sticker on her car, he struck her to the ground and carved a "B" on her face.

And in another incident, a Florida State Republican Party operative had his home "shot up."

And we're 12 days away from knowing how the voting is going to go.

What happens on election night - - and thereafter?

We'll talk about this...as well as ponder the question "why DOES Obama insist on raising taxes in the midst of an economic downturn?"

For show audio, visit http://www.theaustinhillshow.com/.

To join the show between 8 and 10pm Eastern, call 1-888-630-W-M-A-L.

Now We Know What Biden Was Thinking...

At least, I think we now know part of what Biden was getting at, when he stated that "President Obama" will, in the first six months of his presidency, face an international crisis. Click this link HERE:

Haaretz is, essentially, a mainstream media outlet in the nation of Israel. Reports there have surfaced tonight (Thursday morning there) that Iran is planning an attack on Israel.

So...since Biden is claiming that Americans might not think Obama is doing the right thing, as he responds to the coming "international crisis," is that to say that a President Obama would not seek to defend Isarel against Iran?

We'll talk about that tonight...and, we'll contemplate this question: In light of U.S. Senator Bingaman's hope to re-instate the "Fairness Doctrine," is America's media necessarily "unfair?"

For audio, go to http://www.theaustinhillshow.comTo join the show, it's 1-888-630-WMAL.

Crackdown On "Conservative" Media...

Senator Jeff Bingaman, D-New Mexico, made it clear: the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" SHOULD be re-instated. The goal, obviously, is to crackdown on "conservative" media, because on cable-tv and talk radio, "conservative" content wins with audiences. The choices of free people, free people freely making consumer choices from among a bevy of choices offered to them by the free market economy, has produced an outcome that is undesirable to Democrats, so.....it's time to crackdown on conservative media. That is the plan of the Democratic Party, once they win the White House, and strengthen their domination of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.

Listen to the audio of Senator Bingaman being interviewed on the subject, at Radio Station KKOB / Albuquerque, at our homepage, www.AustinHill.Net .

The Economy, Or National Security???

What is the most top-of-mind issue in the current presidential election cycle? Is it the economy, or national security, or both or neither one?

In the days following the Republican National Convention (the convention from which McCain and Palin got quite a significant "bump" in the polling data), the top issue for voters regarding the next president seemed to be trustworthiness.

And on that issue, McCain seemed to have an edge over Obama.

But that was in September.

Then towards the end of September, President Bush spoke to the world and essentially said that, if the Congress didn't pass legislation to stabilize the financial markets, then the world would soon come to an end.

And panic ensued.

And the eyes of American voters were focused almost solely on the threat of economic collapse.

And Obama rose dramatically in the polls, while McCain shrunk.

Now, we've seen a few days in a row of, at least, a more stabilized Wall Street, and - - whether your saw it or not - - some positive economic news.

So what are Americans focused on now, as they get ready to vote (or are already voting) in the presidential race?

We'll talk about this, and more. Listen at www.TheAustinHillShow.Com .

To join the show, it's 1-888-630 - W - M - A - L.