It has begun. Obama to close 1.6 million acres of federal land to oil shale development because of some bird.

The poor hoot owls  sage grouse.

Via The Hill:

The Interior Department on Friday issued a final plan to close 1.6 million acres of federal land in the West originally slated for oil shale development.

The proposed plan would fence off a majority of the initial blueprint laid out in the final days of the George W. Bush administration. It faces a 30-day protest period and a 60-day process to ensure it is consistent with local and state policies. After that, the department would render a decision for implementation.

The move is sure to rankle Republicans, who say President Obama’s grip on fossil fuel drilling in federal lands is too tight.

Interior’s Bureau of Land Management cited environmental concerns for the proposed changes. Among other things, it excised lands with “wilderness characteristics” and areas that conflicted with sage grouse habitats.

This is an area over twice the size of Rhode Island. 

Blocked: McConnell uses parliamentary move to block Obama recess appointments

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell dashes Obama's hope of abusing recess appointments.

Via Politico: 

And he laid out a condition to releasing his objection: “confirmation from the administration that it will respect practice and precedent on recess appointments.”

McConnell added that he needed from the White House “assurances that have been routinely given at this point with regard to recess appointments.”

Later in the day, it became clear that McConnell’s demands were not satisfied. The Senate will now convene for 10 “pro forma” sessions over the next month, where the chamber will meet for only seconds every few days just to say it’s in session, thereby preventing recess appointments from being made. A White House spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment.

Video: Israeli Navy Uncovers Weaponry Intended for Terrorist Organization in the Gaza Strip

If you don't understand why Israel has to enforce a blockade of Gaza, just watch this video.

House Democrats Block Amendment to Open Up Gulf Oil Cleanup to Press

When it come to protecting President Obama from negative publicity surrounding the gulf oil spill and clean up, Democrats are ready to throw freedom of the press under the bus.

NewsBusters reported:

It has become clear that the Democratic establishment does not have as much of an interest in press freedom as they would have the public believe. But what is even more telling is the media's spotty response to censorship efforts in the Gulf of Mexico.

On Wednesday, House Natural Resouces Democrats rejected an amendment that would ensure press transparency in the Gulf. The amendment came mere days after the Coast Guard rescinded a policy keeping journalists at least 65 feet from "essential recovery efforts."

Offered by Rep. Paul Broun, pictured right, the amendment stated: "Except in cases of imminent harm to human life, federal officials shall allow free and open access to the media of oil spill clean up activity occurring on public lands or public shorelines, including the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.”

Ahmadinejad Claims U.S. is Blocking Return of Messiah

If you needed additional proof Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is crazy, here it is:

FOX News reported:

“We have documented proof that they believe that a descendant of the prophet of Islam will raise in these parts and he will dry the roots of all injustice in the world,” Ahmadinejad said during a speech on Monday, according to Al Arabiya.

"They have devised all these plans to prevent the coming of the Hidden Imam because they know that the Iranian nation is the one that will prepare the grounds for his coming and will be the supporters of his rule," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Iranian student protesters shout “Death to Dictators!”.

Fiscally conservative House Democrats may block health care reform

Map of Blue Dog districts.


The Blue Dog Coalition may block the Democrat's plan to raise taxes and spend over a trillion dollars, in the first ten years, on a health care reform plan that would actually raise costs. Currently, the Democrats pushing health care reform are very short of votes on the vital Energy and Commerce Committee.

From NASDAQ:

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- U.S. Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., a leader of fiscally conservative House Democrats, said Wednesday a House plan to overhaul the U.S. health-care system is losing support and will be stuck in committee without changes.

"Last time I checked, it takes seven Democrats to stop a bill in the Energy and Commerce Committee," Ross told reporters after a House vote. "We had seven against it last Friday; we have 10 today."

Three House committees are slated to begin considering the $1 trillion-plus bill this week, but the Energy and Commerce looms as the biggest challenge. That's because it counts among its 36 Democratic members seven members of the Blue Dog Coalition, a fiscally conservative bloc that is opposing the House Democrats' effort.