Here, you are urged and encouraged to run your mouths about something important.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

IG Walpin Now Fired for being Racist?

We all remember Gerald Walpin, right? The Inspector General for AmeriCorps, Barack Obama's pet project, who was fired when he wouldn't play ball with the White House relative the settlement with Obama's buddy, former NBA star and current Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson. Johnson was found to have misused taxpayer money intended for his non-profit organization called St. HOPE. Basically, Johnson got a slap on the wrist that Walpin thought was too lenient. Walpin was subsequently fired.

Unlike the White House, Walpin hasn't changed his story one time. After getting pressed by congressional investigators to explain the termination, at one point, the White House said Walpin appeared "confused and disoriented" at a May 20th Board Meeting for Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), which is the parent company of AmeriCorps.

Ever since being asked to respond, in writing, by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley to 12 specific questions about Walpin's firing, the White House appears to have chosen the somewhat interesting strategy known as stonewalling.

Possibly playing a significant role in the White House's decision to zip its lips may be those twelve questions (which went unanswered). Here are the questions Grassley issued to White House counsel Gregory Craig back on June 17th he wanted answered by June 24th:

1) Did the [Corporation for National and Community Service] Board communicate its concerns about Mr. Walpin to the White House in writing?
2) Specifically, which CNCS Board members came forward with concerns about Mr. Walpin’s ability to serve as the Inspector General?
3) Was the communication about the Board’s concerns on or about May 20, 2009 the first instance of any communications with White House personnel regarding the possibility of removing Mr. Walpin?
4) Which witnesses were interviewed in the course of Mr. Eisen’s review?
5) How many witnesses were interviewed?
6) Were any employees of the Office of Inspector General, who may have had more frequent contact with Mr. Walpin than the Board members, interviewed?
7) Was Mr. Walpin asked directly during Mr. Eisen’s review about the events of May 20, 2009?
8) Was Mr. Walpin asked for his response to the allegations submitted to the Integrity Committee by Acting U.S. Attorney Lawrence Brown?
9) What efforts were made during Mr. Eisen’s review to obtain both sides of the story or to afford the Office of Inspector General an opportunity to be heard?
10) In addition to the claim that Mr. Walpin was “confused” and “disoriented,” the letter also says he exhibited “other behavior” that led to questions about his capacity. What other behavior was Mr. Eisen referencing?
11) If the initial and primary concern had to do with Mr. Walpin’s capacity to serve for potential health reasons, why was he only given one hour to decide whether to resign or be fired?
12) If Mr. Walpin’s telecommuting arrangements since the beginning of this year were a major concern, then why was Mr. Walpin not simply asked to stop telecommuting?

Grassley wanted answers in writing by June 24th. He's still waiting. Here's York's piece from the 17th.

That leads us to the name Frank Trinity, a top official with CNCS who after meeting with congressional investigators, has decided to do a good impression of a mime that wants to be left alone.

Byron York, who has been following this particular IG story since the beginning has the full story

Now, more on that part about those behind Walpin's firing changing their stories while Walpin has been thoroughly consistent with his. Since the "confused and disoriented" defense hasn't served Obama well, it appears that the race card may now be getting played. Historically speaking, it's often a last line of defense.
(The reason for Walpin's firing) is particularly important to investigators, who believe the Obama administration may be constructing an after-the-fact rationale for canning Walpin.

What on earth for? Obama's people say Walpin appeared to be a few cards short of a full deck at a meeting. Doesn't that sufficiently cover it?

Who's appearing confused and disoriented now? Well, apparently the White House is because its story is not matching the story of Frank Trinity.
Now, the story has shifted again, to emphasize allegations of racial and gender insensitivity in a parody newsletter produced to mark the retirement of a worker in Walpin's office in May 2008.

When backed into a corner, scream 'RACISM', right?

Here's a link to the newsletter.

Truly problematic here is that Walpin DIDN'T WRITE ANYTHING IN THAT NEWSLETTER and its contents are actually rather innocuous to boot (see York's piece for quotes)!

If the White House's latest reason for firing Walpin is that he is guilty of vicariously exhibiting racism through the writer of a hokie (is 'hokie' racist?) newsletter, Obama should be starting to feel some significant heat.

Did I mention he's at -8 on the Presidential Approval Index?

h/t to PowerLine for posting the story

Babies in Onesies Rap on Roller Skates

This should make you thirsty. You may even find your preferred bottled water of choice changing by the time it's over.

Definitely worth the watch.



h/t to Flopping Aces

Obama Records New Low Again Today -8

WOW! 38% of Americans now Strongly DISAPPROVE of Barack Obama's performance while only 30% Strongly APPROVE. Not only is this completely new territory for Obama but it is the third day in a row he has set his own new dubious record.

On July 7th, he recorded a -3. On July 8th, he was at -5. Now on July 9th, he's at -8 according to the daily presidential index over at Rasmussen.

It appears someone may have thrown some grease and banana peels under the Obama bus.

Black on White Crime Exempt From Hate Crimes Laws?

Imagine a family standing outside their friends' home while watching fireworks with the homeowners. Then imagine a mob of about 50 racists approaching and ultimately attacking the family who doesn't share the mob's race.

Was it the KKK?

Nope.

Phil Trexler at the Akron Beacon Journal repors that it was a group of black teens who were shouting, "This is our world" and "This is a black world". Yup, after trespassing onto the property of a white family, the black teens shoved members of the Marshall family, including a teenage girl they pushed to the ground.

Quoting from Trexler's piece...
They said it started when one teen, without any words or warning, blindsided and assaulted Marshall's friend as he stood outside with the others.


WOW! Sounds like a hate crime, doesn't it?

Not so fast...
Akron police are investigating. Right now, the case is not being classified as a racial hate crime.

Perhaps this ambiguity will cause Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson to head to Akron!

h/t to Drudge
Accuracy in Media
American Spectator
American Thinker
Big Government
Big Journalism
Breitbart
Doug Ross
Drudge
Flopping Aces
Fox Nation
Fox News
Free Republic
The Hill
Hope for America
Hot Air
Hot Air Pundit
Instapundit
Jawa Report
Jihad Watch
Mediaite
Michelle Malkin
Naked Emperor News
National Review
New Zeal Blog
NewsBusters
Newsmax
News Real
Pajamas Media
Politico
Powerline
Rasmussen
Red State
Right Wing News
Say Anything
Stop Islamization of America
Verum Serum
Wall Street Journal
Washington Times
Watts Up With That
Web Today
Weekly Standard
World Net Daily

Blog Archive