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Twitter Updates for 2009-06-21

Matt Margolis

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-21

Matt Margolis

The Obama Honeymoon Is Ending

Matt Margolis

Recent polling by Gallup and Rasmussen indicate that approval of Obama’s job performance is dwindling.

Gallup’s latest poll records Obama’s lowest job approval yet at 58% (with 33% disapproval). This is obviously not a horrible rating, but, what I find most interesting is the approval by party ID:

Obama has lost ground with Republicans and Independents. Now, I am sure most would write off low approval from Republicans as expected, but an 8-point drop with Independents in two weeks is very significant. It is also interest to note that Obama has only gained ground with Democrats. Which only speaks to Obama’s polarizing nature. Obama has made many blunders in his short time in office, and has on occasion, done things that have upset his base. Not releasing photos of detainees being interrogated, a perceived lack of action on the homosexual agenda, etc. Past poll internals have shown Obama personally getting more support than the policies he is promoting, so, it is only a matter of time before support from Democrats takes a hit.

The Rasmussen poll also shows bad news for Obama. Their latest daily tracking poll also shows a new low for Obama. There presidential approval index weighs ‘strong approval’ against ‘strong disapproval’ and finds, for the for time a negative president approval index rating:

The trend in the above graph is undeniable. I know some on the left would love to write off the numbers as being influenced by sour grapes from McCain voters, but Obama’s early high approval clearly showed a willingness from voters on the right to give Obama a chance, which is normal at the start of any presidency. Even after the contentious 2000 election, George W. Bush entered office with high approval.

What is causing the rapid decline in Obama’s approval? Well, as I stated before, the policies he is promoting have significantly less support than he does. His flip-flopping on campaign promises, his blunders, hypocrisy, and incompetence has been chipping away at the carefully crafted, focus group-tested image he made for himself during the campaign.

Phrase of the Day

Mark Noonan

What to do about those who state there is no absolute right or wrong:

If he really does think there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, sir, when he leaves our house let us count our spoons – Samuel Johnson

Two Events in the War on Christianity

Mark Noonan

One:

A Pagan group in Britain has accused a Catholic social club of religious discrimination for refusing to host a Pagan group’s Annual Witches’ Ball on the grounds it was ‘not compatible with the Catholic ethos.’

Sandra Davis, 61, a High Priestess of the Pagan group, initially had reserved Our Lady’s Social Club in Stockport, Manchester for her group’s Annual Witches Ball. When she called to make payment arrangements, she was told the event could not be held there and must find another venue. She told the Daily Telegraph she was “appalled” and said her congregation was “shocked” that there can be such “religious discrimination.”

“We’re normal people who follow an earth-based religion and want to enjoy ourselves.

“We thought we were bridging the gap with other religions but misconceptions still exist, like we sacrifice animals.

“Does the church check everyone’s beliefs before allowing them in the club?” she asked.

Fr. John Joyce from the Diocese of Shrewsbury explained to the Daily Telegraph why the event could not proceed at the Catholic club.

“Parish centers under our auspices let their premises on the understanding users and their organizations are compatible with the ethos and teachings of the Catholic Church,” he said.

“In this instance, we aren’t satisfied such requirements are met.”

Two:

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on the news that the Education Committee of the New York City Council has approved two new Muslim holidays, Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha, to be added to the school calendar:

“On January 14, I testified before this very same committee requesting equal rights for Catholics: Jewish and Islamic religious symbols are displayed in the schools every December, but Christian symbols are banned.

“With the exception of Councilman Tony Avella, and a few others, the Education Committee showed no interest in appeasing Catholics.

“But its members are apparently capable of demonstrating great sensitivity to Muslims.

“Speaker Christine Quinn, who was raised Catholic—and who has shown no interest in the push for parity that the Catholic League wants—is now urging all City Councilmen to vote for this new round of Muslim rights.

“What’s at work is the politics of multiculturalism: tolerance for some, intolerance for others. But this fight isn’t over yet.”

If we don’t allow representatives of the Enemy to use our property, we’re discriminating. If we’re refused access to someone else’s property, we’re not being discriminated against. Boiled down: Whatever offends Christians must be allowed, whatever shows tolerance for Christians must be banned. This is the trend of things, and why we Christians insist there is a war upon our faith – certain people (including the odd alliance of political leftists and Moslem extremists) want us out of the public square and unable to even retreat to private places for our own defense. Essentially, we aren’t wanted at all and the sooner we’re destroyed, the better our enemies will like it.

Well, sorry to say, the gates of Hell will not prevail – so, you who want us gone may as well just give up. I know you won’t, but you are wasting your time, and putting yourselves at exceptional long term risk.

On a Shoestring, Part II

Mark Noonan

Ed. Note: This was among the papers of George Childs Noonan, Jr. upon his death and was written by his father, George Childs Noonan, Sr., at a date uncertain. Given the sort of paper it is typed upon and the sort of print, it was probably written some time prior to 1970. It is incomplete, comprising 17 type-written pages. Whether there ever was anything else to this biographical essay is unknown.

Part I may be read here.

Before moving on, let me relate a thing that happened to me. A thing, I think, that could happen only in Hollywood in the picture business.

On the surface it is pretty hard sometimes to tell a no-talent from the real McCoy and so I was able to fast-talk myself into a job on the writing staff of the Hal Roach studio. They had several units, Laurel and Hardy, Our Gang, All Star etc. continuously in production making two reel comedies and it was the job of the writing staff to come up with stories and gags for them. They hired me on at the minimum salary of $500 a month. It took them about four months to find out that I was a no-talent, whereupon they let me go.

Here’s the thing: Shortly after being canned from the Roach studio, a fellow came up to me in the lobby of the Christie hotel, “you’re Georgie O’Neil who worked on the Roach lot?”. “That’s right”. “Well, I’m Jack Adolphi and I have a package contract to write and direct a series of comedies over at the Educational studio – if you’ll help me put together a couple of quickies I’ll get you on the payroll as my assistant”. We went up to my room and hashed it out. Adolphi thanked me for my contribution and promised to call me in a couple of days.

Weeks went by and no word from Adolphi. I figured he tried but was unable to deliver on my behalf. I understood – some exec’s son-in-law was given the job, par for the course in Hollywood. Then one day I got a call out of the blue. It was from Ivan Kahn, the actors agent, “DeMille studio has been calling all over town for you”.

I hustled out to the studio and was greeted like I was a big shot and in hushed confidence, “the picture stinks. It needs some laughs to save it – see what you can do – they are shooting some war scenes down on the back lot – don’t crack to anyone – just sit around and observe and catch the rushes for a couple days and we’ll get together later”.

Before the end of the week a messenger from the front office came to the set to escort me to the front office, “Georgie, what’s your salary – what did they pay you at Roach?”. “Five hundred”, I replied. “O.K., then, $500 it is”. When my pay check was delivered to me at the end of the week it was for $500 – I was on the payroll for $500 per week, not $500 a month!

What happened was this: DeMille studio had a sick picture on its hands and needed a gag man to help doctor it up, a writer expert in comedy construction. They did the natural thing in calling a comedy lot to recommend someone. They called Educational studio and Jack Adolphi just happened to be in his office – he gave me a big buildup as a Hal Roach staff writer and for the work I had done for him. At $500 per week I was able to bluff it through long enough to end up with enough loot to get married and go on a honeymoon – first cabin.

Next Week – Part III

Side Note: Two of George Childs Noonan, Sr’s sisters were Hollywood actresses:

Molly O’Day

Sally O’Neil

Twitter Updates for 2009-06-20

Matt Margolis

President Obama Finally Starts Acting Like an American

Mark Noonan

Not enough, but at least better than the mewling poltroonery thus far:

Obama directly addresses the Iranian government for the first time after a day of violence in Iran:

The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching. We mourn each and every innocent life that is lost. We call on the Iranian government to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people. The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights.

Now, Mr. President, get in touch with those Iranian security forces which might be willing to flip and take the side of the Iranian people – do it, and do it now.