Right Pundits

Former Republican Vice Presidential candidate and NFL Quarterback Jack Kemp, has been diagnosed with cancer. Read his biography below, see photos and watch a video.

Jack Kemp

Today, it was announced that Jack Kemp is undergoing tests for cancer, reportedly in multiple places in his body, though the type of cancer is undisclosed. The course of treatment is apparently undetermined at this time.

“Mr. Kemp and his family are grateful for the thoughts and prayers of friends and appreciate respect for their privacy at this time.”

He went to the doctor late last year complaining of pain in his hip but was otherwise feeling fine. He has been making phone calls to friends and associates, letting them know the news directly from him.

House Republican Leader John Boehner said in a statement:

“Jack Kemp has inspired a generation of conservatives with his unyielding commitment to freedom and free-market policies.”

“Like millions of other Americans, I was saddened today to learn of his illness,” Boehner said. “My thoughts and prayers are with Jack, Joanne, and the Kemp family as Jack battles to defeat cancer. We need the strong, confident voice of Jack Kemp in the national dialogue as our country confronts the challenges that lie ahead.”

Jack Kemp, who is 73, has remained a strong voice in conservative circles since leaving elective politics. We, at Right Pundits, are wishing he and his family the very best.

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There are federal bailouts being handed out everywhere. This industry and that industry wants our tax dollars to keep them in high cotton. The porn industry wants their share. Read about it below.

Some leaders in the porn industry want their share of the federal bailout fade that’s sweeping the country. With the new democratic administration poised to take power, everyone and their brother has their hands out for our tax dollars. The latest is the porn industry. Hustler publisher Larry Flynt and Girls Gone Wild CEO Joe Francis have announced that they will request an allocation from Congress of $5 billion. The money is to be used to bailout the adult entertainment industry.

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Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy: Unfair to Some But Is it Bad?

The issue of gays in the military has reared its head once again as the new Obama administration takes power. Reports are that President-elect Obama will end the Clinton-era DADT policy that requires gays to remain closeted.

Obama Pushing for Gays in the Military

Pundits will remember the debacle that ensued in the opening days of the Clinton administration in 1992 when Bill Clinton suddenly declared an end to the long-standing policy that abolished gays in the military. The political firestorm that ensued caused the new president to quickly retract into the famous don’t ask, don’t tell approach.

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Meet Nancy Killefer, Obama’s appointment to the new position of Chief Performance Officer in the next administration. See her photos, biography, and video here.

Nancy Killefer

The job of ‘Chief Performance Officer’ is a new creation for the Obama administration. The nominal responsibilities for the job are to oversee budget and spending reform in his Washington administration. Nobody really knows what that means yet, but Obama explains it as someone who will “work with economic officials to increase efficiencies and eliminate waste in government spending.”

Full text of Obama’s introduction is here.

Only in Washington does an organization add a new layer of bureaucracy to reduce costs. The conservative blogs are having a hoot over the timing of this appointment, which ironically comes on the heels of Obama predicting record deficits during his administration. The preemptive move to undercut her effectiveness is puzzling, which leads one to believe this is a patronage appointment without claws.

As a biography, Nancy Killefer has an MBA from MIT after obtaining a bachelors degree from Vassar College. She is currently Senior Director for the Public Sector Practice of McKinsey & Company, Inc., in their Washinton DC office. They are a world-renowned professional consulting group and pseudo-Washington lobbying organization.

She first joined McKinsey in 1979, departing in 1997 to serve in the Clinton administration’s Treasury department. The regurgitation of former Clinton appointments continues to prompt the blogs to question whether this is change.

Obama appears to be struggling to find the right people and structure to make a government work. It’s still early, so let’s hope he is able to inspire more confidence among the voters as he put the early stumbled behind him. But so far the Change appears to be more of the same old same.

Photos

The beloved Venezuelan president has taken a hard line stance against Israel’s use of force in Gaza. He is so upset, he even expelled the Israeli Ambassador from his country. He is calling on all Venezuelan Jews to denounce these “barbarous acts.” Read more, see photos and a video below.

Here is the quote:

“A Palestinian community lives here with us which we adore and love and there are also Jews that live here who we love as well, but I wish the Jewish community would declare themselves against this barbarism. Do it. Don’t you strongly denounce any act of persecution and the Holocaust? What do you think we are looking at [in Gaza]? Put your hand on your heart and be fair.”

Chavez has also suggested that the prime minister of Israel, along with the president of the United States, should be brought before an international court.

This will all make an exciting addition to Oliver Stones new documentary about Hugo Chavez. Yet, with drastically falling oil prices, the Venezuelan presidente may find himself irrelevant once again.

Really Mr. Chavez, I hope you realize that the rest of the world sees you as a fool. My favorite moment was when King Juan Carlos of Spain told you to shut up!, in front of the whole world (see youtube). Why? Because it needed to be said by someone. There is a constant flow of crap coming from your mouth.

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President George W. Bush is giving our nation’s highest civilian award, the Medal of Freedom, to three foreign leaders: former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Austrailian Prime Minister John Howard, and president of Columbia, Alvaro Uribe. They have been among his most loyal allies, particularly in the War on Terror. Read more about the Presidential Medal of Freedom below, see photos of noteable recipients, and watch a video of the ceremony.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Bush is awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Tony Blair, John Howard and President Uribe in an East Room ceremony on January 13th which is one week before he leaves office.

“The president is honoring these leaders for their work to improve the lives of their citizens and for their efforts to promote democracy, human rights and peace abroad,” White House Spokesperson Dana Perino said. “All three leaders have been staunch allies of the United States, particularly in combating terrorism.”

A spokesperson for Tony Blair said that it was a ‘great honor’ and added:

“The award of this medal reflects the true courage of the men and women of the Armed Forces who, through their service and sacrifice have helped to safeguard freedom, democracy and human rights around the globe.”

Tony Blair and John Howard were our closest allies, at great political cost, in the U.S. led invasion of Iraq in 2003, while President Uribe remains one of our most constant friends in Latin America. They are all more then deserving of this great medal.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is a decoration bestowed by the President of the United States and is, along with the equivalent Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of Congress, the highest civilian award in the United States. It is designed to recognize individuals who have made:

“an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

It was established by President Harry Truman in 1945 to honor service during World War II. President John F. Kennedy revived the medal in 1963 and expanded its purpose.

The medal is awarded annually, on or near the Fourth of July, and at other times as chosen by the President. Recipients are selected by the President, either on his or her initiative or based on recommendations.

You can read a complete list of recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom by visiting their website.

Photos and Video

It seems Barack Obama has approached CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Sanjay Gupta, to be the country’s next surgeon general. Really. Read Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s biography below, see photos and watch a video.

Sanjay Gupta

The One is ‘calling’ neurosurgeon and correspondent for CNN and CBS, Dr. Sanjay Gupta as his Surgeon General. This is according to two sources with ‘knowledge of the situation.’

Gupta has told administration officials that he wants the job, and the final vetting process is under way. Reportedly he has asked for a few days to figure out the financial and logistical details of moving his family from Atlanta to Washington but is expected to accept the offer.

Sanjay Gupta’s only hesitation in taking the post is said to involve the financial impact on his pregnant wife, Rebecca Olson Gupta, and their three children if he gives up his lucrative medical and journalistic careers. But he is expected to accept the position within days.

The surgeon general typically isn’t heavily involved in shaping an administration’s policy - but it can be a very effective bully pulpit - especially for someone so media savvy like Sanjay Gupta. Past surgeons general have proved very instrumental in battling tobacco and AIDS. However, there was also Jocelyn Elders…

Read Sanjay’s Biography, see Photos and watch a video

The Presidential Inaugural Committee has now released the details about all ten inaugural balls to be held in honor of Barack Obama’s Inauguration. One of them, the Youth Inaugural Ball, is being held especially for the young voters who said ‘Yes We Can’ during the presidential campaign. Read about it below, see photos, and a video.

The obligatory ‘Youth Inaugural Ball’ will be held at the Washington Hilton in DC and is reserved for all of those millions and millions of Americans between 18 and 35 who voted ‘YES!” for Hopechangery. The tickets will cost $75 which is half the cost of tickets to the other nine balls.

“This is America’s inaugural celebration in every way,” said Presidential Inaugural Committee Executive Director Emmett S. Beliveau. “Young people are more engaged in this country’s future than ever before and we want to harness that excitement by inviting them to participate in this historic occasion. In that same vein, we are hosting events to bring people from all walks of life and from across the country - from the President-elect and Vice President-elect’s home states, as well as every corner of the nation - to celebrate this country’s unity moving forward.”

Though we do know there will be 10 inaugural balls, there is no word yet who will be the A-List entertainment or what amazing Hollywood celebutards will attend. But no worries! We, at Right Pundits, will be all over The One’s Inauguration so stay tuned!

Youth Vote Photos and Video