(The Hill) In an interview airing Thursday on PBS’s “Newshour,” Republican presidential contender and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman said, if elected, he would consider asking the richest Americans to “sacrifice.”
“As president, I wouldn’t hesitate to call on a sacrifice from all of our people, even those at the very highest end of the income spectrum,” Huntsman said.  While Huntsman stopped short of asking the rich to pay higher taxes, as proposed by congressional Democrats and President Obama, he opened the door for means-testing Social Security or Medicare. (more…)

(Gainesville Sun) — Democratic National Committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s path into politics started at the University of Florida.
She returned there Thursday in an effort to motivate students to campaign for the re-election of President Barack Obama. She told a group that mainly included students active in Democratic Party politics that it was important to get young people engaged in an election with a profound effect on issues important to them.
“This is the election of our lives. . . . The stakes have never been higher,” she said. “We have to make sure that the extremists don’t take control of our country.” (more…)

(Judicial Watch) — The economy remains in shambles yet President Obama keeps wasting taxpayer dollars expanding an already bloated U.S. government, this month launching a new office to help build a “diverse and inclusive workforce” at all federal agencies.
The new Office of Diversity and Inclusion will ensure that the entire U.S. government develops comprehensive strategies to drive and integrate diversity and inclusion practices. It will assist the different agencies in building a workforce that “respects individual and organizational cultures” by examining policy options, data trends and employee survey findings. (more…)

There are literally dozens and dozens of Treehouse articles on Egypt and Libya available via the drop down category links on the right side of this page (great job StellaP and Ad rem).   From the moment the entire situation in Egypt began we categorized factual first hand reports of the elements behind, and taking advantage of, the uprisings.     Despite the claims of Western media, which coincidently quickly diminished from visibility when CBS reporter Lara Logan was brutally raped in Tahrir Square, Egypt is a far cry from a freedom loving crew of Facebookers yearning to be free.
A more apt description is a resurgence of radical islamic sentiment and a return to Muslim Brotherhood supported ‘sharia compliant’ muslim society.   The young facebookers were merely useful pawns in drawing Western support toward their goals.   By using internationally visible psychological operations to create their curtain of false optics the radical elements are working diligently to advance their cause.   This cause specifically also includes Egypt’s Western border neighbor, Libya. (more…)

(Via Real Clear Politics)  According to CNN reports the Washington Monument is structurally compromised due to 5.8 magnitude earthquake in nearby Virginia.  The U.S. Capitol Police reports that the Washington Monument has been damaged after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck near the nation’s capital.   There  are also reports that the Washington Monument is “tilting” from ABC News affiliate WABC.  (video) (more…)

It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and roadway, just a skip up from Times Square . Early November weather in New York City holds only the slightest hint of the bitter chill of late December and January, but it’s enough to send the masses crowding indoors to vie for available space and warmth.  For a musician, it’s the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world, I’m told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right. Apparently, we were striking all the right chords that night, because our basket was almost overflowing. It was a fun, low-pressure gig – I was playing keyboard and singing backup for my friend who also added rhythm with an arsenal of percussion instruments. We mostly did pop songs from the ’40s to the ’90s with a few original tunes thrown in. During our emotional rendition of the classic, “If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” I noticed a lady sitting in one of the lounge chairs across from me. She was swaying to the beat and singing along. (more…)

(Via Free Republic) Sarah, you’ve kept us all guessing. Various rumors and speculations abound with respect to your plans. Maybe you’re still thinking it over. If you are, and if your plans are not yet finalized, I’d like to give you a few more things to think about. I realize I’m nobody special, and it’s overwhelmingly unlikely you’ll ever see this, but if you do, I hope you’ll understand why I am compelled to try.

My adult daughter and I went to your Going Rogue signing at Fort Hood. The line through the Post Exchange was curled around the entire facility. You signed books for hours, engaging everybody who stepped before you and your husband, and your parents were on hand as well, talking proudly of their daughter with folks who were gleefully exiting the signing area. Young women gasped coming out, “Oh my God, she touched me. She touched ME…” (more…)

PRINCETON, NJ — Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich’s Positive Intensity Score dropped to 6 in the two weeks spanning May 16-29, down from 11 for May 9-22. Gingrich’s current Positive Intensity Score is his lowest to date, off from a score as high as 19 earlier this year, and among the lowest for any Republican candidate Gallup is tracking. Gingrich’s current Positive Intensity Score is based on the difference between the 13% of Republicans giving him a strongly favorable rating and the 7% giving him a strongly unfavorable rating, among those who recognize him. (more…)