In the nation’s history, there is simply no precedent for an American president so wantonly ignoring federal law…

TED CRUZ – Of all the troubling aspects of the Obama presidency, none is more dangerous than the president’s persistent pattern of lawlessness, his willingness to disregard the written law and instead enforce his own policies via executive fiat. On Monday, Mr. Obama acted unilaterally to raise the minimum wage paid by federal contracts, the first of many executive actions the White House promised would be a theme of his State of the Union address Tuesday night.

The president’s taste for unilateral action to circumvent Congress should concern every citizen, regardless of party or ideology. The great 18th-century political philosopher Montesquieu observed: “There can be no liberty where the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or body of magistrates.” America’s Founding Fathers took this warning to heart, and we should too. (more…)

EGYPT – Egypt will hold a presidential vote before parliamentary polls, President Adly Mansour said on Sunday, in a change to a political roadmap that could pave the way for the swift election of army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Parliamentary elections were supposed to be held first under the timetable drawn up after the army overthrew President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood in July following mass protests against his rule.

The decision to revise the order of elections is likely to deepen tensions in Egypt, which is struggling to cope with waves of political violence. Forty-nine people were killed in anti-government marches on Saturday, the third anniversary of the popular uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak. (more…)

 WASHINGTON — An Oklahoma congressman said Monday that he will host Charles Woods, father of former Navy SEAL and Benghazi terrorist attack victim Ty Woods, at Tuesday’s State of the Union.

“As a combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, I understand the importance of knowing that America leaves no one behind. I am honored to host the father of a true hero,” Rep. Jim Bridenstine, Oklahoma Republican, said in a statement.

His office characterized the invite as a way to make sure the September 2012 attack in Libya “will not be forgotten” in the House chamber, where President Obama will deliver his speech.

Woods was one of four Americans killed that day, in what authorities have concluded was a terrorist assault on the U.S. diplomatic outpost and a CIA annex in Benghazi, Libya. (read more)

NEW YORK (TheBlaze/AP) — Dinesh D’Souza, the conservative scholar who made the documentary “2016: Obama’s America,” pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges that he violated campaign finance laws and was released on $500,000 bond. His travel was also reportedly restricted to the United States.  (link)

The Blaze follows-up:   The filmmaker behind the anti-Obama documentary “2016: Obama’s America” was released on $500,000 bond, which some — even in the legal community — argue was excessive.

We looked into these claims and uncovered a number of violent and disturbing offenses that resulted in bail amounts less than D’Souza was required to put up. While it’s not a comprehensive list by any means, here are nine cases where violent suspects had to put up less for bail than D’Souza:  (continue reading)

Our Wendy Davis undercover video will be avail momentarily. #WalkaMileinHerShoes

— James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) January 23, 2014

Breaking: Wendy Davis Responds to video: "The language used in this video about Greg Abbott is abhorrent…."

— James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) January 23, 2014

Sometimes a story just hits you four-square right in the gut.   This is one such story….

… Little 8-year-old Tyler Doohan was spending a night with his pa-pa and family in Western New York State when a fire broke out around 4am in the family’s mobile home.   Tyler jumped to action and woke up everyone, saving six people inside the home.   However, when the seven were safely outside Tyler realized his disabled Uncle and Grandpa were still inside.

The fourth grader, Tyler, rushed back in to save them…   Tyler, his uncle Steve, and his pa-pa Louis died.  The fire department say his heroic little body was found with an arm wrapped around his Uncle…. still trying.

New York –  Tyler J. Doohan knew he didn’t have school Monday morning because of the holiday, and asked his mother if it would be OK if he stayed at his grandfather’s trailer at the East Avenue Manufactured Home Community off Route 441 in Penfield. (more…)

CAIRO – More than 98 percent of voters backed a new Egyptian constitution in a referendum this week, authorities said on Saturday, though the turnout was lower than some officials had indicated, with under 40 percent of the electorate taking part.

The vote advances a transition plan that the military-backed government unveiled after deposing Islamist president Mohamed Morsi last July following mass unrest over his rule.

“Now that God has supported us in legalizing our constitution, we ask for his aid in achieving the remaining two stages of the road map: the presidential and parliamentary elections,” said Nabil Salib, head of the Supreme Election Committee.

The “yes” vote was 98.1 percent, and 38.6 percent of eligible voters took part, Salib told reporters. (more…)

(Via DC) The Chicago Fire Department rescued a very lucky dog after it fell through ice over Lake Michigan while walking with its owner.

“He was warmed up and returned to its owner,” Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford told the Chicago Tribune last Friday after the rescue. “This one just got a little too close.”

While attempting the rescue of the 50- to 60-pound animal one responder dived into the icy water himself, after which he held the dog while both were dragged to safety by rope.

“Its head was the only thing above water,” Langford said. “He or she was treading to hold on and the diver went in and got him or her.” (link)

Since the initial publication of this article (2011) about Private Berghdahl – new information has come to light which reflects he actually intentionally disserted his post. Apparently his goal, according to those within his squad who knew him best, was to join the Taliban.

His unit, and the military members who knew the motives of PFC Berghdahl were sworn to secrecy about his defection to radical Islam. They were forced to sign non-disclosure agreements which would preclude the military from discussing the facts of his desertion.

It was against that unknown backdrop that most support for Bowe Bergdahl existed.

No-one should feel remorse, shame or guilt for expressing concern for a missing service member. You had no way to know the official U.S. position was to lie and be deceitful of the events in order to save the Obama administration embarrassment. Unfortunately people died trying to rescue Bergdahl, and the families of the fallen were lied to.

————————— Previously ——————————-

CNN reporting:   The U.S. military has obtained new video apparently made by those holding the lone American prisoner of war, Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.

A U.S. military official told CNN the clip shows the Wood Valley, Idaho, native in diminished health from the effects of close to five years in captivity.

He was seized in Afghanistan in June 2009 and is believed held by the Taliban-aligned Haqqani network in Pakistan, the official said.

The so-called proof-of-life video, the first of him in nearly three years, has a reference to December 14, 2013. (more…)