May 30, 2008
Washington Post
By Joby Warrick

Less than a year after his agency warned of new threats from a resurgent al-Qaeda, CIA Director Michael V. Hayden now portrays the terrorist movement as essentially defeated in Iraq and Saudi Arabia and on the defensive throughout much of the rest of the world, including in its presumed haven along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

In a strikingly upbeat assessment, the CIA chief cited major gains against al-Qaeda’s allies in the Middle East and an increasingly successful campaign to destabilize the group’s core leadership.

While cautioning that al-Qaeda remains a serious threat, Hayden said Osama bin Laden is losing the battle for hearts and minds in the Islamic world and has largely forfeited his ability to exploit the Iraq war to recruit adherents. Two years ago, a CIA study concluded that the U.S.-led war had become a propaganda and marketing bonanza for al-Qaeda, generating cash donations and legions of volunteers.

All that has changed, Hayden said in an interview with The Washington Post this week that coincided with the start of his third year at the helm of the CIA.

“On balance, we are doing pretty well,” he said, ticking down a list of accomplishments: “Near strategic defeat of al-Qaeda in Iraq. Near strategic defeat for al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia. Significant setbacks for al-Qaeda globally — and here I’m going to use the word ‘ideologically’ — as a lot of the Islamic world pushes back on their form of Islam,” he said.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

By Alex Epstein

With gasoline prices exceeding $4 a gallon in some states, politicians are responding as usual: Blame Big Oil First. Several prominent senators have once again summoned industry leaders to Capitol Hill, subjecting them to yet another barrage of rhetorical questions, interruptions, accusations, and sermons. The lawmakers’ goal, claims Sen. Patrick Leahy, is to identify “causes of the rising price of oil on which Congress can act.” But the foregone conclusion is that “price gouging,” “collusion,” and “market manipulation” by Big Oil, or speculation by financiers, is responsible.

The simple fact that such Congressional investigations are designed to obscure is that the prices of oil and gasoline are determined by supply and demand–which neither private oil companies nor speculators have any power to dictate in their favor. If they had such market mastery, then why didn’t they use it in the 1990s, when gasoline was selling at a barely profitable $1 a gallon? To be sure, speculators can bid up prices–but they only do so when they believe that oil will become even more expensive in the future, and only make money when they are right.

The question Congress should really be asking, then, is: What nonmarket factors are distorting supply and demand? If they sought an honest answer, they would discover that much of the blame lies with Congress itself.

No one disputes that environmentalist laws passed by Congress have cut off some of our most promising and plentiful sources of oil. In the name of safeguarding a tiny portion of caribou habitat in the Alaskan wilderness, drilling is prohibited in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge–a potential source of 1 million barrels a day, 5 percent of America’s daily oil consumption. Also off-limits is 85 percent of America’s coastline, which Shell estimates contains some 100 billion recoverable barrels–13 times America’s annual oil consumption–and the vast majority of oil shale in Colorado, which Shell estimates at 1.5 trillion barrels.

Congress should publicize these facts, prepare an inventory of how many oil-rich areas they have blocked off, and bring in economists to estimate how much all of this raises gas prices.

And how about the effects of Congress’s open hostility toward the future of oil? Our politicians damn oil as an “addiction” to be eliminated, and seek to cut–by up to 90 percent–the use of oil and other vital fossil fuels that make our standard of living possible. Congress should ask oil executives how this possible forced cut in demand affects their industry. It should ask whether they feel safe to make the billion dollar investments and decades-long plans that oil production requires when Barack Obama, a leading presidential candidate, can uncontroversially proclaim that “the country that faced down the tyranny of fascism and communism is now called to challenge the tyranny of oil.” Is it a coincidence that the much-maligned speculators think oil will become even scarcer in the future, and are acting accordingly?

In addition to investigating its own impact on gasoline prices, Congress should investigate how its economic policy partner, the Federal Reserve, has raised our gas prices by lowering the value of the dollars we buy gasoline with. The Fed, along with the Treasury Department, has for years had an inflationary policy that has caused the value of the dollar to plummet relative to other currencies. Were it not for this devaluation of the dollar, oil prices would likely be 40 percent lower–as they are for those on the Euro. Why not call a free-market economist to the stand and ask how much more expensive Alan Greenspan, Ben Bernanke, and Henry Paulson have made our gasoline?

Americans deserve to know the story–in all its gory detail–of what their government has done and is doing to cause high prices at the pump, and to make gasoline–indeed, all energy–more scarce and more expensive in the future. A congressional investigation of Congress would be a great public service.

Alex Epstein is an analyst at the Ayn Rand Institute, focusing on business issues. The Institute promotes Objectivism, the philosophy of Ayn Rand–author of “Atlas Shrugged” and “The Fountainhead.” Contact the writer at media@aynrand.org.

Yesterday, Anne helped break ground on the new Highview Fire District Station House #3, off Cedar Creek Road. Anne worked with Fire Chief Larkins to cut through beauracratic obstacles toward this building’s completion. The new station will serve all of Heritage Creek, and is named after Jack Cassel, a long-time volunteer.

The Washington Times had a great column in yesterday’s paper. It gives a good, accurate analysis of the energy predicament the Democrats have placed our country in.

For years, we’ve approached domestic drilling in a politically correct manner, placing caribou on a pedestal while ignoring American consumers and national security.

It notes that:

It is estimated that beneath America’s coast lies enough oil to fuel 60 million cars in the United States for 60 years — and enough natural gas to heat 60 million homes for 160 years.

We need to use our own resources…gas in Louisville is now over $4, and there’s no end in sight.

Read the entire article here.

From PolitickerKY.

Yesterday was an exciting day for the campaign. The Republican voters of Louisville handed us a resounding victory, and we’ve got all the momentum behind us.

We’ve updated our website with Primary coverage; here’s an overview:

• For the Courier-Journal’s coverage, visit the news section.
• For a transcript of Anne’s speech, visit the news section.
• For pictures from our victory party, visit the photo gallery.

As always, keep checking back for the latest campaign news.

Anne and Woody cast their ballots. Now it’s your turn.

Busy, busy, busy…

That’s really the best way to describe Anne’s weekend on the campaign trail. On Saturday she attended eight Northup Neighborhood Tour events throughout the community (see the pictures below), where she spoke to dozens of supporters about the campaign. The weather was beautiful, and it was encouraging to see so many supporters.

Meanwhile, volunteers for the campaign were knocking on over 1,000 doors around Louisville.

Over the next two days, Anne and the rest of the campaign will make hundreds of phone calls, reminding people to vote. Let us know if you can help!

See more pictures in the gallery.

Thank you to all the Second Amendment enthusiasts for coming to Louisville for the 137th NRA of America National Meetings & Exhibits.  It was an exciting weekend full of gun shows, member meetings and informative speeches from the likes of Senator John McCain, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Glenn Beck, and many more. 

The weekend also served as a reminder of how important it is that Louisville has a representative in Congress that will take our Constitutional right to bear arms seriously.  Anne has always been a strong advocate for the Second Amendment and last year received an A-rating from the NRA.

With that in mind, don’t forget to vote “Northup” on Tuesday, May 20th.  Let’s put our strongest voice back in Congress!

The Primary is fast approaching, and all of us at the campaign are excited to see the checkmark next to Anne’s name Tuesday night. A strong showing Tuesday will give us the momentum and media coverage to help us overthrow the incumbent in November.

A lot of people don’t realize the importance of the Primary, and this is one of our biggest challenges. Since McCain has effectively sealed the GOP’s nomination, many Louisville Republicans aren’t going to the polls, and don’t realize that there is contested Congressional and Senatorial race to vote in.

As a result, we need everyone possible to vote, because each vote will make more of a difference. To find your polling place, click here. If you’re not registered, it’s too late to vote in the Primary, but register here, now, so that you may vote in November.

We need a lot of help this weekend, as we remind Republicans to vote. If you can walk door-to-door, or even make phone calls, we would love your help. Call our office at 895-5171.

Last night Anne attended the Jefferson County Republican Party meeting, where she spoke to a group of loyal Republicans about the need for strong leadership in Louisville. 

Congratulations to Brad Cummings for officially becoming the new Chair of the JCRP!

Please be sure to check back for frequent updates about our efforts to reclaim Kentucky’s 3rd District for the majority of the people. Don’t hesitative to post on our blog and join that discussion.
Feel free to post your comments through the link below. We’re anxious to hear what you have to say. Here are a few ways that you can help out.

1. Receive email updates. There’s no easier way to keep up with the campaign than to sign-up for email updates.
2. Put a bumper sticker on your car. Show your support for Anne while on the road.
3. Get a yard sign. Let your neighbors know that you support Anne.
4. Volunteer. Whether it’s stamping envelopes, placing yard signs or walking door-to-door, we’d love to have your help.
5. Write a letter. Give the readers of the Courier-Journal a different perspective.
6. Contribute. We can’t do this without your support. Every contribution makes a huge difference.

Louisville is in need of strong leadership. Join our campaign to put courage and responsibility back in Congress. We can’t do it without your help.