As we celebrated a joyous Mother’s Day weekend, four families are still grieving beyond our worst imagination. Our mothers told us as young mothers, “Nothing is worse than burying your child.” It’s out of sorts and the timeline is just wrong. I further add: Compound the agony of burying a child with thousands of unanswered questions and the child who is never recovered. The unanswered questions are daunting, forever haunting, never bringing closure to a family that has been robbed of the utter joy of having children.

Has this administration stooped to such lows that they could stand in front of the camera and tell the world a boldfaced lie? Has this administration succumbed to such lows that they can actually lay their head down at night and not feel remorse for the loss of four innocent lives begging to be saved?

Meanwhile, Boehner is still unwilling to lead as Speaker of the House in appointing a Select Committee to get to the bottom of Benghazi—an arrant embarrassment of our leadership. Where is the compassion to bring peace to these mothers and fathers? When will Congress vote in a much-needed new Speaker of the House? Will impeachment proceedings finally begin? It is time to scrutinize our party’s representation.

My heart again broke into a million little pieces, like many of yours this weekend, for these mothers who were supposed to be celebrating. 

As we looked into Susan Rice’s eyes, as we witnessed Carney fumbling with his words, Obama’s demeanor and Hillary’s delay in testifying, we knew that we were being played.

We need leadership—irrespective of the physical and career threats that will be hurled—no matter what side of the aisle. If threats are made, expose the louses. This is what truly marks the superiority of a Conservative leader: One who thoroughly embraces our Constitution, one who is unwavering with dignity, grace, courage and commitment to do what is right.

The Democrats deserve the female vote? Let’s take this fight national. They don’t deserve a single one of us mothers!

God bless these mothers who suffered so deeply this last weekend and that we fight to the bitter end for their sons.

For comments, contact Barbara J. Carlson at Barbara@FortBendBusinessJournal.com. 

The trivial $1,000 app fee requires $500 upfront while the remaining $500 can be made in installments. The loophole: The Secy may exempt defined classes of individuals entirely from the fee. “Tough luck,” the govt says to the millions who have paid $50K or $100K to become U.S. citizens the honest way. Further, the Secy deems what is “required” information, but has the “sole and unreviewable discretion to waive the entire application.” Not only can families apply under one application but deported aliens now return.

After enactment, the Secy shall broadly disseminate in languages spoken by aliens—not English—to TV, radio, print and social media the procedures, terms and conditions and eligibility requirements. The cost? None given.

Prosecutions in the Tucson section are to increase to (a laughable) 210/day while illegal immigrant criminals are now defined as ones who have been tried and found guilty. Guess where the first cuts will be made.

States will be reimbursed for criminal cases that the U.S. Attorneys turn down. Reality check: The DOJ will turn down cases so that it can sue states and bar them from prosecuting illegal alien criminals.

Equipment/technology: The deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles, 24-hour surveillance (drones), along with a double fence “if necessary,” while still not addressing tunnels—which we know are being dug. Further, we are leaving $35 Billion in equipment in Afghanistan—that we already paid for—instead of bringing it home to secure our borders.

A two-year grant program will be implemented to individuals who are at risk to border violence to purchase satellite telephone communication systems. Didn’t we learn from the “Obama free phone program”?

Grant programs will be available to public/private nonprofit organizations to assist eligible applicants to screen, complete apps/petitions, waivers, adjust status and ESL. “Estimated” Cost: $50 Million, and any amounts appropriated we cannot use for any other debts. Acorn, you’re back…

Some thought-provoking questions: Did the “Gang of 8” read this bill? You think this “self-funded” amoral train wreck has secured our borders and this issue is forever solved while powers and Constitutional responsibilities haven’t been forever stripped away?

“11 milllion,” you say? How about 40 million. Obamacare…let’s see how soon we see our doctor.

For comments, contact Barbara J. Carlson at Barbara@FortBendBusinessJournal.com. 

“Don’t be concerned,” you ask?

I’ve begun the task of reading the 844-page catastrophic fiscal immigration bill, and now through a quarter of this proposed bill and after having researched this complex issue for three years.

$6.5 Billion is to be transferred from the (already unfunded) Treasury’s general fund to a Comprehensive Immigration Reform Trust Fund, with the ongoing yearly fund (currently) estimated at $50,000,000.

The Secretary of Homeland Security will head up this fiasco—alongside her other duties. The Secy has five years to “certify effective control in high-risk border sections” and shall conduct a “private” impact assessment and civil liberties impact assessment.

Then the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) will establish the procedures for use of force and disciplinary action of dept personnel; and also be an integral part in training (including stops, searches, seizures, screening and identifying vulnerable populations, social and cultural sensitivity of illegal aliens). We see where this is going…

A Border Security Commission of 10 will be established.

There will be an additional independent Homeland Security Task Force panel of 26—solely appointed by the President—that will evaluate policies of Federal agencies, human rights/recommendations of training the border enforcement personnel. The chair and vice chair are elected for life.

There will also be border community liaison officers regarding training.

This is wasted trillions that we don’t have. We need security on the border and we have the manpower to do it. We don’t need the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division dictating to our trained military how to be socially and culturally sensitive and overseeing procedure.

This discombobulated fiscal catastrophe to our economy removes critical powers and Constitutional responsibilities from Congress, the Courts and our Military while the estimated costs are grossly deflated and will create a shortfall that we will be forced to absorb.

For comments, contact Barbara J. Carlson at Barbara@FortBendBusinessJournal.com. 

Again, it’s people who maim and kill—not the weapon of choice. We need the toughest deterrent against evil. Terrorists need to be punished to the fullest extent when inflicting harm against a single American and then we need enforcement. It can’t get any easier than that.

Instead, the last four years Americans have suffered through: (1) Fort Hood’s terrorist act being categorized as “workplace violence” and Hasan not brought to justice; (2) Obama called Daniel Pearl’s beheading a reminder “of how valuable a free press is;” (3) In 2009, Obama encouraged Muslim holy days of prayer but was silent on the National Day of Prayer; (4) During Obama’s 2009 speech in Cairo, he stated “this cycle of suspicion must end” and “we have the power to remake the world” and “the U.S. will partner with any Muslim-majority country” (after crushing NASA), launching a new fund to help transfer our scientific ideas to them; (5) November, 2010, after 58 Christians were murdered while attending Catholic mass in Baghdad, Obama labeled this “a senseless act of hostage taking and violence,” refusing to mention the innocent were Christians; (6) Our intelligence ignored Russia’s intelligence; and, (7) Benghazi’s terrorist attack intelligence gathering, stonewalling and delay have been appalling.

It’s well worth rereading Obama’s 2009 Cairo speech.

How about at next month’s UN meeting, the U.S. delegation leads off with the “War on Terrorist Treaty” that puts some serious skin in the game, enforcing high-stake sanctions on terrorist countries that attempt or carry out a terrorist act against an American domestically? We could sanction, i.e., one million barrels of oil per injury/lost life, $1Tillion in total fines to the injured families, permanently defund foreign aid to such country and no further applications will be accepted to study here or become a U.S. citizen. We need to send an articultated, unwavering message.

Article IV of the Constitution requires that each state is protected against invasion.

Simply living on our soil doesn’t translate into embracing one’s commitment to our Constitution.

Americans have been sandbagged long enough with Washington’s pixie dust and it’s time that we take our national security seriously and end the gelastic political correctness that has grossly put all Americans in harm’s way.

For comments, contact Barbara J. Carlson at Barbara@FortBendBusinessJournal.com.

Many of us were reminded of the dignified Ronald Reagan after hearing the loss of Margaret Thatcher. Nothing would have stopped Reagan himself from attending Thatcher’s funeral. Instead, the White House parties down last week, celebrating Memphis soul singers. How did Cyndi Lauper get invited anyway? Thatcher made famous: “The problem with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.”

Our presidential role has morphed into one big party instead of carrying out its crucial role—our national security. With North Korea’s dictator threatening a nuclear attack on the U.S., Obama’s delayed word choice is alarming: “Now’s the time for North Korea to end the kind of belligerent approach that they’ve been taking and…it’s important for North Korea—like every other country in the world—to observe the basic rules and norms that are set forth,” as he sat and his eyes avoided the camera. Watch this lackadaisical, most unpresidential demeanor. Think North Korea is afraid?

The Senate’s Gang of 8 has “reached a deal” on immigration reform, with our open borders being flooded with illegal crossings. Proof of a clean criminal record is offered, when cases have been dropped from dockets and not prosecuted. Just last week a MA judge ruled an illegal immigrant incompetent to stand trial due to his “unique cultural background and language barrier”—a man who killed an innocent American while driving drunk. Utter hypocrisy.

For comments, contact Barbara J. Carlson at Barbara@FortBendBusinessJournal.com.

This is utter insanity when parents are denied verification if our children are still attending college classes, parents are held at bay in helping our minor children avoid an abortion, hospitals cannot disclose medical updates to family members to get to a loved one’s death bed in time to pray with them and say final good-byes or families can’t help their loved ones get the critical medical help with mental illness because access is denied while law-abiding arms purchases will be public record across the globe—including to our enemies that we are waging war against and then gullible enough to spend $$$ rebuilding their countries. Simply put: We are funding the UN that is hell bent on destroying us—with this administration leading the pack and Congress still refusing to begin impeachment. When the Senate votes to ratify this Treaty, every approving senator needs to be run out of Washington in their next election.

Remember the horrendous 2008 housing collapse that cost us $131Billion so far? The WA Post reported last week that this administration is pushing banks to give out more home loans to people with weaker credit—even after 1.8Million properties received foreclosure filings just last year. Will the next failure be George Bush’s fault again?

We not only have the Senate’s Gang of 8 preemptively forming our country’s illegal immigration legislation, but last week the House went into lockdown mode in forming its own Gang of 8—but no one is admitting who the eight are. Boehner, where are your “leadership” skills here? Washington has turned into a farce and forging ahead at morph speed into becoming the laughing stock on a global scale.

Need a bit of humor from last week’s dismal news? Turn to Dan Pfeiffer’s video that The Drudge Report “hurts what we’re [the White House] trying to do.” Go, Matt Drudge, go!

You betcha, remember the saying: This nation was founded by geniuses but it’s now run by idiots.

For comments, contact Barbara J. Carlson at Barbara@FortBendBusinessJournal.com.

We need to learn from Cyprus’ bailout. While the Dutch Finance Minister stated, “The Cyprus bailout is a template for the ways in which the Euro zone will address future bank problems and bailouts,” the largest banks are confiscating up to 40% of all bank deposits above 100 Euros. This wasn’t a bailout but blatant robbery. Still supportive of our administration’s agenda “We need to take from the rich because we deserve it…and it’s not fair”? You think the citizens of Cyprus are rethinking about banking on line when they can’t get their money while ATMs have been limited to 100 Euros/day? Small businesses across Europe begged not to go to the Euro, but their pleas went unheard. Understand why we need to defund the European Union?

With skin in the game, the tables have turned. Now that 54 poor performing Chicago schools are closing, Emanuel is labeled the “murder mayor;” and the Teachers Union is organizing a massive demonstration, threatening acts of civil disobedience. Karen Lewis, union president, needs to look further east when making such accusations. Why did “share the wealth” rhetoric dissipate into thin air? And why is it that when the Left doesn’t get their way, they revert back to violence? Hasn’t Lewis been concerned before this for the 38 million who are unemployed? See how skin in the game works? It’s surely the truest test for ethical behavior.

You betcha: This nation was founded by geniuses but it’s now run by idiots.

Blessings to all this last week during Holy Week and Easter Sunday. God bless Israel.

For comments, contact Barbara J. Carlson at Barbara@FortBendBusinessJournal.com.

Obama stated in his ABC interview that the White House didn’t order the closing of White House tours; yet, we witnessed his ranting on the travesty of Sequestration, inclusive of the tours.

Both this president and Clinton didn’t take responsibility for Benghazi with any accountability for their whereabouts.

Obama and Pelosi don’t believe that we have a debt crisis. Perhaps because they’ve never had to make budget in the real world?

This administration is prematurely releasing illegals because of sequestration. This administration wants Napolitano certifying our border’s security. There is no intention in securing it. Wake up Republican establishment, border security is a national priority and has no bearing on the Gang of 8—which needs to be disbanded—deciding millions who will get another free pass while law-abiding people have paid $$$, following the proper procedures in becoming a proud new member of our country. Stop telling us that there are 12million illegals—abusing every free program—while our vets, our elderly and needy families are denied. We have closer to 40 million illegals, after spending three years of intensive study on this specific crisis.

This administration is buying up astronomical amounts of ammo while trying to take our guns from us and stripping away at our Constitution.

All while the Republican establishment sits back on their lazy laurels, allowing us to be destroyed from within. We need a cleansing of career politicians who aren’t competent to make budget, can’t forecast efficiently as is required in business, who don’t embrace our Constitution and who enforce painful laws on us while exempting themselves. Repeal Obamacare or join the ranks. Have an illegal violate your homes or murder your loved ones and let us tell you that they are free to walk our streets. Let’s see if you still have that big smile on your face all while we reallocate your unconstitutional pensions into the mainstream. Until there’s skin in the game and our “representation” are true Constitutionalists—which our forefathers intended—we will continue down this devastatingly destructive path.

Republican Establishment, do us an enormous favor: Step Aside and allow Conservative Constitutionalists do what we do best—lead with utter dignity, courage, intellect, ethics, fiscal responsibility and morality.

For comments, contact Barbara J. Carlson at Barbarsa@FortBendButsinessJournal.com.

Jeb was a mediocre governor. George Bush and the 110th Congress started the bailout frenzy with TARP—$700Billion to “purchase troubled assets” (bad mortgages) that were bought cheap and supposedly to be sold high. Well, it didn’t quite work out that way. The No Child Left Behind Program was a disaster. Our borders are neither secure nor our nation safe.

The Republican Party needs to craft the message who the real Hillary is—now! As Secretary of State, she not only exited the Benghazi debacle with no repercussion for her lackluster leadership (shame on Congress!) but she has been an advocate for a one world government for a very long time—which would be devastating to our nation. The Republican Party has to form a clear message what that really means—something that none of us would be satisfied with and will grossly impact us, i.e., do we want to adhere to international courts or have one currency—and it won’t be ours?

We, as women, need to rise above “It’s about time we break the glass ceiling.” That’s as poor a reason as voting based on color. Elections are about the very survival of our country and making the right decisions for our nation so that we can leave a better place for our children. It’s about cleaning up the mess we have in Washington.

If the Republican Party has the slightest chance in 2016, the establishment needs to retire its pansies and let the best Conservatives step forward. Isn’t it time that John McCain and Karl Rove step aside, guys who are performing, well, subpar?

It’s time that we let the very best step forward. Imagine a Rand Paul and Ted Cruz ticket or a Rand Paul and a Scott Walker ticket with Cruz as Attorney General? Rubio, sadly, is being played right now.

We have qualified conservative leaders who know our Constitution inside and out, who deeply love our country and who are willing to fight—even the establishment. We could give our children hope. We could soar as a nation once again!

For comments, contact Barbara J. Carlson at Barbara@FortBendBusinessJournal.com.

Perhaps Carter, Sean Penn and Jesse Jackson were never educated on the “legacy” this evil man left behind. Chavez allegedly stole more than $2Billion from Venezuelans, censored all media and opposing thoughts, murdered religious opposition, closed businesses and confiscated property.

He stole two elections.

Venezuelans know all too well what happens to kidnapped victims and how many bodies have disappeared into the dense jungles never to be returned for a proper burial. One of my dearest friend’s cousin was kidnapped for two years and still traumatized 10 years later.

Heads up to Oliver Stone, Penn, Jackson and Carter: You wouldn’t have amassed your fortunes if you lived under this dictator or had the opportunity to speak out and you wouldn’t have your freedom that you take for granted.

VP Nicolas Maduro’s claim “historical enemies of Venezuela [U.S.] were behind Chavez’s cancer diagnosis” sounds like our administration’s repetitive blame game.

Chavez’s close ties to the brutally inhumane guerilla terrorist organization, FARC, named Chavez “Angel” as their guardian angel.

Mourning this man’s demise is sphacelating. “Should a single flag have been lowered to half staff last week,” you ask? Absolutely not. We only recognize foreign dignitaries who are our allies. And if one has forgotten, when out of gas, do avoid every Citgo station or Petro Express—for they are owned by this Venezuelan monster and shouldn’t be allowed on our soil.

The pure joy with Venezuelans legally immigrating to our great country is their commitment to assimilate into our culture, embrace our history and educate others what freedom really means.

Meanwhile, Obama slashed White House tours—once again dividing us and distorting sequestration—what he initiated.  Taxpayers are fronting $1.4B/year on the Obamas’ lavish outings and separate vacations.  Just a few mentionables: Obama’s three-day vacation with Tiger Woods ($1M) while Michelle skied in CO, $20M on four Hawaiian vacations, and Michelle’s 2011 separate vacations and Malia’s spring break outing – $10M.

Congress, freeze the vacations and direct Airforce One and Two to Camp David…and we know grandma really isn’t babysitting the kids.

For comments, contact Barbara J. Carlson at Barbara@FortBendBusinessJournal.com.