Last month, I discussed the negative impacts that a nutritional label mandate would have on small producers of alcohol beverages, such as craft brewers. Another side of this issue is the negative impact that prohibiting nutritional labels has caused small and large alcohol beverage producers—as well as health-conscious consumers of adult beverages.

I sat down with the executive Vice President of Diageo, one of the world’s largest producers of adult beverages (its brands include Guinness, Smirnoff, Jose Cuervo, and many others) to discuss how voluntary labeling could help both consumers and producers of alcohol, big and small.

In 2004, the National Consumers League called on the Federal Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) to reform alcohol label requirements so that consumers of adult beverages can make better nutritional decisions (it wasn’t the only group calling for change). At that same time, Diageo began its lengthy battle with the TTB to be able to attach to its products labels that included information on calories, carbohydrates, and alcohol content. The agency rejected Diageo’s request.

Now, seven years later, the TTB has not changed its rules, and consumer groups have asked again that it issue a final rule. However, in 2007 the TTB did issue a notice of proposed rulemaking that would amend its regulations to require a statement of alcohol content on all alcohol beverage products as well as a “serving facts” panel on alcohol beverage labels that would include a disclosure of calories, carbohydrates, fat, and protein. According to TTB spokesman Tom Hogue, the issue is a complicated one and federal officials aren’t likely to issue a final rule anytime soon.

While Diageo and other alcohol beverage manufacturers strongly support the idea of allowing nutritional data to appear on bottles, they currently support doing so on a voluntary basis. “Let the market place decide. If companies don’t think their consumers want labels then don’t have labels, but don’t prevent us from telling our consumers what’s in our products,” said Diageo Executive Vice President Guy Smith.

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All presidents take their share of lumps and tough breaks from the unpredictable nature of things in the world. Criticism, fair or not, is as much apart of the office of the presidency as Air Force One. President Obama is no different and has received his share. Considering healthcare and the hyper-partisan and corrupt way the debate was handled, his Department of Justice and its race baiting chief, Eric Holder, the economy and the associated stimulus, the several gaffes and political miscalculations; furthermore, holding the presidency during a time in which Americans view the country as divided and politics more partisan than ever before, President Obama has remained relatively popular. However, his total detachment or disinterest, or both, in what has gone on in Libya, and Egypt before that, and Iran even before that, is starting to make Obama look indecisive and unwilling to make tough executive decisions.

Certainly one could argue that President Obama is on the same side as the majority of Americans in not calling for a No-Fly Zone in Libya. I am in that camp myself. Not because I am anti-military action or American strength abroad, I am anti-dealing with and assisting the schizophrenic Middle East. President Obama’s predicament though is something different. He called for the Gadaffi to step down and, then later, ramped up the rhetoric and said he must go. To quote the President during his campaign, “Don’t tell me that words don’t matter.” They do matter and as President of the United States they matter a great deal. When a president fells to follow-up and act according to those words, he looks weak, unsure, and ineffective. If the president wanted to stay out of the fray and let Europe handle the matter, since Libya is in their backyard, fair enough than; but he should have stated his case exactly like that and carried on like a president.

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After years of being harassed by the purple people beaters, one company has finally said ENOUGH.

In a press release issued Thursday, Sodexo USA announced that the company has filed a civil lawsuit against the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act., accusing the union of engaging in an “illegal campaign of extortion.”  The lawsuit representing Sodexo is Hunton & Williams – the same firm SEIU and its allies have accused of launching a “dirty tricks” campaign against them in retaliation for their anti-Chamber of Commerce campaigns. (more on that after the jump)

One of the largest food services and facilities management companies in the world, Sodexo is the provider of choice for most schools, universities, companies, hotels, prisons and other facilities that outsource their cafeteria and food catering operations, and for those that outsource industrial cleaning services.  SEIU has been incessantly battering Sodexo since 2007, in its desire to unionize some of its nearly 400,000 employees, many of them hotel and food service workers.  Exacerbating the tensions was a longstanding turf war between SEIU and UNITE HERE over hotel and casino workers, which often spilled over into SEIU’s antics prior to the settlement the warring unions reached this past summer.

Sodexo USA has filed the lawsuit in an attempt to halt the over-the-top harassment from SEIU, alleging that many of the acts are very serious and outside of the normal realm of union tactics, including acts of ” SEIU blackmail, vandalism, trespass, harassment, and lobbying law violations designed to steer business away from Sodexo USA and harm the company.” [emphasis added]

Aside from some of its usual corporate smear campaign tactics, certain organizers in the SEIU subscribed to some especially nasty, and frankly repulsive, tactics:

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President Barack Obama, having campaigned on ending wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, has instead decided to start a third war in Libya. Hope and Change.

During President Obama’s first two years in office, we have seen him do nothing but fumble on the world stage.  He often seems to sit back and watch major changes occur – making no effort to be a part of the solution or reassert America’s position in the state of world affairs.

Bruce Thornton, a professor of classics and humanities, joins us to discuss his book, “The Wages of Appeasement: Ancient Athens, Munich, and Obama’s America.”

His ultimate advice for the President?  Listen to what Islamists say, and believe they meant it.  We cannot bribe them–with education, money or democracy–because they will never trade spiritual things for physical things.  Ultimately, he argues that there will be no resolution outside of force.

Thornton also discusses the downfall of the democratic city-states of Ancient Greece, who, because of the “destructive pursuit of short term self-interest,” were unable to unify against a common threat.  Thornton argues that for a democracy to survive it must maintain civic virtue – character that is worthy of freedom.

The topic of appeasement draws some disturbing parallels between Chamberlain and Hitler and many of our modern politicians.  Pacifism and internationalism weren’t just popular movements in the 1930s and 1940s.  Remember, internationalism is defined as the idea that it is possible to create harmony of interest and solve all problems through diplomacy.   Sound familiar?

Watch the full episode here:

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American Solutions is re-launching Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less for one big reason:  President Obama’s continuing war on American energy is dramatically increasing the price of gas and diesel.

To be fair, President Obama is in favor of drilling…but just not in the United States.

His numerous bans, restrictions, and proposed taxes are hamstringing America’s ability to produce more oil and gas and are thereby increasing gas and diesel prices.  In fact, even the federal government projects that domestic oil production will drop by 220,000 barrels per day in 2011 due to the President’s anti-drilling agenda.  Production in 2012 will drop even more.

If we produce less oil, we will produce less gasoline, which means higher prices at the pump.

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I remember when I first bought my truck. I am not lying when I tell you that I love my Dodge diesel dually. But back then money was tight, and I would be lying if I said the monthly payments weren’t concerning.

I figured that since diesel fuel was cheaper than gas and the truck would get 18 miles per gallon, I could make it. I did and now 239,000 miles later my wife and I have the same conversation every year, “Why don’t we budget for a new truck for you?” ….”Honey, she’s just getting broke in and there isn’t an inch of rust on her anywhere. ” My wife then reminds me that we live in Southern California and there isn’t any rust on any of the vehicles here. Doesn’t matter. I love my truck.

Today I filled my truck up at $4.47 per gallon. For some unknown reason diesel is now more expensive than premium gasoline and I just spent $5.16 more on just one tank of fuel than I ever did on a monthly truck payment. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned.

I am lucky. I can work from home. What about my neighbors that spend two hours a day commuting to work? What about the carpoolers at my daughters school? What about all the Americans that are now having to decide between buying groceries or gasoline?

Utilities are also up and everyone knows that we are running out of oil!

Everyone also agrees that we need to stop drilling for oil in order to preserve the environment.

What if everybody is wrong?

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These People Are Disgusting…
The far left is using a woman’s suicide to attack Governor Scott Walker.

The Progressive, a liberal website in Wisconsin, reported this week that a Wisconsin teacher committed suicide because of Governor Scott Walker’s union bill. The website says she was “distraught” to learn that she was going to have to pay 12.6% instead of 6% of her insurance premium cost?
Really?… Really?

Jeri-Lynn Betts, an early childhood teacher in the Watertown, Wisconsin, school district, died on March 8 of an apparent suicide.

A colleague says she was “very distraught” over Gov. Scott Walker’s attacks on public sector workers and public education.

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In Part 1 of this story, I shared two videos — here and here — as well as a description of events related to a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper’s late-night Feb. 15, 2006 visit to the St. Peters, Mo., home of 85-year-old Dolores Sherman.  Below, I pick up the story of my investigation.

After speaking with Sherman March 9, I contacted the Missouri Gaming Commission’s headquarters in Jefferson City, Mo., with several questions, trying to find answers as to why a trooper, who said he worked for the commission, visited her home:

1. Is it normal for an MGC officer, in uniform, to visit the residence of an 80-year-old citizen at 8:15 p.m. to ask questions about her driving record, about her medical condition and for the name of her personal physician(s)?

2. Under what circumstances might an MGC officer’s visit to a citizen’s private residence be warranted?

3. Must MGC provide a citizen any form of notice in advance of such a visit? If so, please describe.

4. Does your agency have any record, report or other file related to any visit by an MGC officer to Mrs. Sherman’s home Feb. 15, 2006? If “yes,” are you willing to produce such a file or, at a minimum, disclose (a) the name of the officer who visited Mrs. Sherman’s home and (b) the circumstances that warranted that officer paying a visit to Mrs. Sherman’s home?

Upon receiving my questions via e-mail, gaming commission spokesperson LeAnn McCarthy referred me to Missouri State Highway Patrol General Counsel, Andrew Briscoe. The agency’s “official” response, however, was provided by Lt. John Hotz, a spokesperson for MSHP’s Public Information and Education Division (MSHP PIED):

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This week the Michigan Education Association encouraged its local affiliates to consider whether the union should have the power to consider “job actions” – code words for a sick-out, strike, or other childish antics – to get its way in Lansing.

While MEA President Iris Salters and her hefty six-figure salary wouldn’t suffer if teachers chose not show up for class, the union’s proposed “job actions” would put Michigan teachers at risk of losing their jobs if school districts made the appropriate decision to terminate those who refuse to come to work.

Does Salters view the state’s hard-working teachers as mere pawns in the union’s power game?

There is no doubt that Michigan is in a perilous situation, and if a good education is key to fixing the state’s problems – as the MEA claims - it would make much more sense to put the needs of students first, and avoid the foolish games.

On the other hand, a strike in some the state’s worst districts could finally provide the motivation for parents pull their kids from failing schools, and enroll them in schools that put their needs ahead of the MEA’s special interests.

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In the wake of the passage of a continuing resolution (C.R.) by the House and the Senate, that will keep the federal government running for another three weeks, Republican leaders and fiscally conservative members of Congress appear to be not getting along.

A group of 54 House Republicans voted against this latest C.R., which cut $6 billion in spending, up from the six members who voted against the first resolution two weeks ago. House Republicans like Michele Bachmann (MI), Mike Pence (IN), and Jeff Flake (AZ), and Senate Republicans like Jim DeMint (SC), Rand Paul (KY), and Marco Rubio (FL) voted against the stopgap measure.

These fiscal conservatives, supported by the Tea Party, have been critical of the Republican leadership’s decision not to use the C.R. spending plan as leverage against the Democrats and the White House on the defunding issues, such as the over $105 billion in continuing Obamacare spending, and funding for Planned Parenthood. Conservative critics of Speaker John Boehner (OH) and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (VA) say that failure of the leadership to act now with deep cuts will lead Republicans on the path to becoming the minority once again. In addition, conservatives worry that if Republican leaders are happy with “chump change” spending cuts, as they “compromise” with the Democrats, they will be likely to cave in when discussions begin about the debt ceiling within a couple of weeks.

Further, those voting against the C.R. are focused on the importance of seizing the day, or capitalizing on the emotional energy coming from the Tea Party now. Congressman Pence stated, “By giving liberals in the Senate another three weeks of negotiations, we will only delay a confrontation that must come.”

In the Senate, Marco Rubio articulated his frustration with the political games in Washington in an interview with conservative talk host, Mark Levin. Rubio has remained steadfast in his belief that Washington politicians from both parties need to change their behavior. Clearly, holding the federal government together two weeks at a time is not what he had in mind when he ran for the Senate.

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The standoff in Wisconsin continues…

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen wasted no time Friday in announcing the Department of Justice will appeal a judge’s granting of a restraining order that prohibits the publication of the law enacting the Budget Repair Bill.

“The Legislature and the Governor, not a single Dane County Circuit Court Judge, are responsible for the enactment of laws,” said Van Hollen. “Decisions of the Supreme Court have made it clear that judges may not enjoin the Secretary of State from publishing an Act.”

Earlier Friday, Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi granted a temporary restraining order blocking publication of 2011 Wis. Act 10, the Budget Repair Bill, which contains changes to the collective bargaining process for public employees in Wisconsin.

The judge made her announcement Friday morning, saying she did not see sufficient evidence indicating the legislative conference committee could not have given a 24-hour notice for its meeting last week.

Implementation of the Act cannot begin until it is officially published by the Secretary of State. Sumi’s order puts that process on hold, a move Van Hollen argues exceeds her authority.

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Today, in 2003, President George W. Bush ordered the start of the invasion of Iraq. We may or may not be entering another military engagement overseas.

From The Telegraph:

MPs of all political colours paid tribute to David Cameron’s role in securing the United Nations resolution on Libya.

They talked glowingly of Mr Cameron’s “breathtaking courage,” and his “superb leadership.” Even those who admitted they had doubted the Prime Minister were forced to admit he had brought off a “remarkable diplomatic success”.

In the eyes of some, Mr Cameron has come a long way in fewer than three weeks – from naïve novice to bold statesman. The Prime Minister took a few days to consider his options on his return from a trip to the Middle East late last month, but soon backed President Nicolas Sarkozy’s early call for a no-fly zone in Libya. He probably wished he had not as the call was waved away by serious international politicians.

Mr Cameron was mocked for speaking out with no less a figure than Robert Gates, the United States defence secretary, condemning the “loose talk”.

But as he travels to Paris this morning for a meeting of the European Union and Arab League, the Prime Minister has a right to feel vindicated. In No 10 there is barely-concealed delight at how the cards fell his way in spectacular fashion.

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The following quotes are taken from my email exchanges with Jim Shankman of Madison, Wisconsin, the individual who has admitted to writing a vicious screed directed at blogger Ann Althouse and her husband, Meade. All bold type used for emphasis is my choice for publication purposes. It was Meade who removed a “solidarity” shirt from a statue of Hans Christian Heg, (see video) an action that appears to have greatly upset Shankman.

“You don’t fucking touch Hans Christian. Ever.”

He has granted permission to publish our recent email correspondence. The full email trail will be posted below. When asked if he wrote a death threat directed to Republican Senators in Wisconsin, Shankman denied it. Some have expressed a feeling that there were stylistic similarities between it and the screed directed at Althouse. To the best of my knowledge, there is no evidence suggesting Jim Shankman wrote the death threat.

Shankman initially responded:

I did not post this email.  I have never authored a death threat against anyone as far as I can recall.  I was one of the people holding up peace signs when people had grothmann surrounded (I have pics of myself there).

He then followed up in a subsequent email.

I literally read that email for the first time now. I don’t even know which faction these are coming out of. Like I said, I am a relative moderate among the more militant types within the movement. I’m just not plugged into the industrial sabotage/beating up scabs community.

Along with acknowledging a more “militant” type of protester engaged on the union side of the issue in Madison, Shankman issued a warning of sorts as to what may yet develop as the Left works against the Wisconsin legislation. (more…)

There’s an interesting debate in the blogosphere about whether President George W. Bush was a conservative (here’s a good summary of the discussion, along with lots of links, though I especially like this analysis since it cites my work.).

I’ve already explained that Bush was a statist rather than a conservative, and you can find additional commentary from me here, here, here, and here.

Simply stated, any President who doubles the burden of federal spending in just eight years is disqualified from being a conservative – unless the term is stripped of any meaning and conservatives no longer care about limited government and constitutional constraints on Washington.

But if you don’t want to read the blog posts I linked above, this chart should make clear that Bush was a big spender, not only when compared to Reagan, but also compared to Clinton. Moreover, we’re only looking at overall domestic spending, so this doesn’t include Iraq, Afghanistan, and other defense expenditures. And these are inflation-adjusted dollars, so we’re comparing apples to apples.

But let’s also examine the burden of domestic spending as a share of GDP. As you can see, there actually was progress during the Clinton years, and significant progress during the Reagan years. But all that was completely wiped out during the Bush presidency.

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The Washington Post’s E.J. Dionne seems to actually believe the Obama administration’s claim that he has helped gun rights (see here). Yet, it almost seems as if many on the left attack Obama simply to make him appear more moderate than he actually is. What set Dionne off was President Obama’s claim this past Sunday in an op-ed: “My administration has not curtailed the rights of gun owners, it has expanded them, including allowing people to carry their guns in national parks and wildlife refuges.” In fact, Obama allowed the change in regarding the guns in national parks, not because he supported the idea, but because it was a very popular amendment to a bill that he wanted, the “Cardholders’ Bill of Rights Act of 2009.”

The Obama administration has been a consistent opponent of gun ownership. It has enacted a ban on the importation of semiautomatic guns because: “The U.S. insisted that imports of the aging rifles could cause problems such as firearm accidents.” They have also tried imposing much more extensive reporting requirements on sales of long guns. However, possibly the biggest threat is Obama’s nomination of Andrew Traver to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. There is also the Obama administration’s push for the U.N.’s Arms Trade Treaty and its continual inaccurate statements about the source of Mexico’s crime guns. In addition, President Obama’s appointments to the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, are adamantly against any protection for individual ownership of guns. If one of the five justices in the majority of the Heller or McDonald cases were to die or retire, not only would further gains be prevented, but even those two precedents would be threatened.

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The reality doesn’t match up to the Governor Parnell’s claims. The number of oil companies filing with the Alaska Department of Revenue has doubled indicating that competition has indeed increased. Alaska has the second most business friendly tax set-up — up two spots since the passage of ACES. Additionally, a report from Governor Parnell’s Department of Revenue indicated that 2009 yielded a record high in oil jobs. Even more recently, the newest employment numbers from Alaska show that oil job numbers were higher in January 2011 than in January 2010, indicating that jobs are growing at the seasonal level. Parnell argues that state revenues are in jeopardy, but it is estimated that his proposal would reduce revenues by $100-200 million. Governor Parnell is right on other issues, but the numbers tell a different story than he asserts when it comes to ACES. (more…)