It’s gambling but (in the spirit of tonight’s championship game) it ain’t exactly Texas Hold(er) ‘em. To quote the Grateful Dead it’s more like “Alabama Getaway.”

What it is exactly is AG Eric Holder once again playing Russian roulette with the American people.

By championing the clemency for and release of 16 committed, unrepentant FALN terrorists for the Clintons in 1999, Holder gambled with the safety of the American people whose protection he was sworn to defend.

I warned of this in testimony against Holder at his senate confirmation hearings last January so it should surprise no one that he has done it again; this time by planning the closing of Gitmo, recent release of terrorists back to the Middle East, civilian trials for enemy combatants and most recently for bestowing on the would be panty bomber US rights.

Like all unconscionable gamblers, Holder is bound to lose.

The criminal part is that his loss will not be his own but will be measured in lives taken from our fellow citizens.

As I remember back around this time last year going to DC to testify against AG Holder at his confirmation hearings, I was pulled from the security line, stopped and hand searched in Reagan National on the way home.

When I asked the TSB worker why, he said it was because I had a one way ticket from DC to LaGuardia.

It’s more than a little ironic (its actually insane but not surprising in this world of Political Correction) that I was pulled out and hand searched while travelling to DC to perform my civic duty and the panty bomber was not.

Oh and by the way, my tickets were booked by the United States Senate!

Political Correction used to be a nuisance, now it’s a noose.

After watching O’Reilly’s interview with Newt Gingrich last night where O’Reilly could not comprehend why Holder would put his own family at risk by releasing terrorists and or treating them like every day US criminals, I emailed this answer to Mr. O’Reilly.

Some background, Holder is a left wing ideologue and was the architect of Bill Clinton’s 1999 clemency to 16 unrepentant FALN terrorists; the very terrorists who claimed responsibility for my father, Frank Connor’s murder, at the infamous January 24, 1975 Fraunces Tavern terrorist bombing.

“I want to answer Mr. O’Reilly’s question to Mr. Gingrich on tonight’s Factor.

After testifying against Holder before the Senate Judiciary Committee last January it is clear to me that Holder is not concerned about his family because he and many other politicians and DC insiders view themselves “above” the citizenry, thus arrogantly immune from terrorism.

That’s for us common folk.

It’s all part of the current corruption of entitlement attitude.”

Flight 93 National Memorial: Shanksville, PA.

By Mary Connor Tully

This was written by my mother, Frank Connor’s wife having visited the Shanksville site.

Mary Connor Tully’s husband Frank T. Connor (33) was murdered by the Puerto Rican terrorist group FALN during the heinous lunchtime bombing of Fraunces Tavern in downtown Manhattan on January 24, 1975. Frank’s god son Steve Schlag was killed in the WTC on 9/11/01 only blocks from Fraunces as Frank’s sons watched the attacks in horror from their downtown offiices.

The row of colored flags eked, creaked, and fluttered in a gusting, biting wind that swept across the hill. The guide raised her voice above the shrill as people drew closer so as not to miss a word, wiped their eyes and bent their heads. This is Shanksville, Pa. September, 2007 and the story being told is like no other I have ever heard. It is an American tragedy and it occurred on 9/11/01.

I look down from this hill at the beautiful valley with its lush green grass, and vegetation. I see a lone flag hold on, as if for dear life, to a wire fence. The red and white stripes fold in and out and revel small white stars on heavenly blue. The trees and grass swirl and sway in unison. Yes, it is Old Glory and it is keeping guard on the spot where Flight 93 crashed, and with it forty of the bravest people America has to offer.

A temporary memorial atop the hill includes a forty-foot fence decorated with flowers, letters, artwork, stuffed animals, badges, flags, and many other items. The thousands of visitors who come here each week can write their thoughts in journals provided on the sight. No one sat on the benches where the names of the forty people who perished are written. It would have been disrespectful to do so! Instead, people gather around the Ambassador (guide), who serves as a human contact, to hear every word of how the passengers and crew planned to take back flight 93 from the terrorists, knowing that they might have to give their lives.

All of this has been told on TV and in the movies but as the saying goes, “you would have to be there,” to get the full affect of this horrific crash and the terrible loss of these beautiful people. I like to believe the dew on the grass is their tears. The birds flying overhead are their spirits calling out to us not to forget them and to remember that freedom comes at a price! A pride swelled within me that somehow the lives lost here were not in vain. Had these brave people not succeeded in their attempt to divert the terrorists from their intended target, the Capitol, our country could have been devastated.

I sit in my car and shiver. I look at that peaceful farm house on the hill and think about the terror the people within must have felt on seeing flight 93 hurling out of the sky on that beautiful Tuesday morning. I let my mind wonder to what it must have been like during the last few minutes on Flight 93 before it came crashing down, twenty-five feet into the ground. Did these forty people have a moment to grab for the pictures in their wallets? Did they kiss the smiling faces of their family? Did they shed a tear? Did they utter a prayer before “let’s roll,” rang out and they stormed the cockpit?

I asked the same questions when my husband, Frank Connor was killed while having lunch in Fraunces Tavern, NY City, by Puerto Rican terrorists, in 1975, and again on 9/11 when another member of our family, Steven Schlag, was killed at the World Trade Center. These are some of the thoughts that haunt families whose loved ones die at the hands of terrorists. Did they have time to say, “I love you guys,” either out loud or in their hearts.

And now I ask myself, what the terrorist hijackers might have been thinking. Did they
hesitate for a moment to consider that they were about to murder 40 innocent people?
Did they, also, shed a tear for their families? But then again, their families would benefit financially from this horrific act. They would be seen as martyrs for the cause of Islam. Finally, did they invoke Allah’s name as the cockpit door was thrown open?

Americans must never again be caught off guard. We now know that plots are being hatched against us, all over the world, even in our own country. We cannot let the droning politicians lull us into the belief that, if we sit back and “play nice” everyone will love us.

I am so glad I got to Shanksville before the permanent memorial is erected. I believe the spirits of these 40 people fill this beautiful meadow, and the hallowed ground it has become, just as in ground zero. They are now a part of our history and every child will stand taller on hearing of their bravery.

Lincoln’s words from his Gettysburg Address, come to mind as I drive away from Shanksville. “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced ————- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion for that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -.”

From the diaries by Erick

Hillary Clinton has outdone her hypocritical self once again.

She correctly stated that terrorist Abdel Bassett al Megrahi should serve his sentence to completion, to quote her State Department which she is clearly in charge, “Our interest is in justice and….the commitment to the families.” He had a fair trial. He was convicted He’s serving his time. And we think he should stay in jail.” I could not agree more.

However, when political gain was at stake she did not see it that way.

Ironically ten years ago this week, when it was politically expedient for her senate run, the Clintons, with an assist from Eric Holder granted clemency to 16 equally remorse less FALN terrorists who also were convicted after fair trials.

Obviously Mrs. Clinton still believes the citizenry do not see through her cynical ‘do as I say, not as I do’ politics.

Some of us however are paying attention.

Joseph F. Connor

Mr. Connor’s father, Frank, 33 was killed by the FALN in the 1975 Fraunces Tavern bombing. Joe has written several OP Eds for The Post on other publications and testified this year before the Senate Judiciary Committee against Eric Holder’s AG nomination.

On bringing terrorist Ahmed Ghailani from Gitmo to New York to stand trial for the bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, AG Eric Holder was quoted today,

“The Justice Department has a long history of securely detaining and successfully prosecuting terror suspects through the criminal justice system, and we will bring that experience to bear in seeking justice in this case.”

What a bald face joke. I guess we all have forgotten his leadership role in releasing the FALN under Bill and Hillary Clinton?

The FALN terrorists proudly claimed responsibility for over 130 bombings including the infamous January 24, 1975 murder of my 33 year old father, Frank Connor during the lunch time bombing of Fraunces Tavern in downtown NYC. (please see link for detail)

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-connor16-2009jan16,0,7962063.story

And how about bringing CONVICTED terrorists like William Morales and Joanne Chesimard here from Cuba to serve their sentences? I don’t hear that mentioned by DoJ. (please see link for detail)

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04232009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/first__bring_killers_back_from_cuba_165828.htm

I have been a direct recipient of Arlen Specter’s treachery and dishonesty.

As the lead Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Specter invited me to testify against the confirmation of Attorney General Eric Holder– then revealed his treachery by proceeding to vote for Holder despite several damning statements by President Obama’s nominee (including Holder’s own admission that he RECOMMENDED the release of FALN terrorists) and obvious lies (including his claim that no FALN members pardoned had committed violent acts–and also stating that he was unaware that two members offered clemency were caught on videotape making bombs).

Given Senator Specter’s actions, I cannot say I am surprised by his defection to the Democrat party.

What I can say, is if not for the damage he is doing to our country, I would feel sorry for him. After the first day of Holder’s testimony, I met with Specter in the halls of the Capitol. Despite his lucidity while questioning witnesses that day, what I encountered as just the two of us spoke was a confused, fragile man who sadly resembled a dog chasing his tail while trying to get his arm in the sleeve of his coat that cold evening in January.

It seems to me Specter continues to spin in circles, having no principles to ground nor guide him but just knowing his destination is right were he is; in the Senate, no matter what he has to do to stay there.

He would be worthy of our pity if he was not so dangerous.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04232009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/first__bring_killers_back_from_cuba_165828.htm

I put this piece in the New York Post today to draw attention to the terrorists, thieves and murders being provided safe haven in Castro’s Cuba; the same Cuba Obama is cozying up to. Bottom line is Obama has to demand the extradition of these violent revolutionaries before making any concessions to Cuba.

One of those provided safe harbor by Castro since the mid 80s, William Morales, may well have built the bomb that killed my father, Frank Connor. Please join my family and me in demanding the return of these fugitives.

Thank you,

Joe Connor

April 3, 2009

For the first time in memory, millions of Americans are more qualified to be president than the current president, Barack Obama….and we are starting to realize it.
Since the turn of the 20th century, there have been 19 presidents. Until Obama all had executive, and or military leadership experience.
Nine were governors, (5 of large states). Many were successful in business, military leaders, ambassadors or directors of agencies such as the CIA. Some ascended to the presidency after learning their trade as long serving congressmen, senators and many were vice presidents.

The vast majority of recent presidents had been governors (from Lyndon Johnson to George W. Bush all were former governors and / or vice presidents) and all had been established leaders including John F. Kennedy (Naval leadership during WWII) who up until Obama had the thinnest resume when elected president.

Though millions of Americans are highly educated and accomplished in multiple fields, few of us could convincingly argue our qualifications to be president compared to those above. I am not saying many of us could not have done a better job than some of these presidents but simply on paper, the vast majority of us would not appear as qualified.

Then came Barack Obama. Citing his alarmingly light qualifications from the White House’s own website (http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president_obama/)
“After working his way through college with the help of scholarships and student loans, President Obama moved to Chicago, where he worked with a group of churches to help rebuild communities devastated by the closure of local steel plants.
He went on to attend law school, where he became the first African—American president of the Harvard Law Review. Upon graduation, he returned to Chicago to help lead a voter registration drive, teach constitutional law at the University of Chicago, and remain active in his community.
President Obama’s years of public service are based around his unwavering belief in the ability to unite people around a politics of purpose. In the Illinois State Senate, he passed the first major ethics reform in 25 years, cut taxes for working families, and expanded health care for children and their parents. As a United States Senator, he reached across the aisle to pass groundbreaking lobbying reform, lock up the world’s most dangerous weapons, and bring transparency to government by putting federal spending online.”
In summary, his self espoused qualifications are:
o working with churches
o leading a voter registration drive
o teaching law
o Illinois state senator where he “cut taxes for working families…” As opposed to cutting taxes for non working families (as he is doing now.)
o During his first 2 months as president he has negated any claimed successes in lobby reform by hiring numerous former lobbyists into his administration.
o Putting federal spending online and transparency: cynically he has already negated this qualification by pushing through the reckless “stimulus” package while ignoring his pledge to allow a 5 day online review prior to signing.
His lack of qualifications is alarming and many of his claimed successes already been refuted.
Because his resume is so thin, he will not get the benefit of the doubt from the average American for much longer. When it came to previous presidents with strong credentials the average American would trust that the president is making the right decision. While we may not have understood or may not have agreed with it most citizens would trust that “the president knows more than me, so I assume his decision is correct.”
Not so with Obama. For example, millions of us average Americans know more about the economy and how it works than the president does.
How do I know? Because I am an average American; a college educated middle manager with 20 years work experience and 43 years of life experience including being a married father of two pre-teens with two mortgages, aging parents and been laid off twice. (http://www.redstate.com/users/joeconnor/) There are millions of Americans with similar backgrounds to mine who understand basic economics and the principles of human behavior Obama apparently does not understand or, due to his socialist ideology, refuses to recognize.
For example, while Obama does not seem to get it, the average American knows:
o Spending money on credit does not dig people out of financial trouble but greatly worsens it
o Showing weakness by reaching out to those who would hurt us while shunning those who support us only puts us in greater danger
o Promising money to those who have failed and taking from those who succeed only encourages failure
o Changing the rules in the middle of a game makes no one want to play with you anymore
o You are judged by those you associate with
o The government cannot even run a DMV office efficiently. We shutter to think what government ownership of automobile companies, banks or God forbid, our health would mean for us.
For now, the average American yells at the TV when Obama’s teleprompter speaks, frustrated, and increasing angrily correcting all the platitudes he serves with what we know is right.
Let’s pray that before we see the results of Obama’s socialist policies in high inflation, increased taxes, massive unemployment, increased corruption as “stimulus” money disappears, increased government and international control of our lives, and property and increased vulnerability to terrorist attack, the average American stops yelling at the TV and does something about it.
We Average Americans need to stand up for our beliefs, take ownership of the situation and reclaim our country from these incompetent ideologues. We need to put our elected officials on warning that they will lose their jobs (power) if they continue to grab power from the people.
We know better.

I had written this on October 24, 2008, just before the presidential election but never published.  Seems at least as pertinent today is it did then.

October 24, 2008

As he got on the bus, I knew he was heading straight for the empty seat beside the thin man in front of me.  I watched this poor man looking fit and slim sitting comfortably in his seat, look away, out the bus’s window hoping in silence the big man coming toward him would pass.  Fate was against this unfortunate soul who I thought of as Average Joe.   It was the perfect storm.  Most seats on the bus were already taken and those empty were next to similarly large, ok, fat people just like the man approaching.

There would be no room for him next to those of his size so he would have to take the empty space just to the left of Average Joe.  That space existed simply because Average Joe obviously worked hard at keeping himself in decent shape.   As the approaching man thundered down the narrow isle it was clear he wouldn’t try to take the space from those like him who obviously did not work as hard to keep in shape.  So, like the government, this insatiable man came to take the space of the responsible man sitting by the window.

I watched as he squeezed in next to Average Joe, his body flowing into the seat to his right and pinning Joe against the window. Naturally he immediately began speaking in some unrecognizable tongue on his cell phone disturbing the bus full of commuters. 

As for me, I watched, predicting the events when I was suddenly horrified to realize that we may all be seeing this situation play out more and more in the coming months and years.

I thought about this season of Joes making an impact on the presidential election.  From Joe the Plumber who used his mouth and a few simple sentences to finally focus the country on Barack Obama’s vision of change, (redistribution of wealth) to Joe the Biden using his mouth to insert his foot but also focus the country on the dangerous inexperience of his running mate Barack Obama.   Joes have had quite an impact.

Now here I was putting myself in the shoes of Average Joe, stuck on the bus, trying to keep what he had from Joe the Sloppy or Sloppy Joe, as I began to think of him.   I realized that this large man taking an empty seat and forcing Average Joe into a corner was an allegory for big government oozing into our space in the form of Obama’s socialized medicine and wealth distribution. 

I imagined Average Joe working hard and keeping fit, in part so he would have some extra room for his long, daily commute to his job.  That extra room represents the reward for hard work.  We may also refer to it as wealth.

Because of his obesity, Sloppy Joe crowded from his now filled seat into the one next to his, thus taking his neighbor’s space; allegorically taking his neighbor’s wealth.  Like the working guy on the bus, responsible Americans will be penalized for their responsibility; for working hard and keeping financially fit.

Notice Sloppy Joe did not squeeze next those like him on the bus.  They were left with two seats.  Perversely, like Obama’s designs on working Americans’ wealth, they were rewarded (with more room on the bus) for being unfit.

So when you think of Obama’s socialized redistribution of wealth, think of a Sloppy Joe on the bus.  

Is that a mess you want on your hands?