"Years after a business partner died unexpectedly, Romney helped the man’s surviving daughter go to medical school with loans for tuition — loans he forgave when she graduated."

"And in 1997, when a fellow church member’s teenage son fell seriously ill, Romney sprinted to the hospital in the dead of night, where he kept vigil with his terrified parents."

"Stories like these — tales of long hours spent with grieving families, financial assistance to those in need and timely help given to strangers whether asked for or not — abound in the adult life of the Republican presidential candidate. Many of them, though not all, are connected to his work as a Mormon bishop." (Double left click on image for full story).

"Here is where I think they stray or where the watching or listening public doesn't appreciate them. We were taught as young journalists that real news only carried the four 'w's' and the one 'h' (who, what, when, where and how) and that should be in your first paragraph.   That has gone by the wayside....just as being paid by the 'column inch' to fill space, rather than by the word, disappeared." (Double left click on image for full story).

"The interviews with Saddam Hussein and the Shah of Iran were pure theater. In Bagdad, a smiling Saddam was perched on an elevated chair assuring that he was the tallest person at a table of notables. Dennis, the second American reporter to interview him, sat at his right hand and immediately afterwards felt the session had gone well, S.H. apparently disagreed. He had the interpreter shot the following day. In Tehran, Dennis was ushered into the royal palace on the obligatory red carpet and tea was served in gold cups. The brash young American asked if he could smoke. The Shah jerked his head back and made a smacking sound…. which Dennis took as a “yes” and lit up. All present diverted their eyes to their shoes. Amazingly, he not only survived but completed a successful interview. The Shah later repeatedly requested Dennis Mullin as his preferred question and answer guy." (Double left click on image for full story).

"Savage’s primary claim to fame is that he formed the website 'Santorum.com,' to create a 'Google bomb' that would smear the good name of former senator and presidential candidate Rick Santorum. On the site he redefined the senator’s last name, Santorum, using language so vile and repulsive that I won’t repeat it. When Christian advocate and Americans for Truth founder Peter LaBarbera asked Savage to take down the website, Savage responded, 'I’m asking Peter LaBarbera to go f–k himself.'" (Double left click on image for full story) 

“'And I’m Tim Day,' he added, 'and I contribute more to the tax base than a lot of people that hate me for what I did. I would like to know that my money is going to good use.' ......The hate of which Day spoke includes home and car vandalisms and loud name-calling by unknown provocateurs in grocery stores—all of which, the longtime Ward 5 resident said, has occurred only since his whistleblowing in the Thomas affair." (Double left click on image for full story).

"Stories abound during this administration, especially of the politicians and government agency “partnerships” which scratch each other’s backs. We don’t have to bring up the numerous Secretary Chu and Energy Department “investments” in failing companies that coincidentally were players in Obama’s campaign. Certainly during Republican administrations this happens all too often as well...no congressman nor senator is “immune” and maybe that’s why so many who leave their jobs become contractor representatives(i.e. 'Lobbyists')"...(Double left click on image for full story).

CAMPAIGN 2012: The historical expression, “Heavy is the Head of He Who Wears the Crown,” is being rewritten by President Obama as, “Empty is the Head of He Who Flaunts the Crown.” This President has never even led from behind; he has been campaigning for four years. It sounds great for a “community organizer” to talk up solar power and castigate those “who cling to their guns and religion,” and are lazy. But when you give billions to idiots like Solyndra, turn GM over to the unions, close Catholic hospitals over abortion, turn the health care system into a 2,500 page Nancy Pelosi monstrosity that creates hundreds of new bureaucratic agencies, decapitate the military, cancel the space program, sue your own states (Arizona) over immigration, give arms to Mexican drug cartels, stand by as Iran goes nuclear, boost unemployment and put half the country on food stamps, bankrupt the country while demanding that the small percentage that now pay all the taxes pay more – you are so far out in left field that the bleacher bums are booing you and throwing  the balls back on the field. With all the pompous dilatants in the media and political world spewing ideological garbage, maybe the time is ready for a steady, methodical businessman to steer the ship of state. In April 1980, President Jimmy Carter was leading Ronald Reagan by 38 points. Bill Clinton trailed George Bush Sr. by 26 in April. New polls this week show Romney leading the incumbent President and the campaign hasn’t even begun – it has all been primaries. The Obama years have been a disaster and whatever you political persuasion, you must admit we need change – and the system says that means President Romney. (Double left click on image for full story).

"EPA’s E-15 ethanol plan is bad for our pocketbooks, environment and energy policy"

"Bowing to pressure from ADM, Cargill, Growth Energy and other Big Ethanol lobbyists, Lisa Jackson’s Environmental Protection Agency has decided to allow ethanol manufacturers to register as suppliers of E15 gasoline. E15 contains 15% ethanol, rather than currently mandated 10% blends." (Double left click on image for full story) 

It’s an entitled blue deer, meet onrushing truck kind of moment. The Guild is talking about a strike, and an array of Times staffers, including some famous bylines that are well known in news circles, worry aloud that the new plan could make them eat cat food and sleep in boxes on the street in old age. (Or late middle age, anyway; not one staffer talks about working past 65.)" (Double left click on image for full story)

"More recently, on April 3, O’Donnell unleashed a despicable anti-Mormon snarl (a “ridiculous” and “demented” religion) which reached a new low, even for MSNBC. O'Donnell dismissed Mormonism as a religion "invented" by Joseph Smith, to excuse his infidelity.  Shifting to his real target, he sneeringly added that Mitt Romney "says he believes" in his religion. Duh!" (Double left click on image for full story)