Categories:
Best Exterior Illumination (Cash)
Best Interior Illumination (Book)
Best Tree (Ornament)
Worst Decoration (Could be anything from tree ornaments to plastic Santa’s with punched in noses) (Ornament)
Best Chronicled Decorating Process (series of video or pictures) 3 month subscription to the Jelly of the Month Club.

Send your entry to brandon@badgerbenson.com
Feel free to post them here for everyone to see. The final collection will be posted on the web site. Looking for everything from nice to off the wall. Originality will go far! Keep it PG people.
And for the love of Grace (bless her heart she died 30 years ago) do not hurt yourself! (And if you do at least get it on tape.) Brandon Benson, Benson Creative Services, and the Badger Benson Show will not be held responsible for any injuries or damages to yourself and/or property. You have until December 22nd to submit your entries.
Now get busy! If you’re interested in being on the panel, send me an email. I’ll get a crack staff together for the judging and announce who they are in the coming weeks.

Check out the event on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/events/249395895116071/

Back in October I finished up my degree at Bellevue University in the Leadership program. I decided to take the remaining weeks of my classes to concentrate full efforts on finishing strong. I successfully completed my degree!

Around the same time I took a new job working in the Nebraska legislature as an administrative aide. As I got started I didn’t want to make too much public until I felt comfortable with everything. I likely will not make much commentary on the site or show about Nebraska politics as it pertains to what is happening in the Unicameral.

However, I will continue to do the show and focus on subjects related to humanities, leadership, and national news. I’m also looking forward to the coming year of continuing to assist our grass roots groups in Nebraska. I’m looking forward to learning now working inside the capitol. I appreciate all of the well wishes over the past few months as I moved into a new phase of my life.

Also I have started a side project called Louisville Nebraska Radio, which also airs on BlogTalkRadio.com  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/louisvillenebraska The project started as I finished at Bellevue with my civic project in the Kirkpatrick Signature Series. The concept was to take the show I was presently doing and turn into a format for rural communities to utilize as part of their own community to cover area news and events, and promote themselves. Part of the inspiration for this came from seeing the launch of Glenn Beck’s GBTV. I hope that what I am doing might serve as model for other communities on how to utilize social media.

As for the Badger Benson Show there is plenty coming up! I will be launching a morning prayer/faith based show, heard daily in the morning at the same location http://www.blogtalkradio.com/badger-benson Look for that to start tomorrow or early next week!

Also much like last year there will be a holiday series of shows including a series for Thanksgiving and another Christmas Countdown series. Those will start next week. Also coming in January – the 2011 AmeriCANS and AmeriCANTS of the Year!

Stay tuned folks! The Badger Den is alive. When you’re inside the den…you’re outside the box!.

Yes, I am a huge fan. Even dressing as Beck for Halloween a few years ago. I don’t agree with him on everything. But I’m still a huge fan. The guy is funny, creative, innovative, and informative. He thinks outside of the box. As someone who appreciates creativity and a fresh look on the world, that is why I like Beck so much. Plus he loves God and country. He is passionate and does much charity work.

Back to the real Beck…

Glenn announced this morning that he is flipping the switch on his much anticipated next step. He’s starting a new Internet TV site called GBTV.com. The site will offer expanded coverage of his show, a new version of his Fox show which will be 2 hrs in length, plus his documentaries, shows from others, specials focusing on news and entertainment. The site will be utilizing the same technology use by MLB.com for their streaming coverage of games. MLB is by far the best at Internet video.

Best part…low cost. $4.99/per month. And automatically free upgrade for Insider Extreme members. I’m looking forward to this!

1. 5/3 Barbara Lee
Marco Ibanez – Lee, a 45 year old and Marco a 19 year old are facing aggravated battery charges for an attack in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The target of their attack was Alfred Stewart – a deaf and mute man who was using sign language. The signs were mistaken as gang signs by Lee Ibanez who brutally beat Stewart.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/deaf-mute-friends-stabbed-at-bar-after-sign-language-mistaken-for-gang-signs/

Barbara Lee and Marco Ibanez – real thugs beat on deaf people.

2. 5/3 Rashard Mendenhall – The star running back of the Pittsburg Steelers was in hot water after making some tweets after the death of Osama bin Laden, questioning why Americans would celebrate death and how they could hate someone they’ve never met. I agree to a certain extent on the celebrations, but I can say that I have never met Hitler, nor would I want to, and nor do I to know that I hate that man.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/popular-nfl-running-back-defends-bin-laden-weve-only-heard-one-side/

3. 5/4 American Youth – Now there’s a lot of reasons to be a crotchety old miser and not like young people. But this shouldn’t be among them, but it is a reason to question our youth. After the death of Osama bin Laden a Yahoo report found that teens between 13-17 years old made up 66% of the searches of “who is Osama bin Laden”. Way to go public school system!
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/search-engine-results-reveal-teens-dont-know-who-obl-is/

4. 5/5 Obama Administration – As you know it’s policy to not include a sitting president on either the CAN or CANT list out of respect for the office. But we do mention current administrations. The Obama Administration makes our list yet again. This time for the handling of the Osama bin Laden aftermath. From mixed messages, conflicting stories, changed stories, and misinformation it seems that no one in the administration was on the same page following the death of bin Laden.
5. 5/5 Celebrations – “Celebrate good times, come on!” Some of the celebrations were definitely inappropriate after the death of Osama. It was certainly reason to be proud of our country and to rejoice that justice had been served, and to reflect on the lives lost, and also a moment to be proud of our military and intelligence services. And I understand what it means to be young. Still, I think some of the people in the celebrations could have been more restrained…not all of them, just some.

6. 5/4 Lawrence O’Donnell – The MSNBC host is becoming a monthly fixture on the CANTS list. This month, again another related Osama bin Laden story, O’Donnell suggested that Americans have overreacted to 9/11.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/did-america-overreact-to-911-at-least-one-msnbc-host-thinks-so/

7. 5/4 Tucson Protestors – Protestors crashed a Tucson Unified School District board meeting, which was a make-up meeting for one that students caused to be cancelled after chaining themselves to desks. The curriculum in question is a controversial Mexican-American studies program. Free speech is good, dissent is alright, voicing your opinion and taking part in civil discourse is American. But your cause might not be, and your methods may not be…which is the case here. Check out some of the pictures and accompanying video.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/riot-police-called-in-to-restore-order-at-tucson-school-board-mtg/

8. 5/4 Minnesota Democrat Rep Steve Simon – Decided to trivialize the debate on gay marriage by making some strong statements against pro-traditional marriage backers.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/minn-legislator-%E2%80%98how-many-more-gay-people-does-god-have-create-before-we-ask-does-god-actually-want-them-around%E2%80%99/

9. 5/4 Senate Indian Affairs Committee – Decided to waste our time and money by holding a hearing concerning stereotypes that featured the recent use of “Geronimo” as codename for Osama bin Laden. Seriously? What the hell?
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/senate-hearing-to-examine-inappropriate-use-of-obl-codename-geronimo/

10. 5/4 Four Arrested in Del City, Oklahoma – 18 year old Stetson Johnson was beaten unconscious with a baseball bat, then forcibly had tattoos placed on his chest and forehead by four thugs. Johnson who suffers from a learning disability was accused of sexual harassment, prompting the beating. However, Johnson denies that at the time of the story there was no evidence to support it. Either way, this was not the way to handle the matter.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/brutal-beating-attackers-tattoo-rapest-on-oklahoma-mans-forehead-shock-his-genitals-with-stun-gun/

11. 5/4 Ronald Euson, Thomas Euson, Jr, and Allan Euson – We love putting stupid criminals on the CANTS list. The Euson boys were part of pocket-dial cell phone mishap that lead cops to the crooks in upstate New York. The men were nabbed when one of their phones dialed an emergency number and their conversation was overheard by the dispatcher and passed on to police.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/oops-larcenists-inadvertent-911-pocket-dial-leads-police-to-their-trial/

Euscon’s crime ring busted by pocket dial. Drats!

12. 5/4 Teacher suspended for mocking Muslim student – It’s amazing how many stories we have relating to Osama bin Laden in the days following his death. This time a teacher in Friendswood, Texas was put on leave after an allegation that he made racially insensitive comments mocking a Muslim student after the death of bin Laden.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/teacher-suspended-for-mocking-muslim-student-are-you-grieving-because-uncle-bin-laden-died/

13. 5/4 Father Beck – Amazingly a selection on the CANTS list involving the Joy Behar Show that doesn’t involve Joy Behar being put on the list! Father Edward Beck was asked by Behar whether or not Osama bin Laden was evil. Beck’s answer was a convoluted mess that dodged the harsh answer that most of us would agree, with or without theological understandings involved that bin Laden was indeed evil. I think Beck was trying to play it safe, and I’m sure he’s a good Christian. But it’s things like this that are so clear and easy, that those of faith should be able to articulate well without any mixed message.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/joy-behar-is-bin-laden-evil-this-priests-response-may-surprise-you/

14. 5/5 Unknown Liberal Talker Mike Malloy – You knew it wouldn’t take long after the death of Osama to attack George W. Bush. Which Mike Malloy may have had one of the first and probably the most literal. Malloy asked when will the Seals kill George W. Bush?
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/lib-radio-talker-when-will-the-seals-kill-george-w-bush/

15. 5/5 Michael Moore – Of course Moore had to weigh (emphasis on weigh) in on the death of bin Laden. Moore’s viewpoint was that it was a planned execution all along blah blah blah blob.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/michael-moore-says-bin-laden-executed-not-killed-he-won/

16. 5/9 Pastor Jim Moats – Moats is a Pennsylvania pastor who caused a stir earlier this month when he was found caught up in a lie. Again, we have another story involving the Osama bin Laden death. Moats claimed in an interview that he was a Navy Seal. But other Seals found his story not right and emailed the reporter, who then uncovered the truth – Moats is not a Navy Seal.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/pastor-confesses-after-caught-lying-about-once-being-a-navy-seal/

17. 5/10 Nekiva Hardy – Hardy plead no contest to a series of charges and sentenced to 45 days in jail for a March 19^th brawl in a Florida Burger King. Along with the sentence she is also banned from all Burger Kings in Bay County. What’s up with all of these fast food chain riots and beatings?

Who’d win? Creepy Burger King guy or Nekiva Hardy?
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/florida/burger-king-brawler-plea-dea-765120

18. 5/10 Common – The controversial rapper was put into the limelight this month when he was invited to perform at a White House event. As you know the rapper has some questionable views on some cop killers reflected in some of his lyrics.
19. 5/10 White House – For no investigating the controversy surrounding Common.

20. 5/11 Tea Party Express – YES! A Tea Party organization makes the list on the CANTS side of things. TPE seems to get into trouble from time to time. I think for the most part they do more good than bad. However, they choose to get into a situation I don’t think they know much about. They announced earlier this month they would endorse Jon Bruning in the 2012 Nebraska Senate race. Fine. But here’s what they don’t know – several other candidates are running, and as far as I know, as someone deeply involved in the Nebraska Tea Party scene is that TPE didn’t seek any word on the race from Nebraska’s Tea Party leaders. They also chose to release the news of the endorsement in D.C. You can of course hear the segment I did concerning this event with a statement released by Nebraska Tea Party leaders right here on BlogTalkRadio.
21. 5/11 Ben Haas – Haas got entangled in a flag burning event at Louisiana State University which never took place. Haas was shouted down by a number of counter protestors over his planned burning. However, in Haas defense it was later revealed that he had changed his mind about burning the flag due to the outrage. Still….even though it’s free speech, it doesn’t mean it should be accepted. Haas unfortunately found that out the hard way.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/read-the-prepared-remarks-of-the-lsu-flag-burning-planner/

22. 5/11 Protestors at LSU – In the same story, some of the protestors countering Haas were very distasteful. Arguably so. But this is another example of the lost civility in our discourse, from all sides.

23. 5/11 California Lifeguard Management Association – 13 California lifeguards are making over $120,000 a year. Not surprisingly their Union very much defends their high salary. This isn’t a rip on lifeguards. But dang…$120,000?!
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/union-defends-13-calif-lifeguards-making-over-120000-very-fair-very-reasonable/

24. 5/12 Jack Davis – Davis is a fake Tea Party candidate in New York. He was also caught in an assault on a citizen journalist earlier this year.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/caught-on-video-democrat-running-as-tea-party-spoiler-candidate-assaults-citizen-journalist/

25. 5/12 John Stewart – John Stewart, as talented as he might be, makes his way to the CANT list in May for his over the top criticism of the rapper Common/White House story. If you listen to Stewart’s rant, I think it’s clear that he missed the point on what people like Bill O’Reilly were saying.
26. 5/12 Tucson Ethnic Studies Program – Earlier we mentioned the protestors at the Tucson school board meeting. Now for the actual program in dispute. Excerpts from the studies program were read at the school board meeting and it was quite alarming. You can check it out at BadgerBenson.com where this full list will be posted.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/bloodsucking-capitalists-shocking-excerpts-read-at-tucson-school-board-meeting-from-book-used-in-the-controversial-ethic-studies-curriculum-grades-3rd-12th-content-warring/

27. 5/12 George Soros* – Soros makes the list for the 2^nd month in row, and also makes the list again as only the 2^nd non-American citizen to make the list. Why? Well, this man has a deep affect on Americans, as well as many other countries worldwide. It was released this month that Soros has given millions to numerous liberal causes, including over 30 news outlets. And they say there’s no liberal bias.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/which-liberal-billionare-has-ties-to-over-30-news-outlets-george-soros/

28. 5/12 Bertha Lewis – The former ACORN CEO makes month’s list for leading a church service in singing “Wal-Mart Sucks”. I’m not familiar with that hymn.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/former-acorn-ceo-bertha-lewis-leads-church-in-singing-walmart-sucks/

29. 5/12 Melrose, Massachusetts High School Athletes – Around 11 Melrose high school athletes were suspended after photos of them were found on Facebook partaking in consumption of alcohol and tobacco products. Now, kids will be kids. I was there once. But that activity should not be condoned. Nor should these kids be so blatantly open about it. A few years back in my hometown of State Center, Iowa we encountered this and I actually caused a somewhat of a hot story when I broke the story for the local paper when I found a number of local kids posting pictures of their drinking activities. I think this again another story showing how our culture has changed, for the worse.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/Facebook-photos-land-11-athletes-lengthy-suspens?urn=highschool-wp2010

30. 5/13 Kerry Campbell – Campbell, has a young daughter involved in beauty pageants. Hey no big deal, right? Until Kerry Campbell said on national television that she gives her daughter Britney Botox injections. Britney is 8 years old. Amazing! Disgusting. Why do people do such crazy things to their children?
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/mother-who-injected-8-year-old-girl-with-botox-now-under-investigation/

31. 5/13 Fareed Zakaria – CNN host Fareed Zakaria admitted that he has been giving regular advice to President Obama. So much for journalistic integrity.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/revealed-obama-calls-cnns-fareed-zakaria-for-wisdom-advice/

32. 5/12 Dan Adler – Adler is a Democrat running for California’s 36^th District Congressional seat. Adler has some strange, and even what I’d call soft racism ads out. One of which peddles to minorities saying that “they stick together”. I love seeing liberals using race. It’s noble when they use it. But the second anyone on the right even attempts to talk about race issues all bets are off and you’re automatically branded a racist.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/i-have-issues-im-korean-whats-up-with-this-bizarre-dem-campaign-ad/

33. 5/13 PETA – Kutztown School District in Pennsylvania is facing some fiscal problems. In comes PETA to save the day. Their offer – they’ll pay some money if the school allows PETA to post ads around the school.

Forget IndoctriNATION – just use flat out bribery!
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/could-penn-kids-soon-be-subjected-to-peta-ads-in-school/

34. 5/12 Hero Builders Obama Seal Team 6 Doll – How about a Navy Seal themed Obama action figure for your kid to play with? Well you can order one from the Hero Builders toy company that decided to cash in on the Seal Team 6 craze.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/toy-company-unveils-obama-seal-team-6-action-figure/

35. 5/14 US State Department – As if we don’t have enough problems with immigration issues in this country. Well thanks to the State Department for furthering compounding our dislike of current immigration policy. Due to a computer glitch some 22,000 would-be immigrants have had their plans to live legally in the United States become ruined.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/botched-visa-lottery-dashes-hopes-of-22000-would-be-u-s-immigrants/

36. 5/15 Junk Donations to Tornado Victims – The AP reported that a mounting problem over a week ago in Tuscaloosa, Alabama has been the mountains of unwanted junk donations made to tornado victims. Come on people! If you’re going to give…give something good. Among the junk donated included a 3 foot tall plastic Santa Claus and used underwear. Come on people, we can do better than this.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110515/ap_on_re_us/us_southern_tornadoes_donations

37. 5/15 Disney – Toy manufacturers aren’t the only ones to capitalize on Seal Team 6. Include Disney in the shame. Disney applied for trademarks on Seal Team 6 this month.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/disney-moves-to-trademark-seal-team-6-is-this-right/

38. 5/15 Carlos Santana – The legendary rocker took part in the annual Major League Baseball Civil Rights Game this month. He also took the occasion to lecture Americans about their racism.
39. 5/15 Bay to Breakers Race – Leave it to San Francisco to push the envelope of decency. San Francisco Police arrested 25 people during an annual bike race through the city. The Charges included drunkenness and nudity.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/25-arrested-san-francsico-cracks-down-on-nudity-drunkeness-at-bay-to-breakers-race/

40. 5/17 Noe Morin – Over the past few months we’ve noticed an increase of gruesome crimes. We have another one this month. Noe Morin killed and then dismembered his best friend. Just a tragic, horrific and ugly crime.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/horrific-murder-uncovered-in-tx-man-charged-after-best-friends-body-dismembered/

41. 5/17 Rachel Maddow – Her royal snobbiness, elitiss, and just all around queen of pseudo leftist drivel took occasion to mock Glenn Beck and his “followers” as Glenn released news of his upcoming event in Jerusalem this summer.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/rachel-maddow-mocks-beck-his-fans-for-courage-event-in-israel/

42. 5/17 Arnold Schwarzenegger – The Govenator became the latest in dirtbags in politics to have an affair come to the surface. In Arnold’s case he also has a love child, hidden from the public the past ten years.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/schwarzenegger-reveals-he-had-a-child-with-a-member-of-household-staff/

43. 5/17 Teonna Brown – Brown has be indicted for assault and hate crimes for an attack on Chrissy Lee Polis for a brutal attack at a Baltimore McDonald’s last month. The story was huge with the video footage going viral. It’s good to see justice being done.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/update-attackers-charged-with-hate-crimes-in-brutal-mcds-beating/

44. 5/17 Gay Rights Advocate – A crazy gay rights advocate tossed a handful of glitter into the face of Newt and Calista Gingrich while at a campaign stop in Minneapolis. I really think it’s cases like these that hurt the gay rights movement.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/feel-the-rainbow-gay-activist-douses-gingrich-with-glitter-at-book-signing/

45. 5/18 13 year old girl – A New Hampshire teen got in trouble this month when she made a Facebook post that she wished Osama bin Laden had killed her teacher. Now, we know that teenagers do stupid things sometimes. But again, we have another situation of youngsters not knowing how to handle themselves with social media. Also a very insensitive remark to make, and obviously a threat as well.

46. 5/18 Rundlet Middle School – Same story as above. While I agree the girls remarks were terrible, I also think the 5 day suspension was unnecessary.

47. 5/18 Nuha Mohammed Al-Doaifi – Personally I think hate crimes are ridiculous. But how many times have you seen a crime report in the news and wondered what the case would be if the roles were reversed. That actually happened this month when Nuha, a Saudi student was charged with a hate crime for spitting on white people in Florida.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/hate-crime-saudi-student-charged-for-spitting-on-white-people-in-fl/

48. 5/18 Obama Administration – The O Team makes the list again this month. This time on May 18^th for essentially blackballing the Boston Herald because they didn’t like the coverage the Herald was giving to Mitt Romney.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/shut-out-white-house-punishes-boston-herald-for-papers-romney-coverage/

49. 5/18 Stanley Thornton, Jr. – Disgusting, Sad, Pathetic, Insulting, and Shameful are words that come to mind. Stanley Thornton Jr is the guy you might have seen in the news this month who is known as the “adult baby”. Stanley works his normal day like anyone else, but when he goes home he reverts to being a baby, complete with a giant crib and is fed by a bottle by his mother. Do we have an issue of feminizing our men and our culture? I present the evidence!
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/meet-the-adult-baby-sen-coburn-just-asked-the-govt-to-investigate/

50. 5/18 Esquire – The magazine ran a fake article about the Jerome Corsi newly released birther book being pulled from market after the release of Obama’s birth certificate.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/esquire-publishes-fake-story-about-birther-book-getting-pulled/

51. 5/18 Agenda Project – This group is back at it, after their hits with the Patriotic Millionaires Club and the “F-Tea” movement. This time the Agenda Project put out the ad attacking Republican plans to cut Medicare. The ad features a man in a nice suit pushing a woman in a wheelchair off a cliff. It’s this sort of rhetoric and imagery that left harps on the right for using. But when they use it…oh it’s just expression. “Lighten up” they say. We say, “Stop demonizing people and issues!”
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/new-dem-ad-likens-privatizing-medicare-to-murdering-seniors/

52. 5/18 San Francisco Ballot Initiative to ban circumcision – Leave it to San Francisco to once again make the list for another bizarre story. There is a ballot initiative in the next election in San Fran to ban circumcision. Do these people work? Are they real? The place seems like a magical fairy land or something to me.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/san-francisco-voters-will-now-determine-legality-of-circumcision/

53. 5/18 L.A. Valero Gas Station Story – A question of ethics and study in psychology came into play on May 18^th at a gas station in L.A. when patrons discovered an amazing discount. Due to a glitch at the pumps customers paid $1.10 for premium gasoline when the advertised price said $4.29/gallon. The station lost $21,000 in three hours. Just a terrible story. Our sympathy is with the owner who is out big. What would have you done in that situation? The patrons did the wrong thing. However, I will say that it’s easy for all of us in hindsight to say we’d do the right thing. Just another reminder of to do the right thing. Period.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/beck-character-test-would-you-steal-gas-if-you-could-get-away-with-it/

54. 5/19 Bernie Sanders – One of our favorite Senators, Bernie Sanders was caught off-guard when Human Events Editor Jason Mattera asked Bernie to sign his new book addressing it “To capitalism, the greatest economic system on earth.” Bernie’s answer was no…at first. But Mattera talked him into it. So why put Sanders on the CANTS list? Well…he is our only admitted Socialist Senator…and that is an AmeriCANT!
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/socialist-sen-bernie-sanders-asked-to-address-book-to-capitalism-at-signing/

55. 5/19 John Pedicone – It looked as if things were going to get cleared up in that Tucson school curriculum issue. But late last week Superintendent Pedicone backed down from his position of changing the radical Mexican-American studies program to an elective and even issued an apology.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/tucson-superintendent-backs-down-from-plan-to-change-radical-curriculum/

56. 5/19 Leroy Fick – This guy is a definite candidate for CANT of the Year in 2011. Leroy Fick is a 59 year old Michigan man who won the state lottery. Yet, he’s still on food stamps! Fick won nearly $2 million last July. But it was uncovered that he’s still on food stamps. When confronted, Fick doubled down and said he thought it was fair. Only in a liberal state like Michigan. Only in America, only in America can you win the lottery and still live on food stamps. What a country!
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-05-19-lottery-winner-food-stamps_n.htm

57. 5/20 Shantiqua Scott – In a scary video that was released, 18 year old Shantiqua tries to smother her baby for over 20 seconds. The footage was on a hospital camera. A nurse walks in and Shantiqua appears to check her phone. She then proceeds with the smothering after the nurse leaves…for a full minute, before the child goes limp and nurses and doctors rush in after alarms go off. The child, thankfully was saved and is now in foster care. Shantiqua was quickly found guilty after jury saw the evidence and is now waiting her sentence.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/horrific-vid-17-year-old-mother-caught-trying-to-smother-baby/

58. 5/21 Harold Camping – Hey we all survived the rapture! Harold Camping, the extreme doomsday preacher had his end of the world prediction proven wrong last Saturday when…the world didn’t end. A lot of fun was made at Camping expense, who has now gone 0 for 2 in his end of the world predictions. (Thank God! Seriously…thank God.) But sadly this false prophet has swindled millions away from followers who gave up tons of money and big parts of their lives to spread Camping’s message.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/what-if-todays-prophecy-of-doomsday-rapture-turns-out-to-be-right/

59. 5/23 Paul Krugman – Another elitist liberal I like to harp on is Paul Krugman. Krugman makes the list again for his remarks that surfaced where he talks about race. In the video Krugman suggests that President Reagan used implied racism and was an ugly race baiter.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/rich-white-trash-slur-whites-while-criticizing-implied-racism-paul-krugmans-race-hypocrisy-claiming-ronald-reagan-was-an-ugly-race-baiter/

60. 5/24 Code Pink/Rae Abileah – CodePink has taken credit for the disturbance to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu’s address to congress.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/codepink-takes-responsibility-for-netanyahu-heckler-claims-she-was-hurt/

61. 5/24 New York Teens trash Dunkin Donuts – AGAIN! Another story of a fight, brawl, or riot breaking out in a fast food joint. This time a group of teens in lower Manhattan trashed a Dunkin Donuts and even attacked workers.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/teens-caught-on-video-wildly-trashing-attacking-nyc-dunkin-donuts/

62. 5/25 Ed Schultz – I think it’s been a few months since Ed was mentioned. This time he may have topped himself though. Ed was suspended from his MSNBC show for one week without pay for comments he made about Laura Ingraham, referring to her as a “right wing slut”. Well…Ed…you are an AmeriCANT.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/msnbc-suspends-ed-shultz-over-his-right-wing-slut-remark/

AmeriCANS of May 2011
1. 5/2 Tornado Victims – First it was Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Then Joplin, Missouri. Now Oklahoma City and Dallas. Just a bad weather month. Our thoughts and prayers are with those people in those areas of the country.

2. 5/3 Scott Pelley – Pelley replaces Katie Couric at CBS News. Pelley, I doubt will be much different. But, we should give him a chance, I suppose. He’s put in 2 decades with CBS. Good for him! Let’s hope he does good things for CBS News.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/cbs-announces-courics-replacement/

3. 5/3 US Military- Navy SEALs Team 6 – In no surprise, Seal Team 6 gets mentioned this month for bringing justice to Osama bin Laden. Seal Team 6 is up for a finalist award for the CANS of 2011. Way to go Seals!
4. 5/3 Intelligence Agencies

5. 5/3 Obama Administration

6. 5/3 Bush Administration
7. 5/3 Some of the celebrations

8. 5/3 Michael Murphy – Michael Murphy, a Navy Seal, lost his life in Afghanistan in 2005 fighting to save his fellow SEALS. A new ship was named in Michael’s honor and christened this month on what would have been Murphy’s 35^th birthday. Murphy won the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan. He was amazing. He graduated from Penn State University and also had offers from multiple law schools. But instead he wanted to become a SEAL. Men like Michael Murphy are the real AmeriCANS.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/uss-michael-murphy-navy-seal-honored-with-warship-bearing-his-name/

9. 5/9 Boeing – Helping to push American military supremacy the Boeing company is testing a new drone called the Phantom Ray. This thing just looks cool and nasty!

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/first-look-boeings-phantom-ray-drone-completes-test-flight/

10. 5/5 David Barton – Barton, a self taught historian made an appearance on the Daily Show hosted by Jon Stewart. When pressed Barton held his own very well. Barton made our list of top AmeriCANS for 2010. This is his first mention on a monthly 2011 list.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/founders-scholar-david-barton-vs-jon-stewart-boom-winning/

11. 5/5 Debra Burlingame – Confronted President Obama about the controversy surrounding Eric Holder and prosecuting KSM. She did this while Obama was visiting the 9/11 site in NYC. Burlingame’s brother Charles was the pilot on the plane that crashed into the Pentagon.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/05/05/burlingame_after_meeting_with_obama_he_turned_his_back_on_me.html

12. 5/5 Herman Cain
5/21 – Cain makes the list for doing a great job at the first Republican presidential debate. He no doubt won the night. On the 21^st he made his formal announcement to run for president while making a rousing speech in Atlanta, Georgia.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/todays-the-day-herman-cain-is-launching-his-campaign-for-president/

13. 5/5 Ron Paul – Paul made a good showing at the first debate.
14. 5/5 Rick Santorum – As did Rick Santorum.

15. 5/5 Frank Luntz – Luntz continues to deliver on his segments with Fox News. His little polls held during debates are amazing to watch. His latest was during the Republican presidential debate.
16. 5/7 Kentucky Derby – Just like the Super Bowl, The Masters, College Bowl Season, The World Series, and the NCAA Basketball Tournament, the Kentucky Derby is at the top of the list for American sporting events.

17. 5/7
5/15 – Saturday Night Live – The long running comedy show did a great job covering the Osama bin Laden death. The skits included bin Laden’s body being found at sea by mermaids and President Obama taking a victory lap a week later.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/snl-osama-bin-laden-reads-his-last-will-testament/

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/snl-perceptive-mermaid-friends-encounter-osama-bin-ladens-body/

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/snl-sketch-features-over-the-top-obama-reveling-in-obl-death/

18. 5/9 Apple – Apple Computers has passed Google as the world’s most valuable brand. Google had held the title for nearly four years. Thanks to leadership like that of Steve Jobs, innovative products, and a dedicated customer base Apple is an American success story.

Google this – Steve Jobs…winning!
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/apple-surpasses-google-as-worlds-most-valuable-brand/

19. 5/9 Mitch Daniels – Daniels considered a presidential run. We of course now know that he won’t be running. But for a few weeks Daniels made the race more interesting. We wish the Indiana Governor well.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/report-mitch-daniels-would-like-to-run-for-prez-just-waiting-on-wifes-ok/

20. 5/10 Warren Buffet – The Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffet was announced he would appear on an episode of The Office. Buffet appeared on the hit show as an unnamed applicant wanting to take the spot of Michael Scott. Steve Carell of course played the part of Michael Scott. Buffet leans left, but he’s an interesting and successful American, and maybe now an entertaining one as well.
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/entertainment/celebrity/Omahas-Oracle-to-Appear-on-The-Office-121574324.html?dr

21. 5/11 Highest Scoring Softball Game – A few months ago we told you about the highest scoring girls high school basketball game involving my high school, West Marshall in State Center, Iowa. Now we have the highest scoring girls softball game. Cuyama Valley vs. Coast Union battled to a 48-47 final score setting a national record for most runs in a game. Cuyama Valley got the 1 run victory.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/Wild-48-47-softball-score-sets-national-record-f?urn=highschool-wp1971

22. 5/11 Dexter Fowler, Mike Pelfrey, Jason Isringhausen, Ryan Spilborghs – I am a huge baseball fan. It’s pure American fun. Plus baseball is a sport full of all sorts of statistical oddities. The Colorado Rockies and New York Mets entered one of those areas this month when a rain delay made possible a 4 player, one hour at bat. I won’t go through the details. But what happened was that a rain delay caused a pitching change once play resumed, and also an injury prompted two batters for the one at bat.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Rockies-Mets-at-bat-features-two-pitchers-and-tw?urn=mlb-wp5935

23. 5/11 Nebraska Tea Party Groups – As I told you in the CANTS side of things for the month the Tea Party Express endorsed Jon Bruning without consulting Tea Party groups in Nebraska. Various leaders across the state issued a statement regarding the event.

24. 5/11 Mr. Froom – We talked about the LSU flag burning protest in the CANTS list. One of the iconic images from that day is of a young soldier with only his last name displayed “Froom” who encounters Ben Haas and yells, “My brothers died for you” five times. While I wouldn’t have yelled like Froom did, his passion and stance on the event I think is admirable.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/my-brothers-died-for-you-new-lsu-vid-reveals-military-mans-passionate-words/

25. 5/11 Ben Haas – Hass, you recall made our CANTS list. He’s also part of the prior story with the Froom soldier. This is a rare case where an individual makes both the CANS and CANTS list in the same month. Here’s why – while I reject to Haas original plan to burn the flag, it’s also legal and under freedom of speech he has the right. But that alone wasn’t what got him put on the CAN list as well as the CANT list. It was the fact that he had changed his mind on burning the flag in the opposition that he faced, and also I think it took some courage to stand in face of so many people who disagreed with him. That is an American thing to do.

26. 5/12 United States Border Patrol Agents
Agent Hector Clark
Agent Eduardo Rojas – Both lost their lives in a tragic accident on the Arizona border while in pursuit of illegals. You might recall that a few days before this accident we talked to Shawn Moran of the United States Border Patrol telling us about the obstacles that our agents face. For this accident to happen a few days later it was a smack in the face – those things that Shawn talk about, are real and are deadly. Our thoughts and prayers are with these families left behind.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/national/05122011_3.xml

27. 5/12 Billy Graham – The 92 year old evangelist was hospitalized earlier this month close to his home in North Carolina. The latest says that Graham is doing ok.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/billy-graham-hospitalized-in-north-carolina/

28. 5/12 Franklin Graham – Billy Graham’s son, Franklin wasn’t near his father at the time of the news. Franklin was on a mission in North Korea helping starving people to grow food.

29. 5/12 Greta Van Sustern – Greta was also with Franklin Graham covering his mission in North Korea.

30. 5/12 Frankie Girard – 11 year old Frankie got in trouble when his teacher at Butterfield Elementary School in Orange, Massachusetts told him he could not display a picture of an American Flag because it might offend other students. Frankie’s parents believe his son’s civil rights have been violated. So far no word from school administration or the teacher.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/family-teacher-forbids-boy-from-hanging-u-s-flag-pic-because-it-might-offend-others/

31. 5/13 Sandra Hadsock – Hadsock is a teacher in Brooksville, Florida. She was arrested for punching a student. Some say she was acting in self-defense. No certainly we don’t advocate violence. But we have heard many stories in recent months about out of control behavior among students. I think teachers should be able to defend themselves. If that is the case here, then we salute Sandra Hadsock. If not…we’ll put her on the CANT list, along with the student next month.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/florida-teacher-punches-out-student-who-called-her-vulgar-names/

32. 5/13 Robert Gates – In days of confusion from the Obama administration following the death of Osama bin Laden, Robert Gates came out saying that the recent information leaks put the lives of members of SEAL Team 6 in danger.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/loose-lips-gates-says-info-leaks-has-seal-team-6-fearing-for-its-safety/

33. 5/13 South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley – The South Carolina Governor came out swinging against the Obama administration in May. The National Labor Relations Board is trying to tell the Boeing company how to run business. In dispute is Boeing’s decision to open a plant in South Carolina which is a right-to-work state. Governor Haley appeared on Fox and Friends to challenge the NLRB.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/nikki-haley-obama-admins-job-killing-boeing-decision-is-worst-thing-for-economy/

34. 5/13 Sean Power – Don’t steal a computer from someone who really knows their tech stuff! Sean Power taught that lesson to a thief in mid-May. Power used a software program to track his stolen laptop. The thief then uploaded a picture to Flikr, which Power was able to view remotely, this lead to Power discovering the name of the thief and the rest was history. Tech savvy and a detective! We’re happy Power got his computer back.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_nyobserver/dont-steal-computer-from-people-who-know-how-to-use-computers-part-deux

35. 5/13 Combat Dogs – United States military personnel have some friendly fighters on their side – man’s best friend has been involved in America’s fight on the War on Terror. The dogs are involved in bomb sniffing, pursuit of criminals, and search and rescue missions.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/inspiring-pictures-of-u-s-combat-dogs-in-action/

36. 5/14 Ohio University – Researchers at Ohio University are studying a new energy source – urine. As gross as it sounds…I’m all for innovation and new energy.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/urinet-going-to-believe-this-researchers-develop-pee-powered-car/

37. 5/14 Troy Polamalu – Pittsburg Steelers Safety Troy Polamalu is best known for his play on the field and his hair. But he can now say he’s a college graduate. Polamalu has taken the time during the NFL labor dispute to finish his degree at USC.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Troy-Polamalu-gets-his-college-degree?urn=nfl-wp2029

38. 5/14 Mike Huckabee – The Huckster announced on May 14^th that he would not run for president. I’m happy that Huckabee is comfortable with his life, and was willing to get out of the race this soon and not steal time from other candidates. Huckabee is doing a great job on Fox News and I think that is the best place for him.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/05/14/huckabee-opts-2012-white-house-bid/

39. 5/14 Chad Ochocinco – Ochocinco is another NFL player taking time away from the sport to do other things. He climbed on a bull at a rodeo! Ochocinco’s ride on Deja Blu was less than impressive lasting only a second or two. The NFL star received $10,000 for just showing up. Had he lasted 8 seconds he would have received a new truck and been allowed to rename the bull to whatever he wanted. Ochocinco’s words after the ride were nothing but praise for bullriders saying they don’t get enough credit and that they should be the highest paid athletes in sports.

40. 5/15 Matt Drudge – The New York Times ran a story on the power of Matt Drudge. Drudge has managed to keep his site The Drudge Report relevant and ahead of the curve for 14 years…and done it all by keeping it simple. The site contains no video, no search engine optimization, no slide shows, and still has the same basic html design it did in the 90’s. Drudge’s site alone counts for 7% of all traffic driven to other news sites. Facebook in comparison drives about 3%. Drudge is a media pioneer and an AmeriCAN.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/16/business/media/16carr.html?_r=3

41. 5/16 Donald Trump – The Donald finally made the announcement that he would not seek the presidency. I admire Donald as a businessman, and I was somewhat in favor of him running. I think he would have been good for our economy. Is he perfect, no. Would have some of his antics gotten in the way, sure. But he is pro-American and he’s a success, someone who has been at the bottom and bounced back repeatedly. Republicans running for president should take note of Trump’s no-fear mentality in challenging the present administration.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/trump-will-not-run-for-prez-business-is-my-greatest-passion/

42. 5/16 Eric Aguillar – 9 year old Eric Aguillar survived a hit-and-run accident near his home in Denver, Colorado. Aguillar was run down by a car, but amazingly survived with barely a scratch.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/amazing-video-9-year-old-co-boy-survives-incredible-hit-and-run/

43. 5/16 Army Lt. Col Terrence Lakin – You might remember Lakin being sent to jail for disobeying orders. Lakin was recently released after serving 5 months of a 6 month sentence. What was the reason? He is a birther and refused to obey orders to deploy to Afghanistan without knowing for sure President Obama’s place of birth. While I may not share Lakin’s view and certainly disobeying orders should be punished – still Lakin did an American thing by having the courage of his convictions and simply asking a legitimate question.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/army-birther-lt-col-released-from-jail-after-refusing-to-obey-orders/

44. 5/16 Ben Stein – Stein makes the CANS list for the month of May for a segment he did on CBS News calling the “Arab Spring” a fraud.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/ben-stein-the-arab-spring-is-a-fraud/

45. 5/16 Jerry Lewis – Lewis announced that he would be retiring from his annual Labor Day telethon. Lewis has been doing the telethon to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association since 1966. 45 years total. This year will be the last. Lewis started hosting the event in 1966. He’s now 85 and he certainly deserves mentioned on the list.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118037136

Jerry Lewis
46. 5/16 Russell Furhman – Furhman made news in May when he caught Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich off guard at an event in Iowa. Furhman’s remark put Newt in his place telling him that he had screwed up by not supporting Paul Ryan.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/unforgivable-intense-video-captures-iowa-voter-calling-gingrich-embarrassment-for-ryan-remarks/

47. 5/16 Rep Allen West – Allen West went on a gas pumping tour across Florida in May over concerns of high gas prices.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/rep-allen-west-learns-the-trick-to-pumping-gas-into-a-jaguar/

48. 5/16 Stefanie Gordon – Gordon was on a flight over Florida at the same time a NASA shuttle launch took place. Gordon had her camera handy and took some amazing photos of the launch from the airplane.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/passenger-takes-stunning-pics-of-shuttle-launch-from-airplane-window/

One of Stefanie Gordon’s amazing photos.
49. 5/16 Gabrielle Giffords – Giffords made it to that launch of the NASA shuttle, that her husband Mark Kelly was a part of.
50. 5/16 Mark Kelly – Of course we include Mark Kelly on the list. He’s obviously dealt with much over the past few months, and was still able to go into space on his mission.
51. 5/16 Glenn Beck – Beck announced an amazing follow-up to his 2010 Restoring Honor Rally. This year he’s taking the event on the road, out of the country in fact to do a rally in Israel. The event will take place in Jerusalem and is to stand up for the Israeli people. The event is being billed as “Restoring Courage”. I think it’s a crazy undertaking, but I praise and encourage Glenn on his efforts.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/top-10-comments-about-glenns-big-announcementevent-in-israel/

52. 5/18 Maria Shriver – Shriver, the now separated wife of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger makes the list for her class and having dealt with such an amazing display of carelessness and heartlessness from her husband’s infidelity.
53. 5/18 Harmon Killebrew – Killebrew was an all-star baseball great who passed away in May. Harmon was 74. The Hall of Famer had a great career with the Minnesota Twins. Killebrew had been battling cancer. During his 22 year career he had 8 seasons with more than 40 homers and is 11^th on the all time list for home runs. He joined the Hall of Fame in 1984. Killebrew was also a class act off the field.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6559023

54. 5/18 Louisiana Farmers – With the flooding in the deep south Louisiana farmers seemed to be left out to dry, as their land was sacrificed for the greater good. Dams were opened to allow flood waters in the swollen Mississippi to go into valuable farm ground to save cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
55. 5/18 Newt Gingrich – Everyone makes mistakes. Newt Gingrich did when he threw Paul Ryan under the bus. We noted a few spots ago on the list that Newt was confronted by a man in Iowa over the debacle. Newt did apologize to Ryan during a phone call. We praise Newt for having courage to admit his wrongs and the grace to show it, apologize to Ryan and move on.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/gingrich-calls-rep-ryan-to-apologize-for-medicare-criticism/

56. 5/19 Jason Mattera – On the CANTS List Bernie Sanders made the May edition. For the same story Jason Mattera makes the CANS list. Mattera confronted Sanders about his recent book and got him to sign it in an effort to praise and promote capitalism. Sanders is a socialist.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/socialist-sen-bernie-sanders-asked-to-address-book-to-capitalism-at-signing/

57. 5/19 Colton Burpo – Burpo made our list last month. He returns to the CAN list for May for challenging scientist Stephen Hawking about the reality of Heaven. Burpo is a young kid who claims to have visited Heaven during an operation. His story is now in a bestselling book. Burpo and Hawking’s differences were part of a story done for a nightly news show.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/is-heaven-for-real-12-year-old-colton-burpo-vs-famed-scientist-stephen-hawking/

58. 5/20 Andrew Breitbart – Breitbart’s new book Righteous Indignation was released in May.
http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/andrew-breitbarts-righteous-indignation.html

59. 5/20 Nebraska State Senator Tony Fulton – Fulton has been leading the charge for CIR Reform in the state of Nebraska. CIR has been discussed on this show. Fulton was essentially the last man standing in his efforts to bring true, meaningful reform to the state’s labor laws. He was all but abandoned by his fellow Republicans in the end. A deal was reached, but whether or not it’s significant or meaningful remains to be seen. Tony’s bill was that. We wish to recognize Tony in his efforts for the state of Nebraska and taxpayers everywhere.
60. 5/20 Orlando Cabrera – Cleveland Indians Shortstop Orlando Cabrera missed a couple of games during a week in May. It was because Cabrera was becoming an official US Citizen. We praise Cabrera for doing the right thing becoming a citizen the legal way, and welcome him to our large American family.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Citizen-O-Cab-Orlando-Cabrera-leaves-Tribe-to-t?urn=mlb-wp7047

61. 5/20 Benjamin Netanyahu* – The Israeli Prime Minister is one of the rare people to make the list as a non-citizen. Netanyahu displayed great leadership and patriotism for his country while in the United States. His “lecture” to Obama over border differences in Israel was priceless.
62. 5/20 Josh Ferrin – Bountiful, Utah resident Josh Ferrin made an amazing discovery in his new home. He found bags containing $45,000 in cash in the attic. He did some even more amazing than his find…he found the previous owner and returned the money.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/utah-family-finds-45000-in-new-home-then-gives-it-back/

63. 5/20 Dugan Smith – Smith is a 10 year old from Indiana who loves to play baseball. But he had malignant cancer in his thigh bone. Instead of giving up, Dugan underwent a strange surgery that involved removing his lower leg, rotating it 180 degrees…backwards where his femur would be. What happens is that the diseased portion of the leg is removed, the leg is grafted back to the thigh, the ankle then functions as the knee, the foot then becomes the upper shin and a prosthetic leg fills out the lower portion. There were some risks involved, but that didn’t matter to Dugan who wanted to keep playing baseball.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/wait-why-did-this-kid-have-his-leg-reattached-backwards/

64. 5/22 State of Utah – The State of Utah makes the CANS list for May for making gold and silver coins a legal currency in the state.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/gold-silver-coins-to-be-legal-currency-in-utah/

65. 5/23 Tim Pawlenty – The Minnesota Governor joined the presidential race. Pawlenty has been a good leader in Minnesota and will make a good candidate in the Republican field.
66. 5/23 Howard Kurtz – Kurtz called out his own network for ignoring the Elliot Spitzer sex scandal in light of the recent developments with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Spitzer has his own who on CNN. Kudos to Kurtz for calling out his own network and fellow host on hypocrisy.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/cnn-host-calls-out-own-network-for-ignoring-elliot-spitzer-in-sex-scandal-report/

67. 5/23 Michael Steele – MSNBC announced that Steele would join the network as a political analyst. Now Steele did some things wrong during his time with the RNC. But I’ve always liked the guy and wish him the best in his new role. Maybe he can bring some sanity to MSNBC.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/its-official-msnbc-hires-michael-steele-for-political-analyst-gig/

68. 5/23 Markdown.com – Markdown.com is a new web site venture from Glenn Beck’s company. The launch of the site was recently announced. The site offers valuable deals from great entrepreneurs to customers.
http://markdown.com/

69. Greg Simons – The owner of the Reedy Creek Diner in North Carolina became frustrated with his own inability to communicate with non-English speaking customers. So he took a new approach, a controversial one, posting an “English only” sign in his window. The response…tremendous. Simons says that his business has gone way up and has received support from across the country.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/restaurant-owner-claims-his-business-has-tripled-since-posting-english-only-sign/

70. 5/23 David Bruton – Bruton becomes the 3^rd NFL player to make our CANS list during the month of May. Bruton plays for the Denver Broncos is taking his time away during the lockout to be a substitute teacher.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Broncos-8217-Bruton-spending-the-lockout-as-a-?urn=nfl-wp2141

71. 5/24 Scott McGreery – McGreery became the latest winner in the American Idol show/contest. It’s not a program we’re big fans of. But no less, we wish McGreery success in his dreams and endeavors of being a singer.
http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/getting_old_ef2NBc0Q9dzMUXCldg8NEI

72. 5/24 Oprah Winfrey – Oprah brought her long running show to an end last week. Oprah’s show had run an amazing 25 years. While she has been on our CANTS list before, and also on the CANS list, and even on both lists at the same time we have to mention her in May for her success over the years and wish her the best.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20110524/D9NE3JKG1.html

73. 5/25 Su Meck – Meck graduated from college in May. What’s the big deal? Well, Meck had lost all her memory during an accident when she was 22 years old. But she overcame the memory loss, fighting back, slowly re-learning everything, to the point she was able to achieve a college degree.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110525/ts_yblog_thelookout/after-total-memory-loss-woman-starts-over-graduates-from-college

74. 5/25 Bill Clinton – Clinton was overheard during a conversation with Paul Ryan, essentially agreeing with Ryan that drastic measures need to be taken to reform Medicare. Clinton told Democrats that they can’t just sit and do nothing.
75. 5/25 Kenner Galeas – 13 year old soccer sensation Kenner Galeas made viral video news in May when he performed an amazing bicycle kick to score a goal that many professionals can’t do.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/13-year-old-soccer-player-scores-on-incredible-b?urn=highschool-wp2266

THE CANTS

1. 3/27 Abercrombie and Fitch – The trendy clothing company has released a line of what would seem to be adult swim swear for a target audience of 7-13 year olds. Who thinks this is a good idea? The sexualization of our children continues.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/padded-push-up-bikini-tops-for-8yr-old-girls-again-abercrombie-fitch-sexualizes-children/

2. 3/27 UN Cut Rallies – About 40 liberal rallies were held around the country by the group UN Cut. The group challenges corporate taxation and doesn’t think the government needs to cut anything from the budget. Good for these people exercising their right to assemble. But I think they’re way off the mark in their assessment of our country’s fiscal crisis.

http://gatewaypundit.rightnetwork.com/2011/03/radical-libs-hold-40-rallies-across-us-demanding-higher-taxes-spending-banks-targeted/

3. 3/27 PETA – At the end of March PETA announced they are pushing for a Bible that features more friendly animal language.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/peta-hey-lets-change-bible-to-include-more-animal-friendly-language/

4. 3/27 Media Matters/David Brock – Former “conservative” “journalist” David Brock came out swinging against Fox News. It’s no secret that Media Matters has never liked Fox News. But now they’re wide open about. According to Brock the new strategy for Media Matters against Fox News is an all-out campaign of “guerilla warfare and sabotage”. Good luck with that David.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/51949.html

4/1 Media Matters – Again Media Matters makes the list a few days later. This time a poorly researched article suggested that Glenn Beck has lost 400 affiliates for his radio show. However, the numbers don’t quite work out that way and didn’t take into account the number of affiliates gained. The radio business with large network syndicated shows is pretty fluid and every changing. If this is part of David Brock’s war on Fox News and conservative pundits…it looks like they’re off to a bad start.
http://www.glennbeck.com/2011/04/01/april-fools-media-matters-caught-in-a-web-of-lies-in-their-war-on-glenn-beck/

5. 4/1 L.A. Dodgers Fans/San Francisco Giants Fans – A group of Los Angeles Dodgers fans brutally beat a San Francisco Giants fan into a medically-induced coma at the season opener at Dodger Stadium. Not to be outdone the Giants fans left a 42 year old paramedic in critical condition. “Take me out to the ball game! Not in L.A.! Not unless you want a beating with your Cracker Jack.” What’s wrong with us? For as much as we complain about athletes we now have more and more examples of lewd fan behavior.
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/news/story?id=6280485
6. 4/2 Keith Olbermann – It wouldn’t be a monthly CANT list without a mention of Keith Olbermann. For April, Olbermann makes the list for some antics at Cornell University. His antics included stomping on the campus conservative newspaper and pouring water on it.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/olbermann-uses-coulter-founded-paper-to-mop-up-stage-during-speech/

7. 4/2 Rosie O’Donnell – Rosie makes the April CANT list. Apparently her teenage son has interest in joining the military. Rosie has tried to talk her son of it and just can’t believe and understand why he’s attracted to it. On one hand I can understand any mother’s concerns about a child joining the military. But I think Rosie should be encouraging her son. To her credit, she does understand that it will be her son’s decision. The audio from her show during the segment was interesting.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/rosie-odonnell-cant-believe-her-teenage-son-wants-to-join-the-military/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URiVdJfKH2I&feature=player_embedded

8. 4/2 Howard Dean – “Howling Mad” Howard Dean was back in regular form earlier this month when he went on a rant about Tea Party members, Fox being propaganda and MSNBC being factually correct. Gee, haven’t we heard this all before?
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/dean-scream-payback-right-running-things-is-a-threat-to-country-equivalent-to-burning-down-buildings-tea-partiers-have-deep-problems-fox-propaganda-msnbc-factually-correct/

9. 4/2 Bill Maher – Another one of our favorite resident CANTS is Bill Maher. In April Maher makes the list for some lame jokes about Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann regarding Donald Trump and his dive into the birther issue. Maher brought out fake birth certificates for Palin and Bachmann. Palin’s reading “Healthy, alert and pregnant” and Bachmann’s reading “Stupid, even for a baby.” Bill Maher continues to redefine scumbag every month.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/have-you-heard-the-bill-maher-joke-about-palin-being-born-pregnant/

10. 4/4 Charlie Sheen – BOOM! Failing! The national sideshow took to the road this month. Sheen’s early performances were dismal failures including people leaving their seats during the show and plenty of booing.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/wow-chicago-audience-give-sheen-a-standing-ovation/

11. 4/5 Pennsylvania District Judge Douglas Gummo – If Charlie Sheen needs a drinking buddy he might look to Douglas Gummo. Gummo who sits on the bench decided he’d saddle up to the bar at a legal conference. Gummo was arrested after being found drunk and naked, wrapped in a bed sheet trying to get into the hotel room of a female colleague.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/half-naked-pa-judge-tries-to-force-his-way-into-hotel-room-of-female-colleague/

Judge Gummo – A Case of Impaired Judgment?
12. 4/5 Wisconsin Democrats – The 14 missing Democrat assembly members in Wisconsin quietly returned to their jobs. Good for them for coming back…but they won’t get any applause here for something they should have never left. Shame, shame, shame indeed.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/theyre-back-wisc-dems-who-fled-senate-quietly-return/

13. 4/7 Media Matters
14. 4/7 David Brock
15. 4/7 Chris Matthews
Media Matters and David Brock make our list yet again for the month. Chris Matthews joins the list too. All of them in a combined effort on this story. As you know Glenn Beck announced in early April that his show would be ending on Fox News. What’s interesting is how the media ran with the story, and ran wild. The show is ending, but Beck is still going to be involved with Fox News. AND the show doesn’t end until the end of the year. So it’s not like Beck just got canned and the show is done. Not even close. But had you listened to Chris Matthews or David Brock you wouldn’t think that. Brock went on Hardball and he and Matthews basically couldn’t contain there glee and Matthews even went so far to congratulate Brock on his efforts in Glenn’s “exit”.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/chris-matthews-congratulates-media-matters-himself-for-beck-transition/

16. 4/8 Norman LeBoon – Norman “Bafoon” LeBoon was sentenced to two years in prison for threats to U.S. Rep Eric Cantor of Virginia. LeBoob issued the threats in a Youtube video posted earlier this year. LeBoon called Cantor a “liar”, said that Cantor was “Lucifer” and then vowed to shot him. Now the threats to Cantor have been removed, but there’s some other “material” from LeBoon left to be heard.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/youre-a-lucifer-pa-man-sent-to-prison-for-threatening-gop-rep-eric-cantor/

17. 4/8 Jonah Goodman
18. 4/8 Nolan Treadway
Leftwing activists Jonah Goodman and Nolan Treadway thought it’d be a great idea to create an event and schedule it on Facebook that involved dumping trash on Speaker Boehner’s lawn. The Facebook event page created had over 5,000 planned attendees. The reasoning behind the event was to protest the threat of a government shutdown.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/facebook-event-calls-for-dumping-trash-at-boehners-house/

19. 4/8 Andy Stern – In an op-ed piece posted on the Huffington Post, former SEIU president Andy Stern suggested that our country would be better off without checks and balances. This guy just gets spookier and spookier.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/fundamental-transformation-andy-stern-speaks-out-against-checks-and-balances/

Andy Stern – We don’t need no checks and balances!
20. 4/8 Senator Chuck “U” Schumer – Chuck Schumer who has been on a roll in recent months with rhetoric against conservatives went to the senate floor calling Republicans “fleas” who were controlling a dog. If anyone knows about being a pest…I think Schumer would be one to know.
http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/154963-schumer-likens-house-conservatives-to-a-flea

21. 4/8 Planned Parenthood – Most of the selections on our list are individual Americans. But we do include groups and organizations, businesses, associations, teams, etc. One of the groups that appears from time to time is Planned Parenthood. They make the April list when it was found that the “women’s health advocacy” group had donated over $1 million to Democrats during the last election cycle. What a nasty cycle this is. Planned Parenthood makes money off abortion. They also get federal funding. In turn Planned Parenthood kicks money back to Democratic candidates and causes. Then of course Democrats toe the line on abortion related legislation. Disgusting.
http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/2011/04/planned-parenthood-spent-more-1-million-electing-democrats-last-c

22. 4/8 Washington Protestors – In the state of Washington, Wisconsin-style protests took to the state capitol where 17 pro-union protesters were arrested when they tried to rush into the Governor’s office.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/17-pro-union-protesters-arrested-after-shoving-match-with-wash-state-troopers/

23. 4/8 George Soros – (The second non-citizen to make the list – first one being BP CEO Tony Hayward. Non-citizens only make the list when they have dramatically affected the United States.) – It wasn’t big news but it should have been. George Soros held a four day conference in New Hampshire covering world financial issues, mainly reorganizing world currency. The making of a world financial order. This stuff is scary. And it happened here on our soil.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/sneak-peak-pictures-from-george-soros-weekend-conference-to-rearrange-the-financial-order/

Spooky Dude George Soros becomes the 2^nd non-citizen to make the CANS/CANTS list.
24. 4/8 Rep Donna Edwards – Donna Edwards brought crazy to a whole new level this month when she went to the House floor and gave a White Stripes inspired rant. The non-sensical poetic tirade featured a reading o lyrics to the song “Effect & Cause” by the White Stripes.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/rep-donna-edwards-scolds-gop-by-quoting-song-lyrics-on-house-floor/

25. 4/8 Rep Jim Moran – The Virginia Democrat again makes the CANT list, and again it’s for interaction with a voter. This time around Moran got into a verbal back and forth with a veteran. It was ugly.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/dem-rep-gets-in-shouting-match-with-veteran-at-town-hall-time-to-sit-down/

26. 4/8 Congress – The Budget Plan. It could have and should be better.
27. 4/8 National Media – Coverage of the budget issue. If we’re going to include congress we might as well throw in the mainstream media!
28. 4/10 Bon Jovi
29. 4/10 Bruce Springsteen
The issue of farm subsidies has been a minor issue among Tea Party circles. Myself, coming from a farming background am mixed on the issue…in the larger view it’s not right. But in specifics there’s a lot more at play, and it also becomes a national security issue and cost of living issue that isn’t so easy to sort out. That said I have long been saying that the problem isn’t really the farmer outside of Podunk, Kansas. It’s these large conglomerate corporate farms and celebrity owned land that rake in tax exemptions under agriculture use. Rockers (liberal rockers may I mind you) Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen are two example. Now I’m not against anyone finding whatever ways to make the most money and pay the least taxes. But what I find hypocritical about these two guys is their non-stop mantras, that seep into their music at times, of class warfare…and here they both do exactly what any rich person would do – find a way to keep more of what they earn. But are they paying their fair share? Are Bon Jovi and Springsteen really farmers? Give us a break. It’s also another example of our broken tax system.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/farm-aid-for-bruce-springsteen-jon-bon-jovi/

30. 4/11 Coldwater, Michigan – The town of Coldwater, Michigan denied a local Tea Party from being able to display signs and banners at a rally in a public park. The city council then went a step further by passing a resolution banning all signs and banners in the park.
http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/14891

31. 4/11 City of Boston – The city of Boston came under fire this month when it was learned that the city has thermal cameras in operation to detect heat loss coming from city homes and businesses. The city had hoped the photos and analysis would encourage efficiency with home owners. But of course this raised many privacy issues, and the ACLU got involved.
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/04/11/thermal-cameras-show-too-much/

32. 4/11 Katie Couric – As Katie Couric’s reign at CBS Evening News came to an end Couric took opportunity to blame everyone else but herself.
http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/2011/04/couric-hints-at-why-cbss-eveni.php

33. 4/11 Donna Brazile – The DNC Interim Chair offered some nice thoughts of white people and conservative voters this month. Brazile suggested that racist white people are the reason why Democrats don’t do better with white voters.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/%e2%80%98the-majority-of-white-people-believe-those-people-are-taking-our-money-and-taxes%e2%80%99-dnc-interim-chair-donna-brazile-says-racist-fearful-whites-are-why-the-dems-don%e2%80%99t-do-better/

34. 4/12 Francis Fox Piven – Piven makes the list this month like last. This time around video footage surfacing of her and Cornel West admitting that riots and social chaos was in fact what she had been writing about after denying it in dozens of previous interviews.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/beck-was-right-she-is-dangerous-cornel-west-piven-admit-riots-social-chaos-was-what-she-was-writing-about-after-denying-in-dozens-of-interviews/

35. Jacquelyn Barnette – Barnette, a woman from Marietta, Georgia is the guilty party behind sending New York Rep. Peter King a bloody pig foot with an anti-Semitic note.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/georgia-woman-admits-i-sent-bloody-pig-foot-anti-semitic-note-to-rep-king/

36. Phillip Struthers – A Hilsborough County, Florida dad was arrested after video was discovered of him encouraging his son into a street fight. The video was quite disturbing. Struthers will definitely not be receiving any father of the year awards anytime soon. Well…maybe he’ll get one in jail.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/slam-his-head-on-the-ground-fl-dad-arrested-for-cheering-son-during-violent-street-fight/

Philip Struthers – Fight Club Father

37. 4/13 Rep Loretta Sanchez – April seems to be the month of anti-conservative rants. Loretta Sanchez jumped into the arena. She mocked Republicans and Tea Party members for their admiration of the Constitution with a bigoted Southern accent.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/%e2%80%98well-loretta-it%e2%80%99s-unconstitutional%e2%80%99-ca-rep-sanchez-mocks-congressional-tea-party-republicans-as-slow-for-caring-about-the-constitution-with-bigoted-southern-accent/

38. 4/14 Jim Wallis – Radical preacher Jim Wallis continues the April-rant-a-thon with his strong words against Paul Ryan, calling him a bully and hypocrite who is anti-poor people and lacks courage.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/spiritual-advisor-or-political-attack-dog-jim-wallis-says-paul-ryan-is-a-bully-hypocrite-who%e2%80%99s-never-been-around-poor-people-and-has-no-courage/

39. 4/14 California Teachers Union – Another union makes the CANT list. The California Teachers Association has planned Wisconsin-style protests for May 9-13^th.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/calif-teachers-union-gives-shocking-protest-instructions-harass-legislators-shut-down-roads-co-opt-fire-drills/

40. 4/13 Rep Eddie Bernice Johnson – The Texas Democrat had an interesting exchange with Neil Cavuto on Fox News. The ending was epic with Cavuto talking about the economy saying, “We don’t have the money” and the Congresswoman saying, “Easy enough…raise taxes!”
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/neil-cavuto-liberal-congresswoman-have-must-watch-smack-down-deficit-debate/

41. 4/14 Keith Olbermann – Keith Olbermann not only makes it another time on this list this month, but makes it consecutive months with multiple appearances. This time might be the most despicable thing he has done or said. Olbermann took to Twitter where he issued statements attacking S.E. Cupp saying it would have been better off had she not been born. The Twitter conversation degenerated further.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/olbermann-says-s-e-cupp-should-have-never-been-born-she-proves-necessity-of-planned-parenthood/

42. 4/16 Louis Farrakhan – “Beam Me Up” Farrakhan makes the April edition of CANTS for a rant at Howard University.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/hate-at-howard-farrakhans-anti-semitic-911-truther-rant-jewish-major-snubbed-n-word-obama-congress-controlled-by-jews-who-assassinated-mlk-trump-a-gangster-defends-helen-thomas-rick-sanchez/

43. 4/16 Kipp Rusty Walker – A Bend, Oregon open-mic night turned into a horror show. 19 year old Kipp Rusty Walker got on stage and took his own life by stabbing himself to death. A certainly tragic event. And we are sad for Walker’s family. But the way this happened was horrible.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/shock-suicide-oregon-teen-stabs-himself-during-coffee-house-open-mic-night/

44. 4/17 Counter Protestors at Oregon Tea Party – A Portland, Oregon Tax Day Tea Party featured some looney lefties swearing, jeering, and making obscene remarks. The idiots were caught on tape, and you should view that footage if you have a chance. All of the list is posted at badgerbenson.com
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/content-warning-not-strong-enough-for-this-video-of-leftist-freakout-at-oregon-tea-party-rally/

45. 4/17 Madison Wisconsin Protestors at Tea Party – A return to Madison yet again. Like the scene in Portland a group of counter protestors showed up a Tea Party rally where they were caught booing during the National Anthem.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/leftist-protesters-boo-during-national-anthem-at-madison-tea-party-rally/

46. 4/18 Lady Gaga – The Queen of weirdoes returns, this time for her new song “Judas”, featuring lyrics expressing love for Judas. The same Judas in the Biblical account of the Last Supper and the Passion.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/im-in-love-with-judas-pop-star-lady-gagas-new-song-sparks-outrage-from-catholics-critics/

47. 4/18 Al Sharpton – The Reverend Al had to get his rant in too this month! Al Sharpton suggested that only blacks should educate blacks and continued with the standard “Tea Party is racist” garbage.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/sharptons-nan-race-rants-shut-down-construction-sites-with-no-blacks-only-blacks-should-educate-blacks-other-classes-teach-hate-media-conspiracy-causing-obamas-polls-to-drop-with-blacks-al-b/

48. 4/19 New York Health Officials – New York Health Officials had made recommendations to ban such playground games like tag and kickball because they were seen as un-safe for the children. Fortunately there was such an outcry that the officials backed off their plans to further make our children a bunch of woosies.
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Freeze-Tag-Red-Rover-Deemed-Dangerous-in-New-Summer-Camp-Regs-120195644.html

49. 4/20 Central Florida Workforce – In one of the most bizarre stories of wasting taxpayer money it was discovered that a Florida unemployment office spent more than $14,000 on red capes for an advertising campaign. Go to the unemployment office…get a check…and a cape.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/14000-the-amount-a-calif-unemployment-office-spent-on-superhero-capes/

50. Michael Bargo
51. Charlie Kay Ely
52. Justin Soto 4/21
This group of 17-20 year olds were involved in a disgusting murder plot. They lured a peer into a backyard where they killed this individual, then burned the body, and stuffed the remains in paint cans that were then tossed into a large trash can. What is wrong with our kids?!
http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/04/20/florida.killing/index.html

53. Teonna Monae Brown
54. 14 Year Old Accomplice 4/22
These two made news a few days ago when video of them went viral where they brutally beat another woman at a Baltimore McDonalds. The victim turned out to be a transgender individual and luckily survived. At first there wasn’t much outrage over this. But then once it turned out the victim was transgender, there was an outcry from LBGT groups with calls of it being a hate crime. But had it just been she was a white woman…I doubt the same rhetoric would be used. Either way, the two girls involved in the beating are horrible individuals. This was truly one of the most disgusting things to happen in our country and I think really shows the level that our society has crumbled to.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ec0_1303444048

55. The McDonalds Employees – At the same location, the McDonalds employees who shot the video and then warned the girls to flee as cops approached should be ashamed of themselves.
56. 4/21 Riverwood Elementary School, Tennessee – Some Elementary School students seemed to have been indoctrinated a bit when they performed an earth day rap that included lyrics speaking out harshly against big business.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/indoctrination-did-these-elementary-school-students-just-sing-boycott-big-business-in-earth-day-rap/

57. 4/20 Wonkette – The liberal blogger Wonkette made a questionable post about Trig Palin. Trig Palin is the young son of Sarah Palin who celebrated his 3^rd birthday this month. Trig has down syndrome.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/liberal-website-mercilessly-mocks-down-syndrome-suffering-trig-palin-on-his-birthday/

58. 4/21 Massachusetts Sex Education Program – A web site for Massachusetts sex education for youth features an interesting discussion from the perspective of a young girl. Under the Q & A section of the web site there’s an answer that says, “it’s much easier” in regards to getting an abortion.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/state-funded-mass-sex-ed-website-hey-girls-getting-an-abortion-is-much-easier-than-it-sounds/

59. 4/21 Ellen Lewin – When the University of Iowa College Republican Club decided to host a week or events they sent out an email to university personnel. One reply was typical of leftist civility. It came from Professor Ellen Lewin who wrote “F*&$# You Republicans” and was signed using her official college title.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/university-prof-sends-vulgar-e-mail-to-college-gop-fu-you/

Professor Ellen “F-You” Lewin

60. 4/21 John Ensign – Republican Senator John Ensign of Nevada announced he would resign his seat after news of an affair surfaced. (Yeah, we put a Republican on the CANT list. Not the first time either.)
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/gop-senator-john-ensign-to-resign-amid-ethics-investigation-of-adulteress-affair/

61. 4/23 Anarchists – A group of left wing crazy anarchists vandalized a Chase bank location in Seattle on the 23^rd.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/anarchist-group-takes-credit-for-seattle-bank-attack/

62. 4/25 Donald Trump – Earlier this week news came out that Donald Trump has not voted in state and local primaries in over 20 years. His excuse was basically that he felt in New York the primaries didn’t matter. Terrible logic. I like Donald, but I’m also fair and this certainly didn’t look good for him. For those who want to serve in office it’s good to know if they have been active in the political process.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/trump-defends-not-voting-in-primaries-for-21-years-its-useless-i-travel-a-lot/

63. 4/15 Levi Johnston – The former boyfriend of Bristol Palin, and father of their child, Tripp, is going to be releasing a new “tell all” book. I can’t wait to hear what new attacks on the Palin’s that Levi will offer up. This guy just seems to have no shame.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/levi-johnston-bristols-ex-to-write-tell-all-book-on-palin-family/

64. 4/26 Bill Maher – Again Bill makes the list! On the Dave Letterman show he called Tea Party members “sad, fat, useful idiots”. Bill it’s really getting old.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/bill-maher-continues-his-tea-party-bashing-bunch-of-sad-fat-useful-idiots/

65. 4/26 Vandals – A cemetery at Clarion University in Clarion, Pennsylvania has a memorial set up to commemorate the millions of babies lost to abortion. But last week the memorial was damaged when 350 wooden crosses were torn up or turned upsides down and splattered with fake blood. It was a very disgusting sense of humor put into action.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/revolting-pro-life-memorial-vandalized-with-upside-down-crosses-fake-blood/

66. 4/25 Pastor Wallace Smith – President Obama went to church on Sunday for Easter like many Americans. Yet again he went to a church that probably most Americans wouldn’t go to. This time where Preacher Wallace Smith spoke. Turns out in the past Smith has made some interesting statements, including a statement calling Rush Limbaugh the model of the new KKK member.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/revolting-pro-life-memorial-vandalized-with-upside-down-crosses-fake-blood/

67. 4/26 Robert Watson – The Rhode Island House minority leader was recently dismissed debate over decriminalization of marijuana use was caught himself in procession of marijuana. (That’s two Republicans, elected Republicans on the CANT list this month is you’re counting.)
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/high-ranking-anti-pot-maine-lawmaker-busted-for-pot-possession/

68. 4/26 Nichole Sandler – A former Air America Host, who it seems most of us have never heard of until now was arrested when she disrupted a town hall meeting with Allen West. Sandler wouldn’t let West talk when she questioned him to the put of being disruptive, and then became belligerent towards police officers who led her away, finally arresting her. The entire scene was just embarrassing.
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2011/04/26/radio-talk-show-host-arrested-at-gop-town-hall-meeting/

69. 4/28 Whoopi Goldberg – The Queen of Leftist Pseudo Intellectualism made a “profound” statement on Wednesday regarding President Obama releasing his birth certificate information. She says that she’s to the point of frustrating on such topics that she is throwing out the race card.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/04/27/whoopi_on_race_card_im_playing_the_damn_card_now.html

70. 4/27 Sikh Temple – “Worshipers” turned a Sikh temple into a war zone when rival groups threw down in a scary sword fight.
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/RAW_VIDEO___Sword_Fight_at_Sikh_Temple_New_York-120738319.html

71. 4/26 US State Department – New passport process is a mess! And it asks whether or not you’ve been circumcised. Also the estimate on the new form to fill out is 45 minutes. But as displayed by Glenn Beck it will likely take you hours and hours as it asks things like your entire work history with details of your boss at the time and where that person can be contacted.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42765513/ns/travel-travel_tips/

72. 4/26 Lawrence O’Donnell – The MSNBC host makes the April cut for a message about Easter, specifically theories that Jesus Christ was a socialist.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/was-jesus-a-socialist-msnbcs-lawrence-odonnell-thinks-so/

73. 4/27 Birther Debate – Let’s hope this thing is now over. But it won’t be. Conspiracy theorists are never happy no matter the amount of evidence. Still questions remain as to what in the world took President Obama so long to release details of his birth and why now? Well it was simply for political reasons. Which I think is a shame. But now what? Has he improved his credibility by finally doing it, or does it just make him look silly…or is it even more suspicious…as…if you had nothing to hide, like it would appear, then why exploit something like this for political purposes? Which is it? Does it help Donald Trump…or make him look weaker? Who know? Do we care anymore? Is this issue finally cleared up. I hope so. But only time will tell. It’s one of those things that will continue to divide us and for that reason it makes our list, all parties involved it.

THE CANS

We started with the CANTS this month because there was so many of them, a record number of 73! April was a rotten month for the AmeriCANTS. So I figured we would finish on a good note, something positive, so we end with the AmeriCANS. We start going back to the carryover from March, back to March 27^th.

1. 3/27 Shaka Smart – Now in March he was actually on the CANT list for a debacle with a mascot. For the month of April Shaka Smart makes the CAN side because of his excellent coaching of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the NCAA basketball tournament. Smart was motivational and a good leader. That makes up for his silly display a month before.

2. NCAA Sweet 16 – This year’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament was one of the best ever. Lots of close games, some overtime wins, a good amount of upsets, and some great Cinderella stories. We had the story of Shaka Smart of course and the VCU Rams. Then there’s their cross town rival Richmond Spiders who made a nice run. Butler makes the championship game for the 2^nd year in a row. There was also the perennial power houses making runs – Kansas, Ohio State, North Carolina, Arizona, Duke, Wisconsin, and the champion out of the Big East, Connecticut. Congratulations to the UCONN Huskies and the NCAA for another great tournament. The NCAA basketball tournament is my favorite sporting event and one of my favorite times of the year too. This year was one of the best.
3. 3/27 Jeremy Renner – Renner, an actor, stared in the hit Hurt Locker. Turns out Renner has a side-job. He flips houses. I think it’s a great example of American entrepreneurial spirit.
http://blog.movies.yahoo.com/blog/991-jeremy-renners-secret-side-gig-flipping-houses

4. 3/27 Herman Cain – The presidential hopeful and former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza gave a rousing speech in Des Moines, Iowa. Among the highlights were telling the crowd that conservatives will save the USA from socialism.
http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/HermanCain-Republicans-Iowa/2011/03/26/id/390824
3/31 Herman Cain – Cain again makes the list for a Tea Party event in Florida. At the event he scolded the media for their hypocrisy on race and said the media is afraid a real black man might run against Obama.
4/16 Herman Cain – Another great speech at an AFP rally in New Hampshire.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/herman-cain-gives-rousing-speech-at-tax-day-rally-we-need-some-altering-abolishing/

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/herman-cain-media-scared-a-real-black-man-might-run-against-barack-obama/

5. 3/29 Jacob Barnett – I love putting young people on the list. We have another great youngster to add to the CAN ranks this month. Twelve year-old Jacob Barnett is like most other kids, he shoots hoops, plays Guitar Hero with friends and has a girlfriend. But he also has an IQ of 170! He began solving jigsaw puzzles at age 3. He’s also working on a challenge to the Big Bang Theory. Barnett’s story prompted a guest appearance on Glenn Beck’s TV show. The kid is amazing!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110329/ts_yblog_thelookout/for-12-year-old-astrophysics-prodigy-the-skys-the-limit

6. 3/31 Long Island Lutheran – The New York high school basketball squad faced a mighty challenge in the state championship facing the St. Mary’s squad who was 28-0. The St. Mary’s team had recently won the state Catholic championship and received shirts that read “State Champs 30-0”. Now on one hand they had indeed won the state Catholic championship, but obviously the 28 wins didn’t equal the 30 on the shirts. Long Island Lutheran used the shirts for motivation and in the end became the state champions upsetting St. Mary’s 78-51.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/Premature-championship-shirts-lead-to-title-game?urn=highschool-wp469

7. 3/31 Kenneth Dominguez – A 16 year old San Diego student was suspended from his school. Why? He brought a Bible to school an openly talked about his faith. After the suspension Dominguez has filed suit against the school district, superintendent, assistant principal, and a teacher. Interestingly enough this is one time where the ACLU even agrees that the student’s rights have been violated. No word yet on any settlement.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/boy-suspended-for-bringing-bible-to-school-files-suit/

8. 4/1 Michael Kosko – Kosko made one of those decisions that could have changed his life one way or another. But he’s happy with the decision that he made. You see Michael Kosko could have chipped in $2 with his co-workers for lottery tickets. This time he didn’t join the pool. Turns out this was the one time the pool worked. His co-workers, seven total, won the lottery in New York, with each person getting a one-time payment of $28,971,029 before state and federal taxes. Why didn’t buy in that day, well Michael says he didn’t have two ones on him that day. But he’s taken the decision in stride saying he’s not going to sit and question himself over the decision and is happy for his friends.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110401/ts_yblog_thelookout/heres-why-you-should-always-buy-in-to-your-office-lottery-pool

9. 4/1 Dave Ramsey – Ramsey is well known for his books and radio ministry and organization that provides financial advice, mainly focusing on the subject of debt. He also knows something about building an organization and leadership. Ramsey’s brand of business development is something he calls “Entreleadership”. I had the opportunity to attend his one day national telecast seminar on April 1^st. It was amazing. I thought it was well thought out, had proven leadership principles embedded, and he also added his own Dave Ramsey common sense and humor to the mix. For those who can afford the small fortune, Ramsey holds a week-long Enterleadership seminar coming up in June. Well worth it if you can attend. The one day event, again, just amazing.
10. 4/1 Michael Scheuer – Scheuer is a pretty well known former CIA counterterrorism analyst who often appears on Fox News. He appeared on a CNN segment early April that went somewhat downhill. Scheuer ended up calling out CNN host Christine Romans for “carrying the water for Obama”.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/guest-slams-cnn-host-youre-just-carrying-the-water-for-mr-obama/

11. 4/2 Rosie O’Donnell’s Son – As we discussed earlier in the CANTS section, Rosie’s son has an interest in joining the military. What earned Rosie a CANT, wins her son a spot on the CAN list.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/rosie-odonnell-cant-believe-her-teenage-son-wants-to-join-the-military/

12. 4/2, 4/7, 4/12 Donald Trump – Trump, love him or hate him, you have to agree that the guy is absolutely pro-American. I agree he’s not perfect but he’s become one of my favorite people to watch the past few months. I like his antics to tell you the truth and I think stirring up everything isn’t all that bad. He makes the list for April for a strong appearance on the Bill O’Reilly show. On the 7^th he placed second in a Wall Street Journal poll among potential Republican candidates. And on the 12^th he dared take on political correctness by speaking against the Koran.
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/04/06/wsjnbc-poll-a-donald-trump-surprise/

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/major-chance-this-guy-has-violated-the-constitution-trumps-emotional-birther-defense-to-giggles-smirks-of-the-morning-joe-panel/
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/trump-takes-on-koran-it-teaches-a-very-negative-vibe/

13. 4/4 MillerCoors – It was announced that the brewing giant is expected to pass Anheuser Busch this year in beer sales. Competition is good. I love all American success stories. It also doesn’t hurt that I’m a Miller and Coors fan over Budweiser products.
14. 4/4 “Dudette 07” – We all know there are brave men and women serving over-seas. But did you know that there’s an all female fighter squadron? That includes pilots, weapons officers, mission planners and the maintainers. The squad flies F-15’s and made history in late March marking the first combat mission to be planned, maintained and flown entirely by females.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/all-female-american-squadron-flies-bombing-mission-against-taliban-meet-dudette-07/

15. 4/5 Paul Ryan – Ryan continued to gain momentum in April during the budget fight.
http://blog.american.com/2011/04/ryan-budget-fights-moral-decline-as-dependency-and-passivity-weaken-the-country/

16. 4/7 Glenn Beck
Fox News
Mercury Radio Arts
Joel Cheetwood – It was announced that Glenn Beck would be leaving his Fox News television show. Which most of the media ran wild with, even making it sound as if Beck was being fired or had been removed immediately from the show. Not exactly the case though. In fact, Beck’s TV run on Fox will continue until the end of the year. He’s also said he’ll continue making specials for Fox and be a contributor. But forget Beck, the media really missed the real story here. Along with ending the TV program Beck is taking from Fox News, Joel Cheetwood. All around this just seems like it’ll be good for all parties in the long run. Beck’s company, Mercury Radio Arts has proven to be a major force for innovation in the world of new media, political commentary and entertainment.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/beck-explains-his-transition-like-paul-revere-you-have-to-get-off-the-horse/

17. 4/8 Bill Cosby – Now earlier I said I’m somewhat a fan of Donald Trump. That’s not an endorsement by any means. I also said he wasn’t perfect…just a proud American stirring things up. Bill Cosby is also another proud American, and one who is, how shall we say…more reserved than Trump. But Cosby also has been known to add his thoughts and social commentary about the state of the world, specifically on matters of culture. On the Today Show Bill Cosby offered Donald Trump and other potential candidates some advice – put up or shut up! And I agree. I think it’s terrible how long the presidential campaign cycle is, but these potential candidates who aren’t up front about the intentions especially become annoying.
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=42807

18. 4/9 NAVY – the United States NAVY has a new experimental weapon. It’s a powerful laser weapon that simple fries its target when pointed. Another great example of American military dominance!

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/see-the-navys-powerful-new-laser-gun-in-action/

19. 4/10 The Masters – Another great sporting event took place in April. The Master’s. The annual golf classic takes place every year in Augusta, Georgia where golf’s best fight for the right to wear the Green Jacket. This year’s winner was Charl Schwartzel of South Africa. The Master’s is a great American tradition and deserves a mention on the April edition of our CANS list.
20. 4/10 Tornado Victims – Starting with Mapleton, Iowa on April 9^th and then other areas effected later, mother nature took her toll across the country. And of course has carried over into May with F5 tornadoes in the southeast and major flooding in other areas. Our thoughts and prayers are with those families who have been affected. They are AmeriCANS.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110410/ap_on_re_us/us_iowa_tornado

21. 4/12 Dewayne Bunch – Bunch is a state legislator in Kentucky. He’s also a high school teacher. Bunch tried to break up a cafeteria fight and became critically injured during the scuffle. Bunch was punched and hit his head hard on the floor tile. The boys in the fight were charged with 1^st degree assault. Our wishes go out to Dewayne Bunch. In an era where most people whip out their cell phones to get the next hit viral video, Bunch did the gutsy, but right thing in trying to break up the fight. Sometimes such situations don’t end up the best. But it’s good to see there are still those brave individuals who try to settle disputes with common sense and not fists, even if they might get physically injured themselves. That’s character. More people like Bunch are needed in this world.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/kentucky-teacher-lawmaker-critically-injured-trying-to-break-up-high-school-fight/

22. 4/13 Allen West – West is an emerging star in the GOP and a Tea Party favorite, and possible presidential contender. Earlier in the month West had been subject to numerous threats including a derogatory letter with white powder. West, a former Army colonel, and a black man, has made it clear that he’s not backing down and will not be intimidated and addressed constituents in the latest turmoil by calling out racist hypocrisy of the left. I hope we’ll continue to see more of Allen West!

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/allen-west-asks-is-it-open-season-on-a-principled-black-conservative/

23. 4/13 Todd and Selene Drexel – The Drexel family became part of the news cycle when their 6 year old daughter was the subject of a TSA pat down caught on tape. The Drexel’s, a Kentucky family, have come out swinging over the TSA non-sense. They told their story to ABC News and voiced their disgust. The Drexel’s obviously have their daughter in mind, but they’re also voicing the opinion of many Americans.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/parents-of-6-year-old-pat-down-girl-break-their-silence-demand-change/

24. 4/13 Rick Santorum – I’ve mentioned Trump, Herman Cain, Allen West, even Paul Ryan has been mentioned as a presidential contender. But what about Rick Santorum? He has launched a exploratory committee. I think Santorum would be a fine choice and will add to the GOP field.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/santorum-announces-presidential-exploratory-committee/

25. 4/14 Neil Cavuto – Fox News and Fox Business host Neil Cavuto used a little humor to demonstrate the absurd budget plan offered by John Boehner. Cavuto demonstrated the budget in terms of a 10 year health plan where he would only gain 10 pounds over the next decade instead of the current trend of 15. The video is pretty funny!
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/still-fat-cavuto-mocks-boehners-10-yr-debt-plan-with-10-yr-fitness-plan/

26. 4/15 Rand Paul – Rand Paul seems to keep dropping in on our list. This month he makes the CAN list for his defense of the Tea Party movement on the Senate floor.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/rand-paul-defends-tea-party-on-sen-floor-i-dare-you-to-come-to-a-rally/

27. 4/16 Sarah Palin – Mamma Grizzly returns to the CANS list for a speech she made at a tax day rally in Madison in front of Tea Party members. Palin defended Governor Walker and declared that the Wisconsin Tea Party crowd had won the fight.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/you-won-feisty-palin-fires-up-wisconsin-tea-party-crowd/

28. 4/18 Tricia Willoughby – Another teenager on the April CAN list. And another story out of the Wisconsin tea party events. Tricia Willoughby is a 14 year old girl, who is home schooled, she’s very knowledgeable and well spoken. While giving a speech at the rally in Madison she was heckled with profanity by several counter-protestors but Tricia kept her composure and delivered a great message to the crowd.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/fung-brat-protester-screams-profanity-at-14-year-old-tea-party-speaker/

29. 4/18 S.E. Cupp – I noted the disgusting antics of Keith Olbermann towards S.E. Cupp. After several days Cupp offered up her response to Mr. Olbermann and all we can say about S.E. is…Boom! Winning!
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/s-e-cupp-rebuffs-olbermann-in-own-special-comment/

30. 4/20 Sheriff Joe Arpaio – Arizona’s best known sheriff, and the nation’s most talked about sheriff is back in the news again. This time Sheriff Joe has launched a mugshot of the day section to the Maricopa county web site. The mugshot of the day features the best of the worst…or the worst of the best? Of humorous mugshots.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/az-sheriff-arpaio-solicits-votes-for-mugshot-of-the-day/

31. 4/20 Alden Minnesota High School Students – Students at a Southern Minnesota school have invented a car that go 700 miles on a single gallon of fuel. It was all part of a competition among schools and universities held in Texas sponsored by the Shell oil company. What’s not to like about this story?! American ingenuity is alive and well.
http://www.kimt.com/content/localnews/story/Super-Mileage-team-places-in-national-competition/KmLInyyosE-kXsSKa1o62g.cspx

32. 4/21 Weird Al Yankovic – The parody king, Weird Al has many fans, but apparently Lady Gaga isn’t one of them. Weird Al asked permission to parody a song of Lady Gaga’s, but he didn’t get her blessing. Just another reason to not like Lady Gaga. And we don’t need a real reason to put Al on the CANS list other than he’s Weird Al!
http://alyankovic.wordpress.com/the-gaga-saga/

33. 4/22 Matthias Giraud, Stefan Laude – To the world of skiing and an example of American spirit of adventure. Matthias and Stefan are backmountain skiers who happened to have helmet cams that caught their race as they outran an avalanche. It’s some amazing video!
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/the-heart-stopping-video-of-2-skiers-outrunning-an-avalanche/

34. 4/22 Recy Taylor – Recy Taylor received an official apology from the Alabama legislature after nearly seven decades of living with memories of being raped by a group of white men when she was walking home from church. The men, all now believed to be dead, were never prosecuted. Recy is just another reminder of our scarred past.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/ala-lawmakers-apologize-to-black-woman-raped-by-white-men-67-years-ago/

35. 4/21 Atlas Shrugged – A long time coming, the movie Atlas Shrugged hit theaters on April 15^th opening up in a limited number of theaters, but made a great showing comparatively to the major box office movies currently showing. I made a date with my wife to see the movie. She has never read the book by Ayn Rand, but still enjoyed it. I thought it was great and met my expectations. I hope that parts two and three make it to the big screen!

36. 4/21 George Lange – Lange is a well known photographer. He’s also a liberal. So what’s he doing hanging out with Glenn Beck…a lot? He’s Beck’s official photographer and responsible for many of the famous photos of Beck, including some of this book covers. The two are far apart politically but share an amazing creative link that shows through the camera lens. I think it’s a great example of Americans working together, and being their best, and using their talents to the fullest.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/meet-the-photo-whiz-who-takes-all-those-wild-pics-of-glenn/

37. 4/25 Ron Paul –How about another GOP presidential hopeful? It’s not a complete field without Ron Paul is it?! Paul announced in April that his exploratory committee has been launched.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/libertarian-ron-paul-to-run-for-president-in-2012/

38. 4/25 Man in Utah finds rare book – A Utah man discovered something rare in his home. A 500+ year old book! The book is a partial copy of the Nuremberg Chronicle. Unfortunately the book, even though rare, is not so rare, and with 2/3rds of the pages missing it’s not worth as much as you’d think. But still the find is amazing! The owner who has refused to be identified said that the book has been passed down from his Great Uncle and has been collecting dust in the attic. What a great story! Sometimes the best stories turn out to be the books themselves.
http://www.windstream.net/news/read.php?rip_id=%3CD9MQK4BG1%40news.ap.org%3E&ps=1011
39. 4/26 Healthy Ice Cream? – It might happen in our lifetime! (Not that it would keep us from eating ice cream no matter what.) Researchers at Missouri University have been working with so called “functional foods” one of which being ice cream. The process adds fiber and pro-biotic bacteria to the ice cream. Hey…Americans are still leading the way in science…even if it is to feed our bellies!
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/american-scientist-has-created-healthy-ice-cream/

40. 4/26 Vicky Thoms – In the CANT edition for the month of April I talked about the disgusting video footage of a fight inside a Maryland McDonald’s. Vicky Thoms was the Good Samaritan seen in the video footage trying to break up the fight and save the girl who was getting attacked. Vicky definitely earns a spot on our AmeriCAN list.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/meet-the-good-samaritan-woman-who-tried-to-stop-brutal-mcds-beating/

41. 4/26 Daniel McKeague – Daniel is the new voice of the Aflac Duck! He replaces Gilbert Gottfried. The annoying duck…let’s face it…annoying…yet for some reason we all really like him, has been around 11 years. In America…it is true, you can do anything!

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/this-is-the-new-voice-of-the-aflac-duck-a-36-year-old-father-of-3/

42. 4/27 David Petreaus – President Obama announced a reshuffled national security team late April. CIA Director Leon Panetta will replace Defense Secretary Robert Gates. General David Petraeus will be taking over Panetta’s spot at the CIA. Petreaus has been a successful leader and served our country well in Afghanistan and Iraq. He is an AmeriCAN and we wish him well in his new post.
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=209&sid=2360915

And those are the AmeriCANS for April! 42 total. The CANTS dominated in numbers, but we have a great group of CANS this month I think. The entire list, both sides, now posted at badgerbenson.com. The list went from March 26^th to April 28^th. The next edition, the May edition of AmeriCANS and CANTS will run from April 29^th to about May 25^th with the show airing on Friday, May 27^th. Let’s hope May is a month of AmeriCANS!

AmeriCANTS of February 2011
1. Julie Schenecker – January 29^th – Julie Schenecker age 50 of Tampa, Florida killed her two children for quote, “They were mouthy.”
Alright…I know parents get frustrated. But killing them? A sign of the times. Declining culture. Just a sad story there.
2. City of Omaha, Nebraska, Voters – January 25-Feb 5^th. Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle…the number two Democrat in the state after Ben Nelson overcame a special recall election. Suttle is a mess of a mayor. But that’s another story. The big story…76,039 total votes. That’s fewer than 1/3 of the city’s 250,000 registered voters. People! If you want better from your government and elected officials…you have to get out and vote!
http://www.omaha.com/article/20110125/NEWS01/110129780

3. Parents from East Mecklenburg and Butler High School near Charlotte, North Carolina – Decided to get into a brawl after a high school basketball game on January 31^st. http://www.theblaze.com/stories/parents-attack-police-during-wild-fight-at-nc-high-school-basketball-game/

You have to watch the video of that one. All of these by the way will be posted on BadgerBenson.com with the links to the stories and any pictures or video with it.

4. Again in North Carolina…again a brawl….this time at a church! This one is from January 31^st. In the town of Fletcher, North Carolina a dispute among churchgoers over removal of a pastor sparked strong feelings among the congregation…leading to a brawl at their Sunday service.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/caught-on-video-parishioners-brawl-at-church-over-pastors-dismissal/

5. MSNBC – Our friends at MSNBC once again make our count as they decided on January 31^st that they would be running a special called “President of the World: The Bill Clinton Phenomenon”….which would air on President’s Day. I never watched it. Really? Bill Clinton? On President’s Day?
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/its-official-msnbc-declares-bill-clinton-president-of-the-world/

6. Rachel Maddow – Sticking with MSNBC on February 1^st, Rachel Maddow fell for a fake satirical story about Sarah Palin and ran wild with it. Maddow is someone who constantly defends herself as someone who uses facts and checks and rechecks sources….yeah, so as it fits her agenda. This is just another example of the radical left’s obsessive reactionary efforts to destroy Sarah Palin at whatever cost…even at the cost of truth.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/its-official-msnbc-declares-bill-clinton-president-of-the-world/

Maddow then the very next day on February 2^nd went on to blame Glenn Beck for her screw up.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/maddow-points-blame-at-beck-for-her-being-duped-by-fake-story-on-satire-site/

I’m not making it up. Again the full stories at BadgerBenson.com

7. Another MSNBC member, this time Chris Matthews on the same day, February 2^nd. Matthews took time to compare the Tea Party to the Muslim Brotherhood during a broadcast, specifically attacking Michele Bachmann, Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck. Really Chris? The Tea Party movement is comparable to the Muslim Brotherhood? Are you nuts? Are you that caught up in your hate of political opponents that you can’t see reality?
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/matthews-compares-tea-party-to-muslim-brotherhood-attacks-bachmann-palin-beck/

8. Planned Parenthood – On February 2^nd videos were released from several Planned Parenthood clinics across the country where undercover activists posing as pimps sought advice from Planned Parenthood employees on how to get abortions, in some cases for underage girls. Just a disgusting story. Another chapter to our moral decline. Over the weeks more videos have been released and has renewed debate on whether or not Planned Parenthood should receive public funding.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/update-planned-parenthood-employee-fired-over-fake-pimp-vid/

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/busted-again-va-planned-parenthood-worker-coaches-fake-pimp-on-how-to-get-underage-abortions/

9. Dana Milbank – Milbank is a reporter for the Washington Post. He made a pledge not to mention Sarah Palin for an entire month, calling it a “Palin Free February” and also wished that others would join him. Milbank made this pledge on February 1^st. How long did it take before he failed? Not even one day. In fact almost 16 hours later he violated his own pledge by mentioning Sarah Palin.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/washington-post-columnist-breaks-his-palin-vow-on-day-one-of-sarah-palin-free-month/

10. Richard Dreyfuss – Video surfaced of Dreyfus at the National Press Club defending comments made by MSNBC host Ed Schultz. Here’s the context – Dreyfus was calling for civility when CNS News asked Dreyfus if Ed Schultz’s statement that “Dick Cheney should be taken to the promised land” was uncivil. Dreyfus answer was a ridiculous lesson in circular reasoning and another case of liberals having a double standard. http://www.theblaze.com/stories/richard-dreyfuss-defends-ed-schultz-anti-cheney-death-wish/

11. Code Pink – On February 2^nd footage was seen of Code Pink demonstrators in Cairo joining the protests. Good for Code Pink to demonstrate and voice their opinions. But in Egypt? Hey you know what…fine by me. I hope they stay over there.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/codepink-anti-war-group-joins-egyptian-protests-in-cairo/

12. Ron Reagan, Junior – This story is from February 5^th. How sad is it that the son of President Ronald Reagan, the first inductee here to be put in the AmeriCAN Hall of Fame makes our CANT list? Well Ron Junior has made the cut. His recent book suggests that President Reagan was suffering from Alzheimer’s while in office, something that cannot be proven and those who were close to him dispute. Why even suggest that? Then Junior decided to mock Sarah Palin during a speech at the Reagan Center. He ridiculed her by suggesting she’s not a serious candidate and only wants to keep her name in the public and make money. Hmmmmm…..maybe Ron Junior isn’t all that serious of a political analyst and only wants to use his name to keep himself in the public eye to make money?

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/ron-reagan-jr-mocks-palin-speech-at-reagan-center/

13. Anthony Weiner – New York Democrat Representative Anthony Weiner appeared on an episode of Bill Maher’s Real Time. Maher suggested that Beck-Palin fever has cooled. Weiner than went on to suggest that the Glenn Beck audience were comparable to extras in the move Deliverance.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/maher-show-moment-rep-weiner-depicts-beck-audience-as-shoeless-toothless/

14. State of Maine – During a time when states are struggling with fiscal issues, including Maine – the government there took time to discuss which delight would be the official dessert of the state. The debate choices – blueberry pie or the whoopie pie. It’s what we elect these people to do I guess!

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/as-many-states-face-critical-pension-battles-maine-fights-a-dessert-war/

15. The National Collectors Mint – We’ve all seen the commercials for these commemorative coins made of silver from the World Trade Center to support the building of the 911 Memorial. I had always thought this was questionable ethics. Turns out I was right. Recently news stories came out of people being overcharged for their orders and the silver in the coins is not from the World Trade Center. The National Collectors Mint has been involved in several other fraudulent cases involving use of the 911 tragedy – in fact even to the point that the 911 Memorial Commission has stated they have no connection with the company and have not received any funds from them.

16. Christina Aguilera – During the Super Bowl Aguilera screwed up the National Anthem. Now this is the first famous flub of the Star Spangled Banner and it won’t be the last. And I actually feel bad for Aguilera. But what I will say is that these celebrities need to just start focusing on singing the song and not making it into such a dramatic event with their own styling to the song. Just get up there and sing it!

http://www.businessinsider.com/watch-christina-aguilera-screws-up-the-national-anthem-at-the-super-bowl-2011-2

17. Ed Schultz – The MSNBC host blamed Fox for Christina Aguilera’s mess up the next day. (Wasn’t Ed already mentioned in this list? Oh yeah he was.)

18. Lawrence O’Donnell – Well it seems that MSNBC works in threes or something like that. Not to be outdone by Ed Schultz on February 10^th Lawrence O’Donnell decided to take Iowa Congressman Steve King to task over a segment done on the Sean Hannity TV show on Fox News. In the segment Frank Luntz polled a group of Iowans and 40% of the group said they believe President Obama was a Muslim. O’Donnell apparently felt this was the fault of Steve King. In a bizarre exchange O’Donnell kept asking King if he had a card, as proof of his Christianity.

19. Lady Gaga – America’s Queen Weirdo made an interesting entrance to the Grammy’s this year showing up in an egg. Gaga was carried into the event on this egg, with her cozy inside with air control and water before her performance. Also in recent days footage was released of Gaga doing a provocative photo shoot for Purple Magazine with her being sexually suggestive, barely clothed and also involving a toddler boy at her side. http://www.tmz.com/2011/02/13/lady-gaga-grammys-red-carpet-egg-photo/

(WARNING: Explicit Video Content) http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/02/22/lady-gaga-poses-semi-nude-photo-shoot-young-boy/

20. CREW – Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington decided that the rise in the number of congressmen who use their offices to sleep in need to be investigated….for ethics. There are at least 33 representatives, from both sides of the aisle that double their offices as sleeping quarters when in session. The housing prices and apartment rentals in DC are sky high. These officials are there on business. I for one applaud their efforts to save their own money, and also concentrate on their jobs. Often these representatives are the last ones asleep and the first ones up devoting their work to the business of the people. Seriously, are there not more blatant and disgusting ethical questions in DC that need investigated? Leave these leaders alone!

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/ethics-group-knocks-thrifty-lawmakers-for-sleeping-in-their-capitol-hill-offices/

21. Carl Behr of Baldwin, Pennsylvania made the news on February 16^th for a controversial lawn decoration. Behr has a 25 foot illuminated cross in his yard. I actually agree with his neighbors. This is way too over the top. I applaud Behr’s openness of his faith. But this is just ridiculous. That’s not a way to reach people, by being in your face and over the top, and just plain obnoxious. I say at the very least he doesn’t need it to be lit up at night.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/neighbors-feud-over-25-ft-yard-cross-somebodys-got-to-make-a-stand/

22. US Government Failure to Address Border Crisis – On February 16^th footage was released of the Mexican military crossing into the United States on the Texas border. This is just another example of the chaos on our southern border and the failure of our leaders to address this issue.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/caught-on-video-possible-mexican-military-incursion-on-u-s-soil/

23. Wisconsin School Teachers – On February 16^th teachers in Wisconsin began to call in sick to work to go protest the Governor’s proposed budget solutions that include changes to collective bargaining rights. These teachers are setting a terrible example and I believe are doing themselves and their union a great disservice.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/good-god-man-stuart-varney-hammers-wisc-labor-activist-for-teacher-sick-out-protest/

24. Wisconsin Democratic Senators – 14 Democrats in the Wisconsin Senate have fled the state to avoid voting on Governor Walker’s bill. This act is simply cowardice.

25. The Union Protestors – Stories upon stories are being released of violent actions and rhetoric taking place at these pro-union rallies. These include assaults on counter protestors and journalists. There has been heckling of minorities who don’t agree with the pro-union stance. These stories continue to show up daily. So much for the new civility.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/you-are-a-bad-jew-union-protester-loudly-scolds-conservative-activist/

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/thats-assault-union-protester-whacks-young-freedomworks-activist/

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/no-respect-union-protesters-continue-chants-as-indiana-legislators-pause-for-prayer/

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/alleged-seiu-protesters-heckle-uneducated-black-tea-partier-ask-if-he-has-children-he-claims/

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/ri-protester-threatens-tv-cameraman-ill-fu-you-in-the-a-you-faot/

26. Indiana Deputy Attorney General Jeff Cox was fired on February 23^rd after suggesting in a Twitter post that the Wisconsin protestors be dealt with using live ammunition. This of course was a reckless and horrible statement.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/indiana-official-fired-after-personal-tweets-suggested-police-use-live-ammo-on-wisc-protesters/

27. Ed Schultz – Again the MSNBC host makes the list! That’s 3 times he’s been mentioned this month. This time around on February 23^rd Schultz decided to go on a rant that suggested there’s a massive right wing conspiracy led by Fox News, the Tea Party movement, Governor Walker, the Koch Brothers and the Heritage Foundation. Ok Ed.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/ed-shultz-mocks-beck-pointing-out-protest-connections-while-claiming-wi-is-massive-right-wing-conspiracy-of-fox-newsthe-tea-party-gov-walker-koch-bros-heritage-foundation/

28. Ian Murphy – Murphy is a leftist blogger from Buffalo, New York for the Buffalo Beast. Murphy released a recording on February 23^rd of him posing as David Koch, a major Tea Party donor, having a conversation with Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. During the conversation Murphy repeatedly tries to bait Walker. But after twenty minutes Murphy falls way short with his attempt. Liberals are trying to use this clip against Walker. However, there’s really nothing to it. I think it actually hurts the left more – showcasing once again their terrible ethics and the drastic means they will resort to.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/leftist-writer-records-phone-call-with-gov-walker-while-posing-as-koch-brother/

29. Massachusetts Representative Michael Capuano – Capuano was shown at a union rally firing up protestors by saying that, “Sometimes we need to get bloody.” Again, more leftist hypocrisy with their calls for civility.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/145627-dem-lawmaker-on-labor-protests-get-a-little-bloody-when-necessary

30. Richard Trumka – The big time labor union leader was marched out this week to support the protests. Trumka is bad news. Just do a little research on the guy.

31. Organizing For America – I’m still curious as to why the president needs his own huge political organization. This week Organizing For America sent out emails promoting their Summer Organizing Camp. A summer fellowship program to instruct attendees to be community activists. Straight up indoctrination.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/obamacamp-organizing-for-america-will-deploy-young-cadres-on-summer-organizing-fellowships/

32. Charlie Sheen – On February 24^th Charlie Sheen was on the Alex Jones show and went through a bizarre rant defending his recent actions and struggles with addiction. The show “Two and a Half Man” which Sheen stars on was cancelled hours after. Let’s hope that Sheen gets straightened out.

http://www.tmz.com/2011/02/24/charlie-sheen-two-and-a-half-men-chuck-lorre-argument-radio-talk-show-tirade-turd-thomas-jefferson/

33. The Denny’s Fight – I almost left this one out because I forgot it. But it needs to be included because this is another case of how we’ve lost our decency. In Chicopee, Massachusetts a brawl broke out after a woman asked another customer to pass the maple syrup. The request was turned down you could say…and a fight broke out.

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/offbeat/video-fight-at-dennys-20110222

34. Congressman Chris Lee – Probably the most disgusting act by a single politician this month goes to Republican Congressman of New York, Chris Lee. Lee was caught posing in a shirtless picture on a Craigslist post searching for dates. Lee is married and has a young child. He quickly resigned his position. Thank goodness!

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/congressman-chris-lee-resigns-shirtless-photo-posted-internet/story?id=12878937

35. Old Man Winter – Winter has crippled the entire country the past month after the groundhog promised spring was on the way. In my area we actually enjoyed a span of 4 or 5 days of 50’s and even upper 60’s degree weather. But then winter came storming back dumping 6 inches of snow on me last night. Old Man Winter…you are an AmeriCANT!

AmeriCANS of February 2011

Now time for the AmeriCANS. Starting back to the end of January…here we go…

1. Law Enforcement Officers – January was a horrible month for our nation’s law enforcement officers. During a 24 hour span 11 officers in five states lost their lives. A very tragic end to the month and those individuals need to be remembered, as well as continued prayers for their loved ones.

http://www.chandlerswatch.com/2011/01/25/january-2011-a-deadly-month-for-the-nations-police/

2. US District Judge Roger Vinson – On January 31^st the Florida federal judge ruled Obamacare to be unconstitutional.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/federal-florida-judge-rules-obamacare-individual-mandate-unconstitutional/

3. American Journalists Overseas: Anderson Cooper and CBS Reporter Lara Logan – CNN host and reporter Anderson Cooper came under attack when covering the riots in Egypt. Cooper displayed great courage in covering the event. He was punched 10 times around the head, but fortunately escaped and was alright.

CBS Lara Logan had an even more frightening ordeal with her coverage. She was beaten and assaulted by a mob while in Cairo. Thankfully Logan is “ok” and recovering.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/anderson-cooper-attacked-punched-10-times-during-latest-cairo-protests/

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/02/15/60minutes/main20032070.shtml

4. News Corp Chairman Rupert Murdoch – On February 3^rd Rupert Murdoch announced the launch of “The Daily”. The Daily is a new exclusive news outlet offered online via the iPad. I think this a great example of American innovation – taking media and adapting it to new developing technology.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703960804576120072163471538.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsThird

5. Fox News Host Sean Hannity – On Wednesday February 2^nd Sean Hannity interviewed controversial Muslim cleric Anjem Choundary to discuss the events in Egypt. When pressed Coundary admitted that the Muslim Brotherhood’s ultimate goal is Sharia Law. Thank you Sean Hannity for having the guts to confront these people on this issue!

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/fncs-hannity-confronts-radical-cleric-over-plans-for-islamic-uprising/

6. Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas – These three Midwestern states were announced on February 10^th as being the top three on the happiness index. Good old Midwestern values! Way to go. I’m HAPPY to say I’m a native Iowan and resident of Nebraska.

http://www.mainstreet.com/slideshow/moneyinvesting/news/happiness-index-nebraska-still-1

7. Caiden Cowger – Caiden Cowger is a 12 year old radio host from West Virginia. I had the chance to interview Cowger earlier this month. He’s the future of AmeriCANS! Check out the interview and his show on BlogTalkRadio.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/badger-benson/2011/02/09/caiden-cowger-interview

8. Herman Cain – Cain made a rousing speech at CPAC this month. Cain is the former CEO of Godfathers Pizza and is one of the first GOP presidential candidates. Cain has an amazing story and I hope people will get to know him better. I think he’s good candidate and an amazing American story.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/did-herman-cain-give-the-dont-miss-speech-at-cpac/

9. West Marshall High School and Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School of Iowa – West Marshall, located in my hometown of State Center, Iowa and Gladbrook-Reinbeck squared off in an epic girls basketball game on February 8^th. The game broke the national record for a girls game in scoring. My West Marshall Trojans fell just a bit short in the 122-118 battle. Gladbrook-Reinbeck plays a fast-break offense often called the “Grinnell Offense” after nearby Grinnell College that has been using the format for years. The offense features full court pressure, lots of three point shots and frequent group substitutions. West Marshall and Gladbrook-Reinbeck faced each other again five days later on February 12^th in regional play before the state tournament. Gladbrook-Reinbeck won again, but this time by a lower 57-53 score.

http://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/537301/Rebels-advance-in-record-free-rematch.html?nav=5010

10. Ziebach County, South Dakota – Ziebach County is the poorest county in the country. The county’s 2,500 residents are mostly Cheyenne River Sioux Indians on reservation land. During the winter months the unemployment rate hits around 90% after seasonal construction ends. Most of the services and roads in the county are inadequate. But there is hope. Several entrepreneurs are working to break the cycle of failure. Husband-wife team of Gerald and Stephanie Davidson are examples, having started a plumbing and heating business providing service and also growing to employee several individuals.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/A-look-inside-Americas-apf-621911295.html?x=0

11. US Army – On February 14^th news came out that a new weapon dubbed “The Punisher” is being tested in the field by the Army. The new weapon has been deemed a success from early use and the troops love using it. It is being looked at as a life-saver, giving our soldiers an edge on the battlefield.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/u-s-soldiers-love-the-armys-new-punisher-smart-weapon/

12. US Custom Agents – On February 15^th two US Custom Agents lost their lives in Mexico. The names of the agents haven’t been released…at least not that I know of at this time. The agents were caught in the middle of a narrco-blockade. This is another reminder of the hard work and sacrifice being done by all who serve. Please pray for the families who are left behind in this tragedy.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/developing-two-u-s-customs-agents-shot-in-mexico/

13. Bianca Vera – A college student in Georgia became stuck on a bridge when her car got stuck due to the winter weather. In a split second decision as other traffic was heading her way Bianca decided to jump off the 40 foot bridge into the icy waters below…or be hit by a large truck. Bianca survived the fall, and the swim nearly 100 yards to shore. The swim took nearly an hour. In the end she was saved! Bianca credits God to her safety. She is an AmeriCAN!

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/georgia-student-survives-four-story-true-leap-of-faith/

14. Florida Governor Rick Scott – As states face budget crises across the country newly elected Florida Governor Rick Scott has rejected $2.4 billion in federal stimulus money.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/return-to-sender-fla-gov-turns-down-billions-in-federal-rail-funds/

15. Jim DeMint – After advocates for public television funding trotted out costumed characters such as Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street to defend funding on Capitol Hill, DeMint let the public know he thought it was non-sense. He referred to the stunt as “The Muppet Lobby” and that to “make no mistake public broadcasting’s furry friends are political animals.” I have to agree.

http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/DeMint-Muppets-PBS-aardvark/2011/02/17/id/386519

16. Freedom Fest 2011 – The Freedom Fest 2011 Rally went public on February 15^th. The event will be held over Columbus Day weekend in Kansas City. The event is being billed as the first ever organic national tea party event and to serve as a nominating convention of tea party candidates by tea party delegates. The objective is not to be a third party, but to beat the GOP and take the media by surprise by having this event way before the GOP national convention.

http://www.freedomfest2011.com/

17. Lincoln Impersonator – 25 year old Phillip Howell was fined for impersonating President Lincoln on Lincoln’s birthday for delivering the Gettysburg Address on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Howell was fined for not having a permit. Seriously?! I think Honest Abe would be proud of Howell…but ashamed of the authority.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/abe-lincoln-fined-while-reciting-gettysburg-address-at-lincoln-memorial/

18. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker – Walker has displayed character and resolve, but not being intimidated and backing down. He is displaying the courage that so many elected leaders lack to do the right thing, even if controversial and even dangerous. Walker should be applauded.

19. Megyn Kelly – Fox News host Megyn Kelly challenged Milwaukee Teachers Union President Mike Langyel on the protestor’s use of fake medical excuses to get out of work and join the protests in Madison. Kelly also made news days later on February 24^th when she confronted Wisconsin Democrats who were cowering out of state to avoid voting on Governor Walker’s bill.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/megyn-kelly-confronts-milwaukee-union-president-over-sick-teachers/

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/you-gotta-vote-megyn-kelly-confronts-wisconsin-dem-cowering-in-illinois/

20. American Hostages – Another tragedy in this month’s list of AmeriCANS. Four American hostages taken captive by Somali pirates were executed. The four Americans killed were Jean and Scott Adam, Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle – they were sailing around the world distributing Bibles.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/somali-pirates-execute-4-american-hostages/

21. Ohio Governor John Kasich – As protests sweep the country Ohio Governor John Kasich like Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is holding his ground.

22. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels – The same for Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.

23. Captain Paul Fields – The amazing stories of individual leadership continue this month with another example found in Captain Fields of the Tulsa Police. Fields refused to send officers to the Islamic Society of Tulsa’s Law Enforcement Appreciation Day at a local mosque. Fields stated that he felt forcing him to enter a mosque when not related to his service was a violation of his civil rights. Fields remains under investigation for his actions. But he makes our list of AmeriCANS for standing up for his rights and convictions, even when politically incorrect.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/okla-police-captain-transfered-for-refusing-to-attend-muslim-event/

24. Wisconsin Assembly – Republicans on February 25^th finally made progress in the legislative system by passing the current disputed bill through the assembly. The vote ended three days of grueling debate. The assembly vote allowed the bill to move to the senate. Good for those in the assembly for continuing the democratic process despite the intimidation.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/wis-assembly-passes-controversial-budget-bill/

25. Rockford Tea Party – The Rockford Tea Party in Rockford, Illinois has the honor of saying their members were the first to discover where the missing 14 Democrat “dead-bolt” Senators had been camping out at – a local hotel. The RTP has been hot on the Democrats heels since they were discovered and keep bouncing place to place.

http://gatewaypundit.rightnetwork.com/2011/02/breaking-wisconsin-dems-hiding-at-best-western-clocktower-in-rockford-il/

26. Punxsutawney Phil – On Groundhog Day the critter known as Punxsutawney Phil for once gave us all good news. He didn’t see his shadow and as result – spring is near! (Though after yesterday’s 6 inches of snow here in Louisville, Nebraska I’m questioning Phil’s credibility.)

http://groundhog.org/

Conclusion – There’s both lists folks! Our AmeriCANS and AmeriCANTS for the month of February 2011.

LATE ADDITION: The Black Eye Peas! I forgot to mention their horrible Super Bowl Halftime show. They definitely make our list of AmeriCANTS for February.

Well here it is. Our final 2010 list of AmeriCANS and AmeriCANTS. We start of the list with the “regular folks” division. Then move on to the high profile AmeriCANS, and last of all the shameful AmeriCANTS of 2010. The official AmeriCANS and CANTS 2010 show can be heard right here.

2010 AmeriCAN of The Year

1. Army Staff Sgt Salvatore Guinta – An Iowan and the first living Medal of Honor recipient in four decades. He served in Afghanistan. I announced Guinta was the official winner back in November when he was presented with the Medal of Honor.

Guinta’s Profile on the Army web site.

Guinta’s Medal of Honor citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta distinguished himself at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, on October 25, 2007. While conducting a patrol as team leader with Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, Specialist Giunta and his team were navigating through harsh terrain when they were ambushed by a well-armed and well-coordinated insurgent force. While under heavy enemy fire, Specialist Giunta immediately sprinted towards cover and engaged the enemy. Seeing that his squad leader had fallen and believing that he had been injured, Specialist Giunta exposed himself to withering enemy fire and raced towards his squad leader, helped him to cover, and administered medical aid. While administering first aid, enemy fire struck Specialist Giunta’s body armor and his secondary weapon. Without regard to the ongoing fire, Specialist Giunta engaged the enemy before prepping and throwing grenades, using the explosions for cover in order to conceal his position. Attempting to reach additional wounded fellow soldiers who were separated from the squad, Specialist Giunta and his team encountered a barrage of enemy fire that forced them to the ground. The team continued forward and upon reaching the wounded soldiers, Specialist Giunta realized that another soldier was still separated from the element. Specialist Giunta then advanced forward on his own initiative. As he crested the top of a hill, he observed two insurgents carrying away an American soldier. He immediately engaged the enemy, killing one and wounding the other. Upon reaching the wounded soldier, he began to provide medical aid, as his squad caught up and provided security. Specialist Giunta’s unwavering courage, selflessness, and decisive leadership while under extreme enemy fire were integral to his platoon’s ability to defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow American soldier from the enemy. Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, and the United States Army.

The Rest….
2. Daren Gardner –Mr. Gardner I’m proud to call a personal friend. Gardner is a small businessman from Virginia, he has quite the story about his own business going through hard times and even starting it all over. He’s a Christian, and a true patriot. Daren did the Constitution Ride Across America. He traveled across the continental 48 United States on his motorcycle. He stopped at each state capitol presenting copies of the Constitution to elected officials. He also presented a resolution to uphold the Constitution. This resolution was later presented in Washington, D.C. I met Daren during the stop in Lincoln, Nebraska. I helped organize that stop here, where Nebraska congressional candidate Dan Hill spoke as well as State Senator Tony Fulton, who was our signer for Nebraska on that resolution. Daren spent the evening with my wife and I here in Louisville. It was great to talk to him and learn about his life. But what an amazing thing he did…just one guy on a motorcycle protecting the Constitution. To this day I am still baffled as to why his story and his ride was not given more attention. Either way, he doesn’t complain because it wasn’t about him. And it’s because of that reason he makes the number two spot on the 2010 list of AmeriCANS.

Nebraska State Senator Tony Fulton with Daren Gardner in Lincoln, Nebraska. September 2^nd, 2010.

Daren’s bike in my garage.

Daren departing my home in Nebraska on his journey across America.

CRAA Web Site

3. American Flag/Bicycle Kid Cody Alicea – 13 year old Cody Alicea, a teen in California caught the news buzz back in November when his school told him that he could no longer ride his bike to school with an American flag on it. The story went viral. The school was bombed with complaints, and rightly so. The school then changed course allowing Cody to continue riding to school on his bike with Old Glory waving alongside him. His first trip back to the school on his bike after the mess he was followed by a line of motorcycles and cars following him on his ride to school…all those vehicles behind him with American flags flying high. It was a cool thing to see. I was even more impressed with the interviews that Cody gave. He seems 10 times more mature than most kids his age today. Therefore Cody makes the list of 2010 AmeriCANS.

Youtube footage of Cody’s ride to school.

4. Brent Morehouse – Brent is an average guy from California. A family man. He’s never really been involved with politics. But he got involved with the Tea Party movement and decided he wanted to tell the individual stories of the people in it. So he wrote a book – myself included in this book on page 168 where I actually talk about AmeriCANS vs. AmeriCANTS ironically. The book is titled Tea Party The Awakening – Written by The Grass Roots Leaders. The book contains a great introduction by Brent himself doing an historical comparison of the 1770’s to today. The rest of the 400 some pages are written by all the individuals that Brent contacted, all from the ground level. Truly an amazing work and I applaud Brent for his efforts…doing something that most of the media hasn’t – actually finding out who these people in the Tea Party movement are!

Order Brent’s book at New Patriot Publishing.
5. Outlaw Hot Dog Stand/Steve Pruner – Steve Pruner is a small businessman in the Durham, North Carolina area. Pruner got into a dispute over the bureaucratic process with the city of Durham over permits. But in the end Pruner was able to continue selling his hot dogs. It’s an interesting story, and I applaud his entrepreneurial spirit. The Outlaw Hot Dog Stand makes our list of AmeriCANS at number five. Steve’s Story.

6. Joseph Monto – There’s no better regular Joe than Joseph Monto. In November Mr. Monto discovered a backpack full of $23,000 in jewelry and cash while hiking in a state park. Monto found the owner of the bag, Rebecca Knox. Knox rewarded Monto with $1,000 for his honesty and doing the right thing. Knox was in the process of moving and had stopped to use her phone, she left the bag on the ground in the process. After tracking down Knox and receiving the reward Monto noted that it was nice to receive some money in return, but to be known for doing something good was more important to him. http://www.theblaze.com/stories/man-finds-18k-worth-of-gems-5k-in-cash-and-returns-it-all/

7. David Barton of Wallbuilders – David Barton is a frequent guest on the Glenn Beck TV Show. He’s an amazing historian and founder of Wallbuilders. Check that out at Wallbuilders.com. It’s a great organization and he’s a great person who knows everything there is to know about the American Revolution. He got me interested again in American Folklore. I think Barton is doing a good job at reviving our lost and revised history…bringing us back to the truths that started this country. David Barton is an AmeriCAN. http://www.wallbuilders.com/ABTbioDB.asp
8. Alveda King – She’s the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She’s a big advocate for the pro-life movement. She’s a wonderful person with a big heart. She’s a caring soul. She was one of the speakers at the Restoring Honor Rally. I don’t know about her politics, but she’s a good Christian lady and deserves a spot on this list.

Alveda’s King for America web site focuses on faith and social issues.

9. Matt Kibbe of Freedom Works – Freedom Works is a great organization working to assist Tea Party Groups in development. They are doing an amazing job and Matt Kibbe has been in the front of that.
Kibbe’s bio on the FW site.

10. Tea Party Patriots Leadership – Specifically Jenny Beth Martin and Mark Meckler – Jenny Beth Martin is responsible for the founding of Tea Party Patriots – the largest and I think most effective national brand group that carries the “Tea Party” name. Meckler is a great spokesman for the organization and can debate and articulate the tea party message as well as anyone. Both of them have sacrificed much of their personal lives and they take a lot of heat. They are AmeriCANS!

Meckler and Jenny Beth continue their efforts with Tea Party Patriots.

11. CL Bryant – He’s a preacher from Louisiana. He’s been one of the prominent voices of the Tea Party movement. He’s energetic and gives speeches with substance and values that move the crowd. He’s got fortitude and spirit. A Christian and a true patriot. He’s also a former NAACP radical. He’s releasing the documentary “Runaway Slave” sometime in the coming months about the hypocrisy of politicians in their treatment of blacks and minorities.

12. Velma Hart – You likely don’t remember Velma. But you’ll recall the story. She was one of the few that dared asked President Obama directly about the economic uncertainty and the frustrations felt by the American people. Hart, who is an African American, which shouldn’t make any difference, other than she supported Obama and her question caught many, including Obama by surprise. His answer was complete gibberish. I considered the moment similar to the “Joe The Plumber” moment from 2008 campaign. For voicing her concerns and exercising her rights, she is an AmeriCAN.
Hart expresses her disgust with President Obama.

That’s the list of AmeriCANS for 2010 – the regular folks division. Now for the high profile-celebrity types…

High Profile/Celebrity AmeriCANS

1. Glenn Beck – I’ll be honest, I’m a huge fan of Beck. But I didn’t choose him solely because of that. This guy is a multi-media machine. It seems he releases a book every 3 or 4 months. He does radio, he does television, has a web site, a magazine, stage shows and more. His personal life and transformation is amazing. Every facet of his life, his words and his shows are torn to shreds every day by spiteful critics, and he still marches on….and continues to grow and get better. Few are doing more than what Beck is for a spiritual revival in this nation. He’s ridiculed by both sides of the aisle. His sometimes over-the-top antics cause a stir. His TV show with the assistance of a chalkboard is something completely different than what we’ve seen before. He’s exposing the socialist agenda and history of the progressive moment. He’s no fan of the elite and powerbrokers in this world. And yes…he makes money doing it. But I believe his heart is in the right place. Many question him on his faith of being a Mormon, which I have studied and Mormonism is very troubling. But Beck has never suggested the way to God is to become a Mormon and I think that talk of him being a part of some conspiracy to convert everyone to his brand of Christianity is silly. I think he’s a good guy, a caring man, a family man, patriot and defender of liberty. Remember he also organized the 8/28 Restoring Honor Rally at the Lincoln Memorial. After the rally he launched TheBlaze.com – a political news and opinion site, and recently hired the former CEO of the Huffington Post to run the site. Next week S.E. Cupp joins his team with her own show on the Insider Extreme portion of his web site. That’s quite the resume for just one year! Glenn makes the number one spot on the celebrity edition of the AmeriCANS for 2010.


Beck’s Restoring Honor Rally on August 28^th, 2010 attracted hundreds of thousands of Americans to the nation’s capital for a spiritual revival.

2. Rush Limbaugh – Well you simply can’t have a list that has Glenn Beck without Rush Limbaugh ahead or right behind. Rush Limbaugh is probably the biggest defender of the idea of American Rugged Individualism. He’s probably the harshest critic of President Obama…and he usually ends up being right. What makes Rush stand out is how something happens, someone says something and he’s able to pick out audio and stories from 2 or 3 or even 10 years ago involving that same person where they said something that puts them at odds with their current stance. He’ll also play his own clips where he’s joking about something from years back…and boom suddenly that same thing is now happening. Rush also remarried this year, a lovely service to a lovely bride and Elton John played at the reception. He finally formed a Facebook page this year. And right now he’s part of a reality show on the Golf Channel. In addition to all of that, he’s also a humanitarian giving a large sum every year to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. And that’s all we know publically of what he gives. I suspect he gives a whole lot more than what we know. He just has the class not brag about it or use it for PR purposes. A great fun loving American, he inspired me to get into radio and media – Rush Limbaugh is an AmeriCAN.

Rush and wife Kathryn on their wedding day in August 2010.

3. Ryan Miller – Miller was the goalie on the US hockey team. The team leader who led our US team on an amazing run before losing to Canada in a tough battle in the gold medal round. We need more athletes like him. Miller also does charitable work.

Miller’s exceptional play at the Olympics gave Team USA a Silver Medal.

4. Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona – She’s probably the most talked about governor of the past year. She was right in the middle of the immigration debate in Arizona – standing up for the law, and her state, and defending Arizona from all those who thought a solution was to boycott the state. She makes the list of AmeriCANS.
5. Kelsey Grammer – He was the star of Frasier and also was on Cheers. He’s been an outspoken conservative in Hollywood for years. Over the summer he helped start the Right Network. Some great stuff on that network, most of which can be found online. I hope it continues to grow. It’s fun, not too cliché or corny, it’s relevant and informative…and it’s right on. Dr. Frasier Crane…you are an AmeriCAN!

Grammer helped get the new Right Network off the ground in late summer of 2010.

6. Sarah Palin – Politician to citizen to Fox News analyst, and of course we can’t forget about her being a mom. She’s definitely an AmeriCAN. She continues to be a hot topic in the news whether she’s part of the story or not, and whether or not she wished to be. Her show on TLC about family life and the people, resources and business in Alaska was really good. Sarah is on the list.

7. Former President George W. Bush – Love him or hate him the former president is ridiculed by both left and right. He’s stayed out of the limelight for the most part since leaving office and being a great citizen, a model I think of what a president should act like after office. He continues to visit the soldiers and contributes to causes without being the center of attention. He was faced with hard decisions when in office and did what he considered needed done to protect the country – I believe that was his central focus, right or wrong. He was certainly treated with a level of contempt not seen before in modern media treatment towards a sitting president. I think he’s a good model of leadership and a standard for citizenship. His book Decisions Points came out a few months ago detailing those tough decisions he made. A great example of an AmeriCAN.

George W. Bush released his first book since leaving office. Decision Points is a candid look about his life and presidency told from his own eyes.

8. Josh Thompson – Country singer with some great songs, one called “Way Out Here” which is very fitting to this entire list. Way Out Here video.

9. Scott Baker – The Editor at The Blaze.com – the news web site funded by Glenn Beck.

Baker’s team at The Blaze are making it a fast growing source of news and information.

10. Pat Caddel – A liberal Fox News analyst. Although his politics lean left, he is one of the most fair-minded people in the media. He’s offered very fair criticisms of the Obama administration and the radical left.

11. Juan Williams – We all know the story of Juan’s departure from NPR; and his full hire at Fox News. Juan is a good guy and keeps people like Bill O’Reilly balanced and on their toes.

12. Dick Armey – An outspoken defender of the Tea Party movement, also part of Freedom Works team.

13. Jim DeMint – One of the few politicians that I put on the list. He’s been a fighter for conservative causes and the Tea Party movement.

The South Carolina Senator has been a speaker at many grass roots and conservative events in recent years.

14. Marco Rubio – The newly elected Rubio from Florida is a tea party favorite and has a bright future.

15. Michele Bachmann – The Representative from Minnesota who started the Tea Party Caucus.

16. Greta Van Sustern – She always brings a fair and balanced approach to Fox News, a great interviewer.

17. General Stanley McChrystal – His criticisms of the president, right or wrong is debatable. But his service to the country is not.

18. Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey – Aside from Jan Brewer he’s probably the most talked about Governor in the United States. He provided us with some of the best audio and video clips of 2010. This is one of my favorites!

19. Conan O’Brien – The late night talk show host is likely a leftist, but he’s never really mean about it. His goofy off the wall humor is fun to watch. He recently moved his show to TBS after the mess at NBC.

Conan is now on TBS – and it’s very funny.

20. History Channel Shows – In an era when reality TV stinks and any smut makes the primetime lineup, the History Channel got something right with “American Pickers” and “Pawn Stars”. Two entertaining, fun and somewhat informative shows about Americana and American business.

The cast of Pawn Stars – Cory, The Old Man, Rick, and Chum-Lee

Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe along with their assistant Danielle Colby Cushman are uncovering lost treasures on the backroads of America on American Pickers.

21. Undercover Boss – Another great reality television show featuring high profile CEO’s going undercover to learn about the people that make their businesses run. In a time when the CEO, corporate America, economic uncertainty and lack of leadership plagues the country this CBS show attempts to find those who are doing things right.
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/undercover_boss/

That is the entire list – regular folks and high profile lists of AmeriCANS for 2010. Now it’s time for the negative side, the people we despise, the opposite of AmeriCANs…the AmeriCANTS.

The AmeriCANTS almost all were celebrities this year so there’s just one list of AmeriCANTS. The CANTS are petty people. Hateful, bitter, constantly tearing others down and belittling fellow Americans. Truth be damned…they have an unwavering defense of President Obama, and the progressive agenda and just look at anyone else thinking otherwise as being ignorant backwoods uneducated rubes and rednecks. I won’t spend as much time on them as I did the AmeriCANS because frankly they just don’t deserve the time.

So here we go…starting with the AmeriCANT of the Year!

AmeriCANTS for 2010
2010 AmeriCANT of The Year

1. Entire lineup at MSNBC – Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, Ed Schultz, Chris Matthews and Lawerence O’Donnel – I don’t know of any person or group more hateful, spiteful, arrogant and condescending than this bunch. Every week it gets worse and worse. Their ratings are horrible. Their shows are downright nasty and they seemingly have only one objective – hate and destroy Fox News at any costs. Say what you will about Fox News – they also have opinion shows, but not as bombastic as this group of jerks at MSNBC. There’s also a big difference in Fox’s actual news coverage versus MSNBC. For their nastiness and contempt for differing viewpoints and distorting, twisting, taking words out of context and being completely agenda driven…and holier than thou at it – the 2010 AmeriCANT of the Year Award goes to MSNBC (Microsoft No Black Commentators Network – credit to Andrew Wilkow). Their MVP is Keith Olbermann. Congratulations Keith!

Post Script – In fact on the same day that this list was announced Keith Olbermann’s contract at MSNBC was ended – many suspect the new ownership at Comcast had some say in this. Will Ed be next? (Ed who?) Or perhaps Maddow? Then there’s Chris Matthews who I used to consider a fair minded stand up guy has lately gone off the rails with an almost creepy obsession with Michele Bachmann.

2. Nancy Pelosi – An easy choice. Thank goodness she’s no longer speaker of the house.

3. Harry Reid – See above. Too bad the voters of Nevada didn’t kick him out of office.

4. Lady Gaga – A trashy celbutard contributing little to our culture. Fine, there’s been pop stars like that forever. But her ignorant comments about immigration debate in Arizona earned her a top five spot on this list.

American pop culture at its finest in 2010.

5. Stephen Colbert – This guy is pathetic. His bumbling jackass antics at the Comedy Central Restoring Sanity rally earned him the number five spot. Don’t forget about his classic appearance at a congressional hearing.

Colbert aka Super CANT.

6. Joy Behar – Three words – rambling hateful idiot.

7. Former BP CEO Tony Hayward*- Tony Hayward is the only non-American citizen to make either list. But he affected the lives of Americans and American business. What a tragic mess that BP oil spill was and what a dismal display of leadership. Tony Hayward gets a spot on the AmeriCANT list for 2010.

Hayward’s failures as a business leader during a crisis affecting Americans is a rare exception to a non-citizen making either AmeriCAN/CANT list.

8. Meghan McCain – “Like shut up already. This is me speaking to you Meghan, me speaking as a 32 year old male…no one cares what you have to say! Unlike you, I don’t believe what I have to say is any more important than anyone else. But at least I attempt to put some rational thought into what I say. You need to just go away. You’re not bright, you’re not smart. And it’s too bad…because I think you have in you to be those things. But instead you want to be a media darling, some sort of self-righteous anti-Republican-Republican, that somehow because you’re born into politics you have a deeper understanding of the issues. All you want now is the attention of the media and to get it you trash everyone who supported your father’s campaign for president. You have zero class. “ – Badger Benson

Meghan McCain – Bud Light fan.

9. Charlie Rangel – Found guilty of ethics violations. He’s everything that’s wrong with politicians.

10. Brett Favre – From the world of sports. Favre you were once cool. And you were well liked and admired. But you threw it all away. The cell phone thing…creepy.

11. Tiger Woods – Same thing. A painful fall from grace. I hope you get your life on track, and your golf game.

12. Oprah Winfrey – You are no longer relevant. Stop indoctrinating people with your new age religious spiritual garbage. It looks and sounds nice, and innocent, and some of it probably is. But much of that stuff is dangerous and you don’t realize how wrong it is and how misleading it is.

13. Alan Grayson – You pathetic lying weasel. Thank God you’re no longer in congress.

14. Janet Napolitano – Big Sis has been controversial and a disaster in her role with Homeland Security.

Have you had a pat down lately?

15. Ben Nelson – You sell out! You’re a likable man with a good reputation. But you ruined it all and threw that legacy away by selling out.

16. Christiane Amanpour – She’s an incoherent leftist TV host.

17. Tina Fey – I think the shtick is old. You sound like Palin and do an amazing job of imitating her. That’s talent. But I think it’s just getting old and is mean spirited.

18. Christine O’Donnel – The failed tea party candidate in Delaware. She’s a nice lady, had some good ideas. The GOP was terrible for not offering more support. But Christine did herself no favors and is a lesson on how to do everything wrong in a campaign.

Are you a good witch or a bad witch?

19. Lisa Murkowski – The winner of the Alaska senate race over Joe Miller. You lost the primary. Then mounted a successful write-in campaign. The passion is admirable, your ambition is too. But you are selfish and self serving, and a sore loser…even when winning.

20. Rod Blagovich – Why is this guy still around?

21. Eric Massa – A shamed congressman who resigned last fall/winter.

22. Kanye West – One word – Punk.

23. Rham Emanuel – Complete jerk. Thankfully he’s now back to Chicago and they can deal with him.

24. Trent Lott – A former GOP politician. He said that the Tea Party members needed co-opted once in DC. I lost all respect for you.

25. Lyndsey Graham – Mr. RINO himself.

26. Bart Stupack – Good guy. But you made the wrong decision.

27. James Cameron – How big is your ego man? About the size of the Titanic I imagine…flashy, but really a bunch of drivel like that movie Avatar.

28. Entire cast of Jersey Shore – I’ve never really seen the show. But I’ve seen the cast on various shows. I don’t want to see the show. I wish these people would go away.

Really…who are these people?

29. Andy Griffith – Why? Old man…pay for your own medical care! You’re an actor, you surely have some money left! Don’t tell the rest of us what to do. It’s sad how you’re being used.

Sheriff Taylor for Obamacare.

30. Barney Frank’s boyfriend – This guy is a complete dope. His ambush video taping of the Republican candidate running against Frank was creepy.

And that’s the awards for 2010!

What is the real answer in all of this? Was the shooter a radical political dissident? Was he a drugged out social reject? Just plain crazy? A combination or all of the above? Unlike the sheriff in Prima County, Arizona I won’t suggest an answer solely based on opinion regardless of contrary facts. However, I will interject that when these things happen it should be a reminder that there is evil in this world. I have seen no discussions of this. Is it too simplistic…too religious to touch? Whatever the avoidance of the tough subject of evil is, one cannot argue that it does not exist.

Did talk radio influence the killer? I don’t think so. But I believe evil influenced him. All we have to do is read his own words – he was definitely disturbed. The source of evil is also very real – Satan. If no one else will offer it up as a matter of discussion, I will. Instead the media will continue to point fingers and play the blame game pitting American against American. That’s the most frustrating part – no one outside of the shooter has responsibility in this tragedy. Yet our media will continue their little game and miss the bigger picture. That’s exactly how Satan works.

Let’s just go with the media though. Let’s follow their logic through and think what that would mean, and how would this be resolved? Suppose the shooter was influenced by talk radio, now what? Do we take all hosts off the air? What if someone kills their boss after becoming angry at work? Do we stop layoffs? What in the case of jilted lovers? Do we now outlaw dating? Where do we draw the line?

Illogical conclusions lead to illogical resolutions. Once again, this is exactly what the evil one does – twists, distorts, and lies. That influence is in this world. Directly or indirectly evil forces influence our surroundings, events, and even the people around us.
The answer in a time like this is to continue to be a light in the world. Turn to Jesus. Continue to pray for all those involved. Even pray for those who exploit tragedy for political gain.

Thus the Golden George Awards…an effort to recognize those people and stories from the past year that best display the Christmas spirit!

I opened up nominations to you the listeners…and we have a small but growing audience and we only had 1 nomination. But you have to start somewhere. I have added a few of my own. But starting with number one…From my cousin Jenny the nomination of the very first Golden George Award goes to my Grandma….Greta Benson. Now I hadn’t thought of giving any awards to family, but my cousin Jenny really made a good case. And I know all of you out there have family like this…so just view this award to my Grandma Great as one on behalf of Grandma’s everywhere this Christmas. This is from my cousin Jenny, her nomination of our Grandma Greta for a Golden George…
1. Greta Benson

Grandma has been gifted with hospitality.  She goes above and beyond in making each holiday celebration memorable — one filled with love and laughter!  Not everyone can open their heart and home to a gang of holiday-high adults and kids — but she does, with a Christmas sweater and Santa hat on!
A typical Christmas gathering at Grandma’s usually includes 40+ family members — and oftentimes includes those who are unable to be with their families for the holidays (ex:  college roommates.)  Every person feels welcomed as they are coaxed into the serving line.  It doesn’t matter if the plates are mismatched (some are ceramic, some are paper, others Styrofoam with sections) and while we’re not able to all sit in the same room, laughter carries throughout the house. 
Everyone leaves feeling full.  Being in Grandma’s presence can easily make one full of happiness as she’s so cheerful to begin with.  However, not everyone can complete the task of finding 40+ gifts!  One for each person at the gathering.  It never ceases to amaze me at the fact that she can purchase gifts for everyone — especially when marriages have brought duplicate names in to the family, new babies are born nearly every year.  And talk about our stomachs — FULL!  Homemade noodles, homemade dinner rolls, homemade cookies and candy… and on and on.  Somehow, we never run out of anything!?  Does she have elves working for her?   
Grandma is the epitome of Christmas cheer.  I cannot imagine a better nomination for Christmas 2010. So Greta Benson…the very first recipient of the Golden George Award!

2. Erma Roseland

I also am awarding one to my other Grandma, Grandma Erma on the Roseland side, my mom’s side of the family. Grandma Erma is the sweetest caring person that I know of. Like Grandma Greta, Grandma Erma opens up her home…and her heart to her big and ever growing family. The family technically spanning 4 generations, actually covers 5 or 6 different generational-age groups. She does well at keeping up with each one – from just playing with the young kids, to keeping up with their trends in toys and entertainment, and also keeping up to speed with the world outside her wonderful home. She even knows how to get around a computer! In my teen years I spent the better portion of my summers with my Grandparents on their farm working with my 4H cattle. But my favorite times there are always our Roseland Christmas gathering. Thank you Grandma Erma for making that possible each and every year…Love, Brandon.

So that is award number two, a Golden George Award to my Grandma Erma!

3. Jason F. Wright – The author of the hit Christmas book “The Christmas Jars”. From his book Jason Wright has spawned a new tradition with many Americans, and people worldwide. The new tradition of giving a Christmas Jar is out of his book….the collecting of loose change over the year and anonymous giving of these jars to someone in need of hope and charity on Christmas is a wonderful expression of love and the Christmas spirit. I hope in years to come more Christmas Jars will be flooding the homes of our neighbors in need this time of the year.

4. The Christmas Sweater Club – A group of 10 high school boys at Battlefield High School of Haymarket, Virginia. The boys who make it a point to find the most ridiculous Christmas sweater wear them this time of the year and try to spread Christmas cheer around. Whether they are doing it jokingly, or see a larger more important point to their shenanigans I think it’s a great thing! These kids could be doing something far worse. And what a riot to dress up in those tacky Christmas sweaters, walking around wishing everyone a “Merry Christmas”! Who’s against that? Well the boys are said to have taken it a bit far this year when they tossed out candy canes to fellow students – the school administration said that they were causing a disturbance, littering due to the candy canes hitting the ground and not getting all of them picked up (though they tried for an hour it was said), and that the candy canes were a potential weapon! You’ve got to be joking! Sure I can see the disturbance angle…maybe even littering…but those little tiny candy canes that are so fragile being viewed as a weapon? Ridiculous! In an age where we have teens dressed as thugs looking stupid in their bagging pants armed with guns and knives…this…this little gang of cheerful elves is what we’re going to point to as unruly? I say they are festive and cheerful…disturbance or not…they are creative and I think bring out the humor and joy of the Christmas season – I give this group of prankster elves…a Golden George Award!

5. Community of Wilmington, Ohio – This town was put front and center on the national map by Glenn Beck and his TV show. The town of Wilmington has seen hard times recently when DHL, the largest area employer left the community leaving many without work, like 3/4ths of the town was employed there. But the town has rallied. Several ministries there are thriving. The town food bank somehow keeps filling their shelves. The town has a 24 hour house of prayer kept going by volunteers of the area churches. There are so many amazing individual and family stories too out of Wilmington…it is the real life Bedford Falls…thus, it gets a Golden George Award.

6. Louisville United Methodist Church – I’m going local again, the town I live in. My wife and I attend Immanuel Lutheran Church just outside of town, but live across the street from the Methodist Church here in Louisville, Nebraska. We also live across the street from their pastor and this family. His name is Joel…a real nice guy. The Methodist Church here in Louisville is a nice building in itself, made up brick, and they decorate it nicely for Christmas, as do many churches inside and out. But they also air Christmas music in the evenings leading up to Christmas on their speakers which can be heard outside in the neighborhood and sometimes we can hear it softly making it’s way into our homes. It’s a great feeling and sight…and then you hear those classic traditional Christmas hymns “Come All Ye Faithful”, “Joy To The World” and “Away In the Manager” and you hear those and see the church and the snow and the lights of the homes around it and you think, “This is right. This is good. What Christmas should feel like.” Therefore the Methodist Church here in Louisville, Nebraska receives a Golden George Award!

7. Guiding Light Baptist Church of Elon, North Carolina. Earlier last week this small church in North Carolina was robbed of several items – lawn care equipment, and the baby Jesus in their outdoor Nativity scene. Was it prayer or guilt, or just change or heart…maybe of all of it – either way the thief returned all of the items to the church this week. We don’t want to reward the thief for doing the right thing after sinning…but we do want to recognize this church and community as it is a heartwarming story that ends well for Christmas. So I give them a Golden George Award.

8. Jeff Garcia, Quarterback of the Omaha Nighthwaks. Another local story for me – Jeff Garcia played in the NFL took the role this year in the first year of the expansion franchise of the UFL’s Omaha Nighthwaks. Omaha had a good first year run. The UFL championship game was also held in Omaha last month. But the story here that many don’t know outside of the area is that Jeff Garcia donated $10,000 on December 2^nd to the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Croc Corps Community Center. The Croc Center served as the training facility for the Nighthawks. But the main function of the center is to serve the poor by providing a safe haven for study, education and other activities. Garcia’s donation will provide scholarships to children of low income families learn how to swim, play sports and in their education. Just a great story, from an athlete…someone who’s not in the NFL, not making the big bucks anymore, just playing for the love of the sport and not in his home, but he has chosen to represent the community of Omaha and give back. Just a great thing to see. Jeff Garcia gets a Golden George Award!

9. The Santa Claus Hall of Fame, Santa Claus, Indiana – The Candy Cane Castle in Santa Claus, Indiana was dedicated on December 22^nd, 1935 as the first themed attraction of Santa Claus Town. This year the attraction inducted their first members into the Santa Claus Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is dedicated to the original St. Nick whose legend we base all Santa Claus’ off of today – Nicholas of Myra the 4^th Century Bishop lived in modern day Turkey. 14 members were inducted into the first class of the Hall of Fame – including keystone inductees Charles W. Howard (1896-1966) of Albion, New York and Jim Yellig (1894-1984) of Santa Claus, Indiana. Howard created the world’s first Santa Claus School and was the Macy’s Parade Santa Claus for 18 years. Yellig was made the official Santa in Santa Claus Land in 1946 and served in the role for 38 years. So a Golden George Award to the Santa Claus Hall of Fame in Santa Claus, Indiana.

10. The Mystery Decorator of the New Jersey Turnpike – Just outside of Little Egg Harbor Township in New Jersey, for the 4^th year in a row travelers are seeing a decorate tree in the southbound lanes. A mystery decorator gradually decorates the tree leading up to Christmas, starting with a few decorations, and getting up to about 12-15 by Christmas Day. So far no one has claimed to be the decorator and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority that maintains the road says they aren’t responsible. So there’s some elf in New Jersey making the roadway a little more cheery at Christmas. That person gets a Golden George Award.

11. Phil Jackson – Another from the world of sports. God knows we need more sports figures to be role models. Now I’ve never been a big fan of Phil Jackson, but he is a great NBA coach, having won multiple championships with the Chicago Bulls and now the LA Lakers as a head coach. I didn’t know that Jackson was son of a preacher man. For a while now the NBA has been scheduling games on Christmas Day. This year, five total and the Lakers are playing in one. This week Phil Jackson spoke up saying that he doesn’t like it, is concerned over this lack of respect for the holiday and lack of concern the league has for Christian holidays…basically saying that nothing is sacred anymore and that he would be voicing his concerns with the NBA commissioner. Phil Jackson…the right perspective, a great coach…a defender of Christianity and of Christmas gets a Golden George Award!

12.. Employees of Hanson Directory in Newton, Iowa – Now this nomination, I’ll be up front, comes from another family member – my mother. Hey…I can’t help it if the only submissions I got for these nominations came from my family. But this like my cousin Jenny’s suggestion is another great one. My mom, Sherry nominated her fellow employees of Hanson Directory Service in Newton, Iowa. Now Newton has been on tough times in recent years – much like Wilmington, Ohio, due to lost jobs. So the employees at Hanson Directory make the list for two things they have done…

1. With blind faith that we could fulfill our obligation, we adopted 5 Salvation Army angels. Employees did this without any managerial assistance. We had extensive lists for each angel with items listed for each child as small as a coloring book to a bike. We had less than 2 weeks to get this done. Fellow employees started signing up on the lists and the gifts started pouring in. With 2 days left, there were several items left on the lists, including a couple of winter coats and the biggie… the bike. An employee started going around individually to other employees to see if they could just manage to dig deeper and give a little more. The next day there was enough money to buy the bike and jackets and Walmart even gave us a good deal on the items! The site of the beautiful red bike and the five angel boxes overflowing with items really warmed my heart.

2. A fellow employee and her fiance just lost their home to a house fire. They had no insurance. This woman, Marilyn, is the nicest, friendliest, and most pleasant woman you could meet. Once again, the employees have overflowed with generosity. Immediately Monday morning an envelope was circulated for cash donations, posters were put up for a pop can drive, posters were put up with neccessities needed, employees started asking friends, family members, and their churches to donate, and a memo was put out saying how employees could purchase "casual days" during January with proceeds going to Marilyn. Once again, the site of employees bringing in items each morning and the entire wall in the sales area being filled with boxes of supplies, bedding, clothes, etc, is amazing and warms my heart. There are commitments from people to get the following items to Marilyn as soon as she find a place to settle into…. stove, entertainment center, microwave, kitchen table and chairs, couch and loveseat, maybe a fridge, and maybe a coffee table and end tables from your own sister. Today, Marilyn came in for the first time, and she was overwhelmed by the care and generosity of her fellow employees. It was very emotional and we all felt like family!

So there you have it! The 2010 List of Golden George Awards! The first ever for the Badger Benson Show. We will post the list on the web site for all to see. To the award winners, the people who nominated them, and the people who have been touched by these stories…thank you for being a light in the world, thank you for being a George Bailey…thank you for adding to our Christmas Cheer this season…Merry Christmas to you!

http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/49122/