Make Room for Islamistgate: The Obama Administration’s Newest, (Biggest?) Scandal

◼ Currently the Obama administration is facing three big scandals — the IRS targeting, the bugging of AP and Fox, and Benghazi. Now we have scandal Number Four, just as large in scope. - Barry Rubin/PJMedia

For the last four years, the Obama administration has conducted a major “outreach” program to Islamic groups in the United States and in the Middle East. In a comprehensive article, investigative journalist and PJ Media contributor Patrick Poole now presents the full scoop and scope of what’s been going on. His article — “Blind to Terror: The U.S. Government’s Disastrous Muslim Outreach Efforts and the Impact on U.S. Policy” — appearing in the new Summer issue of the MERIA Journal is a game-changer.

You may think that you know about this subject, but the scandal extends far beyond what you have heard.

The majority of these groups and individuals promoted by the Obama administration have been radical Islamists, particularly Muslim Brotherhood cadre, and more than occasionally were people involved in terrorist activity.

Actual moderate Muslims have been neglected and isolated by this project, which has helped the radicals, Islamists, and pro-terrorists gain hegemony in the Muslim community in America.

Again, you may think that you know this story — but it is far more extensive than has ever before been revealed. Often, the White House and FBI have granted access and worked with those who were simultaneously being investigated on serious charges of terrorism.

The whole “outreach” program has been a farce, and it would be charitable to describe it as incompetence on the part of the Obama administration....

Bureaucrat: "Someone lives and someone dies”

◼ Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius won’t waive regulation for girl with five weeks to live: ‘Someone lives and someone dies’ - Joel Gehrke/ Washington Examiner @joelmentum

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius rebuffed an appeal from Rep. Lou Barletta on behalf of a girl who needs a lung transplant but can’t get one because of a federal regulation that prevents her from qualifying for a transplant.

“Please, suspend the rules until we look at this policy,” Barletta, a Pennsylvania Republican, asked Sebelius during a House hearing Tuesday on behalf of Sarah Murnaghan, a 10-year-old girl who needs a lung transplant. She can’t qualify for an adult lung transplant until the age of 12, according to federal regulations, but Sebelius has the authority to waive that rule on her behalf. The pediatric lungs for which she currently qualifies aren’t available.

“I would suggest, sir, that, again, this is an incredibly agonizing situation where someone lives and someone dies,” Sebelius replied. “The medical evidence and the transplant doctors who are making the rule — and have had the rule in place since 2005 making a delineation between pediatric and adult lungs, because lungs are different that other organs — that it’s based on the survivability [chances].”

White House Threatens to Veto Veterans Benefits Bill

◼ The White House threatened to veto on Monday legislation that would fund benefits and housing programs for needy veterans, arguing that the money would be better spent funding scientific research and other priorities. - Washington Free Beacon

Repercussions: Sen. John Morse recalledFirst Colorado legislative recall

◼ Petition signatures filed with the Colorado Secretary of State’s office are more than sufficient to recall state senator John Morse (D). The recall is the first recall of a Colorado legislator in the state’s history. - Al Maurer/Washington Times h/t: Debbie

In his position as the senate president this past session, Morse coordinated the passage of anti-Second Amendment bills over massive citizen opposition....

Refusal to listen to his constituents is par for the course for Morse, who on national television described how he counseled fellow senators to ignore their constituents’ email and calls and vote for the gun control bills.

That arrogant attitude was cited more than any other by people signing the recall petition. A large number of people signing the petition said they had voted for Morse and wanted to fix their mistake.

“We want a representative, not a ruler,” Harris said. “Morse has tried to be a ruler and we’re firing him.”

SHOCK: Two-Thirds May Not Insure Under Obamacare...

◼ There's no assurance folks will be buying insurance under Obamacare, and that could spell trouble for the Affordable Care Act. - CNBC

Under the ACA, uninsured Americans have until the beginning of 2014 to purchase insurance through health-care exchanges being set up nationwide or other venues—or face a financial penalty. That penalty is equal to $95 per adult, and $47.50 per child, up to a maximum of $285—or 1 percent of household income, whichever is greater.

Those penalties will escalate in future years.

◼ Cheapest Plan $20,000 Per Family... - CNS

The IRS's assumption that the cheapest plan for a family will cost $20,000 per year is found in examples the IRS gives to help people understand how to calculate the penalty they will need to pay the government if they do not buy a mandated health plan.

Doctors weigh use of online medical records...Financial Times

POULOS: "Have you read the bill?" TANDEN: "Yes. I helped write the bill."

◼ Center For American Progress President Shares Part In Obamacare: "I Helped Write The Bill" - Real Clear Politics