Socialist Secret in Obama's Transition Team?

Tonight the news from across Hannity's America...

Socialist Ties

The president-elect's climate czar Carol Browner has socialist ties! That's right, The Washington Times reports that as recently as last week, Browner led a commission of the Socialist International, a global organization of socialist governments. Browner's commission concluded that rich governments are responsible for ending global warming by drastically reducing their energy consumption and carbon emissions.

As for the Socialist International, it says socialism has "promoted successful political movements and decisively improved the lives of working men and women."

Mr. Obama's transition team defended Browner's membership on the committee. At the same time, her name mysteriously vanished from the Socialist International's Web site. Coincidence? You decide.

Smithsonian Is Sorry

Another socialist making news is Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who is pissed at the Smithsonian! Sanders wrote an impassioned letter to The National Portrait Gallery demanding it change the wording on a plaque accompanying the president's official portrait.

The controversial text states, in part, that the 9/11 attacks "led to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq." Sanders complained on the grounds that he says 9/11 had nothing whatsoever to do with the Iraq War and the Smithsonian has not only apologized, but has vowed to make the requested change.

Sanders, an opponent of the Iraq War, certainly believes 9/11 should not have led to the war, but that doesn't change history. Senator Sanders either has a bad case of amnesia or doesn't know what the word "led" means. Just your hard-earned tax dollars at work, folks.

Confirming Clinton

Hillary Clinton's Senate confirmation hearing kicked off early Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill. You may have already heard her opening statements, but just in case you missed it, here's what she had to say and what I think she really meant:

(BEGIN TAPE)

HILLARY CLINTON: It is an honor and a privilege to be here this morning as President-elect Obama's nominee for secretary of state.

(PAUSE TAPE)

LIBERAL TRANSLATION: Arggg… I still can't believe I lost to that guy. I should be the one appointing Cabinet members!

(RESUME TAPE)

CLINTON: I am deeply grateful for the trust and keenly aware of the responsibility that the president-elect has placed in me to serve our country…

(PAUSE TAPE)

LIBERAL TRANSLATION: And Biden for VP over me? I was practically second in command for eight years already!

(RESUME TAPE)

CLINTON: …and to serve our people at a time of such grave dangers and great possibilities.

(PAUSE TAPE)

LIBERAL TRANSLATION: Please don't screw this up for me by asking about my husband's foundation donors…

(RESUME TAPE)

CLINTON: If confirmed I will accept the duties of the office with gratitude, humility and firm determination to represent the United States as energetically and faithfully as I can.

(PAUSE TAPE)

LIBERAL TRANSLATION: At least I have more power than Bill! Somebody pinch me when it's 2012…

(END TAPE)

Sharing the limelight has never been Senator Clinton's forte. We'll be watching to see how she adapts to her role as supporting actor when President Obama takes center stage.

Bishop Bashes Bush

In other transition news, the president-elect is calling upon Gene Robinson, the Episcopal Church's only openly gay bishop, to jump-start inaugural activities with an invocation on Sunday afternoon.

Bishop Robinson has talked about the need for unity, but his notion of E Pluribus Unum is somewhat untraditional. In a prayer published in GQ magazine, Robinson wished Mr. Obama the best and bashed President Bush, saying, "Give him a quiet heart, for our ship of state needs a steady, calm captain for these times, not a fierce warrior who knee-jerk reacts to every real or perceived threat."

And all along I thought pastors were supposed to spread the love of God, not fan the flames of partisan hatred! Silly me.

Lawsuit Is a "Hoot"

A Texas man's professional dreams are shattered and he's taking action. Nikolai Grushevski is taking Hooters to court, charging that the restaurant chain refused to hire him as a Hooters Girl on account of his gender.

Hooters has withstood similar charges in the past, settling a previous case for $3.75 million. A company spokesperson responded to the latest suit by saying, "If we lose this go around, you can next expect hairy legged guys in the Rockettes to line-up and male models in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue."

Now there's a lovely image to leave you with....