Corn-a-Hole is a GREAT idea!
The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers shot up 3% in May from the previous month and is up 24% over the past year. Crop prices increased 2.1% and livestock prices are up 3.9% as higher feed costs are working through animal production. Farmers received higher prices for milk, hogs, hay and broilers. Lower prices were received for vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower, and for cattle. Prices paid by farmers rose less sharply, adding 0.6% for the month and 6% over the past year. Farmers paid more for hay & forages, gasoline, and fertilizers. Feed supplements, complete feeds, diesel fuel and feeder cattle cost less in May.
Bon Appetit!!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Really, Really, Really Big Case for WI Supremes
This is a major case. Watch it carefully.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to decide whether the state incorrectly charged sales tax on a companywide software package installed by the Menasha Corp. in the 1990s, a widely followed case that could result in hundreds of millions of dollars of refunds to firms across the state.
That'll blow a hole in DarthDoyle's Fantasyland budget...about $350 million worth.
The case is a test of the definition of modified software under Wisconsin law.
Modified software is not subject to sales tax, whereas off-the-shelf programs, such as those sold in boxes at retail outlets, are taxed.
In the Menasha case, the company purchased a multimillion-dollar software package from the German company SAP in the mid-1990s and then adapted it for its own uses.
Menasha, based in Neenah, is a privately held company that has sales of about $850 million annually making packaging at plants across the United States.
The state imposed a sales tax on the purchase, which Menasha paid and then appealed. The state Tax Appeals Commission ruled in favor of Menasha, but Dane County Circuit Judge Steven D. Ebert later ruled that the Wisconsin Department of Revenue was correct in assessing the sales tax.
Earlier this year, the Court of Appeals in Madison reversed Ebert's ruling and said the tax should not have been assessed.
Menasha contends that its modifications were substantial enough so that "package" does not apply. This ain't like TurboTax. SAP software requires significant tailoring for most installations; IIRC, a Milwaukee-area company spent over 4 years rewriting and tweaking code to get the system up and running.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to decide whether the state incorrectly charged sales tax on a companywide software package installed by the Menasha Corp. in the 1990s, a widely followed case that could result in hundreds of millions of dollars of refunds to firms across the state.
That'll blow a hole in DarthDoyle's Fantasyland budget...about $350 million worth.
The case is a test of the definition of modified software under Wisconsin law.
Modified software is not subject to sales tax, whereas off-the-shelf programs, such as those sold in boxes at retail outlets, are taxed.
In the Menasha case, the company purchased a multimillion-dollar software package from the German company SAP in the mid-1990s and then adapted it for its own uses.
Menasha, based in Neenah, is a privately held company that has sales of about $850 million annually making packaging at plants across the United States.
The state imposed a sales tax on the purchase, which Menasha paid and then appealed. The state Tax Appeals Commission ruled in favor of Menasha, but Dane County Circuit Judge Steven D. Ebert later ruled that the Wisconsin Department of Revenue was correct in assessing the sales tax.
Earlier this year, the Court of Appeals in Madison reversed Ebert's ruling and said the tax should not have been assessed.
Menasha contends that its modifications were substantial enough so that "package" does not apply. This ain't like TurboTax. SAP software requires significant tailoring for most installations; IIRC, a Milwaukee-area company spent over 4 years rewriting and tweaking code to get the system up and running.
Deloitte: Milwaukee's Not All Bad; JS Reporter Doesn't Get It
Well, if you don't count taxes and a "listless" population-increase projection, the area is not a bad place to set up business.
Here's an interesting paragraph from the JSOnline report:
With 2.1% of its work force employed as scientists and engineers, metro Milwaukee trailed some of the rival regions only by narrow margins. It compared with 2.5% for Minneapolis and 2.3% for Charlotte - both big university towns - but lagged the 3.5% for Austin.
....and Austin, home of the University of Texas-Austin, is NOT a 'big university town'?
A better way to look at those numbers is as follows:
'...Minneapolis, home to 3M Corp and Medtronics, Charlotte, the "Research Triangle" town, and Austin, which houses a major IBM installation...'
See, people go where the JOBS are--not to "college towns."
Here's an interesting paragraph from the JSOnline report:
With 2.1% of its work force employed as scientists and engineers, metro Milwaukee trailed some of the rival regions only by narrow margins. It compared with 2.5% for Minneapolis and 2.3% for Charlotte - both big university towns - but lagged the 3.5% for Austin.
....and Austin, home of the University of Texas-Austin, is NOT a 'big university town'?
A better way to look at those numbers is as follows:
'...Minneapolis, home to 3M Corp and Medtronics, Charlotte, the "Research Triangle" town, and Austin, which houses a major IBM installation...'
See, people go where the JOBS are--not to "college towns."
Spineless Republicans Caving at Joint Finance
Just a small paragraph describing Joint Finance Committee proceedings today:
There was no challenge to the $20 jump in the $55 annual vehicle registration fee.
That means that NO REPUBLICAN objected to this 36.3% increase in fees.
Maybe a good slap across the chops would help them understand?
MEYER (Eagle River) RHOADES (Hudson) SUDER (Abbotsford) KESTELL (Elkhart Lake) STONE (Greenfield) VOS (Racine) DARLING (Mequon) OLSEN (Berlin)
There was no challenge to the $20 jump in the $55 annual vehicle registration fee.
That means that NO REPUBLICAN objected to this 36.3% increase in fees.
Maybe a good slap across the chops would help them understand?
MEYER (Eagle River) RHOADES (Hudson) SUDER (Abbotsford) KESTELL (Elkhart Lake) STONE (Greenfield) VOS (Racine) DARLING (Mequon) OLSEN (Berlin)
On Beauty from a Legitimate Liturgist
A nice take on the (Aristotelian-derived) component of Beauty in the Liturgy from a legitimate practitioner of the liturgical arts who comments on Sacramentum Caritatis, B-16's encyclical:
We are reminded of much by the words of the Holy Father, that the beauty of the liturgy has nothing to do with us personally, for indeed the liturgy is not at all about us personally, but rather about Christ and his sacrifice for us.
Beauty in the liturgy has been misunderstood by many who seek an encounter with Jesus on their own terms in order to fulfill some pre-supposed need or desire, [which is] an approach that seeks to fabricate beauty much like selecting paint and drapes for a bedroom.
Beauty is not accidental, but essential to the liturgy, for Beauty is an attribute of Christ himself. Contrary to the cliché, Beauty is not in the eye of the beholder. It is not relative, but absolute. So often we [mistakenly] approach Holy Mass as we might a group therapy session-- to be caressed and affirmed by music, or kind, encouraging words “shared” in a homily. When our expectations are not met, we claim the Mass “had nothing for us”.
The truth of the matter, however, was that our own expectations blurred our ability to encounter and be encountered.
...Pope Benedict’s comments make plain that the liturgy is nothing of our own making. It is through the activity of God himself whereby we encounter the living Christ, the very foundation of our worship.
To be a Christian, and especially a Catholic Christian, means oftentimes to be counter-cultural. That is, the Church and her worship do not conform to popular culture -- the liturgy, the Pope observes, can not be held hostage by the latest trends. Thus, Roman Catholic worship, the Mass in the Roman Rite, does not reflect “current fashion”, neither in language nor music. It does not arise from the norms of popular culture nor should it be manipulated to reflect them.
The term "cosmic worship" is applicable to the Mass, and nothing less should be accepted.
Recently, a parish was asked to mimic the Elmbrook Church's "worship style" (at least in terms of adding 'greeters' and instituting "praise groups" of singers, etc.)
Nothing could display a greater ignorance of the Church and its liturgical theology and practice (except, perhaps, granting the wishes expressed in the letter.)
Referring to Para 42 of the Pope's letter:
Pope Benedict makes three main points: the importance of the heritage of Roman Catholic sacred music, the importance of careful selection of sacred music to accompany the celebration of the sacred mysteries, and the pre-eminence of Gregorian chant in the sacred music repertoire.
Roman Catholic sacred music arises not only from Holy Scripture, but is linked by tradition to the ancient music of the early church, finding its basis in the music of Hebrew temple worship. Catholic sacred music did not appear from a vacuum. Its origins are clearly traceable from the ancient Israelites to chant forms, to polyphonic music of two and more voices, unison and multi-part hymns and canticles arising from Scriptural models, to contemporary motets and choral works building upon and developing from the tradition of Renaissance polyphonic masters.
It is important to note that what is referred to here is not the development of secular song forms, but specifically sacred music forms. In the progression of music history, secular forms develop alongside sacred forms, sometimes, as today, intertwining.
This goes to the meaning of Pius X's phrase: "...raising the mind AND the heart to God"; the conjunction is extremely important. Sacred music must (repeat, MUST) raise the mind as well as the heart, and raise them to God--or it is not sacred music. It may be nice--but it's not what's required.
Plenty more at the link.
HT: ChristusVincit
We are reminded of much by the words of the Holy Father, that the beauty of the liturgy has nothing to do with us personally, for indeed the liturgy is not at all about us personally, but rather about Christ and his sacrifice for us.
Beauty in the liturgy has been misunderstood by many who seek an encounter with Jesus on their own terms in order to fulfill some pre-supposed need or desire, [which is] an approach that seeks to fabricate beauty much like selecting paint and drapes for a bedroom.
Beauty is not accidental, but essential to the liturgy, for Beauty is an attribute of Christ himself. Contrary to the cliché, Beauty is not in the eye of the beholder. It is not relative, but absolute. So often we [mistakenly] approach Holy Mass as we might a group therapy session-- to be caressed and affirmed by music, or kind, encouraging words “shared” in a homily. When our expectations are not met, we claim the Mass “had nothing for us”.
The truth of the matter, however, was that our own expectations blurred our ability to encounter and be encountered.
...Pope Benedict’s comments make plain that the liturgy is nothing of our own making. It is through the activity of God himself whereby we encounter the living Christ, the very foundation of our worship.
To be a Christian, and especially a Catholic Christian, means oftentimes to be counter-cultural. That is, the Church and her worship do not conform to popular culture -- the liturgy, the Pope observes, can not be held hostage by the latest trends. Thus, Roman Catholic worship, the Mass in the Roman Rite, does not reflect “current fashion”, neither in language nor music. It does not arise from the norms of popular culture nor should it be manipulated to reflect them.
The term "cosmic worship" is applicable to the Mass, and nothing less should be accepted.
Recently, a parish was asked to mimic the Elmbrook Church's "worship style" (at least in terms of adding 'greeters' and instituting "praise groups" of singers, etc.)
Nothing could display a greater ignorance of the Church and its liturgical theology and practice (except, perhaps, granting the wishes expressed in the letter.)
Referring to Para 42 of the Pope's letter:
Pope Benedict makes three main points: the importance of the heritage of Roman Catholic sacred music, the importance of careful selection of sacred music to accompany the celebration of the sacred mysteries, and the pre-eminence of Gregorian chant in the sacred music repertoire.
Roman Catholic sacred music arises not only from Holy Scripture, but is linked by tradition to the ancient music of the early church, finding its basis in the music of Hebrew temple worship. Catholic sacred music did not appear from a vacuum. Its origins are clearly traceable from the ancient Israelites to chant forms, to polyphonic music of two and more voices, unison and multi-part hymns and canticles arising from Scriptural models, to contemporary motets and choral works building upon and developing from the tradition of Renaissance polyphonic masters.
It is important to note that what is referred to here is not the development of secular song forms, but specifically sacred music forms. In the progression of music history, secular forms develop alongside sacred forms, sometimes, as today, intertwining.
The Holy Father does not skirt the issue as many have by claiming music is merely a matter of taste. Certainly, he instructs, we can not say that one song is as good as another. “Praise choruses” and much of what we blithely term “contemporary Christian” music has arisen outside living liturgical tradition of Roman Catholicism, and as such, does not comprehend the liturgical seasons and less so the concept of religious mystery. Finding its origins in non-Catholic, non-liturgical surroundings, devoid of mystery, stripped of tradition, often lacking any distinct creed or body of doctrine, the “contemporary Christian” genre is hardly a perfect match for the celebration of the Mass in the Roman Rite
...Instead of deepening true devotion and expounding upon sacred mystery, it detracts from the celebration, making itself the focus as a means whereby the faithful are caused to succumb to a primitive emotional response. Sacred music within the Roman Catholic context must enhance worship, enabling a deeper participation in the transcending sacrifice of Calvary made real and present to us in the Holy Mass. Music of the Praise and Worship genre by its very nature is designed as a “stand-alone” worship experience within a context of an assembly of non-Catholics who have no Mass, who have no Eucharist,...This goes to the meaning of Pius X's phrase: "...raising the mind AND the heart to God"; the conjunction is extremely important. Sacred music must (repeat, MUST) raise the mind as well as the heart, and raise them to God--or it is not sacred music. It may be nice--but it's not what's required.
Plenty more at the link.
HT: ChristusVincit
Denying Reality: Military Style
Un-friggin'-beLIEVable.
Brit Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig liked cavalry and infantry. Liked that disciplined frontal assault a lot, too (think the Brits during the American Revolution.)
Well, it cost the British Army 60,000 casualties at the Somme, on the FIRST day of the battle. Machine guns, you know, old chap.
But Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig didn't get it--so in the ensuing 120 days, another 340,000 Brit casualties were taken.
And he STILL thought that the horses and infantry were here to stay:
As late as 1926 --years after the horror of World War I ended -- Haig still clung to old-world notions of warfare. He wrote the following, which I reproduce because it is so unbelievable, so astonishing, that it makes one wonder how the human race ever got as far as it has:
"I believe that the value of the horse and the opportunity for the horse in the future are likely to be as great as ever. Aeroplanes and tanks are only accessories to the men and the horse, and I feel sure that as time goes on you find just as much use for the horse -- the well-bred horse -- as you have ever done in the past."
Well, for the "well-bred horse," there IS the Kentucky Derby.
And 'boots on the ground' are still with us. But they don't march in neat, broad, lines against automatic weapons, Sir Field Marshal.
(Source: The Rude Awakening)
Brit Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig liked cavalry and infantry. Liked that disciplined frontal assault a lot, too (think the Brits during the American Revolution.)
Well, it cost the British Army 60,000 casualties at the Somme, on the FIRST day of the battle. Machine guns, you know, old chap.
But Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig didn't get it--so in the ensuing 120 days, another 340,000 Brit casualties were taken.
And he STILL thought that the horses and infantry were here to stay:
As late as 1926 --years after the horror of World War I ended -- Haig still clung to old-world notions of warfare. He wrote the following, which I reproduce because it is so unbelievable, so astonishing, that it makes one wonder how the human race ever got as far as it has:
"I believe that the value of the horse and the opportunity for the horse in the future are likely to be as great as ever. Aeroplanes and tanks are only accessories to the men and the horse, and I feel sure that as time goes on you find just as much use for the horse -- the well-bred horse -- as you have ever done in the past."
Well, for the "well-bred horse," there IS the Kentucky Derby.
And 'boots on the ground' are still with us. But they don't march in neat, broad, lines against automatic weapons, Sir Field Marshal.
(Source: The Rude Awakening)
Schlafly on the Immigration Bill
Phyllis Schlafly is clear, concise, and to-the-point. Too bad that Our President is busy calling names to actually read the damn fool bill.
The Kennedy-Kyl (K-K) Amnesty bill should be titled An Act to Destroy the Republican Party because it pits President Bush against the majority of the Party that elected him. When Senator Ted Kennedy appeared as the centerpiece of the photo-op announcing it, that told the grassroots all they needed to know about the politics of the deal trumpeted as bipartisan.
The Bush Administration has been tone deaf about how offensive are the words comprehensive and compromise. The American people want border security that we can see with our own eyes on television, and they are ready to defeat and disdain Members of Congress who vote for a package deal that contains amnesty and guest worker proposals.
Despite denials, the K-K bill is amnesty. It will give 12 to 20 million illegal aliens exactly what they want, namely, the legal right to remain in the United States by being immediately given a probationary visa.
The K-K bill increases legal migration by at least 50 percent over the next decade by granting green cards to all the remote relatives who are in the chain migration categories, a number estimated at 750,000 to 900,000 a year (triple the current number of 250,000). Giving green cards to millions of additional relatives ensures that legal immigration will continue to grow as this larger pool of permanent residents brings in spouses.
The K-K bill will bring into our country at least 400,000 guest workers per year. That's twice the number in last year's unacceptable Senate bill.
The K-K bill claims that benchmarks must be met before amnesty/guest-worker provisions go into effect. But the benchmarks do not require that we have closed the border, do not require that all the fence be built which Congress mandated last October, do not require that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implement the entry-exit visa system so we can know if visitors and guest workers actually leave, do not require employee verification, and do not require that DHS deport absconders (the 600,000 aliens who have already been ordered deported).
The only thing the bill actually requires is that DHS speedily process amnesty applications and green cards for chain migration.
[Yah. That'll work. DHS' "capabilities" are exemplified by its outstanding response to the woman who questioned the activities of the Middle-Eastern "Rock Band" on a flight--and its outstanding "absconder" followups (see above.)]
The K-K bill authorizes 4,000 new Border Patrol agents, but doesn't require that they be actually trained or deployed. It's difficult to hire and keep Border Patrol agents because of the way some have been prosecuted and sentenced to long prison terms after intercepting professional drug smugglers bringing in vans of illegal drugs.
Another benchmark is that "tools" will be provided to prevent illegals from getting jobs, including requirements for ID standards and an employee verification system. But there is no requirement that anybody actually use the tools.
The costs of the K-K bill are mind-boggling, and the Senate has made no attempt to estimate or figure out how to pay them. The Heritage Foundation's Robert Rector puts a potential price tag on this bill of $2.5 trillion, which is five times the cost of the Iraq war!
Rector gave the House Judiciary Committee detailed testimony setting forth how he arrived at this figure. At least 60 percent of illegal aliens lack a high school diploma, which means they will work low-wage jobs, pay little or no income tax, and be heavy users of our schools and means-tested social benefits such as Medicaid, school lunches, WIC, subsidized housing, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and free legal counsel.
Fiscal costs would go up dramatically after amnesty recipients reach retirement. Each elderly low-skill immigrant imposes a net cost (benefits minus taxes) on U.S. taxpayers of about $17,000 per year. These costs would hit Social Security and Medicare at the very time Social Security is expected to go into crisis.
Section 413 calls on Congress to "accelerate the implementation" of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) (announced by Bush at Waco in 2005) so that the U.S. can "improve the standard of living in Mexico." Do U.S. taxpayers want to take on the awesome economic burden of solving poverty problems in Mexico?
[I'm sure that the Mexicans will be very pleased to have Congress meddling in THEIR internal affairs, too!]
The K-K bill states that we want to increase access to credit for "poor and under served populations in Mexico," and expand efforts "to reduce the transaction costs of remittance flows" from the U.S. to Mexico (now running at $23 billion a year).
The K-K bill also puts us into a "partnership" with Mexico for "increasing health care access for poor and under served populations in Mexico," for "assisting Mexico in increasing its emergency and trauma health care facilities," and for "expanding prenatal care" in the border region. It looks like Robert Rector's estimates are only the start of the costs that will put a truly incredible burden on American taxpayers.
And Schlafly doesn't even touch the H1-B/L-1 controversies, wherein Bill Gates (inter alia) has threatened to "leave the USA" if he can't increase H1-B (read: cheap) labor quotas.
The Kennedy-Kyl (K-K) Amnesty bill should be titled An Act to Destroy the Republican Party because it pits President Bush against the majority of the Party that elected him. When Senator Ted Kennedy appeared as the centerpiece of the photo-op announcing it, that told the grassroots all they needed to know about the politics of the deal trumpeted as bipartisan.
The Bush Administration has been tone deaf about how offensive are the words comprehensive and compromise. The American people want border security that we can see with our own eyes on television, and they are ready to defeat and disdain Members of Congress who vote for a package deal that contains amnesty and guest worker proposals.
Despite denials, the K-K bill is amnesty. It will give 12 to 20 million illegal aliens exactly what they want, namely, the legal right to remain in the United States by being immediately given a probationary visa.
The K-K bill increases legal migration by at least 50 percent over the next decade by granting green cards to all the remote relatives who are in the chain migration categories, a number estimated at 750,000 to 900,000 a year (triple the current number of 250,000). Giving green cards to millions of additional relatives ensures that legal immigration will continue to grow as this larger pool of permanent residents brings in spouses.
The K-K bill will bring into our country at least 400,000 guest workers per year. That's twice the number in last year's unacceptable Senate bill.
The K-K bill claims that benchmarks must be met before amnesty/guest-worker provisions go into effect. But the benchmarks do not require that we have closed the border, do not require that all the fence be built which Congress mandated last October, do not require that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implement the entry-exit visa system so we can know if visitors and guest workers actually leave, do not require employee verification, and do not require that DHS deport absconders (the 600,000 aliens who have already been ordered deported).
The only thing the bill actually requires is that DHS speedily process amnesty applications and green cards for chain migration.
[Yah. That'll work. DHS' "capabilities" are exemplified by its outstanding response to the woman who questioned the activities of the Middle-Eastern "Rock Band" on a flight--and its outstanding "absconder" followups (see above.)]
The K-K bill authorizes 4,000 new Border Patrol agents, but doesn't require that they be actually trained or deployed. It's difficult to hire and keep Border Patrol agents because of the way some have been prosecuted and sentenced to long prison terms after intercepting professional drug smugglers bringing in vans of illegal drugs.
Another benchmark is that "tools" will be provided to prevent illegals from getting jobs, including requirements for ID standards and an employee verification system. But there is no requirement that anybody actually use the tools.
The costs of the K-K bill are mind-boggling, and the Senate has made no attempt to estimate or figure out how to pay them. The Heritage Foundation's Robert Rector puts a potential price tag on this bill of $2.5 trillion, which is five times the cost of the Iraq war!
Rector gave the House Judiciary Committee detailed testimony setting forth how he arrived at this figure. At least 60 percent of illegal aliens lack a high school diploma, which means they will work low-wage jobs, pay little or no income tax, and be heavy users of our schools and means-tested social benefits such as Medicaid, school lunches, WIC, subsidized housing, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and free legal counsel.
Fiscal costs would go up dramatically after amnesty recipients reach retirement. Each elderly low-skill immigrant imposes a net cost (benefits minus taxes) on U.S. taxpayers of about $17,000 per year. These costs would hit Social Security and Medicare at the very time Social Security is expected to go into crisis.
Section 413 calls on Congress to "accelerate the implementation" of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) (announced by Bush at Waco in 2005) so that the U.S. can "improve the standard of living in Mexico." Do U.S. taxpayers want to take on the awesome economic burden of solving poverty problems in Mexico?
[I'm sure that the Mexicans will be very pleased to have Congress meddling in THEIR internal affairs, too!]
The K-K bill states that we want to increase access to credit for "poor and under served populations in Mexico," and expand efforts "to reduce the transaction costs of remittance flows" from the U.S. to Mexico (now running at $23 billion a year).
The K-K bill also puts us into a "partnership" with Mexico for "increasing health care access for poor and under served populations in Mexico," for "assisting Mexico in increasing its emergency and trauma health care facilities," and for "expanding prenatal care" in the border region. It looks like Robert Rector's estimates are only the start of the costs that will put a truly incredible burden on American taxpayers.
And Schlafly doesn't even touch the H1-B/L-1 controversies, wherein Bill Gates (inter alia) has threatened to "leave the USA" if he can't increase H1-B (read: cheap) labor quotas.
WSJ v. NRO: Not Pistols, But a Debate?
Heh.
We hereby challenge the Journal’s editors to debate the immigration bill in a neutral venue with a moderator of their choosing — two or three of us versus any two or three of them. We propose to do it in Washington next week so it will have the maximum impact on the Senate’s consideration of the most sweeping immigration reform in decades (time and place to be worked out in a mutually satisfactory fashion).
It shouldn’t be a problem for the Journal’s editors to take up this challenge, since opponents of the bill aren’t “rational” on the question, have no arguments, and are “foaming at the mouth,” as they explained in a videotaped session of one of their editorial meetings last week. Click here to watch — you have to see it to believe it.
We urge them to come out of the shadows, and hope defending the bill in this forum is not another one of those jobs that no American will do. (We would challenge President Bush himself to a debate on behalf of the conservatives he has maligned, but we fear he hasn’t read the bill.)
So who at the Journal is willing to debate the merits of the legislation rather than cast aspersions from afar? We await the answer. To keep us posted in the meantime, we hope they videotape their consideration of this challenge
The WSJ editors may not bring their seconds: Big Ag, the Fortune 50, Big Tech, and Housewives-With-Maids.
HT: Hot Air
We hereby challenge the Journal’s editors to debate the immigration bill in a neutral venue with a moderator of their choosing — two or three of us versus any two or three of them. We propose to do it in Washington next week so it will have the maximum impact on the Senate’s consideration of the most sweeping immigration reform in decades (time and place to be worked out in a mutually satisfactory fashion).
It shouldn’t be a problem for the Journal’s editors to take up this challenge, since opponents of the bill aren’t “rational” on the question, have no arguments, and are “foaming at the mouth,” as they explained in a videotaped session of one of their editorial meetings last week. Click here to watch — you have to see it to believe it.
We urge them to come out of the shadows, and hope defending the bill in this forum is not another one of those jobs that no American will do. (We would challenge President Bush himself to a debate on behalf of the conservatives he has maligned, but we fear he hasn’t read the bill.)
So who at the Journal is willing to debate the merits of the legislation rather than cast aspersions from afar? We await the answer. To keep us posted in the meantime, we hope they videotape their consideration of this challenge
The WSJ editors may not bring their seconds: Big Ag, the Fortune 50, Big Tech, and Housewives-With-Maids.
HT: Hot Air
Confirmed: Mayor Barrett is WRONG
Yesterday we observed that the Mayor of Milwaukee's statement on SB104 was possibly inaccurate.
Today I can tell you that it was, indeed, inaccurate.
Here's the newspaper summary:
Barrett said the bill is needed to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill, teenagers and those with felony and domestic violence convictions.
Wrong-o, Tom. Wisconsin is one of 27 States which DO NOT SUBMIT mental-health records to the Federal NCIS database.
Fortunately, Sen. Alberta Darling (R) is trying to retroactively save the Mayor's bacon by proposing legislation to remedy this deficiency. (A story not mentioned in the online JS today.)
By the way--it was Jim Doyle who VETOED that legislation last session, while he was VETOING concealed-carry.
Today I can tell you that it was, indeed, inaccurate.
Here's the newspaper summary:
Barrett said the bill is needed to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill, teenagers and those with felony and domestic violence convictions.
Wrong-o, Tom. Wisconsin is one of 27 States which DO NOT SUBMIT mental-health records to the Federal NCIS database.
Fortunately, Sen. Alberta Darling (R) is trying to retroactively save the Mayor's bacon by proposing legislation to remedy this deficiency. (A story not mentioned in the online JS today.)
By the way--it was Jim Doyle who VETOED that legislation last session, while he was VETOING concealed-carry.
The Canard on Fred Thompson--Why It's Irrelevant
Here's a line you'll hear and see a lot regarding Fred:
My issue with Thompson has nothing to do with him personally, but that he lacks executive experience
(This was from Phil Klein's blog-entry for the American Spectator blogsite.)
To borrow the Perry Mason line, that's "irrelevant and immaterial," Your Honor.
We've had good experiences with ex-Governors in the Presidency--and notably bad experiences.
The question is not "executive experience." The question is whether Fred Thompson has a cohesive vision for the country, in domestic AND foreign affairs, grounded (respectively) in the Constitution and in reality, which he can clearly and consistently articulate.
The other important question is whether Thompson can attract and retain the talent at Cabinet-level to execute the policies flowing from the vision. This particular question cannot be answered by any candidate at this time; but the last several years have taught us that it is, indeed, important.
Let's go a little farther: the candidate who succeeds in the '08 election will be the one whose vision transcends "party" politics and engages the imagination and consent of the population.
My issue with Thompson has nothing to do with him personally, but that he lacks executive experience
(This was from Phil Klein's blog-entry for the American Spectator blogsite.)
To borrow the Perry Mason line, that's "irrelevant and immaterial," Your Honor.
We've had good experiences with ex-Governors in the Presidency--and notably bad experiences.
The question is not "executive experience." The question is whether Fred Thompson has a cohesive vision for the country, in domestic AND foreign affairs, grounded (respectively) in the Constitution and in reality, which he can clearly and consistently articulate.
The other important question is whether Thompson can attract and retain the talent at Cabinet-level to execute the policies flowing from the vision. This particular question cannot be answered by any candidate at this time; but the last several years have taught us that it is, indeed, important.
Let's go a little farther: the candidate who succeeds in the '08 election will be the one whose vision transcends "party" politics and engages the imagination and consent of the population.
Candidates May Speak Frankly
Running for judge in Wisconsin?
Feel free to have an opinion--or actually believe something.
Wisconsin Right to Life, an anti-abortion group, and eight state residents filed a lawsuit in December challenging two ethics rules that prohibit judges and judicial candidates from making public statements that would appear to commit them in an issue or making pledges, promises or commitments that would compromise their impartiality.
The group and the residents filed the suit after several judicial candidates declined to answer a questionnaire about how they would interpret abortion laws.
U.S. District Judge John Shabaz ruled Tuesday the rule preventing public statements is too broad and unconstitutional.
A judge or a candidate can disclose opinions as long as he or she doesn't clearly commit to a decision, which Shabaz suggested would be statements such as "I will" or "I will not."
"Phrases like 'I believe' or 'It is my opinion' signal the absence of commitment," Shabaz wrote.
It's my opinion that sunlight is a good disinfectant.
Feel free to have an opinion--or actually believe something.
Wisconsin Right to Life, an anti-abortion group, and eight state residents filed a lawsuit in December challenging two ethics rules that prohibit judges and judicial candidates from making public statements that would appear to commit them in an issue or making pledges, promises or commitments that would compromise their impartiality.
The group and the residents filed the suit after several judicial candidates declined to answer a questionnaire about how they would interpret abortion laws.
U.S. District Judge John Shabaz ruled Tuesday the rule preventing public statements is too broad and unconstitutional.
A judge or a candidate can disclose opinions as long as he or she doesn't clearly commit to a decision, which Shabaz suggested would be statements such as "I will" or "I will not."
"Phrases like 'I believe' or 'It is my opinion' signal the absence of commitment," Shabaz wrote.
It's my opinion that sunlight is a good disinfectant.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Remembering Harry John
Harry was idiosyncratic, as mentioned by Tom Roeser. A great story:
I remember I made several visits to his estate in behalf of a right-to-life organization I headed for some years-“Friends for Life.” The ritual could easily be turned into a hilarious comic novel by Evelyn Waugh. There was scant possibility of talking to him as he was in the chapel saying his prayers. Letters sent to him went generally unanswered. The one shot you had to communicate with him was at Mass at the point in the Sacrifice of General Intercessions. At that point the priest can choose to invite the worshipers to express aloud their request for God’s help. I remember attending several times and at the Intercessions expressing loud enough that the old man could hear it…as he stood with his head bowed…the need for financial help for this particular charity. The game was that if you made an impression at General Intercessions with your loudly expressed verbal prayer so that Harry John (if not God Almighty) would hear it, you might be invited by a functionary to attend the brunch in company with others.
At the brunch you maneuvered delicately to try to get a seat near the Font of all Generosity. I recall thinking that I had almost nabbed a seat next to His Honor only to have it snatched away with a superb football player’s block by a nun who also gave me the elbow which reeled me off balance. As it turned out, she was Mother Angelica, the soon-to-be-world-famous entrepreneur of the cable network “Eternal Word” which made her a household figure in Catholic circles…she building the network, stemming from initial Harry John grants to one of the most powerful religious stations in the country.
The experience of Mother Angelica which was also felt by Cdl. Mahony...
The rest of the story on Harry follows.
There was the case when John commissioned a treasure hunt for sunken ships plus risky investments in gold futures and junk bonds. Mrs. John and Gallagher filed a lawsuit in Milwaukee county circuit court to have John removed as a De Rance director. After a five month trial, the judge announced the plaintiffs had proven their allegations
Roeser does not mention that the "treasure hunt" actually paid off--the find was worth well over $50 million; but the claim had been sold off by Ms. John and Mr. Gallagher and the attorney in the case.
This was a very controversial ruling, even among disinterested attorneys. It represented something of a change in public policy regarding one's own fortune.
I remember I made several visits to his estate in behalf of a right-to-life organization I headed for some years-“Friends for Life.” The ritual could easily be turned into a hilarious comic novel by Evelyn Waugh. There was scant possibility of talking to him as he was in the chapel saying his prayers. Letters sent to him went generally unanswered. The one shot you had to communicate with him was at Mass at the point in the Sacrifice of General Intercessions. At that point the priest can choose to invite the worshipers to express aloud their request for God’s help. I remember attending several times and at the Intercessions expressing loud enough that the old man could hear it…as he stood with his head bowed…the need for financial help for this particular charity. The game was that if you made an impression at General Intercessions with your loudly expressed verbal prayer so that Harry John (if not God Almighty) would hear it, you might be invited by a functionary to attend the brunch in company with others.
At the brunch you maneuvered delicately to try to get a seat near the Font of all Generosity. I recall thinking that I had almost nabbed a seat next to His Honor only to have it snatched away with a superb football player’s block by a nun who also gave me the elbow which reeled me off balance. As it turned out, she was Mother Angelica, the soon-to-be-world-famous entrepreneur of the cable network “Eternal Word” which made her a household figure in Catholic circles…she building the network, stemming from initial Harry John grants to one of the most powerful religious stations in the country.
The experience of Mother Angelica which was also felt by Cdl. Mahony...
The rest of the story on Harry follows.
There was the case when John commissioned a treasure hunt for sunken ships plus risky investments in gold futures and junk bonds. Mrs. John and Gallagher filed a lawsuit in Milwaukee county circuit court to have John removed as a De Rance director. After a five month trial, the judge announced the plaintiffs had proven their allegations
Roeser does not mention that the "treasure hunt" actually paid off--the find was worth well over $50 million; but the claim had been sold off by Ms. John and Mr. Gallagher and the attorney in the case.
This was a very controversial ruling, even among disinterested attorneys. It represented something of a change in public policy regarding one's own fortune.
The Other Life of a Liturgeist; Anti-Catholicism, Again
Methinks the pastor is a prudent fellow.
UPDATE: this incident was played by all three Milwaukee TV channels (complete with live interviews) and has gone national via AP. The amount of vitriol and ignorant remarks directed at this parish priest is incredible. Charlie's program carried a "Bible-believing" woman who actually stated that 'the Bible [approves] of [sex toys] in marriage.'
All the coverage that I saw was sympathetic to the woman, perhaps partly because the parish priest did not make himself available for interviews and issued the standard "personnel matter" statement in writing.
But like the Xavier HS case, (see also here and here) the coverage is really anti-Catholic. Which is why I changed the title of this post. Curious, no, that the "wronged" in both these cases is a woman... UPDATE: The Catholic League agrees that (at least BabaWawa) is another anti-Catholic.
When her parish priest asked to meet with her, Linette Servais thought she was going to get a thank-you for her 35 years of service as organist and choir director at St. Joseph Catholic Parish in rural New Franken, near Green Bay.
Instead, she was given an ultimatum - quit her sales job with a company known as Pure Romance or be fired from her church work.
Pure Romance is a $60 million a year business based in Loveland, Ohio, that employs 15,000 consultants who sell spa products and "romance enhancers" - sex toys - at homes parties attended by women. Think Tupperware parties for the bedroom.
Ms. Servais didn't give up all that much:
Servais had worked for years without pay and did not seek any, but in recent times she'd been paid $1,000 a year to direct the choir and play the organ, a skill she learned from her grandmother, who had also played at the church.
The article does tell us how the pastor found out about her, ah, trade:
Servais said Dombroski's request for a meeting came shortly after she displayed some of what she calls spa products at a parish trade show that also featured other home businesses and craft sales.
The good Father may be able to find someone, equally well-trained, for another $1K/year. It's my understanding that the 'side-job' wedding-organist gigs pay well in Green Bay.
HT: The Provincial Emails
UPDATE: this incident was played by all three Milwaukee TV channels (complete with live interviews) and has gone national via AP. The amount of vitriol and ignorant remarks directed at this parish priest is incredible. Charlie's program carried a "Bible-believing" woman who actually stated that 'the Bible [approves] of [sex toys] in marriage.'
All the coverage that I saw was sympathetic to the woman, perhaps partly because the parish priest did not make himself available for interviews and issued the standard "personnel matter" statement in writing.
But like the Xavier HS case, (see also here and here) the coverage is really anti-Catholic. Which is why I changed the title of this post. Curious, no, that the "wronged" in both these cases is a woman... UPDATE: The Catholic League agrees that (at least BabaWawa) is another anti-Catholic.
When her parish priest asked to meet with her, Linette Servais thought she was going to get a thank-you for her 35 years of service as organist and choir director at St. Joseph Catholic Parish in rural New Franken, near Green Bay.
Instead, she was given an ultimatum - quit her sales job with a company known as Pure Romance or be fired from her church work.
Pure Romance is a $60 million a year business based in Loveland, Ohio, that employs 15,000 consultants who sell spa products and "romance enhancers" - sex toys - at homes parties attended by women. Think Tupperware parties for the bedroom.
Ms. Servais didn't give up all that much:
Servais had worked for years without pay and did not seek any, but in recent times she'd been paid $1,000 a year to direct the choir and play the organ, a skill she learned from her grandmother, who had also played at the church.
The article does tell us how the pastor found out about her, ah, trade:
Servais said Dombroski's request for a meeting came shortly after she displayed some of what she calls spa products at a parish trade show that also featured other home businesses and craft sales.
The good Father may be able to find someone, equally well-trained, for another $1K/year. It's my understanding that the 'side-job' wedding-organist gigs pay well in Green Bay.
HT: The Provincial Emails
The Liturgeists Pushed Beckwith Out
Heh.
For someone like me, who was interested in both the spiritual and intellectual grounding of the Christian faith, I didn’t need the “folk Mass” with cute nuns and hip priests playing “Kumbaya” with guitars, tambourines and harmonicas. And it was all badly done.
After all, we listened to the Byrds, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, and we knew the Church just couldn’t compete with them.
But that’s what the Church offered to the young people of my day: lousy pop music and a gutted Mass. If they were trying to make Catholicism unattractive to young and inquisitive Catholics, they were succeeding.
What I needed, and what many of us desired, were intelligent and winsome ambassadors for Christ who knew the intellectual basis for the Catholic faith, respected and understood the solemnity and theological truths behind the liturgy, and could explain the renewal movements in light of these.
So he left.
Gratias a Deo, he also returned.
HT: The New Liturgical Moment
For someone like me, who was interested in both the spiritual and intellectual grounding of the Christian faith, I didn’t need the “folk Mass” with cute nuns and hip priests playing “Kumbaya” with guitars, tambourines and harmonicas. And it was all badly done.
After all, we listened to the Byrds, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, and we knew the Church just couldn’t compete with them.
But that’s what the Church offered to the young people of my day: lousy pop music and a gutted Mass. If they were trying to make Catholicism unattractive to young and inquisitive Catholics, they were succeeding.
What I needed, and what many of us desired, were intelligent and winsome ambassadors for Christ who knew the intellectual basis for the Catholic faith, respected and understood the solemnity and theological truths behind the liturgy, and could explain the renewal movements in light of these.
So he left.
Gratias a Deo, he also returned.
HT: The New Liturgical Moment
Beating the Dead Horse
Now, 10 or so years after the fact, they manage to find 1,000 unhappy people:
More than 1,000 Catholics from all corners of the country have signed a petition protesting Lincoln Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz's actions against members of the Lincoln-based Call to Action Nebraska.
The petition also included criticism of his refusal to participate in the annual nationwide audit to determine whether churches are compliant with church policies regarding sex abuse. It will be delivered to the Lincoln Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church on Friday.
"We are not happy with the way Bishop Bruskewitz has been handling things in the diocese and wanted to draw attention to that," said Rachel Pokora, president of Call to Action Nebraska.
Aaawwwwww, geeee....Looks like somebody wants their daughter married "in the Church."
In an attempt to gain credibility, the group of twits bring up The Audit!!--which Bp. B. has not used since 2003:
Though the Lincoln Diocese participated in the organization's first audit in 2003, it has not participated since and was the only diocese in the country to decline participation in the most recent audit.
"We find this to be very disappointing because we feel the children of Lincoln and the diocese are at risk," said Nicole Sotelo, spokeswoman for the Chicago-based Call to Action U.S.A.
CTA/USA did not provide a listing of abuse incidents in Lincoln. That's because there have been none.
HT: Shaking Off Sleep
More than 1,000 Catholics from all corners of the country have signed a petition protesting Lincoln Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz's actions against members of the Lincoln-based Call to Action Nebraska.
The petition also included criticism of his refusal to participate in the annual nationwide audit to determine whether churches are compliant with church policies regarding sex abuse. It will be delivered to the Lincoln Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church on Friday.
"We are not happy with the way Bishop Bruskewitz has been handling things in the diocese and wanted to draw attention to that," said Rachel Pokora, president of Call to Action Nebraska.
Aaawwwwww, geeee....Looks like somebody wants their daughter married "in the Church."
In an attempt to gain credibility, the group of twits bring up The Audit!!--which Bp. B. has not used since 2003:
Though the Lincoln Diocese participated in the organization's first audit in 2003, it has not participated since and was the only diocese in the country to decline participation in the most recent audit.
"We find this to be very disappointing because we feel the children of Lincoln and the diocese are at risk," said Nicole Sotelo, spokeswoman for the Chicago-based Call to Action U.S.A.
CTA/USA did not provide a listing of abuse incidents in Lincoln. That's because there have been none.
HT: Shaking Off Sleep
YESSSSS!!!! Fred's IN!!
Fred Dalton Thompson is planning to enter the presidential race over the Fourth of July holiday, announcing that week that he has already raised several million dollars and is being backed by insiders from the past three Republican administrations, Thompson advisers told The Politico.
SB 104: Does It Solve the Problem?
The Mayor of Milwaukee testified yesterday in the "showtime" hearing in Milwaukee:
Barrett said the bill is needed to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill, teenagers and those with felony and domestic violence convictions.
Really? The 'mentally ill'?
As we mentioned earlier,
Only 22 states currently submit mental-health information to NICS’ Mental Defective File or its Denied Persons File, according to the FBI.
Maybe Wisconsin is one of those 23 States. (Research is underway.)
Barrett said the bill is needed to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill, teenagers and those with felony and domestic violence convictions.
Really? The 'mentally ill'?
As we mentioned earlier,
Only 22 states currently submit mental-health information to NICS’ Mental Defective File or its Denied Persons File, according to the FBI.
Maybe Wisconsin is one of those 23 States. (Research is underway.)
Reality Check: Governments SPEND TOO MUCH
Yah, hey.
The federal government recorded a $1.3 trillion loss last year — far more than the official $248 billion deficit — when corporate-style accounting standards are used, a USA TODAY analysis shows.
The loss reflects a continued deterioration in the finances of Social Security and government retirement programs for civil servants and military personnel. The loss — equal to $11,434 per household — is more than Americans paid in income taxes in 2006.
Bottom line: Taxpayers are now on the hook for a record $59.1 trillion in liabilities, a 2.3% increase from 2006. That amount is equal to $516,348 for every U.S. household. By comparison, U.S. households owe an average of $112,043 for mortgages, car loans, credit cards and all other debt combined
Unfunded promises made for Medicare, Social Security and federal retirement programs account for 85% of taxpayer liabilities. State and local government retirement plans account for much of the rest.
And Wisconsin's "state and locals" are likely disproportionately represented in the pile.
HT: Grim'sHall
The federal government recorded a $1.3 trillion loss last year — far more than the official $248 billion deficit — when corporate-style accounting standards are used, a USA TODAY analysis shows.
The loss reflects a continued deterioration in the finances of Social Security and government retirement programs for civil servants and military personnel. The loss — equal to $11,434 per household — is more than Americans paid in income taxes in 2006.
Bottom line: Taxpayers are now on the hook for a record $59.1 trillion in liabilities, a 2.3% increase from 2006. That amount is equal to $516,348 for every U.S. household. By comparison, U.S. households owe an average of $112,043 for mortgages, car loans, credit cards and all other debt combined
Unfunded promises made for Medicare, Social Security and federal retirement programs account for 85% of taxpayer liabilities. State and local government retirement plans account for much of the rest.
And Wisconsin's "state and locals" are likely disproportionately represented in the pile.
HT: Grim'sHall
Homeland "Security" ---Who's Kidding Whom?
This is the Department which will be screening immigrants, too.
A declassified report confirms that Annie Jacobsen accurately recounted suspicious activities on a Northwest flight from Detroit to Los Angeles in the summer of 2004, and that a number of Syrians attempted a dry run for a terror attack.
...The Homeland Security personnel involved did not pass the irnformation along to their Operations Center, even though the leader of the group had been involved in a similar incident in January of that year, on Frontier Airlines. It didn't get logged into the HSOC database until the Washington Times reported it on July 26, 2004. By that time, all 12 Syrians had left the country.
TSA, for its part, said that the matter did not merit a referral since all of the passengers could be "cleared". It's fuzzy about why they thought that, since the DHS found a pattern of suspicious activity for eight of the men involved, including a "similar" incident involving the leader five months earlier. His third time, on a trip back from Istanbul, the FBI finally detained him. DHS rejects the TSA excuse, stating categorically that the incident should have been logged into the HSOC and merited further investigation.
Can't even keep their own story straight.
HT: Captain's Quarters
A declassified report confirms that Annie Jacobsen accurately recounted suspicious activities on a Northwest flight from Detroit to Los Angeles in the summer of 2004, and that a number of Syrians attempted a dry run for a terror attack.
...The Homeland Security personnel involved did not pass the irnformation along to their Operations Center, even though the leader of the group had been involved in a similar incident in January of that year, on Frontier Airlines. It didn't get logged into the HSOC database until the Washington Times reported it on July 26, 2004. By that time, all 12 Syrians had left the country.
TSA, for its part, said that the matter did not merit a referral since all of the passengers could be "cleared". It's fuzzy about why they thought that, since the DHS found a pattern of suspicious activity for eight of the men involved, including a "similar" incident involving the leader five months earlier. His third time, on a trip back from Istanbul, the FBI finally detained him. DHS rejects the TSA excuse, stating categorically that the incident should have been logged into the HSOC and merited further investigation.
Can't even keep their own story straight.
HT: Captain's Quarters
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Hypothetical Question
I have a question for you. Strictly hypothetical, of course.
Let's imagine that Criminal A was released from prison about 4 months ago and is suffering from a shortage of cash. And let's imagine that he meets Criminal B, who has been out of prison for about 3 years, has a job running drugs, and a few guns.
Criminal A would like to purchase a gun from Criminal B, to facilitate cooperation from a few future robbery victims.
You suppose that Criminals A & B will carefully observe the following: (?)
1. The transferee has done all of the following:
a. Provided identification to a firearms dealer as required by rule under sub.
(2g) (a).
b. Completed a notification form described under sub. (2g) (b).
c. Provided the firearms dealer the name, address, and telephone number of
the transferor from whom the transferee intends to obtain a handgun.
2. The transferor receives written notification from a firearms dealer that the
dealer requested the department of justice to conduct a firearms restrictions record
search regarding the transferee and either the department issued a unique approval
number for the transferee under sub. (2g) (c) 4. b. or the department did not complete
a firearms restrictions record search within the time period under sub. (2) (d) or (2g)
(c) 4. c.
(b) If the transferee in a transaction to which par. (a) applies requests that a
firearms dealer request a firearms restrictions record search regarding the
transferee, the firearms dealer shall do all of the following:
1. Inspect identification provided by a transferee under par. (a) 1. a. as required
by rule under sub. (2g) (a).
2. Promptly after receiving a completed notification form under par. (a) 1. b.,
convey the information from the completed notification form to the department of
justice as required by rule under sub. (2g) (b) and request a firearms restrictions
records search.
3. Promptly notify the transferor identified under par. (a) 1. c. in writing as
provided by rule under sub. (2g) (c) 5. of an approval or denial issued by the
department of justice under sub. (2g) (c) 4. or of the expiration of an applicable
deadline for completing a firearms restrictions record search under sub. (2) (d) or (2g)
(c) 4. c.
(c) The department of justice shall conduct a firearms restrictions record search
requested by a firearms dealer under par. (b) 2. and notify the dealer of the results
of the search as provided by rule under sub. (2g) (c) 4.
(d) A firearms dealer may charge a transferee the fee under sub. (2i) plus $5
for requesting the department of justice to conduct a firearms restrictions record
search of the transferee under this subsection.
Let's imagine that Criminal A was released from prison about 4 months ago and is suffering from a shortage of cash. And let's imagine that he meets Criminal B, who has been out of prison for about 3 years, has a job running drugs, and a few guns.
Criminal A would like to purchase a gun from Criminal B, to facilitate cooperation from a few future robbery victims.
You suppose that Criminals A & B will carefully observe the following: (?)
1. The transferee has done all of the following:
a. Provided identification to a firearms dealer as required by rule under sub.
(2g) (a).
b. Completed a notification form described under sub. (2g) (b).
c. Provided the firearms dealer the name, address, and telephone number of
the transferor from whom the transferee intends to obtain a handgun.
2. The transferor receives written notification from a firearms dealer that the
dealer requested the department of justice to conduct a firearms restrictions record
search regarding the transferee and either the department issued a unique approval
number for the transferee under sub. (2g) (c) 4. b. or the department did not complete
a firearms restrictions record search within the time period under sub. (2) (d) or (2g)
(c) 4. c.
(b) If the transferee in a transaction to which par. (a) applies requests that a
firearms dealer request a firearms restrictions record search regarding the
transferee, the firearms dealer shall do all of the following:
1. Inspect identification provided by a transferee under par. (a) 1. a. as required
by rule under sub. (2g) (a).
2. Promptly after receiving a completed notification form under par. (a) 1. b.,
convey the information from the completed notification form to the department of
justice as required by rule under sub. (2g) (b) and request a firearms restrictions
records search.
3. Promptly notify the transferor identified under par. (a) 1. c. in writing as
provided by rule under sub. (2g) (c) 5. of an approval or denial issued by the
department of justice under sub. (2g) (c) 4. or of the expiration of an applicable
deadline for completing a firearms restrictions record search under sub. (2) (d) or (2g)
(c) 4. c.
(c) The department of justice shall conduct a firearms restrictions record search
requested by a firearms dealer under par. (b) 2. and notify the dealer of the results
of the search as provided by rule under sub. (2g) (c) 4.
(d) A firearms dealer may charge a transferee the fee under sub. (2i) plus $5
for requesting the department of justice to conduct a firearms restrictions record
search of the transferee under this subsection.
Say what? You don't think so?
Well, Senators COGGS and LEHMAN, not to mention
Representatives YOUNG, GRIGSBY, SINICKI, A. WILLIAMS, ZEPNICK, FIELDS,
STASKUNAS, BERCEAU, TURNER and TOLES
are all absolutely, positively CERTAIN that the above-described niceties will be observed, to the letter, jot, and tittle.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be wasting the time and resources of the State Legislature to "debate" the merits of this fine piece of sausage, would they?
More Immigration Bill Problems
...and if you think the Senate bill is a steaming pile, look what the immigration attorneys' webpage says about the process:
This time, Senate Republicans can be certain that no matter how harsh a bill they craft, the bill will be significantly liberalized in a two step process. First, the House's bill will likely be STRIVE, or something even more generous (and bear in mind that STRIVE is more liberal than McCain-Kennedy in the number of its beneficiaries, in addition to having SKIL, AgJOBS, DREAM, and other goodies).
This time, Senate Republicans can be certain that no matter how harsh a bill they craft, the bill will be significantly liberalized in a two step process. First, the House's bill will likely be STRIVE, or something even more generous (and bear in mind that STRIVE is more liberal than McCain-Kennedy in the number of its beneficiaries, in addition to having SKIL, AgJOBS, DREAM, and other goodies).
Second, the Conference to reconcile the Senate's tough bill with the House's liberal bill will be controlled by Democrats from both chambers, probably Sen. Kennedy and Rep. Conyers. The likely result will be something far more generous than anything the Senate will pass.
That is why Sen. Kyl has to get all the concessions from Sen. Kennedy in the bank now, while the issue is still in the Senate. This way, Sen. Kyl is assured that the final Act will be slightly tougher on enforcement than otherwise. And that is why Sen. Kennedy continues to make concession after concession necessary to move the bill along, knowing full well that during Conference, the CIR bill will become more generous.
To the great credit of the politicians of both parties, they are moving the legislative process forward in the Senate despite strong opposition from both ends of the political spectrum. And the House is doing more than waiting in the wings. As Rep. Hoyer, the House Majority Leader, has already let slip, the House is determined to act on immigration regardless of what the Senate does.
The House's bill, the first glimpse of which should be available during markup in the week of June 4th (the same week that the Senate will finalize its bill), will likely have so much good news that the bar will likely drop its collective jaw! A Conference is, therefore, very likely on this bill even if the Senate bill fails.
The bar should face up to the undeniable fact that our immigration law is broken, and badly in need of a total re-write. That is the process that the Senate has so courageously begun. Those who cannot see the trees of the Senate bill's language for the wood of the legislative process would be well counselled to heed Bismarck's admonition that 'Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made'. Lets make improvements to the extent that is possible as the process unfolds, and prepare for a feast at the end. Bon Appetit!
Of course, when attorneys say "Bon Appetit," it is usually not good news.
The Immigration bar, however, is not concerned so much about unskilled immigrants as they are about 'skilled' immigrants. This means (by and large) software engineers. Microsoft and other tech firms (the chipmakers) argue strenuously that there is a "shortage" of software and computer engineers.
That would be believable if the salaries for such folks were increasing. But they are not--either at the entry-level, nor at "experienced" levels. What's going on is simple: the software and chip manufacturers would like to import lots of cheap labor from India; H1-B visas are the vehicle, and they look to large increases in H1-B authorizations from the House bill.
That will require the assistance of the Immigration bar.
Bon Appetit, indeed.
This time, Senate Republicans can be certain that no matter how harsh a bill they craft, the bill will be significantly liberalized in a two step process. First, the House's bill will likely be STRIVE, or something even more generous (and bear in mind that STRIVE is more liberal than McCain-Kennedy in the number of its beneficiaries, in addition to having SKIL, AgJOBS, DREAM, and other goodies).
This time, Senate Republicans can be certain that no matter how harsh a bill they craft, the bill will be significantly liberalized in a two step process. First, the House's bill will likely be STRIVE, or something even more generous (and bear in mind that STRIVE is more liberal than McCain-Kennedy in the number of its beneficiaries, in addition to having SKIL, AgJOBS, DREAM, and other goodies).
Second, the Conference to reconcile the Senate's tough bill with the House's liberal bill will be controlled by Democrats from both chambers, probably Sen. Kennedy and Rep. Conyers. The likely result will be something far more generous than anything the Senate will pass.
That is why Sen. Kyl has to get all the concessions from Sen. Kennedy in the bank now, while the issue is still in the Senate. This way, Sen. Kyl is assured that the final Act will be slightly tougher on enforcement than otherwise. And that is why Sen. Kennedy continues to make concession after concession necessary to move the bill along, knowing full well that during Conference, the CIR bill will become more generous.
To the great credit of the politicians of both parties, they are moving the legislative process forward in the Senate despite strong opposition from both ends of the political spectrum. And the House is doing more than waiting in the wings. As Rep. Hoyer, the House Majority Leader, has already let slip, the House is determined to act on immigration regardless of what the Senate does.
The House's bill, the first glimpse of which should be available during markup in the week of June 4th (the same week that the Senate will finalize its bill), will likely have so much good news that the bar will likely drop its collective jaw! A Conference is, therefore, very likely on this bill even if the Senate bill fails.
The bar should face up to the undeniable fact that our immigration law is broken, and badly in need of a total re-write. That is the process that the Senate has so courageously begun. Those who cannot see the trees of the Senate bill's language for the wood of the legislative process would be well counselled to heed Bismarck's admonition that 'Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made'. Lets make improvements to the extent that is possible as the process unfolds, and prepare for a feast at the end. Bon Appetit!
Of course, when attorneys say "Bon Appetit," it is usually not good news.
The Immigration bar, however, is not concerned so much about unskilled immigrants as they are about 'skilled' immigrants. This means (by and large) software engineers. Microsoft and other tech firms (the chipmakers) argue strenuously that there is a "shortage" of software and computer engineers.
That would be believable if the salaries for such folks were increasing. But they are not--either at the entry-level, nor at "experienced" levels. What's going on is simple: the software and chip manufacturers would like to import lots of cheap labor from India; H1-B visas are the vehicle, and they look to large increases in H1-B authorizations from the House bill.
That will require the assistance of the Immigration bar.
Bon Appetit, indeed.
The President Talks Tough
Yah, sure, Mr. President.
"A lot of Americans are skeptical about immigration reform, primarily because they don't think the government can fix the problems," Bush said.
"And my answer to the skeptics is: give us a chance to fix the problems in a comprehensive way that enforces our border and treats people with decency and respect. Give us a chance to fix this problem. Don't try to kill this bill before it gets moving," Bush told students and instructors at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
And for SEVEN YEARS you've had the Border Patrol, ICE, etc., under your command...
So why do YOU think, Mr. President, that 'the Government can fix the problem'?
"Those determined to find fault with this bill will always be able to look at a narrow slice of it and find something they don't like,"
Actually, Mr. President, there are broad swaths of this Bill which are un-likeable. See Hugh Hewitt's list--that's just National Security. More here, and here.
And Hewitt is a "moderate."
Dear Mr. President,
Please get in touch.
Sincerely,
Dad29
"A lot of Americans are skeptical about immigration reform, primarily because they don't think the government can fix the problems," Bush said.
"And my answer to the skeptics is: give us a chance to fix the problems in a comprehensive way that enforces our border and treats people with decency and respect. Give us a chance to fix this problem. Don't try to kill this bill before it gets moving," Bush told students and instructors at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
And for SEVEN YEARS you've had the Border Patrol, ICE, etc., under your command...
So why do YOU think, Mr. President, that 'the Government can fix the problem'?
"Those determined to find fault with this bill will always be able to look at a narrow slice of it and find something they don't like,"
Actually, Mr. President, there are broad swaths of this Bill which are un-likeable. See Hugh Hewitt's list--that's just National Security. More here, and here.
And Hewitt is a "moderate."
Dear Mr. President,
Please get in touch.
Sincerely,
Dad29
Where DO These People Come From?
Followed a fifty-ish woman driving a Lexus 450 with dealer-plates down the road today. Had a passenger, nicely-dressed, so I assume he was the salesman from the dealership.
Obviously the woman was confused.
By the way she drove, it was clear that she thought she could buy both the car AND a driver's license in one fell swoop.
Jerked to a stop instead of making a left-turn, (with about 100 yards to spare between her and the 35-mph oncoming traffic). Jerked to a start when the oncoming traffic disappeared.
Managed to get to 40 or 42 MPH on the westward leg of the journey (in a 35 MPH zone,) and damn near vulcanized the road by standing on the brakes when she saw the radar-cop on the side--and trust me, these guys don't get TOO excited about 5-over drivers.
Hope the salesman survived the trip, and that she practices a bit more before obtaining a license from DMV.
Or just gets used to driving in civilization, or something.
Obviously the woman was confused.
By the way she drove, it was clear that she thought she could buy both the car AND a driver's license in one fell swoop.
Jerked to a stop instead of making a left-turn, (with about 100 yards to spare between her and the 35-mph oncoming traffic). Jerked to a start when the oncoming traffic disappeared.
Managed to get to 40 or 42 MPH on the westward leg of the journey (in a 35 MPH zone,) and damn near vulcanized the road by standing on the brakes when she saw the radar-cop on the side--and trust me, these guys don't get TOO excited about 5-over drivers.
Hope the salesman survived the trip, and that she practices a bit more before obtaining a license from DMV.
Or just gets used to driving in civilization, or something.
Get Your Digitalis: 1957 Inflation Warnings Below!
Keep your oxygen and heart meds handy. This is purported to be a collection of apocryphal Inflation Warnings ans social signals from the year 1957 (in the USA.)
(1) "I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, its going to be impossible to buy a weeks groceries for $20.00."
(2) "Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won't be long when $5,000 will only buy a used one."
(3) "If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit. A quarter a pack is ridiculous."
(4) "Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter?"
(5) "If they raise the minimum wage to $1, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store."
(6) "When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon? Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage."
(7) "Kids today are impossible. Those ducktail hair cuts make it impossible to stay groomed. Next thing you know, boys will be wearing their hair as long as the girls;"
(8) "I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying damn in "Gone With The Wind", it seems every new movie has either hell or damn in it."
(9) "Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't surprise me if someday that they will be making more than the President."
(10) "I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now"
(11) "It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet."
(12) "It won't be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work."
(13) "I'm just afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business."
(14) "Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to Congress."
(15) "The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on."
(16) "I guess taking a vacation is out of the question now days. It costs nearly $15.00 a night to stay in a hotel."
(17) "No one can afford to be sick any more, $35.00 a day in the hospital is too rich for my blood
Still there?
HT: The Big Picture
(1) "I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, its going to be impossible to buy a weeks groceries for $20.00."
(2) "Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won't be long when $5,000 will only buy a used one."
(3) "If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit. A quarter a pack is ridiculous."
(4) "Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter?"
(5) "If they raise the minimum wage to $1, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store."
(6) "When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon? Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage."
(7) "Kids today are impossible. Those ducktail hair cuts make it impossible to stay groomed. Next thing you know, boys will be wearing their hair as long as the girls;"
(8) "I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying damn in "Gone With The Wind", it seems every new movie has either hell or damn in it."
(9) "Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't surprise me if someday that they will be making more than the President."
(10) "I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now"
(11) "It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet."
(12) "It won't be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work."
(13) "I'm just afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business."
(14) "Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to Congress."
(15) "The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on."
(16) "I guess taking a vacation is out of the question now days. It costs nearly $15.00 a night to stay in a hotel."
(17) "No one can afford to be sick any more, $35.00 a day in the hospital is too rich for my blood
Still there?
HT: The Big Picture
The Big Money Behind "Enviros"
Cynicism comes naturally to anyone who pays attention.
Thus, when you hear the term "regulation," you can believe the pap-spewing telling you about how "regulation" provides untold benefits to mothers and children, the Republic, and the Globe in general.
Or you can dig around a bit to find the hidden agenda--which often is a "larger-profits" agenda.
Sure enough, "regulation" of waste-incineration is crawling out from under the skirt of WMX, also known as Waste Management. (The link provides some interesting history--it's a 1997 release from Greenpeace excoriating WMX for its terrible actions. Wonder if Greenpeace ever got in on the gravy-train described below?)
Basically, there is money to be made in incinerating certain forms of hazardous waste, and companies specialize in it. Then cement kilns found they could do it, too, and since the heat was useful to them, they charged only a third of what the incinerators were charging. The incinerators began setting up environment suits against the kilns.
"Examples of industry-environmentalist cooperation are numerous. Blakeman Early of the Sierra Club stated forthrightly that “The commercial waste industry has an interest in improving regulations sufficiently to drive mom-and-pop operations out of business.”
Adler notes that WMX, the largest waste management company in the United States, “has funded the National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Wilderness Society, and World Resources Institute, typically giving over $700,000 annually to environmental causes.”
A former director of environmental affairs for WMX, William Y. Brown, who also served as acting director of the Environmental Defense Fund, acknowledged, “We’re in a position to benefit from the same objectives that [environmental groups] are pursuing…. Stricter legislation is environmentally good and it also helps our business.”
It's no different from the "Regulation" of shoe-shine stands at airports, or of "barbering" services. It's merely elimination of the competition.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
HT: Arms and the Law
Thus, when you hear the term "regulation," you can believe the pap-spewing telling you about how "regulation" provides untold benefits to mothers and children, the Republic, and the Globe in general.
Or you can dig around a bit to find the hidden agenda--which often is a "larger-profits" agenda.
Sure enough, "regulation" of waste-incineration is crawling out from under the skirt of WMX, also known as Waste Management. (The link provides some interesting history--it's a 1997 release from Greenpeace excoriating WMX for its terrible actions. Wonder if Greenpeace ever got in on the gravy-train described below?)
Basically, there is money to be made in incinerating certain forms of hazardous waste, and companies specialize in it. Then cement kilns found they could do it, too, and since the heat was useful to them, they charged only a third of what the incinerators were charging. The incinerators began setting up environment suits against the kilns.
"Examples of industry-environmentalist cooperation are numerous. Blakeman Early of the Sierra Club stated forthrightly that “The commercial waste industry has an interest in improving regulations sufficiently to drive mom-and-pop operations out of business.”
Adler notes that WMX, the largest waste management company in the United States, “has funded the National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Wilderness Society, and World Resources Institute, typically giving over $700,000 annually to environmental causes.”
A former director of environmental affairs for WMX, William Y. Brown, who also served as acting director of the Environmental Defense Fund, acknowledged, “We’re in a position to benefit from the same objectives that [environmental groups] are pursuing…. Stricter legislation is environmentally good and it also helps our business.”
It's no different from the "Regulation" of shoe-shine stands at airports, or of "barbering" services. It's merely elimination of the competition.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
HT: Arms and the Law
Venezuela: What the MSM Doesn't Tell You
Here's the AP wire report from JSOnline this morning.
Venezuelan police fired tear gas and plastic bullets Monday into a crowd of thousands protesting a decision by President Hugo Chavez that forced a television station critical of his leftist government off the air.
There's a picture of a protester throwing a rock at Venezuelan troops; the protester is one of thousands who are unhappy that the Marxist dictator of Venezuela has shut down the country's only independent TV station--in favor of a State-run enterprise.
Here's the Gateway Pundit blog coverage:
For the first time today, Hugo Chavez has sent in tanks to the city centers to line up against the opposition protesting his Marxist takeover of the media
While the picture above was described as a "tank" by the bloggers, it looks more like an armored vehicle (no long-gun is visible in the pic.)
But text from this site indicates that there were tanks:
Venezuelan army tanks and security forces deployed across the capital and other cities ahead of the protests, which are expected to continue Sunday
Likely there will be no AP reports of tanks after the "Equal Time" laws are passed, either.
On the other hand, that's what "Equal Time" is all about. Chavez and other Lefty dictators get the time. You get whatever's equal--as determined by the Left.
HT: Newsbusters
Monday, May 28, 2007
Not Just Today
These men and women should be gratefully remembered every day...
It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
--Abraham Lincoln
Sunday, May 27, 2007
ACORN's Getting Active
Yah, hey.
For only $10.00/month, ACORN's going to fix the crime-problem in the area around 55th/Silver Spring.
At least, that's what their flyers said--which were stuffed into every doorway in the area in the last few days.
Actually, that could be a hell of a deal. If they can do for $10.00/month what the entire Milwaukee Police Department cannot do, it may be worth the investment.
For only $10.00/month, ACORN's going to fix the crime-problem in the area around 55th/Silver Spring.
At least, that's what their flyers said--which were stuffed into every doorway in the area in the last few days.
Actually, that could be a hell of a deal. If they can do for $10.00/month what the entire Milwaukee Police Department cannot do, it may be worth the investment.
Federal Rules: Wisconsin Suffers
As we mentioned, Federal grants look very nice. But like some other books, the cover is misleading.
In order to get "free" Federal money for transportation projects, Wisconsin drivers have to purchase expensive reformulated gasoline (using Corn-a-Hole) and wait in line every two years for someone to "check" their car's emission.
If the EPA approves the request, motorists in the region still would have to use reformulated gas. The vehicle inspection maintenance program, which inspects 750,000 cars and light trucks a year, likely also would have to stay because it's required by federal law.
Business in Southeastern Wisconsin has been squelched by EPA ozone rulings for years. To help businesses,
...the state will ask the EPA to declare that eight counties, including six in southeastern Wisconsin, are in compliance with federal standards for a pollutant known as ozone.
The change in designation would be a major coup for economic development efforts in the region. Wisconsin's longstanding violation of ozone levels has "essentially stifled growth" for large companies, said Allen Shea, the DNR's top air regulator.
As most people know, a good deal of the pollution migrates to SE Wisconsin from the south--specifically NE Illinois and Ohio. It's called airborne pollution, and it gets here with the wind.
But it's not that simple:
On Monday, George Torres, Milwaukee County director of transportation and public works, warned the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority that lifting the ozone designation could threaten another part of the KRM line's funding - federal grants aimed at reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. Transportation consultant Peter Peyser agreed those grants are tied to the region's ozone status.
Which is to say that the ChooChoo boys will be unhappy.
All to get the "free" Federal money.
In order to get "free" Federal money for transportation projects, Wisconsin drivers have to purchase expensive reformulated gasoline (using Corn-a-Hole) and wait in line every two years for someone to "check" their car's emission.
If the EPA approves the request, motorists in the region still would have to use reformulated gas. The vehicle inspection maintenance program, which inspects 750,000 cars and light trucks a year, likely also would have to stay because it's required by federal law.
Business in Southeastern Wisconsin has been squelched by EPA ozone rulings for years. To help businesses,
...the state will ask the EPA to declare that eight counties, including six in southeastern Wisconsin, are in compliance with federal standards for a pollutant known as ozone.
The change in designation would be a major coup for economic development efforts in the region. Wisconsin's longstanding violation of ozone levels has "essentially stifled growth" for large companies, said Allen Shea, the DNR's top air regulator.
As most people know, a good deal of the pollution migrates to SE Wisconsin from the south--specifically NE Illinois and Ohio. It's called airborne pollution, and it gets here with the wind.
But it's not that simple:
On Monday, George Torres, Milwaukee County director of transportation and public works, warned the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority that lifting the ozone designation could threaten another part of the KRM line's funding - federal grants aimed at reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. Transportation consultant Peter Peyser agreed those grants are tied to the region's ozone status.
Which is to say that the ChooChoo boys will be unhappy.
All to get the "free" Federal money.
Chertoff's Homeland "Security"--Faking It
While Mike Chertoff is slandering citizens who don't think much of the Immigration Bill, his minions at Orlando are apparently falsifying paperwork on arrivals at the airport.
Six U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Orlando Sanford International Airport have come forward alleging they were told to falsify customs records for arriving international passengers in order to handle large volumes of traffic and to create the impression they were carrying out the required number of enforcement screenings.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the six federal whistleblowers – all agricultural specialists – charged they were given stacks of forms, called IO25s, for people they had not personally interviewed and told to enter false information into the Treasury Enforcement Communication System database.
And to make it even more interesting, the falsifications may have long-term repercussions on the travelers who were not really interviewed:
Further, the workers charge they were told to code the IO25s as ENF, for "Enforcement Action," instead of the less serious code of PPQ, for "Plant Protection and Quarantine."
"This would falsely reflect that the passenger or crew member had been stopped, interviewed, and bags inspected in connection with a suspicion of possessing contraband or engaging in unlawful activity," reported the special counsel. "Several of the whistleblowers questioned this and were told that things were done differently at Sanford, and that they should go ahead and enter the information as directed."
Chertoff did not have a comment.
Six U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Orlando Sanford International Airport have come forward alleging they were told to falsify customs records for arriving international passengers in order to handle large volumes of traffic and to create the impression they were carrying out the required number of enforcement screenings.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the six federal whistleblowers – all agricultural specialists – charged they were given stacks of forms, called IO25s, for people they had not personally interviewed and told to enter false information into the Treasury Enforcement Communication System database.
And to make it even more interesting, the falsifications may have long-term repercussions on the travelers who were not really interviewed:
Further, the workers charge they were told to code the IO25s as ENF, for "Enforcement Action," instead of the less serious code of PPQ, for "Plant Protection and Quarantine."
"This would falsely reflect that the passenger or crew member had been stopped, interviewed, and bags inspected in connection with a suspicion of possessing contraband or engaging in unlawful activity," reported the special counsel. "Several of the whistleblowers questioned this and were told that things were done differently at Sanford, and that they should go ahead and enter the information as directed."
Chertoff did not have a comment.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
"Inside the Vatican" Stuff on Liturgy and Personnel Issues
There are some fascinating (really, really juicy) bits of info in these YouTubes for those of you who watch liturgical developments.
Even my Prot readers may enjoy this--if nothing else, to learn that the Woes of Management are exactly the same everywhere.
The speaker, Bp. Fellay, is a very persuasive guy.
Interesting. In the second UTube, a dark reference to Cdl. Arinze...
And just exactly where is Cdl. Sodano? What office does he occupy?
HT: Rorate Coeli
Even my Prot readers may enjoy this--if nothing else, to learn that the Woes of Management are exactly the same everywhere.
The speaker, Bp. Fellay, is a very persuasive guy.
Interesting. In the second UTube, a dark reference to Cdl. Arinze...
And just exactly where is Cdl. Sodano? What office does he occupy?
HT: Rorate Coeli
DOT Thinking....or Not...
Headless reminds us that Wisconsin's very own DOT drew up the route for this windmill to travel.
And if you've looked at the corner in question in Meno Falls, you'll note that the truck had to make a 120-degree turn (to approximately 4:00, not 3:00)
DOT states that they drew the route with overpass-height and bridge-strength in mind.
Obviously, extreme turns aren't a problem for DOT folks who drive State-issued cars.
Not Convinced About "The Economy?"
Despite the Bushbot yappings and mewlings, some folks remain un-convinced that Everything's Coming Up Roses.
And as usual, FedStats are questioned. Here, the "employment" numbers from BLS, which actually issues ANOTHER report which damages the creds of the better-known "employment" report:
But that [the discrepancy between reported and real] can be huge is evident in another report issued last week by that same Bureau of Labor Statistics (which might better be called the Bureau of Labored Statistics). It's called Business Employment Dynamics,
...this series reports detailed gross job gains and losses in the private sector based on nearly complete coverage "of the employment universe provided by the unemployment insurance system."
...Thus, compared with a gain for the quarter of 442,000 jobs reported in the so-called establishment survey, the Business Employment Dynamics, or BED, reckoning was a scant 19,000 additions. In manufacturing, the 9,000 jobs lost according to the payroll figures balloon into a loss of 95,000 jobs in the BED data; the improbable 20,000 additions in construction (think: housing) turns into a loss of 77,000 by BED's measure; the 507,000 gain in private services shrinks to 108,00. And so it goes.
---Alan Abelson, quoted in The Big Picture
And as usual, FedStats are questioned. Here, the "employment" numbers from BLS, which actually issues ANOTHER report which damages the creds of the better-known "employment" report:
But that [the discrepancy between reported and real] can be huge is evident in another report issued last week by that same Bureau of Labor Statistics (which might better be called the Bureau of Labored Statistics). It's called Business Employment Dynamics,
...this series reports detailed gross job gains and losses in the private sector based on nearly complete coverage "of the employment universe provided by the unemployment insurance system."
...Thus, compared with a gain for the quarter of 442,000 jobs reported in the so-called establishment survey, the Business Employment Dynamics, or BED, reckoning was a scant 19,000 additions. In manufacturing, the 9,000 jobs lost according to the payroll figures balloon into a loss of 95,000 jobs in the BED data; the improbable 20,000 additions in construction (think: housing) turns into a loss of 77,000 by BED's measure; the 507,000 gain in private services shrinks to 108,00. And so it goes.
---Alan Abelson, quoted in The Big Picture
Memorial Day
From PowerLine, a story of a survivor:
One of Mr. Thorsness's most vivid memories from seven years of imprisonment involved a fellow prisoner named Mike Christian, who one day found a grimy piece of cloth, perhaps a former handkerchief, during a visit to the nasty concrete tank where the POWs were occasionally allowed a quick sponge bath. Christian picked up the scrap of fabric and hid it.
Back in his cell he convinced prisoners to give him precious crumbs of soap so he could clean the cloth. He stole a small piece of roof tile which he laboriously ground into a powder, mixed with a bit of water and used to make horizontal stripes. He used one of the blue pills of unknown provenance the prisoners were given for all ailments to color a square in the upper left of the cloth. With a needle made from bamboo wood and thread unraveled from the cell's one blanket, Christian stitched little stars on the blue field.
"It took Mike a couple weeks to finish, working at night under his mosquito net so the guards couldn't see him," Mr. Thorsness told me. "Early one morning, he got up before the guards were active and held up the little flag, waving it as if in a breeze. We turned to him and saw it coming to attention and automatically saluted, some of us with tears running down our cheeks.
Of course, the Vietnamese found it during a strip search, took Mike to the torture cell and beat him unmercifully. Sometime after midnight they pushed him into our cell, so bad off that even his voice was gone. But when he recovered in a couple weeks he immediately started looking for another piece of cloth."
One of Mr. Thorsness's most vivid memories from seven years of imprisonment involved a fellow prisoner named Mike Christian, who one day found a grimy piece of cloth, perhaps a former handkerchief, during a visit to the nasty concrete tank where the POWs were occasionally allowed a quick sponge bath. Christian picked up the scrap of fabric and hid it.
Back in his cell he convinced prisoners to give him precious crumbs of soap so he could clean the cloth. He stole a small piece of roof tile which he laboriously ground into a powder, mixed with a bit of water and used to make horizontal stripes. He used one of the blue pills of unknown provenance the prisoners were given for all ailments to color a square in the upper left of the cloth. With a needle made from bamboo wood and thread unraveled from the cell's one blanket, Christian stitched little stars on the blue field.
"It took Mike a couple weeks to finish, working at night under his mosquito net so the guards couldn't see him," Mr. Thorsness told me. "Early one morning, he got up before the guards were active and held up the little flag, waving it as if in a breeze. We turned to him and saw it coming to attention and automatically saluted, some of us with tears running down our cheeks.
Of course, the Vietnamese found it during a strip search, took Mike to the torture cell and beat him unmercifully. Sometime after midnight they pushed him into our cell, so bad off that even his voice was gone. But when he recovered in a couple weeks he immediately started looking for another piece of cloth."
DC Gun Ban Action and a Warning from the DC Circuit
Interesting, courtesy of John Lott:
"Yesterday the DC Circuit granted DC's unopposed motion to stay the mandate in the Parker case until August 7, the deadline for a cert petition. In an extraordinary statement (see attached), Judge Silberman warned DC that it would have been inappropriate to request a stay if DC did not intend to file for cert."
In other words, Silberman suspects that DC is just playing games with the Court to avoid changing its gun-ban ordinance per the recent decision.
A suspicion which appears to have grounds:
There are rumors floating around DC that DC and the gun control groups getting cold feet and believe that they will lose if they go to the Supreme Court. A couple of different people told me about this last night at the annual CEI dinner. My own guess is that if DC doesn't appeal after making so much noise about doing just that, gun control groups will suffer a serious black eye and will be taunted with that decision for years. For them not to go forward, they must be really worried about suffering a very serious loss at the Supreme Court.
Later in Lott's post, the Mayor of DC acknowledges that a loss at SCOTUS would have serious effects in Chicago, Boston, and NYC--but the Mayor intends to 'do what is right for DC citizens.'
Well, Your Honor, "what is right" would be to abrogate your stupid ordinance.
But don't let that bother you; fight on!!!
Heh.
"Yesterday the DC Circuit granted DC's unopposed motion to stay the mandate in the Parker case until August 7, the deadline for a cert petition. In an extraordinary statement (see attached), Judge Silberman warned DC that it would have been inappropriate to request a stay if DC did not intend to file for cert."
In other words, Silberman suspects that DC is just playing games with the Court to avoid changing its gun-ban ordinance per the recent decision.
A suspicion which appears to have grounds:
There are rumors floating around DC that DC and the gun control groups getting cold feet and believe that they will lose if they go to the Supreme Court. A couple of different people told me about this last night at the annual CEI dinner. My own guess is that if DC doesn't appeal after making so much noise about doing just that, gun control groups will suffer a serious black eye and will be taunted with that decision for years. For them not to go forward, they must be really worried about suffering a very serious loss at the Supreme Court.
Later in Lott's post, the Mayor of DC acknowledges that a loss at SCOTUS would have serious effects in Chicago, Boston, and NYC--but the Mayor intends to 'do what is right for DC citizens.'
Well, Your Honor, "what is right" would be to abrogate your stupid ordinance.
But don't let that bother you; fight on!!!
Heh.
Governors As Presidents: The Resulting Problem
While it's likely that the Shark has more finely-tuned (and elegant) comments on this issue, I'll toss the ball into the cage.
Over the past several months, the idea that GWBush is a 'Governor-serving-as-President' has crawled around inside my head.
It's clear that GWB had the right instincts regarding the 9/11 event (and its predecessor attacks on the US) and has chosen an effective way to keep the battle off US soil. For this he deserves all the thanks and credit which can be given him. Similarly, on the life issues, GWB has been consistent--and on the right side.
On the rest of the domestic front, however, GWB has been damn near a disaster; his spending programs are almost laughably excessive; his immigration program is universally disliked; his understanding of Con Law is weak (see, e.g., his signature on McCain-Feingold, or the continuing imbroglio over Executive powers vis-a-vis internal security), his appointments to the Cabinet are weak, (and he earned no gold-star for Ms. Myers, either) and he has invited the Democrats to construct a massive tax-increase program in response to the Federal deficit.
In short, GWB is a "Big Gummint Republican," which is the worst of all possible worlds for Conservatives; we have to hold our noses and vote for him--or perhaps, 'vote against the worse' is the way to put it.
Along comes Cato with an interesting paper. (HT: Captain's Quarters)
Federal spending on aid to the states increased from $286 billion in fiscal 2000 to an estimated $449 billion in fiscal 2007 and is the third-largest item in the federal budget after Social Security and national defense. The number of different aid programs for the states soared from 463 in 1990, to 653 in 2000, to 814 by 2006.
The theory behind aid to the states is that federal policymakers can design and operate programs in the national interest to efficiently solve local problems. In practice, most federal politicians are not inclined to pursue broad, national goals; they are consumed by the competitive scramble to secure subsidies for their states. At the same time, federal aid stimulates overspending by the states, requires large bureaucracies to administer, and comes with a web of complex regulations that limit state flexibility.
At all levels of the aid system, the focus is on spending and regulations, not on delivering quality services. And by involving all levels of government in just about every policy area, the aid system creates a lack of accountability. When every government is responsible for an activity, no government is responsible, as was evident in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
(The same can be said for State aids to localities and schools in Wisconsin, by the way. Just change the number of zeros and a few names.)
Cato bemoans the imminent Death of Federalism. The cause of this is bi-partisan; but another, equally descriptive term would be "bi-cravenism." Members of Congress (with a few exceptions) are fixated on one thing: re-election; and to assure that result, they apply the grease of Spending; and if they can force the several States to spend as well, (the usual hook buried in the bait) the effect is multiplied for whatever interests they happen to serve. The President can (and in the last two Administrations, DOES) cooperate in these efforts.
The Reagan Revolution did attempt to address this. A look at Figure 1 shows that the percentage of the federal budget devoted to state subsidies dropped from 1980 (15.5%) to 1990 (10.8%). By the time the Clinton era came to an end, it had reached a historical high (16.0%), about where it remains today. During this time, both Republican and Democratic executives and Congresses contributed to the problem
Going hand-in-hand with increased Federal "aid" is increased State and local spending (and consequently, taxing) as the States and locals must jump through certain, usually-expensive hoops to get the Fed moneys. (Does the Milwaukee Choo-Choo controversy ring a bell? Well, then, how about "Click-It-or-Ticket"?)
It occurs that one who occupies the Presidency should have a larger weltaunschuung than that demonstrated by Clinton and Bush; that treating the Presidency as a "Larger State Governor" position is wholly inadequate to the Federalist principles of the Constitution, particularly the now-dead-letter 9th and 10th Amendments.
And it is a prescription for fiscal debilitation of the taxpaying citizens.
Something to think about...
Over the past several months, the idea that GWBush is a 'Governor-serving-as-President' has crawled around inside my head.
It's clear that GWB had the right instincts regarding the 9/11 event (and its predecessor attacks on the US) and has chosen an effective way to keep the battle off US soil. For this he deserves all the thanks and credit which can be given him. Similarly, on the life issues, GWB has been consistent--and on the right side.
On the rest of the domestic front, however, GWB has been damn near a disaster; his spending programs are almost laughably excessive; his immigration program is universally disliked; his understanding of Con Law is weak (see, e.g., his signature on McCain-Feingold, or the continuing imbroglio over Executive powers vis-a-vis internal security), his appointments to the Cabinet are weak, (and he earned no gold-star for Ms. Myers, either) and he has invited the Democrats to construct a massive tax-increase program in response to the Federal deficit.
In short, GWB is a "Big Gummint Republican," which is the worst of all possible worlds for Conservatives; we have to hold our noses and vote for him--or perhaps, 'vote against the worse' is the way to put it.
Along comes Cato with an interesting paper. (HT: Captain's Quarters)
Federal spending on aid to the states increased from $286 billion in fiscal 2000 to an estimated $449 billion in fiscal 2007 and is the third-largest item in the federal budget after Social Security and national defense. The number of different aid programs for the states soared from 463 in 1990, to 653 in 2000, to 814 by 2006.
The theory behind aid to the states is that federal policymakers can design and operate programs in the national interest to efficiently solve local problems. In practice, most federal politicians are not inclined to pursue broad, national goals; they are consumed by the competitive scramble to secure subsidies for their states. At the same time, federal aid stimulates overspending by the states, requires large bureaucracies to administer, and comes with a web of complex regulations that limit state flexibility.
At all levels of the aid system, the focus is on spending and regulations, not on delivering quality services. And by involving all levels of government in just about every policy area, the aid system creates a lack of accountability. When every government is responsible for an activity, no government is responsible, as was evident in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
(The same can be said for State aids to localities and schools in Wisconsin, by the way. Just change the number of zeros and a few names.)
Cato bemoans the imminent Death of Federalism. The cause of this is bi-partisan; but another, equally descriptive term would be "bi-cravenism." Members of Congress (with a few exceptions) are fixated on one thing: re-election; and to assure that result, they apply the grease of Spending; and if they can force the several States to spend as well, (the usual hook buried in the bait) the effect is multiplied for whatever interests they happen to serve. The President can (and in the last two Administrations, DOES) cooperate in these efforts.
The Reagan Revolution did attempt to address this. A look at Figure 1 shows that the percentage of the federal budget devoted to state subsidies dropped from 1980 (15.5%) to 1990 (10.8%). By the time the Clinton era came to an end, it had reached a historical high (16.0%), about where it remains today. During this time, both Republican and Democratic executives and Congresses contributed to the problem
Going hand-in-hand with increased Federal "aid" is increased State and local spending (and consequently, taxing) as the States and locals must jump through certain, usually-expensive hoops to get the Fed moneys. (Does the Milwaukee Choo-Choo controversy ring a bell? Well, then, how about "Click-It-or-Ticket"?)
It occurs that one who occupies the Presidency should have a larger weltaunschuung than that demonstrated by Clinton and Bush; that treating the Presidency as a "Larger State Governor" position is wholly inadequate to the Federalist principles of the Constitution, particularly the now-dead-letter 9th and 10th Amendments.
And it is a prescription for fiscal debilitation of the taxpaying citizens.
Something to think about...
Immune to Irony, Driving Away Friends
Linda Chavez, an ex-AFT (union) exec and ex-Reagan Administration appointee, spews the following bile:
Some people just don't like Mexicans -- or anyone else from south of the border. They think Latinos are freeloaders and welfare cheats who are too lazy to learn English. They think Latinos have too many babies, and that Latino kids will dumb down our schools. They think Latinos are dirty, diseased, indolent and more prone to criminal behavior. They think Latinos are just too different from us ever to become real Americans.
No amount of hard, empirical evidence to the contrary, and no amount of reasoned argument or appeals to decency and fairness, will convince this small group of Americans -- fewer than 10 percent of the general population, at most -- otherwise. Unfortunately, among this group is a fair number of Republican members of Congress, almost all influential conservative talk radio hosts, some cable news anchors -- most prominently, Lou Dobbs -- and a handful of public policy "experts" at organizations such as the Center for Immigration Studies, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, NumbersUSA, in addition to fringe groups like the Minuteman Project.
Even if it were true, it has little to do with the instant problem: ILLEGAL immigration, cheap/under-the-table payments, tax evasion...
Ms. Chavez should be acquainted with the ins-and-outs of that, right?
In 2001, President George W. Bush nominated her for Secretary of Labor, but the nomination was withdrawn after it was revealed that she had allegedly given money to an illegal immigrant who lived in her home. Chavez contended that she had not actually employed the woman, but had merely provided her with emergency assistance.[1] The woman Chavez allegedly employed (who is now a legal citizen of the United States) also insists she was not an employee of Chavez, and credits Chavez with helping her at a time when she needed it most. A subsequent investigation of the matter by the FBI found Chavez was not guilty of any wrongdoing.
Granted--some portion of the anti-Amnesty group are racist, or xenophobes.
And some portion of the pro-Amnesty crowd are craven opportunists, whether political, union-based, or "capitalist." (See, e.g., the pimps in Minnesota.)
But Ms. Chavez' screed is another example of exactly what she protests. She ought to know better.
Some people just don't like Mexicans -- or anyone else from south of the border. They think Latinos are freeloaders and welfare cheats who are too lazy to learn English. They think Latinos have too many babies, and that Latino kids will dumb down our schools. They think Latinos are dirty, diseased, indolent and more prone to criminal behavior. They think Latinos are just too different from us ever to become real Americans.
No amount of hard, empirical evidence to the contrary, and no amount of reasoned argument or appeals to decency and fairness, will convince this small group of Americans -- fewer than 10 percent of the general population, at most -- otherwise. Unfortunately, among this group is a fair number of Republican members of Congress, almost all influential conservative talk radio hosts, some cable news anchors -- most prominently, Lou Dobbs -- and a handful of public policy "experts" at organizations such as the Center for Immigration Studies, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, NumbersUSA, in addition to fringe groups like the Minuteman Project.
Even if it were true, it has little to do with the instant problem: ILLEGAL immigration, cheap/under-the-table payments, tax evasion...
Ms. Chavez should be acquainted with the ins-and-outs of that, right?
In 2001, President George W. Bush nominated her for Secretary of Labor, but the nomination was withdrawn after it was revealed that she had allegedly given money to an illegal immigrant who lived in her home. Chavez contended that she had not actually employed the woman, but had merely provided her with emergency assistance.[1] The woman Chavez allegedly employed (who is now a legal citizen of the United States) also insists she was not an employee of Chavez, and credits Chavez with helping her at a time when she needed it most. A subsequent investigation of the matter by the FBI found Chavez was not guilty of any wrongdoing.
Granted--some portion of the anti-Amnesty group are racist, or xenophobes.
And some portion of the pro-Amnesty crowd are craven opportunists, whether political, union-based, or "capitalist." (See, e.g., the pimps in Minnesota.)
But Ms. Chavez' screed is another example of exactly what she protests. She ought to know better.
Photo ID to Vote? 7th Circuit Says "OK"
The State of Indiana requires a photo ID to vote. The Usual Suspects sued.
...So it is that when the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 in January (and effectively affirmed the decision by denial of a rehearing in April) that Indiana was within its rights to require photo IDs at the polls, the state Democratic Party and would-be voters represented by the ACLU decided (just last week) to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the decision.
But the U.S. Constitution gives to state legislatures the responsibility to “prescribe” the “times, places and manner of holding elections,” and the high court has consistently held that states have the right to impose regulations on voting in order to ensure the integrity and fairness of the balloting.
Two very familiar names emerge. Sadly, one looks like a fool with an agenda.
Plaintiffs in the Indiana case (Crawford v. Marion County Election Board) argued that the requirement for a photo ID would disenfranchise a fairly large number of voters. But, writing for the majority, acclaimed Judge Richard Posner noted that “the principle [sic] evidence on which the plaintiffs relied … was declared by the district judge to be ‘totally unreliable’ because of a number of methodological flaws.”
Against Posner’s logic and multiple citations of relevant case law, dissenting Judge Terence Evans struggled to find enough flexibility in Burdick to allow him to overrule the district court and the state Legislature and thus find the ID requirement invalid.
Most of his five-page dissent, however, is devoted neither to case law nor to citations of constitutional clauses, but rather to what he called “anecdotal tidbit[s]” and to his own impressions of how things ought to be.
Precise facts do not seem to matter to him: “This law will make it significantly more difficult for some eligible voters — I have no idea how many, but 4 percent is a number that has been bandied about — to vote.”
Facts may be unimportant to Evans, but his own policy advice to the elected state legislators does seem to matter: “Constricting the franchise in a democratic society, when efforts should be instead undertaken to expand it, is not the way to go.”
And again, without citing evidence, he writes: “I believe that most of the problems with our voting system … [he gives multiple examples] … are suggestive of mismanagement, not electoral wrongdoing.” This isn’t judging; it’s legislating from the bench.
We'll see how Evans' yammerings hold up at the SCOTUS level--if they grant cert.
...So it is that when the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 in January (and effectively affirmed the decision by denial of a rehearing in April) that Indiana was within its rights to require photo IDs at the polls, the state Democratic Party and would-be voters represented by the ACLU decided (just last week) to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the decision.
But the U.S. Constitution gives to state legislatures the responsibility to “prescribe” the “times, places and manner of holding elections,” and the high court has consistently held that states have the right to impose regulations on voting in order to ensure the integrity and fairness of the balloting.
Two very familiar names emerge. Sadly, one looks like a fool with an agenda.
Plaintiffs in the Indiana case (Crawford v. Marion County Election Board) argued that the requirement for a photo ID would disenfranchise a fairly large number of voters. But, writing for the majority, acclaimed Judge Richard Posner noted that “the principle [sic] evidence on which the plaintiffs relied … was declared by the district judge to be ‘totally unreliable’ because of a number of methodological flaws.”
Against Posner’s logic and multiple citations of relevant case law, dissenting Judge Terence Evans struggled to find enough flexibility in Burdick to allow him to overrule the district court and the state Legislature and thus find the ID requirement invalid.
Most of his five-page dissent, however, is devoted neither to case law nor to citations of constitutional clauses, but rather to what he called “anecdotal tidbit[s]” and to his own impressions of how things ought to be.
Precise facts do not seem to matter to him: “This law will make it significantly more difficult for some eligible voters — I have no idea how many, but 4 percent is a number that has been bandied about — to vote.”
Facts may be unimportant to Evans, but his own policy advice to the elected state legislators does seem to matter: “Constricting the franchise in a democratic society, when efforts should be instead undertaken to expand it, is not the way to go.”
And again, without citing evidence, he writes: “I believe that most of the problems with our voting system … [he gives multiple examples] … are suggestive of mismanagement, not electoral wrongdoing.” This isn’t judging; it’s legislating from the bench.
We'll see how Evans' yammerings hold up at the SCOTUS level--if they grant cert.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Find-A-Problem for $30 Million
It's been reported that the Federal Highway Trust Fund is dishing out $30 million to the several States....
As an enticement for the several States to loose upon the driving public swarms of officers to harass them...
...Finding among their "offenses" the high misdemeanor of Not Wearing a Seat Belt.
Meaning that the State of Wisconsin is willing to spend your time and money to harass YOU while you drive.
As an enticement for the several States to loose upon the driving public swarms of officers to harass them...
...Finding among their "offenses" the high misdemeanor of Not Wearing a Seat Belt.
Meaning that the State of Wisconsin is willing to spend your time and money to harass YOU while you drive.
Password Protected? Not According to the 10th Circuit
Interesting questions, here:
The Fourth Amendment generally prohibits warrantless searches of an individual's home or possessions. There is an exception to the warrant requirement when someone consents to the search. Consent can be given by the person under investigation, or by a third party with control over or mutual access to the property being searched. Because the Fourth Amendment only prohibits "unreasonable searches and seizures," permission given by a third party who lacks the authority to consent will nevertheless legitimize a warrantless search if the consenter has "apparent authority," meaning that the police reasonably believed that the person had actual authority to control or use the property.
Under existing case law, only people with a key to a locked closet have apparent authority to consent to a search of that closet. Similarly, only people with the password to a locked computer have apparent authority to consent to a search of that device. In Andrus, the father did not have the password (or know how to use the computer) but the police say they did not have any reason to suspect this because they did not ask and did not turn the computer on. Then, they used forensic software that automatically bypassed any installed password.
The majority held that the police officers not only weren't obliged to ask whether the father used the computer, they had no obligation to check for a password before performing their forensic search. In dissent, Judge Monroe G. McKay criticized the agents' intentional blindness to the existence of password protection, when physical or digital locks are such a fundamental part of ascertaining whether a consenting person has actual or apparent authority to permit a police search. "(T)he unconstrained ability of law enforcement to use forensic software such at the EnCase program to bypass password protection without first determining whether such passwords have been enabled ... dangerously sidestep(s) the Fourth Amendment."
So 'permission to enter and search' includes password-locked (think padlocked) areas under the exceptions to the 4th's general prohibition of 'unreasonable search'?
Hmmmm.
HT: The Agitator
The Fourth Amendment generally prohibits warrantless searches of an individual's home or possessions. There is an exception to the warrant requirement when someone consents to the search. Consent can be given by the person under investigation, or by a third party with control over or mutual access to the property being searched. Because the Fourth Amendment only prohibits "unreasonable searches and seizures," permission given by a third party who lacks the authority to consent will nevertheless legitimize a warrantless search if the consenter has "apparent authority," meaning that the police reasonably believed that the person had actual authority to control or use the property.
Under existing case law, only people with a key to a locked closet have apparent authority to consent to a search of that closet. Similarly, only people with the password to a locked computer have apparent authority to consent to a search of that device. In Andrus, the father did not have the password (or know how to use the computer) but the police say they did not have any reason to suspect this because they did not ask and did not turn the computer on. Then, they used forensic software that automatically bypassed any installed password.
The majority held that the police officers not only weren't obliged to ask whether the father used the computer, they had no obligation to check for a password before performing their forensic search. In dissent, Judge Monroe G. McKay criticized the agents' intentional blindness to the existence of password protection, when physical or digital locks are such a fundamental part of ascertaining whether a consenting person has actual or apparent authority to permit a police search. "(T)he unconstrained ability of law enforcement to use forensic software such at the EnCase program to bypass password protection without first determining whether such passwords have been enabled ... dangerously sidestep(s) the Fourth Amendment."
So 'permission to enter and search' includes password-locked (think padlocked) areas under the exceptions to the 4th's general prohibition of 'unreasonable search'?
Hmmmm.
HT: The Agitator
Mark Shea: Here's REAL "Torture"
The fellow (who actually knows nothing whatsoever about interrogation techniques) might want to examine REAL 'torture' methods utilized by the "victims of Gitmo's" brothers-in-arms.
HT: Moonbattery
HT: Moonbattery
Who LIKES the Immigration Reform Bill?
Here's a list, courtesy of Malkin:
ACORN, Asian American Justice Center, Center for American Progress, Center for Community Change, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), Denver Area Labor Federation, El Centro, Inc., El Pueblo, Hate Free Zone, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, LA County Federation of Labor, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, LULAC, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, MALDEF, NAACP, NAKASEC, NALACC, National Capital Immigrant Coalition, National Council of La Raza, National Immigration Forum, National Immigration Law Center, Nebraska Appleseed, New York Immigration Coalition, PCUN/CAUSA, SEIU, SEIU 32BJ, SEIU Florida Healthcare Union, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, UNITE HERE, UNITE HERE Local 226 Las Vegas, UNITE HERE New Jersey State Council, United Farm Workers, United Methodist Church - General Board of Church and Society.
The Catholic groups are the usual suspects, including the USCC, which has yet to meet a stupid idea which they don't embrace.
More interesting are the labor groups. My friends who argue that the illegals, when 'legalized' will vote Republican, should re-examine their belief system given the facts above.
ACORN, of course, has its own objective, loosely defined as "anarchy."
By the way, the funding for this coalition comes from a Soros-connected source.
ACORN, Asian American Justice Center, Center for American Progress, Center for Community Change, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), Denver Area Labor Federation, El Centro, Inc., El Pueblo, Hate Free Zone, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, LA County Federation of Labor, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, LULAC, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, MALDEF, NAACP, NAKASEC, NALACC, National Capital Immigrant Coalition, National Council of La Raza, National Immigration Forum, National Immigration Law Center, Nebraska Appleseed, New York Immigration Coalition, PCUN/CAUSA, SEIU, SEIU 32BJ, SEIU Florida Healthcare Union, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, UNITE HERE, UNITE HERE Local 226 Las Vegas, UNITE HERE New Jersey State Council, United Farm Workers, United Methodist Church - General Board of Church and Society.
The Catholic groups are the usual suspects, including the USCC, which has yet to meet a stupid idea which they don't embrace.
More interesting are the labor groups. My friends who argue that the illegals, when 'legalized' will vote Republican, should re-examine their belief system given the facts above.
ACORN, of course, has its own objective, loosely defined as "anarchy."
By the way, the funding for this coalition comes from a Soros-connected source.
Even Mike McCann Didn't Think Like This
...although I wouldn't put it past DarthDoyle (as AG or as Governor.)
In discussing San Francisco's gun-control program (only crooks will have guns, doh...) the DA says the following:
The idea, she contends, is to remind legal gun owners how to behave.
"Just because you legally possess a gun in the sanctity of your locked home doesn't mean that we're not going to walk into that home and check to see if you're being responsible and safe in the way that you conduct your affairs," Harris said.
Maybe the 4th Amendment doesn't apply in the area governed by the 9th Circus.
HT: ClayCramer
In discussing San Francisco's gun-control program (only crooks will have guns, doh...) the DA says the following:
The idea, she contends, is to remind legal gun owners how to behave.
"Just because you legally possess a gun in the sanctity of your locked home doesn't mean that we're not going to walk into that home and check to see if you're being responsible and safe in the way that you conduct your affairs," Harris said.
Maybe the 4th Amendment doesn't apply in the area governed by the 9th Circus.
HT: ClayCramer
Preventing Local LEO's From Asking Questions
The usual-suspect RINOs voted against an amendment to the Immigration Crap.
Senator Coleman’s legislation will not require local law enforcement to use their own resources to enforce federal immigration laws. Moreover, it does not require local law enforcement to conduct immigration raids or act as federal agents. Senator Coleman’s bill will simply give law enforcement officers the ability to inquiry about a person’s immigration status during their routine investigations, and in turn report their findings to the appropriate Federal authorities though already-established channels, as they are currently required to do by law.
This was a tight vote; it lost, 49-48. The RINOs?
Graham (R-SC) [the Republican Breck Girl], Hagel (R-NE) [working on Pomposity Crown '07], Lugar (R-IN) [ran for Pres, bailed in 4 months], Martinez (R-FL) [also RNC Chairman], Snowe (R-ME) [against all odds, still not entirely senile], Specter (R-PA) ["Scotty"] , Voinovich (R-OH)
HT: The Captain
Senator Coleman’s legislation will not require local law enforcement to use their own resources to enforce federal immigration laws. Moreover, it does not require local law enforcement to conduct immigration raids or act as federal agents. Senator Coleman’s bill will simply give law enforcement officers the ability to inquiry about a person’s immigration status during their routine investigations, and in turn report their findings to the appropriate Federal authorities though already-established channels, as they are currently required to do by law.
This was a tight vote; it lost, 49-48. The RINOs?
Graham (R-SC) [the Republican Breck Girl], Hagel (R-NE) [working on Pomposity Crown '07], Lugar (R-IN) [ran for Pres, bailed in 4 months], Martinez (R-FL) [also RNC Chairman], Snowe (R-ME) [against all odds, still not entirely senile], Specter (R-PA) ["Scotty"] , Voinovich (R-OH)
HT: The Captain
Goes Fast, Flies High
The Badger Blogger picked up a habit from Chris, and gives us a good one:
The SR-71 holds many records for its class, including:
–Absolute speed record of 2,242 mph
–Absolute sustained altitude record of 85,068.997 feet
–Coast-to-coast speed record at an average 2,124 mph (coast-to-coast in 68 minutes)
–New York to London: 1 hour 54 minutes (Concorde averaged 3 hours 20 minutes, and the Boeing 747 averages 6 hours)
These records are all below the actual top speed, which is only said to be Mach 3.3+.
Follow the link for the picture.
Asian Badger doesn't even DREAM in those numbers...
The SR-71 holds many records for its class, including:
–Absolute speed record of 2,242 mph
–Absolute sustained altitude record of 85,068.997 feet
–Coast-to-coast speed record at an average 2,124 mph (coast-to-coast in 68 minutes)
–New York to London: 1 hour 54 minutes (Concorde averaged 3 hours 20 minutes, and the Boeing 747 averages 6 hours)
These records are all below the actual top speed, which is only said to be Mach 3.3+.
Follow the link for the picture.
Asian Badger doesn't even DREAM in those numbers...
WSJ Editorials: Fact-Challenged
There are a lot of folks who take the Wall Street Journal's editorials seriously, including the editors of the WSJ.
Over the years, however, we've become more and more skeptical of the underlying philosophy (or 'religion,' if you prefer) and assertions made by the editorialists.
Now it appears that other Conservatives are a bit restive, too.
Yesterday, the Heritage Foundation’s Robert Rector sent this letter to the editor to the Wall Street Journal in reply to an editorial Thursday criticizing his immigration research. Heritage released it to the public Thursday afternoon and it is reprinted in full here.
Your May 24 editorial attacks my research on the fiscal costs of low skill immigration as perpetuating a “myth”. Roughly one third of immigrant households are now headed by immigrants without a high school degree. My research, based on Census data and other government sources, shows these “low skill immigrant” households receive, on average, $30,160 per year in government benefits while paying $10,573 in taxes. Thus each such household costs the taxpayer $19,588 per year. Overall, the net cost to U.S. taxpayers is $89 billion per year. My report suggests that the country would benefit fiscally by having fewer low skill immigrants, who are net tax consumers, and more well educated immigrants who are net tax payers.
How does your editorial refute this finding? By changing the subject. Rather than rebut my contention that low skill immigrants are a fiscal drag, it presents statistics about how much all immigrants, including college graduates, pay in taxes. Far from refuting my study, this tactic is either misleading or, at best, irrelevant. It certainly does not demonstrate that low skill immigrants pay more in taxes than they take in benefits.
The editorial also asserts, contrary to the manifest facts, that low skill immigrants do not receive large amounts of means-tested welfare assistance...Immigrants do have limited eligibility for welfare, which is why my report counts the welfare received by immigrant households based on the immigrants’ self-report of welfare receipt to the Census Bureau
...Unless immigrants are over-reporting their own welfare benefits, one finds that low skill immigrant households receive about $10,000 per year in means-tested welfare throughout their lifetimes. This figure does not include other major benefits such as public education, Social Security, and Medicare.
It would be foolish to measure immigration only in terms of "cost," and I don't propose to do so. However, it would be nice if the WSJ condescended to acknowledge facts, rather than regurgitate the Big Agriculture/Fortune 500 line of crap now and then.
Over the years, however, we've become more and more skeptical of the underlying philosophy (or 'religion,' if you prefer) and assertions made by the editorialists.
Now it appears that other Conservatives are a bit restive, too.
Yesterday, the Heritage Foundation’s Robert Rector sent this letter to the editor to the Wall Street Journal in reply to an editorial Thursday criticizing his immigration research. Heritage released it to the public Thursday afternoon and it is reprinted in full here.
Your May 24 editorial attacks my research on the fiscal costs of low skill immigration as perpetuating a “myth”. Roughly one third of immigrant households are now headed by immigrants without a high school degree. My research, based on Census data and other government sources, shows these “low skill immigrant” households receive, on average, $30,160 per year in government benefits while paying $10,573 in taxes. Thus each such household costs the taxpayer $19,588 per year. Overall, the net cost to U.S. taxpayers is $89 billion per year. My report suggests that the country would benefit fiscally by having fewer low skill immigrants, who are net tax consumers, and more well educated immigrants who are net tax payers.
How does your editorial refute this finding? By changing the subject. Rather than rebut my contention that low skill immigrants are a fiscal drag, it presents statistics about how much all immigrants, including college graduates, pay in taxes. Far from refuting my study, this tactic is either misleading or, at best, irrelevant. It certainly does not demonstrate that low skill immigrants pay more in taxes than they take in benefits.
The editorial also asserts, contrary to the manifest facts, that low skill immigrants do not receive large amounts of means-tested welfare assistance...Immigrants do have limited eligibility for welfare, which is why my report counts the welfare received by immigrant households based on the immigrants’ self-report of welfare receipt to the Census Bureau
...Unless immigrants are over-reporting their own welfare benefits, one finds that low skill immigrant households receive about $10,000 per year in means-tested welfare throughout their lifetimes. This figure does not include other major benefits such as public education, Social Security, and Medicare.
It would be foolish to measure immigration only in terms of "cost," and I don't propose to do so. However, it would be nice if the WSJ condescended to acknowledge facts, rather than regurgitate the Big Agriculture/Fortune 500 line of crap now and then.
Advice to GWB: Try to Keep a Few Friends
The Spectator Blog opines that GWB's religious fervor over Amnesty will alienate his friends.
Duuuuhhhhh.
...he continues to misrepresent the immigration debate, and thus lose any chance to attract fence-sitters to his side. Again today, he suggested that the opponents of his immigration plan want us instead to do a massive manhunt and forcibly and quickly deport all 12 millions [sic] illegals -- and then says that, well, of course that's an impossible task, which is why his opponents are wrong. But not even the anti-immigration hardliners at National Review have ever suggested doing that. Again and again and again, the mainstream anti-illegal immigration folks have said their preferred option is to get tough on border enforcement and get tougher on employers who hire illegals, and let the rest of the problem work itself over time by mere attrition. That is NOT a massive deportation scheme. For Bush to continue to insist that mass, forced deportation is his opponents' only alternative is like sticking a hot fork in their eyes. And, since a large percentage of them are people who otherwise are among the last holdouts SUPPORTING Bush on other matters, his insult to their motives and their intelligence is particularly ill advised.
GWB also trots out his Homeland Security Gnome, Mike Chertoff, to call people who oppose this abomination of legislation 'nativists', and 'racists', and other endearing terms.
Chertoff has plenty of problems within the Homeland "Security" Department--like ICE agents who simply ignore or actively stiff local requests for assistance with illegals who behave in a criminal fashion. He doesn't really need any more enemies, either.
Duuuuhhhhh.
...he continues to misrepresent the immigration debate, and thus lose any chance to attract fence-sitters to his side. Again today, he suggested that the opponents of his immigration plan want us instead to do a massive manhunt and forcibly and quickly deport all 12 millions [sic] illegals -- and then says that, well, of course that's an impossible task, which is why his opponents are wrong. But not even the anti-immigration hardliners at National Review have ever suggested doing that. Again and again and again, the mainstream anti-illegal immigration folks have said their preferred option is to get tough on border enforcement and get tougher on employers who hire illegals, and let the rest of the problem work itself over time by mere attrition. That is NOT a massive deportation scheme. For Bush to continue to insist that mass, forced deportation is his opponents' only alternative is like sticking a hot fork in their eyes. And, since a large percentage of them are people who otherwise are among the last holdouts SUPPORTING Bush on other matters, his insult to their motives and their intelligence is particularly ill advised.
GWB also trots out his Homeland Security Gnome, Mike Chertoff, to call people who oppose this abomination of legislation 'nativists', and 'racists', and other endearing terms.
Chertoff has plenty of problems within the Homeland "Security" Department--like ICE agents who simply ignore or actively stiff local requests for assistance with illegals who behave in a criminal fashion. He doesn't really need any more enemies, either.
China Is Our Friend, Part 48559
Aside from shipping poisoned human and pet food, selling body parts, killing millions of babies, and treating its own citizens as though they were machines, PRChina's oligarchy-class Stalinist rulers have other bad habits.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said yesterday that the report, scheduled for release today, shows how China "has steadily devoted increasing resources to their military."
...officials also said that the report will detail how China is developing two new types of strategic forces that go beyond what nations have done traditionally using air, sea and land forces by aiming to knock out modern communications methods on which the U.S. military relies for advanced warfighting techniques.
First, U.S. intelligence officials estimate that by 2010 China's ASAT missiles will be capable of delivering a knockout blow to many U.S. military satellites. Second, China also is training large numbers of military computer hackers to deliver crippling electronic attacks on U.S. military and civilian computer networks.
What will we do without our daily dose of Wiggy?
China's buildup also appears directed at deploying forces that can be used beyond a regional conflict over Taiwan, which in the past was thought by U.S. officials to be the main objective of China's military modernization.
For example, the report identifies the five new missile submarines, known as the Jin-class, that will each be outfitted with 12 5,000-mile-range JL-2 missiles, vastly improving China's nuclear missile strike capabilities.
Fred Thompson, who is an adult and who speaks like one, refers to the situation with PRC as "the day after Iraq."
Here's an interesting paragraph:
Officials familiar with the report said that the annual assessment, which is required under congressional legislation, was modified during reviews by officials in the White House National Security Council, the State Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence who sought to play down the Chinese military developments.
GWB's theme song: "Don't Worry, Be Happy!"
But after all, Cheap is Good!!
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said yesterday that the report, scheduled for release today, shows how China "has steadily devoted increasing resources to their military."
...officials also said that the report will detail how China is developing two new types of strategic forces that go beyond what nations have done traditionally using air, sea and land forces by aiming to knock out modern communications methods on which the U.S. military relies for advanced warfighting techniques.
First, U.S. intelligence officials estimate that by 2010 China's ASAT missiles will be capable of delivering a knockout blow to many U.S. military satellites. Second, China also is training large numbers of military computer hackers to deliver crippling electronic attacks on U.S. military and civilian computer networks.
What will we do without our daily dose of Wiggy?
China's buildup also appears directed at deploying forces that can be used beyond a regional conflict over Taiwan, which in the past was thought by U.S. officials to be the main objective of China's military modernization.
For example, the report identifies the five new missile submarines, known as the Jin-class, that will each be outfitted with 12 5,000-mile-range JL-2 missiles, vastly improving China's nuclear missile strike capabilities.
Fred Thompson, who is an adult and who speaks like one, refers to the situation with PRC as "the day after Iraq."
Here's an interesting paragraph:
Officials familiar with the report said that the annual assessment, which is required under congressional legislation, was modified during reviews by officials in the White House National Security Council, the State Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence who sought to play down the Chinese military developments.
GWB's theme song: "Don't Worry, Be Happy!"
But after all, Cheap is Good!!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
FLA Poll: McPain at 12%, Fred!! at 22%
McCain's beginning to pay for his asinine Stupid Republican Tricks.
The Datamar poll, released today (conducted last week) puts him at 12%.
Ruuuudeee!! is at 27%, Fred!!! is at 22%, Romney is at 18%.
FRED's at TWENTY-TWO PERCENT without spending a dime.
The Datamar poll, released today (conducted last week) puts him at 12%.
Ruuuudeee!! is at 27%, Fred!!! is at 22%, Romney is at 18%.
FRED's at TWENTY-TWO PERCENT without spending a dime.
Lefties and Their Reasons for Being So
Obviously, this guy has a show worth watching.
Greg Gutfeld, host of Fox News’ bawdy, blogger-friendly 2 a.m. chatfest Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld, was smoking outside the Landmark Tavern in Hell’s Kitchen on a recent Sunday night
...He dismisses liberalism as “romantic notions that are false, based on the idea of making yourself look good to other people. That’s why most men—Bill Clinton is a good example—are liberal, because they need to get laid. If you look at most left-wing guys, they’ve made a deal with the devil. They don’t really believe that shit—they’re going against their own innate nature, because liberalism is anti-man. If you believe that peace and love work, you’re not a man, because this world works on war. The only people who respect you are people who are scared of you—and that’s why Reagan was a great President. And the idea that you can negotiate with people who want you dead is a complete lie. That’s why the left is the most self-absorbed, vanity-driven enterprise. These are people who would rather feel good about themselves at a cocktail party that actually protect people’s lives. If you’re at a party and you say, ‘The war on terror is the most important thing in the world’—you won’t get a nod. But if you say, ‘Global warming is the biggest threat,’ you will get laid.”
Well, maybe it's not ALL about beneath-the-belt motivation. But it certainly can't be "above the neck" working which drives them...
Greg Gutfeld, host of Fox News’ bawdy, blogger-friendly 2 a.m. chatfest Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld, was smoking outside the Landmark Tavern in Hell’s Kitchen on a recent Sunday night
...He dismisses liberalism as “romantic notions that are false, based on the idea of making yourself look good to other people. That’s why most men—Bill Clinton is a good example—are liberal, because they need to get laid. If you look at most left-wing guys, they’ve made a deal with the devil. They don’t really believe that shit—they’re going against their own innate nature, because liberalism is anti-man. If you believe that peace and love work, you’re not a man, because this world works on war. The only people who respect you are people who are scared of you—and that’s why Reagan was a great President. And the idea that you can negotiate with people who want you dead is a complete lie. That’s why the left is the most self-absorbed, vanity-driven enterprise. These are people who would rather feel good about themselves at a cocktail party that actually protect people’s lives. If you’re at a party and you say, ‘The war on terror is the most important thing in the world’—you won’t get a nod. But if you say, ‘Global warming is the biggest threat,’ you will get laid.”
Well, maybe it's not ALL about beneath-the-belt motivation. But it certainly can't be "above the neck" working which drives them...
Atheist Puts $22.5 MILLION Into NYC Catholic Schools
Wow.
Philanthropist Robert W. Wilson said he is giving $22.5 million to the Archdiocese of New York for needy inner-city students attending Roman Catholic schools. He said that although he’s an atheist, he has no problem donating money to a fund linked to Catholic schools.
“Let’s face it, without the Roman Catholic Church, there would be no Western civilization,” Wilson said. “Shunning religious organizations would be abhorrent. Keep in mind, I’m helping to pay tuition, the money isn’t going directly to the schools.” Wilson’s donation is the largest the archdiocese has ever received. The money will be used to fund the Cardinal’s Scholarship Program, which was started in 2005 to give disadvantaged students attending the archdiocese’s inner-city schools partial or full tuition grants.
The money's nice.
But the guy's comment about "Western Civ" is astounding--it's true, of course--but how can the fellow remain atheist with that in his mind?
HT: CosmosLiturgy
Philanthropist Robert W. Wilson said he is giving $22.5 million to the Archdiocese of New York for needy inner-city students attending Roman Catholic schools. He said that although he’s an atheist, he has no problem donating money to a fund linked to Catholic schools.
“Let’s face it, without the Roman Catholic Church, there would be no Western civilization,” Wilson said. “Shunning religious organizations would be abhorrent. Keep in mind, I’m helping to pay tuition, the money isn’t going directly to the schools.” Wilson’s donation is the largest the archdiocese has ever received. The money will be used to fund the Cardinal’s Scholarship Program, which was started in 2005 to give disadvantaged students attending the archdiocese’s inner-city schools partial or full tuition grants.
The money's nice.
But the guy's comment about "Western Civ" is astounding--it's true, of course--but how can the fellow remain atheist with that in his mind?
HT: CosmosLiturgy
McIlheran, Dreher, and Sykes--Not the Usual Commonality
McIlheran, Dreher, and Sykes usually adopt similar stances on issues; however, it's unusual to find them on the same track on same-day posts, using a "voice" which is not theirs--which (in fact) is populist.
On the continuing increases in Cost-of-Everything:
Here's P-Mac, referring to the State tax proposals:
As one emailer puts it to me, "How do you cope with trying to pay bills and find out you don't have enough money? I have cut back on driving a lot, food, heat, no long distance on phone, no cell phone, etc. I don't have any where else to cut."
Sykes took a slightly different angle, referring to national-level politicians:
In case you haven’t noticed, American politics is increasingly a rich man (and woman’s) game. But “rich” doesn’t really quite capture it.
...it’s hard to describe people with the net worth of [any basket of--ed.] Third World countries as really “representative” of the people they serve. At a certain point, money insulates and distorts.
Dreher addresses the Immigration issue:
I don't use the public hospital in Dallas for my family's medical care -- the same public hospital that's overrun by illegal immigrants. I don't have my kids in the public schools in my city, many of which are overwhelmed by children who don't speak English. My livelihood is not affected by mass immigration, because unlike working-class Americans, my vocation is in a line of work that illegal workers can't do. For now, my neighborhood is not becoming home to houses full of migrant males who may or may not be legal, but who are breaking codes that the city will not or cannot enforce. And I haven't yet had a car crash with an illegal alien who doesn't have insurance. Point is, it's easy for people like me to wonder why others are so bent out of shape by the illegal immigration problem, because we just don't see it. Moreover, because people like me are pretty well educated, well traveled, and relatively sophisticated, we tend to look with disdain upon people like us who happen to strongly prefer their own particular culture.
Certainly the case. Not all pols are "out of touch," and not all citizens have had to "cut to the bone", nor suffer economic or neighborhood deterioration. But it's interesting that those who propose the largest increases in tax-revenues, or dis-assembly of the concepts of "borders and nations" are quite insulated.
Who pays for the gas in the Governor's State car?
Will McCain's neighborhood suddenly have 15-to-a-room housing? Or Herb Kohl's?
On the continuing increases in Cost-of-Everything:
Here's P-Mac, referring to the State tax proposals:
As one emailer puts it to me, "How do you cope with trying to pay bills and find out you don't have enough money? I have cut back on driving a lot, food, heat, no long distance on phone, no cell phone, etc. I don't have any where else to cut."
Sykes took a slightly different angle, referring to national-level politicians:
In case you haven’t noticed, American politics is increasingly a rich man (and woman’s) game. But “rich” doesn’t really quite capture it.
...it’s hard to describe people with the net worth of [any basket of--ed.] Third World countries as really “representative” of the people they serve. At a certain point, money insulates and distorts.
Dreher addresses the Immigration issue:
I don't use the public hospital in Dallas for my family's medical care -- the same public hospital that's overrun by illegal immigrants. I don't have my kids in the public schools in my city, many of which are overwhelmed by children who don't speak English. My livelihood is not affected by mass immigration, because unlike working-class Americans, my vocation is in a line of work that illegal workers can't do. For now, my neighborhood is not becoming home to houses full of migrant males who may or may not be legal, but who are breaking codes that the city will not or cannot enforce. And I haven't yet had a car crash with an illegal alien who doesn't have insurance. Point is, it's easy for people like me to wonder why others are so bent out of shape by the illegal immigration problem, because we just don't see it. Moreover, because people like me are pretty well educated, well traveled, and relatively sophisticated, we tend to look with disdain upon people like us who happen to strongly prefer their own particular culture.
Certainly the case. Not all pols are "out of touch," and not all citizens have had to "cut to the bone", nor suffer economic or neighborhood deterioration. But it's interesting that those who propose the largest increases in tax-revenues, or dis-assembly of the concepts of "borders and nations" are quite insulated.
Who pays for the gas in the Governor's State car?
Will McCain's neighborhood suddenly have 15-to-a-room housing? Or Herb Kohl's?
Dead IT Skills
ComputerWorld identifies the skills which are no longer job-tickets:
COBOL, non-relational DBMS's, SNA, "C", ColdFusion, PowerBuilder, Certified Netware Engineers, OS/2, and PC Network Engineers.
Well, kinda, mostly, sorta.
COBOL will be around forever, just like BAL and "C." But it's rare to find large-scale development projects utilizing them--just like Big Blue's SNA and OS/2 (which was DOA anyway.)
COBOL, non-relational DBMS's, SNA, "C", ColdFusion, PowerBuilder, Certified Netware Engineers, OS/2, and PC Network Engineers.
Well, kinda, mostly, sorta.
COBOL will be around forever, just like BAL and "C." But it's rare to find large-scale development projects utilizing them--just like Big Blue's SNA and OS/2 (which was DOA anyway.)
I'm With McAdams! Censored in PRChina!
It's an honor to join with Prof. McAdams as a "censored-in-PRChina" blogger.
Not exactly a surprise.
Wonder if the Prof. intends to throw a reception for all of us. I'll bring napkins and chips.
Not exactly a surprise.
Wonder if the Prof. intends to throw a reception for all of us. I'll bring napkins and chips.
An Outstanding Educator at BCHS
We attended a program honoring some Brookfield Central HS grads last night--the children were 'honors' graduates from the 2007 class. Nice bunch of kids overall, who had captured over $1.5 million in scholarships and grants for colleges around the country, including the Air Force Academy.
There was an unusual part to the program. One of the faculty members earns prize money "on the side" through essays, etc., pertaining to his discipline, Economics.
Rather than keeping all the money, as is his right, he elected to award some of it in scholarships to 2 students. He also gave them a couple of books to take along with as they journeyed to college.
Damn nice gesture, and appreciated by all who were there.
So happens I'm acquainted with a lot of primary- and secondary-school teachers (not all from the Elmbrook District.) All the ones that I know go 'the extra mile' for their students--not necessarily giving away scholarships, but in other ways that count.
They deserve recognition and thanks! from parents.
There was an unusual part to the program. One of the faculty members earns prize money "on the side" through essays, etc., pertaining to his discipline, Economics.
Rather than keeping all the money, as is his right, he elected to award some of it in scholarships to 2 students. He also gave them a couple of books to take along with as they journeyed to college.
Damn nice gesture, and appreciated by all who were there.
So happens I'm acquainted with a lot of primary- and secondary-school teachers (not all from the Elmbrook District.) All the ones that I know go 'the extra mile' for their students--not necessarily giving away scholarships, but in other ways that count.
They deserve recognition and thanks! from parents.
Wisconsin Legal Services vs. Virginia Tech and Idaho victims
It appears that the State of Wisconsin has played a major role (albeit indirectly) in the VTech massacre, as well as a more-recent, less-horrifying event in Moscow, ID.
Yup. It was us, folks.
Says Clay Cramer, a fellow who does a lot of research:
I'm reading Lessard v. Schmidt (E.D.Wisc. 1972). This is a landmark decision that struck down Wisconsin's commitment law, and apparently played a big role in starting us down the path we are on now. What a steaming pile this decision is.
...The patient, Alberta Lessard, was taken into custody after a suicide attempt. Significantly, while her attorney (from Wisconsin Legal Services, so the taxpayers paid some radical lawyer to create this mess) claimed that she had a right to an independent psychiatric examination
...Concerning the possibility that commitment was for the benefit of the patient, they decided that this wasn't a good enough reason, either, because while there was a legal right to be treated if you were committed, most mental illnesses weren't treatable. (By which they really meant, cure rates for paranoid schizophrenia were low, which isn't quite the same as "not treatable.")
Next, they argued that long-term treatment in mental hospitals made the mentally ill worse.
...They also insisted that because death rates in mental hospitals were about ten times higher than in the general population, that obviously, being in a mental hospital wasn't in a mental patient's best interest. They admitted that mental hospital populations were older than average, but would not admit that there might be other differences that might explain these much higher death rates. For example, until the 1960s, much of the population of mental hospitals were senile elderly people, and the syphilitic insane. Neither group ever recovered; both were destined to die in the hospital. It's depressing--but it also explains the high death rates, without being evidence that mental hospitals were dangerous for the mentally ill.
The upshot: for practical purposes, 'involuntary commitment' for psychiatric problems was made extraordinarily difficult, if not illegal.
Naturally, this had Unintended Consequences, the most common one being the almost-impossible task of forcing an alcoholic into a drying-out program (and the demise of DePaul Hospital in Milwaukee.)
But another Unintended Consequence was the ability of folks who were/are unstable to obtain guns. The Federal NICS-check does not include mental-stability-related events unless there was a formal commitment, which is how both the VTech* and Idaho* folks were able to obtain weapons:
...the federal Gun Control Act of 1968 bans firearm possession and gun transfers to anyone who has been involuntary committed to a mental institution or “adjudicated as a mental defective” in court — at least for several years after successful treatment.
But the prohibitions depend on record-keepers feeding data to the FBI. Only 22 states currently submit mental-health information to NICS’ Mental Defective File or its Denied Persons File, according to the FBI.
It gets worse:
Roughly 3 million Americans have been involuntarily committed to mental institutions, but the NICS database contains the names of fewer than 235,000.
Remember, the above 3 million are the people who were IN-voluntarily committed. Not folks who were accused of being a bit wacky (please don't ask my wife...) but were not committed due to Lessard.
Ain't it nice to know that Wisconsin is a leader? And that Wisconsin Legal Services Corp. is so committed to Liberty?
*Relevant posts are not individually linked. Scroll to May 7th entries re: VTech, and to May 21 & 22 for Idaho posts.
Yup. It was us, folks.
Says Clay Cramer, a fellow who does a lot of research:
I'm reading Lessard v. Schmidt (E.D.Wisc. 1972). This is a landmark decision that struck down Wisconsin's commitment law, and apparently played a big role in starting us down the path we are on now. What a steaming pile this decision is.
...The patient, Alberta Lessard, was taken into custody after a suicide attempt. Significantly, while her attorney (from Wisconsin Legal Services, so the taxpayers paid some radical lawyer to create this mess) claimed that she had a right to an independent psychiatric examination
...Concerning the possibility that commitment was for the benefit of the patient, they decided that this wasn't a good enough reason, either, because while there was a legal right to be treated if you were committed, most mental illnesses weren't treatable. (By which they really meant, cure rates for paranoid schizophrenia were low, which isn't quite the same as "not treatable.")
Next, they argued that long-term treatment in mental hospitals made the mentally ill worse.
...They also insisted that because death rates in mental hospitals were about ten times higher than in the general population, that obviously, being in a mental hospital wasn't in a mental patient's best interest. They admitted that mental hospital populations were older than average, but would not admit that there might be other differences that might explain these much higher death rates. For example, until the 1960s, much of the population of mental hospitals were senile elderly people, and the syphilitic insane. Neither group ever recovered; both were destined to die in the hospital. It's depressing--but it also explains the high death rates, without being evidence that mental hospitals were dangerous for the mentally ill.
The upshot: for practical purposes, 'involuntary commitment' for psychiatric problems was made extraordinarily difficult, if not illegal.
Naturally, this had Unintended Consequences, the most common one being the almost-impossible task of forcing an alcoholic into a drying-out program (and the demise of DePaul Hospital in Milwaukee.)
But another Unintended Consequence was the ability of folks who were/are unstable to obtain guns. The Federal NICS-check does not include mental-stability-related events unless there was a formal commitment, which is how both the VTech* and Idaho* folks were able to obtain weapons:
...the federal Gun Control Act of 1968 bans firearm possession and gun transfers to anyone who has been involuntary committed to a mental institution or “adjudicated as a mental defective” in court — at least for several years after successful treatment.
But the prohibitions depend on record-keepers feeding data to the FBI. Only 22 states currently submit mental-health information to NICS’ Mental Defective File or its Denied Persons File, according to the FBI.
It gets worse:
Roughly 3 million Americans have been involuntarily committed to mental institutions, but the NICS database contains the names of fewer than 235,000.
Remember, the above 3 million are the people who were IN-voluntarily committed. Not folks who were accused of being a bit wacky (please don't ask my wife...) but were not committed due to Lessard.
Ain't it nice to know that Wisconsin is a leader? And that Wisconsin Legal Services Corp. is so committed to Liberty?
*Relevant posts are not individually linked. Scroll to May 7th entries re: VTech, and to May 21 & 22 for Idaho posts.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Modern Catechetics
From The Jester, a few excerpts:
A reader who created this list sent it to me.
If math were taught the way religion is taught in many Catholic schools:
How do you feel about numbers?
Meditate on your favorite number, then write a paragraph about why it is your favorite.
Choose a song and identify some of the ways in which numbers are present in it. Play the song for the class and lead a discussion about what the class thinks the song expresses about numbers.
Which number is most present to you in your life today? Which number is most absent?
We're going to watch a movie. At the end of the movie we'll discuss the ways in which numbers are explicitly and symbolically portrayed in it.
What can you do to be more aware of numbers in your everyday life?
What are your best and worst experiences involving numbers?
Make a poster in which you creatively and colorfully depict a number of your choice.
You get the idea.
A reader who created this list sent it to me.
If math were taught the way religion is taught in many Catholic schools:
How do you feel about numbers?
Meditate on your favorite number, then write a paragraph about why it is your favorite.
Choose a song and identify some of the ways in which numbers are present in it. Play the song for the class and lead a discussion about what the class thinks the song expresses about numbers.
Which number is most present to you in your life today? Which number is most absent?
We're going to watch a movie. At the end of the movie we'll discuss the ways in which numbers are explicitly and symbolically portrayed in it.
What can you do to be more aware of numbers in your everyday life?
What are your best and worst experiences involving numbers?
Make a poster in which you creatively and colorfully depict a number of your choice.
You get the idea.
Die for PRChina, per Clinton, Gingrich, and GWB
HT: Charlie
Scallops and sardines coated with putrefying bacteria.
Mushrooms laced with illegal pesticides.
China's less-than-stellar behavior as a food exporter is revealed in stomach-turning detail in FDA "refusal reports" filed by U.S. inspectors: Juices and fruits rejected as "filthy." Prunes tinted with chemical dyes not approved for human consumption. Frozen breaded shrimp preserved with nitrofuran, an antibacterial that can cause cancer. Swordfish rejected as "poisonous."
These were among the 107 food imports from China that the Food and Drug Administration detained at U.S. ports just last month, agency documents reveal, along with more than 1,000 shipments of tainted Chinese dietary supplements, toxic Chinese cosmetics and counterfeit Chinese medicines.
Most-Favored-Nation trading status helped a lot, folks. (That would be Clinton and Gingrich.)
...Dead pets and melamine-tainted food notwithstanding, change will prove difficult, policy experts say, in large part because U.S. companies have become so dependent on the Chinese economy that tighter rules on imports stand to harm the U.S. economy, too.
"Our farmers and food processors have drooled for years to be able to sell their food to that massive market," Foreman said. "The Chinese counterfeit. They have a serious piracy problem. But we put up with it because we want to sell to them."
That nice smiley Farmer Brown, or "food processing firm" that has all those cute commercials...
Under Agriculture Department rules, countries cannot export meat and poultry products to the United States unless the USDA certifies that the slaughterhouses and processing plants have food-safety systems equivalent to those here. Much to its frustration, China is not certified to sell any meat to the United States because it has not met that requirement.
But that has not stopped Chinese meat exporters. In the past year, USDA teams have seized hundreds of thousands of pounds of prohibited poultry products from China and other Asian countries, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced in March. Some were shipped in crates labeled "dried lily flower," "prune slices" and "vegetables," according to news reports. It is unclear how much of the illegal meat slipped in undetected.
It would be interesting to know the addressee(s), would it not?
But in the aftermath of the recent food scandals, a growing number of companies and trade groups, including Grocery Manufacturers of America, are speaking in favor of at least a little more protection, starting with a doubling of the FDA's food safety budget.
The article quotes a number of "activists" and "safety" groups which point the finger at the Bush Administration. We have our reservations about the China-Fever that GWB & Co. have evidenced over the years.
But it's also very important to recall that it was Gingrich and Clinton who jammed Most-Favored-Nation trading status for PRChina through--despite all those inconvenient mass murders and body-parts sales.
But hey!!
The FreeTraitors continue to tell us that Cheap Is Good!
(Just don't eat any Cheap.)
Scallops and sardines coated with putrefying bacteria.
Mushrooms laced with illegal pesticides.
China's less-than-stellar behavior as a food exporter is revealed in stomach-turning detail in FDA "refusal reports" filed by U.S. inspectors: Juices and fruits rejected as "filthy." Prunes tinted with chemical dyes not approved for human consumption. Frozen breaded shrimp preserved with nitrofuran, an antibacterial that can cause cancer. Swordfish rejected as "poisonous."
These were among the 107 food imports from China that the Food and Drug Administration detained at U.S. ports just last month, agency documents reveal, along with more than 1,000 shipments of tainted Chinese dietary supplements, toxic Chinese cosmetics and counterfeit Chinese medicines.
Most-Favored-Nation trading status helped a lot, folks. (That would be Clinton and Gingrich.)
...Dead pets and melamine-tainted food notwithstanding, change will prove difficult, policy experts say, in large part because U.S. companies have become so dependent on the Chinese economy that tighter rules on imports stand to harm the U.S. economy, too.
"Our farmers and food processors have drooled for years to be able to sell their food to that massive market," Foreman said. "The Chinese counterfeit. They have a serious piracy problem. But we put up with it because we want to sell to them."
That nice smiley Farmer Brown, or "food processing firm" that has all those cute commercials...
Under Agriculture Department rules, countries cannot export meat and poultry products to the United States unless the USDA certifies that the slaughterhouses and processing plants have food-safety systems equivalent to those here. Much to its frustration, China is not certified to sell any meat to the United States because it has not met that requirement.
But that has not stopped Chinese meat exporters. In the past year, USDA teams have seized hundreds of thousands of pounds of prohibited poultry products from China and other Asian countries, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced in March. Some were shipped in crates labeled "dried lily flower," "prune slices" and "vegetables," according to news reports. It is unclear how much of the illegal meat slipped in undetected.
It would be interesting to know the addressee(s), would it not?
But in the aftermath of the recent food scandals, a growing number of companies and trade groups, including Grocery Manufacturers of America, are speaking in favor of at least a little more protection, starting with a doubling of the FDA's food safety budget.
The article quotes a number of "activists" and "safety" groups which point the finger at the Bush Administration. We have our reservations about the China-Fever that GWB & Co. have evidenced over the years.
But it's also very important to recall that it was Gingrich and Clinton who jammed Most-Favored-Nation trading status for PRChina through--despite all those inconvenient mass murders and body-parts sales.
But hey!!
The FreeTraitors continue to tell us that Cheap Is Good!
(Just don't eat any Cheap.)
Dave Obey: Screw the Taxpayer and "Ethics," Too!!
Dave Obey, (D-Potato Country) who was reprimanded by his Bishop for his abortion-stance, now proceeds to demonstrate that a complete lack of ethics is perfectly consistent with his general outlook on Life In Washington As A Really Important Pompous Asshole:
The House Appropriations Committee has decided to insert earmarks into all of the FY08 spending bills during the conferencing committees, instead of during the initial House-only process.
This will prevent lawmakers like Jeff Flake from offering amendments to strip out wasteful pork projects...which is EXACTLY why David Obey, the Approps Chairman, is changing the rules.
Why change the rules?
“It’s my job to protect the committee."
Funny. I don't see "Protecting This Committee" in the Oath of Office for Congresscritters.
HT: ClubforGrowth and Instapundit
The House Appropriations Committee has decided to insert earmarks into all of the FY08 spending bills during the conferencing committees, instead of during the initial House-only process.
This will prevent lawmakers like Jeff Flake from offering amendments to strip out wasteful pork projects...which is EXACTLY why David Obey, the Approps Chairman, is changing the rules.
Why change the rules?
“It’s my job to protect the committee."
Funny. I don't see "Protecting This Committee" in the Oath of Office for Congresscritters.
HT: ClubforGrowth and Instapundit
Border Control Has Consequences (Jobs Americans Won't Do)
Not that far from Milwaukee, the results of sloppy or non-existent border control, including another example of "Jobs Americans Won't Do":
Federal, state, and local authorities busted a sex-slavery ring here in Minneapolis last night, arresting at least 25 people and closing down eight brothels. The women involved all appear to have been illegal immigrants exploited by coyotes for their pimping business:
The women came mostly from Mexico and Central America.
When they arrived in Minnesota, the women had their passports and other identifying documents taken away and they were forced into a world of prostitution. In one night, two women serviced more than 80 men in a south Minneapolis house.
On Monday, in what might be one of the biggest such cases in Minnesota, 25 people were charged in federal court with running eight brothels. Eighteen of the suspects are illegal immigrants, according to an indictment filed in U.S. District Court
The new Bill provides for .....nothing, really.....in terms of border control.
HT: Captain'sQuarters
Federal, state, and local authorities busted a sex-slavery ring here in Minneapolis last night, arresting at least 25 people and closing down eight brothels. The women involved all appear to have been illegal immigrants exploited by coyotes for their pimping business:
The women came mostly from Mexico and Central America.
When they arrived in Minnesota, the women had their passports and other identifying documents taken away and they were forced into a world of prostitution. In one night, two women serviced more than 80 men in a south Minneapolis house.
On Monday, in what might be one of the biggest such cases in Minnesota, 25 people were charged in federal court with running eight brothels. Eighteen of the suspects are illegal immigrants, according to an indictment filed in U.S. District Court
The new Bill provides for .....nothing, really.....in terms of border control.
HT: Captain'sQuarters
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Global Warming--Another Historical Perspective
From the combox at Ten Reasons:
Three hundred years ago, Swiss alpine peasants implored the then Bishop of Geneva Francis de Sales to travel to their villages in order to pray over the glaciers that were invading their pasture land.
Back then, Europe in general, and the Swiss in particular had a real environmental problem -a bitterly cold and unstable climate. These mountain glaciers were expanding at unprecedented speeds- sometimes 20 feet a year. Pasture lands, farms, and entire villages were engulfed or destroyed within a generation. To make matters even worse, during the summer melt, millions of gallons of ice cold water would pour from the tops of these glaciers killing everything in sight.
Francis de Sale's prayers worked. By 1800, most of the glaciers stopped expanding, and today they are gone. Archaeologists found many Roman artifacts, that lead one to believe that 1900 years ago, most of the Swiss Alps were glacier free. There are some mountain passes open that have been closed for a thousand years.
That was cooling, of course. So obviously, the SUV had not yet been invented.
Three hundred years ago, Swiss alpine peasants implored the then Bishop of Geneva Francis de Sales to travel to their villages in order to pray over the glaciers that were invading their pasture land.
Back then, Europe in general, and the Swiss in particular had a real environmental problem -a bitterly cold and unstable climate. These mountain glaciers were expanding at unprecedented speeds- sometimes 20 feet a year. Pasture lands, farms, and entire villages were engulfed or destroyed within a generation. To make matters even worse, during the summer melt, millions of gallons of ice cold water would pour from the tops of these glaciers killing everything in sight.
Francis de Sale's prayers worked. By 1800, most of the glaciers stopped expanding, and today they are gone. Archaeologists found many Roman artifacts, that lead one to believe that 1900 years ago, most of the Swiss Alps were glacier free. There are some mountain passes open that have been closed for a thousand years.
That was cooling, of course. So obviously, the SUV had not yet been invented.
Illegal Immigration; Foreseeable Results
Dreher, after quoting a column in which an Irving (TX) man was forced to relocate to Arlington, (TX) for his family's safety:
It is clear to me that neither the Democratic nor the Republican party has the will or the intention to enforce the immigration laws as they exist. It does seem that the system is stacked against homeowners, who are effectively powerless. And for whom can they vote to change matters? Nobody. Nobody now, anyway. All you can do is pick up and move, severing bonds of community and friendship, all because business interests and ethnic activists and the government don't give a rat's rear end. This is not going to end pretty, I fear.
You cannot tell people that they have to be prepared to abandon their homes because the government is unwilling or unable to enforce the law against illegal immigration, and expect them to sit back and take it forever.
It's not even near that point in the Milwaukee area. Let's hope it doesn't get there.
It is clear to me that neither the Democratic nor the Republican party has the will or the intention to enforce the immigration laws as they exist. It does seem that the system is stacked against homeowners, who are effectively powerless. And for whom can they vote to change matters? Nobody. Nobody now, anyway. All you can do is pick up and move, severing bonds of community and friendship, all because business interests and ethnic activists and the government don't give a rat's rear end. This is not going to end pretty, I fear.
You cannot tell people that they have to be prepared to abandon their homes because the government is unwilling or unable to enforce the law against illegal immigration, and expect them to sit back and take it forever.
It's not even near that point in the Milwaukee area. Let's hope it doesn't get there.
Charlie's Communication Crusade--A Good Idea
Yesterday, Charlie had a segment in which it was made clear that MPD's lack of "communication skills" was a problem. Today, he has a segment which points out that the Walworth County Sheriff's Office may have the same lacuna.
The MPD situation came to light in Stingl's column. Some high-school athletes were on their way to practice. Someone reported seeing "a gun." A detective and a number of squads responded; the kids were stopped at gunpoint, ordered to the ground, searched, and quizzed. About 10 minutes later, they were released.
MPD response?
"The chief is aware of the incident and we are looking into it," said Anne E. Schwartz, spokeswoman for the Milwaukee Police Department.
Stingl was unable to contact the officers.
What's significant is this: nowhere is it mentioned that the officers 'splained the situation to the kids. Maybe they did. Maybe they didn 't.
It would have been a very, very good thing if the officer-in-charge had told the kids WHY they were stopped. Kids get it, you know...
In the Walworth County situation, a deputy shot the family pet. Again, there's no explanation; here's the statement:
A captain at the sheriff's department said they'll release the information once they've completed the internal investigation.
Maybe there WAS a reason the deputy shot the dog. We certainly don't know it now.
Charlie's right: it helps to talk now and then. He oughta know from talking...
The MPD situation came to light in Stingl's column. Some high-school athletes were on their way to practice. Someone reported seeing "a gun." A detective and a number of squads responded; the kids were stopped at gunpoint, ordered to the ground, searched, and quizzed. About 10 minutes later, they were released.
MPD response?
"The chief is aware of the incident and we are looking into it," said Anne E. Schwartz, spokeswoman for the Milwaukee Police Department.
Stingl was unable to contact the officers.
What's significant is this: nowhere is it mentioned that the officers 'splained the situation to the kids. Maybe they did. Maybe they didn 't.
It would have been a very, very good thing if the officer-in-charge had told the kids WHY they were stopped. Kids get it, you know...
In the Walworth County situation, a deputy shot the family pet. Again, there's no explanation; here's the statement:
A captain at the sheriff's department said they'll release the information once they've completed the internal investigation.
Maybe there WAS a reason the deputy shot the dog. We certainly don't know it now.
Charlie's right: it helps to talk now and then. He oughta know from talking...
How to Get HPV
Umnnnhhhh...as usual, the facts are enlightening.
A high lifetime number of vaginal-sex partners (26 or more) was associated with oropharyngeal cancer (odds ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 6.5), as was a high lifetime number of oral-sex partners (6 or more) (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.3 to 8.8). The degree of association increased with the number of vaginal-sex and oral-sex partners (P values for trend, 0.002 and 0.009, respectively). Oropharyngeal cancer was significantly associated with oral HPV type 16 (HPV-16) infection (odds ratio, 14.6; 95% CI, 6.3 to 36.6), oral infection with any of 37 types of HPV (odds ratio, 12.3; 95% CI, 5.4 to 26.4), and seropositivity for the HPV-16 L1 capsid protein (odds ratio, 32.2; 95% CI, 14.6 to 71.3). HPV-16 DNA was detected in 72% (95% CI, 62 to 81) of 100 paraffin-embedded tumor specimens, and 64% of patients with cancer were seropositive for the HPV-16 oncoprotein E6, E7, or both. HPV-16 L1 seropositivity was highly associated with oropharyngeal cancer among subjects with a history of heavy tobacco and alcohol use (odds ratio, 19.4; 95% CI, 3.3 to 113.9) and among those without such a history (odds ratio, 33.6; 95% CI, 13.3 to 84.8). The association was similarly increased among subjects with oral HPV-16 infection, regardless of their tobacco and alcohol use. By contrast, tobacco and alcohol use increased the association with oropharyngeal cancer primarily among subjects without exposure to HPV-16.
Short version: promiscuity leads to disease.
So---what's the "vaccine" that prevents promiscuity?
HT: Clay Cramer
A high lifetime number of vaginal-sex partners (26 or more) was associated with oropharyngeal cancer (odds ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 6.5), as was a high lifetime number of oral-sex partners (6 or more) (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.3 to 8.8). The degree of association increased with the number of vaginal-sex and oral-sex partners (P values for trend, 0.002 and 0.009, respectively). Oropharyngeal cancer was significantly associated with oral HPV type 16 (HPV-16) infection (odds ratio, 14.6; 95% CI, 6.3 to 36.6), oral infection with any of 37 types of HPV (odds ratio, 12.3; 95% CI, 5.4 to 26.4), and seropositivity for the HPV-16 L1 capsid protein (odds ratio, 32.2; 95% CI, 14.6 to 71.3). HPV-16 DNA was detected in 72% (95% CI, 62 to 81) of 100 paraffin-embedded tumor specimens, and 64% of patients with cancer were seropositive for the HPV-16 oncoprotein E6, E7, or both. HPV-16 L1 seropositivity was highly associated with oropharyngeal cancer among subjects with a history of heavy tobacco and alcohol use (odds ratio, 19.4; 95% CI, 3.3 to 113.9) and among those without such a history (odds ratio, 33.6; 95% CI, 13.3 to 84.8). The association was similarly increased among subjects with oral HPV-16 infection, regardless of their tobacco and alcohol use. By contrast, tobacco and alcohol use increased the association with oropharyngeal cancer primarily among subjects without exposure to HPV-16.
Short version: promiscuity leads to disease.
So---what's the "vaccine" that prevents promiscuity?
HT: Clay Cramer
Owen Heats the Kitchen, Updated With Scarlet Letter Pubbie
Good ol' Owen decided to test the (R) creds of Assembly (R) members.
So he sent a letter asking them to pledge NOT to vote for any State Budget offering which increases taxes and/or fees--whether DarthDoyle's or any "Republican" alternative.
So far, the response is underwhelming for what should be a no-brainer.
Not yet taking the pledge:Zipperer, Ott, Jeskewitz, Newcomer, and Gundrum.
Besides striking Zipperer (see combox,) we will add Robin Vos in Scarlet Lettering.
Belling reports that Vos earns the Scarlet Lettering by discouraging the Pubbies from signing Owen's pledge.
In these cases, the letter will not be an "A." It will be a "W". You can figure it out...
UPDATE 2: Huebsch, the leader of the Leggie Pubbies, is actively attempting to kill pledges. Not only Vos, but Rhoades, are attempting to get the rest to swallow just a little bit of the poison.
Well, boys and girl, if you like the poison, I suggest you write personal checks for the increases. We don't have any more to give, except some heated and vituperative demonstrations.
UPDATE 3: Vos denies the story.
So he sent a letter asking them to pledge NOT to vote for any State Budget offering which increases taxes and/or fees--whether DarthDoyle's or any "Republican" alternative.
So far, the response is underwhelming for what should be a no-brainer.
Not yet taking the pledge:
Besides striking Zipperer (see combox,) we will add Robin Vos in Scarlet Lettering.
Belling reports that Vos earns the Scarlet Lettering by discouraging the Pubbies from signing Owen's pledge.
In these cases, the letter will not be an "A." It will be a "W". You can figure it out...
UPDATE 2: Huebsch, the leader of the Leggie Pubbies, is actively attempting to kill pledges. Not only Vos, but Rhoades, are attempting to get the rest to swallow just a little bit of the poison.
Well, boys and girl, if you like the poison, I suggest you write personal checks for the increases. We don't have any more to give, except some heated and vituperative demonstrations.
UPDATE 3: Vos denies the story.
TV Made Us Go to War: AlGore
AlGore joins Roal Dahl in denouncing TV.
“The Assault On Reason” begins as an academic discourse about the one-sided, corporate-controlled television medium with no interactivity.
Gore argues that television not only creates a dynamic that runs contrary to Thomas Jefferson’s desire for a “well-informed citizenry” but lulls viewers in a partially immobilized state and allows unreasoned communicators to sell false bills of goods, such as, say, that there was a connection between the Sept. 11 hijackers and Saddam Hussein.
As an example of the failed democratic conversation, Gore said Monday that prior to the war in Iraq, “if we had a full debate and a full airing of the pros and cons of the invasion that brought out the fact that Iraq had absolutely nothing to do with attacking us on 9/11 then we would have been much less likely to have these troops trapped over there now in the midst of a civil war.”
Well.
That leaves AlGore in the position of indirectly endorsing the Radio Talkers, who ARE interactive, and whose listeners are not 'immobilized...'
Strange bedfellows, eh?
“The Assault On Reason” begins as an academic discourse about the one-sided, corporate-controlled television medium with no interactivity.
Gore argues that television not only creates a dynamic that runs contrary to Thomas Jefferson’s desire for a “well-informed citizenry” but lulls viewers in a partially immobilized state and allows unreasoned communicators to sell false bills of goods, such as, say, that there was a connection between the Sept. 11 hijackers and Saddam Hussein.
As an example of the failed democratic conversation, Gore said Monday that prior to the war in Iraq, “if we had a full debate and a full airing of the pros and cons of the invasion that brought out the fact that Iraq had absolutely nothing to do with attacking us on 9/11 then we would have been much less likely to have these troops trapped over there now in the midst of a civil war.”
Well.
That leaves AlGore in the position of indirectly endorsing the Radio Talkers, who ARE interactive, and whose listeners are not 'immobilized...'
Strange bedfellows, eh?
$10Bn for 4-Year-Old "Education": HRC
It's a start, right?
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton yesterday proposed that the federal government provide states with up to $10 billion to ensure all 4-year-olds have pre-kindergarten education.
...Among the requirements of the Clinton plan, states would have to provide free preschool to low-income and limited-English families, hire teachers with bachelor's degrees and training in early-childhood development, ensure low child-to-teacher ratios and use age-appropriate curriculum, yet to be defined.
It's going to be "voluntary."
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton yesterday proposed that the federal government provide states with up to $10 billion to ensure all 4-year-olds have pre-kindergarten education.
...Among the requirements of the Clinton plan, states would have to provide free preschool to low-income and limited-English families, hire teachers with bachelor's degrees and training in early-childhood development, ensure low child-to-teacher ratios and use age-appropriate curriculum, yet to be defined.
It's going to be "voluntary."
Iowa Poll: Edwards??
The Register's poll, a decent one, places John Edwards first in Iowa at this time on the (D) side.
Tommy!! is 4th on the (R) side, unless the polls include Fred!! Thompson and Gingrich, in which case Tommy!!! drops to 6th.
It's over, Tommy.
Tommy!! is 4th on the (R) side, unless the polls include Fred!! Thompson and Gingrich, in which case Tommy!!! drops to 6th.
It's over, Tommy.
"Not Voting" on Immigration Reform Cloture
Senators who did NOT vote on the motion to cut off debate:
Biden (D-DE), Clinton (D-NY), Dodd (D-CT), Johnson (D-SD), Kerry (D-MA), McCain (R-AZ)
Nelson (D-FL), Obama (D-IL)
Ain't that amazing?
The Wisconsin delegation fell into line like good little Senators, both voting FOR cloture.
Republicans who don't really give a rip about the reality:
Alexander (R-TN), Bennett (R-UT), Bond (R-MO), Brownback (R-KS), Chambliss (R-GA), Cochran (R-MS), Coleman (R-MN), Collins (R-ME), Craig (R-ID), Domenici (R-NM), Ensign (R-NV), Graham (R-SC), Grassley (R-IA), Gregg (R-NH), Hagel (R-NE), Hatch (R-UT), Isakson (R-GA), Kyl (R-AZ), Lott (R-MS), Lugar (R-IN), Martinez (R-FL), McConnell (R-KY), Murkowski (R-AK), Smith (R-OR), Snowe (R-ME), Specter (R-PA), Stevens (R-AK), Voinovich (R-OH), Warner (R-VA).
Biden (D-DE), Clinton (D-NY), Dodd (D-CT), Johnson (D-SD), Kerry (D-MA), McCain (R-AZ)
Nelson (D-FL), Obama (D-IL)
Ain't that amazing?
The Wisconsin delegation fell into line like good little Senators, both voting FOR cloture.
Republicans who don't really give a rip about the reality:
Alexander (R-TN), Bennett (R-UT), Bond (R-MO), Brownback (R-KS), Chambliss (R-GA), Cochran (R-MS), Coleman (R-MN), Collins (R-ME), Craig (R-ID), Domenici (R-NM), Ensign (R-NV), Graham (R-SC), Grassley (R-IA), Gregg (R-NH), Hagel (R-NE), Hatch (R-UT), Isakson (R-GA), Kyl (R-AZ), Lott (R-MS), Lugar (R-IN), Martinez (R-FL), McConnell (R-KY), Murkowski (R-AK), Smith (R-OR), Snowe (R-ME), Specter (R-PA), Stevens (R-AK), Voinovich (R-OH), Warner (R-VA).
Monday, May 21, 2007
More Problems for the Immigration Bill
From Norm Matloff's* newsletter:
The bill definitely includes a huge expansion of the H-1B program. As you all know, I consider that to be completely unwarranted, as the tech employers across the board--large and small, U.S. and Indian-owned--use it for cheap labor. But of course the industry likes this part of the bill.
What they complain about... is that the bill would replace the current portion of immigration law that allows employers to sponsor foreign workers for green cards with a point system. By giving more points to people who are engineers, have advanced degrees and so on, the bill would appear, on the surface, to be exactly what the employers want.
So why are they screaming? One of the industry's chief lobbyists answers this way:
“Under the current system,” Mr. Hoffman said, “you need an employer to sponsor you for a green card. Under the point system, you would not need an employer as a sponsor. An individual would get points for special skills, but those skills may not match the demand. You can’t hire a chemical engineer to do the work of a software engineer.”
Gentle reader(s), you can tell this is pure poppycock. The "critical skills" requirements can be changed from year to year, which will remedy any imbalances (at least in the long run.) What the employers are actually objecting to is that they no longer "sponsor" an H1-B. In effect, that means that the H1-B is not their 'indentured servant,' as is the case under the current system. The immigrant gets to pick his employer, more or less--and will be able to change jobs for market-competitive wages.
There is also an age component. Matloff notes that
they want them YOUNG. That's why industry has been heavily supporting the proposals to give 'fast track green cards' to foreign students who graduate from U.S. universities.
The point system would also largely replace many of the current law's provisions for family immigration. I think many of the players here don't understand how huge an issue that will be politically. The Asian-American political groups have made this a top priority over the years (back to the 1980s, when it was first proposed to remove the ability of naturalized U.S. citizens to sponsor their adult siblings for immigration).
The switch from "chain immigration" to "qualifications-plus-immediate-family-only" immigration is monumental; it's been "chain" for over 40 years. This is a provision on which the (R) and (D) negotiators agreed; the (D)'s because their immediate concern is the Mexicans, who already HAVE their immediate families here; the (R)'s because it's more "market-oriented."
Only problem for the (R)'s is that while the provision makes sense, it is not what the large H1-B employers really wanted. (See above.)
What's the upshot?
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi represents a heavyily Chinese-American district, and I believe that she would treat this as a deal breaker, much as she wants the CIR to go through. I believe that the current bill's section eliminating the ability to sponsor adult siblings for immigration will be one of the first to be removed from the bill.
Maybe. It's also possible that the whole damn thing will disappear down the porcelain tube.
*Matloff is a full prof at UC-Davis; he also writes extensively about the "tech-talent" and H1-B issues.
The bill definitely includes a huge expansion of the H-1B program. As you all know, I consider that to be completely unwarranted, as the tech employers across the board--large and small, U.S. and Indian-owned--use it for cheap labor. But of course the industry likes this part of the bill.
What they complain about... is that the bill would replace the current portion of immigration law that allows employers to sponsor foreign workers for green cards with a point system. By giving more points to people who are engineers, have advanced degrees and so on, the bill would appear, on the surface, to be exactly what the employers want.
So why are they screaming? One of the industry's chief lobbyists answers this way:
“Under the current system,” Mr. Hoffman said, “you need an employer to sponsor you for a green card. Under the point system, you would not need an employer as a sponsor. An individual would get points for special skills, but those skills may not match the demand. You can’t hire a chemical engineer to do the work of a software engineer.”
Gentle reader(s), you can tell this is pure poppycock. The "critical skills" requirements can be changed from year to year, which will remedy any imbalances (at least in the long run.) What the employers are actually objecting to is that they no longer "sponsor" an H1-B. In effect, that means that the H1-B is not their 'indentured servant,' as is the case under the current system. The immigrant gets to pick his employer, more or less--and will be able to change jobs for market-competitive wages.
There is also an age component. Matloff notes that
they want them YOUNG. That's why industry has been heavily supporting the proposals to give 'fast track green cards' to foreign students who graduate from U.S. universities.
The bill, as written, would likely favor older applicants--who demand higher salaries AND usually have higher benefit costs (e.g., family-plan health insurance.)
But beyond that:The point system would also largely replace many of the current law's provisions for family immigration. I think many of the players here don't understand how huge an issue that will be politically. The Asian-American political groups have made this a top priority over the years (back to the 1980s, when it was first proposed to remove the ability of naturalized U.S. citizens to sponsor their adult siblings for immigration).
The switch from "chain immigration" to "qualifications-plus-immediate-family-only" immigration is monumental; it's been "chain" for over 40 years. This is a provision on which the (R) and (D) negotiators agreed; the (D)'s because their immediate concern is the Mexicans, who already HAVE their immediate families here; the (R)'s because it's more "market-oriented."
Only problem for the (R)'s is that while the provision makes sense, it is not what the large H1-B employers really wanted. (See above.)
What's the upshot?
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi represents a heavyily Chinese-American district, and I believe that she would treat this as a deal breaker, much as she wants the CIR to go through. I believe that the current bill's section eliminating the ability to sponsor adult siblings for immigration will be one of the first to be removed from the bill.
Maybe. It's also possible that the whole damn thing will disappear down the porcelain tube.
*Matloff is a full prof at UC-Davis; he also writes extensively about the "tech-talent" and H1-B issues.
Jessica: It Was Personal for One Critic
Jessica McBride has been removed from the WTMJ-AM lineup, as most of the civilized world knows.
What was surprising (to some degree) was how it happened. Apparently, one of Jessica's most vocal (or graphical, I suppose) attackers was a fellow named Rowen, who did NOT get the post that Jessica holds at UW-M in the J-school.
Well.
That said, I'll say the same thing here that I said in other venues. Ms. McBride's voice is better for print journalism. Sorry about that, Jessica--you are a charming and vivacious lady with good ideas--and a decent soul. But...
And, as I've said elsewhere, "topical" commenters will have a hard time with show-rhythm if they are not broadcasting regularly. Jessica's show was pre-empted both by the Brewers and the Bucks, meaning that she was not a "regular" hostess. Perforce, she couldn't cover events as they happened; immediacy was lost.
That costs. So does the irregularity of her appearances, which discouraged people from being "regular" listeners.
I did not hear the "Kane" show, but I got the idea of it through several other blogs. Personally, I would not have done it--but the point should have been made. It's clear that Mr. Kane doesn't like to deal with conservative ideas (he ran out of the Blogger Summit at MU the very moment his panel discussion ended.) It's likely that he would have been more interesting than a chicken.
Or not.
In any case, it was a good run, and when I did catch her show, it was illuminating.
Jessica will be just fine; and her daughter will be very happy to have her around, too.
As to Rowen--he won't get the radio spot vacated by Jessica, either.
No wonder there's a campaign to dump Jessica from her UW-M position.
What was surprising (to some degree) was how it happened. Apparently, one of Jessica's most vocal (or graphical, I suppose) attackers was a fellow named Rowen, who did NOT get the post that Jessica holds at UW-M in the J-school.
Well.
That said, I'll say the same thing here that I said in other venues. Ms. McBride's voice is better for print journalism. Sorry about that, Jessica--you are a charming and vivacious lady with good ideas--and a decent soul. But...
And, as I've said elsewhere, "topical" commenters will have a hard time with show-rhythm if they are not broadcasting regularly. Jessica's show was pre-empted both by the Brewers and the Bucks, meaning that she was not a "regular" hostess. Perforce, she couldn't cover events as they happened; immediacy was lost.
That costs. So does the irregularity of her appearances, which discouraged people from being "regular" listeners.
I did not hear the "Kane" show, but I got the idea of it through several other blogs. Personally, I would not have done it--but the point should have been made. It's clear that Mr. Kane doesn't like to deal with conservative ideas (he ran out of the Blogger Summit at MU the very moment his panel discussion ended.) It's likely that he would have been more interesting than a chicken.
Or not.
In any case, it was a good run, and when I did catch her show, it was illuminating.
Jessica will be just fine; and her daughter will be very happy to have her around, too.
As to Rowen--he won't get the radio spot vacated by Jessica, either.
No wonder there's a campaign to dump Jessica from her UW-M position.
Is This GWB's Plan for Baghdad?
Perhaps "democracy" does not include certain types of people.
It has emerged, from what has been reported to AsiaNews, that the persecution is being carried out according to a well studied plan, quarter by quarter across the city. After Dora, Al-Baya’a, al-Thurat and al-Saydia, now it’s the turn of al-Habibia and al-Baladiyat. Those groups who subscribe to the “Islamic state in Iraq” are putting up posters which demand women wear the veil and distributing pamphlets imposing protection taxes on Christians.
“They use the same technique on each and every quarter – locals tell – soon they will begin to call house to house to sequester all our possessions”.
“The coalition and Iraqi forces are present on the round in these neighbourhoods – they lament – they can see what’s going on, but they refuse to get involved”. Thus many make the decision to leave their homes, packing their most precious belongings in cases and seeking refuge in those few Churches which are still open. But most are already full to capacity, forcing many families to live and sleep on the streets.
The "non-protected?"
Catholics and other Christians in Baghdad.
HT: Amy
It has emerged, from what has been reported to AsiaNews, that the persecution is being carried out according to a well studied plan, quarter by quarter across the city. After Dora, Al-Baya’a, al-Thurat and al-Saydia, now it’s the turn of al-Habibia and al-Baladiyat. Those groups who subscribe to the “Islamic state in Iraq” are putting up posters which demand women wear the veil and distributing pamphlets imposing protection taxes on Christians.
“They use the same technique on each and every quarter – locals tell – soon they will begin to call house to house to sequester all our possessions”.
“The coalition and Iraqi forces are present on the round in these neighbourhoods – they lament – they can see what’s going on, but they refuse to get involved”. Thus many make the decision to leave their homes, packing their most precious belongings in cases and seeking refuge in those few Churches which are still open. But most are already full to capacity, forcing many families to live and sleep on the streets.
The "non-protected?"
Catholics and other Christians in Baghdad.
HT: Amy
B-16 on Conscience
See the excerpt (in whole) here. I'll just give you one weighty excerpt:
He [at-the-time Cdl. Ratzinger] went looking for a different conception of conscience -- one that didn't pit "morality of conscience" against "morality of authority." Finally, he decided that conscience has to work like language, from both within and without.
One has the innate ability to speak, but it has to be learned by observation, imitation and interaction with others. So it is with conscience: If one thinks of it as only an interior, almost occult, guide to life, he is likely to go badly wrong.
Not all that far from "what your mother told you..." in the olden days, eh?
He [at-the-time Cdl. Ratzinger] went looking for a different conception of conscience -- one that didn't pit "morality of conscience" against "morality of authority." Finally, he decided that conscience has to work like language, from both within and without.
One has the innate ability to speak, but it has to be learned by observation, imitation and interaction with others. So it is with conscience: If one thinks of it as only an interior, almost occult, guide to life, he is likely to go badly wrong.
Not all that far from "what your mother told you..." in the olden days, eh?
DarthDoyle Rearranges Chairs on Hospital's Sinking Deck
Darth has decided to reveal more of his hand in his hospital-taxing scheme.
He'll take the money from Rich hospitals and give it to Poor ones (we think).
UW Hospital had been projected to gain $23.3 million in Medicaid reimbursements over two years under the original proposal. Under the new calculations, it would receive about $11 million. Meriter, which had been projected to get almost $22 million, would receive about $14 million. The projected reimbursement for St. Mary's Hospital's increased by half a million dollars, to $4.8 million.
Officials from UW Hospital and Meriter would not comment because they had not analyzed the new figures. A St. Mary's spokesman said the hospital is following the lead of the hospital association in opposing the tax.
Some hospitals would receive less funding under the new version of the plan, in part because it allots a smaller reimbursement to hospitals with fewer managed care HMO patients, said Jason Helgerson, state Medicaid director.
Or maybe he's trying to increase "managed HMO" users.
And we all know how well HMO's worked, right?
He'll take the money from Rich hospitals and give it to Poor ones (we think).
UW Hospital had been projected to gain $23.3 million in Medicaid reimbursements over two years under the original proposal. Under the new calculations, it would receive about $11 million. Meriter, which had been projected to get almost $22 million, would receive about $14 million. The projected reimbursement for St. Mary's Hospital's increased by half a million dollars, to $4.8 million.
Officials from UW Hospital and Meriter would not comment because they had not analyzed the new figures. A St. Mary's spokesman said the hospital is following the lead of the hospital association in opposing the tax.
Some hospitals would receive less funding under the new version of the plan, in part because it allots a smaller reimbursement to hospitals with fewer managed care HMO patients, said Jason Helgerson, state Medicaid director.
Or maybe he's trying to increase "managed HMO" users.
And we all know how well HMO's worked, right?
Oh, Yes, Jay--There's Fraud in Voting
The story is the standard stuff:
Kimberly Prude is 43, a grandmother of three and the face of voter fraud in Wisconsin.
The first vote she cast in her life, in the 2004 presidential election, landed her in the middle of a political storm and put her on a road to a two-year sentence inside the Robert E. Ellsworth Correctional Center.
(Cue violins.)
Here's the part that is far more interesting:
The government said that at the polls on election day, "Prude improperly vouched for individuals she had never met. She also signed as the corroborating witness on two on-site registration cards for the same voter."
The JS story does not follow up on the "vouched-for" individuals, nor does it mention how MANY of them are out there.
That would be an interesting Part 2, no?
Kimberly Prude is 43, a grandmother of three and the face of voter fraud in Wisconsin.
The first vote she cast in her life, in the 2004 presidential election, landed her in the middle of a political storm and put her on a road to a two-year sentence inside the Robert E. Ellsworth Correctional Center.
(Cue violins.)
Here's the part that is far more interesting:
The government said that at the polls on election day, "Prude improperly vouched for individuals she had never met. She also signed as the corroborating witness on two on-site registration cards for the same voter."
The JS story does not follow up on the "vouched-for" individuals, nor does it mention how MANY of them are out there.
That would be an interesting Part 2, no?
Current Illegals: Go Home? You're Nuts!! and A Link to Hewitt's Analysis
But...but...Senator McCain. George W. Bush, Ted the Swimmer and Mel Martinez said this wouldn't happen!! Could it be that they are lying to us?
...Under reforms announced last week, Gimenez would be required to return to Mexico at some point in order to secure the right to work legally in the United States, possibly paying up to 5,000 dollars in fines additionally.
Gimenez fears however that once he leaves America he won't be allowed back in. "I don't really understand that much about the bill, but I'd have to be crazy to go back to Mexico to apply for visa now that I am already in the US," he says. "They wouldn't give me a visa there."
Persuading workers like Gimenez that is in their interests to leave appears to be one of the biggest challenges facing US authorities, as they try to bring the country's 12-million strong illegal labor force out of the shadows.
In factories, markets, car-washes and laundromats, illegal workers in Los Angeles Hispanic community the same refrain: "Going home is not an option."
Oh, by the way, Mr. Gimenez has a thought on the "work permit" idea, too:
...he expected agricultural workers entering the country on seasonal visas would quite likely end up over-staying in any case.
"The work permit program is for people who want to come here for the first time -- it doesn't offer anything for people that are already here," he said. "And anyway, a Mexican farmer who comes here on a 10-month permit is going to stay here permanently anyway."
It's not hard to get the impression that the legislation is worthless, or worse...
Hewitt (who is NOT a hard-line opponent to some Immigration compromise) has been reading the Bill. His observations can be found here.
...Under reforms announced last week, Gimenez would be required to return to Mexico at some point in order to secure the right to work legally in the United States, possibly paying up to 5,000 dollars in fines additionally.
Gimenez fears however that once he leaves America he won't be allowed back in. "I don't really understand that much about the bill, but I'd have to be crazy to go back to Mexico to apply for visa now that I am already in the US," he says. "They wouldn't give me a visa there."
Persuading workers like Gimenez that is in their interests to leave appears to be one of the biggest challenges facing US authorities, as they try to bring the country's 12-million strong illegal labor force out of the shadows.
In factories, markets, car-washes and laundromats, illegal workers in Los Angeles Hispanic community the same refrain: "Going home is not an option."
Oh, by the way, Mr. Gimenez has a thought on the "work permit" idea, too:
...he expected agricultural workers entering the country on seasonal visas would quite likely end up over-staying in any case.
"The work permit program is for people who want to come here for the first time -- it doesn't offer anything for people that are already here," he said. "And anyway, a Mexican farmer who comes here on a 10-month permit is going to stay here permanently anyway."
It's not hard to get the impression that the legislation is worthless, or worse...
Hewitt (who is NOT a hard-line opponent to some Immigration compromise) has been reading the Bill. His observations can be found here.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Bush, the Moonie
Like they say, you can't make this stuff up:
Next month the Washington Times, the conservative newspaper with close ties to every Republican administration since Reagan, celebrates its 25th anniversary. Former President George H.W. Bush will be the headliner.
And the former President deserves the honor. Barbara Bush ought to get a rousing cheer as well. The two of them have been beating the bushes for Reverend Sun Myung Moon for years
...Four years after leaving the White House, in 1996, Bush traveled to Buenos Aires for the opening of Moon’s pan Latin American newspaper, Tiempos del Mundo, and according to the Washington Post received $100,000 for his trouble. Then he accompanied Moon to Uruguay to help open a seminary. His son Neil received $1 million from a Moon foundation for an educational company. (Much of what is known about Moon comes from the efforts of a tiny group of reporters, including blogger John Gorenfeld, as well as Robert Parry, the former AP reporter who broke many of the Iran contra stories. Bill Berkowitz and Fred Clarkson are two others in a small band of reporters who have followed the Bush-Moon connection.)
The Houston Chronicle in 2006 obtained evidence that Moon’s Washington Times Foundation had contributed $1 million to Bush’s presidential library using the Greater Houston Community Foundation as a conduit.
The deal came to light in a rather roundabout way. When he was asked if Moon’s $1 million went to the library, Jim McGrath, the family spokesman, told the Chronicle, “We’re in an uncomfortable position. … If a donor doesn’t want to be identified we need to honor their privacy.” He was then asked whether the money was meant to suggest to the Bush family that the time was at hand for President George W. Bush to grant Moon a pardon for his 1982 conviction McGrath replied, “If that’s why he gave the grant, he’s throwing his money away. … That’s not the way the Bushes operate.”
Pardon me for saying so, but Rev. Moon is on another planet entirely. Why GHWBush is so tight with him is a mystery, but it does make sense with GHWB's "Globaloney" fixation, I guess.
Next month the Washington Times, the conservative newspaper with close ties to every Republican administration since Reagan, celebrates its 25th anniversary. Former President George H.W. Bush will be the headliner.
And the former President deserves the honor. Barbara Bush ought to get a rousing cheer as well. The two of them have been beating the bushes for Reverend Sun Myung Moon for years
...Four years after leaving the White House, in 1996, Bush traveled to Buenos Aires for the opening of Moon’s pan Latin American newspaper, Tiempos del Mundo, and according to the Washington Post received $100,000 for his trouble. Then he accompanied Moon to Uruguay to help open a seminary. His son Neil received $1 million from a Moon foundation for an educational company. (Much of what is known about Moon comes from the efforts of a tiny group of reporters, including blogger John Gorenfeld, as well as Robert Parry, the former AP reporter who broke many of the Iran contra stories. Bill Berkowitz and Fred Clarkson are two others in a small band of reporters who have followed the Bush-Moon connection.)
The Houston Chronicle in 2006 obtained evidence that Moon’s Washington Times Foundation had contributed $1 million to Bush’s presidential library using the Greater Houston Community Foundation as a conduit.
The deal came to light in a rather roundabout way. When he was asked if Moon’s $1 million went to the library, Jim McGrath, the family spokesman, told the Chronicle, “We’re in an uncomfortable position. … If a donor doesn’t want to be identified we need to honor their privacy.” He was then asked whether the money was meant to suggest to the Bush family that the time was at hand for President George W. Bush to grant Moon a pardon for his 1982 conviction McGrath replied, “If that’s why he gave the grant, he’s throwing his money away. … That’s not the way the Bushes operate.”
Pardon me for saying so, but Rev. Moon is on another planet entirely. Why GHWBush is so tight with him is a mystery, but it does make sense with GHWB's "Globaloney" fixation, I guess.
Chambliss, Graham BOOED at State (R) Conventions
Both Chambliss (Ga.) and Graham (SC) were booed at their home-state Republican conventions for their defense of the Immigration Bill.
Graham is the (R) answer to the Breck Girl. Chambliss is a somewhat vague (R) anyway.
Keep the cards and letters rolling. Nothing like a good loud "BOOOOOOOO" for these jackasses.
Graham is the (R) answer to the Breck Girl. Chambliss is a somewhat vague (R) anyway.
Keep the cards and letters rolling. Nothing like a good loud "BOOOOOOOO" for these jackasses.
Feingold: "Serious Reservations" About Immigration Bill
It's hard to figure out what Sen. Feingold means:
"Based on the limited information available so far, I have serious concerns about the bill, including whether it does enough to protect the rights of both U.S. and foreign workers," Feingold, D-Wis., said. "I will be looking closely at ways to improve the bill next week when it comes to the Senate floor."
Feingold has a reputation--he doesn't roll over for the Party. That reputation has served him very well in his election campaigns.
The bill, at about 1,000 pages, is fraught with problems for both 'foreign' and 'domestic' workers--but moreso for national security (as pointed out below.)
It would be very pleasing to see the Senator derail the train--and reveal his specific objections.
Frankly, there are ZERO protections in the Bill for 'domestic' workers if you understand the Bill's lax or non-existent enforcement provisions for "Z" visas.
"Based on the limited information available so far, I have serious concerns about the bill, including whether it does enough to protect the rights of both U.S. and foreign workers," Feingold, D-Wis., said. "I will be looking closely at ways to improve the bill next week when it comes to the Senate floor."
Feingold has a reputation--he doesn't roll over for the Party. That reputation has served him very well in his election campaigns.
The bill, at about 1,000 pages, is fraught with problems for both 'foreign' and 'domestic' workers--but moreso for national security (as pointed out below.)
It would be very pleasing to see the Senator derail the train--and reveal his specific objections.
Frankly, there are ZERO protections in the Bill for 'domestic' workers if you understand the Bill's lax or non-existent enforcement provisions for "Z" visas.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Noonan on Fred!!
Great stuff, as you'd expect from Peggy Noonan:
While the other candidates bang away earnestly in a frozen format, Thompson continues to sneak up from the creek and steal their underwear--boxers, briefs and temple garments.
...These comments and opinions are being read and forwarded in Internet Nation. They are revealing and interesting, but they're not heavy, not homework. They have an air of "This is the sound of a candidate thinking." That's an unusual sound.
...Most importantly for him, and for all the Republican candidates for that matter, Mr. Thompson will have to answer this question: What is he running to do? Why should the Republicans get another eight years, or four years, after all the missteps they've made? Isn't conservatism, or Republicanism, or whatever you call it, just tired? Isn't it over? Isn't America just waiting for whatever will take its place?
Why shouldn't liberalism get a shot? Could they mess up more? Why should we trust Republicans with foreign affairs?
If Fred Thompson can answer these questions, he'll be showing he's something new, and not just the newest candidate, or the latest face.
Reports this week said an announcement could come in June.
It's estimated that the Moore UTube thing cost around $100.00 (exclusive of the cigar.) Who's the "expert" that yapped about a potential 'lack of funds'?
Yes, I cropped her editorial. She asks a lot of good questions, and is not bubbling with unvarnished enthusiasm over Fred!!
But then, so far, neither is Fred!
While the other candidates bang away earnestly in a frozen format, Thompson continues to sneak up from the creek and steal their underwear--boxers, briefs and temple garments.
...These comments and opinions are being read and forwarded in Internet Nation. They are revealing and interesting, but they're not heavy, not homework. They have an air of "This is the sound of a candidate thinking." That's an unusual sound.
...Most importantly for him, and for all the Republican candidates for that matter, Mr. Thompson will have to answer this question: What is he running to do? Why should the Republicans get another eight years, or four years, after all the missteps they've made? Isn't conservatism, or Republicanism, or whatever you call it, just tired? Isn't it over? Isn't America just waiting for whatever will take its place?
Why shouldn't liberalism get a shot? Could they mess up more? Why should we trust Republicans with foreign affairs?
If Fred Thompson can answer these questions, he'll be showing he's something new, and not just the newest candidate, or the latest face.
Reports this week said an announcement could come in June.
It's estimated that the Moore UTube thing cost around $100.00 (exclusive of the cigar.) Who's the "expert" that yapped about a potential 'lack of funds'?
Yes, I cropped her editorial. She asks a lot of good questions, and is not bubbling with unvarnished enthusiasm over Fred!!
But then, so far, neither is Fred!
AG Gonzales--the Picture Gets Worse
I've made my opinion on him clear.
This morning, fresh rumors circulate that he will resign, soon.
Good.
Hadley Arkes gives us another reason for him to simply leave:
We have a dramatic case right now, in New Jersey, of a hospital that has arguably violated the Born-Alive Infants’ Protection Act, the act that casts the protection of the law on children who survive abortions. But that case is languishing in the Justice Department, with a White House paying no attention.
Just get out, and stay out.
This morning, fresh rumors circulate that he will resign, soon.
Good.
Hadley Arkes gives us another reason for him to simply leave:
We have a dramatic case right now, in New Jersey, of a hospital that has arguably violated the Born-Alive Infants’ Protection Act, the act that casts the protection of the law on children who survive abortions. But that case is languishing in the Justice Department, with a White House paying no attention.
Just get out, and stay out.
About One Year Late
Yah. NOW they make the intelligent decision:
The Joint Committee on Finance agreed by one vote today to allow drivers to put just one license plate on their vehicles. The committee voted 9-7 to allow people to display only a rear license plate.
The Department of Transportation would save nearly $250,000 a year because it would issue fewer plates.
A year ago, some testosterone-loaded Wisconsin Smokey Bear lectured me endlessly about the absolutely, positively, totally NECESSARY front-plate.
The way he told it at the time, a front plate was necessary for National Security, prevention of Global Warming, the Preservation of Children, and (oh, by the way) His Personal Quota for the Month.
He was a jackass.
The Joint Committee on Finance agreed by one vote today to allow drivers to put just one license plate on their vehicles. The committee voted 9-7 to allow people to display only a rear license plate.
The Department of Transportation would save nearly $250,000 a year because it would issue fewer plates.
A year ago, some testosterone-loaded Wisconsin Smokey Bear lectured me endlessly about the absolutely, positively, totally NECESSARY front-plate.
The way he told it at the time, a front plate was necessary for National Security, prevention of Global Warming, the Preservation of Children, and (oh, by the way) His Personal Quota for the Month.
He was a jackass.
Garbage In, Garbage Out: THE Achilles' Hell of Immigration "Reform"
The fence will be shorter--or maybe it won't be built at all.
But even assuming that a short fence IS built, and that the other surveillance systems work, (in concert with an additional bunch of Border Patrol personnel,) the flaw in the Immigration Reform package is so significant--so huge--that the fence is irrelevant.
As CounterTerrorismBlog points out:
Consider that when you attempt to make a purchase in a department store, you are required to provide your driver's license to ascertain your identity even if you are paying by credit card. When former Mayor Giuliani states that we must provide tamper-proof identity documents to millions of illegal and undocumented aliens the question that no one asks is, what name should be put on those cards? The issue is not to produce cards that can not be altered our counterfeited, an issue of some concern, but rather, what is the true identity of the alien seeking to participate in the program?
If our country was to implement a guest worker amnesty program and issue identity documents to these millions of illegal aliens whose true identities are unknown and unknowable, then these unknown people would be able to obtain driver's licenses, Social Security cards and other forms of identification in false names. We know that the 9/11 Commission determined that the terrorists who attacked our nation used false aliases to conceal themselves and their malevolent plans in the months leading up to the attacks of September 11, 2001. They were not alone in this. When you look at a criminal history of most criminals you are generally first struck by the many alternative identities that the criminals use in order to hide in plain sight. For a criminal or a terrorist, the ability to change identities is the equivalent of a chameleon that changes coloration in order to conceal himself.
Kenosha, anybody?
The bottom line is that a Guest Worker Amnesty Program would require that our government issue official identity documents to people whose true identities are unknown and unknowable
Conceding that there is no such thing as 100% perfect systems, it does appear as though the Compromise Party has decided that "No System At All" is just fine and dandy.
We disagree.
But even assuming that a short fence IS built, and that the other surveillance systems work, (in concert with an additional bunch of Border Patrol personnel,) the flaw in the Immigration Reform package is so significant--so huge--that the fence is irrelevant.
As CounterTerrorismBlog points out:
Consider that when you attempt to make a purchase in a department store, you are required to provide your driver's license to ascertain your identity even if you are paying by credit card. When former Mayor Giuliani states that we must provide tamper-proof identity documents to millions of illegal and undocumented aliens the question that no one asks is, what name should be put on those cards? The issue is not to produce cards that can not be altered our counterfeited, an issue of some concern, but rather, what is the true identity of the alien seeking to participate in the program?
If our country was to implement a guest worker amnesty program and issue identity documents to these millions of illegal aliens whose true identities are unknown and unknowable, then these unknown people would be able to obtain driver's licenses, Social Security cards and other forms of identification in false names. We know that the 9/11 Commission determined that the terrorists who attacked our nation used false aliases to conceal themselves and their malevolent plans in the months leading up to the attacks of September 11, 2001. They were not alone in this. When you look at a criminal history of most criminals you are generally first struck by the many alternative identities that the criminals use in order to hide in plain sight. For a criminal or a terrorist, the ability to change identities is the equivalent of a chameleon that changes coloration in order to conceal himself.
Kenosha, anybody?
The bottom line is that a Guest Worker Amnesty Program would require that our government issue official identity documents to people whose true identities are unknown and unknowable
Conceding that there is no such thing as 100% perfect systems, it does appear as though the Compromise Party has decided that "No System At All" is just fine and dandy.
We disagree.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Ron Paul Was Right, Updated!
Ruuuudeeee!!!!, now running scared rather than running for a nomination, decided to revert to his nature (he IS a lawyer); responding to Ron Paul's remarks on the causes of 9/11, he went for the throat.
Of course, Paul was right, and Ruuuuudeeee!!! looked better. But when you are running scared, "looking better" is better, right? To Hell with principles, or the truth.
In fact, if Ron Paul was "blaming the victim" as Mayor Giuliani indignantly implied, then he is in the company of such notorious America-haters as the current President of the United States, the former Assistant Secretary of Defense, the editorial boards of the Weekly Standard and Wall Street Journal, and many, many conservative pundits and intellectuals.
..."Sixty years of Western nations excusing and accommodating the lack of freedom in the Middle East did nothing to make us safe -- because in the long run, stability cannot be purchased at the expense of liberty. As long as the Middle East remains a place where freedom does not flourish, it will remain a place of stagnation, resentment, and violence ready for export."
Or so said George W. Bush.
An interesting factoid (not disclosed by RRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUDEEEEE!!!)
Turns out that Giuliani's PR firm not only got a lot of money from News Corp, but also represents the government of Saudi Arabia.
...seems odd that a man who got paid to help improve the image of the country that produced 16 of the 19 September 11 hijackers, and that continues to fund, foster, and protect hateful anti-west, anti-liberal propaganda within its borders, would have the gall to lecture Ron Paul about his war on terror bona fides. Someone needs to ask Giuliani about his representation of the Saudi government in the next debate.
Of course, Saudi Arabia's Wahabbist (read: hard-line-Muslim) majority may have something to do with funding other anti-US groups, who operate globally AND within the USA.
Rudy, abortion may NOT be your biggest problem.
Of course, Paul was right, and Ruuuuudeeee!!! looked better. But when you are running scared, "looking better" is better, right? To Hell with principles, or the truth.
In fact, if Ron Paul was "blaming the victim" as Mayor Giuliani indignantly implied, then he is in the company of such notorious America-haters as the current President of the United States, the former Assistant Secretary of Defense, the editorial boards of the Weekly Standard and Wall Street Journal, and many, many conservative pundits and intellectuals.
..."Sixty years of Western nations excusing and accommodating the lack of freedom in the Middle East did nothing to make us safe -- because in the long run, stability cannot be purchased at the expense of liberty. As long as the Middle East remains a place where freedom does not flourish, it will remain a place of stagnation, resentment, and violence ready for export."
Or so said George W. Bush.
An interesting factoid (not disclosed by RRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUDEEEEE!!!)
Turns out that Giuliani's PR firm not only got a lot of money from News Corp, but also represents the government of Saudi Arabia.
...seems odd that a man who got paid to help improve the image of the country that produced 16 of the 19 September 11 hijackers, and that continues to fund, foster, and protect hateful anti-west, anti-liberal propaganda within its borders, would have the gall to lecture Ron Paul about his war on terror bona fides. Someone needs to ask Giuliani about his representation of the Saudi government in the next debate.
Of course, Saudi Arabia's Wahabbist (read: hard-line-Muslim) majority may have something to do with funding other anti-US groups, who operate globally AND within the USA.
Rudy, abortion may NOT be your biggest problem.
McPainful Irony
On the evening before Senator John McCain (LaRaza) announced that he had caved in to the Illegal Immigrant lobby, a decorated and valorous father, husband, and Sheriff's deputy was shot and killed in Kenosha.
His killer had FIVE Social Security numbers and a distinctly Hispanic name. The Feds are trying to determine whether this scumbag was a "Documented" or "Un-documented" Thug.
Half a fence, to be built sometime, perhaps.
12 million applications to be processed by the INS (or whatever they are now.) You can be certain that INS will screen all those folks very, very carefully. (And you can be certain that taxes will go down, trees are purple, and that the check is in the mail.)
Retroactive Social Security credits.
Families come along with.
You like working here, but don't want to be a citizen? No problem-o, mon.
Did I mention "no fence"?
If nothing else, this should clear some of the underbrush from the primaries.
His killer had FIVE Social Security numbers and a distinctly Hispanic name. The Feds are trying to determine whether this scumbag was a "Documented" or "Un-documented" Thug.
Half a fence, to be built sometime, perhaps.
12 million applications to be processed by the INS (or whatever they are now.) You can be certain that INS will screen all those folks very, very carefully. (And you can be certain that taxes will go down, trees are purple, and that the check is in the mail.)
Retroactive Social Security credits.
Families come along with.
You like working here, but don't want to be a citizen? No problem-o, mon.
Did I mention "no fence"?
If nothing else, this should clear some of the underbrush from the primaries.
How Much In New Taxes Again?
Happy to oblige.
DarthDoyle's tax proposal for the biennium will result in:
DarthDoyle's tax proposal for the biennium will result in:
$2,328,767.00
In ADDITIONAL TAX PAYMENTS TO WISCONSIN
Per Day
EVERY DAY
For
TWO WHOLE YEARS!!
TWO WHOLE YEARS!!
It's hard for some Legislators to understand the magnitude of that number--so they sorta hope that the taxpayers won't see it, or hear it, or whatever.
THAT'S BEFORE GASOLINE AND FOOD, FRIENDS!!
The LaRaza/Kennedy/McPain Immigration Bill
There's more to be done on the bill before it's finally released, but here are a few snips:
Multiple sources on Capitol Hill with knowledge of the proposal said Sen. Teddy Kennedy (D.-Mass.) has been able to extract significant concessions from Republicans. The critical part of the deal is a lengthy section that spells out the provisions related to “Z” visas -- or what my sources described as the “Amnesty Title” of the bill. The “Z” visas would be broken down into three categories as follows:
Z-1 -- Illegal alien present and working in the United States up to January 1, 2007
Z-2 -- Parents and spouses of illegal aliens qualifying under the Z-1 category
Z-3 -- Children of illegal aliens qualifying under the Z-1 category
...Sources indicate that these aliens, along with their dependents, would be allowed to legally remain in the United States under certain conditions for an indefinite period of time, even if they chose not to pursue the so called “pathway to citizenship.”
The burden of proof would be low for illegal aliens to prove that they were continually illegally present in United States. This provision would reward the illegal alien for proving continual illegal presence and illegal employment in the United States with a “Z” visa. This provision in the Kennedy deal, approved by some Republicans, is clearly amnesty under any definition, according to immigration experts whom I consulted.
Republican "talking points" evade discussion of this provision, and PROUDLY state that the border fence will be 270 miles long. Of course, the southern border is a lot longer than that--but McLaRaza doesn't care.
Multiple sources on Capitol Hill with knowledge of the proposal said Sen. Teddy Kennedy (D.-Mass.) has been able to extract significant concessions from Republicans. The critical part of the deal is a lengthy section that spells out the provisions related to “Z” visas -- or what my sources described as the “Amnesty Title” of the bill. The “Z” visas would be broken down into three categories as follows:
Z-1 -- Illegal alien present and working in the United States up to January 1, 2007
Z-2 -- Parents and spouses of illegal aliens qualifying under the Z-1 category
Z-3 -- Children of illegal aliens qualifying under the Z-1 category
...Sources indicate that these aliens, along with their dependents, would be allowed to legally remain in the United States under certain conditions for an indefinite period of time, even if they chose not to pursue the so called “pathway to citizenship.”
The burden of proof would be low for illegal aliens to prove that they were continually illegally present in United States. This provision would reward the illegal alien for proving continual illegal presence and illegal employment in the United States with a “Z” visa. This provision in the Kennedy deal, approved by some Republicans, is clearly amnesty under any definition, according to immigration experts whom I consulted.
Republican "talking points" evade discussion of this provision, and PROUDLY state that the border fence will be 270 miles long. Of course, the southern border is a lot longer than that--but McLaRaza doesn't care.
Rep. Fields--Lacking Education
HT: Charlie.
Rep. Fields has not been fully educated.
No--that's not what I mean.
I mean that the WEAC thugs have not "learned him the lesson" effectively. Evidently Rep. Fields doesn't get it.
HE thinks that the purpose of legislating is the Public Interest.
I wonder how long he can hold out.
Rep. Fields has not been fully educated.
No--that's not what I mean.
I mean that the WEAC thugs have not "learned him the lesson" effectively. Evidently Rep. Fields doesn't get it.
HE thinks that the purpose of legislating is the Public Interest.
I wonder how long he can hold out.
How Much SPENDING From Doyle? Lots!
OK. I got edjumcated (sorta) by a state-budget-aware type in the combox.
Before going there, my apologies to REP. Vukmir, who is NOT a Senator.
(There.)
In the original post, I calculated that the increase could be as much as 10.54%, rather than the "nearly 10%" number tossed off by the lovely Representative last week.
It ain't that simple.
You can look at all budget funds:
2005-2007 – 53,673,369,400
2007-2009 –58,236,506,300
Total Increase: 8.5%
Or you could take all funds, plus general revenue bonding:
2005-2007 – 53,902,154,400
2007-2009 – 58,988,614,400
Total Increase: 9.4%
Or you could use all funds, plus all bonding:
2005-2007 – 54,268,817,100
2007-2009 – 60,346,104,400
Total Increase: 11.2%
Umnnnhhhh...I'll take Door #3, which happens to be Total State Spending. But that's not too simple, either:
Further complicating matters however, one has to keep in mind that a portion of the general obligation bonding has been used as a backfill for fund-transfers. In other words, some general obligation bonding has been used to pay for current road projects and other capital projects.
Which is to say that Darth proposes to use MasterCard to make up for his $400million shell-game.
(HE plays the game, and uses TAXPAYER MasterCard. Hell of a deal, for him...)
You are trying to assess a budget built on smoke and mirrors as though it tells an honest story. It does not. The state budget is a matter of fiction on the order of Grimm’s Fairy Tales. It is open to any number of true, but frequently inaccurate observations.
We disagree a bit. Grimm's Fairy Tales had a 'moral to the story.' There are NO morals in the budget story, starting with the top of the chain.
The actual budget increase percentage could accurately be stated as something less than 11.2% and something more than 9.4% making the “nearly 10%” observation within the range of grenade throwing accuracy that typifies the state budget.
For "grenade-throwing" purposes, I'll take the 11.2%. That means an increase of around $400 MILLION DOLLARS, which is offset by
in additional taxes for EVERY DAY of the NEXT TWO YEARS.
Before going there, my apologies to REP. Vukmir, who is NOT a Senator.
(There.)
In the original post, I calculated that the increase could be as much as 10.54%, rather than the "nearly 10%" number tossed off by the lovely Representative last week.
It ain't that simple.
You can look at all budget funds:
2005-2007 – 53,673,369,400
2007-2009 –58,236,506,300
Total Increase: 8.5%
Or you could take all funds, plus general revenue bonding:
2005-2007 – 53,902,154,400
2007-2009 – 58,988,614,400
Total Increase: 9.4%
Or you could use all funds, plus all bonding:
2005-2007 – 54,268,817,100
2007-2009 – 60,346,104,400
Total Increase: 11.2%
Umnnnhhhh...I'll take Door #3, which happens to be Total State Spending. But that's not too simple, either:
Further complicating matters however, one has to keep in mind that a portion of the general obligation bonding has been used as a backfill for fund-transfers. In other words, some general obligation bonding has been used to pay for current road projects and other capital projects.
Which is to say that Darth proposes to use MasterCard to make up for his $400million shell-game.
(HE plays the game, and uses TAXPAYER MasterCard. Hell of a deal, for him...)
You are trying to assess a budget built on smoke and mirrors as though it tells an honest story. It does not. The state budget is a matter of fiction on the order of Grimm’s Fairy Tales. It is open to any number of true, but frequently inaccurate observations.
We disagree a bit. Grimm's Fairy Tales had a 'moral to the story.' There are NO morals in the budget story, starting with the top of the chain.
The actual budget increase percentage could accurately be stated as something less than 11.2% and something more than 9.4% making the “nearly 10%” observation within the range of grenade throwing accuracy that typifies the state budget.
For "grenade-throwing" purposes, I'll take the 11.2%. That means an increase of around $400 MILLION DOLLARS, which is offset by
$2,328,767.00 Per Day
in additional taxes for EVERY DAY of the NEXT TWO YEARS.
Get Out of WEAC Insurance, Save Big Bucks!!
Signs of the times for the WEAC monopolists:
A new cooperative aimed at lowering the health insurance costs for non-teachers could decrease payments for participating Waukesha County school districts by up to 20% next school year.
...With escalating health care costs, many of the districts involved in the new cooperative have been interested in switching insurance carriers for lower-priced alternatives to WEA Trust, the state's dominant player in public educators' health care plans.
By banding together and hiring a consultant to market their multi-district employees as a group, they were able to find a plan "substantially similar" to coverage provided by WEA Trust at a lower cost,
The union-thug crowd won't switch, yet. Their message: Screw the Taxpayers.
A new cooperative aimed at lowering the health insurance costs for non-teachers could decrease payments for participating Waukesha County school districts by up to 20% next school year.
...With escalating health care costs, many of the districts involved in the new cooperative have been interested in switching insurance carriers for lower-priced alternatives to WEA Trust, the state's dominant player in public educators' health care plans.
By banding together and hiring a consultant to market their multi-district employees as a group, they were able to find a plan "substantially similar" to coverage provided by WEA Trust at a lower cost,
The union-thug crowd won't switch, yet. Their message: Screw the Taxpayers.
Frank the Fixer's Next Game: Invite Terrorists to Wisconsin
Frankie "the Fixer" Busalacchi, Doyle's DOT Secretary, doesn't like National Security.
So he came up with numbers that will be unpopular when determining the cost of the enhanced-security driver's license which will be issued next year.
Motorists would have to pay $15 more for driver's licenses next year to cover the full cost of complying with a federal anti-terrorism law, but state legislators are skittish about increasing the fee more than $10.
Naturally, there are NO other costs at DOT which could be cut to offset the "cost" that The Fixer came up with. (We can think of one: eliminating State-paid legal representation for DarthDoyle's political contributors.)
But then, some folks don't know exactly how Frankie came up with the number, anyway:
"It's always difficult looking at numbers and assessing if it's a real number or an inflated number for something they don't want to do," [said Rep. Kitty Rhoades (R-Hudson)].
So maybe The Fixer is just stamping his widdle feets--on Wisconsin motorists, of course.
So he came up with numbers that will be unpopular when determining the cost of the enhanced-security driver's license which will be issued next year.
Motorists would have to pay $15 more for driver's licenses next year to cover the full cost of complying with a federal anti-terrorism law, but state legislators are skittish about increasing the fee more than $10.
Naturally, there are NO other costs at DOT which could be cut to offset the "cost" that The Fixer came up with. (We can think of one: eliminating State-paid legal representation for DarthDoyle's political contributors.)
But then, some folks don't know exactly how Frankie came up with the number, anyway:
"It's always difficult looking at numbers and assessing if it's a real number or an inflated number for something they don't want to do," [said Rep. Kitty Rhoades (R-Hudson)].
So maybe The Fixer is just stamping his widdle feets--on Wisconsin motorists, of course.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
$2,328,767.00 Per Day
As I posted earlier, the title is the answer.
What's the question?
Hints: Wisconsin taxpayers should know this number; it will be active for 2 years or so.
What's the question?
Hints: Wisconsin taxpayers should know this number; it will be active for 2 years or so.
The DarthDoyle Motto
From Patriot Post:
“People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, or before an election.”
—Otto von Bismarck
“People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, or before an election.”
—Otto von Bismarck
The .50 Cal: A Terrorist Threat? Nope.
The usual wet-panted mewling from the Lefty press gets deconstructed (but good) by the Confederate Yankee.
New Jersey moved yesterday toward becoming the second state to outlaw the powerful .50-caliber rifle that critics contend could potentially be used in terrorist attacks.
The guns, which resemble large hunting rifles, are accurate up to 11/2 miles, and opponents contend that they could be used to penetrate an airliner or ignite chemical plants, rail tank cars and refineries.
That's the talking-points line from the bedwetters.
Here are the facts:
Lets go past things that "could potentially be used in terrorist attacks," and actually look at thinks that have been used in terrorist attacks:
shoes
electrical tape
fertilizer
all fuels
hydrogen peroxide
and on, and on, and on...
There has never been any sort of documented crime committed in the United States with a .50 BMG rifle.
New Jersey moved yesterday toward becoming the second state to outlaw the powerful .50-caliber rifle that critics contend could potentially be used in terrorist attacks.
The guns, which resemble large hunting rifles, are accurate up to 11/2 miles, and opponents contend that they could be used to penetrate an airliner or ignite chemical plants, rail tank cars and refineries.
That's the talking-points line from the bedwetters.
Here are the facts:
Lets go past things that "could potentially be used in terrorist attacks," and actually look at thinks that have been used in terrorist attacks:
shoes
electrical tape
fertilizer
all fuels
hydrogen peroxide
and on, and on, and on...
There has never been any sort of documented crime committed in the United States with a .50 BMG rifle.
- ...opponents do contend that .50 BMG rifles could be used to penetrate an airliner, but the simple fact of the matter is that virtually any bullet, from the lowly .22 long rifle to all handgun and rifle cartridges will penetrate the very thin aluminum skill of an airliner.
- .50 BMG bullets carry far more energy than most rifle bullets, but commercially available bullets are not explosive, and military API (armor-piercing incendiary) cartridges do not function well in these precision rifles.
- When asked about the alleged threat of .50cal rifles to his railcars, Mr. Darymple said that they have long tested their cars against almost every form of firearm, to include .50BMG and larger. When asked what happens when a .50 hits one of his tanks he said with a shrug "It bounces off." He went on to point out that railcars are designed to survive the force of derailing, and collision with other railcars at travel speeds. By comparison the impact of a bullet, any bullet, is like a mosquito bite.
- Refineries? Perhaps possible, but nearly any other form of weapon would be far more concealable, far cheaper, and far more effective.
As a side note of interest, the .50BMG typically weighs in at around 25 pounds and is a SINGLE-SHOT rifle, meaning you have to reload every time you pull the trigger.
It just ain't a street weapon.
How Much SPENDING Is Doyle Proposing?
Well, it's a lot.
But there's a difference between the numbers tossed off.
In her blogpost, Sen. Vukmir says:
Gov. Jim Doyle made a dangerous tactical blunder by introducing a budget that increases spending by nearly 10% over two years
Odd, because in another blogpost:
...the head of the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Bob Lang, who was kind enough to venture out of Madison for the budget hearing. He brought along a few fairly simple charts and graphs to help folks get their arms around this complex budget – a budget that Lang showed us increased spending 6.4% the first year and 3.9% the second year.
Reality check. Let's start with $100.00. Add 6.4% to $100.00 and you have $106.40.
THEN add 3.9% to $106.40 and you have $110.54, meaning the two-year increase is 10.54%.
That's larger than Sen. Vukmir's number (albeit not much) and NOT the same as adding 6.4 plus 3.9. Compounding counts, folks.
Especially when you start with a spending proposal of approximately $54 BILLION.
HT: Wiggy and Backroom
But there's a difference between the numbers tossed off.
In her blogpost, Sen. Vukmir says:
Gov. Jim Doyle made a dangerous tactical blunder by introducing a budget that increases spending by nearly 10% over two years
Odd, because in another blogpost:
...the head of the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Bob Lang, who was kind enough to venture out of Madison for the budget hearing. He brought along a few fairly simple charts and graphs to help folks get their arms around this complex budget – a budget that Lang showed us increased spending 6.4% the first year and 3.9% the second year.
Reality check. Let's start with $100.00. Add 6.4% to $100.00 and you have $106.40.
THEN add 3.9% to $106.40 and you have $110.54, meaning the two-year increase is 10.54%.
That's larger than Sen. Vukmir's number (albeit not much) and NOT the same as adding 6.4 plus 3.9. Compounding counts, folks.
Especially when you start with a spending proposal of approximately $54 BILLION.
Because 10.54% of $54 Billion (last biennium's approx.) is $5 BILLION, 691 MILLION dollars.
It's $291 MILLION DOLLARS more than a flat 10% increase.
To Sen. Vukmir, $291 MILLION DOLLARS may be inconsequential. It ain't to me...
HT: Wiggy and Backroom
About the Wave of Illegals...and Bipartisanship
Heh.
Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, who gained national prominence by targeting illegal immigrants living in his small northeastern Pennsylvania city, cruised to the Republican nomination for a third term on Tuesday - and unexpectedly won the Democratic nomination, too.
Barletta trounced GOP challenger Dee Deakos with nearly 94 percent of the vote. And he beat former Mayor Michael Marsicano for the Democratic nomination by staging a last-minute write-in campaign, all but guaranteeing himself another term, unofficial returns showed.
The guy takes a stand against illegal immigration, then gets the nomination of BOTH parties for his seat as Mayor!!!
Barletta, a businessman who took office in 2000, proposed the Illegal Immigration Relief Act last year after four illegal immigrants were charged with shooting and killing a man.
The measure, on hold due to a legal challenge by Hispanic groups and individuals, was approved last summer and emulated by towns and cities around the nation. It would penalize landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and businesses that hire them.
But John McPain is "negotiating" with LaRaza toward a bi-partisan "solution."
Maybe McPain doesn't have a good understanding of "bi-partisan."
HT: Vox
Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, who gained national prominence by targeting illegal immigrants living in his small northeastern Pennsylvania city, cruised to the Republican nomination for a third term on Tuesday - and unexpectedly won the Democratic nomination, too.
Barletta trounced GOP challenger Dee Deakos with nearly 94 percent of the vote. And he beat former Mayor Michael Marsicano for the Democratic nomination by staging a last-minute write-in campaign, all but guaranteeing himself another term, unofficial returns showed.
The guy takes a stand against illegal immigration, then gets the nomination of BOTH parties for his seat as Mayor!!!
Barletta, a businessman who took office in 2000, proposed the Illegal Immigration Relief Act last year after four illegal immigrants were charged with shooting and killing a man.
The measure, on hold due to a legal challenge by Hispanic groups and individuals, was approved last summer and emulated by towns and cities around the nation. It would penalize landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and businesses that hire them.
But John McPain is "negotiating" with LaRaza toward a bi-partisan "solution."
Maybe McPain doesn't have a good understanding of "bi-partisan."
HT: Vox
The Boskin Lie: "Core" Inflation
You have to follow the link to see the chart, which is astounding.
Normal people know that 'there's a lotta inflation goin' on out there' (to paraphrase a Lefty retired US Senator.)
Somehow or other, that inflation doesn't show up in the "core" numbers. Oh, the "headline" shows it--because the "headline" includes food and fuel, which normal people actually buy regularly.
The "core" number was created by the Boskin Commission--a Clintonoid effort to reduce Social Security payments--but has never been revised by the Bush Boyzz despite its obvious dissonance with reality-based purchase experiences.
Another small project for the Fred!! Administration to take on.
Normal people know that 'there's a lotta inflation goin' on out there' (to paraphrase a Lefty retired US Senator.)
Somehow or other, that inflation doesn't show up in the "core" numbers. Oh, the "headline" shows it--because the "headline" includes food and fuel, which normal people actually buy regularly.
The "core" number was created by the Boskin Commission--a Clintonoid effort to reduce Social Security payments--but has never been revised by the Bush Boyzz despite its obvious dissonance with reality-based purchase experiences.
Another small project for the Fred!! Administration to take on.
Who's Writing Immigration "Reform"?
You will not be shocked:
When Sen. Kennedy (D-Mass.) declared last week that unnamed “stakeholders” would decide whether Congress overhauls immigration law this year, Latino organizations in Washington understood exactly what he meant.
After laboring in obscurity for decades, groups such as the National Council of La Raza, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, [MALDEF] and the National Immigration Forum are virtually being granted veto power over perhaps the biggest domestic issue coming before Congress this year. Organizations that represent what is now the nation's largest minority group are beginning to achieve power commensurate with their numbers.
Maybe with "their numbers," but not necessarily with their members' LEGAL STATUS.
Of course, if GWB can grant the President of Mexico a veto over national-security measures such as border-control fences, there's no reason that a United States Senator can't grant law-making responsibility to racists.
HT: RedState
When Sen. Kennedy (D-Mass.) declared last week that unnamed “stakeholders” would decide whether Congress overhauls immigration law this year, Latino organizations in Washington understood exactly what he meant.
After laboring in obscurity for decades, groups such as the National Council of La Raza, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, [MALDEF] and the National Immigration Forum are virtually being granted veto power over perhaps the biggest domestic issue coming before Congress this year. Organizations that represent what is now the nation's largest minority group are beginning to achieve power commensurate with their numbers.
Maybe with "their numbers," but not necessarily with their members' LEGAL STATUS.
Of course, if GWB can grant the President of Mexico a veto over national-security measures such as border-control fences, there's no reason that a United States Senator can't grant law-making responsibility to racists.
HT: RedState
Bumper Sticker
On a Lefty SUV (heh) were all the usual ones: NPR Radio, Feingold...
And one which read "Without Dissent, It's Not America"
I expect that one to be removed immediately, as the Left seeks to crush dissenters such as Limbaugh and Sykes.
And one which read "Without Dissent, It's Not America"
I expect that one to be removed immediately, as the Left seeks to crush dissenters such as Limbaugh and Sykes.
CNN: Changing the News
Clay Cramer catches one:
A couple years ago, during the Katrina disaster, I linked to a CNN report and quoted it:
Overnight, police snipers were stationed on the roof of their precinct, trying to protect it from gunmen roaming through the city, CNN's Chris Lawrence reported.
One New Orleans police sergeant compared the situation to Somalia and said officers were outnumbered and outgunned by gangs in trucks.
"It's a war zone, and they're not treating it like one," he said, referring to the federal government. ...
One of my readers ran into that posting of mine--and noticed that the CNN report at that link no longer said anything like that. It was much, much more upbeat. Nothing about the police snipers on the roof.
S'pose we have to page-capture news now?
A couple years ago, during the Katrina disaster, I linked to a CNN report and quoted it:
Overnight, police snipers were stationed on the roof of their precinct, trying to protect it from gunmen roaming through the city, CNN's Chris Lawrence reported.
One New Orleans police sergeant compared the situation to Somalia and said officers were outnumbered and outgunned by gangs in trucks.
"It's a war zone, and they're not treating it like one," he said, referring to the federal government. ...
One of my readers ran into that posting of mine--and noticed that the CNN report at that link no longer said anything like that. It was much, much more upbeat. Nothing about the police snipers on the roof.
S'pose we have to page-capture news now?
Barrett Gets This One Right; So Does Hegarty
Here's a toast to Tommy Barrett for calling a thug a friggin' THUG:
"A 4-year-old girl died last night. A 4-year-old girl was shot and killed last night in our city. ... Some gutless thug decided he would solve his problem by shooting a 4-year-old girl. What a tough guy. He can brag about that to all of his buddies, that he took out a 4-year-old girl."
In another development, Milwaukee's temporary police chief decided to do exactly what I had mentioned to a neighbor (and retired cop): put walking-the-beat cops into the "hot" areas to enhance security, build relationships, and push the remaining thugs (and wannabee thugs) around a bit.
Nice to see that Hegarty has figured out how to run an op.
"A 4-year-old girl died last night. A 4-year-old girl was shot and killed last night in our city. ... Some gutless thug decided he would solve his problem by shooting a 4-year-old girl. What a tough guy. He can brag about that to all of his buddies, that he took out a 4-year-old girl."
In another development, Milwaukee's temporary police chief decided to do exactly what I had mentioned to a neighbor (and retired cop): put walking-the-beat cops into the "hot" areas to enhance security, build relationships, and push the remaining thugs (and wannabee thugs) around a bit.
Nice to see that Hegarty has figured out how to run an op.
Computer Efficiency? Maybe, Maybe Not
The JSOnline's story of today paints a negative-toned picture of the Governor's "computer-server-efficiency" project, or whatever that was.
This story actually has a history which is more than 15 years old.
During the Thompson Administration, a blue-ribbon panel of IT executives (including a friend of mine) wrote a report severely criticizing the State of Wisconsin's IT "Fiefdoms." In essence, each major State department (DOT, DOA, DNR, etc.) were running their own mainframes, databases, and system configurations--and they were generally incompatible and horribly inefficient (DOA used IBM's database, DOT used a competitor's), etc.
It was a hell of a mess, but because of the "fiefdom" rules (not to mention the employee-union featherbedding) it wasn't about to change, no matter the desires of Klauser, Thompson, et al.
It is STILL a hell of a mess and it is clear that the only thing that's changed is the face of the Administration, and some of the technology.
So while Doyle & Co. should, perhaps, have found a "second opinion" about the effort, their direction was, on the whole, the right one.
But the Union (and the Fief-Lords) won this round.
Thus, State spending will continue apace. Taxpayers will contribute more.
That's the way it's supposed to be, right?
This story actually has a history which is more than 15 years old.
During the Thompson Administration, a blue-ribbon panel of IT executives (including a friend of mine) wrote a report severely criticizing the State of Wisconsin's IT "Fiefdoms." In essence, each major State department (DOT, DOA, DNR, etc.) were running their own mainframes, databases, and system configurations--and they were generally incompatible and horribly inefficient (DOA used IBM's database, DOT used a competitor's), etc.
It was a hell of a mess, but because of the "fiefdom" rules (not to mention the employee-union featherbedding) it wasn't about to change, no matter the desires of Klauser, Thompson, et al.
It is STILL a hell of a mess and it is clear that the only thing that's changed is the face of the Administration, and some of the technology.
So while Doyle & Co. should, perhaps, have found a "second opinion" about the effort, their direction was, on the whole, the right one.
But the Union (and the Fief-Lords) won this round.
Thus, State spending will continue apace. Taxpayers will contribute more.
That's the way it's supposed to be, right?
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
$2,328,767.12 Per Day
That's the answer.
Wisconsin taxpayers may provide the question in the combox.
Think Jim Doyle.
Hint: this is based on the thought process behind the AT&T ads for their version of cable.
Wisconsin taxpayers may provide the question in the combox.
Think Jim Doyle.
Hint: this is based on the thought process behind the AT&T ads for their version of cable.
Ayn Rand: Apostle of Darwin
From First Things, the facts:
The dirty Darwinian secret is now out of the closet: If evolution is true, then it must be true about everything. Most Darwinians used to be very restrained about the relevance of their theory for cultural and moral issues, for obvious reasons. If evolution is true about everything, then randomness and competition are the foundations for the highest human ideals as well as the lowest organic life forms.
We kinda knew that. While Darwin's theory may be applicable in certain very narrow areas of biology, the application has spread to all sorts of places--where it cannot co-exist with any reading of Natural Law.
Rand and her disciples (many of whom sit on the Wall Street Journal's editorial desk) picked up Darwin's theory and moved it to economics, combining it with the thought of Adam Smith and a few others...
But since Econ is a 'social science,' unlike physics, chem, or biology, the transfer is illicit.
Now if you think that exchanging "econ" for "bio" is inane, read the rest of Steve Webb's essay. Inanity is perhaps only the beginning...
The dirty Darwinian secret is now out of the closet: If evolution is true, then it must be true about everything. Most Darwinians used to be very restrained about the relevance of their theory for cultural and moral issues, for obvious reasons. If evolution is true about everything, then randomness and competition are the foundations for the highest human ideals as well as the lowest organic life forms.
We kinda knew that. While Darwin's theory may be applicable in certain very narrow areas of biology, the application has spread to all sorts of places--where it cannot co-exist with any reading of Natural Law.
Rand and her disciples (many of whom sit on the Wall Street Journal's editorial desk) picked up Darwin's theory and moved it to economics, combining it with the thought of Adam Smith and a few others...
But since Econ is a 'social science,' unlike physics, chem, or biology, the transfer is illicit.
Now if you think that exchanging "econ" for "bio" is inane, read the rest of Steve Webb's essay. Inanity is perhaps only the beginning...
What JBVanHollen Will NEVER Say
There are those who maintain that the Rule of Law is important.
Then there's the Attorney General of the State of Massachusetts:
Attorney General Martha Coakley said last night that if Massachusetts voters were to approve a ban on same-sex marriages, she would back any efforts to challenge the measure on constitutional grounds.
A constitutional ban could go on the ballot in November 2008 if it receives a second vote of approval from the Legislature.
Were Ripley still here!
The AG will sue on the basis that a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT is un-Constitutional.
You can't make this stuff up!
HT: CourageMan
Then there's the Attorney General of the State of Massachusetts:
Attorney General Martha Coakley said last night that if Massachusetts voters were to approve a ban on same-sex marriages, she would back any efforts to challenge the measure on constitutional grounds.
A constitutional ban could go on the ballot in November 2008 if it receives a second vote of approval from the Legislature.
Were Ripley still here!
The AG will sue on the basis that a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT is un-Constitutional.
You can't make this stuff up!
HT: CourageMan
It's the SPENDING, Stupid!
Mr. Schneider states the obvious (obvious to all except the PIG/Madistan types.)
According to the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, Wisconsin’s taxpayer burden ranks sixth in the nation relative to income. In 2004, state and local expenditures claimed 21.9 percent of personal incomes, up from 20.2 percent in 1999. Total state and local taxes and fees have increased 47 percent in the past decade, despite a reduction in income tax revenue in 2002 due to the slumping economy. When an economic recession hits and tax revenue declines, the state still manages to spend more and more every year—even when Republicans control both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature.
A great example was the Tommy Thompson experience. But apparently our Leggies are blind to the actual numbers. There seems to be no accountability, nor performance criteria for funded programs:
The way Wisconsin budgets also fails to provide adequate funding oversight. During the budget process, legislators are presented with documents that merely detail changes in funding—they get papers analyzing the governor’s proposals to add three percent here, and four percent there. Rarely are base reviews conducted as to whether programs deserve new funding. Programs about which there are questions receive smaller increases as punishment; nothing is ever actually cut.
And the Pubbies have standards which would make prostitutes blush with shame:
We are told that Republican budgets tax less “than the Governor,” spend less “than the Governor,” bond less “than the Governor,” and have smaller deficits “than the Governor.”
As taxes continue to rise, people will look at Wisconsin, decide the harsh winters and lack of jobs aren’t worth the trouble, and seek more fiscally friendly states. Rumor has it that trash even gets picked up in states below the Mason Dixon line, despite their lower tax burdens (we know that now because of the internet). As people flock from the state, so will businesses—leaving fewer taxpayers to pick up the ever-growing tab.
That is the case in California, where high-end earners are leaving for places like Nevada and Idaho.
By the way, sales-tax revenue is seriously down in many States this year. I've sent an inquiry to a friend about where one can find the numbers on the "informative" State webpage.
This should be interesting...
HT: Charlie Sykes
According to the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, Wisconsin’s taxpayer burden ranks sixth in the nation relative to income. In 2004, state and local expenditures claimed 21.9 percent of personal incomes, up from 20.2 percent in 1999. Total state and local taxes and fees have increased 47 percent in the past decade, despite a reduction in income tax revenue in 2002 due to the slumping economy. When an economic recession hits and tax revenue declines, the state still manages to spend more and more every year—even when Republicans control both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature.
A great example was the Tommy Thompson experience. But apparently our Leggies are blind to the actual numbers. There seems to be no accountability, nor performance criteria for funded programs:
The way Wisconsin budgets also fails to provide adequate funding oversight. During the budget process, legislators are presented with documents that merely detail changes in funding—they get papers analyzing the governor’s proposals to add three percent here, and four percent there. Rarely are base reviews conducted as to whether programs deserve new funding. Programs about which there are questions receive smaller increases as punishment; nothing is ever actually cut.
And the Pubbies have standards which would make prostitutes blush with shame:
We are told that Republican budgets tax less “than the Governor,” spend less “than the Governor,” bond less “than the Governor,” and have smaller deficits “than the Governor.”
As taxes continue to rise, people will look at Wisconsin, decide the harsh winters and lack of jobs aren’t worth the trouble, and seek more fiscally friendly states. Rumor has it that trash even gets picked up in states below the Mason Dixon line, despite their lower tax burdens (we know that now because of the internet). As people flock from the state, so will businesses—leaving fewer taxpayers to pick up the ever-growing tab.
That is the case in California, where high-end earners are leaving for places like Nevada and Idaho.
By the way, sales-tax revenue is seriously down in many States this year. I've sent an inquiry to a friend about where one can find the numbers on the "informative" State webpage.
This should be interesting...
HT: Charlie Sykes
Monday, May 14, 2007
The Family: Poland and Croatia Love It. Others---Well...
This last weekend saw a major conference on the family taking place in Poland. As we mentioned below, Poland was subject to a NastyGram from the EUroweenie establishment because Poland refuses to bend over to the family-destruction program of the EU.
While most of my 8 readers may think that this is a bit of blogger-"Afghanistaning", the event was more than an excuse to visit Warsaw and Czestachowa. It was serious business.
How do I know? The US anti-family folks actually sent a spy. What did she have to say?
Today marked the opening day of the World Congress of Families IV. The three day conference, titled, The Natural Family-Springtime for Europe and the World is being held in Warsaw, Poland and brings together some of the biggest opponents to sexual and reproductive health and rights from the United States and around the world.
What's the agenda of the Howard Center, et al? Go here for a free download (you have to register to obtain it.)
HT: Custos Fidei, Fumare
...The approximately 2,000 participants clapped loudly each time speakers like Richard Wilkins, of the Doha International Research Institute for Family & Development, Paul Mero, of The Sutherland Institute, and Allan Carlson, of the Howard Center for Family, Religion and Society passionately cried out for governments to enact policies "friendly and encouraging to the natural family"—the oppositions' code phrase for policies that criminalize abortion, prohibit same-sex marriage, eliminate comprehensive sexuality education, and ban access to contraception. At no time was the audience's resounding applause more frightening than after a speech given by Roman Giertych, Poland's Minister of Education whose statements like "truth is on our side—in the heartbeats of the unborn," and a description of his party's current proposals to the Polish government resulted in a near-standing ovation. One proposal would mandate primary and secondary schools to teach that abortion is a crime and a social and moral evil that must be severely penalized. A second proposal would also help to instill hate in youth by forbidding the teaching of "homosexual propaganda"—this too would be criminalized.
The horror! The unmitigated GALL of that....that....man!
I've been familiar with Allan Carlson's work for a long time; he was once the principal of the Rockford Institute, and their newsletters were simply chock-full of counter-cultural studies and facts--that is, he published the studies which refuted the lies and half-truths of the Left.
And for those who still don't understand the "Bush-hating" of the Left and its MSM allies:
Giertych and his hate-rousing speech was followed today by several other speakers, including Ellen Sauerbery, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration, who opened her speech by saying to the audience "I bring you greetings from President Bush!" She then went on to say that this Administration "values strengthening the family as an important goal for the sake of our common humanity" and congratulated Poland on its own courageous "pro-family" policies.
Poland does not stand alone in Europe (although they've been there before...) Croatia has joined them as a Pariah, or so say the EUroweenies. Why?
Croatia has been targeted by the European Parliament over a sex education curriculum that opposes homosexuality and teaches abstinence before marriage (!!)
They condemned the curriculum as “gender-biased” and said it features “negative attitudes towards homosexuality, thus contradicting Croatian laws.”
The sex education program has received the approval of Croatia’s education ministry but still needs to be approved by the ministry of health before being introduced into the schools.
The EP’s move against Croatia follows a resolution passed two weeks ago by the EP to take “homophobic” countries to court. First on their target list was Poland, which members of the EP vilified as “hateful” and “repulsive” for refusing to promote homosexuality in schools, in a debate in Brussels April 25.
In the wonderful words of PJBuchanan: "....ride to the sound of the guns."
While most of my 8 readers may think that this is a bit of blogger-"Afghanistaning", the event was more than an excuse to visit Warsaw and Czestachowa. It was serious business.
How do I know? The US anti-family folks actually sent a spy. What did she have to say?
Today marked the opening day of the World Congress of Families IV. The three day conference, titled, The Natural Family-Springtime for Europe and the World is being held in Warsaw, Poland and brings together some of the biggest opponents to sexual and reproductive health and rights from the United States and around the world.
What's the agenda of the Howard Center, et al? Go here for a free download (you have to register to obtain it.)
HT: Custos Fidei, Fumare
...The approximately 2,000 participants clapped loudly each time speakers like Richard Wilkins, of the Doha International Research Institute for Family & Development, Paul Mero, of The Sutherland Institute, and Allan Carlson, of the Howard Center for Family, Religion and Society passionately cried out for governments to enact policies "friendly and encouraging to the natural family"—the oppositions' code phrase for policies that criminalize abortion, prohibit same-sex marriage, eliminate comprehensive sexuality education, and ban access to contraception. At no time was the audience's resounding applause more frightening than after a speech given by Roman Giertych, Poland's Minister of Education whose statements like "truth is on our side—in the heartbeats of the unborn," and a description of his party's current proposals to the Polish government resulted in a near-standing ovation. One proposal would mandate primary and secondary schools to teach that abortion is a crime and a social and moral evil that must be severely penalized. A second proposal would also help to instill hate in youth by forbidding the teaching of "homosexual propaganda"—this too would be criminalized.
The horror! The unmitigated GALL of that....that....man!
I've been familiar with Allan Carlson's work for a long time; he was once the principal of the Rockford Institute, and their newsletters were simply chock-full of counter-cultural studies and facts--that is, he published the studies which refuted the lies and half-truths of the Left.
And for those who still don't understand the "Bush-hating" of the Left and its MSM allies:
Giertych and his hate-rousing speech was followed today by several other speakers, including Ellen Sauerbery, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration, who opened her speech by saying to the audience "I bring you greetings from President Bush!" She then went on to say that this Administration "values strengthening the family as an important goal for the sake of our common humanity" and congratulated Poland on its own courageous "pro-family" policies.
Poland does not stand alone in Europe (although they've been there before...) Croatia has joined them as a Pariah, or so say the EUroweenies. Why?
Croatia has been targeted by the European Parliament over a sex education curriculum that opposes homosexuality and teaches abstinence before marriage (!!)
They condemned the curriculum as “gender-biased” and said it features “negative attitudes towards homosexuality, thus contradicting Croatian laws.”
The sex education program has received the approval of Croatia’s education ministry but still needs to be approved by the ministry of health before being introduced into the schools.
The EP’s move against Croatia follows a resolution passed two weeks ago by the EP to take “homophobic” countries to court. First on their target list was Poland, which members of the EP vilified as “hateful” and “repulsive” for refusing to promote homosexuality in schools, in a debate in Brussels April 25.
In the wonderful words of PJBuchanan: "....ride to the sound of the guns."
Pelosi Aiming at Limbaugh, Sykes
No surprise here.
According to two members of the House Democrat Caucus, Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer have informed them that they will "aggressively pursue" reinstatement of the so-called Fairness Doctrine over the next six months.
...According to another Democrat leadership aide, Pelosi and her team are focused on several targets in the fight, including Rush Limbaugh and the Salem Radio Network. In fact, Kucinich's staff has begun investigating Salem, one of the fastest growing radio networks in the country, which features such popular -- and highly rated -- conservative hosts as Bill Bennett and Michael Medved, and Christian hosts such as Dr. Richard Land.
"They are identifying senior employees, their political activities and their political giving," says a Government Reform committee staffer. "Salem is a big target, but the big one is going to be Limbaugh. We know we can't shut him up, but we want to make life a bit more difficult for him."
What's that about 'identifying..activities...giving?'
Is Joe Shelfa next?
HT: Betsy's Page
According to two members of the House Democrat Caucus, Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer have informed them that they will "aggressively pursue" reinstatement of the so-called Fairness Doctrine over the next six months.
...According to another Democrat leadership aide, Pelosi and her team are focused on several targets in the fight, including Rush Limbaugh and the Salem Radio Network. In fact, Kucinich's staff has begun investigating Salem, one of the fastest growing radio networks in the country, which features such popular -- and highly rated -- conservative hosts as Bill Bennett and Michael Medved, and Christian hosts such as Dr. Richard Land.
"They are identifying senior employees, their political activities and their political giving," says a Government Reform committee staffer. "Salem is a big target, but the big one is going to be Limbaugh. We know we can't shut him up, but we want to make life a bit more difficult for him."
What's that about 'identifying..activities...giving?'
Is Joe Shelfa next?
HT: Betsy's Page
Sunday, May 13, 2007
The Enviros vs. Normal People
Random 10 brings another example of the "NIMBY" Enviros, like the Kennedy/Kerry resistance to wind farms off Cape Hatteras.
They're just better than us folks, you know.
WKOW runs an update on a small confrontation between environmentalist and development concerns. In the ongoing effort to upgrade our power system, American Transmission Company (ATC) wants to build an improved power line between the Jefferson substation on Highway 89 through Lake Mills to the Stoney Brook substation south of Waterloo. ATC asked to build the line along the existing Highway 89 electric corridor (Map) but the Public Service Commission instead directed them to break new easements through residential back roads.
Now why would ATC be ordered to do the more expensive thing?
Simple. Madistan Lefty Enviros:
...the Madison environmentalist mindset happened here. The Madison Audubon Society is doing a restoration project on lands on one side of Highway 89. Concerned about enlargement of the existing electric lines they astutely lobbied the Public Service Commission to change ATC’s preferred route.
We're talking "aesthetics" here. And what's more important to the birds, bees, and foxes than "aesthetics"??
Audubon Society attorney Dave Bender actually gets to the heart of the matter when he tells Channel 27: "Eighty to one hundred foot transmission line towers would have a negative aesthetic impact on the Faville Grove Sanctuary.”
So just shut up, pay the extra costs, and go away, Joe Lunchbucket.
They're just better than us folks, you know.
WKOW runs an update on a small confrontation between environmentalist and development concerns. In the ongoing effort to upgrade our power system, American Transmission Company (ATC) wants to build an improved power line between the Jefferson substation on Highway 89 through Lake Mills to the Stoney Brook substation south of Waterloo. ATC asked to build the line along the existing Highway 89 electric corridor (Map) but the Public Service Commission instead directed them to break new easements through residential back roads.
Now why would ATC be ordered to do the more expensive thing?
Simple. Madistan Lefty Enviros:
...the Madison environmentalist mindset happened here. The Madison Audubon Society is doing a restoration project on lands on one side of Highway 89. Concerned about enlargement of the existing electric lines they astutely lobbied the Public Service Commission to change ATC’s preferred route.
We're talking "aesthetics" here. And what's more important to the birds, bees, and foxes than "aesthetics"??
Audubon Society attorney Dave Bender actually gets to the heart of the matter when he tells Channel 27: "Eighty to one hundred foot transmission line towers would have a negative aesthetic impact on the Faville Grove Sanctuary.”
So just shut up, pay the extra costs, and go away, Joe Lunchbucket.
Owen Reports From the Front at Lake Geneva
Owen Robinson did the time at the Wisconsin Pubbie convention and has a couple of grafs which are loaded:
There was a LOT of cynicism and distrust in the people. Senator Fitzgerald and Speaker Huebsch gave good speeches talking about upholding conservative values, controlling spending, shrinking government, etc., but they just don’t have the trust of the party faithful anymore. I saw a lot of crossed arms, rolling eyes, and whispered comments. It’s going to take more than good rhetoric to earn back the trust of the Republican base.
...The audience reaction to Tommy was interesting. Beyond the manufactured reactions, it was pretty tepid. A lot of Tommy’s applause lines only drew scattered clapping. It was a lot more subdues than it was last year when the delegates were very energetic in cheering for Tommy.
(Tommy's wife's reaction to his run was all I needed to see--along the lines of 'it's what he really wants to do...')
It’s revealing that it is generally the more conservative elected Republicans who are around the most. I suspect that there are a lot of elected Republicans who consider a mass meeting of the GOP base to be a hostile environment.
Unfortunately, Owen did not give us the answer to the burning question: "Can Gunderson actually SING???"
There was a LOT of cynicism and distrust in the people. Senator Fitzgerald and Speaker Huebsch gave good speeches talking about upholding conservative values, controlling spending, shrinking government, etc., but they just don’t have the trust of the party faithful anymore. I saw a lot of crossed arms, rolling eyes, and whispered comments. It’s going to take more than good rhetoric to earn back the trust of the Republican base.
...The audience reaction to Tommy was interesting. Beyond the manufactured reactions, it was pretty tepid. A lot of Tommy’s applause lines only drew scattered clapping. It was a lot more subdues than it was last year when the delegates were very energetic in cheering for Tommy.
(Tommy's wife's reaction to his run was all I needed to see--along the lines of 'it's what he really wants to do...')
It’s revealing that it is generally the more conservative elected Republicans who are around the most. I suspect that there are a lot of elected Republicans who consider a mass meeting of the GOP base to be a hostile environment.
Unfortunately, Owen did not give us the answer to the burning question: "Can Gunderson actually SING???"
We Support Poland
The Poles are leading the resistance to the EU establishment's anti-family initiatives.
So, of course, this blog supports Poland!
"The family is the hope for Poland, the hope for Europe, the hope for the entire world," the 36-year-old leader told the global gathering of more than 3,200 from 75 nations. "... Without the family, there is no nation, there is no continent, there is no civilization, there is nothing."
So, of course, this blog supports Poland!
"The family is the hope for Poland, the hope for Europe, the hope for the entire world," the 36-year-old leader told the global gathering of more than 3,200 from 75 nations. "... Without the family, there is no nation, there is no continent, there is no civilization, there is nothing."
--Roman Giertych, Minister of Education and Vice-Premier.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Fred!! Takes Wisconsin
Heh.
The Wisconsin Pubbies held a straw poll at their convention:
State GOP activists voting in the annual WisPolitics.com Straw Poll this weekend favored former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson for president in 2008 and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker for governor in 2010.
Fred Thompson received 95 votes, compared to 84 votes for former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson. Mitt Romney was a distant third with 41 votes. Tommy Thompson and Sam Brownback, who got 14 votes, addressed the convention in separate speeches.
Giuliani was fourth with 35.
The Wisconsin Pubbies held a straw poll at their convention:
State GOP activists voting in the annual WisPolitics.com Straw Poll this weekend favored former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson for president in 2008 and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker for governor in 2010.
Fred Thompson received 95 votes, compared to 84 votes for former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson. Mitt Romney was a distant third with 41 votes. Tommy Thompson and Sam Brownback, who got 14 votes, addressed the convention in separate speeches.
Giuliani was fourth with 35.
Flourescent Lights: Another Great Story
The Greenie-Wonks are telling us that flourescent lights are the Salvation of the Earth.
Of course, the $2,500.00 cost to clean up should you break one are only a slight inconvenience to (say) AlGore, whose friggin' electric bill is about 200x mine.
But here's another GREAT feature of flourescent lighting:
Guests were evacuated briefly from the Radisson Hotel, 2303 N. Mayfair Road, in Wauwatosa this morning after an overheated light fixture caused a fire in the basement around 7:50 a.m., according to the Wauwatosa Fire Department.
...According to Hevey, the fire is believed to have started when a fluorescent light ballast overheated, melted and dripped into a trash can.
Yah, hey. Save the Earth!!! Burn down your home!!
Of course, the $2,500.00 cost to clean up should you break one are only a slight inconvenience to (say) AlGore, whose friggin' electric bill is about 200x mine.
But here's another GREAT feature of flourescent lighting:
Guests were evacuated briefly from the Radisson Hotel, 2303 N. Mayfair Road, in Wauwatosa this morning after an overheated light fixture caused a fire in the basement around 7:50 a.m., according to the Wauwatosa Fire Department.
...According to Hevey, the fire is believed to have started when a fluorescent light ballast overheated, melted and dripped into a trash can.
Yah, hey. Save the Earth!!! Burn down your home!!
The Left's Thoughts
Without any comment, I invite you to read this post from Folkbum's blog.
It will be particularly enjoyable for Mr. Harris, a proponent of effective education.
It will be particularly enjoyable for Mr. Harris, a proponent of effective education.
Fred!! Thompson on the 2A
Another reason to love the guy--his response to the NYSlimes' fact-challenged article which claimed that 'most legal scholars think the 2A is a "collective" right'--that is, that only the "militia" may keep and bear arms.
Our individual right to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, may finally be confirmed by the high court; but this means that we're going to see increasing pressure on the Supreme Court from anti-gun rights activists who want the Constitution reinterpreted to fit their prejudices....
From the enactment of the Bill of Rights in 1791 until the 20th Century, no one seriously argued that the Second Amendment dealt with anything but an individual right -- along with all other nine original amendments. Kates writes that not one court or commentator denied it was a right of individual gun owners until the last century. Judges and commentators in the 18th and 19th century routinely described the Second Amendment as a right of individuals. And they expressly compared it to the other rights such as speech, religion, and jury trial.
Kates writes that, "Over 120 law review articles have addressed the Second Amendment since 1980. The overwhelming majority affirm that it guarantees a right of individual gun owners. That is why the individual right view is called the 'standard model' view by supporters and opponents alike. With virtually no exceptions, the few articles to the contrary have been written by gun control advocates, mostly by people in the pay of the anti-gun lobby."
HT: Clay Cramer
Our individual right to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, may finally be confirmed by the high court; but this means that we're going to see increasing pressure on the Supreme Court from anti-gun rights activists who want the Constitution reinterpreted to fit their prejudices....
From the enactment of the Bill of Rights in 1791 until the 20th Century, no one seriously argued that the Second Amendment dealt with anything but an individual right -- along with all other nine original amendments. Kates writes that not one court or commentator denied it was a right of individual gun owners until the last century. Judges and commentators in the 18th and 19th century routinely described the Second Amendment as a right of individuals. And they expressly compared it to the other rights such as speech, religion, and jury trial.
Kates writes that, "Over 120 law review articles have addressed the Second Amendment since 1980. The overwhelming majority affirm that it guarantees a right of individual gun owners. That is why the individual right view is called the 'standard model' view by supporters and opponents alike. With virtually no exceptions, the few articles to the contrary have been written by gun control advocates, mostly by people in the pay of the anti-gun lobby."
HT: Clay Cramer
Equis, the Building, and the Budget
So DarthDoyle's pick for real-estate broker turned out to be...inappropriate.
Charges are filed, contract is voided. Terrific.
But there's a small problem that remains:
The state had hoped to sell the lakefront property in downtown Madison by June 30 to help shore up the state budget.
The state is supposed to book $36 million in property sales by June 30 to balance the state budget, and state officials were counting on the Administration building to cover much of that.
So Darth's "balanced budget" fraud continues to crumble.
Not to worry. Darth will simply increase gasoline taxes by ANOTHER 5% to cover his ass.
Charges are filed, contract is voided. Terrific.
But there's a small problem that remains:
The state had hoped to sell the lakefront property in downtown Madison by June 30 to help shore up the state budget.
The state is supposed to book $36 million in property sales by June 30 to balance the state budget, and state officials were counting on the Administration building to cover much of that.
So Darth's "balanced budget" fraud continues to crumble.
Not to worry. Darth will simply increase gasoline taxes by ANOTHER 5% to cover his ass.
Child Abusers--Another Government Program?
It's not news to right-thinking people that "shacking up" has consequences. But it IS news that the numbers have been published.
A child who lives in the house with an unrelated adult is nearly 50 times more likely to be killed than a child living with both biological parents, according a study published in the November 2005 issue of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Researchers believe the study is the first of its kind.
FIFTY TIMES!!
Now that we know the elements of the problem, however, we should spend a bunch of money to define the elements of the problem, right?
Lynn Sheets, medical director of the Child Protection Center at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, said the state needs to do a better job with prevention. Wisconsin is one of only eight states that do not have legislation or administrative rules for a statewide child-fatality review team, according to the National Center for Child Death Review. Most states mandate a team and dedicate personnel and funding, which ranges from less than $50,000 to over $500,000.
Such teams review all child deaths so they can spot trends and target prevention efforts and public policy.
"Wisconsin is definitely behind in development of child death reviews," Sheets said.
Wisconsin has had a team in place since the late 1990s but does not dedicate resources to it, and the reporting efforts from the state's 72 counties haven't been coordinated, said Karen Ordinans, executive director of the Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin and a member of the team.
"The data is telling us that we need to put our attention to this issue," Ordinans said. "If you look at all the child fatalities in Wisconsin, many experts will tell you over 50 percent were preventable."
With all due respect to Ms. Ordinans and Ms. Sheets, it occurs to us that mothers who don't pay attention are the predicate. Money ain't gonna change that, nor are more "reviews."
And, by the way--remember back in the 1970s/1980s when it became de rigeur to suspect natural fathers of abuse in any case where a child showed up with a broken bone?
That was the same period in which it was announced that there was a "Super Bowl Syndrome" of husbands abusing their wives on Super Bowl Sunday...
Just sayin'
A child who lives in the house with an unrelated adult is nearly 50 times more likely to be killed than a child living with both biological parents, according a study published in the November 2005 issue of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Researchers believe the study is the first of its kind.
FIFTY TIMES!!
Now that we know the elements of the problem, however, we should spend a bunch of money to define the elements of the problem, right?
Lynn Sheets, medical director of the Child Protection Center at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, said the state needs to do a better job with prevention. Wisconsin is one of only eight states that do not have legislation or administrative rules for a statewide child-fatality review team, according to the National Center for Child Death Review. Most states mandate a team and dedicate personnel and funding, which ranges from less than $50,000 to over $500,000.
Such teams review all child deaths so they can spot trends and target prevention efforts and public policy.
"Wisconsin is definitely behind in development of child death reviews," Sheets said.
Wisconsin has had a team in place since the late 1990s but does not dedicate resources to it, and the reporting efforts from the state's 72 counties haven't been coordinated, said Karen Ordinans, executive director of the Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin and a member of the team.
"The data is telling us that we need to put our attention to this issue," Ordinans said. "If you look at all the child fatalities in Wisconsin, many experts will tell you over 50 percent were preventable."
With all due respect to Ms. Ordinans and Ms. Sheets, it occurs to us that mothers who don't pay attention are the predicate. Money ain't gonna change that, nor are more "reviews."
And, by the way--remember back in the 1970s/1980s when it became de rigeur to suspect natural fathers of abuse in any case where a child showed up with a broken bone?
That was the same period in which it was announced that there was a "Super Bowl Syndrome" of husbands abusing their wives on Super Bowl Sunday...
Just sayin'
Friday, May 11, 2007
DarthDoyle's Generosity: $139 Million ++
Well, maybe it'll be $139 million.
Then again, maybe MORE than $139 million.
Gov. Jim Doyle's plan to guarantee eighth-graders who stay out of trouble and maintain a B average seats in college will cost at least $139 million more than the state otherwise would be expected to pay over a six-year period beginning in 2009.
The Democratic governor's Wisconsin Convenant program would promise seats to those eighth-graders in public and private universities or the technical college system.
When current eighth-grade students start taking state government up on the Wisconsin Covenant promise, guaranteeing them financial aid to enroll in those higher education systems will cost about $38 million more in the 2009-'11 budget; $46 million more in 2011-'13; and $55 million more in 2013-'15, Administration Secretary Mike Morgan told legislators in a letter.
The Governor is crazy. Let's hope that a majority of the Assembly is NOT crazy.
Then again, maybe MORE than $139 million.
Gov. Jim Doyle's plan to guarantee eighth-graders who stay out of trouble and maintain a B average seats in college will cost at least $139 million more than the state otherwise would be expected to pay over a six-year period beginning in 2009.
The Democratic governor's Wisconsin Convenant program would promise seats to those eighth-graders in public and private universities or the technical college system.
When current eighth-grade students start taking state government up on the Wisconsin Covenant promise, guaranteeing them financial aid to enroll in those higher education systems will cost about $38 million more in the 2009-'11 budget; $46 million more in 2011-'13; and $55 million more in 2013-'15, Administration Secretary Mike Morgan told legislators in a letter.
The Governor is crazy. Let's hope that a majority of the Assembly is NOT crazy.
Your Mother and Her Day
Excerpted from a very well-written and touching post here, this says a bit about "why Mother's Day."
...When children enter a family they begin stripping a parent of his attachments. I remember first giving up having my hair done at the salon or having my fingernails manicured. Soon after that my shirt sleeves became accustomed to a daily lacing of spit-up. I remember changing blouses three or more times a day, hence surrendering perfect personal cleanliness. Then my daughter entered toddler-hood and soon there were fingerprints on the walls, dirt on the floors brought in from outside, crumbs under the table and countless drink spills. It was during this stage that I gave up perfect household cleanliness. Since having had a second child I have surrendered a quiet household, time for needlepointing, errands run peacefully and absorbing the Holy Gospel at mass.
So perhaps there should be a "children's day," too.
HT: WardWide
...When children enter a family they begin stripping a parent of his attachments. I remember first giving up having my hair done at the salon or having my fingernails manicured. Soon after that my shirt sleeves became accustomed to a daily lacing of spit-up. I remember changing blouses three or more times a day, hence surrendering perfect personal cleanliness. Then my daughter entered toddler-hood and soon there were fingerprints on the walls, dirt on the floors brought in from outside, crumbs under the table and countless drink spills. It was during this stage that I gave up perfect household cleanliness. Since having had a second child I have surrendered a quiet household, time for needlepointing, errands run peacefully and absorbing the Holy Gospel at mass.
So perhaps there should be a "children's day," too.
HT: WardWide
Even MORE Taxes for DarthDoyle
Our Governor wants more money, so to get it, he proposes that Wisconsin become part of a national consortium using Streamlined Sales Tax technology to get that money.
How much?
The streamlined sales and use tax provisions in Gov. Jim Doyle's budget would boost state sales tax collections $4.8 million over the 2007-09 budget with county and stadium and exposition districts seeing additional revenue as well, according to a report released today.
There is no amount which is "enough" for Doyle.
How much?
The streamlined sales and use tax provisions in Gov. Jim Doyle's budget would boost state sales tax collections $4.8 million over the 2007-09 budget with county and stadium and exposition districts seeing additional revenue as well, according to a report released today.
There is no amount which is "enough" for Doyle.
Are You REALLY Prepared?
A short list of the "necessary things" in case events become, ah, ....threatening:
...After all, he had not bought the house because he wanted to make friends but rather, he said, because it was at the end of a dead-end street and offered an advantageous line of fire. The house was two stories, with dormer windows, and contained a small arsenal. There were bullets everywhere -- in boxes, in the bathroom, on bookshelves, a few scattered on the floor -- like candy in the home of a fat man. There were a lot of knives, too, the fighting kind, with handles like brass knuckles. There was a handgun secreted away in the couch that faced the forty-three-inch TV screen, another next to the computer keyboard, and another on top of the refrigerator. In Zeke’s bedroom, there were two handguns on his nightstand and a black pump-action shotgun propped in the corner. In one of the spare bedrooms, there was an empty black case, very long and designed to carry the long rifle -- Zeke said he preferred a Remington 700 -- that snipers use. There was a Ruger .22-caliber Mark II long-rifle target pistol. There was a scope next to a pair of black gloves. There were a dozen empty magazines, a magazine half filled with bullets, and three magazines that were fully loaded. There were a couple of holsters, a stock, a shooting brace, and a metal case filled with 7.62mm shells. On the floor, there was a pair of handcuffs and a big box filled with smaller boxes of bullets. On the shelf bracketing another wall, there were two Kevlar helmets, a set of pads for a shooter’s knees and elbows, and a long coiled rope. In the corner, there was a backpack, ready to go, and then a duffel bag, olive-green and already packed with clothing and gear, so that if Zeke ever got called on a mission, he would be able to leave -- and leave everything behind, ...
So far, I'm short the Kevlar helmets, the 7.62mm bullets, the Rem 700, about 3 9mm pistols, the holsters, the handcuffs, and the padding for shooting, not to mention several thousand rounds in various calibers.
And my packs are not OD, but my duffel-bag is.
Ah, well. Father's Day is coming!
HT: Headless
...After all, he had not bought the house because he wanted to make friends but rather, he said, because it was at the end of a dead-end street and offered an advantageous line of fire. The house was two stories, with dormer windows, and contained a small arsenal. There were bullets everywhere -- in boxes, in the bathroom, on bookshelves, a few scattered on the floor -- like candy in the home of a fat man. There were a lot of knives, too, the fighting kind, with handles like brass knuckles. There was a handgun secreted away in the couch that faced the forty-three-inch TV screen, another next to the computer keyboard, and another on top of the refrigerator. In Zeke’s bedroom, there were two handguns on his nightstand and a black pump-action shotgun propped in the corner. In one of the spare bedrooms, there was an empty black case, very long and designed to carry the long rifle -- Zeke said he preferred a Remington 700 -- that snipers use. There was a Ruger .22-caliber Mark II long-rifle target pistol. There was a scope next to a pair of black gloves. There were a dozen empty magazines, a magazine half filled with bullets, and three magazines that were fully loaded. There were a couple of holsters, a stock, a shooting brace, and a metal case filled with 7.62mm shells. On the floor, there was a pair of handcuffs and a big box filled with smaller boxes of bullets. On the shelf bracketing another wall, there were two Kevlar helmets, a set of pads for a shooter’s knees and elbows, and a long coiled rope. In the corner, there was a backpack, ready to go, and then a duffel bag, olive-green and already packed with clothing and gear, so that if Zeke ever got called on a mission, he would be able to leave -- and leave everything behind, ...
So far, I'm short the Kevlar helmets, the 7.62mm bullets, the Rem 700, about 3 9mm pistols, the holsters, the handcuffs, and the padding for shooting, not to mention several thousand rounds in various calibers.
And my packs are not OD, but my duffel-bag is.
Ah, well. Father's Day is coming!
HT: Headless
To Folkbum, With Love: Dump Calvert!
Jay complains that Republicans never bitch about shameful, dirty-handed, corrupt (or ineffably stupid) Republicans.
No?
How's THIS, Jay?
Today, I declare war on the Republican Leadership of the United States House of Representatives. We must scalp one member. That member's name is Ken Calvert.
When John Doolittle had to step down from the House Appropriations Committee because of a corruption investigation, the House GOP gave the nod to Calvert.
In 2005, Calvert and a partner paid $550,000 for 4.3 acres of land. Calvert then used his earmarking powers to secure $8 million in funds for an interstate exchange on the property. He then sold the property for about $1 million.
Also in 2005, a business partner of Calvert's bought additional land that Calvert's earmarks benefited. When the property was sold, a firm financially connected to Calvert received a commission for the sale.
Doesn't bother me at all if this jackass gets dumped, prosecuted, and sentenced to prison for 30 years or so.
No?
How's THIS, Jay?
Today, I declare war on the Republican Leadership of the United States House of Representatives. We must scalp one member. That member's name is Ken Calvert.
When John Doolittle had to step down from the House Appropriations Committee because of a corruption investigation, the House GOP gave the nod to Calvert.
In 2005, Calvert and a partner paid $550,000 for 4.3 acres of land. Calvert then used his earmarking powers to secure $8 million in funds for an interstate exchange on the property. He then sold the property for about $1 million.
Also in 2005, a business partner of Calvert's bought additional land that Calvert's earmarks benefited. When the property was sold, a firm financially connected to Calvert received a commission for the sale.
Doesn't bother me at all if this jackass gets dumped, prosecuted, and sentenced to prison for 30 years or so.
Laughingstock Wisconsin: Thanks, Gov. Doyle!
It's not only national, it's now satire: (Stolen, whole, from Planet Moron)
It should come as no surprise that in these days of rising gasoline prices, some disreputable service station owners would attempt to take advantage of the situation by engaging in a practice long deplored by all fair-minded people:
Discount gouging.
In a vile attempt to attract customers by reducing prices, Wisconsin BP station owner Raj Bhandari was caught red-handed offering senior citizens two-cents-per-gallon discounts on the price of gasoline.
That might not sound like much now but where would it all end?
Today it’s two cents a gallon. Tomorrow it’s four. The next thing you know, gasoline stations all over the state would be competing based on a chaotic mix of price, convenience, service and location.
Stepping in to put an end to Mr. Bhandari’s brazen attempt to skirt Wisconsin’s Unfair Sales Act and in doing so, surely rescuing us from a future of anarchy and bedlam, are the vigilant watchdogs of the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection which sent a letter to the renegade discounter demanding that he raise his prices or face thousands of dollars in fines and penalties.
The state of Wisconsin: Keeping prices high so you don’t have to.
The state's Unfair Sales Act was originally passed during the Depression and prohibits anyone from selling gasoline at less than a 3% markup over wholesale costs. The law is intended to ensure that large retailers such as Wal-Mart can’t undercut the small mom and pop outfits that have so become a familiar and charming part of our urban landscape. Sure, you wouldn’t mind saving a few bucks a tank but then you’d miss out on the down-home feel of your locally owned ExxonMobile franchise with its authentically mud-caked complimentary window squeegees and the delightful $6-an-hour high school senior dozing off behind a pane of half-inch thick bulletproof glass.
Besides, being able to fill up while you shop for food and other household items at Wal-Mart would save you an extra trip to go get gas.
The state of Wisconsin: Helping to warm up the earth so Al Gore has something to do.
As the presidential elections heat up, the episode has national implications as well.
“In case you missed it this week,” presidential candidate Barack Obama told those assembled for a campaign rally in Richmond, Virginia, “There was a tragedy in Wisconsin. Gasoline was discounted and ten thousand people died — an entire town destroyed.” (A spokesperson for the Illinois senator later explained that the candidate may have gotten a little carried away speaking in front of such a large crowd, estimated by the Senator to be “over 75 million.”)
Also weighing in on the matter was Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani who, in keeping with his decisive, post-9/11 demeanor, said in no uncertain terms that enforcement of the Unfair Sales Act “Would be, you know, OK. Either or. Six of one half a dozen of another. Whatever.”
This is but one small battle won, but there will be more, whether it’s outright price cuts or nefarious schemes to offer “free” coffee with a fill up. (Come on, how stupid do they think we are? That’s a discount, and we’ll have none of those shenanigans here.)
If, as Wendell Phillips once said, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” then just as surely “Liberty is the price of eternal 3% wholesale markups.”
Which is probably what he meant to say anyway.
J.
It should come as no surprise that in these days of rising gasoline prices, some disreputable service station owners would attempt to take advantage of the situation by engaging in a practice long deplored by all fair-minded people:
Discount gouging.
In a vile attempt to attract customers by reducing prices, Wisconsin BP station owner Raj Bhandari was caught red-handed offering senior citizens two-cents-per-gallon discounts on the price of gasoline.
That might not sound like much now but where would it all end?
Today it’s two cents a gallon. Tomorrow it’s four. The next thing you know, gasoline stations all over the state would be competing based on a chaotic mix of price, convenience, service and location.
Stepping in to put an end to Mr. Bhandari’s brazen attempt to skirt Wisconsin’s Unfair Sales Act and in doing so, surely rescuing us from a future of anarchy and bedlam, are the vigilant watchdogs of the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection which sent a letter to the renegade discounter demanding that he raise his prices or face thousands of dollars in fines and penalties.
The state of Wisconsin: Keeping prices high so you don’t have to.
The state's Unfair Sales Act was originally passed during the Depression and prohibits anyone from selling gasoline at less than a 3% markup over wholesale costs. The law is intended to ensure that large retailers such as Wal-Mart can’t undercut the small mom and pop outfits that have so become a familiar and charming part of our urban landscape. Sure, you wouldn’t mind saving a few bucks a tank but then you’d miss out on the down-home feel of your locally owned ExxonMobile franchise with its authentically mud-caked complimentary window squeegees and the delightful $6-an-hour high school senior dozing off behind a pane of half-inch thick bulletproof glass.
Besides, being able to fill up while you shop for food and other household items at Wal-Mart would save you an extra trip to go get gas.
The state of Wisconsin: Helping to warm up the earth so Al Gore has something to do.
As the presidential elections heat up, the episode has national implications as well.
“In case you missed it this week,” presidential candidate Barack Obama told those assembled for a campaign rally in Richmond, Virginia, “There was a tragedy in Wisconsin. Gasoline was discounted and ten thousand people died — an entire town destroyed.” (A spokesperson for the Illinois senator later explained that the candidate may have gotten a little carried away speaking in front of such a large crowd, estimated by the Senator to be “over 75 million.”)
Also weighing in on the matter was Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani who, in keeping with his decisive, post-9/11 demeanor, said in no uncertain terms that enforcement of the Unfair Sales Act “Would be, you know, OK. Either or. Six of one half a dozen of another. Whatever.”
This is but one small battle won, but there will be more, whether it’s outright price cuts or nefarious schemes to offer “free” coffee with a fill up. (Come on, how stupid do they think we are? That’s a discount, and we’ll have none of those shenanigans here.)
If, as Wendell Phillips once said, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” then just as surely “Liberty is the price of eternal 3% wholesale markups.”
Which is probably what he meant to say anyway.
J.
Culture Alert: Beethoven's Missa Solemnis
Next weekend (May 18, 19, 20) the Milwaukee Symphony & Chorus, plus soloists, will perform the Beethoven Missa Solemnis at the Marcus Center.
Worth every dollar you have to spend to hear it. Every dollar (which doesn't have to be real much; tickets start at around $20.00 each, and there are no "bad seats" in Uihlein Hall.)
This is a large piece. The text is the Ordinary of the (Catholic) Mass; Beethoven wrote it for the installation of some Duke or other--but he kinda missed that deadline--
Text, Text, Text!! You really should get familiar with the text before you hear Beethoven's take on it. Then you'll understand what he did, and he did a lot.
For those of you who want to watch singers sweat, pay particular attention to the fugue on the "Et Vitam Venturi" just before the end of the Credo of the Mass.
And I mean "sweat."
Beethoven had a well-deserved reputation for using the human voice as though it were an instrument, and this fugue is his capstone achievement in that regard. It's (arguably) the most difficult choral fugue ever written. The text? "...and life everlasting." The fugue describes the multitude of souls striving to attain it.
But when he gets to the end of the fugue and moves to the conclusion with those stretto "et vitam" followed by the assuring "Amen", with the long orchestral upward-moving scales, he describes the peace and tranquility of those who believed, succeeded, and understand. (Think of St. Paul's "I have run the race...")
The Sanctus begins quietly--almost as though one were distant from the heavenly choirs who are singing it (the text is from the OT: "k'dosh, k'dosh, k'dosh") and grows in volume and intensity as he gets to the "Hosanna"--the excitement of that short fugue is almost orgasmic.
The next "Hosanna", in the Benedictus section, stands in remarkable contrast to the one in the Sanctus. It's calm, affirming--peaceful.
Taken as a whole, the Sanctus/Benedictus also point out the liturgical action of the Mass which would ordinarily occur during their performance. The high point of the liturgical section is the Consecration--so the first "Hosanna" is sung just before that event, and the second is sung long after--accounting for the difference. Many artists showed angels being present at the altar during the Consecration--so their arrival and departure is represented by the louder, then softer "Hosannas."
The Kyrie and the Agnus Dei are petitions, and sound like it; they are not elaborate, but are heartfelt, particularly the plea for peace ("dona nobis pacem") which concludes the work.
But the Gloria!
If you don't know from glory, you will after you've heard this realization. It's in D Major, the key of joy (like the 9th Symphony's choral movement.) It begins with an ascending scale--and ends with another mighty fugue on "in gloria Dei Patris." And then he pulls the trick I like the most: ending with an almost-shouted GLORIA!! that has no orchestra underneath it. Just voices--the first musical instrument, and the only one given to every human being.
The Sunday concert is a matinee for those of you with younger ones who should hear this.
Worth every dollar you have to spend to hear it. Every dollar (which doesn't have to be real much; tickets start at around $20.00 each, and there are no "bad seats" in Uihlein Hall.)
This is a large piece. The text is the Ordinary of the (Catholic) Mass; Beethoven wrote it for the installation of some Duke or other--but he kinda missed that deadline--
Text, Text, Text!! You really should get familiar with the text before you hear Beethoven's take on it. Then you'll understand what he did, and he did a lot.
For those of you who want to watch singers sweat, pay particular attention to the fugue on the "Et Vitam Venturi" just before the end of the Credo of the Mass.
And I mean "sweat."
Beethoven had a well-deserved reputation for using the human voice as though it were an instrument, and this fugue is his capstone achievement in that regard. It's (arguably) the most difficult choral fugue ever written. The text? "...and life everlasting." The fugue describes the multitude of souls striving to attain it.
But when he gets to the end of the fugue and moves to the conclusion with those stretto "et vitam" followed by the assuring "Amen", with the long orchestral upward-moving scales, he describes the peace and tranquility of those who believed, succeeded, and understand. (Think of St. Paul's "I have run the race...")
The Sanctus begins quietly--almost as though one were distant from the heavenly choirs who are singing it (the text is from the OT: "k'dosh, k'dosh, k'dosh") and grows in volume and intensity as he gets to the "Hosanna"--the excitement of that short fugue is almost orgasmic.
The next "Hosanna", in the Benedictus section, stands in remarkable contrast to the one in the Sanctus. It's calm, affirming--peaceful.
Taken as a whole, the Sanctus/Benedictus also point out the liturgical action of the Mass which would ordinarily occur during their performance. The high point of the liturgical section is the Consecration--so the first "Hosanna" is sung just before that event, and the second is sung long after--accounting for the difference. Many artists showed angels being present at the altar during the Consecration--so their arrival and departure is represented by the louder, then softer "Hosannas."
The Kyrie and the Agnus Dei are petitions, and sound like it; they are not elaborate, but are heartfelt, particularly the plea for peace ("dona nobis pacem") which concludes the work.
But the Gloria!
If you don't know from glory, you will after you've heard this realization. It's in D Major, the key of joy (like the 9th Symphony's choral movement.) It begins with an ascending scale--and ends with another mighty fugue on "in gloria Dei Patris." And then he pulls the trick I like the most: ending with an almost-shouted GLORIA!! that has no orchestra underneath it. Just voices--the first musical instrument, and the only one given to every human being.
The Sunday concert is a matinee for those of you with younger ones who should hear this.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Albanian Terrorists, Part II
Following the suggestion of Jan Sobieski in the combox, a few grafs from FrontPage on the runup to the Albanian Muslim Ft. Dix-Blower-Upper bozoboys.
Meanwhile, our lawmakers continue to support an independent Kosovo, no longer as the multi-ethnic experiment it was originally sold as, but as an example of America using its “military might to create a Muslim country” in Europe, as Congressman Robert Wexler, D-FL, said recently. It appears that the jihadists whom Messrs. Wexler and Lantos had hoped would take note of our kind gesture, have done so.
Wexler and Lantos are best remembered as ultra-Lefties--it's not a stretch to think of them as fellow travelers of the not-quite-dead Communist regimes. They are not ignorant--they are malevolent cancers in our Congress.
Less Leftist, less malevolent, but not less stupid, are the others in the group of Kosovo-kissers:
But no doubt the damage control machine is kicking into gear from the mufti-led State Dept. and our Albanian-bought politicians such as Tom Lantos, Eliot Engel, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Wesley Clark and — what the heck — let’s dig up the earliest Albanian purchase: Bob Dole, after whom a street is named in Kosovo.
In the near future, a book written by John R. Schindler, professor of strategy at the Naval War College and a former National Security Agency analyst and counterintelligence officer will be published. Emailing the author of the FrontPage article referenced in this post, he says:
This book provides the missing piece in the puzzle of al-Qa’ida’s transformation from an isolated fighting force into a lethal global threat: the Bosnian war of 1992 to 1995. John R. Schindler reveals the unexamined role that radical Islam played in that terrible conflict — and the ill-considered contributions of American policy to al-Qa’ida’s growth.…
Schindler exposes how Osama bin Laden exploited the Bosnian conflict for his own ends and the disturbing level of support the U.S. government gave to the Bosnian mujahidin…[which] contributed to blowback of epic proportions: Khalid Sheikh Muhammad (the mastermind of 9/11) and two of the 9/11 hijacker pilots were veterans of the Bosnian jihad.…
And, yes, it was BillyBob Clinton who helped the Alban/Muslim/AlQuaeda boyzzzz.
"Legacy", you know:
Since 1999, I have been screaming from the rooftops both about the injustice and hoax of our Balkans intervention, and about the security risk posed to us by it — warning that it would come back to bite us. Because when you don’t stop to figure out the historical context of a conflict that will tell you who the actual aggressor is; when you don’t corroborate horror stories by the complainant; when you don’t try to figure out which belligerent happens to also be hostile to your own society; and you instead go full throttle for a cheap moral victory and a Pulitzer, the bad guys will get you next.
I am not a Milosevic sympathizer. I'm well-aware that the Balkans are a three-cornered hat of fire: Catholic Croats, Orthodox Serbs, and Muslims--of Albanian and other tribal descent. It seems that our State Department, fixated on wordplay and embassy-rotation, cannot yet understand the role of religion--much less the momentum of 400+ years' conflict.
That thick-headed stupidity will have its effects. Sadly, those effects may play out inside the borders of the United States.
Jessica has more of the same here.
Meanwhile, our lawmakers continue to support an independent Kosovo, no longer as the multi-ethnic experiment it was originally sold as, but as an example of America using its “military might to create a Muslim country” in Europe, as Congressman Robert Wexler, D-FL, said recently. It appears that the jihadists whom Messrs. Wexler and Lantos had hoped would take note of our kind gesture, have done so.
Wexler and Lantos are best remembered as ultra-Lefties--it's not a stretch to think of them as fellow travelers of the not-quite-dead Communist regimes. They are not ignorant--they are malevolent cancers in our Congress.
Less Leftist, less malevolent, but not less stupid, are the others in the group of Kosovo-kissers:
But no doubt the damage control machine is kicking into gear from the mufti-led State Dept. and our Albanian-bought politicians such as Tom Lantos, Eliot Engel, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Wesley Clark and — what the heck — let’s dig up the earliest Albanian purchase: Bob Dole, after whom a street is named in Kosovo.
In the near future, a book written by John R. Schindler, professor of strategy at the Naval War College and a former National Security Agency analyst and counterintelligence officer will be published. Emailing the author of the FrontPage article referenced in this post, he says:
This book provides the missing piece in the puzzle of al-Qa’ida’s transformation from an isolated fighting force into a lethal global threat: the Bosnian war of 1992 to 1995. John R. Schindler reveals the unexamined role that radical Islam played in that terrible conflict — and the ill-considered contributions of American policy to al-Qa’ida’s growth.…
Schindler exposes how Osama bin Laden exploited the Bosnian conflict for his own ends and the disturbing level of support the U.S. government gave to the Bosnian mujahidin…[which] contributed to blowback of epic proportions: Khalid Sheikh Muhammad (the mastermind of 9/11) and two of the 9/11 hijacker pilots were veterans of the Bosnian jihad.…
And, yes, it was BillyBob Clinton who helped the Alban/Muslim/AlQuaeda boyzzzz.
"Legacy", you know:
Since 1999, I have been screaming from the rooftops both about the injustice and hoax of our Balkans intervention, and about the security risk posed to us by it — warning that it would come back to bite us. Because when you don’t stop to figure out the historical context of a conflict that will tell you who the actual aggressor is; when you don’t corroborate horror stories by the complainant; when you don’t try to figure out which belligerent happens to also be hostile to your own society; and you instead go full throttle for a cheap moral victory and a Pulitzer, the bad guys will get you next.
I am not a Milosevic sympathizer. I'm well-aware that the Balkans are a three-cornered hat of fire: Catholic Croats, Orthodox Serbs, and Muslims--of Albanian and other tribal descent. It seems that our State Department, fixated on wordplay and embassy-rotation, cannot yet understand the role of religion--much less the momentum of 400+ years' conflict.
That thick-headed stupidity will have its effects. Sadly, those effects may play out inside the borders of the United States.
Jessica has more of the same here.
That's Boston, Not Milwaukee
So you go to the Pops concert. Fun, froth, toe-tapping...
Yah, so that is, here in Milwaukee.
Not Boston.
Concert-goers, and even Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart, were caught off-guard on Wednesday night when a fight broke out on opening night at usually sedate Symphony Hall.
Television video of the fight showed two men struggling in the balcony -- one having his shirt pulled off -- as several people stood around them.
Lockhart briefly halted the performance, which featured Ben Folds, while the men were escorted out
Halt the show? Whaaaa???
He shoulda pulled out the score to West Side Story, found the "Rumble" scene, and played on!
Yah, so that is, here in Milwaukee.
Not Boston.
Concert-goers, and even Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart, were caught off-guard on Wednesday night when a fight broke out on opening night at usually sedate Symphony Hall.
Television video of the fight showed two men struggling in the balcony -- one having his shirt pulled off -- as several people stood around them.
Lockhart briefly halted the performance, which featured Ben Folds, while the men were escorted out
Halt the show? Whaaaa???
He shoulda pulled out the score to West Side Story, found the "Rumble" scene, and played on!
"Field Sobriety" Tests--Call Your Lawyer!
Ever take one of those "field sobriety" tests?
Here's an interesting paragraph about them:
So hundreds of thousands of drivers have been arrested -- no doubt many deservedly so -- on the basis of a 30-year-old study that, critics argue, has never been published in a peer-reviewed, scientific journal, never tested on a large scale with a control group and, perhaps more astonishing, has nothing to do with actual impairment from alcohol. Burns [the pshrink who created the test] is quite upfront in admitting the tests are designed only to gauge blood alcohol content, not whether you're a menace on the road.
Worth noting.
And the rest of the article is worth reading, by the way.
HT: Dappled Things
Here's an interesting paragraph about them:
So hundreds of thousands of drivers have been arrested -- no doubt many deservedly so -- on the basis of a 30-year-old study that, critics argue, has never been published in a peer-reviewed, scientific journal, never tested on a large scale with a control group and, perhaps more astonishing, has nothing to do with actual impairment from alcohol. Burns [the pshrink who created the test] is quite upfront in admitting the tests are designed only to gauge blood alcohol content, not whether you're a menace on the road.
Worth noting.
And the rest of the article is worth reading, by the way.
HT: Dappled Things