P-Mac notes a McGurn essay on waterboarding.
“Over the past few years, the Democrats have moved to ban waterboarding only when it was clear that such a bill would not pass -- or would be vetoed by George W. Bush. . . . Today the Democrats have an even larger majority -- plus a president who would sign such legislation. So why the call for a truth commission instead? The answer is a nasty one: If Congress made waterboarding illegal now, they would be making clear that it was not illegal before."
That's only one of two good reasons.
The other is that the Democrats WANT waterboarding to be legal.
..........Oh, yes they do.......
Because if it is not, and another few thousand Americans die during Lightworker's watch...
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
A Primer on REAL Torture
No waterboarding here.
Kaing Guek Eav, the former Khmer Rouge chief at Tuol Sleng prison where nearly 17,000 Cambodians (and a few others) were tortured and killed (or sent to nearby Choeung Ek for execution), has been on trial the last few weeks in Phnom Penh. Unlike the few other top officials from Pol Pot's regime who are awaiting trial, Eav -- known as "Duch" -- has admitted responsibility for the evil. The brutalities committed under his authority are unimaginable: beatings, electrocutions, fingernail-ripping, burning, cutting, etc. Guards would toss infants in the air like they were skeet and fire away.
The infants never spilled any information, either.
But, as AP and AFP report, with a sigh of relief, that there was no "waterboarding."
HT: AmSpecBlog
Kaing Guek Eav, the former Khmer Rouge chief at Tuol Sleng prison where nearly 17,000 Cambodians (and a few others) were tortured and killed (or sent to nearby Choeung Ek for execution), has been on trial the last few weeks in Phnom Penh. Unlike the few other top officials from Pol Pot's regime who are awaiting trial, Eav -- known as "Duch" -- has admitted responsibility for the evil. The brutalities committed under his authority are unimaginable: beatings, electrocutions, fingernail-ripping, burning, cutting, etc. Guards would toss infants in the air like they were skeet and fire away.
The infants never spilled any information, either.
But, as AP and AFP report, with a sigh of relief, that there was no "waterboarding."
HT: AmSpecBlog
Congrats! You May Own Chrysler!
Drudge reports/WaPo:
If the bankruptcy proceeds as expected, the administration would create a new Chrysler that would purchase assets of the old company. The ownership of the new company would be divided between the union's retiree health fund, which would get a 55 percent stake, Fiat, which would get at least a 35 percent stake, and the United States, which would take an 8 percent stake. The Canadian government would receive two percent
And there are some loans that Chrysler will repay to the Treasury, maybe.
It's the plan, folks. Next: GM becomes yours, too!!
If the bankruptcy proceeds as expected, the administration would create a new Chrysler that would purchase assets of the old company. The ownership of the new company would be divided between the union's retiree health fund, which would get a 55 percent stake, Fiat, which would get at least a 35 percent stake, and the United States, which would take an 8 percent stake. The Canadian government would receive two percent
And there are some loans that Chrysler will repay to the Treasury, maybe.
It's the plan, folks. Next: GM becomes yours, too!!
It's the Message, Not the Money
Lotsa people are up in arms about SB20, the Democrats' next gift to the trial-lawyer (ambulance-chaser) lobby.
Here's Grothman, via Boots & Sabers:
“This bill can give up to $300,000 in punitive damages to people who claim they were discriminated against while similarly-situated employees in Iowa, Illinois and Michigan would get nothing. Punitive damages in Minnesota would be limited to $25,000,” observed Grothman. “We already have 3,500 claims for discrimination in this state and about 85-percent don’t even meet a probable cause determination. Employers are already expressing frustration at spending countless hours of management time as well as paying thousands of dollars to not have to deal with these lawsuits. This bill will not only increase the number of frivolous lawsuits already filed against Wisconsin employers but put Wisconsin at a further competitive disadvantage compared to other states.”
“At first, I didn’t feel these Democrats understood how common and damaging to business these marginal discrimination claims were, but then, these Democrats exempted school districts, cities, and counties from the lawsuits. The message they sent today is clear, ‘We understand that government cannot be expected to deal with this nonsense, but people who risk their own money going into business will just have to lump it,’” said Grothman. “A more clear dislike for business cannot be imagined.”
Two observations:
1) Most well-run businesses will not lose one of these lawsuits; Grothman says, accurately, that 85% of the cases don't get past the "I'm gonna sue you!" stage.
2) #1 (above) is irrelevant.
What the Leggies accomplished is another marginal attack on predictability, just like Doyle's 'joint/several' switcheroo.
Business likes predictability in the operating environment. Whacking away at predictability is a lot like the process of erosion; you don't really see anything happening; you just note that the big rocks became small rocks.
Having another set of opportunistic and foul-breathed lawyers crawling around your business, looking for an un-crossed "t" or un-dotted "i" simply adds cost. It's that marginal cost, or the fear thereof, which is un-settling.
Then the only question is "when," not "if," the business pulls the plug.
Here's Grothman, via Boots & Sabers:
“This bill can give up to $300,000 in punitive damages to people who claim they were discriminated against while similarly-situated employees in Iowa, Illinois and Michigan would get nothing. Punitive damages in Minnesota would be limited to $25,000,” observed Grothman. “We already have 3,500 claims for discrimination in this state and about 85-percent don’t even meet a probable cause determination. Employers are already expressing frustration at spending countless hours of management time as well as paying thousands of dollars to not have to deal with these lawsuits. This bill will not only increase the number of frivolous lawsuits already filed against Wisconsin employers but put Wisconsin at a further competitive disadvantage compared to other states.”
“At first, I didn’t feel these Democrats understood how common and damaging to business these marginal discrimination claims were, but then, these Democrats exempted school districts, cities, and counties from the lawsuits. The message they sent today is clear, ‘We understand that government cannot be expected to deal with this nonsense, but people who risk their own money going into business will just have to lump it,’” said Grothman. “A more clear dislike for business cannot be imagined.”
Two observations:
1) Most well-run businesses will not lose one of these lawsuits; Grothman says, accurately, that 85% of the cases don't get past the "I'm gonna sue you!" stage.
2) #1 (above) is irrelevant.
What the Leggies accomplished is another marginal attack on predictability, just like Doyle's 'joint/several' switcheroo.
Business likes predictability in the operating environment. Whacking away at predictability is a lot like the process of erosion; you don't really see anything happening; you just note that the big rocks became small rocks.
Having another set of opportunistic and foul-breathed lawyers crawling around your business, looking for an un-crossed "t" or un-dotted "i" simply adds cost. It's that marginal cost, or the fear thereof, which is un-settling.
Then the only question is "when," not "if," the business pulls the plug.
Obama's First Energy Victim: Navajos
Add a few thousand more bodies under the bus.
...the EPA has issued an unprecedented order to renege on a permit already granted to open a coal-generator plant in a Navajo reservation in New Mexico that has the tribe and its supporters steaming
Jeff Holmstead, former head of the air program at EPA and now head of the Environmental Strategies Group at Bracewell & Giuliani, the law firm representing the plant’s developer, Sithe Global, said in a statement that he has “never seen anything like it.”
“I don’t think anyone ever imagined that the new team at EPA would seem to have such little regard for due process or basic notions of fairness,” Holmstead said. “Everyone understands that a new Administration has discretion to change rules and policies prospectively. But I’ve never seen any Administration try to change policies and rules retroactively.”
Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley said in a statement the decision was further proof that the U.S. government isn’t “honest and truthful in its dealings with Native America.” Shirley said that the EPA withdrawal of the permit will harm the Navajo people
Of course, not having electricity may be even more harmful in the long run.
HT: Hot Air
...the EPA has issued an unprecedented order to renege on a permit already granted to open a coal-generator plant in a Navajo reservation in New Mexico that has the tribe and its supporters steaming
Jeff Holmstead, former head of the air program at EPA and now head of the Environmental Strategies Group at Bracewell & Giuliani, the law firm representing the plant’s developer, Sithe Global, said in a statement that he has “never seen anything like it.”
“I don’t think anyone ever imagined that the new team at EPA would seem to have such little regard for due process or basic notions of fairness,” Holmstead said. “Everyone understands that a new Administration has discretion to change rules and policies prospectively. But I’ve never seen any Administration try to change policies and rules retroactively.”
Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley said in a statement the decision was further proof that the U.S. government isn’t “honest and truthful in its dealings with Native America.” Shirley said that the EPA withdrawal of the permit will harm the Navajo people
Of course, not having electricity may be even more harmful in the long run.
HT: Hot Air
Obama to Nationalize Banks and GM
Lotsa press on both today.
Banks which should be sold off (Citi, Regions, Wells Fargo, B of America--among others) will instead be walking Zombies, owned by Treasury.
GM, which should go banko, will be controlled by Treasury and the UAW.
This is Corporatism/Fascism. No other way to phrase it.
Banks which should be sold off (Citi, Regions, Wells Fargo, B of America--among others) will instead be walking Zombies, owned by Treasury.
GM, which should go banko, will be controlled by Treasury and the UAW.
This is Corporatism/Fascism. No other way to phrase it.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
More Lying With Headlines
Here's the actualities:
55% of Americans believe in retrospect that the use of the interrogation techniques was justified, while only 36% say it was not. Notably, a majority of those following the news about this matter "very closely" oppose an investigation and think the methods were justified.
A new Gallup Poll finds 51% of Americans in favor and 42% opposed to an investigation into the use of harsh interrogation techniques on terrorism suspects during the Bush administration
So the headline from Gallup?
"Slim Majority Wants Bush-Era Interrogations Investigated."
Yah, well, a LARGER majority thinks that the interrogation methods were just fine, thanks.
HT: Ace
55% of Americans believe in retrospect that the use of the interrogation techniques was justified, while only 36% say it was not. Notably, a majority of those following the news about this matter "very closely" oppose an investigation and think the methods were justified.
A new Gallup Poll finds 51% of Americans in favor and 42% opposed to an investigation into the use of harsh interrogation techniques on terrorism suspects during the Bush administration
So the headline from Gallup?
"Slim Majority Wants Bush-Era Interrogations Investigated."
Yah, well, a LARGER majority thinks that the interrogation methods were just fine, thanks.
HT: Ace
AlGore's Shady Pals and the Next TEA Party
Oh, there's a LOT more to the "tax-and-cap" story than AlGore will tell.
The fix on "cap-and-trade" was in by the middle of 1997. NINETEEN NINETY-SEVEN, suckas!!
("Kenny Boy" is Ken Lay, convict.)
...the next day I was tasked with sitting in for “Kenny Boy” at a meeting in fancy New York law firm offices (in DC), around a table of Baptists and Bootleggers, rent-seekers and green puritans, discussing how to ensure a global warming treaty came about, of our collective design, and how to rope the U.S. in.
So, seeing very measured groups like Union of Concerned Scientists on my immediate left, I turned to one of the rent-seekers’ officers on my right, among whom I recall being the American Gas Association, Niagara-Mohawk Power, and BP, among others. In response to my query, “what are we doing sitting around a table with a bunch of people who want to put us out of business?”, I was told with a laugh, “they want to put coal out of business first.”
The author was a lobbyist for Enron.
So I fired off a “Houston, we have a problem” missive to my boss asking if Enron knew what it was getting into in this group. That’s when they explained the specifics of their business plan to me - which did include setting up a trading business with Goldman, by the way, as one of Goldman’s energy practice chiefs at the time also roared to me in joy about about all of the money they were going to make. This cannot conceivably be news to Gore and his VC partner and former Goldman Pooh-Bah Blood
In other words, the US citizen is being played. Not only for sucker, but for sucker-who-pays-and-will-damn-well-LIKE-it.
BOHICA
...in July of that year (1997), a unanimous Senate votes pursuant to Art. II, Sec. 2, its (unsolicited) “advice” to Clinton-Gore to not go to Kyoto and agree to that beast. In December Al Gore then flies off to Kyoto to do just that.
How come? Simple.
An August 4, 1997 Oval Office meeting with [convict] Kenny Boy, (then-) Sir John Browne of BP, and the President and Vice President of the United States. Let that sink in. He didn’t know the guy [Kenny-Boy, the convict]. But anyone who can even spell “Beltway” can tell you that that kind of orchestration and attention takes serious influence. Ask Gordon Brown.
As revealed by the August 1, 1997 Kenny Boy briefing memo subsequently aired after the unpleasantness, in this meeting Kenny Boy was to demand that the Senate be ignored, that the administration agree to Kyoto, and most important that it contain a cap-and-trade scheme.
The Spectator Blog has a bit more, naming the current bloodsuckers in the game.
Al Gore and all of those pushing the cap-and-trade rationing scheme -- as envisioned in the president's budget, the biggest tax increase in the history of our Republic -- have some 'splainin' to do about just why they're promoting a rent-seeker scheme hatched by Enron, now demanded by Ken Lay proteges and those who picked Enron's carcass clean of its erstwhile white elephants like Enron (now GE) Wind, its solar panel venture (now BP), and that derivative-swaps and ration-coupon trading scheme hatched with Goldman
That July 4th TEA Party should be a lot louder and larger.
Louder, because the Pitchfork-and-Torches crowd might bring stuff that goes "BOOM!!"
The fix on "cap-and-trade" was in by the middle of 1997. NINETEEN NINETY-SEVEN, suckas!!
("Kenny Boy" is Ken Lay, convict.)
...the next day I was tasked with sitting in for “Kenny Boy” at a meeting in fancy New York law firm offices (in DC), around a table of Baptists and Bootleggers, rent-seekers and green puritans, discussing how to ensure a global warming treaty came about, of our collective design, and how to rope the U.S. in.
So, seeing very measured groups like Union of Concerned Scientists on my immediate left, I turned to one of the rent-seekers’ officers on my right, among whom I recall being the American Gas Association, Niagara-Mohawk Power, and BP, among others. In response to my query, “what are we doing sitting around a table with a bunch of people who want to put us out of business?”, I was told with a laugh, “they want to put coal out of business first.”
The author was a lobbyist for Enron.
So I fired off a “Houston, we have a problem” missive to my boss asking if Enron knew what it was getting into in this group. That’s when they explained the specifics of their business plan to me - which did include setting up a trading business with Goldman, by the way, as one of Goldman’s energy practice chiefs at the time also roared to me in joy about about all of the money they were going to make. This cannot conceivably be news to Gore and his VC partner and former Goldman Pooh-Bah Blood
In other words, the US citizen is being played. Not only for sucker, but for sucker-who-pays-and-will-damn-well-LIKE-it.
BOHICA
...in July of that year (1997), a unanimous Senate votes pursuant to Art. II, Sec. 2, its (unsolicited) “advice” to Clinton-Gore to not go to Kyoto and agree to that beast. In December Al Gore then flies off to Kyoto to do just that.
How come? Simple.
An August 4, 1997 Oval Office meeting with [convict] Kenny Boy, (then-) Sir John Browne of BP, and the President and Vice President of the United States. Let that sink in. He didn’t know the guy [Kenny-Boy, the convict]. But anyone who can even spell “Beltway” can tell you that that kind of orchestration and attention takes serious influence. Ask Gordon Brown.
As revealed by the August 1, 1997 Kenny Boy briefing memo subsequently aired after the unpleasantness, in this meeting Kenny Boy was to demand that the Senate be ignored, that the administration agree to Kyoto, and most important that it contain a cap-and-trade scheme.
The Spectator Blog has a bit more, naming the current bloodsuckers in the game.
Al Gore and all of those pushing the cap-and-trade rationing scheme -- as envisioned in the president's budget, the biggest tax increase in the history of our Republic -- have some 'splainin' to do about just why they're promoting a rent-seeker scheme hatched by Enron, now demanded by Ken Lay proteges and those who picked Enron's carcass clean of its erstwhile white elephants like Enron (now GE) Wind, its solar panel venture (now BP), and that derivative-swaps and ration-coupon trading scheme hatched with Goldman
That July 4th TEA Party should be a lot louder and larger.
Louder, because the Pitchfork-and-Torches crowd might bring stuff that goes "BOOM!!"
Good Riddance to Specter
The Dems had 60 votes when Spectral was (R).
They still have 60 votes.
And now they have another self-obsessed Scottish Law advocate.
They still have 60 votes.
And now they have another self-obsessed Scottish Law advocate.
If This Sounds Familiar....
...then you're in trouble.
H. Richard Niebuhr (not his brother, Reinhold) is known for a number of reasons, one of which is this famous quote describing Americanist religion:
He said that it peddled the idea that "a God without wrath brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a cross."
This is the Therapeutic religion (as Dreher would have it), and it is a lot more common across denominations than it should be.
HT: Pertinacious
H. Richard Niebuhr (not his brother, Reinhold) is known for a number of reasons, one of which is this famous quote describing Americanist religion:
He said that it peddled the idea that "a God without wrath brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a cross."
This is the Therapeutic religion (as Dreher would have it), and it is a lot more common across denominations than it should be.
HT: Pertinacious
How to Read Genesis 1
In brief, it most assuredly is NOT 'creation science'. Here's the end of a medium-length essay written by a guy with a Ph.D in Theo and another Ph.D. in astrophysics.
...Père Congar called attention to a crucial point: Today the principal Christian heresy is the practical denial of that eternal life for which the secularized world in its resolve not to look beyond nature has no use at all. Congar also noted that one cannot defend eternal life, centered on the immortality of the soul, without defending the proposition that all is created. That proposition too goes against the grain in this age of nature-worship. No theological defense of the strict createdness of all can, however, be made without a defense of Genesis 1. It should not be defended under any circumstances as a cosmogenesis, with any reference, indirect as it may be, to science. Its genuinely biblical meaning can, however, be fully defended by that reason whereby, as Genesis I tells us, man is created in the image of Almighty God. --S. Jaki
Yes, it is the story of Creation, but it's not meant to be history. It is theology.
...Père Congar called attention to a crucial point: Today the principal Christian heresy is the practical denial of that eternal life for which the secularized world in its resolve not to look beyond nature has no use at all. Congar also noted that one cannot defend eternal life, centered on the immortality of the soul, without defending the proposition that all is created. That proposition too goes against the grain in this age of nature-worship. No theological defense of the strict createdness of all can, however, be made without a defense of Genesis 1. It should not be defended under any circumstances as a cosmogenesis, with any reference, indirect as it may be, to science. Its genuinely biblical meaning can, however, be fully defended by that reason whereby, as Genesis I tells us, man is created in the image of Almighty God. --S. Jaki
Yes, it is the story of Creation, but it's not meant to be history. It is theology.
Indict, Prosecute, and Jail All Three
Well, 'three' is merely rhetorical. It might be 3,000 by the time it's over. But Lewis, Paulson, and Bernanke are a very good start.
Both Bernanke and Paulson in mid-December knew Bank of America was obliged by statute to publicly disclose the huge losses Merrill Lynch & Co. had racked up that month. You don’t get to be chairman of the Federal Reserve or, in Paulson’s case, secretary of the Treasury or head of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. without learning this basic tenet of U.S. securities laws. Instead of making sure the public was fully informed of the losses before Bank of America completed its purchase of Merrill on Jan. 1, they did all they could to keep the secret safe.
Neither Bernanke nor Paulson told the Securities and Exchange Commission, according to the letter Cuomo wrote to lawmakers and regulators. They didn’t tell Lewis or anyone else at Bank of America to do the right thing and obey the law. And while they promised Bank of America lots of money to keep it from calling off the deal, they were careful not to commit any of their agreements to writing for fear this would bind the government into disclosing them itself.
It didn’t matter that investors were buying and selling billions of the banks’ shares without a clue that Merrill had lost more than $12 billion during the fourth quarter. Bernanke and Paulson had a singular objective -- to get the Merrill deal done, on time -- even if that meant duping the stock market and threatening to fire Lewis as chief executive officer, along with the company’s board.
--Quoted in Market Ticker
Lewis, of course, complied with the "requests," which makes him a co-conspirator and also guilty of fraud.
Both Bernanke and Paulson in mid-December knew Bank of America was obliged by statute to publicly disclose the huge losses Merrill Lynch & Co. had racked up that month. You don’t get to be chairman of the Federal Reserve or, in Paulson’s case, secretary of the Treasury or head of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. without learning this basic tenet of U.S. securities laws. Instead of making sure the public was fully informed of the losses before Bank of America completed its purchase of Merrill on Jan. 1, they did all they could to keep the secret safe.
Neither Bernanke nor Paulson told the Securities and Exchange Commission, according to the letter Cuomo wrote to lawmakers and regulators. They didn’t tell Lewis or anyone else at Bank of America to do the right thing and obey the law. And while they promised Bank of America lots of money to keep it from calling off the deal, they were careful not to commit any of their agreements to writing for fear this would bind the government into disclosing them itself.
It didn’t matter that investors were buying and selling billions of the banks’ shares without a clue that Merrill had lost more than $12 billion during the fourth quarter. Bernanke and Paulson had a singular objective -- to get the Merrill deal done, on time -- even if that meant duping the stock market and threatening to fire Lewis as chief executive officer, along with the company’s board.
--Quoted in Market Ticker
Lewis, of course, complied with the "requests," which makes him a co-conspirator and also guilty of fraud.
Super-Nanny to Head Nat'l Highway Safety Admin
If you thought that Jimmuh Cahtuh's NHTSA pick (Joan Claybrook) was a screeching twit, you ain't seen nothing yet.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is anything but an uncontroversial organization, as the Washington Times, Radley Balko, and our own archives make clear. Among the bad, sometimes awful ideas with which it has been identified are a reduction of the blood alcohol limit to .04 (meaning that for some adults a single drink could result in arrest), blanket police roadblocks and pullovers, the 55 mph speed limit, traffic-cams, and the imprisonment of parents who knowingly permit teen party drinking, to name but a few. Of particular interest when it comes to the policies of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it has backed proposed legislation demanding that costly breathalyzer-ignition interlock systems be foisted on all new cars, whether or not their drivers have ever committed a DUI offense; it’s also lined up with the plaintiff’s bar on various dubious efforts to expand liability.
Now President Obama has named MADD CEO Chuck Hurley to head NHTSA
Well.
A National Random-Check Traffic-Stop Day!!--say, July 4th??
On the other hand, since Obama's Boyzzzz want the price of gasoline to exceed $6.00/gallon, who cares what this Super-Nanny thinks or does?
Nobody will be driving, anyway.
HT: Radley Balko
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is anything but an uncontroversial organization, as the Washington Times, Radley Balko, and our own archives make clear. Among the bad, sometimes awful ideas with which it has been identified are a reduction of the blood alcohol limit to .04 (meaning that for some adults a single drink could result in arrest), blanket police roadblocks and pullovers, the 55 mph speed limit, traffic-cams, and the imprisonment of parents who knowingly permit teen party drinking, to name but a few. Of particular interest when it comes to the policies of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it has backed proposed legislation demanding that costly breathalyzer-ignition interlock systems be foisted on all new cars, whether or not their drivers have ever committed a DUI offense; it’s also lined up with the plaintiff’s bar on various dubious efforts to expand liability.
Now President Obama has named MADD CEO Chuck Hurley to head NHTSA
Well.
A National Random-Check Traffic-Stop Day!!--say, July 4th??
On the other hand, since Obama's Boyzzzz want the price of gasoline to exceed $6.00/gallon, who cares what this Super-Nanny thinks or does?
Nobody will be driving, anyway.
HT: Radley Balko
Tammy Baldwin's Pedophile-Love
Under the "you can't make this up" column:
[Iowa Republican Rep. Steve] King offered an amendment that would have barred pedophiles from receiving special protection under the hate crimes bill. The amendment was defeated on a party-line vote 13-10. Congresswoman [Tammy] Baldwin [D-WI] said that amendment was "unnecessary and inflammatory"
Who knew about her constituency in Madison?
HT: Moonbattery
[Iowa Republican Rep. Steve] King offered an amendment that would have barred pedophiles from receiving special protection under the hate crimes bill. The amendment was defeated on a party-line vote 13-10. Congresswoman [Tammy] Baldwin [D-WI] said that amendment was "unnecessary and inflammatory"
Who knew about her constituency in Madison?
HT: Moonbattery
Truck Tonnage Down Again
Truck tonnage (freight) fell back to a 102 index reading after increasing for a few months from November through February.
Average index 2005-2007 was around 112. The major cliff-dive occurred October 08, but 2008 was generally a declining year.
HT: Calculated Risk
Average index 2005-2007 was around 112. The major cliff-dive occurred October 08, but 2008 was generally a declining year.
HT: Calculated Risk
Monday, April 27, 2009
Elmbrook Schools Lawsuit Update
John Foust, commenter extra.....umnnnhhhh....
Well, whatever. John sent a cc of the complaint against Elmbrook.
Local representation is provided by Hall Legal.
You'll note that they haven't invested too much in their webpage.
Well, whatever. John sent a cc of the complaint against Elmbrook.
Local representation is provided by Hall Legal.
You'll note that they haven't invested too much in their webpage.
NY 20: Why the (R) Lost
Nice analysis here.
Mr. Tedisco betrayed that he wasn't all that different than the other politicians who have made Albany the tax and spend center of America..
IOW, another Tommy Thompson (R), about 20 years out of fashion.
Plenty more at the link.
HT: Ace
Mr. Tedisco betrayed that he wasn't all that different than the other politicians who have made Albany the tax and spend center of America..
IOW, another Tommy Thompson (R), about 20 years out of fashion.
Plenty more at the link.
HT: Ace
Glendon to ND: Thanks but No Thanks
Mary Ann Glendon was to recieve the Laetare Medal from Notre Dame at this spring's graduation.
"A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision—in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops—to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice
"...It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony"
Ms. Glendon turned down the gloria mundi. There are more important things, after all.
"A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision—in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops—to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice
"...It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony"
Ms. Glendon turned down the gloria mundi. There are more important things, after all.
The Paulson/Bernanke Legacy: Criminals
I'll admit it was not just "Paulson and Bernanke."
There's Bush, Greenspan, Geithner the Hapless, and the vast majority of Congress, too...
Both from the Hotline and from other leads, SIGTARP has initiated, to date, almost 20 preliminary and full criminal investigations. Although the details of those investigations generally will not be discussed unless and until public action is taken, the cases vary widely in subject matter and include large corporate and securities fraud matters affecting TARP investments, tax matters, insider trading, public corruption, and mortgage-modification fraud
That's 20 investigations springing from less than 1 year of TARP funding, folks, according to the Inspector General/TARP.
How d'ya s'pose that could happen?
Treasury has indicated, however, that it will not adopt SIGTARP's recommendation that all TARP recipients be required to do the following:
• account for the use of TARP funds
• set up internal controls to comply with such accounting
• report periodically to Treasury on the results, with appropriate sworn certifications
In light of the fact that the American taxpayer has been asked to fund this extraordinary effort to stabilize the financial system, it is not unreasonable that the public be told how those funds have been used by TARP recipients. Treasury is now conducting regular surveys of the banks' lending activities; however, with the exception of Citigroup and Bank of America, Treasury has refused to seek further details on TARP recipients' use of funds.
The NYTimes (separately) published an article this AM which describes Geithner's 'unusually close and personal' relationships with New York bankers.
HT: Powerline
There's Bush, Greenspan, Geithner the Hapless, and the vast majority of Congress, too...
Both from the Hotline and from other leads, SIGTARP has initiated, to date, almost 20 preliminary and full criminal investigations. Although the details of those investigations generally will not be discussed unless and until public action is taken, the cases vary widely in subject matter and include large corporate and securities fraud matters affecting TARP investments, tax matters, insider trading, public corruption, and mortgage-modification fraud
That's 20 investigations springing from less than 1 year of TARP funding, folks, according to the Inspector General/TARP.
How d'ya s'pose that could happen?
Treasury has indicated, however, that it will not adopt SIGTARP's recommendation that all TARP recipients be required to do the following:
• account for the use of TARP funds
• set up internal controls to comply with such accounting
• report periodically to Treasury on the results, with appropriate sworn certifications
In light of the fact that the American taxpayer has been asked to fund this extraordinary effort to stabilize the financial system, it is not unreasonable that the public be told how those funds have been used by TARP recipients. Treasury is now conducting regular surveys of the banks' lending activities; however, with the exception of Citigroup and Bank of America, Treasury has refused to seek further details on TARP recipients' use of funds.
The NYTimes (separately) published an article this AM which describes Geithner's 'unusually close and personal' relationships with New York bankers.
HT: Powerline
What REAL Cops Think About Massacre-Prevention
Ayoob attended Int'l Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers' Ass'n. meeting.
One of the topics that inevitably cropped up was response to mass murders in schools and other public places. Among us was Ron Borsch, instructor at the Southeast Area Law Enforcement Academy in Ohio, who has been an advocate of “sole response” entry into such situations by the first responding officer. Though controversial in law enforcement, his theory was validated recently by the courageous 25-year-old cop who entered a mass murder scene only a few weeks ago at an old folks home, and stopped the killing with a single bullet from his Glock .40 service pistol coolly and expertly delivered to the gunman’s chest.
Borsch’s impromptu discussion revealed the fact that some 25% of mass murder shooting sprees he has researched were ended by armed private citizens. This led in turn to a discussion of the Israeli Model, in place since the Maalot massacre of schoolchildren decades ago, in which teachers and other school personnel were trained and discreetly armed with handguns, which has proven famously successful ever since in Israel. Across the ten-member panel AND the dozens of police instructors attending the discussion, not a single voice was raised against that concept, and many spoke enthusiastically in favor of it.
The rubber does NOT meet the road in the office of Chief of Police, folks. Those offices use 'unicorns, seashells, and balloons' interior decoration.
HT: Arms and the Law
One of the topics that inevitably cropped up was response to mass murders in schools and other public places. Among us was Ron Borsch, instructor at the Southeast Area Law Enforcement Academy in Ohio, who has been an advocate of “sole response” entry into such situations by the first responding officer. Though controversial in law enforcement, his theory was validated recently by the courageous 25-year-old cop who entered a mass murder scene only a few weeks ago at an old folks home, and stopped the killing with a single bullet from his Glock .40 service pistol coolly and expertly delivered to the gunman’s chest.
Borsch’s impromptu discussion revealed the fact that some 25% of mass murder shooting sprees he has researched were ended by armed private citizens. This led in turn to a discussion of the Israeli Model, in place since the Maalot massacre of schoolchildren decades ago, in which teachers and other school personnel were trained and discreetly armed with handguns, which has proven famously successful ever since in Israel. Across the ten-member panel AND the dozens of police instructors attending the discussion, not a single voice was raised against that concept, and many spoke enthusiastically in favor of it.
The rubber does NOT meet the road in the office of Chief of Police, folks. Those offices use 'unicorns, seashells, and balloons' interior decoration.
HT: Arms and the Law
World Poverty--the Fault of the West?
Interesting little item from Rome.
The radical causes of poverty are not colonization, or the multi-nationals or the egoism of rich countries. Although the rich of the world bear so much responsibility and culpability, they are not at the root of the poverty of poor peoples.
... the [common knowledge] is that, prior to the encounter with Western colonization, for example, the African peoples and the Amazonian Indians lived a natural, happy, peaceful and community life. However, [that] is an ideological vision altogether contrary to the historical reality
So Western civilization did not disrupt things. In fact, in the late 1800's,
...the missionaries wrote that the tribes were constantly at war among themselves, and described their life as inhumane, slightly above that of animals, in addition to being "impoverished." The tribal peoples of Burma developed precisely through the action of the missionaries, who brought peace, taught them how to work and cultivate rice-fields -- previously they were nomads -- opened roads and schools, brought in modern medicine, studied their languages and compiled dictionaries, gathered proverbs and narratives from them and so on.
This missionary priest has another explanation for the problem of poverty in the Third World.
In 2001, the "non-globalists" coined an effective slogan for the Group of Eight meeting in Genoa: "We are rich because they are poor and they are poor because we are rich." I always say that the poor are not helped by telling lies.
Akin to the other slogan: "Ten percent of the world population consumes 90% of the resources, and 90% of men consume only 10% of the available resources." This must be corrected to read: "Ten percent of men produce and consume 90% of the resources, and 90% of men produce and consume 10% of the resources."
If you missed it, the key word here is "produce."
The root of the problem is that first one must produce if one is to consume: One consumes if one produces, and in poor countries not enough is produced to maintain the rate of growth of the population
So what IS the solution?
Famine does not come from too many men and women, but from the fact that they are not taught how to produce more, beyond the level of pure sustenance. However, in the West this is not acknowledged because it calls into question our true responsibility, which is not just helping finance poor countries and paying a just price for their raw materials (this is also true, but it is not first and foremost). Our responsibility is to contribute to their education so they become self-sufficient, first of all in the production of food and then of all the rest.
Do not give the man a fish. Teach him HOW to fish...
For example, despite what appears to be a stable economy:
Cameroon produces little if anything in the industrial area. It has no real industry, only cement works, textile production and sugar, beer and cigarettes, ginning of cotton and little else. It imports almost all modern goods, including lamps and refrigerators, exporting natural riches (oil, various minerals, wood) and agricultural products. And economic growth without industry is not possible.
There's another factor, too.
The second cancer of Cameroon is state corruption at the political and administrative level. In the list of the most corrupt countries of the world drawn up by the United Nations, Cameroon always places at the top; in 2007, in fact, it placed first. It is not the specific fault of this or that head of state or administrator; it is a custom that stems from the mentality: When one has power one must think first of all of one's ethnic group, tribe, village and family
(Jack Murtha is no different, eh?)
We Westerners do very little for the education of poor peoples, and we never hear of the role of cultural and religious values that lead to development: It is a topic that is ignored by the mass media and the Western "experts" that favor economic and technical aid
--Father Piero Gheddo
The radical causes of poverty are not colonization, or the multi-nationals or the egoism of rich countries. Although the rich of the world bear so much responsibility and culpability, they are not at the root of the poverty of poor peoples.
... the [common knowledge] is that, prior to the encounter with Western colonization, for example, the African peoples and the Amazonian Indians lived a natural, happy, peaceful and community life. However, [that] is an ideological vision altogether contrary to the historical reality
So Western civilization did not disrupt things. In fact, in the late 1800's,
...the missionaries wrote that the tribes were constantly at war among themselves, and described their life as inhumane, slightly above that of animals, in addition to being "impoverished." The tribal peoples of Burma developed precisely through the action of the missionaries, who brought peace, taught them how to work and cultivate rice-fields -- previously they were nomads -- opened roads and schools, brought in modern medicine, studied their languages and compiled dictionaries, gathered proverbs and narratives from them and so on.
This missionary priest has another explanation for the problem of poverty in the Third World.
In 2001, the "non-globalists" coined an effective slogan for the Group of Eight meeting in Genoa: "We are rich because they are poor and they are poor because we are rich." I always say that the poor are not helped by telling lies.
Akin to the other slogan: "Ten percent of the world population consumes 90% of the resources, and 90% of men consume only 10% of the available resources." This must be corrected to read: "Ten percent of men produce and consume 90% of the resources, and 90% of men produce and consume 10% of the resources."
If you missed it, the key word here is "produce."
The root of the problem is that first one must produce if one is to consume: One consumes if one produces, and in poor countries not enough is produced to maintain the rate of growth of the population
So what IS the solution?
Famine does not come from too many men and women, but from the fact that they are not taught how to produce more, beyond the level of pure sustenance. However, in the West this is not acknowledged because it calls into question our true responsibility, which is not just helping finance poor countries and paying a just price for their raw materials (this is also true, but it is not first and foremost). Our responsibility is to contribute to their education so they become self-sufficient, first of all in the production of food and then of all the rest.
Do not give the man a fish. Teach him HOW to fish...
For example, despite what appears to be a stable economy:
Cameroon produces little if anything in the industrial area. It has no real industry, only cement works, textile production and sugar, beer and cigarettes, ginning of cotton and little else. It imports almost all modern goods, including lamps and refrigerators, exporting natural riches (oil, various minerals, wood) and agricultural products. And economic growth without industry is not possible.
There's another factor, too.
The second cancer of Cameroon is state corruption at the political and administrative level. In the list of the most corrupt countries of the world drawn up by the United Nations, Cameroon always places at the top; in 2007, in fact, it placed first. It is not the specific fault of this or that head of state or administrator; it is a custom that stems from the mentality: When one has power one must think first of all of one's ethnic group, tribe, village and family
(Jack Murtha is no different, eh?)
We Westerners do very little for the education of poor peoples, and we never hear of the role of cultural and religious values that lead to development: It is a topic that is ignored by the mass media and the Western "experts" that favor economic and technical aid
--Father Piero Gheddo
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Humor Time on The Collapse
This is really quite good!
Sondheim may well approve of the parody lyrics...it's "West Side Story" transmogrified to "Worst Slide Story."
HT: Ritholtz
Sondheim may well approve of the parody lyrics...it's "West Side Story" transmogrified to "Worst Slide Story."
HT: Ritholtz
Obama Admin Allowing Attack on Armed Forces
Last week, the Obama administration hinted that it would be attacking lawyers who wrote opinions for their client, the Bush Administration.
This week, a new attack on Americans--specifically, our Armed Forces.
The target audience now includes the American Warrior. The Obama administration has abdicated the Warrior's defense, refusing to appeal the 2nd Circuit's decision that more photos should be released from investigations of the detention of enemy fighters from the battlefield. The Obama administration has sided with the ACLU and abandoned our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. This cannot stand.
Any particular reason?
No.
The release of these images serves no practical purpose, except perhaps for "enhanced prosecution techniques" against our own. Understand clearly that the purpose of the release — and the Obama administration’s decision to do so willingly if not energetically — is to denigrate the American Warrior and to further the assault on the American psyche.
Those we were detaining (rather than summarily executing in the field, mind you) were being locked away at a time when beheadings were commonplace, men were being killed by slowly lowering them into 55-gallon drums of acid, and teens refusing to join al-Qaeda in Iraq were being crucified — literally crucified — in the public square and given just enough water to keep them alive and their public suffering great enough to serve as AQ's example to the rest. The children of resistant families were baked in ovens, folks.
Well, actually, there IS a reason:
The aim of the release is to assault America in the court of public opinion, using the wholly owned media PR subsidiary as the armored assault vehicle
This week, a new attack on Americans--specifically, our Armed Forces.
The target audience now includes the American Warrior. The Obama administration has abdicated the Warrior's defense, refusing to appeal the 2nd Circuit's decision that more photos should be released from investigations of the detention of enemy fighters from the battlefield. The Obama administration has sided with the ACLU and abandoned our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. This cannot stand.
Any particular reason?
No.
The release of these images serves no practical purpose, except perhaps for "enhanced prosecution techniques" against our own. Understand clearly that the purpose of the release — and the Obama administration’s decision to do so willingly if not energetically — is to denigrate the American Warrior and to further the assault on the American psyche.
Those we were detaining (rather than summarily executing in the field, mind you) were being locked away at a time when beheadings were commonplace, men were being killed by slowly lowering them into 55-gallon drums of acid, and teens refusing to join al-Qaeda in Iraq were being crucified — literally crucified — in the public square and given just enough water to keep them alive and their public suffering great enough to serve as AQ's example to the rest. The children of resistant families were baked in ovens, folks.
Well, actually, there IS a reason:
The aim of the release is to assault America in the court of public opinion, using the wholly owned media PR subsidiary as the armored assault vehicle
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Increasing the Heat on Corrupt DC (and Madison)
Ticker embeds this video (6:15 or so minutes)
What's true about the Washington DC corruption is true about Madison corruption (with the obvious differences.)
You will notice that the video includes both Right and Left complaints about the Mess in DC.
I'm not real surprised by the last minute's message, either.
What's true about the Washington DC corruption is true about Madison corruption (with the obvious differences.)
You will notice that the video includes both Right and Left complaints about the Mess in DC.
I'm not real surprised by the last minute's message, either.
The Actualities on CIA Interrogations
Dick Cheney's daughter absolutely flays the NBC twit-ette on all the questions.
Take-away: ignore the headlines and the half-truths of the Obamamamamama-ites. They are the enemies of the United States and (now) of US intel operations worldwide.
Get the whole story and THEN make a judgment.
HT: PowerLine
Take-away: ignore the headlines and the half-truths of the Obamamamamama-ites. They are the enemies of the United States and (now) of US intel operations worldwide.
Get the whole story and THEN make a judgment.
HT: PowerLine
Doyle's Pot Gets Smaller
State tax revenues continue to decrease--and it's just the beginning.
March '09 individual income tax collections are off TWELVE percent+ from last March.
Sales and Use tax is off almost FIVE percent from last year.
Corporate income tax off TWENTY-SEVEN percent from last year.
Real estate transfer fees have declined by FIFTY percent from last year.
We can expect that individual and corporate income tax collections will continue to spiral downward as unemployment, under-employment, and corporate incomes decrease throughout at least the next 6 months or so.
Doyle's response?
Increase State spending by ten percent, of course! What else?
March '09 individual income tax collections are off TWELVE percent+ from last March.
Sales and Use tax is off almost FIVE percent from last year.
Corporate income tax off TWENTY-SEVEN percent from last year.
Real estate transfer fees have declined by FIFTY percent from last year.
We can expect that individual and corporate income tax collections will continue to spiral downward as unemployment, under-employment, and corporate incomes decrease throughout at least the next 6 months or so.
Doyle's response?
Increase State spending by ten percent, of course! What else?
Who Controlled McVeigh?
Tim McVeigh's name has come up again, due to the ridiculous and grossly uninformed Secretary of DHS, Janet Napolitano.
And the "common knowledge" about McVeigh may not be "knowledge" at all.
...a counter-terrorism group has posted a video statement by a prominent Democrat investigator who contends the Oklahoma City bomb plot was hatched not by right-wingers but by Islamic jihadists.
David Schippers, the chief counsel for the 1998 impeachment trial of President Clinton, probed the bombing with investigative reporter Jayna Davis, [who] asserts McVeigh and Terry Nichols were not the lone conspirators but part of a greater scheme involving Islamic terrorists and at least one provable link to Iraq
But, but, but....didn't the Clintonistas investigate? And find that McVeigh was a "right-wing kook"???
Yup. They did the usual Clinton stuff.
Napolitano recklessly ignored the fact that despite Bill Clinton's best efforts, ties couldn't be established between Timothy McVeigh and right-wing extremist groups," Epstein said.
Schippers says in the taped interview the FBI inexplicably closed its probe into the infamous "John Doe No. 2" suspect despite numerous witnesses he interviewed who identified a "foreign-looking man" with McVeigh immediately before the bombing.
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., who produced a report two years ago on the alleged foreign-link to the bombing, told WND he experienced a "high level of frustration" during his own investigation "with how many people, from local newspapers to the FBI, to just even other members of Congress, who are just anxious not to even give another look at this monstrous crime..."
Why shut it down?
It's now clear, Rohrabacher told WND at the time, that the Clinton administration had "an aversion to any type of efforts by our government that would in some way require the use of force against foreign enemies, and especially in the Middle East."
Oh, really? Yes, really.
Schippers also points out Yossef Bodansky, the director of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, issued a warning two months prior to the Oklahoma City bombing that Iran-sponsored Islamist terrorists had recruited 'two lily whites' – people like McVeigh and Nichols – to carry out the bombing of an American federal building
There is a "he said/she said" element here, but it's poisoned by the presence of Morry Dees.
Schippers contends the FBI failed to establish a tie between McVeigh and right-wing militias. Some independent investigators dispute that, including Jesse Trentadue, a Salt Lake City attorney who believes McVeigh was aided by a white supremacist group that had been infiltrated by the FBI.
(Actually, the 'infiltrators' were on the payroll of Morry Dees' Southern Poverty Law Center, which is controversial all by itself--mostly because Morry Dees is, to be polite, erratic and more than a little paranoid.)
As usual, you will never know the answers.
And the "common knowledge" about McVeigh may not be "knowledge" at all.
...a counter-terrorism group has posted a video statement by a prominent Democrat investigator who contends the Oklahoma City bomb plot was hatched not by right-wingers but by Islamic jihadists.
David Schippers, the chief counsel for the 1998 impeachment trial of President Clinton, probed the bombing with investigative reporter Jayna Davis, [who] asserts McVeigh and Terry Nichols were not the lone conspirators but part of a greater scheme involving Islamic terrorists and at least one provable link to Iraq
But, but, but....didn't the Clintonistas investigate? And find that McVeigh was a "right-wing kook"???
Yup. They did the usual Clinton stuff.
Napolitano recklessly ignored the fact that despite Bill Clinton's best efforts, ties couldn't be established between Timothy McVeigh and right-wing extremist groups," Epstein said.
Schippers says in the taped interview the FBI inexplicably closed its probe into the infamous "John Doe No. 2" suspect despite numerous witnesses he interviewed who identified a "foreign-looking man" with McVeigh immediately before the bombing.
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., who produced a report two years ago on the alleged foreign-link to the bombing, told WND he experienced a "high level of frustration" during his own investigation "with how many people, from local newspapers to the FBI, to just even other members of Congress, who are just anxious not to even give another look at this monstrous crime..."
Why shut it down?
It's now clear, Rohrabacher told WND at the time, that the Clinton administration had "an aversion to any type of efforts by our government that would in some way require the use of force against foreign enemies, and especially in the Middle East."
Oh, really? Yes, really.
Schippers also points out Yossef Bodansky, the director of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, issued a warning two months prior to the Oklahoma City bombing that Iran-sponsored Islamist terrorists had recruited 'two lily whites' – people like McVeigh and Nichols – to carry out the bombing of an American federal building
There is a "he said/she said" element here, but it's poisoned by the presence of Morry Dees.
Schippers contends the FBI failed to establish a tie between McVeigh and right-wing militias. Some independent investigators dispute that, including Jesse Trentadue, a Salt Lake City attorney who believes McVeigh was aided by a white supremacist group that had been infiltrated by the FBI.
(Actually, the 'infiltrators' were on the payroll of Morry Dees' Southern Poverty Law Center, which is controversial all by itself--mostly because Morry Dees is, to be polite, erratic and more than a little paranoid.)
As usual, you will never know the answers.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Stacy, You May Be a Jet...
But I'm a Shark, along with Cusack, Rao, JPII (and a whole bunch of others who are WAAAYYYY beyond my paygrade.)
Regrettably, I must begin by affirming Cusack's remark that the Prots are "on the side of the Revolution." He's right, you know...once Marty Luther started swingin' that hammer, the Frence Revolution was only a matter of time, and then its children, such as 'dolf of Austria and Joe of Ukraine...
Back to the topic. You posit further:
Yet there are many other Catholics who have grasped some other part of the elephant and declare that the Church is an irresistible force of Progress which, were it not for the obstructive ways of bigoted reactionaries like Mr. Cusack, would vanquish each injustice and every inequality, including those obsolete superstitions about the celibate all-male priesthood, abortion, divorce, homosexuality, etc
And every one of them is wrong, Stacy; as wrong as Schlitz was when they decided to change their world-beating beer formula in the 1970's. THEY have eaten the apple of the Revolution, core, seeds, and all; they have determined that the unseen Paradise is........ummmmmhhhhhh........a bit too unseen, indeed.
Speaking strictly as a Protestant layman, it seems to me that Catholic leadership has for more than a century tried to steer a middle course between secular Left and Right, seeking to preserve social conservatism while steadily ceding political ground to statist economic collectivism
You wouldn't mind telling us exactly how you arrived at that "ceding political ground..." stuff, would you? Because you would be the first guy on Earth to have discovered that John Paul II was comfy with the Totalitarians. You DO recall who visited Poland to buck up the Solidarity movement, Stacy? (Hint: it was not the Iron Lady, nor Ron Reagan...)
We strive, or at least should strive, for honesty and fairness in matters of business. Yet when we attempt to reason upward, as it were, from the level of individual morality to the question of “social justice,” the One True Way becomes increasingly less obvious. Thoughtful minds see that this is a utopian mission, an effort toward universalistic one-size-fits-all prescription, with some central authority dictating down to the minutest level what is prohibited and what is required
You are absolutely correct. Two suggestions: 1) take a quick look at the "law of subsidiarity" which is RC foundation for politics, and 2) take a solid look at what ALL RC 'social doctrine' begins with: the dignity of each and every man under God. The Church never proposed 'top-down/one-size-fits-all' solutions. Ever. Not her job. Her job is saving souls, not providing warm and dry housing with flush toilets.
The church DOES propose more or less precisely what YOU offer in the first sentence quoted above---"honesty and fairness..." So if you'd dress that up in Latin, it's possible that you'll get some credit should B-16 do a social encyclical.
And, please, Stacy--don't throw Cdl. Mahony in our faces, or we'll start yapping about certain Southern Prot menfolk who have wives with far too much makeup and like telethons...you know, coughcough...
Gee, Officer Krupke--Krup YOU!!
Regrettably, I must begin by affirming Cusack's remark that the Prots are "on the side of the Revolution." He's right, you know...once Marty Luther started swingin' that hammer, the Frence Revolution was only a matter of time, and then its children, such as 'dolf of Austria and Joe of Ukraine...
Back to the topic. You posit further:
Yet there are many other Catholics who have grasped some other part of the elephant and declare that the Church is an irresistible force of Progress which, were it not for the obstructive ways of bigoted reactionaries like Mr. Cusack, would vanquish each injustice and every inequality, including those obsolete superstitions about the celibate all-male priesthood, abortion, divorce, homosexuality, etc
And every one of them is wrong, Stacy; as wrong as Schlitz was when they decided to change their world-beating beer formula in the 1970's. THEY have eaten the apple of the Revolution, core, seeds, and all; they have determined that the unseen Paradise is........ummmmmhhhhhh........a bit too unseen, indeed.
Speaking strictly as a Protestant layman, it seems to me that Catholic leadership has for more than a century tried to steer a middle course between secular Left and Right, seeking to preserve social conservatism while steadily ceding political ground to statist economic collectivism
You wouldn't mind telling us exactly how you arrived at that "ceding political ground..." stuff, would you? Because you would be the first guy on Earth to have discovered that John Paul II was comfy with the Totalitarians. You DO recall who visited Poland to buck up the Solidarity movement, Stacy? (Hint: it was not the Iron Lady, nor Ron Reagan...)
We strive, or at least should strive, for honesty and fairness in matters of business. Yet when we attempt to reason upward, as it were, from the level of individual morality to the question of “social justice,” the One True Way becomes increasingly less obvious. Thoughtful minds see that this is a utopian mission, an effort toward universalistic one-size-fits-all prescription, with some central authority dictating down to the minutest level what is prohibited and what is required
You are absolutely correct. Two suggestions: 1) take a quick look at the "law of subsidiarity" which is RC foundation for politics, and 2) take a solid look at what ALL RC 'social doctrine' begins with: the dignity of each and every man under God. The Church never proposed 'top-down/one-size-fits-all' solutions. Ever. Not her job. Her job is saving souls, not providing warm and dry housing with flush toilets.
The church DOES propose more or less precisely what YOU offer in the first sentence quoted above---"honesty and fairness..." So if you'd dress that up in Latin, it's possible that you'll get some credit should B-16 do a social encyclical.
And, please, Stacy--don't throw Cdl. Mahony in our faces, or we'll start yapping about certain Southern Prot menfolk who have wives with far too much makeup and like telethons...you know, coughcough...
Gee, Officer Krupke--Krup YOU!!
Just Who IS Obama?
Roeser unloads a bit.
At the outset, one doesn’t know how to adjudge a president of the United States neglecting to defend his country on a foreign trip-shrugging off a chance to defend three predecessors including John Kennedy. That’s because this is a presidency we have never seen before-because he is a jumble of inconclusive responses to political stimuli, devoid of philosophy, as imponderable as a kaleidoscope with its varying patterns every time it is shaken.
At the root is narcissism but also more than that. Barack Obama’s still largely unexamined (by the media) personal background presages deeper analysis. His is not a family tree but a bramble bush of inconclusive parentage devoid of familial or parental stability…which explains his unfeeling inability to even feign patriotism or loyalty when what is supposed to be his country is under attack by foreign enemies. Answer: it is not his country; he knows no loyalty to anyone by himself. He is a multi-layered ideological non-citizen of any country: an anomaly of confusion even to himself.
...Indeed what is truth to this value-free relativist who doesn’t care if babies born from botched abortions are left to struggle in pain, left without nutrition or comfort, left to die…saying all this is “above my pay grade.” ? What does it mean to him? He is a glossy, faculty-lounge sophisticate who picked up Gentlemen’s Quarterly manners with no enduring values, no moral code, no patriotism, no loyalty to anything but to the constantly shifting scenes of his own self-interest
As difficult as it is to agree wholeheartedly with Tom's assessment, I don't think Tom is wrong.
dammit.
At the outset, one doesn’t know how to adjudge a president of the United States neglecting to defend his country on a foreign trip-shrugging off a chance to defend three predecessors including John Kennedy. That’s because this is a presidency we have never seen before-because he is a jumble of inconclusive responses to political stimuli, devoid of philosophy, as imponderable as a kaleidoscope with its varying patterns every time it is shaken.
At the root is narcissism but also more than that. Barack Obama’s still largely unexamined (by the media) personal background presages deeper analysis. His is not a family tree but a bramble bush of inconclusive parentage devoid of familial or parental stability…which explains his unfeeling inability to even feign patriotism or loyalty when what is supposed to be his country is under attack by foreign enemies. Answer: it is not his country; he knows no loyalty to anyone by himself. He is a multi-layered ideological non-citizen of any country: an anomaly of confusion even to himself.
...Indeed what is truth to this value-free relativist who doesn’t care if babies born from botched abortions are left to struggle in pain, left without nutrition or comfort, left to die…saying all this is “above my pay grade.” ? What does it mean to him? He is a glossy, faculty-lounge sophisticate who picked up Gentlemen’s Quarterly manners with no enduring values, no moral code, no patriotism, no loyalty to anything but to the constantly shifting scenes of his own self-interest
As difficult as it is to agree wholeheartedly with Tom's assessment, I don't think Tom is wrong.
dammit.
Actual Union Mentality: Solidarity
Two demonstrations of the actual Union mentality (not to be confused with the typical one...)
In Caledonia, five unions, including the firefighters, have approved a salary cut of 2.5% from May through December; two unions have refused to accept the cuts.
“We’d rather take a pay decrease than see someone lose their job,” said Don Tiegs, vice president of Caledonia Professional Firefighters Local 2740.
Same thing at the Journal-Sentinel; the newsroom took 6+% pay cuts rather than dumping one or more of their brothers onto the street, unpaid.
Oldsters, such as I, recall the "Solidarity" song.
THAT is what it really means, folks.
HT: FoxPolitics
In Caledonia, five unions, including the firefighters, have approved a salary cut of 2.5% from May through December; two unions have refused to accept the cuts.
“We’d rather take a pay decrease than see someone lose their job,” said Don Tiegs, vice president of Caledonia Professional Firefighters Local 2740.
Same thing at the Journal-Sentinel; the newsroom took 6+% pay cuts rather than dumping one or more of their brothers onto the street, unpaid.
Oldsters, such as I, recall the "Solidarity" song.
THAT is what it really means, folks.
HT: FoxPolitics
Let's Re-Play the Towers Hits, Too!!
While the Obamamamama Administration is releasing "stuff" on 'torture,' (however you may define that term,) Cheney says "Release ALL the CIA docs" on the topic--including the narratives which demonstrate the results.
Like, for instance, the Los Angeles Library Tower attack which didn't happen.
I have another suggestion.
Show the videos of the Twin Towers event, COMPLETE with the vids of the people jumping out of the burning buildings and taking an 80-story dive.
You know. The dives from Hell to Eternity.
Those dives.
Like, for instance, the Los Angeles Library Tower attack which didn't happen.
I have another suggestion.
Show the videos of the Twin Towers event, COMPLETE with the vids of the people jumping out of the burning buildings and taking an 80-story dive.
You know. The dives from Hell to Eternity.
Those dives.
Fed Tax Revenues
In one word, Fed tax revenues are doing a cliff-dive.
Decrease, Oct/07 Oct/08: -6.95%
Decrease, Dec/07 Dec/08: -14.1%
Decrease, Mar/09 Mar/08: -38.6%
Yup.
HT: Vox
Decrease, Oct/07 Oct/08: -6.95%
Decrease, Dec/07 Dec/08: -14.1%
Decrease, Mar/09 Mar/08: -38.6%
Yup.
HT: Vox
BATFE Rogues; There Are Lots of Them
There have been plenty of complaints about the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) over the years, many from gun dealers (and Evian Gonzales' Miami family members.)
But you haven't seen these, from BATFE field agents.
The Southwest Field Division SAC ignored threats of murder and violence and an actual attack from a criminal organization a targeted at one of his assigned Special Agents and his family.
The SAC intentionally delayed the agency meager response to the threats and discouraged any follow-up investigation.
In coordination with ATF Headquarters, the SAC routinely tolerated, supported and encouraged the abuse of his own agents, resulting in major settlement payouts to the victims at taxpayer expense
..or try this one:
The SAC Southeast becomes the subject of an OPSRO/OIG investigation involving multiple allegations of significant ethics and integrity violations. She was formally found to be guilty of discrimination.
Agents and other employees who are victims of or witnesses to potential criminal acts by managers are never contacted under the Victim/Witness Protection Act as required by law.
Numerous previous and current ATF managers whose credibility was completely destroyed through obviously false testimony under oath, receive no disciplinary action and remain in key management positions
with this result:
The SAC was removed from his [sic] position and transferred to ATF HQ without explanation. The media was told that it was a “routine detail”, although she never returned to her previous position. A special HQ position intended to “park” and hide problematic managers until they are eligible to retire was created. Upon retirement with full SES status and benefits, the disgraced former SAC was touted by ATF as a “Hero"
Plenty more at the link.
HT: Of Arms, who comments,
As the page notes, there have been about 100 employee complaints a year, which in my federal experience, is staggering
...and that's just INTERNAL complaints!
But you haven't seen these, from BATFE field agents.
The Southwest Field Division SAC ignored threats of murder and violence and an actual attack from a criminal organization a targeted at one of his assigned Special Agents and his family.
The SAC intentionally delayed the agency meager response to the threats and discouraged any follow-up investigation.
In coordination with ATF Headquarters, the SAC routinely tolerated, supported and encouraged the abuse of his own agents, resulting in major settlement payouts to the victims at taxpayer expense
..or try this one:
The SAC Southeast becomes the subject of an OPSRO/OIG investigation involving multiple allegations of significant ethics and integrity violations. She was formally found to be guilty of discrimination.
Agents and other employees who are victims of or witnesses to potential criminal acts by managers are never contacted under the Victim/Witness Protection Act as required by law.
Numerous previous and current ATF managers whose credibility was completely destroyed through obviously false testimony under oath, receive no disciplinary action and remain in key management positions
with this result:
The SAC was removed from his [sic] position and transferred to ATF HQ without explanation. The media was told that it was a “routine detail”, although she never returned to her previous position. A special HQ position intended to “park” and hide problematic managers until they are eligible to retire was created. Upon retirement with full SES status and benefits, the disgraced former SAC was touted by ATF as a “Hero"
Plenty more at the link.
HT: Of Arms, who comments,
As the page notes, there have been about 100 employee complaints a year, which in my federal experience, is staggering
...and that's just INTERNAL complaints!
Think the Economy's a Problem? Look at Pakistan
If you think that James "Three-Card-Monte" Doyle and his mentor, Obama-the-Fascist, are big problems, you're right.
But there's always the possibility of WORSE problems.
...Bill Roggio has even worse news - they’re [the taliban] also moving on the Haripur district, which neighbors not only Islamabad, but the military garrison city of Rawalpindi (headquarters of the Pakistani Army) and several nuclear facilities, including the facility where Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are reportedly stored. If memory serves, Pakistan has close to 100 nuclear weapons, already sized for ballistic-missile or tactical fighter delivery, and while they don’t possess any purely-military nuclear-capable assets that can hit American soil, they do have nuclear-capable assets that can easily hit Afghanistan.
You recall that US troops are in Afghanistan, right?
Eggster has more, here.
But there's always the possibility of WORSE problems.
...Bill Roggio has even worse news - they’re [the taliban] also moving on the Haripur district, which neighbors not only Islamabad, but the military garrison city of Rawalpindi (headquarters of the Pakistani Army) and several nuclear facilities, including the facility where Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are reportedly stored. If memory serves, Pakistan has close to 100 nuclear weapons, already sized for ballistic-missile or tactical fighter delivery, and while they don’t possess any purely-military nuclear-capable assets that can hit American soil, they do have nuclear-capable assets that can easily hit Afghanistan.
You recall that US troops are in Afghanistan, right?
Eggster has more, here.
Cuomo to Jail Paulson? Good Idea!!
Little-noticed except in banker/politico circles, but very, very important. UPDATES BELOW!
According to the February 26th testimony of Bank of America CEO, Ken Lewis, before New York State Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo, Paulson strong-armed Lewis into completing the Merrill takeover, without disclosing to B of A shareholders that Merrill’s losses were much larger than publicly disclosed."
Lewis testified that he asked Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke to ‘put something in writing’ regarding the US government's plan to support pack of America's acquisition in view of Merrill's mounting losses," Bloomberg news reported yesterday. “After Bernanke said he would consider the idea, Paulson called Lewis and said, according to Lewis, ‘First, it would be so watered down, it wouldn't be as strong as what we were going to say to you verbally, and secondly, this would be a disclosable event and we do not want a disclosable event."
--Rude Awakening Newsletter 4/24/09, Bloomberg News (Similar story here.)
Which is to say that Henry Paulson, ex-Secretary of the Treasury of the US, is a co-conspirator to defraud the shareholders of Bank of America, AND the taxpayers who have coughed up money for the undisclosed "disclosable event." It is also possible that Lewis himself can be brought up on similar charges; as argued in the link above, Lewis' legal (and fiduciary) responsibilities are NOT to Paulson and Bernanke, but to the shareholders of BofA.
Let's hope that Mr. Cuomo pursues this line of investigation and issues indictments.
After all, Paulson has no "credibility" at this time, anyway.
Oh--one more thing: Thanks!! to GWBush.
UPDATE: Another Vote for Indictment by Vox
Even more on the topic from Ticker:
Let's outline the possibilities. There are only two:
1) Ken Lewis lied in his testimony. That is, he committed perjury and must be so charged. He also committed securities fraud, acting alone; the shareholders should sue him to Mars and the SEC should bring both civil and criminal felony complaints.
2) Ken Lewis told the truth. Ben Bernanke and Hank Paulson, both federal officials, grossly exceeded their authorities, possibly exposing them personally to liability, both civil and criminal. "Acting under color of authority of law" is an extremely serious matter and the predicate act may rise to extortion; since they acted in concert one must ask if racketeering may have taken place (in a legal context.) In addition Ken Lewis is an active participant as he cooperated with this unlawful act as demanded and he must also be charged.
Oh, so what?
Just as importantly we must have the truth for the integrity of our capital markets. That fluttering sound you hear is foreign capital departing, and if we are not careful since this extends to the highest level of our Treasury and Banking System (The Fed) the risk is very real that we will incite a run on Treasury Securities, which would lead to an immediate collapse of federal funding and the failure of our political and economic system
--THAT's what.
According to the February 26th testimony of Bank of America CEO, Ken Lewis, before New York State Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo, Paulson strong-armed Lewis into completing the Merrill takeover, without disclosing to B of A shareholders that Merrill’s losses were much larger than publicly disclosed."
Lewis testified that he asked Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke to ‘put something in writing’ regarding the US government's plan to support pack of America's acquisition in view of Merrill's mounting losses," Bloomberg news reported yesterday. “After Bernanke said he would consider the idea, Paulson called Lewis and said, according to Lewis, ‘First, it would be so watered down, it wouldn't be as strong as what we were going to say to you verbally, and secondly, this would be a disclosable event and we do not want a disclosable event."
--Rude Awakening Newsletter 4/24/09, Bloomberg News (Similar story here.)
Which is to say that Henry Paulson, ex-Secretary of the Treasury of the US, is a co-conspirator to defraud the shareholders of Bank of America, AND the taxpayers who have coughed up money for the undisclosed "disclosable event." It is also possible that Lewis himself can be brought up on similar charges; as argued in the link above, Lewis' legal (and fiduciary) responsibilities are NOT to Paulson and Bernanke, but to the shareholders of BofA.
Let's hope that Mr. Cuomo pursues this line of investigation and issues indictments.
After all, Paulson has no "credibility" at this time, anyway.
Oh--one more thing: Thanks!! to GWBush.
UPDATE: Another Vote for Indictment by Vox
Even more on the topic from Ticker:
Let's outline the possibilities. There are only two:
1) Ken Lewis lied in his testimony. That is, he committed perjury and must be so charged. He also committed securities fraud, acting alone; the shareholders should sue him to Mars and the SEC should bring both civil and criminal felony complaints.
2) Ken Lewis told the truth. Ben Bernanke and Hank Paulson, both federal officials, grossly exceeded their authorities, possibly exposing them personally to liability, both civil and criminal. "Acting under color of authority of law" is an extremely serious matter and the predicate act may rise to extortion; since they acted in concert one must ask if racketeering may have taken place (in a legal context.) In addition Ken Lewis is an active participant as he cooperated with this unlawful act as demanded and he must also be charged.
Oh, so what?
Just as importantly we must have the truth for the integrity of our capital markets. That fluttering sound you hear is foreign capital departing, and if we are not careful since this extends to the highest level of our Treasury and Banking System (The Fed) the risk is very real that we will incite a run on Treasury Securities, which would lead to an immediate collapse of federal funding and the failure of our political and economic system
--THAT's what.
McIlheran Gets It
P-Mac, who actually read the signs and talked with TEA Party folks, gets it.
The critics miss a key distinction, one central to roughly 220 years of American liberty. It is this: One can favor government without favoring ever-growing, unlimited government.
The rallies made this point, that it's not taxes so much as their increase. "Tea," aside from the allusion to history, stood for "taxed enough already." This is what people wrote on signs. "Instead of raising taxes, maybe we should be tightening our belts," one gent in Milwaukee said. I can see where critics missed this, though, since you'd have to actually bother listening to ralliers to pick it up.
Yup.
Next TEA party/protest day: July 4th, 2009.
Bring something that goes "BOOM!!"
The critics miss a key distinction, one central to roughly 220 years of American liberty. It is this: One can favor government without favoring ever-growing, unlimited government.
The rallies made this point, that it's not taxes so much as their increase. "Tea," aside from the allusion to history, stood for "taxed enough already." This is what people wrote on signs. "Instead of raising taxes, maybe we should be tightening our belts," one gent in Milwaukee said. I can see where critics missed this, though, since you'd have to actually bother listening to ralliers to pick it up.
Yup.
Next TEA party/protest day: July 4th, 2009.
Bring something that goes "BOOM!!"
Thursday, April 23, 2009
QueenNancy Loves "Torture"
HT Ace, and the wayback machine...
In September 2002, four members of Congress met in secret for a first look at a unique CIA program designed to wring vital information from reticent terrorism suspects in U.S. custody. For more than an hour, the bipartisan group, which included current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), was given a virtual tour of the CIA's overseas detention sites and the harsh techniques interrogators had devised to try to make their prisoners talk
...Individual lawmakers' recollections of the early briefings varied dramatically, but officials present during the meetings described the reaction as mostly quiet acquiescence, if not outright support. "Among those being briefed, there was a pretty full understanding of what the CIA was doing," said Goss, who chaired the House intelligence committee from 1997 to 2004 and then served as CIA director from 2004 to 2006. "And the reaction in the room was not just approval, but encouragement." --WaPo, 2007
Frankly, it's likely that QueenNancy would approve 'torture' for Napolitano's CURRENT list of "terrorist" suspects (pro-lifers, believing Christians, Constitutionalists, returning war vets...), if they don't like her program for Fascist America.
In September 2002, four members of Congress met in secret for a first look at a unique CIA program designed to wring vital information from reticent terrorism suspects in U.S. custody. For more than an hour, the bipartisan group, which included current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), was given a virtual tour of the CIA's overseas detention sites and the harsh techniques interrogators had devised to try to make their prisoners talk
...Individual lawmakers' recollections of the early briefings varied dramatically, but officials present during the meetings described the reaction as mostly quiet acquiescence, if not outright support. "Among those being briefed, there was a pretty full understanding of what the CIA was doing," said Goss, who chaired the House intelligence committee from 1997 to 2004 and then served as CIA director from 2004 to 2006. "And the reaction in the room was not just approval, but encouragement." --WaPo, 2007
Frankly, it's likely that QueenNancy would approve 'torture' for Napolitano's CURRENT list of "terrorist" suspects (pro-lifers, believing Christians, Constitutionalists, returning war vets...), if they don't like her program for Fascist America.
Want Clean Air? Look East--to PRChina
While we're (loosely) on the thread of destroying American (and Wisconsin) manufacturing...
...the doomsayers seem strangely fixated on overcoming any climate crisis mainly by imposing greater burdens on a U.S. manufacturing base that is already very efficient but still cutting emissions substantially – even in the face of recession and unfair foreign, especially Chinese, competition
It’s as though a perverse, anti-American manufacturing attitude infects the nation’s capital. ...Washington has been so obsessed with the banks that it has paid scant attention to the extreme crisis in manufacturing; and it is manufacturing, not banking, that can actually create the plants, jobs, technology, products, and widespread wealth necessary for recovery – and do so in a climate-conscious way.
Gee. That sounded kinda familiar...
...China’s emissions performance is in a league of its own. The People’s Republic has just exceeded America as the world’s larger emitter in absolute terms, and according to some estimates, is currently producing 14 percent more greenhouse gases than the United States. Moreover, the U.S. Department of Energy projects that, from 2005 to 2030, China will generate fully 47 percent of the projected global increase in greenhouse gas emissions, and the third world as a whole will produce more than 86 percent.
Yup. Crucify US manufacturing with "carbon taxes," and order MORE goods from China--which emits more carbon today than does the entire USA...
...the doomsayers seem strangely fixated on overcoming any climate crisis mainly by imposing greater burdens on a U.S. manufacturing base that is already very efficient but still cutting emissions substantially – even in the face of recession and unfair foreign, especially Chinese, competition
It’s as though a perverse, anti-American manufacturing attitude infects the nation’s capital. ...Washington has been so obsessed with the banks that it has paid scant attention to the extreme crisis in manufacturing; and it is manufacturing, not banking, that can actually create the plants, jobs, technology, products, and widespread wealth necessary for recovery – and do so in a climate-conscious way.
Gee. That sounded kinda familiar...
...China’s emissions performance is in a league of its own. The People’s Republic has just exceeded America as the world’s larger emitter in absolute terms, and according to some estimates, is currently producing 14 percent more greenhouse gases than the United States. Moreover, the U.S. Department of Energy projects that, from 2005 to 2030, China will generate fully 47 percent of the projected global increase in greenhouse gas emissions, and the third world as a whole will produce more than 86 percent.
Yup. Crucify US manufacturing with "carbon taxes," and order MORE goods from China--which emits more carbon today than does the entire USA...
Want Blog Traffic?
Easy.
All you have to do is have a blogpost with "Fannie" and "Suicide."
By the way--one of those hits came from PRChina...
All you have to do is have a blogpost with "Fannie" and "Suicide."
By the way--one of those hits came from PRChina...
The Winning McCain Trends Catholic
This McCain fellow claims to be a Southern Prot.
Then he writes stuff like this:
Christians believe that marriage is an institution ordained by God, and every marriage is thus blessed. However, in ordaining marriage, God commanded man to "be fruitful and multiply." This commandment has never been repealed or amended, no matter what any Malthusian population-control fanatic tries to tell you.
One trend that has undermined marriage has been the rise of the Contraceptive Culture, which celebrates sterility as the norm and views fertility as a pathology requiring medical prevention.
How many Christians have embraced this false -- dare I say, evil -- worldview? How many young Christian married couples use contraception because "we can't afford children now"? And how many married Christian couples have unwittingly subscribed to the Zero Population Growth ideal of exactly two children per couple? Did you know that surgical sterilization (tubal ligation) is the No. 1 form of birth control for American women? It's the "two and tie 'em" mentality: Have exactly two children, then get yourself surgically sterilized. . . .
Next thing you know, he'll be writing for Homiletic & Pastoral Review, or Ignatius Press, or some such...
Then he writes stuff like this:
Christians believe that marriage is an institution ordained by God, and every marriage is thus blessed. However, in ordaining marriage, God commanded man to "be fruitful and multiply." This commandment has never been repealed or amended, no matter what any Malthusian population-control fanatic tries to tell you.
One trend that has undermined marriage has been the rise of the Contraceptive Culture, which celebrates sterility as the norm and views fertility as a pathology requiring medical prevention.
How many Christians have embraced this false -- dare I say, evil -- worldview? How many young Christian married couples use contraception because "we can't afford children now"? And how many married Christian couples have unwittingly subscribed to the Zero Population Growth ideal of exactly two children per couple? Did you know that surgical sterilization (tubal ligation) is the No. 1 form of birth control for American women? It's the "two and tie 'em" mentality: Have exactly two children, then get yourself surgically sterilized. . . .
Next thing you know, he'll be writing for Homiletic & Pastoral Review, or Ignatius Press, or some such...
Belling Has It Right
Belling swats James Doyle, Three-Card-Monte winner. We had a parallel-track post on the more general issue yesterday.
Belling:
Wisconsin has a tax-hiking dolt who won’t allow himself to be bothered with mundane concerns like hundreds of middle-class jobs.
Joel Kotkin:
The administration's priorities reflect a new political consciousness that, if not openly anti-industrial, seems to minimize manufacturing's role in the nation's long-term future
...These days this mentality appears alongside an overall contempt for the tangible economy. Very few Obama appointees have ties to the country's core productive sectors: manufacturing, agriculture, energy. Veterans of investment banking, academia or the public sector, they seem to see the economy more in terms of making media, images and trades – as opposed to actually making things
Belling:
...[Doyle's] proposal to make businesses only slightly responsible for civil damages to have to pay the full amount of their cost [the joint/several liability change]
And, of course, Doyle's turning of the "energy screws" on industry issued last summer.
It does seem that Our Governor shares the ObamaCrowd's disdain for manufacturing--"making stuff"--and is far more interested in promoting lawyers, educators, State-payroll fattening, and the other ephemeralisms mentioned by Kotkin.
So, Lee Dreyfus was right: "Madison is 10 square miles surrounded by reality."
And to Hell with middle-class jobs surrounding "making things."
Belling:
Wisconsin has a tax-hiking dolt who won’t allow himself to be bothered with mundane concerns like hundreds of middle-class jobs.
Joel Kotkin:
The administration's priorities reflect a new political consciousness that, if not openly anti-industrial, seems to minimize manufacturing's role in the nation's long-term future
...These days this mentality appears alongside an overall contempt for the tangible economy. Very few Obama appointees have ties to the country's core productive sectors: manufacturing, agriculture, energy. Veterans of investment banking, academia or the public sector, they seem to see the economy more in terms of making media, images and trades – as opposed to actually making things
Belling:
...[Doyle's] proposal to make businesses only slightly responsible for civil damages to have to pay the full amount of their cost [the joint/several liability change]
And, of course, Doyle's turning of the "energy screws" on industry issued last summer.
It does seem that Our Governor shares the ObamaCrowd's disdain for manufacturing--"making stuff"--and is far more interested in promoting lawyers, educators, State-payroll fattening, and the other ephemeralisms mentioned by Kotkin.
So, Lee Dreyfus was right: "Madison is 10 square miles surrounded by reality."
And to Hell with middle-class jobs surrounding "making things."
Milwaukee News Goes National. Ugh.
Well, Milwaukee made the national conversation--again. A few years ago, there was the 'wilding' incident following Juneteenth Day; then there were a few other spectacular crimes........
Now Ed "Kiss The Ground, Asshole!!" Flynn, Glorious Star-Covered Chief ofGestapo Police.
Dave Hardy at Arms and the Law; Clay Cramer; Snowflakes; Instapudit; Agitator; and there will be more...
Now Ed "Kiss The Ground, Asshole!!" Flynn, Glorious Star-Covered Chief of
Dave Hardy at Arms and the Law; Clay Cramer; Snowflakes; Instapudit; Agitator; and there will be more...
Elmbrook Lawsuit Followup
The unintended humor and general ignorance on this thread is worth the read.
Perhaps the best one is from "Ralph" of Brookfield, who claims that he was "forced" to attend a graduation at Elmbrook church.
Really, Ralph? Who, exactly, "forced" you to attend? Storm-troopers? Mafia enforcers? The Brookfield Police Department's heretofore super-secret God Squad? Yo--Ralphie!! We want documentation!!
Another loose nut suggests that the graduation should be held at the nearest local mosque or synagogue--because, after all, the Elmbrook Church deal is really a sinister Christian Plot, and if the Christians were all forced to go to a mosque, THEN things would change...
Yah. That's it.
Some woman from Nekoosa chimes in, also referencing the "Christian Plot" to destroy the 'separation of church and state,' which plot has been ongoing for........years!!!
And "Ed Formerly of New Berlin" wonders why some children will be "forced" to have their last picture from HS "taken under a cross"--which tells us that Ed is grossly ignorant about the ceremonies and picture-taking protocols.
Matt Gibson is correct; the school system's use of the Elmbrook facility is strictly for secular purposes, is amply justified by space, comfort, and convenience factors, and is perfectly Constitutional given those arguments.
And that "anonymous" senior-class member who filed the suit? Not really "anonymous." The name's in circulation, and has been for about 180 days.
Perhaps the best one is from "Ralph" of Brookfield, who claims that he was "forced" to attend a graduation at Elmbrook church.
Really, Ralph? Who, exactly, "forced" you to attend? Storm-troopers? Mafia enforcers? The Brookfield Police Department's heretofore super-secret God Squad? Yo--Ralphie!! We want documentation!!
Another loose nut suggests that the graduation should be held at the nearest local mosque or synagogue--because, after all, the Elmbrook Church deal is really a sinister Christian Plot, and if the Christians were all forced to go to a mosque, THEN things would change...
Yah. That's it.
Some woman from Nekoosa chimes in, also referencing the "Christian Plot" to destroy the 'separation of church and state,' which plot has been ongoing for........years!!!
And "Ed Formerly of New Berlin" wonders why some children will be "forced" to have their last picture from HS "taken under a cross"--which tells us that Ed is grossly ignorant about the ceremonies and picture-taking protocols.
Matt Gibson is correct; the school system's use of the Elmbrook facility is strictly for secular purposes, is amply justified by space, comfort, and convenience factors, and is perfectly Constitutional given those arguments.
And that "anonymous" senior-class member who filed the suit? Not really "anonymous." The name's in circulation, and has been for about 180 days.
17 Years Old, and Not Your Daughter Anymore: FDA
Ah, the wonders of having Federal judges and a Federal agency!
Seventeen-year-olds will soon be able to buy the "morning after" emergency contraceptive without a doctor's prescription, after the Food and Drug Administration bowed to a federal judge's order Wednesday.
Just in time for senior prom!!
Here's the name of the perpetrator:
U.S. District Judge Edward Korman...ordered the FDA to let 17-year-olds get the birth control pills. He also directed the agency to evaluate whether all age restrictions should be lifted
The kind of guy you want living next door, ya know.
Seventeen-year-olds will soon be able to buy the "morning after" emergency contraceptive without a doctor's prescription, after the Food and Drug Administration bowed to a federal judge's order Wednesday.
Just in time for senior prom!!
Here's the name of the perpetrator:
U.S. District Judge Edward Korman...ordered the FDA to let 17-year-olds get the birth control pills. He also directed the agency to evaluate whether all age restrictions should be lifted
The kind of guy you want living next door, ya know.
(D) Job Creation: Add to Lawton's Office
Well, here's one (D) job creation!
...the Legislature's budget committee wants to add a position to Democratic Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton's office.
The Democratic-controlled committee Tuesday approved adding more than $118,000 to Lawton's budget so she can hire a fourth staffer.
The staffer will share the burden of doing exactly nothing--which is what Lawton does.
...the Legislature's budget committee wants to add a position to Democratic Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton's office.
The Democratic-controlled committee Tuesday approved adding more than $118,000 to Lawton's budget so she can hire a fourth staffer.
The staffer will share the burden of doing exactly nothing--which is what Lawton does.
"Slow Roll" or "Obama Muddle": Which Is Worse?
Yesterday, the WaPo printed a column about "slow rolling" at the CIA following the Obama arabesque (walk forth, walk back, toss the ball to an inferior, shrug and skedaddle) on the torture question.
...it's known as "slow rolling." That's what agency officers sometimes do on politically sensitive assignments. They go through the motions; they pass cables back and forth; they take other jobs out of the danger zone; they cover their backsides
President Obama promised CIA officers that they won't be prosecuted for carrying out lawful orders, but the people on the firing line don't believe him. They think the memos have opened a new season of investigation and retribution.
The lesson for younger officers is obvious: Keep your head down. Duck the assignments that carry political risk. Stay away from a counterterrorism program that has become a career hazard
It's not just our guys, either.
Agency officials also worry about the effect on foreign intelligence services that share secrets with the United States in a process politely known as "liaison." A former official who remains in close touch with key Arab allies such as Egypt and Jordan warns: "There is a growing concern that the risk is too high to do the things with America they've done in the past."
On the other hand, since the Obama Administration has scrubbed "terrorism" from the lexicon (except for US citizens who are pro-life, military veterans, believing and practicing Christians, or Constitutionalists)--who cares?
Well, actually, the Administration spinners care. Here we have Politico:
President Barack Obama’s attempt to project legal and moral clarity on coercive CIA interrogation methods has instead done the opposite — creating confusion and political vulnerability over an issue that has inflamed both the left and right.
...The public distance between Obama and Emanuel over prosecutions set off a frenzy in the White House briefing room, where reporters pushed press secretary Robert Gibbs to acknowledge that the administration had reversed itself on the prosecution issue. Gibbs, who had endorsed Emanuel’s position on Monday, awkwardly declined to address the discrepancy on Tuesday, which seemed only to intensify reporters’ insistence that he do so
So the spinners are behind the 8-ball.
A Democratic strategist close to the White House said: “The president looked resolute, and like he had threaded the needle perfectly on the substance: The heat from the right was preposterous, and the heat from the left was manageable. But now they look like the scarecrow, pointing in both directions. They got the policy right, but they look confused and beaten down by critics."
Obviously, the heat from the Left was not-so-manageable.
Want a clue as to what happens next? Politico has a big fat hint for you.
A non-profit think tank, the U.S. Naval Institute, also noted that the press release omitted a line claiming that Congressional leaders and executive branch officials were "repeatedly" briefed on the interrogation program and allowed it to continue.
...which is to say that NOTHING will happen on this matter unless Pelosi and Reid can exculpate themselves in advance.
But that won't make the Slow Roll reverse, folks.
Here's how it works: if you actually want to demolish our foreign intel programs, elect a Democrat. Carter, Clinton, and Obama all screwed intel to a fare-thee-well.
It's a pattern worth remembering.
...it's known as "slow rolling." That's what agency officers sometimes do on politically sensitive assignments. They go through the motions; they pass cables back and forth; they take other jobs out of the danger zone; they cover their backsides
President Obama promised CIA officers that they won't be prosecuted for carrying out lawful orders, but the people on the firing line don't believe him. They think the memos have opened a new season of investigation and retribution.
The lesson for younger officers is obvious: Keep your head down. Duck the assignments that carry political risk. Stay away from a counterterrorism program that has become a career hazard
It's not just our guys, either.
Agency officials also worry about the effect on foreign intelligence services that share secrets with the United States in a process politely known as "liaison." A former official who remains in close touch with key Arab allies such as Egypt and Jordan warns: "There is a growing concern that the risk is too high to do the things with America they've done in the past."
On the other hand, since the Obama Administration has scrubbed "terrorism" from the lexicon (except for US citizens who are pro-life, military veterans, believing and practicing Christians, or Constitutionalists)--who cares?
Well, actually, the Administration spinners care. Here we have Politico:
President Barack Obama’s attempt to project legal and moral clarity on coercive CIA interrogation methods has instead done the opposite — creating confusion and political vulnerability over an issue that has inflamed both the left and right.
...The public distance between Obama and Emanuel over prosecutions set off a frenzy in the White House briefing room, where reporters pushed press secretary Robert Gibbs to acknowledge that the administration had reversed itself on the prosecution issue. Gibbs, who had endorsed Emanuel’s position on Monday, awkwardly declined to address the discrepancy on Tuesday, which seemed only to intensify reporters’ insistence that he do so
So the spinners are behind the 8-ball.
A Democratic strategist close to the White House said: “The president looked resolute, and like he had threaded the needle perfectly on the substance: The heat from the right was preposterous, and the heat from the left was manageable. But now they look like the scarecrow, pointing in both directions. They got the policy right, but they look confused and beaten down by critics."
Obviously, the heat from the Left was not-so-manageable.
Want a clue as to what happens next? Politico has a big fat hint for you.
A non-profit think tank, the U.S. Naval Institute, also noted that the press release omitted a line claiming that Congressional leaders and executive branch officials were "repeatedly" briefed on the interrogation program and allowed it to continue.
...which is to say that NOTHING will happen on this matter unless Pelosi and Reid can exculpate themselves in advance.
But that won't make the Slow Roll reverse, folks.
Here's how it works: if you actually want to demolish our foreign intel programs, elect a Democrat. Carter, Clinton, and Obama all screwed intel to a fare-thee-well.
It's a pattern worth remembering.
Geithnerism, Part Two
Yesterday we introduced the term "Geithnerism."
Today we'll have to expand the definition, or change it.
The Treasury Department has not developed a strategy to manage the billions of dollars of investments it holds under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), according to a startling new report from TARP’s inspector general.
Treasury was told by SIGTARP in January to develop such a plan
That's not all.
Another revelation from the SIGTARP report: The Treasury Department has almost no oversight over a joint Treasury-Federal Reserve lending program known as TALF, or the Term Asset-backed securities Lending Facility.
“Treasury did not receive sufficient oversight-enabling provisions in the (TALF) agreements,” the report says. “(I)t has no oversight or access rights over any of the borrowers, including borrowers who default on their loans.
“Treasury does not even have the right to learn the identity of such borrowers,” the report noted. “Under its current agreement, Treasury does not have access to the identity, or any oversight authority over, the borrowers from whom, in effect, it will be buying surrendered ABS (asset-backed securities).”
We thought that the term "Geithnerism" could be a noun meaning 'true one day, not true the next.' Well, that definition itself is a Geithnerism; it's not adequate.
Today's definition:
Geithnerism: adj., signifying total incompetence or cluelessness; usually applied to statements or work-products which are meaningless or so incomplete as to be useless. Also see: Geithnerite, Geithneritical
Today we'll have to expand the definition, or change it.
The Treasury Department has not developed a strategy to manage the billions of dollars of investments it holds under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), according to a startling new report from TARP’s inspector general.
Treasury was told by SIGTARP in January to develop such a plan
That's not all.
Another revelation from the SIGTARP report: The Treasury Department has almost no oversight over a joint Treasury-Federal Reserve lending program known as TALF, or the Term Asset-backed securities Lending Facility.
“Treasury did not receive sufficient oversight-enabling provisions in the (TALF) agreements,” the report says. “(I)t has no oversight or access rights over any of the borrowers, including borrowers who default on their loans.
“Treasury does not even have the right to learn the identity of such borrowers,” the report noted. “Under its current agreement, Treasury does not have access to the identity, or any oversight authority over, the borrowers from whom, in effect, it will be buying surrendered ABS (asset-backed securities).”
We thought that the term "Geithnerism" could be a noun meaning 'true one day, not true the next.' Well, that definition itself is a Geithnerism; it's not adequate.
Today's definition:
Geithnerism: adj., signifying total incompetence or cluelessness; usually applied to statements or work-products which are meaningless or so incomplete as to be useless. Also see: Geithnerite, Geithneritical
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Doyle, SEIU, and ACORN
Well, well, well.
We all know that 'there is no voter fraud' in Wisconsin, (except for the ACORN organization's voter fraud.)
And we all know that vote fraud leans (D).
And we all know that James Doyle, Governor of Wisconsin, inserted a provision in his budget (!!) which makes membership in the SEIU MANDATORY for certain healthcare workers.
Those are dots. Here's an interesting little story. Maybe there's a connect-the-dots.
“ACORN claims to be non-partisan but there are mountains of evidence that show it is flagrantly partisan,” Vadum said. “It celebrates the most left-wing politicians and endorses Democratic Party candidates. Whenever ACORN is called out for activity that might violate their tax status, the standard operating procedure is to deny responsibility and to place the blame on rogue actors. Their network is deliberately set up to avoid scrutiny and to create confusion.
Yup. It was "rogue actors" who pulled the voter-registration fraud in Milwaukee...
While the organization’s complicated structure makes is difficult to determine how many affiliates and subsidiaries are tied in with ACORN’s vast apparatus, its connection with organized labor, especially the Service Employees International Union, is well-established, Vadum observed.
SEIU Locals 100 and 880 are identified as allied organizations on ACORN’s web site. U.S. Department of Labor LM-2’s (financial disclosure forms) point to over $600,000 in transactions between these same SEIU locals and other ACORN operations. A 2007 LM-2 form shows SEIU Local 880, which is active in Illinois and Minnesota, donated $60,118 to ACORN for "membership services." Organized labor has kicked it back in the form of gifts and grants to ACORN totaling $2.4 million, the LM-2’s reveal...
In 2008 SEIU spent over $42 million on independent expenditures and communications, more than any other group aside from the Republican and Democratic National Committees, according to OpenSecrets.org. SEIU’s political action committee (PAC) also contributed about $2.3 million to candidates in the 2007-2008 cycle, with 94 percent of its donations going to Democrats
$42Million spent in political money.
Mandatory SEIU membership, ordered so by the Governor of Wisconsin.
Payback??
We all know that 'there is no voter fraud' in Wisconsin, (except for the ACORN organization's voter fraud.)
And we all know that vote fraud leans (D).
And we all know that James Doyle, Governor of Wisconsin, inserted a provision in his budget (!!) which makes membership in the SEIU MANDATORY for certain healthcare workers.
Those are dots. Here's an interesting little story. Maybe there's a connect-the-dots.
“ACORN claims to be non-partisan but there are mountains of evidence that show it is flagrantly partisan,” Vadum said. “It celebrates the most left-wing politicians and endorses Democratic Party candidates. Whenever ACORN is called out for activity that might violate their tax status, the standard operating procedure is to deny responsibility and to place the blame on rogue actors. Their network is deliberately set up to avoid scrutiny and to create confusion.
Yup. It was "rogue actors" who pulled the voter-registration fraud in Milwaukee...
While the organization’s complicated structure makes is difficult to determine how many affiliates and subsidiaries are tied in with ACORN’s vast apparatus, its connection with organized labor, especially the Service Employees International Union, is well-established, Vadum observed.
SEIU Locals 100 and 880 are identified as allied organizations on ACORN’s web site. U.S. Department of Labor LM-2’s (financial disclosure forms) point to over $600,000 in transactions between these same SEIU locals and other ACORN operations. A 2007 LM-2 form shows SEIU Local 880, which is active in Illinois and Minnesota, donated $60,118 to ACORN for "membership services." Organized labor has kicked it back in the form of gifts and grants to ACORN totaling $2.4 million, the LM-2’s reveal...
In 2008 SEIU spent over $42 million on independent expenditures and communications, more than any other group aside from the Republican and Democratic National Committees, according to OpenSecrets.org. SEIU’s political action committee (PAC) also contributed about $2.3 million to candidates in the 2007-2008 cycle, with 94 percent of its donations going to Democrats
$42Million spent in political money.
Mandatory SEIU membership, ordered so by the Governor of Wisconsin.
Payback??
Actually, The Problem Is Vice
Benedict XVI:
Greed, which views possession and appearance as the most important things in the world, is the real root of the current global economic crisis. Benedict XVI again today pointed to a "vice" of the human heart as the profound cause of the economic situation. He has expressed this view repeatedly, most recently in Luanda, during his trip to Africa, when he spoke of "the greed that corrupts the heart of man," or at the beginning of April, when in a message addressed to the G20 summit he wrote that the origin of the crisis there is also a "failure of correct ethical behavior."...
I had a business conversation with a client today during which he mentioned that he had bid against a Fortune 50 competitor in two different situations. In one case, they underbid the F50 company by NINETY-FIVE PERCENT (and my client was going to make a lot of money); in the other, they underbid the same competitor by about SIXTY-SEVEN PERCENT (and my client was going to make a lot of money.)
Obviously, there are a number of reasons for price variations, one of them being retained earnings to allow a Company to survive recessions and to spend money on R&D, (etc., etc.) But one can question disparities that large for damn-near-identical service offerings, no?
Yes.
HT: Rocco
Greed, which views possession and appearance as the most important things in the world, is the real root of the current global economic crisis. Benedict XVI again today pointed to a "vice" of the human heart as the profound cause of the economic situation. He has expressed this view repeatedly, most recently in Luanda, during his trip to Africa, when he spoke of "the greed that corrupts the heart of man," or at the beginning of April, when in a message addressed to the G20 summit he wrote that the origin of the crisis there is also a "failure of correct ethical behavior."...
I had a business conversation with a client today during which he mentioned that he had bid against a Fortune 50 competitor in two different situations. In one case, they underbid the F50 company by NINETY-FIVE PERCENT (and my client was going to make a lot of money); in the other, they underbid the same competitor by about SIXTY-SEVEN PERCENT (and my client was going to make a lot of money.)
Obviously, there are a number of reasons for price variations, one of them being retained earnings to allow a Company to survive recessions and to spend money on R&D, (etc., etc.) But one can question disparities that large for damn-near-identical service offerings, no?
Yes.
HT: Rocco
ND's Fr, Jenkins v. His Bishop: Mano-a-???
Whether Fr. Jenkins of Notre Dame U. likes it or not, THE Catholic authority in South Bend is the local Bishop. Yes, it is a Goliath vs. David situation; it's likely that most people don't even know that South Bend has a Bishop--but they sure do know that there's a Golden Dome in that town.
Well, David issued a very strong statement about Goliath's smoochy-kissy-with-Obammy, and he remarks on Fr. Jenkins' defense of Fr. Jenkins' abominable decision.
1. The meaning of the sentence in the USCCB document relative to Catholic institutions is clear. It places the responsibility on those institutions, and indeed, on the Catholic community itself.
2. When there is a doubt concerning the meaning of a document of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, where does one find the authentic interpretation? A fundamental, canonical and theological principal (sic) states that it is found in the local bishop, who is the teacher and lawgiver in his diocese
...4. I reminded Father Jenkins that he indicated that he consulted presidents of other Catholic universities, and at least indirectly, consulted other bishops, since he asked those presidents to share with him those judgments of their own bishops. However, he chose not to consult his own bishop who, as I made clear, is the teacher and lawgiver in his own diocese
(5.)...Father Jenkins declared the invitation to President Obama does not “suggest support” for his actions, because he has expressed and continues to express disagreement with him on issues surrounding protection of life. I wrote that the outpouring of hundreds of thousands who are shocked by the invitation clearly demonstrates, that this invitation has, in fact, scandalized many Catholics and other people of goodwill. In my office alone, there have been over 3,300 messages of shock, dismay and outrage, and they are still coming in. It seems that the action in itself speaks so loudly that people have not been able to hear the words of Father Jenkins
(6.)...it would be one thing to bring the president here for a discussion on healthcare or immigration, and no person of goodwill could rightly oppose this. We have here, however, the granting of an honorary degree of law to someone whose activities both as president and previously, have been altogether supportive of laws against the dignity of the human person yet to be born.
In my letter, I have also asked Father Jenkins to correct, and if possible, withdraw the erroneous talking points, which appeared in the South Bend Tribune and in other media outlets across the country. The statements which Father Jenkins has made are simply wrong and give a flawed justification for his actions
Bp. D'Arcy's comments are, frankly, manly, which is not typical of US Bishop-talk.
And it's damn refreshing to see it!
HT: CrankyCon
Well, David issued a very strong statement about Goliath's smoochy-kissy-with-Obammy, and he remarks on Fr. Jenkins' defense of Fr. Jenkins' abominable decision.
1. The meaning of the sentence in the USCCB document relative to Catholic institutions is clear. It places the responsibility on those institutions, and indeed, on the Catholic community itself.
2. When there is a doubt concerning the meaning of a document of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, where does one find the authentic interpretation? A fundamental, canonical and theological principal (sic) states that it is found in the local bishop, who is the teacher and lawgiver in his diocese
...4. I reminded Father Jenkins that he indicated that he consulted presidents of other Catholic universities, and at least indirectly, consulted other bishops, since he asked those presidents to share with him those judgments of their own bishops. However, he chose not to consult his own bishop who, as I made clear, is the teacher and lawgiver in his own diocese
(5.)...Father Jenkins declared the invitation to President Obama does not “suggest support” for his actions, because he has expressed and continues to express disagreement with him on issues surrounding protection of life. I wrote that the outpouring of hundreds of thousands who are shocked by the invitation clearly demonstrates, that this invitation has, in fact, scandalized many Catholics and other people of goodwill. In my office alone, there have been over 3,300 messages of shock, dismay and outrage, and they are still coming in. It seems that the action in itself speaks so loudly that people have not been able to hear the words of Father Jenkins
(6.)...it would be one thing to bring the president here for a discussion on healthcare or immigration, and no person of goodwill could rightly oppose this. We have here, however, the granting of an honorary degree of law to someone whose activities both as president and previously, have been altogether supportive of laws against the dignity of the human person yet to be born.
In my letter, I have also asked Father Jenkins to correct, and if possible, withdraw the erroneous talking points, which appeared in the South Bend Tribune and in other media outlets across the country. The statements which Father Jenkins has made are simply wrong and give a flawed justification for his actions
Bp. D'Arcy's comments are, frankly, manly, which is not typical of US Bishop-talk.
And it's damn refreshing to see it!
HT: CrankyCon
Another Conservative Platform Possibility
The Conservatives have been challenged to come up with a platform which will recapture Congress (and the Presidency).
Here's an article which presents interesting possibilities.
...a recent survey of manufacturers found that most see the stimulus as only "slightly effective" for them. This is no surprise, since the lion's share of the $800 billion is going to bolster the banks, with scraps spread out to green projects, health care and education.
The administration's priorities reflect a new political consciousness that, if not openly anti-industrial, seems to minimize manufacturing's role in the nation's long-term future.
... it is also dangerous to embrace a mindset that disdains all practical skill and areas of business not dominated by the cognitive elite.
These days this mentality appears alongside an overall contempt for the tangible economy. Very few Obama appointees have ties to the country's core productive sectors: manufacturing, agriculture, energy. Veterans of investment banking, academia or the public sector, they seem to see the economy more in terms of making media, images and trades – as opposed to actually making things.
Such an approach also reinforces the administration's surprising radicalism on the environmental front. Most industrial firms understand that precipitous moves to limit greenhouse gases and decimate domestic fossil fuels threaten America's international competitiveness.
Why should we care? Here are two good reasons:
As demographer Richard Morrill has pointed out, traditionally, regions with industrial economies have been more egalitarian than the finance-driven areas. If this anti-manufacturing trend continues, more of America will resemble New York, Los Angeles or Chicago, places sharply divided between a growing class of low-wage workers and a relative few hegemons in finance, academia and media.
Perhaps even worse, by stimulating everything but industry, the administration risks accelerating the very imbalance between production and consumption that is one key reason for the nation's economic woes
Ultimately benefitting OTHER countries, like PRChina and India.
Stupidity runs rampant, of course.
...economic conservatives have tended, if anything, to be at least equally clueless about the importance of industry. As far back as 1984 – the peak of the Reagan era – the New York Stock Exchange issued a report stating that "a strong manufacturing economy is not a requisite for a prosperous economy."
Wasn't true then, isn't true now; but it certainly has a New York City 'ring' to it, eh? Kinda like Geithner does.
So, Paul Ryan, pay attention:
American industry needs government to recognize their importance. We need incentives for improved productivity and investment, including ones for those companies employing "green" technologies. Another step would be to include accurate "carbon accounting" of goods produced elsewhere – particularly in places like China, whose production tends to generate more pollutants than those in more regulated countries like the U.S. Greening may be good, but it should not become another excuse for American de-industrialization
The article was written in hopes that Obama's boyzzzzzzz would pay attention to it and implement the suggestions above. That's not likely--leaving the field open to actual Conservatives who have an interest in the economic well-being of the USA and all its inhabitants.
Here's an article which presents interesting possibilities.
...a recent survey of manufacturers found that most see the stimulus as only "slightly effective" for them. This is no surprise, since the lion's share of the $800 billion is going to bolster the banks, with scraps spread out to green projects, health care and education.
The administration's priorities reflect a new political consciousness that, if not openly anti-industrial, seems to minimize manufacturing's role in the nation's long-term future.
... it is also dangerous to embrace a mindset that disdains all practical skill and areas of business not dominated by the cognitive elite.
These days this mentality appears alongside an overall contempt for the tangible economy. Very few Obama appointees have ties to the country's core productive sectors: manufacturing, agriculture, energy. Veterans of investment banking, academia or the public sector, they seem to see the economy more in terms of making media, images and trades – as opposed to actually making things.
Such an approach also reinforces the administration's surprising radicalism on the environmental front. Most industrial firms understand that precipitous moves to limit greenhouse gases and decimate domestic fossil fuels threaten America's international competitiveness.
Why should we care? Here are two good reasons:
As demographer Richard Morrill has pointed out, traditionally, regions with industrial economies have been more egalitarian than the finance-driven areas. If this anti-manufacturing trend continues, more of America will resemble New York, Los Angeles or Chicago, places sharply divided between a growing class of low-wage workers and a relative few hegemons in finance, academia and media.
Perhaps even worse, by stimulating everything but industry, the administration risks accelerating the very imbalance between production and consumption that is one key reason for the nation's economic woes
Ultimately benefitting OTHER countries, like PRChina and India.
Stupidity runs rampant, of course.
...economic conservatives have tended, if anything, to be at least equally clueless about the importance of industry. As far back as 1984 – the peak of the Reagan era – the New York Stock Exchange issued a report stating that "a strong manufacturing economy is not a requisite for a prosperous economy."
Wasn't true then, isn't true now; but it certainly has a New York City 'ring' to it, eh? Kinda like Geithner does.
So, Paul Ryan, pay attention:
American industry needs government to recognize their importance. We need incentives for improved productivity and investment, including ones for those companies employing "green" technologies. Another step would be to include accurate "carbon accounting" of goods produced elsewhere – particularly in places like China, whose production tends to generate more pollutants than those in more regulated countries like the U.S. Greening may be good, but it should not become another excuse for American de-industrialization
The article was written in hopes that Obama's boyzzzzzzz would pay attention to it and implement the suggestions above. That's not likely--leaving the field open to actual Conservatives who have an interest in the economic well-being of the USA and all its inhabitants.
Elmbrook Sued Over Graduation
No big surprise.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State had warned the Elmbrook district in February that it likely would take legal action if the district did not move upcoming graduation ceremonies from the Town of Brookfield megachurch to a secular location.
...In its response to Americans United, the district asserted that its reasons for choosing the church were "purely secular" and included having a venue that is large enough to host all the graduates and their family members
Well, by coincidence, someone did a bit of homework which is not legally relevant (this is from the Preamble to the Wisconsin Constitution and the suit was filed in Federal Court) but SHOULD have a bearing on the case:
We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility…
It would be snarky to ask "What domestic tranquility, given Americans United exist?"
--or would it?
Americans United for Separation of Church and State had warned the Elmbrook district in February that it likely would take legal action if the district did not move upcoming graduation ceremonies from the Town of Brookfield megachurch to a secular location.
...In its response to Americans United, the district asserted that its reasons for choosing the church were "purely secular" and included having a venue that is large enough to host all the graduates and their family members
Well, by coincidence, someone did a bit of homework which is not legally relevant (this is from the Preamble to the Wisconsin Constitution and the suit was filed in Federal Court) but SHOULD have a bearing on the case:
We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility…
It would be snarky to ask "What domestic tranquility, given Americans United exist?"
--or would it?
Geithnerism
Pretty soon, that word will be in Webster's.
Geithnerism, n: a statement which, after a time, is un-true.
Treasury Department lawyers have determined that firms participating in a $1 trillion program to relieve banks of toxic assets could be subject to limits on executive compensation, contradicting the Obama administration's previous public position, according to a report to be released today by a federal watchdog agency. [...]
Speaking last month about the initiative to buy toxic assets, Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner said, "The comp conditions will not apply to the asset managers and investors in the program." --WaPo
HT: Gabriel/Ace
Geithnerism, n: a statement which, after a time, is un-true.
Treasury Department lawyers have determined that firms participating in a $1 trillion program to relieve banks of toxic assets could be subject to limits on executive compensation, contradicting the Obama administration's previous public position, according to a report to be released today by a federal watchdog agency. [...]
Speaking last month about the initiative to buy toxic assets, Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner said, "The comp conditions will not apply to the asset managers and investors in the program." --WaPo
HT: Gabriel/Ace
"Prime" Mortgages Sour
The recession is not over yet. The question: whether this trend will get even worse.
Prime borrowers at least 60 days behind on mortgages — “Delinquent” is the official term for this period — rose from 497,131 in December to 743,686 in January, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. This is almost double the total for October.
That report is from Fan/Fred.
HT: Big Picture
Prime borrowers at least 60 days behind on mortgages — “Delinquent” is the official term for this period — rose from 497,131 in December to 743,686 in January, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. This is almost double the total for October.
That report is from Fan/Fred.
HT: Big Picture
The Obama/Pelosi/Reid "Close America" Act
It's called "ACES."
Pertinent questions:
Can I afford a $3,128 tax? Can I afford 60-144 percent increase in gas prices? Can I afford to have my job shipped overseas because my employer can’t afford to stay in business with a 77-128 percent increase in electricity prices? My guess is, the answers to all three are “no”...
--Cong. G. Radanovich, quoted in RedStates
Pertinent questions:
Can I afford a $3,128 tax? Can I afford 60-144 percent increase in gas prices? Can I afford to have my job shipped overseas because my employer can’t afford to stay in business with a 77-128 percent increase in electricity prices? My guess is, the answers to all three are “no”...
--Cong. G. Radanovich, quoted in RedStates
Ph.D in PoliSci, Now MSM Ignoramus
Rachel Maddow earned (?) a Ph.D in PoliSci at Oxford.
Maybe the location of her alma mater explains her gigungous stupidiflub:
Rick Perry, the governor of Texas, appears to have his sights set on higher office. What is higher office if you're already governor in Texas? Of course, that would be president of Texas. The return of Confederacy in American politics as seceding from the Union comes back into Republican fashion.
You go, girl.
HT: NewsBusters
Maybe the location of her alma mater explains her gigungous stupidiflub:
Rick Perry, the governor of Texas, appears to have his sights set on higher office. What is higher office if you're already governor in Texas? Of course, that would be president of Texas. The return of Confederacy in American politics as seceding from the Union comes back into Republican fashion.
You go, girl.
HT: NewsBusters
On the Second Amendment
Just a reminder.
...the rights secured by the Second Amendment are “deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition,” and “necessary to the Anglo-American regime of ordered liberty.” ...
Second, the right to bear arms is a protection against the possibility that even our own government could degenerate into tyranny, and though this may seem unlikely, this possibility should be guarded against with individual diligence.--Justice Gould, 9th Circuit, Nordyke
Gould was appointed to the 9th Circuit by Wm. Jefferson Clinton.
HT: Clay Cramer
...the rights secured by the Second Amendment are “deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition,” and “necessary to the Anglo-American regime of ordered liberty.” ...
Second, the right to bear arms is a protection against the possibility that even our own government could degenerate into tyranny, and though this may seem unlikely, this possibility should be guarded against with individual diligence.--Justice Gould, 9th Circuit, Nordyke
Gould was appointed to the 9th Circuit by Wm. Jefferson Clinton.
HT: Clay Cramer
Obama: "L'Etat et La Loi, C'est Moi"
Add this to the pile of evidence that to Obama, the rule of law is personal, not business.
Many liberals don't just want to defeat conservatives at the polls, they want to send them to jail. Toward that end, they have sometimes tried to criminalize what are essentially policy differences. President Obama hinted at another step in that direction when he said today that he is open to the idea of bringing criminal charges against the Justice Department lawyers who wrote opinions to the effect that waterboarding and other harsh interrogation methods could legally be used on al Qaeda detainees. ..
The idea of prosecuting a lawyer because a wrote a legal analysis with which the current Attorney General disagrees is so outrageous that I can't believe it would be seriously considered
--Powerline, quoted by Sykes.
Same as if VanHollen decided to criminally prosecute Lautenschlager for her notorious 'cranberry' thoughts.
Many liberals don't just want to defeat conservatives at the polls, they want to send them to jail. Toward that end, they have sometimes tried to criminalize what are essentially policy differences. President Obama hinted at another step in that direction when he said today that he is open to the idea of bringing criminal charges against the Justice Department lawyers who wrote opinions to the effect that waterboarding and other harsh interrogation methods could legally be used on al Qaeda detainees. ..
The idea of prosecuting a lawyer because a wrote a legal analysis with which the current Attorney General disagrees is so outrageous that I can't believe it would be seriously considered
--Powerline, quoted by Sykes.
Same as if VanHollen decided to criminally prosecute Lautenschlager for her notorious 'cranberry' thoughts.
Obama's Gift to Cerberus
Cerberus is a hedge-fund, with major dollars coming from (inter alia) oil-producing countries and heavy-hitter US investors.
They own Chrysler.
This is kind of interesting:
Chrysler owes ... lenders, which include banks such as Citigroup Inc. and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., about $6.9 billion. But President Barack Obama and his auto team had demanded that the banks cut that to $1 billion, while gaining no equity stake in a restructured Chrysler.
IOW, Obama's boyzzz want the Banks to give Cerberus about $6Bn.
Those would be the banks which are the recipients of taxpayer money, folks....so in effect, YOU are giving Cerberus about $6Bn.
HT: Calculated Risk
They own Chrysler.
This is kind of interesting:
Chrysler owes ... lenders, which include banks such as Citigroup Inc. and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., about $6.9 billion. But President Barack Obama and his auto team had demanded that the banks cut that to $1 billion, while gaining no equity stake in a restructured Chrysler.
IOW, Obama's boyzzz want the Banks to give Cerberus about $6Bn.
Those would be the banks which are the recipients of taxpayer money, folks....so in effect, YOU are giving Cerberus about $6Bn.
HT: Calculated Risk
Doyle Rules, You're Screwed, Part 89,765
More Doyle governance stuffed down your throat (or up your....)
People would [that's WILL] see a surcharge of up to 75 cents on their monthly phone bills to pay for upgrading 911 services under a state budget provision adopted Tuesday by the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee
That's 75 cents, every month, for each and every phone line (cell or land) you use. And that's in addition to the $$Umpty-millions you ALREADY paid for 'upgrading' 911 centers.
Speaking of which:
A past surcharge on wireless phones, which ranged from 43 cents to 92 cents per line to help upgrade and maintain 911 centers, expired in July. The committee voted to use a $20.3 million surplus in that account as part of aid payments to local governments. Otherwise, cell phone owners would receive a one-time credit on their bill of $5 on average
Cute. The State overcharges you and then, looking at itself in a mirror, says "Keep the change, Bub!!"--then thanks itself, and puts your money in its pocket.
And finally, the Purchase-More-Votes-for-Doyle song is sung: You will now be forced to fund more pensions!!
The recommendation to extend pensions to part-time school aides came on an 11-4 party-line vote
State officials said they don't have a precise number of how many part-time workers it would affect, but suggested it could range from 2,500 to 8,400 employees. School districts would bear the costs, which amount to 10.4% of payroll
But if you think that's stupid, check this factoid:
...teachers qualify for pensions when they work 440 hours a year, while support staff don't qualify until they work 600 hours a year
If you have a 401(k), you generally have to work over 1,000 hours/year to qualify.
Thought you'd like to know that!
People would [that's WILL] see a surcharge of up to 75 cents on their monthly phone bills to pay for upgrading 911 services under a state budget provision adopted Tuesday by the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee
That's 75 cents, every month, for each and every phone line (cell or land) you use. And that's in addition to the $$Umpty-millions you ALREADY paid for 'upgrading' 911 centers.
Speaking of which:
A past surcharge on wireless phones, which ranged from 43 cents to 92 cents per line to help upgrade and maintain 911 centers, expired in July. The committee voted to use a $20.3 million surplus in that account as part of aid payments to local governments. Otherwise, cell phone owners would receive a one-time credit on their bill of $5 on average
Cute. The State overcharges you and then, looking at itself in a mirror, says "Keep the change, Bub!!"--then thanks itself, and puts your money in its pocket.
And finally, the Purchase-More-Votes-for-Doyle song is sung: You will now be forced to fund more pensions!!
The recommendation to extend pensions to part-time school aides came on an 11-4 party-line vote
State officials said they don't have a precise number of how many part-time workers it would affect, but suggested it could range from 2,500 to 8,400 employees. School districts would bear the costs, which amount to 10.4% of payroll
But if you think that's stupid, check this factoid:
...teachers qualify for pensions when they work 440 hours a year, while support staff don't qualify until they work 600 hours a year
If you have a 401(k), you generally have to work over 1,000 hours/year to qualify.
Thought you'd like to know that!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Reflections on the Tea Parties
As usual, Deneen provides provocative stuff.
Last week's motley collection of protests against taxation, centralization and the Government are now old news, but their spirit remains perennially relevant. Invoked in the name of the original "Boston Tea Party," the patchwork of local Tea Parties sought to revive the spirit of protest against a distant and arbitrary government. While a number of commentators have rightly noted that this most recent set of "tea parties" did not share a central feature of the original Boston tea party - namely, a protest against "taxation without representation" - in a deeper sense, there is a profound continuity between these two protests, even if the circumstances and the particular governments in question are radically different.
...Indeed, if anything should be learned from our current crisis, it is that the very apparent "efficiencies" of larger and more consolidated entities actually decrease our capacity to govern ourselves. The current frustrations of our many "Tea Parties" is surely derived from the palpable sense that things have spun wholly out of control and ordinary citizens are being asked to bankroll a system that is almost wholly ungovernable.
... If anything, this "reset" should consist of the obvious instruction that we should be downsizing and decentralizing, retaining and encouraging actual diversities based in local circumstance rather than encouraging the creation of monolithic and homogeneous organizations of such massiveness that they are barely governable and hardly function. Above all, we should avoid further centralization in the name of efficiency that simultaneously leaves the citizenry with a sense of insignificance, powerlessness, irrelevance and indignity.
Condensed a bit: we have created "efficiencies" in Gummint which by necessity have deprived us of control of that Gummint. What Deneen doesn't mention (and is equally true) is that, given the larger platforms, politicians have sought to increase their control.
In other words, we got efficiency, all right--at the cost of actual self-government.
Last week's motley collection of protests against taxation, centralization and the Government are now old news, but their spirit remains perennially relevant. Invoked in the name of the original "Boston Tea Party," the patchwork of local Tea Parties sought to revive the spirit of protest against a distant and arbitrary government. While a number of commentators have rightly noted that this most recent set of "tea parties" did not share a central feature of the original Boston tea party - namely, a protest against "taxation without representation" - in a deeper sense, there is a profound continuity between these two protests, even if the circumstances and the particular governments in question are radically different.
...Indeed, if anything should be learned from our current crisis, it is that the very apparent "efficiencies" of larger and more consolidated entities actually decrease our capacity to govern ourselves. The current frustrations of our many "Tea Parties" is surely derived from the palpable sense that things have spun wholly out of control and ordinary citizens are being asked to bankroll a system that is almost wholly ungovernable.
... If anything, this "reset" should consist of the obvious instruction that we should be downsizing and decentralizing, retaining and encouraging actual diversities based in local circumstance rather than encouraging the creation of monolithic and homogeneous organizations of such massiveness that they are barely governable and hardly function. Above all, we should avoid further centralization in the name of efficiency that simultaneously leaves the citizenry with a sense of insignificance, powerlessness, irrelevance and indignity.
Condensed a bit: we have created "efficiencies" in Gummint which by necessity have deprived us of control of that Gummint. What Deneen doesn't mention (and is equally true) is that, given the larger platforms, politicians have sought to increase their control.
In other words, we got efficiency, all right--at the cost of actual self-government.
New Archbishop for St Louis
From the St Louis website:
Archbishop–elect Carlson was installed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw on February 24, 2005 at the direction of Pope John Paul II. A native of Minneapolis, MN, he was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1970 for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He was later ordained as an auxiliary bishop for his home archdiocese on January 11, 1984 and went on to serve as Bishop of Sioux Falls, SD, from 1994 to 2005.
He is admired by the Michigan canonist...
And AmPap tells us:
In 2003 Bp. Carlson told Tom Daschle he could no longer call himself Catholic, when he was his bishop.
HOORAH!
Archbishop–elect Carlson was installed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw on February 24, 2005 at the direction of Pope John Paul II. A native of Minneapolis, MN, he was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1970 for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He was later ordained as an auxiliary bishop for his home archdiocese on January 11, 1984 and went on to serve as Bishop of Sioux Falls, SD, from 1994 to 2005.
He is admired by the Michigan canonist...
And AmPap tells us:
In 2003 Bp. Carlson told Tom Daschle he could no longer call himself Catholic, when he was his bishop.
HOORAH!
Today in History...
Since I have relatives in the Republic of Texas, it's significant.
The Battle of San Jacinto, fought on April 21, 1836, in present-day Harris County, Texas, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Led by General Sam Houston, the Texas Army engaged and defeated General Antonio López de Santa Anna's Mexican forces in a fight that lasted just eighteen minutes. Hundreds of Mexican soldiers were killed or captured, while only nine Texans died. [2]
Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, was captured the following day and held as a prisoner of war. Three weeks later, he signed the peace treaties that dictated that the Mexican army leave the region, paving the way for the Republic of Texas to become an independent country. These treaties did not specifically recognize Texas as a sovereign nation, but stipulated that Santa Anna was to lobby for such recognition in Mexico City. Sam Houston became a national celebrity, and the Texans' rallying cries, "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!" became etched into American history and legend.
It's kind of a two-edged reminiscence. Mexico lost Texas because Mexico allowed unrestricted immigration from the United States. Texas filled up with non-Mexicans and !!boom!! they took over the territory.
A lesson not learned by GWBush, folks.
HT: Happy Catholic
The Battle of San Jacinto, fought on April 21, 1836, in present-day Harris County, Texas, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Led by General Sam Houston, the Texas Army engaged and defeated General Antonio López de Santa Anna's Mexican forces in a fight that lasted just eighteen minutes. Hundreds of Mexican soldiers were killed or captured, while only nine Texans died. [2]
Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, was captured the following day and held as a prisoner of war. Three weeks later, he signed the peace treaties that dictated that the Mexican army leave the region, paving the way for the Republic of Texas to become an independent country. These treaties did not specifically recognize Texas as a sovereign nation, but stipulated that Santa Anna was to lobby for such recognition in Mexico City. Sam Houston became a national celebrity, and the Texans' rallying cries, "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!" became etched into American history and legend.
It's kind of a two-edged reminiscence. Mexico lost Texas because Mexico allowed unrestricted immigration from the United States. Texas filled up with non-Mexicans and !!boom!! they took over the territory.
A lesson not learned by GWBush, folks.
HT: Happy Catholic
Heavy Weapons in the Economic War?
This is significant.
Foreign bond holders, like the government of China, have reportedly told the Obama Administration that further losses to debt holders of US banks will result in a boycott of US Treasury auctions--from Institutional Risk Analytics quoted by Ticker
Ticker thinks that's part of a longer-term plan.
In this case China had every reason to desire Citibank to grant credit in a wanton and reckless manner to Americans, as that allowed Americans to buy their imported products manufactured in China at a rate that was otherwise impossible.
Since the mathematics of such "growth rates" in spending were impossible to sustain it was therefore clear and obvious at the time they bought the bonds that such "investments" would inevitably lead to a loss at some point in the future.
And, of course, that day has arrived and PRChina has now showed a little more of their hand.
Foreign bond holders, like the government of China, have reportedly told the Obama Administration that further losses to debt holders of US banks will result in a boycott of US Treasury auctions--from Institutional Risk Analytics quoted by Ticker
Ticker thinks that's part of a longer-term plan.
In this case China had every reason to desire Citibank to grant credit in a wanton and reckless manner to Americans, as that allowed Americans to buy their imported products manufactured in China at a rate that was otherwise impossible.
Since the mathematics of such "growth rates" in spending were impossible to sustain it was therefore clear and obvious at the time they bought the bonds that such "investments" would inevitably lead to a loss at some point in the future.
And, of course, that day has arrived and PRChina has now showed a little more of their hand.
The Bank Frauds Continue
....that is, the ones perpetrated by the banks, not by ordinary fraudsters...
...it is gratifying to see on the front page of the NYT Business section, Andrew Ross Sorkin’s article with the provocative but accurate title, Bank Profits Appear Out of Thin Air.
...It refers to Bank of America’s fraudulent earnings scheme of booking a $2.2 billion gain that falsely increases value of the Merrill Lynch’s assets recently acquired. BofA decided to give themselves a phony profit bump by raising the value of Merrill assets to prices significantly higher than Merrill kept them.
We are also reminded of Goldman Sach's "disappearing December" (a loss of $1.5Bn which kinda sorta didn't show up clearly) and the JPMorgan and Citi "bond-deflation = earnings gains" tricks.
We may soon be debating which is worse: Barney Frank or the current managers. There's merit on each side of that debate.
HT: The Big Picture
...it is gratifying to see on the front page of the NYT Business section, Andrew Ross Sorkin’s article with the provocative but accurate title, Bank Profits Appear Out of Thin Air.
...It refers to Bank of America’s fraudulent earnings scheme of booking a $2.2 billion gain that falsely increases value of the Merrill Lynch’s assets recently acquired. BofA decided to give themselves a phony profit bump by raising the value of Merrill assets to prices significantly higher than Merrill kept them.
We are also reminded of Goldman Sach's "disappearing December" (a loss of $1.5Bn which kinda sorta didn't show up clearly) and the JPMorgan and Citi "bond-deflation = earnings gains" tricks.
We may soon be debating which is worse: Barney Frank or the current managers. There's merit on each side of that debate.
HT: The Big Picture
Hargarten Indicts Doyle
Following the AG's opinion that open carry is legal in Wisconsin, Steve Hargarten indicts Governor Doyle for his vetoes of concealed-carry legislation.
The legal aspects of Van Hollen's memorandum were less important than the potential public health impacts, in the mind of Stephen Hargarten, the director of the Firearm Injury Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
"What kind of training are these people going to have, and what kind of firearms are they going to be carrying?" Hargarten asked.
Those questions would have been settled had Doyle signed the CCW laws passed by the Legislature, Dr. Hargarten.
Glad you asked. I'm sure that Three-Card-Monte has the answers.
The legal aspects of Van Hollen's memorandum were less important than the potential public health impacts, in the mind of Stephen Hargarten, the director of the Firearm Injury Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
"What kind of training are these people going to have, and what kind of firearms are they going to be carrying?" Hargarten asked.
Those questions would have been settled had Doyle signed the CCW laws passed by the Legislature, Dr. Hargarten.
Glad you asked. I'm sure that Three-Card-Monte has the answers.
9th Circuit: 2A Is "Incorporated"
A 3-judge panel of the 9th Circuit has ruled that the Second Amendment is "incorporated."
The Constitution’s protection of an individual right to have guns for personal use restricts the powers of state and local government as much as it does those of the federal government, the Ninth Circuit Court ruled Monday. The opinion by the three-judge panel can be found here. This is the first ruling by a federal appeals court to extend the Second Amendment to the state and local level
...Ruling on an issue that is certain to reach the Supreme Court, the Circuit Court concluded “that the right to keep and bear arms” as a personal right has become a part of the Constitution as it applies to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process clause
This IS the "9th Circus," right?
Yup. They couldn't help themselves:
...following the lead of the Supreme Court’s decision last June in District of Columbia v. Heller, finding a personal right in the Second Amendment for the first time, the Circuit Court concluded that the right as interpreted by the Justices is limited to “armed self-defense” in the home
That most certainly is not a valid interpretation of the Second Amendment--which was adopted to keep Government in line.
The Constitution’s protection of an individual right to have guns for personal use restricts the powers of state and local government as much as it does those of the federal government, the Ninth Circuit Court ruled Monday. The opinion by the three-judge panel can be found here. This is the first ruling by a federal appeals court to extend the Second Amendment to the state and local level
...Ruling on an issue that is certain to reach the Supreme Court, the Circuit Court concluded “that the right to keep and bear arms” as a personal right has become a part of the Constitution as it applies to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process clause
This IS the "9th Circus," right?
Yup. They couldn't help themselves:
...following the lead of the Supreme Court’s decision last June in District of Columbia v. Heller, finding a personal right in the Second Amendment for the first time, the Circuit Court concluded that the right as interpreted by the Justices is limited to “armed self-defense” in the home
That most certainly is not a valid interpretation of the Second Amendment--which was adopted to keep Government in line.
Petroleum Marketers: Screw Taxpayers OUR Way!
The Petroleum Marketers' Association runs ads denouncing Three-Card-Monte Doyle's "oil company tax"--which is a risky scheme, not likely to last 24 hours in a Federal court.
So their idea is what?
It's backing a 3-cent-per-gallon gas tax boost that would collect $170 million over the biennium. In addition, the proposal includes raising the vehicle title fee from $53 to $78, which would garner $61 million over the biennium.
In other words, PMA concedes that the Thief-in-Chief's theft of $400 million in highway-trust funds was perfectly licit, and also concedes that his TEN PERCENT INCREASE IN STATE SPENDING is perfectly licit, too.
Co-conspirators.
So their idea is what?
It's backing a 3-cent-per-gallon gas tax boost that would collect $170 million over the biennium. In addition, the proposal includes raising the vehicle title fee from $53 to $78, which would garner $61 million over the biennium.
In other words, PMA concedes that the Thief-in-Chief's theft of $400 million in highway-trust funds was perfectly licit, and also concedes that his TEN PERCENT INCREASE IN STATE SPENDING is perfectly licit, too.
Co-conspirators.
Arizona, 10th Amendment at SCOTUS
Another case where certain Justices would continue to ignore the 10th Amendment.
...Starr is representing Arizona state legislators and the state superintendent of public instruction, who want to be freed from a lower court order that the state come up with a new program to teach English learners and provide enough money for that program
...A key issue in the case, now called Horne v Flores, is the power of federal courts to take over functions of state or local governments when trying to remedy civil rights violations
Many of you will be surprised to know that the Teachers' Union thinks more money should be spent. (/sarcasm)
...Starr is representing Arizona state legislators and the state superintendent of public instruction, who want to be freed from a lower court order that the state come up with a new program to teach English learners and provide enough money for that program
...A key issue in the case, now called Horne v Flores, is the power of federal courts to take over functions of state or local governments when trying to remedy civil rights violations
Many of you will be surprised to know that the Teachers' Union thinks more money should be spent. (/sarcasm)
Feinstein: Conflict of Interest--or Appearance?
Just a coincidence?
On the day the new Congress convened this year, Sen. Dianne Feinstein introduced legislation to route $25 billion in taxpayer money to a government agency that had just awarded her husband's real estate firm a lucrative contract to sell foreclosed properties at compensation rates higher than the industry norms.
...Mrs. Feinstein first offered Oct. 30 to help the FDIC secure money for its effort to stem the rise of home foreclosures. Her letter was sent just days before the agency determined that CB Richard Ellis Group (CBRE) - the commercial real estate firm that her husband Richard Blum heads as board chairman - had won the competitive bidding for a contract to sell foreclosed properties that FDIC had inherited from failed banks.
About the same time of the contract award, Mr. Blum's private investment firm reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission that it and related affiliates had purchased more than 10 million new shares in CBRE.
Hmmmm. CB Richard Ellis? That's a commercial RE firm, ain'a?
The firm, known for its commercial real estate services, is to be paid monthly maintenance fees for each foreclosed property it handles, as well as commissions and incentives. The total compensation can range from 8 percent of the sales price on many residential properties to 30 percent for properties worth $25,000 or less. A smaller firm also won a slice of the work with similar terms, records show.
Most real estate agents earn no more than 6 percent on residential, even on foreclosed properties, and CBRE doesn't have as much experience in foreclosure sales as other firms, the experts said
Sen. Feinstein maintains that she didn't know anything about her husband's investment.
On the day the new Congress convened this year, Sen. Dianne Feinstein introduced legislation to route $25 billion in taxpayer money to a government agency that had just awarded her husband's real estate firm a lucrative contract to sell foreclosed properties at compensation rates higher than the industry norms.
...Mrs. Feinstein first offered Oct. 30 to help the FDIC secure money for its effort to stem the rise of home foreclosures. Her letter was sent just days before the agency determined that CB Richard Ellis Group (CBRE) - the commercial real estate firm that her husband Richard Blum heads as board chairman - had won the competitive bidding for a contract to sell foreclosed properties that FDIC had inherited from failed banks.
About the same time of the contract award, Mr. Blum's private investment firm reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission that it and related affiliates had purchased more than 10 million new shares in CBRE.
Hmmmm. CB Richard Ellis? That's a commercial RE firm, ain'a?
The firm, known for its commercial real estate services, is to be paid monthly maintenance fees for each foreclosed property it handles, as well as commissions and incentives. The total compensation can range from 8 percent of the sales price on many residential properties to 30 percent for properties worth $25,000 or less. A smaller firm also won a slice of the work with similar terms, records show.
Most real estate agents earn no more than 6 percent on residential, even on foreclosed properties, and CBRE doesn't have as much experience in foreclosure sales as other firms, the experts said
Sen. Feinstein maintains that she didn't know anything about her husband's investment.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Super-Glued to the Gummint
Whoa, nellie...
...the Treasury will be hanging onto their stock warrants [in TARP-accepting banks] after the TARP loans are repaid and the prefered stock the Treasury received as part of the package is bought back, only releasing the warrants after a further negotiated settlement.
Item #2 - Fox Business reports that Treasury officials are considering converting the the aforementioned prefered stock into common stock, complete with voting rights. In several instances, that would make the government the largest voting shareholder.
Item #3 (H/T - Legal Insurrection) - The Financial Times reports that repayment would be accepted only if it were in the “national economic interest”.
There is no definition of "national economic interest".
Taken at face value, Geithner and Obama have decided that they will remain positioned to take over management and control of the country's largest Banks any damn time they feel like it.
We mentioned that nationally, bank "non-borrowed reserves" went negative in January 2008, which happens to be a very, very, very serious situation. By October '08, things had gotten much worse, thus "TARP" came into existence.
We don't know the results of the "stress tests" yet; it's possible that a number of the TARP banks failed them, and the Feds have decided to continue their 'room-mate' arrangement for a while, covering ALL the TARP banks, not just those which failed.
HT: Eggster
...the Treasury will be hanging onto their stock warrants [in TARP-accepting banks] after the TARP loans are repaid and the prefered stock the Treasury received as part of the package is bought back, only releasing the warrants after a further negotiated settlement.
Item #2 - Fox Business reports that Treasury officials are considering converting the the aforementioned prefered stock into common stock, complete with voting rights. In several instances, that would make the government the largest voting shareholder.
Item #3 (H/T - Legal Insurrection) - The Financial Times reports that repayment would be accepted only if it were in the “national economic interest”.
There is no definition of "national economic interest".
Taken at face value, Geithner and Obama have decided that they will remain positioned to take over management and control of the country's largest Banks any damn time they feel like it.
We mentioned that nationally, bank "non-borrowed reserves" went negative in January 2008, which happens to be a very, very, very serious situation. By October '08, things had gotten much worse, thus "TARP" came into existence.
We don't know the results of the "stress tests" yet; it's possible that a number of the TARP banks failed them, and the Feds have decided to continue their 'room-mate' arrangement for a while, covering ALL the TARP banks, not just those which failed.
HT: Eggster
VanHollen Issues "Open Carry" Memo!
Interesting--I just had a discussion about this prior to the TEA Party with a couple of gents from Milwaukee.
Under Article I, § 25 of the Wisconsin Constitution, a person has the right to openly carry a firearm for any of the purposes enumerated in that Section, subject to reasonable regulation as discussed herein. The Wisconsin Department of Justice (the Department) believes that the mere open carrying of a firearm by a person, absent additional facts and circumstances, should not result in a disorderly conduct charge from a prosecutor
Personally, I didn't think that VanHollen was under any obligation to issue this; each D.A. has their own take on the situation and, after all, they have to stand for election. On the other hand, this also gives them a "pass" if they choose not to charge following an arrest for open carry/D.C.
And sure enough:
The Department has a duty under Wis. Stat. § 165.25(3) to "[c]onsult and advise with the district attorneys when requested by them in all matters pertaining to the duties of their office." We have received multiple inquiries from state prosecutors on the interplay between Article I, § 25, the open carry of firearms and Wisconsin’s disorderly conduct statute, Wis Stat. § 947.01.1 In response, we offer this informal Advisory Memorandum2 for your consideration. Please feel free to use it for law enforcement training within your jurisdictions
Some considerations:
...several law enforcement agencies have asked whether, in light of Article I, § 25, they may stop a person openly carrying a firearm in public to investigate possible criminal activity, including disorderly conduct. We say yes. An officer may stop and briefly detain a person for investigative purposes (known as an investigative or Terry stop) if he has "reasonable suspicion," based on articulable facts, of criminal activity
...And "even when officers have no basis for suspecting a particular individual, they may generally ask questions of that individual, [and] ask to examine the individual's identification," as long as the police do not convey a message that compliance is mandatory. Florida v. Bostick, 501 U.S. 429, 434-35 (1991). The Fourth Amendment does not prevent police from making voluntary or consensual contact with persons engaged in constitutionally protected conduct
The critical judgment is here:
The state constitutional right to bear arms extends to openly carrying a handgun for lawful purposes. As illustrated by a recent municipal court case in West Allis, a person openly carrying a holstered handgun on his own property while doing lawn work should not face a disorderly conduct charge.5 If, however, a person brandishes a handgun in public, the conduct may lose its constitutional protection. Again, "[i]t is the combination of conduct and circumstances that is crucial in applying the [disorderly conduct] statute to a particular situation." Maker, 48 Wis. 2d at 616.
Conduct AND circumstances.
HT: Badger Blog Alliance
Under Article I, § 25 of the Wisconsin Constitution, a person has the right to openly carry a firearm for any of the purposes enumerated in that Section, subject to reasonable regulation as discussed herein. The Wisconsin Department of Justice (the Department) believes that the mere open carrying of a firearm by a person, absent additional facts and circumstances, should not result in a disorderly conduct charge from a prosecutor
Personally, I didn't think that VanHollen was under any obligation to issue this; each D.A. has their own take on the situation and, after all, they have to stand for election. On the other hand, this also gives them a "pass" if they choose not to charge following an arrest for open carry/D.C.
And sure enough:
The Department has a duty under Wis. Stat. § 165.25(3) to "[c]onsult and advise with the district attorneys when requested by them in all matters pertaining to the duties of their office." We have received multiple inquiries from state prosecutors on the interplay between Article I, § 25, the open carry of firearms and Wisconsin’s disorderly conduct statute, Wis Stat. § 947.01.1 In response, we offer this informal Advisory Memorandum2 for your consideration. Please feel free to use it for law enforcement training within your jurisdictions
Some considerations:
...several law enforcement agencies have asked whether, in light of Article I, § 25, they may stop a person openly carrying a firearm in public to investigate possible criminal activity, including disorderly conduct. We say yes. An officer may stop and briefly detain a person for investigative purposes (known as an investigative or Terry stop) if he has "reasonable suspicion," based on articulable facts, of criminal activity
...And "even when officers have no basis for suspecting a particular individual, they may generally ask questions of that individual, [and] ask to examine the individual's identification," as long as the police do not convey a message that compliance is mandatory. Florida v. Bostick, 501 U.S. 429, 434-35 (1991). The Fourth Amendment does not prevent police from making voluntary or consensual contact with persons engaged in constitutionally protected conduct
The critical judgment is here:
The state constitutional right to bear arms extends to openly carrying a handgun for lawful purposes. As illustrated by a recent municipal court case in West Allis, a person openly carrying a holstered handgun on his own property while doing lawn work should not face a disorderly conduct charge.5 If, however, a person brandishes a handgun in public, the conduct may lose its constitutional protection. Again, "[i]t is the combination of conduct and circumstances that is crucial in applying the [disorderly conduct] statute to a particular situation." Maker, 48 Wis. 2d at 616.
Conduct AND circumstances.
HT: Badger Blog Alliance
McMiller: The Longer Story
We've already mentioned that the McMiller range is in process of re-evaluation. This post will be the short version of the longer story.
McMiller was built with Federal Pittman-Robertson money (the tax you pay on sporting goods, including guns and ammo) at the south end of the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.
While the State was happy to take the Federal money, there were a number of influential politicians who did NOT want a gun-range operating. (Surprise!!) However, the DNR eventually engaged an operator (Wern Farms) who managed to make a profit and create a lot of happy customers. Wern Farms has a renewable lease and the State of Wisconsin gets a piece of the revenues "off the top" at McMiller, in addition to its base lease revenues.
The current DNR manager for the Southern Unit of Kettle Moraine is not happy with the gun range, regardless of its monetary contributions to DNR. This became obvious when he delayed renewing the lease--and then came up with a number of proposals which would do two things:
1) Make it much more difficult to operate the range at a profit; and
2) Make it much more difficult to retain good, experienced employees.
The "profit" changes include requiring Wern Farms to build overhead "capsules" for the rifle and pistol ranges; requiring non-lead shot for the trap/shotgun range; and reduction of hours of operation. The "non-toxic" shot requirement would effectively close the shotgun range; steel shot is harmful to shotguns, and the alternative, "Hevi-Load", is extremely expensive. Reducing the hours of operation would affect gross revenues, thus creating a larger overhead burden for open-hours, meaning the cost to the patrons would rise. And of course, "capsules" are expensive to build AND to maintain.
In addition, DNR proposes to ban black-powder shooting AND "large caliber" weapons. No definition is provided for "large caliber"--does this mean .30-06, .308, .30-30? Does it mean 8mm, or .50 Cal? Finally, the DNR proposes to halt ammo sales from the clubhouse--another source of revenue and profit-dollars to the operator.
As it turns out, the local-developer angle is not involved here, (at least, not to anyone's knowledge.) This appears to be only a Southern Unit DNR issue.
At this time, higher-ups in the DNR are reviewing the lease-offering again, and McMiller will be operating until late June under the old lease terms.
Do not rest easy. McMiller can go away. Keep your legislators informed of your opinions!!
McMiller was built with Federal Pittman-Robertson money (the tax you pay on sporting goods, including guns and ammo) at the south end of the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.
While the State was happy to take the Federal money, there were a number of influential politicians who did NOT want a gun-range operating. (Surprise!!) However, the DNR eventually engaged an operator (Wern Farms) who managed to make a profit and create a lot of happy customers. Wern Farms has a renewable lease and the State of Wisconsin gets a piece of the revenues "off the top" at McMiller, in addition to its base lease revenues.
The current DNR manager for the Southern Unit of Kettle Moraine is not happy with the gun range, regardless of its monetary contributions to DNR. This became obvious when he delayed renewing the lease--and then came up with a number of proposals which would do two things:
1) Make it much more difficult to operate the range at a profit; and
2) Make it much more difficult to retain good, experienced employees.
The "profit" changes include requiring Wern Farms to build overhead "capsules" for the rifle and pistol ranges; requiring non-lead shot for the trap/shotgun range; and reduction of hours of operation. The "non-toxic" shot requirement would effectively close the shotgun range; steel shot is harmful to shotguns, and the alternative, "Hevi-Load", is extremely expensive. Reducing the hours of operation would affect gross revenues, thus creating a larger overhead burden for open-hours, meaning the cost to the patrons would rise. And of course, "capsules" are expensive to build AND to maintain.
In addition, DNR proposes to ban black-powder shooting AND "large caliber" weapons. No definition is provided for "large caliber"--does this mean .30-06, .308, .30-30? Does it mean 8mm, or .50 Cal? Finally, the DNR proposes to halt ammo sales from the clubhouse--another source of revenue and profit-dollars to the operator.
As it turns out, the local-developer angle is not involved here, (at least, not to anyone's knowledge.) This appears to be only a Southern Unit DNR issue.
At this time, higher-ups in the DNR are reviewing the lease-offering again, and McMiller will be operating until late June under the old lease terms.
Do not rest easy. McMiller can go away. Keep your legislators informed of your opinions!!
On Education, Briefly
Flannery O'Connor on education:
...In defending the teaching of the great works of the Western canon rather than those of the modern day (which kids far preferred), she said something wise, the sort of thing an adult might say. She said that the whims and preferences of children should always, always be sublimated to the sense and judgment of their elders.
"And what if the student finds this is not to his taste?" O'Connor asked. "Well that is regrettable. Most regrettable. His taste should not be consulted; it is being formed."
That ought to make Jay's day.
...In defending the teaching of the great works of the Western canon rather than those of the modern day (which kids far preferred), she said something wise, the sort of thing an adult might say. She said that the whims and preferences of children should always, always be sublimated to the sense and judgment of their elders.
"And what if the student finds this is not to his taste?" O'Connor asked. "Well that is regrettable. Most regrettable. His taste should not be consulted; it is being formed."
That ought to make Jay's day.
Smile! You WERE on FBI Cameras!!
Breaking news, maybe?
...a single-page confidential directive issued by the FBI headquarters in Washington, DC (FBIHQ) was sent to each of the 56 field offices located across the United States on or about March 23, 2009, instructing the Special Agents in Charge (SACs) of those offices to verify the date, time and location of each TEA Party within their region and supply that information to FBI headquarters in Washington. The source stated this correspondence termed the TEA parties “political demonstrations,” and added that the dissemination of the directive was very tightly controlled. “Not all agents were privy to this correspondence,” stated the source, who compared the dissemination to an older “Do Not File” classification.
In addition to obtaining or confirming the location and time of each “demonstration,” each field office was instructed to obtain or confirm the identity of the individual(s) involved in the actual planning and coordination of the event in each specific region, and include the local or regional Internet web site address, if any. The information collected by region was then reportedly sent to FBI Headquarters.
The source alleges that a second directive was issued on or about April 6, 2009 that reportedly instructed each SAC to coordinate and conduct, either at the field office level and/or with the appropriate resident agency, covert video surveillance and data collection of the participants of the TEA parties. Surveillance was to be performed from “discreet fixed or mobile positions” and was to be performed “independently and outside of the purview of local law enforcement.”
Although the level of detail collected from each operation is unclear, the information was reportedly submitted to Washington, where, “at the level of the National Security Branch (NSB), this information was to “include the office of the Directorate of Intelligence (DI), and integrated with a restricted access database, one that reportedly is accessible to only two agencies” [of the 14 agencies that comprise the U.S. intelligence community, according to the source.
Original source here.
This is entirely possible--the FBI and local LEO's have photo'ed and video'ed demonstrations for years. Morry Dees has made a fortune by "assisting" FBI investigations using his paranoid-schizophrenic organization.
To me, it's a "so what?" kinda thing. Wouldn't surprise me if they did it, wouldn't surprise me if they did not--and in either case, the only other recent pix in Big Brother's file are from the nearby intersection's stoplight cameras.
...a single-page confidential directive issued by the FBI headquarters in Washington, DC (FBIHQ) was sent to each of the 56 field offices located across the United States on or about March 23, 2009, instructing the Special Agents in Charge (SACs) of those offices to verify the date, time and location of each TEA Party within their region and supply that information to FBI headquarters in Washington. The source stated this correspondence termed the TEA parties “political demonstrations,” and added that the dissemination of the directive was very tightly controlled. “Not all agents were privy to this correspondence,” stated the source, who compared the dissemination to an older “Do Not File” classification.
In addition to obtaining or confirming the location and time of each “demonstration,” each field office was instructed to obtain or confirm the identity of the individual(s) involved in the actual planning and coordination of the event in each specific region, and include the local or regional Internet web site address, if any. The information collected by region was then reportedly sent to FBI Headquarters.
The source alleges that a second directive was issued on or about April 6, 2009 that reportedly instructed each SAC to coordinate and conduct, either at the field office level and/or with the appropriate resident agency, covert video surveillance and data collection of the participants of the TEA parties. Surveillance was to be performed from “discreet fixed or mobile positions” and was to be performed “independently and outside of the purview of local law enforcement.”
Although the level of detail collected from each operation is unclear, the information was reportedly submitted to Washington, where, “at the level of the National Security Branch (NSB), this information was to “include the office of the Directorate of Intelligence (DI), and integrated with a restricted access database, one that reportedly is accessible to only two agencies” [of the 14 agencies that comprise the U.S. intelligence community, according to the source.
Original source here.
This is entirely possible--the FBI and local LEO's have photo'ed and video'ed demonstrations for years. Morry Dees has made a fortune by "assisting" FBI investigations using his paranoid-schizophrenic organization.
To me, it's a "so what?" kinda thing. Wouldn't surprise me if they did it, wouldn't surprise me if they did not--and in either case, the only other recent pix in Big Brother's file are from the nearby intersection's stoplight cameras.
McMiller Meeting Postponed
Per telephone announcement from McMiller:
The April 29th meeting to discuss closure/re-configuration/ammo changes (etc.)
The April 29th meeting to discuss closure/re-configuration/ammo changes (etc.)
HAS BEEN POSTPONED
and there is no scheduled alternative date at this time.
Principles, Presidents, and Spies
There are some people who identify Presidents with "good" or "bad", depending on the attached party label. Lots of (D) folks will tell you that FDR was damn near a saint, despite the fact that he was an Asian-hating racist of the first water. (Don't believe that? Check out his statements on various immigration-law proposals.)
Others will tell you that GWB was the Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread. That despite his profligate, illegal, and un-Constitutional GM/Chrysler "bailout."
And it seems that GWB's Boyzzz have another little problem.
...But the gist is that an NSA wiretap recorded Harman in a conversation with a "suspected Israeli agent" in which Harman allegedly agreed to use her influence with the DOJ to get them to drop the AIPAC spy case in exchange for help lobbying then-Speaker-in-waiting Nancy Pelosi to make Harman chair of the House Intelligence Committee -- a position she ended up not getting
The story suggests that the tapes show Harman crossed the line. And the gears were in motion to open a full blown investigation. But then Alberto Gonzales intervened and shutdown the whole thing.
Why? Here's where it gets into the realm of bad novel writing: because Gonzales (and the White House) needed Harman to go to bat for them on the warrantless wiretaping story that the New York Times was then on the brink of publishing
When a foreign agent is spying on the USA, it's serious. Blather about "the US' only friend...." is simply window-dressing around a steaming stinkhole.
But the column raises another interesting question:
High on my list would be finding out more about the circumstances under which a member of Congress ended up having her phone conversations recorded by the NSA...
Maybe it was legit--evidently DofJ knew that Harman was talking to a bad guy, or two, or three. But if they WERE bad-guys, why did GWB's AG quash the inquiry?
Hmmmmmm?
Others will tell you that GWB was the Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread. That despite his profligate, illegal, and un-Constitutional GM/Chrysler "bailout."
And it seems that GWB's Boyzzz have another little problem.
...But the gist is that an NSA wiretap recorded Harman in a conversation with a "suspected Israeli agent" in which Harman allegedly agreed to use her influence with the DOJ to get them to drop the AIPAC spy case in exchange for help lobbying then-Speaker-in-waiting Nancy Pelosi to make Harman chair of the House Intelligence Committee -- a position she ended up not getting
The story suggests that the tapes show Harman crossed the line. And the gears were in motion to open a full blown investigation. But then Alberto Gonzales intervened and shutdown the whole thing.
Why? Here's where it gets into the realm of bad novel writing: because Gonzales (and the White House) needed Harman to go to bat for them on the warrantless wiretaping story that the New York Times was then on the brink of publishing
When a foreign agent is spying on the USA, it's serious. Blather about "the US' only friend...." is simply window-dressing around a steaming stinkhole.
But the column raises another interesting question:
High on my list would be finding out more about the circumstances under which a member of Congress ended up having her phone conversations recorded by the NSA...
Maybe it was legit--evidently DofJ knew that Harman was talking to a bad guy, or two, or three. But if they WERE bad-guys, why did GWB's AG quash the inquiry?
Hmmmmmm?
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Spending Factoids and Tea Party Reality
Steve Chapman hit a grand slam in his Trib column. Factoids worth remembering:
...Since last September, a federal budget that was already growing steadily suddenly accelerated out of control. The ride began in the winter of 2008, when Congress and President Bush agreed on a fiscal stimulus package of $170 billion in tax rebates and incentives. It picked up speed in the fall, when the Treasury spent $85 billion to take over insurance giant AIG and Congress approved $700 billion to rescue failing financial institutions.
By the time Barack Obama took office in January, projected federal outlays for this year had soared by nearly $1 trillion over last year, and the budget deficit had nearly quadrupled. But was that enough? Not nearly. Obama saw Bush and raised him, immediately pushing through another fiscal stimulus program with a price tag of $787 billion.
Fiscal hawks thought the budget was out of control before. Now they look back on the pre-2008 profligacy as a golden age of budgetary restraint.
(At the State level, Three-Card-Monte Doyle is doing his damndest to keep up, increasing the State budget by damn near TEN PERCENT over the next biennium. He has no foggy idea of how to pay for it, and is likely to leave another $900 million++ "unaccounted for" by the close of the biennium. And he STILL won't have repaid the $400 million he stole from the Highway Fund.)
More Chapman:
The problem is not just the spending supposedly needed for the current economic emergency. Obama claims that he will cut the deficit in half, to $533 billion, by the end of his first term. Two problems: 1) The Congressional Budget Office says the more likely number is $672 billion, and 2) that is 46 percent more than the deficit in 2008. Worse yet, the CBO says the deficit will then resume its upward trajectory, reaching $1 trillion by 2018 and nearly doubling the national debt over the next decade
There were "anti-tax" people--and "anti-Obama" people--present at the rallies. And the Republican Party establishment attempted to wrest paternity of the rallies, too.
But this was actually Santelli's movement--a Fiscal Sanity movement--which had two over-riding aims.
1) Reduction in size and scope of the Federal leviathan; and 2) a concomitant and significant reduction in Federal spending.
The same objectives held for the State of Wisconsin.
...Since last September, a federal budget that was already growing steadily suddenly accelerated out of control. The ride began in the winter of 2008, when Congress and President Bush agreed on a fiscal stimulus package of $170 billion in tax rebates and incentives. It picked up speed in the fall, when the Treasury spent $85 billion to take over insurance giant AIG and Congress approved $700 billion to rescue failing financial institutions.
By the time Barack Obama took office in January, projected federal outlays for this year had soared by nearly $1 trillion over last year, and the budget deficit had nearly quadrupled. But was that enough? Not nearly. Obama saw Bush and raised him, immediately pushing through another fiscal stimulus program with a price tag of $787 billion.
Fiscal hawks thought the budget was out of control before. Now they look back on the pre-2008 profligacy as a golden age of budgetary restraint.
(At the State level, Three-Card-Monte Doyle is doing his damndest to keep up, increasing the State budget by damn near TEN PERCENT over the next biennium. He has no foggy idea of how to pay for it, and is likely to leave another $900 million++ "unaccounted for" by the close of the biennium. And he STILL won't have repaid the $400 million he stole from the Highway Fund.)
More Chapman:
The problem is not just the spending supposedly needed for the current economic emergency. Obama claims that he will cut the deficit in half, to $533 billion, by the end of his first term. Two problems: 1) The Congressional Budget Office says the more likely number is $672 billion, and 2) that is 46 percent more than the deficit in 2008. Worse yet, the CBO says the deficit will then resume its upward trajectory, reaching $1 trillion by 2018 and nearly doubling the national debt over the next decade
There were "anti-tax" people--and "anti-Obama" people--present at the rallies. And the Republican Party establishment attempted to wrest paternity of the rallies, too.
But this was actually Santelli's movement--a Fiscal Sanity movement--which had two over-riding aims.
1) Reduction in size and scope of the Federal leviathan; and 2) a concomitant and significant reduction in Federal spending.
The same objectives held for the State of Wisconsin.
FantasyLand
From a typical "When You Wish Upon a Star" blog...
WAVE is embarking on this statewide tour, determined to build bi-partisan support for legislation to require background checks on all gun sales
OK, Ms. Bonavia.
You will be appointed to handle background checks on all weapons sales taking place in the area bounded by State St., Capitol Drive, 35th St., and the river.
Bring extra pencils and ClassIII body armor.
WAVE is embarking on this statewide tour, determined to build bi-partisan support for legislation to require background checks on all gun sales
OK, Ms. Bonavia.
You will be appointed to handle background checks on all weapons sales taking place in the area bounded by State St., Capitol Drive, 35th St., and the river.
Bring extra pencils and ClassIII body armor.
Patriot Act: Can It Be Repealed?
The short answer is "no."
(This post is put up with the intention of tugging the chain of a very respectable blogger-colleague--whose opinion on the Patriot Act is just plain wrong.)
It was obvious to me at the time DHS and Patriot Act (and TSA!) were bad moves. Aside from the fact that amalgamating many inefficient bureaucracies into one multiplies not divides the inefficiencies - efficient government is not an overriding concern of mine - centralizing power to meet a crisis leaves the centralized power available for abuse long after the crisis is forgotten. The chances that a future Democrat administration would disband DHS and repeal Patriot Act were patently zero even at the time. Expand, politicize, and abuse now are the order of the day, and I am not surprised in the least.
Both major parties seem now irredeemably statist.
...Arguing that Washington has become overlarge in the nation's affairs and that power should flow back to the regions and the people, that the 10th Amendment means what it says, seems as if its time may have arrived as the common ground for a new governing coalition.
It seems highly unlikely that all the factions the Republicans would need to unite to govern from the center-right will ever again simultaneously trust them (or anyone) with the current scale of massively centralized Federal power. Nor should we. Too many Republicans have swallowed far too many contradictions, have met the enemy and become them.
The Federalist Party. It has a certain ring.
While it is true that the intentions were good, it's also clear that Ben Franklin was right: giving up liberties in favor of 'security' will get you neither. Now we have a Fed Intel outfit which is tapping domestic-to-domestic phone calls (unintentionally, they say); an FBI which can effectively write its own search warrants, and a DHS bureaucracy which seriously opines that pro-lifers and federalists are 'potential terrorists.'
HT: The Winning McCain
(This post is put up with the intention of tugging the chain of a very respectable blogger-colleague--whose opinion on the Patriot Act is just plain wrong.)
It was obvious to me at the time DHS and Patriot Act (and TSA!) were bad moves. Aside from the fact that amalgamating many inefficient bureaucracies into one multiplies not divides the inefficiencies - efficient government is not an overriding concern of mine - centralizing power to meet a crisis leaves the centralized power available for abuse long after the crisis is forgotten. The chances that a future Democrat administration would disband DHS and repeal Patriot Act were patently zero even at the time. Expand, politicize, and abuse now are the order of the day, and I am not surprised in the least.
Both major parties seem now irredeemably statist.
...Arguing that Washington has become overlarge in the nation's affairs and that power should flow back to the regions and the people, that the 10th Amendment means what it says, seems as if its time may have arrived as the common ground for a new governing coalition.
It seems highly unlikely that all the factions the Republicans would need to unite to govern from the center-right will ever again simultaneously trust them (or anyone) with the current scale of massively centralized Federal power. Nor should we. Too many Republicans have swallowed far too many contradictions, have met the enemy and become them.
The Federalist Party. It has a certain ring.
While it is true that the intentions were good, it's also clear that Ben Franklin was right: giving up liberties in favor of 'security' will get you neither. Now we have a Fed Intel outfit which is tapping domestic-to-domestic phone calls (unintentionally, they say); an FBI which can effectively write its own search warrants, and a DHS bureaucracy which seriously opines that pro-lifers and federalists are 'potential terrorists.'
HT: The Winning McCain
A Little USMC Humor
Supposedly a true story...
Two California Highway Patrol Officers were conducting speeding enforcement on I-15, just north of the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar . One of the officers was using a hand held radar device to check speeding vehicles approaching the crest of a hill. The officers were suddenly surprised when the radar gun began reading 300 miles per hour. The officer attempted to reset the radar gun, but it would not reset and then turned off.
Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had in fact locked on to a USMC F/A-18 Hornet (Northrop Grumman aircraft) which was engaged in a low flying exercise near the location.
Back at the CHP Headquarters the Patrol Captain fired off a complaint to the USMC Base Commander. The reply came back in true USMC style:
~ ~ ~
Thank you for your letter. We can now complete the file on this incident. You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Hornet had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked on to your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it, which is why it shut down. Furthermore, an Air-to-Ground missile aboard the fully armed aircraft had also automatically locked on to your equipment location. Fortunately, the Marine Pilot flying the Hornet recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile system alert status and was able to override the automated defense system before the missile was launched to destroy the hostile radar position.
The pilot also suggests you cover your mouths when cussing at them, since the video systems on these jets are very high tech. Sergeant Johnson, the officer holding the radar gun, should get his dentist to check his left rear molar. It appears the filling is loose. Also, the snap is broken on his holster. Thank you for your concern.
Semper Fi
Next: what an FA-18 can do to a "speed-camera" system!
Two California Highway Patrol Officers were conducting speeding enforcement on I-15, just north of the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar . One of the officers was using a hand held radar device to check speeding vehicles approaching the crest of a hill. The officers were suddenly surprised when the radar gun began reading 300 miles per hour. The officer attempted to reset the radar gun, but it would not reset and then turned off.
Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had in fact locked on to a USMC F/A-18 Hornet (Northrop Grumman aircraft) which was engaged in a low flying exercise near the location.
Back at the CHP Headquarters the Patrol Captain fired off a complaint to the USMC Base Commander. The reply came back in true USMC style:
~ ~ ~
Thank you for your letter. We can now complete the file on this incident. You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Hornet had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked on to your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it, which is why it shut down. Furthermore, an Air-to-Ground missile aboard the fully armed aircraft had also automatically locked on to your equipment location. Fortunately, the Marine Pilot flying the Hornet recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile system alert status and was able to override the automated defense system before the missile was launched to destroy the hostile radar position.
The pilot also suggests you cover your mouths when cussing at them, since the video systems on these jets are very high tech. Sergeant Johnson, the officer holding the radar gun, should get his dentist to check his left rear molar. It appears the filling is loose. Also, the snap is broken on his holster. Thank you for your concern.
Semper Fi
Next: what an FA-18 can do to a "speed-camera" system!
McMiller Endangered? UPDATED
Our intrepid Phel broke in her 12ga yesterday, and reports an alarming development.
The state rep for the area is trying to either a) get McMiller shut down in favor of a ski resort or b) restrict the type of ammunition that can be shot there. Both options are bad. McMiller is the only facility of its type in the state of Wisconsin, and we have to call the representatives and the DNR to ensure that it is not threatened. Apparently, the DNR is sympathetic to the continuity of McMiller.
The Senator for the area is Neil Kedzie; the Represenative is Steve Nass (both (R)).
This has history.
A few years ago, there was a kerfuffle surrounding McMiller. Evidently a local (Eagle) politician owns a chunk of land across the street from McMiller and wanted to develop a subdivision, but thinks that the presence of the range will make it hard to sell lots and houses.
Wouldn't surprise me at all if this is connected to the move Phelony describes.
McMiller serves thousands of SE Wisconsin residents; it is the only PUBLIC outdoor range which accomodates shotgun, rifle, bow-and-arrow, and handgun shooting in the area.
Shutting it down, or modifying its charter, would be a disservice to the taxpayers who enjoy using the range. Seems to me that a call or email to the above Leggies would be worthwhile.
UPDATE: Phel has posted a cc of the flyer. As you can see, this is being engineered through DNR. Makes it kinda intriguing--but April 29th has suddenly become an "must be there" date.
The state rep for the area is trying to either a) get McMiller shut down in favor of a ski resort or b) restrict the type of ammunition that can be shot there. Both options are bad. McMiller is the only facility of its type in the state of Wisconsin, and we have to call the representatives and the DNR to ensure that it is not threatened. Apparently, the DNR is sympathetic to the continuity of McMiller.
The Senator for the area is Neil Kedzie; the Represenative is Steve Nass (both (R)).
This has history.
A few years ago, there was a kerfuffle surrounding McMiller. Evidently a local (Eagle) politician owns a chunk of land across the street from McMiller and wanted to develop a subdivision, but thinks that the presence of the range will make it hard to sell lots and houses.
Wouldn't surprise me at all if this is connected to the move Phelony describes.
McMiller serves thousands of SE Wisconsin residents; it is the only PUBLIC outdoor range which accomodates shotgun, rifle, bow-and-arrow, and handgun shooting in the area.
Shutting it down, or modifying its charter, would be a disservice to the taxpayers who enjoy using the range. Seems to me that a call or email to the above Leggies would be worthwhile.
UPDATE: Phel has posted a cc of the flyer. As you can see, this is being engineered through DNR. Makes it kinda intriguing--but April 29th has suddenly become an "must be there" date.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Memo to Reince, Part Three: (R) Jackboot Thugs
Oh, Reince!!
Pay close attention to this.
A legislative aide notes that seat-belt non-usage WILL be a 'primary enforcement' offense in Wisconsin. He's well-informed, and reports this: (see combox #14)
...the one vote against primary enforcement was actually Rep. Sherman. All the Republicans in attendance voted in favor, including Robin Vos.
Nice to see that all the Republicans wear jackboots, Reince. Or are they just pussies?
For the record: The (R) rollovers are Robin Vos, Alberta Darling (reportedly absent), Luther Olson (representing ethanol only) and Phil Montgomery.
Pay close attention to this.
A legislative aide notes that seat-belt non-usage WILL be a 'primary enforcement' offense in Wisconsin. He's well-informed, and reports this: (see combox #14)
...the one vote against primary enforcement was actually Rep. Sherman. All the Republicans in attendance voted in favor, including Robin Vos.
Nice to see that all the Republicans wear jackboots, Reince. Or are they just pussies?
For the record: The (R) rollovers are Robin Vos, Alberta Darling (reportedly absent), Luther Olson (representing ethanol only) and Phil Montgomery.
Memo to Reince, Part Two
In the (two) days since the TEA Parties were held, Rush Limbaugh has been harping, harping, harping on one thought: "Do NOT think about a third party effort."
His concerns are justifiable--here's a snippet from Malkin.
...Republicans who supported the bailouts, the stimulus, and tax increases are in just as much hot water as Democrats. I told you that California GOP chairman Ron Nehring and GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger were booed in Sacramento and GOP Gov. Jon Huntsman was booed in Utah.
Now, see this.
At the Greenville SC Tea Party last night, via Palmetto Scoop, an estimated 3,000 people booed and heckled GOP Rep. Gresham Barrett, who supported both the trillion-dollar TARP and now supports the trillion-dollar porkulus package. The crowd blew air horns as he tried to speak
Paul Ryan, (who voted for TARP but not for Porkulus), was not booed in Madison. I think there are a number of reasons for that, among them that Paul Ryan CLEARLY SAID that Republicans had contributed to the horrific fiscal mess this country is in. Another reason is that Paul Ryan went Reaganesque, openly asking Democrats to join in a responsible solution.
In other words, Ryan thinks that the situation is serious enough to be bi-partisan.
(I will grant Priebus this: Governor Doyle's budget is shockingly detrimental to the long-term fiscal health of the State of Wisconsin.)
When looking around at the crowd's signage, it was clear that this was not exactly a Republican Party event. This was a Conservative-driven event into which SOME Republicans fit quite well.
But not all of them. Not by a long shot.
By the way, Reince: does the RNC have a thought about the RSCC's endorsement of Spectral Specter vs. the actual Conservative, Toomey?
If so, I haven't heard it yet.
His concerns are justifiable--here's a snippet from Malkin.
...Republicans who supported the bailouts, the stimulus, and tax increases are in just as much hot water as Democrats. I told you that California GOP chairman Ron Nehring and GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger were booed in Sacramento and GOP Gov. Jon Huntsman was booed in Utah.
Now, see this.
At the Greenville SC Tea Party last night, via Palmetto Scoop, an estimated 3,000 people booed and heckled GOP Rep. Gresham Barrett, who supported both the trillion-dollar TARP and now supports the trillion-dollar porkulus package. The crowd blew air horns as he tried to speak
Paul Ryan, (who voted for TARP but not for Porkulus), was not booed in Madison. I think there are a number of reasons for that, among them that Paul Ryan CLEARLY SAID that Republicans had contributed to the horrific fiscal mess this country is in. Another reason is that Paul Ryan went Reaganesque, openly asking Democrats to join in a responsible solution.
In other words, Ryan thinks that the situation is serious enough to be bi-partisan.
(I will grant Priebus this: Governor Doyle's budget is shockingly detrimental to the long-term fiscal health of the State of Wisconsin.)
When looking around at the crowd's signage, it was clear that this was not exactly a Republican Party event. This was a Conservative-driven event into which SOME Republicans fit quite well.
But not all of them. Not by a long shot.
By the way, Reince: does the RNC have a thought about the RSCC's endorsement of Spectral Specter vs. the actual Conservative, Toomey?
If so, I haven't heard it yet.
Pirates, Lightworker, and the New World Order
Neumayr has insight.
Modern liberals measure "progress" not by the unfolding fulfillment of the natural moral law but by its elimination. Consequently, most of what is labeled "progress" is basically just regress, a return, under a glossier guise, to the practices of antiquity and pre-Christian paganism.
Pagans stuck the inconvenient elderly on snow drifts; moderns dehydrate them to death in hospitals. Pagans left unwanted babies to die on hilltops; moderns bury them in bins behind Planned Parenthood clinics. Pagans attended orgies, moderns attend "gay weddings."
Yah, that we knew already. So "pirates"?
The recent gusher of globalist babble at the G-20 summit is exposed by the rise of piracy as a total sham. And the rise of piracy is one more proof of Dambisa Moyo's thesis in Dead Aid -- that ceaseless Western government-to-government handouts to Africa, which are just a new version of white colonialism, have frozen the continent in a helpless and horrid past. After a trillion dollars over sixty years, the only vivid display of entrepreneurial activity in Africa today is…piracy.
Well, it makes a lot of sense. IOW, who are the REAL African 'pirates'? Mugabe of Zimbabwe comes to mind immediately.
In the giddy days of the campaign, one cheerleading journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle, Mark Morford, speculated that Obama might be a "Lightworker" for the globe -- "that rare kind of attuned being who has the ability to lead us not merely to new foreign policies or health care plans or whatnot, but who can actually help usher in a new way of being on the planet…"
This "new way of being on the planet" looks awfully familiar, a return to history's most dismal, farcical, and evil chapters with tyranny, decadence, and false religion. This week the new way of being on the planet resembled the 18th century -- pirates abroad, tax-revolting tea parties at home, and a president, acting like a king, who collected excessive taxes and hatched extreme plans (such as forcing doctors and nurses to perform abortions against their consciences) while his aides sputtered about "extremists."
The irony is not lost on Neumayr. The question is whether the Return to Barbarism will be tolerated by US citizens for long.
Modern liberals measure "progress" not by the unfolding fulfillment of the natural moral law but by its elimination. Consequently, most of what is labeled "progress" is basically just regress, a return, under a glossier guise, to the practices of antiquity and pre-Christian paganism.
Pagans stuck the inconvenient elderly on snow drifts; moderns dehydrate them to death in hospitals. Pagans left unwanted babies to die on hilltops; moderns bury them in bins behind Planned Parenthood clinics. Pagans attended orgies, moderns attend "gay weddings."
Yah, that we knew already. So "pirates"?
The recent gusher of globalist babble at the G-20 summit is exposed by the rise of piracy as a total sham. And the rise of piracy is one more proof of Dambisa Moyo's thesis in Dead Aid -- that ceaseless Western government-to-government handouts to Africa, which are just a new version of white colonialism, have frozen the continent in a helpless and horrid past. After a trillion dollars over sixty years, the only vivid display of entrepreneurial activity in Africa today is…piracy.
Well, it makes a lot of sense. IOW, who are the REAL African 'pirates'? Mugabe of Zimbabwe comes to mind immediately.
In the giddy days of the campaign, one cheerleading journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle, Mark Morford, speculated that Obama might be a "Lightworker" for the globe -- "that rare kind of attuned being who has the ability to lead us not merely to new foreign policies or health care plans or whatnot, but who can actually help usher in a new way of being on the planet…"
This "new way of being on the planet" looks awfully familiar, a return to history's most dismal, farcical, and evil chapters with tyranny, decadence, and false religion. This week the new way of being on the planet resembled the 18th century -- pirates abroad, tax-revolting tea parties at home, and a president, acting like a king, who collected excessive taxes and hatched extreme plans (such as forcing doctors and nurses to perform abortions against their consciences) while his aides sputtered about "extremists."
The irony is not lost on Neumayr. The question is whether the Return to Barbarism will be tolerated by US citizens for long.
Missouri Activist Active in Wisconsin
Sometimes, stuff sorta jumps out at you.
Here we have a JSOnline story about the Continuing Campaign of Lightworker Obama.
Over the coming weeks, state Organizing for America Director Dan Grandone will hold 20 listening sessions across the state to hear what people expect of the Obama administration and how the network can get to work in their communities.
Google "Dan Grandone" and you find lots of similar stories--but in one of them, he claims to have voted for GWBush twice, before voting Obama.
But the Google also tells you that Grandone started his career as an organizer with a St Louis, MO., social-action group (MCU), and that he was active with the Gamaliel organization. Among other things, Gamaliel does not like "urban sprawl," although in general terms, Gamaliel is not overtly partisan.
Even more interesting is a much older Grandone, (James) who is from Edwardsville, Illinois, ran against Bob Michel (R), and worked on the Carter-Mondale campaign.
One wonders why a committed social activist and Harvard Institute for Politics awardee such as Grandone would vote against John F'n Kerry or AlGore. Maybe he's a pro-war kinda guy? Maybe he liked GWB's Big Oil connections?
Here we have a JSOnline story about the Continuing Campaign of Lightworker Obama.
Over the coming weeks, state Organizing for America Director Dan Grandone will hold 20 listening sessions across the state to hear what people expect of the Obama administration and how the network can get to work in their communities.
Google "Dan Grandone" and you find lots of similar stories--but in one of them, he claims to have voted for GWBush twice, before voting Obama.
But the Google also tells you that Grandone started his career as an organizer with a St Louis, MO., social-action group (MCU), and that he was active with the Gamaliel organization. Among other things, Gamaliel does not like "urban sprawl," although in general terms, Gamaliel is not overtly partisan.
Even more interesting is a much older Grandone, (James) who is from Edwardsville, Illinois, ran against Bob Michel (R), and worked on the Carter-Mondale campaign.
One wonders why a committed social activist and Harvard Institute for Politics awardee such as Grandone would vote against John F'n Kerry or AlGore. Maybe he's a pro-war kinda guy? Maybe he liked GWB's Big Oil connections?
Turning Up the Heat in Ireland
At some point, "politeness" is useless. So you dial it up a bit...
When a British professor of medical ethics was slated to speak at Cork University Hospital (CUH) in Ireland advocating legalising euthanasia, including "involuntary euthanasia," he did not expect to be met with an angry group of Irish patriots determined to see him off in the name of their nation's constitution
The lecture hall was filled with protesters who shouted down Doyal until the lecture was called off. A number of protesters, including priests and students from the pro-life action group Youth Defense, accused Doyal of advocating death for helpless ill, elderly and disabled people
"Involuntary euthanasia", eh?
It is worth remembering the philosophical principle that "Error has no rights." That covers such abominations as advocating murder. Application of the principle is a bit more nuanced. Fortunately, the Irish are not inclined to let 'politeness' overcome appropriate direct action.
When a British professor of medical ethics was slated to speak at Cork University Hospital (CUH) in Ireland advocating legalising euthanasia, including "involuntary euthanasia," he did not expect to be met with an angry group of Irish patriots determined to see him off in the name of their nation's constitution
The lecture hall was filled with protesters who shouted down Doyal until the lecture was called off. A number of protesters, including priests and students from the pro-life action group Youth Defense, accused Doyal of advocating death for helpless ill, elderly and disabled people
"Involuntary euthanasia", eh?
It is worth remembering the philosophical principle that "Error has no rights." That covers such abominations as advocating murder. Application of the principle is a bit more nuanced. Fortunately, the Irish are not inclined to let 'politeness' overcome appropriate direct action.
"Licenses" and Tax Support for News?
Remember when some people opined that Obama was 'a moderate kinda guy'?
He sure surrounds himself with strange creatures...
...Los Angeles Times columnist Rosa Brooks has hung up her journalistic hat and joined the Obama administration, but not before penning a public proposal calling for some radical ideas to help bail out the failing news industry.
Brooks, who has taken up a post as an adviser at the Pentagon, advocated upping "direct government support for public media" and creating licenses to govern news operations.
And guess what? It's all BUSH'S fault!!
"Years of foolish policies have left us with a choice: We can bail out journalism, using tax dollars and granting licenses in ways that encourage robust and independent reporting and commentary, or we can watch, wringing our hands, as more and more top journalists are laid off," she wrote
None of those "foolish policies" were detailed by Ms. Brooks.
He sure surrounds himself with strange creatures...
...Los Angeles Times columnist Rosa Brooks has hung up her journalistic hat and joined the Obama administration, but not before penning a public proposal calling for some radical ideas to help bail out the failing news industry.
Brooks, who has taken up a post as an adviser at the Pentagon, advocated upping "direct government support for public media" and creating licenses to govern news operations.
And guess what? It's all BUSH'S fault!!
"Years of foolish policies have left us with a choice: We can bail out journalism, using tax dollars and granting licenses in ways that encourage robust and independent reporting and commentary, or we can watch, wringing our hands, as more and more top journalists are laid off," she wrote
None of those "foolish policies" were detailed by Ms. Brooks.
Waxman Aims to Kill Off the Upper Midwest
Just after the elections, Conservatives raised the alarming possibility that Henry Waxman (D-Fruits&Nuts) would replace John Dingell (D-UAW) as chair of the Energy & Commerce committee.
That transpired--and the Upper Midwest is going to pay dearly for it.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman said he won’t compromise on his proposed 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gases over the next decade in the face of criticism from lawmakers who say the economy could suffer.
“I want to keep those caps in place,” Waxman said in an interview on Bloomberg Television’s “Political Capital with Al Hunt” airing this weekend. “It’s what the scientists are telling us we must do” to avoid a global catastrophe, he said
And Dick Nixon's legacy of Big Gummint (he was a Republican, remember??) has played its part:
...four days of subcommittee hearings will follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s ruling today that greenhouse gases pose a danger to the public, a finding that opens the way for new U.S. regulation of cars, power plants and factories
It appears that Dingell will play along with Waxman's plan--despite the fact that he represents a part of Michigan.
Waxman said Representatives John Dingell, a Michigan Democrat who once chaired the committee, and Rick Boucher, a Democrat from Virginia’s coal country, will support his 20 percent reduction even though they have previously called for a reduction of just 6 percent.
Why would Dingell cave?
Easy. Follow therent-seeking, graft and corruption money:
Dingell and Boucher may be willing to accept the higher reductions in part because of Waxman’s proposal for allocating the permit revenue
What that means is this: after Big Green increases the cost of electricity and heat by $1.8 TRILLION dollars or so, (about $3,200.00/year for the average Wisconsin resident), some money will be "given" to certain entities.
“By and large” it should be spent on green technologies, [Waxman] said, and part of it could be used to “help consumers with higher energy costs” and hard-hit industries, “especially coal.”
Set your thermostat for 55 degrees in winter and 90 in summer; ditch your refrigerators and freezers, and fuggedabout hot-water showers.
And if you work for a manufacturer, or a printing company, start looking for a new job. Now.
That transpired--and the Upper Midwest is going to pay dearly for it.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman said he won’t compromise on his proposed 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gases over the next decade in the face of criticism from lawmakers who say the economy could suffer.
“I want to keep those caps in place,” Waxman said in an interview on Bloomberg Television’s “Political Capital with Al Hunt” airing this weekend. “It’s what the scientists are telling us we must do” to avoid a global catastrophe, he said
And Dick Nixon's legacy of Big Gummint (he was a Republican, remember??) has played its part:
...four days of subcommittee hearings will follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s ruling today that greenhouse gases pose a danger to the public, a finding that opens the way for new U.S. regulation of cars, power plants and factories
It appears that Dingell will play along with Waxman's plan--despite the fact that he represents a part of Michigan.
Waxman said Representatives John Dingell, a Michigan Democrat who once chaired the committee, and Rick Boucher, a Democrat from Virginia’s coal country, will support his 20 percent reduction even though they have previously called for a reduction of just 6 percent.
Why would Dingell cave?
Easy. Follow the
Dingell and Boucher may be willing to accept the higher reductions in part because of Waxman’s proposal for allocating the permit revenue
What that means is this: after Big Green increases the cost of electricity and heat by $1.8 TRILLION dollars or so, (about $3,200.00/year for the average Wisconsin resident), some money will be "given" to certain entities.
“By and large” it should be spent on green technologies, [Waxman] said, and part of it could be used to “help consumers with higher energy costs” and hard-hit industries, “especially coal.”
Set your thermostat for 55 degrees in winter and 90 in summer; ditch your refrigerators and freezers, and fuggedabout hot-water showers.
And if you work for a manufacturer, or a printing company, start looking for a new job. Now.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Sullivan, Carpenter, and Plale
Charlie Sykes mentioned these guys. They want to get re-elected.
They need to be told NOT to support James Doyle's wacky "policy" items in the budget.
One thing you can do:
Go to www.wisconsinjobsnow.info and fill out the online form describing your business's problems with the State of Wisconsin AND what you think could be done to remedy that.
He'll pass it along to Sullivan, Carpenter, and Plale.
Another idea: catch those guys while they're in the District. Give them a nice, solid, reasonable piece of your mind.
Try not to slug them.
They need to be told NOT to support James Doyle's wacky "policy" items in the budget.
One thing you can do:
Go to www.wisconsinjobsnow.info and fill out the online form describing your business's problems with the State of Wisconsin AND what you think could be done to remedy that.
He'll pass it along to Sullivan, Carpenter, and Plale.
Another idea: catch those guys while they're in the District. Give them a nice, solid, reasonable piece of your mind.
Try not to slug them.
About That "Prevailing Wage" Policy
Most of you know that James Doyle, Governor of Wisconsin and union toady, inserted a "prevailing wage" item into his budget proposal. Briefly, IF a local government contributes anywhere north of $2,000.00 to a development project, "prevailing wage" must be paid (that is to say, the job must be done with union labor.)
(The Mayor of Milwaukee doesn't even like that one.)
But it gets worse. Let's say that the development includes a building which is occupied by Company X. And let's say that Company X grows (despite Doyle's efforts to tax them into oblivion.)
When Company X decides to add on to the building 5 years after the original was built, guess what?
They have to pay "prevailing wage" to build the addition. No matter how long between the initial development and the addition(s), "prevailing wage" must be paid.
Isn't it wonderful to have Jim Doyle, chin-dribbling with..........
Ach, nevermind.
(The Mayor of Milwaukee doesn't even like that one.)
But it gets worse. Let's say that the development includes a building which is occupied by Company X. And let's say that Company X grows (despite Doyle's efforts to tax them into oblivion.)
When Company X decides to add on to the building 5 years after the original was built, guess what?
They have to pay "prevailing wage" to build the addition. No matter how long between the initial development and the addition(s), "prevailing wage" must be paid.
Isn't it wonderful to have Jim Doyle, chin-dribbling with..........
Ach, nevermind.
Doyle's Joint/Several Change and the Real World
Heard a story today which should put Doyle's "joint and several" policy change into perspective.
A fellow who has built a very good business in Wisconsin was approached to sell the business to an out-of-state competing firm. But he'd accumulated a large group of faithful and loyal employees--so he decided to sell the Company to them, instead.
He created an ESOP which purchased a brand-new building; in time, the building (and its contents) will be the property of his employees when he chooses to retire. That's what they earned for their loyalty (and contributions to the ESOP.)
Then Doyle got his marching orders from the PI attorneys and inserted a change in "joint/several" liability law into the budget.
When that happened, the businessman's lawyers called him and told him that he must sell the building in order to avoid losing it in a lawsuit.
That means that he has to tell his employees the news: their building will have to be sold because James Doyle, Governor of Wisconsin, had made it impossible for them to keep it.
That's "helping the little guy", Jimbo.
Hope you sleep well, Three-Card-Monte!
A fellow who has built a very good business in Wisconsin was approached to sell the business to an out-of-state competing firm. But he'd accumulated a large group of faithful and loyal employees--so he decided to sell the Company to them, instead.
He created an ESOP which purchased a brand-new building; in time, the building (and its contents) will be the property of his employees when he chooses to retire. That's what they earned for their loyalty (and contributions to the ESOP.)
Then Doyle got his marching orders from the PI attorneys and inserted a change in "joint/several" liability law into the budget.
When that happened, the businessman's lawyers called him and told him that he must sell the building in order to avoid losing it in a lawsuit.
That means that he has to tell his employees the news: their building will have to be sold because James Doyle, Governor of Wisconsin, had made it impossible for them to keep it.
That's "helping the little guy", Jimbo.
Hope you sleep well, Three-Card-Monte!
A Most Interesting Journey
Now and then I've quoted "Spengler," who wrote for the online (and print) Asia Times.
He gives a brief autobiography here, and announces his new perch.
A most interesting fellow.
He gives a brief autobiography here, and announces his new perch.
A most interesting fellow.
Some Notes on Nazi Economics
As a matter of interest...from Von Mises:
The difference between the systems, wrote Mises, is that the German [Nazi] pattern "maintains private ownership of the means of production and keeps the appearance of ordinary prices, wages, and markets." But in fact the government directs production decisions, curbs entrepreneurship and the labor market, and determines wages and interest rates by central authority. "Market exchange," says Mises, "is only a sham."
and...
"While state representatives are busily engaged in investigating and interfering, our agents and salesmen are handicapped because they never know whether or not a sale at a higher price will mean denunciation as a ‘profiteer' or ‘saboteur,' followed by a prison sentence. You cannot imagine how taxation has increased. Yet everyone is afraid to complain. Everywhere there is a growing undercurrent of bitterness. Everyone has his doubts about the system, unless he is very young, very stupid, or is bound to it by the privileges he enjoys
That second part resonates with anyone who has undergone a State DofR audit.
HT: Pertinacious Papist
The difference between the systems, wrote Mises, is that the German [Nazi] pattern "maintains private ownership of the means of production and keeps the appearance of ordinary prices, wages, and markets." But in fact the government directs production decisions, curbs entrepreneurship and the labor market, and determines wages and interest rates by central authority. "Market exchange," says Mises, "is only a sham."
and...
"While state representatives are busily engaged in investigating and interfering, our agents and salesmen are handicapped because they never know whether or not a sale at a higher price will mean denunciation as a ‘profiteer' or ‘saboteur,' followed by a prison sentence. You cannot imagine how taxation has increased. Yet everyone is afraid to complain. Everywhere there is a growing undercurrent of bitterness. Everyone has his doubts about the system, unless he is very young, very stupid, or is bound to it by the privileges he enjoys
That second part resonates with anyone who has undergone a State DofR audit.
HT: Pertinacious Papist
234 Years Since "The Shot"
April 19th...
"Don't fire unless fired upon--but if they want a war, let it start here."--Capt. J. Parker, Concord, 4/19/1775.
"Don't fire unless fired upon--but if they want a war, let it start here."--Capt. J. Parker, Concord, 4/19/1775.
Citi's Games: "Profit"?
You will love this one.
Citigroup posted a $2.5 billion gain because of an accounting change adopted in 2007. Under the rule, companies are allowed to record any declines in the market value of their own debt as an unrealized gain. The rule reflects the possibility that a company could buy back its own debt at a discount, which under traditional accounting methods would result in a profit
So Citi uses literal "mark-to-market" in order to hype its earnings, but wants a not-so-much "mark-to-market" when looking at its loan portfolio.
I'll say it again: BANKRUPT this cancer called Citi. Sell off its parts. Bury the dead, before they bury US.
HT: MarketTicker
Citigroup posted a $2.5 billion gain because of an accounting change adopted in 2007. Under the rule, companies are allowed to record any declines in the market value of their own debt as an unrealized gain. The rule reflects the possibility that a company could buy back its own debt at a discount, which under traditional accounting methods would result in a profit
So Citi uses literal "mark-to-market" in order to hype its earnings, but wants a not-so-much "mark-to-market" when looking at its loan portfolio.
I'll say it again: BANKRUPT this cancer called Citi. Sell off its parts. Bury the dead, before they bury US.
HT: MarketTicker
More (R) Cave-Ins
Reported by the Daily Cardinal (!) and relayed by Jo Egelhoff:
Primary seat belt enforcement passed 14-1
There are 12 Dems and 3 Pubbies on JFC. So 2 Republicans voted to take the money and stuff your liberties up your ass.
And 1 (R) was missing in action on these:
Removal of policy items defeated 12-3
Increased financial fee passed 12-3
Obviously, it wouldn't have made a difference; but symbols count.
Primary seat belt enforcement passed 14-1
There are 12 Dems and 3 Pubbies on JFC. So 2 Republicans voted to take the money and stuff your liberties up your ass.
And 1 (R) was missing in action on these:
Removal of policy items defeated 12-3
Increased financial fee passed 12-3
Obviously, it wouldn't have made a difference; but symbols count.
The Bradley Center Follies
Oh, yah. The full-court press is on (cough.)
To the more than 1.6 million people who attend events at the Bradley Center each year, the downtown Milwaukee sports and entertainment facility does not look like it is 20 years old.
But leave the public concourse and seating bowl areas and you see many of the reasons that Bradley Center officials are pushing for $5 million in state money as part of a $23 million maintenance plan for the aging sports arena. The Bradley Center is the second-oldest arena in the NBA that has not had a major renovation
Which is to say that BC management FAILED "Capital Budgeting 101", if they ever actually attended the course in the first place.
But if you think that giving Herbie Kohl's palace $5 million in taxpayer funds is, frankly, stupid, it gets worse.
...it has become obvious in recent months that the potential for a new basketball arena being built in Milwaukee in the short term is nonexistent. No public official wants to lead the effort during the current economic downturn and a political environment that has turned against public assistance for sports stadiums.
“Community discussion on (building a new arena) is at its very earliest stages and there is currently little consensus on the idea,” Bradley Center officials said in documents submitted to Gov. Jim Doyle recently. “Even if a decision would be made to move ahead on the issue, a new building would be seven to 10 years away, at best.”
Another way to put it: "The dam redneck rubes won't give me a brand-new building now--but maybe the fools will, in 10 years or so. Meantime, they should cover for my stupidity."
Lemme get this straight. The Bradley Center was a GIFT to Milwaukee. It was PAID FOR when the doors opened.
And the idiots who ran it never bothered to think about "renovations and maintenance" being built-in to rental charges?
Another TEA Party is due, folks.
HT: FoxPolitics
To the more than 1.6 million people who attend events at the Bradley Center each year, the downtown Milwaukee sports and entertainment facility does not look like it is 20 years old.
But leave the public concourse and seating bowl areas and you see many of the reasons that Bradley Center officials are pushing for $5 million in state money as part of a $23 million maintenance plan for the aging sports arena. The Bradley Center is the second-oldest arena in the NBA that has not had a major renovation
Which is to say that BC management FAILED "Capital Budgeting 101", if they ever actually attended the course in the first place.
But if you think that giving Herbie Kohl's palace $5 million in taxpayer funds is, frankly, stupid, it gets worse.
...it has become obvious in recent months that the potential for a new basketball arena being built in Milwaukee in the short term is nonexistent. No public official wants to lead the effort during the current economic downturn and a political environment that has turned against public assistance for sports stadiums.
“Community discussion on (building a new arena) is at its very earliest stages and there is currently little consensus on the idea,” Bradley Center officials said in documents submitted to Gov. Jim Doyle recently. “Even if a decision would be made to move ahead on the issue, a new building would be seven to 10 years away, at best.”
Another way to put it: "The dam redneck rubes won't give me a brand-new building now--but maybe the fools will, in 10 years or so. Meantime, they should cover for my stupidity."
Lemme get this straight. The Bradley Center was a GIFT to Milwaukee. It was PAID FOR when the doors opened.
And the idiots who ran it never bothered to think about "renovations and maintenance" being built-in to rental charges?
Another TEA Party is due, folks.
HT: FoxPolitics
Another Doylie Money-Grab
Not only is Doyle spending more money than the State ever spent before (after all, we're in recession)--but he's proposing even more Statist 'gimmes' for the locals.
Gov. Jim Doyle's proposal to allow enforcement of speed, red light and construction zone violations by installing cameras and mailing motorists tickets is drawing opposition.
Aaaah, yes. "Speed" cameras.
...Red-light running and speeding, the two main uses of traffic cameras, are implicated in fewer than 8% of accidents. A far more prevalent cause of nondrunken accidents is driver inattention -- one study estimated, in a typical case the driver's eyes are diverted from the road for a full three seconds or more, fidgeting with a cellphone, disciplining the kids in the back seat, snoozing, blotting up spilled coffee, etc.
EIGHT percent!!
So if NINETY-TWO percent of the causes of accidents remain un-monitored, what could Doylie's proposal be all about?
Revenue, actually. The machines make a lot of money, and the locals are going to be hurting for cash soon.
But there's more.
Britain has gone furthest in using cameras for comprehensive auto surveillance, and now says it's capable of monitoring every car trip in the U.K. and keeping a record for five years. Most traffic cameras are "on" all the time, and capable of being networked with plate- and even face-recognition software. In Britain, the data yielded will be incorporated in a database of all kinds of personal information and camera observations to enable "data mining" to let the government know who's doing what, when and where
War is peace.
Fortunately, a .22LR, competently aimed and fired, disables those cameras with only one round.
Gov. Jim Doyle's proposal to allow enforcement of speed, red light and construction zone violations by installing cameras and mailing motorists tickets is drawing opposition.
Aaaah, yes. "Speed" cameras.
...Red-light running and speeding, the two main uses of traffic cameras, are implicated in fewer than 8% of accidents. A far more prevalent cause of nondrunken accidents is driver inattention -- one study estimated, in a typical case the driver's eyes are diverted from the road for a full three seconds or more, fidgeting with a cellphone, disciplining the kids in the back seat, snoozing, blotting up spilled coffee, etc.
EIGHT percent!!
So if NINETY-TWO percent of the causes of accidents remain un-monitored, what could Doylie's proposal be all about?
Revenue, actually. The machines make a lot of money, and the locals are going to be hurting for cash soon.
But there's more.
Britain has gone furthest in using cameras for comprehensive auto surveillance, and now says it's capable of monitoring every car trip in the U.K. and keeping a record for five years. Most traffic cameras are "on" all the time, and capable of being networked with plate- and even face-recognition software. In Britain, the data yielded will be incorporated in a database of all kinds of personal information and camera observations to enable "data mining" to let the government know who's doing what, when and where
War is peace.
Fortunately, a .22LR, competently aimed and fired, disables those cameras with only one round.
The Lying NYTimes, Again
More lies, half-truths, and deceptions from the NYSlimes regarding the failed state of Mexico and its problems with drug cartels' guns.
Sending straw buyers into American stores, cartels have stocked up on semiautomatic AK-47 and AR-15 rifles, converting some to machine guns, investigators in both countries say. They have also bought .50 caliber rifles capable of stopping a car and Belgian pistols able to fire rifle rounds that will penetrate body armor.
In reality?
The BATF does not allow the manufacture or importation of firearms that can easily be modified into machine guns, and those drop-in parts which can quickly change a semi-automatic design are treated and as strictly monitored and regulated as machine guns themselves under U.S. law
And there's plenty more at the link.
Best way to read NYT stories? Don't. But if you do, apply the same standards you do to reading statements from Bill Clinton--that is, look for the lies and weaseling.
Sending straw buyers into American stores, cartels have stocked up on semiautomatic AK-47 and AR-15 rifles, converting some to machine guns, investigators in both countries say. They have also bought .50 caliber rifles capable of stopping a car and Belgian pistols able to fire rifle rounds that will penetrate body armor.
In reality?
The BATF does not allow the manufacture or importation of firearms that can easily be modified into machine guns, and those drop-in parts which can quickly change a semi-automatic design are treated and as strictly monitored and regulated as machine guns themselves under U.S. law
And there's plenty more at the link.
Best way to read NYT stories? Don't. But if you do, apply the same standards you do to reading statements from Bill Clinton--that is, look for the lies and weaseling.
Even MORE Questions about TARP/PPIP
Ritholtz has been on this thing from the beginning, and he's joined by another big-time economist.
“The Public-Private Investment Program [PPIP] is a really bad program. You’re really bailing out the shareholders and the bondholders. Some of the people likely to be involved in this, like Pimco [Pacific Investment Management Co.], are big bondholders ---Jos. Stiglitz
And that's the polite language. How about this:
The Obama administration’s bank- rescue efforts will probably fail because the programs have been designed to help Wall Street rather than create a viable financial system, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz said.
“All the ingredients they have so far are weak, and there are several missing ingredients,” Stiglitz said in an interview yesterday. The people who designed the plans are “either in the pocket of the banks or they’re incompetent.”
We cannot allow "Too Big To Fail" thinking to drag the US into oblivion along with Citibank (and others.)
Screw 'em. Put them down and move on.
“The Public-Private Investment Program [PPIP] is a really bad program. You’re really bailing out the shareholders and the bondholders. Some of the people likely to be involved in this, like Pimco [Pacific Investment Management Co.], are big bondholders ---Jos. Stiglitz
And that's the polite language. How about this:
The Obama administration’s bank- rescue efforts will probably fail because the programs have been designed to help Wall Street rather than create a viable financial system, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz said.
“All the ingredients they have so far are weak, and there are several missing ingredients,” Stiglitz said in an interview yesterday. The people who designed the plans are “either in the pocket of the banks or they’re incompetent.”
We cannot allow "Too Big To Fail" thinking to drag the US into oblivion along with Citibank (and others.)
Screw 'em. Put them down and move on.
Where's John McCain?
Some of you may recall John McCain. He's a (semi)-R US Senator from Arizona. He's also a veteran.
He lost a campaign for President, (and couldn't even assemble a majority of primary voters along the way.)
We're curious about his situation because the Obama Department of Homeland Security has issued a report implying that veterans (particularly those returning from combat) are potential domestic terrorists. That group would include Sen. McCain.
So far, not a peep from Senator McCain.
S'pose he's waiting for his daughter to have an opinion on the matter?
OTHER Senators are unhappy, and have said so. Even the (D) Representative with oversight of DHS has spoken out; he's very unhappy with the "report."
Hello? John? Hello???
He lost a campaign for President, (and couldn't even assemble a majority of primary voters along the way.)
We're curious about his situation because the Obama Department of Homeland Security has issued a report implying that veterans (particularly those returning from combat) are potential domestic terrorists. That group would include Sen. McCain.
So far, not a peep from Senator McCain.
S'pose he's waiting for his daughter to have an opinion on the matter?
OTHER Senators are unhappy, and have said so. Even the (D) Representative with oversight of DHS has spoken out; he's very unhappy with the "report."
Hello? John? Hello???
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Organizers, Compared
The Winning McCain was a reporter back in the day, and has a germane observation about "reporting" in comparable events.
This from his 2000 report on the IMF protests held in Washington DC:
Something about the protests in Washington against the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund that didn't get much press was the Commies. I say they "didn't get much press," but in fact, the presence of the Communist Party USA at the anti-IMF rally didn't get any press at all -- except for a couple of paragraphs in The Washington Times, courtesy of yours truly. . . .
Finally arriving at the Ellipse, I am immediately set upon by guys hawking the Socialist Worker newspaper for 50 cents. This was why the media silence about the heavy Red presence at A16 was so puzzling to me...
The upshot?
Only a blatantly biased and dishonest reporter, profoundly sympathetic to the objectives of the anti-IMF demonstrators, could have failed to report the massive socialist/communist presence at that protest. And all of the other reporters did exactly that: They ignored it
Fast forward to the TEA Parties.
...consider in this light Jane Hamsher's vehement insistence that the Tea Party protests are illegitimate because of the involvement of FreedomWorks, Fox News, et cetera. And consider how the Tea Party protests were covered (or not covered) by the MSM. The same JournoList media that ignored the anti-IMF commies has revealed -- by their editorial decisions vis-a-vis the Tea Party movement -- that they are no more neutral and objective than Jane Hamsher
If you're looking for honest brokerage of events, don't bother with CNN/NBC/CBS/ABC/AP/Reuters, etc. The Milwaukee JS, and Channels 4 and 12, did a far better job of reporting on the Wisconsin events. FAR better.
And that disparity is telling.
This from his 2000 report on the IMF protests held in Washington DC:
Something about the protests in Washington against the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund that didn't get much press was the Commies. I say they "didn't get much press," but in fact, the presence of the Communist Party USA at the anti-IMF rally didn't get any press at all -- except for a couple of paragraphs in The Washington Times, courtesy of yours truly. . . .
Finally arriving at the Ellipse, I am immediately set upon by guys hawking the Socialist Worker newspaper for 50 cents. This was why the media silence about the heavy Red presence at A16 was so puzzling to me...
The upshot?
Only a blatantly biased and dishonest reporter, profoundly sympathetic to the objectives of the anti-IMF demonstrators, could have failed to report the massive socialist/communist presence at that protest. And all of the other reporters did exactly that: They ignored it
Fast forward to the TEA Parties.
...consider in this light Jane Hamsher's vehement insistence that the Tea Party protests are illegitimate because of the involvement of FreedomWorks, Fox News, et cetera. And consider how the Tea Party protests were covered (or not covered) by the MSM. The same JournoList media that ignored the anti-IMF commies has revealed -- by their editorial decisions vis-a-vis the Tea Party movement -- that they are no more neutral and objective than Jane Hamsher
If you're looking for honest brokerage of events, don't bother with CNN/NBC/CBS/ABC/AP/Reuters, etc. The Milwaukee JS, and Channels 4 and 12, did a far better job of reporting on the Wisconsin events. FAR better.
And that disparity is telling.
Borrowing Our Way to Oblivion
Asian Badger reposts an excellent delta graph from Denninger.
In brief, the efficacy of Federal borrowing to leverage economic activity is declining rapidly, and has been declining since 1966 (!!)
The Obama plan (and the Doyle plan, mutatis mutandis) are going in the same direction--more debt--with Doyle's plan adding taxes to slightly ameliorate the debt-acquisition splurge.
What that means is that by living in Wisconsin we get to Hell a little faster than some other States will.
That's "leadership" from Doyle and the Dems!!
In brief, the efficacy of Federal borrowing to leverage economic activity is declining rapidly, and has been declining since 1966 (!!)
The Obama plan (and the Doyle plan, mutatis mutandis) are going in the same direction--more debt--with Doyle's plan adding taxes to slightly ameliorate the debt-acquisition splurge.
What that means is that by living in Wisconsin we get to Hell a little faster than some other States will.
That's "leadership" from Doyle and the Dems!!
RadioMouth and Stupid
The letters "IHS" are actually Greek capitals and are the first three letters of the name "Jesus" in Greek.
Not that a farm-boy producer...
Not that a farm-boy producer...
Vatican to Investigate Lefty Nuns
Heh.
One of the worst things about American Catholicism is its militia of feminist nuns, who long ago decided that the Magisterium was too restricting for them, and that if they couldn't be priests they could at least swan around like them, issuing bossy diktats about "being Church".
How satisfying, then, to learn that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is launching a "doctrinal assessment" of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), a stronghold of the finger-wagging, right-on sisterhood.
They're furious, of course! And so is the National Catholic Reporter, a weekly whingefest of "empowered" laity and their priest lackeys
What could POSSIBLY have engaged the interest of the Vatican?
Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the CDF, has announced the assessment in the light of the sisters' insistence on challenging Church teaching on women priests, non-Catholic churches and homosexuality at their dreary conferences.
You don't need to know much more about LCWR than this.
One of the worst things about American Catholicism is its militia of feminist nuns, who long ago decided that the Magisterium was too restricting for them, and that if they couldn't be priests they could at least swan around like them, issuing bossy diktats about "being Church".
How satisfying, then, to learn that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is launching a "doctrinal assessment" of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), a stronghold of the finger-wagging, right-on sisterhood.
They're furious, of course! And so is the National Catholic Reporter, a weekly whingefest of "empowered" laity and their priest lackeys
What could POSSIBLY have engaged the interest of the Vatican?
Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the CDF, has announced the assessment in the light of the sisters' insistence on challenging Church teaching on women priests, non-Catholic churches and homosexuality at their dreary conferences.
You don't need to know much more about LCWR than this.
Holy Smokin' Sitemeter!
Sent a link to Ace of Spades w/the pic of the Madison rally.
(Stole the pic from Kevin Fisher in the first place...)
Watching Sitemeter spin itself to smoking ruin...well over 750 hits in the last 12 hours (most of which, as you recall, were kinda dark and sleepy.)
(Stole the pic from Kevin Fisher in the first place...)
Watching Sitemeter spin itself to smoking ruin...well over 750 hits in the last 12 hours (most of which, as you recall, were kinda dark and sleepy.)
Oh, By the Way, Reince...
Reince Priebus, Chairman of the Wis Republican Party, spoke at the TEA Party yesterday.
(Some think that he was allowed to speak only because the Party paid for parking at the Alliant Center.)
Be that as it may...
Priebus went all partisan--something that Paul Ryan avoided, as did every OTHER speaker--and conveniently forgot to mention Big Spender Republicans such as our very own Tommy "Screw'em" Thompson, who oinkcreased State employment by 50% during his imperial reign; the Republican Congresses and George "Democracy For the WORLD!!" Bush; George "Spend It ALL!!" Bush, the personal un-Constitutional and illegal savior of General Motors and Chrysler--and of course, Arlen "Scottish Law" Specter, and those two babes from Maine who pushed Porkulus over the top.
Reince, you ignorant slut: Shut up!!
(Some think that he was allowed to speak only because the Party paid for parking at the Alliant Center.)
Be that as it may...
Priebus went all partisan--something that Paul Ryan avoided, as did every OTHER speaker--and conveniently forgot to mention Big Spender Republicans such as our very own Tommy "Screw'em" Thompson, who oinkcreased State employment by 50% during his imperial reign; the Republican Congresses and George "Democracy For the WORLD!!" Bush; George "Spend It ALL!!" Bush, the personal un-Constitutional and illegal savior of General Motors and Chrysler--and of course, Arlen "Scottish Law" Specter, and those two babes from Maine who pushed Porkulus over the top.
Reince, you ignorant slut: Shut up!!
YOU Pay THEIR Mortgage Begins Today!
From Calculated Risk:
The Treasury Department announced Wednesday the first six participants to sign up for President Obama's plan. They include three of the nation's largest banks: JPMorgan Chase (JPM, Fortune 500), which will get up to $3.6 billion in subsidy and incentive payments; Wells Fargo (WFC, Fortune 500), $2.9 billion; and Citigroup (C, Fortune 500), $2 billion. The others are GMAC Mortgage, $633 million; Saxon Mortgage Services, $407 million; and Select Portfolio Servicing, $376 million....
The modification plan calls for the servicer to reduce interest rates so that the monthly obligation is no more than 38% of a borrower's pre-tax income, and then the government would kick in money to bring payments down to 31% of income. Servicers can also reduce the loan balance to achieve these affordability levels. The government will share in the cost, up to the amount the servicer would have received if it had reduced the interest rates.
Helluva deal.
The Treasury Department announced Wednesday the first six participants to sign up for President Obama's plan. They include three of the nation's largest banks: JPMorgan Chase (JPM, Fortune 500), which will get up to $3.6 billion in subsidy and incentive payments; Wells Fargo (WFC, Fortune 500), $2.9 billion; and Citigroup (C, Fortune 500), $2 billion. The others are GMAC Mortgage, $633 million; Saxon Mortgage Services, $407 million; and Select Portfolio Servicing, $376 million....
The modification plan calls for the servicer to reduce interest rates so that the monthly obligation is no more than 38% of a borrower's pre-tax income, and then the government would kick in money to bring payments down to 31% of income. Servicers can also reduce the loan balance to achieve these affordability levels. The government will share in the cost, up to the amount the servicer would have received if it had reduced the interest rates.
Helluva deal.
The Family of Conservative-Haters Includes Dave Obey
Ah, the extreme Left. Same hymnbook, and familiar names.
Janet Napolitano (no relation to Benito Mussolini) continues to approve of her Department's report listing anti-abortion activists and military veterans as 'terrorists.'
When I read the report, I was reminded of the Delusional Morris Dees--and sure enough, that name comes up again in an article here.
Without identifying the Southern Poverty Law Center by name, it quotes approvingly from the SPLC's 2006 report that claimed "large numbers of potentially violent neo-Nazis, skinheads, and other white supremacists are now learning the art of warfare in the [U.S.] armed forces."
Oh, but there's another very interesting tidbit. Napolitano (no relation to Jos. Goebbels) used the name McVeigh; apparently that's not a co-incidence.
In a discussion aired March 20 about conservative talk radio's opposition to President Obama's Big Government agenda, the host of Real Time with Bill Maher, pulled a Clinton.
Repeating the former president's smear against conservative talkers, Maher said, "but you know I must say Tim McVeigh in 1995 if you recall, this was the same kind of talking that made him blow up that building."
Now DHS follows the lead of Bill Maher?
And we promised an Obey-ism:
In a blog post entitled "This Is What the Class War Looks Like," prominent Democratic strategist David Sirota, recently got in touch with his inner Marx.
"There is an incredible amount of hate out there right now -- and the most intense of it is coming from those at the top who despise the idea that our society should do something - anything -- to address rampant inequality," said the former press secretary to House Appropriations Committee chairman David Obey (D-Wisconsin).
Well, Dave, aren't you proud of your alumnus?
Janet Napolitano (no relation to Benito Mussolini) continues to approve of her Department's report listing anti-abortion activists and military veterans as 'terrorists.'
When I read the report, I was reminded of the Delusional Morris Dees--and sure enough, that name comes up again in an article here.
Without identifying the Southern Poverty Law Center by name, it quotes approvingly from the SPLC's 2006 report that claimed "large numbers of potentially violent neo-Nazis, skinheads, and other white supremacists are now learning the art of warfare in the [U.S.] armed forces."
Oh, but there's another very interesting tidbit. Napolitano (no relation to Jos. Goebbels) used the name McVeigh; apparently that's not a co-incidence.
In a discussion aired March 20 about conservative talk radio's opposition to President Obama's Big Government agenda, the host of Real Time with Bill Maher, pulled a Clinton.
Repeating the former president's smear against conservative talkers, Maher said, "but you know I must say Tim McVeigh in 1995 if you recall, this was the same kind of talking that made him blow up that building."
Now DHS follows the lead of Bill Maher?
And we promised an Obey-ism:
In a blog post entitled "This Is What the Class War Looks Like," prominent Democratic strategist David Sirota, recently got in touch with his inner Marx.
"There is an incredible amount of hate out there right now -- and the most intense of it is coming from those at the top who despise the idea that our society should do something - anything -- to address rampant inequality," said the former press secretary to House Appropriations Committee chairman David Obey (D-Wisconsin).
Well, Dave, aren't you proud of your alumnus?
Smile! You're on Janet's Camera
The Secretary of Homeland Security thinks DHS's "report" on extremism is just fine and dandy.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Wednesday that she was briefed before the release of a controversial intelligence assessment and that she stands by the report, which lists returning veterans among terrorist risks to the U.S.
Others disagree.
But the top House Democrat with oversight of the Department of Homeland Security said in a letter to Ms. Napolitano that he was "dumbfounded" that such a report would be issued.
"This report appears to raise significant issues involving the privacy and civil liberties of many Americans - including war veterans," said Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, in his letter sent Tuesday night
Ms Napolitano, (no relation to Benito Mussolini), wants us to know that she has experience!
"The document on right-wing extremism sent last week by this department's Office of Intelligence and Analysis is one in an ongoing series of assessments to provide situational awareness to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies on the phenomenon and trends of violent radicalization in the United States," Ms. Napolitano said in her statement.
"I was briefed on the general topic, which is one that struck a nerve as someone personally involved in the Timothy McVeigh prosecution," Ms. Napolitano said.
...or maybe as 'someone who is extremely pro-abortion', Janet?
Congressman Thompson gets it.
Mr. Thompson's letter said, "I am particularly struck by the report's conclusion which states that I&A 'will be working with its state and local partners over the next several months to ascertain with greater regional specificity the rise in rightwing extremist activity in the United States with a particular emphasis on the political, economic, and social factors that drive rightwing extremist radicalization.' " He demanded to know what types of activities the Homeland Security Department had planned for "the next several months."
Even the ACLU (!!!) thinks that Janet Napolitano's report is a bit over the top. (Remember, Ms. Napolitano is not related to Joseph Stalin.)
Mike German, policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union and a former FBI agent, said his organization was concerned about law enforcement agencies' focus on radicalization, regardless of the specific ideology.
"Certainly, the right-wing report is focused far too much on rhetoric and things people say and things people think rather than on criminal activity and the people involved in criminal activity," he said. "There is plenty of crime out there for federal, state and local law enforcement to worry about. They don't need to invent threats that they have no factual basis for supporting."
Ms. Napolitano (no relation to Jos. Speer) is touring the Mexican border for a week or so.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Wednesday that she was briefed before the release of a controversial intelligence assessment and that she stands by the report, which lists returning veterans among terrorist risks to the U.S.
Others disagree.
But the top House Democrat with oversight of the Department of Homeland Security said in a letter to Ms. Napolitano that he was "dumbfounded" that such a report would be issued.
"This report appears to raise significant issues involving the privacy and civil liberties of many Americans - including war veterans," said Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, in his letter sent Tuesday night
Ms Napolitano, (no relation to Benito Mussolini), wants us to know that she has experience!
"The document on right-wing extremism sent last week by this department's Office of Intelligence and Analysis is one in an ongoing series of assessments to provide situational awareness to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies on the phenomenon and trends of violent radicalization in the United States," Ms. Napolitano said in her statement.
"I was briefed on the general topic, which is one that struck a nerve as someone personally involved in the Timothy McVeigh prosecution," Ms. Napolitano said.
...or maybe as 'someone who is extremely pro-abortion', Janet?
Congressman Thompson gets it.
Mr. Thompson's letter said, "I am particularly struck by the report's conclusion which states that I&A 'will be working with its state and local partners over the next several months to ascertain with greater regional specificity the rise in rightwing extremist activity in the United States with a particular emphasis on the political, economic, and social factors that drive rightwing extremist radicalization.' " He demanded to know what types of activities the Homeland Security Department had planned for "the next several months."
Even the ACLU (!!!) thinks that Janet Napolitano's report is a bit over the top. (Remember, Ms. Napolitano is not related to Joseph Stalin.)
Mike German, policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union and a former FBI agent, said his organization was concerned about law enforcement agencies' focus on radicalization, regardless of the specific ideology.
"Certainly, the right-wing report is focused far too much on rhetoric and things people say and things people think rather than on criminal activity and the people involved in criminal activity," he said. "There is plenty of crime out there for federal, state and local law enforcement to worry about. They don't need to invent threats that they have no factual basis for supporting."
Ms. Napolitano (no relation to Jos. Speer) is touring the Mexican border for a week or so.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
THE Picture From Madistan: 4/15 TEA Party
Doyle Fiddling at Masters'; Wisconsin Burns to the Ground
Let's face it. We are all influenced by the people in our social circles.
So when Three Card Monte Doyle goes to the Masters' in Augusta, he might go with his pals the Trial Attorneys, a couple of officers of WEAC, a couple of officers of the State AFSCME, a few roadbuilder contractors, and assorted Cabinet and sub-Cabinet folks (not to mention his bodyguards and hangers-on).
All of them are doing just fine, thanks. WEAC and AFSCME are not having layoffs; trial attorneys manage to find "just" causes and 33% fees; the roadbuilders have been very busy, and his Cabinet members are buying cocktails at the Augusta National bar.
"Whassamatta with YOU people out there?", says Jimbo, hiccuping after a round of fresh shrimp and a couple of double bourbon-and-waters.
Here's whassamatta, Doylet:
The Wisconsin manufacturing sector decline started well before the current recession but has accelerated to the point where we now have the fewest number of people employed in manufacturing since the government started keeping records.
Manufacturing has historically been the backbone of the Wisconsin economy, providing the highest wages and best benefits of any sector
--WMC news release (HT Sykes)
Now, of course, the AFSCME and WEAC are the high-wage/ultra-high benefit folks. Public employees earned benefits worth an average of $13.38 an hour in December 2008, the latest available data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says. Private-sector workers got $7.98 an hour. Overall, total compensation for state and local workers was $39.25 an hour — $11.90 more than in private business. In 2007, the gap in wages and benefits was $11.31.
The PI lawyers (AKA ambulance-chasers) are well-benefitted, too, as are the roadbuilders.
Other people?
Not so much, and sinking fast. After all, WE pay for those public employee union wages and benefits.
Beyond that, there are hundreds of people who depended on Thomas Industries (and Briggs and Stratton, Milwaukee Electric Tool, GM/Janesville, etc., etc.,) for THEIR wages and benefits. No more. The auto-seating and interior shops in Janesville have closed up. The tool and die shops, machinery sales organizations, and MRO suppliers have geared down--or out. Subcontractor finishing- and components-manufacturers will either move to the new location or shut down. Legal and accounting services will move to the new HQ. Janitorial services will lay off dozens, and the bankers will cut back.
I'm waiting to hear the tune Three-Card-Monte fiddles.
It should sound like a dirge.
So when Three Card Monte Doyle goes to the Masters' in Augusta, he might go with his pals the Trial Attorneys, a couple of officers of WEAC, a couple of officers of the State AFSCME, a few roadbuilder contractors, and assorted Cabinet and sub-Cabinet folks (not to mention his bodyguards and hangers-on).
All of them are doing just fine, thanks. WEAC and AFSCME are not having layoffs; trial attorneys manage to find "just" causes and 33% fees; the roadbuilders have been very busy, and his Cabinet members are buying cocktails at the Augusta National bar.
"Whassamatta with YOU people out there?", says Jimbo, hiccuping after a round of fresh shrimp and a couple of double bourbon-and-waters.
Here's whassamatta, Doylet:
The Wisconsin manufacturing sector decline started well before the current recession but has accelerated to the point where we now have the fewest number of people employed in manufacturing since the government started keeping records.
Manufacturing has historically been the backbone of the Wisconsin economy, providing the highest wages and best benefits of any sector
--WMC news release (HT Sykes)
Now, of course, the AFSCME and WEAC are the high-wage/ultra-high benefit folks. Public employees earned benefits worth an average of $13.38 an hour in December 2008, the latest available data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says. Private-sector workers got $7.98 an hour. Overall, total compensation for state and local workers was $39.25 an hour — $11.90 more than in private business. In 2007, the gap in wages and benefits was $11.31.
The PI lawyers (AKA ambulance-chasers) are well-benefitted, too, as are the roadbuilders.
Other people?
Not so much, and sinking fast. After all, WE pay for those public employee union wages and benefits.
Beyond that, there are hundreds of people who depended on Thomas Industries (and Briggs and Stratton, Milwaukee Electric Tool, GM/Janesville, etc., etc.,) for THEIR wages and benefits. No more. The auto-seating and interior shops in Janesville have closed up. The tool and die shops, machinery sales organizations, and MRO suppliers have geared down--or out. Subcontractor finishing- and components-manufacturers will either move to the new location or shut down. Legal and accounting services will move to the new HQ. Janitorial services will lay off dozens, and the bankers will cut back.
I'm waiting to hear the tune Three-Card-Monte fiddles.
It should sound like a dirge.
The Rally
The TEA Party was delightful, and the speakers were just dandy. Mercifully brief, but sharp-edged and to the point.
Paul Ryan is exceptional. Keep your eyes on that guy.
My traveling partner/tour guide and I walked the perimeter a couple of times and estimated about 4,000. Mark Block estimated 5,000. There were a LOT of Capitol Police hanging around--obviously, they had read and took seriously the Obama/Napolitano/Southern Poverty Law Center "report" which ID'd every single person at that rally as a dangerous, radical, violent subversive.
None of that crowd was nearly as dangerous, radical, or subversive as Three-Card-Monte Doyle, Governor of Wisconsin.
It was gratifying to note that the average age of the crowd was about 40 years old or so; there were a lot of young people (one spoke, and was crackerjack.)
It won't have an immediate impact, of course. The Extreme Left dominates the State and Federal governments' legislative and executive branches at this time.
But there will be another TEA Party, July 4th. Maybe there will be fireworks, too!!
Speculate with me: which will be the next major company to pull out of Wisconsin? We discussed that on the return trip, and Belling mentioned Menard's.....not our choice, by the way, but a very good possibility.
Paul Ryan is exceptional. Keep your eyes on that guy.
My traveling partner/tour guide and I walked the perimeter a couple of times and estimated about 4,000. Mark Block estimated 5,000. There were a LOT of Capitol Police hanging around--obviously, they had read and took seriously the Obama/Napolitano/Southern Poverty Law Center "report" which ID'd every single person at that rally as a dangerous, radical, violent subversive.
None of that crowd was nearly as dangerous, radical, or subversive as Three-Card-Monte Doyle, Governor of Wisconsin.
It was gratifying to note that the average age of the crowd was about 40 years old or so; there were a lot of young people (one spoke, and was crackerjack.)
It won't have an immediate impact, of course. The Extreme Left dominates the State and Federal governments' legislative and executive branches at this time.
But there will be another TEA Party, July 4th. Maybe there will be fireworks, too!!
Speculate with me: which will be the next major company to pull out of Wisconsin? We discussed that on the return trip, and Belling mentioned Menard's.....not our choice, by the way, but a very good possibility.
What A Legacy!
I won't take responsibility for leaving this to my children.
Washington's energy and environment policy risks plunging the US into an economic tailspin that could turn it into "the world's cleanest third world country", one of the US oil industry's most successful chief executives has warned.
James Hackett, chairman and chief executive of Anadarko, one of the US's largest independent oil and gas companies, said in an interview: "The histrionic and maniacal focus on carbon dioxide is intellectually repugnant to me."
That TEA Party ain't just for Porkulus, Three-Card-Monte Doyle, and tax increases, folks.
HT: Moonbattery
Washington's energy and environment policy risks plunging the US into an economic tailspin that could turn it into "the world's cleanest third world country", one of the US oil industry's most successful chief executives has warned.
James Hackett, chairman and chief executive of Anadarko, one of the US's largest independent oil and gas companies, said in an interview: "The histrionic and maniacal focus on carbon dioxide is intellectually repugnant to me."
That TEA Party ain't just for Porkulus, Three-Card-Monte Doyle, and tax increases, folks.
HT: Moonbattery
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Granholm 1 (!!!), Doyle 0
Ol' Jimbo continues his losing streak.
Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI) on Tuesday announced that it will open its first U.S.-based production facility for lithium-ion batteries in Holland, Mich., which will create 500 jobs using $148.5 million in Michigan tax credits and incentives.
Gee. That plant would have fit neatly into....oh.....Sheboygan.
Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI) on Tuesday announced that it will open its first U.S.-based production facility for lithium-ion batteries in Holland, Mich., which will create 500 jobs using $148.5 million in Michigan tax credits and incentives.
Gee. That plant would have fit neatly into....oh.....Sheboygan.
My Kids Had No Friends----NOT
Humor of the day.
ABC News 20/20: "Before Arranging Playdates, Ask About Guns"
Naturally, your children should not play in homes where there are guns present. They'll probably die, or something.
And the usual Big Lies are in the piece:
"...every day eight children die from guns."
Nope. As RedState points out,
According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2005 652 kids between ages 1 and 15 were killed by gunfire. These are the ages that most people consider “children.” After 15 we are beginning to get past calling them children and into the “young adult” phase. So, if we stick with what most people think of as children we do not get the nearly 3,000 deaths that Gross claims is occurring.
Now, between the ages of 15 and 18 there were 1,554 gun related deaths in 2005. And why so many between the ages of 15 and 18? The long and short answer is gangs
One interesting stat: more people own guns than own dogs. That would be about the only actual, genuine, actionable fact in the whole story.
ABC News 20/20: "Before Arranging Playdates, Ask About Guns"
Naturally, your children should not play in homes where there are guns present. They'll probably die, or something.
And the usual Big Lies are in the piece:
"...every day eight children die from guns."
Nope. As RedState points out,
According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2005 652 kids between ages 1 and 15 were killed by gunfire. These are the ages that most people consider “children.” After 15 we are beginning to get past calling them children and into the “young adult” phase. So, if we stick with what most people think of as children we do not get the nearly 3,000 deaths that Gross claims is occurring.
Now, between the ages of 15 and 18 there were 1,554 gun related deaths in 2005. And why so many between the ages of 15 and 18? The long and short answer is gangs
One interesting stat: more people own guns than own dogs. That would be about the only actual, genuine, actionable fact in the whole story.
The DHS "Report"--Yup. They Wrote It
Yesterday, I picked up a nugget from McCain. However, the "report" from DHS was so over-the-top that I suggested to him that it might be a parody--or a fake. (See the combox on McCain's post.)
It's not.
The “report” (PDF file here) was one of the most embarrassingly shoddy pieces of propaganda I’d ever read out of DHS. I couldn’t believe it was real.
I spent the day chasing down DHS spokespeople...
Well, the press office got back to me and verified that the document is indeed for real.
...One of the spokespeople said he was told that the report has been in the works for a year. My b.s. detector went off the chart, and yours will, too, if you read through the entire report — which asserts with no evidence that an unquantified “resurgence in rightwing extremist recruitment and radicalizations activity” is due to home foreclosures, job losses, and…the historical presidential election.
In Obama land, there are no coincidences. It is no coincidence that this report echoes Tea Party-bashing left-wing blogs (check this one out comparing the Tea Party movement to the Weather Underground!) and demonizes the very Americans who will be protesting in the thousands on Wednesday for the nationwide Tax Day Tea Party.
Given the ultra-PC/LeftOWacky politics of Madistan, this should have some impact on the security arrangements for tomorrow's TEA Party, no?
Who are these "terrorists"?
Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration
(Frankly, I have a hard time envisioning Barbara Lyons wearing a bandolier of .50cal and another of hand grenades, but hey........And I've never been told that the authors of the 9th & 10th Amendments were actually proto-terrorists, plotting the fall of G Washington.)
The report is actually a "projection"--that is, the authors impute to others what their own actions and thoughts are.
It's not.
The “report” (PDF file here) was one of the most embarrassingly shoddy pieces of propaganda I’d ever read out of DHS. I couldn’t believe it was real.
I spent the day chasing down DHS spokespeople...
Well, the press office got back to me and verified that the document is indeed for real.
...One of the spokespeople said he was told that the report has been in the works for a year. My b.s. detector went off the chart, and yours will, too, if you read through the entire report — which asserts with no evidence that an unquantified “resurgence in rightwing extremist recruitment and radicalizations activity” is due to home foreclosures, job losses, and…the historical presidential election.
In Obama land, there are no coincidences. It is no coincidence that this report echoes Tea Party-bashing left-wing blogs (check this one out comparing the Tea Party movement to the Weather Underground!) and demonizes the very Americans who will be protesting in the thousands on Wednesday for the nationwide Tax Day Tea Party.
Given the ultra-PC/LeftOWacky politics of Madistan, this should have some impact on the security arrangements for tomorrow's TEA Party, no?
Who are these "terrorists"?
Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration
(Frankly, I have a hard time envisioning Barbara Lyons wearing a bandolier of .50cal and another of hand grenades, but hey........And I've never been told that the authors of the 9th & 10th Amendments were actually proto-terrorists, plotting the fall of G Washington.)
The report is actually a "projection"--that is, the authors impute to others what their own actions and thoughts are.
Folkbum on Mayoral School Control
You might expect that Jay is not enthused about the concept of 'mayoral control' of MPS.
But his citation is pure gold.
Actually, the record on mayoral control of schools is unimpressive. Eleven big-city school districts take part in the federal test called the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Two of the lowest-performing cities — Chicago and Cleveland — have mayoral control. The two highest-performing cities — Austin, Tex., and Charlotte, N.C. — do not.
Umnnnhh....Chicago. Formerly headed by Arne Duncan, right?
The very same Arne Duncan who Obamamamama, Lightworker, appointed Sec/Ed for the entire country.
Thanks, Jay!!
But his citation is pure gold.
Actually, the record on mayoral control of schools is unimpressive. Eleven big-city school districts take part in the federal test called the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Two of the lowest-performing cities — Chicago and Cleveland — have mayoral control. The two highest-performing cities — Austin, Tex., and Charlotte, N.C. — do not.
Umnnnhh....Chicago. Formerly headed by Arne Duncan, right?
The very same Arne Duncan who Obamamamama, Lightworker, appointed Sec/Ed for the entire country.
Thanks, Jay!!
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Rescue: What ACTUALLY Happened?
Lotsa stuff out there about 'who said what.' Blackfive has its own take--and it's well-informed, (as usual.)
...the commander on scene already had the authority to deal with an imminent death situation in his standing rules of engagement. It means that when this situation was escalated to national command authority i.e. Obama those rules were suspended and Obama implemented new ones specific to this incident. Then he had to restore the authority the captain already had to use deadly force to save a hostage from execution. There is considerable talk that the initial new ROE that Obama instituted did not allow a rescue so as to allow the negotiations to proceed, and then a second set of ROE was instituted after the Navy could not respond to Captain Phillip's escape attempt. That is unconfirmed but fits the facts as they happened.
Further,
...The AP is reporting that President Obama gave the order to use military force to rescue the hostage, that is misleading.
He did affirm the military's authorization to use force if the captain's life was in danger, but they already would have had that authorization as part of their standard rules of engagement. If there are innocents about to be slaughtered the same reasoning that authorizes self defense also covers an imminent execution unless the ROE specifically forbid it.The AP is making it sound like there was an active rescue ordered by the President. It was not, there was an imminent threat and the local commander gave the order to fire. Good on Obama for ensuring their authorization was clear, but let's also be clear that he did not authorize or order an active rescue attempt
Hope that clears it up for all of you!
HT: Ace
...the commander on scene already had the authority to deal with an imminent death situation in his standing rules of engagement. It means that when this situation was escalated to national command authority i.e. Obama those rules were suspended and Obama implemented new ones specific to this incident. Then he had to restore the authority the captain already had to use deadly force to save a hostage from execution. There is considerable talk that the initial new ROE that Obama instituted did not allow a rescue so as to allow the negotiations to proceed, and then a second set of ROE was instituted after the Navy could not respond to Captain Phillip's escape attempt. That is unconfirmed but fits the facts as they happened.
Further,
...The AP is reporting that President Obama gave the order to use military force to rescue the hostage, that is misleading.
He did affirm the military's authorization to use force if the captain's life was in danger, but they already would have had that authorization as part of their standard rules of engagement. If there are innocents about to be slaughtered the same reasoning that authorizes self defense also covers an imminent execution unless the ROE specifically forbid it.The AP is making it sound like there was an active rescue ordered by the President. It was not, there was an imminent threat and the local commander gave the order to fire. Good on Obama for ensuring their authorization was clear, but let's also be clear that he did not authorize or order an active rescue attempt
Hope that clears it up for all of you!
HT: Ace
Jindal 1, Doyle 0
It's been reported that the IBEW screwed its Sheboygan membership on this one, too.
Gardner Denver Inc. said Monday that it would close its Thomas Products factory in Sheboygan, which employs 366 people, and move the operations to Monroe, La.
The company, based in Denver, said the move is part of its consolidation of its North American manufacturing operations of compressor and vacuum pumps. It is expected to be completed by March 31, 2010
Gardner Denver said the state of Louisiana will reimburse the company for most of the cost of moving equipment and staff to Louisiana, will provide annual payroll and sales tax rebates and will help the company with recruiting and training. The city of Monroe also will help with the construction of a 124,000-square-foot factory adjoining the company's existing plant
And Kohler is not hiring these days.
Gardner Denver Inc. said Monday that it would close its Thomas Products factory in Sheboygan, which employs 366 people, and move the operations to Monroe, La.
The company, based in Denver, said the move is part of its consolidation of its North American manufacturing operations of compressor and vacuum pumps. It is expected to be completed by March 31, 2010
Gardner Denver said the state of Louisiana will reimburse the company for most of the cost of moving equipment and staff to Louisiana, will provide annual payroll and sales tax rebates and will help the company with recruiting and training. The city of Monroe also will help with the construction of a 124,000-square-foot factory adjoining the company's existing plant
And Kohler is not hiring these days.
Underground/Untaxed?
Interesting.
... the underground economy is surging, according to a still unpublished paper by a University of Wisconsin-Madison economist.
Unreported income in the U.S. has likely ballooned to as much as $2.25 trillion, creating a ratio of unreported income to reported adjusted gross income that is approaching the peak levels of the World War II era, the university said Monday
How'd he figure that?
There is an "astounding" $824 billion of cash floating around - enough to give every man, woman and child in the country $2,700 in cash, or $1,750 if you take out the roughly one-third of outstanding currency that's being held overseas, the university said.
Wonder how much of that is drug-money.
... the underground economy is surging, according to a still unpublished paper by a University of Wisconsin-Madison economist.
Unreported income in the U.S. has likely ballooned to as much as $2.25 trillion, creating a ratio of unreported income to reported adjusted gross income that is approaching the peak levels of the World War II era, the university said Monday
How'd he figure that?
There is an "astounding" $824 billion of cash floating around - enough to give every man, woman and child in the country $2,700 in cash, or $1,750 if you take out the roughly one-third of outstanding currency that's being held overseas, the university said.
Wonder how much of that is drug-money.
Homeland Security's Paranoia About Abortion Activists
Buried in the middle of a DHS alert which comments on the potential for rightwing extremism, we find this slander: (P. 5/10 in the PDF)
Paralleling the current national climate, rightwing extremists during the
1990s exploited a variety of social issues and political themes to increase group visibility
and recruit new members. Prominent among these themes were the militia movement’s
opposition to gun control efforts, criticism of free trade agreements (particularly those
with Mexico), and highlighting perceived government infringement on civil liberties as
well as white supremacists’ longstanding exploitation of social issues such as abortion,
inter-racial crimes, and same-sex marriage. During the 1990s, these issues contributed to
the growth in the number of domestic rightwing terrorist and extremist groups and an
increase in violent acts targeting government facilities, law enforcement officers, banks,
and infrastructure sectors
"White supremacists' .....exploitation of .......abortion"??????
Are we to understand that Wisconsin Right-to-Life or Pro-Life Wisconsin has a "white supremacist" sub-agenda? Barbara Lyons as an Aryan Nation commando?
Puhleeeeeezzzz.
Umnnnnhhhhhhhhh...
Given that Planned Parenthood was founded by a racist/eugenecist (whose admirers included A. Hitler), and that the vast majority of their locations are proximate to minority populations, what actual, real-live "white supremacist" would object to abortion?
HT: The Other McCain
Paralleling the current national climate, rightwing extremists during the
1990s exploited a variety of social issues and political themes to increase group visibility
and recruit new members. Prominent among these themes were the militia movement’s
opposition to gun control efforts, criticism of free trade agreements (particularly those
with Mexico), and highlighting perceived government infringement on civil liberties as
well as white supremacists’ longstanding exploitation of social issues such as abortion,
inter-racial crimes, and same-sex marriage. During the 1990s, these issues contributed to
the growth in the number of domestic rightwing terrorist and extremist groups and an
increase in violent acts targeting government facilities, law enforcement officers, banks,
and infrastructure sectors
"White supremacists' .....exploitation of .......abortion"??????
Are we to understand that Wisconsin Right-to-Life or Pro-Life Wisconsin has a "white supremacist" sub-agenda? Barbara Lyons as an Aryan Nation commando?
Puhleeeeeezzzz.
Umnnnnhhhhhhhhh...
Given that Planned Parenthood was founded by a racist/eugenecist (whose admirers included A. Hitler), and that the vast majority of their locations are proximate to minority populations, what actual, real-live "white supremacist" would object to abortion?
HT: The Other McCain
Therapeutic Spending
Dreher often mentions the "therapeutic society." Here Samuelson identifies Obama's "therapeutic spending."
It ain't good.
...Since the dawn of the Industrial Age, this has been simple: produce more with less. ("Productivity," in economic jargon.) Mass markets developed for clothes, cars, computers and much more because declining costs expanded production. Living standards rose. By contrast, the logic of the "post-material economy" is just the opposite: spend more and get less.
...What defines the "post-material economy" is a growing willingness to sacrifice money income for psychic income -- "feeling good." Some people may gladly pay higher energy prices if they think they're "saving the planet" from global warming. Some may accept higher taxes if they think they're improving the health or education of the poor. Unfortunately, these psychic benefits may be based on fantasies. What if U.S. cuts in greenhouse gases are offset by Chinese increases? What if more health insurance produces only modest gains in people's health?
To that last question, we might suggest another: what if more health insurance produces NO gains in (perceived) health? In other words, we are dealing with marginal gains, if any...
Obama and his allies have glossed over these questions. They've left the impression that somehow magical technological breakthroughs will produce clean energy that is also cheap. Perhaps that will happen; it hasn't yet. They've talked so often about the need to control wasteful health spending that they've implied they've actually found a way of doing so. Perhaps they will, but they haven't yet.
...and they have persuaded themselves that Illuminated Government Spending is superior to Other Peoples' Spending. Now and then, that happens. NASA has some fine examples, as does DARPA.
But in general, traditional industrial R&D has produced far more in measurable results than has Gummint spending.
It ain't good.
...Since the dawn of the Industrial Age, this has been simple: produce more with less. ("Productivity," in economic jargon.) Mass markets developed for clothes, cars, computers and much more because declining costs expanded production. Living standards rose. By contrast, the logic of the "post-material economy" is just the opposite: spend more and get less.
...What defines the "post-material economy" is a growing willingness to sacrifice money income for psychic income -- "feeling good." Some people may gladly pay higher energy prices if they think they're "saving the planet" from global warming. Some may accept higher taxes if they think they're improving the health or education of the poor. Unfortunately, these psychic benefits may be based on fantasies. What if U.S. cuts in greenhouse gases are offset by Chinese increases? What if more health insurance produces only modest gains in people's health?
To that last question, we might suggest another: what if more health insurance produces NO gains in (perceived) health? In other words, we are dealing with marginal gains, if any...
Obama and his allies have glossed over these questions. They've left the impression that somehow magical technological breakthroughs will produce clean energy that is also cheap. Perhaps that will happen; it hasn't yet. They've talked so often about the need to control wasteful health spending that they've implied they've actually found a way of doing so. Perhaps they will, but they haven't yet.
...and they have persuaded themselves that Illuminated Government Spending is superior to Other Peoples' Spending. Now and then, that happens. NASA has some fine examples, as does DARPA.
But in general, traditional industrial R&D has produced far more in measurable results than has Gummint spending.
The Propaganda, and the Response
ABC's Sawyer did her anti-gun propaganda piece. (Doh.)
Sensibly Progressive took it apart, mercilessly. (Hooo-rah)
HT: Arms and the Law
Sensibly Progressive took it apart, mercilessly. (Hooo-rah)
HT: Arms and the Law
The Ted Stevens Trainwreck
Just One Minute has an outstanding "connect-the-dots" exercise which pretty much tells the story on why the DofJ failed.
Very brief take: the lead prosecutor is incompetent.
Very brief take: the lead prosecutor is incompetent.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Stupid Government Tricks
Ace brings some bad news.
”After her sport utility vehicle sideswiped a van in early February, Shirley Kimel was amazed at how quickly a handful of police officers and firefighters in Winter Haven, Fla., showed up. But a real shock came a week later, when a letter arrived from the city billing her $316 for the cost of responding to the accident.”
I know. Posting that will only get the attention of the local grabbers.
That's probably related to this:
The pay gap between government workers and lower-compensated private employees is growing as public employees enjoy sizable benefit growth even in a distressed economy, federal figures show.
Public employees earned benefits worth an average of $13.38 an hour in December 2008, the latest available data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says. Private-sector workers got $7.98 an hour.
Overall, total compensation for state and local workers was $39.25 an hour — $11.90 more than in private business. In 2007, the gap in wages and benefits was $11.31.
Because, on the whole, Gummint employees DESERVE more than others, you see.
War is peace.
WOLVERINES!!! (A pointed reminder of the Tea Party)
”After her sport utility vehicle sideswiped a van in early February, Shirley Kimel was amazed at how quickly a handful of police officers and firefighters in Winter Haven, Fla., showed up. But a real shock came a week later, when a letter arrived from the city billing her $316 for the cost of responding to the accident.”
I know. Posting that will only get the attention of the local grabbers.
That's probably related to this:
The pay gap between government workers and lower-compensated private employees is growing as public employees enjoy sizable benefit growth even in a distressed economy, federal figures show.
Public employees earned benefits worth an average of $13.38 an hour in December 2008, the latest available data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says. Private-sector workers got $7.98 an hour.
Overall, total compensation for state and local workers was $39.25 an hour — $11.90 more than in private business. In 2007, the gap in wages and benefits was $11.31.
Because, on the whole, Gummint employees DESERVE more than others, you see.
War is peace.
WOLVERINES!!! (A pointed reminder of the Tea Party)
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Tornado? Wind Turbine? Who Knows??
We all know what the priorities will be, but...
The National Weather Service has issued a new kind of warning because of a Dodge County wind farm that is disrupting the agency's ability to monitor storms in southeastern Wisconsin.
The wind farm's giant turbines - each as wide as a football field and as tall as a 20-story building - are sending false storm signals to the government's weather radar system.
Weather service officials say they see no significant public safety threat, although they say the wind farm has caused radar interference and could confuse some storm watchers.
So will they label the warnings "We Dunno. Look Out Your Window!!"?
The National Weather Service has issued a new kind of warning because of a Dodge County wind farm that is disrupting the agency's ability to monitor storms in southeastern Wisconsin.
The wind farm's giant turbines - each as wide as a football field and as tall as a 20-story building - are sending false storm signals to the government's weather radar system.
Weather service officials say they see no significant public safety threat, although they say the wind farm has caused radar interference and could confuse some storm watchers.
So will they label the warnings "We Dunno. Look Out Your Window!!"?
Humor Time
Two of the very best improv comics in the country--at a funeral.
Yes, they do the sketch twice!
Burnett and Williams
Yes, they do the sketch twice!
Burnett and Williams
How Long Before the State Tears It Down?
This is making the rounds.
Their livelihood was being threatened, and they were tired of waiting for government help, so business owners and residents on Hawaii's Kauai island pulled together and completed a $4 million repair job to a state park -- for free.
The State would have taken about 2 years to get the job done. This was done in 8 days.
In Vegas, someone should already have a line on "how long it will take before the BureauWeenies tear down the bridge" because the work was not done by certified AFSCME/Roadbuildertitsuckers bloodsuckers licensed, bonded, over-compensated 'professionals'.
My guess: by Labor Day, the papers will be filed to tear it down.
HT: Ace
Their livelihood was being threatened, and they were tired of waiting for government help, so business owners and residents on Hawaii's Kauai island pulled together and completed a $4 million repair job to a state park -- for free.
The State would have taken about 2 years to get the job done. This was done in 8 days.
In Vegas, someone should already have a line on "how long it will take before the BureauWeenies tear down the bridge" because the work was not done by certified AFSCME/Roadbuilder
My guess: by Labor Day, the papers will be filed to tear it down.
HT: Ace
Feel the Love: One Brit Opinion of Obama
He ain't the Lightworker in England.
...Then came the dramatic bit, the authentic West Wing script, with the President wakened in the middle of the night in Prague to be told that Kim Jong-il had just launched a Taepodong-2 missile. America had Aegis destroyers tracking the missile and could have shot it down. But Uncle Sam had a sterner reprisal in store for l'il ole Kim (as Dame Edna might call him): a multi-megaton strike of Obama hot air
...Watch out, France and Co, there is a new surrender monkey on the block and, over the next four years, he will spectacularly sell out the interests of the West with every kind of liberal-delusionist initiative on nuclear disarmament and sitting down to negotiate with any power freak who wants to buy time to get a good ICBM fix on San Francisco, or wherever. If you thought the world was a tad unsafe with Dubya around, just wait until President Pantywaist gets into his stride
While that may be a bit heavy-handed, the author makes a couple of other points:
1) Obama got zip, zero, nada, zilch from the Euro-types for his 'multi-national stimulus plan'; and 2) He got about the same for his 'multi-national Afghan forces' plan, too.
Not exactly what he intended. In fact, the White House folks are reduced to telling us that 'he planted seeds,' with the hope that there would be a 'harvest' downtrack, sometime, someplace, Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Or, of course, we could simply pull the troops out of Europe. Right?
HT: Confederate Yankee
...Then came the dramatic bit, the authentic West Wing script, with the President wakened in the middle of the night in Prague to be told that Kim Jong-il had just launched a Taepodong-2 missile. America had Aegis destroyers tracking the missile and could have shot it down. But Uncle Sam had a sterner reprisal in store for l'il ole Kim (as Dame Edna might call him): a multi-megaton strike of Obama hot air
...Watch out, France and Co, there is a new surrender monkey on the block and, over the next four years, he will spectacularly sell out the interests of the West with every kind of liberal-delusionist initiative on nuclear disarmament and sitting down to negotiate with any power freak who wants to buy time to get a good ICBM fix on San Francisco, or wherever. If you thought the world was a tad unsafe with Dubya around, just wait until President Pantywaist gets into his stride
While that may be a bit heavy-handed, the author makes a couple of other points:
1) Obama got zip, zero, nada, zilch from the Euro-types for his 'multi-national stimulus plan'; and 2) He got about the same for his 'multi-national Afghan forces' plan, too.
Not exactly what he intended. In fact, the White House folks are reduced to telling us that 'he planted seeds,' with the hope that there would be a 'harvest' downtrack, sometime, someplace, Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Or, of course, we could simply pull the troops out of Europe. Right?
HT: Confederate Yankee
Glenn Beck and the "F" Word: Don't Forget Bush!
Around 4:15 yesterday afternoon, I flipped to FoxNews to catch up with the news.
This show was on, instead.
He hosted four authors, each of whom had some very interesting input into the question of fascism-rising here in the US.
You could blame most of it on Wilson, or the Progressive Movement, which was a pre-Nazi/pre-Planned Parenthood eugenics bunch.
What Beck fails to mention, though, is the GWBush (and Bush Elder) Big Gummint sympathies. BushElder was a committed interventionist on the international front, and contributed to the advance of the Leviathan Fed.
His son acted both un-Constitutionally and illegally to give $34Bn to GM and Chrysler. The operating philosophy there was simple: it's legal because we SAY it's legal. They didn't bother (nor did our intrepid Congress) to address the Constitutional question, either.
Stalin would have been proud!
This show was on, instead.
He hosted four authors, each of whom had some very interesting input into the question of fascism-rising here in the US.
You could blame most of it on Wilson, or the Progressive Movement, which was a pre-Nazi/pre-Planned Parenthood eugenics bunch.
What Beck fails to mention, though, is the GWBush (and Bush Elder) Big Gummint sympathies. BushElder was a committed interventionist on the international front, and contributed to the advance of the Leviathan Fed.
His son acted both un-Constitutionally and illegally to give $34Bn to GM and Chrysler. The operating philosophy there was simple: it's legal because we SAY it's legal. They didn't bother (nor did our intrepid Congress) to address the Constitutional question, either.
Stalin would have been proud!
Friday, April 10, 2009
A Sprig of Narcissism, Two Dashes of Arrogance...
At the rate Obama piles up the Narcissist points, there'll have to be a new definition of the word in 2-3 years.
When you're the president of the United States, only the best pizza will do - even if that means flying a chef 860 miles.
Chris Sommers, 33, jetted into Washington from St Louis, Missouri, on Thursday with a suitcase of dough, cheese and pans to to prepare food for the Obamas and their staff.
He had apparently been handpicked after the President had tasted his pizzas on the campaign trail last autumn.
Yah. Flying in a couple of pizza guys from St Louis (and back) so they can cater a lunch.
What was that deficit projection again?
When you're the president of the United States, only the best pizza will do - even if that means flying a chef 860 miles.
Chris Sommers, 33, jetted into Washington from St Louis, Missouri, on Thursday with a suitcase of dough, cheese and pans to to prepare food for the Obamas and their staff.
He had apparently been handpicked after the President had tasted his pizzas on the campaign trail last autumn.
Yah. Flying in a couple of pizza guys from St Louis (and back) so they can cater a lunch.
What was that deficit projection again?
Yup, There ARE Zombie Banks
The 'Too big to fail' meme will soon become something like "Too big, failed!"
But you'll never know.
The U.S. Federal Reserve has told Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Citigroup Inc. and other banks to keep mum on the results of “stress tests” that will gauge their ability to weather the recession ...
The Fed wants to ensure that the report cards don’t leak during earnings conference calls scheduled for this month. ...
“If you allow banks to talk about it, people are just going to assume that the ones that don’t comment about it failed,” said Paul Miller, an analyst at FBR Capital Markets in Arlington, Virginia.
The TARP funding is another example of "who are YOU trying to kid?" Gummint horsehockey...
HT: Calculated Risk
But you'll never know.
The U.S. Federal Reserve has told Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Citigroup Inc. and other banks to keep mum on the results of “stress tests” that will gauge their ability to weather the recession ...
The Fed wants to ensure that the report cards don’t leak during earnings conference calls scheduled for this month. ...
“If you allow banks to talk about it, people are just going to assume that the ones that don’t comment about it failed,” said Paul Miller, an analyst at FBR Capital Markets in Arlington, Virginia.
The TARP funding is another example of "who are YOU trying to kid?" Gummint horsehockey...
HT: Calculated Risk
Saw This Coming...
This morning's report from East Pirate-i-stan:
The freighter that was the target of the pirates headed away from the lifeboat Thursday, Maersk shipping line said, and a teams [sic] of armed Navy SEALs is on board, according to a U.S. official who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation
There are probably more SEALS in that area now than there are in Hawaii...
The freighter that was the target of the pirates headed away from the lifeboat Thursday, Maersk shipping line said, and a teams [sic] of armed Navy SEALs is on board, according to a U.S. official who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation
There are probably more SEALS in that area now than there are in Hawaii...
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Good Friday, Passover, and Baseball
Some people do not know that Sandy Koufax, a Hall of Fame pitcher and Orthodox Jew, refused outright to pitch a game on Saturdays--and that included Saturdays on which the LA Dodgers were playing in the World Series.
What do you think Koufax would say to the present-day baseball king--who schedules games this year not only during Passover, but on Good Friday?
I am particularly grateful that Abp. Dolan has firmly nixed eating burgers, brats, and hot dogs at the game on Good Friday.
He could have taken another step, of course, and he wouldn't have had to make a long-distance call to do it.
What do you think Koufax would say to the present-day baseball king--who schedules games this year not only during Passover, but on Good Friday?
I am particularly grateful that Abp. Dolan has firmly nixed eating burgers, brats, and hot dogs at the game on Good Friday.
He could have taken another step, of course, and he wouldn't have had to make a long-distance call to do it.
The One-Way Street of "Respect"
Henninger has the goods.
Today is Holy Thursday for Christians and the start of Passover for Jews. This week was an opportune time for President Barack Obama to visit Istanbul's Hagia Sophia, which has been both a Byzantine church and Islamic mosque. In Turkey he spoke of seeking engagement with Islam based on "mutual respect."
Well, it ain't so "mutual."
--Coptic Christians in Egypt have been singled out for discrimination and persecution
--In Turkey, the Syriac Orthodox Church (its 3,000 members speak Aramaic, the language of Christ) is battling with Turkish authorities over the lands around the Mor Gabriel monastery, built in 397
--Pakistan's recent peace deal with the Taliban in the Swat Valley puts at risk the 500 Christians still trying to live there
--In 1995, the Saudis were allowed to build a mosque in Rome near the Vatican, but never reciprocated with a Christian church in their country. Saudi Arabia even forbids private worship at home for some one million Christian migrant workers.
(Of course, the President bows to King Abdullah, 'respecting' the royal anti-Christian bigot.)
--In Iraq, the situation for small religious minorities has become dire...Last fall the Chaldean-Assyrian archbishop of Mosul was kidnapped and murdered
Well. As a candidate, Obama yammered about the plight of Christians in the Middle East.
As President, he should follow through on his campaign statements.
HT: Dreher
Today is Holy Thursday for Christians and the start of Passover for Jews. This week was an opportune time for President Barack Obama to visit Istanbul's Hagia Sophia, which has been both a Byzantine church and Islamic mosque. In Turkey he spoke of seeking engagement with Islam based on "mutual respect."
Well, it ain't so "mutual."
--Coptic Christians in Egypt have been singled out for discrimination and persecution
--In Turkey, the Syriac Orthodox Church (its 3,000 members speak Aramaic, the language of Christ) is battling with Turkish authorities over the lands around the Mor Gabriel monastery, built in 397
--Pakistan's recent peace deal with the Taliban in the Swat Valley puts at risk the 500 Christians still trying to live there
--In 1995, the Saudis were allowed to build a mosque in Rome near the Vatican, but never reciprocated with a Christian church in their country. Saudi Arabia even forbids private worship at home for some one million Christian migrant workers.
(Of course, the President bows to King Abdullah, 'respecting' the royal anti-Christian bigot.)
--In Iraq, the situation for small religious minorities has become dire...Last fall the Chaldean-Assyrian archbishop of Mosul was kidnapped and murdered
Well. As a candidate, Obama yammered about the plight of Christians in the Middle East.
As President, he should follow through on his campaign statements.
HT: Dreher
Local Taxes--Going Up Beyond Doylie's Dreams
Yes, it actually can get worse.Moody’s Investors Service assigned a negative outlook to the creditworthiness of all local governments in the United States, the agency said Tuesday, the first time it had ever issued such a blanket report on municipalities.
The report signaled how severely the economic downturn was affecting towns, counties and school districts across the nation
...In a special report made public on Tuesday, the agency cited revenues that are falling almost everywhere as a result of the economic downturn. But it also discussed the problems some municipalities had created for themselves by using complex financial products that seemed to be saving money at first, only to send costs soaring during the credit crisis.
Assuming that locals will be able to float debt in the first place, the cost of such deb