Gracious.
Nike has quit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce because the Chamber opposes Waxman-Markey.
Since favoring Waxman-Markey Crap/Tax is the equivalent of nuking the industrial Midwest, this makes buying shoes a nobrainer.
HT: GreenHell
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Drudgery of Being the First Lady
Oh, the awfulness of it all.
In her speech in Copenhagen today, First Lady Michelle Obama said her trip to Denmark, along with the travel of her “dear friend” and “chit-chat buddy” Oprah Winfrey, as well as tomorrow’s visit by President Obama, is a “sacrifice” on behalf of the children of Chicago and the United States. “As much of a sacrifice as people say this is for me or Oprah or the president to come for these few days,” the first lady told a crowd of people involved in the Chicago project, “so many of you in this room have been working for years to bring this bid home.”
Ace:
"I've never been proud of my country until now."
Life's a bitch and then you die.
In her speech in Copenhagen today, First Lady Michelle Obama said her trip to Denmark, along with the travel of her “dear friend” and “chit-chat buddy” Oprah Winfrey, as well as tomorrow’s visit by President Obama, is a “sacrifice” on behalf of the children of Chicago and the United States. “As much of a sacrifice as people say this is for me or Oprah or the president to come for these few days,” the first lady told a crowd of people involved in the Chicago project, “so many of you in this room have been working for years to bring this bid home.”
Ace:
"I've never been proud of my country until now."
Life's a bitch and then you die.
The Abortion (ObamaCare) Marches On
Kevin has the press release; here's the short take.
Pro-life Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) pointed out that federal subsidies for coverage of elective abortions are not currently allowed under Medicaid, the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, or other federal health programs. Hatch offered an amendment, backed by NRLC, that would have prohibited federal funds from subsidizing plans that cover elective abortions, but would have allowed insurers to sell abortion coverage through separate supplemental policies not subsidized by federal funds. The Hatch Amendment failed, 10-13. Baucus and all other Democrats on the committee opposed the Hatch Amendment, except for Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), who supported it. All of the Republicans on the committee supported the Hatch Amendment, except for Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), who opposed it.
By an identical roll call, the committee also rejected another Hatch Amendment that would have codified the Hyde-Weldon Amendment, which is a temporary law prohibiting any level of government from discriminating against health-care providers that do not wish to participate in providing abortions.
I'm sure that the Catholic Bishops, the Wisconsin Synod Lutherans, and the Orthodox Jews will become more forceful in opposition to the Abortion Bill.
Right?
Pro-life Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) pointed out that federal subsidies for coverage of elective abortions are not currently allowed under Medicaid, the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, or other federal health programs. Hatch offered an amendment, backed by NRLC, that would have prohibited federal funds from subsidizing plans that cover elective abortions, but would have allowed insurers to sell abortion coverage through separate supplemental policies not subsidized by federal funds. The Hatch Amendment failed, 10-13. Baucus and all other Democrats on the committee opposed the Hatch Amendment, except for Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), who supported it. All of the Republicans on the committee supported the Hatch Amendment, except for Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), who opposed it.
By an identical roll call, the committee also rejected another Hatch Amendment that would have codified the Hyde-Weldon Amendment, which is a temporary law prohibiting any level of government from discriminating against health-care providers that do not wish to participate in providing abortions.
I'm sure that the Catholic Bishops, the Wisconsin Synod Lutherans, and the Orthodox Jews will become more forceful in opposition to the Abortion Bill.
Right?
WISDOM, ACORN...Structures and Off-Course Catholics
If you go to the home page of "WISDOM", you find all kinds of names.
Cush, Job, Esther, Micah, Joshua, Jonah, Amos, Ric, and Sophia.
And you find that "Wisdom" was organized:
...To expand the power base of each affiliate organization through creation of a regional faith-based organization
...To engage member organization in regional expansion goals and regional issues campaigns, such as education funding equity, transportation funding equity, and urban? suburban funding equity
...To increase the capacity for grassroots leadership to bring among systemic change through ongoing training and fundraising
Blah, blah, blah.
"Wisdom" is an affiliate of Gamaliel, whose 'history' page begins thus:
This type of community organizing began in Chicago in 1938. Saul Alinsky created the "Back of the Yards Community Council".
So why did I mention ACORN in the title? Because, strangely enough, ACORN also uses multiple organizational names, incorporations, and entities to do its thing.
ACORN has a confusing structure and its network of who-knows-how-many taxpayer-funded tax-exempt nonprofit affiliates. As I've written ad nauseam, this is deliberate.
Just co-incidence, I'm sure.
The only remaining question: where's "Common Ground" in this mess? Well, they're not. At least, not 'onpaper pixels.' But Common Ground is also IAF affiliated.
The common ground of both is Alinsky. Maybe more, certainly not less.
Curious that Catholic money is involved in the Alinsky "common ground" outfit, eh?
Cush, Job, Esther, Micah, Joshua, Jonah, Amos, Ric, and Sophia.
And you find that "Wisdom" was organized:
...To expand the power base of each affiliate organization through creation of a regional faith-based organization
...To engage member organization in regional expansion goals and regional issues campaigns, such as education funding equity, transportation funding equity, and urban? suburban funding equity
...To increase the capacity for grassroots leadership to bring among systemic change through ongoing training and fundraising
Blah, blah, blah.
"Wisdom" is an affiliate of Gamaliel, whose 'history' page begins thus:
This type of community organizing began in Chicago in 1938. Saul Alinsky created the "Back of the Yards Community Council".
So why did I mention ACORN in the title? Because, strangely enough, ACORN also uses multiple organizational names, incorporations, and entities to do its thing.
ACORN has a confusing structure and its network of who-knows-how-many taxpayer-funded tax-exempt nonprofit affiliates. As I've written ad nauseam, this is deliberate.
Just co-incidence, I'm sure.
The only remaining question: where's "Common Ground" in this mess? Well, they're not. At least, not 'on
The common ground of both is Alinsky. Maybe more, certainly not less.
Curious that Catholic money is involved in the Alinsky "common ground" outfit, eh?
Big Gummint Bozos, Part 19,783
They put Granny in cuffs and the slammer for buying cough syrup in Indiana.
They threatened a mom with jail-time for watching kids until the school bus arrived in Michigan.
And in New York State:
The biking debate started last spring, when school district officials told Kaddo Marino that Adam was violating school rules by biking to class. Walking to the school also is not permitted.
HT: Ace
They threatened a mom with jail-time for watching kids until the school bus arrived in Michigan.
And in New York State:
The biking debate started last spring, when school district officials told Kaddo Marino that Adam was violating school rules by biking to class. Walking to the school also is not permitted.
HT: Ace
Barrett's Asymmetric Warfare on Guns
I don't know if Tom Barrett is really smart and devious, or if he just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Barrett, of course, is a doctrinaire Lefty on the "gun question." As far as Mayor Tom is concerned, the right to bear arms ends with his personal bodyguards and other State LEO's--whether Federal, Doylie, or local. That's the objective of Bloomberg of New York City, and Tommy belongs to Bloomie's Bunch.
Long story short, Barrett was given a gift for his anti-gun crusade: Badger Guns.
Badger happens to sell a lot of handguns which wind up in the hands of criminals, usually in a very short period of time. Some of those guns have been used to kill Milwaukee police officers.
The Badger ownership (unlike the previous ownership) has been lackadaisical about its customers' predilections; the cop shop asserts that convicted felons have been taking target practice at the Badger facility, which happens to be a Federal offense.
The cop shop is also unhappy about the "straw buyer" problem. Badger management can't really do much about that, and even claims that they would be subject to lawsuits for denial-of-service to people they think are straw-buyers. Well, maybe.
I'm not going to stridently defend Badger's management. The 2A community members who think a bit are legitimately concerned that the practices and procedures at that shop will redound to the detriment of legitimate retailers AND gun-owners. Kinda like abortions and 'puppy mills;' there are things which are legal, but still not right.
But Belling mentioned something that Mayor Tommy, John Chisholm, and Ed Flynn have not brought up. (See above.)
It IS a Federal criminal offense for a convicted felon to possess ONE BULLET, not to mention a gun, including for "target practice" or even to hold it to admire the shiny-chrome finish.
So Tommy, Eddie, Johnny: where are the referrals to the US Attorney? How come is it that the DA doesn't prosecute (or seemingly even refer) criminal-in-possession cases?
There may be State statutes which mirror the Federal statutes. What have Tommy, Eddie, and Johnny done about them?
Hmmmmmmmmmm???
Meantime, Tom has found a way to play the press and the people of the area with his asymmetric warfare on gun owners--with the proxy being Badger Guns. Maybe he IS that smart and devious. It's the "devious" part that worries me.
Barrett, of course, is a doctrinaire Lefty on the "gun question." As far as Mayor Tom is concerned, the right to bear arms ends with his personal bodyguards and other State LEO's--whether Federal, Doylie, or local. That's the objective of Bloomberg of New York City, and Tommy belongs to Bloomie's Bunch.
Long story short, Barrett was given a gift for his anti-gun crusade: Badger Guns.
Badger happens to sell a lot of handguns which wind up in the hands of criminals, usually in a very short period of time. Some of those guns have been used to kill Milwaukee police officers.
The Badger ownership (unlike the previous ownership) has been lackadaisical about its customers' predilections; the cop shop asserts that convicted felons have been taking target practice at the Badger facility, which happens to be a Federal offense.
The cop shop is also unhappy about the "straw buyer" problem. Badger management can't really do much about that, and even claims that they would be subject to lawsuits for denial-of-service to people they think are straw-buyers. Well, maybe.
I'm not going to stridently defend Badger's management. The 2A community members who think a bit are legitimately concerned that the practices and procedures at that shop will redound to the detriment of legitimate retailers AND gun-owners. Kinda like abortions and 'puppy mills;' there are things which are legal, but still not right.
But Belling mentioned something that Mayor Tommy, John Chisholm, and Ed Flynn have not brought up. (See above.)
It IS a Federal criminal offense for a convicted felon to possess ONE BULLET, not to mention a gun, including for "target practice" or even to hold it to admire the shiny-chrome finish.
So Tommy, Eddie, Johnny: where are the referrals to the US Attorney? How come is it that the DA doesn't prosecute (or seemingly even refer) criminal-in-possession cases?
There may be State statutes which mirror the Federal statutes. What have Tommy, Eddie, and Johnny done about them?
Hmmmmmmmmmm???
Meantime, Tom has found a way to play the press and the people of the area with his asymmetric warfare on gun owners--with the proxy being Badger Guns. Maybe he IS that smart and devious. It's the "devious" part that worries me.
REAL Reporters in Kentucky
Stacy McCain decided to go to Manchester, Ky., to see what he could see.
First report from the scene details the gross MSM misrepresentation of remarks made by a local lady on the hanging death of the census worker.
...Miss Brown said that her words were misquoted and her sentiments misconstrued. She said what she was actually trying to tell the reporter -- who had asked her what she thought about the Sparkman killing -- was something entirely different.
Miss Brown said she told the reporter that all she knew about the apparent homicide of the 51-year-old Censu in the vicinity of Big Creek, about 12 miles east of Manchester, was what she learned from media accounts. Therefore, she was hesitant to pass judgment on the case. Miss Brown says she didn't mention government, and instead was saying that the news media should not "stick their noses in people's business."
However, her words -- which she insists were misquoted and misinterpreted -- were subsequently cited on an Internet discussion board under the headline, "Ignorant red state morons defend lynching of census worker."
Insofar as McCain is a reporter 'sticking his nose into other peoples' business,' I am sure that he will ignore Ms. Brown's advice.
But at least he paid close attention to what she actually SAID.
First report from the scene details the gross MSM misrepresentation of remarks made by a local lady on the hanging death of the census worker.
...Miss Brown said that her words were misquoted and her sentiments misconstrued. She said what she was actually trying to tell the reporter -- who had asked her what she thought about the Sparkman killing -- was something entirely different.
Miss Brown said she told the reporter that all she knew about the apparent homicide of the 51-year-old Censu in the vicinity of Big Creek, about 12 miles east of Manchester, was what she learned from media accounts. Therefore, she was hesitant to pass judgment on the case. Miss Brown says she didn't mention government, and instead was saying that the news media should not "stick their noses in people's business."
However, her words -- which she insists were misquoted and misinterpreted -- were subsequently cited on an Internet discussion board under the headline, "Ignorant red state morons defend lynching of census worker."
Insofar as McCain is a reporter 'sticking his nose into other peoples' business,' I am sure that he will ignore Ms. Brown's advice.
But at least he paid close attention to what she actually SAID.
Ten for '10 (And Beyond)
Laura Ingraham did a bit of thinking and has the platform.
1) A taxpayer bill of rights
2) End taxpayer funded abortions
3) Secure and defend the border
4) Support a strong dollar
5) Empower American businesses
6) Defend America
7) End Statism
8) End generational theft
9) Restore justice
10) Make America energy independent
Works for me! To sign up, go here.
HT RedState
1) A taxpayer bill of rights
2) End taxpayer funded abortions
3) Secure and defend the border
4) Support a strong dollar
5) Empower American businesses
6) Defend America
7) End Statism
8) End generational theft
9) Restore justice
10) Make America energy independent
Works for me! To sign up, go here.
HT RedState
The Rich Get Rich....
Surprise!!
The Waxman-Markey bill distributes roughly $778 billion in free emission allowances to various politically favored industries and others between 2012 and 2020, at the direct expense of non-favored industries and U.S. consumers. The ultimate impact of this giveaway of emission allowances is to transform the already regressive gross burden of a cap-and-trade system into a highly regressive federal climate policy that effectively redistributes tens of billions of dollars per year from low- and middle-income households to high-income shareholders
Goldman Sachs. Al Gore. GE.
The usual bloodsuckers.
HT: MoonBattery
The Waxman-Markey bill distributes roughly $778 billion in free emission allowances to various politically favored industries and others between 2012 and 2020, at the direct expense of non-favored industries and U.S. consumers. The ultimate impact of this giveaway of emission allowances is to transform the already regressive gross burden of a cap-and-trade system into a highly regressive federal climate policy that effectively redistributes tens of billions of dollars per year from low- and middle-income households to high-income shareholders
Goldman Sachs. Al Gore. GE.
The usual bloodsuckers.
HT: MoonBattery
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About.....
...making envelopes!
When the production company for the Discovery Channel's new show, "Factory Made," wanted to know how to make envelopes, they picked Western States Envelope & Label in Butler .
It took one full day of filming to cover the processes in the manufacturing of envelopes. The episode of the show, which was formerly known as "How It's Made," will air on Friday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m. CDT and repeat againat 10:30 p.m.
The company is very low-profile in the Milwaukee area, but is a large presence in Butler and is a large area employer.
Should be fun to watch.
When the production company for the Discovery Channel's new show, "Factory Made," wanted to know how to make envelopes, they picked Western States Envelope & Label in Butler .
It took one full day of filming to cover the processes in the manufacturing of envelopes. The episode of the show, which was formerly known as "How It's Made," will air on Friday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m. CDT and repeat againat 10:30 p.m.
The company is very low-profile in the Milwaukee area, but is a large presence in Butler and is a large area employer.
Should be fun to watch.
Where Else But Madistan?
We're advised that Ayers and Dohrn, Weathermen/Weather Underground plotters and seditionists, are going to appear in.........
Madison!
I received an alert from a Holger Awakens reader about a scheduled appearance by home grown American communist terrorists, Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn in Wisconsin. More specifically, this pair of jihadis will be speaking on October 10, 2009 in Madison, Wisconsin.
Saturday, October 10th
7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Overture Center
201 State StMadison, WI 53703-2214
What a privilege! And the UW Mathematics Research building is nearby for their convenience!
Madison!
I received an alert from a Holger Awakens reader about a scheduled appearance by home grown American communist terrorists, Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn in Wisconsin. More specifically, this pair of jihadis will be speaking on October 10, 2009 in Madison, Wisconsin.
Saturday, October 10th
7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Overture Center
201 State StMadison, WI 53703-2214
What a privilege! And the UW Mathematics Research building is nearby for their convenience!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Still Want to Go to Medjugorje?
The Bishop of Mostar issued a few directives which.....well, read between the lines, folks.
FORBIDDEN :
- NO more retreats, spiritual exercises, conferences, foreign priests… without permission of the bishop
- NO [Diocese of Med'je] or foreign priests may propagate NON-recognized ‘messages’ or ‘apparitions’
- EVERY priest must show his ‘celebret’ before H.Mass
- NO more H.Sacrament or adoration in ‘Oasis of Peace’...
- NO services in the private church in Bijakovice; it is now closed.
- NO mentioning of ‘seers’, apparitions, messages’ in parish bulletin;
- NO mentioning of the word ‘sanctuary’ in Medjugorje
- NO mentioning or comment of ‘messages’ or ‘apparitions’ on the 25th of the month via Marija Pavlovic
- NO private ‘apparitions’ of Mirjana Dragicevic in ‘Cenacolo’ of Sr. Elvira
- NO permission for ‘Kraljica Mira’ (founder : Tomislav Vlasic) in Medjugorje or in whole diocese
- NO ‘seers’ or others in the church to pray prayers from the ‘apparitions’
- NO intentions during the rosary concerning ‘apparitions’ or ‘messages’
- NO ‘seers’ in or around the church on anniversaries of ‘apparitions’ or ‘messages
By now you should have figured it out.
HT: FrZ
FORBIDDEN :
- NO more retreats, spiritual exercises, conferences, foreign priests… without permission of the bishop
- NO [Diocese of Med'je] or foreign priests may propagate NON-recognized ‘messages’ or ‘apparitions’
- EVERY priest must show his ‘celebret’ before H.Mass
- NO more H.Sacrament or adoration in ‘Oasis of Peace’...
- NO services in the private church in Bijakovice; it is now closed.
- NO mentioning of ‘seers’, apparitions, messages’ in parish bulletin;
- NO mentioning of the word ‘sanctuary’ in Medjugorje
- NO mentioning or comment of ‘messages’ or ‘apparitions’ on the 25th of the month via Marija Pavlovic
- NO private ‘apparitions’ of Mirjana Dragicevic in ‘Cenacolo’ of Sr. Elvira
- NO permission for ‘Kraljica Mira’ (founder : Tomislav Vlasic) in Medjugorje or in whole diocese
- NO ‘seers’ or others in the church to pray prayers from the ‘apparitions’
- NO intentions during the rosary concerning ‘apparitions’ or ‘messages’
- NO ‘seers’ in or around the church on anniversaries of ‘apparitions’ or ‘messages
By now you should have figured it out.
HT: FrZ
ObamaLympics
Heh. (To see the re-designed logo, go to this link.)
...Not only will the Olympics rings be replaced with Obama's ubiquitous campaign iconography, several new sporting events will be added to provide a more "Chicago" feel.
Track and field events will include Bail Jumping, Legal Hurdles, Blame Throwing and the always popular Graftathalon. Secondary competitions include such Chicago favorites as Freestyle Corruption, Under-the-Table Tennis, Greco-Roman Racketeering and Fencing. (Due to the recent ineligibility of ACORN, Ballot Boxing and Synchronized Vote Fraud have been cut from the program.)
And, of course, there's consideration of such events as the Capone Relays, (using cases of whiskey instead of a baton), and FIB Driving, where moving traffic violations ADD points to your score.
HT: DigiShirt
...Not only will the Olympics rings be replaced with Obama's ubiquitous campaign iconography, several new sporting events will be added to provide a more "Chicago" feel.
Track and field events will include Bail Jumping, Legal Hurdles, Blame Throwing and the always popular Graftathalon. Secondary competitions include such Chicago favorites as Freestyle Corruption, Under-the-Table Tennis, Greco-Roman Racketeering and Fencing. (Due to the recent ineligibility of ACORN, Ballot Boxing and Synchronized Vote Fraud have been cut from the program.)
And, of course, there's consideration of such events as the Capone Relays, (using cases of whiskey instead of a baton), and FIB Driving, where moving traffic violations ADD points to your score.
HT: DigiShirt
Obama Voting "Present" on ObamaCare
Well, well. Just after he makes it clear that he's voting "Present" on Afghanistan, we have this:
...The issue of federal funding for abortion is a prime example. Depending upon whom you talk to in Congress, the president’s pledge means very different things. In his remarks to the joint session of Congress on September 9, he seemed to give the impression that his own bill would be forthcoming, or at least outlined in more detail, and yet nothing has been presented to Congress or the American people.
The skeptic—and I am now reluctantly one—believes this is a strategy of delay. As long as people keep defining the debate according to their own interests, then the president can avoid taking sides, surf the confusion, and in the end just throw his hands up and say he must go along with whatever Congress produces, which will very likely be bad. This is not leadership. It is also not honest.
Well, he's busy stealing the Olympics from Brazil this week.
You gotta understand.........right?
Quoted in First Things
...The issue of federal funding for abortion is a prime example. Depending upon whom you talk to in Congress, the president’s pledge means very different things. In his remarks to the joint session of Congress on September 9, he seemed to give the impression that his own bill would be forthcoming, or at least outlined in more detail, and yet nothing has been presented to Congress or the American people.
The skeptic—and I am now reluctantly one—believes this is a strategy of delay. As long as people keep defining the debate according to their own interests, then the president can avoid taking sides, surf the confusion, and in the end just throw his hands up and say he must go along with whatever Congress produces, which will very likely be bad. This is not leadership. It is also not honest.
Well, he's busy stealing the Olympics from Brazil this week.
You gotta understand.........right?
Quoted in First Things
Big Gummint Bozos
Nothing like stupid people with guns, eh?
Sally Harpold, an Indiana grandmother of triplets, bought two boxes of cold medication in less than a week. Together, the two boxes contained 3.6 grams of pseudoephedrine, putting her in violation of the state’s methamphetamine-fighting law, which forbids the purchase of more than three grams by one person in a seven-day period.
Police came to Harpold’s home, arrested and handcuffed her, and booked her in a Vermillion County jail. No one believes Harpold was making meth or aiding anyone who was. But local authorities aren’t apologizing for her arrest.
You can't make this up.
HT: Agitator
Sally Harpold, an Indiana grandmother of triplets, bought two boxes of cold medication in less than a week. Together, the two boxes contained 3.6 grams of pseudoephedrine, putting her in violation of the state’s methamphetamine-fighting law, which forbids the purchase of more than three grams by one person in a seven-day period.
Police came to Harpold’s home, arrested and handcuffed her, and booked her in a Vermillion County jail. No one believes Harpold was making meth or aiding anyone who was. But local authorities aren’t apologizing for her arrest.
You can't make this up.
HT: Agitator
MyTouch Endorser Goldberg Likes Rapist Polanski
Gee. What a great personality to have advertising your new MyTouch!!
Former Oscar hostess Whoopi Goldberg tries to parse the meaning of rape between rape and something called “rape-rape” — which, if you read the testimony of Polanski’s victim, Polanski literally did by raping her and then sodomizing her.
..not to mention drugging her.
HT: Hot Air
Former Oscar hostess Whoopi Goldberg tries to parse the meaning of rape between rape and something called “rape-rape” — which, if you read the testimony of Polanski’s victim, Polanski literally did by raping her and then sodomizing her.
..not to mention drugging her.
HT: Hot Air
Monday, September 28, 2009
AGW "Hockey Stick" Data: Fake
Well, after $Umpty Bazillion in grant moneys are spent on hockey-stick anthrop'c global warming, it turns out that it's fake.
Or, in the inimitable AOSHQ words:
When asked for comment, Johnnie Cochran responded "If the data don't fit, just make up some shit"
They did.
Or, in the inimitable AOSHQ words:
When asked for comment, Johnnie Cochran responded "If the data don't fit, just make up some shit"
They did.
Obama Voting "Present" on Afghanistan
I don't know which is worse: LBJ trying to run a war from the Oval office floor, or Obama attempting to vote "present" on what the Hell to do in Afghanistan.
The military general credited with capturing Saddam Hussein and killing the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, says he has spoken with President Obama only once since taking command in Afghanistan.
"I’ve talked to the president, since I’ve been here, once on a VTC [video teleconference]," Gen. Stanley McChrystal told CBS reporter David Martin in a television interview that aired Sunday.
"You’ve talked to him once in 70 days?" Mr. Martin followed up.
"That is correct," the general replied.
Obama evades the question by declaring that he's formulating a 'new strategy' for the conflict. That would be a "new strategy" compared to the "new strategy" he announced in March of this year.
In reality, this fellow has avoided big decisions because he doesn't have intestinal fortitude.
All he has is speech-making, and AlQuaeda doesn't seem to respond very well to that, does it?
The military general credited with capturing Saddam Hussein and killing the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, says he has spoken with President Obama only once since taking command in Afghanistan.
"I’ve talked to the president, since I’ve been here, once on a VTC [video teleconference]," Gen. Stanley McChrystal told CBS reporter David Martin in a television interview that aired Sunday.
"You’ve talked to him once in 70 days?" Mr. Martin followed up.
"That is correct," the general replied.
Obama evades the question by declaring that he's formulating a 'new strategy' for the conflict. That would be a "new strategy" compared to the "new strategy" he announced in March of this year.
In reality, this fellow has avoided big decisions because he doesn't have intestinal fortitude.
All he has is speech-making, and AlQuaeda doesn't seem to respond very well to that, does it?
"Net Neutrality" Started Well, Now......Dangerous
Too bad that the ObamaFascism has arrived in town just as the debate begins, eh?
Net Neutrality started out as a broad-based movement on the Internet. It wasn’t a left-wing thing at all, but rather was something most of us could support, because it was merely a movement to ensure (usually government franchise-backed) ISP firms could not abuse their monopoly or oligopoly power to coerce their customers to use other services by the firm, such as phone service in the case of AT&T or television service in the case of Comcast. I believe this is a reasonable request. It doesn’t prevent investors in Internet technology from profiting, but rather merely prevents them from abusing government-granted market power to benefit other businesses.
Break to elect a Statist/Fascist, and then spake FCC Chair Genachowski:
We cannot afford to rely on happenstance for consumers, businesses, and policymakers to learn about changes to the basic functioning of the Internet. Greater transparency will give consumers the confidence of knowing that they’re getting the service they’ve paid for, enable innovators to make their offerings work effectively over the Internet, and allow policymakers to ensure that broadband providers are preserving the Internet as a level playing field. It will also help facilitate discussion among all the participants in the Internet ecosystem, which can reduce the need for government involvement in network management disagreements
Ruh-roh.
...one of the aims of the socialist perversion of Net Neutrality is to prohibit ISPs from offering different “tiers” of service, giving customers who pay more money a higher priority over other customers. Should Genachowski get his way, regulators would be positioned to prohibit that, just as the far left internet users want. You see, people who download lots of things off of YouTube and the Pirate Bay, as well as firms like Google who seek to make money off of services like YouTube, would benefit if ISPs are required to offer all customers an “all you can eat” plan. Such plans effectively force casual, low-intensity users to subsidize the constant downloaders. Great for some, terrible for others, and totally inappropriate for government to mandate.
(Of course, if you're Mark Belling, that sort of model is perfect when applied to auto insurance.)
Genachowski attacks the fundamental right of property owners to control their property when he says this. He openly acknowledges that he wants the FCC to have an active role in resolving “network management disagreements,” in which outsiders can complain to the FCC about a private computer network’s configuration. Presumably the FCC would then grant itself the power to compel holders of networks to change such configurations on demand.
Just call it ISP ObamaCare!
Net Neutrality started out as a broad-based movement on the Internet. It wasn’t a left-wing thing at all, but rather was something most of us could support, because it was merely a movement to ensure (usually government franchise-backed) ISP firms could not abuse their monopoly or oligopoly power to coerce their customers to use other services by the firm, such as phone service in the case of AT&T or television service in the case of Comcast. I believe this is a reasonable request. It doesn’t prevent investors in Internet technology from profiting, but rather merely prevents them from abusing government-granted market power to benefit other businesses.
Break to elect a Statist/Fascist, and then spake FCC Chair Genachowski:
We cannot afford to rely on happenstance for consumers, businesses, and policymakers to learn about changes to the basic functioning of the Internet. Greater transparency will give consumers the confidence of knowing that they’re getting the service they’ve paid for, enable innovators to make their offerings work effectively over the Internet, and allow policymakers to ensure that broadband providers are preserving the Internet as a level playing field. It will also help facilitate discussion among all the participants in the Internet ecosystem, which can reduce the need for government involvement in network management disagreements
Ruh-roh.
...one of the aims of the socialist perversion of Net Neutrality is to prohibit ISPs from offering different “tiers” of service, giving customers who pay more money a higher priority over other customers. Should Genachowski get his way, regulators would be positioned to prohibit that, just as the far left internet users want. You see, people who download lots of things off of YouTube and the Pirate Bay, as well as firms like Google who seek to make money off of services like YouTube, would benefit if ISPs are required to offer all customers an “all you can eat” plan. Such plans effectively force casual, low-intensity users to subsidize the constant downloaders. Great for some, terrible for others, and totally inappropriate for government to mandate.
(Of course, if you're Mark Belling, that sort of model is perfect when applied to auto insurance.)
Genachowski attacks the fundamental right of property owners to control their property when he says this. He openly acknowledges that he wants the FCC to have an active role in resolving “network management disagreements,” in which outsiders can complain to the FCC about a private computer network’s configuration. Presumably the FCC would then grant itself the power to compel holders of networks to change such configurations on demand.
Just call it ISP ObamaCare!
10th Amendment Stimulus: ObamaCare
The rumble about the 10th Amendment is well-founded.
One reason [the Baucus plan] allegedly "pays for itself" over 10 years is because it would break all 50 state budgets by permanently expanding Medicaid, the joint state-federal program for the poor. ...State budgets would explode—by $37 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office—because they would no longer be allowed to set eligibility in line with their own decisions about taxes and spending.
...Mr. Baucus hopes to use his printing press to bribe the governors, at least for a time. Currently, the federal government pays about 57 cents out of every dollar the states spend on Medicaid, though the "matching rate" ranges as high as 76% in some states. That would rise to 95%—but only for five years.
Sorta like Clinton's "free cops" program.
Medicaid is the worst-possible 'health insurance;' it is typically under-funded by the States, therefore the "balanced budget" is achieved by underpaying providers. We've seen that in Wisconsin BadgerCare with the dentist problem.
You'll see more with ObamaCare.
HT: FoxPolitics
One reason [the Baucus plan] allegedly "pays for itself" over 10 years is because it would break all 50 state budgets by permanently expanding Medicaid, the joint state-federal program for the poor. ...State budgets would explode—by $37 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office—because they would no longer be allowed to set eligibility in line with their own decisions about taxes and spending.
...Mr. Baucus hopes to use his printing press to bribe the governors, at least for a time. Currently, the federal government pays about 57 cents out of every dollar the states spend on Medicaid, though the "matching rate" ranges as high as 76% in some states. That would rise to 95%—but only for five years.
Sorta like Clinton's "free cops" program.
Medicaid is the worst-possible 'health insurance;' it is typically under-funded by the States, therefore the "balanced budget" is achieved by underpaying providers. We've seen that in Wisconsin BadgerCare with the dentist problem.
You'll see more with ObamaCare.
HT: FoxPolitics
Community Organizing
A little puff piece on the Sherman Park area includes the following:
Common Ground is part of a national network affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation, the oldest and largest organizing institution in the country that's dedicated to training and developing community leaders to organize around social issues in a nonpartisan way.
Other IAF affiliates have built new, affordable, owner-occupied housing in parts of New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore. In Arizona and Texas, affiliates achieved living-wage legislation.
Efforts to form Common Ground here started in 2004 when a group of 38 religious and civic and business leaders raised $700,000 to launch the organization and hire Mark Fraley, a professional organizer.
Just in case you don't remember, IAF was founded by Saul Alinsky.
Common Ground is part of a national network affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation, the oldest and largest organizing institution in the country that's dedicated to training and developing community leaders to organize around social issues in a nonpartisan way.
Other IAF affiliates have built new, affordable, owner-occupied housing in parts of New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore. In Arizona and Texas, affiliates achieved living-wage legislation.
Efforts to form Common Ground here started in 2004 when a group of 38 religious and civic and business leaders raised $700,000 to launch the organization and hire Mark Fraley, a professional organizer.
Just in case you don't remember, IAF was founded by Saul Alinsky.
Criminal, but No Intent?
Interesting.
Mr. Silverglate, a liberal who wrote a previous book taking the conservative position against political correctness on campuses, is a persistent, principled critic of overbroad statutes. This is a common problem in securities laws, which Congress leaves intentionally vague, encouraging regulators and prosecutors to try people even when the law is unclear.
...These miscarriages are avoidable. Under the English common law we inherited, a crime requires intent. This protection is disappearing in the U.S. As Mr. Silverglate writes, "Since the New Deal era, Congress has delegated to various administrative agencies the task of writing the regulations," even as "Congress has demonstrated a growing dysfunction in crafting legislation that can in fact be understood." Prosecutors identify defendants to go after instead of finding a law that was broken and figuring out who did it. Expect more such prosecutions as Washington adds regulations.
Perfectly illustrated by the post below. When you think "regulatory crimes" think DNR and you'll have the concept.
The only problem: Silverglate estimates that every American "perpetrates" three crimes every DAY, under the regulatory regimes.
Next up:
...An "anti-cyberbullying" proposal is making its way through Congress, prompted by the tragic case of a 13-year-old girl driven to suicide by the mother of a neighbor posing as a teenage boy and posting abusive messages on MySpace. The law would prohibit using the Internet to "coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person." Imagine a law that tried to apply this control of speech to letters, editorials or lobbying.
Mr. Silverglate, who will testify against the bill later this week, tells me he figures that "being emotionally distressed is just part of living in a free society."
The Right to Feel Good Law. Gadzooks.
Mr. Silverglate, a liberal who wrote a previous book taking the conservative position against political correctness on campuses, is a persistent, principled critic of overbroad statutes. This is a common problem in securities laws, which Congress leaves intentionally vague, encouraging regulators and prosecutors to try people even when the law is unclear.
...These miscarriages are avoidable. Under the English common law we inherited, a crime requires intent. This protection is disappearing in the U.S. As Mr. Silverglate writes, "Since the New Deal era, Congress has delegated to various administrative agencies the task of writing the regulations," even as "Congress has demonstrated a growing dysfunction in crafting legislation that can in fact be understood." Prosecutors identify defendants to go after instead of finding a law that was broken and figuring out who did it. Expect more such prosecutions as Washington adds regulations.
Perfectly illustrated by the post below. When you think "regulatory crimes" think DNR and you'll have the concept.
The only problem: Silverglate estimates that every American "perpetrates" three crimes every DAY, under the regulatory regimes.
Next up:
...An "anti-cyberbullying" proposal is making its way through Congress, prompted by the tragic case of a 13-year-old girl driven to suicide by the mother of a neighbor posing as a teenage boy and posting abusive messages on MySpace. The law would prohibit using the Internet to "coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person." Imagine a law that tried to apply this control of speech to letters, editorials or lobbying.
Mr. Silverglate, who will testify against the bill later this week, tells me he figures that "being emotionally distressed is just part of living in a free society."
The Right to Feel Good Law. Gadzooks.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Mo' School!!
Another idea from Obama.
Students beware: The summer vacation you just enjoyed could be sharply curtailed if President Barack Obama gets his way. Obama says American kids spend too little time in school, putting them at a disadvantage with other students around the globe
..."Our school calendar is based upon the agrarian economy and not too many of our kids are working the fields today," Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.
--quoted in Riehl World View.
Frankly, more on-task time is not a bad idea for the darlings; the Great Summer Forget makes the first month back a review, rather than a continuation.
The opposition to this will come from the teachers.
Students beware: The summer vacation you just enjoyed could be sharply curtailed if President Barack Obama gets his way. Obama says American kids spend too little time in school, putting them at a disadvantage with other students around the globe
..."Our school calendar is based upon the agrarian economy and not too many of our kids are working the fields today," Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.
--quoted in Riehl World View.
Frankly, more on-task time is not a bad idea for the darlings; the Great Summer Forget makes the first month back a review, rather than a continuation.
The opposition to this will come from the teachers.
We're Just Kidding About Big Gummint.......NOT
What a bunch of crankballs.
A West Michigan woman says the state is threatening her with fines and possibly jail time for babysitting her neighbors' children.
Lisa Snyder of Middleville says her neighborhood school bus stop is right in front of her home. It arrives after her neighbors need to be at work, so she watches three of their children for 15-40 minutes until the bus comes.
The Department of Human Services received a complaint that Snyder was operating an illegal child care home. DHS contacted Snyder and told her to get licensed, stop watching her neighbors' kids, or face the consequences.
Looks to me like some Wisconsin DNR bureaucrat is running loose in Michigan's Gummint.
HT: Grim
A West Michigan woman says the state is threatening her with fines and possibly jail time for babysitting her neighbors' children.
Lisa Snyder of Middleville says her neighborhood school bus stop is right in front of her home. It arrives after her neighbors need to be at work, so she watches three of their children for 15-40 minutes until the bus comes.
The Department of Human Services received a complaint that Snyder was operating an illegal child care home. DHS contacted Snyder and told her to get licensed, stop watching her neighbors' kids, or face the consequences.
Looks to me like some Wisconsin DNR bureaucrat is running loose in Michigan's Gummint.
HT: Grim
How To Miss the Point, Big-Time
Folkie, whose posts on education are worth reading--he does have experience there--is less perceptive on the "go to jail" aspect of ObamaCare.
Of course, he's deliberately obtuse; he enjoys calling "liar," or intimating that conservatives are utterly stupid.
Maybe that's how he and his propaganda-masters intend to win the debate.
Here, he polishes his Obtusity Medal, looking for an Ignoramus-Leaf cluster.
Ensign demanded to know what would happen to people who don't pay their penalty. It seems obvious to me--if you don't pay your taxes, there's a law for that already, right? Apparently Ensign is too lazy or too stupid to look up what that penalty is.
Umnnhhhhh......
Seems to me that Obama promised there would be "no tax increases" for anyone earning $250K or less. Remember that? It's available on the Intertubular Memory gizzzitoogle. Right there where he will close Gitmo, pull out of Iraq, and make the seas recede.
Also seems to me that IRS is a tax-collector. (Maybe Jay knows different.)
And what the Baucus Bill states is that non-payers of the ObamaCare "fine" will be prosecuted as TAX evaders.
So what we have here is a TAX, Jay.
All of us know that ObamaCare will cost a lot of money. Baucus' offering simply masks the cost, calling it a "fine" rather than a tax. Semantics are cute, but the reality is the IRS and a Federal graybar motel.
Just like Jay's insistence that the "public option" is not single-payer. Well, it's not; on the other hand, point your car due north and drive very slowly. Even though at the end of Day One you'll be in Cedarburg, not at the North Pole, if you keep driving, no matter how slowly, eventually you'll get to the North Pole. Jay simply denies the obvious by dressing it up in funny clothing.
Comes as no surprise that a hefty majority of the country is opposed to ObamaCare. They, unlike Lefty sockpuppet bloggers, can tell s&^% from shinola.
Revision/Extension: More on the topic here, from Jacobson the law-prof. It is a "first."
These provisions should have people interested in privacy greatly concerned. While income information already is reported to the IRS, the IRS traditionally has not received personal health care information about individuals.
But it's NOT a tax, folks!
Of course, he's deliberately obtuse; he enjoys calling "liar," or intimating that conservatives are utterly stupid.
Maybe that's how he and his propaganda-masters intend to win the debate.
Here, he polishes his Obtusity Medal, looking for an Ignoramus-Leaf cluster.
Ensign demanded to know what would happen to people who don't pay their penalty. It seems obvious to me--if you don't pay your taxes, there's a law for that already, right? Apparently Ensign is too lazy or too stupid to look up what that penalty is.
Umnnhhhhh......
Seems to me that Obama promised there would be "no tax increases" for anyone earning $250K or less. Remember that? It's available on the Intertubular Memory gizzzitoogle. Right there where he will close Gitmo, pull out of Iraq, and make the seas recede.
Also seems to me that IRS is a tax-collector. (Maybe Jay knows different.)
And what the Baucus Bill states is that non-payers of the ObamaCare "fine" will be prosecuted as TAX evaders.
So what we have here is a TAX, Jay.
All of us know that ObamaCare will cost a lot of money. Baucus' offering simply masks the cost, calling it a "fine" rather than a tax. Semantics are cute, but the reality is the IRS and a Federal graybar motel.
Just like Jay's insistence that the "public option" is not single-payer. Well, it's not; on the other hand, point your car due north and drive very slowly. Even though at the end of Day One you'll be in Cedarburg, not at the North Pole, if you keep driving, no matter how slowly, eventually you'll get to the North Pole. Jay simply denies the obvious by dressing it up in funny clothing.
Comes as no surprise that a hefty majority of the country is opposed to ObamaCare. They, unlike Lefty sockpuppet bloggers, can tell s&^% from shinola.
Revision/Extension: More on the topic here, from Jacobson the law-prof. It is a "first."
These provisions should have people interested in privacy greatly concerned. While income information already is reported to the IRS, the IRS traditionally has not received personal health care information about individuals.
But it's NOT a tax, folks!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Where's Mayor Barrett?
Here's the facts, ma'am.
A 17-year-old boy suspected of shooting a 16-year-old boy in the head when the 16-year-old tried to rob him with a pellet gun Thursday night turned himself in to police Friday morning, Sgt. Mark Stanmeyer said.
The shooter is cooperating with investigators, Stanmeyer said. Police recovered his handgun on Friday.
The 16-year-old remained in critical condition Friday, Stanmeyer said.
The shooting was reported shortly after 7 p.m. at N. 63rd St. and W. Villard Ave., police said Thursday. Two people who were with the wounded 16-year-old told police he was arguing with a male on a bicycle, who then pulled out a gun and shot the boy.
Investigators later determined that the 16-year-old had a pellet gun and was robbing the bicyclist when the two began pushing each other while the bicyclist was handing over his belongings.
The bicyclist then pulled out a handgun, shot the boy and fled, Stanmeyer said.
Under Wisconsin law, a minor is not allowed to possess a handgun.
So will Mayor Barret be screeching about jail- or prison-time for the 17-y-o?
A 17-year-old boy suspected of shooting a 16-year-old boy in the head when the 16-year-old tried to rob him with a pellet gun Thursday night turned himself in to police Friday morning, Sgt. Mark Stanmeyer said.
The shooter is cooperating with investigators, Stanmeyer said. Police recovered his handgun on Friday.
The 16-year-old remained in critical condition Friday, Stanmeyer said.
The shooting was reported shortly after 7 p.m. at N. 63rd St. and W. Villard Ave., police said Thursday. Two people who were with the wounded 16-year-old told police he was arguing with a male on a bicycle, who then pulled out a gun and shot the boy.
Investigators later determined that the 16-year-old had a pellet gun and was robbing the bicyclist when the two began pushing each other while the bicyclist was handing over his belongings.
The bicyclist then pulled out a handgun, shot the boy and fled, Stanmeyer said.
Under Wisconsin law, a minor is not allowed to possess a handgun.
So will Mayor Barret be screeching about jail- or prison-time for the 17-y-o?
Belling and Baucus
Belling rants about insurance risk-management practices.
Well, he will LOVE the Baucus health-insurance bill, right?
The combination of guaranteed issue and community rating mean the bill would dramatically lower premiums for those with predictably high health expenditures, and would dramatically increase premiums for the relatively young and healthy. When combined with an individual mandate, the Baucus bill would force younger healthier Americans to pay higher premiums to cross-subsidize older and less healthy Americans. All those 20-something staff assistants will be subsidizing their 50-something bosses.
Oh, yah.
HT: Hennessey
Well, he will LOVE the Baucus health-insurance bill, right?
The combination of guaranteed issue and community rating mean the bill would dramatically lower premiums for those with predictably high health expenditures, and would dramatically increase premiums for the relatively young and healthy. When combined with an individual mandate, the Baucus bill would force younger healthier Americans to pay higher premiums to cross-subsidize older and less healthy Americans. All those 20-something staff assistants will be subsidizing their 50-something bosses.
Oh, yah.
HT: Hennessey
Not "Death Panels"; Rationed-Life Panels, Instead!
No surprise that a large number of MD's are thinking of retirement.
pages 80-81 of the [Senate Finance] bill. There it says: " "Beginning in 2015, payment [under Medicare] would be reduced by five percent if an aggregation of the physician's resource use is at or above the 90th percentile of national utilization." Thus, in any year in which a particular doctor's average per-patient Medicare costs are in the top 10 percent in the nation, the feds will cut the doctor's payments by 5 percent."
The flaw here is obvious, except to BigGummint people who are Simply Smarter Than You Are.
Is the doc in the 'top 10' because he's a crook? Because he has really, really, really sick patients? Because he and the patients live in a very high-cost-of-living area? Or some combination of the above?
Makes no difference to those who are Simply Smarter Than You Are.
Ration those damn sick oldsters.......until they are dead.
By the way, did we ever mention "subsidiarity"?
HT: PowerLine
pages 80-81 of the [Senate Finance] bill. There it says: " "Beginning in 2015, payment [under Medicare] would be reduced by five percent if an aggregation of the physician's resource use is at or above the 90th percentile of national utilization." Thus, in any year in which a particular doctor's average per-patient Medicare costs are in the top 10 percent in the nation, the feds will cut the doctor's payments by 5 percent."
The flaw here is obvious, except to BigGummint people who are Simply Smarter Than You Are.
Is the doc in the 'top 10' because he's a crook? Because he has really, really, really sick patients? Because he and the patients live in a very high-cost-of-living area? Or some combination of the above?
Makes no difference to those who are Simply Smarter Than You Are.
Ration those damn sick oldsters.......until they are dead.
By the way, did we ever mention "subsidiarity"?
HT: PowerLine
Think Obama's Agenda Is Different? You're Right!
Aside from the extreme narcissism, America-bashing, anti-commerce, and abortion-loving, Obama has thoughts about education!
President Obama's "safe schools czar" is a former schoolteacher who has advocated promoting homosexuality in schools, written about his past drug abuse, expressed his contempt for religion and detailed an incident in which he did not report an underage student who told him he was having sex with older men.
Conservatives are up in arms about the appointment of Kevin Jennings, Obama's director of the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools
Gee.
It's probably RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACISM.
HT: Moonbattery
President Obama's "safe schools czar" is a former schoolteacher who has advocated promoting homosexuality in schools, written about his past drug abuse, expressed his contempt for religion and detailed an incident in which he did not report an underage student who told him he was having sex with older men.
Conservatives are up in arms about the appointment of Kevin Jennings, Obama's director of the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools
Gee.
It's probably RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACISM.
HT: Moonbattery
TEA Parties Are NOT Just About Taxes
Yah--the TEA Parties are just a bunch of racist/sexist/homophobe/conspiracy nuts, right?
Nope.
Picture this: you're a government bureaucrat who just came into nearly $10 million in federal funds, with few strings attached. Your mission: help veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan transition back to civilian life.
Your first order of business? Give half your full-time employees six-figure salaries, bankroll extensive travel for the top brass, pay an out-of-state consultant hundreds of thousands for "critical thinking" (including typing up and distributing your newsletter), and subsidize expenses for your deputy director to travel between her residence in northern Virginia and her office in central North Carolina.
Also, ensure scant oversight of your employees and virtually no accountability from those higher up the food chain for how you spend your funds. Oh, and produce few deliverables to justify your pricey taxpayer outlay.
$7.5 million spent, and lots of really, really nice papers about 'what we should do.'
Actual "done" results? Not so much.
Nope.
Picture this: you're a government bureaucrat who just came into nearly $10 million in federal funds, with few strings attached. Your mission: help veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan transition back to civilian life.
Your first order of business? Give half your full-time employees six-figure salaries, bankroll extensive travel for the top brass, pay an out-of-state consultant hundreds of thousands for "critical thinking" (including typing up and distributing your newsletter), and subsidize expenses for your deputy director to travel between her residence in northern Virginia and her office in central North Carolina.
Also, ensure scant oversight of your employees and virtually no accountability from those higher up the food chain for how you spend your funds. Oh, and produce few deliverables to justify your pricey taxpayer outlay.
$7.5 million spent, and lots of really, really nice papers about 'what we should do.'
Actual "done" results? Not so much.
Wallpapering the Doyle Incompetency: DNA
'The Doyle Incompetency' will eventually become the title of a book which will examine a craven, self-interested politician whose flagrant abuse of office was all perfectly legal. It will have a medical flavor: while the politician operated, the State died. Curiously, there will be no malpractice lawsuits. Nor will this ever become a textbook used in union-taught schools.
We now have the "we'll wallpaper over the gaping holes" chapter.
The state Department of Corrections will deploy a team of retired law enforcement officers to locate and obtain DNA samples from convicted felons who were supposed to have submitted them to a state databank, Gov. Jim Doyle said Friday.
Doesn't mention the cost, does it?
"There are a substantial number that we don't have a match for, and that's very troubling," Doyle said, adding that the Department of Corrections has had trouble determining where the holes are because only the Department of Justice has access to the two databases needed to show the discrepancies.
Umnnnhhh, yah. And who was the AG when the law was passed requiring these DBs?
Doyle.
Of course, he was running for Governor and couldn't be bothered with little details like establishing a system which actually 'footed' to the DoC system.
We can add that another Incompetent, Peg Lautenschlager, became AG when Doyle became Governor. She didn't bother to worry about cross-matching, either.
Nor did Doyle's first D0C Secretary. He only had 10,000 or so FTEs on his staff, after all, and an $800 million budget.
An obvious case of "lack of resources."
The task force will look for about 4,000 felons, Doyle said.
Good luck. Ask them pretty-please to stop by and (potentially) self-incriminate. Or maybe since they're all "rehabilitated" they'll stop by on their way to lunch, right?
Many of those without samples on file were convicted around the time the law requiring the DNA samples took effect and simply were missed in the rush to gather DNA. Others likely never spent time in custody.
In other words, the tail is pinned on The Incompetency. Doyle's DoC 'missed' 4,000 (or more) criminals. And what was "the rush"? Were those convicts going somewhere? Dinner at the Capitol Grill? A vacation in Aruba?
When you look at the 'safeguards' suddenly 'established' by Raemisch, it's enough to make you puke.
The Department of Corrections also has started delivering samples in person to the State Crime Laboratory, and the department now requires confirmation from the crime lab when samples are added to the databank.
That's called "chain of possession" and "audit trail," respectively.
Something that The Incompetency never worried about. Too busy raping a State economy,stealing shuffling highway funds and MD trust funds, or writing State checks to Spanish manufacturers for choo-choo trains, or, ah, not bothering to collect revenues from certain betting establishments.
And leaving the State budget $6BILLION in the red to retire. Did I mention the State's debt yet?
All that was far more important than actually managing the State's most important function: protecting its law-abiding residents from criminals.
By the way, Raemisch: who's going to be FIRED for screwing this up?
We now have the "we'll wallpaper over the gaping holes" chapter.
The state Department of Corrections will deploy a team of retired law enforcement officers to locate and obtain DNA samples from convicted felons who were supposed to have submitted them to a state databank, Gov. Jim Doyle said Friday.
Doesn't mention the cost, does it?
"There are a substantial number that we don't have a match for, and that's very troubling," Doyle said, adding that the Department of Corrections has had trouble determining where the holes are because only the Department of Justice has access to the two databases needed to show the discrepancies.
Umnnnhhh, yah. And who was the AG when the law was passed requiring these DBs?
Doyle.
Of course, he was running for Governor and couldn't be bothered with little details like establishing a system which actually 'footed' to the DoC system.
We can add that another Incompetent, Peg Lautenschlager, became AG when Doyle became Governor. She didn't bother to worry about cross-matching, either.
Nor did Doyle's first D0C Secretary. He only had 10,000 or so FTEs on his staff, after all, and an $800 million budget.
An obvious case of "lack of resources."
The task force will look for about 4,000 felons, Doyle said.
Good luck. Ask them pretty-please to stop by and (potentially) self-incriminate. Or maybe since they're all "rehabilitated" they'll stop by on their way to lunch, right?
Many of those without samples on file were convicted around the time the law requiring the DNA samples took effect and simply were missed in the rush to gather DNA. Others likely never spent time in custody.
In other words, the tail is pinned on The Incompetency. Doyle's DoC 'missed' 4,000 (or more) criminals. And what was "the rush"? Were those convicts going somewhere? Dinner at the Capitol Grill? A vacation in Aruba?
When you look at the 'safeguards' suddenly 'established' by Raemisch, it's enough to make you puke.
The Department of Corrections also has started delivering samples in person to the State Crime Laboratory, and the department now requires confirmation from the crime lab when samples are added to the databank.
That's called "chain of possession" and "audit trail," respectively.
Something that The Incompetency never worried about. Too busy raping a State economy,
And leaving the State budget $6BILLION in the red to retire. Did I mention the State's debt yet?
All that was far more important than actually managing the State's most important function: protecting its law-abiding residents from criminals.
By the way, Raemisch: who's going to be FIRED for screwing this up?
Friday, September 25, 2009
Guess the Author
Some of you may get this off the top.
“By intervening directly and depriving society of its responsibility, the Social Assistance State leads to a loss of human energies and an inordinate increase of public agencies, which are dominated more by bureaucratic ways of thinking than by concern for serving their clients, and which are accompanied by an enormous increase in spending”
That's a warning, not an endorsement........
John Paul II, Centesimus Annus
HT: Fr Z
“By intervening directly and depriving society of its responsibility, the Social Assistance State leads to a loss of human energies and an inordinate increase of public agencies, which are dominated more by bureaucratic ways of thinking than by concern for serving their clients, and which are accompanied by an enormous increase in spending”
That's a warning, not an endorsement........
John Paul II, Centesimus Annus
HT: Fr Z
Fascism Is Hardly the Big Problem w/Obama
Roeser:
Not only is the [UN] speech filled with Wilsonian dream-stuff, it is far more serious that just a lofty statement. This Third World creature is out to unravel our alliances which will hand victory over to the forces of radical Islam. And don’t think that’s happenstance. That’s what I’ve meant when from the outset I said this is the first president who is not a patriot, this is the first president who by his actions is unconcerned with the threat of Third World revolutionaries consisting of radicals in the United States and fascists throughout the world.
It's interesting, and maybe not co-incidental, that sales of guns and ammo are at all-time record pace in the US, no?
That tells you that the public sensed what Roeser writes here.
The Fascistic manifestations are almost secondary compared to simply giving up on principles.
Not only is the [UN] speech filled with Wilsonian dream-stuff, it is far more serious that just a lofty statement. This Third World creature is out to unravel our alliances which will hand victory over to the forces of radical Islam. And don’t think that’s happenstance. That’s what I’ve meant when from the outset I said this is the first president who is not a patriot, this is the first president who by his actions is unconcerned with the threat of Third World revolutionaries consisting of radicals in the United States and fascists throughout the world.
It's interesting, and maybe not co-incidental, that sales of guns and ammo are at all-time record pace in the US, no?
That tells you that the public sensed what Roeser writes here.
The Fascistic manifestations are almost secondary compared to simply giving up on principles.
IPCC "Warming" Data Lost. Mencken's Advice
Remember that Obama and QueenNancy intend to extort--at the point of a gun--about $1750.00 per US family per year, forever, to "reduce Global Warming."
In the early 1980s, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, scientists at the United Kingdom’s University of East Anglia established the Climate Research Unit (CRU) to produce the world’s first comprehensive history of surface temperature. It’s known in the trade as the “Jones and Wigley” record for its authors, Phil Jones and Tom Wigley, and it served as the primary reference standard for the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) until 2007. It was this record that prompted the IPCC to claim a “discernible human influence on global climate.”
...Warwick Hughes, an Australian scientist, wondered where that “+/–” came from, so he politely wrote Phil Jones in early 2005, asking for the original data. Jones’s response to a fellow scientist attempting to replicate his work was, “We have 25 years or so invested in the work. Why should I make the data available to you, when your aim is to try and find something wrong with it?”
Translation: "What? Peer review? Screw YOU, jerk!!"
But it gets worse.
Then the story changed. In June 2009, Georgia Tech’s Peter Webster told Canadian researcher Stephen McIntyre that he had requested raw data, and Jones freely gave it to him. So McIntyre promptly filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the same data. Despite having been invited by the National Academy of Sciences to present his analyses of millennial temperatures, McIntyre was told that he couldn’t have the data because he wasn’t an “academic.” So his colleague Ross McKitrick, an economist at the University of Guelph, asked for the data. He was turned down, too.
And even worse than that:
Roger Pielke Jr., an esteemed professor of environmental studies at the University of Colorado, then requested the raw data from Jones. Jones responded:
Since the 1980s, we have merged the data we have received into existing series or begun new ones, so it is impossible to say if all stations within a particular country or if all of an individual record should be freely available. Data storage availability in the 1980s meant that we were not able to keep the multiple sources for some sites, only the station series after adjustment for homogeneity issues. We, therefore, do not hold the original raw data but only the value-added (i.e., quality controlled and homogenized) data.
Even assuming he's telling the truth--that the dog ate his homework--the scumbag freely admits that he 'adjusted the data for homogeneity issues.'
If the US Senate moves to pass Cap-n-Tax, or if Congress allows EPA to create Cap-N-Tax by regulatory means, it will be time to "spit upon one's hands, raise the Black Flag, and begin slitting throats." --Mencken
Yes, I intend to pass on an economically viable country to my children and grandchildren.
HT: Vox
In the early 1980s, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, scientists at the United Kingdom’s University of East Anglia established the Climate Research Unit (CRU) to produce the world’s first comprehensive history of surface temperature. It’s known in the trade as the “Jones and Wigley” record for its authors, Phil Jones and Tom Wigley, and it served as the primary reference standard for the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) until 2007. It was this record that prompted the IPCC to claim a “discernible human influence on global climate.”
...Warwick Hughes, an Australian scientist, wondered where that “+/–” came from, so he politely wrote Phil Jones in early 2005, asking for the original data. Jones’s response to a fellow scientist attempting to replicate his work was, “We have 25 years or so invested in the work. Why should I make the data available to you, when your aim is to try and find something wrong with it?”
Translation: "What? Peer review? Screw YOU, jerk!!"
But it gets worse.
Then the story changed. In June 2009, Georgia Tech’s Peter Webster told Canadian researcher Stephen McIntyre that he had requested raw data, and Jones freely gave it to him. So McIntyre promptly filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the same data. Despite having been invited by the National Academy of Sciences to present his analyses of millennial temperatures, McIntyre was told that he couldn’t have the data because he wasn’t an “academic.” So his colleague Ross McKitrick, an economist at the University of Guelph, asked for the data. He was turned down, too.
And even worse than that:
Roger Pielke Jr., an esteemed professor of environmental studies at the University of Colorado, then requested the raw data from Jones. Jones responded:
Since the 1980s, we have merged the data we have received into existing series or begun new ones, so it is impossible to say if all stations within a particular country or if all of an individual record should be freely available. Data storage availability in the 1980s meant that we were not able to keep the multiple sources for some sites, only the station series after adjustment for homogeneity issues. We, therefore, do not hold the original raw data but only the value-added (i.e., quality controlled and homogenized) data.
Even assuming he's telling the truth--that the dog ate his homework--the scumbag freely admits that he 'adjusted the data for homogeneity issues.'
If the US Senate moves to pass Cap-n-Tax, or if Congress allows EPA to create Cap-N-Tax by regulatory means, it will be time to "spit upon one's hands, raise the Black Flag, and begin slitting throats." --Mencken
Yes, I intend to pass on an economically viable country to my children and grandchildren.
WOLVERINES!
HT: Vox
Bank Bailouts, Compared
Ritholtz is doing public service stuff.
...let's add up some major US expenses, adjusting for inflation: Take the Marshall Plan ($115.3B), the Louisiana Purchase ($217B), the Race to the Moon ($237B), the S&L Crisis ($256B), the Korean War ($454B), the New Deal ($500B), Invasion of Iraq ($597B), (Vietnam War $698B) all of NASA ($851.2B) and WWII ($3.6T).
...all of that totaled $7.52 trillion dollars.
Compared to what?
direct cash injections, loans, assumptions of debt, commitments, guarantees, and other obligations (for Banks and Investment houses, and AIG):
$11.6 Trillion.
Yes, I argued at the time that since banks are (sorta) the Utilities of money, that preventing a shutdown of the financial system was extremely important.
That was before Paulson changed the game (before the ink was dry on TARP), and with the at least mental reservation that the Zombies should be sold off, instead of preserved forever in amber.
I shoulda knowed better.
...let's add up some major US expenses, adjusting for inflation: Take the Marshall Plan ($115.3B), the Louisiana Purchase ($217B), the Race to the Moon ($237B), the S&L Crisis ($256B), the Korean War ($454B), the New Deal ($500B), Invasion of Iraq ($597B), (Vietnam War $698B) all of NASA ($851.2B) and WWII ($3.6T).
...all of that totaled $7.52 trillion dollars.
Compared to what?
direct cash injections, loans, assumptions of debt, commitments, guarantees, and other obligations (for Banks and Investment houses, and AIG):
$11.6 Trillion.
Yes, I argued at the time that since banks are (sorta) the Utilities of money, that preventing a shutdown of the financial system was extremely important.
That was before Paulson changed the game (before the ink was dry on TARP), and with the at least mental reservation that the Zombies should be sold off, instead of preserved forever in amber.
I shoulda knowed better.
Jeff Speaker's Pal Bloomberg
We mentioned that the Mayor of Brookfield had joined Mike Bloomberg's raving-loony anti-gun outfit, along with Taylor of Franklin and (predictably) Barrett of Milwaukee.
Bloomie is also known for his health crusades.
For others, that is.
He dumps salt on almost everything, even saltine crackers. He devours burnt bacon and peanut butter sandwiches. He has a weakness for hot dogs, cheeseburgers, and fried chicken, washing them down with a glass of merlot.
And his snack of choice? Cheez-Its.
Merlot with cheeseburgers? Someone call Kevin Fischer!
HT: MoonBattery
Bloomie is also known for his health crusades.
For others, that is.
He dumps salt on almost everything, even saltine crackers. He devours burnt bacon and peanut butter sandwiches. He has a weakness for hot dogs, cheeseburgers, and fried chicken, washing them down with a glass of merlot.
And his snack of choice? Cheez-Its.
Merlot with cheeseburgers? Someone call Kevin Fischer!
HT: MoonBattery
"You Can't Make This Up"......AlGore Version
Sure. Yup.
A tiny car company backed by former Vice President Al Gore has just gotten a $529 million U.S. government loan to help build a hybrid sports car in Finland that will sell for about $89,000. . . .
Al Gore kicks Detroit under the bus, not to mention the REST of the USA, using our money to do it.
HT: Lott
A tiny car company backed by former Vice President Al Gore has just gotten a $529 million U.S. government loan to help build a hybrid sports car in Finland that will sell for about $89,000. . . .
Al Gore kicks Detroit under the bus, not to mention the REST of the USA, using our money to do it.
HT: Lott
Thursday, September 24, 2009
How Bad IS This Recession?
It's really, really bad.
Look at the table of US Treasury receipts found in this post.
9/08 vs. 9/09 comparo:
Withheld income/employment taxes off 17.5%
Corporate income taxes off 37.7%
Individual income & (self-) employment taxes off 40.1%.
And it doesn't look all that much better for the rest of September. BizzyBlog makes the point that Orszag (Obama's boy) is making up numbers--or at least painting with bright-rose-paints when coming up with tax-receipt projections to support Obama's spending spree.
CBO, on the other hand, doesn't have that, ah, freedom--but even CBO's numbers may be optimistic.
We simply cannot afford the spending Obama plans, period.
HT: Eggster (whose work is cited by Morrissey and BizzyBlog)
Look at the table of US Treasury receipts found in this post.
9/08 vs. 9/09 comparo:
Withheld income/employment taxes off 17.5%
Corporate income taxes off 37.7%
Individual income & (self-) employment taxes off 40.1%.
And it doesn't look all that much better for the rest of September. BizzyBlog makes the point that Orszag (Obama's boy) is making up numbers--or at least painting with bright-rose-paints when coming up with tax-receipt projections to support Obama's spending spree.
CBO, on the other hand, doesn't have that, ah, freedom--but even CBO's numbers may be optimistic.
We simply cannot afford the spending Obama plans, period.
HT: Eggster (whose work is cited by Morrissey and BizzyBlog)
The 'Stimulus' We Feared It Would Be
Doh.
The $787 billion economic recovery package also is stimulating growth in the federal government as agencies hire thousands of workers and spend millions of dollars to oversee and implement the package...
Fourteen of the top federal agencies responsible for spending under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act say they've hired about 3,000 workers with stimulus money. That's helped fuel the continued growth of the federal government, which increased by more than 25,000 employees, or 1.3%, since December 2008, according to the latest quarterly report. During that time, the ranks of the nation's unemployed increased by nearly 4 million, Labor Department statistics show.
The growth of the amoeba-cancer. Somehow I don't think that's going to contribute to GDP.
The $787 billion economic recovery package also is stimulating growth in the federal government as agencies hire thousands of workers and spend millions of dollars to oversee and implement the package...
Fourteen of the top federal agencies responsible for spending under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act say they've hired about 3,000 workers with stimulus money. That's helped fuel the continued growth of the federal government, which increased by more than 25,000 employees, or 1.3%, since December 2008, according to the latest quarterly report. During that time, the ranks of the nation's unemployed increased by nearly 4 million, Labor Department statistics show.
The growth of the amoeba-cancer. Somehow I don't think that's going to contribute to GDP.
It Did Not End With the NEA Solicitation
While the NEA was seeking Riefenstahl, there was plenty of other action emanating from the White House on ObamaCare. Courtesy VerumSerum, a tip-of-the-iceberg view:
It now appears that the activity with the NEA is really just the tip of the iceberg of a large-scale, orchestrated effort by the Office of Public Engagement to organize and initiate political activity in support of ObamaCare by various progressive-leaning interest groups, including many federally funded, non-profit organizations.
Legal questions, anyone?
Exhibit 1 is a document prepared and distributed by the White House entitled: “Health Reform Action Guide – Summer 2009″. It so happens that the White House has created various versions of this document, slightly customized for the interest groups for which it was targeted. Here are the versions I have found so far:
African Americans for Health Insurance Reform
Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Health Insurance Reform
Doctors for Health Insurance Reform
Nurses for Health Insurance Reform
People With Disabilities for Health Insurance Reform
Young Adults for Health Insurance Reform
... employees of the federal government have been utilizing government resources – salaries, facilities, equipment, etc. – in order to facilitate activity on behalf of a partisan legislative agenda. Even more troubling is the fact that many of the organizations targeted by the White House appear to be 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, which are significantly restricted from engaging in political lobbying activity. And even more worrisome, is that some of these organizations receive a substantial amount of their funding from the federal government.
Well, yes. There ARE legal questions.
I'm not looking for Eric Holder to get engaged here, though.
It now appears that the activity with the NEA is really just the tip of the iceberg of a large-scale, orchestrated effort by the Office of Public Engagement to organize and initiate political activity in support of ObamaCare by various progressive-leaning interest groups, including many federally funded, non-profit organizations.
Legal questions, anyone?
Exhibit 1 is a document prepared and distributed by the White House entitled: “Health Reform Action Guide – Summer 2009″. It so happens that the White House has created various versions of this document, slightly customized for the interest groups for which it was targeted. Here are the versions I have found so far:
African Americans for Health Insurance Reform
Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Health Insurance Reform
Doctors for Health Insurance Reform
Nurses for Health Insurance Reform
People With Disabilities for Health Insurance Reform
Young Adults for Health Insurance Reform
... employees of the federal government have been utilizing government resources – salaries, facilities, equipment, etc. – in order to facilitate activity on behalf of a partisan legislative agenda. Even more troubling is the fact that many of the organizations targeted by the White House appear to be 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, which are significantly restricted from engaging in political lobbying activity. And even more worrisome, is that some of these organizations receive a substantial amount of their funding from the federal government.
Well, yes. There ARE legal questions.
I'm not looking for Eric Holder to get engaged here, though.
Speaking of Zelaya...
Jacobson notes an article in the Miami Herald.
Commie and Friend-of-Barack (not to mention Chavez and Castro) Zelaya has interesting stuff happening to him.
Zelaya claims he is the victim of radiation and mind control experiments and is being targeted by Israeli mercenaries.
Any reference to Israel is, of course, the allowed, or even blessed racism. It's perfectly fine to blame it all on the Jooooooooos. Obama does it, so it must be OK, right?
Was Ziva David off-set in the last few months?
Commie and Friend-of-Barack (not to mention Chavez and Castro) Zelaya has interesting stuff happening to him.
Zelaya claims he is the victim of radiation and mind control experiments and is being targeted by Israeli mercenaries.
Any reference to Israel is, of course, the allowed, or even blessed racism. It's perfectly fine to blame it all on the Jooooooooos. Obama does it, so it must be OK, right?
Was Ziva David off-set in the last few months?
Just Like TEA Parties, Eh?
Musta been a TEA Party.
Virtually every private car in the area of the Brazilian Embassy where Zelaya is hiding was damaged by breaking out some or all of the windows and ruining the tires. Ironically, Mel Zelaya's own mother's car was parked on the street and was likewise vandalized.
Private homes in the area were broken into and robbed. Citizens were assaulted. Death threats were sprayed unto neighbors' walls. Mountains of trash were strewn in the streets.
At least one woman's house was completely ransacked, robbed, and her two employees were terrorized. The Zelayistas smoked marijuana as they destroyed and smashed everything in her house up to and including the ceilings, doors, and windows − the video of her home shown on the news was horrifying. Other neighbors were terrorized, assaulted, threatened with rape, and forced to prepare food by the rioters while they were being robbed. Numerous citizens called the police about home invasions.
Actually, the rioters were Commies --pals of Obama. You can look it up.
But don't bother looking it up in the MSM. They didn't run this story.
Virtually every private car in the area of the Brazilian Embassy where Zelaya is hiding was damaged by breaking out some or all of the windows and ruining the tires. Ironically, Mel Zelaya's own mother's car was parked on the street and was likewise vandalized.
Private homes in the area were broken into and robbed. Citizens were assaulted. Death threats were sprayed unto neighbors' walls. Mountains of trash were strewn in the streets.
At least one woman's house was completely ransacked, robbed, and her two employees were terrorized. The Zelayistas smoked marijuana as they destroyed and smashed everything in her house up to and including the ceilings, doors, and windows − the video of her home shown on the news was horrifying. Other neighbors were terrorized, assaulted, threatened with rape, and forced to prepare food by the rioters while they were being robbed. Numerous citizens called the police about home invasions.
Actually, the rioters were Commies --pals of Obama. You can look it up.
But don't bother looking it up in the MSM. They didn't run this story.
Fact-Deficiency of Zweifel
Not too surprising for an ex-editor of the CapSlimes.
Ninety years ago, after the end of World War I, nearly all of America's Catholic bishops joined together to push a program of "social reconstruction," their vision of how America's institutions could be overhauled to better serve the citizenry, particularly the needy.
That part is true.
The bishops lobbied hard on behalf of their proposals and many were eventually enacted into law, especially as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. The health insurance proposal, although it once was in the mix as part of Roosevelt's Social Security plan, never did make it, as we know all too well today
That's true too. Could it be that there is a REASON the health plan 'didn't make it'? Maybe, for example, that Catholics operated 25%++ of the hospitals during that era and FDR was anti-Catholic (which he most assuredly was.)??
Instead of helping push a plan aimed at covering the uninsured and the poor in our midst, these days we see bishops like the Madison Diocese's Robert Morlino squandering their time on reactionary silliness like ordering Catholic schools not to show the president's back-to-school address, as if the president of the United States can't be trusted with kids.
Well, Obama had no problem ensuring the death of tens-of-thousands of pre-born children, and no qualms about allowing the death of BORN children. No, Z., he CANNOT 'be trusted with kids.'
The reason the bishops won't get behind health care like their predecessors did back in 1919 is, of course, their modern-day fixation on abortion. They'd rather that nearly 50 million Americans, mostly the working poor, continue without health coverage and with the heartbreaks that result than take a slim chance that a health care overhaul might possibly allow an abortion to a rape victim or an imperiled mother-to-be.
(Wherein Z attempts to stuff more half-truths, lies, and innuendos into one graf than even Pravda!) But let's start here: neither Wilson nor FDR (nor anyone following through JFK) would have thought of murdering babies as a licit Federal enterprise, much less tax-supported.
Z resorts to quoting Ms. Kissling (properly spelled Quissling): "All agree to support the 'status quo' and to not use health care to advance their abortion agendas; and they agree to disagree about what the status quo is and move on. Not the bishops; they are the only religious group that is holding support for health care reform hostage to a complete ban on any form of federal funds being spent on abortion coverage."
Gee. Kissling lies and Z knows it (or he'd substantiate her remarks). Funny thing. Those Bishops just don't think Kissling tells the truth (she doesn't) and they say out loud that forcing citizens to subsidize abortions is--------immoral!
In Kansas City the archbishop and the bishop have gone so far as joining those who oppose a public option for health coverage, saying that health reforms should emphasize "personal responsibility for health care decisions, and for the cost of treatment, rather than reliance on government or society." That's a smoke-screen position, of course, because it's the public option they fear might allow using government funds for an emergency abortion.
That's because strictly speaking, health care is NOT the obligation of the State. Never has been. Never will be. In limited circumstances, for good reason, the State has assumbed the responsibility--but it is NOT an 'obligation.'
The nation's Catholic bishops have come a long way since 1919, when they sided with those who pushed hard to give a helping hand to America's workers, the poor and the elderly. Unfortunately, it has often been the wrong way.
In your opinion, Davey. But facts matter; it would be kinda nice if you'd use a few now and then.
HT: FoxPolitics
Ninety years ago, after the end of World War I, nearly all of America's Catholic bishops joined together to push a program of "social reconstruction," their vision of how America's institutions could be overhauled to better serve the citizenry, particularly the needy.
That part is true.
The bishops lobbied hard on behalf of their proposals and many were eventually enacted into law, especially as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. The health insurance proposal, although it once was in the mix as part of Roosevelt's Social Security plan, never did make it, as we know all too well today
That's true too. Could it be that there is a REASON the health plan 'didn't make it'? Maybe, for example, that Catholics operated 25%++ of the hospitals during that era and FDR was anti-Catholic (which he most assuredly was.)??
Instead of helping push a plan aimed at covering the uninsured and the poor in our midst, these days we see bishops like the Madison Diocese's Robert Morlino squandering their time on reactionary silliness like ordering Catholic schools not to show the president's back-to-school address, as if the president of the United States can't be trusted with kids.
Well, Obama had no problem ensuring the death of tens-of-thousands of pre-born children, and no qualms about allowing the death of BORN children. No, Z., he CANNOT 'be trusted with kids.'
The reason the bishops won't get behind health care like their predecessors did back in 1919 is, of course, their modern-day fixation on abortion. They'd rather that nearly 50 million Americans, mostly the working poor, continue without health coverage and with the heartbreaks that result than take a slim chance that a health care overhaul might possibly allow an abortion to a rape victim or an imperiled mother-to-be.
(Wherein Z attempts to stuff more half-truths, lies, and innuendos into one graf than even Pravda!) But let's start here: neither Wilson nor FDR (nor anyone following through JFK) would have thought of murdering babies as a licit Federal enterprise, much less tax-supported.
Z resorts to quoting Ms. Kissling (properly spelled Quissling): "All agree to support the 'status quo' and to not use health care to advance their abortion agendas; and they agree to disagree about what the status quo is and move on. Not the bishops; they are the only religious group that is holding support for health care reform hostage to a complete ban on any form of federal funds being spent on abortion coverage."
Gee. Kissling lies and Z knows it (or he'd substantiate her remarks). Funny thing. Those Bishops just don't think Kissling tells the truth (she doesn't) and they say out loud that forcing citizens to subsidize abortions is--------immoral!
In Kansas City the archbishop and the bishop have gone so far as joining those who oppose a public option for health coverage, saying that health reforms should emphasize "personal responsibility for health care decisions, and for the cost of treatment, rather than reliance on government or society." That's a smoke-screen position, of course, because it's the public option they fear might allow using government funds for an emergency abortion.
That's because strictly speaking, health care is NOT the obligation of the State. Never has been. Never will be. In limited circumstances, for good reason, the State has assumbed the responsibility--but it is NOT an 'obligation.'
The nation's Catholic bishops have come a long way since 1919, when they sided with those who pushed hard to give a helping hand to America's workers, the poor and the elderly. Unfortunately, it has often been the wrong way.
In your opinion, Davey. But facts matter; it would be kinda nice if you'd use a few now and then.
HT: FoxPolitics
What About Private-Sector Alternatives?
There are at least 2 private-sector ambulance companies in the Greater Milwaukee area.
Under current ambulance fees, a [Waukesha] resident is charged $375, $500 or $650, depending on the level of services needed. Non-residents are charged $510, $590 or $770. Both pay $8 per mile for trips, as well.
Effective as soon as possible upon Common Council approval, those fees would increase by $100 for residents and from $80 to $110 for non-residents. Mileage would jump to $12 per mile.
Beginning in July, the rates would go up $95 to $118 more for residents and $125 to $200 more for non-residents, with trip costs at $14 per mile.
The largest increase would be felt by residents needing the most basic service, such as a wound bandaged or a broken arm splinted, where the $375 fee would increase to $593 by next July - a 58% increase.
I don't doubt the figures, nor the rationale for the increase.
But it seems to me that privately-owned firms now have a price-point against which they can compete, and it's about time that municipal leaders start asking questions about who should render the service.
Under current ambulance fees, a [Waukesha] resident is charged $375, $500 or $650, depending on the level of services needed. Non-residents are charged $510, $590 or $770. Both pay $8 per mile for trips, as well.
Effective as soon as possible upon Common Council approval, those fees would increase by $100 for residents and from $80 to $110 for non-residents. Mileage would jump to $12 per mile.
Beginning in July, the rates would go up $95 to $118 more for residents and $125 to $200 more for non-residents, with trip costs at $14 per mile.
The largest increase would be felt by residents needing the most basic service, such as a wound bandaged or a broken arm splinted, where the $375 fee would increase to $593 by next July - a 58% increase.
I don't doubt the figures, nor the rationale for the increase.
But it seems to me that privately-owned firms now have a price-point against which they can compete, and it's about time that municipal leaders start asking questions about who should render the service.
Murkowski's Right: Bring EPA to Heel
This is major. Reported by Politico:
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) plans to introduce an amendment Thursday morning banning the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating carbon dioxide.
Naturally,
The proposal is fiercely opposed by the administration, which sees EPA action as a way to pressure the Senate into passing cap and trade legislation curbing greenhouse gas emissionsRead more.
Of course, Murkowski's proposal is raaaaaaaaacist. With that as a given, let's get around to the facts.
The EPA is expected to release a ruling this fall declaring that greenhouse gases are a danger to human health and welfare. The ruling would allow the agency to begin regulating emissions from power plants, factories, and a broad range of other sources.
IOW, "Cap-n-Tax" by other means. We'll repeat: Cap-n-Tax will be the death of the industrial Midwest (although Doyle's done his damndest to kill Wisconsin without it) and the death of coal-production in this country.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) plans to introduce an amendment Thursday morning banning the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating carbon dioxide.
Naturally,
The proposal is fiercely opposed by the administration, which sees EPA action as a way to pressure the Senate into passing cap and trade legislation curbing greenhouse gas emissionsRead more.
Of course, Murkowski's proposal is raaaaaaaaacist. With that as a given, let's get around to the facts.
The EPA is expected to release a ruling this fall declaring that greenhouse gases are a danger to human health and welfare. The ruling would allow the agency to begin regulating emissions from power plants, factories, and a broad range of other sources.
IOW, "Cap-n-Tax" by other means. We'll repeat: Cap-n-Tax will be the death of the industrial Midwest (although Doyle's done his damndest to kill Wisconsin without it) and the death of coal-production in this country.
Ahhhh....the Gallic Mind, in Three Parts
McMahon discovered this.
Rock star and avid bow hunter, Ted Nugent, was being interviewed by a French journalist, and when the discussion touched on deer hunting the journalist asked, "What do you think is the last thought in the head of a deer before you shoot him? Is it, 'Are you my friend?' or is it 'Are you the one who killed my brother?''"
Nugent paused for a moment and then replied, "Deer aren't capable of that kind of thinking. All they care about is, 'What am I going to eat next, who am I going to have sex with next, and can I run fast enough to get away?'
"They are very much like the French," he concluded.
But you have to go to Tom's site to see a VERY good 4-Block World for today.
Rock star and avid bow hunter, Ted Nugent, was being interviewed by a French journalist, and when the discussion touched on deer hunting the journalist asked, "What do you think is the last thought in the head of a deer before you shoot him? Is it, 'Are you my friend?' or is it 'Are you the one who killed my brother?''"
Nugent paused for a moment and then replied, "Deer aren't capable of that kind of thinking. All they care about is, 'What am I going to eat next, who am I going to have sex with next, and can I run fast enough to get away?'
"They are very much like the French," he concluded.
But you have to go to Tom's site to see a VERY good 4-Block World for today.
Volcker Right, Gramm Wrong
Since Volcker is making suggestions which will not please the Gods of Wall Street, you can bet that this is the last you'll hear of them.
Ritholtz has the story.
Ritholtz has the story.
A Strategy Here, A Strategy There.......
Obama seems to have adopted the "remedy of the week" methodology.
WASHINGTON — President Obama is exploring alternatives to a major troop increase in Afghanistan, including a plan advocated by Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to scale back American forces and focus more on rooting out Al Qaeda there and in Pakistan, officials said Tuesday.
The options under review are part of what administration officials described as a wholesale reconsideration of a strategy the president announced with fanfare just six months ago. Two new intelligence reports are being conducted to evaluate Afghanistan and Pakistan, one official said. --NY Times, quoted in JustOneMinute
Generally, a strategy is successful if and only if it is allowed to work--and it usually takes more than 6 months for the results to be known.
Otherwise, it's called "a tactic."
Let's hope that Obamamamamama catches on before another thousand or so US troops are KIA in Afghanistan.
WASHINGTON — President Obama is exploring alternatives to a major troop increase in Afghanistan, including a plan advocated by Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to scale back American forces and focus more on rooting out Al Qaeda there and in Pakistan, officials said Tuesday.
The options under review are part of what administration officials described as a wholesale reconsideration of a strategy the president announced with fanfare just six months ago. Two new intelligence reports are being conducted to evaluate Afghanistan and Pakistan, one official said. --NY Times, quoted in JustOneMinute
Generally, a strategy is successful if and only if it is allowed to work--and it usually takes more than 6 months for the results to be known.
Otherwise, it's called "a tactic."
Let's hope that Obamamamamama catches on before another thousand or so US troops are KIA in Afghanistan.
The Numbers Obama Doesn't Talk About
Well, well. Seems that all those furriners ARE seeing healthcare spending increase.
Even faster than ours.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) collects data on health care expenditures for 30 countries. Take the last decade the data are available, from 1998 to 2007. During that time, per capita health care expenditures in the US rose on average by 7.2 percent per year. Expenditures for other countries actually rose on average by a percentage point more per year, 8.2 percent. Fourteen of the 24 countries beside the U.S. that had data over these years had a larger growth in health care spending that the U.S. A similar pattern occurs over the last twenty years.
For the average OECD country in 2007, government expenditures made up about 72 percent of all health care expenditures. At 45 percent, the U.S. is tied for the lowest share. Government spending made up more than 80 percent of health care spending in about a third of the countries. But making the US more like other countries and giving the government an even greater role doesn't seem to be the key to reducing costs. Indeed, the reverse is true -- countries where government has the highest share also faced the biggest increases in per capita expenditures. Using all the data available from 1960 to 2007 and accounting for per capita income as well as other factors, each one percent increase in a government's share of health care expenditures increases health care expenditures by about 0.4 percent.
I'll repeat: if you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it's FREE!!
Even faster than ours.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) collects data on health care expenditures for 30 countries. Take the last decade the data are available, from 1998 to 2007. During that time, per capita health care expenditures in the US rose on average by 7.2 percent per year. Expenditures for other countries actually rose on average by a percentage point more per year, 8.2 percent. Fourteen of the 24 countries beside the U.S. that had data over these years had a larger growth in health care spending that the U.S. A similar pattern occurs over the last twenty years.
For the average OECD country in 2007, government expenditures made up about 72 percent of all health care expenditures. At 45 percent, the U.S. is tied for the lowest share. Government spending made up more than 80 percent of health care spending in about a third of the countries. But making the US more like other countries and giving the government an even greater role doesn't seem to be the key to reducing costs. Indeed, the reverse is true -- countries where government has the highest share also faced the biggest increases in per capita expenditures. Using all the data available from 1960 to 2007 and accounting for per capita income as well as other factors, each one percent increase in a government's share of health care expenditures increases health care expenditures by about 0.4 percent.
I'll repeat: if you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it's FREE!!
Going Off the Edge With Jay
Apparently in homage to Rowen, Folkie posts his own apples/oranges trick. (You know, like using mortality numbers to declare that the current health insurance system is broken.)
But there is, in fact, a moderate correlation between union membership and education spending, if you count education spending as a rough surrogate for educational achievement--or at least the importance a state ascribes to educating its children.
Yah. He kinda hopes you don't see the "if" in the red-highlights, because as any parochial-school graduate can tell you, big money NEVER educated anyone.
But there is, in fact, a moderate correlation between union membership and education spending, if you count education spending as a rough surrogate for educational achievement--or at least the importance a state ascribes to educating its children.
Yah. He kinda hopes you don't see the "if" in the red-highlights, because as any parochial-school graduate can tell you, big money NEVER educated anyone.
The Doyle Incompetency, Chapter 23,467
Another bridge begins to crumble under the Doyle Incompetency
The state Department of Transportation added an element of urgency Wednesday to the repair-or-replace decision on the expansive Hoan Bridge.
Repairs to the 2½ of miles of roadway need to start in 2011 - a year ahead of previous estimates - to head off restrictions on heavy trucks and other limitations on traffic in 2013, according to a report on the condition of the bridge.
The work would replace crumbling concrete and eroding support steel on the bridge deck. Concrete box girders that support the ramps leading to the bridge also are deteriorating.
What was it--a $Billion or so stolen from highway "trust" funds by Doyle in the last 7 years?
The state Department of Transportation added an element of urgency Wednesday to the repair-or-replace decision on the expansive Hoan Bridge.
Repairs to the 2½ of miles of roadway need to start in 2011 - a year ahead of previous estimates - to head off restrictions on heavy trucks and other limitations on traffic in 2013, according to a report on the condition of the bridge.
The work would replace crumbling concrete and eroding support steel on the bridge deck. Concrete box girders that support the ramps leading to the bridge also are deteriorating.
What was it--a $Billion or so stolen from highway "trust" funds by Doyle in the last 7 years?
Leon Young to "Spread the Wealth"
Actually, Young's proposal will spread the pain by penalizing rural and suburban residents.
All other factors being equal, car insurance would cost the same whether you lived in a high-risk area in Milwaukee or a sparsely populated rural town under a proposal in the state Legislature.
...Proponents of the plan to eliminate ZIP codes as a factor in setting rates contend that with mandatory car insurance taking effect next year, insurance should be priced more evenly across the state.
"We're just trying to make it affordable. We want people to comply and go out there and get insurance, and this is one of the barriers," said state Rep. Leon Young (D-Milwaukee).
Even Jim Doyle understands the problem.
In June, when he vetoed the ZIP measure from the state budget, Doyle said the provision would be "disruptive to the market and would increase premiums for policyholders in many locations."
It's not really an issue of the driving record, no matter what the LeftOLeggies say.
It's the real-estate mantra: location, location, location.
All other factors being equal, car insurance would cost the same whether you lived in a high-risk area in Milwaukee or a sparsely populated rural town under a proposal in the state Legislature.
...Proponents of the plan to eliminate ZIP codes as a factor in setting rates contend that with mandatory car insurance taking effect next year, insurance should be priced more evenly across the state.
"We're just trying to make it affordable. We want people to comply and go out there and get insurance, and this is one of the barriers," said state Rep. Leon Young (D-Milwaukee).
Even Jim Doyle understands the problem.
In June, when he vetoed the ZIP measure from the state budget, Doyle said the provision would be "disruptive to the market and would increase premiums for policyholders in many locations."
It's not really an issue of the driving record, no matter what the LeftOLeggies say.
It's the real-estate mantra: location, location, location.
Still Campaigning: Obama Preaches to the Choir
We used to think that Bill Clinton was a 'continuous campaigner.' Clinton was Cal Coolidge compared to "Mr. TV Speech" Obama.
Of course, Clinton wasn't campaigning for World Leader, either.
It’s always a bad sign when a US president gets several rounds of heavy applause at the UN General Assembly, as Barack Obama did this morning in New York
...Overall this was a staggeringly naïve speech by President Obama, with Woodstock-style utterances like “I will not waver in my pursuit of peace” or “the interests of peoples and nations are shared.” All that was missing was a conga of hippies dancing through the aisles with a rousing rendition of “Kumbaya”.
The big catchphrase of the morning was “new era of engagement”, with Obama outlining the four big international pillars of his presidency: ridding the world of nuclear weapons, the pursuit of peace, preserving the planet, and supporting “a global economy that advances opportunity for all people”.
The "seashells and balloons" part is coming next week.
What was missing?
...human rights issues were strikingly downplayed in Obama’s address, which is not surprising since they are rarely on the radar screen of this administration. Nor did the words liberty or freedom feature prominently. This was a speech designed to appease opinion in a world body in which full democracies make up only a minority of its members.
Obama has appointed the most extreme anti-life Administration in the history of the US. Ignoring human rights is perfectly consistent for him.
No surprise that he was applauded heavily by the Star Wars bar-crowd in NY. Most of them live in stark raving fear of their own domestic populations.
Kindred spirits.
Of course, Clinton wasn't campaigning for World Leader, either.
It’s always a bad sign when a US president gets several rounds of heavy applause at the UN General Assembly, as Barack Obama did this morning in New York
...Overall this was a staggeringly naïve speech by President Obama, with Woodstock-style utterances like “I will not waver in my pursuit of peace” or “the interests of peoples and nations are shared.” All that was missing was a conga of hippies dancing through the aisles with a rousing rendition of “Kumbaya”.
The big catchphrase of the morning was “new era of engagement”, with Obama outlining the four big international pillars of his presidency: ridding the world of nuclear weapons, the pursuit of peace, preserving the planet, and supporting “a global economy that advances opportunity for all people”.
The "seashells and balloons" part is coming next week.
What was missing?
...human rights issues were strikingly downplayed in Obama’s address, which is not surprising since they are rarely on the radar screen of this administration. Nor did the words liberty or freedom feature prominently. This was a speech designed to appease opinion in a world body in which full democracies make up only a minority of its members.
Obama has appointed the most extreme anti-life Administration in the history of the US. Ignoring human rights is perfectly consistent for him.
No surprise that he was applauded heavily by the Star Wars bar-crowd in NY. Most of them live in stark raving fear of their own domestic populations.
Kindred spirits.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
JOB Opportunities!!
In pure Iowahawkian style...
...From heath care to the economy to the environment, Washington has become infested with pesky state enemies who are clogging up the legislative pipeline and making life miserable for our cool, art-loving president. That's why he has ordered the NEA to fund obsequious bohemians to help him exterminate the competition and drive traffic to his hip new website Servile.gov. The Federal Art Instruction Institute will show you how to get off funemployment and on the payroll of this exciting $3.6 trillion growth industry!
How can the Federal Art Instruction Institute help me?
Unlike traditional art schools, the Federal Art Instruction Institute doesn't waste your time on boring Post-Modernist theory, messy bodily fluids, or painful self mutilation. With our easy-to-learn program you will quickly learn how to channel your natural artistic ability and suburban self-loathing at state enemies who, when you think about it, are a lot like your parents.
Plenty more at the link. He's a friggin' genius.
...From heath care to the economy to the environment, Washington has become infested with pesky state enemies who are clogging up the legislative pipeline and making life miserable for our cool, art-loving president. That's why he has ordered the NEA to fund obsequious bohemians to help him exterminate the competition and drive traffic to his hip new website Servile.gov. The Federal Art Instruction Institute will show you how to get off funemployment and on the payroll of this exciting $3.6 trillion growth industry!
How can the Federal Art Instruction Institute help me?
Unlike traditional art schools, the Federal Art Instruction Institute doesn't waste your time on boring Post-Modernist theory, messy bodily fluids, or painful self mutilation. With our easy-to-learn program you will quickly learn how to channel your natural artistic ability and suburban self-loathing at state enemies who, when you think about it, are a lot like your parents.
Plenty more at the link. He's a friggin' genius.
Oopsie! Iran Lost Its AWACS
The big Air Show also had pyrotechnics.
Iran's sole Simorgh AWACS aircraft was lost during a military parade Sept. 22, one of two Iranian military aircraft that crashed in Tehran while participating in a display to mark the anniversary of the start of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War.
Oh...that's not all.
Eye witnesses reported that the flaming planes landed on the mausoleum burial site of the Islamic revolution's founder Ruhollah Khomeini, a national shrine.
The source is Debka, which is not known for utter reliability. But still......
HT: Ace/Russ
Iran's sole Simorgh AWACS aircraft was lost during a military parade Sept. 22, one of two Iranian military aircraft that crashed in Tehran while participating in a display to mark the anniversary of the start of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War.
Oh...that's not all.
Eye witnesses reported that the flaming planes landed on the mausoleum burial site of the Islamic revolution's founder Ruhollah Khomeini, a national shrine.
The source is Debka, which is not known for utter reliability. But still......
HT: Ace/Russ
Senate ObamaCare: You'll Have to GUESS the Number
What a crock.
Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee killed an amendment proposed by Sen. Jim Bunning that would have required the committee to have the legislative language of its health care bill evaluated by the Congressional Budget Office before voting on it.
...Instead, the committee adopted an amendment by Baucus that doesn't require the legislative language to be written, but that does require a CBO estimate based on the plain English version.
....which, of course, will make accurate CBO numbers an impossibility.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
HT: AmSpec
Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee killed an amendment proposed by Sen. Jim Bunning that would have required the committee to have the legislative language of its health care bill evaluated by the Congressional Budget Office before voting on it.
...Instead, the committee adopted an amendment by Baucus that doesn't require the legislative language to be written, but that does require a CBO estimate based on the plain English version.
....which, of course, will make accurate CBO numbers an impossibility.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
HT: AmSpec
Why the Catholics Funded ACORN
There's plenty of unhappy noise about the United States Catholic Conference's funding of ACORN through its affiliate Catholic Campaign for Human Development. (The funding was cut off last year, after the $1MM "disappear" of funds.)
Here's the history (more at the link)
...when Alinsky began his career in the 1930s as an urban agitator in the Chicago stockyards neighborhoods known as “back of the yards,” he also managed to strike an alliance with the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, which helped him found the community organizing operation, Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) which to this day holds training workshop for aspiring radical activists.
...In the 1950s, Father John Egan of the Cana Conference, who met Alinsky through Maritain, was so impressed with Alinsky’s hands-on experience and confrontational style, that he convinced Chicago’s Samuel Cardinal Stritch to hire IAF to advance social projects. According to Church historian Steven Avella, Cardinal Stritch and his successor Albert Cardinal Meyer funded Alinsky community organizing operations for years because he persuaded them that the “Church could be a very powerful social force in…Chicago if it could only mobilize itself for action.”
So?
Alinsky trained scores of young priests who later took on major responsibilities within the Church bureaucracy including the U.S. Catholic Conference.
Doesn't take too much to figure out why Catholics generally ignore Bishops on matters economic and political.
Here's the history (more at the link)
...when Alinsky began his career in the 1930s as an urban agitator in the Chicago stockyards neighborhoods known as “back of the yards,” he also managed to strike an alliance with the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, which helped him found the community organizing operation, Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) which to this day holds training workshop for aspiring radical activists.
...In the 1950s, Father John Egan of the Cana Conference, who met Alinsky through Maritain, was so impressed with Alinsky’s hands-on experience and confrontational style, that he convinced Chicago’s Samuel Cardinal Stritch to hire IAF to advance social projects. According to Church historian Steven Avella, Cardinal Stritch and his successor Albert Cardinal Meyer funded Alinsky community organizing operations for years because he persuaded them that the “Church could be a very powerful social force in…Chicago if it could only mobilize itself for action.”
So?
Alinsky trained scores of young priests who later took on major responsibilities within the Church bureaucracy including the U.S. Catholic Conference.
Doesn't take too much to figure out why Catholics generally ignore Bishops on matters economic and political.
A Lot of Good Questions from Glenn Greenwald
Dreher cites a bunch of Greenwald in a post actually about Glenn Beck.
Is opposition to the Wall Street bailout (supported by both parties' establishments) left or right? How about the view that Washington is inherently corrupt and beholden to the richest corporate interests and banks which, through lobbyist influence and vast financial contributions, own and control our political system? Is hostility towards Beltway elites liberal or conservative? Is opposition to the Surveillance State and endless expansions of federal police powers a view of liberals (who vehemently opposed such measures during the Bush era but now sometimes support or at least tolerate them) or conservatives (some of whom -- the Ron Paul faction -- objected just as vigorously, and naturally oppose such things regardless of who is in power as transgressions of the proper limits of government)? Liberals during the Bush era continuously complained about the doubling of the national debt, a central concern of many of these "tea party" protesters. Is the belief that Washington politicians are destroying the economic security of the middle class, while the rich grow richer, a liberal or conservative view? Opposition to endless wars and bankruptcy-inducing imperial policy generally finds as much expression among certain quarters on the Right as it does on the Left.
Well. SOME of those 'right/left' questions are answered "populist," which is a fairly strong streak in this country--it perdures from Andy Jackson through today. But only a blindered fool could ignore Ritholtz' sharp, pointed, and clear criticisms of D.C.'s affinity for commercial and investment banks (and bankers.) Only a blindered fool could ignore the national-debt problems of GWB which were geometrically enhanced by Obama.
And only blindered fools declare that 'we MUST win' in Afghanistan, particularly when they cannot define "win"--proving that they can't even learn from history only 6 years old, when GWB couldn't offer a definition of "win" in Iraq.
But then, there are a lot of blindered fools.
Is opposition to the Wall Street bailout (supported by both parties' establishments) left or right? How about the view that Washington is inherently corrupt and beholden to the richest corporate interests and banks which, through lobbyist influence and vast financial contributions, own and control our political system? Is hostility towards Beltway elites liberal or conservative? Is opposition to the Surveillance State and endless expansions of federal police powers a view of liberals (who vehemently opposed such measures during the Bush era but now sometimes support or at least tolerate them) or conservatives (some of whom -- the Ron Paul faction -- objected just as vigorously, and naturally oppose such things regardless of who is in power as transgressions of the proper limits of government)? Liberals during the Bush era continuously complained about the doubling of the national debt, a central concern of many of these "tea party" protesters. Is the belief that Washington politicians are destroying the economic security of the middle class, while the rich grow richer, a liberal or conservative view? Opposition to endless wars and bankruptcy-inducing imperial policy generally finds as much expression among certain quarters on the Right as it does on the Left.
Well. SOME of those 'right/left' questions are answered "populist," which is a fairly strong streak in this country--it perdures from Andy Jackson through today. But only a blindered fool could ignore Ritholtz' sharp, pointed, and clear criticisms of D.C.'s affinity for commercial and investment banks (and bankers.) Only a blindered fool could ignore the national-debt problems of GWB which were geometrically enhanced by Obama.
And only blindered fools declare that 'we MUST win' in Afghanistan, particularly when they cannot define "win"--proving that they can't even learn from history only 6 years old, when GWB couldn't offer a definition of "win" in Iraq.
But then, there are a lot of blindered fools.
Is Truman the Model for Obama?
Roeser, the historian.
While current myth-makers about the greatness of Harry Truman ignore it now, let someone who lived through his era tell you: The disastrous foreign policy mistakes that were made in the Far East during his time live with us yet. The fact that he has become an unjustified myth does not obscure the truth. The Marshall Plan was brilliant but it is more than overbalanced by the fall of China which was largely our doing, our miscalculation.
Under Dean Acheson and George Marshall, the forces of Chiang kai Shek were deprived of massive U. S. aid to force a “coalition government” between the Red Chinese and the Chinese nationalists....
You know the rest of that story. Korean War, millions massacred by Mao, Commie aggression in VietNam (remnants of same now bothering the Philippines)....
Rapidly the dissatisfaction with our foreign and defense posture robbed Truman of the high stature he had by winning against almost insuperable odds his election over Dewey in 1948. Successive scandals led to the slogan mouthed everywhere “To err is Truman.”
...The toppling of Truman’s reputation from a plain-spoken little man…representing Everyman…to a symbol of incompetence and corruption…was the most complete turnaround I ever saw.
...Still and all, the congressional elections didn’t see Republicans capture control of either house but the number of Democratic falloff was terrific. The Democrats lost 27 seats in the House and five in the Senate, barely managing to hang on by two seats. Here in Illinois, a senator viewed as impregnable…much as Dick Durbin is now…the Democratic majority leader of the Senate, Scott Lucas was defeated in a near landslide by Everett Dirksen (the Democrats elected Arizona Senator Ernest McFarland as majority leader and he lost reelection two years later).
The issues were Democratic mismanagement of foreign and defense policy and corruption in the Truman administration.
Interesting thesis, no?
But as for Obama, will he change from the Lefty he is to one determined to save his presidency by becoming a tougher critic of the Palestinians and more assertively pro-defense? Will he?
No such luck. He is a media creation; he is a Leftwing creation. And it is as a Leftwing creation he will be defeated.
Oremus!
While current myth-makers about the greatness of Harry Truman ignore it now, let someone who lived through his era tell you: The disastrous foreign policy mistakes that were made in the Far East during his time live with us yet. The fact that he has become an unjustified myth does not obscure the truth. The Marshall Plan was brilliant but it is more than overbalanced by the fall of China which was largely our doing, our miscalculation.
Under Dean Acheson and George Marshall, the forces of Chiang kai Shek were deprived of massive U. S. aid to force a “coalition government” between the Red Chinese and the Chinese nationalists....
You know the rest of that story. Korean War, millions massacred by Mao, Commie aggression in VietNam (remnants of same now bothering the Philippines)....
Rapidly the dissatisfaction with our foreign and defense posture robbed Truman of the high stature he had by winning against almost insuperable odds his election over Dewey in 1948. Successive scandals led to the slogan mouthed everywhere “To err is Truman.”
...The toppling of Truman’s reputation from a plain-spoken little man…representing Everyman…to a symbol of incompetence and corruption…was the most complete turnaround I ever saw.
...Still and all, the congressional elections didn’t see Republicans capture control of either house but the number of Democratic falloff was terrific. The Democrats lost 27 seats in the House and five in the Senate, barely managing to hang on by two seats. Here in Illinois, a senator viewed as impregnable…much as Dick Durbin is now…the Democratic majority leader of the Senate, Scott Lucas was defeated in a near landslide by Everett Dirksen (the Democrats elected Arizona Senator Ernest McFarland as majority leader and he lost reelection two years later).
The issues were Democratic mismanagement of foreign and defense policy and corruption in the Truman administration.
Interesting thesis, no?
But as for Obama, will he change from the Lefty he is to one determined to save his presidency by becoming a tougher critic of the Palestinians and more assertively pro-defense? Will he?
No such luck. He is a media creation; he is a Leftwing creation. And it is as a Leftwing creation he will be defeated.
Oremus!
FSSP To Have Pastoral Responsibilities
Interesting.
Fr. John Berg recently celebrated a Solemn Mass for the German congress, Freude am Glauben (Joy in the Faith). He went on to celebrate another Solemn Mass for the annual meeting of the German Pro Missa Tridentina association in Wiesbaden this 19 September. At this conference, Fr. Berg mentioned some interesting details of his audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in July.
"Pope Benedict XVI wishes that the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter be entrusted, beyond the celebration of Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form, at as many places as possible, with the cura animarum, i.e. the full pastoral care. ...The Holy Father was very interested in whether the Fraternity was able to exercise its apostolate without obstacles, as intended.
Perhaps they are able to 'exercise...without obstacles,' except in Milwaukee.
Fr. John Berg recently celebrated a Solemn Mass for the German congress, Freude am Glauben (Joy in the Faith). He went on to celebrate another Solemn Mass for the annual meeting of the German Pro Missa Tridentina association in Wiesbaden this 19 September. At this conference, Fr. Berg mentioned some interesting details of his audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in July.
"Pope Benedict XVI wishes that the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter be entrusted, beyond the celebration of Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form, at as many places as possible, with the cura animarum, i.e. the full pastoral care. ...The Holy Father was very interested in whether the Fraternity was able to exercise its apostolate without obstacles, as intended.
Perhaps they are able to 'exercise...without obstacles,' except in Milwaukee.
The Mania of ChooChoos
Patrick demonstrates that Rowen (a ChooChooMania-guy) is incapable of post hoc, propter hoc reasoning.
“Milwaukee remains one of America's poorest cities, and also among its largest cities without urban rail.
“Talk about cause-and-effect." ---Rowen
Rowen carefully ignores history, too. Milwaukee had, for many years, a "light-rail" system which was called streetcars. It also had an electric interurban system, the remains of which are called the Hank Aaron Trail (and other things, like "a big scar on the landscape," or "bike trail.")
It was, ummmmnnnnnnhhhhhhh, unprofitable. That's why it is now a bike trail.
As for Mr. Rowen--perhaps there's a cure for his mania. There are a number of competent shrinks in Milwaukee, all accessible by car.
“Milwaukee remains one of America's poorest cities, and also among its largest cities without urban rail.
“Talk about cause-and-effect." ---Rowen
Rowen carefully ignores history, too. Milwaukee had, for many years, a "light-rail" system which was called streetcars. It also had an electric interurban system, the remains of which are called the Hank Aaron Trail (and other things, like "a big scar on the landscape," or "bike trail.")
It was, ummmmnnnnnnhhhhhhh, unprofitable. That's why it is now a bike trail.
As for Mr. Rowen--perhaps there's a cure for his mania. There are a number of competent shrinks in Milwaukee, all accessible by car.
If It Happens, I Have the Nomenclature
Noted by a JS reporter at a confab, with Q&A format:
Will governmental units consolidate to make public services more affordable around here?
“We love government here but we also love control,” noted Norm Cummings, administration director in Waukesha County.
Morics from Milwaukee said major changes will be a tough sell if the promise is merely government efficiency. The public doubts those benefits will materialize, and governments will fight to protect their turf.
“You need a groundswell and a champion” for consolidation to happen, he said.
OK. Here's the plan: consolidate ALL Milwaukee-County gummints into one!
We'll call that The Sewer District.
All the other Counties and their subdivisions--no change.
Will governmental units consolidate to make public services more affordable around here?
“We love government here but we also love control,” noted Norm Cummings, administration director in Waukesha County.
Morics from Milwaukee said major changes will be a tough sell if the promise is merely government efficiency. The public doubts those benefits will materialize, and governments will fight to protect their turf.
“You need a groundswell and a champion” for consolidation to happen, he said.
OK. Here's the plan: consolidate ALL Milwaukee-County gummints into one!
We'll call that The Sewer District.
All the other Counties and their subdivisions--no change.
Hey Nancy! Push It Through!!
Politico reports that QueenNancy intends to jam single-payer ("public option" yadayadayadya) through, no matter the Blue Dogs.
Please DO IT, Nancy!!
A top-to-bottom, government-run health care system is clearly not popular with 2010 voters. Fifty-eight percent of voters in states with competitive 2010 Senate races oppose the creation of a government-run health care system, or "single-payer" system, where the federal government pays for and provides health care for all Americans. Fifty-five percent of voters in competitive 2010 House districts oppose a "single-payer" system.
Less popular with 2010 voters is a key provision in Sen. Max Baucus', D-Mont., recently unveiled health care bill that would require all Americans to purchase health insurance or face a hefty fine. A clear majority of voters in competitive Senate races (68 percent) oppose such a provision, as do 70 percent of voters in competitive House races.
Do the Rahm-a-Jamma! Push! Slam! Wrestle!! Get it passed!
And then bend over and kiss your ass goodbye as the (D) becomes a minority party in Congress for the next 4? 8? 12? years!
HT: Ace
Please DO IT, Nancy!!
A top-to-bottom, government-run health care system is clearly not popular with 2010 voters. Fifty-eight percent of voters in states with competitive 2010 Senate races oppose the creation of a government-run health care system, or "single-payer" system, where the federal government pays for and provides health care for all Americans. Fifty-five percent of voters in competitive 2010 House districts oppose a "single-payer" system.
Less popular with 2010 voters is a key provision in Sen. Max Baucus', D-Mont., recently unveiled health care bill that would require all Americans to purchase health insurance or face a hefty fine. A clear majority of voters in competitive Senate races (68 percent) oppose such a provision, as do 70 percent of voters in competitive House races.
Do the Rahm-a-Jamma! Push! Slam! Wrestle!! Get it passed!
And then bend over and kiss your ass goodbye as the (D) becomes a minority party in Congress for the next 4? 8? 12? years!
HT: Ace
Two Years for Plaxico....
That sentence was stupid.
And if you're looking for an interesting comparison, check this:
Ex-Chicago cops plead guilty to warrantless raids in which they stole money, beat and threatened people, and in one case detained and withheld insulin from a diabetic until he told them where they could find more cash. They’ll get six months in jail.
Oh, yah.
HT: Agitator
And if you're looking for an interesting comparison, check this:
Ex-Chicago cops plead guilty to warrantless raids in which they stole money, beat and threatened people, and in one case detained and withheld insulin from a diabetic until he told them where they could find more cash. They’ll get six months in jail.
Oh, yah.
HT: Agitator
The Glory of the Two-Party System
Vox tiraded a bit --he likes Ron Paul, with good reason.
Anyhoo, he DOES present a very convincing windup to his essay:
When I look at the choices I have been presented by the two parties over the course of my voting eligibility, George Bush, Michael Dukakis, Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, George W. Bush, Al Gore, John Kerry, John McCain, and Barack Obama, there is not a single candidate I regret not voting for.
Vox is just a kid, of course. I got to look at LBJ, Nixon, Humphrey, Mondale, and Carter, too.
But unlike Vox, I DID get to vote for a guy who deserved the job: Ron Reagan.
Anyhoo, he DOES present a very convincing windup to his essay:
When I look at the choices I have been presented by the two parties over the course of my voting eligibility, George Bush, Michael Dukakis, Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, George W. Bush, Al Gore, John Kerry, John McCain, and Barack Obama, there is not a single candidate I regret not voting for.
Vox is just a kid, of course. I got to look at LBJ, Nixon, Humphrey, Mondale, and Carter, too.
But unlike Vox, I DID get to vote for a guy who deserved the job: Ron Reagan.
Government "For" the People? Really?
You know that old 'of the people, by the people....' that Lincoln intoned. Well, he was wrong.
Two different instances surfaced today (and the water-pun is felicitous.)
First, in Georgia. It's been raining there; deadly rain, with floods. However, it broke the drought which had prevailed for quite some time, thus going quite a ways towards re-filling Lake Lanier, which served as the reservoir for Atlanta.
Oooops! Nope. (See combox at the link)
...a Federal judge told them they can't use Lake Lanier as a reservoir anymore. They're planning to flood Dawson Forest [instead].
After umpty-years as the reservoir, providing potable water, ......oh, well. Too bad. You're just people.
Second, in California:
Jim DeMint offered up an amendment to the Department of Interior’s budget appropriations to sidestep stupid environmental studies about a minnow that a judge used to stop water flow in California’s Central Valley, where 50% of the US fruits and veggies are grown.
DeMint's amendment was defeated.
The Central Valley's drought-problem has resulted in multiple bankruptcies for growers, up to a 40% unemployment rate in the Valley, and will serve to increase the price of fruits and veggies across the country. But Big Green and "our" Government value the 3" minnow more.
Fish 1, "the people" 0.
The TEA Parties are NOT just about Obama. Never were, and never WILL be. They are about bloated-Blob Government(s) whose priorites are completely out of line with the priorities of the citizens of the country.
Two different instances surfaced today (and the water-pun is felicitous.)
First, in Georgia. It's been raining there; deadly rain, with floods. However, it broke the drought which had prevailed for quite some time, thus going quite a ways towards re-filling Lake Lanier, which served as the reservoir for Atlanta.
Oooops! Nope. (See combox at the link)
...a Federal judge told them they can't use Lake Lanier as a reservoir anymore. They're planning to flood Dawson Forest [instead].
After umpty-years as the reservoir, providing potable water, ......oh, well. Too bad. You're just people.
Second, in California:
Jim DeMint offered up an amendment to the Department of Interior’s budget appropriations to sidestep stupid environmental studies about a minnow that a judge used to stop water flow in California’s Central Valley, where 50% of the US fruits and veggies are grown.
DeMint's amendment was defeated.
The Central Valley's drought-problem has resulted in multiple bankruptcies for growers, up to a 40% unemployment rate in the Valley, and will serve to increase the price of fruits and veggies across the country. But Big Green and "our" Government value the 3" minnow more.
Fish 1, "the people" 0.
The TEA Parties are NOT just about Obama. Never were, and never WILL be. They are about bloated-Blob Government(s) whose priorites are completely out of line with the priorities of the citizens of the country.
Car-Crash of Mortgage Markets
This will be a helluvamess.
MERS is the firm that (technically) holds 60 million US (securitized) mortgages on behalf of the actual buyers. They were created by a consortium of lenders in part to save money (on paperwork and recording fees) every time a loan changes owners. In the era of securitization, these savings amounted to billions of dollars.
But MERS also acts as a shield, making it all but impossible for many borrowers to deal directly with whoever happens to be holding their mortgage at the moment. As the NYT noted, it has “made life maddeningly difficult for some troubled homeowners.”
Now, the Kansas Court of Appeals has called foul. In Landmark National Bank v. Kesler, 2009 Kan. LEXIS 834, the Kansas Court held that a nominee company called MERS has no right or standing to bring an action for foreclosure.
Ritholtz makes clear that this is a KANSAS ruling, not a Federal Court ruling, and that there may well be remedies available to the lenders (whoever they may be...), but it won't be quickly resolved no matter.
MERS is the firm that (technically) holds 60 million US (securitized) mortgages on behalf of the actual buyers. They were created by a consortium of lenders in part to save money (on paperwork and recording fees) every time a loan changes owners. In the era of securitization, these savings amounted to billions of dollars.
But MERS also acts as a shield, making it all but impossible for many borrowers to deal directly with whoever happens to be holding their mortgage at the moment. As the NYT noted, it has “made life maddeningly difficult for some troubled homeowners.”
Now, the Kansas Court of Appeals has called foul. In Landmark National Bank v. Kesler, 2009 Kan. LEXIS 834, the Kansas Court held that a nominee company called MERS has no right or standing to bring an action for foreclosure.
Ritholtz makes clear that this is a KANSAS ruling, not a Federal Court ruling, and that there may well be remedies available to the lenders (whoever they may be...), but it won't be quickly resolved no matter.
Insurance "Profits"? Look to AARP!
Who would have guessed?
Today, House Republicans have issued a report providing evidence that AARP is in a position to recieve tens of millions of dollars in "kickbacks" if Democratic health care legislation becomes law.
Yah, well, standard stuff--you shill for me, I'll load your pockets.
But while we're talking about "loading pockets," let's look at the deal AARP cut.
You have to first understand that ObamaCare squeezes out Medicare Advantage plans. The Democrat party HATES Medicare Advantage--after all, people get a choice. When M.A. goes away, the mice (rats??) really get to play:
In 2008, AARP generated $652.7 million in revenue by selling products like Medigap supplemental Medicare insurance, accounting for over 60 percent of the group's revenue, according to an analysis of its financial statements cited in the report released by the House Republican Conference.
If the House Democrats health care bill becomes law, the report argues, it would be a boon to AARP, because while Medicare Advantage plans will be required to pay out 85 percent of the money collected in premiums to claims made by policy holders, the requirement would only be 65 percent for the kind of Medigap policies sold by AARP.
In other words, the real profiteer here is AARP--and it's all "legal," folks. FatCat insurance executives? Look no further than AARP, another Roosevelt legacy.
HT: Spectator
Today, House Republicans have issued a report providing evidence that AARP is in a position to recieve tens of millions of dollars in "kickbacks" if Democratic health care legislation becomes law.
Yah, well, standard stuff--you shill for me, I'll load your pockets.
But while we're talking about "loading pockets," let's look at the deal AARP cut.
You have to first understand that ObamaCare squeezes out Medicare Advantage plans. The Democrat party HATES Medicare Advantage--after all, people get a choice. When M.A. goes away, the mice (rats??) really get to play:
In 2008, AARP generated $652.7 million in revenue by selling products like Medigap supplemental Medicare insurance, accounting for over 60 percent of the group's revenue, according to an analysis of its financial statements cited in the report released by the House Republican Conference.
If the House Democrats health care bill becomes law, the report argues, it would be a boon to AARP, because while Medicare Advantage plans will be required to pay out 85 percent of the money collected in premiums to claims made by policy holders, the requirement would only be 65 percent for the kind of Medigap policies sold by AARP.
In other words, the real profiteer here is AARP--and it's all "legal," folks. FatCat insurance executives? Look no further than AARP, another Roosevelt legacy.
HT: Spectator
WI Ass'y: Czars Are Fine by Us!
The Wisconsin Assembly decided that Czars are just dandy, voting to remove the DNR from accountability. Should the bill survive in the Senate, and if Doyle signs on, the DNR Board will appoint the Secretary for Damn Near Russia.
No elected official will have authority over DNR's setting of fees or regulations.
It is disappointing to note that some (R) members of the Assembly favor Czars.
Bies, Brooks, Kaufert, Kestell, Meyer, Mursau, Murtha, Ripp, Spanbauer, Tauchen, and M. Williams should be grilled on their vote for Statism.
No elected official will have authority over DNR's setting of fees or regulations.
It is disappointing to note that some (R) members of the Assembly favor Czars.
Bies, Brooks, Kaufert, Kestell, Meyer, Mursau, Murtha, Ripp, Spanbauer, Tauchen, and M. Williams should be grilled on their vote for Statism.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
On Ordination
Now HERE'S something that will cause some chin-pulling.
Towards the end of the Middle Ages, the rite of Episcopal Consecration in the Western Church had reached a fair degree of complexity. At its heart lay the ancient Consecratory Prayer of the Roman Church. Into this had been interpolated a paragraph from the Missale Francorum. Where in all this was the 'form' of the Sacrament, essential according to the scholastic analysis of sacramental efficacy, to accompany the 'matter', the Imposition of Hands?
Fr. H. describes a bit more of the history and some 'splanations thereof....and then:
I know what you're wondering. Faced with this complexity and these questions, what deft, sensitive, 'organic' simplifications did Bugnini - the first of my two Meddlers - perform? Here is the answer: he dumped into his trash-can all three of the formulae I have mentioned; the authentic 0ld Roman Prayer (which contained the words Pius XII had declared to be the 'form'), the possibly French interpolation, and the medieval Imperative formula (which had previously been regarded as the 'form'). Into the place of all three he shipped a prayer of dubious ('Hippolytan'?) origin which had been used in the distant Christian East by groups out of communion with Rome whose Chalcedonian orthodoxy was questionable.
Well, "Bugsy" Bugnini was quite a card, you know. But dumping the Frog Interpolation? A good thing.
Towards the end of the Middle Ages, the rite of Episcopal Consecration in the Western Church had reached a fair degree of complexity. At its heart lay the ancient Consecratory Prayer of the Roman Church. Into this had been interpolated a paragraph from the Missale Francorum. Where in all this was the 'form' of the Sacrament, essential according to the scholastic analysis of sacramental efficacy, to accompany the 'matter', the Imposition of Hands?
Fr. H. describes a bit more of the history and some 'splanations thereof....and then:
I know what you're wondering. Faced with this complexity and these questions, what deft, sensitive, 'organic' simplifications did Bugnini - the first of my two Meddlers - perform? Here is the answer: he dumped into his trash-can all three of the formulae I have mentioned; the authentic 0ld Roman Prayer (which contained the words Pius XII had declared to be the 'form'), the possibly French interpolation, and the medieval Imperative formula (which had previously been regarded as the 'form'). Into the place of all three he shipped a prayer of dubious ('Hippolytan'?) origin which had been used in the distant Christian East by groups out of communion with Rome whose Chalcedonian orthodoxy was questionable.
Well, "Bugsy" Bugnini was quite a card, you know. But dumping the Frog Interpolation? A good thing.
THE Sensible Take on Glenn Beck
The priest who writes this blog is a "late vocation," meaning that he worked for a number of years before entering the priesthood.
I hold Mr. Beck no personal animus, but--I'm cautioning you, he's going to be a major embarrassment, sooner or later.
That's the conclusion. His reasoning is sterling.
I hold Mr. Beck no personal animus, but--I'm cautioning you, he's going to be a major embarrassment, sooner or later.
That's the conclusion. His reasoning is sterling.
SocSec? Fuggedaboutit!
Oh, yah. GWBush tried (not too hard, not too successfully) to ring the bell here, but the (D) Congress wouldn't have any of it.
Now they have ALL of it.
...Democrats scoffed and claimed the Social Security system was solid and wouldn’t have problems for at least 50 years, as Harry Reid told PBS’ Jim Lehrer in June 2005. Just last year, the CBO — under the direction of Peter Orszag, now budget director in the Obama administration — claimed that the first cash deficits in Social Security would not come until 2019.
Now, however, the CBO has determined that Social Security will run cash deficits next year and in 2011, and by 2016 will be more or less in permanent deficit mode. Hot Air has exclusively obtained the summer 2009 CBO report sent to legislators on Capitol Hill but not yet made public, which shows that outgo will exceed income for the first time since the 1983 fix on an annual basis in 2010.
In about 10 days, there will be a hue and cry about increasing SS taxesand/or and cutting off benefits for inviduals who are "rich."
There will be not a soupcon of discussion about cutting Gummint spending.
Now they have ALL of it.
...Democrats scoffed and claimed the Social Security system was solid and wouldn’t have problems for at least 50 years, as Harry Reid told PBS’ Jim Lehrer in June 2005. Just last year, the CBO — under the direction of Peter Orszag, now budget director in the Obama administration — claimed that the first cash deficits in Social Security would not come until 2019.
Now, however, the CBO has determined that Social Security will run cash deficits next year and in 2011, and by 2016 will be more or less in permanent deficit mode. Hot Air has exclusively obtained the summer 2009 CBO report sent to legislators on Capitol Hill but not yet made public, which shows that outgo will exceed income for the first time since the 1983 fix on an annual basis in 2010.
In about 10 days, there will be a hue and cry about increasing SS taxes
There will be not a soupcon of discussion about cutting Gummint spending.
Obama Statism: "Shut Up, Insurers!"
Nothing like applied Statism for breakfast.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has initiated an investigation into at least one provider of a Medicare Advantage (MA) health care plan [that would be Humana] for informing its enrollees that Medicare cuts proposed by the President and congressional Democrats could alter their benefits. In addition to this investigation, CMS has since banned all MA health plans from providing similar information to beneficiaries.
“It looks likes CMS is engaged in government intimidation, pure and simple,” said Camp. “Seniors know the Presidents’ Medicare cuts will impact their benefits. CBO has confirmed these cuts could negatively impact Medicare benefits and increase seniors’ costs. But when health care plans try to share that information with their enrollees, the Administration slaps a gag order on them. It is a total abuse of power.”
Well, at least CMS hasn't called Humana RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACIST, yet.
But this CMS' action is unacceptable at best. It most certainly is un-American.
Seems that between Science Czars who advocate wholesale slaughter of humans, an AG who would love to drop the Second Amendment into a memory-hole, and a State Department which favors Commie dictatorships in Honduras, that Obama's Administration is curiously un-American enough without the CMS bozos.
HT: Ace/Drew
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has initiated an investigation into at least one provider of a Medicare Advantage (MA) health care plan [that would be Humana] for informing its enrollees that Medicare cuts proposed by the President and congressional Democrats could alter their benefits. In addition to this investigation, CMS has since banned all MA health plans from providing similar information to beneficiaries.
“It looks likes CMS is engaged in government intimidation, pure and simple,” said Camp. “Seniors know the Presidents’ Medicare cuts will impact their benefits. CBO has confirmed these cuts could negatively impact Medicare benefits and increase seniors’ costs. But when health care plans try to share that information with their enrollees, the Administration slaps a gag order on them. It is a total abuse of power.”
Well, at least CMS hasn't called Humana RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACIST, yet.
But this CMS' action is unacceptable at best. It most certainly is un-American.
Seems that between Science Czars who advocate wholesale slaughter of humans, an AG who would love to drop the Second Amendment into a memory-hole, and a State Department which favors Commie dictatorships in Honduras, that Obama's Administration is curiously un-American enough without the CMS bozos.
HT: Ace/Drew
Biden on ObamaCare
Planet Moron learned that Joe Biden would speak on ObamaCare and obtained a copy of the speech.
Good afternoon, everyone. It’s good to be here in Maryland. They don’t like letting me travel too much, which is fine with me. What with the H1N1 virus you’re pretty much playing Russian roulette with your life getting on a plane these days.
...Right now, nearly twelve out of every ten Americans is in jeopardy of losing his or her health insurance. Twelve out of ten. That's almost 50%. And as a nation, we spend more money in one day on health care than what it cost to fight World War II. Let that sink in for a moment, because it's a pretty unbelievable number, I know! And despite spending twice what Sweden spends per person on health care, Swedes typically live to be 140, 150, something like that, which I guess explains why they make such safe cars.
Oh, yes, there's more at the link!
Good afternoon, everyone. It’s good to be here in Maryland. They don’t like letting me travel too much, which is fine with me. What with the H1N1 virus you’re pretty much playing Russian roulette with your life getting on a plane these days.
...Right now, nearly twelve out of every ten Americans is in jeopardy of losing his or her health insurance. Twelve out of ten. That's almost 50%. And as a nation, we spend more money in one day on health care than what it cost to fight World War II. Let that sink in for a moment, because it's a pretty unbelievable number, I know! And despite spending twice what Sweden spends per person on health care, Swedes typically live to be 140, 150, something like that, which I guess explains why they make such safe cars.
Oh, yes, there's more at the link!
TEA Parties and Gallup
It's tiresome, repeating that the TEA Parties are not "just about Obama." Perhaps Obama would like to think so--it feeds his narcissism--but he's wrong. It's too much spending, too much regulation, too much......too much.
Proof?
Americans are more likely today than in the recent past to believe that government is taking on too much responsibility for solving the nation's problems and is over-regulating business. New Gallup data show that 57% of Americans say the government is trying to do too many things that should be left to businesses and individuals, and 45% say there is too much government regulation of business. Both reflect the highest such readings in more than a decade.
The whole (linked here) item is worth reading--apparently Reagan benefitted from a similar sentiment back in 1980.
THAT should ignite hair-fires on the Left, no?
HT: Grim
Proof?
Americans are more likely today than in the recent past to believe that government is taking on too much responsibility for solving the nation's problems and is over-regulating business. New Gallup data show that 57% of Americans say the government is trying to do too many things that should be left to businesses and individuals, and 45% say there is too much government regulation of business. Both reflect the highest such readings in more than a decade.
The whole (linked here) item is worth reading--apparently Reagan benefitted from a similar sentiment back in 1980.
THAT should ignite hair-fires on the Left, no?
HT: Grim
FDIC Knew About Mortgage Problems in 2002
FDIC's very own Division of Insurance and Research was questioning mortgage lending practices and models back in 2002.
Between 2001 and 2003, [Division of Insurance and Research] DIR risk assessments and quarterly banking profiles identified concerns about a number of issues, including:
• consumers’ ever-increasing debt load, the expansion of adjustable rate mortgages, and a potential housing bubble;
• subprime and high loan-to-value (HLTV) lending as a risk in the event that the United States economy suffered a significant recession; and
• pricing and modeling charge-off risk with respect to the originate-to-sell model of the mortgage business.
Further,
In May 2003, DIR reported that there was a concern about the extent to which lenders’ scoring models under-predicted losses during the 2001 recession. DIR noted that many subprime lenders experienced loss rates higher than their models predicted and that some consumer lending business models had been found to be inadequate, including those that relied on the securitization market for funding and were, therefore, sensitive to market pricing changes.
So if FDIC kinda-sorta knew that there were time-bombs in the lending business in 2002/2003, what prevented them from DOING something about it?
HT: CalcRisk
Between 2001 and 2003, [Division of Insurance and Research] DIR risk assessments and quarterly banking profiles identified concerns about a number of issues, including:
• consumers’ ever-increasing debt load, the expansion of adjustable rate mortgages, and a potential housing bubble;
• subprime and high loan-to-value (HLTV) lending as a risk in the event that the United States economy suffered a significant recession; and
• pricing and modeling charge-off risk with respect to the originate-to-sell model of the mortgage business.
Further,
In May 2003, DIR reported that there was a concern about the extent to which lenders’ scoring models under-predicted losses during the 2001 recession. DIR noted that many subprime lenders experienced loss rates higher than their models predicted and that some consumer lending business models had been found to be inadequate, including those that relied on the securitization market for funding and were, therefore, sensitive to market pricing changes.
So if FDIC kinda-sorta knew that there were time-bombs in the lending business in 2002/2003, what prevented them from DOING something about it?
HT: CalcRisk
Monday, September 21, 2009
Obama's Next Crusade: Disarm the USA
Overstatement?
Obama has rejected the Pentagon's first draft of the "nuclear posture review" as being too timid, and has called for a range of more far-reaching options consistent with his goal of eventually abolishing nuclear weapons altogether, according to European officials.
Those options include:
• Reconfiguring the US nuclear force to allow for an arsenal measured in hundreds rather than thousands of deployed strategic warheads.
• Redrafting nuclear doctrine to narrow the range of conditions under which the US would use nuclear weapons.
• Exploring ways of guaranteeing the future reliability of nuclear weapons without testing or producing a new generation of warheads.
If you think Obama's move is kinda neat, fuzzy, and all rainbows and balloons, measure it by THIS response:
According to a final draft of the resolution due to be passed on Thursday, however, the UN security council will not wholeheartedly embrace the US and Britain's call for eventual abolition of nuclear weapons. Largely on French insistence, the council will endorse the vaguer aim of seeking "to create the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons".
When the Cheese-Eating Frogs think Obama's over the line.........
HT: Ace
Obama has rejected the Pentagon's first draft of the "nuclear posture review" as being too timid, and has called for a range of more far-reaching options consistent with his goal of eventually abolishing nuclear weapons altogether, according to European officials.
Those options include:
• Reconfiguring the US nuclear force to allow for an arsenal measured in hundreds rather than thousands of deployed strategic warheads.
• Redrafting nuclear doctrine to narrow the range of conditions under which the US would use nuclear weapons.
• Exploring ways of guaranteeing the future reliability of nuclear weapons without testing or producing a new generation of warheads.
If you think Obama's move is kinda neat, fuzzy, and all rainbows and balloons, measure it by THIS response:
According to a final draft of the resolution due to be passed on Thursday, however, the UN security council will not wholeheartedly embrace the US and Britain's call for eventual abolition of nuclear weapons. Largely on French insistence, the council will endorse the vaguer aim of seeking "to create the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons".
When the Cheese-Eating Frogs think Obama's over the line.........
HT: Ace
Was Obama Wrong About Honduras? Yup.
Obama and HRC both have referred to the Honduras situation as a "coup."
Gee. Congressional Research Service doesn't think so at all.
...a report filed at the Library of Congress by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) provides what the administration has not offered, a serious legal review of the facts. "Available sources indicate that the judicial and legislative branches applied constitutional and statutory law in the case against President Zelaya in a manner that was judged by the Honduran authorities from both branches of the government to be in accordance with the Honduran legal system," writes CRS senior foreign law specialist Norma C. Gutierrez in her report.
One hopes that Obama & Co. are not planning on standing by at idle while the Commie in Venezuela assists the Commie from Honduras in regaining his position.
HT: Ace
Gee. Congressional Research Service doesn't think so at all.
...a report filed at the Library of Congress by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) provides what the administration has not offered, a serious legal review of the facts. "Available sources indicate that the judicial and legislative branches applied constitutional and statutory law in the case against President Zelaya in a manner that was judged by the Honduran authorities from both branches of the government to be in accordance with the Honduran legal system," writes CRS senior foreign law specialist Norma C. Gutierrez in her report.
One hopes that Obama & Co. are not planning on standing by at idle while the Commie in Venezuela assists the Commie from Honduras in regaining his position.
HT: Ace
McMiller Range: Chapter 5
Interesting.
Waukesha County Judge Donald J. Hassin Jr. Monday refused to take up the matter of a disputed operator's lease at the state-owned McMiller Sports Center outdoor shooting range in the Town of Eagle and agreed to the attorney general's office request for a change of venue to Dane County.
Well, OK, kinda.
Waukesha County Judge Donald J. Hassin Jr. Monday refused to take up the matter of a disputed operator's lease at the state-owned McMiller Sports Center outdoor shooting range in the Town of Eagle and agreed to the attorney general's office request for a change of venue to Dane County.
Well, OK, kinda.
A LOT of Money From Milwaukee
Terry slogged through the material.
Through June 30, 2009, the overall financial impact to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee of the clergy sexual abuse issue involving a diocesan priest and a minor was $28,133,921
Quite a sum. And more lawsuits are pending.
Through June 30, 2009, the overall financial impact to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee of the clergy sexual abuse issue involving a diocesan priest and a minor was $28,133,921
Quite a sum. And more lawsuits are pending.
Yes, But What About...?
Cass Sunstein (who is regarded as a 'moderate' Obama appointment):
There is no moral concern regarding cloning human beings since human embryos, which develop into a baby, are "only a handful of cells," argued President Obama's newly confirmed regulatory czar, Cass Sunstein.
"If scientists will be using and cloning embryos only at a very early stage when they are just a handful of cells (say, before they are four days old), there is no good reason for a ban (on cloning),"
Yah, I guess that's moderate. Jester has a question that the MSM/StateMedia won't ask:
So when does a embryo go from potential to actual human person?
I might add: "How do you KNOW that?"
But that wouldn't be real polite, would it?
There is no moral concern regarding cloning human beings since human embryos, which develop into a baby, are "only a handful of cells," argued President Obama's newly confirmed regulatory czar, Cass Sunstein.
"If scientists will be using and cloning embryos only at a very early stage when they are just a handful of cells (say, before they are four days old), there is no good reason for a ban (on cloning),"
Yah, I guess that's moderate. Jester has a question that the MSM/StateMedia won't ask:
So when does a embryo go from potential to actual human person?
I might add: "How do you KNOW that?"
But that wouldn't be real polite, would it?
The Doyle Incompetency, Chapter 21,789
Incompetency: Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
Between 1999 and 2009, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections' budget grew 71 percent, from $700 million to $1.2 billion, or an average of $50 million a year, according to information released earlier this month by the Council of State Governments Justice Center...
Meaning that for the period 2001 forward, DoC budgets were $800 million/year and growing. Despite that, Matthew Frank, Doyle's first appointment as DoC head, and his successor, Rick Raemisch, along with Marty Ordinans, Director/Detention Facilities, and Ismael Ozanne, #2 Kahuna of the Department, could not be bothered to correctly administer DNA collections from convicts.
It's not like the convicts were going anywhere for a while.
It's incompetence, or (worse) "notmyjob", or (worst yet), "who gives a flippin' damn?".
In fact, according to this article, more than half of DoC's guests are in prison because they violated parole--meaning that the Incompetency had TWO kicks at the cat in a lot of cases.
"Who gives a flippin' damn?" Only the relatives of the victims, and the District Attorneys and street-cops--not to mention any Wisconsin taxpayer who was forced to pay good money toward the salaries, benefits, overtime, and pensions of this bunch of bozos.
JB Van Hollen is going to take a lot of heat for his part in the DNA scandal. But when you come right down to it, Van Hollen's part appears to be minor compared to the parts played by Doyle's Incompetency Members Raemisch, Frank, Ordinans, and Doyle himself, who was AG when the collection law was passed.
It would be too much to expect that Doyle will fire Raemisch, or Ordinans, or the wardens of the prisons. He should do so, of course. That doesn't mean "transfer" these bozos to a cushy DOA job. That doesn't mean "retiring" them with their pension.
That means publicly Naming, Shaming, and FIRING these people.
Between 1999 and 2009, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections' budget grew 71 percent, from $700 million to $1.2 billion, or an average of $50 million a year, according to information released earlier this month by the Council of State Governments Justice Center...
Meaning that for the period 2001 forward, DoC budgets were $800 million/year and growing. Despite that, Matthew Frank, Doyle's first appointment as DoC head, and his successor, Rick Raemisch, along with Marty Ordinans, Director/Detention Facilities, and Ismael Ozanne, #2 Kahuna of the Department, could not be bothered to correctly administer DNA collections from convicts.
It's not like the convicts were going anywhere for a while.
It's incompetence, or (worse) "notmyjob", or (worst yet), "who gives a flippin' damn?".
In fact, according to this article, more than half of DoC's guests are in prison because they violated parole--meaning that the Incompetency had TWO kicks at the cat in a lot of cases.
"Who gives a flippin' damn?" Only the relatives of the victims, and the District Attorneys and street-cops--not to mention any Wisconsin taxpayer who was forced to pay good money toward the salaries, benefits, overtime, and pensions of this bunch of bozos.
JB Van Hollen is going to take a lot of heat for his part in the DNA scandal. But when you come right down to it, Van Hollen's part appears to be minor compared to the parts played by Doyle's Incompetency Members Raemisch, Frank, Ordinans, and Doyle himself, who was AG when the collection law was passed.
It would be too much to expect that Doyle will fire Raemisch, or Ordinans, or the wardens of the prisons. He should do so, of course. That doesn't mean "transfer" these bozos to a cushy DOA job. That doesn't mean "retiring" them with their pension.
That means publicly Naming, Shaming, and FIRING these people.
Obama's "Not-a-Tax" Is Un-Constitutional
We see another example of why the Rule of Law is becoming a laughingstock. (Roe, of course, is the single most significant example, since Plessy was reversed.)
Of course, a health-care mandate would not regulate any "activity," such as employment or growing pot in the bathroom, at all. Simply being an American would trigger it.
Health-care backers understand this and—like Lewis Carroll's Red Queen insisting that some hills are valleys—have framed the mandate as a "tax" rather than a regulation. Under Sen. Max Baucus's (D., Mont.) most recent plan, people who do not maintain health insurance for themselves and their families would be forced to pay an "excise tax" of up to $1,500 per year—roughly comparable to the cost of insurance coverage under the new plan.
But Congress cannot so simply avoid the constitutional limits on its power. Taxation can favor one industry or course of action over another, but a "tax" that falls exclusively on anyone who is uninsured is a penalty beyond Congress's authority. If the rule were otherwise, Congress could evade all constitutional limits by "taxing" anyone who doesn't follow an order of any kind—whether to obtain health-care insurance, or to join a health club, or exercise regularly, or even eat your vegetables.
It won't be the first time that Congress (and/or the President) has 'gamed' the system toward the erosion of the Rule of Law.
HT: FoxPolitics
Of course, a health-care mandate would not regulate any "activity," such as employment or growing pot in the bathroom, at all. Simply being an American would trigger it.
Health-care backers understand this and—like Lewis Carroll's Red Queen insisting that some hills are valleys—have framed the mandate as a "tax" rather than a regulation. Under Sen. Max Baucus's (D., Mont.) most recent plan, people who do not maintain health insurance for themselves and their families would be forced to pay an "excise tax" of up to $1,500 per year—roughly comparable to the cost of insurance coverage under the new plan.
But Congress cannot so simply avoid the constitutional limits on its power. Taxation can favor one industry or course of action over another, but a "tax" that falls exclusively on anyone who is uninsured is a penalty beyond Congress's authority. If the rule were otherwise, Congress could evade all constitutional limits by "taxing" anyone who doesn't follow an order of any kind—whether to obtain health-care insurance, or to join a health club, or exercise regularly, or even eat your vegetables.
It won't be the first time that Congress (and/or the President) has 'gamed' the system toward the erosion of the Rule of Law.
HT: FoxPolitics
Scott Walker Should Read This
Interesting memoir of a fellow who was a State of Alaska labor relations guy.
Some of the essay is pertinent to Walker's next several months.
...AFSCME’s tactics weren’t really about “getting” anything; they were about disruption and about discrediting the authority of the employer. Their tactic of choice was to “mau-mau” supervisors and managers, a version of the Alinsky fix, personalize, and humiliate doctrine.
That 'fix/personalize/humiliate' doctrine has already been employed by Capper who is (surprise, surprise) a member of AFSCME.
Speaking of Capper:
The Alinsky scheme assumes that your activists are ignorant, childish, lazy, and lack-self control.
And after Walker wins? There's a lot of work to be done in the Administration, which will be loaded with Doylites and leftover (R) ne'er-do-wells, incompetents, boobs, and working-for-pension-rights types.
In typical Democrat fashion, they’d either fired, run off, or isolated every experienced hand in the government and replaced them with either a hack or with some kid who shouldn’t even have been interviewed for the job. They’d rescinded all the rules in the guise of re-engineering and “examining our processes.”
How to do it? Simple:
After Murkowski won and I became director, I was determined that peace was going to continue to reign. I had my list of miscreants and we quite openly went on what we styled the “Empty Chairs Program.” It does amazing things for employee morale when a couple of suits from HQ show up at a workplace and somebody just disappears into the night and fog. It didn’t take many. We told our supervisors that they were now free to supervise and we would back them.
It's called 'selective executions.'
As for the rest of us, oh yes, there's a bit of work to to in the Legislature (or Congress...)
...more needs to be done at the “We the People” level. The real useful idiots in this are the Congressmen [Legislators], especially all the Rahmbo recruits who pretended to be Republicans to get elected. We need to mau-mau them. They need to be fixed, personalized, and destroyed. Comrade Obama [Doyle] has lots of appratchniks out there to choose from and even if they get fired, they just go into the Democrat shadow government and never miss a paycheck. The useful idiots in Congress have something to lose. If they are forced to resign or lose in ‘10, they for the most part have to go back to lawyering or sell something in Podunk, the ultimate humiliation for someone who thought they’d become a part of the DC [or Madison] establishment.
It's been done--the loser from West Bend (and Tommy Thompson, too) have been more or less put into the Shamed Circle.
Some of the essay is pertinent to Walker's next several months.
...AFSCME’s tactics weren’t really about “getting” anything; they were about disruption and about discrediting the authority of the employer. Their tactic of choice was to “mau-mau” supervisors and managers, a version of the Alinsky fix, personalize, and humiliate doctrine.
That 'fix/personalize/humiliate' doctrine has already been employed by Capper who is (surprise, surprise) a member of AFSCME.
Speaking of Capper:
The Alinsky scheme assumes that your activists are ignorant, childish, lazy, and lack-self control.
And after Walker wins? There's a lot of work to be done in the Administration, which will be loaded with Doylites and leftover (R) ne'er-do-wells, incompetents, boobs, and working-for-pension-rights types.
In typical Democrat fashion, they’d either fired, run off, or isolated every experienced hand in the government and replaced them with either a hack or with some kid who shouldn’t even have been interviewed for the job. They’d rescinded all the rules in the guise of re-engineering and “examining our processes.”
How to do it? Simple:
After Murkowski won and I became director, I was determined that peace was going to continue to reign. I had my list of miscreants and we quite openly went on what we styled the “Empty Chairs Program.” It does amazing things for employee morale when a couple of suits from HQ show up at a workplace and somebody just disappears into the night and fog. It didn’t take many. We told our supervisors that they were now free to supervise and we would back them.
It's called 'selective executions.'
As for the rest of us, oh yes, there's a bit of work to to in the Legislature (or Congress...)
...more needs to be done at the “We the People” level. The real useful idiots in this are the Congressmen [Legislators], especially all the Rahmbo recruits who pretended to be Republicans to get elected. We need to mau-mau them. They need to be fixed, personalized, and destroyed. Comrade Obama [Doyle] has lots of appratchniks out there to choose from and even if they get fired, they just go into the Democrat shadow government and never miss a paycheck. The useful idiots in Congress have something to lose. If they are forced to resign or lose in ‘10, they for the most part have to go back to lawyering or sell something in Podunk, the ultimate humiliation for someone who thought they’d become a part of the DC [or Madison] establishment.
It's been done--the loser from West Bend (and Tommy Thompson, too) have been more or less put into the Shamed Circle.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Is Mike Tate Telegraphing Something?
Mike Tate, the DemocratPartyWI mouth, has the following to say about yesterday's TEA Party attendees:
“These are extremist elements pulling together, distinct vocal minorities that frankly don’t believe in this country,” Tate said. “They don’t want to see more people have access to quality affordable health care; they don’t want clean air and water. They fundamentally don’t understand how the American government, economy and capitalism work.”
Well, now. That's a very interesting statement, if we are to take it seriously.
Rather than quibble with him over each element of that last sentence, let's look at the fact that he ran 'government...economy...capitalism' together. It's a strange construction, unless..........
Corporatist Fascism, anyone?
HT: Silent E
“These are extremist elements pulling together, distinct vocal minorities that frankly don’t believe in this country,” Tate said. “They don’t want to see more people have access to quality affordable health care; they don’t want clean air and water. They fundamentally don’t understand how the American government, economy and capitalism work.”
Well, now. That's a very interesting statement, if we are to take it seriously.
Rather than quibble with him over each element of that last sentence, let's look at the fact that he ran 'government...economy...capitalism' together. It's a strange construction, unless..........
Corporatist Fascism, anyone?
HT: Silent E
Say WHAT, Renee?
See if you can figure this ....
"When someone says bigot, say thank you when someone says nazi laugh,"
That's a good transcript of one of Vicki McKenna's lines.
Here's the part that confuses me:
Just because you have the right to say something, should you say it? That's a moral question that each individual in a free society should make. My questions in the previous blog go to that point.
Vicki McKenna's comments today were horrifying. She called for a "revolution", called the crowd the "people's mob" and said "When someone says bigot, say thank you when someone says nazi laugh,"
The author is a certified Lefty. Fine. She doesn't have to like what she heard.
But it is impossible to believe that McKenna's 'calling for a revolution,' and referring to the assembly as 'the people's mob' and the other quote (above) as "inciting violence," or anything even close to it, at least within context.
I happened to hear McKenna's speech--at the time, I was within 40 yards of the stage and the sound quality was very good. I heard ALL of it. McKenna's call "for revolution" was perfectly within typical rhetorical bounds for an event like yesterday's, and the 'mob' remark was a disparaging reference to comments made by various elected and MSM Lefties over the last several weeks.
More important, the italicized remarks above are actually a recognizable form (albiet a bit snarky) of the counsel to "Turn the other cheek," first made prominent by another Individual who was regarded as a mob-inciting revolutionary about 2,000 years ago. I don't know if McKenna was deliberately recalling that counsel, but our Lefty seems to be unfamiliar with it.
Surprised?
HT: BeerBiker
"When someone says bigot, say thank you when someone says nazi laugh,"
That's a good transcript of one of Vicki McKenna's lines.
Here's the part that confuses me:
Just because you have the right to say something, should you say it? That's a moral question that each individual in a free society should make. My questions in the previous blog go to that point.
Vicki McKenna's comments today were horrifying. She called for a "revolution", called the crowd the "people's mob" and said "When someone says bigot, say thank you when someone says nazi laugh,"
The author is a certified Lefty. Fine. She doesn't have to like what she heard.
But it is impossible to believe that McKenna's 'calling for a revolution,' and referring to the assembly as 'the people's mob' and the other quote (above) as "inciting violence," or anything even close to it, at least within context.
I happened to hear McKenna's speech--at the time, I was within 40 yards of the stage and the sound quality was very good. I heard ALL of it. McKenna's call "for revolution" was perfectly within typical rhetorical bounds for an event like yesterday's, and the 'mob' remark was a disparaging reference to comments made by various elected and MSM Lefties over the last several weeks.
More important, the italicized remarks above are actually a recognizable form (albiet a bit snarky) of the counsel to "Turn the other cheek," first made prominent by another Individual who was regarded as a mob-inciting revolutionary about 2,000 years ago. I don't know if McKenna was deliberately recalling that counsel, but our Lefty seems to be unfamiliar with it.
Surprised?
HT: BeerBiker
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Notes From the Milwaukee TEA Party
Only a few notes, random.
I got there early so I could park on Lincoln Memorial Drive. Probably 300 people there at 2:00 or so. The show started a bit before 3:00 when a group of people read the Bill of Rights. That was a good idea. By that time the crowd was up to 1500 or so. By 4:00 it was at least 4-5,000.
The speakers started; Scott Walker was firing on all cylinders, probably his stump speech. He learned something from all those years of listening to preaching--how to time the delivery and how to use arsis and thesis in a speech.
"Joe the Plumber" did a decent job, better than I expected. He's kind of a sobering guy, though, telling the crowd that it is OUR fault for what we have. He nailed it: "Politicians are like snakes. They do what they do. YOU voted for them, and they do what they do."
James T Harris brought the bad news that Cosby endorsed JimmuhCahtuh's asinine and hateful remarks. Too bad. I thought Cosby had his head screwed on straight. Harris is a lot more fun doing speechification than he is on the radio.
(We compared notes on the DoC/AG/DNA problem, and both of us have anecdotal evidence that in Madison, this is simply a non-issue. Nobody in Madison knows about it, and nobody in Madison really gives a rotten fig. THAT'LL tell you something.)
Vicki McKenna has fixed her speaking style; she's gone away from the grating screeching I saw in April and has a more subdued delivery and a much more effective text. Happy to see that.
Malkin was very good, as one should expect. She's every bit as sharp in speaking as she is with the keyboard, although she's not used to open-air/strong breeze speaking. Played hell with her notes. She reminded us that John McCain liked to fund ACORN. Another reason he's a loser. Malkin, like Joe the Plumber, knows that the TEA Parties are not just about Obama. They're about the culture of corruption which is decidedly bi-partisan.
Marc Morano of www.climatedepot.com came out with the good news: Cap-n-Tax is dead, dead, dead. The Senate won't touch it.
Pastor King went all revival on us. Friendly reminder, Pastor: Christians have the truth, but the Catholics have the FULLNESS of truth. ('S ok. I liked what you said, anyway.)
Saw an Assembly guy there. Had a very nice chat. He's concerned about the move to strip the Governor of the power to appoint the DNR head. I'm concerned that the long-term plot for McMiller is to close it up. Really kind of the same topic: DNR acts like the 8,000 lb. gorilla even when the head of DNR is accountable (sorta) to the electorate. Giving it free rein? Not wise.
Channel 58 set up its newstruck on the site, but I did not see any other similar setups.
No chipmunks were harmed during the entire event!
I got there early so I could park on Lincoln Memorial Drive. Probably 300 people there at 2:00 or so. The show started a bit before 3:00 when a group of people read the Bill of Rights. That was a good idea. By that time the crowd was up to 1500 or so. By 4:00 it was at least 4-5,000.
The speakers started; Scott Walker was firing on all cylinders, probably his stump speech. He learned something from all those years of listening to preaching--how to time the delivery and how to use arsis and thesis in a speech.
"Joe the Plumber" did a decent job, better than I expected. He's kind of a sobering guy, though, telling the crowd that it is OUR fault for what we have. He nailed it: "Politicians are like snakes. They do what they do. YOU voted for them, and they do what they do."
James T Harris brought the bad news that Cosby endorsed JimmuhCahtuh's asinine and hateful remarks. Too bad. I thought Cosby had his head screwed on straight. Harris is a lot more fun doing speechification than he is on the radio.
(We compared notes on the DoC/AG/DNA problem, and both of us have anecdotal evidence that in Madison, this is simply a non-issue. Nobody in Madison knows about it, and nobody in Madison really gives a rotten fig. THAT'LL tell you something.)
Vicki McKenna has fixed her speaking style; she's gone away from the grating screeching I saw in April and has a more subdued delivery and a much more effective text. Happy to see that.
Malkin was very good, as one should expect. She's every bit as sharp in speaking as she is with the keyboard, although she's not used to open-air/strong breeze speaking. Played hell with her notes. She reminded us that John McCain liked to fund ACORN. Another reason he's a loser. Malkin, like Joe the Plumber, knows that the TEA Parties are not just about Obama. They're about the culture of corruption which is decidedly bi-partisan.
Marc Morano of www.climatedepot.com came out with the good news: Cap-n-Tax is dead, dead, dead. The Senate won't touch it.
Pastor King went all revival on us. Friendly reminder, Pastor: Christians have the truth, but the Catholics have the FULLNESS of truth. ('S ok. I liked what you said, anyway.)
Saw an Assembly guy there. Had a very nice chat. He's concerned about the move to strip the Governor of the power to appoint the DNR head. I'm concerned that the long-term plot for McMiller is to close it up. Really kind of the same topic: DNR acts like the 8,000 lb. gorilla even when the head of DNR is accountable (sorta) to the electorate. Giving it free rein? Not wise.
Channel 58 set up its newstruck on the site, but I did not see any other similar setups.
No chipmunks were harmed during the entire event!
Van Hollen's Wrong
Sykes performed a public service by interviewing AG Van Hollen.
This is a transcription of part of that interview:
VanH: "....you cannot blame AG Doyle...or AG Lautenschlager for this concern, because it wasn't the job of the DOJ to collect these samples.
I disagree.
This is a transcription of part of that interview:
VanH: "....you cannot blame AG Doyle...or AG Lautenschlager for this concern, because it wasn't the job of the DOJ to collect these samples.
I disagree.
It IS the fact that the AG's office is not responsible for collection of the samples.
However, the AG's office IS responsible for establishing, maintaining, and enforcing systems and procedures which produce valid results: embedding DNA samples of a particular class of convicts in a database.
While Doyle, Lautenschaeger, and Van Hollen may not have THOUGHT of this, "valid results" must also foot against criminal convictions; that is, if 1,000 people/year are convicted of offenses which require DNA samples, the AG's office should receive 1,000 samples/year of DNA.
But the AGs named above did not do so. They chose, instead, to ignore the obvious because "it's not our job" to compare the number of convictions v. the number of samples.
I do not argue that the AG's office should be perfect, any more than that DoC should be perfect. Some mistakes will happen now and then. But to "notmyjob" what is as plain as a sunrise is simply unacceptable.
Washington State Wackos, Part Two
Earlier, we observed that Washington State is apparently working on a de-population program and has hired an ex-State of Wisconsin employee to assist them.
Maybe Washington State also hires ex-WI Department of Corrections people, too!
Somebody at Eastern State Hospital in the moonbat-infested state of Washington thought it would be a great idea to let insane murderer Philip Arnold Paul take a field trip to a county fair despite what authorities call a "violent criminal past and history of trying to escape."
Apparently, letting "murderers, rapists and pedophiles committed to the hospital as criminally insane" out on field trips is a standard policy, despite protests from the Washington State Employees union.
Paul murdered an old lady in 1987, soaked her body in gasoline, and buried her in a flower garden. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and sentenced to treatment in a state hospital. Paul had attempted to escape on a previous field trip, but failed. This time he succeeded.
At the time of his escape, he was on a trip to the fair with 30 other inmates and 11 staff members. Even though employees alerted supervisors within minutes of his disappearance, administrators at the hospital waited for two hours before alerting authorities.
No mention of whether his DNA is on file. Or whose DNA it might actually be.
HT: Moonbattery
Maybe Washington State also hires ex-WI Department of Corrections people, too!
Somebody at Eastern State Hospital in the moonbat-infested state of Washington thought it would be a great idea to let insane murderer Philip Arnold Paul take a field trip to a county fair despite what authorities call a "violent criminal past and history of trying to escape."
Apparently, letting "murderers, rapists and pedophiles committed to the hospital as criminally insane" out on field trips is a standard policy, despite protests from the Washington State Employees union.
Paul murdered an old lady in 1987, soaked her body in gasoline, and buried her in a flower garden. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and sentenced to treatment in a state hospital. Paul had attempted to escape on a previous field trip, but failed. This time he succeeded.
At the time of his escape, he was on a trip to the fair with 30 other inmates and 11 staff members. Even though employees alerted supervisors within minutes of his disappearance, administrators at the hospital waited for two hours before alerting authorities.
No mention of whether his DNA is on file. Or whose DNA it might actually be.
HT: Moonbattery
You Don't Have to Ask "Why?"
Clay Cramer found a gem.
A bowie-knife, dirk, or pistols, commonly occupy the desk-drawer of Congressional members; who, as a close observer remarked to me—"not only look four ways at once, but in manners and deportment strongly remind me of runaway convicts." [Henry Cook Todd, Notes Upon Canada and the United States: From 1832 to 1840 2nd ed. (Toronto: Rogers and Thompson, 1840), 181]
I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if MC's still have self-defense weapons nearby.
And we all know why.......
A bowie-knife, dirk, or pistols, commonly occupy the desk-drawer of Congressional members; who, as a close observer remarked to me—"not only look four ways at once, but in manners and deportment strongly remind me of runaway convicts." [Henry Cook Todd, Notes Upon Canada and the United States: From 1832 to 1840 2nd ed. (Toronto: Rogers and Thompson, 1840), 181]
I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if MC's still have self-defense weapons nearby.
And we all know why.......
WI Department of Justice: Big Spenders!
From the executive budget summary, proposed FY 2010 spending for DoJ FY 2010:
$94,968,000.00
Same document, number of FTE employees 2010:
578.99
You'd think they would be able to keep track of DNA samples.
You'd be wrong.
$94,968,000.00
Same document, number of FTE employees 2010:
578.99
You'd think they would be able to keep track of DNA samples.
You'd be wrong.
WI Dept of Corrections: Big Spenders!
From the executive summary of Wisconsin's budget as proposed by Jimbo Doyle:
FT 2010 DoC spending: $1.297 BILLION.
Full-Time Employees (same period): 10,494
You'd think that DoC could actually take DNA samples.
You'd be wrong.
FT 2010 DoC spending: $1.297 BILLION.
Full-Time Employees (same period): 10,494
You'd think that DoC could actually take DNA samples.
You'd be wrong.
Friday, September 18, 2009
QueenNancy's Competition
Straight from WaPo:
Let's say you're preparing dinner and you realize with dismay that you don't have any certified organic Tuscan kale. What to do?
Here's how Michelle Obama handled this very predicament Thursday afternoon:
The Secret Service and the D.C. police brought in three dozen vehicles and shut down H Street, Vermont Avenue, two lanes of I Street and an entrance to the McPherson Square Metro station. They swept the area, in front of the Department of Veterans Affairs, with bomb-sniffing dogs and installed magnetometers in the middle of the street, put up barricades to keep pedestrians out, and took positions with binoculars atop trucks. Though the produce stand was only a block or so from the White House, the first lady hopped into her armored limousine and pulled into the market amid the wail of sirens.
Then, and only then, could Obama purchase her leafy greens. "Now it's time to buy some food," she told several hundred people who came to watch. "Let's shop!"
Well, it didn't require a G-5, did it?
Word's out that M.O. has been assigned to assist BO in selling ObamaCare.
And she'll have recipes to share, too!
GHWB didn't know the price of a gallon of milk. This babe doesn't know the price of Shopping Trips in a country with 10% unemployment--a country "led" by her husband.
Really, really, smart, Rahm.
Let's say you're preparing dinner and you realize with dismay that you don't have any certified organic Tuscan kale. What to do?
Here's how Michelle Obama handled this very predicament Thursday afternoon:
The Secret Service and the D.C. police brought in three dozen vehicles and shut down H Street, Vermont Avenue, two lanes of I Street and an entrance to the McPherson Square Metro station. They swept the area, in front of the Department of Veterans Affairs, with bomb-sniffing dogs and installed magnetometers in the middle of the street, put up barricades to keep pedestrians out, and took positions with binoculars atop trucks. Though the produce stand was only a block or so from the White House, the first lady hopped into her armored limousine and pulled into the market amid the wail of sirens.
Then, and only then, could Obama purchase her leafy greens. "Now it's time to buy some food," she told several hundred people who came to watch. "Let's shop!"
Well, it didn't require a G-5, did it?
Word's out that M.O. has been assigned to assist BO in selling ObamaCare.
And she'll have recipes to share, too!
GHWB didn't know the price of a gallon of milk. This babe doesn't know the price of Shopping Trips in a country with 10% unemployment--a country "led" by her husband.
Really, really, smart, Rahm.
Instead of Prison...
The Incompetency oozes West!
Denise Revels Robinson, who stepped aside as director of the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare in the wake of the Christopher Thomas scandal, has been named to a top position in Washington state's Department of Social and Health Services.
DSHS is Washington's largest state agency and is headed by Susan N. Dreyfus, who is the former administrator of Wisconsin's Division of Children and Family Services within the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. She is also the daughter-in-law of the late Gov. Lee Sherman Dreyfus.
Well, that'll keep Washington State's population under control. With any luck Robinson will recruit other members of the Doyle Incompetency to that State.
Denise Revels Robinson, who stepped aside as director of the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare in the wake of the Christopher Thomas scandal, has been named to a top position in Washington state's Department of Social and Health Services.
DSHS is Washington's largest state agency and is headed by Susan N. Dreyfus, who is the former administrator of Wisconsin's Division of Children and Family Services within the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. She is also the daughter-in-law of the late Gov. Lee Sherman Dreyfus.
Well, that'll keep Washington State's population under control. With any luck Robinson will recruit other members of the Doyle Incompetency to that State.
Who Goes to TEA Parties?
Charlie inquired.
I'll guarantee you that the vast majority of TEA Party attendees doesn't know what this crap is, much less buys it with a 6-SUV armed escort.
I'll guarantee you that the vast majority of TEA Party attendees doesn't know what this crap is, much less buys it with a 6-SUV armed escort.
Latest: Gun Supply Fine; Ammo Still Short
For at least the time being, it won't be too hard to purchase an AR-15 or accessories for one. The shortage is over with.
But that doesn't apply to ammo (.223) for that weapon, nor ammo for the .45, or 9mm. STILL hard to get, especially if you want to purchase more than a box of 50 rounds.
But that doesn't apply to ammo (.223) for that weapon, nor ammo for the .45, or 9mm. STILL hard to get, especially if you want to purchase more than a box of 50 rounds.
White Slavery
Not that long ago, forcing underage women into prostitution was called "white slavery."
Racist remark, I know.
So what, exactly, do we call an organization whose employees offer advice and counsel to facilitate that crime?
Aside from "ACORN"?
Racist remark, I know.
So what, exactly, do we call an organization whose employees offer advice and counsel to facilitate that crime?
Aside from "ACORN"?
"I'll Just Make Them LEGAL!!"
Of course ObamaCare won't cover illegals.
President Obama said this week that his health care plan won’t cover illegal immigrants, but argued that’s all the more reason to legalize them and ensure they eventually do get coverage.
He also staked out a position that anyone in the country legally should be covered - a major break with the 1996 welfare reform bill, which limited most federal public assistance programs only to citizens and longtime immigrants. --WashTimes
I don't know why he has such a limited vision. He ought to include the entire Hemispere.
HT: RedStates
President Obama said this week that his health care plan won’t cover illegal immigrants, but argued that’s all the more reason to legalize them and ensure they eventually do get coverage.
He also staked out a position that anyone in the country legally should be covered - a major break with the 1996 welfare reform bill, which limited most federal public assistance programs only to citizens and longtime immigrants. --WashTimes
I don't know why he has such a limited vision. He ought to include the entire Hemispere.
HT: RedStates
Who's In Charge?
A former Governor of New York State will be responsible for overseeing investigations into call-girl operations on the East Coast.
"I think I'm just the person to do it, because I understand the system of Call-Girls very well," he said.
HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius, now detailed as Obama administration point person in charge of the demonstration projects on liability reform, spent eight years as executive director of the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association:
“I think I’m just the person to do it because I think I understand the system of litigation very well.”
Your assignment, class: find the differences and similarities in the above scenarios.
HT: OverLawyered
"I think I'm just the person to do it, because I understand the system of Call-Girls very well," he said.
HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius, now detailed as Obama administration point person in charge of the demonstration projects on liability reform, spent eight years as executive director of the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association:
“I think I’m just the person to do it because I think I understand the system of litigation very well.”
Your assignment, class: find the differences and similarities in the above scenarios.
HT: OverLawyered
A Well-Raised Daughter
Found at Grim from someone who is raising a daughter:
I do want her to be feminine, well-groomed and beautiful. It's just that she is going to have to be the kind of woman who has to make sure that she doesn't mix up her Chanel No. 5 and her Hoppe's No. 9.
You mean Hoppe's #9 is NOT a personal grooming product?
I do want her to be feminine, well-groomed and beautiful. It's just that she is going to have to be the kind of woman who has to make sure that she doesn't mix up her Chanel No. 5 and her Hoppe's No. 9.
You mean Hoppe's #9 is NOT a personal grooming product?
Savings? Are You Kidding? This Is Doyle Government Here
Oh, sure, we'll SAVE a bunch of money.
Or not. AP reports:
A state plan to consolidate computer systems has run up tens of millions in cost overruns, a review released Thursday found.
The Legislative Audit Bureau study found efforts to consolidate state servers will cost $110 million by next June, more than nine times their original price tag. A project to consolidate state e-mail systems finished last year cost $13.4 million, more than five times its original estimate.
Doyle, who heads The Most Incompetent Administration Ever, promised $200 million in savings from the ACE project.
Dan Schooff, deputy secretary of Doyle's Department of Administration, said the plan helped state agencies generate $35.5 million in savings that went back to the state's general fund. The $200 million figure came from a press release, he said, and "I didn't grade this against a press release."
Which is another way of saying that the Doyle Administration is either 1) a bunch of liars or 2) a bunch of "who cares?" lifetime bureaucratic twits--or both.
Other findings:
-The state saved about $19 million by pooling agencies' purchasing powers. But DOA paid four contractors $15.2 million to create and start ACE.
-ACE anticipated millions of dollars from the sale of surplus state property. The 2005-07 and 2007-09 budgets authorized DOA to sell $36 million and $40 million worth of property, respectively, but the agency managed to sell only $9.6 million over those four years.
-Efforts to fold some personnel duties from seven state agencies into DOA appear to have worked. Employees in each agency told auditors they generally have been satisfied with DOA staff.
Nice to know that DOA staff fits right in with other agencies. Wowsers.
Or not. AP reports:
A state plan to consolidate computer systems has run up tens of millions in cost overruns, a review released Thursday found.
The Legislative Audit Bureau study found efforts to consolidate state servers will cost $110 million by next June, more than nine times their original price tag. A project to consolidate state e-mail systems finished last year cost $13.4 million, more than five times its original estimate.
Doyle, who heads The Most Incompetent Administration Ever, promised $200 million in savings from the ACE project.
Dan Schooff, deputy secretary of Doyle's Department of Administration, said the plan helped state agencies generate $35.5 million in savings that went back to the state's general fund. The $200 million figure came from a press release, he said, and "I didn't grade this against a press release."
Which is another way of saying that the Doyle Administration is either 1) a bunch of liars or 2) a bunch of "who cares?" lifetime bureaucratic twits--or both.
Other findings:
-The state saved about $19 million by pooling agencies' purchasing powers. But DOA paid four contractors $15.2 million to create and start ACE.
-ACE anticipated millions of dollars from the sale of surplus state property. The 2005-07 and 2007-09 budgets authorized DOA to sell $36 million and $40 million worth of property, respectively, but the agency managed to sell only $9.6 million over those four years.
-Efforts to fold some personnel duties from seven state agencies into DOA appear to have worked. Employees in each agency told auditors they generally have been satisfied with DOA staff.
Nice to know that DOA staff fits right in with other agencies. Wowsers.
Doyle's Amazing Incompetent Governance
Easily becoming the worst Administration in Wisconsin history.
State regulators pumped $25,132 more in taxpayer money this week into the pockets of Latasha Jackson, the day care provider who bought a Jaguar convertible and built a million-dollar mansion in Menomonee Falls - all while officials ignored red flags that she was conning the system for more than a decade.
Now get this:
"There's no impropriety there," said Laurice Lincoln, administrative coordinator for child care for Milwaukee County "They didn't do anything wrong."
This week's payment was for child care that Jackson reportedly provided the week before her license was revoked, said Angela Russell, a spokeswoman for the Department of Children and Families.
A new computer program launched on Monday would have prevented the payment, Russell said. But because the dates of care were for August, Jackson's case fell under the old system. As it was, there was no red flag to stop the payment, she said.
THERE WERE HALF A DOZEN NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, DUMMY!!
"This is what we're trying to fix," she said. "If it happened as of this week, we would be able to click a button and she would not have gotten anything," she said.
Russell also blamed the problem, in part, on Milwaukee County and said if workers there had entered the $103,000 overpayment into the computer system sooner, the state would at least have been able to keep 50% of Tuesday's payment.
THERE WERE HALF A DOZEN NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, DUMMY!!!
Doyle's Department of Corrections "forgets" to collect DNA from 12,000++ prisoners.
Certainly Doyle's DCS could "forget" to issue a check to a known fraudster?
Nope. Incompetence rules.
State regulators pumped $25,132 more in taxpayer money this week into the pockets of Latasha Jackson, the day care provider who bought a Jaguar convertible and built a million-dollar mansion in Menomonee Falls - all while officials ignored red flags that she was conning the system for more than a decade.
Now get this:
"There's no impropriety there," said Laurice Lincoln, administrative coordinator for child care for Milwaukee County "They didn't do anything wrong."
This week's payment was for child care that Jackson reportedly provided the week before her license was revoked, said Angela Russell, a spokeswoman for the Department of Children and Families.
A new computer program launched on Monday would have prevented the payment, Russell said. But because the dates of care were for August, Jackson's case fell under the old system. As it was, there was no red flag to stop the payment, she said.
THERE WERE HALF A DOZEN NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, DUMMY!!
"This is what we're trying to fix," she said. "If it happened as of this week, we would be able to click a button and she would not have gotten anything," she said.
Russell also blamed the problem, in part, on Milwaukee County and said if workers there had entered the $103,000 overpayment into the computer system sooner, the state would at least have been able to keep 50% of Tuesday's payment.
THERE WERE HALF A DOZEN NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, DUMMY!!!
Doyle's Department of Corrections "forgets" to collect DNA from 12,000++ prisoners.
Certainly Doyle's DCS could "forget" to issue a check to a known fraudster?
Nope. Incompetence rules.
'No There There' in Obama Malpractice Promise
Just amazing, Gomer.
“While we are encouraged that the Obama Administration has made medical liability reform part of their overall health care package, the $25 million state grant program announced today amounts to about 1-40,000th of one percent of the cost of a one trillion dollar health care bill.
“Studies have shown that meaningful medical malpractice reform can save from $120 billion to as much as $500 billion over a decade. But a small medical liability grant program will not be effective, and will preserve the status quo when it comes to medical malpractice lawsuits.”
--US Chamber of Commerce
Cynics. Obama will Save the Nation, don'cha know.
“While we are encouraged that the Obama Administration has made medical liability reform part of their overall health care package, the $25 million state grant program announced today amounts to about 1-40,000th of one percent of the cost of a one trillion dollar health care bill.
“Studies have shown that meaningful medical malpractice reform can save from $120 billion to as much as $500 billion over a decade. But a small medical liability grant program will not be effective, and will preserve the status quo when it comes to medical malpractice lawsuits.”
--US Chamber of Commerce
Cynics. Obama will Save the Nation, don'cha know.
DNA Samples Scandal Looks Like DOC Problem
Looks like the Wisconsin Department of Corrections screwed up.
Gary Hamblin at the AG office issued the following:
I am troubled by reports that erroneously describe the estimated 12,000 DNA samples not sent to the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory as “missing” – yesterday I provided an estimate of samples that were never submitted and do not exist at the State Crime Lab.
In the interest of accuracy and complete information I would suggest an important distinction exists between a missing item and one which never existed.
Clearly, as I have preliminarily estimated and reported to the Attorney General yesterday, at least 12,000 DNA samples were never submitted to the State Crime Lab by agencies responsible for the collection of these samples. Samples not in the database are those yet to be collected by agencies charged with collection and submission.
Samples at the Crime Lab are not lost, misplaced or otherwise “missing.”
In other words, Doyle's Department of Corrections (you remember, the one which insists on more and more and more funding for its extremely expensive staff) is the problem, NOT the Attorney General's Crime Lab.
At the same time, it seems that there is something wrong with the reporting systems in the AG's office. There should be a 'tick count' of samples processed from the prisons. (There should be a 'tick count' of OTHER samples processed, too.) That would enable AG supervision to determine what the Lab is doing. It's a metric which should be in a management report.
At the same time, a certain local afternoon RadioMouth probably owes the AG an apology...
Gary Hamblin at the AG office issued the following:
I am troubled by reports that erroneously describe the estimated 12,000 DNA samples not sent to the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory as “missing” – yesterday I provided an estimate of samples that were never submitted and do not exist at the State Crime Lab.
In the interest of accuracy and complete information I would suggest an important distinction exists between a missing item and one which never existed.
Clearly, as I have preliminarily estimated and reported to the Attorney General yesterday, at least 12,000 DNA samples were never submitted to the State Crime Lab by agencies responsible for the collection of these samples. Samples not in the database are those yet to be collected by agencies charged with collection and submission.
Samples at the Crime Lab are not lost, misplaced or otherwise “missing.”
In other words, Doyle's Department of Corrections (you remember, the one which insists on more and more and more funding for its extremely expensive staff) is the problem, NOT the Attorney General's Crime Lab.
At the same time, it seems that there is something wrong with the reporting systems in the AG's office. There should be a 'tick count' of samples processed from the prisons. (There should be a 'tick count' of OTHER samples processed, too.) That would enable AG supervision to determine what the Lab is doing. It's a metric which should be in a management report.
At the same time, a certain local afternoon RadioMouth probably owes the AG an apology...
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Is Boehner Paying Attention?
Frankly, I think Boehner is an ambitious fellow, and is seeing his future crumbling before his very eyes.
Long before the tea parties or Wilson’s outburst, Boehner and Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) had struggled to moderate the rhetorical excesses of House conservatives hammering away on Obama’s birth certificate, decrying the creation of “death panels” and ferreting out signs of creeping socialism.
As to 'his future,' here's the tell:
“I would point out that the greatest anxiety about the president’s policies tends to come from independents,” he said.
Yup. Johnny thought he was somewhere in the traditional GOP "line" to get the nomination for President, and ...sacre bleu!!..... the damned 'independents' rise up and start screeching about Statism, overspending, and all those tried-and-true GOP Party-Of-Government things that Johnny subscribes to.
Which is to say, precisely the wrong things. Shall we name a few? How about "No Child", or "Compassionate", or "Drug programs for Grandpa", or ridiculously irresponsible spending?
Now he's running like Hell to catch the caboose on a train which departed the station.
HT: Riehl
Long before the tea parties or Wilson’s outburst, Boehner and Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) had struggled to moderate the rhetorical excesses of House conservatives hammering away on Obama’s birth certificate, decrying the creation of “death panels” and ferreting out signs of creeping socialism.
As to 'his future,' here's the tell:
“I would point out that the greatest anxiety about the president’s policies tends to come from independents,” he said.
Yup. Johnny thought he was somewhere in the traditional GOP "line" to get the nomination for President, and ...sacre bleu!!..... the damned 'independents' rise up and start screeching about Statism, overspending, and all those tried-and-true GOP Party-Of-Government things that Johnny subscribes to.
Which is to say, precisely the wrong things. Shall we name a few? How about "No Child", or "Compassionate", or "Drug programs for Grandpa", or ridiculously irresponsible spending?
Now he's running like Hell to catch the caboose on a train which departed the station.
HT: Riehl
A Different Take on the Poland/Czech Missiles
From First Things/Spengler.
President Obama’s sudden decision to suspend deployment of an anti-ballistic missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic may be a response to Israeli-Russian diplomacy, I am told by often-reliable sources. Russian-Israeli relations have been improving at an “extroardinary” pace since Russia agreed last April to buy Israeli drone aircraft, the first time in history that Russia sourced weapons from the Jewish state. Russia has been selling advanced aircraft systems to the Iranians and Syrians, to be sure, but everything is negotiable. “Maybe something isn’t calibrate perfectly, maybe there’s misprint in the manual,” an analyst familiar with Russian weapons systems told me. “In any case, the Russians will never sell anything to Iran without knowing exactly what countermeasures will neutralize it.”
Hmmmmm.
Along with that, a more cold analytical look at the GWB policy:
Just why the Bush administration thought that running pipelines around Russia’s border would provide greater energy security to the West than buying energy directly from Russia never was clear to me. The rationale for American support for Georgia in its Chihuahua vs. Rottweiler dispute with Russia was that energy pipelines could be run through Georgia. But the Russians have many means in their “near abroad” to disrupt pipelines should they so desire. As for the inclusion of Eastern Europe in NATO: the Ukraine is a dying country, probably the first European nation to collapse internally through depopulation. It’s simply not worth fighting over.
The one side of Obama’s foreign policy that made sense from the outset was to trade items that Russia considers of fundamental interest, e.g., its influence in former Soviet republics, for Russian cooperation in suppressing nuclear weapons development in Iran.
He's not the only one to voice the opinion that Obama's move may be the right one. And I tend to agree that GWB's fixation on 'evil Russia' was shortsighted, especially when it became clear that the tinpot in Georgia is just this side of loony.
See, e.g., Vox:
There is no way that defending the Czech Republic and Poland is in the U.S. national interest. More to the point, it's not even credible for the U.S. to pretend that it is capable of defending Eastern Europe against any kind of Russian attack.
Really? Why??
Simple.
Russia isn't about to fire missiles at either the Czechs or the Poles; they'd never need to given their close proximity and the size of their ground forces.
Granted, I read the first releases (which did NOT mention the Turkey/Balkans placement possibility) and was unhappy. Maybe the opinionators did not WANT us to know about the alternatives. I also should have noted that the Weekly Standard, a reliable war-monger, was the source behind the Ace post.
President Obama’s sudden decision to suspend deployment of an anti-ballistic missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic may be a response to Israeli-Russian diplomacy, I am told by often-reliable sources. Russian-Israeli relations have been improving at an “extroardinary” pace since Russia agreed last April to buy Israeli drone aircraft, the first time in history that Russia sourced weapons from the Jewish state. Russia has been selling advanced aircraft systems to the Iranians and Syrians, to be sure, but everything is negotiable. “Maybe something isn’t calibrate perfectly, maybe there’s misprint in the manual,” an analyst familiar with Russian weapons systems told me. “In any case, the Russians will never sell anything to Iran without knowing exactly what countermeasures will neutralize it.”
Hmmmmm.
Along with that, a more cold analytical look at the GWB policy:
Just why the Bush administration thought that running pipelines around Russia’s border would provide greater energy security to the West than buying energy directly from Russia never was clear to me. The rationale for American support for Georgia in its Chihuahua vs. Rottweiler dispute with Russia was that energy pipelines could be run through Georgia. But the Russians have many means in their “near abroad” to disrupt pipelines should they so desire. As for the inclusion of Eastern Europe in NATO: the Ukraine is a dying country, probably the first European nation to collapse internally through depopulation. It’s simply not worth fighting over.
The one side of Obama’s foreign policy that made sense from the outset was to trade items that Russia considers of fundamental interest, e.g., its influence in former Soviet republics, for Russian cooperation in suppressing nuclear weapons development in Iran.
He's not the only one to voice the opinion that Obama's move may be the right one. And I tend to agree that GWB's fixation on 'evil Russia' was shortsighted, especially when it became clear that the tinpot in Georgia is just this side of loony.
See, e.g., Vox:
There is no way that defending the Czech Republic and Poland is in the U.S. national interest. More to the point, it's not even credible for the U.S. to pretend that it is capable of defending Eastern Europe against any kind of Russian attack.
Really? Why??
Simple.
Russia isn't about to fire missiles at either the Czechs or the Poles; they'd never need to given their close proximity and the size of their ground forces.
Granted, I read the first releases (which did NOT mention the Turkey/Balkans placement possibility) and was unhappy. Maybe the opinionators did not WANT us to know about the alternatives. I also should have noted that the Weekly Standard, a reliable war-monger, was the source behind the Ace post.
McMiller Range: Chapter 4
It will be boring for a while.
Despite a pending legal challenge over its operation, the McMiller Sports Center shooting range in the Kettle Moraine State Forest re-opened at noon Thursday under new lease holders.
No one was answering a phone at McMiller on Thursday, but in a one-word e-mail, new operator Lloyd Marks confirmed it was open.
Forest superintendent Paul Sandgren said the state-owned range has resumed normal hours - from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday. Extended hours would begin Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day but Mondays.
Sandgren is the rat in the woodpile here, folks. Keep that in mind as time goes on.
Attorney Theodore J. Hodan also argued that under state law, 28 days' notice must be given for the lease termination - not the four days that they were given.
Unless you are Damn Near Russia, of course.
Monday, 1100, Hassin's courtoom in Waukesha County.
Despite a pending legal challenge over its operation, the McMiller Sports Center shooting range in the Kettle Moraine State Forest re-opened at noon Thursday under new lease holders.
No one was answering a phone at McMiller on Thursday, but in a one-word e-mail, new operator Lloyd Marks confirmed it was open.
Forest superintendent Paul Sandgren said the state-owned range has resumed normal hours - from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday. Extended hours would begin Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day but Mondays.
Sandgren is the rat in the woodpile here, folks. Keep that in mind as time goes on.
Attorney Theodore J. Hodan also argued that under state law, 28 days' notice must be given for the lease termination - not the four days that they were given.
Unless you are Damn Near Russia, of course.
Monday, 1100, Hassin's courtoom in Waukesha County.
Sen. Isakson (R-Homebuilders) Is Crazy
This poor bozo is convinced that Gummint will Save Us All!
Republican, my ass. Accurately, Isakson is a Statist, just like AutoClub GWB and ObamaHealth.
Senator John Isakson (R. Ga.) knows how to sell real estate. For twenty years he built up Northside Realty outside of Atlanta. His company is one of the largest independent RE brokerages in the country. With that much experience he knows full well that when you provide 95% LTV loans and a tax rebate that allows the buyer to put up net-net zero money down on a home purchase you can move real estate again. The Senator is pushing hard to extend the existing first time home buyer program. He wants to dramatically expand the scope (and cost) of the program as well.
It's even worse when you read his webpage....
"...my legislation would increase the maximum amount of the credit from $8,000 to $15,000 and expand the current tax credit so that it applies to any buyer of any home, not just first-time buyers. My legislation also would eliminate the income caps of $75,000 for an individual and $150,000 for a couple under the current tax credit so that there is no income limit for eligibility. Finally, the legislation would extend the tax credit for one year from date of enactment and would still allow home buyers to claim the credit on their 2009 tax return for purchases made in 2010.”
Madness.
Republican, my ass. Accurately, Isakson is a Statist, just like AutoClub GWB and ObamaHealth.
Senator John Isakson (R. Ga.) knows how to sell real estate. For twenty years he built up Northside Realty outside of Atlanta. His company is one of the largest independent RE brokerages in the country. With that much experience he knows full well that when you provide 95% LTV loans and a tax rebate that allows the buyer to put up net-net zero money down on a home purchase you can move real estate again. The Senator is pushing hard to extend the existing first time home buyer program. He wants to dramatically expand the scope (and cost) of the program as well.
It's even worse when you read his webpage....
"...my legislation would increase the maximum amount of the credit from $8,000 to $15,000 and expand the current tax credit so that it applies to any buyer of any home, not just first-time buyers. My legislation also would eliminate the income caps of $75,000 for an individual and $150,000 for a couple under the current tax credit so that there is no income limit for eligibility. Finally, the legislation would extend the tax credit for one year from date of enactment and would still allow home buyers to claim the credit on their 2009 tax return for purchases made in 2010.”
Madness.
"They're Only Little Brown People"
A few of you will recognize that quote. It's from Congressional testimony during which the ban of DDT was considered.
The quote above came from a Lefty who wanted to ban DDT. When one Congressman stated that the use of DDT had saved tens of thousands of people in Southeast Asia from malaria, well.....that was his response.
So when a couple of muckrakers propose to import 13-15 year-old Central American girls for prostitution, the response from ACORN is identical in effect, if not in text.
Who is calling whom "racist", folks?
The quote above came from a Lefty who wanted to ban DDT. When one Congressman stated that the use of DDT had saved tens of thousands of people in Southeast Asia from malaria, well.....that was his response.
So when a couple of muckrakers propose to import 13-15 year-old Central American girls for prostitution, the response from ACORN is identical in effect, if not in text.
Who is calling whom "racist", folks?
The Good Old Days
Yah, wearing that ankle-bracelet is really rough.
Marietta and Rowe's Troubled Experiment, which I mentioned quite recently, includes a number of mentions of sodomy and buggery laws. At p. 12, they mention that the liberalism of the early Quaker government is exposed in that in the first sessions, in 1682, they made a number of crimes that were capital under English law, such as "rape, sodomy, bigamy, and incest" non-capital. First offense led to forfeiture of property, whipping, and imprisonment. I already had a copy of this statute; first offense: 1/3 of your estate is taken, six months of "hard Labour", and life in prison for the second offense. (I have a copy of that statute here.)
At pp. 17-18 they report that in 1700, the Pennsylvania Assembly decided to make all their criminal statutes more harsh:
Conviction for sodomy brought with it a life sentence with a whipping to be administered every three months if the defendant were single, castration if the convicted felon were married.
NTTAWWT, of course. In 1718, Pennsylvania made sodomy and buggery capital crimes (again.)
HT: Cramer
Marietta and Rowe's Troubled Experiment, which I mentioned quite recently, includes a number of mentions of sodomy and buggery laws. At p. 12, they mention that the liberalism of the early Quaker government is exposed in that in the first sessions, in 1682, they made a number of crimes that were capital under English law, such as "rape, sodomy, bigamy, and incest" non-capital. First offense led to forfeiture of property, whipping, and imprisonment. I already had a copy of this statute; first offense: 1/3 of your estate is taken, six months of "hard Labour", and life in prison for the second offense. (I have a copy of that statute here.)
At pp. 17-18 they report that in 1700, the Pennsylvania Assembly decided to make all their criminal statutes more harsh:
Conviction for sodomy brought with it a life sentence with a whipping to be administered every three months if the defendant were single, castration if the convicted felon were married.
NTTAWWT, of course. In 1718, Pennsylvania made sodomy and buggery capital crimes (again.)
HT: Cramer
Regulations and Taxes Keep Costs High
Doh.
Herewith, P-Mac writes a parable (and there's more to it than I'm quoting here.)
The Public Policy Forum a few months back said Milwaukee's really short of low-cost rentals. If more people went into the business, researchers said, it could help. Yet Ballering, who's owned for 32 years, told his son to find another occupation: "It's such a difficult business," said Ballering.
Ballering owns 400 rental units in the City of Milwaukee. Clearly, he would not be a good reference for the City when they are looking for "more people" to go "into the business" of owning rental properties.
Milwaukee city officials, too, don't make it easy for landlords. The city's an expensive place to own apartments, many say. Taxes are high, and "there are just so many regulations against us," said Pettit. Don't get him started about the nuisance property law, by which landlords can get in trouble if a tenant calls 911 needlessly.
The Department of Neighborhood Services until lately was a particular cross. "There was a real culture of hatred in the city towards property owners," said Ballering. "Starting with DNS."
Ballering, Pettit and others said things are improving under DNS's new commissioner. Others credit police with cleaning up prostitution and gang trouble.
It's good to know that DNS' attitude has changed, and that the cop-shop is FINALLY getting around to fixing crime problems.
But in the end, the cost of regs and taxes drive the cost of rental properties. One cannot demand "lower cost rentals" AND impose high costs on landlords simultaneously.
Umnnnnhhhhhhh--yes--there is another issue which has a number of resemblances. It's called "healthcare."
You can look it up.
Herewith, P-Mac writes a parable (and there's more to it than I'm quoting here.)
The Public Policy Forum a few months back said Milwaukee's really short of low-cost rentals. If more people went into the business, researchers said, it could help. Yet Ballering, who's owned for 32 years, told his son to find another occupation: "It's such a difficult business," said Ballering.
Ballering owns 400 rental units in the City of Milwaukee. Clearly, he would not be a good reference for the City when they are looking for "more people" to go "into the business" of owning rental properties.
Milwaukee city officials, too, don't make it easy for landlords. The city's an expensive place to own apartments, many say. Taxes are high, and "there are just so many regulations against us," said Pettit. Don't get him started about the nuisance property law, by which landlords can get in trouble if a tenant calls 911 needlessly.
The Department of Neighborhood Services until lately was a particular cross. "There was a real culture of hatred in the city towards property owners," said Ballering. "Starting with DNS."
Ballering, Pettit and others said things are improving under DNS's new commissioner. Others credit police with cleaning up prostitution and gang trouble.
It's good to know that DNS' attitude has changed, and that the cop-shop is FINALLY getting around to fixing crime problems.
But in the end, the cost of regs and taxes drive the cost of rental properties. One cannot demand "lower cost rentals" AND impose high costs on landlords simultaneously.
Umnnnnhhhhhhh--yes--there is another issue which has a number of resemblances. It's called "healthcare."
You can look it up.
Picking Your Friends
A few days ago, I had a brief conversation with a Milwaukee cop who is a friend. The convo was occasioned by a report of an assault in the Riverwest area.
His thought, distilled: kids can pick the wrong sort of friends.
Maybe the most important function of parenting is to show-and-tell your children how to pick friends--or how to avoid real problems.
That sorta becomes frightfully clear when you read this story.
His thought, distilled: kids can pick the wrong sort of friends.
Maybe the most important function of parenting is to show-and-tell your children how to pick friends--or how to avoid real problems.
That sorta becomes frightfully clear when you read this story.
Want to See HealthCare Rationing? See Wisconsin!
Jim Doyle's precursor of ObamaCare.
The state's BadgerCare Plus Core program was launched in mid-July to provide medical care, including mental health services, to the indigent. The county phased out its program in anticipation of the state move.
The transition has been bumpy. The state delayed the start of the program several months because of budget concerns. Now, some of the transferees from the county to the state program have found they can no longer see the same physicians they had previously seen.
They also face long waits to see HMO psychiatrists through BadgerCare Plus Core, according to county officials. The situation was blamed on a dearth of behavioral health providers willing to serve BadgerCare patients.
That will result in people skipping treatment, eventually "experiencing a psychiatric crisis and ultimately requiring hospitalization," according to a memo from John Chianelli, the county's behavioral health administrator.
One County supervisor blames providers who don't like alcoholics who smell funny and therefore don't take them as patients.
Another possiblity:
The BadgerCare Plus Core program provides less mental health coverage than the county program did.
...County Executive Scott Walker said the problem was triggered by the state decision to pay for less mental health care than had been anticipated.
None dare call it "rationing."
The state's BadgerCare Plus Core program was launched in mid-July to provide medical care, including mental health services, to the indigent. The county phased out its program in anticipation of the state move.
The transition has been bumpy. The state delayed the start of the program several months because of budget concerns. Now, some of the transferees from the county to the state program have found they can no longer see the same physicians they had previously seen.
They also face long waits to see HMO psychiatrists through BadgerCare Plus Core, according to county officials. The situation was blamed on a dearth of behavioral health providers willing to serve BadgerCare patients.
That will result in people skipping treatment, eventually "experiencing a psychiatric crisis and ultimately requiring hospitalization," according to a memo from John Chianelli, the county's behavioral health administrator.
One County supervisor blames providers who don't like alcoholics who smell funny and therefore don't take them as patients.
Another possiblity:
The BadgerCare Plus Core program provides less mental health coverage than the county program did.
...County Executive Scott Walker said the problem was triggered by the state decision to pay for less mental health care than had been anticipated.
None dare call it "rationing."
The MSM Pre-Write for Saturday's TEA Party
Rather than trouble a reporter with all the fuss and bother of going to this Saturday's TEA Party at Veteran's Park, here's the story they can copy/paste.
Milwaukee--MSM--September 19 2009
A few dozen people gathered in Milwaukee's lakefront Veterans' Park today to hear several speakers denounce Democrats, particularly President Obama, for being "Nazis", "Marxists," and--in Obama's case--for merely being black. Some also mentioned 'Socialism' or 'Fascism.' To an observer it was clear that the people were irrational, if not dangerous. A spokesman for the Southern Poverty Legal Center said that in general, "TEA Party attendees are hate-group members who should be on DHS' watch list."
It was evident throughout the event that racists were the vast majority of the 20 or so people who showed up. They were boiling over, yea, seething, with anger that a black man is the President. Many were frothing at the mouth. They carried Gadsden flags, a code-symbol for racists since April of this year, and shouted such racist epithets as "Stop the Spending!!" "Respect the Constitution!!" and "No Government Health Care!!!"
Oh, sure, a couple of locally-known blacks spoke, as well as some unknown Asian-American woman from Washington D.C. But it is generally understood by that those speakers are sellouts. Uncle Toms. Oreos. Enablers.
Besides the Gadsden-flag racists, some of the protesters were members of the NRA, another group known for its wild-eyed, inflammatory, unhinged devotion to something called 'the Second Amendment'. The NRA's position on the Second Amendment usually includes such code-phrases as "law-abiding citizens" which, of course, is racist talk for Whiteys.
We asked one of the 10 people present to tell us why he came today. But rather than recording and transcribing his entire answer, which had to do with the growth of regulation, the usurpation of the 10th Amendment (whatever that is), and the 'five-spiral dive' imminent for the US Dollar due to unsustainable national debt driven by wild overspending at both the national and State levels, we'll reduce it a bit. Paraphased, he said 'Obama is a N******'. Or at least that's what I heard, along with the word "boy" someplace in the ranting and raving of this lunatic.
There. You see?
After leaving the half-dozen wackos and nut-jobs at the park, I washed my hands several times before returning to Journal Square and writing this up. I also took a shower. Twice. Thank God I'll be back in Shorewood soon.
We couldn't be bothered with sending a photographer to the event--they cost money, you know. So instead I took the name of the single attendee, found out which restaurant he favors, and phoned the restaurant owner to let them know he has a crankwacko as a customer, which could result in problems if the national franchiser were notified.
---30---
Milwaukee--MSM--September 19 2009
A few dozen people gathered in Milwaukee's lakefront Veterans' Park today to hear several speakers denounce Democrats, particularly President Obama, for being "Nazis", "Marxists," and--in Obama's case--for merely being black. Some also mentioned 'Socialism' or 'Fascism.' To an observer it was clear that the people were irrational, if not dangerous. A spokesman for the Southern Poverty Legal Center said that in general, "TEA Party attendees are hate-group members who should be on DHS' watch list."
It was evident throughout the event that racists were the vast majority of the 20 or so people who showed up. They were boiling over, yea, seething, with anger that a black man is the President. Many were frothing at the mouth. They carried Gadsden flags, a code-symbol for racists since April of this year, and shouted such racist epithets as "Stop the Spending!!" "Respect the Constitution!!" and "No Government Health Care!!!"
Oh, sure, a couple of locally-known blacks spoke, as well as some unknown Asian-American woman from Washington D.C. But it is generally understood by that those speakers are sellouts. Uncle Toms. Oreos. Enablers.
Besides the Gadsden-flag racists, some of the protesters were members of the NRA, another group known for its wild-eyed, inflammatory, unhinged devotion to something called 'the Second Amendment'. The NRA's position on the Second Amendment usually includes such code-phrases as "law-abiding citizens" which, of course, is racist talk for Whiteys.
We asked one of the 10 people present to tell us why he came today. But rather than recording and transcribing his entire answer, which had to do with the growth of regulation, the usurpation of the 10th Amendment (whatever that is), and the 'five-spiral dive' imminent for the US Dollar due to unsustainable national debt driven by wild overspending at both the national and State levels, we'll reduce it a bit. Paraphased, he said 'Obama is a N******'. Or at least that's what I heard, along with the word "boy" someplace in the ranting and raving of this lunatic.
There. You see?
After leaving the half-dozen wackos and nut-jobs at the park, I washed my hands several times before returning to Journal Square and writing this up. I also took a shower. Twice. Thank God I'll be back in Shorewood soon.
We couldn't be bothered with sending a photographer to the event--they cost money, you know. So instead I took the name of the single attendee, found out which restaurant he favors, and phoned the restaurant owner to let them know he has a crankwacko as a customer, which could result in problems if the national franchiser were notified.
---30---
Jimmuh Cahtuh KNOWS Racism; He's a Practitioner
The Washington Examiner:
Setting aside the much greater disrespect shown by the Left at nearly every moment of former President George W. Bush's presidency, it is not unfair to suggest that Carter is attributing the same racial cynicism to others that he himself employed during his 1970 campaign for governor of Georgia.
Among other things,
**Carter's top campaign staffers were spotted distributing grainy photographs of Sanders arm-in-arm celebrating with two black men. Sanders was a part-owner of the Atlanta Hawks, and in the photograph he was celebrating a victory with two players who were pouring champagne over his head. Carter's leaflet was intended to depress Sanders's white vote.
**"The Carter campaign also produced a leaflet noting that Sanders had paid tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr."
And Jimmuh had extra-special pals!
**Upon receiving the endorsement of former Democratic Gov. Lester Maddox, Carter responded by praising the life-long segregationist: "He has brought a standard of forthright expression and personal honesty to the governor's office, and I hope to live up to his standard." Maddox had not only refused to serve blacks in the restaurant he once owned, but he had also greeted civil rights protestors with a gun, and made sticks available to his white customers with which to intimidate them.
We've often mentioned the Lefty penchant for projection. Cahtuh's just another example.
Setting aside the much greater disrespect shown by the Left at nearly every moment of former President George W. Bush's presidency, it is not unfair to suggest that Carter is attributing the same racial cynicism to others that he himself employed during his 1970 campaign for governor of Georgia.
Among other things,
**Carter's top campaign staffers were spotted distributing grainy photographs of Sanders arm-in-arm celebrating with two black men. Sanders was a part-owner of the Atlanta Hawks, and in the photograph he was celebrating a victory with two players who were pouring champagne over his head. Carter's leaflet was intended to depress Sanders's white vote.
**"The Carter campaign also produced a leaflet noting that Sanders had paid tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr."
And Jimmuh had extra-special pals!
**Upon receiving the endorsement of former Democratic Gov. Lester Maddox, Carter responded by praising the life-long segregationist: "He has brought a standard of forthright expression and personal honesty to the governor's office, and I hope to live up to his standard." Maddox had not only refused to serve blacks in the restaurant he once owned, but he had also greeted civil rights protestors with a gun, and made sticks available to his white customers with which to intimidate them.
We've often mentioned the Lefty penchant for projection. Cahtuh's just another example.
Is THIS ObamaCare?
The Baucus bill crawls out from under its rock.
...Employers will be required to offer "qualified coverage" to their workers (or pay another "free rider" penalty) and workers will be required to accept it, paying for it in lower wages. The vast majority of households already confront the same tradeoff today, except Congress will now declare that there's only one right answer.
(Fuggedabout looking for insurance that fits your needs and no more than that.)
And as we mentioned yesterday, this will cost AFSCME and WEA members dearly:
Take a family of four making $42,000 in 2016. While government would subsidize 80% of their premium and pay $1,500 to offset cost-sharing, they'd still pay $6,000 a year or 14.3% of their total income. A family making $54,000 could still pay 18.1% of their income, while an individual earning $26,500 would be on the hook for 15.5%, and one earning $32,400 for 17.3%. So lower-income workers would still be forced to devote huge portions of their salaries to expensive policies that they may not want or be able to afford.
The only problem with my post was that I under-estimated the premium cost.
And there is the matter of "cost estimates" which are .......umnnnhhhh......prayers, rather than facts:
Like the House bill, Mr. Baucus uses 10 years of taxes to fund about seven years of spending. Some $215 billion is scrounged up by imposing a 35% excise tax on insurance companies for plans valued at more than $21,000 for families and $8,000 for individuals. This levy would merely be added to the insurers' "administrative load" and passed down to all consumers in higher prices. Ditto for the $59 billion that Mr. Baucus would raise by taxing the likes of clinical laboratories and drug and device makers.
Mr. Baucus also wants to cut $409 billion from Medicare, according to CBO, though the only money that is certain to see the budget ax is $123 billion from the Medicare Advantage program.
By the way--remember when Obama slashed Hillary for proposing healthcare which required everybody to join up?
Ach, I know. Bringing it up is simply racist.
One more thing: how much of this bill did Grassley approve?
...Employers will be required to offer "qualified coverage" to their workers (or pay another "free rider" penalty) and workers will be required to accept it, paying for it in lower wages. The vast majority of households already confront the same tradeoff today, except Congress will now declare that there's only one right answer.
(Fuggedabout looking for insurance that fits your needs and no more than that.)
And as we mentioned yesterday, this will cost AFSCME and WEA members dearly:
Take a family of four making $42,000 in 2016. While government would subsidize 80% of their premium and pay $1,500 to offset cost-sharing, they'd still pay $6,000 a year or 14.3% of their total income. A family making $54,000 could still pay 18.1% of their income, while an individual earning $26,500 would be on the hook for 15.5%, and one earning $32,400 for 17.3%. So lower-income workers would still be forced to devote huge portions of their salaries to expensive policies that they may not want or be able to afford.
The only problem with my post was that I under-estimated the premium cost.
And there is the matter of "cost estimates" which are .......umnnnhhhh......prayers, rather than facts:
Like the House bill, Mr. Baucus uses 10 years of taxes to fund about seven years of spending. Some $215 billion is scrounged up by imposing a 35% excise tax on insurance companies for plans valued at more than $21,000 for families and $8,000 for individuals. This levy would merely be added to the insurers' "administrative load" and passed down to all consumers in higher prices. Ditto for the $59 billion that Mr. Baucus would raise by taxing the likes of clinical laboratories and drug and device makers.
Mr. Baucus also wants to cut $409 billion from Medicare, according to CBO, though the only money that is certain to see the budget ax is $123 billion from the Medicare Advantage program.
By the way--remember when Obama slashed Hillary for proposing healthcare which required everybody to join up?
Ach, I know. Bringing it up is simply racist.
One more thing: how much of this bill did Grassley approve?
The Kennedy Funeral Error
We were not enthused over Bp. Morlino's defensive posture on the Kennedy Extravaganza.
And we are not alone.
Father Roger J. Landry, editor at The Anchor, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River (the diocese where the late Senator Edward Kennedy resided), has written extensively on the passing of Senator Kennedy and his funeral. Fr. Landry himself was ordained by Cardinal Sean O'Malley, the presider at Kennedy's funeral.
"The overall tone of the funeral liturgy - from the three eulogies, to the prayers of the faithful, to the homily, to the celebrity musicians, to the guest list, and to the nationally-televised gushing color commentaries - seemed to communicate that it was more a public, political apotheosis of Senator Kennedy than a humble, insistent prayer of the Church his mother for the forgiveness of his sins and the repose of his soul," writes Fr. Landry.
Fr. Landry makes another point which will be disputed by the "Peace, Peace!!!" crowd:
Fr. Landry also reflects in detail on "one of the most important lessons that pastors in the United States need to draw from the history of the Church's interactions with Senator Kennedy for its future engagement of other pro-abortion Catholic politicians." The lesson is that the "education-only" strategy employed by most pastors has "failed."
"Kennedy's example was so injurious to the Church," said Fr. Landry, "because the pastors of the Church, for the most part, made the imprudent call to do little or nothing about it beyond general teaching statements that they hoped offending politicians would apply to themselves."
That 'teaching only' technique was the public methodology of the former Cardinal of D.C., as well as of Abp. Dolan.
And we are not alone.
Father Roger J. Landry, editor at The Anchor, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River (the diocese where the late Senator Edward Kennedy resided), has written extensively on the passing of Senator Kennedy and his funeral. Fr. Landry himself was ordained by Cardinal Sean O'Malley, the presider at Kennedy's funeral.
"The overall tone of the funeral liturgy - from the three eulogies, to the prayers of the faithful, to the homily, to the celebrity musicians, to the guest list, and to the nationally-televised gushing color commentaries - seemed to communicate that it was more a public, political apotheosis of Senator Kennedy than a humble, insistent prayer of the Church his mother for the forgiveness of his sins and the repose of his soul," writes Fr. Landry.
Fr. Landry makes another point which will be disputed by the "Peace, Peace!!!" crowd:
Fr. Landry also reflects in detail on "one of the most important lessons that pastors in the United States need to draw from the history of the Church's interactions with Senator Kennedy for its future engagement of other pro-abortion Catholic politicians." The lesson is that the "education-only" strategy employed by most pastors has "failed."
"Kennedy's example was so injurious to the Church," said Fr. Landry, "because the pastors of the Church, for the most part, made the imprudent call to do little or nothing about it beyond general teaching statements that they hoped offending politicians would apply to themselves."
That 'teaching only' technique was the public methodology of the former Cardinal of D.C., as well as of Abp. Dolan.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Big-Name BK Prospects
Interesting list.
[R]isk evaluator Audit Integrity, which has put together a list of the twenty companies with a market cap over $1 billion most likely to file for bankruptcy. The full list is presented below:
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Amkor Technology, Inc.
AMR Corporation Airline. No surprise here.
Apartment Investment and Management Co. Gee. Apartment rents sinking, CRE.
CBS Corporation Two words: Katie Whatshername
Continental Airlines, Inc.
Federal-Mogul Corporation Supplier of automotive and off-road equipment components.
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. No travel, no rent-o.
Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.
Las Vegas Sands Corp. Vegas is in trouble, period.
Liberty Media Corporation (Capital)
Macy's, Inc. Too many acquisitions just before 10/08.
Mylan Inc.
Oshkosh Corporation
Redwood Trust, Inc.
Rite Aid Corporation
Sirius XM Radio Inc. Doh. Been 'on the edge' since the day it fired up.
Sprint Nextel Corporation Competition is killing 'em.
Textron Inc. Among other things, makes small aircraft.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Same problem as Cooper Tire.
Well, we know that Oshkosh is having serious problems in every segment except military, but that's "bid-work" and not extremely profitable.
Now, if you're an Oshkosh supplier, that could be a problem, no? And one of their largest suppliers for the military work is a steel-service-center which was recently purchased by a hedgefund using Hollywood money. Heh.
HT: ZeroHedge
[R]isk evaluator Audit Integrity, which has put together a list of the twenty companies with a market cap over $1 billion most likely to file for bankruptcy. The full list is presented below:
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Amkor Technology, Inc.
AMR Corporation Airline. No surprise here.
Apartment Investment and Management Co. Gee. Apartment rents sinking, CRE.
CBS Corporation Two words: Katie Whatshername
Continental Airlines, Inc.
Federal-Mogul Corporation Supplier of automotive and off-road equipment components.
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. No travel, no rent-o.
Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.
Las Vegas Sands Corp. Vegas is in trouble, period.
Liberty Media Corporation (Capital)
Macy's, Inc. Too many acquisitions just before 10/08.
Mylan Inc.
Oshkosh Corporation
Redwood Trust, Inc.
Rite Aid Corporation
Sirius XM Radio Inc. Doh. Been 'on the edge' since the day it fired up.
Sprint Nextel Corporation Competition is killing 'em.
Textron Inc. Among other things, makes small aircraft.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Same problem as Cooper Tire.
Well, we know that Oshkosh is having serious problems in every segment except military, but that's "bid-work" and not extremely profitable.
Now, if you're an Oshkosh supplier, that could be a problem, no? And one of their largest suppliers for the military work is a steel-service-center which was recently purchased by a hedgefund using Hollywood money. Heh.
HT: ZeroHedge
Pawlenty Steps Up; Where's Doyle?
Some Governors pay attention.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R.) sent a letter Wednesday afternoon to the director of the Minnesota Commission of Management and Budget ordering him to stop all state funding to ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), a spokesman for the governor has confirmed to CNSNews.com Editor Pete Winn.
OK, Jimbo. 'Bout time you issue same orders here, no?
I mean, even CUOMO is into this action.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R.) sent a letter Wednesday afternoon to the director of the Minnesota Commission of Management and Budget ordering him to stop all state funding to ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), a spokesman for the governor has confirmed to CNSNews.com Editor Pete Winn.
OK, Jimbo. 'Bout time you issue same orders here, no?
I mean, even CUOMO is into this action.
Obama Dumping Poland and Czechoslovakia Under the Bus
Reports AOSHQ, quoting Weekly Standard:
According to reliable sources, Obama administration officials are on their way to Poland and the Czech Republic to deliver very bad news. The administration intends to cancel completely the missile defense sites that had been promised to these governments by the previous administration. This represents a complete capitulation to Russia's Vladimir Putin.
Sucks up to Saudi Arabia, home and money-source for Osama. Dumps all over Israel, Honduras, England. Sucks up to tinpot dictator Chavez, dumps all over Poland. Kisses butt of Putin, KGB cretin; shoves Germany toward icebox, screws Canada with 'buy American' laws.
You can call it Foreign Policy.
It's "foreign", all right. And in a perverse way, it's "isolationist" too--because in less than 4 years, this country will have no allies at all.
According to reliable sources, Obama administration officials are on their way to Poland and the Czech Republic to deliver very bad news. The administration intends to cancel completely the missile defense sites that had been promised to these governments by the previous administration. This represents a complete capitulation to Russia's Vladimir Putin.
Sucks up to Saudi Arabia, home and money-source for Osama. Dumps all over Israel, Honduras, England. Sucks up to tinpot dictator Chavez, dumps all over Poland. Kisses butt of Putin, KGB cretin; shoves Germany toward icebox, screws Canada with 'buy American' laws.
You can call it Foreign Policy.
It's "foreign", all right. And in a perverse way, it's "isolationist" too--because in less than 4 years, this country will have no allies at all.
Who the Hell is Charles Johnson?
Well, if you REALLY care to know, he's apparently a toad, not a man.
Doyle's Incomparably Incompetent Work
In 2001, Jim Doyle was the Attorney General of the State of Wisconsin, responsible for oversight of the State Crime Lab.
Under his watch, the Crime Lab did not correctly establish systems and procedures to comply with DNA-collection requirements of Wisconsin law. It's possible that's because Doyle was busy campaigning, rather than actually running the office.
Doyle became Governor and appointed someone to run the Department of Corrections. That individual oversaw the State prisons, and under that individual's watch, the Oshkosh facility collected a DNA sample from someone who CLAIMED to be Walter Ellis.
Peg Lift-und-Schlep-Em (Lautenschager, in case the State revokes her pension for complete malfeasance-in-office) was Attorney General at that time, responsible for oversight of the State Crime lab.
The DNA from "Walter Ellis" turned out to be DNA from another prisoner.
Lautenschlager's Crime Lab didn't bother to communicate with Doyle's Department of Corrections on this problem. As a result, Ellis was able to kill another individual.
Meantime, Van Hollen becomes AG, focusing on improving the Crime Lab's problems. He didn't do too well. Sure, the backlog of DNA examinations was reduced--but it appears that it was reduced by the time-honored method of simply tossing everything into the trash. "VOILA!! Clean desks!!"
To the outside observer, it's clear that the AG's Executive Summary of Activities was missing something, like a tick-count of DNA database entries--or if there WAS a tick-count, Van Hollen ignored the obvious: that there were a helluva lot more prisoners than there were DNA entries.
One expects that there will be at least a dozen high-level managers FIRED from both DOC and the Crime lab. Fired without pension privileges, we should add.
Meantime, Doyle should cancel the publishing contract for his memoirs. They would merely serve as a pre-printed indictment for Incompetent and Craven politics. Were such things crimes, Doyle would never leave prison.
Any questions about the motives for going to TEA Parties and being a bit angry, class??
Under his watch, the Crime Lab did not correctly establish systems and procedures to comply with DNA-collection requirements of Wisconsin law. It's possible that's because Doyle was busy campaigning, rather than actually running the office.
Doyle became Governor and appointed someone to run the Department of Corrections. That individual oversaw the State prisons, and under that individual's watch, the Oshkosh facility collected a DNA sample from someone who CLAIMED to be Walter Ellis.
Peg Lift-und-Schlep-Em (Lautenschager, in case the State revokes her pension for complete malfeasance-in-office) was Attorney General at that time, responsible for oversight of the State Crime lab.
The DNA from "Walter Ellis" turned out to be DNA from another prisoner.
Lautenschlager's Crime Lab didn't bother to communicate with Doyle's Department of Corrections on this problem. As a result, Ellis was able to kill another individual.
Meantime, Van Hollen becomes AG, focusing on improving the Crime Lab's problems. He didn't do too well. Sure, the backlog of DNA examinations was reduced--but it appears that it was reduced by the time-honored method of simply tossing everything into the trash. "VOILA!! Clean desks!!"
To the outside observer, it's clear that the AG's Executive Summary of Activities was missing something, like a tick-count of DNA database entries--or if there WAS a tick-count, Van Hollen ignored the obvious: that there were a helluva lot more prisoners than there were DNA entries.
One expects that there will be at least a dozen high-level managers FIRED from both DOC and the Crime lab. Fired without pension privileges, we should add.
Meantime, Doyle should cancel the publishing contract for his memoirs. They would merely serve as a pre-printed indictment for Incompetent and Craven politics. Were such things crimes, Doyle would never leave prison.
Any questions about the motives for going to TEA Parties and being a bit angry, class??
Cocteau's Identification of the French Hubris
A few of you readers will understand my interest in this graf:
Once again the universal French mission civilizes the oriental savages! Stravinsky himself, the exotic Russian primitivist composer of The Rite of Spring, is saved by submission to "Latin order." Recent scholarship suggests that Cocteau is here engaging in a discourse common to early twentieth-century French imperialism: the "wrapping" of native cultures within the "high culture" of France provided a way of retaining the exoticism of primitivism for consumption while at the same time subordinating those cultures to the Empire's.29 Thus "wrapped" and packaged, redeemed by Latin order, Stravinsky is welcomed back into the fold.
The "High Culture of France," indeed. By no means is that hubris limited to the early 20th-Century Frenchies.
Once again the universal French mission civilizes the oriental savages! Stravinsky himself, the exotic Russian primitivist composer of The Rite of Spring, is saved by submission to "Latin order." Recent scholarship suggests that Cocteau is here engaging in a discourse common to early twentieth-century French imperialism: the "wrapping" of native cultures within the "high culture" of France provided a way of retaining the exoticism of primitivism for consumption while at the same time subordinating those cultures to the Empire's.29 Thus "wrapped" and packaged, redeemed by Latin order, Stravinsky is welcomed back into the fold.
The "High Culture of France," indeed. By no means is that hubris limited to the early 20th-Century Frenchies.
Humor Break
The R-card was played immediately after the Failed Obama School Speech, by the way, in the 'hood.
HT: DigiShirt
About That School-Speech from Obama
The WaPo has a VERY interesting nugget.
When critics lashed out at President Obama for scheduling a speech to public school students this month, accusing him of wanting to indoctrinate children to his politics, his advisers quickly scrubbed his planned comments for potentially problematic wording. They then reached out to progressive Web sites such as the Huffington Post, liberal bloggers and Democratic pundits to make their case to a friendly audience.
Which, undoubtedly, accounts for the "missing 12 minutes". The speech was originally scheduled for 30 minutes and came in at 18. We know damn well that the One would NEVER give up face-time unless there was a really, really, really good reason.
HT: Ace
When critics lashed out at President Obama for scheduling a speech to public school students this month, accusing him of wanting to indoctrinate children to his politics, his advisers quickly scrubbed his planned comments for potentially problematic wording. They then reached out to progressive Web sites such as the Huffington Post, liberal bloggers and Democratic pundits to make their case to a friendly audience.
Which, undoubtedly, accounts for the "missing 12 minutes". The speech was originally scheduled for 30 minutes and came in at 18. We know damn well that the One would NEVER give up face-time unless there was a really, really, really good reason.
HT: Ace
McMiller Closed (At Least for Today)
The McMiller Range is closed today, Wednesday, 9/16th.
Damn Near Russia changed all the locks, therefore the telephone-answering machine's message cannot be changed. For that matter, the garbage isn't being hauled out, either.
Damn Near Russia changed all the locks, therefore the telephone-answering machine's message cannot be changed. For that matter, the garbage isn't being hauled out, either.
Why Sunstein Should Be Opposed
Well, actually, since Sunstein was already confirmed, one can only oppose his policy proposals.
But those are likely to be eminently "opposable," based on Epstein's critique of Sunstein's Holy Grail--FDR's "Second Bill of Rights."
...it is Roosevelt's treacherous transformation of human aspirations into enforceable legal rights. [Mutatis mutandis, this also applies to a "right" to healthcare.] There are two enormous gaps in that chain of reasoning. First, it does not specify the persons who must bear the correlative duties to this expanded set of rights. Nor can we duck this problem by imposing the obligations on the state or government, which consists, of course, of all those original right bearers in a different capacity.
...A second difficulty is as acute as the first. Who fills in the content of the right by telling us what counts as a decent price or a remunerative wage? In a world of major uncertainty, these questions have no fixed answer.
In short, there is no way to translate Roosevelt's--or Sunstein's vision--into sustainable social practices. But that's just what the First Bill of Rights can do with its bloodless protection of private property and freedom of contract, speech and religion. Now we can specify the correlative duties with precision: keep off the property of others, and don't meddle in their agreements. Follow these rules and you can stimulate investment and reward hard labor. By keeping our aspirations modest, we can keep our achievements high--which is why we don't want to undermine the first Bill of Rights by adopting the second.
Good stuff.
HT: Agitator
But those are likely to be eminently "opposable," based on Epstein's critique of Sunstein's Holy Grail--FDR's "Second Bill of Rights."
...it is Roosevelt's treacherous transformation of human aspirations into enforceable legal rights. [Mutatis mutandis, this also applies to a "right" to healthcare.] There are two enormous gaps in that chain of reasoning. First, it does not specify the persons who must bear the correlative duties to this expanded set of rights. Nor can we duck this problem by imposing the obligations on the state or government, which consists, of course, of all those original right bearers in a different capacity.
...A second difficulty is as acute as the first. Who fills in the content of the right by telling us what counts as a decent price or a remunerative wage? In a world of major uncertainty, these questions have no fixed answer.
In short, there is no way to translate Roosevelt's--or Sunstein's vision--into sustainable social practices. But that's just what the First Bill of Rights can do with its bloodless protection of private property and freedom of contract, speech and religion. Now we can specify the correlative duties with precision: keep off the property of others, and don't meddle in their agreements. Follow these rules and you can stimulate investment and reward hard labor. By keeping our aspirations modest, we can keep our achievements high--which is why we don't want to undermine the first Bill of Rights by adopting the second.
Good stuff.
HT: Agitator
Baucus Plan Only $850Bn. Know Why?
Yah, the Baucus plan is kinda Slenderized on cost.
There's a reason.
Another number to watch: 13 percent. That’s the share of family income that the Baucus plan envisions middle-class American families having to pay in health insurance premiums before co-payments, deductibles and other cost-sharing
D'ya think that AFSCME and/or WEAC members envision coughing up ~$550/month (single) in premiums PLUS co-payments and deductibles? (Calc based on $50K annual income)
Get the popcorn! Rockefeller (D-WVA) jumps in: (HT: Ace)
The Baucus proposal would impose, starting in 2013, a 35 percent excise tax on insurance companies for "high-cost plans" -- defined as those above $8,000 for individuals and $21,000 for family plans.
...Referring to Baucus, Rockefeller said, "He should understand that (his proposal) means that virtually every single coal miner is going to have a big, big tax put on them because the tax will be put on the company and the company will immediately pass it down and lower benefits because they are self insured, most of them, because they are larger. They will pass it down, lower benefits, and probably this will mean higher premiums for coal miners who are getting very good health care benefits for a very good reason.
Mmmmmmm. Popcorn!!
There's a reason.
Another number to watch: 13 percent. That’s the share of family income that the Baucus plan envisions middle-class American families having to pay in health insurance premiums before co-payments, deductibles and other cost-sharing
D'ya think that AFSCME and/or WEAC members envision coughing up ~$550/month (single) in premiums PLUS co-payments and deductibles? (Calc based on $50K annual income)
Get the popcorn! Rockefeller (D-WVA) jumps in: (HT: Ace)
The Baucus proposal would impose, starting in 2013, a 35 percent excise tax on insurance companies for "high-cost plans" -- defined as those above $8,000 for individuals and $21,000 for family plans.
...Referring to Baucus, Rockefeller said, "He should understand that (his proposal) means that virtually every single coal miner is going to have a big, big tax put on them because the tax will be put on the company and the company will immediately pass it down and lower benefits because they are self insured, most of them, because they are larger. They will pass it down, lower benefits, and probably this will mean higher premiums for coal miners who are getting very good health care benefits for a very good reason.
Mmmmmmm. Popcorn!!
Smart? GWB? .....Ahhhhh.......
You may search this blogsite--I never said GWB was smart.
On the TARP:
After finally getting the speech draft turned around and sent back to the teleprompter technicians, we trudged back to the Family Theater, where the president rehearsed. In the theater, the president was clearly confused about how the government would buy these securities. He repeated his belief that the government was going to “buy low and sell high,” and he still didn’t understand why we hadn’t put that into the speech like he’d asked us to. When it was explained to him that his concept of the bailout proposal wasn’t correct, the president was momentarily speechless. He threw up his hands in frustration.
“Why did I sign on to this proposal if I don’t understand what it does?” he asked.
Making him the rough equivalent of the 270 (D) House members who did NOT read HR 3200.
The link to JustOneMinute also has Bush's comment on Palin (sagacious, yes) and a narrative that shows 'if you think BUSH was bad, check out McCain!!'
Oh, man. Those two, thus Obama!
O, Patria!
On the TARP:
After finally getting the speech draft turned around and sent back to the teleprompter technicians, we trudged back to the Family Theater, where the president rehearsed. In the theater, the president was clearly confused about how the government would buy these securities. He repeated his belief that the government was going to “buy low and sell high,” and he still didn’t understand why we hadn’t put that into the speech like he’d asked us to. When it was explained to him that his concept of the bailout proposal wasn’t correct, the president was momentarily speechless. He threw up his hands in frustration.
“Why did I sign on to this proposal if I don’t understand what it does?” he asked.
Making him the rough equivalent of the 270 (D) House members who did NOT read HR 3200.
The link to JustOneMinute also has Bush's comment on Palin (sagacious, yes) and a narrative that shows 'if you think BUSH was bad, check out McCain!!'
Oh, man. Those two, thus Obama!
O, Patria!
In Contrast to the Below Post...
That's the Manpower hiring expectations chart.
In fairness, an uptick in capacity utilization (below) WILL eventually result in an uptick in hiring expectations. But the labor-available market is saturated (as is most of the professionals-available market).
So the Big Question: will employment gains pull the (D)'s nuts out of the fire before 11/10?
HT: Sykes
Damn Near Russia Goes All-Stalin: McMiller Closed
And here we go, folks!
The Department of Natural Resources temporarily silenced guns Tuesday at the state-owned McMiller Sports Center in southwestern Waukesha County in the face of a legal volley and verbal sniping over the state agency's decision to change private operators.
The DNR told McMiller operators Steven and Patricia Williams of Wern Valley Inc. on Thursday to close up shop after Sunday's hours and be gone by Monday. They weren't.
That's when the new lease holders, brothers Dan and Lloyd Marks and their Milford Hills Hunt Club near Johnson Creek, were supposed to take over. They didn't.
Why not?
...the Williamses on Monday asked a Waukesha County judge for a temporary injunction halting the lease transfer. They argued in court documents that the DNR's evaluation process was full of scoring errors and unfair because the competitor did not follow bidding criteria.
The claim got support from the Wisconsin Pro-Gun Movement, the Waukesha County Conservation Alliance and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, which filed a brief in the case citing DNR "chicanery" and fabrication.
Gee. That's simply amazing! DNR "chicanery"??? Whocoodanode?
Actually, it's DNR powerplaying.
Steven Williams and James Fendry of the Wisconsin Pro-Gun Movement said in separate telephone interviews that the DNR was biased against Williams because he's fought DNR efforts to curtail activities at the shooting range.
Fendry accused the southeastern Wisconsin forest superintendent, Paul Sandgren, of making it more and more difficult for McMiller to operate. Citing specific objections, Fendry said Sandgren has pressed for "quiet Fridays" at the range and once-a-month "quiet weekends" where shooting and thus noise is curtailed.
But the key to all that BS is here:
Sandgren is only following the McMiller master plan, developed with community input, and he's following through on environmental stewardship recommendations drafted at the urging of a citizen advisory panel - of which Fendry was a member, McCutcheon said.
The "community input" phrase is interesting. A local politician has been trying to push McMiller into the ocean for several years so that he could develop property across the street from the facility.
Just co-incidence, of course.
But there are other interesting questions.
Under the new lease bid, the Williamses offered to pay 7% of total gross revenue while Milford Hills offered 5.75% of gross range rental and 2% on pro-shop supplies and food.
McCutcheon said revenue was only one of the criteria, but Milford offered expanded services and additional services that "we believe will provide more revenue."
Lemmeeeseee, heah, Gomer. Seven percent of the total GROSS vs. five point seven five of the range GROSS and two dot zero of pro-shop and FOOD? They don't SERVE food at McMiller--at least not now.
Joining in the cry of foul, an attorney for the pro-gun, conservation and wildlife groups, Frank J. Liska Jr., said the Milford proposal lacked revenue estimates. Liska contends that DNR Secretary Matthew J. Frank made matters worse by introducing his own flawed calculations into the selection process.
"In other words, faced with the complete absence of any financial data, the evaluation committee, not the bidder, simply 'made up' numbers to show a favorable result and keep the Milford bid alive and in the running," he said. "Such chicanery was too much even for the (DNR) secretary who then went on to fabricate his own methodology. . . .
Oh, come on, now, Mr. Liska. It's perfectly obvious that Matt Frank simply did what's in the best interests ofMcMiller sportsment Wern Valley DNR revenues .......uhhhh.....
(Maybe a certain local politician.....)
Germane prior blog here.
The Department of Natural Resources temporarily silenced guns Tuesday at the state-owned McMiller Sports Center in southwestern Waukesha County in the face of a legal volley and verbal sniping over the state agency's decision to change private operators.
The DNR told McMiller operators Steven and Patricia Williams of Wern Valley Inc. on Thursday to close up shop after Sunday's hours and be gone by Monday. They weren't.
That's when the new lease holders, brothers Dan and Lloyd Marks and their Milford Hills Hunt Club near Johnson Creek, were supposed to take over. They didn't.
Why not?
...the Williamses on Monday asked a Waukesha County judge for a temporary injunction halting the lease transfer. They argued in court documents that the DNR's evaluation process was full of scoring errors and unfair because the competitor did not follow bidding criteria.
The claim got support from the Wisconsin Pro-Gun Movement, the Waukesha County Conservation Alliance and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, which filed a brief in the case citing DNR "chicanery" and fabrication.
Gee. That's simply amazing! DNR "chicanery"??? Whocoodanode?
Actually, it's DNR powerplaying.
Steven Williams and James Fendry of the Wisconsin Pro-Gun Movement said in separate telephone interviews that the DNR was biased against Williams because he's fought DNR efforts to curtail activities at the shooting range.
Fendry accused the southeastern Wisconsin forest superintendent, Paul Sandgren, of making it more and more difficult for McMiller to operate. Citing specific objections, Fendry said Sandgren has pressed for "quiet Fridays" at the range and once-a-month "quiet weekends" where shooting and thus noise is curtailed.
But the key to all that BS is here:
Sandgren is only following the McMiller master plan, developed with community input, and he's following through on environmental stewardship recommendations drafted at the urging of a citizen advisory panel - of which Fendry was a member, McCutcheon said.
The "community input" phrase is interesting. A local politician has been trying to push McMiller into the ocean for several years so that he could develop property across the street from the facility.
Just co-incidence, of course.
But there are other interesting questions.
Under the new lease bid, the Williamses offered to pay 7% of total gross revenue while Milford Hills offered 5.75% of gross range rental and 2% on pro-shop supplies and food.
McCutcheon said revenue was only one of the criteria, but Milford offered expanded services and additional services that "we believe will provide more revenue."
Lemmeeeseee, heah, Gomer. Seven percent of the total GROSS vs. five point seven five of the range GROSS and two dot zero of pro-shop and FOOD? They don't SERVE food at McMiller--at least not now.
Joining in the cry of foul, an attorney for the pro-gun, conservation and wildlife groups, Frank J. Liska Jr., said the Milford proposal lacked revenue estimates. Liska contends that DNR Secretary Matthew J. Frank made matters worse by introducing his own flawed calculations into the selection process.
"In other words, faced with the complete absence of any financial data, the evaluation committee, not the bidder, simply 'made up' numbers to show a favorable result and keep the Milford bid alive and in the running," he said. "Such chicanery was too much even for the (DNR) secretary who then went on to fabricate his own methodology. . . .
Oh, come on, now, Mr. Liska. It's perfectly obvious that Matt Frank simply did what's in the best interests of
(Maybe a certain local politician.....)
Germane prior blog here.
"War Is the Health of the State"
A WSJ columnist sees Obama pushing Israel into war.
...the longer the U.S. delays playing hardball with Iran, the sooner Israel is likely to strike.
... it is an abdication of a superpower's responsibility to outsource matters of war and peace to another state, however closely allied. President Obama has now ceded the driver's seat on Iran policy to Prime Minister Netanyahu. He would do better to take the wheel again, keeping in mind that Iran is beyond the reach of his eloquence, and keeping in mind, too, that very useful Roman adage, Si vis pacem, para bellum
So if Israel attempts a takedown of Iranian nuclear workshops?
...it could succeed at the price of oil at $300 a barrel, a Middle East war, and American servicemen caught in between.
To the Statist, war is a good thing, and a big war is an exceptionally good thing. There is nothing that the Statist can use to his ends more than war-footing. Virtually all of society can become quasi-militarized, as was observed by Bourne:
War is the health of the State. It automatically sets in motion throughout society these irresistible forces for uniformity, for passionate cooperation with the government in coercing into obedience the minority groups and individuals which lack the larger herd sense.
Ask Wilson, Mussolini, or FDR.
...the longer the U.S. delays playing hardball with Iran, the sooner Israel is likely to strike.
... it is an abdication of a superpower's responsibility to outsource matters of war and peace to another state, however closely allied. President Obama has now ceded the driver's seat on Iran policy to Prime Minister Netanyahu. He would do better to take the wheel again, keeping in mind that Iran is beyond the reach of his eloquence, and keeping in mind, too, that very useful Roman adage, Si vis pacem, para bellum
So if Israel attempts a takedown of Iranian nuclear workshops?
...it could succeed at the price of oil at $300 a barrel, a Middle East war, and American servicemen caught in between.
To the Statist, war is a good thing, and a big war is an exceptionally good thing. There is nothing that the Statist can use to his ends more than war-footing. Virtually all of society can become quasi-militarized, as was observed by Bourne:
War is the health of the State. It automatically sets in motion throughout society these irresistible forces for uniformity, for passionate cooperation with the government in coercing into obedience the minority groups and individuals which lack the larger herd sense.
Ask Wilson, Mussolini, or FDR.
Humor in D.C.
Easily the funniest line of the day.
The House of QueenNancy passed a resolution rebuking Joe Wilson. Partial text:
"breach of decorum and degraded the proceedings of the joint session, to the discredit of the House."
No further comment is necessary.
The House of QueenNancy passed a resolution rebuking Joe Wilson. Partial text:
"breach of decorum and degraded the proceedings of the joint session, to the discredit of the House."
No further comment is necessary.
ACORN IV: San Bernadino, CA.
Will Charles Gibson please step out of the room while this discussion is underway? Wouldn't want to offend your condescending sensibilities, Charles, you twit.
Thanks.
"Oh dad, poor dad, momma shot you in the closet........."
Thus the hooker/politician story ends in San Bernadino's ACORN office.
Thanks.
"Oh dad, poor dad, momma shot you in the closet........."
Thus the hooker/politician story ends in San Bernadino's ACORN office.
The Mad Hatters of Obama
Perhaps QueenNancy didn't hear you.
This week the House is scheduled to approve H.R. 3221, an education lending bill that CBO reports will increase the deficit by $50 billion. The bill includes a little-known provision to give the Secretary of Education $500 million - to be provided to to any entity he deems “appropriate” - to develop and disseminate free and “freely available” online courses.
Yah. The Feds have done such maaaahhhvelous work in "education" that curriculum development is the obvious next step. (/sarcasm)
Federal curriculum is contrary to longstanding government policy - and it’s unnecessary. For decades, Federal law has prohibited the U.S. Department of Education from exercising control over the “curriculum, program of instruction . . . or over the selection or content of library resources, text books, or other educational materials by any educational institution or school system.
But that policy and law is so........Yesterday. So........Pre-Obama! So..... Pre-Enlightened Ones!
So pre-Fascist!
This week the House is scheduled to approve H.R. 3221, an education lending bill that CBO reports will increase the deficit by $50 billion. The bill includes a little-known provision to give the Secretary of Education $500 million - to be provided to to any entity he deems “appropriate” - to develop and disseminate free and “freely available” online courses.
Yah. The Feds have done such maaaahhhvelous work in "education" that curriculum development is the obvious next step. (/sarcasm)
Federal curriculum is contrary to longstanding government policy - and it’s unnecessary. For decades, Federal law has prohibited the U.S. Department of Education from exercising control over the “curriculum, program of instruction . . . or over the selection or content of library resources, text books, or other educational materials by any educational institution or school system.
But that policy and law is so........Yesterday. So........Pre-Obama! So..... Pre-Enlightened Ones!
So pre-Fascist!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Cognitive-Disabled?
This was almost predictable.
A press release following the speech put two USCCB staffers on the record as supportive of Obamacare and, particularly, is his claim that abortion is not covered.
Huh?
Richard Doerflinger, Associate Director of Pro-Life Activities, is also quoted, "We especially welcome the President's commitment to exclude federal funding of abortion, and to maintain existing federal laws protecting conscience rights in health care."
Double-Huh?
Seems as though USCC staff didn't bother to read the plan carefully. Regardless, it is foolish for USCC staffers to rely on ObamaPromises for anything.
Ask the folks who want him to close Gitmo, repeal DOMA, pull the troops from Iraq....
Hudson calls it "baffling." That's a very kind word for it.
A press release following the speech put two USCCB staffers on the record as supportive of Obamacare and, particularly, is his claim that abortion is not covered.
Huh?
Richard Doerflinger, Associate Director of Pro-Life Activities, is also quoted, "We especially welcome the President's commitment to exclude federal funding of abortion, and to maintain existing federal laws protecting conscience rights in health care."
Double-Huh?
Seems as though USCC staff didn't bother to read the plan carefully. Regardless, it is foolish for USCC staffers to rely on ObamaPromises for anything.
Ask the folks who want him to close Gitmo, repeal DOMA, pull the troops from Iraq....
Hudson calls it "baffling." That's a very kind word for it.
The REAL Cost of Cap-n-Tax
Not the ones put out for show by EPA, but the Treasury's estimates.
Officials at the Treasury Department think cap-and-trade legislation would cost taxpayers hundreds of billion in taxes, according to internal documents circulated within the agency and provided to The Washington Times…
A memo prepared by Judson Jaffe, who works in the Treasury’s Office of Environment and Energy, referenced President Obama’s remarks on energy policy in his State of the Union Address and said, given the president’s plan to auction emissions allowances, “a cap-and-trade program could generate federal receipts on the order of $100 to $200 billion annually.”
And those are taxes you will pay through your electric and gas bills (not to mention your food.)
Officials at the Treasury Department think cap-and-trade legislation would cost taxpayers hundreds of billion in taxes, according to internal documents circulated within the agency and provided to The Washington Times…
A memo prepared by Judson Jaffe, who works in the Treasury’s Office of Environment and Energy, referenced President Obama’s remarks on energy policy in his State of the Union Address and said, given the president’s plan to auction emissions allowances, “a cap-and-trade program could generate federal receipts on the order of $100 to $200 billion annually.”
And those are taxes you will pay through your electric and gas bills (not to mention your food.)
Oh, REALLY?
"Doh" writings of the year.
Bush was preparing to give a speech to the annual meeting of the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC.
...Latimer got the assignment to write Bush's speech. Draft in hand, he and a few other writers met with the president in the Oval Office. Bush was decidedly unenthusiastic.
"What is this movement you keep talking about in the speech?" the president asked Latimer.
Latimer explained that he meant the conservative movement -- the movement that gave rise to groups like CPAC.
Bush seemed perplexed. Latimer elaborated a bit more. Then Bush leaned forward, with a point to make.
"Let me tell you something," the president said. "I whupped Gary Bauer's ass in 2000. So take out all this movement stuff. There is no movement."
Yup. Those 85 protesters in Washington last Saturday are a figment of your imagination, George.
HT: Ace/Drew
Bush was preparing to give a speech to the annual meeting of the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC.
...Latimer got the assignment to write Bush's speech. Draft in hand, he and a few other writers met with the president in the Oval Office. Bush was decidedly unenthusiastic.
"What is this movement you keep talking about in the speech?" the president asked Latimer.
Latimer explained that he meant the conservative movement -- the movement that gave rise to groups like CPAC.
Bush seemed perplexed. Latimer elaborated a bit more. Then Bush leaned forward, with a point to make.
"Let me tell you something," the president said. "I whupped Gary Bauer's ass in 2000. So take out all this movement stuff. There is no movement."
Yup. Those 85 protesters in Washington last Saturday are a figment of your imagination, George.
HT: Ace/Drew
More Speeches, Less Support
The poor fool doesn't realize that HE is the only one convinced by the endlessly talking campaigning image in the mirror.
Following President Obama’s speech to Congress last week, support for his health care reform plan increased steadily to a peak of 51% yesterday. However, the bounce appears to be over. The latest daily tracking shows that support has fallen all the way back to pre-speech levels. Forty-five percent (45%) of all voters nationwide now favor the plan while 52% are opposed. A week ago, 44% supported the proposal and 53% were opposed.
The latest figures show that 23% Strongly Favor the plan and 41% are Strongly Opposed. In late August, 23% were strongly in favor of the plan and 43% were strongly opposed.
I can hear HRC panting...
HT: Ace
Following President Obama’s speech to Congress last week, support for his health care reform plan increased steadily to a peak of 51% yesterday. However, the bounce appears to be over. The latest daily tracking shows that support has fallen all the way back to pre-speech levels. Forty-five percent (45%) of all voters nationwide now favor the plan while 52% are opposed. A week ago, 44% supported the proposal and 53% were opposed.
The latest figures show that 23% Strongly Favor the plan and 41% are Strongly Opposed. In late August, 23% were strongly in favor of the plan and 43% were strongly opposed.
I can hear HRC panting...
HT: Ace
Is an LRAD a Bridge Too Far?
Interesting question.
"The [Long Range Acoustic Device] was stationed by San Diego County Sheriff deputies at a recent town hall forum hosted by Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) in Spring Valley and at a subsequent town hall with Congressman Darrell Issa (R-San Diego)," East Country Magazine reported after reviewing official records. It was also parked at a local sand-building competition along the beach.
Wazzat?
Though the Long Range Acoustic Device can be used for hailing, it has also been employed as a weapon, most prominently in 2005 by a cruise ship, which used it to ward off attacking pirates. In fact, the device, which was developed after the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000, is designed precisely for that sort of mission. It can permanently damage hearing, depending on how it's used.
The Yankee has an opinion:
The deployment of an LRAD in the situation as described seems to be an unwarranted escalation of force from law enforcement, one that poses a significant simultaneous threat of permanent injury to large numbers of people.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm.
"The [Long Range Acoustic Device] was stationed by San Diego County Sheriff deputies at a recent town hall forum hosted by Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) in Spring Valley and at a subsequent town hall with Congressman Darrell Issa (R-San Diego)," East Country Magazine reported after reviewing official records. It was also parked at a local sand-building competition along the beach.
Wazzat?
Though the Long Range Acoustic Device can be used for hailing, it has also been employed as a weapon, most prominently in 2005 by a cruise ship, which used it to ward off attacking pirates. In fact, the device, which was developed after the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000, is designed precisely for that sort of mission. It can permanently damage hearing, depending on how it's used.
The Yankee has an opinion:
The deployment of an LRAD in the situation as described seems to be an unwarranted escalation of force from law enforcement, one that poses a significant simultaneous threat of permanent injury to large numbers of people.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm.
New T-Shirt Design for Worried Parents
Vox has a bit of fun with 'inside gunnery' stuff while discussing letting your daughter walk to school.
In order to reduce the risk of any misunderstandings, it might be wise to give her a t-shirt that says "That red dot on your chest means my Daddy is watching."
Someday, somebody will do a study telling us that laser-sight dots are deterrents unto themselves. No shots-fired necessary...
In order to reduce the risk of any misunderstandings, it might be wise to give her a t-shirt that says "That red dot on your chest means my Daddy is watching."
Someday, somebody will do a study telling us that laser-sight dots are deterrents unto themselves. No shots-fired necessary...
Illegals Doing Jobs US Citizens Want!
Noted by Moonbattery:
When federal agents descended on six meatpacking plants owned by Swift & Co. in December 2006, they rounded up nearly 1,300 suspected illegal immigrants that made up about 10% of the labor force at the plants.
But the raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents did not cripple the company or the plants. In fact, they were back up and running at full staff within months by replacing those removed with a significant number of native-born Americans, according to a report by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS).
That was the most extreme example of what has become an increasingly common result of the raids: "They were very beneficial to American workers," according to Vanderbilt University professor Carol Swain.
A Wisconsin "name" was involved in the illegal-hires.
...in 2002, ConAgra sold its beef division to HM Capital Partners, a Dallas-based investment group, and Booth Creek Management, a Vail-based management firm headed by investor George Gillette Jr., for an estimated $1.4 billion.
Gillette was at one time involved with Packerland Packing and other Northern Wisconsin enterprises.
Gillette needed those cheap illegals to underwrite his other life.
George Gillette brought needed pizazz to Vail, Beaver Creek and the rest of the ski world. Dick Hauserman helped found Vail, and now he's our conscience and link to the pioneers through his books. Both were named this year to The Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame - a long overdue honor for each of these giants.
Gillett is still remembered fondly for being the friendly face greeting skiers at Vail back in the 1980s and early '90s, as well as encouraging major ski races in the States and building speedy quad lifts. He still has a hand in the ski biz, too, at the helm of Booth Creek Ski Holdings, which operates ski resorts from its Vail headquarters - the only ski company based in Vail.
Oh, well.
When federal agents descended on six meatpacking plants owned by Swift & Co. in December 2006, they rounded up nearly 1,300 suspected illegal immigrants that made up about 10% of the labor force at the plants.
But the raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents did not cripple the company or the plants. In fact, they were back up and running at full staff within months by replacing those removed with a significant number of native-born Americans, according to a report by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS).
That was the most extreme example of what has become an increasingly common result of the raids: "They were very beneficial to American workers," according to Vanderbilt University professor Carol Swain.
A Wisconsin "name" was involved in the illegal-hires.
...in 2002, ConAgra sold its beef division to HM Capital Partners, a Dallas-based investment group, and Booth Creek Management, a Vail-based management firm headed by investor George Gillette Jr., for an estimated $1.4 billion.
Gillette was at one time involved with Packerland Packing and other Northern Wisconsin enterprises.
Gillette needed those cheap illegals to underwrite his other life.
George Gillette brought needed pizazz to Vail, Beaver Creek and the rest of the ski world. Dick Hauserman helped found Vail, and now he's our conscience and link to the pioneers through his books. Both were named this year to The Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame - a long overdue honor for each of these giants.
Gillett is still remembered fondly for being the friendly face greeting skiers at Vail back in the 1980s and early '90s, as well as encouraging major ski races in the States and building speedy quad lifts. He still has a hand in the ski biz, too, at the helm of Booth Creek Ski Holdings, which operates ski resorts from its Vail headquarters - the only ski company based in Vail.
Oh, well.
Think Obama Can Finance His Budget AND ObamaCare?
If you do, then you better think again.
Janet Yellen,
Janet Yellen,