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.
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