Wouldn't you love to do a little hormesis with Ann Coulter?
For those of you who freak out over "radon" Ann has a *cough* dose of reality.
I became aware of Prof. Cohen at U of Pittsburgh around 30 years ago. He's the genuine article in contrarian thought because he actually practices what he preaches.
And that Chernobyl event? Read the facts:
...even the Soviet-engineered disaster at Chernobyl in 1986 can be directly blamed for the deaths of no more than the 31 people inside the plant who died in the explosion. Although news reports generally claimed a few thousand people died as a result of Chernobyl -- far fewer than the tens of thousands initially predicted -- that hasn't been confirmed by studies.
Indeed, after endless investigations, including by the United Nations, Manhattan Project veteran Theodore Rockwell summarized the reports to Bethell in 2002, saying, "They have not yet reported any deaths outside of the 30 who died in the plant."
Even the thyroid cancers in people who lived near the reactor were attributed to low iodine in the Russian diet -- and consequently had no effect on the cancer rate.
Meanwhile, the animals around the Chernobyl reactor, who were not evacuated, are "thriving," according to scientists quoted in the April 28, 2002 Sunday Times (UK).
The Moor Downs of Waukesha, by the way, was founded and thrived on radiation treatments.
Friday, March 18, 2011
House Dems: "To Hell With Your Children!"
I don't think you'll get a better understanding of D) politicians than in this statement. The (D) 'mind' thinks only in terms of what Candy and Pixie Dust the Gummint can give you today. The Conservative mind, in contrast, thinks about the future. Children. Grandchildren.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a member of the House Budget Committee, said there would be no “immediate” reduction of gas prices from more drilling.
In 30 or 40 years, if the LeftOWackies prevail, your children and grandchildren will still be dependent on Arabs, Russkis, and Venezuelans for energy. The Democrats? They'll still be pitching Pixie Dust and Candy.
Let's make sure that they do not prevail. Let's do the prudent thing: drill here, drill now. Use our coal resources. Continue developing nuclear energy sources.
And let's bury the LeftOWackies with the memory of FDR.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a member of the House Budget Committee, said there would be no “immediate” reduction of gas prices from more drilling.
“We need to be reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and, in general, specifically, we need to reduce our dependence on oil, foreign oil. But adding to our dependence on fossil fuels is not the answer,” she said.
“We need to be taking a long-term view,” she said. “It’s been proven over and over again that there would no immediate return on a reduction in gas prices or a significant expansion of our energy resources by beginning drilling for more oil right now -- and that to me is not the real responsible way to explore creating jobs.”
"Oh, no!" says the LeftOWackie. "She talked about the future!! You're wrong!!"
In 30 or 40 years, if the LeftOWackies prevail, your children and grandchildren will still be dependent on Arabs, Russkis, and Venezuelans for energy. The Democrats? They'll still be pitching Pixie Dust and Candy.
Let's make sure that they do not prevail. Let's do the prudent thing: drill here, drill now. Use our coal resources. Continue developing nuclear energy sources.
And let's bury the LeftOWackies with the memory of FDR.
Propagandize the Chilllllren
Here's a video featuring three Wisconsin LeftOWackies outlining their plans for the new "Labor Curriculum" being forced into Wisconsin schools.
Heidi Eischeid of the NEA declares that TEA Party participants are "wealthier" than are the people in the room.
I'm sure that she can provide volumes of documentation for that statement. /sarcasm
The last segment (begins at 5:32) is interesting; Kersten (UW-GB) thinks there is a 'war' going on, and he proposes that the curriculum should--essentially--"enlighten" the chillllren about the wonderfulness of Big Labor.
All this was last April, by the way.
Heidi Eischeid of the NEA declares that TEA Party participants are "wealthier" than are the people in the room.
I'm sure that she can provide volumes of documentation for that statement. /sarcasm
The last segment (begins at 5:32) is interesting; Kersten (UW-GB) thinks there is a 'war' going on, and he proposes that the curriculum should--essentially--"enlighten" the chillllren about the wonderfulness of Big Labor.
All this was last April, by the way.
Obama Regime Demotes Whistleblower
The "transparent" and "open" regime of Obama and Ms. "Feel-up":
The Department of Homeland Security demoted a senior career employee who confidentially complained to the agency's internal watchdog that political appointees were improperly interfering with requests for federal records by journalists and others. --AP via Beltway Confidential
Ms. Incompetanto argues otherwise.
DHS argues that it has not technically demoted the whistle-blower, Catherine Papoi, because she did not get a pay cut -- she simply lost her job title and office and was stripped of her responsibilities.
That "argument" would last about 3 microseconds in a Federal court.
The Department of Homeland Security demoted a senior career employee who confidentially complained to the agency's internal watchdog that political appointees were improperly interfering with requests for federal records by journalists and others. --AP via Beltway Confidential
Ms. Incompetanto argues otherwise.
DHS argues that it has not technically demoted the whistle-blower, Catherine Papoi, because she did not get a pay cut -- she simply lost her job title and office and was stripped of her responsibilities.
That "argument" would last about 3 microseconds in a Federal court.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Mississippi Burning in Madistan
Easily the most jarring comparison...but rational.
Stacy McCain notes the hate-mail received by Althouse and ruminates a bit:
...The privileged never surrender privilege willingly. They employ demagogic appeals to rally others to their self-interested “cause” by demonizing those who dare challenge them. And if someone gets hurt in the process, if some of those duped by the demagoguery decide to turn wrathful words into violent deeds . . .Madison has become the Neshoba County, Mississippi, of this season. “Workers’ rights” is the Jim Crow of 2011 and government-employee unions are the new Klan.
And McCain didn't know about Kapanke's problem at the time.
Stacy McCain notes the hate-mail received by Althouse and ruminates a bit:
...The privileged never surrender privilege willingly. They employ demagogic appeals to rally others to their self-interested “cause” by demonizing those who dare challenge them. And if someone gets hurt in the process, if some of those duped by the demagoguery decide to turn wrathful words into violent deeds . . .Madison has become the Neshoba County, Mississippi, of this season. “Workers’ rights” is the Jim Crow of 2011 and government-employee unions are the new Klan.
And McCain didn't know about Kapanke's problem at the time.
Ahhh, the Satisfying Burp of Crony Capitalists
The wordplay here is wonderful, if a little exceptionable:
Recently, President Obama selected General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt to chair his Economic Advisory Board. GE is awash in windmills waiting to be subsidized so they can provide unreliable, expensive power.
Recently, President Obama selected General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt to chair his Economic Advisory Board. GE is awash in windmills waiting to be subsidized so they can provide unreliable, expensive power.
Consequently, and soon after his appointment, Immelt announced that GE will buy 50,000 Volts in the next two years, or half the total produced. Assuming the corporation qualifies for the same tax credit, we (you and me) just shelled out $375,000,000 to a company to buy cars that no one else wants so that GM will not tank and produce even more cars that no one wants. And this guy is the chair of Obama's Economic Advisory Board? --Patrick Michaels quoted at PowerLine
That will be half of the expected production of the Volt. Don't worry, there are plenty available. Normal people have only purchased about 1,000 of the damn things in the last 90 days or so. Hint: don't buy one if you live in a northern climate. The heater isn't worth spit.
Ta-Da? or Ta-Doh?
Our Administration has announced that "99% of TARP funds are repaid."
Well, not really.
It's closer to the truth that banks have repaid 99 percent of the TARP funds that were disbursed to banks, as opposed to automakers or AIG.
...This claim, while accurate, is still not helpful in assessing TARP's effectiveness because, as former Congressional Oversight Panel members Pau Atkins, Mark McWatters, and Kenneth Troske argue in the Journal, "TARP was never where the real action was happening. In fact, other Fed and FDIC programs added another $2 trillion of taxpayer money at risk to the 19 stress-tested banks alone, on top of the $1.1 trillion of MBS purchased by the Fed. TARP is but one-eighth of that total."
And if you think you're paying too much interest to your friendly local bank, you're right--at least in comparison to what that friendly local bank pays to borrow money from the Fed:
Those numbers do not even include the Fed's near-zero interest rate policy, which has allowed big banks to earn risk-free profits.
It's called "the carry trade." Bank borrows $1 zillion from the Fed at .5% interest (note where the decimal is) and buys T-bills at 1.5%. Voila!! One percent clear with no risk, 12 times/year.
HT: AmSpecBlog
Well, not really.
It's closer to the truth that banks have repaid 99 percent of the TARP funds that were disbursed to banks, as opposed to automakers or AIG.
...This claim, while accurate, is still not helpful in assessing TARP's effectiveness because, as former Congressional Oversight Panel members Pau Atkins, Mark McWatters, and Kenneth Troske argue in the Journal, "TARP was never where the real action was happening. In fact, other Fed and FDIC programs added another $2 trillion of taxpayer money at risk to the 19 stress-tested banks alone, on top of the $1.1 trillion of MBS purchased by the Fed. TARP is but one-eighth of that total."
And if you think you're paying too much interest to your friendly local bank, you're right--at least in comparison to what that friendly local bank pays to borrow money from the Fed:
Those numbers do not even include the Fed's near-zero interest rate policy, which has allowed big banks to earn risk-free profits.
It's called "the carry trade." Bank borrows $1 zillion from the Fed at .5% interest (note where the decimal is) and buys T-bills at 1.5%. Voila!! One percent clear with no risk, 12 times/year.
HT: AmSpecBlog
What Would St Patrick Do?
No, he wouldn't pour down several shots of Irish Whiskey and sing songs.
He'd do what he did last time around: drive out the snakes.
Prolly take more time, though, if he's in the area of Washington D.C.
A LOT more time!
Please don't drink and drive..........
He'd do what he did last time around: drive out the snakes.
Prolly take more time, though, if he's in the area of Washington D.C.
A LOT more time!
Please don't drink and drive..........
Need a SWAT Team? Call Anyone in Gummint!
FBI. BATFE. IRS. DEA. INS.
And the Agriculture Department (!!???)
All have SWAT teams.
(Not to mention all the local and State-level SWAT teams.)
No wonder the AR-15 accessory business is so damn good.
Oh, yah, you pay for them.
And the Agriculture Department (!!???)
All have SWAT teams.
(Not to mention all the local and State-level SWAT teams.)
No wonder the AR-15 accessory business is so damn good.
Oh, yah, you pay for them.
Need Oil? Fuggedaboutit. EPA, Again
To hell with these $6 billion "inky-dinky-spider" cuts.
Just de-fund EPA.
Plans to build an oil pipeline stretching from Canada to U.S. refineries in the Gulf of Mexico have been put on hold again as the State Department considers the pipeline's environmental impact on U.S. lands – a step that is delaying job and economic growth and revenue growth through taxes on the project, say pipeline advocates.
Just de-fund EPA.
Plans to build an oil pipeline stretching from Canada to U.S. refineries in the Gulf of Mexico have been put on hold again as the State Department considers the pipeline's environmental impact on U.S. lands – a step that is delaying job and economic growth and revenue growth through taxes on the project, say pipeline advocates.
The latest delay of the 1,700-mile XL Keystone pipeline – under consideration by Canada and the United States since 2008 – follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s demand that the State Department produce a second environmental impact statement (EIS) after deeming the first one “inadequate.”
The Obozo promise--to make carbon-based fuel burning prohibitively expensive--is being fulfilled by his regulatory machine.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
EPA: The All-Time Record Boondoggle
We should repeat "all-time" several more times.
Citing a study by the EPA's Dr. Linda M. Chappell and various other sources, the Senate report asserts, "EPA has called the consequences of regulating greenhouse gases under the [Clean Air Act] 'absurd,' affecting 6.1 million sources, introducing $78 billion in annual costs, causing 'at least a decade or longer' of permit delays, 'slowing' construction nationwide for years, 'introducing burdens that are administratively 'infeasible,' 'overwhelming,' that will 'adversely affect national economic development,' while impacting sources 'not appropriate at this point to even consider regulating.'"
…The EPA calculates in 75 Federal Register 25,495: "Global mean temperature is estimated to be reduced by 0.006 to 0.015 degrees Celsius by 2100."--report from Sen. Inhofe
Helluva deal!
HT: MoonBattery
Citing a study by the EPA's Dr. Linda M. Chappell and various other sources, the Senate report asserts, "EPA has called the consequences of regulating greenhouse gases under the [Clean Air Act] 'absurd,' affecting 6.1 million sources, introducing $78 billion in annual costs, causing 'at least a decade or longer' of permit delays, 'slowing' construction nationwide for years, 'introducing burdens that are administratively 'infeasible,' 'overwhelming,' that will 'adversely affect national economic development,' while impacting sources 'not appropriate at this point to even consider regulating.'"
…The EPA calculates in 75 Federal Register 25,495: "Global mean temperature is estimated to be reduced by 0.006 to 0.015 degrees Celsius by 2100."--report from Sen. Inhofe
Helluva deal!
HT: MoonBattery
School Aids in Elmbrook
Interesting
The Governor's Office released a spreadsheet telling us that Elmbrook Schools will see a reduction in State aids in the next budget.
That reduction will be ~$17,000.00.
You read it right. Seventeen grand.
The Governor's Office released a spreadsheet telling us that Elmbrook Schools will see a reduction in State aids in the next budget.
That reduction will be ~$17,000.00.
You read it right. Seventeen grand.
Boehner Crying About Conservatives
We can almost hear the sniffling and snorting out here.
Some veteran Republican House members are pushing back against conservative deficit hawks who are pushing for endlessly deep spending cuts, saying the right wing of the party is creating unnecessary divisions for the GOP majority.
...Many of the critics are close to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), who struggles more each day to keep his majority unified
If you can't take the heat, John, weep your way back to Cincinnati. The 2010 elections gave you a majority in the House, but not so you could make patty-cake with Reid and Obozo.
Some veteran Republican House members are pushing back against conservative deficit hawks who are pushing for endlessly deep spending cuts, saying the right wing of the party is creating unnecessary divisions for the GOP majority.
...Many of the critics are close to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), who struggles more each day to keep his majority unified
If you can't take the heat, John, weep your way back to Cincinnati. The 2010 elections gave you a majority in the House, but not so you could make patty-cake with Reid and Obozo.
More War!! Says Podhoretz
Podhoretz is only one of the several War Party regulars calling for the US to march another Army into the voids. As you might guess, Billy Kristol is another. They have an insatiable itch to commit US troops anywhere, any time, for any reason.
And they are getting as tiresome as entitled public employees.
Moammar Khadafy is moving relentlessly to crush the Libyan revolt that once promised the overthrow of one of the world's most despicable regimes. So where is the president?
Actually, he's doing exactly the right thing in this case. In effect, he's letting Europe make its own decisions--with Europe's own money for a change--and keeping the US' fingers out of the mousetrap.
We can do very well indeed by minding our own business for a change.
And they are getting as tiresome as entitled public employees.
Moammar Khadafy is moving relentlessly to crush the Libyan revolt that once promised the overthrow of one of the world's most despicable regimes. So where is the president?
Actually, he's doing exactly the right thing in this case. In effect, he's letting Europe make its own decisions--with Europe's own money for a change--and keeping the US' fingers out of the mousetrap.
We can do very well indeed by minding our own business for a change.
Clinton Jumping Ship
Well, who's surprised?
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told CNN's Wolf Blitzer she does not want to serve a second term as secretary of state or run for president of the United States.
According to the transcript, she's likely moving to private life.
According to the transcript.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told CNN's Wolf Blitzer she does not want to serve a second term as secretary of state or run for president of the United States.
According to the transcript, she's likely moving to private life.
According to the transcript.
Cutting Spending? Cut the F-35!
Basically, the damn thing is a flying cigar--and just as maneuverable--with a "yacht" feature: it's a hole in the air into which one continually pours money. Latest count? $1 trillion in life-cycle.
HT: RenMan
HT: RenMan
Fed-Speak: "We're Totally Clueless!"
From the WSJ:
...Witness last week's visit to Queens, New York, by New York Fed President William Dudley, who got a street-corner education in the cost of living.
...come question time the main thing the crowd wanted to know was why they're paying so much more for food and gas. Keep in mind the Fed doesn't think food and gas prices matter to its policy calculations because they aren't part of "core" inflation.
So Mr. Dudley tried to explain that other prices are falling. "Today you can buy an iPad 2 that costs the same as an iPad 1 that is twice as powerful," he said. "You have to look at the prices of all things." Reuters reports that this "prompted guffaws and widespread murmuring from the audience," with someone quipping, "I can't eat an iPad."
Dudley simply repeated 'Clueless Al' Greenspan's theory that 'if hamburger is too expensive, the peons will buy chicken instead.'
Or, if hamburger AND chicken are too expensive, the peon will eat an iPad.
HT: PowerLine
...Witness last week's visit to Queens, New York, by New York Fed President William Dudley, who got a street-corner education in the cost of living.
...come question time the main thing the crowd wanted to know was why they're paying so much more for food and gas. Keep in mind the Fed doesn't think food and gas prices matter to its policy calculations because they aren't part of "core" inflation.
So Mr. Dudley tried to explain that other prices are falling. "Today you can buy an iPad 2 that costs the same as an iPad 1 that is twice as powerful," he said. "You have to look at the prices of all things." Reuters reports that this "prompted guffaws and widespread murmuring from the audience," with someone quipping, "I can't eat an iPad."
Dudley simply repeated 'Clueless Al' Greenspan's theory that 'if hamburger is too expensive, the peons will buy chicken instead.'
Or, if hamburger AND chicken are too expensive, the peon will eat an iPad.
HT: PowerLine
How 'Bout Them Recalls??
Valuable insight from a PolySci guy.
...There are many ways to slice the data, but by almost any measure the DKos/PPP poll shows less support for recalling Republican incumbents than support for electing Democrats or general disapproval of the Republican incumbents.
It ain't gonna be easy for the LeftOWackies.
Awwwwwwwww............
...There are many ways to slice the data, but by almost any measure the DKos/PPP poll shows less support for recalling Republican incumbents than support for electing Democrats or general disapproval of the Republican incumbents.
It ain't gonna be easy for the LeftOWackies.
Awwwwwwwww............
The Teachers According to Owen
Owen has this absolutely right.
...I would suggest, however, that some unionized teachers have given the rest a bad name. When a teacher decides to abandon the kids, skip work, lie about being sick, and protest in order to protest maintaining benefits that are no longer affordable for the taxpayers, they slander all of the good, hardworking, caring teachers who stood by the kids. Yes, it’s not fair because the majority of teachers did the right thing, but it only takes a few vocal jerks to make the whole group look like jerks to some people. At the same time, I didn’t see a lot of noise from those good teachers condemning the anti-education actions of the minority. Silence gives the perception of support.
Like Owen, I also propose that the responsible adults in the group start making it crystal-clear that they do NOT support troublemaking or rabble-rousing. It does not help your cause.
...I would suggest, however, that some unionized teachers have given the rest a bad name. When a teacher decides to abandon the kids, skip work, lie about being sick, and protest in order to protest maintaining benefits that are no longer affordable for the taxpayers, they slander all of the good, hardworking, caring teachers who stood by the kids. Yes, it’s not fair because the majority of teachers did the right thing, but it only takes a few vocal jerks to make the whole group look like jerks to some people. At the same time, I didn’t see a lot of noise from those good teachers condemning the anti-education actions of the minority. Silence gives the perception of support.
I encourage my conservative brethren to not paint with a broad brush when it comes to teachers. The majority of them are great folks doing a good job. But at the same time, I encourage the good teachers to be vocal in condemning their thug union colleagues. They aren’t helping you.
I, too, admire the teachers who showed up for work every day, who did not overlay their classes with political whining or proselytizing, and who (thus) actually DO care about the kids and their education. Jay is one of them, by the way.Like Owen, I also propose that the responsible adults in the group start making it crystal-clear that they do NOT support troublemaking or rabble-rousing. It does not help your cause.
Save a Lot of Bucks With Walker!
Sykes mentioned this document, which summarizes potential annual savings for Wisconsin municipalities based on the new retirement rules. (This does NOT include health-insurance savings.)
In Waukesha County, the City of Brookfield could save about $1.2 million. Village of Pewaukee? $160,000. Elm Grove? $150K.
Waukesha County itself: $4.3 million or so.
Every year.
Elmbrook Schools? $3 million or so. (That happens to be almost identical to the projected deficit for next year.) Waukesha Schools? $4.5 million.
Every year.
In Waukesha County, the City of Brookfield could save about $1.2 million. Village of Pewaukee? $160,000. Elm Grove? $150K.
Waukesha County itself: $4.3 million or so.
Every year.
Elmbrook Schools? $3 million or so. (That happens to be almost identical to the projected deficit for next year.) Waukesha Schools? $4.5 million.
Every year.
US: A Social Insurance Company With a Big Army
Well, it was going to happen someday.
We have now gotten to the point — as I noted yesterday — where if national defense, interstate highways, national parks, homeland security, and all other discretionary programs somehow became absolutely free, we’d still have a budget deficit. The White House Office of Management and Budget projects that in the current fiscal year (2011), mandatory spending alone will exceed all federal receipts. So even if we didn’t spend a single cent on discretionary programs, we still wouldn’t be able to balance our budget this year — let alone pay off any of the $14 trillion in debt that we have already accumulated.
Paul Ryan looks better and better every day.
HT: AOSHQ
We have now gotten to the point — as I noted yesterday — where if national defense, interstate highways, national parks, homeland security, and all other discretionary programs somehow became absolutely free, we’d still have a budget deficit. The White House Office of Management and Budget projects that in the current fiscal year (2011), mandatory spending alone will exceed all federal receipts. So even if we didn’t spend a single cent on discretionary programs, we still wouldn’t be able to balance our budget this year — let alone pay off any of the $14 trillion in debt that we have already accumulated.
Paul Ryan looks better and better every day.
HT: AOSHQ
Fitzgerald and Cullen: The Capitol Gang Re-Forms
Senator Cullen, a certified Capitol Insider, has introduced an amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution which would reduce quorum-requirement to a simple majority when dealing with 'fiscal issues.'
In other words, Cullen is shifting the blame to "the system" rather than where it belongs: the juvenile delinquents--himself included--who attempted to bring governance to a halt last month.
Nice mis-direction, Tim. You could have grown a spine a few weeks ago and showed up for a vote; instead, you choose to weaken the Constitution's protections of Wisconsin citizens.
Even more puzzling is Fitzgerald's co-sponsorship of the measure. Sure, Fitzgerald wants "comity" and "reconciliation," and isn't it nice for all of us to 'get along'?
Well, no. This is "comity" in the bi-partisan Ruling Class which will work to the detriment of Wisconsin citizens and taxpayers. (Surprise!!!)
We remind Fitzgerald that we have not forgotten Tommy (the Spender) Thompson any more than we have not forgotten Jim (The Taxer) Doyle. The Ruling Class' bi-partisan ruin of the State's finances over the last 30 years and the Ruling Class' bi-partisan imposition of more and more Government should not be supported by Fitzgerald.
The Cullen amendment should be defeated, soundly.
UPDATE: Sykes thinks this is a stupid idea, too. But Sykes never mentioned Fitzgerald's co-sponsorship. Hmmmmm. Sen. Vukmir agrees with us, per Sykes' interview with her.
In other words, Cullen is shifting the blame to "the system" rather than where it belongs: the juvenile delinquents--himself included--who attempted to bring governance to a halt last month.
Nice mis-direction, Tim. You could have grown a spine a few weeks ago and showed up for a vote; instead, you choose to weaken the Constitution's protections of Wisconsin citizens.
Even more puzzling is Fitzgerald's co-sponsorship of the measure. Sure, Fitzgerald wants "comity" and "reconciliation," and isn't it nice for all of us to 'get along'?
Well, no. This is "comity" in the bi-partisan Ruling Class which will work to the detriment of Wisconsin citizens and taxpayers. (Surprise!!!)
We remind Fitzgerald that we have not forgotten Tommy (the Spender) Thompson any more than we have not forgotten Jim (The Taxer) Doyle. The Ruling Class' bi-partisan ruin of the State's finances over the last 30 years and the Ruling Class' bi-partisan imposition of more and more Government should not be supported by Fitzgerald.
The Cullen amendment should be defeated, soundly.
UPDATE: Sykes thinks this is a stupid idea, too. But Sykes never mentioned Fitzgerald's co-sponsorship. Hmmmmm. Sen. Vukmir agrees with us, per Sykes' interview with her.
The Knee-Jerk "No"
Following several automobile fatalities, two Democrat legislators called for continuation of a ban on new automobiles in the State of Wisconsin.
...Rep. Josh Zepnick of Milwaukee and Rep. Brett Hulsey of Madison, said the trouble... ought to trump any thoughts about lifting the moratorium.
...Rep. Josh Zepnick of Milwaukee and Rep. Brett Hulsey of Madison, said the trouble... ought to trump any thoughts about lifting the moratorium.
"There is too much uncertainty with regards to the public's safety when there are unexpected events that take place as we are seeing currently...," Zepnick said in a statement.
Yup.
Because Federal Health Care Is Just......Better!
Obozo and his cabal repeated the lie often. You know the one: that ObamaCare will be 'less expensive' than the current system. That's because Federal bureaucrats are so much smarter, so much better, so much more ........enlightened.......... than other, plebian, bureaucrats.
They'll have to repeat the lie another 20 million times, I guess.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services—the federal health-care agency that is a key bureaucracy in implementing Obamacare—made at least $70.5 billion in “improper payments” last year. These improper federal health-care payments amounted to more than the combined total of $68.3 billion spent by the entire Homeland Security and the State departments last year, which spent $44.5 billion and $23.8 billion respectively
Well, what's $70Bn between friends, anyway?
They'll have to repeat the lie another 20 million times, I guess.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services—the federal health-care agency that is a key bureaucracy in implementing Obamacare—made at least $70.5 billion in “improper payments” last year. These improper federal health-care payments amounted to more than the combined total of $68.3 billion spent by the entire Homeland Security and the State departments last year, which spent $44.5 billion and $23.8 billion respectively
Well, what's $70Bn between friends, anyway?
Herman Cain: "It's Genocide"
This guy's going to be flayed.
“Here’s why I support de-funding Planned Parenthood, because you don’t hear a lot of people talking about this, when Margaret Sanger – check my history – started Planned Parenthood, the objective was to put these centers in primarily black communities so they could help kill black babies before they came into the world,” Cain told CNSNews.com on Tuesday when speaking at the conservative Heritage Foundation.
Cain’s comment was in response to a question from CNSNews.com about whether the Republican-controlled Congress should vote against any federal tax dollars for Planned Parenthood.
“You don’t see that talked that much about,” said Cain. “It’s not Planned Parenthood. No, it’s planned genocide. You can quote me on that.”
He's right, of course. For that, he will be ripped asunder by the Chattering Class of NPR and in the Country Clubs of some (R) types.Classes on Rabble-Rousing! Madison, 4/1 and 4/2
Maybe Capper wants to brush up on his Alinsky-isms?
You may have noticed over these last few weeks that the protesters in Wisconsin and elsewhere seem to be well trained at trouble making. It’s almost as if they have their B.S. degrees from the University of Alinsky.
You may have noticed over these last few weeks that the protesters in Wisconsin and elsewhere seem to be well trained at trouble making. It’s almost as if they have their B.S. degrees from the University of Alinsky.
Well, as every good community organizer knows, you can’t astroturf without being properly trained in the science of trouble making and that is why you too can learn the dark science of Alinsky in Madison on April Fool’s Day [actually April 1st & 2nd].
(By the way, I drove around Capitol Square last night, saw the guitar-guy--prolly playing "Blowin' in the Wind"--and the 50-ish teacher-types holding candles...it's almost a self-parody.)
You'll get your RabbleRousing training, a lunch, and a genuine certificate of accomplishment suitable for framing, at the Labor Temple, 1602 S Park St., Madistan.
Everybody Agrees: It's The SPENDING, Stupid!
Interesting poll from WaPo, relayed by RedState.
If you are keeping score at home, you just heard a left-wing activist admit that 95% of the public believes spending cuts are the best way to reduce the deficit, whether or not that plan also includes tax hikes. Going to the poll itself, only 3% believe the best way to cut the deficit is simply raising taxes. And what’s more, that’s the public - not likely voters or even registered voters, but all adults. Which is one reason why the entire poll is garbage (”all adults” don’t vote for issues; voters vote for candidates).
The poll may be 'garbage,' but the sentiment ought to be clear, even to such boneheads as Boehner and Reid.
Think they'll get it?
If you are keeping score at home, you just heard a left-wing activist admit that 95% of the public believes spending cuts are the best way to reduce the deficit, whether or not that plan also includes tax hikes. Going to the poll itself, only 3% believe the best way to cut the deficit is simply raising taxes. And what’s more, that’s the public - not likely voters or even registered voters, but all adults. Which is one reason why the entire poll is garbage (”all adults” don’t vote for issues; voters vote for candidates).
The poll may be 'garbage,' but the sentiment ought to be clear, even to such boneheads as Boehner and Reid.
Think they'll get it?
Update on the Nukes
A frequent commenter has useful information on the Japanese nukes.
...the spent fuel pool was not the fire at Unit 4 - it was from leaking oil from a pump. We have a guy on site there that confirmed.
Units 1 and 3 are now as stable as they can be and are being cooled with sea water. Every hour that gets better since the fuel rods don't start reacting and reheating without a kick start...
Unit 2 seems to be the problem child. If you look at the cutaway graphic on the NEI site... the "donut" at the bottom is the Torus - the pipes coming from the reactor in the middle are the toroidal steam pipes. If the torus or steam pipe was damaged, it is still inside the concrete/steel containment structure. If water levels are rising in the reactor and radiation levels are falling per the most recent NEI update, that indicates that the concrete/steel containment wasn't breached.
Units 1, 2, and 3 are dead. The sea water finalized that.
It's noteworthy that the nukes did exactly what they were supposed to do: went into immediate shutdown when the quake hit. The subsequent diesel-gen problems were a result of the tsunami, not of the plant.
...the spent fuel pool was not the fire at Unit 4 - it was from leaking oil from a pump. We have a guy on site there that confirmed.
Units 1 and 3 are now as stable as they can be and are being cooled with sea water. Every hour that gets better since the fuel rods don't start reacting and reheating without a kick start...
Unit 2 seems to be the problem child. If you look at the cutaway graphic on the NEI site... the "donut" at the bottom is the Torus - the pipes coming from the reactor in the middle are the toroidal steam pipes. If the torus or steam pipe was damaged, it is still inside the concrete/steel containment structure. If water levels are rising in the reactor and radiation levels are falling per the most recent NEI update, that indicates that the concrete/steel containment wasn't breached.
Units 1, 2, and 3 are dead. The sea water finalized that.
It's noteworthy that the nukes did exactly what they were supposed to do: went into immediate shutdown when the quake hit. The subsequent diesel-gen problems were a result of the tsunami, not of the plant.
NRA to Obama: You're Kidding, Right?
The President mouthed a few platitudes which sounded suspiciously like they were written by New York Mayor Bloomberg over the weekend.
The NRA wrote a response, which included the following:
As for enforcing the laws on the books, we strongly suggest you enforce those that actually take violent criminals off the streets.To start, we urge you to contact every U.S. Attorney and ask them to bring at least ten cases per month against drug dealers, gang members and other violent felons caught illegally possessing firearms.By prosecuting these criminals in federal court – rather than state court – strong sentencing guidelines would apply and charges would not be plea-bargained or dismissed, nor would criminals be released after serving only a fraction of their sentences. This simple directive would result in roughly 12,000 violent criminals being taken off the streets every year. Surely you agree that this would be a good first step.
Unfortunately, your Administration is currently under a cloud for allegedly encouraging violations of federal law.We suggest that you bring an immediate stop to BATFE's "Fast and Furious" operation, in which an unknown number of illegal firearm transactions were detected – and then encouraged to fruition by your BATFE, which allegedly decided to let thousands of firearms "walk" across the border and into the hands of murderous drug cartels.One federal officer has recently been killed and no one can predict what mayhem will still ensue.Despite the protests of gun dealers who wished to terminate these transactions, your Administration reportedly encouraged violations of federal firearms laws – and undermined the firearm industry's concerted efforts to deter straw purchases through the "Don't Lie for the Other Guy" program.We hope you agree with our belief that this burgeoning scandal merits a full and independent investigation.
There are additional steps you can take to prevent tragic events such as the Tucson shooting from occurring in the future.One of these is to call on the national news media to refrain from giving deranged criminals minute-by-minute coverage of their heinous acts, which only serves to encourage copycat behavior.If media outlets won't show a fan running onto the field during a baseball game because they don't want to encourage that behavior by others – surely they can listen to law enforcement experts and refuse to air the photographs, video messages, or Facebook postings of madmen and murderers.
We can always hope that Obama will take NRA's suggestions seriously.
The NRA wrote a response, which included the following:
As for enforcing the laws on the books, we strongly suggest you enforce those that actually take violent criminals off the streets.To start, we urge you to contact every U.S. Attorney and ask them to bring at least ten cases per month against drug dealers, gang members and other violent felons caught illegally possessing firearms.By prosecuting these criminals in federal court – rather than state court – strong sentencing guidelines would apply and charges would not be plea-bargained or dismissed, nor would criminals be released after serving only a fraction of their sentences. This simple directive would result in roughly 12,000 violent criminals being taken off the streets every year. Surely you agree that this would be a good first step.
Unfortunately, your Administration is currently under a cloud for allegedly encouraging violations of federal law.We suggest that you bring an immediate stop to BATFE's "Fast and Furious" operation, in which an unknown number of illegal firearm transactions were detected – and then encouraged to fruition by your BATFE, which allegedly decided to let thousands of firearms "walk" across the border and into the hands of murderous drug cartels.One federal officer has recently been killed and no one can predict what mayhem will still ensue.Despite the protests of gun dealers who wished to terminate these transactions, your Administration reportedly encouraged violations of federal firearms laws – and undermined the firearm industry's concerted efforts to deter straw purchases through the "Don't Lie for the Other Guy" program.We hope you agree with our belief that this burgeoning scandal merits a full and independent investigation.
There are additional steps you can take to prevent tragic events such as the Tucson shooting from occurring in the future.One of these is to call on the national news media to refrain from giving deranged criminals minute-by-minute coverage of their heinous acts, which only serves to encourage copycat behavior.If media outlets won't show a fan running onto the field during a baseball game because they don't want to encourage that behavior by others – surely they can listen to law enforcement experts and refuse to air the photographs, video messages, or Facebook postings of madmen and murderers.
We can always hope that Obama will take NRA's suggestions seriously.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Wacko Story of the Day
Hey! It's not about unions in Wisconsin; it's not about nukes in Nippon.
It's about how a snake died, poor thing.
HT: RenMan
It's about how a snake died, poor thing.
HT: RenMan
Bigotry: Jeff Anderson
Anderson is the ambo-chaser who owns SNAP.
...money alone cannot account for his latest vendetta. Now he's engaged in a media ad campaign to find anyone who claims he was abused by a priest, regardless of how flimsy the evidence or when the alleged act occurred. It matters not a whit whether the priest is long dead and cannot defend himself. In one sense, Anderson is doing us a favor: the cat's out of the bag. His integrity is shot. Any lawyer who would conduct a public relations hunt for one class of people to sue is not interested in justice.
Imagine for one moment if a lawyer launched an advertising campaign pledging to find every last person who was ever abused by a public school teacher.
That would fill an in-box.
Anderson's mad quest for new Catholic victims is of a piece with his pathological fixation on the Catholic Church. We've been on to his game for many years; his latest gambit should convince everyone of his real motive. It is not justice that drives him and his army of lawyers--it is a debased appetite to get the Catholic Church.
Doesn't take much to read between the lines of the JS's ........ahhhhh........loving take on Anderson. The guy's story tells you everything you need to know--and predicted this vendetta.
HT: Badger
...money alone cannot account for his latest vendetta. Now he's engaged in a media ad campaign to find anyone who claims he was abused by a priest, regardless of how flimsy the evidence or when the alleged act occurred. It matters not a whit whether the priest is long dead and cannot defend himself.
Imagine for one moment if a lawyer launched an advertising campaign pledging to find every last person who was ever abused by a public school teacher.
That would fill an in-box.
Anderson's mad quest for new Catholic victims is of a piece with his pathological fixation on the Catholic Church. We've been on to his game for many years; his latest gambit should convince everyone of his real motive. It is not justice that drives him and his army of lawyers--it is a debased appetite to get the Catholic Church.
Doesn't take much to read between the lines of the JS's ........ahhhhh........loving take on Anderson. The guy's story tells you everything you need to know--and predicted this vendetta.
HT: Badger
Obama to SCOTUS: "Keep Your Hands off Obamacare"
It's a delaying tactic, at best.
The Obama administration told the Supreme Court on Monday night it should stay away from a high-profile challenge to the 2010 health care law until after a lower court has had a chance to review the case.
This is the Virginia case.
It might be useful for SCOTUS to combine all the extant cases (so far, 2-2 tie in the 9th). Perhaps that's what the Administration wants.
...............naaaahhhhh............
They want to delay as long as possible to 1) spend the $105Bn embedded in the bill and 2) try to hold off until some actual "benefits" materialize, somewhere, somehow, like in West Side Story.
The Obama administration told the Supreme Court on Monday night it should stay away from a high-profile challenge to the 2010 health care law until after a lower court has had a chance to review the case.
This is the Virginia case.
It might be useful for SCOTUS to combine all the extant cases (so far, 2-2 tie in the 9th). Perhaps that's what the Administration wants.
...............naaaahhhhh............
They want to delay as long as possible to 1) spend the $105Bn embedded in the bill and 2) try to hold off until some actual "benefits" materialize, somewhere, somehow, like in West Side Story.
Nuke News Site
Neomom notes that this is a good site for nuke news.
...there is a fire at Fukushima Daiichi 4 that is accompanied by high levels of radiation between Units 3 and 4 at the site. The fire began burning at Unit 4 at around 6 a.m. Japan time on March 14 and is still burning. Fire fighters are responding to the fire. The reactor does not have fuel in the reactor, but there is spent fuel in the reactor (pool) and Edano said that he assumes radioactive substances are being released.
It appears that this reactor was down for refueling or something. The spent-fuel pool is releasing radiation at about 40 rem/hour, which is on the high side. (Background, or 'normal' is around 130 millirem).
...there is a fire at Fukushima Daiichi 4 that is accompanied by high levels of radiation between Units 3 and 4 at the site. The fire began burning at Unit 4 at around 6 a.m. Japan time on March 14 and is still burning. Fire fighters are responding to the fire. The reactor does not have fuel in the reactor, but there is spent fuel in the reactor (pool) and Edano said that he assumes radioactive substances are being released.
It appears that this reactor was down for refueling or something. The spent-fuel pool is releasing radiation at about 40 rem/hour, which is on the high side. (Background, or 'normal' is around 130 millirem).
Monday, March 14, 2011
Dwyer of Waukesha, Old Lefty, Never Changes
Jim Dwyer's been out of touch for about 20 years. Prolly called Henry Maier's ghost to know which way to vote here.
A divided Waukesha County Board leadership committee on Monday refused to endorse the controversial budget-repair bill already passed by Republicans and signed by Gov. Scott Walker last week.
Long story short:
Explaining his own vote against Hutton's resolution, Dwyer said, "Why would I have a resolution after the fact and when I don't understand the ramifications to the county regarding the delivery of services?" In addition to Dwyer of Menomonee Falls, those opposing the resolution were Supervisors Patricia Haukohl of Brookfield, Jean Tortomasi of Waukesha and Duane Paulson of Waukesha.
Dwyer doesn't understand ramifications of 2+2?
A divided Waukesha County Board leadership committee on Monday refused to endorse the controversial budget-repair bill already passed by Republicans and signed by Gov. Scott Walker last week.
Long story short:
Explaining his own vote against Hutton's resolution, Dwyer said, "Why would I have a resolution after the fact and when I don't understand the ramifications to the county regarding the delivery of services?" In addition to Dwyer of Menomonee Falls, those opposing the resolution were Supervisors Patricia Haukohl of Brookfield, Jean Tortomasi of Waukesha and Duane Paulson of Waukesha.
Dwyer doesn't understand ramifications of 2+2?
"Tax the Rich!!!" (Sorry. That Doesn't Cut It)
Although what's outlined here is not exactly news (Les Aspin knew and taught this before he went to Congress), it's worth repeating.
Here's Part One:
...There are lots of liberal definitions of “rich.” When Pres. Barack Obama talks about the rich, he’s talking about people living in households with income of more than $250,000 or more, the rarefied caviar-shoveling stratum occupied by the likes of second-tier public-broadcasting executives, Boston cops, nurses, and the city manager of Lubbock, Texas (assuming somebody in her household earns the last $25,000 to carry her over the line).
Club 250K isn’t all that exclusive, and most of its members aren’t the yachts-and-expensive-mistresses types. Nonetheless, there aren’t that many of them. In fact, in 2006, the Census Bureau found only 2.2 million households earning more than $250,000. And most of those are closer to the Lubbock city manager than to Carlos Slim, income-wise
Got that part? Good.
...say we wanted to balance the budget by jacking up taxes on Club 250K. That’s a problem: The 2012 deficit is forecast to hit $1.1 trillion under Obama’s budget. (Thanks, Mr. President!) Spread that deficit over all the households in Club 250K and you have to jack up their taxes by an average of $500,000. Which you simply can’t do, since a lot of them don’t have $500,000 in income to seize: Most of them are making $250,000 to $450,000 and paying about half in taxes already...
Ruh Roh. Looks like the simpleton D/LeftOWacky tax wizards have a problem.
And, in fact, they do! Here's the runup:
So, what about Lloyd Blankfein and Charlie Sheen and Tiger Woods? What about these people? You can tax the striped pants off of them, but you won’t get enough money to balance the budget. If you’re doing it, you’re probably mostly doing it because it feels good. (And, yes, that does make you a bad person.)
Besides that, Blankfein, Woods, and Sheen have lawyers. More lawyers than Foley and Lardner has. You'll find those guys (and gals) in some tropical-no-tax-here haven in about the time it takes for them to fire up their G-5's and point south.
In the end, you can't get there from here:
So, how about taxing people who make less than $250,000? That’s probably whom you want to tax, since they are the ones who have the money (Counterintuitive, I know.) The Bush “tax cuts for the rich” cost the Treasury about $800 billion in forgone revenue; the Bush tax cuts for the middle class cost trillions – 2.2 of them, to be precise.
Repealing all of those Bush tax cuts, for rich and middle class alike, gets you about $3 trillion — over ten years. The deficit is running from a third to almost half that every year. Will not balance. Does not compute.
Reality?
"Balancing the budget" calls for TRIPLING Federal taxes on anyone earning money. (Don't forget that you also will be paying State taxes, folks.)
So. We can cut spending, or we can triple taxes on everyone.
Have a preference??
HT: Ace
Here's Part One:
...There are lots of liberal definitions of “rich.” When Pres. Barack Obama talks about the rich, he’s talking about people living in households with income of more than $250,000 or more, the rarefied caviar-shoveling stratum occupied by the likes of second-tier public-broadcasting executives, Boston cops, nurses, and the city manager of Lubbock, Texas (assuming somebody in her household earns the last $25,000 to carry her over the line).
Club 250K isn’t all that exclusive, and most of its members aren’t the yachts-and-expensive-mistresses types. Nonetheless, there aren’t that many of them. In fact, in 2006, the Census Bureau found only 2.2 million households earning more than $250,000. And most of those are closer to the Lubbock city manager than to Carlos Slim, income-wise
Got that part? Good.
...say we wanted to balance the budget by jacking up taxes on Club 250K. That’s a problem: The 2012 deficit is forecast to hit $1.1 trillion under Obama’s budget. (Thanks, Mr. President!) Spread that deficit over all the households in Club 250K and you have to jack up their taxes by an average of $500,000. Which you simply can’t do, since a lot of them don’t have $500,000 in income to seize: Most of them are making $250,000 to $450,000 and paying about half in taxes already...
Ruh Roh. Looks like the simpleton D/LeftOWacky tax wizards have a problem.
And, in fact, they do! Here's the runup:
So, what about Lloyd Blankfein and Charlie Sheen and Tiger Woods? What about these people? You can tax the striped pants off of them, but you won’t get enough money to balance the budget. If you’re doing it, you’re probably mostly doing it because it feels good. (And, yes, that does make you a bad person.)
Besides that, Blankfein, Woods, and Sheen have lawyers. More lawyers than Foley and Lardner has. You'll find those guys (and gals) in some tropical-no-tax-here haven in about the time it takes for them to fire up their G-5's and point south.
In the end, you can't get there from here:
So, how about taxing people who make less than $250,000? That’s probably whom you want to tax, since they are the ones who have the money (Counterintuitive, I know.) The Bush “tax cuts for the rich” cost the Treasury about $800 billion in forgone revenue; the Bush tax cuts for the middle class cost trillions – 2.2 of them, to be precise.
Repealing all of those Bush tax cuts, for rich and middle class alike, gets you about $3 trillion — over ten years. The deficit is running from a third to almost half that every year. Will not balance. Does not compute.
Reality?
"Balancing the budget" calls for TRIPLING Federal taxes on anyone earning money. (Don't forget that you also will be paying State taxes, folks.)
So. We can cut spending, or we can triple taxes on everyone.
Have a preference??
HT: Ace
The Riotous Marinette (??)
Evidently Marinette is a powder-keg.
Marinette's mayor told a group trying to recall state Senator Dave Hansen that it's not allowed in city hall.
Marinette's mayor told a group trying to recall state Senator Dave Hansen that it's not allowed in city hall.
Those trying to recall the Democratic senator wanted to circulate petitions at Marinette City Hall as they're doing in Oconto and Green Bay. But, Mayor Bob Harbick said he didn't want the same kind of disruption that's happened at the Capitol in Madison. Harbick said his decision is logical and non-partisan.
Obviously Green Bay and Oconto called in the National Guard; that's why we haven't heard of the riots, disorder, and spray-painted buildings/superglued locks.
Now we can get to the REAL reason:
The mayor also said he doesn't believe in what the group is trying to do.
Coulda just said that first, Mayor.The Japanese Nukes
Long post here, but cogent, written by Dr. Jos. Oehmen of MIT, who has a great deal of experience in the German nuke-power industry.
Please don't take "press reports" too seriously!
The earthquake that hit Japan was 5 times more powerful than the worst earthquake the nuclear power plant was built for (the Richter scale works logarithmically; the difference between the 8.2 that the plants were built for and the 8.9 that happened is 5 times, not 0.7). So the first hooray for Japanese engineering, everything held up.
[Skip a little more]
Please don't take "press reports" too seriously!
The plants at Fukushima are so called Boiling Water Reactors, or BWR for short. Boiling Water Reactors are similar to a pressure cooker. The nuclear fuel heats water, the water boils and creates steam, the steam then drives turbines that create the electricity, and the steam is then cooled and condensed back to water, and the water send back to be heated by the nuclear fuel. The pressure cooker operates at about 250 °C.
The nuclear fuel is uranium oxide. Uranium oxide is a ceramic with a very high melting point of about 3000 °C. The fuel is manufactured in pellets (think little cylinders the size of Lego bricks). Those pieces are then put into a long tube made of Zircaloy with a melting point of 2200 °C, and sealed tight. The assembly is called a fuel rod. These fuel rods are then put together to form larger packages, and a number of these packages are then put into the reactor. All these packages together are referred to as “the core”.
The Zircaloy casing is the first containment. It separates the radioactive fuel from the rest of the world.
The core is then placed in the “pressure vessels”. That is the pressure cooker we talked about before. The pressure vessels is the second containment. This is one sturdy piece of a pot, designed to safely contain the core for temperatures several hundred °C. That covers the scenarios where cooling can be restored at some point.
The entire “hardware” of the nuclear reactor – the pressure vessel and all pipes, pumps, coolant (water) reserves, are then encased in the third containment. The third containment is a hermetically (air tight) sealed, very thick bubble of the strongest steel and concrete. The third containment is designed, built and tested for one single purpose: To contain, indefinitely, a complete core meltdown. For that purpose, a large and thick concrete basin is cast under the pressure vessel (the second containment), all inside the third containment. This is the so-called “core catcher”. If the core melts and the pressure vessel bursts (and eventually melts), it will catch the molten fuel and everything else. It is typically built in such a way that the nuclear fuel will be spread out, so it can cool down.
[Skip a few things which are important and you can read them at the link].The earthquake that hit Japan was 5 times more powerful than the worst earthquake the nuclear power plant was built for (the Richter scale works logarithmically; the difference between the 8.2 that the plants were built for and the 8.9 that happened is 5 times, not 0.7). So the first hooray for Japanese engineering, everything held up.
When the earthquake hit with 8.9, the nuclear reactors all went into automatic shutdown. Within seconds after the earthquake started, the control rods had been inserted into the core and nuclear chain reaction of the uranium stopped. Now, the cooling system has to carry away the residual heat. The residual heat load is about 3% of the heat load under normal operating conditions.
The earthquake destroyed the external power supply of the nuclear reactor. That is one of the most serious accidents for a nuclear power plant, and accordingly, a “plant black out” receives a lot of attention when designing backup systems. The power is needed to keep the coolant pumps working. Since the power plant had been shut down, it cannot produce any electricity by itself any more.
Things were going well for an hour. One set of multiple sets of emergency Diesel power generators kicked in and provided the electricity that was needed. Then the Tsunami came, much bigger than people had expected when building the power plant (see above, factor 7). The tsunami took out all multiple sets of backup Diesel generators.
When designing a nuclear power plant, engineers follow a philosophy called “Defense of Depth”. That means that you first build everything to withstand the worst catastrophe you can imagine, and then design the plant in such a way that it can still handle one system failure (that you thought could never happen) after the other. A tsunami taking out all backup power in one swift strike is such a scenario. The last line of defense is putting everything into the third containment (see above), that will keep everything, whatever the mess, control rods in our out, core molten or not, inside the reactor.
When the diesel generators were gone, the reactor operators switched to emergency battery power. The batteries were designed as one of the backups to the backups, to provide power for cooling the core for 8 hours. And they did.
Within the 8 hours, another power source had to be found and connected to the power plant. The power grid was down due to the earthquake. The diesel generators were destroyed by the tsunami. So mobile diesel generators were trucked in.
This is where things started to go seriously wrong. The external power generators could not be connected to the power plant (the plugs did not fit). So after the batteries ran out, the residual heat could not be carried away any more.
Aha!!
[Skip a little more]
This is when the reports about “radiation leakage” starting coming in. I believe I explained above why venting the steam is theoretically the same as releasing radiation into the environment, but why it was and is not dangerous. The radioactive nitrogen as well as the noble gases do not pose a threat to human health.
[Briefly, the half-life of the radiation leakage is around 5 seconds before it breaks down and literally disappears.]
At some stage during this venting, the explosion occurred. The explosion took place outside of the third containment (our “last line of defense”), and the reactor building. Remember that the reactor building has no function in keeping the radioactivity contained.[Skip a little more]
But Plan A had failed – cooling systems down or additional clean water unavailable – so Plan B came into effect. This is what it looks like happened:
In order to prevent a core meltdown, the operators started to use sea water to cool the core. I am not quite sure if they flooded our pressure cooker with it (the second containment), or if they flooded the third containment, immersing the pressure cooker. But that is not relevant for us.
The point is that the nuclear fuel has now been cooled down. Because the chain reaction has been stopped a long time ago, there is only very little residual heat being produced now. The large amount of cooling water that has been used is sufficient to take up that heat. Because it is a lot of water, the core does not produce sufficient heat any more to produce any significant pressure. Also, boric acid has been added to the seawater. Boric acid is “liquid control rod”. Whatever decay is still going on, the Boron will capture the neutrons and further speed up the cooling down of the core.
Got it so far? Here's the upshot:
My assessment:- The plant is safe now and will stay safe.
- Japan is looking at an INES Level 4 Accident: Nuclear accident with local consequences. That is bad for the company that owns the plant, but not for anyone else.
- Some radiation was released when the pressure vessel was vented. All radioactive isotopes from the activated steam have gone (decayed). A very small amount of Cesium was released, as well as Iodine. If you were sitting on top of the plants’ chimney when they were venting, you should probably give up smoking to return to your former life expectancy. The Cesium and Iodine isotopes were carried out to the sea and will never be seen again.
- There was some limited damage to the first containment. That means that some amounts of radioactive Cesium and Iodine will also be released into the cooling water, but no Uranium or other nasty stuff (the Uranium oxide does not “dissolve” in the water). There are facilities for treating the cooling water inside the third containment. The radioactive Cesium and Iodine will be removed there and eventually stored as radioactive waste in terminal storage.
- The seawater used as cooling water will be activated to some degree. Because the control rods are fully inserted, the Uranium chain reaction is not happening. That means the “main” nuclear reaction is not happening, thus not contributing to the activation. The intermediate radioactive materials (Cesium and Iodine) are also almost gone at this stage, because the Uranium decay was stopped a long time ago. This further reduces the activation. The bottom line is that there will be some low level of activation of the seawater, which will also be removed by the treatment facilities.
- The seawater will then be replaced over time with the “normal” cooling water
- The reactor core will then be dismantled and transported to a processing facility, just like during a regular fuel change.
- Fuel rods and the entire plant will be checked for potential damage. This will take about 4-5 years.
- The safety systems on all Japanese plants will be upgraded to withstand a 9.0 earthquake and tsunami (or worse)
- (Updated) I believe the most significant problem will be a prolonged power shortage. 11 of Japan’s 55 nuclear reactors in different plants were shut down and will have to be inspected, directly reducing the nation’s nuclear power generating capacity by 20%, with nuclear power accounting for about 30% of the national total power generation capacity.
Where's Jim Sensenbrenner?
One wonders if Jim Sensenbrenner has gone all Jell-O on Federal spending.
Opposition to another stop-gap continuing resolution is growing as Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-KS, has announced that he will vote against such a proposal.
...The new CR is unacceptable because it "omits many of the priorities the American people demanded we pass in H.R. 1: stopping job-killing EPA regulations, defunding Obamacare, and denying taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood and abortion. By allowing continued funding of these liberal priorities, we are ignoring the mandate of the American people," the Kansas Republican said
This list of (R) Congressmen who are interested in actual budget reduction and reform (such as Huelskamp) does not seem to include Sensenbrenner.
Eggs has a similar post:
Perhaps the most disappointing action of the short life of this Congress is their action, or rather, inaction of dealing with a budget.
Opposition to another stop-gap continuing resolution is growing as Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-KS, has announced that he will vote against such a proposal.
...The new CR is unacceptable because it "omits many of the priorities the American people demanded we pass in H.R. 1: stopping job-killing EPA regulations, defunding Obamacare, and denying taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood and abortion. By allowing continued funding of these liberal priorities, we are ignoring the mandate of the American people," the Kansas Republican said
This list of (R) Congressmen who are interested in actual budget reduction and reform (such as Huelskamp) does not seem to include Sensenbrenner.
Eggs has a similar post:
Perhaps the most disappointing action of the short life of this Congress is their action, or rather, inaction of dealing with a budget.
As part of their campaign promises, the House Republican leadership comitted to a $100 B spending reduction for the current fiscal year. However, each time they go to the microphone, that number seems to slip. At this point, the House budget has $60 B in cuts with concerns being raised that this amount is “draconian.”
Draconian? Really? We had a deficit of $222 B in February ALONE and someone has the audacity to think $60 B is a problem?
More at the link.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Barrett Channels Walker (!!)
Melnick flays Mayor Milk-Carton.
Hypocrite apprentice? You can take M.S. coursework from Tom Barrett.
Hypocrite apprentice? You can take M.S. coursework from Tom Barrett.
AGW Causes Quakes? Nope
Buried near the bottom of a news-story which predicts ANOTHER big-ass quake in Japan:
Dr McCue dismissed suggestions that melting glaciers due to global warming could escalate the earthquake risk.
He runs the Aussie seismo center. Prolly an ignoramus.
HT: Zippers
Dr McCue dismissed suggestions that melting glaciers due to global warming could escalate the earthquake risk.
He runs the Aussie seismo center. Prolly an ignoramus.
HT: Zippers
The WPPA Problem
Actual cops around the State are becoming defensive when Jim Palmer of the WI Professional Policemen's Ass'n gets mentioned.
And Palmer HAS been mentioned--prominently--after his WPPA-letterhead threat to M&I Bank emerged.
Here, Steve Spingola essays on the controversy.
The consensus amongst several of SF’s readers is that James Palmer, the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Officers Association (WPPA), is a man whose tactics are disgracing that organization’s rank-and-file members.
And Palmer HAS been mentioned--prominently--after his WPPA-letterhead threat to M&I Bank emerged.
Here, Steve Spingola essays on the controversy.
The consensus amongst several of SF’s readers is that James Palmer, the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Officers Association (WPPA), is a man whose tactics are disgracing that organization’s rank-and-file members.
Palmer, and other so-called law enforcement professionals, drew the ire of some for sending a letter to Mr. Tom Ellis, the President of the Marshall and Ilsely (M&I) Corporation.
In fact, Glenn Frankovis, a retired Milwaukee Police Department captain, mentioned that several of his law enforcement contacts view Palmer’s threats as extortion.
For the record, James Palmer is not and has never been a law enforcement officer. Those familiar with the inner-workings of the WPPA describe Palmer as a dyed-in-the-wool Madison liberal and an ally of former Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle.
**GASP!!** Who would have guessed??
It seems to me that Palmer has "gone NPR" and the WPPA Board should be meeting very soon to discuss Palmer's dismissal. While most citizens understand that Palmer's mouth is writing checks that he cannot cash, he's not doing any PR favors whatsoever for rank-and-file LEO's.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
"Starving" Marty Beil's Mewling Mantra
It's kinda cute to hear $160K/year Marty Beil mewling and whining about 'democracy' and 'starving.'
"You hear from Walker and his people that these are out-of-state provocatuers," Beil said. "These are Wisconsinites. It's absolutely mind boggling for him and his Republican Legislators not to listen to these people."
Umnnhh.....frankly, your screeching is all we HAVE heard for the last 3 weeks.
And Marty---there was an election. The (R) Party earned its majority and Governor's slot by campaigning for the right sort of changes.
In other words, Marty, the Pubbies listened very well, indeed. But they listened to the voters, not to foot-stamping tantrums.
"If Walker thinks he can starve us out economically he is wrong," Beil said
Somehow, I don't think you or your folks will "starve," Marty.
"You hear from Walker and his people that these are out-of-state provocatuers," Beil said. "These are Wisconsinites. It's absolutely mind boggling for him and his Republican Legislators not to listen to these people."
Umnnhh.....frankly, your screeching is all we HAVE heard for the last 3 weeks.
And Marty---there was an election. The (R) Party earned its majority and Governor's slot by campaigning for the right sort of changes.
In other words, Marty, the Pubbies listened very well, indeed. But they listened to the voters, not to foot-stamping tantrums.
"If Walker thinks he can starve us out economically he is wrong," Beil said
Somehow, I don't think you or your folks will "starve," Marty.
Union Thugs Invade Merrill, WI
The kind of stuff that reputations are built on!!
Emotions ran high as ralliers took to the Lincoln County Courthouse, calling for the recall of Democratic State Senator Jim Holperin, one of the 14 senators who fled the state more than three weeks ago.
Organizers say the rally was originally scheduled at Club 64 in Merrill, but they had to change locations after business owners say they received more than 50 phone calls threatening to destroy their business and cause physical harm if the rally took place.
They circled around us, and they’re bullying us. They have a loud horn and they’re trying to intimidate people that would like to come and sign the petition,” said Kim Simac, recall leader, “I do think that this is an intimidation ploy.”Simac says protestors even got involved with their petitions.
“We had a lady come up and write profanity and rip some of them right on our table…. so I guess that’s what democracy looks like to them.”
Members of the WPPA were not available.
HT: Gateway
That Nuke Problem IS Serious UPDATES IN COMBOX
Stratfor's analysis is far more reliable than any from "Union of Concerned 'Scientists'":
...However, the earthquake in Japan, in addition to damaging the ability of the control rods to regulate the fuel — and the reactor’s coolant system — appears to have damaged the containment facility, and the explosion almost certainly did. There have been reports of “white smoke,” perhaps burning concrete, coming from the scene of the explosion, indicating a containment breach and the almost certain escape of significant amounts of radiation.
...However, the earthquake in Japan, in addition to damaging the ability of the control rods to regulate the fuel — and the reactor’s coolant system — appears to have damaged the containment facility, and the explosion almost certainly did. There have been reports of “white smoke,” perhaps burning concrete, coming from the scene of the explosion, indicating a containment breach and the almost certain escape of significant amounts of radiation.
At this point, events in Japan bear many similarities to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. Reports indicate that up to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) of the reactor fuel was exposed. The reactor fuel appears to have at least partially melted, and the subsequent explosion has shattered the walls and roof of the containment vessel — and likely the remaining useful parts of the control and coolant systems.
It's still possible to contain the mess UNLESS the floor cracked, in which case 'containment' will be impossible.
Pretty high rad-count over there, too, at ~640 rems/hour. That's ~24x 'normal' exposure, with 'normal' being what the average human gets every day from just walking around. NB: See Combox for updates/nuke-engineer recommendations/thoughts.
More Down-the-Rathole Tax Dollars for Statism
This money should be spent by private enterprise.
But Statism doesn't work that way, you see.
Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., is the lead player in a legislative effort, already endorsed by a handful of other senators, that would spend $60 million to develop a program that would charge consumers for the costs of installing drunk-driving interlock devices in vehicles. (There's a Republican on the list of sponsors--from Tennessee, no less. Irony in lights, as it were.)
And that description is spun to a fare-thee-well.
"The goal over time is to equip all passenger vehicles in the United States with the technology, since without full implementation the benefits will be reduced," it explains.
So. Big Brother wants to install DUI detectors in every single new car sold in the USA.
Other than the obvious--that Big Brother will not prosecute drunk drivers effectively and the creepy 'intrusion' stuff, there's another problem.
"Putting alcohol detectors in all cars would effectively eliminate Americans' ability to have a glass of wine with dinner, a beer at a ball game, or a champagne toast at a wedding and drive home, because the devices will be set well below the legal limit," said Longwell.
It's a liability thing (thanks, trial lawyers!!). The manufacturer must set a 'safety margin' into the default standards to preserve his own neck.
And then there's the issue of reliability.
An analysis from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers cited by the website said even if the machines were made to government accuracy standards, "there would still be almost 4,000 cases of misreadings per day. That's thousands of people trying to go to work, school, or about their business who could find their car locked down by a faulty interlock."
There will be a lot more halitosis. Mouthwash doesn't mix with alcohol sensors.
It's $60 million that the Feds should apply to the national debt.
But Statism doesn't work that way, you see.
Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., is the lead player in a legislative effort, already endorsed by a handful of other senators, that would spend $60 million to develop a program that would charge consumers for the costs of installing drunk-driving interlock devices in vehicles. (There's a Republican on the list of sponsors--from Tennessee, no less. Irony in lights, as it were.)
And that description is spun to a fare-thee-well.
"The goal over time is to equip all passenger vehicles in the United States with the technology, since without full implementation the benefits will be reduced," it explains.
So. Big Brother wants to install DUI detectors in every single new car sold in the USA.
Other than the obvious--that Big Brother will not prosecute drunk drivers effectively and the creepy 'intrusion' stuff, there's another problem.
"Putting alcohol detectors in all cars would effectively eliminate Americans' ability to have a glass of wine with dinner, a beer at a ball game, or a champagne toast at a wedding and drive home, because the devices will be set well below the legal limit," said Longwell.
It's a liability thing (thanks, trial lawyers!!). The manufacturer must set a 'safety margin' into the default standards to preserve his own neck.
And then there's the issue of reliability.
An analysis from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers cited by the website said even if the machines were made to government accuracy standards, "there would still be almost 4,000 cases of misreadings per day. That's thousands of people trying to go to work, school, or about their business who could find their car locked down by a faulty interlock."
There will be a lot more halitosis. Mouthwash doesn't mix with alcohol sensors.
It's $60 million that the Feds should apply to the national debt.
Van Hollen: "We Got the Bomb-Threat Guy"
Actually, it's not hard to find idiots.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation and the Wisconsin Capitol Police have investigated numerous threats against elected officials over the last four weeks. Last evening, the DCI identified and located a subject suspected of sending at least two of those threats.
The suspect subsequently admitted to authoring and sending two e-mails threatening to kill the Governor and members of the Senate.
It's going to the DA of loca jurisdiction for charges.
There's a pool on "which County" this turkey lives in....
The Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation and the Wisconsin Capitol Police have investigated numerous threats against elected officials over the last four weeks. Last evening, the DCI identified and located a subject suspected of sending at least two of those threats.
The suspect subsequently admitted to authoring and sending two e-mails threatening to kill the Governor and members of the Senate.
It's going to the DA of loca jurisdiction for charges.
There's a pool on "which County" this turkey lives in....
Now It's a "Civil Right" To Take Money?
This should be interesting.
Labor unions at the heart of a burning national disagreement over the cost of public employees want to frame the debate as a civil rights issue.
...As part of that strategy, unions are planning rallies across the country April 4 — the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
Umnhhhh...
MLK was justifiably concerned with minorities just GETTING decent jobs, for example in the historically racist trades.
But taking money at the point of a gun, which is what "taxation" is at bottom?
It's a stretch.
Labor unions at the heart of a burning national disagreement over the cost of public employees want to frame the debate as a civil rights issue.
...As part of that strategy, unions are planning rallies across the country April 4 — the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
Umnhhhh...
MLK was justifiably concerned with minorities just GETTING decent jobs, for example in the historically racist trades.
But taking money at the point of a gun, which is what "taxation" is at bottom?
It's a stretch.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Ivory Tower Twit Philosophizes About Violence
It will be fun to watch this poor dweeb actualize his cogitationes.
Meanwhile, the Republican criminals in Wisconsin forced through their attack on workers' rights, leading to an uproar in Madison. (Thanks to Steve Nadler for the link.) At some point these acts of brazen viciousness are going to lead to a renewed philosophical interest in the question of when acts of political violence are morally justified, an issue that has, oddly, not been widely addressed in political philosophy since Locke. (Ted Honderich's somewhat controversial work on Palestinian terrorism is a recent exception.)
Now that's a threat. A phil-prof at some Brit dweebcenter parsing violence.
Will it be Platonic mirrors, or Aristotelian realism?
HT: Althouse
Meanwhile, the Republican criminals in Wisconsin forced through their attack on workers' rights, leading to an uproar in Madison. (Thanks to Steve Nadler for the link.) At some point these acts of brazen viciousness are going to lead to a renewed philosophical interest in the question of when acts of political violence are morally justified, an issue that has, oddly, not been widely addressed in political philosophy since Locke. (Ted Honderich's somewhat controversial work on Palestinian terrorism is a recent exception.)
Now that's a threat. A phil-prof at some Brit dweebcenter parsing violence.
Will it be Platonic mirrors, or Aristotelian realism?
HT: Althouse
"Walker = Evil King" Doesn't Play Here
Seems that a local HS class was assigned to write about Awful Things.
One little darling wrote about the Awful Scott Walker causing 'the world to go dark' (I kid you not, but will spare you the long fantasy having to do with increased tuition, yadayadayada....)
Anyhoo....
It is customary for the class to signal approval of an essay. Of the 25 little darlings, exactly 2 "approved": the teacher, and the author.
How did we refer to this when we were in school?
Oh, yah. FAIL!!!
One little darling wrote about the Awful Scott Walker causing 'the world to go dark' (I kid you not, but will spare you the long fantasy having to do with increased tuition, yadayadayada....)
Anyhoo....
It is customary for the class to signal approval of an essay. Of the 25 little darlings, exactly 2 "approved": the teacher, and the author.
How did we refer to this when we were in school?
Oh, yah. FAIL!!!
Our (D) President, the Lying Machine
It was noticed that absolutely not one reporter had ANY questions about the Wisconsin situation. None. Zero. Zip.
Roeser was right, and Obozo's polls are telling him that. Wisconsin is a loser for the (D)/Big Labor/PEU axis, which is why the topic was verboten in the presser.
Anyhooo, to make up for that, Obozo simply lied about oil production.
So the fact that there is an “all-time high” number of rigs in the Gulf ignores the fact that most of those rigs are not working.
More:
“We can’t escape the fact that we control only 2% of the world’s oil.”
Actually, the shale-reserves ALONE constitute 300% of Saudi Arabia's proven reserves.
“Industry holds leases on tens of millions of acres both offshore and on land where they aren’t producing a thing.”
Clintonesque!
A lease is for exploration and production, not just production, and because oil is not equally distributed across the globe, one parcel of leased acreage may not hold any oil.
“Last year…our oil production reached its highest level in 7 years.”
This is pure spin.
That's "last year" because the results are due to the Bush Administration.
Next year will be different:
...the Energy Information Administration projects that there will be a decline in production of 220,000 barrels of domestic oil per day in 2011, and in 2012 America will produce 150 million fewer barrels in the Gulf of Mexico, all because of President Obama’s policies to discourage or ban domestic drilling.
We'll give Obozo credit for this: he is doing exactly what he wants to do: starve the US petroleum consumer.
But starving people go to unusual lengths to find what they need.
HT: HotAir
Roeser was right, and Obozo's polls are telling him that. Wisconsin is a loser for the (D)/Big Labor/PEU axis, which is why the topic was verboten in the presser.
Anyhooo, to make up for that, Obozo simply lied about oil production.
So the fact that there is an “all-time high” number of rigs in the Gulf ignores the fact that most of those rigs are not working.
More:
“We can’t escape the fact that we control only 2% of the world’s oil.”
Actually, the shale-reserves ALONE constitute 300% of Saudi Arabia's proven reserves.
“Industry holds leases on tens of millions of acres both offshore and on land where they aren’t producing a thing.”
Clintonesque!
A lease is for exploration and production, not just production, and because oil is not equally distributed across the globe, one parcel of leased acreage may not hold any oil.
“Last year…our oil production reached its highest level in 7 years.”
This is pure spin.
That's "last year" because the results are due to the Bush Administration.
Next year will be different:
...the Energy Information Administration projects that there will be a decline in production of 220,000 barrels of domestic oil per day in 2011, and in 2012 America will produce 150 million fewer barrels in the Gulf of Mexico, all because of President Obama’s policies to discourage or ban domestic drilling.
We'll give Obozo credit for this: he is doing exactly what he wants to do: starve the US petroleum consumer.
But starving people go to unusual lengths to find what they need.
HT: HotAir
Political Prognosis Post-Budget Repair
Roeser has a few observations on the landscape now that the Battle of Wisconsin is over.
His headline?
WISCONSIN LABOR RIOTS WILL LIKELY TIP THE U. S. TO THE RIGHT
Not exactly the Yahoo!/AP/Union line, eh?
Roeser recalls political history--notably the Vietnam protests--which brought Nixon into the Presidency.
He also noted the presence of J Jackson; we agree that this was (arguably) the very worst possible optic for the Left.
Actually, as Roeser argues, this was a horrible week for the Left in general. Obama ran a 'bullying' conference while bullying Walker; gasoline prices ignited along with the Middle East *cough* while Obama suppresses domestic petroleum exploration/recovery; consumer sentiment dropped like a rock, WAY under 'expectations;' NPR self-immolated...
Roeser also forecasts a much stronger Christie and Pawlenty in the (R) horserace.
Stay tuned.
His headline?
WISCONSIN LABOR RIOTS WILL LIKELY TIP THE U. S. TO THE RIGHT
Not exactly the Yahoo!/AP/Union line, eh?
Roeser recalls political history--notably the Vietnam protests--which brought Nixon into the Presidency.
He also noted the presence of J Jackson; we agree that this was (arguably) the very worst possible optic for the Left.
Actually, as Roeser argues, this was a horrible week for the Left in general. Obama ran a 'bullying' conference while bullying Walker; gasoline prices ignited along with the Middle East *cough* while Obama suppresses domestic petroleum exploration/recovery; consumer sentiment dropped like a rock, WAY under 'expectations;' NPR self-immolated...
Roeser also forecasts a much stronger Christie and Pawlenty in the (R) horserace.
Stay tuned.
Need a Quote? Make One Up!!
Sure he said it. Just ask HuffPo!
"We must close union offices, confiscate their money and put their leaders in prison. We must reduce workers salaries and take away their right to strike"
- Adolf Hitler, May 2, 1933
Problem is, as far as anyone can tell, Hitler never said that. On the other hand, and in all fairness, he (or his officials) did co-op and then abolish the existing trade unions, and at that point in time, mostly because he saw them as a threat to Nazi power.
Lots more about National Socialism--like, for example, that "it is incompatible with Christianity"--at the link.
HT: AOSHQ
"We must close union offices, confiscate their money and put their leaders in prison. We must reduce workers salaries and take away their right to strike"
- Adolf Hitler, May 2, 1933
Problem is, as far as anyone can tell, Hitler never said that. On the other hand, and in all fairness, he (or his officials) did co-op and then abolish the existing trade unions, and at that point in time, mostly because he saw them as a threat to Nazi power.
Lots more about National Socialism--like, for example, that "it is incompatible with Christianity"--at the link.
HT: AOSHQ
Somebody's Spreading ...ahhhh....Lies
Gee.
Veteran Milwaukee County workers have been flooding the county's retirement office this week in hopes of quickly retiring in the mistaken belief they could lose lump-sum "backdrop" and other pension benefits as a result of the legislative approval and signing of Gov. Scott Walker's budget-repair bill, officials said Friday.
How could such a "mistaken belief" find dozens of adherents, despite hundreds of newspaper stories about the reality of the budget repair bill?
How COULD that happen??
Veteran Milwaukee County workers have been flooding the county's retirement office this week in hopes of quickly retiring in the mistaken belief they could lose lump-sum "backdrop" and other pension benefits as a result of the legislative approval and signing of Gov. Scott Walker's budget-repair bill, officials said Friday.
How could such a "mistaken belief" find dozens of adherents, despite hundreds of newspaper stories about the reality of the budget repair bill?
How COULD that happen??
Bond Vigilante Dumps US Debt
This story got a little too little play.
The world’s largest bond fund has gone ultra bearish on the United States, dumping all of its U.S. government-related debt holdings.
Bill Gross is a sharp dude. His fund, PIMCO, has an outstanding track record.
The world’s largest bond fund has gone ultra bearish on the United States, dumping all of its U.S. government-related debt holdings.
The move by Bill Gross’s $236.9 billion PIMCO Total Return fund completed last month comes in the wake of a vicious Treasury market sell-off and just days after he questioned who will buy Treasuries once the Federal Reserve halts its latest round of bond purchases in June.
...worries over the ballooning U.S. budget gap estimated at $1.645 trillion for 2011, political stalemate in Washington over how to narrow it and inflationary fears have all contributed to a steep sell-off in Treasuries. The benchmark 10-year note has seen its yield, which moves inversely to price, rise more than one percentage point since early October to 3.46 percent by Wednesday’s close.Gross expects further carnage. Just last week, he told Reuters Insider that a 4.0 percent yield for 10-year notes is a “rational expectation” if the Fed “disappears as the buyer of last resort.”
A 4% coupon would increase US interest payments to ~$640Bn/year, which payments MUST be made--if default is not an option.
More here:
Gross’s latest move reflects his defensive positions against higher rates and higher inflation, said Eric Jacobson, director of fixed-income research at Morningstar.
“The even bigger story is the net effect of his government bond sales and derivatives positioning, which takes the fund’s overall duration to 3.9 years versus 5.1 years,” for the bond market’s benchmark, Jacobson said.
Duration is a bond’s sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations, and going short duration is an investment strategy when rates are expected to rise.Bill Gross is a sharp dude. His fund, PIMCO, has an outstanding track record.
They Start With Propaganda and Expect Compliance
Gotta hand it to these people.
First thing, they shovel the .......ahhhh........propaganda.
Then they complain about 'resistance.'
George Meyer, former DNR secretary and now executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, said his group – consisting of 160 hunting and fishing groups -- overwhelmingly supports the EPA crackdown on greenhouse gas pollutants because they've already seen the negative effects of climate change.
"Climate change" happens. All the time. But "greenhouse gas" doesn't make it happen, Georgie.
Dan Chartier, a former EPA official who now works for the Edison Electric Institute, said the timeline for a series of regulations coming over the next few years could produce a “train wreck” for utilities.
“We aren’t opposed to these rules, but we need a rational schedule,” he said, arguing that the compression of deadlines is giving his industry fits.
Of course the utilities aren't opposed. They will make money no matter how much Georgie's regulatory regime costs.
YOU will pay, not the utilities.
And he said the Midwest may be especially vulnerable to negative effects from the rules because this region gets more than 70 percent of its power from coal-fired plants.
Then these myth-pushing "just pay more and STFU" types proceed to lecture about 'civility.'
Green Energy Summit chairman George T. Stone echoed frustration with Walker and the politicizing of environmental issues. "We're here to talk about opportunities for the future from a knowledge base, not a political agenda," said Stone. "If you're interested in the best interest of the citizens and the future economic development of this state, you have to address issues on the basis of knowledge, not demonize and politicize issues."
OK, Mr. Stone. Let's trade.
You first: no more lying about "greenhouse gas" and "The End Of The World Fried-Children/Roasted Cornfields CRISIS CRISIS CRISIS" crap.
Then we'll think about making nice.
First thing, they shovel the .......ahhhh........propaganda.
Then they complain about 'resistance.'
George Meyer, former DNR secretary and now executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, said his group – consisting of 160 hunting and fishing groups -- overwhelmingly supports the EPA crackdown on greenhouse gas pollutants because they've already seen the negative effects of climate change.
"Climate change" happens. All the time. But "greenhouse gas" doesn't make it happen, Georgie.
Dan Chartier, a former EPA official who now works for the Edison Electric Institute, said the timeline for a series of regulations coming over the next few years could produce a “train wreck” for utilities.
“We aren’t opposed to these rules, but we need a rational schedule,” he said, arguing that the compression of deadlines is giving his industry fits.
Of course the utilities aren't opposed. They will make money no matter how much Georgie's regulatory regime costs.
YOU will pay, not the utilities.
And he said the Midwest may be especially vulnerable to negative effects from the rules because this region gets more than 70 percent of its power from coal-fired plants.
Then these myth-pushing "just pay more and STFU" types proceed to lecture about 'civility.'
Green Energy Summit chairman George T. Stone echoed frustration with Walker and the politicizing of environmental issues. "We're here to talk about opportunities for the future from a knowledge base, not a political agenda," said Stone. "If you're interested in the best interest of the citizens and the future economic development of this state, you have to address issues on the basis of knowledge, not demonize and politicize issues."
OK, Mr. Stone. Let's trade.
You first: no more lying about "greenhouse gas" and "The End Of The World Fried-Children/Roasted Cornfields CRISIS CRISIS CRISIS" crap.
Then we'll think about making nice.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Evolution of City Cores
Well, this is interesting. And if you're Tommy Barrett, maybe even frightening.
The ongoing Census reveals the continuing evolution of America’s cities from small urban cores to dispersed, multi-polar regions that includes the city’s surrounding areas and suburbs.
...but the obsession with hipness often means missing a bigger story: the gradual diminution of the urban core as engines for job creation. For example, while Chicago’s Loop has doubled its population to 20,000, it has also experienced a large drop in private-sector employment, which now constitutes a considerably smaller share of regional employment than a decade ago. The same goes for the new urbanist mecca of Portland as well as the heavily hyped Los Angeles downtown area. --Kotkin quoted at Marketplace
You don't have to be a stat-geek to know that's exactly what's happening in downtown Milwaukee, too. Lotsa condos and apartments--attractive ones. Jobs?
USBank employment down compared to First Wisconsin of 1980, M&I to follow trend shortly. NML puts new workforces in Franklin. Commercial realtors reporting that "NOT IN MILWAUKEE COUNTY" instructions accompany 'industrial building wanted' listings.
Meantime, Germantown, Brookfield, and Pewaukee industrial/commercial properties fill up and expand.
The ongoing Census reveals the continuing evolution of America’s cities from small urban cores to dispersed, multi-polar regions that includes the city’s surrounding areas and suburbs.
...but the obsession with hipness often means missing a bigger story: the gradual diminution of the urban core as engines for job creation. For example, while Chicago’s Loop has doubled its population to 20,000, it has also experienced a large drop in private-sector employment, which now constitutes a considerably smaller share of regional employment than a decade ago. The same goes for the new urbanist mecca of Portland as well as the heavily hyped Los Angeles downtown area. --Kotkin quoted at Marketplace
You don't have to be a stat-geek to know that's exactly what's happening in downtown Milwaukee, too. Lotsa condos and apartments--attractive ones. Jobs?
USBank employment down compared to First Wisconsin of 1980, M&I to follow trend shortly. NML puts new workforces in Franklin. Commercial realtors reporting that "NOT IN MILWAUKEE COUNTY" instructions accompany 'industrial building wanted' listings.
Meantime, Germantown, Brookfield, and Pewaukee industrial/commercial properties fill up and expand.
A "General Strike"? Go For It!! Part 2
Sage observation:
...As for the calls for a general strike, Governor Walker will be hoping that the unions try it as this will give him the chance to shatter the public unions for good. There is a term for politicians who take on and break unions in economic hard times, and that is "respected head of government". Don't forget that union-breaking was the early signature of both Reagan and Thatcher. If the unions are foolish enough to go to the wall on this, despite getting played so badly, and Walker crushes them, both the Republican nomination and the White House will be his for the taking.
Heh.
Vox
...As for the calls for a general strike, Governor Walker will be hoping that the unions try it as this will give him the chance to shatter the public unions for good. There is a term for politicians who take on and break unions in economic hard times, and that is "respected head of government". Don't forget that union-breaking was the early signature of both Reagan and Thatcher. If the unions are foolish enough to go to the wall on this, despite getting played so badly, and Walker crushes them, both the Republican nomination and the White House will be his for the taking.
Heh.
Vox
MU "Social/Cultural Science" = 'Incoherent' Vajayjay Chat
Clearly, Marquette University has lost its way.
...Apparently, Empowerment put a notice on the Vday.org website without getting permission from Student Affairs. When they met with Dr. Chris Miller, Vice President for Student Affairs, they were informed that the play would not be approved for sponsorship by a student organization.
...However, Student Affairs has no control over academic departments in the University, and Miller informed the representatives of Empowerment that sponsorship from an academic unit would be possible.
This time, it will be Social and Cultural Sciences.
How very special!
HT: The Warrior
...Apparently, Empowerment put a notice on the Vday.org website without getting permission from Student Affairs. When they met with Dr. Chris Miller, Vice President for Student Affairs, they were informed that the play would not be approved for sponsorship by a student organization.
...However, Student Affairs has no control over academic departments in the University, and Miller informed the representatives of Empowerment that sponsorship from an academic unit would be possible.
This time, it will be Social and Cultural Sciences.
How very special!
HT: The Warrior
What Took So Long? Respect.
In Righty-Blogland, the dominant question regarding the Wisconsin imbroglio is "What took so long? Why didn't Walker move faster"?
I think there's only one explanation: respect.
Scott Walker respects both the legislative process and his elected colleagues from either side of the aisle. He did everything 'by the book,' with all the usual committees and debates (and more than enough one-note wailing in the Assembly session). He politely ignored the flotsam and jetsam which moved from homeless shelters to the Capitol; he considered valid arguments and as a result granted civil-service protections to all public employees; he patiently (and blandly) iterated his position and the reasons he held it, and granted interviews to anyone who asked.
He respected the process, worked the Golden Rule, and stuck with his principles. He did everything he could to engage the FleeBags honestly and civilly. That Boy Scout Eagle badge means something to him, and he acted accordingly.
It is noteworthy that he offered a number of concessions. It is even more noteworthy that those concessions did not concede his thesis: that Union benefits and work-rules would eventuate in the mortal wounding of public finances in Wisconsin. The concessions only gave PEUs some room within boundaries.
It became clear after three weeks, that the FleeBags were not bargaining in good faith. It was noisily obvious long ago that they and their paid-for crowds were never going to be respectful of the November results, nor the financial situation, nor, for that matter, of the curious and ponderous 'traditions of the Legislature.'
But Walker patiently and respectfully pursued his course. He did what he knew was the right thing to do: act with respect for others, no matter their method.
Kudos, Governor.
I think there's only one explanation: respect.
Scott Walker respects both the legislative process and his elected colleagues from either side of the aisle. He did everything 'by the book,' with all the usual committees and debates (and more than enough one-note wailing in the Assembly session). He politely ignored the flotsam and jetsam which moved from homeless shelters to the Capitol; he considered valid arguments and as a result granted civil-service protections to all public employees; he patiently (and blandly) iterated his position and the reasons he held it, and granted interviews to anyone who asked.
He respected the process, worked the Golden Rule, and stuck with his principles. He did everything he could to engage the FleeBags honestly and civilly. That Boy Scout Eagle badge means something to him, and he acted accordingly.
It is noteworthy that he offered a number of concessions. It is even more noteworthy that those concessions did not concede his thesis: that Union benefits and work-rules would eventuate in the mortal wounding of public finances in Wisconsin. The concessions only gave PEUs some room within boundaries.
It became clear after three weeks, that the FleeBags were not bargaining in good faith. It was noisily obvious long ago that they and their paid-for crowds were never going to be respectful of the November results, nor the financial situation, nor, for that matter, of the curious and ponderous 'traditions of the Legislature.'
But Walker patiently and respectfully pursued his course. He did what he knew was the right thing to do: act with respect for others, no matter their method.
Kudos, Governor.
Planned Parenthood Money--for What?
Planned Parenthood, the international providers of baby-killing services, likes to claim that their 'benevolent' provision of contraception 'reduces the need' for abortion.
Wrong.
...During a ten-year study of women in Spain, overall contraceptive use increased from 49 percent to 80 percent and the abortion rate more than doubled. This does not necessarily mean that greater access to contraception increases the abortion rate, but this study offers no evidence that contraception use actually lowers the abortion rate. Furthermore, a 2003 Guttmacher Institute study saw that a number of countries, including the United States, Cuba, Denmark, Netherlands, Singapore, and South Korea saw simultaneous increases in both contraceptive use and abortion rates. Now it is true that the abortion rates in some of these countries declined in the long term. However, in many of these countries the abortion rate remained higher than it was before contraception was widely available...
The best way to read those numbers is that "it's a draw." And that's a VERY kind reading.
What about "needs"? That's the story being put out by both PP and a Wisconsin "family planning" agency to justify its existence.
...Nine years ago the Guttmacher Institute surveyed 10,000 women who had had abortions. Among those not using contraception at the time they conceived, only 12 percent said that they lacked access to contraceptives due to financial or other reasons. Similarly, in their book Unmarried Couples with Children, sociologists Kathryn Edin of Harvard and Paula England of Stanford conducted an intense study of 76 low-income couples who had just given birth. Edin and England found that only a very small percentage of these women wanted contraception but were unable to afford it.
Again, the most favorable reading of those numbers tells us that we could cut PP funding by about 87%, no problem.
Wrong.
...During a ten-year study of women in Spain, overall contraceptive use increased from 49 percent to 80 percent and the abortion rate more than doubled. This does not necessarily mean that greater access to contraception increases the abortion rate, but this study offers no evidence that contraception use actually lowers the abortion rate. Furthermore, a 2003 Guttmacher Institute study saw that a number of countries, including the United States, Cuba, Denmark, Netherlands, Singapore, and South Korea saw simultaneous increases in both contraceptive use and abortion rates. Now it is true that the abortion rates in some of these countries declined in the long term. However, in many of these countries the abortion rate remained higher than it was before contraception was widely available...
The best way to read those numbers is that "it's a draw." And that's a VERY kind reading.
What about "needs"? That's the story being put out by both PP and a Wisconsin "family planning" agency to justify its existence.
...Nine years ago the Guttmacher Institute surveyed 10,000 women who had had abortions. Among those not using contraception at the time they conceived, only 12 percent said that they lacked access to contraceptives due to financial or other reasons. Similarly, in their book Unmarried Couples with Children, sociologists Kathryn Edin of Harvard and Paula England of Stanford conducted an intense study of 76 low-income couples who had just given birth. Edin and England found that only a very small percentage of these women wanted contraception but were unable to afford it.
Again, the most favorable reading of those numbers tells us that we could cut PP funding by about 87%, no problem.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Ah, the MSM!
Hot Air captchas the Reuters headline:
"Wisconsin Senate Passes Public-Sector Union Ban"
Yah, well, close enough for "reporting" work. Obviously, somebody wants a job with NPR.
"Wisconsin Senate Passes Public-Sector Union Ban"
Yah, well, close enough for "reporting" work. Obviously, somebody wants a job with NPR.
A "General Strike"? Go For It!
Ace reports that AFSCME/AFLCIO is discussing a "general strike".
Sorta like the death-paroxysm, I guess.
Plenty of folks looking for work in Wisconsin.
Sorta like the death-paroxysm, I guess.
Plenty of folks looking for work in Wisconsin.
Belling: WI Leggies Ram Home Non-Fiscals
Well.
Evidently the (R) boyzzzz are tired of waiting for Superman, so....
they're going to take out the non-fiscals and pass the bill.
That's not something that Walker had originally endorsed so it looks like a "good cop/bad cop" move.
Evidently the (R) boyzzzz are tired of waiting for Superman, so....
they're going to take out the non-fiscals and pass the bill.
That's not something that Walker had originally endorsed so it looks like a "good cop/bad cop" move.
Obozo Poll: Worse Than Walker
And some think that Walker has bad polls?
A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed on Wednesday the proportion of people who believe the United States is on the wrong track rose seven points to 64 percent from February, in a fresh challenge to President Barack Obama
Off-the-tracks is more accurate.
HT: Zippers
A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed on Wednesday the proportion of people who believe the United States is on the wrong track rose seven points to 64 percent from February, in a fresh challenge to President Barack Obama
Off-the-tracks is more accurate.
HT: Zippers
Illinois: Still a Target for WI Commerce
No doubt that business will be leaving Illinois. People, too.
By 2018 Illinois will run out of plan assets which will require that the state begin contributing $11 billion annually from revenues between 2019 and 2023. Currently, the state contributes $3.5 billion annually, and has often bonded its contributions. Using less generous assumptions, this scenario is much worse. Indeed, as Dr. Rauh notes this will present a “catastrophic shock” to Illinois’ current revenue needs. --deRugy quoted at AOSHQ
IOW, Illinois will have to triple its tax-funding of pensions beginning ~2020.
They WILL look at tax increases to do it.
By 2018 Illinois will run out of plan assets which will require that the state begin contributing $11 billion annually from revenues between 2019 and 2023. Currently, the state contributes $3.5 billion annually, and has often bonded its contributions. Using less generous assumptions, this scenario is much worse. Indeed, as Dr. Rauh notes this will present a “catastrophic shock” to Illinois’ current revenue needs. --deRugy quoted at AOSHQ
IOW, Illinois will have to triple its tax-funding of pensions beginning ~2020.
They WILL look at tax increases to do it.
Really Cool Weather Radar
Bayou thinks this stuff will materialize on TV weather reports in the near future: phased-array radar scans of storms.
Why Fred Phelps Can Be a Jerk? Cohen!
The history behind the Phelps exoneration leads right back to SCOTUS' mentally-impaired Warren Court.
...In the world as it was when the Court was governed by the old Chaplinsky, the public ethic could be stated in this way: When people ventured into public places, they could be asked to restrain themselves out of a respect for the sensibilities of others they are likely to meet in these public settings.
But Cohen v. California, in bringing a new relativism into the law, inverted the traditional teaching: The assailants were now the presumptive bearers of a constitutional right to express themselves, and people who were offended by them had an obligation now to avert their eyes, cultivate tougher skin—or simply shun public places. People would simply have to stop going to restaurants in certain parts of Washington and other cities if they no longer wished to move through a chain of hawkers emitting personal insults and putting on gross displays.
Yah, well. Stare dumb-cisis and all that rot.
...In the world as it was when the Court was governed by the old Chaplinsky, the public ethic could be stated in this way: When people ventured into public places, they could be asked to restrain themselves out of a respect for the sensibilities of others they are likely to meet in these public settings.
But Cohen v. California, in bringing a new relativism into the law, inverted the traditional teaching: The assailants were now the presumptive bearers of a constitutional right to express themselves, and people who were offended by them had an obligation now to avert their eyes, cultivate tougher skin—or simply shun public places. People would simply have to stop going to restaurants in certain parts of Washington and other cities if they no longer wished to move through a chain of hawkers emitting personal insults and putting on gross displays.
Yah, well. Stare dumb-cisis and all that rot.
Updated Religious Stuff for FleeBags
CMR has released a number of updated religious catchphrases.
Updated for the Left/FleeBag bunch and their Washington DC campaign workers, that is.
To spend is human - to spend other people's money--divine.
Blessed are the meek - for you shall inherit their debt.
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what redistribution promises to deliver, nor will they.
Wherever two or more are gathered, there is a union for that.
The second one reminded me of a comparison found in an essay--along these lines.
"We're told to be 'civil' and to 'compromise.' In fact, we are victims of a mugging, and all we're doing is fighting back."
There's a lot there...
Updated for the Left/FleeBag bunch and their Washington DC campaign workers, that is.
To spend is human - to spend other people's money--divine.
Blessed are the meek - for you shall inherit their debt.
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what redistribution promises to deliver, nor will they.
Wherever two or more are gathered, there is a union for that.
The second one reminded me of a comparison found in an essay--along these lines.
"We're told to be 'civil' and to 'compromise.' In fact, we are victims of a mugging, and all we're doing is fighting back."
There's a lot there...
You Can't Make This Up, Obozo Edition
It's only taxpayer money.
...the White House recently created the position of Cabinet communications director, appointing media adviser Tom Gavin to the job. The goal, according to the official statement, is ‘to better coordinate with and utilize members of the Cabinet’ and is a ‘high priority.’”
Zippers has it right: A "Cabinet Czar."
Nothing like organizational clarity and efficiency--and no surprise from the Organizer.
...the White House recently created the position of Cabinet communications director, appointing media adviser Tom Gavin to the job. The goal, according to the official statement, is ‘to better coordinate with and utilize members of the Cabinet’ and is a ‘high priority.’”
Zippers has it right: A "Cabinet Czar."
Nothing like organizational clarity and efficiency--and no surprise from the Organizer.
Need a Job? Democrats Hiring for Recalls!
Wiggy displays the job-announcement.
With any luck, the trolls will take the damn jobs and stop littering blogs.
With any luck, the trolls will take the damn jobs and stop littering blogs.
The Dissent on "Flashbangs"
A local LEO died when a flashbang detonated in his vehicle's trunk.
...The devices that killed Officer Thornton and injured those FBI agents did exactly what they’re supposed to do. It’s just that from the officers’ perspective, the devices went off at the wrong time. We should be asking why, on a daily basis, we permit the government to use the same devices against U.S. citizens.
Good question.
HT: Agitator
...The devices that killed Officer Thornton and injured those FBI agents did exactly what they’re supposed to do. It’s just that from the officers’ perspective, the devices went off at the wrong time. We should be asking why, on a daily basis, we permit the government to use the same devices against U.S. citizens.
Good question.
HT: Agitator
The "Rights" of Public Employees, Part 34,557
We've established that there is no "right" to public-employee collective bargaining. It was a privilege granted by the (D) Government of Wisconsin in 1959.
Like cancer, it spread to California. And their employees have "rights" too!!!
At a time when San Jose faces more than a $100 million budget deficit and the prospect of hundreds of layoffs, San Jose City Councilman Pete Constant is battling with a City Hall employees' union over whether he should be forced to hire an administrative assistant.
They're going to arbitration over this "right" of the PEU to emplace their member in his office.
It gets better.
...That decision pleased the city's 214-member Confidential Employees Organization, which contends the city was required to confer with the union before Constant decided to eliminate the position. The job — which requires answering phones, scheduling appointments and making photocopies, among other duties — pays about $70,000 a year.
Less dues, of course.
HT: MoonBattery
Like cancer, it spread to California. And their employees have "rights" too!!!
At a time when San Jose faces more than a $100 million budget deficit and the prospect of hundreds of layoffs, San Jose City Councilman Pete Constant is battling with a City Hall employees' union over whether he should be forced to hire an administrative assistant.
They're going to arbitration over this "right" of the PEU to emplace their member in his office.
It gets better.
...That decision pleased the city's 214-member Confidential Employees Organization, which contends the city was required to confer with the union before Constant decided to eliminate the position. The job — which requires answering phones, scheduling appointments and making photocopies, among other duties — pays about $70,000 a year.
Less dues, of course.
HT: MoonBattery
It Ain't Only the PEUs Who Buy Government
Moonbattery tells it best.
By now most of us are familiar with the process by which Democrats and public sector unions enrich each other at everyone else's expense. Democrats see that the unions get all the money they want, even if they have to borrow it from the communist Chinese and leave our grandchildren with the bill. In return, unions funnel much of the money back to Dems as campaign contributions. Now that Comrade Obama has partially nationalized the auto industry, the same principle is at play...
Government Motors (F/K/A Bankrupt-by-UAW Motors, A/K/A General Motors) has increased its lobbying expenses by 113% y-o-y.
Not to worry, GE employees. I'm sure that your management is competing on this front.
By now most of us are familiar with the process by which Democrats and public sector unions enrich each other at everyone else's expense. Democrats see that the unions get all the money they want, even if they have to borrow it from the communist Chinese and leave our grandchildren with the bill. In return, unions funnel much of the money back to Dems as campaign contributions. Now that Comrade Obama has partially nationalized the auto industry, the same principle is at play...
Government Motors (F/K/A Bankrupt-by-UAW Motors, A/K/A General Motors) has increased its lobbying expenses by 113% y-o-y.
Not to worry, GE employees. I'm sure that your management is competing on this front.
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