The very core of Obama's screwup in Benghazi is this: whether or not US forces could have rescued the Ambassador, his defenders, and US classified documents.
It is more and more certain that Panetta lied about that question. Why? To cover Hillary's ass, or to cover Obama's? Could Panetta have been so stupid as to NOT know the capabilities of CIF teams? Not likely; Panetta's been sucking up taxpayer payroll for a long, long, time, in highly sensitive slots.
Elite
U.S. troops were completely capable of saving Ambassador Chris Stevens
during the Benghazi Consulate attacks on September 11, 2012. Elements
of the highly specialized Combatant Commanders In-Extremis (CIF) units are always on alert, on forward deployment, ready to respond. Their job description
is to hit the ground in 3 to 5 hours. CIF elements are ready to engage
in active combat anywhere in their region, 3 to 5 hours after the call.
...we absolutely do "have a ready force standing by" to reach any trouble spot in a few hours. Insider reports previously revealed that CIF elements were training in Croatia and could have been in Benghazi in three and a half hours.
...Standard military doctrine is to activate
all such resources immediately, even if they are ultimately not used.
Military's plans require getting such teams in the air and on the way,
not waiting to see if they will be needed...
As to air power:
...two
unmanned drones were overhead, sending real-time video, including
infrared and night-vision cameras, back to the national command
authority. Everyone but Panetta seems to know how dumb Panetta's
statement was.
...Sigonella air base is only 475 miles from Benghazi. Fighter jets from Sigonella could have been
above Benghazi in 20 minutes from takeoff at the F-16's maximum speed
of 1,500 miles per hour. Transports and gunships could have reached the
Consulate in 90 minutes from take-off. ...Remember:
a "spotter" from the Benghazi CIA annex was on the roof of the
Consulate, "laser designating" the attackers' mortar team and reporting
by radio.
F-16s
can carry fuel for a flight of 2,000 nautical miles. So the 475-mile
flight from Sigonella would have left enough fuel for an hour of
operations over the Consulate in Benghazi
And the Navy was available, too.
...the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis and its battle group were within range to assist the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.
The Congressional investigation should prove very interesting, indeed.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Muslims v. Civilization in Sweden
Meantime, in Sweden, the Muslims have rioted for 5 nights or so, burning cars and smashing things.
How's that working out for Swedish citizens?
Since last Sunday, May 19, rioters have taken to the streets of Stockholm’s suburbs every night, torching cars, schools, stores, office buildings and residential complexes. Yesterday, a police station in Rågsved, a suburb four kilometers south of Stockholm, was attacked and set on fire.
But while the Stockholm riots keep spreading and intensifying, Swedish police have adopted a tactic of non-interference. ”Our ambition is really to do as little as possible,” Stockholm Chief of Police Mats Löfving explained to the Swedish newspaper Expressen on Tuesday.
Oh, but law-enforcement IS active!!
...Swedish parking laws, however, continue to be rigidly enforced despite the increasingly chaotic situation. Early Wednesday, while documenting the destruction after a night of rioting in the Stockholm suburb of Alby, a reporter from Fria Tider observed a parking enforcement officer writing a ticket for a burnt-out Ford.
When questioned, the officer explained that the ticket was issued because the vehicle lacked a tag showing its time of arrival....
Some crimes will not be tolerated, ya' see....
HT: Protein Wisdom
How's that working out for Swedish citizens?
Since last Sunday, May 19, rioters have taken to the streets of Stockholm’s suburbs every night, torching cars, schools, stores, office buildings and residential complexes. Yesterday, a police station in Rågsved, a suburb four kilometers south of Stockholm, was attacked and set on fire.
But while the Stockholm riots keep spreading and intensifying, Swedish police have adopted a tactic of non-interference. ”Our ambition is really to do as little as possible,” Stockholm Chief of Police Mats Löfving explained to the Swedish newspaper Expressen on Tuesday.
Oh, but law-enforcement IS active!!
...Swedish parking laws, however, continue to be rigidly enforced despite the increasingly chaotic situation. Early Wednesday, while documenting the destruction after a night of rioting in the Stockholm suburb of Alby, a reporter from Fria Tider observed a parking enforcement officer writing a ticket for a burnt-out Ford.
When questioned, the officer explained that the ticket was issued because the vehicle lacked a tag showing its time of arrival....
Some crimes will not be tolerated, ya' see....
HT: Protein Wisdom
90% of the State? Or Milwaukee?
It is clear that Eddie Flynn, lefty-hack cop, wants to be the anti-Sheriff Clarke. I wouldn't be surprised if he's running for office, too. (He doesn't have an offer from a larger P.D., so why not?)
Flynn, who has no particular use for the Second Amendment, and whose department doesn't bother to arrest felons-in-possession of weapons because THAT felony is just a "paper crime," is broadening his political attacks to include State decisions such as cutting funding for various City of Milwaukee boondoggles.
Flynn, Milk-Carton Tommy, and the rest of the Usual Suspects have made it clear that in their minds, 90% of State residents must shove money into the sewer-drain called Milwaukee.
Not any more, Eddie.
The other ninety percent are forced to subsidize the Milwaukee Public Schools, Miller Park, and your Lake Michigan-polluting sewer system. We've been forced to do that for years, and we're STILL forced to do it. You and your foot-stamping whiner pals are--right now--scheming to force non-Milwaukee citizens to pick up the tab for a new basketball facility.
The gravy train stopped, Eddie. Deal with it. The 90% would like to stop supporting you.
Flynn, who has no particular use for the Second Amendment, and whose department doesn't bother to arrest felons-in-possession of weapons because THAT felony is just a "paper crime," is broadening his political attacks to include State decisions such as cutting funding for various City of Milwaukee boondoggles.
Flynn, Milk-Carton Tommy, and the rest of the Usual Suspects have made it clear that in their minds, 90% of State residents must shove money into the sewer-drain called Milwaukee.
Not any more, Eddie.
The other ninety percent are forced to subsidize the Milwaukee Public Schools, Miller Park, and your Lake Michigan-polluting sewer system. We've been forced to do that for years, and we're STILL forced to do it. You and your foot-stamping whiner pals are--right now--scheming to force non-Milwaukee citizens to pick up the tab for a new basketball facility.
The gravy train stopped, Eddie. Deal with it. The 90% would like to stop supporting you.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Holder: Perjurer?
Guess he musta just "forgot" about things, eh?
“First of all you’ve got a long way to go to try to prosecute the press for publication of material. This has not fared well in American history… In regard to potential prosecution of the press for the disclosure of material. This is not something I’ve ever been involved in, heard of, or would think would be wise policy.“
That was last week, under oath.
Attorney General Eric Holder signed off on a controversial search warrant that identified Fox News reporter James Rosen as a “possible co-conspirator” in violations of the Espionage Act and authorized seizure of his private emails, a law enforcement official told NBC News on Thursday.
Woopsie!
HT: Gateway
“First of all you’ve got a long way to go to try to prosecute the press for publication of material. This has not fared well in American history… In regard to potential prosecution of the press for the disclosure of material. This is not something I’ve ever been involved in, heard of, or would think would be wise policy.“
That was last week, under oath.
Attorney General Eric Holder signed off on a controversial search warrant that identified Fox News reporter James Rosen as a “possible co-conspirator” in violations of the Espionage Act and authorized seizure of his private emails, a law enforcement official told NBC News on Thursday.
Woopsie!
HT: Gateway
Thursday, May 23, 2013
How the Statists Work the Plan
Protein Wisdom alliterates the tactics used by the Statists.
Delay, defer, deflect, dissemble, distract, demur, discount. And whenever possible, disguise.
Why not? It works, particularly when you have the MSM on its knees servicing your....needs.
Delay, defer, deflect, dissemble, distract, demur, discount. And whenever possible, disguise.
Why not? It works, particularly when you have the MSM on its knees servicing your....needs.
26 USC 72.14
Not a Packers offensive call.
It's the law which IRS slimeballs allegedly violated.
Should that be the case, a conviction calls for immediate termination per Federal law.
Fun video here as Rep. Gowdy disembowels Chief IRSSlime.
It's the law which IRS slimeballs allegedly violated.
Should that be the case, a conviction calls for immediate termination per Federal law.
Fun video here as Rep. Gowdy disembowels Chief IRSSlime.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Obozo to Sign UN Small-Arms Treaty
I have a sign for that.
Despite the mewling and squalling of the Left, the treaty (if ratified) would have effects here.
1. Enact tougher licensing requirements, creating additional bureaucratic red tape for legal firearms ownership.
2. Confiscate and destroy all “unauthorized” civilian firearms (exempting those owned by our government of course).
3. Ban the trade, sale and private ownership of all semi-automatic weapons (any that have magazines even though they still operate in the same one trigger pull – one single “bang” manner as revolvers, a simple fact the ant-gun media never seem to grasp).
4. Create an international gun registry, clearly setting the stage for full-scale gun confiscation.
And there is that Second Amendment thing.
HT: MoonBattery
Despite the mewling and squalling of the Left, the treaty (if ratified) would have effects here.
1. Enact tougher licensing requirements, creating additional bureaucratic red tape for legal firearms ownership.
2. Confiscate and destroy all “unauthorized” civilian firearms (exempting those owned by our government of course).
3. Ban the trade, sale and private ownership of all semi-automatic weapons (any that have magazines even though they still operate in the same one trigger pull – one single “bang” manner as revolvers, a simple fact the ant-gun media never seem to grasp).
4. Create an international gun registry, clearly setting the stage for full-scale gun confiscation.
And there is that Second Amendment thing.
HT: MoonBattery
Japan Implodes
Uh-oh.
J-bond futures trading has been halted.
The last 2 days have seen JGB prices plunge at the fastest rate since the post-Lehman debacles in Sept/Oct 2008 smashing back to 13 month highs. 5Y yields are surging even more - trading above 34bps now (up from 9.9bps on March 5th). These are simply astronomical moves in the context of JGB history and strongly suggest Abe & Kuroda are anything but in control of the quadrillion Yen domestic bond market as they jawbone inflation expectations into the psychology of the people. Of course, the Nikkei is surging (now up 9% in the last 5 days alone) amid JPY breaking above 102 (but for now it has rallied back to 101.80).
HT: Grim
J-bond futures trading has been halted.
The last 2 days have seen JGB prices plunge at the fastest rate since the post-Lehman debacles in Sept/Oct 2008 smashing back to 13 month highs. 5Y yields are surging even more - trading above 34bps now (up from 9.9bps on March 5th). These are simply astronomical moves in the context of JGB history and strongly suggest Abe & Kuroda are anything but in control of the quadrillion Yen domestic bond market as they jawbone inflation expectations into the psychology of the people. Of course, the Nikkei is surging (now up 9% in the last 5 days alone) amid JPY breaking above 102 (but for now it has rallied back to 101.80).
HT: Grim
Cruz to McPain: "Shut Up, You Old Fool"
Well, that's not exactly what he said.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said Wednesday that he doesn’t trust members of his own party to negotiate a budget conference report.
It's what he meant.
THANK YOU TED CRUZ!!!
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said Wednesday that he doesn’t trust members of his own party to negotiate a budget conference report.
It's what he meant.
THANK YOU TED CRUZ!!!
The Triumphant Return of Cold Fusion
Huh. (Owen-ism, yup.)
… if we consider the whole volume of the reactor core and the most conservative figures on energy production, we still get a value of (7.93 ± 0.8) 102 MJ/Liter that is one order of magnitude higher than any conventional source.
That from a bunch of heavy-duty science types who examined the "cold fusion" machine which was the hot topic about 15-20 years ago.
Hmmmmm!
HT: CMR
… if we consider the whole volume of the reactor core and the most conservative figures on energy production, we still get a value of (7.93 ± 0.8) 102 MJ/Liter that is one order of magnitude higher than any conventional source.
That from a bunch of heavy-duty science types who examined the "cold fusion" machine which was the hot topic about 15-20 years ago.
Hmmmmm!
HT: CMR
Cdl. O'Malley v. Cdl. Dolan
The contrast should be strikingly obvious.
Think Al Smith.
"Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, the
archbishop of the Boston Archdiocese, said today he would not attend
Boston College’s commencement because the scheduled speaker, Irish Prime
Minister Enda Kenny, supports controversial abortion-rights legislation in his country.
In a statement released this afternoon,
O’Malley said the Catholic Bishops of the United States have urged
Catholic institutions not to honor government officials whose views on
the issue are inconsistent with the teachings of the Catholic church....
Still don't get it?
Think Al Smith.
HT: Shepherd
Nicely Turned, on Lerner
Paco sums up the Fifth Amendment Tactic nicely.
Hey, this is shaping up to be almost as interesting as the Kefauver hearings - although the subject matter is different: one of these committees pertains to the investigation of a massive criminal enterprise and its corrupting influence on government and society, and the other pertains to the Mafia.
He's right, ya' know.
Hey, this is shaping up to be almost as interesting as the Kefauver hearings - although the subject matter is different: one of these committees pertains to the investigation of a massive criminal enterprise and its corrupting influence on government and society, and the other pertains to the Mafia.
He's right, ya' know.
AppleTax: It's Congress, Not Apple
Big cloud of FooFooDust arising from Congressional Slime over whether Apple pays taxes.
Of COURSE they don't.
But it was Congress that wrote the tax code, not Apple, right?
Ticker reminds us of how things actually work:
The problem with what Apple (and Google, and Cisco, and pharma, and many other firms including GE) is doing is not that they're moving things around "on paper" to legally avoid taxation.
It's that they have effectively bribed Congress and the governments in other nations to make this possible while you and I cannot do anything similar.
Never mind that corporations pay taxes not on income but on net profits; that is, economic surplus. You, on the other hand, pay taxes on income, and in the case of Social Security and Medicare you do so from the first dollar.
You do not pay on economic surplus, you pay on gross.
(This also happens to distinguish the Fair Tax from the Flat Tax. The Flat Tax ALSO taxes on 'the gross.' Fair Tax taxes consumption only. That's why Conspicuous Consumers love the Flat Tax.)
Of COURSE they don't.
But it was Congress that wrote the tax code, not Apple, right?
Ticker reminds us of how things actually work:
The problem with what Apple (and Google, and Cisco, and pharma, and many other firms including GE) is doing is not that they're moving things around "on paper" to legally avoid taxation.
It's that they have effectively bribed Congress and the governments in other nations to make this possible while you and I cannot do anything similar.
Never mind that corporations pay taxes not on income but on net profits; that is, economic surplus. You, on the other hand, pay taxes on income, and in the case of Social Security and Medicare you do so from the first dollar.
You do not pay on economic surplus, you pay on gross.
(This also happens to distinguish the Fair Tax from the Flat Tax. The Flat Tax ALSO taxes on 'the gross.' Fair Tax taxes consumption only. That's why Conspicuous Consumers love the Flat Tax.)
"Yikes" Retires
Wiggy, too, noticed that Owen has quit the blog biz.
Too bad; he was pretty good at smacking Lefty (and RINO) targets in Wisconsin and West Bend.
And he also drew a lot of the unhinged Lefty commenters, thus a lot of G-2.
Farewell, Owen!
Too bad; he was pretty good at smacking Lefty (and RINO) targets in Wisconsin and West Bend.
And he also drew a lot of the unhinged Lefty commenters, thus a lot of G-2.
Farewell, Owen!
Battle Tactics
A bit of a 'think piece' on battle tactics here. In brief, your bolt-action hunting rifle is very useful, indeed, when up against "tactigoons" who spray-and-pray with full- or semi-auto weapons.
Second: Egress, Evasion, Escape are words to remember when the SHTF.
Second: Egress, Evasion, Escape are words to remember when the SHTF.
Think ObozoCare Mandates Good "Insurance"? Think Again!!
Most of us (including moi) have understood that ObozoCare demands ultra-rich medical coverage, therefore increasing the cost of "insurance".
Well, not exactly. As written, ObozoCare will merely drive up the cost of your taxes.
“But a close reading of the rules makes it clear that those mandates affect only plans sponsored by insurers that are sold to small businesses and individuals, federal officials confirm….Larger employers, generally with more than 50 workers, need cover only preventive services, without a lifetime or annual dollar-value limit.” --Weekly Standard quoting WSJ
So "large" employers have the option of providing NO 'health' coverage--just preventive services such as annual checkups.
That's a relief, eh?
Aside from the obvious conclusion--that "large" employer lobbyists wrote the pertinent language--there's another "DC Mind" (I use the term "mind" very loosely here) conceit in operation:
...Highlighting the Obama administration’s striking naïveté about government-imposed incentives, the Journal adds, “Several expressed surprise that employers would consider the approach.”
A while ago, I had a brief discussion of ObozoCare with a management figure employed by a large national health-insurance carrier. He, too, opined that employers 'will step up and buy' the far more expensive "mandate" programs. After all, 'they want to protect their employees.'
Uh-huh. Now, even the "minds" in DC are fretting. Regulators have figured out that:
...Among employees offered low-benefit plans, sicker workers who need more coverage may be most likely to opt out of employer coverage and join the [Obamacare] exchanges. That could drive up costs in the [government] marketplaces.”
Well, not exactly. As written, ObozoCare will merely drive up the cost of your taxes.
“But a close reading of the rules makes it clear that those mandates affect only plans sponsored by insurers that are sold to small businesses and individuals, federal officials confirm….Larger employers, generally with more than 50 workers, need cover only preventive services, without a lifetime or annual dollar-value limit.” --Weekly Standard quoting WSJ
So "large" employers have the option of providing NO 'health' coverage--just preventive services such as annual checkups.
That's a relief, eh?
Aside from the obvious conclusion--that "large" employer lobbyists wrote the pertinent language--there's another "DC Mind" (I use the term "mind" very loosely here) conceit in operation:
...Highlighting the Obama administration’s striking naïveté about government-imposed incentives, the Journal adds, “Several expressed surprise that employers would consider the approach.”
A while ago, I had a brief discussion of ObozoCare with a management figure employed by a large national health-insurance carrier. He, too, opined that employers 'will step up and buy' the far more expensive "mandate" programs. After all, 'they want to protect their employees.'
Uh-huh. Now, even the "minds" in DC are fretting. Regulators have figured out that:
...Among employees offered low-benefit plans, sicker workers who need more coverage may be most likely to opt out of employer coverage and join the [Obamacare] exchanges. That could drive up costs in the [government] marketplaces.”
Thus, as with essentially all of Obamacare’s
drafting errors or ill-conceived efforts at coercion, the “unexpectedly”
high costs would be covered by John Q. Public in the form of higher
taxes, which a beefed-up IRS would enthusiastically collect.
The IRS which is so laden with honesty and ethics. Yup. THAT one.
The Epic Flaw
Ms. Faulkner is getting the attention she so richly deserves.
Aside from the Crony "Capitalism" aspect of how Epic gets its business, there is a very serious long-term problem with the Spaghetti-Code Queen's product.
...You see, Epic Systems — the dominant EMR giant in America — is notorious for its lack of interoperability. Faulkner’s closed-end system represents antiquated, hard drive-dependent software firms that refuse to share data with doctors and hospitals using alternative platforms. Health IT analyst John Moore of Chilmark Research, echoing many industry observers, wrote in April that Epic “will ultimately hinder health care organizations’ ability to rapidly innovate.”
Question: If these subsidized data-sharing systems aren’t built to share data to improve health outcomes, why exactly are we subsidizing them? And what exactly are companies like Faulkner’s doing with this enhanced power to consolidate and control Americans’ private health information?
We already know how Ms Faulkner treats folks with honest political differences.
And we already know how the IRS treats folks who oppose The Regime.
Can you add 2+2?
Aside from the Crony "Capitalism" aspect of how Epic gets its business, there is a very serious long-term problem with the Spaghetti-Code Queen's product.
...You see, Epic Systems — the dominant EMR giant in America — is notorious for its lack of interoperability. Faulkner’s closed-end system represents antiquated, hard drive-dependent software firms that refuse to share data with doctors and hospitals using alternative platforms. Health IT analyst John Moore of Chilmark Research, echoing many industry observers, wrote in April that Epic “will ultimately hinder health care organizations’ ability to rapidly innovate.”
Question: If these subsidized data-sharing systems aren’t built to share data to improve health outcomes, why exactly are we subsidizing them? And what exactly are companies like Faulkner’s doing with this enhanced power to consolidate and control Americans’ private health information?
We already know how Ms Faulkner treats folks with honest political differences.
And we already know how the IRS treats folks who oppose The Regime.
Can you add 2+2?
IRS to Congress: "Screw Your Deadlines"
Ever notice how touchy the IRS is about deadlines?
"File by X date." "Pay by Y date." "Respond by Z date." Or pay excessive penalties, interest, and risk prison.
It's a different picture when the IRS is facing a deadline, however.
What did the White House know about the IRS targeting conservative groups and when did it know it?
... In a May 14 letter signed by Chairman Dave Camp and Ranking Member Sander Levin, the House Ways and Means Committee demanded precisely those records from the IRS. In the same letter, the committee also demanded the records of any communications between IRS and the Treasury on the matter, plus other information and records that would help the committee understand the facts about IRS actions that subjected to heightened scrutiny conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status.
Chairman Camp and Ranking Member Levin gave the IRS a deadline of Tuesday, May 21 to comply with their committee’s demand for the information and records.
The IRS--which requires working Americans to file their tax returns by an April 15 deadline each year or else face penalties--did not comply with this deadline
The lying and criminal vermin in IRS retreat to their dark hole.
"File by X date." "Pay by Y date." "Respond by Z date." Or pay excessive penalties, interest, and risk prison.
It's a different picture when the IRS is facing a deadline, however.
What did the White House know about the IRS targeting conservative groups and when did it know it?
... In a May 14 letter signed by Chairman Dave Camp and Ranking Member Sander Levin, the House Ways and Means Committee demanded precisely those records from the IRS. In the same letter, the committee also demanded the records of any communications between IRS and the Treasury on the matter, plus other information and records that would help the committee understand the facts about IRS actions that subjected to heightened scrutiny conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status.
Chairman Camp and Ranking Member Levin gave the IRS a deadline of Tuesday, May 21 to comply with their committee’s demand for the information and records.
The IRS--which requires working Americans to file their tax returns by an April 15 deadline each year or else face penalties--did not comply with this deadline
The lying and criminal vermin in IRS retreat to their dark hole.
Orrin Hatch v. US Citizens
The Immigration Bill has a lot more components than just 'the illegals.'
The committee has done nothing at all to soften the provision that gives automatic green cards to essentially ALL foreign graduate students in STEM, no limit, no labor certification, just waving everyone on through. --Matloff e-letter
We've quoted Matloff several times here.
It's pure B.S. that 'there's a shortage of STEM smarts' in the US. The line about attracting "the best and brightest" is also mostly B.S.
What IS missing in the US? Salaries that actually reward STEM grads enough to pay their college loans.
So when Orrin Hatch proposes to flood the market with cheap labor (STEM or otherwise), and those college loans don't get repaid, be sure to collect the money from Hatch.
He has it in his campaign funds, rest assured.
The committee has done nothing at all to soften the provision that gives automatic green cards to essentially ALL foreign graduate students in STEM, no limit, no labor certification, just waving everyone on through. --Matloff e-letter
We've quoted Matloff several times here.
It's pure B.S. that 'there's a shortage of STEM smarts' in the US. The line about attracting "the best and brightest" is also mostly B.S.
What IS missing in the US? Salaries that actually reward STEM grads enough to pay their college loans.
So when Orrin Hatch proposes to flood the market with cheap labor (STEM or otherwise), and those college loans don't get repaid, be sure to collect the money from Hatch.
He has it in his campaign funds, rest assured.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
The Clam-Ups Begin
Now it's getting warm.
Lois Lerner, the head of the exempt organizations division of the IRS, won’t answer questions about what she knew about the improper screening – or why she didn’t reveal it to Congress, according to a letter from her defense lawyer, William W. Taylor 3rd. --AOSHQ quoting LATimes
Why, just the other day a Fed flatly stated that 'there were no crimes committed.'
Actually, Ms. Lerner will take the 5th for every question asked of her. And yes, she will appear--under subpoena.
Makes FABULOUS television, so it's great for Fox.
Meantime, the NYTimes will be covering a dog show, or something.
Lois Lerner, the head of the exempt organizations division of the IRS, won’t answer questions about what she knew about the improper screening – or why she didn’t reveal it to Congress, according to a letter from her defense lawyer, William W. Taylor 3rd. --AOSHQ quoting LATimes
Why, just the other day a Fed flatly stated that 'there were no crimes committed.'
Actually, Ms. Lerner will take the 5th for every question asked of her. And yes, she will appear--under subpoena.
Makes FABULOUS television, so it's great for Fox.
Meantime, the NYTimes will be covering a dog show, or something.
Taranto: Which Poison Do You Prefer?
Taranto poses an interesting question.
...As we wrote Friday, this will be a scandal like Watergate if it turns out that the IRS was acting under orders from Barack Obama or Valerie Jarrett. If the White House's conduct turns out to be unimpeachable, then it is something far worse: a sign that the government itself has become a threat to the Constitution...
The answer is "Both/And", of course. The interest of Massive Government is Massive Government.
If it were not so, then alleged "Conservatives" would act to reduce Massive Government.
They don't. Have you seen one "Conservative" call for cutting the IRS budget? Have you seen any numerically-significant group of House or Senate members calling for the Fair Tax? Flat Tax? The dismantling of the Department of Education? Bringing EPA to heel?
It so happens that Obama is an out-and-out proponent of Massive Government, so his interests are congruent with the Federal Goliath.
QED
...As we wrote Friday, this will be a scandal like Watergate if it turns out that the IRS was acting under orders from Barack Obama or Valerie Jarrett. If the White House's conduct turns out to be unimpeachable, then it is something far worse: a sign that the government itself has become a threat to the Constitution...
The answer is "Both/And", of course. The interest of Massive Government is Massive Government.
If it were not so, then alleged "Conservatives" would act to reduce Massive Government.
They don't. Have you seen one "Conservative" call for cutting the IRS budget? Have you seen any numerically-significant group of House or Senate members calling for the Fair Tax? Flat Tax? The dismantling of the Department of Education? Bringing EPA to heel?
It so happens that Obama is an out-and-out proponent of Massive Government, so his interests are congruent with the Federal Goliath.
QED
IRS Scandal V.5.0
This is the fifth (or so) iteration of the IRS scandal.
It's getting closer to the whole truth.
The White House on Monday once again added to the list of people who knew about the IRS investigation into its targeting of conservative groups — saying White House chief of staff Denis McDonough had been informed about a month ago.
Press secretary Jay Carney said again that no one had told President Barack Obama ahead of the first news reports: not his top aide McDonough, nor his chief counsel Kathy Ruemmler, nor anyone from the Treasury Department. --Vox quoting Politico
Meantime, POTUS was golfing, or campaigning, or something.
Right.
It's getting closer to the whole truth.
The White House on Monday once again added to the list of people who knew about the IRS investigation into its targeting of conservative groups — saying White House chief of staff Denis McDonough had been informed about a month ago.
Press secretary Jay Carney said again that no one had told President Barack Obama ahead of the first news reports: not his top aide McDonough, nor his chief counsel Kathy Ruemmler, nor anyone from the Treasury Department. --Vox quoting Politico
Meantime, POTUS was golfing, or campaigning, or something.
Right.
Zero to Sixty
Think the Camaro ZL1 is quick? The McLaren? The Veyron?
Think again.
Zero to sixty in 3.0 seconds--faster than any automobile made.
HT: Barry
Think again.
Zero to sixty in 3.0 seconds--faster than any automobile made.
HT: Barry
Monday, May 20, 2013
The Slime Was a Slimer
Well, well, well.
[John Burke is] the one-time confidante and staffer to Janet Napolitano, key contributor to drafting the first federal “assault weapon” ban legislation, and White House Senior Policy Analyst in the Clinton administration...
The Inspector General of the DOJ issued a report.
The report, focusing on improper actions conducted by Burke to leak information with the intent of undermining the credibility of Fast and Furious whistleblower John Dodson, is unequivocal in its assessment of his professional actions under color of authority.
“We found Burke’s conduct in disclosing the Dodson memorandum to be inappropriate for a Department employee and wholly unbefitting a U.S. Attorney,” it concludes.
But that's not all.
“We are referring to [the Office of Professional Responsibility] our finding that Burke violated Department policy in disclosing the Dodson memorandum to a member of the media for a determination of whether Burke’s conduct violated the Rules of Professional Conduct for the state bars in which Burke is a member,” it states.
Think that was the first and only time Burke pulled this crap?
Think again.
HT: Dutchman
[John Burke is] the one-time confidante and staffer to Janet Napolitano, key contributor to drafting the first federal “assault weapon” ban legislation, and White House Senior Policy Analyst in the Clinton administration...
The Inspector General of the DOJ issued a report.
The report, focusing on improper actions conducted by Burke to leak information with the intent of undermining the credibility of Fast and Furious whistleblower John Dodson, is unequivocal in its assessment of his professional actions under color of authority.
“We found Burke’s conduct in disclosing the Dodson memorandum to be inappropriate for a Department employee and wholly unbefitting a U.S. Attorney,” it concludes.
But that's not all.
“We are referring to [the Office of Professional Responsibility] our finding that Burke violated Department policy in disclosing the Dodson memorandum to a member of the media for a determination of whether Burke’s conduct violated the Rules of Professional Conduct for the state bars in which Burke is a member,” it states.
Think that was the first and only time Burke pulled this crap?
Think again.
HT: Dutchman
Domestic Military Cops?
This broke over the weekend.
And it does seem like a direct contradiction of Posse Comitatus.
So--what's up that justifies it?
And it does seem like a direct contradiction of Posse Comitatus.
So--what's up that justifies it?
Wisconsin Right to Life v. IRS
Every Lefty proclaims (wrongly) that the 501c4 'confusion' is a result of Citizens United.
And they are all wrong.
(Surprise!!)
It was Wisconsin Right to Life's SCOTUS victory.
And they are all wrong.
(Surprise!!)
It was Wisconsin Right to Life's SCOTUS victory.
Honest? Ethical? You'll Be Sorry
The IRS/AP/Benghazi scandals reminded Quin Hillyer of something.
...this is hardly the first time that this administration has tried to bully whistleblowers. They did it to Justice Department whistleblowers J. Christian Adams and Christopher Coates; they did it to five (!) different Inspectors General; and they at the very least undermined a whistleblower in the St. Paul, Minnesota case that has so badly (and rightly) harmed the confirmation prospects for Labor Secretary nominee Thomas Perez.
The term "national interest" is not an entry in the Obozo/Socialist/Chicago dictionary.
...this is hardly the first time that this administration has tried to bully whistleblowers. They did it to Justice Department whistleblowers J. Christian Adams and Christopher Coates; they did it to five (!) different Inspectors General; and they at the very least undermined a whistleblower in the St. Paul, Minnesota case that has so badly (and rightly) harmed the confirmation prospects for Labor Secretary nominee Thomas Perez.
The term "national interest" is not an entry in the Obozo/Socialist/Chicago dictionary.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
"Show Trial" for Zimmerman?
Dershowitz is apoplectic over this.
...Dershowitz also mentions a suspicion I’ve harbored since the weird, circus-like press conference at which Corey announced the charges: they’re a political instrument designed to buy time for everyone to cool down, leading to a long trial that dismantles some of the hysteria built up around the Trayvon Martin case. If true, the strategy is understandable… but utterly outrageous. --RenMan quoting HE
IOW, it's a "Show Trial." In this particular case, the prosecutor will lose--badly--but the "Trial" will have been held.
That's the reverse of theObozo Stalin method.
...Dershowitz also mentions a suspicion I’ve harbored since the weird, circus-like press conference at which Corey announced the charges: they’re a political instrument designed to buy time for everyone to cool down, leading to a long trial that dismantles some of the hysteria built up around the Trayvon Martin case. If true, the strategy is understandable… but utterly outrageous. --RenMan quoting HE
IOW, it's a "Show Trial." In this particular case, the prosecutor will lose--badly--but the "Trial" will have been held.
That's the reverse of the
"Irrelevant"
That's the word, folks.
Word.
"Irrelevant."
Law is 'irrelevant.' Ethics are 'irrelevant.' US citizens/victims of AlQuaeda are 'irrelevant.' Who actually sent arms to the Sinaloa Cartel? "Irrelevant."
If only Obozo were "irrelevant" like he was in the Illinois legislature and the US Senate.
Word.
"Irrelevant."
Law is 'irrelevant.' Ethics are 'irrelevant.' US citizens/victims of AlQuaeda are 'irrelevant.' Who actually sent arms to the Sinaloa Cartel? "Irrelevant."
If only Obozo were "irrelevant" like he was in the Illinois legislature and the US Senate.
The Not-Distant Future
Of course, this can't happen....
....because the IRS is staffed with ethical and law-abiding people from top to bottom.
Right?
HT: AOSHQ
....because the IRS is staffed with ethical and law-abiding people from top to bottom.
Right?
HT: AOSHQ
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Rubio's Waterloo?
Of course, Sen. Rubio doesn't have to admit the facts shown here:
But it doesn't look as though all those illegals/pathway types are going to be Conservative voters, does it?
HT: AOSHQ
But it doesn't look as though all those illegals/pathway types are going to be Conservative voters, does it?
HT: AOSHQ
Domenech Is Right. Drat It!
While Domenech is correct, he's sort of a wet blanket.
...The point is that these scandals cut at the core conceit of Obama’s ideology: the healthy and enduring confidence of big government to be good government. As technological capabilities advance and the scope of government expands, the types of domestic scandals we’re seeing here are only going to increase in frequency and invasiveness, with personal information shared more frequently, easier for even low level bureaucrats to acquire and manipulate. At the same time, Americans are becoming increasingly skeptical and cynical about their public institutions, with their trust in the federal government at historic lows. They distrust the agencies and bureaucrats even as the politicians of our age are investing more and more power in them.
Today, the media, the Obama administration, and David Axelrod are undertaking the task that conservatives could not: illustrating with each passing day that the progressive approach to modern governance and policy is inherently flawed and that vast governments are ripe for abuse. What we are seeing from the IRS and the DOJ is not something new, nor does it represent a perverse approach to benign bureaucracy: it is the inevitable consequence of an approach which puts mechanisms in place and then assumes they will not be used for ill. You should expect government to go as far as it can, whenever it can, in any ways that it can, toward the full exploitation of the power made available to it. Expecting government to behave otherwise is to expect the scorpion not to sting the frog....
One doesn't have to mention Nixon (who, after all, established the EPA) to bolster Domenech's point, although it is certainly consistent to mention him. It IS fair to mention that no one laid a glove on him on this count; his desires were unrequited.
For that matter, look at the "reforming" Gov. Scott Walker's failure to reduce State government's scope and budget.
The problem is not Obozo per se. The problem is Big Gummint, period.
Or, if you prefer, it's a "class" thing:
...The truth is, Obama and Holder and Hillary Clinton likely won’t fall because they will find protection in the arms of the ruling class, while lower-level functionaries will act as fall guys and scapegoats. And that’s because it is, as I’ve been saying, not a real two-party system any longer, but rather the ruling class vs. the rest of us....
HT: AOSHQ
...The point is that these scandals cut at the core conceit of Obama’s ideology: the healthy and enduring confidence of big government to be good government. As technological capabilities advance and the scope of government expands, the types of domestic scandals we’re seeing here are only going to increase in frequency and invasiveness, with personal information shared more frequently, easier for even low level bureaucrats to acquire and manipulate. At the same time, Americans are becoming increasingly skeptical and cynical about their public institutions, with their trust in the federal government at historic lows. They distrust the agencies and bureaucrats even as the politicians of our age are investing more and more power in them.
Today, the media, the Obama administration, and David Axelrod are undertaking the task that conservatives could not: illustrating with each passing day that the progressive approach to modern governance and policy is inherently flawed and that vast governments are ripe for abuse. What we are seeing from the IRS and the DOJ is not something new, nor does it represent a perverse approach to benign bureaucracy: it is the inevitable consequence of an approach which puts mechanisms in place and then assumes they will not be used for ill. You should expect government to go as far as it can, whenever it can, in any ways that it can, toward the full exploitation of the power made available to it. Expecting government to behave otherwise is to expect the scorpion not to sting the frog....
One doesn't have to mention Nixon (who, after all, established the EPA) to bolster Domenech's point, although it is certainly consistent to mention him. It IS fair to mention that no one laid a glove on him on this count; his desires were unrequited.
For that matter, look at the "reforming" Gov. Scott Walker's failure to reduce State government's scope and budget.
The problem is not Obozo per se. The problem is Big Gummint, period.
Or, if you prefer, it's a "class" thing:
...The truth is, Obama and Holder and Hillary Clinton likely won’t fall because they will find protection in the arms of the ruling class, while lower-level functionaries will act as fall guys and scapegoats. And that’s because it is, as I’ve been saying, not a real two-party system any longer, but rather the ruling class vs. the rest of us....
HT: AOSHQ
Silliness from Walker's Office
Really, Governor?
Gov. Scott Walker is not saying whether he favors or opposes the so-called Marketplace Fairness Act that passed the U.S. Senate earlier this month. The bill calls for internet retailers to collect sales tax just like their brick-and-mortar brethren do.
But [...] he does know what he would do with the estimated $95 million a year in extra tax revenue.
"I want to make clear, should federal marketplace legislation become law, my intention would be for any resulting additional revenue be used to provide individual income tax relief for Wisconsin's taxpayers," Walker said
You could do that by reducing the size of the overbloated UW System, or its fat sister, the State government.
Any progress on those, Governor??
Gov. Scott Walker is not saying whether he favors or opposes the so-called Marketplace Fairness Act that passed the U.S. Senate earlier this month. The bill calls for internet retailers to collect sales tax just like their brick-and-mortar brethren do.
But [...] he does know what he would do with the estimated $95 million a year in extra tax revenue.
"I want to make clear, should federal marketplace legislation become law, my intention would be for any resulting additional revenue be used to provide individual income tax relief for Wisconsin's taxpayers," Walker said
You could do that by reducing the size of the overbloated UW System, or its fat sister, the State government.
Any progress on those, Governor??
Friday, May 17, 2013
The Obozo Motto
Again, from Ace:
"It was incorrect but not untruthful."
Looks like Mr. Miller, the happy retiree, has formulated the Obozo Motto.
Of course there's a distinction here. One can give an incorrect response without malice--malice would make it "untruthful", in a sense.
But Miller has issued a form of the Obozo Line ("Huh? Who? When? Was it on TV??")
However, the Obozo formulation is both INcorrect AND UNtruthful.
"It was incorrect but not untruthful."
Looks like Mr. Miller, the happy retiree, has formulated the Obozo Motto.
Of course there's a distinction here. One can give an incorrect response without malice--malice would make it "untruthful", in a sense.
But Miller has issued a form of the Obozo Line ("Huh? Who? When? Was it on TV??")
However, the Obozo formulation is both INcorrect AND UNtruthful.
IRS Lies to Us. Try Lying to Them Sometime!
We know that the IRS is a union shop, (D) to its rotten little core.
See, lying is part of the union-shop (D) protocols.
The Internal Revenue Service denied the existence of any documents related to its policy of targeting Tea Party organizations in response to a 2010 Freedom of Information Act request, even though such documents were later discovered by the IRS inspector general.
The 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, a conservative nonprofit group, filed a FOIA request in 2010 through investigative journalist Lynn K. Walsh seeking all IRS documents related to the agencies tax-exempt division specifically mentioning the Tea Party.
IRS headquarters responded in 2011 that it “found no documents specifically responsive to your request.”
...However, the May 14 inspector general report found that the “first Sensitive Case Report [identifying Tea Party groups] was prepared by the Technical Unit” in April of 2010.
Lying to the IRS is an offense which may well earn prison time.
Them lying to us?
Nothing to see here, move along.
HT: AOSHQ
See, lying is part of the union-shop (D) protocols.
The Internal Revenue Service denied the existence of any documents related to its policy of targeting Tea Party organizations in response to a 2010 Freedom of Information Act request, even though such documents were later discovered by the IRS inspector general.
The 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, a conservative nonprofit group, filed a FOIA request in 2010 through investigative journalist Lynn K. Walsh seeking all IRS documents related to the agencies tax-exempt division specifically mentioning the Tea Party.
IRS headquarters responded in 2011 that it “found no documents specifically responsive to your request.”
...However, the May 14 inspector general report found that the “first Sensitive Case Report [identifying Tea Party groups] was prepared by the Technical Unit” in April of 2010.
Lying to the IRS is an offense which may well earn prison time.
Them lying to us?
Nothing to see here, move along.
HT: AOSHQ
Bonus Pay for Harassing Conservatives? Mere Coincidence
It's likely that Obozo hadn't known this until he heard it on MSNBC.
Sarah Hall Ingram, the IRS executive in charge of the tax exempt division in 2010 when it began targeting conservative Tea Party, evangelical and pro-Israel groups for harassment, got more than $100,000 in bonuses between 2009 and 2012.
...Ingram received a $7,000 bonus in 2009, according to data obtained by The Washington Examiner from the IRS, then a $34,440 bonus in 2010, $35,400 in 2011 and $26,550 last year, for a total of $103,390. Her annual salary went from $172,500 to $177,000 during the same period.
...The 2010, 2011 and 2012 bonuses were awarded during the period when IRS harassment of the conservative groups was most intense. The newspaper obtained the data via a Freedom of Information Act request.
Oh, wait. My first sentence was......inoperative.
...Bonuses as large as those awarded to Ingram typically require presidential approval, according to federal personnel regulations
So now we wonder: exactly WHAT "performance" earned the bonuses??
HT: Grim
Sarah Hall Ingram, the IRS executive in charge of the tax exempt division in 2010 when it began targeting conservative Tea Party, evangelical and pro-Israel groups for harassment, got more than $100,000 in bonuses between 2009 and 2012.
...Ingram received a $7,000 bonus in 2009, according to data obtained by The Washington Examiner from the IRS, then a $34,440 bonus in 2010, $35,400 in 2011 and $26,550 last year, for a total of $103,390. Her annual salary went from $172,500 to $177,000 during the same period.
...The 2010, 2011 and 2012 bonuses were awarded during the period when IRS harassment of the conservative groups was most intense. The newspaper obtained the data via a Freedom of Information Act request.
Oh, wait. My first sentence was......inoperative.
...Bonuses as large as those awarded to Ingram typically require presidential approval, according to federal personnel regulations
So now we wonder: exactly WHAT "performance" earned the bonuses??
HT: Grim
Thursday, May 16, 2013
The D.C. Farce-Wagon Rolls On
This is really reassuring.
...the Senate has vowed to look into the matter, which we’re being told now was a mere non-political management snafu base on a desire to better streamline the process of exempt status approval. To save the taxpayers money!
And the man leading that investigation? Montana Democrat Senator Max Baucus. Who doesn’t see any conflict of interest, because he doubts “very much” that his letter directing the IRS to look more closely at conservative groups had any influence on the IRS looking more closely into conservative groups, which agency, let me remind you, decided independently and with no outside instigation, to develop a spreadsheet that, as it so happens — passively and by sheer non-political coincidence (damn the luck!)– to have targeted nothing but conservative groups. Because of insufficient managerial oversight....
Will this trainload of crap convince D.C. lawmakers to adopt Fair Tax or Flat Tax, thereby virtually eliminating the IRS?
Will the cow jump over the moon? Will Unicorn Farts power the US electrical grid? Will Joe Biden shut up? Will John Boehner grow a set of stones?
...the Senate has vowed to look into the matter, which we’re being told now was a mere non-political management snafu base on a desire to better streamline the process of exempt status approval. To save the taxpayers money!
And the man leading that investigation? Montana Democrat Senator Max Baucus. Who doesn’t see any conflict of interest, because he doubts “very much” that his letter directing the IRS to look more closely at conservative groups had any influence on the IRS looking more closely into conservative groups, which agency, let me remind you, decided independently and with no outside instigation, to develop a spreadsheet that, as it so happens — passively and by sheer non-political coincidence (damn the luck!)– to have targeted nothing but conservative groups. Because of insufficient managerial oversight....
Will this trainload of crap convince D.C. lawmakers to adopt Fair Tax or Flat Tax, thereby virtually eliminating the IRS?
Will the cow jump over the moon? Will Unicorn Farts power the US electrical grid? Will Joe Biden shut up? Will John Boehner grow a set of stones?
Buy. More. Ammo.
IRS Abuse No Big Deal in (D) "Minds"
Telling line from a Rasmussen poll:
As for punishment, 82% of Republicans and 62% of unaffiliateds think the IRS employees involved should be jailed or fired. Only 34% of voters in the president’s party agree. The plurality (44%) of Democrats believes those involved should be formally reprimanded instead.
Why, sure. Little things like crimes against the Constitution deserve "reprimand."
I'll go along with firing 'em. Just as important: pull their pensions, too.
As for punishment, 82% of Republicans and 62% of unaffiliateds think the IRS employees involved should be jailed or fired. Only 34% of voters in the president’s party agree. The plurality (44%) of Democrats believes those involved should be formally reprimanded instead.
Why, sure. Little things like crimes against the Constitution deserve "reprimand."
I'll go along with firing 'em. Just as important: pull their pensions, too.
Gosnell II, Texas Edition
No reason to think that Gosnell was the only serial baby-murderer in the US.
In fact, there's another one.
There are more. We haven't found them. Yet.
In fact, there's another one.
There are more. We haven't found them. Yet.
Yoo-Hoo!! Cdl. Dolan!!
A few years ago, we ran a series of posts which carried "Yoo Hoo" call-outs to (then) Abp. Dolan. (Here's a short example)
It seems that the Archbishop talked a lot, but studiously ignored DOING things about Diamond Jim Doyle's abortion-lust legislative agenda.
Well, the national blogosphere has caught up to (now-Cdl.) Dolan.
I must admit that my frustration and disappointment with Cardinal Dolan is mounting.
The tough talk followed by the wink, nod, and chuckle is wearing thin.
Yup.
It seems that the Archbishop talked a lot, but studiously ignored DOING things about Diamond Jim Doyle's abortion-lust legislative agenda.
Well, the national blogosphere has caught up to (now-Cdl.) Dolan.
I must admit that my frustration and disappointment with Cardinal Dolan is mounting.
The tough talk followed by the wink, nod, and chuckle is wearing thin.
Yup.
"IRS". Does the "R" Stand for "Rabid"?
While the Passerby President was golfing fundraising planning a vacation watching the news ....whatever...the IRS went into frenzy.
The Internal Revenue Service is facing a class action lawsuit alleging that more than 60 million personal medical records were improperly seized by agents from the embattled agency.
According to a story by Courthousenews.com, an unnamed healthcare provider in California is suing the IRS and 15 unnamed agents, alleging that they improperly seized some 60 million medical records of 10 million Americans, including medical records of all California state judges on March 11, 2011.
...No search warrant authorized the seizure of these records; no subpoena authorized the seizure of these records; none of the 10,000,000 Americans were under any kind of known criminal or civil investigation and their medical records had no relevance whatsoever to the IRS search....
This doesn't seem to be blatantly left-wing political action, as was much of the recent IRS news.
But it elevates the issue by orders of magnitude. Who do these people think they ARE, anyway?
The Internal Revenue Service is facing a class action lawsuit alleging that more than 60 million personal medical records were improperly seized by agents from the embattled agency.
According to a story by Courthousenews.com, an unnamed healthcare provider in California is suing the IRS and 15 unnamed agents, alleging that they improperly seized some 60 million medical records of 10 million Americans, including medical records of all California state judges on March 11, 2011.
...No search warrant authorized the seizure of these records; no subpoena authorized the seizure of these records; none of the 10,000,000 Americans were under any kind of known criminal or civil investigation and their medical records had no relevance whatsoever to the IRS search....
This doesn't seem to be blatantly left-wing political action, as was much of the recent IRS news.
But it elevates the issue by orders of magnitude. Who do these people think they ARE, anyway?
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
AT&T, Your Friendly Local Snitch
Oh, really!!
...Mark Klein, a retired AT&T technician revealed the collaboration between AT&T and the NSA in acquiring both domestic and foreign electronic transmissions for later analysis. Having hands-on responsibility for part of AT&T network, Klein was in a unique position to address the level of AT&T’s collaboration with the NSA.
Klein revealed that he had documents that showed the NSA had access to e-mail and metadata (the “data about data”) from more than a dozen telecommunications providers.
According to an article in the Washington Post, Klein said that the NSA built a special room to intercept data traveling through AT&T transmission lines. Some of the largest data links were being captured at a rate of 2.5 gigabits of data per second, the equivalent of 50,000 web pages per second.
Klein said that “the NSA set up a system that vacuumed up Internet and phone-call data from ordinary Americans with the cooperation of AT&T” and that “contrary to the government’s depiction of its surveillance program as aimed at overseas terrorists . . . much of the data sent through AT&T to the NSA was purely domestic.”
Who needs the IRS when Obozo has AT&T?
...Mark Klein, a retired AT&T technician revealed the collaboration between AT&T and the NSA in acquiring both domestic and foreign electronic transmissions for later analysis. Having hands-on responsibility for part of AT&T network, Klein was in a unique position to address the level of AT&T’s collaboration with the NSA.
Klein revealed that he had documents that showed the NSA had access to e-mail and metadata (the “data about data”) from more than a dozen telecommunications providers.
According to an article in the Washington Post, Klein said that the NSA built a special room to intercept data traveling through AT&T transmission lines. Some of the largest data links were being captured at a rate of 2.5 gigabits of data per second, the equivalent of 50,000 web pages per second.
Klein said that “the NSA set up a system that vacuumed up Internet and phone-call data from ordinary Americans with the cooperation of AT&T” and that “contrary to the government’s depiction of its surveillance program as aimed at overseas terrorists . . . much of the data sent through AT&T to the NSA was purely domestic.”
Who needs the IRS when Obozo has AT&T?
'Net Sales Tax Bribery
Our Governor forgot one word here:
If Congress enacts an Internet sales tax-collection law, Gov. Scott Walker would use the extra money to reduce individual income taxes.
The word? "Un-constitutional", which should be inserted just before "internet sales tax-collection." Taxation without representation ain't 'just tyranny', folks.
The State's figuring on a $95 million windfall from that tax levy.
If Congress enacts an Internet sales tax-collection law, Gov. Scott Walker would use the extra money to reduce individual income taxes.
The word? "Un-constitutional", which should be inserted just before "internet sales tax-collection." Taxation without representation ain't 'just tyranny', folks.
The State's figuring on a $95 million windfall from that tax levy.
"Low-Level Rogue Employees". Sure. Unicorns, Too!
It's hard to keep up with the Obozo IRS story, mostly because Obozo's IRS is near-unto a criminal enterprise.
Tea Parties, Joooos, 'Patriots.'
Then IRS started handing out CONFIDENTIAL tax information to ProPublica--a black-letter violation of the law. The Koch brothers, Rove's 501c4 (and others like it.)
Not satisfied with that, IRS also started harassment campaigns directed at Obozo opponents, including the True the Vote people and opponents to homosexual "marriage".
Oh, yah, we all still believe 100% in "the Rule of Law." And now we know that it is really "the Ruler's Law." It's right there in the Constitution, ya'know.
Tea Parties, Joooos, 'Patriots.'
Then IRS started handing out CONFIDENTIAL tax information to ProPublica--a black-letter violation of the law. The Koch brothers, Rove's 501c4 (and others like it.)
Not satisfied with that, IRS also started harassment campaigns directed at Obozo opponents, including the True the Vote people and opponents to homosexual "marriage".
Oh, yah, we all still believe 100% in "the Rule of Law." And now we know that it is really "the Ruler's Law." It's right there in the Constitution, ya'know.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Skyping for Microsoft
Interesting:
Anyone who uses Skype has consented to the company reading everything they write. The H's associates in Germany at heise Security have now discovered that the Microsoft subsidiary does in fact make use of this privilege in practice. Shortly after sending HTTPS URLs over the instant messaging service, those URLs receive an unannounced visit from Microsoft HQ in Redmond.
A reader informed heise Security that he had observed some unusual network traffic following a Skype instant messaging conversation. The server indicated a potential replay attack. It turned out that an IP address which traced back to Microsoft had accessed the HTTPS URLs previously transmitted over Skype. --Ticker quoting The H's Security
MS' goon squad will utilize whatever you text to access whatever it can.
Nice, eh?
Anyone who uses Skype has consented to the company reading everything they write. The H's associates in Germany at heise Security have now discovered that the Microsoft subsidiary does in fact make use of this privilege in practice. Shortly after sending HTTPS URLs over the instant messaging service, those URLs receive an unannounced visit from Microsoft HQ in Redmond.
A reader informed heise Security that he had observed some unusual network traffic following a Skype instant messaging conversation. The server indicated a potential replay attack. It turned out that an IP address which traced back to Microsoft had accessed the HTTPS URLs previously transmitted over Skype. --Ticker quoting The H's Security
MS' goon squad will utilize whatever you text to access whatever it can.
Nice, eh?
After the Tea Party and the Jews, Franklin Graham! and Pro-Lifers!!
The list is getting longer and longer. And the Boy Totalitarian is sinking fast in the eyes of the WaPo and John Stewart.
Get the popcorn (and more ammo.)
Franklin Graham. A St. Louis journalist. A church-serving pro-life group. Some outfit was questioned about the appearance of Newt Gingrich (I agree, but then, I'm not the IRS).
Get a load of the Q&A they gave a Tea Party group.
HT (multiple): Gateway
Get the popcorn (and more ammo.)
Franklin Graham. A St. Louis journalist. A church-serving pro-life group. Some outfit was questioned about the appearance of Newt Gingrich (I agree, but then, I'm not the IRS).
Get a load of the Q&A they gave a Tea Party group.
HT (multiple): Gateway
Good Idea, Reince!
Wiggy brings us the Quote of the Day:
Can someone tell the Obama Administration the First Amendment isn’t a suggestion?
— Reince Priebus
Umnnhhhh.....
Nor is the Second, Reince. Would you let McPain know about that?
For that matter, Reince, has the Other Establishment Party beaten the war-drums over ObozoCare lately? Or gone after a Select Committee on Benghazi? How about the border fence, Reince?
Cute quip. About time you saddled up and rode to the sound of the guns, Reince.
Another "aye" from Ticker!
Can someone tell the Obama Administration the First Amendment isn’t a suggestion?
— Reince Priebus
Umnnhhhh.....
Nor is the Second, Reince. Would you let McPain know about that?
For that matter, Reince, has the Other Establishment Party beaten the war-drums over ObozoCare lately? Or gone after a Select Committee on Benghazi? How about the border fence, Reince?
Cute quip. About time you saddled up and rode to the sound of the guns, Reince.
Another "aye" from Ticker!
"Old Folks Retiring"? Nope.
There are a number of observers who maintain that the labor force participation rate has declined due to "old folks retiring."
Not according to this graph:
The LFP rate of oldsters has risen remarkably since 2000. While the figures are not updated through '12, it appears as though those who hold that LFP of older workers has grown due to the Great Recession has more substance than the other school.
HT: Barry
Not according to this graph:
The LFP rate of oldsters has risen remarkably since 2000. While the figures are not updated through '12, it appears as though those who hold that LFP of older workers has grown due to the Great Recession has more substance than the other school.
HT: Barry
Monday, May 13, 2013
Madistan Trip? Worthwhile!
Spent a little time in Madistan.
Gasoline there is $3.65/ga.
Gasoline here: $3.95/ga.
And you wonder why our Leggies like increasing the gas tax?
Gasoline there is $3.65/ga.
Gasoline here: $3.95/ga.
And you wonder why our Leggies like increasing the gas tax?
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Hey, Obozo: Pay Attention to France!
Our Progressive Totalitatian golfer is probably aware of this. You should be, too.
Revolutions are often sparked by an unexpected shock to an already weakened regime. As commentators in France remark not only on the crisis engulfing François Hollande’s government but also on the apparent death-rattle of the country’s entire political system, it could be that his flagship policy of legalising gay marriage — or rather, the gigantic public reaction against it, unique in Europe — will be the last straw that breaks the Fifth -Republic’s back.
Opposition to the bill has electrified the middle classes, the young and much of provincial France. On Sunday 24 March, in the freezing cold, the 4km stretch from the Arche de la Défense to the Arc de Triomphe was full of people protesting against the bill. On 13 January, also chilly, the Champ de Mars was similarly crammed. When Johnny Hallyday or the World Cup got crowds like that, people talked of two million. But the police, evidently acting under political orders, have claimed that both demonstrations — which are without doubt the largest public movements in French history — garnered a few hundred thousand at most. Credible accusations surfaced in Le Figaro on Monday night that the film taken from police helicopters on 24 March and released by the Prefecture has been manipulated to reduce the apparent numbers of demonstrators....
According to the article, the usual police-state tactics were used to 'clean up' the crowds. That didn't help his ratings:
...Hollande’s catastrophic poll rating has broken all records. When in March he became the most unpopular president after ten months in office, his rating stood at 31 per cent. Now it is 26 per cent.
Where's Obozo now? In the mid-40's?
Revolutions are often sparked by an unexpected shock to an already weakened regime. As commentators in France remark not only on the crisis engulfing François Hollande’s government but also on the apparent death-rattle of the country’s entire political system, it could be that his flagship policy of legalising gay marriage — or rather, the gigantic public reaction against it, unique in Europe — will be the last straw that breaks the Fifth -Republic’s back.
Opposition to the bill has electrified the middle classes, the young and much of provincial France. On Sunday 24 March, in the freezing cold, the 4km stretch from the Arche de la Défense to the Arc de Triomphe was full of people protesting against the bill. On 13 January, also chilly, the Champ de Mars was similarly crammed. When Johnny Hallyday or the World Cup got crowds like that, people talked of two million. But the police, evidently acting under political orders, have claimed that both demonstrations — which are without doubt the largest public movements in French history — garnered a few hundred thousand at most. Credible accusations surfaced in Le Figaro on Monday night that the film taken from police helicopters on 24 March and released by the Prefecture has been manipulated to reduce the apparent numbers of demonstrators....
According to the article, the usual police-state tactics were used to 'clean up' the crowds. That didn't help his ratings:
...Hollande’s catastrophic poll rating has broken all records. When in March he became the most unpopular president after ten months in office, his rating stood at 31 per cent. Now it is 26 per cent.
Where's Obozo now? In the mid-40's?
The Face of Totalitarianism
Nice summary (to date) of the Totalitarian hermaphrodite:
...We know his executive branch is actively targeting political foes in a way that not even Nixon or Clinton ever dared. We know that his administration regularly lies to the press and the public, about Benghazi and about the IRS investigations. We know he is openly claiming the legal right to assassinate any American, inside or outside U.S. borders, without due process. And we know he is seeking to disarm the American people....
Nothing to see here. Move along.
...We know his executive branch is actively targeting political foes in a way that not even Nixon or Clinton ever dared. We know that his administration regularly lies to the press and the public, about Benghazi and about the IRS investigations. We know he is openly claiming the legal right to assassinate any American, inside or outside U.S. borders, without due process. And we know he is seeking to disarm the American people....
Nothing to see here. Move along.
First the Tea Party. Next, the Jews.
The Catholics will be lined up at the edge of the ditch next.
...the IRS agent told a Z STREET representative that the applications of some of those Israel-related organizations have been assigned to “a special unit in the D.C. office to determine whether the organization’s activities contradict the Administration’s public policies.” . . .
And at least one purely religious Jewish organization, one not focused on Israel, was the recipient of bizarre and highly inappropriate questions about Israel. Those questions also came from the same non-profit division of the IRS at issue for inappropriately targeting politically conservative groups. The IRS required that Jewish organization to state “whether [it] supports the existence of the land of Israel,” and also demanded the organization “[d]escribe [its] religious belief system toward the land of Israel.”
But this is not totalitarianism or anything. It was low-level part-time seasonal hires who designed and implemented the policies targeting conservatives and Jews.
Obama was busy campaigning so HE didn't know about it. And TurboTaxTimmy--well, we already know that HE doesn't know anything about taxes.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
...the IRS agent told a Z STREET representative that the applications of some of those Israel-related organizations have been assigned to “a special unit in the D.C. office to determine whether the organization’s activities contradict the Administration’s public policies.” . . .
And at least one purely religious Jewish organization, one not focused on Israel, was the recipient of bizarre and highly inappropriate questions about Israel. Those questions also came from the same non-profit division of the IRS at issue for inappropriately targeting politically conservative groups. The IRS required that Jewish organization to state “whether [it] supports the existence of the land of Israel,” and also demanded the organization “[d]escribe [its] religious belief system toward the land of Israel.”
But this is not totalitarianism or anything. It was low-level part-time seasonal hires who designed and implemented the policies targeting conservatives and Jews.
Obama was busy campaigning so HE didn't know about it. And TurboTaxTimmy--well, we already know that HE doesn't know anything about taxes.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Feds to Students: "You ARE the Ham Sandwich!"
It's my understanding that some babe wrote at least parts of this letter. Prolly a very frustrated b**%&, too.
...the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education have joined together to mandate that virtually every college and university in the United States establish unconstitutional speech codes that violate the First Amendment and decades of legal precedent.
U of Montana received a letter from the Frustrated B&^% and some other turkey.
The letter states that “sexual harassment should be more broadly defined as ‘any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature’” including “verbal conduct” (that is, speech). It then explicitly states that allegedly harassing expression need not even be offensive to an “objectively reasonable person of the same gender in the same situation”—if the listener takes offense to sexually related speech for any reason, no matter how irrationally or unreasonably, the speaker may be punished....
Just so you college kids know: this is a test. If you fail, the IRS will be next in line--because you'll have joined a Tea Party.
Or worse, The Wolverines!!
HT: LegalInsurrection
...the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education have joined together to mandate that virtually every college and university in the United States establish unconstitutional speech codes that violate the First Amendment and decades of legal precedent.
U of Montana received a letter from the Frustrated B&^% and some other turkey.
The letter states that “sexual harassment should be more broadly defined as ‘any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature’” including “verbal conduct” (that is, speech). It then explicitly states that allegedly harassing expression need not even be offensive to an “objectively reasonable person of the same gender in the same situation”—if the listener takes offense to sexually related speech for any reason, no matter how irrationally or unreasonably, the speaker may be punished....
Just so you college kids know: this is a test. If you fail, the IRS will be next in line--because you'll have joined a Tea Party.
Or worse, The Wolverines!!
HT: LegalInsurrection
IRS Lied. Nobody Died. Yet.
Well, whaddya know.
Senior Internal Revenue Service officials knew agents were targeting tea party groups as early as 2011, according to a draft of an inspector general’s report obtained by The Associated Press that seemingly contradicts public statements by the IRS commissioner.
[...]
The agency blamed low-level employees, saying no high-level officials were aware.
But on June 29, 2011, Lois G. Lerner, who heads the IRS division that oversees tax-exempt organizations, learned at a meeting that groups were being targeted, according to the watchdog’s report. At the meeting, she was told that groups with “Tea Party,” `’Patriot” or “9/12 Project” in their names were being flagged for additional and often burdensome scrutiny, the report says.
...On Jan, 25, 2012, the criteria for flagging suspect groups was changed to, “political action type organizations involved in limiting/expanding Government, educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights, social economic reform/movement,” the report says --Protein Wisdom quoting AP
As PW observes, Karl Rove could have ordered this operation just as easily as Obozo's SecTreas.
It's a Ruling Class thing. You wouldn't understand.
Senior Internal Revenue Service officials knew agents were targeting tea party groups as early as 2011, according to a draft of an inspector general’s report obtained by The Associated Press that seemingly contradicts public statements by the IRS commissioner.
[...]
The agency blamed low-level employees, saying no high-level officials were aware.
But on June 29, 2011, Lois G. Lerner, who heads the IRS division that oversees tax-exempt organizations, learned at a meeting that groups were being targeted, according to the watchdog’s report. At the meeting, she was told that groups with “Tea Party,” `’Patriot” or “9/12 Project” in their names were being flagged for additional and often burdensome scrutiny, the report says.
...On Jan, 25, 2012, the criteria for flagging suspect groups was changed to, “political action type organizations involved in limiting/expanding Government, educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights, social economic reform/movement,” the report says --Protein Wisdom quoting AP
As PW observes, Karl Rove could have ordered this operation just as easily as Obozo's SecTreas.
It's a Ruling Class thing. You wouldn't understand.
Benghazi: The (D) Politics of Blood
As Steyn makes clear, Democrat politics dominate the story of Benghazi. And those politics--like the Democrat politics of abortion--are bloody.
...The government of the United States took the extremely strange decision to lose in straight sets. Not only did they not deploy out-of-area assets, they ordered even those in Libya to stand down. Lieutenant Colonel Gibson had a small team in Tripoli that twice readied to go to Benghazi to assist and twice was denied authority to do so, the latter when they were already at the airport. There weren’t many of them, not compared to the estimated 150 men assailing the compound. But they were special forces, not bozo jihadists. Back in Benghazi, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty held off numerically superior forces for hours before dying on a rooftop waiting for back-up from a government that had switched the answering machine on and gone to Vegas.
...In fact, everyone in this story is a Democrat or a career civil servant. Chris Stevens was the poster boy for Obama’s view of the Arab Spring; he agreed with the president on everything that mattered. The only difference is that he wasn’t in Vegas but out there on the front line, where Obama’s delusions meet reality. Stevens believed in those illusions enough to die for them. One cannot say the same about the hollow men and women in Washington who sent him out there unprotected, declined to lift a finger when he came under attack, and in the final indignity subordinated his sacrifice to their political needs by lying over his corpse. Where’s the “partisan politics”? Obama, Clinton, Panetta, Clapper, Rice, and the rest did this to one of their own. And fawning court eunuchs, like the ranking Democrat at the hearings, Elijah Cummings, must surely know that, if they needed, they’d do it to them, too. If you believe in politics über alles, it’s impressive, in the same way that Hillary’s cocksure dismissal — “What difference, at this point, does it make?” — is impressive.
This will not stand, assuming (it's a big assumption) that the opposition party has any gonads.
HT: Cold Fury
...The government of the United States took the extremely strange decision to lose in straight sets. Not only did they not deploy out-of-area assets, they ordered even those in Libya to stand down. Lieutenant Colonel Gibson had a small team in Tripoli that twice readied to go to Benghazi to assist and twice was denied authority to do so, the latter when they were already at the airport. There weren’t many of them, not compared to the estimated 150 men assailing the compound. But they were special forces, not bozo jihadists. Back in Benghazi, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty held off numerically superior forces for hours before dying on a rooftop waiting for back-up from a government that had switched the answering machine on and gone to Vegas.
...In fact, everyone in this story is a Democrat or a career civil servant. Chris Stevens was the poster boy for Obama’s view of the Arab Spring; he agreed with the president on everything that mattered. The only difference is that he wasn’t in Vegas but out there on the front line, where Obama’s delusions meet reality. Stevens believed in those illusions enough to die for them. One cannot say the same about the hollow men and women in Washington who sent him out there unprotected, declined to lift a finger when he came under attack, and in the final indignity subordinated his sacrifice to their political needs by lying over his corpse. Where’s the “partisan politics”? Obama, Clinton, Panetta, Clapper, Rice, and the rest did this to one of their own. And fawning court eunuchs, like the ranking Democrat at the hearings, Elijah Cummings, must surely know that, if they needed, they’d do it to them, too. If you believe in politics über alles, it’s impressive, in the same way that Hillary’s cocksure dismissal — “What difference, at this point, does it make?” — is impressive.
This will not stand, assuming (it's a big assumption) that the opposition party has any gonads.
HT: Cold Fury
Friday, May 10, 2013
You're Part of the Immigration Bill's Database!!
Marco Rubio, call your office.
The immigration reform measure the Senate began debating yesterday would create a national biometric database of virtually every adult in the U.S., in what privacy groups fear could be the first step to a ubiquitous national identification system.
Buried in the more than 800 pages of the bipartisan legislation (.pdf) is language mandating the creation of the innocuously-named “photo tool,” a massive federal database administered by the Department of Homeland Security and containing names, ages, Social Security numbers and photographs of everyone in the country with a driver’s license or other state-issued photo ID. --AOSHQ quoting Wired
The AOS comment is worth repeating:
It's not like it's a tattoo or anything.
Nothing to see here. Move along. Or we'll have the IRS audit your ass.
The immigration reform measure the Senate began debating yesterday would create a national biometric database of virtually every adult in the U.S., in what privacy groups fear could be the first step to a ubiquitous national identification system.
Buried in the more than 800 pages of the bipartisan legislation (.pdf) is language mandating the creation of the innocuously-named “photo tool,” a massive federal database administered by the Department of Homeland Security and containing names, ages, Social Security numbers and photographs of everyone in the country with a driver’s license or other state-issued photo ID. --AOSHQ quoting Wired
The AOS comment is worth repeating:
It's not like it's a tattoo or anything.
Nothing to see here. Move along. Or we'll have the IRS audit your ass.
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
The End Justifies the Means: Bill Ayers, Terrorist
Let's start here:
...Certainly the liberal news media haven’t publicized the fact that the man who launched Barack Obama’s political career in his living room was the leader of an organization that attempted the mass murder of American soldiers at a dance....
Umnnhh, come to think of it, no they didn't!
When questioned whether his terrorist bomb-throwing was akin to the Boston terrorist bomb-throwing, Ayers drooled and farted something about the 'awfulness' of the Vietnam war--so 'there was no comparison.'
In other words, to Obama's most significant early supporter, the end justifies the means.
Got it. Thanks, Bill.
...Certainly the liberal news media haven’t publicized the fact that the man who launched Barack Obama’s political career in his living room was the leader of an organization that attempted the mass murder of American soldiers at a dance....
Umnnhh, come to think of it, no they didn't!
When questioned whether his terrorist bomb-throwing was akin to the Boston terrorist bomb-throwing, Ayers drooled and farted something about the 'awfulness' of the Vietnam war--so 'there was no comparison.'
In other words, to Obama's most significant early supporter, the end justifies the means.
Got it. Thanks, Bill.
Gun Violence Drops Precipitously
Hmmmm.
Over the last twenty years, gun homicide rates have fallen by 49%, and nonfatal firearm crime has fallen even more greatly....
Further,
...The victimization rate for other violent crimes with a firearm—assaults, robberies and sex crimes—was 75% lower in 2011 than in 1993. Violent non-fatal crime victimization overall (with or without a firearm) also is down markedly (72%) over two decades. ...
It would be even more interesting to find a study which demonstrates the co-incidence between "gun violence" and "drug gangs". The way I hear it from the thin-blue-line people I know, that is the vast majority of the problem.
HT: Arms/Law
Over the last twenty years, gun homicide rates have fallen by 49%, and nonfatal firearm crime has fallen even more greatly....
Further,
...The victimization rate for other violent crimes with a firearm—assaults, robberies and sex crimes—was 75% lower in 2011 than in 1993. Violent non-fatal crime victimization overall (with or without a firearm) also is down markedly (72%) over two decades. ...
It would be even more interesting to find a study which demonstrates the co-incidence between "gun violence" and "drug gangs". The way I hear it from the thin-blue-line people I know, that is the vast majority of the problem.
HT: Arms/Law
Why NOT "Tax Fairness"?
It's a mid-length essay, but it's clear.
Amazon and WallyWorld are happy to screw small competitors...with the Gummint's guns on their side.
That's called "Crony Capitalism." And it sucks no matter who is playing the card.
Amazon and WallyWorld are happy to screw small competitors...with the Gummint's guns on their side.
That's called "Crony Capitalism." And it sucks no matter who is playing the card.
Blaming HRC for Benghazi (?)
I think this is the right take.
When it first became clear that the CIA’s Benghazi talking points had been altered, many of us viewed the White House as the prime suspect. After all, it served President Obama’s political purposes to claim, at the height of a political campaign in which he was taking credit for the fall of al Qaeda, that the death of a U.S. ambassador was down to spontaneous outrage over a video, rather than pre-planned terrorism.
Note the bold text.
Things change, although nap-time Obozo is hardly cleared of malfeasance.
It turns out, however, that the State Department was the prime culprit. It was State that pushed back hard against the original talking points. The White House, probably for the political reason cited above, took its side.
Why did State want the talking points changed? Because it had ignored warnings about rising terrorist activity in Libya and had reduced security rather than beefing it up, as our embassy requested.
The Madistan gang thinks that this is all about killing off the Hildebeeste's election chances.
Not really; it's about who failed to do what to protect a US ambassador.
Big difference.
As far as nap-time Obozo goes:
...Her culpability during the attacks is doubtful in my opinion, but I would still like to know what she was doing during those tragic hours....
The emerging facts make it clear that Mr. Pantywaist needed his beauty rest and did not (or refused to) allow SF troops from Tripoli to get to Benghazi.
So. Hillary and Obozo lied. US people died.
When it first became clear that the CIA’s Benghazi talking points had been altered, many of us viewed the White House as the prime suspect. After all, it served President Obama’s political purposes to claim, at the height of a political campaign in which he was taking credit for the fall of al Qaeda, that the death of a U.S. ambassador was down to spontaneous outrage over a video, rather than pre-planned terrorism.
Note the bold text.
Things change, although nap-time Obozo is hardly cleared of malfeasance.
It turns out, however, that the State Department was the prime culprit. It was State that pushed back hard against the original talking points. The White House, probably for the political reason cited above, took its side.
Why did State want the talking points changed? Because it had ignored warnings about rising terrorist activity in Libya and had reduced security rather than beefing it up, as our embassy requested.
The Madistan gang thinks that this is all about killing off the Hildebeeste's election chances.
Not really; it's about who failed to do what to protect a US ambassador.
Big difference.
As far as nap-time Obozo goes:
...Her culpability during the attacks is doubtful in my opinion, but I would still like to know what she was doing during those tragic hours....
The emerging facts make it clear that Mr. Pantywaist needed his beauty rest and did not (or refused to) allow SF troops from Tripoli to get to Benghazi.
So. Hillary and Obozo lied. US people died.
Woopsie! ObozoCare to Whack Head Start!
Well, BotoxNancy is finding out what's in the legislation, alright. Taxpayers, bend over....
Head Start teachers and administrators told The Daily Caller that their most pressing concern is not budget impacts from sequestration but changes coming from President Barack Obama’s health-care law.
In 2014, the impact of 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act “is probably going to be a 9 percent [cost] increase, and significantly more the next year,” said Nancy Nordyk, director of the Head Start program in southern Oregon.
Rising healthcare costs will likely force Oregon to reduce some Head Start workers’ hours so they’re not eligible for the medical program, said Nordyk, who spoke to TheDC during a national Head Start conference held just outside D.C. in Maryland....
Head Start has been proven, time and again, to be a useless zit anyway, but it will be fun to watch this go up in flames.
HT: AOSHQ
Head Start teachers and administrators told The Daily Caller that their most pressing concern is not budget impacts from sequestration but changes coming from President Barack Obama’s health-care law.
In 2014, the impact of 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act “is probably going to be a 9 percent [cost] increase, and significantly more the next year,” said Nancy Nordyk, director of the Head Start program in southern Oregon.
Rising healthcare costs will likely force Oregon to reduce some Head Start workers’ hours so they’re not eligible for the medical program, said Nordyk, who spoke to TheDC during a national Head Start conference held just outside D.C. in Maryland....
Head Start has been proven, time and again, to be a useless zit anyway, but it will be fun to watch this go up in flames.
HT: AOSHQ
Monday, May 06, 2013
The Shill Speaks!!
Sean Hackbarth, now a paid persona at the Chamber of Commerce, argues that cheap labor (whether IT labor or farm-hands) is a growth thing, ya' know.
What did you expect?
Let's not bother with the farm-hand question here.
Over the years, I've noted the work of Norm Matloff of UC-Davis. There's a reason: Norm has proved, with far more evidence than necessary, that the IT slave-labor gambit is just that. These are not "best and brightest"; they are pedestrian IT worker-bees, who are imported strictly to make IT payroll cheaper.
And they displace proficient and savvy US citizens who pay taxes and spend money.
Somehow, Hackbarth manages to evade that point entirely.
That's what shill-ery is all about, folks.
What did you expect?
Let's not bother with the farm-hand question here.
Over the years, I've noted the work of Norm Matloff of UC-Davis. There's a reason: Norm has proved, with far more evidence than necessary, that the IT slave-labor gambit is just that. These are not "best and brightest"; they are pedestrian IT worker-bees, who are imported strictly to make IT payroll cheaper.
And they displace proficient and savvy US citizens who pay taxes and spend money.
Somehow, Hackbarth manages to evade that point entirely.
That's what shill-ery is all about, folks.
Obozo Lied, US Citizens Died
Well, there's some new testimony about Hermaphrodite-in-Chief.
...a team of Special Forces prepared to fly from Tripoli to Benghazi during the Sept. 11, 2012 attacks was forbidden from doing so by U.S. Special Operations Command Africa.The account from Gregory Hicks is in stark contrast to assertions from the Obama administration, which insisted that nobody was ever told to stand down and that all available resources were utilized.
There's only one person who could have made that call.
Maybe he was asleep, in preparation for his fund-raiser the next day?
Or maybe he just doesn't give a shit about American lives.
HT: Bob Owens
...a team of Special Forces prepared to fly from Tripoli to Benghazi during the Sept. 11, 2012 attacks was forbidden from doing so by U.S. Special Operations Command Africa.The account from Gregory Hicks is in stark contrast to assertions from the Obama administration, which insisted that nobody was ever told to stand down and that all available resources were utilized.
There's only one person who could have made that call.
Maybe he was asleep, in preparation for his fund-raiser the next day?
Or maybe he just doesn't give a shit about American lives.
HT: Bob Owens
More--MUCH More--on the BLS Jobs Report
Hmmmm. The teetering is showing.
While most pundits have focused on the BLS Establishment Survey, which reported that 165,000 payroll jobs had been created during April, the Household Survey* numbers told a much different story.
Total employment rose by 293,000 during April, but part-time jobs increased by 441,000. As a result, full-time jobs declined by 148,000.
The number of "full-time-equivalent" (FTE) jobs** only increased by 73,000. This was not enough to keep pace with the growth of our working-age population, so the "FTE jobs ratio" (the number of FTE jobs per 100 working-age Americans), fell.
The essay blames it on ObozoCare, which is likely. It's also possible that there is a lack of sustainable demand, of course. But if the Feds have been spending umpty-zillion in "stimulus" dollars, Keynes says there WILL be increased demand. So where is it?
More:
During April, the FTE jobs ratio fell for the fifth month in a row, to 53.09. The earliest warning signal for every recession since 1955 (the first year for which the data is available) has been a significant, sustained decline in this ratio.
As of April, the fall in the FTE jobs ratio from its local peak was only 0.11. This is not yet a strong indicator of an impending recession.
...This having been said, there also has never been a case where the FTE jobs ratio fell for five months in a row and a recession did not follow. So the recent decline is definitely something to be concerned about.
Based upon the historical record, if the current decline in the FTE jobs ratio were to continue, and to reach a cumulative 0.60, renewed recession would become a virtual certainty.
A reasonably-reliable predictor, ECRI, has wavered up and down for several months, with strong growth only emerging in the last couple of weekly reports. (This predictor is for 6 months out ++).
The Democrat Senate majority lives in interesting times. Heh.
HT: PowerLIne
While most pundits have focused on the BLS Establishment Survey, which reported that 165,000 payroll jobs had been created during April, the Household Survey* numbers told a much different story.
Total employment rose by 293,000 during April, but part-time jobs increased by 441,000. As a result, full-time jobs declined by 148,000.
The number of "full-time-equivalent" (FTE) jobs** only increased by 73,000. This was not enough to keep pace with the growth of our working-age population, so the "FTE jobs ratio" (the number of FTE jobs per 100 working-age Americans), fell.
The essay blames it on ObozoCare, which is likely. It's also possible that there is a lack of sustainable demand, of course. But if the Feds have been spending umpty-zillion in "stimulus" dollars, Keynes says there WILL be increased demand. So where is it?
More:
During April, the FTE jobs ratio fell for the fifth month in a row, to 53.09. The earliest warning signal for every recession since 1955 (the first year for which the data is available) has been a significant, sustained decline in this ratio.
As of April, the fall in the FTE jobs ratio from its local peak was only 0.11. This is not yet a strong indicator of an impending recession.
...This having been said, there also has never been a case where the FTE jobs ratio fell for five months in a row and a recession did not follow. So the recent decline is definitely something to be concerned about.
Based upon the historical record, if the current decline in the FTE jobs ratio were to continue, and to reach a cumulative 0.60, renewed recession would become a virtual certainty.
A reasonably-reliable predictor, ECRI, has wavered up and down for several months, with strong growth only emerging in the last couple of weekly reports. (This predictor is for 6 months out ++).
The Democrat Senate majority lives in interesting times. Heh.
HT: PowerLIne
Sunday, May 05, 2013
"Background Checks"? Really?
In the good ol' days, when Uncle Joe and his descendant-in-crime Nikki Khrushchev ruled the Fatherland, there were lots and lots and lots and lots of 'psychiatric cases' sent off to the Gulag in Siberia.
Ask Solzhenitsyn.
Well. By co-incidence, there's another "psychiatric cases" gambit in play. And Guess Who is playing the card?
Secretary Kathleen "ObamaCare" Sebelius - and her Department of Health and Human Services - has promulgated regulations which would, by executive fiat, waive all federal privacy laws and encourage you doctor to report you to the FBI.
Understand a couple of things: First, the standard which your doctor would use to turn you in is embodied in Clinton-era ATF language and in the anti-gun Veterans Disarmament Act of 2007. Specifically, you doctor would "drop a dime" on you if he suspected you were even a slight "danger to yourself of others" or were "unable to manage your financial affairs."
My twiddlefanny Lefty readers will be horrified--HORRIFIED--that the comparison was made. But 'scuse me: it's too obvious to ignore.
HT: RenMan
Ask Solzhenitsyn.
Well. By co-incidence, there's another "psychiatric cases" gambit in play. And Guess Who is playing the card?
Secretary Kathleen "ObamaCare" Sebelius - and her Department of Health and Human Services - has promulgated regulations which would, by executive fiat, waive all federal privacy laws and encourage you doctor to report you to the FBI.
Understand a couple of things: First, the standard which your doctor would use to turn you in is embodied in Clinton-era ATF language and in the anti-gun Veterans Disarmament Act of 2007. Specifically, you doctor would "drop a dime" on you if he suspected you were even a slight "danger to yourself of others" or were "unable to manage your financial affairs."
My twiddlefanny Lefty readers will be horrified--HORRIFIED--that the comparison was made. But 'scuse me: it's too obvious to ignore.
HT: RenMan
Narcissism, Projection, and Geopolitics
McCain makes an interesting point here.
...it does highlight the nature of the larger problem, what Jeanne Kirkpatrick rightly called the “Blame America First” mentality.
There is a sort of perverse narcissism involved in this worldview: Encountering people who hate us, liberals think, “It’s about us.”
This error was what crippled liberalism during the Cold War. If the Soviet Union wanted to destroy America, liberals imagined, this must be because of something wrong with America, rather than something wrong with the Soviet Union. So liberals wanted to change American foreign policy — détente! — in a more pro-Soviet direction, accepting the Leninist critique of “Western imperialism” as essentially accurate, so that you had Jimmy Carter claiming (and evidently believing) that a U.S. commitment to “human rights” would somehow repair the damage to American international prestige.
Except it wasn’t about us. It was about them....
It's another case of projection writ large. Lefties understand their offenses, which is good. However, they tend to project those offenses to the larger (US) population as a whole--which is a logical fallacy.
...it does highlight the nature of the larger problem, what Jeanne Kirkpatrick rightly called the “Blame America First” mentality.
There is a sort of perverse narcissism involved in this worldview: Encountering people who hate us, liberals think, “It’s about us.”
This error was what crippled liberalism during the Cold War. If the Soviet Union wanted to destroy America, liberals imagined, this must be because of something wrong with America, rather than something wrong with the Soviet Union. So liberals wanted to change American foreign policy — détente! — in a more pro-Soviet direction, accepting the Leninist critique of “Western imperialism” as essentially accurate, so that you had Jimmy Carter claiming (and evidently believing) that a U.S. commitment to “human rights” would somehow repair the damage to American international prestige.
Except it wasn’t about us. It was about them....
It's another case of projection writ large. Lefties understand their offenses, which is good. However, they tend to project those offenses to the larger (US) population as a whole--which is a logical fallacy.
The Old Keynes Controversy Rises Again
Evidently Niall Ferguson committed felony definition.
Gertrude Himmelfarb was right about that.
....something of the “soul” of Bloomsbury penetrated even into Keynes’s economic theories. There is a discernible affinity between the Bloomsbury ethos, which put a premium on immediate and present satisfactions, and Keynesian economics, which is based entirely on the short run and precludes any long-term judgments. (Keynes’s famous remark. “In the long run we are all dead,” also has an obvious connection with his homosexuality — what Schumpeter delicately referred to as his “childless vision.”) The same ethos is reflected in the Keynesian doctrine that consumption rather than saving is the source of economic growth — indeed, that thrift is economically and socially harmful. In The Economic Consequences of the Peace, written long before The General Theory, Keynes ridiculed the “virtue” of saving. The capitalists, he said, deluded the working classes into thinking that their interests were best served by saving rather than consuming. This delusion was part of the age-old Puritan fallacy....
It's not difficult to argue that the Consumption Ethos flogged by the advertising industry has its basis in Keynesian theory, although I'd prefer to finger Rousseau as the immediate culprit.
HT: AOSHQ
Gertrude Himmelfarb was right about that.
....something of the “soul” of Bloomsbury penetrated even into Keynes’s economic theories. There is a discernible affinity between the Bloomsbury ethos, which put a premium on immediate and present satisfactions, and Keynesian economics, which is based entirely on the short run and precludes any long-term judgments. (Keynes’s famous remark. “In the long run we are all dead,” also has an obvious connection with his homosexuality — what Schumpeter delicately referred to as his “childless vision.”) The same ethos is reflected in the Keynesian doctrine that consumption rather than saving is the source of economic growth — indeed, that thrift is economically and socially harmful. In The Economic Consequences of the Peace, written long before The General Theory, Keynes ridiculed the “virtue” of saving. The capitalists, he said, deluded the working classes into thinking that their interests were best served by saving rather than consuming. This delusion was part of the age-old Puritan fallacy....
It's not difficult to argue that the Consumption Ethos flogged by the advertising industry has its basis in Keynesian theory, although I'd prefer to finger Rousseau as the immediate culprit.
HT: AOSHQ
Saturday, May 04, 2013
Eddie Flynn's "Paper Crimes"
We all know that Eddie Flynn is a political animal with aspirations higher than Milwaukee. So when he refers to "paper crimes" like felons-in-possession of guns, he's covering somebody's ass. (His own, and that of the local US Attorney, for you ignorant Lefties.)
Let's look at the "paper crimes" and their sentence guidelines, shall we?
• 10 years—18 U.S.C. § 922(g)—for possession of a firearm or ammunition by a felon, fugitive, or drug user… And possession means touching a gun, any gun, handgun, rifle or shotgun. Any firearm that Dianne Feinstein would ban for us, is already an illegal gun for violent criminals.
• 10 years—18 U.S.C. § 922(j)—for possession of a stolen firearm.
• 10 years—18 U.S.C. § 922(i)—for shipment or transport of a stolen firearm across state lines.
• 10 years—18 U.S.C. § 924(b)—for shipping, transporting or receipt of a firearm across state lines with intent to commit a felony.
• 5 to 30 years consecutive mandatory minimum sentences—18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(1)(A)—for carrying, using, or possessing a firearm in connection with a federal crime of violence or drug trafficking.
• The death penalty or up to life imprisonment—18 U.S.C. § 924(j)—for committing murder while possessing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence or drug trafficking.
• 15 years mandatory minimum—18 U.S.C. § 924(e)—for a “prohibited person” who has three prior convictions for drug offenses or violent felonies.
• 10 years—18 U.S.C. § 924(g)—for interstate travel to acquire or transfer a firearm to commit crimes.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
Let's look at the "paper crimes" and their sentence guidelines, shall we?
• 10 years—18 U.S.C. § 922(g)—for possession of a firearm or ammunition by a felon, fugitive, or drug user… And possession means touching a gun, any gun, handgun, rifle or shotgun. Any firearm that Dianne Feinstein would ban for us, is already an illegal gun for violent criminals.
• 10 years—18 U.S.C. § 922(j)—for possession of a stolen firearm.
• 10 years—18 U.S.C. § 922(i)—for shipment or transport of a stolen firearm across state lines.
• 10 years—18 U.S.C. § 924(b)—for shipping, transporting or receipt of a firearm across state lines with intent to commit a felony.
• 5 to 30 years consecutive mandatory minimum sentences—18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(1)(A)—for carrying, using, or possessing a firearm in connection with a federal crime of violence or drug trafficking.
• The death penalty or up to life imprisonment—18 U.S.C. § 924(j)—for committing murder while possessing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence or drug trafficking.
• 15 years mandatory minimum—18 U.S.C. § 924(e)—for a “prohibited person” who has three prior convictions for drug offenses or violent felonies.
• 10 years—18 U.S.C. § 924(g)—for interstate travel to acquire or transfer a firearm to commit crimes.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
Friday, May 03, 2013
pResident Obozo, Lying Again
We're all waiting for some proof of this:
President Obama used a speech at Mexico’s Museo Nacional de Antropología – the National Anthropology Museum – to claim that ‘most of the guns used to commit violence here in Mexico come from the United States.’
Aside from Obozo's very own "Fast and Furious," which guns, exactly?
See, AK's are not US 'exports.'
It's possible that he's referring to US-made M16A1's or -2's which were stolen from the Mexican military (or "liberated" from there), I suppose.
President Obama used a speech at Mexico’s Museo Nacional de Antropología – the National Anthropology Museum – to claim that ‘most of the guns used to commit violence here in Mexico come from the United States.’
Aside from Obozo's very own "Fast and Furious," which guns, exactly?
See, AK's are not US 'exports.'
It's possible that he's referring to US-made M16A1's or -2's which were stolen from the Mexican military (or "liberated" from there), I suppose.
The Food Stamp Recovery of Obozo
If getting food stamps is "economic recovery", we're nearing fiscal Nirvana.
Since Obama took office, the number of Americans considered to be eligible to participate in the workforce has increased by 10.4 million people.
But, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the workforce only increased by 1 million workers since President Obama took office.
No wonder he spends so much time campaigning.
Since Obama took office, the number of Americans considered to be eligible to participate in the workforce has increased by 10.4 million people.
But, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the workforce only increased by 1 million workers since President Obama took office.
No wonder he spends so much time campaigning.
Thursday, May 02, 2013
There Are Men, and There Are .....Not-Men
Erickson doesn't phrase it quite that way, but it fits.
...Cruz had gone back to Texas and told some activists at a Freedomworks conference that Mike, Rand and Ted were constantly being yelled at by fellow Republicans. It’s a true statement verified by other Senators. These Republican conference meetings leak all the time. Reporters hover outside the door waiting to talk to these Senators. But Ted dared tell just how scared some of his colleagues are that they are being exposed as not quite the conservatives they campaigned as being....
IIRC, Cruz told the Not-Men club that if they actually had principles, they wouldn't have to shimmy around yapping and whining about "strategy."
Cruz could have substituted "cojones" for "principles". In fact, the SHOULD have. The Not-Men club had to use S.E.Cupp and Jennifer Rubin as their....ahhh....warriors. That fits, too.
And the Not-Men rule the House, too:
...John Boehner, Eric Cantor and Kevin McCarthy won’t even pretend to fight. Boehner basically plays a game of chicken by stepping aside and saying “you win.” And, he has publicly said he won’t shut the government down. The House “leadership” is running scared from the debt ceiling… and was dead set against Obamacare de-funding. Today, the House “leadership” is telling folks on the Hill it won’t fight the Farm bill. And on immigration – forget it… everyone is running around listening to consultants saying this is the way to win Hispanic votes...
(He could have mentioned Paul Ryan, who is now marching to the Left as he performs his Presidential-Wannabee-Panderdance).
...Cruz had gone back to Texas and told some activists at a Freedomworks conference that Mike, Rand and Ted were constantly being yelled at by fellow Republicans. It’s a true statement verified by other Senators. These Republican conference meetings leak all the time. Reporters hover outside the door waiting to talk to these Senators. But Ted dared tell just how scared some of his colleagues are that they are being exposed as not quite the conservatives they campaigned as being....
IIRC, Cruz told the Not-Men club that if they actually had principles, they wouldn't have to shimmy around yapping and whining about "strategy."
Cruz could have substituted "cojones" for "principles". In fact, the SHOULD have. The Not-Men club had to use S.E.Cupp and Jennifer Rubin as their....ahhh....warriors. That fits, too.
And the Not-Men rule the House, too:
...John Boehner, Eric Cantor and Kevin McCarthy won’t even pretend to fight. Boehner basically plays a game of chicken by stepping aside and saying “you win.” And, he has publicly said he won’t shut the government down. The House “leadership” is running scared from the debt ceiling… and was dead set against Obamacare de-funding. Today, the House “leadership” is telling folks on the Hill it won’t fight the Farm bill. And on immigration – forget it… everyone is running around listening to consultants saying this is the way to win Hispanic votes...
(He could have mentioned Paul Ryan, who is now marching to the Left as he performs his Presidential-Wannabee-Panderdance).
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
The "Press"? It Is To Laugh
Not to mention Gosnell, let's look instead at secondary items like....say......National Security!
The US "press" [insert laugh track here] has managed to avoid tough questions about Benghazi, and only one outlet has reported that returned-and-hospitalized Benghazi victims are being threatened by the Obozoites if they talk about what actually happened there.
Then there's this:
Saudi Arabia warned the United States IN WRITING about Tamerlan Tsarnaev in 2012, and rejected his application for an entry visa to visit Mecca in 2011...AOSHQ quoting LONDON Daily Mail
Oh, yes, there's more to that story, which was broken by foreigners. Not the US "press" [insert laugh track here.]
One wonders if the US "press" would object were Obozo to issue an E.O. obviating the "press" portion of the 1st Amendment.
[Insert laugh track here.]
The US "press" [insert laugh track here] has managed to avoid tough questions about Benghazi, and only one outlet has reported that returned-and-hospitalized Benghazi victims are being threatened by the Obozoites if they talk about what actually happened there.
Then there's this:
Saudi Arabia warned the United States IN WRITING about Tamerlan Tsarnaev in 2012, and rejected his application for an entry visa to visit Mecca in 2011...AOSHQ quoting LONDON Daily Mail
Oh, yes, there's more to that story, which was broken by foreigners. Not the US "press" [insert laugh track here.]
One wonders if the US "press" would object were Obozo to issue an E.O. obviating the "press" portion of the 1st Amendment.
[Insert laugh track here.]
Ryan's Presidential Pander Begins
It's now obvious that Paul Ryan thinks he should be President.
GOP Rep. Paul Ryan reportedly has changed his views and now says he believes gay couples should be able to adopt children. Asked at a town-hall-style meeting Monday in Wisconsin about the issue, Ryan said he would “vote differently these days” and still opposes gay marriage...
Uh-huh. Because, after all, the Natural Law changes when one seeks higher office, eh, Paul?
Maybe Ryan should take a look at the old Milwaukee County Grounds and the orphanage that it included. Does he, "in these days" think those children were "un-loved"? Did they all fail later in life?
And by the way, Paul: did you clear that with Tim Cardinal Dolan?
GOP Rep. Paul Ryan reportedly has changed his views and now says he believes gay couples should be able to adopt children. Asked at a town-hall-style meeting Monday in Wisconsin about the issue, Ryan said he would “vote differently these days” and still opposes gay marriage...
Uh-huh. Because, after all, the Natural Law changes when one seeks higher office, eh, Paul?
Maybe Ryan should take a look at the old Milwaukee County Grounds and the orphanage that it included. Does he, "in these days" think those children were "un-loved"? Did they all fail later in life?
And by the way, Paul: did you clear that with Tim Cardinal Dolan?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
