Sphincter-Tight for Kagen and obey

Interesting fun with numbers.

Anyway, there’s a pattern here: Coakley carries districts where Obama got 65% or more of the vote and runs essentially even in the district where he got 64%, and Scott Brown runs ahead in districts where Obama got less than 64% of the vote.

Let’s extrapolate those numbers to the nation as a whole and assume that a district that voted 64% or more for Obama is safe for Democrats even under the most dire of circumstances. How many such districts are there? Answer, according to this source: 103. The other 332 districts voted 63% or less for Obama. Interestingly, there are more 64%+ Obama districts in the West (36) than in the East (27) and more in the South (21) than in the Midwest (19). --Michael Barone

Hooboy. Look at the vote percentages at this site (scroll a bit) and you find Obey and Kagen are at least theoretically in trouble.

HT Gateway

January 22nd

Fr. Richard Neuhaus:

The culture of death is an idea before it is a deed. I expect many of us here, perhaps most of us here, can remember when we were first encountered by the idea. For me, it was in the 1960s when I was pastor of a very poor, very black, inner city parish in Brooklyn, New York. I had read that week an article by Ashley Montagu of Princeton University on what he called “A Life Worth Living.” He listed the qualifications for a life worth living: good health, a stable family, economic security, educational opportunity, the prospect of a satisfying career to realize the fullness of one’s potential. These were among the measures of what was called “a life worth living.”

And I remember vividly, as though it were yesterday, looking out the next Sunday morning at the congregation of St. John the Evangelist and seeing all those older faces creased by hardship endured and injustice afflicted, and yet radiating hope undimmed and love unconquered. And I saw that day the younger faces of children deprived of most, if not all, of those qualifications on Prof. Montagu’s list. And it struck me then, like a bolt of lightning, a bolt of lightning that illuminated our moral and cultural moment, that Prof. Montagu and those of like mind believed that the people of St. John the Evangelist—people whom I knew and had come to love as people of faith and kindness and endurance and, by the grace of God, hope unvanquished—it struck me then that, by the criteria of the privileged and enlightened, none of these my people had a life worth living. In that moment, I knew that a great evil was afoot.

It was an idea, of course, when Eve fell for it. It was the idea behind the Crucifixion.

HT: AmSpecBlog/Lawler

Axelrod Astroturf Returning

Yep. It's back.

This time as "letter to the editor" stuff.

In recent weeks, Light has published virtually identical “Letters to the Editor” in support of President Barack Obama in more than a dozen newspapers.Every letter claimed a different residence for Light that happened to be in the newspaper’s circulation area.

“It’s time for Americans to realize that governing is hard work, and that a president can’t just wave a magic wand and fix everything,” said a letter from alleged Philadelphian Ellie Light, that was published in the Jan. 19 edition of The Philadelphia Daily News.

A letter from Light in the Jan. 20 edition of the San Francisco Examiner concluded with an identical sentence, but with an address for Light all the way across the country in Daly City, California.

Look for a couple of them in the local MSM.

HT: Ace

Mahony Gets Co-Adjutor!

Whoohee.

I am hearing, on reliable authority, that the Cardinal Archbishop of Los Angeles, Roger Mahony, has approved a coadjutor bishop recently selected for him by the Holy See. This news – and the name – will be publicly announced “soon.”

This new bishop, once announced and appointed, will automatically succeed Mahony as the Archbishop of Los Angeles as soon as Mahony retires, presumably before Mahony’s mandatory retirement at age 75 (February 27, 2011). Mahony has said that the current class of seminarians will be the last one he personally ordains. --Peters/Catholic Vote Action

Cdl. Mahony has disappointed actual Catholics since he was appointed to LA. His liturgy mafia is wrong about near everything; his 'social Gospel' intepretation is wrong, and of course, his homosexual-predator-priest problem will be very expensive.

Good riddance.

The Real Target of the Statists

Whether it's Obama, or Doyle, or John McCain, the Statists all have one target:

The Middle Class. Doctor Zero hits a homer.

The middle class is a vast group in a capitalist society, which is one of the things collectivists really hate about capitalism. Its upper reaches include the entrepreneurs and small business owners that bring economic vitality. Virtually every aspect of Obama’s agenda is designed to injure or burden small businessmen, and this is no accident. Despite their angry rhetoric about giant corporations, leftists have little trouble controlling them. They often do business directly with the government, as vendors… and, through lobbyists, as customers. They generally employ members of labor unions, which serve as a de facto arm of Big Government, injecting the agenda of the State directly into the corporate bloodstream. It’s the small business owners and self-employed, along with those who aspire to join their ranks, who are the most difficult to control, and the most likely to muster effective electoral resistance to the statist agenda. The middle class is filled with people who pay attention to the second page of their paycheck stubs.

Good stuff. And there's more.

The frustration of the middle class is the angry confusion of people who can appreciate the opportunities Big Government denies them. It is the anxiety of those who hear the businesses who employ them relentlessly demonized, while the ruling class is never held responsible for its foolishness, waste, and theft. It is the resentment of people who suffer through disasters that President Obama and his allies regard as opportunities. It’s the hearty distrust of a State, and its media apparatus, that declares every frigid blast of bad economic news to be “unexpected” – but expects us to believe it can predict market fluctuations, technological advances, and even the global climate.

Massachusetts was only the first--and most civil--demonstration of the power of the middle class. It's a footrace, of course: can Obama and Doyle (et al) destroy the middle-class' economic underpinnings before the middle class destroys them?

Buy more ammo, and keep tuned to this station.

The Wiggy Nuke

We'll see if Wiggy's nuke actually works.

It's YOUR Money. So Gumminters Spend It!

The WaTimes has a long-ish article on travel-expense fraud by FedGummint types. Example?

At the National Science Foundation (NSF), one senior manager extended trips and initiated travel "to facilitate his relationships with female companions, one of whom is an NSF employee," according to an internal inspector general's memo on the case. The trips included meetings in faraway destinations such as Tokyo, Vancouver and Paris.

When asked by investigators whether it was appropriate to consider a woman's presence in Vancouver when deciding whether to speak at workshop there, documents show the official responded, "Yeah, why not?"

One good reason 'why not' would be prison-time. But that's not what happens.

Brown's Daughter on "Available"

Interesting reaction to Brown's digression about his daughter's 'available' status.

Evidently, women are largely NOT concerned about the remark (including the daughter).

On the other hand, MEN are a bit taken aback by his comment.

Here's the daughter:

She admitted that she was slightly embarrassed. “But that’s what gives people a chance to see my real dad.”… Conservative talk show host Glenn Beck slammed Brown’s acceptance speech on his show Wednesday – specifically for broadcasting on national television that his two daughters are currently “available.” Beck appeared to compare Brown to Gary Condit...

“That is incredible. It just surprises me that people can be so negative,” Ayla said. “I feel as though all fathers across the nation can relate to having daughters and having these conversations…That’s our dad. There’s nothing creepy about it at all.”

So OK. I have daughters. A bunch of them. And I would NOT have made the comment that Brown did in a crowd that large. (Maybe at a Board meeting of Exxon...but they wouldn't let me in.)

On the other hand, Beck jumped at least one shark with his moronic comparo.

The daughter is a semi-pro buckets player (what, you think Boston College is "amateur"?) and likely can take care of herself, anyway.

More on Obama's Bank Plan

A reminder: "details are still sketchy."

The WaPo story on the new bank plan:

Thursday morning at the White House, it seemed as if the two men had swapped places. A beaming Volcker stood at Obama's right as the president endorsed his proposal and branded it the "Volcker Rule." Geithner stood farther away, compelled to accommodate a stance he once considered less effective than his own.

The moment was the product of Volcker's persistence and a desire by the White House to impose sharper checks on the financial industry than Geithner had been advocating, according to some government sources and political analysts. It was Obama's most visible break yet from the reform philosophy that Geithner and his allies had been promoting earlier.

'Geithner's allies' include Goldman, Sachs, BofA, Citi, and JPMChase. Gee.

At its heart, Volcker's plan restricts banks from making speculative investments that do not benefit their customers. He has argued that such speculative activity played a key role in the financial crisis. The administration also wants to limit the ability of the largest banks to use borrowed money to fund expansion plans

As we said earlier, the "reforms" which obviated Glass-Steagall led to the self-incineration of a number of Wall Street firms, many of which are still sitting on taxpayer-funded TARP "rescue" funds.

How'd those 'reforms' work out for you?

Public-Employee Unions: Raking It In

We mentioned Henninger's editorial, wherein he opines that the real battle in the next 10 years will be the public employees' agreements vs. private-sector employees' agreements.

Anecdotal proof of his pudding is the Racine Teachers' agreement.

Teachers will receive a 1.4 percent raise this year and 1.5 percent next year under the tentative two-year contract it reached with Racine Unified, according to copy of the contract leaked to RacinePost.

That's not all, folks.

Teachers at the top of the salary scale with 15 years' experience would receive a $900 bonus this year, and $400 the next. ...

And even more(!!):

Teachers will pay $19 per month for single health insurance, compared to $18.29 in the 2007-2008 contract; $38 for family health insurance instead of $36.58 in the 2009-2010 school year; those rates rise to $19.75 and $39.50 in 2010-2011. Teachers' insurance copay increases from $10 to $15 unless they go to a special clinic where the copay is $0.

Nothing like raping raking it in, eh?

HT: FoxPolitics

King James (Doyle) Version of Health Insurance

We'll agree with Jo Egelhoff that Doyle is about half-right on this one.

Governor Doyle announced a new “self-funded” state health insurance plan meant for low income childless adults not covered by health insurance. About 20,000 adults were placed on a waiting list when Wisconsin couldn’t afford to serve all those applying for the newly expanded BadgerCare program last fall.

So, let’s look at the positives. First, when the money ran out, the state stopped accepting beneficiaries (as required by the federal waiver). Imagine.

Then, Wisconsin looked for a second plan - affordable, and for which low-income beneficiaries pay their own way.

So why the "King James" mockery? Simple:

Though no private insurer is allowed to sell such a plan, the state exempted itself from the countless mandates that must be included in privately sold health insurance

And there were no competitive bids--not even a solicitation for bids.

It's King James' way, or the highway.

Statism, thy name is Democrats.

The New "Bank Reform" Bill

It appears as though Paul Volcker had something to do with Obama's current proposal. That is a good thing; Volcker's been around the block and knows the games.

Naturally, the Banks will be screeching. Some knee-jerk pundits will, too.

That's fine, IF those critics also think that the Banks should be rescued by the taxpayers and if they wholeheartedly supported TARP.

Under the President's still-sketchy plan, firms that hold government-insured deposits or are eligible to receive cheap loans in an emergency from the Federal Reserve would not be able to trade for their own accounts. The firms could facilitate customer orders as brokers have always done and continue to underwrite new issues of stocks and bonds, but they could not make bets with their own capital or own or invest in hedge funds. ... Mr. Obama has at last joined the most important policy discussion: How to eliminate the moral hazard now embedded in the U.S. financial system. Political assaults on banker compensation have done nothing to address this core problem that enables gargantuan bonuses ---WSJ

Not exactly a re-institution of Glass-Steagall, as some had thought, although some elements are there.

We'll bring more as it comes along.

Why Capper Is a Monomaniac

Capper's adventure in blogging has become dull, indeed. Every day, two or three times a day, it's bash Walker. Once a week it's butterflies; once a month it's go-up-north-and-bitch about Bush.

Or something.

Well, there's a reason that Capper and his masters at AFSCME are fixated on defeating Walker.

The central battle in our time is over political primacy. It is a competition between the public sector and the private sector over who defines the work and the institutions that make a nation thrive and grow.

Henninger's right, and the unions know it.

What's the big deal? Well, in Massachusetts:

...spending in specific public categories there skyrocketed the past 20 years (1987 to 2007).

Public safety: up 139%; social services, 130%; education, 44%. And of course Medicaid Madness, up 163%, before MassCare kicked in more Medicaid obligations.

Most likely, the Wisconsin numbers are comparable; it's possible that they're even worse.

And when FOUR mayoral candidates from a "conservative" area have already rolled over to Big Government without a peep, it's going to be worse.

Is Pelosi as Dumb As a Box of Rocks?

.....or does she just play at being box of rocks? We know for sure she doesn't stay at Holiday Inns.

Rep. Paul Ryan (R., Wis.), the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, tells National Review Online that House Democrats are planning to use the budget-reconciliation process in order to pass Obamacare. “They’re meeting with each other this weekend to pursue it,” says Ryan. “I’ve spoken with many Democrats and the message is this: They’re not ready to give up. They’ve waited their entire adult lives for this moment and they aren’t ready to let 100,000 pesky votes in Massachusetts get in the way of fulfilling their destiny.

Ryan mentions the Blue Dogs.

Could be interesting.

Especially for Kagen, Obey, and Kind. Not to mention Feinie.

HT: Ace

Slamming the Brakes on EPA

Good news.

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski was joined today by three Democrat colleagues -- Arkansas's Blanche Lincoln, Louisiana's Mary Landrieu, and Nebraska's Ben Nelson -- in a move to prevent EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

(This while the Doylet-Democrats of Wisconsin find MORE ways to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.)

Nelson is still dead meat walking, and Lincoln may join him.

HT: AmSpecBlog

Zipperer Is Paying Attention

Rich Zipperer has a disquieting press release.

“Today we received news that Wisconsin lost 26,100 jobs in December, 163,000 over the last 12 months, and currently there are 250,900 Wisconsinites out of work.

This is yet more evidence that "stimulus" bills passed last year have not stimulated our economy, and that tax increases and runaway government spending do not create jobs.

Once again, I urge my colleagues in the legislature to reverse course, stop the spending spree, and provide the tax relief Wisconsin families and employers need to get our state growing again.”

Oh, not to worry, Rich. Doyle promises "NEW JOBS" as a result of his 'Green Wisconsin' bill.

They'll all be Government jobs, of course. Nobody else will be around by then.

January 22nd, Noon

Tomorrow, January 22, 2010, noon, Washington DC.

There will be little, if any, press coverage.

There will be tens of thousands of people marching. But little, if any, press coverage.

And there will be a reception at Kelly's Tavern (!!!)--there MAY be press coverage.

RIP Noel Goemanne

From Christus Vincit:

Noel Goemanne, a noted Catholic Church musician and composer of many pieces of music and Masses performed by choirs and organists throughout the world, died Jan. 12 in Dallas from complications of colon cancer. He was 83.

A native of Belgium, Goemanne had lived in Dallas since 1972. He had directed the choir at Christ the King Church until this past summer.

Goemanne wrote lots of good stuff, both in Latin and English.

Requiescat in pace, Noel.

France's 'Expertise' on Haiti

While the Frogs sniffle and yap about "US involvement" in Haiti, remember this:

In 1825, in return for recognising Haitian independence, France demanded indemnity on a staggering scale: 150 million gold francs, five times the country’s annual export revenue. The Royal Ordinance was backed up by 12 French warships with 150 cannon.

The terms were non-negotiable. The fledgeling nation acceded, since it had little choice. Haiti must pay for its freedom, and pay it did, through the nose, for the next 122 years.

The rest of the story is here.

The French, long known as haughty, better known as 'frogs,' are not exactly role-models, eh?

HT: MWBH

Did the Banks Really Re-Pay TARP?

Well, kinda depends on how you count the chickens, or eggs, or something.

1. What was the value for bank charter, to get cheap access to the Fed's funds? did they pay back this value yet? No!
2. How about the payment of interest on the banks' excess reserves at the Fed. Have the banks repaid that yet? No!
3. The Fed and the Treasury have purchased hundreds of billions of dollars of Agency debt, Agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and related securities through Treasury purchase programs. Have the banks paid back the capital behind those purchases yet? No!

There are seven more at the link. And these are actual, real, serious reasons. Is retroactive tax-imposition fair? No.

Will Goldman Sachs ever repay the taxpayers for their AIG proceeds? HELL, no!