20 December 2009
Yet Another Example Of Why We Didn't Stay In Massachusetts.
When it comes to unethical politics and conflicts of interest, Louisiana is minor-league when compared to the Bay State.
19 December 2009
Was Franklin Right?
After the close of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked what form of government America would have. He replied bluntly, "A republic, if you can keep it."
And it looks like we're not keeping it.
I agree with Redstate - we have lost something very basic in this current Congress and Administration, and "what comes next is very discomforting to think about." By passing the health care bill - a piece of legislation that puts one sixth of our economy under direct government control; that has been purposely crafted out of sight of the American people; and that such a clear majority of us (for one reason or another) do not want - the battle between a free people and oligarchic government control will be, effectively, over. And a free people will have lost. We will have lost control of our lives and the right to decide them as we see fit, and ceded that right over to a ruling political elite that will now have the ability to control our most private decisions. We will have lost what Justice William Brandies saw as that most basic of American rights, the right to be left alone.
And we can not elect a new slate in 2010 that can easily undo this. Once it's in, it's in. Sympathetic courts will contort a way, Plessy v. Fergeson-like, to allow it's implementation. And while the Supreme Court may eventually find parts of this bill unconstitutional, don't bet your live (literally) on that. Because if you think this stops at health care, you are wrong. Once the precedent has been set - and more importantly, upheld in the courts - then there will be no limits to what powers Congress will grant themselves, and no limits on what Congress will compel us, the people, to do (exempting themselves and their cronies, of course). They will be our masters; not the other way round.
So, what's next? In the short run, if you have a Congressman or Senator who is backing this mess, don't stay silent! Make theirs a very miserable Christmas. Write, email, call, fax, stand in front of their offices with signs. Send them lumps of coal. If they have a town hall, show up and treat them like spoiled children; that is how they are treating you. The time for nice is over. And get organized. Join a Tea Party, or another fiscally responsible, freedom defending group working to defeat this agenda.
In the mid-term, we have elections in 2010. If you have a Congressman or Senator who voted for this disaster, don't just show up to vote against them, volunteer for the opposing candidate. Work phones, carry signs, put a sign in your yard, send money. Support candidates who will vote repeal this monster in the Congress, or at the very least vote to defund it. Champion candidates who vote to for an immediate balanced budget and will not vote to raise taxes or fees to balance the budget. If we have to live within our means, so does the Federal Government. On the state level, support candidates who will support your state opting-out of ObamaCare; vote for your state adopting a Sovereignty Resolution; and would, as a last resort, vote to have your state refuse ALL Federal funds in order to get out of unfunded mandates - even if that means shutting down programs. If the Congress wants programs that shell out our money to illegal aliens, let Congress run them.
In the long term, two things. Priority One: Vote Barack Obama out of office in 2012. He, more than anyone, has forgotten who he works for - or never knew it in the first place. And second, if you are forced to pay a fine because the government doesn't like your health care choice, refuse to pay it. Tell 'em to sod off. Make them take you to court; become a test case. Yes, that is the hard way. But they are counting all of us to be soft, and trade our principals for the easy way out. Don't. That is what got us into this mess in the first place. Stand up as free citizens. They can't prosecute millions of us at once.
Yes, there will be a time of reckoning for the way we, the American people, have been treated by those who are supposed to be our servants in this Republic. And there is no better time for that reckoning than now. Let us put our servants in their place. Let act as if we can keep this Republic.
And it looks like we're not keeping it.
I agree with Redstate - we have lost something very basic in this current Congress and Administration, and "what comes next is very discomforting to think about." By passing the health care bill - a piece of legislation that puts one sixth of our economy under direct government control; that has been purposely crafted out of sight of the American people; and that such a clear majority of us (for one reason or another) do not want - the battle between a free people and oligarchic government control will be, effectively, over. And a free people will have lost. We will have lost control of our lives and the right to decide them as we see fit, and ceded that right over to a ruling political elite that will now have the ability to control our most private decisions. We will have lost what Justice William Brandies saw as that most basic of American rights, the right to be left alone.
And we can not elect a new slate in 2010 that can easily undo this. Once it's in, it's in. Sympathetic courts will contort a way, Plessy v. Fergeson-like, to allow it's implementation. And while the Supreme Court may eventually find parts of this bill unconstitutional, don't bet your live (literally) on that. Because if you think this stops at health care, you are wrong. Once the precedent has been set - and more importantly, upheld in the courts - then there will be no limits to what powers Congress will grant themselves, and no limits on what Congress will compel us, the people, to do (exempting themselves and their cronies, of course). They will be our masters; not the other way round.
So, what's next? In the short run, if you have a Congressman or Senator who is backing this mess, don't stay silent! Make theirs a very miserable Christmas. Write, email, call, fax, stand in front of their offices with signs. Send them lumps of coal. If they have a town hall, show up and treat them like spoiled children; that is how they are treating you. The time for nice is over. And get organized. Join a Tea Party, or another fiscally responsible, freedom defending group working to defeat this agenda.
In the mid-term, we have elections in 2010. If you have a Congressman or Senator who voted for this disaster, don't just show up to vote against them, volunteer for the opposing candidate. Work phones, carry signs, put a sign in your yard, send money. Support candidates who will vote repeal this monster in the Congress, or at the very least vote to defund it. Champion candidates who vote to for an immediate balanced budget and will not vote to raise taxes or fees to balance the budget. If we have to live within our means, so does the Federal Government. On the state level, support candidates who will support your state opting-out of ObamaCare; vote for your state adopting a Sovereignty Resolution; and would, as a last resort, vote to have your state refuse ALL Federal funds in order to get out of unfunded mandates - even if that means shutting down programs. If the Congress wants programs that shell out our money to illegal aliens, let Congress run them.
In the long term, two things. Priority One: Vote Barack Obama out of office in 2012. He, more than anyone, has forgotten who he works for - or never knew it in the first place. And second, if you are forced to pay a fine because the government doesn't like your health care choice, refuse to pay it. Tell 'em to sod off. Make them take you to court; become a test case. Yes, that is the hard way. But they are counting all of us to be soft, and trade our principals for the easy way out. Don't. That is what got us into this mess in the first place. Stand up as free citizens. They can't prosecute millions of us at once.
Yes, there will be a time of reckoning for the way we, the American people, have been treated by those who are supposed to be our servants in this Republic. And there is no better time for that reckoning than now. Let us put our servants in their place. Let act as if we can keep this Republic.
Lake Jewbegon.
Garrison Keillor gets in touch with his inner Goebbels and wants Jews to "buzz off" when it comes to Christmas. (Um, wasn't a Jewish family rather central to the Christmas story? -ed.)
This isn't the first time Keillor has espoused brown-shirt notions. Perhaps they should start airing A Prairie Home Companion from a beer hall.
This isn't the first time Keillor has espoused brown-shirt notions. Perhaps they should start airing A Prairie Home Companion from a beer hall.
18 December 2009
Proof: Having Mardi Gras Beats Having The UN.
Louisiana is the happiest state in the nation. New York, is dead last.
Note also that the more conservative, less densely populated, lower tax states tend to be higher on the "happy" index, while more liberal, urbanized, high-tax states tend to be toward the bottom of the ranking. The lesson here, dear readers? Having the government in your life doesn't necessarily make your life happier.
Note also that the more conservative, less densely populated, lower tax states tend to be higher on the "happy" index, while more liberal, urbanized, high-tax states tend to be toward the bottom of the ranking. The lesson here, dear readers? Having the government in your life doesn't necessarily make your life happier.
A War To Watch.
Did you know there was a shooting war going on the Saudi-Yemeni border? You do now. The Saudi and Yemeni governments are fighting an uber-hardline Islamic group on their border - the Houthi - who appear to be supplied by Iran and who's motto is "God Is the Greatest, Death to America, Death to Israel, a Curse on the Jews, Victory to Islam". A real tolerant and enlightened bunch.
The Saudis, with all the latest hip tactical weaponry their oil money can buy, don't appear to be doing all that well. Lots of posed pictures and shooting at nothing. (Hint: The training and discipline of the man behind the weapon is as important as the weapon itself. -ed.) And from looking at the videos, it seems the Yemeni government forces seem to be getting their clocks cleaned.
The Saudis, with all the latest hip tactical weaponry their oil money can buy, don't appear to be doing all that well. Lots of posed pictures and shooting at nothing. (Hint: The training and discipline of the man behind the weapon is as important as the weapon itself. -ed.) And from looking at the videos, it seems the Yemeni government forces seem to be getting their clocks cleaned.
Doing My Part.
What with the impending success of the Copenhagen climate change conerence, I really want to get into the spirit and do my part. And I've found the perfect "green" floor insulation - it's all-natural, biodegradable, and made of 100% recycled material.
UPDATE: See - if you do it right, insulation is sexy stuff!
UPDATE: See - if you do it right, insulation is sexy stuff!
Friday Guest Post.
The Grey Man, he speaks:
I am about to be called a racist. Why? Because I think that Health Care has become Obama and company's Tar Baby.
First, it was "health care reform". Later it became "health insurance reform". I'm not really sure what it is now, because nobody outside Reid's inner circle has actually read it.
Why the changes? Well with each new evolution, it gets more unpopular. So they keep repackaging the product and slapping "New and Improved" on the label. And the product, far from improving, is getting more rancid by the day. It literally stinks.
And with each decline in the polls, they get more and more desperate. Attack talk radio? Oops, that failed. Okay, try attacking Fox News. Oops again.
Go after Insurance companies? Damn, still not working. How about unpatriotic TEA partiers? Crap, we're getting nowhere.
And the bill itself keeps changing. Abortion coverage is in. Nope, it's out. It's in. It's out. Single payer is in. It's out. It's in. It's out.
This thing has more in and out than a Tiger Woods date.
Right now, the Democrats have only two choices, and both terrify them.
If they fail to pass uber-liberal health reform after all this effort, they will look like a bunch of incompetent boobs to their base, and to the rest of us. But what terrifies them, what really and truly terrifies them, is if it passes, and they have to take responsibility for their actions.
Like Brer Rabbit, they aren't smart enough to realize that the more they fight, the more stuck they become. Amazingly, the party that demands an exit strategy for wars and tax cuts didn't think that they might need one themselves.
I know some reading this will blame it all on Fox or Republicans or a bad alignment of the stars. But the simple fact is that the Democrats could have passed anything they wanted to as soon as Franken was seated. Obama could have told his party what he wanted, and demanded it. He could have actually lead from the front. But he didn't. Reid could have lead. But he didn't.
What is really pathetic is that this effort will, at best, produce a hodgepodge law that nobody likes. And to do this, President Obama is throwing away his congressional majority, and ruining the careers of some of his party's most faithful. Mary Landrieu might not be up for election for a few years, but for the first time, she has an overall unfavorable rating in the polls. She will go down in flames come her next election. So will Reid next year.
Harry and Mary, this IS the "Change" you voted for. You've thrown your careers away. And you've done it all for nothing.
The Grey Man
(Note - the Owner of this blog takes no responsibility for the content or opinions of guest posts.)
I am about to be called a racist. Why? Because I think that Health Care has become Obama and company's Tar Baby.
First, it was "health care reform". Later it became "health insurance reform". I'm not really sure what it is now, because nobody outside Reid's inner circle has actually read it.
Why the changes? Well with each new evolution, it gets more unpopular. So they keep repackaging the product and slapping "New and Improved" on the label. And the product, far from improving, is getting more rancid by the day. It literally stinks.
And with each decline in the polls, they get more and more desperate. Attack talk radio? Oops, that failed. Okay, try attacking Fox News. Oops again.
Go after Insurance companies? Damn, still not working. How about unpatriotic TEA partiers? Crap, we're getting nowhere.
And the bill itself keeps changing. Abortion coverage is in. Nope, it's out. It's in. It's out. Single payer is in. It's out. It's in. It's out.
This thing has more in and out than a Tiger Woods date.
Right now, the Democrats have only two choices, and both terrify them.
If they fail to pass uber-liberal health reform after all this effort, they will look like a bunch of incompetent boobs to their base, and to the rest of us. But what terrifies them, what really and truly terrifies them, is if it passes, and they have to take responsibility for their actions.
Like Brer Rabbit, they aren't smart enough to realize that the more they fight, the more stuck they become. Amazingly, the party that demands an exit strategy for wars and tax cuts didn't think that they might need one themselves.
I know some reading this will blame it all on Fox or Republicans or a bad alignment of the stars. But the simple fact is that the Democrats could have passed anything they wanted to as soon as Franken was seated. Obama could have told his party what he wanted, and demanded it. He could have actually lead from the front. But he didn't. Reid could have lead. But he didn't.
What is really pathetic is that this effort will, at best, produce a hodgepodge law that nobody likes. And to do this, President Obama is throwing away his congressional majority, and ruining the careers of some of his party's most faithful. Mary Landrieu might not be up for election for a few years, but for the first time, she has an overall unfavorable rating in the polls. She will go down in flames come her next election. So will Reid next year.
Harry and Mary, this IS the "Change" you voted for. You've thrown your careers away. And you've done it all for nothing.
The Grey Man
(Note - the Owner of this blog takes no responsibility for the content or opinions of guest posts.)
Climate Change In Our Time?
Someone from Greenpeace benevilles himself. Read it all.
And note Warner's term for the permanently indignant, ratty-looking protest crowd: "Smellies". How apropos.
And note Warner's term for the permanently indignant, ratty-looking protest crowd: "Smellies". How apropos.
The None.
Will The Messiah go 0-2 in Copenhagen? It's looking that way. And he can't blame it "on the past eight years".
17 December 2009
'Hockey Sticks' Through History.
With The One heading off to Copenhagen to single-handedly save to world from man-made global warming (which seems can only be ended by destroying our economy and giving governments like Zimbabwe billions of dollars), perhaps we should put the famous 'hockey stick' in some perspective:
Quick, Bonnie Anderson! Get Me Rewrite!!
Is the Climate Change Fund the new Millennium Development Goals? Kenneth Anderson wonders. Oy. Another unsuccessful UN program our Presiding Bishop will want us to worship...
Stop the Typing!!
Your humble blogger just went over to The Episcopal Church (tm) website to post a link to their ever prominent MDG page and.... It's gone! Poof! Not there! Nothing in the 'Quick Links". Nothing under the "Advocacy" tab. Or any of the other tabs, for that matter. You'll find it if you look hard enough, buried in the Episcopal Relief and Development page here.
Why just a year ago, our Presiding Bishop couldn't stop talking about the MDG's. She was giddy for them. Our pope-in-waiting crisscrossed the country exhorting the faithful to participate. They were a 'mission priority' for the church. Large gatherings of Episcopalians (defined officially by TEC as 25 or more, excluding wait-staff) were reminded that the ticket to salvation was using sporks and giving 0.7 percent of their income to make the MDG's come true. The MDG's were our new catechism.
So... what happened?
Stop the Typing!!
Your humble blogger just went over to The Episcopal Church (tm) website to post a link to their ever prominent MDG page and.... It's gone! Poof! Not there! Nothing in the 'Quick Links". Nothing under the "Advocacy" tab. Or any of the other tabs, for that matter. You'll find it if you look hard enough, buried in the Episcopal Relief and Development page here.
Why just a year ago, our Presiding Bishop couldn't stop talking about the MDG's. She was giddy for them. Our pope-in-waiting crisscrossed the country exhorting the faithful to participate. They were a 'mission priority' for the church. Large gatherings of Episcopalians (defined officially by TEC as 25 or more, excluding wait-staff) were reminded that the ticket to salvation was using sporks and giving 0.7 percent of their income to make the MDG's come true. The MDG's were our new catechism.
So... what happened?
It'll Be A Cold Day In Hell...
...And apparently, it is.
UPDATE: But this new revelation should make it uncomfortably hot for some folks at the conference...
UPDATE: But this new revelation should make it uncomfortably hot for some folks at the conference...
Reform, Democrat Definition Of.
Back in 2008, Obama and the Democrats sold the American people on health care "reform" that would be both bipartisan and transparent.
Here it is, almost 2010, and this is what we're about to get:
Here it is, almost 2010, and this is what we're about to get:
‘And here’s the most outrageous part: at the end of this rush, they want us to vote on a bill that no one outside the Majority Leader’s conference room has even seen. That’s right. The final bill we’ll vote on isn’t even the one we’ve had on the floor. It’s the deal Democrat leaders have been trying to work out in private’What is it, Senator Reid, that you and your Democrat colleagues don't want the American people to see?
Thursday Morning Distraction.
Besides being an inconsiderate bore, here's another reason I don't get invited to Christmas parties - I think this kind of stuff is fun:
Much more scientific weirdness here.
Hattip: Theo Spark.
Much more scientific weirdness here.
Hattip: Theo Spark.
The Little Party That Roared?
'Tea Party' now polls more favorably than either Democrats or Republicans.
If my little see-into-the-future globe is right, look for both 'established' parties to try and glom onto the Tea Party Movement in 2010.
The GOP establishment machinery has been trying to co-opt the Tea Party movement as theirs from the get-go, proving once again the current GOP still doesn't get it: The Tea Parties exist because of GOP failures in leadership and vision, not successes. If the GOP wants us in their camp, they're gonna have to earn it. And they're not doing a very good job with that right now. Actions, people; not words. (Or bus tours; or Facebook groups; or wine parties... -ed.)
As things continue to sour for Team Hopenchange, look for the Democrats to also try to make some kind of overture to the Tea Parties, or try to create a similar 'grassroots' organization to compete for the 'angry vote'. Like the Republicans, they have failed at the things that have folks looking to the Tea Parties as an alternative.
Maybe a new third party isn't such a bad idea.
If my little see-into-the-future globe is right, look for both 'established' parties to try and glom onto the Tea Party Movement in 2010.
The GOP establishment machinery has been trying to co-opt the Tea Party movement as theirs from the get-go, proving once again the current GOP still doesn't get it: The Tea Parties exist because of GOP failures in leadership and vision, not successes. If the GOP wants us in their camp, they're gonna have to earn it. And they're not doing a very good job with that right now. Actions, people; not words. (Or bus tours; or Facebook groups; or wine parties... -ed.)
As things continue to sour for Team Hopenchange, look for the Democrats to also try to make some kind of overture to the Tea Parties, or try to create a similar 'grassroots' organization to compete for the 'angry vote'. Like the Republicans, they have failed at the things that have folks looking to the Tea Parties as an alternative.
Maybe a new third party isn't such a bad idea.
The Rt. Rev. Tiger Woods?
Calling Katherine Schori: In the wake of the Tiger Woods scandal, Ann Althouse asks: "Is the need for multiple partners a sexual orientation?"
In this day and age, ask a question like that and it won't be long before The Episcopal Church (tm) will promote it. (We have to, you know. It's somewhere in our 'Baptismal Covenant'. - ed.) Besides, it gives The Episcopal Church (tm) further opportunities for another celebrity priest (or three), to show the world how with it, hip and relevant The Episcopal Church (tm) is these days.
In this day and age, ask a question like that and it won't be long before The Episcopal Church (tm) will promote it. (We have to, you know. It's somewhere in our 'Baptismal Covenant'. - ed.) Besides, it gives The Episcopal Church (tm) further opportunities for another celebrity priest (or three), to show the world how with it, hip and relevant The Episcopal Church (tm) is these days.
"I'm-a Leaving On A Jet Plane..."
Though sources say it's more like five jet planes, actually. Carbon footprints are for the little people.
And why the hell is Charlie Rangel going?? Like he needs another government-paid vacation. The best way for Charlie Rangel to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere would be for the man to simply shut up. Or maybe, the good Congressman is going there to learn more about an interesting tax-free business opportunity. And we know how much our Mr. Rangel hates paying taxes.
And why the hell is Charlie Rangel going?? Like he needs another government-paid vacation. The best way for Charlie Rangel to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere would be for the man to simply shut up. Or maybe, the good Congressman is going there to learn more about an interesting tax-free business opportunity. And we know how much our Mr. Rangel hates paying taxes.
16 December 2009
Cap-n-Scam.
Think of all the "green" jobs we'll create if we implement Cap-n-Trade. Just like they're doing in Europe.
Road To Hayride.
My buddy Charlie Buras has announced he is shutting down his Louisiana political blog, The Old River Road, one of the most insightful and mature political sites in the Bayou State. But not to worry, dear readers, Charlie isn't vanishing from the scene - he will now be a contributor over at The Hayride. So check it out and update those bookmarks accordingly!
Party Girl.
Mary Landrieu has decided to represent the interests of her party on health care rather than the interests of, well, the vast majority of her employers (us Louisiana voters).
At least she has some integrity - once she's been bought, she stays bought.
At least she has some integrity - once she's been bought, she stays bought.
15 December 2009
The Teacher Must Be Episcopalian.
A school tosses out a second-grader who drew a "violent image".
Yet another reason we didn't want to raise our children in Massachusetts.
Yet another reason we didn't want to raise our children in Massachusetts.
Tea Party Like It's 2006? (UPDATED)
Is the GOP trying to co-opt the Tea Party Movement? If what we see in our area is any indication, then the short answer is, yes.
The GOP needs to remember that if they had held to their values in the first place, and not tried to be just another piggy at the DC feed trough looking for their share, there would be no Obama - and there would be no Tea Party movement. The GOP lost our respect. And if they want it back, they will have to earn it - and actions speak louder than words. Or, bus tours, or seminars, or direct mailers, or Facebook posts.
The GOP has a chance here to prove they are once again the party of Reagan - do everything in their power to defeat the Democrat takeover of our health care.
UPDATE 16DEC09: Reid's Rule No. 3 of Senatorial Procedure: If the opposition plays by the rules, change the rules. How, um, Democratic. Yet another reason the Tea Parties are so necessary. They can't vote US into silence.
The GOP needs to remember that if they had held to their values in the first place, and not tried to be just another piggy at the DC feed trough looking for their share, there would be no Obama - and there would be no Tea Party movement. The GOP lost our respect. And if they want it back, they will have to earn it - and actions speak louder than words. Or, bus tours, or seminars, or direct mailers, or Facebook posts.
The GOP has a chance here to prove they are once again the party of Reagan - do everything in their power to defeat the Democrat takeover of our health care.
UPDATE 16DEC09: Reid's Rule No. 3 of Senatorial Procedure: If the opposition plays by the rules, change the rules. How, um, Democratic. Yet another reason the Tea Parties are so necessary. They can't vote US into silence.
14 December 2009
Tactical News You Can Use.
Via my buddy Rich McAroy up in the land of 'Live Free or Die!', I'm pleased to introduce to RSR readers ITS Tactical. Full of lots of interesting military/outdoors information, such as 'How to escape from Zip Ties'. Pretty handy thing to know when they arrest you for not buying your government-approved health insurance policy...
True Grits.
Only in Louisiana: Woman attacks man with... grits. Really.
THIS IS A NATIONAL CRISIS!!! YOU CAN BUY GRITS OVER THE COUNTER, WITHOUT ANY KIND OF BACKGROUND CHECK!!! EVEN CHILDREN CAN GET THEIR HANDS ON GRITS!!! WE MUST DO SOMETHING!!!
I think we need an Assault Grit Ban.
THIS IS A NATIONAL CRISIS!!! YOU CAN BUY GRITS OVER THE COUNTER, WITHOUT ANY KIND OF BACKGROUND CHECK!!! EVEN CHILDREN CAN GET THEIR HANDS ON GRITS!!! WE MUST DO SOMETHING!!!
I think we need an Assault Grit Ban.
And Now For Something Completely Similar.
When you saw this image of Harry Reid at the top of Drudge today:
Was this bit from Monty Python the first thing you thought of:
Yeah, me too.
UPDATE: Y'know, if 'Ol Harry had let us serenade him with some Christmas carols this weekend, maybe he'd be in a better mood.
Or, not.
Was this bit from Monty Python the first thing you thought of:
Yeah, me too.
UPDATE: Y'know, if 'Ol Harry had let us serenade him with some Christmas carols this weekend, maybe he'd be in a better mood.
Or, not.
13 December 2009
How I Spent My Saturday.
"So," I hear you ask, "How did that 'Streetcar Named Retire' sing-along turn out?" Considering Reid and Landrieu didn't show up, it was cold, and it rained most of the time... not bad, actually:
Thanks to Clare at High Noon for Health Care for the video.
UPDATE: Video link fixed.
UPDATE 14DEC09: Also on Saturday morning, I was on Greta Perry's radio show again, this time to promote 'Streetcar Named Retire'. Thanks, Greta!!
Thanks to Clare at High Noon for Health Care for the video.
UPDATE: Video link fixed.
UPDATE 14DEC09: Also on Saturday morning, I was on Greta Perry's radio show again, this time to promote 'Streetcar Named Retire'. Thanks, Greta!!
This is my rifle, this is my gun...
Only in New Orleans: An inspector from the U. S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives gets caught damaging a hotel room to, um... inspect shooting devices on his own time.
Perhaps this video clip should be required for all BATFE inspectors.
Hattip: Dan Riehl via Instapundit.
Perhaps this video clip should be required for all BATFE inspectors.
Hattip: Dan Riehl via Instapundit.
11 December 2009
Arcofailure.
What with the world's most elite busybodies meeting in Copenhagen to figure out how they want us proles to live, Byron York points out an earlier attempt at a 'green' utopia. An architect plays a central role, I'm sad to say.
Friday Afternoon Global Warming Education.
Maggie's Farm points out a commenter to this Megan McArdle column on 'Climategate', who takes an AGW scientist to school - by pointing out that most basic scientific precept: A logical conclusion is not the same as empirical verification. Well, duh.
Instead of allowing their claims to withstand independent verification and review - as is the case in all other sciences - the Global Warming crowd deflect any dissent by ignoring questions, persecuting critical inquiry, hiding data, and claiming "settled science." Call it the Pope Urban VIII approach to science.
Instead of allowing their claims to withstand independent verification and review - as is the case in all other sciences - the Global Warming crowd deflect any dissent by ignoring questions, persecuting critical inquiry, hiding data, and claiming "settled science." Call it the Pope Urban VIII approach to science.
10 December 2009
A Streetcar Named Retire. (UPDATED!)
UPDATE 11DEC09: RUN AWAY! RUN AWAY! RUN AWAY! Senator Harry Reid announced that he was getting in touch with his inner Sir Robin and is bravely running away from his pocket-stuffing trip to New Orleans on Saturday. Did his decision have anything to do with our (not so) little caroling protest? (Cameras catching his well-heeled guests getting out of their limos to the serenade of 'Jingle Cash' in the background would not look good on the evening news...) Who knows. Maybe Harry just likes working weekends.
But no matter: 'STREETCAR NAMED RETIRE' IS STILL ON!! We're going to rally even though Harry, Mary, and their money bags buggered off. There is much going on at the Federal level to protest, and hey - 'tis the season!! END UPDATE
Senator Harry Reid definitely understands the priorities of the political ruling class - the crisis he claims needs our immediate and furious attention goes on the back burner when there is money to be obtained for himself. And this weekend that money is in New Orleans - the Big Easy - so Harry is taking a few days off to pocket a bunch of four and five-figure checks at a fundraiser hosted by... Senator Mary Landrieu. Yes, the same Mary Landrieu who's vote the acute Senator Reid bought off with a mere (in Federal government terms, anyway) $300 million.
Makes you pretty upset, doesn't it?
It makes us all upset. But not to fear, dear readers. It's the holidays - be of good cheer! There is something you can do - especially if you live in or near New Orleans - because your humble blogger has a cunning plan to go...
Caroling.
Yep. Caroling. 'Tis the season. So this Saturday morning, 12 December, myself and several (hundred? thousand?) friends will be meeting in New Orleans to serenade the Senator from Nevada and his well-heeled guests with some appropriately written carols, to let him know how we feel about his trying to take away our health care choices, spend us into oblivion, and generally turn the US into the next Venezuela.
This event will be about the only opportunity during the health care debate that the vassals - that's you and me - have a chance to voice our unfiltered opinion to our Majority Leader Lord and Master.
Details about our caroling event are here. Bring a smile (nothing annoys The Media more than cheerful protesting conservatives) and bring a will to sing (don't worry, you CAN'T sing any worse than me). Seasonal dress (funny hats, scarves) and creative signs with a holiday theme are encouraged.
And to help you get into the season, here are a couple of the carols:
HARK! THE HARRIED TAXPAYERS SING!
Hark! The Harried taxpayers sing
We don’t want your health care thing!
No new fees and mandates wild
Leave our health care undefiled!
Joyful all our hearts arise
Join the Founders voices wise!
‘We The People’ speak again
You just wait ‘till Twenty Ten!
Hark! The Harried taxpayers sing
We don’t want your health care thing!
JINGLE CASH
Dashing through a vote
On a bill nobody read,
O'er the health care bloat
“Reform” is what they said;
The ‘Nays’ they do abound
Making cloture fail,
Harry looked around, and he found
A Senator for sale!
Oh… Jingle cash! Jingle cash!
Mary's on the way,
300 mil, for a bill
That'll bankrupt us one day! Hey!
Jingle cash! Jingle cash!
Mary's on the way,
300 mil, for a bill
That'll bankrupt us one day! Hey!
TEA PARTIES ARE COMING TO TOWN
You better not shout, you better not lie,
You better not pout, I’m telling you why,
Tea Parties are coming to town!
We see you when you are voting, we know when you’ve been bought,
We know if you’re been bad or good, and at town halls you’ll be caught!
So… You better not shout, you better not lie,
You better not pout, I’m telling you why,
Tea Parties are coming to town!
But no matter: 'STREETCAR NAMED RETIRE' IS STILL ON!! We're going to rally even though Harry, Mary, and their money bags buggered off. There is much going on at the Federal level to protest, and hey - 'tis the season!! END UPDATE
Senator Harry Reid definitely understands the priorities of the political ruling class - the crisis he claims needs our immediate and furious attention goes on the back burner when there is money to be obtained for himself. And this weekend that money is in New Orleans - the Big Easy - so Harry is taking a few days off to pocket a bunch of four and five-figure checks at a fundraiser hosted by... Senator Mary Landrieu. Yes, the same Mary Landrieu who's vote the acute Senator Reid bought off with a mere (in Federal government terms, anyway) $300 million.
Makes you pretty upset, doesn't it?
It makes us all upset. But not to fear, dear readers. It's the holidays - be of good cheer! There is something you can do - especially if you live in or near New Orleans - because your humble blogger has a cunning plan to go...
Caroling.
Yep. Caroling. 'Tis the season. So this Saturday morning, 12 December, myself and several (hundred? thousand?) friends will be meeting in New Orleans to serenade the Senator from Nevada and his well-heeled guests with some appropriately written carols, to let him know how we feel about his trying to take away our health care choices, spend us into oblivion, and generally turn the US into the next Venezuela.
This event will be about the only opportunity during the health care debate that the vassals - that's you and me - have a chance to voice our unfiltered opinion to our Majority Leader Lord and Master.
Details about our caroling event are here. Bring a smile (nothing annoys The Media more than cheerful protesting conservatives) and bring a will to sing (don't worry, you CAN'T sing any worse than me). Seasonal dress (funny hats, scarves) and creative signs with a holiday theme are encouraged.
And to help you get into the season, here are a couple of the carols:
HARK! THE HARRIED TAXPAYERS SING!
Hark! The Harried taxpayers sing
We don’t want your health care thing!
No new fees and mandates wild
Leave our health care undefiled!
Joyful all our hearts arise
Join the Founders voices wise!
‘We The People’ speak again
You just wait ‘till Twenty Ten!
Hark! The Harried taxpayers sing
We don’t want your health care thing!
JINGLE CASH
Dashing through a vote
On a bill nobody read,
O'er the health care bloat
“Reform” is what they said;
The ‘Nays’ they do abound
Making cloture fail,
Harry looked around, and he found
A Senator for sale!
Oh… Jingle cash! Jingle cash!
Mary's on the way,
300 mil, for a bill
That'll bankrupt us one day! Hey!
Jingle cash! Jingle cash!
Mary's on the way,
300 mil, for a bill
That'll bankrupt us one day! Hey!
TEA PARTIES ARE COMING TO TOWN
You better not shout, you better not lie,
You better not pout, I’m telling you why,
Tea Parties are coming to town!
We see you when you are voting, we know when you’ve been bought,
We know if you’re been bad or good, and at town halls you’ll be caught!
So… You better not shout, you better not lie,
You better not pout, I’m telling you why,
Tea Parties are coming to town!
09 December 2009
Somebody Missed Economics 101.
Barack Obama actually thinks we can "spend our way out of this recession". And where does the money Barry wants to spend come from? It comes from employers and employees - you and me - the productive members of our society. The very people who are being hurt by profligate government spending.
And doing this is going to help us out of recession??
And doing this is going to help us out of recession??
08 December 2009
The Government Will Keep Us Safe.
Except when they, y'know, post their classified security proceedures on line for all to see. Even a copy of a CIA ID card. Something to remember as you fly this season.
The Skin Of Our Teeth.
More "settled science": Climate change back in the 1970's. I loved this bit:
In 2002 I stood in a room of the Smithsonian. One entire wall charted the cooling of our globe over the last 60 million years. This was no straight line. The curve had two steep dips followed by leveling. There were no significant warming periods. Smithsonian scientists inscribed it across some 20 feet of plaster, with timelines.Post title reference is here.
Last year, I went back. That fresco is painted over. The same curve hides behind smoked glass, shrunk to three feet but showing the same cooling trend. Hey, why should the Smithsonian put its tax-free status at risk? If the politicians decide to whip up public fear in a different direction, get with it, oh ye subsidized servants. Downplay that embarrassing old chart and maybe nobody will notice.
Sorry, I noticed.
A Tiger By The Tale.
I've noticed - as have many of you, I suppose - how the Left/Mainstream Media has grabbed onto the recent stories of Tiger Woods and his marital problems. On some networks it's the only leade - all Tiger, all the time. I find this curious coming from a group of folks who, just a few years ago, were bemoaning the decline of "serious news", and rending garments and gnashing teeth over the rise of "infotainment".
I know part of this is the sensationalism. Woods is a star and, let's face it, sex sells. But I think that only explains a part of the obsessive focus. The Woods story is a great distraction for the public, and I think The Left/Mainstream Media want the public distracted right now.
The Left/Mainstream Media know that when they highlight things such as the current push to nationalize health care and environmental extremism (cap and trade, Copenhagen meeting), it gets the American public riled up. They remember what happened last August, and don't want a repeat. So with the Senate debating nationalizing health care, and Obama agreeing to draconian measures at the Copenhagen climate talks - two things Americans by and large do not want - keeping John and Suzy Public talking about golf clubs instead of 'triggers' and 'hockey sticks' is, for them, a good thing.
"But Clifford", I hear you say, "I didn't think you believed in conspiracy theories." I don't. I'm not saying this is a conspiracy. We're talking about media personalities here. Their egos wouldn't let them conspire over anything other than, well... themselves. Plus, these folks have such big mouths and inflated senses of self-importance that they couldn't keep any real conspiracy quiet. But I do think there is an unspoken consensus that they need to keep the rubes quiet right now. And Tiger is just the ticket until they can switch the focus to the Holidays.
I also think there is another, more subtle, reason for all of the attention on Tiger Woods' problems. Woods has eschewed racial politics, especially the Jessie Jackson/ Al Sharpton brand of racial identity/victim politics. He has refused to identify himself as black or African-American. And his wife is white. Woods has been a contradiction to the "America is still a racist nation" position of many black leaders and white liberals; and so his fall is, I think sadly, seen by them with some sense of payback.
I know part of this is the sensationalism. Woods is a star and, let's face it, sex sells. But I think that only explains a part of the obsessive focus. The Woods story is a great distraction for the public, and I think The Left/Mainstream Media want the public distracted right now.
The Left/Mainstream Media know that when they highlight things such as the current push to nationalize health care and environmental extremism (cap and trade, Copenhagen meeting), it gets the American public riled up. They remember what happened last August, and don't want a repeat. So with the Senate debating nationalizing health care, and Obama agreeing to draconian measures at the Copenhagen climate talks - two things Americans by and large do not want - keeping John and Suzy Public talking about golf clubs instead of 'triggers' and 'hockey sticks' is, for them, a good thing.
"But Clifford", I hear you say, "I didn't think you believed in conspiracy theories." I don't. I'm not saying this is a conspiracy. We're talking about media personalities here. Their egos wouldn't let them conspire over anything other than, well... themselves. Plus, these folks have such big mouths and inflated senses of self-importance that they couldn't keep any real conspiracy quiet. But I do think there is an unspoken consensus that they need to keep the rubes quiet right now. And Tiger is just the ticket until they can switch the focus to the Holidays.
I also think there is another, more subtle, reason for all of the attention on Tiger Woods' problems. Woods has eschewed racial politics, especially the Jessie Jackson/ Al Sharpton brand of racial identity/victim politics. He has refused to identify himself as black or African-American. And his wife is white. Woods has been a contradiction to the "America is still a racist nation" position of many black leaders and white liberals; and so his fall is, I think sadly, seen by them with some sense of payback.
07 December 2009
Tea Party Caroling.
OK, we CAN'T sing. We know it, but we wanted to get the Tea Parties into the season:
'Jingle Cash'
'Tea Parties Are Coming To Town'
'The Twelve Days of Senate'
And yes, your humble blogger was the wordsmith (and in the videos). These 'carols', plus several more, will be sung this weekend when Mary Landrieu hosts Harry Reid at a $5,000/couple fundraiser in New Orleans. (Snicker.) Other Tea Parties are free to use them for their own holiday cheer. Email me if you want the words. 'Tis the season.
'Jingle Cash'
'Tea Parties Are Coming To Town'
'The Twelve Days of Senate'
And yes, your humble blogger was the wordsmith (and in the videos). These 'carols', plus several more, will be sung this weekend when Mary Landrieu hosts Harry Reid at a $5,000/couple fundraiser in New Orleans. (Snicker.) Other Tea Parties are free to use them for their own holiday cheer. Email me if you want the words. 'Tis the season.
More Geek Cool.
From the UK's Daily Telegraph:
Calling Nena: The Pentagon launches 10 giant red balloons in the US, and challenged groups to be the first to locate all 10 using Facebook and Twitter networking. The possibilities of such distributed social networks are just beginning to be grasped.
I don't think we'll see accidental pictures of hookers on these corners: Pompeii is now on Google Street View.
Calling Nena: The Pentagon launches 10 giant red balloons in the US, and challenged groups to be the first to locate all 10 using Facebook and Twitter networking. The possibilities of such distributed social networks are just beginning to be grasped.
I don't think we'll see accidental pictures of hookers on these corners: Pompeii is now on Google Street View.
Hope And Kampf.
Was Team Hopenchange's playbook written by a convicted felon while in jail? Well, it worked for another jailed socialist...
Hattip: Libertarian Republican.
Hattip: Libertarian Republican.
Bowing To History.
Obama's recent bow to the Japanese Emperor, explained:
From: Creative Minority Report.
It reminds me of this, but it was a joke. The above, sadly, isn't.
From: Creative Minority Report.
It reminds me of this, but it was a joke. The above, sadly, isn't.
Every Breath You Take...
Every Move You Make... Now violates the Federal Clean Air Act.
Team Hopenchange know their cap-n-tax scheme is dead in Congress, so they're going around the legislative process and imposing large portions of it on us by regulatory fiat. The end justifies the means and all that.
Team Hopenchange know their cap-n-tax scheme is dead in Congress, so they're going around the legislative process and imposing large portions of it on us by regulatory fiat. The end justifies the means and all that.
More Is Less.
Only a government mind thinks adding 111 new programs, committees, cooperatives, and projects will make your health care more efficient, more accessible, and more affordable.
In a few years, when you pay 30 percent of your income to the government for health care and have to wait in line for hours for urgent care for your sick child, remember all this "reform" was to benefit you.
Hattip: Maggie's Farm.
In a few years, when you pay 30 percent of your income to the government for health care and have to wait in line for hours for urgent care for your sick child, remember all this "reform" was to benefit you.
Hattip: Maggie's Farm.
Harry Reid Is Watching You.
So now, America, freedom is slavery. Where have I heard that before? Oh, yeah...
Can 'Ignorance is Strength' be far behind?
Can 'Ignorance is Strength' be far behind?
And Another Reason Why This Day May Well Live In Infamy.
The UN's Copenhagen conference on capitalist-caused global warming "climate change" opened this week, which giving us yet another opportunity to play...
Spot The Hypocrite!
It seems our ruling-class betters and their "settled science" experts have a plan to deal with the "global crisis", which can be summed up thusly: We have to destroy human civilization and progress in order to save it. (Now where have we heard similar logic? Anyone? Anyone? Oh, yeah... -ed.)
If our ruling betters and "experts" have their way, in a few years all us little folks will be living according to their moral and economic choices - for our own good, of course. We'll have our very own Zimababwe! I can't wait.
Spot The Hypocrite!
It seems our ruling-class betters and their "settled science" experts have a plan to deal with the "global crisis", which can be summed up thusly: We have to destroy human civilization and progress in order to save it. (Now where have we heard similar logic? Anyone? Anyone? Oh, yeah... -ed.)
If our ruling betters and "experts" have their way, in a few years all us little folks will be living according to their moral and economic choices - for our own good, of course. We'll have our very own Zimababwe! I can't wait.
A Date Which Will Live In Infamy.
68 years ago today:
Image from here
Please remember in your prayers today Lt. (jg.) Ralph Hollis, USS Arizona.
Image from here
Please remember in your prayers today Lt. (jg.) Ralph Hollis, USS Arizona.
05 December 2009
We Have A New Pointy Hat! (UPDATED)
The Very Reverend Morris Thompson has been elected the 11th Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana. He appears to be one of the "moderates", which gives me pause - especially since the lefties seemed to desert their man for him during the balloting. But on the other hand, Thompson was a Marine.
We shall see. And pray.
UPDATE: You Can't Fix Revision... My wife's comment after seeing Rev. Thompson's image: "Lordy, they elected Ron White as Bishop"!
UPDATE 06DEC09: Had several conversations at church today (a large, conservative parish) about our new Bishop-elect, and the responses ranged from not-at-all-happy to wait-and-see. Several parishioners, who followed this more closely than your humble blogger, say Thompson will operate in the mold of our current Presiding Bishop - that is, left-wing secularism posing as theology - but will couch it in "moderate" terminology. They say he seems to be a corporate man, and will follow orders from the top. If that is correct (I pray it isn't), the Diocese of Louisiana is in for a very bumpy ride. If he allows an openly non-celibate gay priest in this Diocese, or requires parishes perform SSB, or uses Diocese funds to support something like the RCRC, the new Bishop will see a commensurate crash in church membership and Sunday attendance. And Diocese income crashing along with it. Our Diocese will not so much tear itself apart as wither away.
Rev. Thompson has a very difficult challenge before him. Pray God gives him the wisdom and grace to make wise decisions and right actions.
We shall see. And pray.
UPDATE: You Can't Fix Revision... My wife's comment after seeing Rev. Thompson's image: "Lordy, they elected Ron White as Bishop"!
UPDATE 06DEC09: Had several conversations at church today (a large, conservative parish) about our new Bishop-elect, and the responses ranged from not-at-all-happy to wait-and-see. Several parishioners, who followed this more closely than your humble blogger, say Thompson will operate in the mold of our current Presiding Bishop - that is, left-wing secularism posing as theology - but will couch it in "moderate" terminology. They say he seems to be a corporate man, and will follow orders from the top. If that is correct (I pray it isn't), the Diocese of Louisiana is in for a very bumpy ride. If he allows an openly non-celibate gay priest in this Diocese, or requires parishes perform SSB, or uses Diocese funds to support something like the RCRC, the new Bishop will see a commensurate crash in church membership and Sunday attendance. And Diocese income crashing along with it. Our Diocese will not so much tear itself apart as wither away.
Rev. Thompson has a very difficult challenge before him. Pray God gives him the wisdom and grace to make wise decisions and right actions.
04 December 2009
Your Troubles Are Over; I'm Here. Again.
Oh, the ego:
Hattip: Instapundit.
By switching his visit from Dec. 9 to Dec. 18, Obama appears to be betting that his presence can - as he has expressed hope for several times in the past - push the negotiations "over the top" toward an agreement.Take hope dear readers - we all know how well this approach worked the last time Barry went to Copenhagen.
Hattip: Instapundit.
Skiing The Decline.
It's early December. It's South Louisiana. And, for the second year in a row, we're expecting snow. Yes, snow. Not a few flakes in the air, but measurable stuff on the ground. (And yes, if it sticks your humble blogger be out X-country skiing again.)
Dear readers, "global warming" is worse than a joke; it's a fraud. Someone should "hide the decline" up Al Gore's arse.
Dear readers, "global warming" is worse than a joke; it's a fraud. Someone should "hide the decline" up Al Gore's arse.
03 December 2009
Respect The Dignity Of Every Living Dolphin...
The things I find at lunch. If The Episcopal Church (tm) doesn't have a blessing for this already, I'm sure they will soon...
From here.
But this image collection, about CIA tricks in the Cold War, is pretty cool.
From here.
But this image collection, about CIA tricks in the Cold War, is pretty cool.
A Simple Question.
If you can't buy health insurance across state lines, it isn't 'interstate commerce', now is it? So how can Congress claim to mandate it and regulate it?
Wondering...
Wondering...
Family Sees Vitality In Grandma Amisdst Challenges.
You know that awkward moment at a funeral when folks view the body? Everyone there knows the reality, yet they still say, "Doesn't she look nice."
Here's a classic example of the same thing:
Committee sees vitality in Episcopal Church amidst challenges.
Here's a classic example of the same thing:
Committee sees vitality in Episcopal Church amidst challenges.
The Mainstream Media Protection Amendment.
Seems Senator Feinstien thinks freedom of speech and freedom of the press are best left to "professional" journalists. You know, the same ones soon to be dependent on government bailouts for their paychecks.
I guess people like you and me, well... we should be seen and not heard.
I guess people like you and me, well... we should be seen and not heard.
02 December 2009
Settled Climate Science.
From the 1970's:
Hattip: Ed Driscoll.
However widely the weather varies from place to place and time to time, when meteorologists take an average of temperatures around the globe they find that the atmosphere has been growing gradually cooler for the past three decades. The trend shows no indication of reversing. Climatological Cassandras are becoming increasingly apprehensive, for the weather aberrations they are studying may be the harbinger of another ice age.Remember this the next time you hear global warming described as "settled science", requiring draconian government control over large parts of the US economy and your freedom.
Telltale signs are everywhere —from the unexpected persistence and thickness of pack ice in the waters around Iceland to the southward migration of a warmth-loving creature like the armadillo from the Midwest. Since the 1940s the mean global temperature has dropped about 2.7° F. Although that figure is at best an estimate, it is supported by other convincing data. When Climatologist George J. Kukla of Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory and his wife Helena analyzed satellite weather data for the Northern Hemisphere, they found that the area of the ice and snow cover had suddenly increased by 12% in 1971 and the increase has persisted ever since. Areas of Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic, for example, were once totally free of any snow in summer; now they are covered year round.
(emphasis mine)
Hattip: Ed Driscoll.
A Pointy Hat Is Coming To Town.
I really haven't sworn off blogging about The Episcopal Church (tm), but since General Convention this summer it's seemed pretty pointless. I mean, how do you parody something that's now, officially, a parody of itself?
But there is still news: Here in Louisiana this weekend we will hold a special convention to elect the 11th Bishop of Louisiana. The slate is one orthodox-conservative, one mostly conservative (former RC), three "moderates" (that is, who knows...), and one Schori look-alike - priest as second career, only six years since ordination, superb post-structuralist, whatever-you-want-it-to-mean language skills, yadda, yadda. Interestingly, only one is from a Louisiana parish; which is where, traditionally, our Diocese calls it's Bishops.
After the initial lay meetings last summer on what we wanted in the next bishop, I was pretty pleased at the desire for eschewing earthy-crunchy "relevance" and promoting orthodoxy. But I've seen a partial list of the delegates to the electing convention and, now, I'm not so confident. We shall see.
UPDATE: Current EDoLA newsletter is here. They plan to post ballot updates online as the votes are taken.
But there is still news: Here in Louisiana this weekend we will hold a special convention to elect the 11th Bishop of Louisiana. The slate is one orthodox-conservative, one mostly conservative (former RC), three "moderates" (that is, who knows...), and one Schori look-alike - priest as second career, only six years since ordination, superb post-structuralist, whatever-you-want-it-to-mean language skills, yadda, yadda. Interestingly, only one is from a Louisiana parish; which is where, traditionally, our Diocese calls it's Bishops.
After the initial lay meetings last summer on what we wanted in the next bishop, I was pretty pleased at the desire for eschewing earthy-crunchy "relevance" and promoting orthodoxy. But I've seen a partial list of the delegates to the electing convention and, now, I'm not so confident. We shall see.
UPDATE: Current EDoLA newsletter is here. They plan to post ballot updates online as the votes are taken.
Quote Of The Day.
This isn't mine, though I wish it was:
"Barack Obama is making Jimmy Carter look strong, Bill Clinton look ethical, and Geoorge W. Bush look smart".If polling is any indication, a lot of folks are reaching the same conclusion.
Our Hopenchange Future.
The fruits of Obama's "reforms". We can still stop such Lefty silliness in 2010 if we organize, and put things right in 2012.
Hattip: Instapundit.
Hattip: Instapundit.
01 December 2009
Get Ready For 2010.
If you're a Democrat, it's going to be a very bumpy ride. And you can't blame Bush for it this time.
30 November 2009
Today's Required Viewing.
With the 'Climate-gate' scandal now unfolding, this video - made before the damning emails and computer codes were released - puts "global warming" in perspective. It's long (about 90 minutes) but well worth watching.
Hattip: Maggie's Farm.
Hattip: Maggie's Farm.
An Interesting Statistic.
Here's why Team Hopenchange doesn't trust the private sector: Few of them have actually been in it.
29 November 2009
Making Jimmy Carter Look Good. (UPDATED AND CORRECTED)
UPDATE: OK, when I get taken in, I admit it. This seems to be one of those times, as the the image linked to above appears to be a very professionally done fake of this image.
27 November 2009
The Elite Man's Burden.
Michale Barone suggests that Team Hopenchange's ultimate goal is to remake America into a European social democracy, ah la, France. An ironic return to the old country.
I think Barone's right. If you look below the surface, Europe still works on the ancient social organization model that our ancestors fled - that of benevolent lord / grateful vassal - though they have replaced the divine right of kings with the divine right of elites. But the vassals though - that's you and me - are still seen as just that - great ignorant masses that need to be pacified and ruled; to be controlled for our own good. I believe the ultimate goal of this Congress and the Obama administration is to get that control, and their party, locked in place before they loose the opportunity.
They no longer see us, the People, as their masters - but their vassals. Why else would they be so tin-eared to our opinions?
I think Barone's right. If you look below the surface, Europe still works on the ancient social organization model that our ancestors fled - that of benevolent lord / grateful vassal - though they have replaced the divine right of kings with the divine right of elites. But the vassals though - that's you and me - are still seen as just that - great ignorant masses that need to be pacified and ruled; to be controlled for our own good. I believe the ultimate goal of this Congress and the Obama administration is to get that control, and their party, locked in place before they loose the opportunity.
They no longer see us, the People, as their masters - but their vassals. Why else would they be so tin-eared to our opinions?
Our Health Care Future.
Here is yet another example of why we do not want Team Hopenchange, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Mary Landrieu calling the shots on our health care.
Government-run health care has never worked - anywhere - and some of us will be reminding Mary Landrieu and Harry Reid that we do not want it here.
Government-run health care has never worked - anywhere - and some of us will be reminding Mary Landrieu and Harry Reid that we do not want it here.
26 November 2009
Something To Be Thankful For.
Don Surber reminds us that Thanksgiving gave us the greatest line, from the greatest episode, in TV sitcom history.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Turkey Day.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Turkey Day.
25 November 2009
My New Second Favorite Lady.
Move over Sandra Bullock, you've been replaced. Seems her dad is rubbing off on her.
(My favorite lady is still the one who put a ring on my finger 22 years ago. So second-favorite is the best you can do, Angie. Sorry.)
(My favorite lady is still the one who put a ring on my finger 22 years ago. So second-favorite is the best you can do, Angie. Sorry.)
24 November 2009
If That News Thing Doesn't Work Out, There's Always 'Dancing With The Stars'...
Or in Katic Couric's case, it appears a spot in the next Sir Mix-a-Lot video would be in order.
Hattip: Midwest Conservative Journal .
Hattip: Midwest Conservative Journal .
23 November 2009
It's Monday.
Busy day at work, so not much posting.
Dwight Hudson, the legislative action chair for our intrepid group of issue-oriented partiers, will be on Neil Cavuto tonight on Fox. More on health care and our Senator Mary "But I'm Not Cheap" Landrieu.
Our BRTP President, Jenifer Madsen, was on Cavuto last Friday. I guess everybody loves a winner.
UPDADE: D'Oh! Dwight was already on. Make sure to catch the repeat tonight.
Dwight Hudson, the legislative action chair for our intrepid group of issue-oriented partiers, will be on Neil Cavuto tonight on Fox. More on health care and our Senator Mary "But I'm Not Cheap" Landrieu.
Our BRTP President, Jenifer Madsen, was on Cavuto last Friday. I guess everybody loves a winner.
UPDADE: D'Oh! Dwight was already on. Make sure to catch the repeat tonight.
21 November 2009
Mary "Cheap Date" Landrieu Explains Her Vote.
A profile in statesmanship: “I will correct something. It’s not $100 million, it’s $300 million, and I’m proud of it and will keep fighting for it.”
You do that. I'd also recommend you stop by a Washington McDonald's concerning a job. Come January 2015, you're gonna need one.
Hattip: Vodkapundit.
You do that. I'd also recommend you stop by a Washington McDonald's concerning a job. Come January 2015, you're gonna need one.
Hattip: Vodkapundit.
20 November 2009
Climate Zealots Lied; Science Died.
It turns out ManBearPig is bullshit after all. Apparently academics knew it, and tried to hide that from the public. (More here.)
Read. It. All.
Hattip: Christopher at Midwest Conservative Journal.
Read. It. All.
Hattip: Christopher at Midwest Conservative Journal.
19 November 2009
We've Established What You Are; Now We're Just Haggling Over Price. (UPDATED)
And it ain't much, as it appears Mary Landrieu is selling out for a lousy $100 million. In Medicaid benefits. Like that'll help us working stiffs...
UPDATE 20NOV09: Drudge is calling it the 'Louisiana Purchase'.
UPDATE 20NOV09: Is this a pointer toward Mary's true allegiance: She will be hosting a fund-raiser for Harry Reid in New Orleans next month. I'm beginning to think all that fence-sitting talk was just that - talk - and she was just holding out for a better deal. M'thinks we been had, folks.
The vote hasn't happened yet - there is still a chance to get Mary to change her stance from representing Harry Reid back to representing the people of Louisiana. So, dear readers, get on the phone - or fax, or e-mail - and let Mary know what you think about all this. Especially you Louisiana readers.
UPDATE 20NOV09: Here's the YouTube of BRTP President Jennifer Madsen on Fox, responding to Mary's apparent sale:
UPDATE 20NOV09: Drudge is calling it the 'Louisiana Purchase'.
UPDATE 20NOV09: Is this a pointer toward Mary's true allegiance: She will be hosting a fund-raiser for Harry Reid in New Orleans next month. I'm beginning to think all that fence-sitting talk was just that - talk - and she was just holding out for a better deal. M'thinks we been had, folks.
The vote hasn't happened yet - there is still a chance to get Mary to change her stance from representing Harry Reid back to representing the people of Louisiana. So, dear readers, get on the phone - or fax, or e-mail - and let Mary know what you think about all this. Especially you Louisiana readers.
UPDATE 20NOV09: Here's the YouTube of BRTP President Jennifer Madsen on Fox, responding to Mary's apparent sale:
All Politics Is Local. (UPDATED)
Remember this little election drubbing we helped hand our Mayor the other day? Well, it got noticed.
The Tea Party movement is no longer a flash in the pan. And we proved it.
UPDATE 20NOV09: More notice. My buddy Jen, the President of the Baton Rouge Tea Party, will be on Neil Cavuto's show today on Fox. Make sure to watch.
The Tea Party movement is no longer a flash in the pan. And we proved it.
UPDATE 20NOV09: More notice. My buddy Jen, the President of the Baton Rouge Tea Party, will be on Neil Cavuto's show today on Fox. Make sure to watch.
18 November 2009
I'm Not A Betting Man, But...
...Which do you think will happen first? Gold topping $1,500 an ounce, or Obama finally deciding what to do in Afghanistan?
UPDATE: Obama ponders Afghanistan; a waffle shortage erupts. Coincidence?...
UPDATE: Obama ponders Afghanistan; a waffle shortage erupts. Coincidence?...
Hat In The Ring. (UPDATED)
(Holy sheep-dip! An Instalauhche! Welcome Instapundit readers!)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Clifford, proprietor and author of the blog Red Stick Rant, announced today that he is a candidate for Louisiana's 12th Congressional District in 2010. "In a district where the average salary is over $900,000.00," said Clifford, "a robust, growing economy is critical to maintain our prosperity."
Clifford said his priorities in Congress will be controlling government growth, returning government to Constitutional principals, and protecting jobs in the district.
For more information, contact Clifford at redstickrant@gmail.com. Until the campaign committee is fully operational, contributions can be made through the 'DONATE' button over on the right.
VOTE CLIFFORD! The Big Red Dog Republican.
UPDATE 19NOV09:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Clifford, author and big cheese of the blog Red Stick Rant, is indefinitely suspending his campaign to represent Louisiana's 12th Congressional District, since the 12th District no longer exists.
"It was a good campaign while it lasted," said Clifford, "and I hope both constituents in the 12th District know I was fighting hard for them."
While disappointed that he will not have the to opportunity to promote mainstream conservative values in Congress - such as government accountability, individual freedom, and the recognition by the USDA of chocolate and bacon as separate and distinct food groups - Clifford will continue to fight for those in Congress who do support such values.
(For those not in on the joke, Team Hopenchange's Recovery.gov initially listed $1.8 million in stimulus dollars being funneled into Louisiana's 12th congressional district, saving 2 (count 'em, 2) jobs. Alas, Louisiana only has 7 congressional districts.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Clifford, proprietor and author of the blog Red Stick Rant, announced today that he is a candidate for Louisiana's 12th Congressional District in 2010. "In a district where the average salary is over $900,000.00," said Clifford, "a robust, growing economy is critical to maintain our prosperity."
Clifford said his priorities in Congress will be controlling government growth, returning government to Constitutional principals, and protecting jobs in the district.
For more information, contact Clifford at redstickrant@gmail.com. Until the campaign committee is fully operational, contributions can be made through the 'DONATE' button over on the right.
VOTE CLIFFORD! The Big Red Dog Republican.
UPDATE 19NOV09:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Clifford, author and big cheese of the blog Red Stick Rant, is indefinitely suspending his campaign to represent Louisiana's 12th Congressional District, since the 12th District no longer exists.
"It was a good campaign while it lasted," said Clifford, "and I hope both constituents in the 12th District know I was fighting hard for them."
While disappointed that he will not have the to opportunity to promote mainstream conservative values in Congress - such as government accountability, individual freedom, and the recognition by the USDA of chocolate and bacon as separate and distinct food groups - Clifford will continue to fight for those in Congress who do support such values.
(For those not in on the joke, Team Hopenchange's Recovery.gov initially listed $1.8 million in stimulus dollars being funneled into Louisiana's 12th congressional district, saving 2 (count 'em, 2) jobs. Alas, Louisiana only has 7 congressional districts.)
15 November 2009
Yes, You Can Beat City Hall.
We did. And pretty soundly, at that.
Now, it helped that City Hall and their establishment financial backers were pushing something that the voters had already rejected a year before, and they answered the many criticisms and unanswered questions about the ALIVE scheme with, at best, condescension. Those who opposed ALIVE were dismissed either too ignorant, too narrow-minded, or simply lacked vision. Not a way to win votes.
While I hated to push back much needed infrastructure improvements by defeating the all-in-one bond proposal, I would rather do that than saddle Baton Rouge taxpayers with paying $225 million for the ALIVE project. To paraphrase Cornelius Ryan, The Mayor and Metro Council went a project too far.
I hope the Mayor and the Metro Council listen to their employers - the voters - and go back to the drawing board to re-craft a funding proposal for those improvements the voters can support. We all want to make Baton Rouge America's next great city.
Now, it helped that City Hall and their establishment financial backers were pushing something that the voters had already rejected a year before, and they answered the many criticisms and unanswered questions about the ALIVE scheme with, at best, condescension. Those who opposed ALIVE were dismissed either too ignorant, too narrow-minded, or simply lacked vision. Not a way to win votes.
While I hated to push back much needed infrastructure improvements by defeating the all-in-one bond proposal, I would rather do that than saddle Baton Rouge taxpayers with paying $225 million for the ALIVE project. To paraphrase Cornelius Ryan, The Mayor and Metro Council went a project too far.
I hope the Mayor and the Metro Council listen to their employers - the voters - and go back to the drawing board to re-craft a funding proposal for those improvements the voters can support. We all want to make Baton Rouge America's next great city.
11 November 2009
A Modest Proposal.
If it's "reform" to give the government control over our health care, why not do the same thing with the legal system?
I mean, the current legal system is as unequal and unfair as the current health care system - if not more so - so we need to do something to make high-quality, affordable, legal services available to all. In the name of equality and the children (of course) we can simply force everybody to buy a government-approved legal insurance policy, and have the government set legal fees and jury awards. It's a free country, right?
I mean, the current legal system is as unequal and unfair as the current health care system - if not more so - so we need to do something to make high-quality, affordable, legal services available to all. In the name of equality and the children (of course) we can simply force everybody to buy a government-approved legal insurance policy, and have the government set legal fees and jury awards. It's a free country, right?
A Sign Of The Times?
Don't tell Arnaud de Borchgrave, but his this here blog thingy got mentioned in the Washington Times.
Veterans Day.
If you woke up safe and sound in your bed this morning, make sure you thank a veteran today.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
- Willian Shakespeare, Henry V
My thanks to John, Morgan, Keith, Hugh, Earl, Lloyd, Chad, Toby, Jacque, Garland, Fritz, David, Bruce and Jason.
An excellent way to celebrate Veterans Day - donate to Project Valor-IT.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
- Willian Shakespeare, Henry V
My thanks to John, Morgan, Keith, Hugh, Earl, Lloyd, Chad, Toby, Jacque, Garland, Fritz, David, Bruce and Jason.
An excellent way to celebrate Veterans Day - donate to Project Valor-IT.
10 November 2009
09 November 2009
'Going Muslim?'
Tunku Varadarajan, in this article at Forbes.com, argues that 'going Muslim' is the new 'going postal.' I disagree, because I think the term paints to broadly. There are patriotic American Muslims, some who have given all for this country.
'Going jihadi' would be more accurate.
'Going jihadi' would be more accurate.
Watching The World Wake Up From History.
20 years ago today the Berlin Wall fell. 20 years ago today the Cold War ended.
Free minds, free markets, and Ronald Reagan won the day. Marxism, detante, and Jimmy Carter lost.
While Barack Obama doesn't think this is something to be celebrated (gee, wonder why...), I do. Unlike our President, I visited Germany and Berlin back when each was divided into East and West (1983). I travelled in the DDR (East Germany) and saw a real Marxist country in action. I saw the Wall - from both sides - and saw the dull, dreary Marxist East Berlin so directly contrasted against the free, capitalist West Berlin.
While I thought myself a Republican before, a week in Berlin (East and West) made me understand why. It crystallized on a West German train heading to Berlin, when we were forced to stop at at the East German border for passport checks. The East Germans customs agents made us stay in our seats and put up the windows, while border guards with AK-47s stood on the platform. One young guard, in his green Grenztruppen uniform, funny helmet and Kalashnikov, walked up to our window, staring in. I asked, rather rhetorically, "I wonder what he wants?" An elderly German woman sitting next to me replied, in English: "He wishes he were you." Pow.
So in celebration, dear readers, here is today's required listening: Right Here, Right Now.
And lest we forget, today's required reading: Murderous Idealism.
Free minds, free markets, and Ronald Reagan won the day. Marxism, detante, and Jimmy Carter lost.
While Barack Obama doesn't think this is something to be celebrated (gee, wonder why...), I do. Unlike our President, I visited Germany and Berlin back when each was divided into East and West (1983). I travelled in the DDR (East Germany) and saw a real Marxist country in action. I saw the Wall - from both sides - and saw the dull, dreary Marxist East Berlin so directly contrasted against the free, capitalist West Berlin.
While I thought myself a Republican before, a week in Berlin (East and West) made me understand why. It crystallized on a West German train heading to Berlin, when we were forced to stop at at the East German border for passport checks. The East Germans customs agents made us stay in our seats and put up the windows, while border guards with AK-47s stood on the platform. One young guard, in his green Grenztruppen uniform, funny helmet and Kalashnikov, walked up to our window, staring in. I asked, rather rhetorically, "I wonder what he wants?" An elderly German woman sitting next to me replied, in English: "He wishes he were you." Pow.
So in celebration, dear readers, here is today's required listening: Right Here, Right Now.
And lest we forget, today's required reading: Murderous Idealism.
08 November 2009
07 November 2009
All Your Freedoms Are Belong To Us.
Queen Nancy gets her way.
The GOP gets a winning cause.
And Rep. Joseph Cao gets to find out that one is the loneliest number.
UPDATE 11NOV09: Welcome Technologizer readers! Make yourself at home - there's beer and snacks in the fridge.
Oh, wait... There isn't a fridge. Cause... like... this a website; it doesn't have a fridge n' junk.
...
...
K'bye!
The GOP gets a winning cause.
And Rep. Joseph Cao gets to find out that one is the loneliest number.
UPDATE 11NOV09: Welcome Technologizer readers! Make yourself at home - there's beer and snacks in the fridge.
Oh, wait... There isn't a fridge. Cause... like... this a website; it doesn't have a fridge n' junk.
...
...
K'bye!
Is The Mandate Constitutional?
Here is an excellent debate on the constitutionality of Congress mandating we purchase health insurance or be penalized.
After reading through Mr. Chemerinsky's Commerce Clause justifications for a mandate, I find them unconvincing.
The Commerce Clause, upon which Mr. Chemerinsky bases his mandate claim, concerns regulating commerce among the states. But the purchase of health insurance is, by law, strictly an intra-state economic activity. Since none of us can cross state lines to purchase health insurance, where is the interstate commerce that is affected? Insurance is a service, not a commodity, like wheat, that I can possess and sell in another state. My health insurance policy exists as a contract recognized and governed by the laws of my state - it is not enforceable in another state, and therefore has no value or standing in another state.
While the purchase of health insurance is an economic activity, and therefore (in this case intra-state) commerce, the failure to purchase is an economic inactivity, and therefore is clearly not commerce - intra-state or otherwise. Mr. Chemerinsky seems to be saying that the Commerce Clause gives Congress almost unlimited power - including the power to compel an economic activity for it to regulate! As Mr. Rivkin points out, United States v. Lopez and United States v. Morrison show that the Commerce Clause does not provide Congress with such such unlimited power.
And that's before we get to the 9th and 10th Amendment arguments against a mandate. If the Pelosi/Reed/Obama notion of socialized "reform" becomes law, I think the mandate will not long survive Constitutional challenge.
After reading through Mr. Chemerinsky's Commerce Clause justifications for a mandate, I find them unconvincing.
The Commerce Clause, upon which Mr. Chemerinsky bases his mandate claim, concerns regulating commerce among the states. But the purchase of health insurance is, by law, strictly an intra-state economic activity. Since none of us can cross state lines to purchase health insurance, where is the interstate commerce that is affected? Insurance is a service, not a commodity, like wheat, that I can possess and sell in another state. My health insurance policy exists as a contract recognized and governed by the laws of my state - it is not enforceable in another state, and therefore has no value or standing in another state.
While the purchase of health insurance is an economic activity, and therefore (in this case intra-state) commerce, the failure to purchase is an economic inactivity, and therefore is clearly not commerce - intra-state or otherwise. Mr. Chemerinsky seems to be saying that the Commerce Clause gives Congress almost unlimited power - including the power to compel an economic activity for it to regulate! As Mr. Rivkin points out, United States v. Lopez and United States v. Morrison show that the Commerce Clause does not provide Congress with such such unlimited power.
And that's before we get to the 9th and 10th Amendment arguments against a mandate. If the Pelosi/Reed/Obama notion of socialized "reform" becomes law, I think the mandate will not long survive Constitutional challenge.
06 November 2009
ACORN Has A Visitor.
According to the Pelican Institute, ACORN Headquarters in New Orleans was raided today. WWL-TV confirms.
Friday Morning Distraction.
Admit it - you would have worn this costume on Halloween if you had the chance. (Watch the video all the way through.)
C'mon, admit it.
C'mon, admit it.
Obama Lied. Jobs Died. (UPDATED)
Remember this statement Barack Obama made in support of the Democrat stimulus package, which passed a month later:
So, after Obama, Pelosi, and Reed put us, our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren in hock to "stimulate" the economy, unempleyment is now at 10.2%... and still climbing.
Keep this in mind when these very same folks tell you they can make health care affordable.
UPDATE: Exurban League nails it:
“Economists from across the political spectrum agree that if we don’t act swiftly and boldly, we could see a much deeper economic downturn that could lead to double-digit unemployment and the American Dream slipping further and further out of reach.”Oops:
So, after Obama, Pelosi, and Reed put us, our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren in hock to "stimulate" the economy, unempleyment is now at 10.2%... and still climbing.
Keep this in mind when these very same folks tell you they can make health care affordable.
UPDATE: Exurban League nails it:
05 November 2009
04 November 2009
The Republican Alternative To ObamaCare. (UPDATED)
Yes, there really is one. How is it better? Well, for starters, it's 1,771 pages shorter... (Summary of the GOP proposal is here.)
UPDATE 05NOV09: A "grim milestone?" The ObamaCare bill is now over 2,000 pages long. Only a government mind would think making something bigger and more complex makes it more effective and cost efficient.
UPDATE 05NOV09: A "grim milestone?" The ObamaCare bill is now over 2,000 pages long. Only a government mind would think making something bigger and more complex makes it more effective and cost efficient.
03 November 2009
The Best Analysis Of This Election Night. Period.
From Creative Minority Report on Twitter: "America's decision on Obama came quicker than Obama's decision on Afghanistan."
Um... Ouch.
Um... Ouch.
02 November 2009
At Least Everyone Got Out ALIVE.
Something to remember when you're listening to Holden/Futrell/Foreman, et. al., tell you what a great idea it is to build an amusement park an Epcot on the Mississippi an "interactive adventure" "celebration" (fill in misty marketing superlative here) out into the Mississippi River:
Yes, that is a really big ship. And what is stopping it is the New Orleans' Riverwalk Marketplace shopping center.
Yes, that is a really big ship. And what is stopping it is the New Orleans' Riverwalk Marketplace shopping center.
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