Sunday, July 05, 2009

HOPE 'N CHANGE: OBESITY VS. CO2

[R]researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) ... transplanted a fat-burning pathway used by bacteria and plants into mice. The genetic alterations enabled the animals to convert fat into carbon dioxide and remain lean while eating the equivalent of a fast-food diet.

Interesting. So we may soon be able to reduce obesity at the cost of increasing global warming. Rather a conundrum for the nanny-staters, eh?

Via Instapundit.

WHERE ARE THE JOBS?

[T]hanks to Barack Obama and Democrats, the US unemployment rate is worse today than if they never would have passed their stimulus package. The Obama Administration predicted the unemployment rate with and without President Obama's stimulus package, the one that is supposed to "create or save" 3 million jobs.

Unfortunately, the red line shows the actual trend since the Stimulus was passed:



From Mickey in the comments at Gateway Pundit: “We get the government we deserve as a people. It just sux for the few that have it figured out and still have to go down with the ship of fools.”

The image that comes to mind in the Titanic under Captain Obama; and those of us who are “going Galt” are beginning to man the lifeboats. It’s not a pretty picture.

IN THE "YOU'VE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME" COLUMN

Couple ordered to stop holding bible study at home without permit:

Pastor David Jones and his wife Mary have been told that they cannot invite friends to their San Diego, Calif. home for a Bible study — unless they are willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars to San Diego County.

Some California bureaucrat has a little too much time on his hands.

BUT - with California fiscally bankrupt, perhaps a little "pruning" of the bureaucracy is in order.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA

These were taken at the fireworks show in Old Town Manassas Virginia. The Manassas fireworks show is always better than the show on the Mall in Washington DC -- and has the side benefit of our being able to see the Manassas Park fireworks show simultaneously on the horizon.











And now, the video ....

TWO TEA PARTY VIDEOS

"It's not about the money." Here's a young man who gets it.



If the next generation is at all like these two young men, America will do just fine.



These video clips were taken during the audience participation period at the Manassas Tea Party on July 4.

[Update] More tea party news here.

MANASSAS INDEPENDENCE DAY TEA PARTY

Here are some photos from the local tea party on Independence Day. It was held at the Prince William County administration building, about midway between Manassas and Woodbridge in Virginia

Attendance was about 500; my estimate based on the number of cars in the nearby parking lots. There were about a dozen speakers, equally divided between scheduled and walk-up. As one might expect, cap-and-tax and Obamacare were the two most-discussed issues; somewhat unexpected (to me) was the cheering of an advocate of repealing the 16th Amendment (income tax). Is the Fair tax making a comeback?

There was a decent sprinkling of local politicians, mostly Republican and mostly listening. No campaign speeches to speak of, although there were a number of oblique references to getting rid of the current crop of incumbents.

Most surprising, to me at least, was the call for continuing tea parties - for here, on September 12, the day after 9/11, and on December 16, the anniversary of the original Boston tea party.

Here are the pictures.


It should be "You're" but the sentiment was well received.


Obviously the "cap-and-trade" (Waxman-Markey climate change) bill isn't sitting too well with tea party enthusiasts. If it carries, I predict there will be some (many?) congresscritters looking for real jobs in 2011.


Listening to the speakers - the oak trees were fine spots to sit and listen.


"Socialism isn't cool" - a prepared sign. Americans for Prosperity is testing out a branding effort. It might work.


By one estimate, 30-40% of the passers-by honked or waved approval of the protest.


A common sentiment throughout.


"It's not like you earned it."





















Or live for free in the Obama Nation?


I suppose global warming will be good when we're all living outside or in tents next winter.





















Yes.





















Instapundit would be proud of this one.


Chapter 13. That's where we're headed, I'm afraid.

Some final thoughts. First, the protestors were almost exclusively middle-class; not rich, not poor. Largely white, but with a smattering of minorities represented. Second, the protestors were extremely well-behaved. There was no police presence - none - at the tea party. And finally, the protest area was immaculate when we left. Even the trash bins were removed to the dumpsters before everyone departed.