Reflecting on my earlier post, I noted the DC City Council voted in favor of gay marriage despite overwhelming opposition of the black community. The following day, there was a demonstration outside the Council offices in favor of a DC school voucher program for which the City Council is notably unenthusiastic.
The Democrats (DC is a wholly-owned Democrat subsidiary) continue to infuriate their largest, most loyal - and monolithic - voting bloc. How long this will continue before the black community realizes it’s being used and starts to leave the plantation?
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
SMOKERS TEED OFF
“The city of Spokane just tried to ban smoking on its four public golf courses, only to be stymied by an outcry from players and smoking rights advocates.”
‘Washington state is among the least hospitable places for smokers, with no smoking allowed in any public indoor space, or outside within 25 feet of a door or window. But the proposed smoking ban on public links has struck a nerve, in part because of the vastness of golf courses.”
"’If I was just walking and somebody was 300 feet away, I'm bothering them?’ avid smoker and golfer Greg Presley told the Spokane parks board during a public hearing. ‘We've got to have some common sense.’"
Oops! There’s that pesky “c-phrase” again. No one is his right mind could ever accuse the government of having common sense.
‘Washington state is among the least hospitable places for smokers, with no smoking allowed in any public indoor space, or outside within 25 feet of a door or window. But the proposed smoking ban on public links has struck a nerve, in part because of the vastness of golf courses.”
"’If I was just walking and somebody was 300 feet away, I'm bothering them?’ avid smoker and golfer Greg Presley told the Spokane parks board during a public hearing. ‘We've got to have some common sense.’"
Oops! There’s that pesky “c-phrase” again. No one is his right mind could ever accuse the government of having common sense.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
STOP OBAMACARE
The Weekly Standard, posted Monday:
Hot Air, posted today:
Need more be said?
[T]he Obama plan, whatever its tactical cleverness, will suffer from the key drawbacks of all government-financed and managed health insurance. It would make the government the gatekeeper--the controller of prices and the provider of coverage. Health care decisions would increasingly be made in Washington and subject to political pressures that take into account neither patient needs nor economic realities.
Hot Air, posted today:
[I]n the Senate Finance Committee hearings on health-care reform .... [t]he speaker, Professor Stuart Altman of Brandeis University, tells the committee that resources get wasted in the American health-care system, especially for one segment of the population. Professor Altman says he’s reluctant to mention it, but why waste money on in-depth treatment for people who won’t live long anyway? Better to warehouse them and save the resources for the young.
Need more be said?
DON’T PC ON ME
Letter of Amends from a Recovering Liberal in Berkeley.
I wish her well; in Berzerkley, she's going to need all the help she can get.
I wish her well; in Berzerkley, she's going to need all the help she can get.
MEMO TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
I’ve received my third Republican fundraising letter in as many weeks. Each has been heavy on reasons to vote against Democrats and light on reasons to vote for Republicans. Here are some examples.
Democrats have/are/will:
Well, yeah. So what does the Republican party propose?
Sorry, Charlie. I’m tired of the holier-than-thou “Democrats bad, Republicans good” pontificating. I’m tired of platitudes; what I want to see is a solid Republican philosophical foundation, some small set of common core beliefs, such as Liberty; Individual Responsibility; Limited Government; Religious Freedom. Then I want to see those core beliefs reflected in Republican policies and programs, such as
I also strongly recommend that the Republican Party scan the blogosphere for every scheduled tea party for the next six months - and go. Don’t attempt to co-opt the tea parties; don’t participate in them. Just go, be visible, pay attention - and listen.
Until then, I’m taking the advice of one of the blog commenters I read recently. I’m going to give the money to SARAHPAC and tell you to go to her for advice and support.
Democrats have/are/will:
unleashed a socialist revolution ....
declared war against capitalism ...
[using] free-spending, fear-mongering tactics....
unleashed a ... troubling socialist frenzy ....
grow government; increase spending ..., redistribut[e] wealth, and destroy the savings of millions ....
Well, yeah. So what does the Republican party propose?
... a government that encourages personal responsibility, expands freedom and stays off of our backs ....
... ideas and commitment ...
... budget carving ...
... streamlined government using the latest technology ...
Sorry, Charlie. I’m tired of the holier-than-thou “Democrats bad, Republicans good” pontificating. I’m tired of platitudes; what I want to see is a solid Republican philosophical foundation, some small set of common core beliefs, such as Liberty; Individual Responsibility; Limited Government; Religious Freedom. Then I want to see those core beliefs reflected in Republican policies and programs, such as
Social Security
Medicare and health “care”
Taxes
The environment
Immigration
Education
I also strongly recommend that the Republican Party scan the blogosphere for every scheduled tea party for the next six months - and go. Don’t attempt to co-opt the tea parties; don’t participate in them. Just go, be visible, pay attention - and listen.
Until then, I’m taking the advice of one of the blog commenters I read recently. I’m going to give the money to SARAHPAC and tell you to go to her for advice and support.
A REAL EYE-OPENER
I’m flying back to Texas next month and need to rent a car. Here’s the cost summary for an 8-day rental from Houston International Airport (IAH):
Total? $164.67, a bit over $20 /day. Sounds reasonable, right?
Oh, wait. I forgot to add in the estimated taxes and fees from the booking agency. Here they are, unchanged from the rental confirmation:
Total? $100.96, 38% of the total rental charges of $265.63.
The booking company helpfully added that “The taxes and fees are calculated by the rental car company at the time of booking. It is possible that some charges may change by the time you pick up the car.”
The round-trip airfare is less ....
One week @ $141.68 /week - $141.68
Plus one day @ $22.99 /day - $22.99
Total? $164.67, a bit over $20 /day. Sounds reasonable, right?
Oh, wait. I forgot to add in the estimated taxes and fees from the booking agency. Here they are, unchanged from the rental confirmation:
4.49 BUS COST REC FEE - $4.49 /rental
24.00 FACILITY CHARGE - $24.00 /rental
11.11 PCT CONCESSN RECOV FEE - $20.70 /rental
3.60 ENERGY RECOVERY FEE - $3.60 /rental
13.52 FLEET RECOVERY FEE - $13.52 /rental
10.00 PCT RENTAL TAX - $23.10 /rental
5.00 PCT COUNTY RENTAL TAX - $11.55 /rental
Total? $100.96, 38% of the total rental charges of $265.63.
The booking company helpfully added that “The taxes and fees are calculated by the rental car company at the time of booking. It is possible that some charges may change by the time you pick up the car.”
The round-trip airfare is less ....
WHAT AM I MISSING HERE?
“Montgomery County dropped a $55,000 contribution to Food & Friends because council members say the charity's executive director makes too much money ... Craig Shniderman makes $380,000 a year.”
Two thoughts: (1) This “charity” takes in just under $8 million a year. How many businesses do you know whose “chief executive officers” take in salary just under 5% of the gross? (2) Montgomery County has been whining about a $297 million dollar budget deficit and yet they were going to spend taxpayers’ dollars on this?
Tell me again why more government is better.
Two thoughts: (1) This “charity” takes in just under $8 million a year. How many businesses do you know whose “chief executive officers” take in salary just under 5% of the gross? (2) Montgomery County has been whining about a $297 million dollar budget deficit and yet they were going to spend taxpayers’ dollars on this?
Tell me again why more government is better.
HYPOCRISY ALERT
"Companies that take TARP money can’t hold business conferences in Las Vegas, but politicians who run up $2 trillion deficits by throwing TARP money at businesses can hold fundraisers there. Ohhhhh-kay."
We’re politicians. Rules are for little people.
We’re politicians. Rules are for little people.
Monday, May 11, 2009
SAVING THE WORLD
From a bumper sticker in the parking garage:
Sounds good, but inaccurate. It should read
SAVE THE WORLD
VOTE DEMOCRATIC
Sounds good, but inaccurate. It should read
SAVE THE WORLD (from DEMOCRATS)
VOTE REPUBLICAN
Sunday, May 10, 2009
9/11 REMINDER
This morning dawned a perfect fall day; cool, crisp, cloudless, no wind. Squirrels were active in the yard, and the birds singing.
The first thing my wife said when she came out to the porch: “This reminds me of 9/11.”
Say what you will about the Bush administration, I always woke up in the morning believing that the government was doing its level best to prevent another terrorist attack.
Not any more.
The first thing my wife said when she came out to the porch: “This reminds me of 9/11.”
Say what you will about the Bush administration, I always woke up in the morning believing that the government was doing its level best to prevent another terrorist attack.
Not any more.
FAUX OUTRAGE
The Left is all a-twitter with fake outrage over comments by CBS Sports commentator David Feherty, who wrote (third article)
in a satire-heavy piece that also called for capital punishment for pro-lifers.
Liberal watchdog Media Matters for America demanded an apology. “Mr. Feherty’s violent comments about Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid are disgusting,” said Media Matters President Eric Burns. “Suggesting that our troops would attack the leaders of the very democracy they’ve sworn to sacrifice their lives for is an insult to their integrity, honor, and professionalism.
Oh, nuts. Anyone who’s served with the military in the Middle East knows that Pelosi and Reid would be treated with respect, no matter how dark the innermost thoughts. I know; I’ve been there – twice.
Via Jules Crittenden. Read the whole piece, including the comments.
“From my own experience visiting the troops in the Middle East, I can tell you this, though: despite how the conflict has been portrayed by our glorious media, if you gave any U.S. soldier a gun with two bullets in it, and he found himself in an elevator with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Osama bin Laden, there’s a good chance that Nancy Pelosi would get shot twice, and Harry Reid and bin Laden would be strangled to death,”
in a satire-heavy piece that also called for capital punishment for pro-lifers.
Liberal watchdog Media Matters for America demanded an apology. “Mr. Feherty’s violent comments about Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid are disgusting,” said Media Matters President Eric Burns. “Suggesting that our troops would attack the leaders of the very democracy they’ve sworn to sacrifice their lives for is an insult to their integrity, honor, and professionalism.
Oh, nuts. Anyone who’s served with the military in the Middle East knows that Pelosi and Reid would be treated with respect, no matter how dark the innermost thoughts. I know; I’ve been there – twice.
Via Jules Crittenden. Read the whole piece, including the comments.
POLITICS? OR PRINCIPLES?
According to the Washington Post, "the D.C. Council member [Marion Berry] chose politics over principle in a vote against recognizing same-sex marriages."
Isn’t that what a council member supposed to do? Represent his constituents?
And so he’s a bigot and racist because he voted against recognizing gay marriages?
Sorry, but the Post got this editorial exactly backwards. The DC Council voted politically (correct); Marion Berry voted principle.
As a person, Berry is detestable. As Mayor of Washington DC, he was arrested for cocaine use; and he is a serial tax cheat who by all rights should be in the Obama admi..., er, jail. But this once, he was right.
[I]t was heartening to see council members facing election next year ... vote their principles in the face of a hostile audience threatening political retaliation. By contrast, Mr. Barry said he had to oppose the measure because he believed that is what his constituents wanted.
Isn’t that what a council member supposed to do? Represent his constituents?
Throughout his career as an activist, school board member and mayor, Mr. Barry has supported gay rights, fighting the ouster of a gay schoolteacher and backing recognition of domestic partnerships.
And so he’s a bigot and racist because he voted against recognizing gay marriages?
Sorry, but the Post got this editorial exactly backwards. The DC Council voted politically (correct); Marion Berry voted principle.
As a person, Berry is detestable. As Mayor of Washington DC, he was arrested for cocaine use; and he is a serial tax cheat who by all rights should be in the Obama admi..., er, jail. But this once, he was right.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
POLAR BEARS, MEET BUS
The Obama administration announced that it would continue a Bush administration rule forbidding government scientists from considering global warming when protecting polar bears pursuant to the Endangered Species Act.
The Obama EPA justified their decision, “saying that it’s scientifically impossible to use the Endangered Species Act to regulate greenhouse gases, which are contributing to the warming of the earth and the resulting melting of bears’ habitat in Alaska. The emissions from a cement plant in Georgia, for example, can’t be tied directly to the precipitous decline in polar ice.”
Um, OK, then. By that same logic, the EPA has no business regulating carbon emissions pursuant to the Clean Air Act. If the emissions from “just one car tailpipe in Arizona can’t be tied directly to global warming” and it is “scientifically impossible to use the Endangered Species Act to regulate greenhouse gases” than shouldn’t it is also be scientifically impossible to use the CAA to regulate greenhouse gasses?
At least the polar bear should be well-fed under the Obama bus.
The Obama EPA justified their decision, “saying that it’s scientifically impossible to use the Endangered Species Act to regulate greenhouse gases, which are contributing to the warming of the earth and the resulting melting of bears’ habitat in Alaska. The emissions from a cement plant in Georgia, for example, can’t be tied directly to the precipitous decline in polar ice.”
Um, OK, then. By that same logic, the EPA has no business regulating carbon emissions pursuant to the Clean Air Act. If the emissions from “just one car tailpipe in Arizona can’t be tied directly to global warming” and it is “scientifically impossible to use the Endangered Species Act to regulate greenhouse gases” than shouldn’t it is also be scientifically impossible to use the CAA to regulate greenhouse gasses?
At least the polar bear should be well-fed under the Obama bus.
"REBRANDING" GLOBAL WARMING
"With a number of studies now showing there has been no global warming over at least the last 10 years and that the Earth is actually cooling, environmentalists are looking to re-brand their message."
"The Denver Examiner reports 'global warming' was found to be too political and polarizing, so 'climate crisis' is recommended. The group urges the use of 'pollution' instead of 'carbon'; [and] 'new energy jobs' instead of 'green jobs'."
New bottle, same whine.
"The Denver Examiner reports 'global warming' was found to be too political and polarizing, so 'climate crisis' is recommended. The group urges the use of 'pollution' instead of 'carbon'; [and] 'new energy jobs' instead of 'green jobs'."
New bottle, same whine.
Friday, May 08, 2009
NO MORE YARD SALES
”Th[e] ... Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds the American people that, thanks to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, the government is totally in charge of your yard sale:”
“Selling old kids books, anything with metal, paint, or plastic that a kid might use, old clothes or shoes with metal components that a kid might wear? You know, any of the stuff people routinely sell at yard sales? Technically, you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars worth of fines.”
Do you have your ObamaCare permission slip?
via Instapundit.
This [28-page] handbook will help sellers of used products identify types of potentially hazardous products that could harm children or others. CPSC’s laws and regulations apply to anyone who sells or distributes consumer products. This includes thrift stores, consignment stores, charities, individuals holding yard sales (emphasis mine), and flea markets.
“Selling old kids books, anything with metal, paint, or plastic that a kid might use, old clothes or shoes with metal components that a kid might wear? You know, any of the stuff people routinely sell at yard sales? Technically, you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars worth of fines.”
Do you have your ObamaCare permission slip?
via Instapundit.
OBAMACARE
SHOE, by Chris Cassatt & Gary Brookins (Washington Times, 7 May 2009)
Says it all, doesn't it?
FROM MY EMAIL
I called my stockbroker yesterday and asked him, "What are you buying?"
His answer: "Canned goods and ammunition."
His answer: "Canned goods and ammunition."
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