CARS MAY BE BETTER THAN YOU THINK

Um, let's see. Today's conventional (liberal) wisdom seems to be that living in a walkable (e.g., dense) urban environment complete with mass transit and a minimal number of tiny, underpowered urban vehicles is environmental utopia: cheaper; cleaner, and healthier.

- no more car payments, gasoline bills, insurance payments;
- no more noxious fumes, less greenhouse gas;
- more room to walk, run, bike, and play.

Well and good ... except:

It costs more money to live without a car.

[A] car-free existence is more expensive. I live in Manhattan, so I can tell you how expensive it is to live here. It costs a lot less money to live in some non-walkable place in the midwest and own a car or two.

For whatever the reason, packing in people so close together that car-free life is feasible also has the effect of raising the price of everything else, and thus we can only conclude that densely populated areas are economically inefficient.

And taking public transportation may not be as environmentally-friendly as you think:

Two University of California environmental engineers, Mikhail Chester and Arpad Horvath, say seat occupancy and the underlying carbon costs can skew our understanding of emissions.

They maintain that in some circumstances, it is better to drive into a city in an SUV rather than take a train. That's because a car that is fully occupied may be responsible for less greenhouse gas per-mile traveled per-person, than a train that is only a quarter full.

I rather suspect that free enterprise is a much better mechanism for allocating resources than is conventional wisdom.

Which may be why liberals hate it.

JOURNALISTS DESERVE LOW PAY

From the Christian Science Monitor:

Journalists like to think of their work in moral or even sacred terms. With each new layoff or paper closing, they tell themselves that no business model could adequately compensate the holy work of enriching democratic society, speaking truth to power, and comforting the afflicted.

Actually, journalists deserve low pay.

Wages are compensation for value creation. And journalists simply aren't creating much value these days.

While I agree with the premise, the CSM argument that follows in the link above is baloney (or bologna, if you prefer). Journalists are deserving of low pay exactly because they are "enriching democratic society, speaking truth to power, and comforting the afflicted."

They'd deserve high(er) pay if they'd simply report the facts. [Ed. Hmm ... didn't "journalists" used to be called reporters?]

IS THERE A ROLE FOR EMPATHY IN THE LAW?

Before selecting Sonia Sotomayor as his nominee for the Supreme Court, President Obama said "We need somebody who's got the heart to recognize -- the empathy to recognize what it's like to be a young teenage mom, the empathy to understand what it's like to be poor or African-American or gay or disabled or old. And that's the criteria by which I'm going to be selecting my judges."

Liberals often make their case for empathy based on the perceived unfairness of outcomes such as differences in income, education and wealth. If the outcome isn't fair, then the rules should be 'bent' to assure a just outcome. Doubt about the fairness of a rule is sufficient to justify disregarding it. Walter Williams argues that fairness is a matter of process, not outcome: "Fairness ... must be settled by process questions such as: Were the rules unbiased and evenly applied? If so, [the] outcome is just and actions based on empathy would make it unjust."

Chief Justice John G. Roberts appeared to agree. In the opening remarks of his own confirmation hearings in 2005: ”Judges are like umpires. Umpires don’t make the rules; they apply them. The role of an umpire and a judge is critical. They make sure everybody plays by the rules. But it is a limited role.”

When Senator Jon Kyl asked Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor about the role of empathy in judging, she also appeared to agree: "I can only explain what I think judges should do, which is [that] judges can't rely on what's in their heart. They don't determine the law. Congress makes the laws. The job of a judge is to apply the law. And so it's not the heart that compels conclusions in cases. It's the law. The judge applies the law to the facts before that judge."

I wish I believed her.

CALL ME SNOTTY ... ER, SENATOR

California Democrat US Senator Boxer scolds Army Brigadier General Michael Walsh for calling her ma’am:

Do me a favor ... Could say senator instead of Ma'am. It's just a thing, I worked so hard to get that title, so I'd appreciate it, thank you.

The video clip is here.

I've had the same thing happen to me when I worked for a defense contractor.

"A point of personal perogative, Mr. Hankamer, but my title is Dr. A__."

This from a Government lab manager during a briefing (and never mind the fact that he knew from my business card that I also have an earned PhD).

In Sen. Boxer's case, it's not just the generic snottiness of (many of) our government employees - it's the abysmal ignorance of standard military protocol (from a United States Senator, for God's sake) and the complete lack of common courtesy.

The hostility of the Left to the military is palpable.

FROM J-SCHOOL TO G-SCHOOL

Gerbilism: (n) - national media coverage of the Obama administration.

"[G]erbilism" is a pretty good word for what's been going on in the news media these days. Gerbilism is an apt term for something that's soft and warm and cuddly, safe and timid, with no sharp teeth and no bite whatsoever.

The term was apparently coined by Doug Bates, associate editor of The Oregonian, in a commencement address to future "gerbilists" at the University of Oregon.

Thanks to Instapundit for the reference.

THE RECESSION IS REAL

Intellectually, I'm well aware that the US is in recession. My daughter was laid off from her former job; my 401k has dropped through the floor into the sub-basement; and I'm on leave without pay from my job.

But - my daughter found another job that pays better than her previous one; my 401k has some time to recover before I need it; and my leave without pay is really nothing more than an extended vacation used to deny Obama administration what they wrongfully consider to be their income.

But I'm lucky; I can afford to "go Galt" - for a while, at least.

Most Americans aren't so lucky, and reality hit hard last weekend at a rare visit (shopping is a chore) to the local shopping mall. My last visit was at least 8 months ago, perhaps more. Stores were open; shoppers plentiful.

This time - on a Saturday - the store vacancy rate had to be at least 20%, maybe 30%. Shoppers were present; not plentiful. Mall kiosks were gone. The anchor stores were still open, but selection limited, and stocks appeared low. Sales signs were everywhere.

It isn't pretty. It would be useful if our Obama factotums got out of their government-owned limousines and visited the local shopping mall. A little "reality trip" as it were.

OBAMACARE?

Canada care ... what's not to like? For a visit to Canadian healthcare, the video is here. It's long, but worth viewing in full.

DAY TRIP

These pictures were taken at Leesylvania State Park, on the Potomac River about 30 miles south of Washington, DC. The park is beautiful, with a marina overlooking a protected harbor and two boat ramps, each capable of serving up to 6 trailers at a time. Here’s the Half Shell, tied up at one of the piers [commercial fishing, or tour? I don’t know.].



The area has a rich history – in the 1950’s it was envisioned as a Vegas-style entertainment park, complete with a floating casino.



Virginia was a dry state at the time, with no gambling, hence the floating casino which was moored in Maryland waters (the border is 50 feet offshore). Here’s my wife and I, standing on a fishing pier nearby, one on each side of the border.



The survey marker is embedded in the pier deck. [And yes, a Virginia fishing license is acceptable, even though you’re fishing in Maryland waters.]



During the Civil War, Freestone Point (above the fishing pier) was a Confederate outpost overlooking the Potomac.





Only one cannon is left, although the bunkers for several more are still evident at the top of the bluff.



And of course, no day trip is complete without Bambi, who was having dinner beside the road.

THE BLOOM IS OFF THE ROSE

On Fox & Friends this morning, Karl Rove indicated that the American public is trending more conservative. Here's some data.

This first graphic is the Obama Approval Index from Rasmussen Reports. I've been tracking the approval index ever since the inauguration, waiting for it to hit zero, but never quite getting around to posting. The straight line is the trend line.



The second graphic appears to support Rove's contention. Green indicates those who "strongly support" President Obama; red indicates those who "strongly disapprove"; and black indicates those in the middle who lack a strong opinion.



Looking at the trend lines, the middle has remained relatively constant at about 1/3 while the strong disapprovals have gotten significantly higher and the strong approvals have gotten significantly smaller. The trend suggests that strong approvals are moving toward approvals, approvals are moving toward to disapprovals, and disapprovals are moving toward strong disapprovals.

If Obama's poll numbers reflect policy preferences, the Rasmussen data does indeed Rove's conservative trend.

CATS, CATS, ...

Shadow (top) and Diamond enjoying the evening on the back deck.

GONE GALT

I’ve taken advantage of a business “slump” to take 6 weeks of “unpaid vacation” – leave without pay. By my estimate, that will cost the Obama administration something on the close order of $4500 in lost income taxes plus about 6 tankfulls of lost gasoline tax.

It's a pittance compared to the other “John Galts” but as my father used to say, “Every little bit helps.”

Link via Instapundit.

RANDOM THOUGHT

What percentage of the under-30 male population realize that the purpose of the bill on a baseball cap is to shield the eyes from the sun, not the back of the neck from sunburn?

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.

INSANITY REDUX

[F]or the second time in a year, a relief boat carrying former Georgia Democratic Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney has been seized by Israeli forces off the coast of Gaza. McKinney is a longtime activist for the Palestinian cause, and was last year's Green Party candidate for president. She has been detained with 20 others.

The only sad thing about this news is that the Israelis probably won't keep her in custody.

INDEPENDENCE DAY 2009

Happy Independence Day, America!

Thanks to GoDaddy.com for the video.