"One of the clearest messages from the Town Hall forums during the August congressional recess was that people want Congress to be covered by the same health care reform plan they impose on the rest of us.... [A]n amendment offered by Rep. Dean Heller, R-NV, during a House Ways and Means Committee meeting just before the recess began that would have required Members to be covered by the Public Option plan if they approve it for private citizens. Predictably ... the Heller amendment was defeated, with all 21 committee Democrats voting against it. "
Or, in other words: “'The higher taxes, debt payments and interest rates needed to pay for health reform mean lower living standards.' But lower living standards for you are a small price to pay in exchange for more power for the political class — whose living standards won’t be going down at all . . . . "
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
CABLE NEWS HEADLINES
Just for curiosity, I decided to check the headlines for two cable news websites, FOX NEWS and CNN, to see how they compared. The lists below were taken from screen captures at 11:15 am this morning, September 15. FOX had 19 “top stories;” CNN, 21.
FOX Headlines
CNN Headlines
Of 40 stories, only 4 (!) were common to both, and one (marked with question mark instead of the asterisk) I gave the benefit of doubt, since both the FOX and CNN stories were generally about healthcare.
Do FOX and CNN report on the same America?
FOX Headlines
- Mullen: More Troops = Victory
- Senate Cuts ACORN Loose
- Closing In on Ivy League Campus Killer?
* 'Cash for Clunkers' Spawns Retail Sales Hike
- Airline Workers Busted on Drug Smuggling Charges
- Israel, Palestinians Guilty of 'War Crimes'?
- North Korea Unwilling to Give Up Nukes, South Says
- Recount Ordered at 10 Percent of Afghan Polls
* Iraqi Shoe Thrower Freed, Claims He Was Tortured
- H1N1 Spreads Long After Fever
- Obama Renews Push for Wall Street Oversight
* House to Discipline Wilson for 'You Lie!' Outburst
- FBI: Watch Out for Bomb Materials in NYC
- Schools on Pledge: You Have Right to Remain Silent
- Teens Sue Team Over 'God Bless America' Ejection
- Tracking Taxes: Unnecessary Earmark Projects Linger
? Baucus Health Bill May Leave Dems Cold
- Iran Nuclear Talks Likely to Be Held in Turkey
- McCain and Graham Hold Town Hall
CNN Headlines
- Student fatally stabbed at Florida school
- Actor Patrick Swayze dies after cancer fight
- Al Qaeda operative reported dead in U.S. strike
* Clunkers drives up retail sales
- 16 hurt after train hits barricade
- Ted's sons: Father 'very good at overcoming ...'
- Is Obama witch doctor image racist?
* Bush shoe thrower says he was tortured
? Don't cut my (public) health care
* Rep. Wilson faces resolution of disapproval
- Dem's 'urine' comments raise eyebrows
- Insurgents blown up by their own IED
- Girl, 8, hides, calls 911 during robbery
- Kanye tells Leno outburst 'was rude, period'
- Kanye gets called every name in the book
- Whitney Houston spills drug secrets
- Del Potro U.S. Open win is 'dream come true'
- 9 photos hooked on a feeling
- Police dog poisoned with anti-freeze
- Woman, 107, fears hubby No. 22 will leave her
- Senators split on approach to Afghanistan
Of 40 stories, only 4 (!) were common to both, and one (marked with question mark instead of the asterisk) I gave the benefit of doubt, since both the FOX and CNN stories were generally about healthcare.
Do FOX and CNN report on the same America?
HARDENING OF THE ATTITUDES
President Obama’s approval index has improved significantly in the last week, from -13 on September 7 to -4 today. It was at -8 on September 10, the day of his healthcare address to a Joint Session of Congress.
The approval chart (updated today), though, shows a distinct hardening of the attitudes. Strong approvals (green) are clearly leveling, at about 30%. Strong disapprovals (red) are still rising, however, and show little tendency to flatten. The worrisome trend for Obama is that the undecideds (black) are continuing to jump ship and move strongly toward disapproval.
The trend lines are almost unchanged from a post earlier this month.
The approval chart (updated today), though, shows a distinct hardening of the attitudes. Strong approvals (green) are clearly leveling, at about 30%. Strong disapprovals (red) are still rising, however, and show little tendency to flatten. The worrisome trend for Obama is that the undecideds (black) are continuing to jump ship and move strongly toward disapproval.
The trend lines are almost unchanged from a post earlier this month.
JACKASS
President Barack Obama, a black man, calls Kayne West, another black man, a jackass. ABC reports: “Now THAT’S presidential.”
Imagine that.
Now imagine “President George W. Bush, a white man, calls Kayne West, a black man, a jackass. ABC reports: ‘Now THAT’S presidential.’ ”
I can’t either.
Imagine that.
Now imagine “President George W. Bush, a white man, calls Kayne West, a black man, a jackass. ABC reports: ‘Now THAT’S presidential.’ ”
I can’t either.
BEWARE THE LIBERAL ARISTOCRACY
Michael Barone: “The lesson I take ... is to be wary when media, university and corporate elites warn that we must change our ways or face disaster 50 years hence, and when they insist ... that the time for argument is over.”
“In our two-party democracy, it never is. And shouldn't be.”
“In our two-party democracy, it never is. And shouldn't be.”
DID YOU FAIL YOUR COMMON SENSE TEST?
Then you might be eligible to run for public office since it appears that failing is a prerequisite. (Look at the direction arrow in the bottom right of the picture.)
DECONSTRUCTING THE MINISTRY OF TRUTH
Victor Davis Hanson: “Nothing is so fatal to a con as boredom. Tragically, when a Rangel, Paterson, Jones, or Obama—all enjoying privileges and successes that 300 million Americans might only dream of—start in on the now accustomed trope, the public turns the channel and sighs ‘Been there, done that.’ And I think they really mean it this time.”
I don’t think the public is “changing the channel” this time. I think they’ve decided to turn the set off.
I don’t think the public is “changing the channel” this time. I think they’ve decided to turn the set off.
Monday, September 14, 2009
WORKS AND DAYS
For those of us who like to check in with Dr. Hanson regularly, here’s a link to his columns.
CZARS I CAN LIVE WITH
Via Instapundit.
The "Boob Czar" reminds me of Dolly Parton's reply when asked if she would run for public office: "We've got too many boobs in office already."
LISTENING TO A LIAR
Dr. Thomas Sowell asks ”Why the rush?” on the stimulus, and on healthcare. His answer:
It’s all about control. Read the entire column.
There are lots of people in the Obama administration who want to do things that have not been done before-- and to do them before the public realizes what is happening.
It’s all about control. Read the entire column.
THE TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS
Dr. Sam Nussbaum asks: So who, then, are the real villains in health care?
He forgot the most important villan - us.
Are they the world's best-trained physicians and health care professionals who care for our loved ones? Perhaps our hospitals, which bring both employment and cutting-edge medical technologies to our communities? Our pharmaceutical, biotechnology and device companies, whose researchers give hope to those afflicted with diseases once thought incurable? Or our insurance companies, which provide access to these vital health services and whose nurses help coordinate care for patients? The answer is all of these groups standing together. The villain is our collective overgrazing on the commons of the U.S. health care system.
He forgot the most important villan - us.
DEFENDING VAN JONES
Charles Krauthammer: "Having once written a column praising Vice President Cheney's pithy deployment of the F-word -- on the floor of the Senate, no less -- I rise in defense of [Van]Jones [President Obama's "Green Czar," who called Republicans "assholes"]. True, Jones's particular choice of epithet had none of the one-syllable concision, the onomatopoeic suggestiveness, the explosive charm of Cheney's. But you don't fire a guy for style."
No, you fire him for being an idiot.
No, you fire him for being an idiot.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
MEDICARE FOR ALL?
To solve the healthcare problem, former Senator and presidential candidate George W. McGovern wants to extend Medicare coverage to all Americans.
There's just one minor problem. Medicare is in the hole and digging faster than ever. The projected deficit in 2007 was $74.6 trillion; in 2008, the projected deficit grew to $85.9 trillion.
There's just one minor problem. Medicare is in the hole and digging faster than ever. The projected deficit in 2007 was $74.6 trillion; in 2008, the projected deficit grew to $85.9 trillion.
DC 9/12 - CROWD SCENES AND COMMENTS
We arrived at the Vienna/Fairfax Metro station, the western terminus of the Orange line, about 11 am. Since we were late, we didn't expect much of a crowd.
Surprise! the parking garage was at least 2/3 full (on Saturday? Never) and the line to get on the train was at least 100 yards outside the station. After an hour, we finally boarded a packed train.
By the time we arrived in Washington, nearly 2 pm, the march down Pennsylvania Avenue was over - only stragglers and latecomers were still on the sidewalks. It was almost a normal Saturday along the street.
This photo was taken as we were nearing the National Mall approaching the Capitol building. It was still relatively quiet, but we could see some crowding ahead of us.
Now approaching the protest site, we can see crowds ahead. The area reserved for the protest is still ahead of us, well beyond camera range.
Now we're joined the crowd. We're still several hundred yards from the reserved area, we're now well inside the crowd.
At this point, we're still in the "outer ring" of protestors. Crowd density is about the same no matter which direction we turned.
Finally! We've gone another hundred yards or so and have made it almost to ihe inside edge of the outer ring.
At last - the ares of the Capitol grounds reserved for the protest. It's so crowded inside that the Capitol Police are only allowing new arrivals inside as some of the protestors inside depart. It takes about 30 minutes of waiting before we're finally allowed inside, but at least we can (barely) hear the speakers from our waiting area.
Inside at last. We've finally made it to within about 100 yards of the speakers' podium. We can't see the speakers easily, but large-screen televisions and loudspeakers allow us to see and hear reasonably well. It's now about 3 pm, the scheduled end for the protest.
Close to 4 pm, the protest is finally over and people begin to exit. The Mississippi contingent (!) is outside the gate, waving good-bye to the protestors.
This is a view of the Capitol reflecting pool, taken about a half-hour after the protest officially ended. The perimeter of the pool is ringed with people, 2 and 3 deep in many places.
An hour afterward, these folks, from Connecticut as I recall, are sitting on the Mall waiting for their bus to take them back home. A long day for them.
How many people attended? I don't know. The estimates I've seen/heard ranged from a low of 50,000 to as high as 2.5 million. Fifty thousand is ridiculously low by any counting standard. We were never in a position to see all, or even most, of the crowd even though we moved around as much as was possible in the crush of people, but I'm sure we saw many more than 50,000 people.
Judging from the crowding on Metro and the number of buses we saw both at the Mall and the Metro stations, the minimum had to be several hundred thousand, and a million is probably high, though certainly not out of the question.
A final note. The attendees were mostly middle-aged and middle-class, typical of working Americans everywhere. Minorities were well-represented, though probably not in proportion to the general population. Everyone was extremely well-mannered; we neither saw nor heard any disruptions for the entire time we were there.
I've seen reports on other blogs remarking how clean the area was left. The reporters are correct. There was plenty of trash, but it was all deposited in the trash containers on site. The Park Service groundkeepers will have very little to do cleaning up.
Surprise! the parking garage was at least 2/3 full (on Saturday? Never) and the line to get on the train was at least 100 yards outside the station. After an hour, we finally boarded a packed train.
By the time we arrived in Washington, nearly 2 pm, the march down Pennsylvania Avenue was over - only stragglers and latecomers were still on the sidewalks. It was almost a normal Saturday along the street.
This photo was taken as we were nearing the National Mall approaching the Capitol building. It was still relatively quiet, but we could see some crowding ahead of us.
Now approaching the protest site, we can see crowds ahead. The area reserved for the protest is still ahead of us, well beyond camera range.
Now we're joined the crowd. We're still several hundred yards from the reserved area, we're now well inside the crowd.
At this point, we're still in the "outer ring" of protestors. Crowd density is about the same no matter which direction we turned.
Finally! We've gone another hundred yards or so and have made it almost to ihe inside edge of the outer ring.
At last - the ares of the Capitol grounds reserved for the protest. It's so crowded inside that the Capitol Police are only allowing new arrivals inside as some of the protestors inside depart. It takes about 30 minutes of waiting before we're finally allowed inside, but at least we can (barely) hear the speakers from our waiting area.
Inside at last. We've finally made it to within about 100 yards of the speakers' podium. We can't see the speakers easily, but large-screen televisions and loudspeakers allow us to see and hear reasonably well. It's now about 3 pm, the scheduled end for the protest.
Close to 4 pm, the protest is finally over and people begin to exit. The Mississippi contingent (!) is outside the gate, waving good-bye to the protestors.
This is a view of the Capitol reflecting pool, taken about a half-hour after the protest officially ended. The perimeter of the pool is ringed with people, 2 and 3 deep in many places.
An hour afterward, these folks, from Connecticut as I recall, are sitting on the Mall waiting for their bus to take them back home. A long day for them.
How many people attended? I don't know. The estimates I've seen/heard ranged from a low of 50,000 to as high as 2.5 million. Fifty thousand is ridiculously low by any counting standard. We were never in a position to see all, or even most, of the crowd even though we moved around as much as was possible in the crush of people, but I'm sure we saw many more than 50,000 people.
Judging from the crowding on Metro and the number of buses we saw both at the Mall and the Metro stations, the minimum had to be several hundred thousand, and a million is probably high, though certainly not out of the question.
A final note. The attendees were mostly middle-aged and middle-class, typical of working Americans everywhere. Minorities were well-represented, though probably not in proportion to the general population. Everyone was extremely well-mannered; we neither saw nor heard any disruptions for the entire time we were there.
I've seen reports on other blogs remarking how clean the area was left. The reporters are correct. There was plenty of trash, but it was all deposited in the trash containers on site. The Park Service groundkeepers will have very little to do cleaning up.
DC 9/12 - STILL MORE PROTEST SIGNS
Tea for me, please.
"I'd rather be waterboarding," Spotted on a young man who didn't seem too impressed with the Left's "kindness to terrorists" movement.
A national monument for the "tax-and-spend"-thrifts.
A fairly common thought, widely expressed.
Too much sweetener in the Kool Aid.
DC 9/12: MORE SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Some more signs spotted throughout the protest:
"Hope and Change" seems to have morphed into "Hope for Change."
But the recycling movement is active.
At least one Democrat seems to have gone from "Hope and Change" to "Hope for Change."
Yes, we can bankrupt America.
Trust the government? Ask an indian, er, Native American.
"Hope and Change" seems to have morphed into "Hope for Change."
But the recycling movement is active.
At least one Democrat seems to have gone from "Hope and Change" to "Hope for Change."
Yes, we can bankrupt America.
Trust the government? Ask an indian, er, Native American.
A VERY GOOD POINT
Responding to an earlier article about opposition to the construction of a 765-kilovolt power line from West Virginia through Virginia to Maryland, Kenneth Haapala makes a very good point, and one I've touched on in an earlier post.
The transmission line required to distribute the power generated requires roughly 100 times the physical area of the power plant itself! And by extension, roughly 100 times the NIMBY-ism in getting it established.
The essential point is that a truly efficient national energy policy is going to require the energy source be matched to the energy consumer. The California model (import energy and export pollution via distant power plants connected to long transmission lines) just isn’t going to work.
An idea that might work (with modification) is the regional approach proposed by David Crane, president and chief executive of NRG Energy. I’m not wholly in agreement, but the concept has merit.
[T]he John Amos [power] plant has an effective capacity of 2,640 megawatts and occupies less than one square mile ... [T]he proposed Potomac Appalachian Transmission Highline {transmission line] requires a swath 275 miles long and 2,200 feet wide (about 115 square miles) ....
The transmission line required to distribute the power generated requires roughly 100 times the physical area of the power plant itself! And by extension, roughly 100 times the NIMBY-ism in getting it established.
The essential point is that a truly efficient national energy policy is going to require the energy source be matched to the energy consumer. The California model (import energy and export pollution via distant power plants connected to long transmission lines) just isn’t going to work.
An idea that might work (with modification) is the regional approach proposed by David Crane, president and chief executive of NRG Energy. I’m not wholly in agreement, but the concept has merit.
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