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.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
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 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.
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.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
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.
It's a pittance compared to the other “John Galts” but as my father used to say, “Every little bit helps.”
Link via Instapundit.
Monday, July 06, 2009
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?
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.
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.
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:
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.
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 ....
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
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.
Friday, July 03, 2009
FROM THE “I WISH I HAD MY CAMERA” DEPARTMENT
Leaving my office last week, I walked through the parking garage past the stairwell leading to the other garage levels and saw something I hadn’t noticed before: the stairwell landing has a skidproof wheelchair ramp leading up to the stairwell (there arefour stairwells; each has a wheelchair ramp on the landing of each garage-level floor; none has anything beyond a stair).
Going down, at least, it may be a bumpy ride, but it’ll be a smooth exit (if you make the turn at the landing).
And then driving home, one of the little Smart Cars passed me on the freeway – with a wind-up key on the back hatch! Here’s a photo I found on the internet.
I wonder how many turns of the key it takes to go 30 miles ....
Going down, at least, it may be a bumpy ride, but it’ll be a smooth exit (if you make the turn at the landing).
And then driving home, one of the little Smart Cars passed me on the freeway – with a wind-up key on the back hatch! Here’s a photo I found on the internet.
I wonder how many turns of the key it takes to go 30 miles ....
A THOUGHT ON SARAH PALIN
I just watched former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee comment on the Palin resignation.
How about Huckabee/Palin 2012 followed by Palin in 2020? I'd be 73 to vote in that election, but it's one I'd hang around for.
[Update] Oops, math error - I'll be 75, not 73, but I'll still hang around.
How about Huckabee/Palin 2012 followed by Palin in 2020? I'd be 73 to vote in that election, but it's one I'd hang around for.
[Update] Oops, math error - I'll be 75, not 73, but I'll still hang around.
FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS - TWO VIEWS
From the Left:
From the Right:
I lean toward Instapundit's view:
Reynolds is absolutely correct on the "leave it to professionals" comment; if government can ban any activity on the basis of some perceived risk, then what is left of freedom?
[T]he National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has co-founded an Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks. NFPA president Jim Shannon says, "Each year, nearly 10,000 people are treated in U.S. emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, and many of these injuries go hand-in-hand with Fourth of July celebrations" ... Suggested instead, "attending public fireworks displays put on by 'trained professionals'."
From the Right:
States such as New Jersey that have adopted more stringent regulations or bans haven't seen significant drops in the number of fireworks-related deaths, in part because there were few such deaths to begin with. During the last three years, states with bans actually had a higher fireworks-related death rate (.018 per million people) than states without restrictions (.014 per million).
Government can protect people from only so much, and if we banned all the products that caused more deaths and injuries than fireworks, there would be virtually nothing left to use. The freedom we celebrate on the Fourth of July doesn't mean much if we criminalize even the tiny risks associated with fireworks.
I lean toward Instapundit's view:
I say, do it yourself if you want, just be smart. 'Leave it to the trained professionals' is one of the cancerous mantras of our age, and there’s a big difference between setting off your own fireworks and sitting passively while others do it for you — the difference, if I may say so, between having sex and watching porn. And, in both cases, the presence of a degree of risk is part of the difference.
Reynolds is absolutely correct on the "leave it to professionals" comment; if government can ban any activity on the basis of some perceived risk, then what is left of freedom?
PALIN QUITS
FOURTH OF JULY TEA PARTIES
Find a tea party in your area here. Here are some I'll be following:
I'll be going to the one in Woodbridge since I'm hoping that one in my congresscritter's back yard will have more impact than the one in DC. Only time will tell.
If you attend one in your neck of the woods, pictures and links will be cheerfully accepted.
Austin, TX at the State Capitol from 2-6 pm
Bastrop, TX at the County Courthouse Gazebo from 12 noon-2 pm
Clear Lake, TX at the Clear Lake Courthouse from 11 am-2:30 pm
Dallas, TX at South Park Ranch from 2 pm-midnight
Woodbridge, VA at the County Courthouse from 1-4 pm
Washington, DC at the Capitol Building from 9:30 am-2:30 pm
I'll be going to the one in Woodbridge since I'm hoping that one in my congresscritter's back yard will have more impact than the one in DC. Only time will tell.
If you attend one in your neck of the woods, pictures and links will be cheerfully accepted.
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