Random thoughts on politics, current events, popular culture, and whatever else interests me.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Obama Stands Up to Chinese Imperialism
The Washington Times reports that the Defense Department has indicated that the United States will continue to fly combat air patrols over the East China Sea in defiance of China's "Air Defense Identification Zone."
The 'Black Legend' of Sarah Palin and 2008 Disproved by New Study
The Washington Examiner recently reported on an academic study on the 2008 presidential election entitled "The Palin Effect" that examined the effect of then Gov. Palin on the John McCain campaign. Its conclusions run counter to conventional wisdom.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Piano Teachers Are Obama's New Enemy of the People
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the Obama administration's Federal Trade Commission has found a new enemy of the people, which is to say an association of piano teachers.
Obama Calls Opponents 'Tea Baggers' in Note to Texas Teacher
According to Hot Air, a man named Thomas J. Ritter, a teacher residing in Irving, Texas had the singular honor of being insulted by the president of the United States. Barack Obama used the word "tea baggers" to refer to political opponents.
Black Friday Violence: A Plea for Online Shopping
Sometimes satire just cannot keep up with reality. Just when "South Park" ran a recent episode comparing the Black Friday madness to "Game of Thrones" the Washington Times reported on the combat that has ensured at various stores.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Addendum: How many think that the Rand Simberg Diet Book would be a real hoot?
Supreme Court Takes Another Crack at Obamacare by Hearing Hobby Lobby Case
It looks like the Supreme Court is going to have another crack at Obamacare, thanks to its agreeing to hear law suits filed by Hobby Lobby and other companies over the birth control mandate in the law.
United States Sends B 52s Over the Senkakus Islands to Assert Freedom of the Skies
The United States has dismissed China's attempt to grab the air space over the disputed Senkakus Islands in the most unsubtle way possible, by sending a pair of B 52s over it without a by-your-leave, according to the New York Times.
Iranian Nuclear Deal May Already Be Falling Apart
The vaunted nuclear deal with Iran, which the Obama administration assures the world will lead to a nuclear free Iran, may already be falling apart, six months before it is due to expire, over disagreements over what it exactly is.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Iran's Missile Program Proceeds Unabated
The Washington Free Beacon reports that even while administration officials were high fiving one another for having established peace in our time with an Iranian nuclear deal, Iran and North Korea were building an ICBM together.
On Thanksgiving Remember to Brow Beat the Relatives About Obamacare
Apparently Organizing for America, President Obama's community organizing front group, has some suggestions of how to really celebrate Thanksgiving while packing in the turkey and stuffing.
Now Most Americans Find the Content of Obama's Character Wanting
According to the Washington Times, a recent CNN poll shows that Americans not only no longer think that President Barack Obama is a good president, but have sadly concluded that he really isn't a good person.
Monday, November 25, 2013
As NASA Balks, Inspiration Mars May Turn to Russia And/Or China
Dennis Tito recently suggested that all it would take for his Inspiration Mars mission to get off the ground would be $700 million from NASA and use of the heavy lift Space Launch System. NASA has basically said thanks but no thanks.
More Lawsuits that Could Further Undermine Obamacare
One of the major features of Obamacare is the subsidy system for health insurance policies bought under the exchanges. However a quirk in the law is leading to lawsuits that might bring the law crashing down, according to the New York Daily News.
Obama's Munich Deal with Iran: What Does Israel Do Now?
The question that arises, now that the United States and other western powers have pretty much capitulated to Iran in her quest for the nuclear bomb, is what Israel is going to do about it? The Associated Press suggests her options are limited.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
A few years back, but considering the Munich agreement just reached with the Mullahs, still relevant.
It is Time to Bomb IranChina's Senkakus Air Space Grab Requires American Response
China has established what it calls an "air defense zone" over the Japanese claimed Senkakus islands in the East China Sea that it as well as Taiwan also claims, according to AFP, increasing tensions in the region.
The United States Postal Service Joins the War on Christmas
As the holiday/Christmas season approaches, so also does the War on Christmas, which this year seems to have the United States Postal Service joining its ranks. Its new lineup of holiday stamps actually snubs Christmas.
Nuclear Deal is Obama's 'Peace in Our Time' in Iran
The nuclear pact between the United States and her western allies and Iran seems to be a sure sign that the Obama administration has given up on the idea of preventing the Tehran regime from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Post Obamacare Health Care Reform Working Its Way Through the House
As the burning wreckage of Obamacare continues to fill the air with its toxicity, an alternative is already working its way through the House, courtesy of the conservative House Study Committee, according to the Washington Free Beacon.
Administration Too Clever by Half by Delaying Second Enrollment in Obamacare
In another example of the Obama administration being too clever by half, it has altered the Obamacare law again and has shifted the dates of the second year of health care enrollment to November 5, 2014 to January 15, 2015.
George W. Bush Offers Sage Advice to the Republican Governors Association
Former President George W. Bush has decorously avoided, for the most part, commenting publically on political matters, concentrating instead on his painting. But he did find the time to address the Republican Governors Association.
Friday, November 22, 2013
President Obama Accused by PETA of 'Pimping' for Turkey Industry
Thanksgiving is drawing nigh and with it, PETA's annual war on the holiday that features a lot of indulgence of turkey, stuffing, and other delightful confections. Oddly enough, President Obama is the object of their ire.
How a 'Knockout Game' Player Took a Broken Taser to a Gun Fight
Sometimes a story comes along that warms the heart in the midst of news of scandal and disaster. A local TV station in Lansing, Michigan relates the story of how a thug brought a broken taser to a gun fight while playing "the knock out game."
Former JFK Intern, Mimi Alford, Publishes Book About Affair with Kennedy
What If John Kennedy Had Lived?
Was it 'Right Wing Hate' or Lee Harvey Oswald Who Killed Kennedy?
Did John F. Kennedy Go Wobbly on the Apollo Moon Landing?
Was Kennedy Killed for Wanting to Know About UFOs?
John F. Kennedy's 'We Choose to Go to the Moon' Speech at Rice Stadium
JFK Photo Taken on a Yacht with Naked Women Discovered
The Kennedy Assassination 45 Years Ago
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Obamacare Website Problems Go Deeper Than Federal Contracting Practices
The Obamacare signup website disaster is causing more needed scrutiny at how the federal government acquires IT services, according to Politico. However the problem goes deeper than just bureaucratic government contracting politics.
Horrible Poll News for Barack Obama And, Especially, Hillary Clinton in Colorado
Hot Air notes a new Quinnipiac Poll that should keep both President Barack Obama and the woman who would replace him, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, awake at nights. It is a brutal one for both Democrats.
Inspiration Mars Would Be Exciting and Cheap
The Houston Chronicle's Eric Berger poses the question: can Dennis Tito's idea for a Mars flyby mission be just the thing that "saves" NASA? Inspiration Mars, as it is called, promises to be the most exciting space mission since Apollo.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Bashir Apology to Sarah Palin Not Enough
MSNBC talker Martin Bashir made an abject apology for the vile suggestion he made about what should be done to Sarah Palin. That may not be enough to save his career or his network from the consequences of his actions.
Data Security Concerns Makes Obamacare Website Too Unsafe to Use
One of the bugs in the Obamacare signup site is the total lack of security in it. That was the conclusion of a panel of information technology experts who testified before the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
Joint American/Russian Mars Proposal a Cold War Relic
Dr. Robert Zubrin, the president of the Mars Society, has been a tireless advocate for the exploration and ultimate colonization of Mars. But his recent proposal for a Joint American-Russian Mars expedition did that cause no favors.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
San Francisco Politician Sneers at 'Batkid' Make a Wish Exercise
The Make a Wish Foundation's arranging for five year old Miles Scott, a recovering leukemia patient, got to play a superhero for a day thanks to a great many people in San Francisco was a heartwarming, life affirming story.
Obamacare Website was Rolled Out Unfinished
One thing about writing about the Obamacare signup site is that unimaginable incompetence has become common. To illustrate, Hot Air reports that roughly seven weeks before the Oct 1 rollout, 30-40 percent of the system had not been finished.
Former President Bush Favors Building Keystone XL Pipeline
Former President George W. Bush rarely if ever comments on current political issues, a practice that few other former presidents have followed. Recently he made an exception when he publically supported building the Keystone XL pipeline.
Monday, November 18, 2013
France Has Become Israel's New Best Friend
It is a turning world when the American Secretary of State John Kerry can be accused, with justification, of wanting a Munich-style agreement on Iranian nukes, but that France has striven to stop him from doing that.
Military Disaster Relief in the Philippines an Exercise in Soft Power
One great thing about being an exceptional nation with the most powerful military on the planet, despite five years of a president who believes in neither thing, is that the United States gets to save the lives of thousands of people from time to time.
Obama's Hometown Newspaper Calls for Obamacare Repeal
The Chicago Tribune, President Obama's hometown newspaper, has called for the repeal of Obamacare and for Congress and President Obama to start health care reform over from scratch. Ted Cruz must be pinching himself right now.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
The Real Hope and Change of 3-D Printing
As entertaining as writing about politics and the pretensions of politicians, it remains a fact that some of the greatest hope and change doesn't come from political formally smoked filled rooms, but rather from laboratories.
An Elizabeth Warren Presidential Campaign Would Be Entertaining
George Will recently looked upon the idea of running Elizabeth Warren, the junior senator from Massachusetts, for president and found it to be good. This is not because of any virtue she might have other than she is not boring.
Martin Bashir's Hateful, Depraved Suggestion for Sarah Palin
Just when one thought that public discourse could not get any lower, someone on MSNBC, in this case Martin Bashir, spews forth to prove one wrong. Naturally he was put out by something Sarah Palin said.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Alec Baldwin Suspension Reveals Deeper Problems at MSNBC
As of late the actor and would be TV talk show host Alec Baldwin has been more entertaining in real life than he has ever been on the big or small screen. That must be why MSNBC suspended his show "Up Late" for two weeks.
Obama's EPA Proposes to Cut Ethanol Renewable Fuel Standard
The war between Big Oil and Big Grain over the renewable fuel standard, which requires a certain amount of ethanol to be blended into gasoline, took an unexpected turn when the EPA actually lowered the amount required.
The Collapse of Obamacare and Dreaming the Death of Liberalism
Dr. Charles Krauthammer, the wise and venerable columnist, suggests that the death spiral of Obamacare will take with it the very idea of liberalism, at least as practiced by President Obama and his fellow Democrats.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Robert Bigelow Would like Private Business to Own the Moon
Robert Bigelow, the CEO of Bigelow Aerospace, a company that is about to release a report about how NASA and private business could partner for a return to the moon, would like people to own property on Earth's nearest neighbor.
Al Qaeda Group Beheads Fellow Terrorist by Mistake
What passes for justice among Al Qaeda tends to be rough and ready, of the frontier kind. If one crosses the infamous terrorist army in any way, one tends to lose ones head quicker than one of Henry VIII's hapless queens.
Obama Insurance Policy 'Fix' Too Little, Too Late
President Obama strode forth before the microphones and declared that, contrary to the Obamacare law, that people could actually keep or gain back their preferred health care insurance, but only for the next year.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Boehner Defers Immigration Reform
One of the advantages of the president's troubles concerning Obamacare is that a lot of other bad policy he would like to advance is likely to be stopped. A case in point appears to be his version of immigration reform.
Rest of Obama Adminstration to Be Rear Guard Defense Action
In part because of the Obamacare debacle, the poll numbers for the president and congressional Democrats are in free fall. The Republicans lead the generic congressional ballot for the first time in many months, for example.
Those Obamacare Enrollment Numbers Are Worse Than You Think
The raw number total of 106,185 people having "signed up" for Obamacare, about 27,000 in the federal exchanges, is bad as can be. But as Philip Klein of the Washington Examiner points out, on close examination it is actually worse than it seems.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
The Coming Civil War in the Democratic Party
The attention of the media echo chamber has been focused on what is called the civil war between the Republican establishment and the tea party wing. But that focus may be misdirected, according to the Washington Times.
Craig Cobb, White Supremacist, Gets a Lesson in 'Racial Purity'
The story of Craig Cobb, a white supremacist who is trying to make Leith, North Dakota a "white enclave" should bring a smile to anyone, albeit mixed with a heavy dose of schadenfreude as well as a lesson about "racial purity."
Bill Clinton Wags His Finger at Barack Obama About Obamacare
Former President Bill Clinton metaphorically wagged his finger at current President Barack Obama and informed him that he really ought to keep his commitment that everyone who likes their health insurance should keep it.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
James O'Keefe Uncovers Obamacare Navigator Fraud and Corruption
James O'Keefe, the guerilla journalist with Project Veritas who brought down the Obama affiliated community organizing group ACORN, is at it again with his hidden cameras and his clandestine reporters.
Could Obamacare Be Repealed in 2014?
Things are looking so bad for Obamacare that Forbes is suggesting that the law is going to be repealed in 2014 and that endangered Senate Democrats will lead the charge, cloaking it in political language of course.
John McCain for President 2016?
The venerable and curmudgeonly Sen. John McCain is suggesting that unknown people are urging him to run for president again in 2016. It is also worth noting that he seems to be wisely ignoring those pleas.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Is the Moon More like Antarctica or More like Alaska?
In a critique of an idea, recently advanced in Popular Science, of making the moon an International Park, albeit one in which some economic development is allowed, planetary scientist Paul Spudis had the following insight.
Obamacare, World War II, and Bernie Madoff
Obamacare has become one of those stories that have people scrambling for historical analogies to try to explain the enormity of the disaster that it is. Apparently two have come to the surface to enlighten and aggravate.
Sarah Palin is Launching a Counter Attack in the War on Christmas
USA Today notes that former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is embarked on another book tour, this time for her Christmas book, "Good Tidings and Great Joy: Protecting the Heart of Christmas," and asks a cheeky question.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
The Mainstream Media Goes After Chris Christie with Fat Jokes
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has barely won his smashing victory for reelection and been proclaimed the certain GOP nominee in 2016 than the mainstream media began to scotch all of that by making fat jokes.
How a Right Wing White Man Got Elected to Public Office in a Majority Black District
Dave Wilson is an arch conservative white man who, having once been a "fringe candidate" for mayor of Houston, decided to run for a seat on the Houston Community College Board of Trustees in a black majority district.
Author Notes How Gun Control was a Prequisite for the Nazi Holocaust
Stephan Halbrook is the author of a new, very important book called "Gun Control in the Third Reich: Disarming the Jews and 'Enemies of the State" about how the confiscation of private firearms in Nazi Germany was a prerequisite to the Holocaust.
Saturday, November 09, 2013
RIP, Michael Brown, Hand Doctor and Train Wreck
The sordid but sad story of Michael Brown, former physician, owner of the Brown Hand Center, and walking train wreck came to an end, according to the Houston Chronicle, when he died shortly after being taken off life support.
Obama Speaks Loudly and Carries a Small Stick on Iranian Nukes
It seems insofar as Iranian nukes goes, the Obama administration has been talking loudly and has been carrying a small stick. According to the Daily Beast, the president loosened economic sanctions against Iran secretly and unilaterally.
How Obamacare Undermines Marriage and Helps Democrats
One of the less talked about but very pernicious aspects of Obamaacre7 is how it tends to discourage marriage between couples who make money. It seems that it is better to be living in sin if one wants the Obamacare subsidies.
Friday, November 08, 2013
Facing Up to the Chinese Space Challenge
The Houston Chronicle suggests that the Chinese space program presents the United States with a stark choice. The country can "step up NASA funding to retain a leadership position, partner with the Chinese or risk falling behind."
Why Obama is Not Really Sorry People Are Losing Their Insurance
It was a certain sign of desperation over the rising anger over people losing their health insurance that the phrase "I am sorry" passed from the president's lips. But why was he actually sorry? Was it from the pain his law caused or something else?
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Why an 'International Park' on the Moon is a Perilous Idea
A proposal in Popular Science to declare the moon an "International Park" is not only ill titled but filled with contradictions. The proposal seems to at once forbid economic development on the moon and permit it.
Report: No Environmental Case Against Keystone XL Pipeline
The Washington Free Beacon reports that the environmental case against the Keystone XL pipeline is collapsing, thanks to a recent study by IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates.
Senate Democrats Beg Obama to Delay Obamacare Mandates
Senate Democrats once stood firm against Republican efforts to defund, delay, or otherwise modify the Obamacare law. However the Daily Caller now reports that Senate Democrats met with President Obama to beg him to delay the law.
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
President Obama's 'Lie About the Lie' Concerning Health Insurance
The Washington Free Beacon has found 36 instances of President Obama, since 2008, stating forthrightly that under the health care reform law if an American wants to keep their health insurance, they can.
How Carol Anne Bond Violated a Treaty by Trying to Kill Her Husband's Lover
At first blush, the case of Carol Anne Bond sounds like one of the more turgid movies on the Lifetime Channel, involving a woman attempting to poison her husband's lover. It has also become an important Supreme Court case.
Election 2013: Some Lessons for the Future
The Daily Caller suggests that Election 2013 was a bad night for conservatives. That might be over stating the fact, but it would seem to be an event that needs analyzing to tease lessons for 2014 and 2016.
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
Why is India Sending a Probe to Mars when it Has so Many Poor People?
The recent launch of India's first mission to Mars has ignited a debate in that country that has parallels of a debate that was once raging in the United States. The question arises, why does a country with a severe poverty problem have a space program?
You Can't Keep Your Doctor Under Obamacare Either
The next shoe to drop over the Obamacare train wreck, according to Hot Air, is the fact that people are not only losing their insurance but also their doctors under the health care law. This will be exacerbated by a shortage of doctors.
Jon Huntsman May Have Stopped Mitch Daniels from Becoming President
Hot Air, reporting from the new book on campaign 2012 "Double Down," suggests that the most decisive Republican candidate of that election cycle was one of the most obscure, Jon Huntsman, the former governor of Utah.
Monday, November 04, 2013
Past Loser Mitt Romney Endorses Future Loser Chris Christie
When former governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney endorsed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for president, one could be forgiven for shaking ones head in puzzlement. We've seen this film before and the ending was not satisfying.
How Obamacare May Kill a Cancer Patient
Edie Littlefield Sundby has a complaint about the Affordable Care Act. It will not allow him to keep his health insurance plan or his doctor or his hospital. This is a matter of some concern because he has stage 4 gall bladder cancer.
Barack Obama 'I'm Really Good at Killing People'
A new book about the 2012 campaign, entitled "Double Down" by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann alleges that President Barack Obama said to staffers, "I'm really good at killing people" in relation to the drone war, according to the Washington Post.
Sunday, November 03, 2013
Rob Reiner Astonishes the World with His Political Insights
Thanks to Newsbusters, via Bill Maher's "Real Time," we have not one but two examples of unintended political humor from Rob Reiner, a Hollywood film director who is also famous for playing "Meathead" on "All in the Family.
Hakimullah Mehsud of the Pakistani Taliban Now Resides in Hell
Hakimullah Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban and a mass murderer now resides in Hell, thanks to an American drone strike. There is some good news and same bad news concerning his demise, according to the Washington Times.
Meet the Newest Voting Bloc: Obamacare Losers
Politico has reported that Obamacare has created a potential new voting bloc called the Obaamcare losers. These are people who have purchased health care insurance on the individual market and are now losing them because of the Affordable Care Act.
Saturday, November 02, 2013
Orson Scott Card 'Enders Game' Boycott Seems to Be a Bust
One of the more pernicious stories coming out of the premier of "Ender's Game," the movie based on the science fiction novel by Orson Scott Card is the jihad being waged against the author for a thought crime he committed.
Bill Nelson is Shocked, Shocked that Politics is Going on at NASA
Sen. Bill Nelson, R-FL is shocked, shocked that there is politics going on at NASA. He is correct that it is causing the latest budget shortfalls and the wrangle over whether to go back to the moon or to an asteroid. He is wrong that it is unprecedented.
Now Barack Obama is Being Criticized by Jimmy Carter
As if President Barack Obama's woes were not grievous enough, it seems that the 44th president has come under some criticism from one of his famous predecessors, one James Earl Carter, the 39th president of the United States.
Friday, November 01, 2013
Hillary Clinton's Poll Numbers Start to Shrink
As bad as the results of the recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News Poll was for President Obama, they seem to be equally as bad for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her hopes for achieving higher office, according to the Washington Free Beacon.
As Many Believe Zombies Could Run the Government as Do the Current Politicians and Bureaucrats
In an attempt, no doubt, to tie politics with popular culture, Rasmussen asked which group of people would be better at running the federal government, the current crop of politicians and bureaucrats or the walking dead.
Obama to Pass on 150th Anniversary of Gettysburg Address
According to the Washington Times, President Obama seems to have offended the state of Pennsylvania by refusing to participate in the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address ceremonies.