Random thoughts on politics, current events, popular culture, and whatever else interests me.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Study: Offshore Wind Farms Could Diminish Hurricane Destruction
According to a story in Ars Technica, Stanford researcher Mark Jacobson suggests that offshore wind farms could have the happy side effect of cutting down on the destructive force of hurricanes.
Is Hillary Clinton Healthy Enough to Run for President?
The potential candidacy of Hillary Clinton has run into another problem that has nothing to do with Benghazi, her left wing ideology, Obamacare, or even scandals reaching back to her husband's administration.
Russia's Putin Takes a Great Risk in Any Ukraine Military Adventure
As of this writing, Russian leader Vladimir Putin is making preparations to take the conflict in the Ukraine to the next level. While 150,000 Russian troops maneuver along the border, jets scream overhead.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Senator Boxer Thinks the Keystone XL Pipeline Will Cause Cancer or Something
With the barriers to the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline falling one by one and the president actually promising a decision in a couple of months or so, opponents of the project have become increasingly desperate.
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, a Republican, has vetoed SB1062, the amendment that its proponents state would have protected businesses from being sanctioned for exercising the religious beliefs of their owners but opponents stated was anti-gay.
Harry Reid Thinks All of You Obamacare Victims Are Liars
One has to hand it to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. He has stumbled upon a unique way to spin all of the horror stories about Obamacare, of the millions of people bereft of health coverage and then placed at risk of their lives. He denies it is happening.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
The VA Eliminated the Veterans' Health Exam Backlog by Destroying It
The Daily Caller is reporting that the Department of Veterans Affairs has come up with a unique way of dealing with the backlog of vets waiting for medical exams at VA hospitals. They deleted the records of the requests.
Sebelius: There was Never a 7 Million Enrollee Goal for Obamacare
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is employing a technique often used in the old Soviet Union and popularized in George Orwell's novel "1984" by revising the enrollment goals of Obamacare downwards.
Kesha Rogers, Lyndon Larouche Follower, Leads for Democratic Nomination for Senate in Texas
Recently the Texas Tribune and the University of Texas took a poll of many of the candidates running for a number of offices in the primary to be held in Texas March 4. One standout is the race for Democratic nominee for United States Senate.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Usually when one reads something in the newspaper that one finds irksome, one might curse or even write a strongly worded letter to the editor. A group of environmentalists have hit on something new, however, with Charles Krauthammer.
House Republican Tax Reform Plan Flattens Tax Rates, Soaks the Rich
The Washington Post notes that the House Republicans seem to have settled on the broad outlines of a tax reform proposal that is familiar to most who have followed the issue, but with a twist to attract liberal support.
How Harold Ramis Made Defiance of Authority Seem Positively Sweet
During a certain time in history, from about 1978 through the 1990s, if a movie made you laugh hysterically, chances are that the late Harold Ramis had something to do with it. Quite a few of his films made defiance of authority seem positively sweet.
Then there is this news
“All of us are grieving at the loss of such a great talent and even greater human,” said Mary Barrett. “And many of you are also grieving for the loss of being able to enjoy a third ‘Ghostbusters’ starring Mr. Ramis and the original cast.” “Grieve not,” Barrett said. “Mr. Ramis will still play an important role in ‘Ghostbusters III.’ It’s not been decided if he will reprise the role of Egon, or if he will play another character, such as a fun-loving spectre covered in ectoplasm, but he will be there. I can assure you of that.”
Monday, February 24, 2014
Obama Prepares for the Next Big War by Slashing Defense
While the upcoming Obama budget proposal is going to constitute an "end to austerity" (whatever that means), that will not be true of the military. Indeed there will be nothing but austerity for the military, especially the Army.
The Real Reason Oliver Stone Won't Make an Obama Movie
When asked recently whether he would like to make a film biop of President Barack Obama, movie director Oliver Stone, who has done Nixon, JFK, and George W. Bush, demurred, saying that, "I don't think he's that interesting enough."
Piers Morgan, Don't Let the Door Hit You on the Way Out
The joke going around about Piers Morgan losing his prime time spot on CNN is that all two of his viewers are going to be disappointed. That is not entirely true. Conservative bloggers are going to lose a source of material to be outraged about.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Ted Nugent Apologizes for 'Subhuman Mongrel' Remark Even Though Obama Used Similar Language
Rocker and gun enthusiast Ted Nugent has apologized for calling President Obama a "subhuman mongrel." However it seems that the president himself used the term "mongrel" to describe African Americans in a 2010 appearance on "The View."
Obama: Who Will Rid Me of the Meddlesome Tea Party
While there is no smoking telephone call or email directly tying President Obama with the IRS campaign to intimidate conservative and tea party groups, he did subtly suggest such actions should take place in word and deed.
Democratic Senate Candidate Goes After Mom with Cancer
Rep. Gary Peters, D-Mich, a candidate for the United States Senate, has gotten himself into a fight with a Michigan mom named Julia Boonstra who has cancer and, like many millions of Americans, was kicked off her health insurance due to Obamacare.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Barack Obama Calls African Americans 'Mongrels' on 'The View'
I had forgotten about this incident. It certainly casts a new perspective on the Ted Nugent kerfuffle.
Regime Change in the Ukraine: Chaos or a New Birth of Freedom?
Within a day or so of a deal that was supposed to end the protests in the Ukraine, that country's president, Viktor Yanukovich, was obliged to flee Kiev, leaving the capital in the hands of the opposition.
CBO: Obama Stimulus Package a Drag on the Economy in the Long Term
The good news is that the massive $800 billion stimulus package did provide a short term boost to the economy, according to a recent report by the Congressional Budget Office. The bad news is that in the long term, it will drag the economy down.
Texas' Rick Perry Vs. Illinois' Pat Quinn in the Crossfire
An article in the Daily Caller recounts how Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican, and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat battled it out on a recent episode of CNN's Crossfire hosted by Newt Gingrich and former Obama aid Van Jones.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Ted Nugent Kerfuffle Reveals Liberal Hypocrisy
Ted Nugent, the venerable rocker and gun enthusiast, said something utterly horrible and unacceptable about President Obama recently. It has caused an entertaining kerfuffle in Texas and has given Wendy Davis' supporters something else to talk about.
Enterprising Girl Scout Does Brisk Cookie Business Outside Pot Dispensary
While observers are still mulling over the effects of legal marijuana, an enterprising girl scout has illustrated one happy side effect, that being an economic stimulant, by setting up shop to sell cookies outside a San Francisco medical marijuana dispensary.
The Democrats Will Likely Lose the Senate
How likely is it that the Democrats will lose the Senate? Sean Trende, writing for Real Clear Politics, uses a model that tracks losses with the president's approval rating and finds that it is very likely.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
FCC Study of News Gathering Raises First Amendment Concerns
According to Fox News, conservatives and civil libertarians are alarmed at a proposal by the FCC to insert researchers in news rooms across the country to find out how news stories are selected and reported.
Sarah Palin, the most powerful female politician on the planet, has made one of her first endorsements for the 2014 campaign season, putting her support behind Katrina Pierson, a tea party activist who is challenging Rep. Pete Sessions.
FDR Would Have Built the Keystone XL Pipeline
One thing that the aggravating delays of the Keystone XL pipeline have done is to reveal the mindset of the ruling class when it involves building big projects. It is a sobering reminder of how politics hampers commerce.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Obama White House Dithers While the Ukraine, Venezuela Burns
Two uprisings, on opposite sides of the world, are proving the limits of tyranny and the eternal desire of people for freedom. People in both the Ukraine and Venezuela are in open revolt against their governments.
The CBO Says that Hiking the Minimun Wage is a Job Killer, Causing Outrage and Consternation
One of the strategies that the Democrats have hit upon to save off electoral apocalypse is to go all out to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. But the Congressional Budget Office has confirmed what must economic literates know about the idea.
Obama Fighting with Democrats Over Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Proposal
President Obama is venturing to Mexico to meet with the president of that country and the prime minister of Canada to discuss trade, a subject about which he seems to be more enlightened than his fellow Democrats.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
'Noah' and 'Son of God,' a Tale of Two Bible Movies
Breitbart's Big Hollywood has a story about two upcoming movies based on stories from the Bible, one a big budget, star laden special effects extravaganza called "Noah" and one a smaller film "Son of God" about the life of Jesus Christ.
Secession Fever Hits New York, with a Twist
According to the Washington Times, secession fever has come to New York, but with a twist. The proposal would not so much split the state into two states, but rather two autonomous, self governing regions.
U.S. Navy Ships of the Future to Be Armed with Lasers, Rail Guns
The Associated Press is reporting that the United States Navy has entered the realm of science fiction with the imminent deployment of a combat laser cannon on the USS Ponce, an Afloat Forward Staging Base. In about two years, the first electromagnetic rail gun will be installed in a navy ship, probably the USS Zumwalt destroyer, now under construction and to be commanded by Captain James A. Kirk, if you please . Eventually the main armament of naval vessels will be a mix of rail guns which can hurtle projectiles hundreds of miles at six or seven times the speed of sound. The lasers will defend ships against targets like drones, small boats, missiles, and aircraft. The rail guns will provide a punch, either for engaging targets on land, or other ships, that has thus far been provided by naval artillery or missiles.
Monday, February 17, 2014
The Democrats' Obamacare Strategy Will Be to Attack
Politico is reporting that the Democrats have hit upon a new strategy concerning the Obamacare debacle. Having proven unable to defend the indefensible, the Democrats have decided to go on the attack.
The Left and the Far Left in the Democratic Party Prepare to Fight it Out
While much of the media is rubbing its hands with glee over the perennial struggle between the Republican establishment and the tea party, the Washington Post notes the gathering storm happening in the Democratic Party.
How Comedians Are Making 'Climate Change' a Joke
One can figure out that the "science" of climate change has fallen on hard times when its chief defenders are not actual scientists, but rather a pair of comedians, Bill Maher and Bill Nye the former "science guy," according to Politico.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Video Recording Muggings and Other Crimes Should Be Encouraged
The social media age has brought to rise behavior that is at once vicious and incredibly stupid. The UK Daily Mail recounts an example of this when a gang of teenagers viciously attacked a disabled military vet while filming the atrocity.
Obama Claims CA Central Valley Drought Caused by 'Climate Change'
President Obama ventured to California's Central Valley and, since even he could not imagine that George W. Bush could control the weather, pronounced that the drought afflicting that once lush farmland was caused by "climate change."
Carl DeMaio, a Gay Republican Running for Congress with His Partner by His Side
Neither politicians who campaign with their admiring spouses or, the times being what they are, openly gay politicians running for public office are uncommon. But Carl DeMaio, a Republican, has combined the two by campaigning with his male partner.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Poll: One in Four Americans Unaware Earth Revolves Around the Sun
The whole creation vs. evolution kerfuffle is bad enough. But according to a poll of 2,200 American adults conducted by the National Science Foundation, one in four Americans are unaware that the Earth orbits the sun.
Galveston, Texas Researchers Grow a Human Lung
CNN is reporting that researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas have grown a human lung in the laboratory. This points the way to a new frontier in health care, regenerative medicine.
Tennessee Auto Workers Reject Union Membership
The effort by the United Auto Workers at a Volkswagen Plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee has fallen short. There are a number of reasons for this which organized labor should take to heart if it wants to prosper.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Space Exploration: American Freedom, Power, Leadership, and Exceptionalism
If there is any current example of American exceptionalism, that belief that the United States is a unique country, based around an idea rather than tribal affinities, it is its space program. No other country has had its citizens walk on the moon.
New Report Highlights Human Rights Abuses of Palestinians by Palestinians
When one hears of human rights abuses against Palestinians, Israel usually takes the blame from the western media. But the Washington Free Beacon highlights a new report on human rights abuses by Palestinians against Palestinians.
Is the Gun Control Debate About to End?
Did a three judge panel of the Ninth Circuit just point the way toward ending the gun control debate, for all practical purposes, once and for all? Perhaps so, because it struck down a San Diego law banning concealed carry.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Environmentalists Enter New Militant Phase Against Keystone XL Pipeline
Recently a group of masked environmental radicals descended upon the home of Mark Maki, an executive of a company involved in the Keystone XL pipeline, bearing torches and threatening signs and berated him for that involvement.
Illinois Congressman Wants to Put the Obamas on a Diet
More than one commentator has noted the sumptuousness of the royal feast that President Obama gave in honor of French President Francois Hollande, something that would have graced the table at the Versailles during Louis XVI's reign.
Wendy Davis' Abortion Flip Flop
Wendy Davis, the Democratic Texas state senator who is running for governor, became famous for her filibuster against a bill that banned late term abortions in the Lone Star State. Now she is for the ban - sort of.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Charles Seife's Jihad Against Human Space Flight Defies Scientific Conclusions
Now that Robert Park is in the winter of his life and James Van Allen is dead, an unlikely person named Charles Seife, not a scientist but rather a professor of journalism, has taken up the banner of the jihad to destroy NASA's human spaceflight program.
Texas Firms Exported More High Tech Products Than California Companies in 2012
Silicon Valley in California has long been synonymous with high tech innovation and strength. But that image took a hit recently, thanks to a recent report that revealed that Texas has surpassed California in technology exports.
San Diego Elects Republican Mayor in 'Bellwether' Special Election
The Wall Street Journal suggested that the special election to fill the unexpired term of San Diego Mayor Bob Filner would be a bellwether for 2014. If so, the final results should have Democrats worried.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
How a Suicide Bombing Class Ended with a Big Kaboom
Just to demonstrate that happy news can come out of the Middle East, albeit in a macabre way, is the New York Times story of how a suicide bombing class sponsored by an Al Qaeda affiliate in Iraq went horribly wrong.
Iranian Naval Incursion into North Atlantic Less of a Joke Than it Seems
Accompanied by blood curdling rhetoric, Iran is sending two ships of its navy, a destroyer and a cargo ship, across the North Atlantic and as close to the coast of the United States as possible. Or so it says, according to USA Today.
Obama Delays Obamacare Employer Mandate Because He Wants to and Because He Ca
President Obama has decreed that the employer mandate for most companies under Obamacare is to be delayed until 2016. He did this not because the law or the Constitution says he could. He did so because he wants to and he can.
Monday, February 10, 2014
How Politics is Making California's Drought Worse
The Washington Post is reporting that the drought that is now afflicting California is hurting farmers the most, forcing many into bankruptcy. However neither Sacramento nor Washington seems to have a clue about how to alleviate matters.
Hillary Clinton Secretly Favors Single Payer, Canadian Style Government Run Health Care
A new portrait of Hillary Clinton, based on the recently released papers of a close friend, a political science professor named Diane Blair, reveals little that is new about the once and possibly future presidential candidate.
Sunday, February 09, 2014
'Iron Sky' and 'Iron Sky: The Race Begins' Cry Out for an American Directed Remake
"Iron Sky," the satirical science fiction movie about a secret Nazi base on the moon and an American president who looked liked but did not sound like Sarah Palin did not do well in the American market. But there will be a sequel, it seems.
Wendy Davis Goes Hard Right on Guns
The National Review notes that Wendy Davis, the Texas state senator who won fame for filibustering against a late term abortion ban, has gone hard a starboard on the gun issue in her race to become governor of Texas.
What If Hillary Clinton Quits the American Game of Thrones?
What if Hillary Clinton doesn't run for president? Hot Air raises that question, suggesting a whole slew of possible replacement candidates including Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts to Gov. Steve Beshear of Kentucky. The problem is that Plan A for the Democrats retaining the White House has been for Ms. Inevitable, Clinton to run. There is no Plan B.
Saturday, February 08, 2014
Rand Paul Reminds People What a Cad Bill Clinton Is
Sen. Rand Paul, according to the Washington Times, believes he has come up with a sure fire way to cut up Hillary Clinton and the Democrats. He has decided to remind everyone what a vicious cad - and worse - Bill Clinton has been toward women.
Hillary Clinton is Siphoning Campaign Money from Senate Democrats
Hillary Clinton has yet to announce for president, but already her pre campaign preparations are causing concern among Democrats, who fear that her early fund raising efforts are siphoning off money from vulnerable senate candidates.
Friday, February 07, 2014
Sarah Palin Gives the Back of Her Hand to Obama 'Junior High School Diplomacy'
Sarah Palin, the most powerful female politician on the planet, took time out from taping her upcoming show on the Sportsman Channel to take the Obama administration to task for its "junior high school diplomacy" on Facebook.
Jay Leno, a Victim of Ageism, Has His Last Bow (For Now)
Jay Leno hosted his last episode of "The Tonight Show" with the expected accolades and tears. Despite the fact that he was king of late night among every demographic, he was given the royal order of the boot by NBC because of ageism.
House Republicans Wisely Defer Immigration Reform Until After 2014 Elections
The House Republican leadership has wisely decided to defer an attempt at immigration reform until at least after the 2014 midterm elections. The reason is that the rank and file would not be disposed to pass it according to the Washington Examiner.
Thursday, February 06, 2014
Mormon Church Head Summoned to an English Court to Answer Charges of Fraud
Eugene Volokh relates an action by the Westminster Magistrate's Court in England that would be chilling if it were funny. It seems that the court is summoning a leader of a major religion to prove whether the doctrine of his church is true.
A Tiresome Debate on Creationism Vs. Evolution
In an event that was meant to be a modern version of the Great Monkey Trial, Bill Nye the Science Guy met a fellow named Ken Ham in a debate about creationism, which is to say whether or not the Book of Genesis is literally true.
Kerry Lashes Out at Israeli Critics by Playing the Vietnam Vet Card
The Daily Caller recently reported that Secretary of State John Kerry played the Vietnam vet card when responding to critics in Israel who have suggested that he is being too partial to the Palestinian side in his quest for a Middle East peace.
Wednesday, February 05, 2014
Fears Expressed that Hillary Clinton Could Blow it Again in 2016
The narrative for the Hillary Clinton for President 2016 campaign is much like the Hillary Clinton for President 2008 campaign, that she is the inevitable Democratic nominee and hence first woman president.
White House: 2.5 Million Fewer Workers an Obamacare Feature, Not a Bug
The fact that the Congressional Budget Office has concluded that Obamacare would mean the reduction of over 2 million full time workers should be unremarkable, considering the disasters that the health care law has wrought.
Tuesday, February 04, 2014
IRS Bonuses Seen as a Finger in the Eye of Victims of Tax Agency Harassment
The Washington Times is reporting that the new commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service intends to pay out millions of dollars in bonuses to IRS employees as a means of "boosting morale." This has eyebrows rising, to say the least.
Japan and India Forming Anti-China Alliance Presents an Opportunity for the United States
Legal Insurrection has noted that China's continued aggressiveness has caused the formation of an alliance between its two most powerful neighbors, Indian and Japan, to contain the aspiring super power.
Belarus May Have Inserted Malicious Code into Obamacare Software
The Washington Free Beacon reports that intelligence agencies fear that some parts of the Healthcare.gov Obamacare signup website was written by a company with ties to the Belarus government, raising fears of cyber security problems.
Monday, February 03, 2014
Contrary to President Obama, HealthCare.Gov Still Doesn't Work
Despite boasting by administration officials, including the president of the United States, the Obamacare signup website is still not working properly. The Washington Post has found yet another bug in the system.
Iran Responds to Obama Appeasement with Threats and Boasts
In the wake of the Obama Administration's appeasement gambit over Iranian nuclear weapons, the Islamic Republic certainly seems to be on a roll, alternating boasting and threats against the United States.
Bill O'Reilly Goes One on One Against President Obama
Just before the Seattle Seahawks thrashed the Denver Broncos Fox News' Bill O'Reilly met President Barack Obama in rhetorical combat in which O'Reilly cut and thrust while the president bobbed and weaved with alacrity.
Sunday, February 02, 2014
Could We Really 'Repeal and Replace' Barack Obama?
Could the United States be rid of President Obama before his term expires in January, 2017, thus saving years of his ruinous policies? Rand Simberg, who usually writes about aerospace subjects, seems to think so.
J.K. Rowling Now Regrets Pairing Ron and Hermione in the Harry Potter Series
According to a piece in Hypable , Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has admitted a major regret in writing the series, which is the pairing of the big, goofy, loveable Ron Weasley with the brainy, beautiful Hermione Granger.
John Kerry 'Warns' Israel of an Economic Boycott
Secretary of State John Kerry demonstrated a ham handed style of diplomacy when he warned Israel that it faces an economic boycott if it doesn't make peace with the Palestinians at a conference in Munich (irony of ironies.)
Saturday, February 01, 2014
Scarlett Johansson Defies Anti-Israel Boycott
It is very rare that one is obliged to single out a Hollywood actress for praise for taking a courageous political stand. But Scarlet Johansson has displayed a real profile in courage for refusing to knuckle under to the anti-Israel boycott.
Obamacare is Putting Sick Kids in Seattle at Risk of Dying
Republicans are regularly accused by liberals of wanting, among other things, sick children to die. However it looks like a law that liberals championed and voted for is placing seriously ill children at risk, according to the Weekly Standard.
State Department Keystone XL Report Does Not Mean Decision is Imminent
The State Department has issued its final environmental report on the Keystone XL Pipeline. The report stated, to the surprise of almost no one, that the pipeline would have no impact worth speaking of on greenhouse gasses.