MSNBC's Harris-Perry Apologizes for Mocking Romeny Adopted Black Grandson
Melissa Harris-Perry has become the latest MSNB talking head to be forced to apologize for something that was said on that network's air. In this case it was a panel discussion led by Harris-Perry that mocked a Romney adopted child.
Climate Change Expedition Stuck in Antarctic Ice and Bitter Irony
The UK Daily Mail reports on the saga of the MV Akademik Schokalskiy, a research vessel filled with climate change scientists now stuck in the Antarctic ice during an expedition to study the effects of global warming.
Monday, December 30, 2013
MSNBC Panel Mocks Mitt Romney's Black Adopted Grandson
Breitbart's Big Journalism mines the inexhaustible treasure trove of snark coming out of that insane asylum masquerading as a cable opinion network known as MSNBC. Apparently a panel decided to mock Mitt Romney's black adopted grandson.
Democrats to Push for Minimun Wage Boost in 2014
According to Hot Air, the Obama administration, along with a coalition of labor and liberal advocacy groups, are going to attempt to change the subject from Obamacare to a push to increase the minimum wage to just over $10/hour.
South Russia Terrorist Bombings Put Sochi Olympics Security Concerns in Focus
A pair of terrorist suicide bombings that took place in the Southern Russian town of Volgograd highlights the security concerns surrounding the Sochi Winter Olympics. It seems that Chechen rebels have decided that the games are an affront.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
DNC Warns Democrats to Vote Lest Obama Be Impeached
The DNC has sent an email to all loyal Democrats urging them to vote for Democrats for Congress so that those rascally Republicans will not be able to impeach President Obama. Talk about paranoia.
Poll: Most Americans Call 2013 a 'Bad' or 'Very Bad' Year
That a new poll, according to the Washington Examiner, has 69 percent of Americans declaring 2013 a "bad" or "very bad" year should not be surprising, all things considered. But 41 percent say it has been particularly disastrous to their families.
China's One Child Policy 'Reform' Too Little, Too Late
According to Reuters, China has taken a minor step in easing its one child policy, enacted in 1980 to attempt to ease the country's burgeoning population. It is likely a matter of too little, too late.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Why Phil Robertson of 'Duck Dynasty' Won
It looks like Phil Robertson's non suspension suspension is now over. GLAAD, the misnamed gay speech police force, is not happy. A&E has a black eye. The backwoods duck call magnate is wholly triumphant.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Sarah Palin Accused of Having a Christmas Tree
Sarah Palin has been accused of doing a lot of things, but perhaps the most bizarre one, according to Mediaite, is that she has a Christmas tree in her home in Wasilla. Why is this something that is bad?
Get Ready for Ingestible and Implantable Health Monitors
Entrepreneur is reporting how the brave new world of ingestible and implantable monitors promise the ability to monitor one's state of health in real time while at the same time raising privacy headaches.
Obamacare Driven Bad Poll Numbers a Lump of Coal in Democrats' Stocking
As Hot Air Reports, the Democrats got a lump of coal in their Christmas stocking in the form of a new poll that suggests that American voters prefer generic Republicans to generic Democrats by five points.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Paul Spudis creates an alternate history of the vision for space exploration. One wonders what the point of departure was. (Hmmm.)
Immortality is a Good Thing, Especially with Space Settlements
Science may be on the cusp of achieving what is in effect immortality, or at least radical life extension so that people could expect to live well into their 100s with a certain degree of youth and vigor. Roger Cohen is pretty sure this is a bad idea.
Congressman Steve King Eats Reindeer, Causes Controversy
Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa has created something of a kerfuffle by feasting on a dish in Oslo that included some reindeer. It seems that this has caused something of a controversy on twitter and other parts of the Internet.
How Obama May Be Able to Duck Approving the Keystone XL Pipeline
It is increasingly looking like that if the Keystone XL pipeline is built at all, it will have to be approved by President Obama's successor. It seems that the company that has been doing the environmental impact study has a conflict of interest,
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Mikhail Kalashnikov, Father of the AK 47, Passes On
The BBC notes that Mikhail Kalashnikov is now dead at the age of 94. He had the singular distinction of having invented the AK 47, one of the most brutally simple assault rifles in the world, the favorite of terrorists and rebels.
Rand Paul Performs the Airing of Grievances
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky is nothing if not a creative guy. Having brought back the stand up, talking kind of filibuster earlier in 2013, he has now taken a hint from pop culture and has embraced the Festivus custom of airing grievances.
President Obama Symbolically Signs Up for Obamacare
President Obama, in a show of solidarity with all of those people who are being forced to sign up for Obamacare on the exchanges, did so himself, thus attempting to prove that he was just like any other poor schlub who needs health care.
Monday, December 23, 2013
What Could Be the Apollo 8 of Our Time?
December 21 marked the 45th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 8, the mission that sent three American astronauts around the moon at the end of 1968, that hell year of assassinations, riots, war, and political and civil strife.
A&E was in the Room when Phil Robertson Said Those Things to GQ
According to the Washington Examiner, a representative from A&E was in the room when "Duck Dynasty's" Phil Robertson was saying all of those mean things about gays and homosexuality in the GQ interview.
Will an Insurance Company Bailout Be Part of the Obamacare End Game?
The Washington Examiner's Byron York reports that there is really no "Plan B" for Obamacare should it fail to recruit the required amount of applicants, especially healthy you people. So what, therefore, is the end game?
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Are You Ready for Six Californias?
According to TechCrunch, technology investor Tim Draper has the big idea of dividing California up into six states. Considering the size and diversity of the state, not to mention its dysfunctional government, it's not a bad idea.
Rand Paul's Plan to Attract Young Voters Through Defense Cuts, Isolationism
The good news is that Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky, thinks he has found a way to entice younger voters into the Republican fold. The bad news is that he thinks the way to do it is to cut defense spending and have an isolationist foreign policy.
Debate Rages Over Whether to Lift the Oil Export Ban
In the wake of the 1973 Arab oil embargo, the United States instituted a ban on the export of oil, the theory being that the world wide shortages of oil demanded it. 40 years later, the oil industry is pushes to have the ban lifted.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
PETA Weighs in on Girl Mauled by Bear, 'Duck Dynasty' Controversy
One of the fascinating things about PETA is that the organization rarely avoids an opportunity to grab onto something in the news and behave obnoxiously about it. Very often this behavior does not redound to its benefit.
Now it Will Be Harder to Complain About Native American School Mascots in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has signed into law a bill that will make it harder to pressure schools to change their Native American named mascots to something deemed more politically correct, according to the Daily Caller.
Renewed Congressional Push for a NASA Return to the Moon
One salutary thing about the Chinese landing the Chang'e 3/Jade Rabbit probe on the lunar surface is that it has caused a new congressional push for an American return to the moon. But will President Obama heed it?
Argosy Volume 1: Fantastic Frontiers, the electronic version of the classic pulp magazine. is now available.
Obama Administration Tries Another Ad Hoc Fix to Obamacare
f further illustration of how utterly chaotic the implementation of Obamacare has turned out to be was necessary, the Obama administration provided it with a "clarification" of the law that pretty much sets aside the individual mandate.
How to Avoid a Scramble for the Moon and Its Resources
With the Chang'e 3 and its rover Jade Rabbit safely ensconced on the lunar surface, the question arises, is it time to start dividing up the moon and its resources? It may well be an issue by the middle of the current century.
Obama Could Save His Presidency by Shrinking the Size of Government
Fred Barnes of the Weekly Standard has noted a strange paradox concerning the president. It seems that Obama knows perfectly well how cumbersome and inefficient big government is. However his solution to anything relies on big government.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Could Jay Leno Become CNN's New Big Star?
Jay Leno is famously getting the royal order of the boot from "The Tonight Show" for being too old and thus not hip enough. However, according to the Hollywood Reporter, it looks like the chinned one will land on his feet.
'Duck Dynasty,' the Gay Community, and Free Speech
A&E has "indefinitely suspended" Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the "Duck Dynasty" family for some rather politically incorrect (and crude) things he said about gay people and homosexuality. Let the controversy begin.
What 'Pajama Boy' Tells Us About Political Advertising
One can only imagine what Organizing for Action was thinking using Pajama Boy as the icon for Obamacare. Both Rich Lowry and Allahpundit have some worthy things to say what it means for society and politics.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
George W. Bush is One Cool Dude
Vanity Fair, no doubt to its great horror, notes that as young people have started to fall out of love with Barack Obama, they have found a new hero to admire. The object of youth affection is the most unlikely George W. Bush.
Obama is a Fan of 'House of Cards' Which is a Worrysome Thing
One should not be surprised that President Obama wished Washington really was like the Netflix drama "House of Cards," about a ruthless politician who schemes and murders his way to ultimate power. He really sees himself as Francis Underwood.
Mia Love's Path to Congress is Now Cleared, Thanks to Matheson Retirement
One of the heartaches of the 2012 election, aside from the loss by Mitt Romney to President Obama, was the graphene thin defeat of Mia Love to Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah for the latter's House seat. Now Matheson is retiring, according to Hot Air.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Obama Administration Tries Misdirection on Obamacare Navigators Issue
One of the many problems that have cropped up about Obamacare consists of the hordes of so-called "navigators" who have been hired to help people over the phone to buy health insurance under the newly created exchanges.
Protestor Charged with Sexual Assault of an Italian Riot Cop
Italian police have found a new way to hit back at protestors. Instead of attacking them with night sticks and pepper spray, police in Northern Italy want a young, female protestor charged with sexual assault, according to the UK Independent.
Mexico's Oil Production Reforms Will Have Far Reaching Effects
Mexico's ending of its government mandated monopoly on oil production and the opening up of that country's oil industry to foreign investment will have profound implications to North America's energy sector, Bloomberg suggests.
Monday, December 16, 2013
George P, the Hispanic, Tea Party Bush
The Associated Press is trying to come to grips with the next generation of the Bush dynasty, George P. Bush, the son of Jeb Bush, nephew of George W. Bush, and grandson of George H. W. Bush. He is running for Texas land commissioner.
Mike Huckabee for President, 2016?
Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas and current Fox News personality, is thinking of running for president. He tried it before, in 2008, and did not get anywhere. Hot Air's Allahpundit sees an interesting scenario for 2016.
Historian Asks is a 'Great War' Between America and China Possible?
Margaret MacMillan, the author of "The War that Ended Peace" and "Paris 1919" sees some ominous parallels between the situation leading up to World War I and today's world, specifically tensions between the United States and China.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Something of an oldy, but still relevant all things considered. Why Did We Stop Going to the Moon and Why Aren't We Going Back?
Of course there are ways to counter all that.
Obama Administration Delayed Controversial Regulations Until After 2012 Election
The Washington Post revealed that the Obama administration delayed the enactment of controversial policies and regulations until after the 2012 elections. It would have been nice if this revelation had not also been delayed.
Move Against Corn Ethanol Fuel Mandate in Senate Creates Strange Bedfellows
The Washington Examiner notes a bi-partisan push in the United States Senate to rein in the renewable fuel standards, which mandates that a certain amount of corn based ethanol be blended in with gasoline.
Karl Pierson, School Shooter and Radical Leftist
The Daily Caller notes that Karl Pierson, the latest school shooter to disturb the peace of the media, was an opinionated leftist who made alarming statements on his now defunct Facebook page about Republicans.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Utah Polygamy Ruling Less Than Meets the Eye
At first glance, the federal court ruling that struck down parts of Utah's polygamy would seem to confirm all the worst fears of social conservatives. First gay marriage, now this. Could legalized bestiality and incest be far behind?
Chang'e 3 has landed on the moon.
China's Chang'e 3 successfully lands on the moon
China's Chang'e 3 Lands on the Moon -- Implications for the United States
According to the Associated Press, China has landed its Chang'e 3 space probe on the lunar surface, the first time something like that has happened since the Soviet Union landed the Luna 24 back in 1976.
James Bond was an Impotent Alcoholic
USA Today reports on a study published in the British journal BMJ that suggested that James Bond, at least as depicted in the Ian Fleming books, could not possibly have existed. He drank too much to be an effective spy.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Move to Purge Houston High Schools of Poltiically Incorrect Mascots
Political correctness seems to have intruded into the Houston Independent School District concerning the use of now unacceptable mascots for school sports teams. It reflects the kerfuffle surrounding the Washington Redskins.
As Obama Continues Selective Enforcement of Obamacare, Congress Moves to Sue
Hot Air is reporting that the Obama administration is desperately trying to limit the damage to itself by "suggesting" to private insurance companies that it extend certain deadlines mandated by Obamacare.
Obama Abandons Pastor Saeed Abedini, a Prisoner of Conscience in Iran
One of the more noxious aspects of President Obama's Iran policy is its lack of regard for human rights conditions in that country. This is especially vexing to Naghmeh Abedini, the wife of Pastor Saeed Abedini, currently imprisoned in Iran.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Could Same Sex Marriage Be Coming to Texas?
Could same sex marriage be coming to Texas? The chances of lifting the 2005 ban in the legislature is somewhere between nil and nonexistent. However, the Houston Chronicle reports that the issue is now before the courts.
Post Obama Economic Boom Will Have Profound Effects on Politics
Access to cheap labor has driven a lot of American manufacturing jobs offshore, especially to China. However, Breitbart's Big Government suggests, that access to cheap energy plus the robotics revolution will drive it back to America again.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Now Six Year Olds Can Be Sexual Harassers
Six year old Hunter has been branded a "sexual harasser" for stealing a quick smooch from a girl in his first grade class and has been duly suspended for this act of barbarism. No doubt it is for the kid's own good.
That Handshake Between Obama and Raul Castro
The Nelson Mandela memorial had a number of awkward moments, not the least of which was when President Obama found himself shaking hands with Cuban dictator Raul Castro. But there was no way that Obama could win.
The Budget Deal: Betrayal or the Best that Can Be Achieved?
One of the annoying consequences of having divided government, which is to say having Democrats actually have power, is that one either has government shutdown dramas or budget deals, such as was struck last night.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
George Zimmerman's Girl Friend: Never Mind
George Zimmerman has proven that initial media judgments have to be looked at with suspicion. The latest example is the altercation he had with his girl friend Samantha Scheibe for which he was arrested.
Steve Stockman to Primary John Cornyn in Texas Senate Race
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas is up for reelection in 2014. He has roused the ire of some tea party conservatives in the Lone Star State for being insufficiently conservative, especially on the subject of defunding Obamacare.
South Carolina to Attempt to Secede from Obamacare
The Daily Caller reports that South Carolina will shortly become the first state of the union that will attempt to, in effect, secede from Obamacare. It will shortly pass a bill that will nullify the so-called Affordable Care Act in that state.
Monday, December 09, 2013
Welcome to the Robot Staffed Fast Food Joint
Red State has a story that reveals what the future of fast food is likely to be, especially if the campaign to boost the minimum wage to $15/hour gets any traction. Welcome to the cybernetic McDonalds.
You Can Keep Your Doctor Under Obamacare, but You Have to Pay More
One of the big lies about Obamacare, among so many, was the often repeated promise by President Obama that if one wanted to keep one's doctor, one could. But Hot Air reports that there is a little caveat to that, hitherto unmentioned.
Nelson Mandela's Journey from Marxist to Free Marketeer
One might be surprised at how many conservative leaders have offered eulogies to the late Nelson Mandela, considering his past as a communist revolutionary. Ted Cruz actually got some heat and Newt Gingrich was obliged to explain himself.
Sunday, December 08, 2013
The 'Tom Clancy' Scenario for War in the East China Sea
Noting the continuing crisis concerning China's establishment of an "air defense identification zone" over the East China Sea, the Japan Times invokes the name of the late Tom Clancy to describe a shooting war that might follow.
Mexican Truck Filled with Radioactive Waste Hijacked by Stupid Crooks
When the story of a hijacked truck in Mexico filled with radioactive waste first hit the news, there were understandable fears of terrorists making a dirty bomb. However it seems to be yet another stupid crook story.
What Do Obama's Eroding Poll Numbers Mean?
That President Obama has slipped in the polls goes without saying. But according to the Washington Examiner's Byron York, his decline has been most pronounced among those who had once been his warmest supporters.
Saturday, December 07, 2013
Merril Newman is Coming Home from North Korea
Merril Newman, the 85 year old retired Korean War soldier, is coming home, having been a prisoner of the North Koreans for more than a month. This is an occasion of rejoicing and for reflection as well.
Will Chang'e 3 Provide NASA and the United States with a Sputnik Moment?
As China's Chang'e 3 probe enters lunar orbit in advance of a planned landing on the surface of the moon, Fox News reports that a rising chorus of space experts is sounding the alarm at NASA's abandonment of the moon.
Artifical Super Intelligence is the Latest Reason We're All Going to Die
Ever since the end of the Cold War and with it the threat of global thermonuclear war, futurists have been casting about for ways that humanity might end itself. Greg Scoblete reviews a new book that describes how we might be destroying ourselves.
Friday, December 06, 2013
Rand Paul's Big, Free Market Idea for Detroit
The Washington Examiner notes that Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY is trying to do well by doing good, enhancing his own presidential prospects by offering a free market solution to the bankrupt and all but destroyed city of Detroit.
Barack Obama Pivots to 'Economic Inequality'
President Obama, in yet another attempt to divert attention away from the smoldering train wreck that is Obamacare, is talking about something called "economic inequality" which is to say there are too many rich people and poor people.
Nelson Mandela Had to Conquer Himself Before He Conquered Apartheid
The Wall Street Journal notes that the late Nelson Mandela started his career as a communist revolutionary and had entered prison in South Africa in the early 1960s after being caught plotting an a act of sabotage.
Thursday, December 05, 2013
Only Mitt Romney Can Save Obamacare Now
Ben Domenech at The Federalist blog, has a cheeky and perhaps tongue in cheek suggestion for how President Obama could save Obamacare, He needs to bring in the great turnaround artist, Mitt Romney.
Martin Bashir, Having Struck at Sarah Palin, Kills His Career Instead
Martin Bashir, the MSNBC talker who infamously had that rude suggestion for Sarah Palin, has resigned from the network, or so it is being put out. He has learned the folly of striking at the queen and failing to kill her.
Elizabeth Warren Takes Herself Out of the Running for President
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass has decided to take herself out of the running for president, dashing the hopes of liberals for a farther left alternative to Hillary Clinton. Pundits as well must be in mourning, though she was wise to make the decision.
Wednesday, December 04, 2013
Mark Pryor Turns to a Higher Power to Save His Senate Seat
Sen. Mark Pryor, representing Arkansas, is one of those red state Democrats who are in trouble because of Obamacare and other issues. Interestingly enough, according to KATV, he has turned to the Lord for help, in a new statewide ad.
Poll: Americans Think World Leadership Lower Than it Has Been in 40 Years
The Washington Examiner cites a recent Pew Poll that suggests that Americans believe that American leadership in the world has tumbled to a 40 year low. There is also a lot of sentiment for isolationism.
Obamacare Controversy Causes Talk of Impeachment and Worse
One is pretty sure that political rhetoric surrounding Obamacare when Townhall suggests that there is a pretty sound case for the impeachment of the president. It doesn't help matters when Obama is essentially double dog daring people to make that happen.
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
To Respond to Chang'e 3 NASA Should Show RESOLVE
As the Chinese lunar lander Chang'e 3, carrying the Jade Rabbit rover, voyages to the moon, the question arises what should NASA's response be, aside from congratulations to a rival space power. RESOLVE might just fit the bill.
Cancer Patient Obamacare Critic Being Audited by the IRS
Bill Eliot seems to have been designated the latest enemy of the people by the Obama administration. He is being audited by the IRS after publically discussing Obamacare with Fox News' Megan Kelly.
Martin Bashir 'On Vacation' for Sarah Palin Outrage
Martin Bashir, the MSNBC talker whose outrageous suggestion for Sarah Palin caused a firestorm of controversy, has either been suspended by the network or is "on vacation" depending on who one talks to, according to Politico.
Monday, December 02, 2013
The Rise of the Asian Space Powers
December 1, 2014 will go down in history as the date when the rise of the Asian space powers began in earnest. The Chinese launched a rover to the moon while India's Mars orbiter broke free from Earth orbit and headed for the Red Planet.
Obamacare Website 'Fix' Does Not Address the Real Problem
According to the Washington Times, various Obama administration surrogates are pronouncing that Obamacare signup site to be "fixed," which may be a way of saying that it doesn't stink quite as much as it used to.
Will Amazon's Aerial Drone Delivery Service Take Off?
Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com announced on "60 Minutes" that his online department store is developing an aerial drone delivery service. If the item ordered is five pounds or less and one is within 10 miles of a distribution center, one can get it in 30 minutes.
Sunday, December 01, 2013
Pope Francis May Be a Liberal Democrat, but Jesus Christ is No Marxist
Both Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh have criticized Pope Francis for statements that have been decidedly anti-capitalistic. Reza Aslan, a liberal Muslim scholar, suggests that thus they wouldn't much care for Jesus Christ either.
Is Scott Walker the Republican Governor to Take the White House in 2016?
George Will has a piece out in which he touts Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker for president in 2016. Noting the battles he fought and won with public sector unions, Will makes a pretty good case.
New York's Bill De Blasio as a Poster Child for Democrats
The Washington Times suggests that Republicans are licking their chops at how much they intend to hang the incoming mayor of New York, radical leftist and Sandinista fan Bill De Blasio, around the necks of national Democrats.