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How Many Chances Should You Get?

Let’s say you are the considered the United States’ leading climate scientist, in fact, you are considered such a big brain that they put you in charge of something like the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies(GISS). And also imagine that you make a public statement concerning the weather that is so wrong that the Telegraph.co.uk describes it as a “surreal scientific blunder” and that the blunder is so blatant that not one, but two lesser lights in the climate science community are able to find this gigantic error in less time than it took your 2nd grade teacher to find the error in your 2 times tables.
 
Add to that, that this is NOT the first time you have made an extraordinary claim about record temperatures that were just flatly wrong. This is same Dr. Hansen who, just 30 years ago, said we would all freeze to death, and more recently had to retract his statement that the 90’s were the warmest decade when it turned out to be the 30’s. Hey! He only missed it by 60 years!
 
Would you expect to keep your job?
 
Well, you and I might expect to get sacked but not if you are Dr. James Hansen, and you and “nobel lariat” Al Gore are tight buds. [Small N for de-emphasis] Little mistakes like claiming last October was the warmest on record, and we’ve been keeping records for a long time now, despite such unscientific visual data in October, as snow in South Florida and London, you would probably not even be called to account for it if your employer is the U.S. Government.
 
If the cover afforded you by powerful friends with big houses, private jets, and money to burn, which may become useful since the planet is actually getting colder, you can always count on backup from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Chairman, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, a highly trained former railway engineer with no qualifications in climate science, according to the Telegraph story. Why you ask is a railway engineer in charge of the world’s most prestigious climate change committee? Well, the simple answer is: I have NO idea! Hey! It's the UN!
 
My guess is that these two characters are working up a Jon Lovitz style routine based on his Tommy Flannagan, pathological liar routine. You remember how this goes.
 
Tommy: [Dr. Hansen] Hello, I’m Dr. James Hansen and I’m the top guy at GISS and I know everything about temperatures. Yeah, that’s it. …Ehhhh, who am I kiddin’? I’m the smartest guy in the world! I’m here to tell you that it’s getting’ warm…er,eh; it’s going to get hot enough to fry the planet! Yeah that’s it, that’s the ticket! You’re all gonna die by next wee…eh, eh, eh, 2030! Yeah that’s right, 2030! But we have to do something about it by next week! No time to wait!
 
Below is thought to be a candid snapshot of Dr. Hansen waiting to make his announcement to the press in Honolulu, it might have been Miami, but it was one of those tropical locations. Also pictured is believed to be Dr. Aoki Kishiaka, another member of the IPCC without any climate science credentials. Dr. Kishiaka is the Chairman of the largest chain of Sushi restaurants in Japan. Although not covered in the article, it is thought that he was delivering a paper on the impact of climate change on the oceans. He postulates that rising sea temperatures will pre-cook the fish making Sashimi impossible to produce. (Ok, I made that last part up)
 
 
The public in the UK is starting to wakeup to the global scam but the good ole’ U.S. is still trying to beat this dead horse. A dishonest scientist, regardless of credentials, is not credible and should be removed before he creates any more public hysteria. The climate change people have missed the gravy train and it is now unloading at a bank or manufacturing company near you. Compared to the economic conditions in this country, global warming is just not scary enough! In fact, as we anticipate becoming homeless it may become a good idea.
 
It is currently 39 degrees here in Chesapeake, which is not a record but is lower than average, and this writer is feeling the cold. Brrrr! Sarge would appreciate it if you would all drive a few extra miles and breath really fast today. Maybe if we can get the CO2 level up I won’t freeze to death.
 
 
 
 
 
Sources:
 
 
 
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What Do You Mean, You Can't Use Fake ID?

Maybe it’s just me but does anyone really buy that the Dallas Independent School District didn’t realize that they were not authorized to issue social security account numbers? Has anyone ever seen a government form that didn’t end with “blah, blah, blah, and fine not to exceed $10,000 and/or ten years in prison”? Is the country so utterly ignorant that even our school administrators don’t realize that you can’t make up your own social security numbers, much less steal someone else’s, so that you can hire foreign workers?
 
Apparently, that is just what the DISD has been doing. Some lucky Pennsylvanian’s, whose actual numbers were “assigned”, might think that their accounts would benefit from this practice, but there is no indication that SS contributions were actually being made to their accounts. And, despite the claim that nobody thought anything was wrong with the practice, since the information was supposed to be withheld from reporting, it did make it to Homeland Security and the IRS when someone, possibly breaking the rules, did background checks.
 
Hiding information from State and Federal agencies has long been accepted evidence of complete honesty; right?
 
I remember when it was discovered that my neighbor was helping out the DMV by issuing Virginia Driver’s licenses in much the same kind of humanitarian effort. Some of those “licenses” wound up in the wallets of the 9/11 hijackers. I believe he used the same defense as the DISD.
 
So, the next time your on an airplane and some dudes with box cutters commandeer it, you can relax; they are probably just Dallas school teachers on their way to a bi-lingual teacher’s convention.
 
 
Read this whole pathetic story here.
 
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Happy Birthday Marines!

 
 
 
Today, November 10th 2008, marks the 233rd anniversary of the founding of our beloved Corps. As this is being written Marines are carrying the fight to the enemies of our country in Afghanistan and Iraq and are on watch around the world; ready to fight at a moments notice wherever peace and freedom are threatened. Each one carries with them the knowledge of the courage and tradition built by those Marines that served before them and will add yet another glorious chapter to that history in the year ahead. To those who have earned the title Marine, former and active, I send a much deserved, Well Done!
 
Semper Fi!
 
 
 
 
 
http://blog.800hightech.com/wp-content/uploads/marines_flag.jpg
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Obama Transition Team Makes Progress

Washington (11-1-2008) – The Obama Transition Team announced today that plans were going forward for the “surrender” of power scheduled for January 20th 2009. John Podesta, a former Clinton Chief of Staff, was originally thought to be the likely pick to head up the team but in a last minute move by the Obama campaign, Martin Sheen, who played the President in the popular series “West Wing” was tapped because of his “familiarity” with the White House set.
 
Due to recent remarks by “all but” Vice President Elect Joe Biden, the Obama campaign announced that former VP Al Gore would closeout for Mr. Obama in Florida leaving Mr. Biden free for other duties. Rumor has it that he is tasked with rounding up the W’s removed from the White House keyboards prior to the Bush Regime takeover.
 
The team has stated that “all but” President Elect Obama has some very ambitious plans for “change” in Washington and the team is working around the clock in an effort to complete the preliminary work on what is described as a “massive” change which could require as much as 8-10 years or more to complete.
 
Although it is still in the rumor stage, it has been heard around town that the host of MTV’s popular show “P*mp My Ride”, Xzibit, will be tapped for Secretary of Transportation and has been tasked with “p*mping” the Presidential ride. A spokesman for Xzibit said that plans were to keep it “real” but to add a “tight fi” and to give it a “Shaw” system. There have been initial problems with the hydraulics that have yet to be worked out. When asked to comment, the spokesman said, “Yo, you try to bounce this armor plated b*tch, ya’ feel me?” The concept car has already been produced and appears below:
 
 
Meanwhile, likely Secretary of the Interior, Antoin “Tony” Rezko, a prominent Chicago real estate developer, who has been of assistance to the “almost” President Elect on previous development projects announced plans to “spruce up” Washington in ways that will better reflect the “soon to be” President Elect’s dedication to diversity and multi-culturalism. Seen below are “just some of the projects” being proposed by his team, which has hired the Saudi BinLaden Group to consultant on the renovations.
 
 
Above is an artist’s concept of the new Camp Farrakan complex. The new structure will replace the more distant Camp David at the Potomac River site currently occupied by the Iwo Jima Monument and an old cemetery. Just visible on the opposite bank of the river is the proposed "Former Administration Retirement and Detention Facility" that will be part of a larger rehabilitation program as yet to be formulated.
 
Proposed Secretary of the new Department of Internal Security, William “The Meteorologist” Ayers has moved rapidly to recruit and train the first “elite” divisions, of this, the latest of Americas fighting forces. Many will recall that in July the “presumptive” President Obama called for a Civilian National Security Force saying that the United States military was not up to the task of fighting both our foreign foes and the American public. The first of these forces has already been formed using “extra” campaign cash acquired from foreign sources such as the Red Chinese Army, and at no cost to the taxpayer.
 
Below is shown the 1st Division CNSF, also dubbed the “Death to Whitey” Division, as they demonstrate their security technique in an undisclosed city. A spokesman for Mr. Ayers said on condition of anonymity, “We picked this tactic up from the Chicago pigs in ’68, let’s see how the neocons like it, can ya’ dig it?”
 
 
In other news, former President Bill Clinton, the first black president, has been working behind the scenes with the team and it is thought that he may be slotted as Attorney General in an Obama Cabinet. When a team member was asked if Mr. Clinton’s disbarment by the Supreme Court might be an impediment to the performance of his duties, he responded, “We’re looking at it. The Solicitor General does all the pleadings these days so it really comes down to what exactly is meant by ‘is' disbarred.”
 
A member close to the former “Philanderer in Chief” revealed that his nomination is considered a slam-dunk in some circles. According to his story, “Bubba was fooling around with the Constitution and folded it into a really big paper airplane. When he looked at it closely, it revealed a completely new meaning when read in that configuration. The word ‘abortion’ was right there for everyone to see! It was amazing!” Other configurations are being tried including folding it into a kite, known to be a favorite of the Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, which completely eliminates the 2nd Amendment when viewed horizontally. It is thought that this clearly gives him an inside track for the position at Justice, or as it will be known in January, the Department of Fairness.
 
Today Mr. Obama announced that he actually has plans to change the whole world but no details of what those changes might involve have been put forward. This reporter will examine more information concerning possible nominees and new departments as they come to light. Look for my new book, “Going Red”, coming soon to an approved book re-distributor near you. It will make a great gift for the approaching non-specific holiday season.
 
 
 
 
 
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And the Pulitzer Prize goes to…

According to correction published by the NYT, Paul Burnham Finney, characterized as a freelance or occasional writer for the paper, even though his on-line bio just indicates he writes for the Times among other high end publications, made a half-hearted attempt at moving into the fast paced and very competitive “fake story” department of the New York Times. He apparently sought to join the ranks of such luminaries as Jonathan Broder of the Chicago Tribune, Janet Cooke of the Washington Post (1981 Pulitzer Prize winner for her fake story “Jimmy”) and Jayson Blair, the Times most recent heavy hitter.
 
You may remember Jayson Blair, the fast rising star of the Times affirmative action program, who famously posted stories from places he’d never been, about people he’d never met. Blair, in his short but prolific career, penned some 73 stories about events ranging from the DC snipers to the Iraqi War, which at last count had produced some 36 articles with false comments, events, and fabricated emotionally charged scenes from the war. Blair also was an equally prolific “borrower” (a journalistic term meaning to plagiarize) of other writer's news stories, and by frequently using out of context photos to enhance his work.

Finney, a mere travel writer, used an American Psychological Association survey to reinforce his opinion that the Wall Street crisis was affecting business and banking travelers asserting that "the crisis on Wall Street was the No. 1 cause of anxiety".

His article, quoted here in part, states: [bolded portion is Mr. Finney’s since it never appeared in the survey conclusion]

In its latest annual “Stress in America” survey, based on 2,507 online interviews in September, the American Psychological Association found that the crisis on Wall Street was the No. 1 cause of anxiety. And participants in the survey said the places where they felt most vulnerable to stress were in the office and on a business trip.”
 
[The following extract from the Times correction tells a different story]:

The survey included data from Sept. 19 to Sept. 23, 2008, a period of volatility on Wall Street, but none of the questions in the association’s survey referred to Wall Street or any economic crises. Participants were not asked how business travel affected their stress levels or where they felt most vulnerable to stress.”

The article also quoted incorrectly from a comment by Nancy Molitor, a psychologist in Wilmette, Ill., who told the author that, “In my 20 years of practice I’ve never seen such anxiety among my patients,” not “among my banking and business patients.”

A stern Editors' Note admits that a Times writer "distorted the survey's findings to fit his theme, contrary to The Times's standards of integrity."

The Times is perfectly correct in it’s stern admonishment of Mr. Finney. This fake story is a far cry from the “gold standard” the public has come to expect in a fabricated story by the New York Times, much less that of the lesser “off the record” newspapers. The venerable “Grey Lady”, the paper of “record”, has come to represent the epitome of “out of context”, plagiarized, and false reporting. This upstart travel writer falls far short of the mark for the quality of fiction that regular readers of the Times expect and deserve.
 
Mr. Sulzberger, heir to the paper awarded the most Pulitzer Prizes, is surely very disappointed. Joseph Pulitzer, the famed "yellow journalist", must be spinning in his grave at the thought of the paper that has received so many of the awards that bear his name falling short of the mark for distortion that made Columbia University initially refuse his funding for the School of Journalism. This is a dark hour indeed for a paper that has made its reputation by leaking serious intelligence information and attempting to bring down republican Presidents.
 
This reporter suggests an internship at the National Enquirer where Mr. Finney can hone his skills assisting on stories about 96-year-old grannies giving birth to Aliens or perhaps a stint on the “Brangelina” desk. Mr. Finney is clearly not ready for prime time.
 
 
 
 
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Words Also Are Sometimes Silly

While I am still too angry to take on the subject of bailouts right at the moment, several comments on the previous post led me to an examination of some of the News and Political speak currently in vogue. Who could forget “gravitas”, especially since Rush Limbaugh put it through his sound bite montage, endlessly? There are many fine examples of this annoying trend.

ScarletPimernel started things off with his wife’s pet peeve, “negative growth”, and added in his own right: "Before they became "investments", taxes were "contributions" under the Great Billy Jeff.” [Note: Ronaldus Magnus, led the way, giving us “revenue enhancement”] BrianR, responding to Scarlet, took a military tack with “retrograde advance”, meaning Retreat.

This exchange reminded me of a recent article from the Scottish Rite Journal titled “THE JARGON GENERATOR” which I have shamelessly “borrowed” and reproduced below. [I hope they don’t kick me out. HaHaHa!] So, for the edification and amusement of the readers, here is some fun with jargoning.

[From the Scottish Rite Journal]
 
THE JARGON GENERATOR

Ever wonder how bureaucrats, educators and others come up with the terminology they unload on an unsuspecting public?
 
The fellow who put it together is a Sweetwater Union High School Districts Administrator from Sweetwater, Texas who for obvious reasons shall remain anonymous.

His creation consists of three columns of nine words each. The first two columns consist of multi-syllabic adjectives, and the third contains ambiguous nouns that defy strict definition.

1. integrated 1. management 1. outputs
2. total 2. organizational 2. flexibility
3. systematized 3. monitored 3. analysis
4. parallel 4. reciprocal 4. mobility
5. functional 5. logistical 5. factors
6. responsive 6.transitional 6. concept
7. synchronized 7. modular 7. capability
8. compatible 8. creative 8. guidelines
9. balanced 9. operational 9. contingencies

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
To use the Jargon Generator, merely take any three-digit number and apply each digit to the corresponding sequential column.

For instance, the number 263 will give you “total transitional analysis,” an impressive and erudite phrase that can be applied in almost any situation.

And 953 will give you “balanced logistical analysis,” a statement that you can use to establish your expertise and authority on any subject.

Use of the Jargon generator when you really have nothing to say, the author points out, will result in absolutely no one knowing what you’re talking about.

But, he adds, what really matters is that (1) they’ll never admit it and (2) they will be able to accept you as a decisive thinker who possesses great ability to verbalize complex ideas. Sort of a 297, one might say. 
 
                                                                                      Scottish Rite Bulletin
 
Have at it! Feel free to embellish to your hearts content. The author is confident in the abilities of the readers to produce 581.

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Words Have Power!

Most will recall that Bill Clinton, a man who clearly understands the power of words, took his place in the pantheon of linguistics giants when he said, "it depends on what the meaning of is, is". This was an historic moment in the evolution of political speak. Lesser beings have tried to equal this high standard, George Bush for example said, "Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?"
 
Apparently, the President is at war, not just with terror, but also the English language. This sadly does not qualify him for elevation to the level of a Bill Clinton but is impressive as a substantial body of work, rivaling that of Joe Biden's 36 year career, achieving it in a mere seven and half years.
 
Some time ago now, Global Warming, or AGW, was a term in everyday use, when suddenly the term morphed into Climate Change. No individual is easily cited for originating that reference, however, the media immediately seized on the term and is largely credited for the change in daily usage. This simple change in the words seems trivial but I suggest that since it's introduction the planet has begun to cool. Words do indeed have power!
 
Now, John McCain has entered the arena and tackled the biggest issue of our day; the economy. McCain may be a serious contender in the words to power world. Just yesterday he changed the term Wall Street Bailout to Wall Street Rescue. If the theory established in the AGW model is workable, we should immediately see improvements in financial markets and the overall economy.
 
America hates bailing people out of problems of their making but we dearly love to rescue people. We must love it, since we have been doing practically nothing else since the end of World War II. The fact is, we are so generous that we are now 10-11 trillion dollars in debt as a country with no end in sight ,as congress continues to pour on the ethanol (you can't say coal anymore).  The train wreck is going to be spectacular!
 
Tell congress to stop the train, we want to get off. Let the market finds it's own way. Congress has created enough problems already by fixing things, it's time for some unfixing. Abolish the CRA and eliminate the Banking Rules of '99 and get out the private sector altogether. That would be a good place to start before moving on to drilling for oil, stopping illegal aliens, eliminating earmarks, getting out of education, passing the fair tax, stopping subsides, shrinking government, and fiddling with our light bulbs.

When you get that done get back to me, I have more!
 
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Rasmussen Eat Your Heart Out!

I conducted a mini survey at the local convenience store this morning. Here are the results of the 25 people polled for their reaction to last night’s debate.

10 – didn’t watch the debate. (This is not complete voter apathy. One guy lives in his pickup truck and has no TV)

3 - thought Obama won.

1.5 - thought McCain won (the half point is given for the answer "the old white guy" since the voting machines don't have pictures of the candidates.)

6 - said "What debate?"

2 - answered "What election?"

2 - mumbled "No hablo ingles"

1 - though McCain was Kissinger and also that Kissinger was dead.

The margin of error for this poll was +/-24.5

At this point the mathematicians out there are probably saying, “Hey, that’s 26 votes?”, and they would be right. Apparently, even in a small poll there is an element of voter fraud.
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Once Again Government to Save Us from Government

You have a job. You’re getting by even in the face of rising food and gas prices and your managing to pay the mortgage on time. Your 401k plan has taken a slide but you still have time to recover since it a long-term investment and you understand this. The housing market is down but you are feeling like it will rebound given time, so you cut expenses and hope things don’t get too expensive. Your plan is simple; play defense and wait it out.

Does this scenario sound familiar to anyone? It should, since it describes most of Middle America.

Enter the government and the wizards of Wall Street. They have a plan too. It’s been in place for 30 years beginning with the Community Reinvestment Act of 1978 and culminating in the Clinton Banking Bill in 1999. CNN reported the signing of the later on November 12, 1999 saying in part: [emphasis is mine]
 
 
"This legislation is truly historic and it indicates what can happen when Republicans and Democrats work together in a spirit of genuine cooperation," Clinton said at a White House signing ceremony. The event brought together the president and several Republican members of Congress who have been among Clinton's sternest critics -- a sign of the bipartisan support that eventually developed for the package." [Don’t we just love bi-partisan support?]

"Congress passed the bipartisan measure November 5, opening the way for a blossoming of financial "supermarkets" selling loans, investments and insurance. Proponents had pushed the legislation in Congress for two decades, and Wall Street and the banking and insurance industries had poured millions of dollars into lobbying for it in the past few years."
 
"The world changes, and Congress and the laws have to change with it," said Senate Banking Committee Chairman Phil Gramm (R-Texas)” [Gramm could have said this yesterday and probably did!]

Read the full story here but the names are same as our current crisis champions. The same people who touted in glowing terms the creation of these “supermarkets” are now telling us that they are too big to allow them to fail.
 
The most damaging element of this legislation was the item most desired by the Clinton administration and had been the sticking point in the negotiations. Here is a quote from the CNN piece:

“…the Clinton Administration itself had threatened a veto of the legislation as it took various forms that raised a series of White House objections. In recent months, the administration objected most sharply to the issue of rules requiring that banks make loans in minority and low-income communities where they operate.” [This is the foundation of the misbegotten idea that homeownership is a right, regardless of ability to pay]

There is absolutely no good reason that the taxpayers should be happy about buying these toxic assets. We are constantly being bombarded with the idea that we need to “make investments” (read: be further taxed) in a myriad of government giveaways, bridge boondoggles, green alternatives, and a host of other unwanted or unnecessary programs. We don’t even get the courtesy of a prospectus from these “snake oil” salesmen.
 
Why would anyone, who fits the opening scenario, want to invest in a known bad investment? If we wouldn’t buy stock in AIG last month why would we want to buy it now? This is not how you go about keeping your assets.

The bailout is filled with hopes and promises that this will not happen. They say, Uncle will hold these properties until they can be sold at profitable prices. Should we believe that a glut of standing property doesn’t depress the sales market? Of course these are the same people who said the ’99 banking bill was revolutionary and would foster prosperity and huge savings for taxpayers.

Pardon me if I don’t cheer as another example of central planning goes down in flames, only to replaced by an even bigger scheme of central planning. This is a failure of government of colossal proportions. Any self-respecting person who was involved in this should resign quietly.

Have no fear. There will be a bailout package. The only question remaining is how bad will it fail? Congressional republicans should avoid this like the plague.
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Senator DeMint Needs Your Support on Drilling!!!

Senator Jim DeMint has been among the strongest supporters in the Senate for drilling and other viable solutions to America's energy problems. He and his colleagues are asking for public support on this issue as outlined in the following except from his email.
 
"I know you are very busy, but I need your immediate help."

"As you know, the twenty-five year ban on offshore drilling will expire on October 1st. In the coming days the Senate will be debating on whether or not to renew the ban. I believe that we should not renew the ban and begin drilling in our territories to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but I need to know what you think."

"Should we let the twenty-five year ban on offshore drilling expire?"

"Should we stop frivolous lawsuits from left-wing environmental groups that have delayed energy production for years?"
 
He has a poll site at this link: http://www.jimdemint.com/drilling-survey/
 
Although, it looks as if the ban will expire because the opponents of drilling lack the time to pass an extension, this issue will not die on it's own. Stopping the environmental lawsuits are a matter of critical importance to our energy future. I urge all THer's to give him the support he needs. 
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Putting the Election Aside for a Moment…

The do nothing congress is back in session and, in typical style, have these spectacular accomplishments to add to their already fine record. According to my representatives weekly report this is what they managed to get done this week.

Two bills to name post offices. Two bills to name courthouses. A bill to create congressional clerkships. A bill to allow electronic pay stubs for congressional employees. And a study of two rivers in Vermont.
After a five week recess, these bills were on the short list of items the House of Representatives debated and voted on this week. The House leadership also cut the week short, so there was no debate or votes on Friday
.” – Randy Forbes (R-VA)

They did debate, and tabled until next week, a bill to increase visas for the coming year from a mere 1 million to 1.55 million. This at a time when we have just passed the 6% unemployment rate, and it is still rising.


Americans for Prosperity, a watchdog group, has sent the following warning:

The clock is ticking down to October 1st, 2008 -- the expiration date for the current Congressional ban on offshore drilling and oil shale recovery.

Expanding domestic energy production by getting at untapped U.S. resources is the key to lowering prices at the pump -- so contact your lawmaker today and tell them to DO NOTHING. That's right. Tell your lawmaker that doing nothing is the right thing to do for American energy consumers
.”

Nancy Pelosi and other liberal leaders know they are running out of time to save their political skins, so they’ve put together a sham proposal they claim would allow “drilling.” Tell your lawmakers not to be fooled! Democratic proposals that claim to allow drilling are just ploys designed to erect huge new permanent hurdles to meaningful oil exploration and to hike taxes on energy.”

Contact your lawmakers. Urge them to support letting the current ban on offshore drilling expire by DOING NOTHING.”

This is AFP’s suggested action plan. I certainly sounds like something they shouldn’t have any problem accomplishing. Who wants to bet that the Do Nothing Congress would actually Do Nothing!

Rep. Pence is saying that republicans are poised to force the energy issue next week. It is this writer’s hope that they are not walking into an ambush driven by their zeal for the “all of the above” position. This will require careful scrutiny at a time when many voters are distracted by the prospect of a GOP win in November.

We will need to keep our heads on a swivel as long as congress is session with Red Nanny at the helm.

Update! There is a first look at the democrat energy bill at the following link: http://michellemalkin.com/2008/09/11/meanwhile-back-in-washington/
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Experience Counts?

Much as been said about the various experience quotients of the candidates since the selection of Ms. Palin by John McCain. There have been arguments and counter-arguments by the hatful. So, in the interest of reason and logic, with apologies to my former math teachers, this writer will make an attempt at a mathematical solution.

For purposes of this drill it is asked that the reader stipulate to a few facts not really in evidence but necessary for this essay to proceed to it’s conclusion. First, it is taken as true that experience as a U.S. Senator relates to the Presidency, equally with experience as a State Governor. Second, none of the current candidates has ever served as President.

We start with W being use to represent “wrinkly old white dudes” regardless of party affiliation. Junior Senators appear as J raised to the power of “s” with Junior Governors being shown as J raised to the power of ‘g” and overall, let E equal experience and T equal ticket. So the Obama/Biden ticket would be expressed as:

(Js – E) + (W + E) = T or in plain language, the Obama/Biden ticket

Similarly McCain/ Palin becomes:

(W + E) + (Jg – E) = T again for clarity McCain/Palin ticket

Since T is equal to T we can conclude that these tickets are evenly matched.

Let us now examine the “heart beat away” scenario. For this equation we will use the superscripted 25 to equal the nomination of a new VP under the 25th amendment as was the case with Gerald Ford’s elevation and in turn Nelson Rockefeller’s. The fact that this involves a sitting President calls for the addition of P equaling President. With that definition the formula for an early departure on the part John McCain would be expressed thus:

(Jg – E) + (W + E)25 = P or President Palin choosing an experienced VP by nomination.

In the opposing situation the formula becomes more complicated. Since Biden has few friends it is difficult to determine from what source he might draw a nominee. What can be concluded is that he would be hard pressed to find a more senior senator, representative or governor to serve as VP given his 36 years in the senate. Let the superscripted x represent an unknown person of lesser experience. Thus we get:

(W + E) + (Jx – E) = P or Biden choosing a VP of lesser experience.

In conclusion since T = T and P = P we can logically assume that there is NO argument on the experience issue in any combination. Let’s move on!
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Behind Enemy Lines

Following the announcement by John McCain of his selection of Sarah Palin as his VP choice, this writer decided to take a peek at a comment thread running on CNN’s website. After reading some of the comments, three that stood out are listed below.

[Whoops! What happened to “you can have it all”?]
“What is she going to do with her 5 month old baby during the campaing? is she putting her career before her family? from what is been told by the media he is a baby with special needs. As a mother I question her decision specially with all the time she would need to spend away from home” – Sandra [sic]

[Do women still make coffee in the office?]
“I was one of those 18 million cracks and there is no way I would vote for McCain. He is wrong on all the issues. They just don't get it do they. I doubt they would let her have any real say in the debate anyway. She'll be making coffee in the white house” [sic]


[Remember this one. We’ll return to it later.]
“So, what exactly is the historic nature of her nomination? Ferraro was picked as a running mate for Mondale well over 2 decades ago. Oh I get it.. it's historic because she is historically the least qualified person to manage to get their name on a major party ticket. Congrats to Danny Quayle for finally moving down to the #2 spot.”

The thought occurred that it would be interesting to see what the real loony left was saying. With that objective in mind the solution was obvious, I needed to do a recon patrol.

I pause for the benefit of those not familiar with this kind of exercise. A successful recon is one that gathers information and DOES NOT result in a firefight. In and out with no one the wiser. Standard camouflage is inadequate in a virtual typographic environment so other individual protective measures must be employed. Cover and concealment take on a new meaning in this situation. I began to prepare by first reciting, “Bush lied, people died” over and over again. I made a quick trip to “Stuff White People Like” to sharpen my metrosexual rhetoric and lastly, did a rapid review of all the Starbucks jargon I could remember.

Thus prepared, this reporter ventured to the democratic underground site. So, brought to you at great personal risk, here are some of the themes we will be hearing for the next 66 days.

Troopergate: This seems to be a non-starter scandal but dems are trying to hang their hats on it.

No experience: This one will probably have legs but oddly it pits Obama rather than Biden against the GOP VP nominee using the “one heart beat away” argument.

Beauty Queen: This one was very popular and showed up frequently.

Trophy wife: McCain’s not Todd’s apparently.

Lastly, remember I said we’d come back to this one; she’s the second coming of Dan Quayle.

There of course will be more once the Obama people get their balance but these were early reactions and were already in evidence from the democrat talking heads during the O’Reilly Show last night. Whether this helps of hurts McAmnesty is anybody’s guess but in the end it’s the bloggers of the world who were real winners yesterday. Fodder for the cannons friends. Let the entertainment begin!

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Another Choice

As the political silly season has proceeded it has become painfully obvious to this writer that none of the candidates are qualified to be President. We need a proven leader with experience in both government and the private sector. One who has actually read the constitution. One who is intimately familiar with life in the middle class, can pump his own gas, and pays his own bills. This would also be an historic first. In the history of the Presidency no former Marine has ever served as President. It's time for a change!
 
 
 
So get on the bandwagon and vote Relic '08! I'm Sgt Relic and I approved this message.
 
I failed to properly acknowledge my Brother-in-Law for sending me this link. Thanks Dave!
 
 
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A New Power Grab from EPA!

Many of you will remember with great fondness when Al Gore tried to explain his phone calls from the White House soliciting Democratic campaign contributions by citing that there was "no controlling legal authority". EPA is one of those federal agencies that seems to have paid attention to this kind of weaseling speech. This largely unregulated, power hungry agency, is set for a massive expansion of power by once again overreaching it's mandate to include CO2 emissions. Here is the text of the email I received from "Americans for Prosperity" calling for public help to turn back this growth of government.
 
The EPA is asking for public comments on its intention to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act, something the Act was never designed to do. We need your voice to be heard.
Over the past year, AFP has been warning you about global warming alarmism and the environmental political correctness that it has spawned. One of the greatest dangers this alarmism presents is the continued rise of unelected bureaucrats and their attempts to grab power from the people. The proposed regulation by the EPA is a clear example of the regulations this panic will produce.
After the Senate rejected a plan to regulate greenhouse gases, the EPA decided to go ahead and do it anyway. The extent of their plan is truly terrifying. If this proposal becomes law, 33 programs within the EPA would be empowered to, among other things:

• Impose Grass Mileage Standards for Home Lawnmowers
• Put Speed Limiters on the Commercial Trucking Fleet
• List Large Single-Family Homes as Carbon-Polluters
• Require Carbon Permits for Retail, Restaurant, Hotel and School Construction
 
We need your help to tell the EPA this is unacceptable. Environmentalists will be stuffing the comment box with their opinion; we need you to make your voice heard. "
 
I urge the TH community to read this information and help to head off this carbon grab before it can get started.
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