Monday, June 29, 2009

Honduras

Mary Anastasia O'Grady explains to a propaganda saturated U.S.

I'm seeing a pattern here. TCO, The Dalai Obama is willing to throw Liberty under the proverbial bus to further his ideal of "talking with our enemies without preconditions". He was perfectly willing to say little regarding Iran, but under similar circumstances he was willing to side with the likes of Castro and Chavez over Honduras. As WSJ points out, the action taken by Honduras was legal.

My money is on an invasion by Venezula, Cuba or both. The U.S. will do nothing.

Both Sides of Their Mouths

The Beer: Deekawife 3.0 was wonderful enough to pick me up a few Belgians.

The Bicycle: The ride Sunday was brutal. 30 mph winds with gusts to 40.

The VRWC: Don't listen to what they say, watch what they do. I think this makes it clear what the Administrations intention is regarding nuclear power. First shut down Yucca Mountain, then stop all progress toward reprocessing. More delay to kill the viability of nuclear power.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Maybe Uncontrolled Spending?

The Beer: Time to get more ingredients. I'd like to brew up a Blonde Ale and something else, but I don't know what. Feel free to suggest.

The Bicycle: River Valley Ride in Newburg today. Riding with a (Conservative) friend and his (Conservative) friend. I will make my views known amongst the Lefties. Last time I rode this, every freakin' Leftist and his brother was there. The Lefties have no problem spewing their hate for us on the Right, so I would think they would have no problem hearing from me, right? I said, "RIGHT"?!?!?!?

The VRWC: Of course it's the tax end and not the spending end. Why, government should have the ability to tax you into oblivion without any push-back at all.

Oh, and make sure the hit-piece has the required anecdotal sob-stories.

See, it's not the spending, you big, mean, selfish anti-taxers.

Unions Exempt?

This can't go over well with non-union Democrat supporters. A bone to the unions, "busing" everyone else.

How about if we don't tax benefits at all?

Friday, June 26, 2009

Terrified of the Future

Cap and Tax passed the House today. This bill will usher in a new Dark Age. Plan on your energy being rationed...unless you are of the ruling class or a government functionary.

Obamacare will be worse. Thank your local Democrat voter.

This scares the hell out of me.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Worst....Legislation....Ever

Cap and Trade will doom this economy.

Vote should be tomorrow. Sensenbrenner is going to vote against. Petri and Kagen need some last minute "advice".

Call your Congressman!

Monday, June 22, 2009

A Sign of the Apocalypse

What do we expect will happen here? Have we become that enamored with the Nanny State that we are unable to see the potential consequences here? The entire article is here.

This is the most disturbing:

The poll found that most Americans would be willing to pay higher taxes so everyone could have health insurance and that they said the government could do a better job of holding down health-care costs than the private sector.

OK, Americans are pretty generous folks. I'm good with that. But at what point has the government shown any ability to hold down costs? The only way this happens is by rationing services and artificially controlling the market.

Riddle me this Bat-Head: What happens to all the jobs in private health insurance? I know...public option. But the fact is, once the public option is put out there, employers will quit offering private insurance and eventually, you will be unable to obtain it at any price. Right now, when insurance denies your claim, you have can pay out-of-pocket. When the government denies your claim, you are out-of-luck. Remember HillaryCare? Sanctions, even criminal penalties against doctors who provide fee-for-service? You will not be able to get anything the government will not allow. So, back to the question. Do all these people get absorbed into the government bureaucracy? Or are the out on the street. I don't care for either option.

This is crazy. This is not the country I grew up in. This is not the country envisioned by the likes of Thomas Jefferson. This is Bizarro-World.

Disagreement

Normally, I don't dislike people with whom I disagree. In fact, I can only think of one.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

As If....

The US were ever in the Iranian, "circle of friends". At least over the last 30 years. Besides, what is this, "Facebook"? But clearly, Ahmadinejad understands this President. The President appears to be making his remarks via "spokesperson". It carries much less weight that way and provides him with "plausible deniability".

Fish Don't Vote

The Beer: Honey Ale. A little sweet, but not bad. Should be better with some aging. Up next: Blonde.

The Bicycle: The cycling gods mock me. Between illness and technical difficulties, I'm not getting any significant miles in. The interurban bridge construction continues. Spans were laid last week. I think it's ugly. For a couple million bucks, it should at least be esthetically pleasing.

The VRWC: Save the Humans. I wonder if the federal judge who made this decision cares how many will go hungry because we're worried about freakin' fish. The decision to turn off the water in thee San Joaquin Valley is even more stupid than taking corn out of the food chain for use as fuel.

Mr. President?

Saturday, June 20, 2009

30 Years

30 years ago, America watched as radical Iranian students took other Americans hostage. Today, we watch as a new generation of Iranian students and citizens are choosing to risk their lives for that which they believe.

Where is President Obama? His failure to choose sides here is going to hurt his standing with the opposition in Iran. His MLK stratement is worthless to anyone outside the US. MLK is known, but not particularly revered outside of the US.

Options

Is The Dalai Obama out of options? I'd say no, but since, "War Is Not The Answer", I fully expect the administration (and the UN) to back down.

The real answer here is not UN sanctions. It's the Chinese. North Korea has been China's proxy for over 60 years. I believe the Chinese, while not directly behind this are giving NK tacit permission. Unfortunately, China owns so much US debt that the US has little leverage.

I expect the result of this to be a nuclear armed North Korea, no sanctions (or sanctions with no teeth).

I'd love to be wrong.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

If This Were a White Guy......

This is indefensible. At least I think so.

“I am a member of the Belizean Grove, a private organization of female professionals from the profit, nonprofit and social sectors,” Judge Sotomayor wrote. “The organization does not invidiously discriminate on the basis of sex. Men are involved in its activities — they participate in trips, host events and speak at functions — but to the best of my knowledge, a man has never asked to be considered for membership.”

Not "invidiously"? I didn't think it mattered what the motivation was. "Men are involved..."....that sounds a lot like, "we let the Black guys caddy".

And as counterpart to Bohemian Grove, is it "separate but equal"?

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Chu & Nukes?

The article is the usual crapola. It's the comments that interest me. The anti-nuke side is largely uninformed/misinformed. Anyone who would bring up, "We Almost Lost Detroit" is just plain ignorant. It's almost as bad as bringing up "The China Syndrome" or "The Prometheus Crisis".

The 4th Estate?

Apparently ABC News is now the mouthpiece of the Obama administration? Why should I not think so?

Saturday, June 13, 2009

If I Keep Talking About Energy, Will Anyone Listen?

I came across this article yesterday. This is being touted as a huge deal. But it's only 70MW. Electric. Using 450 acres of "habitat". To put this into perspective, the typical new nuclear plant generates about 2000 MW of electricity. This type of solar plant would require nearly 13,000 acres, or about 20 square miles (an area 4 miles by 5 miles). I assure you, no other power source will use that kind of real estate (except maybe wind - but perhaps you heard about this...).

In addition, the subsidies for "renewables" is astronomical compared to other energy types.

Energy policy in the United States has never been very good, if at all. Energy policy under this administration is worst in my lifetime.

Friday, June 12, 2009

"Hate" Groups

This is troubling, but not for the reasons you may think.

Yes, neo-nazis and other white supremacist groups are a problem, but even more troubling is this is reported as gospel even though it seems largely anecdotal.

...but this new energy hasn't necessarily translated to an increase in the rate of hate crimes in the U.S., according to some researchers.

Why not? If experience tells us anything, it's that fringe groups, when energized tend to act. There is no indication of any increased organized activity from these groups. Further, the only "researchers" quoted here are from "The Hate Crime Research Network" and "The Southern Law Poverty Center". Neither of these organizations would exist without white supremacists.

This is the most troubling aspect is here:

"The evidence of hate speech is a very poor predictor of violent tendencies..."

Then why are we bothering to regulate it?

Thursday, June 11, 2009

53

I have reached the end of my 53rd year. I am thankful for much, including my shrieking grandchildren, my wife and her family and the ability to look down at the grass. Thanks to the kids for visiting. I hope they know I love them.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

And Suddenly.....MAGIC!

This seems to be the new Leftist mantra.

Increased CO2 in the atmosphere results in acidified oceans? Not likely. Only about 3% of atmospheric CO2 is anthropogenic. If I recall my chemistry correctly, the acid formed by dissolving CO2 in water is weak. And a 3% increase in atmospheric CO2 would hardly be enough to make a significant difference in the acidity of the oceans.

Ocean acidification or diseases that thrive in acidified, oxygen-depleted seawater could be responsible for oysters not reproducing in Washington state , said Brad Warren , who oversees the ocean health and acidification program of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership in Seattle . A federal study found that two-thirds of larval blue crabs died when exposed to acidity levels like those currently measured off the West Coast , he said.

I don't know who this Brad Warren is, but I question his credibility and credentials. A Google search turns up what we already know. BTW, Mr., not Dr. Further, the federal research he points to could not be located. Maybe I don't have enough information to find it.....

Now, there are problems in the oceans. There are documented dead zones and other ecological challenges that must be addressed. To use those as ammunition in the (alleged) AGW war is disingenous.

The Wolf at the Door

This is compelling. I'm not sure how much of it I am willing to buy, but the points are pretty much spot-on. We "don't want to stoop to their level", but our failure to do so has meant defeat at nearly every turn.

The Conspiracy Theorist in me says this President is the culmination of a 50 year plan. It began with the Leftist takeovers of education and the media. At the same time, various groups from "Big Environmental" to NOW to the Gay Rights and (alleged) "Pro-Choice" movements undermined traditional values with just enough "good" reforms to keep the electorate happy. The appointment (for life) of Leftist judges, the use of political correctness to stifle debate and the dividing of this country into, "Interest Groups" pitted against each other for money and power set the stage for where we are today.

Tell me where I'm wrong.

H/T: Political Pistachio

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

More Bad Science

The more I read about (alleged) AGW, the more it becomes clear that this is agenda driven and not science. Dr. Roger Pielke blasts Kofi Annan's "300,000 deaths" from (alleged) AGW. Pielke has cred. He can be vilified, but not successfully.

Is anyone listening?

Yummy Goodness

Since I can't bear to deal with politics right now, I'll share some goodness.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Start with Tyler Florence' Pizza Dough. While it is rising, bake boneless, skinless chicken breasts at 350F until done. Spread dough on pizza pan as you desire and bake 10 minutes at 450F. Shred chicken and coat with desired amount of Frank's Hot Sauce. After the dough has baked for 10 minutes, take it out of the oven and spread abut 1/2 package of creme cheese on the still-warm dough. Top with the chicken mixture and top that with shredded Colby/Monterey Jack cheese. Bake another ten minutes or until cheese is bubbly and exposed crust is golden brown at 450F.

Mmmmmm good.

(OK, so it looks like a commercial....get over it.)