Beer, Bicycles and the VRWC

YMBFSM!

2012-02-11T13:15:00.001-06:00

H/T: Nobody

Apparently, LosAngeles doesn't have enough to do.

On Wisconsin....

2012-02-09T19:16:00.003-06:00

This is, without question, the best argument I've seen.

More Lies and Statistics

2012-02-05T07:43:00.001-06:00

The Beer: Fat Tire Clone to be brewed today.

The Bicycle: It's early February in Wisconsin and nearly warm enough to ride? What's up with that?

The VRWC: Here is what is at the Obama campaign website:

Here is what I found at the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Tell me who is lying here.

So Much For That

2012-02-04T13:39:00.003-06:00

This "inventor" in San Francisco thinks he's come up with "this great, legendary thing". By attaching a Capstone micro-gas turbine he's extended the range of a Nissan Leaf.

Dumbest....idea....ever.

A microturbine gulps fuel like nobody's business. The drag from the trailer and turbine must be enormous. Yea, he might extend the range of the car, but what did it cost? And not just the cost of the gas turbine, but the fuel cost must be enormous.

Completely defeats the purpose of the car.

Is It Lying....

2012-02-04T07:29:00.000-06:00

If it's not the whole truth? I report, you decide.

The sock-puppet media is all agog over the Department of Propaganda report of the lowest unemployment figure in the last 3 years (8.3%). And that is true. The unemployment rate has fallen to 8.3%. I should be happy, right?

Yeah, no. Dig a little deeper.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has some interesting data available. Apparently, the current regime isn't smart enough to tell BLS to make the stats consistent.

The number of people older than 16 not in the workforce is 88 million, up from the December number of 87 million and the greatest number since well before 2002.
The number of people older than 16 not in the workforce and wanting a job now is 6.5 million, up from the December number of 6.1 million and the greatest number since August 2011.
The number of discouraged workers is just over 1 million, an increase over December and the largest number since November and consistent with 2011.

Conclusions? The regime isn't lying, really. They just aren't telling the entire story. Yes, unemployment is down, but the number of jobs created are not enough to keep up with new people coming into the workforce and to bring "discouraged workers" back in. Remember that unemployment only counts those who are getting unemployment benefits, so new workers and discouraged workers are not counted.

It ain't rosy and I don't see it getting there soon.

Done With The GOP

2012-01-29T20:10:00.002-06:00

I am done with the GOP. At least for the 2012 presidential election. I will vote third party or not at all. They used us, the grassroots Conservatives to regain the House in 2010. Now, they declare war on us. I'm not playing. I know what it means; the re-election of Obama. I don't like that either, but to elect Gingrich or Romney is still evil.

There are enough of us to change the GOP before November, but I am afraid enough of us have been co-opted that we will vote for "Anybody But Obama". This is how we got the current #Occupier of the White House. "Anybody but Bush". We are headed back down that same road and I will not be part of it.

I fear the Republic is already lost.

Take THAT, Thugs

2012-01-26T18:57:00.005-06:00

Seems the voters of Wisconsin still like Governor Walker when presented with the Democrat alternatives.

The Fundamental Flaws in Fundamental Fairness

2012-01-25T20:34:00.002-06:00

The new drivel coming from the Left is that the rich didn't get that way all by themselves, consequently it's unfair that the rich are wealthy...got that? Why, they received the benefits of other people's labor, of infrastructure provided by taxpayers, the safety of the police and fire departments, the country was defended by the tax-payer funded military.

But the rich have already paid for that "assistance".

They provided a good or service from which others benefitted through purchase (yes, even the Chia Pet).
The rich paid taxes themselves. 15% of $10 million is far more than I pay at 25% of my meager earnings.
Others were hired and paid to perform work and they consequently paid taxes. I suppose if you wanted to, you could claim those taxes are actually paid by the employer, since if the income taxes did not exist, that amount could be part of the employee's salary.
Anyone who has been involved in a business in which new or upgraded infrastructure is required knows the business often pays a fee for that infrastructure.
That rich person assumed ALL the risk of the business (unless, of course you are in bed with the Administration).
The employer (yeah, the rich guy) funds 1/2 of his employees social security and medicare.

I think it is safe to say the debt is paid.

A Little Levity

2012-01-22T08:28:00.002-06:00

OK, Ron Paul supporters.....don't take this too seriously. It's just for fun. Really.

Or I'll make you "Touch my Constitution".

Walker Rally 1/21/2012

2012-01-21T18:09:00.000-06:00

I attended the Pro-Walker rally today at Hart Park in Wauwatosa today with Deekawife 3.0 and "M". By count, there were about 4000 Walker supporters on a cold day in Wisconsin. Of course, the other side showed up (I suppose 50, tops). On the way in, we engaged one from the other side, asking what was in it for me. What do I have to gain? In so many words the guy said to me, "You have nothing to gain and I really don't care". I know you are surprised.

Shortly after we arrived, I realized I had not locked the car and since it was a few minutes before start, I returned, locked the car and headed back to the Rally. As I approached, the National Anthem started. Even though I was not in the park yet, I removed my hat and saluted in respect. It was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. During this time, I was struck by the difference between the two sides; the respectful display by the Walker supporters and the vuvuzelas and the obligatory chants of "Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho..." by the other side. The vuvuzela continued to play throughout our Rally in an attempt to distract. Again, not surprising.

To me, the highlight of the afternoon was a young man named Jared Madden. He was articulate, funny and well spoken. And 16 years old. He told us what it was like to be a conservative in a high school in America and in particular what it must be like to be the sons of the Conservative Governor of a deeply divided state.

We engaged a couple protesters at the exit and had a good, rational discussion with one of them. He put forth some valid concerns, which we discussed and I will have to evaluate his claims.

Scott Walker Recall and Private-Sector Unions

2012-01-17T19:18:00.001-06:00

I work supervising a union shop. UAW to be exact. Were it appropriate in the work setting, I would ask union leadership what they thought they would gain from the recall of Governor Walker.

As I see it, private-sector unions are cutting their own throat here. If we go back to the days of taxes routinely raised, of State high deficits and debt, of business unfriendly environments, private-sector union jobs will be the first to go. I assure you my employer will start to move their jobs elsewhere. It has already been indicated that there is some work earmarked for elsewhere if we can't keep costs down. A return to the "days of yesteryear" will ensure that I cannot.

I can't say who I work for, nor what the union local is, but I may have to take my Chief Steward out for a beer and explain it to him. He's not a bad guy and he seems pretty reasonable. I think.

Two Piers

2012-01-17T19:09:00.000-06:00

Or a Pair of Docks.

Does anyone else the paradoxes of our time?

We buy energy and raw materials from our enemies because we don't want to "destroy the environment".
The government believes every citizen should be required to buy health insurance, but no one should be required to prove they are a citizen.
The union-supported, far-Left directed and government applauded #Occupy movement is a grass-roots organization, but the TEA Party movement (at least the one I joined) that started with a woman putting an ad in the paper and getting permission to use the parking lot at a strip mall is "astroturfed".
All research funded by the government is above reproach, but any research funded by business and industry (except for the "green industries") is necessarily tainted.
Public schools are being destroyed because they don't get more money, but when they get more money, they produce no better (and often worse) results.
Only union members qualify as "working folks".

More?

It Will Be Cold and Dark in Re-Education Camp

2012-01-12T19:30:00.000-06:00

And everywhere else.

The Beer: The Wee Heavy has really been nice. And it's pretty, too.

The Bicycle: Trainer disaster, that's all I'm sayin'.

The VRWC:

The Administration continues it's war on energy. GHG regulations are coming. Remember, "Under my plan, electricity prices will necessarily skyrocket"?

Remember this one?

This is no BS, folks. It is the plan.

EPA is heading down the GHG regulation path. They have already issued the MACT regulations I wrote about here, which will be extraordinarily expensive and you will pay for. The Administration has issued a "fatwah" on nuclear by closing off large tracts of land to prevent uranium ore mining and closing Yucca Mountain waste repository. It's not a "dump", which brings to mind your local landfill, but an engineered, continuously monitored facility to store waste from a nuclear power plant, but don't let that get in the way of agenda. They have effectively stopped the Keystone XL pipeline from providing cheap oil from Canadian tar sands as a sop to Big Environmental and excoriate Republicans for trying to move it forward. We continue to buy oil from our enemies and enrich them and allow the sale of our friends oil to China? How does that make sense?

"Fracking" is also under attack. With no evidence, it is immediately implicated in a rash of rare earthquakes in Oklahoma and elsewhere. It's not.

This is all part of the plan. It is very hard for Big Government to control the population when the population has access to cheap, plentiful energy. By curtailing it under the guise of "saving the planet" or some such foolishness, using regulation, rather than legislation borders on criminal and is most certainly worthy of the loyal opposition standing up and saying, "No!"

But they don't Republicans have had decades to counter the Democrat effort to make energy neither plentiful nor reliable. They are either cowards or they are complicit.

You tell me which.

Why Does Gasoline Cost That Much?

2012-01-09T19:54:00.000-06:00

Best explanation I've seen:

The War On Energy Widens

2012-01-08T19:38:00.004-06:00

Now it's uranium.

Common Ground?

2012-01-08T11:42:00.001-06:00

I need to add an H/T, but I don't have the link yet.

Updated: 1/8/2012 @ 1417:

H/T:ORPO

This should be some common ground between the Left and the Right.

I cannot confirm that this is exactly the way it happened, but I can vouch for the universal truths here. After all, all 535 of them in congress are habitual liars and we know that as gospel.

Not sure if this is a TRUE letter but it speaks volumes for the American People

Alan Simpson, Senator from Wyoming , Co-Chair of Obama's deficit commission, calls senior citizens the Greediest Generation as he compared "Social Security" to a Milk Cow with 310 million teats.

Here's a response in a letter from PATTY MYERS in Wyoming ... I think she is a little ticked off! She also tells it like it is!
"Hey Alan, let's get a few things straight..
1. As a career politician, you have been on the public dole for FIFTY YEARS.
2. I have been paying Social Security taxes for 48 YEARS (since I was 15 years old. I am now 63).
3 My Social Security payments, and those of millions of other Americans, were safely tucked away in an interest bearing account for decades until you political pukes decided to raid the account and give OUR money to a bunch of zero ambition losers in return for votes, thus bankrupting the system and turning Social Security into a Ponzi scheme that would have made Bernie Madoff proud..
4. Recently, just like Lucy & Charlie Brown, you and your ilk pulled the proverbial football away from millions of American seniors nearing retirement and moved the goalposts for full retirement from age 65 to age 67. NOW, you and your shill commission is proposing to move the goalposts YET AGAIN.
5. I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying into Medicare from Day One, and now you morons propose to change the rules of the game. Why? Because you idiots mismanaged other parts of the economy to such an extent that you need to steal money from Medicare to pay the bills.
6. I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying income taxes our entire lives, and now you propose to increase our taxes yet again. Why? Because you incompetent bastards spent our money so profligately that you just kept on spending even after you ran out of money. Now, you come to the American taxpayers and say you need more to pay off YOUR debt.
To add insult to injury, you label us "greedy" for calling "bullshit" on your incompetence. Well, Captain Bullshit, I have a few questions for YOU.
1. How much money have you earned from the American taxpayers during your pathetic 50-year political career?
2. At what age did you retire from your pathetic political career, and how much are you receiving in annual retirement benefits from the American taxpayers?
3. How much do you pay for YOUR government provided health insurance?
4. What cuts in YOUR retirement and healthcare benefits are you proposing in your disgusting deficit reduction proposal, or, as usual, have you exempted yourself and your political cronies?
It is you, Captain Bullshit, and your political co-conspirators called Congress who are the "greedy" ones. It is you and your fellow nutcases who have bankrupted America and stolen the American dream from millions of loyal, patriotic taxpayers. And for what? Votes. That's right, sir. You and yours have bankrupted America for the sole purpose of advancing your pathetic political careers. You know it, we know it, and you know that we know it.
And you can take that to the bank, you miserable son of a bitch .

Patty Meyers

Business, Unemployment and The #Occupier

2012-01-07T10:44:00.002-06:00

This week, the complicit MSM touted the "improvement" in unemployment. Completely, totally and in all other ways parroting what they are told by the #Occupier of the White House, the MSM spoke glowingly and uncritically. One headline even proclaimed Obama a "job creator".

It's a lie.

Townhall shows that the participation rate is still around 30-year lows. Population is increasing faster than the increase in jobs can absorb those returning to and those initially entering the workforce. But, if you hide that 4 million, it's real easy to say "things are getting better". Why will they not get better?

While retailers had a good Christmas, I believe it was because consumers increased their debt, not because people suddenly had a bunch of cash to throw around.
The price of petroleum is expected to "necessarily skyrocket" since we still have not substantially increased our production or refining capacity in this country, the #Occupier continues to block the pipeline from Canada and we are unwilling to confront Iran (I argue the battle of Hormuz will be short and Iran will never again venture into the open ocean.)

The #Occupier believes he can use the force of his personality to get business to hire. He can't. Outsourcing jobs has been a bipartisan effort. The Democrat fealty to social engineering such as the minimum wage (wow, are people snowed on this one) and the GOP complicity in regulatory and tax policy has driven business and industry off-shore. Plain and simple. If a business cannot make a profit in the US due to costs of labor, regulation and taxes, it has two choices. Go "toes up" or move someplace where at least one of those is cheaper. Government has done a fantastic job of making this country unfriendly to business. If tax and regulatory costs were lower, labor costs would be less important.

Get government and The #Occupier in particular out of the way and we will again flourish. Common sense regulation, low taxes, and cheap, reliable energy will do the trick.

Well, Here We Are

2012-01-01T09:08:00.002-06:00

Welcome to 2012. Significant challenges await us. The goal is to slow, stop and reverse "creeping socialism". Here are some of the things we need to do to make that happen (in no particular order).

End Obamacare and put REAL reforms in place that reduce administrative costs, put the choices in the hands of consumers and reform the malpractice tort system.
Reform the tax code. The calls for "taxing the rich" are utter bullshit (pardon my ~~French~~ English). Someone stated yesterday that the tax code should be named "The Special Interest Bro Code". Not only that, but everyone needs to have a stake in this country, including the "poor".
Reduce spending by the Federal Government. Do I really need to cover this?
Downsize the regulatory establishment. Currently they make regulations that have the force of law and which are not authorized by Congress. Congress gives their tacit approval, but all regulations should require an up/down vote in Congress. Otherwise, your voice is not heard.
Regain and maintain control over the collusion between local governments and public-sector unions. If they regain control in Wisconsin, we are (fiscally) doomed.
Vote, vote, vote. If any of us fail to vote, we are doomed both at the state level for Wisconsin and at the national level. This fight will never be over. The Leftists and takers are like The Borg. They are relentless.

Happy New Year.

WordPress Loves Hamas and CAIR

2011-12-29T20:55:00.001-06:00

Boycott Wordpress. If you have a Wordpress site, I'm afraid I will not be going there. Here's why.

Of Income Inequality

2011-12-28T20:10:00.001-06:00

The Beer: Dogfish Head 90-Minute IPA

The Bicycle: Now that Christmas is over and I am back in town, it is time.

The VRWC: Much press is given to "income inequality" these days. There is a school of thought that believes we should all have just about the same income, apparently. This school of thought focuses on the idea that too few people control too much wealth. Not everyone has a piece of the pie. A more progressive taxation system is needed. More money (property) needs to be taken from those who "have" and given to those who "have not". This is an extraordinary dangerous belief. Who decides? Who determines what an "equitable distribution of wealth" is? An all-knowing federal government? The ("This is what Democracy looks like") voters? This is what the Founders wanted to avoid when they came up with the idea of a Constitution for a Representative Republic, rather than a direct Democracy.

Retired Librarian George Wagner writes in the (soon-to-be-pay-for-play) Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that most people want income equality. Somehow he links income equality in Wisconsin to Scott Walker (apparently we were all equal under former Governor Doyle - equally miserable, I suppose). Further, he makes a comparison of education systems in Finland and in the United States and finds the US wanting, not because of the education system itself, but rather because of "income inequality". He shows neither proof nor evidence that "the plans of Gov. Scott Walker and national Republicans propel us toward more inequality than we have now". The only thing he gives evidence of is how poorly informed voters are in the United States.

There is no time or place in history where Socialism/Marxism/Progressivism has worked. The Soviet Union collapsed under its weight. China is moving rapidly to capitalism and the EU is foundering under the Social Democracy model.

The problem of income inequality in the United States is not a problem of capitalism, but rather a problem of Big Government Socialism and "Crony Capitalism". Success is punished, innovation is stifled. It is nearly impossible to start a small business without "knowing someone". Navigating Federal, State and local regulations is nearly impossible with out an attorney. Welfare has enslaved generation upon generation to the government plantation. It violates the fundamental human right of self-determination.

This dabbling in Big Government, socialism, crony capitalism and cradle-to-grave care must end before we are truly able to eradicate poverty, but income inequality will never leave us. Whether capitalism or socialism, some are more equal than others. In Capitalism, it is because of your own effort. In socialism, it is because of who you know.

Words and Meanings

2011-12-28T12:12:00.002-06:00

We all know words have meanings. So what do the words, "underprivileged", "underserved", "unfortunate", when used in a political sense actually "mean".

Underprivileged - This a political term get the population to believe that someone is poor because they did not have certain advantages that (by extension) those who are not poor - and therefore "privileged" - have. But the truth here is that everyone has the same K-12 public education opportunity. For most of us, our "privileges" stop there. The rest is a result of hard work and a break here and there. Why do some not succeed from there? You know the litany of reasons and excuses: family breakdown, lousy schools, not all that smart, lazy, "different learning styles (they exist, trust me)"..... But the fact is, none of these things extend from "privilege" or lack thereof. (See "unfortunate")

Underserved - As in "underserved communities". Politically, it means some type of government largesse and infers that others are "served" and "overserved". By why is government serving much of anything in any community? Fire and police, schools (I suppose), trash pickup, for those who do not engage their own contractor, maybe water and sewer should be about the extent of it (yes there may be more, I don't feel like listing every one). But "underserved" generally does not mean that type of service. It more often refers to government programs like "midnight basketball", not essential services.

These are the types of terms we Conservatives have to stop using. Let's call it what it is. Terms like "underprivileged" imply a lie that cannot be allowed to continue.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T21:46:00.001-06:00

Luke Chapter 2. The Greatest Story Ever Told.

Energy and Liberty

2011-12-24T21:30:00.000-06:00

So, I covered the "Geek Stuff" here. That's the easy part. The hard part comes here.

"The Grid" carries all the energy from electric generating utilities. It carries all the electricity demanded plus makes up for "line losses" (think of line losses as "electrical friction"). No more, no less. Energy demand follows a sinusoidal curve where it is lowest at night and highest during the day. Peak load comes somewhere between about 3 and 7 pm most places.

Generally speaking, the energy is generated by three types of plants:

Base Load - these are plants that are very large and inexpensive to run. Large coal and nuclear plants fall in this category as well as much of the natural gas and some of the oil-fired plants.
Rolling (or "Ready", or"Spinning") Reserve - these plants are generally smaller and more expensive to operate. They operate at low loads connected to the grid and are available to make up for peak load.
Hot Standby - Also known as "Replacement Reserve" or some other moniker, depending on the utility. These in a hot condition, but require longer to bring onto the grid.

There must be adequate reserve to cover peak and the loss of the largest single unit in the system. This isn't necessarily a "rule", but it's good practice. The greater total reserve available, the less likely it is that the loss of a single unit will have catastrophic cascading consequences (alliteration not intended) to the grid. It also means that there is adequate reserve for those days of extraordinary peaks that is, very hot days or very cold days, days when very large units are off line for maintenance or other similar situations. In order to maintain the necessary load on the grid, the generators are frequency responsive. As load changes, the units will change frequency to adapt until adequate energy is returned to the grid and frequency is returned to the customary 60 hertz. It is also possible to reduce voltage on the grid to maintain frequency and power output ("brownout"). If conditions become such that there is inadequate energy to meet demand, some areas may be "blacked out".

This brings us to the whole "Liberty" part of this post. I believe in the modern age, Liberty is nearly impossible without an abundant supply of cheap, reliable energy. Liberty requires communication between government and individuals and between individuals themselves. Liberty also requires the ability of citizens to travel where they wish, when they wish without needing to tell anyone or ask anyone's permission. Not everyone has a horse these days.

The far Left is, according to this argument, opposed to the conditions required for Liberty. The continuing delays of drilling permits, the stopping of pipelines, the blocking through inaction of combined operating licenses for new nuclear construction and new EPA regulations, effectively killing the coal industry have all placed us in a precarious situation regarding our individual liberty. The Left sees "snail darters", mountain tops and tundra as more important than Liberty and more important than the lives of citizens. It is ironic that EPA seeks to remove all risk from electric power generation, while at the same time, placing the citizens of the United States, especially the children they claim to care so much about by limiting their access to cheap energy.

Until politicians quit worrying about small loud constituencies and use sound technological and scientific advice to make their decisions, we will be at risk.

Freezing in the Dark

2011-12-23T11:06:00.000-06:00

The Beer: Saint Arnold Christmas Ale.

The Bicycle: If I don't get going, I won't be able to ride at all next year.

The VRWC: Back in "the day", when I worked in the nuclear power biz, we would look at the anti-(insert energy technology here) folks and say, "Let 'em freeze in the dark". Unfortunately, because they and their fellow travelers have taken over education, government and the bureaucracy, it appears the rest of us will be the ones freezing. By implementing "Boiler MACT", EPA has signed a death warrant for many of the nation's coal-fired power plants.

Ok. Here is the geek stuff.

"Boiler MACT" is shorthand for "Maximum Achievable Control Technology". This means that the users of certain boilers (i.e. the boilers used at coal-fired power plants) will need to use whatever technology is necessary to reduce 84 chemicals that EPA deems as toxic and are found in stack emissions to a level no greater than what EPA deems to be emitted from the 12% of cleanest plants.

Here is some background (H/T: Maeve and Red):

05/18/11-The EPA published a notice today delaying the effective date of the boiler major source rule (The Boiler MACT) until the completion of the recently announced reconsideration or the completion of litigation on the rule, whichever is earlier. The effective date of the boiler area source rule was not delayed

10/24/11 - The EPA is committed to proposing the Boiler MACT reconsideration and intends to issue the proposal for public comment by the end of November. The standards, which are currently going through interagency review, are meant to protect Americans from mercury, soot, lead and other harmful pollutants released by boilers and incinerators that can lead to developmental disabilities in children, as well as cancer, heart disease, aggravated asthma and premature death. To develop this proposed reconsideration, EPA has benefited from information provided by industry, labor, States and environmental organizations. We will consider all the information in the review process to develop smart, cost-effective and protective standards.

12/2/11 - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued proposed amendments to the rule “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Area Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers,” also called subpart JJJJJJ. The EPA will accept comment on these proposed amendments for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register. Synopsis of the proposed changes.

12/2/11 - The EPA issued the Boiler MACT reconsideration proposal (40 CFR 63, subpart DDDDD, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Major Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters). The EPA will accept comment on the reconsideration proposal for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register.

By most estimate, this rule will result in the shutdown of up to 60 coal-fired power plants, which currently produce between 13 and 28 GW of energy. 11 GW is believed to be in Texas where "dirt-burners" consume cheap, but relatively dirty lignite coal.

The United States currently has generation capacity of 1,039,137 MW 1039 GW) of which about 317,000 MW (317 GW) is from coal. This is 30% of capacity, but on any given day, over half of net generation is from coal. This because coal is cheap and plentiful. The margin between what is generated and what is consumed is about 180 GW or just under 20%. Removing 13-28 GW from is what? 7-15% of the 20% margin, reducing it to around 16-17% margin.

I'm going to leave this here and let the reader digest the information. I will post more on the consequences of this policy later.

More "Failed Policies Of The Past"

2011-12-17T00:56:00.002-06:00

The "Peace Movement": Since the beginning of time, humans have warred against each other. Like playground bullies, aggressors have always preyed on the weak, never on the strong. In the more modern era, "The Peace Movement" has arisen which believes that there is no evil in the world and if we can only "talk" to the other side, they will like us and come to our way of thinking. That's all fine except, this movement wants to disarm first. The very idea that if we show weakness, no one will bother us is absurd. It goes directly against human nature. Never has a nation been attacked because it was too strong. The argument is akin to walking through a bad neighborhood with no protection, or telling the invader of your home, "do what you want to the women and children, but leave me alone".

Historically,one only has to look at the evidence. Nazi Germany was able to start WWII because the Allies showed themselves to be weak and cowardly. Japan was able to move in the Pacific at the same time because they believed the United States was weak. Saddam invaded Kuwait at a time he believed no one would counter him. The Soviet Union took all of Eastern Europe following WWII because the Allies were war-weary and weak.

Unemployment Insurance: Humans need to work. It is in our DNA. Without work, humans are no longer human. It gives us pride and dignity, it adds to the social fabric of civilization and puts us all on a more level playing field. Unemployment insurance, provided by the government at a cost to business destroys that part of humanity. It becomes too easy to not work. Extending the length of time someone receives unemployment insurance, the longer one is likely to be unemployed. Anecdotally, how many times have you heard people say, "I'll start looking for a job when my unemployment runs out"? And those who refuse to take a job which is available because it is beneath them and they can still receive unemployment? This is anathema to most of us, but there are enough out there to create a true problem. An empty stomach is the best incentive to find a job.

Government-Run Healthcare: This has not and cannot work. Where it has been tried, it has resulted in rationing and stifled innovation (except for creating a "Black Market" for healthcare). It is beyond absurd to think that a government bureaucrat is going to be more sympathetic to your claim than a private insurer. You are paying a private insurer to buy into a contract. Both parties are bound by the contract. With government, as we see almost constantly, the contract changes at the whim of the government.

The idea that costs can be controlled by putting mandatory cost controls in place is also patently absurd. Nixon's wage and price freeze policy was one of several causes of rampant inflation in the last half of the 1970's. Government would do well to not meddle in healthcare. Administrative burdens due to government regulations already account for as much as $340 billion annually, according to The Cato Institute. With an annual cost of $2 trillion, $340 billion ain't chump change. 17%, if my arithmetic is right.

While none of this "proves" small government is better, it certainly provides adequate evidence.

Chinese Aircraft Carrier Sails

2011-12-14T20:13:00.002-06:00

The Beer: The Winter Ale is bottled and I won't brew before New Year's (maybe)

The Bicycle: I believe I'll just take my tools along with the bikes. I won't get them done here.

The VRWC: There is much hand-wringing in the press and the World Wide Interweb over the sailing of the Varyag, China's first aircraft carrier. This is a very good paper by Ronald O'Rourke for the Congressional Research Service.

According to O'Rourke, the Chinese plan to use this modernization as an "access denial force", preventing US intervention in a China-Taiwan confrontation. The Chinese have a wide array of anti-ship missile capabilities fired from both surface and submarine assets, but they also lack the ability to carry out coordinated operations far from Chinese waters.

The Chinese have also believed they have a right to a 200-mile-territorial-waters boundary which O'Rourke indicates they would plan to enforce using this seaborne capability. Further, the Chinese believe they need this capability to be taken seriously as a "world power" and to displace US influence in the Western Pacific.

What is troubling is the reports of development of an Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse weapon for use against a US carrier force. I suggest use of such a weapon would quickly result in nuclear escalation. It is possible this weapon is something of a deterrent, rather than something actually to be used, similar to the US/Soviet nuclear weapons stockpiles of the Cold War. Actual use was anathema to both sides, but the threat was adequate to keep the peace.

Air capability appears to be limited and outdated, but capable of carrying anti-ship missiles as well. No match for US aircraft head-to-head, but adequate for access denial. Stealth-type aircraft appear to be in development. A US drone in the hands of Iran will definitely help that cause. It will also help the development of UAV's.

Chinese submarine capability varies as well from former Soviet Kilo-Class to Chinese built Shang-class boats. They have both diesel-electric and nuclear propulsion, the diesel-electric being the more quiet of the two. This also includes nuclear ICBM submarines (SSBN). Currently, the Chinese are having developmental difficulties with their SLBM (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile) program. Read that as they can't hit the broad side of a barn. But if perfected, their range can hit targets up to the west coast of the US.

Chinese aircraft carriers look good, but lack the ability for coordinated air operations. It is not something a navy develops overnight. It is unlikely they will be effective on the open ocean for decades, but if the goal really is access denial, they will suffice. Opposition to US forces in the near term would have results similar to the Russian-Japanese conflict at Tsushima Strait.

Bottom line: The Chinese do not currently have the capability to project real power in the open ocean, but within the next generation, they will. Consequently, US naval power must be continually modernized if it is to be the force that ensures open sea lanes.

The Failed Policies Of The Past

2011-12-11T03:35:00.001-06:00

The current #Occupier of the White House loves to tell us about the "failed policies of the past..." But let's have a look at what the real failed policies of the past are:

The War on Poverty. According to the Census Bureau, in 1966 the poverty rate was 11.8%. It has remained in a range between 8.7% and 12.3% for the last 46 years. Fail. Giving money to people with no strings attached does not eliminate poverty. Helping those who cannot help themselves is a moral obligation, but the able-bodied need to work and pay their bills and taxes like the rest of us. We are told, "We just need more money and we can eliminate poverty and hunger." No, you can't. When "the dole" pays for cars, computers and cell phones, when food assistance is abused to pay for booze and cigarettes, it is clear the system is an abject failure.

The Federalized, Unionized Public School System. According to PublicPurpose.com (further links at the page), public schools lag non-elite private schools in nearly every performance indicator while non-elite private schools perform at a lower cost. According to the PISA Report, the US public education system fails vs. the world as well. According to the report, the US falls at or below average in 5 of 7 categories, including below average in Math and Science. But students are really good at "Reflect and Evaluate" and "Non-Continuous Texts" (I don't think that is much cause for celebration). But again, we are told by the education establishment and the Federal Government that all they need is more money and the problem will be fixed. I suggest they show me results with the money they have first. 40+ years of sub-par education by unionized teachers tells me this is also a fail, perhaps and "epic fail". As we have seen in Wisconsin, public school teachers are all about themselves, not "the children".

"Alternative Energy". What a disaster this one has been. Ethanol, solar, wind. All epic failures with no indication they will every be more than a niche.

It is very difficult to find sources of information on ethanol energy balance that are neither government nor ethanol lobby related. In 2003, Pimental and Patzak concluded the energy balance for most biofuels was negative. But even if they are not negative, how good an idea is it to take corn and soybeans out of the world food supply to make a fuel? Especially when there remains plenty of alternatives in petroleum, natural gas, coal and nuclear.

Solar and wind have been highly subsidized for years, yet fail to make any inroads at all worldwide. They are both expensive, unreliable and require energy-intensive materials. The subsidies are rife with corruption and crony capitalism as we have seen with Solyndra. (Interestingly, if one Googles on the subject of Solyndra, one will find the usual suspects defending continued subsidies and the usual suspects deriding the whole system.)

This is getting a bit long-winded. There is plenty more to discuss in the real failed policies of the past. I'll get back to it later.

"Climate Extreme Index"?

2011-12-10T21:08:00.001-06:00

This doesn't pass any common sense test.. And it is reported by the government-run, sock-puppet media with no critical analysis at all.

NOAA, apparently in conjunction with IPCC has decided, based on 40 years of data that cases of "extreme weather" have increased by using the dollar value of damage. But as far as I can tell, they have failed to normalize for two things: the rate of inflation and population density (except in passing). The rate of inflation goes without saying. According to the Census Bureau, population density in the US has increased from 57.5 to 87.4 people per square mile. That's about a 60% increase (if I did my math correctly). So one would expect an increase in the cost of weather-related damage to approximate the increase in population density, right? The NOAA report also fails to mention that the number and intensity of hurricanes have not increased. Further, there is peer-reviewed research indicating "extreme weather" has little to do with (alleged) Climate Change.

I again challenge the warmistas to tell me what the optimum climate looks like and explain how current conditions vary from natural variability.

Speechifyin'

2011-12-10T13:05:00.001-06:00

The Beer: Subjected friends to Bad Santa and Wee Heavy last night. The claimed to love both.

The Bicycle: Thanks to donations and yard sales, I have bicycles to take to BFG and family at Christmas. Far better bicycles than the one I took BFG a few years ago.

The VRWC: Neo was linked up at PJ today regarding The #Occupier's Kansas speech. It's a great post deserving of your reading, but what really caught my eye was a comment from jd:

The problem with the Obama Speech in Kansas was the same problem with every speech he’s given since he came on the scene in 2004. It was essentially the same ideas in the same format with different words.

Some time ago I put together my own synthisis of his Teleprompter Fare in what I call;

The Barak Obama Do It Yourself Speech Kit:

Preamble: this must consist of varying portions or iterations of the following; [Place in any order you choose]

“Folks are hurtin’.” [This must be said with feeling, to show caring.]

“We have to invest in the future.” [Translation; Spend Spend Spend!]

“We need a balanced approach.” [Remember, this means Tax Increases so make it sound reasonalbe.]

“My hope and expectation is that we can put country before party and get something done for the American people.”
[This is the crux of the speech, this is where it is emphasized that any disagreement is tantamount to Treason.]

[At this point it is important to have an agenda list that will consist of proposals. Use the following skeleton to introduce each of the agenda items.]

— Obama Introduce a Subject on the Agenda —

“Some would say…” [Insert here a quotation of something No One ever says.]

“let me be perfectly clear…” [This is the place for obfuscation about the subject and any position regarding the subject.]

“We cannot simply just…” [This is where you mention something that would inspire the American People if mentioned by a Republican politician, i.e. "we cannot simply just drill for all the oil we need."]

“make no mistake about…” [Here is where the Exact Opposite of any of the things which are to take place are stated.]

“I reject the false choice that some would…” [Again, reiterate quotations that No One has ever said followed by Him vs. an idiotic extrapolation of any Republican position.]

“I have ordered my team to…” [Doesn't matter what actions you fill in here, they aren't going to do it.]

— Repeat as needed for new subjects —

Then, in closing you must include a reference to the Bush Administration and “The Failed Policies of the Past.” that we cannot go back to.

It has always been stupefying to me that so many fail to see that he is neither a "great speaker" nor is he genuine. He reads platitudes from a teleprompter. Hell, Deekawife 3.0 can do that and she HATES speaking in front of a crowd. (Just sayin', Honey) But it has dawned on me today that this the same condition that made many (especially ESPN) believe Donovan McNabb was anything other than a serviceable quarterback in the NFL. McNabb had talent, no doubt. One does not reach the NFL without it. Be he wasn't the second coming of Johnny Unitas, either.

It is nearly impossible for some to evaluate a person of color with the same set of criteria with which they would evaluate a White person. For that matter, these same people have the same problem evaluating women. It really shouldn't matter. McNabb was probably on a par with Don Majkowski. Given the right team and right circumstances, a Super Bowl ring was possible. But neither was going to carry a team on his shoulders and win through force of will. And keep in mind that Majkowski played for horrific Packer teams and finished his career with Detroit. McNabb played for a contender nearly every year. As a speaker, Obama is no different. He is completely untalented and becomes easily flustered without a teleprompter. His knowledge of facts is non-existent. Unscripted, he will say what he really believes in the words that remove the mask and reveal his true intentions.

Those who cannot objectively evaluate all people are racist and sexist by definition. Those who think The #Occupier is a great speaker or even a serviceable President are the worst.

Manufacturing Policy

2011-12-08T08:50:00.001-06:00

There is none, but at least someone is talking about it. Manufacturing is near and dear to me. I work in it now as a supervisor and have been around manufacturing the bulk of my adult life. Environmental, Health and Safety, Engineering and now, Supervision. Graphite, Spring-making and Machining. Based on what I've seen, here is what I think:

What the manufacturing policy should be:

1. Encourage modernization through tax policy (i.e., keep the cost of capital low and make the tax ramifications of new equipment low. I realize the 99% won't like that, but tough)

2. Instead of indoctrinating children in the public schools, actually teach them something useful. Get out of the "social justice", "green" and "peace" business in the schools and there will be money for classes like "shop"

3. Common sense workplace and environmental regulation. Stuff like "Greenhouse Gas Reporting" is strangling business.

4. Make nice with those who choose to make nice with us. Places like China need us more than we need them when it comes to trade. We are still their biggest market.

5. Get out of the way

A consumption-based economy is not a bad thing. What is the alternative? If people don't buy and consume goods, there is no market. The debt part is where we get hurt. Both consumer and I think more importantly, government debt. Government debt is killing Europe and enslaving the US to places like China. Stop it now.

A Good Read On The President

2011-12-07T21:06:00.001-06:00

The Conservative Girl writes a really great piece.

They Are Right About One Thing Here

2011-12-07T20:57:00.001-06:00

The title of the op-ed. That's where it ends. Climate Change is not going away. It has been going on for billions of years and isn't about to stop now. JS Editorial Board has either been duped or is a willing accomplice in the greatest hoax ever perpetrated.

Here is some common sense about the whole thing. There was never any debate. The science was settled without so much as a, "Hey, does this look right to you?"

It's Kathleen Falk Who Is Being Dishonest

2011-12-07T20:24:00.001-06:00

The Beer: The Pumpkin Ale is kegged and the Winter Ale is in the secondary fermenter awaiting my attention for bottling. I have those plus my Arrogant Bastard clone, Cherry Wheat, Mead, Hard Apple Cider, Winter Saison, Scottish Wee Heavy and Bad Santa at my disposal. Come on over. There is plenty to share.

The Bicycle: Once I get past a few physical maladies (none serious) I plan to get re-fit to the Madone and get it up on the trainer. Spring isn't that far away.

The VRWC: The liar here is Kathleen Falk, though that should not surprise anyone. She's a Democrat and she seems to be planning a run against Governor Walker in the recall. The recall is not yet a foregone conclusion, but I suppose they can get enough signatures to overwhelm the system and make it happen.

Falk claims Walker was not honest in his campaign. Here, Politifact makes very clear Walker's plan to revive QEO. In addition, this flier from WEAC again makes clear what he had planned for teachers and public employees.

Falk makes claims regarding healthcare and children that are completely unsubstantiated. While Politifact rates Walker's statement as false here, it also makes clear that Falk's statement is equally and perhaps more diabolically false.

It is the Democrats who have pit neighbor against neighbor and family member against family member by by raping the taxpayer through collusion with local governments and lying about while trying to recall the governor so they can do it again. They can't help themselves.

Herman Cain Suspends His Campaign

2011-12-03T12:45:00.001-06:00

I am terribly disappointed. While many of us disagree on Cain's stands and whether or not he would be a good President, I don't think anyone can doubt his courage. He went up against the political class. They tried to destroy him and while he suspended, he continues to inspire and will continue to fight.

I've heard Herman Cain speak 3 times, met and spoke to him twice. I was able to speak with him at length in Sheboygan, Wisconsin at a TEA Party rally, when many of us called out to him to run for President. He was, and is my choice. Is he perfect? No. But he believes in what is great about the United States of America.

I wish him success and long life.

It's Too Bad....

2011-12-01T20:46:00.001-06:00

That I only get to write to the Editor of the News-Graphic here in Wisconsin only once every 30 days. But first:

The Beer: I am sipping on a "Scottish Wee Heavy" that is both beautiful and delicious.

The Bicycle: I am cleaning up and making space for the trainer so I can get back up and start training on the bike again for Spring (it's not THAT far away).

The VRWC: Tim Schilke has a column (which is currently only in the dead-tree edition) in the News-Graphic in which he decries the idea of merit pay. He seems to think that crony-ism will reign and we will be left with not the best teachers, but those who maintain the best relationship with their evaluator. Notwithstanding that it will be the exception rather than the rule, I guess he thinks that would be worse than the current system of colluding to rape the taxpayer.

As examples of why merit pay won't work, he brings out the well-worn Leftist saga of the financial industry and morgage-backed securities, while failing to point out that it is collusion with government that brought about those failures, not "merit pay" There is no logical linkage. None.

How does he think automatic pay increases incentivize teachers? He doesn't say. But experience shows that automatic pay increases (along with bigger and prettier schools, more computers and technology and fewer students in the classroom) have done nothing to improve education. What's the old saw about insanity?

Try something different. If merit pay doesn't work, try something else. Public schools are a failure and Tim Schilke's education in it is evidence thereof.

They Become More Hostile Every Day

2011-11-30T19:01:00.001-06:00

I don't know who James Marshall Crotty is, but he seems to think he's pretty smart and we are pretty stupid. Because you are God-Fearing, run a business, spell potato with an "e" at the end, talk funny or are just a Conservative, you are a dunce. Now, stating one has been to "57 states", giving the Russians a "reset button", and making an ass of yourself before the Queen of England, well, apparently those are forgivable gaffes. Spending trillions of dollars in "stimulus" with no discernible benefit (except to cronies like Solyndra) is not "stupid" in the Liberal sense. He is happy to state that Michelle Bachmann has little understanding of countries outside the US border, but fails to see that the current "Occupier" of the White House, his "Chosen One" has shown a complete inability and unwillingness to deal with foreign policy.

He speaks as though he knows all and anyone who sees anything differently must do so because they are stupid. He claims Iraq came about as a lie, but it did not. Even if it did, Democrats, including the Occupier were complicit. Further, he claims the cost in the trillions, but he is lying.

Crotty doesn't feel the Republican nominees debate well, but apparently The Occupier's use of a teleprompter for nearly everything is no matter of importance.

Crotty's slander, name-calling, lying and disinformation speak to his hatred. He's one of the "Smart People" not a smart (or nice) person. He shows his fear and insecurity in his own intelligence by trying to bring down those of us on the Right.

His die-hard Republican mother should have kicked his ass.

More Class Warfare

2011-11-24T07:48:00.001-06:00

This time, it's former Congressman Steve Kagen, Democrat,living in Appleton, WI. His hateful rhetoric is breathtaking as is the scope of his misinformation. While the national debt did increase from $5 trillion to $10 trillion between 2000 and 2008, it was a bi-partisan effort. The debt has increased in the ensuing 2+ years by another $5 trillion. During the vast bulk of that time, the Democrats held sway in both houses of Congress and Democrats also held the White House. I call that a Democrat problem.

Further, for Kagen to make this claim is just lying:

Currently, our debt is $15 trillion - $12 trillion coming from Republicans and $3 trillion from Democrats.

How he can possibly put this in print is positively mind-boggling. As is clear from the chart, the debt exceeded $1 trillion in about 1992 and ballooned to over $5.5 trillion by 2000. Those are the Clinton years. You remember them....when "Clinton left a surplus". The only reason he ever left a surplus was because he had a Republican Congress. Clinton QUINTUPLED the debt. I stipulate the next $4.5 trillion came via 8 years of Bush 43. But the next $5 trillion is all Democrat.

Here is another Kagen lie:

The last administration nearly destroyed America by deregulating our housing markets and Wall Street financial firms, giving two tax cuts to the rich, bailing out fraudulent big banks, handing over $400 billion to big drug companies for Medicare Part D and sending our children overseas to fight two wars at the same time - without paying a penny for any of it. Outrageous.

Kagen vote in favor of the $700 billion TARP bailout. THAT is what is outrageous. Additionally, for him to bash Bush over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is just disingenuous. First, by most independent accounts, the wars, combined cost less than $1 trillion under Bush. Making the claim they were "unpaid for" is like saying the United States has spent trillions of dollars on welfare and social programs ALL UNPAID FOR. And since he and his friends in the Democrat party have failed to come up with a budget for over 900 days and block anything the Republicans submit, I can make the argument that NOTHING has been paid for in nearly 3 years.

Kagen comes off like an angry loser, full of sour grapes. But then,so does the rest of the Democrat Party.

Happy Thanksgiving to All

2011-11-24T07:02:00.001-06:00

Remember what you are thankful for and from Whom it came.

Here We Go Again

2011-11-16T20:16:00.001-06:00

The name of this blog is Beer, Bicycles and the VRWC, but I've been rather delinquent in the beer and bicycles part. I think I need to fix that.

The Beer: A Scottish Wee Heavy awaits me for bottling. A Winter Saison and a clone of Arrogant Bastard Ale have turned out nicely (the latter being a fitting beer for me). Saturday, I intend to brew up a Pumpkin Ale. I have also bottled the mead and brewed up a nice apple cider. Next week is time for opening the Bad Santa I brewed in January.

The Bicycle: Is hanging up after Race the Lake. I finished in under 4 hours and did very well in my age group and overall (search under bib #554).

The VRWC:

I hear a lot of how wonderful teachers are. I hear a lot about how hard they work and how dedicated they are. I hear a lot about how they are the experts and we are just a bunch of schlubs who don't know from edumaction. But apparently, Caryl Davis of the Milwaukee Public Schools doesn't want the hard part.

Look, I get that a good bit of the problem in big city education is the lack of a good parenting. I get that drugs, violence and poverty permeate the lives of those children left in MPS. I get that it is nearly impossible to teach kids under those conditions.

What I don't get is why Caryl Davis NOW wants help from the community. Every time I offer and opinion at a school board meeting that I think is helpful, I get sneers, jeers and looks down the nose. If you want help,you want help. If help is offered, at least be polite in turning it down. You are likely to get a better response when the next time you ask.

But,since teachers are more caring, nurturing, smarter, better, harder working, more dedicated and more underpaid than anyone .....wait for it....EVAH! They are welcome to kiss my fat ass.

Never complain about free beer, free food or free help.

Lies, Damn Lies and The Left

2011-11-15T17:56:00.001-06:00

It's a shame Rose Locander spent 33 years ~~indoctrinating~~ educating Wisconsin children. She is much better at propaganda.

In her November 15, 2011 column, Rosie the Recaller tries to convince us that the years public employees spent raping the taxpayer for no benefit other than their own was no big deal. It was 50 years of "Blood, Sweat and Tears".

Sorry, Rose (not really - it's just a figure of speech). It was more like ,"We're going to get ours and screw you, taxpayer." Teachers in particular have received more and more for less and less. There has been no measurable improvement in Wisconsin education in those 50 years. In fact, it has gotten worse. Just about a year ago, I was placed in charge of a manufacturing operation. If the performance of that operation had been worse after I was placed in charge, I guarantee you I would not get a raise and would be lucky to keep my job. But not if you're a teacher. Keep your job and clamor for more money which your friends on the school board (former teachers, generally) are more than happy to give you.

Locander claims "If this was on his mind so early into his governorship, it seems logical this would have been something for him to talk about during the campaign." Maybe so, but I am pretty sure you didn't tell anyone thirty three years ago that the performance of your "profession" (I use the term loosely - you are not a professional. You belong to a labor union and are, therefore, labor) that your performance would not improve with time and money. She further makes claims regarding "workers rights". You did not have a "right" here. You had a privilege which you abused. It was revoked. You are lucky that's all you get. You should have been fired. The lot of you. You collude with government to rape the taxpayer, then buy the politician with the dirty money you have stolen. You claim to hate the corporations that "buy" government, but fail to recognize that unions deliver more money to politicians than the "evil" corporations ever thought of. Unions are no more "persons" than corporations are.

Shame on you, Rose Locander. You are a propagandist, liar and hypocrite. I should come and protest on your front lawn.

Huh?

2011-11-12T08:02:00.001-06:00

This line caught my eye pretty quickly:

And President Obama's push for a nuclear-weapons-free world is moving at a frustrating, glacial pace.

I was unaware of any such undertaking by this administration, but apparently, The Lookout on Yahoo knows differently. Or maybe wants to believe differently. This is opinion disguised as news.

The administration may claim it wants a nuclear-free world, but in reality, it only wants a nuclear-free United States. This includes the use of nuclear energy.

In spite of what The Atlantic might say, Obama's words regarding a nuclear-weapons-free world (like nearly all his words) are strictly rhetoric. Nothing has been done or will be done. That is, there was never any intention, in spite of the wishful thinking of the Leftist Sock-Puppet Media.

From Penn State to State Pen

2011-11-09T20:12:00.001-06:00

Damn shame that Paterno let his legacy become this. But he allowed it to happen. On his watch.

Updated: Gone.

Ohio Issue 2 (Senate Bill 5)

2011-11-08T20:13:00.004-06:00

If it stands, this is a huge loss

Why?

2011-11-06T19:06:00.001-06:00

You have all seen the videos of #Occupy and I'm sure you are all well aware of the TEA Parties throughout the US these past years. You know the difference between the two. So the question is why does the establishment consider the TEA Party movement a threat and not the #Occupy movement?

Simple: We threaten their hold on power. #Occupy helps cement it.

Voter ID Actually "Attacks" Democracy

2011-11-04T21:51:00.002-05:00

Notwithstanding that we do not live in a "Democracy",but rather a Representative Democratic Republic, this argument is absurd.

I have no problem with taxpayers footing the bill for ID. I assume, since the authors are against this heinous attempt to bilk taxpayers, they are in favor of Act 10? No, probably not.

The fact is,without voter ID anyone can go to the poll before you arrive,vote in your name and no one is the wiser. It happens. No one is prosecuted because there is no evidence and no ability to locate the perp. To say that since no one is prosecuted, the crime never happens is more absurdity. I admit it is possible some will not be able to vote under the new voter ID requirements. The authors pull an extreme example and make it appear to be the norm. It's not. Without voter ID,we are all potentially disenfranchised. Every...single...voter.

In Wisconsin, the numbers are even starker. A study from the University of Wisconsin found that 23% of Wisconsin voters ages 65 and older lack a state ID, that fully half of Wisconsin's African-American and Latino voters lack ID and among young voters in Wisconsin, a whopping 78% of African-American men ages 18 to 24 lack a state ID.

And? These are all people who have chosen to live without valid ID for whatever reason. It is available and affordable.

Interesting, isn't it that Democrats often claim Republicans are behind voter fraud,yet are against voter identification.

Another Reason To Not Live In Milwaukee

2011-11-04T19:05:00.001-05:00

Apparently, Milwaukee believes Act 10 doesn't apply.

Hey,business: Ozaukee County is open.

Oh....THAT "Rule 5"

2011-10-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

So, I've been following Woodsterman for a while and he often posts a "Rule 5". I like, but what do I know from Rule 5? So today, I make my usual stop at Legal Insurrection and end up at Reaganite Republican. What do I find there, but a link to McCain regarding "Rule 5" and ta-daaaaaa!

Expect to see some "Rule 5" blogging here. Especially when my mind is otherwise blank.

Hey, Odie, Dr. Jacobson, RR and McCain....show a brother some love.

The Fuzzy Goddess of Conservative Blogs

2011-10-22T07:41:00.002-05:00

When she shoots at a target, she doesn't miss. Here she clobbers #OWS.

Should Governor Scott Walker Be Recalled?

2011-10-20T18:55:00.002-05:00

Go here to vote against recall for Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.

Wild Bill

2011-10-18T20:26:00.002-05:00

If you have not been introduced to "Wild Bill", I think you will find him very perceptive and full of common sense....unless you are a greedy lib.

I believe that, even if we beat the Left at the ballot box, it will go to violence in the streets. These people will not go down without a very violent fight. History and experience bear this out. Whether the National Socialists of Europe in the 30's, the violent American Labor movement of the 20's through the 60's or the communists or Soviet Russia, China or Southeast Asia, or the communist "democracies" of Central and South America, it has always come to violence.

OWS Shows Up In Milwaukee - A Photo Gallery

2011-10-16T06:53:00.000-05:00

The usual suspects doing the usual stuff, Courtesy MJS.

So, let's start with the first photo: $1 trillion in student loan debt. Carried by none other than the oddly named "One Wisconsin Now" (OWN). See, they only want One Wisconsin if it is in their image that is, a highly "Progressive"-to-Socialist state, run by those sympathetic to public sector unions and having no private-sector employment to speak of. Obviously, they do not want any financial institutions and their support for onerous government regulation indicates they have no interest in manufacturing, either. Public utilities? Yeah, no. Evil coal and all that. "Wind!" "Solar!" Of course, if they knew what went into the manufacture of those technologies, they wouldn't like them. But I digress. $1 trillion in student loans, eh? Why is this the fault of the banks? First, no one put a gun to anyone's head, forcing them to take loans for college. A couple years of people who can't afford college not going to college will drive costs down significantly. Dry up the funding. I worked my way through college. Saved up the money, then went.

"People Over Profits". Just WTF does that mean? It means the person who believes that sign has not even a basic understanding of modern economics and how business expands and employs more people.

UWM Student Taylor Bour clearly has not read Robin Hood. In fact, she hasn't even seen the Errol Flynn/Olivia DeHavilland version of the movie (which, BTW is easily the best of the genre). Robin Hood took excessive taxes back from the government and returned it to those from whom it was taken at the point of....well....I guess an arrow. But, in college these days one seems to parrot what the prof says and that's about it. No ability to think critically.

Oh...Hey,Taylor....that "corporate greed"-thingy? Yeah, well that's where that sweet SLR camera came from.

"Social Justice" "Make the Rich Pay Their Fair Share". WTF is a "Fair Share"? Is the 40-or-so percent of federal income taxes paid by the top 10% of wage earners not adequate? Is it "fair" that some (47%) pay nothing at all? What we are seeing here is a tipping point where those who "take" have targeted those who pay and it is open season.

The photo with the two people holding the signs regarding Walker's budget is absurd. What was cut? What essential services are no longer available? No one is dying in the streets. No one is being denied medical care. Schools are still opening and functioning as well as ever. (BTW, these are also OWN signs - saw similar in Madison in February.)

The absurdity of people who routinely use technology, drive cars, turn lights on and expect jobs attacking the very people who provide those things is stunning. But this is the last gasp of the Left. Not just here in the US, but world-wide. They know if they can create enough chaos and use their "friends" in the press to make it look otherwise, they can still win. We are on the cusp of either losing the Liberty of Capitalism or banishing "collectivist" thought from the United States (and the world) forever.

God....

2011-10-11T20:49:00.002-05:00

is with you, even when you are not with Him.

The Crazier They Seem........

2011-10-09T05:34:00.000-05:00

Fuzzy is all over this one.

Do Not Underestimate Them

2011-10-05T21:54:00.000-05:00

It has been predicted any number of times that the Left will become more desperate and take stronger action the more they see power slipping away. The facts (at least as I see them):

The Obama Presidency is a disaster and has done more to harm the cause of Socialism-Progressivism than anyone thought possible.
The strength of the Union movement is falling faster than anyone expected it could. With the loss of blue-collar manufacturing jobs, unions turned to the service sector, then teachers and government workers. Now those, too are in danger of falling apart.
The TEA Party rose from the disaffected Conservatives who work and live their daily lives, pay their bills and watch as those who are "connected" and those who choose to not work scam the system and rip off the taxpayer. The irresponsible and even the nefarious are bailed out while the rest of us get to "suck it". The corruption in government and the collusion between the government and favored industries has made the electorate decidedly unhappy.
Social Programs have proven to be a bust. Unsustainable and bankrupt. The taxpayer is unwilling to continue to foot the bill.
Regulatory agencies, accountable to no one have far exceeded their authority and the public knows it. They are in a particularly foul mood over agencies like EPA.

The Left is in full retreat and began their last stand in Madison, Wisconsin in February of 2011. The full force of those on the Left who feel entitled to take was on display on Capitol Square. Their mission was to intimidate a duly elected state government into doing something other than that for which they were elected. They failed.

They tried to prevent the re-election of a good and honest man. They threw all their resources toward the Wisconsin Supreme Court election and behind a candidate wholly unqualified for the job. Why? They thought she would overturn the legal legislation signed by Gov. Walker. They went to a county judge for an injunction on that same legislation. One with ties to the Unions. They got their injunction, but ultimately failed.

The Left then took to the "recall" election. They took two seats back in the Wisconsin Senate, but overall, they failed again. The two seats the Left was able to reclaim had little to do with the Budget Repair Bill.

They talk a good "Recall Walker" game, but it is unlikely they will get any traction.

The paid protesters of the Left have disrupted schools, the Wisconsin State Fair and various events to attempt to smear the Governor. They have been disrespectful to and have literally soiled the Wisconsin State Capitol.

All this has been to no avail. The country continues to see the failure of the Progressives and their programs.

Now the Left believes they can attack the rich. "Tax them more". "Patriotic Millionaires." "Evil Corporations." "Wall Street Robber Barons." They have occupied Wall Street and threaten to disrupt our lives to an extent we have not see. All orchestrated.

The "Day of Rage" seems to have been organized via social networking and had little in the way of support. I recall the news reports indicating a "few hundred" in New York and "a few dozen" at locations elsewhere. Now the Unions and professional organizers and assorted Leftists have become involved. Remember that these are now people who have a certain amount of power and are willing to use it. They will resort to any type of behavior that furthers their aims. The original protesters may be nothing more than "useful idiots".

I believe this is their last stand and ours as well. This will be remembered as the point that the adults asserted themselves to restore sanity to the country or where we allowed the children to take over. This may die off when the weather gets crappy. But it may not. The closer the 2012 election gets, the more you will see and the more violent it will become. Any Conservative politician or candidate will be a target. anyone who has "more" and is not on "their" side will be a target.

Count on it.

Steve Jobs Has Died

2011-10-05T18:43:00.002-05:00

I don't have any further details, but I can tell you that the man was a visionary. From the Apple to the IIE to Mac, GUI, iPod, iPhone, iPad. Amazing devices. His vision.His politics I did not agree with, but the man was a genius in many ways.

For Some Reason,....

2011-10-05T04:29:00.002-05:00

My last post shifted all the stuff in my sidebar down to the bottom.....I wonder if it will come back?Huh...Removed the previous post and the sidebar is back in place. Odd.

Gurda Misses The Boat

2011-10-02T05:48:00.002-05:00

Not surprising, considering it's the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. But I would expect better from an "historian". Of course, it is only Milwaukee history he seems to have concerned himself with, thus having the tunnel vision of nearly 100 years of Leftist-Socialist governance of the city.

Gurda blames the TEA party folks for the current ills of the nation. Really, John? After a diatribe about how bad it is, how young people can't find a good paying job and how his children will do fine, he proceeds to take a number of facts and somehow tie them to the TEA Party movement. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, though. That seems to be the media talking point these days. Interesting how the Democrats have the same talking points. But there's no collusion there, I am certain.

Here Gurda grossly oversimplifies the problem, solution and TEA Party stand:

The season would seem ripe for a reassessment of American capitalism, but this time it's not the voices of the left that are being heard above the din. It's the zealots of the tea party. As the rest of us struggle for purchase in these uncertain times, the far right has already named a culprit. It's not Wall Street avarice, not systemic market shifts and not Chinese monetary policy. The problem with America, the acolytes of the tea party piously intone, is American government, pure and simple.

In fact, the movement fully understands the China problem. Wall Street avarice? Systemic market shifts? All these are brought about in large part by US Government policy.

I might have missed something here, but I don't recall Obama packaging subprime mortgages for sale to trusting investors, exporting jobs to China or building condos without customers in the Arizona desert. You can blame the president for many things, but blowing up the economy isn't one of them.

No, John. You can't blame Obama directly, but you can blame government and the Party of the Ass in particular. The very idea that everyone "should" be able to own a home is absurd, but was a brainchild of social engineers in government. If banks didn't provide the "correct" number of loans to minorities so they could live in whatever community they wanted regardless of income, well it must be "redlining". Carter started it, Clinton escalated it. And the Elephants were no better. They allowed it and even supported it. With Fannie and Freddie buying up every mortgage in sight, there was no risk to the lender. The taxpayer got the tab.

I can, indeed blame Obama, in part for sending jobs to China. The policies of his administration from EPA to Labor and NLRB are driving jobs from this country at a pretty good clip. His brand of crony capitalism with companies like GE and Solyndra picks winners and losers based on campaign contributions rather than merit.

The tea party has steered an entire political party hard to the right. We now have the faintly absurd situation of billionaire Warren Buffett saying, "Tax me - please," and Republicans responding, "No, no, that wouldn't be right." The super-rich, long an object of both envy and suspicion in American life, have been re-branded as "essential job-creators." It may be worth noting that, by the end of the 1950s - a decade of robust job creation under Dwight Eisenhower, a Republican - the nation's top tax rate was 91%, compared with just 35% today.

Nothing is stopping Warren Buffett or any of the other "Patriotic Millionaires" from writing a check to the government if they feel they need to contribute more. But the rich have ways of moving money and changing behaviors that the rest of us do not have. And as the beast of the federal government becomes hungrier, that burden will fall on those of us in the middle (again). Further, it is of interest to note that the "Patriotic Millionaires" have a place on their website where YOU can donate to their cause. (You wouldn't think that would be necessary, but apparently.....you know.) That the top tax rate in the 1950's was 91% did not mean people paid 91%. The effective tax rate was much, much less.

Gurda is trying to make the point that the problem is "greed". That there are "social obligations" involved. He is right. But he's wrong about who is greedy. Is it the person who earns the wage and wants to keep the fruit of his labor? Or is it the person who does not work, but demands to be supported by that same wage earner?

Last, the Constitution of the United States only gives the Federal Government certain enumerated powers. If John Gurda wants the government to provide a lifetime of social services to all, he just needs to have it amended. That's why there's a process. But I'm sure he knows that. After all, he's an historian.

Sheriff Clarke to Exec Abele: "Bite Me Lightweight"

2011-10-01T07:32:00.002-05:00

RealDebate has the story. The best part is the comment from stillUnreal. Check it out.

Clarity. Courtesy of RealDebate

2011-09-28T18:34:00.000-05:00

RealDebate posted an excerpt from Folkbum today that gave me considerable clarity.

It's a neat little package. You have those who define "intellectual" making their intellectual lives quite easy. By defining those with different beliefs and opinions as "stupid", there is no need for any mental gymnastics, no need for critical thought. It's all wrapped up in a nice, neat little package called, "stupid".

After all, why go to the work of coming to a logical conclusion if you don't have to. After all, you're "intellectual".

More Herman Cain

2011-09-25T09:33:00.000-05:00

Althouse wanted to talk about Herman Cain after his straw poll win in Florida. My comments (typos and all):

I have met Herman Cain, shook his hand, looked him in the eye and was able to ask pointed questions at a TEA Party rally in Sheboygan last year. He's the Real Deal. absolutely, positively the one we are looking for on the Right. He is inspirational, smart, street smart and capable of filling his cabinet and "kitchen cabinet" with the right people. Remember that Reagan's success was his Big Ideas and hiss ability to communicate. But Reagan also surrounded himself with the right people for the policies he wanted to implement.

I care not that Cain is Black. I care not that he has held no elective office (neither did George Washington). I care that he has the right values and principles and policies to make the United States of America great again.

Further, I agree with commenter " Pogo": "I see little evidence that experience in public office offers much more than training in featherbedding and corruption."

College and Debt

2011-09-24T16:40:00.000-05:00

Sarah Jaffe at Alternet laments the gigantic debt incurred by college students. Where she fails is in placing blame. Never getting to the heart of the matter (which I will get to later), she blames the collection agency after the student defaults.

Now, I have some personal experience with college and with student loans. I went to college later in life (I started at 31) and was able to pay via GI Bennies. They ran out, thanks to the transition from Vietnam-era benefits and the current system (thanks, Democrat-controlled Congress - I still had 36 months of eligibility left). But I had the ability to go back for a year to the high-paying job I left to go to college (another story for another time). Not everyone has that ability. I get that.

But here's the deal: we subsidize both public and private colleges and universities through both scholarships and the federal student loan program. There is no incentive for these institutions to contain costs. From a cultural standpoint, there is a belief in this country that everyone should go to college. Consequently, many are admitted who are unprepared. But no matter, the Feds will provide a loan, either way. And since those loans are generally means-tested, the loans go to those least able to pay them back. Is it any wonder the massive student loans go into default?

To blame the collection agency and claim that students should just not bother to repay is absurd. Let's work on the root of the problem.

At What Point....

2011-09-19T20:01:00.001-05:00

...is Obama responsible as President of the United States? Does the Buck ever stop with Him? Apparently, never according to Bill Keller in the Obama mouthpiece formerly known as The New York Times.

I can't fathom the intellectual dishonesty required to come up with this stuff. The Democrats still own two-of-three branches of the government. For two full years, Republicans had no ability to stop anything. Obama has been president for nearly three years. And the current economy is the fault of Bush and the Republicans?

Obama has done exactly nothing. Her has led no legislative agenda, made no attempt at any kind of bipartisan compromise ("I won".) He has never considered any program or legislation set forth by the GOP. He has demagogued Republican efforts at budgetary sanity. He has fomented Class Warfare and taken the fight to his political enemies using the power of government. His use of OFA and worse, DOJ in Wisconsin is an abuse of power not seen in my lifetime....and I lived through Nixon.

Keller completely misreads the rise of the TEA Party. It is not a "toxic legacy" of George Bush, but rather "the adults in the room". We are the only ones who understand that government spending will never bring prosperity....ever. We are mortgaging the future of our children and grandchildren. Madison would have been a TEA Party activist. Clearly Keller has never read Madison.

The sycophants on the Left still read NYT and are in lockstep with Keller. I guess they are not part of the 18%-plus who are unemployed/underemployed.

Butt The F**k Out

2011-09-15T21:00:00.000-05:00

Hey, Michelle: Butt the f**k out of our lives. who the f**k do you think you are? You're as big a thug as your husband. Strong-arming private business to meet your agenda. STFU. Witch with a capital "B".

Great Job Lena!

2011-09-15T20:56:00.003-05:00

Run more jobs out of the state.

F-you. You are hurting your own people. Are you happy with that?

AttackWatch

2011-09-14T20:12:00.000-05:00

I went to AttackWatch, joined and posted that my blog is loaded with anti-Obama stuff. I expect Secret Service within 24 hours or maybe just an IRS audit. (Of course, an FBI raid is never out of the question). We need to hammer these jokers just like we did with flag.com.

More Reports of TSA Abuse

2011-09-13T20:33:00.000-05:00

And this one leaves me speechless except to say, I'm not flying for a while.

This Day of Remembrance

2011-09-11T19:07:00.001-05:00

On this Day of Remembrance, many in this country invoke God that He might save this country. I am reminded of a story my mom told me many years ago about a Christian couple who were trapped in their home during a major flood. The Sheriff came by in a boat to take them to safety, but they said they were trusting in God to save them. As the waters rose, a boat came by carrying National Guard rescuers to take them to safety, but again, they refused. "We trust in God to save us". The flooding continued and as the waters rose further, they found themselves sitting on the peak of the roof of their home, when a helicopter came by. "Come with us! We'll take you to safety!" "No, no....God will save us. Of that, we are certain". The waters rose even more, swept them away and they drowned. As they came to heaven, they were met by God and said, "We trusted in you. Why did you not save us as you promised?" God replied, "What do you want from me? I sent two boats and a helicopter."

The moral of the story is that only we can save this country and return it to the greatness it once was.

An Open Letter To National Conservative Groups From Wisconsin Conservative Bloggers

2011-09-06T19:52:00.001-05:00

This letter is part of a chain to which I add my own signature. I am in complete agreement with the contents.

To: Chris Chocola, Club for Growth
The Honorable Jim DeMint, junior Senator from the Great State of South Carolina

It is with great disappointment that we have learned of the efforts of some conservatives on the national level to try to dictate to Wisconsin conservatives their choice for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Democratic Senator Herb Kohl. This is a tremendous opportunity for Wisconsinites to elect a second conservative senator worthy of holding the office, and one that Wisconsin conservatives will take very seriously. This is not only a choice of ideology but of character, and it is our responsibility to bring Mark Neumann’s lack of character to your attention.

While we do not question Neumann’s past contributions to conservatism while he was a Congressman, his actions during last year’s campaign are completely unbecoming of a conservative candidate.

We respectfully request the national conservative groups and individuals to take a second look at their endorsement of Neumann. We ask that since many of them missed the opportunity to come to Wisconsin during the recent battles over collective bargaining for state employees and the recall elections, they come to Wisconsin now to talk to true Wisconsin conservatives to find out what they think of Neumann before attempting to foist their choice upon Wisconsin.

We do not write this under direction or duress from any candidate, potential candidate, or candidate’s campaign. We write this under the knowledge that as the primary for United State Senate commences in earnest, we will likely go our separate ways and support any number of candidates. That is our right as Americans.

If the past election in Wisconsin has shown national conservatives anything, it is to trust in the faith of Badger State conservative activists. We had the foresight to supply the movement with current leaders and rock stars like Janesville Congressman Paul Ryan, Ashland Congressman Sean Duffy, Green Bay Congressman Reid Ribble, Governor Scott Walker, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, and even Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus.

That is just in the past two years, and we assure you, there are plenty more where they came from.

Thank you,
(The Undersigned)

Owen Robinson
Blogger, Boots and Sabers, since 2003
West Bend, WI

Kevin Binversie
Blogger, Lakeshore Laments, since 2003
St. Francis, WI

James Wigderson,
Blogger, Wigderson Library & Pub, since 2005
Waukesha, WI

Steve Eggleston
Blogger, No Runny Eggs, since 2005
Oak Creek, WI

Patrick Dorwin
Blogger, BadgerBlogger.com, since 2004
Milwaukee, WI

Tim Gray
Blogger, UseYourGrayMatter.com, since 2010
La Crosse, WI

Ben Froland
Blogger, BenFroland.com, since 2009
Neenah, WI

Chris Krumenacher
Blogger, Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot., since 2009
Racine, WI

Steve Oliver
Blogger, Beer Bicycles and the VRWC, (Deekaman.blogspot.com), Since 2008
Mequon, WI

GOP Response?

2011-09-02T07:57:00.000-05:00

Not as far as I can tell. At what point will the GOP take the fight to the opposition? I sent this to Sensenbrenner today:

I am appalled not only at the comments from Rep. Andre Carson (“some of them in Congress right now of this tea party movement would love to see you and me ... hanging on a tree.”), but also by the failure of the Republican majority to not only defend those whom he has slandered, but also to call for sanctions up to and including his resignation. Can you imagine the response had a white Congressman slandered the Congressional Black Caucus in such a way?

The comments from Carson and further comments from Rep. Jackson and others demand a strong response. I suggest if the Congressional Republicans are too afraid to take action, it will be necessary to find new representation.

Having dealt with my Congressman a couple times, I doubt this will phase him in the least.

Has Anyone Considered....

2011-09-01T05:55:00.000-05:00

We might be getting our brains beat in?

We are losing the PR War. Here. No demand for a resignation or even an apology.

Here. A counter in a newspaper only Conservatives read.

Here. Rehabilitating someone who should bee in prison for treason, but has instead been enriched and made famous by our entertainment culture.

And here. No in-depth reporting of who the "outside agitators" are (OFA) and no indication of why MPS had to lay off teachers (the school board caved to union demands for a contract extension).

These are just a few examples of how the Left and the media have grabbed the story away from us and we Conservatives have failed to counter. Failed to demand. Failed, failed, failed. No Conservative is out there with a message that resonates with most Americans. No one is out there telling the President, Vice President and the rest of the Administration (including spokesman Jay Carney) to STFU. WTF is the GOP afraid of? Get up! Get with it! The Left and the media are going to make s#!7 up regardless, so you might as well hammer them and get your story out. Buy air time if you have to. On the alphabet networks, CNN, NBC.

Goddammit, somebody do something!!!!!!!! I'm tired (as are other Conservative bloggers) of writing and writing and writing and the "Conservatives" we elect do nothing. NOTHING!!! "Supercommittee"...bullshit. Compromise.....bullshit (what do I say about "compromise"?).

I'm just a lowly blogger. I don't know shit from Shinola apparently. I thought the "real" Conservatives would get out and lead from the front. Nah....they "lead" from behind the likes of the TEA Party groups, Heritage, talk radio, FOX.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

TEA Party Rage?

2011-08-28T16:59:00.000-05:00

The Beer: I've been delinquent in my brewing. I purchased an apple press, I have apple trees, so I think it's hard cider next. If I can get my hands on more Door County Cherries, I'll work up another Cherry Wheat or Cherry Porter. It's getting close to cracking a Bad Santa.

The Bicycle: I Raced The Lake last weekend. 90 miles around Lake Winnebago. A real-live race. It was cool. I did well for an old guy. But I also hurt myself and am now on the DL. We'll see what next week brings.

The VRWC: Patricia Murphy says the TEA Party "rage" has died. Dead, gone, toast? Meh. Her point doesn't seem to match the headline.

Lindsey Graham still has a target on his back, as do Olympia Snowe and the rest of the RINO contingent. The TEA Party activists have to communicate a very clear vision that resonates with the general electorate. Right now, we are being outflanked by a media talking point that we are "domestic terrorists", we have no "vision" other than to eliminate government. We must take the offensive on our message. As I have said numerous times, the TEA Party folks are the adults in the room. We seem to be the only ones with the courage and fortitude to say "Stop!" We are the only ones who recognize compromise is always in the direction of bigger government, more spending and greater debt. We are the only ones who see the coming train wreck and know we have the means to prevent it.

What should the TEA Party groups be setting out? Here is what we know:

All federal regulations are unconstitutional. Every...single...one. Congress does not have the authority to delegate lawmaking. Federal Regulations have the force of law. They are unconstitutional. How does one get past the "You don't care about clear air, clean water,the elderly, the hungry, blah, blah, blah?" Force Congress to make the regulations or pass regulatory rulemaking over to the states. No, that isn't delegation. It's the Tenth Amendment.
Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are not the purview of the feds, either.

We have to put these in the light of an alternative. Yes, people will still be protected. No, you won't be thrown out in the street to die. But you will have to make your own way. We can't afford to do it differently. Provide incentives for families and communities to take care of their own. Continue to target RINOs. Recognize that cuts must be made whether they affect us directly or not. Otherwise we are hypocrites.

On Thugs, Liars and Cowards

2011-08-28T14:30:00.001-05:00

I was accosted by someone the other day who told me he had no intention of performing his job. Since it was just the two of us, I invited him to restate his intentions in front of his boss. His words? "I have no idea what you are talking about." That made him a liar and a coward and I told him to his face.

What makes a liar and coward? I do not necessarily believe those who flee danger are cowardly. They are certainly not heroes, but I don't know that I would label them as cowards. What about a liar? Does everyone who misrepresents get that label? I say,"no". A liar and coward is someone who is unwilling to live up to their mistakes and the natural consequences thereof.

The thugs who vandalized and protested at Messmer this past week and who continue to stalk Governor Walker are such people. Watching the video, it is clear that these are people who are unwilling or unable to accept the results of the election. They are unable to accept that they are the problem. They are willing to lie about anyone who opposes them and engage in the thuggery you see. They are brave in large numbers, yet act cowardly when confronted alone.

In fact, Leftists in general are cowards. They are unwilling to make hard choices. They are unwilling to part with their own money, but more than happy to spread your wealth. Want evidence? Walk up to your Leftist neighbor and let them know they have more money, newer cars and a nicer house. They should give you enough of their money to make you equal and hand over one of the cars while they're at it. They will look at you like you are from another planet.

Their cowardice is also evident in their dealing with war. When the President was George W. Bush, Iraq and A-stan were "wars for oil", "illegal wars", "wars of an imperialistic President". The prison at GITMO and rendition were "illegal" and waterboarding was "torture". Under Obama, the anti-war movement is strangely silent as we add an (truly) illegal war and at least two more "wars" in Yemen and Pakistan. Were they cowards and liars then? Or now?

To be a Leftist is to be a liar and coward. I am more than happy to say it face to face.

Thugs Vandalize, Protest at Messmer....

2011-08-26T21:48:00.005-05:00

Milwaukee Urinal-S#!thole is silent (I'm not even going to link to that fishwrap)

Union thugs protested Scott Walker at Messmer High School today. Thugs also vandalized the school last night. Same thugs? Would it surprise you if it was?

Larry Miller of the MPS board of Directors should be ashamed. He's a thug just like all of those who protested. They would rather sentence inner-city children to the failure and violence of the Milwaukee Public Schools and the cycle of poverty it inflicts upon them. Shame on these thugs, shame on the union protestors, shame on the Milwaukee media for covering this up and last, but certainly not least, SHAME on any teacher who fails to condemn or worse, participates in this
kind of thuggery.

Update: Now the Urinal has something, but it really doesn't convey what happened like the video does.

Begala on Perry and "The Field"

2011-08-14T19:24:00.000-05:00

Paul Begala would run a hit piece on GOP presidential contenders? Really? Shocking.

Felonious Munk (Not "Family Friendly")

2011-08-13T21:41:00.002-05:00

I suspect we don't agree on a bunch of stuff, but here the dude is spot-on.

More Differences Between Conservatives and Progs

2011-08-13T21:20:00.003-05:00

Daniel Judt in The Nation starts off well with the idea of Rethinking Politics in the Classroom, but the title is as good as it gets.

“We no longer ask of a judicial ruling or a legislative act: is it good? Is it fair? Is it just? Is it right? Will it help bring about a better society or a better world? Those used to be the political questions, even if they invited no easy answers. We must learn once again to pose them.” —Tony Judt

We need not ask any of these questions. We should only ask the law is in accordance with The Constitution. If it is, it meets the criteria of being "good", "fair", "just" and "right". There is no need to look elsewhere. Those four items are defined by the Bill of Rights. If a law is good, it protects the Natural Rights of people. If it is fair, it treats all equally. If just, it adhere's to the principle that people are secure in their property. If it is right, there is no question.

Liberty is now commonly defined—especially in the United States—as the right to be free of restriction from a repressive state. If that state makes you act in a certain way, makes you spend your money in a certain way, makes you subscribe to a certain program—even if it benefits you and your community—your liberty is being infringed upon. As Dworkin put it, “With today’s popular definition of liberty…you get the song of the Tea Party. This is nonsense.” Government is designed to provide safety, security and prosperity to citizens; it needs to ask things of us in return. As my dad put it inIll Fares the Land, “Government can play an enhanced role in our lives without threatening our liberties.” This is nothing new. Citizenship entails both rights and obligations, and those obligations to the state do not infringe upon our liberty—in fact, they help ensure it.

This is not "today's popular definition of liberty". It is the definition provided us by the founders and the Constitution. Money earned is "property". It is our Natural Right to be secure in our property, to have say in how our money is taxed and used. Contrary to Dworkin, it does not matter if I benefit nor does it matter if my community benefits. What is required is my permission. Indeed there are Rights and Obligations, but if those obligations infringe upon our God-give liberties, they are no longer "obligations". What is argued here is that there is no limit to what government can do if it benefits the community. That is patently false. In the words of the Leftists from 40 years ago, "who decides"? The government has decided it is beneficial to the community to require everyone to purchase healthcare insurance. Again, patently false. It is in the best interest of my community to have everyone pay for their own healthcare.

I am 16, the age at which Dworkin proposed the course be aimed. At Dalton (my school), political debate is one-sided (everyone claims to be a Democrat) and no one brings up or contests the “bad ideas” because, as Dad said, “We are intuitively familiar with issues of injustice, unfairness, inequality and immorality—we have just forgotten how to talk about them.” Furthermore, most intelligent kids have trained themselves to focus solely—sometimes excessively—on schoolwork. This is what they are told will lead to good grades, a good college and more opportunities to succeed, make money and “be happy.” They do not look carefully at political issues because, cynically put, they do not see that they have anything to gain from it.

The author doesn't believe we should look at political issues from the standpoint of “Will this provide us with more wealth and money-making opportunities?” or “Is this a smart political move?” or “Is this stance cost-effective?,” but rather from the standpoint of social justice and someones idea of "fairness". He seems to believe if it is put that way to students, they would "see" the absolute truth of the policies of social democrats.

He is making the argument for politics in the classroom?

The author is the son of Tony Judt, quoted at the outset of the article and this post. Judt died of ALS (Lou Gehrig's) in 2010. That said, I suspect the author's belief that money doesn't make one happy exists because he has plenty. Attending a $36,000 per year high school apparently makes one an expert on "money isn't everything".

Don't Mess With a Fraud Investigator

2011-08-11T21:12:00.001-05:00

Interesting little tidbit if you are a small businessperson.

Much more at the link.

Somewhere along the line, Marcus Evans (according to the blogpost) seems to think if you don't go along with them, they have a right to make your life a living hell, they can send threatening letters and can otherwise generally harass.

In the words of my Southern Brethren, "That dog don't hunt".

Why Adler is Wrong

2011-08-08T19:05:00.000-05:00

Ben Adler in The Nation says it's all the fault of the Republicans.

No, dude..Really....he said that.

Let's see here...for 70-plus years we've had Progressives on both sides of the aisle spending like it was someone else's money (oh, it was, wasn't it). In the last 2-1/2years, we've added, what...a couple trillion to the debt by bailing out failed business models and paying off political cronies (business as usual).

Now, some adults (TEA Party Republicans) have come in and tried to put a stop to the madness. They have offered up plans and budgets to help rein all this in because the Democrats have been unable to bring a budget to the floor for over 800 days. Leadership from the White House? "Present!" Blaming the TEA Party Republicans is like blaming your parents for the not letting you use the car Friday night because you didn't do your homework.

There's plenty of blame to go around here, but it's not the TEA Party Republicans.

"'Compromise' is always in the direction of more spending, bigger government and greater debt."

TEA party Downgrade?

2011-08-07T18:58:00.000-05:00

Yes, of course. It was the TEA Party folks. It had nothing to do with the spending that has gone on unabated for 70+ years. No, that couldn't be it.

The TEA party activists are the only adults in the room. The only ones who seem to care whether or not we mortgage the lives of our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

But that's how it goes. No good deed goes unpunished.

Not Really Cut?

2011-08-03T20:01:00.000-05:00

Duh.

Someone actually thought there was a cut? "Compromise" is always in the direction of bigger government, more spending and greater debt.

Always.

Here It Comes: TEA Party Under Attack

2011-07-31T16:44:00.001-05:00

The Beer: I am putting together a mixed case for a fundraiser and next weekend (I think), I plan to make my first 10-gallon all-grain batch.

The Bicycle: The Madone was in the shop for about three weeks for a warranty issue. It is now back and I got to ride 60 miles on it today. After riding the Univega for three weeks, I remember why I bought the Madone. Race-the-Lake is three weeks away.

The VRWC: The TEA Party is under attack from the sock-puppet media. From Der Spiegel: Annihilating Democracy With The TEA Party.

Democracy depends on compromise and the American government depends on all branches working together. The Tea Party movement shuns both, preferring instead to drive the state into bankruptcy. On principle.

Democracy does not depend on compromise. Compromise is what brought us to this point. Actually, it was more like "collusion", but you get my point. A principled stand against more debt and in favor of reducing astronomical, wasteful spending is what Democracy is about. For the 50 years of my life, Americans have screamed how they want principle in politics. Here it is.

Their Holy Grail is a stripped down state.

This is correct. No government in the history of the world has failed to oppress its own people when it assumed enough power. It is clear the United States is entirely too close to that point. The Federal government has far exceeded what was envisioned and needs to be reigned in.

President Barack Obama wants to improve schools, whereas the Tea Party would prefer to see many state-run schools eliminated. Obama wants to invest in clean energy; the Tea Party denies the existence of climate change. The president wants to make trillions in cuts; but the Tea Party refuses to approve a dollar more in taxes, even on the very rich.

Regarding schools, the author is either ignorant of the facts or is lying. President Obama wants to make schools more of a propaganda machine for the Left than they already are. It is the TEA Party that wants schools to improve. The public school system in the United States and especially in the large cities are an abject failure by any standard.

Clean energy? I have yet to be convinced that any "clean energy" can be inexpensive, plentiful and reliable. Cheap, abundant energy is a requirement for a successful, technologically advanced civilization. There is no indication "green energy" can supply it. Global Warming? Someone still believes that? More and more evidence is coming to light that even if there is (alleged) AGW, it is so small as to be insignificant.

Increasing taxes is unacceptable at this time. The current talking point out of Washington is we are like a husband whose wife has lost her job. He has to go out and get a second job to bring in more revenue. I see it like this: The wife loses her job, so the husband takes a second job to bring in more revenue. But the wife spends every penny of the increased revenue and then some. She also invites her freeloading brother and his family (think "Cousin Eddie" from Vacation) to move in.

Obama is offering trillions in cuts? Yeah...over ten years, common referred to "out years". These "cuts" are non-binding on future Congresses. I call that "offering no cuts".

CNN offers more of the same.

Expect to here more of this talking point between now and the 2012 elections.

More Hypocrisy From the Left

2011-07-30T21:22:00.000-05:00

This is a response I left to a comment on another blog:

You know exactly WTF I'm talking about. Where are the anti-war demonstrators? They dogged Bush at every turn because "War is bad for children and other living things". "GITMO". "Illegal". "Torture at GITMO". "Horrible conditions". "Evil".

Where are the demonstrators? Where's the "No Blood For Oil"? Or were they just hypocritical shills for the Left? War is war, right? If it's bad it's bad. Right? I said, RIGHT? Come on, you know the words: "Hey, hey, Ho, ho, Obama has got to go! Ho, ho, Hey, Hey, how many kids did you kill today?" Come on. You know. "Shame! Shame!"

Speaking of which, let's shift gears on the hypocrisy of the Left. Abele is using many of the same strategies to handle Milwaukee County's abysmal fiscal problems that Walker did and does. Where are the screams for "Recall!" No name calling? Not even "SHAME! SHAME!" As I recall, Abele doesn't have a college degree, does he? College dropout as I recall. Where is the Left on this? Is he just automatically smart because he's a Leftist?

Want more? I'm loaded with it. And answer me first before starting with,"Well, Republicans are hypocrites, too". I hear plenty of that bullshit as well. GOP has nothing on the hypocrisy of Democrats and the Left. Explain yourself and you side. Hypocrites all.

The 14th Amendment

2011-07-28T20:33:00.000-05:00

Democrats are urging the president to "invoke the 14th Amendment" to the US Constitution. The intent here is to give the President the authority to unilaterally raise the debt ceiling. They use the Section 4 which says:

The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

Apparently, they miss that whole "authorized by law" part. If Congress doesn't authorize it, it's not "authorized by law".

Nicholas Kristof Believes There Is Nothing To Cut

2011-07-24T13:01:00.000-05:00

This is one of the most insipid pieces ever by the King of Insipidicity.

His example is the Reading is Fundamental program. Really? And it's only because of Republican Zealots? The meme here is that the Democrats are the reasonable ones. They've made concessions and the Republicans are "The Party of No".

Except it's not true. Harry Ried is blocking any debate on Cut, Cap and Balance which is the ONLY plan out there. The Democrats have failed to produce a budget for over 800 days. Who are the real adults here? Sounds like it's the GOP, but Kristof is such a partisan hack he can't bring himself to say so. All he's got is some sob story about a reading program the Feds have no business in anyway.

Nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-07-24T12:47:00.000-05:00

Please go away?

Interesting Polling

2011-07-23T06:41:00.000-05:00

It is entirely too early to make anything of this, but it is interesting to note that "Generic Republican" beats Obama handily, but individual candidates get clobbered by Obama.

If I had to make anything of this, it would be that the individual Republican candidates have yet to communicate a clear messsage. "The Devil you know" stuff.

Taxing Evil Big Corporations

2011-07-21T18:37:00.002-05:00

I thought the United States didn't tax the evil corporations.

So, What Happens If....

2011-07-18T18:13:00.000-05:00

I believe the Republicans are in a no-win on the debt ceiling. Shut down the government and the administration will withhold Social Security checks. Check and Mate. The media will scream bloody murder over the Republicans starving grandma and the Indies will buy it. Allow the debt ceiling to rise and taxes to increase and the TEA Party Wing stays home in 2012. In addition, the Democrats and their Big Media beat the GOP over the head with that club. The McConnell Plan may be the biggest problem. Successful and Obama gets the credit. Disaster (which I expect) and it's "the McConnell Plan".

The GOP might as well stick to their guns. They're doomed anyway.

DEMOCRATS WIN DEMOCRAT PRIMARY!!!!!

2011-07-13T19:49:00.000-05:00

Duh.

No bias at all in the article. "Fake Democrats" or "Protest Candidates"? Guess that depends on which side of the fence you are, but none of them ever claimed to be Democrats.

But the real bias story here is in the heralding of the Democrats winning their own primary election. Of course they won. Anyone expect they wouldn't? The protest candidates didn't spend a dime on campaigning, only what it cost to enter the race.

Here is the big story, though. The protest candidates scored huge numbers. Gladys Huber lost to Sandy Pasche, but still pulled about 35% of the vote. Shelly Moore was lucky to defeat her Protest Candidate opponent (55%-45%). This does not bode well for the Democrats, IMHO.

We will see for certain in about a month.

State-Mandated Paid Sick Leave

2011-07-10T19:29:00.000-05:00

More pixie dust and unicorn poop to pay for this? And we wonder why we can't compete with China.

How many jobs will go away now because of this?

Free Citizen? Or Thrall? Which Do You Choose?

2011-07-08T20:04:00.000-05:00

Some awesome stuff via Dad29.

I do not believe the government can accomplish any given task more efficiently than the private sector. The awful record of our bankrupt State argues conclusively to the contrary.

I deny both the right and wisdom of government to “own” any industry. Industry cannot succeed without the threat of failure, and the State never has to worry about going out of business. Ownership is the prerogative of citizens, not the government they authorize to perform certain essential duties.

I reject the notion that a just government can exist in the absence of a strictly obeyed Constitution. It is not an archaic document to be evaded when it interferes with the agenda of public officials. A republic must be bound by laws that its elected representatives cannot easily change.

I deny the wisdom of the political class to achieve prosperity through economic control. Their failure is massive and evident. I challenge them to relinquish their control, and watch the creativity and judgment of free citizens surpass their own.

I do not believe the wealth of a free citizen belongs to the government, to re-distribute in accordance with the moral judgment of the elite.

Much more here.

Proving a Negative

2011-07-08T05:01:00.000-05:00

Again, the meme of "it could have been so much worse". But it was not so much worse because it was, IMHO.

Let's take the "Major Spike in Oil Prices". A major spike in oil prices DID happen. At the bottom of the recession, oil fell to on the order of $30-$40 per barrel. It peaked at over $100, fell slightly, but is on its way back up. I'd call that a major spike (call me crazy). The ONLY reason it is not higher is the slow economy. And the Administration has made no real effort to improve the situation (releasing oil from the Strategic Reserve is not a "real" effort).

The Financial Panic in Europe has not happened....yet. The Greek crisis still has the ability to sppread to the rest of Europe. Do not count this one as "done".

Runaway Inflation is again something that has not happened only because the economy is slow. If it heats up, expect inflation to do the same. And food prices will not come down until two things happen: energy prices fall and we stop mandating the use of our food supply for our fuel tanks.

I am not at all confident that the stock market is in a true uptick. Maybe it is, but I have serious doubts. Earnings are up slightly, but it is a short trip back into the tank with nearly 10% unemployed.

I do believe a "housing led depression" is no longer a potential scenario. The market seems to have stabilized at some sort of bottom, but it is not rebounding much at all. Had the feds allowed people to go to foreclosure, I believe we would be out of that part of the mess already as bargain hunters sucked up the bargains.

Read the article and make up your own mind. On the way up? Or stuck near the bottom?

I Do Not Believe I Will Comply

2011-07-01T20:53:00.000-05:00

I do not plan to comply with any of the terms of Obamacare.

How about you?

Epic Fail Weekend...At Least For Me

2011-06-26T10:33:00.001-05:00

The Beer: My 2nd all-grain batch is a complete disaster, suffering from incomplete utilization; probably because I missed my "strike temperature". It will be thin and weak.

The Bicycle: River Valley Ride today. Was going for a Century. Mechanical problems forced me out at 40 miles.

The VRWC: Prosser attacks Bradley? Or Bradley attacks Prosser? IMHO, it is far more likely that Bradley went after Prosser. If it really was the other way around, why does it surface 11 days later and why has Bradley not pressed charges?

Tapping The StrategicReserve

2011-06-23T20:33:00.000-05:00

This is a horrible idea, done for no reason other than to make it appear a failing president actually gives a $#!7 about energy prices. 60 million barrels. Sounds like a lot. The United States uses about 20 million barrels per day. 3 days' supply from the strategic reserve. BFD.

Here is the other shoe. That 60 million barrels will have to be restored to the strategic reserve at a higher cost to the taxpayer. Lucky us. A lot of nothing.

I Knew This Would Be Coming

2011-06-22T21:09:00.000-05:00

It was only a matter of time following the disaster at Fukushima that the American Left would again find their anti-nuclear voice. Chuck Baynton is the local mouthpiece.

AP reporter Jeff Donn's message is that the U.S. nuclear reactor fleet is getting old. Donn found that as nuclear power reactors age, their age shows in increasing technical failures. Nobody with an old car or an old house should be surprised by that.

An AP reporter is hardly an expert on any aspect of nuclear power.

One of the frightening things about nuclear power is its high upfront cost. For example, the Florida utility Progress Energy, one of the few in America with current plans to build new nuclear facilities, in January 2009 announced a project consisting of two reactors for $7 billion each.

To put that into perspective, the most expensive construction project of any kind in Wisconsin history was a po

wer station, the new We Energies coal-fired facility in Oak Creek. Its price: a comparatively small $2.3 billion.

I assure you I can find that Chuck Baynton is no friend of coal-fired power. Further, for $7 billion, one gets 1000 Megawatts of electricity vs. about 600 for $2.3 billion. But the cost of nuclear generation is substantially less than that from fossil sources and since the president has told us he would "bankrupt" those who would build coal-fired power and electricity prices would "necessarily skyrocket", I suggest that Baynton makes no sense.

I leave you the comments I made at the end of the column in MJS:

Perhaps, as a physician (not an engineer, or physicist or technician), the author should consider the risks of NOT building nuclear plants. More
people die from exposure to cold and heat, from food which has gone
without proper refrigeration, from unclean water all due to inadequate
energy sources than have ever or will ever die from nuclear power. It is
reprehensible that a physician would be willing to deny cheap, proven safe,
affordable energy to the poor and "disadvantaged" he purports to car
about.

I have about 20 years of experience in the industry and had leave
because of irresponsible people like Chuck Baynton who have no knowledge
of the technology or economics of the issue, but continue with their scare
tactics because they hate what they do not know. They put me out of a
job and nearly killed a vital resource necessary to the life, liberty and
pursuit of happiness of the people of the United States.

I was going to stop there, but I must add that people like Chuck Brayton (sic)
believe the United States has too much, uses too much and needs to be
brought back to the level rest of the world. Nothing can be more wrong.
Our predecessors worked hard and improved their lives and the lives of
others through nothing but hard work. There was no lottery won, no
advantage other than brains and work ethic. To take away the gains of
that hard work to assuage some ill-conceived guilt is sin.

2011-06-15T19:32:00.000-05:00

Huh....really?

Apparently this guy isn't really a crackpot.

How I Really Feel

2011-06-15T19:03:00.000-05:00

I posted this at Dad29 in response to a comment about "enhanced interrogation. Once I started, I couldn't stop.

Ronald Reagan could not possibly have ruled on enhanced interrogation. McCain's vision of it is tainted. Further, since those techniques are still in use by The Chosen One and GITMO remains open and there is a deafening silence from the Left about those things and the (now 5) wars, I judge you all as hypocrites, only bent on destroying the country as it has been known for over 200 years. It is you who will be swept into the dustbin of history as more and more see your childish behavior, hypocrisy and fearmongering. It is you who do it, not us. We have been asleep for too long and are now awakened. It is you who wish to enslave the rest of us to your dystopian ideal of "equality of outcome". It is you who hate, it is you who want the elite to rule and the rest to suffer. It is you who invent the bogeymen of Halliburton and (because it is easier for you to spell), Koch. I accuse you and your ilk of treason against the rest of us. Your day of reckoning is much closer than you think. We continue to win hearts and minds while your childish antics continue to enrage those who would otherwise believe your lies.

I hate the Left because the Left has driven me to Hate. And I don't need a pill or therapy or any of the other remedies the Left espouses. I only need their disappearance from American life.

What arrogance makes the American Left think they can make a Socialist utopia work when it has not worked wherever it has been tried? Socialism is in its death throes all over the world, yet those who believe themselves to be "smarter" continue to follow the same path. The very definition of "insanity".

I'm done ranting (for now).

Awesome

2011-06-10T18:37:00.000-05:00

Since this is Beer, Bicycles and the VRWC, I thought I would add this:

Redistribution

2011-06-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

This is a problem.

70% of Democrats and 43% of Independents believe government should redistribute wealth. 52% of women believe so.

It is interesting to note that about 47% of the population also pays no income tax. I suspect there is some correlation there.

This is why the founders only wanted property owners to vote. I wonder if any of the 47% have considered that once the property of one can be confiscated, it becomes easy to confiscate the property of all.