Thanks to Cousin Bobski and The Blaze for this link:
Political and Lifestyle Observations from the Western Front
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Socratic questions for liberals
Spotted on The People's Cube:
A list of Socratic questions from a former reluctant resident of the Soviet Union, Oleg Atbashian, for use during those "calm intellectual discussions" with rabid leftist/liberal/progressives. I've copied them directly here for your easier perusal.
There's quite a few questions here; but there could always be more. When logic is pitted against emotion in a debate, logic always crushes the opposition in a completely satisfying way. It's kind of fun to think up these sorts of gedankenexperiments, as Einstein called them--add more of your own in the comments section, and forward these around!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Americans, these are some questions I have collected in 16 years of living in your country. Please see if you can answer them for me:
A list of Socratic questions from a former reluctant resident of the Soviet Union, Oleg Atbashian, for use during those "calm intellectual discussions" with rabid leftist/liberal/progressives. I've copied them directly here for your easier perusal.
There's quite a few questions here; but there could always be more. When logic is pitted against emotion in a debate, logic always crushes the opposition in a completely satisfying way. It's kind of fun to think up these sorts of gedankenexperiments, as Einstein called them--add more of your own in the comments section, and forward these around!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Americans, these are some questions I have collected in 16 years of living in your country. Please see if you can answer them for me:
- If all cultures are equal, why doesn’t UNESCO organize International Cannibalism Week festivals?
- Why do those demanding “equal pay for equal work” never protest against “equal pay for little or no work”?
- Why has no politician ever run on men’s issues or promised to improve the lives of males?
- If all beliefs are equally valid, how come my belief in the absurdity of this maxim gets rejected by its proponents?
- Ever noticed that for the past thirty years, we’ve been hearing we have less than ten years to save the planet?
- Once a politician labels the truth as hate speech, can anyone trust him to speak the truth afterward?
- If a politician gets elected by the poor on a promise to eliminate poverty, wouldn’t fulfilling his promise destroy his voting base? Wouldn’t he rather benefit from the growing numbers of poor people? Isn’t this an obvious conflict of interests?
- How did the “war on poverty” end? Has there been a peace treaty or a ceasefire? Who is the occupying force and who are the insurgents?
- Why weren’t there demonstrations with anti-feudal slogans under feudal rule? And under Stalin, no anti-communist demonstrations? And under Hitler, no anti-fascist demonstrations? In a free capitalist society, anti-capitalist demonstrations are commonplace. Is capitalism really the worst system?
- If capitalism makes some people rich without making others poor, who will benefit when capitalism is destroyed?
- If the poor in America have things that people in other countries can only dream about, why is there a movement to make America more like those other countries?
- Why, on the rare occasions when Obama’s actions benefit America, does his base get angry? And every time his actions are hurting this nation, his base is happy? Who exactly are these people?
- If cutting out the middleman lowers the price, why are we paying the government to stand between us and the markets?
- If racial profiling is an abomination, what do you make of the last presidential election?After Eric Holder called Americans a nation of cowards, what has he done personally to help the situation?
- If diversity training benefits everyone, why do those classes mostly consist of white heterosexual males?
- Why is a huge poisonous cloud over a volcano considered magnificent — but a smokestack over an American factory is ugly and harmful?
- How many Kyoto Protocols are rendered pointless by one medium-sized volcanic eruption?
- Why is burning gas in my car hurting the planet, but setting fire to housing developments in California is saving it?
- Why does Hollywood glamorize drug addicts, criminals, liberal Democrats, and mentally challenged people? What do they all have in common?
- How come Hollywood can always find a good side in thugs, but never in businesspeople? What was the last movie that pictured a self-reliant, industrious man as a role model?
- If it’s capitalist greed that forces Hollywood to exploit the lowest human instincts, why didn’t the same greed force Hollywood to exploit America’s patriotism and make war movies showing the U.S. presence in Iraq and Afghanistan as a force for good? Wouldn’t one such film bring more green cash than all the anti-American flops in the recent years? Where was Hollywood’s capitalist greed then?
- How come those calling Sarah Palin a “bimbo” often look like part of Paris Hilton’s entourage?
- If there are no absolutes and family is an antiquated tool of bourgeois oppression, why is having gay marriage an absolute must?
- Would you know from the media coverage that there are more sex offenders among public school teachers then among Catholic priests? How come the church gets the blame and the Department of Education doesn’t?
- Why is the media so outspoken about sex abusers being priests, but avoids calling them homosexual pedophiles? Who are they afraid to offend?
- Why do those who decry modern civilization never live far from shopping centers and why don’t grind their coffee with a stone ax?
- If we are called a “consumer society” because we consume, why aren’t we also called an “excreter society” because we excrete? For that matter we also sleep, dream, talk, think, invent, play music, raise children, feel pain, get sick and die. Many of us work for a living. Why aren’t we called a “producer society” because we produce the things we consume? Who puts these labels on us and for what purpose?
- How come the unselfish Americans hate their country out of personal frustrations, while the selfish ones defend America with their lives?
- If describing terrorists as freedom fighters is justified by the journalistic principle of neutrality, what is the name of the principle that justifies describing U.S. troops as rapists and murderers?
- When the media portrays the killing of terrorists as “slaughter of civilians,” while slaughter of civilians is portrayed as “resistance to occupation,” is the media really being neutral? Whose side are they really on?
- If Hollywood types are so opposed to capitalism, why is there a warning against unauthorized distribution of their movies?
- Why is experimenting on animals cruel, but experimenting on human embryos compassionate?
- How come industrial logging is a crime against nature, but the destruction of forests by wildfires is a natural cycle of life?
- Why do those who object to tampering with the environment approve of tampering with the economy? Isn’t the economy also a fragile ecosystem where a sudden change can trigger a devastating chain reaction?
- Isn’t the latest economic crisis such a chain reaction?
- Aren’t most of today’s social ills the result of tampering with social ecosystems?
- Why is bioengineering bad, but social engineering good?
- If Al Gore is right and our consumption of the planet’s resources is a moral issue, doesn’t that make genocide an ethical solution? How about an artificial famine? What would Al Gore choose?
- If being a winner in nature’s struggle for survival is selfish, does being extinct make you an altruist?
- Since our planet’s resources are limited, wouldn’t the ultimate act of environmental activism be to stop eating and starve to death?
- How come those who hate humanity for its faults are called “humanists” but those who love humanity for its virtues are called “hate-mongers”?
- If economic ups and downs are natural cycles, why is the downturn always blamed on unbridled capitalism, but the upturn is the result of a wise leadership of a Democrat president?
- Why is there never a media story praising capitalism for the booming economy?
- Ever noticed that those who demand “power to the people” also believe that people can’t do anything right without government supervision?
- How exactly does dependency on the government increase “people power”?
- Why is there never a headline that says “Government program ends as its intended goal has been achieved”?
- How come so many anti-American radicals are wearing American brands, listen to American music, watch American movies, and play American video games on computers designed by American engineers?
- Why do advocates for higher taxes have accountants advising them how they can pay smaller taxes? Wouldn’t you expect them instead to seek advice on how to give away more of their income to the IRS? Or at least not to hire accountants at all?
- Can you name one person who paid the IRS more than he owed because he trusted the government to put his money to good use?
- Did it occur to any of the 9/11 Truthers that a government conspiracy to murder thousands of people would have also included a plan to rub out a few troublemakers?
- If U.S. oil companies own everyone in Washington, how come they allowed Congress to grill them for the alleged price gouging — and to broadcast it on C-Span?
- Why didn’t Congress also grill Hugo Chavez, Vladimir Putin, and a guy named Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Bin Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Bin Turki Bin Abdullah Bin Muhammad al Saud?
- Why are windfall profits a problem when they enrich U.S. companies that pay billions in taxes — but when Hugo Chavez uses the same windfall profits to fund Marxist guerillas in Colombia, it’s not a big deal?
- If George W. Bush was an oil-thirsty dictator, why couldn’t he in eight years get permission from Congress to drill in ANWR? And why didn’t that failure in any way hurt his dictatorial reputation with the media?
- If it’s true that the media emphasized bad news and harassed President Bush only because they competed for ratings, what changed now? Aren’t they worried that today’s emphasis on good news from the White House will destroy their ratings and make journalism irrelevant?
- And finally, if all opinions are equal, how come a liberal who disagrees with a conservative is open-minded, but a conservative who disagrees with a liberal is a bigot?
Man's penis amputated following misdiagnosis
Well, a Merry Christmas, & Happy, Happy New Year to you, too.
The story, from the socialist utopia of Sweden, is here.
Notable quote:
"After three weeks passed without the prescribed treatment alleviating the man’s condition, he was instructed to seek further treatment at Blekinge Hospital. But it took five months before he was able to schedule an appointment at the hospital."
So is this what we can expect from our new socialized medicine? I guess they weren't kidding when they said Obamacare might cost an arm and a leg! Turns out it may just cost you much, much more.
The story, from the socialist utopia of Sweden, is here.
Notable quote:
"After three weeks passed without the prescribed treatment alleviating the man’s condition, he was instructed to seek further treatment at Blekinge Hospital. But it took five months before he was able to schedule an appointment at the hospital."
So is this what we can expect from our new socialized medicine? I guess they weren't kidding when they said Obamacare might cost an arm and a leg! Turns out it may just cost you much, much more.
How did all that happen?
Victor David Hanson's column at Pajamasmedia is worth reading twice. How did all this happen, indeed?
My answer is this: Decades of utter corruption of the media by the left. That corruption is the root cause of almost all of the battles we center-right folks have been fighting for decades--cultural, political, social, environmental, et cetera--and the reason that they ARE battles, and not just mildly interesting, esoteric discussions.
For years the legacy Big Media has consistently and continuously refused to do its job (investigate and report) and instead has inserted its own agenda into the job description formerly occupied by ethical ideals. Their new mission statement apparently reads as follows:
(Um, by the way, in case you were wondering: WE are the Untermenschen--that is, any conservative, including myself; most folks in the United States, and particularly anyone who has not matriculated from a sufficiently elitist university, or who doesn't know which fork to use for their goose-liver pâté. )
Solving societies self-induced problems would be much easier if we had an honest free press, by which I mean one that is as devoid of ideology as would be possible, or at least one where reporters would admit the direction their stories are slanted, and why, and acknowledge that their ideology often intrudes on the storyline.
Until journalists embrace the ethics that they so often quote in public but refuse to abide by in secret, we're going to have an uphill fight.
Update: a related article here.
My answer is this: Decades of utter corruption of the media by the left. That corruption is the root cause of almost all of the battles we center-right folks have been fighting for decades--cultural, political, social, environmental, et cetera--and the reason that they ARE battles, and not just mildly interesting, esoteric discussions.
For years the legacy Big Media has consistently and continuously refused to do its job (investigate and report) and instead has inserted its own agenda into the job description formerly occupied by ethical ideals. Their new mission statement apparently reads as follows:
"Sell a particular progressive/liberal/leftist worldview to the unwashed, unsophisticated Untermenschen, at all costs. Selectively publish facts, supress contrary viewpoints...do whatever you have to do, even make up the facts if you have to, just as long as one side (ours) gets a better face than the other side (theirs)."
(Um, by the way, in case you were wondering: WE are the Untermenschen--that is, any conservative, including myself; most folks in the United States, and particularly anyone who has not matriculated from a sufficiently elitist university, or who doesn't know which fork to use for their goose-liver pâté. )
Solving societies self-induced problems would be much easier if we had an honest free press, by which I mean one that is as devoid of ideology as would be possible, or at least one where reporters would admit the direction their stories are slanted, and why, and acknowledge that their ideology often intrudes on the storyline.
Until journalists embrace the ethics that they so often quote in public but refuse to abide by in secret, we're going to have an uphill fight.
Update: a related article here.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
The Bears Discuss Obama's Record (So Far)
Expletive warning, but worth the listen, just because their discussion so accurately portrays the general discussion in the legacy media.
(H/T NewZeal)
(H/T NewZeal)
A Single, $48 BILLION Dollar Earmark in the New Omnibus Spending Bill!
Most folks that will see this post will have already seen Drudge, so this probably isn't news to you...but just in case, here is the unbelievable story: "Redistribution On Steroids".
It's just this level of over the top hubris--the unabashed, rigid-middle-digit-extension to the taxpayers, the producers, the folks that are making our economy continue to function against all odds--that will initiate the pitchfork and torch mobs these numbskulls are always warning about when those little people out in flyover country start to get unruly.
After all the rancor they've elicited in the past two years (remember the town hall meetings of August '09?), these congressional reprobates STILL don't get it. Either that, or they just don't care. They'll do anything to accomplish their ideological goals in order to consolidate power in the future. Let's be perfectly clear here: is there anyone out there who believes that this is anything but an attempt to build a beholden voting block?
All summer long, the Harry Reid-led senate kicked the budget can down the road, and I believe it was just for this reason: to produce a self-induced time crunch at the end, wherein they could spring yet another ponderous 1900-plus page bill, too long for most folks (and more particularly, the republican opposition) to digest. Sounds kind of familiar, in an Obamacare kind of way, doesn't it?
Their gluttonous quest for power has once again trumped any sense of responsibility. The same individuals who daily scream out against the war are now actively, gleefully engaging in the unbridled promotion of the basest sort of class warfare that has been tearing the country apart since the '60s, and all for their own benefit.
This is the sneaky, underhanded behavior that you would expect from a gang of juvenile delinquents trying to con their folks out of a weekend with the family car. America deserves better--much better.
I can only hope that, barring defeat of this monstrosity, parts of it can be repealed quickly, once this Democratic run lame duck congress is put out of its (and our) misery.
I am disgusted beyond any further words.
It's just this level of over the top hubris--the unabashed, rigid-middle-digit-extension to the taxpayers, the producers, the folks that are making our economy continue to function against all odds--that will initiate the pitchfork and torch mobs these numbskulls are always warning about when those little people out in flyover country start to get unruly.
After all the rancor they've elicited in the past two years (remember the town hall meetings of August '09?), these congressional reprobates STILL don't get it. Either that, or they just don't care. They'll do anything to accomplish their ideological goals in order to consolidate power in the future. Let's be perfectly clear here: is there anyone out there who believes that this is anything but an attempt to build a beholden voting block?
All summer long, the Harry Reid-led senate kicked the budget can down the road, and I believe it was just for this reason: to produce a self-induced time crunch at the end, wherein they could spring yet another ponderous 1900-plus page bill, too long for most folks (and more particularly, the republican opposition) to digest. Sounds kind of familiar, in an Obamacare kind of way, doesn't it?
Their gluttonous quest for power has once again trumped any sense of responsibility. The same individuals who daily scream out against the war are now actively, gleefully engaging in the unbridled promotion of the basest sort of class warfare that has been tearing the country apart since the '60s, and all for their own benefit.
This is the sneaky, underhanded behavior that you would expect from a gang of juvenile delinquents trying to con their folks out of a weekend with the family car. America deserves better--much better.
I can only hope that, barring defeat of this monstrosity, parts of it can be repealed quickly, once this Democratic run lame duck congress is put out of its (and our) misery.
I am disgusted beyond any further words.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Idiocy Interviews Intellect
Of course, it's a common theme, especially when we're talking about ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, AP, or any of the other legacy media outlets.
Katie Couric interviewed Condolezza Rice, who straightened Couric out on a few of her pre-conceived liberal talking points (transcript here, from Newsbusters).
Katie Couric interviewed Condolezza Rice, who straightened Couric out on a few of her pre-conceived liberal talking points (transcript here, from Newsbusters).
Okay, it's been awhile...
...since I've posted anything (12 days, as a matter of fact), but I promise I will be back in the swing of things in the next day or two. My situation in my real life has been intruding on this one, but I will be putting it back into it's proper perspective by the end of the week. Bear with me!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Cool New Surveying Technology
Surveying and aviation combined, all in a handy suitcase-sized package...What's not to like about this?
Seriously, as a guy that started surveying just when the first EDM machines were coming out (not that we got to use them much), this is some amazing stuff. Wish I'da thought of it...
I do wonder how higher winds would affect data capture. I can also envision some field-level angst when your new $50K+ surveying instrument is firmly anchored in the upper branches of a 60 foot elm tree.
Regardless, there are some great applications for this tool, and the gee-whiz factor is off the charts in my book.
Seriously, as a guy that started surveying just when the first EDM machines were coming out (not that we got to use them much), this is some amazing stuff. Wish I'da thought of it...
I do wonder how higher winds would affect data capture. I can also envision some field-level angst when your new $50K+ surveying instrument is firmly anchored in the upper branches of a 60 foot elm tree.
Regardless, there are some great applications for this tool, and the gee-whiz factor is off the charts in my book.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Wikileaks documents expose...state department incompetence.
Another round of hits from those ivy league eggheads of the career-government-diplomat-ruling-class.
from PajamasMedia, via Instapundit (naturally):
from PajamasMedia, via Instapundit (naturally):
Sleazy WikiLeaks Meets the Digital Ninnies of the State Department
Is it just me, or is watching this administration like watching a junior high school student government try to run the free world--without any adult supervision?Nano-architectured aluminum has strength of steel.
Read about it here.
Hmmm. Sounds kinda like Rearden Metal? Anyway, cool stuff maybe. Wouldn't it be something to lighten airplanes by like 30 or 40 percent...or more?
Hmmm. Sounds kinda like Rearden Metal? Anyway, cool stuff maybe. Wouldn't it be something to lighten airplanes by like 30 or 40 percent...or more?
Team Obama Duped by Taliban Imposter.
So the smartest of the smart, elite-est of the elite, NATO (and maybe State Department?) geniuses have been punked. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I would've done better. After all, I'm just a redneck that's barely housebroken. I'm just sayin' that maybe these self-appointed eggheads are maybe not quite as sharp as they think they are, and maybe they're letting a little too much ideology intrude on their pragmatism. At any rate, "professionalism" is not the word that leaps to mind here.
Why do I have scenes from a particular Dan Aykroyd/Chevy Chase B movie--"Spies Like Us", I think the title was--stuck in my head now?
Of course, this would not be the first time that the genius ruling class has been punked (see here , for example).
UPDATE: We've obtained a picture from the NATO meetings showing what we believe to be the mystery Taliban negotiator:
Why do I have scenes from a particular Dan Aykroyd/Chevy Chase B movie--"Spies Like Us", I think the title was--stuck in my head now?
Of course, this would not be the first time that the genius ruling class has been punked (see here , for example).
UPDATE: We've obtained a picture from the NATO meetings showing what we believe to be the mystery Taliban negotiator:
Security & comfort at the expense of liberty--this is how citizens become subjects.
An excellent op-ed from Ohio here , entitled "TSA fondle just latest encursion" .
My favorite notable quote here:
My favorite notable quote here:
"...If your response to that is,
'Well, I have nothing to hide. If that would make us safer. . .' then you would have felt right at home in East Germany or Mao's China."
'Well, I have nothing to hide. If that would make us safer. . .' then you would have felt right at home in East Germany or Mao's China."
The Definition of Dillusional: Bill Ayers Wife Ignores Own Terrorist Acts, Calls Peaceful Protesters "Terrorists"
H/T: Verum Serum, via New Zeal
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Politics influencing the DOJ.
...No, honest. Whoda thot?
Read the sordid details in the article from the Daily Caller here:
Wasn't just the mere suggestion --in the absence of any proof--that politics were influencing the Department of Justice enough to remove the Attorney General in the last administration?
So where are all the hyperventilating talking heads and reporters of the legacy media, now that corruption and politics have been so obviously and deeply infused in what was supposed to be an independent and apolitical department?
[crickets chirping...yet again.]
Read the sordid details in the article from the Daily Caller here:
Wasn't just the mere suggestion --in the absence of any proof--that politics were influencing the Department of Justice enough to remove the Attorney General in the last administration?
So where are all the hyperventilating talking heads and reporters of the legacy media, now that corruption and politics have been so obviously and deeply infused in what was supposed to be an independent and apolitical department?
[crickets chirping...yet again.]
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wonder what the PETA-philes think about waterboarding now?
From TopNews (UK), via Landings.com:
When checked for the cause of the death, they retrieved the explosives and the detonators
which were stitched inside the body of the dogs.
It has emerged that in Iran
According to the Christopher Naudin, who is the French criminologist and an aviation security expert, the case shows the determination of the Al-Qaeda organization, who want to spread terrorism at any cost. According the New York Post, the plot was revealed before two years, when the terrorists from the Al-Qaeda organization picked up two stray dogs from the streets and implanted powerful bombs in them.
Then they placed these dogs in kennel carrier and booked on a flight to USA from Bagdad Airport
which were stitched inside the body of the dogs.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Quantitative Easing explained:
That's some great stuff.
Once again, thanks Comrade Bobski!
UPDATE: Embed fixed:
Once again, thanks Comrade Bobski!
UPDATE: Embed fixed:
Hope is a change from audacity to dreams...er...something like that.
The Weekly Standard analyzes an American Narcissus--the subject of my very first post here. I think they're a little more eloquent over there at the Standard than I am, though.
Notable quote:
“My job right now is just to make sure that everybody in the Gulf understands this is what I wake up to in the morning and this is what I go to bed at night thinking about: the spill.”
Read that again: The president thinks that the job of the president is to make certain the citizens correctly understand what’s on the president’s mind.
How is it not possible for the media to notice such a bizarre, self-serving twist of phrase?
Notable quote:
“My job right now is just to make sure that everybody in the Gulf understands this is what I wake up to in the morning and this is what I go to bed at night thinking about: the spill.”
Read that again: The president thinks that the job of the president is to make certain the citizens correctly understand what’s on the president’s mind.
How is it not possible for the media to notice such a bizarre, self-serving twist of phrase?
Charlie Rangel steps in it yet again!
This guy is the poster child for everything that is wrong with the old DC political landscape. The question of the day is, how long will his CBC membership provide him with a get-out-of-jail-free card?
The question for the rest of the week is: What sort of loathsome character can be so completely devoid of conscience that they can intentionally foster racial discord--just to deflect scrutiny of their own sneaky deals and hang on to their misgotten wealth and power?
Oh, I mean, besides Eddie Bernice Johnson. or Maxine Waters --or, from exactly one year ago, Bill Jefferson. (Remember him? the guy with something like 90 thousand dollars stuffed into his freezer?)
I think that these folks intend to get away with their misdeeds from the get-go by claiming racism where there is none and then taking advantage of the chastened liberals of the politically-correct media.
I also believe that most Americans couldn't care less what color these folks are, they just are able to recognize right from wrong, and want their elected officials to possess the same ability.
The framework woven from morals and ethics which circumscribes our actions in society should be the same size for all, regardless of the color of ones' skin or the size of their bank account or number of elections they've won. I think most folks recognize that fact, but these congressmen (and women) try to bully average citizens into acceptance of their crimes by threatening bogus indictments of racism.
The last election was a good start at the house cleaning. We'll get more done in 2012, if we keep remembering what all of the perps have been doing--be they black, brown, white, yellow, or green.
The question for the rest of the week is: What sort of loathsome character can be so completely devoid of conscience that they can intentionally foster racial discord--just to deflect scrutiny of their own sneaky deals and hang on to their misgotten wealth and power?
Oh, I mean, besides Eddie Bernice Johnson. or Maxine Waters --or, from exactly one year ago, Bill Jefferson. (Remember him? the guy with something like 90 thousand dollars stuffed into his freezer?)
I think that these folks intend to get away with their misdeeds from the get-go by claiming racism where there is none and then taking advantage of the chastened liberals of the politically-correct media.
I also believe that most Americans couldn't care less what color these folks are, they just are able to recognize right from wrong, and want their elected officials to possess the same ability.
The framework woven from morals and ethics which circumscribes our actions in society should be the same size for all, regardless of the color of ones' skin or the size of their bank account or number of elections they've won. I think most folks recognize that fact, but these congressmen (and women) try to bully average citizens into acceptance of their crimes by threatening bogus indictments of racism.
The last election was a good start at the house cleaning. We'll get more done in 2012, if we keep remembering what all of the perps have been doing--be they black, brown, white, yellow, or green.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Washington Examiner Op. Ed: Dems extol facts and science but act on ideology.
Read it here.
This seems like old news to those of us in the west that see the hyperventilated hyperbole that is used for justification of controlling access to public lands and other government intrusions almost daily. Still, there are some excellent examples of the current band of democrat's pseudo-science sophistry in this piece. And to be sure, dems are not the only ones that have been guilty of twisting science--they are just the ones that have been getting away with it the most, thanks to the sloth and ideological slant of the legacy media.
This seems like old news to those of us in the west that see the hyperventilated hyperbole that is used for justification of controlling access to public lands and other government intrusions almost daily. Still, there are some excellent examples of the current band of democrat's pseudo-science sophistry in this piece. And to be sure, dems are not the only ones that have been guilty of twisting science--they are just the ones that have been getting away with it the most, thanks to the sloth and ideological slant of the legacy media.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Some noteworthy veterans
From Mental-floss: More Celebrity Veterans.
This begs the question: How many of the current hollywood A-list, elite class are veterans? I can't think of any off the top of my head. Kind of says something, although I'm not sure exactly what it is yet.
This begs the question: How many of the current hollywood A-list, elite class are veterans? I can't think of any off the top of my head. Kind of says something, although I'm not sure exactly what it is yet.
Monday, November 8, 2010
How Heroism Inspires is Demonstrated in Missouri
Fox News: Residents of Missouri Town Block Protestors From Picketing Soldiers Funeral.
Can somebody tell Fred Phelps and his band of mental misfits to keep it in the church?
Preying on people that are grieving...especially when they are grieving over someone fighting for your freedoms...isn't just deplorable, or in bad taste. It's EVIL. As in, terrorism-tactics evil.
Can somebody tell Fred Phelps and his band of mental misfits to keep it in the church?
Preying on people that are grieving...especially when they are grieving over someone fighting for your freedoms...isn't just deplorable, or in bad taste. It's EVIL. As in, terrorism-tactics evil.
An interesting perspective of the former president...
...in the Washinton Post opinion pages: Five Myths About George W. Bush.
Whatever faults he may or may not have had, I believe that president Bush was sincere in all that he did, and sincerity goes a long way in my book. I didn't always agree with what he was doing, but I knew that what he was saying and what he was doing correlated much better than any other politician that I can think of.
And say what you will, but anybody that was able to fly century-series fighters in the 60's or 70's was decidedly NOT an idiot.
(I often imagine the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in the cockpit of an F-106 or an F-101. And then I giggle my butt off. )
Whatever faults he may or may not have had, I believe that president Bush was sincere in all that he did, and sincerity goes a long way in my book. I didn't always agree with what he was doing, but I knew that what he was saying and what he was doing correlated much better than any other politician that I can think of.
And say what you will, but anybody that was able to fly century-series fighters in the 60's or 70's was decidedly NOT an idiot.
(I often imagine the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in the cockpit of an F-106 or an F-101. And then I giggle my butt off. )
A Great P-51 Story in Video
Be forwarned: the whole video is about 30 minutes long and it will suck you in, but its worth setting aside a half hour to watch it.
Another warning: it will bring a tear to your eye. Beautiful footage of Mustangs, too.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Your answering machine has been busy.
This, from Iowahawk. As usual, this is some funny schnitzel. Pretty much captures the last several months of political dialog from the other side. (rated PG--language warning)
Thank God...I thought today would NEVER come!
Today is finally here! Time to either set things in order or keep things in order...Forget the rhetoric, but remember the deeds.
Our history is being stolen in front of us, and we're paying the thieves
via Powerline:
Investigate this.
This, from the offspring of the Greatest Generation.
Read the whole thing--and contemplate what hell Political Correctness hath wrought, where facts can be twisted to fit whatever set of political circumstances you wish as long as you are the one with the authority.
Investigate this.
This, from the offspring of the Greatest Generation.
Read the whole thing--and contemplate what hell Political Correctness hath wrought, where facts can be twisted to fit whatever set of political circumstances you wish as long as you are the one with the authority.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Shenanigans update: more allegations of democratic absentee voter fraud
Allegations of Absentee Voter Fraud in Philly
Of course. Remember the New Black Panther's non-prosecution of voter intimidation? City of Brotherly Love...yeah, right.
Once again, any allegations from the other side?
[insert crickets chirping here...]
Of course. Remember the New Black Panther's non-prosecution of voter intimidation? City of Brotherly Love...yeah, right.
Once again, any allegations from the other side?
[insert crickets chirping here...]
Update: "Call Me Senator" Boxer's "Senate Ethics" displayed--the sequel
via Daily Caller:
Boxer faces ethics complaint for telling teachers to send students to work for campaign
Apparently, your kids are fair game. And besides the obvious ethics issues, aren't there some kind of child labor laws on the books these days?
California, group your poop and get this gal out of our lives this election, wouldja? I mean, you've gotten it wrong three times straight...let's pony up and get it right this time, okay? Please? Geez-Laaweez.
Boxer faces ethics complaint for telling teachers to send students to work for campaign
Apparently, your kids are fair game. And besides the obvious ethics issues, aren't there some kind of child labor laws on the books these days?
California, group your poop and get this gal out of our lives this election, wouldja? I mean, you've gotten it wrong three times straight...let's pony up and get it right this time, okay? Please? Geez-Laaweez.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
So What Is The Problem With The Economy?
H/T instapundit: 2011 Business Tax Climate: Chilliest in Blue States
"Interestingly, all ten of the states with the worst business tax climates voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election, and five of the ten states with the best business tax climates voted for John McCain (and eight of the ten voted for George Bush in 2004)."
Looks like the new manufacturing Mecca is going to be...flyover country.
"Interestingly, all ten of the states with the worst business tax climates voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election, and five of the ten states with the best business tax climates voted for John McCain (and eight of the ten voted for George Bush in 2004)."
Looks like the new manufacturing Mecca is going to be...flyover country.
I KNEW There Was Something Different About That Guy In School...
From NBC San Diego, via Drudge Report:
Scientists Find 'Liberal Gene'.
So...Social Butterfly = Shallow Thinker? Wow! Never saw that one coming! (Oops! Did I say that out loud?)
This reminds me of a quote I read by the science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein:
"Political tags - such as royalist, communist, democrat, populist, fascist, liberal, conservative, and so forth - are never basic criteria. The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire."
Of course, all of these guys could be completely wrong...
Scientists Find 'Liberal Gene'.
So...Social Butterfly = Shallow Thinker? Wow! Never saw that one coming! (Oops! Did I say that out loud?)
This reminds me of a quote I read by the science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein:
"Political tags - such as royalist, communist, democrat, populist, fascist, liberal, conservative, and so forth - are never basic criteria. The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire."
Of course, all of these guys could be completely wrong...
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
...and some other voting shenanigans:
I've noticed a pattern here...let's see, don't tell me...Oh, that's it! Virtually EVERY case of potential voter fraud that I've seen in the last two elections all favor the same party! How did that happen? There's this:
Then there is this:
For more detail, read this: (read the whole thing)
Actually, this site pretty well sums up the whole situation to date (including a serendipitous article title--honest, I didn't steal it!) (H/T: Conservative Hideout 2.0.com)
And who can forget the whole widespread and institutional ACORN voter fraud nonsense from two years ago?
Now, given the slant of the legacy media, you just know that if there were ANY examples of Republican voter fraud, it would be in two inch headlines everywhere, 24-7. So far, all I hear are the crickets chirping...
Then there is this:
For more detail, read this: (read the whole thing)
Actually, this site pretty well sums up the whole situation to date (including a serendipitous article title--honest, I didn't steal it!) (H/T: Conservative Hideout 2.0.com)
And who can forget the whole widespread and institutional ACORN voter fraud nonsense from two years ago?
Now, given the slant of the legacy media, you just know that if there were ANY examples of Republican voter fraud, it would be in two inch headlines everywhere, 24-7. So far, all I hear are the crickets chirping...
Barbara 'Call Me Senator" Boxer shows her "Senatorial Ethics"
From Roger Simon at Pajamasmedia.com: Breaking News
Monday, October 25, 2010
Thoughts on a third party approach for the Tea Party--
I am old enough to remember the effects of the last third party candidacy (when Ross Perot selfishly gave us the "gift" of the Clinton years), and I am not a big fan of the idea.
Yes, I am familiar with the arguments of how a "true democracy allows for all voices", et cetera. But the fact is that the United States is not a "true democracy", it is a Republic, and the system set up by our forefathers does not lend itself well to a multi party system. It boils down to this truism, which anyone remembering their playground days can attest to: When you have a group of three, it always comes down to two against one.
What we need in government is One against One. The problem that we've had over the last couple of decades is that it hasn't really been one against one, it's been more like a juvenile delinquent and a little brother, both engaged in mischief. When the Republican Party lost its way sometime after 1994, it became, in effect, the little brother that could easily be talked into partaking in the same malfeasance that the democrat big brother did...like raiding the cookie jar, over and over and over again.
They've gotten away with it because the adults (the voters) have not been paying attention. Now, with the advent of the New Media--and in spite of the old Legacy Media--we have a much more informed electorate, and we have refocused like a laser on the elements of the system that have been running amok.
With both parties having the full and undivided attention of the voters, we have an excellent opportunity to hold them accountable. A third party will not accomplish that, it will only dilute the focus. A threat of a third party is, however, a valuable tool for keeping one (or both) parties at bay. It's simple, really. The elitist career politicians on both sides of the aisle crave power, and they need to be reminded that the power switch lies with the people, not themselves. A third party will only give them a better grip on power.
We will need to walk back about 80 years of progressive/socialist-democratic policies in order to reconcile the current political situation with the original American Dream. That is not going to happen in any one person's tenure in office. We will need to make a pragmatic approach, and recognize that we will be taking many, many measured steps to arrive at a long term correction. The ultimate objective of the Tea Party is absolutely the goal to be aimed at...but we won't get there if we try to take the shortcut and go the third party route.
That's not to say that if the Republicans don't toe the line, they can't be replaced by another, more effective party. I'm just saying that now is not the time. We must balance the romance of the grand vision the Tea Party offers with a pragmatic, long term grind geared to chip away at the monolith of progressive government intrusion. This election is the first step on a long journey. Let’s not try to leap to a solution--and end up falling down the slope of democratic socialism.
Yes, I am familiar with the arguments of how a "true democracy allows for all voices", et cetera. But the fact is that the United States is not a "true democracy", it is a Republic, and the system set up by our forefathers does not lend itself well to a multi party system. It boils down to this truism, which anyone remembering their playground days can attest to: When you have a group of three, it always comes down to two against one.
What we need in government is One against One. The problem that we've had over the last couple of decades is that it hasn't really been one against one, it's been more like a juvenile delinquent and a little brother, both engaged in mischief. When the Republican Party lost its way sometime after 1994, it became, in effect, the little brother that could easily be talked into partaking in the same malfeasance that the democrat big brother did...like raiding the cookie jar, over and over and over again.
They've gotten away with it because the adults (the voters) have not been paying attention. Now, with the advent of the New Media--and in spite of the old Legacy Media--we have a much more informed electorate, and we have refocused like a laser on the elements of the system that have been running amok.
With both parties having the full and undivided attention of the voters, we have an excellent opportunity to hold them accountable. A third party will not accomplish that, it will only dilute the focus. A threat of a third party is, however, a valuable tool for keeping one (or both) parties at bay. It's simple, really. The elitist career politicians on both sides of the aisle crave power, and they need to be reminded that the power switch lies with the people, not themselves. A third party will only give them a better grip on power.
We will need to walk back about 80 years of progressive/socialist-democratic policies in order to reconcile the current political situation with the original American Dream. That is not going to happen in any one person's tenure in office. We will need to make a pragmatic approach, and recognize that we will be taking many, many measured steps to arrive at a long term correction. The ultimate objective of the Tea Party is absolutely the goal to be aimed at...but we won't get there if we try to take the shortcut and go the third party route.
That's not to say that if the Republicans don't toe the line, they can't be replaced by another, more effective party. I'm just saying that now is not the time. We must balance the romance of the grand vision the Tea Party offers with a pragmatic, long term grind geared to chip away at the monolith of progressive government intrusion. This election is the first step on a long journey. Let’s not try to leap to a solution--and end up falling down the slope of democratic socialism.
From CNS News.com: Debt Has Increased $5 Trillion Since Speaker Pelosi Vowed, 'No New Deficit Spending'
"After years of historic deficits, this 110th Congress will commit itself to a higher standard: Pay as you go, no new deficit spending,” Pelosi said in her speech from the speaker’s podium. “Our new America will provide unlimited opportunity for future generations, not burden them with mountains of debt."
And this surprises who?
November 2nd can't come soon enough.
And this surprises who?
November 2nd can't come soon enough.
Friday, October 22, 2010
The First Punk Generation President
It recently occurred to me that Barack Obama, our would-be Saviour and Benifactor, is about the same age as me...and that scares the bejesus out of me.
If you are close to my age too (I remember installing a new under dash 8-track deck in my truck in high school--that should tell you where I fit into the baby boomer generation) you already know that we were in grade school at the beginning of the "Social Engineering and Experimentation" phase of education in America, when just about every half-baked theory and left-leaning rubric, if you'll allow me to use the current jargon, was foisted on us by a the "experts" of education (with generally dismal results, in my opinion).
"Competition is bad for our little whelps. In order to prove how much we care about them, we need to nurture their sense of self-esteem and eliminate individual achievement," seemed to be their mantra.
(Hmmmm...sound remotely--well, marxist, doesn't it? I wonder where that influence came from? But I digress.)
The result of this was that over the past we as a nation have been raising an expanding percentage of arrogant punks from adolescence into adulthood.
Fast forward 40-odd years, and cue Barack Hussein Obama (Mmmm-Mmmm-Mmmm!) During the campaign Obama's self esteem began to appear from behind the curtain of pseudo-modesty constructed by his handlers and the legacy media. Since his election, the modesty curtain has completely evaporated, and the true extent of his collosal ego has become clear.
Writing two books about himself before he actually accomplished anything should have warned the country what we had in store. But who could imagine someone so utterly devoid of decorum and humility that they would give the Queen of England an IPod--like you can get at any Wal Mart--pre-loaded with his own speeches! He backed up that spectacular failure of grace by giving Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister of England, a few Wal-Mart quality movie DVDs (that were copied in the wrong format for Great Britain).
Now I'm just a hick from the sticks, and about as far removed from the Ivy league-Gentry Class as you can get, but even I can understand how completely clueless and classless that manuever was.
And that was only the beginning. Over the past three years, the embarassingly inappropriate displays of hubris have only multiplied.(See here, here, here, here, and here for just a few examples of the many available.)
Which makes me wonder: What is it going to take for Obama to come back and tread the earth with all of us mere mortals?
With any luck, the results of the mid-term elections might be a start.
If you are close to my age too (I remember installing a new under dash 8-track deck in my truck in high school--that should tell you where I fit into the baby boomer generation) you already know that we were in grade school at the beginning of the "Social Engineering and Experimentation" phase of education in America, when just about every half-baked theory and left-leaning rubric, if you'll allow me to use the current jargon, was foisted on us by a the "experts" of education (with generally dismal results, in my opinion).
"Competition is bad for our little whelps. In order to prove how much we care about them, we need to nurture their sense of self-esteem and eliminate individual achievement," seemed to be their mantra.
(Hmmmm...sound remotely--well, marxist, doesn't it? I wonder where that influence came from? But I digress.)
The result of this was that over the past we as a nation have been raising an expanding percentage of arrogant punks from adolescence into adulthood.
Fast forward 40-odd years, and cue Barack Hussein Obama (Mmmm-Mmmm-Mmmm!) During the campaign Obama's self esteem began to appear from behind the curtain of pseudo-modesty constructed by his handlers and the legacy media. Since his election, the modesty curtain has completely evaporated, and the true extent of his collosal ego has become clear.
Writing two books about himself before he actually accomplished anything should have warned the country what we had in store. But who could imagine someone so utterly devoid of decorum and humility that they would give the Queen of England an IPod--like you can get at any Wal Mart--pre-loaded with his own speeches! He backed up that spectacular failure of grace by giving Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister of England, a few Wal-Mart quality movie DVDs (that were copied in the wrong format for Great Britain).
Now I'm just a hick from the sticks, and about as far removed from the Ivy league-Gentry Class as you can get, but even I can understand how completely clueless and classless that manuever was.
And that was only the beginning. Over the past three years, the embarassingly inappropriate displays of hubris have only multiplied.(See here, here, here, here, and here for just a few examples of the many available.)
Which makes me wonder: What is it going to take for Obama to come back and tread the earth with all of us mere mortals?
With any luck, the results of the mid-term elections might be a start.
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