Saturday, December 31, 2011
"Robert Kennedy, Jr.’s ‘Green’ Company Scored $1.4 Billion Taxpayer Bailout"
Our elected officials have become so arrogant that they do stuff like this almost in broad daylight.
As the book title says: "Throw Them All Out"...
As the book title says: "Throw Them All Out"...
Wynton Hall recently posted this as part of his story at BigGovernment.com:
"The details of how BrightSource managed to land its ten-figure taxpayer bailout have yet to emerge fully. However, one clue might be found in the person of Sanjay Wagle.
Wagle was one of the principals in Kennedy’s firm who raised money for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. When Obama won the White House, Wagle was installed at the Department of Energy (DOE), advising on energy grants.
From an objective vantage point, investing taxpayer monies in BrightSource was a risky proposition at the time. In 2010, BrightSource, whose largest shareholder is Kennedy’s VantagePoint Partners, was up to its eyes in $1.8 billion of debt obligations and had lost $71.6 million on its paltry $13.5 million of revenue."
"Orange Juice: Some Moms Say It Has a 'Secret Ingredient' That Worries Them"
Year old "fresh" orange juice?...
ABC News has this in some recently reported health news:
"'One of the moms said she had read about [how the juice is made] and they held it in tanks for up to a year and it pretty much lost all of its flavor and had to be reinvigorated with these flavor packs, which are essentially chemicals," said Murakhver, 40, and co-author of "They Eat What?: A Cultural Encyclopedia of Weird and Exotic Food from around the World.'
'For the last 30 years, the citrus industry has used flavor packs to process what the Food and Drug Administration identifies as 'pasteurized' orange juice. That includes top brands such as Tropicana, Minute Maid, Simply Orange and Florida Natural, among others."
Friday, December 30, 2011
"Bankruptcy judge skeptical about Las Vegas Monorail plans"
When are we going to wake up and only fund projects that can pay for themselves?.
I bet more than one elected official's friends, relatives, and/or campaign contributors got rich on this one...
I bet more than one elected official's friends, relatives, and/or campaign contributors got rich on this one...
Steve Green writes about it at VegasInc.com:
"The Las Vegas Monorail was developed at a cost of $650 million — but based on its meager ridership and revenue levels it’s now worth just $16 million to $20 million.
That caused a bankruptcy judge to express skepticism Monday about Las Vegas Monorail Co.’s plan to emerge from bankruptcy in which it would still be encumbered by $44.5 million in debt — more than twice its value as a company.
On top of that, Judge Bruce Markell noted, the monorail’s own financial projections show it facing a deficit of $38.4 million in 2019."
"Stephanie Celandine Gyamfi | Perjury"
This IS the Department of Justice, so what kind of message does this send.
I don't like anyone losing their job; however, this behavior clearly justifies that type of penalty...
I don't like anyone losing their job; however, this behavior clearly justifies that type of penalty...
The Daily Caller's Matthew Boyle has the story:
"Throughout the inspector general’s investigation, one individual that Spakovsky said investigators interviewed multiple times was Gyamfi. 'According to numerous sources within the section, Ms. Gyamfi had been asked in two separate interviews whether she was involved in the leaking of confidential and privileged information out of the Voting Section,' Spakovsky wrote. 'Each time, she flatly denied any knowledge as to who was responsible for the leaks. In a third interview, she was once again questioned about her role in the leaks.'
'At first, she adamantly denied involvement,' Spakovsky continued. 'Then, however, she was confronted with e-mail documents rebutting her testimony. At that point, she immediately broke down and confessed that she had lied to the investigators three separate times.'
Gyamfi reportedly said that she lied to protect others within the DOJ."
Thursday, December 29, 2011
"... what Walker did in his first budget"
Apparently, Wisconsin is now far better off than in the past.
Even so, there is a movement underway to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.
He is being demonized for his efforts to create a balanced budget.
Can you spell "vindictive"?...
Even so, there is a movement underway to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.
He is being demonized for his efforts to create a balanced budget.
Can you spell "vindictive"?...
George Lightbourn, of Wisconsin's Free Market Think Tank, spends time explaining the details of the situation, and what really is happening:
"The unexciting truth is that Walker’s budget represented nothing more than a course correction. The two-year budget he signed into law increased state general fund spending by 2.5%, hardly the scorched-earth budget that has been described as “right-wing social engineering.” Local governments will be raising property tax bills by 1.2% the first year and 1.3% the second year. Again, these are relatively modest increases, requiring belt-tightening, to be sure, but they are still increases, not decreases. Many industries have been forced to make major cuts to their budgets and to their workforces. Neither has happened in state government.
There have been no state employees laid off, and under the Walker budget, furloughs are a thing of the past. All state workers retain their defined-benefit pensions, enviable health insurance and generous post-retirement health coverage.
The noisy defenders of the status quo would have us believe that Walker’s budget is the defining moment in the future of Wisconsin. Well, as a state, we can put down the paper bag and stop hyperventilating. This is not the end of life as we know it; it is just a balanced budget"
"Perry Is Right—There Is a Texas Model for Fixing Social Security" - WSJ.com
So, we live in a country where there is a proven (30 years) solution to the problem of funding retirement.
And our elected officials (read we) are too stupid to even consider it.
What does that say about our intelligence?...
And our elected officials (read we) are too stupid to even consider it.
What does that say about our intelligence?...
Merrill Matthews wrote about it a while back in the Wall Street Journal. Nothing has changed:
"To highlight the problems facing Social Security, Texas Gov. and Republican presidential hopeful Rick Perry is pointing to three Texas counties that decades ago opted out of Social Security by creating personal retirement accounts. Now, 30 years on, county workers in those three jurisdictions retire with more money and have better death and disability supplemental benefits. And those three counties—unlike almost all others in the United States—face no long-term unfunded pension liabilities."
Burzynski, The Movie - Cancer Is Serious Business
Sounds interesting...
:
"Burzynski, the Movie is the story of a medical doctor and Ph.D biochemist named Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski who won the largest, and possibly the most convoluted and intriguing legal battle against the Food & Drug Administration in American history.
His victorious battles with the United States government were centered around Dr. Burzynski's gene-targeted cancer medicines he discovered in the 1970's called Antineoplastons, which have currently completed Phase II FDA-supervised clinical trials in 2009 and could begin the final phase of FDA testing in 2011–barring the ability to raise the required $300 million to fund the final phase of FDA clinical trials.
When Antineoplastons are approved, it will mark the first time in history a single scientist, not a pharmaceutical company, will hold the exclusive patent and distribution rights on a paradigm-shifting medical breakthrough.
Antineoplastons are responsible for curing some of the most incurable forms of terminal cancer."
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
As Iowa Goes, So Goes Iowa - WSJ.com
The media hype about the Iowa caucuses would have us believe that it's the be-all and end-all for presidential candidates.
History indicates that's NOT exactly so...
History indicates that's NOT exactly so...
Michael Barone has this reminder in the Wall Street Journal:
"Every American should love Iowa (and all the other 49 states plus the District of Columbia and the territories, for that matter). But amid the pre-Jan. 3 buzz, it's worth remembering that Republicans in most states, for better or worse, haven't been doing much in the way of following Iowa's lead in selecting a GOP presidential nominee."
Homeowners Association vs Veteran
Some stories you just have to read for yourself...
I found this on the Reaganite Republican blog:
"Remember that Tough Ole Coot in Virginia Who Refused to Lower Old Glory...?"
"The fifth horseman of the apocalypse"
As we go about our daily lives, this scenario seems almost impossible to fathom.
Of course, if we're really paying attention, it's exactly why some are concerned here in the U.S. as we contemplate future entitlements...
Of course, if we're really paying attention, it's exactly why some are concerned here in the U.S. as we contemplate future entitlements...
This 3-page article, posted by Spengler on the Asia Times website, depicts a pretty frightening future:
"Population decline is the elephant in the world's living room. As a matter of arithmetic, we know that the social life of most developed countries will break down within two generations. Two out of three Italians and three of four Japanese will be elderly dependents by 2050. [1] If present fertility rates hold, the number of Germans will fall by 98% over the next two centuries. No pension and health care system can support such an inverted population pyramid. Nor is the problem limited to the industrial nations. Fertility is falling at even faster rates - indeed, at rates never before registered anywhere - in the Muslim world. The world's population will fall by as much as a fifth between the middle and the end of the 21st century, by far the worst decline in human history.
The world faces a danger more terrible than the worst Green imaginings. The European environmentalist who wants to shrink the world's population to reduce carbon emissions will spend her declining years in misery, for there will not be enough Europeans alive a generation from now to pay for her pension and medical care. [2] For the first time in world history, the birth rate of the whole developed world is well below replacement, and a significant part of it has passed the demographic point of no return."
The Cellulosic Ethanol Debacle - WSJ.com
Regardless of your political leaning, you can rest assured that elected officials are (mostly) all cut from the same cloth.
They are just so anxious to help us out (get votes) that they (continue to) fail to investigate anything before they mandate or pass into law something that the free market won't support...
They are just so anxious to help us out (get votes) that they (continue to) fail to investigate anything before they mandate or pass into law something that the free market won't support...
The Wall Street Journal tells us about the ethanol story:
"Congress mandated purchase of 250 million gallons in 2011. Actual production: 6.6 million."
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The Media - their reported "Poverty Figures May Be Wrong"
I guess we can't know if this was an honest mistake, or just sloppy journalism.
That said, I'm sure quite a few of us now think 50% of Americans are classified "poor", which is not actually true...
That said, I'm sure quite a few of us now think 50% of Americans are classified "poor", which is not actually true...
Sharon Bernstein recently wrote about it at NBClosangeles.com:
"You may have heard worried news reports that 50 percent of Americans had either fallen into poverty or are considered low income.
But while poverty in the United States is certainly an important issue, those figures appear to be wrong, perhaps based on a misunderstanding of the data by journalists who did not go back to the source to doublecheck their figures, said analysts at the U.S. Census Bureau district office in Los Angeles.
NBCLA worked with three data analysts at the Census Bureau to check the data, and the real figures do indeed appear to be quite different."
"Walking through doorways causes forgetting, new research shows"
Perhaps this is why the "open concept" has become popular...
Gabriel Radvansky posted this at EurekaAlert.com:
"New research from University of Notre Dame Psychology Professor Gabriel Radvansky suggests that passing through doorways is the cause of these memory lapses. "Entering or exiting through a doorway serves as an 'event boundary' in the mind, which separates episodes of activity and files them away," Radvansky explains."
"Portugal Is Latest Country To Go "MF Global", Raid Pensions Funds To Delay Fiscal Death"
This should give all of us something to think about...
Tyler Durden tells about this at ZeroHedge.com:
"the Telegraph writes: 'Portugal has raided €5.6bn (£4.8bn) of pension fund assets in a controversial scramble to meet its deficit targets.' And since the money is once again implicitly and explicitly used to patch broken fiscal models, it is as good as gone."
Monday, December 26, 2011
"Police employ Predator drone spy planes on home front"
With so much "news" these days, it's easy to miss things like this.
I suspect there eventually will be much controversy over this kind of activity...
I suspect there eventually will be much controversy over this kind of activity...
Brian Bennett recently posted this story at the L.A. Times:
"Fearful of an armed standoff, he called in reinforcements from the state Highway Patrol, a regional SWAT team, a bomb squad, ambulances and deputy sheriffs from three other counties.
He also called in a Predator B drone.
As the unmanned aircraft circled 2 miles overhead the next morning, sophisticated sensors under the nose helped pinpoint the three suspects and showed they were unarmed. Police rushed in and made the first known arrests of U.S. citizens with help from a Predator, the spy drone that has helped revolutionize modern warfare."
Sunday, December 25, 2011
2011-12-25 - Christmas Day
- Merry Christmas to ALL - ...
Saturday, December 24, 2011
If the Lights Go Out - WSJ.com
Although our air seems pretty clean, I'm sure it could be better, and that should be the goal.
That being said, it doesn't seem to be a "crisis", so I'm thinking there is time to "do no harm"...
That being said, it doesn't seem to be a "crisis", so I'm thinking there is time to "do no harm"...
This is from a recent Wall Street Journal opinion column:
"Last week FERC convened a conference on the wave of new Environmental Protection Agency rules that are designed to force dozens of coal-fired power plants to shut down. The meeting barely fulfilled the commission's legal obligations, but despite warnings from expert after expert, including some of its own, the FERC Commissioners refuse to do anything about this looming threat to electric reliability.
The latest body to sound the EPA alarm is the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), which last Tuesday released its exhaustive annual 10-year projections. 'Environmental regulations are shown to be the number one risk to reliability over the next one to five years,' the report explains.
NERC's forecasts are the gold standard for the U.S. power system because they are built from the bottom up, starting with finely grained data from individual plants. NERC has been doing this work since 1967, and since 2005 it has operated under the FERC umbrella as an 'electric reliability organization' similar to Finra, the securities regulator with quasi-governmental duties."
Friday, December 23, 2011
1981-12-23 - Thirty Years Ago
Say whatever you want. I like this guy...
Meanwhile - in San Francisco - Plastic Bags
I'm all for preserving the environment; however, "City documents report that single-use plastic bags represent 0.13 percent of California's total waste stream".
It seems that there must be something else that would benefit more from being "fixed"...
It seems that there must be something else that would benefit more from being "fixed"...
At Townhall.com, Debra J. Saunders writes about San Francisco's thinking:
"Exhibit A: San Francisco's groundbreaking Happy Meal law. McDonald's got around the ordinance that banned free toys with meals that don't meet City Hall's nutritional standards by announcing it will charge customers an extra 10 cents if they want a toy with the food.
Exhibit B: The Mirkarimi plan. Supervisors will vote on Plastic Bag 2.0 this month. It would come with a mandatory charge of at least 10 cents per bag starting July 1, possibly rising to 25 cents in 2014. Retailers would get to keep your dimes."
Thursday, December 22, 2011
The Financial Crisis on Trial - WSJ.com
Government at work destroying the economy.
That sounds harsh, doesn't it? Unfortunately it's true.
I doubt it was intentional; however, that's not much, considering the damage done because they always want to meddle where the free market would do better...
That sounds harsh, doesn't it? Unfortunately it's true.
I doubt it was intentional; however, that's not much, considering the damage done because they always want to meddle where the free market would do better...
Peter J. Wallison writes about it in the Wall Street Journal:
"The Securities and Exchange Commission's lawsuits against six top executives of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, announced last week, are a seminal event.
For the first time in a government report, the complaint has made it clear that the two government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) played a major role in creating the demand for low-quality mortgages before the 2008 financial crisis. More importantly, the SEC is saying that Fannie and Freddie—the largest buyers and securitizers of subprime and other low-quality mortgages—hid the size of their purchases from the market. Through these alleged acts of securities fraud, they did not just mislead investors; they deprived analysts, risk managers, rating agencies and even financial regulators of vital data about market risks that could have prevented the crisis."
"Colo. School Funding Methods Ruled Unconstitutional"
This looks like a real "house of cards" problem.
I wonder how many other states operate in the same way...
I wonder how many other states operate in the same way...
The Denver Channel's Wayne Harrison recently reported this:
"DENVER -- A Denver judge ruled Friday that Colorado's education funding system is 'irrational and inadequate' and violates the state's constitution -- a decision that's a victory for school districts and parents who sued but hardly the end of a years-long debate.
'There is not one school district that is sufficiently funded,' Denver District Court Judge Sheila Rappaport said about the state's system in her ruling. 'This is an obvious hallmark of an irrational system.'"
"The Decline of American History in Public Schools"
Apparently, history is just not a favored subject in our schools.
Considering some of the things that ARE being taught, I think history deserves some consideration...
Considering some of the things that ARE being taught, I think history deserves some consideration...
Daniel Doherty recently went to hear David McCullough, one of only a handful of Americans to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. At Townhall.com, he reports on his experience:
"I was surprised to hear him speak about the condition of U.S. public schools, and in particular how students lack a basic understanding of American history. Incidentally, the reason people were often thrilled to read his books, he said, was because they had never learned about these important subjects in school.
Nonetheless, after investigating what I imagined to be an exaggerated contention, I was appalled by what I discovered:"
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
"Newt's Past and Future Leadership"
There are always interesting choices to be made.
In professional sports, coaches often have a highly skilled player whose personal antics leave much to desire.
Similar to a cost-benefit analysis, they have to decide their overall value to the team.
The choice about Newt Gingrich seems somewhat similar...
In professional sports, coaches often have a highly skilled player whose personal antics leave much to desire.
Similar to a cost-benefit analysis, they have to decide their overall value to the team.
The choice about Newt Gingrich seems somewhat similar...
Tony Blankley was House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s press secretary for many years. At Creators.com, he reminds us of some things that aren't being mentioned lately:
"... what kind of candidate is most likely to make sense of the terrible events and forces that weigh down our country; be capable of vividly describing our plight and what needs to be done; and convince the public that he or she has the intelligence, courage, experience and sheer willful capacity to force events favorably to America's historic interests and needs?
As I have chosen to phrase that question, the question answers itself. It is the GOP candidate currently at the top of the polls — my former boss, Newt Gingrich.
But most Washington politicians don't see it that way. They see a conventional, close election — not a bold, historic lunge by the voters to save the country. They suggest Mitt Romney may be better positioned to stitch together a safe campaign that noses out Obama by a point or two, or comes up short by a point or two. He might be that candidate.
Thus, Romney received the endorsement of the GOP political types — congressmen and former congressmen. Now they are doubling down on their early bet and are out telling reporters that Gingrich was never much of a leader and never got much done."
"Shifting demographics and economic conditions combine for a 'New Normal.'"
Times HAVE definitely changed.
I found this to be quite informative. Perhaps you will, too...
I found this to be quite informative. Perhaps you will, too...
Michelle Miron writes about it at PressPubs.com:
"Big changes are coming worldwide as shifting demographics and economic conditions combine for a 'New Normal.'
Whether Americans see those changes as debilitating or a huge opportunity will decide America's future.
Those were among messages from State Economist Tom Stinson and State Demographer Tom Gillaspy as they made the presentation "The Boomer Tsunami" to a group of about 80 at Century College Oct. 5.
'We need to come to a decision about what kind of world we want to see,' stressed Gillaspy. 'It's not something we can put off another 30 or 40 years. We need to learn to talk about our differences ... (and) strategize about how to do things.'"
FATCA: A Ticking Time Bomb for the Economy - WSJ
I see this as another example of our elected officials not knowing the fine print of what they are voting on.
Far too many of our laws are passed with little or no consideration for long term or unintended consequences...
Far too many of our laws are passed with little or no consideration for long term or unintended consequences...
Peter W. Dunn recently wrote about this in the Wall Street Journal, including this paragraph quoted from "American Citizens Abroad":
"American Citizens Abroad reaches the following conclusions regarding the legislation:
FATCA legislation is predicated on the faulty assumption that foreigners throughout the world with no predisposition to favor the U.S. will react positively to its attempts to convert them into unpaid IRS agents. Faced with similar investment and personnel options without the legal jeopardy and financial risks, reasonable people will choose non-U.S. alternatives. FATCA implementation will constitute a major disruption of the entire international financial world as we know it today. Reasonable persons and entities will develop effective antibodies to this perceived infection, in ways too numerous and manifold to predict. What can be predicted is that the cumulative effect of this legislation will be a major blow to U.S. economic interests and prestige. At stake for the United States is the potential loss of trillions of dollars of investment, the opportunity for American companies and financial institutions to compete in a competitive global environment and the possibility for American citizens residing overseas to survive and thrive. In brief, the economic future of the United States."
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Capitalism and the Right to Rise - WSJ.com
This article is getting a lot of attention on the Internet.
After you read it, you may see why...
After you read it, you may see why...
Jeb Bush writes in the Wall Street Journal's Opinion page. He begins:
"Congressman Paul Ryan recently coined a smart phrase to describe the core concept of economic freedom: "The right to rise."
Think about it. We talk about the right to free speech, the right to bear arms, the right to assembly. The right to rise doesn't seem like something we should have to protect.
But we do. We have to make it easier for people to do the things that allow them to rise. We have to let them compete. We need to let people fight for business. We need to let people take risks. We need to let people fail. We need to let people suffer the consequences of bad decisions. And we need to let people enjoy the fruits of good decisions, even good luck.
That is what economic freedom looks like."
"Record numbers fail to clear No Child bar"
We continue to pay ever increasing amounts for this non-performance.
Could it be that money is NOT the answer to better education?...
Could it be that money is NOT the answer to better education?...
Ben Wolfgang writes about the latest statistics at WashingtonTimes.com:
"The numbers keep getting worse for the nation’s education system.
In the 2010-11 academic year, 48 percent of public schools — a record high — failed to meet the “adequate yearly progress” benchmarks established by the No Child Left Behind act, according to a new study by the Center on Education Policy, a nonpartisan think tank.
D.C. Public Schools ranked near the bottom, with 87 percent failing to clear the bar, the report says. Only Missouri was worse, with 88 percent of its schools falling short.
Wisconsin schools performed the best, with 11 percent missing the mark. In Maryland and Virginia, 45 percent and 62 percent, respectively, didn’t make adequate yearly progress."
"Former Obama lawyer admits deceiving Congress"
Apparently, he's still going to get the job.
I have a problem with this. Do you?...
I have a problem with this. Do you?...
Byron York has more on this story at WashingtonExaminer.com:
"There was no doubt the White House had failed to give Walpin 30 days' notice, but on the substance of the matter, Eisen told congressional investigators the White House had done a full investigation of complaints about Walpin's performance and the CNCS board had unanimously supported Walpin's removal.
Neither statement was true."
Warning: If There's 'Nuance,' You're Being Had - WSJ
I suspect that not everyone listens well enough to notice these things.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, I do.
Of course, that often leads me to wonder if the speaker is purposeful in their choice of words, or just plain sloppy...
Fortunately, or unfortunately, I do.
Of course, that often leads me to wonder if the speaker is purposeful in their choice of words, or just plain sloppy...
In the Wall Street Journal, Roland Toy recently elaborated on this opening:
"Clear speaking and clear writing are foundational to clear thinking. These concepts do not imply a crude command of language or understanding, but rather a solid command of thought. Unfortunately, clarity of expression is too often confused with primitiveness, and obscurity (or even gibberish) is too often confused with sophistication (or the dreaded nuance). These confusions are especially common in liberals and so-called intellectuals."
Monday, December 19, 2011
"More Children Killed by Pillows Than by Firearms"
Here's a statistical point you won't see in the American media...
AmmoLand.com recently called attention to this:
"For children and youth 14 years of age and under, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of fatality, but firearms account for the lowest cause of injury among youth.
'Tragically, 18 times more children are killed by suffocation from bedding, plastic bags or small objects than guns.' said Ammoland Editor, Fredy Riehl"
The Best Motivational Speech In Sports
Speakers ON.
Let's start our week with this one.
Scripted: yes, but great to listen too...
Let's start our week with this one.
Scripted: yes, but great to listen too...
Sunday, December 18, 2011
2011-12-18 - Words of Wisdom
Saturday, December 17, 2011
In Our Schools - Money buys what?
Don't miss that this is a 40 year graph!...
John Stossel has a perfectly informative graph in his posting about this:
"School spending has gone through the roof and test scores are flat.
While most every other service in life has gotten faster, better, and cheaper, one of the most important things we buy -- education -- has remained completely stagnant, unchanged since we started measuring it in 1970."
"French history erased in new wave of revisionism"
The history of a country is what it is.
It is not something to be dismissed in order to avoid hurt feelings...
It is not something to be dismissed in order to avoid hurt feelings...
RT.com recently posted this story:
"Parents and teachers across France are up in arms over new textbooks which carry accounts of French history revised to avoid insulting ethnic minority pupils. They say common sense has been sacrificed to political correctness in French schools.
Natives of France now fear their identity will soon disappear along with their history."
Friday, December 16, 2011
"...'NEETs' hit record high"
There's an acronym for almost everything.
I suspect the numbers are similar in the United States.
The number of young people without anything to do does not bode well...
I suspect the numbers are similar in the United States.
The number of young people without anything to do does not bode well...
Graeme Paton recently wrote about it in the U.K. Daily Telegraph:
"Official figures show almost 1.2 million people aged 16 to 24 are classed as “NEET” – not in education, employment or training – as school-leavers continue to bear the brunt of job shortages in the downturn.
The number of youngsters with effectively nothing to do in England soared by 137,000 – more than 12 per cent – in the third quarter of 2011 compared with the same period a year earlier. "
"British history to be put back on the curriculum"
I'm sure this problem is not exclusive to the United Kingdom.
Teaching and learning history is a hard sell...
Teaching and learning history is a hard sell...
Graeme Paton recently reported this in the U.K. Daily Telegraph:
"Addressing the History in Education conference in central London, Mr Gove told how a recent survey of 18- to 24-year-olds found that one-in-six believed that Oliver Cromwell – not Nelson – led the British fleet at Trafalgar.
A separate survey of students entering a Russell Group university to read history asked them to name the British general at Waterloo, the monarch during the Armada, Brunel's profession, a single 19th century Prime Minister and the location of the Boer War, said Mr Gove.
The survey found that just over one question in five was answered correctly."
Thursday, December 15, 2011
"Atheist messages displace CA park nativity scenes"
We all know California's inhabitants see the world differently in many ways.
As a result, they are broke.
They are surely broke financially; and, as this story shows they are really broke when it comes to respecting time-enduring traditions.
It's really sad to see how this transpired...
As a result, they are broke.
They are surely broke financially; and, as this story shows they are really broke when it comes to respecting time-enduring traditions.
It's really sad to see how this transpired...
GOPusa.com calls attention to Santa Monica's seeming disregard for Christian displays of nativity scenes:
"Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the three wise men have been ousted by atheists.
Most of the Christmas nativity scenes that churches had placed in a Santa Monica coastal park for decades have been displaced by non-religious displays — and the churches are crying conspiracy.
The Santa Monica Nativity Scenes Committee, a coalition of 13 churches, and the Santa Monica Police Officers Association, has traditionally claimed 14 of the 21 display spaces, which are vandal-proof, cage-like areas surrounded by chain-link fencing.
The coalition displays have featured life-size depictions of the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.
But atheists got all but three of the spaces this year because of a new lottery system."
You Have Never Seen So Many F-16s Ready for Battle In Your Life
I'm thinking I wouldn't want to get this photo included in a threatening letter...
Jesus Diaz has an impressive photo at Gizmodo.com:
"Unless you're part of the United States Air Force, you have never seen something like this:"
"Is Gallmann's Memoir the Source for Obama's?"
Here's yet another strange to say the least story about Mr. Obama's past.
There are so many of these that one does have to wonder...
There are so many of these that one does have to wonder...
Jack Cashill writes about this at AmericanThinker.com:
"Although not illegal, what Obama apparently allowed Ayers to do violates any number of ethical standards, and the fault here lies with Obama. Dreams was alleged to have been his own memoir, faithfully told. Using a ghostwriter is fair enough. Letting the ghostwriter mine someone else's experiences and call them your own is not."
"Pipeline opponents’ confusion makes for 'testy' hearing"
O.K. You tell me.
Are our elected officials this stupid; or, did they ask these questions to get some point on the record?
And tell me, Mr. school bus driver, can you promise all the kids you transport will actually attend class?...
Are our elected officials this stupid; or, did they ask these questions to get some point on the record?
And tell me, Mr. school bus driver, can you promise all the kids you transport will actually attend class?...
Jazz Shaw writes about this congressional hearing at HotAir.com:
"Questions were forthcoming from both House Democrats and environmental activists, all seeking to find additional reasons to stop the plan. "
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
"In U.S., Fear of Big Government at Near-Record Level"
If you are apprehensive about Big Government, you are not alone...
At Gallup.com, Elizabeth Mendes reports on recent polling:
"Americans' concerns about the threat of big government continue to dwarf those about big business and big labor, and by an even larger margin now than in March 2009. The 64% of Americans who say big government will be the biggest threat to the country is just one percentage point shy of the record high, while the 26% who say big business is down from the 32% recorded during the recession. Relatively few name big labor as the greatest threat."
"Sheriff Joe Captures Two Illegal Smugglers Who Had Been Deported 27 Times!"
Do you see anything wrong here?
I do...
I do...
John Hill reports this on the StandWithArizona blog:
"But the shocking detail of this arrest is the history of the two smugglers, and what it says about he disgraceful situation at our Southern border.
The two smugglers had been deported a combined 27 times! One smuggler, Ivan Lara-Roque, has been deported 13 times, and had been permanently banned from entering the United States (boy, that really stopped him, huh?). The other smuggler had been deported 14 times – the latest just one week earlier out of Colorado! That smugglers also admitted to 5 additional border crossings without being apprehended."
Obama Presidency by the Numbers
"14,000 abandoned wind turbines"
I bet you didn't know this...
Don Surber tells us about it on the DailyMail.com blog:
"Minnesotans for Global Warming report that in the last 30 years, the United States has had 14,000 wind turbines abandoned. Apparently, once the subsidies and the wind run out, these 20-story high Cuisinarts are de-bladed and retired. This means more bats and migratory birds will live.
From Minnesotans for Global Warming: 'The symbol of Green renewable energy, our savior from the non existent problem of Global Warming, abandoned wind farms are starting to litter the planet as globally governments cut the subsidies taxes that consumers pay for the privilege of having a very expensive power source that does not work every day for various reasons like it’s too cold or the wind speed is too high.'"
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
"U.S. boosts estimate of auto bailout losses to $23.6B"
A billion here and a billion there.
We need to be reminded VERY frequently that the government doesn't have it's own money.
When the government makes policy like this, the lost money comes from us...
We need to be reminded VERY frequently that the government doesn't have it's own money.
When the government makes policy like this, the lost money comes from us...
David Shepardson writes about the General Motors losses and also includes this:
"In total, the government used $425 billion to bailout banks, insurance companies and automakers, and provided $45 billion in housing program assistance.
The government now expects to lose $57.33 billion, including the full cost of the housing program, up from $36.7 billion. The new estimate means the government doesn't believe it will make an overall profit on its bailouts. "
Obama Administration’s Climate Change Policy: Barter Away Your Grandchildren’s Money, Legislate Away Yours
This should make us VERY uncomfortable...
Bruce McQuain posated about this at HotAir.com:
"Todd Stern, the Obama administration’s 'Special Envoy for Climate Change' held a quick press conference in Durban, South Africa where a UN conference on climate change is being held. He first made it a point to deny that the US was taking a 'time out' until 2020. He then said a couple of things which should make clear the administration’s agenda.
First, without a viable alternative for fossil fuel to this point, the intent of the administration is to increase prices on those fuels that will ensure they’re 'priced the way they ought to be'. Stern:"
"Energy Smackdown: Keystone XL vs. Solyndra"
This article compares potential results from building the Keystone XL pipeline and the solar and wind industries.
The current administrations clearly favors one over the other.
If reducing our dependency on "bad guys" oil is truly our desire, then we should embrace both of these ideas...
The current administrations clearly favors one over the other.
If reducing our dependency on "bad guys" oil is truly our desire, then we should embrace both of these ideas...
Robert Bryce writes about the issues on the National Review website. He begins:
"The two big energy stories of the moment are the Obama administration’s announcement that it will wait another year before making a final decision on the Keystone XL pipeline, and the continued pummeling of the Department of Energy and Energy Secretary Steven Chu for their handling of the $529 million loan guarantee to Solyndra.
So how do those two projects compare on critical issues such as economic impact and overall energy use? Even a cursory look at the two deals shows that, once again, the Obama administration’s energy priorities are — how to put this charitably? — misguided."
Monday, December 12, 2011
"The U.N. Sex for Food Scandal"
Be reminded that the U.S. is the main funder of the United Nations.
It is NOT exactly a worthwhile investment...
It is NOT exactly a worthwhile investment...
Katie Pavlich recently had this as one of her U.N. criticisms at Townhall.com:
"The United Nations should be really proud of this one. A new WikiLeaks cable shows U.N. 'peacekeepers' were holding food hostage from starving, underaged girls in the Ivory Coast, until sexual acts were performed to as 'payment' for food."
Government at Work - on the U.S. northern border
Of all the ways to save money, the government picks this!...
The Associated Press' Gene Johnson recently reported this:
"The routine bus, train and airport checks typically involved agents milling about and questioning people who appeared suspicious, and had long been criticized by immigrant rights groups. Critics said the tactic amounted to racial profiling and violated travelers' civil liberties.
But agents said it was an effective way to catch unlawful immigrants, including smugglers and possible terrorists, who had evaded detection at the border, as well as people who had overstayed their visas. Often, those who evade initial detection head quickly for the nearest public transportation in hopes of reaching other parts of the country.
Halting the practice has baffled the agents, especially in some stations along the northern border — from Bellingham, Washington, to Houlton, Maine — where the so-called 'transportation checks' have been the bulk of their everyday duties."
Miracle Speech - You were born for this
Speakers ON.
Let's start our week with this.
Those were the days...
Let's start our week with this.
Those were the days...
Sunday, December 11, 2011
2011-12-11 - Words of Wisdom
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Meanwhile - in a San Jose Post Office
Would you say this guy lives in his own world?...
WTSP - San Jose recently had this story:
"SAN JOSE (CBS 5) - A masked man's recent visit to a San Jose post office led to a response by the bomb squad. But the student at the center of Tuesday's bomb scare has an explanation for his attire."
"Legendary investor to Obama: Is all this class warfare rhetoric really necessary?"
Open letters are an interesting form of communication.
Clearly, they are intended to make sure the world knows the content sent...
Clearly, they are intended to make sure the world knows the content sent...
At HotAir.com, Tina Korbe describes her reaction to one written by Leon Cooperman:
"I’m not even the president and I feel chastised by the letter. As many a kid has been wont to proclaim, “I can handle it when my dad is angry with me, but when he’s disappointed … That’s the worst.” The searing disappointment that licks through this letter stings as anger never could."
Friday, December 09, 2011
The future is now with robotics
Concepts from science fiction continue to make their way into reality.
This is just one of many shown on the Gizmodo website...
This is just one of many shown on the Gizmodo website...
Gizmodo.com has a video showing this:
"Not merely satisfied with having the the top research labs develop robotic dogs and cheetahs and humans, DARPA's latest endeavor will see the military agency team up with MIT to develop FastRunner, a robotic ostrich capable of outrunning us all."
Thursday, December 08, 2011
Government at Work - on Seattle, WA
I'm sure that government does some things right.
However, the media sphere is just loaded with stories like this...
However, the media sphere is just loaded with stories like this...
Vanessa Ho recently wrote about this one at SeattlePI.com:
"It had heady goals: creating 2,000 living-wage jobs in Seattle and retrofitting 2,000 homes in poorer neighborhoods.
But more than a year later, Seattle's numbers are lackluster. As of last week, only three homes had been retrofitted and just 14 new jobs have emerged from the program. Many of the jobs are administrative, and not the entry-level pathways once dreamed of for low-income workers. Some people wonder if the original goals are now achievable."
"Dutch fall out of love with windmills"
Here's another story about windmills, and their shortcomings as to being cost effective.
I'm sure they shouldn't be totally abandoned; however, at the present time they just cannot live up to the hype...
I'm sure they shouldn't be totally abandoned; however, at the present time they just cannot live up to the hype...
Ivana Sekularac writes about them at Reuters.com. Notice who ends up paying:
"The 36 turbines -- each one the height of a 30-storey building -- produce enough electricity to meet the needs of more than 100,000 households each year.
But five years later the green future looks a long way off. Faced with the need to cut its budget deficit, the Dutch government says offshore wind power is too expensive and that it cannot afford to subsidize the entire cost of 18 cents per kilowatt hour -- some 4.5 billion euros last year.
The government now plans to transfer the financial burden to households and industrial consumers in order to secure the funds for wind power and try to attract private sector investment."
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
"Incriminating Timeline: Democrats Punt on Fiscal Responsibility"
Perhaps there is another timeline that would dispute this; but, somehow, I think not...
Elisabeth Meinecke recently posted at Townhall.com:
"The Senate Republican Budget press office sent out this rather incriminating timeline of the Democrats' complete lack of leadership and responsibility on the deficit issue. We're now over $15 trillion in debt, and they don't look like they're taking it any more seriously than back in January. Case in point: the country still doesn't have a budget."
Government at Work - in Nebraska
Government is NOT a competent steward of our money.
I am for "starving the beast".
Government can't waste what they don't get...
I am for "starving the beast".
Government can't waste what they don't get...
JournalStar.com editoroa;izes about wasted money in Nebraska:
"If you missed the story the first time around, prepare to experience a mounting sense of disbelief and outrage as the facts are repeated in this editorial.
At a shared cost of $800,565, the city and federal government are redoing 294 curb ramps, the sloping sections of concrete that lead from sidewalk to street at the corners of intersections.
Why?
The story starts with congressional approval of federal stimulus funding that pumped more than $800 billion into the economy for various projects."
"Gas Against Wind"
From time to time, I come across an article that I wish everyone would read, and this is one of them.
The comparisons made here are well-presented and remarkably understandable.
I couldn't even decide which one to use as my lead-in...
The comparisons made here are well-presented and remarkably understandable.
I couldn't even decide which one to use as my lead-in...
Matt Ridley's opening paragraph at NewGeography.com will have to do:
"Which would you rather have in the view from your house? A thing about the size of a domestic garage, or eight towers twice the height of Nelson’s column with blades noisily thrumming the air."
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
FBI's 'Stingray' Cellphone Tracker Stirs a Fight Over Search Warrants, Fourth Amendment - WSJ.com
It's not exactly a tracking device implanted under one's skin; however, considering the proliferation of cell-phones, it might as well be.
Now, maybe if you wrap your phone in tin foil...
Now, maybe if you wrap your phone in tin foil...
Jennifer Valentino-Devries reports on it in a recent Wall Street Journal column:
"Stingrays are designed to locate a mobile phone even when it's not being used to make a call. The Federal Bureau of Investigation considers the devices to be so critical that it has a policy of deleting the data gathered in their use, mainly to keep suspects in the dark about their capabilities, an FBI official told The Wall Street Journal in response to inquiries."
State of the Union Address by Franklin D. Roosevelt
If you didn't know the date, you would likely think this was a current situation.
History certainly has a way of repeating itself...
History certainly has a way of repeating itself...
TeachingAmericanHistory.org has a posting of Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1935 State of the Union Speech. It included this:
"A large proportion of these unemployed and their dependents have been forced on the relief rolls. The burden on the Federal Government has grown with great rapidity. We have here a human as well as an economic problem. When humane considerations are concerned, Americans give them precedence. The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual and moral disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fibre. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of sound policy. It is in violation of the traditions of America. Work must be found for able—bodied but destitute workers.
The Federal Government must and shall quit this business of relief."
Monday, December 05, 2011
"America’s Worst Wind-Energy Project"
Here's another alternative energy project that's not doing very well.
Oh, and by the way, it's burning up taxpayer dollars very quickly...
Oh, and by the way, it's burning up taxpayer dollars very quickly...
Robert Bryce includes this in his posting at NationalReview.com:
"The majority of the funding for the $1.9 billion, 845-megawatt Shepherds Flat wind project in Oregon is coming courtesy of federal taxpayers. And that largesse will provide a windfall for General Electric and its partners on the deal who include Google, Sumitomo, and Caithness Energy. Not only is the Energy Department giving GE and its partners a $1.06 billion loan guarantee, but as soon as GE’s 338 turbines start turning at Shepherds Flat, the Treasury Department will send the project developers a cash grant of $490 million."
"Thomas Sowell On Gingrich And Immigration"
Immigration laws have not be enforced very well for a very long time.
In fact, for so long, that we are likely forgetting their original intent...
In fact, for so long, that we are likely forgetting their original intent...
Thomas Sowell has some interesting points in his article at Investors.com:
"The more doctrinaire libertarians see the benefits of free international trade in goods, and extend the same reasoning to free international movement of people. But goods do not bring a culture with them. Nor do they give birth to other goods to perpetuate that culture.
Why do people want to come to America in the first place? Because America offers them something that their native countries do not. This country has a culture which has produced a higher standard of living and a freer life than in many other countries.
When you import people, you import cultures, including cultures that have been far less successful in providing decent lives and decent livelihoods. The American people have a right to decide for themselves whether they want unlimited imports of cultures from other countries."
"Suspects snared in free beer sting"
The lure of "free beer" is pretty reliable...
The Derbyshire Police website has the story:
"A total of 19 suspects fell for the hoax and called the number which put them through to police officers based at Chesterfield Police Station.
A time and date was arranged for the free alcohol to be dropped off and the suspects were arrested."
Sunday, December 04, 2011
2011-12-04 - Words of Wisdom
Saturday, December 03, 2011
"Green Tesla Motors: Another Day, Another Solyndra"
Our taxpayer dollars are being used to allow certain pretty wealthy people a chance to increase that wealth.
Sadly, it's proving to be money down the drain...
Sadly, it's proving to be money down the drain...
Richard Pollock writes about this one at PJmedia.com:
"1.6% from DOE to manufacture an all-electric car that will sell for nearly $50,000. It will not exactly be the people’s car. Tesla also builds luxury sports cars that retail for $103,000 to $128,000.
Tesla also is no simple new age car company. It is owned and financed by big donors to the Democratic Party and to Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. Tesla’s principal owner is Elon Musk, the founder of PayPal. He has an estimated personal wealth of $672 million. His firm received venture capital from the The Westly Group, Daimler Chrysler, and from Abu Dhabi investors. The firm has partnerships with luxury sports car manufacturer Lotus and with Mercedes-Benz.
The secret to access to the DOE money is The Westly Group, run by California Democratic Party stalwart and big Obama campaign bundler Steve Westly. The former eBay executive wasn’t merely a prodigious fundraiser for Obama, raising $500,000 for his presidential campaign. He also served as the president’s California campaign co-chairman. Another Obama $500,000 bundler was Solyndra investor George Kaiser and his foundation."
"Slopping out case: life of luxury in British jails"
This is a long way from just "bread and water"...
The U.K. Daily Telegraph recently reported:
"Prisoners in some modern British jails have been given luxuries such as including computer consoles, flat screen televisions complete with satellite channels and en-suite lavatories."
Friday, December 02, 2011
Flight 447
It wasn't too long ago that I posted an article about the dangers of algorithms.
It is worrisome when we become so dependent on systems to provide the right answer that we lose the ability to manage things ourselves.
Of course, I guess that was said about the calculator...
It is worrisome when we become so dependent on systems to provide the right answer that we lose the ability to manage things ourselves.
Of course, I guess that was said about the calculator...
This posting by Paul Bertorelli at AVweb,com, discusses a book about the crash of Air France's Flight 447:
"Have we become so arrogant in the age of automation that, institutionally, we think it unnecessary to train people to actually hand fly on instruments? Are all Air France pilots so poorly trained, or was this crew simply an anomaly? And how about other airlines?"
Biggs and Richwine: Public School Teachers Aren't Underpaid - WSJ.com
This article supports that teachers have no grounds for complaining.
There's much more to this article than the quoted paragraphs I selected...
There's much more to this article than the quoted paragraphs I selected...
Andrew G. Biggs and Jason Richwine includes this in his recent Wall Street Journal article:
"Nevertheless, most public school teachers would not earn more in private employment. According to our analysis of the Census Bureau's Survey of Income and Program Participation, the average person who moves into teaching receives a pay increase of almost 9%, while the average teacher who leaves for the private economy must take a pay cut of over 3%.
This is the opposite of what we would expect if teachers were underpaid. It also helps explain why more people seek teaching jobs—as measured through the number of teaching graduates and applications for teaching positions—than can possibly find them.
In short, combining salaries, fringe benefits and job security, we have calculated that public school teachers receive around 52% more in average compensation than they could earn in the private sector."
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Government at Work - "Yes, There is a Free Lunch"
Considering that this article only discusses Wisconsin, I can just imagine what's the numbers are for the entire U.S. ...
Mike Nichols writes about Wisconsin's school lunches at WPRI.org:
"The practice is so common and ingrained that scores of middle-class families — when granted anonymity — have admitted during interviews that their children are being fed through government nutrition programs designed to help their less fortunate neighbors.
What’s more, they are just a small fraction of what are likely tens of thousands of relatively well-off state families siphoning money and food from school breakfast, lunch or snack programs, a Wisconsin Interest investigation has found.
Census data indicates that there are simply many more students in Wisconsin now certified to receive a free or greatly reduced-price lunch — 41% — than can possibly be below income thresholds for the program. And with government subsidies of $2 or $3 per meal — and tens of millions of essentially free meals served every year — the cost is enormous."
The Media - "Journalist Hypocrisy"
The examples in this article are quite obvious.
Of course, the biased media isn't likely to report on the hypocritical media...
Of course, the biased media isn't likely to report on the hypocritical media...
Dan Gainor points out some pretty obvious cases at CNSnews.com:
"Tune in the evening news and you’d think America is a scandal-plagued nation. Scandals to the right of us, scandals to the left of us. There’s the media assault on GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain, the deadly Fast and Furious federal gun-running case, the Solyndra solar loan fiasco or the collapse of MF Global, led by former Democratic N.J. Gov. Jon Corzine.
But the real scandal isn’t any one of those. It’s how journalists pick and choose which controversies to play up and which to play down."
"The United States of Adult Dependence"
I don't think we should be surprised by this.
It's only natural that parents try to take care of their kids.
Unfortunately, as the statistics presented show, this looks to be a way of life for some time to come...
It's only natural that parents try to take care of their kids.
Unfortunately, as the statistics presented show, this looks to be a way of life for some time to come...
David Morris has several unattractive statistics like this one in his posting at Townhall.com:
"A total of 3,205,000 post-high school degrees were conferred in May of 2011, yet only 54,000 new jobs were created that month. With a labor market already approximated at around 198 million people, such a ratio of new-jobs-to-new-graduates spells easily falls short of what's necessary to launch the promise of a new generation into the labor market. Even the most optimistic of estimates places a rate of 130,000 jobs per month as necessary if a return to pre-recession unemployment is to be obtained. The 84,000 jobs created in October, though a 'recent high' still falls woefully short of a solution."
