Author: Robert Zimmerman
Annual U.S. government waste estimated at $125 billion
Another reason to cut the federal budget: The U.S. government estimates it wastes about $125 billion per year.
Another reason to cut the federal budget: The U.S. government estimates it wastes about $125 billion per year.
Twitter death threats against Wisconsin governor Scott Walker
More civility from the left: Watch this video of Twitter death threats against Wisconsin governor Scott Walker.
More civility from the left: Watch this video of Twitter death threats against Wisconsin governor Scott Walker.
Wheelchair bound wounded vet jeered, heckled, and laughed at by university students
The civil tone of the left: A wheelchair-bound, wounded veteran was jeered, heckled, and laughed at by Columbia University students. Key quote:
“Racist!” some students yelled at Anthony Maschek, a Columbia freshman and former Army staff sergeant awarded the Purple Heart after being shot 11 times in a firefight in northern Iraq in February 2008. Others hissed and booed the veteran.
Maschek, 28, had bravely stepped up to the mike Tuesday at the meeting to issue an impassioned challenge to fellow students on their perceptions of the military. “It doesn’t matter how you feel about the war. It doesn’t matter how you feel about fighting,” said Maschek. “There are bad men out there plotting to kill you.”
The civil tone of the left: A wheelchair-bound, wounded veteran was jeered, heckled, and laughed at by Columbia University students. Key quote:
“Racist!” some students yelled at Anthony Maschek, a Columbia freshman and former Army staff sergeant awarded the Purple Heart after being shot 11 times in a firefight in northern Iraq in February 2008. Others hissed and booed the veteran.
Maschek, 28, had bravely stepped up to the mike Tuesday at the meeting to issue an impassioned challenge to fellow students on their perceptions of the military. “It doesn’t matter how you feel about the war. It doesn’t matter how you feel about fighting,” said Maschek. “There are bad men out there plotting to kill you.”
Tea Party protesters vs Union protesters in Wisconsin today
It was Tea Party protesters vs union protesters today in Wisconsin.
Two other Wisconsin stories that require mention:
Union protester attempts to destroy the Tea Party rally’s speaker system [with video].
Fake sick notes were being handed out to union teachers by doctors at Wisconsin union rally.
It was Tea Party protesters vs union protesters today in Wisconsin.
Two other Wisconsin stories that require mention:
Union protester attempts to destroy the Tea Party rally’s speaker system [with video].
Fake sick notes were being handed out to union teachers by doctors at Wisconsin union rally.
House cuts off funds to IPCC
Listen to the squealing: Scientists criticize the House vote to cut off funds to the IPCC. Key quote:
Without the federal support, [Stanford ecologist Chris Field] said, “We’d have no ability to organize meetings, we’d have no ability to coordinate chapters.”
In other words, no more jaunts to Cancun in the midst of winter. What a shame!
Considering the insincere effort of the IPCC and its scientists to correct its numerous errors, as well as their admitted political agenda, it seems completely appropriate to stop funding it with U.S. tax dollars. If these environmentalists want to issue a report, they should pay for it themselves.
Listen to the squealing: Scientists criticize the House vote to cut off funds to the IPCC. Key quote:
Without the federal support, [Stanford ecologist Chris Field] said, “We’d have no ability to organize meetings, we’d have no ability to coordinate chapters.”
In other words, no more jaunts to Cancun in the midst of winter. What a shame!
Considering the insincere effort of the IPCC and its scientists to correct its numerous errors, as well as their admitted political agenda, it seems completely appropriate to stop funding it with U.S. tax dollars. If these environmentalists want to issue a report, they should pay for it themselves.
Who will buy?
The memoir of a substitute teacher during a teachers strike
The memoir of a substitute teacher during a teachers strike. Key quote:
After the first week the phone calls in the evening began. After the first call, I had to not allow my children to answer the phone, as when the first call came, my seven year old answered and she heard an earful of cursing and threats that put her into tears. From that point on, we did not answer the phone in the evening unless I designated my husband to the task.
The memoir of a substitute teacher during a teachers strike. Key quote:
After the first week the phone calls in the evening began. After the first call, I had to not allow my children to answer the phone, as when the first call came, my seven year old answered and she heard an earful of cursing and threats that put her into tears. From that point on, we did not answer the phone in the evening unless I designated my husband to the task.
U.S. House Votes to Cut $61 Billion in Government Spending
The House voted today to cut $61 billion from the federal budget.
It ain’t as much as they promised, and it ain’t as much as we need cut to get the budget under control. Nonetheless, this is progress.
The House voted today to cut $61 billion from the federal budget.
It ain’t as much as they promised, and it ain’t as much as we need cut to get the budget under control. Nonetheless, this is progress.
The uncertainty of climate science
In today’s listing of new science papers published by the American Geophysical Union, two papers illustrate quite clearly why the certainty of knowledge expressed by Presidential Science Advisor John Holdren in his testimony before Congress on Thursday is both mistaken and dangerous.
» Read more
Science budget map
Want to know whose getting what? The journal Science has put together this nice interactive table showing the various proposed budgets for the various science agencies in the federal government.
Though the magazine is undeniably pro-spending for science, the information is useful, as it shows clearly that even if every Republican cut is approved, the amount of money for most of these agencies will not be, on average, much different than what was spent in 2008. And it seems to me that in 2008 there was plenty of money for science in the federal government. Probably too much.
Want to know whose getting what? The journal Science has put together this nice interactive table showing the various proposed budgets for the various science agencies in the federal government.
Though the magazine is undeniably pro-spending for science, the information is useful, as it shows clearly that even if every Republican cut is approved, the amount of money for most of these agencies will not be, on average, much different than what was spent in 2008. And it seems to me that in 2008 there was plenty of money for science in the federal government. Probably too much.
Proposed $18.7 Billion NASA Budget Draws Early Fire from Capitol Hill
The space war continues. Obama’s proposed $18.7 billion NASA budget has already drawn fire in Congress.
As I have said before, considering the dire state of the federal debt, I think NASA will be very lucky to survive with even this budget.
The space war continues. Obama’s proposed $18.7 billion NASA budget has already drawn fire in Congress.
As I have said before, considering the dire state of the federal debt, I think NASA will be very lucky to survive with even this budget.
Final liftoff for Discovery set for Thursday, Feb 24
The final launch for the space shuttle Discovery has now been set for Thursday, February 24.
The final launch for the space shuttle Discovery has now been set for Thursday, February 24.
Update in Wisconsin
Hotair has this nice summary of today’s madness in Wisconsin. Key quote:
Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald said he decided to adjourn the Assembly this evening because Gov. Scott Walker called minutes before lawmakers took the floor to tell him to get his caucus members and staff out of the building because their safety could no longer be assured.
Hotair has this nice summary of today’s madness in Wisconsin. Key quote:
Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald said he decided to adjourn the Assembly this evening because Gov. Scott Walker called minutes before lawmakers took the floor to tell him to get his caucus members and staff out of the building because their safety could no longer be assured.
More quakes in Arkansas, including a 4.3
The mysterious swarm of earthquakes in Arkansas keep coming, including a 4.3 quake today.
The mysterious swarm of earthquakes in Arkansas keep coming, including a 4.3 quake today.
Judge gives states deadline to respond to White House over Obamacare lawsuit
Showdown coming! The judge who ruled Obamacare unconstitutional has given the suing states until Thursday to respond to the White House’s request that the law be implemented despite his ruling.
Showdown coming! The judge who ruled Obamacare unconstitutional has given the suing states until Thursday to respond to the White House’s request that the law be implemented despite his ruling.
Repealing ObamaCare to Reduce Gross Spending By $1.4 Trillion Over Next Decade
Repeal the damn bill! According to a new report from the Congressional Budget Office, repealing Obamacare will reduce spending by $1.4 trillion over next decade.
Repeal the damn bill! According to a new report from the Congressional Budget Office, repealing Obamacare will reduce spending by $1.4 trillion over next decade.
House rejects extra $22 billion in additional cuts
The House today rejected an extra $22 billion in additional cuts, proposed by the tea party members of the Republican party.
Though this is extremely disappointing, especially considering the large number of Republicans who helped defeat these cuts, it really only indicates the long and winding road that lies before us. Getting the federal budget under control is going to take time and determination. And it won’t be a straightforward path, always ahead. There will be defeats along the way. The important thing is to keep up the budget pressure, pushing one cut if another fails.
The House today rejected an extra $22 billion in additional cuts, proposed by the tea party members of the Republican party.
Though this is extremely disappointing, especially considering the large number of Republicans who helped defeat these cuts, it really only indicates the long and winding road that lies before us. Getting the federal budget under control is going to take time and determination. And it won’t be a straightforward path, always ahead. There will be defeats along the way. The important thing is to keep up the budget pressure, pushing one cut if another fails.
Hey Apple
House pulls plug on health law funds
Right on! House today approved several amendments to block significant areas of funding for Obamacare.
Right on! House today approved several amendments to block significant areas of funding for Obamacare.
According to ACLU, you can be Christian as long as you don’t follow your beliefs
This is freedom of speech and religion according to ACLU: You can be Christian as long as you don’t follow your beliefs.
This is freedom of speech and religion according to ACLU: You can be Christian as long as you don’t follow your beliefs.
Gliese 581g: Alive or Dead?
The uncertainty of science: The discoverers of the possibly habitable exoplanet Gliese 581g defend their work against recent science attacks.
The uncertainty of science: The discoverers of the possibly habitable exoplanet Gliese 581g defend their work against recent science attacks.
Holdren of the Obama administration:
Deniers no, Ignorant yes!
The following story is why the advocates of global warming are losing the debate: At House hearings yesterday, Obama’s science advisor John Holdren admitted that using the term “deniers” to describe scientists who had doubts about global warming is inappropriate. “It was not my intent to compare them to Holocaust deniers, and I regret it,” he replied. “In the future I will find other terms to use.”
Sounds good, doesn’t it? Shortly thereafter, however, during the same hearing, Holdren then said this about a list of 100 climate scientists [word file] who remain skeptical about global warming:
“I haven’t seen the list,” Holdren began. “But in the past, most of the names on such petitions have turned out not to be climate scientists, and one could assume that they had not spent much time reviewing the literature.”
Without any knowledge, he slams these scientists, accusing them of being ignorant of the science.
» Read more
Robot arm on ISS shifts Japanese freighter to different port to clear path for shuttle
The robot arm on ISS shifted the Japanese freighter docked there to a different port today to clear a path for the shuttle.
The robot arm on ISS shifted the Japanese freighter docked there to a different port today to clear a path for the shuttle.
“Couldn’t he pretend he’s president?”
How to follow the events in Wisconsin
How to follow the events in Wisconsin.
How to follow the events in Wisconsin.
Federal judge lowers the boom on the Obama administration on drilling permits
The law is for everyone: A federal judge has lowered the boom on the Obama administration over its refusal to issue permits for drilling oil in the Gulf of Mexico. Key quote:
In issuing the directive to the government, Feldman, who sits on the District Court for the Eastern District of Louisian, noted that “it is undisputed that before the Deepwater Horizon disaster, permits were processed, on average, in two weeks’ time. In stark contrast, the five permits at issue have been pending from four to some nine months.”
The law is for everyone: A federal judge has lowered the boom on the Obama administration over its refusal to issue permits for drilling oil in the Gulf of Mexico. Key quote:
In issuing the directive to the government, Feldman, who sits on the District Court for the Eastern District of Louisian, noted that “it is undisputed that before the Deepwater Horizon disaster, permits were processed, on average, in two weeks’ time. In stark contrast, the five permits at issue have been pending from four to some nine months.”
More Webb budget troubles
According to its manager, the budget troubles of the James Webb Space Telescope will likely keep it on the ground until 2016.
This is terrible news for space-based astrophysics. Until Webb gets launched, NASA will have no money for any other space telescope project. And since all the space telescopes presently in orbit are not expected to be operating at the end of the decade, by 2020 the U.S. space astronomy program will essentially be dead.
Then again, there is the private sector, as Google Lunar X Prize is demonstrating.
According to its manager, the budget troubles of the James Webb Space Telescope will likely keep it on the ground until 2016.
This is terrible news for space-based astrophysics. Until Webb gets launched, NASA will have no money for any other space telescope project. And since all the space telescopes presently in orbit are not expected to be operating at the end of the decade, by 2020 the U.S. space astronomy program will essentially be dead.
Then again, there is the private sector, as Google Lunar X Prize is demonstrating.
U.S. military turns to private sector for its satellite communications needs
Now, was that so hard? The U.S. military is turning to the private sector to fill its satellite communications needs.
Now, was that so hard? The U.S. military is turning to the private sector to fill its satellite communications needs.
Boehner says spending must be cut, but Senate Dems won’t budge
The Republicans in the House are insisting that there must be some spending cuts before they will agree to a continuing resolution. Senate Democrats are refusing any compromise.
The result will be a government shutdown. And the fault, as far as I am concerned, will lie with the Democrats, who are the ones screaming shutdown almost like they can’t wait for it to happen.
The Republicans in the House are insisting that there must be some spending cuts before they will agree to a continuing resolution. Senate Democrats are refusing any compromise.
The result will be a government shutdown. And the fault, as far as I am concerned, will lie with the Democrats, who are the ones screaming shutdown almost like they can’t wait for it to happen.