The Non-Leadership Act
Six Congressmen have introduced a bill that would have the NASA administrator serve a ten year term, and put the running of the space agency in the hands of an unelected board of directors.
Some details:
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Tag: government
A Texas school district has banned the use of religious signs at football games, even if created entirely and freely by the students.
A Texas school district has banned the use of religious signs at football games, even if the signs were created entirely and freely by the students.
[According to Kevin Weldon, the district’s superintendent], legal counsel recommended that religious activities not be carried out, even if the are being organized and implemented by students. “Per the advice of TASB Legal, please do not allow any student groups to display any religious signs or messages at school-sponsored events,” the superintendent wrote in a letter to parents who are involved in organizing extracurricular activities.
So, according to the legal counsel for this school district, freedom of religion and speech is outlawed at any government event. What a crock.
The good news is that the students are refusing to back down, and intend to display even more signs at future events.
A Texas school district has banned the use of religious signs at football games, even if the signs were created entirely and freely by the students.
[According to Kevin Weldon, the district’s superintendent], legal counsel recommended that religious activities not be carried out, even if the are being organized and implemented by students. “Per the advice of TASB Legal, please do not allow any student groups to display any religious signs or messages at school-sponsored events,” the superintendent wrote in a letter to parents who are involved in organizing extracurricular activities.
So, according to the legal counsel for this school district, freedom of religion and speech is outlawed at any government event. What a crock.
The good news is that the students are refusing to back down, and intend to display even more signs at future events.
The cost of regulations is 80 times higher than OMB’s estimate, according to the estimates of each individual government agency.
We’re more doomed than we know: The cost of government regulation is actually 80 times higher than OMB’s estimate, according to the estimates made by each individual government agency.
“While OMB officially reports amounts of only up to $88.6 billion in 2010 dollars,” said Crews, “the non-tax cost of government intervention in the economy, without performing a sweeping survey, appears to total up to $1.806 trillion annually.”
The $1.8 trillion number comes from looking at the estimates made by each agency and then adding them up.
We’re more doomed than we know: The cost of government regulation is actually 80 times higher than OMB’s estimate, according to the estimates made by each individual government agency.
“While OMB officially reports amounts of only up to $88.6 billion in 2010 dollars,” said Crews, “the non-tax cost of government intervention in the economy, without performing a sweeping survey, appears to total up to $1.806 trillion annually.”
The $1.8 trillion number comes from looking at the estimates made by each agency and then adding them up.
Obamacare: a program in disarray.
Obamacare: a program in disarray.
The critical regulations outlining what the Obamacare insurance benefit will look like was supposed to be out more than six months ago. Now it looks like this regulation won’t be dropped until after the election.
The author then describes each component of the law that is failing in one way or the other. I especially like this paragaph:
The crown jewel of Obamacare’s effort to contain healthcare costs, the creation of Accountable Care Organizations, is so unwieldy that major provider groups have said they won’t participate. The idea is to consolidate doctors, turning them into employees of large systems, and then pay these systems lump sums of money to take care of groups of patients. A letter from 10 major medical groups that previously ran similar programs said, “it would be difficult, if not impossible” to accept the financial design created by Obamacare. In another rebuke, an umbrella group representing premier medical organizations said 90 percent of its members wouldn’t partake.
None of this is a surprise to those who opposed this turkey of a law. We were right to oppose it, and we are right to want it repealed.
Obamacare: a program in disarray.
The critical regulations outlining what the Obamacare insurance benefit will look like was supposed to be out more than six months ago. Now it looks like this regulation won’t be dropped until after the election.
The author then describes each component of the law that is failing in one way or the other. I especially like this paragaph:
The crown jewel of Obamacare’s effort to contain healthcare costs, the creation of Accountable Care Organizations, is so unwieldy that major provider groups have said they won’t participate. The idea is to consolidate doctors, turning them into employees of large systems, and then pay these systems lump sums of money to take care of groups of patients. A letter from 10 major medical groups that previously ran similar programs said, “it would be difficult, if not impossible” to accept the financial design created by Obamacare. In another rebuke, an umbrella group representing premier medical organizations said 90 percent of its members wouldn’t partake.
None of this is a surprise to those who opposed this turkey of a law. We were right to oppose it, and we are right to want it repealed.
The White House press secretary today “question[ed] the judgment” of someone publishing cartoons critical of Mohammad and Islam.
Cowards: The White House press secretary today “question[ed] the judgment” of someone publishing cartoons critical of Mohammad and Islam.
Carney said the White House supports free speech, but that is a lie if they are not going to defend the use that right in all cases.
Cowards: The White House press secretary today “question[ed] the judgment” of someone publishing cartoons critical of Mohammad and Islam.
Carney said the White House supports free speech, but that is a lie if they are not going to defend the use that right in all cases.
A mural in Oregon.
A Florida family now faces fines for hosting weekly Bible study sessions in their home.
A Florida family now faces fines for hosting weekly Bible study sessions in their home.
Shane and Marlen Roessiger, of Venice, Fla. are facing a $250 per day fine for hosting Friday night prayer and Bible study gatherings that are attended by as many as 10 people. “It is difficult to understand how it is illegal to have a prayer meeting on Friday night with a half dozen people but it is alright if I invited the same group on Monday evening to watch Monday night Football,” Roessiger said. The Roessigers are also facing a fine for putting a small sign in their front yard.
Gee, maybe they should riot and kill people instead. That way the government would call them members of the religion of peace and let them practice their religion freely.
A Florida family now faces fines for hosting weekly Bible study sessions in their home.
Shane and Marlen Roessiger, of Venice, Fla. are facing a $250 per day fine for hosting Friday night prayer and Bible study gatherings that are attended by as many as 10 people. “It is difficult to understand how it is illegal to have a prayer meeting on Friday night with a half dozen people but it is alright if I invited the same group on Monday evening to watch Monday night Football,” Roessiger said. The Roessigers are also facing a fine for putting a small sign in their front yard.
Gee, maybe they should riot and kill people instead. That way the government would call them members of the religion of peace and let them practice their religion freely.
Another college has filed suit against Obamacare and the Obama administration’s mandate forcing them to buy contraceptives in violation of their religious beliefs.
We’ve only just begun. Another college has filed suit against Obamacare and the Obama administration’s mandate forcing them to buy contraceptives in violation of their religious beliefs.
We’ve only just begun. Another college has filed suit against Obamacare and the Obama administration’s mandate forcing them to buy contraceptives in violation of their religious beliefs.
A Justice department official today refused to rule out the possibility of passing a law that would criminalize speech against any religion.
A Justice department official today refused to rule out the idea of passing a law that would criminalize speech against any religion. With video.
The exact wording of the question: “Will you tell us here today that this administration’s Department of Justice will never entertain or advance a proposal that criminalizes speech against any religion?”
Despite being asked the question four times, the official consistently refused to answer the question directly. In other words, the Obama administration would consider criminalizing speech against religion. Or to put it more bluntly, they don’t believe in freedom of speech.
A Justice department official today refused to rule out the idea of passing a law that would criminalize speech against any religion. With video.
The exact wording of the question: “Will you tell us here today that this administration’s Department of Justice will never entertain or advance a proposal that criminalizes speech against any religion?”
Despite being asked the question four times, the official consistently refused to answer the question directly. In other words, the Obama administration would consider criminalizing speech against religion. Or to put it more bluntly, they don’t believe in freedom of speech.
A mother was arrested and jailed because a neighbor complained that she was allowing her kids to play outside.
Freedom dies, one inch at a time: A mother was arrested and jailed because a neighbor complained that she was allowing her kids to play outside.
Freedom dies, one inch at a time: A mother was arrested and jailed because a neighbor complained that she was allowing her kids to play outside.
Congress is on a pace this year to pass the fewest laws in a single year since World War II.
Gridlock is good! Congress is on a pace this year to pass the fewest laws in a single year since World War II.
Just 61 bills have become law to date in 2012 out of 3,914 bills that have been introduced by lawmakers, or less than 2 percent of all proposed laws, according to a USA Today analysis of records since 1947 kept by the U.S. House Clerk’s office.
Gridlock is good! Congress is on a pace this year to pass the fewest laws in a single year since World War II.
Just 61 bills have become law to date in 2012 out of 3,914 bills that have been introduced by lawmakers, or less than 2 percent of all proposed laws, according to a USA Today analysis of records since 1947 kept by the U.S. House Clerk’s office.
“I demand to be arrested.”
Me too! “I demand to be arrested.”
Me too! “I demand to be arrested.”
Obama cracks down on free speech.
Obama cracks down on free speech.
In order to spare themselves the sort of critical scrutiny to which they are unaccustomed, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have fallen in with the absurd claim that violence has broken out in eleven Muslim countries, and terrorists armed with RPGs and (reportedly) mortars carried out a military operation to assassinate a U.S. ambassador, as a result of a 14-minute YouTube video. As always, Obama’s first priority is to point the finger of responsibility elsewhere.
So the Obama administration cracked down on the Christian who made the film–essentially an amateur production–which is critical of Islam, but no more so than many Hollywood productions have been of Christianity. The federal government sent Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies to bring the filmmaker into custody on the pretext that his uploading the movie trailer to YouTube may have violated the terms of his probation on a bank fraud conviction. That led to the famous photo of Nakoula Basseley Nakoula being taken into custody.
Shameful, disgusting, and inexcusable. The Obama administration is essentially attacking American citizens for the evils committed by Islamic radicals half a world away.
Obama cracks down on free speech.
In order to spare themselves the sort of critical scrutiny to which they are unaccustomed, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have fallen in with the absurd claim that violence has broken out in eleven Muslim countries, and terrorists armed with RPGs and (reportedly) mortars carried out a military operation to assassinate a U.S. ambassador, as a result of a 14-minute YouTube video. As always, Obama’s first priority is to point the finger of responsibility elsewhere.
So the Obama administration cracked down on the Christian who made the film–essentially an amateur production–which is critical of Islam, but no more so than many Hollywood productions have been of Christianity. The federal government sent Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies to bring the filmmaker into custody on the pretext that his uploading the movie trailer to YouTube may have violated the terms of his probation on a bank fraud conviction. That led to the famous photo of Nakoula Basseley Nakoula being taken into custody.
Shameful, disgusting, and inexcusable. The Obama administration is essentially attacking American citizens for the evils committed by Islamic radicals half a world away.
Blame the movie
Prices, Demand, and SpaceX
For the past three days there has been a very lively debate by readers of Behind the Black, attempting to figure out the actual cost of launching payload to low Earth orbit by various rockets, including SpaceX, the space shuttle, and the NASA-built Space Launch System.
Three stories published today add some new information to this debate.
» Read more
The eight dumbest things said about free speech this week.
The eight dumbest things said about free speech this week.
With one additional bonus update of stupidity from the Obama administration.
This violence in the Middle East is not about what we do, but about the murderous and oppressive culture that rules these forsaken Arab countries. We Americans have nothing to apologize about.
The eight dumbest things said about free speech this week.
With one additional bonus update of stupidity from the Obama administration.
This violence in the Middle East is not about what we do, but about the murderous and oppressive culture that rules these forsaken Arab countries. We Americans have nothing to apologize about.
The science cuts from sequestration
The journal Science today published this detailed look at the cuts that would occur in all the federal government’s various science programs should the automatic budget cuts outlined in the sequestration legislation occur on January 2, 2013.
Not surprising, the article includes a great deal of moaning and groaning about the terrible harm the cuts would have on science research should they occur. From the Obama administration:
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A federal judge has permanently blocked use of the indefinite detention authority given to the President in the NDAA law passed by Congress last year.
Sanity: A federal judge has permanently blocked the use of the indefinite detention authority given to the President in the NDAA law passed by Congress last year.
To quote the judge’s opinion:
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Sanity: A federal judge has permanently blocked the use of the indefinite detention authority given to the President in the NDAA law passed by Congress last year.
To quote the judge’s opinion:
» Read more
“These are not acts of senseless violence. These are acts of war.”
Not only has Barack Obama not attended an intelligence briefing since Sept 5, he canceled the briefing yesterday, the day after the attacks on our embassies in Egypt and Libya.
Focused like a laser: Not only has Barack Obama not attended an intelligence briefing since Sept 5, he canceled the briefing yesterday, the day after the attacks on our embassies in Egypt and Libya.
And why did he not have a briefing yesterday? He had a campaign fundraiser he just had to attend in Las Vegas.
Focused like a laser: Not only has Barack Obama not attended an intelligence briefing since Sept 5, he canceled the briefing yesterday, the day after the attacks on our embassies in Egypt and Libya.
And why did he not have a briefing yesterday? He had a campaign fundraiser he just had to attend in Las Vegas.
The private company Hobby Lobby has sued the Obama administration over the Obamacare mandate requiring them to pay for their employee’s contraceptives
We’ve only just begun: The private company Hobby Lobby has sued the Obama administration over the Obamacare mandate requiring them to pay for their employee’s contraceptives.
We’ve only just begun: The private company Hobby Lobby has sued the Obama administration over the Obamacare mandate requiring them to pay for their employee’s contraceptives.
The White House has disavowed the apology to the Muslim protesters issued by its embassy in Egypt.
The White House has disavowed the apology to the Muslim protesters issued by its embassy in Egypt earlier today.
“The statement by Embassy Cairo was not cleared by Washington and does not reflect the views of the United States government,” an administration official told POLITICO.
In other words, the Obama State Department isn’t cowardly, it’s simply incompetent. What a relief!
The White House has disavowed the apology to the Muslim protesters issued by its embassy in Egypt earlier today.
“The statement by Embassy Cairo was not cleared by Washington and does not reflect the views of the United States government,” an administration official told POLITICO.
In other words, the Obama State Department isn’t cowardly, it’s simply incompetent. What a relief!
The federal budget deficit has exceeded one trillion dollars for the fourth year in a row.
The day of reckoning looms: The federal budget deficit has now exceeded one trillion dollars for the fourth year in a row.
The day of reckoning looms: The federal budget deficit has now exceeded one trillion dollars for the fourth year in a row.
Under the Obama administration regulations have increased by 7.4%, totaling 11,327 pages of new rules.
No wonder the economy is stalled: Under the Obama administration regulations have increased by 7.4%, totaling 11,327 pages of new rules.
I should add that these numbers were only slightly better under Bush or Clinton. In general, our federal government has done everything it can for the past two decades to stifle freedom and innovation.
No wonder the economy is stalled: Under the Obama administration regulations have increased by 7.4%, totaling 11,327 pages of new rules.
I should add that these numbers were only slightly better under Bush or Clinton. In general, our federal government has done everything it can for the past two decades to stifle freedom and innovation.
The media’s one-sided coverage.
The media’s one-sided coverage.
Ramirez provides this wonderful comparison of the press’s coverage of past gaffes:
» Read more
The media’s one-sided coverage.
Ramirez provides this wonderful comparison of the press’s coverage of past gaffes:
» Read more
T-shirts being sold at a union event celebrate the future death of Margaret Thatcher.
Leftwing civility: T-shirts being sold at a union event celebrate the future death of Margaret Thatcher.
Leftwing civility: T-shirts being sold at a union event celebrate the future death of Margaret Thatcher.
Under just released language, the federal government required 18 pages of regulations to define the term “full time employee.”
Repeal it! New regulatory language under Obamacare and just released requires 18 pages of regulations just to define the term “full time employee.”
Repeal it! New regulatory language under Obamacare and just released requires 18 pages of regulations just to define the term “full time employee.”
“What the ‘blank’ could possibly go wrong?”
India’s space agency celebrated its 100th launch today.
The competition heats up: India’s space agency celebrated its 100th launch today.
It is unclear whether the numbers include their failed launches. Regardless, India has a vibrant space program, modeled somewhat after the Russian system, a government space agency focused on gaining commercial market share. Whether that model can successfully compete in the commercial world remains unknown. Russia has had success, but only during a period when they were faced with few competitors. Now that the competition is heating up it is unclear whether Russia’s model will be flexible enough to compete.
What is clear about India, however, is that they are passionate about space exploration. Historically, even the Russian government model has worked when the country using it was the new kid on the block.
The competition heats up: India’s space agency celebrated its 100th launch today.
It is unclear whether the numbers include their failed launches. Regardless, India has a vibrant space program, modeled somewhat after the Russian system, a government space agency focused on gaining commercial market share. Whether that model can successfully compete in the commercial world remains unknown. Russia has had success, but only during a period when they were faced with few competitors. Now that the competition is heating up it is unclear whether Russia’s model will be flexible enough to compete.
What is clear about India, however, is that they are passionate about space exploration. Historically, even the Russian government model has worked when the country using it was the new kid on the block.
The Obama administration has extended the power of the ATF to “seize and administratively forfeit property involved in controlled-substance abuses.”
Theft by government: The Obama administration has extended the power of the ATF to “seize and administratively forfeit property involved in controlled-substance abuses.”
In other words, if the ATF thinks a drug crime has occurred, it now has the right to seize any property involved, without due process. The article gives a particularly pointed example:
» Read more
Theft by government: The Obama administration has extended the power of the ATF to “seize and administratively forfeit property involved in controlled-substance abuses.”
In other words, if the ATF thinks a drug crime has occurred, it now has the right to seize any property involved, without due process. The article gives a particularly pointed example:
» Read more