It’s Ryan
It’s official. Romney has picked Paul Ryan has his running mate.
It’s official. Romney has picked Paul Ryan has his running mate.
Tag: politics
It’s Ryan
It appears that tomorrow Mitt Romney will name is vice presidential pick, and the rumors are saying its Paul Ryan.
It appears that at 8:45 am tomorrow (Saturday) Mitt Romney will name his vice presidential pick, and the rumors are saying it will be Paul Ryan.
If so, this will be further evidence that Romney is serious about dealing with the out-of-control federal budget. Of all the elected officials in Congress, Paul Ryan is probably the most educated and clear-headed about the budget situation, and has been willing to put his political head on the chopping block to take risks to deal with the problem. He is also one of the most articulate, intelligent, and thoughtful politicians I have seen in years. He will run rings around Joe Biden in any debate.
The only negative I see for this pick is that it will take Ryan out of the House, where he was in a position to wield a great deal of influence on budget matters. As vice-president he will not have as much power.
I’ve embedded below the fold a video of Paul Ryan describing clearly the budget problems posed by Obamacare during the White House summit called by President Obama. It is only one example, but it is worth watching to gauge the merits of this man. Also, read this long article on Ryan’s background and history.
» Read more
It appears that at 8:45 am tomorrow (Saturday) Mitt Romney will name his vice presidential pick, and the rumors are saying it will be Paul Ryan.
If so, this will be further evidence that Romney is serious about dealing with the out-of-control federal budget. Of all the elected officials in Congress, Paul Ryan is probably the most educated and clear-headed about the budget situation, and has been willing to put his political head on the chopping block to take risks to deal with the problem. He is also one of the most articulate, intelligent, and thoughtful politicians I have seen in years. He will run rings around Joe Biden in any debate.
The only negative I see for this pick is that it will take Ryan out of the House, where he was in a position to wield a great deal of influence on budget matters. As vice-president he will not have as much power.
I’ve embedded below the fold a video of Paul Ryan describing clearly the budget problems posed by Obamacare during the White House summit called by President Obama. It is only one example, but it is worth watching to gauge the merits of this man. Also, read this long article on Ryan’s background and history.
» Read more
After mandating the sale of 15% ethanol gasoline — that can damage engines and lower fuel efficiency — the EPA is now going to require that you buy at least 4 gallons in order to reduce the damage.
How nice of them: After mandating the sale of 15% ethanol gasoline — which can damage engines and lower fuel efficiency — the EPA is now going to require that you buy at least 4 gallons when you fill your tank in order to reduce the damage.
The entire auto industry has made it very clear its opposition to 15% ethanol because that mixture is harmful to vehicle engines. So, does the EPA back off? No, it instead doubles down, increasing its regulatory control in a manner that is complex, unenforceable, and impractical.
And when this new regulation doesn’t work and vehicles begin to fail, don’t expect the EPA to pay for the repair. Instead, I expect we will soon have EPA regulators standing at every gas station, checking to make sure we use the right gasoline in the right amounts, ready to fine or arrest us if we dare to do something different.
How nice of them: After mandating the sale of 15% ethanol gasoline — which can damage engines and lower fuel efficiency — the EPA is now going to require that you buy at least 4 gallons when you fill your tank in order to reduce the damage.
The entire auto industry has made it very clear its opposition to 15% ethanol because that mixture is harmful to vehicle engines. So, does the EPA back off? No, it instead doubles down, increasing its regulatory control in a manner that is complex, unenforceable, and impractical.
And when this new regulation doesn’t work and vehicles begin to fail, don’t expect the EPA to pay for the repair. Instead, I expect we will soon have EPA regulators standing at every gas station, checking to make sure we use the right gasoline in the right amounts, ready to fine or arrest us if we dare to do something different.
Despite a 3x increase in the use of gasoline and diesel fuel since the 1960s, the amount of vehicle-related pollution in the Los Angeles area has declined by 98 percent during that same time.
Good news: Despite a 3x increase in the use of gasoline and diesel fuel since the 1960s, the amount of vehicle-related pollution in the Los Angeles area has declined by 98 percent during that same time.
While many on the left will argue that this proves the validity of government regulation, I only see it as evidence that the initial regulations imposed in the 1970s did their job, and that there is no reason for stricter regulation now, something that the EPA, the Obama administration, and the left continue to demand.
Good news: Despite a 3x increase in the use of gasoline and diesel fuel since the 1960s, the amount of vehicle-related pollution in the Los Angeles area has declined by 98 percent during that same time.
While many on the left will argue that this proves the validity of government regulation, I only see it as evidence that the initial regulations imposed in the 1970s did their job, and that there is no reason for stricter regulation now, something that the EPA, the Obama administration, and the left continue to demand.
The actual debt of the U.S. federal government has now grown to $222 trillion.
The day of reckoning looms: The actual debt of the U.S. federal government has now grown to $222 trillion.
This is the actual difference between what the federal government will collect in the future and the actual amount of future fiscal liabilities the government is responsible for. It is not the mere $16 trillion or so of immediate debt.
The day of reckoning looms: The actual debt of the U.S. federal government has now grown to $222 trillion.
This is the actual difference between what the federal government will collect in the future and the actual amount of future fiscal liabilities the government is responsible for. It is not the mere $16 trillion or so of immediate debt.
Documents obtained from the Obama administration have revealed that the administration ordered law enforcement officers to “stand down” and not enforce the law against the Occupy movement.
The law is such an inconvenient thing: Documents obtained from the Obama administration have revealed that the administration ordered law enforcement officers to “stand down” and not enforce the law when protesters in the Occupy movement were trespassing in Portland.
The law is such an inconvenient thing: Documents obtained from the Obama administration have revealed that the administration ordered law enforcement officers to “stand down” and not enforce the law when protesters in the Occupy movement were trespassing in Portland.
The price of pizza is set to rise because of Obamacare.
Now we have to repeal it: The price of pizza is going to rise because of Obamacare.
Papa John’s CEO John Schnatter says that Obamacare will result in a $0.11 to $0.14 price increase per pizza, or $0.15 to $0.20 cents per order.
The fact is that these kinds of price increases are going to occur across the board in almost all service industries, since higher regulation always leads to higher prices.
Now we have to repeal it: The price of pizza is going to rise because of Obamacare.
Papa John’s CEO John Schnatter says that Obamacare will result in a $0.11 to $0.14 price increase per pizza, or $0.15 to $0.20 cents per order.
The fact is that these kinds of price increases are going to occur across the board in almost all service industries, since higher regulation always leads to higher prices.
Emails by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and others in the Obama administration now show that, under the GM bailout, they purposely terminated the pensions of 20,000 retirees solely because they were not union members, and then lied to Congress about this.
Emails by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and others in the Obama administration now show that, under the GM bailout, they purposely terminated the pensions of 20,000 retirees solely because they were not union members, and then lied to Congress about this.
Emails by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and others in the Obama administration now show that, under the GM bailout, they purposely terminated the pensions of 20,000 retirees solely because they were not union members, and then lied to Congress about this.
New evidence suggests that Al Frankel (D-Minnesota) won his senate seat almost certainly due to voter fraud.
New evidence suggests that Al Franken (D-Minnesota) won his senate seat almost certainly due to voter fraud.
That fraud included over a thousand illegal votes by felons, who I suppose are a major Democratic constituency. How dare Republicans attempt to suppress their vote? Anyone who would must be a raaacist!
New evidence suggests that Al Franken (D-Minnesota) won his senate seat almost certainly due to voter fraud.
That fraud included over a thousand illegal votes by felons, who I suppose are a major Democratic constituency. How dare Republicans attempt to suppress their vote? Anyone who would must be a raaacist!
An Obama-backed Muslim Group is now blaming Congresswoman Michell Bachmann for Sikh shooting this past weekend.
The civility of the left and Islam team up! An Obama-backed Muslim Group is now blaming Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota) for the Sikh shooting this past weekend.
What did Bachmann do? She raised questions the Obama administration’s links with Islamic terrorists groups. And of course, that must obviously explain why a white-supremacist went on a rampage killing innocent Sikh worshipers in Wisconsin.
The civility of the left and Islam team up! An Obama-backed Muslim Group is now blaming Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota) for the Sikh shooting this past weekend.
What did Bachmann do? She raised questions the Obama administration’s links with Islamic terrorists groups. And of course, that must obviously explain why a white-supremacist went on a rampage killing innocent Sikh worshipers in Wisconsin.
“I hope that someone someday shoot your whole familly”
Leftwing civility: “I hope that someone someday shoot your whole familly” More such comments at the link.
The irony here is that these comments come from people who oppose hunting and the shooting of animals. Yet, these same people find nothing wrong with the idea of shooting a human being with whom they disagree.
Leftwing civility: “I hope that someone someday shoot your whole familly” More such comments at the link.
The irony here is that these comments come from people who oppose hunting and the shooting of animals. Yet, these same people find nothing wrong with the idea of shooting a human being with whom they disagree.
Gibson Guitars has struck a deal with the federal government to avoid prosecution for the use of banned wood.
Extortion does work! Gibson Guitars has struck a deal with the federal government to avoid prosecution for the use of banned wood.
The company will pay a $300,000 fine under a criminal enforcement agreement that defers prosecution for criminal violations of the Lacey Act. Another $50,000 fine will go to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation “to be used to promote the conservation, identification and propagation of protected tree species used in the musical instrument industry and the forests where those species are found.”
Notice the political payoff to an outside environmental group. How nice. I wish my cause could get funding this way, by having the U.S. government threaten companies I don’t like and force them to give me money.
Extortion does work! Gibson Guitars has struck a deal with the federal government to avoid prosecution for the use of banned wood.
The company will pay a $300,000 fine under a criminal enforcement agreement that defers prosecution for criminal violations of the Lacey Act. Another $50,000 fine will go to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation “to be used to promote the conservation, identification and propagation of protected tree species used in the musical instrument industry and the forests where those species are found.”
Notice the political payoff to an outside environmental group. How nice. I wish my cause could get funding this way, by having the U.S. government threaten companies I don’t like and force them to give me money.
The new Mars rover…
Tonight at 10:30 pm (Pacific), the new Martian rover Curiosity will hopefully touch down safely on the Martian surface to begin several years of research in the crater Gale.
What has been most amazing to me is the amount of interest in this landing by the press, especially the mainstream press. Normally these outlets don’t care that much for space exploration, a trend that began after the Apollo 11 landing in 1969 when it became trendy in liberal circles to down play space exploration so that “the money could instead be spent solving our problems here on Earth.”
Today, however, I count more than forty news articles on this upcoming landing, most of which come from mainstream sources. It seems that these outlets have finally discovered something that has been obvious from the beginning: the American public is fascinated with space exploration, and if you want to attract readers, it is better to provide coverage of what interests them rather than push a political agenda that few agree with.
Anyway, if you want to follow the landing live, go here for a full outline of options. Or go directly to NASA TV. Most of what you will see will the control room at JPL, with many engineers staring at computer screens waiting to find out if the landing was a success, about twenty minutes after it took place. This is because it will take that long for the communications signals to travel from Mars to the Earth. Essentially, Curiosity is on its own in this landing.
Attack of the Cookie Monsters.
Attack of the Cookie Monsters.
The sad part is that the author provides documentation for every single silly attack, none of which have the slightest significance in the greater scheme of our present-day problems, where we have a federal government going bankrupt and a Senate and President who routinely flout the law for political reasons.
Attack of the Cookie Monsters.
The sad part is that the author provides documentation for every single silly attack, none of which have the slightest significance in the greater scheme of our present-day problems, where we have a federal government going bankrupt and a Senate and President who routinely flout the law for political reasons.
The TSA has agreed to allow its workers to unionize.
Does this make you feel safer? The TSA has agreed to allow its workers to unionize.
Does this make you feel safer? The TSA has agreed to allow its workers to unionize.
A pro-life Catholic group announced today it will openly defy the new pro-abortion mandate imposed by the Obama administration.
We’ve only just begun: A pro-life Catholic group announced today it will openly defy the new pro-abortion mandate imposed by the Obama administration.
“The unjust and unconstitutional HHS mandate, against which Priests for Life and 57 other plaintiffs have sued the federal government, takes effect today. We at Priests for Life do not qualify for the year that the government has offered certain groups to ‘adapt’ to the mandate. And we are not ‘religious’ enough for this Administration,” he explained. “But regardless of all that, we do not adapt to injustice; we oppose it.
“Therefore today, on behalf of our organization and on behalf of myself personally, I announce our conscientious objection to this mandate,” he said. “Priests for Life has the highest respect for civil government and advocates the observance of all just laws. But this policy is unjust, and today I reaffirm our intention to disobey it.”
We’ve only just begun: A pro-life Catholic group announced today it will openly defy the new pro-abortion mandate imposed by the Obama administration.
“The unjust and unconstitutional HHS mandate, against which Priests for Life and 57 other plaintiffs have sued the federal government, takes effect today. We at Priests for Life do not qualify for the year that the government has offered certain groups to ‘adapt’ to the mandate. And we are not ‘religious’ enough for this Administration,” he explained. “But regardless of all that, we do not adapt to injustice; we oppose it.
“Therefore today, on behalf of our organization and on behalf of myself personally, I announce our conscientious objection to this mandate,” he said. “Priests for Life has the highest respect for civil government and advocates the observance of all just laws. But this policy is unjust, and today I reaffirm our intention to disobey it.”
NASA will announce the winners of the commercial crew contracts on Friday.
The rumors are now official: NASA will announce the winners of the commercial crew contracts on Friday.
The rumors are now official: NASA will announce the winners of the commercial crew contracts on Friday.
Why are liberals so intolerant?
The perspective of one man
The perspective of one man running for President:
[W]hat exactly accounts for prosperity if not culture? In the case of the United States, it is a particular kind of culture that has made us the greatest economic power in the history of the earth. Many significant features come to mind: our work ethic, our appreciation for education, our willingness to take risks, our commitment to honor and oath, our family orientation, our devotion to a purpose greater than ourselves, our patriotism. But one feature of our culture that propels the American economy stands out above all others: freedom. The American economy is fueled by freedom. Free people and their free enterprises are what drive our economic vitality. [emphasis mine]
Sounds good to me, though we should all reserve the right to remain skeptical of anything a politician says. It is what they do that matters. Nonetheless, that Romney is making freedom a central part of his platform is further proof that he recognizes the trends and, like any politician, wants to be on the cusp of that wave. Or to once again repeat the words of Milton Friedman, “The important thing is to establish a political climate of opinion which will make it politically profitable for the wrong people to do the right thing.”
The perspective of one man running for President:
[W]hat exactly accounts for prosperity if not culture? In the case of the United States, it is a particular kind of culture that has made us the greatest economic power in the history of the earth. Many significant features come to mind: our work ethic, our appreciation for education, our willingness to take risks, our commitment to honor and oath, our family orientation, our devotion to a purpose greater than ourselves, our patriotism. But one feature of our culture that propels the American economy stands out above all others: freedom. The American economy is fueled by freedom. Free people and their free enterprises are what drive our economic vitality. [emphasis mine]
Sounds good to me, though we should all reserve the right to remain skeptical of anything a politician says. It is what they do that matters. Nonetheless, that Romney is making freedom a central part of his platform is further proof that he recognizes the trends and, like any politician, wants to be on the cusp of that wave. Or to once again repeat the words of Milton Friedman, “The important thing is to establish a political climate of opinion which will make it politically profitable for the wrong people to do the right thing.”
The Republican establishment choice for Texas senator was resoundingly defeated today by the tea party candidate.
Another tea party victory: The Republican establishment choice for Texas senator was resoundingly defeated today by the tea party candidate.
2010 was a trend, not a fluke. And this detail from the article should give anyone with an open mind a good hint at what November will bring.
More than 1 million Texans voted in the runoff, a surprisingly strong turnout for balloting that came during the dog days of summer.
Just like in Wisconsin, Republican turnout was high. Come November, it will be higher.
Another tea party victory: The Republican establishment choice for Texas senator was resoundingly defeated today by the tea party candidate.
2010 was a trend, not a fluke. And this detail from the article should give anyone with an open mind a good hint at what November will bring.
More than 1 million Texans voted in the runoff, a surprisingly strong turnout for balloting that came during the dog days of summer.
Just like in Wisconsin, Republican turnout was high. Come November, it will be higher.
A journalist takes objective look at global warming
For the past week there has been a new spat of articles written about human caused global warming, instigated by an op-ed (subscription required) written by scientist Richard Muller in the New York Times, where he wrote:
Three years ago I identified problems in previous climate studies that, in my mind, threw doubt on the very existence of global warming. Last year, following an intensive research effort involving a dozen scientists, I concluded that global warming was real and that the prior estimates of the rate of warming were correct. I’m now going a step further: Humans are almost entirely the cause.
Not surprisingly, the mainstream press has jumped on this op-ed and the public release of new data by Muller’s team as further proof that the debate over global warming is settled and we should all bow to our governmental overlords and agree to any regulations they propose to save the planet.
Not so fast.
» Read more
Election fraud, at the NAACP and elsewhere.
Election fraud, at the NAACP and elsewhere.
An NAACP official is convicted of voting multiple times under many names, many of which were dead, and is now serving five years in prison for the crime. No wonder this organization is against voter id. It would cramp their style!
The most encouraging part of the story is that it was a Democrat who led the prosecution.
Election fraud, at the NAACP and elsewhere.
An NAACP official is convicted of voting multiple times under many names, many of which were dead, and is now serving five years in prison for the crime. No wonder this organization is against voter id. It would cramp their style!
The most encouraging part of the story is that it was a Democrat who led the prosecution.
A Democrat election judge has said he will not enforce the Pennsylvania law that requires identification in order to vote.
The law is for thee, not me: A Democrat inspector of elections has said he will not enforce the Pennsylvania law that requires identification in order to vote.
He might not like the law, and the law itself might be bad, but he has no right to pick and chose what laws he will enforce as an elected official.
The law is for thee, not me: A Democrat inspector of elections has said he will not enforce the Pennsylvania law that requires identification in order to vote.
He might not like the law, and the law itself might be bad, but he has no right to pick and chose what laws he will enforce as an elected official.
Local government officials shut down a kid’s hot dog stand — before it even opens.
We’re here to help you: Local government officials shut down a kid’s hot dog stand — before it even opens.
We’re here to help you: Local government officials shut down a kid’s hot dog stand — before it even opens.
A New Hampshire businessman who appeared in a Romney ad has gone to the police to report the phone threats he has since received.
Leftwing civility: A New Hampshire businessman who appeared in a Romney ad criticizing Obama has asked the police to investigate the phone threats he has since received.
One [call] called him a “vile piece of (expletive),” among other things, and demanded he call Obama to apologize. The caller was identified by Gilchrist through his caller ID. The man called from area code 630, which is the Chicago area. He has posted anti-Republican and anti-conservative messages on Twitter in the past, including a 2009 posts that said, “GOP needs to be eliminated,” and, “I am prepared to kill people. Let the tea bagers fire the first shot and I will pile up the bodies of the traitors.” [emphasis mine]
Leftwing civility: A New Hampshire businessman who appeared in a Romney ad criticizing Obama has asked the police to investigate the phone threats he has since received.
One [call] called him a “vile piece of (expletive),” among other things, and demanded he call Obama to apologize. The caller was identified by Gilchrist through his caller ID. The man called from area code 630, which is the Chicago area. He has posted anti-Republican and anti-conservative messages on Twitter in the past, including a 2009 posts that said, “GOP needs to be eliminated,” and, “I am prepared to kill people. Let the tea bagers fire the first shot and I will pile up the bodies of the traitors.” [emphasis mine]
House Democrats are not paying their dues to the party’s central committee.
Indicating the trends: House Democrats are not paying their dues to the party’s central committee.
As of June 30, 64 Democrats — around one-third of the entire caucus — hadn’t paid anything to the DCCC, according to a party document provided to POLITICO. Another 109 members had paid only a portion of what they owe in dues, which are calculated based on seniority and committee assignments.
Indicating the trends: House Democrats are not paying their dues to the party’s central committee.
As of June 30, 64 Democrats — around one-third of the entire caucus — hadn’t paid anything to the DCCC, according to a party document provided to POLITICO. Another 109 members had paid only a portion of what they owe in dues, which are calculated based on seniority and committee assignments.
A new study has found strong evidence that compact fluorescent bulbs can harm the skin.
Oy. A new study has found strong evidence that compact fluorescent bulbs can harm the skin.
Oy. A new study has found strong evidence that compact fluorescent bulbs can harm the skin.
The IRS and Labor Department have started investigations into the finances of a Romney campaign contributor who was also named number one on Obama’s enemies list.
Leftwing tolerance: The IRS and Labor Department have started investigations into the finances of a Romney campaign contributor who was also one of the first listed on Obama’s enemies list.
I don’t appreciate it when the right attacks George Soros for supporting the leftwing causes he believes in, and I certainly oppose it when the left does the same. Here, however, it appears the Obama administration is using the force of the law to attack a private citizen, merely because he supports Obama’s opponent in the election. Such behavior is immoral, wrong, and hostile to everything our free country is supposed to stand for.
Leftwing tolerance: The IRS and Labor Department have started investigations into the finances of a Romney campaign contributor who was also one of the first listed on Obama’s enemies list.
I don’t appreciate it when the right attacks George Soros for supporting the leftwing causes he believes in, and I certainly oppose it when the left does the same. Here, however, it appears the Obama administration is using the force of the law to attack a private citizen, merely because he supports Obama’s opponent in the election. Such behavior is immoral, wrong, and hostile to everything our free country is supposed to stand for.
This year there will be more cases of whooping cough in fifty years.
Not good: This year there will be the most cases of whooping cough in more than a half century.
The CDC is trying to figure out what’s going on, but Schuchat said a couple of factors are clearly at work. The formulation for the whooping cough vaccine was changed in 1997, and kids hitting age 13 and 14 now are the first to have been fully vaccinated with five doses of the new vaccine. The new formulation causes less of a reaction, but it may also wear off sooner, Schuchat said.
The older vaccine was made using a whole pertussis bacterium. It was very effective, but it did cause swelling in some kids who got it, and sometimes caused a fever — something that scared parents. It also was widely blamed for causing rare but serious neurological reactions, although Schuchat said studies have not confirmed this.
I imagine the formulation was changed because of the uproar in the 1990s about the dangers of the old vaccine.
Not good: This year there will be the most cases of whooping cough in more than a half century.
The CDC is trying to figure out what’s going on, but Schuchat said a couple of factors are clearly at work. The formulation for the whooping cough vaccine was changed in 1997, and kids hitting age 13 and 14 now are the first to have been fully vaccinated with five doses of the new vaccine. The new formulation causes less of a reaction, but it may also wear off sooner, Schuchat said.
The older vaccine was made using a whole pertussis bacterium. It was very effective, but it did cause swelling in some kids who got it, and sometimes caused a fever — something that scared parents. It also was widely blamed for causing rare but serious neurological reactions, although Schuchat said studies have not confirmed this.
I imagine the formulation was changed because of the uproar in the 1990s about the dangers of the old vaccine.
The TSA allowed 25 illegal aliens to attend a flight school owned by an illegal alien.
Does this make you feel safer? The TSA allowed 25 illegal aliens to attend a flight school owned by an illegal alien. Six of these illegals even got a pilot’s license!
But don’t worry. The TSA is making sure that old women, little girls, and wheelchair-bound little boys don’t have guns hidden in their crotches.
Does this make you feel safer? The TSA allowed 25 illegal aliens to attend a flight school owned by an illegal alien. Six of these illegals even got a pilot’s license!
But don’t worry. The TSA is making sure that old women, little girls, and wheelchair-bound little boys don’t have guns hidden in their crotches.