Tag: politics
“Hell yeah, shut down the government if you have to.”
Indiana attorney general fires deputy over ‘live ammunition’ tweets aimed at Wisconsin protestors
The right response to violent rhetoric: The Indiana attorney general has fired his deputy for suggesting that the police use “live ammunition” on the Wisconsin union protesters.
The right response to violent rhetoric: The Indiana attorney general has fired his deputy for suggesting that the police use “live ammunition” on the Wisconsin union protesters.
Gingrich questioned about his extramartial affairs
Gingrich was pressed yesterday about his extramartial affairs by a forum audience member.
Gingrich was pressed yesterday about his extramartial affairs by a forum audience member.
Why the Democrats might be making the wrong assumptions about a government shutdown
Why the Democrats might be making the wrong assumptions about a government shutdown. Key quote:
In many ways, 1995 was the last year of the old media world. It was the year before the launch of FOX News and the year before the Internet exploded into American life. The three broadcast television networks and the major newspapers still had a stranglehold on political news in 1995. Shaping the public narrative would be much harder for Democrats in today’s more diffuse and more balanced media world.
Why the Democrats might be making the wrong assumptions about a government shutdown. Key quote:
In many ways, 1995 was the last year of the old media world. It was the year before the launch of FOX News and the year before the Internet exploded into American life. The three broadcast television networks and the major newspapers still had a stranglehold on political news in 1995. Shaping the public narrative would be much harder for Democrats in today’s more diffuse and more balanced media world.
State reviewing complaints over doctors’ excuse notes to protesters
Wisconsin has begun reviewing complaints over doctors who were issuing fake sick notes to union protesters.
Wisconsin has begun reviewing complaints over doctors who were issuing fake sick notes to union protesters.
Dem Congressman tells unions that they “need to get out on the streets and get a little bloody”
Why have I been highlighting recent examples of liberal “incivility” and calls to violence? Ed Morrissey at hotair explains it all in this piece about a Democratic Congressman who yesterday told union supporters that they “need to get out on the streets and get a little bloody.”
It isn’t that these vicious statements are only being made by the left. I have never said that. It’s that the press is only willing to condemn the right for it, while leftwing violent rhetoric is either ignored or made light of.
Vicious and violent statements by anyone are wrong, and should never be defended or excused. Ever.
Why have I been highlighting recent examples of liberal “incivility” and calls to violence? Ed Morrissey at hotair explains it all in this piece about a Democratic Congressman who yesterday told union supporters that they “need to get out on the streets and get a little bloody.”
It isn’t that these vicious statements are only being made by the left. I have never said that. It’s that the press is only willing to condemn the right for it, while leftwing violent rhetoric is either ignored or made light of.
Vicious and violent statements by anyone are wrong, and should never be defended or excused. Ever.
Clinton-appointed judge says Commerce Clause covers ‘mental activity’
A Clinton-appointed DC judge, in ruling that Obamacare is constitutional, also declared that the commerce clause allows the federal government to regulate “mental activity”.
A Clinton-appointed DC judge, in ruling that Obamacare is constitutional, also declared that the commerce clause allows the federal government to regulate “mental activity”.
‘The Heretic’: A Play About Global Warming Skepticism
Is there a crack in the monolith? A play about the persecution of a scientist who expresses skepticism about global warming is running in London, with favorable reviews!
Is there a crack in the monolith? A play about the persecution of a scientist who expresses skepticism about global warming is running in London, with favorable reviews!
Miracle on ice, February 22, 1980
An evening pause: Thirty-one years ago, February 22, 1980, Lake Placid, New York, the winter Olympics: The USA hockey team beats the Soviet Union 4 to 3 to set up their gold medal victory.
Police arrest 11-year-old over ‘inappropriate’ stick figure drawing
Madness: Police arrest an 11-year-old over an “inappropriate” stick figure drawing.
Madness: Police arrest an 11-year-old over an “inappropriate” stick figure drawing.
The high priests of science and how they bar the door to skeptics
The high priests of science and how they bar the door to skeptics. A paper is published in Nature claiming that Antarctica is warming as predicted by global warming advocates.
The indefatigable Steve McIntyre started to scrutinize [this paper] along with Nicholas Lewis. They found several flaws: Steig et al had used too few data sequences to speak for an entire continent, and had processed the data in a very questionable way. But when they wanted to correct him, in another journal, they quickly ran into an inconvenient truth about global warming: the high priests do not like refutation. To have their critique (initial submission here [pdf], final version here [pdf]) of Steig’s work published, they needed to assuage the many demands of an anonymous ‘Reviewer A’ – whom they later found out to be Steig himself. [emphasis mine]
It is unconscionable for any science journal to have allowed Steig, the author of the paper under attack, to act one of the anonymous reviewers. But hey, what do I know? I’m only a simple science writer.
The high priests of science and how they bar the door to skeptics. A paper is published in Nature claiming that Antarctica is warming as predicted by global warming advocates.
The indefatigable Steve McIntyre started to scrutinize [this paper] along with Nicholas Lewis. They found several flaws: Steig et al had used too few data sequences to speak for an entire continent, and had processed the data in a very questionable way. But when they wanted to correct him, in another journal, they quickly ran into an inconvenient truth about global warming: the high priests do not like refutation. To have their critique (initial submission here [pdf], final version here [pdf]) of Steig’s work published, they needed to assuage the many demands of an anonymous ‘Reviewer A’ – whom they later found out to be Steig himself. [emphasis mine]
It is unconscionable for any science journal to have allowed Steig, the author of the paper under attack, to act one of the anonymous reviewers. But hey, what do I know? I’m only a simple science writer.
How leftwing journalists lie
Oink! The Washington editor for Bloomberg today demonstrated to all the dishonest way liberal journalists like to cover the budget debates in Congress.
In an opinion piece for Bloomberg, editor Albert Hunt says that the Republican cuts to the budget threaten the American lead in science. According to him, “House Republicans want to cut NIH funding for the current year by more than $1 billion, to $29.5 billion.” Because of this cut would “future advances in areas like brain science are especially threatened.”
» Read more
The blunder in Wisconsin
Did Obama and the Democrats blunder in Wisconsin? This man thinks so:
The Wisconsin political blitzkrieg on Gov. Walker was not a spontaneous eruption. It is now clear that it was a highly organized operation planned in Washington, D.C., to unleash a national counterattack on the gains made by Republicans and Tea Party activists. Getting [Organizing for America] and the president to act in close coordination was itself no small feat. The plan included busing in thousands of government employees, arranging for Democratic lawmakers to flee to an adjoining state, flying speakers and political organizers into Madison, organizing thousands to leave their jobs in public safety and in classrooms, and staging rallies inside and outside the statehouse. They even enticed sympathetic doctors to draft bogus doctor excuses for government workers.
It all worked like a charm. Except that it struck all the wrong notes and portrayed all the wrong images. There is nothing more unseemly that to see a president serve as healer in Tucson and a political hack in Madison.
Did Obama and the Democrats blunder in Wisconsin? This man thinks so:
The Wisconsin political blitzkrieg on Gov. Walker was not a spontaneous eruption. It is now clear that it was a highly organized operation planned in Washington, D.C., to unleash a national counterattack on the gains made by Republicans and Tea Party activists. Getting [Organizing for America] and the president to act in close coordination was itself no small feat. The plan included busing in thousands of government employees, arranging for Democratic lawmakers to flee to an adjoining state, flying speakers and political organizers into Madison, organizing thousands to leave their jobs in public safety and in classrooms, and staging rallies inside and outside the statehouse. They even enticed sympathetic doctors to draft bogus doctor excuses for government workers.
It all worked like a charm. Except that it struck all the wrong notes and portrayed all the wrong images. There is nothing more unseemly that to see a president serve as healer in Tucson and a political hack in Madison.
The Worst Generation’s war in Wisconsin
The worst generation’s war in Wisconsin.
In the past 10 years, says the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds, taxpayers paid more than $8 billion for state workers’ health care coverage, while the workers put in only $398 million. And from 2000 to 2009, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, taxpayers spent about $12.6 billion on public employee pensions while the employees contributed only $8 million. [emphasis in original]
The worst generation’s war in Wisconsin.
In the past 10 years, says the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds, taxpayers paid more than $8 billion for state workers’ health care coverage, while the workers put in only $398 million. And from 2000 to 2009, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, taxpayers spent about $12.6 billion on public employee pensions while the employees contributed only $8 million. [emphasis in original]
The consequences of issuing fake doctors’ notes
The consequences for those protesting doctors who issued fake doctors’ notes at the union protests in Wisconsin.
The consequences for those protesting doctors who issued fake doctors’ notes at the union protests in Wisconsin.
Gaddafi flees Tripoli as protesters set the Libyan parliament building alight
Chaos in Libya: It appears Gaddafi has fled Tripoli as protesters have set the parliament building alight.
Chaos in Libya: It appears Gaddafi has fled Tripoli as protesters have set the parliament building alight.
China’s first probe to Mars is set for a November launch
The new colonial movement: China’s first probe to Mars is now set for a November launch.
The new colonial movement: China’s first probe to Mars is now set for a November launch.
From both the Washington Times and Washington Post: No pet projects are safe!
Hell has frozen over! Today, from both the Washington Times and the Washington Post: No pet projects are safe! Key quote from the Post:
Yet in last week’s feverish scramble to shrink government, House Republicans also ran the budgetary buzz saw through costly defense and homeland security programs that their party had historically protected. They left no sacred cows. “We held no program harmless from our spending cuts, and virtually no area of government escaped this process unscathed,” Rep. Harold Rogers (R-Ky.), chairman of the Appropriations Committee said in a statement.
And from the Times:
House Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, watched lawmakers vote to defund a military project that pumps millions of dollars into his district, and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, saw her colleagues vote to end federal funding for a park in her San Francisco congressional district.
Read the Times article especially, as it lays out in great detail many of the pet projects that got cut. I especially like the elimination of the project to fix the sewers in Tijuana, Mexico.
Hell has frozen over! Today, from both the Washington Times and the Washington Post: No pet projects are safe! Key quote from the Post:
Yet in last week’s feverish scramble to shrink government, House Republicans also ran the budgetary buzz saw through costly defense and homeland security programs that their party had historically protected. They left no sacred cows. “We held no program harmless from our spending cuts, and virtually no area of government escaped this process unscathed,” Rep. Harold Rogers (R-Ky.), chairman of the Appropriations Committee said in a statement.
And from the Times:
House Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, watched lawmakers vote to defund a military project that pumps millions of dollars into his district, and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, saw her colleagues vote to end federal funding for a park in her San Francisco congressional district.
Read the Times article especially, as it lays out in great detail many of the pet projects that got cut. I especially like the elimination of the project to fix the sewers in Tijuana, Mexico.
The Wisconsin protests as seen by a self-described “independent”
The Wisconsin protests, both for and against, as seen by a self-described “independent,” with video. Key quote:
That experience has led to these two independent voters, who have been fiscally conservative but socially divided on many issues, to a new understanding of how politics, unions, and the media work. I’m glad I didn’t rely on the descriptions and information from others about this issue. I saw the reality for myself, and we have both decided to stay actively involved. We will not trust or rely on any media to deliver primary information or facts. It really is true: there is biased reporting and organized, liberal oppression and hostility for all other viewpoints. I’m just little nobody wife, mom, and teacher in small town Wisconsin, and I experienced it.
The video clip shows the Tea Party rally begin its demonstration with the Pledge of Allegience, even as teacher union protesters blow whistles to try to drown it out. Is this how they perform the pledge in school?
The Wisconsin protests, both for and against, as seen by a self-described “independent,” with video. Key quote:
That experience has led to these two independent voters, who have been fiscally conservative but socially divided on many issues, to a new understanding of how politics, unions, and the media work. I’m glad I didn’t rely on the descriptions and information from others about this issue. I saw the reality for myself, and we have both decided to stay actively involved. We will not trust or rely on any media to deliver primary information or facts. It really is true: there is biased reporting and organized, liberal oppression and hostility for all other viewpoints. I’m just little nobody wife, mom, and teacher in small town Wisconsin, and I experienced it.
The video clip shows the Tea Party rally begin its demonstration with the Pledge of Allegience, even as teacher union protesters blow whistles to try to drown it out. Is this how they perform the pledge in school?
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.
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.
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.
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.