June 14, 2011
"Gunwalker" Under Fire
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Acting BATF Director Ken Melson are fighting a Congressional oversight committee that is attempting to investigate a botched plot within the Department of Justice that saw the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco (BATF) become a major supplier to narco-terrorist cartels that have been battling the Mexican government.
The plot, called Operation and Fast and Furious withing the Justice Department and also known as "Gunwalker" to the majority of Americans, saw the BATF encourage American gun shops to provide as many as 2,500 weapons to suspected "strawmen" gun buyers for the cartels. At least 150 Mexican police and soldiers have been shot with Gunwalker weapons, a Mexican military helicopter brought down, and two American law enforcement officers have been killed with these guns as well. Why won't the Obama Administration be transparent about their botched operation that supported narco-terrorism? That's a question I've asked in my latest article at Pajamas Media. Update: Meanwhile, CNN continues to spread previously debunked propaganda and lies for the Administration. Amuse yourself. Read the Pajamas article including the links, and then read the CNN article. The scale of journalist fraud they are promoting in service to the White House's gun control agenda is breathtaking.Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 07:27 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
June 13, 2011
Letter From The Teacher #5: Mission and Discipline
Anytown High School, Any State, USA
To: Mrs. WilliamsFrom: Mr. English Teacher
Re: Are America’s Schools Really Complete Failures? Dear Mrs. Williams: Thanks for your recent e-mail. I know exactly what you mean. It’s hard to read much of anything these days without finding an article by an academic or a speech by a politician asserting that public education is a complete failure. When I see talking heads and their guests talking about this as though it is unquestionably true, I’m amazed. Can they really believe what they’re saying, are they working a political agenda, or do they have something to sell? I’ll put the answer as directly and simply as possible: No, America’s public schools are not complete failures. Specifically, Anytown High School is certainly not failing our kids, and certainly not your daughter, Brittany. By the way, Brittany should be reading Fahrenheit 451 this week. She’ll need to finish it for the test on Monday and to be prepared for her final critique. Has she told you that she will earn extra credit if she correctly identifies what most worried Ray Bradbury when he wrote the novel? Hint: It’s not censorship. I don’t have statistics and studies to quote. I won’t fill pages with footnotes. I won’t claim that I am the world’s foremost education authority. I can only respond to you with experience, common sense, reason and logic. If the prophets of doom were correct, if American schools—all of them—were really utterly incompetent, wouldn’t we have seen the kinds of consequences of that complete failure long ago? If most people really can’t read and write, or if they can barely read and write, how is it that America has remained the wealthiest, most technologically advanced nation in history?
Posted by: MikeM at 11:09 PM | Comments (12) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Will Rand Bring Booth to Justice?
As regular readers of this blog and Pajamas Media know, I've been running down the story of Lee Franklin Booth since October of last year. My first story on the subject was Felons Can’t Own Guns. So How Did This Guy Acquire Three … Gun Companies?
It included enough details—including a photo of Booth holding two Detonics handguns in direct violation of federal law—to put Mr. Booth in prison for a very, very long time. Mr. Booth subsequently had an attorney contact Pajamas Media and I threatening legal action over the story, and even after a through vetting by lawyers, Pajamas Media determined there was nothing to retract, and only a three minor points to correct. In short, we "had the goods" on Mr. Booth as best as we could determine. Our evidence came from interviews with multiple sources, and from legal documents. Even pictures allegedly taken with Booth's own camera.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 10:10 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
The Most Important Post in the History of the Internets
Some consider this comedy.
If it describes your, however, please read it a second time.Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 09:36 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
June 12, 2011
"Gay Girl From Damascus" Actually a Che-Loving, Jew-Hating Douche From Georgia
Didn't much care about it before and so I can't pretend to be outraged now, but is is funny that so many "educated" rubes got sucked into buying this.
"I'm not a government-abducted Syrian lesbian. I'm you."Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 10:51 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
And Now, a Commercial Post
From time to time I get requests to post a link to a product or service.
This is one of those times. If you happen to live in a U.S. state or Canadian province that requires a hunter safety class, you may be able to take it online at HunterCourse.com. When I took hunter safety training (longer ago than I care to remember), I spent a Saturday stuck in a stuffy cinder-block building with a boring instructor reading out of a book. This certain beats the heck out of that, so if you can use this course, I hope you do.Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 08:13 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
June 11, 2011
The Erik Scott Case, Update 12: Slow Discipline and Progress
Since the last update, substantial and important developments have come to light. However, before exploring that information...
Links relevant to this update: (1) Go here for the Las Vegas Review/Journal story about the discipline handed down to two Metro officers who took a road trip to Arizona in their police vehicle. (2) Go here for the PDF version of the Judge’s decision in the June 1 motion hearing. (3) Go here for the Las Vegas Sun’s post-hearing article (06-02-11). (4) Go here for the Las Vegas Review/Journal’s post-hearing article (06-02-11). (5) Go here for the Las Vegas Sun’s article on Judge Reed’s decision (06-08-11).BRAD AND JAKES’S EXCELLENT ROAD TRIP, THE SEQUEL: In Update 10, posted on February 6, 2011, I wrote a short section titled “Brad and Jake’s Excellent Road Trip.” On January 19, Metro patrolmen Brad Gallup and Jake Grunwald signed out as busy in court but instead drove into Arizona, in their marked Metro patrol car, into Mohave County where a sheriff’s deputy, fearing the car might be stolen, stopped them for speeding 20 MPH over the speed limit. Gallup and Grunwald claimed that they were scouting locations for a K-9 photo shoot and the deputy let them go without a ticket, but called Metro to be sure that the car wasn’t stolen. Gallup and Grunwald were suspended with pay shortly thereafter. During the week of June 5th, Metro Assistant Sheriff Ray Flynn announced that the two officers were apparently planning to take a photograph of themselves and their police vehicle with the Grand Canyon as a backdrop. Flynn said that the officers would receive a week off without pay, which he characterized as the second most severe form of discipline an officer can receive, termination being the most severe. Flynn said that the entire division in which they worked was investigated to determine if similar things were happening. According to Flynn, they were not. Regarding Gallup and Grunwald, Flynn said: “They’ve never been in trouble before, and they owned up to their responsibilities.” Apparently, Gallup and Grunwald have been on paid leave since their initial suspension.
Posted by: MikeM at 10:30 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
June 10, 2011
New Hampshire Man Arrested for Extreme Liberalism
When liberalism isn't a persistent vegetative state, it's a faked brain injury.
Carrier was attempting to live the dream of every young liberal, becoming so dependent on others that he can't even wipe his own ass. (H/T Hot Air headlines)
A 23-year-old man pretended he suffered from a brain injury so an unsuspecting in-home nurse would change his adult diaper, police said. Eric Carrier, of 95 Granite St., Hooksett, turned himself into police Tuesday after a warrant was issued charging him with indecent exposure. Carrier allegedly faked having a severe brain injury that would require him to wear adult diapers. A nurse caring for him became suspicious, police said.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 11:41 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Weiner With Honey Mustard, Please. Hold the Statutory Rape
We've wondered for over a week about Democrat Anthony Weiner's explicit sexting with at least six women, especially as it appears that at least two of the young women engaging in conversations with the disgraced Congressmen may be minors.
Patterico has been all over the story of the under-aged girls—the part of the story the MSM is trying to hardest to ignore—and may not have the smoking gun, but the circumstantial evidence is adding up.Anthony Weiner should resign from Congress, today. There is no way this story gets better, and every indication it will only get worse.
Ethel: I love 69ing big hunt + like to use honey mustard as lube. Ohh yeahh baby I love bdh weiner
May 22 Ethel on Tumblr, quoting Weiner: "I came back strong. Large. In charge. Tights and cape shit…" My favorite congressman<3
May 26
You can choose to believe that Ethel, who publicly declared her love for Weiner repeatedly, and who had no compunction about dirty talk in public, turned prim and proper when Weiner talked to her in private . . . about his cape and tights. You can choose to believe that he didn’t know Ethel was underage, despite her youthful appearance, mentions of high school, and profile talking about marching band. Sure, you can believe that if you want.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 09:30 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
The Guerena Shooting, Analysis 3
Since the posting of my first two articles (available here and here) on the shooting of Jose Guerena by a Pima Co., AZ SWAT team, a number of documents and photographs have been released by the Pima Co. Sheriff’s Department and by other sources. This update will focus primarily on four issues: The affidavit for the search warrant that provided the legal justification for what turned out to be the shooting death of Jose Guerena by SWAT officers, an analysis of photographs of gunfire damage to the Guerena home (available here), particularly the area of the front door, the Coroner’s report, and the statement of Vanessa Guerena obtained by police shortly after Jose’s death.
Additional Links: (1) Go here for the KGUN9 story, which includes photos of the interior of the Guerena Home. (2) Go here for the KGUN9 story on the autopsy report. (3) Go here for a photograph of the Guerena front door. (4) Go here for a photograph of the rear of the Guerena home. Thanks to "K" for providing some very useful information I might have otherwise overlooked. We have also established a permanent archive for our articles on the Guerena shooting. Access it in the archives section at the right hand side of the Confederate Yankee home page. The PIMA County SD should be given credit for making public certain documents. Unlike the Erik Scott case in Las Vegas, they have been reasonably forthcoming in making pubic at least some information. However, I sincerely hope that they do not believe that the information they have released tends to completely justify their actions or tends to make them look professional. In many ways, it does just the opposite. As a former police officer, I understand the difficulties and demands of police work and want to give the benefit of the doubt to the officers involved. However, every police officer knows that their decisions and the actions flowing from those decisions, often made within seconds, will be picked apart later by those who have unlimited time to review what they had to do in an instant. They understand that they are only as good as their last arrest and that their abilities and performance are being constantly monitored and judged, not only by their peers, but by the other elements of the criminal justice system and by the public. Every officer knows this, and more, when he climbs into his police car to begin every shift. Unlike many cases, in the Guerena case, officers had more than sufficient time to carefully reflect and plan. There is, sadly, substantial evidence that they did not well use that luxury of time. It is also important to note that while I do have access to the documents and photographs in the public realm, I do not have access to everything the police know. I am almost certainly missing information that would provide certain specific contexts. The analysis I provide is based on my experience and knowledge of the law and police procedure and psychology. I may make unintentional mistakes, small or large, and invite those who might have the specific knowledge necessary to correct such potential errors to contact me. I will promptly make any necessary changes. THE SEARCH WARRANT AFFIDAVIT (PDF available here): For the benefit of those readers who may have missed my first article, all police procedure relating to search and seizure of property or persons is governed by the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, which states:Posted by: MikeM at 12:42 AM | Comments (15) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
The Case For SWAT Teams
Go here to read my latest article at Pajamas Media. The good folks there have published the article which, using the Jose Guerena shooting as a springboard, explores the advantages and disadvantages of SWAT teams and suggests means for avoiding the kinds of tragedies that poorly staffed, equipped and trained teams can cause.
Posted by: MikeM at 12:19 AM | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
June 09, 2011
Weiner "Dumb and Defiant"
Call it partisan if you must, but it seems that most people—including many leading Democrats—would seem to agree with the image and teaser for this Fox New story.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 02:18 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
The Blood of Patriots
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 11:35 AM | Comments (10) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
While Weiner Cheates, Huma is Pregnant
My word. Just when I think my disgust level for New York Democrat Anthony Weiner has bottomed out, he finds a way to sink to a new level. Yesterday we discovered that a pair of shock jocks had posted a picture of the fully-exposed Congressman to their web site which moves the allegations from the realm of titillation to self-made pornography composed by a sitting member of Congress.
If that wasn't bad enough, we now discover that Weiner's online affairs were going on not just after he was married, but while his wife Huma is pregnant.I feel so sorry for the tribulations she is going through as the result of her depraved and perverted husband, a man without honor or the vaguest sense of moral decency. Were she my friend or daughter, I think I would advise her to evict the Congressman and begin divorce proceedings against him, shooting for full custody for the child. Weiner has proven to be an unfit human being, and would likely be an unfit father as well. Huma and her child deserve what every family should have, in the form of a moral, loving, dedicated and decent father and husband. The kind that doesn't spread photos of his schlong to every woman he meets in cyberspace, or who apparently planned to cheat on them in the physical world with at least one of his online mistresses. Huma's employer, Hillary Clinton, once said it takes village to raise a child. She wasn't wrong about that broader point. Both Huma and the baby would be better off if they exiled Anthony Weiner from their lives, and their nurture and care was provided by people worthy of their affection.
Their marriage has become the subject of intense speculation and scrutiny amid an embarrassing online sex scandal. Now, Representative Anthony D. Weiner and Huma Abedin are about to make news of a different kind: they are expecting their first child. Ms. Abedin, 35, is in the early stages of pregnancy, according to three people with knowledge of the situation. The pregnancy, which the couple have disclosed to close friends and family, adds a new dimension to questions about the future of their marriage.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 09:57 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
June 08, 2011
Quick Takes, June 09, 2011
ITEM: Is This Cool or What? Department: Yes boys and girls, antimatter, that blow-up-the-universe substance of film and sci-fi fable really does exist, and not only that, scientists at CERN have actually captured it in a magnetic “bottle” for almost 17 minutes. Go here for the amazing story.
ITEM: Those Darned Kids These Days: Go here for a short video about a 9-year old girl who saved her family when her uncle had a seizure while driving on the freeway. Note how calm and matter-of-fact she is in recounting the incident. Real girl power! ITEM: These Are The Allies Our President Can’t Stop Insulting: Go here to the Daily Mail to read the story about Corporal Dipprasad Pun of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, who, by himself, overwhelmed thirty attacking Taliban in Afghanistan, winning the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. This guy out-ramboed Rambo. Do we truly want a special relationship with such people? If we have an ounce of brains we do. Mr. Obama, sadly, not so much. ITEM: The British People Love their National Health Service! Not so much. For a look at what we too can have if only we don’t repeal ObamaCare, read this Telegraph article by Brendan O’Neill about why recent staged protests to “save our NHS” virtually define “Astroturf.” Hint: It has to do with the fact that human beings tend to resent huge, wasteful bureaucracies that become power-mad nannies who actually kill them on a regular basis. Whoda’ thunk it? Who wouldn’t want that? ITEM: Wind, solar, lizard flatulence, all green technologies that will, absent unimaginable scientific breakthroughs, never produce more energy than say, lizard flatulence. Not only will they never produce useable amounts of energy, they won’t do it at truly astronomical costs. But Shell—that evil oil company—has apparently developed a process to turn natural gas into gasoline, or diesel fuel, or…you get the idea. Go here to the PJ Tatler for Charlie Martin’s story about a process that may just be truly significant. Of course, it will produce gasoline, which is evil, so we’ll probably have to ignore it. Oh well. Spread the wealth. ITEM: Really? The Pentagon has recently concluded that cyber attacks can be acts of war. Mirable dictu (wonderful to tell)! You mean to say that if a foreign power launches an electronic attack designed to seriously degrade or destroy our ability to defend ourselves, we might actually consider that to be a hostile act? And it took us only a bit more than two years of the Age of Obama to figure that out? Go here to the Volokh Conspiracy for more. ITEM: LOUIS RENAULT AWARD OF THE MILLENNIA! I was shocked, shocked! to learn that Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) actually has been “sexting” with multiple women for years, before and after his recent marriage. I was shocked, shocked! to learn that he has been lying about it, accusing innocents of hatching nefarious plots against him and using the Dem. media attack machine to distract attention. I mean, who would have thought that a Congressman of any party was capable of such things? But I was particularly shocked, shocked! to learn that he will not resign. Excuse me. I have to take a shower to wash off all this irony and sarcasm… ITEM: On a segment of the Ed Schultz show on MSNBC (here) Joan Walsh of Salon.com said: “JOAN WALSH, SALON.COM: The lying is what disturbs me. He implicated a lot of us. I gave him the benefit of the doubt, let's just say that. And, you know, I look kind of stupid. But on the other hand, this was brought to light for political reasons -- ED SCHULTZ, MSNBC: Why do you look stupid? Why do you say that? WALSH: Oh, because I, you know, gave him the benefit of the doubt publicly and pointed to the motivations of the people who were bringing this to light which was to destroy him.” No Joan. You look kind of stupid because you reflexively defended a politician known for arrogance and narcissism because of his political affiliation. Not a bright thing to do with a politician of any political affiliation. ITEM: But How Will They Express Their Ancient, Richly Unique “Everyone Must Experience My Choice Of Underwear” Culture? Some things are beyond parody. Go here to Fox/Dallas to learn that the Ft. Worth, TX transit authority has a dress code for those who wish to ride city busses. They have to wear a shirt and shoes, and can’t let their pants sag. Finally, a blow struck for civilization! One De’Shawn Miller said: “This is something we grew up into. That’s why they don’t tell us nothing about sagging. We gonna sag regardless. We ain’t disrespectful. That’s how we were raised.” See what I mean? There’s more at the link.ITEM: THEY DID WHAT?! Department: Recall, please, gentle readers when we recently informed you about a campaign in San Francisco against circumcision? Recall that we mocked those pushing the law with a bit of punning? No longer. They’ve published a comic book—and as Dave Barry would say, I am not making this up—depicting an evil Jewish Rabbi menacingly holding a scissors over a naked infant while intoning “Time to make your sacrifice to God, Glick.” Hiding nearby, ready to pounce, is blonde, Nordic superhero “Foreskin Man” (no, I’m not kidding: Foreskin Man). There is no way to interpret this as anything other than base, undisguised anti-Semitism. As the article (here) concludes, these people aren’t just over the top: they’re stupidly evil. UPDATE: From Fox News (here) we find that the Santa Monica resident who was behind the anti-circumcision ballot initiative, Jena Troutman, has withdrawn the measure, but only for Santa Monica, not San Francisco. Troutman who is apparently a “lactation consultant,” said, “I’m tired of it being about religion.” Troutman also noted “bodily integrity and genital autonomy are human rights.” Ah yes, the 93rd Amendment to the Constitution giving full autonomy and human rights to genitals! I can see it now: Law And Order: Special Genital Unit! Lawyer: “John Smith, your honor, representing the defendant’s genitals.” Judge: “You may begin your summation, Mr. Smith.” Smith: “Thank you your Honor. Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, as you know, the defendant’s genitals have autonomous human rights. So put him in prison for life if you must, but his genitals must go free…” Prosecutor: “Objection! Attorney for the genitals is misrepresenting the penile code!” (The courtroom explodes with cries of “bodily integrity,” “genital autonomy,” and keep a stiff upper…”) Judge: (Pounding gavel) “Order in the court! Order in the court!” Fade to commercial. Uh, when guys give their genitals autonomy, isn’t that considered, if not a crime, at least bad manners? And what the heck is a “lactation consultant?” What does that pay anyway? Discuss. ITEM: There are few sharper wits writing today than Mark Steyn. Go here for his most recent column on the dissembling Rep. Weiner. Even though the story is (?) apparently over, you’ll be glad you did. ITEM: It’s No Fun Protesting When You Can’t Skip Out On Work And Lie About It Later? Visit Ann Althouse (here) to learn about a recently announced protest against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. A tent city was to be constructed and maintained to protest, I don’t know, returning Wisconsin to fiscal sanity? The upshot: Nobody showed up. Now that school is out, I guess it’s no fun for teachers when they can’t flashily abandon classrooms full of kids. No fun being self-righteous when there’s no one around to notice, eh? ITEM: Living Well Is The Best Revenge! Department: Not long ago, we told you about James Tate, a senior and honor student in Shelton, Connecticut who taped 12” letters to the front of his school asking Sonali Rodrigues to go to the prom with him. She, of course, accepted, but school Headmaster Beth Smith banned Tate from the prom, and in so doing, kicked over an international hornet’s nest. She was eventually overruled by the school Superintendent after several state legislators set to work on legislation that would overturn her decision. Not only did James and Sonali attend the prom in style, he was voted king of the prom by his peers who apparently have a well-developed sense of irony. Good for you James and Sonali! Go here for more on the story. ITEM: Just Desserts Department: When Attorney Alan Gura and his associates won the McDonald v. Chicago case wherein the US Supreme Court applied the 2nd Amendment to the states, Gura applied for a reasonable attorney’s fee” from the losing side, which he is allowed to do under federal law. Chicago, of course, stiffed Gura, but now, the applicable federal appeals court has order Chicago—and Oak Park, IL—to pay up. Go here for the story and the order of the court. ITEM: What?! He Didn’t Wait For the All-Wise, All-Beneficent Government To Deal With It?! Go here to read the story of Army Staff Sgt. Eddie Peoples, who, while on vacation, single-handedly foiled—and in spectacular style—an armed bank robbery. Go Army! ITEM: The Chinese are about to go to sea with their first aircraft carrier (here). The ship, purchased unfinished from the Russians several years ago, might seem to be a game-changer, but careful analysis suggests otherwise. Read the entire article to see why our military isn’t very concerned. ITEM: So, we know that there are at least 500 million barrels of economically recoverable oil in Texas. Recovering that oil would lower gas prices and provide thousands of real—not rhetorical—jobs. It would help the economy... Whoa! Not so fast there Tex! There is a problem, a tiny reptilian problem that, if the Government has its way, will put a cork in the bottle of Texas oil. Go here to read the story, but take your blood pressure meds first. ITEM: So, There Is A Jobs Renaissance--in Detroit?! According to Turbo-Tax Timothy Geithner, our serial tax-evading Secretary of the Treasury, the Obama Administration’s manipulations of 2/3 of the American auto industry have sparked a veritable renaissance in jobs in Detroit! Detroit? That rusting urban wasteland? That future movie set for a post-apocalyptic Mad Max sequel? The very one. The problem, however, according to Ed Morrissey at Hot Air (here) is that like so much of the rhetoric emanating from DC these days, it’s not remotely true. Read the story, please. ITEM: It Cost What?! Remember when a billion dollars was real money? According to the Obama Administration, the federal bailout of Mortgage giants Fannie and Freddie cost $130 billion. It’s bad enough that in the current Obamanomics climate, that doesn’t sound like very much money at all. What’s worse is that, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the actual cost is at least $317 billion and rising. Great. Go here for the whole story. Take deep, regular breaths. ITEM: That Stupid Sarah Palin! Remember when Sarah Palin said that she could see Russia from her House? Boy, wasn’t that stupid—except that she didn’t say it. It was Tina Fey parodying her on Saturday Night Live. Well, now Palin has done it again. Speaking off the cuff to reporters, Palin claimed that Paul Revere warned the British during his historic ride in 1775. What an idiot! She didn't even go to the right college! The media, as usual where Palin is involved, gleefully piled on. Except, according to actual, noted historians, Palin was exactly right. Go here to see who is and isn’t dumb. ITEM: Don’t Touch MY Social Security! What’s the old saw? “Don’t tax you, don’t tax me, tax that fellow behind the tree.” The same goes for Social Security, which everyone agrees must be reformed, but only reform that doesn’t, you know, actually reform anything. Sorry campers; it’s already happening. Go here to find out how. ITEM: The Obligatory Weiner Item Of The Week: Author Andrew Klavan is one of finest wits writing today. His “Klavan On The Culture” videos for Pajamas TV are brief masterworks of satire. He has returned to blog on Pajamas Media with a post on the unfortunate Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) here. By all means, acquaint yourself with Mr. Klavan. ITEM: Is He Actually Trying To Blow Himself Up? Mitt Romney, on the campaign trail in New Hampshire, professed his belief in Global Warming and in the necessity of wasting trillions we don’t have to cause no change whatsoever in the global climate. Go here to read the whole thing. Apart for departing from one of the fundamental conservative platforms in an appallingly unnecessary way, Mr. Romney apparently hasn’t heard of Climategate or read any of the most recent literature. And this is the Republican “Front Runner?” Could he play into Mr. Obama’s hands any more effectively if he tried? By the time they’re done agreeing with each other on ObamaCare and Global Warming, will there be anything they can actually debate, in a debate? ITEM: Louis Renault Award of the Week: From Ed Morrissey at Hot Air (here) we are shocked, shocked! to learn that if ObamaCare is not repealed, enormous numbers of Americans—far more than have previously been predicted—will see their insurance decreased, will see it cost far more, or will lose their insurance entirely. Read the whole thing. Secure breakable items first. ITEM: “What we found is one of the most misleading collections of assertions we have seen in a short presidential speech. Virtually every claim by the president regarding the auto industry needs an asterisk, just like the fine print in that too-good-to-be-true car loan.”
So reads an article from Ed Morrissey at Hot Air (here), which explains that virtually everything Mr. Obama recently said in justifying his auto industry takeover is, to put it kindly, fanciful. Read the whole thing and take the link to Glenn Kessler’s Washington Post (a newspaper not known for a uniformly Conservative outlook) article (here). Kessler sums it up nicely: “If the auto industry bailout is really a success, there should be no need to resort to trumped-up rhetoric and phony accounting to make your case.” Indeed. ITEM: They Did What? By all means, go here to discover that the Department of Health and Human Services really is making it up as they go along. Remember all of those ObamaCare waivers HHS Secretary Kathleen Sibelius has been granting to unions, cronies and the occasional state? The ObamaCare law did not give her the authority to do that. Where did she get it? HHS made up a regulation giving itself the power! Well OK then. I hereby give myself the power to never again pay income taxes and to run out of office any federal weasel I choose! So there! Discuss. ITEM: Those Awful Machineguns Are Everywhere! Go here to National Review Online where Kevin Williamson has written a concise article in response to recent Media Matters lies (do they do anything else?) about the availability of machinegun parts and the ease with which a semiautomatic rifle may be converted to fully automatic fire. Williams debunks this never-ending tripe convincingly. Fully automatic weapons are available on the market, but can be sold only by dealers specifically licensed to sell them, they require major local, state and federal paperwork including fingerprinting, records checks, and a $200 fee. The process commonly takes up to six months before one can take possession of the weapon, and there are substantial regulations thereafter. Federal law treats mere conversion parts as an actual gun, and no commonly available rifle, such as the AR-15 can be converted without highly specific knowledge and specific and expensive machining tools. By all means, read the article for future reference the next time someone brings up this sort of silliness within earshot. ITEM: He Said What?! Department: And now a question for all of the bonus points and the championship: Who said that the federal gasoline tax should be raised by as much as $1 per gallon to force people to buy more fuel-efficient cars? Ding, ding ding! That’s right, it was the CEO of General Motors. He also thinks that maybe GM will get rid of the government’s remaining 26% share of the company, you know, like soon or something. Go here to Hot Air for the whole story. Hey, you know, he sounds very much like Mr. Obama and his bureaucrats, doesn’t he? How do you suppose that happened? Could it be that he’s trying to force people to buy Chevy Volts? Speaking of which, you may wish to visit my most recent article on that very topic (here). Perhaps there’s a reason some call it “Government Motors” after all. Discuss. ITEM: Go here to Michelle Malkin where Doug Powers writes about the Obama Administration’s “Green Ribbon Schools” program, whereby selected schools will be honored for “creating healthy and sustainable learning environments” and for “teaching environmental literacy.” According to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson “…Green Ribbon Schools will prepare our children to win the future by leading our global green energy economy.” Read the story. Powers concludes: “If the Department of Labor’s stimulus-driven Green Jobs Training Program’ results are any indication, there’s a good chance that the only thing ‘Green Ribbons Schools’ will prepare students for is the unemployment line.” Just so. ITEM: What’s going on with our national energy policy? Nothing good. Go here to read a brief but informative article by the invaluable Michael Barone. ITEM: Massive federal spending cuts are going to have to happen, but congress critters, particularly the Democrat species, can’t accept that necessity just now. So what would they prefer? How about cutting pay and benefits for our military? Isn’t that a great idea? Cut the pay and benefits for the people who risk their lives to ensure that, as Abraham Lincoln said it in the Gettysburg Address: “government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the Earth.”
Go here to read the story by Rob at PACNW Righty. ITEM: They Did What?! Let’s say you’re a Wisconsin Liberal and you want to get good publicity in your continuing protests against the evil Republican Governor, Scott Walker, who is cruelly and irrationally trying to keep Wisconsin from going bankrupt. You’re sitting around the union hall brainstorming about the best place to stage a protest. What’s the first thing that would come to mind? That’s right! A Special Olympics Event! Go here for the story. Be glad you don’t think like those people. ITEM: Feel Good Story of the Week: Go here for the heart-warming story of a Florida couple served a foreclosure notice by a bank. Not only was the bank wrong—the couple paid cash for the home in the first place; there was never a mortgage to foreclose—but the bank drug them into court anyway. The judge threw out the case and ordered the bank to reimburse them for their considerable legal costs. For months, the bank drug its feet and did nothing, until the couple’s attorney showed up with the Sheriff and foreclosed—on the bank! Talk about guilty pleasure! And with that warm and fuzzy feeling in our respective hearts, I must thank you, once again, for stopping by and bid you return next Thursday for another edition of Quick Takes.
Posted by: MikeM at 10:56 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Weiner's Downfall
It was inevitable.
From FTR Video. Update: Radio shock jocks Opie and Anthony have posted a X-rated photo sent by Anthony Weiner to one of the young women. I will not post it here nor link to it, but you can rest assured that the Congressman is completely compromised. The House Democratic leader has to force Weiner out over this, or lose the few shreds of ethical credibility that have left. Former DNC Head Tim Kaine has already called for Weiner's resignation. Weiner, like Hitler, seems to have been undone at the Battle of the Bulge.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 09:23 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
June 07, 2011
Chevy Volt Update for June 8, 2011
As regular readers know, I’ve been following the convoluted path of the Chevy Volt since before the first car rolled off a diesel-powered transporter (there’s irony for you) onto a dealer display floor. My original intention was merely to point out the less-than-stunning reality of the Volt’s “revolutionary” technology compared to the ever-changing claims of GM and the Volt’s many fans. As time has passed, all of the usual elements of governmental corruption and cronyism have attached to the story, and it has taken on something of a zombie-like life of its own.
Even though real world experience with the Volt has confirmed the limitations and potential problems many have identified, the Volt continues to be sold, albeit in limited numbers. It is not at all unusual for a major American manufacturer to produce a car that sells poorly, but never before has such a car come with such obvious limitations and at such a high MSRP ($41,000). In the usual workings of the marketplace, automotive turkeys die a quick and merciful death, but what is the lifespan of a vehicle born of environmentalist fantasies and political pandering? That remains to be seen. For those curious about my past posts, merely type in “Chevy Volt” in the site search feature of the site and you’ll find what you seek. You might also want to visit: (1) My recent Pajamas Media article on the Volt and its political entanglements (here). (2) An article by Ed Morrissey (here) that touches on many of the issues I’ve already raised, but adds some new facts. (3) An article on the Green Auto Blog (here) with generally bad—but perfectly predictable—news about electric vehicles in general.Posted by: MikeM at 11:21 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Leftist "Comic" Says He Would Assassinate Palin
Obama mentor Bill Ayers, himself an advocate for executing up to 25 million Americans in "reeducation camps, would no doubt approve.
It's not for your country, Chris. It's for your lock-step, childish, and violent ideology.
In responding to a question about former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's appearance on "Fox News Sunday," in which Palin defended her interpretation of what happened during Paul Revere's pre-Revolutionary War famous ride, Titus launched into a description of what he would do if Palin were elected. "You know what man?" Titus said. "I am going to literally — if she gets elected president, I am going to hang out on the grassy knoll all the time, just loaded and ready — because you know what? It's for my country. It's for my country. If I got to sacrifice myself, it's for my country."
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 12:14 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
June 06, 2011
Letter From The Teacher #4: What's Wrong With Those High School Teachers?
Anytown High School, Any State, USA
To: Mr. And Mrs. JohnsonFrom: Mr. English Teacher
Re: Your Question Dear Mr. and Mrs. Johnson: I’m glad I had the chance to meet you at WalMart yesterday. I’m sorry we didn’t have the time to complete our conversation about college, but I thought I’d take this opportunity to see if I can more completely answer your questions. Even though John is only a junior, it is certainly not too early for you to start making admission and scholarship applications at the colleges of your choice. John’s SAT score puts him in the top 10% of all students in the nation, and I have no doubt that he will be successful in college. Please let me know if you need letters of recommendation. I understand your concerns about the quality and value of a college education. Like you, I’ve been reading articles on all of the difficulties in higher education. Perhaps I can explain some of them, or at least those that involve high school. It may also interest you to know that I have actually taught college as an adjunct instructor in the past. We often hear of college teachers complaining about the quality of students entering college. They claim that many can’t write college level work. They say that they’re unprepared for the responsibility and academic rigor of college. They lament the fact that they have to establish entire departments to provide remedial classes for these kids. And the sad fact is, they’re absolutely right, but not entirely for the reasons one might think. Part of the problem is outlined in an article by Mona Charen (available here). The simple truth is that Lake Woebegon, where all the kids are above average (and all the women are strong and the men are good looking), does not exist. In the real world, some people are going to excel in academics, most will do at least acceptably well, and some will not do well at all. Charles Murray of the American Enterprise Institute has written an interesting article (available here in pdf form) that suggests that there is a minimum level of intelligence necessary for any student to do well, to be able to do genuine college-level academic work successfully. He sets that level at an IQ of 125, which means that only about 15% of the population will meet or exceed that standard.
Posted by: MikeM at 11:06 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
The Unbearable Lightness of Weiner
“I don’t believe that I did anything that violates any law or any rule.”
Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) has finally come clean and admitted, albeit vaguely, that he engaged in what is commonly known as “sexting” for years, prior to and after his recent marriage, with multiple young women, apparently around the nation. In the furtherance of his “social intercourse,” Weiner sent multiple photographs of himself, including various body parts, to these women. However, unlike former Rep. Christopher Lee (R-NY), who was recently caught up in a similarly self-generated predicament, Weiner will not resign. Note his quote, which appeared on the June 6th edition of The O’Reilly Factor. While by the standards of DC sex scandals, Weiner’s serial transgressions are relatively tame, the situation does raise many interesting questions about not just Rep. Weiner, but us. Just as they were anxious to defend and absolve Weiner of any and all guilt, many—including elements of the Lamestream Media—are equally anxious to put the affair behind them. Some have already observed that he did apologize and admit wrongdoing. He said that he took responsibility for his acts. Indeed, we all sin. We all behave foolishly from time to time. Americans do tend to be a forgiving people, particularly when those seeking forgiveness do so sincerely and with genuine contrition. Unfortunately, Rep. Weiner, for more than a week, lied to the nation, his wife, his constituents and his Congressional colleagues. For more than a week, he not only attacked Andrew Brietbart, actually accusing him of nefarious deeds and lying, but he encouraged others—by his example--to do the same. As it turns out, Mr. Brietbart reported only the facts. Everything he reported has been proven true, and he actually withheld particularly damaging and sexually graphic photos that Rep. Weiner sent to women. Yes, he did apologize to Mr. Brietbart, but was it sincere? Did he show contrition? What responsibility, exactly, did he take?Posted by: MikeM at 09:47 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
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