September 18, 2011
Evil Exists: A Cautionary Tale For Our Times
I've been out of police work for more than a decade now. In many ways, it seems like only yesterday, yet I know better. Any policeman knows that even when absent from the job for a few weeks of vacation, an edge is lost and must be regained. I know there are many things I've forgotten, not big things, but nuances, insights, personal procedures that helped me to be sharp and effective in my specific duties. Other things, if not exactly forgotten, have faded to the back of my consciousness, painful things, particularly painful things that happened to others, things over which I had no control.
As well as teaching, I'm a professional singer. I'm not on the concert circuit, living out of a suitcase, constantly traveling, conducting master's classes, always hustling to promote myself while hoping against hope that the voice stays healthy. Rather I sing with a fine chorale that is the principal chorus of a fine symphony, and I'm also paid to sing with a metropolitan church choir that has a few hired choral guns, so to speak. This allows the church to do a higher level of music and more of it, which would not be possible by relying merely on volunteers. It's far from a huge amount of money, but it's nice to be paid for all of those years of rehearsal and effort and equally nice to work with nice people who appreciate my efforts. So it was that in our warm-up rehearsal this morning, before the second service, one of the volunteer members of our choir delivered a painful reminder that in an instant took me back more than a decade. She and her husband are good people, personable folks anyone would like to know, and it was distinctly disturbing to hear her emotion-choked voice, a voice tinged with terror, as she related this cautionary tale. Last week, one unremarkable morning, my friend's young daughter, the mother of a newborn, was home alone. Her husband was gone to work, when suddenly, the doorbell began insistently ringing and did not stop. Realizing something was very wrong and clutching her newborn to her chest, she peered through the peephole in the front door and saw two unfamiliar black men, one ringing the bell but being careful to lower his face, the other facing away from the door. She called her young husband who told her to immediately call 911, and as she did, telling her story in a state of confusion and fright, she saw the burglars heading around the house, and she knew they were going to break into her home through the back door. Staying on the line with the police, she locked herself in her bathroom and taking her two small dogs with her, barricaded herself, the dogs and her baby, as best she could, in a closet in that bathroom. Despite the barking of the dogs, she could hear the burglars breaking through the door. They rattled the doorknob of the bathroom, but did not enter. She heard them ransacking her bedroom and other portions of her home. The terror in my friend's voice as she relived the danger her daughter faced, the horror of what might have happened, was gripping and enraging. As I so often have throughout my police career and my life thereafter, I wished I had been there, for if I had, our community would have been short two predators one way or the other. But as usual, I wasn't there, and I could only listen in frustration. The police, amazingly, were only about a block away, and in the meantime, my friend's son-in-law had called them and told them what was happening, so they and their son-in-law were racing the police. By the time they arrived, it was all over. Four police cars and four officers were present and they managed to capture the drugged juvenile getaway driver and his car, but the burglars, carrying most of the young couple's jewelry, had leapt the back fence and were long gone. Their TV set was unplugged and set aside for quick removal, but was still present. The young mother was unhurt but fundamentally changed--they all were. They young parents have not returned to the house—their home—since that morning. They will return only to move their remaining property to another house elsewhere, a house they hope will be safe, a house that may once again become a home. The police told them that home invasion burglaries are an epidemic in their area. They're trying hard to stop them, but results are few and far between. The juvenile they caught will almost certainly lawyer up and say nothing, and because he's a juvenile, will experience no real punishment and will have no incentive to give up his pals. My friends, their daughter and her husband are Christians. They know intellectually that evil exists. They read about it often and believe that through their Christian faith, they help to fight evil. But until that day, they did not know, did not believe in every fiber of their beings that evil could and would visit them, that it would actively seek them out in their home. They could not imagine that evil would imperil their lives and the life of their child. Certainly, they were aware of the depravity criminals inflict on others every day. They, like most people, shook their heads and sympathized with news accounts of innocent citizens, good people, who have been maimed, raped, even killed by two legged predators, but until last week, it was something that always happened to someone else. No longer. Over the last year I wrote a five part series titled "Me? Own A Gun?" that explores the practical, ethical, moral and legal issues revolving around gun ownership. Here's how to access that series: Go here for article 1Go here for Article 2
Go here for Article 3
Go here for Article 4
Go here for Article 5 But don't go there, don't read that series, until you read the rest of this article after the break.
Posted by: MikeM at 09:06 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 17, 2011
The Horror and Hilarity of "Plan 9 From Outer Space."
At Confederate Yankee we don't do a great deal of literary or cinema criticism, but occasionally, something piques our interest like today's offering. There are some works in a given genre of artistic expression so outstanding that one can't be considered truly educated if they have not experienced and appreciated them. These works such as "The Creation" on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican in Rome, or Penny Marshall's "Awakenings" that are examples of the best mankind can produce. They feed the intellect and elevate the soul. Then there are some works so unintentionally wretched that one can't be considered truly amused and entertained unless they have been exposed—in the broadest sense of the word—to them. "Plan 9 From Outer Space" is such a work.
If it's so wretched, why should you see "Plan 9?" It is unintentionally hilarious. Made with the best intentions and with the hope of commercial and artistic success, "Plan 9" is a delightful example of everything that can be incorrectly done in the making of a movie from casting to editing and everything in between. At the beginning of each school year, I introduce my students to the idea that there is such a thing as good art, as opposed to mere entertainment. Some things are simply so much better than others that they should be appreciated as the best mankind can do. The rest may be well made, technically accomplished, even enormously entertaining, but simply cannot measure up to good art. In many educational and artistic circles, merely making this suggestion is akin to heresy and immediately labels those making it as artistic barbarians. Relativism, you see, trumps all for such elite connoisseurs of the arts. Equally shocking to the elite is the idea that one might understand what is good art and what is mere entertainment by considering and analyzing easily understood criteria such as the screenplay, casting, acting, production values (props, sets, costumes, lighting, sound, makeup, etc.), music, continuity errors and others. By seeing such obviously bad examples of all of these criteria, my students are able to identify them in good films where the criteria are more subtle and refined. After writing their first critique, they uniformly tell me that they are far better consumers of movies and are immediately aware of bad editing, continuity errors, poor casting, poor direction and all of the other factors that go into making a movie. With that in mind allow me, gentle readers, to introduce you to the wonders—and horrors—of "Plan 9 From Outer Space."Posted by: MikeM at 10:56 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 16, 2011
The Literature Corner: It's Not A Good Day To Die
Police officers are often called upon to do things they know may not be the smartest thing to do. Duty compels them, and in doing what may appear to be the right thing, what appears to be a kindness, they may do the opposite.
This true story illustrates that eternal contradiction of police work, a contradiction brought on by the fact that they have to deal with the human race.It’s Not a Good Day to Die I came to a complete stop as I hit the intersection. Four lanes every direction--the light was against me and even with my lights flashing and siren blaring, people weren’t catching on. Smart cops don’t blast through intersections; they make eye contact with every driver in sight and crawl through, just in case. If you get into an accident you have to stop, and you don’t help anyone if you get creamed on the way to an emergency. I could see him clearly from two blocks away. He was sitting on the ledge of the tallest building in town--the ledge of choice for suicide gestures: The Hilton. It was only eight stories high, but that was five or so more than enough to do the trick. Great, just great. Probably just a suicide gesture. He’s half way over the ledge. Most don’t go that far. Not good. His uncoordinated, jerky movement suggested that he was major league drunk. My backup was still about a mile off when I arrived. A hotel security guy was waiting at the elevator. He was apologetic. There had been maintenance work on a rooftop air conditioning unit and someone forgot to lockout the elevator roof access. Is this elevator slower than usual? Will he still be there when I get to the top? He was. And he was standing on the roof, leaning against the four-foot high ledge. I managed to get within about 25 feet before he spotted me and clumsily oozed back onto the ledge, facing inward toward me. Great. I was right; he’s drunk as hell. Looks familiar... “Joe; Joe Black Wolf; is that you?” “I’m gonna jump you sum’bish. I’m gonna do it. I wanna jump,” he slurred in an excited voice. It’s Joe. What is this? His fifth suicide gesture so far this year? I decided to play dumb. It was about 4:30 PM, dark and overcast. A numbing wind pulsed over the roof, creaking and whistling eerily in the thicket of antennas and machinery. I’ll pretend I can’t hear him; with the wind, he might buy it. I cupped my ears and shrugged whenever he said something. “Joe, I can’t hear you,” I yelled. ‘It’s the wind. Listen Joe, I’m just gonna come close enough so I can hear you. I promise I won’t come any closer, OK?” “I’m gonna do it! You ain’t stoppin’ me!” Joe yelled and clumsily swung his legs over the top of the ledge, letting one dangle on each side. I was still about 15 feet from him when he yelled something angry and unintelligible and swung both legs over the ledge. Geez...not now! The toe of Joe’s left shoe caught the ledge, and he pitched forward. My mind was racing. Any good cop tries to stay in what firearm guru Jeff Cooper calls “condition yellow.” A relaxed alertness, it demands some degree of constant concentration and always thinking ahead. You take in everything around you and ask “what if?” What if that guy walking toward me with his hand in his coat pulls a gun? What if that car that’s swerving a little toward the centerline crosses it in the next few seconds? What will I do? Where can I go? What if Joe is so drunk he kills himself accidentally? Damn! No way can I get to him in time if he goes over. Man, this doesn’t look good, he’s almost lost it… Without thinking, I hustled within six feet of him before he somehow stopped falling and slowly righted himself. God looks out for cops and drunks, I guess. It all took no more than three seconds.
Posted by: MikeM at 11:47 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Gunwalker: Despite More Confirmed Deaths, Obama's DOJ Continues Ttying to Cover-Up the Conspiracy
My latest update on this treasonous Administration's plot to arm drug cartels and street gangs on both sides of the border is posted at Pajamas Media
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 05:43 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 15, 2011
Barack Obama: The Shocking Truth Finally Revealed!
NEWSFLASH: Barack Obama is a three-headed space alien from Alpha Centuri sent to Earth to kidnap women and the American economy because Alpha Centuri needs women and an economy! Confederate Yankee has done it again, breaking stories no sane blog will touch!
According to high ranking Administration sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, the stories about Mr. Obama’s ineligibility for office are true, but not as many have imagined. Rather than being merely foreign born, he was born—actually hatched--outside our solar system! “He has a personal concealment field that hides his true appearance and carries around ferocious space weasels in his trousers,” one source revealed to CY. In another CY exclusive, another Administration source revealed a matter that has been vexing the public since NY Times' House Republican David Brooks' drooling article over Mr. Obama's pants creases: “They [the space weasels] maintain the creases Brooks drooled over, using unfathomable alien pant creasing technology." Yet another female Administration source told CY: "You can’t imagine the havoc they’ve wreaked in the female staffer’s washroom. I mean they just pop out anywhere and women disappear!” Rumors of missing female staffers have long swirled around the Obama White House. Another anonymous staffer provided this revealing e-mail. Written by a female staffer that has not been seen since the July 2nd date of the e-mail, it provides a chilling perspective on working in the White House: From: Name RedactedTo: Jay Carney Re: Ferocious Space Weasels I can’t take it any more! Everywhere I go, I’m being pursued by these crazed weasels! I’m going through five pair of shredded pantyhose a week! And every time I see Mr. Obama, I swear he has three heads! And…wait a minute…what’s that noise…Oh, Mr. President, it’s you…what are you….AAIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEE….. Presidential Press Secretary Jay Carney spoke with CY by phone: “I’ve never heard of Miss Redacted, er, whatever her name was, and I have no comment about space weasels" Carney said. "As for Mr. Glorgscarch, er, I mean Mr. Obama, I…AAIIIIEEEEEEEEE…” Repeated requests for comment from Mr. Obama have gone without reply amid growing rumors of odd, glowing spacecraft landing on the East Lawn of the White House at irregular intervals. CY will continue to follow this shocking story and report developments as they become available. Can I be reported to Mr. Obama’s People’s Block Committee site, “Attack Watch” now, pretty please? It’s your Socialist duty! Join the glorious people’s revolution and report your neighbor or your parents today! Support the wise and glorious leader of the people's revolution! Show him how much you love him! DISCLAIMER: Mr. Obama is not actually a three-headed space alien with ferocious space weasels in his neatly creased trousers. As far as we know.
Posted by: MikeM at 10:12 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
... Of a Miserable Failure
In 2007 and 2008 the signs were there and all too vivid for those who cared to look.
Unrepentant and continual contact with not one, but two of America's most infamous political terrorists. Ties to another mentor who was both an admitted child rapist and a radical. Befriending a radical priest that advocates lynching. Spending more than two decades in a radical church that is a blend of Marxist political theory and racial supremacy. An short and undistinguished political career marked by radical positions, when he would even take a position at all. An incomplete, sometimes contradictory personal history and an unwillingness to divulge everything from his associates to his collegiate records. The padding of his resume. But he was new, and charismatic. He was a handsome and gifted speech reader with a on-pitch delivery and a vague promise of "hope and change" at a time when much of the nation wanted to simply pretend everything that had happened from 9/11/01 onward was just a bad dream. He wasn't a candidate. He was an escapist fantasy for a nation worn down by protracted wars and deep domestic divisions. Looked at it objectively with the benefit of hindsight, it seems obvious that the Democratic Party could have run almost any fresh-faced candidate and won against the feeble and caustic old man offered up by Republicans. Barack Obama was then, and always has been... a miserable failure (NSFW).(also NSFW)
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 02:09 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 14, 2011
Quick Takes, September 15, 2011
ITEM: Can He Pull It Off? Can Rick Perry defeat Barack Obama? Josh Kraushaar at National Journal thinks he can, and his arguments are persuasive. See what you think. Discuss.
ITEM: Rational Information On Social Security: Go here to find out some essential, little-known facts about social Security and why we should be worried if our feckless politicians won't do anything about it and soon--very worried. ITEM: The Majesty Of The Law and Progressive Justice: Remember the much bandied-about incident between Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices Ann Walsh Bradley (Progressive) and David Prosser (Conservative)? Bradley charged Prosser in a fury and then cried "victim," claiming that Prosser choked her. Go here to read about the police investigative report. It might give one reason to be seriously concerned for Bradley's mental health, if one lived in Wisconsin, except that just about every self-identified progressive thereabouts seems to be in the same tipsy boat these days. Rational WI attorney Ann Althouse's take is here. No, I don't mean there is any such place as "Rational, WI." I think that would probably be illegal in Wisconsin. I mean that Ms. Althouse is rational. You'll see. ITEM: Bailout! When Barack Obama took over GM and Chrysler, I traded my nearly new Dodge in on a Ford Escape, and haven't regretted it for a second, philosophically or mechanically. I've since purchased another new Ford and it's simply a fine car. As long as our government has anything to do with GM and Chrysler, I won't so much as touch one of their products. Go here for a brief video that expresses similar sentiments, as well as a bit of patriotism. ITEM: As The Weiner Turns: Wouldn't that be a great name for a soap opera set in a predominantly Democrat, Jewish Congressional district in New York City? It would be ruled by Democrats since 1922 until…September 13 when Republican businessman and political novice Bob Turner defeated the Democrat anointed to take Anthony Weiner's seven-term seat. Go here for the story. Oh yes, the White House tells us this win—by 8 points--and another Republican landslide in Nevada are not a referendum on Barack Obama. Of course not! Who would imagine such a thing?! ITEM: The Very Definition of Chutzpah: DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (who happens to be Jewish), blathering about the Turner upset in NY-9, claimed that Barack Obama will always receive the Jewish vote because of his strong record on Israel. Do the Israelis know about this record? Aren't those guys--you know--Jews? And NY Dem. Senator Chuck Schumer (who also happens to be Jewish) blamed the loss on the fact that NY-9, the district he once represented, is just too darned--Jewish. Perhaps he ought to have a chat with Ms. Wasserman-Schultz to see about a bit of story synching. Go here for the hilarity. There has to be a "a Jew walked into a bar…" joke in this somewhere. ITEM: Louis Renault Award, Agriculture Division: I was shocked, shocked(!) to discover that the EPA is now regulating farmers out of business. I know the geniuses at the EPA are trying to reduce us to a medieval standard of living (living?), but they do know we need to eat—don't they? Farmers are concerned. Go here to find out why. ITEM: Louis Renault Award, Wasting $528 Million of Taxpayer Money Division: I was shocked, shocked(!) to learn that the Obama White House pressured government budget analysts who knew that solar panel maker Solyndra was in deep financial trouble to support that $528 million loan to Solyndra in time for a Joe Biden "ain't green grand?" photo op. As readers know, Solyndra recently went belly up. Ain't no sunshine when they gone. Go here to read the sad story. ITEM: "Everyone Knew That The Plant Wouldn't Work: So says an ex-Solyndra employee who recently told Mark Levin that the company was producing such poor quality solar panels that at least $100,000 a day had to be thrown away. You don't suppose that sort of thing could, you know, over the long term, lead to bankruptcy, do you? Go here to find out. ITEM: Surely They're Not Going To Do It Again? Not with the FBI and just about anyone else with a badge and gun investigating Solyndra? Yes they are, and don't call me Shirley. Go here to the beautiful and bright Michelle Malkin to learn, among other things, that the Obama Administration continues to dole out megabucks for green failure. They really can't learn from history, can they? Lord Acton was right. ITEM: You Don't Say? "With South Carolina an early presidential primary state, many expect Republican hopefuls to hammer this issue as an example of this administration’s policies hampering job creation." I'm referring, of course, to the NLRB's attempt to prevent Boeing from opening up its multi-billion dollar South Carolina plant at the behest of union machinists in Washington State. It seems South Carolina cruelly doesn't allow union bosses and thugs to run the state, so the NLRB is playing the heavy: "nice little state youse got dere. Be a shame if anyting was to happen to it." The House of Representatives is poised to go after the NLRB. The Dem-controlled Senate seems less interested (surprise!) Go here for the story. Just a thought: With unions an ever-shrinking portion of the public sector, is behaving like particularly vicious and spoiled little thugs the way to make friends and influence people? Discuss. ITEM: Remember The Good Old Days of Communism? You know, when citizens on every block were paid informers for the state? When every phone was tapped, every apartment was bugged, children were encouraged to turn in their parents, and everyone betrayed everyone? Remember the starvation, the alcoholism, the brutality, the dehumanization, the crushing, state imposed poverty of mind, body, spirit and bank account? Well happy days are here again! The Obama Campaign has established "Attack Watch" where all good socialists can inform on anyone daring to disagree with the Dear Leader, The One, His Most Majestic Highness, Barack H. Obama, Defender of the Faithless, Protector of the Holy Union Halls, Bard of the Teleprompter, to the glorious worker's revolution! Honey, where's my "Che" t-shirt? ITEM: Oh Yeah, They Deserve This! Go here for a fine parody of Attack Watch! Let the laughter at these humorless and witless twits commence and never cease! ITEM: Uh, the Dems Are Voting Against It?! It seems Mr. Obama's glorious Stimulus II which we must pass "right away" without reading it or knowing what's in it (it's the Obama way!) is already being shot full of holes by his own party (Uh-oh! I'm using such uncivil language. I must remember to chastise myself later). Hmm. Could losing NY-9, Mr. Obama's job approval in CA(!?) dropping to record lows and his overall approval going down in flames have anything to do with it? Ed Morrissey at Hot Air thinks so. Me too. Go here. See what you think. ITEM: Fast And Furious—Again: It keeps getting better and better, unless of course you're a Mexican citizen being killed with guns our government shipped to Mexican drug cartels. Three more F & F guns have turned up in murders and related mayhem in Mexico. Go here for details. Remind me again why a special prosecutor hasn't already been appointed? ITEM: Lawyer Becomes Stripper! No, it's not an Onion parody; it's the real thing. Go here for the interesting story about "Carla," drowning in law school debt, who turned her financial life around when no other options were possible. It's at once sad and heartening. At least this is a woman relying on her own resources to pay her bills rather than claiming victim status and taking a ride on the public gravy train. Food for thought. ITEM: Has Obama Learned Anything? Peter Wehner at Commentary has an interesting, brief article by that name. He concludes: " If you dig beneath the rationalizations and the excuses, the field of strawmen, and the barrage of attacks on the motives of his opponents, one can only wonder: In his quiet moments, during times of self-reflection, has Obama –an educated and literate man — learned much of anything from all this?" Notice Wehner's careful parsing: "an educated and literate man." Mr. Obama presumably has the credentials of higher education, though no confirmation of his educational accomplishments is available. And as a result of all that exposure to educational opportunity--substantial evidence exists to indicate that he did not avail himself of that opportunity—he has presumably gained some degree of literacy as evidenced by his ability to swivel his neck like a deranged automaton while reading a teleprompter. What may be missing is any real evidence of intelligence—other than the kind of feral cunning necessary to survive in the snake pit of Chicago machine politics—and common sense. Without them, Mr. Obama has no chance to learn anything (I know; I'm assuming he might actually be open to learning anything. Can't be cynical 100% of the time.). Discuss. ITEM: The Post-Foreign Policy Presidency: You must go here to read Ambassador John Bolton's most recent article on Mr. Obama's foreign policy fecklessness at National Review online. It's a rare opportunity to learn from an actual foreign policy expert who is not only capable of representing America, but can accurately identify America's friends, enemies, and her national interests 100% of the time. That's why the Dems opposed him at every turn. To paraphrase Mr. Obama, you must read this article, right away! Read this article! If you love me, you'll read this article! ITEM: The Not Ready For Prime Time Presidency: Go here to my favorite Bookworm's site for a neat bit of exposure of the undeniable fact that Mr. Obama has no class—none at all. Come to think of it, he's lacking in compassion, decency, self-restraint, honesty, courage, humility, (add your category here) _______________... ITEM: Up For A Bit Of High-Powered Satire? Go here for a great piece on our good friends on the Left by David Kahane. ITEM: Life Goes On: For a charming reminder that for most other species, life goes on and self-reliance is the only option, visit Zoo Borns. Loads of "awwwww!" moments (particularly the baby gorilla) and a bit of fun in the middle of our daily bustle. And with that bit of relaxation and a gentle reminder of our place in the universe, I'll thank you for stopping by, bid you a fond farewell, and encourage you to stop by again next Thursday for another edition of Quick Takes! We'll leave the key under the mat.Posted by: MikeM at 09:48 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Too Dumb to Check: Obama Has Clinical Depression?
His economy is depressed, his poll numbers are depressed, his agenda is depressing, so yeah, it fits.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 10:12 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Real-Time Animation Of Obama's Poll Numbers
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 08:17 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 13, 2011
EV Update for Sept. 14, 2011
It seems that reality is catching up to the electric vehicle scam after all. Oh, it’s not catching up quite quickly enough to prevent the Federal government from wasting untold millions buying thousands of Chevy Volts and all of their related charging paraphernalia, which, post-Obama (if we are very, very lucky, in 2012) will be worth less than the salvage value of their respective parts. At least Mr. Obama will have established yet another first: instead of the government buying cheap, stripped down vehicles, it will be buying expensive vehicles that work poorly, don’t deliver more than a fraction of the mileage promised, cost two arms and two legs to repair, and have the trade-in value of a used hamburger.
The economics of EV ownership continue to be terrible: vehicles like the Volt—which isn’t a true electric car but a very complex pseudo hybrid—and the Nissan Leaf—which is a true electric car—easily cost up to twice as much as comparable conventional vehicles. In fact, one could easily buy the most luxurious conventional analog possible and still have from $10,000 to $20,000 left in their pocket compared to the cost of a Volt or Leaf. As I’ve reported in the recent past (here), because of the huge outlay in initial purchase price, even if a Volt or Leaf owner actually realizes the ridiculously optimistic mileage guesses of the EPA and GM and Nissan, they will never break even on fuel costs alone over a comparable conventionally powered vehicle. All of the promised savings on fuel are, in effect, fairy dust and unicorn horns: wonderful to tell, but never actually seen. Additional Links For This Article: (1) Go here for a story about Costco in California removing EV charging stations. (2) Go here for a Patrick Michaels story in Forbes on the ever-unfortunate economic realities of the Volt and of Mr. Obama's meddling in GM. (3) Go here for Allah Pundit's update on quickly diminishing public interest in the Volt. (4) Go here for a Fox News story, which speculates that the Volt is already, so to speak, out of gas. (5) Go here to PACNW Righty where Rob has a similar take on the never-improving fortunes of the Volt. No doubt, there are some who still want to buy such vehicles. But once we eliminate people who gaze wistfully at posters of Al Gore, environmentalist basket cases who seek rolling greenie street cred and the wealthy who can buy and discard the latest four wheeled techno-toy the way they change Rolexes, the market outlook for EVs is grim indeed, particularly considering the probability that not only does GM make no money on every Volt it sells, it is likely losing money. In a free-market economy, the Volt would never have been given the production nod. Only the age of Obama has made it possible, but even the awesome power of hopenchange can never make it economically viable.Posted by: MikeM at 09:48 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
MAIG Strangely Silent on Gunwalker
Congress will be discussing the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 today, which, if passed, would allow concealed carry reciprocity in all states for a valid permit holder of any state.
The usual suspects are up in arms over the legislation, including Nanny Bloomburg and his anti-gun coalition called Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Isn't it interesting that Bloomberg and the largely Democratic MAIG have all the time in the world to disparage lawful citizens, but can't seem to come together to issue such much as a strongly worded statement again the Obama Administration, elements of which have walked more than 2,000 guns to drug cartels and allowed convicted felons to buy guns in the Midwest?Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 11:51 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 12, 2011
A Letter From The Teacher, #18: Who Gets The Blame?
Anytown High School, Any State, USA
To: Mrs. CollinsFrom: Mr. English Teacher
Re: Who Gets The Blame? Dear Mrs. Collins: Thanks so much for your donation of Kleenex! At this time of year, it's a lifesaver! Lauren's handwriting is improving. All she really needs to do is slow down a bit. As to your other question, I'll do my best. It's pretty complicated. As you know, we're fortunate to have a good school and a good school district. Most American schools are solid institutions that provide a good to excellent educational opportunity. There are certainly bad schools and even bad school districts, yet despite what critics of public education would have us believe, they're in the minority. Even so, we do have our problems and now it's time to pass out blame. Is it reasonable to blame teachers for our systemic problems? For the most part, no. Teachers have almost no authority to make policy and usually, very little influence over it. They don't hire or fire, they don't supervise, they don't determine how money is spent or how or when buildings or other facilities are built. In some districts they have virtually no say in the curriculum they teach. But what about teacher's unions? As you know, we're a right to work state; we have no unions. In unionized states, there can be many problems related to the mere existence of unions, but remember that contracts are negotiated by union bosses and school boards. Union bosses care about money and political power above all. These days, unions are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Democrat party, or perhaps, vice versa. If a local school board gives away the farm to unions, teachers do get some small portion of the overall benefits at the expense of the kids and public, but again, they're not at fault. Teachers or the other lowly workers represented by unions are just about the last people union bosses consult or hear.
Posted by: MikeM at 10:56 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 11, 2011
9-11's New Rallying Cry
On this hallowed day, I leave devotions to others. The Lord embraces his own; our concerns are, of necessity, more worldly. Perhaps the best way to honor those not lost, but murdered, ten years ago is to recognize the very real lessons of 9-11, lessons even more pressing today. Among them: Appeasement is disaster, medieval barbarians and contemporary despots fear only strength and we cannot afford Progressivism—we never could.
From Jimmy Carter's feckless encouragement of and mishandling of the Iranian hostage taking—an act of war—to Bill Clinton's dismantling of our human intelligence networks, to Barack Obama's continuing attempt to treat the world's most rabid terrorist murderers as common criminals, the evidence that progressives are as dangerous to our national security, to our very lives, is long-standing and unmistakable. We can't afford to ignore it any longer. Mr. Obama's "smart diplomacy" has predictably made the world even more dangerous to freedom. Indeed, Mr. Obama has continued many Bush/Cheney policies, but this is not a result of his firm commitment to American Democracy and freedom, but because to do otherwise would have dissipated his political viability and even led to impeachment. We should waste not a single breath in praise of a politician doing the bare minimum any president should do. Instead, let us remember and pay attention to these imminent threats: 1) Egypt now stands ready to take up Islamist rule and at the very least has abandoned its groundbreaking stance of non-aggression toward Israel. Unless Mr. Obama intends to abandon Israel in case of war—and this cannot be discounted (I'm sure this is much on the minds of Israelis)—heightened aggression toward Israel is heightened danger for us. 2) The "rebels" Mr. Obama supported with American air power in Libya are now revealed as Al Qaeda terrorists. This does not bode well for peace and democracy in North Africa, to say the least. 3) Iran's progress toward nuclear weapons proceeds at great speed. Iran continually swears that it will use nucs against Israel and us. We would be idiots not to take them at their word, yet "smart diplomats" are incapable of treating such unambiguously genocidal threats seriously.Posted by: MikeM at 01:59 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Let's Roll
Ten years ago today, Islamic zealots carried out the commandments of their twisted faith and murdered thousands of Americans.
Historically, this was not a unique or even an unusual act. Only the tactics were new. Islamic armies have carried out far worse massacres (check out how the Hindu Kush came to be named sometime) in support of their barbaric faith, which has been in a constant state of war around its fringes and with the societies and cultures they brush up against for almost 1,400 years. Liberal apologists cravenly insist that all cultures and religions are equivalent... which is convenient for them, since they disdain all religions that don't have Che, Marx, or Al Gore as a prophet. Mark Steyn and Mike Vanderboegh say it differently, but they each get to the truth that far too few want to address. The terror attacks on 9/11 were our wake up call, first answered by the passengers of Flight 93. Their cockpit charge foiled the second attack on Washington, DC. I mourn. I sometimes cry. But I do not forgive, I will not whitewash, and I will not forget that as much as its apologists want to pretend otherwise, it was Islam that was the genesis for the wars we find ourselves in, Islam that is the root of so much barbarity in this world, and Islam that we must defeat. It was followers of Islam, following the teachings of their prophet and their mullahs and their culture, that were responsible for the nearly three thousand deaths 10 years ago today, just some of the tens of millions caused by followers of a religion whose name demands "Submission." As some Marines in this post 9/11 world are reported to have said, "forgiveness is God's job; ours is to arrange the meeting." Let's roll.Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 10:41 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 10, 2011
FBI Hid Fast and Furious Gun, Spent $70K to Arm Cartels
Gunwalker just keeps getting worse.
At Pajamas Media.Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 10:09 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 09, 2011
Triumphs Of Smart Diplomacy: #28,764
Crowds of Egyptian "protestors" attacked and breached the Israeli Embassy in Cairo on Friday, forcing the ambassador, his family and other staff to flee to Israel.
Egyptian military police helped them evacuate safely, but the police did not impede those seizing and ransacking the embassy.
Posted by: MikeM at 11:24 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
The Literature Corner: Time Management
Cops will tell you that the hardest part of being a police officer, the part that produces the most stress, is not dealing with the public, or even dealing with criminals, but dealing with other police officers, particularly supervisors.
This edition of the Literature Corner focuses on one of my experiences with a pre-historic cop. Time Management Sgt. Mike Pulaski was a dinosaur. He was one of the old breed. He first became a cop when one might deal with a drunk by driving him 20 miles into the country and letting him walk home, if they didn’t beat him senseless for annoying them in the first place. Another alternative might be beating them senseless and leaving them in a dumpster. He was pre-Miranda, and long before the time that criminals would happily sue any cop who hurt their feelings. In Pulaski’s day, criminals figured that getting roughed up by the police was just part of the cost of doing business. After all, they were ripping off society, they were predatory scum; didn’t society deserve to get a few licks in? They thought so, the police thought so, and so did most citizens. Then the 60’s and liberal Supreme Courts happened. Pulaski managed to restrain those tendencies over the years, but he never managed to catch up with modern policing techniques, and wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer in the first place, so of course, he was promoted to sergeant-- middle management. In police work, people are often promoted for reasons that have little or nothing to do with their ability to do the job. Have an officer who is dangerous? Can’t do his job properly? Is he the Chief’s buddy? Is he a good old boy? Just feel sorry for him in general? Promote him! That way he can’t do any immediate harm. The Peter Principle--people rising to the level of their own incompetence--is alive and well in law enforcement. Pulaski had been a supervisor in Detectives for many years, and finally, they had enough of him. In most police organizations, becoming a detective is a promotion relative to the patrol force. Detectives are considered to be sort of super cops, supreme beings whose abilities far outstrip those of normal mortals. As such, they have many special perks and privileges and freedoms not accorded the patrol troops. Unlimited coffee breaks, for example. Another of those perks is the juice to get rid of people they don’t want. And so it was that after many years in a comfortable, relatively work-free environment, Sgt. Mike Pulaski came to be a shift supervisor on my shift, working for a Lieutenant who was many years younger.Posted by: MikeM at 11:03 PM | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
The World Turned Upside Down
The Associated Press nails Obama for lying about Son of Son of Stimulus, and the NY Times compliments Sarah Palin.
I think I need to lie down.Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 08:44 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 08, 2011
It's Muslim Day At Six Flags!
"Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities."
Winston Churchill
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin The Houston Bugle, Friday, September 2, 2011 SAN ANTONIO: As many as 4000 Catholics from around the state are expected to converge on Six Flags Rodeo Texas on Sunday for "Catholic Family Day," to spread the eternal truth of the Gospel and to assure Americans that Catholics are peaceful and mainstream. Activities will include Catholic prayers and devotions, entertainment, socializing, and confessionals set up throughout the park. The event, which is open to the public, was organized by local chapters of the Knights of Columbus. The interaction with the public at a popular, high-traffic amusement park will go far in reducing anxieties between Catholics and the larger community, said Steve O'Donnell, The KOC's local president. "It's our community too, and we are mainstream just like anybody else," he said. Local Baptist minister Paul Chilton observed: "the event is a sign of the gradual acceptance of local Catholics. After all, they're just like the rest of us, except for maybe the whole fish thing on Fridays." Readers with a keen eye will recognize this "news" story as a parody of a recent story appearing on the Houston Chronicle's website titled "Muslim Family Day Will Spread Peace At Six Flags" (links at the end of the article) The event, reported with all of the diverse, culturally sensitive prose one might expect in such a story, reportedly went off without a hitch on Sunday, which is as it should be and less than surprising.
Posted by: MikeM at 10:07 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
The Major Economic Salvation Speech
"Pass this bill." "Pass this bill." Pass this bill right now." "If you pass this bill…" "PASS THIS BILL RIGHT NOW!" And that—and more—was just the first 10 minutes of Mr. Obama's major economic salvation speech. It was like judging a round of beginning debaters, and very dim beginning debaters at that. And now we discover that there is, in fact, no actual—ahem—bill. Once again, Mr. Obama is expecting the CBO to score a speech. Obama uber-advisor Valerie Jarrett has admitted that the bill does not exist. They're still writing it, she tells us, and it will be delivered to Congress next week (maybe). Talk about a Pelosiesque "you'll have to pass it to find out what's in it," ploy!
And the way to promote job growth is for the Federal Government—you know, our "federal family"—to spend $450 billion dollars! That's roughly half the failed stimulis. I was going to write about this monstrosity in some depth, but all you really need to know is that it was essentially Mr. Obama telling Congress and the American people about how smart and wonderful he is and how only partisan, barbarian (thanks Mr. Biden!) terrorists could possibly oppose anything Mr. Obama wants. Mr. Obama condescending and lecturing, Congresswoman Waters telling us to go to hell, VP Biden calling us Barbarians (in comparison with union thugs—see Bob's article on the Longshoremen and Rob's article as well), and now they want conservatives to come together in peace and brotherhood to spend money we'll have to borrow to do essentially nothing to actually create jobs? For them, it really is a feature, not a bug. Oh, and does anyone really believe that when the ink is dry—if that ever happens—the price tag will remain at a mere $450 billion? They really do think that the American people are utter morons, particularly those of us in Flyover Country. And yes, gentle readers, they do think and talk just that way. PS: Biggest, most bald-faced lie: It's all paid for. Uh…the Super Committee will have to figure out how to do it!Posted by: MikeM at 09:22 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
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