2012 Meet and Greet: US Representative Mike Pence (R)

We should be exploring the possibilities for 2012. The candidate must be top-notch. Good looking. A strong orator. Smart. Funny. Truly Conservative (preferably with Libertarian leanings). And did I say good looking? It's important.
We'll look at their personal lives, at their voting records, at their soundbites, at what the Left thinks of them and then we'll discuss their strengths and weaknesses...
Let's start with US Representative Mike Pence (R):

What first caught mySource: Blonde sagacity RSS Feed

Update To Rigged Global Warming Data

In a previous post I noted the great work Steve McIntyre at Climate Audit was performing in tracking down some of the questionable (i.e., cherry picked) data used by the IPCC and global warming alarmists to create the impression that the Earth has experienced unnatural warming over the last 50-100 years. In my mind this discovery is the nail in the coffin of the global warming mythology, and the credibility of everyone who cried “Fire!” and the end of the Earth.

Steve updated hisSource: The Strata-Sphere RSS Feed

NYT: No Reason To Fear Terror Attacks

From the terrorists’ very own flagship media outlet, the New York Times:

Rethinking Our Terrorist Fears

By SCOTT SHANE

September 27, 2009

WASHINGTON — Eight years after 9/11, the specter of terrorism still haunts the United States. Just last week, F.B.I. agents were working double time to unravel the alarming case of a Denver airport shuttle driver accused of training with explosives in Pakistan and buying bomb-making chemicals. In Dallas, a youngSource: Sweetness Light RSS Feed

Science 101: ‘Embryo’ Is A Stage Of Life, Not A Form Of Life

Scientific illiteracy is really hurting America right now. I know math and science are hard, and I know it is ‘cew’ to diss them and slack off. But to do so handicaps people in a profound and serious way.

Take the creationists (or whatever label they wish to run under) and their attacks on evolution. It is one of reality’s (and therefore God’s) little ironies that the one science that explores the hand of God in creation (read DNA and genetics) is the one science the pro-lifeSource: The Strata-Sphere RSS Feed

The UN Summit, Climate Change, and Tyranny

by Daniel Maxson
As we all know by now, the United Nations met on Tuesday to discuss climate change and the responsibility of every country to do their part in reducing emissions.
If you haven't heard or read President Obama's address to the assembly, you should. You can take a moment to click that link to go straight to the original post with the transcript of the President's speech if you haven't already read it.
He has a number of good things to say about America'sSource: DownWithTyranny! RSS Feed

Popular Opinion Turns Against Republicans On Health Care?

I’m starting to notice some poll numbers that suggest an interesting trend. Basically, Americans aren’t necessarily happy with Obama’s health care plans, but they trust Republicans a LOT less.

Take a recent CBS/NY Times poll as an example:

• 52% of Americans trust Obama to make the right decisions for health, while only 27% feel Republicans are more trustworthy.

60% think Obama is trying to work with Republicans. Only 30% think Republicans are trying to doSource: Donklephant RSS Feed

Glenn Beck becomes damaged goods

side note: This is Part 2 of 3…scroll down to read part 1. I’ve also posted my thoughts at the start of Part 1.

By Alexander Zaitchik
Salon.com
The radio phenom takes over the morning zoo, makes fun of miscarriages and flames out.
Part 2 of 3

Sep. 22, 2009 |

When Glenn Beck assumed morning-show duties at KZFM in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1983, the zoo model was ascendant. It was the year Scott Shannon moved to New York to found Z100, whereSource: Nevada Thunder RSS Feed

Woman vanishes after arrest

____________________________________________________________________

Mitrice Richardson, 24, went missing after she was released from a Malibu police station about 1 a.m. last Friday.

Gabriel Falcon
AC360° Writer

A former beauty pageant contestant, who was arrested last week in Malibu, vanished shortly after being released by police, authorities said.

Mitrice Richardson, of Los Angeles, has not been seen or heard from since the early morning ofSource: AC360 RSS Feed

Net Neutrality in the Devleoping World?

FCC Chair Julius Genachowski gave a pretty big speech (pdf) at Brookings yesterday, laying out two new principles to protect the openness of the internet, and throwing his weight behind net neutrality. There's all kinds of debate flying through the tubes right now-- on both sides of Genachowski-- but I'm going to stay out of all that, and instead share a few thoughts on how these principles might apply (or not) outside the U.S.

Granted, in most of the developing world,Source: NDN RSS Feed

Huckabee and Romney

Article VI blog published an interesting post about Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney. To summarize, Huckabee is portrayed as the big spoiler of 2008 (an image I agree with) and as darling of the MSM.

A darling of the MSM, you wonder? A conservative Evangelical? How in the world is that possible?

Well, VI gives one reason, I’ll give another (albeit related one). The first is my input:

1. They know he can’t win a national election so they build him upSource: PoliGazette RSS Feed

Quote Of The Day – Beckless

“The role Glenn Beck is playing is harmful in its totality. My hunch is that he is a comet blazing across the media sky right now—and will soon flame out. Whether he does or not, he isn’t the face or disposition that should represent modern-day conservatism. At a time when we should aim for intellectual depth, for tough-minded and reasoned arguments, for good cheer and calm purpose, rather than erratic behavior, he is not the kind of figure conservatives should embraceSource: Donklephant RSS Feed

City can't assess property tax

From the NY Post:
The city's Finance Department last week mothballed its useless new $4.3 million property-appraisal computer system, The Post has learned.
"It's a real mess," one city tax assessor said.
In July 2007, Vision Appraisal Technology, a small Massachusetts-based company, was awarded a three-year contract to overhaul the way the city calculates and values buildings and homes for tax purposes.
The complex program was doomed from the start.
It was supposedSource: Queens Crap RSS Feed

More on Obama Plans Internet Grab Plans

Obama Plans Internet Grab: FCC to Embrace 'Net Neutrality'

newsmax

Since the Internet took root as a mass communications phenomena in the mid 1990s, a quiet war has been waged in Washington over the extent to which the new medium would be regulated by the Federal Communications Commission.

This is a money grab and a power grab with the big 5 service providers inSource: Theodore's World RSS Feed

Proud to be American

Dear Editor [Woodside Herald],
Everyone is quite eager to voice his or her opinion during these very trying days; it has become the norm. I suppose that makes me normal because I’m about to do the same; however, I’m not going to compliment or condemn the President, nor I am going to compliment or condemn the Democrats or Republicans.
My parents were immigrants who came to America thru Ellis Island and through the process of what was legal immigration. Both my parents instilledSource: Queens Crap RSS Feed

Conference: Day 2

The agenda

Reports from the Campaign for Gender Balance and the Diversity and Equality Group this morning, then a Scotland/Wales double-act in the form of the policy mortion on the  Future of Devolution (short version: more of it please!). There’s a presenttation from Kingston’s Lib Dem group (go Mary!), speeches from Norman Lamb and Ed Davey and a policy motion on the paper “Thriving in a Globalised World – A Strategy for Britain”.

And that’s justSource: Liberal Democrat Voice RSS Feed

The Satellite Link That Keeps Watch on Your Children

The num8 watch costs £149.99 and can be securely fastened to a child's wrist, triggering an alert if forcibly removed

The satellite link that keeps watch on your children

Daily Mail.co.uk

Its vivid colour is clearly designed to appeal to youngsters. But this watch is really aimed at their parents.
For its key selling point is a satellite positioning Source: Theodore's World RSS Feed

Your post-racial society at work: Bias-crime perp's cousin says the victim had it coming

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[H/t Heather]

By now you've probably heard about the case of Troy Dale West, who seems to have loaded up on Rush Limbaugh just before heading down to the Cracker Barrel in Morrow, Georgia, earlier this week:

The FBI is investigating as a possible hate crime an incident in which a woman was beaten to the ground in front of her child at the entrance to a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Morrow, Georgia, south ofSource: Crooks and Liars RSS Feed

Let’s Make a Deal: Beltway Edition (Guest Voice)

Let’s Make a Deal: Beltway Edition

by Michael Winship

If you ever needed proof that Washington is governed by the Golden Rule – the one that says, he who has the gold, rules – you only have to look at the wagonloads of cash being dumped by big business into crushing President Obama’s domestic agenda.

Good gosh, how the money rolls in. And I’m not only talking about the millions bankrolling the gang war over health care reform. A couple ofSource: The Moderate Voice RSS Feed

College Dropout calls out Chairman Bob

Brilliant. Genuine laugh out loud moment on a Friday morning.

Kanye West has a wee alcohol induced outburst at the MTV video awards last Sunday and five days later it's this year's YouTube downfall video.

And you know it has hit critical mass when Chairman Bob Avakian is on the photoshopped end of Kanye's diss. Now, I'm off over to YouTube to find that old clip of Kanye with Mike Myers where he says live on air, "Bob Avakian doesn't care about working class people."

Source: Inveresk Street Ingrate RSS Feed

Obamacare: Disapproval of Obama’s Health Care Reform Hits New High – 56 Per Cent

Not good news for the White House says the latest Rasmussen Poll.
Fifty-six percent (56%) of voters nationwide now oppose the health care reform proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats. That’s the highest level of opposition yet measured and includes 44% who are Strongly Opposed.

Just 43% now favor the proposal, including 24% who Strongly Favor it.

But the overall picture remains one of stability. While the numbers have bounced a bit followingSource: FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog RSS Feed

White House Farm Flashback: 1942

Yesterday, to much fanfare, Michelle Obama hit a local D.C. farmer's market. She took with her "organic Asian pears, cherry tomatoes, multicolored potatoes, free-range eggs and, yes, two bunches of Tuscan kale." She left behind "an aide, who paid the cashier as Obama made her way back to the limousine" and, as Dana Milbank reports in The Washington Post, a huge carbon footprint.

These purchases will presumably supplement the food growing in the Obama family organic kitchen garden (andSource: Reason Magazine - Hit Run RSS Feed

"If We Can't Stop It, We Can't Stop Anything"

Remember the John Murtha—Johnstown Cambria County Airport? Named after pork-barreler extraordinaire Rep. John C. Murtha (D-Pa.), the airport has scooped up about $150 million in defense appropriations over the years—from a committee Murtha just happens to chair. It serves about 20 people a day, and the only flights are to Washington, D.C. Dozens, perhaps hundreds of news outlets covered this story of waste over the last several months, after the airport snagged an additional $800,000 in Source: Reason Magazine - Hit Run RSS Feed

Mr. Gura Goes to Reno

Probably the main highlight of the Gun Blogger Rendezvous IV was being able to spend some time talking with Alan Gura, the attorney who argued and won the Heller case before the Supreme Court of the United States. When I say we owe Alan Gura a lot, it’s an understatement. He put together a case, and took it forward, when a lot of folks, including me, thought it was a tremendously risky proposition. Even in the early days of Parker, you could find him on blogs making the argument for takingSource: Snowflakes in Hell RSS Feed

DNC Demands Hispanic Push For O-Care

From a press release from the Democratic National Committee:

DNC Commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — DNC Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month, which starts today, September 15:

"Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to reflect on the vital role Hispanics play in our country. With a long history of service, Hispanics are an important part of America’s armed Source: Sweetness Light RSS Feed

If It Isn't On Page A1 Of The Washington Post It Didn't Happen

The spin cycle came out in force over the weekend, as a protest of conservatives on the Washington Mall either attracted 2 million people or 60,000, depending on whether or not you like to lie. This included such delights as a photo from a Promise Keepers rally in 1997 being passed off as one from Saturday.
Despite the falsehoods, the spin did its job, as it landed the teabaggers on Page One, a bit of a contrast to other protest rallies in the recent past.
Behold the media's glaringSource: D-Day RSS Feed

Re: The 912 March: 'Stunningly Normal' -- By: Veronique de Rugy

I agree with Mark H. on all points. Yes, it's hard to tell how many people showed up at the march. However, one thing is sure: The crowd was large, very large. Much larger than anyone expected, I am sure. And it was peaceful, packed with middle-aged Americans.

More importantly, the difficulty to come up with an attendance number is a product of one of the most remarkable aspects of this protest. It was decentralized. Random people, who like me had never participated in a protest or a Source: The Corner RSS Feed

White House Quietly Admits Joe Wilson Was Correct. Wait, What?

In the wee hours of Friday night, at the end of a long Friday, the rememberence of September 11th, and going into a weekend of protests – from which Obama did his best Holy Grail impersonation – the White House made a very quiet hush hush admission

The White House tonight is providing the below clarification on what the president’s health-care proposals would mean when it comes to the issue of illegal immigrants.

The question, as we all know, arises from theSource: Stop the ACLU RSS Feed

Watch the Democratic mayoral candidates debate

From NY1:
Watch the 2009 Democratic mayoral debate between City Comptroller Bill Thompson and Queens City Councilman Tony Avella, held August 26 in Manhattan. [1 hour]
This past Wednesday, the second and final debate between Bill Thompson and Tony Avella was broadcast on ABC. You can watch that, too...
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Source: Queens Crap RSS Feed

Obama-hating Tea Party Express rolls into Albany

The Tea Party Express national anti-Obama bus tour stopped in Albany yesterday, and attracted about 600 Obama-haters to the east steps of the Capitol.

This media/organizing event, extensively promoted on Fox News and talk radio, is bankrolled by the California conservative Republican group Our Country Deserves Better PAC, and features unemployed radio talk show host Mark Williams, "Marine Mom" Deb Johns, "union-thug victim" Ken Gladney, and a handful of D-list entertainers.

The Obama recession could get much worse

Despite the spin from the Obama media about the U.S. has "turned the corner" on the current recession, there are ominous signs that the failed Obama economic policies of the past nine months could set the stage for even worse times ahead.
"The dollar is weakening, gold is hitting new highs and some foreign officials now want an alternative to the U.S. currency," writes Investor's Business Daily. "If you're looking for a market verdict on U.S. economic policy, look no further."

September 11 Tribute

See my 2996 Tribute in 2006 by going to the top of the the right side bar or here.
It was written about a brave man named Eddie Dilliard who perished on Flight 77 into the Pentagon while his AA employed wife watched on TV.
Please read it, I'm proud of it.
******************************
This was a tribute I made on September 10th 2003 that is featured in a couple different 911 Archival collections compiled after 911, which was sold to or is a shill for art.com, who is nowSource: Chicagoray RSS Feed

World Record Brown Trout Taken in Manistee River

Thomas Healy holding new world record Brown Trout

A potential world record 41 lb, 7 1/4 oz. (19.1 k.), 43.75” (1.11 meter) Brown Trout (currently Salmo trutta, formerly Salmo fario) was caught on Wednesday in Michigan’s Manistee River.

Thomas Healy of Rockford, Michigan was fishing a crankbait (a plug with a lip causing it to dive when retrieved, “cranked,” i.e reeled in) using a spincasting rod and reel.

The previous recordSource: Never Yet Melted RSS Feed

Lessons Learned and Forgotten On Housing

Whatever faults the Republican Party has had, the basic problem has been that many Republican politicians forgot what they were supposed to stand for once they gained office.
The program of the Democratic Party, however, is entirely based on lies and deceptions. Most of the time they are afraid to let voters know what they really stand for. Right now they are trying hard to pass a "public option" disguised as something else so voters won't realize what they are doing.
It is against Source: From Sea To Shining Sea RSS Feed

Obama's Online Army Creaks into Action on Health Care Reform (Or, What a Difference a Year Makes)

Also published on techPresident

Watching Obama’s online army creak into action on health care reform is painful, particularly for someone who wrote about the ruthless efficiency of his online campaign for president. The enemies may be somewhat different this time around, even if their tactics feel familiar, but the biggest gap is between Obama’s grassroots politicking then and now.

The ability of the townhallers and death panelists to grab the attention ofSource: e.politics RSS Feed

Pub robbed by a gorilla and a clown

A pub landlord was tied up by two robbers wearing fancy dress masks in Manchester city centre, police said.The men, wearing a gorilla mask and a clown mask, threatened and demanded cash from the victim at the Shakespeare pub on Fountain Street late on Monday. The robbers tied together the landlord's hands and feet, tied his feet to a sink in the kitchen and left. Police are also trying to trace a black cab driver who dropped the robbers off at the pub. The first robber was described as aboutSource: British Blogs RSS Feed

Reality Strikes Back! Coming November 2010

Reality is making a major comeback in DC this fall. I have to say this observation by Matthew Continetti seems to best sum up the 2010 election year that is ahead:

The political class is supposed to serve the people, not the other way around. As Gerald Ford said after assuming the presidency on August 9, 1974, “Here the people rule.”

For a while now, the message from Washington has been that we know what’s good for the public, whether theSource: The Strata-Sphere RSS Feed

Arizona Pastor Repeats Wish For Barack Obama’s Death

The toxic and putrid combination of early 21st century hate/demonization politics and the language of outright violence continues to escalate:

Parishioners leaving the Faithful Word Baptist Church in the East Valley Sunday carried not just their Bibles, but guns as well.

Pastor Steven Anderson said he and his congregation have received death threats after a controversial sermon earlier this month.

“Guns are a great deterrent,” saidSource: The Moderate Voice RSS Feed

Chris Wallace Shows NewsBusters Some Love and Parrots Their Headline on Kennedy vs Helms Obits

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I thought it was distasteful enough that Chris Wallace asked Juan Williams to have to explain why Ted Kennedy wasn't given the "Jesse Helms" treatment by the New York Times in their obituaries of the two men, but it also turns out that he was showing NewsBusters a little love as well. I'm glad Media Matters reads NewsBusters, so I don't have to.

Also, I'm sure I won't be the only one that thinks Chris Wallace or anyone at FoxSource: Crooks and Liars RSS Feed