Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Another genius liberal with a great idea
Jeffery Goldberg from The Atlantic Magazine is reporting that underhanded, leftist photographer Jill Greenberg has just been let go by her Representing Agency, the Vaughan Hannigan photo agency. This is a perfect example of a lesson of consequences. When Greenberg admitted that she lied and tricked John McCain so that she could manipulate his image to slander him and did so in the employ of The Atlantic Magazine, she lost any future work with that magazine for her unprofessional behavior. And now, more consequences have come her way.
No one is, of course, saying that Jill Greenberg isn't allowed to be as bigoted as she wants to be, but she should be ready to accept the consequences if she does so while acting as a representative for someone else. In this case she was representing The Atlantic Magazine when she was assigned to photograph McCain and then used her position to trick him into a situation where she could use his image for political attacks at a later date. From Newsbusters:
No one is, of course, saying that Jill Greenberg isn't allowed to be as bigoted as she wants to be, but she should be ready to accept the consequences if she does so while acting as a representative for someone else. In this case she was representing The Atlantic Magazine when she was assigned to photograph McCain and then used her position to trick him into a situation where she could use his image for political attacks at a later date. From Newsbusters:
I couldn't find a pic of her on the web.
Obama goes after illegal alien vote
The Obama campaign has released new radio and TV ads in Spanish that seek to tie Sen. John McCain to anti-immigrant comments made by radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. The ads also suggest the Republican has "dos caras" -- "two faces" -- when it comes to his relations with Latino voters. The new messages, airing in Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, come in response to recent Spanish-language ads by the McCain campaign that suggest Obama is responsible for the collapse of last year's bipartisan immigration reform efforts.
"They want us to forget the insults we've put up with, the intolerance," the television ad's announcer says in Spanish as a picture of Rush Limbaugh appears onscreen with quotes of him saying, "Mexicans are stupid and unqualified" and "Shut your mouth or get out." More here:
"They want us to forget the insults we've put up with, the intolerance," the television ad's announcer says in Spanish as a picture of Rush Limbaugh appears onscreen with quotes of him saying, "Mexicans are stupid and unqualified" and "Shut your mouth or get out." More here:
Well, a couple of things:
1 - It sure sounds like they took Rush out of context. If so, Obama prolly did it by accident because he claims that kind of thing is beneath contempt.
2 - Spanish language ads? Think about it.
World's longest female pins
Ha ha - he looks right up her skirt. He had a once-in a lifetime opportunity and he didna squander it. Gotta respect that. Yes, he was pleased to meet her.
Obama tells commie snatch "Get lost"
On the heels of blasting John McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, Lindsay Lohan reportedly got a bit of a jolt from an unexpected quarter: the Obama-Biden campaign.
Apparently, LiLo was interested in becoming very involved in the Democratic ticket's bid for the White House -- even offering to host a series of events appealing to younger voters.
However, a top source in the Barack Obama team tells me the actress ''is not exactly the kind of high-profile star who would be a positive for us.''
Given Lohan's past problems, plus ongoing brushes with controversy, I've learned the campaign quietly told the actress ''thanks, but no thanks,'' but in far more diplomatic terms. More here:
Apparently, LiLo was interested in becoming very involved in the Democratic ticket's bid for the White House -- even offering to host a series of events appealing to younger voters.
However, a top source in the Barack Obama team tells me the actress ''is not exactly the kind of high-profile star who would be a positive for us.''
Given Lohan's past problems, plus ongoing brushes with controversy, I've learned the campaign quietly told the actress ''thanks, but no thanks,'' but in far more diplomatic terms. More here:
Ohhhh, man. You have to be pretty low to be told "get lost" by Obama. I mean, he kicked off his campaign at the house of a TERRORIST (Bill Ayers)and he tells Lohan to take a hike. Ohhhhhh ... BURN !!!
Non-liberal economics
David Saied, former Securities and Exchange Commissioner for Panama, wrote an interesting article for the libertarian think tank Ludwig von Mises Institute about America’s economic myths. For example:
Myth # 1: "Dependence on Foreign Oil"
This myth basically suggests that the problem with oil prices is due to America’s "dependence" on foreign oil. One of the worst economic myths, it plays on economic nationalism and on xenophobic feelings that are sometimes pervasive in the United States.
The high price of oil has nothing to do with its origin; the price of oil is determined in international markets. Even if the United States were to produce 100% of the oil it consumes, the price would be the same if the worldwide supply and demand of oil were to remain the same. Oil is a commodity, so the price of a barrel produced in the United States is basically the same as the price of a barrel of oil produced in any other country, but the costs of labor, land, and regulatory compliance are usually higher in the United States than in third-world countries. Lowering these costs would help increase supply. Increasing supply, whether in the United States or elsewhere, will push prices lower.
Importing a product does not mean you "depend" on it. This is like saying that when we "import" food from our local supermarket we "depend" on that supermarket. The opposite is usually true; exporters depend on us, since we are the customers. Also, importing a product usually means buying at lower prices, whereas producing in the United States often means consuming at higher prices. This point is proven when we see the cheap imports we can purchase from China and the higher prices of many of these same products manufactured in the United States. The amazing thing is that the protectionists claim, on the one hand, that America should be "protected" from cheap imports, but when it comes to oil, they say we should be "protected" from "expensive imported" oil.
Most, if not all, of the higher price of oil can be explained by the expansion of the money supply or the debasement of the dollar. The foreign producers are not at fault; our national central bank is the culprit.
Myth # 1: "Dependence on Foreign Oil"
This myth basically suggests that the problem with oil prices is due to America’s "dependence" on foreign oil. One of the worst economic myths, it plays on economic nationalism and on xenophobic feelings that are sometimes pervasive in the United States.
The high price of oil has nothing to do with its origin; the price of oil is determined in international markets. Even if the United States were to produce 100% of the oil it consumes, the price would be the same if the worldwide supply and demand of oil were to remain the same. Oil is a commodity, so the price of a barrel produced in the United States is basically the same as the price of a barrel of oil produced in any other country, but the costs of labor, land, and regulatory compliance are usually higher in the United States than in third-world countries. Lowering these costs would help increase supply. Increasing supply, whether in the United States or elsewhere, will push prices lower.
Importing a product does not mean you "depend" on it. This is like saying that when we "import" food from our local supermarket we "depend" on that supermarket. The opposite is usually true; exporters depend on us, since we are the customers. Also, importing a product usually means buying at lower prices, whereas producing in the United States often means consuming at higher prices. This point is proven when we see the cheap imports we can purchase from China and the higher prices of many of these same products manufactured in the United States. The amazing thing is that the protectionists claim, on the one hand, that America should be "protected" from cheap imports, but when it comes to oil, they say we should be "protected" from "expensive imported" oil.
Most, if not all, of the higher price of oil can be explained by the expansion of the money supply or the debasement of the dollar. The foreign producers are not at fault; our national central bank is the culprit.
A couple of other myths here: Good economics lessons for libs.
How much do you want to bet this woman is a libertard?
I mean, for fuck's sake, animals are NOT people. Stop trying to humanize them and leave them the fuck alone. She doesn't want to share how she tortured the cat into eating with a fork because "it's a family secret". Well, it's no family secret that she's a douchebag. It's also no secret that cats would probably prefer not to have forks taped to their arms.
She only buys "the most expensive food on the market" for her cat. First of all, it's probably just the most expensive food she can pay for on the market. Second of all, expensive doesn't mean better- it just means it costs more. Learn to become a discerning shopper before you start acting like you're sophisticated about what you buy. Face it, the lowest level of consumer sophistication is to associate quality with price.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Typical Dipshitocrat Response
NEW YORK (CBS) ― Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday she worries that taxpayers could be left "holding the bag" with plans for a $700 billion government program to stabilize the country's distressed financial markets.
Interviewed on Tuesday morning on CBS's "The Early Show," she said she agrees that the situation is critical and that something must be done quickly. She said, "the house is on fire and we've got to call the fire department and put the fire out." But Clinton also said that Congress should not "give the Treasury a blank check" to straighten out the problem.
"What we also have to do is make sure that homeowners get some relief, that it's not just for the banks and the lenders," she said. Clinton added that "we also must begin to look at the root cause of this, which is these mortgages that people cannot afford."
The senator said she didn't think all responsibility for solving these problems should be vested in the Treasury Department, suggesting that "once we get through this immediate crisis," the country should look at some Great Depression-era type of governmental entity to deal with it. More here:
Interviewed on Tuesday morning on CBS's "The Early Show," she said she agrees that the situation is critical and that something must be done quickly. She said, "the house is on fire and we've got to call the fire department and put the fire out." But Clinton also said that Congress should not "give the Treasury a blank check" to straighten out the problem.
"What we also have to do is make sure that homeowners get some relief, that it's not just for the banks and the lenders," she said. Clinton added that "we also must begin to look at the root cause of this, which is these mortgages that people cannot afford."
The senator said she didn't think all responsibility for solving these problems should be vested in the Treasury Department, suggesting that "once we get through this immediate crisis," the country should look at some Great Depression-era type of governmental entity to deal with it. More here:
Yes, the government caused the crisis and what's her (Democrats) answer? ... More/bigger government. Sheesh. How are we going to get rid of these idiots? That's the Democrats' answer to all problems ... more/bigger government.
Not Sure Who Wrote this but I love it
I HAVE DECIDED TO BECOME A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE.
HERE IS MY PLATFORM:
(1) "Press 1 for English" is immediately banned. English is the
official language; speak it or wait at the border until you can.
(2) We will immediately go into a two year isolationist posture to
straighten out the country's attitude. NO imports, no exports.
We will use the 'Wal-Mart
we ain't got it, you don't need it.'
(3) When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on it.
(4) All retired military personnel will be required to man one of
our many observation towers on the southern border. (six month tour) They
will be under strict orders not to fire on SOUTHBOUND aliens.
(5) Social security will immediately return to its original state.
If you didn't put nuttin in, you ain't gettin nuttin out. The president nor
any other politician will not be able to touch it.
(6) Welfare - Checks will be handed out on Fridays at the end of the
40 hour school week and the successful completion of urinalysis and a
passing grade.
(7) Professional Athletes --Steroids - The FIRST time you check
positive you're banned for life.
(8) Crime - We will adopt the Turkish method, the first time you
steal, you lose your right hand. There is no more life sentences. If
convicted, you will be put to death by the same method you chose for your
victim; gun, knife, strangulation, etc.
(9) One export will be allowed; Wheat, The world needs to eat. A
bushel of wheat will be the exact price of a barrel of oil.
(10) All foreign aid using American taxpayer money will immediately
cease, and the saved money will pay off the national debt and ultimately
lower taxes. When disasters occur around the world, we'll ask the American
people if they want to donate to a disaster fund, and each citizen can make
the decision whether it's a worthy cause.
(11) The Pledge of Allegiance will be said every day at school and
every day in Congress.
(12) The National Anthem will be played at all appropriate
ceremonies, sporting events, outings, etc.
Sorry if I stepped on anyone's toes but a vote for me will get you
better than what you have, and better than what you're gonna get. Thanks
for listening, and remember to write in my name on the ballot in November.
God Bless America !!!!!!!!!!!
HERE IS MY PLATFORM:
(1) "Press 1 for English" is immediately banned. English is the
official language; speak it or wait at the border until you can.
(2) We will immediately go into a two year isolationist posture to
straighten out the country's attitude. NO imports, no exports.
We will use the 'Wal-Mart
we ain't got it, you don't need it.'
(3) When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on it.
(4) All retired military personnel will be required to man one of
our many observation towers on the southern border. (six month tour) They
will be under strict orders not to fire on SOUTHBOUND aliens.
(5) Social security will immediately return to its original state.
If you didn't put nuttin in, you ain't gettin nuttin out. The president nor
any other politician will not be able to touch it.
(6) Welfare - Checks will be handed out on Fridays at the end of the
40 hour school week and the successful completion of urinalysis and a
passing grade.
(7) Professional Athletes --Steroids - The FIRST time you check
positive you're banned for life.
(8) Crime - We will adopt the Turkish method, the first time you
steal, you lose your right hand. There is no more life sentences. If
convicted, you will be put to death by the same method you chose for your
victim; gun, knife, strangulation, etc.
(9) One export will be allowed; Wheat, The world needs to eat. A
bushel of wheat will be the exact price of a barrel of oil.
(10) All foreign aid using American taxpayer money will immediately
cease, and the saved money will pay off the national debt and ultimately
lower taxes. When disasters occur around the world, we'll ask the American
people if they want to donate to a disaster fund, and each citizen can make
the decision whether it's a worthy cause.
(11) The Pledge of Allegiance will be said every day at school and
every day in Congress.
(12) The National Anthem will be played at all appropriate
ceremonies, sporting events, outings, etc.
Sorry if I stepped on anyone's toes but a vote for me will get you
better than what you have, and better than what you're gonna get. Thanks
for listening, and remember to write in my name on the ballot in November.
God Bless America !!!!!!!!!!!
Another Opinion
The Rest of the Meltdown Story
Neal Boortz
Friday, September 19, 2008
What in the world is going on here?
You’ve seen the headlines, and you heard of the failures and buyouts. Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, Merrill Lynch, AIG; all big names and all in big trouble. Then those mysterious quasi-government agencies with names like Freddie and Fannie become wards of the state and you learn that you and your fellow taxpayers are potentially on the hook for tens of billions of dollars. At the end of the week Washington Mutual is looking for a buyer, and you start to wonder about the security of your own bank and your own savings account. Let’s change that ad copy to WaMu -- boo hoo.
Somewhere in the back of your mind you understand that this is all tied somehow to bad mortgages. If you start reading a bit further to enhance your understanding you run into terms like Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) and credit-default swaps, whatever in the world those are. Read further and you find out that a combination of falling home prices and mortgage defaults have put many investment banks and other financial institutions in deep puddin’. All this reading, all this watching the talking heads on TV, and you still don’t really know what in the world is going on here.
Fear not. I’m here to help. I know … I’m just another talk show host; but the fact is that when the stage was being set for the problems we’re seeing today I was making most of my money as a real estate lawyer .. closing loans for some of the very institutions that are the tank today. This rather unique combination – closing lawyer and radio talk show host – gave me a front row seat to the politicization of mortgage loans that led us to today’s headlines.
OK .. so we all know that a lot of really bad real estate loans were made. The political class would sure love for us to believe that the blame here rests squarely on “greedy” (try to define that word) mortgage brokers and lenders. The truth is that most of the blame rests on political meddling in the credit decisions of these mortgage lenders.
Twenty years ago the buzz-word in the media was “redlining.” Newspapers across the country were filled with hard-hitting investigative reports about evil and racist mortgage lenders refusing to make real estate loans to various minorities and to applicants who lived in lower-income neighborhoods. There I was closing these loans in the afternoons, and in the mornings offering a counter-argument on the radio to these absurd “redlining” claims. Frankly, the claims that evil mortgage lenders were systematically denying loans to blacks and other minorities were a lot sexier on the radio than my claims that when credit histories, job stability, loan-to-value ratios and income levels were considered there was no evident racial discrimination.
Political correctness won the day. Washington made it clear to banks and other lending institutions that if they did not do something .. and fast .. to bring more minorities and low-income Americans into the world of home ownership there would be a heavy price to pay. Congress set up processes (Research the Community Redevelopment Act) whereby community activist groups and organizers could effectively stop a bank’s efforts to grow if that bank didn’t make loans to unqualified borrowers. Enter, stage left, the “subprime” mortgage. These lenders knew that a very high percentage of these loans would turn to garbage – but it was a price that had to be paid if the bank was to expand and grow. We should note that among the community groups browbeating banks into making these bad loans was an outfit called ACORN. There is one certain presidential candidate that did a lot of community organizing for ACORN. I won’t mention his name so as to avoid politicizing this column.
These garbage loans to unqualified borrowers were then bundled up and sold. The expectation was that the loans would be eventually paid off when rising home values led some borrowers to access their equity through re-financing and others to sell and move on up the ladder. Oops.
Right now this crisis is being sold to the American public by the left as evidence the failure of the free market and capitalism. Not so. What we’re seeing is the inevitable result of political interference in free market economics. Acme bank didn’t want to loan money to Joe Homebuyer because Joe had a spotty job history, owed too much money on his credit cards, and wasn’t all that good at making payments on time. The politicians told Acme Bank to figure out a way to make that loan, because, after all, Joe is a bona-fide minority-American, or forget about opening that new branch office on the Southside. The loan was made under politicial pressure; the loan, with millions like it, failed – and now we are left to enjoy today’s headlines.
So … why aren’t you reading the whole story in the mainstream media? Come on, are you kidding me? Do you really expect the media to blame this mess on deadbeat borrowers and political interference in the free market when it is so easy to put the blame on greedy lenders and evil capitalists? Remember … there’s an election going on. One candidate is decidedly anti-capitalist. Do the math.
Neal Boortz
Friday, September 19, 2008
What in the world is going on here?
You’ve seen the headlines, and you heard of the failures and buyouts. Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, Merrill Lynch, AIG; all big names and all in big trouble. Then those mysterious quasi-government agencies with names like Freddie and Fannie become wards of the state and you learn that you and your fellow taxpayers are potentially on the hook for tens of billions of dollars. At the end of the week Washington Mutual is looking for a buyer, and you start to wonder about the security of your own bank and your own savings account. Let’s change that ad copy to WaMu -- boo hoo.
Somewhere in the back of your mind you understand that this is all tied somehow to bad mortgages. If you start reading a bit further to enhance your understanding you run into terms like Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) and credit-default swaps, whatever in the world those are. Read further and you find out that a combination of falling home prices and mortgage defaults have put many investment banks and other financial institutions in deep puddin’. All this reading, all this watching the talking heads on TV, and you still don’t really know what in the world is going on here.
Fear not. I’m here to help. I know … I’m just another talk show host; but the fact is that when the stage was being set for the problems we’re seeing today I was making most of my money as a real estate lawyer .. closing loans for some of the very institutions that are the tank today. This rather unique combination – closing lawyer and radio talk show host – gave me a front row seat to the politicization of mortgage loans that led us to today’s headlines.
OK .. so we all know that a lot of really bad real estate loans were made. The political class would sure love for us to believe that the blame here rests squarely on “greedy” (try to define that word) mortgage brokers and lenders. The truth is that most of the blame rests on political meddling in the credit decisions of these mortgage lenders.
Twenty years ago the buzz-word in the media was “redlining.” Newspapers across the country were filled with hard-hitting investigative reports about evil and racist mortgage lenders refusing to make real estate loans to various minorities and to applicants who lived in lower-income neighborhoods. There I was closing these loans in the afternoons, and in the mornings offering a counter-argument on the radio to these absurd “redlining” claims. Frankly, the claims that evil mortgage lenders were systematically denying loans to blacks and other minorities were a lot sexier on the radio than my claims that when credit histories, job stability, loan-to-value ratios and income levels were considered there was no evident racial discrimination.
Political correctness won the day. Washington made it clear to banks and other lending institutions that if they did not do something .. and fast .. to bring more minorities and low-income Americans into the world of home ownership there would be a heavy price to pay. Congress set up processes (Research the Community Redevelopment Act) whereby community activist groups and organizers could effectively stop a bank’s efforts to grow if that bank didn’t make loans to unqualified borrowers. Enter, stage left, the “subprime” mortgage. These lenders knew that a very high percentage of these loans would turn to garbage – but it was a price that had to be paid if the bank was to expand and grow. We should note that among the community groups browbeating banks into making these bad loans was an outfit called ACORN. There is one certain presidential candidate that did a lot of community organizing for ACORN. I won’t mention his name so as to avoid politicizing this column.
These garbage loans to unqualified borrowers were then bundled up and sold. The expectation was that the loans would be eventually paid off when rising home values led some borrowers to access their equity through re-financing and others to sell and move on up the ladder. Oops.
Right now this crisis is being sold to the American public by the left as evidence the failure of the free market and capitalism. Not so. What we’re seeing is the inevitable result of political interference in free market economics. Acme bank didn’t want to loan money to Joe Homebuyer because Joe had a spotty job history, owed too much money on his credit cards, and wasn’t all that good at making payments on time. The politicians told Acme Bank to figure out a way to make that loan, because, after all, Joe is a bona-fide minority-American, or forget about opening that new branch office on the Southside. The loan was made under politicial pressure; the loan, with millions like it, failed – and now we are left to enjoy today’s headlines.
So … why aren’t you reading the whole story in the mainstream media? Come on, are you kidding me? Do you really expect the media to blame this mess on deadbeat borrowers and political interference in the free market when it is so easy to put the blame on greedy lenders and evil capitalists? Remember … there’s an election going on. One candidate is decidedly anti-capitalist. Do the math.
Timesonline very helpful and impartial
The pastor whose prayer Sarah Palin says helped her to become governor of Alaska founded his ministry with a witchhunt against a Kenyan woman who he accused of causing car accidents through demonic spells.
At a speech at the Wasilla Assembly of God on June 8 this year, Mrs Palin described how Thomas Muthee had laid his hands on her when he visited the church as a guest preacher in late 2005, prior to her successful gubernatorial bid. More here:
At a speech at the Wasilla Assembly of God on June 8 this year, Mrs Palin described how Thomas Muthee had laid his hands on her when he visited the church as a guest preacher in late 2005, prior to her successful gubernatorial bid. More here:
OOOoooo a one-time "guest preacher" -- you got her now, timesonline. Way to go. We probably shouldn't elect her because of that, right?
Hey, do you have anything on the guy who was Obama's preacher for 20 years? You know, the guy that says "God damn America" or "US of KKK A" all the time? NO? Maybe you haven't heard of it then.
McCain and the gang of 14
While I was working today, it occurred to me, McCain and the gang of 14 were responsible for defeating the "nuclear option" in the Senate a little while back. The nuclear option would have prevented Senators from filibustering all the judges nominated by President Bush.
If McCain gets elected, he won't be able to fill judicial vacancies due to his own idiotic "reach across the aisle." Now THAT'S ironing.
Alexander Hamilton foresaw this:
Excerpt from Federalist #75
It has been shown, under the second head of our inquiries, that all provisions which require more than the majority of any body to its resolutions, have a direct tendency to embarrass the operations of the government, and an indirect one to subject the sense of the majority to that of the minority.
And also this:
Excerpt from Federalist #26
IT WAS a thing hardly to be expected that in a popular revolution the minds of men should stop at that happy mean which marks the salutary boundary between POWER and PRIVILEGE, and combines the energy of government with the security of private rights. A failure in this delicate and important point is the great source of the inconveniences we experience, and if we are not cautious to avoid a repetition of the error, in our future attempts to rectify and ameliorate our system, we may travel from one chimerical project to another; we may try change after change; but we shall never be likely to make any material change for the better.
Got me, liberals? And look up "chimerical" on your own, dumbasses. (lol)
Dipshitocrats perpetrate drilling hoax
By Paul Kane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Article here:
The House approved a package of energy initiatives yesterday, including measures that would allow oil drilling as close as 50 miles off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and finance the long-term development of alternative energy sources. (Never mind that 85% of the known reserves are INSIDE the 50-mile mark so oil companies won't bother even if it is legal.)
In the first substantive votes since gasoline prices rose above $4 a gallon this summer, the House divided largely along party lines, 236 to 189, with most Republicans rejecting the Democratic-sponsored legislation because it would prohibit exploration of much of the known oil reserves closer to the coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico.
As they reversed their long-held opposition to more offshore oil exploration, Democrats said the increased taxes on oil companies in the bill and the collection of royalty payments from the drilling would yield billions of dollars to help finance the development of cleaner, renewable energy sources. Increased taxes on oil companies mean one of two things, either it won't be profitable so the oil companies won't bother, OR, they'll just pass the taxes to you at the pump. Either way, gas won't be much cheaper. AND, if they increase the taxes, they'll NEVER decrease them, so you're stuck with them forever.
"We're not trying to give incentives to drill, we're giving incentives to invest in renewables and natural gas that will take us where we need to go," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) told reporters before the vote. Oh good, a communist telling me "where I need to go."
The legislation now moves to the Senate, where it will compete with three alternative proposals, each of which faces a difficult road to securing the 60 votes needed for passage.
If Congress does not act on the measures by Sept. 30, the current ban on offshore oil drilling will expire, and exploration will be allowed as close as three miles off all U.S. coastlines. In July, President Bush lifted an executive order that had blocked drilling on the outer continental shelf. Fight them, Republicans. Don't let them pass some half-assed crap disguised as a drilling bill.
Yesterday's action came two months after the average price of gas peaked at more than $4.10 a gallon, prompting Republicans to make offshore drilling one of their central political planks as they headed into the party conventions and the fall elections. But as Democrats buckled under the political pressure for more drilling and began assembling the legislation, oil prices began falling. The cost of a barrel of oil has dropped about $55, or about a third, from its peak this summer.
The unexpected boon of falling oil prices did little to change the tenor of the political debate yesterday. Pelosi brushed aside suggestions that lower prices would discourage more domestic drilling, in turn reducing the amount of money available for renewable resources.
"I think once you go past $35 a barrel, there's incentive for them to drill. It's not just about the drilling revenues, it's about ending the subsidies" and securing greater royalties, she said. I love how Pelosi (and Democrats) are always telling us what something is "about." They'll be talking about a subject and then they'll say "it's not about ... it's about something else." Listen for it when they talk. It's the new cool phrase. It's the new liberal mantra. It makes me puke when I hear it.
Republicans vowed to continue their push right up to Election Day for a more expansive drilling program and more funding for nuclear power, which was not included in the Pelosi bill. Someone tell me ... why do we need funding for nuclear power? Is it profitable? If so, why do we need funding? If it's not profitable, why do we need funding?
"The American people understand that we need an 'all of the above' approach to securing our energy future -- including drilling offshore, nuclear power, conservation and renewable energy," said Brian Rogers, spokesman for Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign.
Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), a McCain supporter who favors more drilling, said the summer price spike was such a shock to consumers that they will demand increased domestic production to protect against future run-ups.
"The impact was so great this time, the American people said, 'Enough's enough, let's take back control,' " Burr said.
The legislation calls for drilling 100 miles off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, or beyond 50 miles if governors and state legislatures approve. It would repeal tax breaks given to major oil companies in a 2004 bill and would force companies to pay for leases given to them in the late 1990s for drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, a move that has saved them $15 billion over the past decade, according to Democratic estimates.
The bill requires 10 percent of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to be released into the marketplace and increases funding for home-heating assistance for the poor. No. The SPR is for national defense, not for giving away. If you want to give some oil away, fine, pass an appropriations bill and do it.
One piece of the legislation was added this week when Democrats agreed to allow new exploration of oil shale in the Mountain West if states agree to it.
Republicans and some industry experts contend that little new energy production would result from the legislation, because federal studies have shown that more than 85 percent of known offshore oil reserves are inside the 50-mile mark.
The bill would not allow the sharing of royalties from leases with states, something that could decrease the incentive for state governments to allow drilling closer to their coasts. Pelosi indicated some willingness yesterday to consider a compromise on that issue.
Calling the process "rigged," House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) protested the less-than-24-hour period between the legislation's unveiling and yesterday's vote, during which Republicans could not offer amendments. Ok, why to the Democrats always have to be involved in such treachery? What's the matter with a regular debate of ideas on the floor? What's the matter with allowing a reasonable period of time for letting people suggest amendments?
"The bill that's coming to the floor is nothing more than a hoax on the American people, and they will not buy it," Boehner said.
Well Mr. Boehner, if it's a hoax, and if the people know it, then why don't the people throw the perpetrators out on their asses the next election?
Barack Obama to win in Brazil
'People thought I looked a bit like him': Brazilian politician Henrique dos Anjos has changed his name to Barack Obama.
Walk into a polling station in Belford Roxo, an impoverished city on the fringes of Rio de Janiero, on October 5 and you will be faced with an historic choice. You could vote for Alcides Rolim, the Workers' Party mayoral candidate promising a "city for all" or Elizeu Pitorra, a local communist who believes it is "time for a change". Most voters, however, will probably opt for Barack Obama, a 39-year-old Brazilian who, until recently, was known as Claudio Henrique dos Anjos.
Welcome to Obama-mania, Brazil-style. Few countries have embraced the idea of the US's first black president as enthusiastically as Brazil, a country with one of the largest Afro-descendant populations on Earth yet where black faces remain a minority in politics. Obama T-shirts are everywhere while chat shows and newspaper columns are filled with talk of the 47-year-old Illinois senator.
Now even Brazil's politicians are lining up for their piece of the pie. Due to a quirk of Brazilian law, candidates are allowed to run under the name of their choice. As a result, at least six Brazilian politicians have officially renamed themselves "Barack Obama" in a bid to get an edge over their rivals in October's municipal elections. More here:
Welcome to Obama-mania, Brazil-style. Few countries have embraced the idea of the US's first black president as enthusiastically as Brazil, a country with one of the largest Afro-descendant populations on Earth yet where black faces remain a minority in politics. Obama T-shirts are everywhere while chat shows and newspaper columns are filled with talk of the 47-year-old Illinois senator.
Now even Brazil's politicians are lining up for their piece of the pie. Due to a quirk of Brazilian law, candidates are allowed to run under the name of their choice. As a result, at least six Brazilian politicians have officially renamed themselves "Barack Obama" in a bid to get an edge over their rivals in October's municipal elections. More here:
You know, every four years we have a presidential election. If there is not a Democrat in the White House, they campaign on "change." Seriously ... as if it's something new. Yet, the sheeple bite every time -- like a retarded fish that keeps getting caught and thrown back.
And notice that the Democrats won both house of congress last elections and they haven't done SHIT ... NOTHING ... NADA. This is the first congress since the 50's since neither house has passed a single appropriations bill. Well, they DID manage to block a vote on drilling before they left. What a great "CHANGE."
I ask you, if this had been a Republican congress, would not the media have been deluging you with this fact, day in and day out and in the middle of the gd night? Would not the Democrats have been running ads for months by now? Why aren't the Republicans doing so? It might even impact the presidential race. Am I in hell?
Of course, the idiot Republicans didn't do themselves any favors when they had the majority. Not only did they NOT do anything, they let McCain and the gang of fourteen block their attempts to end the filibuster of judges. What it's come down to is a contest ... which party is going to hurt America LEAST.
Right now, our only prayer is Sarah Palin.
Wanna buy a souvenir after the tour ?
Cloaca is probably Wim Delvoye's most famous art installation. In 2000, he put together a complex machinery at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Antwerp, Belgium. The machine's sole job is to simulate "digestion" and produce poo. Yep, you read that right.
Wim's Cloaca machine (cloaca is a zoological term for the posterior opening of animals) was fed meals twice a day. Then, viewers can follow the food as it makes its way through a series of glass containers (in the original set up as shown above), which represent the various stages of digestion. At the end of the tract, the machine produces feces, which are then vacuum-packed and sold in translucent boxes:
Wim's Cloaca machine (cloaca is a zoological term for the posterior opening of animals) was fed meals twice a day. Then, viewers can follow the food as it makes its way through a series of glass containers (in the original set up as shown above), which represent the various stages of digestion. At the end of the tract, the machine produces feces, which are then vacuum-packed and sold in translucent boxes:
Cloaca has its own website, where you can find out more about the art project: Link More on Cloaca at Wim's website (don't miss the Super Cloaca!)
Found it at Neatorama:
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