Video embedded below.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Dow Jumps 490+ Points as Central Banks Provide More Liquidity
Unfortunately, I fear this is just a stop gap measure. While there is some short term relief, it does not solve the underling problems. Without an actual fix the crash is inevitable and the longer it is pushed back the more intense it will be.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/steveschaefer/2011/11/30/bernanke-ecb-throw-more-dollars-at-europes-crisis
"Wall Street enjoyed a big jump Wednesday morning, after a coordinated action by central banks around the world to provide more liquidity to the global financial system.
The U.S. Federal Reserve, after a similar effort in September, will “lower the pricing on the existing temporary U.S. dollar liquidity swap arrangements by 50 basis points so that the new rate will be the U.S. dollar overnight index swap (OIS) rate plus 50 basis points.”
Wednesday’s move from the Fed was matched by corresponding actions from the Bank of Canada, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank and Swiss National Bank. The new pricing applies to operations conducted as of Dec. 5, and the authorization of the swap arrangements has been extended to Feb. 13. (Read the FOMC press release here.)
While the effort to provide more liquidity may temporarily soothe the symptoms of Europe’s debt crisis and allow financial institutions easier access to funding, it does little to address the underlying roots of overburdened governments that need to be propped up while they drastically cut spending.
...
The Dow Jones industrial average leaped 410 points to 11,965 in the first two hours of trading, while the S&P 500 added 41 points to 1,237 and the Nasdaq gained 89 points to 2,2604. The victim of the surge was the dollar, which stumbled on the central banks’ latest move to flood the market with more greenbacks. The euro climbed to $1.3457, from $1.3315 Tuesday."
http://www.bloomberg.com/markets
"DOW JONES INDUS. AVG 12,045.70 490.05 4.24% 11/30
S&P 500 INDEX 1,246.96 51.77 4.33% 11/30
NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX 2,620.34 104.83 4.17% 11/30"
http://www.forbes.com/sites/steveschaefer/2011/11/30/bernanke-ecb-throw-more-dollars-at-europes-crisis
"Wall Street enjoyed a big jump Wednesday morning, after a coordinated action by central banks around the world to provide more liquidity to the global financial system.
The U.S. Federal Reserve, after a similar effort in September, will “lower the pricing on the existing temporary U.S. dollar liquidity swap arrangements by 50 basis points so that the new rate will be the U.S. dollar overnight index swap (OIS) rate plus 50 basis points.”
Wednesday’s move from the Fed was matched by corresponding actions from the Bank of Canada, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank and Swiss National Bank. The new pricing applies to operations conducted as of Dec. 5, and the authorization of the swap arrangements has been extended to Feb. 13. (Read the FOMC press release here.)
While the effort to provide more liquidity may temporarily soothe the symptoms of Europe’s debt crisis and allow financial institutions easier access to funding, it does little to address the underlying roots of overburdened governments that need to be propped up while they drastically cut spending.
...
The Dow Jones industrial average leaped 410 points to 11,965 in the first two hours of trading, while the S&P 500 added 41 points to 1,237 and the Nasdaq gained 89 points to 2,2604. The victim of the surge was the dollar, which stumbled on the central banks’ latest move to flood the market with more greenbacks. The euro climbed to $1.3457, from $1.3315 Tuesday."
http://www.bloomberg.com/markets
"DOW JONES INDUS. AVG 12,045.70 490.05 4.24% 11/30
S&P 500 INDEX 1,246.96 51.77 4.33% 11/30
NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX 2,620.34 104.83 4.17% 11/30"
McDonald's Outsmarts San Francisco's Happy Meal Ban
How do I define outsmarting the government; potentially selling more of what a rule was enacted to try to prevent you from selling at all, then before the mandate.
http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2011/11/happy_meal_ban_mcdonalds_outsm.php
"On Thursday, Dec. 1, the city's de facto ban of the Happy Meal commences. San Francisco has accomplished what the Hamburglar could not. Or has it?
...
And yet it seems McDonald's has turned lemons into lemonade -- and is selling the sugary drink to San Francisco's children. Local McDonald's employees tell SF Weekly the company has devised a solution that appears to comply with San Francisco's "Healthy Meal Incentive Ordinance" that could actually make the company more money -- and necessitate toy-happy youngsters to buy more Happy Meals.
It turns out San Francisco has not entirely vanquished the Happy Meal as we know it. Come Dec. 1, you can still buy the Happy Meal. But it doesn't come with a toy. For that, you'll have to pay an extra 10 cents.
Huh. That hardly seems to have solved the problem (though adults and children purchasing unhealthy food can at least take solace that the 10 cents is going to Ronald McDonald House charities). But it actually gets worse from here. Thanks to Supervisor Eric Mar's much-ballyhooed new law, parents browbeaten into supplementing their preteens' Happy Meal toy collections are now mandated to buy the Happy Meals."
http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2011/11/happy_meal_ban_mcdonalds_outsm.php
"On Thursday, Dec. 1, the city's de facto ban of the Happy Meal commences. San Francisco has accomplished what the Hamburglar could not. Or has it?
...
And yet it seems McDonald's has turned lemons into lemonade -- and is selling the sugary drink to San Francisco's children. Local McDonald's employees tell SF Weekly the company has devised a solution that appears to comply with San Francisco's "Healthy Meal Incentive Ordinance" that could actually make the company more money -- and necessitate toy-happy youngsters to buy more Happy Meals.
It turns out San Francisco has not entirely vanquished the Happy Meal as we know it. Come Dec. 1, you can still buy the Happy Meal. But it doesn't come with a toy. For that, you'll have to pay an extra 10 cents.
Huh. That hardly seems to have solved the problem (though adults and children purchasing unhealthy food can at least take solace that the 10 cents is going to Ronald McDonald House charities). But it actually gets worse from here. Thanks to Supervisor Eric Mar's much-ballyhooed new law, parents browbeaten into supplementing their preteens' Happy Meal toy collections are now mandated to buy the Happy Meals."
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Perry (R) Flubs Voting Age And Election Date
Another unforced careless error...
Video embedded below.
"For the record, election day is on November 6 next year, not November 12. And of course, thanks to the 26th Amendment, the voting age is 18"
Video embedded below.
"For the record, election day is on November 6 next year, not November 12. And of course, thanks to the 26th Amendment, the voting age is 18"
Iranian Protesters Storm The British Embassy
This is a political breach of the highest order. Everyone now is reported accounted for, but I am sure for a while some people were having flashbacks to the American embassy hostage crisis.
Video embedded below.
Video embedded below.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Fitch Changes US Credit Rating Outlook to Negative
Fitch maintained the US's AAA rating, but has put the country on notice we are heading in a bad direction; not that anyone paying attention (and even those who are not) needs the hint.
http://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/2011/11/28/fitch-keeps-us-credit-rating-at-aaa-cuts-outlook-to-negative
"Fitch Ratings kept its pristine AAA rating on the U.S. on Monday, but the credit-ratings company downgraded its outlook to “negative” in the wake of the Supercommittee’s failure to find $1.2 trillion in spending cuts.
The development, which had been hinted at last week, could have been worse for the U.S. as McGraw-Hill’s (MHP: 41.20, +0.66, +1.63%) Standard & Poor’s slashed its credit rating for the first time ever in August.
However, the negative outlook indicates a “slightly greater” than 50% chance that Fitch downgrades the U.S. over the next two years.
“Failure to reach agreement in 2013 on a credible deficit reduction plan and a worsening of the economic and fiscal outlook would likely result in a downgrade of the U.S. sovereign rating,” David Riley, a managing director at Fitch, said in the report."
http://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/2011/11/28/fitch-keeps-us-credit-rating-at-aaa-cuts-outlook-to-negative
"Fitch Ratings kept its pristine AAA rating on the U.S. on Monday, but the credit-ratings company downgraded its outlook to “negative” in the wake of the Supercommittee’s failure to find $1.2 trillion in spending cuts.
The development, which had been hinted at last week, could have been worse for the U.S. as McGraw-Hill’s (MHP: 41.20, +0.66, +1.63%) Standard & Poor’s slashed its credit rating for the first time ever in August.
However, the negative outlook indicates a “slightly greater” than 50% chance that Fitch downgrades the U.S. over the next two years.
“Failure to reach agreement in 2013 on a credible deficit reduction plan and a worsening of the economic and fiscal outlook would likely result in a downgrade of the U.S. sovereign rating,” David Riley, a managing director at Fitch, said in the report."
Tea Party Alleges Double Standard by Occupy-Friendly Mayor in Virginia
An audit right after the complaint; interesting timing...
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/28/richmond-tea-party-claims-to-be-treated-unfairly-by-occupy-friendly-mayor
"A Tea Party chapter in Virginia is alleging that it was audited by the City of Richmond after it complained that the local Occupy movement was receiving special treatment by the mayor.
The Richmond Tea Party said the city charged it $10,000 to hold three rallies in Kanawha Plaza -- where Occupiers have been allowed to reside at no charge.
Now the Tea Partiers are crying foul and demanding their money back. But shortly after complaining to the city, the Tea Party group said it received notice of the tax audit.
“As the Occupy mob sprang up, the City of Richmond allowed them the use of the park at no charge. Mayor Dwight Jones of Richmond is a liberal Democrat, who even visited the Occupy Mob, encouraging them,” the group said in a statement released Monday. “In one of the most outrageous political double standards, the city of Richmond, Va., is now demanding an audit of the Richmond Tea Party.""
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/28/richmond-tea-party-claims-to-be-treated-unfairly-by-occupy-friendly-mayor
"A Tea Party chapter in Virginia is alleging that it was audited by the City of Richmond after it complained that the local Occupy movement was receiving special treatment by the mayor.
The Richmond Tea Party said the city charged it $10,000 to hold three rallies in Kanawha Plaza -- where Occupiers have been allowed to reside at no charge.
Now the Tea Partiers are crying foul and demanding their money back. But shortly after complaining to the city, the Tea Party group said it received notice of the tax audit.
“As the Occupy mob sprang up, the City of Richmond allowed them the use of the park at no charge. Mayor Dwight Jones of Richmond is a liberal Democrat, who even visited the Occupy Mob, encouraging them,” the group said in a statement released Monday. “In one of the most outrageous political double standards, the city of Richmond, Va., is now demanding an audit of the Richmond Tea Party.""
Kuwait's Prime Minister And His Government Resign
Another Arab government bites the dust...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/28/kuwait-resignation-idUSL5E7MS4GV20111128
"Kuwait's prime minister and his government resigned on Monday, bowing to escalating demands by protesters and opposition deputies that he step down over corruption allegations.
The oil-producing state has tolerated criticism of its government to a degree rare among its Gulf neighbours, helping to insulate it from the protest-driven political tumult that has helped topple four Arab leaders this year.
But tensions rose sharply this month when opposition lawmakers and protesters stormed parliament to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah.
"We decided to submit our resignation to comply with the national interest and due to the danger the situation had reached," the state television channel reported Sheikh Nasser as saying.
The storming of parliament followed a request filed by a group of MPs to question Sheikh Nasser, which was blocked by the cabinet in a move decried as unconstitutional by the opposition.
Opposition MPs warned that if Sheikh Nasser did not step up to the questioning stand on Nov. 29, they would escalate their campaign against him.
In his letter of resignation, Sheikh Nasser criticised the "incitement of the street and the sowing of discord between the sons of Kuwait which damages national security and stability," according to KUNA.
Kuwait has been locked in a long-running political battle between the government dominated by the ruling Al Sabah family and the 50-member elected parliament."
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/28/kuwait-resignation-idUSL5E7MS4GV20111128
"Kuwait's prime minister and his government resigned on Monday, bowing to escalating demands by protesters and opposition deputies that he step down over corruption allegations.
The oil-producing state has tolerated criticism of its government to a degree rare among its Gulf neighbours, helping to insulate it from the protest-driven political tumult that has helped topple four Arab leaders this year.
But tensions rose sharply this month when opposition lawmakers and protesters stormed parliament to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah.
"We decided to submit our resignation to comply with the national interest and due to the danger the situation had reached," the state television channel reported Sheikh Nasser as saying.
The storming of parliament followed a request filed by a group of MPs to question Sheikh Nasser, which was blocked by the cabinet in a move decried as unconstitutional by the opposition.
Opposition MPs warned that if Sheikh Nasser did not step up to the questioning stand on Nov. 29, they would escalate their campaign against him.
In his letter of resignation, Sheikh Nasser criticised the "incitement of the street and the sowing of discord between the sons of Kuwait which damages national security and stability," according to KUNA.
Kuwait has been locked in a long-running political battle between the government dominated by the ruling Al Sabah family and the 50-member elected parliament."
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Ex-Girlfriend Secretly Collected, Stored, And Used Sperm For In-Vitro Pregnancy
The phrase 'dude' does not even begin to cover it.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/ex_gal_is_rubber_robber_DCGfEDf4vcBl12VJaiIo2N
"A Long Island man was stunned to find out that his 4-year-old twins weren’t an accidental pregnancy at all — his desperate girlfriend secretly stashed away his sperm and used it for an in-vitro procedure, he charges in a lawsuit.
Elmont resident Joseph Pressil, 36, wasn’t planning on having children with Anetria Burnett, with whom he was in a relationship for six months in 2007, he said.
So she took matters into her own hands, he told The Post, in order to remain in his Texas house and make a legal bid for half of his possessions.
...
The real bombshell dropped last February, when Pressil got a strange receipt in the mail for sperm cryopreservation.
Confused, he called the company that had sent him the paperwork, which referred him to the Advanced Fertility Center of Texas, where a manager asked him to sign a release form.
That’s when he said he uncovered the bizarre plot.
“She was taking [the semen in condoms] after the fact and running down to the clinic with it,” said Jason Gibson, who is representing Pressil in his suit. He now has joint custody.
The fertility clinic’s manager simply assumed he and his ex were married when she got the successful in-vitro fertilization procedure that resulted in the birth of the twins, his suit says."
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/ex_gal_is_rubber_robber_DCGfEDf4vcBl12VJaiIo2N
"A Long Island man was stunned to find out that his 4-year-old twins weren’t an accidental pregnancy at all — his desperate girlfriend secretly stashed away his sperm and used it for an in-vitro procedure, he charges in a lawsuit.
Elmont resident Joseph Pressil, 36, wasn’t planning on having children with Anetria Burnett, with whom he was in a relationship for six months in 2007, he said.
So she took matters into her own hands, he told The Post, in order to remain in his Texas house and make a legal bid for half of his possessions.
...
The real bombshell dropped last February, when Pressil got a strange receipt in the mail for sperm cryopreservation.
Confused, he called the company that had sent him the paperwork, which referred him to the Advanced Fertility Center of Texas, where a manager asked him to sign a release form.
That’s when he said he uncovered the bizarre plot.
“She was taking [the semen in condoms] after the fact and running down to the clinic with it,” said Jason Gibson, who is representing Pressil in his suit. He now has joint custody.
The fertility clinic’s manager simply assumed he and his ex were married when she got the successful in-vitro fertilization procedure that resulted in the birth of the twins, his suit says."
Ohio Puts 200-Pound Third-Grader in Foster Care Because of The Child's Weight
Is obesity in your child now a sign of parental neglect? This is an extremely slippery slope we are stepping on...
http://news.yahoo.com/ohio-puts-200-pound-third-grader-foster-care-191032515.html
"An Ohio third-grader who weighs more than 200 pounds has been taken from his family and placed into foster care after county social workers said his mother wasn't doing enough to control his weight.
The Plain Dealer reports (http://bit.ly/t68M7D ) that the Cleveland 8-year-old is considered severely obese and at risk for such diseases as diabetes and hypertension.
...
A spokeswoman says the county removed the child because caseworkers saw his mother's inability to reduce his weight as medical neglect."
http://news.yahoo.com/ohio-puts-200-pound-third-grader-foster-care-191032515.html
"An Ohio third-grader who weighs more than 200 pounds has been taken from his family and placed into foster care after county social workers said his mother wasn't doing enough to control his weight.
The Plain Dealer reports (http://bit.ly/t68M7D ) that the Cleveland 8-year-old is considered severely obese and at risk for such diseases as diabetes and hypertension.
...
A spokeswoman says the county removed the child because caseworkers saw his mother's inability to reduce his weight as medical neglect."
Are You Ready For the Longest, Most Bruising, And Expensive Primary in GOP History?
Video embedded below.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Pakistan Cuts Off US Supply Lines to Afghanistan And Tells The US to Vacate Air Base After NATO Strike Kills Two-Dozen Pakistani Soldiers
Smart power...
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/26/deadly-border-strike-inflames-tensions-between-us-pakistan
"Pakistan's government has ordered the U.S. to "vacate" an air base used for suspected drone attacks, in retaliation for a NATO strike that allegedly killed two-dozen Pakistani soldiers, Fox News has confirmed.
The demand marked the latest reprisal out of Pakistan, as the U.S. and NATO allies scramble to investigate the incident. Islamabad had already ordered the country's border crossings into Afghanistan closed, blocking off NATO supply lines, after the strike. The government issued the air base demand, and pledged a "complete review" of its relationship with the U.S. and NATO, following an emergency military meeting chaired by Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani."
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/26/deadly-border-strike-inflames-tensions-between-us-pakistan
"Pakistan's government has ordered the U.S. to "vacate" an air base used for suspected drone attacks, in retaliation for a NATO strike that allegedly killed two-dozen Pakistani soldiers, Fox News has confirmed.
The demand marked the latest reprisal out of Pakistan, as the U.S. and NATO allies scramble to investigate the incident. Islamabad had already ordered the country's border crossings into Afghanistan closed, blocking off NATO supply lines, after the strike. The government issued the air base demand, and pledged a "complete review" of its relationship with the U.S. and NATO, following an emergency military meeting chaired by Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani."
NASA Ad For New Astronauts - 'Must Speak Russian'
Since we now rely on the Russians to get to the International Space Station it makes sense that new astronauts would need to speak and read their language; does not make this any less sad...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2065999/Nasa-hiring-astronauts-applicants-know-RUSSIAN.html
"Nasa have posted new job openings for the first time since the final space shuttle launch – but recruits must pass a Russian language test.
The agency is calling for members of the armed forced – the traditional base of recruits – for astronauts to serve on the International Space Station.
But, since the U.S. no longer has a manned rocket programme, the only way to get there is aboard a aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule - meaning a knowledge of their language is essential."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2065999/Nasa-hiring-astronauts-applicants-know-RUSSIAN.html
"Nasa have posted new job openings for the first time since the final space shuttle launch – but recruits must pass a Russian language test.
The agency is calling for members of the armed forced – the traditional base of recruits – for astronauts to serve on the International Space Station.
But, since the U.S. no longer has a manned rocket programme, the only way to get there is aboard a aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule - meaning a knowledge of their language is essential."
Friday, November 25, 2011
McCaskill (D) Calls For Probe in to New Smallpox-Vaccine Boondoggle
It is not a bad idea to have maintain the supply of smallpox vaccine around, because even thought it has been eradicated in nature, it is still preserved in a few labs. An accidental or intentional release is a possibility that needs to be defended against. A new vaccine, especially one developed in a no bid contract given to someone with close ties to the administration sounds like a waist of money at best if it is not serious corruption.
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/11/25/mccaskill-calls-for-probe-into-smallpox-vaccine-boondoggle
"Almost two weeks ago, the Los Angeles Times reported on the peculiar case of Siga Technologies, which got a no-bid contract to supply the Pentagon with an experimental vaccine for smallpox, a dead disease, when we have a plentiful supply of traditional vaccine to handle an outbreak. Siga Technologies has close ties to the Democratic Party with its primary investor, party donor Ronald Perelman, and relatively new board member Andy Stern, the former head of the SEIU and a frequent visitor to the Obama White House. The deal amounts to almost a half-billion dollars for Perelman and Stern, and the White House appears to have intervened to relax contract requirements and eliminate any hint of competition for the project.
...
The kicker? The FDA has no idea how it will approve the drug for use in humans. In order to do the double-blind testing required for certification, they would have to expose test subjects to live samples of smallpox, since the disease no longer exists outside of a few military laboratories in Russia and the US. Who would want to volunteer to expose themselves to smallpox and hope they don’t draw the placebo card in the trials?"
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/11/25/mccaskill-calls-for-probe-into-smallpox-vaccine-boondoggle
"Almost two weeks ago, the Los Angeles Times reported on the peculiar case of Siga Technologies, which got a no-bid contract to supply the Pentagon with an experimental vaccine for smallpox, a dead disease, when we have a plentiful supply of traditional vaccine to handle an outbreak. Siga Technologies has close ties to the Democratic Party with its primary investor, party donor Ronald Perelman, and relatively new board member Andy Stern, the former head of the SEIU and a frequent visitor to the Obama White House. The deal amounts to almost a half-billion dollars for Perelman and Stern, and the White House appears to have intervened to relax contract requirements and eliminate any hint of competition for the project.
...
The kicker? The FDA has no idea how it will approve the drug for use in humans. In order to do the double-blind testing required for certification, they would have to expose test subjects to live samples of smallpox, since the disease no longer exists outside of a few military laboratories in Russia and the US. Who would want to volunteer to expose themselves to smallpox and hope they don’t draw the placebo card in the trials?"
Dow And S&P Have The Worst Thanksgiving Week Since 1932
Not a good way to start the holiday season.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/45435459
"Stocks closed in negative territory in thin, shortened trading Friday as investors were reluctant to go long ahead of the weekend and amid ongoing worries over the euro zone.
The Dow and S&P posted their worst Thanksgiving week since the Great Depression on a percentage basis."
http://www.cnbc.com/id/45435459
"Stocks closed in negative territory in thin, shortened trading Friday as investors were reluctant to go long ahead of the weekend and amid ongoing worries over the euro zone.
The Dow and S&P posted their worst Thanksgiving week since the Great Depression on a percentage basis."
'Pixel-Face' on the Train
I saw this on the train earlier in the week. Someone had bent the bottom of the light screens to make the face pattern.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
ClimateGate Part 2
Here we go again...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/nov/22/fresh-hacked-climate-science-emails
"A fresh tranche of private emails exchanged between leading climate scientists throughout the last decade was released online on Tuesday. The unauthorised publication is an apparent attempt to repeat the impact of a similar release of emails on the eve of the Copenhagen climate summit in late 2009.
The initial email dump was apparently timed to disrupt the Copenhagen climate talks. It prompted three official inquiries in the UK and two in the US into the working practices of climate scientists. Although these were critical of the scientists' handling of Freedom of Information Act requests and lack of openness they did not find fault with the climate change science they had produced.
Norfolk police have said the new set of emails is "of interest" to their investigation to find the perpetrator of the initial email release who has not yet been identified."
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/11/22/climategate-2-0
"Early this morning, history repeated itself. FOIA.org has produced an enormous zip file of 5,000 additional emails similar to those released two years ago in November 2009 and coined Climategate. There are almost 1/4 million additional emails locked behind a password, which the organization does not plan on releasing at this time.
The original link was dropped off in the Hurricane Kenneth thread at about 4 AM Eastern. It is still there.
Some initial snippets floating around the blogosphere:
<3373> Bradley: I’m sure you agree–the Mann/Jones GRL paper was truly pathetic and should never have been published. I don’t want to be associated with that 2000 year
“reconstruction”.
<3115> Mann: By the way, when is Tom C going to formally publish his roughly 1500 year
reconstruction??? It would help the cause to be able to refer to that
reconstruction as confirming Mann and Jones, etc.
<3940> Mann: They will (see below) allow us to provide some discussion of the synthetic
example, referring to the J. Cimate paper (which should be finally accepted
upon submission of the revised final draft), so that should help the cause a
bit.
<0810> Mann: I gave up on Judith Curry a while ago. I don’t know what she think’s she’s
doing, but its not helping the cause"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/nov/22/fresh-hacked-climate-science-emails
"A fresh tranche of private emails exchanged between leading climate scientists throughout the last decade was released online on Tuesday. The unauthorised publication is an apparent attempt to repeat the impact of a similar release of emails on the eve of the Copenhagen climate summit in late 2009.
The initial email dump was apparently timed to disrupt the Copenhagen climate talks. It prompted three official inquiries in the UK and two in the US into the working practices of climate scientists. Although these were critical of the scientists' handling of Freedom of Information Act requests and lack of openness they did not find fault with the climate change science they had produced.
Norfolk police have said the new set of emails is "of interest" to their investigation to find the perpetrator of the initial email release who has not yet been identified."
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/11/22/climategate-2-0
"Early this morning, history repeated itself. FOIA.org has produced an enormous zip file of 5,000 additional emails similar to those released two years ago in November 2009 and coined Climategate. There are almost 1/4 million additional emails locked behind a password, which the organization does not plan on releasing at this time.
The original link was dropped off in the Hurricane Kenneth thread at about 4 AM Eastern. It is still there.
Some initial snippets floating around the blogosphere:
<3373> Bradley: I’m sure you agree–the Mann/Jones GRL paper was truly pathetic and should never have been published. I don’t want to be associated with that 2000 year
“reconstruction”.
<3115> Mann: By the way, when is Tom C going to formally publish his roughly 1500 year
reconstruction??? It would help the cause to be able to refer to that
reconstruction as confirming Mann and Jones, etc.
<3940> Mann: They will (see below) allow us to provide some discussion of the synthetic
example, referring to the J. Cimate paper (which should be finally accepted
upon submission of the revised final draft), so that should help the cause a
bit.
<0810> Mann: I gave up on Judith Curry a while ago. I don’t know what she think’s she’s
doing, but its not helping the cause"
Yemen's President Resigns ... From Saudi Arabia
Another three decade plus old Arab dictatorship crumbles...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45413404/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa
"Yemen's authoritarian President Ali Abdullah Saleh agreed Wednesday to step down amid a fierce uprising to oust him after 33 years in power. The U.S. and its powerful Gulf allies pressed for the deal, concerned that a security collapse in the impoverished Arab nation was allowing an active al-Qaida franchise to gain a firmer foothold.
Saleh is the fourth Arab leader toppled in the wave of Arab Spring uprisings this year, after longtime dictators fell in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. The deal gives Saleh immunity from prosecution — contradicting a key demand of Yemen's opposition protesters.
Celebrations erupted in the capital Sanaa as Saleh inked the agreement. Yemenis danced in the streets, set off fireworks and waved flags.
Seated beside Saudi King Abdullah in the Saudi capital Riyadh, Saleh signed the U.S.-backed deal hammered out by his country's powerful Gulf Arab neighbors to transfer power within 30 days to his vice president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. That will be followed by early presidential elections within 90 days."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45413404/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa
"Yemen's authoritarian President Ali Abdullah Saleh agreed Wednesday to step down amid a fierce uprising to oust him after 33 years in power. The U.S. and its powerful Gulf allies pressed for the deal, concerned that a security collapse in the impoverished Arab nation was allowing an active al-Qaida franchise to gain a firmer foothold.
Saleh is the fourth Arab leader toppled in the wave of Arab Spring uprisings this year, after longtime dictators fell in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. The deal gives Saleh immunity from prosecution — contradicting a key demand of Yemen's opposition protesters.
Celebrations erupted in the capital Sanaa as Saleh inked the agreement. Yemenis danced in the streets, set off fireworks and waved flags.
Seated beside Saudi King Abdullah in the Saudi capital Riyadh, Saleh signed the U.S.-backed deal hammered out by his country's powerful Gulf Arab neighbors to transfer power within 30 days to his vice president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. That will be followed by early presidential elections within 90 days."
Russian Reporter Fired After Giving Obama The Middle Finger
Video embedded below.
"To broadcast bosses' horror, Ms Limanova was caught mechanically raising her left arm and showing the camera her raised middle finger after referencing US President Barack Obama.
REN TV, a privately owned channel controlled by associates of Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, said on Thursday it had decided to take her off air calling her actions "unacceptable" and "unprofessional".
"On 14 November during the 'News 24' programme the presenter Limanova made an unacceptable gesture that was a synonym for an offensive expression," it said in a statement.
The channel, which is broadcast to 120 million people, claimed the gesture was intended for her colleagues in the studio rather than for President Obama.
...
Nonetheless, it said it had been left with no choice but to fire her."
"To broadcast bosses' horror, Ms Limanova was caught mechanically raising her left arm and showing the camera her raised middle finger after referencing US President Barack Obama.
REN TV, a privately owned channel controlled by associates of Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, said on Thursday it had decided to take her off air calling her actions "unacceptable" and "unprofessional".
"On 14 November during the 'News 24' programme the presenter Limanova made an unacceptable gesture that was a synonym for an offensive expression," it said in a statement.
The channel, which is broadcast to 120 million people, claimed the gesture was intended for her colleagues in the studio rather than for President Obama.
...
Nonetheless, it said it had been left with no choice but to fire her."
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Worlds Lightest Material
Could have some interesting applications...
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2396633,00.asp
"Researchers have created a material that's so light it can rest comfortably on a dandelion seed head without disturbing the fluffy, delicate structure of the plant. The "ultralight metallic microlattice" invented by scientists at UC Irvine, HRL Laboratories, and Caltech is described in the Nov. 18 issue of Science.
The new material is 100 times lighter than styrofoam, according to reports. The secret to its lightness is a cellular architecture fabricated from hollow tubes that supports a material structure that is in reality 99.99 percent air, according to the research team that built it.
That means the material's density is less than one-thousandth that of water. And the stuff is pretty resilient as well—researchers said that when squashed to half its height, the material rebounds 98 percent of the way back."
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2396633,00.asp
"Researchers have created a material that's so light it can rest comfortably on a dandelion seed head without disturbing the fluffy, delicate structure of the plant. The "ultralight metallic microlattice" invented by scientists at UC Irvine, HRL Laboratories, and Caltech is described in the Nov. 18 issue of Science.
The new material is 100 times lighter than styrofoam, according to reports. The secret to its lightness is a cellular architecture fabricated from hollow tubes that supports a material structure that is in reality 99.99 percent air, according to the research team that built it.
That means the material's density is less than one-thousandth that of water. And the stuff is pretty resilient as well—researchers said that when squashed to half its height, the material rebounds 98 percent of the way back."
Obama Pardons Turkey ... by 'Executive Action'
Obama maintained the tradition of pardoning a turkey, and used the opportunity to take a jab at those who have been criticizing his end-runs around congress.
Video embedded below.
"Declaring “we can’t wait to pardon these turkeys,” President Obama Wednesday gave two birds the traditional presidential reprieve from a sentence to be the centerpiece at a Thanksgiving dinner table.
“Some of you may know that recently I’ve been taking a series of executive actions that don’t require congressional approval,” Mr. Obama said. “Well, here’s another one. We can’t wait to pardon these turkeys — literally. Otherwise, they’d end up next to the mashed potatoes and stuffing.”
The president’s daughters, Sasha and Malia, accompanied their father on the North Portico of the White House for the event. As Mr. Obama approached a docile, 45-pound bird named Liberty that had been placed on a table, the president held out his arm and jokingly made the Sign of the Cross over the animal.
“You are hereby pardoned!” the president said.
Liberty and a companion named Peace were raised by students in Willmar, Minn., under the supervision of National Turkey Federation Chairman Richard Huisinga."
Video embedded below.
"Declaring “we can’t wait to pardon these turkeys,” President Obama Wednesday gave two birds the traditional presidential reprieve from a sentence to be the centerpiece at a Thanksgiving dinner table.
“Some of you may know that recently I’ve been taking a series of executive actions that don’t require congressional approval,” Mr. Obama said. “Well, here’s another one. We can’t wait to pardon these turkeys — literally. Otherwise, they’d end up next to the mashed potatoes and stuffing.”
The president’s daughters, Sasha and Malia, accompanied their father on the North Portico of the White House for the event. As Mr. Obama approached a docile, 45-pound bird named Liberty that had been placed on a table, the president held out his arm and jokingly made the Sign of the Cross over the animal.
“You are hereby pardoned!” the president said.
Liberty and a companion named Peace were raised by students in Willmar, Minn., under the supervision of National Turkey Federation Chairman Richard Huisinga."
The Spray Heard Around The World: Disruptive Students Get a Face Full of Pepper Spray
Video embedded below.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Occupy Wall Street Protesters Heckle Obama
Video embedded below.
"Hecklers apparently connected with the Occupy Wall Street movement interrupted President Obama’s speech Tuesday at a high school in Manchester, N.H.
The president had just begun his remarks, urging Congress to expand a payroll tax cut, when a protester in the crowd shouted “mic check!” Mr. Obama stopped speaking as other protesters shouted in unison, “Mr. President — over 4,000 peaceful protesters — have been arrested.” The call-and-response tactic has been used by Occupy protesters in other locations around the country."
"Hecklers apparently connected with the Occupy Wall Street movement interrupted President Obama’s speech Tuesday at a high school in Manchester, N.H.
The president had just begun his remarks, urging Congress to expand a payroll tax cut, when a protester in the crowd shouted “mic check!” Mr. Obama stopped speaking as other protesters shouted in unison, “Mr. President — over 4,000 peaceful protesters — have been arrested.” The call-and-response tactic has been used by Occupy protesters in other locations around the country."
To Catch a Journalist, Part V - Bruce Baker (Rutgers Graduate School of Education)
Video embedded below.
See also:
Berman Post: To Catch a Journalist, Part I - Sam Stein, Huffington Post
Berman Post: To Catch a Journalist, Part II - New York Times, Jay Rosen, Clay Shirky
Berman Post: To Catch a Journalist, Part III - Jay Rosen Says Clay Shirky Has Had Consulting Gigs For The New York Times
Berman Post: To Catch a Journalist, Part IV - Amy Ellis Nutt (New Jersey's Star-Ledger)
See also:
Berman Post: To Catch a Journalist, Part I - Sam Stein, Huffington Post
Berman Post: To Catch a Journalist, Part II - New York Times, Jay Rosen, Clay Shirky
Berman Post: To Catch a Journalist, Part III - Jay Rosen Says Clay Shirky Has Had Consulting Gigs For The New York Times
Berman Post: To Catch a Journalist, Part IV - Amy Ellis Nutt (New Jersey's Star-Ledger)
Monday, November 21, 2011
Super Committee Throws in The Towel
They have not blown the deadline yet, but have announced that they are going to.
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/11/21/breaking-super-committee-declares-defeat
"Here’s where we’re all supposed to raise a glass to government paralysis. Granted, that’s preferable to a trillion dollars in new taxes, but (a) thanks to the scheduled lapsing of the Bush tax cuts, paralysis in this case means we’re still on the hook for that trillion (and more!) and (b) we desperately, desperately, desperately need Congress to act on entitlement reform. Paralysis means the status quo and the status quo simply isn’t sustainable. So, hurray?
The statement from Hensarling and Murray:
“After months of hard work and intense deliberations, we have come to the conclusion today that it will not be possible to make any bipartisan agreement available to the public before the committee’s deadline.
“Despite our inability to bridge the committee’s significant differences, we end this process united in our belief that the nation’s fiscal crisis must be addressed and that we cannot leave it for the next generation to solve. We remain hopeful that Congress can build on this committee’s work and can find a way to tackle this issue in a way that works for the American people and our economy.
“We are deeply disappointed that we have been unable to come to a bipartisan deficit reduction agreement, but as we approach the uniquely American holiday of Thanksgiving, we want to express our appreciation to every member of this committee, each of whom came into the process committed to achieving a solution that has eluded many groups before us. Most importantly, we want to thank the American people for sharing thoughts and ideas and for providing support and good will as we worked to accomplish this difficult task.”
The silver lining here, supposedly, is that the GOP’s going to take back the Senate and the White House next year and then write its own deal on deficit reduction. "
Obama's comments;
Video embedded below.
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/11/21/breaking-super-committee-declares-defeat
"Here’s where we’re all supposed to raise a glass to government paralysis. Granted, that’s preferable to a trillion dollars in new taxes, but (a) thanks to the scheduled lapsing of the Bush tax cuts, paralysis in this case means we’re still on the hook for that trillion (and more!) and (b) we desperately, desperately, desperately need Congress to act on entitlement reform. Paralysis means the status quo and the status quo simply isn’t sustainable. So, hurray?
The statement from Hensarling and Murray:
“After months of hard work and intense deliberations, we have come to the conclusion today that it will not be possible to make any bipartisan agreement available to the public before the committee’s deadline.
“Despite our inability to bridge the committee’s significant differences, we end this process united in our belief that the nation’s fiscal crisis must be addressed and that we cannot leave it for the next generation to solve. We remain hopeful that Congress can build on this committee’s work and can find a way to tackle this issue in a way that works for the American people and our economy.
“We are deeply disappointed that we have been unable to come to a bipartisan deficit reduction agreement, but as we approach the uniquely American holiday of Thanksgiving, we want to express our appreciation to every member of this committee, each of whom came into the process committed to achieving a solution that has eluded many groups before us. Most importantly, we want to thank the American people for sharing thoughts and ideas and for providing support and good will as we worked to accomplish this difficult task.”
The silver lining here, supposedly, is that the GOP’s going to take back the Senate and the White House next year and then write its own deal on deficit reduction. "
Obama's comments;
Video embedded below.
Occupy Attacks! Shootings, Lice, Lewdness, Battery, Porn And Sympathy For Assassins
Video embedded below.
Why We Should Fear Bathtubs More Than Terrorists
For the 'run of the mill' terrorists I can see the point, but that all goes out the window when we talk about the wrong people getting hold of WMDs.
Video embedded below.
Video embedded below.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Obama Mistakenly Refers to Hawaii as Being in Asia
An instant, 'what if Bush said it?'.
Video embedded below.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/15/obama-mistakenly-refers-to-hawaii-as-asia-during-summit
"It's hard to mistake that Hawaiian scenery.
But President Obama apparently forgot where he was during his press conference Sunday on the outskirts of Honolulu -- despite being born there.
The president mistakenly described his location as "Asia" while answering a question about budget cuts.
...
Technically, Hawaii isn't in Asia, but neither is it geographically fixed to North America. Because it's a chain of islands, belonging to Polynesia, it is not part of any continent."
Video embedded below.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/15/obama-mistakenly-refers-to-hawaii-as-asia-during-summit
"It's hard to mistake that Hawaiian scenery.
But President Obama apparently forgot where he was during his press conference Sunday on the outskirts of Honolulu -- despite being born there.
The president mistakenly described his location as "Asia" while answering a question about budget cuts.
...
Technically, Hawaii isn't in Asia, but neither is it geographically fixed to North America. Because it's a chain of islands, belonging to Polynesia, it is not part of any continent."
EU Bans Claim That Water Can Prevent Dehydration
The Europeans are apparently trying to one-up us on the 'who has the most ridiculous politicians with the most ridiculous rules'.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/8897662/EU-bans-claim-that-water-can-prevent-dehydration.html
"Brussels bureaucrats were ridiculed yesterday after banning drink manufacturers from claiming that water can prevent dehydration.
EU officials concluded that, following a three-year investigation, there was no evidence to prove the previously undisputed fact.
Producers of bottled water are now forbidden by law from making the claim and will face a two-year jail sentence if they defy the edict, which comes into force in the UK next month.
...
NHS health guidelines state clearly that drinking water helps avoid dehydration, and that Britons should drink at least 1.2 litres per day.
...
German professors Dr Andreas Hahn and Dr Moritz Hagenmeyer, who advise food manufacturers on how to advertise their products, asked the European Commission if the claim could be made on labels.
They compiled what they assumed was an uncontroversial statement in order to test new laws which allow products to claim they can reduce the risk of disease, subject to EU approval.
They applied for the right to state that “regular consumption of significant amounts of water can reduce the risk of development of dehydration” as well as preventing a decrease in performance.
However, last February, the European Food Standards Authority (EFSA) refused to approve the statement."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/8897662/EU-bans-claim-that-water-can-prevent-dehydration.html
"Brussels bureaucrats were ridiculed yesterday after banning drink manufacturers from claiming that water can prevent dehydration.
EU officials concluded that, following a three-year investigation, there was no evidence to prove the previously undisputed fact.
Producers of bottled water are now forbidden by law from making the claim and will face a two-year jail sentence if they defy the edict, which comes into force in the UK next month.
...
NHS health guidelines state clearly that drinking water helps avoid dehydration, and that Britons should drink at least 1.2 litres per day.
...
German professors Dr Andreas Hahn and Dr Moritz Hagenmeyer, who advise food manufacturers on how to advertise their products, asked the European Commission if the claim could be made on labels.
They compiled what they assumed was an uncontroversial statement in order to test new laws which allow products to claim they can reduce the risk of disease, subject to EU approval.
They applied for the right to state that “regular consumption of significant amounts of water can reduce the risk of development of dehydration” as well as preventing a decrease in performance.
However, last February, the European Food Standards Authority (EFSA) refused to approve the statement."
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Occupy Protesters Hold Moment of Silence For Man Accused of Shooting at The White House
To be clear; this guy first seems to acknowledge the man who shot at the White House and is now being charge with attempted assassination of Obama is a 'Occupy Protester', and then wants to have a moment of silence for him which the rest of the 'Occupy Protesters' go along with. I know I do not have to say it, but I will anyways, imagine the reaction if anything remotely like this happened at a Tea Party Rally.
Video embedded below.
"During a protest outside the San Diego Police Department headquarters Wednesday night, Occupiers thought it befitting to hold a “moment of silence in solidarity” for Oscar Ortega-Hernandez, the man now charged with attempting to assassinate President Obama or a member of his staff when he shot at the White House last week. Occupiers simply referred to the shooter as a member of Occupy D.C. and “the guy who shot at the White House window.”"
Video embedded below.
"During a protest outside the San Diego Police Department headquarters Wednesday night, Occupiers thought it befitting to hold a “moment of silence in solidarity” for Oscar Ortega-Hernandez, the man now charged with attempting to assassinate President Obama or a member of his staff when he shot at the White House last week. Occupiers simply referred to the shooter as a member of Occupy D.C. and “the guy who shot at the White House window.”"
Qaddafi Son Captured in Libya
Video embedded below.
"Any trial in Libya would mean death for the son of the brutal Moammar Qaddafi, while the ICC’s worst would be life imprisonment. Since the dictator himself can’t be the focus of Libyan revenge, the wages for the decades of oppression will end up getting paid by Saif instead. He certainly understood that much, which is why he high-tailed it across the desert in an unsuccessful effort to get across the border before the security forces caught up with him. Saif’s younger brother Saif al-Saadi managed to get across the border earlier in the conflict and now has asylum (for now) in Niger, where Saif al-Islam was attempting to join him."
"Any trial in Libya would mean death for the son of the brutal Moammar Qaddafi, while the ICC’s worst would be life imprisonment. Since the dictator himself can’t be the focus of Libyan revenge, the wages for the decades of oppression will end up getting paid by Saif instead. He certainly understood that much, which is why he high-tailed it across the desert in an unsuccessful effort to get across the border before the security forces caught up with him. Saif’s younger brother Saif al-Saadi managed to get across the border earlier in the conflict and now has asylum (for now) in Niger, where Saif al-Islam was attempting to join him."
Pentagon Successfully Tests Hypersonic Flying Bomb
'Anywhere in the world in less then an hour'...
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jTJeu2vLniWcT_-Sqc5IQQUOPesQ
"The Pentagon on Thursday held a successful test flight of a flying bomb that travels faster than the speed of sound and will give military planners the ability to strike targets anywhere in the world in less than a hour.
Launched by rocket from Hawaii at 1130 GMT, the "Advanced Hypersonic Weapon," or AHW, glided through the upper atmosphere over the Pacific "at hypersonic speed" before hitting its target on the Kwajalein atoll in the Marshall Islands, a Pentagon statement said.
Kwajalein is about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) southwest of Hawaii. The Pentagon did not say what top speeds were reached by the vehicle, which unlike a ballistic missile is maneuverable.
Scientists classify hypersonic speeds as those that exceed Mach 5 -- or five times the speed of sound -- 3,728 miles (6,000 kilometers) an hour."
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jTJeu2vLniWcT_-Sqc5IQQUOPesQ
"The Pentagon on Thursday held a successful test flight of a flying bomb that travels faster than the speed of sound and will give military planners the ability to strike targets anywhere in the world in less than a hour.
Launched by rocket from Hawaii at 1130 GMT, the "Advanced Hypersonic Weapon," or AHW, glided through the upper atmosphere over the Pacific "at hypersonic speed" before hitting its target on the Kwajalein atoll in the Marshall Islands, a Pentagon statement said.
Kwajalein is about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) southwest of Hawaii. The Pentagon did not say what top speeds were reached by the vehicle, which unlike a ballistic missile is maneuverable.
Scientists classify hypersonic speeds as those that exceed Mach 5 -- or five times the speed of sound -- 3,728 miles (6,000 kilometers) an hour."
Friday, November 18, 2011
Foreign Hackers Targeted US Water Plant in Apparent Malicious Cyber Attack
It has not yet been confirmed, but seems the probable senario. If it was not clear with Stuxnet we are in the age of cyberwar were digital attacks cause real world damage.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/checkpoint-washington/post/foreign-hackers-broke-into-illinois-water-plant-control-system-industry-expert-says/2011/11/18/gIQAgmTZYN_blog.html
"Foreign hackers caused a pump at an Illinois water plant to fail last week, according to a preliminary state report. Experts said the cyber-attack, if confirmed, would be the first known to have damaged one of the systems that supply Americans with water, electricity and other essentials of modern life.
Companies and government agencies that rely on the Internet have for years been routine targets of hackers, but most incidents have resulted from attempts to steal information or interrupt the functioning of Web sites. The incident in Springfield, Ill., would mark a departure because it apparently caused physical destruction.
Federal officials confirmed that the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security were investigating damage to the water plant but cautioned against concluding that it was necessarily a cyber-attack before all the facts could be learned. “At this time there is no credible corroborated data that indicates a risk to critical infrastructure entities or a threat to public safety,” said DHS spokesman Peter Boogaard."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/checkpoint-washington/post/foreign-hackers-broke-into-illinois-water-plant-control-system-industry-expert-says/2011/11/18/gIQAgmTZYN_blog.html
"Foreign hackers caused a pump at an Illinois water plant to fail last week, according to a preliminary state report. Experts said the cyber-attack, if confirmed, would be the first known to have damaged one of the systems that supply Americans with water, electricity and other essentials of modern life.
Companies and government agencies that rely on the Internet have for years been routine targets of hackers, but most incidents have resulted from attempts to steal information or interrupt the functioning of Web sites. The incident in Springfield, Ill., would mark a departure because it apparently caused physical destruction.
Federal officials confirmed that the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security were investigating damage to the water plant but cautioned against concluding that it was necessarily a cyber-attack before all the facts could be learned. “At this time there is no credible corroborated data that indicates a risk to critical infrastructure entities or a threat to public safety,” said DHS spokesman Peter Boogaard."
Early Video of Obama Surfaces From Harvard Law School Era
Video embedded below.
"“The distinguished lawyer Charles Hamilton Houston was born in 1895, eight months before the Supreme Court’s ‘separate but equal’ ruling in Plessy vs. Ferguson. He spent his career fighting to overturn that decision,” Obama intoned. “As director of the NAACP legal campaign, Houston masterminded the strategy that eventually led to the historic decision of Brown vs. Board of Education.”
Presuming the TBS public service announcement ran during February, which is traditionally acknowledged as Black History Month, Obama was 29 years old at the time of the broadcast. He was identified on-screen as editor of the Harvard Law Review."
"“The distinguished lawyer Charles Hamilton Houston was born in 1895, eight months before the Supreme Court’s ‘separate but equal’ ruling in Plessy vs. Ferguson. He spent his career fighting to overturn that decision,” Obama intoned. “As director of the NAACP legal campaign, Houston masterminded the strategy that eventually led to the historic decision of Brown vs. Board of Education.”
Presuming the TBS public service announcement ran during February, which is traditionally acknowledged as Black History Month, Obama was 29 years old at the time of the broadcast. He was identified on-screen as editor of the Harvard Law Review."
Thursday, November 17, 2011
The Good, The Bad & The Crooked: Is Congressional Insider Trading Just Honest Graft?
Video embedded below.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
US Dept Tops $15 Trillion
We really need to stop digging if we ever hope to get out of this hole.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/16/federal-debt-more-15-trillion
"The Treasury Department said Wednesday that federal debt now tops $15 trillion — a staggering figure that has risen precipitously over the last decade.
The exact debt total stood at $15.034 trillion as of the end of business Tuesday, an increase of $56 billion over Monday’s tally.
...
At it stands now, debt is now nearly equal to the projected U.S. gross domestic product for 2011, which the Obama administration said in its February budget would reach $15.079 trillion."
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/16/federal-debt-more-15-trillion
"The Treasury Department said Wednesday that federal debt now tops $15 trillion — a staggering figure that has risen precipitously over the last decade.
The exact debt total stood at $15.034 trillion as of the end of business Tuesday, an increase of $56 billion over Monday’s tally.
...
At it stands now, debt is now nearly equal to the projected U.S. gross domestic product for 2011, which the Obama administration said in its February budget would reach $15.079 trillion."
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Hubble Spots Disk Around Distant Black Hole
Great shot...
Picture embedded below.
"Using the Hubble space telescope, astronomers have captured a direct image of the disk surrounding a black hole.
...
Among the brightest objects in the sky, quasars are short-lived phenomena that only existed during the earliest eras of the universe. They are known to be huge — most are around 60 billion miles across — yet they lie billions of light years from Earth, making them nothing but insignificant pinpricks in even the most powerful telescopes.
Hubble was able to image the distant disk, which is approximately 18.5 billion light-years away, because a huge galaxy happens to sit between Earth and the quasar. The mass of the enormous galaxy bent light from the quasar and directed it toward our telescopes, acting like a gigantic gravitational lens.
The technique allowed the Hubble telescope to see with unprecedented detail. Because of this, researchers were able to measure the disk’s size — between 60 and 180 billion miles across — and determine the temperature of different parts of the disk. They found that gas and dust from the imaged quasar became bluer and therefore hotter as it fell toward the central black hole."
Picture embedded below.
"Using the Hubble space telescope, astronomers have captured a direct image of the disk surrounding a black hole.
...
Among the brightest objects in the sky, quasars are short-lived phenomena that only existed during the earliest eras of the universe. They are known to be huge — most are around 60 billion miles across — yet they lie billions of light years from Earth, making them nothing but insignificant pinpricks in even the most powerful telescopes.
Hubble was able to image the distant disk, which is approximately 18.5 billion light-years away, because a huge galaxy happens to sit between Earth and the quasar. The mass of the enormous galaxy bent light from the quasar and directed it toward our telescopes, acting like a gigantic gravitational lens.
The technique allowed the Hubble telescope to see with unprecedented detail. Because of this, researchers were able to measure the disk’s size — between 60 and 180 billion miles across — and determine the temperature of different parts of the disk. They found that gas and dust from the imaged quasar became bluer and therefore hotter as it fell toward the central black hole."
Monday, November 14, 2011
EPA Covers-Up Reliability
A government organisation should not be hiding information not favorable to its preference. They should present their research, whatever the legitimate findings are, and then explain why the potential problems are outweighed by the good of their objective. If they have to hide unfavorable data, that is a pretty clear sign that their policy is not worth the harm it will cause.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204358004577030110213488278.html
"Congressional and industry investigators have combed the EPA's rule-making docket that contains hundreds of thousands pages of electronic documents. Many of these files are for some reason not "smart" PDFs (i.e., they're unsearchable). But lo and behold, they uncovered one 934-page EPA draft that was circulated within the Administration sometime before the utility rule was formally proposed.
In a "What are the energy impacts?" section, the EPA concedes that it "is aware that concerns have been expressed by some, even in advance of this proposed rule, that this regulation may detrimentally impact the reliability of the electric grid." The agency admits that what it calls "sources integral to reliable operation" may be forced to shut down—those would be the coal-fired plants the EPA is targeting—and that these retirements "could result in localized reliability problems." The EPA insists that it knows how to balance "both clean air and electric reliability," but all along in public it has denied that reliability is in any way at risk.
The draft document also "strongly encourages" the people who run the grid, like regional transmission operators and state regulators, to start planning "as soon as possible" for "potential retired units." The EPA recommends "transmission upgrades, targeted demand side management strategies, and construction of new generation." This helps to explain why even the EPA admits the utility rule is the most expensive it has ever proposed.
But here's the kicker: This reliability section was gone when the EPA released its utility rule proposal in May 2011. Why did it vanish? Where did it go?
This matters because the draft report contradicts EPA leaders who have publicly portrayed anyone worried about reliability as an industry shill. More importantly, as a technical and legal matter, issues that are excluded from the Federal Register mean that the public is denied the opportunity to meaningfully comment on them."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204358004577030110213488278.html
"Congressional and industry investigators have combed the EPA's rule-making docket that contains hundreds of thousands pages of electronic documents. Many of these files are for some reason not "smart" PDFs (i.e., they're unsearchable). But lo and behold, they uncovered one 934-page EPA draft that was circulated within the Administration sometime before the utility rule was formally proposed.
In a "What are the energy impacts?" section, the EPA concedes that it "is aware that concerns have been expressed by some, even in advance of this proposed rule, that this regulation may detrimentally impact the reliability of the electric grid." The agency admits that what it calls "sources integral to reliable operation" may be forced to shut down—those would be the coal-fired plants the EPA is targeting—and that these retirements "could result in localized reliability problems." The EPA insists that it knows how to balance "both clean air and electric reliability," but all along in public it has denied that reliability is in any way at risk.
The draft document also "strongly encourages" the people who run the grid, like regional transmission operators and state regulators, to start planning "as soon as possible" for "potential retired units." The EPA recommends "transmission upgrades, targeted demand side management strategies, and construction of new generation." This helps to explain why even the EPA admits the utility rule is the most expensive it has ever proposed.
But here's the kicker: This reliability section was gone when the EPA released its utility rule proposal in May 2011. Why did it vanish? Where did it go?
This matters because the draft report contradicts EPA leaders who have publicly portrayed anyone worried about reliability as an industry shill. More importantly, as a technical and legal matter, issues that are excluded from the Federal Register mean that the public is denied the opportunity to meaningfully comment on them."
Supreme Court to Take ObamaCare Case
Five and a half hours or oral argument with the decision likely to come a few months before the election, this could be even 'huge-er' then it otherwise would be just on its own merits. I believe that that ObamaCare should, and will, be struck down. It will be a combination of the Individual Mandate being found unconstitutional, with the court finding no Severability that will be the cornerstone of the ruling. If not, the relationship between the government and the people will be shifted in such a way that our founding fathers would not be able to recognize our then current system.
http://nationaljournal.com/healthcare/supreme-court-to-take-health-care-case-20111114
"The Supreme Court said on Monday that it would consider several challenges to last year's health care reform law, setting up a major ruling on the Obama administration's signature legislative achievement just months before the 2012 election.
The case will probably be heard in March, making a final decision likely by the end of the Court’s term in June. Opponents and supporters of the health care law were equally delighted that the matter may be settled.
In apparent recognition of the complex issues presented by the cases, the Court allotted an unusual five and a half hours for arguments. Usually, cases get an hour of oral arguments.
The justices asked lawyers to answer four legal questions about the law in their briefs, signaling that they will rule on each.
They are:
The individual mandate. The law's requirement that virtually every individual buy health insurance is at the heart of the many challenges to the law. The challengers contend that such a requirement is unconstitutional because the commerce clause should not used to compel individuals to purchase a product they do not want.
...
Severability. When the law was passed, members of Congress said that the mandate was essential to make other insurance reforms in the law work. If the justices strike down the mandate, they will have to decide whether that means the law can stand without it, or the whole law must fall.
...
Medicaid expansion. The health care law expands eligibility for Medicaid programs by threatening to withhold all federal Medicaid funds if states don’t cover anyone earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty limit. Critics say that placing such significant financial conditions on a state’s behavior is “coercive” and exceeds Congress’s spending power. The issue has only come up so far in the 11th Circuit cases, but neither the trial court nor the Appellate Court agreed with this argument.
Jurisdiction. Judges in two Appellate courts have argued that the time is not right for the courts to even consider whether the law is constitutional. They cite an 18th-century law that prevents individuals from challenging their taxes until after they've been assessed and paid.
The justices will have to decide whether the law's penalty for not buying insurance functions enough like a tax that these rules should apply. If they agree with the argument, lawsuits will be barred until after the mandate goes into effect."
http://nationaljournal.com/healthcare/supreme-court-to-take-health-care-case-20111114
"The Supreme Court said on Monday that it would consider several challenges to last year's health care reform law, setting up a major ruling on the Obama administration's signature legislative achievement just months before the 2012 election.
The case will probably be heard in March, making a final decision likely by the end of the Court’s term in June. Opponents and supporters of the health care law were equally delighted that the matter may be settled.
In apparent recognition of the complex issues presented by the cases, the Court allotted an unusual five and a half hours for arguments. Usually, cases get an hour of oral arguments.
The justices asked lawyers to answer four legal questions about the law in their briefs, signaling that they will rule on each.
They are:
The individual mandate. The law's requirement that virtually every individual buy health insurance is at the heart of the many challenges to the law. The challengers contend that such a requirement is unconstitutional because the commerce clause should not used to compel individuals to purchase a product they do not want.
...
Severability. When the law was passed, members of Congress said that the mandate was essential to make other insurance reforms in the law work. If the justices strike down the mandate, they will have to decide whether that means the law can stand without it, or the whole law must fall.
...
Medicaid expansion. The health care law expands eligibility for Medicaid programs by threatening to withhold all federal Medicaid funds if states don’t cover anyone earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty limit. Critics say that placing such significant financial conditions on a state’s behavior is “coercive” and exceeds Congress’s spending power. The issue has only come up so far in the 11th Circuit cases, but neither the trial court nor the Appellate Court agreed with this argument.
Jurisdiction. Judges in two Appellate courts have argued that the time is not right for the courts to even consider whether the law is constitutional. They cite an 18th-century law that prevents individuals from challenging their taxes until after they've been assessed and paid.
The justices will have to decide whether the law's penalty for not buying insurance functions enough like a tax that these rules should apply. If they agree with the argument, lawsuits will be barred until after the mandate goes into effect."
Cain (R) Blanks on Libya, Supports Collective Bargaining For Public Employee Unions
Cain's campaign is saying the reason for the flop was sleep deprivation. Still, ouch...
Video embedded below.
Video embedded below.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Congress: Trading Stock on Inside Information?
Politicians should not be above the law. There is something wrong with them being able to legally do something that any other citizen would go to jail for.
Video embedded below.
Video embedded below.
Vandals Steal Sword From Lincoln’s Tomb
Despicable...
http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2011/11/12/vandals-strike-lincolns-tomb
"Thieves have nabbed a 3-foot-long copper sword atop Lincoln’s Tomb in what is believed to be the first theft at the site in more than a century.
An employee noticed last week that the sword was cut from a statue of a Civil War artillery officer, the (Springfield) State Journal-Register reported Saturday. Officials think the sword was stolen sometime between September and early November.
Nothing had been stolen from the Springfield site, which is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, since the sword on the same statue was taken more than 100 years ago, said Dave Blanchette, a spokesman for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Then, the sword was bronze."
http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2011/11/12/vandals-strike-lincolns-tomb
"Thieves have nabbed a 3-foot-long copper sword atop Lincoln’s Tomb in what is believed to be the first theft at the site in more than a century.
An employee noticed last week that the sword was cut from a statue of a Civil War artillery officer, the (Springfield) State Journal-Register reported Saturday. Officials think the sword was stolen sometime between September and early November.
Nothing had been stolen from the Springfield site, which is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, since the sword on the same statue was taken more than 100 years ago, said Dave Blanchette, a spokesman for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Then, the sword was bronze."
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Jon Stewart to Nancy Pelosi (D) - Why Didn’t The Democrats Pass a Budget When They Had The Chance?
Video embedded below.
"Good question, Mr. Stewart. Nancy Pelosi answers in typical Nancy Pelosi fashion — by saying “Republicans would have filibustered it.” Too bad budgets can’t be filibustered. They require a simple majority in both House and Senate to pass. What’s more: When Democrats did control both houses, they had a supermajority in the Senate. Republicans could have filibustered only with the help of Democrats. No way to pin this one on Republicans — and, yet, Pelosi still tries. Predictable."
"Good question, Mr. Stewart. Nancy Pelosi answers in typical Nancy Pelosi fashion — by saying “Republicans would have filibustered it.” Too bad budgets can’t be filibustered. They require a simple majority in both House and Senate to pass. What’s more: When Democrats did control both houses, they had a supermajority in the Senate. Republicans could have filibustered only with the help of Democrats. No way to pin this one on Republicans — and, yet, Pelosi still tries. Predictable."
Friday, November 11, 2011
Happy Veterans Day
To all those who serve, thank you.
Image from Grand Central (NY) today.
Picture embedded below.
Image from Grand Central (NY) today.
Picture embedded below.
'Greece-ing" The Wheels of Commerce: Is America Destined For a Greek Style Collapse?
Video embedded below.
Our Love's in Jeopardy: Foursomes, Threesomes And Rubbers. Plus, Who Pooped on The Bank?
Video embedded below.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Alabama's Jefferson County Declares The Biggest Municipal Bankruptcy in US History
I fear it is not a title they will hold for long...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/10/us-usa-alabama-jeffersoncounty-idUSTRE7A95CT20111110
"From corrupt and incompetent local officials to Wall Street's credit crisis and toxic bonds, there was plenty of blame to go around on Thursday, a day after Alabama's Jefferson County declared the biggest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.
The county, once a leading industrial hub in the U.S. Deep South, filed for bankruptcy court protection after failing to reach final agreement on terms of a preliminary deal with creditors led by JPMorgan Chase & Co in September to settle $3.14 billion in sewer-system debt.
Federal Judge Thomas Bennett in Birmingham set a December 15 deadline on Thursday for a hearing on whether the county is eligible to file for Chapter 9, the section of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code that covers municipal bankruptcies.
The head of the Jefferson County Commission, which voted 4-1 for bankruptcy, pointed to a $140 million decline in the savings expected from the preliminary deal as the trigger for the filing."
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/10/us-usa-alabama-jeffersoncounty-idUSTRE7A95CT20111110
"From corrupt and incompetent local officials to Wall Street's credit crisis and toxic bonds, there was plenty of blame to go around on Thursday, a day after Alabama's Jefferson County declared the biggest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.
The county, once a leading industrial hub in the U.S. Deep South, filed for bankruptcy court protection after failing to reach final agreement on terms of a preliminary deal with creditors led by JPMorgan Chase & Co in September to settle $3.14 billion in sewer-system debt.
Federal Judge Thomas Bennett in Birmingham set a December 15 deadline on Thursday for a hearing on whether the county is eligible to file for Chapter 9, the section of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code that covers municipal bankruptcies.
The head of the Jefferson County Commission, which voted 4-1 for bankruptcy, pointed to a $140 million decline in the savings expected from the preliminary deal as the trigger for the filing."
To Catch a Journalist, Part IV - Amy Ellis Nutt (New Jersey's Star-Ledger)
Video embedded below.
See also:
Berman Post: To Catch a Journalist, Part I - Sam Stein, Huffington Post
Berman Post: To Catch a Journalist, Part II - New York Times, Jay Rosen, Clay Shirky
Berman Post: To Catch a Journalist, Part III - Jay Rosen Says Clay Shirky Has Had Consulting Gigs For The New York Times
See also:
Berman Post: To Catch a Journalist, Part I - Sam Stein, Huffington Post
Berman Post: To Catch a Journalist, Part II - New York Times, Jay Rosen, Clay Shirky
Berman Post: To Catch a Journalist, Part III - Jay Rosen Says Clay Shirky Has Had Consulting Gigs For The New York Times
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
'Vietnam in HD': The Truth About The Vietnam War Told by The People Who Fought it
Video embedded below.
First Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Has a Few Glitches
As would be expected with the first test of any system, which is of course why you test things in the first place.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/09/us/emergency-alert-test
"Problems were reported across the country during the first-ever nationwide test Wednesday of the Emergency Alert System, designed to allow the president to address the American people during a national emergency.
Some television and radio stations did not air the planned 30-second test at all. Some that aired it stayed with the signal longer than others.
...
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission, which ordered the test, stressed that it was designed to find flaws, and scoffed at reports the system had failed.
By late Wednesday afternoon, an FCC official, not authorized to speak on the record, said about one-third of the test participants had filed preliminary reports, and those showed that 80% to 90% of the stations received the alert and were able to rebroadcast it, which was the major criteria of the test.
The official called the failure rate of more than 10% "not insignificant," but said identifying problems "is why we have the test."
He said the glitches were found in all modes of transmission -- broadcast, cable and satellite -- and it was too early to establish patterns. "We'll dig back into it," he said."
http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/09/us/emergency-alert-test
"Problems were reported across the country during the first-ever nationwide test Wednesday of the Emergency Alert System, designed to allow the president to address the American people during a national emergency.
Some television and radio stations did not air the planned 30-second test at all. Some that aired it stayed with the signal longer than others.
...
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission, which ordered the test, stressed that it was designed to find flaws, and scoffed at reports the system had failed.
By late Wednesday afternoon, an FCC official, not authorized to speak on the record, said about one-third of the test participants had filed preliminary reports, and those showed that 80% to 90% of the stations received the alert and were able to rebroadcast it, which was the major criteria of the test.
The official called the failure rate of more than 10% "not insignificant," but said identifying problems "is why we have the test."
He said the glitches were found in all modes of transmission -- broadcast, cable and satellite -- and it was too early to establish patterns. "We'll dig back into it," he said."
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
UN Agency Says Iran is Working on Nukes
This can not possibly come as a shock to anyone. What should be up for discussion is not if Iran is working on nuclear weapons, but what to do about it. Wait to much longer and there will be nothing to debate...
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/09/world/un-details-case-that-iran-is-at-work-on-nuclear-device.html
"United Nations weapons inspectors have amassed a trove of new evidence that they say makes a “credible” case that “Iran has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear device,” and that the project may still be under way.
The long-awaited report, released by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Tuesday, represents the strongest judgment the agency has issued in its decade-long struggle to pierce the secrecy surrounding the Iranian program. The findings, drawn from evidence of far greater scope and depth than the agency has previously made public, have already rekindled a debate among the Western allies and Israel about whether increased diplomatic pressure, sanctions, sabotage or military action could stop Iran’s program.
...
The report laid out the case that Iran had moved far beyond the blackboard to create computer models of nuclear explosions in 2008 and 2009 and conducted experiments on nuclear triggers. It said the simulations focused on how shock waves from conventional explosives could compress the spherical fuel at the core of a nuclear device, which starts the chain reaction that ends in nuclear explosion.
The report also said Iran went beyond such theoretical studies to build a large containment vessel at its Parchin military base, starting in 2000, for testing the feasibility of such explosive compression. It called such tests “strong indicators of possible weapon development.”"
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/09/world/un-details-case-that-iran-is-at-work-on-nuclear-device.html
"United Nations weapons inspectors have amassed a trove of new evidence that they say makes a “credible” case that “Iran has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear device,” and that the project may still be under way.
The long-awaited report, released by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Tuesday, represents the strongest judgment the agency has issued in its decade-long struggle to pierce the secrecy surrounding the Iranian program. The findings, drawn from evidence of far greater scope and depth than the agency has previously made public, have already rekindled a debate among the Western allies and Israel about whether increased diplomatic pressure, sanctions, sabotage or military action could stop Iran’s program.
...
The report laid out the case that Iran had moved far beyond the blackboard to create computer models of nuclear explosions in 2008 and 2009 and conducted experiments on nuclear triggers. It said the simulations focused on how shock waves from conventional explosives could compress the spherical fuel at the core of a nuclear device, which starts the chain reaction that ends in nuclear explosion.
The report also said Iran went beyond such theoretical studies to build a large containment vessel at its Parchin military base, starting in 2000, for testing the feasibility of such explosive compression. It called such tests “strong indicators of possible weapon development.”"
Monday, November 7, 2011
Obama Caught Badmouthing Netanyahu (Israel's Prime Minister) on a Hot Mic
Obama may have just sparked another international incident, this time with the help of Sarkozy instead of at his expense.
As troubling as that incident was, there is another thread here, that the journalists present signed an agreement not to report on anything embarrassing. There was apparently also some collusion to keep the comment quite. The job of the media is not to protect the political class, or at least is is not supposed to be...
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4145266,00.html
"The conversation then drifted to Netanyahu, at which time Sarkozy declared: "I cannot stand him. He is a liar." According to the report, Obama replied: "You're fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day!"
The remark was naturally meant to be said in confidence, but the two leaders' microphones were accidently left on, making the would-be private comment embarrassingly public.
The communication faux pas went unnoticed for several minutes, during which the conversation between the two heads of state – which quickly reverted to other matters – was all but open to members the press, who were still in possession of headsets provided by the Elysée for the sake of simultaneous translation during the G20 press conference.
...
The surprising lack of coverage may be explained by a report alleging that reporters present at the event were requested to sign an agreement to keep mum on the subject of the embarrassing comments.
A member of the media confirmed Monday that "there were discussions between journalists and they agreed not to publish the comments due to the sensitivity of the issue.""
As troubling as that incident was, there is another thread here, that the journalists present signed an agreement not to report on anything embarrassing. There was apparently also some collusion to keep the comment quite. The job of the media is not to protect the political class, or at least is is not supposed to be...
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4145266,00.html
"The conversation then drifted to Netanyahu, at which time Sarkozy declared: "I cannot stand him. He is a liar." According to the report, Obama replied: "You're fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day!"
The remark was naturally meant to be said in confidence, but the two leaders' microphones were accidently left on, making the would-be private comment embarrassingly public.
The communication faux pas went unnoticed for several minutes, during which the conversation between the two heads of state – which quickly reverted to other matters – was all but open to members the press, who were still in possession of headsets provided by the Elysée for the sake of simultaneous translation during the G20 press conference.
...
The surprising lack of coverage may be explained by a report alleging that reporters present at the event were requested to sign an agreement to keep mum on the subject of the embarrassing comments.
A member of the media confirmed Monday that "there were discussions between journalists and they agreed not to publish the comments due to the sensitivity of the issue.""
First Woman Goes Public With Harassment Claim Against Cain (R)
With an accuser coming forward instead of anonymous accusations, this becomes a serious story. In a nut shell, she a accuses Cain of using his position of power to try to course her into giving him sexual favors, ultimately backing off when rebuffed. Cain has denied the accusation. These 'he said, she said' incidents are notoriously hard to prove or disprove, and fair or not this could have a drag on his campaign.
Video embedded below.
Video embedded below.
Holder (D) to Call For More Gun Control
Holders reason for more gun control is as bad as whatever 'logic' led people to think Gun Walking would be a good idea. He is going to explain that stricter gun control laws would have stopped law enforcement agents from intentionally getting guns to the drug cartels. If we have gotten to a point were we would need to curtail everyone's second amendment rights to prevent our government from arming our enemies and the enemies of our allies; it is hard to think of a more forceful argument to throw them out of office and start over.
http://dailycaller.com/2011/11/07/holder-to-accuse-investigators-of-playing-fast-and-furious-politics-call-for-gun-control
"An advance copy of Attorney General Eric Holder’s Tuesday testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, obtained by The Daily Caller, shows that he will not preemptively address several significant issues raised during the ongoing Operation Fast and Furious scandal.
...
Holder continues to claim Operation Fast and Furious was a “local” program run out of Phoenix, Ariz., despite mounting evidence to the contrary. Most recently, Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer, the head of the DOJ’s criminal division and Holder’s top deputy, confessed last week to at least some responsibility for Operation Fast and Furious.
“Today, I would like to correct some of the inaccurate — and irresponsible — accusations surrounding Fast and Furious,” Holder’s prepared testimony reads. “Some of the overheated rhetoric might lead you to believe that this local, Arizona-based operation was somehow the cause of the epidemic of gun violence in Mexico. In fact, Fast and Furious was a flawed response to, not the cause of, the flow of illegal guns from the United States into Mexico.”
In his testimony, Holder also advocates for new gun-control laws that he says would have halted, or at least prevented, Operation Fast and Furious. Holder echoes California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s comments from last week, when she argued that stricter gun laws would have stopped law enforcement agents from facilitating the sale of guns to Mexican drug cartels."
http://dailycaller.com/2011/11/07/holder-to-accuse-investigators-of-playing-fast-and-furious-politics-call-for-gun-control
"An advance copy of Attorney General Eric Holder’s Tuesday testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, obtained by The Daily Caller, shows that he will not preemptively address several significant issues raised during the ongoing Operation Fast and Furious scandal.
...
Holder continues to claim Operation Fast and Furious was a “local” program run out of Phoenix, Ariz., despite mounting evidence to the contrary. Most recently, Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer, the head of the DOJ’s criminal division and Holder’s top deputy, confessed last week to at least some responsibility for Operation Fast and Furious.
“Today, I would like to correct some of the inaccurate — and irresponsible — accusations surrounding Fast and Furious,” Holder’s prepared testimony reads. “Some of the overheated rhetoric might lead you to believe that this local, Arizona-based operation was somehow the cause of the epidemic of gun violence in Mexico. In fact, Fast and Furious was a flawed response to, not the cause of, the flow of illegal guns from the United States into Mexico.”
In his testimony, Holder also advocates for new gun-control laws that he says would have halted, or at least prevented, Operation Fast and Furious. Holder echoes California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s comments from last week, when she argued that stricter gun laws would have stopped law enforcement agents from facilitating the sale of guns to Mexican drug cartels."
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Obama Administration Opposes FDR Prayer at WWII Memorial
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/04/obama-administration-opposes-fdr-prayer-at-wwii-memorial
"Republican lawmakers and conservative activists are expressing outrage after the Obama administration announced its objection to adding President Franklin Roosevelt's D-Day prayer to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The objection was noted during a congressional hearing on Rep. Bill Johnson's, R-Ohio, bill -- the "World War II Memorial Prayer Act of 2011."
"It is unconscionable that the Obama administration would stand in the way of honoring our nation's distinguished World War II veterans," Johnson said. "President Roosevelt's prayer gave solace, comfort and strength to our nation and our brave warriors as we fought against tyranny and oppression."
...
But Robert Abbey, the director of the Bureau of Land Management, said any plaque or inscription of the prayer would "dilute" the memorial's central message and therefore "should not be altered.""
"Republican lawmakers and conservative activists are expressing outrage after the Obama administration announced its objection to adding President Franklin Roosevelt's D-Day prayer to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The objection was noted during a congressional hearing on Rep. Bill Johnson's, R-Ohio, bill -- the "World War II Memorial Prayer Act of 2011."
"It is unconscionable that the Obama administration would stand in the way of honoring our nation's distinguished World War II veterans," Johnson said. "President Roosevelt's prayer gave solace, comfort and strength to our nation and our brave warriors as we fought against tyranny and oppression."
...
But Robert Abbey, the director of the Bureau of Land Management, said any plaque or inscription of the prayer would "dilute" the memorial's central message and therefore "should not be altered.""
White House Says There is no Evidence of Life Beyond Earth And no Cover-up
'No cover-up', that is exactly what they would say if they were covering something up... . Of course, our government has shown an inability to keep almost anything secret so I doubt they could cover something that big up.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/11/obama-team-no-evidence-of-extraterrestrial-life/1
"The White House says there is no evidence of life beyond Earth -- and no cover-up by the government -- but scientists are still searching.
"The U.S. government has no evidence that any life exists outside our planet, or that an extraterrestrial presence has contacted or engaged any member of the human race," writes an Obama administration official on the White House website.
Phil Larson, who works on space policy and communications at the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy, also writes that "there is no credible information to suggest that any evidence is being hidden from the public's eye."
President Obama's White House responded to a petition claiming a government cover-up of contact with space life."
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/11/obama-team-no-evidence-of-extraterrestrial-life/1
"The White House says there is no evidence of life beyond Earth -- and no cover-up by the government -- but scientists are still searching.
"The U.S. government has no evidence that any life exists outside our planet, or that an extraterrestrial presence has contacted or engaged any member of the human race," writes an Obama administration official on the White House website.
Phil Larson, who works on space policy and communications at the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy, also writes that "there is no credible information to suggest that any evidence is being hidden from the public's eye."
President Obama's White House responded to a petition claiming a government cover-up of contact with space life."
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Obama to Manmohan Singh (India's Prime Minister) ... Face palm
It is not as perfect placement as with the Mongolian President, but it is still not good. At some point he should figure out not to wave when setting up for these pictures.
Picture embedded below.
Picture embedded below.
Obama Causes an International Incident With France
Smart power...
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/4/obamas-sarkozy-remark-offends-french (Via)
"Mr. Obama thought he was making a gentle joke about Mr. Sarkozy, host of the summit, when he congratulated Mr. Sarkozy and wife Carla Bruni on the birth of their baby daughter on Oct. 19. Instead, Mr. Obama caused a minor international incident.
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/4/obamas-sarkozy-remark-offends-french (Via)
"Mr. Obama thought he was making a gentle joke about Mr. Sarkozy, host of the summit, when he congratulated Mr. Sarkozy and wife Carla Bruni on the birth of their baby daughter on Oct. 19. Instead, Mr. Obama caused a minor international incident.
“I want to make mention that this is our first meeting since the arrival of the newest Sarkozy, and so I want to congratulate Nicolas and Carla on the birth of Giulia,” Mr. Obama told reporters shortly after his arrival at the G-20, with Mr. Sarkozy at his side. “And I informed Nicolas on the way in that I am confident that Giulia inherited her mother’s looks rather than her father’s, which I think is an excellent thing.”
He added, “And so now we share one of the greatest challenges and blessings of life, and that is being fathers to our daughters.”
Mr. Sarkozy, who is said to be very conscious about his looks, did not appear greatly amused by the comment, and some observers who attended the meeting said Mr. Obama’s remark fell flat.
"
Huge Asteroid Headed For Close Encounter With Earth
It is the cosmic equivalent of having a bullet go through your hair but miss your scalp. We know this one is going to miss, but it bears mentioning that we still do not have a viable defense plan to divert something similar if it was going to impact us.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/huge-asteroid-headed-close-encounter-earth-185047555.html
"A huge asteroid will pass closer to Earth than the moon Tuesday, giving scientists a rare chance for study without having to go through the time and expense of launching a probe, officials said.
Earth's close encounter with Asteroid 2005 YU 55 will occur at 6:28 p.m. EST (2328 GMT) Tuesday, as the space rock sails about 201,000 miles from the planet.
"It is the first time since 1976 that an object of this size has passed this closely to the Earth. It gives us a great -- and rare -- chance to study a near-Earth object like this," astronomer Scott Fisher, a program director with the National Science Foundation, said Thursday during a Web chat with reporters.
The orbit and position of the asteroid, which is about 1,312 feet in diameter, is well known, added senior research scientist Don Yeomans, with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
"There is no chance that this object will collide with the Earth or moon," Yeomans said."
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/huge-asteroid-headed-close-encounter-earth-185047555.html
"A huge asteroid will pass closer to Earth than the moon Tuesday, giving scientists a rare chance for study without having to go through the time and expense of launching a probe, officials said.
Earth's close encounter with Asteroid 2005 YU 55 will occur at 6:28 p.m. EST (2328 GMT) Tuesday, as the space rock sails about 201,000 miles from the planet.
"It is the first time since 1976 that an object of this size has passed this closely to the Earth. It gives us a great -- and rare -- chance to study a near-Earth object like this," astronomer Scott Fisher, a program director with the National Science Foundation, said Thursday during a Web chat with reporters.
The orbit and position of the asteroid, which is about 1,312 feet in diameter, is well known, added senior research scientist Don Yeomans, with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
"There is no chance that this object will collide with the Earth or moon," Yeomans said."
Friday, November 4, 2011
Unemployment Rate Drops to 9%
Jobs are being created, which is much better than the alternative, but still not enough to cope with population growth, let alone to spearhead a true recovery. The dip in the unemployment number has more to do with the way in which it is calculated than any improvement it may imply.
http://money.cnn.com/2011/11/04/news/economy/jobs_report_unemployment
"American employers reported slower hiring last month, but a falling unemployment rate showed the job market may actually be gaining strength.
Employers added 80,000 jobs in October, the Labor Department reported Friday, marking a sharp slowdown from hiring in September and August. Government figures from those months were both revised significantly higher.
But a separate part of the data shows fewer Americans are unemployed. The unemployment rate fell to 9% in October, down from 9.1% the month before, and the lowest rate since April."
To put this in the contexts of the last two years; after rising to %9.5, 'fake' falling to %9.4, rising to %9.7, and then rising again to 9.8%, and rising again to 10.2%, dropping to 10%, held steady, dropping to 9.7%, held steady, held steady again, increased to 9.9%, dropped to 9.7%, fell to 9.5%, holding steady, rising a tick to 9.6%, held steady, held steady again, increased to 9.8%, 'fake' falling to 9.4%, 'fake fallen' again to 9%, dropped to 8.9%, falling again to 8.8%, rose to %9, rose to %9.1, rose again to 9.2%, fell to 9.1%, held steady at 9.1%, remained 9.1%, and has now dropped to 9%.
http://money.cnn.com/2011/11/04/news/economy/jobs_report_unemployment
"American employers reported slower hiring last month, but a falling unemployment rate showed the job market may actually be gaining strength.
Employers added 80,000 jobs in October, the Labor Department reported Friday, marking a sharp slowdown from hiring in September and August. Government figures from those months were both revised significantly higher.
But a separate part of the data shows fewer Americans are unemployed. The unemployment rate fell to 9% in October, down from 9.1% the month before, and the lowest rate since April."
To put this in the contexts of the last two years; after rising to %9.5, 'fake' falling to %9.4, rising to %9.7, and then rising again to 9.8%, and rising again to 10.2%, dropping to 10%, held steady, dropping to 9.7%, held steady, held steady again, increased to 9.9%, dropped to 9.7%, fell to 9.5%, holding steady, rising a tick to 9.6%, held steady, held steady again, increased to 9.8%, 'fake' falling to 9.4%, 'fake fallen' again to 9%, dropped to 8.9%, falling again to 8.8%, rose to %9, rose to %9.1, rose again to 9.2%, fell to 9.1%, held steady at 9.1%, remained 9.1%, and has now dropped to 9%.
White House Rejects Subpoena Request
I do not think they realistically thought this would accomplish to much, but it is a headline grabbing way to express their frustration at the apparent obstructionism.
http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/wh-rejects-subpoena-request-solyndra-docs
"President Obama's attorney sent a letter to Congressional investigators on Friday, saying the White House would not cooperate with a subpoena requesting documents related to its doling out a $535 million loan guarantee to now bankrupt solar panel manufacturer Solyndra.
"I can only conclude that your decision to issue a subpoena, authorized by a party-line vote, was driven more by partisan politics than a legitimate effort to conduct a responsible investigation," Obama's counsel, Kathryn Ruemmler, wrote in a letter to the top Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce committee. (Read Ruemmler's full letter here)."
Head to the source for the link to the full response and to see the response to that response.
http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/wh-rejects-subpoena-request-solyndra-docs
"President Obama's attorney sent a letter to Congressional investigators on Friday, saying the White House would not cooperate with a subpoena requesting documents related to its doling out a $535 million loan guarantee to now bankrupt solar panel manufacturer Solyndra.
"I can only conclude that your decision to issue a subpoena, authorized by a party-line vote, was driven more by partisan politics than a legitimate effort to conduct a responsible investigation," Obama's counsel, Kathryn Ruemmler, wrote in a letter to the top Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce committee. (Read Ruemmler's full letter here)."
Head to the source for the link to the full response and to see the response to that response.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
ACORN Officials Scramble, Firing Workers and Shredding Documents, After Exposed as Players Behind Occupy Wall Street Protests
The apparent cover up attempt gives a much worse impression then the story itself.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/11/03/acorn-officials-scramble-firing-workers-and-shredding-documents-after-exposed
"Officials with the revamped ACORN office in New York -- operating as New York Communities for Change -- have fired staff, shredded reams of documents and told workers to blame disgruntled ex-employees for leaking information in an effort to explain away a FoxNews.com report last week on the group’s involvement in Occupy Wall Street protests, according to sources.
NYCC also is installing surveillance cameras and recording devices at its Brooklyn offices, removing or packing away supplies bearing the name ACORN and handing out photos of Fox News staff with a stern warning not to talk to the media, the sources said.
...
NYCC Executive Director Jon Kest has been calling a series of emergency meetings to discuss last week’s report—and taking extreme measures to identify the sources in their office and to prevent further damage, a source within NYCC told FoxNews.com.
Two staffers were fired after NYCC officials suspected them as the source of the leaks, a source told FoxNews.com. “One was fired the day the story came out, the other was fired on Friday. (NYCC senior staff) told everyone that they were fired because they talked to you,” a source said."
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/11/03/acorn-officials-scramble-firing-workers-and-shredding-documents-after-exposed
"Officials with the revamped ACORN office in New York -- operating as New York Communities for Change -- have fired staff, shredded reams of documents and told workers to blame disgruntled ex-employees for leaking information in an effort to explain away a FoxNews.com report last week on the group’s involvement in Occupy Wall Street protests, according to sources.
NYCC also is installing surveillance cameras and recording devices at its Brooklyn offices, removing or packing away supplies bearing the name ACORN and handing out photos of Fox News staff with a stern warning not to talk to the media, the sources said.
...
NYCC Executive Director Jon Kest has been calling a series of emergency meetings to discuss last week’s report—and taking extreme measures to identify the sources in their office and to prevent further damage, a source within NYCC told FoxNews.com.
Two staffers were fired after NYCC officials suspected them as the source of the leaks, a source told FoxNews.com. “One was fired the day the story came out, the other was fired on Friday. (NYCC senior staff) told everyone that they were fired because they talked to you,” a source said."
The Cain Mutiny? Allegations Against Herman Cain Come as he Gains on Romney & Perry
Video embedded below.
House Subpoenas White House For Solyndra Documents
Not sure this is really going to speed things up, makes for a splashy headline though.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/3/house-subpoenas-white-house-solyndra-documents
"Showing a growing frustration with the Obama administration, congressional Republicans on Thursday authorized their second subpoena this week, this time demanding documents from the White House on contacts that President Obama’s top aides might have had with failed solar-technology company Solyndra.
The 14-9 party-line vote authorized the subpoena a day after another panel approved a subpoena for Homeland Security Department deportation records. Taken together, they underscored a sense among Republicans that the White House is selective with the information it releases.
Democrats said it was unprecedented to subpoena the White House on Solyndra in this fashion, but Republicans said they have run out of patience with administration “stalling.”"
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/3/house-subpoenas-white-house-solyndra-documents
"Showing a growing frustration with the Obama administration, congressional Republicans on Thursday authorized their second subpoena this week, this time demanding documents from the White House on contacts that President Obama’s top aides might have had with failed solar-technology company Solyndra.
The 14-9 party-line vote authorized the subpoena a day after another panel approved a subpoena for Homeland Security Department deportation records. Taken together, they underscored a sense among Republicans that the White House is selective with the information it releases.
Democrats said it was unprecedented to subpoena the White House on Solyndra in this fashion, but Republicans said they have run out of patience with administration “stalling.”"
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Texas Gun Instructor Refuses to Teach Muslims How to Handle Firearms
Publicity stunt?
Video embedded below.
"On a YouTube clip that has gone viral, brash Texas handgun instructor Crockett Keller defiantly tells Muslims and non-Christian Arabs he won’t teach them how to handle a firearm.
State officials see the ad as possible discrimination, and may revoke Keller’s instructor license.
Tens of thousands of YouTube viewers have watched the $175 ad for Keller’s business in the small community of Mason, which has won him a handful of admirers but that embarrassed locals say misrepresents their community. Muslim groups dismissed the 65-year-old as a bigot."
Video embedded below.
"On a YouTube clip that has gone viral, brash Texas handgun instructor Crockett Keller defiantly tells Muslims and non-Christian Arabs he won’t teach them how to handle a firearm.
State officials see the ad as possible discrimination, and may revoke Keller’s instructor license.
Tens of thousands of YouTube viewers have watched the $175 ad for Keller’s business in the small community of Mason, which has won him a handful of admirers but that embarrassed locals say misrepresents their community. Muslim groups dismissed the 65-year-old as a bigot."
Klavan, Whittle & Halloween: The Most Frightening Words in The English Language
Video embedded below.
EMP Nightmare: How Iran or North Korea Could Destroy America With a Single Bomb
Video embedded below.
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