As I was watching TV yesterday an ad sponsored by a VA organization came on the screen. It had a Iraq war veteran narrating a video showing an IED blowing up a Humvee. He said this is how he was wounded and then elaborated on the deadly nature of these devices and how they were being made in Iran and supplied to AQI. He then said that every $1 increase in the price of oil provides $1billion to Iran to keep making these weapons. I don't know if this was a true statement but as an exporter Iran clearly benefits from higher crude oil prices.
Up to this point I'm thinking OK where is this headed? Then the background picture shifts to a wind farm and the narrator says we need to shift to renewable energy to reduce our demand for oil so that Iran's IED piggy bank is short changed. I about flew out of my chair. As posited in earlier posts on this blog, with the exception of emergency back-up diesel or gasoline power generators, the US does NOT consume oil in the production of electricity!! Thus the juxtaposition of a wind farm with an appeal to reduce our consumption of oil was and is a non sequitur. As also previously stated in this blog the only way that wind energy can be used to reduce our dependence on oil is to put sails on cars and trucks.
I am not sure what angers me most. That this VA organization allowed itself to be used for a blatantly emotional and false appeal that shifting to alternative energy for electricity production will help protect out troops, or that the sponsors cynically ran this ad with the expectation that the average person doesn't understand that all these wind turbines do absolutely nothing to stem the US use of oil for transportation.
The ignorance, cynicism, demagoguery and just plain stupidity that surrounds the US energy infrastructure and policy making process is simply stunning.
Just to be clear I am in favor of wind, nuclear, solar and hydro as relatively carbon free technologies for the production of electricity. What I object to is the implication that these sources of electric power will affect the demand for oil in this country. This includes the T Boone Pikens ads that ran a year or so ago making the same false claim about the virtues of wind energy. (BTW T Boone has since gone very quiet on this subject.) My solution to reducing our dependence on foreign oil is more domestic drilling and a national commitment to more nuclear power plants in parallel with the rapid development of an all electric ground transportation system. It is the only solution that makes sense.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Yes Virginia - Elections do have consequences
The past year as been an object lesson in political science and the unmistakable fact that elections have consequences. Just over one year ago the Obama administration was sworn in and coronated by the MSM as the saviour of the republic and America's standing in the world. Chris Matthews at MSNBC had to change his underwear every time he talked about Obama the messiah.
But reality intruded and while the economy was imploding - due in large part to democrats who beginning in the mid-90's pressured Fannie/Freddie and the large banks to extend and guarantee mortgages to folks clearly unqualified (see earlier posts) - Obama fiddled with the health care debacle, extended olive branches to Muslims and granted civil liberties to terrorists while the unemployment rate soared. Day by day the BHO administration moved further away from the heartbeat of America.
But this was the logical outcome of the 2008 presidential election that swept an untested, lifetime civil servant, someone with no business experience and unsavory lifetime associations, and an unabashed socialist into the White House. Well the American electorate got what it deserved. It voted for change and got it in spades. See elections do have consequences.
But whoa Nelly! A political earthquake in form of a simple Senate race in Massachusetts has set the world (at least the American political world) back on its axis. Now all the dems in congress are running scared - and they should be. Health care - at least in the current package - is dead, bi-partisan moves are underway to force the trial of KSM and his cronies back to where it belongs before a military tribunal in Gitmo and everyone in DC is starting to talk about how to help small businesses that are the engine of employment growth. Wow! Once again elections have consequences.
The joke of the first stimulus was that it did nothing to encourage or increase private employment. The bulk of the so call "saved jobs" were in the public sector - school teachers, police, firefighters, social workers, etc. Not that these are not important jobs but the notion that simply plumping up public worker enrollments is a job growth initiative is ludicrous, and in the end counter productive to real job growth as it simply creates additional unfunded liabilities for cites, counties and states already facing financial and budgetary Armageddon.
During the years of the GWB administration his detractors often repeated the inaccurate folk myth that, "Bush lied and people died," with reference to the stated reason for the Iraq war. Bush didn't lie about WMD. All the western nations' intelligence services were of the opinion that Hussein either had or was developing WMD. Turns out they were wrong, but that does not mean Bush lied.
On the other hand the blatant lies coming out the mouth of BHO and his toadies over the past year regarding the health care bill, transparency, bi-partisanship, etc. are legion. Why doesn't anyone in the MSM take Barak and company to task on this issue. Things that make you want to go hmmmm.....
I can't wait for the Nov 2010 elections. As was the case in 1994 I think these will have even more consequential consequences.
Comments are always welcome.
But reality intruded and while the economy was imploding - due in large part to democrats who beginning in the mid-90's pressured Fannie/Freddie and the large banks to extend and guarantee mortgages to folks clearly unqualified (see earlier posts) - Obama fiddled with the health care debacle, extended olive branches to Muslims and granted civil liberties to terrorists while the unemployment rate soared. Day by day the BHO administration moved further away from the heartbeat of America.
But this was the logical outcome of the 2008 presidential election that swept an untested, lifetime civil servant, someone with no business experience and unsavory lifetime associations, and an unabashed socialist into the White House. Well the American electorate got what it deserved. It voted for change and got it in spades. See elections do have consequences.
But whoa Nelly! A political earthquake in form of a simple Senate race in Massachusetts has set the world (at least the American political world) back on its axis. Now all the dems in congress are running scared - and they should be. Health care - at least in the current package - is dead, bi-partisan moves are underway to force the trial of KSM and his cronies back to where it belongs before a military tribunal in Gitmo and everyone in DC is starting to talk about how to help small businesses that are the engine of employment growth. Wow! Once again elections have consequences.
The joke of the first stimulus was that it did nothing to encourage or increase private employment. The bulk of the so call "saved jobs" were in the public sector - school teachers, police, firefighters, social workers, etc. Not that these are not important jobs but the notion that simply plumping up public worker enrollments is a job growth initiative is ludicrous, and in the end counter productive to real job growth as it simply creates additional unfunded liabilities for cites, counties and states already facing financial and budgetary Armageddon.
During the years of the GWB administration his detractors often repeated the inaccurate folk myth that, "Bush lied and people died," with reference to the stated reason for the Iraq war. Bush didn't lie about WMD. All the western nations' intelligence services were of the opinion that Hussein either had or was developing WMD. Turns out they were wrong, but that does not mean Bush lied.
On the other hand the blatant lies coming out the mouth of BHO and his toadies over the past year regarding the health care bill, transparency, bi-partisanship, etc. are legion. Why doesn't anyone in the MSM take Barak and company to task on this issue. Things that make you want to go hmmmm.....
I can't wait for the Nov 2010 elections. As was the case in 1994 I think these will have even more consequential consequences.
Comments are always welcome.
Monday, January 11, 2010
How's that Hope and Change Thing Working for You
Let's see now. There was the promise of transparency - particularly with regard to the health care debate (C-Span anyone?), no pork in the defence appropriations bill, a bi-partisan approach to governing and a new image of America on the world stage. You betcha'.
There was a fascinating and spot on article by Ernest Christian and Gary Robbins in the Jan 5, 2010 edition of Investor's Business Daily to the effect that thus far BHO is winning the race to the bottom of the heap as the worst President since Jimmy Carter. Not the least of BHO's shortcomings is his flagrant disingenuousness (dare I say lying) during the campaign. He was the quintessential snake oil salesman with his H&C rhetoric, and the American public (at least the critical middle/independent block) swallowed the elixir with grand anticipation of a new world/American order.
No honest and unbiased observer could possibly deny that the health care debate and legislative crafting process has been anything but open. It has been all back room negotiations, bribes, payoffs and promises and the Republicans have been shut out of the debate entirely. The absolute worst display of the political process at work for all to see. And why the rush and shady deal making. The truth is that the democratic leadership in congress is well aware of two things - the current proposal for health care reform is unpopular with a majority of Americans and with the Dems unpopularity on the rise there is no chance of anything like the current bill passing after the 2010 elections. So they are taking cynical advantage of a momentary position of total congressional and executive control to jam it down our throats whether we want it or need it.
Let's be clear. Americans generally support health care reform. They just don't like the Democratic proposal. Please see my previous post for the four reforms that will deal with the most pressing concerns related to health care - and these do not require a 2000 page bill.
So much for transparency and bi-partisanship and the Defence appropriations bill was so pork laden it oinked. Another promise down the tubes.
As far as the new world order and respect for America is concerned the facts speak for themselves. Iran has blown BHO off like a feather. North Korea the same. China and India walked out of the Copenhagen climate talks without so much as a howdy do. Russia got the eastern European missile shield project cancelled without blinking an eye and Muslim fanatics are on the attack from even more venues than before. Yeah BHO's apology tours, Muslim outreach programs, Gitmo and terrorist trial decisions, and spineless response to terror attacks has certainly improve America's standing in the world.
I have said before that despite the hatred and vitriol spilled at GWB at the end of his administration, I believe that like Truman, Dubya will be seen in a much more favorable light in future years than he was on the eve of his exit from office. Likewise I believe BHO will be seen as an abject failure in public and foreign policy - much like Jimmy Carter - and like Jimmy I hope that he is only a one term president.
Not sure about you but the H&C thing is not working for me.
Comments and feedback are always appreciated.
There was a fascinating and spot on article by Ernest Christian and Gary Robbins in the Jan 5, 2010 edition of Investor's Business Daily to the effect that thus far BHO is winning the race to the bottom of the heap as the worst President since Jimmy Carter. Not the least of BHO's shortcomings is his flagrant disingenuousness (dare I say lying) during the campaign. He was the quintessential snake oil salesman with his H&C rhetoric, and the American public (at least the critical middle/independent block) swallowed the elixir with grand anticipation of a new world/American order.
No honest and unbiased observer could possibly deny that the health care debate and legislative crafting process has been anything but open. It has been all back room negotiations, bribes, payoffs and promises and the Republicans have been shut out of the debate entirely. The absolute worst display of the political process at work for all to see. And why the rush and shady deal making. The truth is that the democratic leadership in congress is well aware of two things - the current proposal for health care reform is unpopular with a majority of Americans and with the Dems unpopularity on the rise there is no chance of anything like the current bill passing after the 2010 elections. So they are taking cynical advantage of a momentary position of total congressional and executive control to jam it down our throats whether we want it or need it.
Let's be clear. Americans generally support health care reform. They just don't like the Democratic proposal. Please see my previous post for the four reforms that will deal with the most pressing concerns related to health care - and these do not require a 2000 page bill.
So much for transparency and bi-partisanship and the Defence appropriations bill was so pork laden it oinked. Another promise down the tubes.
As far as the new world order and respect for America is concerned the facts speak for themselves. Iran has blown BHO off like a feather. North Korea the same. China and India walked out of the Copenhagen climate talks without so much as a howdy do. Russia got the eastern European missile shield project cancelled without blinking an eye and Muslim fanatics are on the attack from even more venues than before. Yeah BHO's apology tours, Muslim outreach programs, Gitmo and terrorist trial decisions, and spineless response to terror attacks has certainly improve America's standing in the world.
I have said before that despite the hatred and vitriol spilled at GWB at the end of his administration, I believe that like Truman, Dubya will be seen in a much more favorable light in future years than he was on the eve of his exit from office. Likewise I believe BHO will be seen as an abject failure in public and foreign policy - much like Jimmy Carter - and like Jimmy I hope that he is only a one term president.
Not sure about you but the H&C thing is not working for me.
Comments and feedback are always appreciated.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The Honeymoon's Over
In earlier posts I stated that I would give team Obama a chance to demonstrate their true colors. I even gave Obama a 100 day report card that I thought was fair and again hopeful that he would demonstrate an ability to govern more from the center than some of his more radical left wing cohorts like Madam Chairman Pelosi.
Unfortunately from my perspective the administration's missteps are just too big to ignore any longer.
First let's take the health care issue. Do Americans believe that health care reform is needed? Absolutely yes! Do they think that any of the Democratic bills currently being promoted are the solution? Absolutely not! Meaningful, cost-effective and comprehensive health reform can be achieved by enacting legislation that accomplishes four goals. 1) A limit on or new system to handle medical malpractice lawsuits; 2) a prohibition of denying coverage for pre-existing conditions; 3) portability of insurance in the face of job loss or other life changing event; and 4) allowing private insurance companies to compete across state lines. These four reforms will deal with the most pressing of the health care access and cost issues that we currently face and will not increase the federal deficit one penny.
Mandating coverage, taxing small businesses or soaking the rich are not the answer. Nevertheless the Dems seem hell bent on ramming their public option (i.e. the first step towards a national health care system) down the throats of the American public in spite of increasing public opposition. They are doing this now because their window of opportunity for such an unpopular move is very tight.
As we sit the dems control both houses of congress and many of them see this legislation as their rightful political legacy. They also know that because it is unpopular the size of their majorities is likely to take a major hit in the 2010 elections so it's now or never.
I'm rooting for never and that with a return of a more balanced congress in 2011 a more sensible reform package such as the one outlined above will have a chance at being passed.
Next has been this president's naive and befuddling approach to international relations. Why does he think that cow-towing to foreign leaders and apologizing for America's past policies and actions - like saving the free world from fascism in the 1940's, rebuilding Europe and Japan after WW2 and cracking communism in the 1980's were bad behaviors - will increase our standing or influence. Clearly Iran, China, North Korea, Russia and most of South America have given him the big brush off. Ironically the only one showing any semblance of balls in dealing with these issues Hillary. Let's face it - Obama's touchy-feely approach to international relationships is a disaster.
When it comes to Afghanistan my own view is that we are either in or out. Right now I lean towards out, but if we are in we need to be all in. What is not acceptable is that after declaring in the campaign and in March of this year that Afghanistan was the "just" war and one that we must win, he is fiddling while Rome burns. The fact that he is either unwilling or unable to make a decision on the troop increase is just more evidence that he lacks the conviction of his own words.
Last and most recent is his decision (and make no mistake this is his decision and not Holder's) to try the 9/11 conspirators in federal court rather than by military commission. What a travesty! The only possible explanation for this decision is to allow these thugs to use the American legal system as a platform to bash past American (read GWB) policies. What a cynical way to push a political vendetta at the expense of the 9/11 victims and their families.
Mr. Obama your honeymoon is over.
As always comments are most welcome.
Unfortunately from my perspective the administration's missteps are just too big to ignore any longer.
First let's take the health care issue. Do Americans believe that health care reform is needed? Absolutely yes! Do they think that any of the Democratic bills currently being promoted are the solution? Absolutely not! Meaningful, cost-effective and comprehensive health reform can be achieved by enacting legislation that accomplishes four goals. 1) A limit on or new system to handle medical malpractice lawsuits; 2) a prohibition of denying coverage for pre-existing conditions; 3) portability of insurance in the face of job loss or other life changing event; and 4) allowing private insurance companies to compete across state lines. These four reforms will deal with the most pressing of the health care access and cost issues that we currently face and will not increase the federal deficit one penny.
Mandating coverage, taxing small businesses or soaking the rich are not the answer. Nevertheless the Dems seem hell bent on ramming their public option (i.e. the first step towards a national health care system) down the throats of the American public in spite of increasing public opposition. They are doing this now because their window of opportunity for such an unpopular move is very tight.
As we sit the dems control both houses of congress and many of them see this legislation as their rightful political legacy. They also know that because it is unpopular the size of their majorities is likely to take a major hit in the 2010 elections so it's now or never.
I'm rooting for never and that with a return of a more balanced congress in 2011 a more sensible reform package such as the one outlined above will have a chance at being passed.
Next has been this president's naive and befuddling approach to international relations. Why does he think that cow-towing to foreign leaders and apologizing for America's past policies and actions - like saving the free world from fascism in the 1940's, rebuilding Europe and Japan after WW2 and cracking communism in the 1980's were bad behaviors - will increase our standing or influence. Clearly Iran, China, North Korea, Russia and most of South America have given him the big brush off. Ironically the only one showing any semblance of balls in dealing with these issues Hillary. Let's face it - Obama's touchy-feely approach to international relationships is a disaster.
When it comes to Afghanistan my own view is that we are either in or out. Right now I lean towards out, but if we are in we need to be all in. What is not acceptable is that after declaring in the campaign and in March of this year that Afghanistan was the "just" war and one that we must win, he is fiddling while Rome burns. The fact that he is either unwilling or unable to make a decision on the troop increase is just more evidence that he lacks the conviction of his own words.
Last and most recent is his decision (and make no mistake this is his decision and not Holder's) to try the 9/11 conspirators in federal court rather than by military commission. What a travesty! The only possible explanation for this decision is to allow these thugs to use the American legal system as a platform to bash past American (read GWB) policies. What a cynical way to push a political vendetta at the expense of the 9/11 victims and their families.
Mr. Obama your honeymoon is over.
As always comments are most welcome.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Another Ball and Chain on Nuclear Power
Today the Obama administration implemented its campaign pledge to close the completed but never opened Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. This after 13 billion of taxpayer dollars have been spent to prepare the facility to receive spent fuel from the nation's nuclear power facilities. Not only that since the feds have unilaterally breached the contract the US government signed with the nuclear electrical utilities to receive the spent fuel, we the taxpayer will continue to pay fines and penalties.
What an asinine policy decision!
Look, if you are one of the man-made global warming chicken littles - as our current prez seems to be - a conversion to an all-electric ground transport system recharged with electricity from nuclear power plants is the only rational policy position. In the interest of full disclosure I have not tasted the man-made global warming theory Kool-Aid, but I do agree that as a general principle limiting the amount of fossil fuel we consume is a good thing from both an air quality and energy security perspective.
That is why I am just astounded at the oxymoronic thinking that drove Obama's decision to close Yucca Mountain. Clearly if you are genuinely concerned about CO2 emissions then you would logically be a strong supporter of nuclear power. Closing Yucca Mountain only creates a further obstacle and and increases the uncertainty regarding new nuclear plant development and/or re-licensing of existing nuc plants.
In a few days Obama is off to Copenhagen to sign an international agreement to limit the emission of greenhouse gases. The hypocrisy of this event in the face of his decision to further limit the use of nuclear power in the USA is stunning.
What an asinine policy decision!
Look, if you are one of the man-made global warming chicken littles - as our current prez seems to be - a conversion to an all-electric ground transport system recharged with electricity from nuclear power plants is the only rational policy position. In the interest of full disclosure I have not tasted the man-made global warming theory Kool-Aid, but I do agree that as a general principle limiting the amount of fossil fuel we consume is a good thing from both an air quality and energy security perspective.
That is why I am just astounded at the oxymoronic thinking that drove Obama's decision to close Yucca Mountain. Clearly if you are genuinely concerned about CO2 emissions then you would logically be a strong supporter of nuclear power. Closing Yucca Mountain only creates a further obstacle and and increases the uncertainty regarding new nuclear plant development and/or re-licensing of existing nuc plants.
In a few days Obama is off to Copenhagen to sign an international agreement to limit the emission of greenhouse gases. The hypocrisy of this event in the face of his decision to further limit the use of nuclear power in the USA is stunning.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Joe Wilson Affair
Okay so it is deemed unseemly to call out that the President is lying when he speaks to congress. Well Joe Wilson's only mistake was that he picked the wrong moment. He objected to BHO's statement that his health care plan would not cover illegal aliens. Joe's call out was premature. It was based on the fact that the dems had killed amendments to the House bill that would have specifically denied such coverage. Joe over-reached because the bill was still a work in progress. As a result BHO could claim that the "final bill" - whatever that is - would meet the test of his statement without being disingenuous.
Joe's timing was off because as we have now learned that both the examples that BHO put forward as "problems" with our existing health care system and that demonized the private insurance industry turned out to be completely bogus flat out lies. Joe didn't know it, but his outburst was simply mistimed.
The fact is that BHO and his dem supporters have lied time and time again about what their plan will and will not do. Here's what it will do:
To top it all off Harry Reid - the leader of the Dems in the Senate - has exempted his own state from the federal mandate provisions of the health care bill. What a cynical and unforgivable move on his part. This guy is dying in the state polls and - we can only hope - will be out of office next term. He is trying to salvage his seat at the expense of all the other states that will now have to subsidize Nevada.
Isn't politics a joke?? How do these Bozo's get elected in the first place and why do we as the electorate keep returning them to do mischief?
Please feel free to provide comments.
Joe's timing was off because as we have now learned that both the examples that BHO put forward as "problems" with our existing health care system and that demonized the private insurance industry turned out to be completely bogus flat out lies. Joe didn't know it, but his outburst was simply mistimed.
The fact is that BHO and his dem supporters have lied time and time again about what their plan will and will not do. Here's what it will do:
- It will force younger people to buy health insurance whether they feel they need it or not.
- It will bring 10's of millions of people into a system that is already overwhelmed from a supply side perspective.
- It will cut payments to doctors and hospitals as a way to control cost further exacerbating the above problem.
- It will at the end of the day force rationing of health care as that is the only proven way to control costs - as Britain, Canada and all other nations that have a single payer systems have learned.
- It will tax those employees that have "gold plated" (e.g. unions) employer provided health care plans.
- Remarkable as it may seem it will fine and - according the latest legislation being reviewed - imprison those that do not buy the government mandated insurance.
To top it all off Harry Reid - the leader of the Dems in the Senate - has exempted his own state from the federal mandate provisions of the health care bill. What a cynical and unforgivable move on his part. This guy is dying in the state polls and - we can only hope - will be out of office next term. He is trying to salvage his seat at the expense of all the other states that will now have to subsidize Nevada.
Isn't politics a joke?? How do these Bozo's get elected in the first place and why do we as the electorate keep returning them to do mischief?
Please feel free to provide comments.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Requiem for a "Lion"
As everyone's mother has always told them, "It's not nice to speak ill of the dead," but I am fed up already - and it's only the first day - at all the fawning praise of Ted Kennedy's life. I would love to hear someone in the MSM step up and interview surviving friends and family of Mary Jo Kopechne to get their opinion on his being characterized as a "Lion."
Ted Kennedy rode on the coattails of his family name his whole life. He was a cheat in school and a scoundrel and coward in the face of a true human tragedy at Chappaquiddick. The left wing loons loved him for his unabashed progressive agenda. The fact that he was elected to the US Senate for as long as he was says more about the cynicism of Massachusetts electorate than his prowess as a senator.
To top it off in his final days and knowing his clock was about to run out he actively tried to get the law he promoted overturned so that his Democrat governor could appoint a like minded lib in his place. Recall that five years ago he pushed for a special election law in Massachusetts to block the Republican governor at that time - Mitt Romney - from being able to appoint a replacement for John Kerry who was running for Prez. But according to Ted now that Democrat is in the state capital building, it is "vital" that the state of Massachusetts have two senators immediately. I guess it's only important to have two senators when you can assure that they will be good soldiers in promoting the the socialist agenda of the current occupant of the White House. What unabashed hypocrisy.
As for me I will not miss Ted Kennedy or his bloviated rhetoric one bit. The US Senate and the country are better off without his influence.
Ted Kennedy rode on the coattails of his family name his whole life. He was a cheat in school and a scoundrel and coward in the face of a true human tragedy at Chappaquiddick. The left wing loons loved him for his unabashed progressive agenda. The fact that he was elected to the US Senate for as long as he was says more about the cynicism of Massachusetts electorate than his prowess as a senator.
To top it off in his final days and knowing his clock was about to run out he actively tried to get the law he promoted overturned so that his Democrat governor could appoint a like minded lib in his place. Recall that five years ago he pushed for a special election law in Massachusetts to block the Republican governor at that time - Mitt Romney - from being able to appoint a replacement for John Kerry who was running for Prez. But according to Ted now that Democrat is in the state capital building, it is "vital" that the state of Massachusetts have two senators immediately. I guess it's only important to have two senators when you can assure that they will be good soldiers in promoting the the socialist agenda of the current occupant of the White House. What unabashed hypocrisy.
As for me I will not miss Ted Kennedy or his bloviated rhetoric one bit. The US Senate and the country are better off without his influence.
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