Potbelly Stove

Adm. Mullen sailing the PC seas

2009-11-25T20:07:00.005-06:00

Navy SEALs accused of punching accused Falluja plotter

There is something bad wrong with the Navy admiralty. In my mind, it began with Adm. Zumwalt who began tearing down two centuries of naval tradition.

Now, we have three valiant Navy Seals up on charges. And, for what?

Three U.S. Navy SEALs face criminal charges after the alleged mastermind of one of the most notorious crimes against Americans in Iraq [Ahmed Hashim Abed] accused them of punching him after his capture, the military said Wednesday.

Abed was punched? So he says. But, Abed watches the news from this country. He knows our government is PC to a fault. He knows he can cause a lot of trouble for his captors just by making the statement.

Adm. Zumwalt started the Navy's decline and Adm. Mullen—by allowing this travesty on his watch—is protracting it.

Proof of Global Warming Chicanery

2009-11-23T19:39:00.005-06:00

The widely suspect and now debunked 'hockey stick' graph, published by the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia, has been exposed through a series of e-mails between researchers.

Other news sources (e.g., Reuters) are maintaining this revelation is merely 'awkward but not a game changer' as the evidence for global warming is overwhelming.

Overwhelming? Yeah, sure. Just like the 'rigorous' reindeer study or the 'proof' that the entire Antarctic continent underwent warming. [link]

Perhaps those same writers ought to stop and consider whether the so-called 'evidence of global warming' is rather 'proof of global chicanery.'

Hot Air in Copenhagen?

2009-11-22T14:45:00.002-06:00

Irwin M. Stelzer of the Hudson Institute has an opinion piece in the Weekly Standard¹ analyzing the activities leading up to Copenhagen 2009. You know; the U.N. sponsored fraud aimed at transferring wealth from the Developed Nations—mostly the U.S.—to the Rest of the World.

Stelzer was doing pretty good until he inserted the following clinker near the end of the article:

Too bad the Copenhagen delegates won’t consider an alternative to centralized U.N. control: private sector investment, backed by carbon taxes or an effective trading scheme that puts a price on carbon and thereby levels the playing field between carbon-free technologies and carbon-intensive ones.

What Stelzer seems to have a blind spot for is: If using carbon-free technology was inherently advantageous, it would attract private sector investment on its own. Free market dynamics would ensure it. Instead, Stelzer falls back on the Socialist idea of using government intervention to force an outcome.

What a bummer.

¹Hot Air in Copenhagen, Stelzer, Irwin M., The Weekly Standard, November 23, 2009, pp. 14-16.

The Obama Administration

2009-11-20T13:23:00.011-06:00

Obama the candidate told us we could see what his administration would be like by looking at the people he surrounds himself with.

It is plain to see he was truthful about that.

But, not much else.

Just one year since being elected Obama has visited twenty countries. More than any other President at this time in office.

So, how can a President take so much time away? How can a President be so detached from the business of governing? Who is doing the work of the Executive branch?

Could it be the thirty-two Marxist czars he has surrounded himself with? Could it be the President is merely the front man for certain Unions and Marxist-Socialist organizations?

Non sequitur

2009-11-12T20:35:00.004-06:00

Feds move to seize 4 mosques, tower linked to Iran

This action is non sequitur given the recent news. Shias are not perpetrating suicidal jihad.

First, we have a shooting at Fort Hood. Next, we have our President showing up at an Indian affairs meeting where he gives an Oh, by the way. There was a shooting. Now, this.

What are we to think? Does our government have their eye on the ball?

Lindsey Graham—Wrong as wrong can be

2009-11-08T14:59:00.002-06:00

GOP's Graham steps out on a limb on climate change

"If I can create legislation that would allow this country to stop buying so much foreign oil and make us safer — plus find a solution to the carbon pollution hurting our planet — that would be a good use of my time, " Graham told McClatchy . "If that costs me my job, it would be well worth it."

The first part of Graham’s statement is fine. The part about carbon—a reference to the farcical meme perpetrated by a small cadre of U.N. strap-hangers—is as wrong as wrong can be.

Graham added: "But I don't think it will cost me my job."

Don’t be so sure.

H. R. 3200 Unconstitutional

2009-11-05T12:40:00.001-06:00

H. R. 3200 and similar legislation, if enacted into law, will very likely be declared unconstitutional.

Simply stated, legislation of this type amounts to Congress establishing the Federal government as a national health insurance regulator; an authority nowhere granted to Congress by the Constitution.

That said, it does not mean Congress has no role to play in the current health insurance reform debate.

Currently, purchase of health insurance is subject to anti-competitive barriers erected by the several in states; such purchases being limited to those policies licensed within the purchaser’s state by that state’s insurance commissioner. No other policy may be sold in any given state.

It is here that Congress has a role to play. And, it is simple and straightforward: The framers of the Constitution intended for Congress to eliminate trade barriers between the states when they wrote Article I, Section 8; the ‘commerce’ clause. And, the restrictions on which policy may be sold in any given state meets that criteria.

So, Congress should scrap H. R. 3200 and instead enact legislation that will prevent states from using licensing laws as barrier to out-of-state insurers. Simple, straightforward and, most importantly, constitutional.

Technorati Tags: H. R. 3200, health insurance reform

Trackbacked to: Rosemary's Thoughts, Right Truth, The World According to Carl, Pink Flamingo

Update: HR 3200 has been replaced by HR 3269 introduced 10/29/2009. It is made of the same stuff as the former bill except it now consumes four reams of paper.

Another Spurious Global Warming Claim

2009-10-29T18:30:00.002-05:00

Statistics experts reject global cooling claims

According to this AP report, the AP commissioned “independent statisticians” to examine some “global temperature” data and render a judgment as to whether or not the Earth is currently undergoing a cooling period.

The statisticians, reviewing two sets of temperature data, found no trend of falling temperatures over time.

The statisticians involved and the data source were not identified.
News reports such as this need to be regarded with a healthy dose of skepticism. The result of any analysis of this type depends on the data. And, if the data are inappropriate or faulty—a not unlikely scenario—any conclusions drawn will be wrong.

Update: Checking the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory logs shows the sun is in a very quiet phase when it should be well into an active phase. This same behavior signaled the beginning of the Maunder Minimum spanning 1645 to 1715 and ushered in the mini-ice age.

Technorati Tags: Climate Change, Global Warming, Global Cooling

Nancy the Pelosiosaur

2009-09-17T19:20:00.009-05:00

Does the government fear us? Or do we fear the government? When the people fear the government, tyranny has found victory. The federal government is our servant, not our master! —Thos. Jefferson

Pelosi worried about angry health care rhetoric

WASHINGTON – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that the anti-government rhetoric over President Barack Obama's health care reform effort is troubling because it reminds her of the violent debate over gay rights that roiled San Francisco in the 1970s.

As usual, The Nancy’s fears are misplaced. But, what else could you expect of a kook from the Left Coast? For someone that has led the House down the wrong path, fear of being voted out would be more to the point and justified. Not that the thought will cross her mind. Like the dinosaurs that came before, Pelosiosaur will plod along unaware that times have changed.

Technorati Tags: Pelosi, Health Care Reform

Who let Jimmy out?

2009-09-16T16:10:00.003-05:00

Jimmy Carter: Wilson comments 'based on racism'

ATLANTA – Former President Jimmy Carter said Tuesday that U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst to President Barack Obama during a speech to Congress last week was an act "based on racism" and rooted in fears of a black president.

"I think it's based on racism," Carter said in response to an audience question at a town hall held at his presidential center in Atlanta. "There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president."

Oh, my. Poor Jimmy. It appears he has lost his grip on reality. Worse, he’s wandered away from the Home, again. He really shouldn't be out alone.

Technorati Tags: Joe Wilson, Jimmy Carter, You Lie

The chastising of Joe Wilson

2009-09-13T18:05:00.004-05:00

This is how The System that our Congress has become attempts to silence non-conformist views:[link]

"There was a violation of the rules of the House," said Pelosi spokesman Brendan Daly. "It needs to be resolved by an apology or a resolution."
A Democrat will introduce a "resolution of disapproval" Monday or Tuesday unless Wilson formally apologizes on the House floor…

Of course, this is a political game the Democrats should not try to play:

With apologies to to George Lucas: “You can’t win, Nancy. Strike me down and I shall become more powerful than you can imagine”.

Joe Wilson will join ranks with the other icon of ‘speaking truth to power’: Joe the Plumber.

Technorati Tags: Joe Wilson, Joe the Plumber, Pelosi

Words, words and…

2009-09-13T13:33:00.002-05:00

Obama kept up a steady weekend drumbeat of cheerleading for his health care plan in a campaign-style rally, on the radio and Internet, and on network television. He planned to continue the pace with more events designed to seize control of the health care debate following his address to Congress last week in which he urged Democrats and Republicans to come together. [link]

…more words. That is all the President’s pronouncements are. The only thing that counts is a bill. Let’s see the bill and give us time to digest it.

Technorati Tags: Health Care, Obama Speech, H. R. 3200

ACORN 0, American People 1

2009-09-11T18:00:00.001-05:00

After two exposés by Fox News, the Census Bureau reportedly cut relations with ACORN.

ACORN was slated to do neighborhood canvassing for the 2010 census.

After ACORN’s shameful performance in the last national election, where boxes full of ACORN voter registration forms had to be set aside by local election officials, this news cannot come too soon.

Technorati Tags: ACORN

On the decline of Congressional independence

2009-09-10T17:07:00.004-05:00

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) created quite a stir last night when he yelled ‘you lie’ to O during O’s speech to the joint session of Congress.

Everyone, including his Republican colleagues, chastised Rep. Wilson for his outburst. Wilson himself felt compelled to call the W/H and apologize.

Well, I have news for Congress and the media: Being elected to the Presidency does not confer royal prerogative on the President. And, Congress is not the inferior House in our American republic.

While some may consider Rep. Wilson’s outburst rude it certainly does not rise to a breach of some high protocol.

Our Congress, probably since FDR, has for all practical purposes become the legislative arm of the Executive. This has to stop. And, if it takes more Congressmen like Rep. Wilson, so be it.

Technorati Tags: healthcare address, Rep. Wilson, You Lie

O’s health care plan: What he isn’t saying

2009-09-09T19:48:00.002-05:00

FACT CHECK: Obama drops iffy line on health plan

I’ve criticized the AP for their lack of balance in their reporting. A notable exception is their ‘Fact Check’ reports on O’s healthcare plan. This is a ‘must read’ if you want to be informed on what H. R. 3200 really means to you and your ability to obtain insurance.

Technorati Tags: health care, H. R. 3200, Obama

On the health care debate

2009-09-09T14:53:00.000-05:00

I think this whole discussion about a ‘public option’ versus ‘co-ops’ has gotten totally wrapped around the axle.

A co-op, when considered in its historical context, should not be some sort of national government sponsored enterprise. But, this is the way the idea of a co-op is being put forward under the health care reform debate. With the Government putting forth the seed money, it is for all practical purposes a GSE.

Instead, it should be a mechanism where small businesses can form a group to buy insurance coverage for their employees. And, historically, the seed money is raised by the co-op (e.g., by selling shares to the members).

Additionally, the co-ops should be able to shop for insurance nation-wide. In other words, the individual States must not be allowed to use anti-competitive licensing laws to restrict which insurer is allowed to sell policies to any given State’s residents.

O wants to increase insurance coverage without increasing cost to taxpayers? This is the way to do it.

Technorati Tags: Insurance reform, health care

You think the AP is fair and balanced?

2009-09-07T19:22:00.003-05:00

Think again.

YES! Over 10,000 turn out!!

WOW!!! We just completed our rally in New Lenox/Joliet, IL outside of Barack Obama's bastion of Chicago. And guess what - we had by far the largest crowd yet! To those of you in the cities where we are going to visit over the next few days you have your work cut out for you!

Nothing about it from the AP or the MSM. A local managed this screed.

So, O still has his attack dogs out there.

Technorati Tags: Tea Party Express, Obama, AP

Goodbye, Good Riddance

2009-09-06T19:14:00.002-05:00

So, Van Jones thinks he was a victim of a vicious smear campaign? Lies and distortions?

So, is bringing his own speeches to light a lie? A distortion? He was brought down by his own words.

As they say, “If it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, it’s a duck.”

Technorati Tags: Van Jones

It’s not the speech, Stupid

2009-09-04T14:33:00.003-05:00

O’s speech to the school children has created quite a dust-up around the country. Here is Gibbs’ take:

"I think we've reached a little bit of the silly season when the president of the United States can't tell kids in school to study hard and stay in school," presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters. "I think both political parties agree that the dropout rate is something that threatens our long-term economic success."

I think Gibbs’ dismissive attitude indicates the WH does not grasp how much distrust O has generated across the country.

This goes deeper than one speech. It’s O’s whole agenda and his trying to ram it through Congress. People simply don’t trust him and the furor over this speech is just a symptom.

Technorati Tags: School Speech, Obama

All the news that fits

2009-09-04T14:16:00.002-05:00

Robert Gates protests AP decision as 'appalling'

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is objecting “in the strongest terms” to an Associated Press decision to transmit a photograph showing a mortally wounded 21-year-old Marine in his final moments of life, calling the decision “appalling” and a breach of “common decency.”

The AP response:

‘AP journalists document world events every day. Afghanistan is no exception. We feel it is our journalistic duty to show the reality of the war there, however unpleasant and brutal that sometimes is,’ said Santiago Lyon, the director of photography for AP.

As far as I am concerned, the AP reportage is hardly what one would consider fair and balanced. If it were, they would have written about some of the non-combat successes by our military. But we don’t see that because, from the AP’s viewpoint, such things don’t ‘fit.’ The photo in question does.

Technorati Tags: Afghanistan, Robert Gates

Politics of the Left

2009-08-27T13:23:00.002-05:00

Key Democrat suggests party moderates 'brain dead'

Moderate Blue Dog Democrats "just want to cause trouble," said Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., who heads the health subcommittee on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee.

"They're for the most part, I hate to say, brain dead, but they're just looking to raise money from insurance companies and promote a right-wing agenda that is not really very useful in this whole process," Stark told reporters on a conference call.

This dismissive attitude exhibited by Rep. Stark seems to be a common attribute of leftists towards people that disagree with them.

Technorati Tags: Blue Dog Democrats, Leftist Democrat

The leftist media is at it again

2009-08-23T20:14:00.002-05:00

First it was Iraq. Now it’s Afghanistan.

Obama facing hard choices on Afghanistan war plans

WASHINGTON – As public support for the war in Afghanistan erodes…

Since when did public support start waning? When Obama’s handmaidens in the media said so?

I really believe the mainstream media—the A.P. and the three broadcast outlets plus their affiliates on cable—amount to a fifth column.

Technorati Tags: Fifth column, isolationists, mainstream media, Obama

Still more climate change fearmongering

2009-08-23T19:38:00.003-05:00

Beetles, wildfire: Double threat in warming world

The warmers are at it again. Where to begin. Bark beetles killing conifers. Fires in the dead conifers. Permafrost thawing. And…and, oh the CO2 emissions. The world as we know it is ending. Woe is us.

Or is it?

There is no evidence that the beetle infestation would not have happened anyway. Nevertheless, why should we get wee weed about it? Once the firs and spruce have burned off, aspen and birch will take over.

Is that so bad?

To the warmers, it’s irrelevant because it doesn’t coincide with their world view.

And it has less to do with the environment than you might guess.

Technorati Tags: Global warming, permafrost, bark beetle

More climate change fearmongering

2009-08-20T20:46:00.004-05:00

In hot water: World sets ocean temperature record

WASHINGTON — Steve Kramer spent an hour and a half swimming in the ocean this week — in Maine.

The water temperature was 72 degrees — more like Ocean City, Md., this time of year. And Ocean City's water temp hit 88 degrees, toasty even by Miami Beach standards.

This is bad news?

The U.N. gloom-and-doomers have be predicting the Arctic ice melt will cut off the Gulf current and plunge Europe into another ice age.

It didn't happen.

So, take a deep breath, ignore the doomers and enjoy the swimming.

Tags: Climate Change