Monday, September 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
For Joe Shmoe
I know I'm a little late at posting this (It's too late now, indeed). I emailed this article to myself months ago expecting to publish it in a blog. Looks like those conservatives were right about Obama after all.
A Clip from the N.Y. Post:
"The fracas over Obama's tax plan broke out Sunday outside Toledo when Joe Wurzelbacher approached the candidate. Wurzelbacher said he planned to become the owner of a small plumbing business that will take in more than the $250,000 amount at which Obama plans to begin raising tax rates. "Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn't it?" the blue-collar worker asked. After Obama responded that it would, Wurzelbacher continued: "I've worked hard . . . I work 10 to 12 hours a day and I'm buying this company and I'm going to continue working that way. I'm getting taxed more and more while fulfilling the American Dream." "It's not that I want to punish your success," Obama told him. "I want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance for success, too. Then, Obama explained his trickle-up theory of economics. "My attitude is that if the economy's good for folks from the bottom up, it's gonna be good for everybody. I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." Critics said Obama let the cat out of the bag"
Article of Interest, Global Warming from an Academic Standpoint:
GLOBAL WARMING: A Boon to Humans and Other Animals
Thomas Gale Moore, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution
Some Highlights:
The dire forecasts of global warming hinge on a prediction that human activity will provoke a continued upsurge in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Many environmentalists believe that the burning of fossil fuels, the release of methane from agricultural activities, and the escape of other chemicals into the air over the next few decades will lead to an effective doubling of greenhouse gases sometime in the next century. Although fluctuations in CO2 correlate with climate shifts, the record cannot distinguish whether they followed the temperature changes or preceded them.[5] Theory suggests either is possible.
What is well known is that climate changes. The world has shifted from periods that were considerably warmer -- during the Mesozoic era when the dinosaurs thrived the earth appears to have been about 18deg. Fahrenheit warmer than now -- to spells that were substantially colder, such as the Ice Ages when huge glaciers submerged much of the Northern Hemisphere.[6] One paleoclimatologist estimated that, during the Precambrian period, the polar regions were about 36deg.F colder than they are in the contemporary world.[7] During the last interglacial, about 130,000 years ago or about when modern man was first exploring the globe, the average temperature in Europe was at least 2deg. to 5deg.F warmer than at present.[8] Hippopotamuses, lions, rhinoceroses and elephants roamed the English countryside. Areas watered today by the monsoons in Africa and east Asia enjoyed even more rainfall then. Indeed during the last 12,000 years, that is since the end of the last glacial period, the globe has alternated between times substantially warmer and epochs that were noticeably cooler.
An examination of the record of the last twelve millennia reveals that mankind prospered during the warm periods and suffered during the cold ones. Transitions from a warm to a cold period or vice-versa were difficult for people who lived in climates that were adversely affected yet benefited others who inhabited regions in which the weather improved. On average, however, humans gained during the centuries in which the earth enjoyed higher temperatures.
What is well known is that climate changes. The world has shifted from periods that were considerably warmer -- during the Mesozoic era when the dinosaurs thrived the earth appears to have been about 18deg. Fahrenheit warmer than now -- to spells that were substantially colder, such as the Ice Ages when huge glaciers submerged much of the Northern Hemisphere.[6] One paleoclimatologist estimated that, during the Precambrian period, the polar regions were about 36deg.F colder than they are in the contemporary world.[7] During the last interglacial, about 130,000 years ago or about when modern man was first exploring the globe, the average temperature in Europe was at least 2deg. to 5deg.F warmer than at present.[8] Hippopotamuses, lions, rhinoceroses and elephants roamed the English countryside. Areas watered today by the monsoons in Africa and east Asia enjoyed even more rainfall then. Indeed during the last 12,000 years, that is since the end of the last glacial period, the globe has alternated between times substantially warmer and epochs that were noticeably cooler.
An examination of the record of the last twelve millennia reveals that mankind prospered during the warm periods and suffered during the cold ones. Transitions from a warm to a cold period or vice-versa were difficult for people who lived in climates that were adversely affected yet benefited others who inhabited regions in which the weather improved. On average, however, humans gained during the centuries in which the earth enjoyed higher temperatures.
Monday, April 20, 2009
CIA says President Obama is a Terrorist?
FACT:
By David Ignatius http://projects.washingtonpost.com/staff/email/david+ignatius/
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
At the Central Intelligence Agency, it's known as "slow rolling." That's what agency officers sometimes do on politically sensitive assignments. They go through the motions; they pass cables back and forth; they take other jobs out of the danger zone; they cover their backsides.
Sad to say, it's slow roll time at Langley after the release of interrogation memos that, in the words of one veteran officer, "hit the agency like a car bomb in the driveway." President Obama promised CIA officers that they won't be prosecuted for carrying out lawful orders, but the people on the firing line don't believe him. They think the memos have opened a new season of investigation and retribution.
The lesson for younger officers is obvious: Keep your head down. Duck the assignments that carry political risk. Stay away from a counterterrorism program that has become a career hazard.
OPINION:
I think Mr. President is getting into some pretty treacherous waters with this one. Though all of his ideology directs him to make this move (also perhaps his quest to be bff with Nicolas Sarchozy and Fidel Castro at the same time) I’m not sure this is in the best interest of the American people. What many may not know, is that the CIA recently released reports citing proof that enhanced interrogation saved thousands of lives in LA shortly after 9/11. Ironic considering those lives saved (specifically our Hollywood royalty) are the same ingrates that so vehemently oppose such methods.
Now we’re stuck with a highly skilled worldwide counter terrorism force that is now hesitant to even yell at man who just behead a civilian and set a bomb off in the middle of a crowded street full of women and children. AND the terrorists know this now. They KNOW that they’re only going to get 4 star service if they get captured. We already know they’re not afraid of getting killed for their cause, but now they don’t even have to fear the risk of discomfort. (I had worse treatment from my brothers at the local swimming pool… Waterboarding’s a joke anyway) At least under Cheney, they thought there was a chance worse things might happen to them.
By David Ignatius http://projects.washingtonpost.com/staff/email/david+ignatius/
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
At the Central Intelligence Agency, it's known as "slow rolling." That's what agency officers sometimes do on politically sensitive assignments. They go through the motions; they pass cables back and forth; they take other jobs out of the danger zone; they cover their backsides.
Sad to say, it's slow roll time at Langley after the release of interrogation memos that, in the words of one veteran officer, "hit the agency like a car bomb in the driveway." President Obama promised CIA officers that they won't be prosecuted for carrying out lawful orders, but the people on the firing line don't believe him. They think the memos have opened a new season of investigation and retribution.
The lesson for younger officers is obvious: Keep your head down. Duck the assignments that carry political risk. Stay away from a counterterrorism program that has become a career hazard.
OPINION:
I think Mr. President is getting into some pretty treacherous waters with this one. Though all of his ideology directs him to make this move (also perhaps his quest to be bff with Nicolas Sarchozy and Fidel Castro at the same time) I’m not sure this is in the best interest of the American people. What many may not know, is that the CIA recently released reports citing proof that enhanced interrogation saved thousands of lives in LA shortly after 9/11. Ironic considering those lives saved (specifically our Hollywood royalty) are the same ingrates that so vehemently oppose such methods.
Now we’re stuck with a highly skilled worldwide counter terrorism force that is now hesitant to even yell at man who just behead a civilian and set a bomb off in the middle of a crowded street full of women and children. AND the terrorists know this now. They KNOW that they’re only going to get 4 star service if they get captured. We already know they’re not afraid of getting killed for their cause, but now they don’t even have to fear the risk of discomfort. (I had worse treatment from my brothers at the local swimming pool… Waterboarding’s a joke anyway) At least under Cheney, they thought there was a chance worse things might happen to them.
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