Saturday morning links

Regarding the David Stockman piece on educational inflation, it would be nice to see the cost of college graphed against federal contributions to education.

#1 Randy on 2016-08-06 07:19 (Reply)

What are you saying here? Do you suspect that it is another wealth transference program to yet another special interest group, like maybe a jobs protection program? You think it might be in trade for a load of fake, make work "administrative" jobs and fake "social activism" curriculums? You are not alone. Funny that so much of academia and the education industry is in the tank for the Dems.

#1.1 Geezer on 2016-08-06 07:53 (Reply)

Authoritarian Culture.

Sorta like horrid, old Miss Watson?

#2 Huck on 2016-08-06 08:11 (Reply)

QUOTE:

Dear DNC, Why Did You Put a Sharia Supremacist on Convention Centerstage?

The article is based on second hand quotes making the rounds in the right-wing blogosphere. However, we do have first-hand information.

“Tonight we are honored to stand here as parents of Captain Humayun Khan and as patriotic American Muslims—as patriotic American Muslims with undivided loyalty to our country.

"Like many immigrants, we came to this country empty-handed. We believed in American democracy -- that with hard work and the goodness of this country, we could share in and contribute to its blessings."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ery-Zgo5ALs

#3 Zachriel on 2016-08-06 08:28 (Reply)

So you are saying Khan didn't write those essays? It was someone else named Khizir Khan? And claiming that because some complaints about Trump are major, all of the minor ones must be major, too?

Incoherent.

#3.1 Assistant Village Idiot (Link) on 2016-08-06 09:53 (Reply)

Assistant Village Idiot: So you are saying Khan didn't write those essays?

We're saying that quoting someone Khan quoted doesn't properly ascribe those views to Khan. More directly, we have Khan's direct statements that he is a patriotic American who carries the U.S. Constitution in his pocket.

#3.1.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-06 10:13 (Reply)

Ever hear of taqiyya?

#3.1.1.1 LWS on 2016-08-06 11:39 (Reply)

LWS: Ever hear of taqiyya?

Sure. The philosophy of taqiya is that it is acceptable to lie when under persecution, particularly important in religious minority populations. Christians, who started as a persecuted minority that met in private, have similar beliefs.

#3.1.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-06 12:34 (Reply)

Z: Christians, who started as a persecuted minority that met in private, have similar beliefs.

Really! I must have missed that at church.

While doing a little research on taqiyya, I found this charming bit of information:

QUOTE:

Quran (3:28) - This verse tells Muslims not to take those outside the faith as friends, unless it is to "guard themselves" against danger, meaning that there are times when a Muslim should appear friendly to non-Muslims, even though they should not feel that way..

I feel better about Khan already!

#3.1.1.1.1.1 mudbug on 2016-08-06 13:44 (Reply)

mudbug: Really! I must have missed that at church.

Perhaps you did.

Martin Luther defended "a good hearty lie for the sake of the good and for the Christian Church, a lie in case of necessity, a useful lie... Such lies would not be against God." Does Martin Luther, the founder of Protestantism, count as a valid source of Christian doctrine?

What about the midwives in Exodus who lied to Pharaoh concerning the edict to kill newborn boys? After this lie, God was kind to the midwives.

mudbug: This verse tells Muslims not to take those outside the faith as friends,

Christians persecuted non-Christians, including Jews and pagans, for most of Christian history. Again, we cite Martin Luther, this time concerning the Jews: "I shall give you my sincere advice: First to set fire to their synagogues or schools ... that their houses also be razed and destroyed ... that safeconduct on the highways be abolished ... Let they stay at home." (How they are to stay at home after their houses have been razed is left unsaid.)

mudbug: Quran (3:28) - This verse tells Muslims not to take those outside the faith as friends, unless it is to "guard themselves" against danger, meaning that there are times when a Muslim should appear friendly to non-Muslims, even though they should not feel that way

As Khan was in no danger of expressing his Muslim faith, there was no justification in the verse for lying.

#3.1.1.1.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-07 09:29 (Reply)

Assistant Village Idiot: And claiming that because some complaints about Trump are major, all of the minor ones must be major, too?

We provided eight examples, all of which are significant.

1. “the textbook definition of a racist comment"
2. diminished McCain's service
3. birtherism
4. sexist
5. sexist
6. almost right. congrats!
7. war crime
8. childish insult of someone with a disability

#3.1.2 Zachriel on 2016-08-06 10:57 (Reply)

QUOTE:

Luntz: If Campaign Is About Hillary Clinton, Trump Wins; If It's a Campaign About Trump, Then Clinton Wins

There's always the issues, of course — like building a wall and making Mexico pay for it. Or why can't we use nuclear weapons against ISIS.

#4 Zachriel on 2016-08-06 08:43 (Reply)

QUOTE:

Sliming Trump - How the media smear machine markets minor benign details as the sinister deeds of an evil man.

Benign details:

On June 2, 2016, Trump told the Wall Street Journal that Curiel had "an absolute conflict" in presiding over the litigation given that he is "of Mexican heritage".

John McCain is "not a war hero".

Obama "doesn't have a birth certificate. He may have one, but there's something on that, maybe religion, maybe it says he is a Muslim. I don't know. Maybe he doesn't want that."

“Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that?" (regarding Carly Fiorina)

"You could see there was blood coming out of (Megyn Kelly's) eyes, blood coming out of her whatever."

"I think Bush is probably the worst President in the history of the United States." (Well, close on that one, but he forgot Buchanan.)

"The other thing with the terrorists is you have to take out their families, when you get these terrorists, you have to take out their families."

Then there's this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX9reO3QnUA

#5 Zachriel on 2016-08-06 08:55 (Reply)

The good news is that sales of printed copies of the U.S. Constitution are booming.

#5.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-06 09:32 (Reply)

Let me slip this in between Zach and Zach.

"a sharia supremacist on centerstage at the 2016 Democratic National Committee Convention".

Well, duh! Haven't you noticed this is what the Democrats have become? They are more and more becoming anti-American and pro-globalist/socialist/communist. Back in 2007 when Obama was pushed into the limelight by the Democrats they knew his muslim background and sleazy muslim connnections and they embraced it. It is not by accident or ignorance that we decided to flood the country with Muslim immigrants. Why? Didn't we have enough welfare sucking, uneducated, angry and prejudiced violent thugs already so we needed more?

Khizr Khan is a sleazy lawyer who's hands are dirty and who's motives are very suspicious and he has a long connection with the Democrats and Hillary. He sells citizenships!!! And the Democrats passed laws in the dark of the night to make that all possible. Do you for a second doubt that some of that money made it's way back into the offshore accounts of Democrat lawmakers and is partly responsible for most of our politicians retiring as millionaires? The Democrats are selling citizenships!!! And once these people buy their way into the country they begin a chain of new immigration of relatives and relatives of relatives and friends who claim to be relatives, etc. Thanks to the laws of mathematics a single immigrant can multiply into hundreds and even thousands of 'related' immigrations and NONE OF THEM are part of the approved quota of immigration. THAT is the sleazy business that Khizr Khan and the Democrat party is involved in.

Ask yourself this simple question: Did you know prior to this event that our government was selling citizenships??? Why was it secret (sure Zach will claim it wasn't secret but 99% of Americans didn't know it).

#6 GoneWithTheWind on 2016-08-06 10:23 (Reply)

GoneWithTheWind: He sells citizenships!!! And the Democrats passed laws in the dark of the night to make that all possible.

EB-5 visas were signed into law by George H.W. Bush in 1990, who said the immigration bill, passed with majority support of both political parties, "accomplishes what this Administration sought from the outset of the immigration reform process: a complementary blending of our tradition of family reunification with increased immigration of skilled individuals to meet our economic needs."

#6.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-06 10:40 (Reply)

You think roping Bush into it provides some kind of conservative legitimacy to this garbage? Bush was as full on globalist as Obama is.

#6.1.1 LWS on 2016-08-06 11:42 (Reply)

LWS: You think roping Bush into it provides some kind of conservative legitimacy to this garbage? Bush was as full on globalist as Obama is.

The claim was that it was Democrats acting "in the dark of night", rather than bipartisan majorities working in the light of day. The purpose of the EB-5 program is to encourage investment in the U.S. It can be revoked by the same legislative process through which it was originally enacted.

#6.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-06 12:36 (Reply)

In 1990 the Senate was 48 Republicans and 52 Democrats.

The house was 159 Republicans to 276 Democrats.

(those numbers from a graph and could be off slightly)

I didn't bother to look up how many Republicans voted for it because it doesn't matter. Because THAT is exactly the reason we didn't like any of the Rinos the Republicans put up as presidential candidates and we are hoping Rinos in congress are sent home in November as well. Many Americans are fed up with the Rinos and despise the Social Democrats. The economy is probably in the worst recession in our history, the national debt is hanging over us like a ton of bricks ready to fall when the next bubble bursts, our government has emasculated our military and our enemies around the globe are circling like vultures and our borders are unprotected and we are experiencing a massive invasion of rent seekers. We are pissed at both parties and tired of them operating in secret to our detriment.

#6.1.2 GonewithTheWind on 2016-08-06 19:32 (Reply)

GoneWithTheWind: I didn't bother to look up how many Republicans voted for it because it doesn't matter.

It matters to your claim that "Democrats passed laws in the dark of the night to make that all possible." In fact, your claim was false.

#6.1.2.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-07 09:43 (Reply)

That's it! Congress was dominated by Democrats but because I didn't look up the exact vote therefore you were right!! But of course that's what you think. Either ego or because your job description (Democrat troll) requires you never tell the truth. My question is simple: Is there no limit to your lies and blind support of the socialist/communist Democrats?

#6.1.2.1.1 GoneWithTheWind on 2016-08-07 09:50 (Reply)

GoneWithTheWind: Congress was dominated by Democrats but because I didn't look up the exact vote therefore you were right!!

Your claim: "Democrats passed laws in the dark of the night to make that all possible."

• In fact, the law doesn't "sell citizenship", but provides the ability to invest and work in the U.S.
• In fact, there was strong bipartisan support, and the immigration bill was signed by a Republican president.
• In fact, the bill was passed in the light of day.
• In fact, the bill was later enhanced in the light of day.

#6.1.2.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-07 10:00 (Reply)

"The law doesn't sell citizenship"

Yeah right and Obama didn't give a pallet of cash to Iran to ransom the hostages. So a potential immigrant pays a immigration lawyer $20k to get him a U.S. citizenship, the immigrant puts $500K into American investments and some $$ are passed under the table to unknown/unnamed people and you think we aren't selling citizenships?

#6.1.2.1.1.1.1 GoneWithTheWind on 2016-08-07 16:19 (Reply)

GoneWithTheWind: Yeah right and Obama didn't give a pallet of cash to Iran to ransom the hostages.

Interesting. Obama bribed the Iranians with their own money. (You do realize the $400 million was Iran's money?)

GoneWithTheWind: So a potential immigrant pays a immigration lawyer $20k to get him a U.S. citizenship ...

No. He applies for an EB-5 visa, or green card. Immigration law is quite complex, so many immigrants seek legal advice.

Citizenship is an additional step that has its own requirements.

#6.1.2.1.1.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-08 09:00 (Reply)

GoneWithTheWind: Why was it secret (sure Zach will claim it wasn't secret but 99% of Americans didn't know it).

Here is Bush at the secret signing ceremony with conspirators from both parties. The article doesn't say whether it was in the dead of night.

#6.2 Zachriel on 2016-08-06 10:50 (Reply)

There may be a paywall on the previous link. You can watch the actual secret signing ceremony on C-Span.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?15232-1/immmigration-act-signing-ceremony

#6.2.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-06 11:03 (Reply)

Seriously Zach! Are you going to tell me you knew at the time the billl was signed that our government was selling citizenships???? I didn't. I bet no one here on MF knew it. I bet 99% of American voters didn't know it. In fact it is unfathomable to think that our congress willingly choose to do this to. Why? I will bet dollars to doughnuts it was slipped in as a quid pro quo to lawyers and a few others who benefited from this. I am also willing to bet the entire program is full of fraud and thousands of pay to play immigrants never paid. It reinforces my assertion that our politicians are selling the country piece meal while denying it with a straight face. To no ones surprise YOU think it is just fine to sell citizenships. I think it past time to break out the guillotines.

#6.2.2 GoneWithTheWind on 2016-08-06 19:40 (Reply)

GoneWithTheWind: Are you going to tell me you knew at the time the billl was signed that our government was selling citizenships???? I didn't.

The U.S. doesn't sell citizenships under EB-5, but offers green cards, allowing someone to work in the U.S. who meets certain requirements, including a sizable investment in the U.S. economy. If you want someone to invest, then they have to be able to work their investment.

GoneWithTheWind: I will bet dollars to doughnuts it was slipped in as a quid pro quo to lawyers and a few others who benefited from this.

You would be wrong on that point, as well. The program didn't draw in the investment Congress had hoped, so they passed the Basic Pilot Program Extension and Expansion Act, sponsored by Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and signed by President Bush (R) in 2003 in order to revitalize the program.

GoneWithTheWind: I am also willing to bet the entire program is full of fraud and thousands of pay to play immigrants never paid.

The problem wasn't the investment not being honored, but the sourcing of funds. New regulations were promulgated which required proof that funds were from lawful sources, and that they are directly involved in the business. These regulations are still in force.

#6.2.2.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-07 09:42 (Reply)

Now that I'm looking into this secret program I am finding massive fraud. Most of these fraudulent immigrants simply bought their citizenship and surprise they give money to politicians. Also after coming to the U.S. they begin a chain of immigration of relatives and friends that is also full of fraud and lies. This system has been used to sneak in millions of people outside of the normal immigration laws and requirements. Many of them are criminals escaping their mother country (primarily Russia) and some of them have turned out to be spies. And because they get special treatment they have actually forced American companies and employees out. There have been thousands of cases of tax evasion and other crimes committed by these secret immigrants. All of this and I haven't even scratched the surface of this secret program. With all of the fraud, payoffs and criminal activity why would you be in favor of it???

#6.2.2.1.1 GoneWithTheWind on 2016-08-07 10:00 (Reply)

GoneWithTheWind: With all of the fraud, payoffs and criminal activity why would you be in favor of it???

We didn't express an opinion on whether it was good policy. Rather, we pointed out the falsity of your claim that "Democrats passed laws in the dark of the night to make that all possible."

As for your latest claims, it would be helpful if 1) you admit your previous error; 2) you provide citations to support your claims so they can be evaluated.

GoneWithTheWind: This system has been used to sneak in millions of people outside of the normal immigration laws and requirements.

If a million people invested $1 million each, that works out to a trillion dollars. In fact, EB-5 visas are capped at 10,000 entries per year.

There are valid arguments against the program, but you aren't making them.

GoneWithTheWind: All of this and I haven't even scratched the surface of this secret program.

It's not a secret. It's been on the books for decades.

#6.2.2.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-07 10:30 (Reply)

"In fact, EB-5 visas are capped at 10,000 entries per year."

But there is no cap on reuniting families of new immigrants. once these 10,000 new citizens are in they can petition to bring in 10-20-50 relatives. Once those reletives are in they can each petition to bring in another 50 relatives each. So yes! Millions. Surprised you didn't know that.

"It's not a secret. It's been on the books for decades."

It's secret! Have you ever read the law on this? It goes on for pages and pages and intentionally arcane and obtuse. It's secret and was intended to be secret.

#6.2.2.1.1.1.1 GoneWithTheWind on 2016-08-07 16:26 (Reply)

GoneWithTheWind: But there is no cap on reuniting families of new immigrants.

That is incorrect. Only the spouse and minor children of an EB-5 visa are allowed in the U.S. Other relatives have to apply separately.

GoneWithTheWind: [i]It's secret!

Just because you are ignorant doesn't mean it's a secret.
https://www.uscis.gov/eb-5

#6.2.2.1.1.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-08 09:04 (Reply)

Regarding the homeless:

Let us put the blame for this eyesore where it belongs, and enact the one policy that will stop it. The Ugly People (both the truly homeless and the many phonies) infest the places they do for one reason: other people (mostly tourists) with a misplaced notion of charity are paying them to be there. We need a "DON'T GIVE TO BUMS" law, with a penalty large enough to make it stick -- and a reward to snitches who send in pictures of the offense.

This is not about hating the poor. I give to my local food bank. It's about no longer making payments that encourage bad behavior.

#7 jdgalt on 2016-08-06 11:26 (Reply)

Kinda like not feeding the bears or other critters in a national park.
If they're fed regularly by the visitors, pretty soon they give up foraging in the wild and just hang around the campgrounds and picnic areas, making nuisances of themselves, being dangerous to the visitors, and losing their ability to survive without handouts (or stealing the pic-a-nic baskets).

#7.1 OldFert on 2016-08-06 14:39 (Reply)

Sliming Trump
Anecdotal of course, but I doubt it makes a difference to Trumpsters. They are already perfectly well aware that Trump can be a buffoon and a clown; he is still preferable to the scolds and the sellouts whether they be Dem or GOPe. I also doubt that they participate in and are counted in polls. ala Brexit.

#8 Exasperated on 2016-08-06 13:00 (Reply)

Some of us don't wear white lab smocks, and haven't since high school chemistry. I've a long way to go to be a saint, too.

I don't know what it's like in climate science, but around here everybody secretly (not no so secretly--the Beyond the Standard Model group has a lot of members) hopes to find something that shakes up the field.

#9 James the lesser (Link) on 2016-08-06 13:35 (Reply)

BD, you realize of course that Z doesn't run his own blog, but just comes over here to post his seemingly endless string of "thoughts". I guess that's the price paid for First Amendment, even on a privately-run blog. When I see greater than about twenty comments, though, I know you've been invaded once again. (By my count at 1455MDT Z has made forty-seven percent of the commentary on this posting. Good God.) Some of these liberals seem to spend hours upon hours constructing replies to your postings and other readers' comebacks. Perhaps you can add an algorithm allowing readers to block certain commenters. YMMV, of course.

#10 dhmosquito on 2016-08-07 17:03 (Reply)

"Gadsen flag..." The Navy has flown this from ships since 1775. Yet, I predict by 2017 it will disappear because "RACISTS!"

#11 Honordads (Link) on 2016-08-09 03:46 (Reply)

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Saturday, August 6. 2016

Saturday morning links