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Tuesday, January 10. 2017

Image via Never Yet Melted

Vibrating hot pants are the ‘smart’ invention no one knew they needed

America’s Kids Badly Need a ‘Chore Culture’

I Visited The Church Of Scientology. Here’s What Happened

The sad end of the Apple era

Inside Sears' death spiral: How an iconic American brand has been driven to the edge of bankruptcy

Choosing a new car

Pope Francis Now International Monetary Guru?

Lightbulbs: Blinded by Green Mania

California as Alt-America

Under any circumstances, the rest of the country -- with the exception of a few markets such as Manhattan and downtown Chicago -- could not absorb the costs for housing or the taxes California imposes on its residents and businesses. Part of the reason stems from the fact that California is indeed different; its climate, topography, cultural life cannot be easily duplicated in Kansas City, Dallas or anywhere else. People will pay for the privilege of living in California, particularly along the coast. Would they do so to live in Minneapolis or Charlotte?

We Americans are
ruled by a non-religious elite and we seem unbothered by it—and not just
in politics but in culture and education as well

Trump’s unexpected win has Democrats coping with a vastly smaller job market for their skills.

New York Jumps on the Free College Bandwagon

Missing from the Intelligence Report: The Word ‘Podesta’ - Disclosure of embarrassing information should not be confused with disinformation.

Barnes: Obamacare is incurable

Holding Obamacare Repeal Hostage for Replace Guarantees Its Defeat

After six years of resisting legislative changes to Obamacare, President Obama and Democrats now say they’re ready to work on fixes to the massive health law — so long as they expand the federal government’s role in health care.

Jane Sanders Praises Colin Kaepernick for Inspiring “Respect” by his “Dignified Actions’

No doubt she is a big NFL fan

Democrats silent as Israel-bashers get louder

The despicable Southern Poverty Law Center.

Celebrity-filled telethon set for Facebook Live on inauguration day

The Left Means to Break This President

Salon: Trump's oblivious denials on the Russia hack are delegitimizing his
presidency before he even takes office

Meryl Streep’s Speech Is Why the Left Wins

Farewell to a Decade of Media Drooling Over Barack Obama

White Media Outraged Over Tucker Carlson’s Prime Time Spot At Fox News

How softball coverage press hurt Democrats

Senate Dems Opposing Trump’s Ed Sec Nom Attended Private Schools

‘We Know in Alabama Who Jeff Sessions Is’: Black Pastors Defend Trump’s AG Pick Against Charges of Racism

A vote cast for Trump is kind of like a murder

#MAGA: Alibaba Talking To Trump To Create 1 MILLION New US Jobs!

Somebody must stop him!

Revealed: The Super Epic Battle Where 100 Australian Soldiers Defeated 2,500 Viet Cong

Protecting Palestine - Israel's unacknowledged role on the West Bank

iBig Stick: Review of Book by Eliot Cohen

Restoring America’s Defenses: A Memo to the President-Elect

Posted by Bird Dog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 05:59 | Comments (47) | Trackbacks (0)

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"We Americans are
ruled by a non-religious elite and we seem unbothered by it"
You'll never convince me that Obama and a good number of others in DC aren't disciples of the Devil, not just Atheist. And yes, it bothers me a lot.

#1 JC on 2017-01-10 08:14 (Reply)

Golden Globes
Wow, the scoldy old crone shtick, ala SNLs church lady, is never ending. It must be compulsive for the tedious, or internalized by the fringy types, Right and Left, but especially the moon bats. What is more amazing is that they can't figure out why it didn't work for the GOPe or the HRC campaign. It isn't about Trump.

#2 Exasperated on 2017-01-10 08:32 (Reply)

Doesn't surprise me about the Aussie's. Too bad politics intervened in what was a pretty lop-sided military victory:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/629438.Unheralded_Victory

#3 Ray on 2017-01-10 08:48 (Reply)

10 days left.

#4 JJM on 2017-01-10 08:53 (Reply)

You mean we have to wait for ten more days!

From http://www.investors.com/politics/commentary/ego-in-chief-obama-says-democrats-lost-because-he-was-too-busy-being-president/

QUOTE:

Obama thinks everyone talks about how cool he is.
After all, he made a point of it saying it to Stephanopoulos ... twice.

"Everybody likes to talk about how cool I was," he said at the start of the interview, referring to his White House senior staff.

Then he expanded it at the end of the interview. "People," he said, referring to everyone, "always talk about how cool I am."

QUOTE:

Renewed racial tensions are a sign of progress on race.
Stephanopoulos asked Obama about the fact that "most African Americans think we've gone backwards on race relations."

Obama's answer is that — thanks to riots, protests, cop shootings and the rest — "we have greater awareness of where we're falling short than we used to."

You can't make this stuff up! Unfortunately, he has told us of his intentions to never leave the political stage. That's bad news for everybody.

#4.1 mudbug on 2017-01-10 10:19 (Reply)

Context:

"People always talk about how cool I am. I don't care how cool you are. ... this is big and I better be up to the task."

#4.1.1 Zachriel on 2017-01-10 11:12 (Reply)

How humble that he doesn't care how cool I (we) are.

#4.1.1.1 mudbug on 2017-01-10 12:06 (Reply)

It is easy to mistake cool for someone who is just so narcissistic that he doesn't give a fig for what is the right thing to do. He is just going to ram his far-left ideology down our throats whether we want it or not. The only saving grace has been that his executive orders will be a lot easier to undo than laws would have been.

Cool is doing the right thing and not caring about criticism. He has faced almost no criticism for dividing the country. Or driving us so deeply in debt. Or helping to destroy black communities by bringing in unprecedented numbers of illegals and violating the law to keep them here. If one of my tribe had done these things, the liberal media would have howled for blood...daily. Yet now I hear how cool he always was with no real criticism. What a life he must lead!

#4.1.1.2 Dangerous Dean on 2017-01-10 13:58 (Reply)

20 reasons Barack Obama is the coolest US President of ALL time

#4.1.2 Zachriel on 2017-01-10 14:18 (Reply)

cool successful.

#4.1.2.1 Christopher B on 2017-01-10 16:18 (Reply)

And he believes them all!

#4.1.2.2 mudbug on 2017-01-10 19:21 (Reply)

It seems to be the opinion of the cool kids. As Obama pointed out, it's not enough to be cool to be President.

#4.1.2.2.1 Zachriel on 2017-01-11 09:24 (Reply)

"I Visited The Church Of Scientology. Here’s What Happened"

"The sad end of the Apple era"

Interesting coincidence: I've always believed that if Scientology had been an IT company, it would have been Apple.

Sure, since the demise of Jobs they have lightened up a bit on the brand control-freakery but still...

#5 JJM on 2017-01-10 09:06 (Reply)

"#MAGA: Alibaba Talking To Trump To Create 1 MILLION New US Jobs!"

And remember, all this has happened at just the expectation of Trump being President. I wonder what will happen when he's actually President?

#6 JK Brown on 2017-01-10 09:19 (Reply)

JK Brown: And remember, all this has happened at just the expectation of Trump being President.

Yes. Talk has happened.

The U.S. economy is already creating a couple million jobs per year. As for Alibaba, be careful you don't get played. Cronyism can be a significant problem for long-term growth.

MarketWatch: "These aren’t promises of traditional labor-force “jobs” that many Americans dream of when they listen to Trump’s rhetoric on job creation. They’re merely part of a publicity stunt that plays on Alibaba’s previous announcements to expand its presence outside of China, particularly in the U.S."

#6.1 Zachriel on 2017-01-10 09:26 (Reply)

Creating low-paying, part time jobs.

You leave out relevant facts when it's convenient to your purpose. That's one reason why you are a liar.

#6.1.1 DrTorch on 2017-01-10 09:33 (Reply)

DrTorch: Creating low-paying, part time jobs.

Median incomes have now recovered from the Great Recession. The U.S. needs to continue to modernize in order to compete in global markets. The U.S. is very well positioned, with a highly educated and motivated workforce, a strong market economy, and substantial natural resources.

As for Alibaba, they aren't talking about creating any jobs themselves, but of secondary effects creating additional low-paying service jobs.

#6.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2017-01-10 09:52 (Reply)

Making assertions while selecting only a few relevant factors, while ignoring others, is lying.

However, the optimism you project has a greater probability of being justified w/ Trump in office.

#6.1.1.1.1 DrTorch on 2017-01-10 14:55 (Reply)

DrTorch: Making assertions while selecting only a few relevant factors, while ignoring others

You forgot to note the other factors you consider relevant.

DrTorch: However, the optimism you project has a greater probability of being justified w/ Trump in office.

The proposed policies (tax and regulatory cuts) will probably be stimulative in the short run, but may have deleterious effects in the longer term (debt and corruption). It depends on the specifics. Trump has not been particularly clear or consistent.

The U.S. has had about 80 straight months of job growth, adding about 15 million jobs since the end of the recession. The U.S. is well poised for long term economic growth.

#6.1.1.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2017-01-10 15:23 (Reply)

All what has happened? If you're talking about Carrier, the plant may be staying but the jobs aren't. Carrier is using incentive money to invest in more robotics and reduce the number of employees.

#6.2 Jack Walter on 2017-01-10 10:13 (Reply)

QUOTE:

Actual Climate Change Pronouncements

Many of the quotes aren't found anywhere in their exact form. However, people say all sorts of things, some more strongly supported than others. In any case, let's just take a couple of statements for consideration: "Global warming will cause fewer hurricanes," and "Global warming will cause more hurricanes."

The relationship between Atlantic hurricanes and global warming is still an open question in science. Hence, you will naturally find some scientists saying more and some saying fewer. That doesn't undermine the consensus that anthropogenic global warming is occurring. The current evidence suggests that there will be more strong hurricanes, but fewer hurricanes overall. See Kang & Elsner, Trade-off between intensity and frequency of global tropical cyclones, Nature Climate Change 2015.

--
xposted to Never Yet Melted

#7 Zachriel on 2017-01-10 09:20 (Reply)

What consensus is that, exactly?

And even if it exists, so what? https://infogalactic.com/info/Phlogiston_theory

#7.1 DrTorch on 2017-01-10 09:34 (Reply)

DrTorch: What consensus is that, exactly?

The Earth's surface will warm by 2-4°C for each doubling of CO2.

DrTorch: And even if it exists, so what?

The science indicates that continued greenhouse gas emissions will cause substantial change to Earth's environment. This will cause stress on human resources, and lead to the destruction of much of humanity's ecological inheritance.

#7.1.1 Zachriel on 2017-01-10 09:47 (Reply)

Zack.....you're going to need a lot of therapy.

#7.1.1.1 Dale on 2017-01-10 09:57 (Reply)

The Earth's surface will warm by 2-4°C for each doubling of CO2.

There is no consensus for that assertion.

DrTorch: And even if it exists, so what?

The science indicates that continued greenhouse gas emissions will cause substantial change to Earth's environment.

It does not. That is simply another falsehood being asserted by you.

#7.1.1.2 DrTorch on 2017-01-10 14:56 (Reply)

DrTorch: There is no consensus for that assertion.

Nearly all research points to a climate sensitivity in the range of 2-4°C. These estimates are supported by many different observational means, including studies of volcanic eruptions, timing of ice ages, and energy budget calculations.

You do understand that CO2 is a greenhouse gas? And that greenhouse gases in the atmosphere means the surface is warmer than it otherwise would be?

DrTorch: It does not.

The consequences of climate change

#7.1.1.2.1 Zachriel on 2017-01-10 15:34 (Reply)

QUOTE:

"Global warming will cause fewer hurricanes," and "Global warming will cause more hurricanes."

Finally, a global warning prediction that might actually come true!

#7.2 mudbug on 2017-01-10 10:05 (Reply)

The question whether hotcoldwetdry is causing more or fewer hurricanes is not politically open enough to shield academics from hysterical persecution if they come out on the wrong side of the issue in any given year--it can be hard to keep track of what the orthodoxy is from time to time. But it's nice to know you still entertain the concept of an open issue. That's an attitude on which some actual science can be built.

#7.3 Texan99 on 2017-01-10 10:11 (Reply)

Texan99: it's nice to know you still entertain the concept of an open issue.

Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory/NOAA: "It is premature to conclude that human activities–and particularly greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming–have already had a detectable impact on Atlantic hurricane or global tropical cyclone activity. That said, human activities may have already caused changes that are not yet detectable due to the small magnitude of the changes or observational limitations, or are not yet confidently modeled (e.g., aerosol effects on regional climate)."

Consequently, it is not unexpected that different scientists may have different views on the subject.

#7.3.1 Zachriel on 2017-01-10 11:04 (Reply)

no, the science is settled. we're in a horrible Ice Age. don't be a Climate Change Denier. you're just getting in the way. as we see it, we've only got five years to hottiy things and Save the Planet.

#7.4 Will Bithers on 2017-01-10 11:47 (Reply)

Yes, that changes everything about the image.

#7.5 Assistant Village Idiot (Link) on 2017-01-10 14:51 (Reply)

"Vibrating hot pants are the ‘smart’ invention no one knew they needed"

I thought she was really into me, but then I realized she was all hot and bothered because someone kept butt dialing her.

#8 JK Brown on 2017-01-10 09:26 (Reply)

QUOTE:

Lightbulbs: Blinded by Green Mania

Soon, your lighting will depict flickering flames, ocean waves, or tropical forests. Your wallpaper may change with your moods. As for the old fogies, they can have their LEDs look like an incandescent bulb.

Whatever you want ...

#9 Zachriel on 2017-01-10 09:39 (Reply)

In olden times, an old farmer and his son were leaning against a fence along the road, when a car sped past kicking up dust.

"Cars will make the world go faster," said the farmer. "And tear up the old dirt roads, too."

"Yup," said the son.

"We'll lose touch with the old ways."

"Yup," said the son.

They stood there watching the car disappear in the distance.

"Where do you want your new truck," asked the son.

"Over by the tractor," said the old farmer.

#9.1 Zachriel on 2017-01-10 09:43 (Reply)

is that a joke? isn't there supposed to be a punchline?

you learned your climate science in clown school, don't they teach you how to tell jokes?

#9.1.1 Will Bithers on 2017-01-10 12:12 (Reply)

Well played.

#9.1.1.1 DrTorch on 2017-01-10 14:50 (Reply)

LOL on the Salon piece. Good luck with that. Assange has stated many, many times that it was not Russia. Wikileaks has a 10 year history of accuracy. I would trust Wikileaks over a politicized intelligence department any day...

#10 MissT on 2017-01-10 12:12 (Reply)

So does most of the world. From what I hear, it was an inside job, as in a disgruntled DNA staff member, perhaps now demised.

#10.1 Jma on 2017-01-10 12:59 (Reply)

Jma: So does most of the world.

Actually, numerous independent cybersecurity experts who have studied the question believe that the Russians were involved in the hack.

#10.1.1 Zachriel on 2017-01-10 14:21 (Reply)

The 'intelligence' people in government relied on reporting from a commercial company, never were allowed to look at the DNC server themselves...and yet you believe this 'report'? LOL.

Research a bit about CrowdFire. What they might have to gain by putting out this report....

#10.1.1.1 MissT on 2017-01-10 15:34 (Reply)

Of course! It's a conspiracy! Gotta be! Otherwise you would have to question your preconceptions — and we can't have that!

You act as if the NSA doesn't have its own means of collecting data.

#10.1.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2017-01-10 15:41 (Reply)

The Russkies are supposed to be brilliant enough to hack the election!, but not smart enough to cover their tracks??? It is to laugh.

#10.2 mary on 2017-01-10 13:26 (Reply)

Exactly.

Well, spam filter said I was spam, the first time. For that one word comment.

Without political commentary. Just a single word.

The filter, though necessary, may, or perhaps could, benefit from refinement. Example, NUTS.

#10.2.1 XRay on 2017-01-10 21:31 (Reply)

mary: The Russkies are supposed to be brilliant enough to hack the election!, but not smart enough to cover their tracks???

The NSA is not without technical means. Everything on the Internet leaves a trace. If it were a single action, then it might be difficult to trace, but the Russian have engaged in a pattern of behavior over years.

#10.2.2 Zachriel on 2017-01-11 09:20 (Reply)

From what I understand, the Southern Poverty Law Center started off as a direct marketing firm, then found out there was more money to be made by encouraging people to hate one another. Who woulda thunk it?

#11 jma on 2017-01-10 13:54 (Reply)

Erik Hoffer
“Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket.”

#11.1 Exasperated on 2017-01-10 16:51 (Reply)

Re: Lightbulbs

Popular Mechanics did a nice infographic of the spectra from various types of lamp:
http://pop.h-cdn.co/assets/cm/15/06/54d11defcb70b_-_lightbulb-wars-00-0911-xln.jpg

Those are indicative, each manufacturer has their own secret blend of phosphors to achieve the target light-quality they seek for CFL or LED replacement lamps, so the frequency and power of the bumps and spikes will vary between different brands. Incandescents are pretty much all the same, however, just shifting more to the red-end as the voltage drops below the nominal voltage they were intended to be used at.

The criticisms of the Krigel et al. article that I've seen haven't been very cogent, I get the impression that the scientific validity of the article is greatly hampered by the fact that the Daily Mail likes the conclusion, rather than that there was any better or more valid methodology to look into the question. We've known about blue-light retinal risk since at least the mid 1970s.

In practice, most LED home "bulb" makers attempt to filter out the below-visible-spectrum blue. The bulbs with warmer color temperature undoubtedly do better at this, and the ones with high "color rendering index" should do even better because a lot of effort was put into optimizing the spectral power.

When buying bulbs, nowadays one should look at lumens for brightness, color temperature for warm-vs-clinical-white preference, and the highest CRI available.

Plus it needs to physically fit in the fixture, have the correct base size, be a "dimmable" bulb if any sort of electronic switching or dimming is used, and be rated for "enclosed fixtures" if used were it wont naturally convect good airflow for cooling itself.

#12 Douglas2 on 2017-01-10 14:45 (Reply)

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Tuesday, January 10. 2017

Tuesday morning links