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Wednesday, February 1. 2023

The Many Nicknames of the American Woodcock

However tasty these little birds are, I decided to never shoot another one

Reading Doesn’t Have to Mean Keeping Your Books Forever

California's fake water crisis

Now the Left Is Coming for Your Pickup Trucks, America

London School of Economics cancels words ‘Lent’ and ‘Easter’

Spectator: The university fighting back against the diversocrats - A professor was fired after a single student complained. Then came the backlash

University of California Considering Cuts to Grad Student Enrollment Just Weeks After Strike. “Just weeks after the University of California and academic workers heralded historic wage gains in new labor contracts, the question of how to pay for them is roiling campuses”

Victor Davis Hanson: The Radical Left Is The Establishment

Prestigious Liberal Watchdog Condemns New York Times' Russiagate Coverage

The fake think tank that fueled the Russiagate narrative

Your Taxes Paid Thousands Of Government Staff Covid Unemployment While They Worked From Home

George Santos: Legend

Zelensky Sent Out Government Decree to Destroy ALL INFORMATION on Hunter Biden’s Metabiota Company on Same Day as Russian Invasion – Then Fire Spotted Outside Intel Headquarters

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Posted by Bird Dog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 07:18 | Comments (37) | Trackbacks (0)

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Regarding Cailifornia's water crisis: It's fake in more ways than one.

I made this comment here before: The historically low reservoir levels were not only because of drought but because about five or ten years ago, some array of alphabet soup in Washington made the decision to change when water is released from reservoirs. California already had a rule in place that reservoirs can only be 60% full at the maximum, to have room for excess water when it rains. Despite that fact that weather forecasting has significantly improved since that rule was put in place.

But...

The decision to change when and how much water was released was made without any input from the people and states affected by the release of water. Thank you, federal bureaucrats. Instead of saving for the lean years, water is released to appease the Gang Green.

#1 Lee Also on 2023-02-01 08:41 (Reply)

In the last several days I've read at least 4 different Russiagate exposes, apparently nobody at all was fooled by this scam but they're all willing to point the finger at everybody else that was fooled by it. I suspect we'll soon get the same retconning of history regarding the Covid vaccine - somehow "everybody" knew it was a big scam even though nobody said so at the time.

#2 Jerryskids on 2023-02-01 09:18 (Reply)

re Now the Left Is Coming for Your Pickup Trucks, America

Fortunately I did not red of any legislative or regulatory attempts to do so in the piece, just wishful thinking.

Nonetheless. the sissies surprised even me.

QUOTE:

pickup trucks not only brazenly project “petromasculinity”; they’re also the personification of “glorification of violence and domination.”

Who knew?

Sheesh . . .

#3 feeblemind on 2023-02-01 09:45 (Reply)

Petromasculinity? Pfui, what a crock! But I do detect a whole lot of "aspirational masculinity" among middle-income squares motoring about in Big-Butt Trucks lacking in toolboxes, scratches, or even a speck of dirt. You know, those guys who are always whining about their truck being broken into at night, 'cause it wasn't garaged. Because it's too tall to fit into the garage.

As for me, I need a truck to haul things maybe once or twice a year. So I just rent one; lots cheaper.

#3.1 Mike Anderson (Link) on 2023-02-01 10:07 (Reply)

And they want to charge taxes by the weight of the vehicle to price pickups out of reach for more people? "snicker" That doesn't bode too well for those EV drivers. Progs just never think anything through ... they just shoot from the hip and wind up with a limp.

#3.2 indyjonesouthere on 2023-02-01 10:35 (Reply)

I was once an instructor at an Air Force school and taught, among others, lessons on Islam to special operators. There is no way in hell that I could teach today what I had taught then, even though what I taught was factual and neutral in approach. I even used different portrayals of the Muslim prophet to show the distinction between Shia and Sunni concepts. I'm glad that Hamline got push-back.

#4 RetiredSOF on 2023-02-01 09:58 (Reply)

George Santos is not a legend, he's a fraud and a disgrace - and Republicans should not be lionizing him. His only purpose in being is to tell Democrats to live by their own rotten, lying standards and f*ck off. I would not want Santos representing me.

Regarding pickups, if you think there isn't a war on them that is being lost, then just try buying one with a V-8. Go ahead, shop. Got something to tow? Leave extra time. You're not buying V-8s any more.

#5 Aggie on 2023-02-01 10:00 (Reply)

It's why I keep my two older pickups and both are V8's, one is a diesel dually. The newer they are the thinner the metal and the more electronic doodads they have that keep breaking and now you have to add DEF to the new diesels. No thanks.

#5.1 indyjonesouthere on 2023-02-01 10:43 (Reply)

QUOTE:

four-decade-long inflation in higher education

You will note that excess inflation mostly affects those industries that still require highly-skilled domestic labor. As Americans have become more affluent, the labor costs rise to reflect that affluence. In addition, many jobs were once held by women underpaid for their skill levels; such as in nursing, education, and secretarial work. Today, women command a more equitable share of income.

#6 Zachriel on 2023-02-01 10:38 (Reply)

The highest inflation is in the medical field and the education field of which both are subsidized and regulated to death by the government.

#7 indyjonesouthere on 2023-02-01 10:47 (Reply)

indyjonesouthere: The highest inflation is in the medical field and the education field of which both are subsidized and regulated to death by the government.

That's part of the story, but every advanced country has seen increases in the cost of education and healthcare because the highly-skilled labor can't be offshored and mechanized.

With healthcare, there has also been an explosion in new treatment options. A century ago, the doctor may have visited your home to treat your daughter with a sore throat. He prescribed honey and lemon, and received two chickens in payment. Now, you take your daughter to the doctor, she may prescribe advanced antibiotics, but you can't pay her the four hundred chickens it costs to provide that care.

Also, there is no real consumer market for healthcare. Consumers simply don't shop around.

#7.1 Zachriel on 2023-02-01 11:57 (Reply)

There is little customer market because the government micromanages health care by mandating what we don't want and blocking the actual insurance coverage we do want. Covid taught us that they absolutely refuse to listen to the customer and focus on government wishes and dreams.

There is little customer market in education because tech classes were dumped in public schools and higher education mandates classes of no real use to students. Again, the bureaucracy has more input than the customer and the bureaucracy is propagandist.

You do not find the propagandist groupthink in maintenance and repair in the transportation field whether it is automotive, aviation, or farm equipment. And none of them are low tech but leading edge tech.

The less government involvement the more efficient the business.

#7.1.1 indyjonesouthere on 2023-02-01 12:44 (Reply)

indyjonesouthere: There is little customer market because the government micromanages health care by mandating what we don't want and blocking the actual insurance coverage we do want.

The costs of medical care began to rise long before significant regulation of the industry. Medical inflation has averaged about 1% higher than overall inflation since WWII.

Insurance detaches the consumer from the cost of medical care. When was the last time a consumer actually shopped around for the cost of an MRI or heart bypass?

indyjonesouthere: You do not find the propagandist groupthink in maintenance and repair in the transportation field whether it is automotive, aviation, or farm equipment.

Aviation isn't regulated? In any case, repair costs have experienced significant inflation due to the high cost of parts. However, equipment generally lasts much longer.

#7.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2023-02-01 13:12 (Reply)

Actually, the old company policy I had, before retirement, did the price shopping for us and it found the least expensive MRI that was required. However, I don't need mandated abortion coverage or birthing coverage.

Aviation has regulations but nothing compared to healthcare or education. When air carrier pricing was deregulated, it actually cost less to fly as it instilled competition.

#7.1.1.1.1 indyjonesouthere on 2023-02-01 13:50 (Reply)

indyjonesouthere: Actually, the old company policy I had, before retirement, did the price shopping for us and it found the least expensive MRI that was required.

Sure. Some companies self-insure. However, most American workers are covered by traditional insurance. Insurance companies try to limit costs by negotiating with providers, having in-network systems, and HMOs. They used to try to avoid or drop sick people. Results in terms of quality and cost have been inconsistent.

Reproductive health care has normally been covered in most insurance plans.

#7.1.1.1.2 Zachriel on 2023-02-01 15:37 (Reply)

No one was ever excluded at my company. They had mandatory drug testing but even gave people who were on drugs one chance to go through rehab. But only one. Abortion was not covered or considered reproductive health care, nor was birth control.

The medical withholding was broken into three parts. Cover yourself, yourself and spouse, yourself and spouse and children. It seemed more than fair regardless of your pricing choice. And no government involvement.

#7.1.1.1.2.1 indyjonesouthere on 2023-02-01 16:40 (Reply)

Donald Trump Surges 35 Points Ahead of DeSantis

QUOTE:

In a real primary race, Trump’s lead is likely to narrow significantly; as the obvious no-hopers like Cheney drop out, many of their supporters will likely switch to other non-Trump candidates or DeSantis. Even so, the former president’s 35-point lead is overwhelming enough that even if all those voters switched to DeSantis, he would still be 18 points ahead.

https://www.rightwing.org/donald-trump-surges-35-points-ahead-of-desantis/?utm_source=bblue&utm_medium=email

#8 feeblemind on 2023-02-01 10:54 (Reply)

This is the problem that the never Trumpers and Rinos fail to acknowledge. There is a HUGE cadre of Trump supporters for a very simple and very good reason; Trump actually says and means what he says that the majority of Americans want. They want to shut down the border. They want to get tough on crime. They want to solve the war in Ukraine pea0cefully. They want to cut taxes AND cut the deficit, they want the swamp drained. During the 2022 election the RNC sabotaged a number of congressional and governor races simply because the candidate was pro-Trump. The Republicans are stupid and have forgotten how to win.

Here is what the Republicans (the never Trumpers and RINOS) will do to try and beat Trump. They will call him names, tell lies about him, agree with the left wing media as they call him names and tell lies about him, agree with the Democrats as they call him names and tell lies about him. They will bring his lead down and either they will have crippled him so he cannot win OR they will nominate someone else instead of him and thus alienate Trump's base to the point where they will stay home. But the establishment Republicans don't care. They are content to stay the minority party and lick up the drippings from the Democrat grifters. They will cooperate and appoint more left wing judges who will gradually convert us to communism. The Elephants have a death wish.

#8.1 OneGuy on 2023-02-01 14:49 (Reply)

I don't think enough attention is being paid to the report that a U.S. General has said that he expects us to be at war with China by 2025. I think we are living in wonderland. Yes economically and politically we are in tough times and most recognize it, but I don't think most people recognize our risk and lack of preparedness for WW III.

Some years back I was hiking in Utah and walking along a high sandstone ridge. It was a 100' drop on one side and a 10' drop on the other. A young family with an 8 and 6 YO was walking by when the 8 YO did a kind of dance step and 180 degree turn and lost her balance. I was as close to her as her parents were but they weren't paying attention. I grabbed her by the back of her sweater as she just began to fall. By the time the parents were paying attention I had pulled her back from the edge and she was very scared. Dad was ready to punch me but his daughter blurted out that she had almost fallen over the edge and I had caught her. To make a long story short I believe this is where we are as a nation right now. About to go over the edge, totally unaware and when it happens everyone will be mad at the wrong people or the wrong causes. We are sleep walking and China is preparing for war. Wake up congress!! Yes you can investigate past and current high crimes and misdemeanors AND fix and reinvigorate our national defense at the same time. Stop playing around in Putin's neighbor's yard and take care of business.

#9 Anon on 2023-02-01 10:55 (Reply)

I found the article on the American Woodcock interesting. I clicked over to read something besides politics. Unfortunately you can’t escape politics in this day and age. Maybe I’m just cynical, or a tad touchy. However, the prolific use of the word colonists is a pejorative for white Europeans. I don’t deny that Europeans came to N. America to establish colonies, but many of those that came in the 1600’s, especially in Canada, and the New England area came for business, and a better life. The business was hunting and trapping for fur. This brought them in close contact with the natives, and it wasn’t always instant bad blood. The natives gained and some flourished from the trade.

Quoting from a book published in 1922, referring to a rendition of a indigenous story, retold by a…colonizer! Seriously? This person, hearing the story, was obviously acquainted with, perhaps even referred to the indigenous individual as a brother, a friend, but was he a colonizer? More likely he was just a man trying to live his life the best he could.

I had to then look up the authors bio. Why would a hunter, a collector of guns, use such woke language? Is there something that happens to you when you start becoming an activist for nature? I consider myself an activist for nature. I think we are commanded to be good stewards of God’s creation. That doesn’t mean we have to look back on history and label all those white people that came before us with negative insults. I guess I didn’t take the college course work that turned me against my ancestors. I don’t have a bad taste in my mouth for all the white people, and every other person of color, that built Western civilization. I’m insufficiently woke and intend to stay that way.

#10 B. Hammer on 2023-02-01 11:07 (Reply)

A fascinating 7 1/2 minute video.

Looks like much of it was made with an erector set.

It is an automated train circuit reproducing the work of loading and unloading coal inside a mine. All functions are performed mechanically using 117 gears and 9 different modules. the mechanical drive of all these modules is provided solely by the electric motor contained in each car and powered by batteries.
No electronic or computer circuitry is used.
Detailed videos of each module are visible in the playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scwMm5Ajygg

#11 feeblemind on 2023-02-01 11:27 (Reply)

There are people who do these things in their spare time, a few of the lucky ones do it at work. It is something inside them that drives them to create, build, produce. If you met then you would know in 30 seconds that they are nerds. They are 95%-99% white, male and have never done drugs or broken laws. They may be from 8 years old to 80 years old. They may have dropped out of high school or have multiple college degrees. There is a 90% likelihood that their children have the same traits; honest, hard working, smart and nerdy. These are the kind of people who build great societies. These are also the kind of people who our society now tries to disadvantage, hiding their merit awards, keeping them out of college, not hiring them. Ironic, huh?

#11.1 JustMe on 2023-02-01 11:42 (Reply)

Masks were totally ineffective in stopping covid https://justthenews.com/nation/science/little-no-difference-massive-mask-meta-study-undermines-remaining-covid-mandates

What do you want to bet we will see mask mandates again, and again, and again...

The power that political leaders enjoyed from mandates was intoxicating. They will never give it up willingly. I suspect Justin Trudeau has orgasms watching the video of his Mounties crushing the peaceful demonstrators under their horses hooves.

#12 OneGuy on 2023-02-01 11:31 (Reply)

From the study conclusions:

QUOTE:

Jefferson et al., Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2023: "The high risk of bias in the trials, variation in outcome measurement, and relatively low adherence with the interventions during the studies hampers drawing firm conclusions."

COVID is spread largely through aerosols, so masks will work in many situations in which people often find themselves. See Cheng et al., Face masks effectively limit the probability of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, Science 2021. However, nothing works when there is widespread resistance to wearing masks.

#12.1 Zachriel on 2023-02-01 11:47 (Reply)

Cheng et al. also explains why the results of mask studies are often ambiguous or contradictory. Masks alone don't work in environments with very high concentrations of infected aerosols (e.g. COVID wards, crowded bars, shared living quarters), and they don't help in environments with very low concentrations of infected aerosols (e.g. outdoors).

#12.1.1 Zachriel on 2023-02-01 11:59 (Reply)

SO that was a 100 words to finally say you agree, right?

IMHO the real issue is NOT do masks work 5% or 10% or 20%. The real issue is in our constitutional republic can an elected or unelected government employee decree that we must wear masks and arrest us and beat us if we choose our own health measures??? THAT is the real question.

#12.1.1.1 OneGuy on 2023-02-01 13:49 (Reply)

OneGuy: SO that was a 100 words to finally say you agree, right?

No. Whoever wrote the article you cited apparently didn't read the actual study.

OneGuy: The real issue is in our constitutional republic can an elected or unelected government employee decree that we must wear masks and arrest us and beat us if we choose our own health measures???

The U.S. Constitution and federal statute give broad powers to the government during emergencies. This isn't new, but deeply rooted in the Common Law and the laws of the United States. The powers are not unlimited, however, as seen by various court cases. The government has to show the necessity of the mandate, and then show that the mandate is narrowly tailored to the need.

In any case, most mandates were state and local, not federal.

#12.1.1.2 Zachriel on 2023-02-01 14:42 (Reply)

Fortunately, I live in a state where the governor can not mandate any lockdowns or masks. The only mandates were federal mandates at federal facilities such as the VA, etc. The only other mandates came from corporate chains which were quickly dropped as people went elsewhere or skipped going at all. Only the employees got stuck wearing masks.

Another study is out that negates the wearing of masks including p95 masks for the covid. The mask study indicated that the masks don't function well except in static air. If you inhale or exhale the particles go through the mask.

Just the news jan31 2023 "Little to no difference": Massive mask meta-study undermines remaining covid mandates

#12.1.1.2.1 indyjonesouthere on 2023-02-01 16:26 (Reply)

From the study conclusions:

QUOTE:

Masks don't work if you don't wear them.

#12.1.1.2.2 Zachriel on 2023-02-01 16:30 (Reply)

It would seem the latest studies indicate they don't work for covid when actually worn rather than testing them in static air. But they do seem to satisfy the control urges of the mandaters.

#12.1.1.2.2.1 indyjonesouthere on 2023-02-01 16:50 (Reply)

indyjonesouthere: It would seem the latest studies indicate they don't work for covid when actually worn rather than testing them in static air.

What "latest studies?"

#12.1.1.2.2.2 Zachriel on 2023-02-02 07:51 (Reply)

You know masks are not effective in trapping viruses when there are no medical waste boxes at exit doors. An effective mask should be a toxic/hazardous medical waste site and disposed accordingly.

#12.2 Jan Peter Blickenstaff on 2023-02-01 12:10 (Reply)

Jan Peter Blickenstaff: You know masks are not effective in trapping viruses when there are no medical waste boxes at exit doors.

Aerosols appears to be the primary mode of transmission, so that would probably not add much additional protection. Just trash the mask and wash your hands.

#12.2.1 Zachriel on 2023-02-01 12:24 (Reply)

"Aerosols appears to be the primary mode of transmission... Just trash the mask and wash your hands."

What! What? If Aerosols appears to be the primary mode of transmission why wash your hands?

Let me answer that. Because washing your hands actually works to help prevent the transmissions of viruses and bacteria. Washing your hands is actually good advice. Because it is one of the most common routes that viruses and bacteria take to get into our bodies. It is natural and almost unavoidable that we rub our eyes or mouth or nose with our hands/fingers.

#12.2.1.1 OneGuy on 2023-02-01 14:39 (Reply)

Covid appears to be transmitted via mammals so you should avoid those as well. I'd advise eating bugs. In fact, I'm in favor of commanding you to eat bugs. At gunpoint.

#12.2.1.1.1 Jerryskids on 2023-02-01 16:34 (Reply)

OneGuy: What! What? If Aerosols appears to be the primary mode of transmission why wash your hands?

While the primary mode of transmission is through aerosols, small droplets or surfaces can also transmit the disease. Washing your hands is also part of general hygiene, so there is that.

#12.2.1.2 Zachriel on 2023-02-01 14:44 (Reply)

Comrade Santos is the Al Swearengen of the Grand Old Politburo wing of the Uniparty while using their by any means necessary tactics.
Tactics are a two way street and a thorn in the side of the CPUSA wing of the Uniparty is a good thing.
Edu educated derelicts in ivory towers are long overdue for a haircut and as for other people's student loans...not my problem.
Eating bugs is about destroying your immune system as they want you gone by any means necessary.
More for them and less for us as philosopher George Carlin said.

#13 Uniparty Uber Alles on 2023-02-01 19:29 (Reply)

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Wednesday, February 1. 2023

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