Saturday, March 17. 2012
One of my rare Yankeeland slice of life posts, for our overseas readers who are interested in what we do here in America when we lazy people aren't "working" -
Fertilize lawns
Re-load the big bird-feeders
Fertilize flowering shrubs and perennial borders with 10-10-10
Re-seed bare spots in lawn and water the seed
Put Preen on borders
Mulch and edge front garden
Pansies in pots
Final late-winter prunings (I have mastered the pruning arts, over the years)
Remove large redundant branch from the big Peach tree
Get organized for our big wild game dinner here next weekend - order delivery of spare tables and chairs, plates and silverware for 30, and warming plates, etc.
Clean self up, if possible, for fancy dinner out with group of new friends tonight
 Jesse James probably regarded himself as an idealist at heart
Anne Tyler: A writer's modesty
Alan Bean: An astronaut at 80
Siri vs. Evi voice commands
Everyone Out of the Pool
Pap smears? Mammograms? Prostate exams? Not under Obamacare
Modern Environmentalism, 1970 – 2012, RIP
White House moves into full reelection mode
Interesting Example of How the Possibility of Surveillance Interferes With Free Expression
Rotting from the Head Down - A member of Britain’s intellectual elite celebrates his nation’s social collapse.
58% Favor Taxing All At The Same Percentage Rate
So do I. Dues are dues.
Financing Terror
Obama Team Mining Personal Info to Woo Donors
No Pasaran:
There are no angels, but there are certainly more demons in trying to dupe the working man into believing that fake issues such as Gay Marriage, Global Warming, open borders (which costs the working class jobs and lowers their wages), forcing medical insurance companies to cover the contraceptive pill at no additional cost, and the like.
It’s agitprop – plain, old fashioned agitprop thrown out there in the hope that anger at the shlebobbeth can be raised, and the public’s mean IQ lowered.
A new anti-Israel tactic
Opposition to Obamacare Grows as Anniversary Approaches
Nicky Larkin: Israel is a refuge, but a refuge under siege - Through making a film about the Israeli-Arab conflict, artist Nicky Larkin found his allegiances swaying
Major RED FLAG: Military Cover-up in Afghanistan
McCain sees another Solyndra in Navy biofuels spending
Iran’s stealth financial partners in Latin America
New Pro-Palestinian Chutzpah Tactic To Silence Pro-Israel Professors
Poet, sculptor, architect, and painter (who considered painting the lowest of arts, and even designed the fortifications of Florence of which sections still remain), Michelangelo was "discovered" by Lorenzo de Medici who took him under his wing.
He sculpted the Pieta at age 24. Image below is Michelangelo at 60. He died the year that Shakespeare was born, making it easy to remember.
TO THE SUPREME BEING
The prayers I make will then be sweet indeed,
If Thou the spirit give by which I pray:
My unassisted heart is barren clay,
Which of its native self can nothing feed:
Of good and pious works Thou art the seed,
Which quickens only where Thou say'st it may;
Unless Thou show to us Thine own true way,
No man can find it: Father! Thou must lead.
Do Thou, then, breathe those thoughts into my mind
By which such virtue may in me be bred
That in Thy holy footsteps I may tread;
The fetters of my tongue do Thou unbind,
That I may have the power to sing of Thee,
And sound Thy praises everlastingly.
This poem was translated into English by William Wordsworth (1770-1850), from this site.
In a Friday night news dump, the Obama administration’s proposed solution to paying for free contraception provided to health plan members got ratcheted up to a new level of feeble three-card monte, only not transparent to utter fools, which the Obama administration relies upon.
The Obama administration already mandated that religious employers with insured plans can opt out, but their insurers will have to pay for the contraception. The transparent ruse there is that such costs will actually be passed back to employers in higher premiums, aside from violating their religious doctrine.
The Washington Post reports, Friday night the Obama administration mandated that colleges with self-insured plans, covering about 200,000 students, those in which the college directly self-funds claims via an administrator it pays to process them, will have the tab picked up by the administrator. Several schemes are proposed to accomplish this. Ultimately the cost reverbs back to the sponsor of the self-funded plan. (800,000 more students are covered in insured plans, already mandated by ObamaCare -- or should I call it FlukeCare -- to include contraceptives.)
Over a third of covered workers, over 50-million, receive their medical coverage through their employers’ self-funded plan. Employers have lately been flocking to self-insured plans, to avoid aspects of the ObamaCare onslaught. The Obama administration just brought the siege tower to breach the plans sheltering tens of millions, with more ObamaCare salvos to follow through to devastate another sector of free enterprise health care and freedoms.
Friday, March 16. 2012
CBO: Obama Budget Creates $6.4 Trillion in New Deficits.
This is getting dangerous. Don't the Dems care?
In media, connectivity is all about getting content out in as many ways possible, as quickly as you can. There is no worrying about how information is processed. When there were limited forms of media outlets, the ability to add discussion (Op/Ed pieces in print, news shows on TV) created some context and helped the information flow. With the myriad resources available today, and the speed at which information arrives, context is being pushed to the side in favor of raw data. The medium is no longer the message. The message predominates.
How is this impacting youth?
It's troubling question, leading researchers to address the different potential outcomes. There are indications that people's brains are becoming 'wired' differently. But whether that wiring is improving decision making or analysis is open to question.
My point of view is that shortened attention spans and more breadth of knowledge (exchanged for less depth) is the likely outcome, which is not necessarily beneficial.
the immersive nature of 24/7 connectedness creates the illusion that Millennials can somehow tap into a form of collective intelligence just by being online, while looking impatiently for messages every three minutes.
Those who have not visited Wellfleet recently will miss the rickety old Lema's. Now it's the "Wellfleet Marketplace." Sheesh. Ain't that fancy?
They even took over the funky old news shop next door.
Thursday, March 15. 2012
At City Journal, The Math of Khan - Not just a YouTube phenomenon, but a model for educational transformation.
I know somebody whose son relies on this in High School. Inspiring and enthusiastic math teachers are rare. In fact, everybody seems to like Khan Academy except Profs of Education. That tells you something.
Here's The Beauty of Algebra
The best you could say is that he at least defends Limbaugh's right to speak. Beyond that, this is a very pale attempt to sidestep outrage at his otherwise outlandish and clearly misogynist use of language. He claims because he gets a laugh, it's fine to use words that demean a woman. What he's really saying is it's fine to use those words regarding Sarah Palin or any woman on the Right who he dislikes, especially if it gets a laugh.
The bit I did about Palin using the word c-, one of the biggest laughs in my act, I did it all over the country, not one person ever registered disapproval, and believe me, audiences are not afraid to let you know.
The outrage regarding Fluke was about the use of the word, and had little to do with context. That, somehow, just using it was wrong. Limbaugh didn't use it to label all women, it wasn't a misogynistic commentary. He did not show hatred or distrust toward women in general.
Maher was not misogynistic, either (to be fair, my original statement above was meant to be sarcastic). But he cannot distance himself from Limbaugh on this. Both of them utilized language and imagery that is inappropriate. Getting a laugh, I have been told by my Human Relations Department, does not make something okay to say. Now, Maher lacks an HR Department, but common sense is clearly lacking if he thinks that just because people laughed, his jokes were acceptable. And being a "pottymouth" doesn't make it okay, either.
We all use words, from time to time, we wish we hadn't. Limbaugh apologized for using his. Maher tries to rationalize his.
"If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story."
Orson Welles
And on where you start it. We may not be professional scientists here on the Farm, but we've all read the classic How to Lie with Statistics, and I assume we've all studed at least basic calculus.
(And we all also know that computer modeling depends on the parameters you chose, or adjust ex post facto: "With four parameters I can fit an elephant, and with five I can make him wiggle his trunk." - John Von Neuman. In science, if data fails to fit models, they adjust the models to fit the data, and keep their jobs and federal grants. In finance, you get fired or lose your bonus.)
Sticking with Orson Welles for today, my point is elementary math: If you select your end point (and your starting point), you can extrapolate out any line from any piece of any graph or curve you want. That's termed "cherry picking." That's why they say that, if you extrapolate the curve of the log graph of the population of Houston from 1950 to 1980, Houston would shortly contain the entire population of the USA.
Climate alarmists are famous for extrapolating from small, selected pieces of data - and also for continual realignment of modeling parameters (which is not science, it's computer gaming).
Let's accept that post-glacial global warming has been going on, with dramatic bumps up and down but generally beneficially for humans (not for Wooly Mammoths), for 10,000 years, with the resulting 120-150 meters of ocean rise. (There are many Neolithic villages underwater in the English Channel and the North Sea, many Indian villages underwater 50-60 miles out from the coast of Virginia, etc.) This will continue until the climate tide changes back to the next glaciation in the next few centuries or millennia. Given recent predictions, we are warned to expect at least several decades of global cooling around now. Will it be the Big One? A warning to go long Key Largo real estate?
Here's an amusing alarmist example which is being fed to our benighted, innocent kiddies: Warming Doubles Extreme Coastal Flood Risk Across U.S. They begin:
Global warming has raised global sea level about 8 inches since 1880, and the rate of rise is accelerating. Rising seas dramatically increase the odds of damaging floods from storm surges.
As if it all began in 1880. It's probably closer to 6 inches in the past 200 years, but let that pass. The real question is why they picked 1880 instead of saying "Rising seas since 1800 increase the risk of damaging storm surges"? The line would be less scarey. Or better yet, why not say "Rising seas since 15,000 BC increase the risk of damaging storm surges"? Look at this graph. Why not draw your average beginning at 1800?
Aha. they picked a low point and a high point on the curvacious historical graph, and are extrapolating from that teensy piece of it to instill terror. If you picked 1800 as your starting point, your line would look different.
And, as we posted yesterday, if you picked 18,000 years ago, your take on the data would be quite different again. You would relax and turn on the basketball game. Go Huskies - and we may need real Huskies here soon:
Call me paranoid if you want, but my view is that there is an unspoken alliance (not a conscious conspiracy) between greedy scientists and greedy governments of all sorts to make a big deal out of a big nothing. I hope to survive the big chill to see that finally people will have admitted, as they finally admitted about the imminent Ice Age scare of the 1970s - that it is pure hype.
But, what the heck, let's step even further backwards from the frame for the really Big Picture. I'll bet teacher never told you that we remain in a cold spell, historically-speaking. Yes, indeed. Polar ice caps are not normal for planet Earth. The earth doesn't have a fever - it has a very bad cold right now:
 This is a vacation week for lots of people in the US, isn't it? Not for me, though. The town is empty.
New species of Leopard Frog discovered in New York City
Do Statins Make It Tough to Exercise?
Evangelicals’ Collapsing Cultural Influence
Ban Dante?
Gay Man Sues Over Thong Discrimination
IRS to Mom and Pop: Drop Dead.
What’s the Left-Wing Case for Federalism?
The Incredible Shrinking Postal Service
Use of pigs in training classes sparks protest
If you want to be treated with respect by The New York Times and the rest of the multiculti establishment, make it clear you’re willing to kill them
An Excellent Article from Politico and some Thoughts about any Biases at Politico
NY Suicide Caucus Votes Down Cuomo Pension Reform
CBO: New 10-year projected cost of ObamaCare is … $1.76 trillion
ObamaCare: If Possible, The News Is Getting Worse
Scarce Oil? U.S. Has 60 Times More Than Obama Claims
Texas vs. California - Why so many people are moving from the Golden State to the Lone Star State.
Thursday is 'Poolmageddon' for trial lawyers
Mearsheimer’s Anti-Semitism Scandal
WaPo: Obama’s troubled handling of Afghanistan
Too many wars, too few U.S. soldiers
Morning Bell: Obama’s New Regulations Cost Billions
From a commenter at Zero Hedge:
According to Monday's CBS/NYTimes Poll, a MAJORITY of Americans believe the President directly controls the price of gas.
The Democrats and the media spent YEARS, and a hundred million dollars in advertising (Free media and other) pimping this to the sheeple, who swallowed it. Now it's biting them in the ass.
NBC Evening News/MSNBC did 37 live gas price reports from the station two blocks away from the White House to illustrate just how high gas prices were in 2008. It was $5.69 for Reg at this station on Monday. I wonder why NBC/MSBC aren't doing live reports from this station now? Anyone know why??
ANYONE????
Wednesday, March 14. 2012
My friend Gerald Robbins is an expert on Turkey, and Senior Fellow of the Foreign Policy Research Institute. After reading my post yesterday, Uncertainty Is An Excuse For Obama Inaction In The Middle East, Robbins wrote to me about my comment that “it is Turkey, closest and able, that should bear the weight for now if there is to be armed intervention” in Syria.
I should have added that is unlikely, in addition to my recommendation that at most for now “the US and other Western countries, if they really care about the deaths from Assad’s forces, can supply some arms [I should have italicized for emphasis “some”] to the rebels, to be more effective, to defend against Assad’s onslaughts, and to keep Assad preoccupied while Iran is dealt with” as the priority.
Below, Robbins elaborates on why there is no Turkey likely for Syria:
Continue reading "Turkey Expert Says No Turkey For Syria"
Catholic and other institutions are forced by the Obama administration to provide for killing the unborn, contrary to their religious doctrine, but the Obama administration just granted the Northern Arapaho tribe permission to kill bald eagles for their religious freedom, even though US law prohibits the killing of bald eagles in almost all cases.
The agency’s decision comes after the Northern Arapaho Tribe filed a federal lawsuit last year contending the refusal to issue such permits violates tribal members’ religious freedom. Although thousands of American Indians apply for eagle feathers and carcasses from a federal repository, permits allowing the killing of bald eagles are exceedingly rare, according to both tribal and legal experts on the matter.
Far rarer than allowing the killing of unborn humans.
Promoted from the Comments: "If their permit is refused, then they should apply to construct a wind farm. Then wait." (The author is Earl. Anyone remember the TV show "My Name Is Earl." I didn't know he is a reader!)
"Making money is art, working is art, and good business is the best art."
Andy Warhol (a well-known marketing genius)
The machinations of the Army Corps of Engineers - levees, water diversions, flood control etc - around New Orleans prevented the maintenance of the Mississippi delta by blocking the flow of the silt down the river.
Thus, over 80 years, the delta has shrunk. Louisiana wants to restore enough of the natural river flow to help restore the delta. That sounds good to me.
But, if you read the article, the LA Times writer repeated brings up "climate change" and how the current situation "left the sinking Mississippi Delta defenseless against the slower but inexorable onslaught of rising seas brought about by climate change." (By the way, it is not "sinking. River deltas are sustained by river silt, or else normal erosion and currents wash them away.)
Thus the author first explains the real mechanics of why the delta has shrunk, and then brings in the irrelevant topic of "climate change" and seal level, converting an interesting article into a propaganda piece. That bugs me.
Sea levels have been slowly rising to a total of around 120 meters since the last Ice Age, recently by an unalarming average of 3 millimeters per year. (Since 2010, they have been dropping, to the dismay of the alarmists.)
and, just for fun, post-glacial climates. Looks like we're trending downward from the optimum, which is not good:
Tuesday, March 13. 2012
Hundreds of articles analyze whether the US should or not take a stronger stand vis a vis Syria or Iran. The articles usually increase uncertainty among readers. In the absence of complete information as to all the players’ goals and means or perfect knowledge beforehand about the outcomes, the reader is understandably confused or paralyzed by doubts. Indeed, that seems the purpose of many analyses and comments by officials.
It is impossible to know with certainty in advance the effect and outcomes of the many variables and responses possible. So, uncertainty is natural. But, uncertainty does not require indecisiveness nor excuse inaction.
Despite being told for decades that the Israel-Palestinian issues are central to peace or progress in the Middle East, the past year has demonstrated conclusively that is not so. Internal and external ethnic and religious divisions among the Moslem states, and the rise of Iran in its efforts to predominate among all, were distracted from, often purposely, by attacking Israel. That veil has been ripped off in the past year.
A pox on all their houses would be a proper response, if the outcomes among them didn’t have a significant effect on the West.
Continue reading "Uncertainty Is An Excuse For Obama Inaction In Middle East"
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