Maggie's FarmWe are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for. |
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Thursday, August 12. 2010A few morning linksToon above via Powerline. See new surge of layoffs. Never a bad idea: a summer visit to the USS Constitution, still commissioned in the US Navy. Old Ironsides (that was southern Live Oak) never lost a fight. Bill Gates: watch for the disappearance of the physical university. Right now, you can eddicate yourself pretty good with The Teaching Company. We love their courses, but no term papers (bad) and no exams (good). Legal Ins, to the Left:
The savvy Leftists always keep their eye on the long game. Majority of voters consider Democratic agenda “extreme” Dalrymple on conservation and aesthetics More violent rage from the Left: N.H. Dem Airs Palin Death Wish on Facebook. Where's the tolerance and sensitivity to differences? Prof B: Coerced "caring" is not compassion McArdle: The End of Retirement as We Know It. People used to expect to work until they keeled over. What's wrong with that? Wednesday, August 11. 2010How the media created ObamaLaura Ingraham speaking to Howard Fineman, via Driscoll's The MSM Sure Grades on a Curve:
and note this bit:
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A few Weds. morning linksExcellent brief reminder of the history of limited government A fresh look at the Shakers. Today, I think we'd term them a cult. As a furniture cult, they had good taste. She quits job, emails office with her erase board messages. Fantastic. I have heard of a MILF but not of a HOPA. Now that I know the term, I have to say I have seen lots of HOPAs. (Note: this is a dubious story, but good even if fictional.) THAT WAS NO TEACHER… Unhinged Leftist Who Confronted Palin Is a Singer in a Drag Queen Band. Seriously. . (Note: this is also probably a half-true story) Enraged over McNuggets. Speaking of McDonalds, Moonbats Continue Jihad Against Happy Meals The Increasingly Self-Pitying Obama White House The elites don't get it: 'We Socialists' vs. 'We the People':
Let's start building some freaking small nuke plants. As I have mentioned, we have a small home-made reactor in the farm basement. Runs great except when mice get into the rods. When it runs a bit hot, we just spray it with a hose. Tuesday, August 10. 2010Another summertime Maggie's Farm Scientific Poll: Are you buying stuff?
I read that America's saving rate is rising, and that people are paying off their personal debt - and that retail business is terrible.
Are you buying stuff and spending money, or restraining yourself these days? Let us know, in the comments. Tuesday morning linksGood travel advice image h/t Theo The world's great structures built with Legos Rules for blues musicians (h/t, Synth) Virtual democracy comes to the EU...as an alternative to real citizen participation in their "important work." How many failed empires has history seen in Europe? Ths thing is just the latest, and I doubt that it will last my lifetime. It is too far from the people, and too condescending towards the people. Help wanted, but no takers Gutfield: A gay bar next to mosque for reconciliation and peace purposes. It's all about tolerance of differences! My take on the mosque? It's obnoxious and incredibly insensitive, to the point of hostile provocation. Where's the sensitivity and respect? There is much more to civil behavior than determining what is legal. "Legal" is about the hard rules. "Civil" is about the soft rules. Except for criminals, most of life is about the soft rules. Neo: Ezra Klein: cub journalist The end of responsibilityFrom homeowners to government, the buck stops nowhere More on the myths of preventive care. Villainous
Reactionary Tendencies on the Left Monday, August 9. 2010More CaliforniaCaddell speaks outHere's Dem pollster Pat Caddell on the mood of the electorate. Holy mackerel, this is powerful:
Monday morning linksCritters that eat crude oil Related, Pat Caddell: Country's Mood Is "Pre-Revolutionary" A simple, brief explanation of the Broken Window Fallacy Real Moderate Muslims Speak Out Against GZ Mosque: OF COURSE It’s a Deliberate Provocation … Duh. Cato: Congress Ignores Middle-Class Service Sector Another "jobs bill"? It's just union payback Prof B: Bork's Revenge Normal politics, making up your own facts: Iran's Ahmadinejad: 9/11 Death Toll Exaggerated Pethokoukis: Can mortgage relief become a free-lunch stimulus? Glenn Harlan Reynolds: Further thoughts on the higher education bubble Am Thinker: Heartless, Universal Legal Plunder Carbon-haters go to Plan B Surber: Unionized Obamacare Sunday, August 8. 2010Racism TestDo you like him any better now? No? Then you're not a racist.
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The new Diversity EconomyDriscoll: The ‘Diversity Economy’ and its DC Discontents. One quote:
I agree that our ruling classes are living in the 1930s. Doc's Political Update
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Saturday, August 7. 2010Saturday morning linksFrom Belmont, civilian casualties in the Pacific (h/t Tiger):
Comparing the O with Lyndon Johnson. Daily Beast Why they are calling her Michelle Antoinette
Via Reb
At Wizbang:
What Do Judge Walker and Justice Kennedy Have in Common? A Fine Argument for Gay Marriage, but a Flawed Legal Opinion Economy Stalls as Obama's Economic 'Dream Team' Hits the Skids Intolerance of diversity: Attacks on black Conservatives Governments seem to have forgotten that picking industrial winners nearly always fails Dean: Individual Mandate Will Be Gone by 2014 Why the same-sex marriage ruling will stand.
Friday, August 6. 2010Dentists and the recessionThe big cheerful news of today is 131,000 jobs lost, and slowing economic expansion. Says the WSJ:
I visited my dentist this afternoon, and he admitted to me that business was terrible. People are putting everything off. I wasn't surprised by that, but he told me something interesting: the dentists are offering Botox, lip plumping, and wrinkle injections now (Juvaderm, collagen, etc). He said they take a several-day course on weekends, take an exam, get a certificate, then have their receptionist ask "Would you like to consider some of our new services?" "You can get a brand new smile." He told me they do it for half of what the dermatologists charge around here for the same thing (the latter of which is around $1000 for a basic Botox routine). Yes, "It still feels like a recession." The only thing about this lengthy recession ( an ongoing recession for which, at this point, I blame federal government policies and plans) which brings a smile is the significant deflation in the price of good hand-made cigars.
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Friday morning linksClimategate review: Jaworski from December: Climate Gate – Global Warming The Myth: CO2 The Greatest Scientific Scandal of Our Time. Scathing. How Chavez does it: Welcome to Censorship in the 21st Century Morris: THE COMING CATASTROPHE: STATE GOVERNMENTS Is this hyperbole? Google-Verizon Deal: The End of The Internet as We Know It Q&O: Jobless claims “unexpectedly” rise It's back: The Return of the $1,000 Down Mortgage 70% of the births at Dallas' Parkland Hospital are to illegals. Parkland makes a profit on that, via Medicaid. We are paying those bills. h/t NRO
Prof Bainbridge's post on Conservative style attracted much commentary. From Tom Smith's post:
More on that from Insty. And from AVI Thursday, August 5. 2010DittoWithout my normal, being long-winded, I say ditto to this on "gay marriage." (HT: HotAir) Related at Legal Ins: Deconstructing marriage NYC millionairesNYC has more millionaires than the entire population of Boston. But Rep Jerry Nadler has an idea: Democrats: Say, Let’s Exempt Rich People in Blue States From Tax Hike! Thursday morning linksYou can get almost anything at Costco Hard Drinkers, Meet Soft Science Michelle: Mad Maxine’s minority fat-cat bankers Insty: Is higher ed a waste of money? Driscoll: Paranoia, Short-Term Thinking, and the Ongoing Media Death Spiral Sowell: Democrats Bite Democrats: Part II WSJ: Liberal Piety and the Memory of 9/11 What was that movie where they handicapped everybody? Universities That Use Kindles vs. the ADA Missouri's Prop C will be ignored. McCaskill: Message received (that the voters don't get it). Says Brewton:
Fighting the union for school innovaton Am Thinker: The Revolt of the States. It's about time. GOP aims for House seats in New England Former Shirley Sherrod employee accuses her of exploiting black farm laborers Shariah Comes to the Supreme Court: Elena Kagan’s Decisions Rasmussen: 55% Favor FCC Regulation of TV and Radio
Wednesday, August 4. 2010Why is desiring Constitutional government anti-black and anti-brown people?Why is this? Why is desiring Constitutional government anti-black and anti-brown people? (toon is h/t Lucianne) My view is that the assumption that people with more skin pigmentation cannot make a decent life in America without government hand-outs and special favors is insulting, condescending, racist - and simply untrue. Am I a racist for saying this? America has tons more white folks on the various government doles than folks of color. I'd like to see them all get their act together, regardless of pigmentation. America is the least color-conscious nation on the planet. Nobody here cares about that, anymore (except for the race-mongers who still try to make careers out of it).
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Birthright CitizenshipSeveral Republican US Senators are now supporting hearings into whether there should be a Constitutional amendment restricting birthright citizenship, anyone born on US soil is a US citizen. There’s some electoral opportunism there as well as recognition that most Americans want more restrictions on illegal immigration. About a fourth to a third of illegal immigrants in the US are parents of children born here. In some localities, the majority of births are to illegal immigrants, many of them coming into the US specifically for that purpose. Although by laws these parents are denied most governmental benefits, they are permitted to stay to care for their children, and many do work illegally. The children may petition for legal entry of other family members. There is no legal doubt that the US has the complete right to govern entry and citizenship. There is doubt as to whether the post-Civil War 14th Amendment, aimed at the citizenship of former slaves, intended to allow the birthright citizenship that we see today. Advocates of restriction cite the statement of a co-sponsor of the 14th. However, the language of the 14th has been interpreted in various ways by scholars and politicians over the next years and century-and-a-half. There are some peripheral court cases but the US Supreme Court has not specifically weighed in. At this point, it seems that only a well-drafted Constitutional amendment would be able to restrict birthright citizenship. Surely there would be majority consensus to do so, requiring at least one parent to already be a citizen. However, there are implications that must be considered. Should such children already here be allowed to retain citizenship? I’d guess yes. Should their parents be allowed to stay? I’d guess yes, with a path to citizenship. Should the children of legal entrants who have not yet become citizens be automatically granted citizenship? I’d guess not, at least until the parents have qualified and the children too. Some may consider that rewarding past behavior, and it is, but in a grand bargain and out of compassion, I’d guess there’d be the overwhelming support required for a Constitutional amendment. I’d suggest the language can be as simple as “Only a child born of at least one US citizen will be a US citizen. All others are subject to US laws of entry, residence and citizenship.” Yes, there will be resistance from those who want virtually open borders and those who benefit from hiring illegals, and from politicians whose constituency is such, but they are a minority and have little or no legal basis. There are valid emotional appeals to our past and to compassionate values but they, if not a purposeful distraction, are a recipe for enlarging the problems. Our past did not have the current practical burdens upon citizens or entrants. As strong border controls are essential to reducing illegal entry, so are removing incentives to illegal entry or staying. Uneducated illegal entrants are the main problem in net costs to our economy and government budgets. The US has need of some, and some are or will become or their offspring become net contributors. But, not as many as once or now or in the future. A Constitutional amendment to restrict birthright citizenship directly deals with a substantial part of the problem in a reasonable, cost-effective and widely-supported way. UPDATE: According to the respected PEW Research Center's Hispanic Center, there are over 4-million children in the US of illegal immigrants, and they make up 8% of the US birthrate.
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Weds. morning linksEverything about dating blunders. h/t, Linkiest More on The Higher Education Bubble Related: Colleges Serve the People Who Work There, Not the Students Update on Open Water At The North Pole Brilliant: Police: Officer Baited In Altercation That Injured Him. Cop goes to black church to discuss public safety, is ambushed. Doubt he will volunteer to help those folks in future. The folly of banning online gambling. Gambling is legal: see "stock market" and "Las Vegas" and "race tracks" and "football pools" and "Indian casinos." With Dems in Hot Seat, the Times Undergoes a Sudden, Cynical Softening on Ethics Charges Lowry: "If you want to find a grown-up in government, don’t look in the Oval Office or the Capitol. Look in the statehouses of New Jersey and Indiana." Breitbart: I Got My Correction Thanks to the The New York Times — Now Who’s Next? Princess Robin of Berkeley: My mate is sleeping with the enemy
The 100 worst stimulus projects Instead of arresting the guy, I'd hire him to work in the ER Is it greedy to want to make money? Were the 80s the Decade of Envy instead? Last I heard, envy was a deadly sin. Last I heard, wanting to make an honest living and to be productive was a basic adult responsibility. Greed, also one of the 7 deadlies, is "an insatiable desire for wealth." It's a sin because it makes an idol of wealth, replacing God. Government cannot run something this big and important and complex: Rethinking Socialized Medicine In Canada Related: America's first vote on Obamacare Related: Folks with Medicare are already beginning to feel the changes. Soon, the rest of us: Wave of Health Reform Provisions Coming Next Month. By forcing insurance to cover things we do not want and do not need, in ways that are not sensible for us, they will drive up prices with the goal of putting all of us on a one-size-fits-all government plan. And what's this about covering your kids until they are 26? That's insane. Why not until they're 40, when real adulthood begins nowadays (if it ever does)? From Betsy:
Tuesday, August 3. 2010Krugman loses the debateDouglass at Am Thinker spells out the details. It is rather amusing. Krugman was once an economist, but has been a political hack for years. One quote from the piece:
Bingo.
Tuesday morning linksCity Journal: What Social Science Does—and Doesn’t—Know. Our scientific ignorance of the human condition remains profound. No Big Bang: A new model of the cosmos. h/t, Vanderleun When The Government Owns GM… the other auto-makers are not going to be treated very fairly. Challenge to Health Care Law Advances State and Local Debt Bombs Ticking Throughout US Heartland. Beware of muni bond funds. Via Thompson:
Top Ten Most Left-Biased Working Journalists The Secret History of Climate Alarmism. It's about German politics. At Volokh: Philipson and Posner on the Causes of Obesity. Some of the comments there are very good. Ace on Paul Ryan's Roadmap:
Rep. Pete Stark: Federal Government Can Do Most Anything: Has this guy ever read the Constitution? Didn't he have to swear to uphold it? People like this are dangerous. Q&O: Bush tax cuts – it’s not your money, so quit whining David Stockman on the debt: Four Deformations of the Apocalypse. He wants a tax hike. Kudlow .takes on Stockman Monday, August 2. 2010Monday morning linksTiger takes a walk on the High Line Women 'view modesty as sign of weakness' The WaPo doesn't get it Report: Connecticut No. 2 In Unfunded Pension Liability ADA update:
Related: Jury Damage Award Could Close Calif. Healthcare Facilities Megatool Prince Charles Declares He's Here to Save the Planet or Something The Ruling Class Tosses Americans Overboard Young Illegals Out Themselves, Daring To Be Deported Americans Cut Back On Visits To Doctor Alcohol Use Now at 25-Year High Palin: Obama lacks 'the cojones' to tackle immigration Michelle: Summer of Corruption: Maxine Waters/OneUnited Bank refresher course\ The yacht vs. the pickup truck - Democrats are now the party of perceived privilege, and GOP is the party of the people Related: the story of two weddings. Also related: Dems are the party of the rich Surber: It was not a stimulus. It was a raid on the Treasury
Gateway: It’s Back: Public Option Again Rears It’s Ugly Head Can Rubio win? NYT Blogger Who Knocked Fox News' Audience Diversity Has the Same Problem Something we can learn from Cuba:
Sunday, August 1. 2010Three linksFBI Files Reveal Historian Howard Zinn Lied to Hide CPUSA Membership. Who is surprised? This America-hater made many millions, and led a cushy life in freedom on his fashionable America-hating. The only good thing about Zinn is that he loved Wellfleet, which fortunately was never in the Soviet Union. Malanga: Government dietary advice often proves disastrous. As we have repeatedly said here, nobody knows what an optimal diet is, and definitions of "healthy eating" change constantly. It's a field full of fads, and full of cranks with the delusion that they know what's best for you. At Maggie's Farm, we have been thriving on Thai Noodle Soup (the hot version) this summer. Eat your Bok Choy! Scientists say it's good for you! Vanderleun on poetry. We like poems. Saturday, July 31. 2010Jacob and Anne RiceIt’s not for me to argue Catholic teachings, but my friend The Anchoress Elizabeth Scalia’s reply to Anne Rice's problem with whether Christians are living her political liberalism probably comes as close as to the Catholicism I learned being raised a Jew in a Catholic and Jewish neighborhood. Rice, like many or most of various religions, confuses politics with faith or, worse, substitutes politics for faith. There’s a universal message, whether from scripture or Pope, that works: Open your heart and G-d will walk in. Close your mind and G-d’s presence is clouded, at least until your heart is set free. Struggle with that as you wish or need to find meaning and salvation. Struggle is important in building strengths and to advance. That allows the confidence and trust that ultimately works, to accept the faith in man and in our actions being truer to G-d’s missions for us. There’s a practical measure each can easily know, if not denied: Are you living life’s struggles with contentment instead of anguish or anger. There are varying interpretations of whom Jacob wrestles, the result of which is his renaming as Israel. There’s agreement, however, that wrestling spirits with spirit is transforming. A poem I just dashed off (revised in keeping with the form):
I
Am Nothing
Struggle Makes Us
Strong Enough To Accept
The Guiding Light To Make
Something Better Of I
G-d’s Better I
Is All Us Rembrandt's depiction of Jacob's wrestling is one of engagement, not separation.
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