Monday, August 25. 2008
This is likely my last week as a regular at Maggie's, so I have been given a special vacation break dispensation to post ad lib. If I begin my new job after Labor Day thinking about this friendly Yankee site, I won't be doing what I need to be doing. And I need to get ready to move this weekend. My only issue is my guns. Guns to NYC? I will leave them with my buddy in Mass. I have no clue about NYC gun laws.  Volleyball is boring? Not if 1) you are playing or 2) pretty girls are playing in their underwear. h/t, Insanities.
Obama's tax plans would give you a 64% tax rate in California, for the self-employed. Bob Brinker. Would you work hard for that? Not to mention Obama's cap gains tax plans. How Conservative are Americans? Just ask them. And how Left is Obama-Biden? Fred Barnes Related: The "tender-minded". And speaking of tender... I smoked a pork butt yesterday. Had some friends over for beers and pulled pork. Don't tell me that it isn't Yankee food. It is now. Best ocean photos. Gay parade, no vet parade. Are gays the new vets? Who lied about Iraq? Chronic plagiarist? Hey, that's old news. As somebody said, maybe he'll teach Barack to fish. I don't think Barry's Dad knew how to fish. Since conventions no longer select candidates, what's their purpose now? To create a TV narrative. The narrative is always the same: "Things are terrible. We are wonderful." "Hillary is like 'Are you kidding me?'" Dave Barry Insty: GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT: "According to a study by the Desert Research Institute, pollutant levels at the beginning of the 20th century were two to five times higher than current levels of pollution."
How to destroy a state (or country) - Malanga on New Jersey's gradual suicide. One quote: ...why has reform been so difficult? In part because the kind of big-government, tax-consuming policies that are doing so much damage have also given more and more residents a stake in the current system. State and local government employment is among the highest in the country on a per-capita basis, having increased by 15 percent from 2000 through 2006 alone. Hundreds of thousands of current and retired public employees aren’t about to vote for changing the system, for fear it would eliminate their perks and benefits. Meanwhile, the state’s recent tax increases have fallen entirely on upper-income residents. Those earning more than $200,000 a year, who account for just 4.9 percent of households filing tax returns, are paying 60 percent of all personal income taxes. Jersey has even managed to make its onerous property taxes progressive by instituting a means-tested rebate program: higher-income residents don’t get cash back. The effect of all this is to make New Jersey a place where just a few businesses and residents pay the freight while so many others are on the public dole, in one way or another, that reform becomes virtually impossible. Of course, such a system cannot sustain itself very long before collapsing, as some businesses balk at expansion, others (like the newspapers) shrivel, and declining opportunities stifle job growth. That’s why Jersey now lurches from crisis to crisis.
 Is college worth it?
Consider a young man who is at the 70th percentile in language and mathematical ability. He is easily a good enough student to get into mid-level universities. As far as his “people skills” go he is average, but in small motor and spatial skills, he’s at the 95th percentile. The fellow could go to college and get a degree that would put him on track for a management job – where he probably wouldn’t rise far because he’ll be competing with many others who have better skills.
On the other hand, he could become an excellent electrician. If he were to do that, he would probably earn substantially more than if he became a manager and also enjoy far greater job security. Moreover, there is the important matter of personal satisfaction. Our young man will probably have far more of it in a career where he can see tangible results every day and quite possibly become his own boss.
Conclusion: “(G)uidance counselors and parents who automatically encourage young people to go to college straight out of high school regardless of their skills and interests are being thoughtless about the best interests of young people in their charge.” Murray has that exactly right. We need to break out of the mindset that you can’t be a success in life unless you have a college degree.
Obama hipsters! Iowahawk. h/t Jules Clintonista whining. Sheesh. We are all gonna drown! Greenland glacier does glacial things: It is too early to say it is clearly global warming, Zwally said. Scientists don't like to attribute single events to global warming, but often say such events fit a pattern. University of Colorado professor Konrad Steffen, who returned from Greenland Wednesday and has studied the Petermann glacier in the past, said that what Box saw is not too different from what he saw in the 1990s: "The crack is not alarming... I would say it is normal."
Normal? It's a crisis! Run and hide!
Photo on top: pulled pork. Mr. Brown is my favorite. Lower photo, my new neighborhood hang-out: Scratcher's. I will miss Rudy's, but Scratcher's has cute gals - without brown roots, and with all of their teeth, too. I am looking forward to a change. Hope and Change!
Saturday, August 23. 2008
 Besides a break from daily content production (which is usually just fun to do, if a bit time-consuming), we need this vacation to re-think our purpose here at Maggie's. It was never primarily a political purpose, but we all tend to get caught up in the thing-du-jour - especially in an election year.
That was never our original intention. Many other people do that better than we do, and we do not need to be an echo chamber. We did want to represent our traditional views, but to not get caught up in the daily frenzies. But the temptation is strong because we are passionate about our beliefs about the America we love. And our original intention was never to feel any obligation for daily posts. We all have day jobs, but we - or I - got caught up in the fun of it, and we all read tons of stuff on these nets every day anyway. Futhermore, I have accepted a new job in NYC, beginning in September. Do not worry about me - I have a good 5-year contract. A big move. Can't let life stagnate, but it's not going to be like work in the countryside. I expect 14-hour days, and look forward to a fresh new challenge. Give me your best shot, Big Apple. I think I can take it, and too much comfort is not good for a young fellow. My huntin' buddy will take good care of my Springer, and put her to work more than I will be able to. She is a biddable gal, and promiscuous with her affection. I will sneak these links: The Village Idiots, notes a commenter at LGF. Yep. The physiology of perversion. This actually makes sense. The vicious cycle of Dem urban control. Duh. Via Classical: He's at least as fresh a face as Madeleine Albright.
Doctors vs. Economists. Related: Harvey Cushing photo journal. Try that, economists. Pure, delighted malice. SISU Is this video the election? Now, the new question: Are you an antisemite? The ethos of authoritarianism in the Middle East. Maybe they love it. I hate it. Excuse me, but who is supposed to be the next president? Hmmm. From Town Hall: Rob Long asks "Isn't [Biden] sort of the stupid person's idea of the smart person's candidate?" Yes, he is. But that's not fair to stupid people. Even stupid people who watched Biden embarrass himself during the Alito hearings --remember the "I hate Princeton" moment followed by the donning of the Princeton cap?-- know that Slow Joe is all tenure and no talent.
I missed this Officer Krupke moment. Did Obama just lose the election? I don't think so, but I hope he will. I will follow the rules, after that.
Friday, August 22. 2008
2008 coolest in 5 years. Too cold for my tomatoes, up here. They do not like these cold nights. Gonna get colder, too. Hey, Al Gore - mail me a new down comforter and a heater for my garden. Chavez' bridge to the 19th Century. What happens to the earth's cognitive surplus? Well, a lot of it goes into these internets, doesn't it? Kingsfield v. Bainbridge How hard is TIME pumping Obama? Seven covers! He is a media-created sensation. I guess he sells soap. Jennifer Horn for New Hampshire Evil racist videos at Classical Values "We reject the pernicious belief, commonly held at our most highly esteemed institutions, that fighting our nation's battles is someone else's job." The Corner Jim Cramer on natural gas and wind power De Toqueville on the nanny state. A subquote: It would be like the authority of a parent if, like that authority, its object was to prepare men for manhood; but it seeks, on the contrary, to keep them in perpetual childhood: it is well content that the people should rejoice, provided they think of nothing but rejoicing.
After 40 years, the Left still doesn't get the eclipse of socialism. Socialism is tricky. To enforce it and to maintain it, not only do you need some guns but you need to make sure you do not punish achievers and risk-takers to the point that they quit, or climb over the wall and leave for more hospitable shores. Of course, your Wise Leaders always get all they can get - power, babes, money, cars, houses - because they deserve it for their selfless service to the ignorant masses. And, if ignorant, ignorant because of the government schools. Too many good recent posts by AVI to link separately. Gun control: Why, it's almost enough to make someone think that gun control doesn't actually reduce violence, or do anything to instill morality in the heart of someone intent on murdering their fellow man.
Who knew?
Shit and alligators. Nice place, Florida. Caveat emptor, and quit whining and taking my money. Hollywood conservatives to rally for McCain Obama will lose "because he is a flake." Right. He cannot resist the spineless moral equivalencies, which are nothing but rationalizations for timid passivity. Are schools "social service centers"? Why not try to teach the kids math first before trying to do something more difficult? Gotta love these sorts of virtuous idiots. Pay off your conscience with $11, paid for with parents' tuitions. It's a con game. Stealth technology: The Prius is killing off all the blind people. Memo to Toyota: It would be more fun to drive if you gave it a computer-generated Harley sound-effect.
 Hallmark does gay marriage
George Will on tough schools Jules is back on the job Is growing up in England as terrible as UNICEF says it is? A quote from Dalrymple's piece: Consider one British parent, Fiona MacKeown, who in November 2007 went on a six-month vacation to Goa, India, with her boyfriend and eight of her nine children by five different fathers, none of whom ever contributed financially for long to the children’s upkeep. (The child left behind—her eldest, at 19—was a drug addict.) She received $50,000 in welfare benefits a year, and doubtless decided—quite rationally, under the circumstances—that the money would go further, and that life would thus be more agreeable, in Goa than in her native Devon. Reaching Goa, MacKeown soon decided to travel with seven of her children to Kerala, leaving behind one of them, 15-year-old Scarlett Keeling, to live with a tour guide ten years her elder, whom the mother had known for only a short time. Scarlett reportedly claimed to have had sex with this man only because she needed a roof over her head. According to a witness, she was constantly on drugs; and one night, she went to a bar where she drank a lot and took several different illicit drugs, including LSD, cocaine, and pot. She was seen leaving the bar late, almost certainly intoxicated.
They're paying attention now. Noonan. One quote: An attractive, intelligent man, interesting, but—he's hard to categorize. Is he Gen. Obama? No, no military background. Brilliant Businessman Obama? No, he never worked in business. Famous Name Obama? No, it's a new name, an unusual one. Longtime Southern Governor Obama? No. He's a community organizer (what's that?), then a lawyer (boo), then a state legislator (so what, so's my cousin), then U.S. senator (less than four years!). There is no pre-existing category for him.
Obama has no position on the federal role in education? I have an opinion: it has no role whatsoever. Note to John McCain: The correct answer is "My wife owns lots of real estate, some for investment purposes. I keep out of it." Rank hypocrisy from George Soros What's up with Joe Lieberman?
Thursday, August 21. 2008
 There are some things you can get away with saying in the grand $6 million radical chic apartments of Manhattan's Upper West Side, or in professorial homes in Chicago and Cambridge - or anywhere in San Francisco.
However, in the real America, you can't say idiocy like this. The guy is so out to lunch about America that he is indeed his worst enemy. Has he ever met any regular folks like me? We don't want to be like China. Re yet another kerfuffle today, from McCain's campaign: Does a guy who made more than $4 million last year, just got back from vacation on a private beach in Hawaii and bought his own million-dollar mansion with the help of a convicted felon really want to get into a debate about houses? Does a guy who worries about the price of arugula and thinks regular people “cling” to guns and religion in the face of economic hardship really want to have a debate about who’s in touch with regular Americans? “The reality is that Barack Obama’s plans to raise taxes and opposition to producing more energy here at home as gas prices skyrocket show he’s completely out of touch with the concerns of average Americans.” Wham. Bam. Do you really want to get in an air battle with a fighter pilot? I know that the Lefty government types want me to cling to government - run by them. Most of them are medium moron shmoozers who can't hold a real job and never did anything productive with their lives. Why in the world would I cling to them? My gun can help feed me - along with my job. And my God can feed me in other ways. I do not want anybody else's money, for anything. I just want the government to leave me the heck alone to make my own way, for better or worse. That's my notion of human dignity. Have you seen dignity? Ignore continuation below - it's a glitch.
Continue reading "You can say some things...some places"
Do Liberals prefer their blacks needy and dependent, with themselves in the role of benefactor? One Lib confesses: I have White Fright. A comment on Saddleback at Evang. Outpost: I fully expected Obama to dominate the evening. This was the sort of event that Obama and his brand (for he has been marketed as a brand) have been molded for. His easy-going demeanor and impressive rhetorical skills are ideally suited to this format, often leaving the less polished but more authentic McCain at something of a disadvantage. I was wrong. Obama's distinct failure to answer most of Warren's questions looked shoddy and unprofessional when compared to McCain's short and direct answers. While Obama gave long, rambling responses and even admitted his inability to answer the abortion question, McCain's every answer seemed to challenge Warren, as if he were thinking, 'That was hard? Is that the best you've got?' Obama is polished (though much less so at this event), but McCain is Real. The generation raised on myspace and youtube may be largely unable to make this distinction, but time will show them that Obama's digital flair cannot compare to McCain's real-life experience and convictions.
Obama wants more "programs" for "activists". Good grief. Is this 1960? How about more programs for young entrepreneurs, who will produce instead of consuming? One more time: Can we please see those records? Well, the truth will out. Obama's favorables show steady decline since winter. Is Obama running for Social Worker in Chief?
Wednesday, August 20. 2008
 Paying for grades in NYC. At least it isn't tax $.
Berkeley grad: "Am I diverse enough yet?" In the UK, "Sorry, old chap..." Blue Crab Obama as the new Jimmy Carter. Dick Morris. But McCain "doesn't know what he's up against," threatens Obama. Maybe he'll be tougher with McCain than he would be with the Russians or the Jihadists. Related: The odd choices in Obama's career. Related: Obama's top marginal tax rates. Related: McCain will win by 9 points. Big Lizards. Related: Annenberg-gate The White Mtns not for sissies. Neoneo A speck of light in a dumb world: Vaclav Klaus Bomb-dropping robot. Cool. Asian Long-Horned Beetle makes it to New England. That is bad news. It kills Sugar Maples. Space without the Russkis? Related: Appeasement vs. dialog Hollywood: The media made me sleep with everybody. Related: Hollywood Commies as victims. You don't have to finish your peas anymore: Obesity comes to China (h/t, And Rightly So) Soros' secret Dem slush fund. Study: Networks gave Obama the nomination. Another good argument for the old smoke-filled rooms. One quote: “At every step of his national political career, network reporters showered the Illinois Senator with glowing media coverage, building him up as a political celebrity and exhibiting little interest in investigating his past associations or exploring the controversies that could have threatened his campaign.”
From Junk Science: I must ask a very serious and urgent question of our media. Why do you continue to talk glibly about current climate ‘warming’ when it is now widely acknowledged that there has been no ‘global warming’ for the last ten years, a cooling trend that many think may continue for at least another ten years? How can you talk of the climate ‘warming’ when, on the key measures, it isn’t?
Social justice or compassionate conservatism? Olasky Moslem barbarism in Pakistan. We must learn to understand different cultures...and not make judgements. Right? Clinton backers meet with McCain people in NY Lost 700 lbs. Not skinny, yet.
Cal Thomas, via LaShawn: “Obama and others on the evangelical left see government, not individuals or the church, as the instrument by which the commands of Jesus are implemented. In such a doctrinal interpretation, government serves as a kind of “lesser God,” intruding on believers and their commission to do good works, as a means of sharing the gospel message, and concentrating not on the message, but on the implementation of the work itself, which only helps in this life, not the next.”
Right. These people want a theocracy? Americans are the most generous people on earth.
A tough ship: The USS New York: 
McCain up by 5. Watch the $ begin to flow now. Am I my brother's keeper? Obama's brother. WTH? Lefty campaign follies. Sheesh, what immature idiots. "No you can't." Things you can't say about Obama. h/t, Vanderleun Punitive liberalism. Roger Kimball
 The education of John McCain. David Brooks
Workplace discrimination against men. Dr. Helen Obama is not a radical, says Dick Morris. Compared to whom? No nudging, please. Cafe Hayek. I agree. Who are they to know what's best for me? The looney tunes target Denver The Europeanization of the Democratic Party Jesus wants us to soak the rich. Good grief. What the NYT views as a "complex attack" ATMs in Baghdad. Sounds like peace to me.
Tuesday, August 19. 2008
In their own words: Why I support Obama The man behind Woody Allen. Pretentiously written but interesting. How Putin turns language on its head. Erasing Obama's past. Powerline. Related: Obama desperation? 15 images you won't believe aren't photoshopped The American Psychological Association wants to manipulate you into worrying about AGW. Is this their job? (h/t, Carnival of the Insanities) New predictions of an Ice Age. Here we go again. Is Obama the Howard Zinn candidate? Sounds like it. Interestingly, we now are blessed with a Howard Zinn comic book for those who wish to be bien pensant but don't read too good. (h/t, Jonah G) What is "fair" about taking the money you earned? How can it be done fairly? Obama wants more "tax fairness." How do you get more "fair" than this: As we come to the end of the Bush administration, the top 1% of American taxpayers already pay 40% of all income taxes -- the highest level in 40 years. The top 10% of income earners pay 71% of the taxes.
That is beyond fair, and it leaves 90% of the population as minimal contributors to the nation. There is an obvious danger in becoming a nation of 90% "getters" and 10% givers - and not the least being that you discourage the givers.
Atlas has a ton of good photos of the Russian invasion of Georgia. (A few are a bit gruesome.)
Monday, August 18. 2008
 Fun with math. Right Wing Prof
The San Diego border fence, update Weird Lefty stuff, including: It is no disadvantage for those who thrill at enmity also to profess a universal brotherhood. There are many men who do not profess any such idea, or who do not do so with the demanded zeal, and who therefore make a most fitting object for hatred.
Ever hear of "juror" nullification? This guy was too smart to be on a jury. Acid-burned Moslem women find new career. Obama flat-out lied about abortion. To a pastor. More proof here. Related: Pelosi claims God blessed us with Obama. That is sick, sick, sick. Related: WaPo admits unfair and unbalanced coverage. The truth about the Kilimanjaro snow. Brits ignorant about the US. Europe's population time bomb Kobe Bryant says something ordinary - and it's treated like a big deal. I am glad he likes America, though. Regulated utilities giving political donations? That ain't OK with me. The oil bubble bursts, as predicted here, many times.
 From Byron York on the Saddleback Forum:
This was not your usual political TV show. Warren — Pastor Rick, around here — asked big questions, about big subjects; he wasn’t concerned about what appeared on the front page of that morning’s Washington Post. And his simple, direct, big questions brought out something we don’t usually see in a presidential face-off; in this forum, as opposed to a read-the-prompter speech, or even a debate focused on the issues of the moment, the candidates were forced to call on everything they had — the things they have done and learned throughout their lives. And the fact is, John McCain has lived a much bigger life than Barack Obama. That’s not a slam at Obama; McCain has lived a much bigger life than most people. But it still made Obama look small in comparison. McCain was the clear winner of the night.
 He did so well, in fact, that NBC accused McCain of "cheating." Saying that is cheating, but I guess it's like AGW: all weather is caused by it, just like anytime a Repub does well it's because of cheating. Betsy discusses this low-life maneuver further. This is getting dirty already.
"A lie can go around the world before the truth can get its pants on" - Mark Twain Related, from Driscoll: Deborah Howell, the Washington Post's ombudsman ombudswoman ombudsperson writes: Democrat Barack Obama has had about a 3 to 1 advantage over Republican John McCain in Post Page 1 stories since Obama became his party's presumptive nominee June 4. Obama has generated a lot of news by being the first African American nominee, and he is less well known than McCain -- and therefore there's more to report on. But the disparity is so wide that it doesn't look good. And if 2000 and 2004 are any indication--and they are--it's not like the media will do anything about it, of course.
Well, Ed, wouldn't you expect the Second Coming to be well-covered? But Obama-fatigue may be beginning. He might be a one-trick pony without the substance to go the distance. My theory is that he was originally running for the Vice Presidency. Related, the McCain campaign is getting tougher: McCain's campaign manager Rick Davis asked Sunday for a meeting with Steve Capus, the president of NBC News, to protest what the campaign called signs that the network is "abandoning non-partisan coverage of the Presidential race."
Speaking of the Second Coming, check out this video at Moonbattery. As he says, have bucket ready. Good grief. I was already thinking that this election is between a naive youngster and an experienced adult man. Obama is a light-weight, with flash. Surber has some comments that sort-of support that view. Never forget that JFK beat Nixon by out-hawking him. Roger has some thoughts about the "above my pay grade" comment. Mind you, I was on my boat and saw none of that forum, but it sounds to me like a crazy thing for a candidate to say, but having a clear opinion on this is above my pay grade at maggie's Farm.  Insty notes:
REMEMBER, if you don't support Obama it's because you're a racist. "Lurking just below the surface of any white person’s criticism of Barack Obama is racial bias."
That is a deeply racist and offensive notion - that I should vote for color rather than positions, wisdom, knowledge, and experience. Of course, it's really nothing but manipulation anyway. I guess the race is tightening up, with McCain on the move. This will be interesting. Maybe the celeb Obama thing will wear out as things get real. And finally, some more good news: McCain evolves into a supply-sider. One quote from the Wash. Times piece: This weekend, Mr. McCain took his place with the Republican Party's most fervent of supply-siders. "I don't want to take any money from the rich; I want everybody to get rich," he said at Saturday's forum at the Rev. Rick Warren's Saddleback Church. "I don't believe in class warfare or redistribution of the wealth."
"The" wealth? That's a bit lame, and wrong - as if wealth were a zero-sum thing. We all know that wealth is created by energy, creativity, risk-taking - and saving. But at least maybe he's been listening to Larry Kudlow. I hope so. I know what he means. I don't want everybody to get rich, though, unless that is what they desire. I just want them to pursue their goals or dreams, whatever they may be, and to be sturdy and resilient enough to take their inevitable lumps and disappointments. You don't need to be rich to have a great life. I am a good example of that.
Sunday, August 17. 2008
I thought feeding birds was one of those quintessentially Brit things, like saving toads. Don't be surprised if Obama picks Hillary for VP. Related: Obama on infanticide Women want it both ways on choice. Villainous Russia's chief exports, after oil: Vodka, criminals and whores A new bird species found in Africa (h/t, Jungle Trader) Sec. of Defense Robert Gates is impressive on this video. Related: Russia, NATO, and Russia's "territorial norms" Jerry Wexler died. Surber takes a look at the campaign fund-raising race Corn, silly Senator, is for food! Reason The Saddleback Church event last night with Rick Warren, Obama and McCain. Ace was surprised by how impressed he was by McCain. Also, what else is "above Obama's pay grade"?
Saturday, August 16. 2008
 The glories of alcohol and tobacco. Prof B. But why did he omit firearms?
Somewhat related, via Insty: Beer goggles are real The McGovern Coalition is back. I thought they died, but I guess they were hibernating. If true, it's bad news for the USA I know and love. So sophisticated. Needle-neck art critic looks down his nose at sports: Tim Blair. You just know this guy never made the team, and didn't get the chicks. How the East was lost: Walker at Am Thinker misses Reagan. Me too. Related, John Bolton on Georgia. Not sure I agree with him. Do as I say, not as I do. NBC air-conditions Beijing. That's how you know people don't really take it seriously.
Friday, August 15. 2008
 I'm going fishing this weekend, leaving now for RI where our boat is docked. I want to go alone this time, to clear my head. A Jimmy Buffet sort of weekend. Talk to myself a little about what I am doing with my life. Maybe out to Block or Cuttyhunk this time. Or maybe Fisher's Island or Gardiner's Island. I can't make up my mind. Not too far, just as long as it's an island with Ospreys and gulls overhead and big fish in the water to (mostly) catch and release. Sun, fog, or rain, I don't care. I just want to get back on (and in) the water again after a week on dry land.
Plus I have a brand new fly rod I want to use: my precious Orvis T3. I plan to feed on bass and/or Bluefish, and steamer clams two or three times a day. I will pick up 6 lbs. of steamers and a bunch of containers of potato salad and cole slaw from the store, plus a thing of butter. And Coors Lite and Doritos. And the box of splendid smokes my Editor sent me (Thanks much, BD. That was a very fine, thoughtful, and timely gift.). If I stop at Block, I may dine one night on the amazing fresh cod beer-battered fish and chips on the dock. I will leave our devoted readers - those few are not away this weekend or these final weeks of August, with this bit of light summer reading: From Strobe Talbott? Russia's ominous new doctrine. The Sahara wasn't a desert. AGW, no doubt. Why the swimming records are falling. It's technology. Mohammed might like this: Arabian Butt Enlarging Cream. This should be marketed to buttless WASPS. American corporate taxes highest in the world. America the Uncompetitive. How did that happen? Those taxes on business profits just screw the middle-class investor like me. Those Clintons will never go away. Well-bred people know when they aren't wanted. More at Q&O. NYT reporter - and his or her editor - didn't know the difference between gross and net. Good grief. More on remembering the bomb, and forgetting why. Pave the desert to get solar energy? Lots of critters live in the desert. Related: Pelosi changes her mind, again. Women do that. Europe wins gold medal for defeatism. That's why they are called Euroweenies. I swear that Russia could march into Paris today if they wanted to. The MSM goes after the #1 non-fiction best-seller. Oil drops, dollar up. That is good, mostly. Bad for exports. There's no free lunch. More on the Leftie loonies at the (otherwise) great University of Chicago Communist Party endorses Obama. Duh. Bush is the Truman of our times. I think so. Nobody's perfect. Obama's tax plans are a war on working women. Wait a minute...he wants to lower taxes? Why am I confused?
 Does a camera help you see?
Vote early and often for Obama in Ohio. It's the plan to steal Ohio. Good grief. McCain really requires Ohio to win, so it's no wonder they are playing games. The ethical rubble of Hartford, CT. A once-fine city. What a pity. Government destroyed it. Christian convert burned alive in Saudi Arabia The Musharraf mess. Front Page. But it's good too see we are still pressing the Taliban/Al Qaida morons. Even by trial lawyer standards, Edwards is a real sleazebag. Coulter What does Putin see when he looks into Obama's eyes? My opinion? P-U-S-S-Y. Related, from Krauthammer: Time to get serious with Russia. Related: The cyberwar in Georgia. It's a first. Also sort-of related: Barack Obama, legal scholar: the guy is so lightweight he doesn't leave tracks in snow. Related somewhat: Georgia war trutherism. Related: What a successful Georgia could be. Related: European moral weight good for about 72 hours of appeasement The Denver Convention limo shortage. That is irony. The Dem Life platform. It says they want me to pay for their abortions. I do not wish to pay for anybody's abortion. We all got wealthier. Including me. The point is that economic level is not fossilized. People move up and down, depending on what they do, what they want, the choices they make, how they perform, and luck. It's called "life." Pelosi wants Lieberman's head. Related: The four states that will decide the election Let's blame Bush for the chronically lousy Euro economy Finish your peas. Are you responsible for world poverty? Norm. No. I am responsible for keeping myself out of destitution. Let's be more like China. Police State "harmony." A beautiful thing. I want to re-link The Utopia of Relativism, in case anybody missed it. Obama's economic ignorance. From Insty: DARFUR UPDATE: Darfur onslaught 'to clear way for Chinese oil hunt' say rebels. "Sudan is already one of Africa's biggest producers of crude oil, pumping 500,000 barrels a day. About two thirds is destined for China. Chinese companies have begun exploration in South Darfur. North Darfur lies in an oil exploration block controlled by a Saudi-led consortium and the area close to the Libyan border is thought to be the most likely to hold reserves."
Thursday, August 14. 2008
No, not Osama. Bigfoot! He is finally brought to justice. But how did he get from Oregon to Georgia? Jet Blue? And are there more of them out there? Is Global Warming to blame? Should he have been a protected species? Some people are going to believe this stuff. We do live in a remarkably credulous world. And, related to credulity, a reporter writes Johnny, I hardly knew ye. What a dope. Did that reporter ever work on a city desk? I doubt it, because that is where you learn that everybody in public life is full of it. Healthy and realistic cynicism and skepticism are required if you wish to address reality. And, also related to the theme of human credulity, this is borrowed from Lucianne: 
 The real story behind the hockey stick graph. h/t, Watts
Jules' wife Amy MacKinnon has published her second book. A novel, which involves undertakers. Ernest Hemingway and trout fishing in Michigan. WSJ Brits ban plastic flowers in cemetaries. Too dangerous. What about the dangers of real plants? Big Brother, Via Englishman, "Councils and health authorities are to be given the right to access e-mail and internet records under surveillance powers to be introduced next year, the Home Office said yesterday." Good grief. For a second, I thought this was satire. You will be relieved to learn that Al Gore's new boat will have solar panels! Obama without his script. Related: Rev. Wright is back! How to revive dried-out cigars Hooray for blockbuster drugs. City Journal Swiftboating Obama? Neoneo Race Preferences vs. Class Preferences. Powerline. What has this crazy world come to? And why is this an issue anymore? America has become so meritocratic that nobody gives a darn about anybody's background these days - to the dismay of the genteel classes (of which I am not a member).
Wednesday, August 13. 2008
Roger Kimball. Related: NYT debt heads towards junk status (h/t, Vanderleun). The title of the eventual book will be "How to Destroy a Successful Franchise."
 We spoiled Americans love to bitch about things, but even without the recently dropping gas prices, fuel is more affordable than it was during the early '60s.
Sometimes I think we Americans want everything for free, a life without limits, without pain, without death and with perfect love: fairy tales and childish dreams.
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