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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Saturday, November 3. 2012Living off the grids during SandyA few notes: - Hardware store is out of lamp oil - LBJ's federal flood insurance is a perfect example of unintended consequences. The perverse incentive was to encourage people to build on flood plains and coastal areas. Yes, flood insurance is subsidized by you. - Said by Newt on the radio today: "Barack Obama is a show horse, not a work horse." - Threw out everything in both fridges and freezers today. Bummer. However, I cooked the bacon hoping for the best, and made bacon and tomato sandwiches. Delicious. I even used the warm mayo from the fridge. And I am still fine. - Pupette evacuated from NYC decided that living in the cold and dark was getting old, so finagled a trip to San Francisco. - None of the computer systems I have had access to can do what my own can. Quite annoying to be off all the grids. - Received this email today from our occasional contributor Bulldog in New Jersey. It begins here, more below the fold with some of my comments:
Continue reading "Living off the grids during Sandy"
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GoDaddy's $1-Million Matching Pledge For Wounded WarriorsThe founder and Chairman of GoDaddy.com pledges $1-million to match your donations to the Semper Fi Fund, which aids wounded warriors. He is a proud former Marine Lance Corporal who takes the opportunity of celebrating our 237th Anniversary on November 10th and Veterans Day on November 11th to go beyond us Marines' usual pride in leading on land, sea and air to salute members of all our armed forces. They have all proved themselves worthy as proud warriors over the past decade, and the wounded need your support to rejoin and enrich us civilians with their unmatchable spirit and values.
They gave a lot. You can, at least, give a little. Thanks. Sgt. Bruce Semper Fi!
Posted by Bruce Kesler
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13:21
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Friday, November 2. 2012The next 'step' in cycling? Thursday, November 1. 2012Via a friend's DSL lineA friend with a DSL line and a generator. There's not much power in New England, and NYC is a mess too. I'll try to post some photos but DSL isn't broadband. Trees and power lines down everywhere, and even NYC isn't functioning very much. Downtown still without power, and the Bird Dog family is being heated by fireplace, working, cooking, and reading by oil lamp. Almost like camping. Not too cold, fortunately. Only down to 43 F last night.
Great cartoon strip
The author is Stilton Jarlsberg, his Hope 'n Change site is here. Continue reading "Great cartoon strip" Wednesday, October 31. 2012Another happy myth, down the drain
Alpha Centauri, Nearest Star, Has Earth-Sized Planet I mean just going to Mars.
That's from this delightful little piece. Yet every other day you see this rubbish:
The point is, we've had half a century to work on this problem, and apart from slapping a few treadmills around, not only have they not gained any ground, but the problems are only getting worse. As durations in space last longer and longer, more and more problems arise. Blindness occurring later in life is the latest small snag. Then there was the day I broke so many hearts by reporting that mermaids don't exist. Rarely have I been so cruel. Now here's the latest little dream to be shattered like glass: Jurassic Park 'Extremely Unlikely' Scientists Conclude
Yeah, well, welcome to the Hollywood Curse. Probably 50 million people believe the global warming horrors they saw in The Day After Tomorrow are real. Another 50 mil probably think the government can watch your every step via spy satellite as in Enemy Of The State. Another 50 mil probably believe President Kennedy wasn't assassinated by a lone gunman thanks to Oliver Stone's JFK. The list goes on and on. But still, no horrific velociraptors eviscerating us with their 6-inch talons in the noonday sun, spilling our entrails onto the ground as they enjoy a tasty little snack? It's sad, sometimes, when life doesn't imitate art. Monday, October 29. 2012A few Dark and Stormy cocktail hour linksCrew of tall ship HMS Bounty abandons ship 90 miles off of Hatteras What the heck were they doing there? McCain: Libya worst cover-up I've ever seen Obama Wants to Create a “Secretary of Business” in Second Term Insane on so many levels Justice Department Gives Hiring Priority to the Clinically Insane and Intellectually Disabled Romney pulls ahead in Ohio This was inevitable
Desperation driving Obama Is the Obama Machine Running Out of Steam? Article is an analysis of the machine Dem Pat Caddell disgusted with Obama and media collusion to re-elect Obama at all costs (h/t Nice Deb):
Posted by The News Junkie
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Sunday, October 28. 2012Why I am voting for Romney-Ryan
I am voting for Romney-Ryan because there are probably two Supreme Court vacancies coming up soon.
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Nice brownstone for saleWe recently posted a report of the closing of the last brownstone quarry in the US. Manhattan and Brooklyn have tons of old brownstone buildings, commonly entire blocks of them. Some people like the look and some do not, but it is not a very durable building stone. I stumbled on this brownstone for sale on the Upper West Side (87th St, just off the Park). If I were a rich guy, I'd enjoy owning a place like this with the top floor used as living quarters for the help. Like most buildings from the era (1850-1910), each brownstone has a garden out back. Looks great from theoutside, but if you look at the video you'll hate what they did inside when converting it to apartments.
Posted by Bird Dog
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Sunday morning linksPic above is a Romney rally in Ohio Sandy update: Current tracking predicts Sandy hitting south of New England, but with rain, flooding and wind from southern CT and south. Magician pranks onlookers with ‘head drop’ Asian-Americans are now the country's best-educated, highest-earning and fastest-growing racial group. They share with American Jews both the distinction and the occasional burden of immigrant success. George Will: Slouching towards disability:
Mainstream media watchdogs are toothless covering Obama and Libya scandal Those two retired SEALs killed 60 bad guys The media continues to overlook the greatest story never told in recent American history: a vast, unbridgeable chasm exists between Washington's Political Aristocracy and Main Street America. Ryan: Obama Hasn't Shown He Deserves Second Trm
Navy SEAL Group Will Air Anti-Obama Ads During Harvey Weinstein's 'SEAL Team Six' Film Obama laughs when asked about wasting money on green energy Dem Michael Goodwin: Why I'm voting for Romney Chronic Fatigue Economy - We borrowed $5 trillion and all we got was this lousy 1.7% growth. New Hampshire Going… Romney? Saturday, October 27. 2012Saturday morning all-political linksGot yer Halloween outfit ready? Barack Obama may win or lose the election in ten days, but, in either case, he will emerge much diminished by the sort of disgusting, mendacious, fear-mongering, low-life campaign he has run. A new low for the Presidency. Wilson at Ricochet:
Mitt Romney: It’s time for real change, America Romney goes deep - Blasts Bam for ‘dividing and demonizing’ Romney on economy: Obama 'made the problem worse' Michael Barone Predicts That Romney Will Win 2012 Presidential Race
Noonan: When Americans Saw the Real Obama Why the Denver debate changed everything. About that Obama ad re girls losing their virginity to Obama. Related, The Atlantic blames “old white men” for reaction to Obama virgin voter video As NYM comments, Voting for Obama is like losing her virginity. She got screwed each time. Paul Ryan's appeal to America’s heart A Brief History of Obama: How sarcasm and insult took over the Democratic Party:
Rubin: The unmaking of a president, 2012 White voters poised to abandon Obama in droves Over $60,000 in Welfare Spent Per Household in Poverty Clinton brushes off e-mails, Senate staffers start investigation Petraeus Throws Obama Under the Bus Obama Dodges Real Questions from Real Reporter Whether Obama wins or loses, this will be part of it: A star falls over chicago Election considerations for Liberals: Melanie Sturm: Think Again - Restoring the last best hope of earth Mark Steyn: Benghazi bungle requires act of urgent political hygiene BOMBSHELL: US Security Forces Would Not Have Been Painting Targets on Ground Unless There Was Air Support Overhead – But White House Called It Off Friday, October 26. 2012Democrats: Party Of National Security Weakness For Another GenerationThe cumulative evidence is now evident to all with even bad eyesight that Benghazi is sad proof of what conservative critics have been saying for the past four years, that President Obama, his appointees and administration lack the dedication, insight and guts to defend the United States honorably or resolutely. Democrats were known as the Party of national security weakness for a generation after their betrayal of South Vietnam and Jimmy Carter’s callowness in the face of the Iranian radicals. Aging memories, war tiredness, and big lies from the Obama administration managed to recover some national security credibility. Now, it’ll take another generation for Democrats to, depending upon circumstances, recover some national security credibility. How focused and resolute Republicans behave will be important. Otherwise, abandon all hope for the US. The latest revelation of betrayal of the men on the ground fighting desperately in Benghazi makes every veteran I know furious, makes every conservative voice howl in anger, but has yet to break the silence at Yahoo News, Washington Post, New York Times. They may be trying to run out the clock to November 6. That finger in the dike will not hold, possibly before November 6 and certainly after. The maggots in the chain of command in the White House, Pentagon, State Dept., and CIA responsible deserve to have their names engraved on a prominent monument to cowardice. UPDATE: Petraeus Throws Obama Under the Bus That's where he and his minions who sent the American heroes to their desperate death belong, literally. Obama Ducks Questions On Why Help Wasn't Sent To Benghazi Maggot-in-Chief A old, experienced friend emails me this:
Posted by Bruce Kesler
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Was it Obama himself who rejected security and rescue in Benghazi?As the Benghazi scandal heats up, evidence that Obama himself denied extra security. Something like that might explain the frenzied confusion of stories.
Posted by The News Junkie
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Friday morning linksIt's looking more likely that Sandy will attack the northeast US:
This is what climate change looks like! The Pilgrims experienced one of these. Stock up on Wind industry boom going bust If You Believe in this Country, Send a Check to Ty Woods’ Family Father of Slain SEAL: Who Made the Decision Not to Save My Son? On meeting Obama: “Could not look me in the eye … like shaking hands with a dead fish.”
The enlightened Democrat Mead's excellent News From Obama’s Home State. He begins:
How Liberals and Democrats Are Spinning a Possible Romney Victory, Before the Election! The Democrats’ Squirrel a Day Plan As key Senate races get tighter, Republicans’ hopes rise Obama's Apology Tour Was Crafted By Handful Of Radical Advisors Rove: Strategies for the Stretch Run to Nov. 6 Massive Voter Fraud in NC Obama's pathetic picture book CBS News Aided Obama’s Benghazi Cover-Up DWS says Romney never mentioned Israel in the debate, and if you don’t count the 14 times he did, she’s correct WaPo/ABC Poll: Romney Cracks 50 A Brief History of Obama - How sarcasm and insult took over the Democratic Party
U.N. Human Rights Council Calls for Boycott of U.S. Companies A Whiff of Weimar: The Greek Crisis Gets Worse Germany dedicates memorial to Gypsy victims of the Nazis The U.S. Should Withdraw from UNESCO Thursday, October 25. 2012Italy disgraces itself before the entire world
First Galileo, and now this. As you might have heard, a court in Italy has convicted seven scientists of manslaughter because they failed to predict an earthquake that struck some village and killed a bunch of people. People living in non-earthquake-reinforced buildings in an area known for having violent earthquakes, I might add. I think this sums it up pretty well:
More articles on this travesty of justice, sensibility and reason: Italian court convicts 7 scientists for failing to predict earthquake On the up side, I'm sure Galileo will be glad for the company. Frankenstorm prediction for New EnglandMost recent NOAA storm prediction for the Northeastern US here. Looks like they predict a major Nor'easter fueled by Hurricane Sandy. The dramatic prediction of perfect storm conditions will likely be wrong but heck, it's time to get your boat out of the water now anyway. Thursday morning linksMrs. BD's pic of central Ohio on Sunday Stormy weather may be headed to the Northeast When humans broke off sex with neanderthals Genome of Mysterious Extinct Human Reveals Brown-Eyed Girl Von Stauffenberg’s son’s story End of the road for Volkswagen camper - Safety legislation is to kill the Volkswagen Kombi after 63 years of continuous production 8 Of The Richest Dictators In History Consumer reps: Medigap is not the bad guy Steyn: Nobel Mann Takes On Revolting Peasants US could soon overtake Saudi Arabia as world's biggest oil producer; output is booming Fair Weather Federalism in the Forecast A Vote for Election Day - Early voting doesn’t decrease partisanship or give us a “better” electorate. Kill Lists, the Disposition Matrix, and the Permanent War: Thoughts on the Post Article ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION - CNN hastily pulls article explaining how hormones affect women's votes McArdle: Why It's Hard to Control Health Care Costs - Our wonks say "No, no!" while our regulators say "Yes, yes!" Climate change still a no-show at debates Not a single mention of Europe either Dems Begin the Post-Obama Blame Game Anti-Mormon Bigot Behind Obama/Allred 'October Surprise' 'Mom, go upstairs. We're all liberals.' Foreign Debt Has Nearly Doubled Under Obama Obama Slashes Four Hours Off Definition of "Full-Time" Employment (h/t Doug Ross) A Second First Term - Meet Obama's new agenda, same as the old agenda, only less. "New Hampshire: Romney 50%, Obama 48%. Letterman: Say, Obama’s kind of lying about this GM bankruptcy thing, huh? Why Romney Wants Public Jobs to Meet Performance Goals Harry Stein: The Democrats’ Jewish Problem Is Newly Appointed Libya Investigator an Islamist-Sympathizer With Ties to CAIR? Who’s Been Pressuring Israel? Both Parties Obama's real record on Israel How Syria is Iran’s route to the sea Wednesday, October 24. 2012Obama went to bedAfter hearing about 9-11 Jihadist attack on embassy. Needed his sleep before fund-raiser in Las Vegas in the morning. Staff and press covered for him. This goes beyond "scandal" into other more serious categories like abrogation of duty.
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Weds. morning links
The Way To Prosperity toon via Bearish The 'New' Old Age Is No Way to Live - The ancients had it right: Reflection and friendship are the bounties of old age The Psychology of Sexual Submission Will your piano end up in the dump? Brownstone: Bidding Farewell to a City’s Precious Stone 16 Ways I Blew My Marriage ObamaCore’: Radical Education Bill Set to Take Effect After Election - Taxpayers will foot the bill for lowered standards and leftist tracts. Gas Prices Doubled, Obama Locks Up National Reserve The EPA’s Planned Destruction of the U.S. Economy Bullet-train propaganda: China-style vs. California-style What will PPACA do to the dental market? Fannie and Freddie becoming ‘Wards of the State’ Column: Will cocooned liberals be surprised by Romney? Why Romney took Monday debate risk in base to win undecideds Obama Sics His Freaks On Romney: Allred, Sullivan, Wright… Here come the anti-Mormon smears:
Boston Herald: Romney’s the one
Carter Visits Abbas to Sabotage Peace Talks Jimmy Carter's Dead Ambassador Emails detail unfolding Benghazi attack on Sept. 11, also White House Was Told Benghazi was a Terrorist Attack Two Hours Into the Battle Lying means nothing to them Heard it before:
Tuesday, October 23. 2012A treat for our Nigel Farage fans: "total subjugation of the states to a completely undemocratic structure in Brussels."Via Nigel Farage On The Total Subjugation Of Europe. Everybody knows that the EU is an empire. h/t Insty
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20:38
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Summary of the debatesMy take on the election, two weeks outI think the Romney people are looking at their inside numbers, and believe that they are winning, or close to it, with momentum on their side. I think the Obama people are watching their lead of the summertime slip through their fingers with little they can do about it other than to sling one more $100 million worth of slime at Romney. Going all-negative and throwing hopey-changey under the bus. Hence the nature of the "debate" last night, with Romney rising amiably above the fray while Obama irritably yipped and yapped and snapped at him like a sharp-toothed puppy trying to get a rise out of a big dog.
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Tuesday morning linksPic is a Sugar Maple, on fire yesterday Somebody throw these minstrel boys a coin The Greatest Fake-Art Scam in History? Guy does have talent Althouse live-blogged the debate, if you skipped it Will anybody risk giving Italy earthquake advice again? Crazy Warmist Wants To Feed People Oxytocin To Change Their Behavior Suddenly, a natural gas glut Wilma Dickfit having tea at Yale A Prof teaches how to take offense about tiny things:
Joe Scarborough: The truth about the tea party A commenter at Pajamas:
And The Winner Of The First Lady Debate Is... Killing bin Laden is not a foreign policy Bloomberg says Warren’s policies could ‘bring socialism back’ Chris Wallace: “You Would Have Thought Romney Was The President” Krauthammer on Romney’s ‘unequivocal’ win: ‘Romney went large — Obama went very, very small’
Re Ohio at Goldberg:
Genocide's Definition Revisited Monday, October 22. 2012Christie: ‘What The Hell Is Obama Doing Asking For Another 4 Years?’Gov. Christie tells it like it is. Here. Many of us wondered what a guy with no meaningful experience or accomplishment was doing asking for the first four years. Government railroadsAmtrak has around 20,000 employees with an average income of $90,000. I thought that the government takeover of passenger rail had been meant to be a temporary rescue measure, but I guess I was wrong. Now I am not sure why passenger rail should be viewed any differently from the also-government-supported interstate highway system, or government-supported airports, but Clark Whelton claims Amtrak is a jobs program on wheels. Where should one draw the line on taxpayer support of life amenities? I must confess that the high-speed Boston-Providence-NYC-Philly-Baltimore-DC Acela service is a very fine and heavily-used amenity for those in the Northeast corridor, as are the New York area commuter trains.
Posted by The Barrister
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14:20
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