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More stuff - 12 July 2008
Jul. 12th, 2008 05:27 pmAnd here we go again, with a quick bite of link-y goodness in the middle of the weekend.
Following on earlier matters, after PZ Meyers reported on the stolen wafer, a fairly predictable outrage reared up (after all, calling it a “goddamned cracker” was going to make someone mad), in the form of hate mail, death threats, and a campaign to have the University of Minnesota to investigate Meyers. Today, a new wrinkle. Because they fear Meyers that much, the GOP has requested extra security for their convention in Minneapolis, out of concern, apparently, for the safety of Catholics. Because they’re going to get jumped by a bunch of atheists looking to steal crackers.
Let’s go multinational - KBR/Haliburton is scandalized again, this time for shoddy electrical work that left exposed wires and electrocution hazards in facilities and providing ungrounded equipment to troops. This is what happens when you try to do something on the cheap to win a contract with. Parents whose children have died in this sequence are not happy at all about death by faulty equipment. For those on the ground, alternatives to the M4 carbine are being tested in anticipation of an exclusive contract running out in 2009. And, regardless of who wins the election this year, David Patraeus will be the general in charge of the Middle East and Raymond Olderno will be the chief of Iraq operations. The matter may be sped up some if the Iraqi Vice PResident's request to bring U.S. troops in the country under Iraqi control gains popularity , as I doubt too many troops or commanders there would be comfortable with such an idea.
The g* summit condemns terrorism unequivocally, not giving any excuses or reasons why it s justifiable. Does that means the United States will stop conducting “regime change” exercises and repeal such items as USAPATRIOT and deinstall all the technology in place that currently lets the government monitor things without obtaining warrants first? Or will it be used as a hammer against Islamic radicalization and as a greater excuse to do more spying and repealing of liberties?
I must say, however, that I don’t think anyone in America feels so threatened by Islam that they move to ban the construction of minarets, as a right-wing party in Switzerland has done, putting the question before the voters in a referendum. Because, apparently, building towers in your church buildings is a sign of political domination and the “intolerant” Sharia law. And, because, apparently, the people moving to ban hem believe in the Islam Virus theory, and that Christian and Western cultures need strengthening against the hordes.
In domestic news, Karl Rove ignored a Congressional subpoena requiring his testimony at a hearing on whether the executive pressured the Justice Department to investigate claims of a Democrat's wrongdoing while ignoring Republican ones. Invoking, as others have, the “executive privilege” argument that claims members of the executive don’t have to testfy before Congerss about their internal matters, Rove believes he doesn’t have to go on the record about any of it. Contempt of Congress may soon be another badge Turd Blossom can sport.
Blorp. IndyMac, the largest regulated thrift institution in the country, just went insolvent. The FDIC stepped in and broke the fall, but it’s a takeover - are we going to see more of banks falling over, instead of just mortgage brokers?
Tony Snow, press secretary for the current administration, and then conservative pundit, died at 53 from cancer.
In places where blight is great, taking abandoned plots of land and turning them into gardens looks to feed those who are suffering. Grow your own food to help with the healthy eating on low wages. Nice.
In the opinion columns, Charles Krauthammer sees the future in the exercise of hard military power, rather than soft diplomacy, because of the way that hard pwoer gets things done instead of talking about it. Larry Elder would apply that principle to the United States in arguing that guns deter criminals,
Michael Reagan thinks Jesse Jackson was trying to revenge his own neutering at the hands of Barack Obama, because it is Obama who is now the black star of the Democratic Party, rather than him and Al Sharpton.
Taxpayers for Common Sense thinks that the current Congress' approval rating is well-deserved, for their lack of doing anything. They’ll find an ally in Cal Thomas, who thinks that maintaining or increasing the current majority in Congress is undeserved based on what the current majority didn't do. He offers campaign strategies for Republicans to denounce the do-nothing Democrats, strike fear into the voter’s heart with what the Dms can do with a sympathetic President, and to recreate themselves again as the party of fiscal responsibility, small government, and moral values.
In candidate opinions, The Unapologetic Mexican would like some firmer plans about what the presidential candidates intend to do about immigration, and to that point, has developed a non soundbite-generating survey for both candidates to take. There are probably a lot of voters, whether pro-immigration or not, that would like to see the border policy fleshed out some. How long until the conventions, again?
David Limbaugh continues to question whether Senator Obama's attitude and (to a much lesser degree) record are fit for an American president, instead of making substantive arguments about actual policy or proposed policy decisions. Then again, a lot of Presidential elections have hinged on whether the candidate looked presentable and Presidential, so maybe I shouldn’t be that surprised about this continued tack. Robet Novak believes that Clinton supporters will defect, or at least hold their nose, because Obama hasn't really brought them on board.
Victor Davis Hanson takes an interesting attack angle - trying to make Senator Obama into a clone of Mr. Bush based on the Senator's most recent positions on select issues. With Mr. Bush still firmly entrenched as a third rail in left-leaning circles, this line of attack could be successful, even if it is highly suspect. At least Stephen Moore attempts an attack on policy, criticizing the Senator's tax plans as economically unsound and likely to result in less jobs and investment because of higher taxes. Ken Blackwell lays out a plan for Senator McCain to court some African-American voters, away from what he suggests is Senator Obama’s appeal to racial politics, despite being billed as a “post-race” candidate. His suggestions, which include campaigning for vochers as school reform, expanding the ability to investment privately with entitlement dollars, emphasising insurance reform over single-payer, are pretty standard Republican suggestions based on potential policy. His last suggestion, however, is just as much an apeal to image as what he accuses Senator Obama of. “Mr. McCain must make the case that the chief task of the president is to protect this nation, and all Americans must vote for the person most capable of protecting their children and giving them a safer world to inherit.” So vote for the person that looks like they can defend the country better. Oh, look, we have a war hero here. Surely he would be more qualified than our opponent. Something about the idea that national security is the primary function of the President rings wrong to me, but I can’t put my finger on why.
The Weird Science Division may have a new recruit - a Swiss stuntman designed, built, and successfully tested a flying suit, to zip along at a pretty decent clip. Refining that idea could lead to some interesting personal transport... and even more crowded skies than before.
Other technology includes a remote-control shopping robot, so that those who can’t make the trip can still come along for the ride and see things tried on, organic solar concentrators that move solar power cells tnd light to the edges of panels, making it even cheaper to generate solar power, an Apple glitch that prevented iPhiles from activating the latest generation of iPhones, on top of authentication programs that force people to buy official Apple stuff,and The Bible Map, combining Google Maps with the ESV and KJV of the Bible.
Last for tonight, why facts don't get conspiracy theories to die. People will believe what they want, and will ascribe agency to random forces, sometimes as conspiracies... it’s just easier to believe in a shadowy agenda controlled by faceless people than that you got caught in a random event. Onward.
Following on earlier matters, after PZ Meyers reported on the stolen wafer, a fairly predictable outrage reared up (after all, calling it a “goddamned cracker” was going to make someone mad), in the form of hate mail, death threats, and a campaign to have the University of Minnesota to investigate Meyers. Today, a new wrinkle. Because they fear Meyers that much, the GOP has requested extra security for their convention in Minneapolis, out of concern, apparently, for the safety of Catholics. Because they’re going to get jumped by a bunch of atheists looking to steal crackers.
Let’s go multinational - KBR/Haliburton is scandalized again, this time for shoddy electrical work that left exposed wires and electrocution hazards in facilities and providing ungrounded equipment to troops. This is what happens when you try to do something on the cheap to win a contract with. Parents whose children have died in this sequence are not happy at all about death by faulty equipment. For those on the ground, alternatives to the M4 carbine are being tested in anticipation of an exclusive contract running out in 2009. And, regardless of who wins the election this year, David Patraeus will be the general in charge of the Middle East and Raymond Olderno will be the chief of Iraq operations. The matter may be sped up some if the Iraqi Vice PResident's request to bring U.S. troops in the country under Iraqi control gains popularity , as I doubt too many troops or commanders there would be comfortable with such an idea.
The g* summit condemns terrorism unequivocally, not giving any excuses or reasons why it s justifiable. Does that means the United States will stop conducting “regime change” exercises and repeal such items as USAPATRIOT and deinstall all the technology in place that currently lets the government monitor things without obtaining warrants first? Or will it be used as a hammer against Islamic radicalization and as a greater excuse to do more spying and repealing of liberties?
I must say, however, that I don’t think anyone in America feels so threatened by Islam that they move to ban the construction of minarets, as a right-wing party in Switzerland has done, putting the question before the voters in a referendum. Because, apparently, building towers in your church buildings is a sign of political domination and the “intolerant” Sharia law. And, because, apparently, the people moving to ban hem believe in the Islam Virus theory, and that Christian and Western cultures need strengthening against the hordes.
In domestic news, Karl Rove ignored a Congressional subpoena requiring his testimony at a hearing on whether the executive pressured the Justice Department to investigate claims of a Democrat's wrongdoing while ignoring Republican ones. Invoking, as others have, the “executive privilege” argument that claims members of the executive don’t have to testfy before Congerss about their internal matters, Rove believes he doesn’t have to go on the record about any of it. Contempt of Congress may soon be another badge Turd Blossom can sport.
Blorp. IndyMac, the largest regulated thrift institution in the country, just went insolvent. The FDIC stepped in and broke the fall, but it’s a takeover - are we going to see more of banks falling over, instead of just mortgage brokers?
Tony Snow, press secretary for the current administration, and then conservative pundit, died at 53 from cancer.
In places where blight is great, taking abandoned plots of land and turning them into gardens looks to feed those who are suffering. Grow your own food to help with the healthy eating on low wages. Nice.
In the opinion columns, Charles Krauthammer sees the future in the exercise of hard military power, rather than soft diplomacy, because of the way that hard pwoer gets things done instead of talking about it. Larry Elder would apply that principle to the United States in arguing that guns deter criminals,
Michael Reagan thinks Jesse Jackson was trying to revenge his own neutering at the hands of Barack Obama, because it is Obama who is now the black star of the Democratic Party, rather than him and Al Sharpton.
Taxpayers for Common Sense thinks that the current Congress' approval rating is well-deserved, for their lack of doing anything. They’ll find an ally in Cal Thomas, who thinks that maintaining or increasing the current majority in Congress is undeserved based on what the current majority didn't do. He offers campaign strategies for Republicans to denounce the do-nothing Democrats, strike fear into the voter’s heart with what the Dms can do with a sympathetic President, and to recreate themselves again as the party of fiscal responsibility, small government, and moral values.
In candidate opinions, The Unapologetic Mexican would like some firmer plans about what the presidential candidates intend to do about immigration, and to that point, has developed a non soundbite-generating survey for both candidates to take. There are probably a lot of voters, whether pro-immigration or not, that would like to see the border policy fleshed out some. How long until the conventions, again?
David Limbaugh continues to question whether Senator Obama's attitude and (to a much lesser degree) record are fit for an American president, instead of making substantive arguments about actual policy or proposed policy decisions. Then again, a lot of Presidential elections have hinged on whether the candidate looked presentable and Presidential, so maybe I shouldn’t be that surprised about this continued tack. Robet Novak believes that Clinton supporters will defect, or at least hold their nose, because Obama hasn't really brought them on board.
Victor Davis Hanson takes an interesting attack angle - trying to make Senator Obama into a clone of Mr. Bush based on the Senator's most recent positions on select issues. With Mr. Bush still firmly entrenched as a third rail in left-leaning circles, this line of attack could be successful, even if it is highly suspect. At least Stephen Moore attempts an attack on policy, criticizing the Senator's tax plans as economically unsound and likely to result in less jobs and investment because of higher taxes. Ken Blackwell lays out a plan for Senator McCain to court some African-American voters, away from what he suggests is Senator Obama’s appeal to racial politics, despite being billed as a “post-race” candidate. His suggestions, which include campaigning for vochers as school reform, expanding the ability to investment privately with entitlement dollars, emphasising insurance reform over single-payer, are pretty standard Republican suggestions based on potential policy. His last suggestion, however, is just as much an apeal to image as what he accuses Senator Obama of. “Mr. McCain must make the case that the chief task of the president is to protect this nation, and all Americans must vote for the person most capable of protecting their children and giving them a safer world to inherit.” So vote for the person that looks like they can defend the country better. Oh, look, we have a war hero here. Surely he would be more qualified than our opponent. Something about the idea that national security is the primary function of the President rings wrong to me, but I can’t put my finger on why.
The Weird Science Division may have a new recruit - a Swiss stuntman designed, built, and successfully tested a flying suit, to zip along at a pretty decent clip. Refining that idea could lead to some interesting personal transport... and even more crowded skies than before.
Other technology includes a remote-control shopping robot, so that those who can’t make the trip can still come along for the ride and see things tried on, organic solar concentrators that move solar power cells tnd light to the edges of panels, making it even cheaper to generate solar power, an Apple glitch that prevented iPhiles from activating the latest generation of iPhones, on top of authentication programs that force people to buy official Apple stuff,and The Bible Map, combining Google Maps with the ESV and KJV of the Bible.
Last for tonight, why facts don't get conspiracy theories to die. People will believe what they want, and will ascribe agency to random forces, sometimes as conspiracies... it’s just easier to believe in a shadowy agenda controlled by faceless people than that you got caught in a random event. Onward.
