Sunday, June 30, 2013

Drive your man wild with Obamacare

So Cosmo is going to help the push for Obamacare enrollment.
Will the articles be safe for work?

Is college worth the added cost?

Monday is the deadline for student loan interest rates? Will they go back to the historic levels, or stay pushed low by Congress? Instead of looking at the yearly interest rate, should we look at the high cost? Is it really worth it?

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Watch out for MERS

Foreign Policy brings the scary news of a possible disease outbreak in Saudi Arabia - and the inept responses so far.
Little is understood about how it is transmitted and even less regarding its origins. But we do know that MERS is deadly, with a mortality rate of about 55 percent -- a remarkably higher lethality than that posed by its close cousin, the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus, which in 2003 terrified travelers across the globe but posed a fatality rate of only 9.6 percent. The MERS coronavirus is new to our species, so mild and asymptomatic infections seem to be rare, but the human immune response to infection is itself so extreme that it can prove deadly in some cases.

Know the jurors

Legal Insurrection has a post compiling links to coverage of the first week of the trial.
A good job to check out the information on the jurors.

Saturday song

A summer weekend is a good time for Sailing.
Christopher Cross adds his version.


Facebook quote of the week

Just cut someone off in traffic who had a Coexist bumper sticker. 
She should be totally fine with that.

Friday, June 28, 2013

Mine, mine, mine

So, you don't like coal.
Who does your stand hurt?
Hard-working miners.
It's just not the businessmen who sell the coal.
It's the men who dig the coal.
And their families.
What are you bringing there to replace their jobs?
Any ideas?
Maybe build a few windmills on the mountains.
Sorry, can't do that.
Might hurt a few birds.
It would mar your views during weekend excursions.
We need coal.
Miners have made America work for years.
You don't save the world by throwing them away.

Weekend watchdog

It's been a while since Baltimore hosted an ESPN game on Sunday night. With the Yankees in town, the Worldwide Leader in Sports picked Sunday's game to close out the weekend.
The teams enter the series just behind Boston, and just ahead of Tampa Bay and Toronto in the competitive AL East.
Friday's game will be on MASN, and Saturday shares the spotlight on Fox with a pair of interleague games - Cubs at Mariners and Reds-Rangers - along with the Brewers meeting the Pirates and Tigers traveling to Tampa Bay. TBS brings Arizona-Atlanta Sunday at 1:35 p.m.
The Nationals host Arizona Thursday at 4 p.m. on MASN, then visit the Mets on MASN2 Friday and on MASN Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
The PGA tour visits Washington for the AT&T National Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. on CBS.
NBC has the U.S. Women's Open Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. The secobd round is on ESPN2 Friday at 3 p.m.
The NHL gets ready for next year with its draft on NBC Sports network starting Sunday at 3 p.m.
NASCAR makes its visit to Kentucky Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on TNT. The Nationwide racers go Friday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
NBC Sports network has the British Grand Prix Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Practice will be Friday at 9 p.m.
FIFA's Confederation Cup comes to a close in Brazil this weekend. Spain battles Brazil for the title Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN, while Uruguay meets Italy in the third-place game Sunday at 11:45 a.m. on ESPN2.
D.C. United hosts Vancouver on Comcast Saturday at 7 p.m. while Dallas faces Philadelphia on NBC Sports network Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and ESPN2 shows the Red Bulls against Houston Sunday at 2 p.m.
Wimbledon finishes its first week Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
Riders kick off the Tour de France Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. with the first two stages on NBC Sports network.
The CFL season starts this weekend, and ESPN2 has Saskatchewan against Edmonton Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
It's time for another version of X Games, this time from Munich. There's action Friday at noon on ESPN2, Saturday at 1 p.m. on ABC and Sunday at 11 a.m. on ESPN.
There's Pro Fast-pitch softball between Chicago and Akron on ESPN2 at 1 and 8 p.m.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Nice on ice

The NHL season finally ended Monday.
Laura and the rest of the Chicago Blackhawks Ice Crew only have a few months to rest before the next season opens.

Don't negotiate with terrorists

I gather President Obama will continue to take strong stands against Republicans, especially those calling themselves Tea Party members.
His strongest supporters think the Tea Party is a terrorist organization.
Finally a terrorist group that Obama shuns.

Auditing the IRS

The IRS finally released a list of its targeting of groups.
292 conservative
6 liberal
In a letter to congressional Democrats, the inspector general also said that 100 percent of Tea Party groups seeking special tax status were put under IRS review, while only 30 percent of the progressive groups felt the same pressure.
The Wednesday letter to the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee punched a huge hole in Democratic claims that progressive groups were targeted as much as the Tea Party groups from May 2010-May 2012, the height of the Tea Party movement.

Don't look at the real problems

Andrew Klavan tries to keep the focus on the real problems in the world.
My point is that we are in the grips of a truly corrupt, abusive, incompetent, and philosophically unAmerican administration. If it were led by a white Republican, the media would be disassembling it brick by brick — and rightly so. But it is run by a black Democrat, so instead, reporters are lying, covering up, and shouting “Squirrel!” to distract us whenever the truth starts to emerge.

Not over in Texas

One filibuster does not end the story in Texas.
But I have one question for those insisting that this is the only possible interpretation of what happened yesterday: Doesn’t anybody remember the Gosnell case? After what we saw happen in Philadelphia, no matter whether you favor abortion rights or oppose them, how can any measure that is aimed at preventing late term abortions (which are already illegal in most parts of the country after 24 weeks) and ensuring the places where they occur will be prepared to deal with medical emergencies including live births be dismissed so cavalierly?

Red solo cup, fills coffers up

Forbes looks at the financial empire of Toby Keith.
Over the past five years, FORBES estimates, Keith has never earned less than $48 million in a year. His cumulative take over that period: $270 million. Over his entire career–Keith has written a No. 1 country hit every year for the past two decades–his total earnings surpass $500 million. “He’s built this little empire, and he did it kind of quietly,” says concert promoter Louis Messina. “Not many people have been able to pull it off as long as he has.”
How do you like him now?

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Scalia unleashed

Sister Toldjah enjoys Justice Scalia's opinion on the DOMA decision.
It is one thing for a society to elect change; it is another for a court of law to impose change by adjudging those who oppose it hostes humani generis, enemies of the human race.

Doesn't matter what you think

Da Tech Guy looks at the other impact on the Prop 8 decision - they don't care what voters think.
Any sort of referendum is very hard. It requires a vast amount of people willing to invest millions of dollars and months or maybe even years of time while being willing to stand up to opponents who will vilify you. In a one party state it’s even harder since the people who oppose you control all levers of government, making it easy to punish your friends and reward your foes. Why go though all that time and effort and expense when even if you win, all the party machine needs is a single sympathetic lower court judge to rule in their and violà you’re foiled without standing to appeal. Fans of Gay Marriage might be cheering today, but not as loud as fans of one party autocratic government.

Let go the security blanket

The Supreme Court decision on a section of the Voting Rights Act brought out rage on the left.
Justice Ginsburg said it was like giving up your umbrella just because you are dry.
Maybe the section was like forcing someone to carry an umbrella after the storm finished - just in case there was ever any rain coming.
Put away your security blanket.
We've grown, and you don't need it.

Trashing the planet

American Glob finds what listeners left behind after President Obama's global warming speech.
Don't trash the planet, but you can trash the site of the speech.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Following the Zimmerman trial

Legal Insurrection has an expert following the George Zimmerman trial and offering daily roundups.
He hasn't been impressed with the state's case so far.
The fact that the State would launch this line of argument in the first day of substantive testimony suggests powerfully that they have an almost total lack of direct evidence of second degree murder in this case. The theory they seek to advance with the prior, entirely innocuous, calls to police is entirely circumstantial–and it’s on that circumstantial evidence that they seek to convince a jury, beyond a reasonable doubt, both that George Zimmerman committed murder with a “depraved mind” and that his actions were not in lawful self defense.

Password switch day

It's tough when you have multiple work systems needing passwords - when they expire at different times.
Which uses my favorite password, and which has a newer one?
Today, three of my programs asked for new passwords - and they will go along with the same password into the future.
Until the next expiration date.

Today's Tied with me

Technorati has this blog tied with Nerd Graph, which looks at some pretty cool places to work.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Getting warmer? Nope

Powerline previews President Obama's climate change speech.
It gets a chilly reception.
—Most of what has leaked out is just the same-old-same-old.  Emissions standards for coal-fired power plants?  Check.  Increased efficiency standards for homes and appliances?  Check.  More solar an wind on federal lands?  Check.
—Yet environmental leaders are nearly orgasmic today in anticipation of a speech, calling it a “major turning point in the climate fight,” which shows what cheap dates they remain for the Democratic Party. (By the way, EPA coal regs will take five to ten years to develop and implement, and might be vulnerable to legal challenge depending on how they unfold.  They will be litigated, no matter what.)

No amnesty for them

Ace lists the Republican senators who voted for cloture Monday.
Are they in trouble?
Si.

Names for Kanye's grandchildren

Some people don't know what to say upon hearing Kanye West's baby girl will be named North West.
Guess they can't see where this is going.
The grandchildren will be
North by North West.
West by North West.
They would be perfect for the Weather Channel.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Where to visit

Doug Ross goes to Alexa to find a lengthy list of the top conservative blogs.
Plenty of good choices for opinion and information.

Life in the slow lane

Roger Kimball tried to renew his license Friday.
He wasn't very happy with the two hours used to get a lower-grade drivers license.
Now those bureaucrats yelling  “Papers, please!” are our guys.  “Communism,” said Lenin, who knew about these things, “means keeping track of everything.” How he would have envied our databases and supercomputers, our face-recognition technology and DNA testing!  A society where surveillance is universal, where every move is tracked and docketed, is a society where everyone may be guilty and certainly is a suspect.

Back to the 80s

Last week, President Obama talked nuclear arms.
Tuesday, he talks global warming.
It's nice to talk about items that aren't major problems.
When there are plenty of major problems you want to ignore.
The 80s are calling. They want their issues back.

Where will Snowden go?

The news media loves the Edward Snowden story.
Today, they wonder where he will go.
Maybe Venezuela?
They need more toilet paper.
Hasn't that country suffered enough?

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Better living through chemistry

A chemist checks out the article about "Eight Banned Foods," and gets quite a reaction.
Many science-oriented bloggers have taken on what's been called "chemophobia", and they've done some great work tearing into some some really uninformed stuff out there. But nonsense does not obey any conservation law. It keeps on coming. It's always been in long supply, and it looks like it always will be.
That doesn't mean that we just have to sit back and let it wash over us, though. I've been sent this link in the last few days, a popular item on BuzzFeed with the BuzzFeedy headline of "Eight Foods That We Eat in The US That Are Banned in Other Countries". When I saw that title, I found it unpromising. In a world that eats everything that can't get away fast enough, what possible foods could we have all to ourselves here in the States? A quick glance was enough: we're not talking about foods here - we're talking about (brace yourselves) chemicals.

Count your blessings

Your life may be tough.
Things may be hard.
But your life is pretty good if you missed Netroots Nation Karaoke Night.
What's the favorite song choice there?
Don't want to know.

Saturday song

President Obama confused a British politician with soul singer Jeffrey Osborne during this week's trip. Here's the singer from the 1980s. It's 2013, Mr. President.

Facebook quote of the week

I'm already feisty today. My thought for the day - liars and cheaters suck.

Friday, June 21, 2013

United with McConnell

Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell stood united with the Citizens' United in a major speech Friday.
The real reason the Left was so concerned about Citizens United was that they thought it meant more conservatives would start to form what are known as social welfare organizations — something they’d been doing, with groups like Planned Parenthood and the Sierra Club, for years. And what’s notable about social welfare groups is they don’t have to disclose their donors. That was the main concern of the President and his allies. They weren’t interested in the integrity of the process. If they were, they’d have been just as upset at Left-wing groups for maintaining the privacy of their donors. What they really wanted was a hook that enabled them to stir up outrage about conservative groups, so they could get their hands on the names of the folks who supported them — and then go after them. Citizens United provided that hook.

Weekend watchdog

Due to the lockout, we missed having NHL action on New Year's Day.
stanley-cup-final-01-2013-logo_svgzv=6Instead, we're having ice hockey in summer - where they can report Wimbledon results between periods of the Stanley Cup final.
The Blackhawks and Bruins split the first four contests, and NBC has Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final from Chicago Saturday at 8 p.m.
Game 6 will be Monday from Boston, and if necessary, Game 7 is Wednesday - just 11 days before the Wimbledon men's final.
The Orioles head to Toronto for games on MASN Friday and Sunday and MASN2 Saturday afternoon. The Nationals continue a four-game set against the Rockies, with the game on MASN Saturday afternoon while contests Friday and Sunday are on MASN2.
Fox offers five games Saturday at 7 p.m. - Red Sox against Tigers and Twins-Indians from the American League along with Reds facing Diamondbacks, Dodgers meeting Padres and the interleague contest matching the Rangers and Cardinals. Those two battle on ESPN Sunday night, while the Rays face the Yankees on TBS at 2:05 p.m.
The College World Series in Omaha continues Friday as Mississippi State faces Oregon State at 3 p.m. for the championship of their bracket. UCLA faces North Carolina in the other bracket at 8 p.m. If necessary games in the brackets will be Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m.
NASCAR heads to California, with coverage from Sonoma Sunday at 2 p.m. on TNT, while the Nationwide Series heads to Wisconsin Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN.
The Indy Car circuit visits Iowa Sunday at 2:30 p.m., and there's motorcycle racing from Budds Creek Saturday at 4 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
Grab your umbrella as the PGA tour heads to Connecticut on CBS Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
The Confederation Cup continues in Brazil on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. with Japan against Mexico on ESPN. Nigeria takes on Spain at 2:30 p.m. Sunday while Uruguay meets Tahiti on ESPN2.
In the Under-20 World Cup, the United States meets Spain Friday at 1:45 p.m. on ESPN2. Mexico faces Greece Saturday at 10:45 a.m. on ESPN.
D.C. United faces San Jose Saturday at 7 p.m. on Comcast, while Portland hosts Colorado Sunday at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports network. ESPN offers Philadelphia against New York Sunday at 5 p.m.
The U.S. Track and Field outdoor championships starts on ESPN2 Friday at 8 p.m., then moves to NBC Sports network Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. NBC continues the coverage Sunday at 4 p.m.
The Dew Tour visits Ocean City, Maryland Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. on NBC.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

How long will be the season be?

Watching the final game of the NBA season, there was an ad for new show "Back in the Game" starring Maggie Lawson.
Will the show last very far into the next NBA season?

Happy day in West Virginia

It's the 150th anniversary of West Virginia becoming a state.
The Appalachian League season starts today.
It's a good day in the Mountain State.

Oh SNAP

The Washington Post looks at legislators taking the SNAP challenge - and challenges them to be more truthful about the program.
Judging from the lawmakers’ tweets, some are assuming the $4.50 means that just $1.50 can be spent per meal. That certainly might be difficult with take-out food, but SNAP generally is intended to be used to buy food for home-cooked meals. The USDA has created official food plans that represent what it describes as “a nutritious diet at four different cost levels.”

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Gang banger

The Gang of Eight hasn't impressed Texas senator Ted Cruz.
"This gang of 8 bill is a disaster", Cruz began. "We're hearing the exact same empty promises as 1986. It grants legalization now, and promises that sometime in the future, trust us *wink wink* we'll secure the border. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame in me."
I'll drink to that.

Mr. Obama, tear down this glass wall

President Obama was sweating under the hot German sun Wednesday.
Whoever set up the podium (and bulletproof glass wall) probably will be sweating for a long time.

Gunning for South Carolina

Thanks to Connecticut's regulatory environment, one of their gun manufacturers plans on moving to South Carolina.
PTR Industries is one of two Connecticut firearms manufacturers that have said they are being courted by Horry County. The other, Stag Arms, said it is interested in the area, according to Mark Malkowski, Stag Arms CEO.

Rally time

It's rally against the IRS day in Washington.
Some of us will be working to feed the beast, but we will be there in spirit.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

I don't like spiders and snakes

The closet door doesn't stop this snake.
It doesn't even contain him.

Game D'oh

The Blaze reports some players reached level 30 of a new Simpsons game.
They found some wild gun messages.
D'oh.
Guess the game designers ran out of ideas.

I build cars. Really.

Bearing Drift offers a report from a Memphis TV station - trying to find life at Terry McAuliffe's green car company in Mississippi.
And he plans to do the same for areas of Virginia looking for jobs.

Today's Tied with me

Technorati has this blog tied with Hockey Nation in the basketball rankings today.
Hockey Nation looks at the NHL eyeing Seattle for a potential move since the NBA decided not to bring a team back yet.

Monday, June 17, 2013

How not to shop

SooperMexican smacks around dim-witted legislators who show they know as much about food shopping as they do about governing.
Not very much.
House Republicans are proposing that $20 billion be cut from the program over the next ten years, which would come to about 2.5% per year – and liberals are going absolutely insane.
Democrats have begun a ridiculous campaign called the “SNAP Challenge” where they try to live on the average SNAP benefit per person. Keep in mind the very first letter of the program – it’s supposed to be supplemental, not the only source of nutrition.
Even so, the Democrats’ pathetic antics in failing at his simple task that many Americans fulfill without assistance has brought on many an occasion for ridicule.

View from the Central Valley

Victor Davis Hanson has lived for years with the impacts of illegal immigrants flooding his area.
He provides bracing commentary.
Arms and backs that were near superhuman at 25 are often shot at 50. When the 45-year-old illegal alien can no longer pick, or cook, or rake as he once did, the employer loses interest, and the state steps in to provide him with rough parity through subsidies for housing, health care, food, and legal assistance, and meanwhile it has been educating his children. Because second-generation immigrants are deemed less industrious than their worn-out fathers and mothers — and Hispanic males in California graduate from high school at little more than a 60 percent rate — the need arises for another round of young hardy workers from Latin America.

What not to watch

Have you invested in a 3D TV?
Not many have, and thus ESPN will discontinue its ESPN 3D service shortly.
Since the network’s launch, the production quality of its live 3D telecasts has improved exponentially, and costs have been reduced significantly, but the network, nonetheless, never caught on with sports fans the way ESPN expected.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Classless at State

The New York Post offers the latest whistleblower on bad activities among State Department employees.
“It’s cover-up after cover-up. It’s absolutely hideous,” she told The Post. “When our diplomats disrespect the Italians by hiring and firing them because they have seen too much — or use them for ‘sex-ercise’ — we have to question why we have diplomats abroad at taxpayer expense.”
Gotta love the picture they used of the alleged offender.

The idea men

Jeff Shapiro of the Times-Dispatch notes the advantage Republicans have in 2013 - candidates who inspire the base.
The core Republican vote — drown-the-government libertarians, anti-taxers, abortion opponents, gun-rights advocates, home-schoolers and anti-gay activists — will be there for Cuccinelli et al in November. That’s because the GOP grass roots view their 2013 candidates as they view themselves: as believers.
They are committed to ideas. They vote their hearts. They have — in Cuccinelli, Jackson and Obenshain — candidates who speak to both. They have seen effective conservative governance in Richmond, despite Gov. Bob McDonnell’s betrayal of the Republican no-new-taxes creed. And they have stacked the deck, carving legislative districts that literally and figuratively keep Virginia — in the aggregate, a centrist state — on the right course.
They have something worth defending.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Go ask mom

Via Powerline, a thought for this weekend.

Saturday song

It's the last Saturday of spring.
Next week, there will be summer in the city.

Taking it downtown

Going on vacation gave me a chance to catch the latest videos on CMT - including Downtown by Lady Antebellum.
Hillary looks better here than her "arrest" photo.

Facebook quote of the week

Never do something permanently foolish just because you are temporarily upset...

Friday, June 14, 2013

Kipper the dog could not be reached for comment

Via Ace, more proof academics have too much time on their hands.
There's a paper stating showing kids stories about cuddly animals reinforces racial stereotypes.
When the oldest was a toddler in the late 1990s, we used to record Kipper the Dog and other such fare on Nick.
Maybe the researchers need to visit another dog, Blue, and get a clue.

Weekend watchdog

Time to get ready for a big sports weekend on Father's Day.
The PGA grabs attention with the U.S. Open from outside Philadelphia.
After a rain-delayed start Thursday, ESPN resumes coverage Friday at 8:30 a.m., with NBC picking up the action at 3 p.m.
NBC follows play on the weekend, starting at noon both days. Tiger Woods will be paired with Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott the first two days. Expect plenty of cameras to follow that group.
The NBA Finals continue in San Antonio, with Game 5 Sunday at 8 p.m. after the teams have split the first four contests.
Chicago and Boston battle in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals Saturday at 8 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
The Orioles host Boston on MASN, while the Nationals head to Cleveland on MASN2 Friday and Sunday. Saturday's game is part of the Fox coverage, along with Seattle-Oakland, Tigers at Twins, White Sox against Astros and Yankees playing the Angels.
TBS offers the Pirates hosting the Dodgers Sunday at 1:30 p.m., while ESPN shows Giants-Braves Sunday at 8 p.m.
Eight teams made it to Omaha for the College World Series, starting Saturday. Mississippi State, which ousted Virginia, starts the action at 3 p.m. on ESPN2 against Oregon State. Indiana meets Louisville at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
On ESPN2 Sunday, North Carolina and N.C. State battle at 3 p.m., followed by LSU-UCLA in the nightcap. The double-elimination tournament continues through the week.
NASCAR heads to Michigan Sunday at 1 p.m. on TNT, while ABC shows the Nationwide race Saturday at 3 p.m.
The Indy Cars head to Milwaukee Saturday at 4 p.m. on NBC Sports network, and the NHRA Thunder Valley are on ESPN2 Sunday at 1 p.m. Qualifying begins Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Confederations Cup begins Saturday at 2:30 p.m. with Brazil against Japan on ESPN. Mexico meets Italy Sunday at 2:30 p.m., followed by Spain-Uruguay.
Toronto visits D.C. United Saturday at 7 p.m. on Comcast, while ESPN offers Portland taking on Dallas Saturday at 5 p.m.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

They read what's in the bill

Politico reports the wailing of Congressional staffers - who will have to pay more for their healthcare coverage next year under Obamacare.
Welcome to the party, pal.

Start your day right

Are we Lumberjacks? offers a gift suggestion for Father's Day.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Why sunsets are better

Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets?
I like sunsets.




















Those sunrises happen too early in the morning.

For the MSNBC research department

MSNBC identified long-time Alabama Democrat George Wallace as a Republican during a story on the 1963 "Stand in the Schoolhouse door."
Not sure if they used this photo.

Cruz on the case

Texas Senator Ted Cruz is working on the side of a State Department whistle-blower.
The allegations were revealed after Aurelia Fedenisn, a former investigator at the State Department's Office of the Inspector General, complained to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, that senior State Department officials interfered with investigations she was involved in, and then caused a report about the interference to be watered down.
Knew I liked the guy.

Two faces, neither trustworthy

Via Ace, Jonah Goldberg looks at the crashing of President Obama's balancing act of being on both sides of many issues.
The idealist wants credit for ending the war, while the alleged pragmatist wants to keep a surveillance apparatus that has no justification if the War on Terror is truly over. Maybe he’s right on the merits. The problem is that fewer and fewer people are willing to take his word for it.

Track your scandals

Via Paco, Doug Ross adds fun to the Obama scandals - a Word Search.

Vote fraud update

The people of Cincinnati have been busy casting extra ballots.
We have one conviction, two guilty pleas and three more cases pending.
Vote fraud - it's not a figment of the imagination of Republicans.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Today's Tied with me

Technorati has this blog tied with the Wall Street Journal's law blog.
They are keeping track of Plan B and the Snowden case.

From Hillary Clinton's State Department

The latest scandal comes from the wild, horny crew at the State Department.
In one specific and striking cover-up, State Department agents told the Inspector General they were told to stop investigating the case of a U.S. Ambassador who held a sensitive diplomatic post and was suspected of patronizing prostitutes in a public park.
The State Department Inspector General's memo refers to the 2011 investigation into an ambassador who "routinely ditched ... his protective security detai" and inspectors suspect this was in order to "solicit sexual favors from prostitutes."
Sources told CBS News that after the allegations surfaced, the ambassador was called to Washington, D.C. to meet with Undersecretary of State for Management Patrick Kennedy, but was permitted to return to his post.
Think they can keep a secret?
Fedenisn says "hostile intelligence services" allow such behavior to continue. "I would be very surprised if some of those entities were not aware of the activities," she said. "So yes, it presents a serious risk to the United States government."
More fun from Hillary Clinton's State Department. Maybe this is why they didn't have time to make sure Benghazi was secure before September 11.

Looking at the power grab

Instapundit's column in USA Today reminds us of all the recent troubles in the Obama administration.
There's a common theme in all of these scandals: Abuse of power. And, what's more, that abuse-of-power theme is what makes the NSA snooping story bigger than it otherwise would be. It all comes down to trust.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Fired up, ready to go

Has anybody heard anything about Benghazi lately?
The first scandal seems to have been overwhelmed by the daily drumbeat of more scandal.
Obama foes are more fired up by the day.
Will his friends be more disillusioned?
Welcome to the second term.
UPDATE: Part of Paco's assortment.

Trust in short supply

Remember when candidate Obama made it seem George W. Bush was to blame for the bad things.
Voting Obama would remove the bad from Washington.
Not looking so true now.
A series of mounting controversies is exposing both the risks of political promise-making and the limits of national-level governing while undercutting the core assurance Obama made from the outset: that he and his administration would behave differently.

We're from the government and we need help

Ron Fournier lists all the ways our current crop of scandals hurts the "only government has the size to help" club.
The core argument of President Obama's rise to power, and a uniting belief of his coalition of young, minority and well-educated voters, is that government can do good things -- and do them well.
Damn. Look at what cliches the past few weeks wrought.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Champs on the diamond

Fishersville's Wilson Memorial won the Virginia Group A, Division 2 baseball crown on Sunday.
The school also has a state title in girls cross country in the fall.
Good way to end the school year.

Proud papa

Powerline's Scott Johnson offers his daughter's appearance on Fox news to update us on the IRS happenings.
Even if we had to drag it out of him.
Readers have kindly indulged my mentions of Eliana’s work for NRO over the past several months. I was going to pass over this video until a reader wrote last night (obviously not in jest given the rest of the message): “I am absolutely shocked that you have not reported on the excellent job your daughter did being interviewed by Megyn Kelly….” His message made me think that readers might enjoy catching up on the scandal through the video.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Will he write this?

ABC's Matthew Dowd imagines a letter from President Obama to George W. Bush.
He may have gotten Osama, but it looks like he got some bigger messes now.

Friends of the NRA

There's a new anti-NRA website.
Which means more money headed to the NRA.
Having worked there 20 years, I can tell you that the greatest fear of the top echelons at NRA is that people like Ken Lerer might stop attacking it, because the harder those attacks are pressed, the louder the cash register rings. That this isn’t self-evident to the anti-gunners has always puzzled me, but I have given up trying to understand them.

Saturday song

Since I'm heading to North Carolina on vacation, the Chairmen of the Board seem a natural choice.


Facebook quote of the week

How am I the bad guy because a certain 10 year old happened to get up on the wrong side of the bed & start a temper tantrum? I let the tantrum try to play itself out for 30 minutes before I finally stepped in and now I am the meanest person on earth! Oh the joys of motherhood!
(While typing this she has considered her actions & apologized.....she must really want that bunny rabbit on Friday!)

Friday, June 7, 2013

The future under Obamacare

Megan McArdle received a letter with a worry about Obamacare - some who don't have insurance now will find themselves without insurance next year - and owing a penalty.
Something they probably don't expect to pay.
She does have a reader from Texas looking forward to the flexibility he will find.

Watch what you read

A soldier claims he was told his reading Mark Levin and David Limbaugh made his fellow soldiers uneasy.
That's the toughness we want defending our country.

Weekend watchdog

The Spurs got the first contest Thursday.
Can the Heat bounce back in their quest for a repeat crown?
The battle for the NBA title continues Sunday at 8 p.m. with Game 2 before the series shifts to San Antonio.
The Spurs have won four titles during Tim Duncan's career, the last in 2007 when they beat LeBron James and the Cavaliers in four straight.
We're getting closer to the Stanley Cup matchup. The Conference finals continue Friday at 8 p.m. with the Bruins trying to finish off the Penguins.
NBC has Game 5 in Chicago Saturday at 8 p.m. - with the Blackhawks one win away from taking the series - and Game 5 matching Bruins and Penguins, if necessary, will be Sunday at 8 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
The French Open comes to a close on NBC. After tape-delayed action on Friday, the women's final airs Saturday at 9 a.m. The top men vie for the crown Sunday at 9 a.m.
The Orioles visit Tampa Bay on MASN this weekend, and the Nationals host Minnesota on MASN2.
The Cardinals meet the Reds Saturday night on Fox and Sunday night on ESPN, while TBS has Angels-Red Sox Sunday afternoon after their contest Saturday on Fox. Other games on Fox Saturday night are Padres facing the Rockies, Astros against Royals and Phillies-Brewers.
It's Super regional weekend in college baseball. Oklahoma visits LSU Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN, while ESPN2 has three contests - South Carolina against North Carolina at 1 p.m. followed by Rice-N.C. State and UCLA playing Cal State Fullerton.
Virginia starts its series Saturday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2. There's three more Game 2s - Rice against North Carolina State at 4 p.m., then LSU-Oklahoma and UCLA facing Cal State Fullerton at 10 p.m. ESPN offers the second game between North Carolina and South Carolina at noon before the opener between Louisville at Vanderbilt.
ESPN has games Sunday at 1 and 4 p.m., with if necessary games on ESPN2 at 7 and 10 p.m.
There will be no Triple Crown this year, but there's one more Triple Crown race - the Belmont Stakes on NBC Saturday at 5 p.m.
CBS offers the PGA tour's St. Jude Classic from Memphis Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
TNT starts its NASCAR run with the Party at the Poconos Sunday at 2 p.m., while the Nationwide racers gather in Iowa Saturday at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
The IndyCar circuit heads to Texas Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on ABC, and the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix airs Sunday at 2 p.m. on NBC. NBC Sports network has practices Friday at 2 p.m. and qualifying Saturday at 1 p.m.
NBC Sports network brings motorcycle racing Saturday at 5 p.m.
The road to next year's World Cup continues on ESPN Friday at 2:40 p.m. with Czech Republic against Italy.
D.C. United visit New England Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Comcast. On NBC Sports network, Vancouver takes on Seattle Saturday at 10:30 p.m.
From the WNBA, Phoenix takes on Indiana Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Andrea in North Carolina

Tropical Storm Andrea is headed to North Carolina Friday.
Why not find an Andrea from North Carolina to feature?
Andrea Duke was Miss North Carolina USA in 2008.

Rush to excellence

Has the audience listening to Rush Limbaugh dropped?
The advertisers are still coming.
They know where the money is.

Washington - rogue central

Where did the Cincinnati IRS employees get their questions for the Tea Party?
Maybe Washington?
In his interview with congressional investigators, he said a local manager—whose name was redacted in the transcripts—asked him to find all the tea-party applications in the office’s files, both pending and closed. The manager asked him to use the phrase “tea party” to conduct the search.
Around the same time, the local manager “said Washington, D.C., wanted seven” cases, Mr. Muthert said in the transcript. That month, he said, he “batched up” seven of the cases for “EO Technical,” a unit of the Exempt Organizations Division in Washington, then headed by Ms. Lerner, according to his interview.
Just happened to look for "Tea Party," eh?

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Liberty in action

Via Don Surber, a high school graduate in action at South Carolina.
He had his speech pre-approved.
He ripped it up at the podium and spoke from the heart.
Good job at Liberty High.

Show me the settlement money

Ken Cuccinelli showed good timing Wednesday - holding a press conference about federal money being withheld hours before the IRS released the money.
We all know Terry McAuliffe can shake the money tree - for himself.
Cuccinelli shook the money tree for all Virginians.

Zero tolerance for this

If you're a middle school boy, watch about talking about guns.
In Maryland, you can get a 10-day suspension.
And play interrogation with the principal.
Looks like a case where the ACLU and NRA can work together.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Ryan to the rescue

Sister Toldjah enjoyed Paul Ryan's comments of the Democratic questions of Tea Party groups at Tuesday's hearing.
What Ryan went down the panel of conservatives testifying and confirmed one by one what their accusations were against the IRS and what proof they had, which basically torched McDermott’s argument that this wasn’t politically motivated and was like the IRS’ alleged targeting of liberal groups under the Bush administration.

Today's Game Show loser

A North Carolina postal worker claimed she couldn't work due to an injury lifting mail trays.
Then she appeared on "Price is Right."
Now she's headed to jail.
The price was right. She wasn't.

Not here as a serf or a vassal

Ace brings the emotion from the IRS hearing.

Insurance? Don't want it

Obamacare provides more opportunity for health insurance.
Will those without insurance now jump on the bandwagon?
The beatings will continue until more sign up.

Today's Tied with me

Technorati has this blog tied with Borepatch today.
Don't post to Instagram about this fact.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Green rubes

Via Instapundit, Walter Russell Mead looks at the price crash in solar panels.
The greens have deluded themselves into thinking that somehow market forces didn’t apply to manufacturing “clean” tech. It just illustrates the lack of policy competence in the green community, and the cleverness of crony capitalists, who know the silly greens will lobby for your sweetheart deal if you sprinkle some of their favorite phrases into the promotional literature.
When you wish upon a star...

On to the next challenge

The oldest brought home news today that he had been accepted to the Shenandoah Valley Governor's School in Fishersville.
His last two years of high school will be interesting.

Time to get an education

Get ready for online education in higher ed.
Those involved in the current system will be getting a real education.
Why not use the time on the X-Box to build the future?
This is the same generation that grew up playing online games like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft, but who are almost never asked to use their online skills in any classroom.

Almost Trayvon time

The George Zimmerman trial is scheduled to start next Monday with jury selection.
Legal Insurrection will have Andrew Branca, an expert on self-defense law, keep an eye on the activity.
You've heard lots about the case already. But probably not the whole story.
The Zimmerman trial is the trial of the year because it combines not only the facts of the death of a young man, but also the circus  over race relations and 2nd Amendment rights created by prosecutors, the Martin family attorneys, social and traditional media, and political groups with an agenda.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Chasing the chasers

Via Dustbury, an interesting graphic showing how many storm chasers were in the middle of the Oklahoma tornado Friday.
You think you're chasing a storm.
Until it turns and chases you.

Doing the Curly shuffle

I don't expect to see any IRS employees on "America's Got Talent."
There could probably be a special episode of "Funniest Home Videos" in the future, though.

Why so rude?

The Guardian brings a few of the many examples of rude liberals.
Wouldn't it be better for America if liberals really were liberal, and listened to other points of view? Is prayer in public places really so awful? Isn't it possible to have legitimate concerns about the effects of gay marriage? Hasn't Sarah Palin earned some respect for her successful fight against corruption in Alaska? Perhaps the best response to global warming is to adapt to it, rather than spending billions to fight it. Think about it.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Rush to this post

John Hawkins brings together 20 great quotes from Rush Limbaugh.
Find your favorite, but here's a good one.
10) "The way to improve our schools is not more money, but the reintroduction of moral and spiritual values, as well as the four ‘R's: reading, 'riting, 'rithmatic, and Rush."

Carolina memories

I had to break down at buy the print edition of Sports Illustrated this weekend. One of the feature stories covers the Geathers family of South Carolina.
Robert Geathers played a short time in the NFL, and has three sons on training camp rosters this season. He stopped by our newspaper office during my tenure in the mid 1980s to keep us updated on his younger brother Jumpy, then with the Saints.
I interviewed Jumpy in 1985, probably at Robert's home where the SI photographer did the photo shoot.
They have produced a new generation of football players, and the SI story covers their camp for young hopefuls of tomorrow.

Saturday song

Gotta love those 70s Afros.
The O'Jays sing about "Backstabbers."


Recyling update

My local aluminum can recycling center will gives 45 cents a pound for my soda cans.
I miss the days of 60 cents per pound.

Facebook quote of the week

There's nothing better than...hearing my boy laughing hysterically while watching Tom and Jerry :-)