Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Boob czar plus 10

Ten years ago on New Year's Eve, my post about the Boob Czar earned an Instalanche.
It's a good post to conclude this decade of blogging.

Trump's Top Ten

Real Clear Politics lists 10 reasons why it was a good year for President Trump and the United States.
These 10 achievements build a foundation for our nation to flourish in the New Year. In addition, these accomplishments exhibit his leadership skills, in spite of a near-totally obstructionist House of Representatives and a consistently biased media establishment. Such accomplishments make the president the prohibitive favorite to win reelection over an unimpressive Democratic presidential stable of candidates. Looking bigger picture, the first three years of the Trump presidency have established the policy framework and upward momentum for a truly amazing decade ahead – the new Roaring Twenties.

Sunday, December 29, 2019

Wet or dry

The News Leader runs a column worrying about climate change.
What's the problem with these two paragraphs?
Speaking of weather, talk to local farmers in the Valley. You may hear them remark that they’re seeing more extreme fluctuations. Some say you could always count on rain at least once a week; now, they’ve had to adapt to longer periods of drought by planting more drought tolerant crops such as Sudan grass to feed their cattle. And wider fluctuations in spring temperatures are forcing local fruit farmers to consider varieties that stay dormant longer before flowering.
- Now turn to those refreshing mountain streams in Shenandoah National Park. Park scientists have recorded warmer brook temperatures in recent years. One impact is stress on the native brook trout inhabiting park waters. Researchers in the park are also seeing wetter weather conditions. In 2018, the park registered a record 99 inches of rain compared to an annual average of only 56 inches.
Longer periods of drought and wetter weather conditions.
Which problem is man causing?
What's the solution to both?
It's like you're grabbing any weather problem and pushing it into the climate change scare.
And insulting those who don't follow your thinking and prescriptions.

Friday, December 27, 2019

Weekend watchdog

This weekend marks the start of the sixth College Football Playoff - but the first without Alabama.
For those desiring continuity, Clemson will be in the field for the fifth straight year.
The Tigers attempt to repeat as national champion when they meet Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl Saturday at 8 p.m. on ESPN. LSU, which handed Alabama its' first loss of the season, meets Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl at 4 p.m. in the other semifinal.
Saturday's winners advance to the National Championship Game Jan. 13 in New Orleans.
Alabama fans have to wait until New Year's Day to see their squad, in the Citrus Bowl from Orlando.
The post-Christmas bowl schedule continues Friday as North Carolina meets Temple in the Military Bowl at noon on ESPN, followed by Michigan State-Wake Forest in the Pinstripe Bowl and the Texas Bowl matching Texas A&M and Oklahoma State at 6:45 p.m.
FoxSports1 has the Holiday Bowl between Southern Cal and Iowa at 8 p.m. and ESPN brings the Cheez-It Bowl at 10:15 p.m. with Air Force against Washington State.
Penn State meets Memphis in the Cotton Bowl Saturday at noon on ESPN and Notre Dame faces Iowa State from Orlando on ABC at noon.
The NFL regular season closes Sunday with the NFC West battle between Seattle and San Francisco on NBC at 8:20 p.m. The winner takes the division while the loser has a matchup on the road next weekend.
The Patriots tangle with the Dolphins at 1 p.m. on CBS while Fox carries Packers-Lions. The final playoff slots are on the line in the late afternoon, with Cowboys needing to beat the Redskins on Fox and hoping the Eagles fall to the Giants. On CBS, the top-seeded Ravens face the Steelers - who are battling the Titans and Raiders for the final wild-card playoffs.
The Mavericks take on the Lakers on ESPN Sunday at 9:30 p.m.
Tennessee tangles with Wisconsin on CBS Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and Louisville faces Kentucky at 3:45 p.m.
ESPN2 has Brown-Duke Saturday at 11:30 p.m. followed by New Orleans-Memphis.
Georgetown hosts American on FoxSports1 Saturday at noon and Marquette meets Central Arkansas at 2 p.m. It's Butler against Louisiana Monroe at 4 p.m. and Creighton clashes with Midland at 6 p.m.
West Virginia faces Ohio State at noon Sunday on FoxSports1 followed by Michigan against UMass-Lowell.
Virginia takes on Navy on ESPN2 Sunday at 4 p.m.
It's VCU-Loyola of Maryland Sunday at 5 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
On the women's court, Syracuse faces Louisville Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN2. FoxSports1 has Providence against Villanova Sunday at 4 p.m.
The Capitals host Columbus Friday at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington and visit Carolina Saturday at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington-plus.
NBC Sports network offers Avalanche-Wild Friday at 8 p.m.
Brighton & Hove Albion faces Bournemouth Saturday at 7:25 a.m. and Everton battles Newcastle United at 9:55 a.m. on NBC Sports network. NBC offers Norwich-Tottenham Hotspur at 12:30 p.m.
Chelsea clashes with Arsenal Sunday at 8:55 a.m. on NBC Sports network before Liverpool tangles with Wolverhampton.
South of the border, Monterrey meets America on FoxSports1 Thursday at 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Agree with us or you're racist

Blue Virginia offers its reasons to support the proposed bill dealing with housing density.
But keeps circling back to a threat for opponents.
“More than that, its history is ugly. Single-family zoning in America originated to segregate types of buildings as a proxy for segregating people, mostly by race and income. We do not need words in our laws today that continue to enable patterns that echo that history.”
Do you oppose this proposal?
Your reasons don't matter.
Zoning is racist so you're racist.
Even among Democrats in Arlington County.
Sadly, it’s not just right wingers who are resistant to opening up housing markets to different, denser types of housing. See this article, for instance, about how deep-blue Arlington County – “expensive” and “dominated by single-family homes” – is already bracing for “blowback” simply from a “a forthcoming study of so-called “missing middle” housing, which refers to homes that fall between apartment-sized and single family-sized.” Because, the sad reality is, “opening land to denser construction [aka, ‘upzoning’]…has long been a third rail in suburban communities.”
Let's let Democrats change the minds of people in Arlington before trying the rest of the state.

Shot through the heart

Kurt Schlichter turns his attention to Virginia's Second Amendment sanctuary movement.
In any case, the Democrats have finally found a kind of sanctuary city they won’t goo goo over – one that protects the constitutional rights of American citizens instead of one that undermines and breaks the duly-enacted laws passed by the American people’s representatives for the benefit of foreigners who shouldn’t be here in the first place.
This kind of civil disobedience is absolutely justified in the face of manifestly unconstitutional threats to the Bill of Rights. The liberals think the Constitution is some sort of cafeteria, where they get to pick and chose the rights they will enforce – usually rights that aren’t even in the Constitution in the first place. But this only works if American citizens go along with it, and they are not going to.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Remembering the Christmas worker

Most businesses shut down today, but there's a few that open - like newspapers.
I had to man the sports desk on Christmas 1989.
A quiet night - I found Associated Press had sent a rundown of major events of the 80s and I filled the pages with that.
The front page featured news of the death of Billy Martin.
Such a major sports figure from those days.

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Arguing around the Christmas tree

Gateway Pundit provides the talking points to boost President Trump among your relatives.
You can also remind them Santa has plenty of coal to give to the naughty.

Ghosts of Christmas Carnivals past

I contributed to Cathouse Chat's Carnival of Christmas in 2008 and 2009.
Unfortunately, those seem to have disappeared from the internet.
The one from 2007 still survives.
The links may disappear, but the spirit survives.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Such unhappy liberals

The turn of a decade gives the New Republic a chance to whine about how the last 10 years have gone.
The story of American politics over the past decade is that of a political party on the cusp of enduring power and world-historical social reform, and how these once imaginable outcomes were methodically squandered.
Such an uplifting post, watching liberals in agony.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Friday, December 20, 2019

Weekend watchdog

The college bowl season ends Jan. 13 in New Orleans.
But it begins Friday in the Bahamas.
Charlotte and Buffalo start the bowl season Friday at 2 p.m. on ESPN with the Bahamas Bowl. The Frisco Bowl matches Utah State and Kent State Friday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
ABC has the Celebration Bowl between Alcorn State and North Carolina A&T Saturday at noon. Central Michigan clashes with San Diego State on ESPN at 2 p.m. in the New Mexico Bowl, and Liberty plays in its first bowl game against Georgia Southern at 2:30 p.m. on CBS Sports network.
Florida Atlantic faces SMU in the Boca Raton Bowl at 3:30 p.m. on ABC, followed by the Camelia Bowl between Florida International and Arkansas State on ESPN at 5:30 p.m.
The Las Vegas Bowl brings together Boise State and Washington on ABC at 7:30 p.m., with Appalachian State-UAB in the New Orleans Bowl on ESPN at 9 p.m.
Top-seed North Dakota State meets Montana State in the FCS semifinals Saturday at 2 p.m. on ESPN2.
NFL network has a tripleheader Saturday, starting with Texans-Bucs at 1 p.m. The Bills and Patriots battle at 4:30 p.m. and the Rams visit the 49ers at 8:30 p.m.
The Ravens face the Browns on CBS Sunday at 1 p.m. Fox has the Redskins against the Giants at 1 p.m. before the Eagles and Cowboys clash for the NFC East lead.
Kansas City gears up for the playoffs against the Bears Sunday on NBC, with Packers-Vikings on ESPN Monday night.
The Mavericks meet the 76ers Friday at 8:15 p.m. on ESPN.
The Wizards tangle with the Raptors Friday at 7:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington and visit the 76ers Saturday at 7 p.m.
North Dakota State takes on Marquette Friday at 9 p.m. on FoxSports1.
Fox has Kansas-Villanova Saturday at noon and Texas against Providence at 2 p.m.
North Carolina battles UCLA on CBS Saturday at 3 p.m. followed by Ohio State-Kentucky.
Notre Dame faces Indiana on ESPN Saturday at noon.
Samford takes on Georgetown at noon Saturday on FoxSports1 and it's Utah State-Florida at 2:30 p.m. in the Orange Bowl Classic. LSU clashes with Southern Cal at 9 p.m.
It's VCU-Wichita State Saturday at noon on ESPN2. Minnesota meets Oklahoma State at 5:30 p.m. and Arizona tangles with St. John's at 10 p.m.
ESPN2 has TCU-Xavier Sunday at 5 p.m and Ball State meets Washington at 9:30 p.m.
Prairie View A&M visits Seton Hall Sunday at 4:30 p.m. on FoxSports1. On the women's court, Stanford takes on Texas Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2.
The Capitals visit the Devils Friday at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington-plus and host the Lightning Saturday at 7 p.m.
ESPN has the women's volleyball final Saturday at 8 p.m.
Everton tangles with Arsenal on NBC Sports network Saturday at 7:25 a.m. and Norwich City takes on Wolverhampton at 9:55 a.m. Manchester City meets Leicester City on NBC at 12:30 p.m.
Manchester United faces Watford at 8:55 a.m. Sunday on NBC Sports network followed by Tottenham Hotspur-Chelsea.
In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich battles Wolfsburg Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Dusseldorf meets Union Berlin Sunday at 9:30 a.m. followed by Paderborn-Eintracht at noon.
Atalanta tangles with AC Milan in Italian Serie A Sunday at 6:25 a.m.
FoxSports1 offers college wrestling between Nebraska and Oregon State Friday at 7 p.m.
There's snowboarding on NBC Sports network Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 10 p.m., along with freestyle skiing Saturday at 7 p.m.

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Supreme idiocy

Powerline joins Mark Levin in trying to figure out what Democrats are thinking on impeachment.
Could it be the Supreme Court?
While the fact that President Trump is being impeached won’t prevent him from appointing, or the Senate from confirming, a new justice, should there be a vacancy in the next eleven months, I think Levin is right to think that the Democrats are planning the ultimate Donnybrook if there is another vacancy. The idea that an impeached president shouldn’t be allowed to exercise his constitutional authority to appoint a Supreme Court justice is silly on its face, but that view would be trumpeted by pretty much every news outlet in America if the occasion arises.
In that event, the Democrats’ most realistic hope is that their campaign might persuade a handful of squishy Republican Senators to tell the White House that, in view of impeachment and all, President Trump must appoint a moderate, or they will join with the Democrats to block his choice. Would that happen? I doubt it, but the Democrats place an immense importance on the Supreme Court, and even the slim chance that impeachment could be used to frustrate the nomination of a real conservative could go a long way toward explaining why they are willing to embarrass themselves with a futile impeachment drive.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

A Christmas present

In the House Wednesday, Hawaii's Tulsi Gabbard voted present on both articles of impeachment.
Do Democrats remember John F. Kennedy's book "Profiles in Courage?"
One of the profiles highlighted a senator who didn't vote to impeach President Andrew Johnson in 1868.
You don't get to be a profile in courage by going along with the herd.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Welcome back to the 80s

What movies are you looking forward to seeing next summer?
Most lists include

  • Ghostbusters
  • Top Gun
  • Bill and Ted

All from the 80s originally.
And then today, The Far Side website debuts.
It's morning in America.

Monday, December 16, 2019

Still waiting to lock her up

Jim Geraghty lists the multiple questionable actions by the Clinton Foundation over the years.
And you want Republicans to be excited over a phone call about aid to Ukraine?
The Clintons could have funded that out of petty cash.

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Can labor shut up Democrats?

The Democrats have a debate planned for next week in California.
But their second site is having labor troubles.
And none of the seven candidates will cross a picket line.
Can Democrats find a venue that's not having a labor issue?
Or will we miss hearing their latest wisdom?

Saturday Christmas song





A hopeful Christmas song from Suzy Bogguss and Chet Atkins.

Friday, December 13, 2019

Weekend watchdog

It's been three years since Navy beat Army and also claimed the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy.
The Midshipmen look to take care of that Saturday.
The college football regular season concludes with the traditional clash between the service academies. CBS has coverage at 3 p.m.
Navy enters the contest at 9-2, with a victory over the Air Force Academy. Army won the Commander-in-Chief's trophy the past two years, but stands at 5-7 after losing to Hawaii Thanksgiving weekend.
ESPN has the Heisman Trophy presentation Saturday at 8 p.m.
In the Football Championship Series, James Madison hosts Northern Iowa Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 and Montana meets Weber State at 10 p.m. Top-seed North Dakota State hosts Illinois State Saturday at noon on ESPN.
CBS in Fishersville should get the Broncos against the Chiefs Sunday at 1 p.m., with most of Virginia seeing the Titans against Texans and the D.C. area catching Vikings' contest with the Chargers.
The Redskins tangle with the Eagles on Fox at 1 p.m. with the Cowboys and Rams in the late afternoon slot.
The NFL moved Bills-Steelers into the Sunday night slot on NBC. ESPN has the Colts' contest with the Saints.
The Lakers battle the Heat Friday at 7:15 p.m. on ESPN, followed by Clippers against Timberwolves.
The Wizards face the Grizzlies on NBC Sports Washington-plus Saturday at 8 p.m.
Creighton clashes with Texas-Rio Grande Valley Friday at 8 p.m. on FoxSports1.
CBS offers Oregon's meeting with Michigan Saturday at noon.
It's Syracuse-Georgetown on Fox Saturday at 1 p.m.
Memphis meets Tennessee Saturday at 3 p.m. on ESPN followed by Georgia Tech-Kentucky.
ESPN2 has five games Saturday, starting at noon with Michigan State against Oakland. Delaware tangles with Villanova at 2 p.m. before Saint Louis faces Auburn. It's Oklahoma-Wichita State at 6 p.m. and the nightcap features Arizona and Gonzaga at 10 p.m.
FoxSports1 has Southern's contest with Butler Saturday at noon, followed by Illinois-Chicago against DePaul.
The College of Charleston visits Richmond on NBC Sports network Saturday at 5 p.m.
TCU takes on Lamar on ESPN2 Saturday at 2 p.m.
Oklahoma State meets Houston Sunday at 3 p.m. on ESPN and South Carolina clashes with Clemson on ESPN2 at 5 p.m.
VCU hosts Missouri State Sunday at 7 p.m. on MASN.
On the women's court, Louisville meets Kentucky on ESPN Sunday at 1 p.m. Texas Tech tangles with Houston Baptist Sunday at 1 p.m. on MASN2.
The Capitals visit the Lightning Saturday at 7 p.m on NBC Sports Washington.
The United States women meet Canada Saturday at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
On the college ice, Notre Dame tangles with Penn State Friday at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington.
Liverpool takes on Watford Saturday at 7:25 a.m. on NBC Sports network. Chelsea clashes with Bournemouth at 9:55 a.m. and NBC offers West Ham-Southampton at 12:30 p.m.
It's Wolverhampton facing Tottenham Hotspur Sunday at 8:55 a.m. and Arsenal meets Manchester City at 11:25 a.m. on NBC Sports network.
In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich battles Werder Bremen Saturday at 9:30 a.m. on FoxSports1. Wolfsburg meets M'gladbach Sunday at 9:30 a.m. then it's Schalke against Eintracht.
Fiorentina faces Inter Milan in Serie A on ESPN2 Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
NBC Sports network has freestyle skiing Friday at 1:30 p.m. and snowboarding Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 12, 2019

How best to stop impeachment

There's various theories about how Senate Republicans should deal with impeachment.
Do they try to bring Hunter Biden in to show the true corruption?
Or just shut it down the moment the House sends it over?
Scott Adams agrees with the simple plan.
Adams argued that “the public can’t follow it all” when it comes to the intricate details of this impeachment charade, and that it would be wise for Republicans to keep their message as short and sweet as possible.
“If the Republicans can come forward with 1 or 2 sentences to dismiss the charges of impeachment, that is the only thing the news has to talk about on your side,” Adams said.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Keep on fighting

The November elections were supposed to bring Virginia Democrats the power they've craved for years.
Then the sanctuary county movement spread.
Now Democrats are backing off - slightly.
The people need to keep the pressure up.

Monday, December 9, 2019

FISA - Fake Intelligence Simply Awful

Everyone has a take on the IG report, but the one that matters belongs to Attorney General William Barr.
The Inspector General’s report now makes clear that the FBI launched an intrusive investigation of a U.S. presidential campaign on the thinnest of suspicions that, in my view, were insufficient to justify the steps taken.

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Never Trump not working

Jonah Goldberg remains a member of the "Never Trump" club in good standing, but he sees failure in the impeachment push.
Democrats are hampered by the fact that many of them have been banging the impeachment drums since the day Trump was elected. Their belief that they’ve finally got him dead to rights doesn’t absolve them of the responsibility of going through all of the motions to prove their good faith, even if that might be unpopular or mess up their political timetable. Their process isn’t a “hoax” or “show trial,” but reasonable people can be forgiven for feeling like the Democrats are trying to railroad a guilty man.

No minds changed

Andrew McCarthy ends his latest column with a simple thought experiment - have any minds been changed over the last two months.
If you believe the president should be ousted because of Ukraine, you probably thought he should be ousted before we heard about Ukraine — you may now feel more confirmed in that conviction, but you were pretty confirmed already. On the other hand, if you’re convinced that Trump is Trump, for good and ill; that Democrats have never come to terms with the election of a tempestuous, norm-resistant president who is unpredictable but leans right (or at least Republican) on major policy matters; and that Ukraine is just the latest case of Trump being the Trump we knew he was when the public elected him, you probably didn’t want him impeached before and don’t want him impeached now.

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Saturday Christmas song





Gotta have my pops at Christmas time.

Recycling update

I made a long awaited trip to recycling center this morning, getting 35 cents per pound for aluminum cans.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Climategate carol

While Greta and her environmentalist friends gather in Spain, American families are turning on their Christmas lights to celebrate the season.
Greta and her friends cry.

Al Gore speaks, no one's listening
In the lane, lights are glistening
Oh what a sight
With houses really bright
Seeing all the Christmas lights are on

Gone away is good science
Here to stay, blind allegiance
We're singing our song
Yet lights come on
Look how all the Christmas lights are on

On computers we can cook some data
then pretend that it is warmer now
They'll ask: Are you sure?
We'll say: You know, man
And here's the hockey stick
that we have found

Later on, we'll conspire,
With warnings, that are dire
Make the people afraid
We'll pass cap and trade
No more seeing Christmas lights turned on

On computers we can cook some data
And say skeptics are just circus clowns
We'll have lots of fun with our bad data
Until our own emails knock us down.

When we speak, ain't it thrilling
People's hearts, they are chilling
We'll frolic and play, the socialist way,
No more seeing Christmas lights turned on

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

So much power over so many people

Red State loves the thread by Carpe Donktum on a hypothetical Trump tweet.
No need to follow another - you know the scripts.
The reason I love satire so much is that it really makes you sit back and reflect on reality. When you pull back on the whole situation regarding how we react to anything Trump does, it does look really silly. I’m not trying to sound hyperbolic when I say this, but I’m pretty sure no one man has ever had so much power over so many people. No emperor has ever had the reach that Trump does, and no amount of people have ever had this much access to the words of a leader.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Don't waste your time when they can't find a crime

Fred Barnes finds Democrats lack something in their impeachment drive - a crime.
A special blow to Democrats was Hurd’s point about the lack of evidence of bribery by Trump. The notion that the president sought to bribe Zelensky to investigate Hunter Biden by threatening to cut off aid — that’s the centerpiece of the Democratic case. Bribery is cited by name in the Constitution as an impeachable offense.
But it’s unclear if Trump’s asking for a favor from the Ukrainian leader while holding back aid reflected an actual crime. An impeachable offense doesn’t have to be a crime. But the articles of impeachment against both Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton included crimes. If Trump’s prime offense is not connected to a crime, that would likely become a significant political issue when (or if) the full House votes and sends the case to the Senate. And Trump’s allies would harp on the question, “Where’s the crime?”

Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble

The Atlantic tries to understand President Trump and his supporters.
After statistically controlling for a range of other factors, Gabriel found that American television viewers who established parasocial bonds with Trump as the host of The Apprentice were disproportionately likely to vote for him in the 2016 presidential election, even if they were Democrats. They were also more likely than others to report that they believed Trump’s promises to bring back factory jobs to the United States, build a wall on the Mexican border, and defeat America’s enemies in the Middle East. If it were not for The Apprentice, Gabriel argued, there would be no President Trump.
Maybe they haven't heard of Mac Davis' song from the 70s.
They're doing the best that they can.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Think before you legislate

With Democrats claiming majorities in both the Virginia House and Senate, people are preparing for the gun control measures they will pass.
Many Republican-led areas are voting to become sanctuary areas for the Second Amendments.
Liberals are aghast.
There's no laws yet.
And the proposals won't do what you fear they will.
But those leading the sanctuary counties are doing a "shot across the bow."
When Democrats head to Richmond, the message will be out - your proposals will be fought.
Just because you have the majority doesn't mean you'll get your way.
Any gun control proposals must have elements that Republicans can support - in reality, not a poll-tested possibility that doesn't exist.
We'll see if Democrats listen to this message.

Rules for a better internet

Scott Adams has two good ideas to calm the internet - 48-hour rule for comments and forgiveness for actions over 20 years old.
It used to be the case that people’s thoughtless remarks and embarrassing gaffes would naturally fade into obscurity, but social media has created a situation where it’s easy to endlessly dredge up a person’s worst moments.
“We’re not the same people that we were 20 years ago,” Adams says. “We’ve learned a bunch, our context has changed. If you’re doing all the right stuff, you’re getting smarter and kinder and wiser as you’re getting older. So being blamed for something you did 20 years ago is effectively being blamed for something a stranger did, because you’re just not that person anymore.”