NASA's top official has come out of the closet . . . as a global warming skeptic that is. Read it here. Meanwhile, the White House has just released a new climate initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Next, we won't be able to breath on odd days. Read it here. President Bush is trying his hardest to alienate the few supporters he has left. The good news? A Russian scientist claims he can prevent more global warming. How? Spray sulphur into the atmosphere. We all know how great Russian scientists are.
Speaking of Russians, Putin seems to be upping his rhetoric against the US on a daily basis. In his latest rant, he vows to counter American imperialism. No one has been able to list any US colonies to me yet, but I am still waiting. That said, it is a shame that US-Russian relations have deteriorated so quickly. The potential for friendship is great. Mutual prosperity is in both nations best interests. Plus, wouldn't you rather buy oil from Russians than Saudis? However, US "meddling" in former Soviet republics plus Russian pride and craziness has led to great tension. I am not sure it was worth it.
This article by Bob Shrum, a Kerry insider, is a must read. It gives insight into the VP selection process in '04. Apparently Kerry regrets the Edwards selection, and was wary of it the entire time. You have got to check out the moment that made Kerry "sick." Edwards makes me sick, and want to laugh all at the same time. Read it here.
Louis Freeh, President Clinton's FBI director is endorsing Rudy Giuliani for president. Read it here. Do you like this, or does it concern you?
Finally, an anonymous donor gave $100 million dollars to the University of Chicago, a first rate institution. The money will be used to fund full scholarships for low-income students. As long as they have the grades to be there, I think this is great. It has got to be hard to anonymously give $100 million dollars don't you think. Someone will notice that kind of money moving around. Read it here.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Thompson is in, and Other Things
Credible news reports are saying that Fred Thompson is in this race for sure now, quitting Law and Order, and aiming for a 4th of July launch. Any New Right readers excited? Who will he hurt the most? Read about Thompson entering the race here.
Apparently groundbreaking research is allowing scientist to talk to apes. Isn't this a step backward? Read it here.
Read Michael Medved's column about whether being a Mormon should disqualify you from the White House. Of course my opinion is that is most certainly should not. I would be open to a candidate from any religion that shares Christian values, even if it does not share Christian theology. Hence, Mormon ok, Religion of Peace" not ok. Am I wrong? Let's hear it.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Its an Uncle John Wednesday
Happy Memorial Day. Happy Memorial Day observed. Happy Indy 500. These used to be one date. Now they are three different dates. This is another example of improvements made by mankind during the past 50 years.
The St. Louis Post Disgrace (I mean Post Dispatch) had a page one plug saying "Unlike Muslims in Europe, US Muslims are overwhelmingly opposed to Islamic extremism." In the article on page three it disclosed that 51% of Muslims in the US are "very concerned about Islamic extremism." This is not quite what I'd call "overwhelmingly opposed." Further, over one-fourth of US Muslim males under 30 say suicide bombing is an acceptable way to "defend Islam." I am just as shocked by these results as I am by the journalism acumen of our paper's staff.
The fine Gov. of Arkansas said, "Congress spent money like John Edwards in a beauty shop." If your TV ever happens to be tuned to the Cspan channel and if the Senate is in session and if Senator Byrd is speaking, do yourself a favor and start pushing buttons on your remote. I never thought much of his politics but I must admit he was once a fine orator. Now he is ridiculous. He can only speak about 10 words a minute, he repeats almost everything he says. The keywords are repeated several times each. He reads from a notebook on the podium and the letters must be about 4 inches tall because he turns the page after every dozen words or so. To see this spectacle is as sad as if fans had to watch a teetering Stan the Man who still insisted on taking his turn at bat in the Cardinal's lineup each day.
If you had a dollar for each of the 100 billion seconds of human history, you could pay for the US gov't budget for about 12 days.
The value of real property equity in the US exceed the value of all stocks/bonds/etc.
I'm very confused and conflicted about the new immigration reform proposals, but it seems like the political parties are also. The strangest alliances I have ever seen have emerged over this deal. One highly touted point is that "There will not be a hit on our welfare costs because this bill stipulates that the person be employed at least 90% of the time." This is magnificently incorrect. Our welfare programs may have at one time been intended for unemployed folk but the programs are absolutely aimed at low income employees now and virtually all of the people in question will surely qualify for virtually all the welfare programs. I am almost convinced to stand against the proposal unless its proponents can deliver a grain of honesty on this aspect.
I feel like the old codger I heard on the TV sit com who said he was just waiting for the new Internet fad to pass.
The Gov of IL wanted to tax the gross receipts of businesses in that state rather than just the profits. Seems to me this would be a huge hit on the low profit margin operations and a great boon to the high profit margin operations. The measure failed (at least in the opening round). This guy's name is Blagojevich or something of that ilk. I wish voters would reject candidates with names that I can't spell or pronounce.
A fellow in a neighboring county got arrested and convicted for having 359 marijuana plants growing in his basement. A peculiar facet is that his wife was a county prosecutor at the time. She said she knew nothing about the 359 plants in the basement. A special prosecutor from the big city (that's us) was assigned to look into this situation. He said he believed her. End of story. I bet the folk in DC wish the special prosecutors that descend on them were as easily persuaded.
I see tobacco usage is now a factor in the ratings assigned to a movie. I hear some of the old movies will be edited to delete tobacco usage scenes. There doesn't seem to be a boundary on this subject.
NBC has decided to change the airing of "Friday Night Lights" from Wednesdays to Fridays this year. Now that makes more sense. ABC was all over this concept back in 1970 when the introduced Monday Night Football and aired it on Monday nights.
Currently the US Postal Service is selling some 41 cent stamps for current usage and some 41 cent stamps that are said to be good for all future postage. It seems to me that all rules of economics would say that the "forever stamps" must have greater value than the current stamps, so how can they charge the same for each?
The Cardinals played 27 innings in San Diego and scored in one of them. The bats then came alive but the pitching went sour as they lost 5 of 6 in LA and Detroit. When trailing the Tigers by 9 runs in the 5th, our announcer said "there is still a lot of baseball to be played." He was right. The Tigers scored 5 more times in that very inning.
I have not seen or heard a media report on it, but an anecdotal account has it that a purveyor of gasoline in WI was ordered to discontinue his attempt to sell gas at a discount to certain customers.
How's that for free enterprise? W's approval rating is 33% (awful). Congress' approval rating is 29%. It seems like I hear a lot more about the former than the latter.
The last lyric challenge was from Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd. The vocabulary word was "scofflaw" and (as the parts suggest) it is one who scoffs at the law, usually minor laws. The trivia question was about the yachting prize, The Americas Cup. Robin, Mary Jo, Rob, and Betsy got it.
The new vocabulary word is "sleazoid." The trivia question is: Over what river canyon did Evil Knevil attempt to jump his motorcycle? The lyrics challenge is: "Buddy you're a big boy,/ make big noise;/ Playin' in the street,/ Gonna be a big man someday./ You got mud on your face,/ You big disgrace,/ Kickin' your can all over the place."
The St. Louis Post Disgrace (I mean Post Dispatch) had a page one plug saying "Unlike Muslims in Europe, US Muslims are overwhelmingly opposed to Islamic extremism." In the article on page three it disclosed that 51% of Muslims in the US are "very concerned about Islamic extremism." This is not quite what I'd call "overwhelmingly opposed." Further, over one-fourth of US Muslim males under 30 say suicide bombing is an acceptable way to "defend Islam." I am just as shocked by these results as I am by the journalism acumen of our paper's staff.
The fine Gov. of Arkansas said, "Congress spent money like John Edwards in a beauty shop." If your TV ever happens to be tuned to the Cspan channel and if the Senate is in session and if Senator Byrd is speaking, do yourself a favor and start pushing buttons on your remote. I never thought much of his politics but I must admit he was once a fine orator. Now he is ridiculous. He can only speak about 10 words a minute, he repeats almost everything he says. The keywords are repeated several times each. He reads from a notebook on the podium and the letters must be about 4 inches tall because he turns the page after every dozen words or so. To see this spectacle is as sad as if fans had to watch a teetering Stan the Man who still insisted on taking his turn at bat in the Cardinal's lineup each day.
If you had a dollar for each of the 100 billion seconds of human history, you could pay for the US gov't budget for about 12 days.
The value of real property equity in the US exceed the value of all stocks/bonds/etc.
I'm very confused and conflicted about the new immigration reform proposals, but it seems like the political parties are also. The strangest alliances I have ever seen have emerged over this deal. One highly touted point is that "There will not be a hit on our welfare costs because this bill stipulates that the person be employed at least 90% of the time." This is magnificently incorrect. Our welfare programs may have at one time been intended for unemployed folk but the programs are absolutely aimed at low income employees now and virtually all of the people in question will surely qualify for virtually all the welfare programs. I am almost convinced to stand against the proposal unless its proponents can deliver a grain of honesty on this aspect.
I feel like the old codger I heard on the TV sit com who said he was just waiting for the new Internet fad to pass.
The Gov of IL wanted to tax the gross receipts of businesses in that state rather than just the profits. Seems to me this would be a huge hit on the low profit margin operations and a great boon to the high profit margin operations. The measure failed (at least in the opening round). This guy's name is Blagojevich or something of that ilk. I wish voters would reject candidates with names that I can't spell or pronounce.
A fellow in a neighboring county got arrested and convicted for having 359 marijuana plants growing in his basement. A peculiar facet is that his wife was a county prosecutor at the time. She said she knew nothing about the 359 plants in the basement. A special prosecutor from the big city (that's us) was assigned to look into this situation. He said he believed her. End of story. I bet the folk in DC wish the special prosecutors that descend on them were as easily persuaded.
I see tobacco usage is now a factor in the ratings assigned to a movie. I hear some of the old movies will be edited to delete tobacco usage scenes. There doesn't seem to be a boundary on this subject.
NBC has decided to change the airing of "Friday Night Lights" from Wednesdays to Fridays this year. Now that makes more sense. ABC was all over this concept back in 1970 when the introduced Monday Night Football and aired it on Monday nights.
Currently the US Postal Service is selling some 41 cent stamps for current usage and some 41 cent stamps that are said to be good for all future postage. It seems to me that all rules of economics would say that the "forever stamps" must have greater value than the current stamps, so how can they charge the same for each?
The Cardinals played 27 innings in San Diego and scored in one of them. The bats then came alive but the pitching went sour as they lost 5 of 6 in LA and Detroit. When trailing the Tigers by 9 runs in the 5th, our announcer said "there is still a lot of baseball to be played." He was right. The Tigers scored 5 more times in that very inning.
I have not seen or heard a media report on it, but an anecdotal account has it that a purveyor of gasoline in WI was ordered to discontinue his attempt to sell gas at a discount to certain customers.
How's that for free enterprise? W's approval rating is 33% (awful). Congress' approval rating is 29%. It seems like I hear a lot more about the former than the latter.
The last lyric challenge was from Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd. The vocabulary word was "scofflaw" and (as the parts suggest) it is one who scoffs at the law, usually minor laws. The trivia question was about the yachting prize, The Americas Cup. Robin, Mary Jo, Rob, and Betsy got it.
The new vocabulary word is "sleazoid." The trivia question is: Over what river canyon did Evil Knevil attempt to jump his motorcycle? The lyrics challenge is: "Buddy you're a big boy,/ make big noise;/ Playin' in the street,/ Gonna be a big man someday./ You got mud on your face,/ You big disgrace,/ Kickin' your can all over the place."
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Afternoon Edition
Here it comes.
Why don't you do ol' NT a favor and use the email function on the bottom of this post to send this to at least one friend. Thanks.
This is a longer piece from the New Yorker, but worth a read when you have time. Insight on the state of the GOP and examples of some of the infighting.
Someone infected with a strand of Super-TB entered the US on a transatlantic flight to NY. The CDC quickly quarantined the suspect, the first such quarantine since 1963. I applaud the quick action and guts to use a quarantine. This past year, I attended a seminar by a prominent researcher and physician who painted a doom and gloom picture of global epidemics. It is not it, but when. He convinced me. Be prepared. Read about the quarantine here.
Hilary new economic theme is "shared prosperity," noting that we are all in this together. In a recent speech she chastised Bush's "ownership society" calling it the "on your own society." Hey, that's pretty good Hilary. I like that, the "on your own society" has a nice ring to it. I might use it someday. Read it here.
Here is a link to Ben Smith's blog at Politico. He has a few posts about the Democratic candidates taking shots at each others health care plans. I will paraphrase, "your plan sucks because it does not cost as much as mine." The interesting post, however, can be found if you scroll down a little bit. It seems that Bill Clinton gave John Kerry the advice in 04' that he should break with Democratic orthodoxy and endorse local bans on gay marriage. Kerry, of course, did not. And thank goodness he did not, because I suspect this act would have put him over the top. If you need political advice, Clinton is a good one to ask.
Finally, read here about how Rudy Giuliani was confronted at a recent event by people calling him a 9/11 criminal. These conspiracy theorists have absolutely lost it. Seriously, they are nuts. I don't think I need to make the case against them, but I will if I have to.
Comments are Welcome!
Morning Edition
A recent survey shows that most people expect China to catch up to the United States' economy and that most people don't care, even in the United States. Well, I care, if for no other reason than national pride. Further, I think we have been duped into thinking China is liberalizing and really isn't all that bad a place. Barring massive change, a world where China wields as much power as the United States is not a good one. Read the story here.
First, a positive. President Bush is supporting tougher sanctions on the murderous Islamic government of Sudan (again a surprise for the religion of peace). This is too little too late of course, but it is tough policing the entire world. Read about it here. The negative? One day after the US held their first face-to-face talks with Iran in 27 years (why now of all times?), Iran has formally charged two Iranian-Americans with treason. Looks like the negotiations have paid off. Read it here. Do New Right readers have a solution for dealing with Iran? The smartest thing I have heard on the issue comes from Newt Gingrich. He proposed a blockade of Iran. Supposedly they do not refine their own gas, despite all of the oil, and would all be reduced to pedestrians within a month. This pinch could topple the shaky Iranian government. No bombs, and no troops in harms way. I like it.
Check out Christian Book Awards for 2007 here.
Finally, on a light note, read this piece on marital advice from 1913. This advice is being republished in the UK. A bit funny, but still, there are pearls of wisdom.
Enjoy and Comment!
Monday, May 28, 2007
Happy Memorial Day!
Here are some links on todays solemn holiday
Read about this cool impromptu wiffle ball league that has formed in Fridley, MN.
This article deatials Minnesota Governor Pawlenty's rising profile. Seems he is getting alot of attention in Washington. This is for good reason. He is, telegenic and a good communicator.
Read Fred Thompson's Memorial Day article here, where he stresses the importance of teaching American history. It is true that the more you know about our country and the rest of the world, the more grateful you are.
Read Fred Thompson's Memorial Day article here. It is true that the more you know about American and world history, the easier it is to appreciate being here and feeling deep affections for the USA.
The film that took the top prize at the Cannes film festival was a Romanian film about back alley abortions. This film edged out Michael Moore's Sicko. What a messed up film festival. Read about it here.
Read about this cool impromptu wiffle ball league that has formed in Fridley, MN.
This article deatials Minnesota Governor Pawlenty's rising profile. Seems he is getting alot of attention in Washington. This is for good reason. He is, telegenic and a good communicator.
Read Fred Thompson's Memorial Day article here, where he stresses the importance of teaching American history. It is true that the more you know about our country and the rest of the world, the more grateful you are.
Read Fred Thompson's Memorial Day article here. It is true that the more you know about American and world history, the easier it is to appreciate being here and feeling deep affections for the USA.
The film that took the top prize at the Cannes film festival was a Romanian film about back alley abortions. This film edged out Michael Moore's Sicko. What a messed up film festival. Read about it here.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Saturday Links
The White House is apparently debating cutting troop levels in Iraq by 50% in 2008. I hope they don't go soft on us. Bush will not make friends by pulling out, so he better stick to his guns. Read it here.A few new books are coming out and attacking Hillary. These are a little different that some of the attack books in the past, as they are written widely-respected journalists. One of the books is claiming that Bill was going to divorce Hillary in the late 80's to marry one of his many lovers. Read it here.
Even though home sales have been soft for awhile now, this story says that sales of vacation homes are up 4.7%. Read to see who is buying these homes. And before you decide to buy one yourself, I read yesterday that the return on investment after inflation on real estate from 1890-1990 was 0%. Homes are a bad investment.
Looks like the guy who stayed awake for 11 straight days didn't break the world record afterall. Someone else, who he didn't know about stayed awake longer, plus, Guiness doesn't recognize the record. Read it here.
Here is an article about environmental initiatives at Christian colleges.
Also, check out this great debate between Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson on whether Christianity has been good for the world. It is a five piece article. Part one is here.
Enjoy your Saturday.
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