Month: January 2010

Contributed by: filbert Monday, January 18 2010 @ 02:45 PM CST

Special afternoon edition.

A (mostly) daily review of what’s out there that caught my attention. (Yeah, it’s possible I might have ADD . . .)

I surf the Web, so you don’t have to!

Section One: The Big Stories:
1.1: The Massachusetts Senate Race–(With BONUS correct spelling of the state in question!):
The race in Massachusetts… [*1]
In Massachusetts, voters’ discontent threatens Democrats [*2] — Your turn . . .
Obama Heckled at Coakley Rally in Boston… At a University? (Video) [*3]
Smear, and parry [*4] — “Scott Brown believes in evolution but in the case of Bob Kerrey he’s willing to make an exception.” — Nicely played, Mr. Brown . . .
Massachusetts Is the Game Changer [*5]
Snow Is Falling in Massachusetts [*6]
“The whole nation is watching” [*7]
AWESOME… Scott Brown Responds to Elitist Obama’s Attack on Truck Owners [*8]
The uniter: Scott Brown’s center-right-indie coalition [*9]
Martha Coakley: A Democratic Canary in a Coalmine? [*10]
Latest polling has Brown pulling away from Coakley [*11]
Still Blaming Bush [*12] — In the words of the Eagles: Get Over It . . .
Coakley volunteers energize Brown voters [*13]
Barack Obama Slams Scott Brown and His Truck… It’s a GM Truck [*14]
Thinking about the unthinkable, Part Three [*15]
Former Quincy Mayor & Lifelong Dem Endorses Scott Brown [*16]
John F. Kerry at Coakley Rally: The Only Things Republicans Say Yes to Are Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Tea Parties & FOX News! (Video) [*17] — As a Rogue Palinista, I am offended by the omission of Sarah’s name by John F’ing Kerry . . .
Massachusetts Democrats for Brown? [*18] — And that’s not just Democrats, that’s “elected Democratic officials” . . . well, at least one . . .
Even if Brown Loses [*19] — “the message to the Democrats should be deafening” . . .
Shovel Ready. Martha Coakley’s Phone Bank Is Empty – Needs Workers (Video) [*20]
Suffolk’s bellwether areas showing double-digit lead for Brown on final day [*21]
Video: David Shuster wonders whether Massachusetts voters have lost their minds [*22] — Which, I guess, is fair, since I’ve been wondering for a long time if David Shuster has lost his mind . . .

More after the “Read More” . . . 1.2: Haiti, with bonus coverage of why Pat Robertson is a blithering idiot:
Real Economic Reform for a Hurting Haiti [*23] — Freedom and liberty work, if you have the nerve to try them . . .
For doctors in Haiti, worst is yet to come [*24]

1.3: “Global warming” aka “Climate change” — or should that be “Climate Reform?”:
Oops: IPCC to withdraw claim that AGW will wipe out Himalayan glaciers by 2035 [*25] — Brick by brick, the house of Anthropogenic Climate Change continues to crumble . . .
Pielke Senior: NASA GISS Inaccurate Press Release On The Surface Temperature Trend Data [*26] — “The GISS news release is symptomatic of the continued attempt to ignore science issues in their data analysis which conflict with their statement in the press release. This is not how the scientific process should be conducted.”
When Speculation Becomes “Science” – More AGW “Meltdown” [*27] — Anthropogenic Global Warming: A collection of assertions, assumptions, and conjectures seeking to be a theory one day when and if they grow up . . .
Told ya so…IPCC to retract claim on Himalayan Glacier Melt – Pachauri’s “arrogance” claim backfires [*28]
Climategate: The Truth Hurts When It Hits You in the Head [*29]

1.4: Health care “reform” aka health insurance “reform” — or should that be health care “change?” Perhaps “Global healthing?:
Can Paul Kirk cast the 60th vote for ObamaCare? [*30]
Dems’ Health Care Strategy: Seek Forgiveness Instead of Permission [*31] — “Oops, we screwed you over bigtime and totally demolished the American Health Care system in a naked power grab. Sorry, everyone! Sorry!”
Progressives Abandon Universal Coverage Forever: Understanding the Senate’s plan to ban undocumented aliens from buying health coverage [*32] — er, no. “Progressives” never abandon forever any of their pet political fantasies . . .
Cornhusker Proxy Senator drops to 42% approval rating [*33]
IF OBAMACARE IS SO POPULAR IN MASSACHUSETTS, why didn’t Obama mention it? [*34] — Excellent question . . .

Section Two: Things That Amuse Me:
2.1: Simians:
Again, a simian-free day. Stop the madness!

2.2: Travel:
The Right to See You Naked [*35] — Freedom of Association as a partial solution to the airline security problem . . .

2.3: Sports:
Johnson leads No. 4 Lady Vols in victory over No. 22 Commodores [*36]
Facts from Fargo [*37]

2.4: Science Fiction and Writing:
No SF/writing links today.

2.5: Miscellany:
Nerd Night Report [*38]
Top 10 Most Overrated Directors of All Time [*39]
Turner’s bid for park bison stokes wildlife debate [*40]
Shirky: Women Need to Strap On Some Balls [*41] — I’m not sure what brought this on. It was weird.
Beware of uninsured drivers in Kansas and Missouri [*42]
10 Celebs Who Give PETA The Middle Finger [*43]

Section Three: All Politics All The Time:
3.1: Strategy and tactics for defending human freedom and liberty:
Is New Jersey’s State Constitution Unconstitutional? Campaign to Recall Senator Menendez Turns Into Battle of the Constitutions [*44]
Tucker Carlson to Katrina Vanden Heuvel: Stop Saying ‘Teabaggers’[*45]
Grass roots convention, minus the grass roots? [*46]
Fabian Conservatism [*47]
King Represented the Conscience of a Nation [*48]
Old GOP Doesn’t ‘Get’ Tea Parties [*49]
Wanted: Fiscal Responsibility [*50]

3.2: The reality of Obama and the Democrat leadership as blithering idiots:
U.S. poll: fewer see Obama advancing racial ties [*51] — Obama has in one year severely damaged the cause of a color-blind society–he truly is the first (and, God willing, will be the only) Affirmative Action President. He was elected in large part because of black racism and white guilt. That would be a difficult legacy for a skilled statesman to overcome. Obama is clearly not a skilled statesman. There are some Americans with enhanced skin melanin content who might make a good President–Obama is not in that group, for a variety of reasons having nothing to do with melanin.
Can Barack Obama turn things around? [*52] — I suspect no, although the legacy media will do its damndest to try to keep him propped up through the 2012 election . . . and the capacity for self-delusion in the human animal is nearly boundless . . .
WaPo/ABC poll a vote of no confidence in Obama [*53] — . . . But sometimes, you just can’t spin hard enough to hide reality . . .
The Content of Obama’s Character [*54]

3.3: The reality of the Republican leadership as blithering idiots:
No blithering idiots with (R) behind their names raising their heads out of the foxholes today . . .

3.4: Opposition Research: The enemies of human freedom and liberty:
Day by Day: That Big Sucking Sound [*55]
After year, hope turns into disappointment: Many say Obama has not delivered; some urge patience [*56] — When the air goes out of the balloon, the balloon comes down . . .
Governor Palin Rails Against Racist Comments; Updated [*57] — Illustrative of the “Moby” method of falsely, cynically seeking to discredit the Right . . .
Liberals’ troll attacks and harassment have reached new heights over the Scott Brown race [*58] — More illustrations of the tactics of the collectivist, thuggish Left . . .
The Great Hate of the Left [*59] — Simply, They Hate All The World As It Really Is–and everyone and everything in that world–and wish to arrogate to themselves the power to change the World in accordance with whatever whimsical vision strikes them . . .
Democrats’ Plan for Election 2010: Cheat [*60]
Words and Politics [*61] — The continually shifting goalposts of the leftist/collectivist lexicon–I mean, they even managed to abscond with the word “liberal” to make it mean the exact opposite of what it meant through the 1800’s . . .
Stealth Propaganda [*62]
FCC Flooded with Comments Opposing Internet Regulation But Left Claims Victory Anyway [*63] — It’s simple . . . control the mechanisms of political speech, control the people . . .
Lies, Myths, and the Leftist Bias of History Part II [*64] — I seem to have missed Part I[*65] . . . “Remember the best weapon against leftist bias in the history textbooks, on college campuses, and in the media is to read a well researched book.”
Did Obama Let the Progressive Cat Out of the Bag? [*66] — When they say “progressive” they mean “collectivist” . . .

3.5: Media bias–and incompetence:
NY Times Apparently Planning To Commit Suicide Online With Paywall [*67] — “Hey, it didn’t work before, so it’s sure to work now!”

3.6: Fear The ‘Cuda–A spotlight on Citizen Palin, who really needs to find a better phrase than “Common-sense conservatism” to describe her philosophy:
Conservatives 4 Palin [*68] –Semi-permanent link for Palinmania . . .

Section Four: The Rest of the News:
4.1: The Economy:
Chart of the day: Jobs and consumer confidence [*69]
CNBC’s Cramer Says a Scott Brown Win Will Mean a HUGE Stock Rally (Video) [*70] — Well, yeah. But it’s Cramer.
Recession takes toll on university president pay [*71] — Um . . . why is this even a story? I don’t recall it being written in the Ten Commandments that University President’s Salaries Shalt Always Rapidly Increase . . . the story says they’re only up an average of 2.3% . . . gosh, that’s tough . . .
Official prediction: gas will hit $3 this summer in U.S. [*72] — And some people fervently believe that this is a good thing . . .
Government Takeover of 401(k)s and IRAs? [*73] — And some people fervently believe that this is a good thing . . .

4.2: Foreign affairs and National Security:
Not everything in Tom Friedman’s latest column is wrong or stupid . . .[*74]
Improve National Security with Quality Assurance Principles [*75]
Man arrested in JFK airport security breach [*76] — Is this kind of thing happening a lot more lately, or is it just being reported more now?
Chile Elects A Conservative President [*77]
National Security is a Full-Time Job, Mr. President [*78] — Why are the home ports of the Somali pirates still standing? We know where they are . . .
Courting Disaster: One of the most important books of the year [*79]

4.3: Science, technology, and space:
No sci/tech/space today.

Contributed by: filbert Monday, January 18 2010 @ 07:48 AM CST

From The Road To Serfdom, by F. A. Hayek, 1944, Fiftieth Anniversary Edition, 1994, The University of Chicago Press.

The Rule of Law was consciously evolved only during the (classical) liberal age and is one of its greatest achievements, not only as a safeguard but as the legal embodiment of freedom. . . . “Man is free if he needs to obey no person but solely the laws.”

Excerpted under Fair Use for purposes of non-commercial education, discussion and comment. Any transcription or typographical errors are mine.

Contributed by: filbert Sunday, January 17 2010 @ 10:22 AM CST

A (mostly) daily review of what’s out there that caught my attention. (Yeah, it’s possible I might have ADD . . .)

I surf the Web, so you don’t have to!

Section One: The Big Stories:
1.1: The Massachusetts Senate Race–(With BONUS correct spelling of the state in question!):
Oh my: Brown by three — in Coakley’s internal poll [*1]
Time out from “Stalinism” [*2] — Oh Noes! A liberal Massachusetts Republican is not a Bible-belt Conservative! Shocking, it is!
Scott Brown is a more liberal Republican than Dede Scozzafava [*3] — From the horse’s mouth: “the conservative base in the United States, far from dragging their party moblike into an unelectable extreme, has made the decentralized decision to support the realistically best candidate they can relative to the context in which he’s being elected” . . .
The Incredible Incompetence of Martha Coakley [*4] — She certainly fits the primary qualification for leadership in major American political parties: Blithering Idiotry . . .
No. Freaking. Way. Coackley Calls Curt Schilling “Another Yankee Fan” [*5] — See? Blithering idiotry. But then, Massachusetts voters kept sending Chappaquidick Ted back to the Senate, so . . .
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is dumber than a box of rocks [*6]
Just a gal sitting in our living room in our virtual pajamas [*7] — Behold, the New Media . . . being called as a source by the Old Media . . . me, I’m in the basement–Not That There’s Anything Wrong With That . . .
Are Democrats Planning to Steal the Massacusetts Election for Coakley? [*8] — Of course they are. They’re Democrats. It’s what they do. It’s like asking “do fish swim in water?” The only defense is for enough people to vote against them that their usual election-stealing tricks (ballot-stuffing, dead-people-voting, blatant voter intimidation and coercion, and as a last resort, cynical if not downright frivolous litigation which is all too often taken seriously by (usually Democratic) judges) are overwhelmed by real votes by real voters.
WOW! SEIU Purple People Beaters Rally For Scott Brown [*9] — “Purple people beaters” . . . heh.
WAKE THE DEAD! MARTHA COAKLEY NEEDS MORE VOTES! [*10]
BREAKING: Scott Brown Holding Press Conference– Will Press Charges Against Democrats–Updated [*11] — The best defense is a good offense . . .
Ed Schultz on Brown: “I’d cheat to keep these bastards out” [*12] — They really can’t help it. It’s what they do. It’s who they are.
Breaking: Joe Lieberman May Endorse Scott Brown [*13]

More after the “Read More” . . . 1.2: Haiti:
CLAUDIA ROSETT: Haiti: U.S. Sends Help, U.N. Wants Money. [*14] — Is the United Nations the most corrupt international organization on the face of the Earth? Or is the phrase “corrupt international organization” a redundancy?
“MONEY IS WORTH NOTHING NOW, water is the currency.” [*15] — When the spit hits the flan, the fiat currency in your pocket isn’t worth even that spit . . . Got Skills?
Doers and talkers: Comparing the UN to the USN [*16] — The greatest humanitarian organization ever created by humanity is the United States Armed Forces . . .
Haiti: “Nothing on the ground, yet” [*17] — Actually, there’s lots of stuff on the ground. Thugs and barbarians are impeding the efforts to get it out to the people who need it . . . the true disaster will start if we are complicit in returning the same group of looters to power who let Haiti fester in the first place . . .
President Unites Nation Behind Haitian Relief [*18] — This really should be “President Rushes To Get To The Front Of The Haitian Relief Parade” . . . So no, he’s not going to get much credit from me for Doing His Freaking Job . . . for once . . .
Haiti earthquake: a few more rescues, but aid still slow [*19] — But, but, but . . . the Lightworker is President, now! Disasters don’t happen any more! It must be Bush’s Fault! Where’s Brownie when you need him (to be a whipping boy)? Yeah, I know it’s politically incorrect to get political about Haiti, but since everything else in this world has been politicized, why should this be any different?

1.3: “Global warming” aka “Climate change” — or should that be “Climate Reform?”:
Forecasting The Arctic Oscillation [*20] — “Climate models are iterative through time, which means once they go off in the weeds they can not recover.”
History in a hurry: the first book about Climategate is published [*21]
The BBC may drop the Met Office for forecasts [*22]
Are green auto rules based on flawed science?[*23] — What is “Yes”, Alex?

1.4: Health care “reform” aka health insurance “reform” — or should that be health care “change?” Perhaps “Global healthing?:
Amazingly, no health care CHANGE articles today . . . well, none that aren’t Massachusetts Senate-related, or blithering-idiot-illustrative . . .

Section Two: Things That Amuse Me:
2.1: Simians:
No simians today. Me sad.

2.2: Travel:
More fliers are snubbing Sioux Falls [*24] — Going to North Dakota, [*25] maybe?

2.3: Sports:
Self says KU is a pressure team, not a pressing team[*26]
KU turns it up and stomps Texas Tech [*27]
No. 9 Tennessee beats No. 21 Ole Miss 71-69 in OT [*28]
Strong second half lifts SDSU past Bison [*29] — Obviously, not about the men’s basketball game last Friday . . .
UMKC falls to IPFW 78-69 [*30]
Missouri’s shooting off in 66-61 loss to Oklahoma [*31]
Mark McGwire, America’s Shame [*32] — “If only the media had as much contempt for lying, thieving, corrupt politicians as they do for sports stars who use steroids.”

2.4: Science Fiction and Writing:
Is James Cameron Keeping His Friends Close but His Enemies Closer? [*33] — Hmm . . . this article moved Avatar from No Way to Maybe I Might Watch Someday to see if the proposed Christ-analogy holds up . . .
The Hitchhiker’s Trilogy [*34] — A review . . .
The God Engines [*35] — Another review . . .
>
2.5: Miscellany:
Sandra Bullock: The Best of Both Award Worlds [*36]
USD plans master’s in addiction studies [*37] — There’s a cheap joke in here somewhere . . .
Saudi billionaire eyes new links with News Corp. [*38]

Section Three: All Politics All The Time:
3.1: Strategy and tactics for defending human freedom and liberty:
A Black-on-Black Discussion of Black Racism [*39] — The most binding chains are the ones in our own minds–Reject Your Label! “I am an individual who happens to be black. My race is the human race.”
Self-control is catching: The implications for public policy [*40] freedom and liberty are impossible without personal responsibility . . .
Quote of the Day, John Yoo edition: [*41] “I’ve spent my whole career learning to settle down unruly college students who have not done the reading.”
Mises.org joins the fight for liberty online [*42]
Patrick Henry: Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death [*43]

3.2: The reality of Obama and the Democrat leadership as blithering idiots:
Funny: Press corps torments Gibbs again with questions about transparency [*44] — Robert Gibbs is perfect for his job–affably clueless and utterly lacking even basic curiosity about what his boss is doing . . .
DISCONNECT: Peggy Noonan on Obama [*45]
Top House Dem warns: If Brown wins, reconciliation is on the table [*46] — The quip and video at the end of this article are worth the price of admission: “While you mull, here’s some input from a guy who once enjoyed lecturing people about taking a hint when public support for their policies hits 35 percent.”
One year out: President Obama’s fall [*47] — His one-year-in approval ratings are among the worst recorded for Presidents . . . How’s that “Hope and Change” working out for you, Barry?
Another one bites the dust [*48]
Obama and Reality [*49] — Generally not on speaking terms with each other . . .
CHARLIE COOK: Colossal Miscalculation On Health Care: Obama and Hill Democrats should have focused much more on the economy. [*50] — Yes. Well. “The Economy” would have interfered with the naked power-grab, now wouldn’t it?

3.3: The reality of the Republican leadership as blithering idiots:
No overtly Republican-leadership-bashing articles today. But however see PALINMANIA below . . . that should take care of it . . .

3.4: Opposition Research: The enemies of human freedom and liberty:
Inevitable: Ben Nelson asks for bribe to be removed from ObamaCare bill [*51] — That, boys and girls, is how The Game is played in DC . . .”I gave back my 20 pieces of silver after Jesus was arrested!”
Did Communism Fake Its Own Death in 1991? [*52] — Never tell the marks what the game really is . . .
A World of Happiness [*53] — How to lie with statistics, continued: “Since everything is so wonderful, it’s strange to see that the Danes are actually so unhappy that they commit suicide much more often, in every adult age bracket, than we sad and confused Americans do.”
UH OH: “For mega multinational behemoths like Intel, the economy is really starting to get good again. But for the little guy, not so much.” [*54] — Big corporations like government power, because it’s easier to manipulate and control than is the decentralized market . . .
Defending business [*55] — Which serves as something of a rebuttal to the previous. Business isn’t a problem. Big business in bed with the government–that’s a problem . . .
Don’t forget the other “public option” debate [*56] — Democrats in power are a lot like a swarming, hyper-aggressive basketball defense: Foul them so often that you disrupt the opponent’s offense because the officials won’t–CAN’T–call every body, slap, and push up and down the court . . . it’s against the rules. But it works.
Candy-ass vice-principal calls the bomb squad over an 11-year-old’s science project, recommends counselling for the student [*57] — It’s time for Zero Tolerance for Zero Tolerance policies, out-of-control lawyers, and blithering idiot school officials. Let’s have some Common Sense out there!
For women in the work force, halfway isn’t equal [*58] — Of course, “equal” when talking about human beings is usually a collectivist concept . . .
How to Lock Democrats in Power [*59] — The Democrat plan to institutionalize vote fraud . . .
Congress makes job creation top 2010 priority [*60] — If they were actually serious about job growth, then they would get the hell out of the way. As it is, what they’re serious about is saving their own sorry political asses from the near-certain electoral meltdown this November that they all–Republican and Democrat alike–have so richly earned.

3.5: Media bias–and incompetence:
“Hurt Locker” a blast at Critics Choice Awards [*61] — filed under “Media incompetence” due to the shockingly insensitive nature of the headline . . .
Denver Post owner plans prepackaged Ch. 11 filing [*62] — The Rocky Mountain News has already gone belly-up . . .
People Mag Claims Obama Is Lonely in Office… Forgets to Mention the 170 White House Parties- 1 Every 3 Days [*63] — Does anybody expect competent reporting from People Magazine?
67% Say News Media Have Too Much Influence Over Government Decisions [*64] — This is at the core of why the media is biased: the often-stated goal of “journalists” to “make a difference” or even “make the world a better place.” They are easily seduced by the concentration of power in government, and once seduced, become cheerleaders for collectivism.
Our “Elite” Media: Anyone With a Gun is a Sniper [*65] — OMG! A GUN! PANIC!!!
Hypocrisy Matters For America [*66] — More general derision should be heaped on the propaganda organ which is “Media Matters” than they get . . .

3.6: PALINMANIA!!! ALL HAIL THE ‘CUDA!!!:
Conservatives for Palin [*67] All Palin, All the Time! — Now with Correct Linkage!
Presenting: Palin Day at American Thinker!
The Quayled Lady: Why You Should Forget Sarah Palin [*68] — The difference is that Palin, unlike Quayle, is showing not only the willingness but the political skill and ability to fight back against the slanders . . . that’s a huge reason why a lot of people like her a LOT in today’s political climate . . .
Palin’s Curious First Week at Fox [*69]
Sarah Palin at Mid-Career [*70]

Section Four: The Rest of the News:4.1: The Economy:
UH OH: A global fiasco is brewing in Japan. [*71]
What are we smoking, and when will we stop? [*72] — It’s going to be a hard decade–and that’s if we start making the correct public policy choices.
The Subprime Meltdown Revisited [*73]

4.2: Foreign affairs and National Security:
Fort Hood shooting was terrorism, U.S. says [*74] — well, duh. Although I begin to wonder if the term “terrorism” has lost its utility. Perhaps we should just call the perpetrators “barbarians” and shoot them on sight, like we used to do (and IMHO still should do) with pirates and looters? Barbarians only understand force–they do not recognize the rule of law, and that is why it is folly to try to apply it to them.
Political correctness and the 21st century battlefield [*75] — “West argued that “top-down” rules of engagement are inherently inadequate on the 21st century battlefield. When these rules are driven by political correctness, our ability to fight is undermined even more.”

4.3: Science, technology, and space:
Yahoo knew of attacks before Google, kept mum [*76] — Arguably “foreign affairs” . . .
Google denies leaving China, seeks negotiations [*77]

Contributed by: filbert Sunday, January 17 2010 @ 07:46 AM CST

From The Road To Serfdom, by F. A. Hayek, 1944, Fiftieth Anniversary Edition, 1994, The University of Chicago Press.

The question of whether the state should or should not “act” or “interfere” poses an altogether false alternative, and the term “lassez faire” is a highly ambiguous and misleading description of the principles on which a liberal policy is based . . . The important question is whether the individual can foresee the action of the state and make use of this knowledge as a datum in forming his own plans, with the result that the state cannot control the use made of its machinery and that the individual knows precisely how far he will be protected against interference from others, or whether the state is in a position to frustrate individual efforts.

Excerpted under Fair Use for purposes of non-commercial education, discussion and comment. Any transcription or typographical errors are mine.

Contributed by: filbert Saturday, January 16 2010 @ 07:46 AM CST

From The Road To Serfdom, by F. A. Hayek, 1944, Fiftieth Anniversary Edition, 1994, The University of Chicago Press.

The conflict between formal justice and formal equality before the law, on the one hand, and the attempts to realize various ideals of substantive justice and equality, on the other, also accounts for the widespread confusion about the concept of “privilege” and its consequent abuse. . . It would indeed be privilege if, for example, . . . landed property were reserved to members of the nobility. And it is privilege if . . . the right to produce or sell particular things is reserved to particular people designated by authority. But to call private property as such, which all can acquire under the same rules, a privilege, because only some succeed in acquiring it, is depriving the word “privilege” of its meaning.

Excerpted under Fair Use for purposes of non-commercial education, discussion and comment. Any transcription or typographical errors are mine.

Contributed by: filbert Friday, January 15 2010 @ 05:12 PM CST

A (mostly) daily review of what’s out there that caught my attention. (Yeah, it’s possible I might have ADD . . .)

Except today, when I have to do two of the darn things.

I surf the Web, so you don’t have to!

Section One: The Big Stories:1.1: The Massachusetts Senate Race–(With BONUS correct spelling of the state in question!):
“I know more Democrats who are voting for this guy than Republicans” [*1]
Scott Brown Surges Ahead of Martha Coakley In Latest Poll [*2]
A Shot Heard ‘Round the World? [*3]
Boston paper: Dem operative admits to cheating on Brown ’04 state Senate race [*4]
AP Story in Boston Globe: “potential disaster for President Barack Obama and his Democratic political agenda” [*5]
Massachusetts shocker: Brown Up 15% in Pajamas Media/CrossTarget Poll [*6]
Did Democrats outsmart themselves in Massachusetts? [*7]
Blundermania: Dems attack Scott Brown’s “greed” using World Trade Center; Update: It’s official. Obama to Mass. on Sunday [*8]
An unthinkable campaign ad has me thinking about the unthinkable [*9]
White House plan for ObamaCare if Brown wins: “I don’t think Scott Brown is going to win” [*10] — Plan B? Cheat! Well . . . cheat MORE!

More after the “Read More” . . . 1.2: Haiti, with bonus coverage of why Pat Robertson is a blithering idiot:
Stupid Is As Stupid Does [*11]
Danny Glover: Global Warming Caused the Haiti Earthquake [*12] — Words fail me . . . seriously . . .
Why You Haven’t Donated to Haiti Yet. [*13]

1.3: “Global warming” aka “Climate change” — or should that be “Climate Reform?”:
John Coleman’s hourlong news special “Global Warming – The Other Side” now online, all five parts here [*14]
Skeptical Environmentalist Bjorn Lomborg On What Do After the Copenhagen Climate Change Collapse [*15]
Climategate – Who are the environment correspondents? [*16]
Climategate Controversy Roils the Insurance Industry [*17]
NWS Met on Florida Cold: “This is the longest stretch ever in 100 years of record keeping.” [*18]
UAH global satellite data has record warmest day for January [*19] — because, you know, it’s been so dreadfully hot all this month, so far . . .
Hansen responds to John Coleman’s KUSI Special report [*20]

1.4: Health care “reform” aka health insurance “reform” — or should that be health care “change?” Perhaps “Global healthing?:
Health Care and the Constitution [*21]
Dem Congressman on ObamaCare delay: “I may as well retire” [*22]
Union Brothers and Sisters: Your Leadership Doesn’t Get It – You Deserve Better[*23] — Sarah Palin unleashes another “Facebook Ninja Throwing Star” . . .
Will Health Care Reform Cause Nevada To Drop Out Of Medicaid? [*24]

Section Two: Things That Amuse Me:2.1: Simians:
No simians today. Simians tomorrow, maybe?

2.2: Travel:
Owner of Midwest, Frontier airlines consolidates in Indianapolis [*25]

2.3: Sports:
Holtz takes job at South Florida; Tennessee situation unresolved [*26]
Bjorklund comes alive, helps No. 4 Vols win 66-64 [*27]
UMKC falls to Oakland 87-73 [*28]
Jacks, Bison set for showdown [*29]
The Turf Speech [*30] — Joe Posnanski . . .
Jacks vs. Bison: Part I [*31]
Summit League Schools Team to Fight Hunger at Basketball Games [*32]

2.4: Science Fiction and Writing:
Have You Ever Binge-Read An Author? [*33] — Yes, in fact, I have. Several times. As often as I can, actually.

2.5: Miscellany:
Walgreen’s may add fresh and prepared foods [*34]

Section Three: All Politics All The Time:3.1: Strategy and tactics for defending human freedom and liberty:
Eureka, I Am a Conservative! [*35]
A Case Study on How To Hit Back At Liberals [*36]
Supreme Court Already Overturning Prop 8 Judge’s “Eleventh Hour” Decisions [*37]
The conspiracy theory conspiracy theory (a call for censorship that wasn’t there) [*38] — Would this be a cautionary “don’t be a blithering idiot” tale? Or something far more ominous? (cue scary music)
An Open Letter to Everyone Who Loves America [*39] — “VOLCANIC needs to be what we set our rage to.”
Tea Partiers Taking Over the GOP, Precinct by Precinct [*40]
Why Texas Skipped the “Race to the Top” [*41]
Tea Party Leaders See Movement Becoming a Potent Force [*42] — “I can explain it to you, but I cannot understand it for you”.
Let the Next Crisis Go To Waste [*43]
Rasmussen: Three different Republicans within six points of Boxer in California [*44]

3.2: The reality of Obama and the Democrat leadership as blithering idiots:
Oh, that’s a new one: Blame the Computers! [*45]
Is There Anyone (or Anything) This White House Doesn’t Blame? [*46]
Obama’s Failure Can Be Blamed On Congressional Democrats – “It’s The Economy, Stupid” [*47] — Of course, if Obama had had any executive experience, he might have been able to manage the situation, but . . .
New Poll: Harry Reid Getting Killed In Reelection Bid By Just About Everyone Including Other Democrats [*48]

3.3: The reality of the Republican leadership as blithering idiots:
“Buck up or get off the truck” [*49] — To be honest, I’m not sure who’s the idiot(s) here: Steele, his critics, or Palin (although when in doubt, I tend to align with the ‘Cuda’s view on things . . .
Comments at Redstate and Ace of Spades show you what is wrong with Republicans today: too many punk-ass, young male Eeyores[*50]

3.4: Opposition Research: The enemies of human freedom and liberty:
Is the FCC Above the Law? [*51] — Well, actually, that is its purpose, yes . . . to make law without actually being Congress . . .
“John Stossel is a paranoid, insane, lying hypocrite.”
Public Health vs. Free Speech [*52] — Why “health care” is a stalking horse for collectivism . . .
Chicago’s Real Crime Story: Why decades of community organizing haven’t stemmed the city’s youth violence [*53] — When your premises and assumptions are faulty, your conclusions and results are doomed to be wrong . . .
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime to Pay the Tax on My Beer in MD? [*54] — because only rich people buy beer . . .

3.5: Media bias–and incompetence:
Local news shows are where the biased action is [*55] — “There are lots of things to be afraid of out there.” — And fear drives ratings, now doesn’t it?

3.6: Fear The ‘Cuda–A spotlight on Citizen Palin, who really needs to find a better phrase than “Common-sense conservatism” to describe her philosophy:
http://www.conservatives4palin.com/ Semi-permanent link for Palinmania . . .

Section Four: The Rest of the News:4.1: The Economy:
Sweet Economy Alabama [*56]
Ford Shines as Government Motors Stumbles [*57]

4.2: Foreign affairs:
Debt-laden Dubai offers to host U.N. headquarters [*58]
Poking the Bear [*59]

4.3: Science, technology, and space:
No science. No tech. No space. We’re outta here.

Contributed by: filbert Friday, January 15 2010 @ 11:30 AM CST

A (mostly) daily review of what’s out there that caught my attention. (Yeah, it’s possible I might have ADD . . .)

I surf the Web, so you don’t have to!

Simians:
Europe’s ‘Human Zoos’: Remains of Indigenous Abductees Back Home after 130 Years [*1] — well, humans are simians, aren’t we? Linked mainly due to the recent dearth of simian-blogging . . . and a reminder of just how very nasty we can be to our fellows who “aren’t like us” . . .

Travel:
Looking for thriving airports? Try North Dakota[*2] — Hypothesis: North Dakota is a place where people want to fly away from . . .
TSA: Security fails to spot gun at Mont. airport [*3] — hey, it’s only Montana, right? Maybe the smart Montanans are flying out of North Dakota . . .
Just So You Don’t Think the TSA Are the Only Officious Annoyances in Airports… [*4] — In case you missed the Michael Yon story . . .
How The Feds Keep Dangerously Sick Passengers Off Planes[*5] — Simple! They just make them take off their belts and shoes!

More after the “Read More” . . . Explaining and defending human freedom and liberty:
Nebraskans are doing to Ben Nelson what people did to OJ for years: yelling at him to get out of restaurants [*6] — The cure for corruption is sunshine . . .
Rethinking Big Government [*7] — Einstein’s quip about insanity [*8] comes to mind . . .

The reality of Obama and the Democrat leadership as blithering idiots:
Everything’s staged: Michelle Obama’s garden food was fake [*9]

Spotlighting and deconstructing (and occasionally ridiculing) Liberty’s enemies–because even blithering idiots can be dangerous:
ACORN in California Splits From Bertha Lewis [*10]
Obama Gives Speeches, Interviews But Few Press Conferences: Media Complain, But White House Insists Obama is Accessible [*11] — ABC News. ABC NEWS.
Poll: Majority would vote against Obama re-election [*12]
Please Don’t Talk About Government Tonight… [*13]
Laughing With Liberals [*14]
The Communist States of America: The New Stimulus ‘Math’ [*15] — because the collectivists really, really don’t care.
Pink Jumpsuit for Sheriff Joe [*16] — A classic example of Going Too Far is Sheriff Joe, it seems . . .
Truth or consequences or neither [*17] — Abuse of data . . . hmm . . . somebody say ClimateGate?

Foreign affairs:
War General’s Worry: “How People Feel” [*18] — “If you want to swim, you have to let go of the side of the pool.”
Apparently, Censorship Is Not Enough In China [*19]
The Folly of Arms Control Fanatics [*20]

The Massachusetts Senate Race–(With BONUS correct spelling of the state in question!):
Daddy’s Little Pitbull… American Idol Star Ayla Brown Comes Out Swinging For Dad Scott Brown (Video) [*21]
Witch: Coakley Kept Innocent Man in Prison to Enhance her Career [*22]
Democrats Go Ugly in Their Own Backyard [*23]
An Even Worse Story on Coakley: Let Guy Off For Raping His 23-Month-Old Niece With Hot Curling Iron [*24]
Coakley’s Own Internal Poll Shows Two Point Lead; Democrat Confides, “This One May Be Too Far to Recover” [*25]
Brown Campaign Has Brought In a Million Dollars Each Day This Week [*26]
Scott Brown Meets the Press [*27]
The Political Cost of Democrats’ Nasty Massachusetts Campaign [*28]
GAME-CHANGER—Martha Coakley: Devout Catholics “Probably Shouldn’t Work in the Emergency Room” (Audio) [*29] — Is she trying to get blown out?

Fear The ‘Cuda–A spotlight on Citizen Palin, who really needs to find a better phrase than “Common-sense conservatism” to describe her philosophy:
Cynthia Yockey: Sarah Palin’s debut at Fox News is Intelligent and Eloquent [*30]
The Ignorant Fisherman: Why The Left Hates Sarah Palin [*31]
Walter Scott Hudson: Why Sarah Palin is Hated [*32]
Mika Brzezinski Mocks Palin’s Founding Father Answer; Then Says “Lincoln” was Her Favorite! [*33]
Unmasking Palinphobia [*34]
Numbers [*35]
Red State editor: Gee, some of Palin’s fans are awfully quick to attack critics [*36]
I think Snookums is getting a bit jealous . . . but not to worry! 1) Palin has five kids. 2) Palin has Todd. 3) Todd would undoubtedly kick my ass from Dillingham to Dover. 4) If Todd didn’t kick my ass, Sarah certainly would. 5) I don’t think Palin would go to Jackrabbit basketball games with me. 6) I don’t think Palin likes cruising nearly as much as Snookums does. I could think up more without trying too hard . . .
But, as I’ve pointed out before, it seems to me that Palin is a classic Western American conservative-libertarian in the mold of Reagan and Goldwater. “Rugged Individualism” scares a lot of people. Palin is for people who aren’t scared of themselves, or of life.
“Palin, you Magnificent Bastard, I Read Your Book!”
Maybe I should just link http://www.conservatives4palin.com/ and be done with it . . .

Haiti, with bonus coverage of why Pat Robertson is a blithering idiot:
On Pat Robertson’s Childish Santa Claus Conception of Christianity [*37]
Giving the devil his due [*38]
The best, long-term protection against catastrophe [*39] — My suggestions: 1) Rule of Law and suppression of corruption; 2) Personal responsibility; 3) Individual freedom and liberty; 4) Communities of freely associating people working together. When people have the nerve to try it, it works. Spectacularly.
Why is Haiti so poor? [*40] — See above, lack thereof . . .
A Tale of Two Quakes [*41] — or, how to take a natural disaster and turn it into a catastrophe . . . just add collectivism . . .
Devil-gate[*42]
Who’s running Haiti? No one, say the people [*43] — Not to be harsh, but . . . whose fault is that? Run Your Own Life . . .
Cruise Industry Plans Haiti Relief Effort [*44]
Haiti after the quake [*45]
Salvation Army [*46] — Snookums’ and my current preferred charity . . . click on the red button at the bottom of the page . . .

The Economy:
Antitrust Is Anti-Economics [*47] — Until we solve the problem of companies abusing customers and arrogating political power by buying politicians, antitrust will continue to be “in play” . . .
Crony Capitalism V [*48] Chrysler CEO: Sales won’t improve until June [*49]

“Global warming” aka “Climate change” — or should that be “Climate Reform?”:
Pielke Senior: Correspondence with Phil Jones on Klotzbach et al [*50] — With such an enthralling title, how can you NOT click through and read it?
John Coleman’s TV Special Tonight – Global Warming: The Other Side [*51]
NASA Caught Cooking The Books [*52]
Newly released FOIA’d emails from Hansen and GISS staffers show disagreement over 1998-1934 U.S. temperature ranking [*53]
More on John Coleman’s Special tonight – KUSI press release says NASA improperly manipulated data [*54]

Health care “reform” aka health insurance “reform” — or should that be health care “change?” Perhaps “Global healthing?:
The patsies catch on to Obamacare [*55] — We Told You So . . . well, we tried to, anyway . . .
Obama and Unions Reach Agreement on Unions’ Objection to “Cadillac Plan” Surtax: Hey, Let’s Just Exempt the Unions! [*56]
Democrats push for healthcare agreement [*57] — Alternate title: “Democrats rush headlong towards political cliff”

Media bias–and incompetence:
How the Media Are Covering ‘Head Start’s’ Failure [*58] — What? You didn’t know that an HHS study showed that Head Start didn’t work? Hmm . . . I wonder why . . .

Sports:
NCAA prohibits hiring associates of hoops recruits [*59]
SDSU introduces Family Fun Nights [*60]
SDSU, Bison meet in Fargo [*61]

Science, technology, and space:
Secret Police: Can personal privacy survive the digital revolution? [*62]

Science Fiction and Writing:
Developing Your Voice: Part One [*63]

Miscellany:
Best to lose some weight before weight-loss surgery [*64] — Well, yes, but then if they could lose weight, they wouldn’t need the surgery, now would they?

Horrifyingly, that’s not all of the links I have, but I’m out of time for now. More later, or they’ll just spill into tomorrow. Yes, like I said, Horrifying.

Contributed by: filbert Friday, January 15 2010 @ 07:45 AM CST

From The Road To Serfdom, by F. A. Hayek, 1944, Fiftieth Anniversary Edition, 1994, The University of Chicago Press.

. . . for the Rule of Law to be effective it is more important that there should be a rule applied always without exceptions than what this rule is.

Excerpted under Fair Use for purposes of non-commercial education, discussion and comment. Any transcription or typographical errors are mine.