Month: March 2010

Contributed by: filbert Monday, March 29 2010 @ 07:45 AM CST

I’m THINKING. That’s dangerous. It’s also not conducive to the sort of semi-mindless cut-and-paste-and-maybe-snark sort of process which makes the Whip what it is, God help us all.

But, like I say, I’m taking a breather. I’m thinking about a few things. OK, I’m thinking about a LOT of things. I may write about some of them. Actually, writing is one of the things I’m thinking about.

I’m also catching up on some other non-bloggy duty-and-life type stuff that I’ve probably let slide a bit too long.

Hang in there, tip your waitresses, and work diligently for the overthrow of our lying bastard socialist collectivist poopyhead overlords! Power to the people, comrades! We shall overcome, someday! (Holds up right arm, hand clenched in fist, making it very, very hard to type.)

And no, Barack, I won’t unclench my fist. You unclench yours, first.

Contributed by: filbert Thursday, March 25 2010 @ 01:00 PM CST

SECTION ONE: The Word:
If You Can’t Take The Heat, Stay Out Of The Kitchen.

WARNING: UNAPPROVED, UNREGULATED, POSSIBLY DANGEROUS IDEAS AND CONCEPTS BELOW. READ FURTHER AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Let’s briefly review:
Using the IRS to force every single person in the United State to buy something because some people don’t–for whatever reason–have it = Not A Threat;

Calling a Congresscritter a piece of shit because he or she self-evidently cannot read or understand the Constitution = Threat.

I think I’ve got that straight.

This is a cynical, purposeful, Democrat political strategy, folks.

The Democrats and their media allies are, with this passive-aggressive, crocodile-tear act, actually trying to incite violence, or at least promote an “atmosphere of the threat of violence.” This will give them a pretext to crack down–literally–on the political opposition–those that advocate individual freedom and liberty, and those who simply want to be left alone to live their life the best that they can. In essence, the Democrats are actively working towards staging a modern-day Reichstag Fire, done with much, much more cunning and cynical manipulation of an already-pro-socialist Big Media press. If they can goad one of the less stable among their political opposition into starting something, well then so much the better! But make no mistake, if they can’t get a reaction out of the right, they can and will stage an incident that they will blame on the advocates of individual freedom and liberty.

We have ample evidence that one of their usual and customary tactics is the agent provocateur–infiltrating their political opposition and then throwing epithets, bricks, and otherwise trying to discredit that opposition. They are without scruple, the Democrats. Anything which furthers their particular interests is fair, wise, and true. Anything which opposes is evil, hateful, and beyond the scope of reasonable discourse.

This is a prescription for violence, as the Democrats systematically close off all possible peaceful avenues of dissent.

It is the tactic of totalitarians and tyrants.

So, if you voted Democrat in the last election, this is exactly what you voted for, whether you realized it at the time or not. You voted for naked political intolerance and the exercise of raw power overwhelming the rule of law and due process.

I hope you’re happy with the result. I also hope you never, ever come to disagree with anything your new masters choose to do to you in the future.

When that happens, just remember: we tried to warn you.

If the forces of freedom are wise, they will adopt the non-violent mass civil disobedience strategies of Gandhi–and Martin Luther King. There are still enough people of conscience in this country–Democrats, Republicans, independents, and others–who will at the last recoil when it becomes clear that those now in political power in this country are in fact tyrants. It is this greater portion of the American public–those who are not by nature political, but just want to get through the day doing the right thing more often than not–who will either save this country or allow it to slip into a gray and humorless society which will be more reminiscent of Soviet Russia than of the vibrancy we remember of the American past.

Oh, by the way, remember who said this:

“If they hit us, we’ll punch back twice as hard.”

He currently lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. Talk about inciting violence! And, actually, that did incite violence. Anybody remember Kenneth Gladney?

State-Run Media Accuses Tea Party Organizer of Terrorism For Posting Congressman’s Address [*1] — And yet there was no concern for all of the wackos congregating outside George W. Bush’s Crawford, Texas ranch. That was free speech. This is unacceptable intimidation and borderline violence. The Democrats can dish it out, but they can’t take it. And, “If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.”

The Lawn Coffin and Other Scary Bedtime Stories [*2]
Coward Russ Carnahan Pushes Bogus Tea Party Lie to Media– Claims Prayer Service With Coffin Was a Violent Threat (Updated) [*3] — “On Sunday night several members of the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition held a prayer vigil at Russ Carnahan’s office for the millions of babies that will be slaughtered under the democrat’s pro-abortion health care bill.”

Those quiet and discreet violent libertarian thugs! [*4] — “Hurling bricks through windows may be many things, but it is not libertarianism.”

2010: A Race Odyssey — Disproving a Negative for Cash Prizes or, How the Civil Rights Movement Jumped the Shark [*5] — Wherein Andrew Breitbart tells the race-baiting professional “victims” to put up or shut up . . .

Cantor: Democrats “dangerously fanning the flames” by screeching about security threats [*6] — “(Republican) Rep. Eric Cantor announced that his office has received threats for his positions on issues as well as his Jewish heritage, and that one of his offices had a window shot out . . . Cantor singled out DCCC chair Rep. Chris van Hollen for exploiting fringe threats for political gain, “fanning the flames” to “dangerous levels.”” See how easy it is to link someone who–I presume–had no connection to somebody stupid with the act of stupidity?

Right Wing Violence: Republican House Leader’s Campaign Office SHOT At Update: Cantor Viceo And Republican Congresswoman Recives Voice Mail Threat [*7] — I really, really think the left doesn’t want to get into a blow-by-blow (if you’ll forgive the violent imagery) discussion of who’s nutcases are more violent–or more influential in today’s political climate. Let’s start with unrepentant bombing conspirator, co-founder of the terrorist Weather Underground, “Guilty as Sin, Free As A Bird,” early mentor of Barack Obama, and probable “Dreams of My Fathers” ghostwriter Bill Ayers. OK. Your turn, lefties.

GOP Whip Eric Cantor’s Campaign Office Is Shot At [*8]
More on Cantor: Stop Using Threats for Political Gain, as It Encourages Violence; Democratic Spokesman Apparently Disagrees [*9] — “You be the judge. If political violence is to be denounced, but he himself won’t denounce a gun being fired into a Republican’s office, then what is the message here? Seems to be endorsing it as legitimate.”

Anger, fear, whining and inflaming [*10] — “Dissent is no longer the highest form of patriotism, folks – it’s “terrorism”. Please excuse the use of insulting language, but idiots like James Clyburn are the reason the anger in this country remains high and is still building. Loud mouth hacks like this jerk trade in fear and lies and then have the temerity to suggest that it is “terrorism” to react to their abuses by protesting. In fact, there’s nothing more American than to protest.”

Republican Jean Schmidt Receives Threats Over Health Care Stance [*11]

Let’s recall for a minute where we are, and how we got here. Under Obama and this Democratic Congress, the Federal Government has seized just about half of the entire United States economy under its direct control. There are people who are upset about this. But they’re upset about what the Democrats in Washington are doing to them, and doing to their country. The people who are upset did not start this argument.

They did not throw the first punch. They did not make the first threat.

Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action. — George Washington, First President of the United States.

The protesters are not the irresponsible ones in this continuing story.

Once again, the definition of “blithering idiotry” for the purposes of the Whip:

1) believing you know better than someone else how they should run their lives, and
2) acting on that belief, almost always to the ultimate detriment of that other person, not to mention the corruption of your own soul in the process.

And to think all I really want to be here is a silly-animal-and-other-goofy-things-story, travelogue, and rah-rah sports blog. That’s what I’d like to do, if the government would just leave me the hell alone! SECTION TWO: Things That Amuse Me:
Travel:
Continental Q&A: 787 will ‘be a game-changer,’ Cleveland is ‘important’ hub [*12]
Why Did My Connecting Flight Leave Early Without Me? (Ask Cranky) [*13]

Sports:
Tennessee putting on an offensive show in tourney [*14]
Hillman says Gordon won’t be on roster for season opener[*15]
Northern Iowa inks Jacobson to 10-year deal [*16]
USD athletic director to take Kent State job [*17]
Ritchie Price making strides at South Dakota State [*18]

Science, technology, and space:
High-Fructose Corn Syrup Prompts Considerably More Weight Gain, Researchers Find [*19]
Fusion’s ups and downs [*20]
Clearing Up Misconceptions [*21]
Introducing Cult of Mac’s 100 Top Tips And Tricks For Windows Switchers [*22] — A continuing series (they’ve made it up to #5 as of today . . . 95 to go . . .)

Miscellany (amusing things not fitting above, or below):
Map Tracks Census Participation Daily [*23]

SECTION THREE: Politics: The neverending battle against blithering idiocy:
People doing potentially good things (including sightings of politicians doing something less than totally, blitheringly idiotic):
ObamaCare: What the GOP could (but probably won’t) do now [*24]
Boehner: If we take back the House, we won’t fund ObamaCare [*25]
Conservative Blogs 100: March Ratings [*26] — Medary.com isn’t on the list. Maybe because I’m actually more of a libertarian–or a “classical liberal” if you will, than really a conservative . . .
Time Magazine Profile: Citizen Breitbart [*27]
‘Hi, I’m Pete Kesterson!’: Normal People Step Up To Take On Incumbents [*28]

The cure for blithering idiocy: freedom and individual liberty (yeah, I know–ooh, ick, philosophy!):
Americans are in a bad relationship with their government — will they break up? [*29]
The Breaking Windows Fallacy
Unlimited Semiosis and the crisis of interpretation [*30]
Change Prohibition Policy [*31]
Paul Krugman and the Consumption Myth [*32] — “Unsurprisingly, Krugman is wrong on all three points. What his argument boils down to, after wading through the myriad of contradictions that make up the majority of his writing, is the belief that our economic woes can be solved through inflation.”
The Fable of the Krugman [*33] — “No wonder that Keynesians emphasize the “circular flow” of the economy, as it fits within their circular logic.”

Politics, otherwise difficult to classify:
Why Isn’t Paul Ryan Running for Senate? [*34] — The gay-guy-backing-attractive-male-Republican-candidate thing is a curious recent development in American politics . . .
Campaigning Against Obamacare Not Enough to Secure GOP Victories This Fall [*35] — It’s not enough to be against something. The Republicans need to be for individual freedom and liberty. Every single thing they say must be tied back to that simple, quintessentially American political principle. Every. Single. Thing.
The Parable of the Satellite Dish [*36] — “Freedom requires the courage to avoid being stampeded. You should ask more questions about something you are told is an “essential right.” Sober reflection is a hallmark of maturity. A wise State would not require its citizens to act like children.”

The reality of President Obama and his entire Administration as blithering idiots:
So This Is What Change Looks Like [*37]
Comedy gold: Gibbs tries to explain why an executive order on abortion was necessary, or not [*38]
Forget All That ‘Hope’ and ‘Change’ Talk, Okay? [*39]
Just a Reminder [*40]

The reality of Washington Democrats (and Independents, and Socialists) as blithering idiots:
Pelosi: Health Care Reform Is “Model” For Future Reform Efforts (Video) [*41] — Bend Over, America. If you liked how the health care bill was passed, you’ll love how the rest of this Congressional session goes!
Soon to be Unemployed Democrat Party Hacks Play the Victim [*42]
What Was That Line About the Tree of Liberty and the Blood of Tyrants?

The current threats (assuming they are real, as I assume some of them are) are being played up in the press because the Democrats want to dampen the anger that has erupted over their adoption of a government medicine program through a series of legislative maneuvers that are in some respects unprecedented. It is important for the Democrats and their press minions to understand that there are many millions of Americans who regard Obamacare not just as misguided public policy, but as an illegitimate usurpation of power. I am one of the many millions who are outraged at the Left’s attempt to destroy the private health care system that has served my family so well, and who regard Obamacare as illegitimate.

As for the threats, we will take them more seriously if they result in the cancellation of a public appearance by a liberal due to security concerns. But that never happens to liberals, only to conservatives. It happened again last night. That was in Canada, of course; the home of government medicine and little regard for free speech. No coincidence, that.

Steny Hoyer: Members Are at Risk [*43] — At risk of unemployment, yes, very much so, Steny . . .
When Race-Baiting Fails: John Lewis’s Story Under New Scrutiny, Congressman Cleaver Pretty Much Exposed as a Liar [*44]
Call Off the Race Hustlers… The Black Caucus Members Lied [*45]

Other blithering idiots at large making life difficult for regular folks:
Thoughts On The Spurious Census[*46] — Count the people, and get out of our way . . .
If GOP is in such dire straits, how come NY Democrat wants to run for office under its banner? [*47]

Opposition Research: because blithering idiocy can be dangerous, especially when organized into idiotic groups with idiotic ideologies:
Voting For Socialism [*48] — I’m tempted to go with the old saying “calling a (card deck suit) a (card deck suit)” but then that would be (formerly really bad thing but now utterly meaningless leftist epithet meaning ‘I don’t like what you’re saying’), wouldn’t it? I suppose I’d better not.
Spinning harder: A report from the field
Liberal Organization Calls Gay Activists Neo Nazis? [*49]
Lying Liberals Target Governor Palin [*50] — “I have never seen people more intolerant, threatening, or downright nasty than far-left liberals. I deal with these people on a regular basis as they pull out all the stops in their determination to silence the opposition by any means necessary. It’s what they do. It’s who they are.” See? It’s not just me who says things like that . . . I don’t really hate the Left as much as I just feel sorry for them, them and their dim, narrow, frightful, borderline-paranoid worldview where the only salvation for mankind lies in meekly lining up to enter the slave pen, and their utter incomprehension of anyone who doesn’t feel the same way. That’s not for me. Sorry. I don’t hate them. I do however fear what they want to do to me, to you, to everyone, just so that they can feel better about themselves and the world they live in. And that’s the bottom line–they’ll do anything if they think it will make them feel better. Anything.

SECTION FOUR: Case Studies in Blithering Idiocy
“Global warming” aka “Climate change” — or should that be “Climate Reform?”:
Beck Fires Back at Cameron: Why Do You Want to Murder Global Warming Skeptics? [*51]
WUWT makes a difference – London Science Museum changes their climate change exhibit [*52]
Au Revoir, Carbon Tax [*53]
Spoofing the climate of news [*54]

Reforming health care and freeing it from the (usually) well-intended tyranny of the blithering idiots in government:
Three Reasons Health Care Reform Won’t Cut The Deficit By One Thin Dime. But Will Add Massively to it. [*55]
On Health Care, Half A Repeal Is No Repeal At All [*56]
Oops: O-Care forgets to cover young adults, children with preexisting conditions [*57] — This has been described as a “shit sandwich.” This description may understate its unpalatability.
Obama’s Health Care Fixation [*58]
Oh, by the way, O-Care lets states opt out of the individual mandate [*59] — “Alternate headline: “Confirmed: No one read the bill.””
Oh my: 62% want GOP to keep fighting ObamaCare [*60]
Boxer: Okay for Rapists To Use Taxpayer Funds to Buy Viagra [*61]
GOP Diligence Forces House Revote on Obamacare [*62]
BREAKING: Senate Parliamentarian finds in favor of GOP, Obamacare goes back to the House for another vote [*63]
GOP wins parliamentary ruling in Senate reconciliation fight [*64]
GOP Returns Pelosi’s “Christmas Present” Back to the House [*65]
Thanks Barack… Obamacare Costs Caterpillar Inc. $100 Million This Quarter [*66]
Exclusive: Steny Hoyer explains taxing Americans for lack of health insurance [*67] — “Well, actually, he doesn’t, although he should.”
Repeal It! [*68] — “Has the public ever greeted passage of a major piece of legislation with this much disgust? I can’t imagine that it has. And so far, at least, there is no sign that mere passage of the bill will cause voters to look more favorably on it.”
Health Care, Hayek and Freedom [*69] — “As Hayek points out, this country was founded upon the principle that government does not have arbitrary power. The 10th amendment to our constitution clarifies that the federal government has only enumerated powers: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.” Each Congressman, Senator, and the President swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. Voting for or signing this health care bill is hard to square with such an oath.”
55% of Americans Want Obamacare Repealed; 52% Will Vote For Pro-Repeal Candidates [*70]
Rasmussen: 55% want ObamaCare repealed [*71]
Video: Who’s on first, Congressional-style [*72]

The Economy (Can the blithering idiots bring down the most productive economy the world has ever seen? Yes, They Can! Will they?):
TARP IG rips Obama economic policy on housing [*73]
How Do You Finance Crazy Levels of Government Debt When No One’s Interested In Your Bonds? [*74]
Social Security Going Broke Faster than Expected [*75]
Social Security will tip over into annual deficits … now [*76] — Boy, it sure is a good thing the Democrats passed another open-ended, never-to-be-touched Ponzi scheme of an “entitlement” to save us from the financial disaster that . . . um . . . er . . .
New jobless claims drop, but … [*77] — “Don’t pop the bubbly on the basis of this report. Jobless claims of 450,000+ doesn’t signal labor market stability at all. Generally speaking, that number has to get down to 300-325K in order to get to the break-even point of job creation, where the economy adds enough jobs to keep up with population growth. ”

Foreign affairs and National Security (Will blithering idiots get us all killed, or make us all speak Spanish–or Chinese–or Arabic–or all three?):
OH, CANADA! [*78] — “You’d have to be a real A-Houle not to anticipate that accusing a conservative of “promoting hatred” prior to her arrival on a college campus would in actuality — not in liberal fantasies of terrified Muslims cowering in terror of Mark Steyn readers — incite real-world violence toward the conservative. ”
Say “Adios” to Obama’s “National Export Initiative” [*79]

The Morning Whip is a (mostly) daily review of what’s out there that caught my attention, sometimes but not always posted before 11 am Central time in the U. S. of A., unless I just don’t feel like it that day, am out doing something more important or more fun, or I’ve been abducted, detained, arrested, or otherwise flummoxed by the agents of blithering idiotry.

I surf the Web, so you don’t have to! (which would be a trademark, but come on, who am I kidding?)

Contributed by: filbert Wednesday, March 24 2010 @ 01:48 PM CST

Because it’s always morning . . . somewhere . . .

And, once again, the definition of “blithering idiotry” for the purposes of the Whip:

1) believing you know better than someone else how they should run their lives, and
2) acting on that belief, almost always to the ultimate detriment of that other person, not to mention the corruption of your own soul in the process.

Now, in the This Is Not Anything Political, Thank God department:

Dog Sings Lullaby to Stop Baby From Crying [*1]

Good dog. SECTION TWO: Things That Amuse Me:
Simians and other aminals*:
Chesapeake veteran says attack by his service monkey was worse than combat [*2] — Bad monkey.
Great Apes Know They Could Be Wrong [*3] — Which, apparently, proves that people on the left are not evolved from apes, I guess . . .

Travel:
Canadian border guards to check iPods for infringment [*4] — AMD laptops. Hilarity will ensue.
Q&A: Continental marketing chief talks about presence in West Coast, Hawaii [*5]

Sports:
Self reflects on disappointing end to KU’s season[*6] — ““I’ve been to the NCAA Tournament 12 years in a row,” Self said, “and I think 10 of them have ended on the last possession one way or another.” ”

Science Fiction and Writing:
What I Do When I Get Stuck [*7] — “Usually what’s happened when I get stuck is that I’ve lost perspective; I’m in too close to the story to see all the strands in the knot I’ve created.”
The Craft of Writing: Every Character Has A Story [*8] — “memorable minor characters feel as if they have wandered on-stage while pursuing quite another tale, one in which they are the heroes.”
World-Building Week: Putting up the Walls [*9]

Science, technology, and space:
Are Hand Sanitizers Better Than Handwashing Against the Common Cold? [*10]
Scientists find how relaxed minds remember better [*11]
Fusion’s ups and downs [*12]

Miscellany (amusing things not fitting above, or below):
Hour of exercise may be too much for busy U.S. women [*13]
Curry ingredient shows promise against liver damage [*14]
Hollywood’s Broke Part 6: Fixing Television [*15]
Palin about to close deal on travelogue show for Discovery [*16]

SECTION THREE: Politics: The neverending battle against blithering idiocy:
People doing potentially good things (including sightings of politicians doing something less than totally, blitheringly idiotic):
GOP to Dems: Will you join us in voting to ban Viagra for sex offenders? [*17] — “Everyone get the joke here? If the Dems amend the reconciliation bill for any reason, they have to send it back to the House for yet another vote. So anything the GOP proposes — anything — they’re basically bound to vote no on. And Coburn knows it. One tasty shinola sandwich, coming up!”
[*18]
Democratic incumbents running behind in Obama’s home state[*19]
Why I’m registering as a Republican [*20] — You’re going to see a lot of this. People just quietly going about their business, preparing to clobber the Democrat donkey with a 2X4 this November. And The Democrats still don’t realize what’s coming for them.
How We Fight Back [*21]
Census 2010 – The American Race [*22]
Commonsense Conservatives [*23]
An American Liberal Reviews Karl Rove’s Account of the Iraq War [*24] — “Chapter 21 of Rove’s book – “Bush Was Right on Iraq” – sets the record straight. It is a thorough account of what really happened in the months leading up to the war.”
Resisting ObamaCare, Gandhi Style: Americans will lose control over basic decisions if this law stands. [*25]
Farewell To the Legalized, Government-Supported Mafia Known as ACORN [*26] — Hannah Giles takes a victory lap . . .
Who’s in the Tea Party movement? [*27]

A Quinnipiac poll:[*28]

74 percent are Republicans or independent voters leaning Republican;
16 percent are Democrats or independent voters leaning Democratic;
5 percent are solidly independent;
45 percent are men;
55 percent are women;
88 percent are white;
77 percent voted for Sen. John McCain in 2008;
15 percent voted for President Barack Obama

More women than men. Surprising?

The cure for blithering idiocy: freedom and individual liberty (yeah, I know–ooh, ick, philosophy!):
Is the tax power infinite? [*29] — Well, if you’re a Democrat, the answer is “Obviously, yes.”

Politics, otherwise difficult to classify:
Winning Washington, Losing America [*30] — “Seven months is a long time in politics.”

The reality of President Obama and his entire Administration as blithering idiots:
Barack Obama: A Constitutional Professor In Alinsky Tactics [*31]
Error of big government, it’s back! [*32]
The reality of Obamacare: Obama and the Democratic leadership have nationalized healthcare by proxy. [*33] — Don’t miss the mindless, vitriolic, intolerant leftist hate in the comments . . .
Obama’s SecEd manipulated school lists to favor powerful [*34]
Obama: A Domestic LBJ? [*35]
Mad Magazine Notices That Obama Is Unpopular [*36]

The reality of Washington Democrats (and Independents, and Socialists) as blithering idiots:
Barney Frank: Republicans Are Just Like Bullies Who Drive Teens To Suicide (Video) [*37]
Durbin: Taxing capital just the cost of having the “America we want” [*38]
Rep. Conyers Discovers New Clause In Constitution, More Than 200 Years Later [*39] — It’s not really a shock to me, at least, to know that one of the leading Congressional Democrats appears to have absolutely no clue about what’s in the Constitution. You know–the Constitution? The one he swore to defend every two years since he’s been elected to the House? That one?
Ace of Spades Exclusive: Yesterday Representatives Lewis and Clyburn Followed Me Into a Pathmark and Started Calling Me a Wog [*40] — “And Oh: That Tea Party guy didn’t spit in anyone’s face. The charge has changed to state that the man “allowed saliva to hit my face” — i.e., he was yelling and saliva sprayed out as it tends to do.” Democrats lie. It’s just what they do.
Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS) finally cornered, admits not reading bill [*41] — But see, that’s OK, because he’s not running for re-election and besides, he’s a Democrat, so he doesn’t have to know what’s in a bill.

The reality of Washington Republicans as blithering idiots:
Cornyn’s Stupid Statement: We’ll Kinda-Sorta Repeal Some of ObamaCare, Maybe [*42] — “He’s claiming he was misquoted, in fairness, but I kinda don’t believe him.”

Other blithering idiots at large making life difficult for regular folks:
Krugman Embarrasses Himself, Again [*43] — “If Krugman knew anything about history, he would know that his fabrication made no sense, since Republicans supported the 1964 Civil Rights Act more heavily than Democrats. But Krugman is both too ignorant to be aware of that well-known fact, and too lazy to look it up.”
A funny thing happened when I said “hi” to a nice family dog [*44] — “Power seeking is what activists do. It is very difficult for ordinary people to grasp what they’re up against, because they tend to assume good faith.”
James Cameron Calls Glenn Beck Out: Let’s Debate You ‘F—ing A–hole’ [*45] — “Uh, oh, James Cameron’s angry and you know how James gets when he’s angry… Stupid” . . .

Opposition Research: because blithering idiocy can be dangerous, especially when organized into idiotic groups with idiotic ideologies:
How to Fight the Hollywood Left’s Fighting Words [*46]
The racist & anti-gay Tea Parties in left-wingers’ minds [*47]
Culture Wars for as Far as the Eye Can See [*48] — “The Left, since the 1960s, has been the aggressor in the culture war. Liberals often object when conservatives point this out, but they brag about it amongst themselves.”
The Establishment Is Offended [*49] — Dear Establishment: People are reaching the point where they simply don’t care about your strategic, selective “outrage” any more. So stick it where the sun don’t shine, bucko.
On The Streets Of Chicago: ‘People Wanted Change, This Is Change. They Need To Shut Up.’ [*50]
Saul Alinsky’s interest in excrement and (bizarrely racial) flatulence [*51]

The Keith Olbermann Memorial “Special Comment” on blithering idiots in the Media:
MEDIA FRAUD– More Proof That the Leftist Media Lied About Racist Attacks On Black Reps While They Ignored Vulgar Attacks By Lib Politicians [*52]
NY Times Praises Marxist Redistribution of Wealth in Obamacare [*53]

SECTION FOUR: Case Studies in Blithering Idiocy
“Global warming” aka “Climate change” — or should that be “Climate Reform?”:
Temperatures rising: In climate-change discussions, two Princeton professors go against the grain [*54]
Why Joe Bastardi sees red: A look at Sea Ice and GISTEMP and starting choices — “If it is (so) darn warm, how come there is so much sea ice?”

Reforming health care and freeing it from the (usually) well-intended tyranny of the blithering idiots in government:
Rep. McCotter: “So This is What Change Looks Like?… Obama’s Hope & Change Has Degenerated Into Tax & Hate” (Video) [*55]
Senate Republicans Highlight the Disaster That Is Obamacare [*56]
Legal Action and Political Action as a Two-Track Strategy for Opposing Obamacare [*57]
Tea partiers vow revenge over health overhaul [*58] — Democrats: You will not be forgiven.
13 States, 2 Lawsuits Against Health Care Bill [*59]
Reconciliation Bill Adds Even More Taxes [*60]
Don’t Buy It: The crazy constitutional logic of the individual insurance mandate [*61]
Dem Rep. Dingell Admits: Obamacare “Will Eventually Control the People” [*62] — “. . . it takes a long time to do the necessary administrative steps that have to be taken to put the legislation together to control the people.” Nice. Very, very nice. How do you people who voted for Democrats feel about one of your favorite party’s senior Congressmen planning and plotting to control you? Are you good with that? Really?
Audio: Rep. John Dingell on How Long it Took “To Control the People” [*63] — I understand that Dingell is trying to “walk back” what he said. But facts are stubborn things, and he said what he said. Evidence at hand indicates that he means exactly what he said, even though he now realizes it is not a good thing to admit to the rubes–er–the voting public.
Is Mandatory Dieting and Exercise Next? [*64] — Well, it does take a long time to control the people, you know . . .
The Special Interests Who Heart Obamacare [*65]
Ooops, Found A Mistake In The Health Care Bill! First In What Will No Doubt Be A Long Series–Updated: You Know, This Whole Thing Might Not Work [*66] — It might almost be funny, if it weren’t for all of those 16,000 IRS agents with guns who are about to be hired to enforce the damn thing . . .
Democratic Pollster on Health Care: “We need to go out and sell this plan and sell it aggressively.” [*67] — Uh . . . sure . . . “We’ve rammed this piece of crap straight up everyone’s poop chutes, now we have to go out and convince them that it’s a good thing” . . . yeah, that will work out well, I’m sure . . .
CBS: Poll bump still shows ObamaCare opposed by plurality after passage [*68] — Now that the target has finally stopped moving, the heavy fire can now begin. This thing will never be more popular than it is now, as more facts–more landmines–are discovered in the over 2,000 pages of dense, opaque legislative text, that nobody who was for it (including and especially Obama) actually understands, and most who voted for it never even read. The Democrats are whistling past the graveyard if they think otherwise.
Hey, Kids! How’s That Hope&Change Workin’ For Ya? [*69] — “Comes news today that his Stalinization of Health Care Act of 2010 actually doesn’t cover children with pre-existing conditions after all.”
Uninsured People Do Things, So They Should Be Punished [*70]
Video: Will ObamaCare drive businesses out of providing health insurance? [*71] — “In a word, yes” . . .
Spin Harder! [*72]
Three Reasons Health Care Reform Won’t Cut The Deficit By One Thin Dime. But Will Add Massively to it. [*73]
Repeal and Replace — but First Reveal [*74] — “There are racial preferences, taxes galore, mandates on restaurants, and more yet to be fully revealed.” There are plenty of “other shoes” in this monstrosity yet to be dropped. It ain’t over by a long shot. Those who passed this will not be forgiven.
Federal Health Spending [*75] — “When describing spending growth in federal programs, I often need to use words like “soaring” and “explosive.” But growth in federal health spending is almost beyond superlatives to describe it, and it will increase even faster as a result of President Obama’s new health legislation.”
Why Does ‘Catheter’ Come to Mind When I Read About This Medical Device Tax? [*76] — All that now stands between you and a tampon tax is the whim of the Secretary of Health and Human Services . . . I hope all of you who voted for Democrats really, really enjoy this newfangled “government of men, not of laws” thing. And don’t make me laugh with any objection that such whims might be unpopular. We already know what Democrats in power think about popular opinion. Enjoy your well-intentioned fascism, everyone.
How Many Employers Will Stop Providing Health Insurance? [*77]

The Economy (Can the blithering idiots bring down the most productive economy the world has ever seen? Yes, They Can! Will they?):
Poll: 79% fear U.S. economy could collapse [*78]
The More We See, the Less We Like [*79]
If borrowing and deficit spending are “the answer”, why don’t the bond markets agree? [*80] — “Moody, who is usually slow to move on these sorts of ratings, couldn’t be more clear in the warning it has issued to the US – yeah, that’s right, not Cuba, not Venezuela, but to the United States of America” . . .
Jobs Bill Actually Expands the Welfare State [*81]
Folgers Plant To Close, About 200 To Lose Their Jobs [*82] — And downtown Kansas City will no longer smell like coffee . . . which is either bad, or good, depending on whether or not you like the smell of fresh-roasted coffee . . .
Black farmers $1.25 billion deal may fall through [*83]
Krauthammer: Get ready for the VAT debate [*84]
Big Government Has Never Been Bigger! [*85] — “Keep in mind Arizona State economics professor William Boyes has estimated that the government already owns or controls about one-third of U.S. economic activity through the takeover of General Motors, the partial ownership of two of the country’s largest banks in Bank of America and Citigroup, and the seizure of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as well as AIG. Combine those two numbers, and we’re looking at roughly half of the U.S. economy.”
Argentina: A cautionary tale? [*86] — They’re coming for your private retirement accounts next, you know . . .
Durable Goods Orders Rise Slightly Less than Expected [*87]
TARP watchdog blasts Obama housing program [*88]
New home sales fall over 2% in February, hits record low [*89] — “For the second straight day, a wire service has managed to eschew the word “unexpectedly” when reporting bad news” . . .

The Morning Whip is a (mostly) daily review of what’s out there that caught my attention, sometimes but not always posted before 11 am Central time in the U. S. of A., unless I just don’t feel like it that day, am out doing something more important or more fun, or I’ve been abducted, detained, arrested, or otherwise flummoxed by the agents of blithering idiotry.

I surf the Web, so you don’t have to! (which would be a trademark, but come on, who am I kidding?)

Contributed by: filbert Sunday, March 21 2010 @ 05:18 AM CST

I built a little empire out of some crazy garbage
Called the blood of the exploited working class
But they’ve overcome their shyness
Now they’re calling me Your Highness
And a world screams, “Kiss me, Son of God”

I destroyed a bond of friendship and respect
Between the only people left who’d even look me in the eye
Now I laugh and make a fortune
Off the same ones that I tortured
And a world screams, “Kiss me, Son of God”

I look like Jesus, so they say
But Mr. Jesus is very far away
Now you’re the only one here who can tell me if it’s true
That you love me and I love me

I built a little empire out of some crazy garbage
Called the blood of the exploited working class
But they’ve overcome their shyness
Now they’re calling me Your Highness
And a world screams, “Kiss me, Son of God”
Yes a world screams, “Kiss me, Son of God”

Copyright 1987 TMBG Music. Lyrics reproduced under Fair Use for political commentary and discussion.

Contributed by: filbert Saturday, March 20 2010 @ 01:22 PM CST

SECTION ONE: The Word: This Word is not about Deem-and-Pass (or Demon Pass), it is about the demons which reside in the soul of every human being.
Our President, ever fond of setting up straw men to knock over, says that the alternative to the government takeover of the health care industry which is now imminent is “the status quo.”

Democrats are particularly fond of this particular straw man: that some particular issue is intolerable and unsustainable, and the only alternative is government action. This is where the lie occurs. There is a vast array of possible alternative actions that people–individually or as groups–can undertake to change any current situation. The health care issue is just another example of the Democrats trying to stampede the public into accepting a solution which, totally coincidentally, solidifies Democrats in a position of power and authority over their fellow citizens.

What, exactly, is the problem with health care in America today? Well, people think it’s too expensive. People think that there are some people who don’t have access to the health care system. Both of those are legitimate concerns. Neither problem is necessarily improved by increased government involvement. In fact, there is strong evidence that the existing government interventions into the health care system–the virtual mandating of employer-provided health insurance after World War II, the disastrously ill-conceived Medicare program, the ridiculous restriction on offering health insurance across state lines, and the general public policy decisions which divorce the consumer of health care from the producers–the doctors, nurses, clinics, and hospitals–those public policy decisions by government have distorted the health care industry into this mutant monstrosity which is in no way a “free market” system, but is already an over-regulated nightmare system. And yet, Democrats and their allies say that the solution to these problems is more of the hair of the dog which has bitten us–more government intervention.

There are also concerns which are utterly illegitimate. Primary among those is the common belief among the more economically- and philosophically-ignorant people that health care is a “right.” These people are simply and tragically wrong. They have confused the word “want” with the word “right.” There are no rights which depend on the action of another person to exercise. Your right to life does not depend on another person to “give” you life. Your life belongs to you, as an individual. Your right to liberty does not depend on another person to “give” you liberty. Your liberty is inherent in you as an individual. Your right to the pursuit of happiness does not depend on another person to “give” you happiness. Your right to pursue your dreams and aspirations is inherent in you as an individual.

It makes no logical sense to extend this thought to health care. “Your health care does not depend on another person to “give” you health care” is a nonsense sentence. “Your health care is inherent in you as an individual” is a nonsense sentence.

Health care is not a right. It is an economic good. It is like food. It is like clothing. It is like cable television. It is like a car. It is like a house. It is like coffee. It is like beer. It is like a haircut. It is like getting your lawn mowed on a regular basis. It is like having someone in to clean your house.

Rights are inherent to you as an individual. You don’t have to pay someone for rights, you don’t have to ask someone else to give them to you. You simply have them. They are a part of you. That is what the Founding Fathers meant when they said that people had “inalienable” rights. Inalienable means–exactly–that you can’t separate them from the person that has them.

If you think it is your right to have your lawn mowed, to have your house cleaned, if you think you have a right to have someone care for your dislocated shoulder or that nasty cough–if you think that you have a right to someone else’s labor, what does that say about you?

Who, in history, took other people’s labor, believing that they had a right to that labor? Well, two groups: First, totalitarian governments–the royalty and aristocracy of various kingdoms, totalitarian Communist, socialist, and religious dictatorships throughout history. The other group? Owners of slaves.

And this isn’t a straw man. This isn’t a “slippery slope” argument. This is just making clear to people what they are really saying when they say “health care is a right.”

This is a point that needs to be hammered and hammered and hammered and hammered again. If you have a neighbor who says such things, call him or her out on it. People who say “health care is a right” are slave-owner wannabes. They think that their wants and their needs override anybody else’s wants and needs. And if they cloak it in terms of generosity or compassion, then they are simply being doubly dishonest. Slavery is not generous. Slavery is not compassionate. Advocating slavery for the benefit of some other person rather than benefiting yourself is still advocating slavery.

Today, the Democratic Party, the party that supported slavery before the Civil War, the party that opposed the Reconstruction after the Civil War, the party that voted overwhelmingly against the Civil Rights Act in the 1960’s (it required a majority of Republican votes to pass–did you know that?), has returned to its slaver roots, and is now is poised to re-impose–incrementally and oh so compassionately–slavery upon the United States. The greatest irony is that they are doing it with the full-throated support of the black community of this country.

The slaves become the slavers.

Sleep well tonight, you who have voted for Democrats. We know exactly who and what you are, now–and I’m not talking about the Congress and the President. I’m talking about you, my neighbors and friends, my relatives and acquaintances. This is your doing. You think you are being generous. You think you’re being kind and compassionate. You think you’re being fair. You think you’re being just. You think you’re being better than the rest of us, with your high-minded support of health care as a “right.” You may think you’re winning right now. But you’re not. You may win this small political battle. But what you have lost is your soul. You have become the very thing you profess to oppose. You have become the oppressor. You have become the tyrant. You have become the enemy of human freedom and liberty. And no amount of straw men and emoting and blubbering and sob stories and righteous indignation and snotty, snarky poses and pretensions to intellectual superiority will change that.

You are either being blind and ignorant and naive and foolish, or you’re being willfully evil. Which is it?

Either way, you will not be forgiven if you do not soon repent of this madness. There is still time to realize what you are doing to your fellow citizens. But that time is running out.

And when that time does run out, you Democrat voters had better pray–assuming you still believe in a God. Because you should consider the fate of slave owners when the slaves finally throw off their chains.

The battle for human freedom and liberty is never truly won, because it is in essence a battle against the evil which lies within all of us–the greed, the envy, the desire to control those around us. There are those who win that internal battle more often than they lose it. All of us lose the battle from time to time, which is why Christianity preaches forgiveness. But there are those who lose this eternal internal battle, while fervently convincing themselves that they have won. To gain forgiveness, first you must recognize that you have done something which requires that forgiveness. And there are many people living on your street, in your town, who don’t even know that they have fallen into this mental trap. Pray for those people, that the scales fall from their eyes before it is truly too late.

Sic Semper Tyrannis.

Live Free or Die.

(This little essay went a completely different direction than I thought it was going to go when I started it.) SECTION TWO: Things That Amuse Me:
Simians and other aminals*:
Evidence Indicates Humans’ Early Tree-Dwelling Ancestors Were Also Bipedal [*1]

Travel:
Recession hurting cruise ship builders [*2]
Atlanta still the world’s busiest airport, but Chicago is slipping [*3]
Continental: Demand sluggish, but 787 Dreamliners to arrive in late 2011 [*4]
Speeders Beware: Officials Starting ‘Travel-Safe’ Zone in Lee’s Summit [*5]

Sports:
KU overcomes rough start for 90-74 win over Lehigh [*6]
From spectator to starter: After paying her dues on Jackrabbit bench, Schuttloffel emerges as difference-maker [*7]
Second chances: SDSU’s return to Big Dance shows winning formula [*8]
One look at the 63 NCAA women’s tourney games [*9]
UConn bad for game? Hardly: The talent pool in women’s basketball is deeper and the competition significantly better [*10]
After slow start, Pittsburgh routs Oakland 89-66 [*11]
SDSU arrives in Oklahoma [*12]
ORU Falls at Missouri State to Conclude Season [*13]
Missouri State advances in WNIT [*14]
UConn’s dominance may be good for women’s basketball [*15]
Madness builds for Jacks [*16]
Olajuwon making her own name at Oklahoma [*17]
Tennessee gets 75-42 win over Austin Peay [*18]

Science Fiction and Writing:
Writing Action Scenes [*19]

Science, technology, and space:
’science’s dirtiest secret: The “scientific method” of testing hypotheses by statistical analysis stands on a flimsy foundation.’ [*20]
Scientific Regress: The Case of Scurvy [*21] — “Progress” is not a steady climb. People thinking stupid things and doing stupid actions can erase decades–or centuries–of progress in a generation–or less. Much less.

Miscellany (amusing things not fitting above, or below):
7 Things Never to Say to Your Boss [*22]
Correction: Cheese championships story [*23] — I’m glad we got that straight . . .

SECTION THREE: Politics: The neverending battle against blithering idiocy:
People doing potentially good things (including sightings of politicians doing something less than totally idiotic):
Health Care Debacle Spurs Candidate Recruitment [*24]
Lots of Doctors Running for Congress on Republican Ticket [*25]
“I will never vote for a Democrat again” [*26] — There will be more of this to come, to the point where it will be very socially uncomfortable to be known to support a Democrat for political office. We know what they are, now.
ACORN on verge of bankruptcy: report [*27] — Expose the corruption, shine the light on the cockroaches and they go scurrying away . . .
Our promise to America [*28]
The Republic Strikes Back [*29]

The cure for blithering idiocy: freedom and individual liberty (yeah, I know–ooh, ick, philosophy!):
Doubts About Diversity Training [*30] — We don’t need “diversity training.” We need “respect individuals” training.
Socialism Vs. Capitalism: Illustrated on Film [*31] — “Governments don’t produce, they consume.”

The reality of President Obama and his entire Administration as blithering idiots:
Change!… 43% Now Strongly Disapprove of Obama – Same As Bush When He Left Office [*32]
“You know we’re going to control the insurance companies” [*33]
Obama: The Great Divider [*34]

The reality of Washington Democrats (and Independents, and Socialists) as blithering idiots:
Congress Reaches Record Disapproval* [*35]
The Heat is On: Congressman’s Office Says Constituent Calls Are ‘Harassment’ [*36] — Constituional rights are “harassment?” Yeah, that sounds like a Democrat idea . . .

Other blithering idiots at large making life difficult for regular folks:
Obama Supporter: ‘What’s Wrong With A Little Bit Of Socialism?’ [*37] — I dunno. What’s wrong with a little bit of slavery? For a good cause, of course. Maybe like growing more cotton so more people can have clothes. How does that sound? Clothing is a right, after all, isn’t it? I mean, if health care is a right, then certainly clothing is a right. If some people need to work harder in the cotton fields to make more cotton, well then that’s just the sacrifices that some of us need to make for the benefit of all of us. Isn’t it? Isn’t ti? Hmm? It really sickens me that so many blacks have bought into this slaveowner thinking. You’d think that they, of all people, would know better.
Why Michigan is the Worst: Moronic Governor Proclaims Today ‘Meatout Day’ [*38]

Opposition Research: because blithering idiocy can be dangerous, especially when organized into idiotic groups with idiotic ideologies:
Breaking: While An Anxious Nation Is Transfixed By The Healthcare Debate, The Obama Administration Restores ACORN Funding [*39]
Freedom Alliance Responds to Allegations Against Sean Hannity [*40] — A favorite tactic: make outrageous allegations which are completely fabricated, but take up valuable time and energy to refute . . .
Frum Forum: Evidence Shows Accusations Against Sean Hannity Are Not True [*41]

SECTION FOUR: Case Studies in Blithering Idiocy
Health care “reform” aka health insurance “reform” — or should that be health care “change?” Perhaps “Global healthing?:
A future that doesn’t work [*42]
16,500 New IRS Agents Will Be Needed to Enforce Obamacare [*43]
This Process is Undermining the Rule of Law [*44]
Most Americans see healthcare benefiting the needy [*45]
Ryan: CBO score uses double-counting, funds “15,000 IRS agents” [*46]
Obamacare’s Delusional Deficit Reduction Claims [*47]
The Aftermath of Obamacare: What America Will Look Like If The White House Gets Its Way [*48]
How a Bill Becomes a Law: Pass It, Find Out What’s In It, Then Fix It [*49]
Actually, The Process Does Matter: Why the Democrats are wrong to “deem and pass” the health care bill [*50] — “Sometimes process is vital in protecting the American people from the abuses of majoritarians and crusading tyrants. Other times, it is used by those very people to circumvent pesky constitutional restrictions.”
Voting for Obamacare? Fair warning … [*51]
“Twilight of The Interest Groups” or Sunrise For a Whole New Set of Payoffs? [*52] — All the Democratic Party is today is a collection of interest groups, all pushing and shoving to get their nose more deeply into the trough of government money and power . . .
Caterpillar: ObamaCare will cost us $100 million in first year [*53] — Apparently not the “Hope And Change” they were looking for . . .
Economists to Obama: PLEASE, NO! [*54]
CBO confirms: ObamaCare with “doctor fix” will actually add billions to the deficit [*55]
Of Course The Democrats Wouldn’t Lie About A Memo About CBO ‘Estimate’ [*56]
Interstate Compacts for Health Insurance is Yet Another Sound Idea [*57]
Former federal judge: Yes, the Slaughter strategy is unconstitutional [*58]
Hatch Says It’s ’Nuts’ to Think House Vote Ends Health Issue [*59]
Honk to stop Obamacare protest: 32 seconds of noise [*60]
Shocker: Federal Employees Bombarded With ObamaCare Email Pitches [*61] — I’m not shocked. It’s the Chicago Way.
Harry Reid promises to bring Public Option to a vote in the next few months [*62]
Rules Committee meeting descends into chaos [*63] — Actually, chaos is where they’ve been all along. They are maybe just now realizing it . . .
[*64] Rules Committee Gets Unruly–Update: Demon Pass Dropped; House Will Vote On Standalone Bill
Arizona Kills SCHIP, Puts Medicaid on a Diet [*65]
Video: Ryan vs Slaughter on Medicare reform [*66] — Are Republican ideas too subtle and sophisticated for Democrat minds to understand? It appears that this may be true . . . Ryan knows what he’s talking about, and he knows what the Democrats are talking about. The Democrats don’t know either of those–that’s painfully obvious. They keep trying to put words into Ryan’s mouth, and they keep trying to demagogue Ryan’s plan. It would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious.
OMG! Executive Order for ObamaCare Payoffs? Can This Possibly Be True? [*67]
100,000 RALLY IN WASHINGTON AGAINST OBAMACARE [*68] — Or, undoubtedly as many in Big Media will report, “Dozens, maybe hundreds . . .”

The Economy (Can the blithering idiots bring down the most productive economy the world has ever seen? Yes, They Can! Will they?):
Trivia Tidbit of the Day: Part 759 — Conservative Ideas Produce Healthy Economic Growth.[*69]
How to Repopulate Cleveland And Other Once-Great American Cities [*70]
Politicians Smother Cities: How to bring life back to great American cities [*71] — “Let my people go!”
U.S. testing Moody’s patience on debt load [*72] — And this is before Obamacare further depresses the economy . . .
The Euro in Crisis: In Greece and elsewhere, statism proves riskier than free markets. [*73]

Foreign affairs and National Security (Will blithering idiots get us all killed, or make us all speak Spanish–or Chinese–or Arabic–or all three?):
India’s Interest Rate Rise ‘Sign of Things to Come’ [*74]

The Morning Whip is a (mostly) daily review of what’s out there that caught my attention, sometimes but not always posted before 11 am Central time in the U. S. of A., unless I just don’t feel like it that day, am out doing something more important or more fun, or I’ve been abducted, detained, arrested, or otherwise flummoxed by the agents of blithering idiotry.

I surf the Web, so you don’t have to! (which would be a trademark, but come on, who am I kidding?)