Really..can't make it up.
OS woke up this morning to the sound of a radio interview with one of the august senators. The interviewer asked his location, and he said: Chicago.
Whether he was telling the truth is impossible to say. But, in Chicago, he's a needle in the proverbial haystack, and sheltered by the political machine that launched Obama.
OS wonders if we're headed for some manner manufactured crisis, fueled by the White House and DNC...
Let's pray not.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
A Memo To All Those Protestors In Wisconsin
It doesn't matter if there are 10,000 or 50,000 of you gathered on the lawn, or if you stay there six weeks or six months.
First salient idea: One incontrovertible fact that will not go away is: Wisconsin is facing a yawning hole in its state finances.
Somewhere between $3.1 billion and $3.6 billion. That's with a 'B', not an 'M'. A tenth of a billion is one hundred million. That's a lot-o-money, honey. Unlike the guy in the White House, who very happy for you to stand in the cold on his behalf, the governor of Wisconsin does not have his own Ben Bernanke to print up shipfuls of Wisconsin dollars.
Second salient idea: To ask you to contribute 5% or so to your pension costs, and 12% of your health insurance costs still gives you one of the best deals going. Ask your neighbors, that is, your neighbors who still have jobs.
Third salient idea: Those clowns in Rockford will come home, eventually. The AFL-CIO bosses will go home. And, sooner or later, you'll have to go home. Remember, as great as it feels to stand in a large crowd and curse the governor, most of the people you live around, attend church with, who go to ball games like you do, drink beer at the pub like you do--those people don't work for the state. They pay taxes, send their kids to school hoping that they'll get a good enough education from the schools. If they perceive that you are a lout who would happily let the state go to hell and become a laughing-stock, just so you and your unions get their way, expect a very chilly reception back home.
Also, if you ever enter the private sector (and you yet may), your prospective employers may not greet your present activities with open arms. They do pay attention, have long memories, and are positively allergic to hiring union/activist types.
Hope ya'll get the memo...
First salient idea: One incontrovertible fact that will not go away is: Wisconsin is facing a yawning hole in its state finances.
Somewhere between $3.1 billion and $3.6 billion. That's with a 'B', not an 'M'. A tenth of a billion is one hundred million. That's a lot-o-money, honey. Unlike the guy in the White House, who very happy for you to stand in the cold on his behalf, the governor of Wisconsin does not have his own Ben Bernanke to print up shipfuls of Wisconsin dollars.
Second salient idea: To ask you to contribute 5% or so to your pension costs, and 12% of your health insurance costs still gives you one of the best deals going. Ask your neighbors, that is, your neighbors who still have jobs.
Third salient idea: Those clowns in Rockford will come home, eventually. The AFL-CIO bosses will go home. And, sooner or later, you'll have to go home. Remember, as great as it feels to stand in a large crowd and curse the governor, most of the people you live around, attend church with, who go to ball games like you do, drink beer at the pub like you do--those people don't work for the state. They pay taxes, send their kids to school hoping that they'll get a good enough education from the schools. If they perceive that you are a lout who would happily let the state go to hell and become a laughing-stock, just so you and your unions get their way, expect a very chilly reception back home.
Also, if you ever enter the private sector (and you yet may), your prospective employers may not greet your present activities with open arms. They do pay attention, have long memories, and are positively allergic to hiring union/activist types.
Hope ya'll get the memo...
Friday, February 18, 2011
Just Because It's Friday: Psalm 118 KJV
In celebration of the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible, a triumph for both the spirit and the English language, OS offers yet one more glorious passage for your enjoyment, Psalm 118:
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
And, a musical setting drawn from that Psalm, as sung by the choir of King's College, Cambridge.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
And, a musical setting drawn from that Psalm, as sung by the choir of King's College, Cambridge.
Organizing For Wisconsin: So Much For The 'Adult Conversation' Obama Claims He Wishes To Undertake
One of the scariest things we learned about Richard Nixon in the early 1970's was that he had an entirely separate operation, aptly named CREEP ('Committee to Re-Elect The President), that operated at his behest. Apart from the Republican Party, out of sight, often operating in laundered cash. He had his Plumbers to do covert intelligence for him. He had an Attorney General (Mitchell) who served as his muscle. He had an enemies list, and used the IRS to harass them. He was on the way to setting up his own personal governance in the shadows. It was, well, scary.
So, now, forty years later....we have Obama inserting himself and his personal one-off machine into Wisconsin's local debate.
Those crowds with the printed signs did not appear out of thin air, ya'll. This appears to be severely ginned-up.
MADISON, WIS. - President Obama thrust himself and his political operation this week into Wisconsin's broiling budget battle, mobilizing opposition Thursday to a Republican bill that would curb public-worker benefits while planning similar action in other state capitals.
Obama accused Scott Walker, the state's new Republican governor, of unleashing an "assault" on unions in pushing emergency legislation that would nullify collective-bargaining agreements that affect most public employees, including teachers.
The president's political machine worked in close coordination Thursday with state and national union officials to mobilize thousands of protesters to gather in Madison and to plan similar demonstrations in other state capitals.
Their efforts began to spread, as thousands of labor supporters turned out for a hearing in Columbus, Ohio, to protest a measure from Gov. John Kasich (R) that would cut collective-bargaining rights.
By the end of the day, Democratic Party officials were working to organize additional demonstrations in Ohio and Indiana, where an effort is underway to trim benefits for public workers. Some union activists predicted similar protests in Missouri, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
There is a common denominator here: Obama must win these states to retain the Presidency.
Having lost at the ballot box, pretty decisively, we now face the prospect of a President of The United States actively fomenting mobs of loyalists to show up at state houses, to protect his core constituents, and likely to intimidate any and all who may disagree. It is his organization undertaking this. It is for him to say 'yea' or 'nay' to its activities. As President, his 'nay' would bring this sort of thing to a halt.
We are now on very dangerous ground. Heaven help us all. It is significant that The Washington Post would devote this much energy to reporting this story, as it is the organization that unraveled the Nixon machine.
We will be fortunate if no blood is spilled in the meantime. We are on very dangerous ground. The scenes we have viewed in Athens and London may be local events, unless wiser heads prevail.
So, now, forty years later....we have Obama inserting himself and his personal one-off machine into Wisconsin's local debate.
Those crowds with the printed signs did not appear out of thin air, ya'll. This appears to be severely ginned-up.
MADISON, WIS. - President Obama thrust himself and his political operation this week into Wisconsin's broiling budget battle, mobilizing opposition Thursday to a Republican bill that would curb public-worker benefits while planning similar action in other state capitals.
Obama accused Scott Walker, the state's new Republican governor, of unleashing an "assault" on unions in pushing emergency legislation that would nullify collective-bargaining agreements that affect most public employees, including teachers.
The president's political machine worked in close coordination Thursday with state and national union officials to mobilize thousands of protesters to gather in Madison and to plan similar demonstrations in other state capitals.
Their efforts began to spread, as thousands of labor supporters turned out for a hearing in Columbus, Ohio, to protest a measure from Gov. John Kasich (R) that would cut collective-bargaining rights.
By the end of the day, Democratic Party officials were working to organize additional demonstrations in Ohio and Indiana, where an effort is underway to trim benefits for public workers. Some union activists predicted similar protests in Missouri, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
There is a common denominator here: Obama must win these states to retain the Presidency.
Having lost at the ballot box, pretty decisively, we now face the prospect of a President of The United States actively fomenting mobs of loyalists to show up at state houses, to protect his core constituents, and likely to intimidate any and all who may disagree. It is his organization undertaking this. It is for him to say 'yea' or 'nay' to its activities. As President, his 'nay' would bring this sort of thing to a halt.
We are now on very dangerous ground. Heaven help us all. It is significant that The Washington Post would devote this much energy to reporting this story, as it is the organization that unraveled the Nixon machine.
We will be fortunate if no blood is spilled in the meantime. We are on very dangerous ground. The scenes we have viewed in Athens and London may be local events, unless wiser heads prevail.
It Appears The Missing Wisconsin Dem Senators Were Located In Rockford, Il
...by members of the Tea Party, who located their chartered bus (chartered bus???) at a local Best Western golf resort.
Once discovered, they booked it back north again to Wisconsin, where, it is understood, the police are looking for them--to transport them back to the statehouse and their elected duties.
This is like a script from a slapstick movie, too funny to fabricate, however. Real life is just soooo much wierder than anything the screenwriters can invent.
And someone obligingly obtained video of two of these selfless public servants climbing in a car in Rockford, claiming they were headed home.
Once discovered, they booked it back north again to Wisconsin, where, it is understood, the police are looking for them--to transport them back to the statehouse and their elected duties.
This is like a script from a slapstick movie, too funny to fabricate, however. Real life is just soooo much wierder than anything the screenwriters can invent.
And someone obligingly obtained video of two of these selfless public servants climbing in a car in Rockford, claiming they were headed home.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Profiles In Courage (NOT!): Fourteen Wisconsin Dem Legislators Leave The State For Parts Unknown
Wouldn't want to actually..you know..debate the merits of the proposal. That would require work, and thought, and...OMG!!!...we might lose! And the unionized employees we've ridden to office on for all these years might actually have to...OMG!!...work in the same economy as the rest of the citizens! OMG!!
Really. Rather than do their duty, they skipped town.
Just in a few minutes ago...
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A Wisconsin state senator says the 14 Democratic lawmakers who are boycotting a vote on a controversial anti-union bill have left the state.
Sen. Jon Erpenbach says the group wants to force negotiations over the Republican-backed bill, which would strip most public employees of their collective-bargaining rights.
Erpenbach told The Associated Press that he and his colleagues had left Wisconsin, but he would not say where.
He said the plan is to slow down the bill because it's "tearing the state apart."
Senate Republicans can't vote on the bill unless at least one Democrat is present. Police could be dispatched to retrieve them, but it was unclear if they would have the authority to cross state lines.
Welcome to Athens, Wisconsin.
And the true face and character of the American Left.
'We want to negotiate, as long as we get our way.'
So much for the 'adult conversation' Himself blathers about. The grownups have arrived to the state house, and are cutting up the credit card and taking away the keys from Junior. He's pissed, so he storms out of the house...
Really. Rather than do their duty, they skipped town.
Just in a few minutes ago...
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A Wisconsin state senator says the 14 Democratic lawmakers who are boycotting a vote on a controversial anti-union bill have left the state.
Sen. Jon Erpenbach says the group wants to force negotiations over the Republican-backed bill, which would strip most public employees of their collective-bargaining rights.
Erpenbach told The Associated Press that he and his colleagues had left Wisconsin, but he would not say where.
He said the plan is to slow down the bill because it's "tearing the state apart."
Senate Republicans can't vote on the bill unless at least one Democrat is present. Police could be dispatched to retrieve them, but it was unclear if they would have the authority to cross state lines.
Welcome to Athens, Wisconsin.
And the true face and character of the American Left.
'We want to negotiate, as long as we get our way.'
So much for the 'adult conversation' Himself blathers about. The grownups have arrived to the state house, and are cutting up the credit card and taking away the keys from Junior. He's pissed, so he storms out of the house...
IBM - Final Jeopardy! and the Future of Watson: Green Shoots Nominee
To warm the hearts of geeks everywhere, the account of IBM Watson's victory at Jeopardy!
This is a reminder to us all in the US of the good we are capable of, if we're willing to dream and work toward goals together. Anything's possible, if we are willing to work for it, long term, patiently, not always focusing on pumping this quarter's results.
This sort of thing happens in places that have freedom as a bedrock value, the rule of law, the profit incentive firmly in place. This sort of thing does not happen in places like Russia, or Saudi Arabia, or Venezuela. It happens in places like the US, Canada, and the other handful of still-functional countries around the planet.
It's a genius piece of marketing, both for IBM and Sony, owner of the Jeopardy! brand.
It's a very slickly produced piece of short film, and kudos to their creators.
This is inspiring. This shapes the culture in some very good ways, if we direct it to good ends. This is not for Goldman-Sachs to employ in creating another generation of fraudulent securities, or for the next nutcase regime to use to create nukes.
This really could spark the next Renaissance, if its creators and purchasers make good decisions.
This is a reminder to us all in the US of the good we are capable of, if we're willing to dream and work toward goals together. Anything's possible, if we are willing to work for it, long term, patiently, not always focusing on pumping this quarter's results.
This sort of thing happens in places that have freedom as a bedrock value, the rule of law, the profit incentive firmly in place. This sort of thing does not happen in places like Russia, or Saudi Arabia, or Venezuela. It happens in places like the US, Canada, and the other handful of still-functional countries around the planet.
It's a genius piece of marketing, both for IBM and Sony, owner of the Jeopardy! brand.
It's a very slickly produced piece of short film, and kudos to their creators.
This is inspiring. This shapes the culture in some very good ways, if we direct it to good ends. This is not for Goldman-Sachs to employ in creating another generation of fraudulent securities, or for the next nutcase regime to use to create nukes.
This really could spark the next Renaissance, if its creators and purchasers make good decisions.
Illinois SB 136: Home Schoolers Push Back Against A Venal State Government
Lessee, now, ya'll. The Great State of Illinois is facing a $15 billion (that's with a 'b') budget deficit this year.
(And ya got'cher $80 billion in unfunded pension obligations on top of that, by the way.)
The bond rating is worse than Mexico. Taxes have been raised, and businesses are fleeing.
The public schools are a shambles.
(If you view this link, scroll about half-way down the page to see how students in 4th and 8th grade fare on national reading and math assessments. Gow'-won! Double-dog dare you to see for yerself.)
So, what do the Dems who run the Illinois legislature want to do?
Easy! Require every home-school family in the state to register and submit to the State Bored of Edukashun, the people who brung yew the stellar results listed above.
As one might imagine, the families are not amused, and descended (peacefully) upon the state capitol to register their feelings. They, unlike the public school teachers of Wisconsin, did not stage a 'sick-out' of their taxpayer-funded jobs in order to rally and curse the legislature.
If you 'do' Facebook, the group is named 'STOPSB136'.
If there is one 'snapshot' example needed of why Illinois is in such shambles, this should do.
The home-school families pay every tax levied for the support of the state's failed school system, and undertake the expense, hard work, and often reduced earnings that home-schooling imposes upon the parents. In turn, their kids generally do much better academically, are probably not much worse off socially, and are physically much safer than their peers in publik educashun. To be sure, there are some true LooneyTunes amongst the home-schoolers, and OS has met his share. There are also some lazy parents who do not truly get the job done, and again, OS has met a few of those as well. But, on the whole, in the aggregate, the home-schoolers far outperform the state-run sector; and since they do not consume the resources of the state while paying taxes to it, they are actually net contributors to the fiscal bottom line.
Makes the Left apoplectic, the thought that someone out there is succeeding.
Without them.
Here's an idea for the Illinois legislature: Leave them the hell alone. You've got other, more pressing matters to attend to. Like a $15 billion deficit, a bond rating worse than Mexico, and $80 billion in pensions you can't pay.
And a GOP Congress that will not bail your sorry selves out.
Good luck, boyz.
(And ya got'cher $80 billion in unfunded pension obligations on top of that, by the way.)
The bond rating is worse than Mexico. Taxes have been raised, and businesses are fleeing.
The public schools are a shambles.
(If you view this link, scroll about half-way down the page to see how students in 4th and 8th grade fare on national reading and math assessments. Gow'-won! Double-dog dare you to see for yerself.)
So, what do the Dems who run the Illinois legislature want to do?
Easy! Require every home-school family in the state to register and submit to the State Bored of Edukashun, the people who brung yew the stellar results listed above.
As one might imagine, the families are not amused, and descended (peacefully) upon the state capitol to register their feelings. They, unlike the public school teachers of Wisconsin, did not stage a 'sick-out' of their taxpayer-funded jobs in order to rally and curse the legislature.
If you 'do' Facebook, the group is named 'STOPSB136'.
If there is one 'snapshot' example needed of why Illinois is in such shambles, this should do.
The home-school families pay every tax levied for the support of the state's failed school system, and undertake the expense, hard work, and often reduced earnings that home-schooling imposes upon the parents. In turn, their kids generally do much better academically, are probably not much worse off socially, and are physically much safer than their peers in publik educashun. To be sure, there are some true LooneyTunes amongst the home-schoolers, and OS has met his share. There are also some lazy parents who do not truly get the job done, and again, OS has met a few of those as well. But, on the whole, in the aggregate, the home-schoolers far outperform the state-run sector; and since they do not consume the resources of the state while paying taxes to it, they are actually net contributors to the fiscal bottom line.
Makes the Left apoplectic, the thought that someone out there is succeeding.
Without them.
Here's an idea for the Illinois legislature: Leave them the hell alone. You've got other, more pressing matters to attend to. Like a $15 billion deficit, a bond rating worse than Mexico, and $80 billion in pensions you can't pay.
And a GOP Congress that will not bail your sorry selves out.
Good luck, boyz.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Curveball Quote Of The Day/Week/Year: The Liar Who Helped Send Us To War
The news of Curveball, the Iraqi 'intelligence source' who fabricated the entire Saddam Hussein 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' scenario out of thin air, has hit the press and airwaves.
His interview with The Guardian is here.
One must always take anything in The Guardian with a huge grain of salt, but this account is worth reading, in any event.
Here is the quote:
I had the chance to fabricate something to topple the regime," he told the Guardian in a series of interviews carried out in his native Arabic and German. "I and my sons are proud of that, and we are proud that we were the reason to give Iraq the margin of democracy.
The end justifies the means and any tragic collateral damage, in other words.
This is the stuff of John LeCarre novels, only beyond the ability of any novelist to invent.
The tragedy required not only a willing and accomplished liar, but a receptive ear, a willingness to believe. Given Saddam's known record of brutality, it was not too great a leap of faith. He had used chemical weapons on his own people. He had invaded and raped Kuwait. He was a cold-blooded, amoral killer. This proffered tale fit the profile.
Since we had no intelligence operatives on the ground, thanks in great part to the gutting of the CIA in the 1970's, confirming or discrediting the tale was a tough job. We chose to not believe the UN reps who visited, because their record of credibility was so open to question.
And, the West was still rattled by September 11, 2001.
Combine all ingredients, stir gently, heat to a boil. Kill tens of thousands of people.
I wonder how Curveball would fare telling his story locked into a room with the families of all those British, Canadian, and US service members who died as a result of the invasion and subsequent civil war?
We'll never know.
His interview with The Guardian is here.
One must always take anything in The Guardian with a huge grain of salt, but this account is worth reading, in any event.
Here is the quote:
I had the chance to fabricate something to topple the regime," he told the Guardian in a series of interviews carried out in his native Arabic and German. "I and my sons are proud of that, and we are proud that we were the reason to give Iraq the margin of democracy.
The end justifies the means and any tragic collateral damage, in other words.
This is the stuff of John LeCarre novels, only beyond the ability of any novelist to invent.
The tragedy required not only a willing and accomplished liar, but a receptive ear, a willingness to believe. Given Saddam's known record of brutality, it was not too great a leap of faith. He had used chemical weapons on his own people. He had invaded and raped Kuwait. He was a cold-blooded, amoral killer. This proffered tale fit the profile.
Since we had no intelligence operatives on the ground, thanks in great part to the gutting of the CIA in the 1970's, confirming or discrediting the tale was a tough job. We chose to not believe the UN reps who visited, because their record of credibility was so open to question.
And, the West was still rattled by September 11, 2001.
Combine all ingredients, stir gently, heat to a boil. Kill tens of thousands of people.
I wonder how Curveball would fare telling his story locked into a room with the families of all those British, Canadian, and US service members who died as a result of the invasion and subsequent civil war?
We'll never know.
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