Papa B sent this one in.
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Thursday, June 18, 2009
What the...? A Taurus is Car of the Year?
That's what Esquire says.
The SHO offers massage seats that improve on Mercedes's system by including the whole seat, not just the back. (They're heated and cooled, too.) It has a blind-spot warning system on the outside rearview mirrors. Adaptive cruise control flashes a heads-up warning on the windshield when you run up on slower traffic, and another radar system scans for cross traffic when you're backing out of a parking space. That's all quite nice, but you don't buy a car strictly because it has massage seats. (Okay, maybe you do.) The reason we care about the new Taurus can be boiled down to four words: Looks good, goes fast.Here we have an affordable American sedan that benchmarks not the Chevy Impala or Hyundai Sonata but the Audi A6 and BMW 535xi. The BMW, for instance, offers all-wheel drive and a twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 300 hp six-cylinder for about $54,000. The SHO also uses all-wheel drive and a twin-turbo, direct-injection six-cylinder, but it puts out more power — 365 hp — and costs $16,000 less than the 535xi. The fact that a Taurus is cheaper than a 5-Series isn't news. But the fact that it plays on the same field technologically is crazy...
If these specs and impressions remain true for the production vehicles, Ford could have a real winner.
Real High School Science Fair Project: Robocop's Rail Gun
Well, he didn't actually call it 'Robocop's Rail Gun'. The official name of the student's project is a "Bolt-action coil gun".
I had a fairly good shop program in high school (what's up, Tumwater T-Birds!). Instead of making rickety chairs for our mothers to injure themselves on, or fire-prone wooden ashtrays, our class concentrated on technology. That's where I got to play with my first industrial laser, built my first robotic arm, and designed my first circuit board. It was pretty great.But not as great as the work of this kid, who, as a side project, built a six-round, bolt-action, high-powered coil gun. For those who don't play video games, a coil gun is an electronic weapon that uses a series of magnetic coils to accelerate a magnetic projectile--like a bullet--to a fast, destructive speed.
We're not sure what school this kid goes to, but that's not important. What we'd like to know is: which teacher signed off on the project that was likely titled "Making a magnetic silent death device"?
Professor MacGyver?
TechEBlog has a video of the magnetic silent death device in action.
I'll bet the DOD is already recruiting this kid.
With a track record like this, it makes perfect sense for Obama to give the Fed sweeping new powers!
The Federal Reserve is arguably the most powerful agency of the United States government.According to The Washington Times, the Fed would get "sweeping new authority to regulate any company whose failure could endanger the U.S. economy and markets under the Obama administration's regulatory overhaul plan."
To put some perspective on the administration's recommendation, Austrian Filter culled through two years of quotes.
Even more egregious than the crooked pipsqueak Chris Dodd -- who today slammed the very institutions he accepted donations and sweetheart loans from -- is Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.
Consider the following quotes of Bernanke and SEC Hack Hank Paulson, who either completely misinterpreted the crisis or simply tried to fool the public before the implosion occurred.
In either case, they should both be disqualified from further service.
February 28, 2007 - Dow Jones @ 12,268
March 13th, 2007 – Henry Paulson: “the fallout in subprime mortgages is "going to be painful to some lenders, but it is largely contained."
March 28th, 2007 – Ben Bernanke: "At this juncture . . . the impact on the broader economy and financial markets of the problems in the subprime markets seems likely to be contained"
March 30, 2007 - Dow Jones @ 12,354
April 20th, 2007 – Paulson: "I don't see (subprime mortgage market troubles) imposing a serious problem. I think it's going to be largely contained." , "All the signs I look at" show "the housing market is at or near the bottom,"
April 30, 2007 - Dow Jones @ 13,063
May 17th, 2007 – Bernanke: “While rising delinquencies and foreclosures will continue to weigh heavily on the housing market this year, it will not cripple the U.S.”
May 31, 2007 - Dow Jones @ 13,627
June 20th, 2007 – Bernanke: (the subprime fallout) ``will not affect the economy overall.''
July 12th, 2007 – Paulson: "This is far and away the strongest global economy I've seen in my business lifetime."
August 1st, 2007 – Paulson: "I see the underlying economy as being very healthy,"
October 15th, 2007 – Bernanke: "It is not the responsibility of the Federal Reserve - nor would it be appropriate - to protect lenders and investors from the consequences of their financial decisions."
December 31, 2007 - Dow Jones @ 13,265
January 31, 2008 - Dow Jones @ 12,650
February 14th, 2008 – Paulson: (the economy) "is fundamentally strong, diverse and resilient."
February 28th, 2008 – Paulson: "I'm seeing a series of ideas suggested involving major government intervention in the housing market, and these things are usually presented or sold as a way of helping homeowners stay in their homes. Then when you look at them more carefully what they really amount to is a bailout for financial institutions or Wall Street."
February 29th, 2008 – Bernanke: "I expect there will be some failures. I don't anticipate any serious problems of that sort among the large internationally active banks that make up a very substantial part of our banking system."
March 16th, 2008 – Paulson: "We've got strong financial institutions . . . Our markets are the envy of the world. They're resilient, they're...innovative, they're flexible. I think we move very quickly to address situations in this country, and, as I said, our financial institutions are strong."
March 18th, 2008 - Bear Stearns Bailout Announced
May 7, 2008 – Paulson: 'The worst is likely to be behind us,”
May 16th, 2008 – Paulson: "In my judgment, we are closer to the end of the market turmoil than the beginning," he said.
May 30, 2008 - Dow Jones @ 12,638
June 9th, 2008 – Bernanke: Despite a recent spike in the nation's unemployment rate, the danger that the economy has fallen into a "substantial downturn" appears to have waned
July 16th, 2008 – Bernanke: (Freddie and Fannie) “…will make it through the storm”, "… in no danger of failing.","…adequately capitalized"
July 20th, 2008 – Paulson: "it's a safe banking system, a sound banking system. Our regulators are on top of it. This is a very manageable situation."
July 31, 2008 - Dow Jones @ 11,378
August 10th, 2008 – Paulson: ``We have no plans to insert money into either of those two institutions.” (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac)
September 8th, 2008 - Fannie and Freddie nationalized. The taxpayer is on the hook for an estimated 1 - 1.5 trillion dollars. Over 5 trillion is added to the nation’s balance sheet.
September 16th, 2008 - $85 Billion AIG Bailout “Loan”
September 19th, 2008 - $700 Billion Bailout Plan Announced
September 19th, 2008 – Paulson: "We're talking hundreds of billions of dollars - this needs to be big enough to make a real difference and get at the heart of the problem," he said. "This is the way we stabilize the system."
September 19th, 2008 - Bernanke: "most severe financial crisis" in the post-World War II era. Investment banks are seeing "tremendous runs on their cash," Bernanke said. "Without action, they will fail soon."
September 21st, 2008 – Paulson: "The credit markets are still very fragile right now and frozen", "We need to deal with this and deal with it quickly.", "The financial security of all Americans ... depends on our ability to restore our financial institutions to a sound footing."
September 23rd, 2008 – Paulson: "We must [enact a program quickly] in order to avoid a continuing series of financial institution failures and frozen credit markets that threaten American families' financial well-being, the viability of businesses, both small and large, and the very health of our economy,"
September 23rd, 2008 – Bernanke: "My interest is solely for the strength and recovery of the U.S. economy,"
October 31, 2008 - Dow Jones @ 9,337
March 31, 2009 - Dow Jones @ 7,609
So, yes, by all means: let's increase the power of Bernanke's Fed.
After all, what could possibly go wrong?
I think we need a Federal Credibility Reserve for these ridiculous talking heads.
Hat tip: Zero Hedge.
Larwyn's Linx: Live Free or Die
Nation
It's not just Walpin: 3 IG firings questioned: RiehlLive Free or Die: Williams
Bush takes swipes at Obama's Socialist Policies: Times
Walpin slams Obama: GWP
Conyers' Wife Ensnared in Federal Bribe Probe: Times
Another FOB (“Friend of Barack”) is on the Spot: CDOBS
The Nightmare Scenario: Doc Zero
Too Big To Fail...?: MYODBP
Socialized Medicine
UK government health care nightmare: MarathonObamacare is your friend: SIGIS
E.R. Doc: Obamacare has ‘mechanical’ problems: BMW
Of course ABC isn't state-run TV: Riehl
MRC: ABC's Free Infomercial: NewsBusters
World
Why Are Iranians Using English On Protest Signs?: LegalInsObama's real agenda: Dimona: AT (Dann)
Five Sites to Follow Iranian Revolt: Times
The Three Plans To Wipe Israel Off the Face of the Earth: Rubin
Perfect: Putin Warns Obama About Raising Taxes: GWP
Siding with the Mullahs: MoneyRunner
Hail to the Victors!: IowaHawk
Memo to the Left: Where's the Rage & Scorn?: PJM (Fleming)
End the Illegal Occupation of Jerusalem: PJM (Chesler)
Climate
Scientists on Obama Climate Report: an Embarrassment: DepotThe Tyranny of Cap-and-Trade: Organized Exploitation
Media
MSNBC's Ratigan shows how Journalism should work: NewsBustersRating the Top Newspaper Websites: McClatchy Watch
Name that Party, Chapter 7,032!: STACLU
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Precipice
I want you to think about the Revolutionary War.
I want you to think about the Civil War.
I want you to think about World War II.
I want you to think about the Korean War.
I want you to think about the Vietnam War.
I want you to think about all the wars.
What if we had a Commander-in-Chief like this, who doesn't put victory at the top of the list?
A President who is kneecapping our soldiers with confused dictates like granting Miranda rights to terrorists captured on the battlefield; who is kneecapping our soldiers while they try to defeat this enemy; who is kneecapping our soldiers who have a dangerous, complicated and difficult enough task as it is.
I want you to think about how this President has dumbed-down the War on Terror by calling it other things, giving it bureaucratic titles.
I want you to think about how this President has traveled to Europe, Latin America and the Middle East -- and condemned his own country.
I want you to think about the massive spending spree this President has unleashed; the greatest amount of spending of any entity on the face of the Earth in only a few months time.
And yet when it comes to defense -- including missile defense, he slashes it.
Yes, we have a force in the Oval Office. A force for danger.
The question is whether all the good works done by all the Presidents before him, all the Commanders-in-Chief, all the excellent Attorneys General, all the excellent CIA Directors, all the troops and intelligence and law enforcement personnel, all the people who have worked so long and so hard, over the many decades...
...the question is whether what they have built will last under this President and it will all come crumbling down with a very grievous attack on this nation.
The liberals like to say they care about humanity. I have yet to see them prove it.Based upon: Mark Levin, 6/10/2009.
Interpreting Obama's Speech to the AMA [Mister R.]
Mister R.:
Obama's speech to the AMA only proves the point we drove a few short days ago: Obama wants to protect his largest contributors while telling doctors how much they can make.By publicly stating he does not want tort reform, he has politicized the process. And he will never achieve savings as long as lawyers can practice jackpot justice.
Even after the Wall Street Journal runs an article ("Why Doctors are heading for Texas") showing improvement in health care in Texas, the trial lawyers still spew the same, old, tired line: There is no evidence to suggest tort reform can reduce health care costs.
As the old saying says "there are liars, damn liars and lawyers."
There is a reason for that saying.
Related:
• Mister R. Chapter 1: The '47 Million Uninsured' Lie
• Mister R. Chapter 2: Health Care Insurance: Puzzling Questions No One Will Answer
• Mister R. Chapter 3: Obama's Pharmaceutical Delusions
You might be a redneck if...
What's that...? You say don't have a big pickup to tow your gooseneck trailer? Fear not! With a little careful, well thought-out engineering, you can solve your problem...
May I present the Class III Hitch Install (patent pending)?
Added some super heavy-duty chain for extra support on the tailgate (note the 'Heavy-Duty 'S' hooks to attach the chain). Also paid-up for some big Number 5/16 sheet metal screws to attach the Reese hitch frame to the tailgate (see 'em there -- one on each side?). Likely two more through the carpet into the floor pan inside...Yep, probably overkill, but didn't want the possibility of having an axerdent.
Most of the time was spent on the front porch whittling down that MASSIVE solid pine 4x4 to fit precisely down into the hole in the ball mount receiver. Note also: The 14'x14' piece of 3/8' plywood on the underside of the tailgate to distribute the load more evenly and beef up that tailgate support.
A man can't be too safe!
She's hitched up and ready to roll!! Amazin' how the extra weight smoothes out the ride.Needed to air up the rear tires a bit ('bout 160 psi).
They are out there, folks... and they vote (Democrat).Hat tip: TDR
Larwyn's Linx: Prez outside law in IG firing
Nation
Key Obama Ally says Prez Violated Law in IG Firing: TapperThe Inspector General speaks: the inside story of his firing: Examiner
A 'Nuclear Bomb' in the Health Care Debate: Provocateur
Monica Conyers Ensnared in Federal Probe: BlogProf
Issa seeks documents on VIP mortgage deals : Hill
Medical Tort Reform: $100B a year Obama won't address: AT (Folks)
Return to ACORN General Hospital: AT (Peracchio)
Schumer, Waters honored for governing the “ACORN Way”: MonCrief
Cracking ACORN: Quotas by any name: PittLive
Video Explains Government-Run Health Care: BMWAMA Speech: Same Ol', Same Ol': LoneCon
Tea Party sends a message: Instapundit
Health Care Costs in McAllen TX: Wizbang
When the White House governs Health Care: TigerHawk
A new weapons ban has begun: Red Ink Texas
Sotomayor's 'Fundamental' Flaws: AT (LaRue)
Looking at Chris Dodd's wife: Instapundit
World
Cyberwar Guide for Iranian Elections: BoingBoingRevolutionary Guards had nothing to fear from Obama: Hashmonean
Bermuda isn't feeling the love: SIGIS
US spending hundreds of millions to arm, train Palestinians: JPost
Sham Elections Expose Non-Policy: Foundry
Economy
GE Capital Is Back In The Game To Win It: ZeroHedgeGeithner blames CEOs for financial crisis: S&L
We're going to spend $3 trillion to 'reduce costs': EIB
Obama Federal Blueprint Creates More Bureaucracy: WaPo
11% minimum wage increase will lead to 300K lost jobs: EnvEcon
Flashback: My Bipartisan Stimulus: Limbaugh
Media
Why Palin should appear on Letterman: PatrickBuy the Globe for the price of a Globe: BuzzMachine
Climate
Worse than fiction: eGadFlyCornucopia
Hot or not composite pics: IZITuesday, June 16, 2009
Cub-cam
London's Daily Mail features some great photographs of lions snapped by a hidden camera on the plains of Africa.
On a lazy afternoon in the Masai Mara, southern Kenya, three lion cubs are roused from their siesta.
Spotting something in the grass, the inquisitive trio move in for a closer look.Captured by a remote camera disguised with elephant dung and grass, these intimate images give a unique insight in to the life of a jungle king...
Sneak Preview of ABC's Infomercial for Socialized Medicine
Need a sneak preview of the free, one-hour infomercial for socialized medicine that ABC will run for the Obama administration?One segment of the show will reassure Americans that the long lines in public health centers won't be significantly worse than those in the DMV or the Social Security Office. Another portion will deal with the rationale for prioritizing illegal aliens above U.S. citizens and legal immigrants (to make their lack of prior health care treatment "fair").
Finally, an entire segment will remind Americans of the many free home remedies available in medicine cabinets, attics, basements, shoe boxes and moving boxes throughout the country. Like these.
Feel better?Oh, and remember all of those bizarre references by progressives to a so-called "Bush Imperial Presidency" (only 356,000 references on Google)? I wonder how the drones like the real thing?
Images Credit: The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
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