Thursday, November 12, 2009

Larwyn's Linx: The Man Who Despises America

Have a great link you'd like me to review? Drop me an email. You can also install a Larwyn's Linx blog widget..

Nation

The Eleventh Hour: Doc Zero
Blind Diversity Equals Death: Malkin
Honor veterans with a surtax on Congressional pay: MYODBP

Ft. Hood suspect contacted numerous extremists: Times
Now Dems are throwing ACORN under the bus: BigGov
Health reform advocates must look at public schools: PJM

Why Congress Ignores the People: AT
Democrat Civil War Update: Examiner
Unexpected emotions surface on Veterans Day: BMW

Socialize Legal Care Now: Kesler
GOP can we in 7 districts in NY: Jumping
Connecting the Dots: MoneyRunner

Thank you, President Bush: HillBuzz
A 2nd Amendment Victory in NJ: WyBlog
Human shields: Children bused in for higher taxes: BlogProf

Economy

Dems do the impossible: US tops Europe in Unemployment: GWP
Rival Union Charges SEIU With Election Fraud: WSJ
100% taxation key to Democratic majority: LegalIns

12 reasons unemployment's headed to (at least) 12%: Pethokoukis
The Fannie Mae Dice Roll Continues: WSJ
Fannie, Freddie fire their own Inspector General: PuffHo

Media

Waaah: Libs want segregated best-seller lists: Malkin
A pity party for DeDe: SIGIS
AP has a 'malaise' sighting: Ace

The Wrinkled Gray Lady Explains: Power Line
Kos They Can: Wizbang
Dems Are/Aren't Afraid To Go Home: S&L

It Isn't Political Correctness, It's Shariah: AT
Wish Fulfillment Journalism: Power Line
Stay Classy, Ezra: JOM

Climate & Energy

Losing It: Psychologists urge Congress to pass climate bill to 'prevent several mental health harms': Depot
Australia, UK, US 'least at risk from climate change': ShadowLands

World

The Man Who Despises America: Spectator
Two-Time Grammy Award winner – Barack Obama: Tampa Bay
Despite White House Objections, Those Who Serve Know Global War on Terror Continues:BMW

Houston Sheriffs Round Up Thousands of Illegals: Times
Single-Payer Hell: disabled Canadian spends two years unsuccessfully fighting healthcare bureaucracy: BlogProf
Hostage taking man shot dead in Chongqing: China Hush (Violence Warning)

Shock: Hezbollah Dismisses Obama Despite His Pledges: GWP
Is Identification Important?: JOd

Sci-Tech

Did time travelers damage the Hadron collider?: Time
Microsoft bans 1 million Xbox Live players: CNet
RIM unveils new BlackBerry development tools: Newsfactor

Cornucopia

Hitler's reaction to Ohio State's loss to Purdue: YouTube (Language Warning)
What's Wrong With This Picture?: BrutHon
Stylin': Parkway

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Why Women Live Longer Than Men



A man stands on a bucket supported by a ladder. Stability is assured by the other man -- also standing on a ladder -- who holds the bucket.

The odds of all these connections all being right? About the same odds that Jean-Claude Van Damme will pick up an Oscar next year.

Doesn't look like anything can go wrong here.

It's not a violation of the seatbelt laws if it's a dead body.

Yes, that's a canoe sitting unsecured in a moving flatbed truck. And the occupant isn't wearing a life preserver.

I hope this excavation was worth it. Like digging up platinum-covered diamonds for instance.

Trucks are overrated.



These must be the same guys who did the junction box.

Who needs a jack when we've got rocks?

Note the sign that says Clearance (inset). Maybe it was too high to be read.

The force of the bungee cord is strong with you, my son.

Hey, there was no warning sign on the bridge that said trucks not allowed!

Hey, there was no warning sign on the chair that said not to stick my head through it!

Here's the plan: you hold it real still while I pound it in with a sledgehammer while standing on the 'dozer.

New stackable bucket-ladder from Ronco!

And they say women are bad drivers?

Heavy Duty Chainsaws: they're not just for experienced professionals any more!

Related: WWLLTM, Part II. Hat tip: Sean

Barack Obama -- By The Numbers


8 - The maximum level of unemployment predicted by the Obama administration if the $787 billion stimulus package was approved.

17.5 - The current national under-employment rate (U-6), which some experts believe represents a real unemployment rate of 22%.

26 - The number of times President Obama used the word "I" in a 46-sentence speech in Copenhagen during his pursuit of the Chicago Olympic Games.

27 - The average number of weeks that a job-seeker requires in order to find a new job. This is the highest number ever recorded.

33 - The number of unelected, unconfirmed 'Czars' serving in the Obama administration.

57 - The number of states that candidate Obama said that he had visited or hoped to visit.

1400 - The number of times President Obama used the word "I" in his first 41 speeches.

10,000 - The number of tragic deaths caused by a tornado in Kansas, according to Barack Obama (the actual death toll was 12).

50,000 - The number of troops requested by Gen. Stanley McChrystal in order to launch a "surge" against the Taliban and Al Qaeda. After months of dithering, President Obama has yet to make a decision.

3,500,000 - The number (3.5 million) of jobs lost since President Obama took office while he and Democrats in Congress have concentrated on nationalizing health care and enacting new energy taxes.

$18,000,000 - The amount that the White House spent redesigning the 'recovery.gov' website, ostensibly to help prevent 'wasteful' stimulus spending.

88,000,000 - The number (88 million) of Americans that would be forced out of their current private insurance plans into a government-run 'public option' plan, according to a study by the Lewin Group.

$1,400,000,000,000 - The size ($1.4 trillion) of President Obama's first budget deficit, which tripled the previous year's level. This represents $4,666 for every man, woman and child in the United States.

$1,600,000,000,000 - The amount ($1.6 trillion) of President Obama's national health care program, an underestimate according to most experts.

$18,700,000,000,000 - The total U.S. budget deficit in 2019, based upon the CBO's 'optimistic' expectations. This represents $62,333 -- that must be repaid with interest -- for every man, woman and child in the country.

$73,000,000,000,000 - The unfunded liabilities ($73 trillion) of the government-run health care programs Medicare and Medicaid. This represents roughly $125,000 for every person in the country. While the House version of ObamaCare creates 111 new agencies, offices, bureaus, directorships and other government entities, it doesn't even attempt to address this oncoming economic trainwreck.

Unknown - Because President Obama has chosen not to release his SAT, LSAT, or his GPA scores, these numbers are unknown.


Larry Bird's Home in Naples, Florida


Not to be voyeuristic or anything, Celebrity Detectives has some neat photos of basketball legend Larry Bird's home in Naples, FL. Built in 2001, the home "has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, fireplace, movie theater, bar, swimming pool, boat dock, four-car garage, and 6,007 square feet."





You, too, could live like this... if you are 6'9", mentally and physically tough as nails, hit NBA-range three-point shots at a 40% clip, can pull down 9 or 10 caroms a game and can pass the ball as if you seven eyes.


Nautical Oddities


HG spotted these at Cruisers' Forum:










I have no explanation for any of these.


How bad IS the economy?


Tommy sent this one in:

The economy is so bad that I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.

It's so bad, I ordered a burger at McDonalds and the kid behind the counter asked, "Can you afford fries with that?"

The economy is so bad if the bank returns your check marked "Insufficient Funds," you call them and ask if they mean you or them.

The economy is so bad Hot Wheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than GM.

The economy is so bad McDonalds is selling the 1/4 ounce burger.

The economy is so bad parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their kids' names.

The economy is so bad several truckloads full of Americans were caught sneaking into Mexico.

The economy is so bad Dick Cheney took his stockbroker hunting.

The economy is so bad the Mafia is laying off judges.

The economy is so bad the trial lawyers laid off 25 Congressmen.

And finally...

Congress says they are looking into this Bernard Madoff scandal further.

Perfect! The guy who made $50 Billion disappear is being investigated by the people who made $1.5 Trillion disappear!

Update: Juandos adds a handful:

The economy is so bad, a picture is now only worth 200 words.

It's so bad, Snoop Dogg had to start eating regular brownies.

The economy is so bad, I saw the CEO of Wal-Mart shopping at Wal-Mart.

The economy is so bad, I went to my bank the other day and the teller handed me a note saying, "This is a robbery!"

The economy is so bad, Bill Gates had to switch to dial up.

The economy is so bad, Barack Obama changed his slogan to "Maybe We Can!"

The economy is so bad, my ATM gave me an IOU!

The economy is so bad that the highest-paying job in town is jury duty.

The economy is so bad I saw a man in Costco buying one roll of toilet paper.

The economy is so bad that I saw a van full of legal immigrants illegally crossing the border to Mexico...


Larwyn's Linx: The New Career Path: Day Labor Work

Have a great link you'd like me to review? Drop me an email. You can also install a Larwyn's Linx blog widget..

Nation

Bi-state Democratic dynasties bolstered by ACORN/SEIU: CDOBS
ACORN Tape: Jerry Brown Will Whitewash Investigation: BigGov
Atavism and xenophobia get a bad rap: RSM

Sacrificing Americans: Hanson
Who?: Commentary (Rubin)
Fort Hood: Separation of Mosque and State?: BMW

The Other Officer Who Took Down Nidal Malik Hasan: Nice Deb
Obama: Hasan May Have 'Cracked' From 'Stress': GWP
Hope & Change Watch: Holder Upholds PATRIOT Act: Moe

Connecting the Dots: NRO
Buh Bye John Allen Muhammad: Jawa
Graph of the Day: AT (Hoven)

Economy

The New Career Path: Day Labor Work, Competing With Immigrants: Mish
You Suck at Central Planning: Zero Hedge
UPS vs. FedEx: InstaPundit

ObamaCare Subterfuge Explained: Nice Deb
Is China headed toward collapse?: Politico
CEI on Economy, Grassroots and GOP Direction: InstaPundit

Media

AP Rejoices: 'Obama pressed into role as national healer': JWF
Our Remote Control President: Snapped Shot
Hero JR Salzman Slams State-Run Media On Bogus PTSD Claims: GWP

An Unsustainable Narrative: Grand Rants
Today's Hardball to the Head Award: SondraK
NYT beclowns itself -- Chapter 10,329: Gormogons

The 25 most valuable blogs in America: 24/7 Wall Street
CNN Distorts Soldier’s Words to Protect Radical Islamic Killer: GWP
MSNBC's Shuster Invents Ties From Fred Phelps To Republicans, Conservatives: Riehl

Climate & Energy

Climate bills give Obama emergency strongman powers: Examiner
Peer-reviewed study: CO2 balance has stayed constant since 1850: BrisUK

World

Single Payer Hell: Canadian Escapes System for U.S.: BlogProf
Infidel Babe of the Week: IBA
All For Ego: Obama's Afghan Surge: Blatt

Rahm: We Really Like Israel. Honest.: Commentary (Rubin)
Clinton endorses Turkey's Islamist regime: RubRep
Big of Them: Qatar to let Israel attend World Cup; Attendees May Consume Alcohol. In 2022.: Maktoob

Mr. Netanyahu, Tear Down That Wall For Our Suicide Bombers: LegalIns
FBI: Hassan's Al Qaeda Emails Were Probably Just Some Research and Social Chatter and Stuff: Ace
Netherlands: American Somali arrested on terrorism charges: IIE

The Two Koreas Battle at Sea: Surber
Weaker U.S. leads to insecurity in Taiwan: PJM
Obama's Fort Hood Memorial: No Mention of Terrorism or Jihad: AmPower

Sci-Tech

35 Cool Landscape Photos From Mars: Boston
Mafia Wars CEO Brags About Scamming Users From Day One: Consumerist
New Apple Mouse Really is Magic: Times

Cornucopia

Sign o' the Year Nominee: Denny
As long as the scanner is still warm...: SondraK
Shatner does Levi Johnston: Riehl

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Of Naiveté and Doom


Dan from New York:

From President Barack Obama's Oval Office interview with Reuters on Monday.

"With respect to Iran, we have unprecedented agreement with Russia and the other P5-plus-1 countries putting an offer on the table to Iran that every international observer suggests is a fair offer, giving them a pathway for legitimate civilian nuclear energy use, but that makes clear they are not -- that builds confidence in a process that will lead to an Iran without nuclear weapons. And although so far we have not seen the kind of response -- positive response that we want from Iran, we are as well positioned as we've ever been to align the international community behind that agenda.

"So I would strongly argue that we have made more progress on this issue over the last several months than we've seen in the last several years. But it is going to take time. And part of the challenge that we face is, is that neither North Korea nor Iran seem to be settled enough politically to make quick decisions on these issues."

###

While this man twiddles his thumbs and psychobabbles on like a social worker about Iran's inability to "make quick decisions," he is simultaneously leading our country and the democratic world into a dangerous blind alley. Should Iran acquire nuclear weapons, it will become Obama's disastrous legacy, and a life-changing event for all of us in horrible ways we can't foresee now. What is to be done? Let's start by clipping his wings in November 2010.



A Real Estate Crash in China -- Literally


Mish, writing at his phenomenally successful Global Economic Analysis site, has the true tale of a real estate crash in China. A real crash, that is.

Here are some images Bill Hopen, my sculptor friend sent me regarding a real estate crash in China... Yes, It's a 12 story building lying flat on the ground.

(1) An underground garage was being dug on the south side, to a depth of 4.6 meters.
(2) The excavated dirt was being piled up on the north side, to a height of 10 meters.
(3) The building experienced uneven lateral pressure from south and north.
(4) This resulted in a lateral pressure of 3,000 tons, which was greater than what the pilings could tolerate. Thus the building toppled over in the southerly direction.

If the buildings were closer together there would also have been a domino effect.

Note the hollow concrete piers.

Synopsis of Event

Bill Hopen writes:

Mish, this photographic image is so metaphorical, it could only have been more symbolic if a domino effect had occurred. I think of the financial collapse of the families that own these condos and the impact to the bank underpinning the construction loans, then I think of the whole city collapsing without the buildings physically falling over.

All my young in-laws are rushing in to buy condos putting life savings down as well as laying down additional borrowed family cash down and then paying way more to buy each month than it would cost them to rent. It's as if the boom crash in the west never happened and they believe themselves immune.

For more from Bill Hopen please see Inside China: A Sculptor's View



Hat tip: ILB.

The new bumper stickers are here!


Tommy sent these in -- I think he's trying to outdo Papa B for political incorrectitude.