Sunday, September 19, 2010

Another public sector union success story: Fort Worth, Texas headed for insolvency--taxpayers on the hook as pension costs explode

No one begrudges comfortable retirements for our police officers, firefighters and emergency responders -- they've earned it. But retirement plans have to be moored in economic reality. Thanks to the incestuous ties between Democrats and the public sector union bosses, reality never entered the equation. Now, you, the beleaguered taxpayer, is on the hook.

In January, a 53-year-old policeman retired with an annual benefit of $90,312 for life, plus $256,000 in a lump sum payment. Another policeman, 57, got almost $74,000 annually, plus $313,000 in a lump sum. A 54-year-old firefighter got an annual pension of $90,130, plus $178,000 in cash...

With an average age of 50 for the police and 54 for the firemen in [the list of the last month's retirements], they're likely to spend more years in retirement than they worked...

You don't have to be an actuary to know that this pension plan will end badly. The technical phrase is "trending toward insolvency."

Except that the city is on the hook for all the promised benefits. Taxpayers will have to pony up hefty contributions for years, even generations, and the city may have to cut services to afford it. The pension for city employees is currently projected to pay out $432 million more than it brings in over the next 30 years... And that's the optimistic scenario. If investment returns average 7 percent, rather than the dreamy 8.5 percent in the assumptions, the unfunded liability could approach $1 billion...

...In 1997, overtime was added to the compensation base. Two years later, a cost-of-living increase was guaranteed, plus a more generous formula for base pay. In 2002, a new benefit allowed employees to start collecting pensions while still working full time and funnel the money into a separate account... [these] so-called DROP funds can total hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is on top of a pension that pays close to 100 percent of pre-retirement income -- on a base that police and firefighters often inflate with overtime.

Most Americans can only dream about such a nest egg.

And most Americans are already having nightmares about the bills they'll have to foot.


Hat tip: Mish.

Minnesota's Democrat Secretary of State Mark Ritchie Encouraging Vote Fraud; Refuses to Investigate Mounting Evidence of Lawbreaking

The phenomenon known as "Senator Al Franken" may be more explainable than we had originally thought. Writing at the Washington Examiner, Jeff Davis describes the results of research into Minnesota's 2008 election. It would appear that there is overwhelming evidence of vote fraud in volumes previously thought unimaginable.

Double registration: thousands of voters are double-registered and at least a hundred or more are thought to have voted twice in 2008.

Invalid registrations: at least 30,000 registrations were invalid based upon the required address verification process. It is unknown how many of those illegitimate registrations turned into votes. Also unknown is the percentage of those registrations that turned into Democrat votes (care to hazard a guess?).

Invalid voter addresses: Nearly 100,000 voter addresses were listed by the USPS as "vacant" or "undeliverable"; the investigation revealed empty lots and non-existent addresses in a spot-check.

Dead voters: thousands of deceased voters are still on the active voter rolls -- a spot-check showed some had voted after dying. Quite a feat, eh?

Felons voting: the investigation showed 1,400 felon voters in two counties alone.

Missing ballots: research shows that 40,000 ballots from the 2008 election are "unaccounted for" as of September 2009.

More votes than voters: a check of Ramsey County found that multiple precincts had more ballots cast than registered voters.

Illegal aliens voting: despite multiple warnings, Minnesota's A.G. had not taken steps in 2008 to ensure that illegal aliens could not cast ballots. After the election, it was discovered that some, in fact, had.

Bogus voters: thousands of 2008 voters were listed as over 108 years of age or under 18.

Illegal destruction of records: at least two counties have destroyed voter verification records though they are legally required to retain them.

Despite this overwhelming evidence, Minnesota officials -- starting with the Secretary of State Mark Ritchie (D) -- claim there is no voter fraud in Minnesota and thus no need for an investigation.

If you want to register your displeasure, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie's contact number is 651-215-1440.

Minnesota's Democrat Attorney General Lori Swanson could also be encouraged to take action. Her number is 651-296-3353.

Be polite but firm: you can tell them that if they do not feel like maintaining the integrity of the ballot box, they are contributing to the destruction of America. Without a legitimate vote, they are helping turn the United States into a third-world country.

But, if that's their aim, tell them they're doing a damn fine job.


Straight Out of Moscow: Possibly the Wickedest-Looking Car in the World

Jalopnik reports that the Russian-built, Cosworth-V6-powered Marussia B1 and B2 have begun production.

Both cars are mid engine and rear wheel drive powered by 3.5 liter Cosworth V6 motors in 300, 360, and 420 hp variants

Which for a Supercar may seem underpowered by today’s standards, but the cars weigh in at a Lotus light 2,425lbs.

Making the cars capable of 0-60 in 3.2 sec, definitely Supercar quick.

AutoEclectic has more information should you be interested in test-driving one. Although it might require an international flight as it stands today.


Great Dabblers Throughout History

You say Christine O'Donnell dabbled into high school witchcraft? Really?




Oh, yes. The naysayers are right. She's unelectable.


Linked by: Michelle Malkin. Thanks!

California's Recovery Summer™ Ends With Another Drop in Employment (Psst! Did You Hear Christine O'Donnell Was a High-School Wiccan?)

Shake up the Magic 8 Ball and I'll bet it reads 'All signs point to malaise'.

Last month I suggested that the little hook downward in California employment, reported for July, was a troubling sign. Today, fresh data was released from the State of California, and the downward move has continued...

Let’s consider the context here. Lower interest rates and several trillion in monetary and fiscal stimulus over three years has produced, at best, a small but brief cessation of job losses in California, the largest state in the union. As my work here at Gregor.us has also shown, over the past year and a half, California is one of a handful of states that is extremely sensitive to the price of oil. 75 dollar oil is too high for California’s economy, which is massively leveraged to a road and highway transport system that was built out on 12 dollar oil. Meanwhile, a severe debt-deflation remains underway in California as asset values in all real estate continue to fall from highs that will never be seen again–not in real terms, anyway. The headwall to any improvement in job creation largely comes from these two factors. And, helps us make sense of the following fact: in August of 2000 the total number of employed persons in California stood at 15.994 million. And in August 2010? Answer: 15.968 million.

One of the fallacies you will hear in financial media is the idea that flat job growth now means that “at least things are not getting worse.” That’s just not true...

The current chief in Washington reminds me of Jimmy Carter without the killer rabbit.


Hat tip: LVN.

Larwyn's Linx: The Biggest Target is Liberalism

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 Biggest Target is Liberalism: AT
Obama’s 'Safe School' Czar Admits Gay Curriculum is Goal: Blaze
Happy Constitution Day!: Cold Fury

The Constitution's AG: AmSpec
Clarice's Pieces: I Told You So: AT
Ruh Roh: Dem Candidate Urges Pelosi to Step Aside: Malkin

Dem Congressman Aided Man With Al Qaeda Ties: JWF
Implementing Obamacare: Old-Fashioned Central Planning: Heritage
Nancy Pelosi's Shakedown Street: WSJ

Economy

As Predicted: Health Premiums Skyrocket Under ObamaCare: Ace
Vulnerable Dems Fleeing From Obama Tax Hikes: JWF
Andrew Breitbart exposes Congress' shakedown racket: NPR

Unions Struggling to Get Members to Rally Behind Dems: RWN
Dems at war: Public unions vs. gentry liberals: Barone
Are American Universities Going the Way of GM?: PJM

Climate & Energy

Climatism: Redoubling Misguided Efforts: AT
AGW Today: Everybody Panic, Part Lots: RWN

Media

Bill Maher's Witch Hunt -- the Missing Context: Malkin
Being forgiven for our past sins--or, growing up: RWN
Palin 700,000, Rick Sanchez 802: Surber

Memo to the Right: "The Lombardi Rule" Is In Effect: LegalIns
Calling Karl Rove: AmSpec
What Karl Rove Should Have Said: BigGovt

Witchcraft? What About Hillary's Seance in the White House?: BlogProf
Doctor Zero: the Palin Card: C4P
Right Nation 2010 – Anita MonCrief, John Fund, Dick Armey Speak: GWP

David Brooks on the Faults of the Tea Party — Faults That MOST DEFINITELY!!!1!!1! Are Not Shared by Obama: Patterico
Blogger face-off: The biggest liabilities for both parties headed toward midterms (Bowers vs. Riehl): Hill
I can see November from your logo: RedState (Ziganto)

World

Truth is the New Hate Speech: Geller
Decline Is In the Mind: Hanson
Another Semantic Shift Coming: Cold Fury

SciTech

About Twitter's Link Service (http://t.co): Twitter
Testing out Lexus' safety features: CNet
5 Tips for Aspiring Web Developers: Mashable

Cornucopia

5 UFO Sightings That Even Non-Crazy People Find Creepy: Cracked
The funniest and lamest of Facebook: Lamebook
The Roast of Bobby Knight: IndyStar

Images: Shorpy: Boston's Quincy Market, 1904.
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Sharron Angle for U.S. Senate

Saturday, September 18, 2010

10 Amazing Photos From the Turn of the Last Century

Shorpy has an amazing selection of vintage photographs, ten of which are featured below.











You can see more at Shorpy.

Hat tip: Bones.

I need some help: what's the best question to ask a leftist Democrat at a town hall meeting?

I've got an opportunity to infiltrate a town hall meeting next week. Although the meeting is supposed to be hush-hush -- to ensure that only drones attend -- I got a heads-up from a friend in city government.

So this hack, I mean, the incumbent Democrat representative, is a hard-core leftist. She's 100% supportive of the Pelosi-Obama-Reid agenda. To enter the meeting hall, I intend to disguise myself as a Democrat. In other words, I'll dress like a tenured professor, paint a goofy grin on my face, don a Che t-shirt, and wear an SEIU4Life hat.

Once I'm in, Doctor Jay will videotape my question to her. But here's where I need some help. I could use a piercing, intimidating question that can only get her in trouble with the voters.

Suggestions appreciated.


Would anyone in legacy media be upset if Christine O'Donnell admitted that, decades ago, she'd dabbled in Islamic Sharia law?

Seriously.

Would Bill Maher utter a freaking word if Ms. O'Donnell admitted that once, in high school, she'd dabbled with an extremist form of Islam?

No. Because he's a punk. Yes, I said it. He's a punk.

Would the Washington Post raise a ruckus?

No, because they're punks too.

But there's no double standard.

And, last time I checked, there haven't been many stonings, floggings and suicide bombings by Wiccans.


Decisions, decisions: the Witch or the Marxist?

No, I'm not talking about Hillary vs. Barack.

Eleven years ago, according to the crack operatives working for Bill Maher, Christine O'Donnell admitted hanging around with Wiccans and dabbling in "witchcraft".

I suggest burning her at the stake. It's the only way to be sure.

I dabbled into witchcraft — I never joined a coven. But I did, I did... I didn’t join a coven, I didn’t join a coven, let’s get this straight... I dabbled into witchcraft. I hung around people who were doing these things. I’m not making this stuff up. I know what they told me they do...

One of my first dates with a witch was on a satanic altar, and I didn’t know it. I mean, there’s a little blood there and stuff like that... We went to a movie and then like had a little midnight picnic on a satanic altar...

The context of this shocking admission was somehow omitted. After seeing a movie (Carrie?), someone took her to a "satanic altar" but she "didn't know it".

Ah, the peccadilloes of high school. Going to a movie and then visiting a Wiccan altar. Seriously, we should dunk her in water: if she sinks, she's innocent and if she floats, she's a witch.

But, last time I checked, high school Wiccans aren't destroying our country.

It would seem that the Fabian Socialists are, however. And O'Donnell's opponent -- a self-admitted Marxist -- is just such an enemy of America.

Which makes the whole point of this 'shocking admission' rather moot if you have children and grandchildren. Because most of us would vote for an unwashed orange juice can over a Marxist at this point.

It would seem that a lot of people have forgotten that elected officials are supposed to serve as proxies for us. And we don't want Marxists in office.


Update: Great comment at the Washington Post, where headlines are trumpeting the Wiccan menace.

Christine O'Donnell: I dabbled into Witchcraft.

Chris Coons: I dabbled into Communism.

Barrack Obama: I dabbled into Communism.
Barrack Obama: I did cocaine
Barrack Obama: I began my political career in domestic terrorists' (William Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn) house.
Barrack Obama: I attended a Black Nationalist, racist church for 20 years.
Barrack Obama: My father was a Communist.
Barrack Obama: My mother was a Communist.
Barrack Obama: I've appointed Communists to responsible government posts.
Barrack Obama: My mentor (Frank Marshall Davis) as a teen was a Communist.
Barrack Obama: My favorite professors in college were Marxist professors.
Barrack Obama: My best friends in college were radicals.

Washington Post: We have a double standard in how we report on conservatives to how we report on liberals.
Washington Post: We report only negative things about conservatives.
Washington Post: We report only positive things about liberals.
Washington Post: We hack for one of the political parties (guess which one).
Washington Post: Many of our writers are socialists.
Washington Post: Many of our writers attack the mainstream in their articles.
Washington Post: We have racist writers (Eugene Robinson is one of them).
Washington Post: We occasionally print national security secrets in our paper to undermine the security of our nation.
Washington Post: We encourage illegal immigration with our articles.
Washington Post: We encourage class warfare with our articles.
Washington Post: We routinely mislead our readers with coverage that is NOT objective.

Pree-cisely. Well played, sir.

Update II: Wow.

Update III: Bill Maher's Witch Hunt -- the Missing Context


Linked by: Michelle Malkin. Thanks!

She's baaack! Guess who's behind the massive ObamaCare propaganda campaign appearing around the web? None other than Maoist Anita Dunn

If you're been surfing the web lately -- and, frankly, you're a loser if you don't spend at least 100 hours per week online (heh) -- you may have noticed the genre of ads depicted at right.

These ads intrigued me. They represent the tip of the iceberg of a massive web campaign; they also appear to typify a last-ditch defense of ObamaCare, which is increasingly unpopular despite Nancy Pelosi's exhortations. Or perhaps because of them.

So just who is funding this gargantuan ObamaCare propaganda campaign?

A click-through leads us to HealthInfoCampaign.org (no link, intentionally), seemingly operated by AmericasFairHealthCare.org. The site describes itself as "a project of the Health Information Center (HIC), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and the Health Information Campaign, a 501(c)4 organization, founded in 2010."

Its goal is the dissemination of provably false propaganda about ObamaCare, which it represents as follows: "Along with a coalition of partners, we work to explain to the public the benefits of the new law, how it affects consumers and when key regulations take effect. We also work to respond to misinformation and misperceptions about the law, educate leaders and stakeholders about the full extent of the benefits and provide a mechanism for policy makers and others to come together to share information and best practices that will help the implementation process."

In other words, the site is out to save the bacon of the few Democrat politicians who aren't already running away from ObamaCare. It's a front group, and a highly partisan one, which makes its 501(c)(3) status all the more curious.

Some of the lies marketed on the site have already been debunked by such right-wing outlets as the Associated Press and The New York Times. No, you won't be able to keep your old health plan. No, it's not going to reduce the budget deficit. And so on.

Check out the Soviet-style propaganda, the likes of which hasn't been seen in the United States since, well, never.

A more massive collection of lies you'd be hard-pressed to find in one place.

So who is behind the "Health (Mis)Information Center" or HIC?

According to The Puffington Roast, HIC is "a group supporting [ObamaCare] and founded by former Obama administration allies", which is "launching its own $2 million national cable and online ad campaign promoting the law and features that are now in effect or about to go into effect."

You mean like higher premiums for everyone?

Among HIC's staff are:

• Andrew Grossman, President -- a former Obama adviser
• James Chiong, Executive Director -- the "Deputy Campaign Director at The Alliance for Climate Protection and former National Field Director, Working America at Political Department, AFL-CIO" (i.e., a union boss).
• Erikka Knuti, Communications Director
• Ankit Desai, Finance Director, a former political operative for Joe Biden

The fish-wrap of record reports that another founder of HIC is Maoist Anita Dunn, Obama's disgraced former communications director.

So that's what happened to her.

Also in bed with HIC is the ludicrously named "Families USA", which according to Discover the Networks, is a member of the "Progressive States Network", which worked closely with (you guessed it) ACORN and the SEIU to advance Marxism.

So remember who is behind this effort as you see these ads pop up all over the web.

That would be the conventional claque of Maoists, Marxists and union bosses, who are leveraging our own 'non-profit' tax laws to push a hyper-partisan, Statist agenda.

Remember in November.


Linked by: Big Journalism and Verum Serum. Thanks!

Larwyn's Linx: Harry Reid’s illegal alien student bailout

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

Harry Reid’s illegal alien student bailout: Malkin
Murkowski will run as write-in to fight 'extremist' views: WZ
O'Donnell, Coons face off in first debate: Hill

NapoliReno: no troops needed on border 'cuz it's secure!: WZ
School apologizes for field trip to mosque: S&L
When Presidents Cry "Hostage!": CBS

Pelosi Staffers Carrying Nazi Signs: GWP
Advice for the Sore Loser: Don't Run: Ace
Biden rallies Democrats in Delaware: WashExam

Economy

Welcome to WeinerCare: Malkin
Home Depot CEO blasts Democrats for being anti-business: BlogProf
Obama Advisor John Holdren Wants to “De-develop” America: RWN

Politico Cries Over Lost Jobs of Hill Staffers in November: RWN
DC March 10.02.10 - Communists, Socialists & SEIU Unite: AT
Elite Favors: Congressmen Payoff Staffers' College Loans: RWN

Climate & Energy

3 Billion and Counting: The Cost Of Banning DDT: RWN
Meanwhile, back in Reality-Land: CBullitt
More Obama overreach: EPA wants to grade cars: Marathon

Media

Historic 9/11 Stop the Mosque at Ground Zero Rally: LATL
Nice Magazine You’ve Got There, Mr. Forbes…: Driscoll
Leftist Assassination Attempt Pushed Down Memory Hole: AT (Cashill)

The Krauthammer-Rove Axis of Disdain: AT (Cary)
Don’t Get Fatigued, Get Even: Kesler
Cut it out, Charles: Levin

Back to the Future: AT
It's Sad When TPM Is More Honest About Christine O'Donnell Than FrumForum: LegalIns
A Victim Card of One’s Own: Jeri Thompson Calls Out O’Donnell’s Critics For Sexism: RWN

World

The New START Rubberstamp Threat to National Security: Foundry
Moscow Imam Threatens to Send Muslims to Pray in Churches if They Don’t Get More Mosques…: WZ
The Problem of Honor Killings: AT

Five Muslims Held In Pope ‘Terrorist’ Plot: S&L
Georgians Intent on Using English to Pull Themselves “Out of Russia’s Orbit”: WZ
Muslim Blows Up Preparing ‘Letter Bomb’: S&L

SciTech

Data Breaches and Clothes Closets: Gartner
The Face of Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg opens up.: NewYorker
All major carriers picking up the Tab: Crave

Cornucopia

The Moonbatmobile: PRS
MI elementary school launches War On Cupcakes: BlogProf
Exclusive Interview with Tony Blair: IBD

Top Ten Things MO Hates About Being FLOTUS: MOTUS

Image: DayLife (Fire Pelosi Bus Tour) and Gateway Pundit (Pelosi Staffer Holds Nazi Sign)
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Joe Miller for U.S. Senate

QOTD: Proof

"We were right.

Charlie Crist, Mike Castle, now Lisa Murkowski.

We have proven our point." -- William A. Jacobson


Friday, September 17, 2010

Would-be Tyrants Henry Waxman and Anthony Weiner Set Hearings on the Future of Conservative Talk Radio

Believe me: that headline is not an overstatement. Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Anthony Weiner (D-NY) are attempting to pick off talk radio's advertisers, one-by-one.

They are starting with Goldline -- a half-century old business that just happens to place ads on the shows of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin.

Just as the government is trying to prevent people from investing in anything other than T-Bills by raising taxes on taxable interest and dividends to confiscatory levels, it's also trying to prevent you from parking your wealth in assets, like gold...

A press release from Rep. Anthony Weiner, Democrat of New York, not yet (as of this instant) posted on Mr. Weiner's Web site, announces that a September 23 hearing of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection (a subcommittee of Rep. Henry Waxman's Commerce Committee) will focus on "legislation that would regulate gold-selling companies, an industry who's [sic] relentless advertising is now staple of cable television."

From the press release: "Under Rep. Weiner's bill, companies like Goldline would be required to disclose the reasonable resale value of items being sold." That's great. Are Mr. Weiner and Chairman Bernanke also going to agree to print on every dollar the reasonable expectation that its value will be eroded by inflation?

Gold investors (or speculators) are already punished by the federal government by having their investment, even in a gold exchange-traded-fund, taxed at the higher rates that apply to collectibles rather than long term capital gains.

Not to mention the fact that Mr. Weiner's regulatory push seems as much aimed at conservative journalists as at the gold-dealers. The press release says, "Goldline employs several conservative pundits to act as shills for its' [sic] precious metal business, including Glenn Beck, Mike Huckabee, Laura Ingraham, and Fred Thompson. By drumming up public fears during financially uncertain times, conservative pundits are able to drive a false narrative. Glenn Beck for example has dedicated entire segments of his program to explaining why the U.S. money supply is destined for hyperinflation with Barack Obama as president."

Imagine the uproar if a Republican-majority Congress started investigating and having a regulatory crackdown on big advertisers in liberal outlets such as the New York Times. The First Amendment freedom-of-the-press crowd would be marching in the streets.

The whole situation is amazing. If Mr. Weiner really wants to calm fears about hyperinflation, the last way to do it is to have a government hearing cracking down on the people warning of it...

I want you to know that Waxman and Weiner are detestable Stalinist hacks. They represent a menace to the civil society. They are attempting to silence political speech with which they disagree.

I say this because Waxman and Weiner do not believe in the First Amendment, or any part of the Constitution, so far as I can tell. They are, as is their habit, blatantly violating their oaths of office.

Under the pretense of "consumer protection", Waxman and Weiner are attacking perfectly legitimate private businesses like GoldLine in order to silence conservative speech. Using the specious claim that GoldLine "grossly overcharges" its customers (PDF), Weiner is specifically targeting sponsors of conservative thought-leaders like Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin and Fred Thompson.

Waxman and Weiner are thugs masquerading as Congressional representatives. Why? Because Goldline isn't overcharging anyone.

A one-ounce 2010 American Eagle gold bullion coin is the single best benchmark for most gold collectors. Using a Google search, I took the first nine websites I found (that would allow me to shop online) and ran through an ordering process for a 2010 1-oz. Eagle on each.

And this is what I found:

Raw Price + ShippingTotal PriceShopping CartWebsite
$1,239.05 + $24.95 shipping$1,264.001 oz. 2010 Gold American EagleAPMEX
$1,256.22 + $17.95 shipping$1,273.171 oz. 2010 Gold American EagleGainesville Coins
$1,255.48 + $27.00 shipping$1,282.481 oz. 2010 Gold American EagleBlanchard Online
$1,240.01 + 24.95 shipping$1.284.961 oz. 2010 Gold American EagleGolden Eagle Coin
$1,295.00 + free shipping$1,295.001 oz. 2010 Gold American EagleGoldLine
$1,278.74 + $20.95 shipping$1,299.691 oz. 2010 Gold American EagleBrandon's Coins
$1,247.92 + $49.51 shipping$1.297.431 oz. 2010 Gold American EagleBullionDirect
$1,299.00 + $19.95 shipping$1,318.951 oz. 2009 Gold American EagleAustin Gold Information Network
$1,399.00 + $7.45 shipping$1.406.451 oz. 2009 Gold American EagleSteve's Collectibles
$1,435.00 + free shipping$1,435.001 oz. 2010 Gold American EagleGovMint

In fact, Goldline was fifth out of ten on total price for the one-ounce benchmark gold bullion coin, separated by 2% from the first slot. Does that sound like overcharging to you?

Are Waxman and Weiner investigating #10?

Or #9?

Or #8, #7 or #6?

No. Because they don't sponsor conservative authors and speakers. If these Democrats were really concerned with overcharging, they could have found far better targets than Goldline in a matter of a few minutes, just as I did.

Henry Waxman and Anthony Weiner are would-be dictators. They are, in no uncertain terms, targeting free speech. Their tactics are anti-American.

If these penny-ante tyrants get their way, any business that advertises on talk radio is fair game.

I don't care if you're a Democrat or Republican. If you believe in the right of free speech, you will reject the current slate of Democrats.

Spread the word: give Henry Waxman and Anthony Weiner pink slips in November.


It's another Democrat record! Cali budget stalemate now longest ever

Good thing thing that California's economy is hitting on all cylinders.

The impasse over solving California's $19 billion budget deficit reached an inglorious milestone today when it officially became the longest stalemate over the state budget in history, though some lawmakers think it may end soon.

...Democrats have been haggling with the governor and legislative Republicans over just how much of the $19 billion deficit will be made through cuts...

The governor's proposal, which the Republicans have generally embraced, would cut $12 billion, including eliminating the state's welfare-to-work program and most state support for child care. It includes no tax increases or other revenue boosts...

I'd wager that experts like Charles Krauthammer and Karl Rove are fully supportive of Schwarzenegger's efforts to behave as a 'moderate Republican', who slows -- but definitely doesn't stop or reverse -- the uncontrolled growth of government.


The Myth of Cloward and Piven

Papa B -- who is definitely from the old school -- mimeographed a hard-copy newspaper and then sent it to us via carrier pigeon. Okay, maybe I made that up.

Should anyone consider Cloward-Piven a myth, please examine the attached page from the Atlanta Journal Constitution with 3 relevant headlines for articles that just by chance appeared on that page.


If you aren't familiar with Cloward-Piven, I recommend scanning two articles:

American Thinker: Cloward-Piven Government

NewZeal: 1966 - Cloward - Piven Strategy Unveiled at Socialist Scholars Conference

You won't believe your eyes.


We disclose academic ignorance

The Bad writes:

Hey Doug - I have attached a screenshot of a Facebook encounter with a left-of-Marx friend of mine. Names have been blocked in red for obvious reasons and his FB image has been replaced with my own design to protect his dumb ass. Nonetheless, I thought it was interesting and figured you might see what I see in terms of liberals and their ignorance to what their "leaders" are up to. Hugo is supposedly an intelligent liberal who is active politically and (gasp) works in academia.


Leftists. If they weren't in power, they'd be employable only as comic relief. Like court jesters.

Another Obama success story: $111 million in Stimulus spending saved or created 55 jobs

What a bargain! Only $2,018,000 a job!

An audit of federal stimulus spending by the City Controller of Los Angeles reveals -- I hope you're sitting down -- that $111 million in Stimulus spending... saved or created 55 jobs.

The Mayor of Los Angeles appears to be quite proud that he helped destroy 1,200 private sector jobs in order to rescue 55 public sector roles. Libertius, writing at RedState, does the heavy mathematical lifting and calculates:

...New job creation when wealth is left in the private sector: 1269

New job creation when private wealth is seized by the federal government, strained through multiple levels of bureaucratic inefficiency and redistributed by a command-and-control, politically motivated regime: 55

Remember how Joe Biden, former Senator from Delaware, was assigned by the President to prevent fraud in Stimulus spending? I think the term was 'laser-focused'.

Christine O'Donnell, also of Delaware, appears quite appealing compared to this waste, fraud and abuse.


Larwyn's Linx: It is a Civil War; Collateral Damage

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

It is a Civil War: Protein Wisdom
Collateral Damage: Instapundit
Norton lashes out at Breitbart for her own damn voicemail: DC

DOJ Smackdown: Challenge Fast-Tracked: Adams
Tea Party's Already Won: Stoddard
Yes we can -- Beltway establishment takes a thumpin': Instapundit

The 'contingency' of free speech: Protein Wisdom
Do the (Thirty-Year) Math: The Consultants Are Wrong: AT
Biden: Dems Trailing 'Cause People Don’t Want to Focus Yet: Powers

Economy

Democrats hide from ObamaCare disaster: RWN
Medicare and ObamaCare: AT
The Teen Workplace Disengagement Epidemic: Blumer

MI home health workers sue over their forced unionization: RWN
What they meant by Recovery Summer: Surber
Obama's Trickle-Up: Poverty Rate Soars to 14.3%: GWP

Climate & Energy

Re-Branding a Failing Sham: Malkin
Leadership Through Better Marketing: Ace

Media

Ladies of the Right vs. Beltway GOP boyz club; Plus: Fire From the Heartland: Malkin
Seriously: O’Donnell Can’t Beat the “Bearded Marxist”?: Greenroom
Bitter Half Grouses About Her Tough Job: RWN

The 40 Best Conservative Blogs For 2010 (Version 3.0): RWN
Karl Rove in the doghouse? You betcha.: sisu
I’ll Be At Right Nation 2010 in Chicago, Illinois… Will YOU?: RWN

If It Is a Fight These Jacobins Want, Then It Is a Fight They Shall Have: IowaHawk
Mike Castle Blames His Loss On Lies of Hannity and Limbaugh: GWP
Fish Wrap Times: Don’t Be Fringe Like Those Nazi Tea Partiers: RWN

World

Former Spanish Prime Minister Aznar Blasts Obama Administration for Its Treatment of Israel: GWP
California's Most Anti-Semitic College: MTC
Obama Administration Joins In UN’s Apartheid-Style Ban on Israel: GWP

Rampaging Islamist Mob Tries to Burn Christian School, Only It Was Really a Muslim School: WZ
Throw Another Big Government on the Barbie: Tea Party in the Outback: Malkin
Did Dems Profit from Craigslist's Sex Slave Scene?: HE

SciTech

Dell shows 10-inch tablet: Keyboard included: CNet
5 top online survey tools for non-profits: SocialBrite
Samsung takes on Apple iPad with Galaxy Tab: CNet

Cornucopia

At the Utah State Fair: Pedaling Fast
The 20 Saddest Car Spoilers Of All Time: Sub5zero
Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf: Salad-in-a-Jar

I hate this game: C&S
Michelle Obama Talks Obesity, Breast Feeding and $31 Million to the Black Caucus.: WZ
New Republican Party logo leaked!: Surber

Images: CNet.
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Defeat Harry Reid -- Support Sharron Angle for U.S. Senate


Thursday, September 16, 2010

Photos: Time-Travel -- 1945 to 2010

An outstanding photographic concept spotted at 9gag (hat tip: Escobar) merges the close of World War II with modern day.







White House Insider: 'The President Is Losing It'

It hasn't gotten much press, but a former White House insider has reportedly dished the dirt on President Obama -- and the revelations sound plausible indeed.

And make for fascinating reading.

Sure the source is anonymous, but that always seems to be good enough for The New York times.

...[During the campaign] we definitely had people in the media on our side. Absolutely. We went so far as to give them specific ideas for coverage. The ones who took that advice from the campaign were granted better access, and Obama was the biggest story in 2008, so yeah, that gave us a lot of leverage...

...Obama loved to campaign. He clearly didn’t like the work of being President though, and that attitude was felt by the entire White House staff within weeks after the inauguration. Obama the tireless, hard working candidate became a very tepid personality to us. And the few News stories that did come out against him were the only things he seemed to care about. He absolutely obsesses over Fox News. For being so successful, Barack Obama is incredibly thin-skinned. He takes everything very personally...

That [Obama hates Joe Biden] is very well known in the White House. Obama chose Biden for one reason – to have an older white guy with some international policy credentials. Period. If Biden has all of this international experience that Obama found so valuable, why has he buried him under the pile of crap that became the stimulus bill? ...Give Joe a job and get him the hell out of my hair – that pretty much sums up the president’s feelings...

...Obama is scared to death of Hillary. He doesn’t trust her – obsesses over her almost as much as he does Fox News... when it comes down to it, she has played the game on a far tougher level than he has, and Obama knows that...

...we were all led to believe that this guy was some kind of intellectual giant, right? Ivy League and all that. Well, that is not what I saw. Barack Obama doesn’t have a whole lot of intellectual curiosity. When he is off script, he is what I call a real 'slow talker'. Lots of ummms, and lots of time in between answers where you can almost see the little wheel in his head turning very slowly. I am not going to say the president is a dumb man, because he is not, but yeah, there was a definite letdown when you actually hear him talking without the script...

...I don’t know [how bad things are in the White House] about right now, because I have not been there in over a month. But I still hear things, and [it's] not good. As bad as it might look to voters based on what they do know, it’s much worse. The infighting is off the charts. You got a Chief of Staff who despises cabinet members, advisors who despise the Chief of Staff, a President and First Lady having their own issues...

...I don’t have a problem saying that the president is losing it. I don’t mean he is like losing his mind. I mean to say that he is losing whatever spark he had during the campaign. When you take away the crowds, Obama gets noticeably smaller. He shrinks up inside of himself. He just doesn’t seem to have the confidence to do the job of President, and it’s getting worse and worse. Case in point – just a few days before I left, I saw first hand the President of the United States yelling at a member of his staff. He was yelling like a spoiled child. And then he pouted for several moments after. I wish I was kidding, or exaggerating, but I am not. The President of the United States threw a temper tantrum. The jobs reports are always setting him off, and he is getting increasingly conspiratorial over the unemployment numbers. I never heard it myself, but was told that Obama thinks the banking system is out to get him now. That they and the big industries are making him pay for trying to regulate them more. That is the frame of mind the President is in these days. And you know what? Maybe he is right, who knows?

...Oh – absolutely [he can win in 2012]. Who else campaigns as well as Barack Obama? Nobody. What politician is more loved and supported by the media? Nobody. I don’t see the Republicans offering up a candidate as powerful as Obama. I mean Sarah Palin? Really? Obama would defeat her by a 20 point landslide! Romney? The Republicans will enjoy these midterm elections, but 2012 is Obama’s year if he chooses to run again. As a president, Obama has many flaws, but as a candidate, he is near flawless...

...I am going to come right out and say it – No [, another four years of Obama would not be a good thing]. Obama is not up to the job of being president. He simply doesn’t seem to care about the work involved. You want to know what? Obama is lazy. He really is. And it is getting worse and worse. Would another four years of Obama be the best thing for America? No it would not. What this country needs is a president who is focused on the job more than on themselves. Obama is not that individual. I actually hope he doesn’t run again. Looking back, as much fun as the campaign in 2008 was, Hillary Clinton should have been the nominee. Hillary was ready to be president. Obama was not ready. He had never lost a campaign. [Ed: not true, he lost a campaign for Congress in 2000] Everything was handed to him. He doesn’t really understand the idea of work – real, hard, get your heart and soul into it work. And frankly, that is very disappointing to a whole lot of us...

President Axelrod could not be reached for comment at press time.


Hat tip: LVN. Linked by: Weasel Zippers and Protein Wisdom. Thanks!