Monday, March 21, 2011

Perfect: California Democrats Want to Eliminate Secret Ballot in Union Elections To, Uhm, Make the State's Horrific Deficit Even Worse

On the same day that The Sacramento Bee writes that California's "unfunded liability for state retiree health costs over the next 30 years [are] nearly $60 billion", the Democrat kooks in the state capitol are trying to further increase the incredible power of public sector unions.

I've heard of fiscal suicide before, but never quite so egregious a case as this.

If state Dems get their way, it might be bye-bye secret ballot


State Democrats are again trying to eliminate the secret-ballot vote for union certification. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg describes his latest measure as “the alternative electoral method for choosing collective bargaining representatives.” It is that, and a lot more.

Under “card check,” instead of voting for or against union representation by secret ballot, workers would be asked to sign union cards in front of organizers and colleagues, potentially subjecting them to harassment or intimidation. [Ed: Gee, after their performance in Wisconsin, who'd have thunk it?] Once a majority of employees has signed cards, the union is recognized.

Opponents charge that SB -104, Steinberg’s new bill, not only drops the right to a secret ballot but unfairly penalizes employers for potential violations during union organizing. And opponents are critical that unions are not penalized under this bill for the same type of potential violations during organizing.

The Steinberg bill has the support of more than 20 unions and labor organizations, including the California Labor Federation, the Teamsters, the United Nurses Association and the AFL-CIO...

...Barry Bedwell, president of the California Grape and Tree Fruit League said ... the bill unfairly imposes hefty penalties against employers for potential intimidation, “but has no mention in it about intimidation from the unions.” Bedwell described passage of the bill as “a wholesale license for union intimidation.”

Another disturbing aspect of the bill is that an employee’s card can be signed up to one year before actually being used in a union election, nor is proof of employment required — a decision upheld by the ALRB... Card-check promoters have good reason to be confident that Gov. Brown would not veto Steinberg’s bill.

The genius of Democrat governance is this: it's like a game of political musical chairs. Who ever is left standing when the whole system collapses is the loser.


RED ALERT: Son of Wisconsin Activist Judge Has Anti-Governor Walker Propaganda Littered Throughout His Facebook Page

And I do mean "RED".

Last Friday Wisconsin Judge Maryann Sumi, breaking all court precedent, overruled the electorate, the Wisconsin state legislature and Governor Scott Walker by issuing a temporary restraining order that prevented implementation of the state's new public sector employment law.

Earlier today the invaluable RedState reported:

Judge Maryann Sumi should have recused herself entirely from the Wisconsin battle due to her inability to be neutral in this case. You see, Maryann Sumi has a clear conflict of interest. Her son is a political operative who also happens to be a former lead field manager with the AFL-CIO and data manager for the SEIU State Council. Both the SEIU and the AFL-CIO have members who are public-sector employees in Wisconsin. In fact, as a federation, the AFL-CIO can boast of several member-unions that represent public-sector employees. Maryann Sumi is hardly an unbiased judge in the matter.

Not only that, but Jacob 'Jake' Sinderbrand is a virulent anti-Walker campaigner. Consider, for example, his Facebook page.

Sinderbrand's Marxist crew is linked throughout.

The material is so offensive that it wouldn't surprise me to find out that members of Sinderbrand's posse are among those issuing threats to Wisconsin's legislators and Governor.

Long story short: Judge Sumi has a dog in the hunt.

She's a disgrace for not recusing herself and should be recalled or removed from office if the law permits.


Linked by: Michelle Malkin and AllAmerican Blogger. Thanks!

You Can't Make This Up, Although I Wish I Did [Dan from New York]

Dan from New York:

THIS IS NOT A TEST!

Obama Marks Iranian Holiday (Nowruz)


* * * * * * * * *

Hey gang, here’s a neat idea. Let’s not argue about whether our President is an Islamophile, a crypto-Muslim, a naive sap, a usurper, born on a distant planet, or simply a garden-variety incompetent – any or all of which could be true.

Instead, let’s bury our petty differences and concentrate on finding a rock-solid man or woman to send Obama back to Chi Town as a private citizen the first chance we get, November 2012. It’s the least patriots who love America can do for our country.


Hush, little media children... more death threats in Wisconsin

More Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin are receiving death threats for casting votes, though to read state-run media you'd never have an inkling.

For this kind of news, we turn to a local TV outlet, WQOW in Eau Claire, WI.

State lawmakers receive threats after budget repair bill passes


Lawmakers across the state have been under attack following the passage of Governor Walker's budget repair bill.

State senator Dan Kapanke's car was vandalized, and he says he's received several death threats, forcing him to cancel meetings. The Wisconsin Department of Justice has also investigated death threats sent to other state republican lawmakers, identifying a suspect who was responsible for sending several threatening e-mails.

"I know I have received death threats in my office, and that's very disturbing, and we don't need that kind of activity in Wisconsin, and I think most of us are above that, and hopefully those kinds of things will stop," says Senator Terry Moulton (R-23rd Senate District).

Senator Moulton is hoping the state can be healed, and both republicans and democrats can come together to work on the state's upcoming budget. Sunday night, hear more from local lawmakers about how they think both parties can work together once again.

Last week Noel Sheppard at NewsBusters observed that ABC, CBS, MSNBC, NBC and NPR had all censored news of these death threats.

To give credit where credit is due, it appears only CNN has had the temerity to report the outrageous behavior of the Democrat Party, President Obama's community organizers and the public sector union bosses.

Which means there's probably an IRS investigation or three in their future.

Isn't it lovely to see the collapse of a civilization right in front of our eyes?


Larwyn's Linx: On and On Wisconsin

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Nation

On and On Wisconsin: NRO
WI Fleebaggers Drafted Rule Used By GOP: LegalIns
Outrage as Judge Blocks Wisconsin Union Law: NewAm

America Through the Looking Glass: Hanson
America: a Nation With an Addict's Mentality: RWN
Palin Visits the Western Wall: Cubachi

Obama-Linked Socialists Encourage Militant Protests: Loudon
Rep. Allen West forms ‘Guardian Leadership PAC’: Cubachi
Kucinich: Are Missile Strikes Impeachable Offenses?: Malkin

The Georgia Mosque Controversy: HillBuzz
Nation of Islam: Selective enforcement or protected speech?: LVRJ
Bridgewater Mosque Construction: War of Words: NJ

Economy

WI's 'Dysfunctional' Supreme Court Doesn't Bode Well: LegalIns
SEIU Hit With RICO Lawsuit, Blames…Koch Brothers: BigGovt
Big Payday for Some Hill Staffers: FW

WI Judge Sumi & Her (SEIU, AFL-CIO) Political Operative Son: RS
When even Cuomo is forced to attack...: Tapscott
Budget Nuclear Option: Shut Down Obama Until the Election: PJM

Climate & Energy

EPA’s Greenhouse Power Grab: Baucus’s Revenge, Democracy’s Peril: PJM
No Nukes? Wind Won't Keep Us Warm: RWN
Brazilian oil giant Petrobras told it can use deep-water vessel in Gulf: Chron

Media

Another Rube Self-Identifies: Instapundit
Setting the Pain Record Straight: Bila
Jane Fonda Disinvited from Keynoting Women’s Summit: Malkin (Powers)

Brazil’s Anti-Obama Riots Ignored by Media: BigJournalism
NYT, There You Go Again (4): Palin
Andrew Sullivan: 'I Don't Know Why Anybody Voted for Obama in the Primaries-It's a Clintonian Mess': NewsBusters

NPR Smears Michelle Malkin After Her Cousin Goes Missing: GWP
Wasted Space at the Washington Compost: NRO
So, Shailagh Murray, when did you start dickering with Biden for a job?: Tapscott

World

Obama Punked by the Arab League on Libya: Tatler
Dear Arab League: You asked for this, now shut up: Toldjah
Japan's disaster toll rises with 18,000 deaths: AP

The Great Barack & War Swindle: Driscoll
Egypt’s Protesters Back in Tahrir Square: Referendum Vote Passes – Favors Muslim Brotherhood: MagNote
Flashback to Obama 2007...: BlogProf

Fortunately, We Have Been Using The Smart Diplomacy: JOM
The New Egypt: Muslims Burn Down Church then Kill the Protestors: NewsReal
The Real Reasons Behind Libya Attack: Petrobras, Soros, 3 Women, “New” U.N. Agenda: RWN

SciTech

AT&T to Buy T-Mobile USA for $39 Billion: Wired
Google accuses China of meddling with Gmail: CNet
STELLAService Raises $2M, Tests Online Customer Services So You Don’t Have To: Crunch

Cornucopia

I probably won't fly down to Rio...: MOTUS
Utah Adopts Official State Firearm: JWF
This Week in Automotivators: RWN

Image: Grouchy Old Cripple
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Find Marizela

QOTD: “I think John Boehner has been an incredible disappointment. I think John Boehner has basically climbed into the Bob Dole suit, and I think they misunderstand the lessons of the 2010 election, which is that the tea party chose to work within the diseased husk of the Republican Party it loathes. And it still hasn’t forgiven for 2006 and 2008. So for the Republicans to demonstrate that ‘hey, we’re back to 2006 again,’ except on Obama-level spending, is not a good idea.

We need Republicans to at least take the lead in broadening public discourse,” he continued. “This country is broke. It’s the brokest country in the history of the planet. And the idea of arguing over itsy-bitsy, half a billion here and half a billion there, and continuing resolutions staggering forward every ten days, is preposterous. It’s inadequate to the task. It’s inadequate for the challenge facing America”

...the political institutions of the United States are simply impervious to course correction ... And there are no good conclusions to be drawn from that, because basically what we’re being offered it one party that wants to floor it and put its foot on the pedal as we go over the cliff, and another party that says, ‘Oh, no, no, no, it’s OK – vote for us. We’re only going to go over the cliff in third gear.’ That’s not enough of a choice for a functioning two-party system." --Mark Steyn

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Top 25 #ObamaMissionNames [Bumped & Updated]

Well, the real name -- supposedly -- was "Operation Odyssey Dawn". So the big hash-tag tonight last night listed some alternatives. My favorites?

25. @_EternalRuler_ Operation "bitter Libyan clingers".
24. @irishspy Operation Enduring Narcissism
23. @NotChrisRock Operation Brazilian Wax
22. @Hanif_Ali Operation so that's what the red button does
21. @OMFGitzDLAU Operation, STOP! Hammer Time.
20. @breeannehowe Operation France Backed Me Into A Corner
19. @directorblue Operation Enduring Urkel
18. @TheWardini Operation tear down this tent
17. @dancurry Operation Bracketus Interruptus
16. @krmullins1964 Operation Beer Summit!
15. @AmishFlyers66 Operation Nine Months In The Senate Didn't Prepare Me For This Sh**
14. @krmullins1964 Operation One Term President!
13. @directorblue Operation Waffle Ditherer
12. @jwehrle Operation Back Nine
11. @voltnation Operation Chevy Volt
10. @iowahawkblog Operation Unlike Bush Wars This One Is Justified Because Hey Look A Squirrel
9. @directorblue Operation Panty-Waist
8. @iowahawkblog Operation Summer's Eve
7. @MDMRN Operation Organizing for Libya
6. @xKidAndroidx Operation Call of Duty
5. @libertys56 Operation Nobel Peace Prize
4. @sgo2267 Operation If Michael Moore Calls Tell Him I'm Not In
3. @TRMirCat Operation FINE! I'll do something
2. @_EternalRuler_ Operation "Why can't I just eat my waffle?"
1. @timharder Operation Double Standard

Bonus #ObamaMissionNames:

5. @JimmyJames38: Operation Husky Kid Body Slamming Flea Sized Bully
4. @IowaHawkBlog: Operation Cognitive Dissonance
3. @The_Gnu_JGH: Operation My Own Private Kosovo
2. @djsmuzz: Operation Aimless Fury
1. @ToddRoberts1962: Operation Start without Me
0. @directorblue: Operation Merciless Unicorn


Photo o' the Day: Connections

Doc Holiday:

This picture was taken right after the earthquake in Japan...

...and shows you how every living thing on this planet is connected (Thanks to Billy Zero for the photo)


Crony Capitalism Digest: General Electric to Purchase Immense Fleet of Chevy Volts That Aren't Marketable in the Real World

Every once in a while we get a glimpse into GM's Chevy Volt sales and they always remind me of Chris Farley in Tommy Boy.

'How many Volts did we sell, Tommy?' 'Uhm... ni... niner.' 'I can't hear you, you're trailing off and did I catch a niner in there?'

...General Motors lobbied for a $7,500 tax refund for all buyers, under the shaky (if not false) promise that it was producing the first all-electric mass-production vehicle... At least that's what we were once told... GM has continually revised downward its estimates of how far the machine would go before the gas engine fired, and now says 25 to 50 miles.

It turns out that the premium-fuel fired engine does drive the wheels... It's doubtful that GM would have gotten such a subsidy if it had been revealed that the car would do much of its freeway cruising with a gas engine powering the wheels. [After all, a] hybrid is a hybrid, and the Prius no longer qualifies for a tax credit.

...[The Volt Consumer Reports] tested cost [a] whopping $48,700 minus the credit... [one] reason that Volt sales are anemic: 326 in December, 321 in January, and 281 in February. GM announced a production run of 100,000 in the first two years. Who is going to buy all these cars?

...Recently, President Obama selected General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt to chair his Economic Advisory Board. GE is awash in windmills waiting to be subsidized so they can provide unreliable, expensive power.

Consequently, and soon after his appointment, Immelt announced that GE will buy 50,000 Volts in the next two years, or half the total produced. Assuming the corporation qualifies for the same tax credit, we (you and me) just shelled out $375,000,000 to a company to buy cars that no one else wants so that GM will not tank and produce even more cars that no one wants...

Don't bother waiting for Statist kooks like Anthony Weiner to decry these tax breaks for 'millionaires and billionaires'.

And a related thought: don't liberals read history books? Obviously not, because the last command-and-control economy this size was in a land called the Soviet Union.

And we all know how that turned out.


Hat tip: Moonbattery.

What I Like About Obama

Via Glenn Reynolds, the blog comment of the day, month and/or year.

What I like about Obama

Obviously, the biggest problem with Bush was sending the military into an Arab Muslim country that hadn't even attacked us. Among the several things that made that offensive were

• the rush to war - it was only several months after the possibility of military involvement was raised that combat operations began

• lack of United Nations sanction - only 17 relevant resolutions were ever passed before they were enforced


• lack of Congressional oversight - the President authorized the use of military force based on the flimsy pretext of a bill passed by Congress titled "Authorization of the Use of Military Force", rather than seeking a document that had the words "declaration of war" in it; that's every bit as bad as getting no Congressional approval at all

• obvious financial motives - clearly no one approved of the murderous dictator or sought a normal working relationship with him besides the French; at the same time, one couldn't help but be suspicious of the fact that the population we were ostensibly protecting was located conveniently near the oil fields

• stretching our military - we were overburdened as it was, and our brave military despite its courage lacked the resources for yet another operation

• inflating our military - the only way to keep the bloodthirsty Pentagon beast fed was to give it the hordes of jobless young men who had no prospects in an economy that saw unemployment skyrocket above 4% in most states

• ignoring our generals - the decision to go to war was made by political hacks who had never worn a uniform

• inflaming the Arab Street - despite some touchy-feely talk about Islam, it was impossible for the Muslim world not to notice how the President made repeated, insistent proclamations of his Christianity, how he only ever used the military against Muslim targets, and how at the time the war started he'd kept the concentration camp at Guantanamo open for over a year

• wasting money - it was completely irresponsible to commit the military to an expensive mission when the President's fiscal mismanagement had resulted in a budget deficit of over $150 billion in 2002

But anyway, what I really like about Obama is that he's gone 29-3 in his bracket picks over the first two days. You have to spend a lot of time watching college basketball to be that good.

Wow. I recommend putting ice on that.


An Open Letter to Union Members Only (Not Bosses)

Dear Union Member,

Did you know that your very own union bosses are working against you? Did you know that almost all union officials are out to make themselves wealthier and more powerful -- while impoverishing you in the process? And did you know that this is easy to prove, if you can just assemble the puzzle pieces? Please consider:

Mining Workers - According to a study by the United Mine Workers of America, a new EPA rule cracking down on 'airborne toxins' could cost 250,000 workers their jobs.

Steel Workers - The United Steelworkers wrote last August that the EPA's new environmental regulations would cost "tens of thousands" of union members their jobs.

Farm Workers - Legendary unions like the UFW are threatened by oppressive EPA regulations ranging from oversight of spilled milk to dust kicked up by farm equipment. By making farming more expensive with onerous regulations, fewer dollars can be spent on workers' salaries and benefits. Layoffs of union members will be the inevitable result.

Labor - For at least a dozen years, certain powerful union bosses have advocated open borders policies. In 2000, the AFL-CIO's bosses "called for blanket amnesty for illegal immigrants." And today, despite high unemployment, leaders of big unions like the SEIU still pursue the same policy of "comprehensive immigration legislation (i.e., amnesty)." This could cost union members hundreds of thousands of jobs as lower-wage workers displace American citizens throughout the economy.

When you get your next paycheck, take a minute to calculate how much money is going to union dues (for example, $90). Multiply that by the number of pay periods per year (say, 26). The total (in this example, nearly $2,500) is going to line the pockets of the union bosses and donate exclusively to one political party: the Democrats.

Your money -- the product of your labor, your finite time on Earth spent working -- is being stolen and funneled to the same political party bent on destroying you. The EPA is destroying jobs. The Department of the Interior is destroying jobs. The Department of Labor's open borders advocacy is destroying jobs. All of these immense bureaucracies, which you pay for with your taxes (more money stolen from you) are targeting you, America's backbone.

And they do so with the full knowledge and help from the union bosses who support Democrats.

If you want to save this country for yourself and your children -- to save this country from rampant deficit spending, insane immigration policies, nightmarish environmental regulations -- you need to ignore the bosses whose mansions and boats you're funding with your hard work. You must throw out the Democrats bent on destroying you and your family.

America hangs in the balance.

Sincerely,

Doug Ross


Linked by: Protein Wisdom. Thanks!

Larwyn's Linx: Death Threats by the Dozens in Wisconsin

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Nation

Death Threats by the Dozens in Wisconsin: Murdock
O'Keefe Receives Death Wish/Threat: WZ
Obama wants to disarm us for our own good: BigGovt

Family Feud: Do Republicans Need A Therapist?: BigGovt
FL judge allows case to proceed under Islamic law: JihadWatch
Chicago Commies, Reconquistadors Unite Against America: MB

On Planet Obama, Life's a Beach: Pundette
Reconquistadors Mob Arizona Attorney General: MB
Sarah Palin Sure Sounds Like She’s Running for President: Powers

Economy

Activist Judge sides with public sector unions, again: AT
The two-trillion-dollar mistake, Take 2: Hot Air
Amtrak CEO's train breaks down on way to Biden station: Malkin

Government Motors Guilty of Fraud on Chevy Volt: MB
Allen West Warns of 'Fiscal Armageddon': Cubachi
Rand Paul Proposes $4 Trillion Budget Cut: Mediaite

Climate & Energy

Another Gulf Oil Spill Near Deepwater Drilling Site – W&T’s Matterhorn SeaStar: SHN
IPCC guru was a student when writing 'authoritative' reports: AT
Guess What’s Building On Mount Kilimanjaro?: RWN

Efforts Underway In Alaska To Dismantle Sarah Palin’s Successful Oil Tax Program, (ACES): NiceDeb
The Reality of Wind Turbines in California: WUWT
Thank God For North Dakota (and Brazil?): Randy

Media

Threats Made Against Ann Althouse; Dan Riehl Interviews The Skel Making The Threats: Ace
Steyn disappointed in GOP: ‘I think John Boehner has basically climbed into the Bob Dole suit’: Caller
Michael Moore rips Obama over Libya: Hill

Questions about Libya: Pundette
Michael Moore Rips Obama Over Libya, Compares Him to Bush, Suggests He Return Nobel Peace Prize: WZ
Andrea Mitchell Explains Why NPR Should Be Funded With Your Money: MB

World

This is Your World without Traditional US Leadership: Greenroom
Chernobyl in perspective: A footnote: Power Line
Obama Plagiarizes Bush: Surber

Obama vs. Obama on War Justification: VS
Palin's Passage to India: sisu
Jets over Libya as H. Clinton Assumes Presidency: Simon

Is "Regime Change" The End Game In Libya?: Ace
“Who The Hell Do You Think Your Are?” Farrakhan Blasts Obama For Calling For Gaddafi to Step Down: FlopAce
Egypt: Hundreds of Islamists Hurl Stones at ElBaradei, Prevent Him From Voting on Constitutional Referendum: WZ

SciTech

RIP Digg.: TechCrunch
The Death of the Telephone: I Won't Miss It: BSF
Watch giant tsunami wave approach a Japanese ship: Jalopnik

Cornucopia

Random Thoughts By Big Marko-D: Clarion
Pick Your Own Regulation: C&S
Man Captures Video of Japan’s Tsunami Wave Rolling in from Inside his Car: WZ

Image: Gateway Pundit
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Find Marizela

QOTD: “Dear News Media:”: "Remember back in ’50s and early ’60s, when we set off something like 900 atomic bombs in Nevada? And how we just let the fallout blow wherever and it landed all over the eastern US? And how it wiped out life as we know it and all that was left from Colorado to the Atlantic were six-legged rats battling two-headed cockroaches in the glowing ruins? ... Yeah. Exactly. So shut up with the panic already."

Saturday, March 19, 2011

JudicialWatch: Misunderstanderers of Islam Recruiting Youngsters to Slaughter Children of Non-Believers

JudicialWatch has released documents it obtained from the Defense Department that detail an organized campaign by Islamofascists to recruit children and to launch terrorist attacks against the children of "non-believers".

• Extremist groups in Saudi Arabia and Yemen used religion as the main mechanism for recruiting juveniles. Extremist groups preferred juveniles who were poor or involved in illegal activities since they made easy targets for recruitment.

• Extremist groups are not looking for a particular characteristic in a recruit, but prefer juveniles who are poor or are involved in drinking and drugs. The juveniles are looking for happiness and fulfillment in their lives, and they have not found it. For these reasons they are susceptible to being brainwashed by extremist groups.

• No juvenile has resisted taking part in an operation. Most juveniles are eager to participate after hearing a religious speech given by one of the trainers at the camp.

• The Terrorist and Extremist Groups (TEGS) justify their attacks on young children (ages 5 through 17) by claiming that the children are either non-believers or children of non-believers. The attacks on children are deliberate actions.

• The attacks on children are psychological operations against non-believers to prevent them from organizing against the TEGS. The TEGS attack schools and buses to maximize psychological effect. Attacks against children in schools and buses are used because they are easy targets. The attacks are conducted to show non-believers how little the TEGS think of non-believers’ lives who are against Islam.

• The TEGS consider attacks on children legitimate. The TEGS believe the attacks on children are a religious good deed and attackers will go to heaven. The TEGS encourage their members to launch attacks on children.

• Juvenile females are recruited into the extremist groups, but not for operational purposes. The juvenile females become brides for extremist members.

If you're waiting patiently for America's un-indicted co-conspirators like CAIR to denounce these 7th century barbarians, I'd advise you not to hold your breath.


A Rudderless World: Three Graphs

An excellent Wall Street Journal interactive graphic depicts the tidal wave of unrest sweeping the Middle East.

Far from any sort of organized 'democracy movement', it is worth remembering that the region's civil unrest began for primarily one reason, which is honestly described by Ghana's major online news magazine.

The ongoing popular uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East poses the question if other developing countries, including Ghana, may experience similar or other forms of uprisings in the light of the imminent global food crisis of 2011... ...In 2008 riots from Haiti to Bangladesh to Egypt over the soaring costs of basic foods have brought the issue to a boiling point and catapulted it to the forefront of the world's attention...

...A major IFPRI Report launched in February 2011 stated that the causes of the 2008 global food crisis were similar to that of the 1972-74 food crisis, in that the oil price and energy price was the major driver, as well as the shock to cereal demand (from biofuels this time), low interest rates, devaluation of the dollar, declining stocks, and some adverse weather conditions....

As the dollar has drifted lower (illustrated in the above chart), thanks to a strategy of printing dollars (i.e., "Quantitative Easing") on the part of the Federal Reserve, the price of energy has skyrocketed as it is bought and sold using dollars.

Food prices, dependent upon fuel to farm and transport, have likewise leaped.

Notice a correlation?

The short version of the story is this: the policies of the hard-left Democrats have led directly to hunger, starvation and civil unrest around the world:

• Using food as fuel in bizarre efforts to reduce carbon dioxide, which is a plant food and beneficial to the environment

• And catastrophic deficit spending, adding nearly 60% to the national debt in three short years, which has resulted in the need to print trillions of dollars and enslave our children to debt

Everything the Democrats touch turns to crap, from their utterly reckless and criminal actions in the housing market to their global warming scam; from their country-bankrupting spending policies to their 'War on Poverty' that spreads more poverty and misery than any social program in history.

Everything they do is a failure -- and Barack Obama is their perfect poster-child.


After standing idly by for three weeks waiting for the world to step up, Obama launches Tomahawk attacks, stating that he "cannot stand idly by"

Bold, decisive action. That's what I think of when I contemplate the presidency of Barack Obama. Not Motown parties, not golf, not pickup basketball games, not NCAA brackets, not fundraisers, not vacations, not pontificating about the benefits of public sector unions, no, none of those things.

Just bold, decisive action.

President Obama said today he authorized U.S. missile strikes on Libya as part of a "broad coalition" seeking to protect Libyan citizens from attacks by dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

"This is not an outcome the United States or any of our partners sought," Obama said from Brazil, later adding: "But we cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people that there will be no mercy."

Obama, who is starting a five-day tour of Latin America, also said he is "deeply aware of the risks of any military action, no matter what limits we place on it," and "it's not a choice that I make lightly."

Using the word "coalition" five times in a three-minute address, Obama said, "we are answering the calls of a threatened people, and we are acting in the interests of the United States and the world."

Obama also repeated that he will not use ground troops in what has been dubbed "Operation Waffle Ditherer".

Okay, I made up that last part.

Although my operation name is probably a little bit more apt than "Aurora Dawn", considering as how the mad despot of Libya has been slaughtering people for three weeks now.


Larwyn's Linx: Randianism

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

Nation

Randianism: ProWis
Capitol Hill's Lindsay Lohan: Malkin
Obama to donors: 'Never take me for granted': Ace

WI A.G. Slams Ruling Blocking Union Reform, Promises Appeal: BG
Judge halts WI collective bargaining law: JSOnline
Dems argue party failing to humanize cuts, losing message war: Hill

A Theory On The Budget, The Shutdown And Libya: HayRide
Shankman issues warning, denies making death threat: Riehl
How to speed up the drug approval process: PJM

Economy

“Judge temporarily blocks Wis. union law”: ProWis
MI State Police Put In Danger by Lansing Mayor?: Malkin
Socialists flood Chicago immigration rally: Blaze

Union Violence Update: MI, WI and NJ: RWN
TARP Revisionism Watch: AmSpec
Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes? The SEC Perhaps?: RedState

Climate & Energy

A Simple Way to Get Rid of Ruinous Regulations: WashExam
Wind Farms Kill Whales: RWN
Your Fukushima Is Kohoutek Update: CBullitt

Media

Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush: Levin
The Blood on Obama's Hands: TL in Exile
Politico Tries To Cover For Obama’s Brazil Trip: RWN

'Setting the Palin Record Straight': ProWis
Well, So Much for ‘The Year of the Whistleblowers’: Driscoll
Please continue to believe that Sarah Palin is the unqualified one: Wizbang

The Gunwalker Scandal: Why? Where did it start? How high does it go? Issa should ask Rahm: Sipsey
For Nancy Pelosi It’s Lonely at the… Bottom: RWN
Helen Thomas to Playboy: Jews ‘own the White House’: Politico

World

Nuclear Warhead Parts Bound for Iran Seized in South Korea, Malaysia: Verum Serum
Will a nuclear Caliphate arise in the Middle East?: IBD
Genocide in Israel: NRO

Palin Doctrine Emerges as Arab League Echoes Her Demarche on Libya: NY Sun
Obama: the Weakest President in History?: Express (UK)
Good News: Exhausted Obama Now Planning Irish Golf Trip: JWF

663 Illegal Aliens From Countries With Ties to Terrorism Arrested Along Southwest Border in 2010: CNS
Srebrenica Resurrected: RedState
Egyptian Children's TV Show: We Must Liberate Jerusalem from 'the Disgusting Jews': Jawa

Professor Obama Explains Lessons To Be Learned From Latin America Trip: RWN
Libya: Preemptive Collateral Damage: Rosett
Facebook Jihad: Calling for Another Muslim War Against the Jews: Atlas

SciTech

Latest Digitalglobe Satellite Photo Of Fukushima, As Thermal Imaging Continues To Be Top Secret: ZH
Hacking ATM Users By Gluing Down Keys: Schneier
How to make a nuclear reactor that can't have a meltdown: DVice

Cornucopia

Your Bracket Awaits, Mr. President!: IowaHawk
Obama’s Social Security Number ….. Or Is It?: iOTW
St. Patrick’s Day: “Present” and Engaged: MOTUS

March Madness: Insane Muammar Gaddafi Picks Himself, Yemen, Tunisia over Pro-Dem Insurgency: Doswell
Spy Shots: BMW flings M3 pickup around the 'Ring: Autoblog
10 Best Fight Videos: RWN

Image: American Spectator
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Please donate to help continue the search for Marizela Perez

QOTD: "Here, let me solve, like eight problems. Build the nuclear reactors at ANWR. You're welcome!" --Dennis Miller

Friday, March 18, 2011

Thank a union boss: city workers 'shell-shocked' after half of Costa Mesa employees are laid off and one then apparently commits suicide

The Los Angeles Times reports the tragic, but not unexpected, news of another union "negotiation" gone south.

Costa Mesa has sent layoff notices to nearly half of its employees in a dramatic austerity program being closely watched by other cities struggling with ballooning pension obligations.

The move was sharply criticized by union leaders, and it stunned city employees, one of whom apparently committed suicide by jumping off Costa Mesa City Hall hours after layoff notices went out Thursday.

...Costa Mesa is among hundreds of local governments around the country facing massive future shortfalls in what they owe retirees. This year's tab — $15 million out of the city's $93-million budget — is estimated to grow to more than $25 million within five years... Faced with an unprecedented pension and retiree healthcare crisis, "cities are being forced to look at things that would've been unthinkable before," he said.

It's not just the mid-sized cities: San Francisco is facing a truly dire situation that almost defies explanation.

San Francisco's public pension crisis is way worse than many thought... The San Francisco Employees Retirement System (SFERS), which covers most of the city's municipal workers,faces an unfunded liability of $4.4 billion on a market value basis. That's nearly $35,000 per every San Francisco household.

...SFERS' reported liability is based on an optimistic 7.75% annual rate of return. If the 1990-1999 historical average rate of return - 6.2% - is used, the city's unfunded pension liability grows to $6.8 billion.

...The city also reports more than $4.364 billion in unfunded retiree health care costs. That figure will likely grow to $9.5 billion by 2028. Without major policy changes, "the probability of San Francisco meeting its unfunded health care obligation is zero."

Thank the Democrats... and the unions. But I repeat myself.

In only five years' time, San Francisco's pension and health care costs are projected to hit $1 billion annually, more than the police, fire, sheriff, district attorney and probation departments -- combined.

There is only one way for the city to dig out of this hole: to reform the pension programs. But the city's labor unions "have made it clear that any changes will meet stiff resistance."

And that's just one reason the Democrats are called "the party of fiscal destruction."

Which is, I've heard, the term they prefer.


CBO has good news and bad news on the Obama budget. The good: deficit is much worse than predicted. The bad: the U.S. will collapse long before 2020.

Douglas Holtz-Eakin offers us a sobering snapshot of the latest Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report on President Obama's budget. I won't bore you with the details. Only a few low-lights are necessary.

• The national debt-to-GDP ratio rises above 87 percent - close to that of Greece.

• Their numbers are rosy because the CBO's deficit projections include $500 billion in Obamacare Medicare cuts without a so-called "doc fix". Obamacare also places immense obligations on state Medicaid systems when states can least afford them.

• The CBO predicts a downgrade of the U.S. as a sovereign borrower in only seven years. Put simply, the full faith and credit of our country is critically wounded as the federal government loses its coveted AAA credit rating. In short, it's like an individual having a crappy credit score: everything costs more.

The executive summary according to the Associated Press? "CBO: Obama understates deficits by $2.3 trillion."

In this case, the word "understates" means "lies about".

But, as you might expect, the real story is far worse than the CBO is letting on. After all, their analysts can only review scenarios as they are presented.

But over at MacroMon, a recent article explains why the world's largest bond investor shed his trillion-dollar-plus portfolio of U.S. Treasury debt. Hint: he thinks it's a really, really bad investment.

Background: the U.S. Treasury is prohibited from selling bonds directly to the Federal Reserve. Instead it sells them through so-called "primary dealers" (PDs) via auctions. But, as the graph depicts, the Federal Reserve is the one buying almost all new debt from the PDs, while paying hefty -- think hundreds of millions of dollars in markups -- for the privilege.

In short, the only folks willing to buy 10-year Treasuries that pay less than 3.5 percent would be your Federal Reserve. Which could explain why Bill Gross sold his U.S. debt when he did.

I don't mean to be Johnny Buzzkill, but I've got one more snippet for you.

In "Slouching to Fiscal Armageddon", Chris Banescu offers several ominous portents.

• The 2011 budget deficit is forecast to hit $1.5 trillion, the largest in history and 10% of America's total economic output (GDP)

• This follows a 2010 deficit of $1.3 trillion and a $1.65 deficit forecast for 2012. The three years under Democrat leadership have led to the most catastrophic deficits not just in U.S. history, but in world history.

• In those three years, the Obama Democrats have rung up $4.5 trillion in debt, double the entire $2.1 trillion incurred under eight years of the Bush 43 administration. This is an increase in deficit spending of roughly 570%.

• 40 cents of every dollar we now spend is borrowed.

• Within the next year, the country's debt will surpass our GDP.

• This year alone, we will spend $200 billion in interest payments -- and as we saw above -- those interest payments are being held extraordinarily low through a glut of short-term, low-interest financing; but as interest rates increase, as they must, we could hit $1 trillion a year in interest payments alone.

• And I haven't even touched upon the unfunded liabilities of Obamacare, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, which are projected to hit $144 trillion in unfunded obligations by 2015.

Now, consider the fact that the Democrats proposed a cut of $4.7 billion -- or about 25 hours of spending for the fiscal year 2012. As Banescu aptly puts it, "Clearly Democrats are not interested in helping this country avoid fiscal calamity."

A devastating debt crisis is coming; simple mathematics predict it. It is no longer a matter of if, but when. The time for hysterics, hyperbole, and finger-pointing is over. The time for political games, grand-standing, and partisan shenanigans is long past. This is no longer about Democrat, Republican, liberal, conservative, or progressive issues. This affects all of us. The looming danger crosses all party and ideological lines and jeopardizes all Americans, present and future generations. We're staring down a massive debt tsunami that threatens the US with a fiscal Armageddon the likes of which we've never seen.

Since Democrats and the White House are obviously unwilling to face reality and completely AWOL on this crisis, here's a call to action to the conservatives and the Tea Party lawmakers in Washington, our only remaining hope... [Republicans,] you're going to be demonized and vilified anyway, regardless of what you do, [so] make a stand and demand meaningful reductions in government spending... Didn't the ObamaCare battles and the last few decades of disastrous compromises with liberals and progressives teach you anything?

...Demand real action and sweeping reforms. Do not back down and compromise just to get along. It doesn't work! Be ready to shut down the government if you have to... Make the hard choices and stand behind your principles. That is real leadership!

Thus far, our feckless, RINO leadership in the House can't muster either the eloquence or the courage to explain the dire situation in which we find ourselves. They also can't seem to craft a Continuous Resolution to fund only those parts of the government -- i.e., not Obamacare -- that the American people want.

I urge you to call the offices of Speaker Boehner and Leader Cantor and explain to them -- politely but firmly -- that there is no flipping time to spare. None.

The fuse on the time-bomb, which was lit by the 111th Congress and a radical Statist President, has but a nub remaining.


Linked by: Michelle Malkin, Protein Wisdom and The Tatler. Thanks!

Tokyo in danger? Animated radiation tracker depicts a troubling change in weather predicted for tomorrow

Tyler Durden at Zero Hedge is doing some of the best news aggregation related to the tragic aftermath of the Japanese quake, tsunami and nuclear disasters.

An animated fallout tracker illustrates a possible shift in the winds that could send plumes of radioactive material -- the actual amount is debatable -- into Tokyo itself*.


Well, you say, it can't be that bad, can it?

Hmm. Do you know who this man is?

This picture comes to us courtesy of The London Daily Mail, which captions it "The moment nuclear plant chief WEPT as Japanese finally admit that radiation leak is serious enough to kill people."

The boss of the company behind the devastated Japanese nuclear reactor today broke down in tears - as his country finally acknowledged the radiation spewing from the over-heating reactors and fuel rods was enough to kill some citizens... Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency admitted that the disaster was a level 5, which is classified as a crisis causing 'several radiation deaths' by the UN International Atomic Energy.

Officials said the rating was raised after they realised the full extent of the radiation leaking from the plant. They also said that 3 per cent of the fuel in three of the reactors at the Fukushima plant had been severely damaged, suggesting those reactor cores have partially melted down.

After Tokyo Electric Power Company Managing Director Akio Komiri cried as he left a conference to brief journalists on the situation at Fukushima, a senior Japanese minister also admitted that the country was overwhelmed by the scale of the tsunami and nuclear crisis... Deputy director general of the NISA, Hideohiko Nishiyama, also admitted that they do not know if the reactors are coming under control.

Pray for the people of Japan.


* Map source: Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG), Austria


Linked by: Michelle Malkin. Thanks!.

Larwyn's Linx: Rep. Mike Pence Says It's Time To Pick A Fight

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

Nation

Congressman Mike Pence Says It's Time To Pick A Fight: Hewitt
ATF agents write Issa on Project Gunrunner: Sipsey
Tea Party Express battles California GOP leaders: Politico

Wisconsin or Venezuela?: AT
Don't let Wisconsin 2011 become Massachusetts 2010: LegalIns
Jim DeMint Blasts Defends Romney on RomneyCare: Ace

The Truth About Reform: IBD
Qadaffi's Chicago Connection: AT
Allen West: Obama Is an Unserious President: TRS

Economy

America Slouching Towards Fiscal Armageddon: AT
'War on Poverty': How many trillions must we waste?: Foundry
Dems’ Proposed Cuts: 1/7th of Deficit--for Tuesday: NRO

Bureaucrats to union thugs: Come out fighting: Tapscott
NJ shuts down Barack Obama Elementary School: Malkin
Say DEBT 50 Times, Fast.: RedState

Update to WI Public Union Extortion Letter: Ace
Scathing Report Details CalPERS Bribery Scandal: PEhub
Dems find tax increase they won't support!: RWR

Climate & Energy

Did Ken Salazar Mislead Congress on Drilling Applications?: WZ
The Warmist Cult: AT
Japan’s Tsunami Threatens The Global Warming Movement: WUWT

Media

House Votes to Defund NPR: Malkin
MSNBC: Hey, At Least Obama Isn’t a Chain-Smoking Fatty like Churchill!: RightSphere
Sarah Palin, the GOP "blue bloods" and "The aristocracy of nature": sisu

The Media and the Republicans: AT
20 Days of Left-Wing Thuggery in Wisconsin: When Will Obama, Democrats, and MSM Call for Civility?: BigGovt
Another Brick in the Paywall: WyBlog

World

‘Where Are the Americans?’ A Tale of Two Tsunamis: Kimball
Obama’s Rio Trip — No Treaties, No Summits, No Diplomatic Breakthroughs: WZ
Japan: 'I see no signs of fear ... I can feel my heart opening very wide' : SMH

After Dithering, Obama Decides He Wants To Bomb Libya: RWN
Rubio to State Dep’t spokesman: Why did we wait for the UN to act against Qaddafi?: Hot Air
Vlog: Fukushima is no Chernobyl, and here's why: BlogProf

Egypt Frees 950 Islamist Prisoners Including Ayman al-Zawahiri’s Brother: WZ
Barack Obama’s “understanding” of all things Muslim: RWN
Yen hits record-high against US dollar as Nikkei falls: BBC

British Public Schools to Push Homosexual Curriculum: RWN
Japan 3-17-11: Worry About Cholera, Plague, Dysentery, Not Neutrons: CBullitt
Sitting in their classroom, 30 children whose parents have not returned after tsunami: Daily Mail (UK)

SciTech

Nine secret tricks for Google services: Macworld
White House wants wiretapping privileges for... copyright violators: CNet
Tweets that can get you fired: Forbes

Cornucopia

Why Do Despots Hate Teh Boobehs?: Ace
Efficiency versus Survivability: Wizbang
Forward, Into the Past: Driscoll

Image: iOwnTheWorld.
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Sad Hill News Hits 500,000 Mark

QOTD: "So the environmental, flat Earth, no-growth Marxists want all of us to drive electric cars. Could we at least wait until scientists have created a battery that will power a freaking iPhone for just one day?" --Me, just now.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Disenchantment Digest: March 17th Edition

Count the following drones among those who have lost the faith.

• There's Hillary Clinton:

Fed up with a president “who can’t make his mind up” as Libyan rebels are on the brink of defeat, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is looking to the exits... At the tail end of her mission to bolster the Libyan opposition, which has suffered days of losses to Col. Moammar Gadhafi’s forces, Clinton announced that she’s done with Obama after 2012 — even if he wins again.

“Obviously, she’s not happy with dealing with a president who can’t decide if today is Tuesday or Wednesday, who can’t make his mind up,” a Clinton insider told The Daily. “She’s exhausted, tired... If you take a look at what’s on her plate as compared with what’s on the plates of previous Secretary of States — there’s more going on now at this particular moment, and it’s like playing sports with a bunch of amateurs. And she doesn’t have any power. She’s trying to do what she can to keep things from imploding.”

Clinton is said to be especially peeved with the president’s waffling over how to encourage the kinds of Arab uprisings that have recently toppled regimes in Egypt and Tunisia, and in particular his refusal to back a no-fly zone over Libya.

In the past week, former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton’s former top adviser Anne-Marie Slaughter lashed out at Obama for the same reason... The tension has even spilled over into her dealings with European diplomats, with whom she met early this week... When French president Nicolas Sarkozy urged her to press the White House to take more aggressive action in Libya, Clinton repeatedly replied only, “There are difficulties,” according to Foreign Policy magazine.

...Or as the insider described Obama’s foreign policy shop: "It’s amateur night."

• There's Joan Baez:

POLITICO: Amnesty International has been very outspoken in denouncing military commissions at Guantanamo Bay, and just this month the president announced that those trials would resume for detainees, ending a two-year hiatus. What was your reaction when you heard that news?

Baez: It's a sin. There's no excuse for it in the first place. To have people detained there for nine years without having a trial boggles the imagination. I'm not sure why it stays open.

POLITICO: The president campaigned on the promise of closing Guantanamo. What does this move mean to someone like yourself, who supported his candidacy in 2008?

Baez: Part of that stuff comes from just being in office. I'm not defending him at all, but I know that people with those ideals and dreams, once you get into office, your hands are tied by so many people. My concern with Obama is, I don't know who he listens to. He's a Nobel Peace Prize winner — as kind of silly as that was and premature — but he could meet with Nobel Peace Prize winners who have moved mountains and he could do extraordinary things by not falling into the trap that I think he is: of waking up in the morning and meeting with the military. So that's all he gets for input, unless we can make ourselves heard somehow.

• And there's The Aspen Institute:

If the Aspen Institute represents America’s liberal elite, then Obama is in trouble... Lloyd Grove writes for the Daily Beast that attendees at this year’s Aspen Ideas Festival, who might be considered as Obama’s “natural base” are outspokenly critical of him. Below are excerpts from Grove’s article, “The Elite Turn Against Obama“:

“If you’re asking if the United States is about to become a socialist state, I’d say it’s actually about to become a European state, with the expansiveness of the welfare system and the progressive tax system like what we’ve already experienced in Western Europe,” Harvard business and history professor Niall Ferguson declared during Monday’s kickoff session, offering a withering critique of Obama’s economic policies, which he claimed were encouraging laziness. “The curse of longterm unemployment is that if you pay people to do nothing, they’ll find themselves doing nothing for very long periods of time,” Ferguson said. “Long-term unemployment is at an all-time high in the United States, and it is a direct consequence of a misconceived public policy.”

Ferguson was joined in his harsh attack by billionaire real estate mogul and New York Daily News owner Mort Zuckerman. “The real problem we have,” Zuckerman said, “are some of the worst economic policies in place today that, in my judgment, go directly against the long-term interests of this country.”

Both [Ferguson and Zuckerman] lambasted Obama’s trillion-dollar deficit spending program—in the name of economic stimulus to cushion the impact of the 2008 financial meltdown—as fiscally ruinous, potentially turning America into a second-rate power.

I'd print out the complete list of those disenchanted with Obama, but my spreadsheet maxes out at 65,535 records.