October 05, 2011
Palin Not Running
I don't have much to add but AllahPundit sure does.
I agree with a lot of his analysis, though calling it a "smart call" rather misses the point. Palin was the only candidate talking about the inherently corrupting nature of corporatism and the worrisome implications of an increasingly insulated political elite. I'd have liked to see her run to push those issues.
I agree with a lot of his analysis, though calling it a "smart call" rather misses the point. Palin was the only candidate talking about the inherently corrupting nature of corporatism and the worrisome implications of an increasingly insulated political elite. I'd have liked to see her run to push those issues.
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15 minutes of Melanie Phillips
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September 25, 2011
It Was Not Even Close!
UPDATE: As this is a political post, it has now descended below he fold.
Note that the .gif is actually somewhat related.
more...
Note that the .gif is actually somewhat related.
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September 14, 2011
Golly.....
more...
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September 10, 2011
A Snowballs Chance in a Blast Furnace
This post drifts into the partisan arena below the fold. It may contain images that some will find disturbing, or unpleasant.
Everyone ought to read more Yotsuba&!
more...
Everyone ought to read more Yotsuba&!
As compensation for this, here is the very antithesis of partisanship... Yotsuba&! producing less worrisome images.
For those who dare, hit "more" to get on with the politics...
UPDATE: The post below the fold has been updated.
For those who dare, hit "more" to get on with the politics...
UPDATE: The post below the fold has been updated.
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A More Pernicious Madness
Reuters reports on an EU study that indicates that nearly 40% of Europeans suffer from mental illness. The definition of mental illness in the study seems on one hand to be rather broad, as it includes insomnia and anxiety. On the other hand I don't think the government study is likely to recognize THIS for the madness it is...
OK the translation is imperfect...but damn. Due to hysteria over geneticall modified crops, the EU is going to forbid...the bees...from approaching politically incorrect flowers.
Note that being surrounded by such dingalings would seem to indicate that the responses of anxiety and insomnia are actually a sign of sanity.
At the instigation of a mentally unbalanced bee-keeper, the similarly unbalanced European Court (EuGH), the highest court in the EUSSR, is considering whether honeybees are allowed to approach genetically modified plants and take their pollen. If they are not, then, first, the resultant honey must be removed from supermarket shelves and burned in a carbon-neutral fashion. Second, bees will be forbidden to approach inappropriate blossoms.
OK the translation is imperfect...but damn. Due to hysteria over geneticall modified crops, the EU is going to forbid...the bees...from approaching politically incorrect flowers.
Bee-girl is by Nardak, who had nothing to do with the added text.
Note that being surrounded by such dingalings would seem to indicate that the responses of anxiety and insomnia are actually a sign of sanity.
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September 07, 2011
The Great Debate
...was great.
Seriously, it was a really good exchange. I was surprised.
Despite the focus on Perry and Romney several of the others were quite strong. Perry was not stellar but he gave a credible and solid performance and Romney seemed to hold his own.
Cain did well in previous debates and he has grown as a candidate. This was his best performance ever, with answers that were not only well delivered but remarkable in their specificity.
Thank goodness for Newt...he is not executive material but he is a damned good idea man and these debates are much better for his presence. He actually did hit it out of the park a couple of times. He needs to at least be an adviser in the next administration.
Huntsman came off better than he has before, in that he got to talk, and though he likely did himself no favors with the base its obvious he is a thoughtful guy.
All in all it was one of the better discussions of our problems I've seen.
OTOH the hosts did not cover themselves in glory as they tried (quite unsuccessfully) to start petty fights and in one remarkably patronizing moment, they brought in a Hispanic reporter to ask questions about immigration...and then dismissed him.
Seriously, it was a really good exchange. I was surprised.
Despite the focus on Perry and Romney several of the others were quite strong. Perry was not stellar but he gave a credible and solid performance and Romney seemed to hold his own.
Cain did well in previous debates and he has grown as a candidate. This was his best performance ever, with answers that were not only well delivered but remarkable in their specificity.
Thank goodness for Newt...he is not executive material but he is a damned good idea man and these debates are much better for his presence. He actually did hit it out of the park a couple of times. He needs to at least be an adviser in the next administration.
Huntsman came off better than he has before, in that he got to talk, and though he likely did himself no favors with the base its obvious he is a thoughtful guy.
All in all it was one of the better discussions of our problems I've seen.
OTOH the hosts did not cover themselves in glory as they tried (quite unsuccessfully) to start petty fights and in one remarkably patronizing moment, they brought in a Hispanic reporter to ask questions about immigration...and then dismissed him.
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September 05, 2011
Hah!
She's running! She's running! She ran.
She did pretty good too.
She did pretty good too.
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August 06, 2011
Well...Dang
Note: Not a real Economist cover. Was pilfered from 4-Chan
Apologies for the profanity....but damn.
There may be a thin silver lining to the downgrade, in that interest rates may go up substantially. This is terrible news for the economy of course but it will help those who are on fixed incomes with savings.
Allahpundit notes another possible non calamitous result.
Pretty much all the other ramifications seem to...umm...suck.
Note: Not a real Economist cover. Was pilfered from 4-Chan
Apologies for the profanity....but damn.
Allahpundit notes another possible non calamitous result.
Not only can’t the Super Committee fail, it’ll be under enormous public pressure to reach a grand bargain. That’s the silver lining in this cloud — they have to get serious now. They have no choice.
Pretty much all the other ramifications seem to...umm...suck.
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July 26, 2011
It's Not Politics..It's History
That is my story and I am sticking to it.
...and even if it was politics I don't have to put it below the fold 'cause to be appalled by it (or to suffer from cognitive dissonance) you'd have to click on it.
So I'll just leave this here...
Via
...and even if it was politics I don't have to put it below the fold 'cause to be appalled by it (or to suffer from cognitive dissonance) you'd have to click on it.
So I'll just leave this here...
Via
In case you did click on it and got yourself all appalled and stuff, then as a palate cleanser here is a remarkably cute catgirl with some fish that was drawn by Toshihide Sano.
The Above link is his PixyV page. His official website was here but is either inactive or is blocking access from the US.
The Above link is his PixyV page. His official website was here but is either inactive or is blocking access from the US.
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July 18, 2011
I Think I'll Blog a Looong Post About Politics AND Religion
Let's see how this reader reacts.
more...
...oh.
I guess it'll have to go below the fold then. more...
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June 27, 2011
Stupidity ≠Malice
...but the results are hard to tell apart. The Anchoress has a post up regarding the current administration that some will find off-putting, but it's a good opportunity to touch on something I've wanted to...
..What?
more...
..What?
Oh right. It's politics...so it goes below the fold...
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June 18, 2011
GunRunner
When I first heard about this I thought I had to be hearing it wrong. It is after all insane.
It also appears to be true.
Here is what appears to have happened as I understand it.
more...
Here is what appears to have happened as I understand it.
more...
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May 23, 2011
Ignoble Nobility
The post has drifted into realm of politics and thus has been moved discreetly below the fold.
As compensation here is unrelated footage of a girl enjoying her sweet potatoes.
more...
more...
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May 21, 2011
OH
There wasn't a rapture today....it was that other 'r' word.
RUBICON
President Obama has decided that neither the war powers act nor the constitution apply to the adventure war kinetic military action in Libya.
Note that in 2003, despite the fact that we had been technically at war with them since '91 and Iraq was giving bonuses to the families of suicide bombers who killed our allies the Israelis, Bush went before congress and got an Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq. Despite this there are those who say that this was insufficient and that 'ChimpyMcBushitler' went to war illegally. I'm sure that those who consider the Iraq war illegal will be absolutely beside themselves over this.
Any minute now...
Yessirree...
RUBICON
President Obama has decided that neither the war powers act nor the constitution apply to the adventure war kinetic military action in Libya.
Note that in 2003, despite the fact that we had been technically at war with them since '91 and Iraq was giving bonuses to the families of suicide bombers who killed our allies the Israelis, Bush went before congress and got an Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq. Despite this there are those who say that this was insufficient and that 'ChimpyMcBushitler' went to war illegally. I'm sure that those who consider the Iraq war illegal will be absolutely beside themselves over this.
Any minute now...
Yessirree...
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May 06, 2011
Oh MY!
Though there have been exceptions of late, it is still the policy of Brickmuppet Blog to have political posts discretely below the fold.
more...
For those not so inclined, a dancing chibi Hatsune Miku is arguably as
apolitical as one can get.
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May 01, 2011
Althouse Notes the Other Trump
Now, those of us on the right have been pointing out that the little fascist is start-raving-cuckoo-for-cocca-puffs for years now and been ignored.
Well, his latest dumb idea is a doozy...and only Althouse seems to have noticed the CRaZy.
Well, his latest dumb idea is a doozy...and only Althouse seems to have noticed the CRaZy.
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April 30, 2011
Ghouls
more...
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February 14, 2011
In Which I Pariah-fy Myself
I have long had a great deal of respect for Allan West, ( R, FL-22).
Below is video of him giving a superb speech at the close of CEPAC 2011. The speech itself is quite good, but that is not why I'm commenting on it. It is after all being widely shown throughout the rightosphere.
I'm commenting because this clip, which I got via Cdr. Salamander, has footage I had previously missed...Footage that bothers me.
West's speech begins about 8 and a half minutes in, but it is what happens prior that I find disturbing. Specifically, West is introduced by a military service member in uniform who proceeds to make a very short but quite partisan statement at a completely partisan function...I remind you that he is in uniform.
I like West a lot, but this is a no-no.
A big no-no.
It is not acceptable for the military to get involved in politics in any way. That is how republics die. I would expect West, who is a history buff ought to know that. He is certainly aware of Department of Defense Directive 1344.10 (and for the USCG, the Hatch Act).
It is inevitable that when one party is the one that spat on our military and still treats them with barely disguised contempt, that many in the military lean the other way...when out of uniform and off duty. It is not in any way acceptable for them to be expressing that as military members in uniform.
As I mentioned during the McChrystal fiasco, we have many republics to the south of us in this hemisphere.Most had the military get involved in politics in some way.That did not turn out well.
This is disturbing. But not as disturbing as the fact that I've not heard ANYONE comment on this, which bothers me rather more than the indiscretion itself.
UPDATE: Over at Cdr Salamander's, people are commenting on this impropriety. I note that they all seem to be current or former military.
UPDATE 2:The video has been removed by the user. A slightly shorter version with the 8 minute introduction removed can be seen here . It contains the bit relevant to my concern as well as the otherwise excellent speech. The full C-SPAN vid with intro is available on C-Span for now here
Below is video of him giving a superb speech at the close of CEPAC 2011. The speech itself is quite good, but that is not why I'm commenting on it. It is after all being widely shown throughout the rightosphere.
I'm commenting because this clip, which I got via Cdr. Salamander, has footage I had previously missed...Footage that bothers me.
West's speech begins about 8 and a half minutes in, but it is what happens prior that I find disturbing. Specifically, West is introduced by a military service member in uniform who proceeds to make a very short but quite partisan statement at a completely partisan function...I remind you that he is in uniform.
I like West a lot, but this is a no-no.
A big no-no.
It is not acceptable for the military to get involved in politics in any way. That is how republics die. I would expect West, who is a history buff ought to know that. He is certainly aware of Department of Defense Directive 1344.10 (and for the USCG, the Hatch Act).
It is inevitable that when one party is the one that spat on our military and still treats them with barely disguised contempt, that many in the military lean the other way...when out of uniform and off duty. It is not in any way acceptable for them to be expressing that as military members in uniform.
As I mentioned during the McChrystal fiasco, we have many republics to the south of us in this hemisphere.Most had the military get involved in politics in some way.That did not turn out well.
This is disturbing. But not as disturbing as the fact that I've not heard ANYONE comment on this, which bothers me rather more than the indiscretion itself.
UPDATE: Over at Cdr Salamander's, people are commenting on this impropriety. I note that they all seem to be current or former military.
UPDATE 2:The video has been removed by the user. A slightly shorter version with the 8 minute introduction removed can be seen here . It contains the bit relevant to my concern as well as the otherwise excellent speech. The full C-SPAN vid with intro is available on C-Span for now here
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January 17, 2011
A Simple Bit of Math
I don't post as much uninformed blather on policy ideas as I used to because:
1: There are others who do it better.
2: The topic depresses me because there are few options open to us and all are varying levels of grim.
3: There are those few people who can make informed posts on policy.
CDR Salamander is one of the latter and he has a math lesson for us all.
He goes on.
It's short.
Read the whole thing.
In the late 19th early 20th century when other developing countries were going deep into debt for short term gain, Japan had a pretty simple defense strategy.
"Rich nation=strong army"
This was the slogan of all mainstream political parties there for something like 40 years. Men of great substance and ability like Eiichi Shibusawa were encouraged to be entrepreneurs and helped to bring Japan into the modern era.
Around the turn of the century Argentina developed a rather different policy... which I'll paraphrase with all due malice as "hope and change".
Argentina had many advantages over Japan, being an established republic that was on a par with the USA and only a little behind Europe technologically.
Argentina has never recovered.
Japan became a world power and was quite successful until they went off their trolley in the '30s.
I see many parallels between then and now.
I do not like them.
The options we have now, as I said earlier, are quite limited. They will grow more limited as time passes. We MAY have until 2013-14 to regain steering, and turn the ship of state away from the iceberg we are approaching. We are so close and our inertia is so great that we will suffer damage regardless, but as time passes our ability to meaningfully change course, even if we regain full helm control is steadily reduced, until oblivion is inevitable no mater what, so time is of the essence.
Of course, right now we don't have the bridge and have control of only one engine room....so the only thing we can realistically do in the next two years is reduce our speed.
That and review our counter flooding procedures.
1: There are others who do it better.
2: The topic depresses me because there are few options open to us and all are varying levels of grim.
3: There are those few people who can make informed posts on policy.
CDR Salamander is one of the latter and he has a math lesson for us all.
Jack made a good point last week over at USNIBlog,Something’s gotta give. In 2009, the U.S. spent $187 billion (more than China’s defense budget) paying off interest on government debt.
He goes on.
It's short.
Read the whole thing.
In the late 19th early 20th century when other developing countries were going deep into debt for short term gain, Japan had a pretty simple defense strategy.
"Rich nation=strong army"
This was the slogan of all mainstream political parties there for something like 40 years. Men of great substance and ability like Eiichi Shibusawa were encouraged to be entrepreneurs and helped to bring Japan into the modern era.
Around the turn of the century Argentina developed a rather different policy... which I'll paraphrase with all due malice as "hope and change".
Argentina had many advantages over Japan, being an established republic that was on a par with the USA and only a little behind Europe technologically.
Argentina has never recovered.
Japan became a world power and was quite successful until they went off their trolley in the '30s.
I see many parallels between then and now.
The options we have now, as I said earlier, are quite limited. They will grow more limited as time passes. We MAY have until 2013-14 to regain steering, and turn the ship of state away from the iceberg we are approaching. We are so close and our inertia is so great that we will suffer damage regardless, but as time passes our ability to meaningfully change course, even if we regain full helm control is steadily reduced, until oblivion is inevitable no mater what, so time is of the essence.
Of course, right now we don't have the bridge and have control of only one engine room....so the only thing we can realistically do in the next two years is reduce our speed.
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