Some People Have Lots of Time.... and Talent

(ht: Ace of Spades)

Merry Christmas!

And to all a good night...

Et factum est, ut discesserunt ab eis angeli in cælum: pastores loquebantur ad invicem: Transeamus usque Bethlehem, et videamus hoc verbum, quod factum est, quod Dominus ostendit nobis.

So many targets!

There are so many targets, I don't know where to begin....

First the Governor of Illinois (D) has got himself arrested for corruption...

Unions shake down BoA by having said Governor threaten to suspend all business with them...

Unfortunately very short on time, see Redstate, Ace's.... heck anybody and everybody are all over both of these stories..

Good news everybody!

ht: Belmont Club

Been real busy

To all my 11 readers, been real busy this past week. Hope to comment sometime soon.

Hello Sun!

I was perusing the blogs at National Review Online, and came across this in their Phi Beta Cons blog:

According to the Globe and Mail, Queen's University has hired and is intensively training student "facilitators" to monitor private conversations among students for homophobic slurs, remarks bashing women, racially tinged insults, and other language that could be judged offensive.

I can just see it now....




Oh, and if you haven't see "The Lives of Others", you are missing a great movie.

I'm Shocked! Shocked!

....that there is Uranium in Iran!

After all didn't that much ballyhooed National Intelligence Estimate said that we didn't have to worry. Didn't it? (ht: Drudge)



I think it was Captain's Quarters blog (Now with HotAir) that started this tradition, but I hereby award the NIE a Captain Louis Renault Award.

A Quick Diversion

(ht: Happy Catholic)

Politics of the Office

The Power Line blog has been doing yeoman work in covering the close race between Franken and Sen. Coleman in Minnesota.

In one particular article they wrote, What's Happening In Minnesota? part 7, they quote an article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

The referee in Minnesota's hotly contested Senate race must act in a nonpartisan fashion, yet Ritchie came to office through a nationwide partisan strategy. He was elected in 2006 as part of a national campaign to ensure that Democrats could wield influence in precisely the sort of hair's breadth race we now have here.

Call me an idealist, but when you start trying to control the referee in the match so you get the close call there is just something wrong about that. Of course nobody would dare ever ask the question: "How would you prefer your election officials to act? Do you want them to act as a neutral judge? Or perhaps you want them to be the tie breaker?"

Criminalization of Politics

Our government will not long last if one administration's policy becomes material for the next's prosecutors. It will lead to tyranny for politics will become an issue of self-preservation. I can not emphasize what a poison this would be for our system of government.

That said I was browsing the RedState blog and saw this link.

Where to begin....

The author of this article is Charlie Savage, author of Takeover: The Return of the Imperial Presidency and the Subversion of American Democracy. Evidently he studied as a journalist and a lawyer which is probably why this article has a very legalistic tone to it. His objective is to lay out for the reader, presumably hostile to President Bush, the terrain would be if they attempted a legal assault against him after he leaves office. I, for one, have no doubt of the influence that the New York Times has on the political class of the left and this is a clear suggestion by the writer and sanctioned by the editors. That this would even be brought up is troubling because it shows that they have no vision beyond their immediate political advantage.

Mistress of Disaster

I was reading somebody's site the other day (quick google search, it was Hot Air) and saw a link to a New York Times article profiling who might be the Attorney General in the Obama administration.

This of course reminded me of another blog post I read sometime back here.

Yes, truly the "Mistress of Disaster"

Update: I was looking at the NYT article and it now had this: "but associates now say she is not interested in being considered for the job."

Quick Post

After following the election non-stop for awhile I took a little break from the news. I've also not had a lot of time, stuff keeps interfering every time I want to put up a post.

Anyway, a couple things on my radar:

Terrorism financing tracking and interdiction seems to be collapsing:
Belmont Club
Counterterrorism Blog

Russia is already starting to pressure the Obama administration:
Belmont Club

Looks like its over

Well looks like its over.

The Democrats asked the American people to give them the reigns of government, and it has been granted.

We have our first black president, which is a good thing.

Many battles still yet ahead, but tonight, rest.

Election Day Silliness

We all need a little bit of silliness on election day, here is my contribution:

The Empire Strikes Back Election

This is silly, but it does kinda fit. This election is just like the Empire Strikes Back. Yeah, we were all happy after Reagan blew up the Death Star, but we know they were coming back. They always come back. Those media droids have been scouring the universe for two years looking for our secret rebel base, and we know they found us. Heck, Obama even asked Admiral Ozell, uh Biden, to be his VP. Its only going to be a matter of time before he decides that a "surprise" comment would be "wiser" and Obama will go all Vader on him. Things are probably going to go bad: Iraq could end up in pieces like C3PO, and Rush Limbaugh might have a date with the Fairness Doctrine Carbonite chamber. Yet, there is always next movie, and the hope we are going to have our day again. Just without the Ewoks, please.

And so it begins....

Tomorrow is going to be a big day. I hope McCain can pull it out, if not...

Well, it would be a real bad system of government that can't take a couple years of the other side in power...

Well....

Ugh.

But.

We could pull it off. Vote.

Nota Bene: Nuclear Power

As I said in the immediately proceeding post, nuclear power faces a production choke point with the ultra large forgings required for a single piece reactor pressure vessel. The only company with a facility capable of creating these is Japan Steel Works located on the island of Hokkaido. According to this Bloomberg article, companies are putting down a 100 million dollar down payments for a production slot (one of four per year).

You would think that one of these old steel towns in the US might have a facility that could be converted. After all, it seems that supply is constrained enough that the price will remain high.

If I had a hundred million dollars.....

Some interesting links:
Technical article on Steel Forging techniques
Japan Steel Works fabrication process

Obama Against Coal

Now I'm a nuclear guy myself, mostly because I think that coal would be better used as a liquid fuel. However, with the regulatory and production hurdles of nuclear reactors, as our demand for electricity increases we basically have the option of more gas or coal fired plants.

Now, Joe Biden said a couple months ago that an Obama administration would not support the construction of more coal plants in this country (ht: marks @ RedState).



I believe that this did not go down well with certain states that have a lot of coal production, thus, during the VP debate, Biden had to *ahem* clarify the position.



Now Gateway Pundit has come across a speech where Obama promises (to a San Francisco audience, again!) to "bankrupt coal".



See the entire post:
Gateway Pundit: <em>EXPLOSIVE NEW AUDIO--</em> Obama Promises San Francisco Audience He Will Bankrupt Coal Industry!!

YAPA (Yet Another Political Ad)

I chuckled a little bit at this one (ht: Gatewaypundit)



Gateway Pundit: Dictators Mock Obama's Ignorance (Video)

Marginal Tax Rates

An interesting calculation by Greg Mankiw at his blog (ht: Instapundit)

Debate & the Wilderness

I'll start off with a cliche:

There has been much ink and bytes spilled writing about what McCain has to do tonight.

I don't intend to spill much more.

I couldn't tell you if there is an argument available to McCain that would persuade enough undecideds to matter. Even if I did I would most likely be wrong. All he can do is fight for his principles.

That said, it is a distinct possibility that the principles we believe in will be pushed into the wilderness for a period of time with the next election. However, they must not go quietly. Quiet would not equate with dignity in this matter, but a lack of conviction.

Personally, if I found myself in the political wilderness I would dig a foxhole right inside the trees.

ReasonTV: Healthcare

Here is an interesting video from ReasonTV about just who the uninsured are

[I couldn't figure out how to get the video to appear nicely on my blog (and I didn't want to learn CSS today) so just follow the link] -- Ed.

Question

When the Washington Post publishes an article titled "The End of America Capitalism", I wonder what exactly they are advocating to replace it with?

McCain Web ad

Here is McCain's latest ad:

Reporters on a Plane

Ht: Drudge

CBS reporter Dean Reynolds writes:

Obama's campaign schedule is fuller, more hectic and seemingly improvisational. The Obama aides who deal with the national reporters on the campaign plane are often overwhelmed, overworked and un-informed about where, when, why or how the candidate is moving about.

In contrast, McCain's campaign:

The McCain folks are more helpful and generally friendly. The schedules are printed on actual books you can hold in your hand, read, and then plan accordingly. The press aides are more knowledgeable and useful to us in the news media. The events are designed with a better eye, and for the simple needs of the press corps.

He ends:

Maybe none of this means much. Maybe a front-running campaign like Obama's that is focused solely on victory doesn't have the time to do the mundane things like print up schedules or attend to the needs of reporters.

But in politics, everything that goes around comes around.

What to make of this? I doubt many people will decide their vote based on how effectively a candidate liaisons with with the press, nor would many decide based on this article. It does, however, shed light on the organization that surrounds each candidate. At first glance it would seem to be a tale of organization and structure. Obama does not make it easy for this guy to do his job, while McCain does. Yet that analysis seems shallow to me. I think that it shows how each candidate values the press. John McCain can't seem to get a fair shake from the press. A Reuters piece here, says:

Down in the polls, Republican presidential nominee John McCain pressed his effort to sow doubts about Barack Obama's character on Thursday with a fresh attack on his Democratic rival's contacts with a former left-wing radical who is now a college professor.

With the first sentence the journalist has framed McCain's argument as weak. It downgrades Obama's association with Ayers to "contacts" and labels him a "former left-wing radical". The article continues by changing the subject to the economy, and repeats an Obama attack on a McCain proposal. Is this the writing of people who are upset with the way they are being treated? Has anyone seen an article, other then the CBS blog post, claiming that Obama's campaign is chaotic? It is clear that Obama can treat the press anyway he likes because they will not do anything about it, despite grumbles in a blog. If there is going to be a karmic backlash against Obama for this, I'm sure the press will reserve it for long after the election.

Or for the tell all campaign book that hardly anybody will read.

Summation

Might as well just watched the last one. No one helped themselves, but nobody hurt themselves either. Obama was incoherent at times on foreign policy and said all the Banks located themselves in his VP's state... McCain was his usual self, he really needed to hit Obama hard and make him play some defence, but didn't really...

All in all a waste of time imho, nothing new, nothing challenged the candidates.

Note to Obama

Musharref isn't in charge of Pakistan anymore...

Once again he almost sounds like he is going in to Pakistan

Really this debate is just like the last one.

Obama on Iraq

Spending 10 Billion dollars a month... yadda yadda

I've always wanted to reply:

Why? Victory.

Environmental question

McCain: Nuclear (yes!)

Obama: Green jobs

Obama & McCain on taxes & entitlements

McCain is just gonna give tax cuts to the rich.


McCain: fixing the problem is easy if we just all sit down

McCain on Small Business

Yea!

Somebody finally makes the dang point that its small businesses as subchapter S corps that get nailed by income tax increases....

Sacrifices

McCain: Cut spending
Eliminate earmarks (get rid of the projector)
Spending Freeze

Ugh, McCain missed a point to elaborate. Obama will call a freeze a cut.

Obama: Brings up 9/11...
Says we need a call to service.
Obama concedes oil drilling, clean coal, nuclear
Wants to incentivize energy conservation
National Service

Eh... still feels flat

What three to prioritize

McCain: We can handle all at once

Obama: Energy

We are going to the Energy moon? Eh....

Healthcare

Businesses less competative (ie socialized medicine)

Line by line? Heh, almost as if he is asking for a line item veto...

Both parties are at fault

Obama: Tries to tie McCain to deficits and budgets.

The energy seems to be so flat in the room for some reason.

I think who can kinda shake this thing up is going to get the accolades.

McCain: Look at our records, consult the watchdogs.

He is also getting into the crowd, he is positioning himself as one of the crowd.
This could be interesting to see how people viewing view that.

Brokaw interjects

Are things going to get worse?

Obama: No.... must reregulate markets and coordinate with other countries. Must aid families to help with bills etc, and change culture in Washington.

McCain: Depends on what we do (a good distinction imho to start)

-- Best workers in the world

Hrm still skirmishing at this point.

Freddie & Fannie @ Debate

Ah McCain finally brings out the 2nd highest recipeient of money from Freddie & Fannie... but he doesn't really link it into corruption.

Perhaps he is laying a foundation

Some who stood up against it, and some who didn't...

Obama responds:

I think he is trying to talk about the short term corporate paper market?

Tries to link McCain into deregulating things... and thus the problems

Once again this seems to be just a replay of the last one.

Live Blog

Might as well try this...

Obama is up first, and tries immediately starts with the theme that deregulation is bad and he is going to:
- Strong oversight of the bailout
- CEO Pay
- Tax cuts... Public works

Thinking about the middle class...

McCain up:
Responds with Energy Policy

Hrm, brings up debt & home value.

Wants to buy up all the bad debt & renegotiate contract

Not you Tom... heh. I think Brokaw reacted well to that.

Obama: Starts the good old wages are flat etc. I have heard that since the day I was old enough to understand it....

McCain: Greed & Corruption on Wallstreet

My thoughts: This feels a lot like the last debate between the two...

Oooh here comes Freddie & Fannie!

Another AMV

Debate is just about to start, but here is an AMV that seems to have caught the vibe of the past few days....

Cleaned up my side links

Cleaned up my sidelinks to reflect newer links....

A suggestion from the Anchoress

Here:

How McCain can win election tonight - UPDATED

Not my idea, but offered up in an email, by reader Gary S:

Promise the American people that if he is elected, he will appoint Rudy Giulliani as Attorney General and his first order of business will be to investigate, indict and prosecute all those involved in any wrong doing in the sub-prime mortgage debacle, from Wall Street, to K Street to Main Street.

Not a bad idea, at all. I’ve got more thoughts on McCain’s Do-or-Die below.

This idea went over amazingly well with me when I read it for the first time, it certainly would be interesting.

As seen on Ace of Spades HQ

Heh...

So much for posting with any semblance of consistency

Heh,

Well if anybody was wondering about tomatoes... I've been eating a lot of them. They really didn't start ripening until mid-august. Still have some large one of the vines that I need to pick. The cherry tomatoes are still producing, but my regular variety seem to have stopped. I may do one more fertilization as I think the pots are probably almost entirely stripped of nutrients now.

Waiting for Shahab

Remember that NIE that said that Iran wasn't pursuing nuclear weapons?

I was reading The Corner at National Review this morning, and saw a post by Jonah Goldberg linking to an article in the London Times here.

Why would Iran be developing a ballistic missile capability to hit Europe if it wasn't to mount a nuclear warhead? I would guess that this generation of missile probably has a CEP around 1000m or so, way to inaccurate for conventional warheads. I also can't say if mounting a chemical or biological warhead on one of these would make sense either.

Plus, the Iranians continue to enrich Uranium, and are expanding their capability.

The seeds are in

Planted 'em and poured a little water over them.

Now I just have to wait.

Tomato Watch: Day Zero.. uhh negative one? two??

So I've decided to plant some tomatoes, from seed, and apparently I'm late to the party already. I was talking to some green thumbs at work and they mentioned I should have started weeks ago.

Oops.

Anyway I shall forge onward and attempt to get something to eat before August. I've bought, quite foolishly, a 36 cell greenhouse kit that I found at home depot when I was looking for pots and such. Usually I research such things, but I wanted to try to start from seed this year so... I thought, why not?

The types are:

Tommy Toe Cherry Tomato
Bucks County Tomato
Yellow Pear Cherry Tomato

I've got four twelve inch pots at the ready to take maybe two plants each? People I've talked to said that should be ok. I might also get some extra pots and try to grow one at work since I have a window that gets lots of sun.....

A little AMV

Kicked back last night, tried to ignore politics and went browsing youtube for AMVs....

Here is a good one that just helps me relax, I liked the soundtrack to it so much I went and bought it on iTunes.

Edit: The video is not at its link anymore. It was "Magic Pad" by "Nostromo" The song is from the album AM by Arise (in fact its the only song on the album).

Book & Game List

Currently Reading:

Fiction:
The Bloody Crown of Conan

Non-Fiction
Head First C#

Games:
Bioshock
NWN2: MOTB

An interesting link

(HT: Instapundit)

An interesting video from reason.tv

Link

Hrm... how to size this...

Edit: Removed the movie from being inline with the page, reduced it to a link.

A Hunger For Data

I've posted before on socialized health care, but this post by the Captain over at his new ship HotAir.com has awakened a hunger to crunch some more numbers on this.

More to come if I can find some numbers....

Oh dear....

A friend of mine emailed me this link here.

I have to admit that the music in the background has the appropriate melodrama.

But the thought of George Soros and McCain conspiring together....

Lol!

Pride, meet stumble...

From The Corner:

"For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country, because it feels like hope is making a comeback." — Michelle Obama

I've had a feeling that the Democrats concluded a year or so ago that they would win the next election. I even thought that it might result in a bruising primary season. Not that I thought there would be disagreements over ideology, but instead a fight for a spot on the ticket that would be guaranteed to win.

Statements like this tend to reinforce my initial thoughts.

Update:
Re-reading this post in the morning reminds me why nobody reads this blog (other then I post once in a blue moon)

Anyway, after looking at the scribblings of the night before I felt I should clarify myself to a degree. After all the quote seems tangential at best with the thought afterwards. I will attempt to explain with a chain of rather loosely linked and probably incoherent reflections.

In that statement I hear a fierce exultation. Something, I think, of a Roman general in his triumph. Yet it is missing the element of mortality, Memento Mori, remember that you are mortal. She has forgotten that she stands upon an edifice that has been built by previous generations sweat, toil, and blood. The hope that she points to is divorced from what has come before it. It can mean everything and yet nothing at all.

These words were only spoken, I think, because she has persuaded herself that they will win. They will march through the primaries, and then through the campaign and take what is rightfully theirs. In a sense this is the opposite side of the coin to BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome). Where on one side if the opponent has power darkness reigns triumphant, the other is all light merely because they espouse the true doctrine.

Ah well, just some thoughts.

I never seem to have the time.....

Hard to find time to post...

I ran across this story a couple days ago on another blog, but I can't remember which (sorry!). Anyway, it would seem that BAE, the British defense industry, was giving the government of Saudi Arabia bribes or kick-backs. When an investigation was launched the Saudi's threatened to cut off intelligence information. As the article puts it, "Saudi Arabia's rulers threatened to make it easier for terrorists to attack London unless corruption investigations into their arms deals were halted."

The government folded.

Evidently the intelligence trumped any possible repercussions to not investigating BAE.

It also calls to mind the Churchill quip to a society lady:

"Madam, We've already established what you are, now we're just haggling over the price."