The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

‘Gentleman’ Jim Moran Has The Right Of It: Audit the Fed Passes House, 327-98

Posted on | July 25, 2012 | 13 Comments

by Smitty

Good news via Freedom Works: the Audit the Fed bill passed. And now it goes to the Senate, where Dingius Maximus (Harry Reid), remains mostly paralyzed by a head-shaped object in an unlikely location (emphasis mine):

“Ron Paul’s ‘Audit The Fed’ bill is a reminder of his tireless efforts to promote sound money and a more transparent Federal Reserve,” Romney posted on Twitter.
The bill, of course, is not without critics. Democrats say the Act could “politicize” the Federal Reserve’s decisions–what Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has called a “nightmare scenario.”
“This bill would … jeopardize the Fed’s independence by subjecting its decisions on interest rates and monetary policy to GAO audit,” said House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, a Democrat from Maryland. “I agree with Chairman Bernanke that congressional review of the Fed’s monetary policy decisions would be a ‘nightmare scenario,’ especially judging by the track record of this Congress when it comes to governing effectively.”
While Wednesday’s passage in the lower chamber is a victory for Paul and his supporters, the bill is considered dead on arrival in the Senate. Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader and Nevada Democrat, has vowed not to put it to a vote.

Now, why would you put it to a vote, Harry? That would be like doing your job, or engaging in reasonable stewardship while in office. Which would be totally out of character for you, sad clown.

Props to Jim Moran, my Congressman, for getting it right.

Bucket List: @JonahNRO Retweet For “You didn’t do that”

Posted on | July 25, 2012 | 10 Comments

by Smitty

Because it seems to piss #OccupyResoluteDesk off so much, let’s encourage every blogger to devote a post a day to some variation one Barack’s collectivist “You didn’t do that” them.

Possibilities are only bounded by the fact that you didn’t do that, but could include:

  • Mocking the Obamateurism of the Day
  • Lampooning Obama’s risible record in office
  • Pointing out the things that Obama himself didn’t do, e.g. release any academic records

This blog has suggested to VodkaPundit that such posts could make a good Week In Blogs feature:


So, keep it zany, but, unlike Lefty work, fact-based. Nothing makes a liar feel self-righteous like an error of fact. Though I did hear that Obama’s last budget sucked so bad, it received a negative number of votes. Maybe delivering a comic book to Congress in lieu of a budget wasn’t a swift idea. But hey, when Pee Wee Herman is your Chief-of-staff. . .

Making ‘Anglo-Saxon’ Scandalous

Posted on | July 25, 2012 | 76 Comments

The English-speaking world shares a culture as well as a language, and the term “Anglo-Saxon” has long been employed as a shorthand designation of this culture, for good or ill. But use of the term becomes a shocking scandal when it is employed by Republicans:

As the Republican presidential challenger accused Barack Obama of appeasing America’s enemies in his first foreign policy speech of the US general election campaign, advisers told The Daily Telegraph that he would abandon Mr Obama’s “Left-wing” coolness towards London.
In remarks that may prompt accusations of racial insensitivity, one suggested that Mr Romney was better placed to understand the depth of ties between the two countries than Mr Obama, whose father was from Africa.
“We are part of an Anglo-Saxon heritage, and he feels that the special relationship is special,” the adviser said of Mr Romney, adding: “The White House didn’t fully appreciate the shared history we have”.

Oh, how terrible: Acknowledging that our history and common culture creates a “special relationship” between the United States and Great Britain, our ally in both world wars of the 20th century. How awful that anyone would risk “accusations of racial insensitivity” by expressing pride in “an Anglo-Saxon heritage” that includes William Shakespeare, Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.

This is a dreadful scandal, you see, in the same way that practically everything any Republican does is interpreted as scandalous.

Ann Romney owns a horse? Scandalous!

Mitt Romney’s business made profits? Scandalous!

Democrats can engage in routine corruption, enact ruinous policies and leave campaign aides to die in submerged Oldsmobiles and nobody in the media ever blinks an eye, but anything done by any Republican is automatically a controversial scandal.

Like a Jeff Foxworthy Joke

Posted on | July 25, 2012 | 30 Comments

“You might be a redneck if …”

Richmond Co. Sheriff’s Office investigators say 36 year old William Bonner of Thomson was highly intoxicated late Friday night, and had a friend pour a shot of high-proof alcohol, Bacardi 151, over his head, then another friend set him ablaze. . . .
“He actually bet the people he was with that he could do this,” says RCSO Investigator Lt. Blaise Dresser.
It happened near the bar’s darts area, and witnesses say when they realized what was actually going on, the ordeal was over.
“Pretty much confusion,” says Adam Harden as he describes the scene. “I mean, not knowing what’s going on, what’s going to happen, what are we going to do. Then somebody drenched him out.”
Bonner was on fire for 10 full seconds before the flames were extinguished.
“It was the longest ten seconds you could think of,” says Harden, who stood just feet away when the flames erupted.
As Bonner burned, everyone in the crowded bar watched in stunned silence.
“All of us just stopped,” says Harden. . . .
Bonner ran around, trying to pat out the flames. After the fire was out, he walked out of the bar.
“His face was red, real glistening almost,” says Birmingham. “It had the consistency of melted plastic. It didn’t look good at all.”

Allahpundit headlined this, “Dude,” as if it were amazing, but I actually know guys like that down home. This incident is a manifestation of Southern honor culture — the double-dog-dare-ya impulse, the wild appetite for risk, the sense that one’s manhood is at stake in any challenge. Southerners are a people whose idea of a sport is driving bumper-to-bumper 190 mph into the third turn at Daytona.

And if you hit the wall, so what?

Dale Earnhardt is an immortal legend down home, for basically the same reason a guy lights his head on fire to win a bar bet.

William Bonner won the bet and walked out of the bar. The burns are probably superficial and he’ll be telling that story the rest of his life.

Thank God for rednecks. They make America a great country.

LIVE AT FIVE: 07.25.12

Posted on | July 25, 2012 | 2 Comments

— compiled by Wombat-socho


TOP NEWS
Romney Blasts Obama For “Betrayal” Of National Security In VFW Convention Speech

Mitt Romney pressing the flesh in Reno

Assails administration for leaking in pursuit of political gains

Rare Miss For Apple As iPhone Sales Cool
Only second time in ten years company has missed expectations

Number Of Civilian Refugees Grows As Fighting In Syria Moves To Cities
Assad regime concentrating on stamping out rebellion in Aleppo, Damascus



POLITICS
Obama Still Trying To Explain “You Didn’t Build That” Comment

President Obama addresses the VFW

Romney attacks on Obama’s understanding of capitalism gain traction as the latter’s campaign desperately spins

New Orleans Accepts Federal Plan To Clean Up Police Department



Senate Democrats Learn Nothing From DISCLOSE Act Debacle, Push Constitutional Amendment To Overturn “Citizens United” Decision

Hundreds Protest Over Anaheim Police Shootings; City Asks For Federal Probe

Feinstein Does A Booker On National Security Leaks

NY Congressional Candidate’s Father Arrested For Bribery

NJ Supreme Court Exempts State Judges From Increased Contributions To Health Insurance, Pension Funds



THE ECONOMY, STUPID
Oil Recovers Slightly On Mixed Economic News; NYMEX $88.50, Brent $103.42
NY Fed Mum On Braclays’ Admission Of LIBOR Rigging
AT&T Gets A Boost On Rising Smartphone Use
Euro Hovers Near Two-Year Low As Spanish Worries Continue
Spain Feeling Debt Heat, Greece Way Off Bailout Terms
Dow Marks Triple-Digit Loss Three-Peat
Walmart Joins Target In Opposing Credit Card Swipe Fee Settlement
The New Fear Index: Treasury Yields Hit Record Low Below 1.4%
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 Banned In Europe
Apple To Release Mountain Lion OS Today
Google Agrees To EU Antitrust Deal Outline
Comcast Debuts Xfinity Platinum Internet
AOL’s PLAY App Might Be The Best Cross-Platform MP3 Player
After Malware Scare, Apple Makes First Appearance At Black Hat Conference



SPORTS
Astros Trade Wandy Rodriguez To Pirates For Prospects

LHP Wandy Rodriguez, formerly of Houston

Astros get two promising pitchers and a solid outfield prospect to help with ongoing rebuilding effort

Team USA Routs Spain In Exhibition Hoops, 100-78


NASCAR Suspends Allmendinger For Failing Backup Drug Test

Buchholz Hangs Tough, Aviles Delivers In 9th As Red Sox Top Rangers 2-1

Predators Match Flyers’ 14-Year Offer, Keep Weber In Nashville

Big Donkey Slams Homer #30 As Chisox Rout Twins 11-4

Gio Bounces Back As Nats Solve Knuckleball, Beat Mets 5-2



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
Christian Bale Shows Awesome Class

Christain Bale sits with shooting victim Carey Rothman

Visits shooting victims, hospital staff, unprompted by studio
Warner Brothers to make “substantial” donation to victims

Police Called To Katherine Jackson’s Home After Fight

Kristen Stewart Cheats On Boyfriend Rob Pattinson With Married Director Of “Snow White”

Sherman Hemsley Dead At 74; Played George Jefferson In “All In The Family”, “The Jeffersons”

“Modern Family” Cast Sues As Contract Negotiations Turn Ugly



FOREIGNERS
Philippines Refuses To Budge Over South China Sea Row
Ghana’s President John Atta Mills Dead At 68
Egypt’s Mursi Names Little-Known Water Minister As PM
Zimbabwe PM: Mugabe Will Accept Election Result
Ethnic Riots Sweep Assam Province; Army Shoots Four Rioters
Australia Gives Up Bid To Seize Jihadi’s Book Profits
ROK President Makes Public Apology For Corruption Scandals
Tajikistan Government Launches Offensive Against Rebels After General Murdered
Up To 50 Arrested At Paya Funeral As Family Continues To Insist Death Was No Accident



BLOGS & STUFF
Weasel Zippers: Obama Invokes Daughters In Defense Of Planned Parenthood’s Abortion Services
The Lid: ABC Shows Once Again That It’s A Mickey Mouse News Organization
Q&O: Obama Tries To Use The Middle Class To Spin Increasing Taxes On The “Wealthy”

Legal Insurrection: DiFi Accuses White House Of Classified Intel Leaks, Then Does A Booker
Hit & Run: SCOTUS Ruling Means ObamaCare Will Cover Fewer People, Cost A Little Less
Protein Wisdom: The Ruling Class Vs. The Rest Of Us
Da Tech Guy: Demoralized As Hell D+11 Poll Edition
Jammie Wearing Fools: Bloomberg Thinks Maybe Cops Should Go On Strike Until We Disarm The Public
Veronique De Rugy: The Price Of Gun Control
Clayton Cramer: You Didn’t Build That Massacre…
Althouse: Could Gary Johnson Be This Year’s Ralph Nader?
Allahpundit: Aurora Victim’s Brother Tells MSNBC’s Dyson He Doesn’t Want To Talk About Gun Control
Lonely Conservative: Two Prominent Solyndra Figures Now Fundraising For Obama

If Mitt Romney Used A Dog Whistle, Would A Bitch Hear It?

Posted on | July 24, 2012 | 46 Comments

by Smitty (via American Glob)

Test my logic. One can be fairly certain a lady like Andrea Mitchell is not a bitch; therefore, Romney’s use of ‘foreign’, which she clearly heard, must be something other than a dog whistle. Maybe ‘foreign’ is just a non-domestic word:

The irony here is that Barack’s foreign upbringing was part of his glamor in 2008. He was the urbane, cosmopolitan wunderkind who brought Hopium and Change-oom from exotic places.

Clearly, Romney’s use of ‘foreign’ is going after ‘alien to traditional American thought’. And, yes, the Marxist underpinnings of Obama’s collectivist thinking are foreign, to put it as mildly as possible.

For safety reasons, I recommend Andrea Mitchell and Amanda Marcotte  maintain a two-mile standoff, lest their combined intellectual suction trigger a singularity.

What has that foreign influence wrought: Under Me “People Have A New Attitude Toward America” And “More Confidence”

Also, via The Lonely Conservative, more piling on for “You didn’t do that”:

Is Barack’s “I Didn’t Do That” Reclama Of His 13 July Roanoke Speech Worthy?

Posted on | July 24, 2012 | 18 Comments

by Smitty

BHO in Roanoke delivered, after the opening rah-rah, about 5k words. He Who Is Too Cool to release his college documentation had to take to YouTube and deliver this:
Emphasis still mine:

“Those ads taking my words about small business out of context; they’re flat out wrong. Of course Americans build their own business. Everyday hard-working people sacrifice to meet a payroll, create jobs, and make our economy run.
And what I said was that we need to stand behind them as America always has. By investing in education, training, roads and bridges, research and technology. I’m Barack Obama and I approve this message because I believe we’re all in this together.”

And here is a hefty, contextual quote from the speech: Read more

Not Surprising: Tina Brown’s ‘Newsbeast’ Still Losing Millions of Dollars a Year

Posted on | July 24, 2012 | 14 Comments

“The investors can expect to lose a crapload of cash in the process. The New Yorker reportedly lost $42 million in three years (1995-97) under Ms. Brown’s editorship. Talk lost an impressive $80 million during its two-year existence. Whatever else you might say about Tina Brown, she’s undeniably brilliant at convincing investors to lose money on her projects.”
— Robert Stacy McCain, Nov. 11, 2010

Some 20 months after it was announced that the worthless magazine Newsweek would merge with Tina Brown’s Daily Beast, we learn that Brown’s deep-pocketed patron Barry Diller has taken over controlling interest from the family of Rep. Jane Harman (D-Hezbollah).

Peter Lauria of Reuters explains the incredible sums of cash Tina’s “Newsbeast” has lost in the past couple of years:

The Harman family confirmed its ownership stake has been diluted by its decision to cap contributions to the loss-making venture, but would not give a figure. . . .
Sidney Harman acquired Newsweek from the Washington Post Co in August 2010 for $1 plus the assumption of the magazine’s more than $50 million in liabilities.
Barry Diller launched The Daily Beast under the auspices of former New Yorker and Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown in October 2008. . . .
[M]edia reports have estimated losses at The Daily Beast at around $10 million annually.
Diller and Harman decided to merge their titles in November 2010 — the rationale was to leverage the combined audiences to cross-sell advertising at both publications and subscriptions for Newsweek. . . .
So far, however, the combined venture is still losing money, according to Diller, though he has said this year’s loss will be substantially less than last year’s. He did not give a figure and Brown has called reports of $30 million in losses last year “excessive.”

OK, if $30 million is an “excessive” estimate of their 2011 losses, but nobody’s arguing with estimates of $10 million of red ink a year, isn’t it a fair guess that Tina has pissed away at least $50 million in the past four years, including about a million a month since the merger?

Y’know, with a million bucks a month, maybe I could put together a kinda trendy Web site or something. Even without Barry Diller-sized cash infusions, we haven’t done too badly.

Hit the freaking tip jar. Like you were a multimillionaire media mogul and Tina Brown was giving you a hand job in the backseat of your limo.

Because we all know that’s how she does it, right?

 




 

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