The Other McCain

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

America’s Stupid Future

Posted on | November 24, 2011 | 28 Comments

Zombie remarks: “Look deep into her eyes: Is she the stupidest person on Earth, or does she actually know what she’s advocating?” (The death toll of Mao’s Cultural Revolution is estimated from 1.5 million to 20 million.)

Her name is Colleen. She’s a 20-year-old student from Vermont — 95% white, where the unemployment rate is a relatively low 5.6%.

She attends Johnson State College, where in-state tuition is a modest $8,568 a year. We may therefore dismiss as implausible any idea that Colleen is part of an oppressed group whose plight justifies “revolution,” cultural or otherwise. So why was she in Zuccotti Park last week? Dunno.

It’s the romanticization of victimhood. Liberalism teaches kids to identify so profoundly with “victims” that, no matter how comfortable or privileged their own circumstances may be, they have to protest on behalf of the downtrodden, the exploited, the oppressed. Otherwise, they feel inauthentic, full of guilt about being un-victimized. See: “Indoctrination: What the Occupiers Believe and Why They Believe It.”

At Occupy L.A., a protester who complained that the movement was being controlled by Communists found himself confronted and shouted down by . . . Communists.

Category: #Occupy, Progressivism

Ezra Klein: The Wetness At Your Ankle Is Progressive Flooding

Posted on | November 24, 2011 | 15 Comments

by Smitty

In this sense, we mean:

Progressive flooding is the additional flooding of spaces which were not previously assumed to be damaged. Such additional flooding may occur through openings or pipes as indicated. . .progressive indeed

Ezra, the Juice Box Mafioso and Senate Democrat Briefer, outdoes himself in today’s exercise in Not Getting It. Or maybe he does, and just phones in today’s attempt to flog the Republican wing of the sinking ship’s bridge.

Klein offers up two paragraphs of context for his point, that the GOP has a ‘dual trigger nightmare’, before touching on the Blame Bush theme in para 3. Para 4 gives us:

So now there are two triggers. One is an extremely progressive spending trigger worth $1.2 trillion that goes off on January 1, 2013. The other is an extremely progressive tax trigger worth $3.8 trillion that goes off on…January 1, 2013. If you count reduced interest payments, the two policies alone would reduce future deficits by about $6 trillion. That’s far more than anything the supercommittee came close to discussing. It’s distributed far more progressively than anything the Democrats have even considered proposing. And all that needs to happen for it to pass is, well, nothing.

Congress has been doing nothing like its job since 2008, Ezra. It’s not even worth worrying whether the ship of state has been on the current course as a diabolical plot or due to incompetence: she’s stacked up on a sea mount and sinking. The Stupor Committee was dead on arrival this Spring; the only real improvement is that we can now chuck the corpses overboard an allusion to The Camp of the Saints. Further along:

So the GOP is not without options. But the Democrats are in the driver’s seat. Gridlock means a deficit deal that they could never have imagined getting any other way. Basic negotiating theory would suggest that whatever the Republicans offer them must somehow be better even than that. And yet, that’s not how either party is acting. Republicans don’t seem particularly worried about the triggers and Democrats don’t seem particularly interested in pressing their advantage. At least for now.

Basic negotiating theory would be predicated on having something to negotiate about. The stock market is capsizing, the economy is parked on the sea bottom, and you want to discuss the finer points of negotiation? Congresscritters have eleven more months before the next election. Look for them to be more worried about stock scandals and inflating their rubber duckies.

You want to know what Congress is going to do about tax reform, Ezra? No more than it already has. The Constitution, that ancient document you don’t think anyone understands, has performed its essential task of slowing tyranny, with a restraining order in 2010. And we’re less than a year from another round of help arriving. With some more exceptional, patriotic American effort, we can (a) remove you and your ilk to a safer distance from the controls and (b) set about doing useful damage control. Eventually, we’ll float ‘er again and get back on our proper course toward liberty.

But thanks, Ezra. It’s always a source of an inspirational pep talk to peer into your twisted little mind. You always seem to be the guy who thinks himself too smart, knowing all of these Important People, and standing too close to the problem. In short, Ezra, your column might be better titled ‘Wankbook’.

Update: welcome, Instapundit readers!

Category: Democrats

Born That Way: The Strange Sisterhood Of Meggie Mac And San Fran Nan

Posted on | November 24, 2011 | 21 Comments

— by Wombat-socho

Young Miss McCain is in the news again, pouting that Newt isn’t taking her seriously. This is just common sense on the former speaker’s part. No Republican, much less conservative, with two functional brain cells regards the daughter of Stacy’s Crazy Cousin John as anything but an object for derision and mockery. Like other wannabe pundits in her age group, she expects to be treated as a respected pundit despite a track record of behavior that doesn’t qualify one as Republican, much less conservative. And why this expectation? Because she is, after all, the daughter of a Senator prominent in the GOP, one who was recently nominated as its presidential candidate.

Never mind that the father has spent decades teaching his daughter by example by sticking his thumb in the eye of conservatives; never mind that Miss McCain has produced no works showing evidence of coherent thought or cognition. She demands respect; she is Republican by birth and theoretically prominent in the younger element of the GOP. One wonders whether she’d actually be welcome among real live Young Republicans or the Young Americans for Freedom.

Turning now to the former Speaker of the House and supposed Catholic Nancy Pelosi, who lately insisted that Republicans were determined to see women dead on the floors of doctors’ offices on account of their opposition to Federal abortion funding, I see in the news that Pelosi has been called out on the obvious conflicts between her religion and her political actions. Pelosi claims to be a Catholic, and one of the notable policies of that religion is a staunch opposition to abortion. This is not some muddled policy paper produced by lay staffers and signed by fuddled bishops, but a declaration from Pope after Pope from the Chair of Peter. It is no more debatable than the divinity of Christ or transubstantiation. For the ex-Speaker to opine that “Catholics of good conscience can disagree with the Church’s position on abortion” is not only wrong, but given her position, actively damaging to the Church since she is in a position of public influence and highly visible. Pelosi was born Catholic, and seems to follow the rituals by habit, but in practice she is no more Catholic than Meggie Mac is actually Republican.

Neither Catholicism nor Republicanism are ethnic groups or tribes. You can’t simply be born into them. There are basic doctrines that must be conformed to if you want to be taken seriously. If you don’t, you confuse people about what the Church or the GOP stand for, and those of us who are serious about our politics and our faith are obliged to oppose you. In the case of Nancy Pelosi, it’s incumbent on both the hierarchy and lay members of the Church to call her out on her wishful thinking; it the case of Meggie Mac, it is incumbent on all right-thinking Republicans and conservatives to mock, deride, taunt and ridicule the young airhead until the stops being such a public spectacle and somehow finds a clue. Or, as Tammy Bruce suggests:

Category: Abortion, Catholics, Democrats, Meghan McCain, Republicans

#Occupy Ignorance: Elizabeth Who?

Posted on | November 24, 2011 | 3 Comments

Aleister at American Glob was yukking it up over the stunning incoherence of these idiots at Occupy Boston interviewed by Holly Robichaud of the Boston Herald:

“I created much of the intellectual foundation for what they do. I support what they do.”
— Elizabeth Warren, referring to Occupy Wall Street

“In 1996, Warren was the third-highest compensated employee at [Harvard] university. Warren and her husband now live in a $1.7 million Cambridge home.”
— Sam Jacobs, The Daily Beast

Christmas Gift Idea: Zippo Lighter Classic, $18.65

 
 

Category: #Occupy, Massachusetts

The Economy: How Bad Does It Suck?

Posted on | November 24, 2011 | 6 Comments

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 236.17 points Wednesday, closing at 11,257.5. Since Nov. 11, the Dow has lost 896.13 points (7.4%), and the forecast is ominous:

Stocks suffered a sixth straight day of losses on Wednesday as frustration over the euro zone’s debt crisis, coupled with weak Chinese factory data, further dented investor sentiment.
A weak German bond sale sparked fears the debt crisis was even beginning to threaten Berlin, with the leaders of France and Germany still at odds over a longer-term structural solution.
The poor demand for German government bonds showed that investors viewed investing in the euro zone as being too risky.

Here’s a cheerful headline:

“Disastrous” bond sale shakes
confidence in Germany

Megan McArdle explains at the Atlantic:

A year ago, Germany and France could probably have saved the euro–at least for a time–by stepping in to guarantee all the debts of the peripheral euro zone nations. To be sure, this would have created quite a lot of other problems, but it would have saved their banks and their currency union.
However, a year ago, governments were nowhere near ready to take such drastic action: the French and German governments didn’t want to put their credit rating behind Greek profligacy, and their voters wouldn’t have stood for it if they’d tried.
At this point, however, with the panic in full flight, it’s not entirely clear to me that even a 100% guarantee would staunch the bleeding for more than a short time. Do the Germans really have enough to guarantee the debts of most of the rest of the euro zone?

After two “recovery summers,” it’s all gloom and doom this fall:

Dexia Bailout On Verge Of Collapse, Threatens
To Take France AAA Rating Down With It

Euro on ‘Death Watch’ After
Investors Spurn German Bonds

Sarkozy: Europe’s “Liquidity Run” Has Begun
Because There Is An Unsolvable $30 Trillion Problem

So: Stocks suck and bonds look shaky. Which means . . . gold?

Gold and silver futures declined for the second time in three days as the dollar’s rally muted demand for precious metals as an alternative investment.

Wait — what?

Gold fell further on Thursday as declines in equities blamed on the euro zone crisis prompted investors to sell bullion to cover losses, while a firmer U.S. dollar also put pressure on prices. 

In other words, the economy sucks so bad right now, rich people are being forced to sell gold in order to make up for money they’re losing in every other area of investment. But perhaps there are financial opportunities in international catastrophe.

Egypt Slips Deeper Into Crisis on Sixth Day of Protests
—

Unrest stirs fears inside Israel
—

Kuwait arrests activists for storming parliament  
—

MILITIA GROUPS RUN WILD IN LIBYA

Investing in oil futures might work, but maybe it’s time to panic?

Survival Shop Reports Jump
In Sales To People Preparing
For “Possible Collapse”

Let’s face it, folks: The economy sucks real bad, and it’s only going to get worse. And you know what that means? It’s time for you to start shopping our Amazon’s “Black Friday Deals Week” specials: Great savings for you, commissions for me, and that way we’ll have enough money to stock up on freeze-dried food, Coleman lantern fuel and ammunition. Lots and lots of ammunition.

Category: Economics, Europe, Germany, Gold

LIVE AT FIVE – 11.24.11

Posted on | November 24, 2011 | 2 Comments

— compiled by Wombat-socho


TOP NEWS
Unrest Continues Near Tahrir Square

Tear gas and ambulances 24x7


Street battles continue all night & day near the Interior Ministry

Saleh Agrees To End Thirty-Year Rule In Yemen
President agrees to step down


Poor Economy No Speed Bump For Thanksgiving Travelers
Highest number of travelers setting out to see friends and family since 2007



POLITICS
Gingrich Backlash Brewing In Iowa Over Immigration?

Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista doing lunch at the Iowa State Fair

Some Iowans not keen on legal residency for illegals, apparently

Occupy Protests Cost Nation’s Cities $13 Million

Romney Picks Up Thune Endorsement

Ron Paul Front Runner In Iowa Poll?


Obama Camp Goes After Romney On Foreign Policy

Feds Bag Idea Of Curbing Target Practice On Public Lands

Medicare Administrator Berwick Resigns

Judge Rules Harrisburg Not Eligible For Bankruptcy Protection



THE ECONOMY, STUPID
Yen Gains As Japanese Stocks, Won Decline
Wall Street Falls For Sixth Day
John Deere’s Profit Up 46% As Sales Increase
Moody’s: US Rating Imperiled Without $1.2 Trillion In Cuts
Investors Unfriending Social Media
Merck To Pay $950 Million In Vioxx Case
Brazilians Nix Drilling By Chevron
iPad Retina-Slaying Reports Return
Feds Find No Proof Of Hacking On Failed Illinois Water Pump
Google Kills Off Seven More Products, Including Wave
Facebook Phone: Who Would Buy This Thing?



SPORTS
NBA Talks Resume

Player's lawyer David Boies

Giving the gift of renewed talks

Harbaugh Bros. Get Together For Thanksgiving
49ers face Ravens on the Thanksgiving NFL card

Garrison, Versteeg Send Panthers Past Rangers 2-1

Chiefs Claim Orton Off Waivers

Capitals Ground Jets 4-3 In OT

Win, LSU, Or Watch Your Shot At BCS Title Go Away

Bruins Edge Sabres 4-3, Extend Win Streak To Ten



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
Will Katy Perry Star As Marilyn Monroe On Broadway?

Perry, Monroe & Williams: the three Marilyns?

Harvey Weinstein talking up the possibility


Nicole Scherzinger Bares Her Assets In New Book


“Desperate Housewives” Books Final Season Comebacks For Dana Delany, Kyle McLachlan


J-Lo’s Beau Casper Smart Faces Charges For Illegal Drag Racing

Lady Gaga Gets Into The Holiday Spirit


Expect Madness And Craziness For Miley’s 19th Birthday, Says Kelly Osbourne

Eva Mendes Looks Freakishly Like Amy Winehouse On Set Of New Movie

Dan Lozano: King of Sleaze Mountain



FOREIGNERS
Bahraini King Blames Iran For Fueling Uprising Despite Report
Turkey’s Hard Line On Syria Hides Conflicted Loyalties
Sherry Rehman Named New Pakistani Ambassador To UN
Russia May Target US Missile Defense Sites
British Columbia Court Upholds Constitutionality Of Anti-Polygamy Law



BLOGS & STUFF
Michael Walsh: Newt The Tactician
Wizbang: “…let’s be humane…”
Don Surber: Syria The Next Libya?
Lonely Conservative: Business Owner Posts Signs On Trucks – No Hiring Until Obama’s Out Of Office
Dave Weigel: Team Romney Crows About That Obama Ad
Megan McArdle: German Bond Auction Falls
Weasel Zippers: Poll – 48% Of Voters Want Courts To Kill Obamacare
Doug Powers: Bachmann Says, By Now Michelle Obama Would Have Gotten An Apology From NBC


SOTD – Baby Got Back (h/t El Rushbo)


Administrivia: there will be no Live at Five on Friday morning

Category: Live at Five

Knuckle-Dragging Conservative Who Hates Progress And Gaia Loves To Vent His Fascist Rage On Innocent Animals

Posted on | November 23, 2011 | 11 Comments

by Smitty

via Grandpa John

Category: Paul Ryan

‘Equality’ for 0.5%

Posted on | November 23, 2011 | 7 Comments

There is no fraction of the population so tiny that it cannot be organized into a victimhood constituency that provides liberals an opportunity to congratulate themselves on their moral superiority:

BOSTON – Wednesday, November 23, 2011 – Governor Deval Patrick today signed H.3810, “An Act Relative To Gender Identity,” historic legislation to legally protect transgender individuals from discrimination in housing, education, employment and credit. The new law, signed at the State House today, also provides additional civil rights and protections from hate crimes. . . .
“Massachusetts strives to be an inclusive Commonwealth, and this new law acknowledges that discrimination against any person will not be tolerated,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.
The transgender equal rights law will make Massachusetts the 16th state to treat transgender citizens as a protected class. . . .
“Today is a another step toward ensuring equal protections for all citizens and eradicating discrimination in our Commonwealth,” said Attorney General Martha Coakley. “For too long, transgender people have suffered in silence in seeking employment, safe housing and educational opportunities. With the signing of this bill, Massachusetts has created a better, and fairer, future for all residents, regardless of their gender identity or expression.” . . .
“This bill is about making sure that our anti-discrimination and civil rights laws protect all victims,” said Senator Benjamin B. Downing. “For too long the 33,000 transgender residents in Massachusetts have gone without these protections. Thanks to this step that will no longer be the case.”

So, I did the math: 6.5 million people in Massachusetts according to the Census Bureau, 33,000 “transgender residents” according to Downing and, unless I misplaced the decimal point, these liberals are applauding themselves for providing “equal protection” to about one-half of one percent of the state’s people. What about the other 99.5 percent?

Never mind. The grand crusade for “eradicating discrimination” must continue on behalf of those who have “suffered in silence” — as if, prior to passage of this legislation, Massachusetts was a hive of intolerance.

Ask yourself: What “rights” have actually been secured by this legislation that is the occasion for another tiresome outburst of liberal self-congratulation? Mainly, the right to sue people for “discrimination,” creating more work for ambulance-chasers who can now collect fees for filing nuisance lawsuits against companies accused of failing to meet their quota of transgendered employees.

So when people in Boston start showing up for work dressed like extras from The Rocky Horror Picture Show — and threatening to sue anybody who says a discouraging word about their legally protected right to “gender identity” — don’t say I didn’t warn you.

UPDATE: Since we’re talking about percentages, are there any millionaires among those “33,000 transgender residents in Massachusetts”? Because if they’re part of that 1%, they have no rights.

Category: Massachusetts
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