Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Cornel West Calls Out Obama
Dr. West is one of my favorite speakers. This time he slows it down so I can catch every word.
Mighty wind ...
Despite a crippling recession and tight credit markets, the American wind power industry grew at a blistering pace in 2009, adding 39 percent more capacity. The country is close to the point where 2 percent of its electricity will come from wind turbines.
...
Good news.
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The American Wind Energy Association, in its annual report to be released on Tuesday, said the amount of capacity added last year, 9,900 megawatts, was the largest on record, and was 18 percent above the capacity added in 2008, also a banner year.
The group said the growth of wind power was helped by the federal stimulus package that passed a year ago, which extended a tax credit and provided other investment incentives for the industry.
...
Give Barry credit where it's due. The stimulus is starting to work but you know the fiscal scolds won't allow another, something the alternative energy folks could use. We'll see what he has to say tonight.
Now, with all the hot air being wasted in Washington, if we put a wind farm on the Potomac ...
Thanks to Chris for the link.
The "new" Watergate* ...
So "Pimp Boy" and some of his butt buddies pulling "a Liddy"? Think the Dems will use it to political advantage? Yeah, me neither.
*Though some of us might say the Republican burglary of the U.S. never ended after Nixon left.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
How 11 Green Berets Rebooted Afghanistan
This also shows how Karzai came to power.
11 Green Berets did all that? I got a idea here: bring all our troops home and send 11 more Green Berets over to Clusterfuckistan and tell 'em to continue the march. Probly wouldn't hurt to give 'em the radio with Strategic Air Command at the other end either.
Bush's minimal success at very low cost and then his decision to put Afghanistan on the back burner in favor of his criminal war in Iraq was like plugging a leaky toilet with cheap silicone seal and walking away - the next thing you know, the house is full of shit and you're up to your neck in it.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
11 Green Berets did all that? I got a idea here: bring all our troops home and send 11 more Green Berets over to Clusterfuckistan and tell 'em to continue the march. Probly wouldn't hurt to give 'em the radio with Strategic Air Command at the other end either.
Bush's minimal success at very low cost and then his decision to put Afghanistan on the back burner in favor of his criminal war in Iraq was like plugging a leaky toilet with cheap silicone seal and walking away - the next thing you know, the house is full of shit and you're up to your neck in it.
Group Receives 'Tsunami of Vile Hate' After ABC Exposé on U.S. Military 'Jesus Rifles'
If the subject of the religious right's massive infiltration of the military in which I proudly served disturbs you as much as it disturbs me, go read BradBlog, links at site.
One excerpt from an email from a US soldier:
There's a "senior NCO" (No Chance on the Outside) that needs to be made a slick-sleeve private and start his military career over. And just for motivation he should stay in the same outfit with the soldiers he tried to intimidate with his phony xtian bullshit.
From a hate email from a 'Task Force Patriot':
I'm a Veteran too, asshole. Name the street. You ain't got the balls to show up.
One excerpt from an email from a US soldier:
Nothing in my first 2 deployments prepared me for what happened with the Trijicon ACOG gun sights during my 3rd deployment to Afghanistan. I will never forget the day it occurred. It was morning and there was a mandatory formation of several companies. A very senior NCO was yelling at us which is not that unusual. He asked a private what it was that he (the private) was holding in his hand and the private said it was his "weapon" several times to which the senior NCO replied "and what ELSE is it"?
FInally, the senior NCO said that the private's rifle was also something else; that because of the biblical quote on the ACOG gunsight it had been "spiritually transformed into the Fire Arm of Jesus Christ" and that we would be expected to kill every "haji" we could find with it. He said that if we were to run out of ammo, then the rifle would become the "spiritually transformed club of Jesus Christ" and that we should "bust open the head of every haji we find with it.'"He said that Uncle Sam had seen fit not to give us a "pussy 'Jewzzi' (combination of the word 'Jew' and Israeli made weapon 'Uzi') but the "fire arm of Jesus Christ" and made specific mention of the biblical quotes on our gun sights.
There's a "senior NCO" (No Chance on the Outside) that needs to be made a slick-sleeve private and start his military career over. And just for motivation he should stay in the same outfit with the soldiers he tried to intimidate with his phony xtian bullshit.
From a hate email from a 'Task Force Patriot':
I am amazed with the zealotry with which you attack this poor group of old veterans. I am not amazed, though, that you are a jew.
You do not fool me, I've done my research on you and your "organization". You are no better than the ACLU and are just one small part of the effort of those that would destroy this great nation from within.
I will see you in the streets.
I'm a Veteran too, asshole. Name the street. You ain't got the balls to show up.
Bush & Clinton on Haiti
I'm convinced that Europeans get better TV coverage of us than we do.
Thanks to OuiCestBon, Netherlands.
Heh ...
Rush writes ... for The Onion:
...
Try to look at it from my point of view. I have no reason to live. In my 59 years, I've made millions of dollars, built a veritable media empire, and accomplished virtually everything that a man of my limited imagination and worldview could possibly accomplish. And yet, at this point, in no way could you refer to what I'm doing as "living," exactly. I just sort of exist. I derive no real pleasure from life. Oh, sure, I talk a big game about what a golf nut I am and how much I enjoy the taste of a fine cigar, but it's all horseshit. Complete and utter horseshit.
...
I don't get him ...
So the President went on ABC with Diane Sawyer saying "I'd rather be a really good one-term President than a mediocre 2-term President."
Lemmie ask ya something, pal. If you were a one-term President, what would follow you? The Dems wouldn't primary you. A 3rd Party candidate couldn't win, but would throw the election to the Republicans.
So, in four years you'll be able to say "It's been fun" and walk off into the sunset while a Republican dismantles all the "really good" stuff you've done? This is, of course, assuming your next 3 years go better than this first one.
You know, I'd like a President who has a vision past the first 4 years; someone with a 'master plan' of where he wants the nation to go over the next 50. I don't want a guy, a year in, to be accepting the fact he might not win a second term. Instead, I'd like him to get on the stick and do what he promised to do; at the very least, give it a wholehearted attempt.
Lemmie ask ya something, pal. If you were a one-term President, what would follow you? The Dems wouldn't primary you. A 3rd Party candidate couldn't win, but would throw the election to the Republicans.
So, in four years you'll be able to say "It's been fun" and walk off into the sunset while a Republican dismantles all the "really good" stuff you've done? This is, of course, assuming your next 3 years go better than this first one.
You know, I'd like a President who has a vision past the first 4 years; someone with a 'master plan' of where he wants the nation to go over the next 50. I don't want a guy, a year in, to be accepting the fact he might not win a second term. Instead, I'd like him to get on the stick and do what he promised to do; at the very least, give it a wholehearted attempt.
Monday, January 25, 2010
My tax dollars at work
So there I was, looking out the kitchen window while making lunch, when this monster hove into view. I grabbed the cam and headed outside to film it at work. I made it halfway down the driveway in a coupla inches of snow before I realized that my moccasins had no tread on the soles and that I was in imminent danger of falling on my ass! The operator stopped the machine for a few minutes and I slipped and slid back up to the house and put on some shoes.
Note the 'drift cutters' sticking up in front of the augur. Some places around here, they don't reach the top of the snowbank.
The berm was installed only moments before by this guy's partner whom you'll see in the vid. Wet and heavy, my little 8-tiny-horse & 1-old-jackass-powered snowthrower wouldn't have made a dent in it. The big cutter saved me maybe thirty minutes work with my idiot stick.
This all happened about thirty minutes ago. Ain't the interwebs grand?
Note the 'drift cutters' sticking up in front of the augur. Some places around here, they don't reach the top of the snowbank.
The berm was installed only moments before by this guy's partner whom you'll see in the vid. Wet and heavy, my little 8-tiny-horse & 1-old-jackass-powered snowthrower wouldn't have made a dent in it. The big cutter saved me maybe thirty minutes work with my idiot stick.
This all happened about thirty minutes ago. Ain't the interwebs grand?
All-star concert honors life of Norton Buffalo
Here's a follow-up on my post about the passing of Norton Buffalo.
EssEffChron
Good word, reek...
Please read the rest if you're interested.
EssEffChron
When Buffalo was diagnosed with lung cancer in September after getting off his summer tour with the Steve Miller Band, his longtime bandleader and close friend talked to Buffalo about putting together a benefit concert.
Three days before he died, a few short weeks later, Buffalo OKd Miller's plans to bring some of Buffalo's friends together for a pair of concerts that took place over the weekend at Oakland's recently refurbished Fox Theater.
He died knowing that friends and admirers like Miller, the Doobie Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Charlie Musselwhite, George Thorogood and Huey Lewis agreed to play the shows. He told Miller he wanted the proceeds to pay off his mortgage.
The five-hour concert laid out a banquet of music. Everybody played with everybody. Bishop joined the Doobie Brothers to sing his song "My Dog" and rattle off some blistering guitar. He came back to play with Miller and add still more blistering guitar. Blues harmonica virtuoso Musselwhite sat in with Raitt, the Doobies and Miller. Raitt traded molten blues guitar solos with the boys - Miller and Bishop - during the Miller band set and sang "Listen to the Music" with the Doobies.
George Thorogood played Bo Diddley with Miller, shaking Buffalo's maracas. Michael Carabello of the original Santana band took over for Buffalo on congas in Miller's set. Miller himself played the harmonica part to "Livin' in the U.S.A." - like he did before and hasn't since Buffalo joined the band in 1977.
Attorney General (and next Governor of California! - G) Jerry Brown , who as mayor oversaw the downtown Oakland development that the new Fox anchors, wandered around backstage, looking a little like he showed up at the wrong party. Of course, the entire place did reek of marijuana smoke.
Good word, reek...
Please read the rest if you're interested.
Who's got the best weed?
EssEffChron
Sounds like it's not so much gonna judge the best weed, but only the strongest. Weed these days is all pretty much "one hit, no shit" stuff.
To judge that much weed correctly as to the type of high would take about a month, so I don't blame them for doing it this way.
The fact that they're going to have this kind of contest at all is the best news.
It's like a beer competition for marijuana.
A cannabis festival in Aspen this spring will be the first in the state for approved growers to put their strains in a contest.
The Western Slope Cannabis Crown will have about 50 state-approved medical marijuana growers enter their strains of weed. The marijuana strains will be diagnostically tested for their THC levels. Growers will also be able to sell to medical marijuana patients. The customers would vote on a "people's choice" strain.
The Cannabis Crown organizer, Bobby Scurlock, says about 1,500 tickets have been sold for the two-day event.
Sounds like it's not so much gonna judge the best weed, but only the strongest. Weed these days is all pretty much "one hit, no shit" stuff.
To judge that much weed correctly as to the type of high would take about a month, so I don't blame them for doing it this way.
The fact that they're going to have this kind of contest at all is the best news.
Quote of the Day
The Rude One on the Massachusetts voters who voted for Brown:
As the tea party protests and town hall screamers demonstrated, our delusional fucktards no longer have to stand on street corners in rags.
Headline of the Day
Ed Schultz Tells Robert Gibbs He’s ‘Full Of Sh*t’ And ‘You’re Losing Your Base’
Video and many, many comments.
Update:
Gibbs responds: I told Ed Schultz he was intentionally lying to ‘get people to watch his show.’
Note to Gibbs: You're full of shit and you're losing your base.
Oh, the irony...
Ironic Times
Can't say as I blame 'em. Older ladies travelling with younger men spend too much time in their cabins and not enough in the shops, exactly the opposite of elderly gentlemen who have more time to spend money on their nieces...
Report: Company Inscribing Bible Quotes on Its Military Gun Sights
To be used in war against religious extremists.
Study: Only Eleven Minutes of Actual Action in NFL Games
Remaining two hours, forty-nine minutes made up of milling about, arguing, waiting for stretcher.
All-White Basketball League's First Season Begins in June
League's founder already being called “the Abe Saperstein of racism.”
??? ~ News Quiz ~ ???
The Supreme Court held that restrictions in McCain-Feingold on how much money a corporation can spend to influence elections are unconstitutional because:
A ) a giant corporation is legally the same as “a natural person.”
B ) giant corporations have feelings, too.
C ) corporations don’t have enough influence on elected officials yet.
Hint: there are one or two members of Congress still up for sale.
Carnival Bans Cougars, Cubs From Cruises
But not elderly gentlemen traveling with their nieces.
Can't say as I blame 'em. Older ladies travelling with younger men spend too much time in their cabins and not enough in the shops, exactly the opposite of elderly gentlemen who have more time to spend money on their nieces...
Sobering ...
Read Avedon today:
We're screwing ourselves to hell.
...
But Ian Welsh is right: The Supreme Court has affirmed a right of Malefactors of Great Wealth to buy elections, thus making the United States officially a fascist state. Absent a Congress willing to impeach the anti-Constitutional scum who currently infest the court, you don't have anything resembling Constitutional government anymore and you aren't going to.
And that means you have to make a decision: Fight or escape.
And you have to ask yourself: "Do people like me have sufficient strength to win this fight? Is there any hope of getting it?"
And I can't bring myself to tell you that you should fight, at the expense of everything you've got. Not you, not your economic well-being, not your family will be safe from the evils and predations of these truly vile people and the hideous system they have created out of what used to be a fairly promising country that once held out hope and lighted a path for the world.
...
We're screwing ourselves to hell.
I hope ...
Somebody in Washington will read this. Sen. Bernie Sanders via Cookie Jill:
The Dems and the President had better wise up quick or we'll be talking President Brown and Vice President Palin in 2012. The last thing this nation needs is another Republican majority.
...
In the overwhelmingly Democratic Senate the situation has been equally dismal. There, the Senate Finance Committee created a Gang of Six that included three Republicans--two of whom (Grassley and Enzi) are extremely conservative--to determine the shape of healthcare reform. Amid cries of "death panels," "socialized medicine" and "government takeover of health care," the meetings dragged on and on. On the floor of the Senate, the situation has been even worse. The Republicans have played the most obstructionist role ever with a record number of filibusters and other delaying tactics. The Republicans recently even voted temporarily to deny funds to our troops in the field of combat as a way to delay healthcare reform. They are also unanimous in opposing the increase in the debt limit, which if not raised would likely cause the collapse of both the American and the international financial systems.
...
The Dems and the President had better wise up quick or we'll be talking President Brown and Vice President Palin in 2012. The last thing this nation needs is another Republican majority.
Black helicopter alert ...
You know how the conservatives are afraid the progressives are beginning the 'New World Order', you know, "black helicopters" and "The world governed from the UN" and "foreign troops patrolling American streets". Well, thanks to SCOTUS, we'll have foreigners messing with our political system ... legally.
Well, it looks like the conservatives have taken the first step down that road.
...What's that old adage? Beware of the unintended consequences. Clearly, that's something that neither the Supreme Court nor the Republican Party factored in before crowing about the heinous Citizens United v. FEC ruling last week.
For all his high-falutin' talk of free speech and transparency and being able to face down those big bullying unions, it has apparently never occurred to Sen. Jim DeMint that SCOTUS just opened doors to multi-national corporations--i.e. FOREIGNERS--meddling in our elections.
...
Well, it looks like the conservatives have taken the first step down that road.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
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