BBC News - A Point of View: Churchill, chance and the 'black dog'
If Bracken hadn't left Australia to reinvent himself as an Englishman and appointed himself as Churchill's faithful protector;
if Beaverbrook and Bracken hadn't found Churchill brooding in his club;
if Bracken hadn't succeeded in persuading Churchill to remain silent;
and if Churchill hadn't been prepared for the desperate struggle that followed by the visits of the black dog, history would have been very different and the world darker than anything we can easily imagine.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Stephen Colbert: 'Let's pray satellite lands in Detroit'
Stephen Colbert: 'Let's pray satellite lands in Detroit' MLive.com
"As we speak a defunct satellite is hurtling toward the Earth where it will destroy everything in it's path. Let's just pray it lands somewhere where it can't do any damage -- like Detroit," Colbert said.
You know, you can't even get angry at these type of sentiments anymore.
Can you imagine what Al Sharpton and the Detroit extorters would demand from US taxpayers if a chunk of space junk flattened a hovel in Dead Town?
"As we speak a defunct satellite is hurtling toward the Earth where it will destroy everything in it's path. Let's just pray it lands somewhere where it can't do any damage -- like Detroit," Colbert said.
You know, you can't even get angry at these type of sentiments anymore.
Can you imagine what Al Sharpton and the Detroit extorters would demand from US taxpayers if a chunk of space junk flattened a hovel in Dead Town?
Renewable Energy Subsidies Are a Waste of Money
Renewable Energy Subsidies Are a Waste of Money
Last month solar companies Spectra Watt in New York, Evergreen Solar in Massachusetts, and Solyndra Solar in California went bankrupt.
All companies had extensive subsidies from state and federal governments.
Taxpayer losses most likely exceeded $1 billion.
All three states have high electricity costs due to banning coal use and mandating renewable energy sources for electricity production.
Last month solar companies Spectra Watt in New York, Evergreen Solar in Massachusetts, and Solyndra Solar in California went bankrupt.
All companies had extensive subsidies from state and federal governments.
Taxpayer losses most likely exceeded $1 billion.
All three states have high electricity costs due to banning coal use and mandating renewable energy sources for electricity production.
Meet Olga Stefou, a Perfect Symbol of Greece’s Downfall
Meet Olga Stefou, a Perfect Symbol of Greece’s Downfall « International Liberty
The Los Angeles Times has a story that provides an inside look at the attitudes that have contributed to Greece’s fiscal collapse.
Let’s start with Olga Stefou, who is a good (or bad) symbol for her nation’s downfall.
She protests in favor of bigger government, naively asserting that the budget shortfall can be solved by pulling 122 troops out of Afghanistan and taxing the Orthodox Church.
Olga’s entitlement mentality is not unusual.
The story also notes that young Greek women think a government job is the most desirable thing in a potential mate. At the risk of being politically incorrect, the people of Greece (at least the ones in the moocher class) deserve a miserable future.
The Los Angeles Times has a story that provides an inside look at the attitudes that have contributed to Greece’s fiscal collapse.
Let’s start with Olga Stefou, who is a good (or bad) symbol for her nation’s downfall.
She protests in favor of bigger government, naively asserting that the budget shortfall can be solved by pulling 122 troops out of Afghanistan and taxing the Orthodox Church.
Olga’s entitlement mentality is not unusual.
The story also notes that young Greek women think a government job is the most desirable thing in a potential mate. At the risk of being politically incorrect, the people of Greece (at least the ones in the moocher class) deserve a miserable future.
Organizers raising money for 'Snurfer' statue expected to go in downtown Muskegon next spring
Organizers raising money for 'Snurfer' statue expected to go in downtown Muskegon next spring MLive.com: The piece has a price tag of about $50,000, with $35,000 already committed by local individuals, businesses and organizations.
Organizers hope to have the remaining $15,000 raised by mid-October.
That's enough to cover the cost of raw materials, contracting with the artist and mounting and shipping the sculpture.
Contributors giving $1,000 or more will get a commemorative plaque on the statue's platform.
Wow!
A nifty new statue from the deep pockets of our betters!
Waaay better for our city than ....say....a functioning school system.
Wait til the unwashed see the Snurfer........land rush to Muskegon!
Organizers hope to have the remaining $15,000 raised by mid-October.
That's enough to cover the cost of raw materials, contracting with the artist and mounting and shipping the sculpture.
Contributors giving $1,000 or more will get a commemorative plaque on the statue's platform.
Wow!
A nifty new statue from the deep pockets of our betters!
Waaay better for our city than ....say....a functioning school system.
Wait til the unwashed see the Snurfer........land rush to Muskegon!
EPA To Shut Down 20% of Coal Plants in 2012
EPA To Shut Down 20% of Coal Plants in 2012 - Helen Whalen Cohen
"Obama's EPA Cues 130 Billion Race to Cut Pollution By 2015", she reports that the EPA will shut down 20 percent of coal plants through the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule.
"Obama's EPA Cues 130 Billion Race to Cut Pollution By 2015", she reports that the EPA will shut down 20 percent of coal plants through the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule.
Problems For The President: Americans Give Him Lowest Approval Rating Ever
Problems For The President: Americans Give Him Lowest Approval Rating Ever YouGov US Opinion Center
57% believes most of what he says is what he wants people to hear, and not what he really believes.
That is one point short of the highest percentage recorded on this question in this poll.
57% believes most of what he says is what he wants people to hear, and not what he really believes.
That is one point short of the highest percentage recorded on this question in this poll.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The Latest Ugly Truth About Pakistan
The Latest Ugly Truth About Pakistan - NYTimes.com
Pakistan’s spy agency — Inter-Services Intelligence — played a direct role in supporting insurgents who attacked the American Embassy in Kabul last week, killing 16 people.
He also said that with ISI support, the Haqqani network of terrorists planned and conducted an earlier truck bombing on a NATO outpost that killed 5 people and wounded 77 coalition troops, and other recent attacks.
Pakistan’s spy agency — Inter-Services Intelligence — played a direct role in supporting insurgents who attacked the American Embassy in Kabul last week, killing 16 people.
He also said that with ISI support, the Haqqani network of terrorists planned and conducted an earlier truck bombing on a NATO outpost that killed 5 people and wounded 77 coalition troops, and other recent attacks.
Mrs. Warren’s profession, cont’d
Mrs. Warren’s profession, cont’d Power Line
President Obama operates on a different philosophy of government from that of the Founders.
His credo is reflected in the proposition: “I think at some point you have made enough money.”
The Founders thought that at some point the government had enough power.
Obama, however, is a devout believer in unlimited government.
President Obama operates on a different philosophy of government from that of the Founders.
His credo is reflected in the proposition: “I think at some point you have made enough money.”
The Founders thought that at some point the government had enough power.
Obama, however, is a devout believer in unlimited government.
Five Myths About Millionaires
Instapundit » Blog Archive »
WASHINGTON POST:
Five Myths About Millionaires.
Including this one: “In a speech on Monday, Obama said raising taxes on millionaires isn’t class warfare, but ‘math.’
His math may be off: According to the IRS, those with adjusted gross incomes of more than $1 million paid an average of 23.3 percent in federal income taxes in 2008; those earning between $100,000 and $200,000 paid 12.7 percent; and those earning between $50,000 and $100,000 paid 8.9 percent.
Half of American families don’t make enough money to pay income taxes at all.”
And that’s the real problem.
Everyone should have skin in the game.
UPDATE: A couple of readers suggest that payroll taxes provide the necessary skin.
Well, yes and no.
On the one hand, payroll taxes for Social Security, etc., are allegedly more like insurance premiums — and they’re not paid by those who aren’t working, or who are working under the table.
On the other hand, the fact that we’re currently enjoying a payroll-tax reduction that will be politically hard to eliminate suggests that where more people have a stake, there’s more pressure for lower taxes.
Want to bet that if everyone paid income taxes, and if, as I’ve suggested before, the amount always went up when federal spending went up, we’d see a lot more resistance to increased federal spending?
WASHINGTON POST:
Five Myths About Millionaires.
Including this one: “In a speech on Monday, Obama said raising taxes on millionaires isn’t class warfare, but ‘math.’
His math may be off: According to the IRS, those with adjusted gross incomes of more than $1 million paid an average of 23.3 percent in federal income taxes in 2008; those earning between $100,000 and $200,000 paid 12.7 percent; and those earning between $50,000 and $100,000 paid 8.9 percent.
Half of American families don’t make enough money to pay income taxes at all.”
And that’s the real problem.
Everyone should have skin in the game.
UPDATE: A couple of readers suggest that payroll taxes provide the necessary skin.
Well, yes and no.
On the one hand, payroll taxes for Social Security, etc., are allegedly more like insurance premiums — and they’re not paid by those who aren’t working, or who are working under the table.
On the other hand, the fact that we’re currently enjoying a payroll-tax reduction that will be politically hard to eliminate suggests that where more people have a stake, there’s more pressure for lower taxes.
Want to bet that if everyone paid income taxes, and if, as I’ve suggested before, the amount always went up when federal spending went up, we’d see a lot more resistance to increased federal spending?
Why not pay back taxpayers first?
Why not pay back taxpayers first? « » Print The Daily Caller
The $15 billion aside, if GM is so profitable it can afford to give its new hires a raise and all its UAW workers plush health benefits and a big bonus, that’s great.
But why do I fear the economic assumptions underlying these numbers will prove to be unrealistic?
......Plus the whole new car market may be shrinking as the economy stalls.
The $15 billion aside, if GM is so profitable it can afford to give its new hires a raise and all its UAW workers plush health benefits and a big bonus, that’s great.
But why do I fear the economic assumptions underlying these numbers will prove to be unrealistic?
......Plus the whole new car market may be shrinking as the economy stalls.
Chart of the Day: 15-Yr. Fixed Rates at Record Low
CARPE DIEM: Chart of the Day: 15-Yr. Fixed Rates at Record Low
The 15-year fixed mortgage rate fell to a new all-time low this week of 3.29%, according to Freddie Mac.
Imagine what housing sales would be without these record setting low mortgage rates.
The situation is worse than it seems.
The 15-year fixed mortgage rate fell to a new all-time low this week of 3.29%, according to Freddie Mac.
Imagine what housing sales would be without these record setting low mortgage rates.
The situation is worse than it seems.
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