Friday, March 20, 2009
The Futility of Hybrid Cars
The Futility of Hybrid Cars
"What about plug-in hybrid vehicles? When he was running for president, Obama pledged to put 1 million of the vehicles on the road by 2015. Aside from the question of how popular they’ll be with a projected retail price of $40,000 (as compared to $23,000 for a conventional vehicle), will they actually reduce carbon emissions? Only if the power plants they get electricity from produce little if any carbon. But since most U.S. electricity production is not carbon-free, the CRS observes that the “widespread adoption of plug-in hybrid vehicles through 2030 may have only a small effect on, and might actually increase, net CO2 emissions.”"
"What about plug-in hybrid vehicles? When he was running for president, Obama pledged to put 1 million of the vehicles on the road by 2015. Aside from the question of how popular they’ll be with a projected retail price of $40,000 (as compared to $23,000 for a conventional vehicle), will they actually reduce carbon emissions? Only if the power plants they get electricity from produce little if any carbon. But since most U.S. electricity production is not carbon-free, the CRS observes that the “widespread adoption of plug-in hybrid vehicles through 2030 may have only a small effect on, and might actually increase, net CO2 emissions.”"
$1 trillion deficits estimated for each of next 10 years
$1 trillion deficits estimated for each of next 10 years
"President Obama's budget would generate unsustainably large deficits averaging almost $1 trillion a year over the next decade, according to new estimates released Friday.
The new Congressional Budget Office figures predict Obama's budget will produce $9.3 trillion worth of red ink over 2010-2019. That's $2.3 trillion worse than the administration predicted in its budget just last month.
Worst of all, CBO says the deficit under Obama's policies would never go below 4% of the size of the economy, figures that economists agree are unsustainable. By the end of the decade, the deficit would exceed 5% of gross domestic product, a dangerously high level.
The latest figures throw a major monkey wrench into efforts to enact Obama's budget, which promises universal health care for all and higher spending for domestic programs like education and research into renewable energy.
The dismal deficit figures, if they prove to be accurate, inevitably raise the prospect that Obama and his allies controlling Congress would have to consider raising taxes after the recession ends or else pare back his agenda."
"President Obama's budget would generate unsustainably large deficits averaging almost $1 trillion a year over the next decade, according to new estimates released Friday.
The new Congressional Budget Office figures predict Obama's budget will produce $9.3 trillion worth of red ink over 2010-2019. That's $2.3 trillion worse than the administration predicted in its budget just last month.
Worst of all, CBO says the deficit under Obama's policies would never go below 4% of the size of the economy, figures that economists agree are unsustainable. By the end of the decade, the deficit would exceed 5% of gross domestic product, a dangerously high level.
The latest figures throw a major monkey wrench into efforts to enact Obama's budget, which promises universal health care for all and higher spending for domestic programs like education and research into renewable energy.
The dismal deficit figures, if they prove to be accurate, inevitably raise the prospect that Obama and his allies controlling Congress would have to consider raising taxes after the recession ends or else pare back his agenda."
Where Do We Get Such Men?
Where Do We Get Such Men?
"Dr. Bill Krissoff was commissioned Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Medical Corps on November 17, 2007, at the age of 61. His decision to apply to the Navy Medical Corps to care for Marines came in response to the death of his oldest son. In December 2006, his son First Lieutenant Nathan Krissoff, USMC, who was serving as a Counterintelligence Officer with the 3rd Recon Battalion in Iraq, was killed in combat. Inspired by his son’s commitment and dedication to serving his country, Dr. Krissoff decided to apply himself."
"Dr. Bill Krissoff was commissioned Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Medical Corps on November 17, 2007, at the age of 61. His decision to apply to the Navy Medical Corps to care for Marines came in response to the death of his oldest son. In December 2006, his son First Lieutenant Nathan Krissoff, USMC, who was serving as a Counterintelligence Officer with the 3rd Recon Battalion in Iraq, was killed in combat. Inspired by his son’s commitment and dedication to serving his country, Dr. Krissoff decided to apply himself."
Gordon Brown is frustrated by 'Psycho' in No 10
Gordon Brown is frustrated by 'Psycho' in No 10
"Alas, when the PM settled down to begin watching them the other night, he found there was a problem.
The films only worked in DVD players made in North America and the words 'wrong region' came up on his screen."
"Alas, when the PM settled down to begin watching them the other night, he found there was a problem.
The films only worked in DVD players made in North America and the words 'wrong region' came up on his screen."
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Gun sales UP UP UP!
Gun Sales UP UP UP UP!
"And the timing does seem to be more closely linked to the election than to the economic downturn more broadly"
"And the timing does seem to be more closely linked to the election than to the economic downturn more broadly"
Roll Call 143 on H R 1586 - GOP.gov
Roll Call 143 on H R 1586 - GOP.gov:
H R 1586 (Roll # 143)To Impose An Additional Tax On Bonuses Received From Certain Tarp Recipients.
Ayes:
"Hoekstra (R, MI-02)"
shit!
What's up with Hoekstra?
Governoritus?
and Eilers?
Ehlers (R, MI-03)
H R 1586 (Roll # 143)To Impose An Additional Tax On Bonuses Received From Certain Tarp Recipients.
Ayes:
"Hoekstra (R, MI-02)"
shit!
What's up with Hoekstra?
Governoritus?
and Eilers?
Ehlers (R, MI-03)
Why Obama’s Teleprompter Gaffe Tape Matters
Why Obama’s Teleprompter Gaffe Tape Matters
"John McCain time and time again repudiated Republicans who went after Obama in the way the Democrats went after him. McCain lost. The only chance for a GOP comeback is to fight as nastily as the Democrats have fought and nastier if possible."
"John McCain time and time again repudiated Republicans who went after Obama in the way the Democrats went after him. McCain lost. The only chance for a GOP comeback is to fight as nastily as the Democrats have fought and nastier if possible."
Naked Short Sales Hint Fraud in Bringing Down Lehman
Naked Short Sales Hint Fraud in Bringing Down Lehman
"This isn’t a trail of breadcrumbs; this audit trail is lit up like an airport runway,” he said. “You can see it a mile off. Subpoena e-mails. Find out who spread false rumors and also shorted the stock and you’ve got your manipulators.”"
"This isn’t a trail of breadcrumbs; this audit trail is lit up like an airport runway,” he said. “You can see it a mile off. Subpoena e-mails. Find out who spread false rumors and also shorted the stock and you’ve got your manipulators.”"
Wilson Williams and his Platters coming to Frauenthal
Wilson Williams and his Platters coming to Frauenthal
"It seemed everyone wanted to be one of The Platters, during the doo-wop music group's 1950s heyday.
Today, many people are.
Wilson Williams and his Platters will perform Saturday at the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts. The Platters group performing this weekend is not the original group and does not have any original members in its line-up, said Bob Scolnik, president of Mona Lake Productions, the company promoting the Muskegon concert."
"It seemed everyone wanted to be one of The Platters, during the doo-wop music group's 1950s heyday.
Today, many people are.
Wilson Williams and his Platters will perform Saturday at the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts. The Platters group performing this weekend is not the original group and does not have any original members in its line-up, said Bob Scolnik, president of Mona Lake Productions, the company promoting the Muskegon concert."
US Rep Proposes Bill To Use Pension Assets For Banking System
US Rep Proposes Bill To Use Pension Assets For Banking System: "A ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee has proposed legislation that would allow public pension funds to buy preferred stock from ailing U.S. banks, prompting apprehension from public pension plan trustees.
The legislation introduced by Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y., offers public pension funds a guaranteed rate of return in exchange for buying the preferred stock, or for loaning the government their money to loosen the credit freeze."
The legislation introduced by Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y., offers public pension funds a guaranteed rate of return in exchange for buying the preferred stock, or for loaning the government their money to loosen the credit freeze."
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Harvard Chaplain Oversees Godless 'Congregations' for Humanists
Harvard Chaplain Oversees Godless 'Congregations' for Humanists
"Definitions of humanism vary. Generally, humanists reject belief in the supernatural and are guided by reason, experience and compassion for others. Epstein defines the philosophy as a commitment to living ethical, personally fulfilling lives while serving the greater good."
Isn't this "atheism" and hasn't it been tried, and failed, in communist and NAZI countries before?
And doesn't the "compassion for others" result in the "compassionate" stealing from "others" to give to their "special others"?
"Definitions of humanism vary. Generally, humanists reject belief in the supernatural and are guided by reason, experience and compassion for others. Epstein defines the philosophy as a commitment to living ethical, personally fulfilling lives while serving the greater good."
Isn't this "atheism" and hasn't it been tried, and failed, in communist and NAZI countries before?
And doesn't the "compassion for others" result in the "compassionate" stealing from "others" to give to their "special others"?
Snarky Huntress: Go away sun, I want the Summer.
Snarky Huntress: Go away sun, I want the Summer
"How can it be that summer is when the sun is the farthest away from us?"
I never knew this!
"How can it be that summer is when the sun is the farthest away from us?"
I never knew this!
NATASHA LEFT BRAIN DEAD
NATASHA LEFT BRAIN DEAD
"Richardson, 45, was injured after what seemed to be a minor fall on a 'bunny' slope during a skiing lesson near Montreal on Monday."
Do NOT get injured or sick in "free health care" Canada.
You, or someone you love will die!
"Richardson, 45, was injured after what seemed to be a minor fall on a 'bunny' slope during a skiing lesson near Montreal on Monday."
Do NOT get injured or sick in "free health care" Canada.
You, or someone you love will die!
Bankruptcy on the Table
Bankruptcy on the Table
"Vallejo, California declared Chapter 9 bankruptcy last year primarily to get out of generous obligations promised to public employees. Yesterday they did. A judge ruled that union contracts can be voided in a municipal bankruptcy.
Also yesterday, the New Jersey legislature allowed localities to skip out on making half of their required pension payments that would otherwise be due April 1"
"Vallejo, California declared Chapter 9 bankruptcy last year primarily to get out of generous obligations promised to public employees. Yesterday they did. A judge ruled that union contracts can be voided in a municipal bankruptcy.
Also yesterday, the New Jersey legislature allowed localities to skip out on making half of their required pension payments that would otherwise be due April 1"
Teacher Pension problems
Teacher Pension problems
"Ever since she stopped teaching in 2001 after 37 years in Collinsville classrooms, Ann Moss has received a steady stream of pension money to support her retirement years.
But with a recession gaining steam and a state budget shortfall surging past $9 billion, Moss, 62, of Collinsville, is thinking about what will happen if the payments from Springfield somehow slow down - and the fate of future teachers if the investments dissolve even more.
'If everything tanks, everybody's going down with you,' she said recently."
"Ever since she stopped teaching in 2001 after 37 years in Collinsville classrooms, Ann Moss has received a steady stream of pension money to support her retirement years.
But with a recession gaining steam and a state budget shortfall surging past $9 billion, Moss, 62, of Collinsville, is thinking about what will happen if the payments from Springfield somehow slow down - and the fate of future teachers if the investments dissolve even more.
'If everything tanks, everybody's going down with you,' she said recently."
Britain apologises for 'Third World' hospital
Britain apologises for 'Third World' hospital
"Receptionists with no medical training were left to to assess patients arriving at the hospital's accident and emergency department, the report found."
"Receptionists with no medical training were left to to assess patients arriving at the hospital's accident and emergency department, the report found."
Monday, March 16, 2009
Pelosi goes to bat to keep Bay Area papers alive
Pelosi goes to bat to keep Bay Area papers alive: "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, worried about the fate of The Chronicle and other financially struggling newspapers, urged the Justice Department Monday to consider giving Bay Area papers more leeway to merge or consolidate business operations to stay afloat."
What does the Justice dept. have to do with private businesses?
What does the Justice dept. have to do with private businesses?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Thomas Friedman’s World Is Flat Broke: Peter Newcomb | Vanity Fair
Thomas Friedman’s World Is Flat Broke: Peter Newcomb Vanity Fair: "That’s because the author’s wife, Ann (née Bucksbaum), is an heir to the General Growth fortune. In the past year, the couple—who live in an 11,400-square-foot mansion in Bethesda, Maryland—have watched helplessly as General Growth stock has fallen 99 percent, from a high of $51 to a recent 35 cents a share. The assorted Bucksbaum family trusts, once worth a combined $3.6 billion, are now worth less than $25 million.
But don’t expect Friedman to go from Beirut to Jerusalem begging for money. The distinguished columnist (and former New Establishment member) is still said to get at least $50,000 per speaking engagement on top of the millions he makes writing best-sellers."
But don’t expect Friedman to go from Beirut to Jerusalem begging for money. The distinguished columnist (and former New Establishment member) is still said to get at least $50,000 per speaking engagement on top of the millions he makes writing best-sellers."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)