Generational Theft Contest - $20,000 Up For Grabs for an Enterprising College Student/Professor Team

The gist of it is:

Today, Pajamas TV is launching its "Generational Theft Contest" on its website. They are inviting college students to join forces with their professors to calculate and express the financial impact of the current economic environment on a 2009 college graduate. In particular, PJTV is looking for the best method or tool to forecast a bachelor's degree holder's annual income in 2014, 2019, 2024 and 2034 after factoring in the cost of current government programs, including TARP and TALF, and stimulus packages, including their associated interest payments, health-care reform, inflation, taxes, etc. The grand prize-winning entry will earn $10,000 for the participating college student or student team, and $10,000 for the aiding professor.

Hmmmm.....I know of a certain professor that might be able to take a gander at this.

Full details can be found HERE.

"You Have Run Out of Our Money"

There are two things that strike me about this speech. One, the situation in England as described so eloquently by Daniel Hannan is one which we in the United States are fast approaching. We have committed the same mistakes, and are about to commit more.

Secondly, this speech was not reported by the BBC, even though Prime Minister Tony Brown's speech was given full coverage. What turned Mr. Hannan into an internet sensation was the hundreds of thousands of people who saw this video and spread it around to friends, family, and bloggers. It is the people themselves who have decided what is newsworthy, not the so-called "establishment" media. Five years ago, we may never have heard of Daniel Hannan.

I imagine we will be hearing quite a bit more from him in the future.

This is well worth the 3:28 minutes of your time (via Daily Mail). It may strike you as being eerily familiar:

Senate Bill 27

The following was e-mailed and fax'd to Senator Cloutier this evening:

Dear Senator Cloutier,

I am writing to express my opposition to Senate Bill 27.

This bill would begin the process of amending the Constitution by adding a section stating that “a marriage between a man and a woman is the only legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state.”

As a Republican, I believe in limited government, personal and fiscal responsibility, and adherence to the Constitution. I do not, however, subscribe to the so-called socially conservative elements of the party who presume to legislate their own interpretation of morality. This is not the function of government, and any attempt to do so only obfuscates the efforts of those who are attending to the real work needed to get us through these troubled times.

Proponents of a bill such as SB 27 cite religious passages of their own preference and proclaim the need to “protect” marriage. While they have the right to their opinion, I would submit that one’s choice of religion is a personal matter, and that whether a marriage “survives” is solely through the efforts of the individuals involved. When a marriage is over, no government nor law can save it, and it has nothing to do with whether or not a measure such as SB 27 is in effect.

Senate Bill 27 presents us with that inevitable slippery slope of infringing into the personal lives of everyday people.

Where will it end?

The government, and especially Republicans, should stay out of the personal lives of the people and stick to the business of governing.

Please vote NO on Senate Bill 27.

Sincerely,

Shirley Vandever

Zo's Take on the AIG Bailout

via Big Hollywood (1:29)

Delaware Tax Day Tea Party Events Planned

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 24, 2009

CONTACT: Chris Shirey 302 W 8th Street Laurel, Delaware 19956

302 875-5489 Email: Delawaretaxteaparty@gmail.com

Delaware announces participation in the Nationwide Tax Day Tea Party on April 15, 2009Plans are underway to hold a Tax Day Tea Party in all three counties of Delaware. This will be part of a national movement with rallies being held in all fifty states to protest out-of-control government spending. Timed to coincide with the date by which Americans must pay their federal income taxes, the Tax Day Tea Party effort is a totally volunteer movement. Confirmed parties include the Circle in Georgetown from noon to 2p and Janosik Park from 4p to 8p. Plans are underway for of Legislative Mall and Rodney Square.

The Tea Party movement has given voice to the average American whose voice gets lost when spoken alone. Each of the Delaware events will be asking for food donations. The need for food has been increasing at a terrifying rate! This is our opportunity to show government that We The People, can recognize a problem and provide a solution faster and better than the government, and we will not require a contract, increased taxes or need a million dollar bonus. The Tax Day Tea Party is history in the making. The only other event in history that can be compared is the Boston Tea Party. This will be the largest gathering of citizens voicing their opinions ever in the history of our country. We also want it to be the largest food drive ever in history. Please don’t just bring a can, bring a box! Your neighbor needs it.

The national coordinators include Smart Girl Politics, Top Conservatives on Twitter and the DontGo Movement, in addition to other center-right activist groups. When asked about the need for nationwide rallies based on the Boston Tea Party of 1773, Eric Odom, Chairman of the DontGo Movement, remarked, “Building on the free market ideas of our founding fathers, and embracing the passion they shared to bring them to light, the Nationwide Tea Party Movement is giving voice to tens of thousands of Americans.” Added Stacy Mott, President of Smart Girl Politics, “Average Americans do not support mortgaging away our children’s futures, and the time to speak out against it is now.”

Information on The Tax Day Tea Party can be found at http://taxdayteaparty.com/.

Is It Just Me?

Is it just me, or is the e-file option on the IRS website totally friggin' impossible to navigate?

I had to give up and mail it in.

ARGGGGGGGH !!!!!!!.

Welcome Home to Newark's Own: Joshua Remell, LCPL, USMC

We often forget that we have these men and women amongst us. Newark's own Josuah Remell came home on an albeit short leave this Saturday. His flight arrived around 06:30 AM Saturday, 3/21/2009.

You might have caught a bit of this on Action News (Channel 6).

All he wants is a cheeseburger without any sand in it. 'Nuff. said.

Ride Report:

Ride report from The Warrior's Watch Delaware State Coordinator, Ray, from Newark, DE...

O`DARK THIRTY it was , but be it as it may we were not going to let this Marine or his family down in letting them know that their son is a HERO. Still in the dark of night as I pulled into our first rally point I could see as my Warriors Watch Riders brothers and sisters already gathered round bright eyed and bushy tailed, ok maybe not bright eyed, as well as the Remmell Family which I had asked to meet us , no sooner than stopping Deuce comes over to me and said Joshua`s plane is arriving 1/2hr early WHAT ! , I thought he was kidding ! he was not, as a Marine myself we improvised , adapted , and overcame , meaning we got our butts moving , met the rest of our Warriors Watch Riders at FB69....by now I could see we are having a great turnout for this Marine.

We made it to the airport with no problems , actually had a few minutes to spare. We all greeted Joshua with much fanfare and thank you`s at which I presented our Marine with our HONOR coin , it was a sight to see. Im getting sweaty eyes sorry , Ok we mounted our bikes and escorted the Remmell family home , the escort was perfect 4 flagged bikes , the Remmell family more bikes and our escort vehicles watching our tails , you guys did a fantastic job. We arrived at the Remmell home to a gathering of friends and neighbors it was great and to much surprise Ladies and Gentlemen from the Marine Corp League , SEMPER FI. We were asked to partake in coffee and snacks from the Family at which time we also presented Joshua with a Marine Corp blanket and I presented mom and dad with our lapel pins. It was a grand day indeed for the Remmell`s and for us , Mr. & Mrs. Remmell and Joshua I know that I can speak for the entire Warriors Watch Organization and say it was truly an HONOR and PLEASURE for you to of allowed us to Welcome your son home.

With much thanks and Love to the Yellow Ribbon Club for providing the blanket and yellow ribbons , A Hero`s Welcome (Maria your the best ) , The men and women from the Marine Corp League on such short notice , and to all our Warriors Watch Riders that came out today for this Marine you are truly special and proud to call you my family.

Ray

SEMPER FI 1st. MARINE BRIGADE MAG-24 , HMS-24SUPPORTING: MALS-24 , HMH-24 , HMH-362,363,463 USMC 1978-1982 SEMPER FI

Martial Law in Schenectady ?

No, I don't have my tinfoil hat on and no, this isn't from some wacko website. The mayor of Schenectary, New York has a problem.

It seems as though he is in danger of losing quite a bit of his police force:

Five Schenectady police officers recently accused of everything from driving drunk to beating up a man are leading city officials to look at taking drastic action to fix a department tainted by the few who may have acted illegally, like Darren Lawrence and Michael Brown who are accused of driving while intoxicated.

So what happens when a town loses most of its police force? Apparently drastic action may need to be taken:

The mayor said there is another option - and that would be declaring martial law. The governor would have to declare it and then the National Guard would come in. The mayor said it's more for a transition to a new police force if that were to happen. He said, "It may be that as a stopgap measure, that you would need military forces - State Police, National Guard." Mayor Stratton said the temporary measure would last until the new police force took over. Schenectady's Corporation Counsel John Van Norden said, "If you abolish the police department you still have a need - not an obligation - but a need to police the community. You would need something in transition. Declaring martial law would be one way to bridge the gap."

Yikes.

Don't Give Me Any Ideas !

From the Land Down Under:

POLICE were called to check harassment claims against a Sydney councillor who put a motion to buy a sex toy for NSW Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge so she could go "screw herself". Independent Strathfield councillor Danny Lim lodged the motion last month, recommending that the council purchase a vibrator for Ms Judge to encourage her "to stop screwing with the people of Strathfield and screw her- self instead".

'Nuff said.

Things That Amuse and Disturb Me

A hodgepodge of things that struck me for some odd reason or another:

Doug Ross had a dream. It involved hari-kari.

Obama's teleprompter has its own blog. Its acronym is TOTUS.

"The Democratic process isn't working". Uh.....wh-a-a-a-a-a-t?

Strip club holds job fair. Now that's a stimulus.

Understatement of the Century: “This is A Disgrace”

And here I am angsting over taxes. What a fool I am:

WASHINGTON – At least 13 firms receiving billions of dollars in bailout money owe a total of more than $220 million in unpaid federal taxes, a key lawmaker said Thursday. Rep. John Lewis, chairman of a House subcommittee overseeing the federal bailout, said two firms owe more than $100 million apiece.

The story goes on to say that recipients of federal bailout monies signed contracts stating that they had no unpaid taxes. Unfortunately, the Treasury Department didn’t require them to prove it, and asked for no documentation of the claim. Doesn’t the Treasury Department know about these things?

It’s a little thing called oversight. Representative John Lewis (D-GA) made the understatement of the century when he said.

"This is shameful. It is a disgrace. We are going to get to the bottom of what is going on here."

Oh, it’s only now you’re going to get to the bottom of it? Let’s face it, you are in way over your heads, and you don’t have the people in the right departments who even have a clue about what they are doing.

I agree with Robert Reich. The administration looks clueless in more ways than one. The evidence keeps mounting that Washington has its head up its ass, its fingers in other peoples’ pockets, and are in serious need of a remedial reading class.

I'm telling you, I don't know why I even bother paying taxes. Oh, I forgot. I'm the little guy. I still have to play by the rules.

Libertarian Party State Convention Set for May 2nd

From the Inbox and the Sussex Countian:

The Libertarian Party of Delaware will hold its 2009 Convention on May 2, at the pavilion at Killens Pond State Park's campground area (Paradise Alley Road, east of US Route 13). It will take place in the pavilion from 8 a.m. until sunset and the party business meeting will begin at 4 p.m. The pavilion is covered and screened so this will be a "rain or shine" event. Killens Pond offers many activities from hiking and biking trails, a water park, and Nature Center. They also offer overnight accommodations in their cabins (10 of them), pond-view cottage, and campgrounds (water and electric hook-ups). All are welcome. Please RSVP by phone (302-525-2048) or e-mail (Jim@RashTeam.com). Please note: parking is limited so plan to come early because once the park is full no others will be admitted; there is a $3 entrance fee per vehicle.For more information, visit the party Web site at http://www.de.lp.org/, and Killen Pond's Web site is www.destateparks.com/park/killens-pond.

Sounds like a blast ! Note that all are welcome, so if you a big-L Libertarian, a small-l libertarian, Democrat, Republican, Independent, or just libertarian-curious, come and see what we're all about.

If the weather cooperates, we're going to pitch a tent and make a weekend of it ! I'm countin' on it.

My Nephew, The Geek

I am so excited ! My nephew, Jefferson Davis, must have some of my genes in him somewhere (my road name is "GirlGeek").

Unbeknownst to my unsuspecting sister, Jefferson's band director submitted a photo to a site called Board Game Geek which is all about, uh, Board Games. It is frequented by geeks. The photo of my nephew and his fellow geeks has been voted the Geekiest image ! Heh. I couldn't be more proud !

The description of the picture calls it "the ultimate homage to all things geek" because:

- They are in the school band (former band geek myself so I can identify my kind - also being in the band room helps things)

- One of them is perspiring while playing a baordgame (the slightly flushed red cheeks bring it all home)

- Notice the plastic baggies and elastics to keep the game tidy

- Full geek attire (not overdone otherwise it might actually be cool)

- All three wearing white t-shirts underneath to help hide the jelly

- not a girl in site

- The hands reaching out together like a Michelangelo Geek Triumvirate

- The piece de resistance - the game table is actually a timpani drum

Oh, Jefferson is the one with the flushed cheeks (it happens to me all the time):


Woo Hoo ! Another award to add to his resume ! Jefferson will be heading off to college next year. Let's hear it for a Geek Toga Party ! Woo Hoooo !

But, always stay true to your Geekdom, Jefferson. Geeks Rule ! (and Chainsaw is also a geek, but don't tell anybody).

See the submission (and some of the cool comments) at the Board Game Geek site here. Oh, and thanks, Mr. Barnes !

Definition of Class

From CQ Politics:

Former President George W. Bush, making his first public speech since leaving office in January, says he wants Barack Obama to succeed and that it's "essential" to support the new leader. Bush declined to critique the Obama administration in Tuesday's speech, saying the new president has enough critics and that he "deserves my silence." "I love my country a lot more than I love politics," Bush said. "I think it is essential that he be helped in office."

What a Difference a Month Makes

February 12, 2009:

EAST PEORIA, ILL. -- President Obama today repeated the claim we asked about yesterday at the press briefing that Jim Owens, the CEO of Caterpillar, Inc., "said that if Congress passes our plan, this company will be able to rehire some of the folks who were just laid off."

March 17, 2009:

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Caterpillar Inc, the world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment, notified an additional 2,454 workers in three states on Tuesday that they were losing their jobs as the company continues to try to bring production in line with plummeting demand.

Rhetoric versus the real world. Funny how that happens.

We have people with no business experience running our government. Most of them have never had a paycheck besides a government paycheck. They know how to spin, how to twirl.

But let 'em get up at 4:00 AM with their lunch pail in the snow in a 10 year old car and ask them then how stimulated they are.

The people with the lunch pails, getting up at 4:00 AM day after day, year after year, really don't have a problem with that. They have a problem with people getting into their shit. Leave us alone; we'll do the dirty work.

Just leave us alone.

126 Jobs Created in Sarasota

But it wasn't by the government:

Harvey Vengroff relinquished his title of Chairman of the Board of Vengroff, Williams & Associates (VWA) early last year. Although he remains actively involved with the accounts receivable management and financial outsourcing firm he founded more than 40 years ago, his other endeavors have been garnering a lot of attention in his hometown. Vengroff’s latest venture is a bold attempt to create jobs in the Sarasota, Fla. area while engaging in a good-natured protest of President Obama’s tax policy. He hopes to accomplish both by offering some of his empty office and warehouse space in Sarasota rent-free to start-up businesses. Vengroff considers the offer to be a donation, which will be written off for tax purposes. Meanwhile, businesses that are trying to launch will be able to operate without worrying about rent for the first few months of their existence. He also helps to mentor the companies in certain areas of his expertise, like dealing with receivables. “It’s my own stimulus plan,” Vengroff told insideARM. If the businesses are successful, then Vengroff will begin to charge rent at market rates, or even take stakes in the companies. If they are not, then he says he’s really not out anything, as finding renters in the current economy is tough. Vengroff said that there has already been a lot of attention. “We got 55 calls on the first day,” he said. The plan was also detailed in a story that ran on the front page of The Herald Tribune in Sarasota last week. “It’s created quite a buzz,” he noted. And it’s not just buzz that’s being created. Vengroff said that by April 1, the businesses operating rent-free in his spaces will have spawned 126 new jobs in Sarasota.

Read the whole thing.

Leprechaun Bailout

Heh. (1:04)



h/t Greg Mankiw's Blog

61% Say Secret Ballot is Fair Way to Vote for A Union

From Rasmussen Reports:

Sixty-one percent (61%) of Americans say it is fair to require a vote by secret ballot if workers want to form a union. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 18% say it is not fair to require a secret ballot.

Delaware Recovery Website

The Delaware Recovery website appears to be designed to promote transparency in the state’s uses of funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This is a good thing, and I applaud the State for doing this. It is a work in progress, as monies are received and distributed for actual use.

As of now, it consists primarily of a breakdown of the nine spending categories which apply to all states, and the proportion of the total monies received that will be spent in all categories.

I look forward to following the progress of the stimulus funds and how they are spent in Delaware, but I have one thing that is nagging at me and what I think will probably be true in most States. The site is to specifically track stimulus money, and how it directly impacts Delaware. Governor Markell, in his message states that the site is to be used to track the progress of ARRA funding.

Yet, in the News and Updates section, there is an article referring to Barclay and their announcement of a new facility in Newark that will “initially create 300 new jobs”. The announcement was made February 25, 2009.

That these new jobs are coming to Delaware is all fine and good, but it had nothing to do with ARRA. From the news release, it appears that this announcement had been in the works for some time:

Markell specifically thanked former Lt. Gov. John Carney for his effort with Barclays over the past few months to make Wednesday’s announcement possible. Carney spent a significant amount of time and energy helping Barclays decide to locate the facility in Newark and planning for the expansion.

It appears to me to be a probably unintentional but ultimately disingenuous linking of ARRA to the Barclay facility, and therefore to the creation of jobs. Why this bothers me is that I think this same type of dubious and ultimately false linkage will be promulgated a thousand fold across all of the states and thus give a false impression of the true impact of the performance of the funds for their stated intent.

If a website is dedicated to the ARRA funding and its use, all aspects of that website should be specifically dedicated to that and to that alone. Press releases on items not related to ARRA have a place elsewhere, but for true accountability only ARRA-funded activities should be on this site. The direct linkage between money and outcomes must be shown without ambiguity.

Sorry, Sully --- The Honeymoon's Over, Dude

Remember Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the hero pilot who landed a disabled jet into the Hudson?

He was glorified in the press, gave numerous interviews, got a book deal, and was praised over and over again as a "hero". Mayor Bloomberg gave him the keys to the city of New York.

But the party's over. The liberal media has found out something they cannot forgive. They found out he is a Republican. OMG !

You're screwed now, dude. Here's your media exposure now:

(Note: I do not know Mr. Sullenberger's political affiliation, but the point is made).

h/t my other sister

Slice of Life: Conversation with a Friend Who Works for the IRS

Friend: Hey, if you know anybody looking for work, tell 'em to check out usajobs.com. IRS is going to hire a shitload of people.

Me: I know my neighbor across the hall is looking for work. I'm not sure what her skills are, though.

Friend (with quzzical look): You don't need any skills! This is the government!

(Note: This was real conversation. You cannot make this shit up)

Art Linkletter a Libertarian? He Sure Says the Darndest Things

Dang, I was just a wee one when Art Linkletter was in his heyday, and don't you know he is still kickin' at the age of 96.

I am embarassed to say that I had kind of forgotten about ole Art. I was shocked to know that he was still alive.

But, dagnabit he is. Dang, he had a son who died at the age of 70 ! I wonder about some of these people who live so long and what accounts for it.

But I do remember some of his shows, youngster that I was. As the oldest, I was in charge of changing the channels (remember those days? LOL).

In a delightful WSJ interview this week, Mr. Linkletter shows the same optimism and vitality I remember:

Mr. Linkletter has also written and lectured on how to live a long life and make your dreams come true. "As early as possible in your life, find what you love to do and then do it. You will find you will do that better than almost anyone else." Also, have a positive attitude about life and "always try to find something to smile and laugh about every day." Is that possible even at age 96? I ask. "I always say if you can't find something to laugh about when you get old, just look at yourself in the mirror."

And he has not given up fighting for responsibility. It is amazing that he was actually one of the first people to actually contribute to Social Security !

Mr. Linkletter does turn serious when talking about the mismanaged policies out of Washington. About Barack Obama, he says: "He's intelligent, a born performer and ambitious, like I was, but that spending bill [the stimulus] is the most terrible mistake in our history. I never thought I would see so much debt." His passion is Social Security reform. "I'm a conservative, and I actually voted for FDR. At first Social Security was a terrific idea. Give people some financial security in their old age," he says. But the taxes grew and grew over his lifetime -- to 15% from 2% of each paycheck. "And as the time went on, this huge fund became an ATM machine for Congress. And now all they have left are IOUs. Nobody owns anything." He says: "I was one of the first people to ever pay Social Security, at age 22 starting in 1935. But now the program has become a rip-off, just like the guy [Bernard Madoff] who did the Ponzi scheme. We need to stop the congressional raid on the trust fund and turn this tax money back over to individuals so they can own it and control it." Fixing Social Security would seem like a hopeless crusade for a 96-year-old, but he pledges "I'm not going to die until it happens." He's heading up a new group, called Team Grandparent, that is trying to organize senior citizens to challenge the AARP orthodoxy.

Amazing. At his age, still fighting the good fight. Kind of gives one pause, doesn't it? And maybe a little more energy.

h/t Fraters Libertas

Delaware's Stimulus Money Site Launched

You can find it here.

Shovelwatch characterizes it as follows:

Delaware's recovery page features some simple charts showing the distribution of stimulus funding in the state. Some the charts don't include dollar amounts (only visual proportions), making it difficult to tell how much funding officials expect for each project. News from officials about the stimulus is also aggregated on the page.

It's still early in the game yet. Give 'em a chance, but keep an eye out.

The devil, as they say, is in the details.

Eminent Domain Forum Coming to Delaware

Where: Widener Law School, Delaware Campus, Moot Court Room, 4601 Concord Pike

When: Friday, March 27th, 2:00 – 4:00 PM

Meet Susette Kelo, the property owner behind Kelo vs, City of New London, one of the most infamous and controversial decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court in recent decades.

Jeff Benedict, investigative journalist and author of the book, Little Pink House – A True Story of Defiance and Courage, and Susette Kelo, will discuss how the plight of a working class neighborhood became the focus of a national debate about property rights and a landmark case in American jurisprudence.

For further information, call Ed Osborne, Delaware Citizens Against Eminent Domain Abuse, 302-658-0377.

Do As I Say, Not As I Do

Eric Posner of The Volokh Conspiracy succinctly states his issues with President Obama's signing statement to the Omnibus Appropriations Act.

He concludes:

Back in 2006 an ABA task force issued a report that “opposes, as contrary to the rule of law and our constitutional system of separation of powers, the issuance of presidential signing statements that claim the authority or state the intention to disregard or decline to enforce all or part of a law the President has signed, or to interpret such a law in a manner inconsistent with the clear intent of Congress.” Will it mount the ramparts yet again? Or are its members too busy trying to find jobs in the Obama administration?

Heh. That was then. This is now. Same shit, different pile.

It's a short post. Read the whole thing.

Libertarian Librarian Sez: "Just Say No" !

It seems as though some stimulus money is being doled out for projects that have already been funded:

The president of the board of trustees of the Clermont County Public Library said Tuesday he is upset that $6.8 million in federal stimulus money has been requested to build a new administrative headquarters and a new branch library here. Voters throughout the county approved a tax levy in November that will raise $3.8 million annually, which is enough local money to pay for the projects, Joe Braun said. "I think it's a completely inappropriate request," Braun said. "Just because the federal government keeps offering money doesn't mean people should take it, because at some point our children are going to have to pay all of this back. It's absolutely not free." "I think constituents should be saying (to elected officials), 'Why are you driving us further into debt?' " Braun said. "Only in a fantasy land do you spend and spend and spend and not have to pay it back."

Go, Joe, Go ! It is a shame that there aren't more reasonable people out there. If the money is going to be doled out, let it be for where there is a need.

Oh, and Joe is going to be at the Cincinnati Tea Party this Sunday. Somebody has to do it.

Pesky Community Affairs Office and Environmental Concerns Impede Progress

Florida’s economy is in the shitter along with everyone else’s, but in order to get things done they are finding a few barriers:

State legislators are pushing to dismantle the agency in charge of managing growth, arguing that it's standing in the way of reviving Florida's economy. A proposal unveiled Monday for consideration by a House committee on Wednesday calls for taking the Department of Community Affairs apart, handing over nearly all of its duties to Secretary of State Kurt Browning. The move is one of a host of measures proposed by lawmakers to stimulate the state's economy by loosening the rules on construction permitting. Other proposals include eliminating impact fees designed to make developers pay for roads, sewers and schools needed for growth, and cutting in half the time allowed for reviewing permits for wiping out wetlands. The bill also allows local governments to skip state review on changes to their growth plans, as well as exempts some local governments from requirements that new roads be in place by the time new development is built.

Gee, all that stuff sure sounded good at the time. Now, not so much.

All the protections against overdevelopment and saving the wetlands could go out the door if these measures are passed. It’s funny how existential ethics appear to come into play when everyone is going broke and the only goal is economic expediency. Funny how that works.

Charlie Rangel Asks: Why Don't You Mind Your Goddamn Business?

with more background from Michelle Malkin

Cause and Effect? Er, Not So Much

TPM gushes at today’s bear market rally:

Obama finally got it right !

It follows then, I suppose that since Obama is solely responsible for today’s uptick, then he is also solely responsible for the 21% decline since he took office.

Neither assertion is true, and it is just simplistic nonsense to say so.

A Compilation of Commentary About "Going Galt"

Can be found HERE. It includes proponents, observers, and detractors. Quite a read.

Gimmee Cheap Booze

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is making a taxpayer-funded investment:

The state's Liquor Control Board is spending more than $173,000 to try to make workers friendlier and more well-mannered at the nearly 650 stores it operates. The board says it wants to make sure clerks are saying "hello," "thank you" and "come again" to customers shopping for wine and spirits. It has hired Pittsburgh-based consulting firm Solutions 21 to help coach store managers so they can instruct their clerks on issues such as how to greet customers and where to stand. Training begins this month. Harrisburg good-government activist Eric Epstein calls the idea "a demented interpretation of happy hour." He says it's "a sad state of affairs when you have to train people to be kind and courteous."

To be sure, the clerks at the State stores are a bit snarly. But give me cheaper booze and I can take the poor customer service. Since no one can actually be fired for being inhuman, it is a total waste of money.

Our money.

What a Great Weekend !

We're basically homebodies and don't go out much, but this weekend provided a great opportunity for a little family reunion. My niece is on her first Spring Break from the University of South Carolina (majoring in Art History), and instead of spending it with a bunch of oversexed, vodka-drinking yahoos in Cancun she spent it with her aunts and uncles and grandfather in Rehoboth Beach ! Wooo Hooo !


We got to the Quality Inn on Coastal Highway around 2:00 PM. Everyone was there. My brother and his wife from Claymont, my two sisters (and one sister's granddaughter) from Newark, my Dad (Brandywind Hundred) and his significant other (Sussex County), and finally my sister and niece from South Carolina. Let the games begin !

One of our favorite family games is UNO. My Dad brought some new-fangled version of UNO where everything is in pictures instead of words. Instead of a SKIP card, there is some kind of symbol on the card that is supposed to mean SKIP. Same thing with REVERSE. We looked at the directions many times, and at one time almost called the UNO 1-800 number for a ruling, because I think I got screwed. I hate all that picture stuff. I think it discriminates against people who can read. It just ain't fair. Here is Sister #3, my niece, me (looking quite confused), and Sister #2:

I'm looking at the card like WTF? What does this mean? We're going to back to the original UNO next time. We also have some video (that may need to be censored, as I remember saying WTF quite a few times).

All of our eating schedules were messed up. Chainsaw and I hit a burger joint on the way down because we were both starving and just needed calories. The rest of the crew were hungry when we got there. They went to Cracker Barrel, we hung out at the bar at Captains Table restaurant which was right next door to the Quality Inn. Much later, Chainsaw and I went to the Captains Table for dinner. We got back and got situated in the room when there was a knock on the door. There they all were ! Chainsaw snapped this picture from his reclining position:

A much-enjoyed and much needed getaway. I got all of the Slower Delaware papers to look at all of the real estate I cannot afford. The weather was beautiful. The people were friendly.

And best of all, I was with family.

Bumper Stickers from Tennessee GOP

Get yours HERE.

Michael Moore on Guns

via HotAir (2:51)

25 Jobs Created By Stimulus? Not Really.

A much-touted news item today credited the stimulus bill with “saving” the jobs of 25 police recruits in Columbus, Ohio.

Obama spoke at the graduation ceremony for 25 police recruits who owe their jobs to the $787 billion economic recovery bill he signed into law less than three weeks ago. The Columbus police recruits are part of a class of 27 who were laid off in January by Mayor Michael Coleman, a Democrat, before they could even start walking the beat. Coleman blamed city budget problems at the time.

Oh really? Read further. The stimulus funds received will pay for the officers’ salaries only through the end of this year.

Then what? The financial woes of Columbus will have magically disappeared? Its budget problems solved? The Safety Director has the answer:

Asked how the officers will be paid in future years, Safety Director Mitchell Brown said, "We'll deal with that bridge when we get to it."

You might want to remember, Mr. Brown, that that bridge always comes, try as we may to ignore it or wish it away.

Interestingly, all of the officers were on paid leave after the layoff in January, and many had received offers of employment from other jurisdictions.

So, the news media will say that the administration “saved” these jobs. But were they jobs that really needed saving? And how long will they last?

Details, details.

FWIW: Email Sent to Senators Carper and Kaufman Today

…..via their respective contact forms HERE and HERE:

I am strongly against the omnibus spending bill currently under consideration in the Senate. While I understand that as a Democrat there is pressure for you to accede to the wishes of your party, I feel that in this case the only responsible thing to do is vote against it.

Americans were promised “change” in the last election. One of those promised changes was “no more earmarks”. As you know, the current bill is full of them. The purpose of the bill is to fund the functions of government, not to subsidize pet projects.

While many of these earmarks may have some merit, they should be considered separately and on their own individual merit, not tucked away in a massive piece of spending legislation.

Thank you for your consideration of my view.

Rasmussen is showing voters as pretty evenly divided on the bill, with 46% unfavorable, 41% favorable, 13% not sure. I wish they would also include the percentage of people who actually had a small inkling of what is actually in the bill. That would be more interesting.

Huh? Palin Appoints Former Planned Parenthood Board Member to Supreme Court

A shocker!

Gov. Sarah Palin on Wednesday picked a former board member of Planned Parenthood to fill the latest vacancy on the Alaska Supreme Court despite efforts by a conservative Christian group to convince her to do otherwise.

Some say that she was “forced” into the decision due to the limited options presented to her, however in a choice between two candidates, she actually appointed the more liberal of the two.

But is it really such a shock? Nahhhhh, says Glen Reynolds:

Actually, this is pretty consistent with her centrist governance all along.

Is It Being Reborn or Just the Porn?

FOX reports that religious people are less anxious:

Research from the University of Toronto found that those who believe in God have less anxiety and stress than those who are not as religious. This is an example of a common error that confuses correlation with causality. Just because religious people appear to have less anxiety, it doesn’t mean that is the only factor in their lives that may help to reduce stress.

So what makes for a happier life? Is it being reborn or watching more porn ?

This should make for an interesting study. I suggest an additional earmark in the omnibus bill to fund it.

Dr. Helen is Looking for John Galt

Dr. Helen is looking for people for an upcoming PJTV show on “going John Galt”:

We need guests for an upcoming show on PJTV on "going John Galt." I will be interviewing those of you who going John Galt in some way that you could talk about, cutting back your business, starting a vegetable garden, or some creative way (that is legal, of course). If you want to be interviewed, email JohnGalt@PJTV.com

I imagine that there are quite a few John Galts out there, which brings me to this comment rescue from Hot Air:

I did the math yesterday and I will qualify for this program in a few months if I do not go back to work. I can knock over $1000 a month off my mortgage payment (the government will pay about half of that) and the government will pay me $5000 toward the principal over the next 5 years if I keep up my payments. It is a hell of an incentive for me to remain unemployed or another few months (or hide my income if I get some freelance work) and exhaust the rest of my savings, and for my husband not to go out and try to find a higher paying job. If I go back to work at or near the salary I was making, in order to keep paying my mortgage as it is, I’ll end up paying all the new Obama Rich People’s Taxes and basically be working more than half of my time just to pay taxes. Why should I do that?

Why, indeed?

Help for the Homeless

The town of Union, NY is scheduled to receive almost $600,000 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment (aka “stimulus”) Act for homeless prevention and emergency shelter programs. The town Supervisor, John Bernardo reacts:

“We were surprised," Bernardo said. "We've never been a recipient before." Bernardo said he isn't aware of any homeless issue in the largely suburban town. For now, Bernardo said he and other town officials are looking into why the town got the homeless prevention money and how - and even if - the money can be used by the town.

No worries. They are advised to “be creative” with the funding.

I’m sure they will be, as will millions of other dollars being doled out to attend to problems that do not exist. You tend to get creative when a bunch of money is tossed in your coffers.

I am all for helping the homeless; there but for the grace of God I always say. But target the help to the areas that truly need it, and don’t base it on some abstract formula that you pulled out of your ass.

From the Inbox: Republican Party of Delaware

Saturday, March 14, 2009 7-11:30pm

Third Annual Jerry Blavat Dinner/DanceHockessin PAL Center

Join Rep. Nick Manolakos and Jerry Blavat for a dinner and dance fundraiser.

Eat, drink, and dance the night away! Tickets are $40 and tables of 8 are available. Call Paula at 651-0260 ext 1 for reservations.

Anybody ever been to this? I always liked Jerry Blavat (yikes, I see where he is 68 years old) ! Forty bucks a person is a little steep, though. I wonder if what kind of food they are serving.

Or, would Chainsaw and I stick out like turds in a punch bowl? Just wondering...Hate to spend $80 if people are going to wonder what the heck we're doing there and look at us like we're from another planet.

What I Am Reading

I have a pretty large library and at one time was pretty much of an Amazon freak, but have cut back in recent years out of economy and also because so much is available on the internet and the library. Still, I love the look, feel, and smell of a book.

Today I added to my collection. Armed with a $25 Amazon gift certificate from Christmas, I purchased Constitutional Law: Principles and Policies by Erwin Chemerinsky. It seemed like a good place to start. Good old UPS delivered it today.

I fear for the principles on which our country was founded, and figured that if I was going to take a position on something I should have something a little bit more than a sound byte to back up my stand. I also need to get back The Federalist Papers; I was reading them quite a bit last summer but got away from it. The arguments ! They really make you think.

My new book is big and fat and intimidating; just the way I like it. My train ride will be more interesting as long as the cellphone freaks don't break my concentration.

Eh, I guess that's all covered under free speech, dangit.

Joe Biden is the New Sheriff in Town

Too good to excerpt. You just gotta see the picture.

I'm So Dense !

OK, I admit it. I'm dense. No snarky comments from the peanut gallery, please.

My family has a history of breast cancer. Both my mother and my brother had to have masectomies. Needless to say, the rest of us keep a close eye on things. Up until a year ago, I used to have to get mammograms every six months, as they were "keeping an eye on something". In January 2008 they said I could go back to once a year. My mammogram of a few weeks ago gave the powers that be some pause, and I went in for an ultrasound today.

The visit lasted about two hours, primarily because of the aggravation of my primary doctor's office not fax'ing over the right "presciption". I emphasized to the girl in the office that I needed both an ultrasound and a mammogram like the letter from the imaging place said. Only the ultrasound prescription was sent, so I had to wait while they got that.

So, I go through the mammogram and the technician said that the doctor may or may not want the ultrasound, depending on the mammogram results. The doctor ended up wanting me to have the ultrasound which doesn't hurt at all if you ever have to have one; they just smear gooey stuff on your chest and rub some kind of paddle-shaped object all over, all the while hooked up to this machine that makes weird noises like a laser burst from a Star Trek episode.

As for the results, the technician told me that I have some things there that are like cysts, but they are not cancerous. She also said my breast tissue was "very dense".

So, that's where the "I'm dense" thing comes in.

At least she didn't say the word "biopsy", because that was what I was afraid I was going to hear. I dodged the bullet this time.

So, now I'm back to every six months, with a "bicameral" mammogram, whatever that may be. I think a "bicameral" one must have been what I had today, and it just puts you in a weirder position with your boob flopped up on the counter, your arm around the side, and I swear they squish just a tad bit harder.

Ladies and men out there, keep up with your checkups. Don't put them off. Hopefully I'll still have a job in six months so I can keep tabs on this thing.

Gadzooks ! Will it Never End?

I have lost track of how many gazillions has been either outright given or lent to AIG. They have been deemed "too big to fail". In an ironic twist that almost brings one to the point of either laughing or crying, they are now suing the very people that are bailing them out. In other words, you and me.

In the midst of its negotiation with the federal government over revised terms of its bailout, American International Group Inc. sued the U.S. on Friday over a disputed $306 million in taxes, interest and penalties.

And as Ace of Spades HQ points out:

Of course, that means we (the taxpayer) get to pay for their lawyers, and IRS's lawyers, and then whatever the outcome we will be either paying for or failing to obtain the disputed money.

No one is "too big to fail". We should have taken our bumps and bruises and allowed this behemoth to dwindle on the vine and die its rightful death. The culmination of all of these shenanigans: bailouts, tax fights, loans, etc., etc. will drag on for years upon years. There is no benefit here to anyone but a bunch of lawyers (sorry TPN).

Crash and burn, AIG. It is the only honorable thing to do. You failed in the marketplace. The marketplace rewards failure with death. Artifical sustenance is not what it is needed here, and our government was wrong to do it in the first place.

UPDATE: Now Bank of America is saying that taking that $20 billion was a mistake ?????

“In hindsight, it was a tactical mistake because it put us in the same category as Citigroup,” said Mr Lewis. “We could still have had 8 per cent tier 1 capital after a $15bn loss but we wanted a cushion.”

In hindsight? What about all those groovy government advisors you had helping you out with this? You wanted a cushion? Yeah, well I want one too.

On second thought, no I don't. As soon as you get "government agency" into the plan it all turns into a Charlie Foxtrot. No thanks.

But, you're welcome anyway, Mr. Lewis. After all, it is our children and grandchildren who will be paying for it.

Madness, indeed.

What Do You Do With Leftovers?

Dude, about that "no earmarks" pledge. Looks like it’s the same old, same old in the 2009 omnibus bill:

Overall, the president, vice president, the White House chief of staff and the four Cabinet secretaries who were in Congress last year showed up in the records of the House and Senate Appropriations committees as the sponsors or cosponsors of hundreds of millions of dollars in pet projects in the $410 billion spending bill.

All of these earmarks should go. All of them This bill is for the purpose of continuing government operations (which in and of itself might not be necessarily a good thing). Given that, all earmarks not directly related to the continuance of the myriad agencies that make up this behemoth we call government should not be in this bill. If a legislator has a pet project, he should fight for it on its merits.

And that includes the one million dollars requested for a real-time satellite receiving station for the University of Delaware.

In defense of these earmarks, the administration tells us that they were all “leftovers” from last year.

What do you do with leftovers that have lingered too long?

You throw them out.

The View From My Sister's Window: Moore, SC

Redneck Snowman in Georgia

Chainsaw's brother called last night, and boy-oh-boy was he excited ! He lives in Thomaston, Georgia which is due west of Macon. They got about 4 inches of snow, and those southerners get all excited when they get snow.

He sent a picture of a redneck snowman he built. Is that a magnolia twig sticking out of its head?


My sister in Moore, South Carolina is reporting snow from there, as well.

We're taking a snow day today. Woo Hooooo !