A tour de force in the inanity of our approach to terrorism.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Peeling Back the Onion Can Make You Cry
A couple months ago, we had a discussion here and here about what goes into the Unemployment Rate calculations. While the U-rate itself serves as a sort of normalized snapshot to assess overall trends of employment, some of us contended that it was helpful to look under the hood of that number at some of the variables in the algorithm to get a more detailed look at the state of employment.
This article is one example of that.
Again, the algorithm certainly serves a purpose and it is the same algorithm (to my understanding) that prior administrations used so I'm not asserting numerical foul play on anyone's behalf here. But given the unprecedented post-Carter unemployment, it is worth looking more deeply (than the macro-level numbers we generally use as a bellringer of change during better times) to understand where the Administration's policies are working and where they are not.
This article is one example of that.
Again, the algorithm certainly serves a purpose and it is the same algorithm (to my understanding) that prior administrations used so I'm not asserting numerical foul play on anyone's behalf here. But given the unprecedented post-Carter unemployment, it is worth looking more deeply (than the macro-level numbers we generally use as a bellringer of change during better times) to understand where the Administration's policies are working and where they are not.
Friday, January 8, 2010
State of the Union v. Lost: SoTU Lost
I tried watching the show "Lost" a couple times, but the title pretty accurately summed up my experience in watching it. Now, replete with the Lost cast appearing Christ-like/Apostolic at the Last Supper, the season premier promises to sate those less-confused viewers who have long proposed that the story is about the Bible, Heaven and Hell.
Anyway, until today, it appeared as if the Lost Supper was going to be preempted by a slightly postponed State of the Union. In the choreographed production that almost all States of the Union tend to be, and the sermon-on-the-mount that virtually every Obama speech attempts to be, this speech, this appearance requires a prop, Holy Grail-like, to make the masses swoon in awe upon seeing it in The One's hands. That Holy Grail, still being hammered out in the bowels (lower colon probably) of the Capitol, is of course the so-called "Health Care Reform" bill. Unless the combined bill is reduced in weight by several stone, I don't think he'll be able to lift it but I'm guessing someone in the Hollywood propmakers union will craft a hollow shell of the bill (which would be a vast improvement) that he can hoist for visual effect. (And for which Nanc-in-the-Box can pop like the weasel).
Thankfully, all this hand-wringing is for not since cooler minds prevailed and this annoying little Constitutionally-mandated address to Congress and the nation about the senior elected official's plans for us won't eclipse something that is apparently far more important to so many.
I'm not part of the group who thought Obama was about to trample the Constitution here (he wasn't...at least not by moving the SoTU), nor the much larger bunch whose Feb 2 evening TV viewing plans disrupted to the point of needing grief counselors for an urgent psychotherapeutic intervention. But it does tell us something, doesn't it, when people are more concerned about a season premier (or for that matter a football game or NASCAR race, to be fair) than they are an annual address from the President/Commander in Chief. In a year when we have two ongoing wars, where we, by pure luck avoided another mass killing of civilians at the hands of yet another Islamo-Facist, where our national health care system is teetering on the edge of a canyon littered with the carcasses of failed government programs and where unemployment continues unabated while the least business-friendly legislature and administration in memory continues unabashed, shouldn't something like a popular (to some) television show take a momentary back seat? Can you imagine our grandparents (great-grandparents for you younger readers) huddled around the family radio as President Roosevelt started to provide news from the war with grandpa crying "Hey! Where's my Jack Benny?!!!"
Is it any wonder we elect people like those who are currently making the state of our union...lost?
Anyway, until today, it appeared as if the Lost Supper was going to be preempted by a slightly postponed State of the Union. In the choreographed production that almost all States of the Union tend to be, and the sermon-on-the-mount that virtually every Obama speech attempts to be, this speech, this appearance requires a prop, Holy Grail-like, to make the masses swoon in awe upon seeing it in The One's hands. That Holy Grail, still being hammered out in the bowels (lower colon probably) of the Capitol, is of course the so-called "Health Care Reform" bill. Unless the combined bill is reduced in weight by several stone, I don't think he'll be able to lift it but I'm guessing someone in the Hollywood propmakers union will craft a hollow shell of the bill (which would be a vast improvement) that he can hoist for visual effect. (And for which Nanc-in-the-Box can pop like the weasel).
Thankfully, all this hand-wringing is for not since cooler minds prevailed and this annoying little Constitutionally-mandated address to Congress and the nation about the senior elected official's plans for us won't eclipse something that is apparently far more important to so many.
I'm not part of the group who thought Obama was about to trample the Constitution here (he wasn't...at least not by moving the SoTU), nor the much larger bunch whose Feb 2 evening TV viewing plans disrupted to the point of needing grief counselors for an urgent psychotherapeutic intervention. But it does tell us something, doesn't it, when people are more concerned about a season premier (or for that matter a football game or NASCAR race, to be fair) than they are an annual address from the President/Commander in Chief. In a year when we have two ongoing wars, where we, by pure luck avoided another mass killing of civilians at the hands of yet another Islamo-Facist, where our national health care system is teetering on the edge of a canyon littered with the carcasses of failed government programs and where unemployment continues unabated while the least business-friendly legislature and administration in memory continues unabashed, shouldn't something like a popular (to some) television show take a momentary back seat? Can you imagine our grandparents (great-grandparents for you younger readers) huddled around the family radio as President Roosevelt started to provide news from the war with grandpa crying "Hey! Where's my Jack Benny?!!!"
Is it any wonder we elect people like those who are currently making the state of our union...lost?
Where Have You Gone, Joe DiMaggio?
In news overseas, Irish Member of Parliament Iris Robinson has disclosed that she has carried on an extramarital affair. While this may not be newsworthy to some of the more jaded readers of this site, consider the fact that the married Mrs. Robinson is 58 years-old and, and her alleged paramour is the tender age of nineteen.
Plastics.
Plastics.
Steele Must Go
I was enthusiastic and excited about the naming of Michael Steele as the Chairman of the RNC. No more. It is time for him to go. Steele's turned into a promoter of....Michael Steele.....and not of the party.
His missteps just seem to mount. I find it incredible that the Chairman of the RNC--at this point in the run-up to the 2010 Congressional elections, is saying that the party can't retake majorities in 2010, and that he's only recently begun to look at the races.
I cans say we won't win back majorities--but he can't. He's got to push for it, he's got to be enthusiastic about it, he's got to inspire the ground troops.
It's time for him to go.
His missteps just seem to mount. I find it incredible that the Chairman of the RNC--at this point in the run-up to the 2010 Congressional elections, is saying that the party can't retake majorities in 2010, and that he's only recently begun to look at the races.
I cans say we won't win back majorities--but he can't. He's got to push for it, he's got to be enthusiastic about it, he's got to inspire the ground troops.
It's time for him to go.
Big Fat Friday Free For All
All Time High (April 1 2009): 192.2
Diet start (June 1): 189
Last Friday (Dec 11) : 171
Today: 177.8
Goal: Sub 150
I don't even know what to say. I've gained three pounds since an unofficial weigh-in on Monday. Included therein were a huge chinese food dinner and yesterdays gorging at Cracker Barrel, but I digress.
Oh well, it's back to work, time to get cracking. What are you up to? What's floating your boat? Did you listen to the radio show? Think it ought to be an hour or a half hour? Weekly?
What's your diet status? Anyone else want to track weekly performance here?
Unburden yourselves, friends. This is the Big Fat Friday Free For All!
Diet start (June 1): 189
Last Friday (Dec 11) : 171
Today: 177.8
Goal: Sub 150
I don't even know what to say. I've gained three pounds since an unofficial weigh-in on Monday. Included therein were a huge chinese food dinner and yesterdays gorging at Cracker Barrel, but I digress.
Oh well, it's back to work, time to get cracking. What are you up to? What's floating your boat? Did you listen to the radio show? Think it ought to be an hour or a half hour? Weekly?
What's your diet status? Anyone else want to track weekly performance here?
Unburden yourselves, friends. This is the Big Fat Friday Free For All!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Conspiracy Thursday
First, there was speculation yesterday that Christopher Dodd would be heading over to Treasury. Then today, Bloomberg.com is reporting that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, headed then by current Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, told AIG to withhold details from the public about the failed insurer's payments to banks during last year's financial crisis.
Coincidence? Probably.
Coincidence? Probably.
The Conservative Wahoo LIVE! Tonight at 7PM Eastern--Time Change to Accommodate Football
Be part of tonight's beta test of "The Conservative Wahoo Live", my new internet radio show.
Simply click on my channel at Blog Talk Radio at 7PM Eastern Time to listen in to the fun.
Callers can join in by dialing 347.637.2203.
I look to have a good, interactive time talking with some of the folks who read the blog. Please do join in!
UPDATE--I've changed the time of the show to 7PM
Simply click on my channel at Blog Talk Radio at 7PM Eastern Time to listen in to the fun.
Callers can join in by dialing 347.637.2203.
I look to have a good, interactive time talking with some of the folks who read the blog. Please do join in!
UPDATE--I've changed the time of the show to 7PM
Obama's Big Lie
Goldwater's Ghost brought this up a few days ago, and the story has been simmering since. The co-opted media hasn't been giving it much shrift, but that's to be expected. Andrew Breitbart provides this great little video showing the President promising 8 times to do the health care deliberations in public, on C-SPAN. C-SPAN's honcho Brian Lamb has even made the request.
Madame Speaker seems to be a little peeved at the suggestion that the work be done in public, taking a little swipe at The One in the process. Seems she thinks Mr. Obama promised quite a few things while campaigning that he's not living up to.
Madame Speaker seems to be a little peeved at the suggestion that the work be done in public, taking a little swipe at The One in the process. Seems she thinks Mr. Obama promised quite a few things while campaigning that he's not living up to.
We're Number 7! We're Number 7!
International Living magazine gives rated the US #7 on the best places to live list. Looking at the top 6, I'd say its a pretty fair rating. Apparently we were #3 last year, but the economic crisis has caused us to take a hit.
Say what you will about France--if quality of life is your goal--it's hard to beat.
HT--Drudge
Say what you will about France--if quality of life is your goal--it's hard to beat.
HT--Drudge
Get Ready for November 2010
Here's a little video to inspire you. Still not quite sure why any one would argue with the success of TARP, but the rest of it is pretty good.
H/T Instapundit
H/T Instapundit
Lucky or Unlucky?
I heard this story on NPR yesterday and then saw it online this morning; the last known "official" survivor of BOTH atomic bombs dropped on Japan to end WWII has died at 93.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
A Tactical Error In The Making
To some extent, I think that all the cosmic tumblers are clicking into place for the President and the Congress to get a healthcare bill passed. I've predicted here all along that they'd get something rather than walk away with nothing. One of my professors in grad school used to say that "in the Congress, the majority does not rule--but a determined majority does". This is a determined majority.
That said, I believe that they are getting ready to make a procedural, tactical mistake--one that could come back to haunt them. It's a little wonky, and a little process-based, but it's worth bringing up.
There are wide differences between the House and Senate bills. The House bill is--for want of a better term--a more liberal bill. That is, it appeals far more to the the Party base. What happens when each body passes a different bill is that a "conference committee" is appointed by party leaders of each party. The majority gets more members, of course, and those members are appointed by the Speaker and the Senate Majority Leader--so they are controlled and reliable. In conference, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. They can pick and choose, merge, or throw bills out altogether. What comes out of conference is then voted on by each chamber and is not subject to amendments. It appears though, that Democratic leaders are going to do a "conference-lite", in which the Senate Bill is largely accepted by House conferees. This is designed to ensure that whatever the final bill is, it can be passed by the Senate--and the care in which they are moving forward leads me to believe that they'll still need the 60 votes for a motion to proceed, even on a conference bill.
So far, the Democrats have been patient. The President has seen deadline after deadline slip by, as the slow business of legislating is done. But they are really, really trying to get something done before the State of the Union speech (whose date has not yet been set, incidentally). And it is in this final loss of patience with process that the remaining hopes for the bills scuttling are found. The seeds are here to disappoint many in the House--that is, a final bill that 1) removes abortion language driven by pro-life Dem Bart Stupak, and 2) does not contain a public option. Short circuiting the process can and will alienate those in the House who believe the Senate measure is too liberal or not liberal enough. Remember--the House passed its bill by the skin of its teeth. Three changed votes and it doesn't pass.
Is this a long-shot? Yes. As much as I dislike Nancy Pelosi, I think she's a fine tactician. I think she knows how to count. If she thinks she's got the votes to go forward, then she probably does. But it is in this rush at the end that any hope for a mistake exists. Let's hope they make it, so that this poor package of policies is dispatched and a real discussion of health insurance reform can be had.
That said, I believe that they are getting ready to make a procedural, tactical mistake--one that could come back to haunt them. It's a little wonky, and a little process-based, but it's worth bringing up.
There are wide differences between the House and Senate bills. The House bill is--for want of a better term--a more liberal bill. That is, it appeals far more to the the Party base. What happens when each body passes a different bill is that a "conference committee" is appointed by party leaders of each party. The majority gets more members, of course, and those members are appointed by the Speaker and the Senate Majority Leader--so they are controlled and reliable. In conference, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. They can pick and choose, merge, or throw bills out altogether. What comes out of conference is then voted on by each chamber and is not subject to amendments. It appears though, that Democratic leaders are going to do a "conference-lite", in which the Senate Bill is largely accepted by House conferees. This is designed to ensure that whatever the final bill is, it can be passed by the Senate--and the care in which they are moving forward leads me to believe that they'll still need the 60 votes for a motion to proceed, even on a conference bill.
So far, the Democrats have been patient. The President has seen deadline after deadline slip by, as the slow business of legislating is done. But they are really, really trying to get something done before the State of the Union speech (whose date has not yet been set, incidentally). And it is in this final loss of patience with process that the remaining hopes for the bills scuttling are found. The seeds are here to disappoint many in the House--that is, a final bill that 1) removes abortion language driven by pro-life Dem Bart Stupak, and 2) does not contain a public option. Short circuiting the process can and will alienate those in the House who believe the Senate measure is too liberal or not liberal enough. Remember--the House passed its bill by the skin of its teeth. Three changed votes and it doesn't pass.
Is this a long-shot? Yes. As much as I dislike Nancy Pelosi, I think she's a fine tactician. I think she knows how to count. If she thinks she's got the votes to go forward, then she probably does. But it is in this rush at the end that any hope for a mistake exists. Let's hope they make it, so that this poor package of policies is dispatched and a real discussion of health insurance reform can be had.
Dodd To Retire
Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) is not going to run for re-election. This is beginning to get interesting.....
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
ESPN 360
I discovered ESPN 360 this year trying to find the lowly Wahoos playing football on Saturdays. What I've discovered is a veritable cornucopia of sports that just don't get covered on the big networks. Cricket, European Football and (yes Doc Milnamow)--Gran Prix Auto Racing.
Cricket is a fantastic game. Half the spectators are reading books or newspapers. They stop for tea. They stop for lunch. Wonderful.
Cricket is a fantastic game. Half the spectators are reading books or newspapers. They stop for tea. They stop for lunch. Wonderful.
Dorgan To Retire
North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) announced today that he is not going to stand for re-election in 2010. This is good news, as I would imagine he'd have a pretty easy time defending. Don't know if we have any North Dakota stalwarts who read the blog, but anyone with a sense of who the Republicans might nominate/how they might do is cordially invited to pipe up.
Health Care Reform: The Reality Show
C-SPAN CEO Brian Lamb has written to House and Senate Leaders urging them to allow the network to provide public access into the final stages of health care reform negotiations. Current speculation is that any discussions will be held behind closed doors with party leaders.
Not a bad idea, and one that then-candidate Barack Obama himself appears to have espoused way back in 2008:
"That's what I will do in bringing all parties together, not negotiating behind closed doors, but bringing all parties together, and broadcasting those negotiations on C-SPAN so that the American people can see what the choices are, because part of what we have to do is enlist the American people in this process."
It's not exactly "The Jersey Shore", but there should be a lot of screwing going on.
Not a bad idea, and one that then-candidate Barack Obama himself appears to have espoused way back in 2008:
"That's what I will do in bringing all parties together, not negotiating behind closed doors, but bringing all parties together, and broadcasting those negotiations on C-SPAN so that the American people can see what the choices are, because part of what we have to do is enlist the American people in this process."
It's not exactly "The Jersey Shore", but there should be a lot of screwing going on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
