The Occasional Observer

If unemployment rates are still hovering near 10% near the end of this year (which I believe most economists predict 8-10% levels), and the deficit truly hits $1.6 T this year as projected by the White House, it's hard to see how the Republicans don't have a major sweep in the midterms.

Now, while I certainly look forward to a Republican sweep to halt Democratic plans for socialist expansions, I hope the Republicans learned their lesson from earlier this decade about true fiscal responsibility. What happened during Bush's tenure cannot be allowed to happen again - Congress must exert fiscal responsibility and start seriously addressing our ballooning debt and trade deficits. If not, I might start voting libertarian or other party.

My friend "Wombat" shared this article with me. Some very good points to make that will open your eyes to just how far out of control our government has gotten.

The Good
Obama says he wants modern nuclear (nukular?) power and to open up more drilling for oil and gas.
Wants to expand exports.
Wants to freeze discretionary spending.
Suggested all earmark requests be posted on the web.

The Bad
Nuclear policy includes cap & trade
Almost everything he suggested will result in huge expansion of government and redistribute wealth.

The Ugly
The mockery of the people who think we shouldn't spend trillions on supposed climate change.
Trying to create another stimulus bill to put us in an even deeper hole despite the fact that the first one didn't work.

The Ridiculous
Criticism of Republicans for holding up nominations.
No mention of Gitmo after all the posturing about it.
Claims that he excluded lobbyists from government positions.
Claims about operating government in a transparent fashion.
Blaming economic problems on tax cuts and medicare drug program without even a thought of Fanny/Freddie.
Continuing claims of saved jobs with no way to prove or disprove.

One of my favorite all-time Chappelle skits, hilarious "training" video. Right up there with Samuel Jackson beer. Warning: some language NSFW.

Chappelle's Show
PopCopy
www.comedycentral.com
Buy Chappelle's Show DVDs Black Comedy True Hollywood Story

This may be the most satisfying story I've read in some time. After years of Newsday abandoning all sense of neutrality and jamming their agenda down my throat, it appears that no one values their product. No one.

Great video--definitely NSFW for language (actually subtitles, but you get the drift)

Fantastic article (as usual) from George Will. You Want To Read It.

Oops, we goofed. So says the UN's IPCC in apologizing for erroneously overstating the rate of glacial ice melting in the Himalayan mountains.

At least, much like the Dems after last night's Boston Massacre, they openly accepted responsibility for their mistakes and vowed to move forward in a less one-sided fashion. Except that they didn't. They basically went on to say something along the lines of "just because we used inaccurate and unsubstantiated estimates, and just because we completely failed to use universally-accepted scientific standards in analyzing data, and just because we were WAY off, doesn't mean anything changes."

Of course not, why should it? Much like with healthcare, right Pelosi/Obama?

I was just commenting to my father last night that I really like John Bolton, the U.N. Ambassador who never got confirmed. Then, I just this article and almost choked. A liberal complaining that Republicans are holding up nominations. Unbelievable.