OBAMA INAUGURATION: HYPOCRISY ABOUNDS!

Don’t do as we do, do as we say …

Politicians and their cadre of so-called Hollywood elites such as Barbra Streisand, Tom Hanks  Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn and Danny Glover are all fond of telling us how we should live our lives and sacrifice for the common good. (A socialist theme that has historical roots)

So where is Al Gore and the rest of the global warming crowd when we are told that:

Obama’s inauguration is projected to generate 575 million POUNDS of CO2 which “would take the average U.S. household 57,598 years to produce a carbon footprint equal to that of the new president’s housewarming party.”

I wonder how much of this “alleged damage to the planet” will be covered by the politicians and celebrities who plan to pay a “guilt tax” and purchase Al Gore’s carbon credits?

And it is all detailed in a free 9-page downloadable report from the Institute for Liberty…

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Some of the reports highlights:

  • “The 600 private jets expected to fly visitors to and from the event will produce 25,320,000 POUNDS of CO2”
  • “Personal vehicles could account for 262,483,200 POUNDS of CO2”
  • “In the parade, horses alone will produce more than 400 POUNDS of CO2”
  • “The total carbon footprint for the Inauguration will likely exceed 575 million POUNDS of CO2”
  • “It would take the average U.S. household 57,598 years to produce a carbon footprint equal to that of the new president’s housewarming party”

But don’t worry …

The hysteria over CO2 as a greenhouse gas that demands immediate reduction, has little or no basis in fact. In fact, it is a trumped-up factoid to make you think that the “carbon cap and trade” system which benefits nobody except politicians, the Wall Street Wizards and the special interests is vital to containing global warming.

It’s not real – and those who are promoting this scheme – are acting in their self-interest.

Point One:  Even if we curtail carbon dioxide, it will not produce a measurable result since any benefit would be lost in the noise of nature’s natural climate variability. If you can’t measure progress, than no program can be fairly judged. If CO2 lags temperature rise by 600-1000 years, the Earth will be in 600 years into the next ice age before we see a reduction in CO2. A free pass for evildoers and freebooters.

Point Two: The research shows that the rise in carbon dioxide lags the rise in temperature (by 600 to 1000 years)and as such can not be a causal factor in global warming.

Point Three: A more likely explanation for the rise in carbon dioxide is the warming of the planet which allows more carbon dioxide to be emitted from our oceans into the atmosphere. When the planet cools, the oceans are able to absorb more carbon dioxide from atmospheric sources.

One need think only of a cold soda bottle. As the bottle warms, CO2 bubbles up from the cold liquid and enters the atmosphere.

Point Four: there are natural cycles dealing with the Earth’s passage around the sun, its inclination and other technical factors which correlate with global mean temperatures.

Only by controlling the production and use of energy, can governments increase their size, increase their revenues and curtail the freedom of its people. And the politicians and others who promote this scheme are as big a danger to the free world as socialism and communism. Whoops, lets add another point: our enemies, the socialists, communists and despotic dictators would all benefit from a weakened United States – and therefore have infiltrated the environmental movement to use our own laws, rules and regulations against us as they act in their own best interests. Leading one to the conclusion that the majority of our politicians and others are: intellectually lazy, corrupt, fellow travelers or just plain stupid.

What can YOU do?

Remember: common sense in government and politics is never common.

Always, follow the money and decide who gains and who loses when public policy is implemented. Consider that it is rarely the public in matters not involving safety and security.

It took the Nobel-prize winning Cal-Tech physicist, Richard Feynman, to find the cause of the space shuttle Challenger explosion due to a cold o-ring. He often postulated that the simplest explanations were often the answers – as they did not require twisting assumptions and great leaps of faith. Think about the soda bottle analogy to the rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

It takes hubris (pride) and chutzpah (gall) to believe that man’s puny efforts can affect global weather – especially since those who believe in the concept of “perfect people for a perfect planet” are always pushing for advanced population controls.

Remember, the Obama Administration will also pass into history. To be followed, perhaps, by an Administration which will have to work harder to reverse the damage that they may do to our society, our military, our economy and to our freedom.

Participate in the political name and never be afraid to stand up and say NO!

Be well and be safe.

-- steve

Quote of the day: "All great things are simple, and many can be expressed in single words: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope." -- Sir Winston Churchill

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

Carbon Bigfoot|Institute for Liberty

A thank you to the folks at the thechillingeffect.org project who sent me the heads up on this report. Their site contains a wealth of materials which should be considered before you make up your mind on global warming.

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“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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Global Climate Change: One Cold Winter does not mean very much in the long term ...

As a certified “global warming skeptic,” I take no delight in those who are crowing that this recent cold winter is proof that our global temperatures are reversing and that we are entering a period of global cooling.

My position …

It is not that I deny the phenomenon of global climate change, it is simply that I do not believe that the United States should undertake public policy actions which may result in higher taxes and the curtailment of our freedoms based on scientific theory and imperfect computer models.

I do believe that climate is cyclical and we do not know the periodicity or the amplitude of the cycles well enough to project change. I am skeptical of those who project linear trend lines as I am of political and commercial opportunists who are attempting to use science to pursue their own agendas.

And, while I have a lot of respect for the technical expertise of the scientists and programmers who are designing, testing and evaluating climate models, I believe that they are nowhere close to a unified model that has a reliable predictive capability. Yes, the models spit out numbers, but it will be years, possibly hundreds of years, before we see any confirmatory trend information.

So before those who believe global warming does not exist or that we are in a period of global cooling, I would like to remind everybody that the long term trend makes the results of political actions, such as the carbon cap and trade system, virtually impossible to measure as the results of man’s puny actions will still fall within the natural variability of the climate cycle.

Common sense …

In my opinion, common sense and the continued funding of climate-related projects which are devoid of political influence is the best course of action, especially in today’s troublesome economy.

Here is a chart released by our friends at NOAA. As you can see, the latest plot indicates a downward action – and we will need to wait, at least a few years, to see if this action is simply a regression to an relatively unknown long-term mean or a regression to a seemingly shorter-term mean as shown on this 100-year plot. (Note: this is not a plot of global temperatures, only temperatures within the contiguous United States)

No matter what the short-term outcome, I believe man should be reducing all pollution that is contaminating our ground, water and atmosphere – and avoid providing political schemes to help gross polluters continue their polluting ways by purchasing indulgences that ostensibly satisfy some celestial pollution bookkeeper. The process appears to be as corrupt as the old popes who sold indulgences to the wealthy so they could sin in peace.

I also believe that we should be spending more time, effort and money on environmental challenges of improving our response to natural conditions occurring on this diversified Earth: stronger shelters which may mitigate damages from natural disasters and facilities for creating/transporting   both water and foodstuffs in areas of little or no natural resources. I believe that we should also consider the beneficial effects of naturally occurring warm cycles as well as their deleterious effects.

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A theory that makes sense ...

Regardless of what man does to limit the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide, this will have little or no effect on the global mean temperature. Ice core data, as well as other data, indicates that the rise in atomospheric carbon dioxide lags the rise in temperature by 600 to 1,000 years. Thus CO2 can hardly be a causal factor in so-called global warming. Perhaps a better explanation would be to consider that the carbon dioxide dissolved in the ocean and the carbon dioxide found in the atmosphere are a self-regulating feedback loop. When the global temperature rises, more carbon dioxide is transferred from the warming waters of the ocean and thus the atmospheric carbon dioxide rises. In cooler times, more atmospheric carbon dioxide is bound within colder waters. Thus you need go no farther than a Richard Feynman-like conjecture using a bottle of soda. When the soda is cold, the CO2 remains dissolved, as the soda warms bubbles are form and the CO2 escapes into the atmosphere.

This cyclic nature of global climate change seems to be consistent with long term cycles, known as the "Milankovich." The cycles are based on a 26,000 year cycle based on the precession of the Equinoxes (wobble), a 41,000 year cycle involving the tilt of the Earth, and the 100,000 year cycle involving the Earth's elliptical orbit. All which affect the solar radiation impinging on the Earth. While this particular theory is not all inclusive of our present day knowledge, it does serve to highlight the gross cyclical nature of global climate.

Thus to make live-alterning public policy decisions that support political agendas makes little or no sense unless you understand that most politicians are weasles bent on stealing the fruits of your labors and doling out a miniscule portion of the bounty as rewards for continuing to support their corrupt politics. With billions of dollars worth of taxpayer money at stake, one can easily see where the Wall Street Wizards with the climate-related derivatives and their bought-and-paid-for political representatives would be inclined to support an Enron-style  carbon cap and trade system -- whose effects will not be measurable for at least 600 years. The perfect scheme to defraud the global community.

In conclusion …

You have a right to your own opinion, but not your own set of facts. Science is best performed by those who are passionately dispassionate about any specific findings as they lead to broader conclusions and theories – hopefully some day to be considered a temporal law on a par with Newtonian mechanics. In the final analysis, lest we forget our history, wars have been fought to control populations by seeking to control scarce natural resources. No matter how enlightened we tell ourselves that we have become, it is impossible to overcome the gross effects of human nature without coercion and weaponry.

-- steve

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

Global Climate Chart|NOAA

From a global warming  advocate’s informational site …

“Differentiating between ‘Denier’, “a person who denies” and ‘Skeptic’ “a person who questions the validity or authenticity of something purporting to be factual” hinges on their behaviour.  Do they simply deny the science of climate change? or do they seriously question it? citing specifics and arguing logically that there is a rational basis for doubt. The only way to know is to check. In the interim I will use the term NCCP (No Climate Change Proponents) as a neutral term.

A survey of the standard NCCP websites, of which these are a good sample:

http://www.junkscience.com/
http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/
http://newsbusters.org/
http://eteam.ncpa.org/issues/?c=global-warming
http://www.icecap.us/
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/09/new_scientist_sea_ice_increase.html
http://www.onecitizenspeaking.com
http://www.climatescienceinternational.org/

gives us a host of arguments that range from facile to fraudulent. They rely on distortions, misrepresentations, straw man arguments, cherry picking data, and in some cases, blatant lies.” <Source>

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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Are the Russians stepping up their propaganda war in America?

I was very much surprised to see a headline story on the Drudge Report announcing “Pravda: Earth on the Brink of an Ice Age...” What made this story somewhat unusual is that the story was originated by Pravda, a Russian publication with an historical link to the government and its propaganda apparatus.

Pravda was leading newspaper of the Soviet Union and an official organ of the Central Committee of the Communist Party between 1912 and 1991.

According to Pravda.Ru …

“At that time, a very serious split occurred in the editorial office. Over 90 percent of the journalists who had been working for Pravda until the coup d'etat of 1991 quit their jobs. They established their own version of the newspaper, which was then closed under government pressure.”

“These journalists had to take their fight to cyberspace, and the Internet newspaper PRAVDA On-Line was launched in January of 1999, the first Russian newspaper of its kind. We think that both the newly registered newspaper and PRAVDA On-Line (you are now on its server) have an equal moral right to continue the history of the newspaper that was closed by then-President Boris Yeltsin in August of 1991. The number of journalists that work in the head offices of both publications is comparable with the number of journalists who worked for Pravda at the time it was closed.”

“In spite of the fact that the journalists of both these publications are still in touch with each other, we have different conceptions about news about Russia and the world. The newspaper Pravda analyzes events from the point of view of the Party's interests, whereas PRAVDA On-line takes a pro-Russian approach to forming its policy.”

“Wouldn't you agree that this gives more diversity to the world?”

The link led to a well-designed American-style webpage that could have been published by any American newspaper.

Along with the features were items such as:

  • Russia: Conversation between President Medvedev and Gazprom CEO (relating to the current gas distribution crisis)
  • Opinion: Neo Warfare
  • Science: Earth on the Brink of an Ice Age
  • Society: Man Dismembers His Wife by Mistake
  • Business: Economic Manipulation as Political Strategy
  • World: The tower of Babel of the European left
  • Hotspots and Incidents: Israel, you are Serbia now
  • Sport: Dakar Argentina: Kamaz in front!
  • Photo Report: Brooke Berk demonstrates bikini
  • Photo Report: Cheerleaders: Healthy body and soul
  • Why God Didn't Have a Beginning?

A diversified mix of articles designed to capture the broadest possible audience. (Perhaps the New York and Los Angeles Times should take heed?)

In the “Breaking News” Section we find …

  • Israel launches massive military operation against Gaza Strip 
  • America chooses its future
  • Russia to retrieve its status of world's strongest superpower

Again, interesting subjects, except for the last item which is definitely speculative conjecture of a political nature and could be classified as propaganda.

Implicit dangers: But are there dangers hidden in the web pages or in the content?

In this day and age of Cyber-War, one can easily imagine the collection of non-public personal information from those who visit the website and wish to participate in online discussions. One can also appreciate the danger of replying to an online advertisement or link with credit card information. To note, Russia remains one of the hotbeds of criminality in the world and the technical expertise of their hackers is second to none. Cheap pirated software and pornography provide attractive lures to those seeking materials of this nature. All with the risk of computer system compromise.

And let us not forget the potential for subtle anti-American propaganda. This is not the heavy-handed obvious anti-American rhetoric of the past, these are carefully crafted and tested messages that are designed to introduce fear, uncertainty and doubt into discussions involving American politics and commercial operations.

Especially targeted at those far left liberals and others who already distrust and despise our nation and often believe that we are the instigators of much of the world’s problems. People who are unhappy with their lives, looking for social contacts and will accept alternative external solutions for their unhappiness.

The content is intriguing and interesting …

Make no mistake about it, the content is thoughtful and well written. The subject matter makes sense, especially if the audience member is predisposed to believing what is being written.

In the matter of anthropogenic (man made) global warming (AGW), the article’s information appears consistent with my beliefs and the science of the day.

“The AGW theory is based on data that is drawn from a ridiculously narrow span of time and it demonstrates a wanton disregard for the ‘big picture’ of long-term climate change. The data from paleoclimatology, including ice cores, sea sediments, geology, paleobotany and zoology, indicate that we are on the verge of entering another Ice Age, and the data also shows that severe and lasting climate change can occur within only a few years.”

“While concern over the dubious threat of Anthropogenic Global Warming continues to distract the attention of people throughout the world, the very real threat of the approaching and inevitable Ice Age, which will render large parts of the Northern Hemisphere uninhabitable, is being foolishly ignored.”

Weather (pun intended) or not  I believe the last part of the article pointing to the sudden possibility of serious global cooling is immaterial. But it does pose the question, why are the scientists who are modeling our global climate change patterns not perceiving this particular threat – or are they pursuing a “political” agenda in order to receive additional funding and recognition of their activities? And if this is true, what else might the government and its allied special interests be telling us?

As you can see, the process of introducing doubt into the geo-political conversation is extremely easy and unless one is trained in critical thinking and the is able to recognize subtle propaganda, it is possible for America’s enemies to wage a low-cost propaganda campaign using little more than attractive stories in an “alternative and recognized news source” on the web. 

But of course, the old saying “sometimes the paranoid are correct in their suspicions” is also true. The tagline on the website, "Pravda.ru forum. The place where truth hurts," simply makes me wonder whose truth is hurting.

What can YOU do?

Demand your local school system return to a curriculum which features the basics: reading, writing, arithmetic, history and critical thinking. Leaving the social activism featuring the far left liberal multiculturalism, diversity and political correctness for college-level political science classes. It is time we stop dumbing down our nation’s children and curtailing their growth by mainstreaming people who have language difficulties, discipline or other impairments into the classroom. Set aside language proficiency schools for those who need to acquire a working knowledge of English. Stop teaching subject matter classes in Spanish. Restore shop and craft curriculums for those who will not be going on to college and need to learn a useful trade in order to succeed and prosper.

Do not elect school boards that mix politics with education. Recall or prosecute those who waste funds on special interest infrastructure or divert funds away from the classroom. Demand that the administrator/teacher ratio be reduced and that teacher’s be required to take competency tests in their subject matter specialties.

Demand that union influence in the school systems be strictly curtailed – possibly using the funds collected from non-union employees in lieu of dues to be placed directly back into classroom programs without any additional administrative overhead.

Change local and state legislation to remove funding initiatives for education as the link between funds expenditures and the quality of education is tenuous at best.

As for accessing foreign websites, be very careful never to provide non-public personal information or make purchases using credit cards, replacement checks or other methods which can be used to drain your bank accounts or facilitate identity theft. Should you wish to purchase foreign goods, ask your credit card issuer for a one-time number which will facilitate your purchase.

Although much of the political threat comes from within, using our laws and regulations against us and collecting information using American subsidiaries, you can never be too careful when dealing directly with foreign powers.

-- steve


Quote of the Day: “He who laughs last has not yet heard the bad news.” -- Bertolt Brecht

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

Earth on the Brink of Ice Age|Pravda.Ru

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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Schwarzenegger: No leadership during budget negotiations -- vacationing in Sun Valley

Arnold, the RINO …

I have made no secret of my disdain for Arnold Schwarzenegger, the RINO (Republican In Name Only) governor who acts more like a liberal democrat than the fiscally responsible conservative Republican he initially portrayed. His leadership skills were honed in Hollywood where striking poses and looking like a hero is possible only with good writing and the assistance of smoke and mirrors.

As a not so funny joke, members of Schwarzenegger's own party once wore name tags to a budget meeting to emphasize the fact that he spent more time with liberal democrat social engineers and spendthrifts than he did with his own party faithful.

Fundraiser extraordinaire …

Of course, nothing was allowed to interfere with Schwarzenegger’s fundraising – setting new records that surpassed those of Gray Davis whose only talent was 24/7 fundraising and courting special interests. Schwarzenegger even went one step further, creating special non-profit foundations where funds were raised to fund the governor’s travel as a jet-setting movie star. Claiming that his travels did not cost the people of California any money, he conveniently overlooked the fact that much of the contributed money came from special interests who do not believe in charitable contributions. The foundations resisted listing their donors – and the whole thing stinks to high heaven.

So why is it no surprise that the Governator is building a campaign fund – possibly to run for the Senate in 2010. And why is it no surprise that the state is facing a major fiscal crisis while the Governor suns himself on the slopes of Sun Valley, Idaho where he keeps another residence.

And he’s up to his old tricks of borrowing and papering over the immediate deficit …

From the Sacramento Bee …

“Schwarzenegger seeks more borrowing, new tax increase”

“Aides to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger rolled out a new plan for closing California's gaping $40 billion budget deficit today that cobbles together elements of earlier proposals and adds a new tax increase and a "what if" quest to borrow $4.7 billion.”

Now its $40 BILLION instead of $14 BILLION and the governor doesn’t have the balls to present the program himself.

" ‘We are facing a major crisis, probably the most challenging budget situation the state has ever faced,’ said Mike Genest, Schwarzenegger's finance director. ‘The governor believes in acting immediately.’"

So where is the Governor … showing at least some symbolic leadership?

“Schwarzenegger is out of state and vacationing at the family residence in Sun Valley, Idaho. But Genest and a half-dozen Finance Department staff members briefed reporters on a plan that incorporates a proposal of spending cuts and tax increases the governor made earlier in December.”

“That plan called for a temporary increase in the state sales tax, expanding the sales tax to cover some services, a nickel-a-drink alcohol tax, a new tax on oil production and a $12 hike on vehicle registration fees.”

“Cover some services?”

This is a massive expansion of taxation as previously exempt labor services from hairdressers, auto mechanics, veternarians and other service professionals will be taxed.  In a state with record high taxes (Only proposition 13 caps prevent California from being the state with the highest taxes), these taxes add insult to injury as they will be used to fund the profligate spending of an out-of-control legislature – something Schwarzenegger promised to address when he was first elected 5 years ago.

Spending cuts?

“It also called for $15.4 billion in spending cuts, including requiring state employees to take two-days-a-month unpaid furloughs through June 30, 2010 and give up two paid holidays each year.”

First, the unions have threatened to sue Schwarzenegger if he attempts to interfere with existing union contracts and furloughs union workers.

And second, spending cuts are not always real dollar spending cuts. To my way of thinking, a spending cut is reducing the amount of money you are actually spending below what you have previously spent. Not simply a reduction in the amount of bloated budget items. 

Papering over the deficit with stolen funds backed by bogus IOUs …

“The new elements include reducing the dependent care exemption on state income tax returns from the current $309 per dependent to $103; carrying over some of the deficit into the 2010-11 fiscal year; borrowing funds from voter-created programs that service the mentally ill and pre-kindergarten children's health services; changing the operating rules for the state lottery in an effort to make it more profitable, and borrowing $4.7 billion from the private sector.”

Once again, the governor is attempting to kick the can down the road past 2010 so he can claim some victory when he campaigns for the United States Senate. But there is nothing of substance here: borrowing designated funds (such as the $2 BILLION generated from tobacco money for pre-schools) and leaving a state IOU is commonplace. Pre-kindergarten children’s health services are not a state responsibility, they are a parent’s responsibility.

Notice that nowhere does the governor say he would cut payments to illegal aliens in favor on insuring that the legal residents of the State of California have the funds to insure their public safety and healthcare.

The democrats never met a tax or spending opportunity that they did not like; hence the term “tax and spend democrats …”

“The first two of these would require legislative approval. The third and fourth would also require voter approval. The fifth, Genest said, would require the financial market to get much healthier than it is now, and the state to have both a balanced budget in place and a ‘plausible’ plan to pay the money back.”

Anything which raises taxes and shifts the budget burden to the people without decreasing the funds available for special interest projects, the unions and the illegal aliens is fine with the democrat-controlled legislature. The plausible plan has always been to increase the taxes to cover borrowing.

" ‘It's a massive shortfall,’ Genest said. ‘It's the kind of shortfall that cannot be addressed by waiting until July 1 to enact a budget. We have to act immediately.’"

If it’s so damn important why are the legislators and the governor on holiday?

Plan du Jour …

“The new plan - the latest of at least four iterations of a deficit-cutting proposal to be trotted out by the governor and legislative factions - covers both current budget year, which ends June 30, the new fiscal year that starts July 1.”

“It proposes to close the $40 billion deficit and create a reserve of about $1.6 billion by making $17.4 billion in cuts over the next 18 months; increasing taxes by $14.3 billion; banking on an extra $5 billion in money from the lottery and borrowing about $5 billion.”

So how did the governor legally sign an out-of-balance budget – after delaying the signing past the deadlines mandated by the California Constitution?

How did the budget deficit suddenly surge from $12 -$16 BILLION to $40 BILLION under the fiscally conservative governor?

“The plan envisions that state spending on general operations in the current fiscal year would drop from the $103.4 billion approved by legislators and the governor last September to $92.4 billion. In the fiscal year that starts next July 1, general fund spending would amount to $95.5 billion.”

We must be insolvent? And these people are too stupid or too political to solve the problem as they admit failure …

“Genest acknowledged that the sorry state of the U.S. financial market, coupled with the inability of lawmakers and the governor to make a deal on closing the deficit gap, meant it was impossible for the state to borrow any money now by issuing Revenue Anticipation Notes (RAWs). But he also said the budget gap is too huge to close through spending cuts or tax hikes alone over the next 18 months.”

What Does Revenue Anticipation Note - RAN Mean?

Also called Revenue Anticipation Warrants (RAWs), RANs are defined as:  “A short-term debt security issued on the premise that future revenues will be sufficient to meet repayment obligations” <Source>

Some things seem to be off the table …

Dump services to illegal aliens and let them self-deport. This would amount to a minimum savings of at least $10 BILLION dollars – possibly $20 BILLION or more when you consider savings from education, healthcare and judicial programs. Go back to the voters to authorize a reduction in education money to deal with a declining enrollment. Dump the least productive state workers just like private industry.

This is B.S. …

" ‘It's just so monumental,’ he said. "As you go through our solutions, you'll see these were really difficult choices. These are substantial tax increases, these are major program reductions."

Politically difficult maybe, really difficult – no way.

Pie in the sky?

“Genest said the plan envisions that the economy will have improved enough by July and lawmakers and the governor will have reached some comity on the deficit to make issuing warrants possible then.”

Smoke and Mirrors?

Revenue Anticipation Notes are securities based on projected income. More financial engineering from the Wall Street Wizards who have crashed our economy.

“The advantage of RAWs is that they do not have to be repaid in the same budget year that they are issued but can carry over into the 2010-11 fiscal year.”

Bottom line …

So while Californians are experiencing a depression, our budgetary system is in shambles, our infrastructure is in desperate need of repair or replacement, our leader is enjoying himself in Sun Valley. Something we should all remember when he claims to be fighting hard for the people.

What can YOU do?

Refuse to play a part in this shell game and re-call or do not re-elect the morons that put us in this position. Demand that the governor reduce the $134,000 salaries of the recently appointment members of the Integrated Waste Management Board to $75,000 without any perks or health insurance. If this is to be a full-time position, hire professionals instead of termed-out legislators.

Refuse to accept Schwarzenstupid ’s bogus global warming initiative which amounts to a massive tax hike on the people and the creation of derivatives similar to the subprime mortgage derivatives which crashed the economy.

Regard Arnold Schwarzenegger for what he is: a narcissistic, ambitious, Hollywood creation. A movie star playing the part of a Governor. Compared to Ronald Reagan, this schmuck is not even qualified to hand out the programs in the theatre. Let him return to Hollywood where I will continue to enjoy his screen performances – knowing that my $20 ticket is voluntary and I can leave if I don’t like the movie.

Be well and be safe.

-- steve

Quote of the day: “The nice thing about egotists is that they don't talk about other people.” -- Lucille S. Harper

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

Schwarzenegger seeks more borrowing, new tax increase - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

Capture12-31-2008-2.04.21 PM 

Schwarzenegger is  having fun  ... are you?

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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Scamming the terminally stupid ...

I could not stop laughing when I read this item in the San Francisco Chronicle, made that much more funny because it involves San Francisco liberals and the “perfect people for a perfect planet.”

According to the Chronicle …

S.F. fliers may pay their way in carbon usage

“Environmentally conscious travelers flying out of San Francisco International Airport will soon be able to assuage their guilt and minimize the impact of their air travel by buying certified carbon offsets at airport kiosks.”

“The experimental program, scheduled to start this spring, would make SFO the first airport in the nation - possibly the world - to offer fliers the opportunity to purchase carbon offsets.”

" ‘We'd like people to stop and consider the impacts of flying,’ said Steve McDougal, executive vice president for 3Degrees, a San Francisco firm that sells renewable-energy and carbon-reduction investments and is teaming up with the airport and the city on the project. ‘Obviously, people need to fly sometimes. No one expects them to stop, but they should consider taking steps to reduce their impacts.’"

Consider the impact of dumping one drop of water in the San Francisco bay … now calculate the impact of this meaningless act on raising the sea level of the Pacific Ocean.

“San Francisco's Airport Commission has authorized the program, which will involve a $163,000 investment from SFO, but is still working out the details with 3Degrees. Because of that, McDougal said, he can't yet discuss specifics, such as the cost to purchase carbon offsets and what programs would benefit from travelers' purchases.”

Are the residents of San Francisco or the State of California putting up any taxpayer money for this project? What programs will benefit – is this the latest business model for charitable giving? How much of the money earned will be used for executive salaries at 3Degrees?

“But the general idea, officials said, is that a traveler would approach a kiosk resembling the self-service check-in stations used by airlines, then punch in his or her destination. The computer would calculate the carbon footprint and the cost of an investment to offset the damage. The traveler could then swipe a credit card to help save the planet. Travelers would receive a printed receipt listing the projects benefiting from their environmental largesse.”

Whoops, this is not a charity … but a profit making enterprise. Great shades of Al Gore!

The carbon offsets are not tax deductible, said Krista Canellakis, a 3Degrees spokeswoman.

The perfect scam: nothing more than a piece of paper …

"While the carbon offsets purchased at kiosks can't be seen or touched, they are an actual product with a specific environmental claim whose ownership is transferred at the time of purchase," she said.

I wonder if a lawsuit could be used to make them prove their claim that the purchaser’s action will actually save the planet by mitigating global warming?

“Mike McCarron, airport spokesman, said the projects offered will be chosen by the mayor's office, in conjunction with 3Degrees, from a list certified by the city's Environment Department. Airport Director John Martin told the commission that projects could include renewable energy ventures in developing countries, agriculture and organic waste capture, coal mine methane capture, and sustainable forestry.”

Considering that the people who will control the investment of this money may derive considerable financial benefits from their actions, I wonder what form of oversight might prevent misuse of funds gathered using what amounts to an automated solicitation for funds on public property?

“Nathan Ballard, a spokesman for Mayor Gavin Newsom, said a portion of each offset purchase would go to the San Francisco Carbon Fund, which supports local projects such as energy-efficiency programs and solar panel installations for low-income housing, as well as efforts to convert waste oils into biodiesel fuels.”

Of course, the city of the politically correct wants their piece of the action which could be directed by the politicians for their own benefit.

Suggests? You mean they really don’t know …

“The cost of offsets for SFO travelers is still being negotiated, McDougal said, but figures on the company's Web-based ‘carbon calculator’ suggest that a two-hour trip uses about 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per person, and the cost to offset that would be about $4. Offsetting a trip to Europe would cost $36.”

And who is doing this negotiation? Who is representing the traveler? And what factors are being built into the costs?

"’It's definitely not going to double your ticket or anything,’ he said. ‘It's going to end up being a small percentage of your total airfare.’"

Where is the competitive bidding that would insure that the consumer was getting the best deal possible for their money?

“Under the agreement, the airport will provide the kiosks and 3Degrees will supply the software and the certified carbon offsets being sold and will operate the program. Kiosks will be placed throughout the airport, with locations at the customer service desk in Terminal 3 and two wings of the International Terminal. 3Degrees will get 30 percent of each purchase, with the rest going to carbon-reduction projects. The agreement calls for a one-year program, with a possible extension.”

"’The carbon kiosks will not only reduce global warming,’ Ballard said, ‘they will serve an educational function. It's something interesting to do while you're killing time at the airport.’"

“Given the innovative nature of the venture, airport officials said they don't expect 3Degrees will turn a profit - at least not at the outset. McDougal said it's impossible to predict how many passengers will want to make what is essentially a voluntary contribution to compensate for the impacts of their air travel. But he hopes the program takes off.”

Like everything political in San Francisco …

" ‘Hopefully, it will be successful,’ he said. ‘But if we just have a lot of people stop and read the information and think about it, that's something we've accomplished.’"

What can YOU do?

Beware of pilot programs conducted in liberal democrat enclaves such as San Francisco. For it might only be a matter of time that this program morphs into a carbon tax on all travelers, the kiosks are abandoned and the tax is applied directly to all tickets; and not on a voluntary basis.

Beware of entrepreneurs capitalizing on the subject of global warming. It is the perfect scam – nobody will be able to see results for hundreds of years. In the meantime, your hard earned money may be re-distributed outside of the United States where it will, in all likelihood, be squandered or stolen by corrupt politicians and their special interest friends.

Demand proof of program efficacy before parting with your hard-earned money; that is, if you are so-inclined to support the “perfect people for a perfect planet.”

-- steve

Quote of the Day: “Global Warming: Something for nothing, money for free.”  -- steve

--CJ's US History Work

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

S.F. fliers may pay their way in carbon usage

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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China: Spying by administrative mandate?

What is going on here?

China has now required companies whose products feature security elements to disclose those elements to the Chinese government.

To which I reply: screw you! Didn’t you steal or purchase enough information in your ongoing efforts to penetrate American corporate and military secrets?

It should be remembered that China is ONLY a convenient trading partner of the United States. They are not our friends and they certainly do not wish us well. And while they benefit greatly from our technology, the line at which our corporations and military hands over security secrets to the Chinese government must be drawn.

If they want to play domestic trade games, let them live with a 100% inspection of container goods at our ports.

From the Associated Press…

China irks US with computer security review rules

“ The Chinese government is stirring trade tensions with Washington with a plan to require foreign computer security technology to be submitted for government approval, in a move that might require suppliers to disclose business secrets.”

“Rules due to take effect May 1 require official certification of technology widely used to keep e-mail and company data networks secure. Beijing has yet to say how many secrets companies must disclose about such sensitive matters as how data-encryption systems work.”

“But Washington complains the requirement might hinder imports in a market dominated by U.S. companies, and is pressing Beijing to scrap it.”

“Beijing tried earlier to force foreign companies to reveal how encryption systems work and has promoted its own standards for mobile phones and wireless encryption.”

Suppress your own people, but do it with your own technology …

“Those attempts and the new demand reflect Beijing's unease about letting the public keep secrets, and the government's efforts to use its regulatory system to help fledgling Chinese high-tech companies compete with global high-tech rivals. Yin Changlai, the head of a Chinese business group sanctioned by the government, has acknowledged that the rules are meant to help develop China's infant computer security industry by shielding companies from foreign rivals that he said control 70 percent of the market.”

“The computer security rules cover 13 types of hardware and software, including database and network security systems, secure routers, data backup and recovery systems and anti-spam and anti-hacking software. Such technology is enmeshed in products sold by Microsoft Corp., Cisco Systems Inc. and other industry giants.”

And what does China plan to do about all of the stolen software that is being used by Chinese nationals. In fact, weren’t they the ones that screamed the loudest when Microsoft started checking licensed software for authenticity before allowing access to all software features?

“Giving regulators the power to reject foreign technologies could help to promote sales of Chinese alternatives. But that might disrupt foreign manufacturing, research or data processing in China if companies have to switch technologies or move operations to other countries to avoid the controls. Requiring disclosure of technical details also might help Beijing read encrypted e-mail or create competing products.”

Yah think?

"I think there's both a national security goal and an industrial policy goal to this," said Scott Kennedy, an Indiana University professor who studies government-business relations in China. ‘I'm sure before they came out with this, there was a discussion with industry and industry probably was giving them lots of requests about what should be included.’"

“The agency that will enforce the rules, the China Certification and Accreditation Administration, said in a written statement they are meant to protect national security and ‘advance industry development.’ But it did not respond to questions about what information companies must disclose and how foreign technology will be judged.”

Boycott manufacturers that comply …

United States corporations and financial institutions have no other option than to boycott manufacturers who comply with Chinese rules. Otherwise, the ongoing cyber-warfare between the Chinese government, their hackers and United States institutions will be escalated with our enemies having greater access our secured systems.

We have already seen examples of attacks on our infrastructure which originated in China – enough is enough!

It was bad enough that we found distributors selling bogus Chinese CISCO routers – which were then found in some sensitive areas, but accepting this Chinese administrative demand for security information is sheer madness.

Unfortunately, some members of the far-left and those who succumb to greed will be stumbling all over themselves to provide this information, officially and unofficially. Let us treat those who supply the information unofficially as spies and traitors. Boycott the others.

What can YOU do?

Demand that the Administration officials rebuff this request on a national basis and instruct companies to withhold critical or sensitive information.

Toughen the penalties for industrial espionage and if that espionage involves a foreign national, invoke the maximum penalty for spying: a life term without the possibility of parole.

Do not purchase computers or software from companies which willingly cooperate with Chinese requests for information on security processes.

-- steve

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

China irks US with computer security review rules

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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GLOBAL WARMING: SCIENCE BY POLITICALLY CORRECT VOTING?

According to the Associated Press …

Thousands Negotiate New Climate Treaty

“Scientists studying the changing nature of the Earth's climate say they have completed one crucial task — proving beyond a doubt that global warming is real.”

Now they have to figure out just what to do about it.

"’It is critical for us to get a much better understanding of the impact of climate change in some parts of the world,’ Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, told The Associated Press in an interview Tuesday.”

“Scientific warnings of potential catastrophe have been the backdrop for talks among more than 10,000 delegates and environmentalists negotiating a treaty to control the emission of greenhouse gases, which have grown by 70 percent since 1970. The treaty, due to be completed in one year, would replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.”

Pachauri said he was concerned that negotiators were sparring and probing — and leaving key decisions for the last moment.

"My concern is that if we leave everything to the end, we might end up with a weak agreement that doesn't really address the problem," he said.

A conclusion based on a literature search is only the beginning …

“Last year, Pachauri's IPCC, which collected the work of more than 2,000 scientists, said climate change is ‘unequivocal, is already happening, and is caused by human activity.’"

What definitive and accepted work was produced by those who collected the work of these 2,000 scientists and then presented at unified theory of climatology which could be further examined and tested by those who doubt the assertions of the IPCC?

“It listed likely effects of global warming: arid regions will grow dryer, rising seas will flood coastal areas, melting glaciers will flood communities downstream and then dry up the source of future water supplies, and up to 30 percent of all plant and animal species may become extinct.”

Likely is not a scientific term, it is a speculative term. Where are the probability studies for each of the presented effects – and were they all based on computer models which have been thoroughly tested, assumptions checked, data reviewed and results studied and reproduced by independent third-party researchers? What is the margin of error for each of the findings? Is that the systemic error of measurement data, systemic error of the mathematical computations and the overall combination of errors?

“Since then, new evidence has emerged showing that ice caps in the Arctic and Antarctic are melting, which threatens to dramatically raise the level of the oceans and flood coastal cities and low-lying islands.”

"Small island states are living in a state of fear," he said.

It’s an emergency I tell you! Sound the alarms!

“But Pachauri said there was no conclusive evidence the world is in imminent danger.”

Not unless you realize that it might take over another 100 years to see the cyclical trend.

Ignore the man behind the curtain…

"’I don't think we should jump to conclusions if we get material that is based on the last one or two years,’ the Indian scientist said. The IPCC issues its reports every five or six years.”

Forget that cooling data that is coming to light. It is all short-term, natural variability of nature stuff. We know what we are talking about and they don’t. (For those who lack a sense of humor: this is sarcasm.)

“The 2007 report cited a scientific consensus that global warming should be limited to 2 degrees Centigrade (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) to avoid the worst scenarios. To contain global warming to that target, carbon emissions must peak by 2015, then begin a rapid decline.”

Their scientific consensus is cherry-picked people with mostly political connections; using science which is extremely limited in scope and may not be extensible over the world’s sphere. Of course, computer models have no such limitations as they are as valid everywhere that their authors claim. Yeah, right.

“Pachauri now says governments should reconsider whether even that goal goes far enough, since it would still raise sea levels from between 15 inches (40 centimeters) to 4.6 feet (1.4 meters).”

Dozens? I expected thousands!

“Dozens of scientists were among the delegations or nongovernment groups attending the Poznan conference, exhibiting some of the latest technologies and scientific studies.”

I wasn’t aware that this was a scientific conference, only a political one.

Oh My God: Deniers and Skeptics …

" ‘The skeptics are doing a good job because they are making us present ironclad proof,’" said Lawrence E. Buja, a climate change researcher for the U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado.”

Yes, they are doing a good job.  So where is the ironclad proof? You know, the one mentioned in the opening paragraph. “Scientists studying the changing nature of the Earth's climate say they have completed one crucial task — proving beyond a doubt that global warming is real.”

This type of assertion is tantamount to simply declaring “we won the war – mission accomplished” and walking away to your next press conference. Where is that damn report? I want to read the conclusive proof – proving beyond a doubt that there assertions are true, correct and scientifically valid. And, if such ironclad proof did exist, why are those credible scientists still speaking out against global warming. After all, it’s settled according to the United Nations’ nabobs.

The battle is far from over as science is an ongoing affair …

“But since that battle is over, he said scientists need to move on and look at the detailed impact of climate change.”

" ‘That's a much harder question,’ he said.”

“Buja, who contributed to the IPCC report, said scientists are looking at futuristic solutions to halt global warming, such as imitating the cooling effects of a massive volcanic eruption by spreading sulfur in the atmosphere, or scattering billions tiny refractors high in the air to dim the sun and lower the temperature.”

Let’s analyze this stupidity …

We know from actual research that the most prevalent greenhouse gas to be found in nature is moisture: water vapor – like that in clouds.

Now using your junior high school chemistry, let’s add sulfur (S) to water (H2O) and see what happens: H2SO4 – for the uninitiated – that’s sulfuric acid – acid rain – the stuff that corrodes statutes and our lungs.

This is a non-starter.  And should anyone care, Sulfur dioxide is the main byproduct produced when sulfur-containing fuels such as coal or oil are burned – and sent into the atmosphere where it turns to sulfuric acid and then to acid rain.

“But he said such radical solutions involve risks.”

" ‘How are you going to go up and find all those little refractors and pull them down if something bad starts to happen?’" he asked.”

The simple answer, you adjust the computer models and tell the world’s population it’s not really happening and they don’t understand the science. And for those who might be dying from the effects of this type of global experimentation, you might comfort them with the thought that they are martyrs in the great climate jihad.

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THIS SECTION ON DDT UNDER REVIEW

-- SEE COMMENTS SECTION

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The United Nations and Environmentalists have already been complicit in the deaths of millions of people. Remember their global scare tactics over DDT; based on nothing more than screaming activists touting their junk science studies. Well, millions of people have died from disease spread by insects that were handily killed by DDT. And not, to add insult to injury, the World Health Organization (WHO) just revised its opinion on DDT.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) has reversed nearly 30 years of policy and re-approved the use of DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) in the fight against malaria. WHO is now recommending the use of indoor residual spraying (IRS) not only in epidemic areas but also in areas with constant and high malaria transmission.
In the announcement of the decision Director of WHO’s Global Malaria Programme Dr Arata Kochi says: "We must take a position based on the science and the data. One of the best tools we have against malaria is indoor residual house spraying. Of the dozen insecticides WHO has approved as safe for house spraying, the most effective is DDT." Full details of WHO decision on DDT...”

Perhaps there should be a joint United Nations’ and Environmental Activist Apology …

Sorry about all your dead relatives and those of you who are feeling pain.

-– the global consortium of activist assholes who rallied around Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and junk science to bring death, suffering and misery to your lives. 

(PRO DDT USE)  http://www.junkscience.com/ddtfaq.htm

(CAUTIOUS DDT USE)  http://membracid.wordpress.com/2007/06/13/ddt-malaria-insecticide-resistance/

WHY?

The biggest question: “why would the United Nations adopt a policy based on junk science?” is relatively easy to answer.

First, the United Nations is not an impartial arbiter of the world’s internecine disputes. It is a bureaucratic collection of self-interested individuals who are pursuing their own agenda of prestige, power and profits. The majority of the membership of the United Nations does not wish the United States well.

Second, as in the AIDS controversy when the United Nations openly admitted that they fudged the numbers to increase media attention and attract funding, they do virtually the same thing to achieve the same result for every major issue they encounter.

Third, almost all of the dire predictions made by the United Nations are based on an increase in population. It should be noted that for years the United Nations used a linear progression estimate of population. Something which is demonstrably and laughingly wrong. Populations are limited, like plants and animals, by the resources needed to sustain life, the surrounding hospitality of the environment and the prevailing socio-political culture.

Perhaps this gives rise to the ignoble reason why the United Nations bought into the DDT controversy – and as ugly as it sounds, the answer of “population control” may be closer to the truth than you might imagine. Especially in the rapidly growing African areas where disease and the lack of decent food and water kept the population in check. With the use of DDT, disease was reduced and food production was increased – undesirable outcomes according to the United Nations’ “population as a threat” crowd.

And most of all, fourth, it would allow the United Nations to achieve some of its most treasured goals:

  • become the arbiter of what is correct and proper on the world stage;
  • breach international sovereignty in order to tax/fine nation’s that did not adhere to their trumped-up mandates;
  • engage in a form of socialistic wealth distribution (ostensibly to compensate the less developed nations for the pollution produced by the developed nations) and
  • inflict great damage on the United States economy and military.

All-in-all, while there is a phenomenon such as global warming and a phenomenon such as global cooling, both are part and parcel of the natural variability of global climate change. It is doubtful that man’s effects on the climate are even measurable against the background of this natural cyclic function. To allow anyone to manipulate the population based on computer models is not only unconscionable, it is criminal.

What can YOU do?

Demand to see the proof, the single, peer-reviewed, written report, accepted by reputable independent scientists and talented amateurs (who are making an increasing number of important observations) before ceding political control of your money and freedoms.

Wait for the release of a report (scheduled in 24+ hours) to list a number of climate scientists who do not agree with the IPCC position. Remember there was only 52 scientists who authored the 2007 IPCC report.

Common sense dictates that politicians cannot manage our current economy and therefore should not be allowed to proceed on any major project without a specific purpose, plan and projected cost.

-- steve

Quote of the day: “It’s not my science, it’s not your science – it’s science” -- steve

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

Thousands Negotiate New Climate Treaty | LiveScience

U.N. to Cut Estimate Of AIDS Epidemic

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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Global warming: a classic case of the blind men examining an elephant and determining the nature of the beast

Once again the media appears to be spinning a scientific finding -- merely to add another impression to the public consciousness of the so-called scientific underpinning of the subject of global climate change. Of course, nothing is mentioned on the likelihood that the fall of certain empires were political in nature rather than nature itself.

“Climate history may explain empires' fall”

“An analysis of rings on a stalagmite from a cave near Jerusalem reveals a drier climate in the region at a time in history when the Roman and Byzantine empires were in decline, scientists reported on Thursday.”

While it is extremely popular, and can’t hurt your funding in these politically correct times, to link scientific findings to global warming, it is a classic case of supposition – possibly based on nothing more than a coincidental finding.

It might be far more plausible to assume that the downfall of empires was more the result of poor governance and misallocation of resources by political leaders (mostly despots) than the climate.

“University of Wisconsin geologists analyzed the chemical composition of individual rings as small as one-hundredth of a millimeter across that formed the stalagmite growing up from the floor of the Soreq Cave near Jerusalem between 200 B.C. and 1100 A.D..”

“Geologists John Valley and Ian Orland concluded the climate was drier in the eastern Mediterranean between 100 A.D. and 700 A.D., with steep drops in rainfall around 100 A.D. and 400 A.D. -- a period of waning Roman and Byzantine power in the region.”

" ‘Whether this is what weakened the Byzantines or not isn't known, but it is an interesting correlation,’ Valley said in a statement.”

Interesting correlation? 

Or can we simply chalk it up to a coincidental finding. To even consider that weather was a causal  factor in the decline of these empires based on this skimpy evidence is beyond science – more like science fiction. 

“The team is now applying the same geochemical technique to examine older samples from the cave from the time of the last glacial retreat roughly 19,000 years ago, to help understand how weather patterns respond to fast-warming temperatures.”

Is this a solid excuse to raise taxes, enlarge government and require ceding personal freedoms?

Again, we are considering basing extremely disruptive public policy on a collection of scientific findings which, while interesting, may not be an acceptable proxy for temperature measurement over long periods of time.

“Researchers from the Geological Survey of Israel and Hebrew University in Jerusalem helped with the study, which was to appear in an upcoming issue of the journal Quaternary Research.”

With all due respect to the individual scientists involved, I am sure that the media reports covering their research were possibly slanted to attract media attention and may not even be representative of their work. It is suggested that you read the original paper to develop a contextual understanding of the science.

What can YOU do?

Common sense dictates that one does not introduce massive disruptions to the nation’s economy and welfare based on a collection of inconclusive musings of scientists.

Common sense dictates that you do not cede the political power to raise taxes and enlarge government to arrogant politicians who have no historical record of managing major projects or even our current economy.

Do your own research and come to your own conclusions.

-- steve

Quote of the day:  “The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand.” -- Frank Herbert

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

Climate history may explain empires' fall | Science | Reuters

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

| Comments (0)

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OBAMA: FIRST THINGS FIRST

The devil is in the details …

How many times have we witnessed lofty goals proposed by politicians only to see the end result fail in a morass of special interest contractors, mismanagement, cost overruns, corruption, malfeasance and outright stupidity?

So pardon me when I cast my skeptical, cynical eye at Obama’s pronouncement and wonder about the details.

Politico.com  is reporting … 

“Obama unveils 21st Century New Deal”

“On Saturday, Barack Obama pledged the largest new investment in roads and bridges since President Dwight D. Eisenhower built the Interstate system in the 1950's.”

“President-elect Barack Obama added sweep and meat to his economic agenda on Saturday, pledging the largest new investment in roads and bridges since President Dwight D. Eisenhower built the Interstate system in the late 1950s, and tying his key initiatives – education, energy, health care –back to jobs in a package that has the makings of a smaller and modern version of FDR's New Deal marriage of job creation with infrastructure upgrades.”

Modernizing schools …

“The president-elect also said for the first time that he will ‘launch the most sweeping effort to modernize and upgrade school buildings that this country has ever seen.’ ‘We will repair broken schools, make them energy-efficient, and put new computers in our classrooms,’ he said in the address.”

There is no doubt that the members of the activist left have sought to infiltrate the educational process and thus be able to expose youngsters to their radical philosophies at an early age. What would have been considered inappropriate subject matter in years gone by is now routinely taught as being normal and customary. Therefore, one must ask if this initiative will lead to the expansion of federal intervention into what has been local control over education.

Pandering to the unions …

It is no secret that two of the core constituencies courted by the liberal democrat leftists in this last election cycle were the unions. Specifically, the teachers unions and the trade unions. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the major beneficiaries of the construction and school upgrades will be the unions.

Perhaps if Obama was serious about his recently announced initiative, he would think through the process to demand further improvements which would benefit all Americans.

To curtail costs, for each government project, the union would suspend its onerous work rules and hefty contributions to its pension and benefit funds to match local labor rates. As well as to allow any American to work on the project without the necessity for joining a union or being forced to surrender a portion of his wage as a substitute for union dues.

To assist in immigration reform, to demand that only American citizens be allowed to work on these construction projects and that each worker be required to present a valid picture identification card and have their social security number verified.

In addition, to further educational goals, perhaps a requirement that all teachers be re-certified in their subject matter specialty as well as be certified in the basics of proven teaching methods. Also, this might be a good time to reduce the administrator-to-teacher ratio and to stop paying additional monies for teachers who are overqualified to teach certain grades. There should be no reward for a teacher with a master’s degree to teach a second-grade class unless it was a specialized education class requiring a higher level of education and training. Here, the list of improvements, long fought by the education unions, should be reconsidered. After all, it is public money that is being spent and for a public purpose.

Medical records …

Yes, we are all tired of filling out the same forms each time we enter a doctor’s office or having critical healthcare information locked away in a cabinet when it might be used to assist the attending physician in his diagnosis and choice of treatments.

Truth-be-told, this is a somewhat flawed goal when it comes to paper-pushing routine paper. Primary care doctors, and some specialists, are so overscheduled that they do not have time to read voluminous records, in paper or electronic form, and tend not to rely on past data. It is a standard operating practice to re-interview the patient for current complaints, order tests and then proceed from this point. It is also an open secret that certain exculpatory and exclusionary tests will be run simply to protect the doctor from future medical claims by patients with profit-minded trial lawyers. Another class of donors that seems to be beholden to the liberal democrat legislators.

Without getting into the arguments or infrastructure requirements of a government-controlled single-payor system, suffice it to say that electronic recordkeeping moves the process forward.  One should consider that allowing insurance companies to insert themselves into the delivery of medical care has resulted in skyrocketing costs and shoddy medical care in many cases. There is no difference, at least in my mind, between the greedy Wall Street Wizards who gamed the mortgage marketplace to reap multi-million dollar bonuses and those that reap multi-million dollar bonuses by manipulating the healthcare system.

It is a shame that even those caught defrauding the system are given relative slaps on the wrist and the recovery of funds is so low as to be considered a cost of doing business. Everyone knows how to manipulate the coding system to change an elective “nose job” into a “rhinoplasty to repair a deviated septum.”

But even more dangerous considerations loom …

What about the lack of strong legislation to protect the compromise of medical records for political and profit-making reasons.

Let us not forget that the personal medical records of Britney Spears and a number of other highly interesting celebrities were allegedly accessed and sold to the tabloids.

Let us not forget that the personal records of  “Joe the Plumber” were accessed and released to the media for political purposes.

And what did the democrat governor of Ohio, Ted Strickland,  do about this egregious and systematic misuse of government computers and the release of personal and confidential information? Or the attempted cover-up.

According to the Columbus Dispatch …

“Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat, placed Jones-Kelley on a one-month unpaid suspension last month after Inspector General Thomas P. Charles found she authorized the check on Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, aka Joe the Plumber, for no legitimate government purpose.

“Thompson also was suspended for a month after Charles found that he participated in directing the check and instructed Niekamp to send a deceptive e-mail about it. Three others received lesser punishment.” <Source>

At the very minimum, these people should have all been terminated and faced fines and jail time for there clearly illegal actions. This wasn’t a case of ill-advised curiosity, this information was fed to the media in the attempt to embarrass the opposition political party.

The possibility that your medical records could be used for political or criminal purposes such as blackmail or extortion pale compared to their potential use as a determining factor in the denial of insurance coverage, rate setting or in the denial of employment opportunities.

And we have no legal defense against government or other workers who engage in this activity. Even if you could prove damages, the resulting efforts will never clear your name or remove you from the collective database known as the Internet.

Worthwhile initiatives that need careful scrutiny … 

We need to  consider much more than the broad strokes of Obamas “five key parts" of his economic plan:

—ENERGY: “[W]e will launch a massive effort to make public buildings more energy-efficient. Our government now pays the highest energy bill in the world. We need to change that. We need to upgrade our federal buildings by replacing old heating systems and installing efficient light bulbs. That won’t just save you, the American taxpayer, billions of dollars each year. It will put people back to work.”

I do not know why we should trust the federal government to manage construction and renovation projects which end up creating additional naming opportunities as monuments to legislative egos.

One need only consider the recent visitor’s reception center – built in part because Harry Reid does apparently does not like to smell his fellow citizens on a hot day --- and whose construction schedule was delayed for three years while costs ballooned from an estimated $71 million dollars to a final cost of $621 million. 

—ROADS AND BRIDGES: “[W]e will create millions of jobs by making the single largest new investment in our national infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950s. We’ll invest your precious tax dollars in new and smarter ways, and we’ll set a simple rule – use it or lose it. If a state doesn’t act quickly to invest in roads and bridges in their communities, they’ll lose the money.”
—SCHOOLS: “[M]y economic recovery plan will launch the most sweeping effort to modernize and upgrade school buildings that this country has ever seen. We will repair broken schools, make them energy-efficient, and put new computers in our classrooms. Because to help our children compete in a 21st century economy, we need to send them to 21st century schools.”

This is an outright falsehood. It’s not the buildings that will increase our competitiveness, it is the quality of education. Here in Los Angeles we have a billion dollar educational complex and a $320 million dollar modern art high school. Will these improve the graduation ratio of LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District) students. I think not. These are the people who couldn’t even manage a $100+ million payroll system or have the guts to simply fire a $300,000 ex-Vice Admiral who is more about motivational programs than education.

—BROADBAND: “As we renew our schools and highways, we’ll also renew our information superhighway. It is unacceptable that the United States ranks 15th in the world in broadband adoption. Here, in the country that invented the Internet, every child should have the chance to get online, and they’ll get that chance when I’m president – because that’s how we’ll strengthen America’s competitiveness in the world.”
(Incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel had talked about expanding broadband access, but this is the first time the transition has formally proposed it.)

Again, we need to be extremely wary of the Administration’s handling of electronic privacy, Internet neutrality and other issues which may involve the curtailing of your First Amendment rights. We know that the common carriers, the telephone companies, cable companies and wireless operators all want to act as the gatekeepers to enable them to profit from the content being delivered over their infrastructure. It is not enough we pay for our own hardware, software, maintenance and connectivity – they now want to surcharge high-bandwidth items such as videos and other creative content belonging to others. Needless to say, they are also publishing reports that Google is using a disproportionate share of the nation’s bandwidth. We have all heard about the coming fight over the old “fairness doctrine” which has been re-labeled as a “locality access” issue, so we must be ever vigilant when our Constitutional rights may be at stake.

—ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS: “In addition to connecting our libraries and schools to the Internet, we must also ensure that our hospitals are connected to each other through the Internet. That is why the economic recovery plan I’m proposing will help modernize our health care system – and that won’t just save jobs, it will save lives. We will make sure that every doctor’s office and hospital in this country is using cutting edge technology and electronic medical records so that we can cut red tape, prevent medical mistakes, and help save billions of dollars each year.”

Again, we need clear and binding legislation covering the privacy of electronic communications and medical records before proceeding with this massive creation of the world’s largest interconnected and distributed database of medical records. We need to also remember that the government has empowered law enforcement agencies with the technology to tap these massive communications systems at will. Sometimes with warrants and sometimes with little more than a wink and a nod.

One need only consider that jailed private-eye Anthony Pelicano was alleged to use police officers and even a member of the FBI to obtain personal and private information for commercial use.

In the final analysis, I ask you a simple question: Can you think of a major project or system which has been on-time, on-budget and not obsolete before installation? Even excluding military systems?

One need look no further than the physical and electronic fencing which was supposed to protect America from an onslaught of  illegal aliens who were rapidly destroying our education, healthcare, judicial, retirement, social and cultural infrastructure to see what the confluence of money, political power and special interests means to construction projects.

What can YOU do?

Until I see successful pilot or demonstration projects that were managed by the government, I will consider Barack Obama’s announcement to be nothing more, nor less, than another government giveaway to special interests and a media campaign to make the American people feel good.

As Americans we need to scrutinize the actions of the government and hold our elected officials to account for the mismanagement of our economy.

We are rapidly approaching a critical mass, when the number of government employees and entitlement recipients can vote together to drain our national treasury at will. This must not be allowed to happen and power needs to be de-federalized and returned to the states where it can be more easily managed under the watchful eye of the citizenry.

We need to demand more transparency in governmental contracting down to the granularity level of putting payments to contractors and others on-line for analysis by citizens. It’s our money that is being spent and our government that is spending it our name.

Be well, take care and consider that these difficult economic times will pass – unfortunately for some, with the pain of a kidney stone. We will have another chance to re-adjust government in 2010 – provided that we are still functioning.

-- steve

Quote of the Day: “The American people should be made aware of the trend toward monopolization of the great public information vehicles and the concentration of more and more power over public opinion in fewer and fewer hands." – Spiro Agnew

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

Obama unveils 21st Century New Deal - Mike Allen and Jonathan Martin - Politico.com

DispatchPolitics : Worker says 'Joe the Plumber' cover-up was forced upon her Columbus Dispatch Politics

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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GLOBAL WARMING: OMNIBUS REASON FOR SCREWING THE AMERICAN CITIZEN?

EPA: Government Agency Abuses Authority for Meaningless Global Warming Gesture?

I cannot believe that the EPA would abuse their rule-making powers to impose a global climate tax on animals without a Congressional mandate. I wonder if they have ever heard of taxation without representation?

According to the Associated Press …

“Proposed fee on smelly cows, hogs angers farmers”

“For farmers, this stinks: Belching and gaseous cows and hogs could start costing them money if a federal proposal to charge fees for air-polluting animals becomes law.”

“Farmers so far are turning their noses up at the notion, which is one of several put forward by the Environmental Protection Agency after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that greenhouse gases emitted by belching and flatulence amounts to air pollution.”

" ‘This is one of the most ridiculous things the federal government has tried to do,’ said Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, an outspoken opponent of the proposal.”

Welcome to the animal version of carbon caps … can emissions credits be far behind?

“It would require farms or ranches with more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs to pay an annual fee of about $175 for each dairy cow, $87.50 per head of beef cattle and $20 for each hog.”

“The executive vice president of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation, Ken Hamilton, estimated the fee would cost owners of a modest-sized cattle ranch $30,000 to $40,000 a year. He said he has talked to a number of livestock owners about the proposals, and ‘all have said if the fees were carried out, it would bankrupt them.’"

This is an unauthorized indirect tax on the population as all costs will eventually be passed on to the public. This is the same type of indirect taxation that is being imposed by those who use the utility companies to collect local, state and federal taxes promulgated by agencies – rather than the lawmakers themselves; who would then become accountable to the public.

Which nation is likely to be the Saudi Arabia of meat production? Mexico? Argentina?

“Sparks said Wednesday he's worried the fee could be extended to chickens and other farm animals and cause more meat to be imported.”

" ‘We'll let other countries put food on our tables like they are putting gas in our cars. Other countries don't have the health standards we have,’ Sparks said.”

Another bogus feel good measure …

There is no way to measure the effectiveness of this proposal and it amounts to little more than a “feel good” measure for angst-ridden liberals and a source of additional income to the cash-strapped government.

“EPA spokesman Nick Butterfield said the fee was proposed for farms with livestock operations that emit more than 100 tons of carbon emissions in a year and fall under federal Clean Air Act provisions.”

It’s not a TAX: it’s a FEE!

“The fee would cover the cost of a permit for the livestock operations. While farmers say it would drive them out of business, an organization supporting the proposal hopes it forces the farms and ranches to switch to healthier crops.”

Since when did man need a permit to raise livestock – other than those permits required to insure the safety of the commercial food supply?

Enter the far-left liberal vegetarians …

" ‘It makes perfect sense if you are looking for ways to cut down on meat consumption and recoup environmental losses,’ said Bruce Friedrich, a spokesman in Washington for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.”

" ‘We certainly support making factory farms pay their fair share,’ he said.”

Wonderful comment by the “perfect people for a perfect planet” crowd that is led by radical socialists, communists and others who are subverting the environmental cause for their own political agenda.

“Butterfield said the EPA is reviewing the public comments and didn't have a timetable for the next steps.”

How can any government agency be involved in this idiocy while acting in the people’s name? Time to take back our government by curtailing the activities of agencies which are not producing tangible results and are spinning their wheels proposing non-productive measures which do little or nothing to solve America’s current problems.

Global warming’s inconvenient scientific truth: weather is variable …

According to the U.K. Guardian …

“2008 will be coolest year of the decade”

“Global average for 2008 should come in close to 14.3C, but cooler temperature is not evidence that global warming is slowing, say climate scientists.”

“This year is set to be the coolest since 2000, according to a preliminary estimate of global average temperature that is due to be released next week by the Met Office. The global average for 2008 should come in close to 14.3C, which is 0.14C below the average temperature for 2001-07.”

Which really doesn’t prove anything other than the climate is cyclical and that we do not know the actual periodicity and amplitude of the cycles – or even where we are positioned in respect to the cycle itself.

What is really important …

However, what is important is to note is the very small numbers (.14C =  0.252F) which are well within the systemic measurement error rate of our current thermometers.

“In March, a team of climate scientists at Kiel University predicted that natural variation would mask the 0.3C (0.54F) warming predicted by the Intergovernment Panel on Climate Change over the next decade. They said that global temperatures would remain constant until 2015 but would then begin to accelerate.” <Source>

Natural variation is the key to understanding the global weather change phenomenon. Rather than spend inordinate amounts of money and cede political control to people who don’t have a clue to anything other than their self-interested manipulation of the system, might it not be more prudent to spend the money developing more efficient structures to protect us from nature’s vagaries. To build desalination plants to help with potential water shortages in the future. To improve our food growing methods to deal with potential food shortages.

Wait a minute: these water and food shortages exist now – so why are we playing around with carbon cap and trade systems when we should be funding nuclear energy, pollution reduction, improving water and food sources? Why are people starving around the world while we diddle with nature – something that man’s puny power cannot control on a global scale.

Perhaps the Emperor has no clothes and what we are looking at is a massive diversion of resources to benefit those already in power and who have already bought and paid for their own politicians on the installment plan. And perhaps, Representative Randy Cunningham will turn out to be the most ethical politician of the decade: he has a price list which was available to all and did not change in relation to who you might be.

The perfect cause for politicians, charlatans, scam artists and profiteers …

Imagine a cause which generates considerable media attention at little or no cost, can serve as the basis for raising taxes, enlarging the scope and size of government, curtailing personal freedoms and expectations, allowing surcharges to be added for using the word “green,” and most of all, is based on a speculative computer-generated theory that can never be proven one way or another in your lifetime – or possibly in many hundreds of years. What an opportunity for exploitation of the world’s population by those who seize the initiative.

Politicians: acting in their own ego-centric self-interest …

It is amazing how quickly malevolent members of the far-left, many held over from the cold-war, have commandeered the environmental movement as a vehicle for the promotion of their socialistic agenda. These are our former enemies who have found that they can use our own gullibility and environmental laws against us to promote their own purposes of weakening both our military and our economy so as to reduce our world influence. And it is no surprise that they continue to rail against the use of modern nuclear energy to achieve the very goals they are trying to promote.

Exploitation of global warming for political purposes -- the Schwarzenegger effect: because I say so …

And then there are the political opportunists like California Governor Schwarzenegger, an ego-centric movie star who dreams of greater glory, recognition and adulation on the world state … and sees the environment as his prime mover towards his goal.

Truth be told, Schwarzenegger is a famous political failure: the triumph of artificially generated style over substance. He was elected by the people of California to curb the legislature’s profligate spending, cut down on the waste, fraud, corruption and burgeoning size of the state’s government, and repair or replace much of the state’s crumbling infrastructure. And over his two terms, he has sat idly by while the spending continued. Preferring instead to prove that he was a more prolific fundraiser than the man the people voted out of office, Gray Davis, for proposing the very programs that are  now being considered by Schwarzenegger. Our debt and deficit has been artificially manipulated during his watch and the state has devolved into a financial crisis. For a “post partisan” politician, it was amazing that he couldn’t even get his own Republican party to sign off on a budget that was not only constitutionally late, but was so filled by manipulation and misrepresentation as to be invalid when signed.

So why should be be surprised when Schwarzenegger gloms onto the global warming scheme as another path to promote his own personal agenda? As the management guru Tom Peters defined, “failing upward.”

SchwarzeneggerNewsweek.jpg

California liberals, once again leading the way into sham legislation and controls …

According to the Sacramento Bee …

“A team of top California environmental officials are heading off to Poland this weekend.”

“Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has increasingly fashioned himself as a worldwide environmental figure, is dispatching the team to the United Nations conference on climate change.”

“Schwarzenegger hosted his own, pre-UN climate change conference last month (where President-elect Barack Obama made a surprise video-appearance.)”

There are those who believed that Schwarzenegger was angling for a prominent environmental position in the Obama Administration even though he is nominally a Republican. I say nominally, because a closer observation of Schwarzenegger’s activities over the past years has proven that he is a RINO (Republican In Name Only) who acts more like a liberal democrat than as a conservative Republican.

All with the lame explanation (or excuse) that  he is a “post partisan” politician who is acting in the best interests of the people. I am sure that Schwarzenegger is dreaming of the title of “Climate Czar” where he can continue to promote his own self-interests as well as continuing the public acclaim of his celebrity.

See-and-be-seen junket or fact-finding mission?

Continuing from the Sacramento Bee …

“In any case, Linda Adams, secretary for environmental protection, Mike Chrisman, secretary for resources, Margret Kim, international climate advisor, Tony Brunello, deputy secretary for resources and Anthony Eggert, senior advisor, are off to the week-long UN summit.”

More bad news?

“Who's not on that list? Mary Nichols, the chair of California's Air Resources Board and a rumored top contender to be Obama's administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.”

Which should surprise no one as she is a well-credentialed member of the liberal democratic left. (Heaven forbid that Schwarzenegger should have appointed a similarly qualified Republican to the position.)

“Mary D. Nichols was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as Chairman of the California Air Resources Board in July 2007. She returns to the Air Board 30 years after serving as the Chairman under Governor Jerry Brown from 1978 to 1983.”

“Nichols has devoted her entire career in public and private, not-for-profit service to advocating for the environment and public health. In addition to her work at the Air Board, she has held a number of positions, including: assistant administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Air and Radiation program under the Clinton Administration, Secretary for California's Resources Agency from 1999 to 2003, and Director of the University of California, Los Angeles Institute of the Environment.”

“As one of California's first environmental lawyers, she initiated precedent-setting test cases under the Federal Clean Air Act and California air quality laws while practicing as a staff attorney for the Center for Law in the Public Interest. Nichols holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Yale Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University.” <Source>

“Inconsistent and incomplete:” like most politically- inspired plans that purport to deal with global climate change…

According to the Sacramento Bee …

“ …Assemblyman Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks, is demanding that Nichols push back approval of California's roadmap to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.”

“That roadmap, known in Capitol parlance as the ‘AB 32 scoping plan,’ was criticized by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office as ‘inconsistent and incomplete’ in a report requested by Niello and Assembly GOP leader Mike Villines.

“AB 32 requires California to limit greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, a roughly 20 percent reduction when the was passed in 2006. The scoping plan is the guideline to achieve the goal.”

“Niello, who voted against AB 32 in 2006, cited the LAO report in a letter to Nichols on Thursday asking her to reschedule next week's air board meeting, where members are expected to adopt the plan.”

The letter …

Specifically, the LAO letter suggests ‘the plan's evaluation of the costs and savings of some recommended measures is inconsistent and incomplete’ and that the plan ‘fails to
layout an investment pathway ... to attain the AB 32 GHG emission reduction goals.’”

“Unfortunately, the LAO was not able to complete some elements of their analysis as they were not provided with some written responses from CARB even though, ‘it had been provided ample time to do so.’"

“The peer review critique of the Scoping Plan goes even further in suggesting that the cost
of the AB 32 Scoping Plan would be significant, and that CARB drastically underestimated these costs. Additionally, peer review comments suggest that there is some underlying manipulation of data in the Scoping Plan by stating that, ‘The economic
analysis selectively includes or excludes various existing non-AB 32 policies in its
baseline precisely in ways that lead systematically to under-estimating the costs of the Scoping Plan.’"

Bottom line …

“AB 32 granted the ARB broad, unprecedented regulatory authority with minimal legislative oversight.”

Seems like the Paulson plan for the bailout of the financial industry. We’re not sure of the amount or the details of the program, but we need unprecedented authority with little or no regulatory oversight to accomplish our mission.

Unfortunately, these people have no clue on how man can begin to affect global weather patterns other than the promotion of policies which lead to higher taxes, larger government, reduced personal freedoms and windfall profits for the Wall Street Wizards who game the emissions credit trading scheme.

What can YOU do?

Before any politician or political entity goes off on a flight of fantasy to curb “global” climate change, force them back to reality of dealing with an omnipresent situation which can drastically affect your health … local pollution.

Demand that your local, state and federal environmental protection agencies fulfill their stated mission: reducing environmental pollution of the the ground, water and air by imposing curbs on local gross polluters instead of allowing them to mitigate their pollution with emissions credits purchased at the public’s expense. Pollution at this level is measurable and containable.

Do not elect or re-elect politicians who spout global warming nonsense without a specific plan that provides measurable results and capitated costs. There should be no blank checks for fantasy programs which convey benefits to the special interests over the wants and needs of the public. It’s OUR government and they are acting in OUR name. Something they often forget.

Whether or not you believe the manipulated science that is being promoted by the malevolent United Nations, you owe it to yourself to research the subject of global climate change and pollution before draining your personal resources and curtailing your personal activities to provide more money and support to politicians and their latest self-serving schemes.

And consider the almost unthinkable: that what we are really measuring is the “urbanization” of the landscape

-- steve

Quote of the Day: “The trouble with weather forecasting is that it's right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it.” --Patrick Young

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

Proposed fee on smelly cows, hogs angers farmers|Associated Press

Climate scientists say 2008 will be coolest year of the decade| guardian.co.uk

Nichols Letter|Roger Niello

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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