Praise to the Wisconsin GOP for their quick turn around of one of the most telling videos I've seen in years.
Notice how the media has yet to talk about the violent rhetoric coming from these union protestors. Obama has called the Governor's actions an "assault" on their liberties. Obama has harsher words for Governor Walker than he does for Ahmadinejad.
He's one odd man...
Let's hope it doesn't turn physically violent. If so, just like Tuscon, we'll have to pin the violence on Bill Maher and Eugene Robinson and Keith Olbermann...
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Capital Stupidity
The Washington, DC City Council has finally given permission to Wal-Mart allowing the retail behemoth to do business within the city. Funny that someone like Marion Barry can stop economic growth and expansion- but that's the joy of urban liberalism. Look at cities like Detroit, Cleveland, New York and Baltimore for further evidence of liberals with power destroying economies...
But that's not my point. What got my attention was this hysterical article in the Washington Post where local yokels express their concerns about Wal-Mart's impending arrival. Let's looks at some of what keeps Washingtonians up at night:
1. "would a new Wal-Mart there really stock the same quality of food and products as its stores do in better-off, suburban communities? "I'll believe it when I see it," Mya Harris, 24, said skeptically. "Sure, you can put the store here, but what are they going to put inside it?"
Ah, yes Ms. Harris. I can see you are not a business major. Just tell me- in your 24 years of life and some, say, 14 of buying products: what store have you ever seen that puts things on their shelves that people don't want to buy? Maybe YOU don't buy those things. But someone does. Or... guess what, Ms. Harris? You know what happens? That store goes out of business (or gets a government bailout, depending on what President Obama's magic ball says).
What does she think will be on the shelves? Saddles? Microscopes? or things that people need. I think, one can safely say, that Wal-mart has a pretty good reputation on stocking their shelves with things that people buy. You know, success didn't come because of a government subsidy. This isn't General Motors.
2. "Brenda Speaks, a Ward 4 ANC commissioner, actually urged blocking construction of the planned store in her ward at Georgia and Missouri avenues NW partly because of that risk. Addressing a small, anti-Wal-Mart rally at City Hall on Monday, Speaks said young people would get criminal records when they couldn't resist the temptation to steal."
I have no words for this gibberish. I only suffer knowing that my tax dollars pay for this woman's salary.
3. "the Respect DC coalition of nonprofit groups, unions and churches that organized the demonstration... demand was that the company sign a citywide Community Benefits Agreement that would promise in writing to do things such as invest in local communities and treat its workers well."
What gaul. What absolute gaul. A company that hasn't even arrived yet but plans to bring retail, low prices, enormous tax revenue and hundreds of full time job being issued a list of demands by a "coalition". I'd love to know what the hell this coalition has done for DC, what jobs they have created, what revenue they have contributed to the city coffers. They risk no capital, they invest no time nor treasure into this venture. It's not their money, their vision, their entrepreneurship yet they want to issue demands.
You know how Wal-Mart can "invest in local communities"? By BUILDING A FRIGGIN WAL-MART IN THE COMMUNITY. You know how Wal-Mart can "treat its workers well"? By giving them jobs. Jobs that DO NOT exist now. I don't know, Hippie Coalition, I think that's a pretty nice way to treat someone.
I'm always amazed groups that have no background, experience or knowledge in business feel entitled to dictate business rules to corporations that are taking enormous financial risks. This isn't rewarding entrepreneurship- it is stifling it.
Typical of my beloved Washington. A city where old men in wingback, leather chairs want to dictate rules on baseball, foreign policy in Iran, oil policy, transfats and automotive futures. Knowledge and experience and vested interest account for nothing.
But that's not my point. What got my attention was this hysterical article in the Washington Post where local yokels express their concerns about Wal-Mart's impending arrival. Let's looks at some of what keeps Washingtonians up at night:
1. "would a new Wal-Mart there really stock the same quality of food and products as its stores do in better-off, suburban communities? "I'll believe it when I see it," Mya Harris, 24, said skeptically. "Sure, you can put the store here, but what are they going to put inside it?"
Ah, yes Ms. Harris. I can see you are not a business major. Just tell me- in your 24 years of life and some, say, 14 of buying products: what store have you ever seen that puts things on their shelves that people don't want to buy? Maybe YOU don't buy those things. But someone does. Or... guess what, Ms. Harris? You know what happens? That store goes out of business (or gets a government bailout, depending on what President Obama's magic ball says).
What does she think will be on the shelves? Saddles? Microscopes? or things that people need. I think, one can safely say, that Wal-mart has a pretty good reputation on stocking their shelves with things that people buy. You know, success didn't come because of a government subsidy. This isn't General Motors.
2. "Brenda Speaks, a Ward 4 ANC commissioner, actually urged blocking construction of the planned store in her ward at Georgia and Missouri avenues NW partly because of that risk. Addressing a small, anti-Wal-Mart rally at City Hall on Monday, Speaks said young people would get criminal records when they couldn't resist the temptation to steal."
I have no words for this gibberish. I only suffer knowing that my tax dollars pay for this woman's salary.
3. "the Respect DC coalition of nonprofit groups, unions and churches that organized the demonstration... demand was that the company sign a citywide Community Benefits Agreement that would promise in writing to do things such as invest in local communities and treat its workers well."
What gaul. What absolute gaul. A company that hasn't even arrived yet but plans to bring retail, low prices, enormous tax revenue and hundreds of full time job being issued a list of demands by a "coalition". I'd love to know what the hell this coalition has done for DC, what jobs they have created, what revenue they have contributed to the city coffers. They risk no capital, they invest no time nor treasure into this venture. It's not their money, their vision, their entrepreneurship yet they want to issue demands.
You know how Wal-Mart can "invest in local communities"? By BUILDING A FRIGGIN WAL-MART IN THE COMMUNITY. You know how Wal-Mart can "treat its workers well"? By giving them jobs. Jobs that DO NOT exist now. I don't know, Hippie Coalition, I think that's a pretty nice way to treat someone.
I'm always amazed groups that have no background, experience or knowledge in business feel entitled to dictate business rules to corporations that are taking enormous financial risks. This isn't rewarding entrepreneurship- it is stifling it.
Typical of my beloved Washington. A city where old men in wingback, leather chairs want to dictate rules on baseball, foreign policy in Iran, oil policy, transfats and automotive futures. Knowledge and experience and vested interest account for nothing.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
An SNL Boycott
I have few personal boycotts. Sean Penn movies mostly... but this weekend I am going to add to the list.
This Saturday the musical guest on Saturday Night Live is Chris Brown. Chris Brown the guy who sent his girlfriend Rihanna to the hospital with black eyes he beat her so bad... you can still see the pictures of her bruised face online.
In 1990 Andrew Dice Clay was supposed to host SNL and cast member Nora Dunn and musical guest Sinead O'Connor boycotted the show because of Dice's language against women. As far as I know- Dice never was arrested or accused of hitting anyone. Still, people boycotted.
Yet here we are 21 years later with a legitimate abuser.. and I don't see any outcry. He sent his girlfriend to the hospital he beat her so bad... no outcry. What if Mel Gibson were to host next week? Would he get a pass?? Where is NOW??? Where is Maureen Dowd??
This Saturday the musical guest on Saturday Night Live is Chris Brown. Chris Brown the guy who sent his girlfriend Rihanna to the hospital with black eyes he beat her so bad... you can still see the pictures of her bruised face online.
In 1990 Andrew Dice Clay was supposed to host SNL and cast member Nora Dunn and musical guest Sinead O'Connor boycotted the show because of Dice's language against women. As far as I know- Dice never was arrested or accused of hitting anyone. Still, people boycotted.
Yet here we are 21 years later with a legitimate abuser.. and I don't see any outcry. He sent his girlfriend to the hospital he beat her so bad... no outcry. What if Mel Gibson were to host next week? Would he get a pass?? Where is NOW??? Where is Maureen Dowd??
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Make smoking illegal
Mayor Bloomberg is a champion of the nanny state's duty to care for its people. The government has your best interest at heart and knows better. It started with those pesky crimes like sitting on milk crates. Then car idling. Transfats. Salt. Smoking has always been on the radar screen as the most egregiously unhealthy activity and once he got rid of smoking section for total smoking bans, one would think he would stop.
But no. He need to levy stiff taxes against smokers with $2 and now almost $4 taxes per pack (wasn't the increased tax revenue to go to education or children's healthcare or something?) Estimates run in the $20's of millions in lost tax revenue due to a thriving black market. But that wasn't enough for Mayor Mike.
New York City Council with Mike's enthusiastic support has determined you can't smoke in certain outdoors sections like... the outdoors. And this is good... because smoking is bad. So bad we need to tax and deter and punish and inconvenience smokers into submission. (you reading this Obama?) Congrats, New York. Your 8 million children are safe. Will you wipe their chins and feed them their bottle next?
I suggest being truly radical. If we are going to care for the health of the citizenry... if we really want to protect them... we will just make smoking illegal. Drugs are illegal. Why not smoking?
Just ask the smoking Nazis about the "dangers of second hand smoke". Scientific evidence shows that anyone breathing within 1000 feet of a smoker will die instantly. Each year millions of people die from second hand smoke... just ask the Nazis.
So why not just make it illegal- completely and utterly illegal? Is it because thousands of people are employed in the tobacco industry? Is it because we export billions in cigarette sales around the world and need the money? Is it because New York needs the tax revenue? What could be more noble than just eliminating the entire industry once and for all?
We stopped slavery. We prohibit prostitution. Mayor Mike- if smoking is so dangerous and deadly- just make it completely illegal. It's the right thing to do for your people. It will be a moral victory and make New York a leader in world health. It will be your victory- Mayor Mike- the healthiest mayor in America. No, in the world. What a victory!
And we'll celebrate that victory with fine Cuban cigars. We can still smoke cigars, right?
But no. He need to levy stiff taxes against smokers with $2 and now almost $4 taxes per pack (wasn't the increased tax revenue to go to education or children's healthcare or something?) Estimates run in the $20's of millions in lost tax revenue due to a thriving black market. But that wasn't enough for Mayor Mike.
New York City Council with Mike's enthusiastic support has determined you can't smoke in certain outdoors sections like... the outdoors. And this is good... because smoking is bad. So bad we need to tax and deter and punish and inconvenience smokers into submission. (you reading this Obama?) Congrats, New York. Your 8 million children are safe. Will you wipe their chins and feed them their bottle next?
I suggest being truly radical. If we are going to care for the health of the citizenry... if we really want to protect them... we will just make smoking illegal. Drugs are illegal. Why not smoking?
Just ask the smoking Nazis about the "dangers of second hand smoke". Scientific evidence shows that anyone breathing within 1000 feet of a smoker will die instantly. Each year millions of people die from second hand smoke... just ask the Nazis.
So why not just make it illegal- completely and utterly illegal? Is it because thousands of people are employed in the tobacco industry? Is it because we export billions in cigarette sales around the world and need the money? Is it because New York needs the tax revenue? What could be more noble than just eliminating the entire industry once and for all?
We stopped slavery. We prohibit prostitution. Mayor Mike- if smoking is so dangerous and deadly- just make it completely illegal. It's the right thing to do for your people. It will be a moral victory and make New York a leader in world health. It will be your victory- Mayor Mike- the healthiest mayor in America. No, in the world. What a victory!
And we'll celebrate that victory with fine Cuban cigars. We can still smoke cigars, right?
We did trains already
Today President Obama announced his plan to spend $53 billion on high speed rail. Nate Taggart he is not.
As luck would have it, whenever the folly of the administration needs further emphasis Joe Biden is not far behind. His being an Amtrak alumnus someone makes him an expert in the railroad industry. Just ask him. He will tell you about logging some 7,900+ trips between Wilmington, Delaware and Union State on Acela Express as if sitting in business class reading Highlights Magazine somehow imparted industry knowledge.
What if we don't spend this fortune on railroad? "If we do not, you tell me how America is going to be able to lead the world in the 21st century," asks the Veep. Leadership- especially leadership in the future- is somehow intimately tied to railroads. At least in this Administration's mind.
China plans to spend $500 billion on their railroads in the next 5 years. And you see, that is 10x more than we plan to spend. Which means China's railroads must be 10x something more than us- faster, better, healthier- I don't know. But neither does Obama nor Biden (who in my mind is wearing a blue and white train conductor's hat). So to stay competitive with China, we have to spend more money, too.
I think Biden fails to realize that China is, basically, a third world country with some big cities. The vast majority of China is illiterate and has no running water and electricity. China has no infrastructure- in fact the last infrastructure project in China was the Great Wall. They are building from scratch.
We did trains already. We did trains over 100 years ago- ask the Vanderbilts. Shouldn't Anderson Cooper- when not getting beaten up in Cairo- ask the Veep "Didn't my great grandfather do this already?" We can't compare what China needs to do to be civilized and what America did in the days of Cowboys and Indians. It's silly.
If Joe Biden is so concerned about China spending billions of dollars on it's interiors, maybe he should stop giving them more money. Borrowing $53 billion on trains no one wants to use is typical of this Administration's cluelessness. Maybe next we can borrow $50 billion from China to improve typewriters.
Funny- light bulbs are an old technology America invented and exported, too. And yet now we are forced to buy them from China thanks to this same liberal philosophy. Trains, light bulbs... what's next?
As luck would have it, whenever the folly of the administration needs further emphasis Joe Biden is not far behind. His being an Amtrak alumnus someone makes him an expert in the railroad industry. Just ask him. He will tell you about logging some 7,900+ trips between Wilmington, Delaware and Union State on Acela Express as if sitting in business class reading Highlights Magazine somehow imparted industry knowledge.
What if we don't spend this fortune on railroad? "If we do not, you tell me how America is going to be able to lead the world in the 21st century," asks the Veep. Leadership- especially leadership in the future- is somehow intimately tied to railroads. At least in this Administration's mind.
China plans to spend $500 billion on their railroads in the next 5 years. And you see, that is 10x more than we plan to spend. Which means China's railroads must be 10x something more than us- faster, better, healthier- I don't know. But neither does Obama nor Biden (who in my mind is wearing a blue and white train conductor's hat). So to stay competitive with China, we have to spend more money, too.
I think Biden fails to realize that China is, basically, a third world country with some big cities. The vast majority of China is illiterate and has no running water and electricity. China has no infrastructure- in fact the last infrastructure project in China was the Great Wall. They are building from scratch.
We did trains already. We did trains over 100 years ago- ask the Vanderbilts. Shouldn't Anderson Cooper- when not getting beaten up in Cairo- ask the Veep "Didn't my great grandfather do this already?" We can't compare what China needs to do to be civilized and what America did in the days of Cowboys and Indians. It's silly.
If Joe Biden is so concerned about China spending billions of dollars on it's interiors, maybe he should stop giving them more money. Borrowing $53 billion on trains no one wants to use is typical of this Administration's cluelessness. Maybe next we can borrow $50 billion from China to improve typewriters.
Funny- light bulbs are an old technology America invented and exported, too. And yet now we are forced to buy them from China thanks to this same liberal philosophy. Trains, light bulbs... what's next?
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