Every week there are several things that catch my eye as interesting but not with quite enough meat on the bone to warrant a full blog post. As I've done in the past, I'm going to revert to link posting (as every truly awful blog should) and just compile those in a single entry.
Some of these might interest you, some might not, you get what you pay for. (Except in the case of the Houston Chronicle's fire-wall, where you pay for not much of value at all)
The Chron would like you to know that United CEO Oscar Munoz is a really swell guy.
No one does the 'glowing profile' bit quite like the Chronicle. They are the undisputed champions of the genre. Here they turn their focus toward a middling CEO who's greatest accomplishment to date is being able to say "Hey, we don't absolutely suck anymore."
I see the Texas Tribune is still trying to hide their editorializing behind an "analysis" screen.
This lets their top Austin political reporter weigh-in on issues that he otherwise wouldn't be able to opine on in hard news. (theoretically) More and more political "reporting" is really just gussied up opinion writing anyway. So, in the end, it probably doesn't matter much. Neither does the Texas Tribune when it gets down to it.
There is nothing "important" about a restaurant opening.
Can we please stop deifying people who just happen to be pretty good at cooking food for high prices? "Important" openings are homeless shelters, or food kitchens for the poor, or other critical services for communities. Someone offering up the latest fusion goat tacos might be good, but it's hardly important. Let's stop buying in to the self-ego stroking of the FoodBorg in 2019 mmmmKay?
Prop B is placed on hold.
And I have some questions:
1. How in the world does the HPOU have any kind of standing here?
2. So the HPOU is now the political enforcement arm for Mayor Sylvester "Boss" Turner?
Houston is starting to slide into the muck of corruption, payola and the good-ol' boy system. That should worry Houstonians as the current Mayor has dropped all pretenses to the contrary.
For a so-called "moderate" Chron "Conservative" Columnist Erica Greider sure luvs herself some socialists
And their ideas apparently. Belief in the Federal Jobs Guarantee should be an automatic disqualifier as a writer of political opinion. Also, Republicans in Harris County need to stop treating her like she's an ally. Like most of the other Chron political opinion scribes Ms. Greider is a progressive. There's nothing wrong with that, provided you fully identify your leanings which the Chron and Greider do not.
LINKHouston is new! Vibrant! Forwar.....Oh crap they are just more of the same.
In the end all of these transit groups in Houston are about one thing. Diverting more of your money to the failed engine that is MetroHouston. What they really want are pretty things in the never-ending chase of world-classiness. Houston and the region cannot have nice things because of groups like this.
Scandal-dogged wanna-be Democratic candidate tries to settle for being a Democratic policy wonk instead.
"Tax, tax, tax. Tax, tax, tax. Equality somesuch For All, for some, for me, for none, spend, spend, spend "For the Children" transparency, good governance."
Yup, he pretty much hit all the lefty talking points. Well done Junior policy wonk.
Sometimes it feels like these editorials are completed by two different people writing half each.
It's no secret I think the Chron should shutter it's editorial board and redeploy the resources to the newsroom. For one, it would improve their reputation. For two, it would stop them from penning embarrassing editorials that contradict themselves within the text such as this. Auto companies aren't getting rid of cars to go greener, they're doing it to focus more on SUVs. I mean, it says so right in the article.
"Airport Rock" sounds like the worst idea ever.
The classical music trio that plays in the concourse at Hobby is actually pretty good. I can't imagine how pitiful listening to the Cooper Hill band play a cover of Clay Travis would be. On the bright side, this story did give us a quote of someone in the city calling IAH a "dump" so there's that.
There is nothing politically transformative about calling for increased spending of other people's money.
Yes, Ocasio-Cortez is a media darling, but no policy that she's forwarded so far is very well thought or, or especially innovative. The media is so quick to plant rising star labels on photogenic politicians who pull mild upsets that they forget to look under the hood at the actual policy skills. This is why there are thousands of rusted out old husks of political rising stars on the curbs of American history. Ocasio-Cortez is a political Edsel. There's nothing transformative about that.
Turner looks to dip his toes in HISD.
I'm sure there's money to be made in this, for someone, probably someone with ties to Turner who will eventually receive a lucrative contract to actually run the schools. I'm also not clear on how bringing back Stipeche, who was on the board from 2010-2015 and is one of the architects of the districts failure, is going to solve anything.
Sean Dolan REALLY hates Katy ISD
He first spoke out as an anti-bullying advocate but it's starting to look like he just really wants to get even with the man who took his lunch money in Jr. High.
Texas Driver Responsibility Program under (well deserved) fire.
Just a reminder folks: Cash grabs ALWAYS, and without fail, have unintended consequences. Remember this the next time your local electeds come up with programs that include forced takings from the citizenry. Because hurting the poor is a bipartisan goal.
White's on PARADE!!
I always chuckle a bit when the media discovers that there are stupid people out there who are crafting policy for a political party. Yup, there are White Nationalists in the GOP, and Black Panthers and La Raza devotees in the Democratic party to boot. If this is a shock to you, or if you think it newsworthy, you should probably read a little bit more. More worryingly is that crap such as this tends to distract us from societies REAL villains: People who start celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving.
And finally.....two things.
Don't go through life this angry. Get out, go to the beach, visit a museum, don't wake up one morning only to find out you're this poor lady whose sole purpose in life is to diminish people's good feelings toward a dog. Mental health is a real issue in this country right now, get help.
I have found the bottom of the media. You go to J-School, get a 4-year degree (even if it takes six to get it) you get a job at a newspaper, and a by-line. Only to find out that your job will consist entirely of scouring social-media for reactions (or "hilarious memes") to breaking news stories. You now know what it's like to work in the unwashed armpit of the media. I am so, so sorry. Your next Jack and Coke is on me.
Remember: Life is good, it's us who mess it up.
Showing posts with label LinkBlogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LinkBlogging. Show all posts
Thursday, December 06, 2018
Wednesday, August 09, 2017
Presumptuous Blogging: Things you should (Or shouldn't) read. (08/09/2017)
Yesterday ESPN changed ESPNU to ESPN 8 "The Ocho" 13 years too late.
And I missed it.
If Patrick Wants to Demonize Cities, Should he Enjoy their Amenities? Lisa Falkenberg. HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - Where the former teen columnists makes a juvenile argument against Dan "The Man Who Would be King" Patrick.
I'm no fan of Patrick, but criticism such as this just isn't helpful. It's clear here that Patrick's criticism is leveled solidly at the Democratic ruling classes of big cities, not the people that live in them. Flip this around a bit and you'll see how stupid this argument is: "If Lisa Falkenberg wants to Demonize Trump's America, should she be allowed to live in it?" These are arguments that children, not serious political thinkers, make.
Houston Should Make Batteries to Continue as Global Energy Capitol. Chris Tomlinson. HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - It's a blessing that these are hidden behind the paywall, because there is some dodgy logic here.
With each column he writes it becomes pretty obvious that Austin-based Chris Tomlinson is not really a "business columnist", in fact he doesn't really "get" business at all. He especially doesn't understand the energy industry and shouldn't really write about it. 1950's style manufacturing of batteries is NOT going to keep Houston at the cutting edge of energy. Nor is the oil and gas industry all that likely to go away even IF the personal transportation fleet moves to electrical. Petroleum, lest we forget, is necessary for plastics manufacturing and natural gas, lest we forget, is key to cheap energy production. Houston's going to be just fine.
Sylvester Turner's Salary far Exceeds Mayoral Colleagues. Charles Blain, Empower Texans. - It's GOOD to be in Houston's ruling class.
Turner, a career back-bench legislator in State politics, waited his whole life to become Mayor of Houston and his limitations are on increasing display. Cronyism, fealty to long-time political patrons and a dearth of actual ideas are defining his administration.
Fit Mom Maria Kang criticizes plus-size model Tess Holiday on body positivity. Yahoo! - Ugly people bickering with uglier people.
We often make the mistake of judging beauty based solely on physical appearance. What we often forget is that one's attitude, and how we generally treat people is a better indicator. From this perspective this spat is a bunch of ugly people screaming at one another for attention. We should not give it to them. (In fact, I will not mention them again, only to point this out). In fact, It's high-time we stop paying attention to ANYONE who is famous simply for being famous. (Good bye Kardashians, and anyone whose career is "Instagram Model")
Scientists fear Trump will dismiss blunt Climate Change Report. Lisa Friedman, NY Times - WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!
The problem with the entire climate change 'movement' is that they don't actually have any workable ideas how to 'fix' an intractable issue, they just want taxes, more money for 'research' and lump-sum cash payments to Al Gore's investment group. My novel idea is this: Instead of trying to figure out how to "prevent" something over which we likely have negligible control we had damn-sure better start figuring out how to DEAL with the problem. I'll say it again: Pollution is a good place to start, because I'm more worried about it than I am Climate Change.
Lena Dunham and Google Demonstrate why our Free Speech Culture is Slipping Away. David French. National Review. - Except that neither of these issues really involves free speech.
"Congress shall make no law". Notice that it didn't say "Google" or "Very bad people who are famous for writing a television show of dubious quality". What speech private companies choose to police from their employees is NOT a free speech issue. Lena Dunham making up a story about two American Airlines employees having a transphobic talk (as people do) and reporting it to their employer is NOT a free speech issue. Do I agree with Google or Dunham? Of course not. Google is a damn menace and Dunham is an ugly (see above) mean-spirited liar.
and finally.....
Tillerson: Trump's 'tough talk' aims to send a message to North Korea. Doina Chiacu, US News & World Report - Fighting back against Un.
For some reason (my theory, they're functional idiots) many Democrats in elected positions have suddenly discovered the North Korea issue and are trying to erase 50 some-odd years of erratic behavior to make it seem as if Trump is the root cause of all this. Lest we forget, Obama speant 8 years ignoring the issue and the US has been overall clueless how to deal with the world's premier "rogue state" since the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement. Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it and all of that jazz. We are truly governed by the least among us and I'm afraid it's going to jump up and bite us in the ass.
Then again, we get the government we deserve....
And I missed it.
If Patrick Wants to Demonize Cities, Should he Enjoy their Amenities? Lisa Falkenberg. HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - Where the former teen columnists makes a juvenile argument against Dan "The Man Who Would be King" Patrick.
I'm no fan of Patrick, but criticism such as this just isn't helpful. It's clear here that Patrick's criticism is leveled solidly at the Democratic ruling classes of big cities, not the people that live in them. Flip this around a bit and you'll see how stupid this argument is: "If Lisa Falkenberg wants to Demonize Trump's America, should she be allowed to live in it?" These are arguments that children, not serious political thinkers, make.
Houston Should Make Batteries to Continue as Global Energy Capitol. Chris Tomlinson. HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - It's a blessing that these are hidden behind the paywall, because there is some dodgy logic here.
With each column he writes it becomes pretty obvious that Austin-based Chris Tomlinson is not really a "business columnist", in fact he doesn't really "get" business at all. He especially doesn't understand the energy industry and shouldn't really write about it. 1950's style manufacturing of batteries is NOT going to keep Houston at the cutting edge of energy. Nor is the oil and gas industry all that likely to go away even IF the personal transportation fleet moves to electrical. Petroleum, lest we forget, is necessary for plastics manufacturing and natural gas, lest we forget, is key to cheap energy production. Houston's going to be just fine.
Sylvester Turner's Salary far Exceeds Mayoral Colleagues. Charles Blain, Empower Texans. - It's GOOD to be in Houston's ruling class.
Turner, a career back-bench legislator in State politics, waited his whole life to become Mayor of Houston and his limitations are on increasing display. Cronyism, fealty to long-time political patrons and a dearth of actual ideas are defining his administration.
Fit Mom Maria Kang criticizes plus-size model Tess Holiday on body positivity. Yahoo! - Ugly people bickering with uglier people.
We often make the mistake of judging beauty based solely on physical appearance. What we often forget is that one's attitude, and how we generally treat people is a better indicator. From this perspective this spat is a bunch of ugly people screaming at one another for attention. We should not give it to them. (In fact, I will not mention them again, only to point this out). In fact, It's high-time we stop paying attention to ANYONE who is famous simply for being famous. (Good bye Kardashians, and anyone whose career is "Instagram Model")
Scientists fear Trump will dismiss blunt Climate Change Report. Lisa Friedman, NY Times - WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!
The problem with the entire climate change 'movement' is that they don't actually have any workable ideas how to 'fix' an intractable issue, they just want taxes, more money for 'research' and lump-sum cash payments to Al Gore's investment group. My novel idea is this: Instead of trying to figure out how to "prevent" something over which we likely have negligible control we had damn-sure better start figuring out how to DEAL with the problem. I'll say it again: Pollution is a good place to start, because I'm more worried about it than I am Climate Change.
Lena Dunham and Google Demonstrate why our Free Speech Culture is Slipping Away. David French. National Review. - Except that neither of these issues really involves free speech.
"Congress shall make no law". Notice that it didn't say "Google" or "Very bad people who are famous for writing a television show of dubious quality". What speech private companies choose to police from their employees is NOT a free speech issue. Lena Dunham making up a story about two American Airlines employees having a transphobic talk (as people do) and reporting it to their employer is NOT a free speech issue. Do I agree with Google or Dunham? Of course not. Google is a damn menace and Dunham is an ugly (see above) mean-spirited liar.
and finally.....
Tillerson: Trump's 'tough talk' aims to send a message to North Korea. Doina Chiacu, US News & World Report - Fighting back against Un.
For some reason (my theory, they're functional idiots) many Democrats in elected positions have suddenly discovered the North Korea issue and are trying to erase 50 some-odd years of erratic behavior to make it seem as if Trump is the root cause of all this. Lest we forget, Obama speant 8 years ignoring the issue and the US has been overall clueless how to deal with the world's premier "rogue state" since the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement. Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it and all of that jazz. We are truly governed by the least among us and I'm afraid it's going to jump up and bite us in the ass.
Then again, we get the government we deserve....
Tuesday, August 01, 2017
Presumptuous Blogging (Things you should, or shouldn't read) 08/01/2017
It's been almost eight months since I've taken a deep-dive into the media of the moment. Given the amount of mis-information that's floating around right now I think it's time to, once again, cut through the clutter.
Big Oil, Houston Execs, Urge Governor to Flush Bathroom Bill. Mike Ward et al. HoustonChronicle ($$$) - This is your almost daily reminder that the TLSPM HATES Big Oil and Big Business, unless they don't.
The fact is that the debate around the so-called "bathroom bill" has become an unhealthy obsession for many. Not only are Patrick's Potty Principles probably unneeded, but they're being actively argued against by the 'other side' in dishonest terms. I'm not a fan of the bill but I don't think it's necessarily a 'hate bill' either. People who say that are just as silly as the people pushing the bill as some milestone of public safety. A more sober analysis would suggest to let the bill die and allow the free market to work it out. Already there are some companies choosing to allow anyone to choose any bathroom they wish with mixed results.
What if the South had won the Civil War? USA Today - This would be the only way the South could rise again. On television.
This is a story that I would like to be told. I think it would be interesting and thought-provoking. Unfortunately I'm worried that both American Society and the American Ruling Class are not mature enough to have it told to them. We already live in a world where people look to entertainers for political guidance, a move that is as stupid as many of the actors themselves. We have a long history in this World of confusing the ability to play a role with actual subject knowledge.
Why I will not become a Democrat. Chris Ladd, Forbes - A good piece that outlines pretty much everything wrong with the Democratic Party.
I'm not a historic fan of Ladd, who spent most of his time railing on Republicans BEFORE they went off the rails and only seems somewhat reasonable now when they've actually gone off the rails in a wave of populism and authoritarian leanings. That said, I agree with him on two points: 1. A thinking conservative cannot, in good conscious, follow THIS GOP. 2. A thinking conservative cannot, under any circumstances, align themselves with a Democratic Party who, in many ways, is even worse. I'm unsure where the safe landing zone is however. So for now I'm nothing more than a non-voting observer.
Top Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Taken Into Custody Amid Fears of Wider Crackdowns. Anthony Faiola, Washington Post - This is what REAL Authoritarianism looks like.
I posted, much earlier in the year, that the USA was an authoritarian country, by that I meant that what the citizenry really wants is to have their ideals forced on others. What we're seeing in Venezuela is real, jack-boot authoritarianism of the type the courtesan class in America only imagines for itself. The next time you hear a functional-idiot politician screaming about American authoritarianism from the Trump administration show them this and send them back to their room.
Defund Planned Parenthood? Texas Shows What Happens. Vernon Loeb, HoustonChronicle ($$$) - That's all well and good except that the article doesn't make the case Loeb thinks it does.
All Loeb demonstrates is that Planned Parenthood is hurt when they lose Federal Funding. The "other" clinics that closed were not affected by that in the slightest, and it's disingenuous to suggest that a non-PP clinic closing is any kind of a direct result of a PP defunding. The idea that "what's bad for PP is bad for Texas" is a tenuous theory with no evidence that has been solidly swallowed by the TLSPM. In that vein, you have to give Cecile Richards some credit. She's successfully leveraged the outsized myth of her Mother in the minds of the TLSPM to convince them to accept her side of the story without question.
Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, and the Paid Pakistani IT scammers. Andrew C. McCarthy - What should be a HUGE political scandal, but isn't.
This feels like a big deal. And it encompasses many Democratic Senators and Representatives, all who paid out-sized salaries to these people who were possibly funneling the money to anti-US interests in Pakistan, and possibly stealing US secrets to boot. Not-amazingly, the media has gone silent on this. While the Washington Post likes to tell you that "Democracy Dies in Darkness" they've made it pretty clear that there's only one type of Democracy that they're worried about killing off. Also, in a sane world Wasserman-Schultz wouldn't be able to win an election for dog-catcher.
Metro re-thinking shared rail lanes downtown. Dug Begley, HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - You might be about to lose even MORE traffic lanes in Downtown Houston.
On another note, it appears that Houston has officially ceded all of it's transportation planning to Metro board member Christof Spieler. This is the man that is responsible for the terrible "reimagining' of bus service that has deprived many who were transit dependent of bus service in lieu of making Metro a ride-share service for the upper-middle class. The simple fact is that Metro Houston is NOT working, MetroRail is suffering, ridership is down and now the agency claims they want to bring the same level of service to the suburbs. Generally I approve of 'outside-in' transit service but I think new leadership is needed at this organization desperately before they mess that up as well.
And finally.....
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-down-Rays-as-early-lead-holds-up-11722095.php - Current Lead: 16 games.
While I'm worried about the pitching of the Astros I'm not as concerned, as some, about their inability to land a front-line starter at the trade deadline. I saw a graphic last night that the team was 7-7 over their last 14 games. In my mind the goal for the team should be to get the damn roster healthy. The best "additions" to the Astros right now would be a healthy Carlos Correa, a healthy Lance McCullers, and a healthy and dealing Dallas Keuchel. I still think the Astros have the best lineup in the major leagues. I think they will go far in the playoffs if the pitching staff they have can round into good health by the playoffs.
Big Oil, Houston Execs, Urge Governor to Flush Bathroom Bill. Mike Ward et al. HoustonChronicle ($$$) - This is your almost daily reminder that the TLSPM HATES Big Oil and Big Business, unless they don't.
The fact is that the debate around the so-called "bathroom bill" has become an unhealthy obsession for many. Not only are Patrick's Potty Principles probably unneeded, but they're being actively argued against by the 'other side' in dishonest terms. I'm not a fan of the bill but I don't think it's necessarily a 'hate bill' either. People who say that are just as silly as the people pushing the bill as some milestone of public safety. A more sober analysis would suggest to let the bill die and allow the free market to work it out. Already there are some companies choosing to allow anyone to choose any bathroom they wish with mixed results.
What if the South had won the Civil War? USA Today - This would be the only way the South could rise again. On television.
This is a story that I would like to be told. I think it would be interesting and thought-provoking. Unfortunately I'm worried that both American Society and the American Ruling Class are not mature enough to have it told to them. We already live in a world where people look to entertainers for political guidance, a move that is as stupid as many of the actors themselves. We have a long history in this World of confusing the ability to play a role with actual subject knowledge.
Why I will not become a Democrat. Chris Ladd, Forbes - A good piece that outlines pretty much everything wrong with the Democratic Party.
I'm not a historic fan of Ladd, who spent most of his time railing on Republicans BEFORE they went off the rails and only seems somewhat reasonable now when they've actually gone off the rails in a wave of populism and authoritarian leanings. That said, I agree with him on two points: 1. A thinking conservative cannot, in good conscious, follow THIS GOP. 2. A thinking conservative cannot, under any circumstances, align themselves with a Democratic Party who, in many ways, is even worse. I'm unsure where the safe landing zone is however. So for now I'm nothing more than a non-voting observer.
Top Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Taken Into Custody Amid Fears of Wider Crackdowns. Anthony Faiola, Washington Post - This is what REAL Authoritarianism looks like.
I posted, much earlier in the year, that the USA was an authoritarian country, by that I meant that what the citizenry really wants is to have their ideals forced on others. What we're seeing in Venezuela is real, jack-boot authoritarianism of the type the courtesan class in America only imagines for itself. The next time you hear a functional-idiot politician screaming about American authoritarianism from the Trump administration show them this and send them back to their room.
Defund Planned Parenthood? Texas Shows What Happens. Vernon Loeb, HoustonChronicle ($$$) - That's all well and good except that the article doesn't make the case Loeb thinks it does.
All Loeb demonstrates is that Planned Parenthood is hurt when they lose Federal Funding. The "other" clinics that closed were not affected by that in the slightest, and it's disingenuous to suggest that a non-PP clinic closing is any kind of a direct result of a PP defunding. The idea that "what's bad for PP is bad for Texas" is a tenuous theory with no evidence that has been solidly swallowed by the TLSPM. In that vein, you have to give Cecile Richards some credit. She's successfully leveraged the outsized myth of her Mother in the minds of the TLSPM to convince them to accept her side of the story without question.
Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, and the Paid Pakistani IT scammers. Andrew C. McCarthy - What should be a HUGE political scandal, but isn't.
This feels like a big deal. And it encompasses many Democratic Senators and Representatives, all who paid out-sized salaries to these people who were possibly funneling the money to anti-US interests in Pakistan, and possibly stealing US secrets to boot. Not-amazingly, the media has gone silent on this. While the Washington Post likes to tell you that "Democracy Dies in Darkness" they've made it pretty clear that there's only one type of Democracy that they're worried about killing off. Also, in a sane world Wasserman-Schultz wouldn't be able to win an election for dog-catcher.
Metro re-thinking shared rail lanes downtown. Dug Begley, HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - You might be about to lose even MORE traffic lanes in Downtown Houston.
On another note, it appears that Houston has officially ceded all of it's transportation planning to Metro board member Christof Spieler. This is the man that is responsible for the terrible "reimagining' of bus service that has deprived many who were transit dependent of bus service in lieu of making Metro a ride-share service for the upper-middle class. The simple fact is that Metro Houston is NOT working, MetroRail is suffering, ridership is down and now the agency claims they want to bring the same level of service to the suburbs. Generally I approve of 'outside-in' transit service but I think new leadership is needed at this organization desperately before they mess that up as well.
And finally.....
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-down-Rays-as-early-lead-holds-up-11722095.php - Current Lead: 16 games.
While I'm worried about the pitching of the Astros I'm not as concerned, as some, about their inability to land a front-line starter at the trade deadline. I saw a graphic last night that the team was 7-7 over their last 14 games. In my mind the goal for the team should be to get the damn roster healthy. The best "additions" to the Astros right now would be a healthy Carlos Correa, a healthy Lance McCullers, and a healthy and dealing Dallas Keuchel. I still think the Astros have the best lineup in the major leagues. I think they will go far in the playoffs if the pitching staff they have can round into good health by the playoffs.
Wednesday, December 07, 2016
Presumptuous Blogging: Things You Should Read (12/07/2016)
Been a while since we've taken a look around the world of news.....
All of this "recount business"? Attempts to undermine faith in the system. For all of the "Trump is a fascist" talk (and he could be, we don't really know yet) the actions by some on the left attempting to undermine the electoral process is just as scary.
Yes, Virginia, the Carrier Bailout is bad. And so is the Texas Enterprise Fund, the Texas Emerging Technologies fund etc. A fairer tax code with fewer exclusions, credit opportunities and lower base rates would be a rising tide that lifts all economic boats. Not just the ones with deep pockets and political access.
Suddenly, no-witness "racist" attacks are everywhere. Many of them are outright frauds, some are just simple crimes, and a few are actual racism. It'd be nice if we had an honest media to tell us that.
Jill Stein's money grab is an odd little thing. It's blatantly obvious what she's doing. Once again however the media is unwilling to do that dot-connecting thing they enjoy doing. Funny how that works.
If everything is slavery then nothing is slavery. When clever people overreach the true atrocities become public works of fiction.
Koch's!!!!!!! Drink.
Progressives get "religion". When it serves their cause and rallies their sycophants to push policy toward enriching progressive campaign donors of course. That God thing is just window dressing.
Novel idea: It's not the job of Google, Twitter or Facebook to "curb" hate speech. In fact, it's societies job. But in order to shut down the racists we do need them to have freedom of speech so we know exactly where they are, are going to be, and what in the heck they are doing.
No Sen. Schumer, there's nothing 'sacred' about overhead bin space. More progressive religion spouted by one of society's worst.
We just lost an election. Let's alienate EVERYONE!!!!! Instead of, you know, admitting that you nominated the least-likable Presidential candidate in recent years? That you've built a losing coalition based on anger and bile? That you really don't have a plan outside of telling pretty much anyone who will listen that you're better than them? Nah. Let's just piss everyone off.
Every article like this is an in-kind donation to Trump 2020. There are reasons Trump won that go far beyond racism. How the leftist media is reporting on Trump is one of them.
"Republicans" should carry a trigger warning. These folks can't help themselves. Hopefully, they move past the anger stage and can at least get to the bargaining stage. It's going to be a long four years if they don't.
The freak out over "fake news" is precious. What Abe Greenwald said.
No Chris Tomlinson, the alt-right did NOT invent boycotts. Nor is pretending they did improving your standing as America's worst business columnist. Good grief.
Rule Number one in Climate Change club is that you don't go against the "sky if falling" hysteria of climate change club. And this is a guy who believe climate change is real, that humans are causing it, and carbon should be taxed. Think about that for a minute.
The leftist media discovers the "working class", hilarity ensues. After spending the last eight years pretending either they didn't exist, or they were too stupid to pay any mind to.
And finally.....
Van Jones as liberal sooth-sayer is an odd concept. Even odder, this little nugget from the preamble of the article:
900? Actual attacks? I mean, not including the ones that have been discounted as frauds? In a media obsessed by "fake news" it's a miracle that they don't understand they are the biggest purveyors of the type, and the most widely read. This makes them the most dangerous.
Yikes.
All of this "recount business"? Attempts to undermine faith in the system. For all of the "Trump is a fascist" talk (and he could be, we don't really know yet) the actions by some on the left attempting to undermine the electoral process is just as scary.
Yes, Virginia, the Carrier Bailout is bad. And so is the Texas Enterprise Fund, the Texas Emerging Technologies fund etc. A fairer tax code with fewer exclusions, credit opportunities and lower base rates would be a rising tide that lifts all economic boats. Not just the ones with deep pockets and political access.
Suddenly, no-witness "racist" attacks are everywhere. Many of them are outright frauds, some are just simple crimes, and a few are actual racism. It'd be nice if we had an honest media to tell us that.
Jill Stein's money grab is an odd little thing. It's blatantly obvious what she's doing. Once again however the media is unwilling to do that dot-connecting thing they enjoy doing. Funny how that works.
If everything is slavery then nothing is slavery. When clever people overreach the true atrocities become public works of fiction.
Koch's!!!!!!! Drink.
Progressives get "religion". When it serves their cause and rallies their sycophants to push policy toward enriching progressive campaign donors of course. That God thing is just window dressing.
Novel idea: It's not the job of Google, Twitter or Facebook to "curb" hate speech. In fact, it's societies job. But in order to shut down the racists we do need them to have freedom of speech so we know exactly where they are, are going to be, and what in the heck they are doing.
No Sen. Schumer, there's nothing 'sacred' about overhead bin space. More progressive religion spouted by one of society's worst.
We just lost an election. Let's alienate EVERYONE!!!!! Instead of, you know, admitting that you nominated the least-likable Presidential candidate in recent years? That you've built a losing coalition based on anger and bile? That you really don't have a plan outside of telling pretty much anyone who will listen that you're better than them? Nah. Let's just piss everyone off.
Every article like this is an in-kind donation to Trump 2020. There are reasons Trump won that go far beyond racism. How the leftist media is reporting on Trump is one of them.
"Republicans" should carry a trigger warning. These folks can't help themselves. Hopefully, they move past the anger stage and can at least get to the bargaining stage. It's going to be a long four years if they don't.
The freak out over "fake news" is precious. What Abe Greenwald said.
No Chris Tomlinson, the alt-right did NOT invent boycotts. Nor is pretending they did improving your standing as America's worst business columnist. Good grief.
Rule Number one in Climate Change club is that you don't go against the "sky if falling" hysteria of climate change club. And this is a guy who believe climate change is real, that humans are causing it, and carbon should be taxed. Think about that for a minute.
The leftist media discovers the "working class", hilarity ensues. After spending the last eight years pretending either they didn't exist, or they were too stupid to pay any mind to.
And finally.....
Van Jones as liberal sooth-sayer is an odd concept. Even odder, this little nugget from the preamble of the article:
Trump’s actual or apparent embrace of racism, white nationalism, ethnocentrism, misogyny, bigotry and nativism has resulted in at least 900 hate crimes against people of color, Arabs, Muslims and other marginalized groups in the United States.
900? Actual attacks? I mean, not including the ones that have been discounted as frauds? In a media obsessed by "fake news" it's a miracle that they don't understand they are the biggest purveyors of the type, and the most widely read. This makes them the most dangerous.
Yikes.
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Presumptuous Blogging: Things You Should Read (08/11/2016)
Yes, the Olympics have a green pool, but at least there are no open sewage fires raging.....
Remember "Clock Boy?" The kid from Qatar who "built" a clock and got suspended from school for it? Yeah, turns out it's just about getting more money. (Also, as many have noted, he didn't "build" a clock. He disassembled an existing one and put it in a box.
The government encourages you to keep smoking. After all, they've already budgeted the tax income they expect to receive from it.
The First Order are charging up StarKiller Base. It's the only explanation. I only hope Poe Dameron gets their in time.
At least it's not as bad as "Rationalia". It's just "soak the rich and increase taxes" with some words from academia and many, many appeals to authority thrown in. Proof that being "Harvard educated" does not imply that one is smart.
No one likes a drug cheat better than the US Media. Especially if said drug cheat is from another country, and they can use the story to take pot shots at the American people.
David French on fixing conservatism: In summary, stop waiting for politicians to do it and get out there in your communities and do some damn good.
It's hard to build an entire argument on "what-ifs" and "maybes" but that doesn't stop America-critics on the left from trying.
"Bi-Partisan" does not always mean better. The assembly line US education model has failed. The so-called bi-partisan solution is more of it running on more money. *sigh*
The so-called "party of science" is remarkably anti-science on most issues. - "Science" meaning whatever is en vogue and makes them feel all fuzzy inside at the time. They would be the ideal citizens of Rationalia because they are so easy to lie to.
Ever heard of BYD? Because, they're doing what Elon Musk claims he wants to do with Tesla but are doing it bigger (although, in research, their car is not necessarily "better")
Change "some" to "other" in the headline and this story makes much more sense. So-called "mobility experts" aren't trying to change their habits, they're trying to change YOUR habits.
During the election, Abbott campaigned against the Texas Enterprise Fund. Now he's in office? Oh, never mind. Just a reminder that politicians will ALWAYS let you down.
It's funny to watch the Chron's cub reporter try and explain away over two decades of incompetent, trinket governance.
From the people who get most things wrong in their Houston Area Survey (Walkable Neighborhoods! Public Transportation!) Pensions! The survey. And many think pieces about how to fix them.
Speaking of think-piecing the future, The Chron's editor of snark (and Twitter "gotchas" that aren't) wants yours on the future of Houston. I'm not sure why they're making an open call when we all know they're just going to take the Crossley's, Tameez and some other local progressive thinkers, mix in a token crazy sounding conservative and call it a day. Do yourself a favor and skip this series.
And finally.....
Coming soon to a County near you (me).... Tax Increases! Or, "How we screwed up by allowing development in flood plains and are now scrambling to fix it." Tales of Houston Area Leadership Vaccum Expansion, Vol. 1,826,228
Yay! Us.
Remember "Clock Boy?" The kid from Qatar who "built" a clock and got suspended from school for it? Yeah, turns out it's just about getting more money. (Also, as many have noted, he didn't "build" a clock. He disassembled an existing one and put it in a box.
The government encourages you to keep smoking. After all, they've already budgeted the tax income they expect to receive from it.
The First Order are charging up StarKiller Base. It's the only explanation. I only hope Poe Dameron gets their in time.
At least it's not as bad as "Rationalia". It's just "soak the rich and increase taxes" with some words from academia and many, many appeals to authority thrown in. Proof that being "Harvard educated" does not imply that one is smart.
No one likes a drug cheat better than the US Media. Especially if said drug cheat is from another country, and they can use the story to take pot shots at the American people.
David French on fixing conservatism: In summary, stop waiting for politicians to do it and get out there in your communities and do some damn good.
It's hard to build an entire argument on "what-ifs" and "maybes" but that doesn't stop America-critics on the left from trying.
"Bi-Partisan" does not always mean better. The assembly line US education model has failed. The so-called bi-partisan solution is more of it running on more money. *sigh*
The so-called "party of science" is remarkably anti-science on most issues. - "Science" meaning whatever is en vogue and makes them feel all fuzzy inside at the time. They would be the ideal citizens of Rationalia because they are so easy to lie to.
Ever heard of BYD? Because, they're doing what Elon Musk claims he wants to do with Tesla but are doing it bigger (although, in research, their car is not necessarily "better")
Change "some" to "other" in the headline and this story makes much more sense. So-called "mobility experts" aren't trying to change their habits, they're trying to change YOUR habits.
During the election, Abbott campaigned against the Texas Enterprise Fund. Now he's in office? Oh, never mind. Just a reminder that politicians will ALWAYS let you down.
It's funny to watch the Chron's cub reporter try and explain away over two decades of incompetent, trinket governance.
From the people who get most things wrong in their Houston Area Survey (Walkable Neighborhoods! Public Transportation!) Pensions! The survey. And many think pieces about how to fix them.
Speaking of think-piecing the future, The Chron's editor of snark (and Twitter "gotchas" that aren't) wants yours on the future of Houston. I'm not sure why they're making an open call when we all know they're just going to take the Crossley's, Tameez and some other local progressive thinkers, mix in a token crazy sounding conservative and call it a day. Do yourself a favor and skip this series.
And finally.....
Coming soon to a County near you (me).... Tax Increases! Or, "How we screwed up by allowing development in flood plains and are now scrambling to fix it." Tales of Houston Area Leadership Vaccum Expansion, Vol. 1,826,228
Yay! Us.
Wednesday, August 03, 2016
Presumptuous Blogging: Things you should read (08/03/2016)
All you need to know about the world in 15 minutes or less...
"Would you rather?" Be governed by a Bronzed Ego with delusions of strong-man grandeur or a habitual liar who would do anything to achieve power and who has shown a startling propensity to be unafraid to use it in ways that benefit her? In other words, we're f****d.
How the media views politics. - It makes a lot of sense when you realize the media views politicians in the same vein as they do celebrities. And media persons will suck up, debase themselves and do almost anything to kiss the ring of celebrity or power. Hence, the courtesan class.
There's flattering reporting, and then there's obsession. - The link to the left is the latter. If this was a book Fabio would be on the cover.
Rule One: Protect fellow members of the ruling class. - Once you're in, you're in. And no matter how bad you screw it up, or how incompetent or unlikable you are, if you network properly you'll never be without a gig. The disconcerting thing with this is that the Democrats aren't even trying to hide it anly longer. Which suggests they don't care what people think because they know the system has been rigged to sufficiently shield them from punishment or consequence. (Alternative theory: The population is too dumb to care)
Why Trump cannot win. - Being thin-skinned and being the President is not a good mix. Of course, it's also the case for why Hillary can't win, but that ship has sailed. Either way the country is screwed.
Black voters and the messiness of democracy. - This is the first, modern, election where some (not all, but some) black voters are starting to question their blind loyalty to the Democrats. Unfortunately, for them, they're coming to the incorrect conclusion that voting for a DIFFERENT white Democrat who's proposing more of the same shit that got them in this mess is the correct answer.
"Fact-check" journalism sucks. - It neither checks facts or provides answers. What it is from the beginning is a license to editorialize by reporters who have heretofore only done so through subterfuge. In short, it's what the media has always done, dressed up and given the Imprimatur of the Pulitzer.
Karlie Hay is the worst person in the world.* (*For the eight minutes that we're all supposed to hate her before we move on to the next supposed tragedy). Unsaid in all of this is that the begrudging acceptance of hip-hop culture by Caucasian youth should be a good thing. The problem is there's a lot not to like about hip-hop culture. (But we're not going to have that discussion during the eight minutes hate)
Why do we keep demanding apologies? It's a stupid tactical trick only done with the hope that the current victim of the eight-minutes hate will prostrate themselves in front of the mob to be publicly shamed. (Also the idea that, when Gold Star families talk we are to "shut up and listen" is a horrendous one. You can respect their sacrifice but disagree with their opinion. They are not immune to criticism after all.)
No, it's really not a shocker that the worthless editorial board of a middling regional daily endorsed the Anointed One early. - Trump committed, in their eyes, the worst sin in the world by calling for restrictions on the Media's 1st Amendment rights. This from an editorial board that supports curbing free speech rights for everyone else mind you. Not necessarily the wrong endorsement, but not correct either. (no surprise) The correct thing to do would be to not endorse at all.
It's always somewhat amusing when artists and the media discover the poor. - Then act as if none of us realize there are poor people out there. Of course, when you don't interact with the servant class and spend all of your time feting the ruling class things like poverty tend to fly under your radar.
Heck of a job GOP.
Heck of a job GOP.
Idiots.
If your sense of entitlement is centered on the Anointed One... Then you're probably doing the entitlement thing wrong. If your daughters needed Clinton to show them all things are possible then you're doing the parenting thing wrong. Above it all, our public education system has utterly failed us.
Black Lives Matters creates a platform. And it really boils down to "give us free shit" reinforcing the belief that what started out as a call for much-needed criminal justice reform has been taken over by the usual actors who are just looking for a bigger hand out. That's too bad.
As good a defense of the wealthy (and Wall Street) as you'll ever find. - Without the rich, we would not have nice things. That's not an opinion it's a fact. When the wealthy have stuff the less wealthy want it. That creates demand. This creates entrepreneurs who, in term, meet that demand driving growth. The nasty nature of modern politics is that many in the ruling class resent the ruled gaining limited access to the things they claim as an exclusive right. So, to stop this, they seek to limit market access through the power of law and regulation. The poor are kept poor and the (correct) wealthy continue to dine on peacock and Champagne.
The "war on marriage" - In reality, the ruling class would love for people to be single, and not carry emotional attachments to another above the State. Remember Julia? She was the ideal servant class citizen. Unmarried, wholly dependent on the ruling class for her physical and emotional well-being. Marriage is shown to change all of that.
Every election is "the most important election" if all you care about are elections. - Donna Brazile is a classic "fight" politician. She only sees the world through political wins and losses, and she truly believes that what she is doing is supremely important. In fact, politics, and elections, are nothing more than elaborately staged distractions, manna for the low-information ruled class to tide them over and make them feel a part of something. The best thing to do? Stop giving them money and don't vote, or vote 3rd party.
Our destructive "affordable housing" fixation. - How would putting a group of income-assisted families smack in the middle of the most expensive area of Houston help them out? Everything is higher priced in the Galleria area. It's a recipe for disaster. (Which is why our government is beginning to mandate it)
And finally....
Oil is back below $40/Bbl - It's more than a little ironic that those who mocked the "Drill baby Drill" movement (whose statement was that increased US drilling would lower oil prices) as pie in the sky business theory ("We cannot drill our way to lower energy prices" remember?) are now bemoaning the fact that it worked.
Nor, really, do they even give a backhanded acknowledgement that it worked.
Maybe the only thing in her political life that Sarah Palin got right. And she just glommed onto it, she didn't come up with the idea. That was created by actual people within the industry who are now victims of their own success.
"Would you rather?" Be governed by a Bronzed Ego with delusions of strong-man grandeur or a habitual liar who would do anything to achieve power and who has shown a startling propensity to be unafraid to use it in ways that benefit her? In other words, we're f****d.
How the media views politics. - It makes a lot of sense when you realize the media views politicians in the same vein as they do celebrities. And media persons will suck up, debase themselves and do almost anything to kiss the ring of celebrity or power. Hence, the courtesan class.
There's flattering reporting, and then there's obsession. - The link to the left is the latter. If this was a book Fabio would be on the cover.
Rule One: Protect fellow members of the ruling class. - Once you're in, you're in. And no matter how bad you screw it up, or how incompetent or unlikable you are, if you network properly you'll never be without a gig. The disconcerting thing with this is that the Democrats aren't even trying to hide it anly longer. Which suggests they don't care what people think because they know the system has been rigged to sufficiently shield them from punishment or consequence. (Alternative theory: The population is too dumb to care)
Why Trump cannot win. - Being thin-skinned and being the President is not a good mix. Of course, it's also the case for why Hillary can't win, but that ship has sailed. Either way the country is screwed.
Black voters and the messiness of democracy. - This is the first, modern, election where some (not all, but some) black voters are starting to question their blind loyalty to the Democrats. Unfortunately, for them, they're coming to the incorrect conclusion that voting for a DIFFERENT white Democrat who's proposing more of the same shit that got them in this mess is the correct answer.
"Fact-check" journalism sucks. - It neither checks facts or provides answers. What it is from the beginning is a license to editorialize by reporters who have heretofore only done so through subterfuge. In short, it's what the media has always done, dressed up and given the Imprimatur of the Pulitzer.
Karlie Hay is the worst person in the world.* (*For the eight minutes that we're all supposed to hate her before we move on to the next supposed tragedy). Unsaid in all of this is that the begrudging acceptance of hip-hop culture by Caucasian youth should be a good thing. The problem is there's a lot not to like about hip-hop culture. (But we're not going to have that discussion during the eight minutes hate)
Why do we keep demanding apologies? It's a stupid tactical trick only done with the hope that the current victim of the eight-minutes hate will prostrate themselves in front of the mob to be publicly shamed. (Also the idea that, when Gold Star families talk we are to "shut up and listen" is a horrendous one. You can respect their sacrifice but disagree with their opinion. They are not immune to criticism after all.)
No, it's really not a shocker that the worthless editorial board of a middling regional daily endorsed the Anointed One early. - Trump committed, in their eyes, the worst sin in the world by calling for restrictions on the Media's 1st Amendment rights. This from an editorial board that supports curbing free speech rights for everyone else mind you. Not necessarily the wrong endorsement, but not correct either. (no surprise) The correct thing to do would be to not endorse at all.
It's always somewhat amusing when artists and the media discover the poor. - Then act as if none of us realize there are poor people out there. Of course, when you don't interact with the servant class and spend all of your time feting the ruling class things like poverty tend to fly under your radar.
Heck of a job GOP.
Heck of a job GOP.
Idiots.
If your sense of entitlement is centered on the Anointed One... Then you're probably doing the entitlement thing wrong. If your daughters needed Clinton to show them all things are possible then you're doing the parenting thing wrong. Above it all, our public education system has utterly failed us.
Black Lives Matters creates a platform. And it really boils down to "give us free shit" reinforcing the belief that what started out as a call for much-needed criminal justice reform has been taken over by the usual actors who are just looking for a bigger hand out. That's too bad.
As good a defense of the wealthy (and Wall Street) as you'll ever find. - Without the rich, we would not have nice things. That's not an opinion it's a fact. When the wealthy have stuff the less wealthy want it. That creates demand. This creates entrepreneurs who, in term, meet that demand driving growth. The nasty nature of modern politics is that many in the ruling class resent the ruled gaining limited access to the things they claim as an exclusive right. So, to stop this, they seek to limit market access through the power of law and regulation. The poor are kept poor and the (correct) wealthy continue to dine on peacock and Champagne.
The "war on marriage" - In reality, the ruling class would love for people to be single, and not carry emotional attachments to another above the State. Remember Julia? She was the ideal servant class citizen. Unmarried, wholly dependent on the ruling class for her physical and emotional well-being. Marriage is shown to change all of that.
Every election is "the most important election" if all you care about are elections. - Donna Brazile is a classic "fight" politician. She only sees the world through political wins and losses, and she truly believes that what she is doing is supremely important. In fact, politics, and elections, are nothing more than elaborately staged distractions, manna for the low-information ruled class to tide them over and make them feel a part of something. The best thing to do? Stop giving them money and don't vote, or vote 3rd party.
Our destructive "affordable housing" fixation. - How would putting a group of income-assisted families smack in the middle of the most expensive area of Houston help them out? Everything is higher priced in the Galleria area. It's a recipe for disaster. (Which is why our government is beginning to mandate it)
And finally....
Oil is back below $40/Bbl - It's more than a little ironic that those who mocked the "Drill baby Drill" movement (whose statement was that increased US drilling would lower oil prices) as pie in the sky business theory ("We cannot drill our way to lower energy prices" remember?) are now bemoaning the fact that it worked.
Nor, really, do they even give a backhanded acknowledgement that it worked.
Maybe the only thing in her political life that Sarah Palin got right. And she just glommed onto it, she didn't come up with the idea. That was created by actual people within the industry who are now victims of their own success.
Thursday, June 09, 2016
Presumptuous Blogging: Things You Should Read (06/09/2016)
In the battle of Trump vs. Clinton, we all are losers.
Journalism has been dead for a while now. All we're really doing is kicking the corpse when we notice things that are obviously wrong/biased. Think about this: If you read a news story about a subject you know and see all of the errors they are making, why do you believe their stories on things about which you have less/no knowledge?
Journalism is just one source of information. And it's as likely as anything else to be wrong. (or right)
David French is not running for President. Nor should he. By all accounts he's a decent man and politics is no longer an arena for decent people.
I don't think the Brexit will actually happen. But if it does, it's going to be funny watching the hand-wringing that occurs. In the end though, much like Scottish independence, I think cooler heads should prevail.
Of course, all of that is independent of whether it SHOULD occur or not, and whether this is the last, best chance to drive a heart through the economic vampire that is the EU.
Why is it the OTHER side that is always mad? While petty political opinion-shares on the left, such as Blow, and on the right, such as Coulter, demonize the other side while happily ignoring the transgressions of their own?
This type of ends justifies the means thinking has given us The Bronzed Ego v. The Anointed One. In short, this is the election we deserve. But not the one America needs.
Election season PSA: The worse the politician, the more 'fight' they think they have in them. Hillary Clinton is a serial fighter. In her own mind at least. To the rest of us she's a career opportunist who has never shied away from using her positions of power to make a fast buck.
That's not fighting, it's graft and payola. Were she in the private sector she would be arrested.
The current state of comedy is dire. Comedy should, at times, offend. When it loses the ability to do that then it loses it's purpose in life. Increasingly, comedians are becoming nothing more than boorish scolds (Amy Schumer) or just incredible pricks (Seth Rogan).
Were Carlin still around he'd slap the taste out of their mouths and then curse about it.
The FDA declares "war" on salt. Because the "war on fat" turned out to be oh so accurate in it's assumptions. Also, 'fighting'.
Bad Political Ideas Never (EVER) Die. And while it might seem that the concept of "a basic income" was soundly defeated in Switzerland I guarantee you that some politician with an ego will eventually get it implemented somewhere. Because people always want things they think are 'free' as long as their not immediately faced with the cost.
What passes for political leadership in Texas these days. From the Democrats anyway (Texas Republican aren't much better, just different). The sad thing is that the know-nothings of the 'netroots' will hold this idiot up as some kind of folk hero, just as they did with Wendy(?!?) Davis and the morons who fled to Ardmore for some light gambling and massages.
Yay political idiocy!
Political line, that happens to be true, of the week: Courtesy of Kevin D. Williamson: "We are ruled by power mad buffoons."
Yup.
#ExGOP: The Shock of Disaffiliation. Jay Nordlinger, National Review - Honestly, severing ties with the party of Donald has not been all that much of a shock for me. The Republicans dug their own grave, it's time to lie in it for a while. My only hope is that the Nation realizes the folly of progressive rule fairly quickly and the damage is limited to four years rather than eight.
Either way the country is going to survive. The American Experiment might not however. (or, it could already be dead)
The outrage of the enablers. It's funny when the enlightened set (this one was gifted a Pulitzer) discover things that other have been beating the drums on for years. It's even funnier when they used to characterize the opposition as the 'party of no' in attempts to be witty.
Houston is f____d. There's no other way to say it.
Demographics is Destiny! (Dammit!) The hope being that the Republicans have finally nominated someone so foul that the stay-at-home Hispanic vote will finally get off its ass and back the people that financially well-off Caucasians want them to back.
This is just sad. Why get fired up like this about the ravings of lunatics? Find a hobby, plant a tree, take up golf, do SOMETHING other than watch people with little idea about what they are talking about wax poetic. (No wait, I just asked you to stop reading this blog. Don't do that)
Also, Gray Matters is officially Houston's Fainting Couch. That's not a good thing.
Think before you post. If you're not willing to accept the consequences for what you say online, then don't say it. This young lady just got a lesson in that and I hope it sticks.
Too many Republicans train their guns on themselves. I planned to give this a full-on blog post, but I don't think I'll have the time. Let me just say this:
One of the biggest problems that Republicans have is that a large portion of their voters are ignorant about just how the political system works. The right media figured this out and pandered to them. The result is that workable, moderately conservative, legislation gets pilloried as being crafted by "RINO's" (a stupid, silly label that has no real meaning) and nothing gets done. You do see the same thing on the left, to a lesser extent, but their dysfunction is often that they are just running out of other people's money to give away.
And finally.....
The so-called "sprawl tax" is not a tax. It's telling that the people who are running to the fainting couch over this are the same people who loudly advocate for raising actual taxes.
What this implies is that they are against choices, not taxation. Their sole-concern is control and they want to wrest it from you and force you to live a lifestyle that they prefer, for you, so that they can continue living the lifestyles that they have chosen for themselves.
This is progressive politics in a nutshell. It's insidious, dishonest, and they're starting to have trouble covering that messy fact up.
Journalism has been dead for a while now. All we're really doing is kicking the corpse when we notice things that are obviously wrong/biased. Think about this: If you read a news story about a subject you know and see all of the errors they are making, why do you believe their stories on things about which you have less/no knowledge?
Journalism is just one source of information. And it's as likely as anything else to be wrong. (or right)
David French is not running for President. Nor should he. By all accounts he's a decent man and politics is no longer an arena for decent people.
I don't think the Brexit will actually happen. But if it does, it's going to be funny watching the hand-wringing that occurs. In the end though, much like Scottish independence, I think cooler heads should prevail.
Of course, all of that is independent of whether it SHOULD occur or not, and whether this is the last, best chance to drive a heart through the economic vampire that is the EU.
Why is it the OTHER side that is always mad? While petty political opinion-shares on the left, such as Blow, and on the right, such as Coulter, demonize the other side while happily ignoring the transgressions of their own?
This type of ends justifies the means thinking has given us The Bronzed Ego v. The Anointed One. In short, this is the election we deserve. But not the one America needs.
Election season PSA: The worse the politician, the more 'fight' they think they have in them. Hillary Clinton is a serial fighter. In her own mind at least. To the rest of us she's a career opportunist who has never shied away from using her positions of power to make a fast buck.
That's not fighting, it's graft and payola. Were she in the private sector she would be arrested.
The current state of comedy is dire. Comedy should, at times, offend. When it loses the ability to do that then it loses it's purpose in life. Increasingly, comedians are becoming nothing more than boorish scolds (Amy Schumer) or just incredible pricks (Seth Rogan).
Were Carlin still around he'd slap the taste out of their mouths and then curse about it.
The FDA declares "war" on salt. Because the "war on fat" turned out to be oh so accurate in it's assumptions. Also, 'fighting'.
Bad Political Ideas Never (EVER) Die. And while it might seem that the concept of "a basic income" was soundly defeated in Switzerland I guarantee you that some politician with an ego will eventually get it implemented somewhere. Because people always want things they think are 'free' as long as their not immediately faced with the cost.
What passes for political leadership in Texas these days. From the Democrats anyway (Texas Republican aren't much better, just different). The sad thing is that the know-nothings of the 'netroots' will hold this idiot up as some kind of folk hero, just as they did with Wendy(?!?) Davis and the morons who fled to Ardmore for some light gambling and massages.
Yay political idiocy!
Political line, that happens to be true, of the week: Courtesy of Kevin D. Williamson: "We are ruled by power mad buffoons."
Yup.
#ExGOP: The Shock of Disaffiliation. Jay Nordlinger, National Review - Honestly, severing ties with the party of Donald has not been all that much of a shock for me. The Republicans dug their own grave, it's time to lie in it for a while. My only hope is that the Nation realizes the folly of progressive rule fairly quickly and the damage is limited to four years rather than eight.
Either way the country is going to survive. The American Experiment might not however. (or, it could already be dead)
The outrage of the enablers. It's funny when the enlightened set (this one was gifted a Pulitzer) discover things that other have been beating the drums on for years. It's even funnier when they used to characterize the opposition as the 'party of no' in attempts to be witty.
Houston is f____d. There's no other way to say it.
Demographics is Destiny! (Dammit!) The hope being that the Republicans have finally nominated someone so foul that the stay-at-home Hispanic vote will finally get off its ass and back the people that financially well-off Caucasians want them to back.
This is just sad. Why get fired up like this about the ravings of lunatics? Find a hobby, plant a tree, take up golf, do SOMETHING other than watch people with little idea about what they are talking about wax poetic. (No wait, I just asked you to stop reading this blog. Don't do that)
Also, Gray Matters is officially Houston's Fainting Couch. That's not a good thing.
Think before you post. If you're not willing to accept the consequences for what you say online, then don't say it. This young lady just got a lesson in that and I hope it sticks.
Too many Republicans train their guns on themselves. I planned to give this a full-on blog post, but I don't think I'll have the time. Let me just say this:
One of the biggest problems that Republicans have is that a large portion of their voters are ignorant about just how the political system works. The right media figured this out and pandered to them. The result is that workable, moderately conservative, legislation gets pilloried as being crafted by "RINO's" (a stupid, silly label that has no real meaning) and nothing gets done. You do see the same thing on the left, to a lesser extent, but their dysfunction is often that they are just running out of other people's money to give away.
And finally.....
The so-called "sprawl tax" is not a tax. It's telling that the people who are running to the fainting couch over this are the same people who loudly advocate for raising actual taxes.
What this implies is that they are against choices, not taxation. Their sole-concern is control and they want to wrest it from you and force you to live a lifestyle that they prefer, for you, so that they can continue living the lifestyles that they have chosen for themselves.
This is progressive politics in a nutshell. It's insidious, dishonest, and they're starting to have trouble covering that messy fact up.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Presumptuous Blogging: Things you should read. (05/17/2016)
It has been confirmed with management that the light at the end of the tunnel is indeed a train.....
There's no Houston problem too big (or small) that a Sylvester Turner Task Force can't fix. - By "fix" of course we mean act like he's actually doing something to address the problem without actually doing anything to address it. If you haven't been paying attention, this has pretty much been his MO throughout his career: Identify problem, make a speech, say it needs study, look for patronage.
I give you the worst idea for a future GOP platform ever: "Bert Keller quickly ticked off his top five. He would empower conservative, Christian principles in government; abolish firearms licenses; secure the border; cut taxes; and limit access to public restrooms for transgender people." - Yuck. Sounds like a future in the political weeds to me.
Yes, the hollowing of the middle class is a problem. A bigger problem is that one political party seems to not care while the other is consistently offering up "solutions" that will only make the issue worse.
Stay Classy Seattle
The FTC is stuck in the 80's - Living life as a "Wall Street" movie remake and seemingly unaware that the economy has moved forward. A total reconstruction of the American regulatory mechanism is way overdue.
While the #NeverTrump crowd is growing smaller it is becoming increasingly important, for the future of conservatism, that they exist. GOP party loyalists will do what they do. That doesn't mean that running toward the path of political expediency is the right choice, Also, the people that created this mess are in for a huge fall.
That 2nd rate cities are lining up against Uber explains a lot. - That Houston is rushing to line up with them explains even more.
A reminder that family ties still matter. - And that the government cannot act as a surrogate spouse. Regardless of gender.
Government theater is nothing more than the trappings of royalty. - We have devolved into watching the French Royal Court in the monarchies last days manifest itself in D.C. and in politics across the land. It is by no accident that the quality of our elected leaders has diminished as their opinions of themselves have increased.
Hispanics should be the future of the GOP. - But they won't be.
The progressive response to the TxSCOTUS NOT overreaching is illustrative. - They're freaking out.
The issues that a country focuses on tell you pretty much all you need to know about said country. - Translated; America is turning into shit.
An unintended consequence of basic economy is going to be a rise in price for standard economy - Rebranded as "premium economy" or something similar but it is going to cost more. People will bitch and moan, and then pay the rock bottom prices for less service.
If the end result of this election cycle is the end of the alt-right media - Then I'll view it as a small silver lining in a big gray cloud.
The Old Gray Lady leads off with a sketchy Trump hit piece. - I'm not a Trump fan (duh) but this was hideous (and predictable)
And it's only going to get worse. - As the media morphs into full-on "Clinton protection mode".
Yes, the GOP is in crisis. And it's going to transform the party. That said I believe that the one coming for the Democrats will be even worse.
The Never-Ending Expansion of the Houston Area Leadership Vacuum. - It is probable that there is not one person in City Government with the base competency to govern right now. As a matter of fact, it's probable that this is the case.
And finally.....
I predict that history will not reflect kindly on the Obama Presidency - It should also be noted that the young snarky, leftists who view themselves as rhetorical monsters will be among the first rounded up, lined up against a wall and figuratively shot when the political revolution does eventually come. History has a way of weeding out its bad actors.
And no, you should never let any of them make you feel bad about either yourself or your politics. Flannel Boy and his kind are the worst type of person, elitist, stupid and cocksure of it. Whatever follows the GOP should take steps to secure their exclusion from the clique.
There's no Houston problem too big (or small) that a Sylvester Turner Task Force can't fix. - By "fix" of course we mean act like he's actually doing something to address the problem without actually doing anything to address it. If you haven't been paying attention, this has pretty much been his MO throughout his career: Identify problem, make a speech, say it needs study, look for patronage.
I give you the worst idea for a future GOP platform ever: "Bert Keller quickly ticked off his top five. He would empower conservative, Christian principles in government; abolish firearms licenses; secure the border; cut taxes; and limit access to public restrooms for transgender people." - Yuck. Sounds like a future in the political weeds to me.
Yes, the hollowing of the middle class is a problem. A bigger problem is that one political party seems to not care while the other is consistently offering up "solutions" that will only make the issue worse.
Stay Classy Seattle
The FTC is stuck in the 80's - Living life as a "Wall Street" movie remake and seemingly unaware that the economy has moved forward. A total reconstruction of the American regulatory mechanism is way overdue.
While the #NeverTrump crowd is growing smaller it is becoming increasingly important, for the future of conservatism, that they exist. GOP party loyalists will do what they do. That doesn't mean that running toward the path of political expediency is the right choice, Also, the people that created this mess are in for a huge fall.
That 2nd rate cities are lining up against Uber explains a lot. - That Houston is rushing to line up with them explains even more.
A reminder that family ties still matter. - And that the government cannot act as a surrogate spouse. Regardless of gender.
Government theater is nothing more than the trappings of royalty. - We have devolved into watching the French Royal Court in the monarchies last days manifest itself in D.C. and in politics across the land. It is by no accident that the quality of our elected leaders has diminished as their opinions of themselves have increased.
Hispanics should be the future of the GOP. - But they won't be.
The progressive response to the TxSCOTUS NOT overreaching is illustrative. - They're freaking out.
The issues that a country focuses on tell you pretty much all you need to know about said country. - Translated; America is turning into shit.
An unintended consequence of basic economy is going to be a rise in price for standard economy - Rebranded as "premium economy" or something similar but it is going to cost more. People will bitch and moan, and then pay the rock bottom prices for less service.
If the end result of this election cycle is the end of the alt-right media - Then I'll view it as a small silver lining in a big gray cloud.
The Old Gray Lady leads off with a sketchy Trump hit piece. - I'm not a Trump fan (duh) but this was hideous (and predictable)
And it's only going to get worse. - As the media morphs into full-on "Clinton protection mode".
Yes, the GOP is in crisis. And it's going to transform the party. That said I believe that the one coming for the Democrats will be even worse.
The Never-Ending Expansion of the Houston Area Leadership Vacuum. - It is probable that there is not one person in City Government with the base competency to govern right now. As a matter of fact, it's probable that this is the case.
And finally.....
I predict that history will not reflect kindly on the Obama Presidency - It should also be noted that the young snarky, leftists who view themselves as rhetorical monsters will be among the first rounded up, lined up against a wall and figuratively shot when the political revolution does eventually come. History has a way of weeding out its bad actors.
And no, you should never let any of them make you feel bad about either yourself or your politics. Flannel Boy and his kind are the worst type of person, elitist, stupid and cocksure of it. Whatever follows the GOP should take steps to secure their exclusion from the clique.
Monday, May 02, 2016
Presumptuous Blogging: Things you should read (05/02/2016)
I for one welcome our new Chinese overlords.....
The Criminal Constituency. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review Online - When I say whatever follows the GOP needs to work to restore the rule of law, this is why. Because a Nation that cannot enforce, and require it's leaders to follow, it's own laws also abandons it's moral case for existing.
The Working Class Meltdown, Rich Lowry, National Review Online - As the economy has transitioned from manufacturing based to technology and service based this group has been rudderless and increasingly depressed/angry. If you want to understand the rise of Trump/Sanders, look no further.
The Conservative Intellectual Movement: Then and Now. George Nash, National Review Online - A good read despite the fact that I don't agree with everything in it. (And, yes, I'm aware that "conservative intellectual" seems at times to be an oxymoron.
What will Republicans learn from 2016? Jim Gerghaty, National Review Online - If History is any indication the wrong lessons.
Obama's Brexit Overreach is Typical of his Arrogance. Tim Montgomerie. The Spectator - Even the world is weary of Obama. A man who, despite all evidence to the contrary, still considers himself to be the smartest guy in any room.
Why I Chose Hillary Clinton. Lena Dunham, Time.com - A question she doesn't really answer. And which, to be honest, I think she's incapable of answering honestly. The reason Dunham is backing Clinton is because Clinton is a female. It's the same logic behind some Democrats backing Obama because he was black and some Republicans backing Romney because he was white. Educated voters call these people "low-information" voters which I think applies just well to Ms. Dunham.
Don't look now but, here comes the Houston Area Survey! Which means that all news stories on local issues HAVE to include mention that "Houstonians want urban, walkable neighborhoods and increased public transit despite the fact that a.) The survey results are frequently counter to reality and b.) no one in the media ever really asks why.
Of course, this would mean admitting that people are not buying into the so-called "walkable" Houtopian areas that New Urbanists, the unproductive class and Gray Matters are pimping for single-family homes in the suburbs at breakneck speed. In fact, the CITY of Houston has a population problem because most of the growth numbers you see are for the Houston Metro Region which includes suburban communities rather than within the city center itself.
Ted and John Driving off a Cliff in a GOP Convertible. John Kass, Chicago Tribune. - For all of the silly Chicago vs. Houston comparisons that have come since it was forecast that the Houston Metro Region would overtake the Windy City as the third most populace metro region in all of the land one area where Chicago kicks Houston into a cocked hat in in political punditry. Kass is a better columnist than anything Houston can throw at the wall.
Mayor Promises to Investigate the White Oak Music Loophole. Erin Mulvaney, HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - When developing New Urbanism one of the bigger pratfalls is when things get urban. Consider this a cautionary tale on two fronts: First, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. Second, I would think long and hard about opening a business in Houston. You never know when you'll butt-up against the Houston Way patronage system and find yourself on the outs.
College Tuition on the Rise in Texas, Far Outpacing Income Growth. Benjamin Wermund, HoustonChronicle ($$$) - In retrospect deregulating a close market and turning over the power of the purse to un-elected, unaccountable bureaucrats wasn't a good idea hey Texas Republicans?
Beyonce's beehive of Bombastic Buffoons. Michelle Malkin, National Review Online - Whatever "empowerment" movement she's leading is still being done with her cheating husband carrying production credit on these songs, and using his streaming service as a platform. Can we please stop looking to entertainers for our moral compass? Pretty please?
And finally....
Your now almost daily reminder that Houston is a stupid, ugly town ruled by stupid, vulgar people. And I don't mean aesthetically ugly. Houston's ugly is a deeper type of ugly, down to the core. Years of inattention and an adherence to the Houston Way have destroyed any sense of collective community and has resulted in one of the rudest places to live and work.
Asking a Houstonian to open up a can of care for their fellow citizens often requires the force of law. Asking a local politician to act mature is a pipe dream. I've noticed that, over the last decade, this has gotten much worse and I think I know why.
Part of the reason is the trend we're seeing Nationally of blue collar isolationism. The other part is due to the fact that people don't feel the local institutions are following the law so why in the hell should they? When you have a group of people (New Urbanists) trying to shame people constantly it decouples everyone from everyone else. Increasingly, Houston is not a city at all, it's just a loosely connected group of employment centers governed with indifference by a group of people with little sense of civic duty but a very strong sense of self-preservation.
Because of this the preferred method of living in Houston is to live outside of it. That way, if you're not part of Houston you're free to cut-off other motorists to as you cut in line for the exit lane. Who cares if everyone else suffers because Houston isn't your problem right? You're free to act obnoxious to wait-staff, retail workers and pretty much everyone in which you come into contact because, after all, you've to to look out for you and yours.
It's a problem that's gotten worse in the last decade or so and I don't see it getting better anytime soon.
The Criminal Constituency. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review Online - When I say whatever follows the GOP needs to work to restore the rule of law, this is why. Because a Nation that cannot enforce, and require it's leaders to follow, it's own laws also abandons it's moral case for existing.
The Working Class Meltdown, Rich Lowry, National Review Online - As the economy has transitioned from manufacturing based to technology and service based this group has been rudderless and increasingly depressed/angry. If you want to understand the rise of Trump/Sanders, look no further.
The Conservative Intellectual Movement: Then and Now. George Nash, National Review Online - A good read despite the fact that I don't agree with everything in it. (And, yes, I'm aware that "conservative intellectual" seems at times to be an oxymoron.
What will Republicans learn from 2016? Jim Gerghaty, National Review Online - If History is any indication the wrong lessons.
Obama's Brexit Overreach is Typical of his Arrogance. Tim Montgomerie. The Spectator - Even the world is weary of Obama. A man who, despite all evidence to the contrary, still considers himself to be the smartest guy in any room.
Why I Chose Hillary Clinton. Lena Dunham, Time.com - A question she doesn't really answer. And which, to be honest, I think she's incapable of answering honestly. The reason Dunham is backing Clinton is because Clinton is a female. It's the same logic behind some Democrats backing Obama because he was black and some Republicans backing Romney because he was white. Educated voters call these people "low-information" voters which I think applies just well to Ms. Dunham.
Don't look now but, here comes the Houston Area Survey! Which means that all news stories on local issues HAVE to include mention that "Houstonians want urban, walkable neighborhoods and increased public transit despite the fact that a.) The survey results are frequently counter to reality and b.) no one in the media ever really asks why.
Of course, this would mean admitting that people are not buying into the so-called "walkable" Houtopian areas that New Urbanists, the unproductive class and Gray Matters are pimping for single-family homes in the suburbs at breakneck speed. In fact, the CITY of Houston has a population problem because most of the growth numbers you see are for the Houston Metro Region which includes suburban communities rather than within the city center itself.
Ted and John Driving off a Cliff in a GOP Convertible. John Kass, Chicago Tribune. - For all of the silly Chicago vs. Houston comparisons that have come since it was forecast that the Houston Metro Region would overtake the Windy City as the third most populace metro region in all of the land one area where Chicago kicks Houston into a cocked hat in in political punditry. Kass is a better columnist than anything Houston can throw at the wall.
Mayor Promises to Investigate the White Oak Music Loophole. Erin Mulvaney, HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - When developing New Urbanism one of the bigger pratfalls is when things get urban. Consider this a cautionary tale on two fronts: First, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. Second, I would think long and hard about opening a business in Houston. You never know when you'll butt-up against the Houston Way patronage system and find yourself on the outs.
College Tuition on the Rise in Texas, Far Outpacing Income Growth. Benjamin Wermund, HoustonChronicle ($$$) - In retrospect deregulating a close market and turning over the power of the purse to un-elected, unaccountable bureaucrats wasn't a good idea hey Texas Republicans?
Beyonce's beehive of Bombastic Buffoons. Michelle Malkin, National Review Online - Whatever "empowerment" movement she's leading is still being done with her cheating husband carrying production credit on these songs, and using his streaming service as a platform. Can we please stop looking to entertainers for our moral compass? Pretty please?
And finally....
Your now almost daily reminder that Houston is a stupid, ugly town ruled by stupid, vulgar people. And I don't mean aesthetically ugly. Houston's ugly is a deeper type of ugly, down to the core. Years of inattention and an adherence to the Houston Way have destroyed any sense of collective community and has resulted in one of the rudest places to live and work.
Asking a Houstonian to open up a can of care for their fellow citizens often requires the force of law. Asking a local politician to act mature is a pipe dream. I've noticed that, over the last decade, this has gotten much worse and I think I know why.
Part of the reason is the trend we're seeing Nationally of blue collar isolationism. The other part is due to the fact that people don't feel the local institutions are following the law so why in the hell should they? When you have a group of people (New Urbanists) trying to shame people constantly it decouples everyone from everyone else. Increasingly, Houston is not a city at all, it's just a loosely connected group of employment centers governed with indifference by a group of people with little sense of civic duty but a very strong sense of self-preservation.
Because of this the preferred method of living in Houston is to live outside of it. That way, if you're not part of Houston you're free to cut-off other motorists to as you cut in line for the exit lane. Who cares if everyone else suffers because Houston isn't your problem right? You're free to act obnoxious to wait-staff, retail workers and pretty much everyone in which you come into contact because, after all, you've to to look out for you and yours.
It's a problem that's gotten worse in the last decade or so and I don't see it getting better anytime soon.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Presumptuous Blogging: Things you should read. (04/26/2016)
Yet another slate of primaries that are bringing us closer to the nadir of American politics: Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump.
The Empty Pantsuit. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review Online - There's been a lot of good stuff from Mr. Williamson lately, whose rapidly becoming one of the better writers on politics.
Just Imagine. The Houston Chronicle's Bag of Idiots, HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - Imagine that Texas became California? Where people are fleeing by the buckets? Editorials of this type only make sense when viewed through the lens of hating the poors. THEN you start to see where this group of relatively well-off, primarily Caucasian, progressive writers is coming from.
Why I fight for the $15 Minimum Wage. Tanzine Dorough. HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - Because you want to lose your job?
A Victory for Free Speech - And Democracy. National Review Online. - I disagree. I think this is just a pause. A much needed pause for sure but one that will only result in the anti-free speech forces on the left doubling down on their oppressive techniques.
Mayor wants to cut trash subsidy for Houston HOAs. Mike Morris, HoustonChronicle.com($$$) - Under the "Turner Way" it appears that most Houstonians are going to have to pay (a lot) more in taxes and fees while receiving (a lot) less so that Turner's patronage system can flourish. In other words, despite supposedly having a Mayor that has not been given the imprimatur of Pope Lanier, we're still dealing with the Houston Way.
No Apparent Downside for Miller, Hagar, over allegations. Mike Ward, HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - The Lock Step continues their sad that the rest of Texas is not as angry about all of this as they are. You stupid rubes.
Obama joins Merkel in pushing trade deal to wary Germany. New York Times hidden behind the paywall at HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - Remember when Obama went to Germany and was greeted with adulation and rapturous applause?
Black Lives Matter Gave Him Fame, but Baltimore isn't Biting. AP hidden behind the paywall at HoustonChronicle.com ($$$). - If you want to know why America's cities are failing Baltimore is a good case study. Going broke, full of crime, and about to re-elect a politician who was previously ran out of office due to ethics violations.
Minimum Wage and the Dangers of Government by Decree. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review Online. - There is some conservative pundit on Twitter, whose name currently escapes me, who says (rightly) that the true minimum wage will always be zero. If the Fight for 15 is successful more people than ever are going to come to this harsh realization unfortunately.
Bernie Sanders doesn't seem to understand what poverty really is. Tim Worstall, Forbes. - To be fair, Bernie Sanders doesn't seem to understand much of anything other than shouting and dodgy logic.
The Green Unreality Show. Holman Jenkins, WSJ ($$$) - Because, Gaia. (or some such)
Our Beleaguered Planet. Marcia Angell, The Prospect. - When you cut through all of the pseudo-scientific rhetoric the only workable solution to the problem green progressives are trumpeting is to kill off the world's poors. ALL of the world's poors. The other option, far less workable, is to imprison and enslave them into a subsistence life where they are allowed no choices for themselves. Since mass murder is, for now, politically unworkable on the left the solutions tend to trend toward the latter option.
$40 Oil and the twilight of "scarcity ideology". Robert Bryce, National Review Online. - A much more positive, and realistic option is to understand that humanity has a great ability to use technology to get ourselves out of jams. The climate on Earth is changing, becoming more inhospitable and less inhabitable all of the time. This, contrary to what you are used to hearing, has been occurring for Millions of years. Instead of working to enslave the population and worthlessly attempt to stop the rising of the sea, sane fiscal policy should be focused on freeing technology to help us deal with a situation that is, for the most part, 100% out of our control.
None of this should be mistaken as giving humans, or corporations, Carte Blanche to pollute. To the contrary, since we're going to be on this planet for a while we should want to keep it as clean as possible.
What passes for deep thought in Matthew Yglesias' world. - Only a dipshit to the level of Yglesias would think that being sexually assaulted by ones partner somehow equates to one's "greatest achievement". He is a horse's ass who should be laughed out of the public square.
The Criminal Constituency. Kevin D. Williamson. - Repeating: Whatever follows the GOP must focus on the restoration of the rule of law.
The Working Class Meltdown, Rich Lowry, National Review Online - This new GOP should also focus on re-equipping the working class to compete in the modern marketplace. Of course, this would mean abandoning progressive plans to have the government act as nanny.
What will Republicans learn from 2016? Jim Gerghaty, National Review Online. - If history is a good indicator, almost all of the wrong lessons.
Obama's Brexit Overreach is typical of his arrogance. Tim Montgomerie, The Spectator - Initially heralded as a hero it's been amazing to watch the world cop to the truth behind President Zero.
And finally.....
Lena Dunham: Why I chose Hillary Clinton. Time.com - Years from now, when future historians do a postmortem on the US of A I truly believe that they will view our reliance on celebrity to determine our political views to be one of the leading factors in our decay. Allowing the likes of Dunham, Beyonce, Clooney and Damon to have a say on political discourse has proven to be a grave error. To the same extent, allowing Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter and Ingraham to drive thought on the Right has been just as bad if not worse.
Not only has idiocy of this sort brought us to this position, but it's dulled our ability to think and reason as well. While bemoaning the shallowness of sound-byte politics we fail to realize that we lionize celebrities whose sole contribution to society is a romantic comedy, some nudity or just a penchant to say controversial things. In short. There's no "there" there and we should return entertainers to their rightful position in our intellectual pecking order.
The Empty Pantsuit. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review Online - There's been a lot of good stuff from Mr. Williamson lately, whose rapidly becoming one of the better writers on politics.
Just Imagine. The Houston Chronicle's Bag of Idiots, HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - Imagine that Texas became California? Where people are fleeing by the buckets? Editorials of this type only make sense when viewed through the lens of hating the poors. THEN you start to see where this group of relatively well-off, primarily Caucasian, progressive writers is coming from.
Why I fight for the $15 Minimum Wage. Tanzine Dorough. HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - Because you want to lose your job?
A Victory for Free Speech - And Democracy. National Review Online. - I disagree. I think this is just a pause. A much needed pause for sure but one that will only result in the anti-free speech forces on the left doubling down on their oppressive techniques.
Mayor wants to cut trash subsidy for Houston HOAs. Mike Morris, HoustonChronicle.com($$$) - Under the "Turner Way" it appears that most Houstonians are going to have to pay (a lot) more in taxes and fees while receiving (a lot) less so that Turner's patronage system can flourish. In other words, despite supposedly having a Mayor that has not been given the imprimatur of Pope Lanier, we're still dealing with the Houston Way.
No Apparent Downside for Miller, Hagar, over allegations. Mike Ward, HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - The Lock Step continues their sad that the rest of Texas is not as angry about all of this as they are. You stupid rubes.
Obama joins Merkel in pushing trade deal to wary Germany. New York Times hidden behind the paywall at HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - Remember when Obama went to Germany and was greeted with adulation and rapturous applause?
Black Lives Matter Gave Him Fame, but Baltimore isn't Biting. AP hidden behind the paywall at HoustonChronicle.com ($$$). - If you want to know why America's cities are failing Baltimore is a good case study. Going broke, full of crime, and about to re-elect a politician who was previously ran out of office due to ethics violations.
Minimum Wage and the Dangers of Government by Decree. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review Online. - There is some conservative pundit on Twitter, whose name currently escapes me, who says (rightly) that the true minimum wage will always be zero. If the Fight for 15 is successful more people than ever are going to come to this harsh realization unfortunately.
Bernie Sanders doesn't seem to understand what poverty really is. Tim Worstall, Forbes. - To be fair, Bernie Sanders doesn't seem to understand much of anything other than shouting and dodgy logic.
The Green Unreality Show. Holman Jenkins, WSJ ($$$) - Because, Gaia. (or some such)
Our Beleaguered Planet. Marcia Angell, The Prospect. - When you cut through all of the pseudo-scientific rhetoric the only workable solution to the problem green progressives are trumpeting is to kill off the world's poors. ALL of the world's poors. The other option, far less workable, is to imprison and enslave them into a subsistence life where they are allowed no choices for themselves. Since mass murder is, for now, politically unworkable on the left the solutions tend to trend toward the latter option.
$40 Oil and the twilight of "scarcity ideology". Robert Bryce, National Review Online. - A much more positive, and realistic option is to understand that humanity has a great ability to use technology to get ourselves out of jams. The climate on Earth is changing, becoming more inhospitable and less inhabitable all of the time. This, contrary to what you are used to hearing, has been occurring for Millions of years. Instead of working to enslave the population and worthlessly attempt to stop the rising of the sea, sane fiscal policy should be focused on freeing technology to help us deal with a situation that is, for the most part, 100% out of our control.
None of this should be mistaken as giving humans, or corporations, Carte Blanche to pollute. To the contrary, since we're going to be on this planet for a while we should want to keep it as clean as possible.
What passes for deep thought in Matthew Yglesias' world. - Only a dipshit to the level of Yglesias would think that being sexually assaulted by ones partner somehow equates to one's "greatest achievement". He is a horse's ass who should be laughed out of the public square.
The Criminal Constituency. Kevin D. Williamson. - Repeating: Whatever follows the GOP must focus on the restoration of the rule of law.
The Working Class Meltdown, Rich Lowry, National Review Online - This new GOP should also focus on re-equipping the working class to compete in the modern marketplace. Of course, this would mean abandoning progressive plans to have the government act as nanny.
What will Republicans learn from 2016? Jim Gerghaty, National Review Online. - If history is a good indicator, almost all of the wrong lessons.
Obama's Brexit Overreach is typical of his arrogance. Tim Montgomerie, The Spectator - Initially heralded as a hero it's been amazing to watch the world cop to the truth behind President Zero.
And finally.....
Lena Dunham: Why I chose Hillary Clinton. Time.com - Years from now, when future historians do a postmortem on the US of A I truly believe that they will view our reliance on celebrity to determine our political views to be one of the leading factors in our decay. Allowing the likes of Dunham, Beyonce, Clooney and Damon to have a say on political discourse has proven to be a grave error. To the same extent, allowing Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter and Ingraham to drive thought on the Right has been just as bad if not worse.
Not only has idiocy of this sort brought us to this position, but it's dulled our ability to think and reason as well. While bemoaning the shallowness of sound-byte politics we fail to realize that we lionize celebrities whose sole contribution to society is a romantic comedy, some nudity or just a penchant to say controversial things. In short. There's no "there" there and we should return entertainers to their rightful position in our intellectual pecking order.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Presumptuous Blogging: Things you should read. (04/13/2016)
It's highly probable the light at the end of the tunnel is a train. On a related note, Christmas has been cancelled.
An Intriguing Script. Houston Chronicle Council of Dimwits. HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - "Intriguing" is not the word I would use to describe the potential collapse and ruin (for a time) of one of the two major political parties in America. You only need to look at Texas to see the dangers of one-party rule. However, if you're editorial board is made up primarily of relatively well-off, Caucasian Democrats then you might find this "intriguing".
HUD Secretary Castro's Progressive Credentials Questioned. Bill Lambrecht, HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - While it's true that the Castro's non-political resumes are thinner than watered-down gruel this line of criticism only illustrates just how far off the boil Sanders supporters really are. Mortgages are financial instruments primarily of banks and credit unions. If you don't understand that there's no reason to really continue speaking to you.
Houston likely to chip in $5MM to repair dilapidated apartment complex. Rebecca Elliott, HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - Remember expenditures such as these (and they are legion) that are basically corporate welfare for developers the next time what passes for leadership in Houston (Or the Council of Dimwits at the Houston Chronicle) cry crocodile tears that the "only way" to close Houston's fiscal gap is to bust the pillow soft revenue cap and raise your property taxes.
Puerto Rico's prosperous D.C. power couple. Erik Lipton & Michael Corkery. New York Times ($$$) - In other countries, when this happens, America likes to deride it as "corruption". In America, it's called capitalism. (We're wrong when we are speaking about ourselves FWIW) And lest you think you can point a partisan finger because the subjects are Democrats I can assure you that both parties are equally guilty of this. The only way to get rich in America today is by gaming the political system it seems. Which is a large reason why so many are angry.
A Clear Trend. Houston Chronicle Council of Dimwits. HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - File this one under "even a stopped clock". I've long been pro-death penalty, but have freely admitted that, were I on a jury, I'd be the one guy in "12 Angry Men" that did everything I could to not apply it. That said, with all of the concerns surrounding the criminal justice system these days (from evidence gathering issues, to crime labs to prosecutorial misconduct, and more) I don't see any way that Texas can say, hand on heart, that there's no chance they are always going to get it 100% right. Yes, this is a "waffling" from me. Now ask me if I give a shit. It's time to end the death penalty once and for all.
Nothing about the 1994 Crime Bill was unintentional. Bruce Shapiro, TheNation.com - It's fun to watch progressive Democrats live out the Groundhog Day where they remember all over again why they don't like Hillary Clinton. That the GOP appears to be on the brink of losing an election to this woman shows just how bad they need to be dismantled and rebuilt.
The GOP vs. The Pursuit of Knowledge: Inside the Republican Crusade Against Science. Salon.com - It's amazing to me how unthinking the so-called "party of science" has become, and how ineffective the GOP is in differentiating between true "science" and "NewScience" which is what the progressive left has adopted. I like actual science very much. I'm not a fan of computer models programmed to reveal a desired result and other nonsense that falls under the guise of "NewScience" for the means of forwarding a political goal.
Driving and Thriving. Kevin D. Williamson. National Review Online. - While I'm a fan of Elon Musk (and Tesla) I pick nits with this article in that the Tesla is certainly the most technologically advanced car in the world, but it is not the best, not by a long shot. Mercedes is still making better overall cars, BMW's are better to drive and Ferrari are what God would drive. All that said if you gave me my choice I'd have the Lamborghini. For no other reason than there's a certain appeal about a car that can do 200 MPH and is likely to try and murder you for no reason on random turns.
Donald Trump and the Return of Right-Wing Statism. Jonah Goldberg, National Review Online. - A large part of the problem is that many who call themselves "conservative" aren't really, they are Statists who think that the world would be a better place if only they, or people like them, were in charge. In this sense they are not all that different from Progressive Democrats. In Texas, especially, most State-wide Republican office holders suffer from this. (I'm looking at you Dan Patrick)
UnitedHealth makes good on threat to pull out of ObamaCare. Eric Pianin, Yahoo! finance - While Republicans will crow that this somehow proves the Affordable Care Act was an unmitigated disaster their doing so only proves that they never have understood the primary reason the bill came into being. The object is not to "provide health care for all" but to make the private system seem so unworkable that single-payor (i.e. Medicare for all, i.e. socialized medicine) is the only answer. In this the bill has been very successful. So far.
A drought of ideas. Walter Russell Mead, The American Interest. - Here is the most notable quote from a very good article that is a must read.
The Max Tax. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review Online - He's more libertarian than Republican, but Mr. Williamson is writing some of the best stuff right now from a conservative perspective. This is the best argument against a progressive taxation system that you're likely to find anywhere.
Prosecuting Climate Change. David A. French. National Review Online. - The climate change fiasco is why whatever follows the GOP needs to focus on a return to the rule of law. Politically motivated prosecutions, designed for draining money, not saving Gaia, are going to run the country into ruin if not opposed vigorously. Not that it's an easy argument, most people don't understand why lawsuits of this type are even wrong much less damaging, but it's an argument that has to be made. Loudly, and quite often.
And finally.
The Death Star is a Stupid Idea, Please Stop Making Movies About it. David Harsanyi, The Federalist. - If you want to know why a lot of people don't like Republicans I offer up this as exhibit A. There are a ton more like them: "Why the Empire were the good guys" and other nonsense that doesn't do anything to forward the public discourse, but only confirms in your mind that you wouldn't want to share a beer with the author.
It's a movie. A fiction. Science Fiction at that. The normal laws of physics and economies need not apply.
Quit being such a damn grouch.
An Intriguing Script. Houston Chronicle Council of Dimwits. HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - "Intriguing" is not the word I would use to describe the potential collapse and ruin (for a time) of one of the two major political parties in America. You only need to look at Texas to see the dangers of one-party rule. However, if you're editorial board is made up primarily of relatively well-off, Caucasian Democrats then you might find this "intriguing".
HUD Secretary Castro's Progressive Credentials Questioned. Bill Lambrecht, HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - While it's true that the Castro's non-political resumes are thinner than watered-down gruel this line of criticism only illustrates just how far off the boil Sanders supporters really are. Mortgages are financial instruments primarily of banks and credit unions. If you don't understand that there's no reason to really continue speaking to you.
Houston likely to chip in $5MM to repair dilapidated apartment complex. Rebecca Elliott, HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - Remember expenditures such as these (and they are legion) that are basically corporate welfare for developers the next time what passes for leadership in Houston (Or the Council of Dimwits at the Houston Chronicle) cry crocodile tears that the "only way" to close Houston's fiscal gap is to bust the pillow soft revenue cap and raise your property taxes.
Puerto Rico's prosperous D.C. power couple. Erik Lipton & Michael Corkery. New York Times ($$$) - In other countries, when this happens, America likes to deride it as "corruption". In America, it's called capitalism. (We're wrong when we are speaking about ourselves FWIW) And lest you think you can point a partisan finger because the subjects are Democrats I can assure you that both parties are equally guilty of this. The only way to get rich in America today is by gaming the political system it seems. Which is a large reason why so many are angry.
A Clear Trend. Houston Chronicle Council of Dimwits. HoustonChronicle.com ($$$) - File this one under "even a stopped clock". I've long been pro-death penalty, but have freely admitted that, were I on a jury, I'd be the one guy in "12 Angry Men" that did everything I could to not apply it. That said, with all of the concerns surrounding the criminal justice system these days (from evidence gathering issues, to crime labs to prosecutorial misconduct, and more) I don't see any way that Texas can say, hand on heart, that there's no chance they are always going to get it 100% right. Yes, this is a "waffling" from me. Now ask me if I give a shit. It's time to end the death penalty once and for all.
Nothing about the 1994 Crime Bill was unintentional. Bruce Shapiro, TheNation.com - It's fun to watch progressive Democrats live out the Groundhog Day where they remember all over again why they don't like Hillary Clinton. That the GOP appears to be on the brink of losing an election to this woman shows just how bad they need to be dismantled and rebuilt.
The GOP vs. The Pursuit of Knowledge: Inside the Republican Crusade Against Science. Salon.com - It's amazing to me how unthinking the so-called "party of science" has become, and how ineffective the GOP is in differentiating between true "science" and "NewScience" which is what the progressive left has adopted. I like actual science very much. I'm not a fan of computer models programmed to reveal a desired result and other nonsense that falls under the guise of "NewScience" for the means of forwarding a political goal.
Driving and Thriving. Kevin D. Williamson. National Review Online. - While I'm a fan of Elon Musk (and Tesla) I pick nits with this article in that the Tesla is certainly the most technologically advanced car in the world, but it is not the best, not by a long shot. Mercedes is still making better overall cars, BMW's are better to drive and Ferrari are what God would drive. All that said if you gave me my choice I'd have the Lamborghini. For no other reason than there's a certain appeal about a car that can do 200 MPH and is likely to try and murder you for no reason on random turns.
Donald Trump and the Return of Right-Wing Statism. Jonah Goldberg, National Review Online. - A large part of the problem is that many who call themselves "conservative" aren't really, they are Statists who think that the world would be a better place if only they, or people like them, were in charge. In this sense they are not all that different from Progressive Democrats. In Texas, especially, most State-wide Republican office holders suffer from this. (I'm looking at you Dan Patrick)
UnitedHealth makes good on threat to pull out of ObamaCare. Eric Pianin, Yahoo! finance - While Republicans will crow that this somehow proves the Affordable Care Act was an unmitigated disaster their doing so only proves that they never have understood the primary reason the bill came into being. The object is not to "provide health care for all" but to make the private system seem so unworkable that single-payor (i.e. Medicare for all, i.e. socialized medicine) is the only answer. In this the bill has been very successful. So far.
A drought of ideas. Walter Russell Mead, The American Interest. - Here is the most notable quote from a very good article that is a must read.
"To understand both the voter frustration and the political polarization of the country, it’s necessary to see how neither party is offering real solutions for these problems. The Democrats just keep looking for new funds to pour into the sinkhole; Republicans hope to starve the beast to force a crisis."
The Max Tax. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review Online - He's more libertarian than Republican, but Mr. Williamson is writing some of the best stuff right now from a conservative perspective. This is the best argument against a progressive taxation system that you're likely to find anywhere.
Prosecuting Climate Change. David A. French. National Review Online. - The climate change fiasco is why whatever follows the GOP needs to focus on a return to the rule of law. Politically motivated prosecutions, designed for draining money, not saving Gaia, are going to run the country into ruin if not opposed vigorously. Not that it's an easy argument, most people don't understand why lawsuits of this type are even wrong much less damaging, but it's an argument that has to be made. Loudly, and quite often.
And finally.
The Death Star is a Stupid Idea, Please Stop Making Movies About it. David Harsanyi, The Federalist. - If you want to know why a lot of people don't like Republicans I offer up this as exhibit A. There are a ton more like them: "Why the Empire were the good guys" and other nonsense that doesn't do anything to forward the public discourse, but only confirms in your mind that you wouldn't want to share a beer with the author.
It's a movie. A fiction. Science Fiction at that. The normal laws of physics and economies need not apply.
Quit being such a damn grouch.
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Stuff More Interesting than this Blog. (03/31/2016)
There are a lot of things on which I'd like to write however, there are many times people write about them 1. first and 2. better than I can.....
Yes, Trump as nominee DOES endanger the GOP House majority. - The last time the Dems were in charge we got the colossal failure that is the ACA.
Trump as eight year old child. - It's humorous with children, obnoxious with adults.
The proclivity of demagogues to criminalize business decisions needs to stop. - It should be noted that once the Democrats succeed in Nationalizing the Oil and Gas industry all of this climate change nonsense will go away.
Reminder: Most Democrats don't even realize they have a problem as well.
And even those who do think the solution is "more government"
See? Not all is gloom and doom for the GOP.
Your now almost daily reminder that reigning in the regulatory state, rule of law and Bill of Rights restoration is key to any conservative reboot. Failure to address these three key issues renders pretty much anything else moot.
Yes, Trump as nominee DOES endanger the GOP House majority. - The last time the Dems were in charge we got the colossal failure that is the ACA.
Trump as eight year old child. - It's humorous with children, obnoxious with adults.
The proclivity of demagogues to criminalize business decisions needs to stop. - It should be noted that once the Democrats succeed in Nationalizing the Oil and Gas industry all of this climate change nonsense will go away.
Reminder: Most Democrats don't even realize they have a problem as well.
And even those who do think the solution is "more government"
See? Not all is gloom and doom for the GOP.
Your now almost daily reminder that reigning in the regulatory state, rule of law and Bill of Rights restoration is key to any conservative reboot. Failure to address these three key issues renders pretty much anything else moot.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Presumptuous Blogging: Things you should read. (03/22/2016)
It's been a while since our last round-up.....
The nature of the beast is to feed the beast to keep it growing and healthy. It does not care that it's eventually going to run out of food. The beast is incapable of advanced thought.
We're the Government, and we're here to help! More often than not that "help" is to run small businesses out of business through needless, over regulation in the name of "public safety".
A reminder that the Democrats have a fringe-element problem as well. One that attracts the poor and stupid, is xenophobic and populist in it's roots, and (unlike the Tea Party) is viewed as visionary in it's brilliance by those who control the narrative.
What replaces (or, even better, reforms) the GOP MUST get a handle on crony capitalism. Roll back the regulatory State, return to the rule of law, strengthen Constitutional rights. No other issues matter without those three.
Is it time to break the GOP? Noah Rothman, National Review Online It is increasingly looking like the answer is Yes. The question is, from without, or from within?
Your now almost daily reminder of two things. 1. Internet news comments are where society's lowest common denominator go for comfort. 2. The people moderating (in this case "picking" the comments) are not much brighter than plankton.
Why are so-called "conservative" congress critters trying to butt into private university tuition? A. They're not really conservative. B. They're in a re-election year. C. Both.
No, Clinton/Castro won't turn Texas Blue, but Trump/Whoever just might. The Castro brothers, like Wendy (?!?) before them, are proving to be the emptiest of progressive suits. #NeverTrump
Thin Skin: Chron.com Jr. Web reporter style. Houston is really just a sprawling business complex wrapped around a core of insecurity and thin skin.
The head of Jeb(?)'s SuperPac is tired of the conservative con. Kevin Drum, Mother Jones - Make no bones about it, this was not written with the GOP's health in mind. That said even a stopped clock is correct two times per day.
If you want serious, thoughtful transit reporting, you might want to look someplace other than Houston's Middling Regional Daily. All you get here is transit advocacy, as forwarded, and in line with, the wishes of the unproductive class. (and the developers and train companies who are smart enough to have taken advantage of them)
Parker's Parting Gift to Houston appears to be dirty as hell. - I wonder if this was on her topic list while she was lecturing to political science students in the Ivy League?
Call it me but, a jobs program designed primarily by a man who's never really had a job in the private sector doesn't inspire me with confidence.
The "safety" in Transit Safety Council means spending a TON of money in an effort to reduce mobility. Were it otherwise, the first thing they would recommend is lengthening yellow light times, closely followed by considering grade separation between different types of transportation. Instead, they're going to want to make it impossible to drive a car. (And destroy Houston's economy in the process).
Donald Trump and the White Working Class. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review. - This is the article that stirred up the Trump faithful last week. In it, it should be noted, Mr. Williamson is dead, bang on.
Merrick Garland's "Moderation". Kevin D. Williamson, National Review Online Again Williamson lays out a thoughtful, and 100% correct piece with more deep thought than anything being put out by the Conservative Entertainment Complex.
A Post-Mortem of the Rubio Campaign. Tim Alberta, National Review Online. - Alberta only gets it partially right. The Gang of Eight immigration disaster hurt Rubio, but it didn't cripple him. He made many other missteps along the campaign trail, and from a policy position, that finished him off. Well, that and the endless attacks from Right to Rise, from which he never fully recovered.
Is Trump's rise giving progressives second thoughts? Charles C.W. Cooke, National Review Online. I doubt very seriously that many progressives, based on the rather large sample that I've met, are all that capable of having thoughts period, much less of the deep, introspective kind that Mr. Cooke is referring to here.
There are few things in the TLSPM more creepy right now than Hearst TLSPM member Peggy Fikac's Wendy(?!?) obsession.
And finally.....
Breitbart.com goes out with a whimper, not a bang. Just the first of many "conservative" entertainment outlets that need to be disposed of in the purge.
The nature of the beast is to feed the beast to keep it growing and healthy. It does not care that it's eventually going to run out of food. The beast is incapable of advanced thought.
We're the Government, and we're here to help! More often than not that "help" is to run small businesses out of business through needless, over regulation in the name of "public safety".
A reminder that the Democrats have a fringe-element problem as well. One that attracts the poor and stupid, is xenophobic and populist in it's roots, and (unlike the Tea Party) is viewed as visionary in it's brilliance by those who control the narrative.
What replaces (or, even better, reforms) the GOP MUST get a handle on crony capitalism. Roll back the regulatory State, return to the rule of law, strengthen Constitutional rights. No other issues matter without those three.
Is it time to break the GOP? Noah Rothman, National Review Online It is increasingly looking like the answer is Yes. The question is, from without, or from within?
Your now almost daily reminder of two things. 1. Internet news comments are where society's lowest common denominator go for comfort. 2. The people moderating (in this case "picking" the comments) are not much brighter than plankton.
Why are so-called "conservative" congress critters trying to butt into private university tuition? A. They're not really conservative. B. They're in a re-election year. C. Both.
No, Clinton/Castro won't turn Texas Blue, but Trump/Whoever just might. The Castro brothers, like Wendy (?!?) before them, are proving to be the emptiest of progressive suits. #NeverTrump
Thin Skin: Chron.com Jr. Web reporter style. Houston is really just a sprawling business complex wrapped around a core of insecurity and thin skin.
The head of Jeb(?)'s SuperPac is tired of the conservative con. Kevin Drum, Mother Jones - Make no bones about it, this was not written with the GOP's health in mind. That said even a stopped clock is correct two times per day.
If you want serious, thoughtful transit reporting, you might want to look someplace other than Houston's Middling Regional Daily. All you get here is transit advocacy, as forwarded, and in line with, the wishes of the unproductive class. (and the developers and train companies who are smart enough to have taken advantage of them)
Parker's Parting Gift to Houston appears to be dirty as hell. - I wonder if this was on her topic list while she was lecturing to political science students in the Ivy League?
Call it me but, a jobs program designed primarily by a man who's never really had a job in the private sector doesn't inspire me with confidence.
The "safety" in Transit Safety Council means spending a TON of money in an effort to reduce mobility. Were it otherwise, the first thing they would recommend is lengthening yellow light times, closely followed by considering grade separation between different types of transportation. Instead, they're going to want to make it impossible to drive a car. (And destroy Houston's economy in the process).
Donald Trump and the White Working Class. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review. - This is the article that stirred up the Trump faithful last week. In it, it should be noted, Mr. Williamson is dead, bang on.
Merrick Garland's "Moderation". Kevin D. Williamson, National Review Online Again Williamson lays out a thoughtful, and 100% correct piece with more deep thought than anything being put out by the Conservative Entertainment Complex.
A Post-Mortem of the Rubio Campaign. Tim Alberta, National Review Online. - Alberta only gets it partially right. The Gang of Eight immigration disaster hurt Rubio, but it didn't cripple him. He made many other missteps along the campaign trail, and from a policy position, that finished him off. Well, that and the endless attacks from Right to Rise, from which he never fully recovered.
Is Trump's rise giving progressives second thoughts? Charles C.W. Cooke, National Review Online. I doubt very seriously that many progressives, based on the rather large sample that I've met, are all that capable of having thoughts period, much less of the deep, introspective kind that Mr. Cooke is referring to here.
There are few things in the TLSPM more creepy right now than Hearst TLSPM member Peggy Fikac's Wendy(?!?) obsession.
And finally.....
Breitbart.com goes out with a whimper, not a bang. Just the first of many "conservative" entertainment outlets that need to be disposed of in the purge.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Presumptuous Blogging: Things you should read (2/11/2016)
Did you know Tuesday, February 9th was National Pizza Day? (Neither did I, which means that we have too many "days")
Transition to low-carbon energy will be 'extremely difficult'. Fuel Fix - If you're poor, or live in a developing country, it's going to be brutal. Al Gore's plan to save Gaia includes a healthy shot of population reduction after all.
Android has 85% of global market share. - To be honest that number surprised me.
Houston Pedestrians Rejoice!
Austin's City Leaders REALLY don't like Lyft and Uber. - Progressive politicians don't like the "gig" economy because it's a challenge to the patronage system that they enjoyed with the cab companies.
Your almost daily reminder that reporters very seldom really understand the subjects they are reporting on. - And longevity does not equal expertise.
Somehow, Houston's pillow-soft revenue cap has become the cause of all the woes. - It's amazing to watch the story get framed by a former newspaper of record whose current job is to carry the water for the current administration.
A lesson in World Classiness. Old Conventional Wisdom: "Municipal golf courses are world class!" New Conventional Wisdom: "Municipal golf courses are elitist and exclusionary. What WE want are botanical gardens!"
Color me shocked. I'm amazed that pro-abortion/PP advocates determined that defunding PP would have negative effects on women's health. Of course, to say this with a straight face you have to almost entirely limit "women's health" to abortions and taxpayer subsidized birth control.
Leadership, Grier Style. - Is there any Houston Area Government Agency (outside of the County) that's not running at a deficit?
Devon Anderson is reaping the whirlwind she has sown. And she's angry about it to boot, which should make for some interesting election copy.
This is always how trinket governance starts. Some well meaning, but naïve, young new urbanist with zero real-life experience forwards an idea that they think should be 'privately funded' not realizing that public easements such as bridges and roads are treated very territorially by local politicians and are often viewed as legacy builders. Meanwhile, Houston is drowning under a sea of red ink.
The minimum-wage patronage project. In reality, progressive groups use gimmicks such as minimum wage hikes to shrink the pool of available jobs and increase the likelihood that the awarding of the same will now flow through their political mechanisms. Those who cannot work are thrown into the entitlement machine and are continually threatened with being cut-off from the supply if the dealer is ever to be unelected.
It's a brilliant plan really, you gain dependents both by restricting, and controlling, the labor market and then addicting those who cannot gain entrance on the drug of hand-outs.
New Urbanists hate the Grand Parkway but clear-thinking Houstonians should view it as yet another chance to escape the city limits and move to a lower-cost, less regulated, higher-opportunity area.
Gov. Abbott's priorities. - He sure is displaying a penchant to focus on hot-button issues of minor importance. That's a little discouraging.
The lipid theory has been all but debunked. - Yet many activists still cling to it's fallacy.
It's very clear here that Ms. Falkenberg doesn't understand the meaning of "access". Because she's confusing it with "taxpayer paid" which is often misclassified as "free" by the more dim among us.
Speaking of dim..... A vote for Sanders is a tacit admission you neither understand economics, or how taxation works.
I don't know about you, but I don't find people losing their jobs to be funny. - It appears that the Chron is OK with it provided the job losses are from approved industries.
Dome Derangement Syndrome. First Emmett, now the Chron Editorial Board. Hold on to you wallets.
There is a baseline of stupid in Houston The people opposing these lights are below it.
There are two schools of thought in modern racial thinking.
1. That 'race' is an increasingly meaningless term. This is because we have so much mixing in our backgrounds that almost everyone contains ancestry that appears to be cut from a quilt rather than a bolt of silk. These people tend to be more optimistic in nature.
2. Segregationist writing. Which, in my opinion, is pessimistic and self-limiting. It assumes that certain races are incapable of making rational decisions, lack the skills to succeed, and will not thrive unless they are gifted large sums of money and given advantages over others.
When you can't win elections you're stuck snickering at stuff like this. - It's almost sad what the Texas Democratic Party has done to itself. If it's members weren't such angry people I'd almost feel sorry for them.
Add 'How taxes work' to the list of things Tomlinson doesn't quite get. - Let's see, he lives in Austin, writes (ostensibly) about Houston and is a business columnist that apparently has never done much work outside of journalism? That actually fits for the Chronicle.
And finally......
A joke of a budget from a joke of a President. - It's too early to talk about it now, but history is not going to be kind to President Zero and that's a bummer. The man just wasn't big enough for the office. This last budget almost feels like an admission of that. Not an intentional admission mind you, because that would take self-awareness.
Transition to low-carbon energy will be 'extremely difficult'. Fuel Fix - If you're poor, or live in a developing country, it's going to be brutal. Al Gore's plan to save Gaia includes a healthy shot of population reduction after all.
Android has 85% of global market share. - To be honest that number surprised me.
Houston Pedestrians Rejoice!
Austin's City Leaders REALLY don't like Lyft and Uber. - Progressive politicians don't like the "gig" economy because it's a challenge to the patronage system that they enjoyed with the cab companies.
Your almost daily reminder that reporters very seldom really understand the subjects they are reporting on. - And longevity does not equal expertise.
Somehow, Houston's pillow-soft revenue cap has become the cause of all the woes. - It's amazing to watch the story get framed by a former newspaper of record whose current job is to carry the water for the current administration.
A lesson in World Classiness. Old Conventional Wisdom: "Municipal golf courses are world class!" New Conventional Wisdom: "Municipal golf courses are elitist and exclusionary. What WE want are botanical gardens!"
Color me shocked. I'm amazed that pro-abortion/PP advocates determined that defunding PP would have negative effects on women's health. Of course, to say this with a straight face you have to almost entirely limit "women's health" to abortions and taxpayer subsidized birth control.
Leadership, Grier Style. - Is there any Houston Area Government Agency (outside of the County) that's not running at a deficit?
Devon Anderson is reaping the whirlwind she has sown. And she's angry about it to boot, which should make for some interesting election copy.
This is always how trinket governance starts. Some well meaning, but naïve, young new urbanist with zero real-life experience forwards an idea that they think should be 'privately funded' not realizing that public easements such as bridges and roads are treated very territorially by local politicians and are often viewed as legacy builders. Meanwhile, Houston is drowning under a sea of red ink.
The minimum-wage patronage project. In reality, progressive groups use gimmicks such as minimum wage hikes to shrink the pool of available jobs and increase the likelihood that the awarding of the same will now flow through their political mechanisms. Those who cannot work are thrown into the entitlement machine and are continually threatened with being cut-off from the supply if the dealer is ever to be unelected.
It's a brilliant plan really, you gain dependents both by restricting, and controlling, the labor market and then addicting those who cannot gain entrance on the drug of hand-outs.
New Urbanists hate the Grand Parkway but clear-thinking Houstonians should view it as yet another chance to escape the city limits and move to a lower-cost, less regulated, higher-opportunity area.
Gov. Abbott's priorities. - He sure is displaying a penchant to focus on hot-button issues of minor importance. That's a little discouraging.
The lipid theory has been all but debunked. - Yet many activists still cling to it's fallacy.
It's very clear here that Ms. Falkenberg doesn't understand the meaning of "access". Because she's confusing it with "taxpayer paid" which is often misclassified as "free" by the more dim among us.
Speaking of dim..... A vote for Sanders is a tacit admission you neither understand economics, or how taxation works.
I don't know about you, but I don't find people losing their jobs to be funny. - It appears that the Chron is OK with it provided the job losses are from approved industries.
Dome Derangement Syndrome. First Emmett, now the Chron Editorial Board. Hold on to you wallets.
There is a baseline of stupid in Houston The people opposing these lights are below it.
There are two schools of thought in modern racial thinking.
1. That 'race' is an increasingly meaningless term. This is because we have so much mixing in our backgrounds that almost everyone contains ancestry that appears to be cut from a quilt rather than a bolt of silk. These people tend to be more optimistic in nature.
2. Segregationist writing. Which, in my opinion, is pessimistic and self-limiting. It assumes that certain races are incapable of making rational decisions, lack the skills to succeed, and will not thrive unless they are gifted large sums of money and given advantages over others.
When you can't win elections you're stuck snickering at stuff like this. - It's almost sad what the Texas Democratic Party has done to itself. If it's members weren't such angry people I'd almost feel sorry for them.
Add 'How taxes work' to the list of things Tomlinson doesn't quite get. - Let's see, he lives in Austin, writes (ostensibly) about Houston and is a business columnist that apparently has never done much work outside of journalism? That actually fits for the Chronicle.
And finally......
A joke of a budget from a joke of a President. - It's too early to talk about it now, but history is not going to be kind to President Zero and that's a bummer. The man just wasn't big enough for the office. This last budget almost feels like an admission of that. Not an intentional admission mind you, because that would take self-awareness.
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