The incredibly unimpressive Sotomayor

Somewhere, Harriet Miers is saying, "Jeez, I'm smarter than that!!!"

Warren Buffet: Not nearly as smart as you think!

Come on, Warren! A second stimulus might be needed???

What do they call him, "The Oracle of Omaha"?? Can he not tell that the first stimulus is not working?

An illustrious businessman like Buffet should be able to see the clear inefficiencies in the way the stimulus is being implemented. What's better:

a) allow people and businesses to keep their money and spend, invest or save as they see fit.

or...

b) take the money from people and businesses, send it to Washington, then send it back to Denver, and then doll it out from Denver (or whatever state capitol pleases you) to the hinterlands.

Why isn't this obvious to the casual observer? More to the point, why isn't it obvious to an alleged genius like Buffet, or the brainiacs in Washington? Actually, Buffet himself implies the correct answer. The first stimulus was half stimulant and half "candy." He knows it, yet seems to think that even more of the same is the answer to the problem... how can an evidently smart man believe that the government will get it right the second time??

And, let me add this: we've spent most of the past several decades having it drilled into us that education is key in our burgeoning "information society." A highly educated workforce is the key to competing on a global scale, right?

Then, why in the world would anyone think that "shovel-ready projects" are the way to stimulate us out of a deep recession? Our workforce is well beyond shovels and manual labor. Obama is living in the 1930s!!

Our economy is so diverse today, there is no way a series of government projects can stimulate widespread growth. It must be achieved by broadbased tax cuts. Must!

Screw you, Churchill!!!

Ha! Ha! HA!!!

The University of Colorado, my alma mater, is saved. There is justice in the world, after all...

Well, it's about damned time, Colin!!

He was a great hero in war, but when he stuck his toe in the political waters... well, let's just say it's been hesitant.

Who really knows where Colin Powell stands on anything? All we really know is that he endorsed Barack Obama. Strike One!

But maybe, just maybe, Mr. Powell is coming back to the fold. Seriously, we do not know where the man stands ideologically. These days, in political discourse, "ideology" seems to be a bad word, but it is the most important thing you need to know when pulling the lever for any given candidate. Yes, an African-American Republican is a big, big deal... but, let's face it, it's the content of the character that matters!! That's what Dr. King was trying to tell us, right?

Where do you stand, Mr. Powell? Is this a hint that you might actually be a conservative? Welcome back to the good side!!

Corrupt to the Core

We always knew the Washington Post was in bed with the Democrats. This is just the latest proof.

The story deserves to be trumpeted far and wide. It never dawned on the leadership of the Post that there might be some taint of conflict of interest here... until they got busted. And, as PowerLine points out, the whistle blower was one of the invited lobbyists.

But, hasn't the Washington Post proven itself to be nothing but another lobbyist? The Washington Post responded to the original report in the Politico as follows:

We do believe there is an opportunity to have a conferences and events business, and that The Post should be leading these conversations in Washington, big or small, while maintaining journalistic integrity. The newsroom will participate where appropriate.

But, I have to ask, should the Post be "leading these conversations?" Shouldn't they be reporting on such conversations? When is it ever appropriate for the newsroom to "participate?" The newsroom shouldn't participate, it should report. They're to tell us the news, not create or stage the news.

The Obama administration has denied any involvement, as they had damned well better. A suspicious mind, though, might think that there's a mid-level staffer somewhere in the White House who was feeding names and numbers to the Post's salon organizers. Can we count on the Post to investigate and report this newsworthy bit?

Harrumph, I say! Is it any wonder that the Post, and the media at large, backed Obama? Will the press ever cease to be surprised at the disdain that the rest of us feel toward them?

Are the "green shoots" really weeds?

I kinda think so, but I'm biased. This article is good, though, and I agree with just about all of it.

Here's M. Cianfracca's three step plan to recovery:

• Commit to a zero interest rate policy for at least 2-3 years.
• Enact a 100% tax holiday on business income and capital gains. That’s not a deferral, it’s a full abatement.
• Commit credibly to eliminate new regulations on business.

I'm with it, especially on the 2nd and 3rd points. I'm not quite sold on the zero interest rate part, mainly because the Greenspan cheap money policy is part of what got us into this mess. But, generally, a great deal of uncertainty in the marketplace is due to the fact that businesses and investors really don't know what is going to happen with interest rates over the coming years. Some level of consistency there is definitely called for.

I always tell people that if I was King, businesses would never pay taxes. Repeat after me: "businesses don't pay taxes, their customers do!"

And finally, much of the trepidation companies big and small are feeling about hiring is directly related to the fact that they have no idea what the new Obamacare plan will look like. How much will it cost your average small business? How much will taxes go up to pay for the plan? Is the health care insurance deductibility going away?

You can hardly blame business for being hesitant to hire in this uncertain environment.

Broken Records R Us: Stimulus Not Very Stimulating

More jobs lost; fewer mortgages written; National debt explodes.

Yes, I repeat myself. In this day and age, do people even get the "broken record" metaphor?

But seriously, this country needs to come to the realization that this stimulus ain't happenin'. We are witness to the 1930s redux. The American Left is as enamoured of FDR as the Right is of Reagan, and so today's Left is making all the same mistakes that FDR made. The scary part is that we've barely broken the seal on the Great Recession, but FDR's Great Depression ran nearly an entire decade. It's clear from history that FDR's actions during the 1930s did little to cure the Depression, and in many cases, made things worse.

And, yet, Obama is following the same path. And paving it!!

Ward Churchill wants his job back

Ward Churchill wants his job back.

As a CU alum, this hurts. It hurts because I think there's a better than average chance that this idiot will actually be teaching at my alma mater again. All this, with the smug attitude of a winner of a court case lamely fought by the University.

Ward Churchill's academic integrity has been found to be wonting by his fellow university professors. And he's a pompous ass. It would be a crying shame if he's allowed to foist his sick views on impressionable young people.

My money, such as it is, won't be going to my university anymore if this comes to pass.

The EPA may have suppressed a skeptical report on climate change

So, the EPA may have suppressed a report showing that the climate is actually cooling, and may continue cooling for the next couple of decades?

Well, I'll be.

Look, I suppose that the climate may actually be warming. I'd even stipulate in a debate. But, seriously, there is a ton of data out there that shows the opposite. Data is not necessarily proof, but that truism cuts both ways. This debate is not over, and never was, despite the former VP's inane protestations.

But, if our Federal Government is party to the data suppression, each and every one of us should be alarmed... and we should be asking ourselves how much power do we trust in said government's hands!!

And please remember this every time Barack Obama tells us that he's putting the science ahead of ideology.

A Duty to Die... Revisited

Years ago, they called Colorado Governor Dick Lamm, "Governor Death."

Lamm had the temerity to tell the elderly they had a "duty to die" to mitigate excessive health care costs for the rest of society. A highly debatable position to take, and not helped by Lamm's blunt delivery.

Now, years later, President Obama is echoing Lamm's controversial sentiments.

Will this position be as reviled as Lamm's was? There is really not much difference between Lamm's statements and Obama's, except Obama is smooth!

This is what we have to look forward to in American health care under Obama. We have become accustomed to our doctors taking heroic measures to save and extend lives. Undoubtedly, these heroic measures are a key contributor to the high costs in our overall health care system. But, how will Americans react when the doctors can no longer do "whatever it takes"?

How can anyone doubt that lowering costs in health care will also lower the level of care delivered?

Help Stop High Energy Taxes

Hugh Hewitt links to AmericanSolutions.com

Remember when Obama promised that those of us making less than $250,000 per year would see no new taxes? Well, I'm sure that he will say that he is keeping that promise by leaving income taxes alone. However, as Cap-and-Trade comes closer to reality, just keep in mind that the Carbon Tax that companies will be forced to pay will indeed be passed right on to us... the consumers. It won't be seen as a tax, but it's money right out of our wallets.

My Collection of Dumb Global Warming Stories

Over the past few years, advocates of anthropogenic climate change or global warming have become more strident by the day. Scientists and non-scientists alike have explored new realms of silliness in trying to convince the world that doom is nigh! Opinion trend in America seems to be responding to this... but in which way will the public go?

These are stories from mainstream news sites which I found silly, ironic, unbelievable, or overwrought (or all of the above!).

Floods of tears as climate change 'hard man' breaks down at summit
Baby tax needed to save planet, claims expert
Study: Canadian Beer Drinkers Threaten Planet
Divorce Found to Harm the Environment
Christmas causes global warming
Stop Lighting Chanukah Candles, Cut Global Warming
Fever claim on global warming
Polar bears on the brink? Don't you believe it
CLIMATE CHANGE: Forests Could Cool or Cook the Planet
Global Warming Hysteria Could Make Gore Richest VP in History
Norway's Moose Population in Trouble for Belching
Global Warming Will Save America from the Right
Dearly departed encouraged to do their bit on global warming
Climate Change May Put World at War
Climate Change is like World War III

The Walkman is 30 years old??

Wow!

In 1979, the Sony Walkman was born. It had a funny name, I always thought, but it changed the way we listen to music. I remember reading an interview with a rather famous musician who said he always listened to new versions of a song on his Walkman before approving the release, since so many people listened to music that way... it HAD to sound good on a Walkman.

It's hard to believe that Sony let the portable player market get away from them in the new era of the iPod. But, I'm hopeful that the new generation MP3 Walkman will fight back. I guess I'm just a Sony guy!

This is getting ridiculous!!

Can't President Obama nominate anyone who doesn't have tax problems???

And, oh by the way, Obama could've used a protocol chief months ago, when he gave the Queen of England an iPod as a state gift.

How do you beat this for a Father's Day gift??

Rick's Custom Squirrels: Serving all of your gun-toting, mounted-squirrel needs

Conservatives still dominate??

This is interesting.

"40% of Americans interviewed in national Gallup Poll surveys describe their political views as conservative, 35% as moderate, and 21% as liberal." And note the uptick over the past year for conservative self-identification!

What this is saying to me is that today's moderates are largely backing President Obama and the Democrats. The implication, to me, is that the Democrats' support is very soft, and if unemployment numbers stay bad or get worse, if the budget deficit explodes as projected, and if the economic recovery we are starting to see stagnates, Obama and his party could be in trouble, as early as 2010.

Or maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part.

It says that "Liberal" is still not a label that the majority of people want to be associated with. However, they didn't appear to list "Progressive" as a choice. I wonder how that would change the result.

Call Salazar and Bennett

I'm not so sure I would really call John Salazar a "Blue Dog Democrat," but it can't hurt to call him.

I just put in a note to Betsy Markey, to let her know what a horrible idea this new "Public Option" for health care is.

By the way, folks... here come those tax rate increases Obama promised not to raise!! If you think we're going to get out of this health care thing without more massive spending, think again!

Joe Biden, the blind squirrel...

You know the old saying: even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then.

Joe Biden today admitted that the stimulus isn't stimulating. Apologies are fine, Joe, but my suggestion would be to open your eyes to the obvious... government spending doesn't stimulate employment. Money in the hands of employers does!!

Tax rate cuts TODAY, Joe! Don't let ideology stand in the way!

I'm not holding my breath...

Maybe America is waking up

48% believe new stimulus spending DOES NOT create jobs!!

I'm hopeful that Americans will start to put pressure on the government to stop this ridiculous spending spree. It's not too late!!

Reality smacks Obama in the face

Well, okay... not REALLY!

Oh, this is FANTASTIC!

Obama demands "pay-as-you-go," unless it's for his pet project, in which case, massive deficit spending is A-OK!!!

Seriously, why does anyone listen to this guy???

"The National Debt Road Trip"

I nice little metaphor!

Unemployment: The Good, The Bad and the UGLY

The Atlantic shows there is good and bad in the latest unemployment numbers. There is also really scary if trends don't change.

A stimulus plan that would actually stimulate

If I were king...

Oh, if only.

These days, we have to ask ourselves, what really are we trying to stimulate? "The Economy"? That seems awfully nebulous to those of us out beyond The Beltway. No, what the government should be stimulating in employment. The main reason for the lack of consumer spending over the past several months is job insecurity. Why in the world would anybody spend anything in an environment of contracting incomes, and the very real potential of job loss.

Obama's plan has clearly done very little to stimulate job growth (courtesy Gateway pundit), despite his promises. Now reaching over 9%, it is more than a point higher than the Administration predicted when his stimulus package was signed into law. "Accelerate the stimulus," answers Joe Biden.

My answer: The really simple one. If you want to stimulate jobs, then stimulate actual employers. Companies big and small in America must be incentivized to hire new workers. And how best to do that? Yeah, you know! Cut taxes on employers, cut payroll taxes... if I were king, I would do whatever it takes to drive corporate income taxes to zero. After all, companies don't pay income taxes, their customers do. Taxation is just another cost of doing business, costs which, by necessity, must be passed on to the customer, the consumer... to you and me!

The Left would argue that we can increase taxes with mandates that the increased cost of taxation not be passed on to consumers, by law if necessary. But what does that accomplish, if it could be realistically done? It reduces profitability... and therefore reduces share prices... and therefore hammers people in their 401k's and mutual funds. Nice.

Obama is hunting where ever he can to increase tax collections from corporations. But you see where this leads. Higher prices and/or lower stock markets.

They should have elected me king.