Back on Hiatus

Sorry, I do not expect to have much time to post for the next month or so because of new responsibilities at work, town finance committee activities as part of the run-up to annual town meeting, and the usual slate of home-life events.

I WILL be back.

Recent Events in Global Warming

Sorry it's been almost 2 weeks since the last update. Life and liberty has had me rather busy.

Here are some recent tidbits on the "global warming" silliness:

1. BBC Video "The Great Global Warming Swindle". The original on Google is gone (surprise, surprise surprise), but here is a 2 minute preview, and another source for the full video courtesy of Curmudgeonly & Skeptical.
2. This delightful bit of irony also came from Curmudgeonly & Skeptical, "Frostbite ends Bancroft-Arnesen trek". The quote at the end of the report is delicious:
   

   "They were experiencing temperatures that weren't expected with global warming"

3. Kim Du Toit's observations on the global warming models are insightful. They can be summed up by this quote:

   "'The global warming models have some disturbing characteristics. For example, their output doesn’t depend on their inputs'"

4. Also interesting is his take on carbon offsets:

   “'Carbon offsets' (2007) = 'Papal indulgences' (1517)
   

   Seriously. It’s just payola to a different absolutionist."

5. Seems to me Al Gore is running some kind of Ponzi scheme (or maybe a check kiting ring) with his "carbon offsets". From "Signal 94: Global Warning is Gore's Retirement Plan"
   

   Gore's carbon footprint may be the size of Godzilla's, but he eases his conscience with 'carbon offsets.' He buys them from himself. And every time someone else buys them, Big Al gets richer.

Enjoy.

Double Standards Again in the MSM

"‘That’s so gay’ prompts a lawsuit" From the article:

When a few classmates razzed Rebekah Rice about her Mormon upbringing with questions such as, "Do you have 10 moms?" she shot back: "That's so gay."

For that she was sued, yet nothing appears to have been done to the thugs that subjected Rebekah to religious hate speech. What is good for the goose should be good for the gander. Of particular note is the total lack of coverage of of this double standard in the article.

Don't Ya Just Love It

"The Rev. Al Sharpton said he wants a DNA test to determine whether he is related to former segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond through his great-grandfather, a slave owned by an ancestor of the late senator. "

Be careful when throwing rocks, the tree you hit may be your own.

"It's a small world after all, it's a small world after all..."

More Political Correctness

I've blogged about this before, but the University of Illinois has finally decided to cave in to the NCAA's political correctness blackmail. Sadly, it appears that the chairman of UI values the dollar over their principals. What a educational statement to their students.

Two students do not appear to have learned that lesson very well: They are suing to keep Chief Illiniwek. Good for them. If you can, donate to their legal fund at Chief Legal Fund, Box 11472, Champaign, Ill., 61826.

It is good to see that there is hope for some of our young people.

Really, Really Bad Music

Here's my list of what I consider to be the worst pop songs ever:

• Feelings by Englebert Humperdinck
  
• MacArthur Park by Donna Summer
  
• You Light Up My Life by Debbie Boone
• Copacobana by Barry Manilow
• Muskrat Love by Captain and Tennille
• Ebony and Ivory by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
• Tonight's The Night by Rod Stewart
• Sailing by Christopher Cross
• Daydream Believer by The Monkees
• Call Me by Blondie
  
• Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar
  
• Song Sung Blue by Neil Diamond
• Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry
• You've Lost That Loving Feeling by Isley Brothers
  

This list has been running through my head for the last 2 days; don't ask me why. Maybe it will go away now. Feel free to add to the list via comments.

Kim du Toit Takes on The "S" Word

"Socialization" that is. For those of us in the homeschooling community "socialization" is the most frequent issue that gets thrown at us as a counter argument. Mr. du Toit has written a very effective critique of this so-called argument. For example:

"High school kids, unsupervised, are the most feral little beasts on the planet, and we saw no reason why we should subject our kids to that ordeal."

Personally I view the socialization gambit as a "t-ball" pitch to be hit outa-da-park. Socialization as exhibited in the public, and even most private, schools is the most artificial and harmful type of social behavior I can imagine. We do not, and will not inflict that upon our children. We care too much for them.

Romney Runs to the Right

Mitt Romney is a member of the NRA, but only since August.

Does he not realize how transparent this is. He supported gun control while governor of Massacusetts, and reportedly while in Utah and running the Olympics as well. This is clearly a temporary swing to win the primary, then he will be back to is two-timing RINO ways for the general election.

Some people are saying that we should get behind Romney (or one of the the other leading RINOs like Giuliani or McCain) now because they're most likely to be able to defeat the Democrats. Pox on their house I say. I'm not supporting a RINO until I have to. Until then, let's take the fight to the liberal, regardless of their party, and get a real conservative nominated.

Thus, with apologies to Lesly Gore, I give you the following fight song:

It's my party and I'll trash who I want to
Trash who I want to, trash who I want to
You'd trash them too if it happened to you

Nobody knows where my party has gone
But Rudy and Mitt left the same time
Why was he holding her hand
When the GOP's supposed to be mine

It's my party and I'll trash who I want to
Trash who I want to, trash who I want to
You'd trash them too if it happened to you

Then all my records keep dancing all night
But leave me alone for a while
'Till my party is back on track
I've got no reason to smile

It's my party and I'll trash who I want to
Trash who I want to, trash who I want to
You'd trash them too if it happened to you

Rudy and Mitt just walked thru the door
Like a queen with the king
Oh what a birthday surprise
The're both a pair in the ring

It's my party and I'll trash who I want to
Trash who I want to, trash who I want to
You'd trash them too if it happened to you

Emerging Trend?

Hal Lindsey has a most interesting editorial on WorldNetDaily. In it he identifies two interesting trends over the last 4 years. One is a pattern of terrorist attacks by individuals of Muslim persuasion in the US, and more disturbingly a corresponding pattern on the part of law enforcement and the media to ignore this religious terrorist connection. Read it and think.

Oh the Irony of It All

HOUSE HEARING ON 'WARMING OF THE PLANET' CANCELED AFTER ICE STORM
Bwahahahaha.

Now I have to go plow another 6" of "global warming" off my driveway.

Global Warming, Bah Humbug

Warming, schwarming. Come spend this week up here and tell me there's a warming trend:
Seriously, I'm sure everyone has heard about the latest global warming report. While there is a fair consensus that a climatic warming trend is likely occurring, blaming human civilization for said trend is not quite the consensus that the MSM and the authors of this report would have you believe.

Here is one study that contradicts the so-called report:

The Physical Evidence of Earth's Unstoppable 1,500-Year Climate Cycle

Read it and make up your own mind

If you want a more readable take on the subject check out Michael Crichton's State of Fear. It's a fiction story, but the science behind it is real. Check the references and footnotes for the facts that support this novel.

Some diligent searching will find other sources that cast credible doubt on the whole global warming, climatic catastrophe, mankind is at fault hoopla. Go forth and read with an open mind.

Update: And for a more humorous take on the subject, check out Penn and Teller's B....... Environmental Hysteria (warning: mild profanity). There are also lower bandwidth and 2 minute summary versions.
Courtesy of Curmudgeonly & Skeptical

Boston LIte-Brite Bomb Scare Thoughs

I'm sure everyone has heard about the bomb scare in Boston several days ago. It's amazing to me how reactions are split so widely. People either think it was a big over-reaction, or that it was perfectly justified. Few if any people I've met fall in the middle. Part of the problem is hindsight is 20-20 on both sides. So what is my opinion: Personally I think putting up the devices as they were was a really, really dumb idea.

First, I'm sure laws were broken in putting them up and there should be punishment for it. Piddly laws I'm sure having to do with unlawful placement of advertising, but broken none the less. Charge the youths (e.g., the scapegoats) who put them up with the appropriate misdemeanors, then go after TBS in a big way.

Second, TBS should have realized that these devices could be mistaken for bombs. Nothing I've read has indicated that there was anything on them that identifying them as coming from TBS. I think a simple "Property of Turner Broadcasting System" would have gone a long way to preventing an over-reaction. For this TBS should cover the state and city expenses for the bomb scare plus a penalty for idiocy. It was their design of the devices, their directions to place them, and their silence in notifying authorities before hand and slowness in doing so afterwards that caused the panic. I consider TBS to be at fault more than anyone else.

Third, we've come a long way from 9/11. There may have been some over-reaction on the part of Boston authorities but frankly I'd rather see that than no response. The division of opinion and the lack of response in any other city indicates that we generally have become complacent and lazy about security and terrorism. I'm disappointed there was not a more vigorous response elsewhere, or that there was any sharing of information between cities.

I predict that we will at some point regret this incident because of the hesitation in reaction that it will cause. I don't think it is a stretch to predict that some terrorist will someday create terror devices resembling some kind of guerrilla advertising device and we will miss them because we've been "burned" once. That's the saddest part of this fiasco, and that's the reason TBS needs to get hammered.

Stupidity kills.

I May Start Flying AirTran

Normally I avoid low-cost airlines like AirTran on business travel. I may change that policy in the future for AirTran.

Girl kicked off plane after tantrum

The mother complained "We weren't giving an opportunity to hold her, console her or anything". Horsefeathers! They had at least 40 minutes on the plane to get control of their child, not even counting prep time in the gate area. Remember, the plane was already 15 minutes late. Boarding usually starts 25 to 30 minutes before departure and families with small children get to board first. Add all that up and they had plenty of time to get their bratty child under control.

Bravo AirTran

Bible Study on Love: Colossians 3:14

Here is a Bible study outline on Love:

Col 3:14

14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

God’s Love for us

John 15:13

13 " Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends

Rom 5:8

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

John 17:26

26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

Rom 5:5

5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

We are to be rooted and grounded in love, greater than knowledge

Eph 3:14-19

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,

16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

We cannot be separated from God’s love

Rom 8:38-39

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are commanded to love our brethren

Eph 5:1-2

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

1 Cor 16:14

14 Let all that you do be done in love.

2 Cor 5:14

14a For the love of Christ controls us,

John 13:35

35 " By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Love allays fear, Christ loved us, we are to love brethren

1 John 4:18-21

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

19 We love, because He first loved us.

20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.

21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

Love includes keeping God’s commands

John 15:9-10

9 "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.

10 " If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

Love is to treat neighbor well, is not in contradiction to the law

Rom 13:10

10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Gal 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Love commands us to serve one another

Gal 5:13

13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Love builds up

1 Cor 8:1

1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.

Love is the evidence of faith

Gal 5:6

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

Love helps us to achieve unity

Eph 4:1-3

1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace

Unity

“Unity” has concept of perfection or completeness

Christ as perfect example of unity and perfection

Heb 12:2

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

God desires us to be in unity

John 17:20-23

20 "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;

21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

22 "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;

23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

Unity of faith, everyone working together, not everyone identical

Eph 4:11-16

11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;

15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,

16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love

We are to dwell in unity

Ps 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

For brothers to dwell together in unity!

In closing reflect on the fullness of love from 1st Corinthians chapter 13

1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,

5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,

6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part;

10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.

12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

All quotations from the New American Standard Bible courtesy of PC Study Bible

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The Land of Coincidences

This year is the Chinese Year of the Boar (or pig), and
Hillary Clinton launches White House bid.
I leave it as an exercise for the reader to identify the parallels. :)

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire, Part Three

From Dread Pundit Bluto: "Reyes Does 180 in Order to Oppose President":

"New House Intelligence Committe chairman Silvestre Reyes was for the troop surge before he was against it."

And, from World Magazine Blog: "Do Them Dogs Hunt?":

"on four of five issues during the first week of the new Congress, the 45-member coalition of self-proclaimed donkey moderates voted in lockstep with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi."

Honesty and integrity appear to be in short supply with our new Congressional leaders. Party and politics before principle is poor performance.

Now That's A Gun

I recently joined the nation of riflemen with one of these. Now I see this "A Missile Punch at bullet Prices":

The range for 5-inch guns now on Navy ships is less than 15 nautical miles, Garnett said.

He said the railgun will extend that range to more than 200 nautical miles and strike a target that far away in six minutes. A Tomahawk missile covers that same distance in eight minutes.

I want one :)

Liar, Liar Pants on Fire, Part Two

This appears to be the beginning of a continuing series.

I leave it up to the reader to find the contradiction in these two reports:
"Presidential Hopeful Touts Gun Rights"
"Mitt Romney on Gun Control"

Mitt Romney is a pandering hypocrite and thus a liar. Those of us who have resided under his "care" in the state of Massachusetts have had more than enough of his two-faced ways on gun control, abortion, tax relief and other conservative issues. I consider integrity to be a key characteristic of whomever I vote for. I also think it tends to be a conservative trait, although not exclusively. Mr. Romney lacks it. For this reason, and because of the liberal positions displayed by his actions (versus his words), I formally pronounce Mitt Romney a liberal RINO scum-bag politician unworthy of the Republican nomination.

Why I Support the Death Penalty

"Two missing boys, one since 2002, found in Missouri". I believe in the existence of true evil, and truly evil people, in this world. Very few people qualify. In my opinion killers and kidnappers of children do.

Such people should, to borrow a line, be "decently tried, decently convicted and decently executed". Mr Devlin is one of these people. He should get no plea bargains, no insanity defenses and no delaying appeals. If he wants to be spared a trial then he can plead guilty, but he should get punished the same: Death.

I don't care how he's executed; fried, hung, shot or medicated: I consider Mr Devlins presence in this world forfeit.