Morning Whip, Mar. 25, 2010

SECTION ONE: The Word:
If You Can’t Take The Heat, Stay Out Of The Kitchen.

WARNING: UNAPPROVED, UNREGULATED, POSSIBLY DANGEROUS IDEAS AND CONCEPTS BELOW. READ FURTHER AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Let’s briefly review:
Using the IRS to force every single person in the United State to buy something because some people don’t–for whatever reason–have it = Not A Threat;

Calling a Congresscritter a piece of shit because he or she self-evidently cannot read or understand the Constitution = Threat.

I think I’ve got that straight.

This is a cynical, purposeful, Democrat political strategy, folks.

The Democrats and their media allies are, with this passive-aggressive, crocodile-tear act, actually trying to incite violence, or at least promote an “atmosphere of the threat of violence.” This will give them a pretext to crack down–literally–on the political opposition–those that advocate individual freedom and liberty, and those who simply want to be left alone to live their life the best that they can. In essence, the Democrats are actively working towards staging a modern-day Reichstag Fire, done with much, much more cunning and cynical manipulation of an already-pro-socialist Big Media press. If they can goad one of the less stable among their political opposition into starting something, well then so much the better! But make no mistake, if they can’t get a reaction out of the right, they can and will stage an incident that they will blame on the advocates of individual freedom and liberty.

We have ample evidence that one of their usual and customary tactics is the agent provocateur–infiltrating their political opposition and then throwing epithets, bricks, and otherwise trying to discredit that opposition. They are without scruple, the Democrats. Anything which furthers their particular interests is fair, wise, and true. Anything which opposes is evil, hateful, and beyond the scope of reasonable discourse.

This is a prescription for violence, as the Democrats systematically close off all possible peaceful avenues of dissent.

It is the tactic of totalitarians and tyrants.

So, if you voted Democrat in the last election, this is exactly what you voted for, whether you realized it at the time or not. You voted for naked political intolerance and the exercise of raw power overwhelming the rule of law and due process.

I hope you’re happy with the result. I also hope you never, ever come to disagree with anything your new masters choose to do to you in the future.

When that happens, just remember: we tried to warn you.

If the forces of freedom are wise, they will adopt the non-violent mass civil disobedience strategies of Gandhi–and Martin Luther King. There are still enough people of conscience in this country–Democrats, Republicans, independents, and others–who will at the last recoil when it becomes clear that those now in political power in this country are in fact tyrants. It is this greater portion of the American public–those who are not by nature political, but just want to get through the day doing the right thing more often than not–who will either save this country or allow it to slip into a gray and humorless society which will be more reminiscent of Soviet Russia than of the vibrancy we remember of the American past.

Oh, by the way, remember who said this:

“If they hit us, we’ll punch back twice as hard.”

He currently lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. Talk about inciting violence! And, actually, that did incite violence. Anybody remember Kenneth Gladney?

State-Run Media Accuses Tea Party Organizer of Terrorism For Posting Congressman’s Address [*1] — And yet there was no concern for all of the wackos congregating outside George W. Bush’s Crawford, Texas ranch. That was free speech. This is unacceptable intimidation and borderline violence. The Democrats can dish it out, but they can’t take it. And, “If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.”

The Lawn Coffin and Other Scary Bedtime Stories [*2]
Coward Russ Carnahan Pushes Bogus Tea Party Lie to Media– Claims Prayer Service With Coffin Was a Violent Threat (Updated) [*3] — “On Sunday night several members of the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition held a prayer vigil at Russ Carnahan’s office for the millions of babies that will be slaughtered under the democrat’s pro-abortion health care bill.”

Those quiet and discreet violent libertarian thugs! [*4] — “Hurling bricks through windows may be many things, but it is not libertarianism.”

2010: A Race Odyssey — Disproving a Negative for Cash Prizes or, How the Civil Rights Movement Jumped the Shark [*5] — Wherein Andrew Breitbart tells the race-baiting professional “victims” to put up or shut up . . .

Cantor: Democrats “dangerously fanning the flames” by screeching about security threats [*6] — “(Republican) Rep. Eric Cantor announced that his office has received threats for his positions on issues as well as his Jewish heritage, and that one of his offices had a window shot out . . . Cantor singled out DCCC chair Rep. Chris van Hollen for exploiting fringe threats for political gain, “fanning the flames” to “dangerous levels.”” See how easy it is to link someone who–I presume–had no connection to somebody stupid with the act of stupidity?

Right Wing Violence: Republican House Leader’s Campaign Office SHOT At Update: Cantor Viceo And Republican Congresswoman Recives Voice Mail Threat [*7] — I really, really think the left doesn’t want to get into a blow-by-blow (if you’ll forgive the violent imagery) discussion of who’s nutcases are more violent–or more influential in today’s political climate. Let’s start with unrepentant bombing conspirator, co-founder of the terrorist Weather Underground, “Guilty as Sin, Free As A Bird,” early mentor of Barack Obama, and probable “Dreams of My Fathers” ghostwriter Bill Ayers. OK. Your turn, lefties.

GOP Whip Eric Cantor’s Campaign Office Is Shot At [*8]
More on Cantor: Stop Using Threats for Political Gain, as It Encourages Violence; Democratic Spokesman Apparently Disagrees [*9] — “You be the judge. If political violence is to be denounced, but he himself won’t denounce a gun being fired into a Republican’s office, then what is the message here? Seems to be endorsing it as legitimate.”

Anger, fear, whining and inflaming [*10] — “Dissent is no longer the highest form of patriotism, folks – it’s “terrorism”. Please excuse the use of insulting language, but idiots like James Clyburn are the reason the anger in this country remains high and is still building. Loud mouth hacks like this jerk trade in fear and lies and then have the temerity to suggest that it is “terrorism” to react to their abuses by protesting. In fact, there’s nothing more American than to protest.”

Republican Jean Schmidt Receives Threats Over Health Care Stance [*11]

Let’s recall for a minute where we are, and how we got here. Under Obama and this Democratic Congress, the Federal Government has seized just about half of the entire United States economy under its direct control. There are people who are upset about this. But they’re upset about what the Democrats in Washington are doing to them, and doing to their country. The people who are upset did not start this argument.

They did not throw the first punch. They did not make the first threat.

Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action. — George Washington, First President of the United States.

The protesters are not the irresponsible ones in this continuing story.

Once again, the definition of “blithering idiotry” for the purposes of the Whip:

1) believing you know better than someone else how they should run their lives, and
2) acting on that belief, almost always to the ultimate detriment of that other person, not to mention the corruption of your own soul in the process.

And to think all I really want to be here is a silly-animal-and-other-goofy-things-story, travelogue, and rah-rah sports blog. That’s what I’d like to do, if the government would just leave me the hell alone! SECTION TWO: Things That Amuse Me:
Travel:
Continental Q&A: 787 will ‘be a game-changer,’ Cleveland is ‘important’ hub [*12]
Why Did My Connecting Flight Leave Early Without Me? (Ask Cranky) [*13]

Sports:
Tennessee putting on an offensive show in tourney [*14]
Hillman says Gordon won’t be on roster for season opener[*15]
Northern Iowa inks Jacobson to 10-year deal [*16]
USD athletic director to take Kent State job [*17]
Ritchie Price making strides at South Dakota State [*18]

Science, technology, and space:
High-Fructose Corn Syrup Prompts Considerably More Weight Gain, Researchers Find [*19]
Fusion’s ups and downs [*20]
Clearing Up Misconceptions [*21]
Introducing Cult of Mac’s 100 Top Tips And Tricks For Windows Switchers [*22] — A continuing series (they’ve made it up to #5 as of today . . . 95 to go . . .)

Miscellany (amusing things not fitting above, or below):
Map Tracks Census Participation Daily [*23]

SECTION THREE: Politics: The neverending battle against blithering idiocy:
People doing potentially good things (including sightings of politicians doing something less than totally, blitheringly idiotic):
ObamaCare: What the GOP could (but probably won’t) do now [*24]
Boehner: If we take back the House, we won’t fund ObamaCare [*25]
Conservative Blogs 100: March Ratings [*26] — Medary.com isn’t on the list. Maybe because I’m actually more of a libertarian–or a “classical liberal” if you will, than really a conservative . . .
Time Magazine Profile: Citizen Breitbart [*27]
‘Hi, I’m Pete Kesterson!’: Normal People Step Up To Take On Incumbents [*28]

The cure for blithering idiocy: freedom and individual liberty (yeah, I know–ooh, ick, philosophy!):
Americans are in a bad relationship with their government — will they break up? [*29]
The Breaking Windows Fallacy
Unlimited Semiosis and the crisis of interpretation [*30]
Change Prohibition Policy [*31]
Paul Krugman and the Consumption Myth [*32] — “Unsurprisingly, Krugman is wrong on all three points. What his argument boils down to, after wading through the myriad of contradictions that make up the majority of his writing, is the belief that our economic woes can be solved through inflation.”
The Fable of the Krugman [*33] — “No wonder that Keynesians emphasize the “circular flow” of the economy, as it fits within their circular logic.”

Politics, otherwise difficult to classify:
Why Isn’t Paul Ryan Running for Senate? [*34] — The gay-guy-backing-attractive-male-Republican-candidate thing is a curious recent development in American politics . . .
Campaigning Against Obamacare Not Enough to Secure GOP Victories This Fall [*35] — It’s not enough to be against something. The Republicans need to be for individual freedom and liberty. Every single thing they say must be tied back to that simple, quintessentially American political principle. Every. Single. Thing.
The Parable of the Satellite Dish [*36] — “Freedom requires the courage to avoid being stampeded. You should ask more questions about something you are told is an “essential right.” Sober reflection is a hallmark of maturity. A wise State would not require its citizens to act like children.”

The reality of President Obama and his entire Administration as blithering idiots:
So This Is What Change Looks Like [*37]
Comedy gold: Gibbs tries to explain why an executive order on abortion was necessary, or not [*38]
Forget All That ‘Hope’ and ‘Change’ Talk, Okay? [*39]
Just a Reminder [*40]

The reality of Washington Democrats (and Independents, and Socialists) as blithering idiots:
Pelosi: Health Care Reform Is “Model” For Future Reform Efforts (Video) [*41] — Bend Over, America. If you liked how the health care bill was passed, you’ll love how the rest of this Congressional session goes!
Soon to be Unemployed Democrat Party Hacks Play the Victim [*42]
What Was That Line About the Tree of Liberty and the Blood of Tyrants?

The current threats (assuming they are real, as I assume some of them are) are being played up in the press because the Democrats want to dampen the anger that has erupted over their adoption of a government medicine program through a series of legislative maneuvers that are in some respects unprecedented. It is important for the Democrats and their press minions to understand that there are many millions of Americans who regard Obamacare not just as misguided public policy, but as an illegitimate usurpation of power. I am one of the many millions who are outraged at the Left’s attempt to destroy the private health care system that has served my family so well, and who regard Obamacare as illegitimate.

As for the threats, we will take them more seriously if they result in the cancellation of a public appearance by a liberal due to security concerns. But that never happens to liberals, only to conservatives. It happened again last night. That was in Canada, of course; the home of government medicine and little regard for free speech. No coincidence, that.

Steny Hoyer: Members Are at Risk [*43] — At risk of unemployment, yes, very much so, Steny . . .
When Race-Baiting Fails: John Lewis’s Story Under New Scrutiny, Congressman Cleaver Pretty Much Exposed as a Liar [*44]
Call Off the Race Hustlers… The Black Caucus Members Lied [*45]

Other blithering idiots at large making life difficult for regular folks:
Thoughts On The Spurious Census[*46] — Count the people, and get out of our way . . .
If GOP is in such dire straits, how come NY Democrat wants to run for office under its banner? [*47]

Opposition Research: because blithering idiocy can be dangerous, especially when organized into idiotic groups with idiotic ideologies:
Voting For Socialism [*48] — I’m tempted to go with the old saying “calling a (card deck suit) a (card deck suit)” but then that would be (formerly really bad thing but now utterly meaningless leftist epithet meaning ‘I don’t like what you’re saying’), wouldn’t it? I suppose I’d better not.
Spinning harder: A report from the field
Liberal Organization Calls Gay Activists Neo Nazis? [*49]
Lying Liberals Target Governor Palin [*50] — “I have never seen people more intolerant, threatening, or downright nasty than far-left liberals. I deal with these people on a regular basis as they pull out all the stops in their determination to silence the opposition by any means necessary. It’s what they do. It’s who they are.” See? It’s not just me who says things like that . . . I don’t really hate the Left as much as I just feel sorry for them, them and their dim, narrow, frightful, borderline-paranoid worldview where the only salvation for mankind lies in meekly lining up to enter the slave pen, and their utter incomprehension of anyone who doesn’t feel the same way. That’s not for me. Sorry. I don’t hate them. I do however fear what they want to do to me, to you, to everyone, just so that they can feel better about themselves and the world they live in. And that’s the bottom line–they’ll do anything if they think it will make them feel better. Anything.

SECTION FOUR: Case Studies in Blithering Idiocy
“Global warming” aka “Climate change” — or should that be “Climate Reform?”:
Beck Fires Back at Cameron: Why Do You Want to Murder Global Warming Skeptics? [*51]
WUWT makes a difference – London Science Museum changes their climate change exhibit [*52]
Au Revoir, Carbon Tax [*53]
Spoofing the climate of news [*54]

Reforming health care and freeing it from the (usually) well-intended tyranny of the blithering idiots in government:
Three Reasons Health Care Reform Won’t Cut The Deficit By One Thin Dime. But Will Add Massively to it. [*55]
On Health Care, Half A Repeal Is No Repeal At All [*56]
Oops: O-Care forgets to cover young adults, children with preexisting conditions [*57] — This has been described as a “shit sandwich.” This description may understate its unpalatability.
Obama’s Health Care Fixation [*58]
Oh, by the way, O-Care lets states opt out of the individual mandate [*59] — “Alternate headline: “Confirmed: No one read the bill.””
Oh my: 62% want GOP to keep fighting ObamaCare [*60]
Boxer: Okay for Rapists To Use Taxpayer Funds to Buy Viagra [*61]
GOP Diligence Forces House Revote on Obamacare [*62]
BREAKING: Senate Parliamentarian finds in favor of GOP, Obamacare goes back to the House for another vote [*63]
GOP wins parliamentary ruling in Senate reconciliation fight [*64]
GOP Returns Pelosi’s “Christmas Present” Back to the House [*65]
Thanks Barack… Obamacare Costs Caterpillar Inc. $100 Million This Quarter [*66]
Exclusive: Steny Hoyer explains taxing Americans for lack of health insurance [*67] — “Well, actually, he doesn’t, although he should.
Repeal It! [*68] — “Has the public ever greeted passage of a major piece of legislation with this much disgust? I can’t imagine that it has. And so far, at least, there is no sign that mere passage of the bill will cause voters to look more favorably on it.”
Health Care, Hayek and Freedom [*69] — “As Hayek points out, this country was founded upon the principle that government does not have arbitrary power. The 10th amendment to our constitution clarifies that the federal government has only enumerated powers: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.” Each Congressman, Senator, and the President swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. Voting for or signing this health care bill is hard to square with such an oath.”
55% of Americans Want Obamacare Repealed; 52% Will Vote For Pro-Repeal Candidates [*70]
Rasmussen: 55% want ObamaCare repealed [*71]
Video: Who’s on first, Congressional-style [*72]

The Economy (Can the blithering idiots bring down the most productive economy the world has ever seen? Yes, They Can! Will they?):
TARP IG rips Obama economic policy on housing [*73]
How Do You Finance Crazy Levels of Government Debt When No One’s Interested In Your Bonds? [*74]
Social Security Going Broke Faster than Expected [*75]
Social Security will tip over into annual deficits … now [*76] — Boy, it sure is a good thing the Democrats passed another open-ended, never-to-be-touched Ponzi scheme of an “entitlement” to save us from the financial disaster that . . . um . . . er . . .
New jobless claims drop, but … [*77] — “Don’t pop the bubbly on the basis of this report. Jobless claims of 450,000+ doesn’t signal labor market stability at all. Generally speaking, that number has to get down to 300-325K in order to get to the break-even point of job creation, where the economy adds enough jobs to keep up with population growth. ”

Foreign affairs and National Security (Will blithering idiots get us all killed, or make us all speak Spanish–or Chinese–or Arabic–or all three?):
OH, CANADA! [*78] — “You’d have to be a real A-Houle not to anticipate that accusing a conservative of “promoting hatred” prior to her arrival on a college campus would in actuality — not in liberal fantasies of terrified Muslims cowering in terror of Mark Steyn readers — incite real-world violence toward the conservative. ”
Say “Adios” to Obama’s “National Export Initiative” [*79]

The Morning Whip is a (mostly) daily review of what’s out there that caught my attention, sometimes but not always posted before 11 am Central time in the U. S. of A., unless I just don’t feel like it that day, am out doing something more important or more fun, or I’ve been abducted, detained, arrested, or otherwise flummoxed by the agents of blithering idiotry.

I surf the Web, so you don’t have to! (which would be a trademark, but come on, who am I kidding?)

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