ONLINE readers will be charged £2 a week to read The Times and The Sunday Times on the web from June, News International announced today.
That would be the London Times, not the NYT ... just to clarify.
That's disappointing in that much of the stories on ClimateGate have been in the Times, plus other articles of interest.
So, it would be much appreciated that if you get a paid subscription, and post something you find in the Times, that you would copy/paste the story - or at least the relevant parts - so that those of us who do not have a paid subscription will know what the heck you are talking about.
Kthxbye.
Via doubleplusundead
Friday, March 26, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
November can't come soon enough!
BHO signed the "Health Care Reform" bill this morning, and that changes everything, and not for the better.
This bill, if allowed to stand by the courts, will mean that:
- the relationship between the American people and the federal government will have forever been changed, as a vast majority of us will end up being dependant upon the government, rather than our own resources, which is never good (look at France and Greece for "good" examples of what happens) ;
- over time, more and more employers will opt out of providing employer-sponsored health care for their employees, which in turn will make people clamor for a "solution to this problem" from the government, which will in turn lead to a single payer system through the government, leading to a vast swathe of the insurance industry going out of business;
- with employers being forced to provide health insurance for every employee (including part-timers) or face a fine for not doing so, many employers will simply let people go in order to lower their costs, and unemployment is too high right now (I should know, as I fall in that category right now);
- with higher unemployment, the bad economy that we are all facing now will only get worse.
To sum up, this bill needs to be repealed as soon as we can possibly do it, if the courts fail to strike it down as unconstitutional. That action won't happen today or tomorrow, and that's why I say that November can't come soon enough!
This bill, if allowed to stand by the courts, will mean that:
- the relationship between the American people and the federal government will have forever been changed, as a vast majority of us will end up being dependant upon the government, rather than our own resources, which is never good (look at France and Greece for "good" examples of what happens) ;
- over time, more and more employers will opt out of providing employer-sponsored health care for their employees, which in turn will make people clamor for a "solution to this problem" from the government, which will in turn lead to a single payer system through the government, leading to a vast swathe of the insurance industry going out of business;
- with employers being forced to provide health insurance for every employee (including part-timers) or face a fine for not doing so, many employers will simply let people go in order to lower their costs, and unemployment is too high right now (I should know, as I fall in that category right now);
- with higher unemployment, the bad economy that we are all facing now will only get worse.
To sum up, this bill needs to be repealed as soon as we can possibly do it, if the courts fail to strike it down as unconstitutional. That action won't happen today or tomorrow, and that's why I say that November can't come soon enough!
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Microsoft exec pitches Internet usage tax to pay for cybersecurity
As reported here, [a] top Microsoft executive on Tuesday suggested a broad Internet tax to help defray the costs associated with computer security breaches and vast Internet attacks, according to reports.
Speaking at a security conference in San Francisco, Microsoft Vice President for Trustworthy Computing Scott Charney pitched the Web usage fee as one way to subsidize efforts to combat emerging cyber threats -- a costly venture, he said, but one that had vast community benefits.
"You could say it's a public safety issue and do it with general taxation," Charney noted.
The guy that proposed this little wonder idea probably makes enough money that another little tax wouldn't even be noticed by him (his accountant might, but not him). Hey, Charney! Instead of levying another tax on people who are fed up to here with taxes, why doesn't your company make a product that isn't vulnerable to cyber attack?
Full disclosure here - my computer has Windows XP Pro on it, and of all of the MS operating systems I've used over the years, from the old DOS days to now, this is the best one I've used (will not go near Vista, and haven't had a chance, or the money to try Win 7 yet). But, even though I think it's a really good OS, your company is constantly having to create patches for vulnerabilities. I quit counting after the 40th patch downloaded to my computer.
Here's an idea, one you guys probably have never thought of. Instead of trying to put those hackers that keep finding holes in your products in jail, why don't you hire them to test your product before it gets shipped to market? Have them document every hole they find, so the code writers can eliminate the holes, and when everyone is done, you'll have a fairly secure product.
Oh, wait ... that's too logical for those pie-in-the-sky idiots that work across the lake from me. Never mind.
Speaking at a security conference in San Francisco, Microsoft Vice President for Trustworthy Computing Scott Charney pitched the Web usage fee as one way to subsidize efforts to combat emerging cyber threats -- a costly venture, he said, but one that had vast community benefits.
"You could say it's a public safety issue and do it with general taxation," Charney noted.
The guy that proposed this little wonder idea probably makes enough money that another little tax wouldn't even be noticed by him (his accountant might, but not him). Hey, Charney! Instead of levying another tax on people who are fed up to here with taxes, why doesn't your company make a product that isn't vulnerable to cyber attack?
Full disclosure here - my computer has Windows XP Pro on it, and of all of the MS operating systems I've used over the years, from the old DOS days to now, this is the best one I've used (will not go near Vista, and haven't had a chance, or the money to try Win 7 yet). But, even though I think it's a really good OS, your company is constantly having to create patches for vulnerabilities. I quit counting after the 40th patch downloaded to my computer.
Here's an idea, one you guys probably have never thought of. Instead of trying to put those hackers that keep finding holes in your products in jail, why don't you hire them to test your product before it gets shipped to market? Have them document every hole they find, so the code writers can eliminate the holes, and when everyone is done, you'll have a fairly secure product.
Oh, wait ... that's too logical for those pie-in-the-sky idiots that work across the lake from me. Never mind.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
A few comments on the health care "forum"
Since I currently have quite a bit of time on my hands, I've been kind of keeping tabs on the "debate" that has been going on today over health care "reform".
So far, the Repub's have been staying on message, and on specific topics per speaker. Apparently, they all got together and hashed out what each of them was going to focus on, which imo, is a splendid idea, and seems to be working quite well.
One thing that has the conservative bloggers "up in arms" is the fact that BHO and a couple other Dems spoke for around thirty minutes, but cut our guy off at less than fifteen minutes. Not fair, but at least to me, not unexpected.
One guy on our side of the "debate", Rep. Paul Ryan (who gave a clear "road map" a while ago that the Dems have been trying to denigrate) has really shone, and in the clip below, he takes BHO to the woodshed, and BHO has to just sit there and take it. Good stuff.
Via Ace.
So far, the Repub's have been staying on message, and on specific topics per speaker. Apparently, they all got together and hashed out what each of them was going to focus on, which imo, is a splendid idea, and seems to be working quite well.
One thing that has the conservative bloggers "up in arms" is the fact that BHO and a couple other Dems spoke for around thirty minutes, but cut our guy off at less than fifteen minutes. Not fair, but at least to me, not unexpected.
One guy on our side of the "debate", Rep. Paul Ryan (who gave a clear "road map" a while ago that the Dems have been trying to denigrate) has really shone, and in the clip below, he takes BHO to the woodshed, and BHO has to just sit there and take it. Good stuff.
Via Ace.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
This kind of stuff doesn't help
Disabled children -- God's punishment, lawmaker claims
Disabled children are the Lord's punishment for women who "abort the first born," a Republican state legislator from Virginia has argued in calling on state officials to eliminate state money going to Planned Parenthood.
Trying to make the case for cutting off funding to Planned Parenthood is all well and good, but this kind of stuff doesn't help, as all it does is allow the opposition to point and say, "SEE! We're right! They ARE a bunch of religious nut cases! What did we tell you?".
Sigh ...
Disabled children are the Lord's punishment for women who "abort the first born," a Republican state legislator from Virginia has argued in calling on state officials to eliminate state money going to Planned Parenthood.
Trying to make the case for cutting off funding to Planned Parenthood is all well and good, but this kind of stuff doesn't help, as all it does is allow the opposition to point and say, "SEE! We're right! They ARE a bunch of religious nut cases! What did we tell you?".
Sigh ...
State Dems ignore the will of the People
Again.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The Washington state Legislature passed a temporary suspension of Initiative 960 Monday night, just ahead of House and Senate Democrats unveiling their budget proposals.
Temporary? Supposedly until July of next year, but when did any legislature - local, state or federal - do anything that allows them to raise taxes on a temporary basis? Anyone? *crickets*
I-960 makes it harder for lawmakers to raise taxes or to close tax exemptions, which is why the Democratic majority needs it to be suspended.
Budget writers want a mix of spending cuts, tax increases and one-time fixes to fill a $2.8 billion deficit. But Initiative 960, approved in 2007, requires two-thirds approval from legislators to raise taxes - a significant hurdle compared with the simple majority needed to pass other measures.
We passed that Initiative for a reason. That reason is that our state legislature is in the habit of spending too much of our money on things that very often do not work, and the Dems don't like not being able to spend OUR money as they see fit - kind of like Congress on the federal level.
"This is just the beginning," said Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood. "This is the catalyst that will be used to raise all sorts of taxes."
That's right. Because the Dems hold both state houses, and the governorship, we in Washington State can expect that not only will our taxes go up, but that "temporary" thing? It'll become permanent, as the state Dems ignore the will of the People of the State of Washington.
Again.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The Washington state Legislature passed a temporary suspension of Initiative 960 Monday night, just ahead of House and Senate Democrats unveiling their budget proposals.
Temporary? Supposedly until July of next year, but when did any legislature - local, state or federal - do anything that allows them to raise taxes on a temporary basis? Anyone? *crickets*
I-960 makes it harder for lawmakers to raise taxes or to close tax exemptions, which is why the Democratic majority needs it to be suspended.
Budget writers want a mix of spending cuts, tax increases and one-time fixes to fill a $2.8 billion deficit. But Initiative 960, approved in 2007, requires two-thirds approval from legislators to raise taxes - a significant hurdle compared with the simple majority needed to pass other measures.
We passed that Initiative for a reason. That reason is that our state legislature is in the habit of spending too much of our money on things that very often do not work, and the Dems don't like not being able to spend OUR money as they see fit - kind of like Congress on the federal level.
"This is just the beginning," said Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood. "This is the catalyst that will be used to raise all sorts of taxes."
That's right. Because the Dems hold both state houses, and the governorship, we in Washington State can expect that not only will our taxes go up, but that "temporary" thing? It'll become permanent, as the state Dems ignore the will of the People of the State of Washington.
Again.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Just a brief PSA
It's almost Census time again, folks, and although the Census Bureau has stated that the questionnaire is much shorter this year (10 questions), Walter E. Williams over at TownHall reminds us of what the Census is for (determining the number of people in the country, so that the proper number of seats in the House can be apportioned, as well as how Electoral votes each state gets), and what the government can legally require you to answer (your name, and how many people live where you do). Anything else they ask is none of the governments business.
I don't know about you, but the only things I'm going to fully answer (as far as the government is concerned, that is) is what my name is, and how many people live with me. For all other questions, the answer will be "NOYB" (none of your business).
If you're at all unsure of what to do, read the article, and ponder what Mr. Williams has said.
H/T specialrpt posting at quicknews.
I don't know about you, but the only things I'm going to fully answer (as far as the government is concerned, that is) is what my name is, and how many people live with me. For all other questions, the answer will be "NOYB" (none of your business).
If you're at all unsure of what to do, read the article, and ponder what Mr. Williams has said.
H/T specialrpt posting at quicknews.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Clinton: Iran is becoming a military dictatorship
Took ya long enough to figure that one out ... sheesh!
The fact that it takes Dems soooooooooo long to figure this stuff out truly amazes me. Of course, when you have your head buried in the sand, it does cut off any oxygen, so I guess I shouldn't be all that surprised, eh?
Morons.
The fact that it takes Dems soooooooooo long to figure this stuff out truly amazes me. Of course, when you have your head buried in the sand, it does cut off any oxygen, so I guess I shouldn't be all that surprised, eh?
Morons.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
RIP Nodar Kumaritashvili
As reported here, Nodar Kumaritashvili, Olympic luger from the country of Georgia, died Friday during a practice run when he lost control of his sled.
My heart goes out to his family, and to the other members of the team from Georgia. May you rest in peace, Nodar.
My heart goes out to his family, and to the other members of the team from Georgia. May you rest in peace, Nodar.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Murtha dead at 77
Pennsylvania's 12th District Representative, John Murtha - D, has died from complications following his gall bladder surgery.
Now, before anyone confuses me with someone who actually liked "ABSCAM Jack" check out the video here - this is one way how we should remember him. The other way is the man who made false accusations against the Marines (falsely) accused of "war crimes" in Haditha.
Now, before anyone confuses me with someone who actually liked "ABSCAM Jack" check out the video here - this is one way how we should remember him. The other way is the man who made false accusations against the Marines (falsely) accused of "war crimes" in Haditha.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Senator-elect Brown to be sworn in today
As reported here, Republican Scoot Brown is poised to take over the late Sen. Edward Kennedy's long-held seat a week earlier than he had planned, ending the Democrats' supermajority and giving the GOP 41 votes they can use to block President Barack Obama's agenda.
A swearing-in ceremony was set for 5 p.m. Thursday for the little-known Massachusetts state senator who shocked the nation with his upset victory last month over a favored Democrat and put the 2010 midterm elections in play for a possible GOP takeover of Congress. Originally, Brown had said he did not want to be sworn in until Feb. 11.
His victory rocked Democrats, and put a dagger in Obama's health care overhaul just as it was nearing the finish line and catapulted Brown onto the national stage.
A couple of things here. One - and this is important, so pay attention - is that the seat the late Sen. Kennedy occupied for almost 50 years was never his - it has always been, and will remain, the seat of the people of Massachusetts, no matter who happens to occupy it, ok? That should be easy enough to understand, even for an AP reporter, so I'm glad I could clear that up for you.
Two, the 2010 midterms are definitely in play, and there are even more "dagger" wielders out there who will put an even bigger dent in the number of seats the Democrats currently hold, and you can take that to the bank!
A swearing-in ceremony was set for 5 p.m. Thursday for the little-known Massachusetts state senator who shocked the nation with his upset victory last month over a favored Democrat and put the 2010 midterm elections in play for a possible GOP takeover of Congress. Originally, Brown had said he did not want to be sworn in until Feb. 11.
His victory rocked Democrats, and put a dagger in Obama's health care overhaul just as it was nearing the finish line and catapulted Brown onto the national stage.
A couple of things here. One - and this is important, so pay attention - is that the seat the late Sen. Kennedy occupied for almost 50 years was never his - it has always been, and will remain, the seat of the people of Massachusetts, no matter who happens to occupy it, ok? That should be easy enough to understand, even for an AP reporter, so I'm glad I could clear that up for you.
Two, the 2010 midterms are definitely in play, and there are even more "dagger" wielders out there who will put an even bigger dent in the number of seats the Democrats currently hold, and you can take that to the bank!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Economics 101
As in fiscal responsibility - something we should all (especially the government!) strive to learn and adopt for our daily lives.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Never forget!
On this date eight years ago, this nation was shocked to it's core by a suicide attack perpetrated by members of the Islamic terrorist group Al-Qaida. Since then, largely due to the efforts of thousands of men and women in various branches of the government, we have thankfully not suffered a repeat attack, even though Al-Qaida has tried to do so over and over and over again.
We have one man that we can thank for exhibiting true leadership in keeping our nation safe, and that is former President George W. Bush. Without his decisiveness in the fight against radical Islamic terrorism, I do not know if we would have avoided another attack, or even multiple attacks. To President Bush I say a heartfelt thank you for doing what you knew had to be done, regardless of the personal cost you knew you were going to pay.
To those thousands of men and women in the various branches of government, both civilian and military, who have fought the good fight to keep America safe, I also say thank you. You will never know how much what you have done, and are still doing, means to me and countless others who are able to continue living their daily lives in our great nation.
To those families who lost loved ones on that fateful day in 2001, my heart goes out to you yet again, as we observe - both publicly and privately - a national day of mourning. I also want to say thank you for fighting to ensure that proper memorials to the events of that day, and the lives lost, are erected in New York City, Washington DC, and that lonely field in Pennsylvania.
To the first responders who put their lives on the line that day - with many also losing their lives in the line of duty that day - to the cops, firefighters, EMT's and other medical personnel, and ordinary citizens who felt compelled to do something to help, I also want to say thank you for your selflessness and your bravery. There aren't many who would have done what you did, and that makes you a special breed, and we are all truly blessed that such folks as you step up and move forward when others fall back.
To continue to honor those directly involved in this tragedy, and as a reminder of what could happen again, I call on all Americans to never forget!
We have one man that we can thank for exhibiting true leadership in keeping our nation safe, and that is former President George W. Bush. Without his decisiveness in the fight against radical Islamic terrorism, I do not know if we would have avoided another attack, or even multiple attacks. To President Bush I say a heartfelt thank you for doing what you knew had to be done, regardless of the personal cost you knew you were going to pay.
To those thousands of men and women in the various branches of government, both civilian and military, who have fought the good fight to keep America safe, I also say thank you. You will never know how much what you have done, and are still doing, means to me and countless others who are able to continue living their daily lives in our great nation.
To those families who lost loved ones on that fateful day in 2001, my heart goes out to you yet again, as we observe - both publicly and privately - a national day of mourning. I also want to say thank you for fighting to ensure that proper memorials to the events of that day, and the lives lost, are erected in New York City, Washington DC, and that lonely field in Pennsylvania.
To the first responders who put their lives on the line that day - with many also losing their lives in the line of duty that day - to the cops, firefighters, EMT's and other medical personnel, and ordinary citizens who felt compelled to do something to help, I also want to say thank you for your selflessness and your bravery. There aren't many who would have done what you did, and that makes you a special breed, and we are all truly blessed that such folks as you step up and move forward when others fall back.
To continue to honor those directly involved in this tragedy, and as a reminder of what could happen again, I call on all Americans to never forget!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Patient Choice Act
If this was what the current administration had proposed, instead of their fast road down a slippery slope to a single-payer system (which is their ultimate goal - just ask Barney Frank!), I would have been on board in a heart beat.
This plan seems fair, and seeks to *not* add to the deficit while still providing that all Americans get affordable health care insurance tailored to their specific needs - as opposed to the Obamaniac's reckless push to both get this country to a single-payer system, and bankrupt us.
However, don't hold your breath waiting for Congress as a whole to jump on board with this. Why not? Two reasons:
1. It was not proposed by the NSDWP* (aka Dems), therefore it isn't worth considering;
2. It gives power to the People, which this administration is adamantly opposed to, as power equals control. If the People have control, then that means that the government doesn't, and that will never, ever, do.
*National Socialist Democratic Workers Party (which originally raised it's ugly head in 1930's Germany)
H/T conservative67
This plan seems fair, and seeks to *not* add to the deficit while still providing that all Americans get affordable health care insurance tailored to their specific needs - as opposed to the Obamaniac's reckless push to both get this country to a single-payer system, and bankrupt us.
However, don't hold your breath waiting for Congress as a whole to jump on board with this. Why not? Two reasons:
1. It was not proposed by the NSDWP* (aka Dems), therefore it isn't worth considering;
2. It gives power to the People, which this administration is adamantly opposed to, as power equals control. If the People have control, then that means that the government doesn't, and that will never, ever, do.
*National Socialist Democratic Workers Party (which originally raised it's ugly head in 1930's Germany)
H/T conservative67
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Poll: Americans losing confidence in Obama
As reported here, [a] new poll says that Americans, concerned over the future of health care reform and anxious about the growing federal budget deficit, are losing faith in President Barack Obama.
The Washington Post-ABC News survey found that less that half of Americans - 49 percent - say they believe the president will make the right decisions for the country. That's down from 60 percent at the 100-day mark of the Obama presidency.
The poll published Friday says Obama's overall approval is 57 percent, 12 points lower than it was at its peak in April. Fifty-three percent disapprove of the way he's handling the budget deficit and his approval on health care continues to deteriorate.
The national survey was conducted Aug. 13-17 and has a sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points.
Looks like at least some of the "52ers" are finally starting to wake up. All I can say is, it's about time.
The Washington Post-ABC News survey found that less that half of Americans - 49 percent - say they believe the president will make the right decisions for the country. That's down from 60 percent at the 100-day mark of the Obama presidency.
The poll published Friday says Obama's overall approval is 57 percent, 12 points lower than it was at its peak in April. Fifty-three percent disapprove of the way he's handling the budget deficit and his approval on health care continues to deteriorate.
The national survey was conducted Aug. 13-17 and has a sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points.
Looks like at least some of the "52ers" are finally starting to wake up. All I can say is, it's about time.
Nickels bows out
As reported here, [w]ith his re-election prospects dimming by the day, Mayor Greg Nickels conceded Friday morning that he had lost the primary election. It's a stunning defeat for the two-term incumbent.
And, I might add, richly deserved.
"I think the people of Seattle have decided it's time for a new generation of leadership," he said at a morning announcement and news conference.
Gee ... what was your first clue, Sherlock?
His decision to bow out means Seattleites in November will choose between two men most had never heard of six months ago: businessman Joe Mallahan and environmentalist Michael McGinn. Both have spent months attacking the unpopular Nickels.
He made it easy for them to verbally attack him, with his blunders (see below) and arrogant style of "leadership".
Among his accomplishments, he mentioned light rail, the Lake Union streetcar and an agreement to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
Light rail - an expensive (and getting more so each day) boondoggle. Years ago, the city built a transit tunnel under the downtown core, and laid tracks for the future development of light rail. Guess what? The tracks were the wrong width, and had to ripped out and re-laid, because by the time the city finally got around to choosing which light rail system they were going to purchase, no one was making anything that ran on the width of tracks originally laid down.
The Lake Union streetcar - also known as the SLUT (for South Lake Union Transit), which no one thought about (the acronym) before they named it, and announced it to the public. I don't know what the ridership figures are for it, but when I see it in the mornings, during peak commute time, there might only be one person on it - the driver.
The agreement to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct - the only thing I've ever agreed with him on, and that took EIGHT YEARS to come to. The Viaduct was severely damaged during the Nisqually earthquake back in 2001, and has been settling ever since. When (not if) the next big earthquake comes along - if they don't get this project going SOON! - the Viaduct will come crashing down. Makes me wonder how many people in the approximately 110,000 vehicles that use that road on a daily basis will die.
"I think there were dozens of issues on which I lost votes. The thing about being mayor is you have to make decisions …. Eventually you get to make everybody unhappy … but at the end of the day you have to make decisions or you're not doing your job."
Let me count the ways you made all of unhappy, Greg ...
- Seattle Sonics being allowed to go to Oklahoma City.
- $25.00 head tax, charged to businesses for each employee. Gee, nice way to encourage businesses to come here, Greg.
- Light rail - see above.
- Twenty cent bag tax (which was recently defeated) on plastic and/or paper bags from grocery, drug, and convenience stores.
- So-called "Urban Villages" concept, where people would live near where they worked, so they wouldn't drive their cars (See $25.00 head tax above).
- SLUT - see above.
- Christmas 2008 snow storm, where the people of Seattle were left to fend for themselves because the city didn't know how to plow the friggin' streets (I personally lost two weeks of work because of that!).
- Deteriorating streets in the city. There are potholes everywhere - you simply cannot avoid them. Nickels solution? Charge a per-space tax on parking lots (another "business friendly" move) to raise revenue for repairing roads. Only problem with this is, people aren't using the parking lots in the numbers Greg expected (hoped?), and so revenue from this tax is way down from projected numbers. Oh, and where is the money going that is being generated? Well, from the conditions of the streets around here, it obviously isn't going into street repair! So, where is it going, Greg?
- Nickelsville (aka Tent City) - homeless folks who are forced to pick up and move every few months, while they try to eke out a living, and get back on their feet. A little background, before someone goes off half cocked about these folks. Everyone that is allowed to stay in Tent City is background checked to bar anyone with a violent criminal history, and no alcoholics or drug users are allowed; they are people, who for the most part, do have jobs but don't make enough to be able to get housing; and from all reports that I've read, all of them are in the position they're in through no fault of their own - life circumstances simply overwhelmed them, forcing them out of where they used to live. They are ordinary folks like you and me, who are in unfortunate straights.
I could go on ... and on ... and on ... but space is limited, so I'll leave it with those examples, which, I think, suffice for now.
Unlike his predecessor, Paul Schell, there were no huge gaffes during Nickels' two terms.
Oopsy! Go back, and read my short list above, ok?
Nickels and Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis were criticized for being too dictatorial ...
And the number one reason why? Because they were! Not only to the people who work under them, but to the citizens of Seattle as well.
I, for one, am glad to see that Greg Nickels will no longer be the Mayor of the City of Seattle.
And, I might add, richly deserved.
"I think the people of Seattle have decided it's time for a new generation of leadership," he said at a morning announcement and news conference.
Gee ... what was your first clue, Sherlock?
His decision to bow out means Seattleites in November will choose between two men most had never heard of six months ago: businessman Joe Mallahan and environmentalist Michael McGinn. Both have spent months attacking the unpopular Nickels.
He made it easy for them to verbally attack him, with his blunders (see below) and arrogant style of "leadership".
Among his accomplishments, he mentioned light rail, the Lake Union streetcar and an agreement to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
Light rail - an expensive (and getting more so each day) boondoggle. Years ago, the city built a transit tunnel under the downtown core, and laid tracks for the future development of light rail. Guess what? The tracks were the wrong width, and had to ripped out and re-laid, because by the time the city finally got around to choosing which light rail system they were going to purchase, no one was making anything that ran on the width of tracks originally laid down.
The Lake Union streetcar - also known as the SLUT (for South Lake Union Transit), which no one thought about (the acronym) before they named it, and announced it to the public. I don't know what the ridership figures are for it, but when I see it in the mornings, during peak commute time, there might only be one person on it - the driver.
The agreement to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct - the only thing I've ever agreed with him on, and that took EIGHT YEARS to come to. The Viaduct was severely damaged during the Nisqually earthquake back in 2001, and has been settling ever since. When (not if) the next big earthquake comes along - if they don't get this project going SOON! - the Viaduct will come crashing down. Makes me wonder how many people in the approximately 110,000 vehicles that use that road on a daily basis will die.
"I think there were dozens of issues on which I lost votes. The thing about being mayor is you have to make decisions …. Eventually you get to make everybody unhappy … but at the end of the day you have to make decisions or you're not doing your job."
Let me count the ways you made all of unhappy, Greg ...
- Seattle Sonics being allowed to go to Oklahoma City.
- $25.00 head tax, charged to businesses for each employee. Gee, nice way to encourage businesses to come here, Greg.
- Light rail - see above.
- Twenty cent bag tax (which was recently defeated) on plastic and/or paper bags from grocery, drug, and convenience stores.
- So-called "Urban Villages" concept, where people would live near where they worked, so they wouldn't drive their cars (See $25.00 head tax above).
- SLUT - see above.
- Christmas 2008 snow storm, where the people of Seattle were left to fend for themselves because the city didn't know how to plow the friggin' streets (I personally lost two weeks of work because of that!).
- Deteriorating streets in the city. There are potholes everywhere - you simply cannot avoid them. Nickels solution? Charge a per-space tax on parking lots (another "business friendly" move) to raise revenue for repairing roads. Only problem with this is, people aren't using the parking lots in the numbers Greg expected (hoped?), and so revenue from this tax is way down from projected numbers. Oh, and where is the money going that is being generated? Well, from the conditions of the streets around here, it obviously isn't going into street repair! So, where is it going, Greg?
- Nickelsville (aka Tent City) - homeless folks who are forced to pick up and move every few months, while they try to eke out a living, and get back on their feet. A little background, before someone goes off half cocked about these folks. Everyone that is allowed to stay in Tent City is background checked to bar anyone with a violent criminal history, and no alcoholics or drug users are allowed; they are people, who for the most part, do have jobs but don't make enough to be able to get housing; and from all reports that I've read, all of them are in the position they're in through no fault of their own - life circumstances simply overwhelmed them, forcing them out of where they used to live. They are ordinary folks like you and me, who are in unfortunate straights.
I could go on ... and on ... and on ... but space is limited, so I'll leave it with those examples, which, I think, suffice for now.
Unlike his predecessor, Paul Schell, there were no huge gaffes during Nickels' two terms.
Oopsy! Go back, and read my short list above, ok?
Nickels and Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis were criticized for being too dictatorial ...
And the number one reason why? Because they were! Not only to the people who work under them, but to the citizens of Seattle as well.
I, for one, am glad to see that Greg Nickels will no longer be the Mayor of the City of Seattle.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Political columnist Robert Novak dies at 78
As reported here, [p]olitical columnist Robert Novak, a conservative, pugilistic debater and proud owner of the "Prince of Darkness" moniker, died Tuesday after a battle with brain cancer that was diagnosed in July 2008. He was 78.
His wife of 47 years, Geraldine Novak, told The Associated Press that he died at his home in Washington early in the morning.
The Conservative movement has lost a man who, although he at times disagreed with various Republican policies, was deeply patriotic, caring for this great nation of ours - what it stood for, and what it was doing, both domestically and internationally. Robert Novak was not merely a journalist with a Conservative bent, he was a giant among men.
RIP, Mr. Novak. You will be missed.
His wife of 47 years, Geraldine Novak, told The Associated Press that he died at his home in Washington early in the morning.
The Conservative movement has lost a man who, although he at times disagreed with various Republican policies, was deeply patriotic, caring for this great nation of ours - what it stood for, and what it was doing, both domestically and internationally. Robert Novak was not merely a journalist with a Conservative bent, he was a giant among men.
RIP, Mr. Novak. You will be missed.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Happy Independence Day
Today marks the 233rd anniversary of the birth of the greatest nation on this planet. I feel truly blessed to be a citizen of this country, able to enjoy the freedoms our forefathers fought so valiantly for.
Be safe, and have a wonderful day as we all celebrate today.
Happy Birthday, America!
Be safe, and have a wonderful day as we all celebrate today.
Happy Birthday, America!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Thoughts on Iran
I've been watching the goings on in Iran with some interest, and have been inspired by the way the Iranian people are standing up to the theocratic dictators as they demand their freedom. The reaction of the theocratic thugs has been predictable - beatings, using water cannons, arrests, and yes, even killings.
For years now, our government administration (both Democrat and Republican) has been urging the Iranian people to rise up, and now that they have, what is our current administration doing? Nothing. Apparently government run universal health care is more important at the moment, as Charles Krauthammer notes here. Iran is ripe for the plucking right now - the plucking from the hands of the dictators the fundamental individual rights of freedom for the Iranian people - and the idiot "in charge" here is in so far over his head that he has no idea what an opportunity for real "Hope and Change" is laid out before him. Disgusting.
As I've been watching what has been happening in Iran, one thing has struck me as quite amazing. The Iranian women. They are considered second class citizens in present Iranian culture (fostered and enforced by the theocratic thugs in power), and yet it is they who are, many times, in the forefront of the protests. Minus their hijabs (head coverings), I might add. They have the most to lose by putting themselves in the forefront, yet they also have the most to gain - their personal freedom from the tyranny of the theocratic thugs.
Let us hope that those who are rising up will prevail in their quest for freedom, and not the thugs who want to suppress them.
H/T for the Charles Krauthammer link - specialrpt, posting in quicknews.
For years now, our government administration (both Democrat and Republican) has been urging the Iranian people to rise up, and now that they have, what is our current administration doing? Nothing. Apparently government run universal health care is more important at the moment, as Charles Krauthammer notes here. Iran is ripe for the plucking right now - the plucking from the hands of the dictators the fundamental individual rights of freedom for the Iranian people - and the idiot "in charge" here is in so far over his head that he has no idea what an opportunity for real "Hope and Change" is laid out before him. Disgusting.
As I've been watching what has been happening in Iran, one thing has struck me as quite amazing. The Iranian women. They are considered second class citizens in present Iranian culture (fostered and enforced by the theocratic thugs in power), and yet it is they who are, many times, in the forefront of the protests. Minus their hijabs (head coverings), I might add. They have the most to lose by putting themselves in the forefront, yet they also have the most to gain - their personal freedom from the tyranny of the theocratic thugs.
Let us hope that those who are rising up will prevail in their quest for freedom, and not the thugs who want to suppress them.
H/T for the Charles Krauthammer link - specialrpt, posting in quicknews.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day
Today, we observe the day set aside to honor our fallen heroes, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, from past and present wars. With that in mind, I present to you the music of the various branches.
As you go about your activities today, please remember that the reason we are able to freely go about those activities is due to the sacrifice, and on this day specifically the ultimate sacrifice, of those who have worn the uniforms of our great nation.
US Air Force
US Army
US Marine Corps
US Navy
As you go about your activities today, please remember that the reason we are able to freely go about those activities is due to the sacrifice, and on this day specifically the ultimate sacrifice, of those who have worn the uniforms of our great nation.
US Air Force
US Army
US Marine Corps
US Navy
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