liberty · equality · eternity

Sometimes you just can’t win.

I’ve got a thingie (I know, who doesn’t?) that tracks episodes of my favourite television shows.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t say that a show is canceled until the final episode airs, the case with “Dollhouse,” last aired on 28 January.  News of its demise was reported in early November, so how did my web news services miss it?!  I know that Simon Crowbar is leaving the Fox talent-scout show and I really, really do not care.

I guess when I learned of the decision doesn’t matter, but it is surprising.  I mean, a Joss Whedon series on Fox, starring Eliza Dushku.  Cancellation is unprecedented.

As far as delays go, and they go farley, I’m still awaiting the new Fefe Dobson album’s release.  Not “Sunday Love,” lost in the Bermuda Triangle, but “Joy.”  The single came out around 15 July 2009, the same time as “She Wolf,” from Shakira’s already-released disc.  So where is “Joy?”  I could make a crack about being without Joy, but that’s too easy.  I’m still awaiting the 2009 Fefe Dobson calendar I ordered last year.  Something tells me I may never get it.

I want you, Fefe!

Finally, the next year on this blog will be advertising-free.  It costs roughly 60¢ a week, but you’re worth it.  The advertising was unobtrusive.  Still, it suggests that the products or services are endorsed by this blog.  No advertising is our way of saying “thank you” to our readers.

Sometimes you can win.

Obama Girl (Amber Lee Ettinger) has been in the media, saying she’s a bit disappointed in the President, giving him a “B-minus” grade. She is still hopeful. Maybe if he invites her for a beer.

Queasy at the thought of watching the “State of the Union,” I resorted to reading the NY Times’s transcript. I won’t rehash the topics beaten to pulp by the media. At least that was my intention.

The State of the Union has become another political exercise, which may have served a purpose decades ago. With constant coverage of politics and daily speeches by the President, it seems unnecessary, certainly not worth preempting “Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld” for. Besides which, it is more a want list than a report. I saw Obama introduce his budget this morning, and it sounded like he lifted portions of the State presentation almost word-for-word.

As we heard, Obama castigated the Supreme Court for quashing a provision of the McCain-Feingold bill, although he misrepresented its significance. I recall his agreeing to finance limits during his campaign. Until he began raising more money than the other candidates, when he said forget the limits, promising that he would fix the law to make it fairer after he was elected. Maybe in his second term, should that occur.

Obama said, “Our union is strong.” He should have stopped there. “In this new decade, it’s time the American people get a government that matches their decency; that embodies their strength.”

That’s hard to object to, even harder to believe. I’m reading Michelle Malkin’s book, The Culture of Corruption, detailing the indecency of members of the Obama administration, beginning with Joe Biden and former Senator Obama.

The speech mirrored Obama’s creative approach to the truth, as when he said, “…if we had allowed the meltdown of the financial system, unemployment might be double what it is today. More businesses would certainly have closed. More homes would have surely been lost.” That’s speculation. More accurately, he might have noted that his stimulus was supposed to restrain unemployment at 8%, not 10%.

“Because of the steps we took, there are about two million Americans working right now who would otherwise be unemployed.” Again, that might be the case, but might does not make him right.

[Glenn Beck pointed out that Obama lied several times in the address.  O'Reilly said he doesn't like that 'L' word. So much for no-spin.]

Fascinating to me, and others who recently saw a report by John Stossel on Crony Capitalism, Obama said, “Talk to the window manufacturer in Philadelphia who said he used to be skeptical about the Recovery Act, until he had to add two more work shifts just because of the business it created.” This would be Serious Materials, whose windows were endorsed by Obama and Biden. They received a special tax credit. Coincidentally, their vice-president of Policy is married to Cathy Zoi, head of the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, which awarded the tax break. Stossel ended his report noting that the promised jobs have yet to materialise. Oh well.

“People are out of work. They’re hurting. They need our help. And I want a jobs bill on my desk without delay.” If you believe the government can create jobs, you probably voted for Arnold Schwarzenegger. His promised jobs failed to appear as well.

“…it means passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill with incentives that will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy in America. (Applause.)” Sure. The Times should have timed the applause by the Congressional dimwits. The president’s party always applaud furiously and give standing ovations, making the home viewer wonder if they’ve got gas or are inhaling it.

“So tonight, we set a new goal: We will double our exports over the next five years, an increase that will support two million jobs in America. (Applause.)” The only government export is wars. Industry export goods, as a byproduct of making or growing things.  Government only get in the way.

Then the President mentioned education, which has deteriorated in proportion to the amount of Federal funding increases. (Not what he said.) “To make college more affordable, this bill will finally end the unwarranted taxpayer subsidies that go to banks for student loans. (Applause.) Instead, let’s take that money and give families a $10,000 tax credit for four years of college and increase Pell Grants. (Applause.) And let’s tell another one million students that when they graduate, they will be required to pay only 10 percent of their income on student loans, and all of their debt will be forgiven after 20 years — and forgiven after 10 years if they choose a career in public service, because in the United States of America, no one should go broke because they chose to go to college. (Applause.)”

Lovely! Colleges have learned to increase tuition as more money becomes available. There is no evidence that a college degree assures a better job, making its cost absurd. Instead of forgiving loans, colleges should be held accountable. If they can’t help a graduate get a lucrative job, she should get a refund. Remember, many of those millions currently unemployed are college graduates.

First health care, now college is a “right.”

He touched briefly on health care, beginning with the “epidemic of childhood obesity.” I believe it was Nick Gillespie who recently observed (also on the John Stossel programme on FBN) that obesity is not contagious, so it is not an epidemic. I’m not sure how to develop lighter children, but I am sure the government haven’t a clue. Nor have they a right be involved.

On Obamacare, he insisted it was unpopular because he didn’t explain it better. In my humble opinion, the more Americans understood it, the more they loathed it.  As far as the lobbying and horse-trading, he forgot it was Democrats who needed arm-twisting and bribes to support the supposed reform. Even then it floundered.

Probably his most disingenuous statement (lie): “But if anyone from either party has a better approach that will bring down premiums, bring down the deficit, cover the uninsured, strengthen Medicare for seniors, and stop insurance company abuses, let me know.” I’ve seen and heard many proposals, several of which seem more effective than anything in Obamacare, which won’t solve most of the problems he defines. He should pay attention.

In Obama’s world, health care costs caused the deficit, banks caused the financial crisis, while government spending and policies are panaceas. Fact is that a huge portion of the deficit does come from health care, the portion managed by the government, especially Medicare. Government policies contributed to the financial meltdown, particularly their refusal to reign in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, who have been excluded from the harsh treatment promised to real banks, and promised more money.

On the deficit, Obama said, “At the beginning of the last decade, the year 2000, America had a budget surplus of over $200 billion.” He loves repeating that, but it is misleading at best. First, it was a surplus for that fiscal year. The enormous deficit did not evaporate. Second, government accounting ignores vast swaths of debt, including Social Security liabilities. Yes, spending has increased at a frightening pace, particularly in 2009.

Obama’s solution: a spending freeze in 2011, after the 2010 election, with plenty of pork now to help faltering incumbents. “Let’s try common sense. (Laughter.) A novel concept.” Yes, let’s! Make Glenn Beck an adviser.

Then he discussed Trust. “That’s why we’ve excluded lobbyists from policymaking jobs, or seats on federal boards and commissions.” Really? Read Michelle Malkin or the daily newspaper. Lobbyists reign in the current administration.

“But what frustrates the American people is a Washington where every day is Election Day. We can’t wage a perpetual campaign where the only goal is to see who can get the most embarrassing headlines about the other side — a belief that if you lose, I win. Neither party should delay or obstruct every single bill just because they can. The confirmation of… (applause) I’m speaking to both parties now. The confirmation of well-qualified public servants shouldn’t be held hostage to the pet projects or grudges of a few individual senators. (Applause.)” So absurd, I am at a loss for words.

“And if the Republican leadership is going to insist that 60 votes in the Senate are required to do any business at all in this town — a supermajority — then the responsibility to govern is now yours as well. (Applause.) Just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it’s not leadership. We were sent here to serve our citizens, not our ambitions.” If the proposals are shitty, saying “no” seems sensible. It was the Democratic wing that excluded Republicans by using their 60 vote “nuclear option” to end any discussion of, or amendments to, their insane bills. Remember, delay was unacceptable.

Foreign policy. “And as Iran’s leaders continue to ignore their obligations, there should be no doubt: They, too, will face growing consequences. That is a promise. (Applause.)” An Obama promise? Now I feel safe.

“We have gone from a bystander to a leader in the fight against climate change.” Note that he has switched from global warming to the more ridiculous proposition of governments preventing the climate from changing. Talk about overreaching!

“We find unity in our incredible diversity, drawing on the promise enshrined in our Constitution: the notion that we’re all created equal; that no matter who you are or what you look like, if you abide by the law you should be protected by it; if you adhere to our common values you should be treated no different than anyone else.” A lovely sentiment. However, it is the Declaration of Independence which says all men are created equal. Not really surprising that the President is fuzzy on the Constitution he swore to uphold.

Hate crimes? “We finally strengthened our laws to protect against crimes driven by hate. (Applause.)” Now it applies to everyone who commits “hate” crimes, except Islamic terrorists, who can hate and kill at will.

Finally, and even more egregious than the Supreme insult, he slammed MSNBC, saying, “The more that TV pundits reduce serious debates to silly arguments, big issues into sound bites, our citizens turn away.” That seems harsh. What happened to the free speech actually enshrined in our Constitution? Sure the pundits can be silly, but the politicians have them beat by a trillion miles.

The two enemies of the people are criminals and government,
so let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution
so the second will not become the legalized version of the first.
— Thomas Jefferson

Beck featured the statement above on today’s programme. I knew I’d written something similar, turns out equating the IRS with terrorists.  Happily for him, Jefferson didn’t have to deal with the IRS.

“We don’t quit. We’re full of shit.”

Yes, boys and girls, it’s another communication from the DSCC’s JB Poersch. Let’s share it, shall we. [Excerpts with gt comments bracketed.]

Isn’t freedom wonderful.

I haven’t seen the entire State-of-the Union address yet, but here is the Libertarian Party response, in case your local news outlet missed it.

Watching “NCIS” last night, I wondered why it’s not letterboxed, like many fine programmes.  The DirecTV dvr recorded the first half only, for some reason, so I watched the remainder on the CBS web site, where it was wide screen.   Even better, they had the actual credits at the end, with the theme, not that obnoxious split-screen garbage.  I may watch “NCIS” on the computer from now on.

Still mastering the new dvr.  Friday it omitted Beck’s special on mass murderers.  It records Beck every time he’s on, even if it’s a repeat.  For some reason, not this time.

Megyn (right) with Julie Bandaras

At Fox News, Megyn Kelly returns from her leave as host of “The Live Desk with Megyn Kelly.”  Kelly is one of the brightest anchors on television, and she’s tough enough to tackle Bill O’Reilly.  Her show should be excellent.  Martha MacCallum replaces Megyn on “America’s Newsroom with Bill Hemmer and Martha MacCallum.”   She always seems so cheerful, that pairing works well.

Martha

And what’s happening with DVDs?  I guess so many web venues make a hard copy seem superfluous.  Still, there are always hard-to-get titles.  You can’t keep watching “Spiderman.”  Well, maybe you can.  In Safeway, sealed DVDs are $6.99, including season 2 of “Veronica Mars,” much less than I paid for it.  I’m not complaining, just observing.  Or maybe I’m grumpy because the President’s speech preempted “Red Eye.”  Again.

“Almost anyone would be better than Mr. Bernanke.”
— Arthur B Laffer
in the Wall Street Journal, 26 Jan 10

American politicians are entertaining. Asked to comment on the decision killing a provision in the McCain-Feingold bill, Senator Sessions of Alabama said that the Supreme Court is going back to a “classic interpretation” of the Constitution.

Those decrying the decision say it will encourage money to return to politics, which would make sense, if money wasn’t there already.  There is a way to reduce the money spent on elections: have the government mind their own business.  When every aspect of commerce is regulated, subsidised and infected by government, businesses, unions and other interest groups will want to buy influence.

Maybe the Supreme Court should return to a classic interpretation of Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (The Commerce Clause).

Robert Gibbs at press conferences is unimpressive.  Yesterday he faced Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday” and rose to the occasion.  The White House Press Secretary was spinning like a top around Wallace’s incisive questions.  On Bernanke, Gibbs recounted all the support for re-confirming that putz.  One publication cited was The Wall Street Journal, surprising regular readers.  Sure enough, an editorial today reiterates my impression of the Journal’s position.  He shouldn’t be confirmed, although he probably will be.  Not a firm endorsement.

One of the arguments being advanced for retaining Bernanke is that he might be replaced by someone worse.  Perhaps so but, with millions of Americans, there should be one or two who would make good Federal Reserve chairmen, or women.  It is not a lifetime appointment, nor should it be.  Bernanke helped screw up the economy.  Dump him!

Just because it’s free doesn’t mean there’s no cost.

Users in China discovered that Microsoft’s Internet Explorer has a new, giant “security vulnerability.” Some may not live to regret using the holey software. France, Germany and Australia have recommended citizens switch to another browser, at least temporarily. Microsoft are racing to fix their latest failure because they know that after trying another browser, few will return to wobbly IE.

How many times have Microsoft pledged to make security their number-one concern? More times than Obama has pledged transparency in the legislative process. They seem to have swapped goals, although the President has his own security problems.

In case you missed it, here’s the final tally on the Massachusetts referendum:

• Scott Brown (Republican/IP): 1,168,107 (51.9%)
• Martha Coakley (Democrat/IP): 1,058,682 (47.1%)
• Joe Kennedy (Libertarian): 22,237 (1.0%)

Disappointing that Kennedy got so few votes; the consensus is that Massachusetts voters, sick of politics-as-usual, voted for a Republican to send a message that phone calls, tea parties and other protests could not, because it’s hard to hear when your head is that far up your ass.  (Earth to Jackie Speier!)

Now the Democrats have received the message, but they cannot agree on what it is. As I keep saying, it makes no difference which branch of the Incumbent Party is in control. Bay Staters were justified in this instance because they threw a wrench in the Pelosi-Reid health takeover plans.

Some, like Howie Dean, think Democrats need to hunker down and get something through. As he put it, they were “not tough enough.” If they still want to destroy health care and create a massive environmental-hoax offset, voters will be in an even bitchier mood in November.

Most amusing are “experts” handicapping seats that are “up for grabs.” Did they learn nothing from Tuesday’s election? This was a “safe” seat for Democrats. A few weeks ago, they regarded it as Ted Kennedy’s and theirs. The results indicate otherwise: Democrats 47.1%, Non-Democrats 52.9%. If the Democratic-party bastion of Massachusetts elects a Republican senator with a significant margin, all incumbents are in trouble, even Barbara Boxer. And she worked so hard to get that title of “senator.”

Not even close.

A Republican with non-socialist pretensions won the Senate seat previously weighted down by Edward Kennedy.

First, they changed state law so the governor could appoint an interim senator, a law passed when the governor was a Republican, both times for political motives, both times instigated by Ted Kennedy.

Then they anointed a successor who pledged to honour the Kennedy legacy, whatever that is.  Brought in Obama, Clinton and Teddy’s widow to tug on various heart strings.  Nothing cynical there.

Worse, they refused to recognise people’s anger at power grabs, compromises, bribes and all the games in Washington and Massachusetts.

Last night’s highlight was Wiley Brown, former Speaker of the Assembly in California, denying on “Hannity” that the deals being made in Washington were “bribes.”  “They were not bribes,” he insisted.  The ex-mayor explained that you conduct these horse trades privately, an indication as to how he skirted prosecution when he ran California.

The downside to the election results is that Republicans may feel empowered.  All indications are that this was a vote against the current regime, not an endorsement of Republicans.  Must I remind you Democrats and Republicans are one.  It’s people versus politicians.

If I were NBC programming czar, my first action would be trying to acquire “Eastwick,” which ABC dropped. Of course, if I were NBC’s program maven, Jay Leno would never have appeared 10:00 P.M. weeknights. Some say this is the first time a talk show has run in that time slot. Offhand, I remember Jack Paar having a weekly programme (NBC), and Dick Cavett running three days a week (ABC). Leno belongs at 11:35. Most Americans don’t want to doze off at 10:10.

Re: ABC. During a disappointing “Castle” episode, a promo for a new show stated, I kid you not, “from the network that brought you ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.” Why not “from the network that brought you ‘Eastwick,’ canceling it after you got hooked?” Or “from the network that brought you ‘Lost,’ thankfully in its final season.”

Back to the Peacock network, what is their big plan to fill the period previously occupied by Leno [or, as Democrats might say, Jay Leno's slot]? A new “Law and Order: Desperate Housewives” edition. A two-hour version of their run-of-the-mill magazine, “Dateline,” a cost-saver like Leno. Most promising, from the creator of CBS’s Simon Baker hit, Bruno Heller, a new series called “The Environmentalist,” which chronicles a team that recycles scripts from other series.

NBC’s problem, aside from biting the big one, is that they scheduled the Jay Leno in primetime, primarily to save money, with no Plan B. As viewers of “The Practice” know, you must have a Plan B. Now Jeff Zucker is cobbling together whatever he can get, in a desperate effort not seen since the current Health Insurance debacle being reformed daily in Congress.

Oh, and it is official. According to a Wall Street Journal article on Friday, 15 January, every three-hour football telecast consists of 10 minutes, 43 seconds of play, if you consider football play. The rest of the time includes 67 minutes of milling around, 17 minutes of replays, plus those exciting crowd shots and adverts. For his patience with a timer, the writer, David Biderman, is a patriot.

Finally, If I, gt, programmed NBC, what a wonderful world this would be.