Enough is enough

Thomas Paine wrote, "These are the times that try men's souls." He may as well have been speaking about today. Paine wrote of the American Crisis. Today we have a world crisis.

As we witness yet more terrorist attacks in London, we know what will follow. "We are London." Lights on important landmarks. And, probably, more Brits arrested for having the temerity to say nasty things about the Religion of Peace.

We will be presented with more examples of islamophobic hate crimes such as dirty looks, nasty words, and broken windows. Anything more than that will, more than likely, be self-inflicted actions intended to prove how victimized Muslims are. Meanwhile, as the body count goes up on a weekly basis, the Muslim body count will stay at about zero outside of war zones (which are war zones because of their own actions) and honour killings.

People such the Obamas and Zuckerbergs of this world, speaking from the safety of their walled estates, and Pope Appeaser I, speaking from the safety of the walled Vatican, will tell us that we should accept "refugees" in the name of humanity. Anyone concerned with the safety of young girls going to concerts or people going to casinos, such as in the Philippines, will have to be careful so as not to be arrested on hate speech charges. Meanwhile, "enlightened" nations in the world will have made sure that their citizens are devoid of any meaningful way to defend themselves.

The most important function of a government is the protection of its people. Governments around the world have abrogated  that responsibility. It is time that people stand up and withdraw recognition of those governments. If the elite want a revolution, then it is a revolution they will get. It just may not turn out how they expected.

Stating The Obvious

From Dienekes:

Psychologists have demonstrated the value of diversity – particularly diversity of viewpoints – for enhancing creativity, discovery, and problem solving. But one key type of viewpoint diversity is lacking in academic psychology in general and social psychology in particular: political diversity. This article reviews the available evidence and finds support for four claims: (1) Academic psychology once had considerable political diversity, but has lost nearly all of it in the last 50 years. (2) This lack of political diversity can undermine the validity of social psychological science via mechanisms such as the embedding of liberal values into research questions and methods, steering researchers away from important but politically unpalatable research topics, and producing conclusions that mischaracterize liberals and conservatives alike. (3) Increased political diversity would improve social psychological science by reducing the impact of bias mechanisms such as confirmation bias, and by empowering dissenting minorities to improve the quality of the majority's thinking. (4) The underrepresentation of non-liberals in social psychology is most likely due to a combination of self-selection, hostile climate, and discrimination. We close with recommendations for increasing political diversity in social psychology. 

Ya think?

Happy Anniversary Fay and Matt

From all of us who love and cherish you, to two of the best friends ever!



                                 

                        Mazel Tov!

Multiple Fatalities in DC Shooting Rampage

I'm not sure what's going on, but it's not good:

DEVELOPING: At least 10 people have been shot — with multiple fatalities — at a Navy building in Washington by a gunman who was then killed but may not have acted alone, authorities said.

Shots were fired just after 8 a.m. at the Naval Sea Systems Command headquarters in southeast Washington, and in the ensuing hours there were conflicting reports on the number of victims and the number of gunmen, although a federal law enforcement official told Fox News that one shooter has died. Police said as many as two additional gunmen may still be at large, and thousands of workers who report to the building were being told to "shelter in place" until officials could safely evacuate them.

From the bulletins I've watched on multiple channels, the "journalists" have refrained (so far) from reporting wild rumors as fact. This could be another episode of "workplace violence" like Fort Hood, or it could be a disgruntled employee, or it could be...who knows.  I don't like Obama's politics, but it makes me nervous to have bad guys with guns running around so close to the White House.  I'd feel better if they put the President and his family on a chopper and whisked them to safety, especially since we have no idea how many bad guys are involved.

The Autumn of the Arab Spring.

According to Fox News, the Egyptian military has overthrown President Mohammed Morsi. So if the Egyptian People do not want a muslim theocracy, maybe Western leaders will understand that we don't, either.

It's Official!

I took my boards this week, and was issued a license this morning. I can't tell you how giddy with excitement I am! I start my shiny new job in three weeks as a member of a top-notch cardiac stepdown unit. I'm so grateful to all of you for the unflagging support and encouragement you've given me over the past few years. Yippee! Champagne for everyone!

Israel Bombs Damascus

The AP is reporting that Israeli jets have attacked a military complex in the capital city of Syria.

BEIRUT (AP) — Israel conducted a rare airstrike on a military target inside Syria, foreign officials and Syrian state TV said Wednesday, amid fears President Bashar Assad's regime is providing weapons to the Islamic militant group Hezbollah.
A statement from the Syrian military read aloud on state TV confirmed the strike, saying the jets bombed a military research center in the area of Jamraya, northwest of the capital, Damascus.

H/T: Weasel Zippers

Holder Found in Contempt

Eric Holder, the Law Breaker General of the United States, was found in contempt of Congress. Maybe now we can start getting bringing law and justice back to the Federal Government. UPDATE: The House voted to hire counsel to take case to court.

Saturday Night LOL

Via my nephew on FB, source unknown:

"Apple announced the development of a microchip that can be implanted into a woman's breast and play music. The iTit will cost £399 and is regarded as a major breakthrough as women are always moaning that men just stare at their tits and never listen to them!"

Terror Attack In Oslo

An enormous explosion has ripped through government buildings in Oslo. A car bomb is suspected, and at least two fatalities have been reported.

Breaking News

I'm not sure if you will ever forgive me but I give the feeble excuse that I have been sick. Too sick to be able to report this earth shattering news that will change your life for frickin' evah!.

I know, I know, the cranky old farts and the beautiful young ladies pride themselves on being on top of all things arty, and farty, and cultural, and cuddly, stoic and sophisticated, new and nuanced, iconic and un-ironed.

Well, it finally happened, the New York Public Library held a forum on Monday to discuss the most pressing topic of our time:

Does Michelle Obama have a new stylist?

You decide. This is too important to take any one else's word.

Earthquake And Tsunami Devastate Japan

The pictures coming out of Japan are horrific.  My aunt said some schools on the Oregon coast have closed in preparation for a possible tsunami there.  The Blaze has a collection of videos...here is one.



The earthquake's epicenter was hundreds of miles from Japan, yet it registered 8.9. The tsunami that rolled inland measured 23 feet.

UPDATE:

From Fox News:  "Hundreds of bodies found after 23-foot tsunami strikes northern coast of Japan, washing away cars and damaging buildings, following a magnitude 8.9 earthquake. Tsunami waves hit Hawaii as coastal residents from SoCal to Oregon move to higher ground."

UPDATE:

Photograph of Japan from Fox News: 

Noah is watching a live webcams of our coast from San Clemente and Santa Monica.  All is calm so far.


UPDATE:  From Yahoo News: "The first waves hit Hawaii about 1400 GMT (9 a.m. EST) Friday. A tsunami at least 3 feet (a meter) high were recorded on Oahu and Kauai, and officials warned that the waves would continue and could become larger"

Horror In Tucson

God in heaven...

Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head at close range by a gunman Saturday morning outside a grocery store in Tucson while holding a public event, Fox News has confirmed.

Eight others were shot, including three of the Arizona Democrat's aides, at Giffords' "Your Corner" event held at a Safeway grocery story. A suspect is in custody.

Fox just confirmed that Gabby Giffords, a blue dog democrat from Arizona, is dead. Twelve to fifteen people are reportedly shot, and there are multiple fatalities. Our prayers go out to the Giffords family, and to the families of all the victims.

Update:   Now Fox, MSNBC, and NPR are reporting that Giffords is alive and in critical condition.  Reports are sketchy.  We'll just have to wait until more information is available.

McChrystal offers resignation

Full story is on Bloomberg.

I'll try to post updates; others are welcome to as well.

"Open thread".

Deadly Flash Flood In Arkansas

This is just horrific; campers enjoying the serenity of the river at Caddo Gap have been swept away by a flash flood.

State police and Gov. Mike Beebe say 12 people are confirmed dead after flash floods triggered by heavy rains slammed a pair of campgrounds in southwestern Arkansas.

The normally peaceful Caddo and Little Missouri rivers rose by 20 feet overnight, swamping hikers and campers spending the night in the remote and normally serene Ouachita Mountains. The area also includes second homes, hunting camps and U.S. Forest Service campgrounds.

The National Guard has been deployed with a Blackhawk helicopter to assist in rescue operations. Search and rescue units are still working the area this afternoon.

Caddo Gap is a beautiful place to enjoy the summer, and I'm sure the campgrounds were jam-packed. Here is what it looks like normally:

I can't imagine the river rising 20 feet!  The flash flood swept through at about 5:30 this morning, and it's estimated that 200-300 people were in its path.


Update:  The death toll is now up to 14, including children.  Many people are still missing.

2nd Update:   16 dead,  30 rescued, dozens unaccounted for.

3rd Update:   20 dead, 60 rescued, dozens missing and feared dead.

The water poured through the valley with such force that it overturned RVs, peeled asphalt off roads, and swept away tents and their occupants.

McCabe Is Free!

The last Navy Seal has been acquitted by a military jury.  Hell yes!

Gotcha, You Sonofabitch!

Good news this morning...we've arrested a suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing.

Authorities arrested a U.S. citizen in connection with the failed bombing attempt in New York's Times Square as he tried to leave the country, Attorney General Eric Holder said Tuesday.

Faisal Shahzad, 30, was arrested at 11:45 p.m. ET Monday night by Customs and Border Protection agents as he attempted to board an Emirates airlines flight to Dubai at New York's JFK airport, officials said.

"It is clear that the intent behind this terrorist act was to kill Americans," Holder said.

There's more:

Shahzad, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Pakistan, was accused of driving a car bomb into Times Square, authorities said. He will appear in Manhattan Federal Court later Tuesday.

I hope we fry the little weasel.

State Of Emergency

A disaster is brewing in the Gulf.  Winds have picked up, and the oil is depositing on shorelines.   I found these pictures on a NASA website:

210,000 gallons of oil per day are being spilled into the Gulf.  The economic and ecological damage could be catastrophic.   Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has called up the National Guard, and the Obama administration is scrambling to help.

Goldman Sachs Charged With Subprime Fraud

The Securities and Exchange Commission (who should be charged with gross negligence) announced today that THEY are charging the brokerage giant with "defrauding investors by misstating and omitting key facts about a financial product tied to subprime mortgages".

According to the Wall Street Journal:

"Goldman wrongly permitted a client that was betting against the mortgage market to heavily influence which mortgage securities to include in an investment portfolio, while telling other investors that the securities were selected by an independent, objective third party," Mr. Khuzami said.

The guilty pursuing the guilty through the cesspool of Wall Street corruption. I'm unimpressed.

This should be a job for the Justice Department, but I'm afraid that even they are wrapped up in the web. I wonder if there is a way for the attorneys general of all fifty states to come together and prosecute these crooks? Does anyone know?

Mine Explosion In West Virginia

Just breaking:  A coal mine has exploded, killing 6 men.  21 men are still missing.

UPDATE:  25 dead and 4 missing.  :(