via ScienceDaily, the European COROT space observatory has discovered a very unusual object orbiting a distant star. While a number of exoplanets have been discovered in short period orbits, this object defies classification due to its unusual mass. Every one of the "hot Jupiters" found by astronomers so far range in size up to 12 Jupiter masses, while failed stars, so-called brown dwarfs, start off at around 70 Jupiter masses. This object, called COROT-exo-3b, is twenty Jupiter masses, yet is around the same diameter. This makes the object around twice as dense as lead.
"The object, named COROT-exo-3b, is about the size of Jupiter, but packs more than 20 times the mass. It takes only 4 days and 6 hours to orbit its parent star, which is slightly larger than the Sun. COROT-exo-3b was found as the satellite observed the drop in the brightness of the star each time the object (COROT-exo-3b) passed in front. "We were taken by surprise when we found this massive object orbiting so close to its parent star", said Dr Magali Deleuil from the Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille (LAM), leader of the team that made the discovery. She added, "COROT-exo-3b is really unique - we’re still debating its nature."
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Alan: I have a similar bit of wisdom I like to share. We can do this my way or another way that will have you writing a very large check and crying like a baby.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: We know we don't deserve Shirley Schmidt. Just the possibility is enough to sustain us.
Shirley: You are a dear, sweet man. And I have something else that might sustain you. [whispers into his ear] Denny Crane.
Shirley: You are a dear, sweet man. And I have something else that might sustain you. [whispers into his ear] Denny Crane.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: [to Alan] What do you mean she's measuring you for trousers? Is that some kind of fetish? Would I like it?
Friday, October 03, 2008
Hubble Repair Mission Delayed
via MSNBC, the shuttle's Hubble Space Telescope repair mission has been moved out to next year due to a new unexpected issue with the orbital space observatory. The new issue is with the Hubble's communication array and prevents the observatory form sending any data it collects back to Earth. The astronauts training for the mission now must prepare for a possible replacement of the components of the command and data handling system. However, there is a plus, in that the issue arose before the launch, which allows NASA to work on a potential solution.
"It could have been far worse, said NASA’s science chief, Ed Weiler. “Think about if this failure had occurred two weeks after the servicing mission, we had just put two brand new instruments in and thought we extended the lifetime for five, 10 years and this thing failed after the last shuttle mission to Hubble,” Weiler told reporters Monday evening. “So in some sense, if this had to happen, it couldn’t have happened at a better time.”
In the meantime, the space agency will attempt to switch to the telescope's backup systems, which have not been turned on since before its original launch date almost twnty years ago. Another issue could be with the replacement part the agancy has on hand - the part was last tested in 2001, and it will take until January to test and certify it for use. This delays the launch of the mission until February at minimum.
The mission already had an ambitious set of goals: the addition of two new instruments, the replacement of batteries and gyroscopes, and the repair of two other instruments. However, the fix to the array is relativley simple and would not entail a separate spacewalk over the planned five for the mission, but most likely extend one spacewalk for a period of around two hours.
"It could have been far worse, said NASA’s science chief, Ed Weiler. “Think about if this failure had occurred two weeks after the servicing mission, we had just put two brand new instruments in and thought we extended the lifetime for five, 10 years and this thing failed after the last shuttle mission to Hubble,” Weiler told reporters Monday evening. “So in some sense, if this had to happen, it couldn’t have happened at a better time.”
In the meantime, the space agency will attempt to switch to the telescope's backup systems, which have not been turned on since before its original launch date almost twnty years ago. Another issue could be with the replacement part the agancy has on hand - the part was last tested in 2001, and it will take until January to test and certify it for use. This delays the launch of the mission until February at minimum.
The mission already had an ambitious set of goals: the addition of two new instruments, the replacement of batteries and gyroscopes, and the repair of two other instruments. However, the fix to the array is relativley simple and would not entail a separate spacewalk over the planned five for the mission, but most likely extend one spacewalk for a period of around two hours.
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny Crane: It's no use, Alan. Nothing interests me anymore.
Reporter on TV: Construction worker Russell Blayney arrested for attempted murder for setting a bobby trap in his home to catch burglars. Miguel Quinones allegedly broke into Blayney's house and received a reported fifty thousand volts of electricity through his body, paralyzing him from the waist down. And leaving us all with the question: Russell Blayney: Victim or Vigilante?
Denny Crane: That case! I want that case.
Reporter on TV: Construction worker Russell Blayney arrested for attempted murder for setting a bobby trap in his home to catch burglars. Miguel Quinones allegedly broke into Blayney's house and received a reported fifty thousand volts of electricity through his body, paralyzing him from the waist down. And leaving us all with the question: Russell Blayney: Victim or Vigilante?
Denny Crane: That case! I want that case.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Alan: Congratulations. I saw you were the lucky one who caught Bev's garter.
Paul: Yes. I'm going for a full battery of tests first thing in the morning.
Paul: Yes. I'm going for a full battery of tests first thing in the morning.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Ethanol More Efficient Than Previously Thought
via OWH, a new UNL study of the energy efficiency of ethanol shows a substantial increase in the net benefit of the alternative fuel. Previous studies based on older technologies showed less substantial benefits. The research showed that 13 gallons of ethanol were produced for every gallon of fossil fuels used in production.
"The Nebraska Corn Board reports that Ken Cassman, director of the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research, said earlier studies that examined ethanol's energy balance sheet were based on "backward-looking data."
These studies looked at older technologies with regard to energy use in corn production, the biorefinery and co-product use," Cassman said. He said recent research conducted at the University of Nebraska shows that estimates for the energy balance of corn-based ethanol are much more favorable — in fact, two to three times more favorable — than previous estimates.
Cassman, a Heuermann professor of agronomy at the university, said ethanol has a substantial net positive direct energy balance — 1.5 to 1.6 more units of energy are derived from ethanol than are used to produce it. "Using dated information simply doesn't work in a world where the technology and efficiency of corn and ethanol production are rapidly improving over the years," he said."
In just the last five years, ethanol plants increased production 15% from each bushel of corn, while using about 20% less energy in the process. In addition, many earlier studies ignored the positive effects of by-products such as distillers grain used as an alternative livestock feed. More recent research also shows that the use of ethanol reduces the emmission of greenhouse gasses more than previous estimates.
While this won't end complaints about the subsidies that ethanol enjoys, (I am all for opening the market to sugar based producers) it may go a ways towards refuting those that claim the fuel is a net energy loser. The last two studies I saw were from Michigan State and U of Minnnesota, both of which showed about a 1.3 unit of energy benefit, so we've made quite a bit of progress since that time. Like any maturing technology, ethanol will liekly make further gains in energy efficiency and productivity.
"The Nebraska Corn Board reports that Ken Cassman, director of the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research, said earlier studies that examined ethanol's energy balance sheet were based on "backward-looking data."
These studies looked at older technologies with regard to energy use in corn production, the biorefinery and co-product use," Cassman said. He said recent research conducted at the University of Nebraska shows that estimates for the energy balance of corn-based ethanol are much more favorable — in fact, two to three times more favorable — than previous estimates.
Cassman, a Heuermann professor of agronomy at the university, said ethanol has a substantial net positive direct energy balance — 1.5 to 1.6 more units of energy are derived from ethanol than are used to produce it. "Using dated information simply doesn't work in a world where the technology and efficiency of corn and ethanol production are rapidly improving over the years," he said."
In just the last five years, ethanol plants increased production 15% from each bushel of corn, while using about 20% less energy in the process. In addition, many earlier studies ignored the positive effects of by-products such as distillers grain used as an alternative livestock feed. More recent research also shows that the use of ethanol reduces the emmission of greenhouse gasses more than previous estimates.
While this won't end complaints about the subsidies that ethanol enjoys, (I am all for opening the market to sugar based producers) it may go a ways towards refuting those that claim the fuel is a net energy loser. The last two studies I saw were from Michigan State and U of Minnnesota, both of which showed about a 1.3 unit of energy benefit, so we've made quite a bit of progress since that time. Like any maturing technology, ethanol will liekly make further gains in energy efficiency and productivity.
Boston Legal Quotes
Shirley: Denise, I understand you're going through some difficulties in your personal life.
Denise: It's hard, but I'll get through it.
Shirley: From what I know about you, when things get tough you prefer to bury yourself in your work. Allow me to provide you with a shovel.
Denise: It's hard, but I'll get through it.
Shirley: From what I know about you, when things get tough you prefer to bury yourself in your work. Allow me to provide you with a shovel.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Alan: Shirley, as lovely as the new case you sent me is and she is delightful. I just had Jerry Espenson last week, I need a break from this sort of thing.
Shirley: I'll get the new girl to help, she knows employment law.
Alan: You can't just assign me cases and girls. Girls, maybe.
Shirley: I'll get the new girl to help, she knows employment law.
Alan: You can't just assign me cases and girls. Girls, maybe.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Alan Shore: Mr Lumis, how do you feel about fat people? Because according to the Surgeon General three hundred thousand Americans die every year from obesity-related illnesses.
Kurt Lumis: Other businesses are firing people for that. I haven't done it yet.
Alan Shore: So you're thinking about it?
Kurt Lumis: I'm always thinking.
Alan Shore: Anyone can see that. How about alcohol consumption? People who have more than fifteen drinks a week are at risk of becoming alcoholics and alcoholism can cause cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, increased incidents of cancer. Wouldn't it be a good idea to monitor your employee's alcohol intake?
Kurt Lumis: Maybe I should.
Alan Shore: What about coffee? Caffeine temporarily raises your blood pressure. Trans-fatty acids! And stress! Both of these things could cause heart attacks. That would certainly raise your premiums sky high. It's been proven arguing thirty minutes a day lowers your immune system. As does loneliness, there go your married employees and your single ones! You're going to have to watch these people all the time, Mr Lumis. I hope you're multitasked.
Kurt Lumis: Mr Shore, I think you're exaggerating.
Alan Shore: No. I'm just welcoming us all to 1984-the bus arrived a little late, and our tour guide George Orwell is good and dead. But nonetheless, we made it. And big brother Lumis is watching us.
Kurt Lumis: Other businesses are firing people for that. I haven't done it yet.
Alan Shore: So you're thinking about it?
Kurt Lumis: I'm always thinking.
Alan Shore: Anyone can see that. How about alcohol consumption? People who have more than fifteen drinks a week are at risk of becoming alcoholics and alcoholism can cause cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, increased incidents of cancer. Wouldn't it be a good idea to monitor your employee's alcohol intake?
Kurt Lumis: Maybe I should.
Alan Shore: What about coffee? Caffeine temporarily raises your blood pressure. Trans-fatty acids! And stress! Both of these things could cause heart attacks. That would certainly raise your premiums sky high. It's been proven arguing thirty minutes a day lowers your immune system. As does loneliness, there go your married employees and your single ones! You're going to have to watch these people all the time, Mr Lumis. I hope you're multitasked.
Kurt Lumis: Mr Shore, I think you're exaggerating.
Alan Shore: No. I'm just welcoming us all to 1984-the bus arrived a little late, and our tour guide George Orwell is good and dead. But nonetheless, we made it. And big brother Lumis is watching us.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
No Oil Myth
Great column at The American Thinker by Janet Levy regarding the supply of oil resources in the US. First, energy supply estimates use false methodologies and are consistently understated - predictions of the oil supply running out were been made seven times before the year 1950 alone, even while the US was the world's leading oil producer until 1973, and is still the third largest (if I recall correctly) today.
The primary issue with the numbers are that they do not count actual oil resources, but oil reserves, which is the oil that can be economically and physically recoverable, which changes as new technology is introduced. Resources also include huge amounts of oil from unconventional resources such as oil shale, tar sands, and coal liquification. Reserve calculation also use current prices and production rates, which are also subject to change. In addition, as prices rise, the economic feasibility of more difficult to reach supplies becomes more attractive, and it becomes increasingly feasible to exploit unconventional resources.
Levy discusses some of the changes new technology brings:
"...well depths now approach 30,000 feet on land and, in offshore drilling, water depths to 9,000 feet. The yield from a single well has increased greatly through the use of horizontal drilling techniques. Instead of a single well accessed through one vertical shaft, multiple horizontal shafts are now bored from a vertical shaft, resulting in substantially greater yields. Other new technologies that have increased the efficiency and effectiveness of oil discovery and exploration include:
Hydraulic fracturing - Injection of fluids into a well under high pressure to release oil from rock formations.
Tertiary recovery techniques - Injection of C02 or natural gas into the well to improve oil viscosity and draw more oil into the well bore.
Reservoir simulation technology (RST) - Computer modeling of reservoir properties through mapping and behavior simulation to aid in resource prediction.
4-D seismic imagery - Use of time intervals and dynamic evolution of reservoirs, to lessen guesswork and allow geologists to view reserves below the surface. It also reduces drilling risks and improves recovery by identifying drainage patterns and bypassed petroleum sources.
In addition, technological advances have led to re-tapping of previously capped wells and opening of closed formations to production. It has also dramatically reduced the oil-production footprint. In the 1970s, wells were spaced at least 100 feet apart. Today, with drilling and equipment advances, wells can now be placed 50, 25 and even 10 feet apart. An oil field covering 65 acres thirty years ago would use less than 10 acres today."
Levy also discusses unconventional resources in some depth, the first being Oil shale, of which there is an estimate 1.5 trillion barrels to be found in the American West, a oil supply far greater than the known reserves of even leading oil producer Saudi Arabia. Such oil resources can be profitably extracted at prices over just $30 a barrel. Tar sand supplies in Canada, which exceed 174 billion barrels, already supply about half of that nation's million plus barrel exports to the US, and their total oil producton from such supplies is expected to reach over 3 million barrels a day in the next decade. Canada is the US's leading oil supplier.
And then there is coal liquification, or the conversion of coal into liquid fuels. This technology was pioneered by Nazi Germany during World War 2 and is used today in South Africa to supply 40% of that nation's petroleum needs. This technology is proven economically effective at world oil prices of just $30 a barrel, and the US possesses 27% of the world coal supply - in effect, the US is the Saudi Arabia of coal. The US Airforce is planning to use the tehcnology to supply all its domestic fuel needs by 2016.
Levy then returns to conventional sources of supply to be found within the US, which using 30 year old estimates is thought to be around86 billion barrels in offshore depsoits and 32 billion onshore. However, this estimate does not include new technologies, unconventional resources, or relatively new estimates of recent discoveries like the Bakken formation found under the northern Great Plains states and the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge. The US Geological Survey increased its estimates of the Bakken formation in 2008 to between 3-4 billion barrels, and oil industry estimates of ANWR believe that area could hold anywhere from 9 to 16 billion barrels.
Unfortunately, at least until Sept. 30th when it is set to expire, we can't even go take a look at 85% of the offshore deposits due to the Congressional moratorium, not to mention develop our oil shale deposits. We shoulod at least examine what we have, shouldn't we?
The primary issue with the numbers are that they do not count actual oil resources, but oil reserves, which is the oil that can be economically and physically recoverable, which changes as new technology is introduced. Resources also include huge amounts of oil from unconventional resources such as oil shale, tar sands, and coal liquification. Reserve calculation also use current prices and production rates, which are also subject to change. In addition, as prices rise, the economic feasibility of more difficult to reach supplies becomes more attractive, and it becomes increasingly feasible to exploit unconventional resources.
Levy discusses some of the changes new technology brings:
"...well depths now approach 30,000 feet on land and, in offshore drilling, water depths to 9,000 feet. The yield from a single well has increased greatly through the use of horizontal drilling techniques. Instead of a single well accessed through one vertical shaft, multiple horizontal shafts are now bored from a vertical shaft, resulting in substantially greater yields. Other new technologies that have increased the efficiency and effectiveness of oil discovery and exploration include:
Hydraulic fracturing - Injection of fluids into a well under high pressure to release oil from rock formations.
Tertiary recovery techniques - Injection of C02 or natural gas into the well to improve oil viscosity and draw more oil into the well bore.
Reservoir simulation technology (RST) - Computer modeling of reservoir properties through mapping and behavior simulation to aid in resource prediction.
4-D seismic imagery - Use of time intervals and dynamic evolution of reservoirs, to lessen guesswork and allow geologists to view reserves below the surface. It also reduces drilling risks and improves recovery by identifying drainage patterns and bypassed petroleum sources.
In addition, technological advances have led to re-tapping of previously capped wells and opening of closed formations to production. It has also dramatically reduced the oil-production footprint. In the 1970s, wells were spaced at least 100 feet apart. Today, with drilling and equipment advances, wells can now be placed 50, 25 and even 10 feet apart. An oil field covering 65 acres thirty years ago would use less than 10 acres today."
Levy also discusses unconventional resources in some depth, the first being Oil shale, of which there is an estimate 1.5 trillion barrels to be found in the American West, a oil supply far greater than the known reserves of even leading oil producer Saudi Arabia. Such oil resources can be profitably extracted at prices over just $30 a barrel. Tar sand supplies in Canada, which exceed 174 billion barrels, already supply about half of that nation's million plus barrel exports to the US, and their total oil producton from such supplies is expected to reach over 3 million barrels a day in the next decade. Canada is the US's leading oil supplier.
And then there is coal liquification, or the conversion of coal into liquid fuels. This technology was pioneered by Nazi Germany during World War 2 and is used today in South Africa to supply 40% of that nation's petroleum needs. This technology is proven economically effective at world oil prices of just $30 a barrel, and the US possesses 27% of the world coal supply - in effect, the US is the Saudi Arabia of coal. The US Airforce is planning to use the tehcnology to supply all its domestic fuel needs by 2016.
Levy then returns to conventional sources of supply to be found within the US, which using 30 year old estimates is thought to be around86 billion barrels in offshore depsoits and 32 billion onshore. However, this estimate does not include new technologies, unconventional resources, or relatively new estimates of recent discoveries like the Bakken formation found under the northern Great Plains states and the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge. The US Geological Survey increased its estimates of the Bakken formation in 2008 to between 3-4 billion barrels, and oil industry estimates of ANWR believe that area could hold anywhere from 9 to 16 billion barrels.
Unfortunately, at least until Sept. 30th when it is set to expire, we can't even go take a look at 85% of the offshore deposits due to the Congressional moratorium, not to mention develop our oil shale deposits. We shoulod at least examine what we have, shouldn't we?
Boston Legal Quotes
Shirley: White roses, gold leaf cake, Bev's boobs swimming out of her wedding dress.
Brad: Who said money can't buy tastelessness?
Alan: I think Bev and Denny did a lovely job.
Paul: 11 marriages between the two of them. They've had plenty of practice.
Brad: Who said money can't buy tastelessness?
Alan: I think Bev and Denny did a lovely job.
Paul: 11 marriages between the two of them. They've had plenty of practice.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Judge Sanders: Ten A.M. tomorrow. And I would ask Counsel to check his sense of humor at the door. My courtroom is a temple of decorum. And I do not tolerate jibber-jabber.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Paul: You had sex with another woman and your wife in the three hours you were married?
Denny: It was my special day. I had taken my little blue pill.
Shirley: There is no cure for cancer, but we've got three pills for that.
Denny: It was my special day. I had taken my little blue pill.
Shirley: There is no cure for cancer, but we've got three pills for that.
Monday, September 22, 2008
New Dwarf Planet
Livescience reports that the object formerly called 2003 EL61, a Kuiper Belt object discovered by Caltech's Mike Brown, has been declared a new dwarf planet by the IAU and is named Haumea after the Hawaiian goddess of fertility. The newly named plutiod is the fifth designated dwarf planet in our solar system, along with fellow distant travelers Pluto, Eris, recently named Makemake and the inner system dwarf planet Ceres.
"Haumea joins Ceres, Pluto, Eris and Makemake as the fifth dwarf planet in our solar system. Pluto was re-classified from planet to dwarf planet in 2006, following the discovery of Eris. The new dwarf planet has the same diameter as Pluto, but is much thinner, and contains about 32 percent of Pluto's mass. Scientists suggest Haumea's long, narrow shape arose from its rapid spin — it rotates about once every four hours."
The planet orbits erratically around the sun, varying from 35 to 50 astronomicla units, and also boasts two small moons, christened Hi'iaka and Namaka, after the two children born to the goddess Haumea.
"Haumea joins Ceres, Pluto, Eris and Makemake as the fifth dwarf planet in our solar system. Pluto was re-classified from planet to dwarf planet in 2006, following the discovery of Eris. The new dwarf planet has the same diameter as Pluto, but is much thinner, and contains about 32 percent of Pluto's mass. Scientists suggest Haumea's long, narrow shape arose from its rapid spin — it rotates about once every four hours."
The planet orbits erratically around the sun, varying from 35 to 50 astronomicla units, and also boasts two small moons, christened Hi'iaka and Namaka, after the two children born to the goddess Haumea.
Boston Legal Quotes
Garrett: This is my office.
Catherine: Oh, I needed a base of operations for my sandwich cart business.
Garrett: But... I...
Catherine: You're a first year, right? [Garrett nods yes] Well, it goes like this: named partner, senior partner, junior partner, senior associates, sandwich lady, xerox guy, janitor, first years.
Catherine: Oh, I needed a base of operations for my sandwich cart business.
Garrett: But... I...
Catherine: You're a first year, right? [Garrett nods yes] Well, it goes like this: named partner, senior partner, junior partner, senior associates, sandwich lady, xerox guy, janitor, first years.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: While everyone was whining about Bev, you were actually trying to take her out. I admire that. You have very large testicles, my friend.
Brad: Well. Thank you Denny, I'm flattered you have that opinion of me.
Denny: It's not my opinion. I saw you in the shower at the gym. Good God!
Brad: Well. Thank you Denny, I'm flattered you have that opinion of me.
Denny: It's not my opinion. I saw you in the shower at the gym. Good God!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Bev: Denny? I love you. But, I love Hawaii more.
Denny: Well, you'll be the one that got away from Denny Crane. That makes you a large fish in a very small pond.
Denny: Well, you'll be the one that got away from Denny Crane. That makes you a large fish in a very small pond.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Meet NE Strength Coach James Dobson
I love the way this guy approaches his job and his attitude, article at Huskers.com (HT: Huskerpedia).
"The edge Dobson envisions has an icon, and it stares at him every day when he walks into his office and plots his next move. “It’s the Blackshirts’ skull-and-bones,” Dobson said. “It looks hard-nosed. It looks dominant. It looks tough. It looks unforgiving. When you see it, you think dominant, and you think physical. That’s what we have to think and what we have to strive for every day, all year long.”
Head coach Bo Pelini set a goal for Nebraska to become the most physical team possible, and that’s been Dobson’s almost singular focus since he set up shop inside Nebraska’s massive weight room. “If you’re not going to be the most physically dominant team in your conference or in the country, then why are you trying to go out and play? That’s the way I look at it,” Dobson said. “There’s nothing better than taking the will out of somebody. That’s what this game is all about. It’s about lining up across from a guy and beating him until he doesn’t want to do it anymore. When you’re sitting on that sideline and the other team quits, that’s the best feeling in the world.” "
A lot of the players have given credit to Dobson for improving their stength and increasing their quickness, and the results appear to be bearing this out. A number of them bill their new streamlined looks as "Body by Dobson". Dobson arrived from Iowa where he was an assistant to Chris Doyle on the recommendation of Barney Cotton, whose son Ben (now with NU) was being recruited by the Hawkeyes. Dobson grew up in a small Wisconsin community west of Madison where he attended the U of W. He achieved his masters and Central Michigan.
"While he has no direct ties to Nebraska, Dobson feels like he fits in. “A lot of people in Nebraska can relate to the way I grew up in Wisconsin,” he said. “In most places, it’s either ‘he’s a good guy” or ‘he’s a bad guy.’ Or ‘he has a lot of money’ or ‘he doesn’t have a lot of money.’ When you’re from a small town like I came from, there was only one comparison. It’s either ‘he’s a hard worker’ or ‘he’s not a hard worker.’ That’s how you’re evaluated growing up. Either you work hard or you don’t. They couldn’t care less if you’re a nice guy or have money. But if you worked hard, you have someplace to go.”......Dobson said the coaching staff and the players share another bond. “We have a no-nonsense head coach, and no one wants to let him down,” he said. “I respect him and think he’s one of the best coaches in college football. He gave me a chance here, and I feel a huge sense of loyalty to help him get done what he wants to get done.”
The passionate, sometimes animated Dobson checks the Blackshirt poster again on his wall. Instead of pulling his arms into his chest and then crossing them to emulate the skull-and-bones, he chooses to drive home his point with mere words. “We have to think dominant, and we have to think physical,” he said. “That’s where we all want to be, and it’s going to take a lot of hard work to get there.”
Love it.
"The edge Dobson envisions has an icon, and it stares at him every day when he walks into his office and plots his next move. “It’s the Blackshirts’ skull-and-bones,” Dobson said. “It looks hard-nosed. It looks dominant. It looks tough. It looks unforgiving. When you see it, you think dominant, and you think physical. That’s what we have to think and what we have to strive for every day, all year long.”
Head coach Bo Pelini set a goal for Nebraska to become the most physical team possible, and that’s been Dobson’s almost singular focus since he set up shop inside Nebraska’s massive weight room. “If you’re not going to be the most physically dominant team in your conference or in the country, then why are you trying to go out and play? That’s the way I look at it,” Dobson said. “There’s nothing better than taking the will out of somebody. That’s what this game is all about. It’s about lining up across from a guy and beating him until he doesn’t want to do it anymore. When you’re sitting on that sideline and the other team quits, that’s the best feeling in the world.” "
A lot of the players have given credit to Dobson for improving their stength and increasing their quickness, and the results appear to be bearing this out. A number of them bill their new streamlined looks as "Body by Dobson". Dobson arrived from Iowa where he was an assistant to Chris Doyle on the recommendation of Barney Cotton, whose son Ben (now with NU) was being recruited by the Hawkeyes. Dobson grew up in a small Wisconsin community west of Madison where he attended the U of W. He achieved his masters and Central Michigan.
"While he has no direct ties to Nebraska, Dobson feels like he fits in. “A lot of people in Nebraska can relate to the way I grew up in Wisconsin,” he said. “In most places, it’s either ‘he’s a good guy” or ‘he’s a bad guy.’ Or ‘he has a lot of money’ or ‘he doesn’t have a lot of money.’ When you’re from a small town like I came from, there was only one comparison. It’s either ‘he’s a hard worker’ or ‘he’s not a hard worker.’ That’s how you’re evaluated growing up. Either you work hard or you don’t. They couldn’t care less if you’re a nice guy or have money. But if you worked hard, you have someplace to go.”......Dobson said the coaching staff and the players share another bond. “We have a no-nonsense head coach, and no one wants to let him down,” he said. “I respect him and think he’s one of the best coaches in college football. He gave me a chance here, and I feel a huge sense of loyalty to help him get done what he wants to get done.”
The passionate, sometimes animated Dobson checks the Blackshirt poster again on his wall. Instead of pulling his arms into his chest and then crossing them to emulate the skull-and-bones, he chooses to drive home his point with mere words. “We have to think dominant, and we have to think physical,” he said. “That’s where we all want to be, and it’s going to take a lot of hard work to get there.”
Love it.
Foreign Policy Views
Yesterday's WSJ had Fouad Ajami articulate the differences in the foreign policy world views of the two presidential candidates. He quotes political scientist Samuel Huntington, who defines three impulses in America's relationship with the world - national, imperial and cosmopolitan.
"In the first, America remains America. In the second, America remakes the world. In the third, the world remakes America."
America traditionally oscillated between the first two impulses, but these have now fallen prey to the latter viewpoint - at least in the elite universities and urban metropolises of America's coastal areas. The current Democratic/leftist view sees the world as the latter, a global community, one in which America should apologize for being wealthy, powerful and successful. As Ajami puts it:
"the Illinois senator and his devotees are disaffected with American power. In their view, we can make our way in the world without the encumbrance of "hard" power. We would offer other nations apologies for the way we carried ourselves in the aftermath of 9/11, and the foreign world would be glad for a reprieve from the time of American certitude."
This view is at odds with the more traditional post World war view of American exceptionalism which McCain adheres to, one in which the opinion of foreig
"he shares the widespread attitude of broad swaths of the country that are not consumed with worries about America's standing in foreign lands. Mr. McCain is not eager to be loved by foreigners. In November, the country will have a choice between a Republican candidate forged in the verities of the 1950s, and a Democratic rival who walks out of the 1990s."
"In the first, America remains America. In the second, America remakes the world. In the third, the world remakes America."
America traditionally oscillated between the first two impulses, but these have now fallen prey to the latter viewpoint - at least in the elite universities and urban metropolises of America's coastal areas. The current Democratic/leftist view sees the world as the latter, a global community, one in which America should apologize for being wealthy, powerful and successful. As Ajami puts it:
"the Illinois senator and his devotees are disaffected with American power. In their view, we can make our way in the world without the encumbrance of "hard" power. We would offer other nations apologies for the way we carried ourselves in the aftermath of 9/11, and the foreign world would be glad for a reprieve from the time of American certitude."
This view is at odds with the more traditional post World war view of American exceptionalism which McCain adheres to, one in which the opinion of foreig
"he shares the widespread attitude of broad swaths of the country that are not consumed with worries about America's standing in foreign lands. Mr. McCain is not eager to be loved by foreigners. In November, the country will have a choice between a Republican candidate forged in the verities of the 1950s, and a Democratic rival who walks out of the 1990s."
2008 Campaign
Richard Baehr takes a look at the 2008 Presidential race, which is pretty even right now nationally. However, due to the Electoral College, what really matters is the individual state races, which are currently trending towards McCain.
"The state polls, which tend to lag the national tracking polls by a few days, have been more favorable for John McCain the last few days, reflecting his slightly stronger position since the convention and the Palin pick. But even if the latest state polls overstate McCain's numbers a bit due to the lag, they do reflect the new shape of the race."
Things look up for McCain in battleground states Florida and Ohio, which carry 47 electoral votes. Obama faces a pretty uphill cultural battle in Ohio, which went for Hillary in 83 of 88 counties. Obama needs to pick up 18 electoral votes from the 2004 Kerry states, the likeliest of which is Iowa, which has 7. Obama is targeting Colorado (9), Nevada and New Mexico (5 each) and Virginia (13), but is slightly behind in all except Virginia, which is even, but has not gone Democratic since 1964 (although the demographics there have changes substantially).
Obama once targetted as many as 18 red states, then 14, but now appears vulnerable to McCain in several 2004 Kerry states once thought unquestionably blue. The Rasmussen Pennsylvania poll taken this weekend shows the state (and its 21 electoral votes) even. There is almost no scenario for an Obama victory without Pennsylvania, and it gets worse. McCain is within 3 points in New Jersey and Washington, and also within strking distance in Minnesota and Wisconsin (10 votes apiece), Michigan (17) and New Hampshire (4). Red states now appearing safe for McCain include Montana, North Dakota, and Alaska (3 each) as well as Georgia and North Carolina (both 15) and Missouri and Indiana (both 11) are both trending Republican as well.
"The race is close to a national tie in the popular vote, in the number of safe electoral college votes for each side, and in the number of tossup electoral college votes that are blue or red. We have in other words, a 50-50 race."
"The state polls, which tend to lag the national tracking polls by a few days, have been more favorable for John McCain the last few days, reflecting his slightly stronger position since the convention and the Palin pick. But even if the latest state polls overstate McCain's numbers a bit due to the lag, they do reflect the new shape of the race."
Things look up for McCain in battleground states Florida and Ohio, which carry 47 electoral votes. Obama faces a pretty uphill cultural battle in Ohio, which went for Hillary in 83 of 88 counties. Obama needs to pick up 18 electoral votes from the 2004 Kerry states, the likeliest of which is Iowa, which has 7. Obama is targeting Colorado (9), Nevada and New Mexico (5 each) and Virginia (13), but is slightly behind in all except Virginia, which is even, but has not gone Democratic since 1964 (although the demographics there have changes substantially).
Obama once targetted as many as 18 red states, then 14, but now appears vulnerable to McCain in several 2004 Kerry states once thought unquestionably blue. The Rasmussen Pennsylvania poll taken this weekend shows the state (and its 21 electoral votes) even. There is almost no scenario for an Obama victory without Pennsylvania, and it gets worse. McCain is within 3 points in New Jersey and Washington, and also within strking distance in Minnesota and Wisconsin (10 votes apiece), Michigan (17) and New Hampshire (4). Red states now appearing safe for McCain include Montana, North Dakota, and Alaska (3 each) as well as Georgia and North Carolina (both 15) and Missouri and Indiana (both 11) are both trending Republican as well.
"The race is close to a national tie in the popular vote, in the number of safe electoral college votes for each side, and in the number of tossup electoral college votes that are blue or red. We have in other words, a 50-50 race."
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Shirley: But understand that everyone at this firm is considered a witness. Don't expect anyone at this firm to help you -- OR speak to you.
Alan: And won't that make for a refreshing change.
Alan: And won't that make for a refreshing change.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: With all that's going on in the world these days, who among us hasn't wanted to take an axe to a priest?
Friday, September 12, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: You never talk about your wife. What was she like?
Alan: She had all the most delectable qualities one could hope for. Creativity, desire, zealotry, a gorgeous clavicle,
healthy lack of inhibition.
Denny: Sounds spectacular. What happened?
Alan: She began...to know me too well and I began to hate her for it. Even when I was unpredictable, she'd predict it. For
those of us who aspire to be original, it's the worst sort of banality. She died. I've missed that banality ever since.
Alan: She had all the most delectable qualities one could hope for. Creativity, desire, zealotry, a gorgeous clavicle,
healthy lack of inhibition.
Denny: Sounds spectacular. What happened?
Alan: She began...to know me too well and I began to hate her for it. Even when I was unpredictable, she'd predict it. For
those of us who aspire to be original, it's the worst sort of banality. She died. I've missed that banality ever since.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Fred on John McCain
The Fred writes at Townhall about the goals of his convention speech and his ideas of how the American voter gains their impressions of the candidates through all the rhetoric. His goal in the speech (and the current column) was to point out the long history of McCain's service to his country, not only in the military but also in the Senate, and how that record contrasts with that of his opponent.
"Put simply: Others talked about reaching across the aisle and reconciling differences; John McCain did it. Others went along with pork barrel spending and getting the political benefit from it; John McCain fought it. Others wanted to declare defeat and cut and run in the central front of the war on terrorism; John McCain fought for a strategy that would ensure victory. Others gave lip service to reform; John McCain actually made it happen."
Fred points out the concerns Americans have regarding the judicial process, and how only McCain would appoint judges that adhere to their historical role rather than engineer wide reaching social changes by judicial fiat. I really, really hope I will be blogging about Attorney General Fred Thompson next year.
"Put simply: Others talked about reaching across the aisle and reconciling differences; John McCain did it. Others went along with pork barrel spending and getting the political benefit from it; John McCain fought it. Others wanted to declare defeat and cut and run in the central front of the war on terrorism; John McCain fought for a strategy that would ensure victory. Others gave lip service to reform; John McCain actually made it happen."
Fred points out the concerns Americans have regarding the judicial process, and how only McCain would appoint judges that adhere to their historical role rather than engineer wide reaching social changes by judicial fiat. I really, really hope I will be blogging about Attorney General Fred Thompson next year.
Boston Legal Quotes
Alan: Denny, I refuse to shoot you.
Denny Crane: You... Democrat! Protesting war and banning guns. If you Nancys had your way, nobody would ever shoot anybody! And then where would we be?
Alan: Where would we be...
Denny Crane: You... Democrat! Protesting war and banning guns. If you Nancys had your way, nobody would ever shoot anybody! And then where would we be?
Alan: Where would we be...
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
American Oil
Dan Kish at Human Events explains the realities of oil exploration, and the disinformation being endlessly recycled by the media and Congressional Democrats opposed to exploring for domestic energy resources. The biggest myth is that America uses 25% of the world's oil with only 3% of the reserves. But you have no idea of what percentage of the world reserves are within US control if oil companies are forbidden to even look for additional energy supplies, which is currently the case (at least until September 30, when the Congressional moratorium is scheduled to expire).
"We will never increase our oil reserves if we can never look. A huge amount of acres are owned by the federal government off our shores and onshore, principally in the western states, but instead of addressing that problem and helping to bring down energy prices, politicians have been making up stories and trying to fool Americans with wild allegations. The truth is, over 96% of the lands that belong to the taxpayer haven’t even been leased by the government so that energy exploration might occur."
Then there is the other lie that the 68 million acres (of 91 miilion acres total) under lease that aren't producing any energyis because the oil companies are simply sitting on these leases and refuse to drill. The truth is that the lease is only the start of the process, and that 1/3 of offshore leases near the shore actually wind producing energy economically, while only about 1/5 of deep water leases prove to do so. Onshore is actually only about 1/10, so the vast majority of leases never wind up discovering and producign any energy whatsoever.
"So, if the chances of finding oil under leases in various categories of lands are 33%, 20% and 10%, it probably makes sense that they’re only producing oil on 25.6% of the leases they hold. In fact, that’s pretty good, and well within the historic range of lands producing versus lands leased. The problem is the government is leasing much less land than it did several decades ago. If oil explorers could look in more places for oil and gas, the chances are they would find more of it. With more supply, prices would come down."
Then there are the environmental activist convinced they are saving the planet from the evil oil corporations tying up any activity from occuring via their favorite arm of the government, the endless judicial process. Just since 2000, lawsuits relating to energy exploration have increased over 700%. There are over 1.7 billion acres of government controlled areas offshore and another 700 million acres onshore, yet the government allows exploration and leasing of only 91 million acres, less than 4% of the total.
The fact of the matter is, unless we look, we'll never know.
"We will never increase our oil reserves if we can never look. A huge amount of acres are owned by the federal government off our shores and onshore, principally in the western states, but instead of addressing that problem and helping to bring down energy prices, politicians have been making up stories and trying to fool Americans with wild allegations. The truth is, over 96% of the lands that belong to the taxpayer haven’t even been leased by the government so that energy exploration might occur."
Then there is the other lie that the 68 million acres (of 91 miilion acres total) under lease that aren't producing any energyis because the oil companies are simply sitting on these leases and refuse to drill. The truth is that the lease is only the start of the process, and that 1/3 of offshore leases near the shore actually wind producing energy economically, while only about 1/5 of deep water leases prove to do so. Onshore is actually only about 1/10, so the vast majority of leases never wind up discovering and producign any energy whatsoever.
"So, if the chances of finding oil under leases in various categories of lands are 33%, 20% and 10%, it probably makes sense that they’re only producing oil on 25.6% of the leases they hold. In fact, that’s pretty good, and well within the historic range of lands producing versus lands leased. The problem is the government is leasing much less land than it did several decades ago. If oil explorers could look in more places for oil and gas, the chances are they would find more of it. With more supply, prices would come down."
Then there are the environmental activist convinced they are saving the planet from the evil oil corporations tying up any activity from occuring via their favorite arm of the government, the endless judicial process. Just since 2000, lawsuits relating to energy exploration have increased over 700%. There are over 1.7 billion acres of government controlled areas offshore and another 700 million acres onshore, yet the government allows exploration and leasing of only 91 million acres, less than 4% of the total.
The fact of the matter is, unless we look, we'll never know.
Boston Legal Quotes
Alan: I suppose coming to a lawyer's office can't be much fun.
Marissa: Actually, everyone seems friendly here.
Alan: Well, they're given an unlimited supply of donuts.
Marissa: Actually, everyone seems friendly here.
Alan: Well, they're given an unlimited supply of donuts.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Leftist World View
Thomas Sowell examines the leftist world view - the immature world of "wishing the world were a better place" due to inexperience in dealing with the real world of jobs, responsibility, trade-offs and adult concerns.
"Most of us learn that from experience-- but experience is precisely what the young are lacking. "Experience" is often just a fancy word for the mistakes that we belatedly realized we were making, only after the realities of the world made us pay a painful price for being wrong.
Those who are insulated from that pain-- whether by being born into affluence or wealth, or shielded by the welfare state, or insulated by tenure in academia or in the federal judiciary-- can remain in a state of perpetual immaturity. Individuals can refuse to grow up, especially when surrounded in their work and in their social life by similarly situated and like-minded people."
Sowell notes that it is precisely the working class peoples that these liberal groups propose to "assist" that view them with the suspicion born from the condenscension brought to bear on them when addressed by their "betters". Instead they cling to their guns and religion, and they note that happy talk to our enemies may not persuade them to be our friends. Sowell notes that the happy talk theory was tried with disasterous results in the 1930s, while the Cold War ended due not to happy talk but substantial investments in weaponry that could not be matched by Soviet central planning.
Interesting.
"Most of us learn that from experience-- but experience is precisely what the young are lacking. "Experience" is often just a fancy word for the mistakes that we belatedly realized we were making, only after the realities of the world made us pay a painful price for being wrong.
Those who are insulated from that pain-- whether by being born into affluence or wealth, or shielded by the welfare state, or insulated by tenure in academia or in the federal judiciary-- can remain in a state of perpetual immaturity. Individuals can refuse to grow up, especially when surrounded in their work and in their social life by similarly situated and like-minded people."
Sowell notes that it is precisely the working class peoples that these liberal groups propose to "assist" that view them with the suspicion born from the condenscension brought to bear on them when addressed by their "betters". Instead they cling to their guns and religion, and they note that happy talk to our enemies may not persuade them to be our friends. Sowell notes that the happy talk theory was tried with disasterous results in the 1930s, while the Cold War ended due not to happy talk but substantial investments in weaponry that could not be matched by Soviet central planning.
Interesting.
Boston Legal Quotes
Phyliss: I need your help. You always said I could come to you for anything.
Alan: I meant sexually.
Alan: I meant sexually.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Thoughts on San Jose
Thank god for special teams and defense. Great game by the defensive line with 2 INTs including the tip by Zach Potter that was returned 49 yds for a TD by Ndamakong Suh. Great return by Niles Paul to begin the fourthy quarter when we really neeeded it.
If anyone would have told me we'd need repeated defenisve stands in the first half to avoid being down to SJ St. at the half, I'd have thought they were crazy. Watson & Cotton has to find a way to get the line going and get the running game started. Roy Helu appears to deserve some more playing time.
If anyone would have told me we'd need repeated defenisve stands in the first half to avoid being down to SJ St. at the half, I'd have thought they were crazy. Watson & Cotton has to find a way to get the line going and get the running game started. Roy Helu appears to deserve some more playing time.
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: I wonder if sometimes I get married just to have someone listen to my stories again.
Alan: Not a terrible reason.
Alan: Not a terrible reason.
Friday, September 05, 2008
McCain Speech - Call to Serve
Fantastic finish last night.
"I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else’s. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency; for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn’t my own man anymore. I was my country’s.
I’m not running for president because I think I’m blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God.
If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you’re disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist in our Armed Forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed. Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier. Because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself."
While I've had my doubts about the man, as well as many, many disagreements, I could not agree more with these words. Wow.
"I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else’s. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency; for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn’t my own man anymore. I was my country’s.
I’m not running for president because I think I’m blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God.
If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you’re disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist in our Armed Forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed. Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier. Because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself."
While I've had my doubts about the man, as well as many, many disagreements, I could not agree more with these words. Wow.
Boston Legal Quotes
Alan: Catherine, may I ask why would you seek to befriend this man?
Catherine: Well, I felt at his core he wasn't evil. I also thought I could help him by introducing him to Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Alan: Was he open to that?
Catherine: Not terribly. He thought it would make him look like a bad Jew.
Catherine: Well, I felt at his core he wasn't evil. I also thought I could help him by introducing him to Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Alan: Was he open to that?
Catherine: Not terribly. He thought it would make him look like a bad Jew.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Dwight Biddle: We became very close.
Shirley: You strayed with livestock?
Dwight Biddle: It's not what you think. It was all very loving.
Shirley: You strayed with livestock?
Dwight Biddle: It's not what you think. It was all very loving.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Economic Report Card
Robert Samuelson takes a look at the Census Bureau's just released "Economic Report Card", sure to cause anguish in the media and punidtry circles, but the appearances of some bad numbers mask some positive signs. Samuelson takes issue with the methodology, which I believe justified, in using the year 1999 as the baseline. As he points out, this was the peak year of the Y2K/millenium boom, so using the peak as a baseline appears to me to be seriously suspect.
Secondly, the study is based on aggregate household data, not that of individuals, so changes in a person's personal life, such as getting married or divorced, children moving out, retirement, etc. effect the results. Samuelson also effectively makes the case that immigration skews the results as more unskilled immigrants are added to the household pool regardless of their legal status. If you look more closely, you find that white and black household gains are remarkably similar.
"Low-skilled immigrants, concentrated among Hispanics, outnumber the high-skilled. They drag down median incomes and raise poverty and the uninsured. One way to filter out the effect on income is to examine groups with few immigrants or their American-born children. Consider non-Hispanic white families. From 1997 to 2007, their median incomes rose about $6,000 to $69,937, a gain of about 9 percent. For black families, the increase was also about 9 percent, though only to $40,222. Again, not stagnation.
Immigration's effects on poverty and health insurance coverage are greater. Since 1990, Hispanics numerically account for all the increase in the number of officially poor. Similarly, immigrants represented 55 percent of the increase of the uninsured from 1994 to 2006, says the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Many unskilled workers can't get well-paid jobs with insurance."
Thirdly is the survey only measures income and ignores transfer payments and fringe benefits provided by employers. Nearly half of compensation gains from employers have been channeled into benefits due to increasing healthcare costs and pension contributions, as well as increased tax payments due to rising (albeit slowly) incomes.
Samuelson notes that things look worse over the long term given the trends - rising helthcare costs and increased immigration risk further damage to the economy and rising burdens to government. If not addressed, these factors threaten the long term prospects of the Americna economy.
Secondly, the study is based on aggregate household data, not that of individuals, so changes in a person's personal life, such as getting married or divorced, children moving out, retirement, etc. effect the results. Samuelson also effectively makes the case that immigration skews the results as more unskilled immigrants are added to the household pool regardless of their legal status. If you look more closely, you find that white and black household gains are remarkably similar.
"Low-skilled immigrants, concentrated among Hispanics, outnumber the high-skilled. They drag down median incomes and raise poverty and the uninsured. One way to filter out the effect on income is to examine groups with few immigrants or their American-born children. Consider non-Hispanic white families. From 1997 to 2007, their median incomes rose about $6,000 to $69,937, a gain of about 9 percent. For black families, the increase was also about 9 percent, though only to $40,222. Again, not stagnation.
Immigration's effects on poverty and health insurance coverage are greater. Since 1990, Hispanics numerically account for all the increase in the number of officially poor. Similarly, immigrants represented 55 percent of the increase of the uninsured from 1994 to 2006, says the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Many unskilled workers can't get well-paid jobs with insurance."
Thirdly is the survey only measures income and ignores transfer payments and fringe benefits provided by employers. Nearly half of compensation gains from employers have been channeled into benefits due to increasing healthcare costs and pension contributions, as well as increased tax payments due to rising (albeit slowly) incomes.
Samuelson notes that things look worse over the long term given the trends - rising helthcare costs and increased immigration risk further damage to the economy and rising burdens to government. If not addressed, these factors threaten the long term prospects of the Americna economy.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Western Michigan Game
No link, just my thoughts.
I attended the beginning of the Pelini era, and am cautiously optimistic my prognostication skills have successfully returned along with the Husker defense. I figured 42-17, actual was 47-24. Largely a successful effort, but as Bo stated in hyis post game comments, we strive for perfection around here, and while we've got a long way to go, it was a pretty solid effort. A lot of good things to consider, along with a few negatives.
First, the offense appears to have not lost a beat, with Joe Ganz going for 20 of 36 for almost 350 and throwing four scores. The not so good was the two picks, although only the second one was his fault. He'll have to avoid that impulse to force things when facing better opponents.
Secondly, while the running game wasn't dominant, it was somewhat effective, as we ran for 7 first downs and averaged 4.5 a carry with a patchwork line missing two projected starters (Lydon Murtha and Javario Burkes) and having another ( Mike Huff) suffer a minor injury. The Broncos also often came out stacking the box and daring us to pass, which cost them.
The big concern going into the game was the defense, and while it wasn't mistake free, there was good effort and some nice penetration from the line (four sacks), and the Cody Glenn conversion appears succcessful, as he had 12 tackles (9 solo) three pass breakups and a forced fumble. The secondary had a couple of issues but we wound up missing Murillo, Colbert and Thenarse for most of the game. Young corners West, Amukamara and Hagg all had fairly solid play most of the day. The kicking game was excellent, with four FG from 44 and a good effort in the return game from Niles Paul.
Overall, I'd give it a B. Improvement will be necessary to challenge the better teams in the conference, and more consistent play out of the secondary and linebacking corps is needed, along with further development in the running game.
I attended the beginning of the Pelini era, and am cautiously optimistic my prognostication skills have successfully returned along with the Husker defense. I figured 42-17, actual was 47-24. Largely a successful effort, but as Bo stated in hyis post game comments, we strive for perfection around here, and while we've got a long way to go, it was a pretty solid effort. A lot of good things to consider, along with a few negatives.
First, the offense appears to have not lost a beat, with Joe Ganz going for 20 of 36 for almost 350 and throwing four scores. The not so good was the two picks, although only the second one was his fault. He'll have to avoid that impulse to force things when facing better opponents.
Secondly, while the running game wasn't dominant, it was somewhat effective, as we ran for 7 first downs and averaged 4.5 a carry with a patchwork line missing two projected starters (Lydon Murtha and Javario Burkes) and having another ( Mike Huff) suffer a minor injury. The Broncos also often came out stacking the box and daring us to pass, which cost them.
The big concern going into the game was the defense, and while it wasn't mistake free, there was good effort and some nice penetration from the line (four sacks), and the Cody Glenn conversion appears succcessful, as he had 12 tackles (9 solo) three pass breakups and a forced fumble. The secondary had a couple of issues but we wound up missing Murillo, Colbert and Thenarse for most of the game. Young corners West, Amukamara and Hagg all had fairly solid play most of the day. The kicking game was excellent, with four FG from 44 and a good effort in the return game from Niles Paul.
Overall, I'd give it a B. Improvement will be necessary to challenge the better teams in the conference, and more consistent play out of the secondary and linebacking corps is needed, along with further development in the running game.
McCain's Worldview Contributed to Selection
Hard to say the last time I linked the NY Times, but I believe that David Brooks makes an important point regarding McCain and Palin, althoug I do disagree a bit on his summation. (HT: RCP) I think Brooks may the paper's token conservative/moderate columnist - in other words, the only adult on staff.
McCain is not a true conservative Republican, he is a moderate, and while he usually toes the traditional party line (I think his ACU rating is around 85) he seems determined to go his own way at times, and Brooks does a nice job of identifying the crux of the McCain's Teddy Roosevelt worldview.
"The main axis in McCain’s worldview is not left-right. It’s public service versus narrow self-interest. Throughout his career, he has been drawn to those crusades that enabled him to launch frontal attacks on the concentrated powers of selfishness — whether it was the big money donors who exploited the loose campaign finance system, the earmark specialists in Congress like Alaska’s Don Young and Ted Stevens, the corrupt Pentagon contractors or Jack Abramoff."
Palin, like McCain, is a political reformer and it now seems obvious that she would appeal to McCain's instincts. He simply picked the only potential VP pick that was like himself. The fact she is female and relatively young were merely bonuses, although ones that are likely to have a major impact on the race.
Brooks worries that such a moralistic worldview doesn't work in every situation, particularly on issues that are complex and require compromises. While McCain has forged such compromises (and infuriated many Republicans when he has done so) Brooks worries that McCain's lack of fundamental political philosophy on the scope and purpose of government may hinder his effectiveness.
Brooks loses me at this point, stating there aren't enough Republican experts to staff the new administration (Huh?) and thus McCain will have to turn to Democrats and independents, significant Democratic opposition in Congress, and his own free wheeling ways when it comes to those issues that aren't moral crusades. Brooks then appears to imply that McCain should have picked someone well versed in guiding items through the Washington establishment, someone who covers for McCain's weaknesses. But the job Brooks poutlines isn't necessarily the job of the number two, it is more in the job description of the White House Chief of Staff, which would be a great spot for one of the names he floated, Rob Portman.
Still a very interesting column, especially considering the source, and remarkably balanced.
McCain is not a true conservative Republican, he is a moderate, and while he usually toes the traditional party line (I think his ACU rating is around 85) he seems determined to go his own way at times, and Brooks does a nice job of identifying the crux of the McCain's Teddy Roosevelt worldview.
"The main axis in McCain’s worldview is not left-right. It’s public service versus narrow self-interest. Throughout his career, he has been drawn to those crusades that enabled him to launch frontal attacks on the concentrated powers of selfishness — whether it was the big money donors who exploited the loose campaign finance system, the earmark specialists in Congress like Alaska’s Don Young and Ted Stevens, the corrupt Pentagon contractors or Jack Abramoff."
Palin, like McCain, is a political reformer and it now seems obvious that she would appeal to McCain's instincts. He simply picked the only potential VP pick that was like himself. The fact she is female and relatively young were merely bonuses, although ones that are likely to have a major impact on the race.
Brooks worries that such a moralistic worldview doesn't work in every situation, particularly on issues that are complex and require compromises. While McCain has forged such compromises (and infuriated many Republicans when he has done so) Brooks worries that McCain's lack of fundamental political philosophy on the scope and purpose of government may hinder his effectiveness.
Brooks loses me at this point, stating there aren't enough Republican experts to staff the new administration (Huh?) and thus McCain will have to turn to Democrats and independents, significant Democratic opposition in Congress, and his own free wheeling ways when it comes to those issues that aren't moral crusades. Brooks then appears to imply that McCain should have picked someone well versed in guiding items through the Washington establishment, someone who covers for McCain's weaknesses. But the job Brooks poutlines isn't necessarily the job of the number two, it is more in the job description of the White House Chief of Staff, which would be a great spot for one of the names he floated, Rob Portman.
Still a very interesting column, especially considering the source, and remarkably balanced.
Boston Legal Quotes
Alan: What are you thinking about? It's not a trick question.
Denny: Can't I have a solitary, pensive moment? Keep a thought to myself?
Alan: Ha, ha... You forgot what you were thinking.
Denny: Can't I have a solitary, pensive moment? Keep a thought to myself?
Alan: Ha, ha... You forgot what you were thinking.
Friday, August 29, 2008
McCain Picks Palin
Rumors are abounding that McCain's VP selection will be Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. apparently the announcement will be today in Ohio, and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will not be in attendance, nor will former Mass. Governor Mitt Romney, both of whom were supposedly on the short list.
Palin, 44, was a TV reporter, is a former beauty queen and mother of five. She was elected Alaska's youngest (and first female) governor in 2006. Her oldest son Track joined the US Army last year and is expected to deploy to Iraq next year. Her youngest child, son Trig is four and suffers from Down's syndrome. Palin and her husband Todd also have three daughters, ranging in age from 17 to 7. Her positives are her youth, her gender, and she is seen as strongly pro-life, fiscally conservative and pro-energy in her public policy positions.
Obviously a play for Hillary supporters, but she also provides some good conservative credentials to the ticket as well.
Late edit: This was confirmed as I was writing the post, the link provided is to Fox's announcement.
Palin, 44, was a TV reporter, is a former beauty queen and mother of five. She was elected Alaska's youngest (and first female) governor in 2006. Her oldest son Track joined the US Army last year and is expected to deploy to Iraq next year. Her youngest child, son Trig is four and suffers from Down's syndrome. Palin and her husband Todd also have three daughters, ranging in age from 17 to 7. Her positives are her youth, her gender, and she is seen as strongly pro-life, fiscally conservative and pro-energy in her public policy positions.
Obviously a play for Hillary supporters, but she also provides some good conservative credentials to the ticket as well.
Late edit: This was confirmed as I was writing the post, the link provided is to Fox's announcement.
Boston Legal Quotes
Alan: Jerry, you know I have a tremendous affection for my own intelligence, and even I think you are smarter than me.
Jerry Espenson: Oh, I am.
Jerry Espenson: Oh, I am.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Melissa: How's my hair? Does my hair work?
Alan: It does appear to grow each month.
Alan: It does appear to grow each month.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Huskers New Depth Chart
HC Bo Pelini and company released a new depth chart last night, and there were a few interesting tidbits heading into the opener against Western Michigan this Saturday. At the beginning of fall practice Lydon Murtha was listed as the top LT and Javario Burkes at RT, but the two players have switched sides this fall, and Burkes is serving as #2 to sophmore Mike Smith. It must be noted that Burkes missed quite a bit if practice time due to a blood pressure issue. Good note on Smith from DE Zach Potter.
"After going against Smith in practice, defensive end Zach Potter seemed impressed, noting that Smith “has given us fits at times.”
Another item of interest is the emergence of two freshman linebackers, Will Compton in the middle and Sean Fisher at Buck as the top backups to Phil Dilliard and Tyler Wortman. Soph Anthony West appears to have the inital edge over fellow soph Prince Akamakura right corner, but it's likely Prince will have the nickel duties. Another frosh appearing on the depth chart was TE Ben Cotton, son of OL Coach Barney, although at #4. Meno Holt and Niles Paul appear to have the second spots wrapped up at WR behind the seniors Todd Peterson and Nate Swift, with Will Henry and Chris Brooks also listed.
On special teams, it looks like senior WR Nate Swift and sophomore WR Niles Paul will be doing the punt return duties, with Paul and safety Larry Asante returning kickoffs. Offensively, the depth chart has the running back position listed as Marlon Lucky OR Roy Helu OR Quentin Castille. Despite making quite a splash in practice, Offensive Guard Ricky Henry may wind up redshirting, and still no word on the status of DT Baker Steinkuhler either. Redshirt freshman Jared Crick is listed as backing up older brother Ty Steinkuhler at defensive tackle.
On the (much) less positive side, TE Hunter Teafatiller is suspended for the opener due to alcohol related issues, and former OL Andy Christiansen's trial for alleged sexual assault began this week.
"After going against Smith in practice, defensive end Zach Potter seemed impressed, noting that Smith “has given us fits at times.”
Another item of interest is the emergence of two freshman linebackers, Will Compton in the middle and Sean Fisher at Buck as the top backups to Phil Dilliard and Tyler Wortman. Soph Anthony West appears to have the inital edge over fellow soph Prince Akamakura right corner, but it's likely Prince will have the nickel duties. Another frosh appearing on the depth chart was TE Ben Cotton, son of OL Coach Barney, although at #4. Meno Holt and Niles Paul appear to have the second spots wrapped up at WR behind the seniors Todd Peterson and Nate Swift, with Will Henry and Chris Brooks also listed.
On special teams, it looks like senior WR Nate Swift and sophomore WR Niles Paul will be doing the punt return duties, with Paul and safety Larry Asante returning kickoffs. Offensively, the depth chart has the running back position listed as Marlon Lucky OR Roy Helu OR Quentin Castille. Despite making quite a splash in practice, Offensive Guard Ricky Henry may wind up redshirting, and still no word on the status of DT Baker Steinkuhler either. Redshirt freshman Jared Crick is listed as backing up older brother Ty Steinkuhler at defensive tackle.
On the (much) less positive side, TE Hunter Teafatiller is suspended for the opener due to alcohol related issues, and former OL Andy Christiansen's trial for alleged sexual assault began this week.
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: What are you doing in my office?
Paul: This is my office, Denny.
Denny: Oh, that must mean I've come to see you...why?
Paul: This is my office, Denny.
Denny: Oh, that must mean I've come to see you...why?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Dr. Glouberman: She's a vicious, spiteful, treacherous pig. That's what she is.
Denise: I'm not going to lead with that.
Denise: I'm not going to lead with that.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Democratic VP Candidate Biden
Ken Balckwell has an interesting piece on Democratic VP candidate Joe Biden and what he brings to the Democratic ticket. Biden helps Obama in a couple of ways, primarily in that he brings a wealth of foreign policy experience, having served as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He also has a relatively good relationship with the Clintons, which certainly doesn't hurt but may not be enough to influence Clinton supporters still angry over the primary duel.
On the other hand, Biden doesn't help swing any states in favor of Obama, and it must be noted that Biden's own run left the base decidely unexcited, and went nowhere with Democratic voters, dropping out after Iowa. Blackwell notes that Obama's weakness on foreign policy issues extends to national security issues, where Biden is not exactly an expert, although he may help to a limited degree.
However, Biden may actually hurt Obama in two other areas, one being that Biden really doesn't bring any ideological balance to the ticket. Both men are extreme liberals, and the choice of Biden ia a curious one when Obama's perceived weakness is convincing moderate voters that he shares their values. Both men are anti-gun, pro-abortion, and support higher tax rates and increased Federal spending. Biden alos has no executive experience, something distinctly lacking from Obama as well.
While Biden is known as a tough campaigner and is generally well liked by Senate colleagues, he has been known to shoot off his mouth on occaison, and has a history of "borrowing" words from other political figures, such as Robert Kennedy. The selection is also curious given Senator Obama is running as a transformational figure, so selecting a old-haqnd Senate insider cuts across one of the central themes of his entire campaign.
Blackwell has a pretty good summation of the pick:
"Mr. Biden was not the best choice for Mr. Obama. Sure, Messrs. Bayh and Kaine certainly had problems of their own. But if he wanted someone with broad-spectrum national security/foreign policy credentials who could reach traditional voters, he could have asked Sam Nunn of Georgia. If he wanted executive experience and appeal to new constituencies while still getting foreign policy expertise, he could have asked Bill Richardson. And if he wanted to heal his party, he could have asked Hillary Clinton."
I have to agree, my thought was that Obama would have been wise to select Evan Bayh or possibly Sam Nunn, both of whom bring a lot more to the table, at least in my opinion, particularly if you are trying to switch a red state to blue. To my thinking, Biden isn't a very inspired choice, but I guess Obama could have done worse.
On the other hand, Biden doesn't help swing any states in favor of Obama, and it must be noted that Biden's own run left the base decidely unexcited, and went nowhere with Democratic voters, dropping out after Iowa. Blackwell notes that Obama's weakness on foreign policy issues extends to national security issues, where Biden is not exactly an expert, although he may help to a limited degree.
However, Biden may actually hurt Obama in two other areas, one being that Biden really doesn't bring any ideological balance to the ticket. Both men are extreme liberals, and the choice of Biden ia a curious one when Obama's perceived weakness is convincing moderate voters that he shares their values. Both men are anti-gun, pro-abortion, and support higher tax rates and increased Federal spending. Biden alos has no executive experience, something distinctly lacking from Obama as well.
While Biden is known as a tough campaigner and is generally well liked by Senate colleagues, he has been known to shoot off his mouth on occaison, and has a history of "borrowing" words from other political figures, such as Robert Kennedy. The selection is also curious given Senator Obama is running as a transformational figure, so selecting a old-haqnd Senate insider cuts across one of the central themes of his entire campaign.
Blackwell has a pretty good summation of the pick:
"Mr. Biden was not the best choice for Mr. Obama. Sure, Messrs. Bayh and Kaine certainly had problems of their own. But if he wanted someone with broad-spectrum national security/foreign policy credentials who could reach traditional voters, he could have asked Sam Nunn of Georgia. If he wanted executive experience and appeal to new constituencies while still getting foreign policy expertise, he could have asked Bill Richardson. And if he wanted to heal his party, he could have asked Hillary Clinton."
I have to agree, my thought was that Obama would have been wise to select Evan Bayh or possibly Sam Nunn, both of whom bring a lot more to the table, at least in my opinion, particularly if you are trying to switch a red state to blue. To my thinking, Biden isn't a very inspired choice, but I guess Obama could have done worse.
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: [to Judge Harvey Cooper[ You're a douchebag. I don't do well with douchebags.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Game Day Just a Week Away
Via the OWH's Big Red Today, Husker LB Coach Mike Ekeler is amped about the beginning of the season, and said yesterday the beginning of game planning made the players feel like it was "Christmas" on Thursday. DC Carl Pelini, having come over from Ohio in the MAC conference, has some idea of the offensive scheme of first opponent Western Michigan, and says the Broncos are a fundamentally sound team that is good up front and very physical.
"Ekeler admitted that he’ll get more and more energetic as the next week progresses – which is almost hard to believe. The first-year coach is the loudest person in preseason camp. He can be heard across both practice fields that sit just outside the Hawks Center. He’s pumped even for the seemingly monotonous individual footwork and blocking drills at the beginning of practice."
On the injury front, it appears that the physical nature of fall camp has not resulted in any serious injuries, although soph CB Anthony Blue is likely to sit out the season as a redshirt due to lingering issues with his knee. On a positive note, apparent starting RT Javario Burkes has been practicing recently after being held out due to a blood pressure issue. Backup LB LaTravis Washington appears to have returned, and reserve DTs Terrence Moore and starter Ty Steinkuhler have also been practicing after missing a few days. Junior safety Major Culbert is recovering from an ankle sprain but should be ready to go, and DE Clayton Sievers, the only other Husker held out of yesterday's scrimmage, probably would have played if it had been gametime.
As far as redshirts go, it appears that there are at least four and possibly seven freshman who appear to be in line for playing time, primarily on the defensive side of the ball. WR Khiry Cooper appears to be in the mix as a return man on special teams, CB John Levorson in the secondary, TE Ben Cotton, and LB Will Compton, along with LB Sean Fsicher, CB Alonzo Dennard, and safety PJ Smith. Baker Steinkuhler? Coaches are keeping it tight to the vest so far, but I have to think that he's ready to play alongside brother Ty.
Some other players making an impact in camp so far: LG Ricky Henry (along with the rest of the O-line), the first four of the RB corps, QB Joe Ganz, WRs Menelik Holt, Curenski Guilleylen, Chris Brooks and Niles Paul, CB Anthony Murillo, safety Larry Asante, LBs Cody Glenn and Phil Dilliard, DE Barry Turner, and DT Ndamukong Suh.
I'm pretty sure that this coaching staff can get the guys to perform at much higher level than the previous one, and the schedule still looks pretty favorable to be undefeated (unless I'm hugely mistaken) when Mizzou comes to Lincoln on Oct. 4th.
"Ekeler admitted that he’ll get more and more energetic as the next week progresses – which is almost hard to believe. The first-year coach is the loudest person in preseason camp. He can be heard across both practice fields that sit just outside the Hawks Center. He’s pumped even for the seemingly monotonous individual footwork and blocking drills at the beginning of practice."
On the injury front, it appears that the physical nature of fall camp has not resulted in any serious injuries, although soph CB Anthony Blue is likely to sit out the season as a redshirt due to lingering issues with his knee. On a positive note, apparent starting RT Javario Burkes has been practicing recently after being held out due to a blood pressure issue. Backup LB LaTravis Washington appears to have returned, and reserve DTs Terrence Moore and starter Ty Steinkuhler have also been practicing after missing a few days. Junior safety Major Culbert is recovering from an ankle sprain but should be ready to go, and DE Clayton Sievers, the only other Husker held out of yesterday's scrimmage, probably would have played if it had been gametime.
As far as redshirts go, it appears that there are at least four and possibly seven freshman who appear to be in line for playing time, primarily on the defensive side of the ball. WR Khiry Cooper appears to be in the mix as a return man on special teams, CB John Levorson in the secondary, TE Ben Cotton, and LB Will Compton, along with LB Sean Fsicher, CB Alonzo Dennard, and safety PJ Smith. Baker Steinkuhler? Coaches are keeping it tight to the vest so far, but I have to think that he's ready to play alongside brother Ty.
Some other players making an impact in camp so far: LG Ricky Henry (along with the rest of the O-line), the first four of the RB corps, QB Joe Ganz, WRs Menelik Holt, Curenski Guilleylen, Chris Brooks and Niles Paul, CB Anthony Murillo, safety Larry Asante, LBs Cody Glenn and Phil Dilliard, DE Barry Turner, and DT Ndamukong Suh.
I'm pretty sure that this coaching staff can get the guys to perform at much higher level than the previous one, and the schedule still looks pretty favorable to be undefeated (unless I'm hugely mistaken) when Mizzou comes to Lincoln on Oct. 4th.
Boston Legal Quotes
Shirley: If I agree to help you, one condition. I assume during the course of this case 'breasts' will be referred to in many colorful ways.
Alan: One would hope.
Shirley: Personally, however, I don't ever want to hear them referred to as 'hooters'. I hate that word. Oh, and this is a little off-topic, but I hate the word 'underpants', too.
Alan: If I can have your breasts, I promise not to say 'hooters'.
Shirley: Thank you, Alan.
Alan: Now, as for underpants, if you promise not to wear an...
Shirley: [interrupting] Goodbye, Alan.
Alan: One would hope.
Shirley: Personally, however, I don't ever want to hear them referred to as 'hooters'. I hate that word. Oh, and this is a little off-topic, but I hate the word 'underpants', too.
Alan: If I can have your breasts, I promise not to say 'hooters'.
Shirley: Thank you, Alan.
Alan: Now, as for underpants, if you promise not to wear an...
Shirley: [interrupting] Goodbye, Alan.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Iraqi Oil Production
Michael Makovsky at the Weekly Standard points out another benefit to the troop surge in Iraq: to note, a 500,000 barrel a day increase in Iraqi oil production - the same amount requested by the US government when pleading with the Saudis to increase their own production. The Iraqis are now back to their pre-war production levels of 2.5 million per day, with 80% of that destined for export. Even better, with just a little investment, the nation could produce quite a bit more - even more than the 3.5 million barrels a day it produced prior to the first Gulf War.
"Iraq has great potential as an oil producer and exporter. It is perhaps the least developed oil exporting country in the world with already the third largest proven oil reserves, and produced as much as 3.5 million barrels per day in 1990 before the Kuwait invasion, the Gulf war, and sanctions. Iraqis have long had plans to reach more than 6 million barrels per day of production, which could be achieved within a decade with security and foreign investment. But despite the obvious potential and recent progress, political factors in both the United States and Iraq continue to constrain Iraq's oil sector."
One obstacle has been the Iraqi govenment itself, given that the legislature has still not formulated an agreement over revenue sharing between the country's various factions, and a lack of expertise in the oil ministry. Another issue is meddling by the American government in the form of Senators John Kerry (D- Mass) and Charles Schumer (D-New York). They disingenously argue that without a revenue sharing arrangement, increased production will lead to more factional conflict in Iraq - even as production has increased with an ebb in factional conflict. They also object to Americna firms getting technical service deals in Iraq, (in their minds, this gives the appearance that we really did go to war in Iraq over oil) even though American pil firms are probably the best qualified to help increase production.
If Iraq were to increase their production another 500,000 barrels a day, it would represent a 20% increase in spare global oil prodcution capacity. I have to wonder what the impact of that would be at the pump.
"Iraq has great potential as an oil producer and exporter. It is perhaps the least developed oil exporting country in the world with already the third largest proven oil reserves, and produced as much as 3.5 million barrels per day in 1990 before the Kuwait invasion, the Gulf war, and sanctions. Iraqis have long had plans to reach more than 6 million barrels per day of production, which could be achieved within a decade with security and foreign investment. But despite the obvious potential and recent progress, political factors in both the United States and Iraq continue to constrain Iraq's oil sector."
One obstacle has been the Iraqi govenment itself, given that the legislature has still not formulated an agreement over revenue sharing between the country's various factions, and a lack of expertise in the oil ministry. Another issue is meddling by the American government in the form of Senators John Kerry (D- Mass) and Charles Schumer (D-New York). They disingenously argue that without a revenue sharing arrangement, increased production will lead to more factional conflict in Iraq - even as production has increased with an ebb in factional conflict. They also object to Americna firms getting technical service deals in Iraq, (in their minds, this gives the appearance that we really did go to war in Iraq over oil) even though American pil firms are probably the best qualified to help increase production.
If Iraq were to increase their production another 500,000 barrels a day, it would represent a 20% increase in spare global oil prodcution capacity. I have to wonder what the impact of that would be at the pump.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Corporations and Taxes
Steven Malanga at RCP points out the dynamism of the American economy and takes issue with the recent media reports indicating most American corporations don't any any taxes. Malanga uses the US 2005 economic numbers to illustrate these themes. By All accounts 2005 was a great year, unemployment averaged under 5%, the economy grew at a solid pace, and overall corporate profits increased 18%.
First he examines the labor market, which added 2 million new jobs, but he notes this number masks the fact that 31 million new jobs were actually created, while 29 million jobs were eliminated. About 1.5 million business were expanding, about the same were contracting, and around 325,000 actually went out of business. So the net numbers substantially mask the rather massive true churn in these labor markets.
On the second note, the GAO report indicating that most corporations (2/3s) do not pay corporate taxes ignore the fact that most US corporations are chartered as small business S-corporations, in which the business owner receieves their profits in the form of wages and thus pay income taxes on their profits rather get taxed under the corporate rate. The reports also indicates that around a quarter of "big businesses" also pay no corporate taxes, but this ignores the fact that not all businesses make any profits that can be taxed.
"The impression one gets from corporate critics is that many are prospering but exploiting loopholes in the tax code and leaving the rest of us to pick up the tab. But that criticism is based on the mistaken notion that in robust years, such as 2005, virtually all businesses do well. Nothing could be further from the truth. Even in good times, there are plenty of losers in a dynamic economy. The BLS’ Business Dynamics Survey, for instance, shows that in 2005 there were 7.3 businesses that were contracting for every 7.6 that were expanding, including 1.3 that were closing their doors for every 1.5 that were starting up. Large businesses were hardly immune to this kind of tumult. For every 5.8 jobs added by firms with more than 500 employees, other firms that big eliminated 4.9 jobs. Among those hit hard in 2005 was General Motors, which despite $193 billion in revenues wracked up a $10.4 billion loss and cut its workforce. It shouldn’t be necessary to remind reporters and editors who cover such matters that businesses pay taxes on their profits, not sales."
Of course, this little factoid is often confused by our betters in the media, who quite often use sales revenue data rather than the net income numbers. As the author notes, many industries have extremely small margins, such the supermarket industry, which has margins around 1-2%. Even mighty Wal-mart had margins of only 3.4%, on revenues of 312 billion, for a profit of 11.7 billion after paying 5.8 billion in taxes. Of course, looking at these numbers, you also should note that the US corporate tax rate is the second highest in the world at 35% (if I recall correctly), which also has a dramatic impact on the competitiveness of US corporations overall and the ability of these businesses to hire.
First he examines the labor market, which added 2 million new jobs, but he notes this number masks the fact that 31 million new jobs were actually created, while 29 million jobs were eliminated. About 1.5 million business were expanding, about the same were contracting, and around 325,000 actually went out of business. So the net numbers substantially mask the rather massive true churn in these labor markets.
On the second note, the GAO report indicating that most corporations (2/3s) do not pay corporate taxes ignore the fact that most US corporations are chartered as small business S-corporations, in which the business owner receieves their profits in the form of wages and thus pay income taxes on their profits rather get taxed under the corporate rate. The reports also indicates that around a quarter of "big businesses" also pay no corporate taxes, but this ignores the fact that not all businesses make any profits that can be taxed.
"The impression one gets from corporate critics is that many are prospering but exploiting loopholes in the tax code and leaving the rest of us to pick up the tab. But that criticism is based on the mistaken notion that in robust years, such as 2005, virtually all businesses do well. Nothing could be further from the truth. Even in good times, there are plenty of losers in a dynamic economy. The BLS’ Business Dynamics Survey, for instance, shows that in 2005 there were 7.3 businesses that were contracting for every 7.6 that were expanding, including 1.3 that were closing their doors for every 1.5 that were starting up. Large businesses were hardly immune to this kind of tumult. For every 5.8 jobs added by firms with more than 500 employees, other firms that big eliminated 4.9 jobs. Among those hit hard in 2005 was General Motors, which despite $193 billion in revenues wracked up a $10.4 billion loss and cut its workforce. It shouldn’t be necessary to remind reporters and editors who cover such matters that businesses pay taxes on their profits, not sales."
Of course, this little factoid is often confused by our betters in the media, who quite often use sales revenue data rather than the net income numbers. As the author notes, many industries have extremely small margins, such the supermarket industry, which has margins around 1-2%. Even mighty Wal-mart had margins of only 3.4%, on revenues of 312 billion, for a profit of 11.7 billion after paying 5.8 billion in taxes. Of course, looking at these numbers, you also should note that the US corporate tax rate is the second highest in the world at 35% (if I recall correctly), which also has a dramatic impact on the competitiveness of US corporations overall and the ability of these businesses to hire.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Judge Peter Harding: And how are we supposed to understand what she's saying?
Malcolm: Well, we have her affidavit. Plus as it happens, I speak cello.
Malcolm: Well, we have her affidavit. Plus as it happens, I speak cello.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Ancient Graveyard Found in Sahara
National Geographic relays a spectacular find in the African Sahara desert: a single graveyard covering two different cultural periods spanning 5000 years near the shores of a now vanished lake.
"The scientists eventually uncovered 200 burials of two vastly different cultures that span five thousand years—the first time such a site has been found at a single site. Called Gobero, the area is a uniquely preserved record of human habitation and burials from the Kiffian (7700 to 6200 B.C.) and the Tenerian (5200 to 2500 B.C.) cultures."
What I find interesting is the research team wasn't in the area looking for human artifacts or remains, but instead was a team of paleontologists looking for dinosaur bones.
The area was a lush grassland during the period of habitation, which gave way to desertification over the historical period and the rains which supported the vegatation withered. The Kiffian culture was previously known to be in the area from artifacts but human remains from the period were exteremly rare if not unknown. This early period appears to have been better able to support human settlement. After an intervening dry spell, the Tenerian culture arrived in the area, making adaptations to exist in the drier climate but eventually forced to move on as the climate continued to shift.
"The scientists eventually uncovered 200 burials of two vastly different cultures that span five thousand years—the first time such a site has been found at a single site. Called Gobero, the area is a uniquely preserved record of human habitation and burials from the Kiffian (7700 to 6200 B.C.) and the Tenerian (5200 to 2500 B.C.) cultures."
What I find interesting is the research team wasn't in the area looking for human artifacts or remains, but instead was a team of paleontologists looking for dinosaur bones.
The area was a lush grassland during the period of habitation, which gave way to desertification over the historical period and the rains which supported the vegatation withered. The Kiffian culture was previously known to be in the area from artifacts but human remains from the period were exteremly rare if not unknown. This early period appears to have been better able to support human settlement. After an intervening dry spell, the Tenerian culture arrived in the area, making adaptations to exist in the drier climate but eventually forced to move on as the climate continued to shift.
Fred Speaks Foreign Policy
Townhall has a new Fred Thompson column on the dangers the US faces worldwide, and how there really is only one candidate ready to lead. Obama's been on vacation in Hawaii; John McCain ahs been to Georgia on several occaisons, knows the situation there, and was ready to speak to the crisis as it developed.
"This crisis half a world away confirms what I’ve been saying for a while: This election cycle, the traffic in the world is very heavy …and dangerous; it’s no time to give a kid with barely a learner’s permit the keys to the car."
I like the analogy.
"This crisis half a world away confirms what I’ve been saying for a while: This election cycle, the traffic in the world is very heavy …and dangerous; it’s no time to give a kid with barely a learner’s permit the keys to the car."
I like the analogy.
10 Years By Today's Rules
John Utley at Reason (HT:RCP) examines the mantra of the anti-drilling forces, which has been "it'll take 10 years" to get any oil out of the ground. In short this is due to the government making it that way due to exessive regulations and litigation by environmental groups.
"In July, CNN repeatedly reported that offshore drilling would take "seven to 10 years" to get into production. Yet Brazil's Petrobras expects its new finds in extraordinarily deep waters to already be producing 100,000 barrels per day in just two years. What is wrong with American oil companies that they would take so long?
In fact, the world oil shortage is political, not geological. In the U.S., the government prohibits drilling offshore."
Utley believes that ANWR in particular holds promise for developing in only 2-3 years - IF laws are changed to fast track leasing rights there and Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachman's proposal (who I'm proud to say I contributed to in the 2006 elections) to create special "environmental courts" to expedite litigation is adopted. Under current rules, the actual drilling and production would take only two to three years, with a year or better for the environmental impact study, a year or two to actually sell the leases from the Dept. of the Interior, and double it all due to courtsuits for the "10 years". This also assumes the concurrent construction of the 75 mile pipeline from the area to the existing line located at Prudhoe Bay, doubtful under the current regime, but certainly possible if we have the fortitude to make the necessary changes in the system.
Utley also notes that France and China can build and put a new nuclear plant online in as little as two years as well. Meanwhile, the US continues to rely on foreign energy sources despite having plentiful resources to potentially develop and draw upon, including natural gas, coal liquification, gas hydrates, nuclear and oil shale, all of which are currently prohibited in most areas of the nation, in some cases (such as shale) the entire nation.
The best thing to come out of all of the pain we are experiencing at the pump is that people are finally waking up and beginning to ask the question - what the hell is wrong in Washington DC?
"In July, CNN repeatedly reported that offshore drilling would take "seven to 10 years" to get into production. Yet Brazil's Petrobras expects its new finds in extraordinarily deep waters to already be producing 100,000 barrels per day in just two years. What is wrong with American oil companies that they would take so long?
In fact, the world oil shortage is political, not geological. In the U.S., the government prohibits drilling offshore."
Utley believes that ANWR in particular holds promise for developing in only 2-3 years - IF laws are changed to fast track leasing rights there and Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachman's proposal (who I'm proud to say I contributed to in the 2006 elections) to create special "environmental courts" to expedite litigation is adopted. Under current rules, the actual drilling and production would take only two to three years, with a year or better for the environmental impact study, a year or two to actually sell the leases from the Dept. of the Interior, and double it all due to courtsuits for the "10 years". This also assumes the concurrent construction of the 75 mile pipeline from the area to the existing line located at Prudhoe Bay, doubtful under the current regime, but certainly possible if we have the fortitude to make the necessary changes in the system.
Utley also notes that France and China can build and put a new nuclear plant online in as little as two years as well. Meanwhile, the US continues to rely on foreign energy sources despite having plentiful resources to potentially develop and draw upon, including natural gas, coal liquification, gas hydrates, nuclear and oil shale, all of which are currently prohibited in most areas of the nation, in some cases (such as shale) the entire nation.
The best thing to come out of all of the pain we are experiencing at the pump is that people are finally waking up and beginning to ask the question - what the hell is wrong in Washington DC?
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: Think we’ll ever see the day when the defense lawyer will be legally permitted to shoot the defendant?
Alan: We seem to be making progress.
Denny: Denny Crane. I’ll be your attorney.[imitating to shoot somebody]
Alan: We seem to be making progress.
Denny: Denny Crane. I’ll be your attorney.[imitating to shoot somebody]
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: Denny Crane. My poop doesn't smell. Comes out in pretty colors, pastels. Denny Crane.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Bigfoot Carcass Discovered in Georgia
(HT: FoxNews)
Two Georgia men claim to have discovered a carcass they believe to be Bigfoot, the semi-mythical man-like primate theNative Americans referred to as the Sasquatch. The carcass is said to 7 ft tall, weigh over 500 lbs and possess a footprint 16 3/4 inches long.
"Matthew Whitton and Rick Dyer, Georgia residents who lead Bigfoot-tracking expeditions, say they found the body of what appears to be a Bigfoot in the woods of northern Georgia and will join local Bigfoot researcher Tom Biscardi at the news conference, according to Robert Barrows, who is publicizing the event."
A press conference is currently scheduled for Friday.
Two Georgia men claim to have discovered a carcass they believe to be Bigfoot, the semi-mythical man-like primate theNative Americans referred to as the Sasquatch. The carcass is said to 7 ft tall, weigh over 500 lbs and possess a footprint 16 3/4 inches long.
"Matthew Whitton and Rick Dyer, Georgia residents who lead Bigfoot-tracking expeditions, say they found the body of what appears to be a Bigfoot in the woods of northern Georgia and will join local Bigfoot researcher Tom Biscardi at the news conference, according to Robert Barrows, who is publicizing the event."
A press conference is currently scheduled for Friday.
Gold-Oil Price Linkage
John Tamny at Real Clear Markets examines the interesting relationship between the price of gold and petroleum. What is of interest to me is that the rise in prices in both commodities recently has been tied to a weak dollar. A strengthening dollar will go a long ways towards reducing the price of both commodities.
"Looked at over a longer timeframe, from 1970 to 1981 the price of gold rose 1,219 percent, versus a rise in the price of oil 1,291 percent. This wasn’t coincidental. With gold and oil both priced in dollars, and with gold serving as the best proxy for the latter’s value, a jump in the gold price neatly foretold the oil “shocks” of the 1970s that were merely dollar shocks.
Given the strong price correlations between the two commodities, many economic commentators wrote of the gold/oil relationship in terms of a 15/1 ounce/barrel ratio. As the late Warren Brookes wrote in his 1982 book, The Economy In Mind, “In 1970 an ounce of gold ($35) would buy 15 barrels OPEC oil ($2.30/bbl). In May 1981 an ounce of gold ($480) still bought 15 barrels of Saudi oil ($32/bbl)."
Another item of note is that when that 15/1 ratio gets out of whack, it's a good bet that the prices will eventually return around back to that ratio. The ratio was 7.3/1 yesterday, giving oil plenty of room the drop even further.
Nice.
"Looked at over a longer timeframe, from 1970 to 1981 the price of gold rose 1,219 percent, versus a rise in the price of oil 1,291 percent. This wasn’t coincidental. With gold and oil both priced in dollars, and with gold serving as the best proxy for the latter’s value, a jump in the gold price neatly foretold the oil “shocks” of the 1970s that were merely dollar shocks.
Given the strong price correlations between the two commodities, many economic commentators wrote of the gold/oil relationship in terms of a 15/1 ounce/barrel ratio. As the late Warren Brookes wrote in his 1982 book, The Economy In Mind, “In 1970 an ounce of gold ($35) would buy 15 barrels OPEC oil ($2.30/bbl). In May 1981 an ounce of gold ($480) still bought 15 barrels of Saudi oil ($32/bbl)."
Another item of note is that when that 15/1 ratio gets out of whack, it's a good bet that the prices will eventually return around back to that ratio. The ratio was 7.3/1 yesterday, giving oil plenty of room the drop even further.
Nice.
Boston Legal Quotes
Melissa: That was the single sexiest thing I've ever seen a man do.
Alan: You should see me do it naked.
Alan: You should see me do it naked.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Husker Thoughts
The first week of camp has been completed in Lincoln and we've had a number of stories emerge. The biggest news was the dismissal (due to breaking team rules)of senior defensive tackle Kevin Dixon, who was expected to back up both interior line spots behind Ty Steinkuhler and Ndamukong Suh. Dixon had a pair of off the field incidents over the summer that may have effected his status with the team. Shurkee Barfield, Terrance Moore, Jared Crick and touted frosh recruit Baker Steinkuhler will have to step up and provide meaningful snaps. Crick and Moore have been singled out for praise from both the Pelini brothers, with both Suh and the older Steinkuhler being held out of practice at times due to lingering injury issues, although both practiced yesterday. Suh sat out spring ball with a knee issue and Steinkuhler has supposedly had a gimpy back since winter conditioning. The inside guys should be helped by a quicker more svelt Zach Potter and Barry Turner.
Secondly, there was an "or" at first string I-back between incumbent 1000 yard rusher and 75 reception, 700 plus yard receiving man Marlon Lucky and Roy Helu with the release of the first depth chart, and big back Quentin Castille is also making waves in fall practive, along with blazer Marcus Mendozoza. Kenny Wilson appears to be still recovering from his leg injury of last year and is not listed on the 105 man initial roster.
It sounds as though some of the young receivers behind Todd Petersen and Nate Swift are beginning to step up, with Menelik Holt, Niles Paul and Chris Brooks looking to contribute, along with freshman Tim Marlowe and Khiry Cooper (along with Paul) in the return game. I'd expect Mendoza may get a look here as well, perhaps on KRs. The O-line appears very solid, although RT Javorio Burkes has been held out of practice as a precautinary measure due to a blood pressure issue, allowing reserve Marcel Jones to get lots of reps in the fall. At TE, sophmores Mike McNeil & Dreu Young, along with Redshirt frosh Ryan Hill may give the passing game a boost. QB Joe Ganz is definitely the #1 man, with Patrick Witt and Zac Lee battling for backup duties.
Returning to the defensive side of the ball, questions also remain about the linebacking, with only MLB Phil Dilliard having played meaningful amounts of time last year, and he is backed up by junior walkon Colton Koehler, a guy no one had heard of until the spring. Converted IB senior Cody Glenn appears to have made the switch to defense work, but you have to wonder how effective the former RB will be come game time having never played a down on this side of the ball. Senior walk-on Tyler Wortman starts fall camp at the other "Buck" LB position. Sophs Blake Lawrence and LaTravis Washington back up on the outside, but you have to hope highly touted recruit Will Compton develops quickly.
In the secondary, we've had a setback again at the corner position where Anthony Bleu recovers from a knee injury from last winter, and it might turn out to be a redshirt year for the Texan. Soph Anthony West joins senior Armando Murillo at corner, with fellow sophs Prince Amakumura and Eric Hagg battling for nickelback. At safety, we have probably the best depth and talent in the defensive backfield since 2003 with returning juniors Larry Asante, Ricky Thenarse and Major Culbert along wiht senior Mike O'Hanlon.
What do the Huskers need to do to be more successful this season?
Play harder, particularly with regard to defense, create some takeaways and rank at least in the top half of the NCAA statistically. I'm hopeful we can get to the top 30but in the fast track Big 12, it might be pretty tough. The line has simply got to play better, and early indications from their offensive mates appear to be promising.
I'm worried about the lack of experience at LB. Gotta love Coach Mike Ekeler's attitude, but these guys need to develop right away. The play of the corners and safties should be improved with the return of Coach Marvin Sanders (along with the Pelini brothers), I really didn't like the prvious staff's secondary coaching. Pelini coached teams have a ball hawking reputation and I'm pretty optimistic that will be the case. The conditioning has received very positive reviews, and the slimmer faster Pelini defense should achieve a more Blackshirt like result for 2008.
Offensively, I like the renewed emphasis on running the football, and I believe we have to achieve more balance and also get better in short yardage situations than we were last year. I'm also intrigued by the possibilites of the young TE players contributing to the midrange passing game, which should allow for some vertical stuff to develop for the young speedster wideouts like Paul, Gilleylen, and Holt. I like Swift and Petersen but neither is much of a deep breakaway threat. I imagine Lucky will still be heavily involved in the passing game, but perhaps not to the extent that he was last year given the emergence of the other backs. However, Ganz has to make better decisions about when to put it up for grabs, but it also sounds like we will be seeing more zone read plays for him toting the rock, which I like.
I'm crossing my fingers for 8-4, and hope they overachieve and make me look cautious. I realistically don't see another losing season in the cards, but maybe the red Kool-Aid is just tasty.
Secondly, there was an "or" at first string I-back between incumbent 1000 yard rusher and 75 reception, 700 plus yard receiving man Marlon Lucky and Roy Helu with the release of the first depth chart, and big back Quentin Castille is also making waves in fall practive, along with blazer Marcus Mendozoza. Kenny Wilson appears to be still recovering from his leg injury of last year and is not listed on the 105 man initial roster.
It sounds as though some of the young receivers behind Todd Petersen and Nate Swift are beginning to step up, with Menelik Holt, Niles Paul and Chris Brooks looking to contribute, along with freshman Tim Marlowe and Khiry Cooper (along with Paul) in the return game. I'd expect Mendoza may get a look here as well, perhaps on KRs. The O-line appears very solid, although RT Javorio Burkes has been held out of practice as a precautinary measure due to a blood pressure issue, allowing reserve Marcel Jones to get lots of reps in the fall. At TE, sophmores Mike McNeil & Dreu Young, along with Redshirt frosh Ryan Hill may give the passing game a boost. QB Joe Ganz is definitely the #1 man, with Patrick Witt and Zac Lee battling for backup duties.
Returning to the defensive side of the ball, questions also remain about the linebacking, with only MLB Phil Dilliard having played meaningful amounts of time last year, and he is backed up by junior walkon Colton Koehler, a guy no one had heard of until the spring. Converted IB senior Cody Glenn appears to have made the switch to defense work, but you have to wonder how effective the former RB will be come game time having never played a down on this side of the ball. Senior walk-on Tyler Wortman starts fall camp at the other "Buck" LB position. Sophs Blake Lawrence and LaTravis Washington back up on the outside, but you have to hope highly touted recruit Will Compton develops quickly.
In the secondary, we've had a setback again at the corner position where Anthony Bleu recovers from a knee injury from last winter, and it might turn out to be a redshirt year for the Texan. Soph Anthony West joins senior Armando Murillo at corner, with fellow sophs Prince Amakumura and Eric Hagg battling for nickelback. At safety, we have probably the best depth and talent in the defensive backfield since 2003 with returning juniors Larry Asante, Ricky Thenarse and Major Culbert along wiht senior Mike O'Hanlon.
What do the Huskers need to do to be more successful this season?
Play harder, particularly with regard to defense, create some takeaways and rank at least in the top half of the NCAA statistically. I'm hopeful we can get to the top 30but in the fast track Big 12, it might be pretty tough. The line has simply got to play better, and early indications from their offensive mates appear to be promising.
I'm worried about the lack of experience at LB. Gotta love Coach Mike Ekeler's attitude, but these guys need to develop right away. The play of the corners and safties should be improved with the return of Coach Marvin Sanders (along with the Pelini brothers), I really didn't like the prvious staff's secondary coaching. Pelini coached teams have a ball hawking reputation and I'm pretty optimistic that will be the case. The conditioning has received very positive reviews, and the slimmer faster Pelini defense should achieve a more Blackshirt like result for 2008.
Offensively, I like the renewed emphasis on running the football, and I believe we have to achieve more balance and also get better in short yardage situations than we were last year. I'm also intrigued by the possibilites of the young TE players contributing to the midrange passing game, which should allow for some vertical stuff to develop for the young speedster wideouts like Paul, Gilleylen, and Holt. I like Swift and Petersen but neither is much of a deep breakaway threat. I imagine Lucky will still be heavily involved in the passing game, but perhaps not to the extent that he was last year given the emergence of the other backs. However, Ganz has to make better decisions about when to put it up for grabs, but it also sounds like we will be seeing more zone read plays for him toting the rock, which I like.
I'm crossing my fingers for 8-4, and hope they overachieve and make me look cautious. I realistically don't see another losing season in the cards, but maybe the red Kool-Aid is just tasty.
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: [to Shirley] It's not nice to talk about crazy people behind their backs.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Alan: The credit card industry is a pack of hyenas crunching on the bones of the poor.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Meet Eric Cantor
Bruce Walkier at The American Thinker has a profile on Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor, whose name has come up as a potential VP for the McCain campaign. While not noteworthy outside his home state, Cantor does bring a sizable number of advantages to the table, the first being his conservatism - he had a 100% rating by the ACU (American Conservative Union) for 2007 and has the second highest lifetime rating for any House member from his state's eleven member delegation. Selecting Cantor would greatly cheer the base for McCain and put to rest conservative fears about McCain's moderate approach on many issues.
Secondly, Cantor's is young, handsome, energetic and articulate, all things that people generally do not ascribe to Mac but do ascribe to Obama. Cantor could thus negate some of the advantage that the younger, more visually appealing Obama has with those voters that base their decision on looks alone. Thirdly, he is Jewish, and a serious one who keeps kosher. This fact again aids McCain with the social conservative wing of the Republican base. Cantor could also help the McCain with Jewish voters in more blue leaning states, negating a key Democratic constituency.
"Many Jews feel a bit uneasy about Obama and his anti-Semitic friends. These Jews are also disturbed at the summary dismissal or a serious Jewish liberal Democrat like Joe Lieberman, the Democrat's vice presidential candidate eight years ago. Lieberman is a strong McCain supporter, and that support will provide a strong push for ambivalent Jewish voters to tilt towards McCain. Placing a religiously serious Jew on the Republican ticket with McCain will provide an even stronger push. In a close election, and this looks to be a close election, a swing of Jewish voters to McCain could translate into victories in Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and other states that McCain could either win or lose. Those battleground states are the keys to victory for McCain."
Fourth, Cantor represents Virginia, which is trending purple after years of being solidly red. Obama has targeted Virginia for a takeaway from the Republican column and might even go so far as to select Virginia Governor Tim Kaine as his running mate to do so. Cantor could mitigate the effectiveness of a Kaine selection and help keep the state blue. Another factor to consider is that McCain might only seek a single term, leaving Cantor as the heir apparent for the 2012 elecdtion. Walker suggests the idea of a handsome young conservative Orthodox Jew running for the Presidency (maybe with an Indian-American former Governor of Louisiana as his running mate) would greatly complicate the electoral math for the Democrats in the next election, and I can't see any negatives to the idea myself.
Not sure if there are any better selections, but I can see several who wouldn't be nearly the help to the ticket that Cantor would be for McCain.
Secondly, Cantor's is young, handsome, energetic and articulate, all things that people generally do not ascribe to Mac but do ascribe to Obama. Cantor could thus negate some of the advantage that the younger, more visually appealing Obama has with those voters that base their decision on looks alone. Thirdly, he is Jewish, and a serious one who keeps kosher. This fact again aids McCain with the social conservative wing of the Republican base. Cantor could also help the McCain with Jewish voters in more blue leaning states, negating a key Democratic constituency.
"Many Jews feel a bit uneasy about Obama and his anti-Semitic friends. These Jews are also disturbed at the summary dismissal or a serious Jewish liberal Democrat like Joe Lieberman, the Democrat's vice presidential candidate eight years ago. Lieberman is a strong McCain supporter, and that support will provide a strong push for ambivalent Jewish voters to tilt towards McCain. Placing a religiously serious Jew on the Republican ticket with McCain will provide an even stronger push. In a close election, and this looks to be a close election, a swing of Jewish voters to McCain could translate into victories in Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and other states that McCain could either win or lose. Those battleground states are the keys to victory for McCain."
Fourth, Cantor represents Virginia, which is trending purple after years of being solidly red. Obama has targeted Virginia for a takeaway from the Republican column and might even go so far as to select Virginia Governor Tim Kaine as his running mate to do so. Cantor could mitigate the effectiveness of a Kaine selection and help keep the state blue. Another factor to consider is that McCain might only seek a single term, leaving Cantor as the heir apparent for the 2012 elecdtion. Walker suggests the idea of a handsome young conservative Orthodox Jew running for the Presidency (maybe with an Indian-American former Governor of Louisiana as his running mate) would greatly complicate the electoral math for the Democrats in the next election, and I can't see any negatives to the idea myself.
Not sure if there are any better selections, but I can see several who wouldn't be nearly the help to the ticket that Cantor would be for McCain.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Joba on Disabled List
via the OWH, Yankee starting pitcher (and former Husker) Joba Chamberlain has been put on the 15 day DL with shoulder tendinitis. Chamberlain, a budding star in New York, left Monday's game against the Texas Rangers in the fifth innning. He had an MRI the next day and flew to specialist Dr. James Andrews, inventor of the famous "Tommy John" elbow surgery.
"The initial take on Wednesday, which General Manager Brian Cashman relayed via media relations director Jason Zillo, is that doctors recommended that Chamberlain rest for at least one week and then begin a throwing program. He will remain in New York during that time and be evaluated regularly."
Chamberlain is 4-3 with a 2.63 ERA so far this season, his first as a starter after serving as eigth inning setup man for closer Mariano Rivera last year and for the first part of this season.
"The initial take on Wednesday, which General Manager Brian Cashman relayed via media relations director Jason Zillo, is that doctors recommended that Chamberlain rest for at least one week and then begin a throwing program. He will remain in New York during that time and be evaluated regularly."
Chamberlain is 4-3 with a 2.63 ERA so far this season, his first as a starter after serving as eigth inning setup man for closer Mariano Rivera last year and for the first part of this season.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Terry Shows He's Serious on Energy
While I've been somewhat critical at times of local Congress critter Lee Terry (on earmarks in particular) he has shown some guts on pending (and hopelessly entangled) energy legislation and issues. From the Congressional record, a partial list of the 106 House members signing the latest in a series of discharge petitions which would force a vote on opening the Outer Continental Shelf to energy exploration and potential production. A House majority of 218 would be required to force the vote over the objections of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (aka, the Wicked Witch of the West) of California.
I'll also note my guy Adrian Smith (I was a contributor to his campaign after noting he was being supported by the Club for Growth) was also quickly on board.
No Jeff Fortenberry (Mom's Congress critter) sightings yet, I may have to turn up the heat, although siccing Mom on the poor slob is a pretty mean thing to do to a guy on a five week vacation.
via the CR (HT to Amanda Carpenter at Townhall):
"Motion to Discharge a Committee from the Consideration of a resolution
July 30, 2008
To the Clerk of the House of Representatives:
Pursuant to clause 2 of rule XV, I, Jon C. Porter, move to discharge the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Science and Technology, and the Committee on the Judiciary from the consideration of the bill (H.R. 6108) entitled, a bill to provide for exploration, development, and production activities for mineral resources on the outer Continental Shelf, and for other purposes; which was referred to said committees on May 21, 2008, in support of which motion the undersigned Members of the House of Representatives affix their signatures, to wit:
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
1. Jon C. Porter Nevada 03
2. Lee Terry Nebraska 02
3. Bob Goodlatte Virginia 06
4. Dennis R. Rehberg Montana 00
5. Robert E. Latta Ohio 05
6. John Shimkus Illinois 19
7. Marsha Blackburn Tennessee 07
8. John T. Doolittle California 04
9. Phil Gingrey Georgia 11
10. David Davis Tennessee 01
11. Michael T. McCaul Texas 10
12. Peter Hoekstra Michigan 02
13. Bill Sali Idaho 01
14. Mark E. Souder Indiana 03
15. Robert J. Wittman Virginia 01
16. Sue Wilkins Myrick North Carolina 09
17. Roy Blunt Missouri 07
18. Michael K. Simpson Idaho 02
19. Geoff Davis Kentucky 04
20. Mike Pence Indiana 06
21. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon California 25
22. Darrell E. Issa California 49
23. George Radanovich California 19
24. Dana Rohrabacher California 46
25. Don Young Alaska 00
26. Thaddeus G. McCotter Michigan 11
27. Adrian Smith Nebraska 03 "
These discharge petitions have gathered as many as 153 signatures so far, do what you can to raise the temperature on your own critter. There would be nothign nicer that I could think of than to give Mrs. Pelosi a nice welcome home gift when she returns to the District.
I'll also note my guy Adrian Smith (I was a contributor to his campaign after noting he was being supported by the Club for Growth) was also quickly on board.
No Jeff Fortenberry (Mom's Congress critter) sightings yet, I may have to turn up the heat, although siccing Mom on the poor slob is a pretty mean thing to do to a guy on a five week vacation.
via the CR (HT to Amanda Carpenter at Townhall):
"Motion to Discharge a Committee from the Consideration of a resolution
July 30, 2008
To the Clerk of the House of Representatives:
Pursuant to clause 2 of rule XV, I, Jon C. Porter, move to discharge the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Science and Technology, and the Committee on the Judiciary from the consideration of the bill (H.R. 6108) entitled, a bill to provide for exploration, development, and production activities for mineral resources on the outer Continental Shelf, and for other purposes; which was referred to said committees on May 21, 2008, in support of which motion the undersigned Members of the House of Representatives affix their signatures, to wit:
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
1. Jon C. Porter Nevada 03
2. Lee Terry Nebraska 02
3. Bob Goodlatte Virginia 06
4. Dennis R. Rehberg Montana 00
5. Robert E. Latta Ohio 05
6. John Shimkus Illinois 19
7. Marsha Blackburn Tennessee 07
8. John T. Doolittle California 04
9. Phil Gingrey Georgia 11
10. David Davis Tennessee 01
11. Michael T. McCaul Texas 10
12. Peter Hoekstra Michigan 02
13. Bill Sali Idaho 01
14. Mark E. Souder Indiana 03
15. Robert J. Wittman Virginia 01
16. Sue Wilkins Myrick North Carolina 09
17. Roy Blunt Missouri 07
18. Michael K. Simpson Idaho 02
19. Geoff Davis Kentucky 04
20. Mike Pence Indiana 06
21. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon California 25
22. Darrell E. Issa California 49
23. George Radanovich California 19
24. Dana Rohrabacher California 46
25. Don Young Alaska 00
26. Thaddeus G. McCotter Michigan 11
27. Adrian Smith Nebraska 03 "
These discharge petitions have gathered as many as 153 signatures so far, do what you can to raise the temperature on your own critter. There would be nothign nicer that I could think of than to give Mrs. Pelosi a nice welcome home gift when she returns to the District.
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: So, do you like her yet? You promised.
Alan: I did. And I do.
Denny: I thought you would. She has many fine qualities.
Alan: She makes my friend smile. That's the only quality that matters.
Alan: I did. And I do.
Denny: I thought you would. She has many fine qualities.
Alan: She makes my friend smile. That's the only quality that matters.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Presidential Candidates and Energy
The NY Post editorial section properly takes the presidential candidates to task for their evolving positions on energy issues. However, they correctly point out that while Sen. McCain's position on offshore drilling has changed due to the facts on the ground (high gas prices), Sen. Obama's views have apparently changed due to more political factors. These changed positions include a call for releasing oil from the Strategic Oil Reserve (which is supposed to be for national emergencies, not to manipulate prices) AND now include being "open" to additional drilling if it is coupled with additional subsidies for alternative energy and higher mileage vehicles. He also still wants a windfall profits tax on large energy companies, which is counter productive and leads to higher consumer costs. The Post appears quite suspicious of the Illinois Senator's new views, and spells out the reasons for their skeptism.
"Obama, by contrast, still opposes drilling - but says he'll back it if it leads to a deal on legislation pushing fuel-efficient cars and alternative energy. Right. That might be believable if he hadn't also made popular turnabouts on many other issues, like NAFTA, the terror-monitoring bill and talking to Iran. Obama's new view on drilling, of course, is welcome; environmental concerns pale next to the need for more oil.
His switch on SPR oil, on the other hand, is not. The reserve is meant for national emergencies, not as a tool to ease prices - as even he once noted: "The reserve should only be used in the event of an emergency," he said, not "to provide a small, short-term decrease in gas prices." And he's U-turning on yet a third oil issue: He wants a windfall-profits tax on oil companies, even as he voted to give them breaks in '05. McCain voted against the breaks but is against hikes now....But here's the more important question: What does Obama stand for, besides whatever's popular at the moment?"
Indeed, this has been my question since mcuh earlier in the year. Perhaps due to this issue, Mac has pulled almost even with Obama (only a point or two down, well within the margin of error) in the latest Gallup and Rasmussen temperature checks, and McCain is ratcheting up the pressure on Congress by calling for both houses to return from vacation and address these issues. He is also handing out free tire pressure gauges for a $25 donation (see WSJ article here) after Obama suggested keeping your tires properly inflated as a means of saving energy - which is correct in a sense, but the math he spouted off on how much gasoline it would save was a bit off (he claimed it would save as much as we would ever get from drilling - not likely).
Meanwhile, the House Republican revolt led by Indiana Congressman Mike Pence and Georgian Tom Price Friday against the Wicked Witch of the West appears to be gathering some steam as well, with around twenty Congress critters meeting in the darkened halls of the District on Monday and more likely to join, as witnessed by Human Event's Jed Babbin, article here:
"The Republicans’ action began as a stunt on Friday and by Monday had evolved into a well-organized effort that might just succeed: if enough pressure were brought on Pelosi to force a vote on a comprehensive energy package, she might have to budge either by bringing Congress back in August (admittedly a very long-shot) or by holding a vote when the House reconvenes in September.
Republicans, as Hensarling said, define “comprehensive” as not “drill or, but drill and”, meaning that they would couple conservation measures with opening offshore drilling and on-land oil reserves such as the Colorado oil shale.
By Monday, Pence and Price had gotten about twenty fellow Republicans to come back for the new debate, and more were still being rounded up. As many as one hundred may be back by week’s end. If they are successful in building momentum this week, the debates will go on -- possibly -- all the way into September."
High energy prices and the Democratic leaderships intransigence on the issue may just be the road the Republicans need to turn things around come November.
"Obama, by contrast, still opposes drilling - but says he'll back it if it leads to a deal on legislation pushing fuel-efficient cars and alternative energy. Right. That might be believable if he hadn't also made popular turnabouts on many other issues, like NAFTA, the terror-monitoring bill and talking to Iran. Obama's new view on drilling, of course, is welcome; environmental concerns pale next to the need for more oil.
His switch on SPR oil, on the other hand, is not. The reserve is meant for national emergencies, not as a tool to ease prices - as even he once noted: "The reserve should only be used in the event of an emergency," he said, not "to provide a small, short-term decrease in gas prices." And he's U-turning on yet a third oil issue: He wants a windfall-profits tax on oil companies, even as he voted to give them breaks in '05. McCain voted against the breaks but is against hikes now....But here's the more important question: What does Obama stand for, besides whatever's popular at the moment?"
Indeed, this has been my question since mcuh earlier in the year. Perhaps due to this issue, Mac has pulled almost even with Obama (only a point or two down, well within the margin of error) in the latest Gallup and Rasmussen temperature checks, and McCain is ratcheting up the pressure on Congress by calling for both houses to return from vacation and address these issues. He is also handing out free tire pressure gauges for a $25 donation (see WSJ article here) after Obama suggested keeping your tires properly inflated as a means of saving energy - which is correct in a sense, but the math he spouted off on how much gasoline it would save was a bit off (he claimed it would save as much as we would ever get from drilling - not likely).
Meanwhile, the House Republican revolt led by Indiana Congressman Mike Pence and Georgian Tom Price Friday against the Wicked Witch of the West appears to be gathering some steam as well, with around twenty Congress critters meeting in the darkened halls of the District on Monday and more likely to join, as witnessed by Human Event's Jed Babbin, article here:
"The Republicans’ action began as a stunt on Friday and by Monday had evolved into a well-organized effort that might just succeed: if enough pressure were brought on Pelosi to force a vote on a comprehensive energy package, she might have to budge either by bringing Congress back in August (admittedly a very long-shot) or by holding a vote when the House reconvenes in September.
Republicans, as Hensarling said, define “comprehensive” as not “drill or, but drill and”, meaning that they would couple conservation measures with opening offshore drilling and on-land oil reserves such as the Colorado oil shale.
By Monday, Pence and Price had gotten about twenty fellow Republicans to come back for the new debate, and more were still being rounded up. As many as one hundred may be back by week’s end. If they are successful in building momentum this week, the debates will go on -- possibly -- all the way into September."
High energy prices and the Democratic leaderships intransigence on the issue may just be the road the Republicans need to turn things around come November.
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: Alan, Bev is the woman I've always dreamed of. An angel in the bedroom and a whore in the kitchen.
Alan: I think it's the other way around.
Denny: Not last night.
Alan: I think it's the other way around.
Denny: Not last night.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Krugman, Clinton and Bush
The blogfather points to an article by William Anderson critiquing economist Dr. Paul Krugman (of NY Times and Princeton fame) for a failure to connect the dots. Krugman is a notorious Democratic hack who reflexively opposes anything connected to the Repoublicans and the administration. Anderson takes a look at the economy over the last 16 years and finds some distrubing issues involving the Fed and the political classes form the view of a classical Austrian school economist. More or less, it boils down to the Fed artificially manipulating first the financial markets under Clinton, then the housing markets unded Bush.
"If there is a cause-and-effect pattern in this article, it is based solely upon who occupies the White House, according to Krugman. Now, one might expect such talk from the heads of the two main political parties, but a Princeton economist is supposed to operate by higher standards than what prevail in pure, partisan politics."
"If there is a cause-and-effect pattern in this article, it is based solely upon who occupies the White House, according to Krugman. Now, one might expect such talk from the heads of the two main political parties, but a Princeton economist is supposed to operate by higher standards than what prevail in pure, partisan politics."
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: With all that's going on in the world these days, who among us hasn't wanted to take an axe to a priest?
Friday, August 01, 2008
Energy Issue & Congress
Conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer takes House Leader Nancy "I'm trying to save the planet" Pelosi (and the rest of the Democratic leadership) behind the woodshed in a devastatingly logical critique. The primary argument mustered against domestic oil exploration and production is for (largely symbolic) environmental reasons. However, by importing our energy supplies, aren't we effectively damaging the planet in a far more brutal manner? Venezuela, Nigeria, and the rest of OPEC nations have no where near the consciencious and enlightened environmental regulations and legal policy frameworks that have been so effectivley established by our esteemed Democratic rulers.
"The net environmental effect of Pelosi's no-drilling willfulness is negative. Outsourcing U.S. oil production does nothing to lessen worldwide environmental despoliation. It simply exports it to more corrupt, less efficient, more unstable parts of the world -- thereby increasing net planetary damage."
Adding to the damage is the fact that the world's "lungs" the tropical rainforest, is being burned down to plant sugarcane to make ethanol from crops and you really have the spectre of an planetary catastrophe, Nancy.
"The net environmental effect of Pelosi's no-drilling willfulness is negative. Outsourcing U.S. oil production does nothing to lessen worldwide environmental despoliation. It simply exports it to more corrupt, less efficient, more unstable parts of the world -- thereby increasing net planetary damage."
Adding to the damage is the fact that the world's "lungs" the tropical rainforest, is being burned down to plant sugarcane to make ethanol from crops and you really have the spectre of an planetary catastrophe, Nancy.
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: Seriously, do I act like I'm the only one in the room?
Alan: Denny, one of the things I love about you is when we talk, often it's as if you're not even in the room.
Alan: Denny, one of the things I love about you is when we talk, often it's as if you're not even in the room.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Great Escape
Someone has put up an interactive diagram on the web mapping out the details of the real life story featured in the 1960s film "The Great Escape" where 76 Allied airmen broke out of Nazi Germany prison camp Stalag 3. Pretty cool.
Still Good Times
A pair of Fed officials take a look at the American standard of living and find that things really aren't so bad after all. (Ht: Cafe Hayek)Since 1982, we have had only 16 months of recession, all the while living standards have improved.
We work less, produce and consume more than our ancestors and even the less advantaged among us have a material prosperity undreamed of just twenty five years ago. Think about CD/DVD players, plasma TV sets, cell phones, digital cameras and computers.
"All segments of society have shared in the material progress. Over the past two decades, ownership of cars, color televisions, and household appliances has risen among poor households (Fig. 2). A quarter of poor households have computers. Two in five own their homes. For many goods, ownership rates are higher for today’s poor households than for the general population of the early 1970s."
In addition, we live longer, have more leisure time, all while working conditions have improved (it's actually safer at work than at home now, statistically speaking)and we spend quite a bit less time working within the home as well.
Interesting stuff.
We work less, produce and consume more than our ancestors and even the less advantaged among us have a material prosperity undreamed of just twenty five years ago. Think about CD/DVD players, plasma TV sets, cell phones, digital cameras and computers.
"All segments of society have shared in the material progress. Over the past two decades, ownership of cars, color televisions, and household appliances has risen among poor households (Fig. 2). A quarter of poor households have computers. Two in five own their homes. For many goods, ownership rates are higher for today’s poor households than for the general population of the early 1970s."
In addition, we live longer, have more leisure time, all while working conditions have improved (it's actually safer at work than at home now, statistically speaking)and we spend quite a bit less time working within the home as well.
Interesting stuff.
Boston Legal Quotes
Alan: You and Jane Fonda?
Denny: Lest we forget Barbarella. Then she turned on me. Went red. They caught her in one of those communist bitch hunts.
Alan: I think you mean witch hunts.
Denny: No, I'm right on this one.
Denny: Lest we forget Barbarella. Then she turned on me. Went red. They caught her in one of those communist bitch hunts.
Alan: I think you mean witch hunts.
Denny: No, I'm right on this one.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Solar System Definitions
Livescience sums up the main various classifications of heavenly bodies in the solar system with an article by Tariq Malik.
Planets are the (now) eight large bodies orbiting the Sun, having enough mass to be 'nearly' round, and having cleared its surrounding orbital path of other solar objects. The caveat surrounding the object formerly known as the planet Pluto is that last little requirement. However, some astronomers still object, as the author notes:
"Pluto, while round and orbiting the sun, is one of a swarm of so-called trans-Neptunian objects, small icy bodies in the comet reservoir of the Kuiper Belt that extends out from Neptune’s orbit, leading to its IAU demotion. But critics have said that asteroids can be found accompanying established planets like Earth, Mars and Jupiter, throwing a wrench in that requirement."
Dwarf planets are objects that meet just the first two criteria, meaning the object formerly known as the asteroid Ceres meets the new definiton, while the other object what were known as asteroids are now 'solar system bodies' which I find a rather inelegant and stupid term - at least compared to 'asteroids'. Some astronomers still call these object 'minor' planets, which was an earlier (if I recall correctly) term used for space rocks orbiting the Sun.
Then there are those dwarf planets that are also located out beyond Neptune (trans-Neptunian objects, TNOs) called 'plutoids'. This classification was created just this summer, apparently as a sop to those of us upset with the earlier demotion of Pluto. There are also a number of other 'non-official' names for some of these very distant objects, such as KBO (Kuiper Belt Objects) or EKO (Edgeworth-Kuiper Objects) both names referring to the same objects as TNOs but honoring astronomers theorizing the existence of such objects in the middle part of the last century before their actual discovery near the end of it.
Then there is the name 'plutino' which is an object which lies in orbital resonance with the planet Neptune - rather than Pluto, which is actually the first such object of which we were aware. Such objects orbit the Sun three times for every two orbits of Neptune, thus the classification refers to its orbit and not any physical characteristic.
And all this does is brush the subject - there are also cubewanos (objects near Pluto that aren't plutinos), Trojans (objects sort of like plutinos only orbiting in front of or behind the oribital path of Jupiter), SDOs (scattered disk objects, or those that aren't in the normal orbital plane that the planets and most objects circle the Sun), NEOs (near Earth asteroids), PHAs (potentially hazardous asteroids which could hit the Earth someday), and OCOs (Oort Cloud objects such as comets, and even further away than the TNO/KBOs).
More explanation on the more obscure of these terms are explained at Space.com
here.
Planets are the (now) eight large bodies orbiting the Sun, having enough mass to be 'nearly' round, and having cleared its surrounding orbital path of other solar objects. The caveat surrounding the object formerly known as the planet Pluto is that last little requirement. However, some astronomers still object, as the author notes:
"Pluto, while round and orbiting the sun, is one of a swarm of so-called trans-Neptunian objects, small icy bodies in the comet reservoir of the Kuiper Belt that extends out from Neptune’s orbit, leading to its IAU demotion. But critics have said that asteroids can be found accompanying established planets like Earth, Mars and Jupiter, throwing a wrench in that requirement."
Dwarf planets are objects that meet just the first two criteria, meaning the object formerly known as the asteroid Ceres meets the new definiton, while the other object what were known as asteroids are now 'solar system bodies' which I find a rather inelegant and stupid term - at least compared to 'asteroids'. Some astronomers still call these object 'minor' planets, which was an earlier (if I recall correctly) term used for space rocks orbiting the Sun.
Then there are those dwarf planets that are also located out beyond Neptune (trans-Neptunian objects, TNOs) called 'plutoids'. This classification was created just this summer, apparently as a sop to those of us upset with the earlier demotion of Pluto. There are also a number of other 'non-official' names for some of these very distant objects, such as KBO (Kuiper Belt Objects) or EKO (Edgeworth-Kuiper Objects) both names referring to the same objects as TNOs but honoring astronomers theorizing the existence of such objects in the middle part of the last century before their actual discovery near the end of it.
Then there is the name 'plutino' which is an object which lies in orbital resonance with the planet Neptune - rather than Pluto, which is actually the first such object of which we were aware. Such objects orbit the Sun three times for every two orbits of Neptune, thus the classification refers to its orbit and not any physical characteristic.
And all this does is brush the subject - there are also cubewanos (objects near Pluto that aren't plutinos), Trojans (objects sort of like plutinos only orbiting in front of or behind the oribital path of Jupiter), SDOs (scattered disk objects, or those that aren't in the normal orbital plane that the planets and most objects circle the Sun), NEOs (near Earth asteroids), PHAs (potentially hazardous asteroids which could hit the Earth someday), and OCOs (Oort Cloud objects such as comets, and even further away than the TNO/KBOs).
More explanation on the more obscure of these terms are explained at Space.com
here.
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: Thank you, Alan, for coming with me.
Alan: I think friends should always encourage friends to get their heads examined.
Alan: I think friends should always encourage friends to get their heads examined.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Ice Remained Even During Warmest Epoch
Livescience notes that even during the warmest period we can determine while life lived on Earth, during the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum 91 million years ago there was still an ice cap at the South Pole. During this period the temperature in tropical seas was up to 12 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than today. While there was still ice in the deep south, the northern arctic latitides were the home of heat loving crocodiles.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Melissa: I will make sure you don't wig out and that's it.
Alan: I'm not sure the term 'wig out' has legal teeth.
Melissa: Mmm, but it is extremely xeroxable for all the partners' windshields.
Alan: I'm not sure the term 'wig out' has legal teeth.
Melissa: Mmm, but it is extremely xeroxable for all the partners' windshields.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Brad: Do you know your briefcase is smoking?
Alan: Tis the season, Brad. Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble and so forth.
Brad: This is a law firm.
Alan: Thank you for that.
Alan: Tis the season, Brad. Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble and so forth.
Brad: This is a law firm.
Alan: Thank you for that.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Sham Arguments Against US Energy Production
Peter Ferrara covers some of the seriously flawed thinking preventing the US from producing its own energy at the American Spectator. While France safely generates around 80% of its electrical power from nuclear power, the US only generates around 20% - and has not built a new nuclear power plant in almost 20 years due to regulatory delays and litigation brought forth by environmental groups. The last oil refinery built in the US was in 1976. The industry has reacted to an increasing regulatory and litigation burden by simply expanding the capacity of current plants, but this has been met with an ever increasing obstinance from pressure groups.
"BP is constructing a $3.8 billion expansion of its already existing Whiting refinery in that state. But the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has now brought suit against BP seeking an injunction against the expansion, and fines of $32,500 for each day construction has been under way. The NRDC is urging the court to adopt a new interpretation of state law that would require BP to get a new state permit first because with the expansion the refinery would supposedly discharge more "pollution" than the current state permit allows. If the NRDC has found a liberal enough judge, it may get its way, to the great detriment of the rest of us."
The there is the drilling for oil issue. It's argued in may take up to ten years for new wells to produce oil to market and effect current prices, but this argument is specious in the extreme. Simply by lifting the executive ban on offshore drilling, the spot price of oil fell almost 14%. Oil executives have also indicated new wells could begin production in as little as a year and a half to four years, and tapped wells off the West Coast could be in production in as little as a few months. All this potential increase in supply would have an effect on current prices IMMEDIATELY.
Another argument against Arctic production is that such oil may wind up in Japan or China rather than the US, but again such objections fall flat. There is a world market (and price) for oil, and if such Alaskan production winds up in foreign locales, it simply means it is more efficient and less costly to ship there rather than here, and frees up other supplies nearer home (such as Mexico or South America) for US consumption. Any additional supply of oil causes a decrease in the world price of oil.
"BP is constructing a $3.8 billion expansion of its already existing Whiting refinery in that state. But the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has now brought suit against BP seeking an injunction against the expansion, and fines of $32,500 for each day construction has been under way. The NRDC is urging the court to adopt a new interpretation of state law that would require BP to get a new state permit first because with the expansion the refinery would supposedly discharge more "pollution" than the current state permit allows. If the NRDC has found a liberal enough judge, it may get its way, to the great detriment of the rest of us."
The there is the drilling for oil issue. It's argued in may take up to ten years for new wells to produce oil to market and effect current prices, but this argument is specious in the extreme. Simply by lifting the executive ban on offshore drilling, the spot price of oil fell almost 14%. Oil executives have also indicated new wells could begin production in as little as a year and a half to four years, and tapped wells off the West Coast could be in production in as little as a few months. All this potential increase in supply would have an effect on current prices IMMEDIATELY.
Another argument against Arctic production is that such oil may wind up in Japan or China rather than the US, but again such objections fall flat. There is a world market (and price) for oil, and if such Alaskan production winds up in foreign locales, it simply means it is more efficient and less costly to ship there rather than here, and frees up other supplies nearer home (such as Mexico or South America) for US consumption. Any additional supply of oil causes a decrease in the world price of oil.
House Tries to Move Energy Legislation
Michael Franc over at NRO has a good piece on how a number of Congressional House members are taking action after beginning to feel the heat from their constituents over gas prices. A small but growing rebellion is underway against the wicked witch, Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi. House Republicans are attempting to execute a discharge petition on pro-drilling energy legislation, but need to pick up some of the more conservative Democrats' votes in the process. Franc explains the strategy:
"A discharge petition is a procedural way for disgruntled members to release a bill from legislative limbo and force the entire House to consider it. Should a majority of members (218) sign one, the legislation in question is “discharged” from the committee of jurisdiction and brought immediately to the floor, debated, and voted on. Short of actual floor votes, signing a discharge petition is the most powerful (and potentially meaningful) tool available to a besieged legislative minority.
Not surprisingly, discharge petitions rarely attract the required 218 signatures. House speakers and majority leaders view them the same way vampires view crosses. When members of the majority party sign one, it’s viewed as an act of betrayal worthy of harsh disciplinary measures and a guaranteed end to that member’s advancement in the House.
Quietly, in recent weeks House Republican leaders have adopted precisely this strategy. Rank-and-file Republicans have been filing one discharge petition per week (five thus far), demanding floor action on a far-reaching energy agenda."
The movement has attracted as many as 153 (including one Democratic) vote, with as many as 75-100 more members possible. This count has been tabulated by including members that have publicly supported more energy exploraiton legislation in the past, including as many as 40 Democrats. Let's hope at least one of these efforts succeeeds soon. At stake is an agenda that includes drilling in the ANWR, offshore, constructing new oil refinieries, and opening up unconventional oil sources such as oil shale and coal liquification.
"A discharge petition is a procedural way for disgruntled members to release a bill from legislative limbo and force the entire House to consider it. Should a majority of members (218) sign one, the legislation in question is “discharged” from the committee of jurisdiction and brought immediately to the floor, debated, and voted on. Short of actual floor votes, signing a discharge petition is the most powerful (and potentially meaningful) tool available to a besieged legislative minority.
Not surprisingly, discharge petitions rarely attract the required 218 signatures. House speakers and majority leaders view them the same way vampires view crosses. When members of the majority party sign one, it’s viewed as an act of betrayal worthy of harsh disciplinary measures and a guaranteed end to that member’s advancement in the House.
Quietly, in recent weeks House Republican leaders have adopted precisely this strategy. Rank-and-file Republicans have been filing one discharge petition per week (five thus far), demanding floor action on a far-reaching energy agenda."
The movement has attracted as many as 153 (including one Democratic) vote, with as many as 75-100 more members possible. This count has been tabulated by including members that have publicly supported more energy exploraiton legislation in the past, including as many as 40 Democrats. Let's hope at least one of these efforts succeeeds soon. At stake is an agenda that includes drilling in the ANWR, offshore, constructing new oil refinieries, and opening up unconventional oil sources such as oil shale and coal liquification.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
New Look Husker Defense
As promised yesterday, I take a look at who's back with the Blackshirts (and Goldshirts as well). The improvement of the defense will be critical if NU will make a run for a bowl game this year, and was a deciding factor in the hiring of HC Bo Pelini.
NU returns all four starters in the line from a year ago, NT Ndamakong Suh, DT Ty Steinkuhler, Base DE Zach Potter and Open DE Barry Turner. All had their moments, both positive and negative last year, and improved and more consistent play in particular will be needed here for the Huskers to return to their traditional winning ways and go bowling. Potter at least appeared to get better as the season wore along last year, hopefully he will be a true impact end and Turner can return to the success he enjoyed three years ago when he earned All-American Frosh honors. 2nd teamers include seniors tackles Kevin Dixon and Shurkee Barfield, as well as senior converted LB Clayton Sievers and sophmore Pierre Allen at end.
At linebacker, the only player with significant playing time that returns is Mike LB Phil Dillard, who has slimmed down considerably from last year's the 270 lbs playing weight to around 235. Converted RB senior Cody Glenn get the nod at weakside, and fellow senior Tyler Wortman is listed first at the strongside 'Buck' position. Former FB (and former NE Wesleyan player) Junior Colton Koehler makes a somewhat surprise appearance backing up Dilliard, sophmore Blake Lawrence backs up Wortman and highly touted recruit Latravis Washington gets the nod behind Glenn. Depth is a concern up front in general and a lack of experience at LB may be a concern on the defensive unit. Both HC Bo and DC Carl Pelini certainly have their work cut out for them, as well as new LB coach Mike Ekeler.
The secondary returns two starters in LCB Armando Murillo and SS Larry Asante, with new starters RCB Anthony West and FS Ricky Thenarse also having some game experience, particularly on special teams. Sophs Eric Hagg and Prince Amukamara back up at corner, with Major Culbert and senior Matt O'Hanlon at safety. The loss of CB Anthony Blue to a knee injury hurts the depth at that position, it's been reported he may not be ready for the start of fall camp but that he could conceivably return in time for conference play. Amukamara appears to have the early lead in nickel situations.
On special teams, senior punters Dan Titchner and Jake Welsch return, along with soph place kickers Alex Henery and long FG and kicoff man Adi Kunalic. The kicking game should continue to be pretty solid. Speedy scat back Marcus Mendoza is likely to have an impact on the return game, as could WR Niles Paul and (possibly, it's a long shot) athletic frosh WR Tim Marlowe.
NU returns all four starters in the line from a year ago, NT Ndamakong Suh, DT Ty Steinkuhler, Base DE Zach Potter and Open DE Barry Turner. All had their moments, both positive and negative last year, and improved and more consistent play in particular will be needed here for the Huskers to return to their traditional winning ways and go bowling. Potter at least appeared to get better as the season wore along last year, hopefully he will be a true impact end and Turner can return to the success he enjoyed three years ago when he earned All-American Frosh honors. 2nd teamers include seniors tackles Kevin Dixon and Shurkee Barfield, as well as senior converted LB Clayton Sievers and sophmore Pierre Allen at end.
At linebacker, the only player with significant playing time that returns is Mike LB Phil Dillard, who has slimmed down considerably from last year's the 270 lbs playing weight to around 235. Converted RB senior Cody Glenn get the nod at weakside, and fellow senior Tyler Wortman is listed first at the strongside 'Buck' position. Former FB (and former NE Wesleyan player) Junior Colton Koehler makes a somewhat surprise appearance backing up Dilliard, sophmore Blake Lawrence backs up Wortman and highly touted recruit Latravis Washington gets the nod behind Glenn. Depth is a concern up front in general and a lack of experience at LB may be a concern on the defensive unit. Both HC Bo and DC Carl Pelini certainly have their work cut out for them, as well as new LB coach Mike Ekeler.
The secondary returns two starters in LCB Armando Murillo and SS Larry Asante, with new starters RCB Anthony West and FS Ricky Thenarse also having some game experience, particularly on special teams. Sophs Eric Hagg and Prince Amukamara back up at corner, with Major Culbert and senior Matt O'Hanlon at safety. The loss of CB Anthony Blue to a knee injury hurts the depth at that position, it's been reported he may not be ready for the start of fall camp but that he could conceivably return in time for conference play. Amukamara appears to have the early lead in nickel situations.
On special teams, senior punters Dan Titchner and Jake Welsch return, along with soph place kickers Alex Henery and long FG and kicoff man Adi Kunalic. The kicking game should continue to be pretty solid. Speedy scat back Marcus Mendoza is likely to have an impact on the return game, as could WR Niles Paul and (possibly, it's a long shot) athletic frosh WR Tim Marlowe.
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: Hey kid, front and center. I bet you'd lick my shoes for a murder case, wouldn't you?
Garrett: Oh, I would, sir.
Denny: Because I like you, you don't have to lick them. Just dust them with your sleeve.
Garrett: Oh, I would, sir.
Denny: Because I like you, you don't have to lick them. Just dust them with your sleeve.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Huskers Release Preseason Depth Chart
NU football coaches have released the first depth chart for the team entering fall camp. I'll cover the offense today and the new look Blackshirts tomorrow.
Not too many surprises, although I always find it interesting to see where the newcomers land. Sophmore Mike McNeil at starting TE is interesting, but you had to figure him in the mix with senior Hunter Teafatiller's legal issues causing him to be suspended from the team. Redshirt Frosh Ryan Hill is listed at #2, and both players are reported to be good receving threats, perhaps Watson will try to open things up at this postion in the passing game.
The line looks very solid, with seniors Lydon Murtha and Mike Huff anchoring the left side, junior Jacob Hickman getting the nod at center, senior Matt Slauson at RG and sophmore Javario Burkes at RT. All of the starters stand at least 6'4 and only Hickman at 290 is under 300, with the right side listed at 320 plus. The second line is young and very big (with the exception of center Nike Caputo at 6'1/275), with everyone 6'5 or over and only LT Mike Smith under 300. Keith Williams, DJ Jones and Marcel Jones are at LG, RG, and RT respectively.
As expected, seniors Nate Swift and Todd Peterson lead the receiving corps, with juniors Chris Brooks and Menilik Holt behind Swift at X and sophmore Niles Paul and redshirt frosh Curenski Gilleylen behind Peterson at Z. Senior Thomas Lawson returns at FB backed up by legacy FB sophmore Justin Makovicka. I-back will return 2nd team All-Big 12, 1,000 yard and 75 reception man Marlon Lucky, with sophmore sensations Roy Helu and Quentin Castille also likely to see time. QB will be handled by senior Joe Ganz backed up by Patrick Witt and Zac Lee.
Not too many surprises, although I always find it interesting to see where the newcomers land. Sophmore Mike McNeil at starting TE is interesting, but you had to figure him in the mix with senior Hunter Teafatiller's legal issues causing him to be suspended from the team. Redshirt Frosh Ryan Hill is listed at #2, and both players are reported to be good receving threats, perhaps Watson will try to open things up at this postion in the passing game.
The line looks very solid, with seniors Lydon Murtha and Mike Huff anchoring the left side, junior Jacob Hickman getting the nod at center, senior Matt Slauson at RG and sophmore Javario Burkes at RT. All of the starters stand at least 6'4 and only Hickman at 290 is under 300, with the right side listed at 320 plus. The second line is young and very big (with the exception of center Nike Caputo at 6'1/275), with everyone 6'5 or over and only LT Mike Smith under 300. Keith Williams, DJ Jones and Marcel Jones are at LG, RG, and RT respectively.
As expected, seniors Nate Swift and Todd Peterson lead the receiving corps, with juniors Chris Brooks and Menilik Holt behind Swift at X and sophmore Niles Paul and redshirt frosh Curenski Gilleylen behind Peterson at Z. Senior Thomas Lawson returns at FB backed up by legacy FB sophmore Justin Makovicka. I-back will return 2nd team All-Big 12, 1,000 yard and 75 reception man Marlon Lucky, with sophmore sensations Roy Helu and Quentin Castille also likely to see time. QB will be handled by senior Joe Ganz backed up by Patrick Witt and Zac Lee.
Monday, July 21, 2008
The United Nations
Great article from last Friday at Human Events by Thomas Kilgannon. It's a pretty sad state of affairs when even you're 'closest' allies won't support you the majority of the time diplomatically - even though we fund the vast majority of the UN's operating budget.
"For 25 years, the State Department has been compiling voting records at the United Nations, and the trend is troubling. Twelve years ago, the General Assembly and the U.S. were in agreement on half of the recorded votes -- today, it is less than one in five. Specifically, the General Assembly voted with the United States only 18.3 percent of the time during 2007, according to State’s most recent congressionally-mandated report. In part, that is because in the global legislature that is the General Assembly, the United States has no protector of political pride or enforcer of national interests. Even a strong ambassador like John Bolton can’t spend his days whipping votes and twisting arms like Lyndon Johnson used to do in the Senate."
Israel and micro states Palau, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Micronesia all vote the US position over 2/3 of the time, with Australia, Canada, Great Britain, France, and Monaco, rounding out the top ten and supporting the US about half the time. Our Other NATO allies vote with the US around 40% of the time. The top ten recipients of US direct foreign aid are Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Sudan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Colombia, Jordan, and Kenya, averaging around $1 billion in aid each. Excluding the Israelis, these nations vote with the US less than 10% of the time.
It appears to me the UN is seriously broken, and in dire need of replacement.
"For 25 years, the State Department has been compiling voting records at the United Nations, and the trend is troubling. Twelve years ago, the General Assembly and the U.S. were in agreement on half of the recorded votes -- today, it is less than one in five. Specifically, the General Assembly voted with the United States only 18.3 percent of the time during 2007, according to State’s most recent congressionally-mandated report. In part, that is because in the global legislature that is the General Assembly, the United States has no protector of political pride or enforcer of national interests. Even a strong ambassador like John Bolton can’t spend his days whipping votes and twisting arms like Lyndon Johnson used to do in the Senate."
Israel and micro states Palau, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Micronesia all vote the US position over 2/3 of the time, with Australia, Canada, Great Britain, France, and Monaco, rounding out the top ten and supporting the US about half the time. Our Other NATO allies vote with the US around 40% of the time. The top ten recipients of US direct foreign aid are Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Sudan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Colombia, Jordan, and Kenya, averaging around $1 billion in aid each. Excluding the Israelis, these nations vote with the US less than 10% of the time.
It appears to me the UN is seriously broken, and in dire need of replacement.
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny: First of all, I haven't had sex with a camel since I was in the Army. And the camel never complained.
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