Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The world keeps spinning
Between getting ready to move from Korea to the US, then from the US to Canada, then from Canada to Poland, doing my taxes, work, and finding out my mother will be in jail for the next two years... I really have nothing left at the moment, and am very burnt out.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Electric Cars
In this age of Global Warming (or Man Made Climate Change) Alarmism, the electric car is reemerging. I am glad that this is happening, I for one would love a car that has instantaneous maximum torque (it's a guy thing). Unfortunately the technology is not really ready for a convenient electric car.
The range provided by these cars is very limited, the high end ones topping out at 220 miles (under ideal conditions) with a 3.5 hour recharge (using a Tesla Motors High Power Connector). This means that long trips are out of the question. The more affordable ones have a range topping out at 25-100 miles with 8 to 10 hour recharge times (with very limited carrying/towing weights). This makes them very impractical if you live in a rural environment.
Research needs to be put into development of improved batteries and fuel cells to make the electric car more feasible. Infrastructure also needs to be incorporated to standardize the battery/fuel cell shape and output. This would make it possible to pull into a station and change out your battery if you are running low on a long trip. Until serious development is accomplished the electric car will remain only in large cities, and playthings. I really hope that this will change, because I would like an electric car especially one that looks like the Tesla.
The range provided by these cars is very limited, the high end ones topping out at 220 miles (under ideal conditions) with a 3.5 hour recharge (using a Tesla Motors High Power Connector). This means that long trips are out of the question. The more affordable ones have a range topping out at 25-100 miles with 8 to 10 hour recharge times (with very limited carrying/towing weights). This makes them very impractical if you live in a rural environment.
Research needs to be put into development of improved batteries and fuel cells to make the electric car more feasible. Infrastructure also needs to be incorporated to standardize the battery/fuel cell shape and output. This would make it possible to pull into a station and change out your battery if you are running low on a long trip. Until serious development is accomplished the electric car will remain only in large cities, and playthings. I really hope that this will change, because I would like an electric car especially one that looks like the Tesla.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
So the stimulus package is supported by economists?
Seems that the President's claim about economists supporting the Stimulus package may not be all that. This is from the Business and Media Institute
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Can I be interrogated next?
After reading about this incident at Stop the ACLU I have to wonder if there will be a rise in terrorists turning themselves in.
It puts me in mind of the old Monty Python Spanish Inquisition bit and the Red Dwarf Rimmerworld episode. Bring me the comfy chair indeed.
I could use a good "interrogation".
Monday, February 09, 2009
Empty Promises
Remember during the election how things were supposed to change. No more pork from the government, no more politics of fear, a new era of bipartisanship, total transparency, and no more underhandedness. First big legislation out of the gate pretty much broke all of those promises.
The "Stimulus Package" is horrendous. As I posted earlier, it looks to be nothing more than the hard left wish list for the last 40 odd years and paybacks for the people who helped the President get elected (look at all the nice things the Unions are getting).
A stimulus package should be targeted at making sustainable jobs and increasing economic movement right away. The current bill has the majority of it's money being used a year or two down the road. Any jobs created seem to be temporary, and directed at expanding the democratic party base. All through the election we were told how bad the housing market was, but yet only a fraction of the bill addresses that issue. But there is money for Digital TV boxes, expanding Broadband internet, global warming research (the Church of Man Made Climate Change or what ever they are calling it now that temperatures are dropping), and ACORN (they are making out quite nice on this one). No more pork, except Democratic pet projects (have Pelosi explain how condoms and pamphlets about STD's create jobs, again).
The bill was basically written by Pelosi and her stooges, opposing views were crushed or ignored. When it came before the House all Republicans and 11 Democrats voted against it, only Democrats voted for it. Somehow the Republicans were chastised for being partisan. Sooo.... 1 party voted for it and 2 parties voted against it, last time I checked bipartisan meant "2" parties. I guess by bipartisanship Obama means bend over and do as we say.
What happened to "Hope and Change"? Has it now become "Gloom and Doom"? We must pass the bill now, you don't need to read it, it must be now!!! America will fail unless we pass it now!!!! Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy will all be murdered unless you pass the bill now!!! Only the Federal Government can stop the world from exploding!!! This is just using a "Crisis" to push bad legislation down our throats, much like the "Patriot Act". Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
In the Senate three Republicans broke ranks to support the bill. Of the three, one was invited to watch the Superbowl in the White house with the President (the only republican invited, by the by). This same man was quite aghast when he was asked what it was like to be Wined and Dined at the White House. Wonder what he and his two friends will do with their 30 pieces of silver? The Mayor of Chicago (Obama's state) refuses to release his Stimulus project list. Other cities have wanted dog parks, and Frisbee golf courses (big job growth there eh?). But he is afraid he will be ripped into. So much for transparency and no underhandedness.
Wonder if the new President will keep any promises?
The "Stimulus Package" is horrendous. As I posted earlier, it looks to be nothing more than the hard left wish list for the last 40 odd years and paybacks for the people who helped the President get elected (look at all the nice things the Unions are getting).
A stimulus package should be targeted at making sustainable jobs and increasing economic movement right away. The current bill has the majority of it's money being used a year or two down the road. Any jobs created seem to be temporary, and directed at expanding the democratic party base. All through the election we were told how bad the housing market was, but yet only a fraction of the bill addresses that issue. But there is money for Digital TV boxes, expanding Broadband internet, global warming research (the Church of Man Made Climate Change or what ever they are calling it now that temperatures are dropping), and ACORN (they are making out quite nice on this one). No more pork, except Democratic pet projects (have Pelosi explain how condoms and pamphlets about STD's create jobs, again).
The bill was basically written by Pelosi and her stooges, opposing views were crushed or ignored. When it came before the House all Republicans and 11 Democrats voted against it, only Democrats voted for it. Somehow the Republicans were chastised for being partisan. Sooo.... 1 party voted for it and 2 parties voted against it, last time I checked bipartisan meant "2" parties. I guess by bipartisanship Obama means bend over and do as we say.
What happened to "Hope and Change"? Has it now become "Gloom and Doom"? We must pass the bill now, you don't need to read it, it must be now!!! America will fail unless we pass it now!!!! Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy will all be murdered unless you pass the bill now!!! Only the Federal Government can stop the world from exploding!!! This is just using a "Crisis" to push bad legislation down our throats, much like the "Patriot Act". Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
In the Senate three Republicans broke ranks to support the bill. Of the three, one was invited to watch the Superbowl in the White house with the President (the only republican invited, by the by). This same man was quite aghast when he was asked what it was like to be Wined and Dined at the White House. Wonder what he and his two friends will do with their 30 pieces of silver? The Mayor of Chicago (Obama's state) refuses to release his Stimulus project list. Other cities have wanted dog parks, and Frisbee golf courses (big job growth there eh?). But he is afraid he will be ripped into. So much for transparency and no underhandedness.
Wonder if the new President will keep any promises?
Thursday, February 05, 2009
"Stimulus package" gimme a break.
"One Trillion Dollars" Just saying it makes me feel like I should be stroking a white cat and putting James Bond in a overly complex and easily escapable death device.
The "package" went to the house where all Republicans and 11 Democrats voted against it. This bi-partisan opposition was defeated, now it before the senate where they look to make it bigger. According to the Wall Street Journal's break down, only about 10% of the package is going to actually stimulate the economy. Where is the other 90% going? Here is a list of some of the items that were put in.
* $2 billion earmark to restart FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Dept. of Energy defunded last year because the project was inefficient
* $650 million for the digital television (DTV) converter box coupon program
* $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (Arctic ship)
* $448 million for constructing the Dept. of Homeland Security headquarters
* $248 million for furniture at the new Dept. of Homeland Security headquarters
* $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees
* $400 million for the CDC to screen and prevent STDs
* $1.4 billion for a rural waste disposal programs
* $125 million for the Washington, D.C. sewer system
* $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities
* $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion
* $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges
* $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI
* $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction
* $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River
* $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas
* $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings
* $500 million for state and local fire stations
* $650 million for wildland fire management on Forest Service lands
* $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities
* $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs
* $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service
* $412 million for CDC buildings and property
* $500 million for building and repairing NIH facilities in Bethesda, MD
* $160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service
* $5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the VA "National Cemetery Administration"
* $60 million for Arlington National Cemetery
* $850 million for Amtrak
* $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint
* $75M to construct a new "security training" facility for State Dept Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.
* $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems
* $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.
* $275 million for "watershed and flood prevention operations"
* Unspecified assistance for "nonambulatory cattle"
Granted some of these items are good things, but don't stimulate the economy or create jobs. They should be addressed on individual bills and voted for, not ear marked onto an "emergency" bill and rushed through. This is exactly the kind of Pork we were promised was going away.
If you want to stimulate the economy target thing that will create sustainable jobs, drop capital gains taxes to get people investing, target easing the troubles of home owners (didn't that cause the current "crisis"). Giving the hard left it's wish list for the last 40 years is not going to help.
The "package" went to the house where all Republicans and 11 Democrats voted against it. This bi-partisan opposition was defeated, now it before the senate where they look to make it bigger. According to the Wall Street Journal's break down, only about 10% of the package is going to actually stimulate the economy. Where is the other 90% going? Here is a list of some of the items that were put in.
* $2 billion earmark to restart FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Dept. of Energy defunded last year because the project was inefficient
* $650 million for the digital television (DTV) converter box coupon program
* $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (Arctic ship)
* $448 million for constructing the Dept. of Homeland Security headquarters
* $248 million for furniture at the new Dept. of Homeland Security headquarters
* $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees
* $400 million for the CDC to screen and prevent STDs
* $1.4 billion for a rural waste disposal programs
* $125 million for the Washington, D.C. sewer system
* $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities
* $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion
* $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges
* $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI
* $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction
* $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River
* $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas
* $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings
* $500 million for state and local fire stations
* $650 million for wildland fire management on Forest Service lands
* $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities
* $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs
* $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service
* $412 million for CDC buildings and property
* $500 million for building and repairing NIH facilities in Bethesda, MD
* $160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service
* $5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the VA "National Cemetery Administration"
* $60 million for Arlington National Cemetery
* $850 million for Amtrak
* $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint
* $75M to construct a new "security training" facility for State Dept Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.
* $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems
* $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.
* $275 million for "watershed and flood prevention operations"
* Unspecified assistance for "nonambulatory cattle"
Granted some of these items are good things, but don't stimulate the economy or create jobs. They should be addressed on individual bills and voted for, not ear marked onto an "emergency" bill and rushed through. This is exactly the kind of Pork we were promised was going away.
If you want to stimulate the economy target thing that will create sustainable jobs, drop capital gains taxes to get people investing, target easing the troubles of home owners (didn't that cause the current "crisis"). Giving the hard left it's wish list for the last 40 years is not going to help.
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