Winners And Losers From 11th GOP Debate

By William Teach March 4, 2016 – 6:59 am

Who really lost? The viewers, who had to listen to this drivel, something I’ve never seen before, and I put the onus directly on Donald Trump, for dragging the discourse down instead of focusing on issues in a substantive manner

(Fox News) What did Michigan voters think about tonight’s GOP debate in Detroit?

Frank Luntz shared the reactions of his focus group on a special post-debate edition of The Kelly File.

The voters had some very negative things to say about the tone of the debate, objecting to the intense personal attacks and lamenting a lack of substance.

Using words like “sophomoric,” “shameful” and “despicable,” the voters agreed that this debate did not help the GOP overall.

That focus group picked John Kasich as the winner, mostly for staying above the fray. Here’s how The Hill scores it

Winners:

  • Megyn Kelly, for apparently asking questions to Donald Trump
  • Donald Trump: for surviving the cage match, which he mostly started
  • Hillary Clinton: because the cage match in the first half was an embarrassment, and a protracted fight can supposedly help her
  • Ted Cruz: for smacking Trump around on his previous Democratic Party positions and donations

Mixed

  • John Kasich, because, who?

Losers

  • Marco Rubio, who seemed tired and somewhat listless. His attacks took away his optimism and youthfullness
  • GOP Establishment: because neither Rubio nor Kasich really have a path to the nomination

Meanwhile, in case you missed it, both of the previous GOP presidential losers, Mitt Romney and John McCain, are having hissy fits towards Trump. It’s not that they’re necessarily wrong, they’re just the wrong people to deliver the message.

Crossed at Right Wing News.

Read: Winners And Losers From 11th GOP Debate »

Posted in GOP | 3 Comments | Trackback URL

Preliminary Autopsy Shows Raleigh Man Hit 4 Times By Officer

By William Teach March 3, 2016 – 4:44 pm

Remember, the initial “witness” reports stated that the officer shot criminal Akiel Denkins in the back

(WNCN) Preliminary results from the North Carolina Medical Examiner, according to Freeman, said, “There was a wound of his right chest with injuries of his heart and both lungs, and there were wounds of his left forearm, right upper arm, and right shoulder.”

The news release did not specify where the bullets entered. His mother has said she was told by a witness that he was shot in the back.

Sure seems as if they were to the front. I do find it interesting that there is so little national interest in this case, like with other cases. I guess the news media isn’t particularly interested without riots and violence.

And an update

A separate report from the Raleigh Police Department said that Senior Officer D.C. Twiddy and Akiel Denkins were struggling and that Denkins was reaching for a gun when he was shot. (snip)

As he came around the corner of the house, Twiddy saw Denkins attempting to climb a second fence. Denkins then stopped and turned toward Twiddy, according to the report.

Twiddy ran and grabbed Denkins in an effort to take him into custody. While the two struggled, Twiddy saw Denkins start to pull a handgun from the front of his waistband and move it toward Twiddy, the report states.

During the struggle, Twiddy drew his weapon and fired multiple shots as Denkins continued to move his gun in his direction, the report states. After the first shots were fired, Twiddy felt Denkins’ hand or arm make contact with his gun, and fearing that Denkins was going to shoot him or take his gun, he fired additional shots.

Sure looks like the story is breaking down for the “he was shot in the back while running. Why did those evil racist cops shoot him?” crowd. Oh, and Denkin’s gun was stolen.

Read: Preliminary Autopsy Shows Raleigh Man Hit 4 Times By Officer »

Posted in NC News | 3 Comments | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach March 3, 2016 – 1:00 pm

…is an evil pool that is bad for climate change on many levels, hence should be banned for Other People, you might be a Warmist

The blog of the days is American Power, with a post on the #NeverTrump crowd needing to get a life.

That’s Jessica Jane Clement.

Read: If All You See… »

Posted in If All You See | 8 Comments | Trackback URL

Quick, Pass A Carbon Tax: ‘Climate Change’ Could Expand Range Of Snakes

By William Teach March 3, 2016 – 10:28 am

Today’s story of doom, which could easily be solved if we initiated a carbon tax!

Snakes’ Expanding Habitat Could Bring Their Venom to Surprising Places

Forget the spread of ticks and mosquitos. Climate change could be responsible for bigger bites by drawing poisonous snakes northward into a band along the U.S. and Canadian border, as well as southward into wide swaths of South America.

Using models to predict the ranges of 78 venomous snake species across the Americas, researchers at the University of Kansas’ Biodiversity Institute found snakebite risk areas could increase significantly. By 2050, they could reach as far north as Alberta and Quebec and southward into Argentina and Chile.

If only members of the Cult of Climastrology would stop driving fossil fueled vehicles, this could be solved. All snake bites in areas that the models (snicker) say will happen are on the heads of Warmists who fail to go carbon neutral.

In fact, many snakes, including venomous ones, already reside in these areas, and have for quite some time.

Read: Quick, Pass A Carbon Tax: ‘Climate Change’ Could Expand Range Of Snakes »

Posted in AGW Scaremongering, Global Warming | 11 Comments | Trackback URL

DOJ Grants Immunity To Person Who Set Up Hillary’s Private Server

By William Teach March 3, 2016 – 8:30 am

But, don’t worry, this isn’t a criminal probe and not even probing her personally, according to Hillary and company. Alas, people are usually not given immunity unless it is a criminal investigation

(Washington Post) The Justice Department has granted immunity to a former State Department staffer, who worked on Hillary Clinton’s private email server, as part of a criminal investigation into the possible mishandling of classified information, according to a senior law enforcement official.

The official said the FBI had secured the cooperation of Bryan Pagliano, who worked on Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign before setting up the server in her New York home in 2009.

Patterico notes the spin by Team Clinton on this, as well as this tweet

https://twitter.com/Popehat/status/705209813400047617

Meaning, this looks really, really bad for the target of the investigation. And, let’s not forget, it’s most likely that the target is not just Hillary Clinton, but her inner staff, many of whom colluded in the use of the server, and were involved in passing material at all the various classification levels in contradiction of the law, including material they were not legally entitled to see.

As the FBI looks to wrap up its investigation in the coming months, agents are likely to want to interview Clinton and her senior aides about the decision to use a private server, how it was set up, and whether any of the participants knew they were sending classified information in emails, current and former officials said.

As one of the commenters at Patterico’s article notes

Paul Mirengoff at Powerline points out that the real threat to Hillary! might be if the FBI seeks to interview her. On the one hand, it would look awful for her to assert her Fifth Amendment rights and even the vassals in her press detail might wonder what she has to hide. On the other hand, if she agrees to an interview she might inadvertently wander into a perjury trap of the type that ruined Petraeus.

Taking the 5th in the middle of a presidential race would look really, really bad. Of course, Democrats wouldn’t give a damn, and will vote for her no matter what. Think differently? How did they keep electing former KKK member Robert Byrd? How about William “Cold Cash” Jefferson, re-elected while under criminal indictment for bribery? They continue to support Bill Clinton, despite all the serious allegations about his sexual assaults.

Read: DOJ Grants Immunity To Person Who Set Up Hillary’s Private Server »

Posted in Hillary Clinton | 12 Comments | Trackback URL

Donald Trump Releases Obamacare Repeal And Replace Plan

By William Teach March 3, 2016 – 8:09 am

Interestingly, the plan includes neither a mandate nor shoots for single payer

(Fox News) After months of promising to repeal ObamaCare, but failing to spell out how — and what would replace it — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump finally revealed some specifics Wednesday night, including doing away with the individual mandate that requires everyone to have health insurance, an apparent reversal of his previous support for the provision.

Trump also proposes that states take over management of Medicaid and provide incentives to eliminate fraud and waste.

The seven-point plan, posted on the GOP frontrunner’s website, slammed the Affordable Health Care Act, saying it has “tragically but predictably resulted in runaway costs, websites that don’t work, greater rationing of care, higher premiums, less competition and few choices.”

In explaining his plan to abolish the individual mandate, Trump said no one should be required to buy health insurance if they don’t want to. The current law requires everyone to have health insurance, or pay a penalty. That’s an apparent reversal from his “I like the mandate” comment last month during a CNN town hall.

Should citizens be forced to purchase health insurance? No. Many can afford to pay for health care without it. Some people want to take their chances. On the other hand, should health care providers have to provide service to those who cannot pay? There’s the rub, and was kinda the point when conservative think tanks were discussing the need (not advocating for, mind you) for a mandate.

Anyhow, here’s Trump’s plan, which, for all those who are thinking Trump is the next Hitler, Chavez, or Mussolini (interestingly, the Left never compares him to their friends Stalin or Mao), says Congress must do this when a President Donald Trump sends the plan to them. I’m only going to excerpt the beginning portion of each point, you’ll have to hit the link to see it all

  1. Completely repeal Obamacare. Our elected representatives must eliminate the individual mandate. No person should be required to buy insurance unless he or she wants to.
  2. Modify existing law that inhibits the sale of health insurance across state lines.
  3. Allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns under the current tax system.
  4. Allow individuals to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Contributions into HSAs should be tax-free and should be allowed to accumulate.
  5. Require price transparency from all healthcare providers, especially doctors and healthcare organizations like clinics and hospitals.
  6. Block-grant Medicaid to the states. Nearly every state already offers benefits beyond what is required in the current Medicaid structure. The state governments know their people best….
  7. Remove barriers to entry into free markets for drug providers that offer safe, reliable and cheaper products. Congress will need the courage to step away from the special interests and do what is right for America.

Now, I do have to wonder, is this what he really believes, considering his love of the mandate and socialized medicine, including single payer, per previous comments, or is he simply pandering? Some intrepid reporter should ask, as I’m pretty sure he won’t answer me on Twitter.

Trump goes on to note

Providing healthcare to illegal immigrants costs us some $11 billion annually. If we were to simply enforce the current immigration laws and restrict the unbridled granting of visas to this country, we could relieve healthcare cost pressures on state and local governments.

Let’s not forget the number of ERs closed in California and other states due to illegals using them as doctor’s offices.

To reduce the number of individuals needing access to programs like Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program we will need to install programs that grow the economy and bring capital and jobs back to America. The best social program has always been a job – and taking care of our economy will go a long way towards reducing our dependence on public health programs.

Well, not just a job, but a good paying job.

Anyhow, the plan, such as it is, is very much what Conservatives have been offering for years, especially in the era of Ocare. So, again, pandering, or real belief?

Crossed at Right Wing News.

Read: Donald Trump Releases Obamacare Repeal And Replace Plan »

Posted in GOP, Healthcare | 7 Comments | Trackback URL

The World Could Become Like Mad Max From ‘Climate Change’ Or Something

By William Teach March 2, 2016 – 3:18 pm

Personally, I blame the vast amounts of fossil fuels to produce movies and TV shows from the liberal entertainment industry

‘Mad Max’ Is A Lot Scarier When You Realize That’s Where We Could Be Headed

Two winners at Sunday night’s Academy Awards used their time on stage to warn audiences about the dangers of climate change — and it turns out that science supports many of their claims.

Specifically, some scientists say it could be possible for the Earth to one day resemble the arid wasteland depicted in “Mad Max: Fury Road” if we don’t take steps to curb climate change.

photo facepalm.gif

Read: The World Could Become Like Mad Max From ‘Climate Change’ Or Something »

Posted in AGW Scaremongering, Global Warming | 9 Comments | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach March 2, 2016 – 1:00 pm

…is a world turning to desert from carbon pollution, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Victory Girls Blog, with a post on Trump supporters and willful ignorance.

I’m going to do something in this IAYS post I never do: make a statement. I received an email after I had set this post up for a 1pm posting, asking why I picked on Trump so much, and, isn’t that divisive? I make no bones that I am not a Trump supporter, and I think he is not a Conservative. He has some good ideas, and he has some really bad ideas, and I am concerned with his ability to win the General election.

But, here’s the big point I want to make: if you support Trump, you’re more than welcome here at the Pirate’s Cove, just as liberals, even hardcore ones, are. Politics is rough and tumble. People debate and argue and disagree. That’s what makes it fun.

BTW, I’ll reiterate that IAYS posts are open threads, discuss whatever you want.

Read: If All You See… »

Posted in If All You See | 5 Comments | Trackback URL

Raleigh Remains Calm In Wake Of Akiel Denkins Shooting

By William Teach March 2, 2016 – 10:10 am

All sorts of prayers are being offered or something

(ABC11) People in Raleigh are making their voices heard after 24-year-old Akiel Rakim Lakeith Denkins was fatally shot by a Raleigh police officer who was attempting to serve a warrant on a drug charge.

Since the officer-involved shooting, many have been demanding answers and calling for justice, but they’re also praying for peace.

Well, it’s very easy to have peace: don’t riot. Don’t burn things. Don’t descend into violence.

At 7 a.m. Monday a prayer vigil was held at Vintage Church in downtown Raleigh.

Tears were shed as prayers were said for Denkins’ family and for everyone else affected by his death.

Well, all the people he sold drugs to can probably find another dealer. And the women he beat are probably unconcerned. Why are so many people suddenly concerned about Denkins now, after ignoring his drug dealing, gang activity, violence, and illegally carrying a concealed weapon?

“It’s very important that we send a message to this city and to this world that we’re not going to sit back silently while our people are being shot down while they’re running or unarmed,” said the Rev. Curtis Gatewood with the North Carolina NAACP.

I have to wonder, what happens if it turns out that the gun found was Denkins’, and he was shot because he was a threat?

But, let’s also be clear: if the officer fired without cause, he should be tried in court.

Read: Raleigh Remains Calm In Wake Of Akiel Denkins Shooting »

Posted in NC News | 5 Comments | Trackback URL

Say, What Did Super Tuesday Voters Think About ‘Climate Change’?

By William Teach March 2, 2016 – 8:18 am

For the most part, the majority thought nothing of it. Even Democrats tend to find anthropogenic climate change a lower tier issue when placed among other issues. But, Mother Jones thought the issues was big enough to run an article, for which I thank them, because it provides fun blogging material

Here’s What Super Tuesday Voters Think About Climate Change

The subhead?

Ug.

Yup.

Last year, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication released a nationwide study of Americans’ attitudes toward climate science and policy. In many states—especially the large bloc of Southern states voting on Tuesday—the results were not particularly encouraging.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, scientists are 95 percent certain that human activities are responsible for most of the dramatic warming since the 1950s. But according to Yale’s estimates, that opinion is shared by less than half of adults in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming.

Overall, just 48 percent of adults in the Super Tuesday states accept the scientific consensus.

First, I wish Warmists would pick a consistent time frame. The offer 5. Since 1950, since 1850, since 1980, since the beginning of the 20th Century, and since the beginning of the industrial revolution.

Second, and more important, the Cult of Climastrology has been “spreading awareness” since the 1980’s, especially starting with 1988. Yet, the best they can do is…..48%. As a graphic at the article highlights, the Super Tuesday states with the highest belief that the current climate change (which has seen statistically insignificant warming in over 18 years) is caused mostly/solely by Mankind are Massachusetts and Vermont, with 52%. One would think that these hotbeds of Leftism would poll higher, wouldn’t you? 25+ years of spreading awareness, of beating the drum, of a compliant media helping out, of marches and demonstrations and scaremongering, and this is the best they can do.

And, let’s not forget that a recent poll found that 91% of Americans aren’t worried about Hotcoldwetdry.

Read: Say, What Did Super Tuesday Voters Think About ‘Climate Change’? »

Posted in Collapsing Science, Global Warming | 5 Comments | Trackback URL
Pirate's Cove