If All You See…

By William Teach June 26, 2014 – 1:00 pm

…is a kitchen that could contain an evil refrigerator, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Jammie Wearing Fools, with a post on Obama’s economic delusions.

Read: If All You See… »

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Bummer: Cows, Not Coal, Is The Real “Climate Change” Danger

By William Teach June 26, 2014 – 12:10 pm

So this whole anti-coal campaign has been a waste of time?

Cows — Not Coal — Are the Real Climate Change Culprits

President Obama recently likened denying climate change to believing the moon is made of cheese. As it turns out, ignoring this particular food’s role in climate change is just as irresponsible. Getting serious about climate change would mean finally addressing the gorilla – or, more appropriately, the cow — in the room. If you really care about the environment, you’d leave the cheese — and all meat and dairy products for that matter — off your plate.

By some estimates, the meat and dairy industry is responsible for up to half of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions — contributing more to climate change than even coal-fired power plants. Trying to regulate climate change without touching the meat industry is like trying to curb the obesity crisis without confronting, well, the meat industry.

Interesting. Have I not noted many, many, many times that agriculture is one of Man’s biggest contributions to the release of greenhouse gases, mostly due to methane? It can also cause land use issues. The methane would be global, land use localized.

So as weather patterns become more and more chaotic, blame the burgers, steaks, ribs, sausage, and other products of the massively overpopulated cows across the globe. Sure, cracking down on coal may be part of the fix. But there is a long-term solution to climate change that everyone can do right now: get the animals off our plates.

So, doom, eh?  Dr. Neal Barnard must have a solution, right?

So, that’s the bad news. The good news is that when people eat grains, beans, and other plant foods directly, instead of feeding them to animals, we need much less acreage and less energy, and we end up with a dramatically cleaner–and cooler–environment. Instead of turning corn and beans into chickens, pigs, and cows, we can make corn into corn bread, tortillas, stews, soups, or polenta and turn beans into chili, burritos, veggie burgers, or soymilk. We can turn grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes into a spaghetti dinner, an Asian stir-fry, or ten thousand other meals. And we can toast our environmental stewardship, as the Earth breathes easier.

But, he won’t come right out and say “kill all the cows (and other farm animals), do not raise any more”. He just dips around the edges. Nor will I say that, because, at the end of the day, agriculture is just a small addition when it comes to global warming, most of which is natural, rather than due to the works of Mankind.

Read: Bummer: Cows, Not Coal, Is The Real “Climate Change” Danger »

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Surprise: EPA Also “Lost” Emails

By William Teach June 26, 2014 – 6:57 am

I mentioned a Mark Stein article in the previous post. Something else he wrote

It’s worse when the supposedly impartial civil service uses those powers in the service of the ruling party: The merger of party and state is the very definition of “banana republic”. And it’s worst of all when they get away with it – because it means they’ll do it again.

That was in terms of the IRS knowing they can get away with it, and do it again. Apparently, the EPA feels they can get away with it, as well

(Politico) Move over, IRS — now the EPA is having its own problems with missing emails.

The environmental agency is having trouble locating emails belonging to a former agency employee and pulling information from his crashed hard drive, House members revealed Wednesday while questioning Administrator Gina McCarthy at a hearing on complaints of mismanagement.

“What is it with bureaucrats and public employees … the hard drives crash?” asked Rep. Kerry Bentivolio (R-Mich.).

McCarthy said her agency hasn’t given up.

“We’re having trouble getting information off of it and are trying different ways,” McCarthy said.

The Committee should find a way to compel the EPA to bring the hard drive(s) to someone, be it a different government department or someone contracted from outside, who can recover the data. Because EPA will never recover the data on their own, at least not for years.

The EPA apparently has a much, much, much worse problem, though

(Government Executive) It appears, however, that a regional office has reached a new low: Management for Region 8 in Denver, Colo., wrote an email earlier this year to all staff in the area pleading with them to stop inappropriate bathroom behavior, including defecating in the hallway.

In the email, obtained by Government Executive, Deputy Regional Administrator Howard Cantor mentioned “several incidents” in the building, including clogging the toilets with paper towels and “an individual placing feces in the hallway” outside the restroom.

Confounded by what to make of this occurrence, EPA management “consulted” with workplace violence “national expert” John Nicoletti, who said that hallway feces is in fact a health and safety risk. He added the behavior was “very dangerous” and the individuals responsible would “probably escalate” their actions.

Seriously, the EPA needed an outside consultant to tell them that? On the bright side, at least they weren’t pooing in wetlands, otherwise the employees might have found themselves in serious trouble.

Read: Surprise: EPA Also “Lost” Emails »

Posted in Enviroweenies, Government | 2 Comments | Trackback URL

Did Lois Lerner Seek IRS Audit Of Sen. Chuck Grassley?

By William Teach June 26, 2014 – 6:37 am

Fox News runs with they headline that she did, and Rep. David Camp thinks she did, but, Grassley thinks she was targeting a Tea Party group. Some news orgs follow along with the Grassley targeted meme, others go with group targeted

Congressional investigators have uncovered emails showing ex-IRS official Lois Lerner targeted a sitting Republican senator for a proposed internal audit, a discovery one GOP lawmaker called “shocking.”

The emails were published late Wednesday by the House Ways and Means Committee and pertain to the woman at the heart of the scandal over IRS targeting of Tea Party groups.

The emails appear to show Lerner mistakenly received an invitation intended for Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, in 2012.

The invitation offered to pay for Grassley’s wife, and

“Looked like they were inappropriately offering to pay for his wife. Perhaps we should refer to Exam?” she wrote.

Her colleague, though, pushed back on the idea, saying an offer to pay for his wife is “not prohibited on its face.” There is no indication from the emails that Lerner pursued the issue any further.

Just the very indication that a top IRS official would so casually suggest and audit is blood chilling. Mark Stein wrote of the IRS “The IRS is its own law enforcement agency: judge, jury and executioner. If it decides you’ve done something wrong, it garnishes your wages, takes out a lien on your house, or freezes your kid’s bank account – all without due process.”

“We have seen a lot of unbelievable things in this investigation, but the fact that Lois Lerner attempted to initiate an apparently baseless IRS examination against a sitting Republican United States Senator is shocking,” Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., said in a statement.

but, Grassley seems to think it is the group that would be “referred to exam”

Grassley said in a statement that this kind of incident fuels concerns people have about “political targeting” at the highest levels. “It’s very troubling that a simple clerical mix-up could get a taxpayer immediately referred for an IRS exam without any due diligence from agency officials,” the senator said.

Reading the emails (the link in the first excerpt), Lerner doesn’t say who would be audited. The reply states that if an audit occurred, it would need to be on Grassley, because the income would be to Grassley, as it would be part of a “speaking fee”, and suggests that Matthew Guiliano is “not sure we should send to exam”.

The IRS, in response to the publication of the emails, said in a statement that it could not comment on “any specific situation” due to taxpayer confidentiality issues.

Except for all those Tea Party records sent to the FBI, as well as released to private Democrat supporting groups, one of which has resulted in a $50k settlement.

But the agency added: “As a general matter, the IRS has checks and balances in place to ensure the fairness and integrity of the audit process. Audits cannot be initiated solely by personal requests or suggestions by any one individual inside the IRS.”

Yet, the very notion that Lerner could be so cavalier in suggesting an audit is chilling. And, did they have the same checks in place regarding the stonewalling of applications for Tea Party groups to receive 503(c)(4) status?

Crossed at Right Wing News.

Read: Did Lois Lerner Seek IRS Audit Of Sen. Chuck Grassley? »

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Who Knew Thate Stealing A/C Units Is Now A Federal Offense Under The Clean Air Act?

By William Teach June 25, 2014 – 6:52 pm

When conservatives refer to government overreach and the proliferation of Big Government, this fits in perfectly

(WLWT) An Ohio man has pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act by releasing a refrigerant into the air during the theft of dozens of air conditioning units.

Federal prosecutors say Martin Eldridge and others stole at least 49 units between August and October last year, releasing the refrigerant when tubing that connected units to houses and businesses was cut.

The 35-year-old Columbus man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to one count of knowingly venting the refrigerant HCFC-22 into the environment. That refrigerant is sold under trade names including Freon.

Eldridge will serve 31 months in prison under terms of the plea. His attorney declined to comment.

Read: Who Knew Thate Stealing A/C Units Is Now A Federal Offense Under The Clean Air Act? »

Posted in Enviroweenies, Good Move Slick | 13 Comments | Trackback URL

The Bird Feeder

By William Teach June 25, 2014 – 3:43 pm

In the email:

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: TIME TO TAKE DOWN THE BIRD-FEEDER

I bought a bird feeder. I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed. What a beauty of a bird feeder it was, I reflected as I filled it lovingly with seed. First came the chickadees and then within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food.

But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue.

Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table. Everywhere!

Then some of the birds turned mean. They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket.

Other birds were boisterous and loud. They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food.

After a while, I couldn’t even sit on my own back porch anymore. So I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio.

Soon, the back yard was like it used to be: quiet and serene.

Now let’s see. Our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, free education and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen.

Then the illegals came by the tens of thousands. Suddenly, our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families; and you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor. Your child’s 2nd grade class is behind other schools because over half the class doesn’t speak English.

Corn flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to ‘press one’ to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than ‘Old Glory’ are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties.

IT’S WAY PAST TIME FOR OUR GOVERNMENT TO TAKE DOWN THE BIRD FEEDER.

Read: The Bird Feeder »

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If All You See…

By William Teach June 25, 2014 – 1:00 pm

…is a horrible carbon pollution infused beer, cause the waters to rise, you might just be a Warmist

The Hump Day blog of the day is This ain’t Hell…, with a your feel good story of the day.

Read: If All You See… »

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Warmist Offers $10,000 Bet To Disprove “Climate Change”

By William Teach June 25, 2014 – 11:00 am

On the heals of David South offer to bet $1,000 to anyone regarding sea level change, along comes a Warmist with his own bet

(Climate Progress) When not refuting the 97 percent of scientists who believe in human-caused global warming, climate change deniers often draw upon the conspiracy that it’s is a fabricated theory invented by those in a position to gain financially or otherwise from efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A Texas-based physicist is turning that notion on its head by offering $10,000 of his own money to anyone who can disprove mainstream, accepted climate science.

Dr. Christopher Keating, a physicist who has taught at the University of South Dakota and the U.S. Naval Academy, says in his blog post that the rules are easy: there is no entry fee, participants must be over 18, and the scientific method must be employed.

Here’s how it works

1. I will award $10,000 of my own money to anyone that can prove, via the scientific method, that man-made global climate change is not occurring;

2. There is no entry fee;

3. You must be 18 years old or older to enter;

4. Entries do not have to be original, they only need to be first;

5. I am the final judge of all entries but will provide my comments on why any entry fails to prove the point.

That’s it! I know you are not going to get rich with $10,000. But, tell me, wouldn’t you like to have a spare $10,000? After all, the skeptics all claim it is a simple matter, and it doesn’t even have to be original. If it is so easy, just cut and paste the proof from somewhere. Provide the scientific evidence and prove your point and the $10,000 is yours!

This is no joke. If someone can provide a proof that I can’t refute, using scientific evidence, then I will write them a check.

OK

Oh, wait, sorry, Warmists call it climate change because that allows them to roll in every change in the weather. Again, skeptics aren’t arguing that the world hasn’t warmed, we are arguing causation.

Here’s the problem with the bet: the term “climate change” is not defined. What, exactly, does Dr. Keating mean? Is it that Mankind is mostly/solely responsible? Or responsible for more than 50%? Or even have a low causation, such as the 10-15% I maintain? Does it cover just warming, or also cooling, cold snaps, snow? Earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis? What is the time frame?

Read: Warmist Offers $10,000 Bet To Disprove “Climate Change” »

Posted in Global Warming | 13 Comments | Trackback URL

Biden: Gay Rights Trump Pretty Much Everything

By William Teach June 25, 2014 – 7:02 am

Someone let Joe Biden off his chains again

(Yahoo News) Vice President Joe Biden declared Tuesday that protecting gay rights is a defining mark of a civilized nation and must trump national cultures and social traditions as the Obama administration sought to mobilize a global front against anti-gay violence and discrimination.

Biden told a gathering of U.S. and international gay rights advocates that President Barack Obama has directed that U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance promote the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender men and women around the world.

“I don’t care what your culture is,” Biden told about 100 guests at the Naval Observatory’s vice presidential mansion. “Inhumanity is inhumanity is inhumanity. Prejudice is prejudice is prejudice.”

In may seem like some off-the-cuff remark from Sheriff Joe, but put this in context of the Progressive movement overall, and it makes perfect sense. A big chunk of the Progressive (nice fascism) movement is to destroy social, cultural, and religious historical norms and mores, replacing them with something else, which helps increased dependence, reliance, and adherence to The State.

Do Progressives really care about gays? Mostly only in terms of them being a potential voter block as well as an interest group they can use for political purposes. How often have you seen Progressives take on gay hating nations like Saudi Arabia and Iran, or hardcore Islam, over their treatment of gays? I believe that most people, even those who do not agree with the gay lifestyle, would agree that the treatment of gays in some countries, such as jailing, whippings, stonings, and hangings, are Wrong. The notion here, though, is that Everyone Else must give up their rights in accordance with the gay lifestyle.

Of course, this is also part of the how the Obama admin focuses on smaller issues, because the big issues have just beaten them down and exposed their sheer incompetence.

BTW, it would be nice if Biden, along with other Progressives, cared as much about women treated in an abhorrent manner by Muslim countries.

Read: Biden: Gay Rights Trump Pretty Much Everything »

Posted in Barking Moonbats, Joe Biden | 7 Comments | Trackback URL

Golly Gee, IRS Failed To Follow Law On Archiving Email

By William Teach June 25, 2014 – 6:43 am

Who would have thought it?

(NY Times) The Internal Revenue Service did not follow the law when it failed to report a hard drive crash that destroyed emails belonging to a senior official at the center of a scandal over the agency’s treatment of conservative-leaning political groups, the nation’s top archivist said Tuesday.

“In accordance with the Federal Records Act, when an agency becomes aware of an incident of unauthorized destruction, they must report the incident to us,” said David S. Ferriero, the chief archivist at the National Archives.

Mr. Ferriero made his remarks at a congressional hearing examining the 2011 disappearance of emails sent and received by Lois Lerner, the former I.R.S. official who is accused of politically motivated mistreatment of Tea Party-aligned groups seeking tax exemptions.

Hey, NY Times, they also lost the records for six other IRS employees implicated in the targeting scheme.

Mr. Ferriero would not say that anyone at the I.R.S. committed a crime, only that the agency “did not follow the law.” He said he learned of the missing emails on June 13, when the agency made the disclosure in a filing to Congress.

Oops, looks like the Times forgot something else

Ferriero: “That’s right.”

(Rep David) Walberg: “Did they break the law?”

Ferrerio: “I’m not a lawyer.”

Walberg: “But you administer the Federal Records Act.”

Ferriero: “I do.”

Walberg: “If they didn’t follow it, can we safely assume they broke the law?”

Ferriero: “They did not follow the law.”

He wouldn’t say because he’s not a lawyer. Typical weaselly government speak. If they did not follow the law, they broke it. See what would happen if you used the “dog ate my tax returns” excuse to the IRS. See what would happen if an agency like the SEC came calling to your business and you lost emails that were involved in securities fraud.

Fortunately, this very important news is buried on page A15.

Then there’s this

White House attorney Jennifer O’Connor testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Tuesday that she couldn’t recall who she worked with during her six months at the IRS.

Darrell Issa was not amused by Rep. Jason Chavez’ line of questioning on this

During Chaffetz’s exchange, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) interrupted: “Mr. Chairman, I think you might be unfair to the witness. The fact is that last night, the commissioner could not remember 60 days ago who told him about the importance of losing those documents.

“Last night, he could not narrow less than 60 days within 30 days when he was told. I think that in fact the ability to remember at the IRS is simply limited,” Issa concluded.

Not amused, snarky.

Finally, the IRS without a “smidgen of corruption” has settled a lawsuit

The Daily Signal has learned that, under a consent judgment today, the IRS agreed to pay $50,000 in damages to the National Organization for Marriage as a result of the unlawful release of the confidential information to a gay rights group, the Human Rights Campaign, that is NOM’s chief political rival.

No, no corruption.

Crossed at Right Wing News.

Read: Golly Gee, IRS Failed To Follow Law On Archiving Email »

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