Surprise! FTC Drops Google Anti-Trust Case

By William Teach January 4, 2013 – 8:42 am

I’m wondering if Liberals and Occupiers will protest against what appears to be yet another Big Company involved in a pay for play scheme to avoid punishment? Anyhow, there are two big stories over at Politico about how Google beat the feds, the first linked by Drudge, more about the nuts and bolts of the deal, and the other

(Politico) Google escaped from a nearly two-year federal antitrust probe with only a few scratches by proving that the best defense is a good offense.

Instead of ignoring Washington — as rival Microsoft did before its costly monopolization trial in the 1990s — Google spent about $25 million in lobbying, made an effort to cozy up to the Obama administration and hired influential Republicans and former regulators. The company even consulted with the late Robert Bork and The Heritage Foundation and met with senators like John Kerry to make its case. In other words, these traditional outsiders worked the system from the inside.

It was all an old-school play for a company that long rejected the notion of lobbying in Washington. In February 2012, the company snapped up former Rep. Susan Molinari, a Republican insider, to lead its Washington team. She proved to be the political complement to Schmidt, who during the investigation donated for a second time to the Obama administration and much later appeared with top aide Jim Messina at the president’s reelection headquarters. The company grabbed headlines when it hired up Suzanne Michel, one of the FTC’s top patent experts, much earlier in the agency’s investigation.

What they really do not delve into is

  • Google contributed $736,554 to Obama’s 2012 re-election (only $30k to Romney)
  • Donated $128,517 to Obama’s first coronation, er, inauguration
  • Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt donated $25k to the inauguration
  • CEO Larry Page gave $25k to inauguration
  • Senior VP David Drummond gave $25k
  • Others in the senior management team donated smaller sums
  • Larry Page was involved with multiple big money fundraisers for Obama during the 2012 cycle

Must be nice.

Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU.

Read: Surprise! FTC Drops Google Anti-Trust Case »

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Obligatory Al Jazeera Buys Al Gore’s Current TV

By William Teach January 3, 2013 – 3:24 pm

Too be honest, I wasn’t going to really bother until I ran across this NY Times piece

Al Jazeera on Wednesday announced a deal to take over Current TV, the low-rated cable channel that was founded by Al Gore, a former vice president, and his business partners seven years ago. Al Jazeera plans to shut Current and start an English-language channel, which will be available in more than 40 million homes, with newscasts emanating from both New York and Doha, Qatar.

Gore stands to make about 100 million dollars. Current TV employees stand to join unemployment lines.

For Al Jazeera, which is financed by the government of Qatar, the acquisition is a coming of age moment. A decade ago, Al Jazeera’s flagship Arabic-language channel was reviled by American politicians for showing videotapes from Al Qaeda members and sympathizers. Now the news operation is buying an American channel, having convinced Mr. Gore and the other owners of Current that it has the journalistic muscle and the money to compete head-to-head with CNN and other news channels in the United States.

The entire wealth of Qatar is built on oil. It’s “carbon footprint” is 55.4 tons per person per year. Only the US Virgin Islands and Gibraltar have higher footprints world wide. So, not only has Gore sold out to Islamic terrorist sympathizers, protectors, and enablers, he has sold out to the Evil Fossil Fuel Industry.

So, next time some Warmist starts yammering on about how great Gore is when it comes to “Climate change”, remember who he sold out to.

Al Jazeera did not disclose the purchase price, but people with direct knowledge of the deal pegged it at around $500 million, indicating a $100 million payout for Mr. Gore, who owned 20 percent of Current. Mr. Gore and his partners were eager to complete the deal by Dec. 31, lest it be subject to higher tax rates that took effect on Jan. 1, according to several people who insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. But the deal was not signed until Wednesday.

Oh, and he’s a hypocrite on taxes, too.

Read: Obligatory Al Jazeera Buys Al Gore’s Current TV »

Posted in Climahypocrites, Global Warming, War On Terrorism | 2 Comments | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach January 3, 2013 – 1:00 pm

…is a field that would be perfect for a wind farm (as long as it is not visible to themselves), you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is This ain’t Hell…., with a post on a hand wringing liberal.

Read: If All You See… »

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Say Goodbye To 75 Watt Incandescent Bulbs

By William Teach January 3, 2013 – 12:11 pm

In this case, we can actually Blame Bush for signing the stupid legislation

(Fox Salt Lake) The incandescent light bulbs that have been in homes for decades are being phased out in favor of higher-efficiency bulbs, and the older bulbs took another big step towards obscurity this week.

Last year 100-watt incandescent light bulbs disappeared. This year, it’s 75-watt. Next year, 60- and 40-watt bulbs will get the ax.

That doesn’t mean it’s illegal to use the older incandescent bulbs. They’re still around, but not being manufactured anymore.

They aren’t technically banned, but, in order to meet the strict guidelines, incandescents would necessarily be much more expensive. But, hey, we’re keeping the world from boiling or something.

Read: Say Goodbye To 75 Watt Incandescent Bulbs »

Posted in AGW Idiocy, Energy, Enviroweenies | 4 Comments | Trackback URL

Unhinged Liberal Calls For New Agenda On Guns, Proposes Violence Against Gun Owners

By William Teach January 3, 2013 – 8:50 am

In Atlas Shrugged (a book I have yet to read and a movie I have yet to watch), character Henry Reardon states “If you think you have the right to use force against me, bring guns.” Here’s a liberal who seems to want to use force

(The Blaze) In an opinion column published in the Des Moines Register on Dec. 29, columnist Donald Kaul is uncensored in his disdain for the Second Amendment and anyone who values their right to bear arms. In his column, he calls for a full repeal of the Second Amendment, advocates for violence against Republican leaders “until they see the light on gun control” and declares the National Rifle Association a terrorist organization.

The piece, titled “Kaul: Nation needs a new agenda on guns,” seems to have been inspired in part by the tragic shooting in Newtown, Conn. where shooter Adam Lanza opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School, killing 20 children and six adults. Lanza also killed his mother before he began his shooting spree at the school.

From that column

The thing missing from the debate so far is anger — anger that we live in a society where something like the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre can happen and our main concern is not offending the NRA’s sensibilities.

That’s obscene. Here, then, is my “madder-than-hell-and-I’m-not-going-to-take-it-anymore” program for ending gun violence in America:

• Repeal the Second Amendment, the part about guns anyway. It’s badly written, confusing and more trouble than it’s worth. It offers an absolute right to gun ownership, but it puts it in the context of the need for a “well-regulated militia.” We don’t make our militia bring their own guns to battles. And surely the Founders couldn’t have envisioned weapons like those used in the Newtown shooting when they guaranteed gun rights. Owning a gun should be a privilege, not a right.

• Declare the NRA a terrorist organization and make membership illegal. Hey! We did it to the Communist Party, and the NRA has led to the deaths of more of us than American Commies ever did. (I would also raze the organization’s headquarters, clear the rubble and salt the earth, but that’s optional.) Make ownership of unlicensed assault rifles a felony. If some people refused to give up their guns, that “prying the guns from their cold, dead hands” thing works for me.

• Then I would tie Mitch McConnell and John Boehner, our esteemed Republican leaders, to the back of a Chevy pickup truck and drag them around a parking lot until they saw the light on gun control.

And if that didn’t work, I’d adopt radical measures. None of that is going to happen, of course. But I’ll bet gun sales will rise.

Well, if Liberals like Raul want to repeal the 2nd, first they should try reading it and understanding it, because it is all about guns and Right of The People to own one, not just for home defense, not just for hunting and sport shooting, but as protection against the government. Pre-Revolution the British colonial government attempted to take all guns away from the Colonists. And said militias did generally bring their own guns to the fight.

Scratch that, the first thing liberals should do is give up their own guns and make sure all their body guards are disarmed. All of them, from useless idiot Democrat supporters to limo liberals like Michael Moore and Hollywood celebs to elected officials all the way up to Obama. Walk the talk.

If memory serves, Communists around the world killed almost 150,000,000 people. American communists were working hand in hand with the Soviet Union, attempting to undermine the United States.

And then Raul proposes murder and vicious punishment against gun owners and Republicans. Typical liberal, reverting back to their violent roots, which always seethes underneath their veneer of peacefulness.

Read: Unhinged Liberal Calls For New Agenda On Guns, Proposes Violence Against Gun Owners »

Posted in 2nd Amendment, Liberal World, Unhinged Tools | 2 Comments | Trackback URL

Priorities: Obama Used Autopen To Sign “Fiscal Cliff” Legislations

By William Teach January 3, 2013 – 8:11 am

Roughly since mid-November (NMP) Obama has been Cranking up the pressure on passing “fiscal cliff” legislation. He’s been excoriating Republicans. He made dire predictions. He came out to make statements and Blame Republicans. Of course, he himself created a situation whereby the deal was done after the last minute. Nor did he excoriate Harry Reid for refusing to allow a vote on Obama’s fiscal cliff plan. But, we were told how super duper massively important this legislation was. So, how did he sign it? The Washington Post tells us in a story that is web-only

The hard-fought legislation that allowed the United States to avoid the “fiscal cliff” was signed into law on Wednesday by autopen, the White House said, less than a day after being approved in a contentious vote in the House of Representatives.

President Obama, who interrupted a family vacation here to oversee the cliff negotiations in Washington, returned to Hawaii on an overnight flight that arrived early Wednesday. He spent the day working out a local gym, golfing and dining with first lady Michelle Obama and some friends at a favorite Hono­lulu restaurant, Alan Wong’s.

In between, Obama reviewed a copy of the cliff legislation, titled the “American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012,” and directed that the original — still in Washington — be signed by autopen.

It tells you where Obama’s priorities lay in that he couldn’t wait to receive a copy of the legislation and sign it in Washington. Nor could he be bothered to even read it on the long taxpayer funded flight back to Hawaii. Nor even read it first thing in the morning. No, he waited till he fooled around while on vacation, and could not be bothered to actually sign the legislation.

Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU.

Read: Priorities: Obama Used Autopen To Sign “Fiscal Cliff” Legislations »

Posted in Barry Obama, Current Affairs | 1 Comment | Trackback URL

Boehner Provides A Choice Phrase To Harry Reid

By William Teach January 2, 2013 – 1:37 pm

Can you guess what it is?

(Politico) House Speaker John Boehner couldn’t hold back when he spotted Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in the White House lobby last Friday.

It was only a few days before the nation would go over the fiscal cliff, no bipartisan agreement was in sight, and Reid had just publicly accused Boehner of running a “dictatorship” in the House and caring more about holding onto his gavel than striking a deal.

“Go f— yourself,” Boehner sniped as he pointed his finger at Reid, according to multiple sources present.

Reid, a bit startled, replied: “What are you talking about?”

Boehner repeated: “Go f— yourself.”

The harsh exchange just a few steps from the Oval Office — which Boehner later bragged about to fellow Republicans — was only one episode in nearly two months of high-stakes negotiations laced with distrust, miscommunication, false starts and yelling matches as Washington struggled to ward off $500 billion in tax hikes and spending cuts.

If only Boehner would have been that forceful when speaking to the liberal media and (NMP) Obama.

Read: Boehner Provides A Choice Phrase To Harry Reid »

Posted in Democrats, GOP | 13 Comments | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach January 2, 2013 – 1:00 pm

…is evil hamburgers made from planet killing cows, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Watts Up With That? with a post on yet another hotcoldwetdry busted alarm.

Read: If All You See… »

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

Thing Of The Past: Largest US New Year’s Day Snow Coverage Since 1996

By William Teach January 2, 2013 – 10:00 am

Because schoolkids won’t know what snow looks like

Of course, I suppose we’re supposed to blame all this snow on “carbon pollution” or something.

Read: Thing Of The Past: Largest US New Year’s Day Snow Coverage Since 1996 »

Posted in Collapsing Science, Global Warming | 7 Comments | Trackback URL

Obama: “I Will Not Negotiate Over Debt Ceiling”

By William Teach January 2, 2013 – 7:05 am

Der Fuhrer has spoken

(Slate) In a brief address Tuesday night, President Obama saluted the passage of a fiscal cliff deal that the White House had negotiated with the Senate. Then he fired a warning shot at Congressional Republicans, saying he won’t tolerate another down-to-the-wire battle over the debt ceiling this spring.

“I will not have another debate with this Congress over whether or not they should pay the bills that they’ve already racked up,” he said. “If Congress refuses to give the U.S. government the ability to repay these bills on time, the consequences for the global economy would be catastrophic—far worse than a fiscal cliff.”

He concluded by calling for a 2013 marked by “a little bit less drama, a little bit less brinksmanship,” and suggested the government “not scare the heck out of folks quite as much” the next time it has a major fiscal debate.

As it stands, the fiscal cliff deal is expected to add $4 trillion to the US debt over the next decade per the CBO (said debt hit $16.4 trillion on Monday). And it breaks down to $41 in tax increases for every $1 cut. Quite a far cry from the $3 in cuts for every $1 in tax increases Obama was yammering about out on the campaign trail, eh? Unfortunately, there were 51% who were just too moronic to understand that the man is a liar.

Said deal includes all sorts of perks, such as an extension of a Hollywood tax incentive. And does nothing to reduce, or even control spending. But, let’s face it, elected Republicans allowed Obama to run them over, with the help of the compliant liberal media. But, now Obama and the Democrats own this economy lock, stock, and barrel. Whatever happens, it’s theirs.

What’s next? Well, we have the aforementioned debt ceiling debate fight. We also have

2. Sequester: The so-called sequester is a series of automatic cuts in federal spending that will reduce the budgets of most agencies and programs by 8% to 10%.

Which really only amounts to about $110 billion, a drop in the bucket compared to Central Government spending, and

3. Continuing Budget Resolution: The federal government works on a fiscal year that starts every Oct. 1. Problem is it has been years since it actually enacted a real budget on time.

Because the Senate refuses to pass a budget, one of their legally required duties.

And now Obama’s back to Hawaii, costing the taxpayers more money so that he can take a planet killing fossil fueled flight to resume his 1%er vacation.

Read: Obama: “I Will Not Negotiate Over Debt Ceiling” »

Posted in Barry Obama, Current Affairs, Democrats, Economy, GOP | 3 Comments | Trackback URL
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