Governors Whitmer, Cooper March With Protesters: So, Lockdown Is Fully Over, Right?

By William Teach June 5, 2020 – 7:20 am

Oh, look, it’s one of the most restrictive, abusive, dictatorial governors in the nation regarding Coronavirus

Video: Gretchen Whitmer Violates Own Social Distancing Order During Protest, Chants ‘Hands Up Don’t Shoot’

On Thursday morning, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told protesters to wear a mask and stay six feet apart. Later in the day, she appeared to violate her own rules.

“I encourage everyone who is protesting, if you are out demonstrating or out congregating at all, please wear a mask and please try to stay six feet away from others,” she said on Mojo In The Morning.

She marched along as the closely packed large group chanted, “Hands up, don’t shoot,” and “This is what democracy looks like.”

Whitmer, wearing a cloth mask, was standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Bishop Charles Ellis and Lt. Gov. Garland Gilchrist.

It wasn’t democracy when re-open folks were protesting peacefully, ya know. And we all know that the “hands up don’t shoot” thing is a bunch of mule fritters, plus, George Floyd was not shot. Oh, and if the gov is taking sides with the protesters it could make it harder to convict the officers involved, what is known as “command influence”. Defense will have a field day with this.

Tiffany Brown claimed the “unity march” didn’t violate Whitmer’s latest order because it states, “Nothing in this order shall be taken to abridge protections guaranteed by the state or federal constitution.”

“That includes the right to peaceful protest,” she said.

Except when people want to reopen the state. Or garden. Or go to their upstate homes. You can’t pick and choose which protests are OK, which gathering are OK. People couldn’t attend funerals, church services, and so much more. It is pure politics.

And then there’s this, which I missed, because it was very quietly published in the news, almost no Raleigh or NC outlets bothered, because then people would be saying “I guess the lockdown is fully over, right?”

(CBS Raleigh) Gov. Roy Cooper came out of the Executive Mansion early Monday evening and greeted a group protesting on Blount Street.

The group was sitting in the roadway and began chanting “march with us.”

Cooper then began to walk south on Blount Street and around the block.

There’s only two other short paragraphs.

https://twitter.com/CarolinaCat12/status/1268600876698140676

The video at the CBS link shows him without a mask and being too close. Granted, under Cooper we haven’t seen beyond stupid restrictions like with Whitmer, and no reports of cops hastling people, but, we are still not fully reopened. Bars and gyms, among others, are closed. Though Cooper is hinting at allowing them to open earlier than intended.

And then there was super-restrictive Bill de Blasio, who was booed at a George Floyd memorial (huh, not a protest), who sent in the cops when people were gathering together, when they weren’t social distancing, when they had parties, when they held prayers, who scolded people for practicing religion together, and was in a large gathering himself and not wearing a mask.

Personally, I am fine with keeping social distancing going and reduced numbers of people in businesses for a bit more, I’d personally rather be safe (hate the mask, fine with no shaking hands). These Democratic Party politicians are proving so much of this lockdown was pure politics.

Read: Governors Whitmer, Cooper March With Protesters: So, Lockdown Is Fully Over, Right? »

Posted in Bat Soup Virus, Democrats | 12 Comments | Trackback URL

Climate Cultist Says It’s Time To Call Out Denialism Of Racism And Hotcoldwetdry

By William Teach June 4, 2020 – 4:06 pm

The hijacking of current events continues

It’s time to call out denialism — on racism and on climate change

Can you believe it’s 2020 and Rex Murphy still has a platform to spout denialism on climate change — and on racism?

On May 15 in the National Post, Murphy responded to the federal government’s increased carbon tax by characterizing CO2 as the “Santa Claus of gases” and accusing the government of having an “obsession” with “so-called” carbon emissions.

On June 1, in the wake of global anti-racism protests and Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna’s supportive tweet, the National Post published another column in which Murphy declared, “Canada is not a racist country” and characterized the racism issue as an invention of the Liberals, a non-issue.

Move along, nothing to see here.

The rhetoric is so absurd, it is almost laughable — fodder for The Beaverton. Almost. To brush it aside is tempting, but dangerous.

In case you were wondering, this is Canada, which isn’t really a bastion of free speech on certain subjects.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But newspapers — especially mass media outlets — must stick to facts and be held accountable when they do not.

So, censoring Wrongthink

I doubt a single person reading this questions the reality and seriousness of climate change. Even the oil companies — like the ones Murphy has accepted speaking fees from — have long known that fossil fuels are causing CO2 levels to rise and it is a serious concern.

I doubt it.

Should we point Murphy to federal government statistics showing that between 2005 and 2015, the number of Black Canadians in federal prisons increased by 77.5 per cent, Indigenous prisoners increased 52.4 per cent, and white prisoners decreased by 6.8 per cent? Or inform him that Black men in Toronto are 3.4 times more likely to be pulled over by police? Or point out that Canada is often not “tolerant and welcoming” to the extent that one in five Muslims across Canada reported they experienced discrimination due to their religion?

Muslims is not a race. But, hey, Greig Oldford is on a roll!

To present these issues fairly, both sides must be grounded in reality. Murphy’s columns present factually incorrect arguments on issues that disproportionately affect minorities and marginalized people. To publish these pieces is to promote denialism on two of the greatest issues of our time. Denial is a form of misinformation and misinformation can harm people.

Remember the days of “sticks and stones can break my bones but names can never hurt me”? Now they create trigger warnings. Regardless, this is just another attempt to hijack what’s going on in cities run by people with the same beliefs as Greig who made up the climate change scam and also work to keep black people down.

Read: Climate Cultist Says It’s Time To Call Out Denialism Of Racism And Hotcoldwetdry »

Posted in Democrats, Global Warming | 14 Comments | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach June 4, 2020 – 1:00 pm

…is a low carbon sailing ship needed when the seas rise hundreds of feet, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Dissecting Leftism, with a post on the violent protests helping Trump in November.

Read: If All You See… »

Posted in If All You See | 10 Comments | Trackback URL

It Begins: Los Angeles To Reinvest Up To $150 Million From LAPD Budget To Communities Of Color

By William Teach June 4, 2020 – 10:30 am

And what happens when LA become awash in violence? Who will LA blame?

As peaceful protests continue, LAPD budget could be cut by up to $150 million to reinvest in communities of color

As protests over police brutality and the death of George Floyd stretched into a sixth day, Los Angeles officials said Wednesday that they will look to cut $100 million to $150 million from the city’s police budget as part of a broader effort to reinvest more dollars into the black community.

In all, Mayor Eric Garcetti pledged that the city would “identify $250 million in cuts so we can invest in jobs, in health, in education and in healing,” especially in the city’s black community “as well as communities of color and women and people who have been left behind.”

Those cuts, he said, would be “to every department, including the Police Department, because we all have to be part of this solution together. We all have to step up and say, ‘What can we sacrifice?’”

Eileen Decker, president of the Los Angeles Police Commission, said that effort includes identifying $100 million to $150 million in cuts from the Police Department — something City Council President Nury Martinez and other council members had called for earlier in the day. The LAPD’s total annual budget is $1.86 billion.

Garcetti also said the city will impose a moratorium on placing people in a statewide database for identifying and tracking gang members — which reform advocates had lobbied for — and will require officers to intervene when they see inappropriate use of force and report misconduct.

In fairness, that’s around 5% of their budget, and, like so much government, how much of of the department’s budget is just waste? Do they really need $1.86 billion? Can they make do with $1.71-1.16 billion? Or are they already underfunded? Will the money redistributed make a difference to deal with the problems created in a Democratic Party run city to help people who vote for the people who help create the problems?

News of Garcetti’s announcement was met with mixed reaction among the demonstrators outside.

Carter Gregory, 26, said it was a good first step. “I think he’s listening and needs to keep going,” he said.

What’s that old saying about feeding an alligator? And the one about giving an inch and them wanting to take a mile?

Elsewhere

https://twitter.com/TheGreenNewDill/status/1268515692430725120

Read: It Begins: Los Angeles To Reinvest Up To $150 Million From LAPD Budget To Communities Of Color »

Posted in Democrats, Liberal World | 5 Comments | Trackback URL

‘Climate Change’ Is The Most Important Mission For Universities Or Something

By William Teach June 4, 2020 – 8:53 am

I figured it was to educate people to get them ready for a real career. Eric Worrell writes “If you thought the most important mission of universities was to provide kids with professional skills to help them get a better job, think again.” Of course, we’ve seen institutions of higher learning offering degrees this century that make basket weaving look good (hey, at least with a basket weaving degree you can make great baskets and sell them for money), degrees that make companies not want anything to do with the applicant because they will just be trouble, degrees that aren’t worth the paper they are printed on. But, the mostly Democrat run schools are just looking for money

Climate change is the most important mission for universities of the 21st century

Universities are confronting the possibility of profound sector-wide transformation due to the continuing effects of COVID-19. It is prompting much needed debate about what such transformation should look like and what kind of system is in the public interest.

And, of course, the Cult of Climastrology is taking advantage of Bat Soup virus to push their cult

This is now an urgent conversation. If universities want a say in what the future of higher education will look like, they will need to generate ideas quickly and in a way that attracts wide public support.

This will involve articulating their unique role as embedded, future-regarding, ethical generators of crucial knowledge and skills, well-equipped to handle coming contingencies and helping others do the same.

And this means higher education changes are entangled with another major force for transformation – climate change.

How can universities credibly claim to be preparing young people for their futures, or to be working with employers, if they do not take into account the kind of world they are helping to bring about?

Much-needed transitions towards low carbon and well-adapted systems are emerging. But they are too piecemeal and slow relative to what is needed to avoid large scale cascading and compounding impacts to our planet.

Apply the graphic to universities. No fossil fueled vehicles, no fossil fueled travel for employees and sports teams or visiting dignitaries and lecturers. Heat has to be kept in the 50’s, AC in the 80’s. If even allowed.

Universities are key to enabling Australian society to transition to a safer and lower emissions pathway. They are needed to provide the knowledge, skills and technologies for this positive transition. And they are also needed to foster the social dialogue and build the broad public mandate to get there.

I’d say it is absurd that they’re saying that universities should be more about indoctrination rather than providing an education for a professional life, but, then, this is the way it has been going for a while.

They must become public good, mission-driven organisations devoted to rapidly progressing human understanding and action on the largest threat there has ever been, to what they are taken to represent and advance – human civilisation.

Indoctrination.

Some universities are already starting to build aspects of climate change into their operations. Most prominent have been efforts to divest university finances from direct support of fossil fuels. While some institutions are still dragging their feet, the University of California has announced it will fully divest  its US$126 billion endowment from fossil fuels.

Yeah, but they don’t give up their own use of fossil fuels, and then have to raise tuition even more because of the loss of that investment. Have fun, kids!

Read: ‘Climate Change’ Is The Most Important Mission For Universities Or Something »

Posted in AGW Socialism, Global Warming | 3 Comments | Trackback URL

Problem Solved: Pornhub Stands In Solidarity Against Racism

By William Teach June 4, 2020 – 8:33 am

I’m not quite sure what to think of a pornagraphy site taking a stand on this. Is it Important, considering how much people watch and that it ranks #59 for traffic and engagement world wide? Or, is it utterly absurd, because it is a pornagraphy site that features sibling videos, abuse and fake rape, forced sex, etc?

Pornhub Claims It ‘Stands in Solidarity Against Racism,’ Features Racist Videos

Pornhub joined other companies and websites that have signaled their “solidarity against racism” in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of police in Minneapolis, but the site’s critics assert its claim is phony since it hosts racist videos.

On Saturday, the pornography media giant tweeted, “Pornhub stands in solidarity against racism and social injustice. If you are able, we encourage you to give to organizations” and tagged groups such as the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), NAACP, and Bail Project.

Pornhub added it “pledged to support by donating $100,000 to organizations actively fighting for equality,” and invited others to join the website.

As the Daily Wire noted, however, anti-porn group Fight the New Drug (FTNG) called out the porn giant for hypocrisy in its claim it “stands in solidarity against racism.”

I guess it’s nice that Pornhub stands in solidarity, considering that George Floyd was killed by the officer while other officers stood around, but, was it racism or just a horrible cop? We have learned that Floyd and Chauvin knew each other for years. Does Pornhub stand in solidarity with all the violence, looting, property destruction, and so forth? Anyhow, speaking of Chauvin and the other officers

(USA Today) All four police officers in the killing of George Floyd will face charges, Minnesota’s attorney general announced Wednesday, and court papers described more troubling details about how officers did nothing to stop Floyd from dying on the ground.

Attorney General Keith Ellison said at a news conference that evidence “supports a stronger charge” for Derek Chauvin. He had been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter May 29 and taken into custody the same day.

Thomas Lane, J.A. Keung and Tou Thao were the other officers on the scene. Thao was charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder in the commission of a felony; the other officers face similar charges of aiding and abetting.

“Trying this case will not be an easy thing,” Ellison said. “Winning a conviction will be hard.”

Yes, it may well be. Some law pundits are saying that a 2nd degree charge is correct, others are saying it is crazy, and almost impossible. Especially when keeping the 3rd degree charge, for which the defense will go to court and say “pick one.” The 3 officers are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. What happens if a jury cannot convict on 2nd degree? That means the 3 officers get off scott free. Chauvin deserves prison, but, 2nd degree will be difficult, especially since his defense will claim he cannot get a fair trial, especially when the AG of Minnesota is personally involved.

But, fortunately, Pornhub stands in solidarity.

Read: Problem Solved: Pornhub Stands In Solidarity Against Racism »

Posted in Current Affairs | 5 Comments | Trackback URL

Warmists Still Pimping A Green Recovery From Bat Soup Virus

By William Teach June 3, 2020 – 3:53 pm

Haven’t the climate cultists heard that the COVID19 issue is dead after all the protests?

Economic recovery efforts must consider climate change

In response to the massive economic contraction stemming from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some central banks — including those of the United States, European Union, Japan and other major economies — are engaging in “quantitative easing” (QE) programs on an unprecedented scale. These programs involve large-scale asset purchases, namely central banks buying financial instruments such as government and corporate bonds. The goal is to inject liquidity into financial markets and stimulate economic activity. (snip)

After the Great Recession of 2008, as central banks tried to stabilize the global economy, advocates for climate action called for “green” QE. They argued that central banks should buy only or primarily the bonds (or stocks, in some cases) of companies with low carbon footprints or with clear commitments to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. That way, the world could confront two challenges at the same time — global recession and climate change. In the end, QE in the 2010s did not consider climate change, and in fact some central banks disproportionately purchased assets from carbon-intensive companies.

This time, large-scale asset purchases are taking place in a very different world from the one of 2008.

In the intervening decade, we have learned much about the risks of ignoring climate change when making financial decisions. Central banks can make a much stronger argument today for why taking climate change seriously is consistent with their mandates. They have more tools to incorporate climate considerations into their asset purchases. And, even if QE does not move the needle on climate change by itself, there are good reasons to pursue this approach anyway.

You know what we have learned? That so many of these “green” projects cannot survive without massive government (taxpayer) subsidies. And we’ve learned that Doing Something about climate change is popular in theory, but not practice, where most people, including Warmists do not want to pay much out of their own pockets. That people want to tackle real issues, not ‘climate change.’

Instead, responsible QE should support companies that will thrive in a low-carbon, resilient future. QE programs should more selectively purchase corporate debt from companies whose emissions are already aligned with Paris Agreement goals or that have set (or commit to setting) targets for reducing their greenhouse gas emissions in line with climate science — as 841 companies have done with the Science Based Targets initiative.

Interestingly, almost no one follows up to see if these companies making pledges actually follow through on those pledges. I suspect they are mostly lip service, just like with all the pledges made by the Paris agreement signatory countries.

Taking climate change-related risks and opportunities into account for QE corporate debt purchases not only would be financially prudent, but it also could help unlock growth and deliver a strong, sustainable, inclusive economy — for example, by supporting economic diversification and the delivery of quality jobs. The case for climate action by governments is strong. A report by the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate found that bold climate action could deliver economic benefits of $26 trillion between 2018 and 2030.

They keep saying this, but, there really hasn’t been much economic growth from this “green” stuff, rather the reverse. But, climate cultists are doing what they do best, hijacking a real issue to inject their cult.

Read: Warmists Still Pimping A Green Recovery From Bat Soup Virus »

Posted in AGW Socialism, Global Warming | 1 Comment | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach June 3, 2020 – 1:00 pm

…is a wonderful low carbon bicycle, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Bunkerville, with a post on Crazy Uncle Joe saying police should shoot people in the leg.

Read: If All You See… »

Posted in If All You See | 20 Comments | Trackback URL

Good News, Protest Is Once Again Patriotic

By William Teach June 3, 2020 – 10:30 am

So says the NY Times editorial board

In America, Protest Is Patriotic

When George Floyd died under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer, the scourge of police violence, festering for generations, became a rallying point for Americans yearning for the fulfillment of this country’s founding aspiration to promote life, liberty and happiness.

Yet as they turned out to exercise their most basic rights as citizens, these Americans have often encountered only more contempt for those rights from the people who are supposed to protect them.

Some protesters crossed the line into violence. Some people took advantage of the chaos to loot. But all too often, facing peaceful demonstrations against police violence, the police responded with more violence — against protesters, journalists and bystanders.

Remember, this was the same NY Times that mostly denigrated the reopen protesters, who didn’t throw bottles at police, didn’t loot and pillage, who didn’t spray paint graffiti, didn’t get violent at all, as bad people, and often right wing agitators and that it was all astroturfed, in articles and opinion pieces. They were not condemning use of police force and threats to use police force against people breaking lockdown. Nary a word on things like a paddle boarder out in the ocean having law enforcement come and take him away.

Obviously, those protests were not patriotic

Just a few weeks ago, the police demonstrated remarkable forbearance as heavily armed groups turned out in several state capitals to oppose coronavirus-related public heath measures. Now the police are demonstrating an equally remarkable intolerance to protests against their own behavior.

They weren’t violent at all, and, unlike with leftist protests, there’s little chance of violence unless leftists show up and start it. Let’s be clear, the George Floyd protests include conservatives, as we are all appalled by the murder of Floyd. I know many conservatives who have attended the Raleigh and Charlotte protests. But, since this is one where lots of leftists are running it and showing up, the violent leftists forces, ie, Antifa, anarchists, Black Bloc, and others, show up and cause problems. Law enforcement had intelligence. Auto businesses in north Raleigh had warnings about threats against them the past few nights.

Protesting peacefully is patriotic. More importantly, it’s Constitutional, both in the federal and state constitutions. The minute you start getting violent, it stops being constitutional. But, you also know what? Sometimes violence is required. Against the government. That’s how this country started. Rioting and looting against private businesses is not the same thing.

And, yes, sometimes the cops started it with no excuses. They didn’t have to worry about violence at reopen protests, you know.

BTW

‘Destruction is not the answer:’ After Raleigh riots, those arrested express regret

The Wake County Justice Center re-opened for Tuesday, and on the first day of regular business post-pandemic, eight of those arrested for their roles in weekend protests were on the docket.

After court, those charged described a protest that started peacefully before it grew, spurred by crowd anger, into something they regret.

“Destruction is not the answer,” Dijon Pulley said. He is charged with trespassing during an emergency for actions Sunday night.

Well, yeah, not that you’ve been arrested and charged, regret happens. I’m sure their lawyers are telling them to have regret for lighter sentences.

Read: Good News, Protest Is Once Again Patriotic »

Posted in 1st Amendment, Constitution, Wonky Media | 3 Comments | Trackback URL

Here We Go: The Climate Crisis (scam) Is Racist Or Something

By William Teach June 3, 2020 – 8:27 am

Can you guess what the answer is from Eric Holthaus, a high poobah in the Cult of Climastrology?

The Climate Crisis Is Racist. The Answer Is Anti-Racism.

I’m writing this from St Paul, Minnesota. Our neighbouring city, Minneapolis, is descending into riots this evening. I can hear the fireworks and tear gas grenades being fired at protestors five miles away. They are outraged at the police killing of an unarmed black man, George Floyd. Floyd was killed by a white police officer who knelt on his neck for at least seven minutes while he was handcuffed and face down on the ground. Floyd repeatedly said, “I cannot breathe. I cannot breathe.” The same rainstorm that is falling on the burning buildings across the river is falling on the garden I planted with my preschoolers earlier today.

The CoC loves taking advantage of every event that happens, as we’ve seen time and again. They then try to subsume those events and make them more about ‘climate change’ then about the actual event, making the actual even less important.

The outrage in Minneapolis right now is primarily about inequality. Since the early days of this city, it has been divided along racial lines, beginning with the expulsion and extermination of the Anishinaabe people, whose land we still occupy. A hundred years ago, in the aftermath of the Great Depression, banks and city officials maintained a racist system of redlining, and created entire neighbourhoods where housing and businesses could not apply for loans and where poverty persists today. Schools in Minnesota, where Minneapolis is the largest city, have among the worst achievement gaps for kids of colour in the entire country.

Eric does understand that Minneapolis is a city run by his buddies in the Democratic Party, the party of ‘climate change’, right? Right?

Climate change is racist because the system that caused it is racist. No, rainstorms don’t care about skin colour, but worsening weather worldwide aggravates the divisions in society that already exist because it hits people of colour living in poverty the hardest. Simply put: the reason the world hasn’t been fighting climate change as hard as it should is because powerful people don’t want to stop exploiting people of colour. The urgency of climate change is also an urgency for racial justice.

Now that is a scorching hot take. Eric spends lots of time trying to prove this, forgetting it happens in areas that tend to be run by ‘climate change’ believing Democrats

Climate change is a symptom of the same unequal system. It is the denial of the right to exist on an enormous, planetary scale. It is a consequence of the same system run by people who think of Africa as a resource for imperialist expansion, not a continent filled with millions of families who deserve health and safety and happiness just like everyone does. It’s what happens when the lives of marginalised people and non-human species are viewed as expendable. That expendability, and the continuation of this system, is a choice. Nothing about it is inevitable or necessary, yet those in power choose to continue it every single day.

Eric’s plan?

The answer to all of this obviously isn’t easy, but the approach must include anti-racism at its core. Anti-racism, actively working to replace the current system with something that repairs past harms and redistributes power meaningfully in favour of people of colour is what is required of everyone in the climate emergency, especially those of us who benefit the most from how things are right now. We cannot fight climate change without being anti-racist.

Huh. Not much of a plan.

Read: Here We Go: The Climate Crisis (scam) Is Racist Or Something »

Posted in AGW Idiocy, Democrats, Global Warming | 19 Comments | Trackback URL
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