Trump Probably Just Put The Death Nail In California’s Train To Nowhere

By William Teach May 8, 2025 – 7:15 am

Of course, calling it a train to nowhere assumes that there is actually a train. Actually tracks. First off, here’s Politico providing some cover and press for Gavin Newsom

Newsom jabs at ‘MAGA trolls’ as he broadens information war

And here’s Gavin’s government

No tracks have been laid. None. The comrades in the People’s Republik Of California voted on this all the way back in 2008. It’s about $100 billion over budget. No tracks. No trains. It was supposed to be from LA to San Francisco by 2020, now they’re talking about Bakersfield to Merced by 2030. Look at a map: who’s really going to ride the train? Provided it ever gets completed. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai took six years to build. Big, giant skyscraper. Tallest in the world.

But, the money train from Los Federales stops

Donald Trump says US government ‘not going to pay’ for California high-speed rail

President Donald Trump says the U.S. government will not pay for California’s high-speed rail project, fueling growing concerns that the bullet train will not have stable federal funding for the foreseeable future.

“That train is the worst cost overrun I’ve ever seen,” Trump said during a Tuesday news conference in the Oval Office.

“It’s, like, totally out of control.” “This government is not going to pay,” Trump added. “We’re not going to pay for that thing.” (snip)

The president directed the U.S. Department of Transportation in February to launch an audit to determine whether he should rescind roughly $4 billion in unspent allocated funds for the project. The audit is not yet complete.

I think we can all agree that Trump will rescind it, even if it was part of a specific, named allocation in the federal budget. Whether it is in the budget as a named allocation or not you can bet a left wing federal judge will Demand that Trump give California the money. Even as an audit by the Department of Transportation is auditing the project. Even as it is a huge waste of money. And the legal rangling could take years, so, even if eventually restored, this could be the death knell of this boondoggle.

Read: Trump Probably Just Put The Death Nail In California’s Train To Nowhere »

Posted in Democrats, Donald Trump, Global Warming | 10 Comments | Trackback URL

NY Times Attempts To Scaremonger On Recession Fears Despite Data

By William Teach May 8, 2025 – 7:00 am

It’s so hilarious, and expected. You knew that a big media outlet would be required to do this at some point due to Trump Derangement Syndrome. But, it is also funny because the data and all the measures, such as consumer sentiment, rising food, housing, medical, auto, gas and energy prices were all skyrocketing, and outlets like the NY Times said you peasants were stupid, it wasn’t happening

Recession Warnings Are Everywhere, Except in the Data.

Americans are spending less at McDonald’s. Fewer container ships are expected at the Port of Los Angeles. Procter & Gamble is raising prices. Mattel is shifting production out of China.

Evidence for the economic impact of President Trump’s trade wars is everywhere — except, for the most part, in economic data itself. Consumer spending hasn’t fallen. Layoffs haven’t risen. Businesses haven’t stopped investing in equipment or buying supplies.

Could there be other reasons for fewer people spending at McDonald’s? No, sorry, right, it’s Trump’s Fault. Anyhow, you stupid peasants also need to ignore the data.

Economists say it is a matter of time before the impact of tariffs and the uncertainty that Mr. Trump’s on-again, off-again approach to trade policy has created begin to show up in the hard data. But until then, they are left sifting through crumbs of evidence that wouldn’t get a second glance in more normal times: customs revenue, hotel bookings in Las Vegas, freight shipments by truck and rail.

Crystal ball time. And the NY Times and other Trump deranged wishing for a recession. Heck, they’d be uber-happy with a depression.

“The problem is we don’t have much to hang onto at this point,” said Marc Giannoni, chief U.S. economist for Barclays. “We have to rely on anecdotes, on indicators that are nonconventional.”

We had more than anecdotes during the Bidenconomy: we had the actual rising prices. Which, in fairness, were not all his fault. Let’s start with China screwing around with coronaviruses. Anyhow, they have no actual data, just whiny Democrats on social media. And the Times writes a long piece on this, hoping to scare people. And get those who actually pay to read the Times to fearmonger because TDS.

Read: NY Times Attempts To Scaremonger On Recession Fears Despite Data »

Posted in Economy, Journalistic Malpractice | 1 Comment | Trackback URL

Rolling Stone Whines About Carbon Footprints At Concerts

By William Teach May 7, 2025 – 3:00 pm

Say, do Rolling Stones reporters still go to concerts? Do they make sure their own carbon footprints are zero? I’m just trying to figure a way to start this, because it is an incredibly stupid article, even for Rolling Stone

Travel to Concerts Has a Massive Carbon Footprint, But It Doesn’t Have To

climate cowCertain artists are notorious for criss-crossing the world in their private jet, but according to new research, fans’ collective carbon footprint traveling to concerts exceeds that of the performers. Billie Eilish is one musician who is trying to help change the way her fans get to her shows.

Before stops on her Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour, she sends an email to concertgoers about how to get to her shows by public transit, biking, or walking. For her Phoenix and Los Angeles performances, her team organized shuttle buses from designated spots, which allowed fans to reduce their carbon footprint by traveling together. She even worked with Google Maps to help fans know about more fuel-efficient ways to get to her shows.

How big is her stage? How many fossil fueled trucks does it take to move the production? Does she travel in a nice fossil fueled bus? How much electricity do her concerts use? How much food and shirts and stuff?

Eilish is a supporting partner in a recent study from the nonprofit REVERB that found the vast majority of fans — 94 percent — think it is important for fans, venues, promoters, and artists to take “significant action” to lower their carbon footprints.

Then they shouldn’t go to concerts.

REVERB, founded in 2004, has worked with Dave Matthews Band, Dead & Company, Tyler Childers, My Morning Jacket, Odesza, the Lumineers, Paramore, Fleetwood Mac, and other artists to make their concerts more sustainable. They focus on engaging fans to take action and waste reduction. For example, they donate excess food to local food banks and try to compost or recycle where it’s possible. They also create water stations and have eliminated more than 4 million single-use plastic water bottles.

Can’t we just watch a concert in peace, without being given a side of climate cult? On the bright side, I don’t get this crap at metal concerts.

The REVERB study surveyed 35,000 fans at more than 400 concerts. It found that carbon emissions of fan travel to an average show equals 110 homes’ energy usage for a year, or 527 metric tons of carbon emissions. Fan travel exceeds band and crew travel, hotel stays, and gear transport by 38 times. But the good news is that almost 90 percent of fans would potentially be interested in more climate-friendly travel options if better infrastructure, incentives, and information were available.

So, then the poptart stars should hold their concerts in empty arenas and stream it to fans. That’s for the best, right?

“A big part of all of this is the community of fans and artists and even industry leaders coming together around these issues,” he adds. “I’ve seen this firsthand as a musician who’s been touring for 34 years now, asking fans to do these things. Originally, I was like, ‘Oh, gosh, just a distraction, or maybe this is gonna be a buzzkill,’ but if you approach it in the right way, which is, here’s what we’re trying to do, we’re trying to have a lighter footprint, and here’s how you can help be a part of it, and this is what we care about… it only enhances their concert experience.”

First, I’ve never heard of Guster. Second, funny how he’s asking fans to do these things. Why is it always about Other People, never themselves?

Read: Rolling Stone Whines About Carbon Footprints At Concerts »

Posted in Climahypocrites, Global Warming | 7 Comments | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach May 7, 2025 – 1:00 pm

…are horrible fossil fueled vehicles and a world killing dog, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is The First Street Journal, with a post on Harvard admitting to Jew hatred on campus.

Read: If All You See… »

Posted in If All You See | 12 Comments | Trackback URL

Consequences: Columbia University To Let 180 Go After Losing Federal Money

By William Teach May 7, 2025 – 10:30 am

There are consequences for allowing rampant Jew hatred and support of Palestinian terrorism rage across campus, among others

Columbia University lays off around 180 staff after Trump administration revokes grants

Columbia University said it will cut around 180 staff members Tuesday following the Trump administration’s announcement in March that it canceled $400 million in federal grants over the Ivy League school’s “failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment.”

“Across the research portfolio we have had to make difficult choices and unfortunately, today, nearly 180 of our colleagues who have been working, in whole or in part, on impacted federal grants, will receive notices of non-renewal or termination,” acting Columbia University President Claire Shipman said in a statement. “This represents about 20% of the individuals who are funded in some manner by the terminated grants.

“In the coming weeks and months, we will need to continue to take actions that preserve our financial flexibility and allow us to invest in areas that drive us forward,” she added. “This is a deeply challenging time across all higher education, and we are attempting to navigate through tremendous ambiguity with precision, which will be imperfect at times.” (snip)

Columbia University said in early March that it was “notified of federal action from Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Education (ED), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) cancelling $400 million in federal funding to the University.

“The federal agencies cite ‘the school’s continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.’ There is no question that the cancellation of these funds will immediately impact research and other critical functions of the University, impacting students, faculty, staff, research, and patient care,” it added at the time.

There are consequences when any institution takes taxpayer money via a government source: it means that the government has a say in operations, and that the money can be pulled when the institution fails to comport themselves per the government. Columbia is a private institution, hence, should not be given taxpayer money to start with. Supposedly, the money is used primarily for research, but, come on, a goodly chunk is just a slush fund.

But, really, all Columbia had to do was shut down the Jew hatred and harassment of Jews. Columbia made a choice. Sure, the charges against most of the protesters have been dropped, nothing Columbia could do about that, but, how many did Columbia terminate as students and employees?

Then in April, Columbia University caved in to demands from the Trump administration in an effort to restore federal funding.

The Ivy League school agreed to ban masks for the purpose of concealing identity, empower 36 campus police officers with new powers to arrest students and appoint a senior vice provost with broad authority to oversee the department of Middle East, South Asian and African Studies, as well as the Center for Palestine Studies.

Now we’ll see if they get some level of funding back. The Trump admin will want to see progress made at ground zero for Jew hatred and support of Palestinian terrorism.

Read: Consequences: Columbia University To Let 180 Go After Losing Federal Money »

Posted in Barking Moonbats, Dhimmitude | 5 Comments | Trackback URL

Bummer: Trump Admin To Eliminate Energy Star Program

By William Teach May 7, 2025 – 7:15 am

I’m not really sure this is necessary. I know there was a time that I did, in fact, look for appliances that were Energy Star rated, but, over the Obama and Biden years Energy Star became too much climate cult. Heck, even during the first Trump admin they were getting out of control with their cultish beliefs

E.P.A. Plans to Shut Down the Energy Star Program

The Environmental Protection Agency plans to eliminate Energy Star, the popular energy efficiency certification for dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers and other home appliances, according to agency documents and a recording of an internal meeting.

E.P.A. managers announced during an internal staff meeting on Monday that divisions that oversee climate change and energy efficiency would be eliminated as part of an agency reorganization. That includes the E.P.A.’s climate change office as well as the division that oversees Energy Star.

“The Energy Star program and all the other climate work, outside of what’s required by statute, is being de-prioritized and eliminated,” Paul Gunning, the director of E.P.A. Office of Atmospheric Protection told employees during the meeting, according to the recording obtained by The New York Times. Mr. Gunning’s office itself is also slated for elimination.

For the past 33 years, Energy Star has been known for its recognizable blue label, which shows that an appliance has met energy efficiency standards set by the federal government.

What appliances do not have one? Scrolling through random appliances on Home Depot they all seem to be Energy Star compliant.

Since its creation under the first President George Bush in 1992, Energy Star has helped households and businesses save more than $500 billion in energy costs and to get rebates and tax credits, according to the program’s 2024 report. At the same time, it has also prevented four billion metric tons of greenhouse gases from being released into the atmosphere.

And there it is: doomsday climate cult.

Paula R. Glover, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, a group that promotes energy efficiency, said the Energy Star program costs $32 million but delivers $40 billion in annual savings on utility bills.

Let’s be honest: does anyone think companies won’t continue to make efficient appliances? Consumers will not want to purchase ones that cost them more money. I also wouldn’t be surprised if some private company comes up with their own ratings, like Consumer Reports. With the internet people have all sorts of ways of looking at appliances. If I want a TV or computer or guitar I have places I go to read reviews.

Read: Bummer: Trump Admin To Eliminate Energy Star Program »

Posted in Global Warming | 6 Comments | Trackback URL

SCOTUS Rules Trump Ban On Gender Confused In Military Can Proceed

By William Teach May 7, 2025 – 7:00 am

You win some, you lose some. Trump won on this one

Supreme Court stays lower court ruling, allowing Trump transgender ban to proceed

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with the Trump administration in lifting a lower court order that paused the Pentagon’s transgender military ban from taking effect – allowing Trump’s order and related policies to proceed, at least.

The high court ruling is a near-term victory for the White House, even as it did not address the underlying merits of the case or President Donald Trump’s Jan. 27 executive order banning transgender service members from the U.S. military.

Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson would have denied the administration’s appeal and kept the lower court injunction in place.

At issue in the suit, Shilling v. United States, is Trump’s executive order banning transgender military members.

Look, maybe some Trans would be great soldiers. But, they all seem to be interested in living in the opposite gender barracks, and are mostly males cosplaying as females. And want gender changing drugs and such. Meaning they aren’t actually performing their duties

Shilling v. United States is just one of several suits challenging the Trump administration’s military ban. It comes as Trump has used his early days in office to undo major Biden-era policies, including their efforts to promote a diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, agenda.

Yeah, well, I doubt that any of these other suits will go anywhere. The Supreme Court has ruled. The US military is not a playground for left wing crap. It’s to protect the United States and its citizens.

Read: SCOTUS Rules Trump Ban On Gender Confused In Military Can Proceed »

Posted in Donald Trump | 7 Comments | Trackback URL

Miami Herald Is Super Concerned That Real Estate Market Not Cooperating With Doomsday Cult Prognostications

By William Teach May 6, 2025 – 3:09 pm

It’s wonderful when “journalists” who have no clue write a story about things they have no clue about

Climate change is coming for Florida’s real estate. Why don’t prices reflect it?

As a University of Miami doctoral student studying climate change, Mayra Cruz knew more than most about the risks of sea rise and wetter storms and hurricanes.

So when she and her husband bought their first home in 2021, they picked inland Miami Springs and bought federal flood insurance. They felt good, learning the only previous claim had come long ago, after Hurricane Andrew.

Then three storms in three years sloshed 18 inches of water into their backyard. And when the city posted a warning about flooding on Instagram, it used pictures of her impassable street.

Last summer, the couple decided to sell because of the repeated flooding. They wrote a “crystal clear” disclosure: the home escaped damage, but water got unnervingly close. Cruz worried if anyone would buy it. “My Realtor said it would still sell. I asked ‘Are you sure?’ I wouldn’t buy this house knowing what I know.”

Because non-cultists understand that storms happen, and that some years it could be bad and others see nothing. But, especially in the Miami area, it has always had a loaded gun pointed at it.

They got an offer almost immediately, selling for nearly $250,000 more than they paid for it.

This has made them very sad. Because cult.

It’s a paradox of South Florida’s super-heated real estate market: When homeowners like Cruz move out because of growing flood risks, somebody else always seems willing to move in — and often at a much higher price.

“Our housing value almost doubled in that time,” Cruz said. “That’s absolutely insane. Our house should not have been worth that much.”

Says you. But, buyers have a different opinion.

The value of her home and thousands of others in Florida have been buoyed at least in part by what some experts call a climate denial bubble. A wave of reports in the last five years has pegged the size of the bubble in the billions and suggested a correction is looming, potentially a major one. It has yet to come.

Sherman Potter Bull Cookies

Anyhow, this is a long doomsday screed about how buyers are wrong because doom is coming, so, I’m going to stop now. Except to note that sea rise in the Miami area is above the Holocene average of 6-8 inches per century, but, still not as high as what is expected for a Holocene warm period.

Read: Miami Herald Is Super Concerned That Real Estate Market Not Cooperating With Doomsday Cult Prognostications »

Posted in Climate Cult, Global Warming | 6 Comments | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach May 6, 2025 – 1:00 pm

…is an island that will soon disappear from carbon pollution driven sea rise, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is neo-neocon, with a post on Israel occupying Gaza.

Read: If All You See… »

Posted in If All You See | 23 Comments | Trackback URL

Washington State Democrats Target Clergy, Removing Confession Privilege

By William Teach May 6, 2025 – 10:30 am

No one should be surprised that Democrats are going after Christianity, are they? Because the law doesn’t mention Islam

Washington Governor Signs Law Steamrolling One Of Catholicism’s Most Sacred Practices

Democratic Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill May 2 forcing Catholic priests to break their seal of confession in cases of alleged child abuse.

The bill, introduced in the state senate in January, requires clergymen to be added to the state’s list of mandatory reporters in cases of suspected abuse or neglect of a child, even if the information is discovered during a confessional. “Except for members of the clergy, no one shall be required to report under this section when he or she obtains the information solely as a result of a privileged communication as provided in RCW 5.60.060,” the legislation read.

Ferguson, who is Catholic, signed the bill into law and told reporters he felt it was “pretty straightforward,” KXYL.com reported.

“My uncle was a Jesuit priest for many years, (I’ve) been to confession myself – and so I’m very familiar with that,” Ferguson said. “I felt this was important legislation and protecting kids is first priority.”

You can tell your lawyer something in privilege, but, not your clergy. Which does seem to be aimed directly at Catholics. They could have used language that mentioned any religious leaders who are told things in confidence, but, they didn’t. Regardless, does this violate the 1st Amendment?

But, it was not the federal congress passing a law about religion, violating the 1st Amendment. Does Washington state passing a law violate the 1st? How about the Washington state Constitution?

Absolute freedom of conscience in all matters of religious sentiment, belief and worship, shall be guaranteed to every individual, and no one shall be molested or disturbed in person or property on account of religion; but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness or justify practices inconsistent with the peace and safety of the state….

In other words, the state of Washington can apparently come after the Catholic church, and any religion, if they think they are involved in, well, damned near anything if it offends the state. Per that last bit they can tell people they are not allowed to protest against LGBTwhatever and abortion and other things Democrats support.

The solution, per Washington clergy, is to hold confession without knowing who the person is. If someone wants to tell them something in privilege names and faces will be hidden. Or people just won’t be able to practice their religion. But, of course, if it is a Muslim a jihadi can tell their Imam they are planning to blow something up and it would be no legal problem.

Read: Washington State Democrats Target Clergy, Removing Confession Privilege »

Posted in Christianity, Democrats | 13 Comments | Trackback URL
Pirate's Cove