Make a Difference

Category: Politics (Page 41 of 43)

Let’s Hope Obama Doesn’t Fall For This

President of Iran, Moody Imanutjob, has demanded that Obama apologise for past crimes against Iran.

Obama has said that ‘If countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us.’ That was also the consistent policy of the Bush administration. I have no problem with that at all.

But two things. First, please don’t apologise. I have already written (about a different matter, but the principles are the same) of the intrinsic ungoodness of convenient but dishonest apologies. They may win temporary popularity, but do no one any good in the long run.

Second, Imanutjob and his allies have already made it clear that the price of a warmer relationship with them is that the US “stop supporting the Zionists, outlaws and criminals” and “stop interfering in other people’s affairs.” If that means deserting Israel, and letting Iran have a free run in the Middle East, then thanks, but no thanks.

Russia Halts Missile Deployment

This is good news. But…

Russia says its change of mind is based on a change of attitude in the US administration over plans to install a missile defence system in Eastern Europe.

‘Russia had said the US missile shield plan in Europe was a direct threat. In November last year, Mr Medvedev announced that short-range Iskander missiles would be deployed in Kaliningrad, bordering Poland, to neutralise the perceived US threat.’

Hmm.  Eastern European nations like Poland and the Czech Republic have much sounder historical reasons to be concerned about a Russian threat than Russia has to be concerned about any threat from America.

The missile defence plan has the full support of NATO, and of countries where it is (was?) to be placed. The US and NATO have said consistently the shield was intended to protect the US and its European allies from rogue states with developing nuclear potential – like Iran. But obviously the shield would also provide additional protection against any threat from Russia.

Any easing of tensions in relations between the US and Russia would be good. But not at the cost of the US deserting its NATO allies. Poland has already expressed concern at this possibility.

Another Hot Day

Forecasts suggest we will folllow our usual pattern of being 2 degrees cooler than Adelaide, but 42 degrees (Celsius – nearly 108 degress Fahrenheit) is still very hot for the island. This will make three days in a row over forty. It is unusual, and dangerous, especially if we get some wind and/or thunderstorms later this afternoon. Most of the devastating fires last year were started by lightning strikes. If anything the conditions now are even more suited to extensive fires – its hotter now than it was then, and reasonable rains last year mean there is more fuel – dry grass and timber.

Dalai Lama: “I Love President George Bush”

via Gateway Pundit

“It is difficult to deal with terrorism through non-violence,” the Tibetan spiritual leader said. “They (terrorists) are very brilliant and educated…but a strong ill feeling is bred in them. Their minds are closed.”

He said that the only way to tackle terrorism is through prevention. The head of the Tibetan government-in-exile left the audience stunned when he said “I love President George W Bush.”

For liberals this must seem like one of those zombie movies, where you are hiding out with your best friend, only to discover he’s one of them.

Cool. Cooling

Tim Blair and Andrew Bolt are both ahead of me on this one, but it is worth listing anyway.

James Hansen is the NASA scientist who complained loudly and incessantly about being silenced, particularly under the evil chimpybushitler regime. At the same time he got a huge amount of publicity, and some additional income, from equally loudly and incessantly telling the world the sky was falling. Since the sky falling is what sells newspapers and TV advertising spots, Mr Hansen was Mr Popular with the media.

Now NASA atmospheric scientist Dr. John Theon, just retired Chief of Climate Processes Research and Hansen’s former supervisor, has said that Hansen was never silenced or pressured in any way, despite the fact that his claims and high media profile were an embarrassment to NASA, and that he Theon, disagrees completely with the anthropogenic global warming theory.

‘Theon declared “climate models are useless.” “My own belief concerning anthropogenic climate change is that the models do not realistically simulate the climate system…  there is no rational justification for using climate model forecasts to determine public policy.”’

Triumphs of Australian Science

Australian researchers have found that alcohol consumption improves male sexual performance.

‘After other risk factors were excluded, weekend drinkers, high-risk drinkers and those who exceeded alcohol-intake guidelines had lower rates of erectile dysfunction than those who drank one day a week or less. Ex-drinkers, however, had the highest risk.’

Say that again…   ‘Ex drinkers had the highest risk.’

So for heaven’s sake, don’t be an ex-drinker.  I love Australia.

Men are From Mars, Women are ..

No, men and women are both from Earth. But what planet is Jimmy Carter from? ‘Hamas Can be Trusted.’

‘According to the former president, Hamas never deviated from their commitments as per the ceasefire agreement.’  It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad.

He has one thing right though, Hamas can be trusted – to try do what they have said they plan to do, what their charter tells the world they intend to do; obliterate Israel and murder Jews.

Sadly, they don’t seem to mind murdering Palestinians who disagree with them either, but I’m sure it’s a case of you know, like, hey, if you want to make an omelette…

This Lunatic Must Be Silenced At Once

And probably will be…

Via Instapundit, this story of an EU official who says Hamas bears ‘overwhelming responsibility’ for the destruction of Gaza.

Of course he also goes on to say some nasty things about Israel killing civilians, but heck, then he tells Hamas off for using civilians as human shields, and for fighting in populated areas.

Well done mate!

Hamas spokesmen are apparently shocked by his comments.  Oh dear.

From Well Meaning Politicians …

Good Lord Deliver Us.

There should be a rule that anyone wishing to enter public life should have worked with his or her hands, and should have owned, or at least managed, some sort of business. This would help to get rid of the idea that there is such a thing as free money, which the government can use for projects, such as saving the economy or creating jobs. I shudder whenever I hear politicians talk about job creation schemes.

In the latest plan from the Australian Federal Government, some $2 billion of tax payer funds is going to be used to provide loans to commercial property developers. The four largest banks in Australia are also being asked to put in $500 million each.

Why would this be necessary? The answer is that in the present circumstances developers may not be able to access funds to finance or refinance their projects.

But hang on a minute. Wasn’t the root cause of the present recession US government interference in the banking sector, and in particular, pressuring banks to give loans to people and organisations which would not have qualified under normal lending criteria, and in many cases were not able to repay the loans they were given?

So how is doing the same thing with taxpayer funds going to solve problems in Australia? Of course it won’t. It’s plain silly. If bankers operating under normal commercial guidelines don’t consider a particular project or property developer to be an acceptable risk, then the government giving them a loan is not a reasonable or responsible use of tax payer money.

Part of the problem is that many politicians do not seem to understand that there is no free money. Money they give to their pet projects, including unprofitable businesses, has to be taken from businesses which are actually producing something and making a profit in doing so, or from people employed by those businesses.

Taking money from people and organisations which are producing wealth, employment, and taxation income, and giving it to people and organisations which are not, will not save us from recession. Ultimately such policies undermine the economy, including the social welfare structure and safety net.

Jefferson, Patrick Henry and Obama

Still thinking about my earlier post on Obama’s inauguration speech.

I have been reading Made in America by Bill Bryson. It is about the development of the American version of the English language, and like most of his books, is funny and informative at the same time.

On page thirty-nine Bryson tells the story of Patrick Henry. He includes this quote from Jefferson: ‘When he had spoken in opposition to my opinion, had produced a great effect, and I myself been highly delighted and moved, I have asked myself when it ceased, “What the devil has he said,” and could never answer the enquiry.’

Ding!

Just hit 70 with my Night Elf Druid (feral spec). When I logged on I noticed I had played this character for 14 days 8 hours and 22 minutes. That’s 344 hours on this toon alone. I have another main on a different account – a demonology specced undead warlock, on whom I have spent slightly less time, and a few alts which have only had a few hours each. So perhaps 700 hours of play all up.

Hmm… I could have learned French in that time. But then, why would you? Of course I could have learned the rudiments of calculus, or read the complete works of Shakespeare, or written my own translation of Dante, all things I have wanted to do for some time, and which have more than once been the subject of New Year’s resolutions. 

But I read and study all the time.

It’s not an easy thing to find the right balance between work, study, and play. In fact I’m so stressed about it, I think I’ll go and have a cold beer, and then go fishing.

And in case you were wondering, I have only just scratched the surface of World of Warcraft, a beautiful, challenging and immersive game which I would recommend to (almost) anyone.

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