Blowback on windmills

The original editorial piece was critical of the number of jobs created by government subsidies of the alternative energy industry.  The author made the mistake of siting actual data from the Spanish government showing that the actual cost of each new job was around $333,333.00.  Of course the response from the wind folks touted how many jobs were created because of government support/subsidy of the industry. 

This is the classic example of why I wanted to have Framing The Dialogue.  Even though the conservative editorial provided good data to support the obvious waste of tax dollars to create a minimum number of jobs the wind folks were able to provide just as good data showing how many jobs were created.  The conservative framed the dialogue in terms that the liberal could provide blowback and perhaps win the dialogue.

The real argument is whether government should be subsidizing one industry over another and what is the return on the investment for spending these tax dollars.  Return on investment is the key.  There are jobs created with our tax dollars, but is the return worth it.  At $333,333.00 per job it does not seem like a good return.  Actually it is not a good return. 

Forget about the “jobs” issue for a while.  Based on my experience working for government and actually having the opportunity to review some of the grant proposals for these projects the important issue not raised is the actual ROI.  When business invests money in a capital project they expect either a savings or increased profit to pay off the initial investment.  A good return on investment is to have the pay for itself in two to four years. 

Governments don’t seem to look at this like a business.  Return on investment was not a determining factor in rewarding funds for energy projects.  I remember one where the ROI (if the organization actually had to pay rather than using our tax dollars) was over one hundred years.  No company would ever make such an investment.  Nor should any government.

Plopping tax dollars into creating jobs is not a good investment and that is the dialogue that we should be having.

Author Alex Berenson introduced me to federal agent John Wells an undercover operative who pushes the rules to kill bad guys trying to destroy America.  As a fan of the television series 24, Vince Flynn novels and Daniel Silva’s jewish hero Gabriel Allon this novel should have been right up my alley.   Super agent Wells, nearly killed, goes after his assailants only to have to work with them to solve an even bigger problem.  Let’s just say there are Russians, Islamic jihadists, and a potential big explosion.

The novel was very entertaining, but the New York Times’ quote was not accurate.  I was not seized nor was I held in suspense.  I found the story to lurch from moment to moment and somewhat predictable.  When I compare it to other books in this genre by Vince Flynn or Daniel Silva, it does not measure up. 

It is nice that the good guys won, but Berenson gives too much voice to America-hating views in his characters.  The jihadists are somewhat portrayed as having a legitimate complain…almost.  I guess this is how much of the Islamic world blames America for all of their problems, but I really do not want to hear in a novel that I read for pleasure.  This is apparently the third novel featuring CIA operative John Wells.  Based on this book, I am not likely to go back and read the others.

Perhaps the most bizarre story is when Emanuel tracked down Massa in the shower of the “House Gym” (must be nice to have your own gym at work).  Mass described the incident “”I’m sitting there showering, naked as a jaybird, and here comes Rahm Emanuel not even with a towel wrapped around his tush, poking his finger in my chest, yelling.  Do you know how awkward it is to have a political argument with a naked man?”  I wonder why Massa, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, did not deck Emanuel?

Rep. Massa’s statements are certainly tainted since they came after he was “forced out” of congress due to an ethics investigation.  I have not heard Massa explain why he would not fight the charges and simply gave up.  The White House has denied all of Massa’s claims as they would.  Rahmbo (as described by Sean Hannity) does seem to be getting a lot of negative press lately and the bus may be coming.

“Rahm Emanuel is the son of the devil’s spawn.  He is an individual who would sell his mother to get a vote. He would strap his children to the front end of a steam locomotive.”

Representative Eric Massa

You may read the original post here.

After extensive research we at GMZ have discovered what magazines celebrities read.  No laws were broken by GMZ in obtaining this information:

Elin Woods:  After the hoopla over Tiger’s infidelity and Tiger’s family scooted from their home, GMZ was able to find out what magazine Elin Woods is fond of.  We, of course, thought that her choice of magazines was a little juvenile for a woman of her age, but who are we to judge?  Elin Woods reads Tiger Beat.  With a full year’s subscription you get a collector’s club and only have to pay shipping and handling.

Oprah Winfrey:  Rather than looking in the ratings rear view mirror at Ellen Degeneres rapidly approaching, Oprah seems to believe all of the accolades about being the queen of daytime television.  Queen Oprah has decided to step down and quit her show sometime in the future.  Is it any surprise that Oprah’s favorite magazine is one that always feature her photograph on its cover.  No not People, she favors The Oprah Magazine.

President Barack Hussein Obama:  Perhaps the only person Oprah might like more than herself is her Copenhagen traveling buddy Barack Obama.  When you consider that he has already written two autobiographies, he would agree with Oprah.  Being the “smartest” man ever to sit in the oval office and all of that Secret Service protection it was difficult to come up with BHO’s favorite magazine.  I guess he seems to be in good shape for a smoker who needs to “moderate his alcohol consumption.”  GMZ discovered that the Prez also likes Self magazine.

Roman Polanski:  Director Polanski unfortunately may be best known for tragic events.  One beyond his control when his wife and unborn child were murdered by the Manson family.  The other when he drugged and raped a 13 year old child “allegedly.”  The pervert never faced a jury of his peers when he fled prosecution.  For decades Polanski tempted fate by skirting through countries without extradition treaties with America.  He eventually got busted in Switzerland so hopefully he’ll soon face his victim.

Keith Olberman:  MSNBC’s resident moon-bat is famous for his rants.  Olberman’s delusional commentaries may have scared away all but the most far left viewers as his ratings plummet.  It is hard to understand why people don’t want to tune in to hear hate each night.  I think the only thing Keith has going for him is his strong voice and when he finally gets the boot from his show (and hopefully NBC’s football broadcast) he should have a long career as a game show host or maybe a game show announcer…”Mary Smith come on down!”  Keith’s favorite magazine is like him, MAD.

William Jefferson Clinton:  The former philanderer-in-chief obviously has an eye (and other parts) for the ladies.  Most former presidents have the class to retire quietly, but not ole Bill.  Most people don’t really know what makes Bill tick besides a love of the McDonald’s Big Mac, but GMZ found what his favorite magazine is.  That depends on what the definition of “is” is.  GMZ never heard that Clinton liked sports so we were a little surprised to find that he actually likes Sports Illustrated.  Oddly enough he only buy the February issue.  Word is that Hillary likes the same issue.

Elizabeth Edwards:  Ms. Edwards was only a gazillion votes from reaching the White House and with his tell-all book, Andrew Young gave us his glimpse of what people do and accept to try to get to 1600 Pennsylvania Blvd.  It is a drama that grabs headlines, makes people shake their heads, and reminds us how good we have it.  What did she know and when did she know it has to be the big questions.  Edwards’ favorite magazine is the one that was on top of the sordid story months before any other publication, The Enquirer.

Harry Reid:  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) may be the most unlikeable politician on earth.  It is a wonder why the people of Nevada keep electing him.  He would be a good advertisement for the word “dour.”  GMZ investigators were shocked to uncover Reid’s favorite magazine.  It is not a surprise that Reid would want to read Charisma, but the surprise is that he has been reading it for so many years and still has none.  Charisma that is.

Nancy Pelosi:  Nancy’s Mile High club is a little different than what it is commonly considered.  The folks at Judicial Watch fought for years to find out how high she flies when she flies.  Pelosi’s tab is over $2,000,000 for a two year period.  Before you balk at that price tag, she did not fly alone and often was accompanied by her son and even her grandchildren.  Hopefully the grandkids did not consume some of the finer “beverages” that taxpayers paid for including; Johnny Walker Red scotch, Grey Goose vodka, Maker’s Mark whiskey, Courvoisier cognac, Bacardi Light rum, Jim Beam whiskey, Beefeater gin, Dewars scotch, Bombay Sapphire gin, Jack Daniels whiskey, Corona beer and several bottles of wine.  Does the documents released also mention that her U.S. Air Force jets have to be stocked with her favorite magazine; Planes and Pilot?

Anita Dunn:  The lip-smacking former Obama White House Communications Director had the light shown on her after a particularly interesting speech to a graduation ceremony.  To say the speech was bizarre would be an understatement starting with Ms. Dunn’s obsessive tick with her lips and tongue and capped off by her telling the class that one of her favorite philosophers is none other than China’s mass murdering dictator Chairman Mao Tse Tung.  Oh and the graduates were high school seniors.  Dunn tried communicating/spinning to explain how she could admire a man credited with murdering tens of millions of his own countrymen.  No doubt that Dunn is a fan of Redbook.  Fellow White House cast away Van Jones is also fond of this magazine.

Ralphie Parker:  Growing up in Indiana, all nine-year old Ralphie wants is a “an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time.”  His parents, other adults and even Santa discourage him from this gift by telling him that “you’ll shoot your eye out.”  Ralphie got his wish and promptly took a shot and hit himself in the glasses. 

Barry Obama:  Growing up in Illinois, all forty eight-year old Barry wants is a “comprehensive health care bill 2,700 pages long with government control, paid abortions, and this thing which controls one sixth of the American economy.  The voters, the Republicans, and even Santa discourage him from this path by telling him that “you’ll be a one term president.”  Hopefully Barry won’t get his wish, but will still be a one term president.

Texas Republicans disagreed.  Yeah Texas!  Governor Perry trounced Senator Hutchison on Tuesday by a 52 percent to 30 percent margin.  I used to have great respect for Ms. Hutchison, but I am tired of conservatives going after other conservatives while letting RHINOs alone.  Hopefully another real conservative will challenge Senator Hutchison when she wants another term in the U.S. Senate.

As you would expect from the Texas Governor, he accepted the nomination with an understated speech to his supporters:  

“It is clear that the Obama administration and its allies has Texas in its crosshairs.  Bring it on!”

“Texas voters said no to Washington bureaucrats … and yes to leadership that controls spending, fights for individual freedoms and the United States Constitution.  Hardworking Texans sent a simple, compelling message to Washington: Quit spending all the money!”

“Stop messing with Texas!”

“Conservatism has never been stronger than it is today. And we’re taking our country back, one vote at a time, one election at a time”

We need to carry his momentum into the rest of the primaries and through the November elections.  I look forward to more from the Great State of Texas.

You can read the original post here.

Brief 1:  It seems like the citizens of Japan want the U.S. out of their country.  The UK Daily Mail reported that thousands of protesters called for the removal of all of the estimated 47,000 U.S. troops.  Apparantly our troops are noisy and pollute as they protect the pacific rim.  I say bring em home.  Why spend our tax dollars to boost the Japanese economy.  There are a lot of communities in the United States that would welcome them and the money they spend.  We also need to take all of our equipment and defense technology too.  While we are at it, we can take them out of Germany too.

Brief 2:  This doctor’s picture should be in the dictionary under the term “chutzpah.”  Prescriptions from this doctor included such recommendations as “I wish you were here in the shower with me to warm me up.” or my favorite, “”If I were there, I would rub you and kiss you all over.”  I believe that it is illegal to have sex with a patient, but Dr. Red Hot Lover [self proclaimed] actually had the chutzpah to bill her insurance for the visits.  Hopefully Dr. Lover will find love with another in prison.

Brief 3:  I signed up for daily e-mail alerts from America’s Digital Goddess, Kim Komando and have gotten some good downloads and tips.  A recent one seems perfect for an aspiring politician.  It seems that you can turn your computer into a teleprompter.  I can imagine an infomercial pitching this…”Hey kids!  You too can be like President Barack Obama.  Read lots of speeches without really knowing anything about the subject.  If you order within the next 30 minutes and we will throw in five free speeches including one on Global Warming, Racism in America, Evil Insurance Companies, Hateful Republicans, and My Nobel Prize.”

Brief 4:  This story that I found on Breitbart may be the most telling harbinger that the Obama honeymoon is over in the lame stream media.  The Associated Press ran a story about the increase in homelessness in America under the Obama administration.  The only explanation that I can think of is that the author is new to the AP and did not finish reading his playbook.  He must not have known that there is not a “homeless problem” when a Democrat inhabits the White House as shown by Bernie Goldberg in his  book, Bias.

Brief 5:  If you actually click on the link to this article I don’t want you to think that I stole the author’s phrase about Obama’s honeymoon being over.  I compile these briefs as I find them.  Besides the author has another tipping point to show that the Obama thrill is gone.  Doug Heye notes that D.C.’s Union Station once was host to a myriad of stores pimping Obamagear, but now those stores are gone and boarded up.  It seems that folks don’t have the thrill up their legs for Obama like Chris Matthews.  If you still “believe” or want more “change” you should be able to get bargain Obamagear on ebay.

“I ask for nothing more or nothing less than what I earn. That is justice. I don’t force anyone to trade with me; I only trade for mutual benefit. Force is the great evil that has no place in a rational world. One may never force another human to act against his/her judgment. If you deny a man’s right to Reason, you must also deny your right to your own judgment. Yet you have allowed your world to be run by means of force, by men who claim that fear and joy are equal incentives, but that fear and force are more practical.”

I recently heard about a new upstart conservative that has made quite a splash on the scene.  You probably don’t know him by name, but Jonathan Krohn has a pretty good message and has just released a book, Defining Conservatism: The Principles That Will Bring Our Country Back.  I am just a simple blogger and have not had the chance to read Krohn’s book, but he has some pretty impressive fans…

“Jonathan Krohn is a force of nature. Defining Conservatism is a real accomplishment, and it will raise many serious questions, the kind any country that takes politics seriously should raise.”

William Bennet

“Limited government and natural rights, not government expansionism, are the surest way to freedom and prosperity. Krohn reminds Americans young and old of these core principles of conservative philosophy.”

Newt Gingrich

“I am asked all the time about rising young conservatives. Well, here’s one! Jonathan Krohn makes a vigorous defense of our conservative principles.”

Rich Lowry, Editor of National Review

Jonathan Krohn’s message is not new.  He does, however, present it in a clear and concise manner as many others have done yet his message is being heard;

“Lower taxes, lower spending.  If that can be our basic platform as a conservative movement … we’ll have an easier way of solving this economic crisis.”

“Politics has become my life and that’s what I want.  My main goal is to provide basic conservative principles.”

 ”know what I’m doing. I hate to sound like some dream crusher, like some angry old conservative, but some people simply do not know what they are doing, and that is the worst thing.”

“I will rebel against conservatism the day Michael Moore makes a good movie.”

As his jab at Michael Moore, a stupid white man, attests Krohn also knows who is on the other side of conservatism and how to give them the respect they deserve.  I also give Krohn credit as he declined to appear on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart where conservatives often go to get skewered.  I am frankly tired of establishment conservatives trying to fawn to the left and appear hip and cool and boost the ratings of these guys while they make fun of capitalism.

It is too early to tell if Krohn is a new John Galt figure or whether he’ll run for office.  Jonathan Krohn is not even eligible to vote for another four years.  Visit Jonathan’s website through this link.

“I swear by my Life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for the sake of mine.”

John Galt [Ayn Rand}

Should government workers be closed shops (i.e. required to belong to a union).  Where I worked (state government), union contract covered employees were not required to join the union, but were still required to pay their “fair share” to cover the costs of union negotiated contracts.  The fair share was so high that most joined just so they could have a say in the union operations.  An interesting phenomena has been taking place as the state has severe budget shortcomings, but because of the union contract, they are still getting exceptional wages.  In order to cut costs, the agencies are unable to freeze salaries so they cut staff.  Hence my recent job change. 

The debate about whether government workers should be covered by unions has been a long one.  Firefighters, police officers, waste collectors, ambulance drivers, road crews, etc. all have the ability to cripple a city when they go on strike.  How many times have you read headlines about a transit worker strike or at least the threat of one in New York City?  Do these unelected union employees have too much power over the people?  The very people who pay their salaries.

Ronald Reagan faced this situation early in his presidency when the air traffic controllers threatened to walk out.  In 1981 they actually walked off the job shutting down the airline industry.  He gave them 48 hours to return to work and when they did not Reagan fired 11,000 of them.  Not only did he fire them, but those employees were banned from ever working in that field for the rest of their lives.  The union was also decertified.  Reagan kicked butt.

Any of you who have children probably face this dilema every two to three years when your teachers start negotiating their contracts.  These strikes often pit the teachers (employees) against the parents (employers) and the victims are the children.  I happen to live in an area where the residents are protective of our schools and we have never had a strike in the 23 years that I have lived here.  It should be noted that our school district is consistently ranked as one of the top districts in our state.

This is not the case in Rhode Island’s Central Falls High School which has been consistent in its achievements, unfortunately they have been consistently poor.  Only 7% of their eleventh graders are proficient in math (that means that 93 of every one hundred students know math – that’s in case one of their students is reading this).  The do much better in English where a whopping 33% were proficient in writing and 55% percent in reading.  Only 52 percent of students graduate within four years.

In an attempt to improve the schools the administration proposed to lengthen the school days, require additional training for teachers and offer more tutoring.  The teachers did not like it so much.  In a bold move the district’s board approved the firing of the teachers after the school year.  No more than half of the teachers would be eligible to be rehired.  Hopefully the administrators will hire back only the most competent teachers. 

Towards the end of the original article (link in blue above) there was a note that the reporter saw four boys leaving the school from a side door.  When questioned one of the students said that they were participating in a walk out in support of their teachers and that “Honestly, it’s not a good idea. [extra hours, etc.]  The school wants them to work more hours for no extra pay.”  Is any more proof needed to show the poor education of these students.  When I was in high school that behavior was called cutting classes and it would get you detention and severe punishment at home.

That’s the essence of government employment for many workers.  There is no connection between ability, work ethic, results, or success and reward.  Government employment only rewards longevity.  For many the knowledge that you cannot be fired has a deleterious effect on work ethic.  I have witnessed it!

I was in engineering so I had very little professional interaction with Terry, but it was a small company and we all knew each other.  When I started this position as Environmental Manager we also had hired a new Construction Manager and a new Sales Manager.  There were a lot of changes happening so I took little notice that Terry was moved to “inside sales.” 

As part of the management team, I was expected to attend routine meetings (a chill still goes up my spine thinking of regularly scheduled staff meetings – Death by Meeting).  I was much younger then and have very little interest when we reached the part of the agenda dealing with sales.  Terry must not have been doing very well and he was switched to a “marketing” position.  That is when I started to have more official contact with Terry.

Terry marketing duties covered a wide range of tasks and our jobs overlapped when he had to complete Requests For Qualifications (“RFQ”).  Potential customers wanted to ensure that we were a company that complied with all environmental laws before doing business with us.  That may sound unusual, but we were in the waste management business and companies learned that their liability did not end when their waste went in the trash bin. 

Terry needed help completing these RFQs and naturally I was the guy to guide him so we spent some time together.  I would even take him on-site to help him understand our operation so that he would feel comfortable completing paperwork.  After a while, I noticed that Terry could or would not take the wheel and do the RFQs himself.  At first I thought it was a lack of confidence, but as time went on that did not seem to be the case.

Terry even started to give me his paperwork to complete since he “needed my input” to finish.  I was now tuned into Terry and was welcomed into the group of people who already had Terry figured out.  Terry was still a great guy, but the group was tired of covering for him by doing his work.  There was no tension we just wouldn’t do his work.  One of the people who recognized Terry’s tendencies was the General Manager.  I know that he had many conversations trying to get Terry on track.  Terry was either unable or unwilling to pull his own weight and actually quit before the axe fell.

As I am watching Washington D.C. politics, I have come to realize that 52% of the American people elected “that guy” to serve as President of the United States.  Terry is not Barack Obama, but Barack certainly seems to be Terry as ”The first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.”  The second part of the Terry/Obama story is that he doesn’t seem to do his job.

When something bad happens such as double digit unemployment, it is someone else’s fault or my favorite excuse “it would have been much worse without my actions.”  A very difficult proposition to disprove or prove…a very slick move that does not help the millions who are out of work.  That guy in the White House has now found a way to get others to do his work just like Terry.  Rather than do what Kennedy and Reagan did to boost the economy (lower tax rates), Obama is creating a task force.  He’ll load it with like-minded individuals and former politicians who, having NEVER run a business, will make recommendations that align with his beliefs.  His work will be done by others.

One of Obama’s big campaign issues was health care.  He put the burden on Pelosi and Reid to draft legislation while he put nothing on paper himself.  The wildly unpopular bills contain his policies, but not his fingerprints.  He still wants comprehensive legislation to sign into law, but does not want to own it so he calls a summit to try to draft bipartisan support through televised negotiations.  That did not seem to work out very well for him.

Fortunately the General Manager of the United States, the voting public, seems to be on to “that guy” in the White House.  According to Rasmussen Polls, his Presidential Approval Index is a sorry -21.  That is the good news.  The bad news is that this Terry is not going anywhere for another three years, but we can fire a great number of his enablers this November.

Let’s do just that!  Remember that WE SURROUND THEM!