Climaquiddick

My morning coffee almost shot out of my nose the first time I saw this term for the brewing climate change story.

The biggest part of the story is that this calls into question the model that the IPCC has been using. The hockey stick has already come and gone, and now we have scientists actively modifying data to fit their desired outcomes. After years of being told that there is scientific consensus on anthropogenic warming, and having skeptics all but branded as heretics, everything should be back on the table.

It will not be, of course. The truth is that all factions have some viable points, but science has been politicized. We should be pursuing our own oil supplies, increasing nuclear capacity, actively pursuing and encouraging investment in alternatives, all while trying to be more responsible stewards of the planet.

He Really is the One!

That might be unfair. My beef today is less with the President, and more with Senator Reid. Here's the quote.

Today we vote whether to even discuss one of the greatest issues of our generation- indeed, one of the greatest issues this body has ever faced: whether this nation will finally guarantee its people the right to live free from the fear of illness of death, which can be prevented by decent health care for all.

So, are we to believe that this legislation is so awesome, so full of wholesome non-partisan goodness, that illness and death itself shall be vanquished? The senator from Nevada has just hinted at immortality and everlasting health by legislative fiat. Bravo!

Ladies and gentlemen, I am duly impressed by this promised achievement. I am certainly looking forward to centuries of Social Security checks.

Free Flow of Info

Kudos to the administration for advocating the free flow of information and a free press in China. If only the administration didn't take the stance that only party-approved networks were legitimate outlets at home.

Sigh.

Recipe for a loss

When a team has 4 more rushing attempts than penalties, it's going to be a rough day. When the team's inexplicably unbalanced play calling leads to 2.4 times as many penalty yards than rushing yards, we have a whiskey tango foxtrot day.

55 passes. 13 rushes. For fuck's sake, even Michael Vick, who is good for nothing but running tried to throw the ball. I fail to see how if the offense fails to pick up one yard running, it is a sign that rushing does not work. On the other hand, if 40% of our passes are not completed, well, we just have to keep trying.

It boggles the mind. This team is missing its first two starting middle linebackers, nickel back, dime back, and starting strong side linebacker. No current linebacker is playing in his intended starting spot. With this kind of depletion, one would think, ball control, spell the defense, lets give them a break and keep them off the field.

I love the Eagles, and will never root for another team. I just wish they were a little easier to love.

Unintended Consequences

Facing us is a massive health care overhaul that will homogenize many systems, reduce choices, increase taxes,. and drive up prices. The last two points are the most defensible. The government is going to end up spending more money, which means they will have to raise more money.

As for prices going up? When, in all of human history has dramatically increased demand driven down price?

But, on to the unintended consequence. Many progressives are balking at the abortion language currently in the bill. Their concern is that the current verbiage reduces a woman's freedom and choices. Some representatives may even vote against the bill in its current form on this principle.

Soooo, people who would normally advocate a single payer system, which by definition would restrict freedoms and choices have suddenly found that choices are a good thing. I doubt their ability to extend this perception to the larger debate, but hell, I'll take it.

'Splain Something for Me

The president, master politician that he is, has recognized the pushback against his health care reform ideas. He has tactfully pulled back from the current incarnation that would cost over a trillion dollars. The position of the moment is that any bill he signs must be revenue neutral.


It seems to me that if you advocate massive reform because the cost of health care is out of control and causing huge deficits, then say that you would sign something that is revenue neutral, you don't really care about the cost. Now, if cost is no longer important, why in the world would one continue to pursue it? Just because you can?

"I'm from the government, and I am here to help you" should send off the same warning signals as "the check is in the mail", "I've never done this before", and "it's only a cold sore". The government already is deeply involved in health care in this country. Fix the VA hospital system. Fix Medicaid and Medicare.

Medicaid at it's peak was only supposed to cost a billion dollars a year. We've passed that by just a bit. It is not the Presdient's fault that the government is awful at best when it comes to estimating costs. That said, given his intellectual gifts, it would be nice if he recognized it.

Keyser Soze, Family Style

It's taken a bit of time to put my thoughts together on this, but here it goes. Bear in mind this is more of stream of consciousness thing than my general posts. Instead of applying acerbic wit and a mean streak without, I'm directing it within. Not an uncommon exercise, I'm just not normally typing while I do it.

A couple of weeks ago, one of my brothers graduated from college. Family came from far and wide to celebrate the event. During the course of the party, I was reminded several times of a very unfortunate truth. I have no idea who many of the people at that party were.

I spent many younger years well convinced that my stepmother hated me. I was completely unable to reconcile the short temper and ability to scream bloody murder at the drop of a hat as anything other than my fault. Through another bad relationship, I was not unfamiliar with taking a beating.

It's a little clearer now, or perhaps I am rationalizing, but at any gathering as I was growing up, I'd seek out a familiar face or two. Failing that, I would avoid contact as much as possible, thereby minimizing how much could go wrong.

As I got older, I had a part-time job, and I'd schedule work weekends religiously, studiously avoiding conflict. Having 350 degree oil wash over my hands seemed a better deal in my mid-teens.

After moving from my father's house to my car, it was very easy to shut down. I had no contact at all with my father's side of the family for several years. Over time of course, everyone got older, had children, some people's children had children. Life goes on, times changes people..hearts harden.

If, at either my wedding reception, or at this graduation party, someone were to put a gun to my head and force me to identify many of the guests, I wouldn't be here right now. I cannot begin to describe the awkwardness of feigning reactions at these things. At this point, asking someone who they are and what their connection to you is is an impossibility.

One of my favorites..."Oh my God, so and so is pregnant!" It's a challenge to mirror the projected happiness or shock when one is really thinking...WTF? Who the hell is so and so?

Ah, to hell with it. Suffice it to say that if I looked at you like I wasn't sure who you were, yeah, I didn't. I feel badly about it, but I'm tired of pretending.