The EPA is a rogue agency

Jay Lehr helped birth the environmental movement of the late 1960s and the founding of the EPA in 1971, but now says, "The takeover of EPA and all of its activities by liberal activists was slow and methodical over the past 30 years. Today, EPA is all but a wholly owned subsidiary of liberal activist groups. Its rules account for about half of the nearly $2 trillion a year cost of complying with all national regulations in the U.S. President Barack Obama is using it to circumvent Congress to impose regulations on the energy sector that will cause prices to "skyrocket." It is a rogue agency . . .

http://heartland.org/policy-documents/replacing-environmental-protection-agency

“It's time for the national EPA to go. The path forward is now clear and simple: A five-year transition from a federal government bureaucracy to a Committee of the Whole composed of the 50 state environmental protection agencies.

To those who say this would fail to adequately protect the public's health or the environment, I urge you to reflect on the poor job currently being done by EPA, and then to meet some of the men and women staffing state EPA offices and see for yourself the sophistication, commitment, and resources they have to do the job. You will not remain doubters for long. And to those who like this plan but think it is utopian or impossible, I can tell you as someone who was there at the beginning of EPA, who helped write the laws and advised its founders, that this can be done quickly and efficiently.

All that is missing is the political will.”

http://www.desmogblog.com/jay-lehr

Ron Arnold, Freezing in the Dark: Money, Power, Politics and the Vast Left Wing Conspiracy, 2007.

Wilfred Beckerman, Through Green-Colored Glasses: Environmentalism Reconsidered, 1996.

Larry Bell, Climate of Corruption: Politics and Power Behind the Global Warming Hoax, 2011.

James T. Bennett and Thomas J. DiLorenzo, Cancer Scam: Diversion of Federal Cancer Funds to Politics, 1998.

Alex B. Berezow and Hank Campbell, Science Left Behind: Feel-Good Fallacies and the Rise of the Anti-Scientific Left, 2012.

Rupert Darwall, The Age of Global Warming: A History, 2013.

James V. DeLong, Out of Bounds, Out of Control: Regulatory Enforcement at the EPA. Washington, DC: Cato Institute, 2002

Jeff Gillman and Eric Heberlig, How the Government Got In Your Backyard, 2011.

Indur M. Goklany, The Precautionary Principle: A Critical Appraisal of Environmental Risk Assessment, 2001.

Geoffrey C. Kabat, Hyping Health Risks: Environmental Hazards in Daily Life and the Science of Epidemiology, 2008.

Wallace Kaufman, No Turning Back: Dismantling the Fantasies of Environmental Thinking, 1994.

Aynsley Kellow, Science and Public Policy: The Virtuous Corruption of Virtual Environmental Science, 2007.

S. Robert Lichter and Stanley Rothman, Environmental Cancer A Political Disease? 1999.

Christopher Manes, Green Rage: Radical Environmentalism and the Unmaking of Civilization, 1990.

A.W. Montford, The Hockey Stick Illusion: Climategate and the Corruption of Science, 2010.

Daniel T. Oliver, Animal Rights: The Inhumane Crusade, 1999.

James M. Sheehan, Global Greens: Inside the International Environmental Establishment, 1998.

Julian Simon, Hoodwinking the Nation, 1999.

Rich Trzupek, Regulators Gone Wild: How the EPA Is Ruining American Industry. New York, NY: Encounter Books, 2011.

Where is Hannah Graham?

I'm trying to remember if I ever heard of a college co-ed being assaulted when I was in college--if they were, we didn't hear about it. But also, we were locked in at 11 p.m.

Also, no men/boys were allowed beyond the lobby area.  If you needed a man to help you move in, or move out, you yelled, “Man on first” or “Man in the hall,” so no one would come out of her room not fully dressed.

I suppose there were some women who “slept over” at a man’s apartment, but she would have falsified her absence report, which we filled out when going home.

http://clashdaily.com/2014/09/3-mistakes-hannah-graham-made/

Why is it considered blaming the victim to caution young women to look out for their own safety, to not dress provocatively, to not drink too much, and to never walk the streets after mid-night. Maybe feminists really don’t care?

Gun violence is down, but most don’t know it

“(CNN) -- Gun-related homicides and crime are "strikingly" down from 20 years ago, despite the American public's belief that firearm crime is on the upswing, a new study said Wednesday.

Looking back 50 years, a Pew Research Center study found U.S. gun homicides rose in the 1960s, gained in the 1970s, peaked in the 1980s and the early 1990s, and then plunged and leveled out the past 20 years.

"Despite national attention to the issue of firearm violence, most Americans are unaware that gun crime is lower today than it was two decades ago," the researchers say.

A Pew survey of Americans in March found 56% believed gun-related crime is higher than 20 years ago and only 12% said it's lower. The survey said 26% believed it stayed the same and 6% didn't know.”

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/08/us/study-gun-homicide/

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/380108/lying-about-school-shootings-charles-c-w-cooke

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2014/06/11/gun-violence-and-mass-shootings-myths-facts-and-solutions/

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-08-20/the-stark-statistics-on-young-black-men-and-gun-violence

The government is making us losers with gambling as a source of income

"Today, we would seek to speak for the ‘‘losers.’’ The ‘‘losers’’ are those citizens sacrificed by our government in its failed experiment of sponsoring and promoting gambling to extract as much money as possible from the public. . . . ‘‘When I asked one I.G.T. artist if he ever plays, he acted as if I had insulted him,’’ wrote New York Times reporter Gary Rivlin in his cover story on slot machines for The Times Sunday Magazine. ‘‘Slots are for losers,’’ he spat, and then, coming to his senses, begged me to consider that an off-the-record comment.’’ Hon. Frank R. Wolf, VA, House of Rep., September 19, 2014, speech on evils of gov't supported gambling, Congressional Record,

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2014-09-19/pdf/CREC-2014-09-19-pt1-PgE1502.pdf

Economically: No great nation has ever built prosperity on the  foundations of personal debt, addiction, and the steady expansion of ‘‘businesses’’ that produce no new wealth. . . .

Ethically: A decent government does not finance its activities by playing its most vulnerable citizens for suckers, thus rendering the lives of millions expendable, exploitable, and unworthy of protection.

 Spiritually: We mock the higher values that any good society depends on—honesty, mutual trust, self-discipline, sacrifice, concern for others, and a belief in a work ethic that connects effort and reward—when government tells its citizens every day that it is committed to providing ‘‘fun’’ instead of opportunity; that a rigged bet is the way to achieve the American dream . . .”

Once a week I drive by the “Hollywood Casino” on the west side of Columbus on my way to volunteer at the pregnancy center.  I’m always shocked when I hear Christians talk about going there for fun and entertainment. Misplaced values.

What Obama doesn’t know, didn’t know

This comment  appeared under the name of Frederick A. Green in a response to Bret Stephens Sept. 22, 2014 WSJ editorial What Obama knows.  I thought it was a good list; I’ve looked around and can’t find that it is viral. I checked his name, and he seems to comment at the Wall St. Journal.

“Obama and Holder know nothing about Fast and Furious.

Obama knows nothing about the VA scandal.

Obama and Holder know nothing about the New Black Panthers intimidating voters.

Obama, Mueller, Shulman, Miller and Lew know nothing about the IRS targeting conservative groups. Lerner knows, but she’s not saying.
Obama and Holder know nothing about securing telephone documents of almost two dozen AP reporters and a Fox News reporter.

Obama, Rice and Clinton know nothing about Benghazi.

Obama knows nothing about the sharp rise in health care costs under ObamaCare—increases he said would not happen.

Obama knows nothing about why insurance policies are canceled after he said numerous times that policy holders could keep the plans they like, and he knows nothing about why people can no longer go to the physicians of their choice.

Obama and Mayorkas knows nothing about inspector general's allegations of conflicts of interest, misuse of position, mismanagement of the federal foreign investor-visa program and appearance of impropriety.

No one in the Obama administration knows anything about the inspector general’s report that Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman verbally instructed Elliot Mainzer, the individual [Poneman] chose to serve as acting administrator of Bonneville Power Administration, that no BPA employees were to talk with anyone, including Congressional investigators, regarding allegations that hiring guidelines unfairly disadvantaged military veterans.

No one knows anything about the FEC seeking information from the IRS about American Issues Project… except Lerner, but she’s not saying.

Obama knows nothing about spying on our allies’ leaders.

Obama knows nothing about why insurance policies are canceled after he said numerous times that policy holders could keep the plans they like.

Obama knows nothing about the VA scandal.

Obama knows EVERYTHING about trading five high-ranking Taliban terrorists for a U.S. Army deserter.

Obama says these are “phony scandals.” Ron Ziegler called Watergate a “third-rate burglary."

Orange peel nutrition

It’s not a scientific study, but since I’ve been preparing orange peel for eating (about 2 years), I haven’t had any sore throats or colds.  The peel is more nutritious than the fruit, but I enjoy the orange, too.  I haven’t been able to find any information on how cooking the peel degrades the nutritional value.  On the other hand, I assume any testing was done on cooked peel.  Using the peel of one orange (in sections) I heat it in a cup in the microwave, change the water, and repeat about 3 times. I cut each section into small strips.  Then I soak it over night in sugar water, drain, and sprinkle with sugar and refrigerate.  It’s not like orange peel candy, much softer and still slightly bitter.  However, I don’t eat much at one time.  Maybe one small strip a day.

Man blamed global climate change

She can probably make more selling marijuana than reporting the news

“Viewers of KTVA's Sunday night newscast learned all about the Alaska Cannabis Club, a medical marijuana group. And then, they learned something else: The reporter who presented the story to the station's viewers is also the owner of the Alaska Cannabis Club.

Charlo Greene then quit her TV job on live television after promising to dedicate "all of my energy toward fighting for freedom and fairness, which begins with legalizing marijuana here in Alaska."

She added: "And as for this job, well, not that I have a choice, but, [expletive] it, I quit." “

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2014/09/22/alaska-reporter-quits-on-live-tv-after-a-segment-about-the-medical-marijuana-club-she-runs/

The all white, all Spanish language cable channel

I was watching Despierta America on Univision this morning while peddling my Power Spin. That channel has a terrible "shadism" problem--didn't see a single dark skinned, Indian, black, brown or Asian person either as host, contestant, guest or in a commercial. Even the exercise segment was led by a blonde. The President of Mexico sends his brown and poor to the U.S. so that fair and light skinned Mexicans of primarily European descent can retain power and money. Univision is headquartered in NYC owned by a conglomerate of investors and in viewership is on a par with the top 5 English language networks. I wonder why there is a different standard for diversity and multiculturalism?

http://entretenimiento.univision.com/shows/despierta-america/

Having lunch today with a good friend of 40 years.

 

July 2014 at Lakeside

 

1986 in aerobics class

The real Snerdley

“James Golden considers his 26 years working with Rush Limbaugh to be the greatest professional blessing he could ever imagine. Originally from Queens, New York, James met Rush while working for a major media network and hasn’t looked back since.

Most Rush listeners know James as either “Snerdley,” the call screener, or the “Official Obama Criticizer.” Golden was in Washington recently for a CURE meeting and that’s where we got the chance to sit down with him for this exclusive 30 minute video interview.

For the first half of the interview, Golden waxed passionately about race in America, and how America’s first black president has only harmed race relations in this country.

Recalling when strong, two parent families were the norm for blacks, when hard work and merit allowed blacks to rise in society, and when homicide wasn’t the major cause of the death for young black males, Golden said with genuine regret, “Isn’t it a shame that for most of black people, the good old days were the days when things were segregated legally in this country?”

He concludes, “What liberalism has done to black communities is horrific.” “

http://dailycaller.com/2014/09/21/rush-limbaughs-call-screener-what-liberalism-has-done-to-black-communities-is-horrific/

Our new deck

It should be nice enough this evening to eat on our new deck. Our old one was nearing 40 years old, wasn't up to code, and had some rot and insects. We used Pro Deck and are very pleased with the company and product. It is a composite material and will not need to be stained.

Very nice crew who worked hard and cleaned up the mess.

Finished product, missing some trim pieces that they’ll come back for.

Our anniversary flowers that were at the church service last Sunday.

The back yard with trees and creek; the unit in photo is just a bit west of ours.

The night Ted Cruz was booed off the stage—by Christians

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz speaking at an event intended to bring light to the vicious persecution of Christians began his speech at the In Defense of Christians’ gala on September 10 as keynote speaker ":

“Good evening. Today we are gathered at a time of extraordinary challenge. Tonight we are all united in defense of Christians. Tonight we are all united in defense of Jews. Tonight we are all united in defense of people of good faith who are standing together against those who would persecute and murder those who dare to disagree with their religious teachings.”

Murmurs around the room, which had begun with the senator’s greeting, grew louder when Cruz continued:

“Religious bigotry is a cancer with many manifestations. ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, and their state sponsors like Syria and Iran, are all engaged in a vicious genocidal campaign to destroy religious minorities in the Middle East.

Sometimes we are told not to lump these groups together, that we have to understand their so-called nuances and differences. But we shouldn’t try to parse different manifestations of evil that are on murderous rampage through the region. Hate is hate and murder is murder.”

Instead of hearing Cruz’s remarks as a rallying cry to unity for those who are facing the same enemy, a small but very vocal group booed and heckled. Shouts of “Stop it!” and “No!” arose. Although Cruz persisted for some minutes, he cut short his speech and walked off the stage after saying that

“my heart weeps that the men and women here will not stand in solidarity with Jews and Christians alike who are persecuted by radicals who seek to murder them.”

Making sense of IDC

http://www.indefenseofchristians.org/idc/statement-idc-president-following-disruption-idc-gala-dinner/

Adrian Peterson

The Adrian Peterson situation has brought on a lot of discussion--all except how to be a good father. Is it depositing sperm and making support payments? How many children does he have with how many baby mommas? His home is a mansion, he's a millionaire, but the kids (no one seems to know how many) all live with their mothers. I believe he'd never met his 2 year old child (paternity test) who died last year (that man, the boyfriend of the child's mother, has been charged with murder).

A father looks back—my nephew Robert--Friday family photo

As I look back on the 28 years since I had my first child, Christopher, and then the 17 years since I was blessed with twins, Alex and Sydney, I think about all the times I held them, giving them a really big hug to calm their fears, or to make them feel safe. Little did I know then that the one who really needed the hug, the one who needed to know love, was in fact me. Nothing in the world feels as good as a big, tight hug from your kids, and I really miss that. The military, out of state schools, and a busy school and work schedule keep me and my kids from having that special moment every time I desire or need it, but I want them to know, just how incredibly important they are to me and how much their simple act of a hug has on their dad. You guys are my world. Love you more than life itself!  (from a Facebook post, used with permission)

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day

"Just as some Christians doubt so much of the Gospel, so too, even more Christians doubt the presence and power of evil in our world. Yet Paul is very clear about the cause of what is happening throughout our world and even here in our own land." Bishop John Bradosky preaching on Ephesians 6:10-20 NALC Convocation at The Citadel in Charleston, SC

If they are having trouble with believing in the power of evil, they should turn on the news.

NALC Convocation

Saving the unborn, one mother at a time

We attended a lovely dinner last night at Villa Milano (lasagna to die for)  with about 800 other people who care about the unborn to hear Father Frank Pavone. I sat next to a lovely young woman who had grown up in foster care who told me her story of thinking she had no other option than abortion for her now 7 year old precious daughter. By mistake she went to one of our PDHC locations instead of Planned Parenthood and was counseled by a wonderful volunteer and they have remained friends for 8 years. She also needed material aid, food, transportation, parenting help and a job, which God provided through loving Christians--so she was one lucky gal, and of course, the baby was too. And she was a blessing to me, too, I told her because sometimes we volunteers get discouraged and wonder if we make a difference.

My husband wasn’t all that thrilled about going, but I reminded him I’d have to drive alone both in rush hour traffic to get there, and in the dark to get home.  But he really enjoyed himself, thought the food was good and the speaker terrific, and when we were all asked for support, he leaned over and suggested quietly that I double our  agreed on amount.

On the left, feeling good is the goal, not change

“For leftists, the answer to domestic violence isn’t to deal with any of the issues that could lead boys to become abusing men. The answer, instead, is to lecture Americans about the use of the word “sissy” – not because that solves the problem, but because it makes those on the left feel warm and fuzzy inside. Similarly, the left will tell Americans that the name of the Washington Redskins matters far more to Native-Americans than the nearly half of Native-American youths who drop out of high school; they will explain that “microaggressions” are the true problem faced by blacks in America, not lack of education, poverty or unwed motherhood.”

The conversation we won’t have about raising men, Ben Shapiro

The stock market isn’t the whole story

On one of my feeds I saw a poster proclaiming all the economic successes of Obama since January 2009 (can't find it now).  And there's no doubt, those with investments have done well (mainly because of quantitative easing), and unemployment figures are nearing what he promised would happen in 2010.  However, the young, female and minority voters who voted heavily for him, still haven't benefited from his policies.

"Five years into an “economic recovery,” real median household income “is now 3.1 percent below that of June 2009 when the ‘great recession’ officially ended .. .  Single women with and without children present saw their incomes fall by roughly 5 percent.  Those age 25-34 experienced an income decline of 4.4 percent. Black heads of households saw their income tumble by 7.7 percent, while the income of Hispanic heads of households fell 5.6 percent. . The poor and unskilled saw their incomes fall by 7.4 percent for those with less than a high-school diploma and 8.2 percent for those with only a high-school diploma." [Stephen Moore, Patriot Post, Sept. 17, 2014]

For my trolls