And This is News Why?

We're all used to politicians speaking and not really saying anything but to write an article based on that premise, well that's just dumb. Welcome to the Toronto Star, home of Liberal propaganda.

Fed Shrugged

This article by the NY Times illustrates just how dependant people have become on the actions of government.

The whole sub-prime housing crunch in the US was created by people trying to get something for nothing, or practically nothing.

Consumers were encouraged to buy, buy, buy and told by society that it was completely unacceptable for a married couple to live in a home with less than 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths.

Greed, status, ego and hubris led individuals and business’ alike down the garden path of financial irresponsibility and willful ignorance.

The market has since corrected itself, as it should but now the howls of despair have begun, and the blame is being focused, not on the people who played the game but on government for not telling them that it could all turn out badly.

Yup. The same people and businesses that would have cried bloody blue murder and complained that the free market was in jeopardy if the government had stepped in to curb their excesses in 2006 are pointing the accusatory finger at government today and demanding to know why their financial security had not been protected (legislated{controlled}), demanding federal programs (bureaucracy{inefficiency}) to save them now that it is too late.

The proposals the fed has offered up are laughable, not because they are in and of themselves ridiculous in any way, but merely because they are the measures a rational, honest and prudent person or business would have taken in the first place. Imagine being a bank and NOT confirming your customers “income and ability to repay the loan” or worse yet being individually so myopic as to not be able to think about the future and your personal liability should the whole market go pear shaped.

Mr. Greenspan should not be wasting his time defending “the assertion that he could have prevented the mortgage bust.” But should instead call a spade a spade as he is want to do, and assert that it is not the business of the fed to ensure that consumers are fiscally responsible or to exercise due diligence for them in their dealings with business.

It disturbs me that the language being tossed about includes “fraud”. Is it fraudulent for a business to offer sub-prime mortgages? Is it the responsibility of banks and credit companies to ensure that if the bubble bursts that the individual who asks for their money will still be able to pay? Is business to be held accountable for the poor financial choices of the consumer?

Yes, it may very well be in the best long range interest of a bank or credit company to ensure that their customer is a good risk (from their point of view) and that they are aware of the risks, but to assign blame, to claim fraud because of free market corrections and the piss poor planning of the individuals is nonsensical.

The level of patronization contained in this article spills out in the paragraph that reads;

“Why are the most risky loan products sold to the least sophisticated
borrowers?” Mr. Gramlich asked in a speech he prepared last August for the Fed’s
symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyo. “The question answers itself — the least
sophisticated borrowers are probably duped into taking these products.”

So now the discrimination prejudice begins. People with lower incomes are not necessarily unable to understand contracts, nor are those in a higher income bracket necessarily capable of doing so.

Aside from the implication of the articles title, which is both a back handed and completely off the mark attempt to imply that a moral failing of objectivist theory (selfishness) created the problem, and an indictment of the Federal Government for not "doing something", this whole sub-prime “crisis” is a cautionary tale.

It is the same one that your mother warned you about as you first began dealing with money. It is encapsulated in platitudes and is recognizable to even the dimmest of wits.

A fool and his money…

If it seems to be too good to be true...

Consumer beware…

The Libertarian Masochists Challenge.

Try this for one month...

Every time you see or hear a reference to "government funding" replace the word government with the word taxpayer.

Every time someone says or writes the words "government program" replace the word government with taxpayer and program with the word handout.

Every time you see/hear the word legislation replace it with bureaucracy.

Ooh, and have a merry Christmas.

Global Warming My Ass

Don't even think of opening your cake-hole to tell me that this is just an anomaly, while claiming that the last 2 or 3 winters are the new norm...

Channeling Lloyd Dobler in Bali

The CTV article on the Bali Climate Change Spectacle contained this gem…

“In a series of landmark reports this year, the UN's network of climate
scientists warned of severe consequences -- from rising seas, droughts,
severe weather, species extinction and other effects -- without sharp
cutbacks in emissions of the industrial, transportation and agricultural gases
blamed for warming.

“without sharp cutbacks in emissions of the industrial, transportation and agricultural gases blamed for warming.”

Yes, it’s official. Every productive action of mankind is harmful to the environment and we should cease and desist immediately so that things like the Dappled Asian Tree Slug and Amazonian Teak Fungi are not adversely affected by our continued existence.

I don’t think anyone is arguing against the rational application of environmentally responsible processes and activities but the nihilism of the enviro-wacko’s reminds me of the soliloquy of John Cusack’s character 'Lloyd Dobler' in the movie “Say Anything” as he tried to explain what he would do with his life…

“I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a
career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold
or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything
sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do
that.”

And that is the point that has been reached in this debate. They, (the global frightened into fanaticism they) have abandoned all reason. They have forgotten that without industry, transportation and agriculture they would not be able get transportation to Bali in order to castigate the industrial and agricultural system that enabled that action.

Like a scene out of Atlas Shrugged, the “developing” nations, most of which are corrupt, backward, tribalist cesspools see fit to try to dictate the terms of the Industrialized nations capitulation, the surrender of our reason.

The third world is not alone in their Jihad on Reason, they are egged on by the elite of Europe who, with the reality of their own failed foray’s into socialist economics looming on the horizon, seek to strike not a favorable deal for themselves, but the most damaging deal they can for us. A deal that would ensure the crippling not only of their economies but of the world economy.

In this age of tree hugging idiocy Canada and the US should stand alone, alone and unafraid. We should continue on a course of rational environmentalism characterized by responsible and attainable targets. Our goal should not be to achieve some sort of pre-industrial, hemp strewn environmental utopia but rather a world that recognizes the importance of our environment and the importance of man over animals and plants.

So as the socialists and environmentalists plot our ruin while sipping low fat non-dairy latte’s and championing the existence of inanimate objects and ignorant animals I’d like you all to take the time today to appreciate our natural environment, recycle, turn off the lights when you’re not in the room, work hard and produce the things that are bought and sold, or buy or sell or repair the things that are produced because without the acts of consumption, creation and capitalism there would be no reason to save the earth in the first place.

Media Mind Control Vol 1: Oil and Hubris

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, this isn't the news story you were looking for...

Liars and Roaches and Broadcasters, Oh My!

I've been against a public inquiry into the whole Mulroney/Schrieber sham since the beginning but I'm starting to change my mind.

No, not because I believe that there was anything there that could not, or should not have been sorted out in a court of law between former PM Mulroney's Lawyers and Schreibers, but because this incident has opened up an opportunity to expose the pettiness, the vindictiveness, the craven morality and political whoremanship alive and thriving in some circles of Canadian politics today.

As Members of Parliament, some named in this press release seem to scamper headlong into the gutter, hand in hand with a man accused of fraud, bribery, breach of trust and tax-evasion and aided by "Canada's national broadcaster", their only achievement will be to have dragged an innocent man and the country's highest political office along with them.

So when a Member of Parliament is asking questions, issued to him by the national broadcaster, with all the integrity and forethought of a high school dropout living in his mom's basement and unable to think for himself, is it any wonder that Canadians are getting sick and tired of both of them?

Mine may seem like a strange reason to want a public inquiry, but now that the rock has been lifted lets turn it all the way over and see just what sort of roaches scurry away from the light.

Sorry PM Mulroney, you've already endured so much, but Canadians have to be shown the faces of the moral cowards who are doing this, in the hopes that come the next election the public will recognize them and their ilk.

You're not in mommy's basement anymore Pablo.

Finaly, The Other Socialist Shoe Drops

Plenty of people have been saying for a long, long time that this whole Climate Change Spectacle is just wealth distribution dressed up in environmentalism, socialism and jet fuel.

Well here's the proof.

"Without going into the details, the Greenhouse Development Rights Framework (GDR) proposal foresees levying the equivalent of a climate "consumption luxury tax" on every person who earns over a "development threshold" of $9,000 per year."

Personally I'd like to tell the Kyoto cattle to step away from my wallet or I'm breaking out the bolt gun.

Don't worry, it's an environmentally sound practice. No breathing by the cattle = no CO2 production. It's a win-win really.

Thanks to the folks at Reason

Take the oath...

If you haven't seen the "This is John Galt Speaking" series on YouTube I highly recommend you do so.

For those that have, and are so inclined, help out XCowboy2 by taking the Oath...

Okay, I'm calling them all on it. Right here, Right now...

Bullshit.

That's to all those idiots and liars at the Bali Climate Change spectacle that claim forcing targets on China would be unfair.

Bullshit!

A Voice in the Wilderness

Finally at least one nation that is willing to say the Emperor has no Clothes.

I'm always proud to be a Canadian but today, perhaps a little more so.

Great minds and all that...

Mr. Baird also contends that the world's greenhouse gas levels would surge even if all rich countries eliminated their emissions while poorer ones continued business as usual.

“That's an environmental Armageddon,” he said.

Climate Heretic: More Hot Air, Less Logic

In Bali, Canada is asking that all nations bear the same burden in reducing greenhouse gasses. That means that all nations reach for the same target. If that target is 25% of current levels the entire worlds level of pollution would be reduced by 25%.


You would think that Canada, by advocating this inclusive position would be supported by the GHG radicals, but that is far too much reasoning for this bunch.


No, the same people that brought you killer GHG beer fridges, global warming holocaust speed-bumps and genocidal climate change divorce court think that is far too rude to ask those who contribute the most pollution, to lend a hand in cleaning up the mess.


Canada’s position in Bali is being called obstructionist by climate advocates (and our “loyal” opposition) but if the nay-sayers get their way and the developing world is given a free ride then Canada and the rest of the evil west could conceivably reduce their CO2 by 100% (by cripling our industrial output, energy production and basically reducing ALL economic activity to ZERO) and only reduce the worlds CO2 production by slightly more than one third.



As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.







Oh, another thing. Look at this picture. Now please try to tell me who is pumping the most crap into the air.



While I'm at it, I'm going to complete my Climate Denier Herecy by saying that per capita measurements are disingenuous and dangerous. All of us human beings breathe the same air, therefore if it is important for 35 million Canadians to curb our GHG output then it is statistically much more important for 1,000 million Chinese.



Thanks http://www.tamug.edu/Labb/Global_Warming_Info.htm for the pretty pictures

Hey Europe… Tag! You’re It!

Since most European nations have seen fit to abdicate their responsibilities to their NATO allies (Canadian, US, British and Dutch forces) in Afghanistan and opt instead to hide behind the cowards shield of “national caveats”, I say that we tell them in no uncertain terms that they can go pound sand, and I have just the place for them to do it.

How Much for that Bundle of Twigs?

Sounds like the opening line for a Monty Python sketch, but it isn't.

You see dear reader my wife recently decided (as is her prerogative) that the empty corner in the dining room needed a little something. That something turned out to be a rather large and to me, expensive, urn.

Of course any woman would tell you that an urn has to have something in it, so leaving Pier One, off we go to Wal Mart. I dutifully follow Mrs. Zip through the maze of aisles and Christmas shoppers, both of which I wish there were fewer of, till we arrive at the craft section.

My lovely bride begins picking up small tidy bundles, she starts with the pretty coloured grasses, at this point I have no complaint, as I'd never seen bright red grass growing in the wild. After careful consideration, however, she changes her mind (this too is her prerogative, really more of a genetic imperative I think) and begins looking at the packages of sticks.

They were tall, thin, garden variety twigs really, barely enough to start a decent fire, I think, but she picks and chooses till she has the "right one". At this point I come back from my happy place (where I spend a good deal of the time when shopping) just long enough to look at the price...

$13.78.

$13.78 for a meager clutch of anorexic lumber!?

At this point I use one of my rare shopping veto's, promising that "I'll get you your twigs."

So today I spent 30 minutes (including the 5 minute walk each way) to gather together some sticks, twice the amount in the Wal Mart kindling package, and even some tall "ornamental" grass for my blushing bride.

Anywho... all this to say that I salute the businessman who has managed to convince the stupefied city dweller that we need to spent $13.78 on a bundle of twigs when 99.9% of us live within spitting distance of some form of shrubbery.

Conversely... I deride my fellow Urban Neanderthals, I mean how freaking lazy have people become that they are too corpulent and/or sloth to step away from the latest episode of CSI and DIY...

Because I don't particularly feel like being liked today...

I was watching TV last night and a commercial came on bemoaning the lack of clean water in African villages.

This dire situation perplexed me. Has Africa run out of water I wondered?

No.

“Of all the renewable water available in Africa each year, only 4% is used -- because most Africans lack the wells, canals, pumps, reservoirs and other irrigation systems (Africare)” http://www.africanwellfund.org/waterstats.html

Is the water beyond the reach of conventional low tech methods of extraction?

No

“In Ghana, the following assumptions were made:

· mud washbore method of construction
· average depth of tube well 10 metres” http://www.fao.org/docrep/W7314E/w7314e0v.htm

So it must be a lack of technological know-how that prevents Africans from reaching their own water.

No.

“The earliest wells are known from the Neolithic. In the submerged Pre-Pottery Neolithic B settlement of Atlit Yam in Israel, dated to 8100-7500 BC”

Oh, by the way… That well is 7-8 meters deep.

If primitive Neolithic man could dig a well 7-8 meters deep 8,000 years before Christ, then why the Christ (pardon the pun) can’t modern day Africans?

It isn’t the money. According to the African Well Fund, workers are only being paid about $1.20 Canadian for a days work. And the cost of an entire well is only about $1,796.00 Canadian. And…

Hold on… Is it possible that our altruism, and the altruism of organizations like African Well Fund have eliminated the need, will and desire of Africans to DIY???

The human race has been looking out for #1 since day 1 by drawing water so that life was possible so what gives? Is this socialist apathy, exemplified by refusing to pick up shovel and pick to save oneself the outcome of our charity? Is the systemic laziness that would rather beg for clean water than dig a well though the water lies right under your feet our gift to Africa?

Seems to me that the only thing holding keeping Africa from a long cold drink is the money we keep shoveling into their cleptocratic governments. That, and a social welfare system that places the question “Why should I” in the mouth of every aid recipient.

An Eye For A... Teddy? WTF?!?!?

Once again, we in the secular west are left shaking our heads in bewilderment, while those in the Islamofascist dominated Middle East are shaking their swords in rage.

So, as far as I’m concerned, the calls for this teachers execution by Islamist extremists in the Sudan should sound to the rest of the world like a command to cut off all money, aid, technology and most importantly, human assistance.

Hmmm, the mental image of a head being severed is appropriate, after all...

Without us,



Welcome to the Middle East.