My, my: EPA declines to confirm a connection between fracking and groundwater pollution in Wyoming « Hot Air

My, my: EPA declines to confirm a connection between fracking and groundwater pollution in Wyoming « Hot Air: "They just can’t bear to come out and say it, can they? Especially not now that it sounds like the Obama administration is looking to move forward, albeit slowly and cautiously, with some increased natural gas development. I doubt that Josh Fox will be at all pleased."

'via Blog this'

Is Obama’s job approval rating (finally) starting to slide? « Hot Air

Is Obama’s job approval rating (finally) starting to slide? « Hot Air: "The big question: Does any of this matter? Sean Trende points me to this post yesterday by John Sides arguing that yes, of course the president’s job approval matters. It always matters. It matters in 2014 — if it stays low — because Democrats will need a popular president to help them turn out their base. It matters in 2016 — if it stays low — because it’ll be easier for the Democratic nominee to run on the record of a popular president than to run against the record of an unpopular one. And of course it matters right now because a popular president has more leverage in getting what he wants from Congress."

'via Blog this'

The Rand Paul moment - POLITICO.com Print View

The Rand Paul moment - POLITICO.com Print View: "Whatever its merits, the National Security Agency meta-data program couldn’t be better fashioned to play into fears of the government. Is it vast? Yes. Was it secret? Check. Does it arguably run outside the normal checks and balances of government? Uh-huh. Does it raise profound questions about privacy? Roger."

'via Blog this'

David Rivkin and Elizabeth Foley: An ObamaCare Board Answerable to No One - WSJ.com

David Rivkin and Elizabeth Foley: An ObamaCare Board Answerable to No One - WSJ.com: "This wholesale transfer of power is at odds with the Constitution's separation-of-powers architecture that protects individual liberty by preventing an undue aggregation of government power in a single entity. Instead, power is diffused both vertically—with the federal government exercising limited and enumerated powers and the states exercising all remaining authority—and horizontally, with the powers of the federal government divided among the executive, legislative and judicial branches."

'via Blog this'

Barack Obama bombs in Berlin: a weak, underwhelming address from a floundering president – Telegraph Blogs

Barack Obama bombs in Berlin: a weak, underwhelming address from a floundering president – Telegraph Blogs: "It is never a good sign when a US president parrots the language of a Brussels bureaucrat when he is supposed to be a champion of freedom. Obama’s distinctly unimpressive speech in Berlin was another dud from a floundering president whose leadership abroad is just as weak as it is at home."

'via Blog this'

Ron Hart: C'mon, do the O-bots really want meth convicts selling Sudafed and toys peddled by pedophiles at Wal-Mart?

Ron Hart: C'mon, do the O-bots really want meth convicts selling Sudafed and toys peddled by pedophiles at Wal-Mart?: "Thus, according to the EEOC, it's a great idea to put a guy in charge of the Sudafed aisle who was convicted of cooking meth in his community. And what could go wrong with letting a convicted pedophile man the toy department? If he does well, promote him to boys' underwear."

'via Blog this'

Paul Ryan: IRS employees are getting bonuses while the Pentagon is dishing out furloughs, really? « Hot Air

Paul Ryan: IRS employees are getting bonuses while the Pentagon is dishing out furloughs, really? « Hot Air: "Look, what we’re seeing is the arrogance and abuse of big government. We are seeing big government in practice. We know from our IRS investigation already from the Ways and Means Committee that this wasn’t a few rogue agents in Cincinnati. This is a systemic pattern of abuse of power directed from Washington by the IRS targeting people based upon their political and religious beliefs. And now they’re going to get $70 million of bonuses at a time when government agencies are getting cuts, at a time when we’re doing furloughs at the Pentagon and other places. It’s outrageous. Hard working taxpayers deserve better than this. Unfortunately, as I mentioned, this is what big government looks like if practice. Now they’re going to get our healthcare records. Now IRS, come October, is going to be more in charge of our health care system."

'via Blog this'

Rubio on new immigration amendment: “A dramatic improvement on border security” « Hot Air

Rubio on new immigration amendment: “A dramatic improvement on border security” « Hot Air: "CBO estimated that, of the estimated 11.5 million illegals currently in the U.S., only eight million or so would qualify for the initial probationary legalization under the Gang’s bill. What happens to the other 3.5 million?"

'via Blog this'

Rubio vs. Rubio | RedState

Rubio vs. Rubio | RedState: "As a candidate for the United States Senate, Marco Rubio campaigned on a tough, “no amnesty” immigration stance, in which he advocated against a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants and in strong support of border security before legalization. Now, as a leader of the “Gang of 8,” he has embraced — and in many instances moved farther left of — the very policies he once criticized."

'via Blog this'

If it’s not mandatory, is it ‘banned’? | WashingtonExaminer.com

If it’s not mandatory, is it ‘banned’? | WashingtonExaminer.com: "There’s a difference between government allowing your employer to place conditions on her paying you, and the government forcing you to do something."

'via Blog this'

Local Governments Cut Part-Time Hours To Avoid ObamaCare Mandate - Investors.com

Local Governments Cut Part-Time Hours To Avoid ObamaCare Mandate - Investors.com: "Yet while private companies are getting all this unwelcome and hostile attention, local governments across the country have been quietly doing exactly the same thing — cutting part-time hours specifically so they can skirt ObamaCare's costly employer mandate, while complaining about the law in some of the harshest terms anyone has uttered in public."

'via Blog this'

Big Brother and Silicon Valley : The New Yorker

Big Brother and Silicon Valley : The New Yorker: "A strong, though not particularly ideological, strain of libertarianism appears to be coded into the DNA of computer engineers—a desire to be left alone to create beautiful systems that can be messed up only by the uncomprehending interference of mediocrities from the government."

'via Blog this'

In Interview, Playboy Latches On To Months Old Ratings To Make Point About Fox, Hannity Being ‘Out Of It’ | Mediaite

In Interview, Playboy Latches On To Months Old Ratings To Make Point About Fox, Hannity Being ‘Out Of It’ | Mediaite: "Second, it is clear that the interviewer was married to his conclusion – that Fox and Hannity were “out of it” – and refused to let the facts get in the way."

'via Blog this'

Jenkins: The Young Won't Buy ObamaCare - WSJ.com

Jenkins: The Young Won't Buy ObamaCare - WSJ.com: "Independent websites like Edmunds.com, AutoTrader.com and Kelley Blue Book publish detailed pricing information for consumers and do so for free. Why?

The answer is obvious. Consumers want such information and businesses see opportunity in providing it, even for free, in order to attract eyeballs for advertising.

Such information doesn't exist in health care because consumers don't demand it, because somebody else is almost always paying for our health care. Those of us who aren't subsidized directly by Medicaid, Medicare and the Veterans Administration are subsidized through the tax code to channel all our aches and pains through a third-party payment mill, disguised as employer-provided "insurance.""

'via Blog this'

Jenkins: The Young Won't Buy ObamaCare - WSJ.com

Jenkins: The Young Won't Buy ObamaCare - WSJ.com: "It makes scant financial sense for them to subsidize others' care."

'via Blog this'

Best of the Web Today: Sex, Lies and the War on Men - WSJ.com

Best of the Web Today: Sex, Lies and the War on Men - WSJ.com: "We can take the abuse. In fact, in this instance we delight in it, not only because we see the humor but because it proves us right."

'via Blog this'

Niall Ferguson: The Regulated States of America - WSJ.com

Niall Ferguson: The Regulated States of America - WSJ.com: "In "Democracy in America," published in 1833, Alexis de Tocqueville marveled at the way Americans preferred voluntary association to government regulation. "The inhabitant of the United States," he wrote, "has only a defiant and restive regard for social authority and he appeals to it . . . only when he cannot do without it.""

'via Blog this'

AP CEO: Some of our trusted govt sources are getting “nervous and anxious” about talking to us after DOJ probe « Hot Air

AP CEO: Some of our trusted govt sources are getting “nervous and anxious” about talking to us after DOJ probe « Hot Air: "While we all eagerly await what I’m sure will be the compelling results of the Department of Justice’s investigation into the Department of Justice’s secret seizure of the phone records of the professional and personal phone calls of Associated Press reporters last year, due to land on President Obama’s desk by July 12th..."

'via Blog this'

The Virtuous Beauty Of Nuclear Weapons And Obama’s Simplistic Worldview | Mediaite

The Virtuous Beauty Of Nuclear Weapons And Obama’s Simplistic Worldview | Mediaite: "Keeping those weapons out of the hands of rogue nations or state sponsors of terror is a critical and laudable goal for the West. But the reduction of American or Russian (or Chinese, or French, or British, or even Israeli) nuclear weapons accomplishes nothing. It is feel-good politics designed to appeal to the reflexively anti-nuclear international left. What’s more, the fanciful goal of eliminating all nuclear weapons would make the world a substantially more dangerous place."

'via Blog this'

Good news from FBI chief: We’re using drones for surveillance inside the U.S., but only a little « Hot Air

Good news from FBI chief: We’re using drones for surveillance inside the U.S., but only a little « Hot Air: "Rand Paul’s speechwriters must be sleeping maybe three hours a night these days."

'via Blog this'

Obama in Berlin: Climate change is the “global threat of our time” « Hot Air

Obama in Berlin: Climate change is the “global threat of our time” « Hot Air: "Oh good, still more zealous rules and regulations with major implications for the entire energy sector handed down from on high — just what our economy needs!"

Sarcasm, as if it needed to be said.

'via Blog this'

'Man of Steel' Cost Metropolis Quite a Lot in Damages, If That Wasn't Obvious | I Watch Stuff

'Man of Steel' Cost Metropolis Quite a Lot in Damages, If That Wasn't Obvious | I Watch Stuff: "And that is why we must never let the terrorists get two giant alien tripods that shoot CGI gravity beams or something."

'via Blog this'

Why did we get 140 characters rather than flying cars? Maybe it was $40 trillion in regulations | AEIdeas

Why did we get 140 characters rather than flying cars? Maybe it was $40 trillion in regulations | AEIdeas: "A 2013 study from economists John Dawson of Appalachian State University and John Seater of North Carolina State University, Federal Regulation and Aggregate Economic Growth, estimates that the past 50 years of federal regulations have reduced real GDP by roughly two percentage points a year, or nearly $40 trillion."

'via Blog this'

Pennsylvania union ad: Liquor store privatization is pretty much a death trap « Hot Air

Pennsylvania union ad: Liquor store privatization is pretty much a death trap « Hot Air: "If you happened to be looking for a visualization of what “shameless” looks like, that was it."

'via Blog this'

France hits back at 'reactionary' claims - Telegraph

France hits back at 'reactionary' claims - Telegraph: "Without naming France, Mr Barroso said that those fearful of a US cultural invasion of Europe "have an anti-global agenda." Such critics have "no understanding of the benefits that globalisation brings also from a cultural point of view," he added."

'via Blog this'

Rachel Maddow's Bad Company - WSJ.com

Rachel Maddow's Bad Company - WSJ.com: "Maddow, of course, has every right to disagree--though given that she rails against corporate free speech from a company-provided stage, her show might be more suitable to Comedy Central."

'via Blog this'

James Taranto: Gen. Helms and the Senator's 'Hold' - WSJ.com

James Taranto: Gen. Helms and the Senator's 'Hold' - WSJ.com: "It's fair to say that Capt. Herrera seems to have a tendency toward sexual recklessness. Perhaps that makes him unsuitable to serve as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. But his accusers acted recklessly too. The presumption that reckless men are criminals while reckless women are victims makes a mockery of any notion that the sexes are equal."

'via Blog this'

Best of the Web Today: We're All Dick Cheney Now - WSJ.com

Best of the Web Today: We're All Dick Cheney Now - WSJ.com: "Obama's message to Democratic partisans is that they were right to distrust the government when Cheney and George W. Bush were in the White House, but they should trust it now that he is. Great, but what about people who aren't Democratic partisans? For many of them, Obama's presence in the White House is a reason to be less trustful of government. And the basis for such distrust is not wholly partisan, given the abuses of power recently revealed at the State Department, Justice Department, Internal Revenue Service and elsewhere."

'via Blog this'

Good news: Obama says NSA spying is “transparent” « Hot Air

Good news: Obama says NSA spying is “transparent” « Hot Air: "According to news out of the State Department, the inspector general process has been actively prevented from doing its job policing agencies. But we’re all supposed to move on with the assurance that Eric Holder is investigating Eric Holder, the IGs will get everything straight, and Obama’s watching over all of it with a trustworthy moral compass. Um, those are the promises that got us here."

'via Blog this'

Moniz: No worries, the DOE is going to keep “aggressively pursuing” more solar energy projects « Hot Air

Moniz: No worries, the DOE is going to keep “aggressively pursuing” more solar energy projects « Hot Air: "I’m talking about the first-world trend of the past decade or so in which governments around the globe have seen fit to make “investments” on behalf of the unwilling consumers of their respective economies, endlessly propping up a technology that consistently fails to compete against more traditional substitutes in the free market."

'via Blog this'

The Rancid Abraham Lincoln–Haters of the Libertarian Right - The Daily Beast

The Rancid Abraham Lincoln–Haters of the Libertarian Right - The Daily Beast: "He contributes to the website LewRockwell.com, the eponymous fever swamp of Lew Rockwell, who is widely suspected of having written Ron Paul's racist newsletters. Rockwell now serves on the board of the new Ron Paul foreign-policy think tank, the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity."

'via Blog this'

North Korea: So, can we have talks with the United States now? « Hot Air

North Korea: So, can we have talks with the United States now? « Hot Air: "Even China, however — North Korea’s biggest diplomatic and financial buddy — is getting a little tired of playing babysitter, apparently. In California last week, President Xi Jinping said he agreed with President Obama on the point of a denuclearized North Korea, and his country is planning to bring it up at their own diplomatic discussions in short order."

'via Blog this'

Best of the Web Today: Moonlight Serenade - WSJ.com

Best of the Web Today: Moonlight Serenade - WSJ.com: "The Krueger speech essentially argues it isn't fair that some rockers are superstars while others aren't, because "luck plays a major role in the rock 'n roll industry." We're willing to believe there's something to that premise. After all, we don't care for Springsteen--we find his voice grating and his lyrics depressing--so we're happy to concede his superstar status is a product of good fortune rather than talent.

But so what? Apparently lots of other people love his music, so he provides his customers with something valuable to them. In other words, he didn't just win the lottery. Does he deserve to be punished for his "luck"? Do his fans deserve for him to be punished?"

'via Blog this'

Did the IRS Fire Holly Paz? | National Review Online

Did the IRS Fire Holly Paz? | National Review Online: "If Paz has indeed been let go, she would be the first employee fired by the IRS in connection with the targeting of conservative groups."

'via Blog this'

Snowden Surrenders Moral Authority With Dangerous Leaks About American, U.K. Spying Techniques | Mediaite

Snowden Surrenders Moral Authority With Dangerous Leaks About American, U.K. Spying Techniques | Mediaite: "What began as an arguably constructive process has devolved into a dangerous one. Snowden’s leaks now threaten American diplomatic and intelligence assets. These are irresponsible and criminal actions. Those who continue to support Snowden’s behavior can no longer rely on the transparency or good government arguments. This is a criminal conspiracy bordering on treason. Whatever moral authority the NSA leaker once enjoyed is now gone and his champions should reconsider their support."

'via Blog this'

Newest Snowden leak: NSA intercepted Russian president’s communications at 2009 G20 summit « Hot Air

Newest Snowden leak: NSA intercepted Russian president’s communications at 2009 G20 summit « Hot Air: "If Snowden managed to find info on NSA’s servers about what the Brits were doing at the G20, did he also manage to find information that would embarrass America’s enemies? If so, is he planning to leak that, or is this one of those very familiar scenarios (again, a la Wikileaks) where top priority is embarrassing western governments, not oppressive governments?"

'via Blog this'

Open borders mob descends on home of Kansas Secretary of State | Twitchy

Open borders mob descends on home of Kansas Secretary of State | Twitchy: "As if trespassing en masse for the lack of a fence and then making demands wasn’t metaphor enough. It’s unclear if Kobach or his wife or four children were home at the time."

'via Blog this'

Gutfeld Rips 'Newsroom' as 'Liberal Fantasy' for Vilifying Tea Party

Gutfeld Rips 'Newsroom' as 'Liberal Fantasy' for Vilifying Tea Party: "He said "whatever fails in reality" is resurrected by "lib land." He then said he was waiting for Hollywood to portray late-term abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell as a "kind, elderly doctor helping the underclass.""

'via Blog this'

5 Hilarious Ways Game Designers Are Messing With Pirates | Cracked.com

5 Hilarious Ways Game Designers Are Messing With Pirates | Cracked.com:
"If, years down the track, you wonder why there are no games like these anymore, and all you get to play is pay-to-play and social games designed to suck money out of your pockets, then the reason will stare back at you in the mirror."

'via Blog this'

WaPo Columnist: Criticism Of Obama’s Potentially Bloody, $100 Million African Safari ‘Misses The Point’ | Mediaite

WaPo Columnist: Criticism Of Obama’s Potentially Bloody, $100 Million African Safari ‘Misses The Point’ | Mediaite: "We “forge relationships” with foreign peoples and their governments by sending our elected representatives to their countries to slaughter their wild fauna? That’s a novel approach."

'via Blog this'

Out Of Bounds: MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts Attacks GOP’er’s Teen Kid For ‘Racist Crap’ That ‘Trickles Down’ From Dad | Mediaite

Out Of Bounds: MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts Attacks GOP’er’s Teen Kid For ‘Racist Crap’ That ‘Trickles Down’ From Dad | Mediaite: "Conveniently unmentioned in this segment on the inappropriate behavior of the progeny of American lawmakers was the news that broke yesterday regarding Sen. Mary Landrieu’s (D-LA) 21-year-old son. Frank Connor Snellings was arrested on Thursday for driving intoxicated, hit-and-run driving, and driving the wrong way down a one-way street – in downtown New Orleans no less."

'via Blog this'

Heather Mac Donald: How to Increase the Crime Rate Nationwide - WSJ.com

Heather Mac Donald: How to Increase the Crime Rate Nationwide - WSJ.com: "The claim ignores the reality that the preponderance of crime perpetrators, and victims, in New York are also minorities. Blacks, for example, constituted 78% of shooting suspects and 74% of all shooting victims in 2012, even though they are less than 23% of the city's population."

'via Blog this'

Politico: “Trust me” not really working for Obama, huh? « Hot Air

Politico: “Trust me” not really working for Obama, huh? « Hot Air: "Obama’s call for trust, patience and near blanket secrecy is increasingly falling on deaf ears in his own party, spurring a backlash among Democrats who say it’s time for the “most transparent president in history” to provide the American people with a comprehensive explanation of a secret program that dragnets most phone records and much of the Internet."

'via Blog this'

Sen. Heitkamp: The Keystone pipeline is like the “Kim Kardashian of energy” « Hot Air

Sen. Heitkamp: The Keystone pipeline is like the “Kim Kardashian of energy” « Hot Air: "The Keystone pipeline proposal is coming from a company from a friendly U.S. ally; said company all too happy to comply with the strictest safety standards; it would transport materials that almost everyone in the U.S. uses everyday; and we as a country are well past due for some serious upgrades to our energy infrastructure."

'via Blog this'

Joe Biden: Let’s face it, Al Gore was elected president of the United States « The Greenroom

Joe Biden: Let’s face it, Al Gore was elected president of the United States « The Greenroom: "No, he wasn’t, as the New York Times eventually made clear. But the point of a political fundraiser is to tell the audience what it wants to hear in exchange for cash, so here’s Biden earning some money for Ed Markey in Boston last night."

'via Blog this'

The NYT wonders: So, what’s up with this warming plateau? « Hot Air

The NYT wonders: So, what’s up with this warming plateau? « Hot Air: "Read on for much more parsing of the facts and excusing of poor policies, but here’s the really important gist: We don’t conclusively know all of the causes and effects of climate change, and we might not even know what we don’t know."

'via Blog this'

Michael Douglas Honored by American Cancer Society After Blaming His Cancer on Oral Sex

Michael Douglas Honored by American Cancer Society After Blaming His Cancer on Oral Sex: "Michael Douglas was honored by the American Cancer Society Monday night only one day after he told The Guardian that his throat cancer was caused by performing oral sex on women."

'via Blog this'

Russia Wants Steven Seagal to be Face of Weapons Industry

Russia Wants Steven Seagal to be Face of Weapons Industry: "Russia is looking at Steven Seagal to be the face of its weapons industry as it guns for first place on the world arms market."

'via Blog this'

Celebrity Fail: Plastic Bag Ban Defeated in California

Celebrity Fail: Plastic Bag Ban Defeated in California: "Celebrities routinely weigh in on political matters, be it the Bradley Manning case or even the presidential elections. Their voices are amplified due to their fame, and sometimes they get their way."

'via Blog this'

Craig Ferguson Tells Bill Maher He's Democratic Party Puppet

Craig Ferguson Tells Bill Maher He's Democratic Party Puppet: "Ferguson: You have to get a sense of autonomy from the, from the, you know, the Borg that controls you - in my case CBS, in your case the Democratic Party.”
Maher quickly grimaced leading Ferguson to add, “Oh it’s a joke, Bill, it’s a joke.” “I don’t mind a joke,” replied Maher, “it’s just not an accurate one.
Maher, with very few exceptions, parrots Democrat talking points better than even paid Obama spokespeople. He just doesn't like to get reminded of that fact."

'via Blog this'

Hollywood Celebs: 'I Am Bradley Manning'

Hollywood Celebs: 'I Am Bradley Manning': "“It’s very hard for a lower-level soldier to turn on his officers and say, ‘There was a war crime here,’” says Stone, a Fidel Castro sympathizer, to the camera."

'via Blog this'

Jon Stewart Accidentally Torches Liberal's 'No Blood for Oil' Iraqi Meme

Jon Stewart Accidentally Torches Liberal's 'No Blood for Oil' Iraqi Meme: "The usual Stewart merriment follows, including a slanted look at the war's consequences that ignored the removal of Hussein, the dawn of free elections in Iraq and the end to the country's torture chambers."

'via Blog this'

Jay Leno Pounces on Latest IRS Scandal News, Draws Huge Applause

Jay Leno Pounces on Latest IRS Scandal News, Draws Huge Applause: "That little dance tape which cost $1,600 to produce might be silly, but when you realize that it was just part of $50 million in entertainment expenses, there is very little to laugh about. (Which is probably why Letterman ignored that point.)"

'via Blog this'