Thursday Night News & Notes

Since Thursday is the new Friday, I'm sipping on a Hacker Pschorr Weisse and looking at some interesting things to post.

Here's what's up:

-I only watch ESPN for the games, I turn it off for Sports Center, and interviews and, well, anything besides what happens between the lines on the ice, court or field. Their lefty slant is nothing news, hell they hired and fired Keith Olbermann several times but the Limbaugh thing, the Schilling thing and myriad other instances sent me packing. At least they admitting they lean left now.

Examples:

There have also been concrete actions that have created a perception that ESPN has chosen a political side, such as awarding Caitlyn Jenner the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2015 ESPYS despite her not having competed athletically for decades, the company’s decision to move a golf tournament away from a club owned by presidential candidate Donald Trump and a perceived inequity in how punishments for controversial statements were meted out.

-All the really, really really smart pundits (smarter than you, just ask them) said that Trump was going to lose because he was disorganized and ran a horrible campaign. He had no "ground game" and Hillary had been setting up her ground game for years. Yeah, whatever dicks, he won using that one tool that helps everyone succeed: hard work.

-Sen. Orrin Hatch says that the GOP will not get rid of the filibuster. People will freak out about that but I caution them that we will not hold power forever. Just as Obama said the infamous words "I won" and then proceeded to expand his portion of the checks and balances system at an alarming rate, we have to be careful here because getting rid of the filibuster allow the next president with a senate of 50 or more to ravage the country with bad legislation. Note: Yes I did link the Huffington Post but only because they got the quote and it's only fair...but yes, I need a shower now.

-ICE and the Border Patrol are going to have a really tough few years ahead of them.

-Oh Sweden, I love you even though you are insane.

-Hillary is not looking good. Even more reason that Trump should bring charges then pardon her after they show she was guilty.

-Mark Steyn is always worth a read and his take on the reaction of the left after Trump's win is spot on.

-Finally, one of my inspirations for writing this blog is still going strong. He's an Aussie and a funny one at that. I recommend a look at Tim Blair's daily.

We Did Say Global Warming Was a Stealth Redistribution Plan

Anyone paying even semi-attention knows that the Great Global Warming Swindle was about nothing more that a covert plan to redistribute people's hard-earned money to politicians. Hell, I've been writing that for the last eight years on this blog (officially tomorrow).

As if we needed more proof, we have this:

Successive federal governments have spent more than $5.5 billion over the past decade on climate change programs that are delivering only small reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at unusually high costs for taxpayers and the economy.

It’s all been for exactly nothing. The precise cost of the 17 programs analysed is $5.62 billion, which equals the pre-tax average annual wages of nearly 90,000 Australians – every cent of it blown to hell.

And that's just lightly populated Australia. Worldwide, I'd imagine that number is multiplied a thousand times and all for nothing. Meanwhile, we still no clear science showing that it's actually happening.

Oh well, at least Al Gore made his hypocritical billion dollars and can allegedly assault massage therapist's at his leisure.

Tuesday Night News and Notes

On the road again.

Here's what's news:

-Uber liber Richard Cohen asks: "What if Cheney's right?" He better make sure his car is not known by any of the nutroots considering this blasphemy.

-Black couple pledges to only buy from blacks. A similar stunt by whites would be racist.

-Pelosi may just be on her way out. Hit bottom, stop digging Nan.

-Blair's site is a year old. A good one at that.

-Pic at right of my boy catching in a tourney this weekend in the Poconos, PA.

Australia Suffering Massive Fires

I'm currently in my former town of San Diego--a place that has seen it's share of recent wildfires.

This time it's not in California, it's Australia and it's a nightmare.

This picture gives a bit of the scope:


My prayers to those affected and those who have the job of fighting it.

Keep up with Tim Blair as he's noting any new news.

Gender Correctness

Yes, it's a fact that this site is 88% manly.

Tim Blair...er, uh, nevermind. I'm not sure what a "nancy" is, but...er, nevermind.

Maureen Dowd Is More Condescending Than Ever

Jeez. Read this and tell me that noted elitist MoDo is not the most solipsistic and downright creepy writer (save Andrew Sullivan) putting pen to paper today.

Particularly nice is the black mailman rebuffing her and her actually writing about it.

More here.

Via Tim Blair.

An Aussie Invasion

Tim Blair is making his way to the states again:

I’m headed for the election excitement in friendly Chicago, where respected Midwestern political authority Iowahawk will join me in a frenzy of change, belief, community organising and rampant wealth redistribution. Posts to commence shortly – and please read this Saturday’s Daily Telegraph for your complete Ayers-to-Zogby US election primer.

Tim should feel free to vote while in Chicago as the election laws we have have been greatly relaxed--but only if you're an Obama supporter. When they try to question you about your selection of McCain instead of The One, just start saying things like "vegemite" and start talking about cricket and you should have them confused enough that they'll allow you to continue.

Update: Better yet Tim, just say "...that's the Chicago way" like Sean Connery in The Untouchables. Most Americans don't know a Scottish accent from an Australian accent anyway

Tim Blair is Back

And busting on those who deserve it.

Welcome back, buddy and take it easy getting back in the swing. Politics can get ones blood pressure up so ease back into it.

Go read the post-cancer, bloggy goodness.

Jetlag Blogging

In San Diego and happy to be here in the city I lived in for ten years.

Early flight and three time zones, so I decided not to post until I can actually use the brain some. Most would of course argue that it never stopped me posting before but I digress.

Good news however, Tim Blair lives...well, at least his arm does.

Happy Australia Day

To my friends down under: enjoy the day. I've been there only once for three glorious days but fell in love with the great land immediately.

As a side note, no news on Tim Blair of late, here's to hoping his recovery is progressing as quickly and pain free as possible.

History of the holiday here and here.

Good News For Tim Blair

Glenn Reynolds has an unconfirmed report that Tim Blair is out of surgery and the news is good. No word when the self-described "cancer free part" of him will be going home. More when more news is available.

Update: The word came from a commenter on his blog.

Tim Blair Explains More About The Cancer

In what has to be one of Tim's best essays in a while, he explains a tough couple of months with the humor we'd expect:

Now, rectal exams remain an issue with men, who are urged to submit once we turn 50 and commence our bowel cancer years.

I'm here to tell you - they aren't so bad. The trick is to focus on something distracting while the procedure is under way.

Like, for example, the sturdy handle on the wall next to the specialist's exam table. It's fascinating. Why is it there? It seems entirely redund . . . OH MY GOD WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED JESUS CHRIST SOMEONE HAS PARKED A FREAKING BUS UP ME!

That would be the sigmoidoscope, an intimate and determined examination device. Which explains the handle.

I think Tim knows just how many people care about his well-being and he's going to grab this cancer thing and kick its ass or arse as the Aussies are wont to say.

Good News For Tim Blair

The worldwide outpouring of support may have had the desired effect:

*WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE* Results of Monday’s CAT scan are in. There is no spread of the malignancy; zip, zero, zilch. It’s entirely localised. Medical science may disagree, but I think credit should go to readers and fellow bloggers. Your thoughts and prayers have eerie powers.

Massive thanks to all.

Man, the blogosphere has more power than even I thought.

Good news.

Rallying for Tim Blair

Those of you who have read this blog even part time over the last five years know that the man who inspired me to start this blog is Tim Blair. Hell, there are times that I have no clue what he's talking about when dealing with Aussie domestic issues but he's hilarious and his style of writing is one I've tried to aspire to (unsuccessfully but I'm still trying).

Tim revealed today that he has been diagnosed with cancer and that he faces surgery and an extended hospital stay:

Feeling poorly for some time. Saw a doctor a few weeks ago, who sent me to a specialist, who booked me into hospital for tests.

It’s cancer.

Major abdominal surgery next week. If all goes well, the remaining non-cancerous section of me will be home by early-mid February. No idea yet how long a full recovery might take beyond then. Medical advice is very positive, but that wouldn’t count for much in the absence of care and love from family and friends. I’ve been overwhelmed. I’m lucky.

Luckier than I ever knew.

Not just from your immediate family Tim, you have your world-wide family who care for you deeply.

The thing about reading a writers blog as opposed to their essays in a paper is that you get a feeling for the persons personality by reading them on a blog. Tim always struck me as a guy I'd like to have several Victoria Bitter's with.

Say a prayer for Tim if you're so inclined or just keep a good thought in your head if your not the religious type. We've made astounding progress in cancer treatment and research over the last two decades and it sounds as though Tim's prognosis is good.

Good luck, friend.