Ruminations – 3feb2014 (updated 4feb14)

George Rebane

Just a couple of observations from the other side of the tipping point.  The collectivist grip on our lives gets tighter by the day.

Local leftwingers will demonstrate against the XL Keystone pipeline reports the 3feb14 Union.  The usual suspects from the Nevada County Climate Change Coalition (NC-CCC), coordinating with CREDO, Rainforest Action Network, the Sierra Club and 350.org are inviting like-minded pilgrims to join them at 5pm this afternoon at Sutton and Brunswick with candles and song.  Their claims of the pipeline becoming a “huge source of carbon pollution” is on its merits insane, yet that condition is one which we can freely exhibit any time we want in this fair land.

The big concern of the looney left legion of Obama followers is that Fearless Leader is running out of excuses to delay building the pipeline.  The factual basis for their opposition has been missing in action for years.  But for these folks that is the least of their concerns which focus mainly on moving America into concordance with Agenda21 objectives which cannot be attained or implemented in an environment of affordable energy.  And now you can join in, just bring your candle and dress warmly.

Apropos to this is the latest report from Europe.  Manhattan Institute senior fellow Robert Bryce tells us (here) that “while renewables subsidies have punished Europe, shale gas has cut US emissions.”  The EU has already put paid to the Big Lie about green energy creating millions of new green jobs (Obama promised 5M new jobs in the US alone).  Now the Europeans are discovering that their energy costs have gone through the roof with all their renewable projects and subsidies.  They are pulling the plug on these as fast as they can, and hope it’s not too late to save their manufacturing sector which is becoming more uncompetitive by the day.  Germany is returning to the massive use of coal as its green energy projects collapse under mounting costs, while it continues to decommission its nuclear power plants.

Meanwhile, the abundance of natural gas has allowed the US to cut carbon emissions by almost 11% over the last eight years, while EU with their massive green programs has failed to achieve a 10% reduction, and has reaped high unemployment in the wake of its mandated madness.  Now they are doing their best to roll back to a cheaper energy configuration before they pauper their economies.  And don’t tell anyone, but China increased its carbon emissions by 4X of Germany’s total emissions in 2012 alone, and that coal fired choo-choo train ain’t slowing down.

Our own social engineers are also busy on many fronts.  The worthies at the Federal Trade Commission are in the process of passing regulations that will now involve them in the design of your new Apple iPad.  Why?  Well, it turns out that some little darlins are ordering all kinds of apps on their parents’ pads without their parents’ permission.  So, instead of having people rein in their kids, they have complained to the feds about the government’s need to get in there and do something that will make life more miserable for the rest of us so that they can continue to either ignore their issue, or focus on dispensing self-esteem to their little bastards (I use the term ‘bastard’ in its formal and probabilistic sense, given the nation’s rate of government promoted illegitimate births, and the likelihood of which homes the preponderance of such problems may arise).  More here.

Let’s end this with a real knee slapper.  It seems that the People’s Republic of Vermont will now impose international maple syrup standards on its iconic industry comprised of hundreds (thousands?) of small maple syrup makers all across the state (more here).  Some of these folks are multi-generational boutique producers who have their own special recipes that give their product distinct flavors enjoyed by customers over the decades.  Well, that makes no never mind with the central planners in Montpelier who, of course, know better.  No matter that some Vermonters are willing to mount the barricades on this latest government overreach, the bureaucrats just announced that everyone will have until next January to toe the mark or face fines.  And you know what happens if you think you’re still a free citizen, minding your own business, and don’t want to pay the fine.  (Some still wonder why every other government bureau, department, and administration is now packing heat, and even setting up SWAT teams.)

[4feb14 update]  No 'Celebrate America Day' at Ft Collins High School in Colorado (here).  Why?  Because it might cause distress for immigrant students attending the school according to the school's administration.  Now why in the world would it do that for either legal immigrants or illegal aliens here to become American citizens?  This is perhaps the most stupid shit thing I have heard coming out of the mouths of progressives who sentiments toward America today are more than suspect - Agenda21 über alles!  In the America I grew up in, such administrators would have been out of a job before the sun set, and never be allowed anywhere near where American children were being educated.  As you can tell, I am pissed.

Comments

[Russell]

What “huge source of carbon pollution”. . . Paul Driessen a senior policy analyst for the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow writes "that tar sands production would add a minuscule 0.06% to US greenhouse gas emissions, a tiny fraction of that amount to global carbon dioxide emissions, and an undetectable 0.00002 deg F (0.00001 C) per year to useless computer-model scenarios for global warming."

I have linked to Paul's Essay at Sierra Foothill Commentary.

[Russ Steele]

I have written about the EU Fleeing Going Green at Sierra Foothill Commentary.
Our political leaders and local bloggers often pointed to Europe, recommending that California follow the EU example. Now that the EU is fleeing going green to save their economy, now you would think that California Leaders would recommending California follow the EU example again. Oh wait, that does not fit Agenda 21 objectives.

[Bonnie McGuire]

I don't know how true it is but relatives in Wyoming claim their state is doing well because of its oil, coal and gas production. Therefore it's hard not to think the anti-oil grant consuming activists and leaders of America don't want our economy to improve.

[Ben Emery]

Truly clueless George but I wouldn't expect anything different.

[Michael R. Kesti]

Completely without class, Ben...

[fish]

Truly clueless George but I wouldn't expect anything different.

As am I in this instance.....what's todays beef? Georges dismay at the imposition of maple syrup standards upsetting someone in the black community?

[Bill Tozer]

No worries. I get my maple syrup from Canada when I visit that uninhabited country. Go Maple Leafs. I always wondered why we just don't take the plunge and buy Canada. Their immigrants are highly educated and speak English. Well, guess we don't need to buy the French parts, just the rest of Canada. :)

[Walt]

Yup,, the Germans have given solar and wind the middle finger, and said,
" Screwin zee THIS!" They are going back to coal.
Anyone see the video of the last oil train derailment? See the fireball from
ONE crude oil tank car when it cooked off? That's some potent stuff! Which equates to less refining time.
The anti-pipeline folk never get the real priorities right. Do they really prefer to see train wrecks that REALLY mess things up? ( environmentally speaking) Warren Buffet makes plenty off each shipment.( Your top LIB 1%er)
But since he's a LIB money man,, that's "OK". ONLY conservative "rich guys"
are in Libby.
Now get this through your noggin anti pipeliners. Stopping the XL going through the U.S. isn't going to stop Can. from extracting that oil. ( ECO LIB plan at the core) China and Russia will be more than happy to take it off their hands.
BTW.. Canada DID "drill their way to prosperity".

What's real funny is "O" taking credit for our "oil and gas boom". Hardly a drop has come from FED or state lands. It's all private property the goods are coming from.
That's the greatness of the American people. No matter how many roadblocks government throws up, they sally forth and stick it to government oppression.

[George Rebane]

Walt 102pm - And moreover Walt, we recall that none of the oil production Obama's crowing about was enabled by his administration. It was all put in place under Bush2.

[Russ Steele]

Internment Camps In Our Future - Scalia

Justice Antonin Scalia predicts that the Supreme Court will eventually authorize another a wartime abuse of civil rights such as the internment camps for Japanese-Americans during World War II.

"You are kidding yourself if you think the same thing will not happen again," Scalia told the University of Hawaii law school while discussing Korematsu v. United States, the ruling in which the court gave its imprimatur to the internment camps.

The local Associated Press report quotes Scalia as using a Latin phrase that means "in times of war, the laws fall silent," to explain why the court erred in that decision and will do so again.

"That's what was going on — the panic about the war and the invasion of the Pacific and whatnot," Scalia said. "That's what happens. It was wrong, but I would not be surprised to see it happen again, in time of war. It's no justification but it is the reality."

And who would the government thugs be interning this time -- Conservatives? Tea Party Members? Gun Owners?