More of the same in Obama’s SOTU; Rubio hits the right notes in GOP response
Toward the beginning of his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Obama said we need a “smarter government,” not a “bigger government.” He then proceeded to request a long wish list of new government programs that make clear that, in his mind, the only smarter government is a bigger one.
So, we would have the federal government providing everything from universal pre-K to a network of manufacturing hubs to rebuilt bridges to refinanced homes — none of which is a bad thing, but also none of which require the involvement of a federal government already well beyond its ability to pay for the things it already tries to do. His assertion that this wish list would not add “a single dime” to the deficit didn’t pass the laugh test, particularly when administration officials after the speech declined to provide cost estimates for the new programs.
One can only guess his proposals won’t add “a single dime” to the deficit because they would, instead, add many billions if not trillions of dollars to it.
But if you missed the speech, fear not. You have heard every thought in it before; it was a pastiche of speeches he’s given over the past four years. I wouldn’t even say last night’s rendition was better than all the other times he’s given it. The only unifying theme was that Washington needs to do more. The only memorable moment came toward the end, when the president employed his familiar cadence of repeating a particular phrase time and again — this time, it was to say the various victims of gun violence he mentioned by name “deserve a vote” on his gun-control proposals. It will have zero effect on policy making. It was campaign-rally, rah-rah stuff.
If you expected anything different, you haven’t been paying attention. If tax dollars are still paying for a White House speechwriter to recycle the same ideas and phrases, then what Americans “deserve” is a refund.
The GOP response from Sen. Marco Rubio was the party’s strongest counter-argument yet during the Obama presidency. If you missed it, you might not see much about it in the news beyond the (admittedly awkward) moment during the middle of it when a clearly parched Rubio reached quickly for a bottle of water. As someone said on Twitter at the time — I lost track of exactly who it was — that’s largely a function of how a speech given to a camera is inherently inferior to one given to a live audience, during which the speaker can pause during applause to take a quick swig. Rubio’s Water(bottle)gate was but the latest reminder of that fact, which has dogged SOTU respondents from both parties for years now.
Those who can look past that moment will find the reasons Republicans are so excited about Rubio as a future presidential candidate. He makes the case for conservative principles with illustrations, and from angles, that are necessary to cast them in their proper light: as principles that can boost Americans of all backgrounds and income levels. This was a case Mitt Romney did not, and perhaps could not, make effectively. Rubio is obviously fluent in conservative ideals and language in a way that neither Romney not John McCain was. His ethnicity is icing on the cake.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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403 comments Add your comment
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
8:30 pm
Compared to my childhood, it’s definitely warmer overall,
I base my opinion on it getting warmer on what I’ve seen in my own lifetime, what my grandparents told me (they were born in the 1890’s-1900’s) and reading family diaries from the mid 19th century. The common thread all the way through is that it’s not as cold as it used to be. I’ve read a diary from about 1859-60, where a snow is mentioned as “a big snow like we used to get”. The same man also killed hogs, most anytime of the year. By the early 20th century, that was curtailed to mainly in the fall. If I was going to do it now, I’d probably wait for the dead of winter.
And, of course, we do have the historical record of 1816 “the Year without a Summer” and the “Little Ice Age” app 1300-1850.
Del
February 13th, 2013
8:32 pm
Good to see that the comments on Kyles blog keeps up with numbskulls next door.
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
8:33 pm
Bruno @ 7:30 pm
You are not only an ignorant, as you have shown in the discussion of global warming, but quite clearly also a hypocrite, as you have demonstrated now and before. Just wallow in both.
md
February 13th, 2013
8:34 pm
Read some here, but take it with a grain of salt as well, and then follow up with Dr Curry on her Georgia Tech site as she has quite a few posts on climate change and posts in reaction to this article.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2055191/Scientists-said-climate-change-sceptics-proved-wrong-accused-hiding-truth-colleague.html
I’ve done a bit of research on the article over the months and think it is slanted toward the skeptic position, but one can use it to find all kind of information relating to the “pause” in warming, the variables that for the most part are assumed and various other avenues that should give one a chance to challenge their “beliefs”…..
Or one can go along their merry way and skip on through life believing everything they see and hear……..vs the old adage of believe none of what you hear and half of what you see.
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
8:35 pm
Aquagirl
I completely agree you should always be cynical but there’s a point where cynicism turns into crazy.
I agree with that, but for everyone who is crazy cynical, there are 3 or 4, who are lazy gullible. Too many just hear enough experts talking about settled science (oxymoron) and then we hear “they say” everyone agrees that man made GW is real.
Lack of intellectual curiosity trumps cynicism unfortunately. No one knows for sure what is happening with the warming, and those who admit that we need much more studies and observations are the ones on the right course.
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
8:44 pm
I agree with Hillbilly and Bruno that it is not as cold now as it was when I was a child. BUT, that doesn’t mean squat. Someone smarter than me once said we made the mistake of believing that history started the day you were born, and the only place on earth is where you live.
Yes, it may be warmer here, but at the same time, it has been one of the coldest winters ever in Russia and China. No one talks about that, just the usual discussion about how warm it has been where we live.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
8:54 pm
This is why you should always be skeptical of what the libs believe -
Global warming causing Antarctic ice to expand
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
8:54 pm
or everyone who is crazy cynical, there are 3 or 4, who are lazy gullible.
Unfortunately you’re saddled with folks who cite Daily Mail articles on the denalist side, so you might want to withdraw your assertion global warming is accepted due to excessive laziness and gullibility.
Climatologists are certainly qualified to speak on the matter and there is a general consensus reached through the scientific process. I honestly think you are too intelligent to think genuine scientific discussion means “well, we ain’t that sure.” People who wave that around are either ignorant of how science works or being deliberately obtuse.
Now I’m gonna leave this discussion and turn up my heater ’cause it’s cold.
I’ll leave you the last word if you want it, and buenos noches.
md
February 13th, 2013
8:54 pm
This graph shows that the trend of the last decade is absolutely flat, with no increase at all – though the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have carried on rising relentlessly.
‘This is nowhere near what the climate models were predicting,’ Prof Curry said. ‘Whatever it is that’s going on here, it doesn’t look like it’s being dominated by CO2.’
“In fact, she added, in the wake of the unexpected global warming standstill, many climate scientists who had previously rejected sceptics’ arguments were now taking them much more seriously.
They were finally addressing questions such as the influence of clouds, natural temperature cycles and solar radiation – as they should have done, she said, a long time ago.”
Dr Curry has also written several posts about the ongoing validity of our monitoring stations and then brings up the excellent point that we are comparing data to stations from the early 1900’s, which we all know were top notch state of the art machines (sarc)……….
md
February 13th, 2013
8:59 pm
“Unfortunately you’re saddled with folks who cite Daily Mail articles on the denalist side, so you might want to withdraw your assertion global warming is accepted due to excessive laziness and gullibility. ”
That’s good for a laugh…..instead of reading the article and doing more research as I suggested BECAUSE OF the source Aquagirl takes the lazy way out and just poo poos the source.
Now that is funny……..you can do better than that Aqua, or not….your choice.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:00 pm
MarkV: You are not only an ignorant, as you have shown in the discussion of global warming, but quite clearly also a hypocrite, as you have demonstrated now and before. Just wallow in both.
MarkV–If you follow my posts, my blog friendships have nothing to do with political views. Some of my best e-friends have been flaming liberals, and some of my worst e-enemies have been conservatives. My dislike and mistreatment of you is based strictly on the fact that you’re a jerk. You don’t have an ability to think on your own, yet are quick to vilify anyone who doesn’t buy your pre-packaged conclusions.
Rafe: Someone smarter than me once said we made the mistake of believing that history started the day you were born, and the only place on earth is where you live.
Someone even smarter than that once said that all politics is local. BTW, very refreshing to hear your attitude toward Science. Richard Feynman would be proud. If you haven’t read it, his biography, entitled “Genius”, is extremely interesting. The author, James Gleick, took the time to familiarize himself with the Physics in order to tell more of the real story.
http://www.amazon.com/Genius-Life-Science-Richard-Feynman/dp/0679747044/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360807162&sr=8-1&keywords=richard+feynmann+genius
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
9:01 pm
Discussion reminded me of some expert who was explaining how these warming/cooling cycles have known average durations and that the warm cycle is finishing and we are moving to a cooling period. I found this is Forbes, different expert cited but same theory.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterferrara/2012/05/31/sorry-global-warming-alarmists-the-earth-is-cooling/
Central to these natural cycles is the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). Every 25 to 30 years the oceans undergo a natural cycle where the colder water below churns to replace the warmer water at the surface, and that affects global temperatures by the fractions of a degree we have seen. The PDO was cold from the late 1940s to the late 1970s, and it was warm from the late 1970s to the late 1990s, similar to the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO).
In 2000, the UN’s IPCC predicted that global temperatures would rise by 1 degree Celsius by 2010. Was that based on climate science, or political science to scare the public into accepting costly anti-industrial regulations and taxes?
Don Easterbrook, Professor Emeritus of Geology at Western Washington University, knew the answer. He publicly predicted in 2000 that global temperatures would decline by 2010. He made that prediction because he knew the PDO had turned cold in 1999, something the political scientists at the UN’s IPCC did not know or did not think significant.
Seems to me we are far from understanding exactly what is the truth about global warming.
md
February 13th, 2013
9:01 pm
And aqua, if you end up doing the research and happen to stumble on Dr Curry’s website, you may notice that she states that she made all those statements in The Mail article……imagine that.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:02 pm
I honestly think you are too intelligent to think genuine scientific discussion means “well, we ain’t that sure.” People who wave that around are either ignorant of how science works or being deliberately obtuse.
Aquagirl–As surprising as it may be to you, that’s often the most honest answer.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:06 pm
Rafe @ 9:01–In addition to the regular oceanic cycles, there are also long-term cycles involving the sun that we don’t fully understand either. As I’m sure you’re well aware, the leap from “correlation” to “causation” is a large one, and always subject to revision.
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
9:07 pm
Bruno
I used to work for a guy who used to get flustered because he said I answered any question he asked with either yes, no, or I don’t know.
md
February 13th, 2013
9:08 pm
Interesting that you mention PDO’s and AMO’s Rafe:
http://judithcurry.com/2012/10/14/pause-discussion-thread/
Which is also where Aqua can find the truth….
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
9:10 pm
Air is the name given to the atmosphere used in breathing and photosynthesis. Dry air contains roughly (by volume) 78.09% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.039% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases.
Just think about that for a minute.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:17 pm
Which is also where Aqua can find the truth….
Unfortunately, md, there are none so blind as those who refuse to see. Aqua and many others here (all Libs, coincidentally), have clearly stated that they trust the “experts”, and aren’t going to look into anything on their own. Which is their right, of course. I just wish they would show a little more respect to those who do have legitimate questions. Pretty humorous that the same crowd liked to claim that the skeptics just don’t know anything about Science. As I get older, I’m doing better at accepting life’s little ironies that way.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:18 pm
Just think about that for a minute.
Pass me some air, will you, Aesop??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ_DPL0WgZM
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:20 pm
Air…Air
Hit me in the face
I run faster
(faster, faster, faster, faster)
Faster into the air
(I say to myself)
What is happening to my skin?
Where is that protection that I needed?
Air can hurt you too
Air can hurt you too
Some people say not to worry about the air
Some people never had experience with…
Air…Air
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
9:32 pm
You also have to remember the liberal scare mongering over DDT, which was then banned and with the resulting ban accounting for the deaths of over 1 million Africans. From mosquito born malaria.
Listen to them at your own risk.
Heh, I always laugh at the warnings required to be included in the instructions of product manufacturers, by the liberals, because us simple people would never be able to figure them out on our own. Don’t blow dry your hair in the bath tub. Don’t let your child play with plastic bags. Drinking gasoline can lead to harmful side effects. Make sure there are no small pets inside of the dishwasher before you start the wash cycle.
I mean really. Who truly needs the adult supervision other than the liberals?
Beware of what the liberals recommend because it may cause the deaths of millions, and they couldn’t care less. That’s a warning we should all heed.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:44 pm
Heh, I always laugh at the warnings required to be included in the instructions of product manufacturers, by the liberals, because us simple people would never be able to figure them out on our own.
I think it has more to do with attempting to feign off frivolous lawsuits, which is likely futile.
Just for you, Aesop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bKW7JkHKm8
Everyone is trying to get to the bar.
The name of the bar, the bar is called heaven.
The band in heaven plays my favorite song.
They play it once again, they play it all night long.
Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.
Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:47 pm
Ooops, meant to say “fend off”. Must be some kind of Freudian slip there…..
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
9:51 pm
Bruno @9:00 pm
“If you follow my posts, my blog friendships have nothing to do with political views.”
Bruno,
Now you are proving you have hardly any mind left at all. In all my discussion with you about global warming I have never accused you of basing you arguments on politics.
You are the one who has shown no ability to think. You have not made a single rational argument for your opinions, other than referring to another scientist. You have exhibited a hypocrisy by accusing people of the sins you have been committing.
Most of all, you are a bragger. You have such a high opinion of yourself that you do not see that you are making a fool of yourself, again and again.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:56 pm
Special for the Libs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9CjnDufqeQ
Some civil servants are just like my loved ones
They work so hard and they try to be strong
I’m a lucky guy to live in my building
They own the buildings to help them along
It’s over there, it’s over there
My building has every convenience
It’s gonna make life easy for me
It’s gonna be easy to get things done
I will relax along with my loved ones
Sailfish
February 13th, 2013
9:58 pm
“Good to see that the comments on Kyles blog keeps up with numbskulls next door.”"
That’s because half of the traffic likes to cross the street: both kyle and jay are more clever than their opponents (critics) think. It’s always right in front of you, just like that fastball and when you do make contact? Sweet!
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
10:02 pm
One thing you need to remember, over 75% of the comments posted on kookman’s blog are completely mindless, such as anything kamwhack has to say.
Sailfish
February 13th, 2013
10:08 pm
aesop@10:02
Interesting….what makes you think you’re any better? Perception versus reality it’s a gas, gas, gas!
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
10:17 pm
Just for you, sailfish:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TcztyNlFx0
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
10:30 pm
Another sailing song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6M4wsU6VJU
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
10:34 pm
One of the most powerful sailing songs ever by the Beach Boys. One of their best songs, IMO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQOaLP-qPmk
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
10:34 pm
A little blues, a little country and a good bit of jazz/swing, all in the same song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz_D_52JmAk
Sailfish
February 13th, 2013
10:39 pm
bruno
Thanks, much obliged but……I’ve always hated that song! One time I was announcing a high school ball game and doing the music between innings and rockin, our guys were up 6 to 1. The athletic director comes over and gives me that song to play, I just stared at him and said ” I can’t play that song, it’s gay!” He said play it! Our side was on the field and we couldn’t get an out, one of those really long innings and they tied the game. Fortunately, before we batted I played some stevie ray vaughn “the house is a rockin”, our karma returned and we sealed the deal!
No styx at ballgames please..it ought to be a law!
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
10:39 pm
For sailing songs I was always partial to this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtxmgBYlrTs
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
10:44 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X57zvtaOlvE#t=1m10s
md
February 13th, 2013
10:51 pm
“Unfortunately, md, there are none so blind as those who refuse to see. Aqua and many others here (all Libs, coincidentally), have clearly stated that they trust the “experts”, and aren’t going to look into anything on their own.”
Which is interesting in it’s own right as Dr Curry is a professor and Chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Guess one doesn’t have to be an expert to hold that esteemed position over at Tech huh…..
md
February 13th, 2013
11:03 pm
From my younger days, this was “mellow” sailing……
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX0SWdNrZho
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
11:07 pm
I just stared at him and said ” I can’t play that song, it’s gay!” He said play it!
LMFAO @ sailfish.
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
11:13 pm
A few times, I’ve had people ask me, “Do you think Elvis was really that good?”. My answer, “Try to sing this song and then you tell me”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CMlYVu9J4g
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
11:15 pm
A little blues, a little country and a good bit of jazz/swing, all in the same song.
HD–You trying to build me back up with “This Ol’ Cowboy” ??
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
11:21 pm
From my younger days, this was “mellow” sailing……
Maybe we are from the same era, md. “Trick of the Tail” was one of the most played albums at my house.
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
11:23 pm
Trick of the Tail and And Then There Were Three were the two best Genesis albums for my money…………..
And this song isn’t from either. It ain’t even Genesis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an-RGj46xPU&feature=related
md
February 13th, 2013
11:24 pm
Lots of Genesis at my house, and my folks hated it……
I’m out.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
11:29 pm
Trick of the Tail and And Then There Were Three were the two best Genesis albums for my money…………..
No argument there, although “The Wind and the Wuthering” was good also. On their later albums, they might have only one or two good songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLOPj4LlrCg
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
11:34 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RSK1JIb62c
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
11:42 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUFw5Qi0pjU
Time to say goodnight.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
11:47 pm
Thanks, HD. Great close out song.
The Kid
February 13th, 2013
11:52 pm
To hear these clowns trumpet Bushs’ budget adds to the Repub. hypocrisy. The Bush/Cheney wars were left off the books. Even us elementary students knew that. As for Rubio; everything he’s against(medicare, government assistance on school loans, S.S.I.,etc); he and his family were beneficiaries of.
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