Pejman tries to talk sense to Andrew Sullivan. Just the latest example of why I delinked him years ago. And I agree that the word “neocon,” if it ever had any use, does no longer, except as a mindless epithet.
Category Archives: Political Commentary
Pork In The Beehive
My thoughts on the Utah delegation’s selective fiscal conservatism, when it comes to NASA, over at PJM.
[Update a few minutes later]
Bobby Block and Mark Matthews have a story on the latest twist in space policy, about Lockmart’s proposal to test fly Orion on a Delta IV. The Utah porkers are still at it:
“I hate to see different entities try to cannibalize the process,” said U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, R- Utah, a staunch supporter of his state’s solid-rocket industry. “There is money to move forward on [a heavy-lift rocket using solid-rocket motors], as well as the capsule, as long as NASA budgets its money wisely and doesn’t waste it on wild goose chases.”
…In meetings last week, Bishop told NASA chief Charlie Bolden he was concerned that NASA was dragging its feet transitioning from Constellation to the new heavy-lift program that ensured a role for Utah’s solid-rocket motor industry. Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch said he called the meeting “to explain in no uncertain terms the Utah congressional delegation’s interest in ensuring that Utah’s solid-rocket motor industry is protected.”
You know what’s a “wild goose chase”? Expecting to get an affordable or sustainable program with an expensive, monopolistic NASA-developed vehicle from legacy hardware. You have to give Orrin Hatch points for honesty, though.
The Miss TSA
…pinup calendar. I’m not sure whether or not this is safe for work.
Hillary Must Step Down
So says Jack Shafer. The question is, if the leaks have really compromised her to the point that she can no longer be effective as SecState, is she still a viable presidential candidate?
On The Mindless Tribalism
…of The Nation:
It’s possible that not all of the magazine’s archives are online, or that the search engine didn’t pick up every example. But hey, I at least made the effort, which is more than we can say for vanden Heuvel. Even if I missed a few, I think my point is made: Libertarians have been out in front on this issue from the start. And contra vanden Heuvel and Ames/Levine, not only was libertarian criticism not muted when a Republican occupied the White House, during that time libertarian journalists, wonks, and pundits did a damned sight better job covering TSA abuses, inefficacy, and theatrics than the The Nation.
The mindless criticism of the Koch brothers by those funded by George Soros is also simultaneously amusing and infuriating.
The Latest Lurio Report
…is out. Clark Lindsey has the T of C. If you’re interested in what’s going on with commercial human spaceflight, and you don’t subscribe, you should.
Freezing Federal Pay
It’s a nice gesture, but a drop in the barrel in terms of savings. We need to be much more radical.
Good Question On Wikileaks
From Jonah:
Is there any prominent person or editorial board (outside of the administration) on the left who made a huge stink about Valerie Plame’s outing who is remotely as horrified by the ongoing Wikileaks travesty?
The outrage is indeed selective.
What I want to know is why Wikileaks can’t get its hands on Obama’s college transcripts. Apparently, there are some secrets that the administration can keep.
[Update a couple minutes later]
Michael Ledeen actually kind of likes the leaks. Well, some of them are damaging to the terrorists. And it’s nice to see that the administration and State Department aren’t as utterly clueless in private as they are in public.
Another Mole To Whack
Here’s yet another fact-free and logic-free “conservative” critique of the new space policy, this time over at Human Events. It’s got it all.
Claims that NASA funding is going to be diverted from space exploration to climate change? Check.
Claims that NASA funding is going to be diverted from space exploration to Muslim self esteem? Check.
Assertion that we cannot get back to the moon without a heavy-lift vehicle? Check.
Nonsensical allusions to the Columbus/Isabella metaphor? Check.
Nonsensical claims about spin-off, including Tang? You got it.
I suppose I should see if I can rebut over there.
Unrepentent
Thoughts on freeing Lori Berenson. She can rot there, for all I care (maybe give her Joran Van Der Sloot for a roomie — sociopaths deserve each other). But someone needs to take care of her kid.