Bill Whittle isn’t happy. But he hasn’t given up.
Born Yesterday
So the administration would have us believe that only after the election was the president told by the FBI that an investigation with possible national-security implications — involving no less than the director of the Central Intelligence Agency — has been going on since the summer. We’re also to believe that the director’s resignation after the election and before congressional hearings on Benghazi is purely coincidental. Not only that, but when the most powerful man in the world learned of the attack on our consulate in Benghazi, he immediately ordered that everything be done to secure all personnel at the site — but apparently, everyone ignored him. So he did what any commander in chief would do under such circumstances — he went to bed.
Yes, they really do think we’re that stupid.
Well, unfortunately, it appears that a little over half of us are.
“To My Concerned Fans”
A longish, but worthwhile message from Sarah Hoyt, on the politics of SF writers.
Larry Correia isn’t going to take any more, either.
Telomere Length And Aging
There seems to be a correlation.
So what’s cause, and what’s effect, or are they both effects of some other cause?
Also, how much does it cost to determine one’s telomere length? And what are the prospects for increasing it, if that is indeed helpful?
It’s The Frontier, Stupid
Charles Miller explains the only real reason to spend money on human spaceflight. But it has to be economically sustainable, something that NASA’s approach has never been.
“Stalin Porn”
…from Oliver Stone. I wish I were surprised.
Nazi Tank Manuals
Are surprisingly entertaining. Who knew?
Simon Jester
…is back. And just in time.
The Saturn V
Explained as only Randall Munroe can.
I would note (as always) that the vast majority of the mass of that vehicle is propellants, that could be delivered to space on much smaller vehicles.
The Makers And The Takers
…and the forgotten men and women:
Now, before you say something in your comments you’ll regret — or should regret — this is not to endorse the freedom-killing and economy-destroying solutions of the left, which only create a nation of rulers and dependents. Barack Obama has been a disaster for the poor and the working class and, I believe, will continue to be so. But to pat a worker on the head with your cigar hand and say, basically, “Don’t worry, little man, an unfettered market lifts everyone,” is not going to win you his confidence or his vote. Reagan never did that. (Read the excellent WaPo piece by AEI’s Henry Olsen at the link.) Reagan always stood up and spoke up for the little guy. He identified with him and explained why his policies would help him. Many of today’s Republicans have lost that knack and given the game away in the process. That’s why the polls showed people shared Romney’s values but thought Obama cared about “people like me.”
It’s largely conservative policies that help the working guy and girl, but you have to let them know that and make sure they understand that government cares about them and will not abandon them if they fall off the bottom rung of the ladder. When one candidate is saying, “Tax the rich,” and the other is calling half the people moochers, both are wrong… but only one will win an election.
Yes, the September/October surprise worked. And Romney was no Reagan. But the good news is that a more ept candidate can make the case to the working class for free markets. But the Republicans have to start caring more about it themselves, and stop coddling big business.
[Update a couple minutes later]
Related thoughts from Paul Hsieh:
…in retrospect, the vote totals showed that Romney’s support may have been deeper than McCain’s in 2008, but not significantly broader.
So in that respect, those GOP rallies indicated something akin to the small-but-intense fan base for Apple computers in the mid-1990s. Of course, one of Steve Jobs’ key accomplishments in the 2000s was to turn that into an LARGE-and-intense fan base for Apple products.
I won’t rehash the “bigthink” arguments about the best next direction for the GOP. I just want to propose that *if* they can improve their message and inspire genuine enthusiasm for a positive pro-freedom agenda, then rallying (and growing) the base won’t be a problem. Although I have a mixed opinion of Ronald Reagan policies, he was an acknowledged master at communicating an inspiring, upbeat message to the voters. If the GOP finds a good message and a good messenger, then the turnout problem will take care of itself.
Yup.