Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day.

And we can look forward to a happy energy independence day, although I think we first need to have an Obama independence day this November.

Comments

[Melinda Romanoff]

Happy Independence Day!

[Melinda Romanoff]

Heh, THAT doesn't happen often.

[centralcal]

Happy Birthday America - Happy July 4th JOMers.

[henry]

Happy 4th! Since it is too dry for fireworks here, I'll try to recruit more Tea Party members instead!

[clarice]

HB,USA..Getting ready here for the big Fourth of July party--it is a major project, not the least of which is the logistics of getting hot dogs and chocolate chips to Provence. XOXOX

[Thomas Collins]

Clarice, we're all depending on you to fill those French folks up with hot dogs with nutrients that nurture the "only legitimate government is one that secures the unalienable rights" part of the souls of those French folks. That may sound like a tough task, but you're up to it!

[Extraneus]

Speaking of which, I've been watching the John Adams DVDs for the past couple of weeks, just a part here and there. What a great production. Wonderful unknown actors (at least to me), beautiful scenery, camera work, etc., based on McCullough's bio. I know most people here have probably seen it, but for anyone who hasn't, highly recommended.

[MarkO]

Happy 4th.

[Old Lurker]

Happy 4th everyone!

Finally set up in the new Nantucket house and have all electronics working so I shall lurk no more. DoT should visit. We have wet bars on all levels. My neighbor and friend collects Martini glassware and has every gin known to man.

I know Clarice skipped to country to avoid storm damage, and I see Janet has posted so I trust she is OK? Our house in Maryland has trees down everywhere including two onto structures...and still no power or AC or FIOS. But what the hell, I'm not there!

So is Romney going to blow it or is Rick right about the coming deluge?

Best to you all.

[Jane - talk is cheap!]

OL - can't think of a better place to be on this holiday.

Henry, you rock!

[jimmyk]

For all the foodies here, I'm sure you'll be crushed that this woman failed in her quest to publish an OWS cookbook:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/allyoucaneat/2018587198_the_almost_cookbook_of_the_occ.html

(H/T Tim Blair)
The jokes almost write themselves. ("Take two pigeons....")

She did come close to stumbling onto a deeper truth:

"We all deserve to be fed but, in order for this to happen, someone has to be enlisted to feed us," she wrote.

Ya think?

[centralcal]

OL - congrats on the new home, sounds like a real party place :)

Is Clarice on a French cooking mission or on vacation?

[sbw]

Happy Independence Day, y'all.

Independence is a grant of liberty. Liberty is not freedom. Liberty entails responsibility.

Freedom is no responsibility, which is a sure path for others to take your liberty away.

[Porchlight]

Happy Independence Day! May Providence continue to bless this country in difficult times.

[narciso]

Happy Independence Day all, isn't Provence know for it's seafood.

[centralcal]

Okay, everybody - feeling down and blue - head over to HotAir and watch this Bill Whittle piece.

They have us surrounded - poor bastards!

[Janet]

A comment at Tim Blair's link to jimmyk's post - "Vegetables are at their best as ingredients rather than as authors." Hah!

Happy Birthday, America! We love you!!

[Extraneus]

Poignant. Moving. Riehl.

My Coming Out Post

[MarkO]

This can help get you off the couch. Set off some cherry bombs or silver salutes.

I put this on the back of some American Legion baseball jerseys:

Expect Nothing
Blame No One
Do Something

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx9v-E0WBNg

[narciso]

She says everything but corpseman;

http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/timblair/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/julianary/

[centralcal]

McConnell talks to NRO and calms my jitters (for now, at least):

Well, I can certainly speak for the senators who are in the Republican conference today. Without exception, I am confident that they all want to repeal and start over. We’ve had that vote, by the way. In 2011, every single Republican senator voted for it. My view is that we should try to have that vote again before the election. And I would anticipate that my conference would be where it was in 2011 when we had the vote for repeal.

[narciso]

Well what do we have here;

http://dailycaller.com/2012/07/03/another-document-shows-possible-fast-and-furious-cover-up/

[pagar]

Best wishes to all on this great Independence Day. Thanks to all who keep America free.

[narciso]

Yes, the InLaws were more right, than they even knew;

http://babalublog.com/2012/07/more-on-our-crackerjack-cia/

[Danube of Thought]

Happy 4th.

[Janet]

and about Extraneus's 9:55 link -

Where is Oreo's celebration of Riehl's sexual preferences? Ol Kraft could spell out Oreo with lower case o's & capital R, E! Put little dots in the o's!
"oREo Pride"

[Old Lurker]

Hey CC...how is our Garden Gnome doing?

[Porchlight]

Here's another Bill Whittle Independence Day video. This is an Afterburner very worth watching if you're feeling down about O-care:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la_6bX7_O4M&sns=em

[Porchlight]

More McConnell:

In an exclusive interview with Breitbart News today, Senator McConnell put all … fears to rest. “I have said many times that if I’m the leader of the majority next year, I commit to the American people that the repeal of ‘Obamacare’ will be job one,” he reiterated. “That includes pursuing reconciliation. What people need to understand is that this is literally a fight for the future of our country and Democrats have proven during this debate that they will stop at nothing to protect this massive expansion of government into our lives and our health care. We need to be aware that this will take every ounce of our energy to accomplish.”

McConnell went on to explain that the fight would not stop with the election: “Our success is dependent upon the voices of the many who are concerned about Obamacare to get involved and stay involved. Do not shut up, do not sit down, do not be intimidated. Keep fighting with every ounce of energy you have. We’ll do the same. The road to repeal begins with a Republican Senate and Mitt Romney in the White House, but it won’t end for me until this historic mistake is wiped off the books for good.”

[Porchlight]

More great Independence Day reading. This one is a classic:

Our Lives, Our Fortunes, Our Sacred Honor

I didn't know how cruelly so many signers of the Declaration were ruined until I read this, but I should have. Everyone should.

[GMax]

The flag is unfurled and flying proudly at the Max house. Read and reflect what one Scott Rasmussen has to tell you just yesterday:

Political conservatives are following the election more closely than moderates or liberals. Fifty-one percent (51%) of conservatives are following the race daily. Among moderates, 32% are that interested. Thirty-four percent (34%) of liberals are paying that much attention. Interest in a campaign is often a leading indicator of turnout.

[centralcal]

Well, OL, our Garden Gnome has a name - Mitt Romney, which cannot be spelled out as musically rhyming as Oscar Meyer, but hey, we take what we can get!

[Old Lurker]

Works for me, CC. But he will require constant training.

[peter]

well, the highlight of the Barnstable INdependence Day parade was an antique MG TF with a Scott Brown bumper sticker.

My polling of the Cape so far, Five Fauxcahontas bumper stickers, one Scott Brown. thirty obama stickers, three tea party type stickers.

One thing I definitely have is a lobster roll.

Happy 4th everybody!

[centralcal]

But he will require constant training.

Ah yes! Training and discipline. (Whisptering: Of course you know, this little critique will bring out our very vocal Romney cheerleader later today.)

[centralcal]

well, I developed a speech impediment! Whispering without the "t."

[GMax]

Obama stickers? Have not seen any of those, even vintage in some time. Texas is a Obama sticker free zone at least on the freeways and byways I frequent.

[rse]

Happy 4th of July everyone.

In my ongoing freedom trek I went through my inbox and found an NRC report created at the request of NSF (Holdren's domain) that lays out quite graphically what the economic and politcal vision is for the 21st century in order to ensure sustainability.

Everything managed including the news. Consensus stories is what it mentioned. We would know only what we are supposed to know to be engaged in what are termed "crucial issues."

So here's to a country that still requires that such reports be publicly published even if it did have an innocuous title.

So celebrate today and let's get ready to explain to everyone involved with this administration why we are not "sociotechnical systems."

Yes that really was the term used. And henry--your favorite vendor oversaw the project. Everything run through IT.

And I am done for the day. I was not looking for that.

What an appropriate day for it though. I feel like celebrating.

[glasater]

Happy 4th of July! Let us remember Freedom this day.

[marlene]

Happy 4th from the Maine woods!

[GMax]

Keith Hennessey is the first pundit to acknowledge anything passed via reconciliation can be repealed via reconciliation. Note also the Senate parliamentarian is the one who decides. McConnell better select this person wisely:

President Romney does not need 60 Republican senators to repeal core elements of ObamaCare. Democrats lost their 60th senate vote in early 2010 after Scott Brown took Edward Kennedy's seat. To bypass a Senate GOP filibuster and enact portions of ObamaCare, they used a special legislative procedure called reconciliation.

Reconciliation allows a bill to pass the Senate in a limited time period, with limited amendments, and with only 51 votes; filibusters are not permitted. In 2010, Democrats split their health-policy changes into two bills, one of which they enacted through this fast-track process. In 2013, a Republican majority could use the same reconciliation process to repeal those changes.

[centralcal]

Yay, fireworks! Thanks, glasater.

[MarkO]

Freedom: what a concept!

[Manuel Transmission]

glas, I have a bazilloin of those pix, many from our front deck where we watch the Lopez FW every 4th. I love the fun of them, but never share with others. Seems an abstraction too cerebral to share?

[JM Hanes]

Flag of My Fathers:

[With apologies to daddy & A/Barbara!]

[centralcal]

Message from Mitt Romney for July 4th.

The Best of America

[daddy]

Happy Birthday Higgs Bosun!

[rse]

Jmh-my neighbor in Fla has a pre-Arizona wool flag that is at least 12 feet long that he hangs from his balcony to the boardwalk every year.

Thanks. That's as close as I am getting this year.

[Rick Ballard]

"Note also the Senate parliamentarian is the one who decides."

Nope. The Senate Parliamentarian advises. The Senate majority can reject the advice and has done so. The Parliamentarian serves at the pleasure of the majority.

McConnell has a rock solid understanding of rules and procedures. If he says he can do it via reconciliation, there's no way he'll accept a contradictory finding by the Parliamentarian.

[Ann]

Happy 4th Patriots!

For JMH

[sbw]

Higgs Bosun: the boatswain is the foreman of the ship's crew. He is in charge.

[centralcal]

Has Romney sent Fehrnstrom to re-education camp, yet?

Byron York ‏@ByronYork
Romney tells @cbsjancrawford he agrees with Obamacare dissent, but dissenters lost. SCOTUS majority called mandate a tax, so it's a tax.

[Captain Hate]

Happy July 4th. Let freedom ring.

[Barbara]

Porchlight,

Thanks for the comments by McConnell @10:55 AM.

Now, THAT'S what I'm talkin' about! Well done.

Happy Independence Day to all at JOM!

[Jane - talk is cheap!]

Annie Banani! Best July 4th appearance yet!

[centralcal]

Happy 4th Ann - ditto was Jane said, too.

[Ann]

Glad to see you back at JOM, sister. :)

Took me a bit to find that picture, you sent me years ago. XXXOOO

[rse]

I borrowed this quote from Powerline. It's from the speech Calvin Coolidge gave on the 150th anniversary of the Declaration.

About the Declaration there is a finality that is exceedingly restful. It is often asserted that the world has made a great deal of progress since 1776, that we have had new thoughts and new experiences which have given us a great advance over the people of that day, and that we may therefore very well discard their conclusions for something more modern. But that reasoning can not be applied to this great charter. If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward the time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people. Those who wish to proceed in that direction can not lay claim to progress. They are reactionary. Their ideas are not more modern, but more ancient, than those of the Revolutionary fathers.

Boy is that passage more pertinent today than ever.

[Danube of Thought]

Watching Rasmussen on FNC saying LV's are 52-39 for repeal, virtually unchanged from the week the bill was passed, and in fact unchanged since before it passed.

[Ann]

Thanks, ladies. I am a little slow today..lol.

[Danube of Thought]

Ann and JMH: what is the connection between your two pics? They appear to be of the same flag in the same setting, although the pics are not identical.

[glasater]

ManTran-

I took the fireworks photos at a favorite spot on Lake Coeur d Alene several years ago and layered several frames from the shoot in Photoshop.

This year I'm taking pictures for our local Republican booth and later trying to find a vineyard in the foreground for the fireworks display.

Great to see Ann!!

[cathyf]

Something known to all practitioners of Robert's Rules: Although many motions require super majorities, that is only a matter of the integrity of the members. And having the chair is vital. Normally it requires a 2/3 vote to uphold a motion to suspend the rules. However, when challenging the chair, it requires only a majority to uphold the ruling of the chair. So if the chair rules "I don see no steenkin rule dat we're violatin" and a majority vote along with the chair, then the rules are overturned.

That's how they passed Obamacare after Brown was elected and without the Stupek caucus -- the combination of reconciliation and "deeming passed." In the Obamacare process Congress really degraded itself. Yes, the precedent is there to repeal it through the same depredations that passed it, but it would be SO much better to elect 60 senators and win a cloture vote on the repeal. It would be even better to have some Democrats vote in favor of repeal.

[Ann]

Dot,

That is a picture of JMH's porch. I believe it was her father's flag. She sent me a picture of it years ago.

While I was trying to find it, to welcome her back to JOM, she posted the picture here.

Hope that makes sense.

Beautiful picture! Makes me want to see the rest of her house.

[Captain Hate]

I want to know what type of hold ValJar has over the JEF. She's probably a BFD to the gutter trash thugs in Shitcargo, of which the SCoaMF is one, but her lashing Stedman to the mast of the USS Toonces just shows what an ultimate small timer she is.

[matt]

John Adams' thoughts on the 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence should be remembered.He penned them shortly before his demise.

"My best wishes, in the joys, and festivities, and the solemn services of that day on which will be completed the fiftieth year from its birth, of the independence of the United States: a memorable epoch in the annals of the human race, destined in future history to form the brightest or the blackest page, according to the use or the abuse of those political institutions by which they shall, in time to come, be shaped by the human mind."

Thomas Jefferson was more sanguine:

"May it be to the world, what I believe it will be, (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all,) the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government... All eyes are opened or opening to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few, booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God. These are grounds of hope for others; for ourselves, to let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them."

Both men died on July 4, 1826, and we should take their words to heart. Happy 4th, all.

[GMax]

Mitch McConnell in his own words. Looks like reconciliation it is. Need to get him enough Republican Senators that we dont have to worry about a Collins or a Murkowski refusing to do the will of the people:

Well, I don’t know how they got that comment out of what I had to say. Let me give you my view, clearly and unambiguously. Repeal of Obamacare will be the first item up in the Senate if I am majority leader. If we have a president who will sign the bill, we will do everything we can to get it off the books, and we’ll be looking for every angle that could be pursued. There has been a lot of talk about reconciliation. The Chief Justice said this is a tax, and we take him at his word, so that certainly makes this eligible for reconciliation. But that may not be the only avenue that we pursue. Our goal will be to get it off the books. In my view, it is the single worst piece of legislation that has been passed in modern times, and I’ve said that on numerous occasions. It’s still my view. And just because the Supreme Court has decided it is constitutional doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.

Eligible for reconciliation. Music to mine ears.

[jimmyk]

Both quotes (of Adams and Jefferson) remind us that the founders were keenly aware of how important it was to the rest of the world for the American experiment to succeed. It is as important today to turn back the forces of socialism and collectivism and "be to the world . . . the signal of arousing men to burst the chains. . . ."

[cathyf]

Over a few threads ago Ralph L asked this:

why on earth is Big Pharma in favor of Obamacare? Have they lost their minds? They have to know they'll be squeezed dry.

I'll take a stab at answering...

The error here is thinking of "Big Pharma" as being some sort of actual entity with immutable characteristics. What it is, like every big business, is a collection of stockholders and a collection of employees, all together working on some tasks, any of whom can leave at any time.

Medical technology is a pipeline, 17 years long. At the time of a discovery, the company gets a patent, which produces revenue for 17 years. The company uses the revenue to produce more patentable discoveries if and only if there is a reasonable expectation that they will be allowed to collect the revenues that they have earned. When the pipeline works, as it has worked for the entire history of the Constitution, incredibly expensive discoveries are made, 17 years worth of revenues makes money to pay for the next things in the pipeline, and at the end of the 17 years the drugs are virtually free. Virtually free to Americans and to every human on the planet. (Trivia quiz -- what is the only right mentioned in the Constitution as opposed to the Bill of Rights? Patent and copyright.)

What is the Obamacare quid pro quo? The HHS secretary writes rules that say that everyone is entitled to expensive patented drugs with no co-pay even for drugs where the 17 years are up and 99.9% of all patients will do just as well on the $6/month generics. Human nature being what it is, without the discipline of prices everyone thinks that they are "special" and deserve the patent drugs rather than taking the generics like the hoi polloi. The revenues for 100 million women taking $250/month birth control when 99,900,000 of them would have done great on the $6/month pills is a stunning amount of money that will bankrupt us all. And that's before everybody is allowed to turn up their noses at generic statins and the pharma companies get outrageous amounts of revenue on long-ago paid for cholesterol drugs.

In exchange for overpaying for drugs that have already come out of the "free" end of the pipeline, the government stops paying for new drugs. You see new drugs are a terrible threat to socialist states. Because new drugs can only be paid for by the prosperity of free economies. So when some pharma company comes up with some great new breast cancer drug, all those British women want it, and they want it NOW, not in 17 years when it goes out of patent and the NHS can afford to pay for it. If you can just get pharma to stop creating new drugs then patients in socialized medicine can't demand the drugs that don't exist.

Pharmaceutical companies have a fiduciary responsibility to their stockholders (you know, your retirement savings) to maximize return on investment. So the Obamacare bribe is this: we'll overpay you for the old already-paid-for technology, but we won't pay for new stuff. It's a LOT of money in those bribes: sell out your future for a lot of money now. Pharma companies are businesses -- they are OBLIGATED to take the bribe.

[DrJ]

At the time of a discovery, the company gets a patent, which produces revenue for 17 years.

Not to be a pedant, but the patent term is 20 years from its filing. What you describe is the old system, which changed about a decade ago.

And a patent does not produce revenues, but rather protects potential revenues as the lead compounds course through development and clinical trials.

[GMax]

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

We are in the midst of altering this Government as we speak. Support your local Tea Party.

[Jane - talk is cheap!]

I want to know what type of hold ValJar has over the JEF.

A total and complete hold. While he plays golf she determines policy. Rahm, biden and everyone else told him to go slow on health care, and she said "no". She rules this country now.

[cboldt]

20 years from filing, but (also not intending to be a pedant) see too Patent Term Extensions, and Patent Term Adjustment

[DrJ]

Right on the patents, and I did not go into the transition from the old system to the new one either.

[Captain Hate]

I wish I could refute one thing of what you said, Jane. It's bad enough his deadbeat father abandoned him; but then when his nympho mother did the same thing, did ValJar serve as the matriarch he never had? He needs to be in counseling for the rest of his life; preferably in a supervised environment.

[boris]

Yeah what a crying shame poor people have to die for 20 years before the drug that could save them becomes cheap enough to afford. How can such a system be tolerated when there are rich people with too much money.

Much better the rich and poor should wait forever because the US postal service will be in charge of developing life saving drugs. Fairness!

[Jim Eagle]

Today at the 4th of July Parade in Flagler Beach. Our Cub Scout Pack getting ready to march. Frederick is carrying the Pack flag with participation ribbons. He's a first year Webelos.

Happy Birthday America.

After the parade went to Publix for hot dog buns. Not a one to be found either in the commercial aisle or the bakery. So, we made hoagies for lunch and doing London Broil with Sweet Potato fritters tonight on the "barbie". Fireworks on the beach.

[rse]

Ben-They are referring to the corrupt relationship between the British Govt and the East India Company.

It went on for centuries.

They had a point which is why they worried about Corporatism so.

Having just read a description of the planned reins to be given to tech companies to manage all that data to be necessary to manage the US economy centrally through govt officials to ensure Sustainability, again I see their point.

TJ was a political visionary but he was also ultimately a bankrupt. Stick to what he was good at. Appreciate there was reason for his bitterness at financiers. He lived at their mercy.

[centralcal]

Everybody find a few minutes (2 or 3) to watch this fabulous old film (in color!!!) made in 1945, Hawaii, on the news of the Japanese surrender.

Quite wonderful to watch!

VJ Day - Honolulu

[centralcal]

Wow, Janet! My brother, Mike, saw your FB post of the flag and song verse and shared it on his facebook page too.

[LouP]

Boy am I ever confused...

In the last week the Obama Administration has trotted out a number of surrogates, including Nancy Pelosi, to explain that the penalty/tax/not-a-tax/mandate is directed at ONLY the "1%" (3.116 million people) of the "freeloaders" (where, depending upon the surrogate speaking, "freeloader" is defined, explicitly or implicity as those who go to the ER without healthcare insurance).

I thought that the three biggest classes of "freeloaders" (those who go to the ER without healthcare insureance) were 1) illegal immigrants (undocumented workers to the progs), 2) "poor people", and 3) young people, i.e., twenty-somethings.

Am I receiving the Obama message correctly that Democrats only want to penalize "undocumented workers," "poor people," and people like Sandra Fluke? (Betcha Sandra's not going to be too happy to learn that she's got to pay something like a $2,500 up-front penalty for her "free" birth control pills!)

I must be wrong, so I'd like to ask DublinDave, BunkerBuster, and/or Ben Franklin to explain to me where my thinking has gone wrong. Or more specifically, just exactly who are the "freeloaders" that the surrogates are saying are the problem, and how do they represent 3.116 million people?

[Jane - talk is cheap!]

did ValJar serve as the matriarch he never had?

Naw. She feeds his narcissism, tells him he's very cool and not to worry his little head about things because she will take care of it. Then she and Michelle decide how to screw us today while they plan their next outing.

[DublinDave]

I must be wrong, so I'd like to ask DublinDave, BunkerBuster, and/or Ben Franklin to explain to me where my thinking has gone wrong. Or more specifically, just exactly who are the "freeloaders" that the surrogates are saying are the problem, and how do they represent 3.116 million people

Gosh,just being refered to as "dublindave' and not'dudu' or 'doubledouche' is kind of touching and I thank you for extending me that respect on this very special holiday.

Happy 4th of July.

You know,when you think about it,'Independance day' is actually premised upon one of the greatest acts of ingratitude ever demonstrated by a people.Namely,the American people.The British fought to protect you all during the French wars and in return, all you had to do was pay a tinny tiny little tax to cover the cost of the war and what did you do you?You refused to pay and kicked out the very people whose men died in battle defending you.

So when you put it all together it's pretty clear to see that the founding fathers were the biggest freeloaders in History and that that spirit of 'freeloading' has sort of been imprinted in your DNA and carried into this constant battle NOT to pay taxes.

Pay your freakin taxes and pay your freakin health insurance and if you can't afford it we'll give you a Government credit,paid for by richer people who can afford it.

[boris]

So the EuroDeadBeats should be paying US "taxes" for saving them from the NAZIs. I take it back, duda doesn't have a reading comprehension problem, it's just a comprehension problem.

[daddy]

Just awoke, and caught the last bit of Alan West on Cavuto.

He is teriffic. I really admire his straight talk. Mitt could use a guy like Alan West.

Also liked how those 2 discussed Mitt's straightforward statement that the Supreme's say it is a Tax so it is a Tax. Fine. I can deal with that. I want clarity. I want it pinned down and consistent so we can move along on offense on the same page. That encourages me. Keep it up Mitt.

[Sara]

Happy Birthday America:

[Sara]

.

[GMax]

President Andrew Jackson in his farewell address:

“But you must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing. It behooves you, therefore, to be watchful in your States as well as in the Federal Government.”

We are watching Zero. And we are coming for you in November.

[rse]

Mitt has a nice 4th of July video up that's enough to make you tearful after the last 3 1/2 years.

http://weaselzippers.us/2012/07/04/new-mitt-vid-the-best-of-america/

[clarice]

Great 4th of ZJuly party! The village baker even asked for my lemon square recipe when it was over. XOXO Sorry about your house OL.

[Sara]

Speaking of:

[GMax]

Law prof Elizabeth Spahn at the FCPAblog:

Cronyism is not capitalism. Cronyism is the opposite of capitalism. American capitalism is about markets, competition. “Rational” markets in which sellers compete; purchasers decide based on price, quality, service, brand. Cronyism, nepotism, elites reserving the goods for themselves -- This is the opposite, the antithesis of American capitalism. This is why we revolted in the first place.

[Sara]

Just one more.

[Chubby]

well, lookee here...

((New Investment Tax Slated for 2012
Smartmoney.com - Jul 3, 2012
Bischoff: The recent Supreme Court health-care ruling paves the way for a 3.8% tax on investment income. By BILL BISCHOFF Through the end of 2012, the Bush tax cuts are locked in...))

lun

[woo woo]

Besides inventing the lightening rod, bifocals and urinary catheter, Ben Franklin apparently also invented what's known in modern day as the "cut 'n paste". While Dubs invented the 3rd 21st chromosome.

Jobs well done!

[daddy]

Today's Racine Recount update---a 2 minute video worth watching.

"Voters did not sign the poll books,
-Addresses were not given for new Registration
-Unmarked Ballots were pre-initialed,
-Ballot Bags busted open,
-Others were open and resealed with packing tape without explanation,
But to the victor it's no big deal:

"We've seen some minor irregularities, some technicalities that have to do with Ballot Bags and signatures on supplemental lists, but what we've really seen is just minor Election administration error."

I hope Waangaard keeps fighting, because if he doesn't it's bound to happen again. According to the story Voter ID has been overturned in Wisconsin by a Wisconsin Judge, so come November 6th it appears opportunities for Voter fraud will remain unchecked.

[centralcal]

Oh my. Looks like the US Ambassador to Nairobi is in a little hot water (per Gateway Pundit).

Scott Gration, who had led the US embassy in Nairobi since February last year, stepped down late last week, citing “differences with Washington regarding my leadership style”.

It is understood that the State Department’s inspector general is preparing to release a scathing report on Mr Gration, who is a close ally of President Barack Obama, following an extensive internal inquiry.

The former Air Force major general is said to have shown a “confrontational” and eccentric style of micromanagement that caused low morale and complaints among embassy staff.

Mr Gration repeatedly engaged in battles with employees and, according to a report by Foreign Policy, threatened at one point to “shoot them in the head” if they did not comply

.

Sounds like he was taking the Chicago leadership style fully to heart.

[DublinDave]

So the EuroDeadBeats should be paying US "taxes" for saving them from the NAZIs.

Just finished watching the Directors cut of 'Saving Private ryan",have you?Another in a long line of American war movies depicting world war 2 being fought and won solely by the United states.

But look,it's your holdiay,enjoy it.Celebrate your 'freedom'(a uniquely American invention)....and you know....eat ten burgers and 20 hot dogs and drink beer and sit around like beached whales....whatever Americans do to celebrate kicking the Brits out for defending them in a time of war.

I'll be drinking me whiskey and listening to some wolfe tones.

[daddy]

Ha!

NOA (National Oceanic Administration) just came out with an Official Statement that declared that there are no such things as Mermaids.

That prompted Althouse to post a column asking the sensible question, "Why did the the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration bother to deny the existence of mermaids?"

"After all, there are many mythical things that the government doesn’t explicitly deny exist. The United States Bureau of Mines doesn’t issue statements clarifying that no dragons or trolls have been discovered in underground caves or mines, for example."

And commenter 4, Moose, comes in with this winner:

"Moose said...
Same people we depend on for climate change data. You know - just sayin'..."

Ergo my "Ha!"

[LouP]

Daddy, you'll notice though that they didn't deny the existence of unicorns.