Amazing.

From Hot Air, which also has Huck's plan to have pastors endorse him "privately" (i.e., at news conferences) and conduct non-partisan GOTV from the pulpit. Wink, wink.

Posted by: Ace at 12:19 PM | Comments (18)
Post contains 40 words, total size 1 kb.

A Ron Paul supporter is initially disturbed by the newsletters but then regains re-loses his composure and starts recommending that everyone just claim the signatures at the end of each newsletter are faked, as are the newsletters themselves. (Earlier posts by him noted that each newsletter is available in a historical document archive, so he seems to know he's simply lying for the sake of "The Revolution.")

I like this line:

All we got now is the signatures [that is, the claim that the signatures were "faked"], but the point is to repeat it over and over. we can make that thought reality

Who's Big Brother now, buddy?

The Economist, meanwhile, isn't impressed by The Lew Rockwell Stole My Homework/Newsletters defense.

According to Wirkman Virkkala, formerly the managing editor of the libertarian monthly Liberty, the racist and survivalist elements that appeared in the newsletter were part of a deliberate "paleolibertarian" strategy, "a last gasp effort to try class hatred after the miserable showing of Ron PaulÂ’s 1988 presidential effort." It is impossible now to prove individual authorship of any particular item in the newsletter, but it is equally impossible to believe that Mr Rockwell did not know of and approve what was going into the newsletter.

This matters because, while Mr Paul may disavow the sentiments that were expressed under his name over the years, he has scarcely disavowed Mr Rockwell, who remains a friend and adviser. Mr Rockwell is one of the congressman's most vigorous online boosters, accompanied him to an appearance on The Tonight Show, and often publishes Mr Paul's writings on his Web site. Mr Paul now says the identity of his ghostwriter is of no importance. But if the person responsible for spreading venom under his name for many years remains a close associate, it suggests that Mr Paul is at least prepared to countenance pandering to racists, however respectable his own views. The candidate owes his supporters a far more complete explanation than he has thus far provided.

Thanks to CJ.

Posted by: Ace at 12:00 PM | Comments (42)
Post contains 332 words, total size 2 kb.

Eddiebear reprises for us what a Hillary 'co-presidency' was like, and what it would undoubtedly be again.

Ed doesn't worry so much about major media figures who, though suffering harassment from the Clintons, can fend for themselves.

All in all, HillaryÂ’s use of front groups and websites, and I have only provided one example and one website, would be a dangerous new way for her to silence her critics and fulfill that Daily Kos posterÂ’s wish for a payback oriented administration. And if she and her minions can hammer highly publicized TV and media personalities, a few bloggers or radio hosts would be like a soda can under her heel.

Ace will now be blogging from an undisclosed location.

Posted by: LauraW. at 11:35 AM | Comments (14)
Post contains 129 words, total size 1 kb.

Classical Values goofs on the English Schoolboy In Shortpants look now in the offing from Brooks Brothers. You wouldn't think you can make these outfits look more ridiculous, but with a simple photoshop, Eric manages to do just that.

Posted by: Ace at 11:04 AM | Comments (18)
Post contains 49 words, total size 1 kb.

Seriously, though, leave him alone. There was a point in the game where he (and the Cowboys) had converted something like 90% of 3rd downs. In one drive I think they converted six of six.

Thanks to Joe.

Oh, And... here's TO crying.

Secret Weapon? The NYPost sent a Jessica Simpson impersonator to the game to jinx them. Heh.

Thanks to dri.

Posted by: Ace at 10:52 AM | Comments (20)
Post contains 70 words, total size 1 kb.

Via CoyoteBlog, the Massachusetts Public Health Council is going to allow pharmacies and retailers to run in-store health clinics for relatively simple ailments. This is a great way to lower the cost of healthcare and reduce the burden on hospitals.

More than that, as all those stores in the front of Wal-mart prove, convenience turns out to be a good way to reduce costs because it makes a service more immediately responsive to the market. Small clinics which treat minor maladies will only be cost effective if they manage to treat patients more quickly or cheaply than hospitals GPs. This is merely an extension of the walk-in clinics that sprang up all over during the 1990s.

Of course, if there's a whiff of economics involved, a liberal idiot will have to step in and say something stupid:

Mayor Thomas M. Menino embarked on a highly public campaign yesterday to block CVS Corp. and other retailers from opening medical clinics inside their stores, an effort that exposed a rift between Menino and the state's public health commissioner, a longtime ally.
more stories like this

Menino blasted state regulators for paving the way Wednesday for the in-store clinics, which are designed to provide treatment for sore throats, poison ivy, and other minor illnesses.

The decision by the state Public Health Council, "jeopardizes patient safety," Menino said in a written statement. "Limited service medical clinics run by merchants in for-profit corporations will seriously compromise quality of care and hygiene. Allowing retailers to make money off of sick people is wrong."

Because in fantasy-land, healthcare isn't a multi-billion dollar industry.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 10:40 AM | Comments (29)
Post contains 276 words, total size 2 kb.

LetÂ’s take a break from political polls and politics in general for a moment to celebrate a core value here at the HQÂ…hot chicks doing cool things.

Jill Stevens is more than Miss Utah and a Miss America contestant, sheÂ’s also an Army combat medic who has deployed to Afghanistan.

Apparently the contest is no longer held right after Labor Day in Atlantic City and thereÂ’s now a reality show and viewers get to vote on who should advance. Chuck Simmins at AmericaÂ’s North Shore Journal has complete details on how you can help make sure Jill advances. And oh yeah, heÂ’s also got more pictures of her, so you knowÂ…go check it out.

On a somewhat related note, it looks like SoldiersÂ’ Angels could use some help in making sure they have enough Angels to match up with Soldiers. Blackfive has more on their appeal.

Posted by: DrewM. at 09:36 AM | Comments (41)
Post contains 164 words, total size 1 kb.

Last week news broke that California energy regulators wanted to require that homes and businesses be fitted with a device which would enable utilities to change the thermostat setting in case of an energy emergency. The requirement would have applied to new constructions or to buildings that have extensive work done to their heating and cooling system.

After getting their hands caught in this Orwellian cookie jar, regulators have modified their proposal. According to a new draft of the rules, the remote controlled thermostats will still be mandatory but building owners will have the ability to override any outside changes.

While thatÂ’s somewhat of an improvement, not everyone is satisfied.

"I don't think the CEC (California Energy Commission) should be going into people's homes to control their electricity," said Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, D-Van Nuys, who heads the Assembly committee on utilities and commerce. "The state should provide people with incentives and education to do this on their own."

The committee's vice chairman, Rick Keene, R-Chico, agreed.

"It feels awfully Orwellian to me if you have the utility, with the government's blessing, be able to change the thermostat setting," Keene said.

He said the lack of a clear definition of "emergency event" might allow utilities to cut costs by purposely not buying enough power and then declaring an emergency.

Mindy Spatt, spokeswoman for the San Francisco-based utility consumer watchdog group TURN, said the proposal for remote-controlled thermostats shouldn't "be forced down people's throats."

She also said the program would be expensive and financed by ratepayers. She questioned whether it would be cost-effective.

Several California utilities apparently already have voluntary programs in effect that enable consumers to install these devices in exchange for discounts on their electricity bills.

Of course regulators arenÂ’t interested in voluntary programs. Those donÂ’t give them much to do or nearly as much control of people's lives.

The new regulations won't be voted on until January 30th, so there is still time for additional modifications to the proposal.

Posted by: DrewM. at 08:40 AM | Comments (38)
Post contains 348 words, total size 2 kb.

The ronulans drew attention this weekend when they swarmed the town clerk of Sutton, New Hampshire. Her crime? On the night of the primary, her office reported that Ron Paul received no votes. He actually received 31, as the corrected numbers showed the next day.

This is luck at its worst. Screw up Rudy Giuliani's vote total. Or John McCain's. Or John Edwards's. Or Bill Richardson's.

But never, ever get anything wrong when it comes to Paul and his voting tally. If you do, fans who shouted from the rooftops through the primary season will track you down and chew you out.

"Most of the these people are not rational," Call said.

People have deeply invested themselves in candidates this year. Look how much trouble the Reason people have had at turning away from Ron Paul. Look at how vociferous the Fredheads are. I don't know if it is because of the extra-long election season or perhaps because we haven't had a chance to fight like this in a while, but followers of the Republican contest for president are every bit as given to excess as sports fanatics.

Ron Paul's supporters are the worst probably because they were already prone to flights of fancy. But as any of the moron-cobloggers will tell you, it doesn't get you anywhere to get in an argument with any committed voter at this point. Politics is personal and an insult to a candidate is an insult to his supporters.

We just need to remember that after we've actually selected a candidate, we're all on the same side when it comes to beating the Democrats. Except for the ronulans. They can crawl back under the rock they came from.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 08:01 AM | Comments (44)
Post contains 296 words, total size 2 kb.

I don't know how reliable the "Brinker Barometer" is, but Democrats have to to be pissed to be leading a list of things financial advisers are worried about. The list includes "global unrest, terrorism, recession and U.S. economic growth, but the number 1 worry (at 22%) of financial advisers is that there will be a Democrat in the White House next year.

When asked what their greatest tax concern would be under a Democratic administration, 81% of advisers cited a potential increase in the capital gains tax, an income tax increase and heavier taxes on dividends. [That sounds like a compilation for effect of three different answers.]

"[Departing from] the Bush administration's approach to taxation will have a large impact on advisers and their clients," said John E. Coyne, president of Berwyn, Pa.-based Brinker Capital, which manages $9.4 billion in assets. "When taxes begin to erode returns, equities remain less attractive."

Don't I know it, John. You want to know what Democratic voters find more attractive than returns on equity investment? Handouts. Government-run healthcare. And taxing the pants off of businesses in the name of fairness.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 07:36 AM | Comments (25)
Post contains 194 words, total size 1 kb.