Global Warming Issues

Global Warming Issues

Global Warming Not a WMD

Houghton’s assertion that the 1990s was the warmest decade in the last 1,000 years (search) draws out the question, “Why was it so warm 1,000 years ago?”

Texas Dems Again

Texas Dems Again

s Senate Democrats Urged to Return

By abandoning the state, and now by considering legal action when they don't get their way, the Democrat minority is doing damage to Senate traditions, and to the Senate as an institution,' Dewhurst said in a statement Thursday.

Economic Issues

Economic Issues

Economy Shows More Signs of Improvement

WASHINGTON - America's economy, which has been poking along, displayed fresh signs of gaining momentum in June and the first half of July, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday in its latest snapshot of U.S. business activity.

More on Cons Psychological Ills

More on Cons Psychological Ills

Conservative study reveals academic bias

If you go back and look at the list of characteristics that define conservatism, you'll discover that it applies to liberals, too. Fear of ambiguity, a desire of cognitive closure, etc: These are human traits, not conservative ones.

Plenty of liberals refuse to accept that a factory closing can be a good thing or that something other than racism is to blame for the problems blacks face. There are liberals who will tear your eyes out if you say that the 1964 Voting Rights Act had problems or that it's not clear Head Start is worth the money.

School Choice Anyone?

School Choice Anyone?

OpinionJournal - The Western Front

The program isn't all roses, of course. During the regular school year the Summerbridge kids have to go back and waste their time in crummy public schools--which Town School officials hope won't breed resentment. So far it hasn't, and during the school year, they do return to the Town School every Wednesday night for further instruction. And although any student within a reasonable distance is encouraged to apply, the selection process is very competitive. It's not all based on high marks; students are picked partly on a positive attitude and work ethic. Since few seats are available, this program often helps the kids whose parents are most involved (a recent parent-teacher conference day drew 90% of the parents). It's not a solution for the vast number of disadvantaged kids out there.

Cons "Deficient" - Take 2

Cons "Deficient" - Take 2

I talked about this a few days back. Now Cal Thomas takes on the "study" hich shows that Conservatives are psychologically disturbed.

Cal Thomas: Like I'm psychologically disturbed

What amazes about this 'research' is the incredible bias against anything regarded as conservative. There is the presumption that no conservative idea is even worth considering and that to be conservative is to be psychologically disturbed. These guys seem to think conservatism is a dormant affliction, ready to break out into a plague at any moment.

No Range? No Interest.

No Range? No Interest.

Puerto Ricans Lament Loss of Vieques Dollars

MIAMI — File this one under 'Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.'

The people of Puerto Rico are facing some unanticipated consequences from a victory they won in 2001.

For several years, Puerto Rican protesters demanded that the U.S. Navy leave the island of Vieques (search). Groups staged violent protests outside the main gate of 'Camp Garcia,' saying they were sick and tired of the live-fire bombing exercises.

The violence resulted in the gates of the base being torn down. Several U.S. troops and police dogs were injured in the demonstrations.

In response to the years of protest, former President Clinton agreed to stop Navy exercises there. Congress and President Bush ratified the deal and live-fire exercises were halted last May. But with its mission muzzled after 60 years, the Navy has decided to pull out of Puerto Rico completely.

HoustonChronicle.com - Texas Democrats bolt again -- this time to Albuquerque

Texas Dems At It Again

Here we go again. The Texas Dems are running away from a taste of their own medicine. For over a hundred years the Dems held the Texas House and Senate. They redrew the state's districts as they saw fit every ten years during that period. Not ONCE did the Reps run away to avoid the consequences of being in the minority in the congress. Not ONCE. Now the Dems have done it twice in a single year.

Texas Democrats bolt again -- this time to Albuquerque

'This is not an action that we take lightly. There are not many issues that would rise to this kind of action,' said Leticia Van de Putte, chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

Standing in front of a Texas flag, Van de Putte said more than 1.4 million minorities in her state would lose effective congressional representation if the Republicans redistrict according to their wishes.

New Mexico state police guarded the hotel, partly out of concern that 'bounty hunters' might show up to whisk the lawmakers away.

'There was some concern that our (Republican) leaders would attempt to use off-duty officers, security guards, bounty hunters' to forcibly bring the lawmakers back to Texas, said Sen. John Whitmire.

Asked how long the group might stay in New Mexico, Sen. Judith Zaffirini of Laredo said: 'Thirty days. More if it's necessary. Our commitment was 30 days.'

The Senate requires two-thirds, or 21 senators, to be present to conduct business, meaning the absence of 11 senators breaks a quorum. The senator said the action was precipitated by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's decision to bypass a traditional Senate rule that requires a two-thirds vote to debate any bill.

Actually, this last statement is false. There is no RULE which requires a 2/3 vote to consider a bill. Here's how it works:

At the beginning of each session of the Texas Senate, they start, by tradition not rule, with what it called a "Blocker Bill." This bill requires a 2/3/ vote to be set aside. Since all bills are brought up in order and the "Blocker Bill" is always first, nothing else is ever considered unless and until the BB has been voted upon to be set aside.

After the BB has been set aside, any bill brought up needs only the normal 50%+ to pass. Thus the 2/3 ruse is an out and out lie the Dems are using to fool the public.

What Dewhurst is saying he will do is remove the traditional but not mandatory BB from the session and thus allow the Redistricting Bill to come up for immediate up or down vote.

The reason that the 11 Dems who left are being successful in preventing this is that, while the 2/3 vote to put aside the BB would be vacated, the 2/3 of all senators must be present to form a quorum rule would still be in effect.