California’s $14 Billion Tax Hike Also On Hold…

California Senate adjourns without voting on tax hikes

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The California Senate abruptly adjourned its marathon weekend session Sunday night, leaving in doubt the fate of a $14.4 billion tax bill that is a key part of a plan to balance the state budget.

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg angrily adjourned proceedings shortly before 9 p.m. after a Republican lawmaker complained that the hours of negotiations and debate that began Saturday night had been a charade.

Wake up! You'll have plenty of time to sleep after you vote us more taxes.

Steinberg said that lawmakers would meet again Monday to try to salvage the combination of spending cuts, tax hikes and additional borrowing designed to erase a $42 billion deficit.

“We’re going to come back at 11 o’clock tomorrow morning and we’re going to stay and we’re going to work again and we are going to come back every day until we get this done,” he said. “This will get done, and it will get done with the framework that has been presented to you as a result of 90 days of work by your elected leaders.”

He criticized Sen. Sam Aanestad and other Republicans opposed to the tax increases.

“I just wish you could deviate just a little bit from your philosophy, from the endless mantra of no new revenue, no new revenue ever, and be a participant and partner with us in solving this problem,” he said.

Aanestad prompted Steinberg’s response by complaining that the budget-balancing package had been put together without open public hearings and that the weekend session had a been “charade.”

“What have we done in the last 24 hours?” Aanestad asked. “The answer is nothing. … Why were we here? At what cost to staff, to the sergeants (at arms), to our families, to the people of California? We are going to come back tomorrow. Are we going to do the same thing?”

B.S. Report–This guy Steinberg is insane….Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg criticized Republicans opposed to the tax increases. (Excuse me, you all should be opposed to the tax increases!)  Then this lunatic adds, “I just wish you could deviate just a little bit from your philosophy, from the endless mantra of no new revenue, no new revenue ever, and be a participant and partner with us in solving this problem,” he said.  (In other words, stick it to the taxpayer some more, what’s wrong with you…get with the program.)

Most of these politicians haven’t an ounce of scruples, decency or understanding as to how they’re “raping” the taxpayers and businesses in this state, so when they actually see a guy stand up against new tax hikes, they look at the protester as if he’s some kind of alien from another planet.  Which, of course, he pretty much is…

Why all the talk about tax hikes?  Hand me that budget and I bet I can find an endless array of spending cuts.  But I’m not in the vote-buying business.

Freedom Quote Of The Day

Since it is Presidents’ Day…George Washington Day & Abraham Lincoln Day, lets here from one of the honorees himself.

“No man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent.”

–Abraham Lincoln

Presidents’ Day: Welcome to America’s Phoniest Holiday…

Today is Presidents’ Day, a national holiday in honor  of whom?

QUIZ QUESTION:  WHO ARE THESE THREE EX-PRESIDENTS?

If you can guess who these 3 men are…you’re better than I am.

Presidents’ Day History

So when did Americans first acknowledge our Presidents with their own day?

Presidents’ Day dates back to our founding father and first President, George Washington. Washington was born on February 22, 1732. On his birthday in 1796, when Washington was in his last full year as president, the day became the holiday known as Washington’s Birthday. However, Americans didn’t observe this holiday until 1832, 100 years after his birth.

Abraham Lincoln was the next President to gain reverence similar to Washington. Born on February 12, 1809, Lincoln’s birthday was first celebrated in 1865, the year after he was assassinated. Although his birthday was not honored as a federal holiday like Washington’s, many states adopted it as a legal holiday.

In 1968, Congress passed legislation placing any federal holiday on a Monday, including Washington’s birthday, to create a three-day weekend. In 1971, President Richard Nixon combined Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays into Presidents’ Day. It would be celebrated on the third Monday in February, regardless of which day it fell on. Presidents’ Day is now viewed as a holiday that pays tribute to both Washington and Lincoln, as well as all those who have served as president.  (Read more.)

B.S. Report–Presidents’ Day was rendered meaningless the moment we stopped calling it by the name of the Presidents we’re honoring.  We are not honoring all 44 Presidents, that is absurd, and we’re not honoring an office.  We respect the office of the President, but we don’t honor it with a national holiday.  No, Presidents’ Day is a contrivance combining the birthdays of these two men, who are thoroughly deserving of having their own holiday once again.

Quiz Answer:  In order, Millard Fillmore, William Henry Harrison, and Zachary Taylor.

Former astronaut moonwalker believes scientists are being intimidated to believe in global warming…

Harrison Schmitt, the last "moonwalker" back in December, 1972 aboard Apollo 17.

Former Astronaut Speaks Out On Global Warming

SANTA FE, N.M. – Former astronaut Harrison Schmitt, who walked on the moon and once served New Mexico in the U.S. Senate, doesn’t believe that humans are causing global warming.

“I don’t think the human effect is significant compared to the natural effect,” said Schmitt, who is among 70 skeptics scheduled to speak next month at the International Conference on Climate Change in New York.

Schmitt contends that scientists “are being intimidated” if they disagree with the idea that burning fossil fuels has increased carbon dioxide levels, temperatures and sea levels.

SANTA FE, N.M. – Former astronaut Harrison Schmitt, who walked on the moon and once served New Mexico in the U.S. Senate, doesn’t believe that humans are causing global warming.

“I don’t think the human effect is significant compared to the natural effect,” said Schmitt, who is among 70 skeptics scheduled to speak next month at the International Conference on Climate Change in New York.

Schmitt contends that scientists “are being intimidated” if they disagree with the idea that burning fossil fuels has increased carbon dioxide levels, temperatures and sea levels.  (Read more.)

B.S. Report–This article may be in error…that is, technically.  It mentions that Schmitt was the last moonwalker but I contend that there were others after him…In fact, this might be the most famous moonwalker of all time:

British and French Nuclear Subs collide…don’t worry, they were only carrying nuclear missiles…

Nuclear submarine

BRITISH and French nuclear submarines which collided deep under the Atlantic could have sunk or released deadly radioactivity, it emerged last night.

The Royal Navy’s HMS Vanguard and the French Navy’s Le Triomphant are both nuclear powered and were carrying nuke missiles.

Between them they had around 250 sailors on board.

A senior Navy source said: “The potential consequences are unthinkable. It’s very unlikely there would have been a nuclear explosion.

“But a radioactive leak was a possibility. Worse, we could have lost the crew and warheads. That would have been a national disaster.”

The collision is believed to have taken place on February 3 or 4, in mid-Atlantic. Both subs were submerged and on separate missions.

Row

As inquiries began, naval sources said it was a millions-to-one unlucky chance both subs were in the same patch of sea. Warships have sonar gear which locates submarines by sound waves.

But modern anti-sonar technology is so good it is possible neither boat “saw” the other.  (Read more.)

B.S. Report–Those subs probably cost close to a billion dollars…you would figure that someone would think enough to put turn signals on them so we could avoid potential disasters like this in the future…

Is this Nancy Pelosi’s evil plan to reduce population?… Credit crisis could reduce men’s testosterone…

Credit Crisis Could Crunch Men’s Testosterone

I thought we were just destroying the economy... but this is an added bonus!

The stress caused by the global economic downturn could reduce men’s testosterone levels, a British doctor warned Monday.

Chronic stress caused by redundancy, financial worries or working longer hours could make levels of the hormone drop, said Richard Petty, the medical director of a top London men’s health clinic.

Testosterone, the hormone produced by the testicles, triggers the development of male sexual characteristics. It is linked to sexual function, circulation and muscle mass, as well as concentration, mood and memory.

“When a man becomes grumpy or irritable, it’s easy to blame work or simply the effects of ageing,” said Petty.

“In the short-term, stress can increase levels of testosterone and this is useful to help people respond quickly to pressures and new situations.

“But chronic stress, which is ongoing, is a major factor in the decline of testosterone.

“Chronic stress occurs all too frequently due to our modern lifestyles, when everything from high-pressured jobs to unemployment keeps the body in a state of perceived threat.”

Lower testosterone levels of the hormone can cause lethargy, irritability, lack of concentration and a low sex drive.

Petty advised men to reduce their stress levels as much as possible by resting, eating healthily and exercising.

B.S. Report–Come to think of it, Nancy Pelosi herself can lower testosterone levels…

California Budget Deal Blows Up…Couldn’t Get GOP Votes

"STATE OF CONFUSION"

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tried Sunday to salvage a proposal to close California’s $42 billion deficit after an all-night legislative session failed to produce a new budget.

The governor and legislative leaders from both parties warned that California faces insolvency unless the Legislature enacts a midyear budget fix.

The budget problems in California are dire--yet the state legislature insists on using a pocket knife for a problem that requires a machete.

Blame for the inaction was fixed on the state Senate, where Republicans were refusing to put up the three votes necessary to reach the required two-thirds majority. The Assembly appeared ready to pass the mix of deep spending cuts and tax increases but was awaiting signals that the Senate would do the same.

“The only thing we’re waiting on is the tax bill. I’m confident we have the votes. Our concern is we don’t want to get stuck here,” Democratic Assembly Speaker Karen Bass said. “The problem is in this house.”

After meeting all night, both chambers called recesses Sunday morning so lawmakers could nap and shower after a record-setting 30-hour session.

The Senate resumed budget debate Sunday afternoon, though there was no indication it had the votes to adopt the spending plan. The Assembly was in recess until Sunday evening.

“I don’t know what it takes for people to believe this really is a crisis,” said Senate Budget Committee chairwoman Denise Ducheny, D-San Diego. “Maybe with a little sleep, folks will appreciate the fact the governor and the leaders and many of us believe we have a budget.”  (Read more.)

B.S. Report–California is out of control.  This is what happens when you have one-party rule.  It’s bad enough when Republicans are totally in charge, but when it’s Democrats…look out!   There is virtually no spending or welfare project that the Democrats will vote down, after all, that’s their constituency.

They act like this budget crisis snuck up on them last week.  But the State Legislature long ago turned California into a welfare state.

It’s sad really, California was almost a paradise in the late 60’s and early 70’s.  But it’s deteriorated to the point that even many of us native-born Californians are leaving this sinking ship.  It’s almost unthinkable that such a great place; a place that has everything going for it, can be destroyed and made intolerable through government regulation…that is, over-regulation.

Drug In Blood Pressure Pill May Be Used To Erase Fear And Bad Memories…Hey, I Need To Get My Hands On These Pills!

Dutch Study Shows Drug Reduced Fearful Memories

LONDON, Feb 15 (Reuters) – A widely available blood pressure pill could one day help people erase bad memories, perhaps treating some anxiety disorders and phobias, according to a Dutch study published on Sunday.

The generic beta-blocker propranolol significantly weakened people’s fearful memories of spiders among a group of healthy volunteers who took it, said Merel Kindt, a psychologist at the University of Amsterdam, who led the study.

“We could show that the fear response went away, which suggests the memory was weakened,” Kindt said in a telephone interview.

The findings published in the journal Nature Neuroscience are important because the drug may offer another way to help people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other problems related to bad memories.

Another popular method for removing memories. I'm "told" that it only works for short periods and that numerous side-effects may occur including tremendous headaches, nausea and vomiting.

Traditionally, therapists seek to teach people with such disorders strategies to build new associations and block bad memories. The problem, Kindt said, is the memories remain and people often relapse.

Animal studies have shown that fear memories can change when recalled, a process known as reconsolidation. At this stage they are also vulnerable to beta-blockers like propranolol, which target neurons in the brain, the researchers said.

Kindt and her team’s experiment included 60 men and women who learned to associate pictures of spiders with a mild shock. This experience created a fearful memory, the researchers said.

Other participants saw the same picture but did not receive an electrical shock. For these people this established a “safe” association without a fear response or bad memory.  (Read more.)

B.S. Report–I’ll tell ya’ they’ll sell billions of these little devils….every terrified married man in the country is going to want them! (Just a little joke, ladies!)

Wow, erasing fear and bad memories!  Who wouldn’t want to do that?  Imagine all the uses for this drug….I can think of some right off the top of my head.

Here’s A Strictly Fictional Dramatization…Yes, Fictional!

How about that trip to Santa Anita just last week when you lost a $25,000 Superfecta in a razor-thin photo finish?  Remember that?  Nope…I took my pill!  How about the 3-team basketball parlay that you lost on the final leg when a guy through in a meaningless 3-pointer at the buzzer…remember that?  I have no idea what you’re talking about!  Wow!  It’s a miracle!!!

P.S.–I doubt these are the uses they had in mind…

California Weather Betrays Global Warming Doomsayers

Despite Claims, Global Warming Isn’t Happening In California

The Golden State could become a desert wasteland, with no more winter salad greens from its parched Central Valley or wines from its withered Napa-Sonoma vineyards, before this century ends unless America takes drastic steps to slow global warming, warned U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

“We’re looking at a scenario where there’s no more agriculture in California,” Chu told The Los Angeles Times, adding, “I don’t actually see how they can keep their cities going.”

Cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego could become sandstorm-blasted ghost towns, Chu seemed to be saying.

This is what the global warming alarmists dream of seeing.

January had been unusually dry, the start of a third dry year in a row for California. But soon after Chu’s interview, rain began falling. Rainstorm after rainstorm – an average of one every two days – rolled across and drenched much of the state. By Feb. 10, water-short San Diego had surged to 2 inches above its normal-to-date rainfall, and southland mountain ski lodges opened quickly.

(B.S.–Unfortunately for them the climate is just not cooperating with their script, and instead we’re seeing this below.)

This rain pattern continues, with huge storms expected to thicken the Northern Sierra snowpack that supplies much of California’s water when it melts. The snowpack was only 61 percent of its usual thickness when Chu voiced concern about a drought.

Global Warming is proving a huge disappointment to the doomsayers.

The Chu Effect

“It’s the Gore Effect,” says a laughing James Taylor, editor of the Heartland Institute think tank journal Environment & Climate News. “Almost every time global warming doomsayer Al Gore speaks or his movie is shown, unusual cold or blizzards happen. And now we have the Chu Effect. He warns of global warming-caused drought in California, and the heavens reply with almost nonstop rains. Maybe somebody up there is trying to tell us something.”

With little or no planetary warming since 1998, alarmists and climate opportunists point increasingly to brief regional droughts as second-hand evidence of global warming.

“It’s amazing how many big-mouth global warming alarmists get media attention who were never trained as climatologists,” Patrick Michaels, a research professor of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia, tells Newsmax.

Chu is the latest example. He is a brilliant physicist who shared a 1997 Nobel Prize for his research into how to manipulate atoms with lasers. He has been director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a professor of physics and molecular and cellular biology at the University of California Berkeley. But like most global warming doomsayers, Chu has no degree in atmospheric sciences, meteorology, or climatology.  (Read more.)

B.S. Report–When man-made global warming fails to materialize as the “so-called” experts predict, it will be interesting to see whether there are any apologies offered from the Al Gore lobby of lunatics.  I suspect not–they’ll offer some excuse or defense before moving on to their next calamitous prediction.  Many of these people are as much about hating a free economy as they are about honest conservation methods.

Freedom Movie Of The Week: Milton Friedman on “Open Mind”

B.S. Report–I’ve decided to post this entire video from the “Open Mind” show.  It’s Milton Friedman with host Richard Heffner explaining freedom and a free economy.  As we sit on the precipice of giving away the freedom that our country has always stood for, it’s important to learn just exactly what we would be giving up.  Watch it and learn from an excellent teacher.