You are currently browsing the Terminus Est weblog archives for the day March 27, 2007.
March 27, 2007 by mr_flood.
The NY Times has an article today about a place in Arizona called ‘Heat Invades Cool Heights Over Arizona Desert’. It’s a two page lamentation over the so-called destruction of Summerhaven AZ,
a natural air-conditioned retreat for people in Tucson, one of the so-called sky islands of southern Arizona. When it is 105 degrees in the city, it is at least 20 degrees cooler up here near the 9,157-foot summit of Mount Lemmon.
The article tries desperately to link anecdotal evidence about changes observed by local residents with AGW. What I find interesting, though, that the above quote is the only time specific temperatures are mentioned. For example
The American Southwest has been warming for nearly 30 years, according to records that date to the late 19th century. And the region is in the midst of an eight-year drought. Both developments could be within the range of natural events.
The question that jumps off the page at you is, how much warming? The answer seems to be nothing above normal. They spend a lot of time talking about recent fires and forest management. But what’s the point? The only one I can garner is that they have no real proof that AGW is causing these changes but they’d really like you to think it is.
Posted in Climate | 1 Comment »
March 27, 2007 by mr_flood.
The following article highlights the government’s proficiency at handling immigration, headline ‘
The report by the Homeland Security Department’s inspector general found that the effectiveness of teams assigned to find the fugitives was hampered by “insufficient detention capacity, limitations of an immigration database and inadequate working space.”
Even though more than $204 million was allocated for 52 fugitive operations teams since 2003, a backlog of 623,292 cases existed as of August 2006, the report said.
Of course, like a jack-in-the-box, we’ll be told the solution is even more money. The government does things so well, in so many areas, I think it will be a really great idea to put them in charge of everyone’s healthcare. That way, we can all live to be 500 and it will only cost us pennies a day!
Posted in Current Events | 1 Comment »
March 27, 2007 by mr_flood.
Interesting article from the Tax Foundation
Overall, we find that America’s lowest-earning one-fifth of households received roughly $8.21 in government spending for each dollar of taxes paid in 2004. Households with middle-incomes received $1.30 per tax dollar, and America’s highest-earning households received $0.41. Government spending targeted at the lowest-earning 60 percent of U.S. households is larger than what they paid in federal, state and local taxes. In 2004, between $1.03 trillion and $1.53 trillion was redistributed downward from the two highest income quintiles to the three lowest income quintiles through government taxes and spending policy.
I have no idea concerning the political leanings of this organization but common sense seems to lead to this type of a conclusion.
If true, it’s no wonder government spending continues to climb. The poor vastly outnumber the rich and so can continue to vote themselves ever increasing hand-outs. One of the failings of democracy.
Posted in Current Events | 1 Comment »