Keith_Indy on May 06 2008 | Filed under: Economics, Keith's Page, energy
If being upside down on your mortgage isn’t bad enough, consider how many people are into large pickups and SUVs for more then they are worth. And now with gas prices climbing they want to get out of them.
The sale of new SUVs and pickup trucks has dropped precipitously in recent months amid soaring [...]
Keith_Indy on May 06 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Keith's Page, energy
Hmmm, oil states controlling production to just barely meet 35.6% of supply so they can keep prices high. That’s bad.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0508/Clinton_OPEC_can_no_longer_be_a_cartel.html
“We’re going to go right at OPEC,” she said. “They can no longer be a cartel, a monopoly that get together once every couple of months in some conference room in some plush [...]
Keith_Indy on May 02 2008 | Filed under: Election 2008, Keith's Page
I agree with one of the commenters over on HotAir…
How DARE they call us Indianans. We are called Hoosiers for some gawd damn reason, so call us that when you’re insulting us.
I dare him to come here and say that. It would be a tossup if he were beaten or laughed at. [...]
Keith_Indy on Apr 30 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Keith's Page
The sin of omission that Hillary is committing with the re-telling of the Indiana plant moving to China (while not mentioning that it was sold to China during her husbands tenure,) is starting to gather some light. The following story was linked by the DrudgeReport today.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/election2008/story/35337.html
It’s a story Hillary Clinton loves to tell, about [...]
Keith_Indy on Apr 30 2008 | Filed under: Culture, Election 2008, Firearms, Keith's Page
Never underestimate the power of a politician to overestimate their power, especially in an election year.
Just as the signs are trending towards a “permanent” majority for Democrats, one of them has the bright idea to poke a sleeping bear.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg, a New Jersey Democrat, has introduced a bill that would allow the FBI to [...]
Keith_Indy on Apr 28 2008 | Filed under: Election 2008, Keith's Page
In searching today about the post I put up last week, about Clinton’s ad about defense jobs lost to China, I found these juicy bits…
Bayh blasted federal policies that allowed the sale of the plant to the Chinese, saying that now the United States has to buy the magnets used in its smart bombs from [...]
Keith_Indy on Apr 25 2008 | Filed under: Election 2008, Keith's Page
Finally, someone else is bringing up the same point I’ve been making about Obama’s remarks at that SanFran fundraiser…
For a man who clings to a racist black preacher as tightly as Obama has clung to Reverend Wright, it’s odd that he would speak of clinging to religion as a small-town phenomenon that grew out of [...]
Keith_Indy on Apr 24 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Keith's Page, Technology
Here’s an ad some of you may not have seen. But now (wonder of wonders) since Indiana is a battleground state in the Democratic primary, it’s been getting plenty of air play during the local news programs.
Hillary Clinton:
Right here over 200 Hoosiers built parts that guided our military’s smart bombs to their targets.
They were [...]
Keith_Indy on Apr 23 2008 | Filed under: Keith's Page, Notes on the war
Security improvements bringing people back to their homes in South Baghdad…
With security improving, local economies flourishing and community reconstruction underway, Iraqis who once fled their South Baghdad homes in fear are now returning to the villages they deserted.
This is a good sign, said Maj. Mark Bailey, the officer in charge of the Multi-National Division – [...]
Keith_Indy on Apr 17 2008 | Filed under: Election 2008, Keith's Page
Lot’s of stuff to like here…
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) called for a repeal of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) on Tuesday as part of his “pro-growth, pro-jobs tax agenda.”
…
If elected president, McCain said he would make it harder to raise taxes. “It should require a three-fifth-majority vote in Congress to raise taxes,” he said.
McCain [...]
Keith_Indy on Apr 14 2008 | Filed under: Election 2008, Keith's Page
Well, it’s all the rage now. The AHA GOTCHA! moments of political campaigning.
Some think they’ve got McCain painted in a corner by the selective use of quotes:
In a speech March 25, he said: “It is not the duty of government to bail out and reward those who act irresponsibly, whether they are big banks [...]
Keith_Indy on Apr 07 2008 | Filed under: Keith's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war
This will be good news if it happens…
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/04/07/sadrs-political-universe-continues-to-shrink/
Iraq’s major Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish parties have closed ranks to force anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to disband his Mahdi Army militia or leave politics, lawmakers and officials involved in the effort said Sunday.
Such a bold move risks a violent backlash by al-Sadr’s Shiite [...]
Keith_Indy on Apr 02 2008 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Military Matters
Fred and Kimberly Kagan have a decent analysis of what we do and don’t know about the situation in Iraq.
Just the highlights (as I see them)
Do Know
* The legitimate Government of Iraq and its legally-constituted security forces launched a security operation against illegal, foreign-backed, insurgent and criminal militias serving leaders who openly call for [...]
Keith_Indy on Apr 01 2008 | Filed under: Keith's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war
Let’s see, the Mahdi Army is in retreat, and the ISF is continuing operations, and sending reinforcements.
Isn’t it OBVIOUS that Maliki is loosing.
Update -
This puts things into perspective…
Mission accomplished has been duly declared, although the JAM in Basra remains apparently intact and raids are still ongoing to seize some of the weapons whose surrender was [...]
Keith_Indy on Mar 31 2008 | Filed under: Election 2008, Keith's Page
Temporarily for Obama… Maybe.
So far as I can gather Obama is a big question mark, who’s been ‘present’ for the voting of many important issues, but who refuses to take a stand on them.
But I can think of one thing that would make me vote for Obama.
Mrs. Clinton’s aides said they could see no [...]
Keith_Indy on Mar 21 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Economics, Election 2008, Keith's Page
Some interesting parallels with our current situation and the period before the Great Depression. Interestingly, it seems the Democrats are intent on not learning from history, at least not about what led us to the Depression. Or maybe they want a replay of the policies that helped drag us out of the Depression.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_shlaes&sid=alBsmRS72DyM
Schumer [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 29 2008 | Filed under: Culture, Keith's Page
Missed this on Wed, still need to get internet at our new house, and I hadn’t seen it on the news.
Hot rod entrepreneur Boyd Coddington died on Wednesday of undisclosed cause. He will be missed by many in the hobby, even if his management style (as shown on the show American Hot Rod) wasn’t [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 28 2008 | Filed under: Developmental economics, Domestic Politics, Economics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page
A short portrait of President Bush from Sir Bob Geldof, on the Presidents recent trip around Africa. Really shows what we’ve been accomplishing in Africa the last several years.
In 2003, only 50,000 Africans were on HIV antiretroviral drugs — and they had to pay for their own medicine. Today, 1.3 million are receiving medicines [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 28 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Firearms, Keith's Page
Maybe, just maybe, guns do serve the purpose of holding back the tyrants boot heel.
The data show that (although exceptions can be found) the nations with the highest rates of gun ownerhsip tend to have greater political and civil freedom, greater economic freedom and prosperity, and much less corruption than other nations. The relationship only [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 27 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, History, Keith's Page, Society
I remember him most for his debates on the Firing Line in the 70’s. His style, full of respect and grace are what I’ll remember him by.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MTE4NGRlOGM1NmYxYjdmNjk1MjliOTE2MTYxOWZkZjc=
I’m devastated to report that our dear friend, mentor, leader, and founder William F. Buckley Jr., died overnight in his study in Stamford, Connecticut.
After year of illness, he [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 26 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Environment, Keith's Page
Brrrr… it sure is cold out there. And now the data is in to prove it.
Over the past year, anecdotal evidence for a cooling planet has exploded. China has its coldest winter in 100 years. Baghdad sees its first snow in all recorded history. North America has the most snowcover in 50 years, with [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 22 2008 | Filed under: Election 2008, Keith's Page
John McCain is speaking in Indianapolis today.
Some high lites
* Doesn’t think subsidies are needed for ethanol
* Speech was heavy on National Defense
* Wants free and fair elections in Cuba, will not provide aid or assistance until political prisoners are released.
* Wants to keep tax rates low, and simplify the tax code.
* We need to eliminate [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 21 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Keith's Page
Every good smear deserves a plea to stop the smearer and the dirty apes who support them…
One does have to wonder why the New Yawk Times would first endorse a candidate, and then publish what I would assume was to them, a scandalous article about that very candidate. One hand not knowing what the [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 21 2008 | Filed under: Keith's Page, Photography
Yep, that’s a big lens all right. 12X optical zoom, equivalent to a 432mm telephoto on a 35mm camera. Biggest lens I have right now. The previous shots of the lunar eclipse were taken with this camera. Still getting used to the new features, and controls, but I love it.
Here is [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 21 2008 | Filed under: Keith's Page, Photography
Hey, I entered a online photo contest. Here is one of the photo’s I entered. I would really like to win the Canon 40D, as I’ve had my eye on it since it was released. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for one of my pictures…
Voting starts tomorrow February 22 and goes through [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 21 2008 | Filed under: Keith's Page, Photography
If you missed the eclipse of the moon last night, it was quite a sight. These two pictures were only taken about a minute apart. The first picture is closer to what was actually viewable to the naked eye. The second picture is with a wider aperture.
f8.0 @ 1/4 sec ISO 400
f3.5 [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 15 2008 | Filed under: Keith's Page, Notes on the war
Even more evidence that there is sustainable progress in Iraq. And this is from the same person the left held up as proof last year, that no progress was evident.
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/02/15/surge-skeptic-cordesman-major-progress-in-every-area-in-iraq/
If the US provides sustained support to the Iraqi government — in security, governance, and development — there is now a very real chance [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 15 2008 | Filed under: Election 2008, Firearms, Keith's Page
Talk about trying to speak to both sides of the fence. He’s talking in all the right code words though, and that should have people worried. “Whatever it takes” “Commonsense regulation” The one thing I agree with him 100% on is that the Constitution PROTECTS an individual right to bear arms.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8UQTAS80&show_article=1
Barack [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 14 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Keith's Page, Sports
Sen. Arlen Specter says so. Though, why the US Senate is investigating the NFL about this is beyond me. I’m willing to forgo that discussion because the Patriots are evil. Evil cheaters! I’m just glad the country doesn’t have more pressing problems, so the Senator has the extra time on his [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 13 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Keith's Page, Notes on the war
Say it aint so!!! Da New Yawk Times Says So!!!
I wonder where they are on those benchmarks our Congress settled on? I also wonder how this places them in effectiveness vs our Democratically controlled Congress.
Using old-fashioned politicking behind the scenes, Iraq’s parliamentary leaders on Wednesday pushed through three divisive laws that had been [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 11 2008 | Filed under: Books, Culture, Keith's Page
Thanks to Lance, I have a hankering to learn who this man is he is quoting…
http://www.chesterton.org/discover/who.html
This absent-minded, overgrown elf of a man, who laughed at his own jokes and amused children at birthday parties by catching buns in his mouth, this was the man who wrote a book called The Everlasting Man, which led a [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 11 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Economics, Environment, Keith's Page, Technology, energy, regulation
And by eventually, they mean decades down the road.
This is a perfect example of government getting in the way of the innovation we need to dig ourselves out of our fossil fuel dependency.
http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1362/1/
If you want to build a wind farm in Minnesota right now, you’re in for a nasty surprise. A 612-year nasty surprise in [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 08 2008 | Filed under: Election 2008, Keith's Page
There was never going to be a perfect candidate. We support them when the issue drives us to support them, and oppose them (respectfully) when we differ on the issues. It is that way with President Bush, and I don’t ever see changing that.
Congress needs to reform itself as much as, or even [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 07 2008 | Filed under: Election 2008, Keith's Page
McCain should be up any minute now…
3:07PM Special Guest Sen. George Allen from VA is up now.
- I’m a commonsense, Jeffersonian conservative.
- Preeminent role of President is Commander in Chief. And John McCain would be the best of the remaining candidates in that role.
- tenacious in stopping wasteful spending
- good fiscal conservative
- [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 07 2008 | Filed under: Firearms, Keith's Page
It is sometimes tragic when the basic rules of firearm safety are ignored.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,329347,00.html
A teenager playing with a shotgun he thought was unloaded accidentally shot and killed a friend.
William “Kane” Krinn, 18, was hanging out with two friends in the garage of a home on Tuesday when one of the teens pointed a 12-gauge shotgun at [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 07 2008 | Filed under: Election 2008, Keith's Page
Romney is going to quit the race. Or “suspending” his campaigning, whatever that means. Looking at the results so far, this would give McCain the nomination, and leave him to go on the offensive against either of the potential Democratic candidates. Given Romney’s performance as noted below, there’s not really much to [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 07 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Keith's Page
Although I’m leery anytime Congress says it’s going to “fix” something, something really does need to be changed in the primary system. That the race is all but decided by the time some states primaries, makes those voters with later primaries, much less important in the process.
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200802/POL20080207a.html
With Super Tuesday now behind us, there’s a [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 06 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Keith's Page
Well, Fred wasn’t in the game. It seems to me, that both he and Rudy damaged their campaigns by not entering and participating early enough. We don’t get to vote in a primary here in Indiana for a couple of weeks, and I have a feeling the Republican nominee will be locked in [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 05 2008 | Filed under: Keith's Page, Music
This BLAST from the PAST comes to you from the glam pop rock band SWEET!
Dude…
Sweet…
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Keith_Indy on Jan 31 2008 | Filed under: Election 2008, Keith's Page
I guess she’s only pro-union when it benefits her.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4218509&page=1
In six years as a member of the Wal-Mart board of directors, between 1986 and 1992, Hillary Clinton remained silent as the world’s largest retailer waged a major campaign against labor unions seeking to represent store workers.
Clinton has been endorsed for president by more than a dozen [...]
Keith_Indy on Jan 31 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Keith's Page
It’s not to often that a headline comes along that makes me bust out laughing. But the following one did.
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Keith_Indy on Jan 30 2008 | Filed under: Election 2008, Keith's Page
McCain may be the front runner, but it is still anyone’s game going into next Tuesday. And the race can be just as muddled after next Tuesday, if there’s not a clear front runner.
And yes, it’s my contention that at this time, there isn’t a clear front runner. Just look at the numbers:
McCain [...]
Keith_Indy on Jan 29 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Keith's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war
I would have to think Saddams bluff against the world would be up there at #1.
A possible number 2 would be Rumsfeld, in 2004, siding with decision not to publicaly release information that supported going to war.
http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=12652
One member of UNSCOM told this author that in April 2003, shortly after Baghdad fell to U.S. forces, an [...]
Keith_Indy on Jan 29 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Economics, Keith's Page, Libertarianism
Maybe that’s overstating things a bit, but probably not by much. My parents experienced a similar cascade of events when my grandmother was injured in December of ‘06, and died several weeks later. Even before then, her treatment was one of visiting any number of specialists with problems never being resolved completely.
When consumers [...]
Keith_Indy on Jan 28 2008 | Filed under: Culture, Keith's Page
“Cloverfield” has got to be just about the worst movie I’ve seen in my life. My wife agrees, saying “Starship Troopers” was better, which for her, had been one of the worst movies of all time.
And we weren’t alone. The teenagers in the front row could be heard as the movie ended, “Is [...]
Keith_Indy on Jan 24 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Environment, Keith's Page
Let’s see if I have this straight…
that means “global warming may decrease the likelihood of hurricanes making landfall in the United States,” according to researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Miami Lab and the University of Miami.
No, it doesn’t…
Critics say Wang’s study is based on poor data that was rejected by scientists on [...]
Keith_Indy on Jan 22 2008 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, Keith's Page
FoxNews, fair and balanced. Well, one can add snarky to that tag line for the headline above. Not that I disagree with it, or think we shouldn’t treat some people to a certain amount of disrespect.
Just another straw on the camels back. With the camel in this case being the public.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,324576,00.html
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad [...]
Keith_Indy on Jan 21 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Keith's Page, Society
Bill Quick has an interesting discussion over at the American Conservative Party, on what such a party might look like.
Says Bill:
My gut feeling is that the traditionally American conservative viewpoint has been constitutional in nature, has tended toward limited, inexpensive government, and focused on individual liberty.
This can be an inclusive of a range of individual [...]
Keith_Indy on Jan 17 2008 | Filed under: Keith's Page, Photography
Library of Congress releases 3,000 copyright free photos on Flickr. A quick dig found this particular one.
via Lifehacker
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Keith_Indy on Jan 17 2008 | Filed under: Keith's Page, Notes on the war
Well, maybe not good news, but the forecasts portend good news.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7193174.stm
Iraq faces a period of economic growth and political progress, according to assessments by the International Monetary Fund and the UN.
The IMF sees 7% growth in 2008 and a similar rise next year, and says oil revenues from buoyant exports should be up by 200,000 [...]
Risk and Return Multinational Force-Iraq