What’s interesting in the news today?
There’s a lot to choose from today.
I guess we’ll start with the new Pope.
From TheWashingtonTimes
“Pope Francis is first Catholic pontiff from the Americas; he is known as a humble intellectual.
As Argentine cardinal, he clashed with President Cristina Fernandez over her liberal policies.
Pope Francis is the first ever from the Americas, an austere Jesuit intellectual who modernized Argentina’s conservative Catholic church.”
____________________________________________________
Next we have a not at all shocking update on ObamaCare.
From TheTaxProfBlog
“Following up on Tuesday’s post, House Holds Hearing Today on The Tax-Related Provisions in the President’s Health Care Law: Tax Foundation, Obamacare Tax Increases Will Impact Us All:
The Joint Committee on Taxation recently released a 96 page report on the tax provisions associated with Affordable Care Act. The report describes the 21 tax increases included in Obamacare, totaling $1.058 trillion – a steep increase from initial assessment. The summer 2012 estimate is nearly twice the $569 billion estimate produced at the time of the passage of the law in March 2010. …
More from CNSNews
“The nation’s big health insurers say they expect premiums — or the cost for insurance coverage — to rise from 20 to 100 percent for millions of people due to changes that will occur when key provisions of the Affordable Care Act roll out in January 2014.
Mark Bertolini, CEO of Aetna Inc., one of the nation’s largest insurers, calls the price hikes “premium rate shock.”
“We’ve done all the math, we’ve shared it with all the regulators, we’ve shared it with all the people in Washington that need to see it, and I think it’s a big concern,” Bertolini said during the company’s annual meeting with investors in December.”
Nothing is as advertised. Not surprising, after all, nothing is free.
____________________________________________________
Well we finally get a look at the Democrat’s budget proposal. As expected, lot’s of tax increases. As well as a 62% increase in govt. spending over the next decade. Also not surprising. Tax and spend is their solution to everything.
From TheWeeklyStandard
“Senator Patty Murray, the Democratic chair of the Senate Budget Committee, finally released a budget today. Year over year, in this proposed budget, spending jumps dramatically.
For instance, from this year’s budget to next year’s proposed budget, spending would increase by $162 billion. This year, the federal government will spend $3.599 trillion; under Murray’s budget, the federal government would be on track to spend even more.
Over the next decade, spending under Murray’s budget would increase by 62 percent.”
From 3.6 trillion this year to over 5.7 trillion in 2023.
____________________________________________________
Someone should tell Captain Obvious here that the suit needs to be back by 5, or he has to pay for another day’s rental.
From CNSNews
“The “Arab spring” has benefited Islamists rather than democracy advocates, while political transitions and unrest in the region have provided opportunities for terrorists to mount attacks against U.S. interests, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told lawmakers Tuesday.
Delivering the intelligence community’s annual report on threats facing the United States, Clapper gave what amounted to a downbeat assessment of the upheavals that many initially viewed as a promising movement towards greater democracy in a region dominated by long-ruling autocrats.
“Islamist actors have been the chief electoral beneficiaries of the political openings, and Islamist parties in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco will likely solidify their influence in the coming year,” he told the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in a written statement.”
Wow, such brilliance. Like everyone didn’t already know this. And yes, this is exactly what many of us told these clowns would happen. It was never Democracy.
____________________________________________________
I like this one, but liberals sure won’t. So yeah, Double Bonus! 🙂
Once again, Texas shows how it’s done.
From TheAmericanStatesman
“The Senate Education Committee this morning approved a bill to ban Planned Parenthood from providing sex education materials or instruction in public schools in a 6-2 vote, after little discussion.”
“Public school districts that opt to provide sex education must make all course materials available for public review and allow parents to exempt children from any portion of the course without penalty.”
“Supporters of the bill accused Planned Parenthood of placing an improper emphasis on sexual freedom and abortion rights that is inappropriate for school-age children. Opponents accused Paxton of attempting to place unneeded restrictions on local instruction that would force some school districts to drop sex education despite high rates of teen pregnancy.”
____________________________________________________
Wandering Views 
Huffington Post is already trying to slander the new pope.
LikeLike
Thanks for the compliment, AJ. We do our best. I am on a hiking trip to Utah and I really like that state as well. When I return, I am going to ask Governor Perry to begin plans to annex that state. Of course, we’ll need to take in parts of Colorado and New Mexico to form a land bridge between Texline and Moab.
LikeLike
rickyweaver,
Could y’all pick up GA as well?
LikeLike
What, exactly, does it mean that the new pope “modernized” the RCC in Argentina? And is that a good or a bad thing?
LikeLike
I don’t understand the tradition of burning a cardinal when they announce a new pope.
LikeLike
I have the same problem as Ree has at 10:34.
AJ, I presume, said:
Wow, such brilliance. Like everyone didn’t already know this. And yes, this is exactly what many of us told these clowns would happen. It was never Democracy.
Almost none of them understand the enemy. They spend so much getting reelected, or working the bureaucratic system, that they don’t have time analyzing the real problems we face.
Soon after 9/11, I read the Koran. I wonder how may of our leaders, besides Obama, have read the Koran.
LikeLike
Most of us here obviously take deep issue with the RC church’s doctrine and practice (I’m still convinced the church’s enforced celibacy on the clergy has been the main culprit leading to the abuse scandal).
But much of the secular criticism of the pope we’re hearing this week, of course, is in the realm of sexual ethics — same sex marriage & birth control, most specifically; less centrally the lack of women priests, though that topic still gets some going.
They seem to forget that the pope, is, after all, Catholic. 😉 Really kind of funny when you think about it.
As for the health care premiums being expected to jump … ouch. Ours already spiked twice in the past two years, with this past increase for ’13 being especially painful. (Coupled with other cutbacks we’ve had at our workplace, one of our photographers told me his wife took one look at his pay stub early this year and asked him, “What’s wrong with your check?” Indeed.)
And now we have more to look forward to in this next year with even higher premiums? 😦
No like. But not surprised. What did people expect when Obamacare passed?
LikeLike
I was just over at NBC and not surprisingly, they aren’t fans of the new Pope. But let’s be honest, they’d feel that way about any choice.
As Donna said, they seem upset to find out that he’s Catholic and as such supports the traditional views on marriage and homosexuality. Who would’ve guessed? 🙄
Although I’m not Catholic, and have many issues with their doctrine, I can’t help but to think I agree with them on many issues.
And you know you’re over the target when you start taking flak.
And another interesting thing I see here is the chance for the new Pope to make a big splash. The President has decided to send Joe “yes I’m a Catholic but I don’t act like one” Biden as the official US envoy. This would give the new Pope the opportunity to remind some of his feelings about Catholics like Ol’ Joe.
http://www.lifenews.com/2013/03/13/new-pope-francis-called-abortion-the-death-penalty-for-the-unborn/
“The document, which the new Pope presented on behalf of his colleagues at the time and signed of on, referred to abortion and communion, said “we should commit ourselves to ‘eucharistic coherence’, that is, we should be conscious that people cannot receive holy communion and at the same time act or speak against the commandments, in particular when abortion, euthanasia, and other serious crimes against life and family are facilitated. This responsibility applies particularly to legislators, governors, and health professionals.”
LikeLike
Case in point, holding the “Vatican line”:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/getreligion/2013/03/litany-of-the-press-will-pope-francis-hold-that-vatican-line/
LikeLike
I was really stupid when Obamacare was first talked about. Health care in the US was 17% of the economy. If the government was going to take over health care, I assumed that everyone would have their taxes go up by 17%.
Silly goose that I was, I thought everyone would figure the same and that everyone was fine with that. Why is anyone upset? All you had to do was pass the bill so you could see what was in it!
LikeLike
My pal Bill Giovannetti on why an evangelical pastor salutes the new pope:
LikeLike
From BBCNews via Drudge
Authorities in Germany have banned three Islamist groups, accusing them of being “anti-democratic” and seeking to impose sharia law.
DawaFFM, Islamische Audios and An-Nussrah all adhere to ultra-conservative Salafist doctrine.
Police mounted raids against the groups on Wednesday, but no arrests were made.
German officials have said videos produced by DawaFFM partly inspired the man who shot dead two US airmen at Frankfurt airport in 2011.
An-Nussrah was judged to be part of the Millatu Ibrahim organisation, which had been banned in June last year.
“Salafism, as represented by the groups banned today, is incompatible with our peaceful, democratic system,” Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich said in a statement.
LikeLike
the new pope: Not surprising that non-Catholic liberals don’t like him but I don’t think most Catholics would be concerned about their opinion. His choice of name, his simplicity, his use of public transit, etc all point to a man who might be able to project himself as a man of the people in the same way as John Paul II. However, JPII fought against the communist and then the Polish military whereas Francis collaborate with the Argentine military junta. This rather than his social positions is worthy of criticism. It seems at odds with the image he is attempting to project.
planned parenthood: Planned parenthood and any other agencies no matter their stance on birth control, abortion, women’s health, sexuality etc have no business in the classroom. The curriculum should be presented by the teacher. At the same time, children should not be exempted from some parts of the curriculum but not others. Parents can’t exempt their kids from math class or french class (200 mins a week whether your parents like or not) so why the exemption from health class?
I send a letter home each time I teach the “growth and development” unit in health but only as a courtesy. Most people including teachers assume its a permission slip but its not. I don’t ask permission to teach math why certain aspects of health. I do encourage parents to examine the curriculum and ask me for clarification but I would do the same if they expressed an interest in math.
LikeLike
ACA: I’m not surprised by the increase in premiums. Managed competition doesn’t work. Single payer does. Auto insurance is compulsory and provided in the form of managed competition in Ontario. Premiums are far higher than in provinces which have public insurance. In the town of Llyodminister which straddles the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, residents on the Saskatchewan side of the street with public insurance have lower premiums than the managed competition of the Alberta side.
You either have open competition and resign yourself to a society in which some people won’t receive the same medical care as others or you have some form of single payer/state insurance.
the budget: 62% over 10 years is 6.2% which is more than predicted inflation but not much higher if viewed in terms of compounded inflation. Given how changing demographics will affect health care and social security and the country’s addiction to defence spending, this isn’t a surprising budget. Revenue increase through economic expansion and eliminate tax loopholes should be to take care of most of it.
CNN reports that Murray claims it will reduce the deficit by 1.85 trillion in 10 years and reduced projected spending by 975 million. It will reduce the deficit by 2.2% of the GDP (currently at 5-7%) and the debt will be 70% down from 77%.
If they deficit/debt is viewed in terms of % of GDP, then the federal position will improve. This is the normal view of debt/deficit as it looks at the ability of the state to handle the debt not the actual size of the debt.
LikeLike
Btw, Bob. Two states run well by a democratic government …. Vermont and Washington. One can also add Minnesota.
LikeLike
hwesseli: I think you’re underscoring one of the inherent pitfalls of the notion of govt schooling: the state assuming the role of a parent. It should be up to the parents what it taught their children, *including* in math, language, etc. But when govt schooling is given the power/monopoly it essentially has, a wrench it thrown into that equation.
But even aside from that aspect, there’s an appreciable difference between learing math formulas and learning how human genetalia function, and when human genetalia “function” *together,* we’re on a whole different plane. I don’t know why anyone would begrudge parents who want to make sure only *they* provide that information to their children, and on their own terms.
LikeLike
If Democrats run Washington so well, how come the Dem. governor had to have voter fraud to get elected?
LikeLike
A teacher provides information on how math and the human genitalia work but does not give guidance in proper time and place to use either. A teacher doesn’t tell students to use math only to balance a budget and other “wholesome” pursuits as opposed to running an illegal business or even shortening housing mortgages. Similarly, human genitalia is simply taught to the student; when to use it together is left child, parents, etc to counsel. If anything I tell them not use it as the curriculum emphasizes abstinence.
Although a parent should have the supreme role in a child’s education, society does have an inherent interest in a well-educated populace. And thus we have mandatory state supported and/or supervised education.
Robert — you are referring to the 2004 election, the present governor was elected last year with an undisputed majority.
LikeLike
“whereas Francis collaborate with the Argentine military junta.”
Do you have proof of that other than the Huffington Post said so?
LikeLike
I had to go see my family physician once and a specialist twice. Those two visits, plus tests ordered by both of them has just cleaned out my savings. Guess when I get sick again, I will just stay home and tough it out.
LikeLike
kbells — I don’t read the HuffPost, for the most part it collects columns and article elsewhere and “reprints” them usually without paying their contributors. The business model is exactly one I approve of.
This guardian story basically outlines most of the questions being raised.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/14/pope-francis-argentina-military-junta
There is one story missing. Apparently Francis helped a cleric escape to Chile under an assume name to evade criminal charges relating to the junta era. He was later extradited and imprisoned. The Catholic hierarchy was complicit in the junta and Francis was part of the hierarchy.
LikeLike
oops I should have typed “The business model isn’t one I approve of”
drivesguy: your experience wouldn’t have cost me a cent. Beyond your cost, there is a cost to the local economy due to your reduced economic activity and if you chose to ignore your health needs in the future, the local economy may suffer from your declining productivity due to ill health.
LikeLike
hwesseli, from your own article. “As archbishop, he faced a monumental task, and he was even accused of collaboration with the dirty war, which he strenuously denied and was ultimately cleared.”
LikeLike
That was a quote from a Catholic theologian not from the paper itself.
Here’s the main gist from the article
Its behaviour during that dark period in Argentine history was so unsaintly that in 2000 the Argentine Catholic church itself made a public apology for its failure to take a stand against the generals……
In February, a court noted during the sentencing of three former military men to life imprisonment for the killings of two priests that the church hierarchy had “closed its eyes” to the killing of progressive priests.
As head of the Jesuit order from 1973 to 1979, Jorge Bergoglio – as the new pope was known until yesterday – was a member of the hierarachy during the period when the wider Catholic church backed the military government and called for their followers to be patriotic.
Bergoglio twice refused to testify in court about his role as head of the Jesuit order. When he eventually appeared in front of a judge in 2010, he was accused by lawyers of being evasive.
The main charge against Bergoglio involves the kidnapping of two Jesuit priests, Orland Yorio and Francisco Jalics, who were taken by Navy officers in May 1976 and held under inhumane conditions for the missionary work they conducted in the country’s slums, a politically risky activity at the time.
His chief accuser is journalist Horacio Verbitsky, the author of a book on the church called “El Silencio” (“The Silence”), which claims that Bergoglio withdrew his order’s protection from the two priests, effectively giving the military a green light for their abduction.
The claims are based on conversations with Jalics, who was released after his ordeal and later moved to a German monastery.
Elsewhere, its explained that Bergoglio expelled the two priests a week before they were arrested effectively removing the church’s protection.
LikeLike
I notice you didn’t post Bergoglio defense, where he said he saved their lives. Easy to sit safely in Canada and decide someone should have stood up to killers.
LikeLike
Also interesting that a conservative can’t be forgiven for something that may or may not have happened in extremely difficult and dangerous circumstance 40 or 50 years ago but a liberal must be forgiven the next day for what they did in the White House. (Bill Clinton)
Can you honestly say there is nothing in your life that could not be dug up and misinterpreted to make you look bad.
LikeLike
If our own acts prevent us from passing judgments, then there won’t be many applicants to sit on a court.
Bergoglio is positioning himself as a man of the people hence the name Francis yet his past indicates a man at home with an authoritarian regime. His past doesn’t match his present image or attempt at image and that is grounds for criticism. I compared him Pope John Paul II. JPII stood up to the Communist party and later to the Polish military. Francis did not stand up to the junta. To be a credible pope he needs to at least meet the standard set by JPII. I may not have liked JPII’s views but I do give him credit and respect.
Forgiving Clinton for sexual indiscretions is far different than questioning a pontiff’s association with a repressive regime. And lets face it, we have higher expectations of religious leaders.
LikeLike
Our expectations for Clinton weren’t all that high and he didn’t meet them. Besides that, most Presidents manage to leave politics when they leave office, Clinton and Carter haven’t. We will see what happens when Obama leaves.
As for the Pope, I don’t have a dog in that fight.
Forgive Clinton? When did he admit said indiscretions and ask for forgiveness? He didn’t sin against me. I can’t forgive him. Now Monica, Hillary, Chelsea… oh, and God…
LikeLike
Inbutnotnof, One of my best friends from high school lives just north of Cartersville. Georgians and Texans have much in common. We both think that all the Yankees in the world are moving to our state.
LikeLike
Judging what actually happened is one thing, judging what may or may not have happened is different. You didn’t tell his side of the story.
LikeLike
RickyWeaver – Maybe those Yankees can’t stand living any longer in such bastions of liberal control? It is the second reason why I will not ever live in the state of NY again. The first being that it is overrun with too many of my family members. Don’t get me wrong, NY is a beautiful state and I love it , but I could never live there today for the reasons stated.
LikeLike
LikeLike
Another one for hwesseli.
anonlawblog.wordpress.com/2013/03/15/when-nothing-else-will-work-accuse-a-catholic-prelate-of-nso/
LikeLike