Illinois Review

Heartland Institute's Fizzle-Gate

By Paul Jacobs -

When documents from Heartland Institute went public, showing strategy and funding for various climate-related research and advocacy projects, some folks immediately hailed it as a scandal to compare with the "Climate-gate" email embarrassment of sometime back. "Denier-gate" and even "Heartland-gate" were the hastily suffixed monikers for the news story.

But then it was discovered that the leak was the result of an inquiry made by a major climate-change activist, Peter Gleick, who had been slipped some allegedly damning documents and asked Heartland for more information . . . posing as a member of the group's board of directors.

One More Reason to Move to Texas

By Ghost of John Brown -

I've been threatening to move to Texas for the last couple of years, a thought that excites some of my critics no doubt. Sure they have lower taxes and the business environment is better, and while those are compelling reasons, the one thing that Texas has over Illinois is zero chance of glaciers any time soon. While I'm not actually predicting glaciers, it is hard not to believe that if you are going to stay here in Illinois, or at least northern Illinois, investment in a snow-blower would be a wise decision. This time at least, it isn't Mike Madigan's fault - it's the sun.

The Democrats' War on Transportation

By John F. Di Leo -

The new "Hours of Service" rules are just a drop in the bucket...

We think of the world of transportation -- especially trucking and automobile manufacturing -- as being one of the most fundamental of Democratic Party constituencies. Detroit has long been a party stronghold, with the UAW and Teamsters among Democrats' most powerful union supporters. From the worker at the DMV to the driver he licenses, this is one solid chain of Democrats.

But is this political loyalty deserved today, if indeed it ever was?  Since the Democratic Party was taken over by environmental extremists a generation ago, there has been a marked shift from the pro-driver, pro-automaker party of Detroit to the anti-car, anti-truck, anti-transport party of today. 

Smart Meters – Just how smart are they?

By The Cranky Housewife -

It looks like Naperville, Illinois has just become the epicenter for an ongoing tug-of-war over Smart Meters. ComEd and environmental groups are pushing for the implementation of the Smart Grid in this Illinois suburb of Chicago siting a substantial and positive environmental impact, more jobs and a move to cleaner energy.

Per Jack Darin who is the Illinois Sierra Club Director (Yes, the Sierra Club…*big sigh*):

“This will be a huge boost to clean energy in Illinois. We'll see new jobs and businesses, and cleaner air as we move away from city coal...A smarter power grid will also save consumers money by giving us new tools to manage our power consumption”

The Democratic Party’s War on Workers

by John F. Di Leo

The Democratic Party claims to be the worker’s friend.

From union slogans to candidate speeches, from underlying themes in our children’s schoolbooks at the beginning of our lives to the message of the AARP as they warn us of the approaching end, the American left has successfully infected our politics with the theme that the Republicans may be the party of the rich and the businessman, but the Democrats are most certainly the party of the working man.  Every election, the Republicans must try, somehow, to counter this meme.  The fact is that the Democratic Party is the enemy of the American worker… but explaining this to the voting public can be a difficult battle, as the economic causes of factory migration, wide ranges of wage scales, inflation, business cycles, and the crippling burdens of governmental regulations don’t fit neatly into a thirty-second spot on television or radio.

In 2012, however, it might be different.

Growing The Economy vs. Environmental Crony Capitalism

by Ghost of John Brown

W.C Fields once said "It's morally wrong to allow a sucker to keep his money". Perhaps it's the logic that has encouraged environmental companies such as Solyndra to take money from the Federal government; they know a sucker when they see one. When most inventors have a really cool idea, they seek out venture capitalists. Unless your name is Mother Teresa, you like to make money. If an inventor has an idea worth something, there will be plenty of people willing to give you plenty of greenbacks to pursue your idea because they see a payback in the future. If your idea is not necessarily all that worthwhile, you might want to seek out the Federal government because they obviously aren't all that concerned about profit margins.

If I Were a Liberal

by Sam Pierce

Life would be more satisfying, I imagine, if I were a thinking liberal. At the very least, it would be somewhat easier. Happiness would be more attainable, because some portion of my happiness would be a function of misery borne by others. I make the distinction of the "thinking liberal" to separate him from those (likely the majority) who thoughtlessly (and therefore without malice) believe in the actions and proposals of liberal leaders.

I suppose it is possible for thinking liberals to be acting without malice. If this is the case, then there is reason to be terrified. If we are so far removed from liberty and reason that a man can be educated and experience life in such a manner that he can thoughtfully support liberal ideals and do so with no ill intention, then we are in dire straits.

The state of our nation and the world as a whole would be a satisfying challenge for me and my ideology. I would see the conditions stemming, in part, from the practice of my ideology and I would see the need to "correct" those conditions with a healthier dose of the same. While my goals might not be clear, the path would be defined with a crystalline clarity.

Reflections on the Debt Ceiling Debate and the Way Forward

By Ghost of John Brown

The first phase of perhaps one of the most contentious discussions that we have had as a nation is behind us.  Note that I said that this is only the first phase.  Every political pundit and most of the nation has been riveted by what took place earlier this week and for the last couple of weeks before that regarding the debt ceiling.  Ah.....now that it is over, we can focus on the two Illinois baseball teams that are destined for the World Series..........uhhhhhh, well never mind that - football is coming!!!!  Much like that fine baseball team on the north side, our Congress might take on the moniker "lovable losers", but I'm not so sure that the "lovable" part is a fitting description.  So what have we as conservatives gained through this process and what is in front of us going into this fall and the elections next year?

EPA Junk Science Still Killing Jobs

By Ghost of John Brown

We've all heard the common phrase "Figures Lie and Liars Figure".  Never has that phrase been quite so appropriate as with this Administration's Environmental Protection Agency.  Recently, Environment Illinois sent out a press release that claims the recently implemented "Cross-State Air Pollution Rule" will result in 2,000 fewer people in Illinois taking a dirt nap and as many as 34,000 nationally.  Wow, that seems pretty significant.  Imagine if we could save the entire population of Danville, Elk Grove Village or Northbrook every year.  Just by the stoke of a pen in Washington DC, they can save thousands of lives.

Any time I see "facts" that are just thrown out there so breathlessly, it sends off alarm bells in my head.  Click below the fold to see these figures lie.

Floods of 2011 - Its Not Mother Nature's Fault

by Ghost of John Brown

I love dams. I grew up in the shadow of one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the State of Kansas. If you want to divert my attention, turn the TV channel to Discovery or the History Channel with a show on the Hoover Dam. The dams that were built in the 1930's - 1960's were massive accomplishments to man's ingenuity.  Because of their construction, thousands of lives have been saved and billions of dollars of damage have been avoided.

VIDEO: Randy Hultgren on the Strategic Petroleum Reserve

by Ghost of John Brown

Get Ready for the Cold

by Ghost of John Brown

I know what you are thinking:  "Ghostie, it's the middle of June and I'm getting ready to pull out my Margarita machine and plan my next pool party, why are you talking about the cold?  Have you lost your mind?"  Well, this article probably doesn't have anything to do with disproving that I've lost my mind, but it might be better to invest in a snow shoe company than plan your next pool party.

While Al Gore and his goofball companions have been worried about global warming, we should be preparing for global cooling, which will be far more devastating.  Click below the fold for an explanation.

Environmental Whacko Update

By Ghost of John Brown

Ever since "Climategate", most reasonably intelligent people have come to see that man-made global warming has been foisted upon humanity by vain money-grubbers that see man's vindictive brutalizing of mother earth at every turn.  Since then it just honestly hasn't been that interesting to look at the global warming debate.  It's kind of like arguing with Cubs fans about which Chicago baseball team is better.  It's been proven so remarkably clear, there is just no fun in the argument anymore.

However, the hamster wheels embedded in the mischief minds of the environmental left just keep turning.  Thus, it is up to yours truly to drag the bottoms of the internet to bring the important news out for you, the loyal reader.  Click below the fold for some of the latest nutty news from the left.

Is CEO of General Motors Now a Cabinet Position?

by Sam Pierce

Perhaps GM CEO Dan Akerson is just trying to impress his boss. Maybe he is a high-profile brown-noser. He could be a closet statist (but not so much in the closet anymore). It is possible that he would like the full force of the federal government to exercise self-granted and illegitimate authority to manipulate the market... as long as he isn't kicked out of the administration's bed. Most likely, all the aforementioned apply to Mr. Akerson, who might as well be Barack Obama's Secretary of Inefficient Transportation.

How can Mr. Akerson find a market for his electric cars, just recently reduced to $39,995 for the stripped-down model? It probably won't be the price. It probably won't be demand... or at least organic demand. What if demand can be artificially created by the strong arm of the federal government? Mr. Akerson undoubtedly knows that the boss will like that. Mr. Akerson is a smart guy. He is surely aware that the only supply and demand dynamic of which his boss will approve is one created by an overbearing, authoritarian, anti-liberty federal government.

Concealed Carry and CO2

by John F. Di Leo

The Wisconsin legislature has had a fascinating debate on the issue of concealed carry.  For a state in which responsible deer hunting has long been a key element of the culture, this should be a slam dunk.  The problem of violent crime is expanding past the cities, and as the saying goes, “when seconds count, the police are just minutes away.”

So, a state full of law-abiding citizens, many of whom were raised with firearms, for whom gun safety is already a part of children’s upbringing, should have no problem passing a concealed carry bill – especially now that the party of the law-abiding has replaced the party of the lawbreakers in both the governor's mansion and both sides of the legislature.

But there is a problem – a concern that goes far beyond the issue of gun control to encompass the entire fabric of public policy debate.

Congressman Hultgren Protects Energy Critical Elements

By Ghost of John Brown

From Congressman Randy Hultgren's Office:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today introduced the “Energy Critical Elements Advancement Act of 2011,” legislation addressing rare, energy critical elements that are integral to new energy technologies but are not currently extracted or traded in commercial quantities.

“This legislation addresses energy critical elements, rare minerals that are necessary for everything from cutting-edge weapons systems to consumer electronics, and does so in a commonsense, market-oriented way,” said Hultgren, a freshman and member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. “These elements are intrinsically rare in distribution, and the economics of their production as well as geopolitics leads to uncertain supply, yet they are vital to the modern world.”

Too Bad We Can't Give Congress Competition

by Sam Pierce

Remember April 8,2011 when former Shrieker of the House Nancy Pelosi, exercised undue strain on the work of her plastic surgeon (she was speaking) and said "elections shouldn't matter as much as they do?" The idea was that the Republicans who share the same goals, ideals, and motivations as the leftist Democrats should retake their party from the nasty lovers of liberty. I don't believe elections matter as much as they should!

Maybe elections matter more when new members are elected. When an incumbent is ousted, there is at least the possibility that the new congressman will be motivated by a passion for liberty and keeping the federal government in check. It would appear that after some excessive number of terms in Washington D.C., congressmen begin to see the federal government as the solution to all our problems. It also appears that they get comfortable legislating favors. I wonder if they realize that they cannot give to one unless they first take from another.

"Case Against Barack Obama" Author David Freddoso on Teri O'Brien's Easter show

by Teri O'Brien

With their guy’s approval numbers in free fall, it’s clear that Team Obama is officially in full campaign mode. They hope that the hat trick that worked so well in 2008, class warfare, identity politics and the cult of the personality, will drag the One over the finish line in 2012. Our special guest David Freddoso, best-selling author of the amazing The Case Against Barack Obama, and his latest, the equally essential Gangster Government, will remind us of the six words that capture everything we need to know about that the current administration: Reward your friends. Punish your enemies. No doubt you’ll be disgusted and even enraged as we reminisce about some of the most outrageous examples of the Chicago Way on full display in Washington. I’ll be interested to hear David’s take on the two faces of Barack Obama, and ask him for his thoughts about what we can do to see that the madness comes to an end on January 20, 2013.

Ethanol: Making the Environmentalists Happy

By Ghost of John Brown

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how rising oil costs must be making the White House pretty happy - click here.  Now I'm seeing evidence of it.  I drove by one of the local gas stations and noticed that E85 fuel (85% ethanol) is selling for $2.89/gallon, whereas good old gasoline is selling for $3.79/gallon.  I have one of those big, honking trucks (made by Chevy) that is a "Flex Fuel" vehicle, meaning that I can use either regular gas or E85, so I've looked into it.  If I wanted to, I could save a lot of money with E85, now that oil prices are on the rise.

Let's Go Green!!

by Ghost of John Brown

Instead of allowing oil companies and coal plants to thrive, maybe we should invest more in "green technology".

from www.Dilbert.com

Time to Close Fermilab

by Ghost of John Brown

I know, I know, another article that could get me in trouble.  I've said before that our budget problems are national, and we need to be willing to make cuts even in our own backyard.  We need a thorough look at each and every program that the Federal Government (plus State and Local, but we'll focus on Federal today) undertakes and every program needs to be judged on its effectiveness.  If it isn't keeping us safe, it if isn't growing our economy, or if it isn't necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens, it's time to get the axe.  Which leads me to Fermilab.

Yes, I see the Conspiracy

By Ghost of John Brown

Everything has a price.  I would love a new Lamborghini Murcielago Coupe, but alas, I don't have the $450,000 "base price".  If the price dropped to say $20,000 I'd buy one in a heartbeat as I would guess many testosterone filled men would.  I also love a good steak, something that I can afford every once in a while at $8/lb.  If some tragedy happened that caused steak to rise to $50/lb, you might see me eat a veggie burger.  Everything has a price.

So excuse me for seeing a conspiracy behind all of the troubles with oil lately.  I think I'm in good company, because Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour is seeing the same thing.  Here is some evidence:

Global Warming

by Ghost of John Brown

Mrs. Ghostie and the little Ghosties were busy today. No statement yet from Al Gore.

Re-Education Camps - Global Warming Style

By Ghost of John Brown

I guess it's not enough that the "world is coming to an end", global warming lunatics already have Al Gore.  Now they want your local weatherman.  Funded by an National Science Foundation (NSF) grant (your tax dollars), George Mason University recently put out a call to hire a post doctorate fellow to indoctrinate educate local weathermen about the linkage between global warming and unusual weather.  I found this sentence pretty interesting:

"It will also adapt and test conflict resolution theory and practice to engage meteorologist who reject the scientific consensus and climate scientists constructive dialogue."

If you have a different opinion about global warming, you are an idiot that just needs to be "engaged".  Nevermind that after the blizzards of the last two years, the global warming crowd told us that there is no linkage.  Resistance is futile.  Hat tip - Watts up with That.

Congratulations to Representative Tim Johnson

by Susan Ryan

Representative Tim Johnson was appointed the chair of an important Agriculture sub-committee in our nation's capitol. From the Champaign News-Gazette:

U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Urbana, has been appointed chair of the rural development subcommittee of the House Agriculture Committee for the 112th Congress beginning next year.

"It's a subcommittee assignment for areas that directly affect central Illinois," said Johnson's spokesman, Phil Bloomer.

The subcommittee deals with issues such as rural development programs, agriculture research (including biotechnology), foreign agriculture aid, trade promotion and family farming matters.

Representative Johnson says this in his press release:

What is a "Normal" Temperature

By Ghost of John Brown

Today is a wonderful day.  As I write this, we are swimming in a balmy 32 degrees F.  Ah, a heat wave.  Over the last month, I've wondered from time to time if there would be any benefit in becoming a reverse illegal alien and jumping the fence into Mexico just to be able to feel the end of my nose again. 

We've been stuck here in the Chicago areas at or below freezing for most of the month of December. The East Coast is trying to dig out of a blizzard.  A football game was postponed by the NFL, causing Gov. Ed Rendell to call us a nation of "wussies" (a rare time I agree with a Democrat).  That brings up a thought - what is a "normal" temperature?

The global warming fanatics have been screaming for the past decade or so about how the world is going to come to a fiery end.  The question is, does that match reality?

More Fun With Environmentalists

By Ghost of John Brown

Just consider this a "Friday Funny".  Hat Tip - Hot Air

Stanek: Support Shimkus for Energy & Commerce Chairman

by Jill Stanek

This is the 3rd time I’ve written about the chairmanship of a House committee, which is a lot. But as the National Right to Life Committee detailed in a letter to the House Republican Steering Committee on November 18:

There is no committee of the House of Representatives that has policy and oversight jurisdiction over as many areas of concern to the pro-life movement as the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Those would include abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and Obamacare.

Four of the 5 most senior E&C committee members want the chairman’s job when the Republican-dominated House convenes in January :

Joe Barton (TX-06): Pro-life
John Shimkus (IL-19): Pro-life
Cliff Stearns (FL-06): Pro-life
Fred Upton (MI-06): Pro-abortion

The one person who should not even be a contender is Fred Upton, particularly in light of the pro-life movement’s display of muscle in the 2010 elections. But which of the other 3 should get the job?

Should Americans fear the upcoming climate conference in Cancun?

by Nancy Thorner

There is much riding on the outcome of the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP 16) for this nation, when global warming alarmists from more than 180 countries meet in Cancun, Mexico, starting on Monday, November 29th through December 10th. 

This sixteenth U.N. conference, with potentially disastrous results for America, represents the next in a long series of U.N. conferences which date back to 1992.  

Last year's major climate conference in Copenhagen failed to produce agreements on mandatory reductions in global warming gasses.   The outcome produced the "Copenhagen Accord" which was a non-binding political agreement with voluntary pledges made by participating countries to reduce global warming gasses.  At the time President Obama promised to reduce U.S. carbon emissions by 17% regardless of what Congress had to say.

Celebrate 10/10/10 The Right Way

by Ghost of John Brown

Pointed headed environmentalists are urging everyone to have a nice work day on 10/10/10 (This Sunday) to reduce the planet's carbon emissions.  The idea is related to the European 10/10 campaign which had a goal of reducing carbon emissions by 10% by the year 2010.  (oooops) Lately, they're just into blowing up kids for fun.   I'm with Iowahawk on this.  Let's celebrate 10/10/10 by seeing if we can INCREASE our carbon emissions by 10% since the no-fun crowd is reducing theirs.  Here's some ideas:

• Smoke some ribs on the grill.  If you do it the right way, you'll need to emit heat for at least about 10 hours.
• Take that RV on the road for the last time this year.  A good RV probably only gets about 5 MPG, so you'll be burning up that fossil fuel in no time.
• Take your kids out hunting and fire off those shotguns.  I'm not sure exactly how much carbon you would emit, but the leftists hate guns anyway.  If you want to boost your carbon, take a four-wheeler with you.

I'm Getting Out of the Way of the Green Movement

by Eric Kohn

One of the primary rules governing political campaign strategy is, when your opponent is self-destructing, stay out of the way. This applies to political movements, as well. And right now, we should get completely out of the way of the green movement, because they're in full-on self-immolation mode. The path to destruction probably began with the ClimateGate scandal, but it's currently being helped along by an advertisement created by a leading force in green movement itself that is eminently better than any ridiculous parody I could ever construct.

First, the 10:10 Campaign. They self-described on their own website as, "a global campaign to cut carbon 10% a year, starting on 2010." Assumedly, they would want to, in 10 years, cut carbon emissions to zero. That they even seem to suggest this is either possible or desirable is the first sign that all might not be right upstairs.

But these people really want to be taken seriously. Which, I guess, is why the released the following ad (WARNING: Deeply disturbing and extremely graphic violence):

Climate Change and Abortion, Pillars of Lefty Lunacy

by Sam Pierce

As the critical election draws near, there is great focus on races and candidates. Of course, the intense election focus adds an extra degree of difficulty for political bloggers who find themselves less than convinced when it comes to the worthiness or sincerity of some of their party's candidates. The exercise of self-censoring and restraint can be an arduous one. This restraint can spawn a lethargy and a lack of inspiration.

Occasionally there comes to light something so repulsive that lost inspiration comes rushing back to the previously idle writer. The grotesque video from 1010global.org which is making its way around Facebook had this affect on me this afternoon. The video is intended to make a bold, attention-getting statement. I suppose if the goal was to be memorable, the video is a success. I wonder if there was a conscious effort by the 10:10 group to tie the climate change, anthropogenic global warming, or whatever the current poll-test designation for the enviro-statist's pet cause to population control or if the killing of children and others who don't share their zeal is just for fun.

Destroying Jobs at 2.5 Gallons per Minute

by John F. Di Leo in the American Thinker

Growing up a century ago in sunny Calabria, on the shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea, my grandfather would never have dreamed that the common shrimp and calamari he had to eat every day would ever be considered a luxury; but for his grandson, growing up in Chicagoland sixty years later, a thousand miles from any coast, they certainly were. A luxury, a rare treat.

These little extravagances -- not the major ones like Rolls-Royces and Ferraris -- are important to one's enjoyment of life, and they represent, as much as anything else, the great opportunities of America. For here, even the broke, even the unemployed can indulge in a little luxury now and then. It can help us get through the day, help us endure life's little problems.

For one, it's the appetizer of fried calamari before the meal; for another, it's the dessert afterward. For one, it's splurging on a collectible to display in an étagère; for another, it's the solid brass door handle to install on the front door. Some might call one a waste of money; others might ask why something they think a necessity is on this list at all. 

Free Boiled Walleye - Bring Your Own Tartar Sauce

by Ghost of John Brown

Everyone is skimping these days, so who wouldn't want free cooked fish, right?  Well, all you have to do is drive up to Egg Harbor, WI, and you can get all the boiled fish you want, courtesy of NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  It turns out the according to NOAA records, Egg Harbor, WI is at 600 degrees Fahrenheit.  So, if you go up there, you might want to bring your own fire suit and PLEASE make sure you use that extra strong anti-perspirent.

OK, all kidding aside, mistakes happen.  On the NOAA website, there is now a disclaimer that says faulty satellite data produced the errors.  I can understand that - PERHAPS this was an honest mistake.  That said, the goofy part of the story is that numerous news outlets such as the New York Times, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and "scientists" that are responsible for analyzing the data just ran with the narrative that the world is heating up without checking out the base data.  Makes you wonder how many other pieces of "evidence" showing man made global warming are based on solid facts.

Gore concedes on climate this year

By Steve Milloy

Speaking about the likelihood of climate bill being passed by Congress in 2010, Al Gore told a conference call of supporters Tuesday night that, “This battle has not been successful and is pretty much over for this year.” Gore bitterly denounced the Senate and federal government stating several times, “The U.S. Senate has failed us” and “The federal government has failed us.” Gore even seemed to blame President Obama by emphasizing that “the government as a whole has failed us… although the House did its job. [emphasis added]”

Gored urged his listeners to take the “realistic view that they had failed badly.” Gore said that “Comprehensive legislation is not likely to be debated” and that a “lame duck debate” is a “very slim possibility indeed.” (N.B. We thought, because Gore told us, that “the debate” was over.)

Gore said “the government was not working “as our founders intended it to” and laid more blame at the feet of fossil fuel interests who conducted a “cynical coordinated campaign” with “unprecedented funding” and “who have spent hundreds of millions of dollars just on lobbying.” He criticized “polluters” for “dumping global warming pollution into the atmosphere like it was an open sewer.”

Can you Spare a Dime for the Environmental Idiots?

by Ghost of John Brown

Last fall, an intrepid group of environmental wackos decided it would be really cool to strap themselves together and lay down in the middle of the intersection of LaSalle and Adams in downtown Chicago (see picture to the right). Oh boy, what a hoot.  Inconvenience everyone just to say something that no-one really cared about.  I remembered when this happened.  I looked for a newspaper article about it, and even the liberal media here in Chicago was bored with it - sadly, no articles.

Surprisingly, the City of Chicago wasn't so bored with the idea.  The City has decided to fine these goofballs $8,340 for their little stunt so they are begging for money.  For once, I think Mayor Daley is a fantastic Mayor.

Senate energy debate is still all about cap-and-trade

by Phil Kerpen, Americans for Prosperity

A headline today screamed: “Democrats pull plug on climate bill.” Don’t believe it. It’s a diversionary tactic.

The Obama administration and Democratic congressional leadership, seeing their window for shoving the country to the hard left closing quickly, are intent on making one last major push for cap-and-trade. It starts with their “spill-response bill” or “energy bill,” but it’s really about cap-and-trade.

Global Warming and the Collapse of Civilization

By Ghost of John Brown

You're probably thinking that this will be an article on some wild prophecy from Al Gore on the future of man kind.  Actually, it's not.  There are things that have already happened to the world which have brought down civilizations.  Global warming has already brought down civilizations and caused world wide chaos.  As you will see, though, there is no corporate boogey-man to this story.

Warning - I will get a little "geeky" for a couple of paragraphs, but I'll get back to the original topic shortly. Tonight I was watching the program "Engineering an Empire", with host Peter Weller.  It is a great series.  The fascinating thing that was mentioned off-handedly was that after the reign of Sneferu (2613-2589 BC), (his "Bent" pyramid is pictured on the right) Egypt fell into a deep drought lasting well over a century.  A hundred year drought?  That kind of caught my attention. This aridification spelled the partial collapse of the Egyptian Empire.  Click on "continue reading" below for more.

Blindly Following "Global Warming" hasn't stopped

by Ghost of John Brown

Over the last two years of serving the loyal readers of Illinois Review, I have written dozens of articles about "global warming".  However, for the past few months, I really haven't written that much because I thought that most intelligent people have come to realize the absurdity of"global warming".  I guess when I said "intelligent people" I forgot about the mainstream press.

Last week, "Pulitzer Prize Winner" Eugene Robinson penned a snarky article wondering where all the climate change skeptics were.  The main gist of his article was "whew, its hot - there has to be global warming".  Mr. Robinson got his Pulitzer for election related articles, not scientific research.  Of course this is the same Eugene Robinson that wrote glowingly of Robert Byrd, so maybe he has already shown his lack of judgment.

Little Barry the Headliner Knows Obstruction

by Sam Pierce

Apologies to JFD for lifting the "Little Barry" designation, but the bumbling reader of TOTUS truly is living up to it. Or should I say down to it? The man who would be king continues to make headlines, receive loving ego caresses by some in the media, and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is a very little man indeed. Kate at An Ol' Broad's Ramblings has a regular feature titled "Weasel Time", which is where I snagged this descriptive cartoon. This is just one of many that she has collected, all of which represent an honest take on the current man-caused catastrophes.

But wait... isn't there only one man-caused catastrophe on the minds of Americans? Let's see, there is the oil spill which is likely man-caused to a large degree, although accidents do happen and hopefully the causes will be determined once the leak is stopped and the mess is cleaned up. Of course, stopping the flow and preventing the spread of crude does not take priority over the political points to be scored... at least to some.

Save the Whales = Save the Planet

by Ghost of John Brown

No - this is not going to be a retread of that awful Star Trek movie where they come back to present day San Francisco to save the whales.

From the "You can't make this stuff up" files...Researchers in Australia are claiming that whale "poo" actually helps save the environment. The study showed that whales eat the krill (think shrimp's ugly cousin). Then they ummmm - deposit (yeah, let's use that word) the remains which contain lots of iron which makes the phytoplankton just go wild and then the phytoplankton (think tiny plants doing backstrokes near the surface of the ocean) remove the carbon. It's just a wonderful thing. Don't believe your trusty Ghost? Read the article here. More after the fold.

Heartland's climate conference cools global warming theory

If you weren't one of the 700 attendees at Heartland Institute's 4th Annual International Climate Conference held in Chicago last weekend, you can review many of this year's 73 notable featured speakers such as former astronaut Harrison Schmitt and Great Britain's Lord Monckton on PajamasMedia.com's video archives.  

Heartland defines the conference's purpose as "to build momentum and public awareness of the global warming 'realism' movement, a network of scientists, economists, policymakers, and concerned citizens who believe sound science and economics, rather than exaggeration and hype, ought to determine what actions, if any, are taken to address the problem of climate change."

VermontTiger.com's Daniel Forty reports on two keynote speeches in Heartland's Environment and Climate News and Nancy Thorner shares her thoughts on the conference on The American Thinker.

Lunacy of Climate Models - The Base Data

by Ghost of John Brown

We've all read headlines in the paper about the earth warming drastically over the last few decades.  Climate fear-mongers talk about the models, which predict the future scenarios and the climate data that have been measured to show how the earth has warmed over the last century.  Many times conservatives are forced to concede "well, it is clear we have seen some amount of warming .......".  These statements are typically based on the average global temperatures that have been measured in the field.  Various groups take data from weather stations around the world and aggregate them.  There has been a lot written over the last few months about Climategate and the way some of this data has been manipulated, so I won't go into that.  What I want to do is talk about the lunacy in how that data is collected.  One of the best examples is the Svalbard weather station.

Oil Spill in the Gulf - Good Old Boys Save the Day

by Ghost of John Brown

Not a joke - but a great idea.  I don't know if this will work 100%, but someone better give this a try. Hat tip to Gateway Pundit.

Kagan pick makes SCOTUS the green lobby’s consigliere

from Western Tradition Partnership

WASHINGTON – America’s largest grassroots opponent of environmental extremism blasted President Barack Obama’s nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court on Monday, citing her record of radical environmental activism.

“With a well-earned reputation for imposing the radical environmentalist agenda on Americans, Elena Kagan is too far outside the mainstream and too ignorant of constitutional restraints to serve on the Supreme Court,” said Donny Ferguson, Western Tradition Partnership’s National Director of Media and Public Relations.

“With the Obama administration vowing to impose radical schemes like Cap and Tax and the government regulation of carbon dioxide even if Congress votes to tell him no, this is transparent attempt to put his personal consigliere on the Court to quash any challenges,” said Ferguson.

Are Troops Sucking Up Funds that Could Go to Bureacrats and Wealth Redistribution?

by Sam Pierce

Apparently our fighting men and women are overpaid. Perhaps the headline from the Washington Obamost, is simply a statement of where we are as a fallen nation. The headline, "Pentagon asking Congress to hold back on generous increases in troop pay", illustrates the priorities of the current administration. Oh, I know all the responsibility for the sorry state of our nation does not lie with the current administration or even the Dimocrat Party. The actions of big government "moderate" Republicans in office and on various campaign trails helped pave the path to this societal scrap-yard.

I've been called a Democrat recently for not supporting liberal Republicans and now I'll probably be called a neo-con for suggesting that if any federal employee deserves higher pay, it is the soldier. So the neo-con Democrat in me would suggest that our federal government does indeed have its correct and useful purposes. Given that national defense is one of those limited purposes (not to mention the risks our servicemen take for their country), it is unreasonable that military compensation be viewed as "generous"... especially considering the outrageous salaries of unnecessary bureaucrats and the vote purchasing redistribution of tax revenue to seemingly endless numbers of victim groups.

Cap & Trade - Can we learn from Australia please?

by Ghost of John Brown

As some in Congress want to push forward with the economy killing Cap and Trade scheme, Australia has decided to dump theirs. At least one English speaking country has some common sense. Hat-tip to Watts up With That - check out Tony Watts' blog for more info.

Why We Need More "Moderates"

by Sam Pierce

I admit I have been hard on "moderates" in the past. I even renamed my blog to express my distaste for those I viewed as unprincipled RINOs whose lust for power and acceptance from the left were their primary motivators. I was a fool. I could not see past my common sense or reach beyond my desire for a free future for my descendants to appreciate the value of those "moderate" heroes. "Moderates" serve a crucial purpose in our current system of government and I can no longer deny this truth.

I beg forgiveness from those "moderates" who may have been offended by my past assertions. My naive belief in the notions of limited government, individual rights with accompanying individual responsibility, and my belief in a free market system compose a fantasy system. My thinking that murder is wrong, even when the victim is the most innocent of people, is yet another component of fantasy. We live in the real world, not "Fantasy Island". It is in the real world where "moderates" fulfill such vital roles.

Enviro-statists to Build Dams in the Oceans?

by Sam Pierce

Does it seem antithetical for a group whose goal is to protect the environment from the intrusions of the destructive parasite known as man (do the members of these groups realize that they too, are men?) to erect monstrous dams in the oceans? What if those dams had to completely enclose the portions of the oceans that comprise U.S. territorial waters? Imagine the footprint these creations of the planetary cancer that is man, would leave in the pure waters of Mother Earth's oceans. The magnitude of the man-made structure that could encase the Hawaiian Islands alone is hard to comprehend.

Another potential deluge of tree-hugger irony, arises in the form of petroleum products. Assuming the enviro-nuts are not intending to ban all ship traffic in or out of our nation's ports, there will necessarily be tons of moving parts. The bearings, slides. and gears required to open and close massive sea gates will certainly require periodic lubrication. If not for proper lubrication, a gate might seize and therefore delay a shipment of "fair trade" coffee. Then what would the caring liberal do? Assuming the locks are operated with hydraulics, copious quantities of hydraulic fluid (oil) will also be required. Absent the hydraulic fluid, how would the Rosie O'Donnell gay cruise ever leave port?

Global Greenies GaGa Over Obama's Gas Gall

by Sam Pierce

The Drudge Report is a great resource for some of the more interesting headlines around this world of ours. I was perusing them when one linked to the U.K. Times Online caught my eye. Apparently Giles Whittell, reporting from Washington, is engaged in a little greenie gloating over the recent iron-fisted trampling of American liberty... courtesy of the EPA.

You see, the ugly American is finally being put in his place. How appropriate that those who view us with disdain around the world, are finding inspiration to gleefully gloat over our misfortune and restriction at the hands of our own President? It would not be appropriate under normal circumstances, but given the associations of and demonstrated disdain our President has shown for his own country, this inspiration is fitting.