Dresden Files - Changes

[caromiofic.livejournal.com]

Bought the book yesterday evening and read it all night.

All I'll say without spoilers is: EVIL WRITER. Very evil writer! I need another book NOW.

Stormy Daniels, Republican

[dark-weezing.livejournal.com]

A long time ago, I posted about Stormy Daniels, the ex-porn star-seeking-to-be-LA-Senator. There's finally an update, as she has decided to switch from Democrat to Republican. Politico.com has the details, though, the article is a tad snarky about the whole thing, in my opinion.

Link: http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1004/stormy_daniels_switches_teams.html

Enjoy the exit quotation, as she regales her epiphany to switch, based on the RNC's recent "Voyeur" issue. Special thanks to Hotair.com.

Exit quotation: “While this decision has not been an easy one, recent events regarding Republican National Committee fundraising at Voyeur, an L.A.-based lesbian bondage-themed nightclub, finally tipped the scales,” she said in a statement. “For me, this spirit can be summed up in the RNC’s investment of donor funds at Voyeur. As someone who has worked extensively in both the club and film side of the adult entertainment industry, I know from experience that a mere $1,900 outlay at a club with the reputation of Voyeur is a clear indication of a frugal investment with a keen eye toward maximum return.

“She added: “As is the case with so many of my fellow Louisianans, I have been a registered Democrat throughout my life. But now I cannot help but recognize that over time my libertarian values regarding both money and sex and the legal use of one for the other [are] now best espoused by the Republican Party.”

Update: I might as well say it, taking from Allahpundit's cue, no "big tent" jokes, please.

Update 2 (4/8): The LA GOP has issued its response to Daniels' announcement, and they aren't too thrilled. Let the games begin.

Link: http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1004/stormy_stunt_irks_gop.html

Jonah Goldberg: How much taxation is enough?

[dark-weezing.livejournal.com]

Jonah Goldberg's latest USA Today column explores the connection between taxation and liberty. The article's sub-themes are a) a nice tutorial on how taxes impede economic growth, which needs to be repeated over and over, and b) the understanding of the Tea Partiers of the overall concept, vs. the lack thereof with the MSM and the American Left. Anyway, enjoy, and special thanks to Laura Ingraham.com.

Link: http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2010/04/column-how-much-taxation-is-enough.html

(no subject)

[coldblossom.livejournal.com]

This guy is on Neil Cavuto right now. He says he is part of a group of millionaires in the top 5% of income-earners in the USA and his group wants to be taxed at a higher rate. He says he thinks the government ought to be "taking more than 13% of my income in taxes."

With Congress poised to act this year on the Bush tax cuts, a group of American millionaires is calling for an end to the tax breaks that have benefited them – but left the rest of the country with a crippling debt and dwindling budgets for education, health and other vital services at the state and Federal levels.

These millionaires are among the 700 bsusiness leaders and individuals in the top 5% of wealth and income who make up the Responsible Wealth network, which has been instrumental in, among other things, preventing the permanent repeal of the estate tax which President Bush had vowed to eliminate. They are asking other wealthy Americans to join them in their efforts to end the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy once and for all by taking the Tax Fairness Pledge and directing their tax breaks to fight for tax policies that benefit all Americans.

[...]

In taking the Pledge, each of these individuals agrees to donate some or all of their tax savings under the Bush tax cuts to support tax fairness organizing and/or other economic justice efforts. An online Tax Break Calculator allows anyone to plug in their 2009 income and other assets and quickly estimate their individual share of the Bush tax cuts.

“We want citizens and lawmakers alike to see the link between the continuing Bush tax cuts and the growing deficit,” said Brian Miller, executive director of United for a Fair Economy. “Wealthy citizens rejecting the cuts and demanding their taxes be raised is a great way to get people’s attention.” With recent polls showing public concern about the national deficit at a 20-year high and a majority opposing cuts to government services at this time of historic unemployment, Responsible Wealth will also be making its case to Congress that restoring the pre-2001 tax rates for the wealthiest Americans is one obvious solution to America’s fiscal crisis.

“These tax cuts were irresponsible when they were passed in 2001 and 2003. In the midst of a deep recession, they are downright inexcusable,” said Mike Lapham, director of the Responsible Wealth project and one of the millionaire signers of the Pledge. “To be clear,” he added, “low- and middle-income households only received a small portion of the Bush tax cuts. The overwhelming share of the income, capital gains and dividend cuts went to wealthy taxpayers.” A report by Citizens for Tax Justice shows that nearly half of the Bush tax cuts went to the top 5% of income-earners, while the bottom 60% of income-earners received less than 15% of the Bush tax cuts. Responsible Wealth seeks to reverse the Bush era-cuts, the total cost of which will reach $2.5 trillion by the end of 2010. [link]

Noticing any recurring themes here? Lots of mentions of "justice" in there. The only "bright" spot is that they're all supposedly "donating" the difference, but to where is unclear. This brings me back to the article I posted about the failed "voluntary tax fund" or whatever they called it in Virginia. If these people feel so strongly that they want to give more of their money to the government, I am sure the government would not turn them down. Yet, instead of simply saying "Here, have this extra million on top of what you've already taken," they are trying to have legislation passed that would affect all people in their income brackets, not just those who want to spread their wealth. 

Cruising around their webpage, it seems like this is all about the guilt of being successful. I feel like, if they're ashamed of their big houses and their money then give them up (I'd gladly take them and not be ashamed about it at all). Don't presume to force your self-flagellation on your wealthy neighbors who are happy being rich.

How tough is an NES cartridge really?

[clearlypellucid.livejournal.com]

A fun video about trying to break NES games. The rest of this person's channel is worth watching, too!