That was a phrase that Jack Lew used this morning on This Week. Ignoring the ongoing lack of distinction between “tax cuts” and “tax-rate cuts,” any use of the word “need” in federal policy betrays an intrinsically Marxist mindset. It indicates that benefits of the collective should be distributed based on need, rather than merit, economics, or constitutionality. Tax rates should be chosen to maximize revenue, not redistribute wealth, or on the basis of some government official’s opinion of what someone else “needs.” This should be pointed out each and every time it occurs, but of course George Stephanopolous isn’t going to do it.
Obesity
Are we entering an epigenetic spiral of it?
The relatively new fields of epigenetics and nutrigenomics are showing that changes in gene expression can be produced by environmental mechanisms. Could rising levels of obesity alter our genes, and, in turn, could these obesity-favoring alterations be passed on to future generations?
OK, I’m a little confused. Isn’t there a difference between the gene expression and the gene itself? Are they really saying that the environment can change the genes in a way that makes the trait acquired as a result of the environment heritable? That is, are they saying that Lamarck may have been onto something?
[Update a few minutes later]
Just a coincidence, I’m sure, but amusing that this story came out two days before Darwin Day.
And of course, Darwin was born on exactly the same day as Abraham Lincoln, in 1809. In fact, in protest of “President’s” Day, which trivializes the memory of both Washington and Lincoln, I think I’ll go put out the flag.
The “Moderate” Islamic Government Of Malaysia
…has put out a fatwa on Valentine’s Day. Res ipsa loquitur.
Palin’s Speech
As effective as she is, she’d be even more so, and pick up a lot of new support if she’d get a voice coach. Of course, I’ve been saying that for almost four years now.
And no, the problem isn’t her accent, it’s her register.
Parallel Tyrannies
Why the Left doesn’t have much of a problem with Islamism. Both are opposed to the Enlightenment values of the West.
One Funeral At A Time
The intellectual arrogance of this post is breathtaking.
For the record, I’m not a “denier,” I’m a skeptic, as are all true scientists. And I think that long before we die, society will come to its senses. It’s already started happening, when you see how low this issue is on most peoples’ agenda in the polls (close to the bottom).
The Attack On Civility
…by the people who are always piously calling for it and lying about their opponents. As he notes at the end, I’m afraid it’s going to be a very ugly summer of leftist thugs.
Global Trade
…seems to be collapsing. Goody.
Free Divers
For the record, I think that these people are nuts. But it’s a good example of a recreation that is very hazardous, but that people are allowed to engage in without federal regulators looking over their shoulders. Why shouldn’t the same be true for spaceflight at this stage of the technology? I think that any of the serious vehicles currently under development (i.e., SS2, Lynx, Armadillo whatever) will be far safer than free diving or extreme mountain climbing.
[Late evening update]
Bad link, fixed now, sorry…
If You See Something
…Shut up.
Yes, CAIR continues to have too many friends in too-high places, particularly in the lapdog media.