Carbon offset kiosk at SFO sells carbon credits at 60 times the market rate

Yet another example of why--if we must do something--a straight-up carbon tax would be a much better answer. Less opportunity for weaseling. With cap-and-trade, the same fine investment-banking folks at Lehman, Goldman Sachs, Et al (well, maybe not Lehman :-) ) are salivating at the prospect of yet another financial instrument to, ah, manipulate. How, exactly, is this a good idea?

Carbon offset kiosk at SFO sells carbon credits at 60 times the market rate: "

H/t - WUWT

I wonder why Greenpeace never protests in Qatar?

From "Watts up with That?," of course. An excellent object lesson in 'spin' among other things.

Big. Bad. U.S.

Sigh.

I wonder why Greenpeace never protests in Qatar?: "

Fake But Funny NASA Press Release | Universe Today

Way to go, NASA. The S.T.E.W.A.R.T. Beautiful.

Fake But Funny NASA Press Release | Universe Today

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Reason: Can Narcotics Turn Free Speech Into Obstruction of Justice?

This is absolutely stunning. I can only hope that the drug warriors someday find themselves having to stand helplessly by while someone they love dies--or worse, lives--in agony, while the attending Physician is too terrorized by the DEA looking over their shoulder to provide effective and readily available relief. This has to stop.

H/t -- Hit & Run

Can Narcotics Turn Free Speech Into Obstruction of Justice?: "

What It Feels Like to Be a Libertarian

This sums it up quite nicely. Like most libertarian types, I spend most of my time standing back and watching the fray between the Republicrats and wondering what, exactly, happened to the enlightment values of personal freedom & liberty our Consititution is supposed to encourage. When did the Constitution and its authors become a joke? When did capitalism become a perjorative?

A better question might be what would true market-driven capitalism be like? We don't know, that's for sure.

H/t - John Stossel

What It Feels Like to Be a Libertarian: "

New at Reason: David Harsanyi on Why George Will is Right

This is amusing. George is nothing if not a straight-shooter, calling 'em as he sees 'em. He may not always be right (or in agreement with me, the same thing really), but he's always worth listening to. The amusing thing here is that the Left will love this--while still catching their breath after excoriating him for daring to question conventional wisdom on the climate question. Delightful. Give 'em hell, George!

H/t -- Hit & Run

New at Reason: David Harsanyi on Why George Will is Right: "

Dr. Syun Akasofu: 20 points of context on global warming, politics, and the economy of the world.

The good doctor makes a number of interesting and salient points, particularly from the standpoint of geopolitics and economics. Even if we stipulate that the "science is settled," and we have "consensus," (which quite frankly doesn't seem to be the case) there are many reasons why the conversation should just be starting. It seems to me that if the AGW hysterics are correct, we're pretty much screwed. Two choices: Global eco-fascism (apparently the favorite of the Green/AGW crowd) and an agrarian, subsistence level existence for the masses, if we're lucky. This will no doubt entail much in the way of--shall we say--social dislocation and attendant unrest. Most would probably just prefer the vermin genus homo to be eradicated. The other option is to encourage markets to do what they do, and make viable and potentially viable alternatives like solar and most especially--eventually--fusion, profitable and available.

The likeliest scenario I think is a straight up carbon tax, across all forms of carbon-based energy. As much as I hate taxes, and as certain as I am Government(s) will piss it away, is still seems the best answer. Level the playing field and encourage development of other options by making them appear more equal economically to carbon based energy than they really are. Eventually, economies of scale and technological development will take over and make it that way in fact. Hell, it could even be done in a tax-neutral fashion, replacing Income Tax (US) and/or VAT (EU). Not that those Government vultures would ever take the high road.

Note the wording is occasionally odd, due to translation from the Japanese. How the science can be settled when we have Scientists of Dr. Akasofu's stature desputing it is beyond me. He is of course, in the tank for the oil companies. Just like the other side is in the tank for their grant money...

H/t to Anthony Watt and Watts Up With That?

Dr. Syun Akasofu: 20 points of context on global warming, politics, and the economy of the world.: "