BIGGEST STORY OF 2009

Great piece at the American Spectator by Jeffrey Lord. Yes, the MSM has been conspicuously absent on so many huge stories but in 2009, the void they left began getting filled by a virtual newsroom, consisting of bloggers, talk radio hosts, and a smattering of opinion shows on cable (Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, etc). ACORN, Van Jones, Climategate, et. al. The MSM dropped the ball beginning with the Obama ascendancy but the ball has been picked up.

If you doubt, ask ACORN. Or Van Jones. Or the So We Might See campaign. You won't need Time magazine's once clout-filled "Man of the Year" issue to figure it out, either. Just take a look back at the bestseller lists, the ratings of Fox News or simply turn on your local AM radio dial.

The single most important news event of 2009 was the emergence of The Virtual Newsroom. A newsroom run by a virtual army of conservative journalists famous and unknown, their individual and collective impact multiplied exponentially by millions of Internet users, radio listeners, readers and television viewers.

How did this happen? How does it work in practice?

First, perspective is needed here. Like other big news events, it didn't happen overnight. There is history, lots of it.

Be sure to read the WHOLE THING. For those who may be inclined to despair over a seemingly insurmountable media establishment and corrupt government, Lord provides some much needed - dare I say it - Hope.

h/t to AS

FINALLY! NEW YORK TIMES COVERS CLIMATEGATE

Ah, that MSM continues to be behind the curve. It took 'em a while but it looks like the MSM may actually be starting to relent and is once again being dragged - kicking and screaming - to stories that they should have been covering ahead of those pesky bloggers in pajamas. Some may have a problem with this piece by John Tierney at the NYT based on his giving the benefit of the doubt to Michael Mann, the professor from Penn State responsible for the now debunked "hockey stick" chart that shows skyrocketing temperatures at the end of the 20th century.

However, to Tierney's credit, that part didn't come until much later in his article. The first part of the article consisted of a decently objective critique of the scientists implicated in Climategate and the frantically frustrated attempts of "Harry" to get it to all make sense.

The fact that the deference to Mann didn't occur at the beginning is a major step for the Times. Actually, Tierney linked to the "Hide the Decline" video before appearing to side with Mann's contentions by outwardly and prematurely admitting to taking Mann "at his word" despite what facts seem to indicate. For the record, the "Hide the Decline" video was posted on little old Barrack's blog BEFORE Thanksgiving.

Tierney actually goes beyond the incriminating emails and tackles the Harry_Read_Me files which are expected to shine an even brighter light on this scandal. Harry's efforts are getting increased attention. He gives the appearance of someone tasked with putting a square peg into a round hole without being told to stop.

For example, take a look at the first few paragraphs from Tierney's piece:

If you have not delved into the thousands of e-mail messages and files hacked from the computers of British climate scientists, let me give you the closest thing to an executive summary. It is taken from a file slugged HARRY_READ_ME, which is the log of a computer expert’s long struggle to make sense of a database of historical temperatures. Here is Harry’s summary of the situation:

Aarrggghhh!

That cry, in various spellings, is a motif throughout the log as Harry tries to fight off despair. “OH [EXPLETIVE] THIS!” he writes after struggling to reconcile readings from weather stations around the world. “It’s Sunday evening, I’ve worked all weekend, and just when I thought it was done I’m hitting yet another problem that’s based on the hopeless state of our databases. There is no uniform data integrity. ...”

Newspaper writing 101 states that the most powerful words come at the beginning. I know it requires reading between the proverbial lines but based on how Tierney started his article - and continued for some time - it's not far fetched to imagine climate change de-bunkers pumping their fists for several paragraphs.

Another example:

When a journal publishes a skeptic’s paper, the scientists e-mail one another to ignore it. They focus instead on retaliation against the journal and the editor, a project that is breezily added to the agenda of their next meeting: “Another thing to discuss in Nice!”

As the scientists denigrate their critics in the e-mail messages, they seem oblivious to one of the greatest dangers in the climate-change debate: smug groupthink. These researchers, some of the most prominent climate experts in Britain and America, seem so focused on winning the public-relations war that they exaggerate their certitude — and ultimately undermine their own cause.

Again, Tierney seems to get it and is pushing the right buttons. It's refreshing to see this coming from the likes of the New York Times, albeit a bit late.

Be sure to read the WHOLE THING. If you can overlook the apparent attempt by Tierney to soften the blow to Mann, it's actually quite good. Also remember, there are trillions of dollars at stake here. The powers that be definitely don't want to lose the New York Times - I know, hard to believe - but I think it's important to look at how Tierney approached writing this article rather than focusing on what he wrote about Mann several paragraphs in. On the whole, this piece is more damaging to the likes of Al Gore and the Climate change fraud-meisters than it is helpful to the folks at the CRU.

When it comes to the MSM, Climategate is moving at the speed of a glacier but this article in the NYT is equivalent to a sudden shift. Let's take our victories where we can get 'em and not hope for more than what we've come to expect. In my view, Tierney's piece gave us more than we should have expected.

drip, drip drip........that's the sound of the Climate change glacier.

Patience is necessary when wanting something this massive to pick up steam.

h/t to BG

HEAD OF CRU PHIL JONES STEPS DOWN....TEMPORARILY

Phil Jones, the head of East Anglia University's Climate Research Unit (CRU) and author of the email serving as the poster child of Climategate emails is stepping down. While the MSM continues to avoid the biggest scandal in the history of mankind, Climategate continues to heat up.

From the University of East Anglia WEBSITE:

Professor Phil Jones has today announced that he will stand aside as Director of the Climatic Research Unit until the completion of an independent Review resulting from allegations following the hacking and publication of emails from the Unit.

Professor Jones said: "What is most important is that CRU continues its world leading research with as little interruption and diversion as possible. After a good deal of consideration I have decided that the best way to achieve this is by stepping aside from the Director's role during the course of the independent review and am grateful to the University for agreeing to this. The Review process will have my full support."

Vice-Chancellor Professor Edward Acton said: "I have accepted Professor Jones's offer to stand aside during this period. It is an important step to ensure that CRU can continue to operate normally and the independent review can conduct its work into the allegations.

“We will announce details of the Independent Review, including its terms of reference, timescale and the chair, within days. I am delighted that Professor Peter Liss, FRS, CBE, will become acting director.”

Here is the now infamous email sent by Phil Jones that has garnered the most attention in Climategate:

From: Phil Jones
To: ray bradley ,mann@xxx, mhughes@xxx
Subject: Diagram for WMO Statement
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 13:31:15 +0000
Cc: k.briffa@xxx,t.osborn@xxx

Dear Ray, Mike and Malcolm,
Once Tim’s got a diagram here we’ll send that either later today or
first thing tomorrow.

I’ve just completed Mike’s Nature trick of adding in the real temps
to each series for the last 20 years (ie from 1981 onwards) amd from
1961 for Keith’s to hide the decline. Mike’s series got the annual
land and marine values while the other two got April-Sept for NH land
N of 20N. The latter two are real for 1999, while the estimate for 1999
for NH combined is +0.44C wrt 61-90. The Global estimate for 1999 with
data through Oct is +0.35C cf. 0.57 for 1998.
Thanks for the comments, Ray.

Cheers
Phil

Prof. Phil Jones
Climatic Research Unit Telephone XXXXXX
School of Environmental Sciences Fax XXXXXX
University of East Anglia

VICTORY IN HONDURAS IS DEFEAT FOR OBAMA

Porfirio Lobo was the conservative candidate in Honduras and now he is that country's president-elect. It is important to realize that there is absolutely no way Lobo would be in this position if not for the courageousness of a man named Roberto Micheletti who was a member of the Liberal party.

To truly appreciate what Micheletti did is simply awe-inspiring. It is the quintessential David v. Goliath story. At one point, there were only two countries in the world that supported the ouster of Manuel Zelaya and subsequent installation of Micheletti on June 28th - Taiwan and Israel.

At many points along the way, Micheletti felt pressure to an extent most will never fully appreciate. At one point, his nephew was found murdered and there was rampant speculation that the murder was politically motivated.

Roberto Micheletti has exhibited a level of courage rarely seen in this day and age and he did so in the face of United Nations opposition, Organization of American States opposition, Obama opposition (which still exists), Hugo Chavez opposition, Castro brother opposition, Daniel Ortega opposition, and an annoyingly persistent ousted president Manuel Zelaya who snuck into the Brazilian embassy.

Yet, the Obama administration has hit rock bottom on this issue and continues to dig. After voters overwhelmingly turned out in Honduras to peacefully elect Lobo and say NO to socialism, Obama says the elections are not good enough when it comes to resolving the constitutional crisis in that country. VOA reports:

The U.S. State Department says Sunday's presidential election in Honduras was a significant, but insufficient step, to end to political crisis that began there in June with the ouster of President Manuel Zelaya. U.S. officials are stopping short of recognizing opposition candidate Porfirio Lobo as the country's next president.

The State Department says the Honduran election met international standards for fairness and transparency and it has commended Porfirio Lobo for what it termed an "ample victory".

But at the same time, it stopped short of formally recognizing Lobo as the country's next president and says Honduras must still take steps toward political reconciliation before it can emerge from the isolation brought by the June 28 ouster of President Zelaya.

Lobo has a very rocky runway ahead of him upon which he must launch a successful presidency when he takes office but the way was cleared by Micheletti who by all accounts, simply wants to handover the presidency and fade away.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration continues to stomp its feet and cry foul.





h/t to FR

COP KILLER MAURICE CLEMMONS - WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE?

On July 16th, Obama friend Henry Louis Gates was arrested and days later Obama admitted to not having the facts while saying the police "acted stupidly". On November 5th, Nidal Malik Hasan gunned down 14 people at Fort Hood, TX. Obama cautioned people not to jump to conclusions.

Now, we have a black man killing 4 white uniformed police officers, quite possibly a hate crime and we're not hearing much out of the White House about it.

VIDEO: HOWARD DEAN IN FRANCE - WOW

We are witnessing an interesting phenomenon these days and it may be a double-edged sword that should come with a warning. The degree to which the left seems to be willing to admit its true intentions is increasing. In one respect, it is vindicating to see them expose themselves for who they really are and what their true agenda is.

On the other hand, the more trapped they feel, the more desperate and dangerous they can become.

Here's Howard Dean in France espousing European socialism and telling his audience America isn't far behind.

NAKED EMPEROR NEWS does it again...

VIDEO: CHIA OBAMA

You've heard of the Chia Pet. Now there's the Chia Obama. Interestingly and ironically, I liked how the Chia Obama is in the form of a "bust" and the fact that his hair is "green", which itself has dual meanings - climategate and experience. Not sure if that was intended but it's darn funny regardless.



h/t to FR

VIDEO: CZECH LEADER HAS IT RIGHT ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Vaclav Klaus, president of Czechoslovakia sums up what's wrong with the notion of Climate change quite nicely. Politicians finding a way to exploit an issue while appealing to the sensibilities of an extremely large segment of the world's population. Couple that with the ability for those same politicians to promise long term solutions they know they won't be accountable for achieving because they will be gone from office by then.

It's really unfortunate that we have to go to Czechoslovakia to get this kind of truth, honesty, and leadership. That said, it's still refreshing.



h/t to GP

VAN JONES BACK IN WHITE HOUSE FOLD

Aaron Klein has uncovered a very disturbing reality with respect to Van Jones and this administration. He's Baaaaaaaaack. According to Klein, while Jones resigned from his position of Green Jobs czar, he's still in contact with the White House and influencing policy. Considering Jones' former position - and his love for marxism - relative to Climategate, this is very disturbing news indeed.

Remember this guy? Klein is reporting that he is now serving on the board of an organization that is influencing White House climate policy. Something tells me Van doesn't see anything wrong with the incriminating emails at the CRU either. According to Klein:

Van Jones, President Obama's controversial former "green jobs" czar, serves on the advisory board of an independent environmental organization actively working with the White House, WND has learned.

Jones resigned in September after it was exposed he founded a communist revolutionary organization and signed a statement that accused the Bush administration of possible involvement in the 9/11 attacks.

Jones is one of 20 advisers to the University of Colorado–based Presidential Climate Action Project, or PCAP, which draws up climate-policy recommendations for the White House and has been working with members of the Obama administration.

Presidential Climate Action Project? Ain't it interesting that the acronym is one letter away from John Podesta's Center for American Progress (CAP), which accepted Jones back with open arms after his resignation as Green Jobs Czar?

You would think that in light of the more than 1000 emails from the CRU at East Anglia University being released and Climategate getting bigger by the day, this administration would attempt to distance itself from this type of controversy. As it is, Obama is still going to Copenhagen and the White House appears to continue consulting with a former employee that resigned in disgrace.

Read the WHOLE THING at World Net Daily.

SAUDI ACADEMIC: OBAMA TALKS TOO MUCH

Go figure. The Obama strategy of going overseas to deride his own country while groveling to others doesn't seem to be working. The Muslim world appears to be getting tired of seeing Obama on television too. Speaking ill of your own country while in other countries may get you applause but it certainly doesn't garner respect.

Very interesting piece in the WSJ by Fouad Ajami:

'He talks too much," a Saudi academic in Jeddah, who had once been smitten with Barack Obama, recently observed to me of America's 44th president. He has wearied of Mr. Obama and now does not bother with the Obama oratory.

He is hardly alone, this academic. In the endless chatter of this region, and in the commentaries offered by the press, the theme is one of disappointment. In the Arab-Islamic world, Barack Obama has come down to earth.

He has not made the world anew, history did not bend to his will, the Indians and Pakistanis have been told that the matter of Kashmir is theirs to resolve, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the same intractable clash of two irreconcilable nationalisms, and the theocrats in Iran have not "unclenched their fist," nor have they abandoned their nuclear quest.

Making the case with very tangible examples, Ajami closes with a paragraph that encapsulates Obama's dilemma perfectly:

The laws of gravity, the weight of history and of precedent, have caught up with the Obama presidency. We are beyond stirring speeches. The novelty of the Obama approach, and the Obama persona, has worn off. There is a whole American diplomatic tradition to draw upon—engagements made, wisdom acquired in the course of decades, and, yes, accounts to be settled with rogues and tyrannies. They might yet help this administration find its way out of a labyrinth of its own making.

Read the WHOLE THING.

There are so many reasons why I believe Obama RETURNED THE BUST of Winston Churchill to Great Britain. Relative to this piece by Ajami, I think this Churchill quote just about says it all:

When I am abroad, I always make it a rule never to criticize or attack the government of my own country. I make up for lost time when I come home.

h/t to HA