Gird your loins for battle...

...George (moonbeam) Monbiot of the UK Guardian is preparing to do battle with Professor Ian Plimer, author of the book Heaven and Earth... as Monbiot reports...After I wrote an article attacking his claims, he challenged me to a public debate. Last week I told him that I would accept his challenge as long as he accepted mine. I would take part in a face-to-face debate with him as long as he agreed to write precise and specific responses to his critics' points - in the form of numbered questions that I would send him - for publication on the Guardian's website...more here...

This exchange, if it comes about will be a defining moment. Watch this space.

...and, from the "Isn't Science Wonderful" dept...Study: Men Who Do Housework Attract More Women, Fewer Contusions

..."When Ian keeps ahead of the laundry, I find it really helps keep the relationship healthy and the hospital visits at a minimum," said Sarah Pilcher, 37, a study participant. "Isn't that right, Ian? I SAID, isn't that RIGHT?"
"Oh, yes, definitely, dear," agreed her husband Ian, 38, bolting to attention in the midst of a silent gaze through the window of their spotless home in Luton, Beds. "It's hard work sometimes, but I know Sarah appreciates it. Especially when I polish the glass on my testicle jar."
"I shudder to think what this place would look like had I not married Sarah. I reckon it would be such a disgusting mess from the pizza cartons and empty beer bottles, I would probably be down at the pub, drinking a pint with my mates, watching a football game," he added, bursting into tears...more from Dr Iowahawk here...

Virgin sacrifices to appease the Earth gods...

...are in order according to Iowahawk's interpretation of the US Waxman-Markey Bill. Whether the bizzare android alien Mr Waxman (right; and this is him after extensive surgery) will officiate at the ritual sacrifices is still unknown. In the meantime House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) defended the bill, saying that "...it is critical that we do something immediately to show we are serious about solving this climate crisis. Without burnt offerings of taxes and virgins, Gaia will smite us all in her angry burning wrath. So let me just say to the corporate and virgin special interest groups - don't come crying to us in 400 years, when our temperatures are up almost 1 degree celsius."
Pelosi denied the bill was anti-consumer, pointing out it contains specific infrastructure and job creation funds. It specifies 500,000 unionized positions to construct a planned 300-foot tall National Eco Pyramid and Virgin Sacrifice Altar in Youngstown, Ohio, as well as funds to train over 20,000 youth volunteer earth-priests in live beating heart removal...
"The rider simply recognizes that virgin members of Congress are often so busy doing the work of the people that we have little opportunity for actual sexual intercourse," said Waxman. "For example, were I not focusing on this crucial legislation, I would totally be porking some sexy, sexy ladies. No, really, I'm serious. I would be. Stop laughing."
Bill co-sponsor Edward Markey (D-MA) said that even if enacted into law, the bill allows a 9 month grace period for current virgins to change their sacrifice eligibility status.
"Easy for him to say," complained Kevin Warren, a 34-year old Green Bay Packer fanatic from Fon du Lac, Wisconsin. "You try getting laid with a foam rubber cheese hat, green face paint and Favre jersey..." ...more from the maestro here...

...and Bjorn Lomborg on the colossal rort of taxpayer money that is the climate industrial complex...American electricity utility Duke Energy, a member of the Copenhagen Climate Council, has long promoted a U.S. cap-and-trade scheme. Yet the company bitterly opposed the Warner-Lieberman bill in the U.S. Senate that would have created such a scheme because it did not include European-style handouts to coal companies. The Waxman-Markey bill in the House of Representatives promises to bring back the free lunch...more here...

The venerable Asse Hatte strikes again...

...the dreary and humourless PC left deserve to be mocked and satirised, and nobody does it better than the esteemed Iowahawk, whose genius is a daily must read. His merciless skewering of Rowan Williams, The Archbishop of Canterbury; Heere Bigynneth the Tale of the Asse-Hatte is a tale to relish. So too is this parable from Doverwatch regarding His Celestial Fogeyness...

..I saw a truly remarkable piece of ‘Street Theatre' in Canterbury yesterday afternoon.The Archbishop of Canterbury was doing a ‘walkabout’ in the town centre during which he approached a woman with a small toddler and attempted to ‘lay hands’ on the child. The mother gently drew the child away from him and told him “Don’t you dare touch my child!”The Archbishop drew himself up and arrogantly demanded “Do you know who I am?” to which the mother replied “Yes I do and don’t you dare touch my child!”Then in an incredible display of arrogance and insensitivity he completely ignored the mother’s wishes and stepping forward, attempted once again to 'lay hands' on the child. The mother reacted to this by shoving a large travel buggy between him and the child to prevent him doing so, at which two of his bodyguards quickly hustled him away followed by the rest of his entourage. Absolutely Priceless. His Eminence, the Archbishop of Canterbury behaving like a complete idiot in front of dozens of people. You simply couldn't make this stuff up...

Pissed on communion wine no doubt...thanks to Doverwatch, and H/T to visitor Norvile...

The voice(s) of young America today...

...as heard by the esteemed satirist Iowahawk, are coloured by their enchantment with their champion, President Obama, and relief. Relief from the tyranny of the hated 9 to 5, and eased by a regular relief cheque... leading to what Iowahawk calls funemployment...pictured left, funemployed web developer Ryan Hagstrom, 29, enjoying quality funemployment leisure time behind a Seattle dumpster...Never heard of funemployment? Here's Urban Dictionary's definition: "The condition of a person who takes advantage of being out of a job to have the time of their life. I found a burrito with only one bite in it; funemployment rocks!" ...Funemployment is a statement about American society. Experts say it's a sign that Americans are slowly embracing a healthier lifestyle that centers on self-actualization, survival, and Twitter rather than the often soul-crushing burdens of corporate careerism. These experts frequently credit the Obama Administration."Recession is a great opportuning for people to get outside, enjoy a sunny park bench, and have fun," said Robert Lester, a professor at UCLA's Anderson School of Business. "And President Obama is making that kind of fun possible for more and more people every day."
...The daily lives of the funemployed have never been more public. Many post Flickr sets of their globe-trotting vacations, proudly showing off a deep-bronze tan and washboard ribcage. Others blog about their latest amusing malnourishment hallucination, or broadcast via Twitter the day's weighty menu choices, as @roadkillgourmet did last week when deciding between raccoon and armadillo....stories like Greenleaf and Browning's represent more than just a hip new lifestyle trend among America's urbane unemployable literati. By thumbing their collective nose at employment, Lester said they also are sending a clear message to corporate America."America's increasingly savvy and educated funemployed are demanding much more from the companies laying them off," Lester said. "Until these failing companies somehow figure out how to meet the expectations of the young workers they don't need, it's unclear where our next generation of layoffs will come from...more from the maestro here...

The Credit Bailout...

...I think I understand it a bit more now. At least I know what to say to my family and friends, I actually have a point of view. Iowahawk explained it all with this debate...

..and re Sarah Palin from The Cato Institute...
Some commentators are suggesting that the McCain campaign has panicked about Sarah Palin’s appeal, trying to cram her head with policy-wonkery and then hiding her in a closet when that didn’t work. Let Palin be Palin, they say — let her show her authentic self, the gun-totin’, family-raisin’, reformist governor that Alaskans love. Good idea. Let’s start with the bailout. Surely a rugged individualist reformer from way outside the Beltway is champing at the bit to denounce this $700 billion bailout for Wall Street insiders cooked up by Washington insiders behind closed doors, without public hearings, with the unanimous support of the mainstream media. Let ‘er rip, Governor Palin. Tell the Wall Street bankers that when a small business makes bad decisions in Wasilla, it goes out of business, and the same rules should apply to large businesses in Manhattan. That’s the Sarah Palin conservatives say America would love.

And a statement of principle from the wonderfully named Congressman Thaddeus McCotter.

Tim Blair...

the Aussie Iowahawk.,Check him out here...

Canadian Radio Classics: Warman of the Mounted

Announcer:
From the Maritimes to the Yukon, the Great White North was once a lawless land where cruel and offensive opinions roamed free - until one man stood up and brought them to justice. One mighty masked man, clad in the scarlet breechcoat of the Royal Canadian Mounted Human Rights Police, astride a golden disabled lesbian steed, with his faithful transgender Indian scout at his side. Together they rode from Yellowknife to St. John's, keeping Canadians safe from the spectre of multicultural insensitivity.

The Canadian Broadcast Corporation invites you to return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear as we tell the tales of that legendary singing Human Rights Mountie. It's time for excitement - it's time for lawsuits - It's time for... Warman of the Mounted!more...