Cain and sexual harrassment

Let me say up front that I do not “know” if Herman Cain is innocent of the charges brought against him.

But I am sure of one thing. The way we have chosen to punish and prevent sexual harassment is wrong. Why?

Because if a person decides that they have been sexually harassed then they deserve to have their day in court. And the person accused of sexual harassment decides they are not guilty then they deserve to have their day in court. Or, if both agree, they can have a hearing and settle on a result.

But here is the difference in what happens and what I think should happen. The “result” should be made in full public view. Found guilty? Everyone knows. Found not guilty? Everyone knows? A settlement reached? Everyone knows. Everyone knows the facts as presented and they know the results. And they know it forever.

If we did that we would know what Herman Cain’s accusers claim he did. And we would know what the settlements were.

And we could judge if the claims were worthy of our attention and belief and if they really speak to Cain’s ability to be President. After all, we judged Clinton and said, "No problem."

There should be no political opponents using anonymous sources. As Sgt. Friday said, “Just the facts, mam.”

Of course barring a change in our legal system that is unlikely to happen. Lawyers are hired to win, not demonstrate the facts of the matter. Of course if the facts help us reach a conclusion we consider “just” all the better.

And lawyers, unlike what we see on TV, do not want to go into court. They want to win. So if they can settle and get what their clients want, then they have done their job. In most civil cases Side A wants money to sooth their anger at being wronged. Side B does not want to pay the money. In some cases the result is a public trial. In too many cases there is a settlement. A private settlement in which neither side can tell what the settlement was.

Some will claim that a private settlement allows the aggrieved person to be compensated without the embarrassment and emotional strain that a public one would. That may be true, but it lays the groundwork for future claims such as we have now with Cain.

Others will claim that a private settlement saves time and money because going to court is expensive and in too many cases sexual harassment is “he said – she said” and “you had to be there.” That’s true enough, but if everyone knew a public trial/settlement might be the result then people would be more careful in what they say and do. And people would be more careful in what they claim.

Yes, Virginia. There is a Santa Claus and some people make things up for a variety of reasons. Especially if they know a quick and private cash settlement is on the way. And I am not including the ladies involved in the Cain matter.

But to return to Cain, the ladies involved have been released from the confidentially agreement. One has declined to comment. Cain has said that what he did was note that the lady was the same height as his wife, placing his hand just under his chin.

You can call that what you like. But based on the lack of other information I don’t call it sexual harassment. And based on the public’s response, the majority of Americans join with me.

Are we right? Are we wrong? It appears we will never know.


"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.” - William Pitt

"Logic. There is little logic among the cultural elite, maybe because there is little omnipresent fear of job losses or the absence of money, and so arises a rather comfortable margin to indulge in nonsense." - Victor Davis Hanson

As I was driving home this week worrying about all the crap going on in the world and here in the USA and at how my life was falling apart when I saw a yard sign that said:

NEED HELP?

CALL JESUS

1-800-005-3787

Out of curiosity and desperation, I did.


A Mexican showed up with a lawn mower.


Hat tip to Mike L!



"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.” - William Pitt

"Logic. There is little logic among the cultural elite, maybe because there is little omnipresent fear of job losses or the absence of money, and so arises a rather comfortable margin to indulge in nonsense." - Victor Davis Hanson

Anybody wanna make a bet on which way he'll go?

DECISION SHIFT – The Obama administration is about to make a major decision on whether to approve the controversial Keystone XL pipeline that would bring oil from Canada to our Gulf Coast refineries. The decision was expected to be made by the State Department, but President Obama now hints that he personally will make it. It is critical that the pipeline be built. It will make us less dependent on the Mideast, and will add thousands of jobs. Modern technology can allow us to do this safely. Obama can appeal to his pre-industrial-age base by deciding against the line, and he'll make the Mideast oil nations happy. Or, he can appeal to the majority of Americans, even at the risk of some Saudi grumbling, or whatever they do over there. I'm not betting either way.

Link to Urgent Agenda

"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.” - William Pitt

"Logic. There is little logic among the cultural elite, maybe because there is little omnipresent fear of job losses or the absence of money, and so arises a rather comfortable margin to indulge in nonsense." - Victor Davis Hanson

Faster than a speeding bullet!

Or you could just vote to re-elect Obama!

Hat tip to Bill T!

"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.” - William Pitt

"Logic. There is little logic among the cultural elite, maybe because there is little omnipresent fear of job losses or the absence of money, and so arises a rather comfortable margin to indulge in nonsense." - Victor Davis Hanson

A day in the life of an Occupy Wall Street protester

This is just so delicious. Click here.

Hat tip to Jimmy M!

"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.” - William Pitt

"Logic. There is little logic among the cultural elite, maybe because there is little omnipresent fear of job losses or the absence of money, and so arises a rather comfortable margin to indulge in nonsense." - Victor Davis Hanson

Outside of rock and roll we Tennesseans

have never been known for leading the parade on "social issues" but I am happy to report that we have had our very own protesters for long enough to get the government to pass some rules about who, when and how people can use public areas.

This, as sure as night follows day, yielded this.

The judge released the nutcakes because he claims the law had not been in effect long enough for the people to know they were violating it.

Twenty-nine protesters arrested in Nashville, Tennessee at 3 AM on Friday for refusing to comply with a newly-enacted city rule banning “overnight occupation” have been released after a judge refused to sign criminal trespassing warrants against them.

According to The Tennessean, Night Court Magistrate Tom Nelson explained in an email to Davidson County’s General Sessions judges that “he ordered all of the protesters released from custody because the state had not given the protesters adequate notice that it was changing the rules.”

Link

Of course the Guv disagreed.

It was my understanding that we were going to enforce the curfew from the very beginning," Haslam said after attending a University of Tennessee trustees meeting in Knoxville. "In 14 hours, you should have time to decide whether you're going to stay or not."

Well yes. Yes you should. And everyone but the judge knows that the intent of the protesters was to be arrested. You know, resume enhancement for when they later run as Democrats for some elective office.

Haslam said his administration was responding to complaints from lawmakers and the general public about sanitary conditions and safety on Legislative Plaza.

Link

So the question is, how long will an activist judge be able to let the activists be active???

In the meantime, it seems that we have some actions taking place that are not usually performed in public.

There have been fights, including one relatively vicious slugfest involving brass knuckles, and this week state troopers were dispatched to deal with reports of “public urination and of two individuals committing a sexual act in public,” Safety Department spokeswoman Jennifer Donnals says. The sex act reportedly was taking place beneath a magnolia tree in full view of a state legislator’s office window. No arrests were made.

Ah, the old candy is dandy but magnolia is quicker move.

And only two???? What has happened to our youth?

I understand the legislator had no idea as to what was happening.

But then lack of knowledge is not an unusual thing among our elected officials.

Gomez, a 21-year-old college dropout and drifter from Kansas, concedes things may have gotten a little out of control, but he says that’s the way of forward-thinking movements. Dealing with the “stressed out” homeless has hamstrung Occupy Nashville, which started on Oct. 7, and prevented the protesters from gaining much traction in publicizing their grievances against greedy Wall Street and cash-happy politics, he says.

Link

And don't you just find the mouthing of a 21 year old college drop out just so.....just so....how can I say this....... Enlightening???? Yes. That's it. I always look for 21 year old college drop outs whenever I feel the need to educate myself on economics and taxes.

Doesn't everyone?

"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.” - William Pitt

"Logic. There is little logic among the cultural elite, maybe because there is little omnipresent fear of job losses or the absence of money, and so arises a rather comfortable margin to indulge in nonsense." - Victor Davis Hanson

Everyone knows that clouds make the stars disappear

It seems that every day or two I read an article claiming that the earth's temperature is going down or up or is stable or something.

Actually temperature measurements are known as "lagging" indicators and have no real meaning as to what is causing them. Think of your home's thermostat showing "72 degrees." What caused them was either the heating system or the cooling system.

Same for CO2. It is a lagging indicator. It increases AFTER the temperature increases. That means that it is an EFFECT, not a CAUSE.

So when hoaxers mumble over temperature they are like ancient men counting the stars on a cloudy night and then on a clear night. They know that there are more on a clear night but they have no understanding of why. And since they can see fewer on a cloudy night it is obvious to them that clouds cause stars to disappear.

Why it's the clouds. Anyone can see that. And everyone agrees. They have consensus.

But they can't tell anyone why. They can't predict when the clouds will appear. All they can do is claim that everyone agrees.

But the basis for science is this. Theories must be proven by repeatable experiments.

Without that, no matter how many people agree, a theory remains a theory.

And consenus is meaningless.

And only fools will give power and money to people who claim that the stars disappear because the clouds have destroyed them.

But we now have a repeatable experiment.

In this chamber, 63 CERN scientists from 17 European and American institutes have done what global warming doomsayers said could never be done — – demonstrate that cosmic rays can seed clouds, and that the more that cosmic rays reach Earth’s atmosphere, the cloudier it will be. Because the sun’s magnetic field controls how many cosmic rays reach Earth’s atmosphere (the stronger the sun’s magnetic field, the more it shields Earth from incoming cosmic rays from space), the sun determines the temperature on Earth.

Link

That's pretty simple. It is also repeatable. And it has the further advantage of the long held knowledge that volcanoes eruptioning into the atmosphere reflect sunlight and cause cooling. In fact, it was the fear by the anti-war crowd back in the 60's and 70's that numerous massive nuclear explosions would cause so much dust into the air that a nuclear winter would result and wipe out civilization if not all life.

This is is also the basis for the widely held theory that a huge meteor struck the earth ages ago in what is now the Caribbean. The massive explosion tossed so much dust in the air that the resulting temperature drop killed off the reptiles that ruled the earth.

And it was predictable:

Dr. Kenneth Tapping is worried about the sun. Solar activity comes in regular cycles, but the latest one is refusing to start. Sunspots have all but vanished, and activity is suspiciously quiet. The last time this happened was 400 years ago -- and it signaled a solar event known as a "Maunder Minimum," along with the start of what we now call the "Little Ice Age."

Tapping, a solar researcher and project director for Canada's National Research Council, says it may be happening again. Overseeing a giant radio telescope he calls a "stethoscope for the sun," Tapping says, if the pattern doesn't change quickly, the earth is in for some very chilly weather.

During the Little Ice Age, global temperatures dropped sharply. New York Harbor froze hard enough to allow people to walk from Manhattan to Staten Island, and in Britain, people reported sighting eskimos paddling canoes off the coast. Glaciers in Norway grew up to 100 meters a year, destroying farms and villages.

Link

So instead of wasting time and money on silly measurements of the temperature on earth, we would be wise to follow the magnetic field of the sun.

Not that we can do anything whatsoever about it.

But at least we would know whether we should buy long underwear or bathing suits.

"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.” - William Pitt

"Logic. There is little logic among the cultural elite, maybe because there is little omnipresent fear of job losses or the absence of money, and so arises a rather comfortable margin to indulge in nonsense." - Victor Davis Hanson