Townhall Daily - May 19 - John Ransom, Derek Hunter, Doug Giles, Mike Shedlock, Debra J. Saunders and More



John Ransom: Award for Worst Actor in Obama Conspiracy Goes to... Comrade Number One Derek Hunter: A Little Trip In The Way-Back Machine Doug Giles: Holy Cannibalism, Bat Man: Liberals Are Eating Liberals Mike Shedlock: The Poll of Doom: 46% in UK Want to Exit EU, 30% Want to Stay In Debra J. Saunders: A Few Screws Loose on Achy-Breaky Bay Bridge Daniel J. Mitchell: Great Moments in Human Rights: Mandated “Emotional Support” Animals in College Dorms Why Is Our Safest Investment Being Banned in America? From California to New York, strange bans are popping up.  Not against guns, drugs or smoking.  These bans are outlawing what many consider their safest investment.  More than 99% of investors own, or have owned, this asset.  Investors need to know what’s coming.  This special presentation reveals the truth about the new govt. bans… and how they are quickly leading to one $663 trillion event that could make or break your retirement.  To watch it, for free, simply click here now. Political Calculations: The S&P 500 Snaps into Focus Night Watch: Russia Shores Up Syria Defense Against "Foreign Navies"; Repeats No Libya Pledge Bruce Bialosky: Hillary Needs a Benghazi Necklace Scott Carter: The Naked Shorts on Gold Paul Jacob: Beyond the Gloatfest Paul Greenberg: Scandal of the Day James Allen: Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Defect and Character! Michael Youssef: The Bipartisan Folly of Our Islam Delusion Marita Noon: No Better for Obama Next Week, Either Chris Edwards: IRS Abuses Past and Present

SEIA - New Report: Solar Energy Reduces Military Costs, Boosts Security, Saves Lives

WASHINGTON, DC -- In celebration of Armed Services Day, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today released a first-of-its-kind report detailing how innovative solar technologies are helping the U.S. military meet many of its critical functions – from security and battlefield readiness to cost savings and efficiency.

“Enlisting the Sun: Powering the U.S. Military with Solar Energy” shows solar energy’s growing role in powering military installations and military homes across the U.S.  As of early 2013, there are more than 130 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems powering Navy, Army and Air Force bases in at least 31 states and the District of Columbia.

Just as importantly, solar energy is playing an increasingly important role in making the U.S. military’s energy supply more secure, more affordable and less reliant on often-times unstable foreign sources.

“America’s solar companies, which employ nearly 120,000 workers from coast to coast, are very proud of the contributions they’re making to help the men and women of the U.S. military to defend our nation,” said Rhone Resch, SEIA president and CEO.  “Solar clearly is making a big difference – both on the front lines and in military installations from North Carolina to Hawaii.  Many of the technologies being used by the military today have been adapted for use from consumer products.”

In Afghanistan, for instance, U.S. troops in battle zones are using everything from portable solar panels to solar tent shields to cutting-edge, solar-powered security systems to help them successfully carry out critical missions. See photos of military solar uses here.

In recent years, the Pentagon has become increasingly concerned about an overdependence on fossil fuels.  Today, the military buys gas for just over $1 a gallon, but getting that gasoline to forward bases in Afghanistan costs more than $400 per gallon.

By utilizing more solar energy, military leaders say they are not only saving money, but potentially saving lives, too, since solar is helping to reduce the number of truck convoys needed to transport fuel, which are frequently the targets of attacks by insurgents or improvised explosive devices (IEDs).  Over the past decade, there have been more than 3,300 U.S. casualties as a result of attacks on fuel convoys.

“Today, the Defense Department is one of the largest institutional users of solar energy in the world,” Resch added. “After using solar energy on military bases and in the field, many returning servicemen and servicewomen are finding great career opportunities at solar firms, which have been actively recruiting veterans.  Many other veterans have started firms of their own.”

In addition to its operational uses, solar energy is helping the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to rein in its massive energy bills. As the largest energy consumer in the world, the DOD faces a $20 billion energy bill each year. In response to increasing energy needs and shrinking budgets, the DOD has committed to meet 25 percent of its energy needs with renewable energy by 2025. The Navy, Army and Air Force are each implementing aggressive plans that are increasing investments in solar, which is expected to encourage even more innovation within the industry.

Today, the U.S. has 7,700 MW of installed solar electric capacity – enough to power more than 1.2 million American homes – and 40 percent of our existing capacity, or 3,300 MW, was installed last year alone, making solar one of the fastest-growing industries in the nation.  America’s solar industry now employs nearly 120,000 workers at 5,600 companies – most of which are small businesses spread across every state in the union.

About SEIA®:
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA and its 1,000 member companies are building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. www.seia.org

Background Materials:
- “Enlisting the Sun: Powering the U.S. Military with Solar Energy,” May 17, 2013: http://www.seia.org/research-resources/enlisting-sun-powering-us-military-solar-energy
- Enlisting the Sun Fact Sheet: http://www.seia.org/research-resources/enlisting-sun-solar-military-fact-sheet
- Military Solar Photo Gallery: http://www.seia.org/news/press-support/enlisting-sun-photo-gallery
- Interactive Map of U.S. Solar-Powered Installations: http://www.seia.org/map/military-solar.php
- U.S. Solar Market Insight: 2012 Year in Review: www.seia.org/smi 
- The Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census 2012: www.thesolarfoundation.org/research/national-solar-jobs-census-2012 

NHCC E-lert 16 May 2103

Rally For Homeless Camps Join the rally to end the disruption of homeless camps in Concord on May 20th at 3:00pm in front of Superior Court, 163 N. Main St, in downtown Concord. Support the three homeless men bringing suit to be able to stay on public lands. The NHCLU staff attorney, Barbara Keshen, filed a lawsuit last week on behalf of these men in Concord. The lawsuit is in response to state official's recent efforts to clear homeless camps. For more information, go to http://nhclu.org/.  Peacemaking after a Deadly Conflict  Healing and Reconciliation in Rwanda, Burundi, and Kenya Hear David Zarembka speak at 6:00 PM Sunday, May 26, at Concordia Lutheran Church, 211 N. Main Street, Concord.  Sponsored by Concord Friends Meeting (Quaker) This event is free and open to the public. 6 pm potluck meal followed by 7pm program. David Zarembka is the coordinator for the African Great Lakes Initiative -- Friends Peace Teams

New Hampshire Council of Churches    125 Airport Road                                 PO Box 1087  Concord, NH  03301                Concord NH  03302 603-224-1352 info@nhchurches.org                 www.nhchurches.org    Office hours:  Monday through Thursday, 9-3

ALG's Daily Grind - Deficit falls to $642 billion in 2013, but debt will still rise by more than $800 billion

May 17, 2013

Deficit falls to $642 billion in 2013, but debt will still rise by more than $800 billion

Don't forget about the government's direct and guaranteed loan programs, plus the growth of debt in the Social Security and Medicare trust funds.

Democrats Caving to Labor Pressure on Perez Nomination

ALG's Mehrens: "Perez has demonstrated time and again not only a strong willingness, but almost a zeal, to subvert the law to meet his own political agenda."

Oops, maybe government is tyrannical

Practically overnight people labeled conspiracy theorists by the elite were proven prescient interpreters of how big government operates when news broke last Friday that the IRS targeted conservative groups for special scrutiny in their tax-exempt applications.

Epstein: Watching Obamacare Unravel

"The 'Affordable Care Act' is becoming an unsustainable mess. It's time to scrap it entirely."

HotAir Daily Express 05/17/2013



Woodward: Don’t dismiss Benghazi as a scandal 5/17/2013 10:01:59 AM  Ed Morrissey 40 Comments We heard from one half of the Watergate-exposing journalistic duo this week on the AP scandal, and now the other half weighs in on the supposedly waning Benghazi debate.  The White House released 100 pages of e-mails that went around the administration More... Open thread: IRS hearings open on Capitol Hill, with live embed 5/17/2013 9:16:39 AM  Ed Morrissey 112 Comments The hearing was supposed to start at 9 ET in the House Ways and Means Oversight subcommittee, but it got started a little late. First up — former acting IRS Commissioner Steve Miller, who just got forcibly retired about a month early. CBS News has More... Lanny Davis: Did WH counsel know IRS was targeting conservatives? 5/17/2013 8:41:55 AM  Ed Morrissey 78 Comments If it’s true, it would be the first time anyone has linked the issue in any way to the White House.  Lanny Davis writes in The Hill today that he’s heard White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler knew for “several weeks” without More... Russia sending anti-ship cruise missiles to Assad 5/17/2013 8:01:50 AM  Ed Morrissey 57 Comments Last week, rumors began to swirl that Russia would sell Bashar al-Assad missile systems that would allow Syria to fight any NATO or US attempt to impose a no-fly zone.  Russia immediately denied it, which of course means that that’s exactly what More... DO YOU OPPOSE OBAMACARE? If you´re part of the 75% that does??? if you believe in personal liberty, free markets and small government… then stand with House Republicans and Capitol Hill Daily as we take one last all-out stand for the full repeal of the Affordable Health Care Act.  Don???t wait one more second to SIGN THE PETITION. Quotes of the day 5/16/2013 10:41:45 PM  Allahpundit 619 Comments Republicans must guard against the temptation to count on scandal to deliver election victories in 2014 and 2016. It is a lesson they should have learned in 1998. Republicans expected to make large gains in Congress that year but ended up losing five More... Reports: Dzhokhar Tsarnaev note found in boat points to mystifying motive we may never truly understand 5/16/2013 10:01:28 PM  Mary Katharine Ham 88 Comments CBS’ John Miller broke the story this morning of a note written in pen on the inside of the boat where Tsarnaev lay wounded before he was captured by police: “Basically the note says that he does not mourn his brother Tamerlan, that Tamerlan was a More... IRS official in charge during Tea Party targeting now runs agency’s Obamacare office 5/16/2013 9:21:01 PM  Mary Katharine Ham 163 Comments The second IRS guy who got the boot in this scandal? He’s been in his position for a week. Before that, it was Sarah Hall Ingram: The Internal Revenue Service official in charge of the tax-exempt organizations at the time when the unit targeted tea More... Good news: John Edwards is returning to the speaking circuit 5/16/2013 8:41:11 PM  Mary Katharine Ham 56 Comments Let the rehabilitation begin! The former U.S. senator and 2004 Democratic vice-presidential nominee from North Carolina is scheduled to appear June 6 at a private retreat in Orlando, Fla., for lawyer clients of the marketing firm PMP… Edwards has More... Sharyl Attkisson on Benghazi: “The media’s not always consistent in the vigor that they use to pursue a given topic” 5/16/2013 8:01:39 PM  Allahpundit 105 Comments Via the Brody File, here’s big-media’s most dogged Benghazi reporter confirming, as tactfully as she can, that she too thinks the press is in the tank. Lest you doubt her conclusion about a certain, shall we say, curious incuriosity among her More... Pelosi: These Republicans are too consumed with “evasions” to worry about the real issue, which is … jobs 5/16/2013 7:21:21 PM  Allahpundit 100 Comments Via Mediaite, I don’t know what to say, guys. Actual quote: “This president — they make so much of these issues because this president is such a great president,” Pelosi told reporters during her weekly press briefing. “They will use talking points More... CNN: US updates plan for “capture or kill” mission in Libya over Benghazi attack 5/16/2013 6:41:02 PM  Ed Morrissey 66 Comments Ahem. Didn’t Barack Obama warn American news agencies that all your phone records are belong to us if they published leaks about US intel and military efforts?  Oh, wait — that apparently doesn’t apply to stories that make the White More... ABC: Yes, it’s true, the acting IRS commissioner was preparing to leave in a few weeks anyway; Update: Second IRS official to step down; Update: Was promoted last week? 5/16/2013 6:01:21 PM  Allahpundit 55 Comments We already knew last night that he was planning to leave, rendering O’s big IRS scalp-taking a joke, but what we didn’t know for sure was whether the White House was aware that Miller was inching towards the exit. Answer: Yep, they were. His More... Obama to Marines: Hey, come here and hold an umbrella over me and Erdogan, will you? 5/16/2013 5:21:17 PM  Allahpundit 360 Comments Via Greg Hengler, I’m sure this has been done before by other presidents, simply because the optics are sufficiently bad that Team O wouldn’t have tried it without precedent to cite in its defense. Free advice to future administrations, then: More... Uh oh: Second appeals court invalidates Obama’s questionable “recess” appointments 5/16/2013 4:41:06 PM  Mary Katharine Ham 70 Comments Remember that time in 2012 when President Obama unilaterally declared the Senate in recess so he could make “recess” appointments? During the “recess,” he appointed three people to the National Labor Relations Board and More... Devin Nunes’s office clarifies: No, the DOJ didn’t wiretap the cloakroom in the House of Representatives 5/16/2013 4:01:53 PM  Allahpundit 60 Comments Duane Patterson’s Greenroom transcript of Nunes’s chat with Hugh Hewitt was accurate, but Nunes’s claims were not. Which seemed likely at the time: If the GOP was sitting on a scoop about Eric Holder’s deputies bugging More... WH: Golly, if we had a shield law, we wouldn’t have broken the other laws in AP records scandal, or something; Update: SPJ not buying it 5/16/2013 3:21:44 PM  Ed Morrissey 64 Comments More than a few people have claimed that the lack of a press shield law allowed the Department of Justice to seize phone records by the bushelful from the Associated Press.  David Ignatius made that claim in his lament over the impotence of a federal More... The Ed Morrissey Show: Guy Benson, Steven Crowder 5/16/2013 2:51:39 PM  Ed Morrissey 20 Comments Today on The Ed Morrissey Show (4 pm ET), Guy Benson brings us up to date on the goings-on inside the nation’s capital, and Steven Crowder returns to discuss his latest video efforts. Bring an umbrella! The Ed Morrissey Show and its dynamic More... Boustany: “A culture of rot going on at the IRS” 5/16/2013 2:41:09 PM  Ed Morrissey 61 Comments Jeff Zeleny asks good questions of Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA), who will chair the hearings in the Oversight subcommittee of Ways and Means into the IRS scandal.  Not coincidentally, Boustany was the person who asked then-IRS Commissioner Douglas More... WaPo: CIA asked AP not to expose Yemen terror plot bust until White House was ready to crow about it publicly 5/16/2013 2:01:45 PM  Allahpundit 137 Comments The whole point of Holder’s presser on Tuesday, I thought, was to stress that the DOJ had to take extraordinary action in subpoenaing the AP’s phone records because the leak itself was so extraordinary. The clear impression was that the More... Great news: US has misplaced two former Witness Protection Program participants “known or suspected as terrorists”; Update: Failed to update no-fly lists? 5/16/2013 1:21:55 PM  Ed Morrissey 125 Comments The good news for the White House?  Thanks to the current scandals, this may not even get noticed.  Jake Tapper has the scoop from yet another IG bombshell: The U.S. Marshal Service has been “unable to locate” two former participants in the federal More... Rubio: Obama “doesn’t have clean hands” in IRS scandal 5/16/2013 12:41:02 PM  Ed Morrissey 156 Comments But – but – but – he fired a guy who was leaving next month anyway! Shouldn’t that count for something? Apparently not with Marco Rubio, who offered a few dot connections on Fox News this morning between the IRS and AP scandals More... Ignatius: Big government “frighteningly impotent” 5/16/2013 12:01:32 PM  Ed Morrissey 72 Comments Really? Was the IRS impotent when it blocked hundreds of applications from conservative groups for tax-exempt status over three years while allowing applications from progressive groups to sail through? Was the Department of Justice impotent when it More... Oops: IRS’s rationale for scrutinizing tea partiers debunked by nonprofit application data 5/16/2013 11:21:42 AM  Allahpundit 112 Comments Good work by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, although we could have guessed that this was the case. Here’s what Lois Lerner said in her initial statement last week copping to the agency’s malfeasance: “We get about 60,000 applications for tax More... IRS to pro-life group: Send letter pledging not to protest Planned Parenthood to get your tax exemption 5/16/2013 10:41:45 AM  Ed Morrissey 190 Comments The Inspector General of the Treasury reported this week that the IRS began applying extra scrutiny and conducting harassment of Obama administration opponents as early as March 2010. However, for at least two pro-life groups, that scrutiny appears to More...