Cobolt Mining Looks Super Green!

By William Teach February 27, 2023 – 3:00 pm

So, we’re replacing strip mining for coal and spills here and there with fossil fuels for this?

Bleak photos show the reality of the cobalt mining industry responsible for the batteries in your phone, computer, and car

Cobalt is the new blood diamond.

It’s highly valuable and dangerous to extract. The Democratic Republic of Congo is responsible for about 70% of the world’s supply of Cobalt.

As the world transitions to renewable energies to fight climate change, the demand — and the price — for cobalt, a crucial ingredient used to make lithium batteries, has skyrocketed.

But even as the cost increases, the working conditions of the people mining it can be brutal, and the pay is almost nothing — The Guardian found in an investigation that workers were getting paid about 35 cents an hour.

Here’s the reality of where cobalt comes from and how it is mined.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, deep craters are dug into the earth to mine cobalt, a natural resource required to make lithium batteries.

In all fairness, cobalt is used in many other types of products, like batteries for smarphones, tablets, computers, and more, along with wear-resistant and high-strength alloys, such as for airplanes, plus in glass, ceramics, inks, paints and varnishes to give it that blue color

The demand for cobalt keeps growing, as does its price. In mid 2020, it was worth $29,000 per metric ton. By March 2022, it was up to $82,000 per ton. Experts agree the demand is only going to increase.

And that demand is skyrocketing, due to demand for EVs and other green projects, mostly along the lines of power storage. It has been called “critical” for the green energy transition. What does it look like?

There are a lot more photos of this (and I know I’ve done at least one post on this) at the article

Now, as much of the world attempts to fight climate change by transitioning to renewable energy, the demand for cobalt has never been higher.

Although the intention is good, it comes at a cost for those living in the DRC.

What’s that saying about good intentions?

Read: Cobolt Mining Looks Super Green! »

Posted in Enviroweenies, Global Warming | 15 Comments | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach February 27, 2023 – 1:00 pm

…is an Evil 1%er fossil fueled vehicle, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Not A Lot Of People Know That, with a post on drivers maybe getting hit with a tyre tax to crackdown on emissions.

Read: If All You See… »

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Many NY Dems Are Extremely Concerned Over Hochul’s Housing And Tax Proposals

By William Teach February 27, 2023 – 10:30 am

This shows one of the exact problems with politics

NY Gov. Hochul’s controversial housing, tax proposals have some Democrats on edge: ‘Extinction-level events’

Controversial proposals by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to increase the MTA payroll levy and override local zoning laws is worrying some Long Island Democrats that they could cost them their seats, with one lawmaker likening them to “extinction-level events.”

The Democratic governor’s MTA package relies, in part, on increasing a payroll tax on city-area employers to raise $800 million annually. The move is intended to help offset lower ridership and revenues since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The other proposal drawing some scrutiny would allow a state panel to override local zoning decisions if local municipalities fail to meet the state’s housing goals.

Democratic state Sens. Kevin Thomas of Levittown and Monica Martinez of Brentwood said housing initiatives should be decided locally. (snip)

Speaking on the possible impact on Democrats in Long Island, Democratic Assemblymember Fred Thiele of Sag Habor called both proposals: “extinction-level events” in comments to Newsday.

By extinction-level events, they mean their jobs, which are secondary to the financial pain that their constituents would see if the state general assembly passes these proposals. The Newsday article says

“Those are extinction-level events,” Assemb. Fred Thiele (D-Sag Harbor) said about the possible impact on Democrats in Nassau and Suffolk counties if Hochul’s proposals were to be adopted as-is.

Republicans do not have the power to stop the policy proposals, as they only control about a third of the GA. A whole bunch of Democrats would have to vote no, and, are there enough? This could be stuff buried in a bill with tons of other stuff? Oh, and it wouldn’t be “necessary” if NY government was so authoritarian during COVID, causing the tax influx dips. Perhaps they shouldn’t have been throwing on restrictions like mask requirements on the trains.

Gov. Hochul unveiled her $227 billion state budget proposal earlier this month as she warned of tougher economic times ahead.

The wide-ranging spending plan also includes a public university tuition hike, a 10% jump in school aid and a proposal to revise yet again state bail law, which is expected to meet resistance from liberal state lawmakers.

Hochul said caring for new migrants and the solvency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs subways and other public transit in the downstate region, are among the most pressing issues facing the state.

But, hey, a goodly chunk of the NYC and area residents voted for Hochul and Democrats, so, they should want to pony up, right?

Read: Many NY Dems Are Extremely Concerned Over Hochul’s Housing And Tax Proposals »

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Good News, French Peasants: They’re Coming For Your Meat

By William Teach February 27, 2023 – 7:15 am

Don’t expect the Elites to give up their own eating of meat, this is all about your peasants

‘A wake-up call for the industry’: Meat production in France under scrutiny amid climate change

climate cowAs meat consumption remains the biggest contributor to food-related greenhouse gas emissions, developing more eco-responsible habits requires changes to our diets. For livestock farmers, this translates into a need to find new ways of production.

Following Neige (Snow), Idéale (Perfect) and Imminence, the new ambassador of the International Agriculture Show, which opened February 25 in Paris, isOvalie, a 5-year-old cow of the Salers breed. As usual, the star gets to have her photo printed on posters for this annual event and her official public presentation is also set to be one of the high points of the show. This tradition highlights the importance of animal husbandry in French agriculture. But as climate activists often decry the environmental impact of meat production, the show also serves as an occasion to rethink our methods of production as well as the steaks on our plates.

“In France, we eat an average of 100 to 110 grams per day per person, which is the equivalent of 85 kilograms per year. Twice the global average”, noted agricultural economist Carine Barbier, researcher for the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and The International Research Centre on Environment and Development (CIRED). A mere quarter of the population describes itself as flexitarian, eating meat only occasionally, while 2.2 percent describes itself as vegetarian.

“It’s the principal cause of dietary-related greenhouse gas emissions” Barbier added. “Ultimately, the whole food industry already represents 25 percent of French emissions, this includes the entire process, from the production to our plates as well as imports. Animal farming alone represents 9 percent of total emissions.”

Whoa, whoa, wait a minute. Weren’t they just telling us that fossil fuels were the primary driver? In fairness, the methane and other greenhouse gases from all of the food sector, including meat, are minor drivers for the current warm period. Anthropogenic. I’ve always said this. But, the climate Fascists will use this to institute controls over the lives of the average citizen. For all the talk of things like change the diets of animals, fewer fertilizers and such, the grand poobahs do want to ban you from eating meat.

Read: Good News, French Peasants: They’re Coming For Your Meat »

Posted in AGW Socialism, Food and Drink, Global Warming | 4 Comments | Trackback URL

Surprise: Biden DOE Says COVID Most Likely Caused By Lab Leak

By William Teach February 27, 2023 – 7:00 am

I’m rather shocked that the NY Times would even print this, since they were champions of calling anyone who claimed this as a conspiracy theorist who needed to be locked out of social media and society

Lab Leak Most Likely Caused Pandemic, Energy Dept. Says

New intelligence has prompted the Energy Department to conclude that an accidental laboratory leak in China most likely caused the coronavirus pandemic, though U.S. spy agencies remain divided over the origins of the virus, American officials said on Sunday.

The conclusion was a change from the department’s earlier position that it was undecided on how the virus emerged.

Some officials briefed on the intelligence said that it was relatively weak and that the Energy Department’s conclusion was made with “low confidence,” suggesting its level of certainty was not high. While the department shared the information with other agencies, none of them changed their conclusions, officials said.

Officials would not disclose what the intelligence was. But many of the Energy Department’s insights come from the network of national laboratories it oversees, rather than more traditional forms of intelligence like spy networks or communications intercepts.

This is on top of

In addition to the Energy Department, the F.B.I. has also concluded, with moderate confidence, that the virus first emerged accidentally from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a Chinese lab that worked on coronaviruses. Four other intelligence agencies and the National Intelligence Council have concluded, with low confidence, that the virus most likely emerged through natural transmission, the director of national intelligence’s office announced in October 2021.

Is it just me, or did no one actually hear about that back in 2021? Because all the media outlets were still saying that it was because someone ate a bat or something, and it was linked to ‘climate change’.

Many Democrats have not been persuaded by the lab leak hypothesis, with some saying they believe the natural causes explanation and others saying they are not certain that enough intelligence will emerge to draw a conclusion.

It’s tougher to push authoritarianism if someone f*cked up, rather than a changing world.

But many Republicans on Capitol Hill have said they believe the virus could have come from one of China’s research labs in Wuhan. A congressional subcommittee, created when Republicans took over the House in January, has made examining the lab leak theory a central focus of its work, and is expected to convene the first of a series of hearings in March.

Is this pouncing or seizing?

Read: Surprise: Biden DOE Says COVID Most Likely Caused By Lab Leak »

Posted in Bat Soup Virus | 9 Comments | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach February 26, 2023 – 1:00 pm

…is a wonderful EV and an Evil fossil fueled vehicle, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Blazing Cat Fur, with a post on the US DOE saying that COVID most likely came from a lab leak.

It’s long legs week.

Read: If All You See… »

Posted in If All You See | 2 Comments | Trackback URL

Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup

By William Teach February 26, 2023 – 9:27 am

Patriotic Pinup Fiona Stephenson

Happy Sunday! Another fantastic day in the Once And Future Nation Of America. The Sun is shining, ducks are honking, and the Devils annihilated the Philly Flyers. This pinup is by Fiona Stephenson, with a wee bit of help.

What is happening in Ye Olde Blogosphere? The Fine 15

  1. The Last Refuge thinks it’s weird that Fetterman’s wife took the kids on holiday while he’s in the hospital
  2. The Gateway Pundit features a report that Fetterman is unable to take care of himself
  3. The First Street Journal notes that lies catch up with you
  4. The Feral Irishman has interesting Arizona election information
  5. The Daley Gator covers the climate cult making furniture out of elephant dung
  6. The American Conservative notes that the Equal Rights Amendment is about punishing women
  7. Sultan Knish covers systemic racism in East Palestine
  8. Powerline notes that our legal justice system is a farce
  9. Patterico’s Pontifications features choice words for Russia from Latvia
  10. Pacific Pundit highlights waterfountains being locked at East Palestine schools
  11. Moonbattery notes the media pushing a fake Chick-fil-a racial slur
  12. Maggie’s Farm explains how Scott Adams got himself cancelled
  13. Legal Insurrection discusses the LA Times bitterly clinging to mask mandates
  14. IOTW Report notes Seattle settling a lawsuit over it’s autonomous zone
  15. And last, but, not least, Geller Report covers the GOP wanting to know where the $113 billion for Ukraine went

As always, the full set of pinups can be seen in the Patriotic Pinup category, or over at my Gallery page (nope, that’s gone, the newest Apache killed access, and the program hasn’t been upgraded since 2014). While we are on pinups, since it is that time of year, have you gotten your Pinups for Vets calendar yet? And don’t forget to check out what I declare to be our War on Women Rule 5 and linky luv posts and things that interest me. I’ve also mostly alphabetized them, makes it easier scrolling the feedreader

Don’t forget to check out all the other great material all the linked blogs have!

Anyone else have a link or hotty-fest going on? Let me know so I can add you to the list. And do you have a favorite blog you can recommend be added to the feedreader?

Two great sites for getting news links are Liberty Daily and Whatafinger.

Read: Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup »

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Credentialed Media Suddenly Want To See All The J6 Video

By William Teach February 26, 2023 – 7:00 am

This would be the same Credentialed Media who were happy to run with the Narrative established by the hyper-partisan J6 committee, just running the cherry picked video release by the committee, never asking for all the video so they could do their jobs as watchdogs of Government, rather a reason that Freedom Of The Press is mentioned in the 1st Amendment. They showed no interest, but, now that McCarthy gave Tucker Carlson access now they want it?

News outlets demand access to Jan. 6 footage McCarthy gave to Tucker Carlson

Sore LosersA group of news outlets are demanding that they receive access to tens of thousands of hours of surveillance footage from the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) gave to Fox News host Tucker Carlson earlier this week.

Attorney Charles Tobin sent a letter on Thursday on behalf of 10 media organizations to congressional leadership to request all closed-circuit camera footage recorded inside the Capitol and on the grounds outside the building as was given to Carlson.

“The incredible public interest in understanding what transpired on January 6 crosses party lines,” the letter states.

Tobin, who provided the letter to The Hill, noted comments that McCarthy has made saying that allowing the American public to review the tapes would let “everybody make their own judgment” on what happened and would be in the public’s interest.

The outlets included in the coalition are Advance Publications, ABC, Axios, CNN, CBS, The E.W. Scripps Company, Gannett, the Los Angeles Times, Politico and ProPublica.

Funny that none of these outlets were saying the same thing over the past two years, eh? That there was no curiosity, no attempt to act as reporters to see if what the J6 committee was feeding them was the truth?

“Without full public access to the complete historical record, there is concern that an ideologically-based narrative of an already polarizing event will take hold in the public consciousness, with destabilizing risks to the legitimacy of Congress, the Capitol Police, and the various federal investigations and prosecutions of January 6 crimes,” the letter states.

You mean like the ideologically-based narrative from the committee, propped up by these same news organizations? As John Nolte writes

After TWO YEARS of bending over for Pelosi, look who’s suddenly concerned about an “ideologically-based narrative.”

We all know what’s going on here… The fake media are terrified the full context might prove what some people have been saying is true: that the Capitol Police did indeed open the doors to some of the same protestors facing legal action for trespassing. Who knows what else the video could show? Considering how corrupt the fascist F.B.I. has become, nothing would surprise me anymore.

Perhaps the video won’t show anything. Maybe it will show a lot. Humorously, it was just a few days ago the same media running with the Democratic Party talking point that the video makes America less safe. Public record video.

Read: Credentialed Media Suddenly Want To See All The J6 Video »

Posted in Journalistic Malpractice | 11 Comments | Trackback URL

Your Fault: Snow Hits Southern California

By William Teach February 25, 2023 – 3:00 pm

Shame on you for your modern lifestyle!

So, of course

How Climate Change and the Polar Vortex Influenced This Week’s Harsh Winter Storms

Much of the United States is being battered by bizarre winter weather this week, which trapped snowbound drivers in their cars, prompted airlines to cancel thousands of flights and knocked out power for at least one million properties across the country. It’s the latest disruption to the planet’s typical winter weather patterns caused by a teetering of the northern polar vortex—something researchers say is happening more frequently in part because of global warming.

That’s because the Arctic is warming some four times faster than the rest of the Earth, which destabilizes a fast, high-altitude current of air called the jet stream. That current encircles the Arctic, essentially containing the frigid air in that region and preventing it from creeping down into lower latitudes, including most of the United States. When the jet stream weakens, its pathway can wobble, much like a spinning top losing momentum, and pockets of cold Siberian air can then break out and scramble weather patterns in unpredictable and radical ways.

The swirling mass of freezing air that hangs above the North Pole is known as the polar vortex. Another polar vortex spins above Antarctica. And while disruptions to the northern polar vortex occur somewhat regularly—two out of every three winters on average, with many occurrences yielding mild consequences—some researchers have linked climate change to more extreme and persistent swings in the jet stream.

Linking is not the same as proving, nor proving anthropogenic causation

The U.S. storms, which began in some places as early as Tuesday night, caused havoc in nearly every part of the country. By Thursday afternoon, more than 930,000 utility customers living across Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Oregon, Arizona and New York had lost power, according to a website that tracks outages in real time. Hundreds of thousands of customers remained without power as of Friday morning, the website showed.

If the world went back into an ice age, or even just another Little Ice Age type climate, they’d still blame heat trapping gasses from your life. It’s a cult.

In fact, Los Angeles County got its first blizzard since 1989, and San Bernardino County issued its first ever blizzard warning, which stays in effect through Saturday. “Travel will be VERY DIFFICULT TO IMPOSSIBLE due to the extremely heavy snow and extremely high winds expected,” the San Diego division of the National Weather Service warned in a tweet Thursday.

So, it happens periodically, but, this is ‘climate change’. Even though it’s snowed in the LA area before, including measurable snow in downtown in 1882.

Video tweets of interest below the fold

Read More »

Read: Your Fault: Snow Hits Southern California »

Posted in Climate Cult, Global Warming | 4 Comments | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach February 25, 2023 – 1:00 pm

…is an overly bright day from too much carbon pollution, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is The Other McCain, with a post on fast food anarchy.

Doubleshot below the fold, check out The O.K. Corral, with a post on some Darwin Awards candidates.

And tripleshot, because I forgot to do an IAYS post Friday, check out The Lid, with a post on US credit card debt soaring.

Read More »

Read: If All You See… »

Posted in If All You See | 19 Comments | Trackback URL
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