…And so I’ll speak!

According to Say Anything’s article, economist Ernie Goss details how the real mess with the VAT tax (apart from being a huge drain on an economy trying to wrestle some sort of recovery out of bad long term indicators) is that the nature of VAT exclusions turns the marketplace into a haywired system of conflicts and idiocy. One of the examples used for this is that Europe excluded bra sizes up to 34B because it is assumed that this is children’s apparel Yet, I have female family members well beyond the ‘age of majority’ that wear this size or smaller.

A VAT is appealing in that it is easy to administer and punishes consumption, not work. However, exempted products in the name of fairness become a real quagmire. For example, in Great Britain, bras, up to and including size 34B, are not subject to the VAT since it presumed that this is children’s apparel. Of course the impact of this exemption would punish the breast implant industry, or worse yet, force more well endowed women into underwear more properly worn by devotees of the Marquis De Sade.

For our sisters’, daughters’, wives’ and mothers’ sake, just say no to the VAT. Restraints on government spending are the answer, not new taxes.

Well, Damnit, I’ve had enough! I can take the insurance, the illegal aliens, the cap ‘n trade and what have you- but when you put a crimp on good ol’ American boobies I shall not be moved!

…By Salem Communications, according to the post by Captain Ed this morning. Wow, just wow; it’s going to take me a few minutes to process this one.

[Updated; scroll down.]

When Hot Air started, it was a dedicated video blog with Michelle Malkin in a day-to-day operative capacity, with Bryan Preston in the Producer’s slot (he’s now working for the Republican Party of Texas). I’m acquainted with Bryan (under another name :/), I ran a blog that was a founding “Hot Air affiliate” (no longer listed; I became inactive after a while. Given you a hint yet?)  and with the evolution of HA of the years, I’ve seen a number of iterations but the addition of both Allahpundit and Captain Ed and others (especially some inspired guest blogger choices) the site has never been in any doldrums and always grown out of their catalytic episodes to greater strength.

The purchaser is reported to be Salem Communications, the owner of TownHall.com, the current #1 Conservative website, so I don’t think message dilution is going to be an issue, as well as the comforting response from Ed that both AP and he will be remaining on staff for the foreseeable future  (his words, I believe).

If I have any questions at all, it will be what the larger corporate power a Salem Communication ownership will deliver to the site in regards to marketing, and possibly even more “mainstream” (*gag*) exposure to the site. Thusfar, even though HA is a particularly popular site, it still has the feeling of an “insider’s lounge” or like the locals-only pub in the obscure section of the Old Town, wherever it might be in your imagination. I hope it retains that feeling.

UPDATE: The Other McCain puts it succinctly:  ”Good News! Allahpundit Now Employed by ‘Christian and Family-Themed’ Media Conglomerate!”

Oh crap- There goes the humpbot!

…Of sounding like those who demonize our health care system in this country, I have the following prediction:

Trying to get an earlier appointment with the dentist, else I’m heading home with a bottle of decent scotch and a likely looking pair of vicegrips. And the extra, expensive dental coverage I’ve been paying for nine years? USELESS.

The North Canton Airline and Storm Door Company has been “retired” for a few years but I feel that now is the time for a bit of a comeback. Enjoy.

-Flynn