Matt-Gibson.org

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Matt Gibson is a travel writer and photographer who has melded his work in both fields seamlessly. On Matt-Gibson.org, you can share his experiences from “riding the crocodile” (literally) to ex-pat life to interviews with other travelers. So, who’s up for the crocodile ride?!

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Supersonic Tsunami, A New Worst-Case Scenario

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The imaginings of what may come of the BP oil leak get more and more inventive and dramatic.  The following article about the absolute worst-case scenario from the oil leak in the Gulf was read on one of my favorite radio shows Friday night.    After the host of the show read the story, he read a calmer email from a friend of his that he claimed provides him with “realistic sounding” scientific advice on a regular basis. His friend assured him that this scenario won’t happen and can’t happen.  But since I don’t know his advice giver at all, I can’t vouch for that advice.   Maybe this is something to worry about,  but that’s left up to you.   Just in case you live in Florida or on an island, you might want to consider this possibility.

The basics of this story: There is a massive methane bubble under the sea floor, and  the Deepwater Horizon drilling operation poked a hole in this methane pocket as it was getting to the oil.  Seven times more methane than normal is coming up with this oil, and it’s very volatile, so it could explode with a roar. If it blows, which is likely (or impossible, depending on who you believe) it will unleash a “supersonic tsunami” that will cover Florida and much of the Gulf coast.

Of course,  this is science fiction. Of course it is. But just for your own amusement, you can read the article anyway.   This is a take on the original story from Helium.com and another by the AP,  and presented by David Degraw.

“I was sent an article yesterday that presented a worst case scenario in the BP Gulf oil spill which described a possibility that sounded too horrifying to be true. The report said the BP drill site is directly over a massive underground reservoir of methane that could result in a huge explosion that would create “a supersonic tsunami” that “would literally sweep away everything from Miami to the panhandle in a matter of minutes. Loss of human life would be virtually instantaneous and measured in the millions.”

Sounded like exaggerated fear mongering to me, until I saw this report from AP today:

Gulf oil full of methane, adding new concerns

It is an overlooked danger in oil spill crisis: The crude gushing from the well contains vast amounts of natural gas that could pose a serious threat to the Gulf of Mexico’s fragile ecosystem.

The oil emanating from the seafloor contains about 40 percent methane, compared with about 5 percent found in typical oil deposits, said John Kessler, a Texas A&M University oceanographer who is studying the impact of methane from the spill.

That means huge quantities of methane have entered the Gulf, scientists say, potentially suffocating marine life and creating “dead zones” where oxygen is so depleted that [...]

Social Conservative for Kansas Governor Sam Brownback proposes abolishing out-dated Laws

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From Eric Dondero:

Also-ran 2008 GOP Presidential primary candidate and staunch religious right conservative Sam Brownback is showing a bit of a libertarian streak. He is proposing a unique new office for Kansas government. The frontrunner in the Governor's race says why not an "office of Repealer." The goal is to repeal long out-dated laws still on the books.

From the NY Times, June 12:

“People just love this idea,” Mr. Brownback said here the other day, smiling broadly. “They feel like they’re getting their brains regulated out of them.”

Case in point, in Mr. Brownback’s telling: the rejoicing of residents in Saline County, Kan., when a strict fireworks ban was lifted there. Mr. Brownback recalled the mood: “It was kind of like, ‘I got a little piece of liberty back!’ ”

Libertarian Party recruits top-notch candidate for GA Superintendent of Schools

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From Eric Dondero:

Libertarian Party candidates for office are often accused of being out-of-the-mainstream, and not "real world."

Meet Kira Willis. She is a mother of two. She has been a teacher for 17 years.

From her campaign website:

I see parents and teachers, schools and communities blaming each other for our schools' failures when the politicians and the policy makers are to blame. I see career politicians who have never been in the classroom telling those of us who live our educational system every day what is right for our kids. As a product of public school, a teacher in public school, and a parent whose children will attend public school, I want to make a difference.

She was recently featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Libertarian Kira Willis says too much administrative bloat." They asked her 4 questions. On Parental Choice from AJC:

[What] I do support are tax credits for families that wish to home school or send their children to private school.

I also support school choice. Vouchers mean another department within the DOE created to decide who receives a choice and who does not. A simple tax credit eliminates the need for a voucher department. School choice allows a free market in education and creates competition between schools.

Note - the Libertarian Party of Georgia has long been considered one of the most successful in the Nation (along with Indiana and North Carolina.) For example, Karen Johnson, an African-American woman, is an elected Libertarian currently serving on the John's Creek City Council (Fulton County, pop. 59,000).

Disclaimer - although we are first and foremost a Republican site, on occasion, we will highlight "Republican-type" or more conservative-leaning Libertarian Party candidates for office.

If Ann Coulter is the new definition of "Paleo" what does that make Lew Rockwell?

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Rightwing World turned upside down

Frances Martel, columnist at Mediaite has an editorial "The Prospect Asks “What Ever Happened To Ann Coulter,” But She’s Still Here." Included in the piece is this gem:

Coulter’s commentary feels dated, and she has been overtaken by even zanier voices on the right...

The question of whether the “old guard” of neo-conservatives– now often referred to as “paleo-conservatives”– like Coulter still have a seat at the table when the dialogue is being increasingly controlled by libertarian voices with a much bigger focus on loving the Constitution than hating liberals. Coulter’s narrative has consistently been that “liberals are stupid”– compare this to, say, Beck, whose narrative is, in general terms, “we must save America.” Libertarians have been a game-changer for Coulter.

Set aside the libertarianization of the Rightwing angle for a moment. Ann Coulter a "Paleo-conservative"? Pro-War in Iraq. Pro-War in Afghanistan. Pro-War on Islamo-Fascism.

That's enough to make the Paleos at American Conservative, LewRockwell.com and among the Ron Paulists scream bloody murder.

A historical footnote for Mr. Martel: Ms. Coulter briefly sought the Libertarian nomination for US House to challenge incumbent moderate Republican Rep. Chris Shays in 1996.