Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
Let me explain why Chris Christie would make a truly disastrous presidential candidate from the GOP perspective. You may need a sick bag handy, for the analogy I'm about to deploy is disgusting but apt.
You might call it Delingpole's Dog Poop Milkshake Theory.
OK, so there are all sorts of things we like to have in our milkshakes. Some of us might choose chocolate, others banana or strawberry. The more adventurous might go for even more exotic fruits - mango, passion fruit or maybe even guava. None of these ingredients are beyond the pale of reasonable inclusion in a milkshake. We're a broad church, we milkshake drinkers.
But suppose for a moment, we went to our favorite milkshake store and the Frappeur - or whatever milkshake mixers are called - were to say: "Sorry, we're all out of chocolate, banana, strawberry, even guava. But what I have got is a nice bit of dog poop which I scooped just now off the sidewalk. How would that suit you?"
We'd all, I think, go "No." And: "Urrggh!". And: "I am never coming to this milkshake store again!" And rightly so. Some things are right; some things are just about acceptable; and some things are just plain wrong.
And suppose the Frappeur were then to say: "No wait. It's OK. I just realized I do have all the ingredients you like: blackcurrants, bananas, strawberries, the whole bunch. In fact, I think I can promise it will be the finest milkshake you ever tasted - especially when I add my special ingredient. Just a small amount. You'll scarcely notice. You might even acquire a taste for it: it's earthy, aromatic, richly canine..."
Still it would be a resounding "No", right?
You get the idea. Where milkshakes are concerned, some ingredients are dealbreakers.
It's the same with potential GOP candidates. GOP candidates, say, who endorse the great Man Made Global Warming boondoggle.
TRENTON — In case anyone had any doubts on where Gov. Chris Christie stands on climate change, he made his position crystal clear this afternoon: It's real and it's a problem.
In vetoing a bill (S2946) that would have required New Jersey to stay in a regional program intended to curb greenhouse gases — a program Christie plans to leave by the end of the year — the governor said "climate change is real."
He added that "human activity plays a role in these changes" and that climate change is "impacting our state."
Hey, I too think that YouTube video of Christie confronting the teachers' unions was great, inspirational.
But being right on some of the things, some of the time, just ain't enough. Climate change is not a conscience issue like abortion; it's not a libertarian issue like marijuana; it's not a question of degree issue, like defense spending.
It is, quite simply, a pretext - with next to no scientific basis - for the expansion of government, the raising of taxes, the removal of liberty, property rights and freedom of choice, the destruction of free markets, the erosion of states' rights and the increase of regulation by democratically unaccountable institutions like the Environmental Protection Agency. No true Conservative believes in these things. No Libertarian either.
Don't let Christie spoil your milkshake. You won't like it, I guarantee.
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May '10
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
Great. Now I've got to suppress a gag reflex on top of getting "Fernando" out of my head.
Darn you, Ricochet.
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
James, first let me stipulate that I revere you and all your works, as also that I'm thrilled--just thrilled, deeply and honestly--to have you here on Ricochet.
But?
But--well, I just think you're plain wrong.
The operational portion of the press story you quote is the following dependent clause:
In vetoing a bill that would have required New Jersey to stay in a regional program intended to curb greenhouse gases....
To veto such a bill? In New Jersey? That represented a remarkable act of political courage. If Christie attempted to mollify his enemies with a few anodyne words--who, really, doubts that the climate changes, or that humans play some part in the changes?--then so be it. Not perfect. But still very, very good.
Respectfully--very, very respectfully--I must differ from you, Brother James. Christie's stance on climate change is no deal-breaker.
Edited on Sep 29, 2011 at 10:56amMay '10
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
I'm not buying it. Climate change is a question of empirical science, not moral absolutes.
The analogy would work if Christie were great on all issues, except for the fact that every day he would imprison one innocent civilian at the behest of a big donor. That would be a deal-breaker.
To fall for the climate change craze is a serious mistake. Maybe like putting ketchup in your milkshake. Whether it's still drinkable is all about proportion.
May '10
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
Abortion, on the other hand, is about moral absolutes. The only possible justification for voting for a pro-abortion candidate is that he and his policies are less pro-abortion than the only viable alternatives.
But that's for another thread.
Edited on Sep 29, 2011 at 11:00amRe: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
What evidence do you have that he has fallen for it? The climate has warmed. People do have at least something to do with that. You can say that, which, as best I can tell, is all that Christie has ever said, without falling for the whole alarmist semi-religious Al Gore-ish bucket of claptrap, and if you want proof of that, I refer you, once again, to Gov. Christie's veto.
Edited on Sep 29, 2011 at 11:06amMay '10
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
Peter Robinson
What evidence do you have that he has fallen for it? The climate has warmed. People do have at least something to do with that. You can say that, which is what Christie said, without falling for the whole alarmist semi-religious Al Gore-ish bucket of claptrap, and if you want proof of that, I refer you, once again, to Gov. Christie's veto. ·
Peter, first, in case there's any confusion, my "I don't buy it" was a response to James' post, not to your comment, which I didn't see until after I'd posted.
Second, I don't have any evidence, beyond bits I've heard here and there, which is why I worded my comment as I did, "To fall for climate change..." , not "His falling for climate change..." leaving myself wiggle room.
I don't see anything to disagree with in your post.
Since his speech at the Reagan Library, I'm rooting for a Christie/Cain ticket.
Edited on Sep 29, 2011 at 5:12pmRe: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
katievs
Peter, first, in case there's any confusion, my "I don't buy it" was a response to James' post, not to your comment, which I didn't seen until after I'd posted.
Second, I don't have any evidence, beyond bits I've heard here and there, which is why I worded my comment as I did, "To fall for climate change..." , not "His falling for climate change..." leaving myself wiggle room.
I don't see anything to disagree with in your post.
Since his speech at the Reagan Library, I'm rooting for a Christie/Cain ticket. · Sep 29 at 11:09am
What a relief! When I get myself crosswise of you, Katy, I feel the entire universe is out of joint.
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
Damn you with your rigor, Robinson! You could be right. As one does with blog posts I cast around very quickly to find a reference point for Christie's climate change beliefs and slapped down the first one I came to without properly reading and digesting it. I took it as a given that Christie is a True Believer in the Church of Climatism. What I now appreciate is that the "Climate Change is real" thing may just have been a formula: because, hey, Climate Change IS real. (Just not very man-made, is all).
So, let me hereby officially recant those parts of my piece which say Chris Christie is definitely a card-carrying climate alarmist.
But I'm not abandoning my disgusting, patented analogy, no sirree.
And let me say here and now - if it turns out Chris Christie IS a subscriber to the great climate change boondoggle, then every word of this piece is true.
Fair enough?
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
James Delingpole: Damn you with your rigor, Robinson! You could be right. As one does with blog posts I cast around very quickly to find a reference point for Christie's climate change beliefs and slapped down the first one I came to without properly reading and digesting it. I took it as a given that Christie is a True Believer in the Church of Climatism. What I now appreciate is that the "Climate Change is real" thing may just have been a formula: because, hey, Climate Change IS real. (Just not very man-made, is all).
So, let me hereby officially recant those parts of my piece which say Chris Christie is definitely a card-carrying climate alarmist.
But I'm not abandoning my disgusting, patented analogy, no sirree.
And let me say here and now - if it turns out Chris Christie IS a subscriber to the great climate change boondoggle, then every word of this piece is true.
Fair enough? · Sep 29 at 11:15am
Yet another thing I love about you, James, is that, libertarian that you are, you're marvelously contractual.
You have a deal.
Sep '10
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
To me, Christie seems much more suited to head the Department of Labor than to be president. None of the candidates appeals to me as president (including Palin, should she finally decide to make a go for it). Paul Ryan is the only potential candidate I've been thrilled about running. Take a smiling pix of Reagan and a furrowed brow pix of Lincoln, and I think you've got him. Yes, we only know about Ryan's domestic policies, but his manner strikes me as very well suited also for international affairs, especially since he understands economic issues. Since Ryan is out, though, I'm thinking a second Obama term might be better—IF IF IF—solid, small-government gains can be made in the House and Senate. The next few years could be very very bad financially no matter how good the Republican is as president. Maybe it would be good to make the Democrats live through the full political impact of their wreckage while a genuinely courageous Congress goes about dismantling some of the nonsense that's been created since 2006.
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
Here is a question. On anthropogenic climate change, where have the other candidates stood? And where do they stand today?
Did Mitt Romney fall for it? If so, has he changed his mind, and exactly what does he say now?
Newt Gingrich? Herman Cain? Rick Perry?
It would be nice to have a scoreboard.
Aug '10
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
I am a firm believer in Climate Change. The Earth has both been much warmer in our past than now as well as much colder in our past than now.
Both of those extremes occured without the industrial influences of man. It might be blamed on the industrial-sized flatulance of dinosaurs, but I doubt it.
I am much more inclined to charge the great nuclear furnace that inhabits our sky for nearly half of our locally observable solar-day - a theory I point out that seems to be supported by the scientists at CERN.
"Some" contribution to Global Warming does not mean "to a degree necessary to reverse/stabilize," although that degree of control is erronously assumed. The Anthropogenic Global Warming Couch is not too sturdy these days.
Newt's repose upon the Anthropogenic Global Warming couch with then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is my #1 reason for not supporting him.
If Christie sits upon that couch then he is unsupportable as well.
Edited on Sep 29, 2011 at 12:07pmMar '11
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
Paul A. Rahe: Here is a question. On anthropogenic climate change, where have the other candidates stood? And where do they stand today?
Did Mitt Romney fall for it? If so, has he changed his mind, and exactly what does he say now?
Newt Gingrich? Herman Cain? Rick Perry?
It would be nice to have a scoreboard. · Sep 29 at 12:00pm
Mitt Romeny, goes both ways.
Newt Gingich, for it before he was against it.
Hermain Cain has no plans to sign up for the Greenhouse Gas Rip-off.
Rick Perry is Mr. Climate Change Is A Hoax Drummed Up By Scientists Looking To Make Money
Oct '10
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
If Christie buys the MMGW hype, he only does so out of political expediency or lack of disintermediated information -- in other words, it isn't an article of faith woven into the fabric of his worldview. That means he can change.
And given the rate at which the MMGW narrative is unraveling (thanks in large part to Mr. Delingpole's tireless work), it's only a matter of time before Christie sees the light. I can't imagine a man with such an obvious revulsion to politically-motivated bull[expletive] continuing to swallow the MMGW dog[explative] (to use Mr. Delingpole's analogy).
Boy, that code of conduct is a real [expletive].
Edited on Sep 29, 2011 at 12:18pmMay '10
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
Unless you're afraid of a scenario where Christie is elected and eventually is paired with a congress more liberal than what we had in 2008, there's nothing to be afraid of. Because the congress of 2008, combined with President Obama, found it politically impossible to take significant action based on their asserted belief in AGW.
This issue is not a deal-breaker.
Dec '10
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
Peter Robinson
[...] The climate has warmed. People do have at least something to do with that. [...] · Sep 29 at 11:04am
Edited on Sep 29 at 11:06 am
Just like the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion spewed crude. More interesting is what happens next. Elemental nature reacts, synthesizes, pressurizes, combines, and transforms.
Every emission of bovine flatulence releases gaseous carbon but do those molecules form into diamonds in the sky, forevermore tormenting our atmosphere? Hardly.
Chemical emissions of any kind are like day and night, summer and winter, Lucy and Australopithecus afarensis: they are permanent until they are not.
Global warming proceeding from a prior period of global cooling has sublimely ignored man’s incantations before and always will.
That batch of CO2 escaping out of one’s mouth will soon feed a plant. Let’s not also have it justify more taxes as slop for Leviathan.
Dec '10
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
Peter, Initially I also hoped he didn't mean it, but upon further reflection I found that hope to be very misguided. Why should I hope a politician is disingenuous? I should rather hope for politicians to always say what they really believe. Christie has come across as just such a person. If he says he believes it, whether I wish it were otherwise or not, I think the more prudent course is to take him at his word. As to the point of James' piece, such a belief does raise concerns. However, if the choice is between one who believes climate change is real but also understands the cost/benefit analysis of solving it (Christie) and one who really, really believes it's real and does not give a rat's posterior about the cost to mankind of implementing whatever government controls necessary to "do something!" about climate change (Obama), then I'm going with the former every time.
Dec '10
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
Instugator: I am a firm believer in Climate Change. The Earth has both been much warmer in our past than now as well as much colder in our past than now.
Both of those extremes occured without the industrial influences of man. It might be blamed on the industrial-sized flatulance of dinosaurs, but I doubt it.
I am much more inclined to charge the great nuclear furnace that inhabits our sky for nearly half of our locally observable solar-day - a theory I point out that seems to be supported by the scientists at CERN.
...
Good points! There's another factor which interacts with our "nuclear furnace in the sky" and that is the earth's magnetic field. Fluctuations in the magnetic field can significantly alter how the sun influences climate - e.g. without the magnetic field the sun's solar winds would be deadly to life on the earth and would evaporate the atmosphere.
The earth has been warming since the last ice age and peaked somewhere in 13-1400 AD and then entered a mini-ice age which ended about 1800. No SUV's or aerosol cans involved. (Dates are approximate from memory)
Jul '11
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
The willingness to consider the possibility that climate change is real, and may be at least partly due to human activity, should in no way be a deal breaker. To allow it to become so would be just as closed-minded as insisting that questioning such a statement is beyond the pale. The question should be how we address the challenges of a changing climate, regardless of cause, and how high the priority should be to implement such policies. The fact that Christie is willing to stand up against these burdensome and futile attempts to curb greenhouse gases should be commended. It shows that despite his misgivings about the actual origins of climate change, should it even be significant, his priorities are with economic growth.
Edited on Sep 29, 2011 at 12:43pmJun '10
Re: Dog Poop Milkshake Theory and Chris Christie
Hold on guys. When do our politicians begin calling a fraud for what it is. If they keep pussyfooting around this issue, we lose. When we lose we end up with agencies such as the EPA running wild. I don't care how many people Christie is trying to mollify, the truth is the truth and AGM is a fraud.