Just when you think you’ve seen it all…..

This is really ill (HT Michelle Malkin):

Photographer Jill Greenberg has whipped up a storm of controversy with her new exhibition, End Times. The pictures in the show, for which she deliberately provoked tearful outbursts from children by taking away lollipops she had just given them, have been described by some as tantamount to child abuse.

I don’t give a damn what the topic was; it happened to be (surprise-not) an attempt at an anti-warChristian “statement” (thanks to Amy Ridenour for the clarification; the war in Iraq is just part of a larger objection to fundamentalist Christian beliefs.–Ed). What Greenberg did is not “tantamount” to child abuse, it IS child abuse. And it should be actionable child abuse.

And, yes, this post is in the “Business Moves” category, because Greenberg’s exhibit is a cynical version of exactly that, expressed thusly: “She utilizes this uncomfortable image as a way to break through to the pop mainstream and begin a national dialogue.” — Which is why I’m not linking to the exhibit.

Answer: Probably quite a few. So far he’s up to two, and he hasn’t even worked up a sweat.

His first find is Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA), whose House web site had this announcement on Thursday:

“On the eve of the first anniversary of the passage of the Bush Energy plan, Exxon Mobil said it earned over $10 billion this quarter, the second largest quarterly profit ever recorded by a publicly-traded U.S. company. While American families get tipped upside down and have their savings shaken out of their pockets at the gas pump, the Bush-Cheney team devises even more ways to line Big Oil’s pockets. The country is demanding a new direction, starting with tough fuel economy standards that will save them from more pain at the pump; unfortunately, the President is at the economic and diplomatic wheel of this country and is heading for a brick wall.”

His second is alleged GOP Senator Mike DeWine, who was noted by NewsBusters’ Mark Finkelstein as saying on ABC that “there’s something wrong when we’re paying record prices at the pump while oil companies are making record profits.” Finkelstein says, “He didn’t tell us just what was wrong, but I guess the message for folks back in Ohio was clear: ‘I care.’”

Why the charge of hypocrisy? Because, as Porkopolis notes, in both legislators’ home states, government-run pension funds have substantial investments in Exxon Mobil, and have benefitted from the huge runup in Exxon Mobil’s share price (3-year chart). If these two gentlemen were doing more than trying to score cheap political points, they would be demanding that their states’ government-sponsored retirement plans immediately divest themselves of ownership in Exxon Mobil and other (presumably evil) oil companies.

It just so happens that it might be a good strategy to dump oil stocks, because they may have peaked, but that’s beside the point. Pension funds hire professional managers to try to maximize returns; any other objective besides attempting to maximize returns (consistent with safety) is considered a breach of fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974. As can clearly be seen from the linked chart, what’s good for Exxon Mobil has been good for the states and their employees.

In terms of energy policy and national security, Mr. Markey and Mr. DeWine would be well advised to cast votes supporting drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, so that its supply can perhaps have an impact on worldwide oil prices, and so that the oil fields’ existence can provide at least a degree of protection against overseas supply disruptions.

Though injured himself, 12 year-old Australian Jack Joseland ran over three miles through the outback to save his teacher’s life:

Run of his life
EDMUND BURKE
23jul06
MODEST bush hero Jack Joseland was reunited with his proud parents yesterday insisting he didn’t know what all the fuss was about.

The 12-year-old schoolboy has been hailed as a hero after running 5km to save the life of his teacher critically injured in an outback car crash.

Speaking exclusively to The Sunday Mail yesterday, he insisted: “I just did what I needed to do.

“I don’t mind being called a hero but it’s a bit embarrassing. I don’t know what all the fuss is about.”

Paramedics say his quick actions saved the life of his tutor Wendy Blumson, 65, after Thursday’s accident about 10.30am left her trapped with massive chest injuries on a remote road.

It was Jack’s mercy run that got medical personnel on the scene in time to save his teacher’s life.

Jack and Mrs Blumson hit a series of ditches in a dirt road south of Longreach while driving 160km to Noonbah homestead from his home at Newhaven Station, 12km east of Yaraka.

“When Wendy hit the first one she managed to regain control, but then we hit the second and the third and were shunted sideways over the drain,” Jack said.

“We were airborne, then we slammed into a tree.”

After the smash Jack fought shock to take stock of the situation.

“I could see that the steering wheel was all mashed up and it was pushed up against Wendy’s chest,” he said. “She looked like she was in a fair bit of pain but she was able to say that I needed to go and get help.”

Jack kicked open the stuck door and squeezed out.

“Then I started to run.”

Jack was cut and seriously bruised in the accident, which police say happened at 100km/h.

But he ignored the pain.

“I was a bit frightened and it hurt a bit but I’ve known Wendy pretty much all my life and I needed to help her,” he said.

“I knew Noonbah wasn’t too far away. I don’t think I’ve ever run that far before.

“After a while I took my coat off and threw it on the ground. I was pretty tired but I had to keep going.”

Police say Jack arrived at Noonbah homestead less than half an hour later.

Karen Emmott, a qualified nurse, opened the door to the exhausted boy.

“He was pretty bashed up. But he is a typical bush boy. A tough little man,” she said.

“We called an ambulance and then went to the scene to do what we could.”

Thanks to Jack’s mercy dash, paramedics arrived on the accident scene a little over an hour after the crash.

“(Mrs Blumson) was in a critical condition,” Longreach paramedic Brian Masters said. “There’s no doubt Jack’s actions saved her life.

“He is a hero.”

Mrs Blumson had crushed ribs and sternum, damaged lungs and badly cut knees.

….. “We are very proud of him,” his mum said. “He’s a very independent young man.”