Midweek roundup

Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse wants to use RICO laws to prosecute those who understand and publicly proclaim that the global climate is not in any kind of trouble.

TSA head Melvin Carraway is being reassigned in the wake of a Department of Homeland Security underground audit in which airport screeners failed a security test 95 percent of the time.  Here's an idea: How about if we dismantle the TSA?  Wait, here's another idea: How about if we dismantle the DHS?

ISIS has shut off Ramadi Dam, cutting off the water supply to Khalidiya and Habbaniyah.

Freedom-Hater-care premium rates are skyrocketing:

IBD's Jed Graham looked at the limited number of filings two weeks ago, he noted that insurers were asking for hikes that averaged 18.6%. And as more rate filings became public, that picture hasn't changed.

In Virginia, for example, just one plan came in with a proposed rate increase below 10%. Three are above 25%. In Texas, Scott & White wants a 32% boost and Humana 30%. Alliance Health Plans in Georgia says that it needs a 37.85% increase.

The reasons given for these huge increases? The insurance pool is older and sicker than expected.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, which enrolled more than 329,000 people in the state, wants a 29% hike, saying, "Actual claims experience of the members ... is significantly higher than expected."

CareFirst in Maryland said that its per-enrollee claims shot up 49% in the first year of ObamaCare. WPS Health Plan also cited "the impact of numerous additional taxes and fees imposed upon our plan" as part of the reason why it wants a 19% boost.

It's true that these rates aren't final, and states can try to dial them back. But "this year, the health plans have hard claim data to show the regulators," notes health industry expert Robert Laszewski. Plus, he says, it's unlikely that state regulators will knock a 35% request down to 5%.

The Most Equal Comrade said that he's the closest thing to a Jew ever to sit in the Oval Office.

Sepp Blatter, elected to a fifth term as FIFA president, has now decided to step down.

It's wacky out there, I tell ya.